The hit movie Notting Hill begins with a famous scene. Hugh Grant bumps (撞) into Julia Roberts and spills (洒) orange juice all over her. After the collision, Grant repeatedly says: “ I am so sorry. I am so sorry.”
His actions in this scene are very British. If Roberts’ character were from Britain then she would probably apologize repeatedly as well—even if the crash were not her fault. But this doesn’t happen in the film, as Roberts is from the US.
A report in The Telegraph last week said that three-quarters of British people apologize when they bump into someone in the street — regardless of whether they are responsible or not. In fact, we Britons use “sorry” in many situations. For example, if we mishear someone, we say “Sorry?” The person we are talking to will also apologize by replying: “No, I am sorry!” This can go on for up to five minutes as we compete over who is the most sorry.
Life is never as simple as “duibuqi” and “meiguanxi”.
How we use “sorry” has changed. Traditionally, “sorry” was used to express deep regret, but a survey in 2007 showed that we use it to mean anything from “what” to “whatever”.
Why are Britons so sorry? Mark Tyrell, a psychology writer in the UK, thinks about our apologetic tendencies are rooted in the British class system. We say sorry because historically the new middle classes in Britain had to apologize for not being working class, but also for not really being upper class. Another theory is that we apologize to avoid confrontation(冲突). For example, if you bump into someone they might get angry. To avoid this we instantly say “Sorry!”.
True manners are about being considerate and the modern day obsession with apologizing show that we are perhaps not as thoughtful as we once were. The word has lost some of its meaning. Do you see my point? Sorry, it might just be a British thing…What can we infer from paragraph 2?
| A．In fact Roberts are responsible for the collision. |
| B．People from the US say “sorry” more than British people. |
| C．There is no crash happening in the film. |
| D．British people say sorry even if it is not their fault. |
Which of the following might Mark Tyrell agree to?
| A．British people are sincere while saying sorry. |
| B．Now more British people say sorry because of the British class system. |
| C．British people say sorry to avoid quarrels. |
| D．British people apologize for not working hard. |
What does the author want to tell us with the passage?
| A．British people overuse “sorry” in daily life. |
| B．British people now say “sorry” in different situations. |
| C．Middle classes in British are to blame for not being working class. |
| D．Britons say “sorry” to avoid confrontation. |
What does the underlined word “collision” in the first paragraph mean?
| A．quarrel | B．disagreement | C．crash | D．fight |
A study published in September suggests there is a surprising way to get people to avoid unhealthy foods: change their memories. Scientist Elizabeth Loftus of the University of California at Irvine asked volunteers to answer some questions on their personalities and food experiences. “One week later,” Loftus says, “we told those people we'd fed their answers into our smart computer and it came up with an account of their early childhood experiences.” Some accounts included one key additional detail. “You got sick after eating strawberry ice-cream.” The researchers then changed this detail into a manufactured (人为促成的) memory through leading questions --- Who were you with? How did you feel? By the end of the study, up to 41% of those given a false memory believed strawberry ice-cream once made them sick, and many said they'd avoid eating it.
When Loftus published her findings, she started getting calls from people begging her to make them remember hating chocolate or French fries. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. False memories appear to work only for foods you don't eat on a regular basis. But most importantly, it is likely that false memories can be implanted (灌输) only in people who are unaware of the mental control. And lying to a patient is immoral(不道德的), even if a doctor believes it's for the patient's benefit.
Loftus says there's nothing to stop parents from trying it with their overweight children. “I say, wake up --- parents have been lying about Father Christmas for years, and nobody seems to mind. If they can prevent diseases caused by fatness and all the other problems that come with that, you might think that's more moral lie. Decide that for yourself.”Why did Loftus ask the volunteers to answer some questions?
| A．To improve her computer program. |
| B．To find out details she can make use of. |
| C．To find out their attitudes towards food. |
| D．To predict what food they'll like in the future. |
What did Loftus find out from her research?
| A．People believe what the computer tells them. |
| B．People tend to forget their childhood experiences. |
| C．People can be led to believe in something false. |
| D．People are not always aware of their personalities. |
According to the study, people may stop having a certain food if they _______.
| A．think they once had a bad experience of eating it |
| B．learn it is harmful for health |
| C．lie to themselves that they don't want it |
| D．are willing to let doctors control their minds |
What is the biggest concern with the method?
| A．Who it is best for | B．When it is effective. |
| C．How it should be used. | D．Whether it is moral. |
When a Swedish ship that sank in 1628 was recovered from the port of Stockholm, historians and scientists were overjoyed with the chance to examine the remains of the past. The ship construction showed how ships were built and operated during the seventeenth century. In this way, artifacts, objects made by human beings, provided a picture of daily life almost 400 years ago.
Underwater archaeology-----the study of ships, aircrafts(工艺品) and human settlements that have sunk under large bodies of water-----is really a product of the last 50 years. The rapid growth of this new area of study has occurred because of the invention of better diving equipment. Besides the Swedish ship wreck(残骸）,underwater archaeologists have made more exciting discoveries such as the 5000-year-old boats in the Mediterranean Sea.
Underwater archaeology can provide facts about the past. In ancient ports all over the world are ships sunken in the past 6,000 years. There are also sunken settlements in seas and lakes telling of people’s way of life and their systems of trade in ancient times.
Underwater archaeologists want to study these objects to add to the world's knowledge of history, but they have to fight two enemies. One enemy is treasure hunters who dive for ancient artifacts that they can sell to collectors. Once sold, these objects are lost to experts. The second enemy is dredging machines(挖掘机）often used to repair ports. These machines destroy wrecks and artifacts or bury them deeper under sand and mud. By teaching the public about the importance of underwater “museums” of the past, archaeologists are hoping to get support for laws to protect underwater treasures.What purpose does Paragraph 1 serve in the passage?
| A．To provide background information of the topic |
| B．To attract readers' attention to the topic |
| C．To use an example to support the topic |
| D．To offer basic knowledge of the topic |
The aim of underwater archaeology is to_________ .
| A．explore water bodies |
| B．search for underwater life |
| C．study underwater artifacts |
| D．examine underwater environment |
Underwater archaeologists are worried because_____.
| A．sea hunters have better diving equipment |
| B．their knowledge of world history is limited |
| C．dredging machines cause damage to the ports |
| D．sold artifacts can hardly be regained for research |
What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A．To introduce a young branch of learning. |
| B．To discuss the scientists' problems. |
| C．To explain people's way of life in the past. |
| D．To describe the sunken ships. |
Buster Brown was a thief and a good one too，he thought． He’d never been caught by the police because he never took chances．He was always prepared for any unforeseen event or emergency.
Confidently，he stood outside the house of his intended victim(受害者)and read the sign on the front gate of the house．“Don't worry about the dog—be aware of the owner!” it said．Buster smiled and found his way in．
The house looked quite normal outside，but inside it was very exotic with fascinating objects on display．As he began putting them into his bag，a dog came into the room．It stopped when it saw Buster，then wagged its tail madly and went over to him，licking his outstretched hand． "Good boy，” Buster whispered．“What a great guard dog you are—trying to lick me to death.” Satisfied he'd made friends with the dog，Bluster began to wander round the house，choosing items to put in his bag．His skilled eye picked out only the best antiques(古董)：a pair of silver candleholders，a silver tea-and-coffee service，etc．．His new friend，the dog，sat and watched，as if wondering what was happening．
“Well，boy，” Buster whispered，finally．“That might do．Any more and I won't be able to carry it!” He swung the heavy bag onto his shoulders, just as the lights came on, nearly blinding him. He shielded his eyes with his hand.
"You're a very silly person," the figure in the doorway said, his voice dry and dust. As the man came closer, Buster could see he was well dressed. His face seemed familiar, but Buster couldn't quite place where he had seen him before.
"You should have taken more notice of the sign outside," the man rasped. "I knew about this attempted robbery last week and I also know you will end up behind bars for 20 years. Fancy trying to rob the house of the world's greatest fortune-teller!"Why was Buster so confident?
| A．He was not afraid of dogs. |
| B．He knew the owner of the house lived alone. |
| C．The house had no security alarm. |
| D．He had never been caught by the police. |
Which of the definitions is closest in meaning to the word "exotic" in the third paragraph?
| A．Messy and untidy. | B．Rich and expensive. |
| C．Foreign and unusual. | D．Comfortable and calming. |
How did Buster decide which objects to take?
| A．He took those that were easy to carry in his bag. |
| B．He took only the best antiques. |
| C．He took those that he knew he could sell easily. |
| D．He looked for silver objects. |
What punishment waits for Buster Brown?
| A．A long prison sentence. |
| B．A prison sentence with hard labor. |
| C．A heavy fine. |
| D．Community service for 20 years. |
When I was in the third grade, I was picked to be the princess in the school play. For weeks my mother had helped me practice my lines. But once on stage, every word disappeared from my head. Then my teacher told me she had written a narrator's part for the play, and asked me to change roles. Though I didn't tell my mother what had happened that day, she sensed my unhappiness and asked if I wanted to take a walk in the yard. It was a lovely spring day. We could see dandelions(蒲公英）popping through the grass in bunches, as if a painter had touched our landscape with bits of gold. I watched my mother carelessly bend down by one of the bunches. "I think I am going to dig up all these weeds," she said. "From now on, we'll have only roses in this garden." "But I like dandelions," I protested. "All flowers are beautiful-even dandelions!" My mother looked at me seriously. "Yes, every flower gives pleasure in its own way, doesn't it?" she asked thoughtfully. I nodded. "And that is true of people, too," she added. When I realized that she had guessed my pain, I started to cry and told her the fact. “But you will be a beautiful narrator,” she said, reminding me of how much I loved to read stories aloud to her. Over the next few weeks, with her continuous encouragement, I learned to take pride in the role. The big day finally came. A few minutes before the play, my teacher came over to me. “Your mother asked me to give this to you,” she said, handing me a dandelion. After the play, I took home the flower, laughing that I was perhaps the only person who would keep such a weed.The girl did not play the role of the princess mainly because_____
| A．she felt nervous on the stage. |
| B．she lost her interest in that role. |
| C．she preferred the role of the narrator |
| D．she had difficulty memorizing her words |
Why did the mother suggest a walk in the garden?
| A．To remove the dandelions |
| B．To enjoy the garden scene |
| C．to help her daughter with the play. |
| D．to have a talk with her daughter. |
What is the main idea of the story?
| A．Everybody can find his or her own way to success. |
| B．Everybody should learn to play different roles |
| C．Everybody has his or her own value in the world. |
| D．Everybody has some unforgettable memory. |
请认真阅读下列短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。注意：每空格1个单词。
Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1995, widely known as the leading organization in the field of international volunteering, with more than 4,000 volunteers each year. CCS has a worldwide staff（员工、团队） of more than 300 people, and operates in 12 countries, with administrative（行政的） offices also located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It offers volunteer programmes in 12 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Cross-Cultural Solutions’ volunteer programmes in China are located in Xi’an, the crossroads of Western and Eastern China, and the starting point of the Silk Road. Culturally, Xi’an is a mixture of the ancient and modern worlds. Home to the famous terracotta army, Xi’an was once the imperial capital of China. The city’s ancient history is embodied by the huge stone walls that surround the city centre, originally intended to protect the city from invasion. In the modern world, Xi’an is the largest capital city in Central and Western China. Today, with a population of approximately eight million, this modern city still reflects its rich history and culture.
China’s diverse population is well represented in Xi’an’s Han and other minorities. Volunteering in Xi’an will provide you with opportunities to connect with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, exposing you to the wide scope of Chinese culture, one of the largest and most ancient cultures in the world.
Through our cultural and learning activities in China, you will see the work of local artists, visit the site of the famous ancient terracotta（兵马俑） army, participate in weekly Chinese classes, and engage in lively discussions on Chinese culture and society. Activities may also include cooking classes or visits from experts in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine and a local painter skilled in the unique arts of Chinese painting and calligraphy(书法). Guest speakers may also cover topics such as Chinese folklore（民间传说,民俗;民俗学）and traditional Chinese music. Many volunteers choose to participate in regular visits to local universities to meet with students interested in English conversation and cultural exchange.
CCS offers the following programmes in Xi’an, China:
t Volunteer Abroad---- two to twelve weeks
t Intern Abroad---- three to four weeks
t Insight Abroad---- one week
| About Cross-Cultural Solutions |
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| l Founded in 1995, it is a (1)_______ in the field of international volunteering. l It operates and offers volunteer programmes in 12 countries. |
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| About Cross-Cultural Solutions’ volunteer programmes in Xi’an, China |
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| (2)________ |
Xi’an |
Past |
It was where the Silk Road (3) _______. It used to be the imperial capital of China. |
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| Present |
It has a (4)________ of about eight million, including Han and other minorities. |
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| Conclusion |
It is a city (5)_______ in history and culture. |
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| (6) ________ |
Seeing local artists’ work Visiting the famous terracotta army Having Chinese classes (7) ________ a week Discussing Chinese culture and society Being visited by a local painter and experts in traditional Chinese medicine Listening to (8)________about Chinese folklore and traditional Chinese music Visiting local universities and meeting students who take interest in English conversation and cultural exchange |
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| Benefits |
Volunteers can connect with individuals from various (9)________ and understand many different aspects of Chinese culture. |
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| (10)________of programmes |
Volunteer Abroad, which lasts two to twelve weeks Intern Abroad, which lasts three to four weeks Insight Abroad, which lasts one week |
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