O。Henry wasa pen name used by an America writer of short stories.His real namewas WilliamSydney
People enjoyed reading O. Henry’s stories because
| A．they had surprise endings | B．they were easy to understand |
| C．they showed his love for the poor | D．they were about New York City |
O. Henry went to prison because .
| A．people thought he had stolen money from the newspaper |
| B．he broke the law by not using his own name |
C．he wanted to write stories about prisoners |
| D．people thought he had taken money that was not his |
What do we know about O. Henry before he began writing?
| A．He was well-educated. | B．He was not serious about his work. |
| C．He was devoted to the poor. | D．He was very good at learning. |
Where did O. Henry get most material for his short stories?
| A．His life inside the prison. | B．The newspaper articles he wrote. |
| C．The city and people of New York. | D．His exciting early life as a boy. |
Decisions, decisions! Our lives are full of them, from the small ones to the life-changing. The right to choose is central to everyone. Yet sometimes we make bad decisions that leave us unhappy or full of regret. Can science help?
Most of us know little about the mental processes that lie behind our decisions. Luckily, what psychologists（心理学家）are finding may help us all make better choices. Here are some of their amazing discoveries to help you make up your mind.
Consider your emotions. You might think that emotions are the enemy of decision making, but in fact they're a part of it. Whenever you make up your mind, your brain’s emotional center is active. University of Southern California scientist, Antonio Damasio, has studied people with damage to only the emotional parts of their brains, and found that they were unable to make basic choices about what to wear or eat. Damasio thinks this may be because our brains store emotional memories of past choices, which we use to help the present decision making.
However, making choices under the influence of an emotion can greatly affect the result. Take anger, for example. A study by Nitika Garg of the University of Mississippi and other scientists found the angry shoppers were more likely to choose the first thing they were offered rather than considering other choices. It seems anger can lead us to make quick decisions without much thinking.
All emotions affect our thinking and motivation（动机）, so it may be best to avoid making important decisions under their influence. Yet strangely there’s one emotion that seems to help us make good choices. The American researchers found that sad people took time to consider the various choices on offer, and ended up making the best choices. In fact many studies show that people who feel unhappy have the most reasonable view of the world.According to the text, what may help us make better decisions?
| A．To think about happy times. |
| B．To make many decisions at a time. |
| C．To stop feeling regretful about the past. |
| D．To learn about the process of decision-making. |
Damasio’s study suggests that _________.
| A．emotions are the enemy of decision making |
| B．our brain has nothing to do with decision making |
| C．people with physical damage find it hard to make up their minds |
| D．our emotional memories of past choices can affect present decisions |
Why are angry shoppers more likely to choose the first thing they are offered?
| A．They often forget their past choices. |
| B．They make decisions without much thinking. |
| C．They tend to save time when shopping. |
| D．They are too angry to bargain. |
What do we learn from the text?
| A．Emotions are a part of decision making. |
| B．Sad people always make worst choices. |
| C．No emotion seems to help us make good choices. |
| D．Only sad feelings affect our thinking and motivation. |
Last year, I took a sightseeing trip to Washington, DC. I heard a voice say, “Can you help me?”
When I turned around, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended. Immediately, I pulled out all of my change and placed it on her hand without even looking at her. But the blind woman smiled and said, “I don’t want your money. I just need help finding the post office.”
In an instant, I realized what I had done. I acted with prejudice—I judged another person simply for what I assumed she had to be. I hated what I saw in myself.
The thing I had forgotten about myself is that I am an immigrant. I left Honduras and arrived in the US at the age of 15. I started my new life with two suitcases, my brother and sister. Through the years, I have been a doorkeeper, cashier and pizza delivery driver among many other humble (卑微的) jobs, and eventually I became a network engineer.
In my own life, I have experienced prejudice. I remember a time—at the age of 17 —when I was a busboy, I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well in school, he would end up like me.
But now, living in my American middle—class lifestyle, it is too easy to forget my past, to forget who I am, where I have been, and to lose sight of where I want to be going. That blind woman on the streets cured me of my blindness. She reminded me of my belief in humility (谦虚). By the way, I helped that lady to the post office. I hope to thank her for the priceless lesson.How did the writer give the blind woman money?
| A．In a modest way. | B．In a polite way. | C．In an impatient way. | D．In a painful way. |
According to the text, the writer________.
A. still lives a poor life B. was busy with his work
C. was born in Honduras D. was a native of Washington D.C.According to the text, the author most probably agrees that one should_________.
| A．be nice to the elderly and the disabled | B．try to experience different kinds of cultures |
| C．treat others equally with love and respect | D．think about one’s past as often as possible |
What would be the best title of the text?
| A．A priceless lesson | B．An act of prejudice |
| C．A sightseeing trip | D．A humble moment |
Tales From Animal Hospital
David Grant
David Grant has become a familiar face to millions of fans of Animal Hospital. Here Dr Grant tells us the very best of his personal stories about the animals he has treated, including familiar patients such as the dogs Snowy and Duchess, the delightful cat Marigold Serendipity Diamond. He also takes the reader behind the scenes at Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital as he describes his day, from ordinary medical check-ups to surgery （外科手术）. Tales From Animal Hospital will delight all fans of the program and anyone who has a lively interest in their pet, whether it be cat, dog or snake I !
$ 14.99 Hardback 272 pp Simon Schuster
ISBN 0751304417
Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer
Michael White
From the author of Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science, comes this colorful description of the life of the world’s first modern scientist. Interesting yet based on fact, Michael White’s learned yet readable new book offers a true picture of Newton completely different from what people commonly know about him. Newton is shown as a gifted scientist with very human weaknesses who stood at the point in history where magic (魔术)ended and science began.
£8.99 Hardback 320 pp Fourth Estate
ISBN 1857024168
Fermat’s Last Theorem
Simon Singh
In 1963 a schoolboy called Andrew Wiles reading in his school library came across the world’s greatest mathematical problem: Fermat’s Last Theorem (定理). First put forward by the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in the seventeenth century, the theorem (法则)had baffled and beaten the finest mathematical minds, including a French woman scientist who made a major advance in working out the problem, and who had to dress like a man in order to be able to study at the Ecole
Polytechnique. Through unbelievable determination Andrew Wiles finally worked out the problem in 1995. An unusual story of human effort over three centuries, Fermat’s Last Theorem will delight specialists and general readers alike.
£12.99 Hardback 384 pp Fourth Estate
ISBN 1857025210In Michael White’s book, Newton is described as .
| A．a person who did not look the same as in many pictures |
| B．a person who lived a colorful and meaningful life |
| C．a great but not perfect man |
| D．an old-time magician |
Which of the following best explains the meaning of the word “baffle” as it is used in the text?
| A．To encourage people to raise questions. | B．To cause difficulty in understanding. |
| C．to provide a person with an explanation. | D．To limit people’s imagination. |
If a student wants to read a book about a famous scientist and he doesn’t want it too serious to read, which of the three books in the above is suitable?
| A．The first. | B．The second. |
| C．The third. | D．Both the first and the second. |
Next autumn, studying for a degree in Britain will become more expensive, and the results are already clear. This week, figures from UCAS(the Universities and College Admissions service)show a 15-percent downturn in applications(申请) from this time last year. With fees having reached ￡9,000 a year, some students are beginning to consider other ways of getting higher education—including distance learning, which allows them to get a degree while still living, and earning money, at home.
That is important, because fees are only part of the picture. The National Union of Students says that UK students pay an average of ￡4,900 a year for basics such as rent, food, books, equipment, field trips and the like. If those costs can be reduced, the burden of fees will be lessened. Therefore, many people are thinking not only about what and where to study, but how—that is, whether they have to be on campus to get a degree.
Distance learning is best suited to certain subjects and to ultra-motivated(极有主动性的)student, according to Carrie-Anne Rice of Resource Development International(RDI).“The advantage is that the fee system is more flexible(灵活的), and you can have full-time work while studying, Rice says.”“You graduate three years ahead of possible competitors(竞争对手)— with the same degree, but with three years of work experience and without the debt.”
“I left school and went straight into work. But at the age of 23, I changed career and soon realized I needed a degree to advance. Because of lack of money ad time, full-time university wasn’t a good choice, but I discovered that distance learning was financially flexible and enabled me to work and gain skills from my workplace without affecting the quality of my life,” Andy Cain, a distance learning student says.
Although distance learning has many advantages, a campus-based university experience remains the dream of most school-leavers. There is no question that “being there” is not only fun, but rich in shared experience, pooled knowledge, and—perhaps most importantly—friendships that will go on long after the degrees have been awarded.The number of students applying to universitiescompared to this time last year.
| A．has increased greatly | B．has decreased |
| C．hasn’t shown any change | D．has become zero |
Students who study on campus spendeach year, on average.
| A．￡9,000 | B．￡4,900 | C．￡13,900 | D．￡4,100 |
Which of the following is NOT the benefit of distance learning?
| A．Lower debt levels | B．A head start on the job market. |
| C．Valuable friendships | D．A flexible fee system. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．The change in fees has had no effect on school-leavers. |
| B．Distance learning has the same advantages as campus-based learning. |
| C．Distance learning is so attractive that nobody wants to go to university any more. |
| D．Distance learning doesn’t suit all subjects or all students. |
The title of next James bond film is Skyfall, which has already started filming. The film will be on in the UK on 26 October 2012 and in the United States on 9 November 2012. It has been 50 years since Sean Connery was announced as the first man to play Bond in the film named Dr No. Do you expect Skyfall which is the 23rd film in the 007 series?
At London’s Corinthi a Hotel, the official gave a little information about the storyline: Bond’s loyal attitude toward his boss Miss M will be tested when one of her past staff comes back to hurt her. As MI6 (英国陆军情报六局) is in danger, 007 needs to solve problems and protect MI6 whatever it costs.
Mendes, who won a best director Oscar for 1999’s American Beauty, told fans that Skyfall would have all the features of a classic Bond movie, such as a lot of action. “Daniel Craig is back for a third time as 007 along with Dame Judi Dench as his boss Miss M.” said Mendes. Many famous actors and actresses who have Oscar wins and nominations (提名)are included, but the filmmakers remain keeping their roles in the film secret.
Producers are showing no signs of cutting off the cost of Skyfall. “It is at the same level as the 2008’s Quantum of Solace, which cost about $200m. The film will be made in the Whitehall, Scotland, China and Turkey, as well as Pinewood Studios.” Said a producer.
Why has 007 been popular for so long? Professor James Chapman of Leicester University, the author of the book A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, said, “They manage to let each new film meet the changes not just in society but in the popular taste of film culture. That lets each generation get their own Bond.”The first film of the 007 series is .
| A．American Beauty | B．Quantum of Solace |
| C．Dr No | D．Skyfall |
The task of James Bond in the new James Bond film is to .
| A．let MI6 be famous around the world | B．show off himself as a hero |
| C．protect MI6 when it’s in trouble | D．manage the cost of Skyfall |
Which is true about the actors and actresses in Skyfall?
| A．They are all new faces for audiences. |
| B．Many of them have achieved a lot in acting. |
| C．They have played in all the films of the 007 series. |
| D．They are fans of James Bond and Mendes. |
According to Professor James Chapman, what keeps the 007 films popular for so long?
| A．Handsome actors and beautiful actresses. | B．The great and exciting action scenes. |
| C．The interesting story and famous director. | D．Successful changes for each generation. |