I lost my sight when I was four years old by falling off a box car in a freight yard in Atlantic City and landing on my head. Now I am thirty two. I can slightly remember the brightness of sunshine and what color red is. It would be wonderful to see again, but a calamity(灾难) can do strange things to people. It occurred to me the other day that I might not have come to love life as I do if I hadn't been blind. I believe in life now. I am not so sure that I would have believed in it so deeply, otherwise. I don't mean that I would prefer to go without my eyes. I simply mean that the loss of them made me appreciate the more what I had left.
Life, I believe, asks a continuous series of adjustments to reality. The more readily a person is able to make these adjustments, the more meaningful his own private world becomes. The adjustment is never easy. I was totally confused and afraid. But I was lucky. My parents and my teachers saw something in me--a potential to live, you might call it--which I didn't see, and they made me want to fight it out with blindness.
The hardest lesson I had to learn was to believe in myself. That was basic. If I hadn't been able to do that, I would have collapsed (崩溃) and become a chair rocker on the front porch for the rest of my life. When I say belief in myself I am not talking about simply the kind of self confidence that helps me down an unfamiliar staircase alone. That is part of it. But I mean something bigger than that: an assurance（确信） that I am, despite imperfections, a real, positive person; that somewhere in the sweeping, intricate（错综复杂的） pattern of people there is a special place where I can make myself fit.
It took me years to discover and strengthen this assurance. It had to start with the simplest things. Once a man gave me an indoor baseball. I thought he was making fun of me and I was hurt. "I can't use this." I said. "Take it with you," he urged me, "and roll it around." The words stuck in my head. "Roll it around! "By rolling the ball I could hear where it went. This gave me an idea how to achieve a goal I had thought impossible: playing baseball. At Philadelphia's Overbrook School for the Blind I invented a successful variation of baseball. We called it ground ball.
All my life I have set ahead of me a series of goals and then tried to reach them, one at a time. I had to learn my limitations. It was no good to try for something I knew at the start was wildly out of reach because that only invited the bitterness of failure. I would fail sometimes anyway but on the average I made progress.We can learn from the beginning of the passage that _______
| A．the author lost his sight because of a car crash. |
| B．the author wouldn't love life if the disaster didn't happen. |
| C．the disaster made the author appreciate what he had. |
| D．the disaster strengthened the author's desire to see. |
What's the most difficult thing for the author?
| A．How to adjust himself to reality. |
| B．Building up assurance that he can find his place in life. |
| C．Learning to manage his life alone. |
| D．How to invent a successful variation of baseball. |
According to the context, "a chair rocker on the front porch" in paragraph 3 means that the author __________
| A．would sit in a rocking chair and enjoy his life. |
| B．would be unable to move and stay in a rocking chair. |
| C．would lose his will to struggle against difficulties. |
| D．would sit in a chair and stay at home. |
According to the passage, the baseball and encouragement offered by the man _____
| A．hurt the author's feeling. |
| B．gave the author a deep impression. |
| C．directly led to the invention of ground ball. |
| D．inspired the author. |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．A Miserable Life | B．Struggle Against Difficulties |
| C．A Disaster Makes a Strong Person | D．An Unforgetable Experience |
The Beatles were the most influential band in pop history. In their 8-year, 12-album history, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr altered popular culture dramatically. It wasn't just the suits and changing lengths of hair the four Liverpool boys wore that had such an impact, but what they seemed to stand for. The world saw them as the voice of a new generation, one with a very different attitude to life.
Their influence was at its height in the 1 960s．but their music continues to stir listeners today．However, up until recently one aspect of the Beatles was struck in Yesterday：The music had never been remastered (重新灌录)．But on September 9 that situation came to an end，with the release of the entire band’s music in a digital makeover．It is probably the biggest reissue(重新发行)in pop music history, said British newspaper the Financial Times．
The albums were to be remastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, the location where the band produced much of their work．The cover of their 1ast album，Abbey Road of 1969．featured the four young men striding(大步行走)across a zebra crossing on Abbey Road itself．It is one of the most famous Of a11 Beatles images．
Recently, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the album, hundreds of Beatles lovers gathered there to show their appreciation．
Pop groups come and go．The boy band pursued by screaming fans one year will be forgotten the next．But the Beatles are one Of the few groups whose music seems to have endured．Why? Paul McCartney’s biographer Barry Miles has an explanation：“They were the first rock band…and they just happened to be the best．They were the first band to play stadiums，to have their own products．They were ground—breaking in every way．”he says．Why did the Beatles change popular culture?
| A．Because of the suits of the four Liverpool boys． |
| B．Because of changing lengths of hair the four Liverpool boys wore． |
| C．Because of their different attitude to life． |
| D．Because of their albums． |
Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the second paragraph?
| A．The Beatles influenced people at its height in the 1 960s． |
| B．111eir music Yesterday had never been remastered． |
| C．The entire band’s music in a digital makeover will be remastered． |
| D．On September 9，their music came to an end． |
What is their last album?
| A．Yesterday． | B．Abbey Road of l969． | C．Come Together． | D．In My life． |
What is NOT the reason why their music can endure?
| A．They were the first rock band． |
| B．They were the best one． |
| C．They were the first band to have their own works． |
| D．They wore special suits． |
What does the author mean by“They were ground-breaking in every way．”
| A．They broke the ground to find away． |
| B．They broke the rules while driving on the way． |
| C．They did what other bands had never done before． |
| D．They play their hits at every concert． |
Beijing—（13, July） China sent up a new data relay satellite（数据中继卫星）, Tianlian I-02, on Monday at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in South-western Sichuan province．The new satellite will promote the country's satellite communication network for space docking（对接）．
The satellite was launched on a Long-March-3C carrier rocket at 11:41 p．m．, sources at the centre told Xinhua News Agency．The satellite separated from the rocket 26 minutes after its launch and was then successfully delivered into a geostationary transfer orbit （地球同步转移轨道）．
Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the satellite is the country's second data relay satellite．The first, Tianlian I-01, was launched on April 25．2008．
The two satellites will form a network to improve communications between China's spacecraft and bases on Earth, according to the centre．They will also be used to help the nation's first space docking, scheduled for the second half of this year．
As planned, China will launch space module Tiangong-I, which was designed as a platform that will dock with an unmanned spaceship, Shenzhou, for the county's first space-docking mission this year．
Two more Shenzhou spaceships will dock with Tiangong-I next year, and one will be manned by two or three astronauts, according to China Manned Space Engineering Office, which was the main user of the Tianlian I series data relay satellites．
“The new satellite can cover a greater area to track and command the country’s space vehicles in low-Earth orbits, such as manned spacecraft and remote sensing satellites, from a higher position in outer space．Only three satellites of this kind are needed to form a global communication network, and China has two now．” Pang Zhihao, a researcher and deputy editor-in-chief of Space International, said．
The satellite could also equip astronauts with real-time communications, which will benefit the country's future manned space flights, he said．What is the main purpose to send up Tianlian I-02 ?
| A．To test the function of a Long-March-SC carrier rocket． |
| B．To carry some astronauts into space to do some research． |
| C．To send more information and clearer pictures to mobile phones on the earth． |
| D．To promote the country's satellite communication network for space docking． |
From the passage we know．
| A．one more such satellite is needed to form a global communication network |
| B．the satellite was developed by China Manned Space Engineering Office |
| C．it was less than three years since China launched its first date relay satellite of this kind |
| D．the satellite could help track and command space vehicles in orbits because it's lower in position |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the news report?
| A．Shenzhou Ⅷ is a manned spaceship． |
| B．Tiangong-I will dock with three Shenzhou spaceships next year． |
| C．the satellite is of great importance to China's space exploration． |
| D．china’s first space docking will be done in the second half of next year． |
The best title of the passage could be___________．
| A．China Launched a New Space Shuttle |
| B．China's Plan for Space Exploration |
| C．China’s Progress in China's Space Exploration |
| D．New Satellite Helps China's Space Exploration |
October 15th is Global Handwashing Day．Activities are planned in more than twenty countries to get millions of people in the developing world to wash their hands with soap．
Experts say people around the world wash their hands but very few use soap at so-called critical moments．These include after using the toilet, after cleaning a baby and before touching food．
Global Handwashing Day is the idea of the Public-private Partnership for handwashing with soap．The goal, they say, is to create a culture of handwashing with soap．The organizers say all soaps are equally effective at removing disease-causing germs．They say the correct way to wash is to wet your hands with a small amount of water and cover them with soap．Rub it into all areas, including under the fingernails．Then, wash well under running water．Finally, dry your hands with a clean cloth．
The Partnership says soap is important because it increases the time that people spend washing．Soap also helps to break up the dirt that holds most of the germs．And it usually leaves a pleasant smell, which increases the chances that people will wash again．
It also says that washing hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet could save more lives than any medicine．It could help reduce cases of diarrhea, which is the second leading cause of child deaths, killing more than one and a half million children a year, by almost half．What does the author intend to tell us in the passage?
| A．To keep healthy by washing hands． | B．To wash hands with soap． |
| C．To take action to wash hands． | D．To wash hands often． |
Which of the following is the right way to wash hands?
a．Washing hands well． b．Covering hands with soap． c．Drying hands．
d．Rubbing hands with soap．e．Wetting hands．
| A．a--c--b--e--d | B．e--d--a--b—c |
| C．a--c--b--d--e | D．e--b--d--a--c |
Which fact can NOT explain why soap is important?
| A．It gives people a longer handwashing time． |
| B．It helps to remove a lot of germs from hands． |
| C．It attracts people to do more handwashing． |
| D．It gets all people into the habit of washing hands． |
According to the last paragraph, diarrhea is a disease that ________．
| A．kills half of the kids in the developing countries a year |
| B．causes the greatest number of child deaths |
| C．can be prevented to some degree by washing hands with soap |
| D．can’t be cured without washing hands |
The Huntington Library Hours
The Huntington is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas EVE, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Independence Day.
From November 1st to Labor day, The Huntington observes summer hours and is open from 10:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays. (After Labor Day, hours are 12 noon – 4:30 p.m. on Mon., Wed., Thurs. and Fri.; 10:30a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.; closed on Tues.)
Admission
Reservations are not necessary to visit The Huntington. Tickets may be purchased at the time of your visit.
| Weekdays |
Weekends |
|
| Adults |
$20 |
$23 |
| Seniors ( age 65+ ) |
$15 |
$18 |
| Students(age 12-18, or with full-time student I.D.) |
$12 |
$13 |
| Youth (age 5-11 ) |
$8 |
$8 |
| Children (under 5) |
free |
free |
| Groups ( 15 or more ) |
$11 ( per person ) |
$14 ( per person ) |
| Members |
free |
free |
Purchase Tickets as Gift
If given as a gift, tickets are available for purchase online or by phone (626-405-2100 x: 2373 ) and shipped for free.
Free Day
Admission to The Huntington is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of every month with advance tickets. Hours on Free Day are 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please notice that Free Day tickets are not available at The Huntington, and can only be reserved by phone on online. You may not purchase regular admission tickets on Free Day.
Parking
Parking is free at The Huntington. And no parking reservations are necessary unless you are a school or tour group arriving by bus.
Bus Reservations for Groups
Groups arriving by bus must make reservations in advance by calling 626-405-2240. Please notice that all buses and tricks must use a specified(规定的) route for entering The Huntington from the north.If next Saturday a 66-year-old man goes to the library with his three grandchildren, aged 4, 6, 14, how much should he pay?
| A．$40. | B．$39. | C．$35. | D．$44. |
To visit the library on free days, you_______.
| A．get free tickets on arriving at the library |
| B．must reserve a parking place |
| C．have to buy admission tickets |
| D．should reserve tickets in advance |
As for tour groups arriving at the library by bus, ________ .
| A．they have to pay for the parking space |
| B．they don’t need to make a reservation |
| C．they should call the library in advance |
| D．they have to park their bus outside |
Henry Edwards Huntington
Henry Edwards Huntington was born in 1850 in Oneonta，New York．In 1872 he went to work for his uncle，one of the owners of the Central Pacific Railroad．Twenty years later， Huntington moved to San Francisco at his uncle's request to share management of the Southern Pacific Railroad．On the way to San Francisco，he visited San Marino，and later bought it，which is home to his collections today．
In 1902，Huntington moved his business operations to Los Angeles，where he developed the street railway system that created the structure of the Los Angeles area．He greatly expanded the existing electric railway lines，creating an extensive inter-urban system providing the transportation necessary．Huntington’s business interests continued to grow particularly in the areas of water，power，and land development；at one time he served on as many as 60 corporate boards throughout the United States．
At the age of 60，he announced his decision to retire in order to devote time to his book and art collections and the landscaping of the 600一acre farm．In 1911 the large Beaux Arts building，in the charge of the architect Myron Hunt，was completed．
In 1913，Huntington married Arabella Duval Huntington．She shared his interests in collecting．As one of the most important art collectors of her generation，she was highly influential in the development of the art collection now shown in the former building．
In 1919，Henry and Arabella Huntington signed the agreement that conveyed their San Marino property and collections to a nonprofit educational trust，creating the Huntington，one of the world’s great cultural，research，and educational centers．
Henry E．Huntington died in 1927，leaving his great treasures the Huntington，including the world—famous H untington Library，Art Gallery，and Botanical Gardens in San Marino，California to the public，which hosts more than 500，000 visitors each year.What can you learn about Huntington from the first two paragraphs?
| A．He worked in many fields before he came to Los Angeles． |
| B．He built a house to store his art collection in San Marino． |
| C．H e did a lot to the USA railway development． |
| D．He founded the Central Pacific Railroad． |
What did Huntington do after his retirement?
| A．He devoted himself to his personal interests． |
| B．He worked part time for non—profit business． |
| C．H e was in charge of an educational center． |
| D．H e shared his wife’s interests with her． |
Which of the following can best describe Huntington?
| A．An excellent artist． | B．A talented architect． |
| C．An ambitious educator． | D．A successful businessman． |
This passage is most probably taken from
| A．a science fiction | B．a newspaper report |
| C．a novel | D．a biography |