According to sociologists(社会学家), every modern industrial society has some form of social stratification(阶层). Class, power and status are important in deciding people's rank in society.
Class means a person's economic position in society. A commonly used classification is lower class, middle class and upper class. While sociologists disagree on how these terms should be exactly defined, they do describe societies like the United States quite well. One study shows that 53% of Americans belong to the lower class, 46% the middle class, and 1% the upper class. Interestingly, a surgeon earning $500,000 a year and a bus driver earning $50,000 a year both regard themselves as the middle class!
Power refers to the amount of control a person has over other people. Obviously, people in positions of great power (such as governors) exercise(行使)big power, but people who take orders from others have less power. Power and class do not always go hand in hand, however. For example, the governor of a state has great power, but he or she may not belong to a corresponding (相应的)economic class. Generally, however, there is a relationship between power and class. To our knowledge, there aren't too many people who aren't millionaires in the U．S. Senate!
Status is the honor or respect attached to a person's position in society. It can also be affected by power and class, but not necessarily so. For example, a university professor may have a high status but not belong to a high social class or have a lot of power over others.What can we learn about “the middle class” from Paragraph 2?
| A．People earning $50,000 a year belong to the middle class. |
| B．Nearly half Americans belong to the middle class. |
| C．People generally consider bus drivers as the middle class. |
| D．Sociologists have a clear definition of the middle class. |
According to the text, we know that ________.
| A．Power and class do not always correspond with each other |
| B．Status refers to a person's economic position in society |
| C．People with high status have a lot of control over others |
| D．Class is less important in deciding a person's social rank |
Which of the following shows the structure of the whole text?
From Rome and Venice to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the charm of Milan, Italy is a bottomless well of attractions. It is a motherland of artists and scientists that changed the shape of the world. Here are some places you should see on your vacations to Italy.
Valley of the Temples
Welcome to Sicily and one of its most amazing attractions. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is an extensive archaeological site containing the well-preserved remains of various Doric temples dating from the 5th century B.C. In accord with standard criteria (标准) for both Greek and Roman temples, all structures face east so that the statue of the god housed inside will be illuminated (照亮) by the rising sun. The site being located on a ridge overlooking the town, the term “valley” is obviously a misnomer (误称)，but it quite captures the vastness of the place.
Uffizi Gallery
The reputation for being one of the finest universally acclaimed (受到高度赞扬的) museums of all time comes courtesy of masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and Rubens. Their timeless works are proudly displayed on the top floor of the palace in Florence.
Historic Centre of Siena
Siena may not equal Florence in overall artistic achievement, but its charm makes it a place that no other can compare to. Centered on Piazza del Campo, the historic district is a container of 12th –century Gothic, and a mirror of the Middle Ages. Full of pearls of architecture and cultural highlights, the historic centre of Siena is an excellent trip back in time, ideally to be taken in summer.
Grand Canal
Taking the water bus along the Canal Grande is like going back through centuries of history. The famous Venetian waterway runs more than 3.5 km through all six districts of the historic center. The impressive Renaissance palaces rub shoulders with Gothic arches and marble mixes with gold. Numerous landmarks never cease to provoke (激起) admirable sighs on the way.Which of the following would be better to visit in summer?
| A．Uffizi Gallery. | B．Valley of the Temples. |
| C．Grand Canal. | D．Historic Centre of Siena |
The main purpose of the passage is ______.
| A．to tell visitors about the advantages of travelling in Italy |
| B．to supply visitors with information about some famous museums |
| C．to show visitors the features of Italy |
| D．to suggest some good places to go in Italy to visitors |
Which are the unique features of the Grand Canal?
① There are many Gothic arches.
② You can see many Renaissance palaces there.
③ The length of the Venetian waterway is three kilometers.
④ You can take the water bus to enjoy its beauty.
| A．①②③ | B．①②④ | C．②③④ | D．①③④ |
Where can one probably find this passage?
| A．In a sports newspaper. | B．In a geography report. |
| C．In a traveling magazine. | D．In a novel. |
A developer edition of Sony’s augmented reality smart glasses will go on sale in ten countries next month, the tech giant has announced.
Pre-orders for the SmartEyeglass, costing $840 (£620), are now being taken in the UK and Germany, with Japan and the US to follow shortly. The black-framed glasses are compatible (兼容的) with recent Android operating systems. Last month Google announced that it was withdrawing its smart glasses for redevelopment. Sony’s initial model will come with a software development kit to encourage people to design apps for it, the company said.
The glasses, which weigh 77g, contain an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, image and brightness sensors, 3-megapixel camera and a microphone. They also come with a controller, designed to be attached to clothing, which contains a speaker, touch sensor and the device’s battery. Text is displayed in front of the wearer in monochrome green.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook has been open about his dislike of glasses as a wearable device. “We always thought that glasses were not a smart move, from a point of view that people would not really want to wear them,” he told the New Yorker. “They were intrusive (闯入的), instead of pushing technology to the background, as we’ve always believed.”
Stuart Miles, founder of tech site Pocket-lint, said: “I think [Sony is] wasting their time, energy and effort.”
“Google Glass obviously needed a complete rethink... I can’t see how something thick-rimmed and more invasive-looking than Google Glass is going to catch on.
“People are keen on wearables like fitness bands and watches, but they care about their faces. Wearing something on your head is a lot stronger than wearing something on your arm,” he added. “The industry keeps pushing it but consumers just don’t want it.”In which countries people can get the SmartEyeglass first?
| A．The US and Japan. | B．The US and the UK. |
| C．The UK and Japan. | D．Germany and the UK. |
The purpose of this passage is to __________.
| A．introduce an accelerometer developed by the Google company |
| B．tell the people that the SmartEyeglass will go on sale |
| C．people like the glasses very much |
| D．the SmartEyeglass is less than 840 yuan |
What can be inferred from what Stuart Miles said?
| A．He supports Sony’s efforts to develop the SmartEyeglass. |
| B．He cares more about his clothes and face. |
| C．He dislikes the SmartEyeglass. |
| D．He really wants to wear them. |
Choose the true statements according to the passage.
A. The glasses, which weigh more than 77g.
B. Tim Cook has been open about his dislike of glasses as a wearable device.
C. Last month Google announced that it was withdrawing its smart glasses for development.
They crossed in front of me as I was driving out of the store parking lot (停车场)．I would be delayed for a whole ten seconds. However，I realized that it was an elderly couple who were briefly delaying my departure (出发)．No more anger.
The man leaned on his wife who walked in front of him. He not only used her for support but it was obvious that he was blind. She was his eyes as well. The two of them worked as one—each needing the other to function in this fastchanging world.
That little example of true strength that day changed my whole personal perception of life. Suddenly I wasn't so mad about having to work a few extra hours on Saturday. I had my strength，and I was still relatively young.
That picture of those two elderly people walking with dignity and strength stayed with me the entire week. My life wasn't so bad after all. I had my health and a good job. My wife always gave me good advice whenever I needed it. I started to think—not only was I lucky to have it all，but so was that wonderful old couple，who，despite the trials and hardships of a long life，still had the love and support of each other to carry them through this world.
There are so many people out there just like that couple. My wife and I sometimes picture ourselves in our old age，walking arminarm into the sunset. That image always gives us a warm feeling of comfort. Just remember，none of us would be here if it weren't for our elders. We should spend an extra minute to listen and learn when it comes to helping our elder friends. They need it.What was the author's first reaction when he was stopped by the old couple?
| A．He showed great pity for the couple. |
| B．He didn't mind at all. |
| C．He got angry at being delayed. |
| D．He waited patiently. |
Before meeting the old couple，the author had a(n)________attitude towards life.
| A．energetic | B．enthusiastic |
| C．desperate | D．negative |
The main message that the author wants to get across in the last paragraph is that________．
| A．everyone should live with dignity and strength |
| B．we should be patient when dealing with old people |
| C．old people can teach us many important lessons |
| D．happiness lies in a positive attitude towards life |
What do we know about the author?
| A．He and his wife are in their old age. |
| B．He has a good but busy job. |
| C．His life is very bad actually. |
| D．He and his wife often walk arminarm. |
Banquets (宴会) are usually held in restaurants in private rooms that have been reserved for the purpose. You will be met at the door and led to the banquet room. Traditionally, the head of your delegation should enter the room first. Do not be surprised if your hosts greet you with a loud round of applause. The proper response is to applaud back.
Seating arrangements are stricter than in the West. Guests should never assume that they may sit where they please and should wait for hosts to guide them to their places. Traditionally, the Chinese regard the right side as the superior and the left side as the inferior. Therefore on formal occasions, the host invariably arranges for the main guests to sit on his right side.
It is the host's responsibility to serve the guests, and at very formal banquets people do not begin to eat until the host has served a portion to the principal guest. Or, the host may simply raise his chopsticks and announce that eating has begun. After this point, one may serve oneself any food in any amount. Remember to go slow on eating. Don't fill yourself up when five courses are left to go. To stop eating in the middle of a banquet is rude, and your host may incorrectly think that something has been done to offend you.
Drinking takes an important place in Chinese banquets. It is likely that the host will stand and hold his glass out with both hands while saying a few words. When he says the words "gan bei",which means bottoms up, all present should drain their glasses. After this initial toast, drinking and toasting are open to all. No words are needed to make a toast, and it is not necessary to drain your glass, although to do so is more respectful. When filling another glass, it is polite to fill it as full as you can. This symbolizes full respect and friendship.
When the last dish is finished, the banquet has officially ended. There is little ceremony involved with its conclusion. The host may ask if you have eaten your fill. Then the principal host will rise, signaling that the banquet has ended. Generally, the principal host will bid good evening to everyone at the door and stay behind to settle the bill with the restaurateur. Other hosts usually accompany guests to their vehicles and remain outside waving until the cars have left the premises.To attend a formal banquet, you_______.
| A．may enter the banquet room directly when you arrive . |
| B．may stop eating in the middle of the banquet. |
| C．may help yourself to any food immediately the dishes are served. |
| D．should applaud back when greeted with a loud round of applause . |
What is the host ‘s responsibility in the author’s eyes?
| A．Announcing that eating ends. |
| B．Driving guests to their home. |
| C．Filling the guests’ glasses. |
| D．Arranging for guests to go to their place.. |
We can conclude form the passage that____
| A．to stop eating halfway means that the dishes taste bad. |
| B．guests should drain their g1asses the instant they are filled |
| C．important guests are arranged to sit on the host’s right side |
| D．the more you drink , the more you respect the host. |
The passage mainly tells us ____
| A．Chinese food is delicious. |
| B．customs and traditions at banquets in China |
| C．what food guests should eat at banquets |
| D．different customs between China and western countries. |
Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Exhibition of Shakespeare’s World
Welcome to the world—famous house where William Shakespeare was born in l564 and where he grew up. The property(房产)remained in the ownership of Shakespeare’s family until 1806 .The House has welcomed visitors traveling from all over the world ,for over 250 years.
Enter through the Visitors’ Centre and see the highly praised
exhibition of Shakespeare's World，a lively and full introduction
to the life and work of Shakespeare
Stand in the rooms where Shakespeare grew up
Discover examples of furniture and needlework from
Shakespeare’s period
Enjoy the traditional(传统的)English garden，planted with trees
and flower mentioned in the poet’s works
The Birthplace is within easy walking distance of all the car parks
shown on the map；nearest is Windsor Street(3 minutes’ Walk)
The House may present difficulties but the Visitors’ Centre，its
exhibition．and the garden are accessible (可进入的)to wheelchair users
The Shakespeare Coffee House(opposite the Birthplace)How much is the admission for a family of two grown-ups and two children？
| A．￡9.80． | B．￡12.00． | C．￡14.20． | D．￡16.40． |
Where is the nearest parking place to Shakespeare’s Birthplace？
| A．Behind the exhibition hall． |
| B．Opposite the Visiturs’ Centre． |
| C．At Windsor Street． |
| D．Near the Coffee House． |
A wheelchair user may need help to enter ．
| A．the House | B．the garden |
| C．the Visitors’Centne | D．the exhibition hall |