The search for beauty spans centuries and continents. Paintings of Egyptians dating back over 4,000 years show both men and women painting their nails and wearing makeup. In 18th-century France, wealthy noblemen wore large wigs (假发）of long, white hair to make themselves attractive. Today, people continue to devote a lot of time and money to their appearance.
There is at least one good reason for the desire to be attractive：beauty is power. Studies suggest that good-looking people make more money, get called on more often in class, and are regarded as friendlier.
But what exactly is beauty? It's difficult to describe it clearly, and yet we know it when we see it. And our awareness of it may start at a very early age. In one set of studies, six-month-old babies were shown a series of photographs. The faces on the pictures had been rated for attractiveness by a group of college students. In the studies, the babies spent more time looking at the attractive faces than the unattractive ones.
The idea that even babies can judge appearance makes perfect sense to many researchers. In studies by psychologists, men consistently showed a preference for women with larger eyes, fuller lips, and a smaller nose and chin while women prefer men with large shoulders and a narrow waist. According to scientists, the mind unconsciously tells men and women that these traits —the full lips, clear skin , strong shoulders —equal health and genetic well-being.
Not everyone thinks the same way, however. “Our hardwiredness can be changed by all sorts of expectations —mostly cultural,” says C. Loring Brace, an anthropologist at the University of Michigan. What is considered attractive in one culture might not be in another. Look at most Western fashion magazines: the women on the pages are thin, but is this "perfect" body type for women worldwide? Scientists' answer is no; what is considered beautiful is subjective and varies around the world. They found native peoples in southeast Peru preferred shapes regarded overweight in Western cultures.
For better or worse, beauty plays a role in our lives. But it is extremely difficult to describe exactly what makes one person attractive to another. Although there do seem to be certain physical traits considered universally appealing, it is also true that beauty does not always keep to a single, uniform standard. Beauty really is, as the saying goes, in the eye of the beholder.People's ideas about beauty __________.
| A．have existed since ancient times |
| B．can be easily described |
| C．have little influence on a person's success |
| D．are based upon strict criteria |
In Paragraph 3, the babies in the study __________.
| A．were rated for their appearance |
| B．were entered in a beauty contest |
| C．were shown photos of a group of college students |
| D．were able to tell attractive faces from unattractive ones |
The underlined word “traits” in Paragraph 4 probably means __________.
| A．qualities | B．measurements |
| C．judgments | D．standards |
We can learn from the passage that __________.
| A．the ideas of beauty vary as people grow up |
| B．the search for beauty is rooted in lack of confidence |
| C．the standards for beauty are based on scientific researches |
| D．the understanding of beauty depends on cultural backgrounds |
What can probably be the best title for this passage?
| A．The History of Beauty |
| B．The Standards for Beauty |
| C．The Mystery of Beauty |
| D．The Attitudes toward Beauty |
Dear Florence,
We arrived in India last week, and the voyage was the worst experience of my entire life. I’m lucky to be alive!
The first part of the journey was terrible, because the ship hit bad weather almost as soon as we left Liverpool. But much, much worse was to come. Later, we were involved in a collision with another boat and we had to abandon ship!
We had been at sea for about two weeks and we were in the Mediterranean. There is now a canal between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea called the Suez Canal, which opened last year. Our boat stopped at Port Said, the Egyptian port at the entrance to the canal. I remember looking through the porthole of my cabin and wishing that I could go ashore and visit this fascinating place, but mummy had ordered that I was to stay in the cabin because I was feeling ill. “you must stay here for at least another two days.” I remember her saying. How wrong she would turn out to be! The ship left the port and headed towards the canal . I was alone in the cabin and I watched the port disappear into the distance. Suddenly there was a loud bang, followed by the most awful crunching（嘎吱的）sound, and the ship shook and turned slightly on its side.
There was an eerie silence for a moment, then people started shouting. Mummy came running into the cabin and told me that we had collided with another boat. She took my hand and we ran along the deck towards the lifeboats. There was a lot of shouting and people were running everywhere, but the crew were all acting calmly, helping people into the lifeboats and telling people not to panic.
Well, clearly we survived, as did all the passengers and crew of the ship. The other boat wasn’t so lucky. It sank and several lives were lost.
I will write about the rest of the journey soon. Please give my love to Aunt Claire and Uncle Eric.
Your loving cousin,
Jane
56．When was the letter written?
| A．Before the author went to India. | B．In the mid – 19th century. |
| C．When the author arrived in Egypt. | D．Just after the author arrived in India. |
57．Why was the journey to India such a bad experience for the author?
| A．She was sick when it started and nearly died in Egypt. |
| B．Her ship left England in bad weather and crashed into another ship near the Suez Canal. |
| C．She was seasick when her ship sank. |
| D．She was alone when her ship hit another boat and she got sick. |
58．The author’s mother didn’t allow her to go ashore and visit the port city, Said because.
| A．she was homesick at that time |
| B．she didn’t feel very well then |
| C．she could meet some danger ashore |
| D．she could see the city through the porthole on board |
59．The underlined phrase “eerie silence” in the sixth paragraph means.
| A．pleasant calm silence | B．long peaceful silence |
| C．sudden long silence | D．strange uncomfortable silence |
UK
Attention, Harry Potter fans: The sixth novel in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood, will go on sale in the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia on July 16, 2005
Italy
According to a recent study, there are now more dogs and cats in Italian homes than children. There are at least 14.5 million dogs cats in Italian homes compared with 8.7 million children under the age of 15．Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe. A psychologist said that pets were loved by many young Italians who could not have or did not want to have children. In Italy, spending on pets has increased by 20 percent in the past five years.
US
The start of a new years is time when many Americans like to think about ways to make improvements for the future. But this year, instead of the usually New Year’s resolution(决心) to lose weight, quit smoking or exercise more, the US Department of Homeland Security is urging Americans to create a family emergency plan for any terror attack.
France & Iraq
The two French journalists who had been held hostage(扣为人质) in Iraq for 124 days were freed last week. Christian Chesnot, 37 and Georges Malbunot, 41, were kidnapped along with their Iraqi driver on Aug, 20 in Iraq. French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, said that the French government had not paid ransom(赎金) for their release.From the news above we know that health is usually most being talked about in _________
| A．UK | B．Italy | C．US | D．France |
The content order of the passage is___________
| A．society, life, politics, business | B．life, society, business, politics |
| C．business, society, life, politics | D．business, politics, society, life |
Which is the suitable title for the second passage?
| A．The Lowest Birth Rates | B．More Pets Than Children |
| C．Great Change On Money Spending | D．A scientific Research Report |
The two journalists were held hostage on ___________.
| A．August 20 | B．April 18 | C．May 17 | D．April 16 |
A bully(欺凌弱小的人) is a boy or a girl who acts mean (unkind) or hurtful to others, especially weaker persons bullies sometimes hit, kick, or push people, and they sometimes use words to call names or scare them. A bully might say mean things about someone, take a kid’s possessions or make fun of someone on purpose. Some bullies force people to do things they don’t want to do.
Why do bullies act so badly? Just to look for attention. They might think bullying is a way to be popular or a way to get what they want. Most bullies are trying to make themselves felt more important-when they pick on someone else, it makes them fell big and powerful. Some bullies come from families where everyone around has a normal way to act. Some bullies are copying what they’ve seen someone else do. Some have been bullied themselves.
Bullying can be a big pain, but you don’t have to let bullying get the best of you. Sometimes just acting bravely is enough to stop a bully. If you walk by and hold your head high as though you’re not afraid, a bully may be less likely to give you trouble. Bullies want a big reaction to their meanness. Acting as if you don’t notice and don’t care is like giving no reaction at all, and this just might stop a bully’s behavior. If you are being bullied, it’s very important to tell an adult. Teachers, principals, parents, and lunchroom helpers at school can all help to stop bullying. Don’t hit, kick, or push back to deal with someone bullying you or your friends. Fighting back just satisfies a bully, and it’s dangerous, too, because someone could get hurt.Which of the following is advisable if you are being bullied?
| A．Giving the bullies a satisfactory reaction. |
| B．Putting up with the bullies’ behavior. |
| C．Turning to grown-ups for help. |
| D．Acting bravely and fight back. |
According to the writer, the bullies’ purpose of bullying others is to ____________.
| A．find people to take care of them | B．shout and let out their anger |
| C．make people notice them | D．show their ability |
The underlined phrase “get the best of” in paragraph 3 means __________.
| A．get rid of | B．look down upon |
| C．do one’s best | D．get the upper hand of |
What might be the best title for this passage?
| A．Bullying those who bully | B．Getting the best of bullies |
| C．Dealing with bullies | D．Caring about bullying |
Vegetable gardening is the relaxing art and science of turning a love for growing plants into a worthwhile activity.
Vegetable gardeners agree that many home-grown vegetables picked at their best are superior to those vegetables purchased from markets. From spring through late fall, a well-planned and well-kept garden can prove a supply of fresh vegetables, thus increasing the nutrition of the family diet. Freezers make it possible to keep some of the vegetables to be enjoyed at a later date. Other vegetables can be stored for a few months in a cool area.
Having vegetables in the backyard makes home gardening appealing(吸收人的) for many people. In addition, vegetable gardening provides exercise and fun for both urban and suburban families.
Although the money spent for a garden may be little, one cannot escape the fact that gardening requires hard work and time. Many of the gardening tasks must be performed at times that are most inconvenient. Not doing jobs that should be done on a regular basis may result in failure and a negative feeling toward gardening.
One should not plant a garden that is too large for him to care for. A small, well-kept garden is more enjoyable and profitable than a large neglected one. Vegetables do well in full sunlight and need at least five or six hours of sun during the middle of the day. Too much shading results in poor plants and few vegetables. If possible, the garden should be near the house so the gardener can work in it at odd moments.
Soils for vegetables should be easily broken up and porous(能渗透的) for quick water drainage and good aeration(透气). A deep, fine, sandy good quality soil is best.
Usually the hoe owner has little choice in the soil type he can choose. Fortunately, many vegetables can be grown on poor soils if the soils are properly prepared.Home-grown vegetables ___________.
| A．can remain standing for a long time and need not be picked immediately. |
| B．have to be eaten as soon as they are picked |
| C．sell well in the market because of their good quality |
| D．picked at the right moment are more nutritious than those bought from the market. |
Vegetables gardening is appealing for many people because ___________.
| A．it requires little money |
| B．it is enjoyable and profitable |
| C．they can work in the vegetable garden at odd moments |
| D．it provides vegetables for the family all the year round. |
The author suggests that an ideal vegetable garden ___________.
| A．should be sunny | B．should be within walking distance |
| C．should be large-sized | D．should consist of sandy soil |
Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
| A．Vegetable Gardening, an Escape from Boredom |
| B．An Ideal Vegetable Garden |
| C．Vegetable Gardening, a Worthwhile Activity |
| D．The Best Soil for Growing Vegetables |
The small unframed painting called “Fisherman” was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $ 27000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession.
Pitt said, “I didn’t know it was so valuable. I’m not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought ‘Fisherman’ in Italy in 1970 for $140．the picture was dirty, and I couldn’t see the artist’s signature. But anyway it wasn’t the picture that I like. I bought it because of the frame.”
“It’s most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I’ll never part with it.”
“When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn’t know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $ 140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then.”
“Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone’s signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale.”
As a result of his explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of (指控) knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department.
Pitt was not happy. “I told the truth as I knew it then,” he said, “What else could I say?”
And then the judge agreed with him. “The Customs Department is to be responsible (blame),” he said, “for making a true valuation of goods bought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty.Pitt met the customs officer __________, where the officer was employed to ________.
| A．at the railway station or airport; examine people’s baggage |
| B．at the airport or port; examine people’s baggage |
| C．at the bus-stop; help people enter the USA |
| D．at the airport or port; help people enter the USA |
From the passage we can infer that if Maveleone had been a well-know artist _________.
| A．the painting would have cost much more than $ 140 |
| B．he wouldn’t have sold his painting at such a low price |
| C．the customs officer wouldn’t have valued the painting at $ 140 |
| D．Pitt wouldn’t have had the intention to buy any of his paintings |
Pitt took off the frame in order to ____________.
| A．clean the painting to put it up for sale |
| B．look for the artist’s signature |
| C．use if for his wife’s photograph |
| D．find the painting’s true value |
Which is true according to the passage?
| A．Pitt knew the true value of the picture. |
| B．Pitt’s wife knew the true value of the picture. |
| C．When Pitt’s wife suggested keeping the picture, she was kind of joking. |
| D．Pitt didn’t pay any duty at all. |
Which of the following statements is true to the story? In the end __________.
| A．Pitt was asked to pay the correct amount of duty. |
| B．Pitt sold the frame of the painting at an even higher price. |
| C．The Customs Department had no right to revalue the painting. |
| D．Pitt’s wife was regarded as an expert because of her wise suggestion. |