That little “a” with a circle curling around it that is found in E – mail addresses is most commonly referred to as the “at” symbol.
Surprisingly though, there is no official, universal name for this sign. There are dozens of strange terms to describe the "@" symbol.
Before it became the standard symbol for electronic mail, the "@" symbol was used to represent the cost of something or how heavy something is. For instance, if you purchased 6 apples, you might write it as 6 apples "@" $1.10 each.
With the introduction of e-mail came the popularity of the "@" symbol. The "@" symbol or the "at sign" separates a person's online user name from his mail server(服務(wù)器) address. For instance, joe@uselessknowledge.com. Its widespread use on the Internet made it necessary to put this symbol on keyboards in other countries that have never seen or used the symbol before. As a result, there is really no official name for this symbol.
The actual origin of the symbol remains a mystery. History tells us that the @ symbol came from the tired hands of the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages before the invention of printing machines, every letter of a word had to be copied with great efforts by hand for each copy of a published book. The monks that performed these long, boring copying duties looked for ways to reduce the number of individual strokes (筆畫) per word for common words. Although the word “at” is quite short to begin with, it was a common enough word in text and documents so that those monks thought it would be quicker and easier to shorten the word “at” even more. As a result, the monks changed the shape of “t” into a circle to surround “a”, thus leaving out two strokes in the spelling “t”. 
45．Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
A．How “at” developed into @.     B．How @ came into being.
C．How monks invented @.   D．How people wrote the cost of something.
46．Who knows the origin of @?
A．Nobody      B．Monks        C．Apple buyers      D．Internet users
47．Which is NOT the reason for the monks to spell “at” as @?
A．Though “at” is short, it was used very often.
B．The monks wanted to be quicker and easier with their copying.
C．The monks wanted to invent a new word.
D．Copying work was long and boring for them.
48．According to the paragraph , which is TRUE about the symbol of @ today?
A．When you are online, you must use the @ symbol.
B．Kittly 163.com@is an email address.
C．In countries where @ is used, governments have given it an official name.
D．It is likely to find the @ symbol on computer keyboards worldwide.

Christmas bird – watching is popular in the U.S.A. When the holiday season comes, some Americans are likely to watch and count birds in the sky with great interest every day. This activity began in the early part of the last century. It has a one-hundred-year history. At that time, there was a so-called “holiday hunting” custom. In order to celebrate the holiday, the hunters went out to kill birds and beasts. By 1900, there were 27 bird lovers who decided to count birds instead of killing birds. Since then, Christmas bird-watching was held every year. It has been continued to the present.
There were 42000 people who took part in the bird-watching last Christmas, from December 16 the year before to January 3 next year. They were in the United States and Canada, central America, south America and the Caribbean, watching and counting birds in the sky. The whole viewing area was divided into 1600 points. Each birdwatcher was responsible for 25 meters, and was required to write down the types and quantities of birds within 24 hours.
A birdwatcher described what he had watched vividly in his diary—“ When I looked up, I saw a beautiful ‘landscape’ in the sky: Red-crowned cranes(丹頂鶴) were driving up in cunning wedges that split the air. They were so neatly arranged, coordinating their movements. I was excited and breathtaking. Interestingly, the “human” shape(人字行) always maintains 110° ” .
“Why do red-crowned cranes choose to use ‘human’ shape when flying in formation?” He continued, “In my opinion, there are four reasons: first, the ‘human’ shape can make red-crowned cranes use increasing air which is produced by each other’s wings when they are swinging in the sky. It can increase the glide time and save physical ability. Second, the ‘human’ shape will enhance communication among the birds. The orders and the relevant information issued by the lead bird can be conveyed to each member in this migratory group unimpeded, accurately, rapidly and conveniently. Third, such a formation will help to find the birds left behind because of feeling run down as fast as possible, so that the young, the weak, the sick birds can get everyone’s help and encouragement. Finally, the ‘human’ shape shows not only beauty but also unity. It can give enemies a deterrent.They will be terrified and did not dare to attack the birds.The migration security of the birds will be ensured.”  
Environmental experts admired and evaluated Christmas bird-watching highly. They pointed out that it made perfect sense. On the one hand it could enhance the human awareness of environmental protection. On the other hand it could provide first-hand information on birds.
49．When did Christmas bird – watching begin?
A．Sometime during Christmas holiday.         B．At the beginning of 20th century.
C．In the early 19 th century.          D．Since there was Christmas Day
50．What do bird – watchers do when they are bird – watching?
A．They kill birds and beasts.          B．They watch birds and beasts.
C．They watch and count birds.     D．They look at the sky and write diaries.
51．The following are all reasons for red – crowned cranes flying in “human” shape except      .
A．they can help each other and ensure their safety
B．they can communicate with each other in order to reduce tiredness.
C．they can make use of the air produced by each other’s wings.
D．they can look stronger in case they come across enemies
52．This passage consists of five paragraphs. Please arrange the five main ideas of the paragraphs in order of their appearance in the passage.
a. How the bird – watchers divided their watching task and what was done.
b. How Christmas bird – watching came into being.
c. Christmas bird – watching is of great importance environmentally and scientifically.
d. A Christmas bird – watcher watched and was amazed by red – crowned cranes.
e. Red – crowned cranes fly in “human” formation for quite good reasons.
A．a(chǎn) – b – c – d – e         B．b – c – e – d – a         C．b- a – d – e – c D．b – d – e – a – c

Mr.and Mrs. Gordon were sitting on the sand， reading their magazines． Mr. Gordon was too stingy（吝嗇）to rent a chair． Their twelve－year－old daughter，Sandra， was playing at the water's edge． Suddenly a huge wave
lifted  Sandra up and carried her out to sea． Fortunatelｙ，
a lifeguard　was on duty and he saw the wave carry Sandra away．
He ran along the beach and dived into the sea． He swam quickly to where
the girl，with her head only just above the water， was shouting for help． She was very frightened． When the lifeguard reached her,? she struggled（掙扎） with him， as drowning people often do． However， he was a skilful lifeguard and quickly took hold of her and swam with her back to the beach． By the time he reached it， Mr. and Mrs. Gordon had realized what had happened． They had run down to the water's edge． Neither of them could swim． They just stood in the shallow water， and worried about their daughter． Had the lifeguard reached her in time？ Fortunately， he had． “That was quick work，young man，”Mr. Gordon said． He turned to his wife， “Give the lifeguard a dollar．” “A dollar！” Sandra cried． “Dad，how can you give him a dollar！ He saved my life． I was half dead．” “Quite right， girl?” Mr. Gordon said， pleased by his daughter's awareness（知道） of the value of money． He turned to his wife again and said， “She's right． She was only half dead． Give him fifty cents． ”
36． What happened to Sandra？
A． She ran into the sea．   
B． Her life was saved by a lifeguard．
C． She was drowned．    
D． She died．
37． What did Mr. and Mrs. Gordon do when Sandra was carried out to sea by the wave？
A． They shouted to the lifeguard．         
B． They dived into the water．
C． Perhaps they were reading magazines．
D． They offered the lifeguard money to save Sandra．
38． Why was Sandra angry with her father？
A． He did not give the lifeguard any money．   
B． He did not swim out to save her．
C． He did not show the lifeguard hearty thankfulness．
D． He gave the lifeguard too much money．
39． Why was Mr. Gordon pleased with her daughter？
A． She was safe again．      
B． She was polite to the lifeguard．
C． He thought she did not want him to give the life-guard too much money．
D． She gave the lifeguard fifty cents．

The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, in memory of the 100th birthday of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 suggestions that were handed in, Gustave Eiffel’s was chosen.
However, at first, it was not well accepted by all and a group of people — including many well-known writers and painters at that time — were fiercely against its design.
Being about 300 meters in height, and 7,000 tons in weight, it was the world’s tallest building until 1930. It was a great project for France. 300 workers took two years to build it. It isn’t an ordinary building, since it is almost made of steel. For example, its body moves around at most 12 cm in heavy wind. Moreover, its height changes up to 15 cm according to the temperature.
It was almost destroyed in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna(天線), which is used for communication at that time. Beginning in 1910 it became part of the International Time Service. French radio and French television have also made good use of its height.
The Eiffel Tower has also seen a few strange things. In 1923, a journalist rode a bicycle down from the first level of it. And in 1954, a mountain climber climbed on top of it and tried to measure its exact height.
Anyway, although its birth was difficult, it is now well accepted all over the world. It has been considered as one of the symbols of Paris.
44. The passage mainly tells us ________.  
A. the history of the Eiffel Tower
B. some information about its design
C. what the Eiffel Tower was used for
D. how it became one of the symbols of Paris
45. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to this passage?
A. Many people couldn’t accept the Eiffel Tower at the beginning.
B. It was the world’s tallest building for hundreds of years.
C.A journalist rode down from the Eiffel Tower in 1954.
D.The Eiffel Tower was saved because of its height.
46. The French Revolution took place in _______.
A. 1889    B. 1923     C. 1789     D. 1930

完形填空（共20小題；每小題1.5分，滿分30分）
Tom is a worker in my factory and he is a little bit dirty. I have been taking   36   of him for years and years, he always wears an old red hat and carries a   37   bag. He usually spends his break time and his lunchtime by walking around to   38   the unused tins around.
Once I saw him by his   39   , with a lot of rubbish bags, which were full of aluminum(鋁) tins. He threw them into the back of his car and then   40   the car. Being very curious, I got into my car to   41   him. He drove   42   he reached the entrance to a wide, empty parking area, but did nothing more.
Today, I was   43   one of the broken machines during lunchtime when this“tin man”came along with his bag. As usual, he   44   the tins around the place. My   45   , who was worried about how the   46   caused by the machine would affect production, was standing there watching me.
When I finished my job, my manager asked the “tin man” about what he would   47    the tin that he had collected. I had    48   even though about asking this kind of question,  49  I had always thought that this “tin man” would sell the   50   to the recycling place
51  ,this “tin man” answered, “I will give them to my neighbor,  52   has epilepsy(癲癇病) and is unable to work.” I was   53   to hear this, and I asked him, “You   54   you are collecting all those tins just to help your neighbor?”
“I know it doesn’t help very much,” he said, “   55   I try my best to help him.” It was the most beautiful moment in my life and made me feel very humble(卑鄙的).
36. A. hold            B. care            C. charge             D. notice
37. A. plastic          B. rubbish          C. paper             D. metal
38. A. collect          B. find            C. hide                D. spread
39. A. house           B. store           C. machine             D. car
40. A. got out of        B. broke up        C. jumped into          D. settled down
41. A. follow          B. block           C. inspect              D. catch
42. A. since           B. until            C. when               D. after
43. A. decorating       B. performing      C. repairing             D. selecting
44. A. turned up        B. put up          C. set up               D. picked up
45. A. manager         B. workmate       C. neighbor             D. friend
46. A. power           B. delay           C. signal               D. harm
47. A. do with          B. deal with        C. go with            D. put up with
48. A. seldom          B. always          C. nearly              D. never
49. A. unless           B. because         C. though              D. if
50. A. machine         B. cars            C. tins                 D. bags
51. A. Certainly        B. Briefly          C. Surprisingly          D. Fortunately
52. A. who            B. whom           C. which               D. that
53. A. shocked         B. interested        C. satisfied             D. concerned
54. A. announce        B. mean          C. say                 D. declare
55. A. instead          B. however        C. but                 D. and

完形填空（共10小題；每小題2分，共20分）　   閱讀下面短文，
掌握其大意，然后從21～30各題所給的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)（A、B、C和D）中，選出最佳選項(xiàng)。
Many people of my generation(代，一代) say that there is no hope for the future because of the way that   21       people behave today.
Their first argument（論點(diǎn)） is that when we were young we used to look after the  22     people in our community and help them. They also say that young people today don’t   23      about anything or anyone. However, I think the reason why we looked after older people was that we had no   24     . People had to live with their   25     and grandparents because they had no money. Young people today earn more and have more   26      to live where they want.
Their second argument is that in our day we didn’t expect to be given jobs ---and that young people now don’t look for jobs, but just complain（抱怨） about   27    . On the other hand, things were easier in the past and it was always easy to get a job if you had friends and contacts（關(guān)系）. It is really   28      today.
In conclusion I think there is hope for the   29      . This generation, like generations before them, has new   30       as well as old problems. If they learn from our mistakes the world will be a better place in future.
21. A. young                       B. old                                C. other                       D. our
22. A. old                    B. older                    C. elder                        D. eldest
23. A. know                         B. care                              C. complain                D. look
24. A. money             B. freedom                      C. choice            D. help
25. A. friends            B. children                        C. grandchildren       D. parents
26. A. freedom                   B. money                         C. reasons                  D. hope
27. A. future                       B. wages                           C. work                        D. unemployment
28. A. easier                       B. harder                         C. impossible    D. possible
29. A. young                       B. old                                C. future            D. generation
30. A. opportunities         B. hopes                           C. future            D. world

We are all called upon to make a speech at some point in life, but most of us don’t do a very good job. This article gives some suggestions on how to give an effective speech.
So, you have to give a speech —and you are terrified. You get nervous, you forget what you want to say, you stumble over words, you talk too long, and you bore your audience. Later you think, “Thank Goodness, it’s over. I’m just not good at public speaking. I hope I never have to do that again.”
Cheep up! It doesn’t have to be that bad. Here are some simple steps to take the pain out of speech making. Ask yourself the purpose of your speech. What is the occasion? Why are you speaking? Then, gather as many facts as you can on your subject. Spend plenty of your time doing your research. Then spend plenty of your time organizing your material so that your speech is clear and easy to follow. Use as many examples as possible, and use pictures, charts, and graphs if they help you make your points more clearly. Never forget your audience. Don’t talk over their heads, and don’t talk down to them. Treat your audience with respect. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Just remember: Be prepared. Know your subject, your audience, and the occasion. Be brief. Say what you have to say and then stop. And be yourself. Let your personality come through so that you make person-to-person contact with your audience.
If you follow these simple steps, you will see that you don’t have to be afraid of public speaking. In fact, you may find the experience so enjoyable that you volunteer to make more speeches! You’re not convinced yet? Give it a try and see what happens.
41．The main idea of this article is                                   .
A．that you can improve your speaking ability  B．that a poor speaker can never change
C．to always make a short speech      D．that it is hard to make a speech
42．Paragraph 2 implies that                                        .
A．many people are afraid of giving a speech   B. many people are happy to give a speech
C．many people don’t prepare for a speech     D. many people talk too long
43．The phrase “talk over their heads” means                           .
A．speak too loudly                  B. look at the ceiling
C．look down upon them        D. use words and ideas that are too difficult
44．All of the following statements are TRUE except                    .
A．few people know how to make good speeches
B．a(chǎn) lecturer does not need to organize his speech
C．research is important in preparing a speech
D．there are simple steps you can take to improve your speaking ability
45．The title for this passage may be                                 .
A．Do Not Make a Long Speech     B．How to Give a Good Speech
C．How to Prepare for a Speech    D．Try to Enjoy a Speech

The eastern Indonesian Island of Komodo is proving a hit with adventurous tourists eager to catch a glance of the world’s largest lizard species. The island is the home of the huge lizard called the Komodo dragon.
A later species of the Jurassic period dinosaurs 130 million years ago, the Komodo dragon is in danger and has been placed under protection by the Indonesian government.
The huge lizard is called “Buaya Darat” by the local people who show great respect for the species. Tales handed down over generations of islanders speak of the dragon warning people of getting close to crocodiles.
The animal can reach a length of three meters when fully grown, gain a weight of about 135 kilograms and may live to an age of about 100 years. It digs a hole in the ground as deep as 9 meters and lay eggs---up to 30 at a time---that hatch in April or May. The newly hatched lizards, about 45 centimeters long, live in trees for several months.
Komodo dragons have been known to eat smaller members of the species and sometimes even other grown-ups. The Komodo dragon was first discovered in 1912 by a group of fishermen who protected themselves from a storm in the Banda Sea on the island.
Various species of the Komodo dragons are also found in Asia, Australia and Africa, but it is only on Komodo and the western tip of the neighboring island of Flores that they grow up to three meters long.
46. The message is mainly about                                  .
the largest crocodile in the world                      B. the story of a dragon in Indonesia
a kind of huge lizard---the Komodo dragon 
D. how the Komodo dragon was found and protected
47. Newly-born Komodo dragons                                 .
A. dig very deep holes            
B. are hatched in cold weather
C. are 30 centimeters long and weigh 45 kilograms 
D. spend their first few months living in trees
48. Today Komodo dragons                                      .
A. are protected by the local government   
B. are hunted by Komodo fishermen
C. join in a special hatching program      
D. live only on the Komodo Island
49. According to the passage, Komodo dragons                              .
are 9 meters long and live up to 80 years
are 3 meters long and live up to 100 years
weigh up to 135 kilograms and are 9 meters long
weigh 45 kilograms and live up to 135 years
50. The local people have great respect for the Komodo dragon because they believe ___        
the dragon can prevent them from being attacked by crocodiles
the dragon has special curing power
the dragon is in great danger of dying out in its hometown
it takes thousands of years for the dinosaurs to become dragons         

（十五）
Buckminster Fuller once said, “The minute you choose to do what you really want to do, it’s a different kind of life.” If you want to live abundantly, decide what you really want and figure out a way to do it. Be clear and live with intent (意向).
You may have heard of Fred Lebow. He complained to his doctor that he lacked energy. His doctor advised him to take up running. He fell in love with it! He was 39 years old when he entered his first race.
Fred joined the New York Road Runners Club and organized New York City’s first marathon race. But what Fred truly wanted to do was to bring people together. He believes that anybody should be able to run — people of all ages and of any country.
Not everyone in New York was excited about people running through their neighborhood. A youth gang warned him that nobody had better run through their turf. “That’s great,” Fred said. “I need someone to protect the runners in your area, and you look like just the fellows to do it.” He
gave them each a hat, shirt and jacket and that year, when the marathon went through their neighborhood, these young men proudly guarded the runners along their way.
Fred decided what was truly important to him and he found a way to do it. He lived with intent. That single decision made his life remarkably different.
As one sports writer said, “Fate handed him a short race. With his goal, with his love of life, Fred turned it into a marathon.”
Fred would say that it’s not about how long you live, but how you run the race of life.
6. The purpose that Fred Lebow organized New York City’s first marathon race was _____.
A. to be popular with people
B. to display his true love for sports development
C. to drive away his loneliness in the running
D. to get more people together
7. Which word in the passage is the closest in meaning to the underlined word “turf”?
A. Neighborhood. B. Way. C. Decision. D. Race.
8. What’s the best title for this passage?
A. Determination guarantees you a success.
B. The race of life with intent.
C. Nothing is impossible in one’s life race.
D. The benefits of taking up running.

A new enemy is threatening Japanese traditions: leisure（閑暇）. As part of its attempt to increase imports, the government is trying to get people to work less and spend more. The workers are disgusted.
The figures support the western prejudice（偏見） that the Japanese are all work and no play. Trying to force workers away from their desks and machines, the government said last April that the country should cut down from its 2,100 hours average work year to 1,899 hours and a five-day week by 1992. Beginning in February, banks and stock markets will be closed on Saturdays, staff of civil service will be forced out of their offices two Saturdays a month. The government hopes that others will follow that practice.
But some persuasion will be needed. Small companies are very angry about it and they fear competitors may not cut hours. The unions are no happier: they have even advertised in newspapers arguing their case against the foreign pressure that is forcing leisure upon them. They say that shorter hours are a disguised（隱性的） pay cut. The industrialists, who have no objection to the government’s plans, admit that shorter hours will help them cut costs. Younger Japanese who are supposed to be acting against their hard-working parents, show no sign of wanting time off, either. But unlike older workers, they do spend money in their spare time. Not content with watching television, they dance, dress up, sit in cafes, go to pop concerts and generally drive the leisure-industry boom. Now that they know how to consume, maybe the West can teach them to relax and enjoy themselves, too.
1．The purpose of getting the Japanese to have more spare time is that ______________.
A．the government wants to show more concern for the health of the people
B．the government needs to get more goods from abroad
C．the Japanese have been working too hard
D．the Japanese hope to change the western prejudice
2．The group of people who welcome the shorter-hour system in Japan is______________.
A．the small companies B．the industrialists
C．the unions        D．the younger generation
3．The unions think that______________.
A．the shorter hours they work, the higher pay the can get
B．the more they work, the less leisure they can enjoy
C．the shorter hours they work, the less pay they can have
D．the greater pressure the government is forcing on them, the less happy they can be
4．The best title for this passage can be ______________
A．Oh no! Not Saturday Again!   B．Leisure: the Greatest Threat!
C．Enjoy While You are Young!  D．Less Work and More Play!