Most, if not all, Chinese have become richer thanks to 28 years of reform and opening up. But are we any happier?
Various surveys attempt to answer this question. Though experts have presented varying percentages based on different standards, their answers tend to find we are generally happier, and the number of optimists rises each year. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ 2006 Blue Book on social progress says 70 per cent of rural and urban citizens surveyed in 2005 reported a feeling of happiness and were optimistic about their futures.
But each survey shows a worrisome fact that 10 per cent, at the lowest, of citizens were not content with their lives or not hopeful about the future. We cannot be content with the fact that at least 130 million of our countrymen are not happy.
Although a sense of happiness remains a luxury(奢望)for many of our countrymen because of poverty, we agree wealth is not the only factor of happiness. For most of us, except the extremely rich and naturally born optimists, there simply are too many variables (可变物) that may kill the feeling of happiness. These include, but are not limited to, rising housing prices, tight and instable job market, back-breaking schooling expenses and medical bills.
The most common one, however, is a low sense of security (安全). Some experts pointed that in the low-and-middle income group there was too much uncertainty regarding employment, income, housing, medical situations, and education. How can you feel happy when you always have to prepare yourself for the unexpected?
It may be beyond the government’s reach, not to mention duty, to guarantee (保证) higher income for every citizen. But it does have a burden to create an environment where all citizens can feel a reasonable level of security.From the second paragraph we learn _____________________.
| A.70 % of Chinese people feel happy and optimistic about their future |
| B.the data and the conclusions of the surveys are the same |
| C.the surveys about the sense of happiness were carried out in 2006 |
| D.the purpose of the surveys is to find out the percentage of rich people |
The following factors of happiness are mentioned in the passage EXCEPT _________.
| A.security | B.environment | C.wealth | D.employment |
The underlined word “countrymen” in Paragraph 3 refers to ___________.
| A.people from the countryside | B.people from cities |
| C.people from all countries | D.Chinese citizens |
According to the passage, the author tends to hold the view that _________.
| A.the wealthier we get, the happier we become |
| B.though we get wealthier, we do not feel happier |
| C.it is the government’s duty to raise every citizen’s income |
| D.the government should make sure all citizens feel a good level of security |
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第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题; 每小题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。
In a great many cities, hundreds of people ride bicycles to work every day. In New York, some bike riders have even formed a group called Bike for a Better City. They declare that if more people rode bicycles to work, there would be fewer automobiles in the downtown part of the city and so less dirty air from car engines.
For several years this group has been trying to get the city government to help bicycle riders. For example, they want the city to draw special lanes(车道) for bicycles only on some of the main streets, because when bicycle riders must use the same lanes as cars, there are accidents. Bike for a Better City feels that if there were special lanes, more people would use bikes.
But no bicycle lanes have been drawn. Not everyone thinks it is a good idea—they say it will slow traffic. Some store owners on the main streets don’t like the idea—they say that if there is less traffic, they will have less business.
The city government has not yet decided what to do. It wants to keep everyone happy. On weekends, Central Park—the largest place of open ground in New York—is closed to cars, and the roads may be used by bicycles only.
But Bike for a Better City says that this is not enough and keeps fighting to get bicycle lanes downtown.
56. In New York , a group of bike riders______.
A. are keeping practising for health
B. have no cars of their own
C. are complaining(埋怨) there are not enough buses
D. are trying to settle the problem of air pollution
57. The bike riders suggest that______.
A. bicycles should be used instead of cars
B. bicycle lanes should be drawn
C. fewer buses or cars should be used
D. the number of special lanes should be increased
58. The advantage of the special lanes is that______.
A. they will make cars and buses run slowly
B. they will make it easier for bike riders to go to parks
C. they will make the city more beautiful
D. the lanes will prevent accidents
59. The government has not decided whether special lanes should be drawn______.
A. so that everyone is disappointed
B. because there are different opinions
C. because most people travel by train
D. because Bike for a Better City is not strong enough
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Koeler took special notice of the tall woman who was nicely dressed, but she was wearing ugly, thick-soled(厚底) shoes.
Now the woman was taken to a room for questioning. There it was found that the soles of the shoes were hollow(中空的). They were opened. Some diamonds fell out on the floor. Their total weight was 3377 carats(克拉).
The young woman broke down in tears. Then she told her story. For years she had dreamed of coming to live in America, she said. At last she had managed to get the papers she needed to come to the U.S. Then a strange man called on her. He said he would pay for her trip and give her one hundred dollars. All she had to do was to smuggle the diamonds past the U.S. Customs. The man gave her the shoes and also bought her a plane ticket. Just before she got on the plane, he gave her an envelope. He said that it was the hundred dollars he had promised.
The weeping woman handed the envelope to Koeler. He tore it open. There was only eighteen dollars. She was cheated. In the end the woman was trialed and sentenced to eighteen months in prison for her part in the smuggling.
60. Where did the story happen?
A. At an airport. B. At a police station.
C. At a railway station. D. In a custom office in China.
61. The underlined word “smuggling ” in this passage most probably means_____.
A. 偷税 B. 盗窃 C. 走私 D. 交换
62. The woman had agreed to smuggle the diamonds______.
A. in order to get the papers she needed B. in hope of selling them
C. in return for some money and a free trip D. so as to share them with the man
63. Which is the right order of the events(事件)given in the passage?
a. She wanted to live in the U.S.
b. She arrived in the U.S.
c. She was given an envelope.
d. She was given a plane ticket.
e. She was found out.
f. She was put into prison.
A. a, d, c, b, e, f B. a, b, c, e, f, d
C. a, c, d, b, e, f D. a, b, d, c, e, f
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"If you're busy preparing for your job interview now, you could learn a lot by watching this show," says Joe Turner.
Mr. Turner says American Idol (美国偶像) has many lessons to teach an employee about making an impression in a job interview, especially selling your strengths and skills.
To win on American Idol, "you don't have to be the best singer, just the most memorable singer," he said. "Same for the job interview — you don't have to be the best employee with the top skills, but you do have to be the most memorable employee worth being hired."
The No.1 thing in an interview and a job search is knowing your audience. For American Idol competitors, the judges and voting (投票的) public are the audience; for job hunters, it's the hiring manager.
Just as talented American Idol competitors lack confidence when singing the wrong song, job hunters can fail to be chosen when they fail to present their skills according to the employer's needs.
"Difference" is how Mr. Turner describes the way American Idol competitors stand out among singers who may be equally good.
In the real world, the right skills, education and experience still make one's ability different or memorable. But it's important for the job hunter to present "something special" that he or she has to offer.
A recent survey suggests that managers often sense whether they'll hire someone within minutes after the first handshake. Just as an Idol competitor prepares for performances, a job hunter should prepare carefully to make the first good impression.
Job hunters also can learn from past American Idol winners who proved an ability to recover from setbacks. If they can take feedback (反馈), make improvements and make sure they're better prepared the next go-round, that will pay off eventually.
72. The purpose of the passage is _________.
A. to persuade readers to take part in American Idol
B. to praise the winners of American Idol
C. to advertise for American Idol
D. to tell job hunters what they can learn from American Idol
73. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A. if a job hunter fails to be chosen for one job, he or she will never succeed
B. job hunters should distinguish themselves from other applicants when interviewing
C. the skills, education and experience are the keys to your success
D. an American Idol competitor is never the same as a job hunter
74. The underlined word "setbacks" in the last paragraph means __________.
A. failures B. successes
C. performances D. advantages
75. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage ?
A. The reason that you are planning to change your job.
B. The best singer may not win on American Idol.
C. An employer may have the opinion on a job hunter within minutes.
D. How an American Idol competitor can stand out among singers.
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Opened on October, 27, 1907 and completed in 1908, Union Station (联盟火车站) is considered to be one of the finest examples of the Beaux-Arts (古典装饰的) style of architecture. Architect Daniel Buraham designed the building.
At the time it was built, Union Station covered more ground than any other buildings in the United States and was the largest train station in the world. In many ways, Union Station was a city within a city. At various times it employed a staff of over 5,000 people and provided hotel, ice house, first-class restaurant and police station.
As train travel was the means of transportation for even US Presidents in the early 1900s, a Presidential Suite (总统套间) was added to Union Station. In 1909, President Taft was the first President to use the room and over the years many famous people were officially welcomed there. The last President to use the Presidential Suite was President Eisenhower.
For half a century and through two world wars, Union Station served Washington and the US as a major center of transportation and the place for many historic events. On April 14, 1945, a train backed into Union Station carrying the casket (棺材) of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
However, the air travel led to a decline in railroad passengers, and Union Station began to fall into disuse. In 1968, the decision was made to change it into the "National Visitor Center". The project opened in July 4, 1976 but failed to draw enough crowds to sustain(="keep" up) its operation, and was closed in 1978.
While Congress debated the future of Union Station, rain damage caused parts of the roof to fall down. Following three years of repair at a cost of $160 million, Union Station reopened on September 29, 1988.
Today, Union Station continues to make history as the most visited place with over 29 million visitors a year. World-class exhibitions and international cultural events are hosted there for the public to enjoy. Private special events are celebrated in the grand halls. Even today, US Presidents still visit Union Station.
68. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Introduction to Union Station. B. Architecture in the US.
C. Train stations in the US.D. Transportation in the US.
69. Place the following events in the correct order.
a. Union Station reopened.
b. President Taft used the Presidential Suite.
c. The decision was made to change Union Station into the "National Visitor Center".
d. The construction of Union Station was completed.
A. cdbaB. dacbC. dbcaD. acbd
70. The underlined sentence in Paragraph 6 implies that _______.
A. Union Station was a symbol of the US
B. Union Station was of no use
C. the government was unwilling to waste money on Union Station
D. Union Station was not rebuilt immediately
71. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Union Station is still the largest train station in the world.
B. Union Station made great contributions to the United States.
C. The repair work of Union Station lasted several years.
D. Union Station is popular in the US nowadays.
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Educational Camps 2010
★21st Century Princess Program: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 23-27. For girls 12-15. Girls learn hair care, good manners and the importance of inner beauty. Homewood Suites by Hilton, 2001 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix. $495. www. homewoodsuites. hilton.com. (623) 848-1844.
★Barrow Institute Summer Camp: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, July 23 through Aug. 3. For ages 12-14. Activities include exploring laboratories and researching the effectiveness of treatments and medicines. July 23-27 for beginning students, and July 30-Aug. 3 for advanced students. Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix: $195-$220: www. thebni, com. (602) 716-2028.
★Digital Kids World Summer Camp: 9 a.m.--4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, July 30 through Aug. 17. For kids 6-14. Choose from a variety of technical classes, such as comic book design and video game design. Morning and afternoon camps held in weekly sessions (一段时间). Digital Kids World, 5070 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $150 weekly for kids 6-9; $225 weekly for kids 10-14. www. digitalkidsworld, com. (602) 445-3925.
★Kids Advanced College Program: Mondays through Thursdays, July 30 through Sept. 19. For ages 8-14. Classes include lively computer design, engineering and writing. Prices and times vary. Paradise Valley Community College, 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $99--$379. www.pvc.maricopa.edu. (602) 787-6804.
★Camp Zoo: Mondays through Fridays, July 30 through Aug. 13. For ages 4-14. Younger kids work with smaller animals, basic care giving and art projects, while older children explore animal medicine. Morning afternoon, evening and full-day sessions available. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $153-$280 per week. www. phoenixzoo.org. (602) 273-1341.
64. According to the passage, these activities are mainly intended for _________.
A. college students B. teachers C. parents D. children
65. If Mary, aged 12, wants to learn how to behave well, which of the following will she choose?
A. Barrow Institute Summer Camp.B. 21st Century Princess Program.
C. Digital Kids World Summer Camp. D. Kids Advanced College Program.
66. Which of the following can offer you information about animals and animal medicine?
A. (602) 716-2028. B. www. digitalkidsworld. com.
C. (602) 273-1341. D. www.pvc.maricopca.edu.
67. According to the passage, we know that __________.
A. all these activities are held in the same city
B. 21st Century Princess Program lasts the longest
C. the price of Camp Zoo is the highest per week
D. Kids Advanced College Program is popular with plant lovers