In the 19th century, Americans from the eastern states moved out west to settle in the rich new lands along the Pacific Coast. The most difficult part of their trip was crossing “the Great American Desert” in the western part of the United States by horse and wagon.
The western desert can be very dangerous. There is little water and there are few trees. But the desert also has scenery of great beauty. Tall towers of red and yellow stone rise sharply from the flat, sandy valley floor. The scene has been photographed many times and appears in movies and on TV.
In Arizona, man-made dams across the Colorado River have made two large lakes in the middle of the dry desert country. At Lake Powell, the red stone arch of Rainbow Bridge rises high above the blue lake.
There are few roads. Many areas of Lake Powell’s shore can only be reached by boat or on foot. But hikers in this empty desert land sometimes find very old native American pictures, painted on the rocks.
In Death Valley, California, the summer temperature rises to 130°F—165°F. There is less than inches of rain each year. Death Valley is the lowest place in America---925 metres below sea level. In the 1800s, many travelers died when they tried to cross this waterless valley in the terrible heat.
Although the desert is dry and seems empty, there is plenty of life if you look closely. Snakes and rats have learned how to live in the desert heat. They live underground and come out at night, when it is cool. Plants such as cacti need very little water. When it does rain in the desert (sometimes only once or twice a year), plants grow quickly, and flowers open in a single day. For a short time, the desert is covered with brilliant (very bright) colours.In the 19th century, Americans moved from east to west because they .
| A．enjoyed the trip | B．wanted to make their home there |
| C．wanted to find new grassland there | D．had no water to drink |
From this passage. we can conclude that .
| A．the western desert is a good place for people to live in |
| B．there is little water but there are many trees in the desert |
| C．the desert is dangerous but it is full of beauty |
| D．till now, people know little about the desert |
In the 1800s, many travelers died in Death Valley because of .
| A．illness | B．high temperature |
| C．cold weather | D．poisonous water |
In the desert, animals will die .
| A．if they move about | B．if they can’t make holes underground |
| C．if they come out at night | D．if they drink much water |
Kids will often ignore your requests for them to shut off the TV, start their chores (杂事), or do their homework as a way to avoid following your directions. Before you know it, you’ve started to sound like a broken record as you repeatedly ask them to do their assignments, clean their room, or take out the trash. Rather than saying “Do your chores now.” you’ll be more effective if you set a target time for when the chores have to be completed. So instead of arguing about starting chores, just say, “If chores aren’t done by 4 pm, here are the consequences.” Then it’s up to your child to complete the chores. Put the ball back in their court. Don’t argue or fight with them, just say, “That’s the way it’s going to be.” It shouldn’t be punitive(惩罚性的) as much as it should be persuasive. “If your chores aren’t done by 4 pm, then no video game time until chores are done. And if finishing those chores runs into homework time, that’s going to be your loss.” On the other hand, when dealing with homework, keep it very simple. Have a time when homework starts, and at that time, all electronics go off and do not go back on until you see that their homework is done. If your kids say they have no homework, then they should use that time to study or read. Either way, there should be a time set aside when the electronics are off.
When a kid wears his iPod or headphones when you’re trying to talk to him, make no bones about it；he is not ignoring you, he is disrespecting you. At that point, everything else should stop until he takes the earplugs out of his ears. Don’t try to communicate with him when he’s wearing headphones — even if he tells you he can hear you. Wearing them while you’re talking to him is a sign of disrespect. Parents should be very tough about this kind of thing. Remember, mutual respect becomes more important as children mature.According to the passage, it seldom happens that ________.
| A．kids turn a deaf ear to their parents’ requests |
| B．parents’ directions sound like a broken record |
| C．children are ready to follow their parents’ directions |
| D．parents are unaware of what they are repeating to their kids |
Parents will be able to deal with their children more effectively if they ________.
| A．avoid direct ways of punishment | B．make them do things at their request |
| C．argue and fight with their children | D．allow their children to behave in their own way |
When the kid is doing his homework, parents ________.
| A．should provide him with a good learning environment |
| B．can do whatever they like |
| C．can stay aside watching TV |
| D．must switch off the power |
It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
| A．parents should take off his headphones when trying to have a talk with their child |
| B．it will make no difference that a kid is wearing his earplugs while talking to his parents |
| C．parents shouldn’t give in to their kid when he shows no sign of respect |
| D．kids’ purposely talking to their parents with iPod gives them a sense of power and control |
The main idea of the passage is ________.
| A．that respecting each other is more important than anything else |
| B．how kids behave to ignore and disrespect their parents |
| C．that children should make choices and decisions on their own |
| D．how parents can deal with their kids’ behavior effectively |
A couple of years ago, before a trip to China, Nicole Davis and her US women’s volleyball teammates were warned about the prominence (显著、突出) of coach “Jenny” Lang Ping in her native country.
“I was pushed over by Chinese journalists while I was just trying to put my luggage on the bus,” said Davis.
Known as the “Iron Hammer” for her punishing spikes(扣球), Lang made it possible for China to dominate in the sport in the early 1980s. She was a key player on China’s 1984 Olympic gold medal winning team.
When the US team arrived for the Olympics, Lang, 48, who is from Beijing, had to take a different route to avoid a crowd of reporters and fans.
Then came the greatest moment to Lang：While the US team was playing in a packed gym, at least 8,000 Chinese fans unfurled an American flag.
“That really says it all,” Davis said. “They look at her as an icon(偶像)．I’m sure it’s hard for them to see her coaching another country, but they love her so dearly that her success is their success.”
The loyalty of the Chinese fans was tested on Friday, when China lost a match to the US.
“It’s a pity that China lost the match, but I’m still glad that Lang Ping’s team won, since she is the pride of China’s volleyball,” said Liu Chengli, a spectator. “We also cheered for
Lang’s victory.”
Lang said she just tried to stay professional when the two teams meet. “It doesn’t matter if we play China or any other team. It’s the same.” Lang said.
Davis said she and her teammates could not have imagined the passion for volleyball among Chinese because the sport was lack of popularity in the US. The reception from Chinese fans has touched the US players, said US volleyball player Lindsey Berg.
“It’s such an honor to be here and play for our coach here in China,” she said. “The amount of support that the Chinese give to her and us has been tremendous. The whole event has been unbelievable.”What’s the passage mainly about?
| A．Staying professional. | B．Cheering for the Iron Hammer. |
| C．A match between China and the US. | D．Lang Ping’s career as a coach. |
Lang Ping avoided meeting the reporters and fans probably because she ________.
| A．was afraid to be questioned about her strategy |
| B．didn’t want to be paid much attention to |
| C．disliked to be with her fans |
| D．didn’t want to disturb public order |
What does the underlined word “unfurled” exactly mean?
| A．destroyed completely | B．tore into pieces |
| C．spread out to the wind | D．rolled up |
What does Lang Ping mean by saying “It doesn’t matter if we play China or any other team.”？
| A．American Volleyball Team will beat any team. |
| B．Chinese Volleyball Team is the same as other teams. |
| C．She just tried to stay professional. |
| D．The results of each match will be the same. |
What impressed the US team players most?
| A．The tolerance of Chinese people. |
| B．The popularity of volleyball in China. |
| C．Lang Ping’s coaching skills. |
| D．The loyalty for volleyball of the Chinese. |
Running like the wind, roaring （咆哮） like thunder, tigers have long been feared and respected as a king of the animal world．But last week a report said that there are no more than 30 wild tigers left in south China．
This was the conclusion of a team of scientists from China's State Forestry Administration and the World Nature Fund．
The South China tiger, also known as the Chinese tiger, is native to southern China．In the 1950's, there were over 4000 tigers found in mountain forests in the country．But due to the destruction of their natural habitat （栖息地） and uncontrolled hunting, it has been pushed on to the list of the world's top ten most endangered species．
Sixty-six of the big cats can be found in the cages of a dozen zoos around China．But they are nothing like their wild cousins．They have lost their natural skills such as hunting and killing．If they were set free they could not look after themselves．
"Breeding has damaged the quality of the species", said Pei Enle, deputy director of the Shanghai Zoo．
To reintroduce the species into the wild, the country started a programme to send five to ten young tigers to South Africa．Four of them have already arrived．Progress has been made as two elder tigers have recovered some of their instincts（本能） and can hunt wild animals by themselves at the African base．
" South Africans are very experienced in reintroducing big animals to the wild．The country has very good natural conditions for the tigers to learn in", said Lu Jun, office director of the National Wildlife Research and Development Center．" We tried in Fujian Province, but it was not successful as there was not a complete eco-chain（生物链） and there was a lack of space．"
The tigers should return to China in 2007 when the reservations in Fujian are ready．What is the main reason for the South China tiger becoming one of the world's top ten most endangered species?
| A．Because it has lost its natural instincts． |
| B．Because there is not a complete eco-chain． |
| C．Because there is no space for it． |
| D．Because uncontrolled hunting has destroyed its natural living conditions． |
How is the programme of sending several tigers to South Africa getting on?
| A．Its effect still remains to be seen． |
| B．Two tigers can already compete with their wild cousins． |
| C．Some of the tigers are already on the road to recovering their natural skills． |
| D．The tigers should be able to recover their instincts completely by 2007． |
By saying " but they are nothing like their wild cousins", the writer means that ______．
| A．they are no longer feared by other wild animals |
| B．they don't know how to hunt or kill |
| C．a complete change has resulted in the species because of breeding |
| D．to reintroduce them into the wild has become an urgent task |
What is the purpose of sending young tigers to South Africa?
| A．To help the tigers recover their ability to live in the wild． |
| B．To provide them with a better environment． |
| C．To get the tigers to go on a tour． |
| D．To find a complete eco-chain for them． |
Which one is not the reason for South Africa being chosen as the training place?
| A．Because the tigers can hunt wild animals by themselves at the African base． |
| B．Because South Africans are skilled at dealing with the tigers． |
| C．Because there is a complete eco-chain and enough space there． |
| D．Because the country has good natural conditions for the tigers to learn in． |
Why is setting goals important? Because goals can help you do, be, and experience everything you want in life．Instead of just letting life happen to you, goals allow yourself to make your life happen．
Successful and happy people have a vision of how their life should be and they set lots of goals（both short-term and long-range）to help them reach their vision．By setting goals you are taking control of your life．It’s like having a map to show you where you want to go．Think of it in this way．There are two drivers．One has a destination in mind（her goal） which is laid out for her on a map．She can drive straight there without any wasted time or wrong turns．The other driver has no goal or destination or map．She starts off at the same time from the same place as the first driver．But she drivers aimlessly around, never getting anywhere , just using up gas and oil．Which driver do you want to be?
Winners in life set goals and follow through on them．They decide what they want in life and then get there by making plans and setting goals．Unsuccessful people just let life happen by accident．Goals aren’t difficult to set, and they aren’t difficult to reach．It’s up to you to find out what your goals,ideals and visions really are．You are the one who must decide what to pursue and in what direction to aim your life．
Research tells us that when we write a goal down we are more likely to achieve it．Written goals can be reviewed regularly, and have more power．Like a contract （合同） with yourself, they are harder to neglect or forget．
Also when you write your goals in a particular way you are able to make yourself continuously aware of situations that will bring you nearer to your goals．The author gave the example of two drivers to show_______．
| A．the foolishness of the first driver |
| B．the importance of having a map and right direction |
| C．the foolishness of the second driver |
| D．the importance of setting goals |
According to this text, the most important thing in realizing one's ideal is to _____．
| A．try to be realistic about one's ability |
| B．have a clear understanding of what he or she wants in life |
| C．let others understand him or her first, then work together with them |
| D．let others help him or her to make his or her dream come true |
If people want to reach their goals, they should ______．
| A．write down their goals |
| B．sign a contract with other people |
| C．face the difficulties in front of them |
| D．discuss with others and ask for their help |
If you want to succeed, you must _____．
| A．study hard | B．have a goal and achieve it |
| C．live happily | D．sleep well |
Packaging is an important form of advertising．A package can sometimes motivate someone to buy a product．For example, a small child might ask for a breakfast food that comes in a box with a picture of a TV character．The child is more interested in the picture than in breakfast food．Pictures for children to color or cut out, games printed on a package, or a small gift inside a box also motivate many children to buy products or to ask their parents to buy for them．
Some packages suggest that a buyer will get something for nothing．Food products sold in reusable containers are examples of this．Although a similar product in a plain container might cost less, people often prefer to buy the product in a reusable glass or dish, because they believe the container is free．However, the cost of the container is added to the cost of the product．The size of a package also motivates a buyer．Maybe the package had “Economy Size” or “Family Size” printed on it．This suggests that the larger size has the most product for the least money．But that is not always true．To find it out, a buyer has to know how the product is sold and the price of the basic unit．
The information on the package should provide some answers．But the important thing for any buyer to remember is that a package is often an advertisement．The words and pictures do not tell the whole story．Only the product inside can do that．From the passage we know the buyer pays more attention to __________．
| A．the size of a container |
| B．a container with attractive picture |
| C．a well-designed container |
| D．a plain container with low cost |
What suggestion does the author give in the passage?
| A．It’s not good to buy the product which is sold in a glass or dish． |
| B．The quality of a container has nothing to do with the quality of the product． |
| C．The best choice for a buyer is to buy a product in a plain package． |
| D．A buyer should buy what he needs most rather than a well-designed package． |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．How to Package a Product． |
| B．How to Make an Advertisement． |
| C．How to Sell Product． |
| D．How to Treat the Package Wisely． |