Minimalism （简约主义） is a term that describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is reduced to its most basic features．
As for me, minimalism functions well not in art or design, but in my daily life．
When I was packing for university, I found it extremely difficult to let go of some of the things I owned． I knew I couldn’t take everything with me, but I kept asking myself “how could I possibly throw this away?”, “what if I need it one day?”, and “what about all of the memories?” Now that I’ve moved, and left that stuff behind, I don’t even miss it． Whether or not I got rid of it, it barely makes a bit of difference to me now．
I’ve learned that over time people forget, or their need for a particular object eventually disappears． Either they store it away or they get rid of it．
You might think nostalgically（怀旧的） about the toys you cared about when you were a child, but what is making you smile now is not the thing itself but the memory of it． I’ve heard it a hundred times, “you don’t need things to make you happy．” It takes something life-changing like moving across the country to realize how true this is．
Speaking of which, for a lot of people, minimalism is about able to move． It’s about being able to go almost anywhere at any time because you don’t have many possessions to carry． When you keep things you don’t need they become a burden that ties you to a place． Moving to university was a good time to let go of a lot of stuff． And when I visit for the holidays, I’ll probably get rid of even more, to lighten the burden．
Of course there are exceptions． There are some things that are irreplaceable, very rare or expensive or we simply love and cherish for some reason or another, since we are humans． But after we keep those, how much is left that we don’t really need?
Hence, minimalism． And why does minimalism bring happiness? That was a bit of a roundabout way of saying that, it’s because what really makes me happy is freedom． And the key to freedom is minimalism because minimalism reduces our attachment to things．
Attachment to too many objects creates a great mess and can severely hold back our freedom to do whatever we want, while minimalism helps us start new projects, move, travel, learn new things, work, expand, be debt-free, be healthy – really living life to our full potential．
I left the nest to fly onwards and upwards, I can’t do it with old things weighing me down． And that is why I have adopted minimalism with open arms．In paragraph l, the writer gives the definition of minimalism to ．
| A．introduce a topic | B．present his own idea |
| C．describe a scene | D．offer an argument |
Many people don’t want to let go of some of their belongings because ．
| A．they haven’t had any life-changing experiences |
| B．they fear their memories will be gone with the thrown-away stuff |
| C．they hope to live life to their full potential by storing things away |
| D．they may have to change their lifestyle because of the loss of them |
Which of the following is NOT the reason why the writer favors “minimalism” in life?
| A．It takes the burden off her while she is moving． |
| B．It reduces her attachment to her personal things． |
| C．It enables her to gain the freedom that she desires． |
| D．It helps her to realize how true life is． |
By saying “there are exceptions”, the writer means
| A．little is left if we keep what we cherish most in our life |
| B．minimalism should be practised accordingly in different situations |
| C．minimalism is a method difficult to employ in reality |
| D．life is full of exceptions so it’s difficult to preserve what we value |
What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．Minimalism brings happiness． |
| B．Minimalism is applied in many fields． |
| C．Minimalism makes people think nostalgically． |
| D．Minimalism is about able to move． |
C.
Here are two letters from our readers expressing their concern about school assessment (评价):
(l)
Students should be allowed to study without worrying about grades (学习成绩). Fortunately, most educators realize that students have different interests and abilities. However, grade-based assessment is still very common. Grades often hold back creativity. Competing for better grades causes many students to turn down opportunities to go in for music, drama and sports. Grades are also an unfair measure of a student’s ability. I do not demand, as some extremists do, that grades should no longer be recorded. However, I do believe that less importance should be placed on. grades. I hope that someday grades will become optional(可选择的) at Village High School.
Magdalena Smith, President
Drama Club
(2)
Let’s face the facts about grades. Grades perform three basic functions( 功能). First, grades get students to work at their highest level of competence (能力 ). Second, they act as an encouragement for hard-working students and as a warming to those who are not. Finally, grades are an effective standard by which to measure students' achievement. Good grades help students to get jobs and to get into university.
I've spoken with a number of students who have jobs, and most of them say that they were hired mainly because of their grades. My grades helped me get a part-time job and will help me into university next year. I think grades are extremely important at Village High School.
Simon Harper, Member,
Science Club
64. Simon Harper writes from the viewpoint of someone who
A. insists grades should become optional in the near future
B. believe in the advantages of assessment based on grades
C. is concerned about improving students' creativity
D. supports using students' interests to measure their abilities
65. Magdalena Smith thinks it is important for .
A. educators to assess the students by grades
B. educators to pay more attention to grades
C. students to compete for better grades
D. students to take part in music, drama, and sports
66. According to the letters, which of the following is TRUE about Village High School?
A. Grades are effective in every way.
B. Grades hold back students' creativity. .
C. Grades bring about unnecessary worries.
D. Grades are still in use at present. .
67. What are the two letters mainly about?
A. The role that grades should play in assessing students.
B. The importance of art and music in students' life.
C. The need to have a standard measure for students' success.
D. The reasons why grades shouldn't be used to assess students.
B
Among all the fast growing science and technology, the research of human genes, or biological engineering as people call it, is drawing more and more attention now. Sometimes it’s a hot topic discussed by people.
The greatest thing that gene technology can do is to cure serious diseases that doctors at present can almost do nothing with, such as cancer and heart disease. Every year, millions of people are murdered by these two killers. And to date, doctors have not found an effective way to cure them. But if the gene technology is applied, not only these two diseases can be cured completely, bringing happiness and more living days to the patients, but also the great amount of money people spend on curing their diseases can be saved, therefore it benefits the economy as well. In addition, human life span(寿命)can be prolonged.
Gene technology can help people to give birth to more healthy and clever children. Some families, with the English imperial(皇帝的)family being a good example, have hereditary(遗传的)diseases. This means their children will for sure have the family disease, which is a great trouble for these families. In the past, doctors could do nothing about hereditary diseases. But gene technology can solve this problem perfectly. Scientists just need to find the wrong gene and correct it, and a healthy child will be born.
Some people are worrying that the gene research can be used to manufacture(生产)human beings in large quantities. In the past few years, scientists have succeeded in cloning a sheep; therefore these people predict that human babies would soon be cloned. But I believe cloned babies will not come out in large quantities, for most couples in the world can have babies in very normal way. Of course, the governments must take care to control gene technology.
60. What does "these two killers" in the second paragraph refer to?
A. Gene technology and another treatment of the two diseases.
B. The two murderers who killed the cloned baby.
C. The two diseases of cancer and heart disease.
D. Hereditary diseases and cancer.
61. What’s the main idea of the third paragraph?
A. Gene technology can help people to give birth to a baby.
B. Gene technology can be used to clone human babies.
C. How gene technology can be used to treat hereditary diseases.
D. Gene technology can solve all the problems of the English imperial family.
62. In what way can gene technology help to treat hereditary diseases?
A. Gene technology helps people with hereditary diseases to live longer.
B. Using gene technology, scientists find the wrong gene and correct it.
C. Using gene technology, human babies can be cloned.
D. Doctors can cure cancer and heart disease with the help of gene technology.
63. What is the main purpose of writing this passage?
A. Expressing the writer's idea that gene technology will benefit people.
B. Telling people the advantages and disadvantages of gene technology.
C. Telling the readers that gene technology will not benefit people.
D. Explaining that gene technology will also do harm to the humanity.
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中，选出最佳选项。
A
A Subway Superhero
Wesley Autrey can't fly, but he is still being called a real-life Superman! Last week, the brave 50-year-old rescued Cameron Hollopeter, 20, from being hit by a train. The train was entering a subway station in New York City. The young man had fallen from the station's platform and onto the train tracks a few feet below.
Autrey, a construction worker and Navy veteran(老兵), was with his two young daughters when he saw Hollopeter fall. Autrey made a quick decision and jumped onto the tracks. He then rolled himself and Hollopeter into a gap, or opening, between the rails. Autrey used his own body to protect the young man.
Five of the train’s cars passed over the two before stopping completely. The two men were both unharmed. Hollopeter’s stepmother, Rachel Hollopeter, called Autrey an “angel”. Autrey visited the New York Film Academy student in the hospital on Wednesday.
For his bravery, Autrey was given a hero's welcome at City Hall. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented Autrey with the Bronze Medallion (铜奖章）. It is the city'’s highest award for achievements by its citizens. Mayor Bloomberg called Audrey “ a great man-a man who makes us all proud to be New Yorkers."
After the ceremony at City Hall, a limousine (豪华轿车)took Autrey to a meeting with multimillionaire businessman Donald Trump. Trump awarded Autrey with $ 10,000. The heroic father also received $ 5,000 from the New York Film Academy, a trip to Disney World, and one year of free sub way rides.
Even after all this attention; Autrey still doesn't see himself as a Superman.” I did it out of a split-second reaction," Autrey said on CBS' The Early Show. "And if I had to do it again, I probably would."
56. Wesley Autrey is still being called a real-life Superman because
A. he can rescue anybody in danger as he has the ability to fly
B. he rescued a young man from being hit by a running train
C. he protected his daughters from harm in a subway station
D. he succeeded in stopping a train from running over a passenger
57. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. When he saw Hollopeter fall, Wesley Autrey was waiting for someone alone.
B. When he saw Hollopeter fall, he thought over a long period of time before he jumped onto the tracks.
C. After he saw Hollopeter fall, he made a quick decision and pulled the young man out of the track as soon as possible.
D. After he saw Hollopeter fall, he quickly made a decision to protect Hollopeter from harm.
58. In order to honor Autrey's bravery,New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave Autrey_____as a reward.
A. a cheque of $10,000 B. a limousine
C. the Bronze Medallion D. a cheque of $5,000
59. It can be inferred that if Autrey met with another accident like this one, he
A. would not do it again for he was afraid of losing his own life
B. would do it again for getting another piece of Bronze Medallion
C. would do it again so as to get another 15000-dollar cheque as a prize
D. would also do it out of his own conscience
Third-generation mobile phones, known as 3G, are the next big step for the telecom(电信) industry. Data speed in 3G networks is much quicker than that in present technology. This means 
users can have high-speed Internet access(上网) and enjoy video and CD-quality music on their phones.
"Mobile data is not a dream; it's not an option(选择) but a requirement" said Len Lauer, head of a US communications company, Sprint PCS, at a 3G conference in Bangkok earlier this month.
With 3G, you can forget about text messages telling you yesterday's news; a 3G phone can receive video news programs, updated(更新) four times a day. Internet access will also be much quicker, making it easier to surf the Web on your phone than on your computer at home.
Don't worry about getting lost. 3G phones offer map services so you can find a new restaurant just by pressing a few keys on your handset(手持机).
However, the most impressive part of 3G technology is video calling. With live two-way video communication, you can have face-to-face talks with friends and family on your mobile phone.
Many European countries have already launched the service. In May 2000 the US Government issued five licenses(许可证) to run 3G wireless services, while the first 3G phones arrived in Italy in M
arch this year.
International telecom companies can't wait to sell 3G in China, the world's largest mobile telecommunications market. But they will have to be patient. At the moment, China is busy testing its 3G-based technologies, networks and services. This will be followed by a trial period before the phones can finally hit the shops.
“We need to create a pool of 3G customers before the large-scale commercial launch(开始) of the service,” said Fan Yunjun, marketing manager for Beijing Mobile. “We expect that the 3G licenses will be issued(发行) late next year.”
We'll also see 3G services enter our daily lives in all-sorts of new ways, from shopping and banking to playing interactive computer games over the net. It won't be long before we think nothing of sitting on a train using a mobile palmtop(掌上型电脑) to check our bank accounts or pay bills. You might even click on an icon(图标) on the screen to set up an immediate video-conference with your bank clerk.
55. 3G is ______.
A. a kind of mobile phone that can send text message and make calls
B. a kind of technology that makes mobile data and video calling come true
C. a kind of player that can be used to listen to CD or MP3 music
D. a kind of system that makes it easy to surf the Internet
56. What does Len Lauer want to inform the readers?
A. Realizing the dream of mobile data based on the application of 3G is a must.
B. There is no need to send messages since 3G can receive video news programs.
C. 3G is supposed to own all the functions that a computer has.
D. It is a choice to carry mobile data with 3G phones.
57. The 3G services can be launched after the following steps EXCEPT that ________.
A. they have to test its 3G-based technologies, networks and services
B. they need to create a group of 3G customers
C. the 3G licenses are issued and 3G phones are tested
D. international telecom companies decide to sell 3G in China
58. The last paragraph shows us that ________.
A. 3G services bring a lot of convenience to us
B. we cannot live without 3G mobile phones
C. 3G services can change our life completely
D. 3G services will take the place of other technologies
59. What is the best title of the passage?
A. Face-to-face Video Calls B. The Future of 3G
C. The New Telecom Industry--3G D. The Use of 3G Mobile Phone
Live Earth Announces 2010 Global Event!
This is the web version of the October 15, 2009 Live Earth email to members. Click here to join and receive bi-weekly updates from Live Earth.
Live Earth is pleased to announce the largest worldwide water initiative(倡议)in history to help fight the global water crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water—to take place on April 18, 2010—will consist of a series of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day t
o get water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities, raising awareness and funds to help solve the water crisis. Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, Pete Wentz, Angelique Kidjo and Jenny Fletcher will lend their names and their time in support of this global event.
Water shortage is a major issue affecting countries, communities and families all over the world. One in eight people doesn’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Communities in Africa, Latin America and Asia suffer 1.8 million deaths every year from diarrheal(腹泻）diseases and the death of 5,000 children each day due to inadequate water infrastructure(基础设施). In these areas, women and children are forced to walk 6 km (3.7 miles) each day to get water that is likely unsuitable for drinking. However, the water crisis is not only limited to developing nations. Adding to these existing issues, the effects of climate change are increasingly impacting both supply and quality of available fresh water throughout the world.
In 60% of European cities with populations greater than 100,000, groundwater is being used faster than it can be replenished(补充). By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be living under water-stressed conditions.
You can help solve the water crisis by participating in the April 18th event. Run/walk registration is now officially open! Sign up now at http://liveearth.org/run.
Thanks and be sure to visit liveearth.org for the latest on The Dow Live Earth Run for Water, conservation tips, and more!
Follow Live Earth on：
52. Which of the following activities will the Dow Live Earth organize on April 18, 2010?
A. Receiving the latest news Live Earth.
B. Putting on musical performances.
C. Calling on pop stars to walk 6 km to get water.
D. Lending names and time to support the event.
53. According to the passage, which of the statements is true?
A. You can turn to http://liveearth.org for water protection tips.
B. Jessica Biel can’t take part in the event even if she signs up.
C. The information on Live Earth is updated every month.
D. Every year 1.8 million people in the world die from the disease related to dirty water.
54. We can learn from the passage that __________.
A. by 2010, two-thirds of the world’s population will be short of water
B. we can solve the water crisis by taking part in the April 18th event
C. seven-eighths of the people in Asia can have access to safe, clean drinking water
D. there are different channels for people to get access to Live Earth