The final event in the Olympics is the marathon. It is also usually the most exciting. As the leader comes into the stadium to run the last few meters ofthe 42-kilo-metre race, the crowd rises to its feet toshout and cheer. The name of the race comes from abattle in Ancient Greece. According to the story, asoldier ran from the scene of the battle,Marathon, toAthens, to bring the news of a Greek victory againstthe Persians. He died just after arriving.
The marathon has been an Olympic event sincethe modern Games started in 1896. At first the distance was 40 kilometres — the distance betweenMarathon and Athens. In 1908, however, at theLondon Olympics, it was changed. The King ofEngland wanted the runners to leave from his castlein Windsor and arrive m a new stadium in central
London. The distance was 26 miles — about 42kilometres. In fact, the 1908 marathon endeddramatically(戏剧性地). When the leader, an Italian,
entered the stadium he turned the wrong way and fellonto the ground. Officials picked him up and helpedhim to the finishing line,just as the second runner, anAmerican, entered the stadium. The Americans
protested （抗议） and in the end the American runnerwas declared(宣布)the winner. Since then, there havebeen many more exciting marathons.
In fact, you don't have to wait for the OlympicGames to run or watch a marathon, as there aremarathons in over sixty countries and hundreds ofcities around the world today. One of the mostfamous marathons is in New York, and is watched bytwo million people around the streets and across thebridges of the city's five boroughs(纽约市的行政区),and past New York's famous landmarks. But perhapsone of the most beautiful and extraordinary(最特别的) marathons ever is the Great Wall Marathon,which most competitors find is the toughest course torun.
The marathon is the final Olympic event becauseit is thought to be the hardest. But experts believe that most people — even people who are notparticularly good at sport — can run a marathon, ifthey train for it. When the leader came into the stadium, the crowd ______.
| A．ran to his feet happily |
| B．shouted with excitement |
| C．carried him to the line |
| D．sang and dance |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The name of the race comes from a game in Greece. |
| B．The soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens won a gold medal. |
| C．The marathon events in the Games have the same length all the time. |
| D．From 1908, the marathon events are of the same length. |
Which is the most special of the marathon events in the world?
| A．The Marathon in New York. |
| B．The Marathon in the Beijing Olympic Games. |
| C．The Great Wall Marathon. |
| D．The Marathon in London in 2012. |
Which of the following is TRUE about the marathon?
| A．Marathon is the most important event. |
| B．Marathon is the most popular event. |
| C．Marathon is the easiest event. |
| D．Marathon is the final Olympic event. |
E
The food we eat seems to have profound effects on our health. Although science has made enormous steps in making food more fit to eat, it has, at the same time, made many foods unfit to eat. Some research has shown that perhaps eighty percent of all human illnesses are related to diet and forty percent of cancer is related to the diet as well, especially cancer of the colon. Different cultures are more likely to cause certain different illnesses because of the food that is characteristic in these cultures. That food is related to illness is not a new discovery. In 1945, about 35 years ago, government researchers realized that nitrates, commonly used to preserve color in meats, and other food additives, caused cancer. Yet, these carcinogenic additives remain in our food, and it becomes more difficult all the time to know which things on the packaging labels of processed food are helpful or harmful. The additives, which we eat, are not all so direct. Farmers often give penicillin to beef and living animals, and because of this, penicillin has been found in the milk of treated cow. Sometimes similar drugs are given to animals not for medical purposes, but for financial reasons. The farmers are simply trying to fatten the animals in order to obtain a higher price on the market. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tried repeatedly to control these procedures, the practices continue.
61. What is the best possible title of the passage?
A. Drug and Food B. Cancer and Health C. Food and Health D. Health and Drug
62. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Drugs are always given to animals for medical reasons
B. Some of the additives in our food are added to the food itself and some are given to the living animals
C. Researchers have known about the potential dangers of additives for over thirty---- five years.
D. Food may cause forty percent of cancer in world.
63. How has science done something harmful to mankind?
A. Because of science, diseases caused by polluted food have been virtually eliminated.
B. It has caused a lack of information concerning the value of food.
C. Because of the application of science, some potentially harmful substances have been added to food.
D. The scientists have preserved the color of meats, but not of vegetables.
64. What are nitrates used for?
A. They preserve flavor in packaged food. B. They preserve the color of meats
C. They are the objects of research.D. They cause the animals to become fatter.
65. The word “carcinogenic” most nearly means _________________
A. trouble–making B. color– retaining C. money –making D. cancer–causing
D
To find out how the name Canada came about, we must go back to the 16th century. At that time, the French dreamed of discovering and controlling more land across the world. In 1535 Francois I, King of France, ordered a navigator (航海家) named Jacques Cartier to explore the New world and search for a passage to India.
Cartier first arrived at the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, which he wanted to explore. He did not know
what to expect but he hoped that this Gulf was just an arm of the ocean between two islands. If it
was, he would soon be on his way to the Far East. So he sailed upwards along the St. Lawrence
River. However, instead of reaching Asia he arrived at Quebec or Stadacona, as the Indians called
it. It was at this point that the term “Canada” entered the country’s history. Clearly the word
“Canada” came from an Indian word “Kanata”, which means village. Cartier first used it when he
referred to Stadacona or Quebec. What a huge “village” Canada is!
57. What was Cartier ordered to do?
A. To build a new country
B. To find the New World
C. To get in touch with the American Indians
D. To know more about America and find a new way to Asia
58. When Cartier reached the Gulf of St. Lawrence he hoped ________.
A. he had got to the Far East B. it was a water way to the New World
C. it was a water way to the Far East D. he had sailed into the Pacific
59. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Quebec and Stadacona were tow islands.
B. The Indian language for village is Stadacona.
C. Quebec and Stadacona were two villages in Canada.
D. Stadacona was what the Indians called Quebec.
60. Canada was first used to refer to __________.
A. Asia B. the New World C. a village D. Quebec
C
Do you want to improve the way you study? Do you feel nervous before a test? Many students say that a lack of concentration (注意力) is their biggest problem. It seriously affects their ability to study, so do their test results.
If so, use these tips to help you.
Study Techniques
You should always study in the same place. You shouldn’t sit in a position that you use for
another purpose. For example, when you sit on a sofa to study, your brain will think it is time to relax. Don’t watch TV while you are studying. Experts warn that your concentration may be reduced by 50 percent if you attempt to study in this way. Always try to have a white wall in front of you, so there is nothing to distract (make less concentrated) you. Before sitting down to study, gather together all the equipment you need. Apart from your textbooks, pens, pencils and knives, make sure you have a dictionary. If your study desk or table is needed when you are not studying, store all your equipment in a box beside it .
Your eyes will become tired if you try to read a text which is on a flat surface. Position your
book at an angle of 30 degrees.
Be realistic and don’t try to complete too much in one study period. Finish one thing before
beginning another. If you need a break, get up and walk around for a few minutes, but try not to telephone a friend or have something to eat.
Test-taking Skills
All your hard work will be for nothing if you are too nervous to take your test. Getting plenty
of rest is very important. This means do not study all night before your test! It is a better idea to have a long-term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts for a few months.
Exercise is a great way to reduce pressure. Doing some form of exercise every day will also
improve your concentration. Eat healthy food too.
When you arrive in the examination room, find your seat and sit down. Breathe slowly and
deeply. Check the time on the clock during the test, but not too often. Above all, take no notice of everyone else and give the test paper your undivided attention.
54. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. You should study in a different place every day, so you don’t get bored.
B. Your concentration will improve if you study and watch TV at the same time.
C. Check the time during the exam at a certain time.
D. Staying up all night and studying is tiring, but you will learn a lot using this method.
55. What does the underlined word “it” refer to in the 3rd paragraph?
A. Your study desk or table. B. Your textbook.
C. Your dictionary. D. The equipment you need.
56. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. You shouldn’t look at everyone else during the test.
B. You will have enough energy to deal with your study and exams by eating healthy diet.
C. You’ll concentrate more if there is nothing to distract you.
D. If you feel tired during study, you can walk around for a few minutes.
B
There are many best –selling authors in Europe and one of them is a 15-year –old girl from Paris. She is Flavia Bujor. Flavia is selling more books than people three times her age.
She started writing her novel at the age of 12. At 14, she had her book published. Her best-seller is called The Prophecy of Stones (<<石头的预言>>). The Prophecy of Stones is a story about a girl in hospital. In the story, the girl imagine another world and in that world three heroines work together to save their land with magical stones. So far, the book has sold 20,000 copies in France and Italy and 30,000 in Germany! Flavia Bujor says that “writing is my passion(最爱)”, but she still enjoys being 15. She takes piano lessons and likes hanging out with friends. The French girl plans to spend her money on her college education,
50.The Prophecy of Stones tells about things happening in _______________.
A. our real world B. an imaginary world C. the outer space D. both A and B.
51.The underlined sentence in the last paragraph means ______________.
A. She likes to do things people of her age do
B. She feels happy to be a 15- year –old best –selling author.
C. She does not wish to grow up.
D. She thinks15 is the best age for her as an author
52.What may be the best title for the article?
A. The Prophecy of Stones attracts most attention.
B. A 15-year –old girl becomes best-selling author.
C. Good school girl and best – selling author
D. Young author has more readers.
53.This passage probably appears _____________.
A. in a story book B. in a textbook
C. in a newspaper D. in a fashion magazine
五．阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）
A
People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible(有责任感的) citizens. They give love and care. These two days make us think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother’s Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery(墓地). On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is “the thought that counts”. Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephone companies, and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays.
46. Which of the following is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?
A. Parents bring up children.
B. Parents give love and care to children.
C. Parents educate children to be good persons.
D. Parents pass away before children grow up.
47. What do you think “florists” do?
A. They sell flowers.
B. They make and sell bread.
C. They offer enough room for having family parties.
D. They sell special gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
48. What do you know from the passage?
A. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both in May.
B. Fewer women worked outside the home in the past.
C. Not all the children respect their parents.
D. Fathers are not as important as mothers at home.
49. On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, .
A. people usually have family parties B. everyone goes to visit the cemetery
C. children always go to parents’ home D. hand-made cards are the most valuable gifts