第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分, 满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每篇短文后所给各题的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
It was my first day at school in London and I was half-excited and half-frightened. On my way to school I wondered what sort of questions the other boys would ask me and rehearsed (practiced) all the answers: “I am nine years old. I was born here but I haven’t lived here since I was two. I was living in Farley. It’s about thirty miles away. I came back to London two months ago.” I also wondered if it was the custom for boys to fight strangers like me, but I was tall for my age. I hoped they would decide not to risk it.
No one took any notice of me before school. I stood in the center of the playground, expecting someone to say “hello”, but no one spoke to me. When a teacher called my name and told me where my classroom was, one or two boys looked at me but that was all the curiosity my arrival aroused.
My teacher was called Mr Jones. There were 42 boys in the class, so I didn’t stand out there, either, until the first lesson of the afternoon. Mr Jones was very fond of Charles Dickens and he had decided to read aloud to us from David Copperfield, but first he asked several boys if they knew Dickens’ birthplace, but no one guessed right. A boy called Brian, the biggest in the class, said: “Timbuktu”, and Mr Jones went red in the face. Then he asked me. I said: “Portsmouth”, and everyone stared at me because Mr Jones said I was right. This didn’t make me very popular, of course.
“He thinks he’s clever,” I heard Brian say.
After that, we went out to the playground to play football. I was in Brian’s team, and he obviously had Dickens in mind because he told me to go in goal. No one ever wanted to be the goalkeeper.
“He’s big enough and useless enough,” Brian said when someone asked him why he had chosen me.
I suppose Mr Jones remembered Dickens, too, because when the game was nearly over, Brian pushed one of the players on the other team, and he gave them a penalty. As the boy kicked the ball hard along the ground to my right, I threw myself down instinctively and saved it. All my team crowded round me. My bare knees were grazed and bleeding. Brian took out a handkerchief and offered it to me.
“Do you want to join my gang (team)?” he said.
At the end of the day, I was no longer a stranger.
51.The writer prepared to answer all of the following questions EXCEPT “________”.
A. How old are you? B. When did you come back to London?
C. Do you want to join my gang? D. where are you from?
52.We can learn from the passage that ________.
A. boys were usually unfriendly to new students
B. the writer was glad to be a goalkeeper
C. Brian praised the writer for his cleverness
D. the writer was not greeted as he expected
53.The underlined part “I didn’t stand out” in paragraph 3 means that the writer was not ________.
A. noticeable B. outstanding C. important D. welcome
54.The writer was offered a handkerchief because ________.
A. he threw himself down and saved the goal
B. he was no longer a new comer
C. he was beginning to be accepted
D. he pushed a player on the other team
Growing up in Philadelphia, Lieberman started cooking with his stay-at-home dad when he was seven.His food-loving family had two kitchens, and he quickly learned what was the best way to bake his cakes.Lieberman improved his kitchen skills greatly during a year abroad before college, learning from a cook in Italy and studying local specialties(地方特色菜)in Germany, Spain and France.At Yale, he was known for throwing dinner parties, single-handedly frying and baking while mixing drinks for dozens of friends.Just for fun, he and some friends decided to tape a show named Campus Cuisine about his cooking.Lieberman was a real college student showing his classmates how to do things like make drinks out of dining-hall fruit.That helped the show become very popular among the students.They would stop Lieberman after classes to ask for his advice on cooking.Tapes of the show were passed around, with which his name went beyond the school and finally to the Food Network.
Food Network producer Flay hopes the young cook will find a place on the network television.He says Lieberman’s charisma is key.“Food TV isn’t about food anymore,” says Flay.“It’s about your personality(个性)and finding a way to keep people’s eyeballs on your show.”
But Lieberman isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket.After taping the first season of the new show, Lieberman was back in his own small kitchen preparing sandwiches.An airline company(航空公司)was looking for someone to come up with a tasteful, inexpensive and easy-to-make menu to serve on its flights, Lieberman got the job.We can learn from the text that Lieberman’s family ____.
A.have relatives in Europe | B.love cooking at home |
C.often hold parties | D.own a restaurant |
The Food Network got to know Lieberman ____.
A.at one of his parties | B.from his teachers |
C.Through his taped show | D.on a television program |
What does the word “charisma” underlined in the text refer to?
A.A natural ability to attract others. |
B.A way to show one’s achievement. |
C.Lieberman’s after-class interest. |
D.Lieberman’s fine cooking skill. |
Why did the airline company give Lieberman the job?
A.He could prepare meals in a small kitchen. |
B.He was famous for his shows on Food TV. |
C.He was good at using eggs to make sandwiches. |
D.He could cook cheap, delicious and simple meals. |
Is there something that you’ve always wanted to try but just never had the time?Well, make plans to try it now since you are on summer vacation. Not all vacations call for taking a tour bus to take photos of famous landmarks. Some vacations allow you plenty of opportunities to learn.
The most difficult aspect of a learning vacation may be choosing one because the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking,various companies can take you to Italy, France, Spain, Mexico or even Peru. Once there, you can learn to prepare the local cuisine(烹饪). Trips are often planned to fit in with local food festivals or special events.
The term “learning vacation” often brings language to mind. The best way to learn a language is in an environment where it’s spoken. Study Spanish, French or English. Or attempt a more unusual language like Polish, Estonian or Thai. You’ll be able to learn about the country and absorb the culture at the same time. In that case, you can really learn the authentic foreign language.
If you are fond of sports, you can polish your skills or learn new ones. Golf and tennis schools welcome players of all levels. If you want a bigger thrill, you can learn to surf, go climbing or race cars. It’s even possible to learn the art and techniques of bull fighting while on vacation!
You can also discover your inner artist. Many places offer painting classes in different mediums. The scenic locations of the schools offer plenty of subjects that provide inspiration for practice.
If you prefer capturing the world on film, take a photography vacation. Travel with a small group to photograph beautiful animals or scenery. You can also practice your technique on people or at historical sights.
Once you decide on a vacation, choose a company carefully. Request names of recent customers you can contact, and then ask them for an evaluation. The more you know before you go, the better prepared you’ll be. Then go out and learn something!Why is it hard for you to decide on a learning vacation?
A.Because it is hard for you to make plans. |
B.Because the possibilities are unlimited. |
C.Because there are many good foods from abroad. |
D.Because there’re too many food festivals or events. |
The advantages of learning a language in its native country is that ________.
A.the environment is fit for you to use the language. |
B.you are able to learn the real foreign language. |
C.native speakers offer you a lot of chances to practice. |
D.you can learn the language and experience its culture. |
The purpose of writing the text is to________.
A.advertise some popular summer programs. |
B.encourage readers to have a good time relaxing. |
C.offer some tips on how to enjoy a learning vacation. |
D.attract more readers to spend summer time learning. |
For some people, music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.” People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes (音调). Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.
As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music set them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret, a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.
Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn’t involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can’t see certain colors.
Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed (诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say, ‘No thanks, I’m amusic,’” says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”Which of the following is true of amusics?
A.Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them. |
B.They love places where they are likely to hear music. |
C.They can easily tell two different songs apart. |
D.Their situation is well understood by musicians. |
According to paragraph 3, a person with “defective hearing” is probably one who __________.
A.dislikes listening to speeches |
B.can hear anything nonmusical |
C.has a hearing problem |
D.lacks a complex hearing system |
In the last paragraph, Margaret expressed her wish that __________.
A.her problem with music had been diagnosed earlier |
B.she were seventeen years old rather than seventy |
C.her problem could be easily explained |
D.she were able to meet other amusics |
What is the passage mainly concerned with?
A.Amusics’ strange behaviours. |
B.Some people’s inability to enjoy music. |
C.Musical talent and brain structure. |
D.Identification and treatment of amusics. |
Some years ago industries had more freedom than they have now, and they did not need to be as careful as they must today. They did not need to worry a lot about the safety of the new products that they developed. They did not have to pay much attention to the health and safety of the people who worked for them. Often new products were dangerous for the people who used them; often conditions in the work place had very bad effects on the health of the workers.
Of course sometimes there were real disasters which attracted the attention of governments and which showed the need for changes. Also scientists who were doing research into the health of workers sometimes produced information that governments could not ignore. At such times, there were inquiries into the causes of the disasters or the problems. New safety rules were often introduced as a result of these inquiries; however, the new rules came too late to protect the people who died or who became seriously ill.
Today many governments have special departments that protect customers and workers. In the U.S., for example, there is a department that tests new airplanes and gives warnings about possible problems. It also makes the rules that aircraft producers must follow. Another department controls the foods and drugs that companies sell. A third department looks at the places where people work, and then reports any companies that are breaking the laws which protect the health and safety of workers. Of course, new government departments and new laws cannot prevent every accident or illness, but they are having some good results. Our work places are safer and cleaner than before. The planes and cars that we use for travel are better. Producers are thinking more about the safety and health of the people who buy and use their products.What is the passage mainly about?
A.Conditions in the work place. |
B.The freedom of industries in the past. |
C.Changes in industrial production. |
D.The safety and health of workers and customers. |
According to the passage, we can get the conclusion that in the past __________.
A.workers often got ill because of the poor working conditions |
B.companies were free to put out any products they wanted to |
C.many people were killed by dangerous products |
D.industries were as careful in management as they are today |
It is implied in the passage that ____________.
A.governments and companies had different opinions about the safety of products |
B.governments paid little attention to the safety of products. |
C.government officials often did not listen to scientists |
D.in the past no safety laws were introduced by governments |
The special departments protect customers and workers in many ways EXCEPT by ____.
A.testing new products |
B.designing new products |
C.controlling the sale of products |
D.inspecting work places |
Homestay provides English language students with the opportunity to speak English outside the classroom and the experience of being part of a British home.
What to Expect
The host will provide accommodation and meals. Rooms will be cleaned and bedcovers changed at least once a week. You will be given the house key and the host is there to offer help and advice as well as to take an interest in your physical and mental health.
Accommodation Zones
Homestays are located in London mainly in Zones 2, 3 and 4 of the transport system. Most hosts do not live in the town centre as much of central London is commercial and not residential. Zones 3 and 4 often offer larger accommodation in a less crowded area. It is very convenient to travel in London by underground.
Meal Plans Available
♢Continental Breakfast
♢Breakfast and Dinner
♢Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
It’s important to note that few English families still provide a traditional cooked breakfast. Your accommodation includes Continental Breakfast which normally consists of fruit juice, cereal (谷物类食品), bread and tea or coffee. Cheese, fruit and cold meat are not normally part of a Continental Breakfast in England. Dinners usually consist of meat or fish with vegetables followed by desert, fruit and coffee.
Friends
If you wish to invite a friend over to visit, you must first ask your host’s permission. You have no right to entertain friends in a family home as some families feel it is an invasion of their privacy.
Self-Catering Accommodation in Private Homes
Accommodation on a room-only basis includes shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and often a main living room. This kind of accommodation offers an independent lifestyle and is more suitable for the long-stay student. However, it does not provide the same family atmosphere as an ordinary homestay and may not benefit those who need to practice English at home quite as much.The passage is probably written for ______.
A.hosts willing to receive foreign students |
B.foreigners hoping to know British culture |
C.travelers planning to visit families in London |
D.English learners applying to live in English homes |
Which of the following will the host provide?
A.Room cleaning. | B.Medical care. |
C.Free transport. | D.Physical training. |
According to the passage, what does Continental Breakfast include?
A.Dessert and coffee. | B.Fruit and vegetables. |
C.Bread and fruit juice. | D.Cereal and cold meat. |
Why do some people choose self-catering accommodation?
A.To experience a warmer family atmosphere. |
B.To enrich their knowledge of English. |
C.To entertain friends as they like. |
D.To enjoy much more freedom. |