Television has turned 88 years old on September 7, 2015, and it has never looked better. In its youth, television was a piece of furniture with a tiny, round screen showing unclear pictures of low-budget programs. In spite of its shortcomings, it became popular. Between 1950 and 1963, the number of American families with a television jumped from 9% to 92% of the population.
As the audience got larger, the technology got better. Television sets became more reliable through the 1960s. The reception (接收效果) improved. The picture improved. The major networks started broadcasting programs in color.
Even greater improvements were coming according to Sanford Brown, who wrote an article for the Post in 1967. Surprisingly, just about every prediction he made in the article became a reality. For example: All sets in the not-distant future will be color instruments. He also predicted that TV sets would become smaller, simpler, more reliable and less expensive and may forever put the TV repairman out of work. Smaller sets do not, of course, mean smaller screens. TV engineers expect screens to get much bigger. However, today’s 3-D TV is even farther away, if it’s coming at all. There is some doubt whether the public would be eager to pay for it, in view of people’s cold reception given to 3-D movies.
But the technology with the greatest potential, according to Brown, was cable television (有线电视), which was still in its early stages then. As he predicted, the future of cable television was highly interactive (互动的). It wasn’t cable television that gave Americans their electronic connection to the world, however. It was the Internet. He even foresaw the future office: using picture phones, big-screen televisions for conferences, and computers providing information at the touch of a button.
Brown ever said, “The future of television is no longer a question of what we can invent. It’s a question of what we want.” What can we infer about television sets in the 1960s?
| A．They were very popular with Americans. |
| B．The reception showed no improvement. |
| C．They showed black-and-white pictures. |
| D．They were out of order now and then. |
Which of the followings did Sanford Brown fail to predict?
| A．Television’s good quality. |
| B．The invention of 3-D TV. |
| C．The future office’s model. |
| D．The potential of cable TV. |
What is the text mainly about?
| A．The shortcomings of television. |
| B．The bright future of television. |
| C．The development of television. |
| D．The invention of television. |
Group–buying in China
Modeled after US hot website Groupon.com, group buying websites are now popular in China. These websites use the power of group buying to get competitive discounts (打折)for a daily deal on some best stuff to do, see, eat and buy in the cities across China. Discounts are available within just one click. Zhao lei, a software engineer in Beijing, loves the one-hour lunch break at noon, as it is the best time for him to check “today’s special” at his favorite group buying websites . Sometimes he searches for great deals at directory sites devoted to the new shopping space. Zhao spends around 800 yuan ($117.65) on group buying every month, mostly to buy food coupons (优惠劵)for eating at some nice restaurants and occasionally to find something fun to do. ‘‘I love group buying. In addition to the competitive discounts it offers, it helps me get something fun, exciting and new, and such surprises give me a reason to try something new,” he said. When he finds a really good bargain, he will send the link to friends or colleagues through MSN,QQ, or e-mail, or share the information at some social networking websites. In doing so, he often gets a certain cut off the price. At some sites, buyers are invited to leave notes about what they want to buy and the website will consider it if similar applications(申请)reach a certain number. That is how Zuo got her digital camera after waiting for two months. “It is cool. I want to buy a new digital camera for my trip to Switzerland this winter, but I never expected such cheap prices!”Zuo said.We can learn from the passage that________.
| A．China is the first country to start group buying |
| B．the price of group buying depends on the market |
| C．you can’t get the best you need through group buying |
| D．group buying is becoming popular in China |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Zhao Lei has to spend about 800 yuan on group buying per month. |
| B．Zhao Lei never surfs at other directory sites for group buying. |
| C．Zhao Lei finds it easy to do group buying. |
| D．Zhao Lei can’t buy food coupons to eat at a nice restaurant. |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A．Zhao Lei’s online purchasing life. |
| B．Group buying |
| C．The US hot websites |
| D．A new digital camera |
Zhao Lei succeeded in getting a certain cut off the price by__________.
| A．bargaining face to face |
| B．discussing with the sellers |
| C．providing the link to others |
| D．inviting others to talk about the price |
By the time we finished, herring(鲱鱼)covered the bottom of the boat as deep as my calves(腿肚子). For the first time in days, my father seemed happy as a herring choker(捕鲱鱼的人). Then he looked at the western sky, and his smile faded. The storms were sweeping out of Canada hard and fast. No one could predict their arrival. All fishermen feared them.
“We’re going back,” my father said. He pulled the cord and started the motor.
We were only two miles out, but the shoreline looked to me as far away as the moon. Over the distant hills, black clouds ran toward us like wild horses. We made it only halfway home before we met the storm.
The wind came first. It lifted the lake in whitecaps. The weight of the herring made us ride low in the water, and the waves broke over our bow. My father struggled to hold us on course. I’d put on my raincoat, but I had no life jacket.
Then the rain fell so hard we couldn’t see the land. The boat was filling with water. I was scared, but I saw my father sitting straight, holding the boat steady into the wind, and I felt hopeful. He didn’t look hurt at all.
I was starting to think we were going to make it. That’s when the motor died. My father pulled the cord hard, but the motor wouldn’t catch. We would go down in no time.
“Grab an oar(浆),” he cried above the wind. He always carried two oars for just such a moment. We began to pull hard. My father grunted, from pain or effort I couldn’t tell. He dug his oar into the violent lake and bowed into the wind again. With all my strength, I pulled on my own oar.
The wind pushed hard against us. Ws seemed to be fighting the anger of the whole lake. I was tired. My arms felt heavy and on fire. I didn’t know how much longer I could push that oar through the water.
As if he heard my thinking, my father called to me, “I need you, Karl. Only a little longer.”
So I kept rowing.
Just when I thought I had no more strength, I heard it. The sound of waves breaking against the shore. We moved into the shelter of our small cove and rode the swells toward the landing.
My mother rushed through the rain to greet us. “I’ve been so worried,” she said. She hugged me and then my father.
“Nothing to worry about,” he assured her. He put his hand on my shoulder. “You did well, son. How do you feel?”
Tired as I was, I managed a smile. “I feel like a herring choker.”The author’s father decided to go back because______.
| A．the motor didn’t work well |
| B．they couldn’t catch more herrings |
| C．the storm would arrive at any time |
| D．it was too cold for them to stay any longer |
The author created a picture of ______ with the underlined sentence in Para.8.
| A．a rare chance |
| B．a violent struggle |
| C．an exciting trip |
| D．an amazing experience |
According to the passage, what was the main reason Karl kept rowing even though he was very tired?
| A．He did not want to lose all the fish. |
| B．He knew the storm was about to end. |
| C．He knew his mother was waiting on shore. |
| D．He did not want to disappoint his father. |
We can learn from the passage the author felt ______ after arriving home safe.
| A．he were a real man |
| B．he needed his father’s praise |
| C．he shouldn’t have gone out to the lake |
| D．he would be a herring choker when he grew up |
阅读理解：共20题 每题2分 共40分
Ad. 1
April fool’s party
On Friday, April 1, Inner Affair goes back to the days of funk! Classic Tunes from the 70’s and 80’s by DJs Den & Sion. 9pm till late.
Tickets: Free entrance for those in costume, otherwise 50 yuan (US$6)
Time/date: 9 pm, April 1
Place: Inner Affair, 1/F Qiankun Dasha, 6 Sanlitun Xiliujie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 8454 0321
Ad. 2
Language in use
Enjoy free in house coffee, tea and beer as well as music and dancing. Practice your Chinese, make friends and have fun.
Time/date: 7 to 9 pm, March 25
Place: Language In Use Club, 2/F, Science Fortune Center, 8 Xueqing Lu, north of Xueyuan Lu, Haidian District
Ad. 3
The “worst” party
Organized by Ozone Productions, the party is set to be “the worst ever”, with the lamest music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Special prizes will be awarded to the worst dressed or for bad fashion sense.
Tickets: Free entrance
Time/date: 9 pm, April 1
Place: Pula Pula, Tianze Lu, Oriental Seven Colours Plaza, Chaoyang District
Tel: 64668575
Ad. 4
La Nuit Francaise
Again on the 2nd Thursday of the month La Nuit Francaise will be held at Le Rendezvous. The monthly event is an opportunity for all French people and everyone interested in France or speaking French to gather together.
The evening features three glasses of wine and canapes for participants and a special exhibition.
Time/date: 7 to 10 pm, April 14
Place: Le Rendezvous, 3 Gongti Beilu, across from the Pacific Century Plaza, Chaoyang District Tel: 64629110
Ad. 5
Marco V
Dutch DJ Marco V drops by Banana for a gig which is supported by Hong Kong’s DJ Spark.
Marco V has been around for many years, as an inventive, style blending deejay and a successful and devoted producer. His spinning is energetic, crowd pleasing and never sees an empty dance floor. He was ranked No. 15 in this year’s international DJ MAG DJ Top100.
Tickets: 40 yuan (US$4.80) in advance, 50 yuan (US$6) at the door, both include a free drink
Time/date: 10 pm to 4 am, March 31, April 1
Place: Banana, in the lobby of the Scitech Hotel, 22 Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 65283636Which of the following is NOT true of Ad. 1 and Ad. 3?
| A．The two parties will be held on the same day. |
| B．The two parties will be held at the same time. |
| C．The entrance fees of the two parties will not be charged. |
| D．Some old music will be played at the parties. |
Which of the following is intended for the Chinese learners?
| A．Marco V. |
| B．La Nuit Francaise. |
| C．Language in use. |
| D．The “worst” party. |
We can infer that______.
| A．Marco V is a newly established band |
| B．La Nuit Francaise may be French words |
| C．the “worst” party will attract a lot of college students |
| D．you will enjoy free drink at April fool’s party |
Everybody knows the saying “Two steps forward and three steps back”. That described my life pretty well as a single mom. I was raising two teenagers on a teacher’s aide’s salary. It wasn’t nearly enough to cover the bills, so I moonlighted as a waitress. Every time I thought that I had found a solution to my money worries, something would fall through and I would end up feeling worse off than before.
The next evening at the restaurant I tried on my apron, wishing I could be home with my kids. I walked up to my first table. Around it was a cheerful older couple. The woman gave me a smile that warmed me. I couldn’t help but notice her unusual glass ring. “What a beautiful ring,” I said. We chatted for a minute then I took their order and left. When I came back with their drinks, the woman held out her ring. “I would like to give this to you,” she said.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t,” I said, embarrassed.
She gently placed the ring in my hand and closed my fingers around it. “It’s yours,” she said. “Please accept it and your things are going to be okay.” Right there at their table in the middle of the restaurant I broke down in tears. “Thank you for giving me hope,” I said.
Long after that night, that sense of peace stayed with me. I knew the right job would come in time. Nine months later it did. I got a better position at another school and I started waitressing at a restaurant where I was allowed to spend more time with my kids.
Now in these tough times, I have money worries again, but they don’t get me down. I know things will turn out okay. And when I wear that unusual glass ring, I’m reminded I’m not alone.From the saying “Two steps forward and three steps back”, it means the writer_______.
| A．liked stepping forward and backward |
| B．had difficulty raising her family |
| C．couldn’t walk regular like other people |
| D．wanted to look for a better job |
The writer worked as a waitress in the restaurant in order to_______.
| A．live with her children |
| B．serve the older couple |
| C．search for a glass ring |
| D．make more money |
Hearing the woman’s words, the writer felt .
| A．moved |
| B．embarrassed |
| C．puzzled |
| D．successful |
From the fifth paragraph we can know the writer believed that_______.
| A．her children loved her very much |
| B．she could find a better restaurant |
| C．the glass ring would bring her good luck |
| D．it was easy to get a right job |
Now the writer’s attitude toward her life is_______.
| A．positive | B．disappointed |
| C．proud | D．worried |
Five Booming Careers in Health Care
Loving what you do is great, but knowing your career will be there tomorrow is even better. And when it comes to booming fields，the health care industry is one that's primed(准备好) for growth.
Want to prepare to take your place in the health care field？Check out these five indemand health care careers.
Career 1 Medical and Health Services Manager
If you want to take your leadership skills into the growing health care field，consider pursuing a career as a medical and health services manager.
As a medical and health services manager you might plan，direct，and organize health services in an entire health care facility，or a specific department or clinical area，says U.S. Department of Labor. Daily duties could include handling a facility's finances，creating work schedules，and making sure that health care services are delivered efficiently.
Career 2 Medical Assistant
If you are interested in working in a doctor's office，consider preparing for a career in the indemand field of medical assisting.
As a medical assistant，you could play a role in helping patients' visits go smoothly from when they first walk in the door. Your duties might include measuring vital signs，assisting the physician with examinations，recording health information，and scheduling appointments，according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Career 3 Registered Nurse
Ready to put your helpful nature to use in the largest health care field？Look into prepping(准备) to pursue a career in registered nursing.
As a registered nurse，you could work closely with patients by providing care，education，and emotional support. You might give patients medicines and treatments，observe their conditions，or perform diagnostic(诊断的)tests，says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Career 4 Physical Therapist (理疗师)Assistant
Want to enter an indemand health care field where you could really play a handson role in helping patients restore their physical functionality？If so，a career as a physical therapist assistant could be a good fit.
Under the supervision of a physical therapist，you could help patients regain movement as they recover from injuries，illnesses, or surgery. Your role in the rehabilitation process could include assisting patients with techniques(massage[按摩]，stretching)and therapeutic methods like electrical stimulation and mechanical traction，says the U．S. Department of Labor. Career 5 Pharmacy Technician(药剂师)
Prefer a health care career that is less handsome? Consider pursuing a career in the growing pharmacy technician field.
Pharmacy technicians can be responsible for counting pills，filling prescriptions，providing customer service，and fulfilling administrative tasks under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist，according to the U.S. Department of Labor.As a medical assistant，your duties might NOT include ________.
| A．scheduling appointments |
| B．providing customer service |
| C．assisting the physician with examinations |
| D．recording health information |
Which of the following is TRUE about a physical therapist assistant?
| A．His / Her duty might include measuring vital signs and recording health information. |
| B．His / Her function includes assisting patients and providing customer service. |
| C．He / She could play a practical role in helping patients restore their physical functionality. |
| D．He / She can help patients gain movement as they are in the illness. |
What does the underlined word “rehabilitation” mean?
| A．The process of recording somebody's name on an official list. |
| B．The process of cutting a part of a person's body in order to remove or repair a damaged part. |
| C．The process of helping somebody to have a normal life again after they have been ill for a long time. |
| D．The process of improving or becoming stronger. |
The author writes the passage mainly to ________.
| A．advocate five booming careers in health care |
| B．persuade you to go into five booming careers in health care |
| C．introduce five booming careers in health care |
| D．classify health care into five careers |