For Canaan Elementary's second grade in Patchogue, N.Y.,today is speech day ,and right now it's Chris Palaez's turn. The 8﹣year﹣old is the joker of the class. With shining dark eyes, he seems like the kind of kid who would enjoy public speaking.
But he's nervous."I'm here to tell you today why you should …should…"Chris trips on the"﹣ld,"a pronunciation difficulty for many non﹣native English speakers. His teacher ,Thomas Whaley ,is next to him, whispering support."…Vote for …me …"Except for some stumbles, Chris is doing amazingly well. When he brings his speech to a nice conclusion ,Whaley invites the rest of the class to praise him.
A son of immigrants, Chris started learning English a little over three years ago. Whaley recalls(回想起)how at the beginning of the year,when called upon to read,Chris would excuse himself to go to the bathroom.
Learning English as a second language can be a painful experience. What you need is a great teacher who lets you make mistakes. "It takes a lot for any student," Whaley explains,"especially for a student who is learning English as their new language,to feel confident enough to say,'I don't know,but I want to know.'"
Whaley got the idea of this second﹣grade presidential campaign project when he asked the children one day to raise their hands if they thought they could never be a president. The answer broke his heart. Whaley says the project is about more than just learning to read and speak in public. He wants these kids to learn to boast(夸耀)about themselves.
"Boasting about yourself,and your best qualities," Whaley says,"is very difficult for a child who came into the classroom not feeling confident."
(1)What made Chris nervous?
A. Telling a story.
B. Making a speech.
C. Taking a test.
D. Answering a question.
(2)What does the underlined word "stumbles" in paragraph 2 refer to?
A. Improper pauses.
B. Bad manners.
C. Spelling mistakes.
D. Silly jokes.
(3)We can infer that the purpose of Whaley's project is to .
A. help students see their own strengths
B. assess students' public speaking skills
C. prepare students for their future jobs
D. inspire students' love for politics
(4)Which of the following best describes Whaley as a teacher? C
A. Humorous.
B. Ambitious.
C. Caring.
D. Demanding.
B
Brazil is a federation that consists of twenty-six states and one federal district. The biggest majority of Brazil’s population belongs to the Christian religion and almost all of them are Catholics. This is something Brazil inherited(继承) being Portugal’s colony(殖民地).
Historically, the country was a colony claimed by people from Portugal and this made Portuguese the official language. The Portuguese reached Brazil in 1500 and until that moment it was inhabited by semi-nomadic(半游牧的) people. The Portuguese changed Brazil into a country of slaves until 1800, when Maria I of Portugal came to live to Brazil. The Queen did not stay long in Brazil, but during the 20 years of royal presence a lot of changes occurred: commercial ports to United Kingdom were opened; Brazil stopped being isolated(孤立) from other countries. So at the moment of getting the independence on the 7th of September, 1822, Brazil already had the potential to develop. The Brazilian Empire, Pedro I, abolished slavery in 1888 in the face of Princess Isabel. A lot of European people started coming to Brazil and the industry of the country started working. In the 19th and the 20th century as it has been said above foreign people immigrated(移民) to Brazil and basically 5 million European and Japanese people became the residents of Brazil. The beginning of the 20th century was especially marked by the immigration of a lot of Asian people: Japanese, Korean and Chinese immigrants. As a matter of fact Japanese people do not immigrate a lot, and the fact that the Brazilian-Japanese people are the largest Japanese minority in the world does astonish greatly.
The majority of the cultural inherits of Brazil are actually Portuguese, due to the fact that Brazil was Portugal’s colony for a very long time. The southern states mainly consist of European population and the north and the northeast consist of a mixed population including Africans, Amerindians and Europeans. Most of this population is Roman Catholic. No other country in the world has the same amount of Catholics. The modern tendency of Brazil is the growing number of people calling themselves Protestants. Around 7.4% of the population don’t believe any god. Some Brazilians, especially in the northern states are mixed Africans who prefer following the traditional African religions. Only 1.8% of the population chose Buddhism, Islam or Judaism.
Though Brazil always tried to maintain democracy, it was failed several times by the dictatorship(独裁) of Getulo Vargas. This fact could not affect the political situation in the country.
61. Brazil was ruled by Portuguese about ______.
A. 22 years B. 300 years C. 322 years D. 328 years
62.Who might block the development of Brazil?
A. Maria I B. Pedro I C. immigrants D. Getulo Vargas
63. The writer mainly tells us the ______ of Brazil in the passage.
A. religion B. history C. culture D. political situation
64.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Brazil was isolated from other countries when Maria I stayed there.
B. The industry of the country started working in 1888.
C. Brazil has the largest population of Catholics in the world.
D. Some people in Brazil don’t believe any god.
65. It can be inferred that Brazil is a country with ________.
A. western cultureB. modern culture C. traditional culture D. mixed culture
PART THREE: READING COMPREHENSION (30分)
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are 4 choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.
A
The Wuhan to Guangzhou MU(动车组) Train route will start to operate on the 26th of this month. The train is the fastest in the world. All the construction and preparations for the route's operation are in the final stages. Our reporter Li Dong has the details.
In a trial operation, the speed of the MU Train reached 394 kilometers per hour, the highest in the world. Though the speed during normal operation may be at 350 kilometers per hour, but this newly built high speed railway may still reduce the travel time of Wuhan to Guangzhou from more than 10 to 3 hours.
The total length of Wuhan—Guangzhou high speed railway is more than 1068 kilometers. The railway connects Hubei, Hunan and Guangdong. The total investment is more than 116 billion yuan.
Protection facilities like bars and surveillance cameras are installed along the whole railway. Zhang Shuguang, director of transport bureau of the Ministry of Railway says the safety system of the train and the route is also state of the art.
"The break distance of the train is 5 kilometers. But the MU Train can respond to any emergency situations within 32 kilometers. It's very safe."
The shortened travel distance is good news for many people. However some passengers also hope the service can be upgraded.
"The dinning and entertainment service can be better. I hope I can watch TV on the train."
"The weariness during travel can be eased if I can use internet on the train. I can feel more comfortable."
Jing Libin is the MU Train driver of the Wuhan—Guangzhou high speed railway. As a MU Train engineer who witnessed China's high speed railway development. Jing Libin says: It's a way faster!
"The development of China's railway is so fast. In the beginning of the year, the speed is only 160 kilometers per hour. Soon, the speed reached 250 kilometers. And now, it's 350 kilometers! As a driver, I am very impressed."
China plans to increase the railway operation length from the current 80 thousand kilometers to 110 thousand kilometers, which includes 18 thousand kilometers of high speed passenger railways by 2012.
Within 3 years, China plans to build an "8 Hour, High Speed Transportation Circle", which means, passengers may reach nearly all the provincial capital cities in China in about 8 hours by high speed railway. With the development of the railway, China’s economy will also continue her highest development. In the near future, China will be really powerful in the world.
56. What is the best title of the passage?
A. Fastest Train in the World
C. High Speed Railway Construction
B. Trial Operation of the MU Train
D. Newly Typed Train in the World.
57. Surveillance cameras are used for________.
A. art B. speed C. safety D. research
58. How much time would be needed from Wuhan to Guangzhou if the train travelled at its top speed?
A. a little more than three hours C. more than four hours
B. less than three hours D. less than seven hours
59. What can we learn from the passage?
A. There will be no problems on the new train.
B. Passengers are completely satisfied with the new train.
C. Jing Libin is very proud of the development of China’s railway.
D. China has 110 thousand kilometers ofthe railway operation length now.
60. What can we infer according to the author?
A. Nobody expected China would have such a fast train.
B. China will build more high speed railways.
C. The service of the train is hard to be improved.
D. China’s economy would slow down if her transport couldn’t be improved.
C
A poor chimney-sweeper, who had not enough money to buy a meal, stopped one hot summer day at noon before an eating-house, and remained regaling his nose with the smell of the victuals.The master of the shop told him several times to go away, but the sweeper could not leave savory smell, though unable to purchase the taste of the food.At last the cook came out of the shop, and taking hold of the sweeper, declared that, as he had been feeding upon the smell of his victuals (food and drink), he should not go away without paying half the price of a dinner.The poor fellow said that he neither could nor would pay, and that he would ask the first person who should pass, whether it was not an unreasonable and unjust demand.
The case was referred to a policeman, who happened to pass at that moment.He said to the sweeper: “As you have been feasting one of your senses with the odor (smell) of this man’s meat, it is but just you should make him some recompense; therefore you shall, in your turn, regale (amuse) one of his senses, which seems to be more insatiable than your appetite.How much money have you?”
“I have but two pence in all the world, sir, and I must buy me some bread.”
“Never mind,” answered the officer, “take your two pence between your hands; now rattle (cause to make a lot of quick little noises)them loudly.”
The sweeper did so, and the officer, turning to the cook, said, “Now, sir, I think he has paid you: the smell of your victuals regaled his nostrils(openings at the end of the nose); the sound of his money has tickled your ears.”
This decision gave more satisfaction to the bystanders than to the cook, but it was the only payment he could obtain.
66.The sweeper stopped one hot summer day at noon before an eating-house, because _______ .
A.he wanted to regale his nose with the smell of the victuals
B.he was hungry and he wanted to have dinner
C.he was hungry but he had no enough money to buy a meal
D.he wanted to smell if the food was delicious.
67.The cook’s demand that the sweeper should pay half the price of a dinner was
obviously _______ .
A.reasonable B.not fair C.logical D.proper
68.We infer that the way that the policeman settled the problem was _______ .
A.foolish B.kind C.clever D.stupid
69.The passage implied that _______ .
A.it’s a pity that the cook did not get what he wanted
B.the master of the shop and the cook were cool-hearted
C.the cook was cruel
D.the sweeper got what he wanted
70. Which is true according to the passage?
A. This story is arranged in order of time.
B. This story is arranged in order of place.
C. There were four people in the scene.
D. The case was judged by law.
B
Riding School:
You can start horse-riding at any age. Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on Saturdays). There are 10 kilometres of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country. You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday:9:00 a.m. ~ 8:30p.m.
Phone: (412) 396-6754 Fax: (412) 396-6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage Sailing qualification. You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course members afterwards in the clubroom. There are 10 weekly two-hour lessons (Tuesdays 6p.m.~ 8p.m.)
Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00p.m.~ 8:00p.m
Phone:( 412)396-6644 Fax: (412) 396-6644
Diving Centre:
Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely. You only need a swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30p.m.~ 8:30p.m
Phone: (412)396-6312 Fax: (412) 396-6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal with a broad range of medical problems. Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hours from Monday to Sunday
Phone: ( 412)396-6649 Fax: (412) 396-6648
Watersports club:
We use a two-kilometre length of river for speedboat racing, and water-skiing. A beginners’ course consists of ten 20-minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently but must be able to swim. The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00a.m.~ 4:00p.m
Phone: (412)396-6899 Fax: (412) 396-6890
61. If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous, you should join _______ .
A. Sailing Club B. Riding School
C. Watersports Club D. Diving Centre
62. If you want to experience a new activity in the countryside in the mornings, you may fax _______ .
A. (412) 396-6752 B. (412) 396-6706
C. (412 ) 396-6648 D. (412) 396- 6876
63. If you are planning to explore the ocean depths, you should attend your lessons at _______ .
A. 24 hours from Monday to Sunday
B. Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m.~ 10:00 p.m.
C. Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.~ 8:00 p.m.
D. Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m.
64. If you want to do an activity one evening a week and get a certificate in the end, you can go to _______ .
A. Sailing Club B. Diving Centre
C. Watersports Club D. Riding School
65. Which is NOT the convenience that the Medical Center provides?
A. Good equipment. B. Nursery for newly-born babies.
C. Various less expensive medicines. D. Well trained staff members.
PART THREE READING COMPREHENSION
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A,B,C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage.
A
Building after building under water.Refugees in shelters.Thousands of others unsure where to go.Bodies in streets.This is what one of America's historic cities was reduced to this week by a powerful storm, Katrina.The mayor of New Orleans says thousands may be dead.Hurricane Katrina also caused death and destruction in parts of Mississippi and Alabama along the Gulf of Mexico.
New Orleans is famous for its wild Mardi Gras celebrations.New Orleans is also a major port for foreign oil and other shipping trade.Yet the city of nearly five hundred thousand people was built below sea level.New Orleans has depended on levees to control floods from the Mississippi River.Katrina struck on Monday.New Orleans avoided a direct hit.But two of the levees failed the next day.Most of the city was flooded.Helicopters dropped huge sandbags to fill the breaks.But the water had no place to go.Pumping stations had no power.
America faces one of the worst natural events in its history.President Bush says the recovery will take years.People were told to leave the path of the storm.But some would not or could not.Many of those worst affected by Katrina are poor and black.African-American leaders and others were angry that government aid did not arrive faster.President Bush visited some of the damaged areas on Friday.He said the way officials reacted to the crisis was unacceptable.
56.Which is true of the following details about New Orleans?
A.New Orleans is a newly-built city of America
B.There were no black people in New Orleans.
C.This is the first time that hurricane has stricken it.
D.It’s a port for foreign oil and other shipping trade.
57.What does the underlined word “levees” (in the second paragraph) mean?
A.dams B. trees C.ports D.ships
58.Which is right about the Hurricane Katrina?
A.It also caused the destruction in parts of Mississippi.
B.A lot of people died in this disaster.
C.It cut off the electricity supply of the city.
D.All of the above is right.
59.What can we learn from the text?
A.President Bush was not concerned about this disaster.
B.The recovery of the city will take a few days.
C. In this city there were no pump stations.
D. In this disaster the government aid didn’t arrive in time.
60. What kind of attitude does the author have toward the government ?
A. appreciative B. optimistic C. depreciative D. humorous