The Taj Mahal (泰姬陵) is a love story, a sad and beautiful one. If it didn't exist, we would easily imagine
that the story of its construction was simply a fairy tale. Three hundred years ago, there lived an Indian
emperor called Shah Jahan. His wife was a beautiful and bright woman whom he loved greatly. Her title was
Mumtazl Mahan: its shortened form Taj Mahan, means "pride of the palace". In the year 1630 this beloved wife
of the emperor died. He was so brokenhearted that he thought of giving up his throne. He decided out of his
love for his wife, to build her the most beautiful tomb that had ever been seen.
       He summoned the best artists and architects from India, Turkey, Persia and Arabia and finally, the design
was complete. It took more than twenty thousand men working over a period of 18 years to build the Taj
Mahan, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
      The building itself stands on a marble platform 29 meters square and 6-7 meters high. Towers rise from
each of the four corners. The Taj itself soars another 61 meters into the air. It is an eight-sided building made
of white marble.
      The emperor planned to build an identical tomb of black marble for himself on the other side of the river
connected by a silver bridge. However his son put him into a prison in the palace before he could finish, and
for the rest of his life, he could only gaze across river at the tomb of his beloved wife.

1. The whole passage tells us about _____.

A. a beautiful fairy tale
B. the story of the Taj Mahal
C. white and black marble tombs made for two emperors
D. the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife

2. Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Taj Mahal?

A. It was completed quickly owing to the efforts of the best artists and workers.
B. A lot of people took part in the building work.
C. It is a magnificent building.
D. It is a tomb for the emperor's beloved wife.

3. The emperor's own tomb was designed to be _____.

A. 61 meters high
B. eight-sided
C. black-coloured
D. white-colored

4. The emperor _____.

A. died soon after Taj Mahan died
B. was killed by his son
C. was beloved by his people
D. died after 1648

    I have a rule for travel: never carry a map. I prefer to ask for directions (方向).
    Foreign visitors are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don't have names. In Japan, people
use landmarks in their directions instead of street names. For example, the Japanese will say to travelers,
"Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit market. The post office is across
from the bus stop." 
    In the countryside of the American Midwest, usually there are not many landmarks. There are no mountains,
so the land is very flat (平坦的). In many places there are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of
landmarks, people will tell you directions and distance. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, "Go
north two miles. Turn east, and then go another mile."
    People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map: they measure (測量) distance by
means of time, not miles. "How far away is the post office?" you ask. "Oh," they answer, "It's about five
minutes from here." You say, "Yes, but how many miles away is it?" They don't know.
    People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because visitors seldom (很少) understand
the Greek language. Instead of giving you the direction, a Greek will often say, "Follow me." Then he will lead
you through the streets of the city to the post office.
    Sometimes a person doesn't know the answer to your question. What happens in this situation? A New
Yorker might say, "sorry, I have no idea." But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers, "I don't know." People in
Yucatan think that "I don't know" is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A visitor can
get very, very lost in Yucatan!
    One thing will help you everywhere ---- in Japan, in the United States, in Greece, in Mexico, or in any other
place. You might not understand a person's words, but maybe you can understand his body language. He or
she will usually turn and then point in the correct direction. Go in that direction and you may find the post
office!

1. The passage mainly tells that _____.

A. never carry a map for travel
B. there are not many landmarks in the American Midwest
C. there are different ways to give directions in different parts of the world
D. New Yorkers often say, "I have no idea," but people in Yucatan, Mexico, never say this

2. The passage says, "In Japan, people use landmarks in their directions." The word "landmark" means _____.

A. building names
B. street names
C. hotels, marks and bus stops
D. buildings or places which are easily recognized

3. In which place do people tell distance by means of time?

A. Japan
B. American Midwest
C. Los Angles, California
D. Greece

4. In the passage, _____ countries are mentioned (提到) by the writer.

A. seven
B. four
C. eight
D. five

5. Which of the following is wrong?

A. Travelers can learn about people's customs by asking questions about directions.
B. A person's body language can help you understand directions.
C. People in some places give directions in miles, but people in other places give directions by means of time.
D. People in different places always give directions in the same way.

     They say a country's cuisine is a reflection of its culture. The UK has always been a diverse country,
since every region has its own traditional foods. For example, Scottish cuisine is famous for its haggis (肉
餡羊肚), Aberdeen Angus beef, shortbread and whisky. Wales is well-known for its lamb and leeks (韭菜).
     There are also dishes common to the whole UK as well. Almost everyone likes a full English breakfast
(fried eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, fried mushrooms and fried tomatoes) in the morning. Then there
is the Sunday roast (a roasted joint of meat, with roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy for lunch.)
     With such a range of foods, why then did British cuisine have a bad international reputation for about 50
years (1950-2000)? One reason is that during and after World War 11, cooks in the UK were limited by the
ingredients they had to work with and therefore lost some of their traditional skills. Another is that British
food tends to be "heavy" because of the colder climate-Britons need big meals to keep the body warm.
     Yet British cuisine has had a better reputation for tile last decade or so. One reason is that the wide range
of ethnic groups in the UK has given British cuisine new ingredients, flavors, "fusion (融合)" and techniques.
Sandwiches used to be the most popular. Curry, originally an Asian dish, is now the most popular food in
the UK.
     Another reason for the improvement is climate change. The UK is much warmer now than 10 years ago.
Today, farmers can grow new herbs like coriander, to meet the demands of increased curry sales. In addition,
there has been a boom in growing garlic in Scotland.
     One last reason is the large number of cookery programs on British television. British people are more
educated about food than ever before.
     So what are the results? In 2009, British restaurants received more Michelin stars than in any other
previous year. The Michelin Guide (first established in France) sets the international standard for restaurant
cuisine. With so much good food to eat, perhaps it is not surprising that the UK now has an obesity problem.

     If you walk slowly through downtown Helsinki (赫爾辛基) during the day, taking in the splendid 19th
century buildings, white boats and noise of passing trams (有軌電車), you will start to understand why it
is called a city of two colors: white and blue.
     The sea is always present in Helsinki. When you take a walk over the great open space of the central
square, you will hear seabirds screaming. When you take the tram, suddenly and unexpectedly, you are
faced with a calm, shining blue sea. You may notice that people in Helsinki do not rush about as in other
cities. Instead, they walk along the roads, politely letting other people by.
     A usual way to see Helsinki for the first time is to start out by boat. You will walk by the elderly women
selling fish and vegetables in the market square and find yourself in front of a beautiful park. You may enjoy
a pleasant walk in the park for a few hours and then take the tram. Trams are the perfect way to get around
in Helsinki. Watching the old houses, parks, theatres, churches, shops, restaurants and people in the streets,
you may have a slightly sad film feeling to it.
     The pale summer nights are another wonder in the city. Following the waterfront (濱水區(qū)) of the city
after sunset, you couldn't help stopping and listening to the sweet silence, interrupted only by the screaming
seabirds and leaving fishing boats.
     However, in some way Helsinki is also the most modern city in northern Europe. You will surely want to
visit the white Glass Palace, the modern art museum, and all those extremely popular cafes and design stores.

1. Helsinki is called a city of two colors mainly because of the colors of its ______.

A. 19th century buildings, boats and parks
B. 19th century buildings, boats and seabirds
C. old houses, parks and trams
D. old buildings, boats and the sea

2. The best way to see most of Helsinki is to go _____.

A. by boat
B. by bus
C. by tram
D. on foot

3. The 19th century buildings, the white Glass Palace, popular cafes and design shops in Helsinki all show that 
    Helsinki is _____.

A. both splendid and traditional
B. both quiet and noisy
C. both historical and modern
D. both old and new

4. This passage is most likely to be found in _____.

A. a story book
B. a geography textbook
C. a research report
D. a travel magazine

     Visitors to Britain may find the best place to sample local culture is in a traditional pub. But these friendly
pubs can be dangerous places of potential gaffes (失禮) for the newcomers.
     A team of researchers have discovered some of the unknown customs of British pubs-starting with the
difficulty of getting a drink. Most pubs have no waiters-you have to go to the bar to buy drinks. A group of
Italian youths waiting 45 minutes before they realized they would have to fetch their own. This may sound
inconvenient, but there is a hidden purpose.
     Pub culture is designed to promote sociability (社交) in a society known for its reserve. Standing at the
bar for service allows you to chat with others waiting to be served. The bar counter is possibly the only site
in the British Isles in which friendly conversation with strangers is considered entirely suitable and really quite
normal behavior. "If you haven't been to a pub, you haven't been to Britain." This tip can be found in a booklet,
Passport to the Pub: The Tourists' Guide to Pub Etiquette, a customers' rule of conduct for those wanting to
sample "a central part of British life and culture".
     The trouble is that if you do not follow the local rules, the experience may fall flat. For example, if you are
in a big group, it is best if only one or two people go to buy the drinks. Nothing annoys the regular customers
and bar staff' more than a group of strangers blocking all access to the bar while they chat and hesitate about
what to order.

1. The underlined word "sample" in the first paragraph probably means "_____".

A. taste
B. experience
C. test
D. record

2. The culture of pub in Britain is developed to _____.

A. encourage people to communicate with each other
B. encourage more people to consume drinks
C. attract more tourists to the pubs
D. form its own character of culture

3. If you don't follow the local rules in a pub, _____.

A. you won't buy good local drinks
B. you may annoy the regular customers and bar staff
C. you may fail to feel the local culture
D. you might get into a dangerous place

4. What may be the best title for the passage?

A. Self-service Pubs in Britain
B. British Local Pubs: Special Chat Places
C. Local Pub Culture in Britain
D. Manners in British Local Pubs

     Do you still remember your favorite poem from high school or some other important periods in your
life? Why is it that decades later it still stands out in your mind? Probably the main reason is that some
aspect of that poem resonates (引起共鳴) with you. In the same way, you too as a school leader can
touch the hearts of your staff and students.
     Poetry allows us to experience strong spiritual connections to things around us and to the past. The
power that poetry has displayed over time and across cultures actually satisfies this common need of the
human heart and soul.
     As one of the oldest art forms, poetry has successfully connected various strands of humanity (人性)
from one generation to another. Referring to poetry, Hillyer makes a simple yet meaningful statement,
"With this key mankind unlocked his heart."
     School leaders can find and make use of the value of poetry for themselves, their students and their
staff members. Beyond the simple use of poetry, techniques of poetry such as metaphors, repetitions and
imagery can be used o take advantage of the power of language to transform communication, create
meaning and a culture of care and attention.
     Since schools are mainly about people and relationships, school leaders, like poets, are required to
inspire and encourage the human heart. The use of poetry-or even of some techniques of poetry-in
school leadership not only helps to improve communication, but also serves to meet the human need for
inspiration.

1. The underlined part "this common need" in the second paragraph refers to ____.

A. the need to read poetry
B. the need to be inspired
C. the need to learn about the past
D. the need to be connected with other people

2. The use of poetry or techniques of poetry in school leadership is in fact to make use of _____.

A. the power of language
B. the power of school leaders
C. people's preference for poetry
D. people's desire for communication

3. What is the purpose of this passage?

A. To show the readers that poetry is really powerful.
B. To explain how poetry can be used in our daily life.
C. To talk about the art of being a school leader.
D. To encourage using the transformational power of poetry in school leadership.

                                                                    Hanukkah
     Hanukkah (光明節(jié)) is a Jewish festival. It is celebrated on the 25th day of the Jewish month of
Kislev (猶太教歷), which is usually sometime in December. It is often called the festival of lights.
The festival celebrates the time, over 2,000 years ago, when the Jewish people fought against an
emperor who would not let them follow their own traditions and religion. When the Jewish people
won back their temple in Jerusalem, they found there was only enough holy oil to keep the sacred
light burning for one day. However, to their surprise, this small amount of oil kept the light burning
for eight days and nights, until the people had time to make more oil.
     At the center of the Hanukkah celebrations is a candlestick (called a Menorah) that holds nine
candles. On the first night of Hanukkah the first candle is lit, and each day this candle is used to light
another candle, until on the eighth day, the last day, all the candles are lit. During Hanukkah, people
go to the synagogue (猶太教堂) to pray and to remember the miracle (奇跡) of the holy oil.
Hanukkah is a time for family and friends to come together. People exchange gifts and greeting cards,
and children go to parties. Parents often give their children money at Hanukkah. Potato cakes,
called latkes, are a traditional Hanukkah food.

1. For how many days does Hanukkah last?

A. 7.        
B. 8.          
C. 9.        
D. 10.

2. According to the passage, what is necessary when celebrating Hanukkah nowadays?

A. Oil.
B. Candles.  
C. Money.          
D. Cards.

3. What does the Menorah remind Jewish people about?

A. The war that they fought 2,000 years ago.
B. The God that they honored best.
C. The miracle of the holy oil that happened 2,000 years ago.
D. The church they built 2,000 years ago.

4．The passage mainly tells us about _____.

A. the history of Hanukkah and how it is celebrated
B. why Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah
C. why Jewish people protect their traditions
D. the miracle of the holy oil in the Jewish temple

     Tea drinking was common in China for nearly one thousand years before anyone in Europe had ever
heard about tea . People in Britain were much slower in finding out what tea was like , mainly because
tea was very expensive . It could not be bought in shops and even those people who could afford to have
it sent from Holland did so only because it was a fashionable curiosity . Some of them were not sure how
to use it . They thought it was a vegetable and tried cooking the leaves . Then they served them mixed
with butter and salt . They soon discovered their mistake but many people used to spread the used tea
leaves on bread and give them to their children as sandwiches .
     Tea remained scarce and very expensive in England until the ships of the East India Company began
to bring it direct from China early in the seventeenth century . During the next few years so much tea came
into the country that the price fell and many people could afford to buy it .
     At the same time people on the Continent were becoming more and more fond of tea . Until then tea
had been drunk without milk in it , but one day a famous French lady named Madame de Sevigne
decided to see what tea tasted like when milk was added . She found it so pleasant that she would never
again drink it without milk . Because she was such a great lady that her friends thought they must copy
everything she did ,they also drank their tea with milk in it . Slowly this habit spread until it reached
England and today only very few Britons drink tea without milk .
     At first , tea was usually drunk after dinner in the evening . No one ever thought of drinking tea in the
afternoon until a duchess (公爵夫人) found that a cup of tea and a piece of cake at three or four o'clock
stopped her getting "a sinking feeling" as she called it . She invited her friends to have this new meal with
her and so , tea-time was born .

1. This passage mainly discusses             .

A. the history of tea drinking in Britain  
B. how tea became a popular drink in Britain
C. how the Britons got the habit of drinking tea        
D. how tea-time was born

2. Tea became a popular drink in Britain          .

A. in the eighteenth century          
B. in the sixteenth century
C. in the seventeenth century          
D. in the late seventeenth century

3. People in Europe began to drink tea with milk because            .

A. it tasted like milk                
B. it tasted more pleasant  
C. it became a popular drink
D. Madame de Sevinge was such a lady with great social influence that people tried to copy  
     the way she drank tea

4. We may infer from the passage that the habit of drinking tea in Britain was mostly due to the 
     influence of         .

A. a famous French lady
B. the ancient Chinese
C. the upper  social class
D. people in Holland

     If American customs seem strange, remember that Americans feel the same way when they visit
another country, people living in different cultures do many daily things differently from one another.
What a dull(not interesting or boring) the world would be if this were not true!
     Some differences are small, and one soon becomes used to them. For example, many people find
it strange that Americans move from place to place so often. Born in one city, they may attend school
in a second, enter business in a third, and perhaps move several times during their lives. Today, most
Americans fully expect and accept the fact that they will move frequently.
     However, houses are of great interest to Americans. They spend a lot of time thinking, reading and
talking about their homes and how to improve them. They also enjoy looking at other people's houses,
since they would enjoy visiting and examining a house in another country, they may suppose that you
will probably have the same desire(strong wish) when you visit the United States. So do not be
surprised when you visit an American family and are shown every room in the house besides the
bathroom and kitchen.

1. The first paragraph suggests that ___.    

A. customs are different from country to country
B. Americans feel uneasy when they visit another country
C. only American customs prove to be strange
D. customs are different in different times

2. According to the passage, the world would be terribly dull if___.  

A. the people all over the world spoke the same language
B. most of the world people did daily things differently from one another
C. people livin I in different countries did a lot of thing I in the same way
D. people living in various regions in the world did a few daily things in the same way

3.Most Americans think it normal that___.  

A. they do many daily things differently from one another
B. customs are different from country to country
C. the world is not dull
D. they will move frequently

4. Which of the following statement is NOT true?  

A. It takes Americans much time to think, read and talk about their houses and how to perfect them
B.You are showing all the rooms in the houses except the bathroom when you visit an American family
C. Americans perhaps move several times during their lives
D. Americans enjoy visiting others' houses