Brazil has become one. of the developing world’s great successes at reducing population growth but more by accident than design. While countries such as India have made joint efforts to reduce birth rates, Brazil had better results without really trying, says George Martine at Harvard.
Brazil’s population growth rate dropped from 2. 99% a year between 1951 and 1960 to 1. 93% a year between 198 land 1990, and Brazilian women now have only 2. 7 children on average. Martine says this figure may have fallen still further since 1990, an achievement that makes it the envy of many other Third World countries.
Martine puts it down to, among other things, soap operas (肥皂剧) and installment (分期付款) plans introduced in the 1970s. Both played an important, although indirect, role in lowering the birth rate. Brazil is one of the world’s biggest producers of soap operas. Globo, Brazil’s most popular television network, shows three hours of soaps six nights a week, while three others show at least one hour a night. Most soaps are based on wealthy characters living the high life in big cities.
Although they have never really tried to work in a message towards the problems of reproduction, they describe middle and upper class values: not many children, women working, says Martine. They sent this image to all parts of Brazil and made people conscious (有意识的) of other patterns of behaviour and other values, which were put into a very attractive package.
Meanwhile, the installment plans tried to encourage the poor to become consumers. " This led to an enormous change in consumption (消费) patterns and consumption was incompatible (不相容的) with unlimited reproduction," says Martine.
according to the passage, Brazil has lowered its population growth ________.
A.by educating its citizens | B.by careful family planning |
C.by developing TV programmes | D.by chance |
according to the passage, many Third World countries
A.haven’t given much attention to birth control |
B.would soon join Brazil in controlling their birth rate |
C.haven’t yet found an effective measure to control their population |
D.haven’t realized the importance of TV plays in family planning |
Soap operas have helped in lowering Brazil’s birth rate because ________.
A.they keep people sitting long hours watching TV |
B.they have gradually changed people’s way of life |
C.people are drawn to their attractive package |
D.they popularize birth control measures |
What is Martine’s conclusion about Brazil’s population growth?
A.The increase in birth rate will increase consumption. |
B.The desire for consumption helps to reduce birth rate. |
C.Consumption goes with reproduction. |
D.A country ‘s production is limited by its population growth. |
I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries. A PhD student with not a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date.
We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile—warm and reassuring—and I returned her gift by smiling back.
“Must be a special lady, whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.
“Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It’s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one’.” Jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.”
“Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said. “My husband used to bring me flowers every week—even when times were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible days; he was very romantic and –of course—I miss him since he’s passed away.”
I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said, “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a special lady.” I handed her the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.
It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just bought. “Have a wonderful evening,” I said. I left her with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers.
I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her—that was the night that I won her heart.
61. Why was the writer in a hurry that day?
A. He was to meet his girlfriend. B. He had to go back to school soon.
C. He was delayed by an elderly lady. D. He had to pick up some groceries.
62. What does the underlined phrase “her gift” (Paragraph 2) refer to?
A. Her words. B. Her smile. C. Her flowers. D. Her politeness.
63. Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady?
A. She told him a nice story. B. She allowed him to pay first.
C. She gave him encouragement.D. She liked flowers very much.
64. Which of the following is Not True?
A. Strangers in Boston seldom have small conversations.
B. The girlfriend was very angry because the writer was late.
C. The old lady’s husband has passed away.
D. The writer and his girlfriend got married at last.
65. What is the message conveyed in the story?
A. Flowers are important for a date.
B. Small talk is helpful.
C. Love and kindness are rewarding (有回报的).
D. Elderly people deserve respecting.
第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
Perhaps the most amazing building put up in the 19th century was the Crystal(水晶的)Palace which was built in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Crystal Palace was different from all the other buildings in the world, for it was made of iron and glass. It was one of the biggest buildings of all the time and a lot of people from many countries came to see it. Plenty of good
s were sent to the exhibition from all parts of the world. There was also a great deal of machinery on show. Though in those days, travelling was not as easy as it is today, steamboats carried thousands of visitors across the Channel from Europe. On arriving in England, they were taken to the Crystal Palace by train. There were six million visitors in all, and the money from the exhibition was used to build museums and colleges. Later, the Crystal Palace was moved to the South London. It remained one of the most famous buildings in the world until it caught a fire and was destroyed in 1936.
56. People from many countries came to the Crystal Palace mainly to _________________.
A. go shopping B. visit an exhibition
C. pay a visit to the queen D. enjoy the Crystal Palace itself
57. The Crystal Palace was unusual because ____________________.
A. it was the biggest building in the world then B. so many visitors had been there
C. it was built with iron and glass D. it was burnt down at last
58. The money from the exhibition in the Crystal Palace was contributed to _________________.
A. decorating the Crystal Palace B. building museums and colleges
C. buying steamboats to carry visitors D. building highways to the Crystal Palace
59. According to the passage, the Crystal Palace ______________in 1936.
A. was burned down in a terrible fire B. was damaged in a snowstorm
C. was moved away to the south of London D. was destroyed in an earthquake
60. We can infer from the passage that the writer ________________________.
A. believes that the Crystal Palace is very useful
B. thinks that the Crystal Palace is pretty wonderful
C. expects the splendid Crystal Palace to be rebuilt this year
D. considers that the rebuilding of Crystal Palace is a waste of money
The manager and staff are happy to welcome you and will do all they can to make your stay an enjoyable one.
MEAL TIMES
Our overnight charge includes a continental-type breakfast.
Breakfast: 7:30—9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00—2:00 p.m.
Afternoon tea: 4:00—5:30 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00—9:15 p.m.
Meals can be served in rooms at a small extra charge. We regret that meals can not be served outside these times.
Light refreshments(茶点) including tea, coffee, biscuits and sandwiches can be served in rooms between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. except during the meal times listed above. Cold drinks are available in the room refrigerator.
ROOM CLEANING
Please hang the sign on your door handle if you do not wish to be disturbed. It will be easier for the maids if you can leave the room temporarily(暂时地) at any time between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
VALUABLES
We are not responsible for the loss of money, jewels, or other valuables unless they are kept in the safe and signed for by the manager.
DEPARTURES
Please inform receptionists(接待员) of your intended leaving before 9:30 a.m. of the day concerned and leave the room by noon to allow for its preparation for incoming guests. If necessary, luggage can be left in the charge of the hall porter(搬运工人).
A SPECIAL REQUEST
We would respectfully suggest that in consideration of the comfort of other guests, the volume of radios and televisions should be turned down after 11:00 p.m. .
72.Meals can be served __________ .
A. in rooms at 9:00 p.m.
B. in the dining room from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
C. in the dining room at 6:00 p.m.
D. outside the room at 3:00 p.m.
73.If you intend to leave the room tomorrow, you may leave at any of the following hours EXCEPT _________. .
A. 10:00 a.m. B. 12:00 a.m. C. 3:00 p.m. D. 11:00 a.m.
74.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Cold drinks can be found in the room refrigerator.
B. Guests are requested to turn down their radios and televisions after 11:00 p.m.
C. The sign that can be hung on the door handle shows that the room needs to be cleaned.
D. Your luggage can be kept by the hall porter.
75.Where is this notice most likely to be found?
A. In hotels B. In the newspapers
C. At restaurants D. In shops
A peer is a person who is about the same age as you. Peers affect your life, whether you know it or not, just by spending time with you.
Peers can have a good effect on one another. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in solar system. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book and now everyone’s reading it.
However, sometimes peers affect one another in another way. For example, one kid in school might try to get another to cut class with him, your soccer friend might try to persuade you to be mean to another player and never pass her the ball, or a kid in the neighborhood might want you to shoplift with him. Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don’t go along with the group. Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that “everyone’s doing it” may influence some kids to leave their better judgments or their common senses behind.
Peer pressure can be extremely strong and hard to get rid of. Experiments have shown how peer pressure can influence someone to change her/ his mind from what she/ he knows for sure is a correct answer to the incorrect answer-just because everyone else gives the incorrect answer! That holds true for people of any age in peer pressure situations.
It can be hard to walk away from peer pressure, but it can be done. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. Inner strength and self-confidence can help you stand firm, walk away and resist doing something when you know better.
68. What is the best title for this passage?
A. Peers have a good effect B. Children give in to peer pressure
C. Peer pressure is hard to resist D. Peer pressure
69. The underlined word “shoplift” in Paragraph 3 probably means “________”.
A. do some shopping B. carry goods for shops
C. steal in shops D. take the lift upstairs in shops
70. The writer will NOT agree that ________.
A. only children change their correct answers to incorrect ones because of peer pressure
B. peers have an effect on one another
C. peer pressure can be got rid of
D. peers will believe in themselves if there are other peers who agree with them
71. By writing the passage the writer intends to ________.
A. tell people to follow other’s opinions
B. warn people to stay away from their peers
C. tell it is hard to walk away from pressure
D. persuade people to do the right thing regardless of peer pressure
Pingyao, in the center of Shanxi Province, is a famous historic cultural city of China and a world cultural heritage site (世界文化遗址). It’s 90 kilometers south of Taiyuan on the Fen River.
People lived in Pingyao during the New Stone Age. Its long period as a country government seat has left Pingyao with lots of historic buildings and sites, with a 2,700-year history. Ninety-nine of them are under government protection, including Zhengguo Temple, Shuanglin Temple and Pingyao Ancient City.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, businessmen organized commercial (商业的) groups that did business nationwide. Shanxi Province had some of the most important ones and Pingyao was their center. In 1823, a store, known as Rishengchang(Sunrise Prosperity), traded in bank checks rather than in silver or gold coins. It was the beginning of modern Chinese banking. Branch banks were soon set up in major cities in China and other parts of Asia, leading to great development in Pingyao. Its Lacquer ware (漆器) became well known.
In Pingyao Ancient City are many traditional houses and commercial buildings, 3,797 of which are protected and more than 400 of which are in good condition. Not only do the houses in Pingyao show Shanxi’s history and culture, but this large number is valuable for studying its history, customs, and ancient buildings and art. Most of these houses are still used as homes and shops of local people.
In 1997, Ancient Pingyao City was listed in World Heritage List as “World Culture Heritage Site”.
64. What does the underlined word “them” (in the 2nd paragraph) refer to?
A. Historic buildings and sites B. The three temples
C. The country government seats D. The 2,700-year history
65. Which of the following about Pingyao is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. Its location B. Its tourism
C. Its business D. Its history
66. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Pingyao was a leading center in __________.
A. agriculture B. raising cattle
C. commercial trade D. making gold coins
67. If you want to know about the history of banking in China, you’ll visit __________.
A. Sunrise Prosperity B. Zhengguo Temple
C. A lacquer ware store D. A commercial house