“Before you fall in love, you'd better get a job”
As told by Lee Joon-ho, 20, a senior in law at Seoul National University
Korean TV dramas have shown a lot of rebellious(反叛的) youth, but in fact most students still live a traditional life.
Confucianism has a great influence on us. For instance, Confucius said that we should be dutiful to our parents and value the family. Thus we prefer a school that's close to home so we can go back every day.
Also as a result of Confucianism, teachers enjoy a high status in Korea. The other day, my professor was flying to Vienna on a business trip. Instead of waiting for hours in the queue, he was told to check in first and didn't have any problem with overweight luggage.
When it comes to important decision-making, such as choosing a university, a job, and a wife, we listen to our parents' suggestions. Most parents seem liberal in study decisions, but they take a firmer attitude towards their children's love and marriage choices. Often, a man has to have his own business or a solid career before he's allowed to pursue romance.
Male chauvinism is popular among our parents' generation, since they had to support the whole family through hard work. We need to shoulder the same responsibility, but we've also learned to respect women, as they're doing outstanding work in lots of areas. But to be honest, my friends and I still prefer a traditional woman as a girlfriend and future wife. We want her to be elegant and thoughtful in taking care of a family.
Our sense of tradition is also reflected in our buying habits. In my house, you see only Korean appliances. Although European cell phones are available in ROK, we favor LG and Samsung, which are suited more to our tastes and widely promoted in TV dramas and films.The professor was told to check in first because _________.
A.His luggage was overweight. |
B.He had waited for hours. |
C.People respect teachers in Korea. |
D.He was on a business trip. |
Which of the statements is true according to the passage?
A.Generally speaking, men need to support the whole family in Korea. |
B.Korean women have no freedom in choosing husbands. |
C.Male chauvinism is popular among young people now. |
D.Young people are out of control of their parents. |
From the last paragraph we can learn that _________.
A.You can not find European cell phones in Korea. |
B.You can see advertisements for LG and Samsung in Korean TV dramas and films. |
C.Korean cell phones are traditional. |
D.The Korean people have a sense of tradition. |
What is the passage mainly about?
A.Korean youth are rebellious. |
B.Korean youth will not love anyone until they find a job. |
C.Most Korea students live a traditional life. |
D.Confucius has a great influence on the Korean people. |
The history of the Games Olympia
Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities(设备) were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.
Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The ancient stadium in Olympia could hold more than 40,000 audience, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary(辅助的) buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.
The Games and religion
The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not a total part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and development of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.
Victory ceremonies
The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the audience cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.
The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath(花环), or kotinos, on the winner's head.When did Olympia become the site of the Olympic Games?
A. In the 10th century B.C.
B. Before the 4th century B.C.
C. After the 4th century B.C.
D. It was not mentioned here.Which one is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Zeus is the founder of the Olympic Games. |
B.The ancient stadium in Olympic were used as training sites for the athletes in the 10th century. |
C.The Olympic Games have much to do with the religion. |
D.The Olympic victor would receive a golden medal. |
Can you guess the meaning of this word “herald” in the passage?
A.the author | B.the headmaster | C.the announcer | D.the manager |
When the athletes won the game, ______.
A.They were awarded immediately after the competition. |
B.They were awarded twice. The first, immediately after the competition; the second, on the last day of the game. |
C.They were awarded on the last day of the game. |
D.They were awarded on the last day of the game or immediately after the competition. |
The largest earthquake ( magnitude里氏 9.5) of the 20th century happened on May 22, 1960 off the coast of South Central Chile.
It generated(生成) one of the most destructive Pacific-wide tsunamis(海啸). Near the generating area, both the earthquake and the tsunami were very much destructive, particularly in the coastal area from Concepcion to the south end of Isla(岛) Chiloe. The largest tsunami damage occurred at Isla Chiloe---the coastal area closest to the epicenter(震中). Huge tsunami waves measuring as high as 25 meters arrived within 10 to 15 minutes after the earthquake, killing at least two hundred people, sinking all the boats, and flooding half a kilometer inland.
There was large damage and loss of life at Concepcion, Chile's top industrial city. Near the city of Valdivia, the earthquake and following aftershocks generated landslides which killed 18 people. At the port city of Valparaiso, a city of 200,000, many buildings collapsed. A total of 130,000 houses were destroyed --- one in every three in the earthquake zone and nearly 2,000,000 people were left homeless.
Total damage losses, including to agriculture and to industry, were estimated(估计) to be over a half billion dollars . The total number of death related with both the tsunami and the earthquake was never found accurately for the region. Estimates of deaths reached between 490 to 5,7002 with no distinction(差别) as to how many deaths were caused by the earthquake and how many were caused by the tsunami. However, it is believed that most of the deaths in Chile were caused by the tsunami. Where did the largest tsunami damage occurred?
A.Concepcion | B.Isla Chiloe | C.Valdivia | D.Valparaiso |
What can we learn about the tsunami waves generated by the earthquake?
A.The tsunami waves as high as 25 meters arrived immediately after the earthquake. |
B.The tsunami waves killed 200 people and sank all boats. |
C.The tsunami waves were very destructive. |
D.The tsunami waves flooded half of the inland. |
What is generally thought the main cause of deaths in Chile?
A.landslides | B.the tsunami | C.aftershocks | D.the magnitude 9.5 earthquake |
What is the total number of deaths in the earthquake?
A.2,000,000 | B.between 490 to 57,002 |
C.200,000 | D.it was hard to know. |
What does the underlined word “collapsed” probably mean ?
A.was destroyed | B.caught fire | C.was flooded | D.sank |
YANGON -- Myanmar has officially accepted an offer of the United States to send humanitarian aid(人道主义援助) to the country's cyclone(飓风;暴风)victims, state radio reported Friday in a night broadcast Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U Kyaw Thu gave the assurance Friday, saying that the country is receiving such relief aid from any country without limit at this time according to its policy(政策) of dealing with the disaster, the report said.
Kyaw Thu denied rumors about Myanmar's turning down of such relief materials from Western countries but accept those from nations in good relations with Myanmar, saying that the country has never done so in this case.
Kyaw Thu said that well wishers abroad may make cash donation(捐赠)through Myanmar embassies(使馆)stationed there, while those who like to donate relief goods may present at the Yangon International Airport and seaports.
According to the report, the US relief aid would arrive in Yangon in days.
A foreign ministry's statement said earlier on Friday that at this moment, the international community can best help the victims by donating emergency provisions such as medical supplies, food, cloth, electricity generator, and materials for emergency shelter or with financial assistance," adding that "Myanmar will wholeheartedly welcome such course of action".
The government and the people of Myanmar are grateful to the friendly nations, the United Nations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, private individuals and others for their sympathy and generosity." it said. Which of the following is true?
A.The US relief aid was turned down at first and then accepted. |
B.The US relief aid has been sent to the capital city of Myanmar. |
C.There are rumors(谣言)that Myanmar has turned down the US relief aid. |
D.Myanmar will wholeheartedly welcome such course of action but the US relief aid. |
We Chinese may denote money to help the country's cyclone victims(受害者) through_____.
A.Myanmar embassies in Beijing. |
B.the Yangon International Airport |
C.the United Nations |
D.the Yangon International seaports. |
What can the international community(组织)best help the victims in Myanmar?
A.medical supplies | B.financial assistance |
C.electricity generator | D.all of the above. |
What is Myanmar’s policy toward the aids from abroad?
A.Myanmar prefers cash donation to relief goods. |
B.Myanmar only receives emergency provisions such as medical supplies, food, cloth, electricity generator, etc. |
C.Myanmar receives donation relief aid from any country without any limit. |
D.Myanmar prefers relief goods to cash donation. |
The title that best expresses the idea of the passage is _______.
A.How to help Myanmar. |
B.Myanmar accepts US humanitarian aid officially. |
C.Myanmar is receiving relief aid from any country without limit. |
D.The government and the people of Myanmar are grateful. |
It seems that politicians around the world are thinking about the health of their countries. While in China, Chen Zhu has announced his plans for a universal(全体的,普遍的)health service and reform across health services. Gordon Brown, the UK Prime Minister, has also announced he is planning to make some changes in our health service.
The crux(关键)of Mr. Brown's proposals are related to giving the NHS (National Health Service) a greater focus on prevention, rather than just curing patients.
He is planning to introduce increased screening for common diseases such as heart disease, strokes(中风), and cancer, for example, breast cancer. In Britain there are 200,000 deaths a year from heart attacks and strokes, many of which might have been avoided if the condition had been known about.
Initially, the diagnostic (诊断的) tests will be available for those who are vulnerable, or most likely to have the disease. One example is a plan to offer all men over 65 an ultrasound test to check for problems with the main artery (动脉), a condition which kills 3,000 men a year.
The opposition have criticized Mr. Brown's proposals, saying that they are just a trick, and claiming that there is no proper timetable for the changes. They also say that Mr. Brown is reducing the money available for the treatment of certain conditions while putting more money towards testing for them.
The NHS was founded in 1948, and is paid for by taxation. The idea is that the rich pay more towards the health service than the poor. However in recent years there has been a great increase in the use of private healthcare, because it’s much quicker. NHS waiting lists for operations can be very long, so many people who can afford it choose to pay for medical care themselves.The underlined word vulnerable in the fourth paragraph probably means ________.
A.sick | B.weak | C.wounded | D.old |
All the following statements are true except that _________.
A.all people should pay for their healthcare at the NHS. |
B.some people are against the reform of the healthcare. |
C.the writer is likely to come from Britain. |
D.more money will be spent on testing people than before. |
Which of the following is the reason for the increasing private healthcare?
A.People are paying more attention to their own health. |
B.People are well off enough to pay their healthcare. |
C.The NHS was not available for most of the people. |
D.It’s not so convenient for people to go to the NHS for their healthcare. |
According to the passage, the purpose of the health reform plan in the UK is to _______
A.encourage more private healthcare. |
B.focus on the prevention rather than on curing the patient. |
C.deal with the main artery problems. |
D.fight against the opposition in the UK. |
The author of this passage intends to tell us _________.
A.the NHS should be reformed right away. |
B.more and more people are dying from diseases. |
C.the plan to reform the NHS in the UK. |
D.the criticism of Mr. Brown's proposals. |
Hunting
The days of the hunter are almost over in India. This is partly because there is practically nothing left to kill, and partly because some steps have been taken, mainly by banning tiger-shooting, to protect those animals which still survive.
Some people say that Man is naturally a hunter. I disagree with this view. Surely out earliest forefathers, who at first possessed no weapons, spent their time digging for roots, and were no doubt themselves often hunted by meat-eating animals.
I believe the main reason why the modern hunter kills is that he thinks people will admire his courage in overpowering dangerous animals. Of course, there are some who truly believe that the killing is not really the important thing, and that the chief pleasure lies in the joy of the hunt and the beauties of the wild countryside. There are also those for whom hunting in fact offers a chance to prove themselves and risk death by design; these men go out after dangerous animals like tigers, even if they say they only do it to rid the countryside of a threat. I can respect reasons like these, but they are clearly different from the need to strengthen your high opinion of yourself.
The greatest big-game hunters expressed in their writings something of these finer motives(动机).One of them wrote.
“You must properly respect what you are after and shoot it cleanly and on the animal’s own territory(领地)。You must fix forever in your mind all the wonders of that particular day. This is better than letting him grow a few years older to be attacked and wounded by his own son and eventually eaten, half alive, by other animals, Hunting is not a cruel and senseless killing – not if you respect the thing you kill, not if you kill to enrich your memories, not if you kill to feed your people.”
I can understand such beliefs, and can compare these hunters with those who hunted lions with spears(矛) and bravely caught them by the tail. But this is very different from many tiger—shoots I have seen, in which modern weapons were used.The so—called hunters fired from tall trees or from the backs of trained elephants. Such methods made tigers seem no more dangerous than rabbits. There is no more hunting in India now partly because___.
A.it is dangerous to hunt there |
B.hunting is already out of date |
C.hunters want to protect animals |
D.there are few animals left to hunt |
The author thinks modern hunters kill mainly____.
A.to make the countryside safe |
B.to earn people’s admiration |
C.to gain power and influence |
D.to improve their health |
What do we learn about the big-game hunters?
A.They hunt old animals |
B.They mistreat animals |
C.They hunt for food |
D.They hunt for money |
What is the author’s view on the tiger-shoots he has seen?
A.Modern hunters lack the courage to hunt face-to-face |
B.Modern hunters should use more advanced weapons |
C.Modern hunters like to hunt rabbits instead of tigers |
D.Modern hunters should put their safety first |