One reaction to all the concern about tropical deforestation(砍伐森林) is a blank stare that asks the question, "Since I don't live there, what does it have to do with me?"
The answer is that your way of life, wherever you live in the world, is tied to the tropics in many ways. If you live in a house, wash your hair, eat fruits and vegetables, drink soda, or drive a car, you can be certain that you are affected by the loss of tropical forests.
Take rubber（橡胶） for example. For many uses, only natural rubber from trees will do. Synthetics are not good enough. Today over half the world's commercial（商业的）rubber is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia, while the Amazon's rubber industry produces much of the world's four million tons. And rubber is an important material in making gloves, balloons, footwear and many sporting goods. Thousands of other tropical plants are valuable for their industrial use.
Many scientists strongly believe that deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect—or heating of the earth from increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As we destroy forests, we lose their ability to change carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Carbon dioxide levels could double within the next half-century, warming the earth by as much as 4.5 degrees. The result? A partial melt-down of polar ice caps, raising sea levels as much as 24 feet; even 15 feet could threaten anyone living within 35 miles of the coast. Unbelievable? Maybe. But scientists warn that by the time we realize the severe effects of tropical deforestation, it will be 20 years too late.
Can tropical deforestation affect our everyday lives? Now, you should have got the answer.The underlined word "synthetics" probably means a kind of __________.
| A．natural rubber | B．tropical grass |
| C．man-made material | D．tropical tree |
In the last paragraph the author tries to _________.
| A．tell people how to avoid the tropical deforestation |
| B．show us how important it is to protect the tropical forests |
| C．persuade people to buy something synthetic |
| D．let people realize the good effect of tropical deforestation |
The author's attitude towards the tropical deforestation is __________.
| A．puzzling | B．cold |
| C．supporting | D．opposed |
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For a long time, being happy was considered something that just happened, and there was nothing special about it. Now we know it is something that we can work at.
You are happy if you get along well with others. To make people like you better, you should be unselfish, not wanting everything from your friends. Another way is to look for good points, not bad ones in other people. It is surprising how successful this can be.
You don’t have to be spineless (没有骨气的) in order to be popular. In fact, you will be liked and respected if you are not afraid to stand up for your rights. But do it politely and pleasantly. It is one way to develop a good character if you are friendly and polite to your group, to other people and to strangers and especially to those who do not look important or do not interest you.
Second, you must learn not to be unhappy when you make mistakes. You can not expect to be perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. No one is to be blamed (责备) unless he refuses to learn from them. Many young people become discouraged when they know in themselves qualities that they do not like — selfishness, laziness, and other unpleasant qualities. Just remember that we all have some of these faults and have to fight against them.
At the same time, it is important to remember that, while you are probably no worse than others, the best way to be happy is to think yourself above other people. When something is wrong, it is good sense to try to make it right. Perhaps you don’t like a teacher or a classmate. Try to see why, and look at yourself, too, to be sure that you are not doing anything to make that person dislike you. Some day, things may turn out all right and then you will have to learn to get along the best with the situation, without thinking too much about it. Worrying never helps in a situation you can’t change.
67. Which of the following is suggested in the passage?
A. Draw attention of our friends.
B. Ask for the best share of everything.
C. Look for faults that are shared among people.
D. Pay more attention to other people’s strong points.
68. According to the passage, if we want to be popular, we should ______.
A. be polite and friendly
B. give up some rights
C. never argue with other people
D. be ready to change our character
69. One should be blamed if he or she ______.
A. is not better than others
B. is selfish and lazy
C. does not draw a lesson from his or her mistakes
D. has some unpleasant qualities
70. The writer will possibly agree with the following EXCEPT that ______.
A. no one is perfect
B. every person has their own advantages over others
C. getting worried helps to change the situation for the better
D. self-examination is necessary if something is wrong
71. The author writes the passage in order to ______.
A. teach you how to make yourself perfect
B. show you how to be happy
C. tell you how to act when in trouble
D. teach you how to be popular among your friends
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A frugal (节俭) traveler, I’m on the road for three to six months out of a year, and all that wandering takes not just energy but organization as well. Before I set off, I will research destinations (目的地), book flights and hotels, and figure out what to do when I arrive. To do all those things,I have a long list of websites and other resources (资源). Since many people are now planning their summer vacations, I think I’d share my experience.
Once I have decided on a destination, I head straight for a little website called “Google” to do research. One of the first searches is for my destination with the words “frugal” and “affordable”. Seriously! When I went to Hawaii in 2008, the search immediately brought out the Pomaikai “Lucky” Farm B&B, a farm with comfortable rooms for $ 80 a night — a steal in America’s most 
expensive vacation spots.
I don’t just surf the Web, however — print still has its uses. I have a guidebook with me. When I travel for work, the information it provides is quite useful.
In order to know about the culture of my destination, I often turn to novels. In Manhattan, there’s Idlewild Books, where all kinds of books and novels sit side by side. But you could just easily visit the local independent bookstores or public libraries. If there’s really nothing in your area, log on the LongitudeBooks.com.
When it’s time to book a flight, I’m back online. My first stop is kayak.com, which searches almost every other booking site. I’ve also started to use ITAsoftware.com’s QPX system. It was developed for the airline companies.
Finally, when I’m ready to buy the ticket, I’ll go to the airline’s own website, because it offers the lowest price for the ticket. Then I’ll check SeatGuru.com, which offers seat maps of most airlines’ planes to find the best, most comfortable spot.
63. What does the writer usually do to prepare for a trip?
A. He turns to some organizations.
B. He wanders around to get information.
C. He consults websites and other resources.
D. He asks people who are planning summer vacations.
64. The underlined word “steal” most probably means “______”.
A. bargain B. farm C. room D. price
65. To know the culture of your destination, which of the following is suggested by the writer?
A. Tour the place and experience it.
B. Watch TV programs about the place.
C. Visit bookstores or public libraries.
D. Read the guidebooks about the place.
66. Where does the writer buy his flight tickets?
A. On the airline’s own website.
B. On kayak.com.
C. On ITAsoftware.com.
D. On SeatGuru.com.
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Back in the fifteenth century, in a village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Despite the hopeless condition, two of the children, Albrecht Durer and his elder brother Albert Durer, had a dream. They both wanted to become artists. After many long discussions, the two boys finally worked out an agreement. They would toss (投掷) a coin. The loser would go down to the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy (大学). Then, when that brother completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other at the academy.
Tossing a coin, Albrecht won and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went down to the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, supported his brother, whose work at the academy was excellent. By the time Albrecht graduated, he had earned a lot of money for his works of art.
When the young artist returned to his village, Albrecht thanked his brother for the years of support that enabled him to realize his dream. “ And now, Albert, it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to go for your dream, and I will take care of you.”
Tears running down his face, Albert said,” No, brother. I cannot go to Nuernberg. It is too late for me. Look…what four years in the mines has done to my hands! I have been suffering from arthritis (关节炎) so badly that I cannot even hold a wine glass. No, brother ... for me it is too late !”
Later, Albrecht Durer drew his brother’s hands. He called his drawing simply Hands, and later it was renamed The Praying Hands.
More than 500 years have passed. Among the works of Albrecht Durer, The Praying Hands, is probably the most familiar to people. Reproductions of it hang in people’s homes or offices.
Next time you see a copy of that touching painting, take a second look. Let it be your reminder — if you still need one — no one ever makes it alone!
59. Why did the two brothers work out the agreement?
A. They were curious about the result.
B. Their family couldn’t afford their attending the academy.
C. They had to support the other sisters and brothers in the family.
D. Neither of them wanted to study in the academy.
60. Why couldn’t Albert go to the academy after four years?
A. Albrecht changed his mind and refused to support Albert.
B. Albrecht was not able to earn enough money to support Albert.
C. Albert didn’t have a great love for painting any more.
D. Albert couldn’t hold a pen or brush to paint.
61. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. It proved that Albrecht was not good at painting.
B. Albrecht couldn’t earn any money while he was studying at the academy.
C. Years of hard work in the mines brought great suffering to Albert.
D. In the painting “The Praying Hands”, the hands were Albrecht’s.
62. What does the underlined sentence imply (暗示)?
A. You can achieve success all on your own.
B. Cooperation is important if you want to succeed.
C. There is other people’s sacrifice (牺牲) behind your success.
D. No one will succeed without working hard.
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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。
The most popular food in America was invented because a cook got angry. George Crum was a cook at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York. One day in 1853, a customer who had ordered fried potatoes sent them back to the kitchen. He wanted the cook to slice (切片) them thinner and fry them longer. George Crum had a bad temper (脾气), and he thought the potatoes were fine the way he made them. To teach the customer a lesson, he sliced potatoes very thin and fried them until they were crispy (脆的). But instead of being angry, the customer loved the new fried potatoes. He asked for more. Other people who tried them liked them too and customers kept asking for them. For many years, people called them Saratoga chips after the town where they were first made.
Even now, after more than 150 years, potato chips are very popular. At least one of every ten potatoes grown in the United States is made into potato chips. So if you like potato chips, be thankful that George Crum had a bad temper!
56. The customer sent the fried potatoes back to the kitchen because ______.
A. he wanted to make George Crum angry
B. he liked thinner potatoes fried a longer time
C. he knew the cook would invent potato chips
D. he didn’t want to pay for the food
57. George Crum cooked the potatoes in a special way in order to ______.
A. teach the customer a lesson
B. invent the potato chips
C. make the potato chips crispy
D. please that customer
58. What’s the best title for this story?
A. A cook with a very bad temper.
B. A clever customer.
C. Potato chips — the most popular food in America.
D. The invention of potato chips.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
THIS WEEKEND
Captain Goodfellow
Do your children enjoy interesting stories, funny games, and exciting dances? Captain Goodfellow will be ready to teach all these things to children of all ages at the City Theatre on Saturday morning at 10:00, free.
Walking Tour of the Town
Forget your worries on Saturday morning. Take a beautiful walk and learn about local history. Meet at the front entrance of City Hall at 9:30. Wear comfortable shoes!
Films at the Museum
Two European films will be shown on Saturday afternoon at the Museum Theatre. See Broken Window at 1:30. The Workers will be at 3:45. For further information, call 4987898.
International Picnic
Are you tired of eating the same food every day? Come to Central Park on Saturday and enjoy food from all over the world. Delicious and not expensive. Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Take Me out to the Ballgame
It’s October, and tonight is your last chance to see the Redbirds this year. Get your tickets at the gate. It might be cold… Don’t forget sweaters and jackets.
Do you want to hear “The Zoo”?
“The Zoo, a popular group from Australia, will give their first U.S. concert tomorrow night at 8 at Rose Hall, City College.
67. You can probably eat Chinese, Italian, and Arab food ________.
A. at the front entrance of City Hall
B. at the Ballgame
C. at 5:00 p.m.
D. at Central Park on Saturday
68 If you are going on the Walking Tour, don’t forget ________.
A. your worries
B. your beautiful walk
C. your learning about local history
D. your comfortable shoes
69. The Redbirds ballgame ________.
A. is in the afternoon B. is out door C. is at the gate D. might be cold
70. “The Zoo” is ________.
A. a park with lots of animals there
B. U.S. concert
C. a music group
D. going to give the concert at 8 a.m. tomorrow