PART THREE READING COMPREHENSION
Directions: Read the following three passages．Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements．For each of them there are 4 choices marked A,B,C and D．Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage．
Short reader – submitted stories – for the woman you should think of today!
——Compiled by Amy Zerello
Great Minds Reminded of Mom
After a long, exhausting day, a friend of mine, Allen, headed home. On the road, he passed an elderly woman who was standing by a car with a flat tire. If that were his mother, he thought, he would want someone to help her. With a tired sigh, he turned around and drove back.
Just as he reached the stranded woman, a truck pulled up and a burly farmer got out. "Kindof reminds you of your mom, too?" the man asked as the two of them pitched in together to change the tire for the woman.
-- Contributed by Katherine L. Houge
Your Biggest Fan
While waiting in a bookstore for a guest author to sign her latest book, I leafed through some of the Civil War novels she had written. The woman in line behind me commented, "Those are the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put them down." Before I could reply, the author frowning, looked over and said, "Oh, come on, Mom!"
-- Contributed by Marilyn Kopp
Head of the Household
My husband, Jeff, and I came across several problems while assembling our new computer system, so we called the help desk. The man on the phone started to talk to Jeff in computer jargon(行业术语), which confused us even more.
"Sir," my husband politely said, "please explain what I should do as if I were a four-year-old."
"Okay," the computer technician replied. "Sweetie, could you please put your mommy on the phone?"
-- Contributed by Lena Worth
How does it feel to tickle your mom’s funny bone?
Now send your own funny story to us! You could earn up to $ 300!
56．Who would the burly man be in the first joke?
A．Another kind helper. B．The old lady’s son.
C．Allen’s friend. D．A policeman.
57．What was the guest author’s mom trying to do in the second story?
A．Push hard to get her daughter’s signature.
B．Promote her daughter’s books by pretending to be a fan.
C．Show her pride in her daughter’s achievement.
D．Persuade Marilyn Kopp to buy her daughter’s book.
58．The computer technician on the phone in the third story________.
A．actually could find no way to solve Jeff’s problems
B．teased Jeff about his poor knowledge of computer jargon
C．wanted to talk to Lena instead
D．believed that Jeff’s mom would know more computer jargon
59．What is the main purpose of the jokes?
A．To make fun of moms. B．To honor moms.
C．To educate moms. D．To amuse moms.
60．The passage is most possibly found________.
A．in a storybook B．in a commercial ad
C．in a magazine D．in a student’s textbook
Tragedy at the Circus
In yesterday’s circus（马戏团）show, a tiger suddenly attacked its trainer and had to be shot dead. As the circus packed up and left, circus officials said the show would go on, even without tigers.
However, the officials cann’t simply turn a blind eye to the ethical（道德的） problems left behind. Even before this tragedy(悲剧), animal rights activists protested（抗议） against keeping wild animals in unnatural conditions and forcing them to suffer for the profit(利润)of circus organizers.
It is now time for us to take effective steps to make sure that circus animals are treated properly.
*******************************
Circus Safe for Animals
Our circus recently suffered a most tragic event in its history. While we are thankful for the pity from the public, we are also astonished by the opinion expressed in “Tragedy at the Circus. ”
First, our performing animals are not taken from the wild. As to the ethical problems. we always believe humans and animals can—and should—live together nicely. To us, the performing animals are representatives of their species(物种), and our circus is one of the only places left willing to support this special role of performing animals in the existence of the species. Those who argue that circus life is harmful to animals show little knowledge of these facts. Life in the “wild” is unsafe, but a continuous struggle for existence. To overlook these realities is the greatest fault against the animal kingdom.
This circus has proven that animals are stronger and smarter than we could imagine. Within the circus is a joyful atmosphere for both animals and humans: people are educated, and species saved. What is the main purpose of the first passage?
| A．To show pity for the performing animals. |
| B．To express worries about animal trainers' safety. |
| C．To deal with the difficult situations of the circus. |
| D．To call for action to protect circus animals. |
What will the circus most probably do?
| A．Take no notice of the tragedy. |
| B．Continue its performances. |
| C．Use fewer wild animals. |
| D．Limit its profit. |
What does the circus think of its performing animals?
| A．They are as clever as human beings. |
| B．They struggle continuously with human beings for existence. |
| C．They are helpful in saving their species. |
| D．They have equally natural living conditions as wild animals. |
What is the most probable relationship between the two passages?
| A．A public request and a newspaper report. |
| B． A newspaper article and a reply to it. |
| C．Two parts of a newspaper article. |
| D．Two newspaper reports. |
When a Swedish ship that sank（沉） in 1628 was recovered from the port of Stockholm, historians and scientists were overjoyed with the chance to examine the remains of the past.The ship construction showed how ships were built and operated during the seventeenth century. In this way, artifacts, objects made by human beings, provided a picture of daily life almost 400 years ago.
Underwater archaeology(考古)-the study of ships, aircraft and human settlements that have sunk under large bodies of water-is really a product of the last 50 years. The rapid growth of this new area of study has occurred because of the invention of better diving equipment. Besides the Swedish ship wreck(残骸），underwater archaeologists have made more exciting discoveries such as the 5000-year-old boats in the Mediterranean Sea.
Underwater archaeology can provide facts abut the past. In ancient ports all over the world are ships sunken in the past 6, 000 years. There are also sunken settlements in seas and lakes telling of people’s way of life and their systems of trade in ancient times. Underwater archaeologists want to study these objects to add to the world's knowledge of history, but they have to fight two enemies. One enemy is treasure hunters who dive for ancient artifacts that they can sell to collectors. Once sold, these objects are lost to experts. The second enemy is dredging machines(挖掘机）often used to repair ports. These machines destroy wrecks and artifacts or bury them deeper under sand and mud. By teaching the public about the importance of underwater “museums” of the past, archaeologists are hoping to get support for laws to protect underwater treasures. What purpose does Paragraph 1 serve in the passage?
| A．To provide background information of the topic |
| B．To attract readers' attention to the topic |
| C．To use an example to support the topic |
| D．To offer basic knowledge of the topic |
The aim of underwater archaeology is to .
| A．exploit(开发)water bodies | B．search for underwater life |
| C．study underwater artifacts | D．examine underwater environment |
Underwater archaeologists are worried because_____.
| A．sea hunters have better diving equipment |
| B．their knowledge of world history is limited |
| C．dredging machines cause damage to the ports |
| D．sold artifacts can hardly be regained for research |
What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A．To introduce a young branch(分支) of learning. |
| B．To discuss the scientists’ problems. |
| C．To explain people’s way of life in the past. |
| D．To describe the sunken ships. |
Italian Lakes and Greek Islands(12Days)
Prices starting from $1，999
Your tour begins in Milan, Italy, and moves on to the pretty Italian Lake District and the attractive resort(胜地）of Stresa, your home for two nights. Collette Vacations has carefully chosen the Costa Victoria as your home away from home for your 7-night journey along the waterways of the Mediterranean. The cruise ship is filled with the warmth and culture of Italy and is richly designed with entertainment(娱乐）areas and very good living conditions. It will take you to the places of your dreams.
You'll spend 4 days touring Greek cities you've always heard about. In Katakolon, you will have the only unguided tour to nearby Olympia on the whole journey. Then with a local guide you will visit the Greek islands of Santorini, which is often related to the story of the lost city of Atlantis, and Mykonos, a wonderful island with beautiful beaches.
Your journey ends in Verona, home of the love story Romeo and Juliet, with a fun-filled farewell dinner-a perfect ending to a pleasant journey.
12Day, 25Meals:10Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 9Dinners
Day 1 Overnight flight to Italy
Day 2-3 Regina Palace, stresa, Italy
Day 4-10 Costa Victoria(Costa cruises)
Day 11 Hotel Leopardi, Verona, Italy
Day 12 Leave for home
Please Note: How is the journey planned?
| A．It starts and ends in Italy. |
| B．It starts and ends in Greece. |
| C．It starts in Italy and ends in Greece. |
| D．It starts in Greece and ends in Italy. |
What can be inferred from the travel plan?
| A．The price may get lower than those in the plan. |
| B．The prices include three meals a day. |
| C．The price is the highest in summer. |
| D．The prices include entertainment service. |
What does the underlined part “the Costa Victoria” most probably refer to?
| A．A famous hotel. | B．A beautiful resort. |
| C．A comfortable ship. | D．A long-distance bus. |
Tourists will travel on their own in .
| A．Stresa | B．Olympia | C．Mykonos | D．Verona |
When I was in the third grade, I was picked to be the princess(公主）in the school play. For weeks my mother had helped me practice my lines. But once on stage, every word disappeared from my head. Then my teacher told me she had written a narrator's（解说者的）part for the play, and asked me to change roles. Though I didn't tell my mother what had happened that day, she sensed my unhappiness and asked if I wanted to take a walk in the yard.
It was a lovely spring day. We could see dandelions(蒲公英）popping through the grass in bunches, as if a painter had touched our landscape with bits of gold. I watched my mother carelessly bend down by one of the bunches. "I think I am going to dig up all these weeds, "she said. "From now on, we'll have only roses in this garden. "
"But I like dandelions, "I protested. "All flowers are beautiful-even dandelions!"
My mother looked at me seriously. "Yes, every flower gives pleasure in its own way, doesn't it?" she asked thoughtfully. I nodded. "And that is true of people, too, " she added.
When I realized that she had guessed my pain, I started to cry and told her the truth.
“But you will be a beautiful narrator, ”she said, reminding me of how much I loved to read stories aloud to her.
Over the next few weeks, with her continuous encouragement, I learned to take pride in the role. The big day finally came. A few minutes before the play, my teacher came over to me. “Your mother asked me to give this to you, ”she said, handing me a dandelion. After the play, I took home the flower, laughing that I was perhaps the only person who would keep such a weed.The girl did not play the role of the princess mainly because .
| A．she felt nervous on the stage. |
| B．she lost her interest in that role. |
| C．she preferred the role of the narrator |
| D．she had difficulty memorizing her words |
Why did the mother suggest a walk in the garden?
| A．To remove the dandelions |
| B．To enjoy the garden scene |
| C．to have a talk with her daughter. |
| D．to help her daughter with the play. |
What is the main idea of the story?
A. Everybody can find his or her own way to success.
B. Everybody has his or her own value in the world.
C. Everybody should learn to play different roles
D Everybody has some unforgettable memory.
I am not just a successful architect（建筑师）. I also like to play the piano. In my spare time I often turn some dry musical symbols into beautiful music.
Many years ago, while I was in a university studying architecture, I worked in a workshop. During the break I found an old piano in the corner of the room. With the allowance of the boss I sat down to have a try. Following my fingers the keys danced brilliantly and at the same time beautiful music flew out and then to every part of the room. All my workmates suddenly stopped talking and made their ears ready for my music.
After graduation, I began to devote myself to my profession. All my musical talent was wasted into zero. Then one evening we went to a concert at which Mr. Stevenson, one of the ordinary workers in my company, sang us some beautiful songs. His musical talents made us all surprised. We all enjoyed ourselves with his beautiful voice so much that we even thought him a professional singer. I was also reminded of my musical talent.
I began to train in a training center. My teacher was strict with me. He encouraged me to train every weekend and each time he asked me to play better than the last. Now I can proudly say I am also a successful pianist because every time I played on the stage fresh flowers and warm clapping would come from my audience. So I say, my friends, don’t busy yourself with your work too much. Find some time to develop your potential talent（潜能） and your life will become more wonderful. What did the author do in his spare time?
| A．He played music. |
| B．He worked here and there. |
| C．He stayed at home practicing his lessons. |
| D．He read for his profession. |
After graduation, why did the author waste his music talent？
| A．He realized that his music talent was nothing at all. |
| B．His workmates did not like him to play music. |
| C．He went on with his further study. |
| D．He was too busy with his work. |
According to the passage, the author is not only a successful architect but also a good ___.
| A．worker | B．pianist | C．singer | D．basketball player |
What is the author’s aim in writing this passage？
| A．He wanted to tell us that he is successful both in work and life. |
| B．He wanted to tell us to develop our potential talent instead of busying ourselves with our work only. |
| C．He wanted to tell us that the concert is very important to his life. |
| D．He wanted to tell us that he was very welcome in his company. |
Why did the author have himself trained on piano?
| A．Because he lost his job. |
| B．Because his salary was too low. |
| C．Because he wanted to became a famous artist. |
| D．Because he was inspired by his workmate. |