Liu Hui is very excited. The students in a school in Shanghai will go to the USA with his parents during the Spring Festival.
“Overseas touring has always been a dream for me,” he said happily.
Nowadays, Chinese people enjoy longer holidays, such as the three “Golden Week Holidays”(the Spring Festival, May Day and National Day). They have more time to travel. Rising incomes also make travelling abroad realistic for ordinary Chinese people.
Nearly 7 million Chinese travelled overseas in 2001, according to the National Tourism Administration(国家旅游局). The most common problem travellers face is how to choose the best routes(路线).
By the end of 2002, Chinese citizens were allowed to travel to 19 foreign countries and regions at their own expense.
The top 10 places included Hong Kong, Macao and Thailand. European countries are also becoming increasingly popular.
“More and more Chinese people have shown interest in travelling to Europe, particularly France and Finland,” said Tan Wen, a general manager of China Youth Travel Service. “Sooner or later, there will be a peak（高峰） in European tours.”
Another consideration is choosing the right travel agencies and finding the best price. The China Consumers’ Association（CCA，中国消费者协会）offered tips to consumers on choosing the right travel agencies to help prevent a relaxing vacation from turning into a costly disaster.
“Price should not be the single most important factor in choosing a travel agency,” said Zhang Yuanchao, CCA vice-secretary general. Consumers are advised to choose large State travel agencies with good reputations and official approval to organize overseas tour groups.
Zhang’s association dealt with more than 5, 000 complaints about travel agencies（旅行社） last year. And the majority of the complaints were about random changes in travel routes, bad tour guides, and forced shopping.
Travellers were warned to look carefully at their contracts with agencies and to buy travel insurance(保险). How many reasons are given in the article as to why ordinary Chinese people are traveling abroad more today?
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
According to the passage, what is the biggest problem Chinese travelers face when going overseas?
| A．Choosing the best travel agent. |
| B．Deciding the best way to get to the places they want to go to. |
| C．Traveling to Europe. |
| D．Cost. |
According to the passage, what seems to be the most common result of choosing a bad travel agency?
| A．People buy more souvenirs than they had planned to. |
| B．People spend more money than they had planned to. |
| C．People go to different places than they had palnned to. |
| D．People complained more than they had planned to. |
The underlined part “random changes” probably means that .
| A．the travelers agreed with the changes. |
| B．the travel agency didn’t make any changes. |
| C．the travel agency refused to changes the routes. |
| D．the travel agency changed the routes or time without following the original plan. |
In 1918, after four years of war which had left millions of people dead, the people alive began to look for a better and happier world. The cinema supplied an answer. For little money, people could forget their unhappy lives and dream of better ones. In the years between 1918 and 1939, going to the cinema became the most popular family free-time activity.
Hollywood in America, made more films than any other film center in the world. The warm climate and long hours of sunlight meant that film-making was easy and quite cheap. This was also a rich part of America and there were many businessmen who wanted to make money from the film industry. At first short cowboy films were popular because they added excitement and adventure to people’s lives. Later comedy films were made so that people could laugh and forget their troubles.
Charlie Chaplin was probably the most liked of all comedy actors. Cinema became the most popular in people’s free time because ____.
| A．it was cheap | B．it was safe |
| C．it could make people happy | D．both A and C |
Which, according to the writer, is true?
| A．Hollywood made more films than some film centers in the world. |
| B．Many businessmen came to Hollywood in order to make films. |
| C．Hollywood was not the biggest producer of films in the world. |
| D．No other film center made more films than Hollywood did. |
Hollywood became a film center because ____.
| A．film-making there was cheap and easy | B．it enjoyed long hours of sunlight |
| C．it was a rich part of America | D．many businessmen went there |
A “comedy” is something that is ____.
| A．funny | B．exciting | C．full of danger | D．Sad |
Televisiozn —— that most widespread and persuasive of modern technologies, marked by rapid change and growth —— is moving into a new era, an era of extraordinary advancement and diversity, which promises to reshape our lives and our world. It is an electronic revolution, made possible by the marriage of television and computer technologies.
The word ‘television’, coming from its Greek ( tele: distant) and Latin ( vision: sight) roots, can literally be interpreted as sight from a distance. Very simply put, it works in this way: through an advanced system of electronics, television provides the capability of changing an image ( focused on a special photoconductive plate within a camera ) into electronic impulses, which can be sent through a wire or cable. These impulses, when fed into a receiver (television set), can then be electronically reorganized into that same image.
Television is more than just an electronics system, however. It is a means of expression, as well as a tool for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings. The field of television can be divided into two categories determined by its means of transmission(播送，中转). First, there is broadcast television, which reaches the masses through airwave transmission of television signals. Second, there is nonbroadcast television, which provides for the needs of individuals or specific interest groups through controlled transmission techniques.
Traditionally, television has been a medium of the masses. We are most familiar with broadcast television because it has been with us for about thirty-seven years in a form similar to that exists today. During those years, it has been controlled, for the most part, by the broadcast networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, who have been the major providers of news, information, and entertainment. These giants of broadcasting have actually shaped not only television but our understanding of it as well. We have come to look upon the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this dynamic medium as the passive viewer. What seems to be the best title for the passage?
| A．A Powerful Tool of Entertainment. | B．The Means of Transmission of TV. |
| C．TV: Its Working Rules and Functions. | D．A Brief Introduction to the Development of TV. |
The rapid change and growth of TV is due to the contributions of ____ .
| A．computer technologies | B．a new means of transmission |
| C．a powerful vehicle of communication | D．TV giants like ABC, NBC and CBS |
The use of the second means of transmission is to meet the requirements of ____.
| A．the people especially interested in nonbroadcast program. |
| B．certain groups of people. |
| C．the people with a special interest in cable TV. |
| D．the people interested in controlled transmission techniques. |
The underlined “very simply put” in Paragraph 2 means ____.
| A．when it is simply put down | B．when it is put to simple tasks |
| C．if it is put to simple uses | D．if it is expressed in a simply way |
I might be letting my young son watch too much television. I am certainly watching too much many of his programs. They can really be puzzling as they force you to ponder the mysteries of life.
For example, when Franklin (the turtle) wanted a pet, his parents did not want it to be a frog. They felt that frogs belong in a pond. Isn’t that where turtles belong? And why is it that Little Bear’s animal friends can all talk and behave like people, but his friend Emily has a dog that can only bark and fetch? Tell me that isn’t a mystery!
Dog lovers can be reassured (less worried or frightened) by Kipper and his friends. These dogs are very human. However, the only time they wear clothes is when they put on bathing suits to go swimming. I am confused! Speaking of dogs, could Pluto ever be Goofy’s pet? I don’t get it! What did the great Mr. Disney have in mind?
And this is unfair! The other day we watched a very nice little pig setting up a picnic. One of the foods was a big ham. Could it have been a soybeam ham? Is there such a thing? I hope so! Another thing that really bothers me: what if Elmo(one of my son’s favorite cartoon stars) isn’t real? He can’t be a mere puppet(木偶)! He’s got a better attitude than most people. I just keep wondering.
I think we will turn off the TV and go out for a walk. Maybe we will run into that mouse who dresses well but certainly doesn’t speak as clearly as the average bear. The underline sentence “ponder the mysteries of life” in the first paragraph means ____.
| A．avoid the mysteries of living things. |
| B．remember the mysteries of all kinds of life style. |
| C．consider the mysteries of living things. |
| D．discover the mysteries of all kinds of life style. |
The author thinks it is “unfair” when ____.
| A．a pig has a picnic because pigs are dirty animals |
| B．a pig eats soy beans because soy beans give pigs gas |
| C．a pig eats ham because ham is too expensive for farmer animals |
| D．a pig eats ham because ham is made from pigs. |
The author probably ____.
| A．believes that Elmo is a real creature |
| B．wishes that Elmo were a real live creature |
| C．feels that Elmo is very annoying creature |
| D．won’t let is son watch Sesame Street |
The author is implying that ____.
| A．there is a TV mouse that should speak more clearly |
| B．TV mice should not wear good clothes |
| C．bears can really speak more clearly than mice |
| D．watching television isn’t better than playing outdoors |
Britain’s oldest man made his first visit to London yesterday at the age of 110. Mr. John Evans had never found the time or the money – to make the trip from his house near Swansea. But, when British Rail offered him an all-expenses-paid birthday trip to the capital, he just could not refuse.
Until yesterday he had never been far from home, except for one trip to Aberdeen. Mr. Evans, who spent 60 years working as a miner in South Wales, almost made the journey to London once before, at the turn of the century. “There was a trip to the White City but it was ten shillings (1 shilling ="1/20" pound) return from Swansea – too much I thought. All my money went to the family then, “he said.
During the next two days Mr. Evans will be taken on a whistle–stop tour of London to see the sights. Top of his list is a visit to the Houses of Parliament (国会).
The only arrangement he does not care for is the wheelchair provided to move him about if he gets tired. “I don’t like the chair business – people will so think I am getting old,” he said.
His secret for a long and healthy life has been well publicized–no alcohol, no cigarette and no angry. Before setting off from Swansea with his 76-year-old son, Amwel, he quipped, “I’m glad to see they’ve given me a return ticket. ”It’s reported that Mr. Evans’s healthy long life was to a certain extent due to his _____.
| A．wine drinking | B．proper smoking |
| C．mild temper | D．sense of humor |
Which of the following statements is true?
| A．A single trip from Mr. Evans’s house to the White City used to be ten shillings. |
| B．The first place for Mr. Evans to visit is the Houses of Parliament. |
| C．He appreciated people’s arrangement of a wheelchair during his visit |
| D．Mr. Evans once made the journey to London at the end of the century. |
The word “quip” in the last sentence most probably means _____.
| A．to make a witty remark | B．to express a happy message |
| C．to make a wish | D．to tell a joke |
What might be the best title for this passage?
| A．110-year-old Tourist | B．Secret for Long and Healthy Life |
| C．Free Return Ticket | D．Sightseeing in London |
Martha had been working for Miller Laboratories for two years, but she was not happy there. Nothing significant had happened in the way of promotions or salary increases. Martha felt that her supervisor, a younger and less experienced person than she, did not like her. In fact, the supervisor often said unpleasant things to her.
One day, while talking with her friend Maria, she mentioned how discouraged she was. Maria gave her the name of a cousin of hers who was director of Human Resources Department for a large chemical company. Martha called him the next day and set up an interview on her lunch hour.
During the interview, Mr. Petri said, “You’re just the kind of person we need here. You’re being wasted in your other job. Give me a call in a day or two. I’m sure we can find a place for you in our organization.” Martha was so happy she almost danced out of the building.
That afternoon, Ruth Kenny, her supervisor, saw that Martha had come in ten minutes late from her lunch hour and she said, “Oh, so you finally decided to come back to work today?”
This was the last straw. She could not take another insult. Besides, Mr. Petri was right: she was being wasted in this job.
“Look,” she said angrily, “if you don’t like the way I work, I don’t need to stay here. I’ll go where I’m appreciated! Good-bye!” She took up her things and stormed out of the office.
That night she called Maria and told her what had happened and then asked Maria, “What do you think?”
“Well,” said Maria carefully, “are you sure about the other job?”
“Well, not exactly, but…”
Maria continued, “Will you be able to get a recommendation from Mrs. Kenny if you need one?”
“A recommendation?…from Mrs. Kenny?” hesitated Martha, in a worried tone.
“Martha, I hope you didn’t burn your bridges.” Maria said. “I think I would have handled it differently.”Martha is unhappy in her job because _____.
| A．she has not advanced |
| B．the work is not significant |
| C．her supervisor is younger than she |
| D．there is too much work with little payment |
Which of the following statement is NOT true?
| A．At her supervisor’s criticism, Martha lost her temper. |
| B．Mr. Petri felt Martha was not valued in her present job. |
| C．Martha’s interview with the director was on her lunch hour. |
| D．Martha got the name of the director through her cousin. |
The phrase “the last straw” probably refers to _____.
| A．the last opportunity |
| B．the straw that saves Martha’s life |
| C．the last reminder |
| D．the final unpleasant thing |
What does Maria think of Martha’s decision?
| A．Martha has handled the matter properly. |
| B．Martha shouldn’t have set the bridge on fire. |
| C．Martha should have found a new job before leaving. |
| D．Martha shouldn’t have lost her temper with her supervisor |