My friend took his colleague to s
ee an art exhibition in north London.
The show was basically piles of breeze blocks (煤渣砖) forming armchair and sofa shapes, painted in primary colors.
Seeing these, the colleague said, “You brought me all the way out here to see this pile of junk when we could have been having a nice lunch?” He continued his rant about the work all the way back to the office.
When they got there my friend said, “You said you don’t like the work, but you haven’t stopped talking about it since you first saw it.”
Whether he liked it or not, he could not forget it.
If the artwork is fresh and new, you can’t expect to like it straightaway, because you have nothing to compare it with.
The effort of coming to terms with things you do not understand makes them all the more valuable to you when you do grasp them.
Good art speaks for itself. That doesn’t mean you have to like it.
So the next time you go to an art show, or look at anything for that matter, observe what effect it has on you and try to form your own opinion.
That way, you become the c
ritic and not a mouthpiece for someone else’s opinions.What does the colleague think about the art exhibition?
| A．He feels it a waste of time going to the exhibition. |
| B．He is very interested in the work shown on the exhibition. |
| C．He is disappointed that art is abused on the exhibition. |
D．He thinks his understanding about art is far better than the au thor of the work on the show. |
The underlined word ‘rant’ means ________.
| A．praise | B．hatred | C．complaint | D．misunderstanding |
Which of the following does NOT represent the author’s opinion about art?
| A．Good art speaks for itself. |
| B．Good art doesn’t mean you have to like it. |
| C．It matters more what impression a piece of art work leaves on you. |
| D．Learn to be a mouthpiece for someone’s opinion matters more. |
What suggestion does the autho
r give for going to an art show?
| A．Like it whether it is good or not. |
| B．Don’t compare it with anything. |
| C．Observe its effect and form your own opinion . |
| D．Be a good mouthpiece. |
Children are very, very observant and have excellent memories.
Around Christmas last year, we were heading to Grandma’s house. The drive was an hour long, so we had plenty of time to chat. We were waiting to get onto the freeway when my daughter Hayley noticed a homeless man, no sign in hand. “Mom, is that man homeless?” I told her I believed he was.
We got onto the freeway and drove away. But the chatting had stopped. Hayley was quiet all the way there. We spent a few hours at Grandma’s then packed up to head home. As we drove back, Hayley rustled(沙沙作响地移动) around in her seat, trying to reach something on the floor of the car. I asked her to sit still, worried her seatbelt would slip from the booster seat. She mumbled(咕哝)something and sat back.
“Mom, will the homeless man still be outside tonight?” I told her I was not sure, maybe. It was a freezing night, and I started to think of the man now too, and how cold he must be.
All of a sudden, as we got onto the freeway exit, Haley shrieked (尖叫): “There he is! There he is!” and started rolling down her window. “Mom, I found these gloves and scarf back here. Can I give them to him? Can I?” she asked.
I pulled over to the edge of the road, and beckoned(招手示意) the man to come over. Haley smiled at him and handed him her gift. I looked in the front passenger seat, loaded with leftovers from Grandma’s house, and handed those out to him as well.
The man thanked us, he clutched (抓紧) my hand in his and I could feel the bitter cold of them. We wished him a safe night and continued on our journey to our warm home.
“Haley, that was very sweet of you!” I told her. “Well, they were your gloves and scarf, Mom, but his hands looked colder, and he has to keep looking for his house!”
We had talked about homelessness before , and I could hear myself telling her: “Someone who has lost their home.” She had taken my words literally and thought the man’s home was like a lost puppy.
On the ride home, and as I carried my sleeping angel into the house that night, my heart filled with gratitude.The underlined word “observant” in Paragraph I means “”.
| A．fond of serving others | B．quick at noticing things |
| C．good at memorizing | D．easy to be pleased |
The girl thought “a homeless person” was a person who .
| A．had no home to go to |
| B．had lost his or her puppy |
| C．was in need of gloves and scarves |
| D．couldn’t find his or her home |
The mother felt thankful because .
| A．she felt lucky to have such a warm-hearted daughter |
| B．she was pleased that she had a great family |
| C．she felt happy to have given the leftovers to the man |
| D．they had arrived home safely despite the cold |
The article is mainly structured around .
| A．analysis | B．comparison | C．time order | D．cause and result |
“I was only thirteen when four of my team members and I were chosen by my swim coach to train with the Chinese National Team. The following piece shows how that experience has influenced me.”
The night before I left for China, my mother called me into her room. I entered not knowing what to expect. I sat down at the end of her very neatly-made bed, opposite the bedroom table on which she kept a Ming-style vase illustrated in great detail. She told me that my great-grandmother was still living in the surroundings of Beijing. Her name was Ren Li Ling and she was 97 years old. This was the first time I had ever heard of her.
The dragon on the vase snaked through the flowers and vines（藤蔓）as my mother said, “Pu Pu, look at me. You need to hear this so that when you go to China you will understand. You must keep this knowledge in your heart.”
She told me a story about my grandfather, Ren Li Ling's son, who left Beijing to go to college in Taiwan. She told me how the Chinese civil war kept him away from his mother for fifty years, so neither of them even knew that the other was alive. No one from Taiwan could visit, write, or call anyone in mainland. All lines of communication were cut off.
She told me of my grandfather's devotion to his own children, and how difficult it was for him to send his daughter to America for her education, fearing that same separation. He gave my mother all that he could give — nineteen years of love and fifty years of savings. I learned how my mother, through means only available in this country, would finally be able to unite my great-grandmother with my grandfather again. The dragon curled around the vase, connecting the separate vines. For a fleeting second, I felt it was present in my mother's room. It was all very strange, yet very clear. I began to understand that this trip to China was not just for me; it was for my mother, and her father, and his mother. Now, I had not only a future, but more significantly, a past. I saw the world with new eyes.
And so I went to China and met my great-grandmother. My great-aunt picked me up at the training center, and we rode in a taxi through the crowded city. The noise of the taxi and the city united into a deep roar. We finally stopped in front of a narrow street lined on either side with small one-level houses. As we made our way to a house like all the others, I drew the stares of many people in the street. My great-aunt led me through a rotting（朽烂的）doorway into a room with a furnace（炉子）, table, and a rocking chair where an old woman wearing gloves sat facing the doorway, covered with a worn brown blanket. I walked over and immediately embraced this frail woman as if I had known her all my life. My limited, broken Chinese wasn't up to expressing my complicated feelings. And even though I couldn't completely understand what she was saying in her thick Beijing accent, I knew — the same way I knew what my mother had been trying to tell me before I left. Her joy shone through her toothless smile. She wouldn't let go of my hand. I haltingly（结结巴巴地）asked her how she had managed to live such a long life. She answered in words I will never forget, “Hope has kept me alive. I have lived this long because I wanted to see my son before I died.”
My fellow team members must have wondered how two people separated by three generations could be so close. Before this trip, I would have wondered the same thing. And even now, I can't quite explain it. We were as different as two people can be; some 85 years and 8,000 miles apart. We came from two entirely different cultures; yet we were connected by a common heritage(传统).
I stayed for dinner which was cooked in a black iron wok（锅）over the furnace. The meal was lavish（过分丰盛的）, prepared in my honor. As I began to eat, with my great-grandmother beside me, I felt the dragon was present. But this time, the feeling didn't pass; the dragon had become a part of me.
My great-grandmother passed away last year at the age of 100. With her highest hopes and wildest dreams fulfilled, I know she died happy. The writer’s mother called him into her room to ___________________.
| A．prepare him for the trip and warn him against possible problems |
| B．remind him of his origin |
| C．ask him to look for his great-grandmother |
| D．share with him the story of her childhood |
The dragon is mentioned several times in the passage because __________________.
| A．the vase with the dragon on it is very valuable and beautiful |
| B．it stands for the blood running in every Chinese |
| C．it is a sign of the writer’s devotion to his birthplace |
| D．the writer’s mother hoped the writer would be as strong as a dragon |
How old was the writer’s mother when she was sent to America for her education.
| A．13 | B．16 | C．19 | D．20 |
Which of the following can be inferred from the text?
| A．The writer’s grandfather was afraid of a war when sending his daughter to America. |
| B．The hope to see her son again kept the writer’s great-grandmother alive for this long. |
| C．It was within the writer’s expectation that he could be so close to his great-grandmother. |
| D．The writer’s great-grandmother was reunited with her son before she died. |
Which is the best title for the text?
| A．We Share the Same Heritage. |
| B．Love from My Great-grandmother. |
| C．A Story from My Mother. |
| D．An Unforgettable Training Trip. |
Even if we have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle, the human body is programmed to wear out at a maximum of about 120 years, and usually less. We all have a biological clock inside us which determines the moment when our organs cease to function properly. This is because our cells have stopped renewing themselves and our body can no longer repair itself. This is also the moment when we are more likely to begin to suffer from the diseases of old age such as arthritis and Alzheimer’s. However, rapid advances in DNA research are beginning to throw light on the secrets of the ageing process. By the end of this century we could literally have the power of life over death.
Although it has long been accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan, it is also a fact that certain other organisms, such as reptiles and amphibians, appear to live indefinitely. The only reason we do not see 500-year-old alligators is because in the wild their lives are always in danger, from man, from pollution and from other animals. When they are kept in zoos they do not seem to age at all after they are fully grown. The same is true of some species of fish, which grow indefinitely and show no signs of ageing. The existence of animals with no fixed lifespan seems to indicate that an age gene really does exist. It is this gene which scientists are searching for, which may delay or repair damage to the body caused by ageing.
Another new area of research involves the oxidation（氧化） theory, which says that ageing is caused by the same process that makes iron rust. In controlled experiments, the lifespans of certain animals were shown to be lengthened with anti-oxidants; for example, the lifespan of mice can be increased by 30%. Antioxidants are already being used in face creams and other cosmetics, and they are likely to play an important part in keeping people physically young.
Perhaps the most immediate advance we are likely to see in the battle to halt（停止）the ageing process will be organ replacement. By the year 2020 it is likely that we will be replacing injured bones or even organs like livers and kidneys with ones “grown” in laboratories. By 2050 perhaps every organ in the body, except the brain, will have become commercially available. Recent experiments also show that it may one day be possible to “grow” new organs inside our body to replace worn-out ones, something which lizards and alligators already do.
Suddenly immortality（不死，不朽） seems within reach. We can begin to imagine a future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die. But do we really want to live forever? When all humans reach a certain age, .
| A．they suffer the effects of their diet and lifestyle |
| B．the organs stop to perform appropriately |
| C．their cells continue to renew themselves |
| D．they develop arthritis and Alzheimer’s |
The purpose of showing the case of alligators is to prove .
| A．alligators are in danger in the wild because of the threat from man, pollution and other animals |
| B．it is widely accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan |
| C．there exists an age gene which may control ageing |
| D．the age gene damages the body |
The underlined phrase “live indefinitely” in Paragraph 2 probably mean .
| A．live for a period of time without a fixed end |
| B．live without a clear aim |
| C．live in an uncertain way |
| D．live without being fully grown |
It can be inferred from Paragraph 4 that .
| A．by 2050 we might have most of our worn-out organs replaced with new ones commercially |
| B．never can the ageing process be avoided |
| C．livers and kidneys are sure to be grown in laboratories by the year 2020 |
| D．lizards and alligators grow new organs inside their body to replace worn-out ones |
What is the main topic of this passage?
| A．DNA researches show how our cells renew themselves. |
| B．Anti-oxidants are likely to play an important part in keeping people young. |
| C．How our biological clock works? |
| D．Eternal（永恒的） youth: new developments in anti-ageing research. |
By saying “But do we really want to live forever”, the author may probably mean .
| A．a future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die is on its way |
| B．he is uncertain whether we can live forever |
| C．it remains to be seen whether immortality is a blessing or a curse |
| D．immortality is no longer a dream |
Your living room
Feng shui is all about balance. Try to arrange sofas and chairs in a square around a circular table. Avoid an L-shaped arrangement as this leaves a missing corner. The centre of the living room should be left clear. Make sure there is a lot of light, which will promote good energy.
Put plants in the corners of the room, as they attract good energy and will energize your health, but not ones with sharp leaves such as yuccas or cactus. Fresh flowers also bring good energy, but throw them away as soon as they begin to die, and don’t have dried flowers.
Mirrors are vital because they reflect energy. Round or oval ones are best, but they should not be opposite each other, nor should they reflect a door, otherwise your good fortune will go out of it.
To promote harmony between the members of your family, have photos of them around the room, preferably smiling. If you want to find a partner, energize the south-west corner of your living room or bedroom by placing a floor light at least 1.75m high there, and turn it on every evening. Surround yourself with decorations and objects in pairs, such as ducks or birds.
To avoid blocking the positive energy in the room, keep everything tidy. Don’t accumulate too many unnecessary things. Take a look at every object, and ask yourself, “Do I really need it? Do I really like it?” If the answer is no, get rid of it.
Your bedroom
You should have the head of your bed placed against a wall, as this gives you a sense of security. Avoid having a bed under a window, as you are exposed to danger and bad energy from outside. If this is impossible, use blinds or heavy curtains to cover the window. Never sleep in a place where you can’t see the door—you should always be able to see someone who’s coming in.
Avoid hanging pictures or lights above your bed, as this leads to a subconscious feeling of threat. Don’t put mirrors opposite the bed either, as they “break up” the image, and therefore the relationship reflected in them.
Keep lighting low and soft, and decorate preferably with dark colors. Do not hang paintings of fierce animals, abstract subjects, or water in the bedroom. Water is very good elsewhere, but in the bedroom it suggests financial loss. Make sure you never put plants in the bedroom, and don’t have a TV facing the bed, or at least cover it when it is not in use.
Your study
Don’t use the same room for your bedroom and your study, as the different energies will be in conflict. If you have to do this, try to separate the areas either symbolically with plants, or with a screen. Put away piles of files or unfinished work—don’t leave them on your desk. Being tidy promotes positive energy. Wherever you study make sure your desk is in the north-east corner, especially if you are preparing for exams, as this area symbolizes education.
A bookcase is bad feng shui, as its sharp corners generate negative “arrows”, and if you have one you ought to put a climbing plant on it to avoid this effect. Cupboards are better than open shelves. As for lights, which of the following statements is false?
| A．A partner may come with a tall burning floor light in the south-west corner of your room. |
| B．Good energy can be promoted if there is a lot of light in the living room. |
| C．Bright lighting in the bedroom can light your mood. |
| D．It is not a good idea to hang lights above your bed. |
A bed should be put according to the following rules EXCEPT .
| A．the head of your bed should be placed against a wall |
| B．having a bed under a window should be avoided |
| C．mirrors should not be opposite the bed |
| D．your bed can’t face the door for the sake of privacy |
To avoid bad luck, the author will probably agree with the statement that .
| A．it is economical to sleep and study in the same room |
| B．fresh flowers ought to be put on the bookcase with sharp corners |
| C．blinds or heavy curtains can be used to cover the window if your bed is under a window |
| D．you can accumulate items as you please |
Which do you think is the best title for the passage?
| A．Feng shui—a magical power. |
| B．How does positive and negative energy come to you? |
| C．Change your room to change your life. |
| D．How to reorganize your furniture. |
The teacher was leaving the village, and everybody seemed sorry. The miller lent him the small cart and horse to carry his goods to Christminster, the city of his destination. Such a vehicle proved of quite enough size of the teacher’s belongings, for his only article, in addition to the packing-case of books, was a piano that he had bought when he thought of learning instrumental music. But the eagerness having faded, he had never acquired the skill of playing, and the purchased article had been a permanent trouble to him.
The headmaster had gone away for the day, being a man who disliked the sight of changes. He didn’t mean to return till the evening, when the new teacher would have arrived, and everything would be smooth again.
The blacksmith, the carpenter and the teacher were standing in confused attitudes in the sitting room before the instrument. The teacher had remarked that even if he got it into the cart he should not know what to do with it on his arrival at Christminster, since he was only going into a temporary place just at first.
A little boy of eleven, who had been assisting in the packing, joined the group of men, and said, “Aunt has got a fuel-house, and it could be put there, perhaps, till you’ve found a place to settle in, sir.”
“Good idea,” said the blacksmith. The smith and the carpenter started to see about possibility of the suggested shelter, and the boy and the teacher were left standing alone.
“Sorry I am going, Jude?” asked the latter kindly.
Tears rose into the boy’s eyes. He admitted that he was sorry.
“So am I,” said the teacher. He continued, “Well---don’t speak of this everywhere. You know what a university is, and a university degree? It is the necessary hallmark(标志) of a man who want to do anything in teaching. My plan, or dream, is to be a university graduate. By going to Christminster, I shall be at headquarters(总部), so to speak, and if my plan is practical at all, I consider that being on the spot will afford me a better chance.”
The smith and his companion returned. Old Miss Fawly’s fuel-house was big enough, and she seemed willing to give the instrument standing-room there. So it was left in the school till the evening, when more hands would be available for removing it; and the teacher gave a final glance round.The teacher purchased the instrument to ___________________.
| A．teach his students instrumental music |
| B．better equip the village school |
| C．learn to play it himself |
| D．let students appreciate elegant art of music |
It seemed that the teacher __________________.
| A．was not getting on well with the headmaster |
| B．had lived a rather simple life in the village |
| C．was likely to continue to practise playing the piano |
| D．was tired of teaching |
Why did the teacher leave for Christminster?
| A．Because he was admitted to a university there. |
| B．Because he was offered a temporary job with better pay there. |
| C．Because he preferred the life in a big city to that in a village. |
| D．Because he thought he had better chance to attend university there. |
Which of the following can be inferred from the text?
| A．The teacher was torn between the eagerness to go to the city and his love for the village. |
| B．The teacher was going into a temporary place in Christminster at first. |
| C．The teacher moved his piano into the fuel-house with the help of some other people. |
| D．The teacher had so much belongings that he had to borrow a cart. |
The motivation of the teacher’s moving lay in his ___________.
| A．devotion | B．admiration | C．inspiration | D．ambition |