I stood outside New York’s Madison Square Garden and just stared, almost speechless. I was a farm boy from County Kilkenny, a child who some thought would never walk, let alone go as far as I had in the world.
From the day I was born, there was a problem. The doctors at the Dublin hospital told my parents I had phocomelia, a deformity that affected both legs below the knee, which were outward and shorter than normal and each foot had just three toes. 
Life was tough. I couldn’t stand, much less walk. I rarely left the farmhouse—and then only in someone’s arms. Mom bundled me up whenever she took me to town, no matter the season.
“The world will see him when he can walk,” she told Dad. “And he will walk.”
Mom devoted herself to helping me. She tried everything to get me on my feet. When I was three, she and Dad took me to a clinic in Dublin.
A few weeks later we returned to Dublin with my artificial limbs (肢). Back home I practiced walking with my new limbs.
“There’s nothing anyone can do but you can’t,” Mom said. “You and I are going to walk through town.”
The next day Mom dressed me in my finest clothes. She wore a summer dress and fixed her hair and makeup. Dad drove us to the church. We stepped out of the car. Mom took my hand. “Hold your head up high, now, Ronan,” she said.
We walked 300 meters to the post office. It was the farthest I’d walked, and I was sweating from the effort. Then we left the post office and continued down the street, Mom's eyes shining with a mother's pride.
That night, back on our farm, I lay exhausted on my bed. It meant nothing, though, compared to what I’d done on my walk.
Then I began to pursue my dream of singing. And at every step Mom's words came back to me—Ronan, you can do anything anyone else can do—and the faith she had in God, who would help me do it.
I’ve sung from the grandest stages in Europe, to music played by the world’s finest musicians. That night, I stood at the Madison Square Garden, with Mom’s words chiming in my ears. Then I began singing. I couldn't feel the pulse of the music in my feet, but I felt it deep in my heart, the same place where Mom’s promise lived. What was the problem with the author as a baby?
| A．He was expected unable to walk. |
| B．He was born outward in character. |
| C．He had a problem with listening. |
| D．He was shorter than a normal baby. |
The underlined word “deformity” in the second paragraph most probably means _________.
| A．shortcoming | B．disadvantage |
| C．disability | D．delay |
Why did Mom dress him and herself in finest clothes?
| A．To hide their depressed feeling. |
| B．To indicate it an unusual day. |
| C．To show off their clothes. |
| D．To celebrate his successful operation. |
From the story we may conclude that his mother was __________.
| A．determined | B．stubborn | C．generous | D．distinguished |
According to the writer, what mattered most in his success?
| A．His consistent effort. | B．His talent for music. |
| C．His countless failures. | D．His mother’s promise. |
C
A caring mother is the single most important factor in preventing teenagers from abusing(滥用)drugs and alcohol，researchers said on Friday. An international study showed that teenagers living with both parents are less likely to suffer from alcohol and drug problems，and a strong maternal bond is the most effective way to fight against them.
“These findings suggest that living with both parents may prevent drug use.”said Dr.McArdle of Newcastle University in northern England, who led the study.“They also suggest that attachment(感情眷念)，particularly to mothers，is a more effective factor and that this is truly across cultures and substances.”
The report, which is published in the journal Addiction, involved nearly 4,000 teenagers in England, Ireland, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. They were questioned about their use of several kinds of drugs and alcohol. The teenagers also filled in questionnaires about their relationship with their parents and grandparents, how well they were supervised(监护)after school and whether they were allowed to meet friends at home.
“Both the quality of family relationships and the structure of families have significant influences on youth drug use,” McArdle said in a statement. But he added a strong maternal bond offered the greatest protection against developing drug habits.
The rate of drug abuse among teenagers living with both parents and who had a good relationship with their mother was 16.6 percent. If either factor was missing ,the drug abuse rate rose to 32 percent．More than 42 percent of teenagers living in one parent families who did not have a strong bond with their mother used drugs．
Drug prevention campaigns in British schools and on television warn teenagers about the danger of drugs and alcohol but McArdle said no one is dealing with the problem of their parents’ responsibility.
63.The phrase“maternal bond”appears twice in this passage. Guess its meaning.
A.物质的奖励 B.母亲的约束 C.法律的制裁 D.学校的指导
64. According to McArdle, which is most likely to have the drug abuse problem?
A. 16-year-old Tom from a happy big family.
B.17-year-old Kate supervised by her single mother.
C. 18-year-old Juliet living with her single father.
D.19-year-old Mark cared by his parents.
65. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. Teenagers with both parents won’t have the drug use problem.
B. Teenagers from several countries filled in the questionnaire.
C. Teenagers were asked about their relationship with parents.
D. Teenagers in British schools are warned against drugs abuse.
66. The last paragraph suggests that________________.
A. schools should answer for the drug problem
B. television and media are to blame
C. parents and the society are responsible for the drug problem
D. mothers are the cause of youth drug use
B
The teaching of physics in schools is in danger of dying out unless urgent action is taken to deal with a serious lack of teachers, the government is warned today.
The number of students taking physics at A-level has fallen 38% since 1990, according to a research. At the same time the number of new physics teachers has dropped sharply while the shortage is likely to worsen as older teachers retire.
Britain’s leading scientists and engineers expressed alarm over the findings, which they say are part of the problems in science education generally. Lord May of Oxford, president of the Royal Society, the UK’s National Academy of Science, said, “The problems facing science at A-level are well beyond physics. We have over and over again noted the general downward trend of students studying the sciences besides biology and math at A-level. If we fail to deal with this then we may lose the ability to train the next generation of scientists, technologists and engineers.”
Alan Smithers and Pamela Robinson, who did the research in 432 schools and colleges in England and Wales, said that since 1990, the number of physics students had fallen by 38%, from 45,334 to 28,119. Nearly 10% of state schools now do not offer A-level physics, and of those that do 39.5% had five students or fewer taking it this year.
Over the same period, the research discovered, the number of people who are allowed to become physics teachers dropped from about a third of the science total to 12.8%. The supply of physics teachers is not renewing itself, with nearly twice as many aged over 50 as 30 or younger. Another danger is the redefinition of science subjects to “general science”.
Professor Smithers and Dr Robinson warn that the subject is in danger of dying out in schools.” Physics in schools and colleges is at risk through redefinition and lack of teachers with expertise in the subject,” they said. “If physics is to survive in schools, both as basic education and as a platform for higher level study and research, there is a need for immediate action.”
60. From what Lord May of Oxford said, we can learn that____________.
A. he worries about the future of science education.
B. the top scientists have not noticed the problem until recently.
C. the UK has lost the ability to train scientists and engineers
D. biology and math do not face the same problems as physics.
61. The underlined word “renewing” is closest to _______in meaning.
A. continuing B. offering C. saving D. replacing
62. What is the best title for the passage?
A. Lack of Physics Teachers Causes Trouble. B. How Important the Physics Is!
C. Physics Is Dying Out in Schools. D. Why Do We Study Physics?
IV. Reading Comprehension (40 points)
A
Eight days for just ￥12,000
Departs：May—October 2007
Includes：
●Return flights from six China’s airports to Naples
●Return airport to hotel transport
●Seven nights’ accommodation at the 3—star Hotel Nice
●Breakfast
●The service of guides
●Government taxes
Join us for a wonderful holiday in one of the Europe’s most wonderful corners—Naples in Italy if you want to have a nice time in a beautiful small quiet place. The ancient Romans called the city “happy land” with attractive coastline, colorful towns, splendid views and the warm Mediterranean Sea. Your best choice for a truly memorable holiday!
Choose between the peaceful traditional villages of Sant’Agata, set on a hillside six miles away from Sorrento, or the more lively and well-known international resort town of Sorrento, with wonderful views over the Bay of Naples.
Breathtaking scenery, famous sights and European restaurants everywhere. From the mysterious Isle of Capri to the hunting ruins of Pompeii, and from the unforgettable “Amalfi Drive” to the delightful resorts of Positano, Sorrento and Ravello, the area is a feast for the eyes! Join us, and you won’t be disappointed!
Price based on two tourists sharing a double room at the Hotel Nice. A single room, another ￥2,000. A group of ten college students , ￥10,000 for each .
Like to know more? Telephone Newmarket Air Holidays Ltd on : 0845—226—7788（All calls charged at local rates）.
56.All the following are included in the price of ￥ 12,000 EXCEPT__________.
A. transport between the airport and the hotel B. telephone calls made by tourists
C. the service of guides to tourists D. double rooms for every two tourists
57.If you don’t like sharing a room with others, you have to pay__________.
A.￥12,000B.￥10,000 C.￥2,000D.￥14,000
58.If you like to visit historical sites, which of the following is your best choice?
A. Amalfi.B. Sant’ Agata. C. Pompeii. D.Sorrento.
59.Who is the advertisement intended for?
A. Potential tourists. B. College students. C. Quiet people. D. Old people.
C
Have you ever heard the story of the four-minute mile? Many years ago, people believed that it was impossible for a human being to run a mile in less than four minutes until Roger Banister proved it wrong in1954.
What happens if you put an animal in a pond? Any animal, big or small, will swim its way through. What happens when someone, who does not know how to swim, falls in deep waters? They drown. If an animal who has not learned swimming could escape by swimming, why not you? Because you believe you will drown while the animal does not.
Have you ever wondered why the letters are organized in a particular order on hour keyboard? You might have thought it is to increase the typing speed. Most people never question it. But the fact is that this system was developed to reduce the typing speed at a time when typewriter parts would jam if the operator typed too fast.
These three cases show the power of our beliefs. There is no other more powerful directing force in human behavior than belief. Your beliefs have the power to create and to destroy. A belief delivers a direct command to your nervous system.
I used a snake in my workshops for children to show them how unrealistic some of their beliefs are. Students of a school in India, said snakes were slippery, slimy (黏糊糊的) and poisonous. After doing an exercise for changing beliefs, they handled my snake and found it to be dry and clean. They also remembered that only three types of poisonous snakes exist in India.
Did this story end the way you thought? Review your beliefs now and find out which ones you need to change.
51. In the author’s opinion, if a person in deep water doesn’t know how to swim he will drown because _________.
A. he is afraid of water B. he doesn’t want to live in the world
C. he hasn’t learned to swim before D. he believes he will drown
52. The author thinks that the letters are organized in a particular order on your keyboard in order to _________.
A. reduce one’s typing speed B. satisfy the operator
C. save more space D. increase one’s typing speed
53. The author’s experiment shows that __________.
A. snakes in India aren’t poisonous B. snakes can be caught easily
C. snakes are slimy and poisonous D. snakes are dry and clean
54. According to the passage, we know that ________.
A. students from India have unrealistic beliefs on how to live a better life
B. an animal who has not learned to swim will drown if you put it in a pond.
C. Roger Banister was the first person who ran a mile in less than four minutes.
D. most people don’t like the order the letters are arranged on your keyboard
55. The main idea of this passage should be that _______.
A. beliefs make us seem stupid
B. beliefs are very powerful
C. changing your beliefs now if necessary
D. people should always believe in themselves
B
What should you think about when trying to find your career? You are probably better at some school subjects than others. These may show strengths that you can use in your work. A boy who is good at mathematics can use that in an engineering career. A girl who spells well and likes English may be good at office work. So it is important to know the subjects you do well in at school. On the other hand, you may not have any specially strong subjects but your records show a general satisfactory standard. Although not all subjects can be used directly in a job, they may have indirect value. A knowledge of history is not required for most jobs but if history is one of your good subjects you will have learned to remember facts and details. This is an ability that can be useful in many jobs.
Your school may have taught you skills, such as typing or technical drawing, which you can use in your work. You may be good at metalwork or cookery and look for a job where you can improve these skills. If you have had a part-time job on Saturdays or in the summer, think what you gained from it. If nothing else, you may have learned how to get to work on time, to follow instructions and to get on with older workers. You may have learned to give correct change in a shop, for example. Just as important, you may become interested in a particular industry or career you see from the inside in a part-time job.
Facing your weak points is also part of knowing yourself. You may be all thumbs when you handle tools; perhaps you are a poor speller or cannot add up a column of figures. It is better to face any weakness than to pretend they do not exist. Your school record, for instance, may not be too good, yet it is an important part of your background. You should not be apologetic about it but instead recognize that you will have a chance of a fresh start at work.
( ) 46. We can infer from the first paragraph that ________.
learning better at school shows power in your job
the better you are at school subjects, the more helpful they are in your career.
learning each subject well is an ability in many jobs.
we should think about how to find our career
( ) 47. From the passage we learn that if a student’s school performance is not good, he
will _____.
A. have no hope in his future work
B. be hopeful to find a suitable job
C. regret not having worked harder at school
D. have an opportunity of a new beginning in his future work
( )48. All the subjects may have direct value for job hunting except _________.
A. mathematics B. English C. history D. technical drawing
( )49. The underlined phrase “be all thumbs” (in Paragraph 3) probably means “_________”.
A. heavy- handed B. the best C. important D. skilled
( )50. The passage mainly discusses ___________.
A. The relationship between school performance and career
B. how to get a job
C. How to show strengths in your work
D. working experience and knowledge at school