The film “Avatar” has received great popularity around the world. It turned out to be a great success. The film got ＄1 billion in ticket sales in a very short time. The story in the film happens on an alien planet called Pandora where many strange species live. Among the planet’s inhabitants(居民,棲息動物)，the one that has the most similarities with humans is the Na’vi, and it is the struggle between the Ma’vi and human invaders(入侵者) that forms the story of the film.
As to the factors(因素) leading to the film’s success, many think that the entertaining feast(盛宴) for the eyes and the wonderful story shouldn’t be forgotten, but the new language invented especially for the film which provides audiences with a new experience also plays an important part.
In order to increase the truthfulness of an alien race（外星人）, the film’s director James Cameron asked an expert in languages from the University of Southern California to invent a language for the Na’vi. Professor Paul Frommer combined the languages spoken among Indians, Africans and mid-Asians and worked with James Caneron for four years to create the Na’vi language based on the original 30 words that the director had already come up with.
According to Professor Frommer, the most important characteristic of the Na’vi language is that it could be pronounced. “This is an alien language but obviously it has to be spoken by human actors and actresses,” Professor Frommer told the BBC, “it has to sound natural and it should make human beings comfortable when using it.”
The language has a vocabulary of around 1000 words but Professor Formmer hopes to enlarge the vocabulary in possible follow-ups to the film and in video games. The professor hopes that one day his creation will be as successful as the Klingon alien language from the “Star Trek”films. “There’s a translation of Hamlet into Klingon and it has received great popularity among the audiences,” says Professor Frommer，“if anything like this happens to the Na’vi language, I’d be very happy.”
【小題1】What do we know about“Avatar” from this passage?

A．The story in it is a moving love story.

B．It brings the producer ＄1 billion in total.

C．The story in it happens on an alien planet.

D．It talks about humans and aliens’ friendship.

【小題2】 The director of “Avatar” James Cameron had a language invented for the Na’vi to ________.

A．make the film a whole mystery

B．make the Na’vi more believable

C．make the Na’vi different from humans

D．make the film have specific characteristics

【小題3】Who first created the basic words of the Na’vi language?

A．Paul Frommer.

B．An Indian.

C．James Cameron

D．Hamlet.

【小題4】The important feature of the Na’vi language is that _______.

A．it can be spoken by humans

B．it has just 30 original words

C．it has a vocabulary of 1000 words.

D．it is like the Klingon alien language

【小題5】We can infer from the passage that ________.

A．James Cameron will produce follow-ups to “Avatar”

B．the Na’vi language is another kind of the Klingon language

C．the director believes the Na’vi language will be popular

D．Paul Frommer hopes to add new words to the Na’vi language

People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care. These two days offer a chance to think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child-care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother’s Day people wear carnations. A red one stands for a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services(宗教儀式) to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit their graves. On these days, families get together at home and in restaurants. They often have outdoor BBQs for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is “the thought that counts”. Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephones companies and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays.
【小題1】 Which is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?

A．Parents bring children

B．Parents give love and care to children

C．Parents educate children to be good persons.

D．Parents pass away before children grow up

【小題2】 What do you know from the passage?

A．Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both in May.

B．Fewer women worked outside the home in the past

C．Not all the children respect their parents

D．Fathers are not as important as mothers at home

【小題3】Which do you think is right about “carnation”?

A．It only has two kinds of color.

B．It is a special kind of clothes people wear on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

C．It’s a kind of flower showing love and best wishes.

D．People can wear carnations only on the second Sunday in May.

【小題4】What do you think “florists” do?

A．They sell flowers

B．They made bread or pastry

C．They offer enough room for having family parties.

D．They sell special clothes for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

The Carnival of Brazil is an annual festival held 46 days before Easter, especially famous for the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Carnival celebrations are believed to have roots in the festival of Saturnalia, which, adapted to Christianity, became a farewell to bad things in a season of religious discipline to regret and prepare for Christ’s death and coming back to life.
Modern Brazilian Carnival dates back to Rio de Janeiro in 1641. It originally copied the European form of the festival, later taking in elements of Native American and African cultures.
In the late 19th century, the strings (弦樂器) were introduced in Rio de Janeiro. These were pageant (游行) groups that paraded through city avenues performing on instruments and dancing. Today they are known as blocks, consisting of a group of people who dress in costumes or special T-shirts with themes or logos. Blocks are generally connected with particular neighborhoods; they include both a music group and a lot of revelers.
Block parades have become an expressive feature of Rio’s Carnival. Today, they number more than 100 and the groups increase each year. Blocks can be formed by small or large groups of revelers with a clear title. Before the show, they gather in a square, then parade in sections of the city, often near the beach.
Carnival time in Rio is very interesting, but is also the most expensive time to visit Rio. Hotel rooms and other lodgings (住宿) can be up to four times more expensive than the regular rates. There are big crowds at some locations and life is far from ordinary in many parts of town.
【小題1】What can we infer from the first paragraph?

A．The Carnival of Brazil is often held after Easter.

B．The Carnival of Brazil comes from Easter and Saturnalia.

C．The Carnival of Brazil is a festival to regret and begin a new life.

D．The Carnival of Brazil is mainly to celebrate the birth of Christ.

【小題2】How long is the history of the people’s celebrating modern Brazilian Carnival?

A．About 100 years.	B．Less than two centuries.
C．About 370 years.	D．Over five centuries.

【小題3】Which of the following statements is TRUE about the blocks in Rio de Janeiro?

A．They are always wearing costumes or special T-shirts with themes or logos.

B．They always parade through countryside villages singing and dancing.

C．There are no more than 50 blocks today.

D．They don’t parade before the show.

【小題4】What is the passage mainly about?

A．The famous carnivals in the world.

B．How the carnival was introduced in Brazil.

C．The carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

D．The happy life of the people in Rio de Janeiro.

Professor Barry Wellman of the University of Toronto in Canada has invented a term to describe the way many North Americans interact(互動)these days. The term is “networked individualism”. This concept is not easy to understand because the words seem to have opposite meanings. How can we be individuals(個體)and be networked at the same time? You need other people for networks.
Here is what Professor Wellman means. Before the invention of the Internet and e-mail, our social networks included live interactions with relatives, neighbors, and friends. Some of the interaction was by phone, but it was still voice to voice, person to person, in real time.
A recent research study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project showed that for a lot of people, electronic interaction through the computer has replaced this person-to-person interaction. However, a lot of people interviewed for the Pew study say that’s a good thing. Why?
In the past, many people were worried that the internet isolated(孤立)us and caused us to spend too much time in the imaginary world of the computer. But the Pew study discovered that the opposite is true. The Internet connects us with more real people than expected—helpful people who can give advice on careers, medical problems, raising children, and choosing a school or college. About 60 million Americans told Pew that the Internet plays an important role in helping them make major life decisions.
Thanks to the computer, we are able to be alone an together with other people—at the same time!
【小題1】The underlined phrase “networked individualism” probably means that by using computers people       .

A．stick to their own ways no matter what other people say

B．have the rights and freedom to do things of their own interest

C．do things in their own ways and express opinions different from other people

D．a(chǎn)re able to keep to themselves but at the same time reach out to other people

【小題2】According to the Pew study, what do many people rely on to make major life decisions?

A．Networks.

B．Friends.

C．Phones.

D．Parents.

【小題3】It can be inferred from the Pew study that         .

A．people have been separated from each other by using computers

B．the Internet makes people waste a lot of time and feel very lonely

C．the Internet has become a new tool for a new kind of social communication

D．a(chǎn) lot of people regard the person-to-person communication as a good thing

【小題4】Which would be the best title for this passage?

A．We’re Alone on the Internet

B．We’re Communicating on the Internet

C．We’re Alone Together on the Internet

D．We’re in the Imaginary World of the Internet.

Neighbours play an important role in our lives. Their lifestyles, friends, and social habits can have a strong influence on our lives. It is a good idea to get to know the people next door or across the street to develop a community (社區(qū)) of support and safety. You never know when a neighbour will find a stranger walking around your house, or you may want to leave an extra key at their house in case someone in your family gets locked out.
How do you get along with your neighbours? Here are some tips for building a better relationship with your neighbours.
Point ①…Proper greetings can make your neighbours remember your name and pave (鋪) the way for more meaningful future meetings. Don’t stay too long, though, or you’ll wear out your welcome!
Point②…If your neighbour is building a pool, offer a few hours of help. Besides, you never know when the favor might be returned.
Point③…If you hear that someone who live close to you has had an accident, take over a hot meal or some fruit. Your action will add a special touch during a difficult time.
Point④…Invite your neighbours over for a cup of coffee in December or an Easter egg hunt in spring. A backyard barbecue (燒烤) can be a great way to share food and fun.
Your neighbours may annoy you at times, but they are like family in many ways. Appreciate their strengths and overlook their weaknesses, and everyone will get along just fine.
【小題1】What is Paragraph 1 mainly about?

A．The possibility of a good community.

B．How to get to know your neighbours.

C．How to influence your neighbours.

D．The importance of neighbours.

【小題2】According to the passage, which of the following may NOT be something nice to do?

A．Offering to help your neighbours if they need help.

B．Having a very long conversation with a new neighbour.

C．Inviting your neighbours over for a backyard barbecue.

D．Preparing a hot meal for a neighbour who is going through a difficult time.

【小題3】Match the following titles with each point.
a. Invite your neighbours over.          b. Lend a helping hand.
c. Go over and introduce yourself.       d. Offer support.

A．①-c②-b③-d④-a	B．①-c②-b③-a④-d
C．①-b②-c③-d④-a	D．①-b②-c③-a④-d

【小題4】We infer(推斷出) that the writer wrote this passage to        .

A．explain why it is good to get along well with others

B．give us some tips on how to support our neighbours

C．tell us how to get along with our neighours

D．a(chǎn)dvise us to be nice to our neighbours

Paris is the capital of the European nation of France. It is also one of the most beautiful and most famous cities in the world.
Paris is called the City of Light. It is also an international fashion center. What women are wearing in Paris will be worn by women all over the world. Paris is also a famous world center of education. For example, it is where the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The Seine River divides the city into two parts. Thirty-two bridges cross this beautiful river. The oldest and perhaps most well-known is the Pont Neuf, which was built in the sixteenth century.  The Sorbonne, a famous university, stands on the left bank of the river. There are many other famous places in Paris, such as the famous museum, the Louvre, as well as the Notre Dame. However, the most famous building in this city is Eiffel Tower.
Paris is named after a group of people called the Parisii. They built a small village on an island in the middle of the Seine River about two thousand years ago. This island, called the lie de la Cite, is where Notre Dame lies. Today around eight million people live in the Paris area.
【小題1】This article mainly tells us about       .

A．the buildings in Paris

B．the general situations of Paris

C．the center of the world

D．the famous buildings along the Seine River

【小題2】From the passage we may conclude that       .

A．the clothes worn by women in Paris are liked by women all over the world

B．women in Paris sell their clothes all over the world

C．women from all over the world go to Paris and wear their own clothes

D．women from all over the world like to go to Paris to buy clothes

【小題3】The building of        is the most famous building in Paris.

A．UNESCO	B．the Pont Neuf
C．Eiffel Tower	D．Notre Dame

【小題4】Which of the following descriptions of Paris is not true according to the text?

A．Paris is the capital of the European nation of France.

B．Paris is called the City of Light.

C．The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is located in Paris.

D．The most famous building in this city is the famous museum, the Louvre.

China news, Beijing, Feb. 9 – Housing price in China has always aroused heated discussions among property developers and ordinary Chinese. To many property developers and local government officials, housing price in China is still low compared with many developed countries. However, the average housing price in the United States is only 8,000 yuan per square meter, while in China, it is even higher than in the United States. This shows that there are some bubbles(泡沫) in Chinese real estate market, the International Finance News reported.
Although the average price of residential houses in the United States, after converted to Renminbi, is about 8,000 yuan per square meter, the houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property developers do when they sell their houses. If US property developers sell their houses according to the building area, then the housing price will be even lower than 8,000 yuan per square meter. In most big Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, houses are sold at a price even higher than those in the US.
The high housing sales price in large cities in China proves that Chinese real estate market does have some bubbles. Moreover, Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality, environment and supporting facilities. Furthermore, it should be noted that American people’s average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people. How can the Chinese afford to buy a house which is even more expensive than that sold in US?
At the beginning of 2007, Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public. Now in order to reduce the high housing prices, the government can regulate(控制) the real estate market by raising tax on property industry and controlling the release of loans and lands to property developers. At the same time, the government should allow people to build more houses through various fund-raising channels, such as funds collected from buyers or raised by working units. By applying these multiple means, it is expected that the high housing prices can be lowered.
【小題1】What is the average housing price per square meter in China?

A．8000 yuan	B．10000 yuan
C．7000 yuan	D．It’s not mentioned here

【小題2】Which of the following does NOT support the idea that the average housing price in China
is even higher than in the United States?

A．Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality, environment and supporting facilities.

B．American people’s average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people.

C．The houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property developers do when they sell their houses.

D．There are more people who need houses in China.

【小題3】What is the main idea of this passage?
A The housing price in China is so high that the government should do something useful to
prevent it.
B. There are some bubbles in Chinese real estate market
C. The average housing price in China is even higher than in the United States
D. Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public.
【小題4】How many measures are mentioned in the last paragraph in order to reduce the high housing
prices?

A．Four

B．Three

C．Five

D．Two

The Taj Mahal (泰姬陵) is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the finest example of the late style of Indian architecture (建筑). It is at Agra in northern India. It lies beside the River Jumna in the middle of gardens with quiet pools.
　　The Taj Mahal was built by the Mogul emperor (皇帝) Shah Jehan, who ruled India in the 17th century. It is used to honour his favorite wife, known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The building, which was completed between 1632 and 1638, was designed by a local Muslim architect (建筑師), Ustad Ahmad Lahori. The whole building, with gardens and gateway structures, was completed in 1643. The Taj Mahal stands at one end of the garden tomb with marble (大理石) path. The room is softly lighted by the light that passes through double screens of carved marble set high in the walls. The building now is kept in good condition.
　　The Taj Mahal took 22 years to build. Shah Jehan planned a similar building, but in black instead of white, to lie on the other side of the river. But before it could be built, Shah Jehan was imprisoned (監(jiān)禁) by his son and buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal.
【小題1】The Taj Mahal was built for____.

A．Mumtaz	B．Shah
C．Either Mumtaz or Shah	D．Both Mumtaz and Shah

【小題2】Why do you think Shah Jehan was buried next to his wife?

A．His own tomb hadn't been built.

B．He hoped to be buried there.

C．King and Queen should be buried together.

D．He liked Mumtaz all his life.

【小題3】The passage mainly tells us about ____ .

A．why the Taj Mahal was built

B．the love story between Shah and Mumtaz

C．How the Taj Mahal was built

D．the Taj Mahal

【小題4】Form the passage we can learn that____ .

A．the Taj Mahal looks more beautiful than before.

B．the Taj Mahal has become a place of interest

C．the Taj Mahal has completely changed.

D．the Taj Mahal doesn't exist now.

David Brown and Anne are two patients in the Adult Day Care Program at Mercy Hospitals. David Brown is seventy-two years old. He’s friendly and likes to talk. He lives with his wife in the city. But David is becoming forgetful. His wife says, “He’ll heat up some soup, then forget to turn off the gas.” She is sixty-one and still works. She is worried about leaving her husband alone.
Anne is eighty and lives with her 60-year-old daughter. Her daughter says that she needs a rest. “Mom follows me everywhere. She follows me when I read newspapers. I need a rest and she does, too.”
And so, several times a week, David and Anne’s families take them to the Adult Day Care Center. Many hospitals have this program. Patients come to the Center for a full or half day, from one to five days a week. All the patients live with their families and most are old people.
Mrs. Carol Johnson is the director of the Center. She says, “We are offering both the patients and their families a service of great value. Patients have the chance to get out of their houses. Husbands, wives or grown children can work or have a rest. Most important of all, families are able to stay together.”
【小題1】Why did David Brown become a patient of the Adult Day Care Center?

A．Because he is seventy-two years old.

B．Because he is lonely at home.

C．Because he is becoming forgetful.

D．Because he is seriously ill.

【小題2】 What happens to Anne’s family?

A．Her daughter is too old to look after her.

B．Anne cleans all the rooms everyday.

C．Her daughter doesn’t want Anne to live with her.

D．Her daughter is very tired because Anne always follows her.

【小題3】Adult Day Care Center is run by ____.

A．hospitals

B．schools

C．churches

D．government

【小題4】 Which statement is NOT true about the patients of the Center?

A．Most patients are old people.

B．All the patients live with their families.

C．The patients learn many things in the Center.

D．The patients come to the Center six days a week.

【小題5】Which of the following statements is NOT the reason why the Center is offering a valuable service?

A．Families are able to stay together.

B．Husbands, wives or grown children can work or have a rest.

C．Patients have the chance to go out of their houses.

D．The patients there are given the best medicine and the best operation.

People use their mouths for many things. They eat, talk, shout and sing. They smile and they kiss. In the English language, there are many expressions using the word“mouth”.
For example, if you say bad things about a person, the person might protest and say“Do not bad mouth me. ”Sometimes, people say something to a friend or family member that they later regret because it hurts that person’s feelings. Or they tell the person something they were not supposed to tell. The speaker might say:“I really put my foot in my mouth this time. ”If this should happen, the speaker might feel down in the mouth. In other words, he might feel sad for saying the wrong thing.
Another situation is when someone falsely claims another person said something, the other person might protest,“I did not say that . Do not put words in my mouth. ”
Some people have lots of money because they were born into a very rich family. There is an expression for this, too. You might say such a person“Born with a silver spoon in his mouth. ”This rich person is the opposite of a person who lives from hand to mouth. This person is very poor and only has enough money for the most important things in life, like food.
Parents might sometimes withhold（拒給）sweet food from a child as a form of punishment for saying bad things. For example, if a child says things she should not say to her parents, she might be described as a mouthy child. The parents might even tell the child to stop mouthing off.
But enough of all this talk, I have been running my mouth long enough.
【小題1】In what kind of situation will a person say“Do not bad mouth me. ”?

A．When he feels down.	B．When he feels regretful.
C．When he is spoken ill of.	D．When he feels proud.

【小題2】If a person feels sorry for what he has said, he might say “_____”

A．Do not bad mouth me.

B．I really put my foot in my mouth this time.

C．Do not put words in my mouth.

D．Stop mouthing off.

【小題3】If a person lives from hand to mouth, it implies _____ .

A．he is badly-off	B．he is hard-working
C．he is well-off	D．he has enough to eat

【小題4】By saying“I have been running my mouth long enough.”, the speaker means “_____”

A．I have run a long way.	B．I have been a mouthy person.
C．I have learned a lot.	D．I have talked too much.