If you are a recent social science graduate who has had to listen to jokes about unemployment from your computer major classmates, you may have the last laugh．There are many advantages for the social science major because this high-tech "Information Age" demands people who are flexible（灵活的）and who have good knowledge of social science．
There are many social science majors in large companies who take up important positions．For example, a number of research studies found that social science majors had achieved greater managerial success than those who had technical training or pre-professional courses．Studies show that social science majors are most suited to change, which is the leading feature（特点） of the kind of high speed, high-pressure, high-tech world we now live in．
Social science majors are not only experiencing success in their long-term company jobs, but they are also finding jobs more easily．A study showed that many companies had filled a large percentage of their entry-level positions with social science graduates．The study also showed that the most sought-after quality in a person who was looking for a job was communication skills, noted as "very important" by 92 percent of the companies．Social science majors have these skills, often without knowing how important they are．It is probably due to these skills that have been offered a wide variety of positions．
Finally, although some social science majors may still find it more difficult than their technically trained classmates to land the first job．recent graduates report that they don't regret their choice of study．
50．What's the main idea of the passage?
A．Social science graduates are more likely to be employed．
B．Computer major graduates are more likely to be employed．
C．A lot of people take up the social science majors．
D．Why is the unemployment problem so serious nowadays．
51．What is our present society's clearest feature?
A．It is full of pressure． B．It is full of chances．
C．It is full of changes． D．It is full of failures
52．Why are the social science graduates offered many jobs?
A．Because they are more experienced than the other kinds of graduates．
B．Because they are more flexible than the other kinds of graduates．
C．Because they can deal with problems better than the other kinds of graduates．
D．Because they have better communication skills than the other kinds of graduates．
53．What's the attitude of social science graduates towards their major?
A．Disappointed． B．Satisfied． C．Interested． D．Bored．
New archaeological discovers suggest that trade between Europe and Asia along the Silk
Road probably began in some form many countries earlier than once thought. The findings, coupled with a widening range of scientific and historical research, could add a fascinating new
page to the epic of the Silk Road.
The latest and most surprising discovery is pieces of silk found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy from about 1000 BC, long before regular traffic on the Silk Road and at least one thousand years before silk was previously thought to be used in Egypt. Other research may extend human activity along this route back even further, perhaps a million years to the migration of human ancestors into eastern Asia.
The official origin of East-West commerce along the road is usually placed in the late 2nd century BC when an agent of the Chinese Emperor Wu-di returned from a dangerous secret mission（使命）across the desert into the remote high country of Central Asia. The agent, Zhang Qian, travelled as far as Afghanistan and brought back knowledge of even more distant lands such as Persia, Syria and a place known as Lijien, perhaps Rome. Historians have called this one of the most important journeys in ancient times. His journey opened the way for what have been thought to be the first indirect contacts between the ancient world’s two superpowers, China and Rome. Chinese silk, first traded to central Asian tribes for war horses and to the Parthians of old Persia in exchange for acrobats and ostrich eggs, was soon finding its way through a network of merchants to the luxury markets of Rome.
But the new discoveries show that Chinese silk was apparently present in the West long before the Han emperor started organized trade over the Silk Road. The research could change thinking about the early history of world trade and provide insights into the mystery of just how and when Europe and the Mediterranean lands first became aware of the glorious culture at the other end of Eurasia. The word “coupled” in the first paragraph could best be replaced by ______.
| A．produced | B．contributed | C．doubled | D．combined |
The silk thread found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy suggests that ______.
| A．Egyptians had probably travelled to China to buy silk |
| B．trade along the Silk Road began earlier than once thought |
| C．historical research often achieves fascinating results |
| D．new light can now be thrown on ancient trading practices |
Until recently most historians believed that trade along the Silk Road _______.
| A．originated in the 2nd century BC |
| B．extended human migration into eastern Asia |
| C．began a million years ago |
| D．primarily benefited the Egyptians |
Historians have always considered Zhang Qian’s mission important because they believe ______.
| A．be brought back knowledge of Rome to the emperor | B．be discovered the Silk Road |
| C．be helped establish East-West trade | D．be travelled as far as Afghanistan |
Many people write to newspaper and magazines to express their opinions. Letters to the editor must carry the writer’s full name, address and telephone number, although the information is not necessary for publication. This requirement to provide personal particulars is a clear indication that writers are held responsible for what they say. When a writer wants his voice heard, he needs to claim ownership of his voice. Responsibility is the name of the game.
“People today prefer living together to putting their signatures on a marriage certificate because they refuse to accept responsibility for the relationship,” said social worker Ken Yip, “and this is what is causing a lot of family problems.” When we sign a paper, for example, a business contract or a bank document, the signature is a seal of consent, an agreement to take the matter seriously. Most governments and many organizations will not process written complaints if they do not bear the writer’s signature. The absence of a signature, they explain, tells us that the writer cannot be too serious and therefore does not deserve a reply.
There are people who wish to remain anonymous（匿名的）for various reasons. Multi-billionaire Mr. King donates generously to charity several times a year. He gives simply because he wants to help but not for the publicity his donations may bring, and he does not want his good deeds to make news. In other cases, people insist on anonymity because they are afraid of the consequences of revealing their identity. Crime witnesses may be willing to assist the police, but most are unwilling to give their names when reporting a crime.
Name or no name? The answer is very personal and lies in how much we want to get involved. We all have a name. It is a matter if responsibility to use it when we make a statement, a claim or an accusation. We all want to honour our own name, and it is only by stamping our expression of an opinion with our own name that we honour what we say. What does the writer mean by saying “Responsibility is the name of the game”?
| A．Writers need to provide their personal information in the game. |
| B．Publication must bear the writer’s full name, address and phone number. |
| C．Writers should be responsible for their names. |
| D．Names are required to indicate writers’ responsibility for what they say. |
The second paragraph suggests that a paper without a signature may _______.
| A．help to end a relationship | B．not get a reply |
| C．be accepted all the same | D．become a family problem |
Some people don’t want their names known because they are ________.
| A．hesitant to make a donation | B．unwilling to draw public attention |
| C．afraid of an accusation | D．ready for involvement |
The passage is mainly about _______.
| A．honour and writers | B．identity and signature |
| C．signature and responsibility | D．anonymity and signature |
| 237 West Palmdale Boulevard Fresno, California 93706 AmToy Corporation Suite 15 TransAm Building San Francisco, California 94115 November 20, 2008 Dear Sirs, As a concerned parent, I am writing to protest your recent advertisement for Electro-Robo seen in local media is California. Specifically, I am referring to newspaper and magazine ads（attached to this letter）published the week of November 15. Children respond to your type of advertising in an immature way; that is, they are unable to understand how expensive some toys are for middle-class parents. Further, you product is violent in nature. Youth advertisement gives children the impression that it's fine to have "two guns and laser eyes." You also suggest that children need your toy to protect them "when you go outside." This is not a healthy attitude for children to have. I hope you will stop advertising your product in such a way that may harm our children. Sincerely yours, （Mrs.） Alma Hernandez President, Parents for Non-violent Toys Enc. |
| It's here! Ready for You, Now! It's Electro-Robo! Every boy dreams of being in control of a robot, and AmToy can make your dream come true! Electro-Roho is the world's first fully automatic robot with radio control. Standing 80 centimeters tall, Electro-Robo is like a friend at home. He can walk, talk, and even shake your hand! He has two guns and laser eyes to help you defend yourself when you go outside with him. Every boy needs Electro-Robo! Ask your Mom and Dad to buy Electro-Robo for your birthday or for Christmas, which is coming up soon. Imagine that you are in control of your friend for life, Electro-Robo! Available at all toy stores and department stores NOW! |
| 1． |
What is the purpose of the letter?
|
| 2． |
Why does the writer of the letter that Electro-Robo is violent?
|
| 3． |
What dose "Enc." at the end of the letter mean?
|
| 4． |
Electro-Robo can do all the following EXCEPT.
|
The surprising experiment I am about to describe proves that air is all around you and that it presses down upon you. Air pressure is a powerful force. When you swim underwater, you can feel water pushing down on your body. The air all around you does the same. However, your body is so used to it that you do not notice this. The pressure is caused by a layer of air called the atmosphere. This layer surrounds the Earth, extending to about five kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
The following experiment is an easy one that you can do at home. But make sure that you are supervised, because you will need to use matches. Now for the experiment！
What you need
•A hard-boiled egg without the shell
•A bottle with a neck slightly smaller than the egg
•A piece of paper
•A match
Method
1） Check that the egg will sit firmly on the neck of the bottle.
2） Tear the paper into strips and put the strips into the bottle.
3） Light the paper by dropping a burning match into the bottle.
4） Quickly sit the egg on the neck of the bottle.
Result
Astonishingly, the egg will be sucked into the bottle. Your friends will be amazed when you show them the experiment. But be careful when you handle matches.
Why it happened
As the paper burns, it needs oxygen and uses up the oxygen （air） in the bottle. The egg acts as a seal in the neck of the bottle, so no more air can get inside. This reduces the air pressure inside the bottle. The air pressure must equalize, so more air from outside must enter the bottle. The outside air pressure against the egg and then the egg is pushed into the bottle! This proves that air is all around and that it is pressing down on it. Why is there the need to take care when you are doing the experiment?
| A．The bottle could break. |
| B．You need to light the paper with a match. |
| C．The egg needs to be shelled. |
| D．The egg has to be perfectly placed on the neck of the bottle. |
In the experiment, the burning inside the bottle can___.
| A．equalize the air pressure inside and outside |
| B．make a seal in the neck of the bottle |
| C．finish up the oxygen inside the bottle |
| D．produce more oxygen inside the bottle |
How did the egg put into the bottle？
| A．The oxygen inside the bottle sucked the egg in. |
| B．It became saft without the shell. |
| C．The neck of the bottle was wide enough. |
| D．The outside air pressure forced it into the bottle. |
The experiment is carried cut to prove ______.
| A．water pushes on your body when you swim underwater. |
| B．the earth is surrounded by a layer of air called the atmosphere. |
| C．the pressure of air around us has a powerful force. |
| D．the air pressure is not equalized around us. |
Outside her shabby cottage, old Mrs. Tailor was hanging out laundry on a wire line, unaware that some children lay hidden in the leaves of a nearby tree watching her every move. They were determined to find out if she really was a witch.
They watched as she took a broomstick to clean the dirt from her stone steps. But, much to their disappointment, she did not mount the broomstick and take flight. Suddenly, the old lady’s work was interrupted by the cackling of her hen—a signal that an egg had been laid in the warm nest on top of the haystack.
The old broomstick was put aside as she hobbled off towards the haystack followed by Sooty, a black cat she had rescued from a fox trap some time back. With only three legs, it was hard for Sooty to keep up with the old lady. The cat provided proof—the children were sure that only a witch could own a black cat with three legs.
There, standing on a wooden box, was Mrs. Tailor, stretching out to gather her precious egg. Taking the egg in one of her hands, she began to climb down when, without warning, the box broke and the old lady fell.
“We have to got and help her,” whispered Amy.
“What if it is a trick?” replied Ben.
“Don’t be silly, Ben. If she were a witch, she would have turned us into frogs already,” reasoned Meg. “Come on Amy, let’s go.” The girls climbed down the tree and ran all the way to the haystack.
Approaching carefully, they could see a wound on the old lady’s face. She had knocked her head on a stone and her ankle was definitely broken. “Go and get Dad,” Amy yelled to her brother. “Tell him about the accident.”
The boys did not need another excuse to leave. They ran as fast as they could for help, hoping that Mrs. Tailor would not wake and turn the girls into frogs. . Why were the children hiding in the tree?
| A．They wanted to watch Mrs. Tailor do her housework closely. |
| B．They were playing a hide-and-seek game |
| C．They wanted to find out if the rumors about Mrs. Tailor were true |
| D．They were pretending to be spies |
. Mrs. Tailor stopped sweeping when____
| A．her front steps were clean | B．she noticed the children in the tree |
| C．she was ready to take a flight | D．she heard the hen cackling |
. Ben did not rush in help Mrs. Tailor because_____
| A．he thought that she could be tricking them |
| B．he knew that they could not have been in the tree |
| C．he did not see the old lady fall down |
| D．he was afraid of the three-legged cat |
. Which of these old sayings best suits the story’s lesson for us?
| A．Make hay while the sun shines. |
| B．Never judge a book by its cover. |
| C．People in glasshouses should not throw stones. |
| D．A bird in the hands worth two in the bush. |