WASHINGTON — It is announced Friday that White House visitor records will be opened up on a regular basis for the first time in modern history, providing the public an unusually detailed look at who gets the opportunity to help shape American policy at the highest levels.
“Americans have a right to know whose voices are being heard in the policymaking process,” the president said in a written statement issued by the White House while he vacationed with his family at Camp David.
By the end of the year, the White House will begin posting online every month the names of the people who visited in the last 90 to 120 days. Each person’s full name will be listed, along with the date and time they entered and left and the name of the person they visited. About 70,000 to 100,000 people visit the White House each month, and the records will include tourists as well as people conducting business.
The White House pointed out several exceptions to the policy: “purely personal guests” of the Obama family; those cases in which the disclosure(透露) of visitors’ names “would threaten national safety interests”; and those who come for “particularly sensitive meetings,” like candidates for a Supreme Court nomination(提名). Officials said only a “small number” will fit in the latter category（類別）, and their names would eventually be disclosed after they are no longer secret, like after a nomination is publicly announced. Moreover, they said, the number of undisclosed visitors will be disclosed, to make clear how few they are.
小題1:Why will the White House visitor records be open to the public?

A．To attract more visitors to the White House.

B．To allow people to know more about the life of the Obama family.

C．To let the public know who are influencing the policies.

D．To ask the public help correct the policies made by the government.

小題2:From the passage we can learn that ________.

A．All the visitors’ names will be posted online soon after their visits

B．Not all visitors are allowed to visit the White House

C．Some visitors’ names can be found online until they’re not secret

D．The records of the visitors will be kept for at least 4 months

小題3:According to the passage, whose name might be kept secret for some time?

A．A tourist.

B．A businessman.

C．A foreign student.

D．A foreign minister.

小題4: What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．The White House will open the records of the visitors to the public.

B．In America more and more people are becoming policy makers.

C．The Americans have a right to know who are making policies.

D．President Obama has announced a new policy while on holiday.

( C )
In Denmark, parents are allowed to set up a new school if they are dissatisfied with the school in the area where they are living. Although these schools have to follow the national courses, they are allowed a lot of choice in deciding what to teach. Some of these new schools are called “small schools” because usually the number of pupils in them is only sixty, but a school has to have at least twenty-seven pupils.
　Cooleenbridge School in Ireland, is a small school similar to the ones in Denmark, it was set up by parents who came from Holland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, England and other parts of Ireland. They came because they wanted to live in the countryside and to grow their own food. In June 1986, they decided to start a school. They managed to get an old, disused primary-school (小學(xué)) building and started with twenty-four children aged from four to twelve.
　The teachers say, “The important thing in school is doing, not sitting.” And so the courses includes yoga(瑜伽), cooking, knitting, kite-making, music, fishing, drama (戲劇) and environmental(環(huán)境的) river studies, as well as reading, writing, maths and science.
小題1:What are the rules for setting up a new school in Denmark?

A．Parents are allowed to set up their own school.

B．The school has to follow the national courses.

C．The school has to have at least 27 pupils.

D．All of the above.

小題2: The writer tells about the Cooleenbridge School in Ireland because ____ .

A．it was set up by parents who are not people of Denmark

B．it was taken as an example of this kind of “small school”

C．there were only twenty-four children

D．the pupils there were aged from 4 to 12

小題3:What makes this kind of school special?

A．It is set up by parents not by government.

B．It is free to decide what to teach.

C．The number of pupils in it is only sixty.

D．It has to have at least 27 pupils.

小題4: “The important thing in school is doing not sitting.” What the teachers say actually means ____ .

A．What we should do is teaching in the classroom, not sitting in the office.

B．Children should do more homework at home, not just sit in class to listen to the teachers.

C．Children should learn by themselves not rely on teachers.

D．Children should learn through practice not just from books.

小題5:The courses includes ____ .

A．yoga, cooking, knitting, kite-making, music, fishing, drama and environmental river studies, except reading, writing, maths and science

B．either yoga, cooking, knitting, kite-making, music, fishing, drama and environmental river studies, or reading, writing, maths and science

C．not only reading, writing, maths and science, but also yoga, cooking knitting, kitemaking, music, fishing, drama and environmental river studies

D．mainly yoga, cooking, knitting, kite-making, music, fishing, drama and environmental river studies, and supplemental (補(bǔ)充的) reading writing, maths and science

D
Holding a cell phone against your ear or storing it in your pocket may be dangerous to your health. This explains a warning that cell phone manufacturers include in the small print that is often ignored when a new phone is purchased. Apple, for example, doesn’t want iPhones to come closer to you than 1.5 centimeters; Research In Motion, BlackBerry’s manufacturer, recommends 2.5 centimeters.
If health issues arise from cell phone use, the possible effects are huge. Voice calls - Americans chat on cell phones 2.26 trillion(萬(wàn)億)minutes annually - earn $109 billion for the wireless carriers.
Devra Davis, an expert who has worked for the University of Pittsburgh, has published a book about cell phone radiation, “Disconnect.” The book surveys scientific research and concludes the question is not settled.
Brain cancer is a concern that Ms. Davis examines. Over all, there has not been an increase in its incidence since cell phones arrived. But the average masks an increase in brain cancer in the 20-to-29 age group and a drop for the older population.
“Most cancers have multiple causes,” she says, but she points to laboratory research that suggests low-energy radiation could damage cells that could possibly lead to cancer.
Children are more vulnerable to radiation than adults, Ms. Davis and other scientists point out. Radiation that penetrates only five centimeters into the brain of an adult will reach much deeper into the brains of children because their skulls are thinner and their brains contain more absorptive fluid（易吸收的液體）. No studies have yet been completed on cell phone radiation and children, she says.
Henry Lai, a research professor in the bioengineering department at the University of Washington, began laboratory radiation studies in 1980 and found that rats exposed to radiation had damaged DNA in their brains.
Ms. Davis recommends using wired headsets or the phone’s speaker. Children should text rather than call, she said, and pregnant women should keep phones away from the abdomen（腹部）.
小題1:Why is the warning in the small print?

A．They think people will not care about it.

B．There is not enough space for the warning.

C．They don’t want the users to pay attention to it.

D．The warning is not important at all.

小題2:What does the underlined word in sixth paragraph probably mean?

A．a(chǎn)cceptable

B．valuable

C．a(chǎn)ccessible

D．easily affected

小題3:What can we conclude from the last paragraph?

A．Pregnant women should keep cell phones away.

B．People should use cell phones in the correct way.

C．If you are a child, you’d better text than make phone calls.

D．When you use a cell phone, use a wired headset or the phone’s speaker.

小題4:What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．Be careful when using cell phones.

B．Don’t hold your cell phone against your ear.

C．Rats exposed to radiation have damaged DNA in their brains.

D．Low-energy radiation could damage cells that could lead to cancer.

閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)（A、B、C和D）中 ，選出最佳選項(xiàng)，并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。
A
Chinese writer Mo Yan has won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, announced the Swedish Academy in Stockholm on Thursday．The win makes Mo Yan the first Chinese citizen to win the Nobel in its Ⅲ-year history．Informed of his win today, the author, who was having dinner at home, was “overjoyed and scared"．
Born in 1955 to parents who were farmers, Mo Yan－a pen name for Guan Moye，grew up in Gaomi in Shandong province in eastern China. At the age of 12, he left school to work, first in agriculture, later in a factory. In 1976 he joined the army and during this time began to study literature and writing．
He published his first book in 1981, but found literary success in 1987 with Hong Gaoliang Jiazu, which was successfully filmed in the same year, directed by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou. In his writing, Mo Yan draws on his youthful experiences and on settings in the province of his birth and his works show the life of Chinese people as well as the country's unique culture and folk customs. Mo Yan is known as a prolific（多產(chǎn)的 ）writer. In addition to his novels, he has published many short stories and essays on various topics. Despite his social criticism, he is seen in his homeland as one of the most famous contemporary authors. Dozens of his works have been translated into English, French, Japanese and many other languages．
The awarding ceremony will be held on December 10．The winner will win a medal, a personal diploma and a cash award of about $l  million．
小題1:How did Mo Yan feel when he was told about the news?

A．Excited and proud．	B． Happy and surprised．
C．Worried and cautious	D． Uncertain and shocked．

小題2:Mo Yan developed his ability for writing when he was      ．

A．on a farm

B．in a factory

C．in a school

D．in the army

小題3:One of Mo Yan's characteristics of writing is that he

A．writes about topics he is familiar with

B．focuses on social problems in the country

C．describes his characters in a unique way

D．explains difficult matters in simple words

小題4:What's the best title for this passage?   

A．How Mo Yan Gets Nobel Prize

B．An Introduction to Nobel Prize

C．Mo Yan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature

D．A World Famous Writer, Mo Yan

C
Holding a cell phone against your ear or storing it in your pocket may be dangerous to your health. This explains a warning that cell phone manufacturers include in the small print that is often ignored when a new phone is purchased. Apple, for example, doesn’t want iPhones to come closer to you than 1.5 centimeters; Research In Motion, BlackBerry’s manufacturer, recommends 2.5 centimeters.
If health issues arise from cell phone use, the possible effects are huge. Voice calls - Americans chat on cell phones 2.26 trillion(萬(wàn)億)minutes annually - earn $109 billion for the wireless carriers.
Devra Davis, an expert who has worked for the University of Pittsburgh, has published a book about cell phone radiation, “Disconnect.” The book surveys scientific research and concludes the question is not settled.
Brain cancer is a concern that Ms. Davis examines. Over all, there has not been an increase in its incidence since cell phones arrived. But the average masks an increase in brain cancer in the 20-to-29 age group and a drop for the older population.
“Most cancers have multiple causes,” she says, but she points to laboratory research that suggests low-energy radiation could damage cells that could possibly lead to cancer.
Children are more vulnerable to radiation than adults, Ms. Davis and other scientists point out. Radiation that penetrates only five centimeters into the brain of an adult will reach much deeper into the brains of children because their skulls are thinner and their brains contain more absorptive fluid（易吸收的液體）. No studies have yet been completed on cell phone radiation and children, she says.
Henry Lai, a research professor in the bioengineering department at the University of Washington, began laboratory radiation studies in 1980 and found that rats exposed to radiation had damaged DNA in their brains.
Ms. Davis recommends using wired headsets or the phone’s speaker. Children should text rather than call, she said, and pregnant women should keep phones away from the abdomen（腹部）.
小題1:Why is the warning in the small print?

A．They think people will not care about it.

B．There is not enough space for the warning.

C．They don’t want the users to pay attention to it.

D．The warning is not important at all.

小題2: What does the underlined word in sixth paragraph probably mean?

A．a(chǎn)cceptable

B．valuable

C．a(chǎn)ccessible

D．easily affected

小題3:What can we conclude from the last paragraph?

A．Pregnant women should keep cell phones away.

B．People should use cell phones in the correct way.

C．If you are a child, you’d better text than make phone calls.

D．When you use a cell phone, use a wired headset or the phone’s speaker.

小題4: What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．Be careful when using cell phones.

B．Don’t hold your cell phone against your ear.

C．Rats exposed to radiation have damaged DNA in their brains.

D．Low-energy radiation could damage cells that could lead to cancer.

D

Weall know about “Brother Sharp” , “King of Calm” and “Brother Buckteeth”----names that netizens(網(wǎng)民) have given those with special characteristics, or who have done something special.
Recently, a new name has been added to that list----“Brother Banner(橫幅)”. What did he do to get the name?
“Brother Banner” is Chen Yihua, a Senior 1 student at Guangzhou No.16 High School. On the afternoon of May 4, he made a banner, dressed in school uniform, and stood outside a Line 1 subway station in Guangzhou.
Chen was protesting(抗議)Guangzhou Metro(地鐵) Company’s renovation(整修) project for the line.
The company was planning to renew 16 stations on the line over three years. It said that the station would be renovated in similar styles, and the cost of the project would be 92.27 million yuan.
The banner that Chen held said: “The special features of Line 1 stations will disappear. The program is also a waste of resources. I hope you will help my protest be signing my subway petition(請(qǐng)?jiān)? against the renovation .”
His action attracted the attention of passers-by. In three days, Chen collected more than 300 signatures(簽名) from the public.
The metro company also noticed Chen, and responded to him, three times, over the following week.
On May 6, the company announced that the project was to replace aging equipment that has been running for a long time, because it had “safety risks”. The public was unsatisfied with the response.
The next day, the company met with Chen and gave further details of the project. Chen remained unconvinced.
The company made a 180-degree turn in its third response to Chen’s protest on May 10.
Zhong Xuejun, spokesman for the company, said the renovation would be based on the principle of saving energy and being economical. It would focus on the old equipment and the look of the stations wouldn’t be changed much.
Finally, Chen’s voice had been heard.
小題1:What do “Brother sharp”, “King of Calm” and “Brother Buckteeth” have in common?

A．They’re handsome.

B．They only exist in the net.

C．They’re characters(角色,特征) of a novel.

D．They have done something special or have special character.

小題2:How many times has the metro company responded？

A．1

B．2

C．3

D．4

小題3:Which of the following is NOT true?

A．“Brother Banner” is a Senior 1 student.

B．“Brother Banner” collected more than 300 signatures in three days.

C．“Brother Banner” has made a difference through his action.

D．“Brother Banner” is not a normal student.

September 21, 2050----At a press conference today it was announced that the first tourist heading for Mars will be the 38-year-old US businessman Patrick Clifford. He will leave the earth in the  launching window of June 2052 and set his foot on the surface of Mars in November, together with the other 6 astronauts assigned for the mission to further explore the planet.
Patrick has now two years of training ahead of him to get ready for the trip. Not only will he spend five months in getting to Mars, but another 600 days there before he can go back home.  Patrick was of course very excited, “ This has been my dream since I was four, and seeing the first man on Mars 20 years ago made me realize that it was possible.”
To be able to pay the $ 1. 3 billion for his ticket for the trip Patrick sold his majority stake (股份) in the company his father had built. “I know that my father would have been proud of me if he had still been alive today, he knew what this means to me”, says Patrick. There is no risk though that you will find Patrick begging in your street corner when he comes back, but it is said that he was paid twice as much for his part of the company.
So, how is he going to spend his 600 days on the red planet? “Well, since I don’t have a job when I get back after selling the company, I have plenty of time to come up with a new business idea”, he says and laughs. If he brings a shovel（鐵鍬）he can start building the first hotel there, but maybe he shouldn’t expect too many guests until someone can offer a cheaper ticket.
小題1:How long will Patrick Clifford be away before he comes back?

A．About five months

B．About two years

C．About 600 days

D．About 750 days

小題2:The underlined part in Paragraph 3 means that          .

A．the trip will turn Patrick into a beggar

B．Patrick will get much money from the trip

C．we needn’t worry about Patrick’s economic condition

D．it’s likely that Patrick will be very poor after he comes back

小題3:What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Patrick is an optimistic man

B．A total of six people will go to Mars

C．Patrick’s father felt excited at the news

D．Patrick will spend all his money on the trip

From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town’s officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square.
In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities.
In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.
小題1:At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT __________. 

A．express their opinions about the government

B．elect officials of the towns

C．make a decision about whom they should marry

D．discuss some community matters

小題2:In the 18th century, who had the right to vote?  

A．All the citizens.

B．All the men except those who were church members.

C．The rich.

D．The rich men and the church members.

小題3:Why has the town meeting been widely imitated? 

A．Because many people are interested in it.

B．Because it is very democratic.

C．Because many people enjoy themselves at town meetings.

D．Because sometimes government agencies call them.

小題4:According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? 

A．Citizens can elect the officials in the town meeting.

B．In recent years, town meetings are often called by a government agency.

C．People can say what they want to say at the town meeting.

D．Nowadays this kind of meeting is also held on radio and television.

小題5:This passage mainly talks about _______.  

A．the New England town meeting	B．modern town meetings
C．a(chǎn) democratic meeting	D．New England towns

Like any awards ceremony of its age, the Oscars, now in its 85th year, has been trying hard to change.
So how did that go this year? When host Seth MacFarlane noted in his opening speech that it was the first time the Academy Awards had a theme, I thought: “well, that’s a good start.”
But when he revealed that the theme was a tribute to(向…致敬) musicals, I was less sure. After all, it’s not the first time that musicals have featured at the Oscars.
In 2007, the cast of Dream-girls gave a special performance directed by movie director and musical veteran(經(jīng)驗(yàn)豐富的老手) Bill Condon. Then there was the memorable 2009 show hosted by Hugh Jackman, who screams musicals. With Beyonce Knowles and Anne Hathaway, he performed several hit songs from move musical. And in 2010, how did Neil Patrick Harris introduce the hosts? By performing a musical number.
So I guess the Oscars could have done better this year. But I must admit, there were more music performances in the three-and-a –half-hour show than ever before. This suggests the Oscars has dropped some of its arrogance and wants to offer audiences more entertainment.
It’s a timely move as the Golden Globes, also known as the “big party,” has become a threat to the Oscars, stealing viewers and even its reputation. Just look at the Oscars’ winning list this year.
You can’t blame the academy for wanting to stick it to the Golden Globes. While they hired Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to host the show—certainly more audience-friendly than MacFarlane— and Bill Clinton was invited as a presenter, who did viewers get at the Oscars? The First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama.
Way to go, Oscar! We know you’re struggling to look fresh and young, but don’t lose the pride and dignity that made you one biggest honor in the movie industry. Don’t ever let that change.
小題1:Examples are given in Para.4 to show that__________.

A．the Oscars has been trying hard to change

B．the Oscars’ theme is a tribute to musicals

C．it is not the first time that the Oscars has had a theme

D．musicals are not a new feature this year

小題2:What disappoints the writer is that__________.

A．the Oscars didn’t invite Bill Clinton as a presenter

B．the show took as long as three and a half hours

C．the Oscars has lost some pride and dignity to cater to the audiences

D．the Oscars is no longer fresh and young

小題3: Which of the following is true of the Golden Globes?

A．It gave an award to the First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama.

B．Its host and hostess had better reputation.

C．It has become highly competitive with the Academy Awards.

D．It is more friendly to the audience.

小題4:Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?

A．Nothing new, but well done

B．So old, still young

C．New start, good change

D．Too old to change