President Barack Obama has complained about the loss of privacy that comes with being leader of the United States, regretting the loss of simple pleasures such as a long walk or a trip to the car wash or supermarket. "I just miss—I miss being anonymous," he said. "I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk." His dream, he said, was to "go through Central Park and watch folks passing by... spend the day watching people—I miss that".
Faced with angry criticism for playing more golf than most previous occupants of the White House, he explained that the sport was simply the best way of getting away from it all. "It's the only excuse I have to get outside for four hours in a row, he told Hearst Magazines.
Though he said he enjoyed his life in the White House, he felt disappointed with some of the ways of Washington, which he has failed in his pledge(保证) to change, such as the "kabuki dance( 日本歌伎舞)" among political parties before serious policy discussions begin. His comments may be seen as vindication(证实) by critics who have accused him of appearing too detached (超然的), and being slow to engage in vital issues such as Libya and the near shutdown of the US government last week.
Since arriving at the White House in January 2009, Mr Obama has already racked up (得分)60 rounds of golf in office, more than George W. Bush did in his eight years.
In terms of ability, Golf Digest magazine has ranked Mr Obama eighth out of the 18 presidents who played the game since it became established in the early 20th century.What can be inferred from the first paragraph about Barack Obama after he became the US president?
| A．He liked living a busy life. |
| B．He used to wash his car himself. |
| C．He used to spend most of his time with his family. |
| D．He is unhappy with being too frequently watched by the public. |
Barack Obama's explanation to playing golf is .
| A．to keep fit | B．to enjoy life |
| C．to release his pressure | D．to balance his work |
Which one of the following statements is from the critics?
| A．The president is really a great golf player. |
| B．There are always unnecessary procedures among political parties. |
| C．The president lost a lot privacy, but he loves the life in the White House. |
| D．The president seems to have no interest in some really important issues. |
According to the text, which of the following statements is TRUE about Barack Obama?
| A．He regrets to become the US president. |
| B．He has lost privacy ever since he became president. |
| C．He couldn't play too much golf' because of people being angry with him. |
| D．He is not good at playing golf compared with the other presidents who played golf. |
D
Americans are pound of their variety- and individuality(多样性与个性), yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform（制服）, whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?
Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian (百姓的) clothes. People have become conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a barber, or a waiter to lose professional identity (身份) than to step out of uniform ?
Uniforms also have many practical benefits. They save on other clothes. They save on laundry bills. They are tax-deductible (可减税的). They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.
Primary among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act similarly, on the job at least.
Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long-lasting, often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also dear to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality________.
| A．still judge a man by his clothes |
| B．hold the uniform in such high regard |
| C．enjoy having a professional identity |
| D．will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform |
People are used to thinking that a man in uniform________.
| A．suggests quality work |
| B．discards his social identity |
| C．appears to be more practical |
| D．looks superior to a person in civilian clothes |
The chief function of a uniform is to________.
| A．provide practical benefits to the wearer |
| B．make the wearer catch the public eye |
| C．inspire the wearer’s confidence in himself |
| D．provide the wearer with a professional identity |
According to the passage, people wearing uniforms________.
| A．are usually helpful |
| B．have little or no individual freedom |
| C．tend to lose their individuality |
| D．enjoy greater popularity |
C
A woman whose sports car was stolen with her dog in it put up notices all over the area that made it clear that getting back her pet was more important than her car．
“Whoever did this can keep my car．Please let Benjerman come home,” the notice said．
It is not known whether the thief showed any pity, but almost 30 hours after the 1 pm theft Friday, Kimberly Atkins of Dover and Benjerman，a 12-year-old black retriever（猎犬），were reunited after police located them in Barrington．
“He’s hungry, he’s dirty, but he’s very happy to be home，”Atkins said．
The car was found at about 5 pm Saturday off Route 125 in a swampy area frequented by off-the-road cars and dirt bikes．However, the police couldn’t control Benjerman，and they had to call Atkins to come and get him．
Atkins said the thief cared for Benjerman a little by providing him with some dry cat food．She believed Benjerman ended up drinking some muddy water in the area．
She said they have been together for nearly 11 years after she took him back from a society shelter in Dallas, Texas．
Before Benjerman was found，Atkins and several friends put up notices all over the city and in Somersworth．They also contacted animal shelters，throughout southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
The notice stated there was a reward，and also that the dog needed medication．Any caller could remain anonymous（匿名的）．
Atkins had parked the car outside a hardware store with the keys inside and gone into rent a carpet cleaner.
“It was l0 minutes and I came out and my car was gone along with Benjerman in broad daylight，” Atkins said．The car thief threw Atkins’ wallet and other personal items out of the car before escaping from the scene． What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．A car with a dog was stolen |
| B．Lucky dog was returned to his owner |
| C．Stealing cars：a most important social problem |
| D．Woman wants dog back more than stolen car |
Which of the following shows the correct order of what happened?
a．Notices were put up saying there was a reward．
b．Atkins saw Benjerman again．
c．Police found Atkins’ car．
d．Atkins took Benjerman back from a society shelter．
e．Atkins hired a carpet cleaner in a hardware store．
| A．d,e,a, b,c | B．d,e,a,c,b | C．e,a,d,b,c | D．e,a,c,d,b |
We can infer from the passage ．
| A．the dog was treated extremely badly by the thief |
| B．car stolen accidents happen frequently nowadays |
| C．the dog was found because of the reward |
| D．the thief stole the car easily |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Benjerman was sent back immediately after Atkins put up the notices． |
| B．Atkins and her friends made a great effort to look for Benierman． |
| C．The thief gave the dog back but kept the sports car． |
| D．The dog was back at 1 pm on a Friday． |
B
How do apology languages work? Have you ever tried to apologize, only to be refused? It may be that you were offering a partial apology in a “language”, that was foreign to your listener. The five languages of apology include:
Apology Language 1: “I am sorry.”
List the hurtful effects of your action. Not “I am sorry if …”, but “I am sorry that…”. You might ask if they want to add any points that you have not recognized.
Apology Language 2:“I was wrong.”
Name your mistake and accept fault. Note that it is easier to say “You are right” than “ I am wrong”, but the latter carries more weight.
Apology Language 3: “What can I do to make it right?”
How are you now? How shall I make amends(弥补) to you? How can I restore your confidence that I love you— even though I was so hurtful to you?
Apology Language 4: “I’ll try not to do that again.”
Engage in problem-solving. Don’t make excuses for yourself such as, “Well, my day was just so…” Instead, offer what you will change to prevent yourself from putting them in the same bad situation again.
Apology Language 5: “Will you please forgive me?”
Be patient in seeking forgiveness. They may need some time or greater clarification(澄清) of your input from Apology Languages 1-4.
Finally, your apology may not be accepted, but at least you know that you have been faithful in offering a sincere olive branch(橄榄枝) of peace.The passage mainly talks about___________
| A．5 tips for apologies that work | B．5 ways of refusing apologies |
| C．the function of apology languages | D．the importance of apology languages |
According to Paragraph 1, your apology may be refused mainly because________
| A．your listeners can’t understand your dialect. |
| B．your listeners can’t hear what you said clearly. |
| C．your apology is not sincere. |
| D．your apology is not expressed well enough. |
When offering an apology, which of the following does the author prefer?
| A．“You are right” | B．“I am sorry if …” |
| C．“I was wrong.” | D．“Well, my day was just so…” |
In the last paragraph, the author tells us even if your apology may not be accepted, at least ___________.
| A．It’s your fault any more | B．your mind will be at peace |
| C．your friend will make peace with you. | D．your apology is true to your heart |
A
In order to know a foreign language thoroughly(完全地), four things are necessary. First, we must understand the language when we hear it spoken. Secondly, we must be able to speak it ourselves, correctly with confidence and without hesitation(犹豫). Thirdly, we must be able to write it. We must be able to make sentences that are correct in grammar.
There is no short way to succeed in language learning. A good memory is a great help, but it is not enough only to memorize the rules from a grammar book. It is no much use learning by heart long lists of words and their meanings, studying the dictionary and so on. We must learn by using the language. If we are pleased with a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. We must “Learn through use”. Practice is important. We must practice speaking and writing the language whenever we can.The most important things to learn a foreign language are_______.
| A．understanding and speaking |
| B．hearing, speaking, reading and writing |
| C．writing and understanding |
| D．memorizing and listening |
One can never learn a foreign language well only by_______.
| A．much practice | B．studying the dictionary |
| C．learning through use | D．using the language |
“Learn through use” means_______.
| A．we use a language in order to learn it |
| B．we learn a foreign language in order to use it |
| C．we can learn a language well while we are using it |
| D．both B and C |
BEIJING — China’s education authority will tighten the widely criticized policy of “extra credits” for the national college entrance examination to ensure a fairer chance for all exam-takers.
Under the policy, high school students who win awards in national Olympic competitions could get ‘‘extra credits’ up to 20 points for the national college entrance exam. Students with talent in sports and students who are from ethnic groups can also benefit from this policy. The extra credits have increased these students’ chances of being admitted by famous universities. Some parents were found to have helped their children fabricate(伪造)award experiences or falsify qualifications to get extra credits.
“It has harmed education equality，” the ministry said.
Xiong Bingqi, vice-chief of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the policy is designed to help students who have special talents but may be weak in academic performance to have a chance to receive higher education. uIt will still be needed but it is time to make the rules fairer," he said.
The ministry said it will reduce the range of competitions whose winners can get extra credits, and limit the winners, privileges(优先权).
The new policy will apply to students who begin high school in 2011, it said.
Chen Lei, a mother of a 10-year-old girl, said she welcomed the ministry's policy adjustment as she does not want her daughter to become an Olympic competition geek.
But not all the Chinese parents welcomed the new policy. “It is like a thunderbolt for me. My - 13-year-old son has spent so much time studying Olympic math，and participated in so many technological competitions during vacations. It is useless now,” said Dong Wen, a 43-year-old mother.
A student said, “Many students have changed the current study plan, and they can abandon the competition. I will be interested in learning the courses which can improve my abilities.”
Yuan Guiren, minister of education, told China Daily that the reform is an attempt to consider the overall quality of an applicant. “But the country will not stop the national college entrance examination as it is still the most objective way to evaluate talent in China，” lie said.It can be inferred from the passage that_____.
| A．high school students with talent in sports are weak in academic performance |
| B．students who win awards in Olympic competitions can’t get extra credits in 2011 |
| C．the number of competitions whose winners can get extra credits will be smaller |
| D．the extra credits have reduced students' chances of being admitted by famous colleges |
What does the underlined word “geek” probably mean?
| A．a winner | B．a smart learner | C．a competitor | D．a dull student |
Which person in the passage was strongly against the new policy?
| A．Xiong Bingqi | B．Chen Lei | C．Dong Wen | D．Yuan Guiren |
What might be the best title for the text?
| A．“Extra credits policy in China to be adjusted |
| B．Promotion of national Olympic competitions |
| C．Advice on the national college entrance exam |
| D．Chinese government to push education reform |