BEIJING—Seven prestigious universities in China announced Sunday that they would begin using the same independent exam —besides the national one —to test students hoping to gain entrance to them in 2011.
The seven are Peking University, Beihang University, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Fudan University, Xiamen University and Hong Kong University.
Students who want to gain entrance to any of the seven universities will only have to sit one independent exam, according to the joint announcement.
“This will help lighten tile students’ load, otherwise they must take several exams for different universities,”said the announcement.
Passing the exam could result in more than one interview chance, giving the students more opportunities to choose their favorite universities.
China’ s college entrance exam system is undergoing reform as universities aim to select students based on independent criteria rather than just using the results of the national exam.
In 2003, Peking
University and another 21 universities were allowed to pilot (试用) the reform by using their own criteria to independently select five percent of their students.
Now nearly 80 universities across the country have the right to select talented students based on their own exams.
Education experts regard universities selecting students according to independent examinations as conducive (有助的) to better understanding where the students’ talents lie.
Although this may be the case, it has also created problems as students may sit many differen
t exams as they often apply for a number of universities.
To relieve students from such pressures, the national education outline (2010—2020) released in July this year encourages high-level universities to group together to use the same exams. If students want to be admitted to the seven prestigious universities, they can______.
| A．only pass the interview. |
| B．only take the national exam. |
| C．only take the independent exam. |
| D．either take the national exam or the take the independent exam. |
What’s the purpose of students sitting one independent exam to gain entrance to the seven universities?
| A．It can reduce students’load to take several exams. |
| B．The universities will have the same standard to test students. |
| C．There will be less trouble marking students’ test papers. |
| D．It can avoid fierce competition among these universities. |
If students pass the independent exam,they will ______.
| A．take the national exam. |
| B．have one or more interview chances. |
| C．be admitted to one of the universities. |
| D．he trained to be adapted to universities life and studies. |
What is the advantage of universities selecting students according to independent examinations?
| A．Students needn’t take the national exam. |
| B．Students’education cost can be lowered. |
C．Students abilities and talents can b e better found. |
| D．It can encourage middle schools to recommend more qualified students. |
Hans Christian Andersen was a poor boy who lived in Denmark. His father, a shoemaker, had died, and his mother had married again.
Andersen’s father liked to read better than to make shoes. In the evenings, he had read aloud from The Arabian Nights. His wife understood very little of the book, but the boy, pretending to sleep, understood every word.
By day Hans Christian Anderson went to a house where old women worked as weavers. There he listened to the tales that the women told. In those days, there were almost as many tales in Denmark as there were people to tell them.
Among the tales told in the town of Odense, where Andersen was born in 1805, was one about a fairy who brought death to those who danced with her. To this tale, Hans Christian later added a story from his own life.
Once, when his father was still alive, a young lady ordered a pair of red shoes. When she refused to pay for them, unhappiness filled the poor shoemaker’s house. From that small tragedy and the story of the dancing fairy, the shoemaker’s son years later wrote the story that millions of people now know as The Red Shoes.
As a little girl, Hans Christian’s mother was sent out on the streets to beg. She did not want to beg, so she hid under one of the city bridges. She warmed her cold feet in her hands, for she had no shoes. She was afraid to go home. Years later, her son, in his pity for her and his anger at the world, wrote the angry story She’s No Good and the famous tale The Little Match Girl.
Through his genius, he changed every early experience, even his father’s death, into a fairy tale. One cold day his father showed him a white, woman-like figure among the frost patterns. “That is the snow queen,” said the shoemaker. “Soon she will be coming for me.” A few months later he died. And years later, Andersen turned that sad experience into a fairy tale, The Snow Queen.
51. Which of the following is TRUE about Anderson when he was a boy?
A. His father had remarried before he died.
B. His mother was struck by The Arabian Night.
C. He enjoyed listening to stories very much.
D. He would help old weavers with their work.
52. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 imply?
A. Almost all tales from around the world once had their origin in Denmark.
B. The people in Denmark were very enthusiastic about telling tales.
C. The number of tales in Denmark was exactly equal to that of the people living there.
D. The people in Denmark loved doing nothing but tell stories to each other.
53. How many of Anderson’s fairy tales are mentioned in the passage?
A. 5. B. 6. C. 3. D. 4.
54. It can be inferred from the passage that ______.
A. The Red Shoes was based on a tragedy of Anderson’s family
B. Andersen’s genius as well as his early experience made him successful
C. Andersen was educated at home by his parents because of poverty
D. Anderson wrote The Snow Queen in memory of his parents
55. Which is the best title of the passage?
A. Hans Christian Andersen’s Own Fairy Tales.
B. Hans Christian Andersen’s Family.
C. Hans Christian Andersen’s Bitter Experiences.
D. Hans Christian Andersen’s Considerate Parents.
III 阅读（共两节，满分50分）
第一节阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文, 从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中, 选出最佳选项, 并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Our neighbour's son was getting married at an out-of-town church, and my husband and I were invited. We immediately rushed out to a store, and I bought a nice pink dress with a jacket. The dress was a little tight, but I had a month to go before the June 30 wedding and I would lose a few pounds.
June 29 came and, of course, I hadn't lost a single pound; in fact I had gained two. But I figured a nice new girdle (紧身内衣) would cure everything. So on our way out of the city we stopped once again at the store. I ran in and told the clerk I needed a large-size girdle. The shop assistant found the box with the described girdle marked "LG", and asked if I would like to try it on. “Oh, no, a large will fit just right. I needn't try it on.”
The next morning was rather hot, so I waited to get dressed until about 45 minutes before time to go. I opened the box only to find a new girdle in a small size. Since it was too late to find another one and the dress wouldn't fit right without a girdle, a fight broke out in the hotel room between me and the girdle. Have you ever tried to shake 20 pounds of potatoes into a five-pound bag? That's it. Finally my husband, laughing like crazy, got hold of each side and shook me down into it. At once I put on the pink dress, which didn't match my red face well, and was ready to go.
Finally we got to the church. I heard one of the people say that they were having a High Mass. I turned to my husband and asked, "What is a High Mass?" He shrugged his shoulders.
Unfortunately, I learned that this particular mass would last one hour, twenty-two minutes and eight and one half seconds—the priest (神父) was going to bless everything except my girdle.
46. The author most probably bought a nice pink dress with a jacket ______.
A. 4 weeks later B. 4 weeks ago C. a fortnight ago D. a fortnight later
47. What had the author wanted to do with the tight dress?
A. To make herself thinner. B. To buy a large-size girdle.
C. To put on some weight.D. To shake herself into it.
48. Which of the following statements about the author is TRUE according to the story?
A. She was very lucky to buy a girdle to go with her dress.
B. She had no choice but to put on the dress without a girdle.
C. She complained to the shop assistant about her carelessness.
D. She managed to put on the girdle with her husband’s help.
49. The purpose of this passage is ______.
A. to show a husband’s selfless love B. to share an interesting experience
C. to describe a changeable girdle D. to tell us how to keep calm in trouble
50. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. A Funny Wedding B. A Wise Decision C. A Tight Situation D. A Fierce Fight
Below is a discussion on a website.
| http: / /www. Talking Points. com/ |
|
| Stuck on a desert island? |
|
| Started on 23rd April by Steve Posts 1--7 of 42 |
|
| Post 1 Steve USA |
Hi, everyone. What would you miss most and least if you were stuck on a desert island? For me, it would be the changing seasons in New England. I guess this will sound stupid but I’d probably miss the rain, too. I wouldn’t miss getting up at six every day to go to work, though! What about you? |
| Post 2 Tomas Germany |
Good question, Steve. I think I’d miss different types of bread, and shopping at the supermarket. I’d miss the food most. What would I miss least? My mobile phone--I’d like to be completely quiet--at least for a little while. |
| Post 3 Paola Italy |
I would miss the company of people because I know I’d like to have someone to share experiences with. I’d go mad on my own. And I sure wouldn’t miss junk mail(垃圾邮件)--I hate coming home every evening and finding a pile of junk mail in my post box. |
| Post 4 Miko Japan |
Hi, I would miss Manga cartoon, the Internet and Japanese food, like sushi. I’d also miss TV shows and shopping for clothes…In fact, I’d miss everything. |
| Post 5 Roger UK |
I would miss my daily newspaper and listening to the news on TV and radio. I’d feel very cut off if I didn’t know what was happening in the world. What I’d miss least would be traffic jams in the city, particularly my journey to work. |
| Post 6 Jayne Canada |
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned their family? I’d be lost without my husband and two kids. They are the most important for me. And I can’t get started in the morning without a cup of black coffee. I wouldn’t miss doing the housework. |
| Post 7 Jaime Mexico |
It would have to be music．I couldn’t live without my music．I wouldn’t miss going to school at all or doing homework! |
68．Who would miss his or her family most?
A．Jaime B．Jayne C．Miko D．Paola
69．Which of the following people would feel most uncomfortable without the news media?
A．Steve B．Jaime C．Roger D．Tomas
70．How many of them mentioned that they would miss food or drink?
A．One B．Two C．Three D．Four
Why do people buy art? To answer this question, ask yourself what your reasons are for thinking of getting a piece of art. An artwork can cost a large amount of money, but if it meets your needs, it’ s worth every penny.
People buy art for many reasons. Many people buy an artwork simply because they like it, even if it is by an unknown artist. Art, as long as you enjoy it, is never a waste of money.
Art is for enjoyment. Art is meant to be shown. Don’t ever feel pressured into buying something you won’t enjoy looking at day after day, no matter what other people may say. Don’t buy something that doesn’t attract you just because it is trendy, or because the artist is famous, or because you have been advised that the artwork will make a good investment. If you don’t like the artwork at all, don’t buy it!
Art improves your environment. Have you ever noticed that all beautiful homes have art as an integral（必需的） part of the decoration? Art lends life and color to otherwise plain and ordinary walls. A well thought--out art collection will help create a unique atmosphere in your home and make it more attractive.
Art makes a statement. The kind of art you surround yourself with says much about your personality, tastes and values. Art truly is a mirror of the soul.
Art enriches your life. Love--even the love of a work of art--contributes to healthier living and a longer lifespan (寿命). Art should enrich your life. Otherwise, why do you spend precious time and resources on it?
Just remember to select something which will appeal to your tastes, and keep to a sensible budget. Good art needn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Happy art collecting!
64. What’s the purpose of the passage?
A. To advise us to buy an expensive artwork.
B. To remind us to be sensible when buying an artwork.
C. To teach us how to choose works of art.
D. To explain the benefit of art to people.
65. According to the author, what should you consider when buying a piece of art?
A. Whether it brings pleasure to you.
B. Whether it is fashionable at present.
C. Whether you can profit from it in the end.
D. Whether it is created by a famous artist.
66. Which of the following words best describes a work of art placed in a house?
A. Ordinary B. Attractive C. Necessary D. Unique
67. The underlined sentence in Paragraph 5 means that ____.
A. art can show what you look like
B. art is an expression of yourself
C. a mirror has a feature similar to art
D. a mirror can be a piece of true art
Young drivers are over-represented in alcohol--related driving accidents. In recent years, people aged 16 to 24 were involved in 28 percent of all alcohol--related driving accidents, although they make up only 14% of the U. S. population. Young people are also over--represented in drinking driver injuries and deaths. Even when their blood alcohol contents (BACs) are not high, young drinkers are involved in driving accidents at higher rates than older drivers with similar BACs.
Fortunately, driving accidents have been declining among young people, just as they have among the general population. And deaths associated with young drinking drivers (those 16 to 24 years of age) are down, having dropped 47% in a recent 15--year period.
In contrast to popular belief, drinking among young people is dropping and has been doing so for many years. For example, statistics demonstrate that within a period of about 20 years, the proportion of American high school seniors who have ever consumed alcohol is down 13%；the proportion of those who have consumed alcohol within the previous year is down 15%.
Exaggerating the degree of drinking problems of young people may create an unexpected problem. When young people go to college falsely believing that most others are drinking heavily, then they may try to follow suit. Thus, those who exaggerate the problem of alcohol abuse actually contribute to the problem and make it worse. However, when students find out that most others don’t drink as much as they incorrectly believed, they are very likely to drink less and even give up. So, honest accuracy rather than dishonest exaggeration is the most effective way to reduce alcohol abuse and the problems it causes.
60. We can learn from the first paragraph that ____.
A. in the U. S. people aged 16 to 24 caused half of the alcohol--related driving accidents
B. young drinkers are more likely to cause accidents than adult drinkers
C. young drinkers are able to keep calm when their BACs are not high
D. people aged 16 to 24 make up a quarter of the U. S. population
61. It can be inferred from Para. 3 that ____.
A. high school seniors turn to alcohol to get rid of their pressure
B. it’s a fact that young people are drinking more nowadays
C. the number of high school students in the U. S is dropping
D. most people believe more and more young people are becoming addicted to drinking
62. The underlined phrase “follow suit” in the last paragraph means ____.
A. stop drinking
B. wear the same suit as others do
C. start drinking
D. hate what others do
63. Which of the following statements does the author agree to?
A. Driving should be forbidden among people aged 16 to 24.
B. Many young people in the U. S. are acting totally irresponsibly.
C. The drinking problems of young people are turning for the better.
D. Students will stop drinking if they believe most others are drinking heavily.