The repairman told me, “No charge Professor Pan! We’re friends．” “I’d rather pay,” I replied．“If it’s free, I can’t afford it!”
Chinese often refuse payment for professional services, insisting, "We’re friends now!" But then they show up later to ask me to tutor them in English, or get them into an American university, and I wish I’d have just paid the 30 yuan I owed them in the first place!
According to the Americans, "There’s no free lunch," meaning that there’s a price for everything, and I’m always looking around to figure out what this means．Many of our neighbours have given us fruit or flowers or costly teas, never asking anything in return．For years, a bicycle repairman has repeatedly refused to let me pay him．"Wait until you have something major to fix! "he insists．
I mentioned to a peasant friend that I wished I had a stone mill to grind(磨)flour for bread．A month later he showed up with a beautiful mill that he’d had his uncle in the countryside carve from a solid block of granite(花岗石)．
Chinese generosity(慷慨)is a real education for Americans like me, who would rather avoid social entanglements (纠纷) and just hand over the money．But cash can’t compensate(补偿)for the greatest gift--friendship．
When an American saw some of my friends sitting on bamboo stools under the trees, sipping(呷)tea, he said, "They must have nothing better to do．""Actually, "I said, "they are professors, with plenty to do．But probably you’re right in saying that, at this moment, they have nothing better to do．And neither do I!" And I joined the group．We chatted about tea and Chinese cooking and how much my boys have grown since we arrived．One man said, "They were pocket-sized when you came here．Now
they’re taller than you．How time flies!"
How life flies．And Chinese are smart enough to share what they know they cannot keep．They freely give of their time, never too busy to help a friend．And they are teaching me, slowly, to both give and receive．So the next time someone says, "No charge．We’re friends! " I will thank them heartily．But if they show up later asking me to tutor them in English, I’ll make sure they tutor my son in Chinese as well, because there’s still no free lunch．
64．The author insisted on paying repairman while he was offered free repairs because he .
A．was an honest man
B．didn’t know the repairman
C．thought it natural to pay for others’ service
D．didn’t want to help others in return
65．Generally, the author thinks that Chinese are _________．
A．generous and always ready to help their friends
B．good at exchange of equal values
C．free enough to drink tea and chat with their friends
D．helpful but don’t treasure time
66．The best title of the passage should be “ ”.
A．Learn to Both Give And Receive B．A Good Lesson from Chinese
C．True Help or Not D．Still No Free Lunch
67．Which of the following is TRUE?
A．The Chinese would rather not take the money to avoid problems in social communication.
B．When a peasant knew the author needed a mill, he made one for the author himself.
C．The author thinks that Chinese are wise enough to enjoy the limited life.
D．The author thinks little of Chinese way of life.
From the jagged (锯齿状的) peaks of the Himalayas to the powerful Yangtze River that flows into the Pacific, China’s vast terrain (地带) and varied climate make it the sixth most biologically diverse nation on the planet.
Since 1998, The Nature Conservancy has been working in China’s northwest Yunnan Province to protect some of the amazing natural and cultural diversity unique to this country for its future generations. In cooperation with Chinese local and state government agencies, the Conservancy established the Yunnan Great Rivers Project, which protects an area about the size of West Virginia.
Did you know?
●China contains 10% of the world’s total species.
●At least 15% of China’s mammal species and 8% of its bird species are found nowhere else on Earth.
●Nearly 15,000 plant species are native to Yunnan Province.
●Yunnan is home to 75% of Tibetan medicinal herbs and 30 endangered species.
What is the Nature Conservancy trying to do?
Education for Sustainability (可持续性)
The Nature Conservancy recognizes that environmental education is an important element of working closely with local communities to achieve sustainable conservation results. In response, the Conservancy launched a new program called Education for Sustainability which tests means of teaching and learning that combine conservation goals, social justice, and appropriate development and participation in a vision and mission for personal and social change.
Promoting Green Tourism
Tourism is both an environmental threat and an economic opportunity, with the potential to provide extremely needed income to northwest Yunnan. The Conservancy is working with local communities, government agencies, and tourism ,enterprises(企业) to develop strategies for “green” tourism which will limit the footprint of mass tourism while generating income for local people. In addition to combining tourism development and management at our five action sites, we assisted with regional marketing efforts to promote eco-tourism opportunities.China ranks _______ among the most biologically diverse nations on the planet.
| A．tenth | B．sixth | C．fifteenth | D．eighth |
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the text?
| A．The Nature Conservancy has been working in China’s |
| B．The Nature Conservancy cooperated agencies in the Yunnan Great Rivers Project. |
| C．Nearly 10% of the world’s plant species are native to Yunnan Province. |
| D．For the moment the Nature Conservancy is devoting itself to education for sustainability as well as eco-tourism. |
To develop strategies for eco-tourism, the Nature Conservancy is working with the following EXCEPT _________.
| A．West Virginia | B．local communities |
| C．government agencies | D．tourism enterprises |
Which of the following best shows the author’s attitude towards tourism?
| A．We should greatly promote tourism as it has no disadvantages. |
| B．Tourism is extremely helpful to people in Yunnan. |
| C．Tourism does no good to our environment. |
| D．Tourism is an opportunity for the economy as well as threat to the environment. |
Have you ever heard the saying “All roads lead to Rome”? At one time, this was pretty much true. During the Roman Empire, lots of roads were built in order to move armies, send messages by courier (信使), and make trade easier. This construction work went on for five centuries! If all the roads built during the Roman Empire were put together end to end, they would circle the equator twice.
The network of Roman roads was begun in 312 BC. It was demanded that the roads be built strong so that they would not fall down. Roman soldiers, supervised (监督) by engineers, laid down the roads in a special pattern of layers. The first layer was made of sand. Next, the builders added rocks and rubble. On top of these materials came gravel. On this solid foundation, the road builders placed paving stones.
Also, Roman roads were cambered. This means that they were built higher in the middle than on the edges, allowing rainwater to run off, which prevented flooding. We use the same technique in building roads today. The Romans also laid out roads over hills when necessary, setting them down in a zigzag pattern to make the road rise gradually.
All Roman roads had milestones (里程碑), placed every thousands paces (a Roman mile). The milestones told when the road was built, who was emperor at the time, the road’s destination, how far the traveler was from the destination, and how many miles had been traveled since the beginning of the road. This information was a great help to travelers.
Because of their excellence in construction, it really is no surprise that many parts of Roman road still exist today. These roadways are one of the most impressive accomplishments of the Roman Empire.What does the underlined sentence in the first paragraph mean?
| A．The Roman Empire was very powerful. |
| B．Lots of roads were built during the Roman Empire. |
| C．The roads built during the Roman Empire were very long. |
| D．The roads built during the Roman Empire were very convenient. |
Which of the following correctly shows the structure of the Roman roads?
| A．Paving stones Gravel Rocks & rubble Sand |
| B．Gravel Rocks & rubble Sand |
| C．Sand Rocks & rubble Gravel Paving stones |
| D．Sand |
Rocks & rubble
GravelWhat information can you find on the milestones?
| A．The builders of the road. |
| B．The materials used in building roads. |
| C．The distance from one city. |
| D．The time spent in building roads. |
The passage mainly ______.
| A．explains the saying “All roads lead to Rome” |
| B．praises ancient Romans for their great achievements |
| C．shows how great the Roman Empire was |
| D．introduces the construction of the Roman roads |
New Zealand fishermen caught what may prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid (巨大的鱿鱼).
In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles (触须) and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again.
On February 21, New Zealand fishermen landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass (黑鲈) in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully pulled the creature into a net and dragged it aboard their ship.
Scientists estimate (估计) that the animal weighs about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid the biggest on record.
First identified in 1925 after two tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters.
The recently captured colossal squid has been frozen to keep it for scientific study. It will be transported to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, in the capital city of Wellington. Experts believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. Scientists hope to learn more about the colossal squid’s diet, behavior and reproductive (繁殖) patterns.
“Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature,” said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment.”Why is it usually difficult for experts to observe the squid?
| A．Because it moves too fast. |
| B．Because it is too large. |
| C．Because it is very dangerous. |
| D．Because it can go down to deep ocean. |
What can be inferred from the passage?
| A．The squid is from a science fiction story. |
| B．The fishermen often meet colossal squids. |
| C．Scientists know much about the colossal squid. |
| D．The fishermen had some difficulty catching the large squid. |
What’s the purpose of catching such a huge squid?
| A．To make it into food. |
| B．To set a world record. |
| C．To do research on it. |
| D．To display it for visitors. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．The biggest squid ever found |
| B．Scientific research on squid |
| C．The lifestyle of the colossal squid |
| D．How the fishermen caught the squid |
Do you want to see the effects of global warming? Then head north. Will Steger is going to take all of us there.
Steger, 64, the first person to make a dogsled trip to the North Pole, is a very famous and admired polar explorer. He’s at home in frozen parts of the world where few humans ever step on. Steger is also a devoted environmentalist who was early to ring the alarm bell on global warming. He saw its effects firsthand in frequent polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica.
Now Steger is about to lead a team of six young adventurers on a 1,400-mile, 60-day-long dogsled trip across Ellesmere Island, in the Canadian Arctic. The sea ice in that region should still be frozen. “We want to take our audience to the front lines of global warming,” says Steger. The team will be uploading videos, stories and photos to the website globalwarming101.com as they march along, allowing armchair adventurers and kids in classrooms to follow their progress day to day. “We can actually bring the audience up there,” Steger says.
Steger’s team will include some already-famous young explorers. Sam Branson, the 22-year-old son of British airline tycoon (大亨) Richard Branson, is an experienced Arctic traveler. Also on the journey will be 27-year-old Norwegian Sigrid Ekran. Last year, Ekran became only the second woman in history to win Rookie (新秀) of the Year for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
What they will see may be very surprising. Even Steger doesn’t know exactly what to expect. Climate change has already reshaped the geography of the Arctic. “Within a decade or less, it’s going to be impossible to reach the North Pole by dog team without flotation (漂浮),” says Steger.
Climate change is happening, but people can change too. Their willingness to change will determine the shape of the Earth’s future.Why is Steger about to organize the adventure to the Arctic?
| A．To collect evidence for his scientific research. |
| B．To develop the young people’s adventurous spirit. |
| C．To let more people enjoy its natural beauty. |
| D．To let people realize the bad effects of global warming. |
How can people learn about the progress of Steger’s journey?
| A．Through radio programs. |
| B．By watching TV. |
| C．On the Internet. |
| D．By reading his journals. |
According to Steger, people can save the earth by _____.
| A．changing their harmful way of life |
| B．learning more about the environment |
| C．willingly giving up their comfortable life |
| D．getting used to the present changes of the earth |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．The Arctic is in danger |
| B．Sledding through the Arctic |
| C．Discoveries of the Arctic |
| D．Consequences of global warming |
HAVE FUN IN SPRING!
Special four-week mini-session
April — May
Acting Classes for Ages 4+ and Teens!
Classes meet once a week for four weeks. All classes are led by highly experienced Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT) artists. Since this is a mini-session, classes will not present a show. Pre-K (Pre-Kindergarten) students will explore stories and characters from the world of books and literature. For students in Act It Up (K-1st && 2nd-3rd) and Acting (4th-6th), the classes will explore characters, expression and creativity through creative dramatics (表演) activities.
Full $80 payment per student is required for enrollment (入学). Classes will be filled first-come-first-served. For questions or to enroll, contact Nancy Schaeffer at 214-978-0110 or nancy@dct.org.
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 April 22-May 13, 2008
Play Days — Pre-K
●Explore the wonderful characters from your favorite books
●Act out the stories you know so well and maybe a few new ones too!
●Take turns being on the stage with your class as you become many fun and creative characters
Act It Up! Grades K-1 & Grades 2-3
Explore the most important aspects of acting:
●Characters: Who are You?
● Imagination: See where it takes you — be creative!
Wednesdays 4:30-6:00 April 23-May 14, 2008
Acting — Grades 4-6
Explore the most important aspects of acting:
● Characterization: Movement and Voice
● Imagination: Listening, Learning and Taking a chance
Auditions and Monologues (试演和独角戏) — Grade 7+
● Work on a monologue that you can use for any audition
●Learn the tricks for how to do your best at your next audition — at school, church or local theater
●Get feedback (反馈) from a professional and make improvements to your auditioning skillsThe ad is about ______.
| A．training classes for students |
| B．the directions for a product |
| C．acting classes for college students |
| D．an introduction to a film |
To attend the special four-week mini-session, you’ll have to ______.
| A．register at DCT |
| B．prove that you can act |
| C．be old enough for each class |
| D．pay $80 once a week |
Which class may offer you a chance to enjoy playing the characters you like?
| A．Auditions and Monologues. | B．Play Days. |
| C．Act It Up! | D．Acting. |
Those who attend Auditions and Monologues ______.
| A．mainly explore the imagination |
| B．have to start their lessons on April 22 |
| C．will often practise using movement and voice |
| D．are mainly taught some skills for their future use |