Uncertainty spreads through our lives so thoroughly that it dominates our language. Our everyday speech is made up in large part of words like probably, many, soon, great, little. What do these words mean?Such verbal expression is not necessarily to be criticized. Indeed, it has a value just because it allows us to express judgments when a precise quantitative statement is out of the question.
We have been trying to pin down by experiments what people mean by these expressions in specific contexts, and how the meanings change with age. For instance, a subject is told “There are many trees in the park” and is asked to say what number the word many mean to him. Or a child is invited to take “some” sweets from a bowl and we then count how many he has taken. We compare the number he takes when he is alone with the number when one or more other children are present and are to take some sweets after him, or with the number he takes when told to give “some” sweets to another child.
First, we find that the number depends, of course, on the items involved. To most people some friends means about five, while some trees means about twenty. However, unrelated areas sometimes show parallel values. For instance, the language of probability seems to mean about the same thing in predictions about the weather and about politics: the expression “is certain to” (rain, or be elected) signifies to the average person about a 70 percent chance; “is likely to”, about a 60 percent chance; “probably will” about 55 percent.
Secondly, the size of the population of items influences the value assigned to an expression. Thus, if we tell a subject to take “a few” or “ a lot of” glass balls from a box, he will take more if the box contains a large number of glass balls than if it has a small number. But not proportionately more: if we increase the number of glass balls eight times, the subject takes only half as large a percentage of the total.
Thirdly, there is a marked change with age. Among children between six and fourteen years old, the older the child, the fewer glass balls he will take. But the difference between a lot and a few widens with age. This age effect is so consistent that it might be used as a test of intelligence. What’s the right attitude towards the words like probably, many, soon?
| A．They are inaccurate and we should avoid them. |
| B．They are necessary since we cannot be always precise. |
| C．They should be criticized because there are too many of them. |
| D．Their value is not yet clear since we don’t know their meaning. |
Why do we do experiments with the words “many” and “some”?
| A．To prove people are insensitive to these words. |
| B．To prove the words dominate our everyday speech. |
| C．To find out how the meanings vary with age and contexts. |
| D．To find out whether the words can mean a precise quantity. |
Which of the expressions means a larger chance in weather broadcast?
| A．Possible | B．Probable | C．Be likely to | D．Be certain to |
Which of the following will least definitely influence the number of items a kid takes out of a box when he is invited to take “some”?
| A．Whether the quantity of items is large or small. |
| B．Whether the items are candies or toys. |
| C．Whether the kid is a toddler or a youngster. |
| D．Whether the kid is alone or accompanied by other children. |
What will tell us about the intelligence of a child?
| A．The consistency of picking up a certain glass ball. |
| B．How many glass balls he will take when he’s asked to. |
| C．The difference between a lot and a few when he takes glass balls. |
| D．Whether there are marked changes in his first pick and second one. |
Do you want to improve the way you study? Do you feel nervous before a test? Many students say that a lack of concentration (注意力) is their biggest problem. It seriously affects their ability to study, so do their test results.
If so, use these tips to help you.
Study Techniques
You should always study in the same place. You shouldn’t sit in a position that you use for
another purpose. For example, when you sit on a sofa to study, your brain will think it is time to relax. Don’t watch TV while you are studying. Experts warn that your concentration may be reduced by 50 percent if you attempt to study in this way. Always try to have a white wall in front of you, so there is nothing to distract (make less concentrated) you. Before sitting down to study, gather together all the equipment you need. Apart from your textbooks, pens, pencils and knives, make sure you have a dictionary. If your study desk or table is needed when you are not studying, store all your equipment in a box beside it .
Your eyes will become tired if you try to read a text which is on a flat surface. Position your
book at an angle of 30 degrees.
Be realistic and don’t try to complete too much in one study period. Finish one thing before
beginning another. If you need a break, get up and walk around for a few minutes, but try not to telephone a friend or have something to eat.
Test-taking Skills
All your hard work will be for nothing if you are too nervous to take your test. Getting plenty
of rest is very important. This means do not study all night before your test! It is a better idea to have a long-term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts for a few months.
Exercise is a great way to reduce pressure. Doing some form of exercise every day will also
improve your concentration. Eat healthy food too.
When you arrive in the examination room, find your seat and sit down. Breathe slowly and
deeply. Check the time on the clock during the test, but not too often. Above all, take no notice of everyone else and give the test paper your undivided attention.
54. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. You should study in a different place every day, so you don’t get bored.
B. Your concentration will improve if you study and watch TV at the same time.
C. Check the time during the exam at a certain time.
D. Staying up all night and studying is tiring, but you will learn a lot using this method.
55. What does the underlined word “it” refer to in the 3rd paragraph?
A. Your study desk or table. B. Your textbook.
C. Your dictionary. D. The equipment you need.
56. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. You shouldn’t look at everyone else during the test.
B. You will have enough energy to deal with your study and exams by eating healthy diet.
C. You’ll concentrate more if there is nothing to distract you.
D. If you feel tired during study, you can walk around for a few minutes.
There are many best –selling authors in Europe and one of them is a 15-year –old girl from Paris. She is Flavia Bujor. Flavia is selling more books than people three times her age.
She started writing her novel at the age of 12. At 14, she had her book published. Her best-seller is called The Prophecy of Stones (<<石头的预言>>). The Prophecy of Stones is a story about a girl in hospital. In the story, the girl imagine another world and in that world three heroines work together to save their land with magical stones. So far, the book has sold 20,000 copies in France and Italy and 30,000 in Germany! Flavia Bujor says that “writing is my passion(最爱)”, but she still enjoys being 15. She takes piano lessons and likes hanging out with friends. The French girl plans to spend her money on her college education,
50.The Prophecy of Stones tells about things happening in _______________.
A. our real world B. an imaginary world C. the outer space D. both A and B.
51.The underlined sentence in the last paragraph means ______________.
A. She likes to do things people of her age do
B. She feels happy to be a 15- year –old best –selling author.
C. She does not wish to grow up.
D. She thinks15 is the best age for her as an author
52.What may be the best title for the article?
A. The Prophecy of Stones attracts most attention.
B. A 15-year –old girl becomes best-selling author.
C. Good school girl and best – selling author
D. Young author has more readers.
53.This passage probably appears _____________.
A. in a story book B. in a textbook
C. in a newspaper D. in a fashion magazine
五．阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）
People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible(有责任感的) citizens. They give love and care. These two days make us think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother’s Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery(墓地). On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is “the thought that counts”. Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephone companies, and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays.
46. Which of the following is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?
A. Parents bring up children.
B. Parents give love and care to children.
C. Parents educate children to be good persons.
D. Parents pass away before children grow up.
47. What do you think “florists” do?
A. They sell flowers.
B. They make and sell bread.
C. They offer enough room for having family parties.
D. They sell special gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
48. What do you know from the passage?
A. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both in May.
B. Fewer women worked outside the home in the past.
C. Not all the children respect their parents.
D. Fathers are not as important as mothers at home.
49. On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, .
A. people usually have family parties B. everyone goes to visit the cemetery
C. children always go to parents’ home D. hand-made cards are the most valuable gifts
Street art can be found on buildings, sidewalks, street signs and even trash cans from Tokyo to Paris to New York City. This special kind of art can take the form of paintings, sculptures, cloth or even stickers (张贴物). Street art has become part of a global visual culture. Now, even art museums and galleries are collecting the works of street artists.
It is not easy to provide an exact history of the street art movement. This kind of art has developed in many kinds of ways in places all over the world. Also, because it is illegal to paint public and private property without permission, street artists usually work secretly. This secretive nature of street art and its countless forms make it hard to define exactly. And people have different opinions about the movement. Some think street art is a crime and destroys property. But others see this art as a rich form of non-traditional cultural expression.
Many experts say the movement began in New York City in the 1960s. Young adults would use paint in special cans to spray their “tag” on walls and train cars around the city. This tag was a name they created to identify themselves and their artwork. This colorful style of writing is also called graffiti (涂鸦). It is visually exciting and energetic. Some graffiti paintings were signs marking the territories of city gangs or illegal crime groups.
Graffiti also became a separate movement expressing the street culture of young people living in big cities. Graffiti art represented social and political rebellion (叛逆). This was art that rejected the accepted rules of culture and power. These artists could travel around areas of the city making creative paintings for everyone to see. Sometimes this street art created a conflict between artists and city officials. Graffiti artists created their images and city officials quickly painted over them.
During the 1980s, two New York painters — Keith Haring and Jean Michel began showing their work in art galleries and museums. This is when street art started to become part of the more general popular culture. What can we infer from the first paragraph?
| A．Street art has become popular and is accepted as a kind of culture. |
| B．Street art is very special compared with other forms of popular art. |
| C．Many people are beginning to learn street art. |
| D．Street art is better developed in big cities than in rural areas. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．“TAG” was a word created by people to distinguish street artists and the other artists. |
| B．There are three reasons explaining why it is hard to define the history of street art. |
| C．The movement of street art began in the 1980s in New York City. |
| D．All the people don’t think that the street art is a rich form of cultural expression. |
The city officials used to get rid of graffiti probably because _____________.
| A．they caused arguments between people | B．they were ugly in someone’s eyes |
| C．they were not painted under proper guidance | D．they didn’t express traditional culture |
Weather Report
(8:00 a.m. December 17—8:00 a.m. December 18)
Influenced by a cold front northern Xinjiang, the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the northern and eastern parts of Heilongjiang are expected to experience light snow today. Drizzle (小雨) is forecast for most areas of Sichuan and western coastal areas of South China. Northerly winds of force 4-6 are expected to affect western and southwestern Inner Mongolia, and most parts of Northeast China while northerly winds of force 5-7 will sweep across the Bohai Sea, the northern parts of the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, the Taiwan Straits, and the central and northern parts of the South China Sea.
Weather forecast for major Chinese cities
| City |
Max(℃)℃C) |
Min(℃) |
Weather |
| Beijing |
10 |
－2 |
clear |
| Changchun |
0 |
－6 |
clear |
| Changsha |
19 |
5 |
clear |
| Chengdu |
9 |
4 |
drizzle |
| Chongqing |
10 |
5 |
overcast |
| Dalian |
12 |
3 |
clear |
| Fuzhou |
18 |
－12 |
cloudy |
| Guangzhou |
23 |
15 |
cloudy |
| Guilin |
19 |
4 |
clear |
| Haikou |
19 |
14 |
overcast |
| Hangzhou |
18 |
5 |
clear |
| Harbin |
－3 |
－8 |
clear |
| Hong Kong |
21 |
16 |
cloudy |
| Jinan |
14 |
3 -„: ;;.;;:;,.:-,-,;., |
clear ^A-^ ^.-,.-.1 |
According to the weather report, we know it doesn’t rain in many areas except ______.
| A．Xinjiang | B．Qinghai-Tibet | C．Heilongjiang | D．Chengdu |
From December 17 to December 18, if you go to ______, you may be caught in the snow.
| A．Northern Xinjiang and Tibet | B．Sichuan and South China |
| C．Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang | D．Qinghai and Sichuan |
On December 17, the East China Sea will be swept by ______.
| A．a cold front | B．light snow |
| C．northerly winds of force 4-6 | D．northerly winds of force 5-7 |
The temperature in Harbin Min(℃) is ___ lower than that in Guangzhou Min(℃).
| A．23 | B．31 | C．26 | D．7 |