Flying over a desert in an airplane, two scientists looked down with trained eyes at trees and bushes. After an hour's flight one of the scientists wrote in his notebook, "Look here for probable metal." Walking across hilly ground, four scientists reported, "This ground should be searched for metals." From an airplane over a hilly wasteland a scientist sent back by radio one word "Uranium".

    None of the scientists had X-ray eyes: they had no magic powers for looking down below the earth's surface. They were merely putting to use one of the newest methods of locating minerals in the ground -- using trees and plants as signs that certain minerals may lie under the ground on which the trees and plants are growing.

    This newest method of searching for minerals is based on the fact that minerals deep in the earth may affect the kind of bushes and trees that grow on the surface.

    At Watson Bar Creek, a mineral search group gathered bags of tree seeds. Boxes were filled with small branches from the trees. Roots were dug and put into boxes. Each bag and box was carefully marked. In a scientific laboratory the parts of the forest trees were burned to ashes andtested. Each small part was examined to learn whether there were minerals in it.

    Study of the roots, branches and seeds showed no silver. But there were small amount of gold in the roots and a little less gold in the branches and seeds. The seeds growing nearest to the tree trunk had more gold than those growing on the ends of the branches.

    If the trees indicated that there was no gold in the ground, the scientists wouldn't spare money to pay for digging into the ground.

Scientists were flying over a desert or a hilly wasteland or a mountain region to ________.

A. train their eyes B. study the trees   C. look for gold         D. search for minerals

The study of trees, branches and roots indicated that __________.

A. there were larger amounts of gold in the branches far from the tree trunk than in the seeds

B. there were smaller amounts of gold in the tree roots deep in the ground than in the branches

C. there were larger amounts of gold in the seeds growing closer to the tree trunk than in the seeds farther from it

D. there were larger amounts of gold in the branches than in the leaves on the ends of the branches

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as part of a tree that can help the searchers?

A. Leaves.          B. Roots.            C. Branches.           D. Seeds.

Which of the following might be the best title for this passage?

A. Scientists searching for treasure with special equipment.

  B. New methods of doing geological study.

C. Gold could be found in trees and plants.

D. A new method of searching for minerals.

A qualified doctor who rarely practiced but instead devoted his life to writing. He once said: “Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my lover.” Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, was a great playwright and one of the masters of the modern short story.

When Chekhov entered the Moscow University Medical School in 1879, he started to publish hundreds of comic short stories to support his family. After he graduated, he wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper.

As a writer he was extremely fast, often producing a short story in an hour or less. Chekhov’s medical and science experience can be seen through the indifference(冷漠) many of his characters show to tragic events. In 1892, he became a full time writer and published some of his most memorable stories.

Chekhov often wrote about the sufferings of life in small town Russia. Tragic events control his characters who are filled with feelings of hopelessness and despair.

It is often said that nothing happens in Chekhov’s stories and plays. He made up for this with his exciting technique for developing drama within his characters. Chekhov’s work combined the calm attitude of a scientist and doctor with the sensitivity(敏感) of an artist.

Some of Chekhov's works were translated into Chinese as early as the 1940s. One of his famous stories, The Man in a Shell, about a school teacher’s extraordinarily orderly life, was selected as a text for Chinese senior students.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov ________.

A. had a lawful lover                          B. was an illegal writer

C. used to be a lawyer                         D. was a competent doctor

In 1880, Chekhov ________.

A. became a full-time writer 

B. studied medicine in Moscow University

C. practiced medicine in his hometown

D. published his most memorable stories

Which of the following adjectives can’t be used to describe Chekhov?

A. Sensitive.                                            B. Cool.

C. Quick-minded.                                     D. Warm-hearted.

Which of the following is the right order of the events?

A. became a doctor                      B. became a full time writer

C. started to publish comic short stories     

D. wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper.

e. entered the Moscow University Medical School

A. e→c→a→d→b                B. d→a→b→c→e               

C. e→c→b→a→d         　　D. a→e→c→b→d

Mr. Smith is well known in Washington because of his many social blunders. He always likes to attend the various so??cial functions because he wants to expand his circle of friends. Whenever he is invited, he goes, unless he is ill.

Recently he received an invitation to a fashionable ban??quet. Although he did not know the hostess, he accepted the invitation. He was secretly very pleased, because he felt that his reputation as a desirable guest was growing.

When he arrived at the banquet hall, he found that about one hundred people had been invited. He began to move a-round the hall. He spoke to other guests whether he knew them or not. He soon realized that he had never met any of the other people present, although they seemed to know each other.

At dinner he was seated beside a very dignified woman. The woman tried to be friendly even though she had never met Mr. Smith before. She spoke politely whenever he spoke to her. Between the first and the second course of the meal, she, turned to Mr. Smith and said, “Do you see that gray-haired man at the end of the table? The one with glasses.”

“Ah, yes. Who is he?”

“He’s the Secretary of the Interior!” she replied.

Mr. Smith said, “So that’s the secretary of the Interior! I’ m afraid that I find very little to admire about him, although he is the Secretary.”

The woman stiffened and did not reply. Mr. Smith contin??ued in spite of her coldness. “I really can’t see how he re??ceived his appointment unless he is perhaps a relative of the President.”

“It hardly matters whether you like the Secretary or not,” she said. “He was chosen because the President thought he was the man for the job. If he does the job well, you should have no complaint.”

“That’s just it,” persisted Mr. Smith. “No one does the things he does, unless he is a complete fool!”

“Sir!” said the woman in all her dignity. “Do you know who I am?” “No,” replied Mr. Smith.

“I am the Secretary’s wife,” she said coldly. Mr. Smith was shocked, but he went on in spite of his embarrassment. “Madam, do you know who I am?”

“No, I don’t,” the woman replied.

“Thank goodness!” exclaimed Mr. Smith, as he quickly left the table.

Why is Mr. Smith well known in Washington?

A. He’s the Secretary of the Interior.

B. He has more friends than other people.

C. He always makes foolish mistakes on social occasions.

D. He likes to go to all kinds of parties.

At dinner he was seated beside a very dignified woman. The underlined part means ________.

A. beautiful          B. serious             C. noble                D. kind-hearted

When Mr. Smith learned that the woman didn’t know who he was, he felt ________.

A. shocked            B. worried          C. embarrassed   D. relieved

There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy and the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.

People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things: the pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine and the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend(hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing(批評(píng)) and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation(模仿). It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.

Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact(接觸) with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.

People who are unhappy _______.

A. always consider things differently from others

B. usually are affected by the results of certain things

C. usually misunderstand what others think or say

D. always discover the unpleasant side of certain things

The phrase “sour the pleasure of society” most nearly means “_______”.

A. have a good taste with social life            B. make others unhappy

C. tend so scold others openly                            D. enjoy the pleasure of life

We can conclude from the passage that _______.

A. we should pity all such unhappy people

B. such unhappy people are dangerous to social life

C. people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness

D. unhappy people can not understand happy persons

If such unhappy persons insist on keeping the habit, the author suggests that people should _______.

A. prevent any communication with them

B. show no respect and politeness to them

C. persuade them to recognize the bad effects

D. quarrel with them until they realize the mistakes

In this passage, the writer mainly _______.

A. describes two types of people

B. laughs at the unhappy people

C. suggests the unhappy people should get rid of the habits of unhappiness

D. tells people how to be happy in life

    A new study has found no evidence that sunscreen, commonly used to reduce the risk of skin cancer, actually increase the risk.

    Researchers from the University of Iowa based their findings on a review of 18 earlier studies that looked at the association between sunscreen use and melanoma (黑素瘤). They said that they found flaws in studies that had reported associations between sunscreen use and higher risk of melanoma

 Most health experts believe that by protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer, which is increasing in incidence (發(fā)生率) faster than any other cancer in the United States.

    But questions has been raised about sunscreen and whether it may has opposite effect, perhaps by allowing people to remain exposed to the sun longer without burning.

    The researchers said that among the problems with some earlier studies is that they often failed to take into account that those people most at risk for skin cancer--- people with fair skin and freckles (雀斑), for example--- are more likely to use sunscreen. As a result, it may appear that sunscreen users get cancer more often.

    The studies, which generally relied on volunteers to recall their sunscreen use, were also unable to prove how well the products had been applied, said the new study.

72. The underlined word “flaws” in the 2nd paragraph most probably means ______.

A. evidence        B. facts          C. faults              D. failures

73. People with fair skin and freckles          .

A. seldom use sunscreen              B. are more in danger of skin cancer

C. can be free from the harm of the sun   D. often expose themselves to the sun

74. We can learn from the passage that ______.

A. sunscreen users get skin cancer more often

B. the volunteers have proved the effect of sunscreen

C. the new study was based on the experiences of volunteers

D. the number of skin cancer patients is increasing in America

75. Which of the following can be the title for this passage?

A. Sunscreen to Prevent Skin Cancer           B. Sunscreen to Increase Skin Cancer

C. Skin Cancer Caused by Sunscreen           D. Skin Cancer Caused by Freckles

Behind my apartment, there is used to be a dirty and   1.___________

messy comer. Bits of plastic bags hanged on the trees.         2.___________

Broken bottles were left laying here and there. There was       3.___________

a damaging car in the center. The whole comer gave off an     4.___________

unpleasant smell. One year ago, we decided to turn it in a       5.___________

beautiful park. Since then, great changes have been taken place  6.___________

in that comer. All the rubbish have been cleared away. Flowers  7.___________

and young trees have planted all over. Now birds come              8.___________

here to sing, children come here to play, and adults come here   9.___________

to enjoy our peaceful life. It has taken on a new look.         10.___________

改正下面短文中的錯(cuò)誤。對(duì)標(biāo)有題號(hào)的每一行作出判斷：如無錯(cuò)誤，在答題卡該行右邊橫線上畫一個(gè)勾（√），請(qǐng)?jiān)谟绣e(cuò)誤的地方增加、刪除或修改某個(gè)單詞。

注意：1.每處錯(cuò)誤及其修改均僅限一詞；

      2.原行沒有錯(cuò)的不要改。

One day, did not feeling well, Mr. Smith went to the hospital   1.____________

to have him examined. When he was given the test report,       2.____________

he was greatly shocked. “Am I dying?” He immediately             3.____________

was felt very ill. Filled with sadness, he went back home,         4.____________

taking a lot of pills and even wrote his will. “Maybe                 5.____________

a doctor made a mistake”, Mr. Smith thought and                      6.____________

went to the hospital to have more examination. To his               7.____________

great joy, the doctor really made a mistake but he didn’t          8.____________

have cancer in all! Again, the whole world seemed beautiful.     9.____________

Mr. Smith went out for his favourite sport happily rather sadly. 10.___________

短文改錯(cuò)（共10小題；每小題1分，滿分10分）

改正下面短文中的錯(cuò)誤。對(duì)標(biāo)有題號(hào)的每一行作出判斷：如無錯(cuò)誤，在答題卡該行右邊橫線上畫一個(gè)勾（√），請(qǐng)?jiān)谟绣e(cuò)誤的地方增加、刪除或修改某個(gè)單詞。

注意：1.每處錯(cuò)誤及其修改均僅限一詞；

      2.原行沒有錯(cuò)的不要改。

Although the first computer was only introduced

to China in the mid-1950s, since then ,a number of computers       1._____

used in different fields has been grown rapidly.                     2.______

Computers are now affected millions of people in countless ways       3.______

every day. They are used to predict the weather, examine the           4.______

ocean,and to develop defence systems. They depend more and more   5._____

heavy on computers. There is no reason to think that their use         6._____      

will decrease.By the contrary ,they will develop more rapidly            7. ______

as you think.If you are among those who still don't know much               8.______

about computers, you will lost in the future.                               9.______

You should learn what you can while you still have the chance               10.______

閱讀理解: 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)。

Young adult filmmakers all hope to show their works in international festivals like Sundance and Toronto. But what about really young filmmakers who aren’t in film school yet and aren’t, strictly speaking, even adults?

They are at the heart of Wingspan Arts Kids Films Festival, tomorrow, in a setting any director might envy: Lincoln Center. Complete with “red carpet” interviews and various awards, the festival has much in common with events for more experienced moviemakers, except for the age of the participants: about 8 to 18.

“What’s really exciting is that it’s film for kids by kids,” said Cori Gardner, managing director of Wingspan Arts, a nonprofit organization offering youth arts programs in the New York area. This year the festival will include films not only from Wingspan but also from other city organizations and one from a middle school in Arlington, Virginia. “We want to make this a national event,” Ms. Gardner added.

The nine shorts to be shown range from a Claymation biography of B.B. King to a science fiction adventure set in the year 3005. “A lot of the material is really mature,” Ms. Gardner said, talking about films by the New York City branch of Global Action Project, a media arts and leadership-training group. “The Choice is about the history of a family and Master Anti-Smoker is about the dangers of secondhand smoke.” Dream of the Invisibles describes young immigrants’ feelings of both belonging and not belonging in their adopted country.

The festival will end with an open reception at which other films will be shown. These include a music video and full-length film whose title is Pressures.

1. Wingspan Arts Kids Film Festival ____.

A. is organized by a middle school

B. is as famous as the Toronto Festival

C. shows films made by children

D. offers awards to film school students

2. Which of the following is true of Wingspan Arts?

A. It helps young filmmakers to make money.

B. It provides arts projects for young people.

C. It’s a media arts and leadership-training group.

D. It’s a national organization for young people.

3. The underlined word “shorts” in Paragraph 4 refers to _____.

A. short trousers  B. short kids   C. short films   D. short stories

4. Movies to shown in the festival ____.

A. cover different subjects.

B. focus on kids’ life

C. are produced by Global Action Project

D. are directed by Ms. Gardner

5. At the end of this film festival, there will be ____.

A. various awards    B. “red carpet” interviews

C. an open reception  D. a concert at Lincoln Center