Write a winning story!
You could win ￡1,000 in this year’s Fiction Prize and have your story printed in Keep Writing magazine. Ten other lucky people will win a cheque for ￡100.
Once again, we need people who can write good stories. The judges, who include Mary Littlejohn, the novelist, Michael Brown, the television reporter, and Susan Hitchins, the editor of Keep Writing, are looking for interesting and original stories. Detective fiction was extremely popular last year, although the competition winner produced a love story. You can write down about whatever you want but here’s some advice to start your thinking:
Write about what you know
This is the advice which every writer should pay attention to and, last year, nearly everyone who wrote for us did exactly that. Love, family, problems with friends ---- these were the main subjects of the stories. However, you need to turn ordinary situations into something interesting that people will want to read about. Make the reader want to continue reading by writing about ordinary things in a new and surprising way.
Get your facts right
It’s no good giving a description of a town or explaining how a jet engine works if you get it wrong. So avoid writing anything unless you’re certain about it.
Hold the reader’s attention
Make the beginning interesting and the ending a surprise. There is nothing worse than a poor ending. Develop the story carefully and try to think of something unusual happening at the end.
Think about the characters
Try to bring the people in your story alive for the reader by using well-chosen words to make them seem real.
Your story must be your own work, between 2,000 and 2,5000 words and typed, double-spaced, on one side only of each sheet of paper.
Even if you’re in danger of missing the closing date, we are unable to accept stories by fax or email. You must include the application form with your story. Unfortunately your story cannot be returned, nor can we discuss our decisions.
You should not have had any fiction printed in any magazine or book in this country ---- a change in the rules by popular request ---- and the story must not have happened in print or in recorded form, for example on radio or TV, anywhere in the world.
Your fee of ￡5 will go to the Writers’ Association. Make your cheque payable to Keep Writing and send it with the application form and your story to:
Keep Writing
75 Broad Street Birmingham
B12 4TG
The closing date is 30 July and we will inform the winner within one month of this date. Please note that if you win, you must agree to have your story printed in our magazine.How should writers deal with ordinary situations while writing?
| A．They should make them appealing to readers. |
| B．They should copy others’ ideas. |
| C．They should change some facts to make them interesting. |
| D．They should describe them as they are. |
What shouldn’t a writer do?
| A．Making the contents interesting. | B．Getting the facts right. |
| C．Meeting the deadline. | D．Making the end ordinary. |
Writers should present their works in the following ways except that ____________.
| A．they should write originally |
| B．they can type their stories as they like |
| C．they should follow some rules |
| D．they should hand in their stories in time |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Late stories can be faxed if necessary. |
| B．Entry needs no fee. |
| C．Winners can have their stories printed in other magazines. |
| D．All stories should be presented by mail. |
Most of us were taught that generosity (慷慨) is about giving freely, and putting others’ needs before our own. Although there is nothing wrong with this definition, it remains somewhat incomplete. To think of generosity only in terms of giving can limit us.
Being truly generous is also about being open to receiving graciously （落落大方地） from others. Allowing others to “give” to us whether it may be a compliment, emotional support or even material help in times of need is, interestingly, the same act of kindness as trying our best to give to others.
Besides, we need to be aware that giving can sometimes be a thinly disguised (伪装的) power trip! It’s time we began to understand generosity as a kind of two-way street.
With all the talk about how “selfish” we are today, it’s pretty amazing to see how many people have real difficulty being able to receive.
There may be at least four reasons why people have trouble receiving. Maybe they simply haven’t learned how to graciously receive a gift or help from others. Or it could be that they don’t want to feel under obligation to the giver. It’s also possible that they consider receiving a weakness, and want to always come across as the strong part of a relationship; to receive, for some, is to admit that they have needs, or are weak, and they find this very hard. Or perhaps, most sadly, they don’t feel they deserve what they receive.
Unfortunately, all of these reasons put the focus on the receiver rather than on the joy of the person giving the gift. But it helps to recall the joy we feel when we ourselves give and to allow others opportunities for experiencing the same joy.
67. The author thinks that receiving _____.
A. is more important than giving B. is seldom seen in our daily life
C. means as much as giving does D. limits us more than giving
68. It can be inferred from Paragraph 5 that people usually believe that giving _____.
A. is the obligation of the rich B. shows the giver’s powerfulness
C. determines people’s relationship D. usually needs to be taught
69. According to the passage, most people have trouble receiving _____.
A. mainly because of their own personality
B. mainly because of their own culture.
C. because they only think of themselves
D. because they are addicted to giving
70. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Generosity: a two-way street
B. To receive, not to give
C. Give freely, receive occasionally
D. New definition of giving
Last month, the president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, held an underwater meeting. The purpose of the ocean floor conference? To highlight the effects of global warming on his island nation.
The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean, is the lowest-lying country on Earth. Melting glaciers and polar ice are causing sea levels to rise, putting the Maldives and other low-lying areas at risk of being swallowed by the sea within the next 100 years.
What can be done? Scientists and leaders from 190 nations will try to figure that out at the United Nations climate change conference next month. The main goal of the meeting is to come up with a new climate agreement for 2012 and beyond. That is when the existing plan, the Kyoto Protocol (《京都议定书》), will expire. The agreement was created in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997. Since then, it has been ratified (正式批准) by 190 nations. The countries promised to limit the amount of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, that they produced each year.
The debate over who should cut greenhouse emissions (排放) has been going on for years. The US has been hesitant to reduce emissions unless fast-growing nations such as China and India also reduce their use of fossil fuels. In recent months, China has taken steps to be greener. But India has been unwilling to change. It argues that it is unfair for rich nations to ask poorer countries to cut down on emissions.
While world leaders work on a plan in Copenhagen, there are many things you can do to help the planet. You can save fuel by walking or biking instead of riding in a car. You can start a recycling program in your community. You can plant trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and give off oxygen.
64. The underlined word “expire” in Paragraph 3 probably means _____.
A. cause trouble B. go into effect C. come to an end D. gain support
65. According to the passage, limiting greenhouse emissions _____.
A. has been a controversial question
B. is well performed in the Maldives
C. will make poor countries poorer
D. means banning carbon dioxide emissions
66. What does the author suggest？
A. Like the Maldives, other island countries should take action.
B. Both the US and India should cut greenhouse emissions.
C. World leaders should focus more on climate change.
D. Everyone should get involved in cutting greenhouse emissions.
Have you ever been in London before? You do not know how to start your trip? Let’s go for a tour on a London Big Bus to have a look around London and get on and get off at the attractions you will visit during your tour.
Make the most of London Sightseeing and discover its attractions thanks to two tour routes: red tour route and blue tour route. Feel free to hop on and hop off the tour bus at any attraction during the tour.
The red route:
Enjoy the must-see London attractions such as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Church, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. The professional guide on board will keep you entertained commenting on the different sights all along the tour.
The blue route：
It provides a deeper tour around the city and you will discover Central London, Kensington and Hyde Park. Feel the spirit of the beautiful London and stop to stroll along the Kensington High Street. Do not miss Harrods and the impressive area of Notting Hill.
Alone or with somebody, London Big Bus Tour will offer you an unforgettable day. Start planning your stay thanks to the many attractions you saw on the way. Discover the city at our own pace thanks to the hop on and hop off from one of the London symbols: the open top double-decker bus (双层公共汽车).
Bus times：
Summer — every 5 to 10 min, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Winter — every 10 to 20 min, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Ticket：
Valid 24 hours — adults ￡25, children ￡l0
Groups can get special prices
Tour Highlights：
※ Tours in 8 languages
※ 70 stops at all main London attractions
※ Free Thames River cruise and 3 walking tours included
※ Save money and time
※ High flexibility as you can hop on and hop off at any time
※ Perfect for family
Find the tour that best suits you, and have a look at our other London tours！
60. If you choose the red route, _____.
A. you can only do sightseeing on the bus
B. you’ll pass through famous Hyde Park
C. you can visit the main London attractions
D. the tour guide will speak to you only in English
61. Taking the blue route, you are able to _____.
A. experience the life in the heart of London
B. dine in the most famous restaurant of London
C. taste English food at Notting Hill
D. go shopping in the famous stores
62. What can we know about London Big Bus Tour from the passage？
A. Traveling with family doesn’t save money
B. Tourists can get on and get off at any stop.
C. No tourist can enjoy free Thames River cruise.
D. The London Big Bus can take you to all London attractions.
63. The passage is mainly written for _____.
A. travelers to London
B. travelers from London
C. travelers who want to save time
D. travelers who want to study English
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。
In old times, there was a story about a young athletic boy hungry for success, for whom winning was everything.
One day, the boy was preparing himself for a running competition in his small native village. He and two other young boys were to compete. A large crowd had gathered to witness the competition and a wise old man, upon hearing of the little boy, had travelled far to bear witness also.
The race started. Sure enough, the boy dug deep and showed his determination, strength and power. He came first. The crowd cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man remained still and calm. The little boy, however, felt proud and important.
A second race was called, and two new young challengers came forward to run with the little boy. The little boy finished first once again. The crowd again cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man expressed no opinion.
“Another race, another race!” shouted the little boy. The wise old man stepped forward and presented the little boy with two new challengers, a frail (虚弱的) old lady and a blind man. “What is this?” asked the little boy. “Race!” said the wise man. The race was started and the boy was the only finisher. The little boy raised his arms in delight. The crowd, however, was silent showing no happiness. “Why don’t they join in my success?” he asked the wise old man. “Race again,” replied the wise man. “This time, all three of you, finish together,” continued the wise man. The little boy thought a little, stood in the middle of the blind man and the frail old lady, and then took the two challengers by the hand.
The race began and the little boy walked slowly, ever so slowly, to the finishing line and crossed it. The crowd cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man smiled.
56. According to the passage, the young athletic boy _____.
A. was crazy about winning competitions
B. considered the blind man foolish
C. was angry with the wise man
D. showed no respect to the young challengers
57. The wise man went to watch the competitions to _____.
A. teach the boy a lesson B. show the crowd his wisdom.
C. help the lady and the blind man D. see whether the boy was powerful
58. Why did the crowd remain silent when the boy beat the lady and the blind man?
A. The boy was proud. B. The boy was impolite.
C. The boy was not helpful. D. The boy was overconfident.
59. What is the message conveyed in the story?
A. Small talk is helpful.
B. Love and kindness are rewarding.
C. Wisdom is more important than strength.
D. Sympathy should be given to the weak.
The old man walked with a cane(拐杖) slowly into the restaurant. His poor jacket, patched (打补丁的) trousers, and worn-out shoes made him stand out from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd. Unforgettable were his pale blue eyes that were bright like diamonds, large rosy cheeks, and thin lips held in a smile.
He walked toward a table by the window. A young waitress watched him and ran over to him, saying, “Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair.”
Without a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you. She pulled the chair away from the table. Steadying(稳住) him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair, and get comfortably seated. Then she pushed the table up close to him, and leaned his cane against the table where he could reach it.
In a soft, clear voice he said, “Thank you, Miss.”
“You are welcome, Sir.” She replied. “My name is Mary. I’ll be back in a moment. If you need anything, just wave at me!”
After he had finished a hearty meal of pancakes, bacon, and hot lemon tea, Mary brought him the change, helping him up from his chair and out from behind the table. She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door. Holding the door open for him, she said, “Come back and see us, Sir!”
He nodded a thank you and said softly with a smile, “You are very kind!”
When Mary went to clean his table, she was surprised. Under his plate she found a business card and a note written on the napkin, under which was a $100 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 served was the owner of the restaurant. This was the first time that she, or any of his employees, had seen him in person(亲自).
71. The relationship between the old man and Mary was ______.
A. father and daughter B. employer and employee
C. waiter and customer D. uncle and nephew
72. Based on the passage, all of the following words can be used to describe Mary except _____.
A. kind B. considerate C. helpful D. calm
73. Mary ran over to the old man because _______.
A. the old man was the boss of the restaurant
B. she saw the old man had some difficulty moving and taking a seat
C. she was worried that the old man might cause trouble to the restaurant
D. the old man had asked her to wait on him
74. The man came to the restaurant _______.
A. to have breakfast
B. to see his employees
C. to find out how his restaurant was working
D. to see how Mary served customers
75. The words the man left on the napkin indicated that _______.
A. respecting others means respecting oneself
B. serving others is a respectable job
C. Mary would get a rise as a result of her kindness
D. Mary’s kind service would bring in more money for her