Chinese students get annual stress test
More than nine million people sit the exams.known as the gaokao and it seems that the wholecountry keeps a respectful distance-even the carhorns are banned near the exam halls.
About 280, 000 police officers are put on securitytraffic detail during the exams. There are 106roadblocks around the exam halls in Beijing alone.
People need a bit of help around exam time andthere are large crowds around the Buddhist temples.At Yaoshan in Henan Province, authorities areallowing candidates to "hug the feet" of their 200-metre tall Buddha there for free during theexaminations to bring good luck.
The candidates' chances of getting into college are better than ever — the 9.15 million students are competing for 6.85 million places, and the numbers are falling: they are down l.4 million since 2008.
The education ministry said this was because the graduation-age population has fallen and becausemore students want to study abroad. There is also a feeling that the safe job in the public sector-the"iron rice bow"— which many students are hoping to achieve after graduation,is not the draw it used to be as the private sector becomes more alluring.
Every year at this time, teachers are on thelookout for increasingly inventive cheats. Earlier this week, police in Jiangxi Province discovered a group of people making exam-cheatingequipments, and arrested 63 people.
One 83-year-old man took the exams for the12th time this year, saying everyone needs theirdream. "He needs a better dream," one personquipped on the net. "Don't take a place away from a young person." From the passage we can infer that ____________.
| A．the car whistles are completely cancelledduring the college entrance exam |
| B．the college entrance exam is considered awesome by all the country |
| C．about 280, 000 police officers are put on security traffic detail in Beijing during gaokao |
| D．"hugging the feet"of the Buddha must bring good luck to the candidates |
The number of the students sitting the college entrance exam in 2008 is ________.
| A．more than 10. 5 million |
| B．less than l. 4 million |
| C．9.15 million |
| D．6. 85 million |
Which of the following statements is not the reason for the falling candidate number?
| A．The graduation-age population has fallen. |
| B．More students want to study abroad. |
| C．The "iron rice bowl" is not the draw. |
| D．The cost of attending the college is high. |
The underlined word in the last paragraphprobably means in Chinese.
| A．嘲讽 |
| B．关心 |
| C．担忧 |
| D．装备 |
After two classes, I started to recognize several of the faces in each class. There was always someone braver than the others who would introduce themselves and ask me questions about how I was liking Forks. I tried to be diplomatic, so mostly I just lied a lot to appear to be skilled at dealing with people. At least I never needed the map.
One girl sat next to me in both Trig and Spanish, and she walked with me to the cafeteria for lunch. She was tiny, several inches shorter than my five feet four inches, but her wildly curly dark hair made up a lot of the difference between our heights. I couldn't remember her name, so I smiled and nodded as she gossiped about teachers and classes. I didn't try to keep up.
We sat at the end of a full table with several of her friends, who she introduced to me. I forgot all their names as soon as she spoke them. They seemed impressed by her bravery in speaking to me. The boy from English, Eric, waved at me from across the room.
It was there, sitting in the lunchroom, trying to make conversation with seven curious strangers, that I first saw them.
They were sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, as far away from where I sat as possible in the long room. There were five of them. They weren't talking, and they weren't eating, though they each had a tray of untouched food in front of them. They weren't staring at me, unlike most of the other students, so it was safe to stare at them without fear of meeting an over interested pair of eyes. But it was none of these things that caught and held my attention.
I stared because their faces, so different, so similar, were all extremely, inhumanly beautiful. They were faces you never expected to see except perhaps on the airbrushed pages of a fashion magazine, or painted by an old master as the face of an angel. It was hard to decide who was the most beautiful -- maybe the perfect blond girl, or the bronze-haired boy.What does the underlined word “diplomatic” mean?
| A．smooth | B．clever | C．honest | D．delight |
From the passage, we can infer that _______________.
| A．“I” was really liking the new place. |
| B．“I” was not interested in what the girl said. |
| C．“I” had a bad memory, so it’s hard to remember names. |
| D．“I” was good at making friends. |
According to the last two paragraphs, why did “they” catch “my” attention?
| A．Because “they” weren’t talking. |
| B．Because “they” sat in the corner. |
| C．Because “they” didn’t eat the food. |
| D．Because “they” looked incredibly beautiful. |
According to the passage, which statement is NOT true?
| A．The girl walked with “me” was a little short. |
| B．“I” saw the five students for the first time. |
| C．Those students sitting in the corner had finished their food. |
| D．“I” probably wanted to know more about those five students. |
Dogs can be worried and pessimistic just like people, researchers report in a new study in Current Biology. And they aren’t talking about basset hounds (短脚猎狗): those dogs just look as if they expect the worst.
What the scientists say is that dogs that exhibit anxiety when left home alone by their owners may have bigger problems — they may be in a permanent bad mood.
This pessimistic outlook may not otherwise be easily apparent in a dog’s other characteristics, like running speed or learning ability, the study reports.
Dogs are similar to humans in the role that emotional state plays in decision making, said Michael Mendel, a veterinary scientist at the University of Bristol and the study’s lead author. The study’s researchers looked at 24 dogs in shelters in Britain.
They placed the dogs in isolated settings and observed their reactions — many barked, jumped on furniture and scratched at the door.
Then they placed bowls in two rooms. One bowl contained food, while another was empty. After training the dogs to understand that bowls can sometimes be empty, and sometimes full, they began to place bowls in ambiguous locations.
Dogs that quickly raced to the locations were more optimistic, and in search of food. Those that did not were deemed pessimistic.
The more separation anxiety a dog expressed while in isolation, the more likely the dog was to have a pessimistic reaction, the researchers found.
The study carries an important message for dog owners, Dr. Mendel said.
Dogs that express serious anxiety when alone may need treatment, as it could be a sign of unhappiness and instability.This passage can be classified as _________.
| A．an advertisement | B．a feature story |
| C．a news report | D．a book review |
In the study, many dogs barked, jumped and scratched because __________.
| A．they couldn’t find the bowl with food in it |
| B．they were left alone |
| C．they needed to be treated |
| D．they wanted to be active and optimistic |
According to Dr. Mendel, which statement is true?
| A．Like humans, dogs are good at decision making. |
| B．Dog owners should train dogs to find food. |
| C．Emotional state works sometimes when humans make decision. |
| D．Dogs can always find the bowl with food quickly. |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．Dogs will be optimistic as long as they are left alone. |
| B．Dogs must be in a permanent bad mood when their owners left. |
| C．Dogs that express anxiety don’t need treatment. |
| D．Dogs may easily show their pessimistic outlook in learning ability. |
Some of the best-known names in the entertainment industry have taken part in an unprecedented telethon to help victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States.
The benefit(义演), called “America: a Tribute to Heroes,” was sponsored by all four major U.S television networks, ABC, CBS, FOIX and NBC. It was broadcast by three-dozen television, cable and radio networks across the country and aired live to more than a hundred countries around the world.
Hollywood stars joined music entertainers in asking listeners and viewers to pledge cash donations to charities helping the victims of the September 11th attacks.
Actors, including Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise and Clint Eastwood, told stories of heroic acts by people who tried to save others from the burning World trade Center and the Pentagon. Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali made a rare public appearance in show of support.
The appeals alternated with performances by such popular entertainers as Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Steve Wonder, Paul Simon and the rock band U—2.
They appeared on stages in New York, Los Angeles and London, decorated with hundreds of burning candles.
Singer Billy Joel sang “ New York State of Mind” with a New York City firefighter’s hat on his piano. Sting dedicated his song “ Gragile” to a friend who died in the World Trade Center. Stevie Wonder condemned(指责) hatred in the name of religion before singing his song “ Love’s in Need of Love today”. Pledge phones were manned by dozens of other celebrities, including Jack Nicholson, Meg Ryan, Whoopic Goldberg, Cindy Crawford, Al Pacino and Sylvester Stallone.
Organizers say the two-hour telethon raised millions of dollars. All participants, from stars to stagehands, worked without pay. Those who appeared on stages were ______.
| A．some best-known names in the USA |
B．some famous singer, film stars and other music entertainers |
C．People who tried to save others from the burning World trade Center and the Pentagon. |
D．Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Hollywood stars |
The underlined word “ telethon” most probably means ______.
| A．a performance to raise money |
B．a concert held by some television networks |
C．a television program which lasts a long time |
D．a television program for entertainment |
Which of the following statements is True?
| A．Four major U.S. television networks broadcast the benefit |
| B．The former heavy weight champion Muhammad Ali sang a song to show his support |
| C．Billy Joel, wearing a firefighter’s hat, played the piano for the listeners and viewers |
| D．The organizers, stars and people who worked for the benefit didn’t get any money for themselves. |
The best title for the news report is ______.
| A．U.S Telethon Raises Money for Attack Victims |
| B．Best-known names Pledge Donations |
| C．Seeking More Support |
| D．A Tribute to Heroes |
HOTEL INFORMATION
Baymont Hotel
3800 W. Commercial, Ft. Lauderdale, FL33309
Lowest Prices 110% Guaranteed(保证).
Room Information:
Rooms are equipped with Double, Queen, or King bed (s) .smoking or non-smoking based on location and availability. Provided in each guest room is a hairdryer, coffee maker, iron, ironing board and cable TV.
Check-in Time: 7:00 P. M.
Hotel Amenities(设施): Air Conditioner, Parking, 24 Hour Front Desk, Pool, Television with Cable, Coffee Maker in Room, Hairdryers Available.
Beach Plaza Hotel
625N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale. FL 33304
Room Information:
The oceanfront accommodations at Beach Plaza Hotel are some of the most affordable on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Each room has direct-dial telephone, cable television and daily maid service. Full kitchens available! All rooms surround the private poolside garden courtyard.
Check-in Time: 7:05 P. M.
Hotel Amenities: Air Conditioner, Coffee Maker in Room, 24 Hour Front Desk, Free Parking, Hairdryers Available, Pool, Television with Cable.
Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel
3711N. Ocean Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308
Room Information:
Guest rooms include TVs, in-room movies, Internet access, in-room safes, alarm clock radios, hairdryers, refrigerators, microwaves and balconies.
Check-in Time: 7:00 A. M.
Hotel Amenities: Parking, Heated Pool, Cable TV and Coffee Maker in Room.Which hotel gives a promise?
| A．Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel | B．Beach Plaza Hotel |
| C．Baymont Hotel | D．All the three hotels |
In which hotel is parking free?
| A．Baymont Hotel | B．Beach Plaza Hotel |
| C．Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel | D．None of the hotels |
If you ________, you will probably go to Beach Plaza Hotel.
| A．enjoy seeing films without leaving your hotel room |
| B．are fond of swimming in heated water |
| C．want to eat food cooked by yourself in the hotel |
| D．are a cigarette smoker |
Which of the following is NOT true to the ads?
| A．All of the three hotels provide television with cable. |
| B．You can keep your money in the in-room safe in Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel. |
| C．While staying in Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel, you can surf the Internet. |
| D．In Beach Plaza Hotel a 24-hour maid is available. |
Forgiving someone who has hurt you or let you down is never an easy thing. Several new studies, however, say that it could have a lot of health benefits. When you think of forgiveness, you probably don’t think of it as being a health or medical problem. Studies from Stanford University, on the other hand, show that something like anger can change your well-being.
When cartoon book characters like the Incredible Hulk get angry, they change colours and often
gain special power. In the real world, anger is less obvious and may be more dangerous. That’s why Professor Fred Luskin, founder of the Stanford Forgiveness Project and author of Forgive for Good, says holding on to anger and hatred can harm your physical and mental health. Two new studies seem to show the same idea.
The studies find that people who are able to forgive feel less stress, less back pain, and less depression. They also have fewer headaches, lower blood pressure, and fewer problems on sleeping.
So it doesn’t matter if your anger is caused by the traffic or other things. Learning to let it go is important. Techniques such as deep breath or thought can help. Or just ask yourself if it’s worth hurting yourself by staying angry with someone else.
Forgiveness does not mean that you simply accept what happened and say it’s OK. Instead, it’s a way of making peace with yourself about what happened in the past. The author of the passage tries to make his viewpoint clear _______.
| A．by raising his own examples | |
| B．based on his own experience | |
| C．by mentioning some studies | D．by mentioning some typical patients |
The example of the cartoon book characters is taken in the passage to_______.
| A．support the viewpoint that anger and hatred harm physical and mental health. |
| B．introduce a famous expert. |
| C．let the reader know the different colours of cartoon faces. |
| D．show how to control one’s temper. |
The underlined phrase “holding on to” in this passage possibly means“_______”.
| A．removing | B．keeping up | C．getting rid of | D．learning about |
The best title for this passage is probably _______.
| A．Forgiveness | B．Forgiveness Is Good for Health |
| C．A Secret to Keeping Health | D．Anger Is Bad for Health |