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。
That our students rarely get the opportunity to use their imagination was an open secret among Chinese people. Now，a global survey has brought it to the notice of the rest of the world.
The survey covering 21 countries，conducted by International Educational Progress Evaluation Organization，showed Chinese students excelled at math，beating their peers from other countries. But when it came to using their imagination，they were tied for the last place. And in creativity，they were fifth from the bottom.
The survey results are not shocking，given the way our children are taught in schools and at home. But they are a severe reminder to our educators and parents to improve their ways.
Chinese students rarely get the time or chance to use their imagination. Right from the day they enter school they are pushed into a culture of exams and more exams. Teachers and parents teach them that education is all about passing these exams with flying colors. And to pass those exams，they are made to learn by fixed standard answers.
Teachers dare not encourage students to think outside the box. Teachers don't like students questioning them，killing the curiosity of the young minds. For children，there's hardly any room for bright ideas either in class or at home.
Israel shares the values of education with China. But there is a world of difference between the way Israeli parents treat their children and we do. Israeli parents do not mollycoddle their children. Instead，they encourage them to learn how to live independently. In contrast，Chinese parents go to extremes，allowing their children to do whatever they like to do and punishing them severely the next for committing a “mistake”．
The global study should make us swing into action and help our students to throw open their young minds to imagination and creativity. It is time our education officials and educators asked themselves what they should do to let our children's imagination and creativity blossom.Based on the passage，the creativity of the Chinese students ranks ________ among the 21 countries.
| A．the 5th |
| B．the 17th |
| C．the 21st |
| D．the 1st |
Why is the imagination of the Chinese students so poor?
| A．Their parents often improve their educational ways. |
| B．They are thought to be lacking in curiosity. |
| C．Their teachers are afraid of being questioned. |
| D．They are not encouraged to imagine both at home and in class. |
What does the underlined word “mollycoddle” probably mean in Paragraph 6?
| A．spoil |
| B．motivate |
| C．appreciate |
| D．scold |
It can be learned from the passage Israeli parents ________.
| A．lay much more emphasis on education than Chinese ones |
| B．allow their children to live in whatever way they like |
| C．focus more attention on developing their children's living ability |
| D．encourage their children to commit mistakes in lives |
Israel is introduced in the passage mainly ________.
| A．to enrich the content of the text |
| B．to support and advocate Israel education |
| C．to illustrate the disadvantages of Chinese education |
| D．to criticize the wrong behavior of Chinese parents |
The US will seek to expand its own oil production in an attempt to reduce dependence on imported oil and bring down fuel prices , President Obama says . New contracts for exploration will be signed in non-protected areas of Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico.
In his weekly speech , the President insisted the US could reduce its need for imported oil and improve safety. Using his speech to tell Americans that he understood their concerns about rising prices, President Obama focused particularly on the price of fuel, which has risen in recent months.
US consumers have historically enjoyed cheap fuel , but have seen prices rise in recent months even though US oil production in 2010 reached its highest level for seven years.
Although the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 was serious, Mr Obama said the Gulf remained a key part of the country’s future energy supply.
The President’s proposals (议案）come after Republicans (共和党人） introduced a series of proposals that would expand and speed up oil and gas production.
The White House has criticized the Republican proposals for safety reasons , but Mr Obama was clear in his speech that he felt safety and environmental standards could be maintained even though production might rise.
“ I believe that we should continue to expand oil production in America —even as we increase safety and environmental standards ,”he said.
“As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the solution to high gas prices.”
Mr Obama has previously called for a step-change in energy policy, saying the US must move towards getting 80%of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2035.Which of the following is NOT included in Mr Obama’s speech?
| A．The dependence on imported oil. |
| B．Improving safety standards |
| C．The reason for the rising oil prices . |
| D．Expanding oil production. |
Mr Obama thinks the Republican proposals are ______.
| A．Not safe enough | B．Not environmentally friendly |
| C．Practical | D．Clear |
What can we learn from the text ?
| A．The US has got most of its electricity from clean energy. |
| B．US oil production is too small to keep the present low fuel prices. |
| C．The US produced the most oil in 2010 in its history. |
| D．The Gulf is still important in energy supply in spite of the oil spill in 2010. |
Which of the following can serve as the title?
| A．Obama: US will seek oil in Alaska and Gulf of Mexico. |
| B．Obama: US will import less oil to improve safety and environmental standards . |
| C．Obama: the time of high fuel prices will be gone. |
| D．Obama: clean, renewable sources of energy are the solution to high gas prices |
According to an English newspaper, scientists could begin cloning human embryos in Britain in 2001. It is understood that the government has already agreed to use Frankenstein’s technology, believing the benefits are more important than ethical （伦理的）concerns .Researchers think it will be possible to grow brain tissue to cure the diseases that are likely to get worse as time passes like Alzheimer’s , and produce “spare part” organs like hearts and kidneys for transplant （移植）.
Ministers are aware that the change in the law will be as controversial as the law which legalized abortion (堕胎）more than 30 years ago. Some politicians reacted angrily , arguing that the government had already made up its mind without discussion. Church leaders and anti-abortion campaigners have long expressed their horror at the plans, arguing that even the earliest embryos are forms of human life.They believe that getting an embryo from cells is morally unacceptable . And it will also cause arguments about how far scientists should interfere with nature and lead to accusations that they are “playing God”.
The cloning of human embryos to provide spare parts is regarded by most experts to be the most important step forward in the 21st century medicine. Scientists say treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s will be the first application of cloning. The ability to clone embryos was first achieved by scientists in Scotland in the late 1990s and now the ability to grow stem cells into tissues and organs is being developed by American researchers. Combining the two technologies will mean an end to long waits for organs from donors and problems caused by rejection (排异反应） of transplanted tissues by the body.
Ian Wilmut, the man who cloned Dolly the sheep, has warned that British experts will go to America, where such work is legal, if the government does not permit it. The government has decided to allow scientists to clone human embryos because they think that ____.
| A．Frankenstein’s technology is advanced |
| B．Its advantages are more important than its disadvantages |
| C．Diseases like Alzheimer’s are a serious problem in their country |
| D．They can make a lot of money from it |
The underlined word “they”in Paragraph 2 refers to ______.
| A．Ministers | B．Scientists |
| C．Church leaders | D．Anti-abortion campaigners |
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．Most experts think that the cloning of human embryos is beneficial. |
| B．Politicians were in favour of the government’s decision. |
| C．It is legal for scientists to clone embryos in America now. |
| D．American researchers are developing the ability to grow stem cells into tissues and organs. |
What’s the best title for this passage ?
| A．Science of cloning. |
| B．Cloning and abortion |
| C．Cloning human embryos |
| D．the argument between politicians and scientists |
Poster 1
I am a journalist living in Barcelona and I would like to travel exchanging my apartment. I have an apartment in the city center with 2 bedrooms. You can get to the airport by bus or taxi in 20 minutes. And there is a metro (地铁）station really close to the apartment. The area has many shops , theatres , bars and restaurants.
Poster 2
I am looking forward to exchanging my apartment in Madrid for yours in a nice location in Beijing. It’s a really nice apartment in the centre of Madrid, within walking distance of the main attractions. You can walk to the Puertadel Sol, Royal Palace, Opera, Plaza Mayor, etc. in a few minutes ;everything is so close!The apartment has all the facilities (设备）and it is very modern.
Poster 3
Hello, I am a Canadian IT professional and accounting student looking for a room in Wudaokou or other areas near Shang Di ( my office location). I want to pay 1,400 RMB to 2,500 RMB depending on the room and location. I can sign a contract for at least three months. My email address: vhjvm-3584098242@hous.craigslist.org.
Poster 4
My 21-year-old son Matthew would like to visit China in the spring for three to four weeks. If you can offer him a safe, clean, cost-free place to stay, I will offer you or your family a stay at my second home 28miles outside of Reno, Nevada, USA . This is a single -story home on the edge of the desert. You have access to 70 acres of land, clean air and clean water. Fishing and golfing are available nearby. I will provide transportation to the home, and pick you up when you have finished. My son Matthew is honest, safe and clean-living.
Reply to :hbxdd-3537187673@hous. Craigslist.org.Poster 1 mainly focuses on the apartment’s ______.
| A．Low rent | B．Large space | C．Quality facilities | D．convenient location |
Which of the following is TRUE of the Puerta del Sol？
| A．It’s a district of Madrid. |
| B．It’s a main attraction in Madrid. |
| C．It’s the name of the apartment. |
| D．It’s an attraction outside of Madrid. |
Where is the house in Poster 4 located?
| A．In a stadium. | B．In the countryside. |
| C．In the centre of a desert. | D．In an area of the downtown. |
Which poster doesn’t involve the exchanging of houses or apartments?
| A．Poster 1. | B．Poster 2 | C．Poster 3 | D．Poster 4 |
A well-dressed man entered a famous jewelry shop. He explained that he wished to buy a pearl for his wife’ s birthday. The price didn’t matter, since business had been very good for him that year. After examining a nice black one that costs $5, 000, he paid for the pearl in cash, shook hands with the jeweler, and left.
A few days later the man returned and said that his wife liked the pearl so much that she wanted another one just like it. It had to be exactly the same size and quality as she wanted a pair of earrings made. "Can you give me any advice on how to get such a pearl?" said the man. The jeweler regretfully replied, "I would say it’s exactly impossible to find one exactly like that pearl."
The rich man insisted that the jeweler advertise in the newspapers, offering $25,000 for the matching pearl. Many people answered the advertisement but nobody had a pearl that was just right.
Just when the jeweler had given up hope, a little old lady came into his store. To his great surprise, she pulled the perfect pearl from her purse." " I don’t like to part with it." she said sadly, I got it from my mother, and ,my mother got it from her’ s. But I really need the money.
The jeweler was quickly to pay her before she changed her mind .Then he called the rich man’s hotel to tell him the good news .The man ,however ,was nowhere to be found. The man said he wanted to buy a pearl for _____ .
| A．his wife | B．his mother-in-law | C．his own mother | D．no one |
He paid $5,000 for the black pearl without bargaining (讨价还价) because______.
| A．he was very rich. |
| B．he wanted to make the jeweler believe him |
| C．he was anxious to get it |
| D．his business had been successful |
He told the jeweler to get him another pearl that must be______.
| A．exactly the same size as the black one |
| B．exactly the same quality as the black one |
| C．worth more than $25,000 |
| D．exactly as big and nice as the black one |
Many people answer the advertisement because they wanted______.
| A．to see the perfect pearl |
| B．to buy some beautiful pearl too |
| C．to get in touch with the rich man |
| D．to sell their own pearl at a high price |
The jeweler couldn’t find the man anywhere because ______.
| A．he died suddenly |
| B．he happened to be out |
| C．he got $20,000 by cheating and had run away with the money |
| D．he wouldn’t show up until the jeweler called him a second time |
In some Western countries, there are many opportunities for adults who want to improve their lives. There are public schools you can attend. In the schools, you can take things like English, arithmetic, and history. You can find classes in almost any subject you want to study. You may want to learn to type, sew, paint, or fix TV sets. You may want to learn more about trade you are already in. You may want to learn a new trade. You may want to get a high school diploma. You may even want to go to college. All it takes is time and effort.
In many cities, there are adult classes in the public schools. You can attend many of these classes without having to pay money. In some schools you may have to pay a small fee. There are also many kinds of private schools for adults.
In addition to schools, many industries and unions conduct on-the-job training programs. In these programs you hear about new ideas and learn new skills. Many large companies will send a worker to school if he or she has ability.
Many job opportunities are offered to those who wish to work. It helps if you know more than one language. There are good jobs for interpreters and typists who know English and another language.
There are many good jobs in government. In most cases, you must be a citizen of this country, and you must take a civil service examination. These examinations are open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, or color.
For many civil service jobs you need a high school diploma. The person who does not have a high school diploma can get one. There are several ways. You can study high school subjects at home and then take special tests. If you pass the tests, then you get a diploma. Or you can go to night school. There are classes that prepare you to take special tests to earn a diploma.
You can attend a night school that grants a high school diploma if you complete certain courses. If you do this, you do not have to take the special test.
Be as well trained as you can. Get as much training as you can. Opportunity knocks at every door. Be sure that when it knocks at your door you are ready.According to the article, if you want to live a better life, you have to get__________.
| A．some time | B．an education | C．new ideas | D．new jobs |
In many places, public schooling for adults is ____________________.
| A．difficult | B．easy | C．free | D．new |
What does this article tell us?
| A．Civil service jobs are offered to everyone. |
| B．Only a citizen can apply for a government job. |
| C．Training programs are often poorly organized. |
| D．Large companies will send most of their workers to school. |
We can see that___________________________________.
| A．well-trained people are often out of work |
| B．typists who know English earn much more money |
| C．one can work on a high school diploma at home |
| D．the person without a high school diploma can also get a civil service job |
The purpose of adults’ going to night school is to_______________.
| A．take special tasks | B．complete certain courses |
| C．get more training | D．get a diploma |