No one knows yet the accurate number of lives which have been lost in this terrible fire .But reports suggest that it is more than one hundred .
A wall of flames fifty feet high and at least one hundred and fifty miles wide is now racing towards the forests and rich farmlands of southern Victoria . Towns less than one hundred miles from Melbourne will be in danger unless the wind changes . People are rushing excitedly into the streets . The police have warned them not to see the fire but many people are doing so .
The cause of the fire is unknown . No rain has fallen in this part of Australia for three months , and the hot , north-west wind from the great central desert is blowing at more than thirty miles an hour .
The firefighters are travelling to the fire by road , rail and air . But it is not easy to get there . Flames and fallen trees have cut off or blocked roads and railway lines . The thick smoke often prevents them from finding the air strips (飞机跑道).
It is said that the fire has brought the greater danger to the country since the Second World War .By the time the article was written , the fire .
| A．had just broken out | B．had been put out |
| C．was spreading violently | D．was coming to an end |
The writer wrote this article mainly to tell people .
| A．the fire was terrible and dangerous |
| B．it was impossible to put out the fire |
| C．more than one hundred people died of the fire |
| D．to join in the fight against the fire |
In the 4th paragraph , the writer suggested that .
| A．the fire would soon be controlled by the firefighters |
| B．it would be very difficult to put out the fire |
| C．the government was paying great attention to the fire |
| D．the fire had caused great losses and the airport was in ganger |
The underlined word “ accurate” in the first sentence has the same meaning as .
| A．recent | B．whole | C．rough | D．exact |
John Steinbeck once said, “All American believe they are born fishermen. For a man to admit to a distaste in fishing would be like speaking publicly against mother-love or hating moonlight”.
I can’t say I’m the biggest John Steinbeck fan. Actually, the only thing I can ever remember read by him was “The Pearl” when I was in middle school, but I couldn’t agree more with the man when it comes to fishing. When I am on a boat in the middle of the lay Lake, fishing off the shores of the Florida Keys for tarpon or catching rainbow trout in the Shoshone River of Wyoming. Fishing is my life.
According to the American Sports Fishing Association, the fishing industry brings in more than $ 116 billion per year from fishermen across the country.
However, fishing is much more than that. Fishing is a way of life for many people and a way to escape everyday stress. Being a fisherman makes me a member of a wonderful group of people extending to all walks of life. Even President Bush can be found fishing on his farm in Texas with his good friend Roland Martin when the jobs gets too stressful.
I can remember fishing with my grandfather when I was 5 years old on his boat at Lake Michel. Although I didn’t understand what I was doing, I did know that my grandfather was happy and that made me happy. Since then I’ve spent the past 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama.
After days of practice, before and after work, I slowly developed an understanding of fishing. My boss, Ric Horst, took me back to the Shoshone, and I managed to bring in a 19-inch cutthroat trout. Fishing with Ric was a life-changing experience for me. He not only showed me how to fish correctly, but also told me how fishing could be a way to escape your problems.
Since then, prime-time season seems to take forever to arrive.
Now, with the ending of February and beginning of March in sight, the excitement of heading out to Lake Tus caloosa or Lake Lurleen before classes and catching something has finally returned.
9．What John Steinbeck said in the first paragraph implies that ______
A. American are believed to be the offspring of fishermen.
B. it is unthinkable for an American to admit his dislike of fishing.
C. all American are expert at fishing.
D. those who dislike fishing would not love their mother.
10．The writer came to understand the real meaning of fishing ______.
A. when he was reading “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck
B. when he went fishing with his grandfather at Lake Mitchell
C. after he had spent 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama
D. after he went fishing with his boss, Ric Horst on the Shoshone
11．According to the author, ______.
A. people can get to know VIPs when fishing
B. people can smooth away all the troubles by fishing
C. fishing is a way of communication
D. fishing is a way of life for most American people
12．What is the purpose of the writing?
A. To describe the writer’s experience and understanding of fishing.
B. To explain the reason why so many Americans like fishing.
C. To make others understand the industry of fishing.
D. To express his opinions about fishing in different time of the year.
Father Christmas is at risk of serious illness because of his bulging waistline and needs to cut down on the mince pies, doctors warned.
A survey of shopping centre Santas in Scotland revealed an average waist size of 47 inches - seven inches more than is considered safe.
Dr Miles Fisher, consultant physician at Glasgow Royal Infirmary said: "The image of Santa is of a round, jolly person but if you have obesity around your tummy, then it is very bad for you.
"Before, we thought it was just not good to be overweight but now we know that having fat around your middle is particularly bad.
"That fat produces hormones, which have been associated with heart disease and other conditions."
According to health guidelines, having a waist circumference of more than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women is a key indicator of abdominal obesity.
It is associated with a greater risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetes. And people who have rounder stomachs, known as "central obesity", are more at risk than people who are merely overweight.
Perhaps Santa should consider cutting back on the sherry as well.
1.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Doctors order Santa to go on a diet
B. Overweight Causes Many Diseases
C. A Survey on Father Christmas
D. Father Christmas should be Jolly
2.Generally speaking, if a man’s waist size is about _____ inches, he is likely to be healthy.
A. 54B.25 C. 47 D. 37
3. What does the underlined word probably mean in the first paragraph?
A. 强壮的 B. 鼓起的 C.扁细的 D. 修长的
4. According to the passage, Father Christmas should be _______.
A. funny and strong. B. amusing and a little fat
C. quick and handsome D. healthy and serious
Learning another language isn't easy, but most people can learn a second language well if they’re willing to put in the necessary time. Here are some practical suggestions for studying effectively, overcoming anxiety, and learning the grammar and skills necessary for success in foreign language classes.
Study every day
Language learning is cumulative: you cannot put it off until the weekend. Study one or two hours for every class hour if you want a good mark.
Distribute your study time in 15 to 30 minutes period throughout the day
Study a different task each time: vocabulary now, grammar next, etc. Get an overview during the first half hour: spend 10 minutes reviewing dialog, 10 minutes learning new vocabulary, 10 minutes learning new grammar... So you'll at least have looked at it all. About 80~of your study time should be spent on recitation or practice.
Attend and participate in every class—even if you aren't well prepared
Class time is your best opportunity to practice, learn the grammar and vocabulary outside of class in order to make full use of the class time. Spend a few minutes "warming up" before each class by speaking or reading the language.
Make yourself comfortable in the classroom
Get to know your classmates, so you'll feel you’re among friends. Visit your teacher during office hours to get aquainted(熟悉的)：explain your goals and fears about the course to your teacher.
Learn grammar if you don't already know it
Grammar is the skeleton(骨架) and the basic structure of a language, and you must learn it.
Practice for tests by doing what you'll have to do on the test
If the test will require you to write, then study by writing--including spelling and accents. If you're asked to listen, practice listening. Ask for practice questions and make up your own test questions. Try to invent changes on patterns and forms. Over learning is also required in tests preparation：study beyond the paints of recognition to mastery.
Develop a good attitude
Have a clear personal reason for taking the class. Set personal goals for what you want to learn. Leave perfectionism at the door; give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them.
16. What does the underlined word "cumulative" in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A. process of gaining knowledge or skill by doing and seeing things
B. having to do with comparison
C. having ability to do what is needed
D. increasing in amount by one addition after another
17. A good learner is one who ________ according to the passage.
A. never permits himself to make mistakes
B. can learn something from the mistakes he makes
C. follows the goals that other persons set for themselves
D. can get to know his classmates and doesn't take his teachers' advice
18. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Tips on studying a foreign language.
B. Advice on how to learn grammar.
C. Suggestions for studying vocabulary effectively.
D. How to make yourself comfortable in the classroom.
Our fly-away vacation have been created with American visitors in mind.
For one, we have made getting to Europe easy. Systemwide, we serve nine European cities. From New York, we fly nonstop to Paris, Frankfurt and Zurich, with continuing service to Geneva.
Second, we have designed these vacation package tours the way Americans like to travel. We have picked hotels that give you the flavor of Europe while providing real value for your money.
We Americans have always like making up our own minds. We have tours by escorted （护卫）motor coach or your own rental car. And land packages in Paris that start as low as $ 299—$1289.
Another advantage of our fly-away vacations is that they are at a set US price. You needn’t worry about the changes in European currency. Then there is our fly-away vacation warranty. It’s your assurance that Americans stand behind your fly-away vacations.
You will find all the details of our warranty and of our European fly-away vacations in two free color brochures. Just call your travel agent or America toll-free at (800) 433-7300 to get yours.
| * Restrictions：Price is valid through 10/31/88 and is per person based on double occupancy for 6 nights. Price is subject to change without notice and does not include air fare, taxes or surcharges. Hotel subject to availability on certain dates. Warranty details available upon request. |
11．In which section of the newspaper can you find this passage?
A. Entertainment. B. News. C. Advertisement. D. Sports.
12．Which is not the advantage according to the passage?
A. Make it easy to Europe. B. Easy to get travelling information.
C. No changeable US price. D. Different ways to tour.
13．What does the underlined word “warranty” in Paragraph five mean?
A. Introduction. B. Notice. C. Suggestion. D. Promise.
14．Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The price of the fly-away vacation is fixed.
B. Price is always valid, so you do not need to worry.
C. During the tour, there is no other type of tours.
D. There are only a few stops during the tour.
15．What is the best title of this passage?
A. Go shopping in Europe. B. The beautiful scenes of Europe.
C. How to take a plane. D. Travelling around Europe.
Transportation and communication networks bring people together. Yet sometimes people themselves create barriers(障碍) to transportation and communication. In some countries, laws stop people from moving freely from place to place. Over the centuries, many groups of people have been denied the freedom to travel because of their race, religion, or nationality. In the Middle Ages, for example, Jews were often forbidden to move about freely within certain cities. South Africa's government used to require black Africans to carry passes when they travel within the country. Some governments require all citizens to carry identification papers and to report to government officials whenever they move.
Countries set up customs posts at their borders. Foreign travellers must go through a customs inspection before they are allowed to travel in the country. Usually travellers have to carry special papers such as passports and visas(签证). Some countries even limit the number of visitors to their country each year. Others allow tourists to visit only certain areas of the country, or they may require that travellers be with an official guide at all times during their stay.
Many of those barriers to travel also act as barriers to communication.
When two governments disagree with each other on important matters, they usually do not want their citizens to exchange news or ideas freely. Countries often try to keep military or industrial information secret.
Today, people have the ability to travel, to communicate, and to transport goods more quickly and easily than ever before. Natural barriers that were difficult or dangerous to cross a hundred years ago can now be crossed easily. The barriers that people themselves make are not so easy to overcome. But in spite of all the different kinds of barriers, people continue to enjoy travel and the exchange of goods and ideas.
6. The examples in paragraph 2 are used to tell the readers that _______
A. people have been allowed to travel freely within the country
B. people have not been permitted to travel freely for various reasons
C. travellers have to carry special papers such as passports and visas
D. customs posts are necessary at the borders of the countries
7. Some governments limit the freedom of communication because___
A. they intend to keep their national secrets unknown to others
B. they think such freedom will lead to wars
C. they often disagree with each other on important matters
D. they want to show their authority over communication
8. We may learn from the passage that _______
A. people do not care about the removal of barriers between countries
B. people can not remove the obstacles made by themselves
C. man-made barriers are sometimes harder to overcome than natural ones
D. barriers should be taken for granted as they always exist
9. Which of the following can serve as the best title of the passage?
A. Barriers Made by People B. Functions of Communication
C. Restrictions on Transportation D. Progress of Human Society
10．Which is NOT mentioned as the possible limits some countries put on foreign visitors?
A. They have to get a visa before they enter the country.
B. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed to enter the country every year.
C. Not every part of the country is open to foreign tourists.
D. They have to report to government officials when they come to a new place.