B
Heroes of Our Time
A good heart
Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa among great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship(奖学金) to study medicine — but Coach(教练) John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth, or the duty to share his fortune with others. He built a new hospital in his old hometown in the Congo. A friend has said of this good-hearted man: “Mutombo believes that God has given him this chance to do great things.”
Success and kindness
After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming children’s videos(录像) in her own house. The Baby Einstein Company was born, and in just five years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. And she is using her success to help others — producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new program: “I believe it’s the most important thing that I have ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe.”
Bravery and courage
A few weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway station with his two little girls when he saw a man fall into the path of a train. With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks, pulled the man into the space between the rails(铁轨), and held him as the train passed right above their heads. He insists he’s not a hero. He says: “We have got to show each other some love.”
60. What was Mutombo praised for?
A. Being a star in the NBA. B. Being a student of medicine.
C. His work in the church. D. His willingness to help the needy.
61. Mutombo believes that building the new hospital is ______.
A. helpful to his personal development
B. something he should do for his homeland
C. a chance for his friends to share his money
D. a way of showing his respect to the NBA
62. What did the Baby Einstein Company do at its beginning?
A. Produce safety equipment for children.
B. Make videos to help protect children.
C. Sell children’s music and artwork.
D. Look for missing and exploited children.
63. Why was Wesley Autrey praised as a hero?
A. He helped a man get across the rails.
B. He stopped a man from destroying the rails.
C. He protected two little girls from getting hurt.
D. He saved a person without considering his own safety.
An elderly woman died and several other passengers were critically injured when a crowded Virgin express train crashed in Cumbria last night.
A huge rescue operation involving RAF helicopters and dozens of ambulances arrive. After passengers were trapped in the train for more than four hours because fallen power line poles made access for emergency workers difficult.
Authorities reported up to 80 injuries. Thirteen people were taken to hospital in a“critical or serious condition.”
Between 180 and 200 passengers were on the 5:15pm Virgin service from London Euston to Glasgow Central when all nine carriages left the rails between Oxenholme and Tebay. Witnesses said that the train shook violently before toppling(倾斜) over into an embankment(筑堤)with at least four carriages overturning. Early this morning, authorities confirmed an elderly woman had died and some other passengers had suffered injuries including back strains, head wounds and broken bones.
Ruth Colton, a passenger on the train, said she was reading a book when the journey became uncomfortable. It seemed that the train was being beaten by heavy winds,“as if we were on a plane”.
The accident brought concerns that Britain's busiest rail route would be crippled(瘫痪)for some time. The line between Preston and Carlisle was postponed as Virgin Trains promised a rapid investigation into the “serious incident”—the company's first big crash.
It is understood that the investigation will examine whether there was an obstacle on the track and the possibility of speeding or mechanical breakdown. The driver, who was injured, will be interviewed and a black-box recorder installed in the train will be examined.What made the rescue come so late?
| A．It's not accessible to reach the accident spot. |
| B．No enough helicopters and ambulances could be found at that time. |
| C．It was too far from hospital to Cumbria. |
| D．No one called the emergency center. |
According to the passage, the busiest rail route in Britain is
| A．From Preston to Carlisle | B．Between Euston and Glasgow |
| C．From Oxenholme to Tebay | D．Between Virgin and Pendolino |
What does the underlined word “critical”mean?
| A．Important. | B．Careless. | C．Dangerous. | D．Surprising. |
Which of the following is the possible cause of the accident?
| A．Careless driving. | B．Heavy wind. |
| C．Over loading. | D．Obstacle on the track. |
We can learn from the passage that Virgin Trains
| A．made no quick reaction to this accident |
| B．seldom had so serious an accident before |
| C．had made full preparations for the accident |
| D．didn't mind how many passengers the train can hold |
The history of the Games Olympia
Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities(设备) were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.
Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The ancient stadium in Olympia could hold more than 40,000 audience, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary(辅助的) buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.
The Games and religion
The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not a total part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and development of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.
Victory ceremonies
The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the audience cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.
The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath（花环）, or kotinos, on the winner's head.When did Olympia become the site of the Olympic Games?
A. In the 10th century B.C.
B. Before the 4th century B.C.
C. After the 4th century B.C.
D. It was not mentioned here.Which one is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Zeus is the founder of the Olympic Games. |
| B．The ancient stadium in Olympic were used as training sites for the athletes in the 10th century. |
| C．The Olympic Games have much to do with the religion. |
| D．The Olympic victor would receive a golden medal. |
Can you guess the meaning of this word “herald” in the passage?
| A．the author | B．the headmaster | C．the announcer | D．the manager |
When the athletes won the game, ______.
| A．They were awarded immediately after the competition. |
| B．They were awarded twice. The first, immediately after the competition; the second, on the last day of the game. |
| C．They were awarded on the last day of the game. |
| D．They were awarded on the last day of the game or immediately after the competition. |
The largest earthquake ( magnitude里氏 9.5) of the 20th century happened on May 22, 1960 off the coast of South Central Chile.
It generated(生成) one of the most destructive Pacific-wide tsunamis(海啸). Near the generating area, both the earthquake and the tsunami were very much destructive, particularly in the coastal area from Concepcion to the south end of Isla（岛） Chiloe. The largest tsunami damage occurred at Isla Chiloe---the coastal area closest to the epicenter(震中). Huge tsunami waves measuring as high as 25 meters arrived within 10 to 15 minutes after the earthquake, killing at least two hundred people, sinking all the boats, and flooding half a kilometer inland.
There was large damage and loss of life at Concepcion, Chile's top industrial city. Near the city of Valdivia, the earthquake and following aftershocks generated landslides which killed 18 people. At the port city of Valparaiso, a city of 200,000, many buildings collapsed. A total of 130,000 houses were destroyed --- one in every three in the earthquake zone and nearly 2,000,000 people were left homeless.
Total damage losses, including to agriculture and to industry, were estimated(估计) to be over a half billion dollars . The total number of death related with both the tsunami and the earthquake was never found accurately for the region. Estimates of deaths reached between 490 to 5,7002 with no distinction(差别) as to how many deaths were caused by the earthquake and how many were caused by the tsunami. However, it is believed that most of the deaths in Chile were caused by the tsunami. Where did the largest tsunami damage occurred?
| A．Concepcion | B．Isla Chiloe | C．Valdivia | D．Valparaiso |
What can we learn about the tsunami waves generated by the earthquake?
| A．The tsunami waves as high as 25 meters arrived immediately after the earthquake. |
| B．The tsunami waves killed 200 people and sank all boats. |
| C．The tsunami waves were very destructive. |
| D．The tsunami waves flooded half of the inland. |
What is generally thought the main cause of deaths in Chile?
| A．landslides | B．the tsunami | C．aftershocks | D．the magnitude 9.5 earthquake |
What is the total number of deaths in the earthquake?
| A．2,000,000 | B．between 490 to 57，002 |
| C．200,000 | D．it was hard to know. |
What does the underlined word “collapsed” probably mean ?
| A．was destroyed | B．caught fire | C．was flooded | D．sank |
YANGON -- Myanmar has officially accepted an offer of the United States to send humanitarian aid(人道主义援助) to the country's cyclone(飓风;暴风)victims, state radio reported Friday in a night broadcast Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U Kyaw Thu gave the assurance Friday, saying that the country is receiving such relief aid from any country without limit at this time according to its policy(政策) of dealing with the disaster, the report said.
Kyaw Thu denied rumors about Myanmar's turning down of such relief materials from Western countries but accept those from nations in good relations with Myanmar, saying that the country has never done so in this case.
Kyaw Thu said that well wishers abroad may make cash donation（捐赠）through Myanmar embassies（使馆）stationed there, while those who like to donate relief goods may present at the Yangon International Airport and seaports.
According to the report, the US relief aid would arrive in Yangon in days.
A foreign ministry's statement said earlier on Friday that at this moment, the international community can best help the victims by donating emergency provisions such as medical supplies, food, cloth, electricity generator, and materials for emergency shelter or with financial assistance," adding that "Myanmar will wholeheartedly welcome such course of action".
The government and the people of Myanmar are grateful to the friendly nations, the United Nations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, private individuals and others for their sympathy and generosity." it said. Which of the following is true?
| A．The US relief aid was turned down at first and then accepted. |
| B．The US relief aid has been sent to the capital city of Myanmar. |
| C．There are rumors（谣言）that Myanmar has turned down the US relief aid. |
| D．Myanmar will wholeheartedly welcome such course of action but the US relief aid. |
We Chinese may denote money to help the country's cyclone victims（受害者） through_____.
| A．Myanmar embassies in Beijing. |
| B．the Yangon International Airport |
| C．the United Nations |
| D．the Yangon International seaports. |
What can the international community（组织）best help the victims in Myanmar?
| A．medical supplies | B．financial assistance |
| C．electricity generator | D．all of the above. |
What is Myanmar’s policy toward the aids from abroad?
| A．Myanmar prefers cash donation to relief goods. |
| B．Myanmar only receives emergency provisions such as medical supplies, food, cloth, electricity generator, etc. |
| C．Myanmar receives donation relief aid from any country without any limit. |
| D．Myanmar prefers relief goods to cash donation. |
The title that best expresses the idea of the passage is _______.
| A．How to help Myanmar. |
| B．Myanmar accepts US humanitarian aid officially. |
| C．Myanmar is receiving relief aid from any country without limit. |
| D．The government and the people of Myanmar are grateful. |
It seems that politicians around the world are thinking about the health of their countries. While in China, Chen Zhu has announced his plans for a universal（全体的，普遍的）health service and reform across health services. Gordon Brown, the UK Prime Minister, has also announced he is planning to make some changes in our health service.
The crux（关键）of Mr. Brown's proposals are related to giving the NHS (National Health Service) a greater focus on prevention, rather than just curing patients.
He is planning to introduce increased screening for common diseases such as heart disease, strokes（中风）, and cancer, for example, breast cancer. In Britain there are 200,000 deaths a year from heart attacks and strokes, many of which might have been avoided if the condition had been known about.
Initially, the diagnostic (诊断的) tests will be available for those who are vulnerable, or most likely to have the disease. One example is a plan to offer all men over 65 an ultrasound test to check for problems with the main artery (动脉), a condition which kills 3,000 men a year.
The opposition have criticized Mr. Brown's proposals, saying that they are just a trick, and claiming that there is no proper timetable for the changes. They also say that Mr. Brown is reducing the money available for the treatment of certain conditions while putting more money towards testing for them.
The NHS was founded in 1948, and is paid for by taxation. The idea is that the rich pay more towards the health service than the poor. However in recent years there has been a great increase in the use of private healthcare, because it’s much quicker. NHS waiting lists for operations can be very long, so many people who can afford it choose to pay for medical care themselves.The underlined word vulnerable in the fourth paragraph probably means ________.
| A．sick | B．weak | C．wounded | D．old |
All the following statements are true except that _________.
| A．all people should pay for their healthcare at the NHS. |
| B．some people are against the reform of the healthcare. |
| C．the writer is likely to come from Britain. |
| D．more money will be spent on testing people than before. |
Which of the following is the reason for the increasing private healthcare?
| A．People are paying more attention to their own health. |
| B．People are well off enough to pay their healthcare. |
| C．The NHS was not available for most of the people. |
| D．It’s not so convenient for people to go to the NHS for their healthcare. |
According to the passage, the purpose of the health reform plan in the UK is to _______
| A．encourage more private healthcare. |
| B．focus on the prevention rather than on curing the patient. |
| C．deal with the main artery problems. |
| D．fight against the opposition in the UK. |
The author of this passage intends to tell us _________.
| A．the NHS should be reformed right away. |
| B．more and more people are dying from diseases. |
| C．the plan to reform the NHS in the UK. |
| D．the criticism of Mr. Brown's proposals. |