第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分满分40分)
US first lady Michelle Obama is among the world’s 100 most powerful women on a list topped by German premier Angela Merkel for four years in a row, according to a Forbes ranking released recently.
Michelle Obama debuted(初次露面)at No.40,coming in ahead of talk show host Oprah Winfrey at 41 and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth at 42.
Sheila Bair, chair of the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, which insures bank deposits,remained NO.2 after debuting on the Forbes list last year. She has gained increased fame as the US recession(经济衰退) lasts.
The list is based on factors such as economic impact, media reach and career accomplishments. Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice fell off the list after leaving office in January. Rice’s successor (继任者),Hillary Clinton, came in at NO.36, dropping from No.28 last year when her presidential bid made her the woman with the highest public profile on the list.
“women im power are rising to leadership positions in business, government and philanthropy (慈善)by making daring and unconventional moves,”Forbes said.“Gone are the days of women feeling they must stick with one employer and patiently wait for promotions.”
“Highly ambitious women… are moving across companies and industries, making big leaps with each change, and repositioning themselves for opportunities that allow them to gain a breadth of experience,” the business magazine said.
Merkel,55, became the first female premier of Germany in 2005 and succeeded in retaining(保留) power in a federal election not long ago.
Michelle Obama,45,has won fans for her down-to-earth personality, her support of causes including healthy eating and the arts.
1.Condoleezza Rice is not included on the list probably because_______________ .
A. she exercises less influence
B. she keeps her new job a secret
C. she has become an ordinary woman
D. she is silent after leaving office
2.Hillary Clinton was ranked No.28 last year because_____________
A. she was the former first lady
B. she was running for president then
C. she frequently appeared in public
D. she got support from her husband
3. We learn from the passage that powerful women today_____________
A. change their jobs more frequently
B. are better political leaders than men
C. are not content with being housewives
D. have changed their traditional concept
4. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. The most powerful women in the world
B. Women in power are rising to leadership postitions
C. Forbes: Germany’s Merkel again most powerful woman
D. Forbes: The rise and fall of the women in power
D. The latest source of biofuel
Driving in a foreign country is always different in at least some ways from driving in your own country. Here are some general points regarding driving in New Zealand.
Visitors wishing to drive in New Zealand do not require an international driver’s license but are required to carry their local driver’s license whenever driving.
Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road as they do in Britain, Australia, and Japan. Most rental vehicles will have a sticker reminding you of this important fact.
When the traffic light is red, you must stop. There is no left turn rule as in North America.
New Zealand road rules follow international standards but please note that in New Zealand vehicles turning left must give way to traffic turning right.
In general, if you are turning left (where there are give-way signs or no signs), give way to vehicles that not turning. In all other situations, give way to vehicles crossing or coming from your right.
Seat belts must be worn at all times while driving in New Zealand. This stands for the driver and passengers. The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are wearing their seatbelts.
Do not drink alcohol before driving in New Zealand—drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced.
Speed limits are in kilometres per hour (kph), not miles per hour (mph).
Speed conversion: 1 kph equals 0.621 mph; 1 mph equals 1.61 kph.
The speed limit on the open road is 100km/h. In towns and cities the speed limit is 50km/h. Be sure to obey all school crossing speed reductions as speed cameras operate regularly throughout New Zealand.
For further information and up to date road conditions visit: http://www.transit.govt.nzWhat can be learned from the passage?
A.A passenger’s not wearing the seat belt has little to do with the driver. |
B.There will be a reminder for drivers to remember to drive on the left side. |
C.Cars passing a school in towns should drive at a speed of less than 31 mph. |
D.A foreign driver is expected to have a driving license issued by New Zealand. |
Which of the following statements correctly explains road rules in New Zealand?
A. In Figure 1, Car B must give way to Car A.
B. In Figure 2, Car B must give way to Car A.
C. In Figure 3, Car B must give way to Car A.
D. In Figure 4, Car B must give way to Car A.
![]() |
This passage is most likely ____________.
A.a travel brochure for locals |
B.a website travel introduction |
C.an advertisement of travel |
D.a travel column in a geographical magazine |
Charlie Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 in London. Both his father and mother were entertainers and although not of big names, they were doing very well. While the family was by no means rich, the music hall provided the Chaplins with a comfortable living. Unfortunately happy life didn’t last long. Father’s alcoholism was slowly, but surely destroying his marriage. Finally it ended in divorce. His mother managed to keep Charlie and his brother Syney clean and warm, clothed and fed. She would sit at the window watching the passers-by and guess at their characters from the way they looked and behaved, making up tales to delight Charlie and Syney. Charlie took in her skills and went on using them all his life.
Charlie had always believed, even in the worst times, that he had something special locked away inside him. He took his courage and went to one of the top theater agents. With no experience at all, he was offered a plum part (意外得到的好角色) in a new production of “Sherlock Holmes”, which opened on July 27, 1903 at the famous “Pavilion Theatre”. Charlie seemed to change overnight. It was as if he had found the thing he was meant to do. By 1910, Charlie had become “one of the best pantomime (哑剧) artists ever seen ”.
Cinema was born in the same year as Charlie thought people still believed it was a passing fashion, and would never replace live shows. But after using several weeks to watch and to learn, he was determined to master this new medium. It offered him the chance of money and success—and it would set him free from the unpredictability of live audience.
Charlie’s first film, released in February 1914, was called “Making a living”. After that he made another ten. The public loved him and producers were demanding more and more Chaplin films. In an incredibly short time, Charlie had become a very important man in motion picture.Which of the following is NOT true about Charlie Chaplin?
A.Mother had much influence on Charlie Chaplin’s career. |
B.“Sherlock Holmes” made Charlie rise to fame overnight. |
C.Charlie had been famous when the cinema became a fashion. |
D.Charlie’s work in both the theater and the cinema was welcomed. |
What can you infer from the passage?
A.Charlie Chaplin’s belief in his potential led to his success. |
B.Charlie Chaplin got his first role in a film at 14. |
C.Cinema was a form of art showing live performance. |
D.Motion picture was a passing fashion lasting a short time. |
The underlined word “unpredictability” in Paragraph 3 means____________.
A.low spirits | B.opposing attitude |
C.successful performance | D.changing state |
What is the passage mainly about?
A.Charlie Chaplin made the cinema industry popular. |
B.Charlie Chaplin’s early success in his career. |
C.Charlie Chaplin was a best pantomime artist. |
D.Charlie Chaplin’s determination to do what he liked. |
Salem, the “City of Peace”, is a small city with a big history. It is the second established city in Massachusetts and the second oldest settlement in New England. While Salem has been long known as the “Witch City” due to the notable witch trials of 1692, Salem also played an important part in Revolutionary times and was an active leader of several Massachusetts’ industries, which is why you will find mansions (宅邸) of the country’s first millionaires there.
Salem is located approximately 16 miles (30 minutes) north of Boston and is bordered by Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Peabody, Swampscott and the Atlantic Ocean. Boston & Maine Railroad serves Salem with transport service, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority maintains a rail stop and bus service. Air service is available from Beverly Airport (5 miles away) and Logan International Airport (16 miles away). Access is also available on a ferry from Boston.
Salem has various restaurants including outdoor cafes, various restaurants and fine dining establishments. For shoppers there are malls and department stores, an open market, a waterfront village, as well as a downtown shopping district.
There are many local artists and musicians who have shops along the city streets. On a nightly basis, one can stop in a local restaurant or nightspot and listen to some of the most creative music. World famous artwork is displayed at the Peabody Essex Museum and the work of local artists can be found displayed in many downtown shops including Artist Row.
The City of Salem has long had a commitment to the promotion of art and culture. The Salem Cultural Council is a local agency of Salem residents that supports public programs and educational activities in the arts, sciences and humanities. Local artists and theaters, such as CinemaSalem, the Salem Theatre Company, the Salem State College Center for the Arts, the Griffen Theater and the Rebel Shakespeare Company provide entertainment and learning opportunities to residents and visitors alike. The Salem Arts Association, Inc. is an entirely volunteer-run nonprofit arts organization. The SAA seeks to bring art, in all its forms, to the community and bring the community, in all its diversity, to the arts in Salem, Massachusetts.What would be the best title of this passage?
A.Salem, the Industry City |
B.Salem, the Witch City |
C.Salem, the City with a Big History |
D.Salem, the City of Peace |
Which of the following statements is NOT true about Salem?
A.It is the second established city in Massachusetts with Boston to the north. |
B.It was developed in several of Massachusetts’ industries. |
C.Every night local restaurants there entertain visitors with some music. |
D.Salem is accessible by train, bus, plane and ferry. |
Visitors to Salem have a secure chance to appreciate first-class works of art in ____________.
A.Artist Row | B.Peabody Essex Museum |
C.the MBTA | D.the Salem Cultural Council |
After reading the passage, we may decide that ____________.
A.Salem is a preferred city for millionaires now |
B.the promotion of art and culture in Salem is totally government action |
C.once an important industrial city, now Salem has a strong cultural atmosphere |
D.visitors to Salem will find few choices in dining and shopping |
Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I were any better, I’d be twins!” He was a natural motivator.
One day I went up to Michael and asked him, “I don’t get it. You can’t be positive all the time. How do you do it?”
Michael replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself ‘Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood.’ I choose the first. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.” Michael continued, “Life is all about choices. The bottom line is: It’s your choice how you live life.”
Several years later, Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling off 60 feet from a communications tower. I saw him about six months after the accident. I asked him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
He said, “I first thought of my soon-to-born daughter and then remembered I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live. I knew I needed to take action. So when a nurse kept shouting questions at me asking if I was allergic to anything, I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Gravity’. Over their laughter, I told them, ‘I’m choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead’.”
Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. Which of the following statements is true?
A.Michael is a person whom people don’t like very much. |
B.Michael knows how to learn from bad things in life. |
C.Doctors thought Michael was dead. |
D.The author didn’t think Michael was a happy person. |
According to Michael, when someone complains to you, you should ____________.
A.share your own experiences with him |
B.just listen to what the person says and feel sorry for him |
C.tell the person to look at the happy side of life instead of just listening |
D.discuss with the person and tell him to reflect on the complaints |
The author quotes Michael’s words “If I were any better, I’d be twins!” to tell us ____________.
A.Michael wants to have a twin brother |
B.Michael is not satisfied with his present life |
C.Michael is always optimistic |
D.Michael likes to change his mood |
Which of the following best summarizes the main idea?
A.Accidents will happen. |
B.When God shuts a door, he opens another. |
C.Nothing ventured, nothing gained. |
D.Attitude is everything. |
A friend of mine named Paul received an expensive car from his brother as a Christmas present.On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office,a street urchin was walking around the shining car.“Is this your car,Paul?”he asked.
Paul answered,“Yes,my brother gave it to me for Christmas.” The boy was surprised.“You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you anything?Boy,I wish…” He hesitated.
Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for.He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the boy said surprised Paul greatly.
“I wish,” the boy went on,“that I could be a brother like that.” Paul looked at the boy in surprise, then he said again, “Would you like to take a ride in my car?”
“Oh yes,I'd love that.”
After a short ride,the boy turned and with his eyes shining,said,“Paul,would you mind driving in front of my house?”
Paul smiled a little.He thought he knew what the boy wanted.He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big car. But Paul was wrong again. “Will you stop where those two steps are?” the boy asked.
He ran up to the steps. Then in a short while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the step and pointed to the car.
“There he is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm going to give you one just like it…then you can see for yourself all the nice things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about.”
Paul got out and lifted the boy to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began an unforgettable holiday ride.
注:urchin 顽童 hesitate 犹豫 crippled 残疾 cent 美分The street urchin was very surprised when ________.
A.Paul received an expensive car |
B.Paul told him about the car |
C.he saw the shining car |
D.he was walking around the car |
From the story we can see the urchin ________.
A.wished to give his brother a car |
B.wanted Paul’s brother to give him a car |
C.wished he could have a brother like Paul's |
D.wished Paul could be a brother like that |
The urchin asked Paul to stop his car in front of his house ________.
A.to show his neighbors the big car |
B.to show![]() |
C.to let his brother ride in the car |
D.to tell his brother about his wish |
We can infer(推断)from the story that ________.
A.Paul couldn't understand the urchin |
B.the urchin had a deep love for his brother |
C.the urchin wished to have a rich brother |
D.the urchin's wish came true in the end |