''If you can see the magic in a fairytale童话）, you can face the future”-- Danielle Steel
Who have not read fairytales? We all have had the experience of taking great delight in the beauty and innocence of fairytales．May it be Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty．．．Fairytale is a word which cannot be new to us. But haveyou ever travelled ages back to the earliest of times and uncovered the fascinating facts about these stories?
The history of the fairytale is particularly difficult to track．The oral tradition of the fairytale came long before the written page．The oldest known fairytales date back to ancient Egypt around 1300B.C.and now, after travelling through various periods of time, they have grown and matured in various aspects and have become the most popular forms of stories for young children
The characters and themes of fairytales are simple and similar:Princesses and goose girls, youngest sons and brave princes, wicked, stepmothers, fairy godmothers, talking animals, glass mountains, witches, castles and the like. The tale goes into an unreal world and in this never-never land our heroes kill the enemy, succeed to kingdoms and marry the ever beautiful princesses. W. H Auden said, “The way to read a fairytale is to throw yourself in.” It is very true indeed or you will not be able to feel the ecstasy of reading a fairytale. So whenever you read a fairytale, imagine you arethe hero/heroine and you will be carried to a mysterious land where everything will be as you want.
Every child believes in fairies（仙女), dragons, etc. Yet, as we grow up we fail to believe in these fantasy-based characters．Fairytales are told to children when they are young. This is very essential indeed, for if in the beginning of our lives, our minds are touched by the beauty, innocence and the morals in these tales, we will be able to obtain the optimistic side of happenings．In life, sometimes, believing in such mystics can lead to greathappiness．
Well, I don’t know about you, but I do believe in fairies…and who knows I may someday meet one because, after all, believing is just the beginning! And as J.M. Barries said, “When you say I don’t believe in fairies, a fairy somewhere drops dead.” And I wouldn’t want anyone dead on my account, would you?In Paragraph 1, thewriter mentioned Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty to __
| A．tell the beauty and innocence of thefairytales |
| B．present us the fascinating facts behind them |
| C．show us that fairytales are something we are familiar with |
| D．describe his feeling towards fairytales |
The underlined word '"ecstasy" in Paragraph 3 probably means“___”
| A．delight | B．innocence |
| C．mystery | D．the optimistic side |
Why is it important to tell the fairytales to the children when young?
| A．Because they can gain greathappiness． |
| B．Because it is easier for the children to throw themselves in the role |
| C．Because they tend to have wild imagination |
| D．Because when they see the magic in the tales in the beginning, they can face the future |
How do you understand the sentence in the last paragraph "When you say I don't believe in fairies, a fairy somewhere drops dead.” ?
| A．If you don’t believe in the tales, the fairy will be really sad． |
| B．We need the beauty, innocence, and moral of the fairytales to stay optimistic． |
| C．If nobody believes in us, we will be heartbroken． |
| D．The writer is just trying to be humorous by saying this． |
D
In today’s world of cellphones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one timetelling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500yearold watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function”. Many young adults agree — and use their cellphones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.
However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory business. And for many today, the image a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.
“Complications” — features that go beyond simple timekeeping — are an important part of a watch's image. Today's watches offer a lot of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers, compasses, lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!
Creativity is also a key element in today's watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don't even look like watches. The company's popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell time. It looks more like a futuristic (未来主义的) bracelet than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a “handless” watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.
Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative flair or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget (小玩意儿) in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what's on their wrists. Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!Why aren't watches popular with young people as before?
| A．Because watches cannot keep good time as cellphones, mini laptops and MP3 players. |
| B．Because watches are featured by the disadvantages of simple function. |
| C．Because watches are too expensive to afford. |
| D．Because watches don't have beautiful appearance as other modern timetelling tools. |
What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1 mean?
| A．Watchmaking becomes the sunrise industry. |
| B．Watchmaking is faced with the developing opportunity. |
| C．Watchmaking is facing a survival crisis challenge. |
| D．Watchmaking has a specific development target. |
It can be implied that ________.
| A．people will gradually lose interest in watches as they grow older |
| B．watchmakers scarcely change the development strategy for watches |
| C．today's watches are better than those in the past in quality |
| D．customers used to be more concerned with the quality of a watch than with its image |
The following qualities can make a watch popular EXCEPT ________.
| A．multifunction | B．accuracy |
| C．nice design | D．low price |
C
Eating 40 percent less food could extend a person`s life by 20 years, according to scientists.
Researchers at the Institute of Health Ageing at University College London are developing a treatment that they hope will fight the `disease` of getting older.
They are looking into how genetics（遗传学） and lifestyle can affect ageing and add years, possibly decades, to a person`s life.
Age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and neuro degeneration can also be treated, it is claimed.
They want to find out how the life of a rat can be increased by up to 30 percent simply by reducing its food intake.
Researcher Dr. Piper told the Independent : `If you reduce the diet of a rat by 40 percent it will live for 20 or 30 percent longer. So we would be talking 20 years of human life. This has shown on all sorts of animals, even Labradors(a kind of dog).`The scientists are also studying fruit flies, which share 60 percent of human genes and age in a similar manner, and mice.
They have already made the healthy lifespan(寿命) longer in both flies and mice by using drug treatments and a balanced diet. It is hoped that this combination will also work to extend(延长) human life. Dr. Piper said: `If we discover the genes involved with ageing, we should be able to delay ageing itself. This is what we`ve found.`
He added that the field of research into extending life is only a decade old, so remains `in theory . It is their special approach to treating all age-related diseases caused by the `disease` of ageing itself that sets their research apart.The author writes this text in order to_____.
| A．encourage people to eat as little as possible |
| B．tell people how harmful food is to their health |
| C．introduce an on-going research on delaying ageing |
| D．show how similar mice and humans are to each other |
How can people live longer according to the text?
| A．Exercise regularly. |
| B．Reduce their diet properly. |
| C．Vary their lifestyles constantly. |
| D．Change their genes completely. |
What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph suggest?
| A．The research is effort-taking. |
| B．The result of the research is reliable. |
| C．The research has been done for a long time. |
| D．There’s a long way to go to put the theory into practice. |
B
Does Fame Drive You Crazy?
Although being famous might sound like a dream come true, today’s star, feeling like zoo animals, face pressures that few of us can imagine. They are at the center of much of the world’s attention. Paparazzi (狗仔队) camp outside their homes, cameras ready. Tabloids (小报) publish thrilling stories about their personal lives. Just imagine not being able to do anything without being photographed or interrupted for a signature.
According to psychologist Christina Villareal, celebrities — famous people — worry constantly about their public appearance. Eventually, they start to lose track of who they really are, seeing themselves the way their fans imagine them, not as the people they were before everyone knew their names. “Over time,” Villareal says, “they feel separated and alone.”
The phenomenon of tracking celebrities has been around for ages. In the 4th century B.C., painters followed
Alexander the Great into battle, hoping to picture his victories for his admirers. When Charles Dickens visited America in the 19th century, his sold-out readings attracted thousands of fans, leading him to complain (抱怨) about his lack of privacy. Tabloids of the 1920s and 1930s ran articles about film-stars in much the same way that modern tabloids and websites do.
Being a public figure today, however, is a lot more difficult than it used to be. Superstars cannot move about without worrying about photographers with modern cameras. When they say something silly or do something ridiculous, there is always the Internet to spread the news in minutes and keep their “story” alive forever.
If fame is so troublesome, why aren’t all celebrities running away from it? The answer is there are still ways to deal with it. Some stars stay calm by surrounding themselves with trusted friends and family or by escaping to remote places away from big cities. They focus not on how famous they are but on what they love to do or whatever made them famous in the first place.
Sometimes a few celebrities can get a little justice. Still, even stars who enjoy full justice often complain about how hard their lives are. They are tired of being famous already.It can be learned from the passage that stars today___.
| A．are often misunderstood by the public |
| B．can no longer have their privacy protected |
| C．spend too much on their public appearance |
| D．care little about how they have come into fame |
What is the main idea of Paragraph 3?
| A．Great heroes of the past were generally admired. |
| B．The problem faced by celebrities has a long history. |
| C．Well-known actors are usually targets of tabloids. |
| D．Works of popular writers often have a lot of readers. |
What makes it much harder to be a celebrity today?
| A．Availability of modern media. |
| B．Inadequate social recognition. |
| C．Lack of favorable chances. |
| D．Huge population of fans. |
What is the author’s attitude toward modern celebrity?
| A．Sincere. | B．Sceptical. |
| C．Disapproving. | D．Sympathetic. |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium (水族馆)
The all-new Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, situated in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, is one of Victoria’s leading visitor attractions and an unforgettable outing for the whole family. Having 12 amazing zones of discovery, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is the very place that you cannot miss when you visit the city.
* Opening Times
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is open from 9:30 am until 6:00 pm every day of the year, including public holidays. Last admission is at 5:00 pm, one hour before closing.
* Location ( 位置)
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is located on the corner of Flinders Street and King Street, Melbourne. It is siyuated on the Yarra River, opposite Crown Entertainment Complex.
* Getting to Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
Train
The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium train stop is located on the free City Circle Tram route (公交线路) and also routes 70 and 75. City Circle trams run every 10 minutes in both directions.
Shuttle Bus
The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is a free bus service, stopping at key tourist attractions in and around the City. Running daily, every 15 minutes from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Car Parking
While there is no public car parking at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, there are several public car parking lots available only a short walk away.
* Wheelchair Access
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium provides people in wheelchairs with full access to all 12 zones. Each floor also has wheelchair accessible toilets.
* Terms
Tickets will be emailed to you immediately after purchase or you can download and print your ticket once payment has been accepted. Please print out all tickets purchased and present at the front entrance of Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. No ticket, no entry!Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium _________ .
| A．is located at the center of the CBD in the city |
| B．has 12 most attractive places in Melbourne |
| C．admits visitors from 9:30 am untill 6:00 pm |
| D．is beside Crown Entertainment Complex |
Getting to Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, visitors can take ________.
| A．trains from southern Cross train station |
| B．shuttle buses around the train station |
| C．boats across the yarra River |
| D．either tram route 70 or 75 |
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium offers visitors ________.
| A．free car parking | B．wheelchair access |
| C．Internet connection | D．transportation service |
Tickets to Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium ________ .
| A．are free to all visitors | B．can be pursed by email |
| C．rare checked at the entrance | D．can be printed at the ticket office |
D
Legends about the development of coffee are varied and interesting, involving chance occurrences, political tricks, and the pursuit of wealth and power.
According to one story, a sheepherder named Kaldi, as he tended his sheep, noticed the effect of coffee beans. He noticed that the sheep became excited after eating the red “cherries" from a certain plant when they changed pastures (牧场). He tried it himself, and was soon as overactive as his sheep. Another story relates that a monk happened to discover that this fruit from the shiny green plant could help him stay awake.
Another legend gives us the name for coffee, “mocha”. Omar, an Arabian was thrown to the desert with his followers to die of starvation. In desperation, Omar had his friends boil and eat the fruit from an unknown plant. Not only did the soup save the group, but the residents of the nearest town, Mocha, took their survival as a religious sign. The plant and its beverage (饮料) were named Mocha to honor this event.
Coffee was introduced much later to countries beyond Arabia, whose inhabitants believed it to be a tasty thing and guarded its secret as if they were top secret military plans. The government forbade transportation of the plant out of the Moslem nations. The actual spread of coffee was started illegally. One Arab named Baba Budan smuggled (走私) beans to some mountains near Mysore, India, and started a farm there. Early in this century, some of those original plants were found still growing fruitfully in the region.
Coffee today is grown and enjoyed worldwide, and is one of the few crops that small farmers in third-world countries can profitably export.What does the second paragraph mainly talk about?
| A．A sheepherder used coffee beans to keep sheep excited. |
| B．Coffee was a special kind of red cherry from a certain plant. |
| C．A sheepherder and a monk accidently discovered coffee’s effect. |
| D．Sheep ate a lot of coffee beans while they changed pastures. |
Which of the following involves political tricks?
| A．Kaldi’s story. | B．The monk’s story. |
| C．Omar’s story. | D．Baba Budan’s story. |
Mocha is originally the name of ______.
| A．a town | B．an Arabian |
| C．a kind of coffee | D．a sheepherder |
What can be the best title for the text?
| A．The Secret of Coffee |
| B．The Tales of Coffee |
| C．People’s Love for Coffee |
| D．The Function of Coffee |