The World’s Most Impressive Subways
| The Tokyo Metro And Toei Lines |
The Tokyo Metro and Toei lines that compose Tokyo’s massive subway system carry almost 8 million people each day, making it the busiest system in the world. The system is famous for its oshiya— literally, “pusher”— who pushes passengers into crowded subway cars so the doors can close. And you think your ride is hell. |
| The Moscow Metro |
The Moscow Metro has some of the most beautiful stations in the world. The best of them were built during the Stalinist era and feature beautiful lamps, marble moldings and fantastic wall paintings. With more than 7 million riders a day, keeping all that marble clean has got to be a burden. |
| The Hong Kong MTR |
The Hong Kong MTR has the distinction of being one of the few subway systems in the world that actually turns a profit. It’s privately owned and uses real estate development along its tracks to increase income and ridership. It also introduced “Octopus cards” that allow people to not only pay their fares electronically, but buy stuff at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants and even parking meters. It’s estimated that 95% of all adults in Hong Kong own an Octopus card. |
| Shanghai Metro |
Shanghai is the third city in China to build a metro system, and it has become the country’s largest in the 12 years since it opened．Shanghai Metro has 142 miles of track and plans to add another 180 miles within five years. By that point, it would be three times larger than Chicago “L”. The system carries about 2.18 million people a day. |
| The London Metro |
Londoners call their subway the Underground, even though 55 percent of it lies above ground. No matter when you access the oldest mass-transit system in the world, you can call it anything you like. Trains started in 1863 and they’ve been running ever since. Some 3 million people ride each day, every one of them remembering to “Mind the gap”. |
Which of the following can provide the riders with some wonderful decorations at the stations?
| A．The Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines. | B．The Moscow Metro. |
| C．The London Metro. | D．The Hong Kong MTR. |
According to the passage, the only subway that can bring more financial gains is _______.
| A．the Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines | B．the Moscow Metro |
| C．the London Metro | D．the Hong Kong MTR |
We can learn from the passage that Shanghai Metro _______．
| A．carries the most people each day |
| B．is the world’s largest |
| C．may be larger than the Chicago Subway in the future |
| D．is the busiest in the world |
What do we know about the Hong Kong MTR?
| A．It is not owned by the government. |
| B．It has become the country’s largest subway since it opened. |
| C．It carries the most people every day. |
| D．It is the busiest system in the world. |
This passage mainly tells us the _______ of the five subways.
| A．features | B．development | C．background | D．system |
| WELCOME Welcome to Windsor Castle the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Windsor is one of the official residences (住所)of the Queen, who sometimes stays here. Audio tours Free audio tours are available on leaving the Admission Centre at the start of your visit. There is a descriprive audio tour for blind and poor-sighted visitors. Guided tours Visitors can explore the history of the Castle through a tour of the Precincts with an expert guide. Tours depart at regular intervals throughout the day from the Courtyard and finish at the entrance to the State Apartments. Visitors with children For those visiting with children, a special family tour and various activities are offered during school holidays and at weekends. Please note that, for safety reasons, pushchairs are not permitted in the State Apartments. However, baby carriers are available to borrow. St George’s Chapel Visitors arriving at the Castel after 15:00 from March to October are advised to visit St George’s Chapel first, before it closes. |
Shopping Shops offer a wide range of souvenirs designed for the Royal Collection, including books; postcard, china, jewellery, and children’s toys. Please ask at the Middle Ward shop about our home delivery service. Refreshments Bottled water can be purchased from the Courtyard and Middle Ward shops. From April to September ice cream is also available. Visitors wishing to leave the Castle for refreshments in the town may obtain reentry permits from the castle shops. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the State Apartments of St George’s Chapel. Photography and mobile phones Non-commercial photography and filming are welcomed in the Castle. Photography, video recording and filming are not permitted inside the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel. Mobile phones must be switched off inside the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel in consideration of other visitors. Security As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, visitors and their belongings should get through airport-style security checks. For safety and security reasons a one-way system operates along the visitor route. |
A visitor can apply for a free audio tour .
| A．in the Courtyard | B．in the State Apartments |
| C．at the Admission Center | D．at St George’s Chapel |
What is specially offered to visitors with kids?
| A．A security guard. | B．A pushchair. | C．A free toy. | D．A baby carrier. |
Who can get re-entry permits?
| A．Visitors buying gifts in the castle shops. |
| B．Visitors wishing to eat outside the Castle. |
| C．Visitors buying water from the Courtyard. |
| D．Visitors eating outside St George’s Chapel. |
Why are visitors required to turn off their mobile phones?
| A．To prevent them from disturbing others. |
| B．To ensure the safety of others. |
| C．To ensure the security of the Castle. |
| D．To prevent the use of the built-in cameras. |
In the last part, a “working royal palace” refers to one .
| A．where the queen usually works | B．where works of art are on show |
| C．still being constructed | D．still used by the royal family |
"I didn't hear them call my name," explained Shelley Hennig to Active Teens (AT) as she talked about that exciting moment on national television when she won the honor of Miss Teen USA 2004. "Are you ready?" is what she heard. Then she said, "I shook my head no, and then they said ‘yes’ and it was announced again."
It was four days after that life changing moment for the seventeen-year-old high school student from Destrehan, Louisiana----she was still on cloud nine．
"I was so shocked! I never believed that it could actually really happen." Present in the audience（观众）that day were: her mother and father, older brother, her friends, and her dance teacher.
Understanding why members of her family and her friends would be there, AT asked why her dance teacher had traveled so far to see her compete（比赛）．"She's always been my role model．I've danced with her since I was six. She's been through so many difficulties and came through them all. I've learned to get over bad life's experiences and learned how to move on because of her."
One of those bad life's experiences for Shelley happened three years ago when her brother Brad was killed in a drunk driving accident. He was 18. She found writing helped her get through the rough days. She said, "I write a lot about my brother. I write a lot, a lot, a lot...”
As Miss Louisiana Teen, she traveled around the state speaking to teens（青少年）about the dangers of drinking and driving. In her role as Miss Teen USA, Sheiley will continue to speak to youth about safe driving, in addition to many other things to help the youth.
When AT asked Miss Teen USA if she had any advice for our readers, she said, "Don't let anyone change you. Hang out with people that make you feel good about yourself. That way, it is easy to be yourself."What do the words “on cloud nine” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
| A．frightened | B．very happy | C．troubled | D．very angry |
Shelley takes her dance teachers as a role medel mainly because she is .
| A．strict | B．friendly | C．determined | D．experienced |
How many children did the Hennigs have according to the text?
| A．1. | B．2. | C．4. | D．3 |
What did Shelley often do after she became Miss Louisiana Teen?
| A．She visited drunken drivers. | B．She gave dance performance. |
| C．She helped other teens with their studies. | D．She made speeches on safe driving. |
What suggestion does Shelley give to the teens?
| A．Go easy on yourself and others. | B．Meet friends whenever possible. |
| C．Be yourself with the support of friends. | D．Have a good role model. |
"Everybody loves a bargain．" One person’s useless, ugly, or broken object can be another person's bargain．That is why so many Americans do not throw things away．They put them outside their houses．They put on a "For Sale" sign．And, as simple as that, they have a yard sale.
The sellers put a paid announcement in a local newspaper．It tells, when and where the yard sale will take place．These sales are very popular during weekends in spring, summer, and autumn．Early in the morning, all the things to be sold are carried out of the house．Then they sit all day in the sunlight—like tired guests at a party—waiting for someone to take them home．
Just about anything can be sold at a yard sale．Sometimes, there are more clothes than anything else．Cooking equipment is also popular．So are old toys, tools, books, tables and chairs．
Then there are objects called "white elephants"．A white elephant is something you think is extremely ugly or useless．It may be an electric light shaped like a fish．You feel a sharp pain whenever you look at it．To someone else, however, it might be a thing of beauty and joy．
Some people go to yard sales to find a special thing that they collect．It may be old toy trains, for example, or paintings of dogs．Experts say more Americans are collecting old things now than ever before．Most people who go to yard sales, however, are not looking for anything special．They might buy an object simply because it costs so little. They enjoy negotiating（谈判）over prices, even if they really do not need the object．Later, they may hold their own yard to sell all the things they have bought．What kind of things will go to a yard sale?
| A．Things people no longer use． | B．Things of great, value． |
| C．Things out of season． | D．Things of beauty and joy． |
A white elephant refers to something _____．
| A．that can cause a feeling of pain |
| B．disliked by the owners while appreciated by others |
| C．that looks like a golden fish |
| D．sold at the lowest prices in the old newspaper |
Which of the following is NOT true about a yard sale?
| A．It is held outdoors． | B．It may not be held on a cold day. |
| C．It can last for a whole day． | D．It is usually held with a party． |
Every American family has its own traditions on Thanksgiving Day, and mine is no difference. Once the national holiday arrives, my mom rises early to make the meal. She puts a turkey in the oven, chops carrots and bakes pies. I’m sorry to say that the men in the family – my dad, my younger brother and myself – rarely pitch in to help. Our job is to wash the mountain of dirty dishes after the meal is over.
Around 2 pm every Thanksgiving Day, family members seat themselves around the kitchen table. Plates of turkey, vegetables, salad, rolls and pies cover it. At this point, we can hardly keep ourselves from drooling (流口水) all over our fancy clothes, but it’s not yet time to eat.
First, we must bow our heads, close our eyes and say a prayer of thanks aloud to God for giving us everything we have. Under normal circumstances, I would have no problem making a list of things I am thankful for. I grew up in a loving family. My parents, who aren’t wealthy, took out loans to help me pay for university.
But, the funny thing is, every time I sit down for Thanksgiving dinner and try to say a prayer of thanks, my mind usually goes blank. I think it has something to do with my growling (咕咕叫) stomach and all of that food sitting right there under my nose.
Eventually, though, we all finish our short prayers and dig in. To be sure, the day includes other highlights – visiting with family and watching football. But usually around 6 pm we are all ourselves stuffed like turkeys and thankful to have a nice warm bed to sleep in. The purpose of the text is to ________.
| A．tell what the family do for Thanksgiving Day |
| B．tell how the family spends Thanksgiving Day |
| C．introduce foods served on Thanksgiving Day |
| D．introduce the American Thanksgiving Day |
On Thanksgiving Day the author’s family do the following except ________.
| A．watching a movie | B．making visits |
| C．having a big meal | D．watching football |
Why does the author’s mind usually “go blank” when saying a prayer of thanks?
| A．He is too thankful to say a word. | B．His mind is on the food before him. |
| C．He feels too excited to speak. | D．He is shy to speak in public. |
The underlined phrase “dig in” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to “________”.
| A．chat with others | B．make a hole |
| C．mix things up | D．start eating |
The UK has a wellrespected higher education system and some of the top universities and research institutions in the world. But to those who are new to it all, sometimes it can be confusing．
October is usually the busiest month in the college calendar. Universities have something called Freshers’ Week for their newcomers. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, join lots of clubs and settle into university life．
However, having just left the comfort of home and all your friends behind, the prospect（前景）of meeting lots of strangers in big halls can be nervewracking（令人头痛的）. Where do you start? Who should you make friends with? Which clubs should you join?
Luckily, there will be thousands of others in the same boat as you worrying about starting their university social life on the right foot. So just take it all in slowly. Don’t rush into anything that you’ll regret for the next three years.
Here is some top advice from past students on how to survive Freshers’ Week：
●Learn rules. Make sure you know British social etiquette（礼节）. Have a few wine glasses and snacks handy for your housemates and friends.
●Be kind. Sometimes cups of tea or even slices of toast can give you a head start in making friends.
●Be sociable. The more active you are, the more likely you’ll be to meet new people than if you’re someone who never leaves their room.
●Bring a doorstop. Keep your door open when you’re in and that sends positive messages to your neighbors that you’re friendly.
So with a bit of clever planning and effort, Freshers’ Week can give you a great start to your university life and soon you’ll be passing on your experience to next year’s new recruits．Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the passage？
| A．October is generally the busiest month for universities． |
| B．It’s a good idea to have a doorstop. |
| C．A bit of planning can make Freshers’ Week easier. |
| D．The first week of your every year at university is called Freshers’ Week． |
The underlined word "recruits" in the last paragraph refers to__________．
| A．courses | B．freshers | C．neighbors | D．challenges |
We can infer from the 4th paragraph that ．
| A．the newcomers usually miss the days living at home |
| B．most of the students in the UK spend three years in universities |
| C．many freshers are worried about how to fit university life |
| D．all the new students will make new friends and join certain clubs |
Why does the author suggest having wine glasses and snacks handy？
| A．To pass the busy university life． |
| B．To help make friends with other freshers． |
| C．To show yourself a drinker as others． |
| D．To pass the time in a happy way． |