On Sundays when I was a child, Father and I ____ get up early and go fishing.

A. could        B. would           C might                D. should

Beijing was attacked by such a terrible sandstorm ______few citizens had ever experienced before. 

   A. and it was    B. as     C. that      D. which

In only two decades Asian Americans have become the fastestgrowing U. S. minority. As their children began moving up through the nation schools, it became clear that a new class of academic achievers was emerging. Their achievements are reflected in the nation’s best universities, where mathematics, science and engineering departments have taken on a decidedly Asian character. This special liking for mathematics and science is partly explained by the fact that Asian-American students who began their education abroad arrived in the U. S. with a solid grounding in mathematics but little or no knowledge of English. They are also influenced by the promise of a good job after college. Asians feel there will be less unfair treatment in areas like mathematics and science because they will be judged more objectively. And the return on the investment in education is more immediate in something like engineering than with an arts degree.

Most Asian?American students owe their success to the influence of parents who are determined that their children take full advantage of what the American educational system has to offer. An effective measure of parental attention is homework. Asian parents spend more time with their children than American parents do, and it helps. Many researchers also believe there is something in Asian culture that breeds success, such as ideals that stress family values and emphasize education.

Both explanations for academic success worry Asian Americans because of fears that they feed a typical racial image. Many can remember when Chinese,Japanese and Filipino immigrants were the victims of social isolation. Indeed, it was not until 1952 that laws were laid down giving all Asian immigrants the right to citizenship.

8.While making tremendous achievements at college, Asian?American students           .

A.feel they are mistreated because of limited knowledge of English

B.are afraid that their academic successes bear a strong Asian character

C.still worry about unfair treatment in society

D.generally feel it a shame to have to depend on their parents

9.What are the major factors that determine the success of Asian Americans?

A.A solid foundation in basic mathematics and Asian culture.

B.Hard work and intelligence.

C.Parents’ help and a limited knowledge of English.

D.Asian culture and the American educational systerm.

10.Few Asian American students major in human sciences mainly because            .

A.their English is not good enough

B.they are afraid they might meet with unfair judgment in these areas

C.there is a wide difference between Asian and Western cultures

D.they know little about American culture and society

11.Why do “both explanations” (Para. 3) worry Asian Americans?

A.They are afraid that they will again be isloated from American society in general.

B.People will think that Asian students rely on their parents for success.

C.Asian Americans will be a threat to other minorities.

D.American academic achievements have taken on too strong an Asian character.

NASA’s Mars detector (探測器), Opportunity, succeeded in finding signs that water once existed on the planet. Opportunity landed on Mars in January. Scientists now believe that the planet could once have supported life.

This discovery was chosen by Science, one of the world’s leading magazines, as the most important scientific achievement of 2004 last Friday.

“This little, wheeled, one-armed box went around another planet and has done something no human has ever managed,” according to Science. “It has discovered another place in the universe where life could once have existed.”

“Although we still can’t say that life could have existed in this environment, it is now certain that there was water on Mars,” said Steve Squyres, one of the scientists working on the Mars mission. The evidence comes from pictures and chemical readings taken by Opportunity. It includes marks on rocks like those caused by flowing water on Earth and salty chemicals like those found in dried-out sea-beds. Scientists said the new evidence proved beyond doubt that water has been existed on Mars. But it is still unknown whether the water on Mars was like an ocean or just ice.

While Opportunity has not found any signs of life, the presence of water means life is possible. “In everything we know about life on Earth, there is no example without liquid water,” Squyres said. “So water is important for the search for life on Mars.”

Researchers agree that a future mission (任務(wù)) should bring back physical samples (樣品). But some scientists worry about the risk that this could introduce dangerous foreign creatures to Earth. “The problem here is how to get the samples back,” Squyres replied. “I think it is our responsibility to limit any risk.”

1. ________ prove that water existed on Mars.

A. The physical samples with salty chemicals      B. The marks on rocks and salty chemicals

C. Scientific achievements of 2004              D. Creatures from Mars

2. Which of the following is true according to the text?

A. It is now certain that there was water on Mars.

B. The water on Mars was like an ocean.

C. Evidence of life on Mars has been found.

D. Search for life on Mars is a great risk to humans.

3. How did scientists draw the conclusion that there was water on Mars?

A. The world’s leading magazine has announced the fact.

B. Scientists have taken many pictures and chemical readings on the Mars.

C. Astronauts have got some rocks from Mars.

D. Scientists have made a study of the pictures and readings sent back by Mars detector.

4. It can be inferred that, if the creatures from Mars came to Earth, ________.

A. they would be kind to humans    B. they would be cruel to humans

C. they would be a great danger to Earth

D. it would be hard to say whether it would be a good news or bad news

Most people agree that the direct, assertive(過分自信的) American personality is a virtue, but it sometimes surprises foreigners. In many cultures, respect for older people or those in positions of authority keeps others from expressing their true feelings. But in the U.S, children often argue with their parents, students may disagree with their teachers, and citizens may express opposition to the actions of the government. If the soup has a fly in it or the  meat is too tough to chew, the diner can complain to the waiter, if the boss makes a mistake, an employee will politely point it out.

Some straight talk about the American character must include the admission that Americans have their faults. The extremely competitive nature of Americans is probably their worst fault. Of course, competition isn’t always bad. As a matter of fact, it promotes excellence by encouraging individuals and businesses to try to do their best. But the desire to get ahead of others sometimes causes people to do things that are unkind and even dishonest. Also, Americans admire what is practical, fast, efficient, and fresh. Sometimes they fail to understand and appreciate practices that have greater respect for more traditional, leisurely ways of doing things. On the other hand, people from other cultures may dislike the practical, challenging American lifestyle.

Despite culture differences, most foreigners give Americans credit for their virtues. Americans are generally viewed as friendly, adaptable, energetic, and kindhearted. Most newcomers to the U.S. like Americans, and the feeling is usually mutual. Perhaps the greatest American virtue is a deep interest in new ideas and new people. In a nation of immigrants, the foreigner does not remain an outsider for long.

1.In order to show the respect for older people,.      .

A.people from some other cultures will always express their true feeling

B.people from some other cultures may sometimes hide their true feeling

C.Americans always show their true feelings

D.Americans usually argue with them

2.Why is the extremely competitive nature considered as one of American faults?

A.Because people from other cultures fear competition.

B.Because only American people own it.

C.Because it will make people forget leisure.

D.Because it may sometimes urge people to do something bad.

3.It can be inferred from the passage that .        .

A.American people are more critical of everything than people from other cultures

B.the author believes that American character has more faults than virtues

C.the author admires American virtues as they are viewed as competitive and anti traditional

D.it is difficult for newcomers to get on with Americans

4.The passage mainly talks about .       .

A.American virtues  B.American characters  C.American faults   D.American lifestyles

— I’m afraid I can’t finish the book within this week.           —______.

A. Please go ahead            B. That’s right       C. Not at all      D. Take your time

——What’ s the matter?

—— The shoes don’ t fit properly.They＿＿＿＿my feet.

A.are hurting     B.will hurt   C.have hurt     D.are hurt

—— Can you give me the right answer?

—— Sorry, I＿＿＿＿.Would you repeat that question?

A.hadn’t listened     B.haven’t listened  C.don’t listen     D.wasn’t listening