D
I read about it in the paper, in the subway, on my way to work. I read it, and I couldn't believe it, and I read it again. Then perhaps I just stared at it, at the newsprint spelling out his name, spelling out the story. I stared at it in the swinging lights of the subway car, and in the faces and bodies of the people, and in my own face, trapped in the darkness which roared(隆隆响) outside.
It was not to be believed and I kept telling myself that, as I walked from the subway station to the high school. And at the same time I couldn't doubt it. I was scared, scared for Sonny. He became real to me again. A great block of ice got settled in my belly and kept melting there slowly all day long, while I taught my classes algebra. It was a special kind of ice. It kept melting, sending trickles(涓涓细流)of ice water all up and down my veins(血管), but it never got less. Sometimes it hardened and seemed to expand until I felt my heart was going to come spilling(溢出) out or that I was going to choke or scream. This would always be at a moment when I was remembering some specific thing Sonny had once said or done.
When he was about as old as the boys in my classes his face had been bright and open; and he'd had wonderfully direct brown eyes, and great gentleness. I wondered what he looked like now. He had been picked up, the evening before, in a sudden search on an apartment down-town, for selling and using heroin.
I couldn't believe it: but what I mean by that is that I couldn't find any room for it anywhere inside me. I had kept it outside me for a long time. I hadn't wanted to know. I had had suspicions(怀疑), but I didn't name them, I kept putting them away. I told myself that Sonny was wild, but he wasn't crazy. And he'd always been a good boy, he hadn't ever turned hard or evil or disrespectful, the way kids can, so quick, so quick, especially in Harlem. I didn't want to believe that I'd ever see my brother going down, coming to nothing, all that light in his face gone out, in the condition I'd already seen so many others.
67. The underlined word “it” in Paragraph 1 refers to ____.
A. the swinging light of the subway car B. the news of Sonny’s being arrested
C. everything trapped in the darkness D. newspaper
68. We can learn from the passage that ____.
A. the news on the paper was unbelievable.
B. I was too scared to believe the news
C. I was ill because a great block of ice was in my belly
D. Sonny and I hadn’t seen each other for a long time
69. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. Sonny and I were brothers.
B. Sonny had always been a good boy before being arrested.
C. I didn’t care about Sonny.
D. Many young men turned bad in Harlem.
70. Which of the following can best describe the author’s feelings towards Sonny? A. Concern, affection, expectation. B. Concern, hatred, expectation.
C. Affection, regret, sympathy. D. Regret, understanding, sympathy.
Since 1984, Philadelphia has been cleaning up its act. One by one, graffiti-covered walls are being changed into outdoor art. So far, more than 1,800 murals(壁画)have been painted. Philadelphia now has more murals than any other American city.
The walls that were once ugly with graffiti(涂鸦)are now covered with beautiful pictures of historical heroes and modern art, thanks to the Mural Arts Program (MAP). Its work makes schools and public places attractive, and its citizens very proud. The program began as part of Philadelphia’s Anti-Graffiti Network. Jane Golden is the MAP’s artistic director. “When people ask me what our program is about,” she says, “I answer them with one word: hope.” Each year, the MAP offers youth art programs and workshops. Some one-time graffiti writers even help paint MAP murals.
The MAP’s work, says Golden, is all about developing a sense of community (社区). When a neighborhood requests a mural, the MAP works with the people there to develop a message. Some messages have been “Safe Streets,” “Love and Care,” and “Peace Walk.”
The MAP receives up to 50 requests for murals each week. Last year, the workers painted 140 murals.
“The making of a mural enters people’s collective memory as an extraordinary, pleasant moment in neighborhood history” says Golden, who began as a muralist in Los Angeles.What can be the best title for the text?
A.Love, from Graffiti Writers to Muralists |
B.MAP, a New Company in Philadelphia |
C.Jane, an Excellent Mural Artist |
D.Hope, One Wall at a Time |
What is the Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia aimed at?
A.Helping the young find jobs. |
B.Protecting the neighborhood. |
C.Fighting against graffiti. |
D.Attracting more visitors. |
How does the MAP decide on the message for a mural?
A.By having discussions with people in the community. |
B.By seeking advice from the city government. |
C.By learning from the young graffiti writers. |
D.By studying the history of the city. |
Passage 1
As one of China’s most popular and widely known legend, the story of Monkey King is set to return to screens with 3D effects. It may feature many of the same leading actors from the earliest 1986 TV series Journey to the West. According to the producer, which can be got easily in the market. The TV drama, with a total investment of 150 million yuan, will be aired on Sichuan TV. Almost 90 million yuan has been put into 3D effects with each 45-minute episode containing eight minutes of 3D. “The 3D effects not only cost us a lot of money but also a lot of time,” director Kan Weiping said. “We had to put off its broadcasting time, which was set at first this summer.”
Passage 2
The Solar Roadway is an intelligent road that provides clean renewable energy using power from the sun, while providing safer driving conditions along with power. American inventors of the Solar Road said that it will power itself, and reduce the country’s carbon marks. Many panels are fixed on the Solar Road. The top of the Solar Road panels is made of glass and the inventors are working together with top glass researchers to develop super strong glass that would offer vehicles pulling power they need. The Solar Roadway creates and carries clean renewable electricity and, therefore, electric vehicles can be recharged at any rest stop, or at any business that uses solar road panels in their parking lots. Such parking lots will be safer at night with the light provided by LED within the road panels. The inventors say their solar roadway has many applications and advantages from main roads to driveways, parking lots, bike paths and runways.What’s Passage 1 mainly about?
A.The origin of the story about Monkey King. |
B.Monkey king will return to screens with 3D effects. |
C.The brief introduction to the TV series Journey to the West. |
D.The amount of money invested on the 3D TV series Journey to the West. |
About the 3D TV series Journey to the West we can learn that________.
A.it contains 45 episodes in total |
B.it will feature new actors completely |
C.we could watch it on TV after the summer |
D.we can enjoy it at home just with normal glasses |
What can be inferred about the Solar Roadway from Passage 2?
A.It will have a bright future. |
B.It can’t work without electricity. |
C.There won’t work without electricity. |
D.The electric vehicles can’t be recharged on it. |
Passage 2 is most probably taken from________.
A.a science fiction | B.a research paper |
C.a product brochure | D.a technology report |
Safety and Security Procedures
Your safety and the security of your personal property are of the primary concern to those of us who welcome you as our guest. We urge you to take advantage of the following suggestions.
YOUR VEHICLE
Lock your vehicle and do not leave money or valuable items inside. We are not responsible for their loss.
TRAVELING
Be observant (机警) when sightseeing or traveling. Stay in well-lit and heavily traveled areas. Don’t display large amounts of cash.
GUEST ROOM SECURITY
For additional security use the deadbolt (插锁) provided on your door and make sure the windows are locked. As an additional precautious (预防措施) measure, please secure the secondary locks provided. Do not admit anyone to your room without first making identification. A one-way viewer is provided in your door to assist with identification. If there is any doubt about the person’s identity, please contact the Front Desk.
SAFETY BOXES
Do not leave money or valuables in your room or vehicle. We provide free safety boxes for your use. Hotel is not responsible for items left in room valued over $200.
KEYS
Safeguard your key. Please do not leave it in the door. Do not give your key to others or leave it unattended. Please leave your key at the Front Desk when you check out.
REPORTING
Please report any suspicious activity, or safety concerns to management.
FIRE
Please familiarize yourself with the nearest fire exits. Report fire or smoke to the hotel operator. In the unlikely event of a fire, please move quickly and calmly to the nearest safe exit and leave the building. Avoid the use of elevator.The suggestions are most probably from ______.
A.a hotel manager | B.a police officer |
C.an experienced traveler | D.a tour guide |
Which of the following is TRUE?
A.It is advised to travel to places where there are few people. |
B.The hotel is not responsible for anything you lose. |
C.Don’t report to the manager unless you are sure something is going wrong. |
D.You’d better use the deadbolt and the secondary locks for safety. |
I If you feel doubtful about a stranger who knocks at the door, you should _____.
A.let the person in after you have got his/her name |
B.open the door to check the person’s ID card |
C.call the Front Desk to make sure |
D.contact the local police for assistance |
What does the underlined part “In the unlikely event of a fire” mean?
A.In case a fire happens, though it is not very possible. |
B.If a fire happens when some big events are taking place. |
C.In case a fire happens in a public building. |
D.If a fire breaks out and it is getting out of control. |
Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the great nineteenth century English novelist, was born near Portsmouth. His father ran heavily into debt and when he was twelve, he had to go and work in a factory for making boot polish. The only formal education he received was a two-year schooling at a school for poor children. In fact, he had to teach himself all he knew. He worked for a time as junior clerk in a lawyer’s office. After that, he worked as a reporter in the law courts, and later in parliament, for London newspapers. His career as a writer of fiction began in 1833 with short stories and essays in periodicals, and in 1837 his comic novel The Pickwick Papers made him the most popular author at his time in England.
He was a great observer of people and their places because he was attracted by life and conditions in mid-nineteenth century London. He wrote 19 novels all his life and in many of them, Dickens gave a realistic picture of all classes of England society, showing deep sympathy for the poor and unfortunate, exposing the injustice and inhumanity of the bourgeoisie.
Many of his novels like Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities and so on drew attention to the unsatisfactory social conditions that existed in England over a hundred years ago.
Dickens criticized capitalist society from the point of view of bourgeois humanism. He wished to see improvement in the living conditions of the poor, but failed to find any effective means to achieve that end.Dickens only received a little formal education because______.
A.he wanted to teach himself |
B.he wanted to work and made a lot of money |
C.he was too poor to afford any more formal education |
D.he wanted some working experiences to be a novelist |
According to Dickens, the society at his time in England was________.
A.just | B.poor |
C.comfortable | D.unsatisfying |
Which of the following novel made Dickens the most popular writer at his time in England?
A.Oliver Twist | B.The Pickwick Papers |
C.A Tale of Two Cities | D.Great Expectations |
According to the passage, which of the following about Dickens is true?
A.He didn’t go to school at all. |
B.He only wrote about poor people and showed deep sympathy for them. |
C.He began to write fictions when he was 21 years old. |
D.He found some effective ways to improve the living conditions of the poor. |
It’s not uncommon in America for a person to belong to some kind of volunteer group. Donating one’s time and services is very much a part of the American way of life. Most charitable(慈善的) activities are organized by churches and groups around the nation and even encouraged by the government. The helping hand is extended to the poor, the homeless and the disabled. Some people work to teach youngsters how to read. Others open up soup kitchens to feed the homeless. Volunteers also take care of the disabled by making reading tapes for the blind and working in orphanages(孤儿院)to help children without parents.
High school students are often encouraged to become volunteers and many school club activities center around volunteer services. Students may work with disabled children during a summer program, or participate in a club activity which helps to bring meal to senior citizens who are shut-ins. With their sense of idealism(理想主义)students are often eager to donate their spare time. They see such activities as a way of participating in the community and the adult-world. Social action for them becomes as important as their academic studies.
In a like manner,throughout the year,fund raising drives are also conducted by schools and community groups to raise money for a worthy cause. They may respond to a recent earthquake in a foreign country, a flood somewhere within their own, or another natural disaster which has left people destitute and homeless. They may organize drives to collect food, clothing and medicines to serve an immediate need. Today even the Halloween custom of ‘trick or treat’ has become an occasion to collect money for a charitable cause.
This call to help those less fortunate than themselves arises from the humble(谦卑的) origins of the American nation. Those immigrants(移民)who were poor and downtrodden(受压迫的)became dependent on the kindness of their neighbors to make a new life for themselves.
American volunteers work throughout the world in less developed countries. They volunteer by serving as a champion of goodwill(声誉)both at home and abroad, which no doubt enriches both his life and those whom he serves.Which of the following charitable activities is not mentioned in the passage?
A.Some people open up soup kitchens to feed homeless people. |
B.Some students bring meals to old people who can’t go out easily. |
C.Some people collect money to help a foreign country with a recent earthquake. |
D.Some students donate books to children in mountainous areas. |
Why are American high school students eager to do voluntary work?
A.Because they want to participate in some social activities. |
B.Because they want to go to better universities. |
C.Because they can get higher scores at school. |
D.Because they can realize their dream sooner. |
The underlined word “destitute”in Paragraph 4 probably means .
A.lifeless | B.penniless |
C.useless | D.valueless |
What’s the best title of the passage?
A.The Call from the Poor |
B.Voluntary Work in the US |
C.Ways to help the Poor |
D.American Volunteers Around the World |