Susan Boyle was just an ordinary middle-aged British woman before she appeared on the reality show（真人秀）.
She lives in a house with her cat Pebbles in a tiny Scottish town. Because of learning difficulties, she doesn’t have much education. But what she does have is a very good voice. As a kid, she sang in church and school plays. For a living, she sang at local pubs.
When she took the stage on April 10th, her hair was untidy and her clothes seemed just one step up from rags（破烂）.The audience laughed at her.
But then she opened her mouth. A few bars into the song and the laughing audience went silent. A beautiful voice was singing I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables. Everyone was amazed. At the end of the song, the audience jumped to their feet and applauded wildly.
Almost overnight, Susan became a household name. She won fans and millions of admirers. Her online videos have drawn over 85.2 million hits.
Susan’s story proved the truth of an old saying: “Never judge a book by its cover.”The underlined phrase “just one step up from” in the third paragraph probably means “_________”.
| A．far from | B．close to |
| C．different from | D．the same as |
The audience jumped and applauded wildly because ___________.
| A．her hair was untidy and her clothes seemedjust one step up from rags |
| B．she looks very funny |
| C．she sang so well that everyone was amazed |
| D．she made a foolish mistake in the end |
Susan Boyle has many fans now because of _____________.
| A．her beautiful face |
| B．her knowing how to dress |
| C．her good education |
| D．her beautiful voice and courage |
The passage is mainly about____________.
| A．how to win fans | B．how to sing well |
| C．a woman’s sudden success | D．a woman’s simple life |
The storage of classified (分类的) research at all 24 labs run by the US Department of Energy was shut down this week after officials decided that the security (安全) problems recently found at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico might also exist elsewhere.
Several computer disks went missing at Los Alamos earlier this month, forcing Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to stop all work at the lab until the problems are found out. As of 26 July, two missing disks had still not been found, and 15 employees had been suspended in connection with the disappearance.
Now all energy labs will stop doing classified research that involves(需要) removable storage devices --- such as computer disks --- until all the devices are given explanation for and new procedures are in place for monitoring their handling by laboratory employees.
"While we have no evidence that the problems being investigated are present elsewhere, we have a responsibility to take all necessary action to prevent such problems, "Abraham said on 23 July.
The shut-down isn't quite as dramatic（惊人的）as it sounds, experts say. Only two labs will be seriously affected: Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. Together with Los Alamos, these two labs conduct the most part of the country's nuclear weapon programmes. At Livermore, 876 employees will be suspended during the storage of some 12,000 items of classified removable material.
At other labs, far fewer people will be affected. "The impact (影响) should be the smallest," says Martha Krebs, former director of the energy department's science office.Why was the storage of classified research at all 24 labs shut down?
| A．Because the security problems might be present elsewhere. |
| B．Because the security problems existed elsewhere. |
| C．Because two missing computer disks had still not be found. |
| D．Because officials decided to stop doing such research. |
How many labs conduct the country's nuclear weapon programmes according to the text?
| A．About 24. | B．Only 2. | C．More than 2. | D．Over 15. |
The underlined word "suspended"in the second paragraph probably means "______”.
| A．hung from above | B．stopped from holding a position | C．doubted | D．fired |
It can be inferred from the text that _____.
| A．the computer disks must have been stolen by terrorists |
| B．the people living in the United States have little security |
| C．the United States is a country whose security is very bad |
| D．the missing of the computer disks caused great fear among Americans |
Athens Olympic 110m hurdle champion Liu Xiang felt so relieved to return to racetrack after getting out of the great number of social activities.
Liu arrived in hometown Shanghai Wednesday night and was about to resume① training shortly after.
“I am so exhausted② from so many social activities, which made me even more tired than training,” said the 21-year-old Liu, who wrote a new chapter in China’s Olympic history by winning the country’s first ever athletics short-distance running title in the men’s 110m hurdles in Athens in August.
“I am happy that I will resume my training soon back in Shanghai,” said the Shanghai native. He turned into an instant national hero with the Olympic glory③ and one of the most popular Olympic gold medalists, taking part in scores of celebration activities since he returned to China early September.
“My regular training has been interrupted for such a long time that I think I can only run at about 13.5 seconds now,” said Liu, who clocked a world record-tying time of 12.91 to clinch the title.
“I would rather forget what I have achieved in the past and try my best to realize a higher goal,” he said.
Liu already missed the Berlin Golden League Series on Sunday and won’t be able to catch the IAAF Grand Prix final slated for September 18-19 in Monaco.
He plans on attending an IAAF all-star tournament in Japan at the end of this month.This passage mainly talks about ________.
| A．victory of Liu Xiang |
| B．Liu Xiang’s resumption to the racetrack |
| C．dream of Liu Xiang |
| D．Liu Xiang’s high aim |
From the passage we can see ________.
| A．Liu Xiang is content to go back to training |
| B．Liu Xiang will win Golden League Series on Sunday |
| C．Liu Xiang wasn’t good at social activities |
| D．Liu Xiang was refreshed after so many social activities |
The underlined word “relieved” means ________.
| A．sad | B．glad | C．worried | D．disappointed |
Which of the following is NOT wrong?
| A．Liu Xiang has had a quiet life for as long as half a month. |
| B．Liu Xiang has missed two races because of his social activities. |
| C．Liu Xiang has made up his mind to stop his social activities. |
| D．Liu Xiang has deserted his present career. |
US college students are burdened, with credit card (信用卡)debt, according to a study published Tuesday, and the problem can be serious－ranging from more drop-outs, to future employment problems and even self-murder. The study, by Georgetown University sociologist (社会学家) Robert Manning, blamed credit card issuers for actively targeting students and colleges for allowing them to do so. "The unrestricted selling of credit cards in universities or colleges is so aggressive that it now forms a greater threat than alcohol or sexual diseases," Manning told a news conference in Washington. "If we do not quickly deal with this serious problem, the matter will continue to get worse, with social consequences far more tragic (悲剧的) than mere dollars and cents. "
Based on hundreds of face-to-face interviews and surveys with students, Manning concluded both the number with credit card debt and their indebtedness had been "underreported" in previous studies－which failed to reflect the "survival strategies" many used to deal with their debts. These included the use of federal student loans to pay off credit cards, effectively shifting the debt, appealing to parents for loans, reducing course work hours to increase time at paid jobs, or even dropping out altogether to work full time.
"Official drop-out rates include growing numbers of students who are unable to cope with the stress of their debts and / or part time jobs for servicing their credit cards, " the study said. "Students credit card debts are examined during the employment process and may be an important factor in evaluating future employees," it noted. O’Donnell and Manning agreed students should bear some responsibility for reckless use of credit, but said credit card companies also had to be held responsible for making it so easy for them to get into debt. Manning said one of the most troublesome aspects of the student credit card issue was "the seduction (诱惑) of college and university officials by the credit card industry".Sociologist Robert Manning's study shows that .
| A．the number of American college students using credit cards on campus is increasing |
| B．more and more American college students meet with credit card debt problems |
| C．more and more American colleges encourage students to use credit cards to make profits |
| D．credit card issuers will run into debt for encouraging college students to use credit cards |
The author's feeling towards college students with credit card debts is __.
| A．discouraged and negative | B．pitiful and critical |
| C．indifferent and disapproving | D．negative and doubtful |
The author implies all of following should be responsible for this problem EXCEPT .
| A．credit card issuers | B．college authorities |
| C．parents of the students | D．students themselves |
The word "reckless" in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by .
| A．inconsiderate | B．frequent | C．careful | D．regular |
James Cleveland Owens was the son of a farmer and the grandson of black slaves. His family moved to Cleveland when he was 9.There, a school teacher asked the youth his name.
"J.C., "he replied.
She thought he had said "Jesse", and he had a new name.
Owens ran his first race at age 13.After high school, he went to Ohio State University.He had to work part time so as to pay for his education.As a second year student, in the Big Ten games in 1935, he set even more records than he would in the Olympic Games a year later.
A week before the Big Ten meet, Owens accidentally fell down a flight of stairs. His back hurt so much that he could not exercise all week, and he had to be helped in and out of the car that drove him to the meet. He refused to listen to the suggestions that he give up and said he would try, event by event. He did try, and the results are in the record book.
The stage was set for Owens victory at the Olympic Games in Berlin the next year, and his success would come to be regarded as not only athletic but also political.Hitler did not congratulate any of the AfricanAmerican winners.
"It was all right with me, "he said years later."I didnt go to Berlin to shake hands with him, anyway."
Having returned from Berlin, he received no telephone calls from the president of his own country, either.In fact, he was not honored by the United States until 1976, four years before his death.
Owens Olympic victories made little difference to him. He earned his living by looking after a school playground, and accepted money to race against cars, trucks, motorcycles and dogs.
"Sure, it bothered me, "he said later."But at least it was an honest living. I had to eat."
In time, however, his gold medals changed his life."They have kept me alive over the years, "he once said."Time has stood still for me.That golden moment dies hard."Owens got his other name "Jesse" when.
A. he went to Ohio State University
B. his teacher made fun of him
C. his teacher took "J. C."for "Jesse"
D. he won gold medals in the Big Ten meet In the Big Ten meet，Owens.
| A．hurt himself in the back | B．succeeded in setting many records |
| C．tried every sports event but failed | D．had to give up some events |
We can infer from the text that Owens was treated unfairly in the US at that time because.
| A．he was not of the right race |
| B．he was the son of a poor farmer |
| C．he didnˊt shake hands with Hitler |
| D．he didnˊt talk to the US president on the phone |
When Owens says "They have kept me alive over the years ",he means that the medals.
| A．have been changed for money to help him live on |
| B．have made him famous in the US |
| C．have encouraged him to overcome difficulties in life |
| D．have kept him busy with all kinds of jobs |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．Jesse Owens, A Great American Athlete |
| B．Golden Moment — A Lifetime Struggle |
| C．Making A Living As A Sportsman |
| D．How To Be A Successful Athlete |
Beijing (Xinhua): When she appeared on stage, singing a Japanese song, hundreds of excited teenagers crowded around shouting, "Curarpikt (酷拉皮卡)！It’s Curarpikt!"
At the Beijing Comic and Animation Expo last week, that’s exactly who Shi Jia was. The Senior 1 girl was cosplaying (角色扮演) "Curarpikt", a character from the popular Japanese comic book Hunter X Hunter (《猎人》)by Yoshihiro Togashi.
"I cosplay Curarpikt because I like him," said the pretty 15yearold girl. "I’m moved by his sad story and I’m attracted by his courage and personality."
In the adventure comic story, Curarpikt, a handsome and kindhearted boy, struggles to become a hunter so he can capture(掳获)the people who killed his tribe(部落).
Shi has read all the comic books and is a big fan of the animated series(动画片)of Hunter X Hunter. Then last year she saw a real "Curarpikt"in a cosplay show.
"I had watched cosplay shows before but only for fun," she explained. "It’s really exciting to see young people wearing the makeup and costumes of characters that you’ve read about and are familiar with."
"But that time I just fell in love with cosplaying, probably because I like Curarpikt so much. I thought I could play the character better, so I decided to have a go."
Shi bought some cloth and asked a tailor to make a Curarpikt costume for her. She was delighted to find out there was a cosplay show in Beijing in October.
"It’s a great way to spend the national holiday. Posing on the stage for all the comic book fans, I knew I was doing something I had always wanted to do," she said.
But she never talks about her hobby with her parents.
"They think it will distract me from my studies. I don’t want to upset them,that’s my secret hobby," she said. "It’s also why I don’t dye my hair for cosplaying like all the others."What’s cosplay according to the passage?
| A．When cosplaying, comic fans wear costumes and pretend to be their favourite comic characters. |
| B．Cosplay is a kind of performance in which you play a Curarpikt. |
| C．Cosplay is a character from the popular Japanese comic book Hunter X Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi. |
| D．When cosplaying, some funny teenagers play some characters in the animated series. |
Shi Jia cosplayed Curarpikt ______.
| A．in order to attract her fans |
| B．because she liked animated series |
| C．because she was greatly attracted by that role |
| D．because it’s her secret hobby |
The underlined word "distract" means_____.
| A．get rid of | B．keep out of |
| C．give courage to | D．draw away attention of |
Which of the following is wrong?
| A．Curarpikt was created by a Japanese cartoonist. |
| B．Shi Jia’s parents were in favor of her performance. |
| C．Shi Jia cosplayed Curarpikt successfully. |
| D．Cosplay is popular with some teenagers. |