A little under one-third of U.S. families have no Internet access and do not plan to get it, with most of the holdouts seeing little use for it in their lives, according to a survey released on Friday.
Park Associates, a Dallas-based technology market research firm, said 29 percent of U.S. families, or 31 million homes, do not have Internet access and do not intend to subscribe（預(yù)訂） to an Internet service over the next 12 months. The second annual National Technology Scan conducted by Park found that the main reason why potential customers say they do not subscribe to the Internet is because of the low value to their daily lives rather than concerns over cost.
Forty-four percent of these families say they are not interested in anything on the Internet, versus just 22 percent who say they cannot afford a computer or the cost of Internet service, the survey showed. The answer "I'm not sure how to use the Internet" came from 17 percent of participants who do not subscribe. The response "I do all my e-commerce shopping and YouTube-watching at work" was cited by 14 percent of Internet-access refuseniks. Three percent said the Internet doesn't reach their homes.
The study found U.S. broadband adoption grew to 52 percent over 2006, up from 42 percent in 2005. Roughly half of new subscribers converted（轉(zhuǎn)變） from slower-speed, dial-up Internet access while the other half of families had no prior access.
"The industry continues to chip （擊破）away at the core of non-subscribers, but has a long way to go," said John Barrett, director of research at Parks Associates. "Entertainment applications will be the key. If anything will pull in the holdouts, it's going to be applications that make the Internet more similar to pay-TV," he predicted.
【小題1】What does the underlined word “holdouts” in the first paragraph most probably mean?

A．some American families

B．those who hold out one’s opinions

C．those who have been surveyed

D．those who still haven’t access to the Internet currently

【小題2】Many potential customers refuse to subscribe to the Internet mainly because __________.

A．they show too much concern about the cost

B．they can find little value of it

C．they do most YouTube-watching at work

D．the Internet doesn’t reach their homes

【小題3】From the passage we can infer that _____________.

A．It is not an easy job to transform those holdouts into the Internet users

B．people will adopt dial-up Internet access no more

C．many Americans enjoy doing e-commerce shopping at home

D．more than half of the population are using the Internet in 2005

【小題4】According to John Barrett, what is the key to attracting more U.S. families to broadband service?

A．making the Internet look more similar to TV set

B．a(chǎn)pplying the Internet more to entertainment

C．providing more pay-TV programs

D．chipping away at the core of non-subscribers

【小題5】Which is the best title for the passage?

A．Web develops with technology

B．The present situation of web

C．Many Americans see little point to web

D．It is urgent to promote web service

Aggressive pedestrians are in fact as dangerous as careless drivers. They cause traffic accidents, injury and death.
These dangerous walkers can be seen in any big city all over the world. About 69% of last year’s pedestrian deaths in the US occurred in urban areas. They cross streets ignoring “DON’T WALK” signals, suddenly appear without warning from behind parked vehicles, walk slowly at crossroads with cell phones attached to heads, blocking traffic.
These pedestrians and drivers share a common disregard for the rules of the road, both for selfish reasons. The drivers believe in the power of their machines. If their machines can go faster, they believe they have the right to go faster. If their machines are bigger, they believe they have the right to push smaller vehicles aside. Aggressive pedestrians, on the other hand, believe in the primacy(首位) of the individual, the idea that they are first in any environment, under any circumstances, even when they are on foot in a roaring tide of steel and rubber.
Last year, an estimated 5,220 pedestrians died in traffic accidents. Some 69,000 pedestrians were injured. On average, that worked out to one pedestrian killed in a traffic crash every 101 minutes, and one injured every eight minutes.
The good news is that the accident rate is dropping. For example, the number of pedestrians killed last year was 24 percent less than the number killed in traffic accidents a decade earlier. The bad news is that the basic causes of pedestrian deaths remain pretty much the same----disregard for traffic signals, inattention and crossing roads under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Alcohol, in fact, was involved in 46 percent of the traffic accidents that resulted in pedestrian deaths. Of those, 31 percent of the pedestrians were found to be drunk.
The bottom line is that the pedestrians must do more to protect their lives as well as the lives of other road users. They can start by obeying traffic signals, using marked cross-walks and calling a cab when they’ve had too much to drink.
【小題1】The passage is mainly about _____.

A．how aggressive pedestrians cause traffic accidents

B．why so many Americans were killed on roads last year

C．what the traffic rules of the road about pedestrians were

D．who are to blame for pedestrian deaths, drunk drivers or the aggressive pedestrians

【小題2】What is the pedestrians’ selfish reason for traffic jams?

A．They know all drivers are skilled and with great care.

B．They believe individuals are always first.

C．They think traffic rules have nothing to do with them.

D．They guess all vehicles will slow down at crossroads.

【小題3】What was NOT the basic cause of pedestrian deaths in the US a decade ago?

A．Disregard for traffic signals

B．Paying no attention to surroundings.

C．Crossing roads drunk.

D．Overspeeding driving.

【小題4】What word can best describe the author’s attitude to the traffic accidents caused by pedestrians?

A．Excited.

B．Cold.

C．Concerned

D．Unconnected.

We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change for I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears (ancestors) prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now, for man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forbears fought are still at issue around the globe, the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs（繼承人）of that first revolution.
Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe (enemy) alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge (promise solemny) and more.
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility. I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the Freedom of Man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.
【小題1】What should friends and foes know?

A．That the United States is powerful.

B．That a new generation of Americans are responsible for their government.

C．That the United States is governed by liberals.

D．The rights of man come from the hand of God.

【小題2】What is Kennedy’s promise to the world?

A．To support liberty.

B．To abolish all forms of human poverty.

C．To visit each country at least once.

D．To support and friend.

【小題3】What should citizens of the world ask of America?

A．How America can help them.

B．If America plans to invade their country.

C．What they can do for freedom.

D．What they can do for America.

【小題4】Which of the following statement is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Human beings have the power to put an end to all forms of poverty.

B．We should remember we are the first revolution.

C．Our nation has always been committed to human rights.

D．We should assure the survival and the success of liberty.

How did a ban on smoking in public places come into place?
In 1998 the Smoking Kills White Paper set out a national strategy (策略) to reduce smoking prevalence (流行) and passive smoking, including in public places. The measures were voluntary and poorly carried out. After a public conference in England in 2004, the Government decided to choose for lawmaking. Scotland went first, with a ban in 2006, followed by the other nations a year later.
What is the current law?
Any person who smokes in enclosed (封閉的) public places, including pubs, offices, on public transport and work vehicles, is breaking the law. It does not extend to private houses. It is also an offence for people in charge of premises (營業(yè)場所) to permit others to smoke in them.
How was it received?
It was welcomed by most organizations except for some pub owners and restaurateurs. Many workplaces in the UK had already introduced smoke-free policies consistent with the legislation (法律，法規(guī)) before it was carried out, while others have gone beyond its basic requirements.
All railway facilities, including platforms, footbridges and other areas--whether or not fitting the definition of an enclosed public space--are covered, as are all football grounds and some cricket and athletics stadiums. School grounds are not required to be smoke-free under the legislation, but the majority now are.
How has it been forced?
Compliance (服從) in public premises has been high, with inspections suggesting that 99 per cent of places were sticking to the rules. The number of people charged for smoking in cars has been very low, which was due to the problems defining and identifying "work" vehicles. They said that a total ban on smoking in vehicles would end this confusion.
Has it improved health?
Studies in early adopters of the law, including in Scotland, suggest a reduction in hospital admissions for heart disease, which has been shown to be linked to passive smoking. There is also strong evidence of improved rates of smoking end and a drop in the number of cigarettes consumed by those who continue to smoke.
【小題1】When did the first law come out to ban smoking in public places?

A．1987

B．1998

C．2004

D．2006

【小題2】Which of the following behaviors may NOT be against the law?

A．Jack often smokes in the office when he is alone.

B．A taxi driver is smoking with a lady in his car.

C．Tom smokes while thinking of his future at home.

D．Max smokes for relaxation during time-out in the stadium.

【小題3】Who might feel unhappy about the law according to the article?

A．A restaurant owner.	B．A company manager.
C．A car owner.	D．A policy maker.

【小題4】What can you infer from the article?

A．Most heart diseases have been proved to be linked to passive smoking.

B．A new law will soon come out with a total ban on smoking in vehicles

C．Cigarette-making factories will disappear soon.

D．Most of the school grounds are not smoke-free, as it is not banned in the law.

My mind went blank when I saw the gun pointing against the car window as we pulled out of the garage. This can’t be happening to me. Then I felt the gun, cold, against my head, and I heard my friend Jeremy saying, “What do you want? Take my wallet,” but at the time I thought of nothing.
I remember being a little annoyed when the gunman pulled me from the car by the hair. I remember the walk to the house --- Jeremy, me, the two men with two guns. I remember the fear and anger in the gunmen’s voices because Jeremy was being slow, and I remember wondering why he was being slow. I did not realize that Jeremy had thrown the keys into the bush. But I remember that sound of the gun hitting Jeremy’s head and the feeling as the man who had hold of my hair released me. And I remember the split second when I realized he was looking at Jeremy, and I remember wondering how far I could run before he pulled the trigger. But I was already running, and upon reaching the car across the street, I didn’t crouch(蹲伏) behind it but screamed instead.
I remember thinking there was something ridiculous and illogical about screaming “Help, help!” at eight o’clock on a Tuesday evening in December and changing my plea(懇求) to the more specific “Help, let me in, please let me in!” But the houses were cold, closed, unfriendly, and I ran on until I heard Jeremy’s screams behind me announcing that our attackers had fled.
The neighbors who had not opened their doors to us came out with baseball bats and helped Jeremy find his glasses and keys. In a group they were very brave. We waited for the police to come until someone said to someone else that the noodles were getting cold, and I said politely, “Please go and eat. We’re O.K.”
I was happy to see them go. They had been talking of stricter sentences for criminals, of bringing back the death penalty(處罰) and how the President is going to clean up the country. I was thinking, they could be saying all of this over my dead body, and I still feel that stiffer sentences wouldn’t change a thing. In a rush all the anger I should have felt for my attackers was directed against these contented people standing in front of their warm, comfortable homes talking about all the guns they were going to buy. What good would guns have been to Jeremy and me?
People all over the neighborhood had called to report our screams, and the police turned out in force twenty minutes later. They were ill-tempered about what was, to them, much trouble about nothing. After all, Jeremy was hardly hurt, and we were hopeless when it came to describing the gunmen. “Typical,” said one policeman when we couldn’t even agree on how tall the men were. Both of us were able to describe the guns in horrifying detail, but the two policemen who stayed to make the report didn’t think that would be much help.
The policemen were matter-of-fact about the whole thing. The thin one said, “That was a stupid thing to do, throwing away the keys. When a man has a gun against your head you do what you’re told.” Jeremy looked properly embarrassed.
Then the fat policeman came up and the thin one went to look around the outside of the house. “That was the best thing you could have done, throwing away the keys,” he said. “If you had gone into the house with them…” His voice became weaker. “They would have hurt her” --- he twisted his head toward me – “and killed you both.” Jeremy looked happier. “Look,” said the fat policeman kindly, “there’s no right or wrong in the situation. There’s just luck.”
All that sleepless night I replayed the moment those black gloves came up to the car window. How long did the whole thing last? Three minutes, five, eight? No matter how many hours of my life I may spend reliving it, I know there is no way to prepare for the next time --- no intelligent response to a gun. The fat cop was right. There’s only luck. The next time I might end up dead.
And I’m sure there will be a next time. It can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone. Security is an illusion(幻覺); there is no safety in locks or in guns. Guns make some people feel safe and some people feel strong, but they’re fooling themselves.
【小題1】When the writer saw the gun pointing against the car window, ______.

A．she felt very annoyed	B．she lost consciousness
C．she felt very much nervous	D．she lost the power of thinking

【小題2】What most possibly drove the two gunmen away?

A．Jeremy’s fighting	B．The author’s screaming
C．Their neighbour’s brave action	D．The police’s arrival

【小題3】When the author called for help, the neighbors didn’t come out immediately because ______

A．they were much too frightened

B．they were busy preparing dinners

C．they needed time to find baseball bats

D．they thought someone was playing a trick

【小題4】The author was happy to see the neighbors go because ______.

A．she hated to listen to their empty talk

B．she did not want to become an object of pity

C．she was angered by their being late to come to her help

D．she wanted to be left alone with Jeremy to get over the shock

【小題5】The police were rather angry because ______.

A．the author was not hurt and gave a false alarm

B．they thought it was a case of little importance

C．the author and Jeremy could not tell the police anything

D．the gunmen had already fled when they arrived on the scene

【小題6】What the author wants to tell us is that______.

A．neighbors are not helpful in moments of difficulty

B．the police are not reliable when one is in trouble

C．security is impossible as long as people can have guns

D．preventing robbers entering your house is the best choice

A serious problem for today's society is who should be responsible for our elderly and how to improve their Lives．It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society．I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem．
First, employers should take the responsibility for their retired employees．To make this possible, a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose． But when a company must take life-long responsibility for its employees, it may softer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs．
Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility to the individual．This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement．This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years．This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor．
In addition, the government could take responsibility for the care of the elderly．This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions．Furthermore, some institution should be created for senior daises, which can help provide a comfortable life for them．Unfortunately, as the present situation in our country shows, this is not a truly viable answer．The government can seldom afford to care for the elderly, particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young．
One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some working places especially for the elderly where they are independent.
To sum up, all these options have advantages and disadvantages．Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to our elderly generations．
【小題1】What is the passage mainly about?

A．The problems faced by the old in society．

B．Why we should take responsibility for the old．

C．How we can improve the lives of the old．

D．Where the old can go to get their pensions．

【小題2】According to the passage, how can the government help to improve the lives of retired people?

A．Set aside some profits to help people with problems after they retire．

B．Increase savings levels of people during their working years．

C．Increase the discounts for food and transport for the old．

D．Make available pensions for those who have retired．

【小題3】The underlined word "viable" most probably means"_       "．

A．impossible

B．practical

C．useful

D．successful

【小題4】What can be concluded from the passage?

A．Taking care of the old is mainly an issue of money．

B．Employers should allow their workers to retire at a later age．

C．Becoming independent should be the goal of most old people．

D．There is no single solution to the problems of the old．

【小題5】What is the writer's main purpose in writing this article?

A．To point out the need for government support for old people．

B．To make general readers aware of the problems of retired people．

C．To discuss some possible solutions to an important social problem．

D．To instruct retired people on how they can have a happier life．

It often happens that a number of applicants with almost the same qualifications and experience all apply for the same position. In their educational background, special skills and work experience, there is little, if anything, to choose between half a dozen candidates. How then does the employer make a choice? Usually on the basis of an interview.
There are many arguments for and against the interview as a way of selection. The main argument against it is that it results in a wholly subjective decision. As often as not, employers do not choose the best candidate. They choose the candidate who makes a good first impression on them. Some employers, of course, reply to this argument by saying that they have become so experienced in interviewing staff that they are able to make a good assessment of each candidate’s likely performance. The main argument in favor of the interview is that an employer is concerned not only with a candidate’s ability, but with his or her suitable personality for the particular work situation. Many employers, for example, will overlook occasional mistakes from their secretary if she has a pleasant personality.
It is perhaps true to say, therefore, that the real purpose of an interview is not to assess the assessable aspects of each candidate but to make a guess at the things that are hard to measure, such as personality, character and social ability. Unfortunately, both for the employers and applicants for jobs, there are many people of great ability who simply do not interview well. There are also, of course, people who interview extremely well, but are later found to be very unsatisfactory employees. Candidates who interview well tend to be quietly confident, but never boastful（自夸的）, direct and straightforward in their questions and answers; cheerful and friendly, but never over-familiar; and sincerely enthusiastic and optimistic. Candidates who interview badly tend to be either very shy or over-confident. They either talk too little or never stop talking. They are either over polite or a bit rude.
【小題1】People argue over the interview mainly because they have   .

A．different purposes in the interview

B．different experiences in interviews

C．different standards of selection

D．different ways of selection

【小題2】The underlined word “subjective” means “based on one’s     rather than facts” ．

A．personality

B．character

C．opinion

D．a(chǎn)bility

【小題3】The purpose of the last paragraph is to indicate     

A．a(chǎn) link between success in interview and personality

B．connections between work abilities and personality

C．differences in interview experience

D．differences in personal behavior

【小題4】What is the author’s attitude towards the interview?

A．He thinks it is a good way of selection

B．He doesn’t quite agree with it

C．He is neither for nor against it

D．It is not clear

After lunch,I walked back home. I was just to cross the street when I heard the sound of a coin dropping. It wasn’t much but,as I turned, my eyes caught the heads of several other people turning too. A woman had dropped what appeared to be a dime.
The tinkling sound of a coin dropping on pavement is an attention-getter．It Can be nothing more than a penny．Whatever the coin is，no one ignores the sound of it．It got me thinking about sounds again．We are surrounded by so many sounds that attract the most attention．
People in New York City seldom turn to look when a fire engine，a police car or an ambulance comes screaming along the street．When I’m in New York，I’m a New Yorker．I don’t turn either．Like the natives，I hardly hear a siren(警報(bào))there．
However，at home in my little town in Connecticut，it’s different．The distant sound of a police car, all emergency vehicle or a fire siren brings me to my feet if I’m seated and brings me to the window if I’m in bed．It’s the quietest sounds that have most effect on us．not the loudest．In the middle of the night, I can hear a dripping tap a hundred yards away thigh three closed doors．I’ve been hearing little creaking noises and sounds which my imaginnation turns into footsteps in the middle of the night for twenty-five years in our house．How come I never hear those sounds in the daytime?
I’m quite clear in my mind what the good sounds are and what the bad sounds are,I’ve turned against whistling，for instance：I used to think of it as the mark of a happy worker but lately I’ve been associating the whistler with a nervous person making unconscious noises．The tapping，tapping，tapping of my typewriter as the keys hit the paper is a lovely sound to me．I often like the sound of what I write better than the looks of it．
【小題1】The sound of a coin dropping makes people________

A．think of money	B．look at each other
C．pay attention to it	D．stop crossing the street

【小題2】The author dislikes whistling because__________

A．he has got tired of it	B．it reminds him of tense people
C．he used to be happier	D．he doesn’t like workers

【小題3】What kind of sound does the author find pleasant?

A．Tapping sound of his typewriter．	B．Clinking sound of keys
C．Tinkling sound of a coin dropping．	D．Creaking sound of footsteps

【小題4】How does the author feel about sounds in general?

A．They make him feel al home．	B．He thinks they should be ignored
C．He prefers silence to loud noises．	D．He believes they are part of our life

The Internet will open up new vistas (前景), create the global village——you can make new friends all around the world. That, at least, is what it promised us. The difficulty is that it did not take the human mind into account. The reality is that we cannot keep relationships with more than a limited number of people. No matter how hard the Internet tries to put you in communication, its best efforts will be defeated by your mind.
The problem is twofold（雙重的）. First, there is a limit on the number of people we can hold in mind and have a meaningful relationship with. That number is about 150 and is set by the size of our brain. Second, the quality of your relationships depends on the amount of time you invest in then. We invest a lot in a small number of people and then distribute what’s left among as many others as we can. The problem is that if we invest little time in a person, our engagement with that person will decline until eventually it dies into “someone I once knew”.
This is not, of course, to say that the Internet doesn’t serve a socially valuable function. Of course it does. But the question is not that it allows you to increase the size of your social circle to include the rest of the world, but that you can keep your relationships with your existing friends going even though you have to move to the other side of the world.
In one sense, that’s a good thing. But it also has a disadvantage. If you continue to invest in your old friends even though you can no longer see them, then certainly you aren’t using your time to make new friends where you now live. And I suspect that probably isn’t the best use of your time. Meaningful relationships are about being able to communicate with each other, face to face. The Internet will slow down the rate with which relationships end, but it won’t stop that happening eventually.
【小題1】The number of friends we can keep relationships with is decided by__________.

A．the Internet

B．the time we have

C．the place we live

D．the mind

【小題2】The underlined word “engagement” in the second paragraph probably means “__________”.

A．a(chǎn)ppointment

B．connection

C．interview

D．a(chǎn)greement

【小題3】The author holds the view that___________.

A．the Internet helps to keep in touch with friends far away

B．the Internet determines the quality of social relationships

C．the Internet greatly increases the size of social circles

D．the Internet is of no value in social communication

【小題4】What will the author encourage us to do?

A．To keep in touch with old friends when we have moved away.

B．To chat with friends often on the Internet.

C．To make more new friends face to face.

D．To stop using the Internet to make new friends.

【小題5】What is the author’s attitude towards the use of the Internet to strengthen relationships?

A．He thinks it useless	B．He is hopeful of it.
C．He approves of it.	D．He doubts it.