You may say it’s just a slip of the tongue. But as a senior official and a well-educated person, a professional who is supposed to be expert at using words shouldn’t have made such a remark like “Why did only two teachers commit suicide?” We use “only” to emphasize（强调） how small an amount is or how unimportant the matter is. When talking about death toll, such a word as “only” should never be appropriate.
Of course, it seems unfair to put all the blame on her, especially about the suicide of any individual. We should never indirectly encourage any self-destructive behaviour by making finger-pointing remarks afterwards. Any sensational accusation may help spread a very wrong message which will lead to even more copycat（模仿他人行为者）cases.
As expected, Professor Li has spoken out in her defence, saying that her remarks concerning the two suicides had been taken out of context, adding that she is a caring and warm-hearted person.
However, a seemingly “caring and warm-hearted person” without enough political sensitivity can hardly make a good government official. Mr. Tung used to be described as kind and selfless, but being kind is not enough. It is misleading to say such characteristics as kindness and devotion make somebody fit or capable.
Last time, her saying that students were the least qualified to criticize the Chief Executive had led to much criticism. Then she apologized. This time, a much more widespread furore（公众的骚动） has been brought. Again, she apologized. How many times is she going to apologize before she is willing to step down?
We need a more diplomatic（外交的） person to calm teachers, students and parents alike.
1. The purpose of the passage is to _____.
A. encourage teachers to commit suicide
B. criticize professor Li
C. put stress on the official’s remarks
D. show her dissatisfaction with the senior official
2. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The official used improper words in her remarks.
B. The senior official’s apologies were not sincere.
C. Nobody could comfort the people.
D. The professional tried to mislead the people to continue their suicide.
3. The author thought ________.
A. the official was very fit for her office
B. the official used the word “only” not by mistake
C. it was quite right to blame the official
D. the official won’t make such mistakes any more
4. From the passage we can infer that ______.
A. the officials’ remark led to more suicide committing
B. the official was a sensitive politician
C. the official believed the students had rights to talk about the Chief Executive
D. professor Li showed favor to the official
Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, led the international team that did the study. Professor Worm says species have recently been disappearing from oceans at increasing speed. At this rate, he says, all seafood species could collapse by 2048 and seafood supplies from the world’s ocean could be almost gone by then.
Other studies have also warned about the dangers of overfishing and the effects on ocean environments. But not everyone thinks the oceans are likely to be empty in fifty years. Some scientists said parts of the world do have problems, but others are doing a good job of protecting fish populations. Government officials in several countries with large fishing industries also questioned the research.
The study appeared earlier this month in Science magazine.
The researchers say damage to oceans affects not only fish populations but also the productivity of ecosystems. These complex systems help control water quality. The scientists say the loss of different kinds of sea life appeared to increase the risk of fish kills and beach closures from harmful algae growth.
The scientists examined the results of thirty-two experiments and observed forty-eight protected areas. They also looked at records of catches worldwide. They studied records from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for nineteen fifty to two thousand three. And they examined archeological information and other historical records for twelve coastal areas. That research reached back over a thousand years.
Boris Worm says the findings were, in his words, "beyond anything we suspected." But he also said the situation is not too late to correct. He said that with good fisheries management, some species could completely recover in three to ten years. Which of the following isn’t the damage to the ocean?
| A．The species of fish in the ocean are reducing. |
| B．Sea water is polluted. |
| C．Sea water quality is improved. |
| D．Less productivity of ecosystem. |
The conclusion of the research led by Boris Worm is _________.
| A．unbearable | B．unbelievable |
| C．doubtful | D．Convincing |
The research led by Boris Worm _________.
| A．was conducted by scientists from Canada |
| B．referred to information of many countries |
| C．lasted from 1950 to 2003 |
| D．referred to records dating back to over 1,000 years ago. |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．It’s too late to take action to improve the situation. |
| B．Some species will recover with efforts. |
| C．Boris Worm hopes that people take the warning serious. |
| D．Boris Worm shows great concern about ecosystem. |
As the United States nears the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 3,000 people, President Obama announced Sunday night that the al Qaeda（基地组织） leader and mastermind of that horrific day, Osama bin Laden, has been killed.
CNN reports that a senior government official confirmed that bin Laden was shot by a small team of U.S. soldiers while in a mansion with family members outside Islamabad（伊斯兰堡）. His body is now in American custody（拘押） and is being handled according to Islamic customs. Three other adult men were killed in the firefight, including a son of bin Laden's, who was a senior member of the terrorist organization.
"Justice has been done," the president announced, saying that the operation he ordered after receiving intelligence information is "the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda."
The immediate reactions ranged from cautious to ecstatic. Crowds cheered outside the White House. But officials said a "worldwide caution" would be set for Americans in case of al Qaeda retaliation（报复）.
Will bin Laden's death be the justice Americans have sought for nearly a decade?
Gordon Felt, president of Families of Flight 93, said it does bring comfort.
"This is important news for us, and for the world. It cannot ease our pain, or bring back our loved ones. It does bring a measure of comfort that the mastermind of the September 11th tragedy and the face of global terror can no longer spread his evil," Felt said.
President Obama says this victory does not close the book.
"His death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain cautious," he noted.The underlined word “ecstatic” most probably means _________.
| A．scared | B．extremely happy and excited |
| C．doubtful | D．amazed |
The author mentions all of the items listed below EXCEPT_________.
| A．Four people were killed in the firefight. |
| B．Families of the victims in the 9/11 attacks celebrated together. |
| C．President Obama thought highly of the Anti-Terrorist Military Action |
| D．Obama thought that al Qaeda will continue attack against the United States. |
It can be inferred from the text _________.
| A．The 9/11 attacks happened on September 11, 2001. |
| B．Osama bin Laden has three sons. |
| C．Some soldiers were injured in the firefight. |
| D．More than 3000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks. |
From the last paragraph we can learn that _________.
| A．Osama bin Laden’s death will put an end to terrorism. |
| B．President Obama doesn’t think bin Laden's death is a victory. |
| C．The United States will make efforts to defeat the al-Qaeda |
| D．The al Qaeda has a new leader now. |
Even if he is not the most liked comedian in China today, his popularity certainly has risen the fastest within the last two months.
He's "Little Shenyang", who came into national fame overnight after his appearance on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. With his funny cross-dressing, unique northeastern accent and superb imitative(模仿的) skills, Little Shenyang has obvious talent to support his rise to fame.
Hundreds of video clips of his shows have been posted on YouTube and other online video sites, and his performance fees reportedly grew 50-fold in just a few weeks. He has, at the same time, become one of the most controversial of entertainers.
Many have doubted his artistic potential, pointing out that his shows were repetitive and lacked creativity, a key to continued comedic success. Others belittle (轻视) the style of humor, saying it's too crude and appeals only to less-educated people. His defenders were just as up in arms. Many media commentators and bloggers said that his quick rise to star proved the broad appeal of his art form. He became a national champion not because of his "northeastern hick(乡巴佬)" humor, they argued, but because he represented something new on TV, something with a grassroots feel that appealed to millions of ordinary people.
Now, does Little Shenyang really deserve his star status? Some people belittle Little Shenyang’s humor because _________.
| A．He represents something with a grassroots feel. |
| B．The style of humor lacked creativity. |
| C．He speaks with a northeast accent. |
| D．He became famous overnight. |
What’s the secret of Little Shenyang’s success?
| A．His funny cross-dressing. |
| B．His unique accent |
| C．His super imitative skills |
| D．All of the above |
From the passage, we can infer that _________.
| A．Little Shenyang is the most popular comedian in China. |
| B．Few people like Little Shenyang’s performance. |
| C．Little Shenyang earns a lot of money now. |
| D．The author thinks little of Little Shenyang. |
Colleges may try to do a lot to prepare students for study abroad – telling about culture shock, warning about homesickness, recommending books about the country. But when it comes to adjusting to campus life when they return, schools haven't done as much, even though the transition is sometimes almost as difficult.
"They can feel disoriented and depressed. They find things are not exactly the way they were when they left," said Antonio Jimenez, director of the Center for International Affairs at California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, California, US. "They find that people don't care much about their experiences."
Some colleges are now rethinking their approach to study abroad, recognizing that students might need almost as much help adjusting to life back home as they did getting ready to leave: students experience a sort of reverse culture shock when they return to the US.
They might be troubled by the wealth and waste they see back home or they might feel homesick for their new country and its customs. And when they try to talk about their experiences, people quickly lose interest, especially if they haven't lived abroad themselves.
Down the road, they also might find it difficult to translate their time abroad into experience that an employer finds attractive.
Some California universities have organized conferences to help students make the most of their time abroad. During a one-day event, students learn how to adjust after living abroad, talk about their experiences and incorporate them into their lives and future careers.
Blythe Cherney, 22, a senior who has studied in Thailand and Britain, found the workshops helpful.
"Any experience abroad does have an effect on you," Cherney said. "When you come back, it's important to talk about it, especially with people who know what you've been through."
Yet most universities focus more on preparation than reorientation. When students return, they might have a welcome home reception. But for the most part, universities figure students can fend for themselves.Which of the following is NOT the trouble that students face when they return from studying overseas?
| A．Culture shock | B．Homesick for their new country |
| C．Losing interest in their homeland | D．Difficult transition |
The wrier is _________ the help colleges offer for the students when they return from studying overseas?
| A．pleased with | B．dissatisfied with |
| C．indifferent with | D．proud of |
The underlined word “workshops” refers to _________.
| A．conferences where people share their experiences |
| B．buildings where machines are made |
| C．shops where books are bought |
| D．labs where experiments are conduct |
After the students come back_________.
| A．They will easily find a good job. |
| B．People are very interested in their experiences. |
| C．They have to waste time and money. |
| D．They are confused and disappointed. |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A．Overseas students experience culture shock in foreign countries. |
| B．Some universities offer to help students in need. |
| C．Returned students find it difficult to translate their time abroad into experience. |
| D．Returning from studying overseas, students face more trouble than they expected. |
“Before you fall in love, you'd better get a job”
As told by Lee Joon-ho, 20, a senior in law at Seoul National University
Korean TV dramas have shown a lot of rebellious(反叛的) youth, but in fact most students still live a traditional life.
Confucianism has a great influence on us. For instance, Confucius said that we should be dutiful to our parents and value the family. Thus we prefer a school that's close to home so we can go back every day.
Also as a result of Confucianism, teachers enjoy a high status in Korea. The other day, my professor was flying to Vienna on a business trip. Instead of waiting for hours in the queue, he was told to check in first and didn't have any problem with overweight luggage.
When it comes to important decision-making, such as choosing a university, a job, and a wife, we listen to our parents' suggestions. Most parents seem liberal in study decisions, but they take a firmer attitude towards their children's love and marriage choices. Often, a man has to have his own business or a solid career before he's allowed to pursue romance.
Male chauvinism is popular among our parents' generation, since they had to support the whole family through hard work. We need to shoulder the same responsibility, but we've also learned to respect women, as they're doing outstanding work in lots of areas. But to be honest, my friends and I still prefer a traditional woman as a girlfriend and future wife. We want her to be elegant and thoughtful in taking care of a family.
Our sense of tradition is also reflected in our buying habits. In my house, you see only Korean appliances. Although European cell phones are available in ROK, we favor LG and Samsung, which are suited more to our tastes and widely promoted in TV dramas and films.The professor was told to check in first because _________.
| A．His luggage was overweight. |
| B．He had waited for hours. |
| C．People respect teachers in Korea. |
| D．He was on a business trip. |
Which of the statements is true according to the passage?
| A．Generally speaking, men need to support the whole family in Korea. |
| B．Korean women have no freedom in choosing husbands. |
| C．Male chauvinism is popular among young people now. |
| D．Young people are out of control of their parents. |
From the last paragraph we can learn that _________.
| A．You can not find European cell phones in Korea. |
| B．You can see advertisements for LG and Samsung in Korean TV dramas and films. |
| C．Korean cell phones are traditional. |
| D．The Korean people have a sense of tradition. |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A．Korean youth are rebellious. |
| B．Korean youth will not love anyone until they find a job. |
| C．Most Korea students live a traditional life. |
| D．Confucius has a great influence on the Korean people. |