第二部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
Vingo sat in front of three men and three women. One of the women sat beside him and introduced herself. “We’re going to Florida,” she said brightly. “What some wine?” He smiled and thanked her.
“Are you married”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” She said.
“Well, when I was in prison I wrote to my wife,” he said. “I told her that I was going to be away for a long time, and that if she couldn’t stand it, if the kids kept asking questions, or if it hurt her too much, well, she could forget me. Get a new guy, I said—she’s a wonderful woman. I told her she didn’t have to write to me. And she didn’t. Not for three and a half years.”
“And you’re going home now?”
“Yeah,” he said shyly. “Well, last week, I wrote to her again. We used to live in Brunswick, and there’s an oak tree(橡树) just as you come into town. I told her that if she didn’t have a new guy and if she’d take me back, she should put a yellow handkerchief on the tree, and I ‘d get off and come home. If she didn’t want me, forget it ---no handkerchief, and I’d go on through.”
Now Brunswick was 20 miles, 10 miles, and then five. Then, suddenly, all of the young people were up out of their seats, screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances of joy—they saw the oak tree covered with yellow handkerchiefs—20 of them, 30 of them, maybe hundreds, a tree that stood like a flag of welcome billowing (飘扬) in the wind.
36. Where did the conservation between Vingo and the woman probably happen?
A. On a bus B. In a coffee shop. C. On a plane. D. In a prison.
37. How long hadn’t Vingo and his wife live together?
A. Only one year. B. About ten years. C. About seven years D. Nearly four years
38. When Vingo was in prison, his wife ___________.
A. often wrote to him B. married another man
C. still loved him as before D. taught the kids at home
39. According to the young people, the handkerchiefs on the oak tree were ______.
A. flags of honesty B. flags of happiness C. a sign of freedom D. a sign of wisdom
Children are getting smarter by the generation. I am very amazed by how kids these days know exactly what they want, and know how to communicate with several different languages when they are with different persons. It’s very common in HK that kids are being looked after by overseas domestic helpers. Their helpers do speak with them in English. Some do even speak with the kids in their own countries languages. Surprisingly, the kids do know how to response to their helpers regardless what languages they are in communication. This is what I observed a helper with a one-year-old kid on bus last week. My cousin has a Pilipino helper at home for more than ten years. He can response to his helper well regardless she speaks with him in English or Pilipino. Some kids’ grandparents do speak with their grand children in their hometown dialect. The kids also pick up fast with whatever dialect it is. Kids’ parents usually speak with them in Cantonese; naturally, this also becomes their first language.
I have really noticed among urban HK children, is that they know exactly which human behavior to switch on when facing with parents, grandparents and helpers. Their expression is different when they ask their helpers to help compared with their parents. They are usually much more direct with their helpers instead of their parents and grandparents when they want to ask for something. (eg. when they ask for ice-cream or chocolate) I think there must be related to phenomenon（现象）, whether it is learnt or not. It’s really amazing how children automatically（自动地）know all at such a young age, which mode of behavior, and at what tone and manner to use them, who to use them on, and when.
1. The example of my cousin’s story shows that __________.
A. The kids know exactly what they are in need of.
B. The kids know how to communicate well with others.
C. The kids know how to response to their helpers.
D. The kids know all the above at so young an age.
2. Who will the kids turn to for help in the first place?
A. Kids’ parents B. Kids’ grand parents
C. Relatives D. overseas domestic helpers
3. What does the underlined phrase “pick up” most probably mean?
A. succeed in seeing or hearing B. gain or acquire it by purpose
C. learn it without taking lessons D. take hold of and lift it
4. Which of the following expresses the main idea of the text?
A. Kids have an amazing childhood. B. Kids are getting smarter in HK.
C. Kids are truly amazing and smart.D. Kids get along well with the helpers.
The care given to pupils at an infants school has been rated （评定）as outstanding in a recent Ofsted report. Inspectors （视察员）visited Avondale Infants School in Kettering in June and were pleased with what they found.
Schools are graded between one and four, with one being outstanding, and staffs（全体职员）at Avondale were delighted to be to be given an overall（总的）grade of two.
The reports states that the school, which has an above average number of children who are entitled to free school meals, is improving.
It also focuses on the good progress made by children who enter the school with below or well below average standards – the standards at the end of Year 2 are now the best since 2004.
The report states: "Pupils' behavior and personal development are good, being enhanced（增强）considerably by the vibrant（活跃的）atmosphere within the school."
Headteacher Jean Wilkins is also praised as "the driving force behind developments and the vision of the future. Under her exceptional guidance, a conscientious team is intent（专注）upon raising standards."
Mrs. Wilkins said that staff at the school, which has 163 children aged from four to seven, pride themselves on the support and guidance they offer the children.
She said: "We're extremely pleased with these results. We put a lot of emphasis（强调）on the well-being of the pupils to raise their self esteem（尊重）and make sure they enjoy being at school.
"We have focused carefully on where we needed to make improvements."
Inspectors said that the school could improve further through closer working with the parents of some pupils who do not attend regularly.
1. The main idea of the text is that _________.
A. The pupils at an infants school.B. Happy school wins inspector’s praise.
C. The pupils have made much progress. D. The Avondale Infants School is improving.
2. What else will the school need to do with?
A. Make the meals betterB. Focus on the pupils
C. Hire a great many staffsD. Work with the parents.
3. From the passage, we can learn that what “ infant school” is ?
A. Children attend school with little intelligence.
B. Children attend school with good understanding.
C. Children attend school in the first few years of their life.
D. Children attend school with outstanding performance.
4. The writer wants to tell us the following EXCEPT that _______.
A. Inspectors paid a visit to Avondale Infants School in June, 2004.
B. More than 50% of the children in the school have meals for free.
C. The staffs at the school provide the pupils with much guidance.
D. The infant school has made large quantities of improvement.
B
Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now，one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it，say some scientists.
Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids(流星)that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don't threaten us. But there are also thousands whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth.
Buy $ 50 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $ 10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one，the scientists say，we'll have a way to change its course.
Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn't be cheap.
Is it worth it? Two things experts consider when judging any risk are: 1) How likely the event is; and 2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 500，000 years. Sounds pretty rare-but if one did fall，it would be the end of the world. “If we don't take care of these big asteroids，they'll take care of us，”says one scientist. “It's that simple.”
The cure，though，might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth? “The world has less to fear from doomsday(毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them，” said a New York Times article.
1. What does the passage say about asteroids and meteoroids?
[ A ]. They are heavenly bodies different in composition.
[ B ].They are heavenly bodies similar in nature.
[ C ].There are more asteroids than meteoroids.
[ D ].Asteroids are more mysterious than meteoroids.
2. We can conclude from the passage that_____ .
[ A ].while pushing asteroids off course nuclear weapons would destroy the world
[ B ].asteroids racing across the night sky are likely to hit Earth in the near future
[ C ].the worry about asteroids can be left to future generations since it is unlikely to happen in our lifetime
[ D ].workable solutions still have to be found to prevent a collision of asteroids with Earth.
3. Which of the following best describes the author's tone in this pass age?
[ A ]. Optimistic. [ B ]. Critical. [ C ]. Objective. [ D ]. Arbitrary.
A
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or sleep restfully. It is a problem to nearly everyone at some time .A person may be awake for an hour in the middle of the night and then , next morning, feel that he hardly sleep all night Normally, worry about not getting enough sleep is the worst aspect of most insomnia. If insomnia is recurrent, however, it is important to find its causes and try to correct them, with the help of a doctor if necessary.
Any of a large number of simple factors may take it difficult for someone to fall asleep or remain asleep. His matters may be too soft or too hard. If there are too many blankets on a hot night, he may be too warm; if the bedclothes are too light he may feel cold during the night. If it is not dark enough, or too noisy, this may cause difficulty in sleeping. Eating shortly before going to bed also be responsible for insomnia. Stimulating drinks, such as tea or coffee, can also keep people awake.
Inability to fall asleep is sometimes a symptom of emotional or mental disorders. Insomnia may also be caused by pain and, very rarely, it can be a symptom of a physical disease.
The cause of insomnia may be easy to correct. The sufferer should check the mattress, bedclothes and bedroom temperature, and make any necessary changes. An eye mask keeps out the night and ear-plugs shut out sound. He should relax for an hour or two before bedtime, perhaps by reading a book; watching TV, or taking a warm bath. If he wakes during the night he should try turning on the light and reading for a while. Taking warm milk and a biscuit or two may be helpful. Above all, he should try not to worry about sleeplessness when someone is tied enough he nearly always falls asleep.
If necessary, a doctor may prescribe tranquillizers or sleeping pills. Take only the dosage he prescribes; any more is dangerous.
1. According to the writer, insomnia is ______.
[ A ] a rare problem [ B ] a sign of illness
[ C ] a common complaint [ D ] a modern disease
2. People who have difficulty sleeping should sleep in_____.
[ A ] a light room [ B ] a dark room
[ C ] a cold room [ D ] a warm room
3. Insomnia need’t be taken seriously because_______.
[ A ] people can catch on sleep during the day.
[ B ] many people sleep far too much.
[ C ]it can easily be cured by doctors.
[ D ]it is cured naturally by tiredness.
4. The main cure for insomnia is_____.
[ A ] not to read too much at night
[ B ]not to eat too much for supper
[ C ] not to watch too much television
[ D ] not to get too anxious about sleeping
There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process. People have generally viewed personal growth as an external （外在的） result or a product that can easily be identified and measured. The worker who gets a rise, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language—all these examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.
By contrast （对照）,the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since it is a journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way. The process is not the road itself, but the attitudes, feelings people have, and their caution or courage, as they meet with new experiences and unexpected difficulties. In this process, the journey never really ends；There are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.
In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to face the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may “fail” at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is necessary for our ability to grow. Do we see ourselves as quick and curious? If so, we tend to take more chances and be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we’re shy and indecisive? Then our sense of fear can cause us to hesitate, to move slowly, and we think we are slow to adapt （适应） change or that we’re not smart enough to deal with a new challenge. Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
These feelings of insecurity （不安全） and selfdoubt are both unavoidable and necessary if we are to change and grow. If we protect ourselves too much, then we stop growing. We become trapped inside a shell of our own making.
1.In the author’s eye, one who views personal growth as a process would ______.
A. succeed in climbing up the social ladder
B. grow up from his own achievements
C. face difficulties and take up challenges
D. aim high and reach his goal each time
2. Which of the following can be viewed as the process of personal growing?
A. Our manager was always willing to accept new challenges.
B. Jane won the first prize in the speech competition.
C.J erry picked up French during his stay in Paris.
D. Father’s salary rose from 5000 to 7000.
3.For personal growth, the author is in favor of all the following EXCEPT ______.
A. being curious about more changes
B. being quick in self-adaptation
C. having an open mind to new experiences
D. staying away from failures and challenges
4. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. It is not so easy to measure personal growth.
B. To try and fail on the new road facing the unknown is unavoidable.
C. There are only two ways to see a person’s growth.
D. If you are too shy to take any risks in life, you cannot grow up.
5. The best title for this passage should be ______.
A. Facing New Challenges
B. Growth—Product or Process
C. Two Basic Ways of Growth
D. Overcoming Internal Fears