Future history books might record that we were robbed of the use of our eyes ,In our hurry to get from one place to another, we fail to see anything on the way, Air travel gives you a bird’s –eye view of the world ---or even less if the wing of the aircraft happens to get in your way, When you travel by car or train , you are moving so quickly that you do not see the countryside clearly , Car drivers are forever thinking about going on and on; they never want to stop, Is it the great motorways ,that attract them, or what? And as for sea travel ,it hardly deserves mention ,It is perfectly summed up in the words of the old song：’I joined the navy to see the world ,and what did I see? I saw the sea’. You mention the place names in the world like EI Dorado, Kabul and someone is sure to say‘I’ve been there’meaning ,‘I drove through it at 100 miles an hour on the way to somewhere else.’
When you travel at high speeds, the present means nothing :you live mainly in the future because you spend most of your time looking forward to arriving at some other place, But actual arrival ,when it is achieved , is meaningless , You want to move on again . By traveling like this, you suspend （中止）all experience; the present stops being a reality：you might just as well be dead.
The traveler on foot, on the other hand , lives constantly in the present, For him traveling and arriving are one and the same thing: he arrives somewhere with every step he makes, He experiences, the present moment with his eyes, his ears and the whole of his body, At the end of his journey he feels a delicious physical tiredness, Satisfying sleep will be his: the just reward of all true travelers.The underlined words “get in your way”in Paragraph I can be replaced, by .
| A．block your sights |
| B．expend your range of vision |
| C．prevent you from going out of the plane halfway |
| D．make your travel continue |
What does the author think of the travelers mentioned in Paragraph 1?
| A．They get a good view of the landscape |
| B．They make full use of their eyes |
| C．They fail to see the scenery with their heart |
| D．They are eager to see everything on the way. |
Why does “the present”mean “nothing ”when we travel at high speeds?
| A．Because we change our aims all the time |
| B．Because we are eager to go to another place |
| C．Because we are looking forward to the future life |
| D．Because we cannot enjoy the experience we have had |
What will the author most probably advise us to do?
| A．To go hiking in the mountain | B．To travel at a high speed |
| C．To travel by car or train | D．To go around the world |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Different travelers | B．The use of eyes |
| C．Ways of traveling | D．True traveling |
What is art? According to one definition, it is the creation of something that appeals to our sense of beauty. This definition may include painting, drawing, sculpture, and architecture, or performing arts such as music and drama. Cultural and historical influences, as well as one’s own consciousness of what is aesthetically(审美地 )pleasing, play a role in what one believes to be art. To some people, art is the description of an object--- a painting or sculpture of a person, for example. For others, art may be a blank canvas, or a piece of chalk.
In order to talk about the different artistic styles that have existed over time, art historians have classified these styles into different periods and organized them in chronological order. The works of art produced within each period mirror the culture and events of that time.
The earliest forms of art, from the prehistoric era(时代), include simple cave paintings and figures made from stone. These were followed by the sculptures and carvings of Ancient Civilizations era. Styles of the later Classical era (800 B.C. to 200 A.D.), reflect the culture of the time--- one that favored simplicity and balance. The period of the Middle Ages followed, and was succeeded by a revival（复兴） of classical styles in the Renaissance era, beginning around 1400. Well-known artists of this time include Michelangelo and da Vinci. One hundred years of Baroque style, and then fifty years of Rococo followed the 200-year Renaissance. The start of the nineteenth century saw the rise of the Premodern era, followed by the Modern era, a period that lasted until 1945. This was followed by Postmodern era that characterizes the present day.
In addition to differences in artistic styles between eras, there are also differences within each era. The Postmodern era, for example, has featured innovative（创新） artistic styles such as Pop Art ( which includes work by Andy Warhol), Minimalism, and Conceptualism. Since the 1960s, Conceptualism has grown in popularity. This style focuses more on the idea or ‘concept’ of art using realistic objects, rather than on art that is created using traditional materials such as paint, canvas, stone, or clay. Whereas Warhol used a can of beans as the basis for a painting, for example, a conceptual artist might say that the can itself is a work of art.
Conceptualism has become an increasingly controversial（有争议的） art style, particularly as result of numerous conceptual artists winning the Turner Prize. This ￡20,000 award is presented annually to a British artist under the age of fifty, in recognition of an outstanding work. Sponsored by the Tate Gallery of Britain, it is recognized as one of Europe’s most prestigious awards for visual arts. Its aim is to promote discussion about contemporary British art. In 2002, pop music icon Madonna presented the Turner Prize to conceptual artist Martin Creed. One of the artistic styles that many people today discuss and arguing about is ______.
| A．classic style | B．Conceptualism | C．Pop art | D．Baroque style |
Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．Pop Art, Minimalism and Conceptualism are styles that developed in the Postmodern era. |
| B．Some of the world’s earliest art was created in caves. |
| C．History, culture and one’s concept of beauty affect what a person believes to be art. |
| D．Art historians refer to today’s artistic period as the Modern era. |
According to the passage, art historians have classified these styles into ____ periods.
| A．7 | B．8 | C．10 | D．12 |
If the passage continues, the following paragraph will be probably about_________.
| A．Martin Creed’s winning works | B．Madonna’s outstanding art style |
| C．the status of Conceptualism | D．the conclusion of art |
Watercolour is the oldest paints known. It dates back to the early cave men who discovered they could add lifelike qualities to drawings of animals and other figures on the walls of caves by mixing the natural colours found in the earth with water.
Fresco, one of the greatest of all art forms, is done with watercolour. It is created by mixing paints and water and applying these to wet plaster. Of the thousands of people who stand under Michelangelo’s heroic ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, very few know that they are looking at perhaps the greatest watercolour painting in the world.
The invention of oil painting by the Flem
ish masters in the fifteenth century made fresco painting go down-hill, and for the next several centuries watercolour was used mainly for doing sketches or as a tool for study. It was not until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that English painters put back watercolour as a serious art form. The English have a widely-known love for outdoors and also smal
l private pictures. The softness of watercolour had a remarkably strong attraction for them.
The popularity of watercolour continued to grow until the twentieth century. The United States passed England as the center for watercolour, producing such well-known watercolour artists as Thomas Eakins and Andrew Wyeth. The purpose of the passage is to introduce _____.
| A．the gradual weakness of fresco painting |
| B．oils’ power or influence over watercolour |
| C．the discovery of watercolour in England |
| D．the start and development of watercolour |
In the 16th and 17th centuries the artists thought _____.
| A．watercolour was softer, and thus better |
| B．oil painting lasted longer, and was better |
| C．watercolour wasn’t fit for finished works |
| D．watercolour was too hard to use in any works |
According to the passage, watercolour painting was put back in England because ____
| A．it was easy to use outdoors | B．it was a strong medium |
| C．it was extremely bright in colour | D．it was suited to popular tastes |
What would the next paragraph most probably deal with?
| A．The works of famous US watercolour artists |
| B．Modern American oil painters |
| C．The weakness of oils as popular paints |
| D．Techniques of producing watercolour |
There are many American expressions about insects--- like bees, for example. Bees are known as very hard workers. They appear to be busy, moving around their homes, or hives. So you might say you were as busy as a bee if you spent your weekend cleaning your house. In fact, you might say your house was a beehive of activity if your whole family was helping you clean. You also might say you made a beeline for something if you went there right away. When we go to see a movie, my friend always make
s a beeline for the place where they sell popcorn .
Here is an expression about bees that is not used much any more, but we like it anyway. We think it was first used in the 1920s. If something was the best of its kind, you might say it was the bee’s knees. Now, we admit that we do not know how this expression developed. In fact, we do not even know if bees have knees!
If your friend cannot stop talking about something because she thinks it is important, you might say she has a bee in her bonnet. If someone asks you a personal question, you might say “that is none of your beeswax”. This means none of your business.
Speaking of personal questions, there is an expression when their children ask, “Where do babies come from?” Parents who discuss sex and reproduction say this is talking about the birds and bees.
Butterflies are beautiful insects, but you would not want to have butterflies in your stomach. That means to be nervous about having to do something, like speaking in front of a crowd. You would also not want to have ants in your trousers. That is, to be unable to sit still.If you make a beeline for something, you _____ .
| A．are as busy as a bee | B．go quickly and directly towards it |
| C．always go to the same place | D．buy something at a certain place |
The un
derlined expression “ it is the bee’s knees” ______ .
| A．is not used at all now | B．was first used in the 1820s |
| C．reminds us that bees have knees | D．means “it is very good” |
If you ask your American friend Jack “H
ow old is your wife?” he may say “_____.”
| A．It is none of your beeswax | B．You have a bee in your bonnet |
| C．It is the bee’s knees | D．You are talking about the birds and bees |
When you have butterflies in your stomach, you _____ .
| A．are too sick to sit still | B．have ants in your trousers |
| C．are nervous about something | D．have a stomachache |
Friends and Buddies
This program is planned for teenagers who have special needs with the goal of meeting within a
community with other peers. The purpose of the program is that it will lead to a better understanding of friendships. Gym, Swim, Surprise Guest, and Pizza are included. Ages 12-18, numbers of members are limited. Contact: Gloria Bass. This program is held 2 Fridays per month. Fees: $65/$85
Club Saturday Swim
This program is available to anyon
e aged 5-14 who is challenged by mental, physical, or emotional trouble. The program will be held each Saturday afternoon, 12:00-12:30 pm or 12:30-1:00 pm. Fees: $136/$260
Sibshops (Ages 10-13)
Sibshops is a program for siblings of children with challenges. It includes group activities and talk treatment ways with the focus on improving sibling relationships and whole family happiness. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Wednesday: 4:00-5:00 pm. Fees: $50/$65
Banana Splits
Banana Splits is an educational support group for children in family trouble. Children aged 9-13 will have
the opportunity to meet other children whose parents have separated or divorced, learn to recognize feelings, think of healthy coping skills and have a place to share their struggles through verbal, physical, and artistic experiences. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Tuesday:4:30-5:30 pm. Fees: $50/$65 If you have free time only on Saturday, you can go to _____.
| A．Friends and Buddies | B．Club Saturday Swim |
| C．Sibshops (Ages 10-13) | D．Banana Splits |
Activities on how to lead to a better understanding of friendships are held _____.
| A．2 Fridays per month | B．12:00-12:30 or  12:30-1:00, Saturday afternoon |
| C．4:00-5:00 pm, Wednesday | D．4:30-5:30 pm, Tuesday |
If you go to Sibshops (Ages 10-13) , you can _____.
| A．meet with other peers | B．solve your mental problem |
| C．improve sibling relationships | D．think of healthy coping skills |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the four passages?
| A．They are all in the same place. | B．They  are all free of charge. |
| C．They all hold activities each week. | D．They are all intended for children. |
Jean is a bright young woman who comes from a rich and famous family. She goes to a good university and has everything that money can buy. Well, almost everything. The problem is that Jean’s family are so busy that they can hardly find time to be with her. In fact, Jean is quite lonely. So Jean spends a lot of time on her QQ. She likes being anonymous, talking to people who do not know about her famous family and her rich life. She uses the name Linda on QQ and has made a lot of friends who she keeps in touch with quite often.
Last year Jean made a very special friend on QQ. His name was David and lived in San Francisco. David was full of stories and jokes. He and Jean had a common interest in rock music and modern dance. So it always took them hours to talk happily on QQ and sometimes they even forgot their time. Of course, they wanted to know more about each other. David sent a picture of himself: He was a tall , good looking young man with big , happy smile. As time went by, they became good friends and often sent cards and small things to each other.
When Jean’s father told her that he was going on a business trip to San Francisco, she asked him to let her go with him so that she could give David a surprise for his birthday. She would take him the latest DVD of their favorite rock singer. But when she knocked on David’s door in San Francisco, she found that her special friend was a twelve-year-old boy named Jim! Jean spends a lot of her time on QQ because she is _________.
| A．rich | B．young | C．lonely | D．a bad student |
Jean thought “David” was special because he _________.
| A．made her quite happy on QQ | B．was from San Francisco |
| C．was tall and good-looking | D．was rich |
What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．Don’t believe those you get to know on QQ so easily |
| B．People don’t use their real names on QQ so often |
| C．Don’t go to meet those you get to know on QQ |
| D．Don’t spend much time on QQ |