The most frightening words in the English language are, "Our computer is down." You hear it more
and more when you are on business. The other day I was at the airport waiting for a ticket to
Washington and the girl in the ticket office said, "I'm sorry, I can't sell you a ticket. Our computer is
down."
     "If your computer is down, just write me out a ticket."
     "I can't write you out a ticket. The computer is the only one allowed to do so."
     I  looked down on the computer and every passenger was just standing there drinking coffee and
staring at the black screen. Then I asked her, "What do all you people do?"
     "We give the computer the information about your trip, and then it tells us whether you can fly with
us or not."
     So when it goes down, you go down with it."
     "That's good, sir."
     "How long will the computer be down?" I wanted to know.
     "I have no idea. Sometimes it's down for 10 minutes, sometimes for two hours. There's no way we
can find out without asking the computer, and since it's down it won't answer us."
      After the girl told me they had no backup (備用) computer, I said. "Let's forget the computer. What
about your planes? They're still flying, aren't they?"
     "I couldn't tell without asking the computer."
     "Maybe I could just go to the gate and ask the pilot if he's flying to Washington, " I suggested.
     " I wouldn't know what gate to send you to. Even if the pilot was going to Washington, he couldn't
take you if you didn't have a ticket."
     "Is there any other airline flying to Washington within the next few hours?"
     "I wouldn't know, " she said, pointing at the dark screen. "Only 'IT' knows. 'It' can't tell me."
     By this time there were quite a few people standing in lines. The word soon spread to other travelers
that the computer was down. Some people went white, some people started to cry and still others kicked
their luggage.

1.  The best title for the article is _______.

A. When the Computer Is Down            
B. The Most Frightening Words
C. The Computer of the Airport          
D. Asking the Computer

2.  What could the girl in the ticket office do for the passengers without asking the computer?

A. She could sell a ticket.    
B. She could write out a ticket.
C. She could answer the passengers' questions.
D. She could do nothing.

3.  Why do you think they had not a backup computer?

A. Because it was easy down              
B. Because it was very expensive.
C. Because it was not advanced enough.
D. Because it was not as big as the main computer.

4. The last paragraph suggests that _______.

A. a modern computer won't be down.
B. computers can take the place of humans
C. sometimes a computer may bring suffering to people
D. there will be great changes in computers

     Do you like sitting on the edge of your seat? How about falling off it laughing? If so, "Rush Hour 1" is
the perfect movie for you. Although it didn't get the best reviews, it is perfect for those who like a good
comedy.
 
     Just as in the first "Rush Hour," Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter
(Chris Tucker) are partners. This time, they are on vacation in China and Carter is looking for a good
time, but they are on the job again when a bombing at the American Embassy kills two customs agents.
Lee and Carter go to look for a suspect named Ricky Tan. For Lee this is a serious case because Tan
killed his father. Will Carter and Lee be able to capture Tan?
     Another reason to see this movie perhaps is for the thrilling action, which includes karate fights with
Jackie Chan. One of my favorite scenes shows Carter and Lee in a massage parlor (店堂) when
everything goes crazy.
     "Rush Hour 2" is, of course, really funny with Chris Tucker in the lead role. Chan and Tucker have
many clever jokes and remarks. Some of the jokes aren't enjoyed by the critics, but most will find them
entertaining.
     With no doubt, the movie was great. I was filled with anxiety about what was going to happen next.
Many critics say that sequels (續(xù)集) are not as good as the original but this one is great. I especially
enjoyed it because the special effects are minimal so everything looks as though it actually happened. The
lighting effect is great as well as the sound.
     So, if you are looking for a great action movie that leaves you at the edge of your seat and makes you
laugh quite a bit, you should rush to see "Rush Hour 2."

1. According to the author, "Rush Hour 2" is a perfect movie particularly ______.

A. full of special effects  
B. with the best actors  
C. full of humors    
D. with great lights

2.  In "Rush Hour 2", the two leading roles are on duty again because ______.

A. their vocation in China is limited to a short term  
B. inspector Lee doesn't want to have a good time
C. the American Embassy in China was attacked    
D. a suspect named Ricky Tan killed Lee's father

3.  In Rush Hour series, the following are usually included EXCEPT _____.

A. thrilling actions  
B. maximal special effects  
C. karate fights  
D. clever jokes and remarks

4. If "Rush Hour 3" is shot, what kind of the movie will it be? ______.

A. Stage tragedy    
B. Action movie    
C. Soap opera      
D. Situational comedy

     "Tomorrow is another day"- this line has impressed various people at various times. It's now 70 years
after it appeared in the film, but it still seems to hold its power especially during an economic downturn.
The phrase comes from a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's successful 1936 novel Gone With the
Wind. It's set in the American South and tells the story of a strong heroine, Scarlett O' Hara, who struggles to find love during the Civil War and, afterwards, of her strength in surviving the war and its hardships.
     Love story  
     In a moment of despair, Scarlett finally realizes that her love belongs to Rhett Butler. For many
audiences, it is the theme of love and struggle that has kept the movie alive. While the burning of Atlanta
might seem irrelevant to today's viewers, the timeless theme of love keeps its ability to touch people.
     With a promise to her lover still in her mind, Scarlett chooses to stay in the midst of war and take care of Melanie. But her heart is broken when Rhett just walks away, leaving the woman that he once loved
with cruel words, "Frankly, dear, I don' t give a damn."
     Great epic
     The film shows the love-hate relationship of these characters, but also American history, the fall of the Confederacy and the following period of Reconstruction in the South. The background made this film a
true classic in the epic genre.
     When the film opened after World War II, French viewers loved it, and it reminded them of their fight
against the Nazis. In 1940 Shanghai, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, people
stood in line for hours to watch this film, and saw the same suffering they were having as well as the hope
and possibility of building a new homeland from the ruins.
     Each nationality could identify with the story and see it as a victory. In fact, Gone With the Wind
never lost its charm and ability to inspire and amaze.
     Biggest of all time
     The film had five directors, 15-plus screenwriters, and an unexpected $3.9 million budget. The film
brought in $ 200 million, which makes it the biggest selling film of all times in North America. It also won
10 Academy awards in 1940.

1. The underlined "it" in the first paragraph refers to _______.

A. the novel Gone with the Wind            
B. "tomorrow is another day" 
C. the movie Gone with the Wind            
D. the Academy Award

2. The text is written mainly to _______. 

A. celebrate the anniversary of Margaret Mitchell
B. introduce how the film was directed and filmed
C. throw light on the charm of the movie "Gone with the Wind"
D. inspire people to struggle the economic downturn

3. It can be concluded that Scarlett O' Hara is _______.

A. optimistic and lucky            
B. childish and realistic
C. caring and stubborn              
D. strong-minded and persistent  

4. The passage mentions Shanghai in order to _______.

A. prove that the background of the movie touched viewers 
B. describe how popular the movie was at that time
C. point out that Shanghai was a center of entertainment
D. tell us that Chinese were suffering the War then.

     Do you know of anyone who uses the truth to deceive (欺騙)? When someone tells you something that
is true, but leaves out important information that should be included, he can give you a false picture.
     For example, some might say, "I just won a hundred dollars on the lottery (彩票). It was great. I took
that dollar ticket back to the store and turned it in for on e hundred dollars!"
     This guy's a winner, right? Maybe, maybe not. We then discover that he bought $200 worth of tickets,
and only on e was a winner. He's really a big loser!
     He didn't say anything that was false, but he left out important information on purpose. That's called a
half-truth. Half-truths are not technically lies, but they are just as dishonest.
     Some politicians often use this trick. Let's say that during Governor Smith's last term, her state lost one
million jobs and gained three million jobs. Then she seeks another term. One of her opponents (對(duì)手) says,
"During Governor Smith's term, the state lost one million jobs!" that's true. However, and honest statement
would have been, "During Governor Smith's term, the state had a net gain of two million jobs."
     Advertisers (廣告商) will sometimes use half-truths. It's against the law to make false statements so they
try to mislead you with the truth. An advertisement might say, "Nine out of ten doctors advised their patients
to take Yucky Pills to cure toothache." It fails to mention that they only asked ten doctors and nine of them
work for the Yucky Company.
     This kind of deception happens too of often. It's a sad fact of life: Lies are lies, and sometimes the truth
can lie as well.

1. How much did the lottery winner lose?

A. One hundred dollars.
B. Two hundred dollars.
C. Three hundred dollars.
D. Four hundred dollars.

2. We may infer that the author believes people should _____.

A. buy lottery tickets
B. make use of half-truths
C. not take anything at face value
D. not trust the Yucky Company

3. What do the underline words "net gain" in Paragraph 5 mean?

A. final increase
B. big advantage
C. large share
D. total saving

4. What can we know from the example of the Yucky Pill advertisement?

A. False statements are easy to see through.
B. Half-truths are often used to mislead people.
C. Doctors like to act in advertisements.
D. Advertisements are based on facts.

     A is for always getting to work on time.
     B is for being extremely busy.
     C is for the conscientious ( 勤勤懇懇的 ) way you do your job.
     You may be all these things at the office, and more. But when it comes to getting ahead, experts say,
the ABCs of business should include a P, for politics, as in office politics.
     Dale Carnegie suggested as much more than 50 years ago hard work alone doesn't ensure career
advancement. You have to be able to sell yourself and your ideas, both publicly and behind the scenes.
Yet, despite the obvious rewards of engaging in office politics-a better job, a raise, praise-many people
are still unable-or unwilling-to play the game.
     People assume that office politics involves some manipulative (工于心計(jì)的) behavior, says Deborah
Comer, an assistant professor of management at Hofstra University. But politics derives from the word
'polite'. It can mean lobbying(游說(shuō)) and forming associations. It can mean being kind and helpful, or even
trying to please your superior, and then expecting something in return.
     In fact, today, experts define office politics as proper behavior used to pursue one's own self-interest
in the workplace. In many cases, this involves some form of socializing within the office environment-not
just in large companies, but in small workplaces as well.
     The first thing people are usually judged on is their ability to perform well on a consistent basis, says
Neil P. Lewis, a management psychologist. But if two or three candidates are up for a promotion, each
of whom has reasonably similar ability, a manager is going to promote the person he or she likes best. It's
simple human nature.
     Yet, psychologists say, many employees and employers have trouble with the concept of politics in
the office. Some people, they say, have an idealistic vision of work and what it takes to succeed. Still
others associate politics with flattery (奉承), fearful that, if they speak up for themselves, they may
appear to be flattering their boss for favors.
     Experts suggest altering this negative picture by recognizing the need for some self-promotion.

1. Office politics (Line 2, Para. 4) is used in the passage to refer to ______.

A. the code of behavior for company staff
B. the political views and beliefs of office workers
C. the interpersonal relationships within a company
D. the various qualities required for a successful career

2. To get promoted, one must not only be equal to his job but ______.

A. give his boss a good impression
B. honest and loyal to his company
C. get along well with his colleagues
D. avoid being too outstanding

3. Why are many people unwilling to play the game (Line 4, Para. 5)?

A. They believe that doing so is impractical.
B. They feel that such behavior is unprincipled.
C. They are not good at manipulating colleagues.
D. They think the effort will get them nowhere.

4. It is the author's view that ______.

A. speaking up for oneself is part of human nature
B. self-promotion does not necessarily mean flattery
C. hard work contributes very little to one's promotion
D. many employees fail to recognize the need of flattery

     My elder brother gave me inportant lessons in values that helped
me grow into an adult. O    1   when I returned from a baseball game,
  2    was Steve who took time to ask me what had happened. When
I   3  (解釋) my baseball had flown through Mrs. Holt's window,
b    4    the glass, Steve encouraged me to admit to her. After all,
I should have played in a park. Yet of all my elder brother's   5   (教導(dǎo)),
his respect for life was the most vivid in my mind. At twelve, I killed
a sparrow. I shouted e   6   to Steve to come to take a look. I shall
never forget the way    7   which he stood and stared at the bird.
Then in a quiet   8   (聲音), he asked, "Did it hurt you first, Mark?"
I didn't know    9    to answer. "When you want to hurt living
things you should consider whether they hurt you   10  ."

     Are you looking for some new and exciting places to take your kids (孩子) to? Try some of these
places
     Visit art museums. They offer a variety of activities to excite your kids' interest. Many offer workshops
for making land-made pieces, traveling exhibits, book signings by children's favorite writer, and even
musical performances and other arts.
     ·Head to a natural history museum. This is where kids can discover the past from dinosaur(恐龍)
models to rock collections and pictures of stars in the sky. Also, ask what kind of workshops and
educational programs are prepared for kids and any special events that are coming up.
      ·Go to a Youtheater. Look for one in your area offering plays for child and family visitors. Pre-show
play shops are conducted by area artists and educators where kids can discover the secret about
performing arts. Puppet (木偶) making and stage make-up are just a couple of the special offerings you
might find.
     ·Try hands-on science. Visit one of the many hands-on science museums around the country. These
science play-lands are great fun for kids and grown-ups alike. They'll keep your child mentally and
physically active the whole day through while pushing buttons, experimenting, and building. When
everyone is tired, enjoy a fun family science show, commonly found in these museums.

1. If a child is interested in the universe, he probably will visit        

A. a Youtheater
B. an art museum
C. a natural history museum
D. a hands-on science museum

2. What can kids do at a Youtheater? 

A. Look at rock collections.
B. See dinosaur models.
C. Watch puppet making.
D. Give performances.

3. What does "hands-on science" mean in the last paragraph?

A. Science games designed by kids.
B. Learning science by doing things.
C. A show of kids' science work.
D. Reading science books.

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A. A science textbook.
B. A tourist map.
C. A museum guide.
D. A news report.

     About twenty of us had been fortunate enough to receive invitations to a film-studio (影棚) to take
part in a crowd-scene. Although our "act" would last only for a short time, we could see quite a number
of interesting things.
     We all stood at the far end of the studio as workmen prepared the scene, setting up trees at the edge
of a winding path. Very soon, bright lights were turned on and the big movie-camera was wheeled into
position. The director shouted something to the camera operator and then went to speak to the two
famous actors nearby. Since it was hot in the studio, it came as a surprise to us to see one of the actors
put on a heavy overcoat and start walking along the path. A big fan began blowing tiny white feathers
down on him, and soon the trees were covered in "snow". Two more fans were turned on, and a "strong
wind" blew through the trees. The picture looked so real that it made us feel cold.
     The next scene was a complete contrast (對(duì)比). The way it was filmed was quite unusual. Pictures
taken on an island in the Pacific were shown on a glass screen (幕). An actor and actress stood in front
of the scene so that they looked as if they were at the water's edge on an island. By a simple trick like
this, palm trees, sandy beaches, and blue, clear skies had been brought into the studio!
     Since it was our turn next, we were left wondering what scene would be prepared for us. For a full
three minutes in our lives we would be experiencing the excitement of being film "stars"!

1. Who is the author?

A. A cameraman.
B. .A film director.
C. A crowd-scene actor.
D. A workman for scene setting.

2. What made the author feel cold?

A. The heavy snowfall.
B. The man-made scene.
C. The low temperature.
D. The film being shown.

3. What would happen in the "three minutes" mentioned in the last paragraph?

A. A new scene would be filmed.
B. More stars would act in the film.
C. The author would leave the studio.
D. The next scene would be prepared.