ARLANDA, Sweden (Reuters Life!) – Many people hate the idea of having to sleep on a plane. But Swedish entrepreneur Oscar Dios thinks they can be persuaded otherwise and he has created a new kind of hostel to prove it.
Dios says it is the world’s first jumbo (unusually large) jet hostel, an actual jet-plane at Sweden’s main airport outside Stockholm which has been changed into a 25- room guesthouse that sleeps as many as 72 people.
“I learned about this plane that was standing deserted at Arlanda airport and I’ve been trying the concept of hostels in many different houses and buildings,” he told Reuters. “I thought, ‘Why not a plane?’”
Jumbo Hostels opened for business on Thursday, giving customers the chance to check in and sleep in a room that can best be described as comfortable.”
“The most challenging part with this project is trying to build something inside a metal hull(壳) – it’s just really, really tight.”
The jet, which was originally produced for Singapore Airlines, was taken out of service in 2002. It is held on a concrete foundation with the landing gear secured in steel cradles.
One feature of the hostel is its price – a room starts at 350 Swedish crowns (about $ 41), which is a lot less than hotel rooms outside of major airports.
Another feature is that customers can get married on the wing of the plane and stay in the plane’s more luxurious honeymoon suite (套房).
Instead of walking down the aisle in the church, lovebirds can take what Jumbo Hostels calls the “wing walk,” where they can be joined in great happiness at the wing tip. The hostel has someone ready to perform the ceremony.
But in some respects this hostel remains a plane – most customers have to share the jet’s nine bathrooms and the staff only wear air host and hostess outfits. The only room th
at has its own bathroom is the honeymoon suite.
53．One of the features of the plane hostel is that ________
A．customers can sleep in comfortable rooms B．air hostesses can offer good service
C．a wedding ceremony can be held on the wing D．the staff can have a “wing walk”
54．We can learn from the text that________
A．the hostel lies at Arlanda airport in Stockholm
B．the jet plane was out of use for over six years
C．the hostel provides nine bathrooms for customers
D．every hostel room is $ 41 per night
55．The underlined word “tight” means________.
A．crowded B．tense C．small D．full
56．The purpose of the passage is to ________.
A．introduce a new kind of hostel B．describe a wonderful place for weddings
C．prove people can sleep on a plane D．call on people to make use of the deserted things
London is the capital of Britain. It is located in the southeast plain of England. The Thames River goes through this city.
The British have lived there for about 3,000 years. The Roman Empire intruded into (侵入)Britannia Island in 54 BC. The Romans built the first wooden bridge over the Thames River.
London is a world-famous cultural city. There are many famous cultural sites. It is one of the world's great tourist destinations. About eight million people visit London every year.
The largest museum is the British Museum, which was built in the 18th century. There are many ancient cultural relics of Britain and of other countries in the museum. The London Tower stands on the southeast of Tower Mountain. It was once a palace, and it is now an exhibition center. Westminster Hall is located on the west bank of the Thames River and was built in 750 AD. It is the largest Gothic building of the world and was a palace in the past, too.
The Clock Tower, which is about 97 meters high, is located northeast of the parliament. The famous “Big Ben” weighs about 21 tons and its big pendulum（钟摆）is about 305 kilograms. Hyde Park is one of the great parks in the world and it is in the west district of London. There is a free forum(论坛) there and some people give speeches there every week. They can say almost anything, but they can't attack the Queen or support violent revolution.Which of the following statements is WRONG?
| A．London lies in the southeast plain of England. |
| B．The British first lived in London thousands of years ago. |
| C．People can enjoy a walk along the Thames River in London. |
| D．The Roman Empire intruded into Britannia Island over 2,100 years ago. |
We learn from the passage that _________.
| A．London receives millions of visitors every month |
| B．only in the British Museum can you see ancient cultural relics of Britain |
| C．the famous "Big Ben" in the Clock Tower is about 97 meters high |
| D．not everything can be talked about in the forum at Hyde Park |
This passage is most probably taken from a website about ___________ .
| A．traveling | B．kids | C．museums | D．Holidays |
When I wake up on summer mornings, I know I am going to my favorite place to volunteer and make a difference in someone's life just by being with him or her -- a summer school for autistic (患孤独症的)children.
By helping the kids read or do math, I am not only teaching important skills but also helping them feel like any other kid. There are many wrong ideas about autism. The kids I work with can think and feel. They need help only in certain areas.
Of course, each kid is special. For example, some kids like to draw, and others like to sing.
At the school, the kids learn through about 20 activities. These activities can help them learn skills they will need later in life.
The very first day I volunteered, a boy came up to me, put his hand on my shoulder, and said “Hello”. From then on, I knew I could make a difference.
Another boy loved to have me read books that can help him learn to read. Sometimes he could be encouraged to read a few words or sentences. Finally, one day during reading practice, he read nearly 220 words himself!
Summer school is also a time for fun, Last summer, bagpipe(风箱)players came to perform. Most of us had our hands over our ears because they were so loud. When they asked for a volunteer from the audience, one girl raised her hand as high as she could, got up on stage, and even tried the bagpipes in front of everyone.
Through these experiences, I realize that the challenges these kids face do not stop them from doing many amazing things. I'm teaching them, but they are teaching me more.According to Paragraph 2, many people think autistic kids _________ .
| A．can't read or do math | B．don't have important skills |
| C．don’t play with other kids | D．can't think or feel |
The phrase “these experiences” in the last paragraph refers to the following EXCEPT ________ .
| A．“I” read the books for kids |
| B．a boy read nearly 220 words himself |
| C．a girl tried the bagpipes on stage as a volunteer |
| D．a boy said hello to“ me” politely |
What does the author mainly talk about in the passage?
| A．His teaching experience in a summer holiday. |
| B．How to make a difference in others' lives. |
| C．His experience as a volunteer in a special summer school. |
| D．Autistic children's hard life. |
I felt excited, curious and nervous at the same time. I was excited because I would be skipping(跳级)two grades. I was curious because I didn't know how high school students were taught. However, I was most nervous at the idea that I would be doing high school homework.
I had just walked into the class when the bell rang. This wasn't a good start. But the kid in front of me looked very friendly. Luckily, since it was the first day of school, my teacher talked for about half of the period and we just had the rest of the period to start the class. I didn't know what he was saying at first, but when I saw the problems on the paper, I knew what to do.
The next day, the kid said hi and I said hi back. We got into a conversation. It seemed that whenever I was talking to my friend, everyone stopped staring at (盯着看)me. Then the class started. It was easy. But I was still uncomfortable because I couldn't look around without meeting others’eyes, so I just kept my eyes on the whiteboard and on my textbook.
However, my friend didn't show up the next day, and the eighth graders just kept on staring at me. I didn't know why.
The next day everything changed. My friend was back to school. I was praised for my homework. Everyone stared at me less. Some started to be a little friendlier towards me. I felt at home at last here. My teachers also seemed pretty nice.If the author didn't skip, he should study in _________ .
| A．the fourth grade | B．the sixth grade |
| C．the seventh grade | D．the eighth grade |
What may make the author curious?
| A．What his old friends are doing. |
| B．How high school students study. |
| C．How he will do his high school homework. |
| D．What the eighth graders' homework is. |
Why did the author always keep his eyes on the whiteboard and the textbook?
| A．To pay attention to his teachers. |
| B．To attract his teachers' attention. |
| C．To follow his teachers' teaching. |
| D．To avoid meeting others' eyes. |
According to the passage, we know that the author ___________ .
| A．got along well with his new class very soon |
| B．felt sorry about having skipped two grades |
| C．had one friend in his class all the time |
| D．got used to others' stares in the classroom |
Two good friends, Sam and Jason, met with a car accident on their way home one night. The next morning, Sam woke up blind. His legs were broken. The doctor, Mr Lee was standing by his bed, looking at him with a thoughtful expression. When he saw Sam awake, he asked, “How are you feeling, Sam?” Sam smiled and said, “Not bad, Doctor. Thank you for doing the operation (手术).” Mr Lee was moved by Sam. When he was leaving, Sam said, “Please don’t tell Jason about it.” “... OK.” Mr Lee replied.
Months later when Jason’s wounds (伤) healed, Sam was still very sick. Neither could he see or walk. What he could do was just stay in his wheelchair all day long. At first, Jason stayed with him for a few days. But days later, Jason felt very discouraged and embarrassed to spend time staying with a disabled man like Sam. So he went to see Sam less and less. He made new friends. From then on, he didn’t go to visit Sam any more. Sam didn’t have any family or friends other than Jason. He felt very sad.
Things went from bad to worse. Sam died a year later. When Jason came, Mr Lee gave a letter to him. It was from Sam. In the letter Sam said, “Dear Jason, I am disabled. But I want you to be a healthy man. So I gave my eyes to you so that you can enjoy life as a healthy man. Now you have new friends. I’m glad to see that you are as healthy and happy as usual. I’m glad you live a happy life. You are always my best friend ... ... Sam”. When he finished reading the letter Mr Lee said, “I have promised that I will keep this a secret until Sam is gone. Now you know it.” Jason stood there. Tears ran down his face. The reason why Sam thanked Mr Lee was that ____.
| A．Mr Lee was very kind and friendly to him |
| B．Mr Lee came to see him early in the morning |
| C．Mr Lee did the operation according to his wish |
| D．Mr Lee saved both his and Jason’s lives |
Which of the following happened according to the order of time?
a. Jason made new friends. b. Sam gave his eyes to Jason.
c. Sam and Jason were caught in a car accident. d. Sam became disabled and needed friends.
e. Sam died and Jason knew the truth.
| A．dacbe | B．dcbea | C．cbdae | D．cdbea |
We can infer from the passage that ____.
| A．Sam drove too badly and caused the car accident |
| B．the unsuccessful operation led to Sam’s blindness |
| C．Jason knew how Sam helped him before Sam died |
| D．it was Jason that was made blind in the car accident |
Sam was a man who ____.
| A．thought friendship was very important |
| B．was unfriendly to his friends |
| C．felt hopeless after the car accident happened |
| D．always listened to his friends |
The underlined word “healed” in the second paragraph may mean “____”.
| A．was sleepy after working for a long time |
| B．became healthy again (after being ill) |
| C．felt surprised when hearing bad news |
| D．ran away when something bad happened |
Every English learner hopes to find a patient native speaker who will politely correct mistakes and teach him some useful new vocabulary. But native speakers can be hard to find. If you’re having trouble communicating in English, American situation comedies are one good way to help.
They can not only give you a lot of information about American culture, but also offer some useful daily expressions. Watching them will help you enlarge your vocabulary and teach you correct language usage in different situations. Best of all, situation comedies are a fun way to learn.
The Apprentice
The American reality (现实) TV show is hosted by the famous businessman Donald Trump. It’s based on the idea of the final job interview for the final job. The show picks 16 people to compete for a job with Trump’s business. Those who fail their weekly tasks have to meet with Trump. They have to explain why they should not be fired (解雇).
The Apprentice is useful for English students who want to learn how to make up a persuasive (令人信服的) argument. For example, rather than say “I think I did a good job”, one may also learn to throw off the possibility of uncertainty by saying, “I did a good job.”
Desperate Housewives (DH)
Desperate Housewives is set in an invented American town, Wisteria Lane. It follows a group of middle-aged women as they go through their daily family lives. But in fact, those women live a life of lies, secrets, criminal (犯罪的) acts, and mystery.
This program is good at expressing the funny life of American neighbors. And, it’s the perfect comedy series for foreign learners wanting to see how to hold a relaxed daily conversation.
Another reason for watching DH is to learn some expressions American families use that are not in your English language textbooks. For example, the mothers often use words such as “sport” and “you guys” to speak about their kids. According to the passage, The Apprentice and DH are introduced because _____.
| A．they are now the most popular programs |
| B．they are helpful in English learning |
| C．they are advertised for English beginners |
| D．they are enjoyed by most young people |
Through watching the two American comedy series, English learners can do the following EXCEPT _____.
| A．communicate with native speakers |
| B．know about American culture |
| C．pick up English daily expressions |
| D．learn more English words |
In the author’s opinion, learning English through TV series is _____.
| A．common | B．difficult | C．enjoyable | D．possible |
We can learn from the passage that The Apprentice _____.
| A．tells a story of school life | B．is about real life |
| C．has 15 actors | D．is about some businessmen |
Which of the following statements about DH can we get from the introduction?
| A．The story happens in a village of America. |
| B．The housewives join in the same job interview. |
| C．The women in the American town lead a life full of sadness. |
| D．It does well in describing an interesting neighborhood in America. |