The 1980s was called the “Me Decade” because for many this time was marked by a fascination with the self. The idea that each person has a self may seem natuaral to us, but this concept is actually quite new. The idea that each human life is unique developed between the 11th and 15th centuries in Europe. Before that time, individuals were considered in relation to a group, and even today, many eastern cultures place more emphasis on the importance of a collective self than on a unique and independent self.
Both eastern and western cultures see the self as divided into an inner, private self and an outer, public self. But where they differ is in terms of which part is seen as the“real you.” Western culture tends to promote the idea of individuality—a self that is separated from other selves. In contrast, many eastern cultures focus on an inter-independent self that gets its diversity in large part from inter-relationship with others.
For example, a Confucian(孔子) idea stresses the importance of “face”—other people’s views of the self and maintaining one’s desired status in their eyes. In the past, some Asian cultures developed clear rules about the specific clothes and even colors that people in certain social classes and occupations were allowed to display, and these live on today in Japanese style manuals. This style of dress is at odds with such western practices as “casual Fridays,” which encourage employees to dress informally and express their unique selves. Which is true about the self according to the text?
| A．Many eastern cultures see the self connected with others. |
| B．Those born in the 1980s are generally most self-centered than others. |
| C．The concept that eac person has a self may seem strange to eastern cultures |
| D．Western cultures regard the self as an outer, public self while eastern cultures don’t. |
What does the 2nd paragraph mainly talk about?
| A．How eastern and western cultures see the self. |
| B．Eastern cultures contrast sharply with western cultures |
| C．Both eastern and western cultures appreciate the importance of self |
| D．Eastern cultures are as important as western cultures |
A Japanese dress code is mentioned in the last paragraph to _________.
| A．explain the importance of “face” |
| B．say how traditional the Japanese are |
| C．emphasize the importance of eastern cultures |
| D．show how eastern cultures see the self in relation to others |
The underlined phrase “at odds with” most probably means_______.
| A．in agreement with | B．in disagreement with |
| C．in comparison with | D．in need of |
In July 19阅读理解upiter,the largest planet in our solar system,was struck by 21 pieces of a comet (彗星).When the fragments (碎片) landed in the southern part of the giant planet,the explosions were watched by scientists here on earth.But what if our own planet was hit by a comet?
The year is 2094.It has been announced that a comet is heading towards the Earth.Most of it will miss our planet,but two fragments will probably hit the southern part of the Earth.The news has caused panic.
On 17July,a fragment four kilometers wide enters the Earth's atmosphere with a huge explosion.About half of the fragment is destroyed.But the major part survives and hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound.The sea boils and an enormous wave is created and spreads.The wall of water rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometres an hour.Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people are drowned.The wave moves into the Indian Ocean and heads towards Asia.
Millions of people are already dead in the southern part of the Earth,but the north won't escape for long.Tons of broken pieces are thrown into the atmosphere by the explosions.As the sun is hidden by clouds of dust,temperatures around the world fall to almost zero.Crops are ruined.Wars break out as countries fight for food.A year later civilization has collapsed.No more than 10 million people have survived.
Could it really happen?In fact, it has already happened more than once in the history of the Earth.The dinosaurs (恐龙) were on the Earth for over 160 million years.Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared.Many scientists believe
that the Earth was hit by a space fragment.The dinosaurs couldn't survive in the cold climate that followed and they became extinct.Will we meet the same end?
1.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the author's description of the disaster in 2094?
A.The whole world becomes extremely cold.
B.All the coastal cities in Africa are destroyed.
C.The whole mankind becomes extinct.
D.The visit of the comet results in wars.
2.Why does the author mention dinosaurs at the end of the passage?
A.Because they could only live in the warm climate.
B.Because they once dominated the earth.
C.Because their extinction indicates future disasters.
D.Because dinosaurs and humans never live in the same age.
3.In writing the passage,the author intends to _______.
A.give an accurate description of the possible disaster in the future
B.prove that humans will sooner or later be destroyed
C.tell the historical development of the Earth
D.warn of a possible disaster in the future
4.It can be concluded that the passage is most probably part of a(n)________.
A.horror storyB.news reportC.research paperD.article of popular science
Many people imagine that Cover up means you don't _________get a tan. Nothing to show for your holiday. What a shame!
Not so. With Cover up, you can get brown if you want to. The point of Cover up is to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun—the ones which, according to the doctors, make your skin look older.
That's what Solex Cover up is all about—protection for your skin. It has a Sun Protection Factor of 8, which makes it suitable for anyone.
Find out how it works for you by referring to the Solex Sun Table. On sale wherever Solex is.
With SolexCover up, you can tan as slowly as you like. As gently as you like. And with much less chance of peeling(脱皮).
Your tan will look better. Your skin will stay young longer.
Solex Cover up
Gentle tan…Full protection
1. The phrase “get a tan” in the first paragraph means “_________”.
A. keep away from the sun on your holiday
B. become darker because of sunshine
C. look younger after your holiday
D. show you have been in the sun
2.Solex Cover up can be used to _________.
A. protect your skin from sunburn
B. cover yourself up on a windy beach
C. help you get a tan quickly
D. help your skin peel gently
3.What is the main purpose of the text?
A. To advise people on how to protect their skin.
B. To warn people of the danger of sun rays.
C. To help sell Solex Cover up.
D. To show how to get a tan.
Since 1989, Dave Thomas, who died at age 69, was one of the most recognizable faces on TV. He appeared in more than 800 commercials (商业广告) for the hamburger chain named for his daughter. “As long as it works," he said in 1991, “I'll continue to do those commercials."
Even though he was successful, Thomas remained troubled by his childhood. “He still won't let anyone see his feet, which are out of shape because he never had
properfitting shoes," Wendy said in 1993. Born to a single mother, he was adopted(收养) as a baby by Rex and Auleva Thomas of Kalamazoo in Michigan. After Auleva died when he was 5, Thomas spent years on the road as Rex traveled around seeking construction work. “He fed me," Thomas said, “and if I got out of line, he'd beat me."
Moving out on his own at 15, Thomas worked, first as a waiter, in many restauran
ts. But he had something much better in mind. “I thought if I owned a restaurant," he said, “I could eat for free." A 1956 meeting with Harland Sanders led Thomas to a career as the manager of a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant that made him a millionaire in 1968.
In 1969, after breaking with Sanders, Thomas started the first Wendy's Old Fashi
oned Hamburgers, in Columbus, Ohio, which set itself apart by serving made to order burgers. With 6,000 restaurants worldwide, the chain now makes$ 6 billion a year in sales.
Although troubled by his own experience with adoption, Thomas, married since 1954 to Lorraine, 66, and with four grown kids besides Wendy, felt it could offer afuture for other children. He started the Dave Thomas Foundation (基金会) for Adoption in 1992.
In 1993, Thomas, who had left school at 15, graduated from Coconut Creek High School in Florida. He even took Lorraine to the graduation dance party. The kids voted him Most Likely to Succeed.
“The Dave you saw on TV was the real Dave,"says friend Pat Williams. “He wasn't a great actor or a great speaker. He was just Joe Everybody."
1.What is the article mainly about?
A. The life of Dave Thomas.B. The dream of Dave Thomas.
C. The schooling of Dave Thomas. D. The growth of Dave Thomas's business.
2. What do we know about his childhood?
A.He lived a poor life.B.He had caring parents.
C. He stayed in one place. D. He didn't go to school.
3.Choose the right time order of the following events in Thomas's life.
a.graduated from high schoolb.started his own business
c.became a millionaire d.started a foundation
e.met Harland Sanders
A. e，b，c，d，a， B. a，e，c，b，d， C. e，c，b，d，a， D. a，e，b，c，
4. “He was just Joe Everybody." (in the last paragraph) means _______.
A. Dave was famous B. Dave was ordinary
C. Dave was showy D. Dave was shy
5.What is the name of Dave Thomas's business?
A. Thomas's. B. Wendy's. C. Lorraine's. D. Rex's.
I came to study in the United States a year ago. Yet I did not know the real American society until I was injured in a car accident because after the accident I had to see a doctor—and go to court(法庭).
After the accident, my roommate called a doctor for me. I was very grateful
and determined to repay him one day. But the next day, he asked me to pay him $ 200 for what he had done. I was astonished. He had good reason to charge me, he said. And if I wanted to collect money from the person who was responsible for my injury, I'd have to have a good lawyer. And only a good doctor can help me get a good lawyer. Now that he had helped me find a good doctor, it was only fair that I should pay him.
But every time I went to see the doctor, I had to wait about 50 minutes. He would see two or three patients at the same time, and often stop treating one so as to see another. Yet he charged me $ 115 each time. The final examination report consisted of ten lines, and it cost me $ 215.
My lawyer was at all smiles the first time we met. But after that he avoided
seeing me at all. He knew very well the other party was responsible for the accident, yet he hardly did anything. He simply waited to collect his money. He was so irresponsible that I decided to dismiss(解雇) him. And he made mepay him $ 770.
Now I had to act as wn lawyer. Due to my inexperience,I told the insurance company the date I was leaving America. Knowing that, they played for time,… and I left without getting a cent.
My experiences taught me two things about America:firstly,in a country like America money is everything. It is more important than friendship,honour or professional morality(职业道德). Secondly, foreigners are still being unfairly treated. So when we talk about America, we should see both its good and bad sides.
1.The author's roommate offered to help him because
A. he felt sorry for the author.
B. he thought it was a chance to make some money.
C. he knew the doctor was a very good one.
D. he wanted the author to have a good lawyer.
2.A good doctor is essential for the author to ________.
A. be properly treated
B. talk with the person responsible for the accident
C. recover before he leaves America
D. eventually get the responsible party to pay for his injury
3.The word “charge” in this passage means________.
A. be responsible B. accuse C. ask as a price D. claim
4.Both the doctor and the lawyer in this passage are very ________.
A. friendly B. greedy C. professional D. busy
5. What conclusion can you draw from the story?
A. Going to court is something very common in America.
B. One must be very careful while driving a car.
C. There are more bad sides in America than good sides.
D. Money is more important than other things in the US.
It was 3:21 a.m. when nineyearold Glenn Kreamer awoke to the smell of burning. Except for the cracking(爆裂声) of flames somewhere below there was not a sound in the twostorey house at Baldwin, Long Island.
With his father away on night duty at a local factory, Glenn was worried about the safety of his mother, his sister Karen, 14 and his 12-year-old brother Todd. He ran downstairs through the smokefilled house to push and pull at Karen and Todd until they sat up. Then he helped each one through the house to the safety of the garden. There, his sister and brother, taking short and quick breaths and coughing, collapsed on the lawn.
The nine-year-old boy raced back into the house and upstairs to his mother's room. He found it impossible to wake her up. Mrs Kreamer, a victim of the smoke, was unconscious, and there was nobody to help Glenn carry her to the garden. But the boy remained calm and, as a fireman said later,“acted with all the selfcontrol of a trained adult.”
On the bedroom telephone, luckily still working, Glenn called his father and, leaving Mr Kreamer to telephone the fire brigade and ambulance service, got on with the task of saving his mother.
First he filled a bucket with water from the bathroom and threw water over his mother and her bed. Then, with a wet cloth around his head he went back to the garden.
He could hear the fire engine coming up, but how would the firemen find his mother in the smokefilled house where flames had almost swallowed up the ground floor?
Grasping firmly a ball of string from the garage, Glenn raced back into the
house and dashed upstairs to his mother's room. Tying one end of the string to her hand he ran back, laying out the string as he went, through the hall and back out into the garden.
Minutes later he was telling fire chief John Coughlan:“The string will lead
you to Mother.” Mrs Kreamer was carried to safety as the flames were breaking through her bedroom floor.
1.Why did Glenn run downstairs first?
A. He wanted to find out what was happening.
B. He was worried about his mother's safety.
C. He wanted to save his sister and his brother.
D. He went to see if his father had come back from work.
2. How did Glenn help the firemen to save his mother?
A. By throwing water all over her and her bed.
B. By carrying her to safety with his brother.
C. By pushing and pulling at her.
D. By tying a string to her hand.
3. Who called the fire brigade and ambulance service?
A. Glenn. B. Glenn's father. C. Glenn's sister. D. Glenn's neighbor.
4.What did Glenn do to protect himself?
A. He put a wet cloth around himself. B. He threw water all over his head.
C. He hid himself in the bathroom. D. He rushed out to the lawn.
5. Glenn saved his family because ________ .
A. his father had taught him to do so on the phone
B. he had learned something about the first aid
C. he had dealt with the emergency calmly and wisely
D. he had followed his mother's instruction