Since we are social beings，the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships.One strength of the human conditions is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful (有压力的) conditions.Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties.Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily problems.People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties.Studies over types of illnesses，from depression to heart disease，show that the presence of social support helps people defend themselves against illness，and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely.
Social support cushions stress in a number of ways.First，friends，relatives and coworkers may let us know that they value us.Our selfrespect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others in spite of our faults and difficulties.Second，other people often provide us with informational support.They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them.Third，we typically find social companionship supportive.Taking part in freetime activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting (转移注意力) us from our worries and troubles.Finally，other people may give us instrumental support—money aid，material resources，and needed services—that reduces stress by helping us resolve and deal with our problems.Interpersonal relationships are important because they can________.
| A．deal with life changes |
| B．smooth away daily problems |
| C．make people live more easily |
| D．cure types of illnesses |
The researches show that people’s physical and mental health________.
| A．has much to do with the amount of support they get from others |
| B．lies in the social medical care systems which support them |
| C．depends on their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles |
| D．is related to their courage for dealing with major life changes. |
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “cushions”？
| A．takes place of | B．makes up of |
| C．lessens the effect of | D．gets rid of |
Helping a sick neighbor with some repair work in spare time is an example of________.
| A．instrumental support |
| B．informational support |
| C．social companionship |
| D．the strengthening of selfrespect |
What is the subject discussed in the text?
| A．Effects of stressful conditions. |
| B．Kinds of social support. |
| C．Ways to deal with stress. |
| D．Interpersonal relationships. |
Bollworms are a traditional threat to cotton crops．Young ones feed on the boll, the part of the
cotton plant that contains the seeds．
A bacterium known as Bt is able to kill bollworms and some other pests．Bt is short form for Bacillus thuringiensis．It was discovered in the early twentieth century．Farmers began using Bt as a natural pesticide（杀虫剂）．
Then，in the 1990s，researchers found a way to grow cotton plants that contain a Bt gene．The genetically modified cotton plant produces toxins that kill bollworms．Farmers around the world are now growing an estimated fourteen million hectares of Bt cotton．
Cotton bollworms also attack other crops．But scientists in China recently reported that Bt cotton may help suppress bollworm in other crops growing nearby．
The study involved crops grown in six provinces of northern China between 1992 and 2008.The study area contained three million hectares of cotton and twenty-two million hectares of corn，peanuts，soybeans and vegetables．
The researchers say the study suggested that Bt cotton not only controls bollworm on the transgenic cotton，but also may reduce its presence on other crops．And that reduction，they say，may decrease the need for insecticide use in general．
But the researchers also pointed out concerns．They say bollworms could develop resistance to the cotton plants designed to resist them．And they noted that insects called mirids have become “key pests” of cotton in China．They said this is because of a decrease in pesticide use made possible by Bt cotton．
The researchers say they do not believe that Bt cotton alone can solve all insect problems．Instead，they say farmers in China should consider it just one part of pest management systems．
44．What is Bt in this passage?
A．It's a kind of hi-tech invention． B．It's a natural bacterium．
C．It's a kind of pest． D．It's a man-made pesticide．
45．Bt cotton has all the advantages EXCEPT that ________．
A．it resists bollworms
B．it does good to other crops growing around
C．it reduces the use of insecticide
D．it helps to develop new insects
46．The underlined word “ones” in the first paragraph refers to ________．
A．bollworms B．cotton crops C．cotton seeds D．pests
47．From the passage，we can infer ________．
A．farmers around the world are now growing a large area of Bt cotton
B．researchers are probably now searching for new ways to solve other cotton problems
C．bollworms could not exist in Bt cotton any longer
D．Chinese scientists found the way to grow Bt cotton
“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in so many parts of the world. That program became one of American’s exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.
In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the nation’s pre-school children, from every kind of economic(经济的), racial(种族的), and geographical group.
Although some educators object to certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems arise when first graders who have learned from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.
Tests have shown that ch
ildren from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional(偶然的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in o
rder to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.
The programs all use songs, stories, jokes, and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.
Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories(理论) of its creators, the support by the government and private(私人的) businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.
40. “Sesame Street” is actually _______.
A. a street in the US B. a program for children
C. a program for teachers D. a program for students
41. Children who often watch the program _______.
A. can have problems in school
B. will find it a great help
C. will take no interest in their studies
D. will be well educated
42. Why is “Sesame Street” so popular in the world?
A. Because it is supported by the government and businesses.
B. Because it uses a variety of skillful tricks.
C. Because mothers watch it along with their children.
D. Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.
43. The best title for this passage can be _______.
A. TV Programs B. Educating Children
C. Sesame StreetD. A Great Success
In the United States, it is important to be on time , or punctual , for an appointment , a class, a meeting, etc. However, this may not be true in all countries. An American professor discovered the difference while teaching a class in a Brazilian（巴西的） university. The two-hour class was scheduled to begin at 10 A.M. and end at 12. On the first day , when the professor arrived on time, no one was in the classroom. Many students came after 10:30 A.M. Two students came after 11 A.M
. Although all the students greeted the professor as they arrived, few apologized(道歉)for their lateness．Were these students being rude? He decided to study the students’ behavior.
The professor talked to American and Brazilian students about lateness in both an informal and a formal situation：at a lunch with a friend and in a university class, respectively．He gave them an example and asked them how they would react, If they had a lunch appointment with a friend，the average American student defined lateness as 19 minutes after the agreed time，On the other hand．the average Brazilian student felt the friend was late after 33 minutes．
In an American university, students are expected to arrive at the appointed hour．In contrast, in Brazil，neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the appointed hour．Classes not only begin at the scheduled time in the United States，but also end at the scheduled time．In the Brazilian class, only a few students left the class at 12：00；many remained past 12：30 to discuss the class and ask more questions．While arriving late may not be very important in Brazil , neither is staying late．
36. The word‘punctual’most probably means________.
A．1eaving soon after class B．coming early
C．arriving a few minutes late D．being on time
37. Why did the professor study the Brazilian students’behavior?
A．He felt puzzled at the students’ being late．
B．He felt angry at the students' rudeness．
C．He wanted to m
ake the students come on time later．
D．He wanted to collect data for one of his studies．
38. It can be inferred from the professor’s study of lateness in the informal situation that____．
A．American students will become impatient if their friend is five minutes late
B．neither Brazilian nor American students like being late in social gatherings
C．being late in one culture may not be considered so in another culture
D．Brazilia
n students will not come thirty-three minutes after the agreed time
39. From 
the last paragraph we know that in Brazil____.
A. it is important to arrive at the appointed time
B．it is rude to keep the professor staying after class
C．it is normal for students to leave during lectures
D．it is acceptable for professors
to be late for class．
Today about 70 countries use Daylight Saving Time (DST). Daylight Saving was first introduced during World War I in Australia. During the world wars, DST was used for the late summers beginning January 1917 and 1942, and the full summers beginning Septemb
er 1942 and 1943.
In 1967, Tasmania experienced a drought（干旱）. The State Government introduced one hour of daylight saving that summer as a way of saving power and water. Tasmanians liked the idea of daylight saving and the Tasmanian Government has declared daylight saving each summer since 1968. Persuaded by the Tasmanian Government, all states except two passed a law in 1971, for a test use of daylight saving. In 1972, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria joined Tasmania f
or regular daylight saving, but Queenslan
d did not do so until 1989.
Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia have had irregular plans, often changing their dates due to politics or festivals（节日）. For example, in 1992, Tasmania extended（延长）daylight saving by an extra month while South Australia began extending daylight saving by two weeks for the Adelaide Festival. Special daylight saving plans were made dur
ing the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
The differences in daylight saving in Australia continue to cause serious problems in transport and many other social activities. It also reduces the number of hours in the working day that are common to all centers in the country. In particular, time differences along the east coast cause major differences, especially for the broadcasters of national radio and television.
57. Daylight Saving
Time was introduced in Tasmania _______________.
A. to stop the drought in 1967 B. to support government official
C. to pass a special law in the state D. to save water and electricity
58. According to the text, which state was the last to use DST?
A. Victoria. B. Queensland. C. South Australia. D. New South Wales.
59. What can we learn about DST in some Australian states?
A. It doesn’t have fixed dates. B. It is not used in festivals.
C. Its plan was changed in 2000. D. It lasts for two weeks.
60. What do we know about the use of DST from the last paragraph?
A. There exists some undesirable effects. B. It helps little to save energy.
C. It brings about longer working days. D. Radio and TV programs become different.
Remembering names is an important social skill. Here are some ways to master it.
Recite and repeat in conversation.
When you hear a person’s
name，repeat it. Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips. You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.
Ask the other person to recite and repeat.
You can let other people help you remember their names. After you’ve been introduced to someone，ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you. Most people will be pleased by the effort you’re making to learn their names.
Admit you don’t know.
Admitting that you can’t remember someone’s name can actually make people relaxed. Most of them will feel sympathy if you say. “I’m working to remember names better. Yours is right on the tip of my tongue. What is it again?”
Use associ
ations.
Link each person yon meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual. For example，you could make a mental note: "Vicki Cheng -- tall, black hair. " To reinforce your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.
Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.
When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way 
is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.
Go early.
Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That's fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others—an automatic review for you.
53. How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?
A. They will be moved. B. They will be annoyed.
C. They will be delighted. D. They will be discouraged.
54. If you can't remember someone's name, you may __
A. tell him the truth B. tell him a white lie
C. ask him for pity D. ask others to help you
55.
When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember __
A. all their namesB. a couple of names first
C. just their last names D. as many na
mes as possible
56. What does the text mainly tell us?
A. Tips on an important social skill. B. Importance of attending parties.
C. How to make use of associations. D. How to recite and repeat names.