About a year ago，if you had asked who Dinara Safina was，the answer would have been，“She is Marat Safin’s younger sister.” She was overshadowed by her wonder brother.But now she has made a name for herself：the world No.1 player in women’s tennis.
The 22yearold Russian overtook Serena Williams of the US for top ranking on April 20.“Before，every place I go，I am Marat’s sister.Nothing else，”she told New York Times.“I always wanted to be myself，and now finally the results come，and people can know me as Dinara Safina.”
Safina has made it to two great event finals，in the 2008 French and in the 2009 Australian Open，and won a silver medal in the Beijing Olympic Games.
Clearly，family isn’t the only connection Safina and her brother share.Their DNA burns with competitive fire.Safin has held the distinction for years of being a hottempered player on court.When he lost his temper，he would smash a racket (球拍)．Safina is as emotionally explosive as her brother.A headline in the newspaper The Australian once described her as “mad as a snake”．The Sydney Morning Herald，during the Australian Open，summed up Safina’s volatile (不稳定的) emotional state with the headline—Safina goes from basket case to top of the world.
It’s not rare for a family to have two top tennis players.Safina’s father owns a tennis academy and her mother worked as a coach.“I had no choice but to become a tennis player，but I don’t mind being a tennis player，” Safina said.
From this talented family she is also given one of her best weapons on court，her size.She is 1.82 meters tall and weighs 70kg.But it is hard work that led her to her recent success.
“I hope to prove to everyone over the coming months that I deserve the honor of being world No.1，”she said.What is the passage mainly about?
| A．How Safina came first in women’s tennis. |
| B．How the parents taught Safina to play tennis. |
| C．How her brother helped Safina play tennis. |
| D．How Safina beat her brother in playing tennis. |
Which one of the following doesn’t contribute to Safina’s success?
| A．Her hard work and strong competitiveness. |
| B．Her emotional explosion and volatile emotional state. |
| C．The fact that she is 1.82 meters tall and weighs 70kg. |
| D．The fact that her parents are both good tennis players. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．Serena Williams was topped by Safina on ranking list on April 20. |
| B．Dinara Safina was always very confident and eager to succeed. |
| C．Safina was eager to become a tennis player when she was a child. |
| D．Marat Safin won the two finals，in the 2008 French and in the 2009 Australian Open. |
What can we infer from the headline “Safina goes from basket case to top of the world”？
| A．Safina wanted to top the world in tennis when she was a baby in a basket. |
| B．After she won the Australian Open，Dinara Safina cried. |
| C．Too nervous at first，Safina finally gained confidence and won. |
| D．Safina learnt from the basket case and finally came top of the world. |
What’s on stage
An acrobatic(杂技)show: To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the China Acrobatic Troupe(剧团)will present “ The Soul of China”, where the seemingly impossible is made real. Chills(寒意)will run down your spine(脊柱) as you watch breathlessly as performers take their art and their bodies to the edge.
Time: 7:30 p.m. , September 13-19
Place: Capital Theatre, 22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Exhibitions
Joint show: A group ink painting exhibition is running at the Huangshicheng Art Gallery in Beijing. About 50 works by 25 young artists including Ge Yun and Yu Yang are on display.
Time: 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. until September10
Place: Huangshicheng Art Gallery, 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District
Oil paintings: The Wangfung Art Gallery will host a joint show of oil painting by 10 young and middle-aged artists. On display are more than 30 of their latest works, which capture the wondrous variety of life in unique styles.
Time: 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. until September15
Place:136 Nanchizi Street, Dongcheng District
Literature museum: The National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature offers an in-depth study of the evolution of Chinese contemporary literature from 1919 to 1949.
Time: 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. , daily
Place: 45 Anyuan Donglu, Chaoyang District (shaoyaoju area)
Concerts
Beijing rocks: “The Fashion Night of Chinese Rock” is set to bring rock fans out by the thousands next month. Nine Chinese rock bands will perform at the concert, including older generation bands, middle generation and some recent arrivals. The audience will be given a chance to decide what songs they want to hear, which is sure to bring a storm.
Time: September 16
Place: The Olympic Center
Belgium Orchestra(管弦乐队): La Petite Bande, the Baroque Orchestra of Belgium, will perform in Beijing at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities as part of activities across the world to commemorate(纪念) the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death.
Time: 7:30 p.m. September 11-14
Place: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of NationalitiesWhat do you think of the acrobatic show mentioned here?
| A．When you watch it, you will certainly feel cold. |
| B．Something strange will puzzle everyone, including scientists. |
| C．Unexpected things will make you excited and surprised. |
| D．Even the bravest ones will be too frightened to go on watching. |
The most characteristic thing about the Fashion Night of Chinese Rock is that____.
| A．it will let the audience choose the performers and the music |
| B．it is to bring thousands of rock fans out of their homes |
| C．it will certainly cause a rock storm throughout China |
| D．it is to be held in memory of one of the greatest musicians |
Suppose it is September 14th today, how many activities can people choose to attend?
| A．2. | B．3. | C．4. | D．5. |
On the whole, we can conclude____.
| A．people in Beijing prefer modern culture to something traditional |
| B．there are usually more culture actives in September than in any other month |
| C．most of the cultural activities in Beijing are for foreign visitors only |
| D．we can enjoy a large variety of cultural activities in Beijing |
Mom was a teacher most of her life. When she wasn’t in the classroom, she was educating her children or grandchildren: correcting our grammar; starting us on collections of butterflies, flowers or rocks; or inspiring a discussion on her most recent “Book of the Month Club” topic. Mom made learning fun.
It was sad for my three brothers and me to see her ailing in her later years. At eighty-five, she suffered a stroke and she went steadily downhill after that.
Two days before she died, my brothers and I met at her nursing home and took her for a short ride in a wheelchair. While we waited for the staff to lift her limp body back into bed, Mom fell asleep. Not wanting to wake her, we moved to the far end of the room and spoke softly.
After several minutes our conversation was interrupted by a muffled sound coming from across the room. We stopped talking and looked at Mom. Her eyes were closed, but she was clearly trying to communicate with us. We went to her side.
“Whirr,” she said weakly.
“Where?” I asked. “Mom, is there something you want?” “Whirr,” she repeated a bit stronger. My brothers and I looked at each other and shook our heads sadly.
Mom opened her eyes, sighed, and with all the energy she could muster said, “Not was, say were!”
It suddenly occurred to us that Mom was correcting brother Jim’s last sentence. “If it was up to me…”
Jim leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom,” he whispered. We smiled at each other and once again shook our heads…this time in awe of a remarkable teacher.When Mom said, “Whirr”, what did she really want to do?
| A．She wanted to tell her sons her will. |
| B．She wanted to have something to eat before she died. |
| C．She wanted to correct the mistakes Jim made while talking. |
| D．She wanted to teach her sons more because she was dying. |
Which of the following statements is NOT right?
| A．Mom was a good teacher and never wanted to stop her teaching. |
| B．Mom was always making her teaching fun. |
| C．Mom didn’t forget her teaching until she died. |
| D．Mom was no longer a teacher when she was at home. |
What does the writer think of his mother?
| A．He loved her but was tired of his mother’s teaching at home. |
| B．His mother should forget her teaching and enjoyed the rest of her life. |
| C．His mother was great because she devoted herself to teaching. |
| D．His mother was an excellent teacher before she was retired. |
Which of the following is the best title of this passage?
| A．Once a teacher, always | B．Mom’s will |
| C．A teacher’s life | D．A teacher’s devotion |
I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a freezing cold wet day in the winter of 1975. I remember the right moment, hiding behind a fragile mud wall, peeking (窥视）into the alley (胡同）near the frozen stream. That was a long time ago ，but it’s wrong what they say about the past, I，ve learned, about how you can bury it, because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I，ve been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.
One day in summer, my friend, Rahim Khan called from Pakistan. He asked me to come to see him. Standing in the kitchen with the receiver to my ear, I knew it wasn’t just Rahim Khan on the line. It was my past of unatoned sins (未能弥补的罪行) After I hung up, I went for a walk along Spreckels Lane on the northern edge of Golden Gate Park. The early afternoon sun sparkled on the water where dozens of small boats sailed, driven by a gentle breeze. Then I glanced up and saw a pair of kites with long blue tails, soaring in the sky. They danced high above the trees on the west end of the park, over the windmill, floating side by side like a pair of eyes looking down on San Francisco, the city I now call home.
And suddenly Hassan5S voice whispered in my head: For you, a thousand times over. Hassan the hare-lipped kite runner. I sat on a park bench near a willow tree. I thought about something Rahim Khan said just before he hung up, almost as an after thought. There is a way to be good again. I looked up at those twin kites. I thought about Hassan. Thought about Baba. AU. Kabul. I thought of the life I had lived until the winter of 1975 came along and changed everything. And made me what I am today.After 1975，the hero of the story spent his life_____.
| A．with happiness | B．with regret |
| C．in peace | D．in danger |
It can be inferred from the passage that_____.
| A．Rahim Khan spoke ill of the hero |
| B．the hero had made up for his wrong-doings |
| C．San Francisco was the birthplace of the hero |
| D．something bad might have happened in the alley |
The writer attracts the readers by using_____
a.an impressive opening b.a lively description of inner thoughts
c.concrete and vivid language d.a detailed plot of the story
| A．abc | B．bcd | C．acd | D．abd |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A．A hide-and-seek game. | B．A forget-me-not event. |
| C．kite-flying competition. | D．A coming-of-age story. |
FDA proposed the most sweeping food safety rules in decades, requiring farmers and food companies to be more cautious in the wake of deadly outbreaks in peanuts, cantaloupe (瓜），and leafy greens.
The long-overdue regulations are aimed at reducing the estimated 3,000 deaths a year from foodbome illness. Just since last summer, outbreaks of listeria (李氏杆菌）in cheese and salmonella(沙门氏菌）in peanut butter, cantaloupe and mangoes have been linked to more than 400 illnesses and as many as seven deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The actual number of those sickened is likely much higher.
The FDA’s proposed rules would require farmers to take new precautions against contamination (污染）,to include making sure workers5 hands are washed, irrigation (灌溉） water is clean, and that animals stay out of fields. Food manufacturers will have to submit food safety plans to the government to show they are keeping their operations clean.
Many responsible food companies and farmers are already following the steps that the FDA would now require them to take. But officials say the requirements could have saved lives and prevented illnesses in some of the large-scale outbreaks that have hit the country in recent years.
In a 2011 outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe that claimed 33 lives ，for example, FDA inspectors found pools of dirty water on the floor and old, dirty processing equipment at the Colorado farm where the cantaloupes were grown. In a peanut butter outbreak this year linked to 42 salmonella illnesses ，inspectors found samples of salmonella throughout a New Mexico peanut processing plant and multiple obvious safety problems ，such as birds flying over uncovered trucks of peanuts and employees not washing their hands.
Under the new rules, companies would have to lay out plans for preventing those sorts of problems and how they would correct them.
“The rules go very directly to preventing the types of outbreaks we have seen/，said Michael Taylor, FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods.The main task of FDA is probably______
| A．to protect and promote the public health |
| B．to help those sickened recover |
| C．to research on food safety measures |
| D．to deal with water pollution |
According to the passage, the new rules focus on_____.
| A．inspecting the whole process of food production |
| B．improving food processing equipment on farms |
| C．preventing water pollution in food production |
| D．urging food companies to lay out plans |
What does the word “they” in Paragraph 3 refer to?
| A．Inspectors. | B．Farmers |
| C．Manufacturers. | D．Workers. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The new regulations should have come into practice earlier. |
| B．The 2011 outbreak of listeria is the most serious ever. |
| C．Farmers and food companies are strongly against the new rules. |
| D．Colorado and New Mexico are worst hit by food pollution. |
DEARAUNTYf
My husband’s niece is 13 and what I would call “a handful”. She wants to stay with us for while, and her mother and grandmother have told me what a great influence I would be on her. Her visit ，no doubt, would bring about a long list of demands’ and she’d want to bring a friend too. I don t feel comfortable hosting her, but I don 3r know how to tell my husband’s family members without hurting their feelings.
-Reluctant Aunt
Dear Reluctant,
Let’s get you out of this mess. Your husband’s family is making a request that borders on a demand and sugarcoating it with self-serving flattery (恭维）• Put your foot down, and tell the truth. Say you don’t feel equipped or comfortable hosting the little darling, and regretfully decline (拒绝).Under no circumstances should you take part in any discussion that attempts to change your mind through flattery.
DEAR AUNTY
have two stepdaughters, 21 and 24. On holidays, the older one always buys me gift but adds her sister’s name on the card. I feel insincere thanking the younger daughter -Vd rather get no gift than be a part of this pretence. Is it tacky (俗气)to ask the 24-year-old to stop giving her sister credit while it isn t deserved? Will the younger one ever learn to be thoughtful?
-Mindful Mum
Dear Mindful,
Lighten up! Your older stepdaughter is a considerate and generous sister who covers for and protects her younger sister. Good for her! The girls’ relationship is between them. As for your role, you can’t punish anyone into being thoughtful. You can, however, model thoughtful behavior. Spend some time with her, and get to know her better.The underlined word “a handful” would probably mean a person who______
| A．is difficult to deal with | B．enjoys making friends |
| C．is easy to get along with | D．gets easily influenced |
AUNTY suggested that Reluctant Aunt______
| A．kindly host the guest |
| B．discuss with her husband |
| C．politely turn down the request |
| D．try to meet all the demands |
Which of the following is TRUE about the second case?
| A．Mindful Mum is very proud of her two step daughters. |
| B．The two stepdaughters always buy Mindful Mum gifts. |
| C．AUNTY thinks the older sister should be punished. |
| D．The older stepdaughter cares for her sister. |
In which section does the passage most probably appear in a magazine?
| A．Entertainment. | B．Advice. | C．Health. | D．Food &Recipes. |