Most people know that Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the first person to win it twice. However, few people know that she was also the mother of a Nobel Prize winner.
Born in September, 1897, Irene Curie was the first of the Curies' two daughters. Along with nice other children whose parents were also famous scholars, Irene studied in their own school, and her mother was one of the teachers. She finished her high school education at the College of Sévigné in Paris.
Irene entered the University of Paris in 1914 to prepare for a degree in mathematics and physics. When World War I began, Irene went to help her mother, who was using X­ray facilities (設備) to help save the lives of wounded soldiers. Irene continued the work by developing X­ray facilities in military hospitals in France and Belgium. Her services were recognised in the form of a Military Medal by the French government.
In 1918, Irene became her mother's assistant at the Curie Institute. In December 1924, Frederic Joliot joined the Institute, and Irene taught him the techniques required for his work. They soon fell in love and were married in 1926. Their daughter Helene was born in 1927 and their son Pierre five years later.
Like her mother, Irene combined family and career. Like her mother, Irene was awarded a Nobel Prize, along with her husband, in 1935. Unfortunately, also like her mother, she developed leukemia because of her work with radioactivity (輻射能). Irene Joliot­Curie died from leukemia on March 17,1956.
【小題1】Why was Irene Curie awarded a Military Medal?

A．Because she received a degree in mathematics.

B．Because she contributed to saving the wounded.

C．Because she won the Nobel Prize with Frederic.

D．Because she worked as a helper to her mother.

【小題2】Where did Irene Curie meet her husband Frederic Joliot?

A．At the Curie Institute.	B．At the University of Paris.
C．At a military hospital.	D．At the College of Sévigné.

【小題3】 When was the second child of Irene Curie and Frederic Joliot born?

A．In 1932.	B．In 1927.
C．In 1897.	D．In 1926.

【小題4】In which of the following aspects was Irene Curie different from her mother?

A．Irene worked with radioactivity.	B．Irene combined family and career.
C．Irene won the Nobel Prize once.	D．Irene died from leukemia.

A cancer-stricken British teenage girl said Thursday she had been moved by messages of support from around the world after writing an online "Bucket List" of things she wanted to do before dying.
Alice Pyne, l5, created an Internet blog in which she described her fight against a cancer of the white blood cells. “I’ve been fighting cancer for almost four years and now l know that the cancer is gaining on me and it doesn't look like I'm going to win this one," she wrote.
For her list, the teenager took inspiration from the 2007 film “The Bucket List”, in which two terminally ill(患絕癥的) men, played by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, draw up a list of things they wish to do before they die.
On her list, at the site www.alicepyne.blogspot.com, she has included making everyone sign up to be a bone marrow donor(骨髓捐贈者), swimming with sharks, meeting boy band Take That and getting a purple iPad computer.
Messages of support and offers of help quickly flooded her webpage and it became one of the most talked about subjects on Twitter.
"Oh dear and I thought that I was just doing a little blog for a few friends!" she wrote after her site attracted huge attention. "Thank you so much for all your lovely messages to me."    
Pyne, who lives with her family in the northwest English town of Ulverston, revealed (透露) the management of Take That had arranged for her to see the band after reading her blog. A group of local lawmakers have also joined forces with the Anthony Nolan blood cancer charity to encourage people to join its stem cell register.
【小題1】What happened after Alice Pyne wrote her "Bucket List"?

A．The media called on people to help her.

B．People sent gifts to her from all over the world.

C．A lot of people offered to donate bone marrow to her.

D．People around the world sent messages to support her.

【小題2】 Alice Pyne wrote her "Bucket List" to  ___________.

A．express her last few wishes

B．say goodbye to a few friends

C．give comfort to two terminally ill men

D．catch people's attention

【小題3】It can be inferred from the second paragraph that Alice Pyne _________.

A．is unaware of her own conditions

B．is calm to know that death is approaching

C．is very sad to know that she will die

D．is still quite confident in fighting against cancer

【小題4】Which of the following is NOT on Alice Pyne's "Bucket List"?

A．To meet a boy.	B．To get a cool computer.
C．To swim with sharks.	D．To ask people to donate bone marrow.

One of the greatest contributions to the first Oxford English Dictionary was also one of its most unusual. In 1879, Oxford University in England asked Prof. James Murray to serve as editor for what was to be the most ambitious dictionary in the history of the English language. It would include every English word possible and would give not only the definition but also the history of the word and quotations(引文) showing how it was used.
This was a huge task so Murray had to find volunteers from Britain, the United States, and the British colonies to search every newspaper, magazine, and book ever written in English. Hundreds of volunteers responded, including William Chester Minor. Dr. Minor was an American surgeon who had served in the Civil War and was now living in England. He gave his address as “Broadmoor, Crowthorne, Berkshire,” 50 miles from Oxford.
Minor joined the army of volunteers sending words and quotations to Murray. Over the next 17 years, he became one of the staff’s most valued contributors.
But he was also a mystery. In spite of many invitations, he would always decline to visit Oxford. So in 1897, Murray finally decided to travel to Crowthorne himself. When he arrived, he found Minor locked in a booklined cell at the Broadmoor Asylum(精神病院) for the Criminally Insane.
Murray and Minor became friends, sharing their love of words. Minor continued contributing to the dictionary, sending in more than 10000 submissions in 20 years. Murray continued to visit Minor regularly, sometimes taking walks with him around the asylum grounds.
In 1910, Minor left Broadmoor for an asylum in his native America. Murray was at the port to wave goodbye to his remarkable friend.
Minor died in 1920, seven years before the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was completed. The 12 volumes defined 414 825words, and thousands of them were contributions from a very scholarly and devoted asylum patient.
【小題1】According to the text, the first Oxford English Dictionary________.

A．came out before Minor died

B．was edited by an American volunteer

C．included the English words invented by Murray

D．was intended to be the most ambitious English dictionary

【小題2】How did Dr. Minor contribute to the dictionary?

A．He helped Murray to find hundreds of volunteers.

B．He sent newspapers, magazines and books to Murray.

C．He provided a great number of words and quotations.

D．He went to England to work with Murray.

【小題3】Which of the following best describes Dr. Minor?

A．Brave and determined.	B．Unusual and scholarly.
C．Considerate and optimistic.	D．Cautious and friendly.

【小題4】What does the text mainly talk about?

A．Minor and the first Oxford English Dictionary.

B．The friendship between Murray and Minor.

C．The history of the English language.

D．Broadmoor Asylum and its patients.

Lynn is the publisher of Indiana Living Green magazine, a local Indiana-based publication focusing on all issues related to leading a sustainable lifestyle. Her knowledge, passion and unwavering dedication to this cause are both inspiring and admirable and are the reasons I nominate her for the Heart of Green Local Hero.
Lynn's interest in sustainable living has expanded over the years from simple recycling and wildlife gardening to encouraging others to appreciate nature and do what each can to protect the environment. The creation of Indiana Living Green comes from her belief that most individuals have an inner desire to do what is best for our environment and that each individual act truly does make a difference.
Lynn has been instrumental in bringing her green consciousness to Indiana by way of Indiana Living Green magazine over the past two years. Indiana Living Green is the only local publication solely focused on green living and sustainability. In addition, Lynn’s pioneering efforts also provide public educational forums via "Green Scenes" — a series of three hour events, each focusing on specific topics teaching Hoosiers how to lead greener lifestyles. She is a sought-after speaker, delivering topics such as "Greening Your Outdoor Space," "Updating Your Home to Green" and "Greening Your Lifestyle" to various businesses and organizations throughout Central Indiana. In addition, Lynn has appeared regularly on Indianapolis Fox 59 morning show’s "Living Green" segment, discussing various topics of interest ranging from grilling green and green baby buys to composting and recycling.
In addition to her role as publisher of Indiana Living Green magazine, Lynn is also a Habitat Steward Host for National Wildlife Federation, editor of Hoosier Organic Gardener, the newsletter of the Indiana Organic Gardeners Association, and a member of Garden Writers Association.
Lynn Jenkins deserves to be publicly recognized for all that she is and all that she has done and continues to do to educate and empower each of us to improve our individual lives, communities and our Earth.
【小題1】Which of the following is NOT true of Lynn Jenkins?

A．She is the publisher of the magazine Indiana Living Green.

B．She is a member of Garden Writers Association.

C．She won the award the Heart of Green Local Hero.

D．She encourages people to love and protect nature.

【小題2】 Indiana Living Green was probably _________.

A．a book on modern life style	B．a magazine on fashion
C．a journal on travel	D．a magazine on green living

【小題3】 What can we learn about “Green Scenes”?

A．It is a scene set in a three-hour film.

B．It is a series of events focusing on green life.

C．It is a film set in Central Indiana.

D．It is a forum focusing on green lifestyle.

【小題4】 The underlined word in the third paragraph probably means ________.

A．simply

B．mainly

C．earnestly

D．seriously

【小題5】 What is the purpose of the writing?

A．To call on readers to protect the environment and live green.

B．To nominate Lynn Jenkins for the Heart of Green Local Hero.

C．To introduce the readers to the Heart of Green Local Hero.

D．To advertise for Indiana Living Green and its publisher.

Three Boys and a Dad
Brad closed the door slowly as Sue left home to visit her mother. Expecting a whole day to relax, he was thinking whether to read the newspaper or watch his favourite TV talk show on his first day off in months. “This will be like a walk in the park,” he’d told his wife. “I’ll look after the kids, and you can go visit your mom.”
Things started well, but just after eight o’clock, his three little “good kids”—Mike, Randy, and Alex—came down the stairs in their night clothes and shouted “breakfast, daddy.” When food had not appeared within thirty seconds, Randy began using his spoon on Alex’s head as if it were a drum. Alex started to shout loudly in time to the beat(節(jié)拍). Mike chanted “Where’s my toast, where’s my toast,” in the background. Brad realized his newspaper would have to wait for a few seconds.
Life became worse after breakfast. Mike wore Randy’s underwear on his head. Randy locked himself in the bathroom, while Alex shouted again because he was going to wet his pants. Nobody could find clean socks, although they were before their very eyes. Someone named “Not Me” had spilled a whole glass of orange juice into the basket of clean clothes. Brad knew the talk show had already started.
By ten o’clock, things were out of control. Alex was wondering why the fish in the jar refused his bread and butter. Mike was trying to show off his talent by decorating the kitchen wall with his colour pencils. Randy, thankfully, appeared to be reading quietly in the family room, but closer examination showed that he was eating apple jam straight from the bottle with his hands. Brad realized that the talk show was over and reading would be impossible.
At exactly11:17, Brad called the daycare centre(日托所). “I suddenly have to go into work and my wife’s away. Can I bring the boys over in a few minutes? ” The answer was obviously “yes” because Brad was smiling.
【小題1】When his wife left home, Brad expected to __________.

A．go out for a walk in the park

B．watch TV talk show with his children

C．enjoy his first day off work

D．read the newspaper to his children

【小題2】Which of the following did Randy do?

A．Drew on the wall.

B．Ate apple jam.

C．Fed the fish.

D．Read in a room.

【小題3】Who is “Not Me”(underlined in Para.3)?

A．One of the family’s neighbor	B．The father
C．One of the three kids	D．The text doesn’t mention

【小題4】Why did Brad ask the daycare centre for help?

A．Because he wanted to clean up his house

B．Because he suddenly had to go to his office.

C．Because he found it hard to manage his boys.

D．Because he had to take his wife back home.

【小題5】This text is developed _________.

A．by space

B．by comparison

C．by process

D．by time

“BANG!” the door caused a reverberation (回聲)．It was just standing there, with Father standing on one side, and I on the other side．
We were both in great anger．“Never set foot in this house again!” stormed Father．With tears welling up in my eyes, I rushed out of the flat and ran along the street．
The street lights were shining rather desolately(凄涼的)．I wandered aimlessly．
A young father who held a child in his arms walked past me．I felt as if I saw my childhood from another space: happy and harmonious．
But now… I don’t know whether it is because I have grown up or because dad is getting old．We differ in our ways of thinking．He always imposes his opinions and codes of behavior on me．Whenever I do something wrong, he never admits it．We are just like two people coming from two different worlds．It feels like there is an iron door between us that can never be opened．
I wandered the streets, without a destination in mind．My heart was frozen on this hot summer night．As I walked on there were fewer and fewer people on the streets, until I had only the street lights to keep me company．When I finally reached the high-rise apartment block in which I lived, I saw that the light was still on．
In fact, it was nothing．Perhaps, dad was throwing away some of his old stamps．Perhaps he thought they were useless．I never had the courage to tell him that I liked collecting stamps．I can’t stand his outrageous(蠻橫的) words: “ I can throw you away, let alone these old papers．”
All the lights were off except father’s．
Dad was always like this．Maybe he didn’t know how to express himself．After shouting at me, he never showed any mercy or any moments of regret．After an argument he has the habit of creeping up in my sleep and then tucking me underneath the covers．
This was how he always was．He has been a leader for so long that telling everyone else what to do has become his second nature．
The light was still on．“Am I wrong?” I whispered, maybe… With the key in hand, I was as nervous as I had ever been．At last, I decided to open the door．As soon as I opened the door, tears ran down my cheeks．I suddenly realized that the iron door that I had imagined between us did not exist at all．Love – is second to none．
【小題1】Decide which is the best order of the following according to what happened in the passage．
a．I opened the door and entered the house．
b．Sadly I ran out into the street．
c．I reached the place where I lived and saw my house still brightly lit．
d．I thought of my father’s kindness towards me．
e．I walked about in the street without any aim．

A．b, e, d, c, a

B．b, e, c, d, a

C．b, e, a, c, d

D．b, e, c, a, d

【小題2】What made the writer think of his childhood?

A．The sight of the desolate street lights．

B．The sight of the empty street．

C．The sight of a father with a child in his arms．

D．The sight of light in his own house．

【小題3】Why do you think the father often shouts at his son?

A．Perhaps the father is getting older and older．

B．Perhaps the son has already grown up．

C．Perhaps they never agree with each other．

D．Perhaps the father has got used to doing that．

【小題4】What conclusion can you draw after reading the passage?

A．The father is actually kind to his son．

B．The father treats his son in an unfair way．

C．The father is neither kind nor cruel to his son．

D．The father is always finding fault with his son．

Many years ago, when I was fresh out of school and working in Denver, I was driving to my parents’ home in Missouri for Christmas. I stopped at a gas station about 50 miles from Oklahoma City, where I was planning to stop and visit a friend. While I was standing in line at the cash register I said hello to an older couple who were also paying for gas.
I took off, but had gone only a few miles when black smoke poured from the back of my car. I stopped and wondered what I should do. A car pulled up behind me. It was the couple I had spoken to at the gas station. They said they would take me to my friend’s. We chatted on the way into the city, and when I got out of the car, the husband gave me his business card.
I wrote him and his wife a thank-you note for helping me. Soon afterward, I received a Christmas present from them. Their note that came with it said that helping me had made their holiday meaningful.
Years later, I drove to a meeting in a nearby town in the morning. In late afternoon I returned to my car and found that I’d left the lights on all day, and the battery was dead. Then I noticed that the Friendly Ford dealership --- a shop selling cars --- was right next door. I walked over and found two salesmen in the show room.
“Just how friendly is Friendly Ford?” I asked and explained my trouble. They quickly drove a pickup truck to my car and started it. They would accept no payment, so when I got home, I wrote them a note to say thanks. I received a letter back from one of the salesmen. No one had ever taken the time to write him and say thank you, and it meant a lot, he said.
“Thank you”--- two powerful words. They’re easy to say and mean so much.
【小題1】The author planned to stop at Oklahoma City ________.

A．to drop in on a friend	B．to see his parents
C．to pay at the cash register	D．to make a plan with his friend

【小題2】The words “took off” underlined in Paragraph 2 means “_________”.

A．moved off

B．turned off

C．put up

D．set up

【小題3】What happened when the author found smoke coming out of his car?

A．He had it pulled back to the gas station.

B．The couple sent him a business card

C．The couple offered to help him.

D．He called his friend for help.

【小題4】By telling his own experiences, the author tries to show _______.

A．how to write a thank-you letter

B．how to deal with car problem

C．the kind-heartedness of older people

D．the importance of expressing thanks.

John Blanchard was studying the crowd making their way through the station. He was looking for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose.
When reading a book in a Florida library a year before, John became interested not in the contents of the book, but in the notes penciled in the margin. The handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and beautiful mind. He discovered the former owner's name in the front of the book: Miss Hollis Maynell.
He located her address and wrote a letter introducing himself. The next day he was shipped overseas to serve in the army. During the next year, they grew to know each other through the mail and their friendship developed. John requested a photograph, but she refused, saying if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return home, their first meeting was suggested — 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Central Station in New York.
She wrote, “You’ll recognize me by the red rose I wear on my coat.” So now John was in the station to meet the girl with a rose.                                        
As a pretty and slim girl in green came over, John noticed her blue eyes like flowers in spring. He walked directly towards her, entirely forgetting she was not wearing a rose. As John came closer to her, he saw another woman with a red rose stood nearby. Well past 40, this woman had graying hair done under a worn hat. Seeing the girl in green walk quickly away, John felt as if he were split in two.           He desired to follow that girl, but longed for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned and supported him.
The woman looked gentle and sensible. John went to her, saying, “I’m Captain John Blanchard. You must be Miss Maynell. I am glad to meet you here. May I take you to dinner?”
She replied with a smile, “I don’t know what this is about. But the lady in green who just went by, begged me to wear this rose on my coat. She said if you asked me out to dinner, I’d tell you she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!”
【小題1】John was eager to know the former owner of the book because he______.

A．was very interested in the contents of the book

B．was impressed by the notes written by its owner

C．wanted to improve his handwriting

D．wanted to discuss the book with her

【小題2】What happened to John after getting in touch with Miss Hollis Maynell?

A．He served in the army abroad.

B．He went overseas for vacation.

C．He went on a business trip in New York.

D．He visited Miss Maynell.

【小題3】What do we know about the woman with a rose?

A．She was Miss Maynell’s close friend.

B．She was a waitress in the big restaurant.

C．She was probably a passerby.

D．She was paid to meet John at the Station.

【小題4】Which would be the best title of the text?

A．An Interesting Book	B．A Woman With a Rose
C．A Brave Soldier	D．A Love Test

We often hear people talking about a generation gap (代溝). The name is new,but the idea is old. Young people and their parents don’t understand each other. The world has always kept changing. During the second century after Christ a wise man said, “Bury me on my face because in a little while everything will be turned upside down.”  There has always been a gap between generations, but more people talk about it now. Old Mr. Ellis thinks he understands what has happened. “When I was a boy, I thought the world was a beautiful place. My life was very pleasant. But when I was older, I learned about people who were treated badly, people who didn’t have enough to eat. I wanted to help them, and I married a girl who wanted to help them, too. We went to meetings and talked a lot, but it didn’t seem to make much difference. ”“Our children grew up in a world at war. They didn’t know when the fighting would stop. They wanted their children to have nice clothes and toys. They didn’t want to think about the future. They thought nothing could be done about it.” “Now I have grandchildren, and they have their own ideas. They are trying to make the world better. They are trying to help other people. They’re making people listen to them. I am proud of their generation.”
【小題1】 The wise man mentioned in the text told people to bury him on his face so   that when everything is turned upside down he will _____.

A．lie on his stomach	B．lie on his back
C．stand quietly	D．sit in peace

【小題2】Which generation did NOT want to do anything to make the world a better one?

A．Mr. Ellis’ generation	B．His children’s generation
C．His grandchildren’s generation	D．None of the above.

【小題3】 What is the writer’s attitude towards the generation gap?

A．Unacceptable.

B．Awful.

C．Funny.

D．Common.

A very strict officer was talking to some new soldiers whom he had to train. He had never seen them before, so began, “My name is Stone, and I’m even harder than stone, so do what I tell you or there’ll be trouble. Don’t try any tricks (詭計) with me, and then we’ll get on well together.”
Then he went to each soldier one after the other and asked him his name, “Speak loudly so that everyone can hear you clearly,” he said, “and don’t forget to call me ‘sir’.”
Each soldier told him name, until he came to the last one. This man remained silent and so Captain Stone shouted at him, “when I ask you a question, answer it! I’ll ask you again: “What’s your name, soldier?”
The soldier was very unhappy, but at last he replied,“My name’s Stonebreaker, sir,”he said nervously (緊張地).
【小題1】According to what the officer said, _____

A．trouble would come if anybody made tricks.

B．obeying his orders would sometimes bring no trouble.

C．he always got on well with his soldiers.

D．he often had trouble with his soldiers.

【小題2】The last soldier remained silent because _____

A．he didn’t like the way the officer spoke to them.

B．he was afraid the officer would be angry when he heard his name.

C．he wanted to see what would happen if he disobeyed his order.

D．the question was funny for him to answer.

【小題3】 According to the officer, how to answer the question, “How old are you ?” _____

A．(sadly) Twenty, sir.

B．(clearly) Twenty.

C．(quickly) Ten years younger than you, sir

D．(loudly) Twenty, sir