Takingthetrainisawonderfulwayt-优题课

Oceanography has been defined as “The application of all sciences to the study of the sea”. Before the nineteenth century, scientists with an interest in the sea were few .
　　 For most people the sea was remote, and with the exception of early intercontinental travelers or others who earned a living from the sea, there was little reason to ask many questions about it, let alone to ask what lay beneath the surface. The first time that the question 'What is at the bottom of the oceans?' had to be answered with any commercial consequence was when the laying of a telegraph cable from Europe to America was proposed. The engineers had to know the depth profile (起伏形状 ) of the route to estimate the length of cable that had to be manufactured.
　　 It was to Maury of the US Navy that the Atlantic Telegraph Company turned, in 1853, for information on this matter. In the 1840s, Maury had been responsible for encouraging voyages during which soundings (测深 ) were taken to investigate the depths of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Later, some of his findings aroused much popular interest in his book The Physical Geography of the Sea.
　　 The cable was laid, but not until 1866 was the connection made permanent and reliable. At the early attempts, the cable failed and when it was taken out for repairs it was found to be covered in living growths, a fact which defied contemporary scientific opinion that there was no life in the deeper parts of the sea.
　　Within a few years oceanography was under way. In 1872 Thomson led a scientific expedition, which lasted for four years and brought home thousands of samples from the sea. Their classification and analysis occupied scientists for years and led to a five-volume report, the last volume being published in 1895.
　68. The passage implies that the telegraph cable was built mainly _________.
　A) for oceanographic studies
　B) for military purposes
C) for business considerations
　D) for investigating the depths of the oceans
69. The aim of voyages Maury encouraged in the 1840s was __________.
　A) to make some sound experiments in the oceans
　B) to collect samples of sea plants and animals
　C) to estimate the length of cable that was to be made
　D) to measure the depths of two oceans
70. 'Defied' in the 4th paragraph probably means ________
　A) doubted B) gave proof to
　C) challenged D) agreed to
71. This passage is mainly about _________
　A) the beginnings of oceanography
　B) the laying of the first undersea cable
C) the investigation of ocean depths
　D) the early intercontinental communications

WHAT do you have to look forward to at the end of the year? Preparing for final exams? Homework? Not to worry: Life can’t be all sweating over textbooks – that’s why Hesuipian, or the “New Year film” was invented. In China as in the West, December is a time for exciting movie releases (上映) with the world’s top stars.
Treasure Hunter (《刺陵》),December 9
What has Jay Chou been working on? See this action-packed fantasy adventure and find out.
In the movie, Chou becomes a Chinese version of Indiana Jones. He is given a map of buried treasure, but forced to give it up in return for the life of the daughter of his mentor (导师), played by top model from Taiwan, Lin Chiling. Joined by a famous archeologist, the three go on a thrilling journey to find the map and then the treasure.
A Simple Noodle Story (《三枪拍案惊奇》), December 11
After masterminding (策划) the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, director Zhang Yimou has turned to something smaller – as the title of this movie suggests. The comedy-thriller is the story of a mean noodle shop owner who hires a killer to murder his wife and her lover. Xiao Shenyang is not the only comedic element in the movie. Zhang’s contribution of the theme song – he penned the lyrics and rapped – is another highlight.
Sherlock Holmes (《大侦探福尔摩斯》), December 25
The immortal (不朽的) Sherlock Holmes is a character who appeals to each new generation. His magnifying glass and ever-present pipe make him a figure you couldn’t mistake for any other detective. In this new movie he shows he has another string (琴弦) to his violin bow – he’s also a kungfu master! Along with his faithful partner Watson, he has to stop a plot to destroy Britain.
60. From the passage we know_______.
A. New Year blockbusters are usually released in December around the world.
B. Final exams usually happen in December.
C. Treasure Hunter will be shown on Christmas.
D. Sherlock Holmes is a character who appeals to only new generation
61. Which is NOT RIGHT According to the passage?
A. Jay Chou becomes a co-operator in China of Indiana Jones
B. The journey to find the map and the treasure is thrilling .
C. Lin Chiling is a top model from Taiwan.
D. Xiao Shenyang stars in the film A Simple Noodle Story
62.“A Simple Noodle Story” is _______________
A. a tragedy-thriller B. a comedy C. a comedy-thriller D. an action movie
63. What is the meaning of "another string to his violin bow" ?
A. his violin in need of another string
B. his talent and skill unknown to the public
C. his being good at playing the violin
D. his skills for his detection

◇ Share Flats Happy Valley big flat, 1 room ready for use immediately. Quiet and convenient, fully furnished, park view. $6, 800 including bills with maid. Female nonsmoker. No pet. Sara 25720836 or 10087809.
◇ Moving Sale 2 armchairs, red/brown at $400 each; coffee table, black, wood, $800; oil painting, big, $900; Tianjin carpet, green 3×7, $600; double bed, $500; mirror, big, square, $500; fridge, big, double-door, $1000; old pictures, $140, up, each; plants, big and small. Tel: Weekend, 2521-6011/Weekday, 2524-5867.
◇ Part-time Laboratory Assistant Wanted Required by busy electronics company to help with development of computer. Should have an electronics degree and some practical experience of working in an electronics laboratory. Hours 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Fourteen days paid leave. Salary ￥6598-10230 dependent on experience. Letter of application to: Mrs. G Chan, NOVA ELECTRONICS, 45 Gordon Rd, Hung Hom Kowloon.
72. The one who put on the first ad probably wants to _______.
A. rent a beautiful flat of her own in Happy Valley
B. find another lady to share the cost to rent a flat
C. share her room in a flat with whoever has no pet
D. take on a maid to look after herself and the flat
73. According to the ads, you may _______.
A. buy an old picture for $150
B. call at 25720836 and see a beautiful park
C. buy two armchairs for $ 400
D. hire a maid by paying $6 800
74. If you want to buy some old furniture, you should_______.
A. get in touch with NOVA ELECTRONICS
B. call at 2524-5867 any day except Monday
C. do it before you move to another place
D. call at either 2524-5867 on Monday or 2521-6011 on Saturday
75. Once you can get a part-time job in NOVA ELECTRONICS, _______.
A. you have to work at least 4 hours a day
B. you should write a letter to Mrs. G Chan
C. you will be given 14 days off each year besides weekends
D. you will get no more than $6 598 each month

Can people change their skin color without suffering like pop king Michael Jackson? Perhaps yes. Scientists have found the gene that determines skin color.
The gene comes in two versions, one of which is found in 99 per cent of Europeans. The other is found in 93 to 100 per cent of Africans, researchers at Pennsylvania State University report in the latest issue of Science.
Scientists have changed the color of a dark-striped zebra fish to uniform gold by inserting a version of the pigment(色素) gene into a young fish. As with humans, zebra fish skin color is determined by pigment cells, which contain melanosomes(黑色素). The number, size and darkness of melanosomes per pigment cell determines skin color.
It appears that, like the golden zebra fish, light-skinned Europeans also have a mutation(变异) in the gene for melanosome production. This results in less pigmented skin.
However, Keith Cheng, leader of the research team, points out that the mutation is different in human and zebra fish genes.
Humans acquired dark skin in Africa about 1.5 million years ago to protect bodies from ultra-violet rays of the sun(太阳光紫外线), which can cause skin cancer.
But when modern humans leave Africa to live in northern latitudes, they need more sunlight on their skin to produce vitamin D. So the related gene changes, according to Cheng.
Asians have the same version of the gene as Africans, so they probably acquired their light skin through the action of some other gene that affects skin color, said Cheng.
The new discovery could lead to medical treatments for skin cancer. It also could lead to research into ways to change skin color without damaging it like chemical treatment did on Michael Jackson.
64. The passage mainly tells us that ________.
A. people can not change their skin color without any pain
B. the new discovery could lead to search into ways to change skin color safely
C. pop king Michael Jackson often changed his skin color as he liked
D. scientists have found out that people’s skin color is determined by the gene
65. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A. nowadays people who want to change their skin color have to suffer a lot from the damage caused by the chemical treatment
B. Europeans and Africans have the same gene
C. the new discovery could help to find medical treatments for skin cancer
D. there are two kinds of genes
66. Scientists have done an experiment on a dark-striped zebra fish in order to ________.
A. find the different genes of humans’
B. prove the humans’ skin color is determined by the pigment gene
C. find out the reason why the Africans’ skin color is dark
D. find out the ways of changing people’s skin color
67. The reason why Europeans are light-skinned is probably that ________.
A. they are born light-skinned people
B. light-skinned Europeans have mutation in the gen for melanosome production
C. they have fewer activities outside
D. they pay much attention to protecting their skin

第三部分阅读理解（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。
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. In the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son.
Over the phone, his mother told him: "Mr. Belter died. The funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through his mind.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him." Jack said.
"Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce (追忆) about the many days you spent with him," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belter stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence," she said.
"He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important... Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral," he said.
Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Belter’s funeral was small and uneventful (平凡的). Most of his relatives had passed away.
Later, Jack and his mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment.
"What’s wrong, Jack?" his mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most''," Jack said.
It was gone. He figured someone from the Belter family had taken it.
"Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said.
Back home, two weeks later Jack received a package. "From Mr. Harold Belter," it read. Inside were the gold box and an envelope.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. He unlatched (打开) the cover. Inside he found these words:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! –Harold Belter."
"The thing he valued most... was... my time."
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet... thanks for your time!"
56. Jack seemed to have forgotten Mr. Belter before his mother called because ______.
A. he was too busy with his work to think about Mr. Belter
B. he was too devoted to his family to think about Mr. Belter
C. they had been separated from each other for a long time
D. Mr. Belter was nobody in his life
57. Jack’s mother told him all of the following about Mr. Belter on the phone EXCEPT that ______.
A. Mr. Belter often asked how Jack was doing
B. Mr. Belter’s funeral would take place on Wednesday
C. Mr. Belter had asked for Jack’s mailing address
D. Mr. Belter had pleasant memories of their time together
58. What was Jack’s attitude towards Mr. Belter?
A. Admiring. B. Grateful. C. Disrespectful. D. Dissatisfied.
59. Mr. Belter sent Jack his gold watch to ______.
A. let Jack know his secret
B. tell him how important time is
C. remind him to spend more time with his family
D. show his appreciation for the time Jack had spent with him