BEIJING-Alarmed by the overreaching ambitions of many Chinese provinces to grow at all costs, China's
top economic chief is calling on officials to calm down and spare a thought for the environment.
     Zhang Ping, who heads China's National Development and Reform Commission, the central economic
planning agency, said only five or six of China's 30 provinces are targeting annual economic growth of 8 or
9 percent.
     The remaining provinces are aiming for growth rates of more than 10 percent this year, with some wanting
to double economic output in the coming five years.
     "China has a planned energy supply of about 4 billion cubic tons of coal equivalent (等量的) for the next
five years, and this is not enough to meet demands for economic growth to double," he was quoted as saying
on the news portal sina.com.
     Beijing is increasingly concerned with the ambitions of Chinese provinces across the country to chase high
growth despite the central government's urgent request for a more moderate and sustainable (可持續(xù)的) pace
of expansion.
     Years of rapid economic growth have taken a toll on China's environment, with Beijing trying to remove
some of the damage now. It has an annual growth target of 7 percent for the next five years, well down from
last year's 10 percent.
     Zhang said Beijing has asked local governments to take into account the supply of "energy, environment,
water and land" to set more reasonable growth targets.

1. Which of the following statements is True according to the passage?

A. The supply of the coal in China is not sufficient for the next five years.
B. Zhang Ping is an expert and economic chief from warty, sina.com.
C. Few Chinese provinces are aiming for economic growth rates of less than 10%.
D. Many Chinese provinces are alarmed by Beijing.

2. The underlined phrase "take a toll on" in the sixth paragraph means "_____".

A. improve
B. do damage to
C. restore
D. attach importance to

3. The general idea of the whole passage can be that _____.

A. China's economy is increasing at a fast speed
B. China's top chief lays more emphasis on the environment
C. economic high growth should go hand in hand with environmental concern
D. all Chinese provinces should slow down their economic growth rates

4. What could be the best title for the news?

A. Economic Development
B. Energy Supply
C. Environment
D. Sustainable Development

     BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhuanet)-A new hotel concept has been realized in a village in Northern Sweden,
which aims to make the simple treehouse become a world-class destination for travellers. The Treehotel,
located in a place called Harads, will consist of four rooms when it opens on July 17th.. the Cabin, the
Blue Cone, the Nest, and the Mirrorcube.
     Two additional rooms are scheduled to open in October. The long term vision (想象) is even more
expansive. "Our goal in five years is to have 24 rooms from 24 different architects," says Treehotel
co-founder Kent Lindvall.
     The first six rooms were designed by five different architects. The Mirrorcube which stands four meters
high and four meters wide, and the walls of which are made with a mirrored glass, has drawn widespread
attention as it will be attached to a single tree. "It's an interesting building. You can't find anything else like
this in the world today. It's unique (獨特的)," says Lindvall. "Everything will reflect in it-the trees, the birds,
the clouds and the sun in the forest. So it could hardly be seen in the forest. This is untouched forest and
we want to keep it the same way."
    Lindvall says the Treehotel's vision proves a powerful draw, with enquiries (詢問) coming in from far
and wide. "I think what's exciting here is that we're just 60 km below the Arctic Circle. It means there's a
good possibility to have the northern lights in the winter and of course to have the midnight sun in the
summer."
     The motto of the Treehotel is "Feel Free in a Tree" and expense will cost up to about $ 555.50 for two
guests in the Cube, which is designed to hold up to four guests.

1. The underlined word "expansive" probably means _____.

A. costing a lot of money
B. covering a large area
C. requiring knowledge and skills
D. increasing suddenly and rapidly

2. According to the passage, the Mirrorcube is a unique building because _____.

A. everything can reflect in it
B. it's large with plenty of space
C. there is a large mirror wall in it
D. it has limited effect on local wildlife

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. The Treehotel is ideally situated to enjoy the natural wonders.
B. The Treehotel is a great base to explore the many local places of interest.
C. Travellers can have a relaxed holiday at a reasonable price in the Treehotel.
D. The six rooms of the Treehotel was separately designed by 6 different architects.

4. Where can you most probably see the passage?

A. In a newspaper.
B. In a magazine.
C. In a website.
D. In a science journal.

     LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO-The Sydney Opera House to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge went
dark as people switched off lights in their homes and skylines dimmed around the world on Saturday to
show concern about global warming.
     Up to 30 million people were expected to have turned off their lights for 60 minutes by the time "Earth
Hour"-which started in Suva in Fiji and Christchurch in New Zealand-completed its cycle westward. More
than 380 towns and cities and 3 500 businesses in 35 countries signed up for the campaign that is in its
second year after it began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia's largest city.
     "Earth Hour shows that every day people are prepared to pull together to find a solution to climate change.
It can be done." said James Leape of WWF International, which was running the campaign.
     Lights at Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge were lowered as Australians held candle-lit beach
parties, played poker by candlelight and floated candles down rivers.
     In Bangkok, some of the city's business districts, shopping malls and billboards went dark, although street
lights stayed on. One major hotel invited guests to dine by candle light and reported brisk business.
     In Copenhagen, the Tivoli Gardens and the Royal Palace and the opera darkened for an hour, along with
many street lights.
     "In the central square a lot of people were standing looking at the stars," said Ida Thuesen, spokeswoman
for WWF Denmark. "It's not often you can see the stars in a city."
     "It is not just about turning off the lights, it is about raising awareness," San Francisco Mayor Gavin
Newsom said. "Energy efficiency is low-hanging fruit. Energy efficiency is the easiest thing we can do to
reduce global warming."
     Buildings account for about one-third of the carbon emissions that scientists say will boost global average
temperatures by between 1.4 and 4.0 degrees Celsius this century, bringing floods and famines and putting
millions of lives at risk. Organizers of Earth Hour said that while switching off a light for one hour would
have little impact on carbon emissions, the fact that so many people were taking part showed how much
interest and concern about the climate crisis had taken hold. They said they planned a similar event March
28, 2009.

1. What's the main idea of the first paragraph? (No more than 15 words.) 
    __________________________________________________________________________________
2. According to the passage, what does this activity "Earth Hour" indicate? (No more than 15 words.) 
    __________________________________________________________________________________
3. What does the underlined words "account for" mean in English? (No more than 7 words.) 
    __________________________________________________________________________________
4. What's the purpose of writing this passage? (No more than 5 words.)
    __________________________________________________________________________________
5. What do you think of "Earth Hour"? (No more than 20 words) 
    __________________________________________________________________________________

     Jan. 7, 2008-French President Nicolas Sarkozy would marry his girlfriend, former supermodel Carla
Bruni on Feb. 8 or 9, media reported Monday. The report said that in December---less than a month after
Sarkozy met Bruni-he gave her a heart-shaped diamond engagement ring.
     Carla Bruni, Italian singer, former model and girlfriend of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, holds the
hand of her son Aurelien while wearing a pink heart-shaped ring during a visit to the ancient Jordanian ruins
of Petra Jan. 5, 2008. French newspapers reported that Sarkozy would marry her early in February.
     Sarkozy and his wife of 11 years, Cecilia, divorced in October. Their marital (婚姻) problems became
well known in May 2005 when she appeared in public at the side of event organizer Richard Attias.
     A marriage to Bruni, a one-time star of the catwalks who is now a singer, would be Sarkozy's third: He
divorced his first wife, Marie, in the late 80s-after he had met and befriended Cecilia. Political analyst
Dominique Moisi said that a Sarkozy proposal to Bruni could be part of his desire to head off any future
arguments, and the speed of their visit to the ancient Jordanian ruins of Petra Jan. 5, 2008 would fit with
his personality as a busy man in a hurry.
     "Apparently, he's going to marry her, so the problem will be behind him," Moisi said. "He will increase
the opportunities to travel with her, and to say to the French, 'You see, I must remarry… You need a first
lady.'"
     Bruni, an Italian-born French citizen, has dated famous men including Mick Jagger and Donald Trump.
She has also reportedly been linked to singer Eric Clapton and actor Vincent Perez.

1. Sarkozy's second marriage was held _____.

A. in 1996
B. in May 2005
C. once he divorced Marie
D. 11 years later than the first

2. What is the correct order of Sarkozy's marital history?
a. Long marriage to Cecilia.
b. Visiting ruins with Bruni
c. Getting divorced from Marie
d. Giving Bruni a diamond ring
e. To marry the former supermodel

A. c-a-b-d-e
B. e-d-c-a-b
C. c-a-d-b-e
D. a-c-d-b-e

3. The possible purpose of the last paragraph is _____.

A. to provide some unknown stories about Bruni's love affairs
B. to show uncertainty about the former supermodel's loyalty
C. to imply that past experiences have little effect on a person
D. to prove Bruni one of the most popular and attractive females

4. Which would be the best title for the news?

A. Bruni, France's first lady
B. A third marriage to fail
C. France to have first lady
D. President's new girl friend

● Formula One Car Racing was hit by McLaren spy controversy.
● David Beckham left Real Madrid for Las Angeles Galaxy of the Major League Soccer.
● The National Basketball Association (NBA) was involved in gambling.
● Men's 100-meter world record was revised. 
   Asafa Powell of Jamaica lowered the world 100-meter record with a time of 9.74 seconds in Italy in
September. He had previously shared the record of 9.77 with American Olympic champion Justin Gatlin.
● Germany defended their title at the Women's World Cup. 
   Germany became the first team in history to defend the title at the Women's World Cup after beating Brazil
2-0 in the final on Sept. 30.
● American track athlete Marion Jones admitted that she had used steroids (類固醇類藥物) in the run-up to
the 2000 Sydney Olympics. 
   Jones was then stripped of the five medals, including three golds she won in Sydney, and banned for two
years.
● FIFA ended its policy of rotating (使輪流) the hosting of World Cups through its six continental
confederations from the 2018 World Cup finals.
● The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) presented its new anti-drug rules aimed at strictly punishing
drug-takers but also offering mercy for accidental drug-taking.
● Swiss Roger Federer still ruled the tennis world.
     For the third time in four years, Federer walked away with three of the four majors.
● Brazilian men's volleyball team got their 10th world-level crown in seven years after defending World Cup
title in December.

1. Which country, should you go to if you want to watch David Beckham's league matches on the spot?

A. America.
B. Spain.
C. Britain.
D. Germany.

2. What does the underlined word "stripped" most probably mean?

A. To remove one's clothes, either completely or to a particular extent.
B. To take off a covering, or take the covering off something.
C. To separate one or more components from a solution (溶液) or mixture.
D. To take status or property or titles away from somebody.

3. Which is true according to the passage?

A. Asafa Powell became a world record keeper for the first time.
B. It was the first time that Germany won the Women's World Cup.
C. Accidental drug-takers might not be punished strictly by WADA.
D. Roger Federer missed three of four majors for the third time.

4. What might be the best title of this news report?

A. Top 10 world-popular sportsmen in 2007.
B. Top 10 world sports breakthroughs in 2007.
C. Top 10 world sports records in 2007.
D. Top 10 world sports news stories in 2007.

     Jan. 7, 2008 — French President Nicolas Sarkozy would marry his girl friend, former supermodel 
Carla Bruni on Feb. 8 or 9, media reported Monday.
     The report said that in December — less than a month after Sarkozy met Bruni — he gave her a
 heart-shaped diamond engagement ring.
     Carla Bruni, Italian singer, former model and girlfriend of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, holds
 the hand of her son Aurelien while wearing a pink heart-shaped ring during a visit to the ancient 
Jordanian ruins of Petra Jan. 5, 2008. French newspapers reported that Sarkozy would marry her early
 in February.
     Sarkozy and his wife of 11 years, Cecilia, divorced (離婚) in October. Their marital (婚姻) problems became well known in May 2005 when she appeared in public at the side of event organizer Richard 
Attias.
     A marriage to Bruni, a one-time star of the catwalks who is now a singer, would be Sarkozy's third: 
He divorced his first wife, Marie, in the late 80s — after he had met and befriended Cecilia. Political
 analyst Dominique Moisi said that a Sarkozy proposal to Bruni could be part of his desire to head off 
any future arguments, and the speed of their visit to the ancient Jordanian ruins of Petra Jan. 5, 2008 
would fit with his personality as a busy man in a hurry.
     "Apparently, he's going to marry her, so the problem will be behind him," Moisi said. "He will increase
 the opportunities to travel with her, and to say to the French, 'You see, I must remarry ... You need a
 first lady.' "
     Bruni, an Italian-born French citizen, has dated famous men including Mick Jagger and Donald Trump. She has also reportedly been linked to singer Eric Clapton and actor Vincent Perez.

1. Sarkozy's second marriage was held _____.

A. in 1996 
B. in May 2005
C. once he divorced Marie 
D. 11 years later than the first

2. What is the correct order of Sarkozy's marital history?    
a.Long marriage to Cecilia.
b. Visiting ruins with Bruni
c. Getting divorced from Marie
d. Giving Bruni a diamond ring
e. To marry the former supermodel    

A. c-a-b-d-e
B. e-d-c-a-b
C. c-a-d-b-e
D. a-c-d-b-e

3. The possible purpose of the last paragraph is _____. 

A. to provide some unknown stories about Bruni's love affairs     
B. to show uncertainty about the former supermodel's loyalty    
C. to imply that past experiences have little effect on a person    
D. to prove Bruni one of the most popular and attractive females

4. Which would be the best title for the news? 

A.  Bruni, France's first lady 
B. A third marriage to fail 
C. France to have first lady 
D. President's new girl friend

     New York-Wednesday, October fifteenth, is the first Global Hand Washing Day. Activities are
planned in more than twenty countries to get millions of people in the developing world to wash their
hands with soap.
     Experts say people around the world wash their hands but very few use soap at so-called critical
moments. These include after using the toilet, after cleaning a baby and before touching food.
     Global Hand Washing Day is the idea of the Public-Private Partnership for Hand Washing with Soap.
The goal, they say, is to create a culture of hand washing with soap. The organizers say all soaps are
equally effective at removing disease-causing germs (病菌). They say the correct way to wash hands is
to wet your hands with a small amount of water and cover them with soap. Rub it into all areas, including
under the fingernails. Then, rinse well under running water. Finally, dry your hands with a clean cloth.
     The Partnership says soap is important because it increases the time that people spend washing.  
Soap also helps to break up the dirt that holds most of the germs. And it usually leaves a pleasant smell,
which increases the likelihood that people will wash again.
     It also says washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet could save more lives than any
medicine. It could help reduce cases of diarrhea (痢疾), which is the second leading cause of child
deaths, killing more than one and a half million children a year, by almost half.

1. The most suitable title for the text would be _____.    

A. Hand Washing Brings Good Health
B. Hand Washing Gets a Day of Its Own
C. It Is Soap That Matters
D. Partnership for Hand Washing Takes Action

2. The Partnership creates Global Hand Washing Day to _____.    

A. call on people to wash hands
B. help the developing countries
C. promote the importance of soap in hand washing
D. make a culture of hand washing in the third world

3. The following facts can explain why soap is important EXCEPT that _____.  

A. soap gives people a longer hand washing time
B. soap helps to get rid of more germs off hands
C. soap attracts people to do more hand washing
D. soap gets people into the habit of washing hands

4. According to the last paragraph, diarrhea is a disease that _____. 

A. kills half of the kids in developing countries
B. causes the greatest number of child deaths
C. can be prevented by washing hands with soap
D. makes soap stand out in hand washing

     WENZHOU(Xinhua)-the train collision in east China's Zhejiang Province has killed 39 people and
left 192 others injured Sunday night, said a spokesman with the Ministry of Railways.
     A total of 132 people are still being treated in hospitals, said Wang Yongping, spokesman with the
ministry at a press conference. Eleven people remain in critical condition, said Cheng Jinguo, head of the
health bureau in the city of Wenzhou, where the collision happened Saturday night. Cheng said at the
press conference that 52 people who suffered slight injuries had been discharged from hospital. Wang
expressed condolences (哀悼) to the concerning families and sincere apology to all the passengers.
     The train's "black box" has been discovered and the ministry is investigating the cause of the crash,
Wang said. Wang said the ministry will make public the cause of the accident as soon as the investigation
is done and publish the names of the killed and injured, He said the crash has caused a large number of
casualties and great property losses. The ministry will find out the cause through thorough investigation
and take effective measures to prevent similar accidents.
     Despite the accident, the spokesman said the ministry is still confident in the high-speed train. "China's
high-speed train is advanced and qualified. We have confidence in it," he said.
     The damaged rails have been repaired and were ready to restart operation but the reopening was
delayed by the stormy weather, according to Wang. Wang did not provide the exact time when the line
would start operating again.
     The accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday on a bridge near Wenzhou when bullet train D301
rear-ended ( 追尾 ) D3115, which reportedly lost power after lightning strike.

1. According to Cheng Jinguo, _____ people slightly injured had been recovered and left hospital.

A.39        
B.139          
C.11            
D.52

2. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. The operation was restarted the next day.
B. The cause of the collision was made clear.
C. There was a thunderstorm when the trains crashed.
D. Similar accidents would be avoided in later operations.

3. Which of the following is NOT true?

A. The Railway Ministry is investigating the cause with the help of the "black box".
B. Bullet train D3115 was forced to stop as a result of human interference.
C. Bullet train D301 hit the train D3115 that stopped ahead of it due to lack of   power.
D. The operation of the line would be restarted with the stormy weather over.

4. What can be the best title of the passage?

A. Confidence in Development of High-speed Trains.
B. Terrible Weather Leading to Trains' Collision.
C. Investigations upon Trains' Collision.
D. Trains Crashed Causing Deaths and Damage.

     BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -China's economic planning agency Thursday announced a rise in
minimum rice purchase prices this year to encourage farmers to grow more grain.
     A statement on the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) website said the
government would continue the policy of minimum purchase prices in major rice-growing regions in
2011.
     The rises in the minimum rice purchase price had been approved by the State Council, China's
Cabinet, said the statement. 
     The purchase prices for japonica rice will rise 21.9 percent to 128 yuan (19.4 U.S. dollars) per
50 kilograms, while prices for early and middle-late rice will increase 9.7 percent and 10.3 percent to
102 yuan and 107 yuan per 50 kg respectively.
     Rice and wheat are two major grain crops in China.
     The State Council pledged Wednesday to step up efforts to boost grain production as drought
continues to wreak havoc in north China's wheat growing regions.
     China's main wheat-growing regions, including Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Anhui, Shanxi, Shaanxi,
Gansu and Jiangsu provinces, have been plagued by drought since October last year.
     Drought has affected about 7.73 million hectares, or 42.4 percent, of the total winter wheat crop
area in the country's eight key producing provinces, the Ministry of Agriculture said Wednesday.
     China's grain output rose 2.9 percent last year to 546.41 million tons, marking the seventh
consecutive year of growth.  

1. When was this news probably written?

A. In 2011  
B.  In  2010  
C. In February,2011  
D. On Wednesday, 2011

2. What is the purchase price for japonica rice before it wise according to the passage?

A.105 yuan per 50 kilograms    
B. 128 yuan per 50 kilograms  
C. 102 yuan per 50 kilograms    
D. 107 yuan per 50 kilograms  

3. What is the meaning of the underlined word in the fourth paragraph?

A. completely  
B. honorably  
C. separately  
D. exactly

4. Which of the following sentences is true according to the passage.

A. A raised purchase price will encourage farmers to grow more rice.
B. The plan hasn't been approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet.
C. Drought continues to hit the wheat growing regions in the north of China.
D. There are 8 grain producing provinces affected by the drought.

5. Which may be the headline of this news?

A. China's minimum rice purchase prices raised to boost production
B. A Steady rice purchase prices to ensure rice production
C. The Chinese government pays more attention on rice production
D. China's grain output steadily increases