We all know what it is like to be unable to turn your head because of a cold in the muscles of your neck, or because an unexpected twist has made your neck ache． The slightest move makes you jump with pain． Nothing could be worse than a pain in the neck．
That is why we use the phrase to describe some people who give you the same feeling． We have all met such people．
One is the man who always seems to be clapping his hands—often at the wrong time-during a performance in the theater． He keeps you from hearing the actors．
Even worse are those who can never arrive before the curtain goes up and the play begins．They come hurrying down to your row of seats． You are comfortably settled down, with your hat and heavy coat in your lap． You must stand up to let them pass． You are proud of yourself-control after they have settled into their seats…Well, what now…God, one of them is up again． He forgot to go to the men’s room, and once more you have to stand up, hanging on to your hat and coat to let him pass． Now, that is “a pain in the neck”．
Another, well-known to us all, is the person sitting behind you in the movies． His mouth is full of popcorn ; he is chewing loudly, or talking between bites to friends next to him． None of them remain still． Up and down, back and forth, they go—for another bag of popcorn, or something to drink．
Then, there is the man sitting next to you at lunch, smoking． He wants you to enjoy it too, and blows smoke across your food into your mouth．
We must not forget the man who comes into a bus or subway and sits down next to you, just as close as you will let him． You are reading the newspaper and he gets closer so that he can read the paper with you． He may even turn the paper to the next page before you are ready for it．
We also call such a person a “rubber neck”, always getting close to where it does not belong, like neighbors who watch all your visitors． They enjoy learning about your personal business． People have a strong dislike for “rubber necks”． They hate being watched secretly．Where can you find this passage?
| A．In a medicine dictionary． |
| B．in a kids’ story book． |
| C．In a social science book． |
| D．In a science textbook． |
According to the passage, how do you feel when late comers walk back and forth in front of you in a cinema?
| A．disturbed． | B．bored． | C．ignored． | D．relaxed． |
A “rubber neck” often __________________ ．
| A．says bad words behind people． |
| B．quarrels face to face with neighbors． |
| C．bargains with salespeople over the price |
| D．asks about other people’s business |
Which of the following persons CANNOT be described as a “pain in the neck”?
| A．Someone who often claps at the wrong time during a performance． |
| B．Someone who feels ache in his neck due to a cold in the muscles． |
| C．Someone who sits next to you smoking, which you never enjoy． |
| D．Someone who keeps eating or talking all through the movies． |
What is the main purpose of the author?
| A．To tell people what might be bad manners in public． |
| B．To criticize （批评） the people who might be a “pain in the neck” |
| C．To show anger to those who are described as a “pain in the neck”． |
| D．To tell people how to stop the pain in the neck． |
Researchers are placing robotic dogs（机器狗）in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression, physical activity, and life satisfaction. “No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated（刺激）,”Edwards points out. “The problem is how we promote（使……成为现实）that, especially for those without friends or help. A robotic dog could be a solution.”
In the study, the robot, called AIBO, is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect baseline data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the researchers will review the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.
“I talk to him all the time, and he responds to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady, “When I’m watching TV, he’ll stay in my arms until he wants down. He has a mind of his own.”
The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or p
laying with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.
“At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry.” Beck says. “But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”
“Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more-valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels. Or heart rhythms. AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”
47. The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to .
A. understand human-animal relationship
B. makes lonely old people’s life better
C．find the causes of old people’s loneliness
D. promote the animal-assisted research
48. In the research, the old people are asked to .
note the activities of AIBOs
keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks
C. record their feelings and activity
D. analyze the collected information
49. What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?
It is easier to keep at home.
B. It can help the disabled people.
C. It responds to all the human orders.
D. It can watch TV with its owner.
50. The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may .
A. cure certain diseases B. keep old people 
active
C．change people’s beliefs D. look more like real gods
There are many stereotypes( 定型 ) about the character of people in various parts of the United States. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are said to be closed and private. In the South and West, however, they are often thought of as being more open and hospitable(好客的) . Ask someone from St. Louis where the nearest sandwich shop is, and he or she will politely give you directions. A New Yorker might 
eye you at first and after deciding it is safe to talk to you, might give you a rather unexpected explanation. A person from Georgia might be very kind about directing you and even suggest some different places to eat. A Texan just might take you to the place and treat you to lunch.
American stereotypes are abundant. New Englanders are often thought of as being friendly and helpful. Southerners are known for their hospitality and warmth. People from the western part of the United States are often considered very outgoing. These differences in character can be traced to different factors such as climate, living conditions, and historical development.
When traveling from place to place, Americans themselves are often surprised at the differing degrees of friendliness in the United States.
43. The main idea of the passage is _____________.
A. even Americans are surprised at the differences among themselves
B. there are many differences in character in different parts of the USA.
C. there are many reasons for the differences
D. stereotypes about people are not necessarily true
44. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. New Yorkers are usually open with strangers.
B. People from the South are usually considered good
C. The friendliest Americans travel from place to place.
D. Different parts have different customs and habits.
45. The differences lie in the following except ______ of the
parts.
A. the weather B. the history
C. geography D. the names
46. The word "abundant" in the second paragraph may probably mean _________.
A. plentiful B. normal C. curious D. strange
The drop in temperature in the middle of December is a sure sign that winter is finally here. The cold weather causes people to easily get sick. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to adjust(调整) your eating habits and put more nourishing foods on your daily menu.
Each area has different recipes(食谱). Take a look at the following list for more ideas.
Mention Beijing recipe, and the first thing people think of is “hot pot”. Hot pot has been a long-time winter tradition in Beijing, as a way to beat the cold and nourish the body with mutton, beef and other side dishes.
Where to go for hot pot
Laowu Siji Shuanrou
A traditional hotpot restaurant with a long history. It is wel1-known for selected mutton from Inner Mongolia. The old-style copper pot and tasty sauces add more f1avors to the broth (肉汤) to entertain your taste.
Address: No. 17, Baizhifang E. Avenue
Te1: 010--63516164
Suantiankula Restaurant
This place is famous for its healthy tomato hotpot broth. The sour broth is delicious but not oily. The secret-recipe red bean soup makes a great accompaniment. For alcohol-lovers, try the Shaoxing wine, which is made from rice and warms you up.
Address: No.8, Xinyuanxili M. Avennue
Tel: 010-64612345
40. The first paragraph mainly tells us ______.
A. how people change the diet in winter
B. why people change the diet in winter
C. what people eat in winter
D. why people eat hotpot all the year round
41. According to the passage, the underlined words “nourishing foods” probab1y refer to _________.
A. tasty sauces and side dishes
B. wine and sauce
C. mutton, beef and side dishes
D. sour broth and drinks
42. A1l the following
statements tell the fa1se information EXCEPT ______.
A. If you want to eat healthy tomato hot pot broth, call 010-635l6164
B. Suantiankula Restaurant is famous for its oily broth
C. The secret-recipe red bean soup is served in Laowu Siji Shuanrou
D. The copper pot and tasty sauces are served to entertain people's taste
Ⅲ. 阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）
第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，
满分30分）
阅读下列短文，从文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案。
Habits, whether good or bad, are gradually formed. When a person does a certain thing again, he is driven by some unseen force to do the same thing repeatedly, then a habit is formed. Once a habit is formed, it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get rid of. It is therefore very important that we should pay great att
ention to the formation of habits. Children often form bad habits, some of which remain with them as long as they live. Older persons also form bad habits lasting as long as they live, and sometimes become ruined by them.
There are other habits which, when formed in early life, are of great help. Many successful men say that much of their success has something to do with certain habits in early life, such as early rising, honesty and so on.
Among the habits which children should not form are laziness, lying, stealing and so on. These are all easily formed habits. Unfortunately older persons often form habits which could have been avoided.
We should keep away from all these bad habits, and try to form such habits as will be good for ourselves and others.
36. ________ are formed little by little.
A. Good habits
B. Bad habits
C. Both good habits and bad habits
D. Either good habits or bad habits
37. Generally speaking, it's difficult for one___and easy for them____which should be avoided.
A. to form bad habits; to form good habits
B. to form good habits; to form bad habits
C. to form such habits as will be good; to get rid of bad habits
D. to get rid of bad habits; to form good habits
38. Why should we pay much attention to the formation of habits?
A. Because habits are of great help to every one of us.
B. Because a man can never get rid of a habit.
C. Because it's hard and sometimes even impossible to throw away bad habits.
D. Because we are forced to do them again and again .
39. According to the passage, early rising ________.
A. has something to do with success
B. is an easily formed habit
C. is such a habit as should have been avoided
D. is such a habit as will be kept
Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the great nineteenth century English novelist, was born near Portsmouth. His father ran heavily into debt and when he was twelve, he had to go and work in a factory for making boot polish. The only formal education he received was a two-year schooling at a school for poor children. In fact, he had to teach himself all he knew. He worked for a time as junior clerk in a lawyer’s office. After that, he worked as a reporter in the law courts, and later in parliament, for London newspapers. His career as a writer of fiction began in 1833 with short stories an
d essays in periodicals, and in 1837 his comic novel The Pickwick Papers made him the most popular author at his time in England.
He was a great observer of people and their places because he was attracted by life and conditions in mid-nineteenth century London. He wrote 19 novels all his life and in many of them, Dickens gave a realistic picture of all classes of England society, showing deep sympathy for the poor and unfortunate, exposing the injustice and inhumanity（不人道） of the bourgeoisie（资产阶级）.
Many of his novels like Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities and so on drew attention to the unsatisfactory social conditions that existed in England over a hundred years ago.
Dickens criticized capitalist society from the point of view of bourgeois humanism（人文主义）. He wished to see improvement in the living conditions of the poor, but failed to find any effective means to achieve that end.
61. Dickens only received a little formal education because______.
A. he wanted to teach himself
B. he wanted to work and made a lot of money
C. he was too poor to afford any more formal education
D. he wanted some working experiences to be a novelist
62. According to Dickens, the society at his time in England was________.
A. just B. poor C. comfortable D. unsatisfying
63. Which of the following novel made Dickens the most popular writer at his time in England?
A. Oliver Twist B. The Pickwick Papers
C. A Tale of Two Cities D. Great Expectations
64. According to the passage, which of the following about Dickens is true?
A. He didn’t go to school at all.
B. He only wrote about poor people and showed deep sympathy for them.
C. He began to write fictions when he was 21years old.
D. He found some effective ways to improve the living conditions of the poor.
65. It can be inferred from the passage that________.
A. Dickens had a miserable childhood
B. Dickens tried many different jobs before he became a professional writer
C. Dickens wrote many novels but only some of them are popular
D. Dickens criticized capitalist（资本主义的）society and helped to improve the living conditions of the poor