In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles(触须)and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? This sea monster is the real deal.
On February 21, New Zealand fishermen landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully pulled the creature into a net and dragged in aboard their ship.
Scientists estimate(估计) that the animal weighs about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid the biggest on record.
First identified in 1925 after two tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters. So the recently discovered huge squid has been frozen in order to keep it for scientific study.
It will be transported to New Zealand’s national museum in the capital city of Wellington. Experts believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. “Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature,”said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderson. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine(海洋的) environment Why did the fishermen catch the squid?
A.Because the squid could help them catch Chilean sea bass |
B.Because the squid is of world-record-breaking size |
C.They found the squid by accident and caught it |
D.They caught the squid for scientific research |
According to Paragraph 4 the huge squid may be ___.
A.hard identified |
B.easily frightened |
C.sheep-like |
D.aggressive |
Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the text?
A.Scientists had known much about the huge squid’s diet and behavior |
B.The recently discovered squid will be exhibited around New Zealand |
C.The recently discovered squid is the first male squid ever caught |
D.Research on the squid will help us understand the marine environment better |
The best title for the text would be ___.
A.Science Fiction and the Real |
B.Fishermen and the Monster |
C.Huge Squid Caught |
D.New Research |
Now, it’s time for some brief news items.
Teens Go Online
Some 13 million European children under 18 use the Internet for schoolwork, games and music according to research done by Nielsen’s “Net-rating”. The study covered Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Experts advesed parents to limit the time their kids on line and keep them away from chat rooms.
Chat to the magic Mum
British author J.K.Rowling, mother of magic boy Harry Potter, will do an Internet interview about her new bool”Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”on June 26. Before the event, children are invited to send their questions about Harry to the website. The book will hit stores in the US and UK on June 21 and will arrive in China in August.
School Soldiers
Russian school students will have to do basic military training in their final year of school, the government has decided.The lesson will include learning to fire guns, marching drills and how to deal with a chemical, nuclear or biological attack. The activity is seen as part of a drive toward the education of their love for their country.
Is it hard for you to get up early and get ready for classes? Some students at Winter Park High School just roll our of bed in their pajamas(睡衣) and go to class in their own bedrooms. Of course, their teachers and classmates do not see them because all their class work is on the computer. The Florida High School, the state’s only online school, had 250 students who are taking classed at home by computer. Students in this first online program take classed in algebra(代数), American government , chemistry, computer, economics, and web-page design. They also have to go to regular school to attend other classes.
66.In the first news item, which country is NOT covered in the research?
A.Britain. B.France. C.Sweden. D.Spain.
67.Why will Russian school students have basic military training?
A.To get ready for a milirary parade. B.To learn to protect themselves.
C.To gain some military knowledge. D.To develop their love for the country.
68.About Florida High School, which of these facts is true?
A.Some of the students have to attend classed at home instead of in the school.
B.There are altogether 250 students who take classes in the classrooms.
C.As the state’s only online school, it has 250 students who take classes by computer.
D.Students can’t take classes in algebra, American government, chemistry, computer and so on.
69.The news from Florida can be given a title” ” .
A.Get up Lage B.Online School
C.Magical Computers D.No Teachers
70.What is the second news item mainly about?
A.J.K.Rowling will have an Internet interview.
B.Children will meet Harry Potter’s mother.
C.The Harry Potter book will be available on the Internet.
D.The Harry Potter book will arrive in China in early June.
New York State has passed the USA’s first state law banning motorists talking on hand-held cell phones. The ban will begin November 1, although drivers caught using hand-held cell phones will be given only warnings during the first month.
First-time violators(违法者) will face a $100 fine. A second time call for a $200 fine and every violation after that will cost$500.
At least a dozen localities(地方) have established bans, starting in 1999; and 40 states have had bans proposed but not passed.At least 23 countries, including the Great Britain, Italy, Israel and Japan, ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones.
There are about 115 million cell phones in use in the United States and more than 6 million in New York State.
“To think that I’m not going to use cell phone when at the same time I can still use my laptop, I still can read a paper, I can still change my pants(裤子) while driving 65 mph. I think there’s just something wrong,” an official said.
Other critics noted that other things like eating, drinking coffee and applying make-up while driving posed(造成) at least as much of a concern. They suggested that the ban include a broader range of things.
1.How much fine will a hand-held cell phone user receive if he has been caught using it four times while driving after November?
A.$500. B.$1000. C.$1200. D.$1300.
2.We can see from this passage that _______.
A.the ban has been put into effect in most states in the U. S.
B.many of the developed countries forbid drivers using hand-held cell phones
C.over fifty localities or states ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones
D.more people in the U. S. are against the ban than for it
3.The official mentioned in this passage _______.
A.does not agree with this ban
B.doesn’t believe using hand-held cell phones while driving will cause any danger
C.doesn’t understand why hand-held cell phones alone should be banned among many others
D.believes changing pants while driving will cause greater danger
4.The writer intends to tell us in the last paragraph that _______.
A.it is not fair to have this ban passed
B.the ban will never be passed in the whole country
C.more activities of the same kind should also be banned
D.the ban will meet with more criticism
5.This article is most probably taken from_______.
A.a newspaper article B.an advertisement
C.a personal diary D.a letter
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,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。
Everybody has had at least one experience from which he knows the meaning of life. This time, which took place several years ago, but seems as if it just happened.
On an afternoon several years ago, my brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s dress and picked out a beautiful skirt. “ Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.” he said.I guess this was the occasion: it was the funeral of my sister, after her unexpected death.
He took the shirt and put it on bed, with the other clothes we were taking to the funeral. Then he closed the drawer and turned to me, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”
I’m thinking about his words, and they’ve changed the way I live my life. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings. Whenever possible, life should be a kind of experience to enjoy, not to suffer. “Someday ”and “one of these days ”are losing their importance on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
Ever since that day, I have been trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter and color to our lives. Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that every day, every minute, every breath, truly is a gift. So cherish every day and find the true meaning of your life.
56.Why did Jan buy the beautiful skirt but didn’t wear it?
A.She waited for a special occasion to wear it on.
B.She wanted to keep it for someone else.
C.She saved it till she grew up.
D.She would give it to herself as a gift some day.
57.What does the underlined word “cherish” mean?
A.Treasure. B.Waste. C.Own. D.Save
58.From his experience, the author learns that_______.
A.everybody can have a happy life through efforts
B.every day in our lives is worth cherishing
C.enjoying ourselves is the most important thing in our lives
D.everybody will have some things left to do after his death
59.What does the author write this passage for?
A.To show how to make good use of everyday in life.
B.To explain the true meaning of his brother-in-law’s words.
C.To tell people to cherish every day and find the meaning of life.
D.To encourage people to waste time and enjoy themselves in life.
60.What’s the best title for this passage?
A.Every Day IS a Gift
B.My Sister Jan
C.What Is the Meaningful Life like
D.The Most Important Time in Your Life
Only three local students won Chinese Blog(博客)Competition. And 15 of the 18 awards went to students from China.
170 students’ task: to get a fully-designed blog up and running, complete with many postings based on a theme of choice—all written in Chinese.
Themes ranged from local opinions-such as the usage of Singlish, education and whether Singapore can be a cultural centre-to food blogs.
The entries were judged on Language proficiency(熟练程度)and the quality of writing, as well as the design and level of exchanging ideas with readers.
Academics(学者) from the National University of Singapore and the SIM University IT experts, and a journalist from Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao in Singapore made up the judges.
In the end, only three Singaporean students made it to the award list—the rest of the awards were swept up by students from China.
“No surprise, ” said Mr. Chow Yaw Long, 37, teachers in charge from Innova Junior College, which organized the event. “Although the topics were local subjects, the foreign students were generally better in terms of the content of the posts and their grasp of the Chinese language. ”
One of the three local students winning the first prize in the Best Language Award was blogger Christina Gao 19, from the Saint Andrew’s Junior College, who spared no effort in researching for and writing her blog. Each entry took her between five and seven days to produce, complete with pictures and even podcasts(播客).
Her advice for bloggers is: Be responsible(负责任的).
“Some bloggers out there only seek to blame(责备) the authorities and other bloggers.” Said Miss Gao. “I think they lack responsibilities and there is no value to their posts.”
72. The competition was organized by ___________.
A. the National University of Singapore B. Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao
C. the Saint Andrew’s Junior College D. Innova Junior College
73. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Not all the themes were about local subjects.
B. Chinese students won most of the awards.
C. The blogs could be written in Chinese or Singlish.
D. The judges were from universities in Singapore and China.
74. What Miss Gao said suggests that ___________.
A. she likes to blame the authorities B. she thinks highly of the others’ blogs
C. she has a sense of responsibility D. she loves to read valuable posts
75. The passage in mainly about ___________.
A. how Chinese students won the awards in the competition
B. why bloggers should take responsibility for their blogs
C. what the result of the competition was
D. how Miss Gao won the first prize in the competition
It was the first snow of winter — an exciting day for every child but not for most teachers. Up until now, I had been able to dress myself for recess(课间休息), but today I would need some help. Miss Finlayson, my kindergarten teacher, had been through first snow days many times in her long career, but I think she may still remember this one.
I managed to get into my wool snow pants. But I struggled with my jacket because it didn’t fit well. It was a hand-me-down from my brother, and it made me wonder why I had to wear his ugly clothes. At least my hat and matching scarf(围巾) were mine, and they were quite pretty. Finally it was time to have Miss Finlayson help me with my boots(靴子). In her calm, motherly voice she said, "By the end of winter, you will be able to put on your own boots.” I didn’t realize at the time that this was more a statement of hope than of confidence.
I handed her my boots and stuck out my foot. Like most children, I expected the adult to do all the work. After much wiggling and pushing, she managed to get first one into place and then, with a sigh, worked the second one on too.
I announced,“They’re on the wrong feet.” With the grace that only experience can bring,she struggled to get the boots off and went through the joyless task of putting them on again. Then I said,“These aren’t my boots, you know.” As she pulled the offending boots from my feet, she still managed to look both helpful and interested. Once they were off, I said,“They are my brother’s boots. My mother makes me wear them, and I hate them!” Somehow, from long years of practice, she managed to act as though I wasn’t an annoying(烦人的) little girl.She pushed and shoved, less gently this time, and the boots were returned to their proper place on my feet. With a great sigh of relief, seeing the end of her struggle with me, she asked, “Now, where are your gloves?’’
I looked into her eyes and said, “I didn’t want to lose them, so I put them into the toes of my boots.”
68. According to the passage, the little girl got from her brother.
A. the wool snow pants and the jacket B. the jacket and the boots
C. the jacket and the hat D. the boots and the gloves
69. Why does the author say Miss Finlayson would remember that first snow day?
A. Because the little girl played a trick on her.
B. Because it was the most exciting day of the winter.
C. Because the little girl was in her brother’s clothes.
D. Because the little girl wore a pretty scarf.
70. We can learn from the text that Miss Finlayson_________.
A. was losing confidence in the little girl B. gradually lost patience with the little girl
C. because disappointed with the little girl D. was getting bored with the little girl
71. It can be inferred(推断) that before the little girl finally went out to enjoy the first snow of winter,the teacher had to help her put on her boots __________.
A. once B. twice C. three times D. four times