V Reading
Ellas’ story
My name is Ellas .I am a poor black worker in South Africa .The time when I first met Nelson Mandela was a very difficult period of my life .I was twelve years old . It was in 1952 and he had opened a black law firm to advise black poor people on their problems .
I began school at six . The school where I studied only two years was three kilometers away. I had to leave, because my family could not continue to pay the school fees and the bus fare .I could not read or write. After trying hard ,I got a job in a gold mine, This was a time when one had got to have a passbook to live in Johannesburg. Sadly I did not have this passbook because I was not born there and I was worried about whether I would be out of work.
The day when Nelson Mandela told me what to do and helped me was one of the happiest days of my life .He told me how to get the correct papers so I could stay in Johannesburg .I never forgot how kind he was and when he organized the ANC Youth League ,I joined it as soon as I could .He said:
“The last thirty years have seen the greatest number of laws stopping our rights and progress, until today we have reached a stage where we have almost no rights at all.”
It was the truth .Black people has no vote and could not choose who ruled them .The parts of town where they lived were places decided by white people .They could not get jobs they wanted .The places there they were sent to live were the poorest areas in South Africa .No one could grow food there .In fact as Nelson Mandela said:
“…we were put in a position in which we had either to accept we were less important ,or fight the Government .We chose to attack the law .We first broke the law in a way which was peaceful ;when this was not allowed… only then did we decide to answer violence with violence.”
As a matter of fact, I do not like violence… but in 1963 I helped him blow up some government buildings .It was very dangerous because if I was caught I could be put in prison for years .But I was happy to help because I knew it was to realize our dream of making black and white people equal.
1 Read the text and answer the following questions.
1) When and where was the writer born?
2) What difficulty did he meet when he worked in a gold mine in Johannesburg?
3 )why did Mandela organize the ANC Youth League?
4 )What position were the black in and what did they do
Planning your holiday? Whether you’re going to Yunnan or UK, it’s important to make sure you’re well-prepared. Here’s a handy checklist to help you.
Location
The first thing you have to decide is where you want to go. Of course a lot will depend on your time and budget. Do you want to relax on a beach, visit some famous landmarks, or hike through some beautiful scenery? All these things are available in China, but if your budget stretches, why not look at somewhere else in Asia, or even farther.
Packing
There can be such a thing as being over prepared when traveling, but you don’t want to forget something important. It can be a good idea to wear pants with zipped pockets. In certain countries local thieves will target unsuspecting tourists for their money. It can also be worth packing some basic medical supplies. If you are going to be moving around a lot, buy a good backpack. Finally, remember to pack clothes that are going to be suitable for the weather.
Accommodation
There are several things to consider when picking where you want to stay. Location is often the most important. When staying in hotels, it is often a good idea to book your first night in a new city. After all, you will not be familiar with the surroundings and will want somewhere to leave your luggage. However, don’t spend more than a couple of days at the same hotel. When you get to a new place, you might soon discover there’s somewhere better to stay.
Don’t forget
The key to a good holiday is detail. When you’re traveling, especially in a foreign country, don’t forget to change some money before you leave. If you’re traveling somewhere tropical, you might need some injections or pills to avoid disease. And it’s always worth taking out travel insurance, just in case you find yourself in a spot of bother during the trip. Don’t forget to check the exchange rates. The strong yuan has made traveling abroad cheaper recently. It can also be a good idea to write down the phone number of the closest Chinese embassy, in case you need help while abroad.You have to take all the following into consideration EXCEPT _______ when deciding where to spend your holiday.
A.culture | B.purpose | C.money | D.time |
Pants with zipped pockets are recommended mainly because _______.
A.it’s a good measure in case of emergencies |
B.you’ll be expected to buy a lot of souvenirs |
C.you’ll carry many small things with you |
D.it will help you guard against local theft |
As for accommodation, the writer’s tip is _______.
A.to stay away from the downtown areas to get cheap places |
B.to book one or two nights in the same hotel in case you don’t like it |
C.to choose your location after you arrive at your destination |
D.better not to leave your luggage in unfamiliar hotels |
It can be inferred from the last part that we should _______.
A.choose the most suitable kind of travel insurance |
B.use RMB in all foreign countries since the yuan is strong |
C.check the exchange rates so as to decide what currency (货币) to buy |
D.get in touch with Chinese embassy if we need help when abroad |
What’s the purpose of the passage?
A.To attract the tourists to travel abroad. |
B.To tell some travel information to tourists. |
C.To help the tourists make good preparations for their holidays. |
D.To remind tourists of the safety during their journey. |
Runners in a relay race pass a stick in one direction. However, merchants(商人) passed silk, gold, fruit, and glass along the Silk Road in more than one direction. They earned their living by traveling the famous Silk Road.
The Silk Road was not a simple trading network. It passed through thousands of cities and towns. It started from eastern China, across Central Asia and the Middle East, and ended in the Mediterranean Sea. It was used from about 200 B.C. to about 1300 A.D., when sea travel offered new routes. It was sometimes called the world’s longest highway. However, the Silk Road was made up of many routes, not one smooth path. They passed through what are now 18 countries. The routes crossed mountains and deserts and had many dangers of hot sun, deep snow and even battles. Only experienced traders could return safe.
The Silk Road got its name from its most prized product. Silk could be used like money to pay taxes or buy goods. But the traders carried more than just silk. Gold, silver, and glass from Europe were much found in the Middle East and Asia. Horses traded from other areas changed farming practices in China. Indian merchants traded salt and other valuable goods. Chinese merchants traded paper, which produced an immediate effect on the West. Apples traveled from central Asia to Rome. The Chinese had learned to graft(嫁接) different trees together to make new kinds of fruit. They passed this science on to others, including the Romans. The Romans used grafting to grow the apple. Trading along the Silk Road led to world-wide business 2,000 years before the World Wide Web.The people along the Silk Road did not share just goods. They also shared their beliefs. The Silk Road provided pathways for learning, diplomacy(外交), and religion (宗教). It’s probable that traders along the Silk Road needed ____________.
A.to remember the entire trade route |
B.to deal with a lot of difficulties |
C.to receive certain special training |
D.to know the making of products |
The Silk Road became less important because ____________.
A.it was made up of different routes |
B.silk trading became less popular |
C.people needed fewer foreign goods |
D.sea travel provided easier routes |
What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?
A.Silk was the most prized product. |
B.The Silk Road led to world-wide business. |
C.People traded many goods along the route. |
D.The Silk Road used to be the world’s longest highway. |
New technologies could travel along the Silk Road because people ___________.
A.traded goods along the route |
B.shared each other’s beliefs |
C.learned from one another |
D.earned their living by traveling |
What is the best title for the passage?
A.The Silk Road: East Meets West |
B.The Silk Road: Past and Present |
C.The Silk Road: Routes Full of Dangers |
D.The Silk Road: Pathways for Learning |
The mobile phone rule is just common polite behavior. Most people today have a mobile phone. In fact, many people can’t imagine how they ever get along without them. However, many people also complain(抱怨) about mobile phone users. People complain about other people loudly discussing personal matters in public places. They complain when mobile phones ring in movie theaters and concert halls. They complain about people driving too slow, and paying no attention to where they are going because they are talking on a mobile phone. And they complain about people walking around talking to people who aren’t there.
Whenever a new communication technology becomes popular, it changes the way in which society is organized. Society has to invent rules for the polite way to use the new devices(装置). Our rules of politeness for mobile phones are still evolving(发展;使逐渐形成).
The mobile phone rule applies to most public places. Always try to have your phone ring as low as possible or put your mobile phone on the vibration(振动) mode, so it does not distract the people around you. The basic mobile phone rule includes:
1. Switch it off: Turn it off when you have meetings, worship, and so on.
2. Be brief: When you get a call and you’re with friends, keep the call short.
3. Permission: Often, it is correct and polite behavior to inform others at the beginning of the meeting that you are expecting an important call and get their permission.
4. Be polite: Don’t scream — speak in a lower-than-normal voice.
5. Don’t distract: Avoid talking where you may be distracting to others.
6. Driving: It is not only very dangerous, but also unlawful in most countries to drive and talk on your mobile phone.What is the best title for this passage?
A.How to use a mobile phone. |
B.Mobile phone rule. |
C.The disadvantages of mobile phones. |
D.Mobile phones — making them work for us. |
According to this passage, we can know that the rules for mobile phones are______.
A.far from our satisfaction |
B.getting worse |
C.making people disappointed |
D.developing gradually |
Which of the tips on using mobile phones properly is mentioned in this passage?
A.Concentrate on what others say. |
B.Speak at the top of your voice in order to make yourself heard. |
C.Always turn off your mobile phones. |
D.Had better not distract others. |
What is the main purpose of writing the first paragraph?
A.To attract readers to the topic of the passage. |
B.To give examples about people’s improper behaviors with mobile phones. |
C.To criticize people’s improper behaviors. |
D.To show mobile phones have brought people a lot of trouble. |
What does the word underlined“it” refer to in Paragraph 3?
A.A mobile phone. |
B.The ring of the phone. |
C.The mobile phone rule. |
D.The conversation on the phone. |
Restaurants in the USA
Steve’s Pizza
So many pizza chains compete for the attention of tourists in South Beach, but ask a Miami Beach local where to get the best pizza and they’ll tell you about Steve’s. This is New York–style pizza, handmade with care and good ingredients(成份). New branches of Steve’s are opening elsewhere in Miami, all in non-tourist areas.
Opening hours: 11am-3am
Cattleman’s Steakhouse
This place is 20 miles east of the city, but local folks would probably drive 200 miles to eat here. The food is good, and the scenery is even better. Come early and wander around the grounds of Indian Cliffs Ranch, where you’ll see everything from rabbits to buffalo (水牛), then catch the sunset either before or after your meal.
Opening hours: 5pm-10pm
Absolute Baking & Cafe
The screen door is always swinging open at this town hot spot with giant breakfasts. Try the green chili on eggs – it’s made from scratch, as are the organic(有机的) breads. Lunch includes salads, big sandwiches and local grass-fed beef burgers. Don’t miss a square of soft, fresh carrot cake.
Opening hours: 7am-2pm
Walt’s Wharf
Everybody’s favorite for fresh fish (some drive in from LA), Walt’s packs them in on weekends. You can’t make reservations for dinner (though they’re accepted for lunch), but it’s worth the wait for the tree fire–grilled seafood and steaks in the many-windowed ground floor or upstairs in captain’s chairs.
Opening hours: 11am-3:30pmThe new branches of Steve’s Pizza are mainly intended for .
A.New Yorkers | B.the locals |
C.tourists | D.foreigners |
Cattleman’s Steakhouse offers the wonderful as well as good food.
A.view | B.wine |
C.discount | D.service |
Which restaurant serves both breakfast and lunch?
A.Steve’s Pizza. |
B.Walt’s Wharf. |
C.Cattleman’s Steakhouse. |
D.Absolute Baking & Café. |
Next time you hear a funny joke you’d better not laugh too hard. According to a paper published by the British Medical Journal, laughter isn’t always the best medicine. Sometimes it can even be harmful. Professor Robin Ferner from the University of Birmingham, one of the authors of the study, found that bad things could happen to people who laughed too much. He says: “We found people with heartbeat problems which had stopped their heart, we found people who had fainted(昏倒), and we found people who’d dislocated their jaws or burst their lungs.”
It seems that laughing can be no laughing matter. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Professor Ferner says there are benefits to laughing when you want to lose weight, for example. Yes, that’s right: laugh and be slimmer! Professor Ferner explains that: “You use energy when you laugh, you move your diaphragm(横膈膜), you expand your lungs, and both those things can be helpful.”
According to the research, laughing for a quarter of an hour can burn up to 40 calories, and if you laughed all day you’d use up about 2,000 calories, which is what most people consume in a day. But don’t do that or you might end up with a painful jaw. Ouch! Or you might find people looking at you in a funny way.
But I don’t want to finish this article leaving you feeling desperate. Laughter comes naturally for most of us. Babies begin to laugh at around 3-6 months. So give in to your sense of humor and keep smiling. Life is short anyway.Laughing too much may cause the following harmful results EXCEPT_________.
A.diaphragm movement |
B.heart stop |
C.lung burst |
D.jaw dislocation |
The underlined phrase “doom and gloom” in Paragraph 2 probably means_______.
A.nervous | B.funny |
C.painful | D.hopeless |
How many calories can you use if you laugh for half a day?
A.About 40. | B.About 2,000. |
C.About 1,000. | D.About 2,040. |
What is the author’s attitude towards laughing in the last paragraph?
A.Uninterested. | B.Favorable. |
C.Worried. | D.Disapproving. |