Heroes of Our Time

A good heart

       Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa among great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship(獎學金) to study medicine ― but Coach(教練) John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth, or the duty to share his fortune with others. He built a new hospital in his old hometown in the Congo. Af friend has said of this good-hearted man: “Mutombo believes that God has given him this chance to do great things.”

Success and kindness

       After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming children’s videos(錄像) in her own house. The Baby Einstein Company was born, and in just five years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. And she is using her success to help others ― producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new program: “I believe it’s the most important thing that I have ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe.”

Bravery and courage

       A few weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway station with his two little girls when he saw a man fall into the path of a train. With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks, pulled the man into the space between the rails(鐵軌), and held him as the train passed right above their heads. He insists he’s not a hero. He says: “We have got to show each other some love.”

60. What was Mutombo praised for?

   A. Being a star in the NBA.             B. Being a student of medicine.

   C. His work in the church.                    D. His willingness to help the needy.

61. Mutombo believes that building the new hospital is ______.

   A. helpful to his personal development

   B. something he should do for his homeland

   C. a chance for his friends to share his money

   D. a way of showing his respect to the NBA

62. What did the Baby Einstein Company do at its beginning?

   A. Produce safety equipment for children.

   B. Make videos to help protect children.

   C. Sell children’s music and artwork.

   D. Look for missing and exploited children.

63. Why was Wesley Autrey praised as a hero?

   A. He helped a man get across the rails.

   B. He stopped a man from destroying the rails.

   C. He protected two little girls from getting hurt.

   D. He saved a person without considering his own safety.

I travel a lot, and I find out different “styles”(風格) of directions every time I ask “How can I get to the post office?”

Foreign tourists are often confused(困惑) in Japan because most streets there don’t have names; in Japan, people use landmarks(地標) 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, there are not usually many landmarks. There are no mountains, so the land is very flat; in many places there are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of landmarks, people will tell you directions and distances. 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 distance in 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.

It’s true that a person doesn’t know the answer to your question sometimes. What happens in such a 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 believe that “I don’t know” is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A tourist can get very, very lost in Yucatan!

56. When a tourist asks the Japanese the way to a certain place, they usually ______.

   A. describe the place carefully               B. show him a map of the place

   C. tell him the names of the streets         D. refer to recognizable buildings and places

57. What is the place where people measure distance in time?

   A. New York.          B. Los Angeles.             C. Kansas.             D. Iowa.

58. People in Yucatan may give a tourist a wrong answer ______.

   A. in order to save time                  B. Los Angeles.

   C. so as to be polite                       D. for fun

59. What can we infer from the text?

   A. It’s important for travelers to understand cultural differences.

   B. It’s useful for travelers to know how to ask the way properly.

   C. People have similar understandings of politeness.

   D. New Yorkers are generally friendly to visitors.

    I was a single parent of four small children, working at a low-paid job. Money was always tight, but we had a   36   over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs, and if not a lot, always   37  . Not knowing we were poor, my kids(孩子們) just thought I was   38  . I’ve always been glad about that.

       It was Christmas time, and although there wasn’t   39   for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with a family party. But the big   40   for the kids was the fun of Christmas   41  .

They planned weeks ahead of time, asking   42   what they wanted for Christmas. Fortunately, I had saved $120 for   43   to share by all five of us.

The big   44   arrived. I gave each kid a twenty-dollar bill and   45   them to look for gifts of about four dollars each. Then everyone scattered(散開). We had two hours to shop; then we would   46   back at the “Santa’s Workshop”.

Driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits,   47   my younger daughter, Ginger, who was unusually   48  . She had only one small, flat bag with a few candies　― fifty-cent candies! I was so angry, but I didn’t say anything   49   we got home. I called her into my bedroom and closed the door,  50   to be angry again. This is what she told me.

       “I was looking   51   thinking of what to buy, and I   52   to read the little cards on the ‘Giving Trees.’ One was for a little girl, four years old, and all she   53   for Christmas was a doll(玩具娃娃). So I took the card off the tree and   54   the doll for her. We have so much and she doesn’t have anything.”

       I never felt so   55   as I did that day.

36. A. roof                            B. hat                           C. sky                    D. star

37. A. little                            B. less                          C. enough               D. more

38. A. busy                           B. serious                     C. strict                  D. kind

39. A. effort                          B. room                        C. time                   D. money

40. A. improvement               B. problem                     C. surprise             D. excitement

41. A. shopping                     B. travelling                   C. parties                D. greetings

42. A. the other                     B. each other                 C. one by one          D. every other one

43. A. toys                            B. clothes                      C. presents             D. bills

44. A. day                             B. chance                      C. cheque               D. tree

45. A. forced                        B. reminded                    C. invited               D. begged

46. A. draw                          B. stay                           C. move                 D. meet

47. A. including                    B. besides                       C. except                D. regarding

48. A. quiet                          B. excited                       C. happy                 D. ashamed

49. A. since                         B. after                           C. while                  D. until

50. A. waiting                      B. ready                          C. hoping                D. afraid

51. A. out                           B. over                            C. forward              D. around

52. A. forgot                       B. stopped                       C. failed                  D. hated

53. A. wanted                     B. did                              C. got                     D. played

54. A. made                        B. searched                      C. bought               D. fetched

55. A. angry                        B. rich                            C. patient                D. bitter

請認真閱讀下面對話，并根據各題所給首字幕的提示，在答題卡上標有題號的橫線上，寫出一個英語單詞的完整、正確形式，使對話通順。

K=Kathy

M=Mum

M: Kathy, have you decided what you’re going to do in the vacation?

K: I need to (76) e________ some money. I’d try to find a job looking after children. What do you think, mum?

M: It’s not an easy job and you don’t have any particular (77) k_______ about children. Some children could be noisy and badly (78) b___________. Do you have any other ideas?

K: Not (79) r________. I don’t think much of the jobs I’ve seen (80) a_________

(A week later)

M: Kathy, are you still looking for a children job?

K: No, Mum. I (81) m_______ to tell you earlier. I’ve been offered a job in the office of the local computer factory and it’s well paid. I’ve decided to take it and will (82) s________ on Monday.

M: Good! Tell me more (83) d________ about the job.

K: I will work as a (84) s________, typing letters, answering phones calls and so on.

M: Some people may find it busy and (85) b________, and you need to be patient and careful.

K: Thank you, Mum. I’ll try my best.

 Most people, when they travel to space, would like to stay in orbit for a few days of more. And this stands to reason, if you’re paying $20,000 for your trip to orbit! Strain order for tourism to reach its full potential there’s going to be a need for orbital accommodation---or space hotels. What would a space hotel actually be like to visit? Hotels in orbit will offer the services you expect from a hotel------private rooms, meals, bars. But they’ll also offer two unique experiences: impressive views----of Earth and space---and the endless entertainment of living in zero gravity---including sports and other activities that make use of this.

   The hotels themselves will vary greatly----from being quite simple in the early days to huge luxury structure at a later date. It’s actually surprising that as later as 1997, very few designs for space hotels were published. This is mainly because those who might be expected to design them haven’t expected launch costs to come down far enough to make them possible.

    Lots of people who’ve been to space have described vividly what it’s like to live in zero gravity. There are obviously all sort of possibilities for dancing, gymnastics, and zero-G sports. Luckily, you don’t need to sleep much living in zero gravity, so you’ll have plenty of time for relaxing by hanging out in a bar with a window looking down at the turning Earth below.

    Of course all good things have come to an end. Unfortunately, And so after a few days you’ll find yourself heading back enough you’ll be much more expert at exercising in zero gravity than you were when you arrived. You’ll be thinking how soon you can save up enough to get back up again---or maybe you should change jobs to get to work in an orbiting hotel.

72. When traveling in space, most people would like to stay in orbit for a few days because _______.

A. It is expensive to travel in space

B. they would find the possible life in other star systems

C. they could enjoy the luxury of space hotels

D. they want to realise the full potential of tourism

73. Which of the following is a unique experience that space hotels will offer?

A. The gravitational pull   B. The special views.

C. The relaxation in a bar.  D. The space walk.

74. Which of the following is not discussed in the passage?

A. When was the space traveling made possible?

B. What are the unique experiences that space hotels will offer?

C. Why were there not many published designs for space hotels?

D. How can the travelers enjoy themselves in space hotels?

75. This passage is mainly about ________.

A. traveling in space

B. the ways of living in space hotels

C. zero gravity and space hotels

D. the description of space hotels

Intellectual property (IP) is a product of the mind that has commercial value. The concept dates back to 1623 when the first patent law to protect IP sights was passed. IP rights protect the artist from having his/her creative ideas copied by another. For example, if somebody generated an idea for a novel, that idea is protected by IP rights. If someone else wishes to represent the idea or develop it further, he/ she must consult the original artists, who will normally be rewarded financially for its use. Back in the 17^th century, IP rights were primarily carried out to protect newly developed manufacturing processes against stealing. But today, intellectual property rights, are also enjoyed by those who creative music, art and literature.

In recent years, IP rights have been the focus of a great deal of discussion because of a technology which looks set to weaken them altogether; the Internet. Many years ago, if you wanted a recording of a song, you would have to purchase it from a music store; if a novel, form a book store. In those days, IP rights were easily protected since it was very difficult to obtain intellectual property without paying for it. However, a lot of IP, including songs, films, books and artwork, can be downloaded today free of charge using the Internet. This practice has now taken the world by storm, dramatically affecting the way in which we view IP rights.

68. According to the writer, in the beginning, If rights were mainly of use to ______.

A. those creating music, art and literature

B. novelists

C. engineers and inventors

D. those not receiving financial reward for their work

69. What do we know about the internet according to the passage?

A. It makes IP rights harder to protect.

B. It sells songs and films.

C. It does not affect the way we understand IP rights.

D. It prevents the production of artwork.

70. According to paragraph 2, what has “taken the world by storm”?

A. Intellectual property rights.

B. The Internet.

C. Free downloading.

D. The large number of songs, films and books.

71. A possible title for this passage could be ______.

A. A History of IP Rights   B. Ways to Protect Your IP Rights.

C. The Present and the Future Of IP    D. IP Rights and Our Attitudes

Topping the class academically was certainly an advantage. Studying was a breeze for Nigel. The reward was certainly incomparable to the little effort that he had to put it. It begin when he was selected to help the teachers in the computer laboratories.

The peak of his school career came not when he topped the school but when he was selected for the nationwide competition. Unlike everyone else, Nigel wanted to join the contest because he liked playing with the Lego sets and making something out of them. Nigel spent the next two months rebuilding the robot. It was during the time that Nigel found out about the prizes for the competition. Its well us auspices competitor. Alicia, from a neighboring school. His early intentions were forgotten. Getting the thousand-dollar prize was more important than anything else. Nigel decided to befriend Alicia. Unaware of his intentions, she told him all about the robot that she had been building for the competition. He even helped her to put the finishing branches to her robot. He was glad with the way things had progressed. His robot looked even better than Alicia’s and it was able to become a ball with its arms, something Alicia had failed to do.

On the day of the competition, he says Alicia. Everything dawned on her the minute she saw him among the competition. She stared at him, puzzled at first, then angry and finally a look of helplessness came over her.

The flashbulbs of the camera exploded in Nigel’s try. The robot bird performed actions so unique and different that the specialist judgments were the same. Nigel was so personal with himself that he did not even notice the girl standing a few feet away from him. Without her, he would never win the competition.

64. What reward did Nigel receive for doing well in his school work?

A. He was offered a part-time job     

B. He was honored with a scholarship

C. He helped his teacher construct a robot         

D. He helped in the computer laboratories

65. Nigel’s original intention of joining the contest was to ___.

A. be the top student of the school        

B. being great honor to his school

C. constructs a robot with the Lego sets         

D. wins the thousand-dollar prize

66. Why did Nigel help Alicia finish her robot?

A. He tried to make friends with her    

B. He was fond of building robots

C. He intended to help her       

D. He didn’t want her to suspect him

67. What is the author’s attitude towards Nigel’s actions?

A. He is mildly critical        

B. He is strongly critical

C. He is in favor of them       

D. His attitude is not clear

60. Munchies Food Hall does NOT sell ____.

A. lamb         B. beef

C. pork         D. chicken

61. The prices at Munchies are ____.

A. lower than usual        B. bargain prices for the opening

C. lower far two people      D. lower of you spend ＄21.00

62. Everyone who eats at Munchies well receive a ____.

A. free raffle ticket         B. lucky draw coupon

C. free meal               D. balloon and whistle

63. I will find out who has won the top to Western Australia when I __.

A. watch Channel 3 television       

B. come down to Munchies at moon

C. read The Straits Times on the 5^th of January             

D. attend the lucky draw at Munchies Food Hall

Despite the fact that it has never been seen almost everyone is familiar with the legendary unicorn(獨角獸). Descriptions of unicorns have been found dating from ancient times. The great philosopher Aristotle theorized that there were two types of unicorn--- the so-called Indian Ass and the Oryx, a kind of antelope. Unicorns are often used in the logo of a noble family, town council or university as their special sign. Even Scotland is represented by a unicorn.

     According to the legend, anyone attempting to catch a unicorn had to be extremely cautious as it has a reputation for being very fierce. A clever trick suggested by unicorn-trappers, in order to catch this magnificent beast without being hurt by its horn, was for the hunter to stand in front of a tree and then to move quickly behind it as the unicorn charged. Hopefully, the creature could then be captured when its horn was stuck in the tree.

      When hollowed out and used as a drinking-cup, the unicorn’s horn was said to have the power to offer protection against person. It was believed that nobody could be harmed-by drinking the contents of a unicorn’s horn. Right up until the French Revolution in 1789, the French court was said to have used cups made of “unicorn” horn in order to protect the king. In addition, the horn was said to have medicinal value, so much so that it could be sold for more than ten times the price of the same weight of gold. What, then, was “unicorn” horn? We know at times the rhino(犀牛) was confused with this legendary creature. A drinking-cup supposedly made of “unicorn” horn was discovered to be made of the horn of a rhino.

56. Which of the following is TRUE of the unicorn?

 A. It was not historically recorded       

 B. Its horn was first used in France

    C. It was similar to the Indian Ass and the Oryx         

    D. It could be the symbol of a university

57. To catch a unicorn, the unicorn-trappers had to try all of the following EXCEPT ____.

A. tempting the unicorn to attack         

B. making use of the tree as a protection

   C. hiding quickly behind the unicorn        

   D. having the unicorn horn stuck in the tree

 58. The last paragraph is mainly about ____.

A. the properties of the unicorn horn         

 B. the users of the unicorn horn

   C. the price of the unicorn horn        

   D. the comparison between the unicorn horn and the rhino horn

59. In the last paragraph, the word “unicorn ” is in quotation marks (引號)because _____.

A. the cup is designed only for a royal family         

 B. the unicorn does not exist in reality

   C. the unicorn is the rarest animal in the world

   D. the medicinal value of the horn is appreciated

The three youths leaned over the metal rails along the sea-wall and watched a few fishermen pull in their nets. About thirty metres away, a boat pulled alongside the slippery steps leading  36  to the sea.

“Hey, look!” exclaimed Rahim. “Those two men are  37  heavy rocks. I thought we no longer do muscle labour in this technological   38  . ”

“They are  41  laborers who know how to spread the weight of the rocks they   42  . See how the man positions the rock just at the slope of his  43  . Some of the rock’s weight is set  44   his head, some on the right hand and some on the left hand. His body isn’t bent. His legs are well  45   . ”

“You’re right, Josh. He may have a small build.   46    he certainly well knows his job. Dear me! And to think we have been studying   47   ! ” Rahim thought about all that was happening. Suddenly, he said, “Technology won’t   48   the human being completely, it appears.”

“I don’t think it will. ”  49   Joshua. “You can harvest a crop of potatoes or wheat with one of those large, multi-purpose tractors, but you   50   use that equipment to harvest lea leaves and tomatoes, will you?”

“You can get a computer to    51   multiple-choice assessments, but you cannot get the computer to produce of assess essays, can you?” asked Michael.

“Well, the washing machine leaves my shirt collar quite as   52   as ever --- that’s domestic technology for you! ” said Rahim.

“One day, perhaps, there won’t be anybody   53   who can carry a large rock the way those men do. It’s not going to be a very  54   world, I’m afraid.” Sighed Michael.

“You’re too much of a pessimist (悲觀主義者)，Mike.” Said Joshua. “   55  will always be other things that will make the world exciting. ”

36. A. through         B. across          C. down           D. up

37. A. loading          B. unloading      C. covering       D. uncovering

38. A. way              B. revolution      C. process        D. era

39. A. ask               B. expect           C. attempt         D. hope

40. A. happen          B. fail                C. have             D. seem

41. A. ambitious      B. experienced    C. potential        D. energetic

42. A. take              B. fetch              C. carry           D. bring

43. A. shoulder        B. back              C. chest            D. arms

44. A. on                 B. against           C. toward         D. under

45. A. supported      B. grasped          C. placed          D. strengthened

46. A. but                B. however         C. so               D. therefore

47. A. chemistry      B. physics           C. biology        D. psychology

48. A. control          B. affect             C. remove         D. replace

49. A. agreed           B. proposed        C. refused         D. denied

50. A. can’t           B. mustn’t       C. won’t         D. needn’t

51. A. point out        B. take out         C. hand out        D. print out

52. A. dirty              B. clean             C. old                D. new

53. A. caught           B. arranged        C. left                D. convinced

54. A. exciting         B. mysterious     C. technological  D. modern

55. A. That             B. This               C. They              D. There