BackpackinginAmericaHi.Myfrien-优题课

On March 5, 2009, Michael Jackson stood in front of crowds of fans. Before screaming fans, he pronounced with pumping arms: “This is it!”
A few months later, Jackson was dead. With the late pop star’s return to radio, television and the cultural events, Forbes judges that Jackson has made $90 million since his death June 25. This figure is based on his royalties（版税） from album sales, radio play, rights to his name and royalties from his stock in the Sony/ATV music catalog (编目权).
Jackson’s music was his most easily-seen source in the last months. “Nothing increases the value of an artist than death ... an untimely death,” says Barry Massarsky, a music industry economist.
The music’s immediate value was clear. Since June, Jackson has sold more than 5.9 million albums in the U.S. and another 4.5 million overseas. In the first weeks after his death, there were 5.6 million single downloads across North America, Europe and Australia. Jackson recently has three of the top 20 best-selling albums of the year in the US, according to Nielsen SoundScan. His 2003 hits album Number Ones is the best seller of the year, beating Taylor Swift’s Fearless.
More than 500,000 Jackson ringtones and 100,000 music videos were sold. In the week following his death, songs by The Jackson 5, The Jacksons and Michael were played over 100,000 times on the radio, according to Nielsen BDS.
Jackson’s estate（遗产）will likely see more money by the end of this year, as it has rights to some of the profits from This Is It as well as the two-disc album of the same name. The estate will share 90% of the film profits with AEG.
Ticket sales from an exhibit opening in London will also contribute a likely profit. Hundreds of Jackson’s personal belongings－his L.A. Rolls Royce etc－will remain on show for three months at the O2 for fans willing to shell out $25 for a view.
The pop singer bought ATV Publishing, for $47.5 million in 1985. Ten years later, he sold the catalog to Sony for $95 million and took a 50% stock in Sony/ATV, which is now worth about $1.7 to $2 billion. So he still owned half the Sony/ATV catalog at his death.
Jackson’s future earning potential is based on his stock in valuable music and as well as the value of his image（肖像）. As many musicians, actors and artists before him, Jackson’s fame could have a long tail on the market with allowable products, advertising and entertainment events.

What do Barry Massarsky’s words in Paragraph 3 imply?

A．Jackson died at the time as expected.

B．Only at death can an artist become famous.

C．Jackson became more famous at death than when he was alive.

D．Jackson’s unexpected death raised his value as an artist immediately.

All the following is true EXCEPT that _____.
A. “This is it” is the last concert that Jackson gave
B. Jackson has sold 10.4 million albums since June
C. Jackson’s L.A. Rolls Royce is now for show and will finally be sold
D. Jackson’s stock in music and his image will keep on earning money in the future
What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Jackson’s album Number Ones beat Taylor Swift’s Fearless in 2003.

B．Taylor Swift’s Fearless is the second best seller of music albums of 2009.

C．AEG takes in more film profits from “This is it” than Jackson’s estate.

D．More Jackson’s music videos were sold than his ringtones right after his death.

What can we know about the Sony/ATV catalog?

A．Jackson sold ATV catalog to Sony in 1985.

B．Jackson had half right of ATV Publishing at his death.

C．Jackson sold ATV catalog to Sony for $ 47.5 million in 1995.

D．Jackson’s stock in Sony/ATV now has a value of about $ 1.7 billion to 2 billion.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Why Michael Jackson’s music is so popular all over the world.

B．How Michael Jackson has earned $90 million in the months since his death.

C．What Michael Jackson’s future earning potential is based on.

D．How much Michael Jackson earned in the first few months after his death.

A robot is a computer-controlled machine that is programmed to move and handle objects. Robots are able to perform repetitive tasks more quickly, cheaply, and accurately (精确的) than humans. In 1995, about 700,000 robots were used－including over 500,000 in Japan, about 120,000 in Western Europe, and about 60,000 in the United States－all in the industrialized world. Many robots applications are designed for tasks that are either dangerous or unpleasant for human beings. Now, robotic technology can be used in more and more fields. Experts say in the future robots will be able to make new highways, constructsteel frameworks of buildings, clean sewage (污水系统), and such physical work. Besides, another possibility is the development of robotic technology in medical surgery operations.
Perhaps the greatest changes in future robots will improve from their increasing ability to reason. The field of artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from university labs to practical application in industry, and machines of a new kind of robots are being developed, which can perform something involved in the process of understanding and planning, such as the management of a battlefield. Even the control of a large factory will be performed by intelligent computers. And there might be a possibility that these computers can design and make robots of their own.
Is there anything dangerous involved in this artificial intelligence progress then? Robot technology has been making people nervous ever since it was invented. Is it unreasonable to worry that robots will someday become too clever? Is it impossible that these human-like robots will start to think and plan for themselves? Will robots take over the world and force humans to give them energy to survive?

In 1995, about 700,000 robots were working in _____________.

A．Japan

B．the United States

C．Western Europe

D．the industrialized world

Which of the following do experts say robots won’t be able to do in the future?

A．Take care of roads.	B．Be used as medicine.
C．Used as underground pipeline cleaner.	D．Take up jobs of building construction.

What does the underlined word “which” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Greatest changes in future robots.	B．The field of artificial intelligence.
C．Machines of a new kind of robots.	D．Practical application in industry.

What can we know from the 2nd paragraph？

A．It is possible that robots will be able to think like human beings.

B．It is sure that robots might be able to manage battlefields.

C．There is no doubt that computers can design and make robots of their own.

D．It is proved that computers can’t reason like human beings.

Which of the following makes people worried most?

A．Future robotic technology might cause dangers.

B．Future robotic technology might make people too clever.

C．Future robotic technology might help to do all dangerous jobs.

D．Future robotic technology might not survive because of its shortage of energy.

Many people influenced various aspects of my life, based on their personal characteristics, accomplishments (才艺）, and values. I have been fortunate to have had numerous teachers and professors who I respect for their patienceand intelligence. There are artists that have inspired me by their natural talents and original creativity. I value many political leaders, who have inspired me by their contributions to society, and their ability to change our future. But of all the people I have known in my life, the person I admire most is my father.
As the youngest girl in my family, I always considered myself to be “Daddy’s little girl.” While growing up, it always made me sad to see so many of my friends and neighbours without a father or father-like figure around. This helped me appreciate how my father always takes an interest in his children’s lives. In my early life my father continuously pushes me to excel, so I could accomplish my work outstandingly among my people. Whenever I feel like giving up, or having a question or a concern, I know I can always call on him for advice. From him I have also learned that sometimes you have to put others’ needs ahead of your own, but not to the point they will begin to take advantage of you. His strength seems to be unbreakable during hard times, and he is extremely determined to accomplish anything he sets his mind on, no matter how tiny it is. I highly respect him for how he stands up for what he believes in, and will never back down. I have always admired his open mind, enthusiasm for work and people around, and sense of understanding. He is a very reserved man, but to everybody’s surprise, he has a great sense of humor, and always knows how to put a smile on the faces of his wife, his children and his friends.
Living in his affection and instruction, I am very proud of my father. He also professes how proud he is of his children, and is still there to support us in whatever we are involved in.
What is the best title for the passage?

A．How my father loved me as “Daddy’s little girl”.

B．My father – the person I admire most.

C．I am the apple on my father’s palm.

D．My father – the person who loved me most.

Which of the following could NOT be used to describe the writer’s father?

A．Considerate and humourous.	B．Affectionate and open-minded.
C．Energetic and helpful.	D．Knowledgeable and sociable.

Which of the following can best explain the underlined word “excel” in Paragraph 2?

A．Be more powerful than others.	B．Be richer than others.
C．Do better than others.	D．Be more charming than others.

By saying “you have to put others’ needs ahead of your own, but not to the point they will begin to take advantage of you” in Paragraph 2, the father was telling the writer to ______.

A．think for others and help them, but not to be made use of in negative ways

B．think for others and help them, so that you can make use of them to serve you

C．try to make use of those who want to do so to you

D．try to be good to those who are worth making friends with

What can we infer about the writer?

A．She appreciated her father because he solved all the problems for her.

B．She was outstanding in work because her father pushed her too hard.

C．She considered her father silly and often laughed at him.

D．She has a strong sense of sympathy towards other people.

B
Sydney is Australia's most exciting city.The history of Australia begin here.In 1788,Captain Arthur Philips arrived in Sydney with 11 ships and 1 024 passengers from Britain(including 770 prisoners).Today there are 2.5 million people in Sydney.It is the biggest city in Australia,and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
There are over 20 fine beaches close to Sydney.Its warm summer climate and cool winter have made it a favorite city for immigrants(移民)from overseas.There are three things that made Sydney famous－its beautiful harbor(港口),the Sydney Harbor Bridge,and the Sydney Opera House.
But there are many more interesting things in Sydney:beautiful shops and restaurants,for example,rows of interesting old houses built in the 19th century,and everywhere,the sea.Summer or winter,day or night,Sydney is an outdoor city.
Some Americans think it is very British.Some British visitors think it is like America.There is some truth in both these opinions,because Sydney takes from both the Old World—Europe,and the New World—America,and makes it into something that is neither British nor American but truly Australian.
6.What is Sydney?
A.The capital of Australia.
B.The biggest city in Australia.
C.The oldest city in the world.
D.The biggest harbor in the world.
7.In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillips arrived in Sydney_________.
A.with some ships and more than one thousand passengers from Britain
B.with eleven ships and seven hundred prisoners
C.with one thousand and twenty-four passengers besides seven hundred prisoners
D.with more than ten ships and some sailors
8.What made Sydney famous?
A.There are many immigrants from different countries,the beautiful beaches and interesting old houses.
B.There are beautiful shops,the beautiful harbor and large ships.
C.There are the Sydney Opera House,modern restaurants and many overseas.
D.The beautiful Harbor,the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
9.The climate in Sydney is_________.
A.warm in summer and cold in winter
B.warm all the year round
C.neither too hot nor too cold
D.cool all through the year
10.The writer thinks Sydney is_________.
A.mostly like America
B.is very British
C.is neither British nor American but truly Australia
D.taking from the Old World and New World

六、Reading comprehension(阅读理解)20分
A
For years,business people in Western Europe were worried.They knew they could not compete(竞争)against business from the U.S.The United States is much larger and had many more resources than any Western European country.
Some European people realized that the European nations need to join together to help each other.If they could forget their language differences and the differences in customs(风格),they might become strong competition against other countries.
In 1958,six of the European countries-Belgium;the Netherlands,Luxembourg,France,Germany and Italy got together and decided to cooperate(合作).They called their group the European Economic Community,or the Common Market.These countries agreed to join their resources together.Within a few years,the European Economic Community had worked so well that its members were more prosperous(繁荣)than many other European nations.
Soon,other nations began to realize the advantages(好处)of the Common Market.Today the Common Market includes most of the important countries in Western Europe.It is helping Western Europe to again take its place as a leader among the industrial nations of the world.
1.From the passage we know the U.S.is much richer than _________in resources.
A.any other Western Europe countries
B.any other country in Western Europe
C.any country in Western Europe
D.every country in Europe
2.The members of the European Economic Community have developed fast because they_________.
A.share their resources and produce more goods
B.can again take the place as a leader
C.forget the differences in their languages and customs
D.have become strong competition against the U.S.
3.Which statement is true?
A.The Common Market is only a political association(联盟).
B.The Common Market is an economic and political association.
C.The Common Market is only an economic association.
D.The Common Market is neither an economic association nor a political one.
4.In order to _________ the Western European countries decided to cooperate.
A.join together to found a united country
B.help each other to smooth away the differences in customs
C.work and act together for common purpose
D.fight against the U.S.
5.Today the Common Market has helped _________ again take the place as a leader among the industrial nations of the world.
A.Belgium,the Netherlands,Luxembourg,France,Germany and Italy
B.Belgium,the Netherlands,Luxembourg,France,Germany,Italy and other countries
C.Belgium,the Netherlands,Luxembourg,France,Germany,Italy and other European countries
D.Belgium,the Netherlands,Luxembourg,France,Germany,Italy and other Western European nations