If Confucius(孔子) were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He’d need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It’s nothing personal. Most Americans don’t even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn’t mean that Americans don’t care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually included Chinese art, history and philosophy(哲学). Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantages of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks of Westerners philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker’s ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is. The opening paragraph is mainly intended to ______.
A.provide some key facts about Confucius |
B.attract the readers’ interest in the subject |
C.show great respect for the ancient thinker |
D.prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations |
We can learn from Paragraph 4 that American students______.
A.have a great interest in studying Chinese |
B.take an active part in Chinese competitions |
C.try to get high scores in Chinese exams |
D.fight for a chance to learn Chinese |
What is the best title for the passage?
A.Forgotten Wisdom in America |
B.Huge Fans of the Chinese Language |
C.Chinese Culture for Westerners |
D.Old Thinker with a Big Future |
The passage is likely to appear in _______.
A.a biography |
B.a history paper |
C.a newspaper |
D.a philosophy textbook |
Bernice Gallego sat down one day this summer, as she does pretty much every day, and began listing items on eBay. She dug into a box and pulled out a baseball card. She stopped for a moment and admired the picture. “Red Stocking B. B. Club of cincinnati,” the card read, under the reddish brown color photo of 10 men with their socks pulled up to their knees.
As a collector and seller, it's her job to spot old items that might have value today.It's what Bernice, 72, and her husband, Al Gallego, 80, have been doing since 1974 at their California antique (古玩) store.
This card, she figured, was worth selling on eBay.She took a picture, wrote a description and put it up for auction (拍卖).She put a $10 price tag on it, deciding against $15 because it would have cost her an extra 20 cents.Later that night she got a few odd inquiries—someone wanting to know whether the card was real, someone wanting her to end the auction and sell him the card immediately.
The card is actually 139 years old.Sports card collectors call the find "extremely rare" and estimate the card could fetch five, or perhaps, six figures at auction.
Just like that, Bemice is the least likely character ever for a rare-baseball card story."I didn't even know baseball existed that far back," Gallego says, "I don't think that I've ever been to a baseball game." The theory is that the card came out of a storage space they bought a few years back.It is not uncommon in their line of work to buy the entire contents of storage units for around $200.
When she met with card trader Rick Mirigian, she found out what the card was—an 1869 advertisement with a picture of the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings.
"When I came to meet her and she took it out of a sandwich bag and she was smoking a cigarette, I almost fainted," Mirigian says."They've uncovered a piece of history that few people will ever be able to imagine.That card is history.It's like unearthing a Mona Lisa or a Picasso."
68.What can we conclude from Paragraph 3?
A.Bernice had to pay some fees for her card on eBay.
B.Bernice wanted to end the auction that night.
C.Bernice decided to sell the card for $15.
D.eBay charged her 20 cents for the card.
69.The underlined word "fetch" in Paragraph 4 most probably means "____".
A.go and bring B.add up to C.go down to D.be sold for
70.From the passage, we may learn that ____.
A.Bernice is a baseball fan
B.Bernice is the last person to purchase the rare-baseball card
C.Bernice unexpectedly became the owner of the rare-baseball card
D.Bernice didn't realize the value of the card until she put it up for auction
71.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.A Surprisingly Valuable Discovery B.Bemice Gallego—A Lucky Collector
C.Sports Card Collectors D.The History of the Baseball Card
The Andrew Romay Immigrant Support Program (ISP) at the International Center provides a welcoming place for immigrants where they can build the skills they need to fully participate in the professional and social life of their new country.
About the Program
The Andrew Romay Immigrant Support Program (ISP) at the International Center provides an integrated (综合的) set of educational, cultural, and professional activities at ICNY to help immigrants:
●improve their English
●develop the networks they need to achieve their goals and fully participate in American life
●find a welcoming "home away from home"
Participants have access to a wide-range of programming, including:
●more than 40 weekly classes in English language and American culture
●practical and career-skills workshops
●opportunities to explore New York City and the nearby area through trips and tours
ISP is particularly focused on helping newly arrived immigrants at a critical point in their lives.Recent arrivals in financial need receive one-year scholarships and low-cost meals.ISP is funded by Andrew Romay and a sum of money from the Open Society Institute.
If you are interested in applying for ISP, please fill out our online application or contact ISP Program Manager, Elaine Roberts at (212) 255-9555 or at eroberts@intlcenter.org.
Resources for Current ISP Members
RECOMMENDED CLASSES
●Intermediate level: Introduction to Writing & Interviewing Skills on Wednesday, from
11 am-l2:l0pm.
●High Intermediate/Advanced: Tips for Success at Work and Beyond on Tuesday, from 2-3:25pm.
●Advanced: Career Skills Workshop on Wednesday, from 6-8pm.Sign-up required.
●For all levels: Interviewing Skills Workshop on Saturday, from 11 am. - 2 pm. Sign-up required.
UPCOMING EVENTS
To see a list of upcoming events, visit our News & Events page.
OTHER RESOURCES
If you would like helpful resources on topics such as ESOL, healthcare, housing, or finding a job, please visit our Member Resources page.
65.The main purpose of ISP is to ____.
A.help new immigrants set up a home away from home
B.equip new immigrants with the skills needed
C.provide support for new immigrants in financial need
D.help old immigrants at a critical point
66.You can become a member of ISP by ____.
A.visiting News & Events page B.surfing Member Resources page
C.contacting Andrew D.contacting Elaine
67.Which class best suits Tracy, who hopes to improve her interviewing skills but is busy on weekdays?
A.Intermediate level. B.High Intermediate/Advanced.
C.Advanced. D.For all levels.
The Couch Surfing network is an online community stretching across the globe with over one and a half million members.The basic concept is to provide a platform for travelers to contact people who are willing to put them up free of charge.Travelers connect with potential hosts online and, if they like each other, exchange details to make further arrangements.
Basil is one traveler from Switzerland who is currently couch surfing with a Chinese host in Beijmg."I thought staying in hostel is nice but you mostly meet foreigners and speak English.If you use Couch Surfing you have chance to meet people living here and really get a chance to know the life of the place you visit." Basil was speaking during a regular meeting of the Beijing network of Couch Surfing with a membership of almost 2,000.
Although some people may have concerns about meeting complete strangers and giving them full access to your house, Beijing group member Fred Sharp from California says that the Couch Surfing community is one that generally attracts trustworthy people.
"I have never had a problem with guests.I'd say that this Couch Surfing community worldwide is a fairly trustworthy community Like I say, always be cautious, make sure that you read everyone's profile that you're considering hosting, and if it doesn't feel right just say 'no', it's ok."
Originally launched in the US as a non-profit organization in 2004, Couch Surfing is growing fast across the world.China is no exception with around 30,000 members and hundreds more signing up each week.One of them is Beijing resident Hai Yan who joined in November 2009.She says the first time she hosted a guest was a very positive experience."My first guest was from Italy He was very kind and helpful.He bought me a present from Italy, a handbag.It's a famous brand!"
As the organization grows from strength to strength, hotel owners across the world will be watching very closely and possibly thinking twice about raising their prices too high.
61.The Couch Surfing network is intended to ____.
A.give reliable information about hotels
B.provide people with a platform to contact each other
C.find potential hosts who want to supply travelers with couches
D.offer travelers convenience to find suitable hosts for free accommodations
62.According to Fred Sharp, ____.
A.couch surfers can fully rely on Couch Surfing community
B.Couch Surfing community enables you to meet different people
C.Couch Surfing community is trusted by all couch surfers
D.couch surfers may form a judgment on hosts and make a final decision
63.We can infer from the passage that ____.
A.Couch Surfing has a long history
B.Hai Yan is satisfied with her host
C.Couch Surfing is getting popular in China
D.Basil works at the Beijing Network
64.The last paragraph suggests that hotels will ____.
A.be replaced by the organization B.probably not charge too much
C.not consider raising their prices D.show no concern about the organization
第三部分阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
The old man walked slowly into the restaurant. With head tilted, and shoulders bent forward he leaned on his trusty stick with each unhurried step. His torn cloth jacket, patched trousers, worn out shoes, and warm personality made him stand out from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd. He stopped, turned with his whole body, and winked at a little girl seated by the door. She flashed a big smile right back at him.
A young waitress named Mary watched him walk toward a table by the window. She ran over to him, and said, "Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair." She pulled the chair away from the table. Steadying him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair, and get comfortably seated. Then she moved the table up close to him, and leaned his stick against the table where he could reach it.
In a soft, clear voice he said, "Thank you, Miss. And bless you for your kind gestures."
"You're welcome, Sir." She replied. "And my name is Mary. I'll be back in a moment, and if you need anything at all in the mean time, just wave at me!"
After he had finished a hearty meal, Mary brought him the change from his ticket. He left it on the table. She helped him and walked with him to the front door. Holding the door open for him, she said, "Come back and see us, Sir!" He turned and nodded a thank-you. "You are very kind." he said softly, smiling.
When Mary went to clean his table, she almost fainted. Under his plate she found a business card, and a note scribbled on a napkin. Under the napkin was a one-hundred-dollar bill.
The note on the napkin read, "Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself too. It shows by the way you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness. Your kind gestures will shine through those who meet you."
The man she had waited on was the owner of the restaurant where she worked. This was the first time that she, or any of his employees had ever seen him in person.
56.The old man left $ 100 under the napkin because he ____.
A.was grateful for Mary's kindness
B.wanted to encourage Mary to do more good deeds
C.appreciated Mary's kindness and work attitude
D.thought highly of the tasty meal in the restaurant
57.What do we know about Mary and the old man?
A.Mary knew who the old man was from the note.
B.Mary recognized the old man when she served him.
C.The old man intended to have Mary as his secretary.
D.It was the first time that Mary had seen her boss in the flesh.
58.It can be inferred that the old man went to the restaurant to ____.
A.have a good meal B.enjoy good service
C.have an on-site visit D.show his generosity
59.The passage is developed mainly by ____.
A.following the order of space B.following the order of events
C.making comparisons D.providing examples
60.The best title of the passage would be ____.
A.Employer and Employee B.The Secret of Happiness
C.A Gift from the Manager D.Good Service in the Restaurant
Mrs. Blake teaches English in a large school in the inner area of a big city on the west of coast. Even since she was a young girl, she has wanted to become a teacher. She has taught eight years now and hasn’t changed her mind.
After she graduated from high school, she went on to college. Four years later, she received her bachelor’s degree (B A) in English and her teaching certificate(证书). Then she went to teach in the secondary schools of her state. In the summers, Mrs. Blake takes more classes; she hopes to get a master’s degree (M A). With an MA, she will receive a higher salary and if possible, she hopes to get a doctor’s degree as well.
The school day at Mrs. Blake’s high school, like that in many high schools in the United States, is divided into one hour each. Mrs. Blake must teach five of these periods. During her free period, which for her is from 2 to 3 P.M. , Mrs. Blake must meet with parents, make out examinations, check assignments at all, Mrs. Blake works continuously from the time she arrives at school in the morning till the time she leaves for home late in the afternoon.
50. How long is it since Mrs. Blake graduated from middle school?
A. four years B. eight years C. twelve years d. twenty years
51. According to the article, which is the right order of the degrees a person can receive after going to university?
A. a doctor’s degree – a bachelor’s degree – a master’s degree
B. a bachelor’s degree – a master’s degree – a doctor’s degree
C. a master’s degree—a bachelor’s degree – a doctor’s degree
D. a bachelor’s degree – a doctor’s degree—a master’s degree
52. How many degrees has Mrs. Blake achieved so far?
A. one B. two C. three D. none
53. Which of the following sentences is not true?
A. Mrs. Blake teaches in the inner area of big city on the east of the United Sates
B. Mrs. Blake has turned her wish of becoming a teacher into reality.
C. Mrs. Blake is still studying in her holidays in order to get higher degrees.
D. The working hours in the school where Mrs. Blake works are similar to those of many other high schools in the states.
54. According to that third paragraph, Mrs. Blake is ______ during the school day.
A. lonely B. free C. funny D. busy