Lego, the inventor of those colorful bricks that have inspired kids’ imaginations world-wide, has celebrated its 50th anniversary. 
On January 28, 1958, a man named Godtfred Kirk Christiansen created the plastic building bricks that can now be found in almost every child’s toy box. The simple building block has become one of the most well-known and popular toys around the world.
"The Lego brick continues to be very attractive, because it allows children, and others, to develop their creativity and imagination," said Charlotte Simonsen, a spokeswoman of the Danish Lego company.
The company’s building brick allows an infinite number of links. With just two bricks there are 24 different links, and with six, there are 915 million possibilities, according to Lego.
A half-century after its creation, more than 400 million children and adults spend five billion hours a year putting the bricks together and pulling them apart. Also, the bricks made today can still interlock with those made in 1958.
Lego bricks are not just child’s play: they also attract the interest of adults. South Korean adventurer, Heo Young-Ho, who climbed Mount Everest in 1987, left a Lego toy behind in the snow during his climb.
After its great success Lego experienced a severe crisis at the end of the 1990s, hit hard by fierce competition from electronic games. This so-called "Toy of the Century" then suffered a dark period that lasted several years.
With great efforts, the company began to prosper again, and in 2006 it earned about 1.5 billion dollars in 130 countries. Seven boxes of Lego are now sold every second around the world, and 19 billion bricks are produced each year: enough to encircle the Earth five times！The Lego bricks have remained popular in the past 50 years as a result of _______.
| A．attracting many children worldwide | B．brought imagination to the children worldwide |
| C．making the children and even adults worldwide creative and imaginative | |
| D．having infinite links that bring many imagination |
The author gave the example of South Korean adventurer Heo Young-Ho in order to prove that ______.
| A．Heo Youn-Ho also loved playing Lego bricks |
| B．the Lego bricks made him a mountain climber |
| C．the Lego bricks not only interest children but also adults |
| D．the Lego bricks are a must when on goes on an adventure |
It can be inferred from the text that ______.
| A．there are 915 different links with just 6 bricks |
| B．the Lego Bricks Company has made a lot of money from the people worldwide |
| C．the Lego Bricks can’t compare with computer games |
| D．the bricks made today don’t change much compared with those made in 1958 |
The underlined word “hit” in the seventh paragraph means _____.
| A．defeated in a fight or a competition |
| B．have a crash in an accident or a fight |
| C．get known through a song |
| D．attack somebodyin a fight |
The main idea of the story is that _____.
| A．Lego bricks: brilliant past and struggling future |
| B．Lego bricks: an attraction of both children and adults |
| C．Lego bricks: making creativity and imagination |
| D．Lego bricks: making billions of money every year |
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A frugal (节俭) traveler, I’m on the road for three to six months out of a year, and all that wandering takes not just energy but organization as well. Before I set off, I will research destinations (目的地), book flights and hotels, and figure out what to do when I arrive. To do all those things,I have a long list of websites and other resources (资源). Since many people are now planning their summer vacations, I think I’d share my experience.
Once I have decided on a destination, I head straight for a little website called “Google” to do research. One of the first searches is for my destination with the words “frugal” and “affordable”. Seriously! When I went to Hawaii in 2008, the search immediately brought out the Pomaikai “Lucky” Farm B&B, a farm with comfortable rooms for $ 80 a night — a steal in America’s most 
expensive vacation spots.
I don’t just surf the Web, however — print still has its uses. I have a guidebook with me. When I travel for work, the information it provides is quite useful.
In order to know about the culture of my destination, I often turn to novels. In Manhattan, there’s Idlewild Books, where all kinds of books and novels sit side by side. But you could just easily visit the local independent bookstores or public libraries. If there’s really nothing in your area, log on the LongitudeBooks.com.
When it’s time to book a flight, I’m back online. My first stop is kayak.com, which searches almost every other booking site. I’ve also started to use ITAsoftware.com’s QPX system. It was developed for the airline companies.
Finally, when I’m ready to buy the ticket, I’ll go to the airline’s own website, because it offers the lowest price for the ticket. Then I’ll check SeatGuru.com, which offers seat maps of most airlines’ planes to find the best, most comfortable spot.
63. What does the writer usually do to prepare for a trip?
A. He turns to some organizations.
B. He wanders around to get information.
C. He consults websites and other resources.
D. He asks people who are planning summer vacations.
64. The underlined word “steal” most probably means “______”.
A. bargain B. farm C. room D. price
65. To know the culture of your destination, which of the following is suggested by the writer?
A. Tour the place and experience it.
B. Watch TV programs about the place.
C. Visit bookstores or public libraries.
D. Read the guidebooks about the place.
66. Where does the writer buy his flight tickets?
A. On the airline’s own website.
B. On kayak.com.
C. On ITAsoftware.com.
D. On SeatGuru.com.
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Back in the fifteenth century, in a village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Despite the hopeless condition, two of the children, Albrecht Durer and his elder brother Albert Durer, had a dream. They both wanted to become artists. After many long discussions, the two boys finally worked out an agreement. They would toss (投掷) a coin. The loser would go down to the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy (大学). Then, when that brother completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other at the academy.
Tossing a coin, Albrecht won and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went down to the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, supported his brother, whose work at the academy was excellent. By the time Albrecht graduated, he had earned a lot of money for his works of art.
When the young artist returned to his village, Albrecht thanked his brother for the years of support that enabled him to realize his dream. “ And now, Albert, it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to go for your dream, and I will take care of you.”
Tears running down his face, Albert said,” No, brother. I cannot go to Nuernberg. It is too late for me. Look…what four years in the mines has done to my hands! I have been suffering from arthritis (关节炎) so badly that I cannot even hold a wine glass. No, brother ... for me it is too late !”
Later, Albrecht Durer drew his brother’s hands. He called his drawing simply Hands, and later it was renamed The Praying Hands.
More than 500 years have passed. Among the works of Albrecht Durer, The Praying Hands, is probably the most familiar to people. Reproductions of it hang in people’s homes or offices.
Next time you see a copy of that touching painting, take a second look. Let it be your reminder — if you still need one — no one ever makes it alone!
59. Why did the two brothers work out the agreement?
A. They were curious about the result.
B. Their family couldn’t afford their attending the academy.
C. They had to support the other sisters and brothers in the family.
D. Neither of them wanted to study in the academy.
60. Why couldn’t Albert go to the academy after four years?
A. Albrecht changed his mind and refused to support Albert.
B. Albrecht was not able to earn enough money to support Albert.
C. Albert didn’t have a great love for painting any more.
D. Albert couldn’t hold a pen or brush to paint.
61. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. It proved that Albrecht was not good at painting.
B. Albrecht couldn’t earn any money while he was studying at the academy.
C. Years of hard work in the mines brought great suffering to Albert.
D. In the painting “The Praying Hands”, the hands were Albrecht’s.
62. What does the underlined sentence imply (暗示)?
A. You can achieve success all on your own.
B. Cooperation is important if you want to succeed.
C. There is other people’s sacrifice (牺牲) behind your success.
D. No one will succeed without working hard.
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第三部分阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
The most popular food in America was invented because a cook got angry. George Crum was a cook at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York. One day in 1853, a customer who had ordered fried potatoes sent them back to the kitchen. He wanted the cook to slice (切片) them thinner and fry them longer. George Crum had a bad temper (脾气), and he thought the potatoes were fine the way he made them. To teach the customer a lesson, he sliced potatoes very thin and fried them until they were crispy (脆的). But instead of being angry, the customer loved the new fried potatoes. He asked for more. Other people who tried them liked them too and customers kept asking for them. For many years, people called them Saratoga chips after the town where they were first made.
Even now, after more than 150 years, potato chips are very popular. At least one of every ten potatoes grown in the United States is made into potato chips. So if you like potato chips, be thankful that George Crum had a bad temper!
56. The customer sent the fried potatoes back to the kitchen because ______.
A. he wanted to make George Crum angry
B. he liked thinner potatoes fried a longer time
C. he knew the cook would invent potato chips
D. he didn’t want to pay for the food
57. George Crum cooked the potatoes in a special way in order to ______.
A. teach the customer a lesson
B. invent the potato chips
C. make the potato chips crispy
D. please that customer
58. What’s the best title for this story?
A. A cook with a very bad temper.
B. A clever customer.
C. Potato chips — the most popular food in America.
D. The invention of potato chips.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
THIS WEEKEND
Captain Goodfellow
Do your children enjoy interesting stories, funny games, and exciting dances? Captain Goodfellow will be ready to teach all these things to children of all ages at the City Theatre on Saturday morning at 10:00, free.
Walking Tour of the Town
Forget your worries on Saturday morning. Take a beautiful walk and learn about local history. Meet at the front entrance of City Hall at 9:30. Wear comfortable shoes!
Films at the Museum
Two European films will be shown on Saturday afternoon at the Museum Theatre. See Broken Window at 1:30. The Workers will be at 3:45. For further information, call 4987898.
International Picnic
Are you tired of eating the same food every day? Come to Central Park on Saturday and enjoy food from all over the world. Delicious and not expensive. Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Take Me out to the Ballgame
It’s October, and tonight is your last chance to see the Redbirds this year. Get your tickets at the gate. It might be cold… Don’t forget sweaters and jackets.
Do you want to hear “The Zoo”?
“The Zoo, a popular group from Australia, will give their first U.S. concert tomorrow night at 8 at Rose Hall, City College.
67. You can probably eat Chinese, Italian, and Arab food ________.
A. at the front entrance of City Hall
B. at the Ballgame
C. at 5:00 p.m.
D. at Central Park on Saturday
68 If you are going on the Walking Tour, don’t forget ________.
A. your worries
B. your beautiful walk
C. your learning about local history
D. your comfortable shoes
69. The Redbirds ballgame ________.
A. is in the afternoon B. is out door C. is at the gate D. might be cold
70. “The Zoo” is ________.
A. a park with lots of animals there
B. U.S. concert
C. a music group
D. going to give the concert at 8 a.m. tomorrow
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Hank Viscardi was 26 years old when he put on his first pair of long trousers and his first pair of shoes. For the first time he saw himself as he had always wanted to be –a full five feet eight inches tall.
Hank had been born without legs. Until he was seven, his world was a world of repeated operations. At last, he had no legs but stumps (残肢) that could be fitted with a kind of special boots.
Out of the hospital, Hank often found people slating at him with cruel interest. Children laughed at him and called him “Ape man” because his arms dragged on the ground. He went to school like other boys. His grades were good and he needed only eight years instead of the usual twelve.
After graduation, Hank worked his way through college. He swept floors, waited on table, or worked in one of the college offices. During all this busy life, Hank had been moving around on his stumps. But one day the doctor told him even the stumps were not going to last much longer. Hank would soon have to use a wheel chair.
Hank felt himself go cold all over. However, the doctor said there was a chance that he could be fitted with artificial (人工的)legs.
Finally a leg maker was found and the day came when Hank stood up before the mirror and saw himself for the first time five feet eight inches tall.
But this was not the end yet. He had to learn to use his new legs. Again and again he marched the length of the room, and marched back again. There were times when he fell down on the floor, but he pulled himself up and went back to the endless marching. He went out on the street. He climbed the stairs and learned to dance. He built a boat and learned to sail it.
When World War Ⅱcame, he talked the Red Cross into giving him a job. He took the regular training. He marched and drilled along with the other soldiers. Few knew that he was legless. This was the true story of Hank Viscardi, the man without legs.
63. It can be inferred from the story that five feet eight inches is _______.
A. an average height for an adult
B. too tall for an average person
C. too short for an average person
D. Hank's real height
64. The writer implies in the story that the Red Cross _______.
A. was only too glad to give him a job
B. gave him a job because be was a good soldier
C. gave him a job after he talked to somebody he knew in the organization
D. was not willing to give him a job at first
65. When Hank marched and drilled along with the other soldiers _______.
A. he did everything the other soldiers did
B. he did most of the things the other soldiers did
C. he took some regular exams
D. he took some special training
66. The writer suggests that Hank Viscardi _______.
A. had no friends
B. never saw himself as different from others
C. was very shy
D. was too proud to accept help from others