Elizabeth and I are 18 now, and about to graduate．I think about our elementary-school friendship, but some memories have blurred （模糊）．What happened that day in the fifth grade when Beth suddenly stopped speaking to me? Does she know that I've been thinking about her for seven years? If only we could go back, and discover what ended our relationship．
I have to speak with Beth．I see her sometimes, and find out school is "fine"．It's not the same．It never will be．Someone says that she's Liz now．What happened to Beth?
I can't call her．Should I write? What if she doesn't answer me? How will I know what she's thinking?
Yes, I'll write her a letter．These things are easier to express in writing．" Be-," no, " Li-," no, " Elizabeth," I begin．The words flow freely, as seven year old memories are reborn．I ask her all the questions that have been left unanswered in my mind, and pray she will answer．I seal my thoughts in the perfect white envelope, and imagine Beth looking into her mailbox．Will she know why I'm writing? Maybe she once thought of writing the same letter．
As the mailman takes my envelope from me forever, I wonder if I've made the right decision．Do I have the right to force myself into Beth's life again? Am I simply part of the past? I have taken the first step．Beth has control of the situation now．
One day has passed．Are my words lying on the bottom of the post office floor?
Two days are gone．I'm lost in thought and don't even hear the phone ting．
"Hello? It's Elizabeth．"
【小題1】What can we learn about Beth?

A．She had a quarrel with the author in the fifth grade．

B．She moved to another school in the fifth grade．

C．She is now called Liz instead of Beth．

D．She hasn't seen the author for seven years．

【小題2】Why does the author decide to write a letter instead of calling?

A．She is sure that Beth will not answer．

B．She's afraid that they'll quarrel on the phone．

C．She doesn't know Beth's telephone number．

D．It is easier to express her feelings in writing．

【小題3】Which of the following the author might NOT mention in her letter?

A．Their elementary-school friendship．

B．Her future plan after graduation．

C．Her expectations for Beth's reply．

D．The questions about the endings of their friendship．

【小題4】What might happen at the end of the story?

A．Beth answers her letter two days later．

B．The letter doesn't reach Beth at all．

C．They make up their friendship．

D．Beth refuses to make peace with her．

There are hundreds of things that your parents controlled for you when you were a child．And it’s a good thing, too — kids need this kind of protection and assistance, because they aren’t mature enough to take care of themselves and make careful decisions on their own．
But eventually, kids grow up and become teens．It’s totally normal for teens to create their own opinions, thoughts, and values about life; it’s what prepares them for adulthood．But as you change and grow into this new person who makes his or her own decisions, your parents may have a difficult time adjusting themselves to it．
In most families, it’s this adjustment that can cause a lot of fighting between teens and parents．Teens get angry because they feel parents don’t respect them and aren’t giving them space to do what they like, and parents get angry because they aren’t used to not being in control or they disagree with the teens’ decisions．
It’s easy for feelings to get very hurt when there are conflicts like these．And more complicated issues can cause even bigger arguments, because your parents will always be intent on protecting you and keeping you safe, no matter how old you are．
The good news about fighting with your parents is that in many families the arguing will lessen as parents get more comfortable with the idea that their teens have a right to certain opinions．It can take several years for parents and teens to adjust to their new roles, though．In the meantime, concentrate on communicating with your parents as best you can．
Sometimes this can feel impossible — like they just don’t see your point of view and never will．But talking and expressing your opinions can help you gain more respect from your parents, and you may be able to reach a compromise that makes everyone happy．Keep in mind, too, that your parents were teens once and that in most cases, they can relate to what you’re going through．
【小題1】Why do parents always want to control their children?

A．They are afraid to lose their children．

B．They want to protect their children．

C．They don’t believe the ability of their children．

D．They can’t accept their children are growing．

【小題2】The author suggested that teenagers ________．

A．fight with their parents bravely for their rights

B．obey their parents without any doubt

C．communicate with their parents actively

D．persuade their parents in as many ways as possible

【小題3】It can be inferred from the passage that ________．

A．most parents will give in while fighting with their children

B．the conflict between parents and teenagers can be solved

C．the only way for teens to get freedom is to leave home

D．only few parents do well in facing the growth of their children

 

    The financial crisis will be the top issue at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The five – day meeting starts on Wednesday, January 28. More than two thousand five hundred people from ninety-six countries will discuss ways to solve the crisis.

The event gathers some of the world's most powerful political and business leaders at a small ski village in the Swiss Alps. Organizers this week announced a program built around the theme: “Shaping the Post-Crisis World."

But with the world still in crisis , there was news that no famous people from show business will be at the forum this year. Bona, the social activist and lead singer of the Irish rock group U2, usually attends. But he will not be attending this year.

Organizers expect a record forty-one heads of state or government. They include Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the prime minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga.

Among those expected from President Obama's new administration is Lawrence Summers, the director of the National Economic Council. Another is Mister Obama's national security adviser, retired general James Jones.

Members of the US Congress are also among the guest list, along with former president Clinten, a favorite at Davos. About sixty percent of those attending are business leaders.

The World Economic Forum will also discuss global warming, investment in low-carbon forms of energy in developing countries and other issues.

Klaus Schwab is the founder and chairman of the forum. He calls this one of the most important gatherings in its thirty-nine year history. He says the financial crisis should be seen as a wake-up call to change systems and ways of thinking, and to re-establish trust.

KLAUS SCHWAB: "We never will move out of the crisis if we do not re-establish confidence  which means we have to establish signposts for the future."

1．What is the main purpose of the World Economic Forum this year?

         A．To wake up people to establish signpost for the future.

         B．To solve the problems of global warning.

         C．To re-establish confidence of the leaders.

         D．To discuss how to solve the crisis.

2．The underlined word “signpost” in the last paragraph means          .

         A．symbol       B．road   C．goal   D．station

3．What does Klaus Schwab mean in the second paragraph from the bottom?

         A．The crisis requires us to change.      

         B．We should change the systems of the forum.

         C．The forum has a long history.   

         D．The crisis needs trust.

 

Dear Cassy,

Thanks for reminding me by e-mail that you want to baby-sit our children. Although you are only 12 years old, my wife and I would be willing to consider your application（申請）if you can meet(滿足) a few requirements:

1）Send us three letters from teachers who will prove that you have never failed to follow instructions perfectly in class and never failed to hand in your homework on time.

2）Send us a note from two doctors who will prove that you are in perfect health, have never been sick, and never will be sick.

3）Send us a document from your physical education teacher or team coach that proves that you can do each of the following: Run two miles in less than four minutes, climb an oiled rope to a height of twenty feet in thirty seconds while balancing a glass of water on your nose, and walk in bare feet over hot coals and broken glass without injury.

4）Send us notarized（得到公證的）letters from at least two mental health experts saying that you have never had an envious thought towards other people.

5）Play and defeat five expert chess players while blindfolded（蒙著眼睛）after going without sleep for 48 hours.

6)Wait patiently（耐心地）for two years while we have investigators（調查）certify（確保）that all your documents（文件）are real.

Your loving and trusting friends,

The Smiths

The Smiths send their message to Cassy by     .

A. e-mail       B. a letter        C. a newspaper    D. a report

According to the first paragraph,        .

A. the Smiths must have had an advertisement made, saying that they want someone to look after their children

B. the Smiths have informed Cassy that they need some children

C. the Smiths have promised to provide what Cassy asked for

D. the Smiths would be very glad if Cassy can meet their requirements

What is the attitude of the Smiths about hiring the 12-year old girl to look after their baby?

A. The Smiths try to tell her how to baby-sit children.

B. The Smiths don’t think a girl is good for the job.

C. The Smiths don’t want to hire her.

D. The Smiths are willing to offer her the job.

Which of the requirements mentioned by the Smiths do you think Cassy can meet?

A. All of them               B. Half of them  

C. None of them             D. Most of them

.

Dear Cassy,

Thanks for reminding me by e-mail that you want to baby-sit our children. Although you are only 12 years old, my wife and I would be willing to consider your application（申請）if you can meet(滿足) a few requirements:

1）Send us three letters from teachers who will prove that you have never failed to follow instructions perfectly in class and never failed to hand in your homework on time.

2）Send us a note from two doctors who will prove that you are in perfect health, have never been sick, and never will be sick.

3）Send us a document from your physical education teacher or team coach that proves that you can do each of the following: Run two miles in less than four minutes, climb an oiled rope to a height of twenty feet in thirty seconds while balancing a glass of water on your nose, and walk in bare feet over hot coals and broken glass without injury.

4）Send us notarized（得到公證的）letters from at least two mental health experts saying that you have never had an envious thought towards other people.

5）Play and defeat five expert chess players while blindfolded（蒙著眼睛）after going without sleep for 48 hours.

6)Wait patiently（耐心地）for two years while we have investigators（調查）certify（確保）that all your documents（文件）are real

Your loving and trusting friends,

The Smiths

40. The Smiths send their message to Cassy by     .

A. e-mail       B. a letter        C. a newspaper    D. a report

41. According to the first paragraph,        .

A. the Smiths must have had an advertisement made, saying that they want someone to look after their children

B. the Smiths have informed Cassy that they need some children

C. the Smiths have promised to provide what Cassy asked for

D. the Smiths would be very glad if Cassy can meet their requirements

42.What is the attitude of the Smiths about hiring the 12-year old girl to look after their baby?

A. The Smiths try to tell her how to baby-sit children.

B. The Smiths don’t think a girl is good for the job.

C. The Smiths don’t want to hire her.

D. The Smiths are willing to offer her the job.

43. Which of the requirements mentioned by the Smiths do you think Cassy can meet?

A. All of them               B. Half of them  

C. None of them             D. Most of them