From the health point of view we are living in a marvelous age. We are immunized (免疫) from birth against many of the most dangerous diseases. A large number of once deadly illnesses can now be cured by modern drugs and medical treatment. It is almost certain that one day cures will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has increased enormously. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the unbelievable slaughter (屠杀) of men, women and children on the roads. Man vs the motor-car! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousands of people the world over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen.
It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel (方向盘), his car becomes the extension of his personality. There is no doubt that the motor-car often brings out a man’s very worst qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind a steering-wheel. They are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-year-olds and absolutely selfish. All their hidden disappointments and regrets seem to be brought by the act of driving.
The surprising thing is that society smiles so kindly on the motorist and seems to forgive his behavior. Everything is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost impossible to live in because of heavy tragic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is ruined by road networks; and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing more than a statistic, to be conveniently forgotten.
It is high time a world system of laws were created to reduce this senseless waste of human life. As for driving, the laws of some countries are not strict and even the strictest are not strict enough. Here are a few examples of some the things that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made far more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to take a test every three years or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through strict annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can affect a person’s driving ability. Present drinking and driving laws (where they exist) should be made much stricter. Maximum and minimum speed limits should be introduced on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications (规范) for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may sound inordinately severe. But surely nothing should be considered as too severe if it results in reducing the annual toll of human life. After all, the world is for human beings, not motor-cars.The main idea of this passage is _________.
A.Traffic accidents are mainly caused by motorists. |
B.Thousands of people the world over are killed each year. |
C.The laws of some countries about driving are not too strict. |
D.Only stricter traffic laws can prevent accidents. |
What does the author think of society toward motorists?
A.Society laughs at the motorists. |
B.Huge car parks are built in the cities and towns. |
C.Victims of accidents are nothing. |
D.Society forgives their rude driving. |
Why does the author say: “his car becomes the extension of his personality?”
A.Driving can show his real self. |
B.Driving can show the other part of his personality. |
C.Driving can bring out his character. |
D.His car can express his temper. |
Which of the followings is NOT mentioned as a way against traffic accidents?
A.Build more highways. | B.Make stricter driving tests |
C.Test drivers every three years. | D.Raise age limit and lay down safety specifications. |
The attitude of the author is _________.
A.ironical | B.critical | C.appealing | D.favorable |
Statistically, air travel is by far the safest way to travel, and you can make flying even safer, just by following these simple rules.As your chances of being involved in an air accident are practically nil(零), many of these tips concern what you should and shouldn’t do to make your journey safer when you are airborne(升空的).
Fly on non-stop routes
Most accidents occur during the takeoff, climb, descent and landing phases of a flight, so flying non-stop reduces your exposure to these complex procedures.
Choose larger aircraft.
Although small aircraft have very good safety records, those with more than 30 passenger seats are designed to comply(遵守)with much stricter regulations and are tested more regularly to make sure they still comply. Also, in the unlikely event of a serious accident, larger aircraft provide a better opportunity for passenger survival.
Pay attention to the pre-flight safety briefing
The information may seem repetitious(重复的), but it’s worth listening to the flight attendants.And even if you’ve flown before, it doesn’t mean you know everything about the aircraft you’re on, such as the location of the closest emergency exit.
Store things safely
Never put very heavy articles in the overhead storage bins. They may fall out when someone opens the bin and cause injury. Also, the bin may not be able to hold heavier objects during turbulence(气流).
Keep our seat belt fastened while you are seated
Cabin crew always tell you this, but it’s important. You would be seriously injured if the plane hits unexpected turbulence. Always fasten your seat belt if you are told to.The general rule of flying is this: If you are told to do something, do it first and ask questions later.
Let the flight attendant pour your hot drinks
Flight attendants are trained to handle hot drinks like coffee or tea in a crowded aisle on a moving aircraft, so allow them to pour the drink and hand it to you. Never ask to take a coffee pot from one of them.
66. What is the overall reason for these air safety tips?
A. What to do in the event of a crash. B. How to avoid turbulence.
C. How to improve safety while you are flying. D. How to avoid injury.
67. What is NOT the reason that you should choose larger aircrafts?
A. They are more comfortable. B. They have stricter regulations.
C. They are tested more often. D. There are more possibilities of surviving.
68. The underlined phrase “The general rule” in the fifth tip refers to ____.
A. anything the flight staff tell you to do B. general safety advice
C. walking around the plane D. pouring hot drinks
69. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. You are not supposed to ask for a coffee pot.
B. Take-offs is safer on non-stop flights than landings.
C. Every aircraft is different, so the safety procedures may be different.
D. Seat belts should be worn to protect against turbulence.
70. The best title of the passage should be____.
A. The Safest Way to Travel B. Air Safety Tips
C. Non-stop Routes D. How to Ply a Plane
Anthony Horowitz was miserable (痛苦的) as a child. He was, as he puts it, “not very bright” and couldn’t win the attention of his very wealthy parents, who preferred his “clever” older brother. At age 8, Horowitz was sent away to an abusive (虐待的) boarding school in his native England, even though he screamed and pleaded (恳求) with his parents year after year not to send him. “The thought was, ‘It’ll be good for him’,” Horowitz recalls (回忆).
It was not. Horowitz did badly in his studies, had few friends and was bullied (欺负) for five years. “My teachers couldn’t have had a lower opinion of me,” he said. “I wasn’t even smart enough to rebel (反抗). The one thing I remember from the very earliest age was this desire to write. When I was 10 years old, I remember asking my parents to get me a typewriter for my birthday because I wanted to be a writer.”
Now, at 55, Horowitz is one of the world’s most successful children’s book authors. His Alex Rider series has sold more than 5 million copies, and the eighth book featuring the young spy, Crocodile Tears, came out this month.
The Alex Rider books tell the adventures of 14-year-old Alex Rider, an agent for the British intelligence agency MI6.
Horowitz said he doesn’t try to write for kids; it just comes out that way. “I have a feeling it’s to do with purity and simplicity. I give as little information as is necessary to describe the room, the character in the room, and get on with the action,” he said.
That style has also made Horowitz a successful writer of television shows for adults in Britain because, he says, writing books for kids is a lot like writing television for grown-ups: In both cases, it’s all about entertaining people with a good story.
Now, Horowitz couldn’t be happier with his life. He sums up his success: “…you can be anything you want to be if you just believe in yourself. I do believe it completely.”
61. The text is mainly about _____.
A. Horowitz’s popular book – Alex Rider B. Horowitz’s miserable childhood
C. Horowitz, a successful children’s writer D. Horowitz’s special writing style
62 In his childhood, Anthony Horowitz _____.
A. was more intelligent than his brother
B. was paid more attention by his parents
C. couldn’t understand why he was sent to the boarding school
D. led a miserable life because of poverty
63.In the boarding school, Horowitz’s teachers ______.
A. showed great concern for him B. often abused and bullied him
C. taught him how to write stories D. thought little of his ability
64. Which of the following is true of Anthony Horowitz?
A. He was the beloved child of his family.
B. He benefited a lot from boarding school.
C. He emphasizes the plot rather than character in stories.
D. Although he is successful, he isn’t very happy.
65. What advice does Horowitz have for readers?
A. Confidence is the key to success. B. Hardship teaches valuable lessons.
C. Interest is the best teacher. D. Diligence is the parent of success.
PART THREE READING COMPREHENSIONDirections: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage.
However important we may regard school life to be, there is always the fact that children spend more time at home than in the classroom. Therefore, the teacher should realize that parents have a great influence on their children. Parents can become strong allies (助手) of the school or they can get in the way of the school education.
Experts have realized the need to keep parents informed of the newer methods used in schools. Many headmasters have conducted workshops explaining such matters as the reading readiness, program writing and mathematics to parents.
Moreover, the classroom teacher, with the permission of the supervisors(管理者), can also play an important part in giving more knowledge to reporting pupils progress, teachers can help parents a lot in educating their children and parents can give much help to teachers.
Suppose that a father has been drilling Junior arithmetic lessons night after night. In a friendly talk between the teacher and the father, the teacher can help the parent to make Junior interested in it. He might be persuaded to let Junior join in discussing the family budget, buying the food, using a ruler or measuring cup at home, setting the clock, calculating the distance of a trip and engaging in scores of other activities that have a mathematical basis.
If the father follows the advice, it is reasonable to say that he will soon realize that his son is making satisfactory progress in mathematics, and at the same time, enjoying the work.
Too often, however, teachers’ talks with parents are devoted to small accounts of children’s misdemeanors(不良行为). They talk about the laziness and poor work habits of the children.
What is needed is a more creative way in which the teacher, as an adviser, plants ideas in parents’ minds to make sure that the child spends the many hours out of the classroom learning something useful.
In this way the school and the home join forces in educating children.
56. The main idea of the passage is that ____.
A. home training is more important than school training
B. parents should help their children to do their homework
C. there’re many ways in which the mathematics program can be carried out at home
D. teachers can and should help parents to use better ways to teach their children
57. From this passage we can know that the writer ____.
A. is satisfied with the relationship between school and home
B. feels that parent-teacher talks can be made much more constructive
C. believes that schools can’t teach pupils well
D. calls on parents to teach their children mathematics at home
58. What way that the writer doesn’t talk about can improve the present situation?
A. Classes for parents. B. New type of report card.
C. Parent-teacher talk. D. Dinner or party.
59. The writer implies that ____.
A. interesting activities can improve one’s achievement
B. too many children are lazy and have poor work habits
C. teachers should often make home visits to parents
D. headmasters do more than teachers in this area
60. We can infer from the passage that the writer does not favor ____.
A. father’s helping his son with his study
B. written reports to the parents from the teachers
C. talking about children’s shortcomings
D. having the parents help their children with their lessons
Every evening, 15-year-old Rashida returns home from school, changes out of her uniform, and rushes to a neighboring farm to help her mother harvest vegetables. Her father is disabled, so the modest profit(收益) the two of them earn must cover food, clothing and other necessities for all seven children and their parents. Despite having precious little time to study, Rashida is one of the top students at her junior secondary school. But with so much responsibility on her small shoulders, she admits that it is sometimes hard for her to imagine a more promising future.
Last year, Rashida was invited to join 155 other girls at Camfed Ghana’s first Girls’ Career Camp, a program designed to inspire girls growing up in the country’s Northern Region to dream big, and to support them to pursue those dreams. “We organized this camp because we wanted to let girls know that even if they are struggling with poverty, their lives will not be defined by limitations,” says Dolores Dickson, Camfed Ghana’s Executive Director.
Over the course of five days, the camp led the junior and secondary school students through a range of experiences and career opportunities that were entirely new to them. Dr. Agnes Apusiga, a lecturer from the University of Development Studies, ran the workshop on goal-setting and career choices, describing the universities and training colleges in Ghana that could help them achieve their dreams. Participants then visited the University for Development Studies, where they toured the medical school and science labs. Another highlight was a workshop at the computer lab at Tamale Secondary School. Many of the girls had studied information technology from a book but had never before seen a computer.
“When the girls arrived at camp, they were not ambitious, because they didn’t have any idea what the world held for them,” says Eugenia Ayagiba, Project Officer with Camfed Ghana. “Many had scarcely traveled beyond their own villages.”
“I think the most important thing that happened at the camp is that we opened a window of hope for a group of girls coming from backgrounds of poverty,” says Eugenia. For Rashida, who has been laughed at in the past by her schoolmates because of her father’s disability, the experience was important. “She told one of the camp mentors(辅导员) that when she is at school, she often feels like a misfit, and she prefers to keep to herself,” says Eugenia. “But at the camp, it was different. She made friends with girls who have similar struggles. She took part in every single activity, every single game. On the last day, she said to her mentor, ‘The camp has challenged me to study hard. Now I see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.’
66. How many are there in Rashida’s family?
A. Seven B. Eight C. Nine D. Ten
67. According to the passage, Camfed Ghana’s first Girls’ Career Camp is .
A. A program to help poor girls to have ambition
B. A program to help poor girl students to get university education
C. A program to help poor girls to study hard
D. A program to help the poor families
68. Why did the camp lead the students to visit universities and training colleges?
A. To show they are better than their schools
B. To encourage them to get good education.
C. To show them what they are like
D. To get them to touch the advanced equipment there
69. What can we infer from the passage?
A. Rashida has become friends with her mentors
B. Rashida’s mentors has encouraged her a lot.
C. Rashida was sad because of her father’s disability.
D. Rashida has had her new dream since the camp
70. The best title of the passage is ___________.
A. Poor Girls in Ghana B. Girls’ Career Camp
C. Camfed GhanaD. Students in Ghana Dream Big
Brazil is a federation that consists of twenty-six states and one federal district. The biggest majority of Brazil’s population belongs to the Christian religion and almost all of them are Catholics. This is something Brazil inherited(继承) being Portugal’s colony(殖民地).
Historically, the country was a colony claimed by people from Portugal and this made Portuguese the official language. The Portuguese reached Brazil in 1500 and until that moment it was inhabited by semi-nomadic(半游牧的) people. The Portuguese changed Brazil into a country of slaves until 1800, when Maria I of Portugal came to live to Brazil. The Queen did not stay long in Brazil, but during the 20 years of royal presence a lot of changes occurred: commercial ports to United Kingdom were opened; Brazil stopped being isolated(孤立) from other countries. So at the moment of getting the independence on the 7th of September, 1822, Brazil already had the potential to develop. The Brazilian Empire, Pedro I, abolished slavery in 1888 in the face of Princess Isabel. A lot of European people started coming to Brazil and the industry of the country started working. In the 19th and the 20th century as it has been said above foreign people immigrated(移民) to Brazil and basically 5 million European and Japanese people became the residents of Brazil. The beginning of the 20th century was especially marked by the immigration of a lot of Asian people: Japanese, Korean and Chinese immigrants. As a matter of fact Japanese people do not immigrate a lot, and the fact that the Brazilian-Japanese people are the largest Japanese minority in the world does astonish greatly.
The majority of the cultural inherits of Brazil are actually Portuguese, due to the fact that Brazil was Portugal’s colony for a very long time. The southern states mainly consist of European population and the north and the northeast consist of a mixed population including Africans, Amerindians and Europeans. Most of this population is Roman Catholic. No other country in the world has the same amount of Catholics. The modern tendency of Brazil is the growing number of people calling themselves Protestants. Around 7.4% of the population don’t believe any god. Some Brazilians, especially in the northern states are mixed Africans who prefer following the traditional African religions. Only 1.8% of the population chose Buddhism, Islam or Judaism.
Though Brazil always tried to maintain democracy, it was failed several times by the dictatorship(独裁) of Getulo Vargas. This fact could not affect the political situation in the country.
61. Brazil was ruled by Portuguese about ______.
A. 22 years B. 300 yearsC. 322 years D. 328 years
62.Who might block the development of Brazil?
A. Maria I B. Pedro I C. immigrants D. Getulo Vargas
63. The writer mainly tells us the ______ of Brazil in the passage.
A. religion B. history C. cultureD. political situation
64.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Brazil was isolated from other countries when Maria I stayed there.
B. The industry of the country started working in 1888.
C. Brazil has the largest population of Catholics in the world.
D. Some people in Brazil don’t believe any god.
65. It can be inferred that Brazil is a country with ________.
A. western cultureB. modern culture C. traditional culture D. mixed culture