阅读理解及答案

England

The country of England is where the English language developed. This language is now used everywhere in the world. It has become the language used most on the Internet and for international trade.

Buckingham Palace is the home of the royal family. It is in London, the capital city of England which is also called Britain, where a new queen or king is crowned. This special ceremony takes place at Westminster Abbey, a beautiful church. When Princess Diana married Prince Charles, they had a wedding ceremony at another church called Saint Paul’s Cathedral.

Since London is the capital city, the Parliament Building is where government leaders do their business. On one end of this building is a clock tower. The large clock is called Big Ben.

There are other famous towers in London. One is called the Tower Of London and it was used as a prison. Many famous people have been sent there, such as a wife of King Henry IV in the 16th century. Today it is a museum for tourists where you can visit to see instruments of torture. There is also a display of the Crown Jewels, a very valuable collection of diamonds, rubies and other stones of great beauty. Many are placed in crowns worn by the kings or queens long ago.

The Tower Bridge has four towers. This bridge is over the Thames River. This river goes through the middle of London and past Windsor Castle, another home of the royal family. It is a very safe place in time of war.

Another famous place is the town called Stratford on Avon. Stratford is the city name and the river Avon flows through this city, so it means Stratford is on the Avon River. It is the home of William Shakespeare, the best writer of plays. He wrote about 50 plays and they are still performed everywhere English is spoken.

There are two famous universities in England. They are called Cambridge and Oxford. The school name is the same as the city name, so Cambridge University is in Cambridge, England.

Oxford University is in Oxford.

1. In time of war, the royal family will live at . A. Westminster Abbey B. Windsor Castle C. Buckingham Palace D. Saint Paul’s Cathedral

2. Big Ben can be found in a tower at A. the Tower Bridge B. the Tower of London C. the Parliament Building D. Oxford

3. Shakespeare wrote many plays. The river near his home is called .

A. Cambridge

B. the Thames River

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C. the Avon River D. the English Sea

Passage 2

Scotland, Ireland, Wales

These three countries used to have their own government. Today they are part of Britain. However, they have kept their original language, which is called Gaelic. Many of their people can speak both English and Gaelic. The modern name for the Gaelic language in Ireland is Irish. In Scotland, it is Scottish and in Wales, it is Welsh. I t is the same name as the people, for the Scottish people speak the Scottish language.

In Scotland there is a castle and major city called Edinburgh. Often there is a performance by bagpipers, who are musicians playing traditional Scottish music on the bagpipes. The traditional clothing is a kilt, which is worn by men but looks like a woman’s skirt. It must be short, stopping at the knees, for these musicians must walk as they play.

In one of their lakes which is called a loch, people believe they have seen a monster that looks very much like a Chinese dragon. The lake’s name is Ness so they call this creature the Loch Ness Monster.

There is a world famous poet from Scotland. His name is Robert Burns and his poems are found in many English books for students.

Ireland’s capital city is Dublin. I t was here that Saint Patrick taught the Irish people about God. The people loved their teacher and when a church was built many years later, they called it Saint Patrick’s Church.

In the town of Killarney, there is a Blarney Castle. I t is said there is a magic stone there and whoever kisses this stone will be given the gift of eloquence. The United States President John F. Kennedy is descended from the Irish Kennedy family. He had the gift of eloquence.

Cardiff is the capital of Wales. Though this is a very small country, it has produced two well-known people. They are the poet Dylan Thomas and the actor Richard Burton.

Ireland and Wales are both known for their love of music. Ireland has produced professional dancers who tour the world. Wales has strong singers in both men’s and women’s voices.

1·Scottish bagpipers must march when they play so they wear . A. a kilt B. a skirt C. a dress

D. short trousers

2. If you kiss the Blarney Stone in Killarney, you will receive the gift of .

A. humor

B. intelligence C. speaking well

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D. wisdom

3. The Loch Ness monster has been seen in . A. the ocean B. a river

C. the mountains D. a lake

Passage 3

Kilt

In Europe, men do not usually wear skirts. But the Scottish national clothing for men is a kind of skirt. It is called a kilt. The Scottish like to be different. They are also proud of their country and its history, and they feel that the kilt is part of that history. That’s why the men still wear kilts at traditional dance and on national holidays. They believe they are wearing the same clothes that Scottish men always used to wear.

That’s what they believe. However, kilts are not really so old. Before 1703, Scottish men wore a long shirt and blanket around their shoulders. These clothes got in the way when the men started to work in factories. So, in 1730 a factory owner changed the blanket into a skirt; the kilt. That’s how the first kilt was made.

Then, in the late 1700s Scottish soldiers in the British Army began to wear kilts. One reason for this was national feelings: The Scottish soldiers wanted to be different from the English soldiers. The British Army probably had a different reason：A Scottish soldier in a kilt was always easy to find! The Scottish soldiers fought very hard and became famous. The kilt was part of the fame, and in the early 1800s men around Scotland began to wear kilts.

These kilts had colorful stripes(条纹) going up and down and across. In the 1700s and early 1800s, the color of the stripes had no special meaning. Men sometimes owned kilts in several different colors. But later the colors became important to the Scottish families. By about 1850, most families had special colors for their kilts. For example, men from the Campbell family had kilts with green, yellow and blue stripes. Scottish people often believe that the colors of the kilts are part of their family history. In fact, each family just chose the color they liked best.

This is not the story you will hear today if you are in Scotland. Most Scottish people still believe that kilts are as old as Scotland and that the colors are as old as the Scottish family. Sometimes feelings are stronger than facts!

1. This text is mainly about ·

A. soldier’s clothes in Britain B. the history of Scotland C. Scottish kilts D. Scottish families 2. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The English soldiers were the first to wear kilts.

B. It was hard then to tell the Scottish soldiers from the English ones. C. Colors are not specially designed in the first kilts.

D. The factory owner made the first kilt from long shirts to make his

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workers different from others.

3. Scottish soldiers were dressed in kilts partly because of . A. the colors B. the weather C. national feelings D. the design 4. The colors of the kilts are .

A. not part of the Scottish family history B. older than the Scottish family history C. for the Campbell family only

D. mainly green, yellow and blue

5. From the last paragraph we can infer that . A. the European people are full of strong feeling B. there are no stories about kilts in Scotland today C. the Britsh like to do things not on facts

D. the Scottish prefer to keep their tradition rather than believe the fact

Passage4

British People ------ Sports Lovers

It seems that the Englishman just cannot live without sports of some kind. A famous French humourist once said that this is because the English insist on behaving like children all their lives. Wherever you go in this country you will see both children and grown-ups knocking a ball about with a stick or something, as if in Britain men shall always remain boys and women girls! Still, it can never be bad to get exercise, can it?

Taking all amateur(业余) and professional sports in Britain into consideration, there can be no doubt that football is at the top of the list. It is called soccer in the United States. The game originated in Britain and was played in the Middle Ages or even earlier, though as an organized game, or “association football”, it dates only from the beginning of the 19th century.

The next is rugby, which is called “football” in the United States. It is a kind of foot ball played by two teams of fifteen players rather than eleven. In rugby, an oval-shaped ball is used which can be handled as well as kicked. It is a pretty rough game.

In summer, cricket is the most popular sport. In fact, it has sometimes been called the English national game. Most foreigners find the game rather slow or even boring, but it enjoys great popularity among the British.

Tennis rates high on the list, too. It was introduced into England from France in the 15th century, but it was from England that it spread to practically every country in the world.

Table-tennis, or “ping-pong”, surely is not played on a great scale as in China or Japan. Basketball and volleyball were introduced into in during the late 19th century from America and are gaining popularity. Horse-back riding, swimming, rowing and golf all attract a lot of people.

1. The main purpose of Paragraph 1 is to tell us that the English . A. are all sports lovers B. behave like children

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C. like to kick a ball around D. can remain young all their lives

2. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about football and rugby?

A. They differ in the shape of the ball.

B. They are played by different numbers of players. C. They both can be handled. D. They both can be kicked.

3. From the second and the third paragraph, we know that . A. Americans love football most of all B. British people love rugby most of all

C. Americans and British people may call the same thing differently D. football originated in Britain in the 18th century

4. The game that was never played in Britain until the late 19th century .

A. basketball B. tennis C. rugby D. football 5. What would be the best title for this passage?

A. The Most Popular Sports B. The English Sports C. History of Sports D. Sports in Britain

Passage 5

Elizabeth I

The birth of Elizabeth to Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, was awkward as Anne was pregnant with Henry’s child when they married. At that time in English history, the king could not divorce without the Roman Catholic Pope’s permission. Henry was married to his first wife Catherine who did not produce a son and after Elizabeth’s birth, Anne was killed.

Henry decided to divorce Catherine to marry a younger wife to produce an heir. The pope refused, causing the king to declare himself the leader of the Church of England. He then married ６ wives in all and only one son survived. This son followed Henry as king with the name Edward VI.

He was sick so his reign was only six years until his death. His half-sister Mary became queen for five years and she reassigned the pope as head of the English church. However, upon her death, Elizabeth became queen in 1558 and reigned for 45 years until 1603. She never married and was widely respected because she ruled without the help of a father, husband or son’s advice. She also returned the leadership of the church back to England with herself as the leader but she appointed an archbishop at the Canterbury Cathedral to take over all religious duties.

She chose good officials and maintained good relationships with parliament. Mary’s widower was King Philip of Spain and he tried to get Elizabeth to marry him. However, she remained single throughout her reign so she is called the Virgin Queen.

In 1588, Philip sent the powerful Spanish navy to fight England because Queen Elizabeth had aided the Netherlands when they were still a Spanish

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possession. England’s navy fought well against the famous Spanish Armada, which caused the world to recognize England as a new sea power.

Due to Elizabeth’s long and essentially peaceful reign, the arts of England grew in great stature. It was the age of the plays of Shakespeare, and Marlow. Bacon and Spenser were writing great literature. The contributions of these great writers of literature caused the world to recognize the significance of British literature in the academic world.

With the reign of Elizabeth who was sometimes called “Good Queen Bess”, England became strong in the military and academic fields. Elizabeth is still revered warmly by the English people.

1. Elizabeth’s FATHER Henry VIII remarried often to gain____. A. the love of young women B. political alliance C. religious freedom D. a son

2. Philip, the king of Spain, was Elizabeth’s ____ A. enemy B. friend

C. brother-in-law D. suitor

3. British literature flourished when England was a ____ A. peaceful country B. profitable country C. powerful country D. religious country

Passage 6

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in 15 in the town of Stratford-on-Avon. The title means the town was named Stratford and it was on the Avon River. He married his wife Anne Hathaway when he was only 18years old. They had a baby girl in 1583 and twins (boy and girl) in 1585.Today, tourists can visit the thatched cottage that was their home.

Little is known of Shakespeare until 1592 when he showed up in London as an actor. He joined a troupe of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. When James l became the king of England, they changed the name of their troupe to the King’s Men. It was the most famous acting troupe in London and Shakespeare invested his money in it as a shareholder and he became its principle playwright.

In 1599, this troupe built a theatre in London called The Globe. It was the most impressive theatre at that time and it became the showpiece for all of Shakespeare’s plays.

He wrote nearly 50 plays. Many of the phrases he used became very common in the English language. His interest in writing for entertainment caused him to research and write about English history. His first plays have the names of

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the kings like Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV and King John. However, his interest in that famous love story from Verona, Italy, caused him to write the well-loved Romeo and Juliet.

He then wrote some comedies like the Comedy of Errors, As You Like It, Twelfth Night and Much Ado about Nothing. His A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been a favorite of young people as there is some silliness that even the youngest spectator will understand.

However, his best plays were tragedies like Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Anthony and Cleopatra. These plays reveal his skill in moving his audience emotionally as they watch the story come to life.

Shakespeare died in 1616.There was no collection of his plays at that time. Seven years later, two of the actors in his troupe gathered the plays and published them. Now the world recognizes Shakespeare as the greatest playwright of all time.

1. William Shakespeare grew up in____. A. a seaport city B. a town by a river C. the countryside D. London

2. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a _____ A. historical play B. tragic play C. comedy D. love story

3. Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello are____ A. romantic heroes B. father figures C. dramatic roles D. tragic plays

Passage 7

Isaac Newton

Newton (12-1727) was an English mathematician who laid the foundations for physics as a modern scientific discipline. Everyone knows the story that when he was sitting under a tree, he watched an apple fall to the ground. As he thought about the reason of its falling. He reasoned that both apples and planets are similar in that they are objects that respond to a force that attracts them. The year of this observation was 1666 when he was 24 years old.

Newton was educated at Trinity College in Cambridge. He was so brilliant that he was offered a full professorship at age 27 in mathematics, also at planet movement for 21 years because everyone thought his reasoning was faulty. He told his friends that he would print nothing about his ideas because it would attract too much attention, which would interfere with his scientific work.

However, in 1687, he finally published a three volume book entitled

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mathematical principles of Natural philosophy. Today, it is considered the greatest scientific work ever written.

Newton believed that the law of gravity made the universe run like a huge clock, as if designed by a master designer. Scientists who read this work during his lifetime did not believe Newton’s theory of gravitational pull was correct. One claimed that Newton would not have twenty followers of his research in his lifetime. Actually, there were even less, because very few scientists seemed interested in his work.

Newton said, “Just give me the mass, and the position of the motion of a system of heavenly bodies at any given moment and I will calculate their future positions and motions by a set of rigid and unerring mathematical calculation. I will calculate the tides of the oceans and the motions of the waters and the earth. For the earth attracts the moon and the moon attracts the earth, and the force of each in turn tends to keep them in a state of perpetual resistance. “

Newton also developed the mathematical system that is called calculus. His studies of white light led to the understanding that light is made up of many colors. However, the most important theory was his theory of gravitational pull, which is the basis of all flights into space today.

1. In his lifetime, Newton’s theory of gravity was A. respected B. strange

C. not believed D. welcomed

2. Newton believed the universe was A. formed naturally

B. running in perfect order C. a big puzzle

D. difficult to explain

3. The moon and the earth stay in perfect balance because of A. attraction B. resistance C. motion

D. attraction and resistance

Passage 8

Charles Darwin Origin of Species

The English scientist, Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809, the same day that Abraham Lincoln was born. Darwin caused a change in thinking about evolution, whereas Lincoln caused a change in the role of the black slave allowing the black man to be free man in American society.

Darwin’s father tried to influence his son to become a worthy student in school. However, Charles did not like to study Latin or Greek, which was required for a classical education. Instead, he made a secret laboratory in his father’s

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garden where he could experiment in chemistry and physics.

His headmaster had a very low opinion of his scholarly abilities. So his father decided to send him to Edinburgh, Scotland, to medical school. However, Charles couldn’t bear the sight of surgical demonstrations. One time, a child was being operated on without any painkiller or anesthesia. The child began to scream in agony and Charles ran from the room. Those screams haunted his mind for many years.

Since he failed at medical school, his father sent him to study theology at Christ’s Church at Cambridge University. However, in his own words, he said his time was sadly wasted” in playing, drinking, singing, flirting and card playing.” But he found a science professor there who recommended he sail as a naturalist on the ship called the Beagle. This ship would travel for 5 years exploring South America and the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean.

On these islands, he observed the world’s largest turtles, the iguana lizards, and finches, a type of bird. These birds were on different islands and varied from each other, especially in their beaks.

Darwin took many notes on this long adventure. When he returned to England, his body was broken and he was essentially ill for the rest of his life. However, he came to the interesting conclusion that certain finches adapted better to their environment in a process called natural selection. Those species more fitted to their environment would be the ones most likely to breed and succeed in producing the next generation.

In 1859, he wrote On the Origin of Species, which became the most significant book ever written on the theory of evolution. His ideas have had more influence than anyone concerning how living species developed over time.

1. Darwin failed in the three schools of A. Science, Philosophy, Medicine B. the Classics, Medicine, Theology C. History, Science, Medicine D. the Classics, Language, Religion

2. Darwin’s theory of evolution came from his study of A. giant turtles B. finches

C. iguana lizards D. many animals

3. On the Origin of Species is about A. scientific discoveries B. very old life forms C. development over time D. animal descriptions

Passage 9

Winston Churchill

The most difficult war of the 20th century was World War ll. The bravery

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and leadership of Winston Churchill caused him to be named by the American Time Magazine as “Man of the Century.”

He was Britain’s most outstanding statesman during this time and he became an author in his later years.

Winston was born in 1874 to an American mother and a British father. His family was wealthy but his parents were too busy to raise a son properly. They sent him to a military school to become a soldier. However, Winston preferred writing to becoming a soldier so he left the military to become a correspondent for a London newspaper.

He covered the Boer War in the 10’s and was captured. The Boers were Dutch people who lived in South Africa. The war lasted three years from 19 to 1902 and the British won. Winston wrote about his escape from captivity in 19, which was very interesting reading to the people living in London.

Upon his return home, Winston was elected to the House of Commons in Parliament. He became known as a powerful speaker. He was able to work well with his colleagues so together they could pass significant British laws.

He became Minister of Finance in 1924.There was much unrest by workers without jobs but Winston had little compassion for them. So it was in 1929, he could not find enough colleagues to support him. Therefore he had to leave his significant post but he retained a seat in Parliament.

He continued his writing career for 10 years and was little remembered until 1939. The Second World War had begun and a new prime minister was needed to face the German threat. Winston won the post and he began to reveal great determination in the face of the enemy. It was his ability to stand up to great pressures in the war that won him the admiration of people at home and abroad. His role at Yalta in 1945 with USA President Franklin Roosevelt and Russia’s Josef Stalin was very important.

After the war, he wrote the History of the Second World War and then the History of the English Speaking People. These works were so impressive that he received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1953.

1. Winston’s writing career began as a ____. A. London reporter

B. newspaper correspondent C. South African journalist D. magazine writer

2. Winston’s fame was primarily because of his job as a ____. A. member of Parliament B. finance minister C. prime minister D. historical author

3. His two famous books revealed his_____. A. insights of history B. journalism background C. pride in Britain

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D. award-winning ability

Passage 10

Princess Diana

Few people have had an emotional impact on the world as Diana did. Britain has the most visible image of a true monarchy. Though the power of the royal family is not significant in the political sense, it has an emotional power because the British people love their Queen Elizabeth and all the members of her family.

Diana was born in 1961 in Sandringham, England. Prince Charles was looking for an appropriate bride in the late 1970’s . He knew that the Spencer family had a long tradition of producing leaders for British society so when he met Diana Spencer, he began to think she could be his princess.

After an introduction, they began to see each other often and they fell in love. Diana was only twenty years old when she married Charles in 1981. The marriage ceremony took place in St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in London.

A royal marriage is worldwide news. This meant that the procession and wedding events were all on worldwide television. Diana was stunning in her wedding dress, which had an extremely long train, that trailed behind her as she walked.

The mighty pipe organ played processional music for the procession of the bride and groom into the church. Trumpets were heard playing a fanfare at the beginning of the processional. It was one of the most beautiful weddings of the 20th century.

The British people fell in love with their new princess. Once she became accustomed to her new life in the royal family, she began to be active. She was very concerned for people in the world who had severe problems. Some referred to her as being like a patron saint for war victims, the sick, the homeless, and those who faced discrimination. Her compassion led her to many countries and this gave her a world image of genuine concern.

She had two children named Prince Henry and Prince William. Due to marital problems, this beautiful person divorced Prince Charles in 1996. Tragedy followed later as she was killed in an automobile accident. As an act of generosity, Queen Elizabeth said. “No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her but felt they knew her will remember her.”

1. Diana was from a family that was____. A. rich

B. common C. significant D. poor

2. Diana became famous because of her ____. A. beauty B. intelligence C. family life

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D. compassion

3. Queen Elizabeth’s words about her were____. A. kind

B. memorable C. cautious D. guarded

Passage11

United States: Washington D.C.

The capital city of the United States is Washington D . C. Since it is the capital for the whole country, the first politicians decided it should not be in a state. It is in the District of Columbia between Maryland and Virginia on the East Coast. Like Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing which are special administrative zones and not part of a Chinese province, Washington D. C. is also a special administrative zone.

The monuments to the three greatest presidents are in this city. The Washington Monument is a tall and narrow structure with no windows but with a point at its top. There is an elevator that takes visitors to the top where they can see the whole city. The Jefferson Memorial is a building with columns and a round top in the classical architecture of the Greeks and Romans. A large statue of Jefferson is inside. The Lincoln Memorial is a building also with pillars with a very large statue of Lincoln sitting in a chair. Quotes from his speeches are carved on the walls.

The White House is where the president lives. There are regular tours of this building. The State Dining Room is where leaders from other countries are entertained by the president and members of Congress.

The military graves are in the Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers is here. Also, the graves of President John Kennedy and his brother Robert are located here. There is a flame that never goes out at this grave site.

The Capitol Building is where Congress meets to discuss laws. There are two parts, one for the Senate and one for the House of Representatives. Together, they are called Congress. Nearby is the National Cathedral, a very large church used by national leaders for worship, funerals and weddings.

The three museums of interest are the Smithsonian Institution for history, arts and sciences; the National Art Gallery and the Air Space Museum, which has the Apollo Rocket, which went to the moon.

Virginia is the state where the home of George Washington is located. It is called Mount Vernon.

Also, Thomas Jefferson’s home is nearby. I t is called Monticello. Both homes are very interesting to visit.

1· The capital city of the United States is in the . A. state of Virginia B. state of Maryland

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C. District of Columbia D. state of Washington

2. The president buried in the Arlington National Cemetery in this essay is .

A. George Washington B. Thomas Jefferson C. Abraham Lincoln D. John Kennedy

3. The gowns of all the presidents’ wives are in the history museum which is called . A. Mount Vernon

B. The Smithsonian Institution C. Monticello

D. The National Art Gallery

Passage 12

United States: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut The name New York was given by Englishmen who wanted to honor the city in England called York. The name New Jersey is also named after an island in England called Jersey.

New York is the largest city in the United States with a population of nearly 8 million. It is also the name of a state with a population of 19 million. It is the largest state in the northeast.

In the harbor of New York City is the Statue of Liberty. This large copper statue is a woman holding a torch in her hand. The statue was given to the United States by France. Its formal name is” Liberty Enlightening the World” . When the immigrants saw this statue, they were excited because they knew had arrived in America, their new homeland.

The important buildings of New York include the New York Stock Exchange, the Empire State Building and formerly two very tall buildings called the World Trade Center. (The World Trade Center was destroyed on September 1Ith of 2001 by some terrorists who had hijacked two planes to attack them, killing more them 2800 people from more than 50 countries.) Also, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Metropolitan opera are here. The most important is the United Nations building. Important decisions by representatives from all the countries of the world are made here. Their hope is to promote peace throughout the world.

There are many ethnic neighborhoods in New York City. When people come to America, they usually are poor speakers of English. They come to a neighborhood where their native language is spoken. Two of the largest are Little Italy and Chinatown.

Some streets have become well-known. Wall Street is the financial district where billions of dollars are invested in stock companies. Fifth Avenue has the most expensive shops representing fashions from all over the world. Broadway is

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the location of theaters that produce musicals.

Three states on New York’s eastern border have four of America’s best universities. Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the city of both Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Princeton, New Jersey, is the location of Princeton University. New Haven, Connecticut, is the home of Yale University.

1. When immigrants come to New York by ship, they are anxious to see A. the United Nations Building B. the Statue of Liberty

C. tall buildings of New York D. Chinatown or Little Italy

2. The best place to look over all the city of New York is from the A. United Nations Building B. Metropolitan Museum of Art C. Empire State Building D. New York Stock Exchange

3. The best place to see a musical is on a street called A. Fifth Avenue B. Wall Street C. Harvard D. Broadway

Passage 13

United States: California, Nevada

The major port cities in the western United States are the California cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. They are also destination cities for airplanes coming from , Shanghai, and Beijing.

Los Angeles is the largest city in California. It is the location of Hollywood where most American movies are made. Universal Studios has daily tours for tourists. Actors will show how to stage or put together a cowboy street fight with guns or with fists. The giant white shark like the one from the scary movie called Jaws can be seen here. As tourists ride in a boat, they see the mechanical shark come toward them and at the last moment he attacks the boat and frightens everyone.

Disneyland features many rides for Children and adults in Fantasy Land and Adventure Land. A real ship with sails on high masts gives tourists rides. Employees dress up as Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and the two dogs, Goofy and Pluto. Cinderella and Snow White greet children who come to Disneyland.

In San Francisco, the most famous structure is the Golden Gate Bridge. At the ocean, there is a tourist area called Fisherman’s Wharf. Tourists can see wild sea lions near the fishermen’s boats as well as shops for souvenirs. San Francisco has the largest Chinatown in the United States.

On the southern border with Mexico, there is a city called San Diego. The zoo is one of the finest in the world because of its size and research facilities.

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The Chinese panda and takin , as well as the wild Mongolian horse are found here.

In the neighboring state of Nevada, there is a large lake called Lake Tahoe, which borders California. I t is perfectly clear. The two cities of Reno and Las Vegas are also in Nevada. They have become entertainment centers where Hollywood singers perform regularly every evening·

There is a mystery at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. The swallows come here to make nests on the same day every year. Even the scientists cannot explain how these birds know the exact day to arrive.

1. The Golden Gate Bridge is in . A. Los Angeles B. San Diego C. San Francisco D. Las Vegas

2. Pluto is the name of a Disneyland animal who is a A. mouse B. dog C. duck D. goat

3. San Juan Capistrano is a . A. city B. village C. town D. mission

Passage 14

United States: National Parks

The most famous national park is Yellowstone located in the Rocky Mountains in the state of Wyoming. Here there are hot springs, which sometimes throw water high in the air like the Old Faithful Geyser. It faithfully shoots water into the air every hour. Many mountain animals also live here like the buffalo, elk, moose, coyotes and a few wolves.

The other mountain national parks in the Rockies are Grand Teton in Wyoming and Glacier in Montana. They have very high rocky mountains with snow and ice. These large ice fields are called glaciers.

In the desert area of Colorado is Mesa Verde National Park. The Anasazi Indians built Villages out of rock under the protection of overhanging rocks on a hill side. The Villages are hundreds of years old and are abandoned. In the state of South Dakota, there are two monuments. Mount Rushmore is the national park where an artist carved the giant faces of four presidents out of stone. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Nearby, there is the Crazy Horse monument named after a Dakota tribe Indian chief.

In the dry desert of Utah, there are interesting rock formations carved by the

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wind. Bryce Canyon National Park and Arches National Park are Interesting to see. The Grand Canyon is in Arizona and was carved by the Colorado River.

California has the largest trees in the world at Redwood National Park. They grow so high and so thick that the sun rarely reaches the ground. One tree has been cut so a large car can go through it. Yosemite National Park is also in California. The high mountains, waterfalls, and Wild deer in this park are attractions for visitors.

The highest mountain in North America is Mount McKinley in Alaska. It is 6, 194 meters tall. The area around it is a national park with grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves. Also in Alaska, there is Volcanoes National Park where visitors can watch an active volcano. In Florida, the Everglades National Park is a large swamp. It is home to alligators, manatees, flamingoes and spoonbill birds.

1. The word “glacier” means A. ice field B. geyser C. hot spring D. hard stone

2. Mount Rushmore is known for A. high mountains B. wild animals C. a volcano D. stone carvings

3. Mount McKinley is in . A. the Rocky Mountains B. Wyoming C. Montana D. Alaska

Passage 15

Crossing the US-Canada Border

MONTREAL(Reuters)------Crossing the US-Canada border(边界) to go to church on a Sunday cost a US citizen $10,000 for breaking Washington’s strict new security (安全) rules.

The expensive trip to church was surprise for Richard Albert, who lives right on the Canadian border . Like the other half-dozen people of Township 15, crossing the border is a daily occurrence for Albert. The nearby Quebec village of St. Pamphile is where they shop, eat and go to church.

There are many such situations in these areas along the largely unguarded 5,530-mile border between Canada and the US which in some cases actually runs down the middle of streets or through buildings. As a result, Albert says he did not expect any problems three weeks ago when he returned home to the US after attending church in Canada, as usual. The US customs(海关) station in this area is closed on Sundays, so he just drove around the locked gate, as he had done every weekend since the gate appeared last May, following a tightening of border

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security. Two days later, Albert was told to go to the customs office, where an officer told him he had been caught on camera crossing the border illegally(非法).

Ottawa has given out special passes to some 300 US citizens in that area so they can enter the country when Canadian customs stations are closed, but the US stopped a similar program last may. That forces the people to a 200-mile detour along hilly roads to get home through another border checkpoint.

Albert has requested that the customs office change their decisions on the fine, but he has not attended a Sunday church since. “I feel like I’ m living in a prison.” he said.

1. We learn from the text that Richard Albert is . A. an American living in Township 15 B. a Canadian living in a Quebec village C. a Canadian working in a customs station D. an American working in a Canadian church 2. Albert was fined because he . A. failed to obey traffic rules

B. broke the American security rules C. worked in St. Pamphile without a pass D. damaged the gate of the customs office

3. The underlined word‘‘detour” in Paragraph 4 means . A. a drive through the town B. a race across the fields

C. a roundabout way of travelling D. a journey in the mountain area 4. What would be the best title for the text? . A. A Cross-country Trip. B. A Special Border Pass. C. An Unguarded Border.

D. An Expensive Church Visit.

MONTREAL Reading tips: 1.A 2.B 3.C 4.D

Passage 16

The Great Lakes

North America has some pretty special lakes. For example, five of the world’s largest lakes are here. They are the Great Lakes. Put them together. They form the world’s biggest body of fresh water.

Superior is the largest Great lake. It is also the biggest freshwater lake in the world. Superior’s area is almost 32,000 square miles. At its deepest point this huge lake is over 1,300 feet deep. Superior is on the border between Northern Michigan and Ontario. Its water never gets very warm. This is because it is so far north. Even in summer, it may be only 45 to 50 degrees.

The next Great Lake is Huron. It is about 200 miles long. It covers about 23,000 square miles. Like Superior, it straddles the United States-Canadian border. Also like Superior, few cities of any size dot its banks.

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Lake Huron is directly connected to Lake Michigan. This is the third Great Lake.It is the only one completely inside the United States. It is farther south than the other two. So its waters warm up a bit in the summer. For example, near its southern tip it may reach over 70 degrees. Chicago and Milwaukee are two big cities on Lake Michigan.

The final Great Lakes are Ontario and Erie. These lakes are quite a bit smaller than the others. Lake Erie borders on three states and Ontario. Lake Ontario borders on only one state. These two lakes 1ie close to each other . They have many cities built along them. These include C1eveland Buffalo, and Toronto. One difference between them is this. Lake Erie is very shallow. But parts of Lake Ontario are very deep. At one point this lake is 800 feet deep.

1. This passage deals mainly with . A. physical characteristics of the Great Lakes B. large lakes in the world C. Lake Superior

D. shipping on the Great Lakes

2. The only Great Lake completely inside the United States is . A. Erie B. Superior C.Huron D. Michigan 3. It is safe to conclude from the article that . A. cities are more likely to be built along the warmer lakes B. Lake superior has many resorts for swimming C. Lake Michigan was discovered first D. the five lakes are not that close together

4. The author develops this passage mainly by . A. Telling stories

B. pointing out similarities and differences C. presenting a persuasive argument D. explaining a process

Passage 17

The Basic Flag of the United States

The basic flag of the United States is one of the world’s oldest national flags. Only the basic flags of Austria, Denmark, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland are older. During the discovery and settlement of what is now the United States, the flags of various European nations were flown over the land, as symbols of possession. Later, in the Colonial and Revolutionary War periods, flags representing famous persons, places, and events were flown in the American Colonies.

The first official flag of the United States was created by Congress on June14, 1777. It consisted of 13 alternate red and white stripes and 13 white stars in a field of blue, representing the 13 colonies that had declared their independence in 1776. Congress adopted a new flag of 15 stars and 15 stripes in 1795, to give representation to the two new states admitted into the Union,

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Vermont and Kentucky. By 1817, there were 20 states in the Union, and it became apparent that adding new stripe for each new state would destroy the shape of the flag. As a result, Congress in 1818 restored the original design of 13 stripes and provided that each state was to be represented by one star. In 1912 President William H. Taft made the first official provision for the arrangement of the stars. He ordered that there be six even rows of eight stars each. Previously the arrangement of the stars had been left to the flag-maker’s fancy.

The evolution of the Stars and Stripes reflects the growth of the United States. After the admission of Hawaii into the Union in 1959, the flag was officially changed for the 26th time since its creation. There ar many government flags flown in the United States in addition to the national flag. Among them are the president’s and vice-president’s flags and those of the federal department and some federal agencies. Each state in the Union has an official flag. The United State Navy uses special flags for signaling.

1. The basic flag of the United States is . A. the oldest national flag in the world B. one of the world’s oldest flags C. the most beautiful flag in the West

D. as old as the basic flags of some European nations

2. Before the War of Independence the flags of various European nations flown over the land were symbols of .

A. self-rule B. occupation C. peace and friendship D. independence

3. The 13 red and white stripes and 13 white stars represent . A. 13 independent states

B. the colonies that declared independence in 1776 C. the U.S. Congress

D. 13 famous figures in the American colonies

4. Why was the original design of 13 stripes restored in 1818? A. Too many stripes would destroy the shape of the flag. B. Congress insisted 13 is the best number.

C. That was a decision President Taft had made. D. The American people suggested it.

Passage18

September 1lth

The World Trade Center was built from 1969 to 1973 at a cost of＄750 million. The two 110-story towers had been the tallest buildings until the Sears Tower in Chicago was completed in 1974 at l,450 feet. The World Trade Center was hit by two planes and it fell in short time later on September 1lth .

Here are some hijacking(劫持)information.

American and United airlines both said two of their planes had been hijacked and crashed. American said its planes were carrying a total of 156 people. One was a Boston-Los Angeles. An FBI man said the former, a Boeing 767, hit one

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of the Trade Center towers；the latter, a Boeing 757, hit the Pentagon(五角大楼). Two United Airliners with a total of 110 aboard also crashed-a Boeing 757 outside Pittsburgh；the other, a Boeing 767, into the Trade Center. The crash in Pennsylvania was a New York San Francisco flight. It rushed into the ground in a field about 85 mile. Pittsburgh. U.S. officials said it was possible that the plane had been on a course for the presidential house at Camp. The police received at phone call at 9:58 a.m. It came from a man who said he was a passenger locked in the bathroom of United Flight 93. “We are being hijacked. We are being hijacked! It is going down quickly. I can see some white smoke coming from the front and hear some terrible noise. What’s happening? My God!”

1. Which statement is true according to the article?

A. The World Trade Center has been the highest building since 1973. B. The World Trade Center was hit by three planes.

C. The Sears Tower in Chicago is taller than the World Trade Center. D. The World Trade Center was 1450 feet high. 2. What kind of planes hit the World Trade Center?

A. A Boeing 757 and a Boeing 767. B. Two planes of Boeing 757. C. Two planes of Boeing 767. D. Two planes from New York. 3. What can we learn from the phone call? A. The man was in the bathroom. B. The plane was in great danger. C. A fire broke out on the plane.

D. The man who made the phone call was a pilot.

Passage19

Christopher Columbus

The voyage of Christopher Columbus to North America in 1492 A.D. is considered the most significant European contact in the New World. Actually, the Vikings from Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark, Sweden ) had colonies in Iceland, Greenland, and the northern coast of today’s Canada as early as 1000 A.D. However, the colonies were small and were in the very cold northern climates so they did not develop.

Portugal and Spain were sending voyagers to many unknown places. The Italian Columbus approached Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain with the idea of reaching China and India by sailing across the Atlantic. When they agreed to finance his voyage, he gathered his men and ships and set sail. He was born in 1451 so he was 41years old when he reached North America.

In the city of Barcelona, Spain, there is a large statue of Columbus on a very high column. His arm is stretched out to the west, signifying his idea that exploration to the west would benefit the Spanish crown. He was right, so he was considered the founder of the New World.

He returned three more times to North America, financed by Spain. He died in 1506. Other significant explorers followed his sea route to both Central America and North America.

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The Italian named Amerigo Vespucci was also hired by the Spanish to sail to North America. His fame lies in the fact that he gave his name Amerigo to the Neo World. It was changed slightly to the final name of America.

Another Italian named Ferdinand Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the entire globe and he was also financed by Spain. His trip proved that the earth was truly round.

In 1519—1521, the Spaniard Herman Cortez conquered the Aztec Indians in Central America, which is now called Mexico. Spanish missionaries moved north along the coast of the Pacific Ocean into the American state of California. They established missions named after Roman Catholic saints. This is why most of the major cities of California today have Spanish names such as San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles (The Angels). The exploration by land across the continent from East to West wasn’t until 1804 when the Lewis and Clark Expedition was sent by United States President Thomas Jefferson.

1. Christopher Columbus was ____. A. a Spaniard B. a Portuguese C. a Viding D. an Italian

2. The man who gave his name to America was ____. A. Cortez B. Vespucci C. Magellan D. Columbus

3. California missions were named by _____. A. Italians B. Americans C. Spaniards D. Portuguese

Passage 20

George Washington First President

The name Washington came from England. George was born in 1732 and he grew up in Virginia as the son of wealthy owners of an estate. When his father died, George was only eleven years old. He went to live with his half brother Laurence who had a large estate on the Potomac River. When Laurence died, George inherited the estate which was called Mount Vernon. Today the house has become a national monument and museum due to the fame of its owner.

When George was at the age of 22, war broke out between the French and British in the Ohio valley. Americans sided with the British during this French and Indian War of 17-1763. George became a soldier. Within one year he was promoted to the rank of colonel and appointed commander in Chief of the Virginia soldiers. At the young age of 23, he had already shown maturity beyond his age.

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Virginia appeared to be safe from French attack by 1785 so Washington returned to his Mount Vernon home. He entered politics and served for fifteen years (from 1759-1774), in the Virginia legislature.

He represented Virginia at the first two national Congress meetings in 1774 and 1775. Due to his strong military career, he was asked to be the commander of all military forces in the war for Independence from England. This war lasted six years, until October 19. 1781. When the English commander Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown.

Washington was known for his unquestioned integrity. As a boy, he had written in one of his school notebooks, “Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, conscience.”

In 1787, he again represented Virginia at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. He was elected presiding officer over the writing of the Constitution. In 17, he was unanimously elected president.

He was re-elected in 1792 for a second term of office. When he left to retire to his estate, the country’s financial system was firm, the Indian threat of war was greatly diminished and a treaty with Spain had allowed expansion to the west.

Washington is considered the father of the United States. Due to his honesty, his belief in God. And his leadership skills, he served as a great model politician for all who followed him. He is honored today as one of the best presidents ever to hold this office.

1. Which of the following statements is not true? A . George Washington came form England. B. Little George was born in America.

C. when he retired, George Washington came back to his estate called Mount Vernon.

D. the house where George Washington lived has been made into a museum. 2. George Washington’s military career as a soldier began A . at the young age of 23

B. when he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Virginia soldiers C. when he was only 22

D. when the War of Independence broke out

3. George Washington is a great model statesman for A . his honesty

B. his leadership talent C. his belief in God D. All of the above

Passage 21

Thomas Jefferson 3rd President

Shadwell, Virginia, was the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson. Following his education at the College of William and Mary, he studied law. In 1769, he began six years as a representative to the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1770, he began

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to build his personal residence which he called Monticello on land inherited from his father. He designed the house himself and built it over many years. Today, it is a magnificent museum.

He was elected to the second continental congress which met in Philadelphia. On June 11, 1776, he was asked to lead a committee of five to write the Declaration of Independence. He was the primary author. Two of the committee members who helped him were Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. (Adams became president after George Washington.) The Declaration of Independence made Jefferson famous internationally.

In 1779, Jefferson was elected governor of Virginia for two years, in 1782, he was again in Congress. He submitted a report suggesting that the basic monetary unit be the dollar and not the pound sterling used in England. After discussion which lasted for many years this idea was adopted.

He went to Paris for five years (1784-17) as the minister to France. He succeeded Benjamin Franklin in that post. France was on the edge of the French Revolution and was not interested in commerce with the United States at that time.

He returned to the United States and George Washington asked him to be his Secretary of State during his first administration as president. He remained in that position until December 31, 1793. he went home to Monticello to build some buildings and a nail factory. He also planted a thousand peach trees. Many visitors came to see him at his home.

Jefferson ran for president in 1796 but came in second to John Adams. In those days, he automatically became the vice president. However, in 1800 he was elected president and he served two terms until 1808.

As president, he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase from Spain in 1803, which doubled the size of the United States. In 1804, he sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore land as far west as possible. They established a fort on the pacific ocean. This became known as Oregon territory. In 1859, part of the territory became the state of Oregon.

After his presidency, he started the University of Virginia. He conceived the idea, designed the campus, supervise its construction. And hired the faculty.

Jefferson wanted to be remembered for three things: freedom from Britain, freedom of conscience, and freedom maintained through education. Certainly, he is remembered for all three as well as being one of the most famous Americans in history.

1. Thomas Jefferson was best known for A . being the third president of the U.S.

B. his personal residence called Monticello

C. being the author of the Declaration of Independence D. being the founder of the University of Virginia

2. Before he became president, Jefferson had been A . the U.S. minister to France B. a secretary of state C. a vice president

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D. All of the above

3. Which of the following statements is not true?

A . Jefferson was not interested in commerce with France

B. The House of Burgesses is in a way similar to the present-day House of Representatives

C. The second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia

D. Jefferson had been governor of Virginia before he was again in Congress

Passage 22

Rosa Parks

Mother of the Civil Rights Movement

Montgomery is a large city in the southern state of Alabama. This state had many laws that forced black people, called “coloreds”, to be separated from white people. Restaurants, drinking fountains, and buses had signs that forced” coloreds” to be in a certain section away from white people

Though Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves in 1863, nearly 100 years later, black people did not have the same right as white people in the southern states. Rosa Parks decided to test one of these laws. On December 1, 1955, she got on a bus and sat at the back of the white section because the black section was full. When a white man asked her to give up her seat for him, she refused. When the driver insisted she move, she again refused. The driver called the police and she was arrested.

When the black people of Montgomery heard about her arrest, they had meetings to decide what they could do. Martin Luther King had inspired the black population to stand up to injustice through non-violent means.

They decided to boycott the buses. This means they would refuse to buy a ticket to ride the bus. Most white people had cars so only a few rode the bus. However, only a few black people had cars so most of them rode the bus. The Montgomery buses now had very few customers because all black people refused to ride. The bus company could not make enough money from the white passengers to buy fuel and pay the drivers. They lost thousands of dollars.

The bus boycott lasted 381 days, more than a year. During that time, black people walked long distances to their jobs. The law had to be changed before the black people would again ride the bus. In 1956, this issue came before the nine judges of the Supreme Court in Washington, D. C. They decided it was not lawful to force black people to sit in a special section of the bus. The new law meant that people of any race could sit anywhere on the bus.

Rosa parks had changed the law of segregation or separation for all of the southern states. She stated that her courage came from two sources. The first was the strength she saw in her mother and grandparents when they faced difficult situations. The second was from an inner feeling about right and wrong, justice and injustice. She had asked others to be strong when treated unfairly and this was her chance to do the right thing.

Some people call her the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” .

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Certainly, her act of bravery changed the lives of black people in southern stases.

1. What did Rosa Parks do on December 1, 1955 which brought tremendous changes to the status of the black people?

A. She decided to challenge the segregation laws.

B. She got on a bus and sat on a seat reserved for the whites. C. When asked to move away, she refused. D. All of the above.

2. What happened to the bus company in the city when the black people boycotted the buses?

A. The bus company began to lose money because it had very few bus riders. B. The bus company asked the white people to cooperate by riding buses instead of their cars.

C. The bus company had to make loans to buy fuel and pay the bus drivers. D. Both B and C.

3. Why is Rosa Parks called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” ? A. Because it was her sense of justice and her bravery that eventually brought about the new law that people of any race could sit anywhere on the bus.

B. Because as she said her courage came from her mother and grandmother. C. Because she always encouraged others to be strong when treated unfairly. D. Both B and C.

Passage 23

Mark Twain Humorist and Novelist

Samuel Langhorne Clemens grew up in Missouri near the Mississippi River. As a young man, he decided he would become a writer. His first job was to become an apprentice to a printer. Here he learned to be a typesetter which means words of newspapers must first be organized and put in order for the ink to be applied and then printed on a special paper, called newsprint.

Samuel wrote a few stories which revealed his humor. He would misspell words, use puns, and write awkward sentences. He was developing his own writing style which someday would make him famous.

He decided to become an apprentice to a pilot or captain of ships on the Mississippi River. Soon he received a pilot’s license which meant he was responsible for guiding his own ship around the tree snags and shifting sands of the river. This was an important job as he was responsible for his passengers and the freight of cotton, lumber, vegetables and fruits.

It was on the Mississippi that the he heard boatmen calling out the depth of the river. They would use the words” mark twain” as a warning that the ship was in shallow water. Samuel decided this would be his “pen name” or writer’s name.

Tiring of this job, he decided to pursue his writing career in Buffalo, New York. There he met his wife and they married in 1870. Soon after, he moved to Hartford Connecticut to write full time. He was known for only one book prior to

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moving to Hartford. It was called, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. As you read its title, you can imagine that this was not a serious book.

Though he wrote many books, his two most famous books were about two young boys. The first was “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” In this book, he recalled the many adventures of a strong willed boy in the small town of Hannibal, Missouri.

His other book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is about a boy who ran away. He befriended a runaway slave and they built a raft and went down the Mississippi River. They met some dangerous people and the skill of Twain’s writing makes a simple story into an exciting adventure.

Mark Twain’s writing is easy to read. He had spent many years writing for publications which proved to be his training for writing his books. Both Yale University in America and Oxford University in England gave him honorary doctor’s degrees in writing as they recognized his skill as one of America’s finest novelists.

1. Samuel decided to use “Mark Twain” as his pen name A. when he worked as a ship pilot on the Mississippi River

B. when he heard boatmen calling out this phrase as a warning that the ship was in shallow water

C. as soon as he made up his mind to become a writer

D. because he wanted to show his humor by using puns and writing awkward sentences

2. When did Mark Twain start to write full time? A. when he quit his job as a ship pilot B. After he married in 1870

C. when he moved to Hartford, Connecticut D. Both B and C

3. How many novels had Mark Twain written in all of his life? A. one B. two C. three

D. the article didn’t mention it

Passage 24

Ernest Hemingway

Novelist

In his youth, Ernest enjoyed traveling to Walloon Lake in Michigan, a place where the Hemingway family spent part of every summer. Born in 19, he had normal childhood. Upon graduation from high school in 1917, he became a reporter for the Kansas City, a newspaper in the state of Missouri.

The First World War had started and he wished to become a soldier. However, his eyesight was too poor. He then volunteered to become an ambulance driver in Italy. He was severely wounded by part of a bomb that blew up. The parts of the bomb that entered his body is called shrapnel. Being wounded, he was sent back to

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the United States to recover. He did not forget his Italian war experience for he wrote his first great novel about his experiences there. It was called A Farewell to Arms.

He moved to Canada when he was well and became a feature writer for the Toronto Star. He then moved to Chicago where he met his first wife, Hadley Richardson. His hopes for adventure caused him to move to Paris, France, where he wrote prose and poetry. Here he wrote The Sun Also Rises which is based on experiences he had in Paris and Pamplona, Spain. He invented a character called Nick Adams and he wrote many stories about him.

He then moved to Key West, Florida, and stayed there for twenty years. However, he traveled for short adventures, including ranching in Wyoming, fishing in the Gulf Stream near Cuba and a safari in Kenya. Two important short stories were written at this time, The Snows of Kilimanjaro and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber.

He was assigned to the Spanish civil war of 1936-1939 as a correspondent for a group of papers called the North American Newspaper Alliance. As he wrote articles about the war, he conceived of writing a major novel which became For Whom the Bell Tolls, published in 1940.

He was in London in 1940 as a war correspondent for the American magazine called Colliers. In 1944, he followed the Fourth Infantry Division which liberated Paris and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, a significant turning point of the war.

After World War II, he moved to Cuba. He wrote a story about an old fisherman who caught a giant fish called a marlin. This story was called The Old Man and the Sea and it won the Pulitzer Prize for writing in 1952.

His books and articles caught the attention of the Nobel committee which gave him the Nobel Prize for 19. In 1960, he left Cuba and moved to a very remote location in Ketchum, Idaho. It was here he took his life with a shotgun after many hospitalizations for both physical and mental health.

Hemingway produced a large body of literature which is well written. His stories reflect the various locations where he lived. This allows the reader a chance to travel widely through imagination. Hemingway is considered one of America’s finest writers.

1. How many titled books by Hemingway are mentioned in the article? A. Five B. six C. seven D. eight

2. Which of Hemingway’s books won the Pulitzer Prize? A. For Whom the Bell Tolls B. A Farewell to Arms C. The Sun Also Rises

D. The Old Man and the Sea

3. Which of the following statements is not true?

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A. Hemingway travelled widely and his stories de scribe places where he lived

B. Hemingway ended his life by killing himself with a shotgun

C. His first job upon graduation from high school was being a newspaper reporter

D. He stayed in Key West, Florida, the longest of his life, without traveling to other places.

Passage 25

Charlie Chaplin

Everyone in the world knows this little man with the round top hat and a folded umbrella. Some claim his name was the most recognized one in the world between 1920 and 1960. He was a silent movie star who became famous because he was the first to have successful movies before they had sound.

Charlie was born into a British family that was very poor. The year was 18. His parents were professional song and dance performers in vaudeville, a type of stage entertainment. Charlie started in London as an acrobatic clown as part of his parents’ performance.

At age 22 in 1913, he came to the United States to try his luck at the silent-movie industry. Sound films had not been invented so he didn’t have to impress people with singing or a marvelous speaking voice. Instead, he had to use his body language and facial expressions to communicate with an audience. He was so successful in it that he became a star.

He began with the group called the keystone kops .They were known for crazy chase scenes. He wore baggy pants and had a flapping coat to go with his hat. He had a bushy black moustache. But his talent was to act like a little tramp who was very clever in all situations. No matter how dangerous it seemed he would always flip his hat in a cute way and waddle flat-footedly across the scene. Moviegoers thought he was just hilarious.

His movies included The Gold Rush (Alaska), The Circus, City Lights, Modern Times, and the first talking movie The Great Dictator (Hitler). These remain as some of the best comedies ever produced. They still are shown in some theatres on occasion due to their humorous episodes.

Actually, Charlie was more than an actor. He also was a film director, scriptwriter and producer. His ability as a businessman allowed him to become very wealthy.

Perhaps his proudest movement was when he was invited to receive a special award from the Academy of Motion picture arts and sciences. It was a lifetime achievement award for extraordinary contribution to the movie industry .The little man had become a giant in the heart of everyone.

1. Charlie’s career began as____. A. an actor B. a singer C. an acrobat

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D. a clown

2. The Keystone Kops is a group of _____. A. actors B. policemen C. comedians D. car drivers

3. A film academy gave him an award for ____. A. silent film acting B. producing

C. life achievement D. film directing

Passage 26

Thomas Edison Greatest Inventor

The birthplace of Thomas Edison was Milan, Ohio, in 1847. The curiosity of this young boy caused his first teacher to be nervous with his constant questions. When his mother heard of the difficulty at school, she decided to teach him at home. Therefore his formal education was only three months long.

At age twelve he took a job selling magazines and candy on the Grand Track Railroad. Three years later, he helped save the life of a boy. In gratitude, the boy’s father taught him how to be a telegraph operator. This was in 1862.

At age 21, he produced his first invention, a stock ticker which would print stock exchange quotations of prices in the offices of stock brokers. He was paid $40,000 for this invention and he used it to set up a research laboratory in Newark, New Jersey. Later, he moved his laboratory to Menlo Park. In that same state Edison owned a large building which allowed many people to work for him.

Edison is called the greatest inventor because he has 1, 093 patents. By filing a patent with the government, no one is allowed to steal the invention from the inventor. Of all of these patents, some affect the lives of every person. This is why Edison is honored in all countries of the world.

Perhaps his most important invention was the light bulb. He had to use many materials before he could find one that could burn a long time using electricity as the source of energy. To power the lights of a city, he had to invent the electric power station. Electric light changed the way people lived and is considered one of the greatest inventions.

Edison also invented the battery which can store energy. Its formal name would be the alkaline storage battery. It is used in many ways from automobiles to children’s toys. Machines that cannot use electricity directly from a power station must use stored energy.

Two of his other inventions are movable celluloid film for movies and the movie projector. The power of films for entertainment and business application is evident every day. Edison also invented the microphone and the phonograph. His understanding of electronic machines simply moved from one significant project

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to another.

When people called him a genius, he simply stated that, \"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” To prove this point, he stated how difficult it was to invent the storage battery, After10, 000 experiments that failed, he said, “I have not failed, I’ ve just found 10, 000 ways that won’t work.” He continued his experiments until he was successful.

Other inventions included a cement mixer, a Dictaphone, and synthetic rubber made from goldenrod plants. His other inventions cause Edison to be honored in American society by many people, especially the auto-maker Henry Ford. Ford brought Edison’s earliest research lab to Michigan where it became a museum located next to the earliest Ford cars that were manufactured.

1. What did Henry Ford think of Edison? A. He thought that Edison was a genius

B. He thought Edison’s many inventions helped greatly in his car-making business.

C. He thought highly of Edison. He honored Edison by bringing his research lab to where the earliest Ford cars were made.

D. He thought that he might not have achieved his success without the battery invented by Edison.

2. A patent is A. a license under which one is allowed to do business

B. a right given by the government so that no one is allowed to steal the invention from the inventor

C. a certificate issued by the government confirming the stated quality of an invention

D. an official paper giving permission to do something 3. Which of the following statements is not true? A. Edison received a good school education.

B. Edison often asked his teacher questions that had little to do with his lessons

C. Edison learned telegraphy from a man whose son Edison has saved

D. Young Edison had to help his family by selling magazines and candy on the train.

Passage 27

Henry Ford Automobile

The Ford family came from Ireland to the United States in 1847. Their child Henry was born in 1863. He had an interest in mechanics. He invented a car called the quadricycle which had four wheels. It essentially had four bicycle tires and no cab.

Henry built race cars in the 10’s and even became a race car driver. But he wanted to build cars for everyone to use, so he began the Ford Motor Company in 1903. He had formulated a business motto which would be the reason for his

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success. “The way to make automobiles is to make them all alike.” His company declared that they could make automobiles in any color, as long as it was black.

Henry gave much credit to wife whom he called “The Believer”. From the earliest days of their relationship she was the one who encouraged him to build a horseless carriage. Her belief in him was a constant encouragement to produce what would become the primary mode of transportation in the future.

Henry’s greatest task was to produce a gasoline engine that would be the power for his cars. He finally produced one in the kitchen sink in his house. He worked so many hours each day that his friends called him crazy Henry. He was inspired to work until his invention would work effectively.

When he designed the Model T, he decided he could build it cheaply for what he called “the great multitude.” To do this he had to design an assembly line where many cars could be built in a single day. Each worker would have only his individual parts to put on each car. Then he could limit himself to the few tools needed for the task.

The Model T was introduced in 1908 and began to be produced on an assembly line in 1913. Henry Ford was the major figure in the auto industry for the next fifteen years.

On May 26, 1927, Henry watched the 15 millionth Model T Ford roll off the assembly line. He had become the richest man in America. He was able to bring the price low enough so that most Americans could buy his car. This gave every family much independence for they could move about freely without the aid of others transporting them.

Because he did not change his Model T, others began experimenting with different types of cars. However, the Ford Motor Company still exists and all car owners are indebted to the creation of the automobile by Henry Ford.

1. To make cars, Henry first of all needed A. his wife’s encouragement

B. a lot of money to buy equipment

C. to produce a gasoline engine that would be the power for his cars. D. engineers and technicians

2. Why did Henry Ford give much credit to his wife for his car-making business?

A .Because he called her “The Believer”

B. Because from the earliest days of their relationship, she always encouraged her husband to build a horseless carriage

C. Because her belief in him was a constant encouragement

D. Because she often reminded her husband that the way to make automobiles is to make all alike

3. An assembly line is

A. a production line where each worker does only a small part of work to complete a product

B. where many cars could be built in a single day

C. where Henry could limit himself to the few tools for the task

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D. a workshop where the Model T was first produced in 1913

Passage 28

Marilyn Monroe

Actress

A little girl, named Norma Jeane Mortenson, was born in Los Angeles on June 1st 1926. She would change her name to Marilyn Monroe when she became an actress.

Norma Jeane had a difficult childhood. Her mother, Grace, was mentally unstable. This caused the little girl to be raised by a foster family which means a family that takes in unwanted children. At the age of nine, she was sent to the Los Angeles Orphan’s home, where she stayed a short time. She lived with different families after this experience until she was 16 years old. She wanted a stable home, so she married the neighbor boy who was named Jim Dougherty.

Two years later, in 1944, when she was 18, Jim became a World War II soldier. Norma Jeane decided to go toword to help the war effort, so she got a job in an airplane factory. The Army sent photographers to the factory to take pictures of women making airplanes. One of them suggested to Norma Jeane that she should try to get at a modeling agency because she was so beautiful. She followed his advice and was hired by the Blue Book Modeling Agency. When Jim came home after the war, she divorced him.

When the agency took her picture in many poses, they sent them to many magazines. By 1946, Norma Jeane was on magazine covers 33 times. This huge success encouraged her to audition for the movies. She got a contract with Twentieth-Century Fox, one of the largest film studios in Hollywood. She got a role in “Scudda hoo! Scudda Hay!”, but she only had to say two words, “Hi, Rod.”

Johnny Hyde, executive with the William Morris agency, got her small roles in “Love Happy” with the humorous Marx Brothers, “The Asphalt Jungle”, and “All About Eve” . When Hyde died in 1950, Marilyn renewed a seven year contract with Twentieth-Century Fox.

She became so popular that her fan mail would sometimes be more than 2, 000 letters in a week. She was a co-star in “Gentlemen Prefer Blonde”. She began work on “The Seven Year Itch”, and married baseball star, Joe Dimaggio. Unfortunately, the marriage lasted only six months. When “The Seven Year Itch” was produced, it was the best film in the summer of 1955.

She married author Arthur Miller and stayed with him 5 years. Her next movies included “Bus Stop” and “Some Like It Hot.” However, she was taking drugs due to the pressure of the acting. This led to severe illness. She did sing for President Jack Kennedy on May 19, 1961, even though she was ill.

She decided to re-marry Joe Dimaggio, but she died four days before the wedding on August 4, 1962. She had fame, fortune, and three husbands. She was admired for great success in making movies, but her personal life was truly tragic.

1. What do you think is the turning point for Marilyn Monroe to become a famous actress?

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A. When she was 16, she married a neighbor boy Jim who, two years later, became a war hero.

B. It was when she got a job in an airplane factory where she was featured as an outstanding woman worker.

C. It was not until around 1946 when the modeling agency where she worked as a model sent her pictures in different poses to many magazines.

D. It was when she got a contract with Twentieth-Century Fox.

2. How many major roles did she play when Johnny Hyde was the executive of the William Morris agency?

A. Three. B. Seven. C. Two. D. None.

3. Why was Marilyn’s personal life considered a tragedy?

A. Because she died just four days before the wedding, a re-marriage to her former husband Joe Dimaggio.

B. Because her matrimonial life was not a happy one. C. Because drug-taking led to her severe illness. D. Both B and C.

Passage 29

Elvis Presley Rock and Roll Music

The southern state of Mississippi was the birthplace of Elvis Presley in 1935. Some have called him “the king of Rock and Roll.” He began singing as a child and he won ￥5.00 when he entered a local song contest at the age of 8. He sang a ballad about a dog entitled, “Old Sheep.”

His musical influence came from his church where he learned hymns and gospel songs. He also loved country music and the blues. When he was only 13 years old, he began to wear sideburns with his long hair. He began to wear clothes of bright colors in order to make an image of himself as a non-conformist. When he left school, he took a job as a truck driver where he had the independence to do whatever he desired with his clothes and hairstyle.

He produced a recording of a blues song in the 1950’s and the recording manager realized Elvis had some talent. He talked to the owner of the company, called Sun Records. His name was Sam Phillips. After he heard Elvis sing, he decided to take a special interest in him. He trained Elvis for nearly a year. Then he brought in some of the best music talent of the time, including guitarist Scotty Moor and bass guitarist Bill Black. When they provided a professional backup to Elvis’s singing, Sam realized Elvis would be a star.

Elvis began a singing career that led him to a performance on “The Grand Old Pry,” probably the best country music radio program. As he became known, he began to sing at county fairs and teen dances. Sometimes there would be thousands in the audience, due to his popularity.

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Elvis’ greatest hits were “Hound Dog”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, “Love Me Tender” and “All Shook Up.” He could sing softly with great compassion or wildly with great energy. He truly became a teenage idol.

Hollywood producers realized he could be successful in films. He made 33 pictures altogether. Teenagers flocked to the theaters but his acting was only average. It was the music that teenagers came to hear.

In the United States, his music was more popular than any other popular music singer or group. The only competition came from the Beatles, a rock music phenomenon from England.

His home in Memphis, Tennessee, is also where he is buried. Though he lived to be only 42 years of age, his music lives on through singers who are Elvis impersonators. His home is like a shrine for those who love his music.

1. What did the owner of Sun Records, Sam Phillips, do when he heard Elvis sing?

A. He realized Elvis would be a star.

B. He believed he had talent and started training him nearly a year.

C. He brought in some other musicians including some guitarists to provide a professional backup to Elvis’ singing.

D. Both B and C.

2. What was characteristic of Elvis’ skills in singing? A. He could sing softly with great compassion. B. He could sing wildly with great energy.

C. He could sing and dance fantastically while singing. D. Both A and B.

3. How did Elvis’ love for music develop when he was young? A. He learned hymns and gospel songs from his church.

B. Country music and the blues also had some influence on him. C. Both A and B.

D. He entered a song contest winning $5.00 when he was only eight.

Passage 30

Bruce Lee (Li Xiao long)

In 1940, a opera singer was in San Francisco with his pregnant wife. While there, a small sickly boy was born who they named Bruce Lee. The family moved back to where Bruce grew up. In 1946, he appeared in the first of many films as a child actor.

In 1953, he was the loser in a street fight. This caused him to practice martial arts, which soon became his obsession. He continued making as many as 20 movies in but he rarely attended school. His mother found it difficult to control him so she decided to send him to the United States where he was born.

He arrived in Seattle before his 18th birthday and he lived with a friend of his family. He worked in a Chinese restaurant briefly and got a job teaching the Wing Chun martial arts he had learned in .

In 19 when he was at the age of 24, he went to the first major

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demonstration of Kung Fu in Long Beach, California. There he competed against Dan lnosanto, a black belt holder, which is the highest rank of difficulty. Bruce was not known by anyone but he beat Dan so quickly that Dan asked if he could be Bruce’s student.

Since he had acting experience, Bruce was chosen for the Hollywood movie role of Kato, an oriental assistant to the crime fighter named Green Hornet. The Green Hornet is very similar to Batman who is seen occasionally on China television advertisements.

Bruce wanted to turn his body into a large weapon. He had the belief that a person has the power to overcome adversity. So, he carefully combined regular exercise with a good diet, mediation and weight training.

He starred in the movie Fist of Fury, which had a poor plot or storyline but had excellent Kung Fu by Bruce. He returned to to make more movies and all of Asia enjoyed his films. He starred in only one big budget film in the United States called Enter the Dragon. Unfortunately, Bruce died of a reaction to a drug one month before it was released. It was quite successful as it made ￥200 million.

1. In middle school, Bruce was ____. A. a good student

B. an excellent student C. a good football player D. mostly absent

2. In competition in San Francisco, Bruce____. A. won a black belt

B. admired holders of the black belt C. beat a holder of a black belt D. joined the Kung Fu association

3. Bruce had more success in Asia than in the United States because of his___.

A. acting ability B. physical abilities C. muscular appearance D. philosophy of life

Passage 31

Richard Nixon 37th President

For a period of twenty-three years from 1949-1972, there was no diplomatic relationship between China and the U.S. President Richard Nixon decided he should visit Mao Zedong in China to discuss, among other things, how China could become a part of international commerce.

In 1971, American ping pong players played against Chinese players in China. That same year, Henry Kissinger Visited Zhou Enlai to prepare for a visit by Nixon the next year. Nixon announced on television on July 15, 1971, that he would visit

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China in February of 1972.

When he arrived , Mao Zedong met with him briefly. Zedong met with him briefly. Zhou Enlai had many meetings with him for most of one week. Though they signed no documents, the opening of relations between the two countries was a dramatic achievement.

Nixon did tell reporters, “The great country of China is a country we have not known long enough. That communication has been totally cut for the last 20 years and looking to the future, l would hope that one of the developments that could occur as a result of our visit is that, apart from the relations between governments, people will be able to come here and that of course Chinese people will be able to come to the United States.”

Nixon’s legacy is a mixed bag. His foreign policy breakthrough with China was perhaps his greatest moment as president due to the access China would have to the world. But because he lied to congress about the Watergate scandal, he decided to leave the presidency due to the threat of impeachment. In American politics, a president can be forced to leave office if congress investigates his actions and finds them unlawful.

Watergate was the location where the Democrats were holding their meetings. Nixon’s Republican party decided to illegally listen and tape their conversations. When they were caught, Nixon was asked if he knew anything about the situation. He said he did not. It was later proven that he did know about it, which forced the threat of impeachment. Presidents are not allowed to lie to the American people. When they begin their presidency, they take a vow to always tell the truth.

Sometimes, a president is remembered both for significant actions that are positive and negative. To the Chinese, Nixon opened the way for development of Sino-US relations. To the Americans, he was dishonest and had to be released from office. His legacy therefore is mixed. Later in his life he was again asked by the American government to travel to China and other countries to promote friendship and to use his leadership skills in negotiations. He was well received and honored for this work.

1. Why was Nixon removed from office?

A . because he sent his men to Watergate where the Democrats were holding meetings.

B. Because he lied to the American people

C. Because the Congress impeachment forced him to leave office D. Because he paid china a visit without the approval by Congress 2. Nixon’s legacy is a mixed bag because A . his bag was filled with a lot of different things B. his actions did not match with his words

C. he did things that were both positive and negative

D. He is remembered by the Chinese for his China policy, but is regarded by the Americans as a dishonest president

3. The proper translation of the word “scandal”in this article is A .事件

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B. 丑闻 C. 舞弊 D. 诽谤

Passage 32

Conddeezza Rice(赖斯), the U.S. Secretary of State

Conddeezza Rice(赖斯), the U.S. Secretary of State, is used to standing out. Besides her very public position, her youth, gender and skin color have attracted a lot of attention throughout her political career. In 19,Rice was born in Birmingham, the most racially segregated(隔离) city in America during the 1950s. Despite the racist 1aws of the the America South, her parents told her she could become whatever she wanted.

For most people , the woman behind her political title remains something of a mystery. Many people don’t know that she is an accomplished ice-skater and pianist, and enthusiastically loves football.

In fact, Rice’s first love was classical piano. Originally she intended to major in music, but she quickly realized she would never be a great pianist. So she gave up this dream, going on to get a master’s and doctoral degree in political science. By the age of 26, she was a professor at America’s prestigious(享有声望的) Stanford University.

From there her career developed quickly. She served on George W. Bush’s national security council in 19. In 199l she returned to Stanford, and two years later became its youngest, first female and first black provost(教务长).

Rice reentered the political world in 2001, becoming George W. Bush’s national security advisor. She attracted international attention in this position, and has been called one of the most powerful national security advisors in American history. She held this position until 2005, when appointed secretary of state.

Rice is very close to the Bush family and frequently spends weekends and holidays with them. World leaders know that the president relies on her advice. As Secretary of State, she might very well have an impact that will change the course of history.

1. According to the passage, we know that Rice’s parents . A. encouraged her to achieve her dreams B. advised her to go into politics

C. supported her fight against the racist law D. paid no attention to what she did

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in this passage ? A. Rice’s birthplace. B. Rice’s education. C. Rice’s hobbies in other fields. D. Rice’s marriage.

3. Rice has been noticed internationally because of her position as a . A. female professor B. black provost

C. security advisor D. accomplished ice-skater 4. What could be learned from this passage ?

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A. Rice put her heart into no other activities but her political career.

B. Rice held the position as George W. Bush’s national security advisor for four years.

C. Rice gave up her major in music because she never wanted to be a great musician.

D. Rice was a well-known professor before she entered into politics in 19

Passage 33

John Denver Folk Singer

New Year’s Eve was the birth date of John Denver on December 31, 1943. This baby boy would become famous not only for his music but for his deep interest in people.

The music of John Denver is known throughout the world. In 1992, he had a concert tour of China, the first artist from America to do so. To his surprise, most of the people he met were acquainted with his music. His most famous song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, could be sung by many Chinese from beginning to end.

This trip to China was typical of John. He considered himself a global citizen. He felt like he was “at home” anywhere in the world. In 1984, he was invited by the Soviet Union Composers to sing in many countries as a good will gesture. He was the first American to be sponsored by this artistic group. He went a second time in 1987. At that time he sang a benefit concert for the victims of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. As a result of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. As a result of the tragedy, many people had died and others had become severely ill, including children. A benefit concert means that John Denver came to raise money for the benefit of the families deeply affected by this disaster.

His interest in global issues caused him to serve on the Presidential Commission on World and Domestic Hunger. This appointment allowed him to tour many African countries which were affected by drought and starvation. He helped start “The Hunger Project “, which was designed to bring attention to the needs of hungry people as well as to raise money to help them.

Concerning the environment, he started a program called, “Plant-It-2000”. This was called a reforestation project. Everyone who heard about this program was very interested in it. This included people from every sector of life, including foundations and large businesses. Even elementary school children would participate as their teachers would have each child plant a tree.

John’s musical career included many awards, such as, No. 1 Recording Artist in the United States, Favorite Music Performer, People’s Choice Awards, Yamaha Music Award, and recognition by many foreign governments for his interest in global problems of hunger and the environment.

Denver was most proud of the Albert Schweitzer Music Award. Albert Schweitzer left his homeland of Germany to devote himself to the medical needs

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of Africans. John was chosen for this award due to his interest in leaving his home country to help solve world problems.

John loved to fly airplanes and watch the space programs. He received the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) award for increasing awareness of space exploration for the general public. Uniquely, he died while piloting a plane by himself in 1997, in Monterey, California.

1. Why did John Denver consider himself a global citizen?

A. Because he found that his music was known throughout the world.

B. Because his interest in global issues caused him to serve on the Presidential Commission on World and Domestic Hunger.

C. Because he felt like he was “at home” anywhere in the world.

D. Because he had a concert tour of China, the first American artist to do so. 2. What is a benefit concert?

A. It is a concert for the victims of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl.

B. It is a concert held specifically to raise money for the benefit of people affected by disasters.

C. It is a concert held specifically for people in disaster-affected areas. D. It is a non-profit concert, i. e., a concert free of charge. 3. Which of the following statements is not true?

A. John Denver was not only a famous singer, but a social activist.

B. His popular song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” made his name well known in China.

C. He was the first American to be invited by the Soviet Union Composers to sing in Moscow.

D. He started a world-wide program, calling people to plant trees.

Passage 34

NBA Basketball Player Alan Iverson

Basketball was his path out of poverty. Had he not played the game, he would be Alan Iverson the car repairer, dustman or even drug dealer, copying his father’s , lifestyle and those of most of his childhood friends

But he saw fame and success in a basketball and the 28-year-old has built his kingdom on the courts of NBA. Though he was suffering flu, he scored a season-high 5 opoints as Philadelphia 76ers beat Atlanta-Hawks 98-86 on November 30. He is now the league’s leading scorer with an average of 28.4 points per game.

Unlike other NBA stars, his success is not due to his size. At 1.83 metres, Iverson is no giant but he isn’t afraid to challenge bigger guys. “I just hit shots,” he said. “The basket sometimes looks like an ocean.”

He is known as “the answer” and 76ers’ fans hope he can be the answer to their prayers for an NBA championship. They might be in luck as Iverson has had to find solutions to tough problems ever since he was a child.

“I used to come home and there would be no lights, no food, only unpaid bills.” he remembers of his childhood. Never having met his real father,

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Iverson became man of the house at the age of 12 when his stepfather was arrested.

But his mother, despite being poor, never gave up hope for her son. “I have never looked up to anyone apart from my mum. She means everything to me,” he said. “She inspired me and she made me believe I could be somebody and I could do something with my life.”

1. The first paragraph mainly tells us Iverson . A. changed his fate of poverty by playing basketball B. used to be poor

C. had an unhappy childhood

D. became famous out of his expectation 2. The author of the passage . A. is a friend of Iverson

B. is trying to make friends with Iverson C. thinks highly of Iverson

D. believes Iverson is the best basketball player in the US 3. Which of the following about Iverson is NOT true? A. He bases his success on his skills instead of his size. B. He is a man who can deal with difficult problems. C. He shows a special interest in basketball. D. He hates his father and even his stepfather.

4. Iverson used the sentence “She means everything to me” to show .

A. she is very important to him B. he can get everything from her

C. she is willing to do everything for his son D. she brought him up

Passage 35

Michael Jordan Basketball Champion

The birth of Michael Jordan was on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were very strict with him and he honored their commitment to good parenting when he became an adult. They came to his basketball games as a child and as a professional player.

Michael went to the University of North Carolina. He made the basketball team as a freshman. The team was very strong that year and they played in the national collegiate basketball championship game. The score was very close, even to the last few seconds, when Michael scored the winning basket.

In 1984, he signed a contract with the Chicago Bulls professional basketball team. He played for them until his retirement on January 13, 1999. The Bulls knew that Michael was chosen the Sporting News College Player of the Year in both 1983 and 1984. They knew he was a good player in college but the

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professional league is so much stronger. Their choice of Michael turned out to be excellent, even making the city name of Chicago known around the world when attached to the name “Bulls”.

Michael led the Chicago team to six national titles. In each of the championship games, he was voted the M. V. P. or Most Valuable Player. After the first three titles, Michael’s father was murdered. Michael retired from basketball in October of 1993 and he tried to play professional baseball. Seventeen months later, he was playing basketball again. However, the Chicago Bulls did not make it to the championship game in 1995.

Michael played the next year and the Bulls had the greatest season in the National Basketball Association history. They won 72 games and lost only 10. The year ended with the national championship. The next tow years, the Bulls won again, primarily due to the skill of Michael Jordan.

A distinguished sports panel from the Associated Press was asked to declare the ten greatest basketball players of the century. Michael Jordan was selected first. An even greater award came from a select panel that was asked to choose the greatest athletes of the last century. Again, Michael Jordan was chosen in first place.

Michael endorses products of different companies which helps them sell their products. An athletic shoe company sold a shoe called “Air Jordan”. Its success helped Michael to become known when children and adults would buy these shoes. He is known for advertising telephone rates for a phone company. He endorses other products as well.

If you like sports, you will enjoy watching Michael when he plays for the Chicago Bulls. Many of his games are shown occasionally because sports fans around the world still desire to see him play.

1. The sentence “He made the basketball team as a freshman” means _____.

A. He made important reforms on the basketball team when he was in the first year of college.

B. He was lucky to be accepted on the basketball team in his first year of college.

C. As a freshman he made many suggestions to the school basketball team. D. Not until he became a student of the university did a strong basketball team take shape.

2. Which part of the passage effectively proves that without Jordan, the Chicago Bulls would be losing games?

A. “Their (Chicago Bulls’ ) choice of Michael turned out to be excellent.” B. “Michael retired from basketball in October of 1993—Seventeen months later, he was playing basketball again. However, the Chicago Bulls did not make it to the championship game in 1995.”

C. Michael played the next year and the Bulls had the greatest season in the National Basketball Association history.

D. Both B and C.

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3. Which of the following statements is not true?

A. Jordan has been declared one of the greatest basketball players of the century.

B. Jordan has been chosen one of the greatest athletes of the century. C. Jordan has been a salesman for an athletic shoe company.

D. Though he has retired, many of Jordan’s games are still shown occasionally on TV.

Passage 36

Michael Chang Tennis Champion

Seattle, Washington is the current home of Michael Chang, though he was born in 1972 in Hoboken, New Jersey. As a young tennis player, he was very fast and he won many tournaments. At the age of 15, he was the youngest player to win a match in the United States Open Tournament. There are four tournaments that attract the best players in the world: Wimbledon in England, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the United States Open. With his win, many people began to notice this young Chinese American tennis player.

These four locations are called Grand Slam tournaments. If any one wins all four in one year, he or she is called the Grand Slam Champion. Very few players in the history of tennis have won all four tournaments.

Michael was the youngest player to win one of the Grand Slam tournaments when he won the French Open in 19. He was the youngest player to be ranked among the top five in the world that year.

Michael has won 33 tournaments and many have been in China. He won in Beijing in 1993, 1994, and 1995. He won in Shanghai in 1998. In 1994, 1995 and 1997 he won in .

He has been a finalist in an additional 23 tournaments. This means he was not the champion but the number two player, called the runner-up. When you add the championships to the second place finishes in the finals, Michael has been among the best players in 56 tennis tournaments. He truly is a champion tennis player.

Each year, tennis players receive a ranking of their skill based on how high they place in every tournament they play. Michael has been among the top ten in the world with these rankings: No. 5 in 19, No. 8 in 1993,No. 6 in1994, No. 4 in 1995, No. 2 in 1996, and No. 3 in 1997.

Michael has established a home page on the World Wide Web. Since so many friends and fans want to know about his life, he writes these words:

“Throughout my career, l have received numerous letters from people all around the world who have faithfully encouraged me, supported me, and cheered for me point after point, match after match.

Here in the home page, you’ ll find numerous things about my life, hobbies, faith, family, life on tour, schedule and equipment. This is my chance to say thank you for all your love and support over the years and to also communicate to people

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worldwide about my hopes and dreams for the future.”

If you have the opportunity, click on the home page of Michael Chang and read about his career as a professional tennis player who plays all over the world.

1. One is called the Grand Slam Champion in tennis if _____.

A. he is the youngest player to win a match in the U. S. Open Tournament B. he wins the championship titles as Wimbledon in England, the Australian Open, the French Open and the U. S. Open

C. he wins all the four as mentioned above in one year D. Both A and B.

2. What’s the meaning of the word “ranking” with reference to a world-level athlete?

A. “Ranking” or “rankings” refers to the order of places that an athlete wins in international competitions.

B. It means the seniority, or the length of service, of a sportsman

C. It refers to the number of championship titles that a player has won. D. Both B and C.

3. Which of the following statements is not true? A, Michael Chang is a Chinese American.

B. Michael Chang has twice been a Grand Slam Champion.

C. Michael Change has played in China four times in addition to three times in .

D. Michael Chang has been among the best players in nearly 60 tennis tournaments.

Passage37

Apple and Microsoft

These two companies have applied many of the changes in computer development to their products. Steve Jobs worked in his parents’ garage with Steve Wozniak as they developed the Apple Computer, which carries the name of the business they started in 1976.

He started another business in 1985 called Next Technology. In 1986, he bought Pixar Animation Studios. This was a computer-animated studio that was very similar to the Lucas Film Studio of George Lucas who had produced the famous Star Wars movies. Computer animation had helped design all the weird looking characters in this successful movie series.

Jobs was responsible for building the Apple II personal computer in 1977 and the Apple Macintosh in 1984. In 1996, he started Nextstep, which featured another operating system.

He left the company for a number of years in the early 90’s . The company began to fail so he rejoined them in 1996 as an advisor. In 1997, he became the CEO (Chief Executive Officer).

Bill Gates started Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen. Allen made so much money from Microsoft stock that he bought the Portland Trailblazers, a professional National Basketball Association team. He also put his money into

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Seattle’s two professional teams, the Seattle Mariners (baseball) and the Seattle Seahawks (American football).

Gates developed MS-DOS, which IBM used in their personal computer. Gates kept the right to sell MS-DOS to another computer. Since the IBM personal computer was very successful, it was copied by other companies. The MS-DOS then was accepted by almost all other computer companies.

The revenue from MS-DOS helped Microsoft develop software of various types. Currently, most computers now use Microsoft’s software called Windows 95, Windows 98, or windows 2000.

Bill Gates and his wife Melinda became the richest couple in the world in 1997 with stock worth 40 billion dollars. The same year, he used 10 million dollars to set up a non-profit Gates Library Foundation. He wanted to give computers and software to public libraries.

Both Apple and Microsoft benefited from new technology such as the lap top computer invented by the Tandy Corporation in 1993. Apple immediately built their own lap top called Lisa, which used a mouse and pull down menus.

The invention of the worldwide web by Englishman Timothy Berners-Lee in 1990 greatly enhanced the value of Apple and Microsoft products.

1. Steve Jobs began his business in A. an office building B. a store C. a studio D. a garage

2. Bill Gates’ income grew rapidly because of A. his genius B. his employees C. MS-DOS

D. the IBM personal computer

3. Bill and Melinda Gates set up a foundation to help American A. businesses B. public libraries C. poor children D. schools

Passage 38

American Superman-- Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve(1952-2004) was an American actor, famous for his film portrayal for Superman.

Reeve was born in New York City and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974, after which he was selected to study at Juilliard School of Performing Arts under John Houseman.

Reeve worked on the stage, as well as on the soap opera Love of Life, until he was selected to play the role of the Superman in 1978. This film was a great success and inspired three sequels(续集). Ironically, this was the kind of part

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Reeve usually looked down upon. He was a stage actor at heart who preferred doing classical period plays and films that really required him to “act”. He once said, “I want to challenge myself in my roles, not run around on screen with a machine gun.”

In 1980, Reeve starred in Somewhere in Time, a time travel romance. Although this film was not popular at the time it was released, it has since enjoyed a nationwide “cult” following, especially among college students, In 1984, Reeve won critical cheers for his role as a 19th century Southern lawyer In The Bostonians.

On May 27,1995, Reeve was paralyzed(瘫痪)from the neck down after being thrown from his horse and largely retired from the production of films after his paralysis.With his wife Dana, he opened the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, devoted to teaching paralyzed people to live more independently.

1. According to the passage,we can get the conclusion that the play Love of life

A. gained a great success

B. changed Reeve’s life completely C. is just a relaxation for most audience D. talks about serious political problems

2. The underlined part in the third paragraph shows that Reeve . A. enjoyed different kinds of roles related to high technology

B. did not like to play the role of the Superman because of the danger C. was an ambitious actor who intended to play all kinds of characters D. was a peace-loving man, who hates weapons and all the military actions 3. The word “cult” in the fourth paragraph probably means . A. popular fashion B. 1ovely and interesting C. of the present time D. bad-tempered dog 4. On May 27, 1995 Reeve .

A. acted out the role of a lawyer in The Bostonians

B. fell down during the horse-riding and became paralyzed

C. won critical cheers for his performance in Somewhere in Time D. opened the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center

Passage 39

Self-made Americans

A characteristic of American culture that has become almost a tradition is to respect the self-made man ------the man who has risen to the top through his own efforts, usually beginning by working with his hands. While the leader in business or industry or the college professor occupies a higher social position and commands greater respect in the community than the common laborers or even the skilled factory worker, he may take pains to point out that his father started life in America as a farmer or laborers of some sort.

This attitude toward manual(体力的) labour is now still seen in many

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aspects of American life. One is invited to dinner at a home that is not only comfortably but even luxuriously(豪华的) furnished and in which there is every evidence of the fact that the family has been able to afford foreign travel, expensive hobbies, and college education for the children; yet the hostess probably will cook the dinner herself, will serve it herself and will wash dishes afterward, furthermore the dinner will not consist merely of something quickly and easily assembled from contents of various cans and a cake or a pie bought at the nearby bakery. On the contrary, the hostess usually takes pride in careful preparation of special dishes. A professional man may talk about washing the car, digging in his flowerbeds, painting the house. His wife may even help with these things, just as he often helps her with the dishwashing. The son who is away at college may wait on table and wash dishes for his living, or during the summer lag may work with a construction gang on a highway in order to pay for his education.

1. From Paragraph 1, we can know that in America . A. people tend to have a high opinion of the self-made man B. people can always rise to the top through their own efforts C. college professors win great respect from common workers D. people feel painful to mention their fathers as labourers

2. According to the passage,the hostess cooks dinner herself mainly because . A. servants in America are hard to get

B. she takes pride in what she can do herself C. she can hardly afford servants

D. it is easy to prepare a meal with canned food

3. The expression “wait on the table” in the second paragraph means .

A. work in a furniture shop B. keep accounts for a bar

C. wait to lay the table D. serve customers in a restaurant 4. Which of the following may serve as the best title of the passage ? A. A Respectable Self-made Family.

B. American Attitude toward Manual Labour. C. Characteristics of American Culture. D. The Development of Manual Labour.

Passage 40

Eastern Canada: Toronto, Quebec, Montreal

The province of Quebec has many French immigrants. The cities of Quebec and Montreal are bilingual where both French and English are spoken.

Both cities reveal French culture in their food and architecture. The Chateau Frontenac is now a city hotel. It is very large and looks over the entire city. There is a fortress called the Citadel which was built to defend this part of Canada.

Montreal has a church called the Notre Dame Cathedral, the same name as the world famous church in Paris, France. McGill University is in this city. Nearby is Montmorency Falls, the highest waterfall in Eastern Canada.

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The province of Ontario is the location of four of the Great Lakes, which are on the border of Canada and the United States. From east to west, these lakes are called Lake Ontario, Lake Erie,

Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, which is the largest. The fifth lake is called Lake Michigan and it is the only one in the United States. It is bordered mostly by Michigan on the east and Wisconsin on the west. Illinois with the famous city of Chicago is in the south as is a small part of Indiana.

In the eastern part of Ontario is the national capital city of Ottawa. The buildings to see are the parliament buildings and the prime minister’s residence. Visitors like to see the War Memorial and the Peace Tower. The National Library building is an architectural wonder in the city of Toronto.

The city of Toronto has an important school called the University of Toronto. It has a large Chinatown similar to the one in Western Canada at Vancouver and the one in San Francisco in the United States. They also have a very successful professional baseball team in the National Basketball Association, as well as professional baseball team.

The biggest attraction in eastern Canada is Niagara Falls. It is located on the border between Ontario and New York. This is one of the largest falls in the world. It is between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Half of the falls are called the Canadian Falls and the other half the American Falls.

1. One of the Great Lakes not bordering Canada is . A . Lake Huron B . Lake Erie C. Lake Michigan D .Lake Superior

2. The capital city of Canada is A. Ottawa B. Montreal C. Quebec D. Ontario

3. Niagara Falls is located between . A. Ottawa and Montreal B. Toronto and Quebec C. Quebec and Buffalo D. Ontario and New York

Passage 41

Canada：Rocky Mountains Banff, Calgary

The highest mountains in Canada and the United States are the Rocky Mountains. Near the border of the two countries, the mountains are very high with much snow and ice on them for most of the year. There are also large forests where many animals live.

In Jasper National Park, people often see moose, the largest deer in the world. They have wide horns while most deer have narrow horns. The small black bear

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and the large and dangerous grizzly bear also can be seen in this park.

In the summer, Lake Louise is easy to see as it is on one of the major highways of Canada. It is perfectly clear with no pollution. People rent canoes and paddle around this lake that has mountains around it.

Moraine Lake is near Lake Louise. A moraine is a lake formed because of a rock slide which forces a small stream to be cut into two parts. Slowly, the upper part forms a lake. Moraine Lake is also a clear lake free from pollution.

At Banff National Park, many animals can be seen. It is known for Bow Falls. People can also take a gondola or cable car to the top of Sulphur Mountain. From there, they can take pictures of the Rocky Mountains covered with snow.

To walk on ice, people must travel to places like the Columbia Ice Fields. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the places people can throw snowballs and play in the snow all year around. It is like the word Athabascan, which is the name of an Indian tribe. These Indians are like a minority group in China.

The Crow Foot Glacier is also high in the Rocky Mountains. A crow is a medium-sized black bird. This glacier has long ice valleys that look like a bird’s foot from a long distance away.

Glacier Park has many ice fields. This park stretches into the state of Montana in the United States where it has the same name. Here there are also mountain sheep and mountain goats.

At the city of Calgary, there is a rodeo called the Calgary Stampede. Canadian cowboys ride bucking horses and large bulls. They also rope calves and compete in fast wagon races.

1. The best way to enjoy Lake Louise is to A. walk around it B. take pictures of it C. ride in a boat D. paddle a canoe

2. The animal you will probably not see in Jasper National Park is a

A. moose B. wolf

C. black bear D. grizzly bear

3. The Rocky Mountains are known mostly for A. 1akes clear of pollution

B. animals and forests C. glaciers

D. all of the above

Passage 42

Western Canada, Victoria, Vancouver

There is a long island off the coast of Canada Called Vancouver Island. Over 200 years ago, the British explorer Captain George Vancouver sailed around South America up the coast of North America He left his name on this island and on the

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mainland where there is a city called Vancouver.

Victoria is the capital city of the province of British Columbia. I t is on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. It is a port city and has many interesting old houses in the British style. Nearby are the Butchart Gardens. After a limestone quarry was abandoned, flowering trees, bushes, and plants were put there. Today, it is a major tourist stop for those people who appreciate the beauty found in nature.

On the mainland, the city of Vancouver became much larger than Victoria. Vancouver is a port city for all of Canada as well as the first airport for international flights, especially from , Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, and Seou1. There is a large Chinatown in this city.

The Royal British Columbia Museum Of Natural History is a very interesting place. Totem poles from different Indian tribes have been collected and put in the museum. A totem pole is a tree that has been carved to look like animals in an Indian story. Usually they are a crow, an eagle or a bear. Sometimes they even carve a whale. They are then painted and are very colorfu1. There also is an aquarium with seals and the small white Beluga whales.

The large park in Vancouver is called Stanley Park. It is on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. People go there to walk on the ocean beach, fly kites or watch the squirrels, which are entirely black in color.

Not far from Vancouver is Lake Okanogan. People believe there is a sea monster called Ogo-pogo in this lake similar to the sea monster in Loch Ness in Scotland. The fruits and vegetables grown in the Okanogan Valley are sold throughout Canada.

In Canada, everyone recognizes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They wear a bright red uniform with a broad brimmed hat. They are often seen in parades and are very famous.

1. Which of the answers is not true? The name Vancouver is . A. an island B. a province C. a city D. a person

2. The name Butchart is the name of

A. a city B. gardens C. a park D. a town

3. Ogopogo is the name of A. a lake

B. a tribe of Indians C. an island D. a sea monster

Passage 43

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Australia: Sydney, Melbourne

One of the unusual buildings in Australia is the Sydney Opera House. It looks like a series of shells placed in an upright position. Sydney was the host city for the 2000 Olympics and some of the events were near the Opera House. Australia’s most famous animals, the koala and kangaroo can be seen at Sydney’s Koala Park Sanctuary.

At the Olympics, there were some performers from the native aboriginal race. The dark- skinned people were the first settlers in Australia. There is the Aboriginal Culture Park at Tjupakai where curious visitors can learn the history, crafts, and music of this ancient people. In central Australia, there is a very large red rock called Ayers Rock and it is the size of a small mountain. It is sacred to the aborigines. It has many caves and drawing is often accompanied by the didgeridoo, a long hollow branch which makes a single low sound which is called a drone.

Canberra is the capital city of Australia. There is a beautiful parliament house where delegates make the laws for all the people. The Albert Park Grand Prix is in Melbourne. This is a race track for cars built specially to be driven very fast.

The National Tennis Center is also in Melbourne. Australia has produced many world champion tennis players. It is the most popular sport because it requires little expense for each player. Australia is one of the four nations on the Grand Slam tour where the best tennis players compete for fame and money. The other countries are France, the United States, and England where tennis developed at the city of Wimbledon.

At Kakado Park, there is the Yellow Waters Billabong. A billabong is an Australian word that means lagoon or pond. This is one of the best Places to see the crocodile, the largest and most Australia is also known for the Great Barrier Reef. Many people come here to observe many kinds Of colored fish. They put on underwater masks, oxygen tanks, and special foot flippers to swim with these fish. In other places of Australia, there are seal and penguin colonies.

1. The didgeridoo is an aboriginal A. petroglyph or rock art B. weapon like a spear C. body painting

D. musical instrument

2. The Albert Park Grand Prix is a A. tennis tournament B. car race track

C. parliament building D. festival for aborigines

3. The best place to see colored fish of all types is at a A. billabong B. river C. reef

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D. clear lake

Passage44

Australia National Day

Australia celebrates its national day on 26 January, the date of the landing of the first white settlers at Sydney Cove on 26 January, 1788.

The European settlement of Australia started because of the overcrowding of British prisons. Captain James Cook discovered Botany Bay in 1770 in his exploration of the east coast of Australia. He thought it was a very suitable place for a settlement. It was then decided to send fleet of ships containing criminals to Botany Bay under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, who was to be the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales.

The First Fleet of eight ships together with the three store ships left on 13 May, 1787. These ships were filled with 600 men and 180 women criminals plus soldiers and others. After a journey of eight months they arrived at Botany Bay on the 20 January, 1788, and found it was not at all as described by Captain Cook and totally unsuitable for the new settlement as the soil was mostly sand.

Captain Phillip and some other officers sailed north looking for a more suitable place to land and settle. They soon discovered what is known today as Sydney Harbor, Port Jackson. While exploring the coves in the harbor they found one with a good spring of fresh water and decided to settle there. Captain Phillip named it Sydney Cove for Lord Sydney who had chosen Captain Phillip for position of Governor of the new colony and sent the First Fleet on its way. On the morning of 26 January, 1788 the fleet arrived in Sydney Cove and the British flag was raised on the shore.

That’s why now Australians celebrate their national day on this date.

1. Australia celebrates its national day on 26 January, which is the date of .

A. the first white settlers leaving for Sydney cove B. the first white settlers discovering Sydney cove C. the first white settlers arriving at Sydney cove D. the first white settlers settling in Sydney cove

2. The First Fleet arriving in Australia contained ships and criminals.

A. 11; 780 B. 3; 180 C. 8; 600 D. 3;787 3. Lord Sydney was the person who .

A. chose Captain Phillip to be Governor of the new colony B. sent the First Fleet on its way C. discovered Botany Bay D. both A and B

Passage 45

Swimming Costumes

Australia is famous for its beautiful beaches. And Australian people love

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swimming and going to the beach. But it wasn’t always that way.

Different Climate, Different Habits

When Europeans first invaded Australia, the only people here who were good at swimming were the Aboriginal people. The Europeans came from climates where it was too cold to swim. Also some people worried that they would get sick if they wet their whole body.

However the warm climate of Australia soon changed their attitude to swimming. At first, only men swam. They swam naked-there were no women to see them.

Cover Up!

By the 1880’s and 90’s visiting the beach was very fashionable and a 1ot of people went there, especially in warm weather. They wore everyday street clothes-much more than people wear at the beach today.

In those days, people believed they should cover most of their body so it would not be seen by the opposite sex. Special bathing costumes were designed for women. These costumes used a lot of cloth and were very heavy when wet, making it difficult to swim

Laws Made and Laws Changed

The government decided to stop men swimming naked. It passed a law which forbade bathing between 6 am and 7 pm. Many people objected to this law and wrote letters to the government asking it to change the laws. In 1903, the laws changed, people could swim in the daytime, but they had to wear neck-to-knee costumes.

The Shrinking Costume

As time passed, swimming costumes became smaller and more convenient. At first men and women were covered from neck to knee. Then the arms became bare. Then more of the legs were uncovered. Each new change was regarded by many as shocking and rude and people wrote letters to the newspapers complaining about the new costumes. Nowadays some people go to special “nude(裸体)beaches” to swim naked .

However, most people cover their bodies more than they did ten years ago not because they think bare skin is shocking, but to protect their skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

1. The climate of Australia . A. made European settlers think differently about swimming B. change European settlers’ swimming costume C. made European settlers hotter

D. made European settlers swim naked

2. During the late 19th century, swimmers should . A. hides when they see a person of the opposite sex B. cover their bodies

C. wears many heavy clothes D. takes no notice of their clothes

3. According to the law just before 1903, people must .

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A. not swims in the main daylight hours B. only swim between 6 am and 7 pm. C. have a bath at 6 am and 7 pm

D. swim with neck-to-knee costumes between 6 am and 7 pm 4. The last paragraph of the passage states that . A. people worry about getting skin cancer from too much sun B. People protect their ten-year-old sons from bare skin C. people are shocked by the sun

D. people think it rude to swim with the smaller costumes

Passage 46

An Ad

THE BEST SHOPPING IN SYDNEY

Sydney is one of the world’s biggest cities and has something for everyone when it comes to shopping. You will find excellent Australian products alongside the best that the world has to offer. At the bottom of Sydney Tower, you can shop in 160 of Sydney’s favorite stores including 16 jewellery stores and many gift and fashion shops. It’s all at Westfield Centre Point.

Tel: 9231 9300. SOVEREIGN HILL

This prize-winning living museum is where Australia’s history comes alive! Visit daily or stay for the night and experience life of the Gold Rush days. A wonderful nightly sound and light show, “Blood on the Southern Cross” tells the story of the famous Eureka Uprising. Enjoy shopping along with real life character and entertainment, 4-star hotel and breakfast.

Tel：5331 1944

ANCHORAGE RESTAURANT

Come and enjoy our delicious Cantonese seafood right on the water’s edge in the historic fishing port of Williamstown with view of the city centre across Port Phillip Bay.

Open 7 days a week

Lunch：Sunday to Friday 11:00am - 2:00 pm Dinner：Monday to Saturday 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm Tel：9397 6270 or 9397 7799 COOK’ S COTAGE

Built by James and Grace Cook, parents of Captain James Cook, Cook’s Cottage stands proud in the Fitzroy Gardens as a reminder of life in the eighteenth century, and as a celebration and commemoration of the life and travels of Captain James Cook.

Open 9:00 am- 5:00 pm daily, and until 5:30 pm during the summer. Information：9419 4677.

1. Where can you spend the night in a tour?

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A. Cook’s Cottage. B. Westfield Centre Point. C. Sydney Tower. D. Sovereign Hill.

2. What is the time that Cook’s Cottage is open on Saturday in the summer?

A.11:00 am – 2:00 pm. B. 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm. C. 9:00 am – 5:30 pm. D. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. 3. The Anchorage Restaurant is . A. in Williamstown B. in the centre of the city C. in Anchorage D. in a Cantonese fishing port

4. If you want to buy the best products in Australia, you may call A. 9397 6270 B. 9231 9300 C. 5331 1944 D. 9419

4677

Passage 47

New Zealand

The country of New Zealand is divided into two very large islands. On the northern tip of the north island is the city of Aukland. Nearby is the Rotura Thermal Reserve, a place to see hot water geysers and warm pools similar to Yellowstone Park in the United States. The Maori tribes of the Polynesian people were the first settlers of New Zealand. The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute is at Whakarewarea. Many of the towns and scenic areas have Maori names. The Polynesian people are found in Hawaii, Tonga, Tahiti, and Samoa, all islands in the Pacific Ocean.

At certain locations, the Maori people will give a welcoming ceremony. They will sing and dance in their native dress. Then they invite guests to participate in a large meal which they call a Hangi feast.

Near Rotorua City is Rainbow Springs. Rainbow trout can be fed by visitors to this area. They also have a flightless bird called a Kiwi. Nearby is the Agrodome where sheep are sheared for their wool. Sheep dog contests are held here to see which dog is the cleverest in herding the sheep into a pen.

New Zealand is known for its natural beauty. In one day, travelers can visit the rushing Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, and Tongariro National Park. The rivers and lakes are clear of pollution, which is an excellent example of a clean environment.

At the southern tip of the north island is the capital city called Wellington. There are large boats that take visitors into the ocean to watch whales and dolphins.

On the north end of the south island is the town of Kai koura. Near this city is a large seal colony. Up in the mountains, there is the Franz Josef Glacier. The New Zealanders named this ice field after this Austrian emperor who ruled from 1848-1916, one of the longest reigns in European history.

At the southern end of the south island are the Te Ana Caves, which have worms that glow in the dark. There is also a Royal Albatross colony and a Yellow Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve.

1. The thermal reserve at Rotura is a good place to see

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A. seals B. penguins C. kiwis D. geysers

2. The Maori tribe is part of the Polynesian people who settled

A. in New Zealand cities B. in the mountains C. on islands D. on farm land

3. The main income for the New Zealand farmers is from A. vegetables B. fruit C. fish

D. animals

Passage 48

Anzac Day

Anzac Day, on 25 April each year, is New Zealand’s national day for a memorial to those killed in war and to honor those returned(退伍的) servicemen and servicewomen.

Most towns in New Zealand have a war monument honoring those in their area who lost their lives during the wars. One ceremony on the morning of Anzac Day is the march by returned servicemen wearing their medals, Joined by other community groups, including members of the armed forces, the Red Cross and veterans(老兵) of other countries. The march goes to the local war monument, where another ceremony takes place, including the laying of wreaths (花圈) by various organizations and members of the public. A speech is usually given by an important person, serviceman, or returned serviceman or servicewoman.

For a while people worried that Anzac Day would become less important as the remaining WWI veterans have left us one by one, but the crowds at the main Anzac Day march have been becoming larger and larger again in the past few years. It has been particularly good to notice that many of those attending the ceremonies are young people and families. 0n Anzac Day in 1996 there were still three NZ Gallipoli veterans alive. Since then the last two still living in NZ have died.

The New Zealand flag should be flown at the top of the flagpole. It is appropriate, however, at places where memorial ceremonies are being held, for the flag to be lowered to halfmast (半杆) during the period of memorial ceremonies.

1. In New Zealand the Anzac Day is celebrated as national day to . A. honor those killed in the wars

B. show respect to the returned servicemen and servicewomen C. have some activities for the public D. both A and B

2. veterans join the march on the Anzac Day now.

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A. More and more B. Fewer and fewer

C. Less and less D. Little and little

3. The New Zealand flag should be lowered to halfmast . A. every day all the year round

B. if there are no memorial ceremonies C. during the period of memorial ceremonies D. for people to be sad

Passage 49

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

The expression “keep your fingers crossed” is a way of wishing someone good luck.

When a friend tells you that he is going to see someone who may give him a job, you perhaps say,“I will keep my fingers crossed”. Or you may tell him to “keep his fingers crossed”. That,you both hope to get him the job. Sometimes, the friend will actually cross two fingers, but more often just saying it is believed to be enough to help bring success.

The crossing of fingers when making a wish is hundreds of years old. It comes from the ancient Christian belief in the power of the cross to chase away evil spirits and bring God’s grace.

Many Christians cross themselves in times of crisis or in tense situations that may lead to disaster or success. Soldiers do so before going into battle. So do swimmers at the start of a race, or baseball players as they get ready to swing their bats for a hit.

There is an old belief that children will not be punished for telling small lies if they cross their fingers. Such unimportant deceptions, it is believed, can do no harm if made with crossed fingers.

1. If you say “I will keep my fingers crossed”, . A. you will give someone a job

B. you will bring success to someone C. you are bringing success to someone D. you have the same hope as someone

2. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage ? A. The crossing of the fingers can chase away evil spirits. B. Many people cross themselves only in time of crisis.

C. It is believed that children will not be punished if they keep their fingers crossed.

D. The crossing of the fingers is to make a wish. 3. The title of the passage should be A. Keep Your Fingers Crossed B. I Will Keep My Fingers Crossed C. Good Luck D. Christian Belief

Passage 50

Euromail and Amerimail

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The playwright George Bernard Shaw once said humorously, “England and America are two nations divided by a common language.” If he were writing today, he might add “divided by a common technology ---Email.”

Two completely different styles of e-mail have formed on either side of the Atlantic---Euromail and Amerimail. Amerimail is informal and chatty. It’s likely to begin with a “Hi” and end with a “Bye”. The chances of Amerimail containing a smiley face or an “xoxo” are disturbingly high. We Americans are unwilling to dive into the meat of an e-mail. We feel we have to first inform recipients(收信人) about our vacation on the island which was really excellent. Except the jellyfish were biting and the kids caught a bad co1d, so we had to skip the whale watching trip, but about that investors’ meeting in New York… Amerimail is a bundle of contradictions(矛盾), casual and yet direct, respectful yet over proud. In other words, Amerimail is America.

Euromail is stiff and cold, often beginning with a formal “Dear Mr. X” and ending with a simple “Sincerely”. You won’t find any mention of kids or the weather or jellyfish in Euromail. It’s all business. It’s also slow. Your correspondent(通信者) might take days even weeks to answer a message. Euromail is exactly like the Europeans themselves.

Recently about 100 managers were asked on both sides of the Atlantic whether they noticed differences in e-mail styles. Most said yes. Here are a few of their observations：

Americans tend to write (e-mails) exactly as they speak.

“Why don’t you just call me instead of writing five e-mails back and forth?” “Europeans are 1ess interested in checking e-mail”.

“In general, Americans are much more responsive to e-mail---they respond faster and provide more information.”

So which is better, Euromail or Amerimail? I realize it’s not popular these days to suggest we have anything to learn from Europeans, but I’ m fed up with an inbox filled with casual, barely meaningful e-mails from friends and colleagues. If the alternative is a few earnestly written, carefully worded bits of Euromail, then I say： “Bring it on.”

1. What did George Bernard Shaw mean by saying “England and America are two nations divided by a common language”?

A. There is not much difference between British English and American English.

B. Both England and America speak the common languages, so they are much the same.

C. Either England or America is a divided nation, though they share a common language.

D. There is sharp difference between England and America despite their common language.

2. Which of the following is most likely to be the “meat of an Amerimail? A. The jellyfish were biting.

B. We had an excellent vacation on the island.

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C. We had to skip the whale watching trip.

D. We were to attend the investors’ meeting in New York. 3. On receiving an e-mail’ Europeans tend to . A. respond to it immediately and earnestly B. take more time than Americans to respond it C. respond by calling up their correspondent D. never respond to it at all

4. We can conclude from the passage that .

A. the different e-mail styles do much harm to the relationship between the two sides on Atlantic

B. Amerimail is more appreciated by the writer for being informative and casually written

C. Euromail always impresses the writer as something more pleasant to read

D. The writer doesn’t favor either email style as both have their own shortcomings

50 reading passages

1 BCC 2 ACD 3 CCCAD 4 ACCAD 5 DCA 6 BCD 7 CBD 8 BBC 9 BCB 10 CDA 11 CDB 12 BCD 13 CBD 14 ADD 15.A B CD 16 ADAB 17 BBBA 18 CCB 19 DBC 20 A CD 21 C D A 22 DAA 23B D D 24 B D D 25 DCC 26 C B A 27 C BA 28 CD D 29DDC 30DCB 31 BDB 32.ADCB 33CBC 34 ACDA 35BDC 36CAB 37 DCB 38 CCA B 39A BDB 40 CAD 41 DBD 42 BBD

43 DBC 44 CAD 45 ABAA 46 DCAB 47 DCD 48 DBC 49 CDA 50 DDBC

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