A photographer takes a picture of the Chinese bronze rat head and rabbit head sculptures display on the preview of the auction（拍卖） of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge’s art collection at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Feb, 21, 2009. Chinese lawyers have asked the French court to stop auction house Christie’s putting two bronze relics（文物）looted (掠夺)from China
under the hammer, lawyers said Friday.
A Paris court on Monday ruled against stopping the sale of two
looted Chinese bronze sculptures which come up for auction at
Christie’s on Wednesday. Under the ruling of the Tribunal de Grande
Instance in Paris, the plaintiff（起诉人）, the Association for the
Protection of Chinese Art in Europe（APCAE）,was ordered to
pay compensation（赔偿）to the defendant.
Ren Xiaohong, a lawyer for APCAE, told Xinhua that it was “of great significance” to file the lawsuit. “We hope to arouse public attention in Europe on the fate of numerous Chinese works stolen in the past, to help keep those relics well protected and collected,” Ren said.
The Qing Dynasty（1644—1911）relics, the heads of a bronze rabbit and a rat, were among an original set of 12 bronze animal heads that were once decorated at the imperial summer resort Yuanmingyuan. They were looted when the palace was burnt down by Anglo-French allied forces during the Second Opium War in 1860.
The pair became part of a collection of the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. They have been put up for auction by his partner, Pierre Berge. The two items are expected to fetch between 16 million and 20 million euros.
So far, five of the 12 bronze animal heads have been returned to China, while the whereabouts of five others are unknown.The two bronze animal heads were displayed at the Grand Palais in Paris so that .
| A．they could be collected and well preserved |
| B．the photographers could take pictures |
| C．the public could see them in advance |
| D．they couldn’t be sold at auction |
The significance to stop the sale of two bronze animal heads is to .
| A．fetch between 16 million and 20 million euros |
| B．draw public attention to the Chinese works stolen in the past |
| C．make the world know more about history of the Qing Dynasty |
| D．find the other five bronze animal heads and return them to China |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．The 12 bronze animal heads have been put up for auction. |
| B．The 2 bronze animal heads haven’t been returned to China. |
| C．The 12 bronze animal heads were used as imperial decoration. |
| D．Yuanmingyuan was once burnt down by Anglo-French allied forces. |
The passage is most probably taken from .
| A．a newspaper | B．an advertisement |
| C．a history textbook | D．an introduction of auction |
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Ariau Amazon Towers
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Prices: starting at $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one.
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Propeller Island
Propeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You’ll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes.
Prices:starting at just $91 a night,and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars.
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For information about other cool hotels in the world ,visit the website:http://www.bahamabeachclub.comWhat is special about the Ariau Amazon Towers hotel?
| A．You can sleep in the houses |
| B．You can choose any of the towers |
| C．It is designed for big families |
| D．Every room has a walkway |
For two persons spending a night in one of these hotels,they have to pay at least
| A．$111 |
| B．$182 |
| C．$600 |
| D．$636 |
Which website should you visit if you want to find out whether there exists a hotel the sea?
| A．http://www.icehotel.com |
| B．http://www.ariautowers.com |
| C．http://www .propeller-island.com |
| D．http://www.bahamabeachclub.com |
Which hotel would invite artists to come to work every year?
| A．Propeller Island City Lodge |
| B．Ariau Amazon Towers |
| C．The Ice Hotel |
| D．Bahama Beach Club |
It seems recently that more and more of my friends are facing some seemingly (似乎) unbeatable challenges in their lives. A few have lost their jobs and some have failed marriages. All too many have health problems.
I don't know if it is desperation (绝望) that causes them to turn to me for advice or whether they have come to value our friendship. But it is difficult to offer words of hope when all they feel is hopeless. They expect answers to get them back on their feet again.
I have often struggled with what to say, mostly because I have faced many of the same challenges in my own life. I remember how empty I felt after someone cheerfully offered words like "Things will get better!" "Hang in there!(坚持到底)" etc.
Now, being thought of as a source (源泉)of hope or a good example of what to do through printed words, I have even more people contacting me.
So what do I say? "Begin again."
It almost sounds too simple. But it is indeed the answer. All life challenges bring about an ending and the chance for beginning.
A job loss presents an opportunity to start over somewhere else and maybe even in another career.
A failed marriage doesn't mean you have no chance to love or to be loved. It means there are others just like you needing to be loved. Find them.
A life-threatening disease doesn't mean giving up. It means starting a new path to recovery and discovering within yourself the ability to fight back and win.
And if you are a person of faith, even death doesn't mean it's over. It means "to begin again".What did the author think of the advice offered when he was in trouble?
| A．Positive enough to encourage him to go on. |
| B．Some was effective but some was useless. |
| C．Not as effective as he had expected. |
| D．It was not worth listening to at all. |
Life challenges, in the opinion of the author, _______.
can beat a person's fighting spirits
B. can test how strong friendship is
C. can be avoided if people are careful enough.
D. mean the chance of a new beginning What does the author mean when he says "begin again"?
Stay positive no matter what difficulties you may face.
B. Turn to your friends for help when you are in trouble.
C. Success only comes after failure.
D. Only by trying many times can you find out your real strengths. What does the author probably do?
He is a famous actor.
B. He is an inspiration writer.
C. He is a physical expert.
D. He is a famous speaker.
At one time, people used to travel to foreign countries because they thought they would be different from home ----- the building, the food, and the national dress. Nowadays, however, one large city is very like another. They all have their Hilton or Sheraton Hotels which look like Hilton or Sheraton Hotels everywhere. They all have their McDonald’s, their KFCs, their Pizza Huts. Office buildings look the same everywhere, and most city centers are full of office buildings. And, of course, people are driving the same brands of Japanese or European cars, usually wearing the same kinds of clothing and watching the same American movies and TV shows except for a few programs. Airports are the same everywhere and the world’s airlines are all flying the same aircraft, Boeings or Airbuses.
What, therefore, is the purpose (目的) of foreign travel for people who are not on business? What do tourists hope to experience in a foreign country? The answer could be that people are very interested in the past. It is a nation’s history, not its main attraction (吸引力). Most of today’s tourists travel overseas to find out what foreign countries and cultures used to be like, not what they are like today. The words ‘cultural tourism’ are now part of the language of tourism, and it is the museums and works of art in many countries that are their main attraction.
If they are lucky and have had sensible, strong governments, many countries will also usually have at least a few beautiful places for tourists to visit.
Finally there is perhaps a nation’s greatest attraction: its people. A nation isn’t just its historical buildings, its works of art or beautiful places, it is also the people who live in it. This is why a country such as Thailand attracts millions of people every year. They come mainly because of the friendliness of the Thai people. It is why the Pacific Islands are also so popular. There may not be much to see or do on Fuji, but there are lots of friendly, smiling people to make visions feel welcome.The writer thinks that large cities in foreign countries .
| A．Do not offer a warm service to foreigners |
| B．Are similar to one another |
| C．Do not have good hotels |
| D．Share the same crafts |
The writer believes that many tourists are interested in foreign .
History
B. cars
C. crafts
D. HotelsWhat does the underlined phrase “cultural tourism” mean?
| A．Traveling overseas. |
| B．Visiting lots of museums. |
| C．Tourists’ interest in a foreign nation’s past culture. |
| D．Studying the history of a foreign country. |
What is Thailand’s greatest attraction?
| A．Its historical buildings. |
| B．Its works of art. |
| C．Its beautiful places. |
| D．Its people. |
When I was nine，my parents divorced (离婚) and our house was to be taken away. My dad，with whom my four younger siblings (兄弟姐妹) and I lived，spent countless hours filling out housing forms，calling shelters，and looking for places to stay. Although Dad had four siblings，none offered us a hand until we could get back on our feet.Family problems had caused them to go in separate directions，and，as a result，none were very close.
In spite of all this，my dad told us that we should stick together. His motto was “All of us or none of us，” even if we were just going to the supermarket. He especially stressed the importance of family during these hard times.He told us not to worry because we’d get through this together.He promised that if we stuck together，we’d be all right.
Naturally，like any nineyearold，my mind wandered to playing cops (警察) and robbers and whatever else nineyearolds think about.His heartfelt (衷心的) words seemed to go in one ear and out the other. However，seven years have passed since that time.As my dad promised，we have stuck together and ended up all right.We stayed at a friend’s house until my dad’s many forms produced results and we received housing in a nice neighborhood.
Now I can understand the importance of my dad’s words.I also know that no matter what happens，I can depend on my siblings.Sure，we have our disagreements like any other kids，but we all know we can all depend on each other.That is what family should mean，and that is what matters most to me.When the parents divorced，the main problem for the father to settle was to________.
| A．get enough food for daily life |
| B．find a suitable house to live in |
| C．get in touch with his siblings |
| D．find a job to support the family |
By saying “All of us or none of us”，the author’s father meant________.
| A．some of the siblings could go to the supermarket |
| B．friendship is always the most important thing |
| C．all or none of them could go to the supermarket |
| D．the family should stick together in hard times |
What matters most to the author?
| A．Believing in the parents. | B．Getting a nice house. |
| C．Depending on the siblings. | D．Leading a comfortable life. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Stick together | |
| B．Father’s advice | |
| C．My siblings | D．Life’s lesson |
Sometimes teens(十几岁的少年） need to have some time away from their families. They may want' to move out of the family home for a while.
Many parents will say no to this demand. But experts say it might be a good idea to let your teens live with a friend or relative.
"It was the break I needed at the time," said Richard Lerner. He is talking about the time he spent living with his grandmother when he was 15.
"It allowed me to be a different person than I was with my parents." Lerner said. He now heads the Institute for Children, Youth and Families at Michigan State University.
Experts say teens living away from their families can test new ways of thinking and getting along with people. They may see new solutions (解答) to problems.
This is different from running away, the experts stress. Runaways are often fleeing serious problems.Some teens who want some time away from family attend a structured summer program. Others live for a while with a relative or with the family of a friend.
If there is conflict (冲突) at home, having a teen live elsewhere can benefit other family members. It gives everyone space to develop better relationships.
Joseph Kett teaches history at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He says living at home until the late teen years has become the norm (准则) only in recent times."In the 17th century, children were often sent to live in other people's homes when they were about 10 or 11," he said.
Peter Sheras teaches education at the University of Virginia. He said parents should listen when a child wants to move out. They should try to find out why the child wants some time away.
Often, parents can help the child find a safe place to stay during that time. In other cases, they can meet the child's needs at home.According to this passage, many parents think it ______ for their children to live away from them.
| A．right |
| B．happy |
| C．unsafe |
| D．Reasonable |
When children seriously disagree with their parents,experts suggest that parents should .
| A．Punish them |
| B．Jet them live away from their family |
| C．Send for a teacher |
| D．Keep them in the house |
In the third paragraph the word ‘structured’ means .
| A．built |
| B．stuck |
| C．organized |
| D．drunk |
In history, .
| A．Teens never left their families |
| B．Teens often left their parents |
| C．Teens never went to school |
| D．Teens never made friends with each other |