The year 2009 is the Year of the Ox, which is a representative of the farming culture of China. In the
farming economy, oxen are the major animals 1______ (pull) plows (犁).
     Of course, the good of oxen is not limited to plowing. In fact, they are seen as "boats on land" for their
ability to carry loads. Besides, the whole body of an ox is full of treasures, with their meat and milk as food
full of nutrition, 2______ their skin used to make clothes and shoes.
     In the past, oxen played an important role in the 3______ (spirit) life of the Chinese. Even today, oxen
still play a special part in some folk activities. For example, some people who 1ive in southwest China will
cook cattle bone soup and share 4______ among family members when holding a ceremony for children
5______ reach 13. They believe that the cattle bone soup represents the blood relationship among family
members. 6______ (express) their love for oxen, people in some 7______ areas will run to shake off diseases
on the 16th day of the first month by the lunar calendar, and during their run they will take their oxen along,
which 8______ (indicate) they regard the creature as human.
     Because of the contribution of oxen in their lives, the Chinese people are very grateful to 9______ animal.
In addition, the use of oxen in ceremonies and the thanks people owe 10______ oxen help to develop various
traditional customs, which becomes an important part of the folk culture of the Chinese nation.

     Not all cultures greet each other the same way. Each may have its own way 1______ (express) feelings.
In Britain, people may keep 2______ certain distance and they usually do not touch 3______ (strange) as soon
as they meet. In Japan, they may bow 4______ each other when they meet. In France, people shake hands and
kiss each other twice 5______ each cheek when they meet people they know. And in South American countries,
Spain or Italy, people get close to others and are 6______ (like) to touch them. 7______ in Middle East or some
Muslim countries, men stand quite close to other men to talk; they just nod at women and seldom shake hands
with them. None of these actions is 8______ good or bad, they are simply the ways 9______ cultures have
developed. Knowing some of them can help you avoid 10______ (difficult) in communication.

     When you don't speak, you may be still communicating. It is true that you may not wish to say anything.
But your very silence may show your wish to be left alone or to stay uninvolved (不參與的), which is the
message you want to send.
     So it has been said that while we speak with our vocal organs (發(fā)聲器官), we converse with our whole
bodies. All of us communicate with one another nonverbally, as well as with words. Sometimes we know
what we're doing, as with the use of gestures such as the thumbs-up sign to indicate (表明) that we approve
(贊成).But most of the time we're not aware (意識到的) that we are doing it.
     Body language serves a variety of purposes. Firstly it can replace verbal communication, as with the use
of gesture. Secondly, it can modify (修飾) verbal communication. Loudness and tone of voice is an example
here. Thirdly it regulates (約束) social interaction: taking turns is largely governed by non-verbal signals.
Fourthly it conveys (表達) our emotions. Finally it conveys our attitude towards ourselves and towards the
people we are communicating with. This is particularly important for successful cross-cultural communications.
     Every culture has its own body language. So in order to achieve a more successful cross-cultural
communication, we heed (留意) not only what to say but also how to say it appropriately. Observation shows
that a truly bilingual (會說兩種語言的) person switches (轉(zhuǎn)換) his body language at the same time he switches
languages.

1. The underlined word "converse" in the second paragraph can be replaced by _____.

A. continue
B. communicate
C. complain
D. compete

2. The underlined word "This" in the third paragraph refers to _____.

A. the fact that body language serves a variety of purposes
B. the fact that body language can modify verbal communication
C. the fact that body language can regulate social interaction
D. the fact that body language conveys our attitude

3. It is implied that a more successful cross-cultural communication can be achieved _____.

A. if we keep the same body language
B. if we verbally express ourselves clearly
C. if we change our body language at the same time we change our words
D. if we change our body language from time to time

4. Body language varies _____.

A. from year to year
B. from culture to culture
C. from time to time
D. from person to person

5. The best title for the passage is _____.

A. Verbal language
B. Body language
C. Ways to communicate
D. Communication skills

     Barcelona is regarded as Spain's second city, behind capital Madrid. The city is rich in history. Barcelona
was founded by Carthaginians and according to tradition, it got its name from the great Barker family of
ancient Carpage. After numerous different conquers, including the Romans and the Moores that seriously
damaged the city, the Argons made Catalonia, of which Barcelona was the capital. Strong and prosperous,
since the 1970s, the city has formed its Catalon background. But it wasn't until the summer Olympics in 1992
that Barcelona became the modern, lively city that it still is today. And with this prosperity have come
wonderful hotels. The Raewon Callas the 1st was opened in 1992, by the King and Queen of Spain.
     With buildings like the Casa Cal Bain and the Casa Minga, Antony Gaudy is believed to have made great
impact on the image of Barcelona. He also built the fantastic Park Quell. Antony Gaudy died in 1926, leaving
an unfinished cathedral as his epitaph (墓志銘).
     There are the attractions of coming to Barcelona?
     There are many, many different attractions: culture, leisure, monuments, our architecture, and the
gastronomy (美食). Barcelona has commercial areas and shopping areas of five kilometers that goes around
to the sea to the north. You can also see our architecture, our monuments, our museums, and our restaurants.
So there is a mix between shopping and services.
     One label that's hot among fashion consciousness is MIRO, and these trendy designs of clothing and shoes
originate in Barcelona. The region itself now produces for other international labels, like for the Gallic giant
Lacose.
     No visit to the city would be complete without a tour of the Nou Camp, the home of one of Spain's finest
teams, Barcelona Football Club. FC Barcelona was founded in 1899 along with the other Spanish team, Real
Madrid. It's one of the greatest football teams in Europe. With players like Maradona and Ronaldo having
played for Barca, it's easy to explain their success! FC Barcelona is known to have won more cups than any
other team in European football history. The stadium, the Nou Camp, can hold one hundred and twelve
thousand people, making it one of the greatest places to watch and play "the beautiful game".

1. This passage is most probably taken from _____.

A. a history book
B. a government document
C. a geography book
D. a travel book

2. The first paragraph is mainly about the _____ of Barcelona.

A. history
B. famous buildings
C. big events
D. present

3. Who is believed to have greatly affected the image of Barcelona?

A. Antony Caudy
B. The great Barker family of ancient Carpage
C. The King and Queen of Spain
D. The Romans

4. Which of the following is NOT among the attractions of Barcelona?

A. Culture
B. Sports
C. Architectures
D. Theatres

5. In the last paragraph, the author intends to _____.

A. highly praise Barcelona Football Club
B. tell us the development of FC Barcelona
C. tell us how to end our tour in Barcelona
D. tell us the great success of Spanish football

     Expressions about water are almost as common as water itself. But many of the expressions using water
have Unpleasant meanings.
     The expression "to be in hot water" is one of them. It is a very old expression. "Hot water" was used 500
years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says it got that meaning from the custom of throwing extremely
hot water down on enemies attacking a castle.
     That no longer happens. But we still get in "hot water". When we are in"hot water", we are in trouble. It
can be any kind of trouble-serious or not so serious. A person who breaks a law can be in hot water with the
police. A young boy can be in hot water with his mother, if he walks in the house with dirty shoes.
     Being in "deep water" is almost the same as being in hot water. When you are in deep water. you are in a
difficult position. Imagine fl person who cannot swim being thrown in water over his head.
     You are in deep water when you are facing a problem that you do not have the ability to solve. The problem
is too deep. You can be in deep water, for example, if you invest in stocks without knowing anything about the
stock market.
     "To keep your head above water" is a colorful expression that means staying out of debt. A company seeks
to keep its head above water during economic hard times. A man who loses his job tries to keep his head above
water until he finds a new job.
     "Water over the dam" is another expression about a past event. It is something that is finished. It cannot be
changed. The expression comes from the idea that water that has flowed over a dam cannot be brought back
again.

1. Which of the following two expressions have almost the same meaning?

A. To be in hot water; To be in deep water.
B. To be in hot water; To keep your head above water.
C. To be in deep water; Water over the dam!
D. Water over the dam; To be in hot water.

2. If a person tries t0 keep his head out of water,we can say that _____.

A. he is in danger of losing his life
B. he is trying to pay off his debt
C. he is trying to keep his promise
D. he is trying not to get into debt

3. What can you infer from the passage?

A. "To be in hot water" can only be used t0 mention serious trouble.
B. "Water over the dam" is an expression about a future event.
C. Water could be used in the war in the past.
D. All of the expressions using water have unpleasant meanings.

4. This passage is written mainly to tell us _____.

A. the use of water
B. how to use some expressions of water
C. expressions about water and their meanings
D. expressions with negative meaning

     ●Tower Bridge is one of London's most well known landmarks. Opened in 1894, this hydraulic (液壓的)
bridge can be raised to permit river traffic to pass underneath. 
      Visitors to Tower Bridge can enjoy wonderful views of the River Thames from the bridge towers. There
is also a museum which explains how the bascule bridge operates and discusses its history. Tower Bridge is
often incorrectly referred to as London Bridge. London Bridge, however, is a different bridge that is located
directly upstream from Tower Bridge.
     ●The British Museum is a "must do" for all visitors to London, England. Treasures from around the world
can be found in Britain's largest and most popular museum. To top it off, admission to the British Museum is
free of charge.
      Due to the enormous size of the museums, visitors should be clear about what they wish to see. One
"must see" is the Rosetta Stone-a key puzzle piece in the recorded history of humankind. The British Museum
is located in the Bloomsbury district of London in London WC1.
     ●Greenwich Park is a beautiful large park located a few kilometers away from the centre of London.
Attractions in Greenwich include the Cutty Sark, the Gypsy Moth and the Old Royal Observatory. A painted
line at the observatory indicates zero degrees of longitude (經(jīng)度).
      Many visitors to Greenwich enjoy having their photos taken with one leg in the western hemisphere (半球)
and the other in the eastern hemisphere. Greenwich is the place where time was officially tracked -
"Greenwich Mean Time" or "GMT".
     Greenwich is located in London SE10.
     ●The Eurostar high-speed train service provides fast connections between London and Paris and London
and Brussels. The Eurostar trains pass through the 32-mile Channel Tunnel under the English Channel. The
tunnel is also known as the "Euro Tunnel"or "Chunnel". The Channel Tunnel is considered to be one of the
world's great engineering wonders. 
     Trains leave form the Waterloo Rail Station which is located in south London.

                                                       Stamps for the white Olympics 
    The Winter Olympics is also called the White Olympics. At this time, many colorful stamps are published
(發(fā)行) to mark (標志) the great Games. The first stamps marking the opening came out on January 25, 1932
in the United States for the 3rd White Olympics. From then on, Publishing stamps during the White Olympics
became a rule. (規(guī)定) 
    During the 4th Winter Olympic Games a group of stamps were published in Germany in November 1936.
The five rings of the Olympics were drawn on the front of the sportswear. It was the first time that the rings
appeared on the stamps of the White Olympics.
    In the 1950s, stamps of this kind became more colorful. When the White Olympics came, the host
countries (東道國) as well as the non-host countries published stamps to mark those Games. China also
published four stamps in February 1980,when Chinese sportsmen began to take part in the White Olympics.
    Japan is the only Asian country that has ever held the White Olympics. Altogether 145 million stamps were
sold to raise (籌集) money for this sports meet.
    Different kinds of sports were drawn on these small stamps. People can enjoy the beauty of the wonderful
movements of some sportsmen.

1. The White Olympics and the Winter Olympics            .

A. are the same thing
B. are different games
C. are not held in winter
D. are held in summer

2. The world made it a rule to publish stamps to mark the great world Games            .

A. after the year 1936
B. after the 3rd White Olympics
C. before the 3rd White Olympics
D. before the year 1932

3. The Winter Olympics is held once            .

A. every two years
B. every three years
C. every four years
D. every five years

4. Which of the following is true?

A. Only the host countries can publish stamps to mark those Games
B. Only the non-host countries can publish stamps to mark those Games
C. All countries can publish stamps to mark those Games
D. Japan can't publish stamps to mark those Games

5. What may appear on the stamps of the White Olympics?

A. Basketball
B. Table tennis
C. Football
D. Skating

     Weddings in the United States vary as much as the people do. There are church weddings with a great
deal of fanfare (儀式上用的短曲); there are weddings on mountain-tops with guests barefooted; and there
have been weddings on the ocean floor with oxygen tanks for the guests. But many weddings, no matter
where or how they are performed, include certain traditional customs.
     Before a couple is married,they become engaged. And then invitations are sent to those who live nearby,
their close friends and their relatives who live far away. When everything is ready, then comes the most
exciting moment.
     The wedding itself usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. The wedding party enters the church while
the wedding march is played. The bride carrying a bouquet (花束) enters last with her father who will "give
her away." The bridegroom enters the church from a side door. When the wedding party is gathered by the
altar, the bride and bridegroom exchange vows (誓言). It is traditional to use the words "To have and to hold
from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to
cherish, till death do us part". Following the Vows, the couple exchange rings. Wearing the wedding ring on
the fourth finger of the left hand is an old custom.
     After the ceremony there is often a party, called a "reception", which gives the wedding guests an
opportunity to congratulate the new couple.
     The car in which the couple leaves the church is decorated with balloons,streamers and shaving cream.
The words "Just Married" are painted on the trunk or back window. The bride and bridegroom run to the car
under a shower of rice thrown by the wedding guests. When the couple drives away from the church, friends
often chase them in cars, honking and drawing attention to them. And then the couple go on their honeymoon.

1. This passage is written mainly to let us know something about _____.

A. health and lifestyle
B. science and technology
C. culture and custom
D. education and entertainment

2. Why do the wedding guests throw a lot of rice at the bride and bridegroom when they run to the car?

A. To wish them good luck.
B. To make fun of them.
C. Not mentioned.
D. To draw attention to them.

3. Which of the following is TRUE of American weddings?

A. They are always held in churches whoever they are.
B. The bride's father is usually present to lead his daughter to the bridegroom and give her to him.
C. Only bridegrooms send rings to brides.
D. Brides needn't make vows before bridegrooms.

4. Which of the following is the correct order in which the following events happen?
    a. sending invitation
    b. going on honeymoon e.attending the wedding
    d. giving a reception
    e. getting engaged

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

                                                                   
     The first newspapers were written by hand and put up on walls in public place. The earliest daily newspaper
was started in Rome in 59 BC. In the 700's the world's first printed newspaper was published. Europe didn't
have a regularly published newspaper until 1609, when one was started in Germany.
     The first regularly published newspaper in the English language was printed in Amsterdam in 1620. In 1621,
an English newspaper was started in London and was published once a week. The first daily English newspaper
was the Daily Courant (每日新聞). It came out in March 1702.
     In 1690, Benjamin Harris printed the first American newspaper in Boston. But not long after it was first
published, the government stopped the paper. In 1704, John Campbell started The Boston Newsletter (波士頓
新聞通訊), the first newspaper published in the American colonies. By 1760, the colonies had more than thirty
daily newspapers. There are now about 1,800 daily papers in the United States.
     Today, as a group, English language newspapers have the largest circulation (發(fā)行量) in the world. But the
largest circulation for a newspaper is that of the Japanese newspaper Asahi Dhimbun (朝日新聞). It sells more
than 11 million copies every day.

1. The first regular published newspaper in Europe was printed in _____.

A. England
B. Germany
C. France
D. Sweden

2. The first printed newspaper in America came out in _____.

A. Washington
B. New York
C. Boston
D. New Orleans

3. Which is NOT true according to the passage?

A. The first regularly published newspaper in the English language was printed in Amsterdam.
B. English language newspaper sells more than 11 million copies every day.
C. Europe didn't have a regularly published newspaper in 1608.
D. The first daily English newspaper came out in March 1702.

     Many foreigners who have not visited Britain call all the inhabitants (居民) English, for they are used to
thinking of the British Isles as England. In fact, the British Isles contain a variety of peoples and only the people
of England call themselves English. The others refer to themselves as Welsh, Scottish, or Irish, as the case
may be; they are often slightly annoyed (苦惱) at being classified as 'English'.
     In Scotland the sound denoted by the letter 'R' is generally a strong sound, and 'R' is often pronounced in
words in which it would be silent in southern English. In the Highlands and the Western Isles the ancient
Scottish language, Gaelic, is still heard. The Scots are said to be a serious, cautious, thrifty (節(jié)約的) people,
rather inventive (善于創(chuàng)造的) and somewhat mystical. All the Celtic peoples of Britain (the Welsh, the Irish,
the Scots) are often described as being more 'fiery (暴躁的)' than the English. They are often of a race that is
quite different from the English.
     The Welsh have protected their language to a remarkable extent. The English generally look upon the Welsh
as an emotional (易動感情的) people who are, however, somewhat difficult to get to know easily.
     Ireland is divided into two parts. The six countries of Northern Ireland are still part of Great Britain, though,
in normal circumstances (環(huán)境), they have their own Parliament. The Irish are known for their charm and
vivacity (活潑), as well as for the beauty of the Irish girls. Irish, often calls Erse, is a form of Gaelic. It was in
danger of dying out, but when the territory (地域) of the Republic became independent, Erse was received, and
is now the official first language of the Republic, English being the second. The Irish are known for their charm
and vivacity, as well as for the beauty of the Irish girls.

1. Why do many foreigners call the inhabitants English?

A. Because only English live on the British Isles.
B. Because only English plays a more important role than the others.
C. Because all the people are glad to be regarded as English.
D. Because they are used to thinking of the British Isles as England.

2. Today we still can hear Gaelic--the ancient Scottish language in _____.

A. both England and Scotland
B. both Wales and Ireland
C. both Highland and Western Isles
D. both Northern Ireland and England

3. According to the passage, which of the statements is TRUE?

A. "R" is often pronounced in words in which it would be silent in north English.
B. The Welsh, the Irish and the Scots are all the Celtic peoples of Britain.
C. The Celtic peoples are often of a race that is little different from the English.
D. The Welsh have not protected their language very carefully.

4. Irish is a form of _____, and is now the official _____ language of the Republic.

A. English; first
B. Gaelic; second
C. Gaelic; first
D. English; second