Though I have traveled in hundreds of trains, few unusual things have ever happened to me. But one day in a train something did happen. I do not mean that I was hurt: no one was hurt.
I do my work in a hot country far away from England. Every September I go there to do my business, and every July I come back to England to have a rest. So every September I go to Paris and take a train from the great French city to Mendova, and at Mendova I catch my ship.
There is one very fast train from Paris to Mendova, and it suits me well. It goes as far as Endoran, but it stops at Mendova for a few minutes to let travelers get out or in. It is called The Flying Bluebird. It reaches Mendova at seven minutes past nine in the morning, and it is never late.
A ship leaves Mendova at half past eleven, and so you will understand that The Flying Bluebird suits me very well. I always travel by it, and I have nearly two and a half hours at Mendova to go from the station to the ship. That is more than enough time.
Well, one September night, I took my place in The Flying Bluebird as usual. The train leaves Paris at nine o’clock every night, and I was in my place soon after half past eight. There were three or four people there with me, but very soon a lot of others got into the train. When no more people could sit down, they began to stand up near us and also in the corridor(走廊). In a short time the corridor was full too, and it was impossible for any more travelers to get into the train.
I could see a lot of other people outside the corridor windows, but they could not get in, and the train left Paris without them. The man sitting next to me started to ask all kinds of questions: “Where do you work? How long does it take you to get there? Are you married? How many children do you have? How much money do they pay you every year? How much do you have in the bank? How much do you spend every month?”
He asked questions for about twenty minutes but I did not give him any clear answers, and at last he stopped and began to read the paper.
I usually sleep quite well in the train, but this time I slept only a little. There were too many people, and there were too many things: small bags, large bags, coats, hats, boxes, newspapers and food. As usual, we got angry about the window. Most people wanted it shut, and two of us wanted it open. But that always happens. It was shut all night, as usual.
When I awoke in the early morning I felt hot and dirty, and glad that the journey was reaching its end. At seven minutes past nine The Flying Bluebird stopped. We were at Mendova, and I stood up thankfully. I took my two suitcases, held one in each hand, and tried to move towards the door into the corridor. In order to get out of the train, I had to pass down the corridor to the door at the far end. There was no other way out.
I could not even into the corridor. There was a suitcase on the floor by my feet, and three men were standing in my way. I felt a touch of fear. I had to get out, you see; I had to catch my ship, which left at half past eleven. And the train did not stop again until it reached Endoran, two hundred miles away.
“I must get out!” I cried. Everyone there understood me, but no one could move.
At last I was able to put one foot over the suitcase on the floor, and I nearly reached the door into the corridor. But then, very slowly, the train began to move. It was taking me away!
“Stop!” I cried. “I want to get out!” But no one outside the train could hear me, and the people inside did not care much. The train moved a little faster. What could I do? I was not even in the corridor.
Fear made me think quickly. In front of my eyes, just, above the door, was a notice that told everyone how to stop the train. I had to pull an iron thing near the notice. I did not waste time. I pulled it.
Well, a noise started above our heads. That was to show everyone that there was something wrong. It was not a small sound. Possibly the men in my ship two miles away could hear it. Then the train stopped.
No one likes to stop a train if there is no need. But I had to catch my ship. That was the only thought in my mind: to get out and catch my ship. The purpose of the author writing the first paragraph is to _______.
A.answer some questions |
B.arouse (激发) the readers’ curiosity |
C.express some unusual feelings |
D.give some advice in advance |
What do we know about the author and the man sitting next to him?
A.The author didn’t like the man’s foolish questions |
B.They talked with each other all night |
C.They got angry about the window |
D.The author didn’t understand the man’s words |
On this journey on The Flying Bluebird, the author felt uncomfortable because _______.
A.he couldn’t find a seat by the window |
B.he was angry with the man sitting next to him |
C.the window was kept shut all night |
D.there were too many people on the train |
It can be learned from Para.10 that the author was afraid that ______.
A.he would have to spend another sleepless night on the train |
B.more people might crowd into the train |
C.he would miss the ship that went where he worked |
D.he would have to buy another ticket |
The noise in the underlined sentence “a noise started above our heads”(Para.15) was made by _____.
A.the angry passengers shouting at the top of their voices |
B.the ship that was lying two miles away |
C.the falling of boxes and suitcases to the floor |
D.the train itself telling people that something was wrong |
What would be the best title for the text?
A.A Train that Is Never Late |
B.A Quick and Wise Decision |
C.A Journey to Mendov |
D.A Bad Experience on the Train |
Ad.1 April fool’s party
On Friday, April 1, Inner Affair goes back to the days of funk! Classic Tunes from the 70’s and 80’s by DJs Den & Sion.9 pm till late.
Tickets:Free entrance for those in costume, otherwise 50 yuan(US $6)
Time/date:9pm, April 1
Place:Inner Affair, 1/F Qiankun Dasha, 6 Sanlitun xiliujie, Chaoang District
Tel:8454-0321
Ad.2 Language in use
Enjoy free in-house coffee, tea and beer as well as music and dancing.Practice your Chinese, make friends and have fun.
Time/date:7 to 9 pm, March 25
Place:Language In Use Club, 2/F, Science Fortune Centre, 8 Xueqing Lu, north of Xueyuan Lu, Haidian District.
Ad.3 The “worst ” party
Organized by 0-zone productions, the party is set to be “the worst ever,” with the lamest music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.Special prizes will be awarded to the worst dressed or for bad fashion sense.
Tickets:Free entrance
Time/date:9 pm, April 1
Place:Pula Pula, Tianze Lu, Oriental Seven Colors Plaza, Chaoyang District
Ad.4 La Nuit Francaise
Again on the 2nd Thursday of the month La Nuit Francaise will be held at Le Rendezvous.The monthly event is an opportunity for all French people and everyone interested in France of speaking French to gather together.
The evening features three glasses of wine and canapés for participants and a special exhibition.
Time/date:7 to 10pm, April 14
Place:Le Rendez-vous, 3 Gongti Beilu, across from the Pacific Century Plaza Chaoyang
Ad.5 Marco V
Dutch DJ Marco V drops by Banana for a gig which is supported by Hong Kong’s DJ Spark.
Marco V has been around for many years, as an inventive, style-blending deejay and successful and devoted producer.His spinning is energetic, crowd-pleasing and never sees an empty dance floor.He was ranked No 15 in this year’s international DJ MAG DJ Top 100.
Tickets:40 yuan (US $ 4.80) in advance, 50 yuan(US$6) at the door, both include a free drink.Which of the following is NOT True of Ad.1and Ad.3 ?
A.The two parties will be held on the same day. |
B.The two parties will be held at the same time. |
C.The entrance fees of the two parties will not be charged. |
D.Some old music will be played at the parties. |
Which of the following is intended for the Chinese learners?
A.Marco V | B.La Nuit Francaise |
C.Language in use | D.The “worst” party |
Which of the following events takes place every month?
A.Marco V | B.La Nuit Francaise |
C.The “worst” party | D.Language in use |
We can infer that _____.
A.Marco V is a newly-established band |
B.La Nuit Francaise may be French words |
C.The “worst” party will attract a lot of college students |
D.You will enjoy free drink at April fool’s party |
Health experts have discovered that adding low-calorie vegetable soup to the start of a meal can actually help to lose weight.
Because you feel full sooner, you eat less of your main course.
The soup regime(养生法)was tested by researchers at Pennsylvania State University, led by Dr Barbara Rolls.
They found that when people ate a first course of soup before lunch they reduced their total calorie intake by 20 per cent, compared with those who did not begin the meal with soup.
But those who favor creamy soups should be careful.Researchers stressed the soup must be low-calorie and based on stock(菜汤), not cream.
All of the soups tested in the study were made from identical ingredients - chicken stock , broccoli(硬花甘蓝), potato, cauliflower(菜花)and carrots.
They were mixed together to create four different textures and thickness from separate stock and vegetables through to pureed soup.
Scientists thought that thick soups with chunks of vegetables which required chewing might be more filling, but to their surprise they found all forms had the same effect.
The findings were presented to the Experimental Biology conference in Washington, DC, and the research was part-funded by the National Institutes of Health. What’s the reason that adding low-calorie vegetable soup to the start of a meal can actually help to lose weight?
A.You can take in large quantities of vegetables. |
B.You can absorb high calories from the soup. |
C.You can take in low calories from the soup. |
D.You can feel full soon after having the soup. |
Which of the following can not be in the low-calorie soup?
A.chicken stock | B.cauliflower | C.cream | D.carrots |
What is the best title of this passage?
A.Vegetable Soup Helps to Lose Weight. |
B.A Scientific Research is Carrying out. |
C.A Research Done at Pennsylvania State University |
D.Findings Carried out to the Experimental Biology. |
The underlined word “favor” is the same in meaning with ______.
A.hate | B.enjoy | C.prefer | D.drink. |
Many people who work in London prefer to live outside it, and to go in to their offices or schools every day by train, car or bus, even though this means they have to get up early in the morning and reach home late in the evening.
One advantage of living outside London is that houses are cheaper. Even a small flat in London without a garden costs quite a lot to rent. With the same money, one can get a little house in the country with a garden of one’s own.
Then, in the country one can rest from the noise and hurry of the town. Even though one has to get up earlier and spend more time in trains or buses, one can sleep better at night and during weekends and on summer evenings, one can enjoy the fresh, clean air of the country. If one likes gardens, one can spend one’s free time digging, planting, watering and doing the hundred and one other jobs which are needed in a garden. Then, when the flowers and vegetables come up, one has the reward of one who has shared the secret of Nature.
Some people, however, take no interest in country things: for them, happiness lies in the town, with its cinemas and theatres, beautiful shops and busy streets, dance-halls and restaurants. Such people would feel that their life was not worth living if they had to live it outside London. An occasional(偶尔) walk in one of the parks and a fortnight’s (two weeks) visit to the sea every summer is all the country they want: the rest they are quite prepared to leave to those who are glad to get away from London every night. Which of the following statements is true?
A.People who like country things prefer to live outside the city. |
B.Few people who work in London prefer to live in the country. |
C.One disadvantage of living outside London is that houses are cheaper. |
D.The people living outside London must like gardens. |
One can use the same money for ________ in London to buy a little house with a garden in the country.
A.getting a small flat with a garden |
B.having a small flat with a garden |
C.renting a small flat without a garden |
D.buying a small flat without a garden |
When the flowers and vegetables in the garden come up, those _______can share the secret of Nature.
A.who live in the country |
B.who have spent time working in the garden |
C.who work inside the city |
D.who sometimes walk in the parks |
People who like the city life would feel that _______ if they had to live outside London.
A.their life was meaningless |
B.their life was invaluable |
C.they didn’t deserve a happy life |
D.they were not worthy of their happy life |
Jeanne Calment, a French woman, became a record breaker on 17 October of 1995, when at the age of 120 years and 238 days, she became the longest-lived human being on record. A Japanese man died in 1986 at the age of 120 years and 237 days.
Jeanne Calment lives in a small old people’s home in the south of France; her husband, her only child and her grandson have all died. She is nearly blind and deaf and is always in a wheelchair, but her doctor describes her as being more like a 90-year-old in good health than someone of 120. She still has a lively sense of humor. When asked on her 120th birthday what she expected of the future, she replied: A very short one. She also remarked that she thought the good Lord had forgotten all about her.
So what is the key to a long life? According to some doctors, diet, exercise and no smoking are the three important factors. Jeanne Calment has followed two of the tips. She has always eaten a healthy diet, and she used to do exercises every day until she broke her leg at the age of 115. However, until recently she drank two glasses of strong red wine a day, and she does smoke (now only a little). Besides, Jeanne Calment might have got very good genes from her parents. Her father lived to the age of 94 and her mother to 86.
A local lawyer bought her house when she was 80 under an agreement that he would pay her some money every year until her death. It must have seemed a good move at that time, but so far the lawyer has paid her at least three times the value of the house. Every year on her birthday Jeanne Calment sends him a card saying:
Sorry, I’m still alive! How does Jeanne Calment feel about her old age?
A.She is miserable and unhappy. |
B.She is cheerful and humorous. |
C.She would like to live much longer. |
D.She feels she is going to die very soon. |
Jeanne Calment has a long life because of _______.
A.smoking only a little every day |
B.her giving up smoking and drinking |
C.drinking two glasses of strong red wine every day |
D.the good genes from her parents, a healthy diet and some exercises |
According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.The Japanese man died earlier than Jeanne Calment by one day. |
B.Jeanne Calment is tired of living so long a life. |
C.Jeanne Calment’s husband, children and grandchildren have all died. |
D.One of Jeanne Calment’s legs was once broken. |
Which could best replace the underlined word “move” in the fourth paragraph?
A.deal | B.trick | C.march | D.sport |
Why does Jeanne Calment say “Sorry, I’m still alive” to the local lawyer every year on her birthday?
A.Because she had an agreement at 80 with the lawyer which was to her advantage. |
B.Because she has asked the lawyer to pay her more rent than they first agreed. |
C.Because the lawyer has paid her much more money than the value of the house. |
D.Because the house she rented to the lawyer isn’t worth the money he has already paid. |
(NEW YORK) A French tourist highly praised for rescuing a two-year-old girl in Manhattan said he didn’t think twice before diving into the freezing East River.
Tuesday’s Daily News said 29-year-old Julien Duret from France was the man who left the spot quickly after the rescue last Saturday.
He lifted the little girl out of the water after she fell off the bank at the South Street Seaport museum. He handed the girl to her father, David Anderson, who had dived in after him.
“I didn’t think at all,” Duret told the Daily News. “It happened very fast. I reacted very fast.”
Duret, an engineer on vacation, was walking with his girlfriend along the pier(码头) when he saw something falling into the water. He thought it was a doll, but realized it was a child when he approached the river. Immediately, he took off his coat and jumped into the water.
When he reached the girl, she appeared lifeless, he said. Fortunately, when she was out of the water, she opened her eyes.
Anderson said his daughter slipped off the bank when he was adjusting his camera. An ambulance came later for her, said Duret, who was handed dry clothes from onlookers. Duret caught a taxi with his girlfriend shortly after.
The rescue happened on the day before he left for France. Duret said he didn’t realize his story of heroism had greatly moved New York until he was leaving the city the next morning.
“I don’t really think I’m a hero,” said Duret. “Anyone would do the same thing.” Why was Duret in New York?
A.To meet his girlfriend. | B.To spend his holiday. |
C.To work as an engineer. | D.To visit the Andersons. |
What did Duret do shortly after the ambulance came?
A.He was interviewed by a newspaper. |
B.He went to the hospital in the ambulance. |
C.He disappeared from the spot quickly. |
D.He asked his girlfriend for his dry clothes. |
Who dived after Duret into the river to save the little girl?
A.David Anderson | B.A passer-by |
C.His girlfriend | D.A taxi driver |
What is probably the headline of this news report?
A.A Careless Father | B.A Poor Girl |
C.Warm-hearted Onlookers | D.Brave Frenchman Found |