Some years ago, writing in my diary used to be a usual activity. I would return from school and spend the expected half hour recording the day’s events, feelings, and impressions in my little blue diary. I did not really need to express my emotions by way of words, but I gained a certain satisfaction from seeing my experiences forever recorded on paper. After all, isn’t accumulating memories a way of preserving the past?
When I was thirteen years old, I went on a long journey on foot in a great valley, well-equipped with pens, a diary, and a camera. During the trip, I was busy recording every incident, name and place I came across. I felt proud to be spending my time productively, dutifully preserving for future generations a detailed description of my travels. On my last night there, I wandered out of my tent, diary in hand. The sky was clear and lit by the glare of the moon, and the walls of the valley looked threatening behind their screen of shadows. I automatically took out my pen…
At that point, I understood that nothing I wrote could ever match or replace the few seconds I allowed myself to experience the dramatic beauty of the valley. All I remembered of the previous few days were the dull characterizations I had set down in my diary.
Now, I only write in my diary when I need to write down a special thought or feeling. I still love to record ideas and quotations that strike me in books, or observations that are particularly meaningful. I take pictures, but not very often—only of objects I find really beautiful. I’m no longer blindly satisfied with having something to remember when I grow old. I realize that life will simply pass me by if I stay behind the camera, busy preserving the present so as to live it in the future.
I don’t want to wake up one day and have nothing but a pile of pictures and notes. Maybe I won’t have as many exact representations of people and places; maybe I’ll forget certain facts, but at least the experiences will always remain inside me. I don’t live to make memories—I just live, and the memories form themselves.Before the age of thirteen, the author regarded keeping a diary as a way of ______.
A.observing her school routine | B.expressing her satisfaction |
C.impressing her classmates | D.preserving her history |
What caused a change in the author’s understanding of keeping a diary?
A.A dull night on the journey. | B.The beauty of the great valley. |
C.A striking quotation from a book. | D.Her concerns for future generations. |
What does the author put in her diary now?
A.Notes and beautiful pictures. | B.Special thoughts and feelings. |
C.Detailed accounts of daily activities. | D.Descriptions of unforgettable events. |
The author comes to realize that to live a meaningful life is ______.
A.to experience it | B.to live the present in the future |
C.to make memories | D.to give accurate representations of it |
Beijing, January 25 ( Xinhuanet)—Air Canada announced that effective June 2, 2005 it will introduce non—stop service between Toronto and Beijing, further building its main Toronto hub with more non-stop flights to Asia and creating the first—ever direct link between eastern Canada and the Chinese mainland.
Air Canada will operate four non-stop flights per week from Toronto to the Chinese capital of Beijing, complementing its daily non-stop flights to Beijing and Shanghai from Vancouver, and twice daily Hong Kong flights including a new non—stop service from Toronto.
In addition, in response to increased demand on its Vancouver—Shanghai route, Air Canada will replace its 189-seat Boeing 767-300ER service with larger 282-seat A340-300 aircraft during the demand season beginning June 1,2005. With these new services, Air Canada is boosting seating capacity between Canada and China by 16 percent and providing freight forwarders with 45 percent more cargo tonnage( 货运 ) from one year ago.
“China is the fastest growing aviation(航空 )market in the world, and Air Canada’s global network is well positioned to meet the needs of international travelers and freight senders,” said Duncan Dee, senior vice president of Air Canada. “With the introduction of the first non-stop service to Beijing from our main Toronto hub, Air Canada is bringing the Americas that much closer to the Chinese mainland.” Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.There was no non-stop service between Canada and China mainland. |
B.People in our country can fly to Canada from Beijing directly now. |
C.More people will fly to Canada from China directly. |
D.Air Canada is increasing the capacity of goods transportation for the first time. |
We can fly to Canada directly from ____cities in our countries.
A.2 | B.3 | C.4 | D.5 |
According to this passage, Air Canada will take measures except that____.
A.it will introduce non-stop service between Toronto and Beijing. |
B.It will replace its 189—seat Boeing 767-300ER service with 282-seat A340-300 aircraft forever. |
C.It will increase the capacity of cargo tonnage. |
D.It will increase the number of flights. |
What’s the main idea of this passage?
A.Air Canada will open non-stop flight between China and Canada. |
B.Air Canada will open non-stop flight between Beijing and Toronto. |
C.China is becoming the largest aviation market in the world. |
D.The distance between Canada and China will become short. |
American schools do not have separate classes for boys and girls. If boys want to cook or to sew, they can learn these things in classes that are no longer just for girls. If girls want to repair cars, they can now learn this in school. Most students like to have boys and girls on the same baseball team.
Many boys and girls dress alike in school. They were blue jeans and sport shirts. Some have long hair and some have short hair. Sometimes a boy has longer hair than a girl.
Even the language is different. Students learn to say fire fighter instead of fireman, police officer instead of policeman, and letter carrier instead of mailman. A person does not need to be a man to fight a fire or to deliver the mail.
Most people think that these changes are good. They give all people an equal chance to be happy and to do what they want to do with their lives. Fathers like to tell their sons that they can grow up to be president. Today, mothers can tell the same things to there daughters.Students in American schools learn to say police officer instead of policeman because____.
A.boys don’t like to be a policeman |
B.girls don’t like to be a policeman |
C.police officer sounds better than policeman |
D.a police officer can be a policeman or policwoman |
We may infer from the text that in the past in American schools____.
A.there were many differences between boys and girls |
B.boys could do everything but girls couldn’t |
C.boys and girls were the same in everything |
D.girls only learned how to sew and cook |
The underlined word “ They” in the last paragraph refers to ____.
A.American schools | B.these changes | C.most people | D.American students |
What does “mailman” mean?
A.Milkman | B.Postman | C.Writer | D.Reporter |
What do most people think of the changes in American schools?
A.Surprising | B.Strange | C.Good | D.Bad |
Narcissus was a beautiful looking boy. He had long, flowing, blond hair, beautiful, bright, blue eyes and even, white teeth. Many young ladies fell in love with him including the nymph(女神): Echo.
Nymphs were lively spirits who lived near streams and lakes and protected trees in the forest. Echo had upset the Queen of the Gods; Hera. As a punishment Hera made Echo unable to speak except to repeat the last three words of the person she was talking to.
Poor Echo fell in love with Narcissus but could never tell him how she felt. Narcissus teased her and she ran away with tears pouring down her face. Aphrodite, the goddess of love saw what happened and decided to punish Narcissus. As he came to a pool of water Narcissus saw his reflection (影子)and fell in love with the vision he saw. It was of course his own reflection.
Poor Narcissus watched his own reflection, every time he tried to touch the face of the vision he loved it broke up on the shimmering surface of the water. Narcissus stopped eating, lost his beautiful looks and desired to get his love. In the end he anguished gradually and died.
Aphrodite took pity on him and made a flower grow in his place on the bank of the lake. Narcissus flowers (水仙花) can be found to this day growing wherever you can find water and trees. Echo fell in love with Narcissus because_________.
A.Narcissus was good-looking. |
B.Echo was a lively spirit |
C.Narcissus loved her, too. |
D.Echo took pity on Narcissus |
Why did Aphrodite, the goddess of love, punish Narcissus?
A.Aphrodite envied Echo because she loved Narcissus |
B.She thought Narcissus didn’t respect and made Echo sad. |
C.Narcissus fell in love with the vision, not Echo. |
D.Echo was trapped in love and didn’t protect trees in the forest any longer. |
What does the underlined word “anguished” in the fourth paragraph mean?
A.become increasingly thin and weak |
B.become very hungry |
C.become very fat |
D.become out of mind |
What is the main purpose of writing the passage?
A.To tell people a sad love story |
B.To tell people how Narcissus flowers came |
C.To tell the true meaning of beauty and ugliness |
D.To tell people not affect others’ love |
There was a huge battle between the warriors(武士)of Greece and the people of Troy. Prince Paris from Troy had stolen away the Greek queen; Helen. The Greek warriors set sail for Troy to fight for their queen.
The battle outside Troy lasted for ten years. The men were fed up and wanted to return to their homes. Athene, goddess of war gave Ulysses the idea for a plan to end the war. They built a big wooden horse which they put in the middle of their encampment(营地). Next they pretended to give up their camp. In reality many soldiers hid inside the wooden horse.
Once they thought the camp had been abandoned the Trojans went out to check. They needed to know if the war was really over. They walked through the abandoned encampment and eventually found the wooden horse. They could not decide what it was. Some wanted to take it into the city, others thought that it was a gift to Zeus and feared touching or moving it in case they upset Zeus.
Some Trojans decided to take it back into the city. They called a large group of troops, attached ropes and pulled it into the city.
A huge celebration started. The city was free from war for the first time in nine years. Everybody feasted, drank and danced until eventually the merriment(欢闹)was over and they all went to sleep.
This was the moment that the wooden horse opened a big flap(盖口)hidden underneath. Out crept Ulysses and all of his men. They killed the sleeping troops, rescued Queen Helen, met up with the rest of their army and set sail for home.
The story of the return journey is told in The Odyssey, a collection of poems piecing together the bits of the story from the many different places where the story took place. Greece and the people of Troy were at war because________________.
A.they have different views and beliefs |
B.Prince Paris from Troy wanted to control Greek |
C.they were war-like countries |
D.the Greek warriors fought against Troy for their queen stolen away |
What does the underlined phrase “(be)fed up” probably mean?
A.very bored | B.very happy | C.very sad | D.very interested |
Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?
A.The battle outside Troy lasted for ten years. |
B.It was Ulysses that thought up the idea for a plan to end the war |
C.The Trojans fell into a trap set by Ulysses and all of his men |
D.The Greek warriors saved Queen Helen and head home successfully |
What can we learn from the story?
A.Keep a clear brain or you’ll be cheated by something pretending |
B.Failure is a common thing in the war |
C.strategy(策略) is not an important factor in the war. |
D.Victory cannot be gained by cheat and pretence. |
Which of the followings can serve as the best title for the passage?
A.The Trojan Horse | B.A Smart Plan | C.The Trojan War | D.Rescuing Queen Helen |
European Work Experience Programme
European Work Experience Programme (E.W.E.P.) is an independent British organization which began in 1991 in the city of London. E.W.E.P. provides the opportunity for students from the 25 countries of the European Union and nationals(公民)from Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to live in England, to gain work experience, to practise their English and to get a better insight into the British social and cultural life.
To apply you must fulfil(符合)the following requirements:
Preferred age: 18 to 28 years’ old
Be able to work in the UK for a period of at least two months.
Must have a good knowledge of English.
Due to work permit restrictions(限制), European Work Experience Programme Ltd (E.W.E.P) will only select you if you are a European Union Member or national from Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
European Work Experience Programme Ltd will find you a suitable job and an accommodation. A representative of E.W.E.P. will be available during your stay to help you and you will get a 24 hours help line service during your stay. The TOTAL fee(费用)for our services is £ 264.63 (394.35 Euros).
Should you require any further information, please contact us:
European Work Experience Programme Ltd
Unit 1, Red Lion Court, Alexandra Road
Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 1JS
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 208 572 2993
Fax: 44 208 572 1114
E-mail: sales@ewep.comWhat’s the purpose of writing the text?
A.To introduce a new programme in England |
B.To attract more students to work in England |
C.To describe the working conditions in England |
D.To make clear the requirements for students working in England |
Which of the followings is not the purpose of the progamme?
A.to get a lot of work experience |
B.to improve their English rapidly |
C.to have better understanding of the British culture |
D.to make more money in Britain |
If you apply for the programme, you __________.
A.must be 18 to 26 years’ old |
B.be able to speak at least three languages |
C.must be nationals from the countries mentioned in the text |
D.should have some working experience in a foreign country |
You can get in touch with E. W. E. P. Ltd by the following ways EXCEPT by_____.
A.making a telephone call | B.sending the organization a fax |
C.writing an e-mail to the organization | D.going there in person by air |
Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the text?
A.European Work Experience Programme was set up about twenty years ago. |
B.You’ll work in the UK for at least two months if you attend the programme. |
C.You can get a 24 hours help from a representative during your stay. |
D.You don’t have to hand in 394.35 Euros after you have got a job in Britain. |