Man has a big brain. He can think, learn and speak. Scientists thought that men are different from animals because they can think and learn. They know now that dogs, cats and birds can learn too. They are beginning to understand that. They make noises when they are afraid, or angry or unhappy. Apes(猿) can understand some things more quickly than human, one or two of them have learnt a few words. But they can not join words to make sentences. They can not think like us because they have no language. Language is a wonderful thing. Man has been able to build a modern world because he has language. Every child can speak his own language very well when he is four or five, —but no animal learns to speak. How do children learn it ? Scientists do not really know. What happens inside our body when we speak? They do not know. They only know that man can speak because he has a brain.The best title for this passage is .
| A．Animal’s Language | B．Man and Ape | C．Brain and language | D．Man’s Brain |
Men are different from animals in the way that .
| A．men can understand things quickly | B．men can learn |
| C．men have learnt to use language | D．men have brains |
An ape can not .
| A．make noises | B．understand things | C．learn words | D．speak like man |
Scientists now know .
| A．how children learn to speak | B．why apes can learn a few words |
| C．man’s brain helps him to learn to speak | D．what happens when men speak |
Which of the following is NOT true ?
| A．Some animals can learn. | B．Apes can understand some things more quickly than men. |
| C．Apes can put the words they know together. | |
| D．Apes have no language though they can learn some words |
Technology has totally transformed our ability to communicate with each other. Linking to each other both literally and figuratively, many of us connect through cell phones, email, instant messaging, blogs, and networking web sites, yet we may be less connected to each other than we think.
According to a study, Americans are becoming increasingly socially isolated(孤立的). The study suggests, for example, that one quarter of Americans say that they have no one to discuss important personal issues with, and that the number of close friends that Americans have has dropped from three to two. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reports that this spreading isolation is experienced more sharply among those with less education, people of color, and older Americans. Unsurprisingly, those who are young, white, and well educated tend to have stronger social networks.
From my own experience I have to say that I’ve never felt more connected, thanks to a web of friends, family, and colleagues. One of my closest friends is someone I met through an online discussion group who lives hundreds of miles away from me. We have met face-to-face only twice, yet our regular electronic correspondence and cell phone calls maintain our close friendship. And, speaking of blogging, my blog has introduced me to people I would never have met otherwise and has led to enduring and important friendships.
On the other hand, I recently saw a scene unfold that proved to me how deeply disconnected we as Americans have become. I had just wrapped up a presentation on mediation at a family therapy (治疗) center.
As I was leaving, I noticed a mother and her teenage son who had just completed their session with their family therapist. After making their next appointment, they both took out their cell phones, placed calls, and began loud conversations with whoever was on the other end. I walked out behind them to the parking lot to my car. They both jumped into their cars, and, as I saw them drive off, they were still talking on their cell phones but not to each other.What does the passage lead you to believe?
| A．Americans are more socially isolated today. |
| B．Americans are more socially connected today. |
| C．Americans don’t make good use of technology. |
| D．Technology plays a bigger role in American society. |
Which of the following has nothing to do with the isolation among Americans?
| A．Sex. | B．Education. | C．Skin color. | D．Age. |
What is true about the mother and son in the passage?
| A．They came for therapy in the same car. |
| B．They were quite close to each other. |
| C．There was not much communication between them. |
| D．They preferred talking to each other on cell phones. |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．The writer is totally against the modern technology. |
| B．The mother and the son have finished their family therapist and get a better relationship. |
| C．As far as the writer is concerned, he has benefited a lot from the modern technology. |
| D．Those black and well-educated people have stronger social network than aged white people. |
Winners Club---You choose to be a winner!
The Winners Club is a bank account specially designed for teenagers. It has been made to help you better manage your money. The Winners Club is a transaction account(交易账户)where you receive a key-card so you can get to your money 24/7 – that’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
It’s a club with impressive features for teenagers:
No account keeping fees!
You’re no millionaire so we don’t expect you to pay large fees. In fact, there are no account keeping or transaction fees!
Convenient!
Teenagers are busy – we get that. You may never need to come to a bank at all. You can have money directly deposited into your Winners Club account.
Mega magazine included!
Along with your regular report, you will receive a FREE magazine full of good ideas to make even more of your money. There are also fantastic offers and competitions only for Winners Club members.
The Winners Club is a great choice for teenagers. And it is so easy to join. Simply fill in an application form. You will have to get permission from your parent or guardian (监护人)(so we can organize that cool key-card) but it is easy. We can’t wait to hear from you. It’s the best way to choose to be a winner!The Winners Club is a bank account intended for ________.
| A．parents | B．winners | C．teenagers | D．adults |
Which of the following is TRUE about the Winners Club?
| A．Special gifts are ready for parents. |
| B．The bank opens only on work days. |
| C．Services are convenient for its members. |
| D．Fees are necessary for the account keeping. |
The Winners Club provides magazines which ________.
| A．encourage spending |
| B．are free to all teenagers |
| C．help to make more of your money |
| D．are full of adventure stories |
If you want to be a member of the Club, you must ________.
| A．be an Internet user |
| B．be in your twenties |
| C．have a big sum of money |
| D．be permitted by your parent or guardian. |
Have you ever wondered about people’s names? Where do they come from? What do they mean?
Some people give their children names that mean good things. Clara means “bright”; Beatrice means “one who gives happiness”; Donald means “world ruler”; Leonard means “as brave as a lion”.
The earliest last names, or surnames, were taken from place names. A family with the name Brook or Brooks probably lived near brook(小溪)；Someone who was called Longstreet probably lived on a long, paved road. The Greenwood family lived in or near a leafy forest.
Other early surnames came from people’s occupations. The most common occupational name is Smith, which means a person who makes things with iron or other metals. In the past, smiths were very important workers in every town and village. Some other occupational names are: Carter — a person who owned or drove a cart; Potter —a person who made pots and pans.
The ancestors(祖先) of the Baker family probably baked bread for their neighbors in their native village. The Carpenter’s great-great-great-grandfather probably built houses and furniture.
Sometimes people were known for the color of their hair or skin, or their size, or their special abilities. When there were two men who were named John in the same village, the John with the gray hair probably became John Gray. Or the John was very tall could call himself John Tallman. John Fish was probably an excellent swimmer and John Lightfoot was probably a fast runner or a good dancer.
Some family names were made by adding something to the father’s name. English-speaking people added –s or –son. The Johnsons are descendants of John; the Roberts family’s ancestor was Robert. Irish and Scottish people added Mac or Mc or O. Perhaps all of the MacDonnells and the McDonnells and the O’Donnells are descendants of the same Donnell.Which of the following aspects do the surnames in the passage NOT cover?
| A．Places where people lived. |
| B．People’s occupations. |
| C．Talents that people possessed. |
| D．People’s characters. |
According to the passage, the ancestors of the Potter family most probably _______.
| A．owned or drove a cart |
| B．made things with metals |
| C．built houses and furniture |
| D．made kitchen tools or contains |
Suppose an English couple whose ancestors lived near a leafy forest wanted their new-born son to become a world leader, the baby might be named _______.
| A．Donald Greenwood | B．Leonard Carter |
| C．George Longstreet | D．Beatrice Smith |
The underlined word “descendants” in the last paragraph means a person’s _______.
| A．later sponsors | B．later generations |
| C．friends and relatives | D．colleagues and partners |
Louis Armstrong had two famous nicknames (绰号). Some people called him Bagamo. They said his mouth looked like a large bag. Musicians often called him Pops, as a sign of respect for his influence (影响) on the world of music .
Born in 1901 in New Orleans, he grew up poor, but lived among great musicians. Jazz was invented in the city a few years before his birth. Armstrong often said,” Jazz and I grew up together.”
Armstrong showed a great talent (天赋) for music when he was taught to play the cornet (短号) at a boy’s home. In his late teens, Armstrong began to live the life of a musician. He played in parades, clubs, and on the steamboats that traveled on the Mississippi River. At that time, New Orleans was famous for the new music of jazz and was home to many great musicians. Armstrong learned from the older musicians and soon became respected as their equal.
In 1922 he went to Chicago. There, the tale of Louis Armstrong began. From then until the end of his life, Armstrong was celebrated and loved wherever he went. Armstrong had no equal when it came to playing the American popular song.
His cornet playing had a deep humanity (仁爱) and warmth that caused many listeners to say, “Listening to Pops just makes you feel good all over.” He was the father of the jazz style (风格) and also one of the best-known and most admired people in the world. His death, on July 6, 1971, was headline news around the world.Armstrong was called Pops because he _______________.
| A．looked like a musician | B．traveled to play modern music |
| C．showed an interest in music | D．was a musician of much influence |
The third paragraph is developed ________________.
| A．by time | B．by examples | C．by space | D．by comparison |
Which statement about Armstrong is true?
| A．His tale began in New Orleans. |
| B．His music was popular with his listeners. |
| C．He was born before jazz was invented. |
| D．He learned popular music at a boy’s home. |
Which would be the best title for the text?
| A．The Father of the Jazz Style | B．The Making of a Musician |
| C．The Spread of Popular Music | D．The Invention of the Jazz Music |
Who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860-1935)
Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She created shelters, education opportunities and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Noble Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson(1907-1964)
Rachel Carson was born in the rural river town of Springdale, Pennsylvania in America. The popular 1962 book “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson made people realize the dangers and the harmful effects(影响) of pollution on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.
Angela Merkel (1954- )
In 2005, Germans chose Angela Merkel as their first woman head of the country. She had been a scientist in the past. As Germany’s leader, she has had an effect on the whole world.
Sandra Day O’Connor (1930- )
When Sandra Day O’Connor finished her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work because she was a woman. However, she became the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court(最高法院）in 1981 after years of hard work.
Margaret Thatcher(1925- )
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first woman Prime Minister. She served until 1990, which made her the first British leader to serve three terms in a row. Because of her high standards and strong will, people called her Britain’s Iron Lady.
Marie Curie (1867-1934 )
Polish-born scientist Marie Curie discovered that some types of metal give off energy called radiation. Her research led to new medical treatments and arms. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911.Who once won the Nobel Prize?
| A． Jane Addams and Marie Curie |
| B．Jane Addams and Margaret Thatcher. |
| C．Marie Curie and Angela Merkel |
| D．Marie Curie and Rachel Carson |
We can infer from the text that Rachel Carson worked to ______.
| A．help the poor |
| B．spread geographic knowledge |
| C．protect the environment |
| D．protect the rights of women |
Who once failed to find a job？
| A．Jane Addams | B．Sandra Day O’Connor |
| C．Rachel Carson | D．Margaret Thatcher |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．Great women. | B．Famous scientists |
| C．Strong leaders | D．Ways to success for women |