The British are being encouraged to holiday at home as a major tourism drive offering Olympic themed discounts is launched next week.
A new campaign offering 20. 12% discounted bills at participating venues (場所) will be announced publicly for the first time by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday to encourage "staycations".
The scheme includes hotel accommodation, meals, guided tours and entry to attractions, with discounts funded by the industry. Government officials said more than three million hotel rooms were already lined up under the project, which is being backed by a range of companies, including Butlins. Attractions, such as the London Eye and Alton Towers, are also taking part. Reduced prices will also be offered on stays on the Royal yacht Britannia, now harboring in Leith, Edinburgh, and visits to Chatsworth, the historic house in Derbyshire.
Tourists will be able to take advantage of the discount by using a dedicated website before the end of the Paralympics on September 9 to make bookings for this year and 2013.
Mr. Hunt said, "With the Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympic Games, this year is the perfect opportunity for more of us to holiday in the UK "
Mr. Hunt has travelled the UK, urging companies to take part in the scheme, telling them, "It's now or never for London tourism. We will never have a year like 2012 to show the world that this is, quite simply, the most exciting, vibrant, cosmopolitan city on the planet. The unavoidable complaints in the run up to an Olympics must not cloud the scale of the opportunity —including our biggest ever tourism marketing campaign to make sure we get a lasting benefit from being in the global spotlight. "
The scheme will be promoted by a ￡3 million television advertising campaign — the first of its kind in the UK.
The government hopes the " Holidays at Home are Great" campaign — launched by Visit England — will create 12, 000 jobs, create 5.3 million extra short overnight breaks, and generate ￡480 million in extra spending over three years.
【小題1】What Mr. Hunt said indicates that        .

A．he has no interest in the scheme

B．he supports the idea of staycation

C．he doubts the benefit of the scheme

D．he cares most about London tourism

【小題2】What does the underlined sentence (in Para. 6) mean?

A．London tourism will never have a precious opportunity.

B．It is too golden an opportunity for London tourism to lose.

C．It is now too late for London tourism to take this opportunity.

D．London has ever had a valuable opportunity like the one in 2012.

【小題3】How will the "Holidays at Home are Great" campaign probably benefit London?

A．It will offer 20. 12% discount to travelers' expenses.

B．It will attract more international travelers to visit London.

C．It will create more job opportunities and bring in more money.

D．It will prove London the most exciting, vibrant, cosmopolitan city on earth.

【小題4】In which section of a newspaper will this article be presented?

A．Entertainment.

B．Politics.

C．Finance.

D．News.

The necktie looks set to follow the top hat in being handed over to the fashion museum by office workers within the next 50 years, according to research.
Nearly three quarters (74%) think the tie will not survive within British firms beyond the next half a century with the popularity of the open-collared shirt. Its demise is being blamed on the boom in creative businesses, such as Facebook and Google, and online trading companies where formal dress codes tend to be avoided in favour of a more casual approach.
Once considered an important part of business dress, the tie has become a victim of the spread of "casual Fridays" into other weekdays, according to researchers.
The poll, by Deal Jungle. com, which helps small and medium enterprises, found more than half (51% ) thought the tie would die out in offices within the next 20 years and almost a quarter (22%) believed it would last less than 10 years.
A spokesman for the site, which has 20, 000 registered members, said: "Ties have been around seemingly forever but increasing numbers of office workers are telling them to get away."

"The success of businesses such as Facebook and Google, where even the CEO turns up wearing jeans and a hoodie, also seems to have had a corrosive (侵蝕性) effect on the idea of dressing formally for work."
"Many of our members keep their expenses to a minimum by working from home so they feel no need to dress up to go to work. We know that when they meet with clients, they still put on a business suit, but a tie is no longer seen as an essential part of the suited-and-booted look."
"Instead, many businessmen and increasing numbers of executives choose a suit and shirt with an open collar. The tie-less suit creates an impression of a more approachable deal maker, someone who is still business-minded, yet creative and technology-sensible, too. "
【小題1】Why are ties expected to disappear in offices?

A．CEOs in creative businesses set a rule to forbid wearing ties.

B．The idea of casual weekdays is increasingly accepted.

C．Office workers are tired of wearing ties daily.

D．The tie-less look appears more modern.

【小題2】According to the spokesman, how are their members dressed before clients?

A．Business suits and casual jeans.

B．Formal suits and a shirt with a tie.

C．Casual suits and buttoned-up shirt.

D．Business suits and an open-collared shirt.

【小題3】What kind of image does the tie-less suit create?

A．Accessible in business.	B．Professional in fashion.
C．Casual in working.	D．Creative in dressing.

【小題4】What does the underlined word "demise" mean in Para.2?

A．popularity

B．survival

C．disappearance

D．development

Remembering names is an important social skill. Here are some ways to master it.
●Recite and repeat in conversation.
When you hear a person’s name, repeat it. Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips. You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.
●Ask the other person to recite and repeat.
You can let other people help you remember their names. After you’ve been introduced to someone, ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you. Most people will be pleased by the effort you’re making to learn their names.
●Admit you don’t know.
Admitting that you can’t remember someone’s name can actually make people relaxed. Most of them will feel sympathy if you say. “I’m working to remember names better. Yours is right on the tip of my tongue. What is it again?”
●Use associations.
Link each person you meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual. For example, you could make a mental note: “Vicki Cheng－tall, black hair.” To reinforce your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.
●Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.
When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning first names. Last names can come later.
●Go early.
Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometime just a few people show up on time. There’re fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to other an automatic review for you.
【小題1】How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?

A．They will be moved.	B．They will be annoyed.
C．They will be delighted.	D．They will be discouraged.

【小題2】If you can’t remember someone’s name, you may ________.

A．tell him the truth	B．tell him a white lie
C．a(chǎn)sk him for pity	D．a(chǎn)sk others to help you

【小題3】When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember ________.

A．a(chǎn)ll their games	B．a(chǎn) couple of names first
C．just their last names	D．a(chǎn)s many names as possible

【小題4】What does the text mainly tell us?

A．Tips on an important social skill.

B．Importance of attending parties.

C．How to make use of associations.

D．How to recite and repeat names.

【小題5】What does the underlined word “reinforce” mean?

A．build

B．connect

C．form

D．strengthen

Habits, whether good or bad, are gradually formed. When a person does a certain thing again, he is driven by some unseen force to do the same thing repeatedly, then a habit is formed. Once a habit is formed, it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get rid of. It is therefore very important that we should pay great attention to the formation of habits. Children often form bad habits, some of which remain with them as long as they live. Older persons also form bad habits lasting as long as they live, and sometimes become ruined by them.
There are other habits which, when formed in early life, are of great help. Many successful men say that much of their success has something to do with certain habits in early life, such as early rising, honesty and so on.
Among the habits which children should not form are laziness, lying, stealing and so on. These are all easily formed habits. Unluckily older persons often form habits which could have been avoided.
We should keep away from all these bad habits, and try to form such habits as will be good for ourselves and others.
【小題1】 ____ are formed litde by little.

A．Good habits

B．Bad habits

C．Both good habits and bad habits

D．Either good habits or bad habits

【小題2】The underlined word "them" in the first paragraph refers to "____"

A．bad habits

B．good habits

C．bad children

D．other persons

【小題3】Generally speaking, it's difficult for one _____ and easy for them _____ which should be avoided.

A．to form bad habits; to form good habits

B．to form good habits; to form bad habits

C．to form good habits; to get rid of had habits

D．to get rid of bad habits: to form good habits

【小題4】Why should we pay much attention to the formation of habits?

A．Because a man can never get rid of a habit.

B．Because we are forced to do them again and again.

C．Because habits are of great help to every one of us at present.

D．Because it's hard and sometimes even impossible to throw away bad habits.

【小題5】According to the passage, early rising _____.

A．has something to do with success

B．is an easily formed habit

C．is such a habit as should have been avoided

D．is such a habit as won't be kept

Everybody has had at least one experience from which he knows the meaning of life. This time, which took place several years ago, but seems as if it just happened.

He took the shirt and put it on bed, with the other clothes we were taking to the funeral. Then he closed the drawer and turned to me, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”
I’m thinking about his words, and they’ve changed the way I live my life. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings. Whenever possible, life should be a kind of experience to enjoy, not to suffer. “Someday”and “one of these days”are losing their importance on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
Ever since that day, I have been trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter and color to our lives. Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that every day, every minute, every breath, truly is a gift. So cherish every day and find the true meaning of your life.
【小題1】Why did Jan buy the beautiful skirt but didn’t wear it?

A．She waited for a special occasion to wear it on.

B．She wanted to keep it for someone else.

C．She saved it till she grew up.

D．She would give it to herself as a gift some day.

【小題2】What does the underlined word “cherish” mean?

A．Treasure.

B．Waste.

C．Own.

D．Save

【小題3】What does the author write this passage for?

A．To show how to make good use of everyday in life.

B．To explain the true meaning of his brother-in-law’s words.

C．To tell people to cherish every day and find the meaning of life.

D．To encourage people to waste time and enjoy themselves in life.

【小題4】What’s the best title for this passage?

A．Every Day IS a Gift

B．My Sister Jan

C．What Is the Meaningful Life like

D．The Most Important Time in Your Life

The consumer(消費(fèi)者) plays a very important role in the global efforts to reduce C0₂ emissions(排放). Households use one third of the final energy and produce around two thirds of city waste in the European Union. Besides，housing, food，and private transport make up almost 80％ of environmental pressures. Therefore there’s no doubt that consumers can make a real difference in fighting climate change．
To direct consumers towards more environmentally-friendly decisions，we need clear and simple instructions to guide consumption behavior. Actually, two thirds of consumers find it hard to figure out which products are better for the environment, for 58% Europeans think that many businesses just pretend to be green so as to charge higher prices. Thus industry should work harder to give consumers more information about the carbon footprint of their product. For example, inform customers of products made from materials that are recycled，renewable, and／or less carbon-intensive.
People prefer high-quality products that will last long and won’t go out of style, though they might sometimes cost more, especially in time of crisis. Firms that make durable（持久耐用的） or recyclable products cause people to behave more responsibly, which may help put an end to our “throw-way” culture．
However, it is not enough to remind people of green products. It’s more important to direct people to follow a practical lifestyle model. Regulations alone cannot achieve this purpose. We call for good business communities to create a loyal group of “sustainable(可持續(xù)的) consumers”.
【小題1】According to the passage, the key to going greener globally is    ．

A．to provide enough information about sustainable products

B．to get the government involved in protecting the environment

C．to encourage consumers to make their efforts to live a green way

D．to direct companies to provide environmentally-friendly products

【小題2】The second paragraph tried to tell us that       ．

A．people are buying sustainable products to have a lighter carbon footprint

B．most European consumers lack confidence in making responsible choices

C．companies have done enough to allow consumers to make greener choices

D．companies can make more money by making less carbon-intensive products

【小題3】It’s advised that companies had better       especially in the time of crisis.

A．throw away old materials

B．reduce the cost of production

C．make more durable products

D．replace their products frequently

【小題4】The last paragraph puts emphasis on ___________.

A．the quality of products.

B．the honesty of companies.

C．the government regulations.

D．the importance of lifestyle.

Love, success, happiness, family and freedom—how important are these values to you? Here is one interview which explores the fundamental questions in life.
Question: Could you introduce yourself first?
Answer: My name is Misbah, 27 years old. I was born in a war-torn area. Right now I’m a web designer.
Q: What are your great memories?
A: My parents used to take us to hunt birds, climb trees, and play in the fields. For me it was like a holiday because we were going to have fun all day long. Those are my great memories.
Q: Does your childhood mean a lot to you?
A: Yes. As life was very hard, I used to work to help bring money in for the family. I spent my childhood working, with responsibilities beyond my age. However, it taught me to deal with problems all alone. I learnt to be independent.
Q: What changes would you like to make in your life?
A: If I could change something in my life, I’d change it so that my childhood could have taken place in another area. I would have loved to live with my family in freedom. Who cares whether we have much money, or whether we have a beautiful house? It doesn’t matter as long as I can live with my family and we are safe.
Q: How do your get along with your parents?
A: My parents supported me until I came of age. I want to give back what I’ve got. That’s our way. But I am working in another city. My only contact with my parents now is through the phone, but I hate using it. It filters(過濾) out your emotion and leaves your voice only. My deepest feelings should be passed through sight, hearing and touch.
【小題1】In Misbah’s childhood,     .

A．he was fond of getting close to nature	B．he liked living in the countryside
C．he was free from worry	D．he often spent holidays with his family

【小題2】What did Misbah desire most in his childhood?

A．A colorful life.	B．A beautiful house.
C．Money for his family.	D．Peace and freedom.

【小題3】How would Misbah prefer to communicate with his parents?

A．By chatting on the Internet.

B．By calling them sometimes.

C．By writing them letters.

D．By paying weekly visits.

【小題4】If there were only one question left, what would it most probably be?

A．What was your childhood dream?

B．What is your parents’ view of you?

C．What is your biggest achievement?

D．What was your hardest experience in the war?

How should one invest a sum of money in inflation (通貨膨脹)? Left in a bank it will hardly keep its value, however high the interest rate. Only a brave man, or a very rich one, dares to buy and sell on the Stock Market. Today it seems that one of the best ways to protect your savings, and even increase your wealth is to buy beautiful objects from the past. Here I am going to offer some advice on collecting antique clocks, which I personally consider are among the most interesting of antiques.
I sometimes wonder what a being from another planet might report back about our way of life. "The planet Earth is ruled by a mysterious creature that sits or stands in a room and makes a strange ticking sound. It has a face with twelve black marks and two hands. Men can do nothing without its permission, and it fastens its young round people's wrists so that everywhere men go they are still under its control. This creature is the real master of Earth and men are its slaves."
Whether or not we are slaves of time today depends on our culture and personality, but it is believed that many years ago kings kept special slaves to tell the time. Certain men were very clever at measuring the time according to the beating of their own hearts. They were made to stand in a fixed place and every hour or so would shout time. So it seems that the first clocks were human beings.
However, men quickly found more convenient and reliable ways of telling the time. They learned to use the shadows cast by the sun. They marked the hours on candles, used sand in hour- glasses, and invented water-clocks. Indeed, any serious student of antique should spend as much time as possible visiting palaces, stately homes and museums to see some of the finest examples of clocks from the past.
Antique clocks could be very expensive, but one of the joys of collecting clocks is that it is still possible to find quite cheap ones for your own home. After all, if you are going to be ruled by time, why not invest in an antique clock and perhaps make a future profit?
【小題1】According to the passage, collecting antique clocks ________.

A．can hardly keep the value of your savings

B．will cost much of your savings

C．may increase your wealth

D．needs your bravery

【小題2】By quoting (引用) the remark of a being from another planet, the author intends to ________.

A．suggest human beings are controlled by a clock

B．describe why clocks can rule the planet Earth

C．tell readers what clocks look like

D．compare clocks to human beings

【小題3】Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way to measure the time?

A．Counting the beating of one's own heart.

B．Making use of candles, sand and water.

C．Observing shadows cast by the sun.

D．Keeping slaves busy day and night.

【小題4】The purpose of the passage is ________.

A．to introduce the culture of antique clocks

B．to offer some advice on collecting antique clocks

C．to compare different ways to make a future profit

D．to explain convenient and reliable ways of telling time

Authorities will continue to take a hard line on Internet-based rumors and punish those creating fake information, a senior official said on Thursday.
Authorities have removed more than 210,000 online posts and shut down 42 websites since mid-March in their latest crackdown on online rumors, said Liu Zhengrong, a senior official with the State Internet Information Office.
Fake information or rumors spread through the Internet, especially on micro blogs, have harmed social order and residents’ daily lives, he said at a news briefing in Beijing.
Before the crackdown, six people who allegedly fabricated (偽造) rumors about “military vehicles entering Beijing” had been detained and 16 websites closed for disseminating fake online information, according to police authorities.
“What we’ve done and will do is to make sure residents can know what they want to know, say what they think and supervise our management in a reliable and useful network environment,” Liu said.
Liu disagreed that the Internet can police itself against rumors, and told China Daily that some netizens can’t distinguish truth from fiction, “requiring government departments and website companies to take measures”.
On Monday, the Internet Society of China posted a proposal calling on Internet companies and websites to strengthen self-discipline and prevent the spread of online rumors.
In response, three main Internet companies in the country - Sina, Baidu and Tencent - said they will target fake information with advanced technology and invest in manpower to supervise online information.
Zhao Zhiguo, deputy director of the Telecommunications Administration under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said stricter self-management of websites will help banish online rumors.
“Internet companies should take legal responsibility when operating their websites. They should not become a hotbed for rumors and provide opportunities for fake information,” Zhao said, adding they will launch similar crackdowns to close illegal website companies and punish those responsible.
Currently, people who make or spread rumors related to terrorism and securities trading, or information affecting State security and companies’ commercial reputations, will face criminal punishment.
Liu Honghui, a Beijing lawyer specializing in online cases, said he welcomed the government’s action to curb online rumors.
“Residents used online banks to shop or book flights, which needs a safe platform without fake information,” he said.
Yu Guofu, another lawyer from Sheng Feng Law Firm, said the key to reducing rumors is netizens themselves.
“If micro-bloggers think twice before forwarding information, rumors will decrease.”
【小題1】How many websites were shut down before mid-March in the latest crackdown on online rumors?

A．42

B．58

C．16

D．18

【小題2】What does the underlined word mean in fourth paragraph?

A．creating

B．spreading

C．providing

D．operating

【小題3】According to the passage, which of the following is true?

A．Not all netizens can distinguish truth from fiction on the Internet.

B．People who have harmed social order will face criminal punishment.

C．The Internet Society of China called on micro-bloggers to prevent the spread of online rumors.

D．Three main Internet companies in the country promised to launch more crackdowns to close illegal websites.

【小題4】Who plays an important role in reducing Internet-based rumors?

A．Authorities

B．Internet companies

C．Micro-bloggers

D．Police

Some people learn a second language easily. Other people have trouble learning a new language. How can you help yourself learn a new language, such as English? There are several ways to make learning English a little easier and more interesting.
The first step is to feel positive about learning English. If you believe that you can learn, you will learn. Be patient. You do not have to understand everything all at once. It is natural to make mistakes when you learn something new. We can learn from our mistakes. In other words, do not worry about taking risks,
The second step is to practice your English. For example, write in a journal, or diary, every day. You will get used to writing in English, and you will feel comfortable expressing your ideas in English. After several weeks, you will see that your writing is improving. In addition, you must speak English every day. You can practice with your classmates outside class. You will all make mistakes, but gradually you will become comfortable communicating in English.
The third step is to keep a record of your language learning. You can write this in your journal. After each class, think about what you did. Did you answer a question correctly? Did you understand something the teacher explained? Perhaps the lesson was difficult, but you tried to understand it. Write these accomplishments in your journal.
【小題1】To feel positive（積極的） about learning English means_______

A．if you are patient, you will learn

B．you can understand everything all at once

C．if you make mistakes, you can learn from them

D．if you believe you can learn, you will learn

【小題2】When you learn English, you do not need to _______

A．practice speaking it too much

B．to be patient and feel positive about it

C．express your ideas in English

D．understand everything all at once

【小題3】What is not helpful for you to enjoy learning English?

A．To communicate in English

B．To worry about taking risks

C．To think about what has been done after class

D．To make a record of the achievements

【小題4】What is the main idea of this passage?

A．It’s very important to learn a second language

B．Some people learn a second language easily while others don’t

C．There are ways to help you learn a second language easily

D．Don’t worry about taking risks when learning a second language