“Long time no see” is a very interesting sentence．When I first read this sentence from an American friend’s email，I laughed．I thought it was a perfect example of Chinglish．
Obviously，it is a word-by-word literal translation of the Chinese greetings with a ruled English grammar and structure! Later on，my friend told me that it is a standard American greeting．I was too thrilled to believe her．Her words could not convince me at all．So I did a research on google．com．To my surprise，there are over 60 thousand web pages containing “Long time no see．” This sentence has been widely used in emails，letters，newspapers，movies，books，or any other possible places．Though it is sort of informal，it is part of the language that Americans use daily．Ironically，if you type this phrase in Microsoft Word，the software will tell you that the grammar needs to be corrected．
Nobody knows the origin of this Chinglish sentence．Some people believe that it came from Charlie Chan’s movies．In the 1930s，Hollywood moviemakers successfully created a world wide famous Chinese detective named “Charlie Chan” on wide screens．Detective Chan likes to teach Americans some Chinese wisdom by quoting Confucius．“Long time no see” was his trademark．Soon after Charlie Chan，“Long time no see” became a popular phrase in the real world with thanks to the popularity of these movies．
Some scholars refer to America as a huge pot of stew．All kinds of culture are mixed in the stew together，and they change the color and taste of each other．American Chinese，though a minority ethnic（少數(shù)民族的成員） group in the United States，is also contributing some changes to the stew! Language is usually the first thing to be influenced in the mixed stew．
You can have some other examples than adoptions from Chinese，such as pizza from Italian，susi from Japanese，and déjà vu from French etc．There is a long list! Americans do not just simply borrow something from others．They will modify it and make it their own，so you would not be surprised to find a tofu and peanut butter hamburger in a restaurant，or to buy a bottle of iced Chinese green tea with honey in a grocery store．Since Americans appreciate Chinese culture more and more nowadays，I believe more Chinese words will become American English in the future．In this way the American stew keeps adding richness and flavor．
【小題1】The writer himself felt surprised at ______．

A．the Chinglish expression “Long time no see”

B．“Long time no see” used as standard American English

C．so many literal translation of the expressions used in America

D．finding out Americans use the expression every day

【小題2】The word “stew” in the 4^th paragraph probably means ______．

A．mixture literature	B．Confucius’ words
C．a(chǎn) kind of cooked dish	D．American changing cultures

【小題3】According to the passage，it can be inferred that ______．

A．detectives translate the phrase “Long time no see”

B．Hollywood made “Long time no see” popular

C．the huge pot of stew greatly affects all kinds of languages

D．cultures can be changed in the huge pot of stew

【小題4】The main idea of the passage is that ______．

A．some Chinese expressions are introduced into English

B．you’ll not be surprised at a tofu in a restaurant in America

C．some American expressions can be used in China

D．American English keep being enriched from different cultures

【小題5】According to the passage，which of the following statements is not true?

A．Informal language sometimes doesn’t go with grammar and structure．

B．Languages are always ruled by grammar and structure．

C．“Long time no see” has been used in at least four media mentioned in the passage．

D．There are four languages mentioned to be adopted in the American stew．

You may not be aware, but digital currency (貨幣) is a big part of the Internet world. QQ Coins can buy you accessories (配飾) for your QQ images. More importantly, a new digital currency, Bitcoin, is bringing the world’s commerce online.
If you’re traveling, you can spend Bitcoins at restaurants and hotels listed at BitcoinTravel.com. In China, Bitcoins can be used to buy goods at about 134 online shops on Taobao. And at a café named 2^nd Place in Beijing, you can even buy fresh coffee with Bitcoins.
So what makes Bitcoin so attractive to investors?
First of all, the Bitcoin system is not controlled by anyone. One central authority cannot make policies to change the value of Bitcoins. The fixed amount of Bitcoins also means they cannot lose value through inflation(通貨膨脹), as all forms of paper money have done over time.
In addition, accounts in the Bitcoin system are anonymous and transparent. Users can set up an account easily and track every Bitcoin. All of these features seem to make Bitcoins immune(有免疫力的) from loss, but that is not entirely true.
“The value of Bitcoins can vary wildly as no central government makes the price of them steady. If the value drops suddenly, investors cannot get any compensation(賠償),” Zhao Qingming, a senior researcher at China Construction Bank, told China Economic Weekly. And Bitcoins, unlike company shares, are not backed by any tangible funds, which also adds to their risk.
While China will not recognize the digital currency anytime soon, Xinhua said, lawmakers and officials at a hearing on Nov. 18 in the US made positive comments about Bitcoin.
Ben Bernanke, outgoing chairman of the Federal Reserve, told the Washington Post that “these types of creations, such as Bitcoin… may hold long-term promise, particularly if its system promote a faster, more secure and more efficient payment system.”
【小題1】Bitcoin is ______.
A. actually exactly like QQ Coins
B. only used online 
C. a new currency used both online and in real life
D a country’s new digital currency.
【小題2】We can use Bitcoin to buy the following things except ______.

A．online goods	B．goods at 134 online shops on Taobao
C．books in physical shops	D．coffee at a café named 2nd Place

【小題3】What is the disadvantage of Bitcoin?

A．the value of it can rise and fall wildly.

B．It cannot lose value through inflation.

C．Every bitcoin in your account can be followed.

D．It can even be used at some specific restaurants and hotels.

How words came into being is unknown. All we assume（推測）is that some early men invented certain sounds, in one way or another, to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could talk with each other. Later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be put together to show those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, are called words.
The power of words, then, lies in their associations - the things they bring up to our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings. This clever use of words is what we call literary style（文體）. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can express his meaning in words which sing like music and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them correctly, or they will make our speech silly and common.
【小題1】We learn from the text that language might have begun with           

A．a(chǎn)ctions

B．expressions

C．sounds

D．signs

【小題2】What is mainly discussed in Paragraph 2?

A．The relation of human experience with words.

B．The gradual change and development of words.

C．The learning of new words.

D．The importance of old words.

【小題3】In the last paragraph, what does the author suggest that we should do?

A．Associate with listeners.	B．Make musical speeches.
C．Learn poems by heart.	D．Use words skillfully.

It is hard to imagine that such a small country，the size of Indiana with the population of Alaska，tucked in the Himalaya Mountains，accessible only by two airplanes，is the “Happiest Country’’ in the world and has one of the fastest growing GDP’S in the world．This country is Bhutan，“Land of the Thunder Dragon”，which is located in South Asia and is encompassed by India，China，and Nepal．
Bhutan is the last standing Buddhist Kingdom in the World and，until recently，has preserved much of their culture since the l7th century by avoiding globalization and staying isolated from the world．Internet，television，and western dress were banned from the country up until ten years ago．Over the past ten years globalization has begun to change in Bhutan，but things remain perfectly balanced．
Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a ‘GNH’，which refers to “Gross National Happiness．’’The process of measuring GNH began when Bhutan opened up to globalization．It measures people’s quality of life，and makes sure that “material and spiritual development happen together．”Bhutan has done an amazing job of finding this balance．Bhutan has continually been ranked as the happiest country in all of Asia，and the eighth Happiest Country in the world according to Business Week．In 2007，Bhutan had the second fastest growing GDP in the world，at the same time as maintaining their environment and cultural identity．
In 2008，in Bhutan’s first democratic election，28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang Chuck was elected president of Bhutan．He promises to “maintain a stance （立場)of protection against the worst aspects of globalization，maintaining the ‘Gross National Happiness’．”But Jigme himself is no stranger to globalization．He attended high school at Phillips Academy and university at Wheaton College and then graduated from Oxford．
【小題1】The underlined word “encompassed’’ in the first paragraph most probably means __________ .

A．covered	B．surrounded
C．separated	D．guarded

【小題2】Why is Bhutan regarded as “the happiest country”?

A．Because it changes its policy and begins to open up．

B．Because it uses “GNH” to measure its achievement．

C．Because it stresses both material and spiritual development．

D．Because it has the second fastest growing GDP in the world．

【小題3】What Can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．The election in Bhutan is far from satisfactory．

B．Globalization has influenced Bhutan’s religion．

C．Jigme’s educational background will cause distrust．

D．People in Bhutan will continue living a happy life．

【小題4】Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?

Driving a car is not just handling controls and judging speed and distance. It requires you to predict what other road users will do and get ready to react to something unexpected. When alcohol is consumed, it enters your bloodstream and acts as a depressant (抑制藥), damaging eyesight, judgment and co-ordination(協(xié)調(diào)), slowing down reaction time and greatly increasing the risk of accidents. Even below the drink driving link, driving will be affected.
Alcohol may take a few minutes to be absorbed into the bloodstream and start action on the brain. Absorption rate is increased when drinking on an empty stomach or when consuming drinks mixed with fruit juice. To get rid of alcohol from the body is a very slow process and it is not possible to speed it up with any measures like taking a shower or having a cup of tea or coffee.
The present Road Traffic Ordinance states clearly that the limit of alcohol concentration is:   ● 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood; or
● 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath; or
● 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of urine (尿液).
Drivers who cause traffic accidents, or who commit a moving traffic offence or are being suspected of drink driving will be tested.
Any drive found drinking beyond the limit will be charged. The driver declared guilty may be fined a maximum of HK $25,000 and be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison and punished for 10 driving-offence points; or temporarily banned from driving.
The same punishment applies to failing to provide specimens (樣本) far breath, blood or urine tests without good excuse.
Drink driving is a criminal offence. Be a responsible driver, think before you drink. For the safety of yourself and other road users, never drive after consuming alcohol.
【小題1】The first paragraph is mainly about ________.

A．the introduction of driving skills

B．the damage of drinking to your body

C．the effect of drinking on driving

D．the process of alcohol being absorbed

【小題2】The underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refers to “________”.

A．a(chǎn)lcohol

B．a(chǎn)bsorption

C．blood

D．process

【小題3】Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Drinking below the drink driving limit has no effect on driving.

B．Alcohol is taken in more quickly when drunk with fruit juice.

C．Having a cup of tea helps to get rid of alcohol from the body.

D．50 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of breath is below the drink limit.

【小題4】A drive suspected of drink driving ________.

A．should provide specimens for testing

B．will be forbidden to drive for 3years

C．will be punished for 10 driving-offence points

D．should pay a maximum fine of HK $25,000

Toyota is the world's largest automaker, but its road to success has been long and filled with speed bumps（顛簸）.
1958：The company's first foray into the American market was the Toyopet in 1958. It was a flop.
1964：Toyota introduced their Corona line of automobiles and sales hit 6,400 in 1965, marking an increase in popularity.
1969：Toyota began importing the Corolla and in 1985 it would become the first Toyota built in the U.S.
1975：Toyota surpassed the popular German brand Volkswagen to become the top import sold in the U.S.
1986：The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered its first recall of Toyota cars due to "speed control" problems.
1988：The First North American Toyota plant opened in Georgetown, Ky.
1989：Toyota introduced the Lexus LS 400, the company's first U.S. luxury car. It was a major hit.
1997：Toyota debuted their Prius gas-electric hybrid car.
2002：The first consumer complaints emerged of the Camry's engine surging under braking.
2004：The NHTSA opened a defect investigation into 2002-2003 Camry, Camry Solara and Lexus ES models.
2006：Toyota "Americanizes" and opened a new plant in Texas to build full-size pickups
2007：Toyota surpassed General Motors to become the world's largest automaker.
2007：The NHTSA investigated pedal entrapment in some Toyota vehicles, which led recalls of floor mats on Camry and Lexus models.
2007：The NHTSA investigated pedal entrapment in some Toyota vehicles, which led recalls of floor mats on Camry and Lexus models.
Aug. 2009：An off-duty California Highway Patrol officer and three family members were killed when their rental 2009 Lexus ES speeds out of control.
Nov. 2009：Toyota recalled 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota models to remove floor mats that can trap pedals.
Jan. 2010：Toyota recalled approximately 2.3 million more vehicles with potential sticking pedal problems. On Jan. 26, Toyota stopped selling eight models involved in the recall.
Feb. 2010：Prius and Lexus hybrids are now being recalled for brake problems in 2010 models.
【小題1】Which of the following brands belong to Toyota family？

A．Toyopet, Volkswagen, Lexus, Prius

B．Camry, Prius, Lexus, Georgetown

C．Corona, Prius, Lexus, Corolla

D．General Motors, Lexus, Camry, Corolla

【小題2】The underlined word in Para.6 probably means:

A．withdrawal

B．sorrow

C．a(chǎn)ppreciation

D．resolve

【小題3】We can infer from the passage that____________

A．Lexus LS 400 is a cheaper car

B．Prius may be a kind of environmentally friendly car

C．Corona became popular as soon as introduced to the US

D．Toyota’s plant opened in Georgetown symbolized its “Americanize” tactics

【小題4】The purpose of this passage is to_________.

A．a(chǎn)dvertise for Toyota

B．display Toyota’s glory

C．uncover Toyota’s braking problems

D．introduce Toyota’ s struggle in the US

【小題5】What is the best title of the passage?

A．The world’s largest automaker	B．The rise of Toyota
C．Toyota meeting problems in the US	D．Toyota’s failure in the US

This may be music to your ears.
Researchers P. Jason Rentfrow and Samuel Gosling gave 3,500 people a personality quiz. Then they asked them to name their favorite kind of music. “We found that the musical style people like are closely linked to their personalities,” Gosling says.
RAP/HIP-HOP
Known for their quick speech, some rappers can say more than 700 syllables (音節(jié)) a minute!
If you like rap/hip-hop, you are energetic and have a way with words. You put a fresh spin on things, whether it’s new moves on the dance floor or your hip style.
CLASSLCAL
In the 18^th century, classical musicians were like rock stars. Beethoven and Mozart, for example, played in packed concert halls.
If you like classical, you are open to new ideas and like debating with friends. Creative and imaginative, you can easily spend many hours scrapbooking, writing or painting.
COUNTRY
Country music came from the folk songs of English, Scottish, and Irish settlers of the southeastern United States.
If you like country, you express your opinions well, which makes you the ideal class president or team captain. Traditional and loyal, you enjoy spending time with your family.
POP
Pop music is designed to appeal to (吸引) almost everyone, and it does. Each year, the industry brings in about 30 billion dollars!
If you like pop, you are attractive to your friends. You can make big things happen, like planning for a huge party or inspiring your team to victory.
ROCK
In the 1950s, rock music created a brand-new culture. Teenagers, for the first time, had an identity separate from adults and children.
If you like rock, you are a risk-taker who never accepts no for an answer. You rise to any challenge, like doing very well in a big exam or landing the lead in the school play.
If these personality profiles don’t match you, that’s OK. These are just for fun.
【小題1】What does the underlined part “You put a fresh spin on things” mean in the passage?

A．You can express your idea in a clever way that makes it seem better than it really is.

B．You have the ability to attract others’ attention.

C．You are always willing to communicate with others.

D．You are willing to express your thoughts to others all the time.

【小題2】If you like pop music,           .

A．you are traditional and prefer to stay with your family

B．you are easy to accept new ideas

C．you are welcome and your friends all like to be with you

D．you have a quick speech and can say 30 words in a minute

【小題3】We can know from this passage that           .

A．in the 18th century, classical musicians were like pop stars

B．country music came from the old songs of the Native Americans

C．pop music is liked by the largest number of people in the world

D．everyone can find his personality in this passage

【小題4】What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．When music came into being.

B．What your favorite music says about you.

C．Some basic information about music.

D．How to like music.

Diana Jacobs thought her family had a workable plan to pay for college for her 21-year-old twin sons: a combination of savings, income, scholarships, and a modest amount of borrowing. Then her husband lost his job, and the plan fell apart.
“I have two kids in college, and I want to say ‘come home’, but at the same time I want to provide them with a good education.” says Jacobs.
The Jacobs family did work out a solution. They asked and received more aid from the schools, and each son increased his borrowing to the maximum amount through the federal loan (貸款) program. They will each graduate with $20,000 of debt, but at least they will be able to finish school.
With unemployment rising, financial aid administrators expect to hear more families like the Jacobs. More students are applying for aid, and more families expect to need student loans. College administrators are concerned that they will not have enough aid money to go around.
At the same time, tuition（學費）continues to rise. A report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education found that college tuition and fees increased 439% from 1982 to 2007, while average family income rose just 147%. Student borrowing has more than doubled in the last decade.
“If we go on this way for another 25 years, we won’t have an affordable system of higher education,” says Patrick M. Callan, president of the center. “The middle class families have been financing it through debt. They will send kids to college whatever it takes, even if that means a huge amount of debt.”
Financial aid administrators have been having a hard time as many companies decide that student loans are not profitable enough and have stopped making them. The good news, however, is that federal loans account for about three quarters of student borrowing, and the government says that money will flow uninterrupted.
【小題1】How did the Jacobs manage to solve their problem?

A．They asked their kids to come home.

B．They borrowed $20,000 from the school.

C．They encouraged their twin sons to do part-time jobs.

D．They got help from the school and the federal government.

【小題2】Financial aid administrators believe that          .

A．more families will face the same problem as the Jacobs

B．the government will receive more letters of complaint

C．college tuition fees will double soon

D．America’s unemployment will fall

【小題3】What can we learn about the middle class families from the text?

A．They blamed the government for the tuition increase.

B．Their income remained steady in the last decade.

C．They will try their best to send kids to college.

D．Their debts will be paid off within 25 years.

【小題4】According to the last paragraph, the government will           .

A．provide most students scholarships

B．dismiss some financial aid administrators

C．stop the companies from making student loans

D．go on providing financial support for college students

February has long been a month of romance（浪漫）. With the sweet smell of roses in the air, romantic films hit cinemas and love stories fill newspapers and magazines.
On the 14th day, it is a custom for a boy to take his girlfriend out to dinner, buy her flowers and chocolates, write poems, sing to her or even spell out her name with rose petals! This is what you see on Valentine’s Day, a day named after Valentine who was a priest（牧師） in the third century Rome. When the emperor (皇帝) decided that single men could become better soldiers than those with wives, he didn’t allow marriage. But Valentine continued to perform（主持） marriage ceremonies（典禮） for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, the emperor sentenced him to death. While in prison（監(jiān)獄）, it is said that Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his prison guard. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed （簽名）“From your Valentine”, an expression that is still  in use today. Valentine died for what he believed in and so he was made a Saint (圣徒), as well as becoming one of history’s most romantic characters.
Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is also popular among Chinese young people. Some students are planning to make Valentine’s cards for parents, teachers and friends. Others want to hold parties at which they will exchange small gifts and eat heart-shaped（心形的） cakes. The idea is to have fun and encourage people to share in the spirit of St. Valentine.
【小題1】Why did the emperor in Rome not allow marriage in his country?

A．Because there were few women in his country at that time.

B．Because he wanted to control the birth rate.

C．Because there wasn’t enough food for so many people.

D．Because he thought men without wives could be better soldiers.

【小題2】Valentine was put into prison because ______.

A．he killed one of the soldiers

B．he didn’t obey the emperor’s order

C．he stole a lot of food

D．he didn’t want to be a soldier

【小題3】The last paragraph mainly tells us ______.

A．students in China send cards to their teachers

B．Valentine’s Day is also popular in China now

C．it is interesting to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

D．it is a good idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

【小題4】The best title for this passage should be ______.

A．Valentine’s Day in China	B．A Brave Priest
C．Valentine’s Day	D．A Romantic Man

Traditional Japanese food is surely one of the healthiest and most delicious in the world, and fortunately for most of us, foods like tofu, sushi and even green tea are now familiar and can be found easily out of Japan. As a national cuisine(烹飪), thanks to many social as well as political changes, Japanese food has greatly developed over the past few centuries. In ancient times, when much of the traditional cuisine was influenced by Korean and Chinese cultures, Japanese cuisine slowly changed with the start of the medieval(中世紀的)period, which brought along with it new tastes.
With the coming of the modern age, a great many changes took place and the Japanese cuisine was influenced greatly by Western culture. However, the traditional Japanese food of today is still very like what existed toward the end of the 19th century. This would mean that a large part of the Japanese cuisine includes those foods whose cooking methods and ingredients(原料)have been introduced from other cultures, but which have since then been experimented with and developed by the Japanese themselves.
The thing about Japanese food is that you either will love it or will completely look down upon it. With traditional Japanese food, there is no such thing as an in-between. However, chances are that if you hate Japanese food, then you probably haven’t even tasted real Japanese food or you simply haven’t given yourself the chance to like it. Unlike other cuisines, Japanese food is not something that you will appreciate after having only a bite. Like wines and cigars, Japanese food needs time to be liked.
【小題1】 After reading the whole passage, we learn that this passage mainly         .

A．a(chǎn)dvises us to eat healthy food is so healthy

B．explains why Japanese food is so healthy

C．introduces some famous traditional Japanese food

D．tells us something about traditional Japanese food

【小題2】What does the writer mean by saying “fortunately for most of us”?

A．That most people know how to prepare tofu and sushi themselves.

B．That most traditional Japanese food can be enjoyed everywhere.

C．That we can enjoy some traditional Japanese food out of Japan.

D．That Japanese food like tofu, sushi and even green tea is not strange to us.

【小題3】What can we learn from the passage?

A．Japanese food changed most during the medieval period.

B．Japanese food has been greatly influenced by other cultures.

C．The traditional Japanese food of today tastes totally different from that in the past.

D．Korean food is also one of the healthiest foods in the world.

【小題4】The last paragraph suggests that      .

A．healthy food usually doesn’t taste good

B．not everyone likes Japanese food

C．some people are crazy about Japanese food

D．it’s very easy to tell whether the food is real Japanese food or not

【小題5】 In the writer’s opinion, Japanese food        .

A．is not as good as people think

B．sometimes tastes really terrible

C．is worth tasting a second time

D．tastes as good as Chinese food