New York State has passed the USA’s first state law banning motorists talking on hand-held cell phones. The ban will begin November 1, although drivers caught using hand-held cell phones will be given only warnings during the first month.
First-time violators(违法者) will face a ＄100 fine. A second time call for a ＄200 fine and every violation after that will cost＄500．
At least a dozen localities(地方) have established bans, starting in 1999; and 40 states have had bans proposed but not passed．At least 23 countries, including the Great Britain, Italy, Israel and Japan, ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones.
There are about 115 million cell phones in use in the United States and more than 6 million in New York State.
“To think that I’m not going to use cell phone when at the same time I can still use my laptop, I still can read a paper, I can still change my pants(裤子) while driving 65 mph. I think there’s just something wrong,” an official said．
Other critics noted that other things like eating, drinking coffee and applying make-up while driving posed(造成) at least as much of a concern. They suggested that the ban include a broader range of things.
1．How much fine will a hand-held cell phone user receive if he has been caught using it four times while driving after November?
A．$500． B．$1000． C．$1200． D．$1300．
2．We can see from this passage that _______.
A．the ban has been put into effect in most states in the U. S.
B．many of the developed countries forbid drivers using hand-held cell phones
C．over fifty localities or states ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones
D．more people in the U. S. are against the ban than for it
3．The official mentioned in this passage _______.
A．does not agree with this ban
B．doesn’t believe using hand-held cell phones while driving will cause any danger
C．doesn’t understand why hand-held cell phones alone should be banned among many others
D．believes changing pants while driving will cause greater danger
4．The writer intends to tell us in the last paragraph that _______.
A．it is not fair to have this ban passed
B．the ban will never be passed in the whole country
C．more activities of the same kind should also be banned
D．the ban will meet with more criticism
5．This article is most probably taken from _______.
A．a newspaper article B．an advertisement
C．a personal diary D．a letter
Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons—for example, economic(经济的) reasons—why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?
In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own hometown of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate(影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.
It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt(破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的) and do not like change.
Although we have to respect people's feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward. If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different, even though that might be the more risky choice.What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?
| A．Some of them are not attractive. |
| B．Most of them are too expensive to preserve. |
| C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings. |
| D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the author?
| A．We should reproduce the same old buildings. |
| B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings. |
| C．No one understands why people speak against new buildings. |
| D．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in. |
By “move things forward”in the last paragraph, the author probably means “_________”．
| A．destroy old buildings |
| B．choose new architectural style |
| C．put things in a different place |
| D．respect people's feelings for historical buildings |
What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A．To explain why people dislike change. |
| B．To warn that we could end up living in caves. |
| C．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas. |
| D．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings. |
Filmmaker Jennifer Nelson had to pay $1,500 to have “Happy Birthday to You” sung in the movie she’s making. The money went to Warner Music Group, a company that claims to own the copyright on the song. A copyright is the legal right to use or sell a creative product such as a song, a TV show, a book, or a work of art. Warner has claimed the copyright for “Happy Birthday to You” since 1988.
“I never thought the song was owned by anyone,” Nelson said in an e-mail to The New York Times. “I thought it belonged to everyone.”
Nelson’s movie is a documentary（纪录片）— a film that uses pictures and/or interviews with people to create a factual report of real-life events — and is actually about the history of the “Happy Birthday” song itself.
Two sisters named Mildred and Patty Hill wrote a song called “Good Morning to All” in 1893. Over a short period of time, people began to sing the words “happy birthday to you” in place of the original lyrics to the tune of the Hill sisters’ song.
A number of history experts say that there is no record of who actually wrote the “Happy Birthday to You” lyrics（歌词）. Historians also say there is no way to know when the general public began singing the “Happy Birthday” song, but they believe it was being sung by the public long before it was printed and owned by a company.
Nelson’s lawyers say this piece of music’s history proves that “Happy Birthday to You” belongs to everyone in the general public. That would mean Warner Music Group has no right to charge anyone a fee to sing the song in any setting.
Experts estimate that Warner/ Chappell, the publishing division of the Warner Music Group, has made about $2 million a year from licensing fees for “Happy Birthday to You.”
Nelson’s lawyers are asking a court in New York City to order Warner/Chappell to return fees they have collected over the past four years for use of the “Happy Birthday” song.Jennifer Nelson had to pay Warner Music Group to ____________.
| A．own the copyright on a song |
| B．have it write a song for her movie |
| C．have it play a song in her movie |
| D．have a song sung in her movie |
The history experts’ statement can prove that the “Happy Birthday” song ____________.
| A．does not belong to Warner Music Group |
| B．has more than 200 years’ history |
| C．was initially owned by another company |
| D．has always been very popular |
According to Nelson’s lawyers, to sing the “Happy Birthday” song, people ____________.
| A．should pay the Hill sisters |
| B．should pay Warner Music Group |
| C．need not pay for any purpose |
| D．need not pay except for commercial use |
If the court supports Nelson’s lawyers’ claim, ____________.
| A．she can obtain the copyright on the song |
| B．Warner will return about $8 million |
| C．Warner will have to pay her for her damages |
| D．she only needs to pay a little money to use the song |
No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Art Institute, which is the second largest art museum in the nation.
Opening hours:
Mon - Wed & Fri - Sun, 10:30 am - 5 pm; Thu, 10:30 am- 8 pm; closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Highlights:
● The Modern Wing contains contemporary（当代的）masterpieces by Dali, Matisse, Miro, Picasso, Pollock, and Warhol.
● View one of the world’s finest Impressionist collections, including masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
● Thorne Miniature Rooms offer a detailed view of European homes from the 16th century through the 1930s and American homes from the 17th century to 1940.
● The past returns as over 550 works from 4,000 years of art come together in Of Gods and Glamour, located in the beautiful new Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art.
Advice for visitors:
● Free guided tours are available daily at noon.
● Free art-making activities are available for children each weekend from 11 am to 2 pm.
● Visit the Family Room in the Ryan Education Center, open daily from 10:30 am – 5 pm, and introduce your child to the museum’s collections with a variety of hands-on activities. Assemble (组装) puzzles based on masterpieces you’ll see in the galleries, build architectural wonders with colorful blocks, and learn about art through stories and games at Curious Corner.
● Check out the Lion’s Trial tour for children ages 5-10. This tour is especially designed for the young people in your group! Don’t miss it!
Getting there:
You can take the follow buses: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 26, 28, 126, 143.The Art Institute of Chicago can be visited on ____________.
| A．Christmas Day | B．New Year’s Day |
| C．Independence Day | D．Thanksgiving Day |
Whose works can you see in the Impressionist collections?
| A．Picasso’s | B．Monet’s |
| C．Pollock’s | D．Warhol’s |
At Curious Corner, children can ____________.
| A．take part in many hands-on activities |
| B．join the Lion’s Trail tour |
| C．enjoy free art-making activities |
| D．get free guidance |
People all need friends because nobody wants to be lonely and a friend can help you in good and bad times. You’ve made friends since childhood，but you still don’t know who your true friends are. Here are some signs to tell you if your friend is a true friend.
Always honest
Honesty is important to keep a relationship alive. A true friend always tells you the truth. It may be hard sometimes but lying can destroy a friendship. It is important that your friend speaks honestly and never makes up stories.
There are always periods in your life when you have problems or difficulties. A true friend will always have time to listen to your problems and give you advice. It may not be able to offer a solution to your problems but the fact that your friend makes time to listen is a sign he/she cares for you. Your friend is not a true friend if he/she can never make time for you when you are in trouble. You also need to be reasonable and accept that your friend also has other things to do so he/she can’t always listen immediately to your problems.
Always respectful
A true friend will always respect your opinion no matter whether he/she agrees or not. Your true friend may disagree but never insists that he/she is correct.
Always understanding
It is possible that some problems will arise between you and your friend. A true friend will always be forgiving and understanding，even if it isn’t his/her fault. We are all different people and we all make mistakes. A true friend is always forgiving and understanding because he/she doesn’t want to take the risk of losing his/her best friend.What’s the best title for the third paragraph?
| A．Keep your secrets | B．Always there for you |
| C．Always happy for you | D．Remember your important days |
According to the passage，a true friend will always ____________.
| A．follow your advice |
| B．offer a solution to your problems |
| C．respect your opinion even if he/she disagrees with it |
| D．listen immediately to your problems |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
| A．Never tell lies to friends. |
| B．Making time for friends. |
| C．Paying attention to a friend’s opinion. |
| D．Sharing fun with friends. |
What’s the author’s purpose of writing this passage?
| A．To tell us how to find out if a friend is a true friend. |
| B．To find out how long a friendship can last. |
| C．To introduce his experience in making friends. |
| D．To teach us how to make true friends. |
Recently I have discovered it’s often easier for me to do something every day than to do it just some days. I post to my blog six days a week. I take notes every day. I write in my one-sentence journal every day. Many people have told me that they find it easier to exercise when they exercise every day. If I try to do something just four days a week, I spend a lot of time arguing with myself: Is today the day, or is it tomorrow, or the next day? Does the week start on Sunday or Monday?
If you do something every day, you tend to fall into a routine. Routine has a bad reputation for lacking excitement. It’s true that novelty and challenge bring happiness and that people who break their routines, try new things, and go to new places are happier, but I think that some routine activities also bring happiness. The pleasure of doing the same thing, in the same way, every day, shouldn’t be overlooked. By repeating, you can find happiness in activities like doing dishes or sweeping the floor as well as in your beloved morning coffee-and-news routines.
Two geniuses whom I know of also wrote about the power of doing something every day. Andy Warhol wrote, “Either once only, or every day. If you do something once it’s exciting, and if you do it every day it’s exciting. But if you do it, say, twice or just almost every day, it’s not good any more.” Gertrude Stein made a similar point, “Anything one does every day is important and anywhere one lives is interesting and beautiful.”
So if there’s something that you wish you did more regularly, try doing it every day; if you do something every day, take great pleasure in it.In the first paragraph, what does the author try to tell us?
| A．It’s easier to do the same thing every day. |
| B．It’s important to do the same thing every day. |
| C．He has a good habit of following routines. |
| D．He enjoys the habit of following routines. |
People usually tend to break their routines because they________.
| A．hope to have a better reputation |
| B．would like to get rid of the old habit |
| C．want to have fun and excitement |
| D．are willing to face new challenges |
Which of the following statements does Andy Warhol probably agree to?
| A．Doing something that is exciting. |
| B．Doing something almost every day. |
| C．Doing something every day, not only once. |
| D．Doing something every day or only once. |
Which can be the best title of the passage?
| A．A Way To Form A Habit | B．Do Anything Every Day |
| C．Repeat Regularly | D．Power Of Everyday Repetition |