Michael, a normal American, stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal in order to connect with the office. After work he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn't talk to any other human beings, and he doesn't see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his life style is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from communicating with our fellow human beings.

The world of business is one area in which technology is separating us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants could do their job at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they're dealing with. Also, the way employees are paid will change. Workers' salaries will be automatically paid into their bank accounts, making paper checks unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their checks. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts.

Another area in which technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now, fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living rooms.

1.The underlined sentence in the first paragraph means _______.

A．Michael is a person full of imagination and his dreams can come true

B．Michael is not a real person but the life style does exist

C．Michael has ambitions but he can't make his dreams come true

D．Michael is full of imagination and his life style is common nowadays

2.What does the author discuss in the last paragraph ?

A．Technology is changing ways of entertainment.

B．People will never go to the concert in future.

C．How to borrow videotapes at home.

D．How to see a movie at home.

3. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．We may no longer need to communicate with other people.

B．Modern technology seems to be separating people.

C．We may no longer need to work in the office.

D．Modern technology makes it possible for us to work at home.

 

“Good night, Yammine.”

“Good night, Chief，” I reply.

The cell door __36__ and I hear Chief's keys clinking as other doors clang shut further down the row. I step into my little cell and sit down. I glance up at the window, covered in mesh(鐵網(wǎng))，and think to myself, “This isn't a life, it's just a(n) __37__．”

Being __38__ makes me feel as though I'm being buried alive. I am a puppet(木偶) with people __39__ strings so that I eat, sleep and wake when they want me to.

I lie on my bed as night __40__ and think the same thoughts __41__. I think about how it all went so wrong, and imagine how I will __42__ for all the time I've lost.

Every day I live the same routine and nothing changes except the people. Prisoners depart for other prisons, or get __43__. Others __44__ from different prisons, or fresh from custody. It's a __45__ revolving(旋轉(zhuǎn)) door.

When I committed my __46__， I was a lost young boy, but now I am __47__. Walking around the yard, I would notice my fellow prisoners reading books and writing letters to friends and family, which upset me as my __48__ at school was limited.

I longed for the day when I'd be able to sit in the sun, enjoying a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper or book __49__ my choice. I also longed to write letters to my friends and family, sharing my thoughts and feelings.

I decided not to waste my time inside and, __50__， make the most of all the resources available to me. I started to learn and was __51__ to realize my dream.

Now, after five years' persistence, heartache and hard work, I have __52__ my goal. Having __53__ a course as a reading adviser, I can now help others to read and write. And I have even started a creative writing workshop at Junee Correctional Centre. Learning to read and write at a highter level has given me the inner strength to present myself in a more __54__ manner.

And the day I've dreamed about has come true: I now enjoy my cup of coffee with a book in my other hand. Learning to read and write has changed my life and this article is my first piece of “proper” writing, and it won't be my __55__．

1.A. opens　　　　　B. closes　　　　　　　C. breaks　　　　D. sticks

2.A. existence  B. appearance  C. offence  D. holiday

3.A. at school  B. at home  C. in hospital  D. in prison

4.A. pulling  B. shaking  C. winding  D. casting

5.A. becomes  B. drops  C. feels  D. falls

6.A. once and for all  B. over and over again  C. once again  D. for good

7.A. do up  B. make up  C. fix up  D. mend up

8.A. revealed  B. sentenced  C. punished  D. released

9.A. reach  B. get  C. arrive  D. go

10.A. continually  B. occasionally  C. accidentally  D. rarely

11.A. mistake  B. crime  C. error  D. fault

12.A. caught  B. home  C. found  D. trapped

13.A. attendance  B. absence  C. allowance  D. assistance

14.A. in  B. of  C. over  D. by

15.A. however  B. instead  C. thus  D. nevertheless

16.A. devoted  B. dedicated  C. determined  D. decided

17.A. gained  B. recognized  C. arrived  D. achieved

18.A. attended  B. completed  C. started  D. organized

19.A. positive  B. negative  C. sensitive  D. passive

20.A. best  B. worst  C. latest  D. last

 

Translation

1.      這位女士忙著為她的孩子做衣服。（engage）

2.      在這家超市里可以買到各種土特產(chǎn)。（available）

3.      他遲到了，我不知道他是否有足夠的時間完成考題。（wonder）

4.      經(jīng)過長期的努力，他出國的夢想終于實(shí)現(xiàn)了。（come true）

5.      他是如此熱衷于文學(xué)以至于他放棄了教學(xué)從事寫作。（keen）

 

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those of the first kind are born idlers (游手好閑者), taking interest in nothing. It seems what they live for is to pass time idly. They simply don’t know why they have to do so, nor will they bother to ask. The other kind are those who take things seriously and never wish to idle away their life. But only a part of the second group are eager enough to make success. All the others fail to make enough effort to make their dreams come true. 
Why do things so happen to them? What are the reasons?
I later find out that some people are determined. They are “igniters” that catch fire of their own, giving light and heat. But that’s not the case with others. They may be fuels but not igniters. As pieces of wood or coal, they need a match or a lighter to make them burn so that their energy can be released to give off light and heat.
The majority of people need some igniter to light them. Thus igniter becomes a must for those people to succeed. Unless a suitable igniter comes their way, they will always remain idle like cold unused firewood or coal.
Fortunately, such an igniter is not difficult to meet. One may find it in an instructive book, a film story, a few words of a close friend, some advice of a good teacher, a pleasant journey, or an unexpected love.
Any of these, coming at the right time, can serve as an igniter to start one’s enthusiasm for learning or for a better career, to turn him from a passive state of waiting to an active state of pursuing, to lend him strength to go ahead bravely. In that case, what he has prepared for years will be quickly turned into fruitful reality.
Such an igniter may turn up of itself, but most likely we have to find it ourselves. Never let a chance slide away, for it is the key to your success.
【小題1】 According to the text, “________” are the persons that can light many people so that their energy can be released to give off light and heat.

A．idlers

B．igniters

C．fuels

D．serious people

【小題2】 According to the writer, what do most people definitely need to succeed? 

A．Storing a lot of energy.

B．Great interest in everything.

C．An igniter coming at the right time.

D．Wonderful dreams about a bright future.

【小題3】 The writer writes the article to _________.

A．describe two kinds of people

B．encourage people to find chances to succeed

C．praise those who work hard

D．make fun of idlers

Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is very popular among business people who want to improve their careers, but its rules can be applied to any area of life. For example, Covey’s rules can be used to improve relationships between parents and children or to improve the way you manage your time.
Covey begins by discussing habits and effectiveness, and why they are both important to success. According to Covey, for an action to become a habit, you must know what to do and why should do it. However, you also must want to do it. On the other hand, effectiveness means having a balance between success and a good relationship with the people around you. In order to be successful, you must have habits that make you able to deal effectively with others and your own personal life.
Next, Covey introduces the seven habits of highly effective people. The first three habits focus on personal growth. The next three habits are about how to get along with others. The seventh habit shows how to achieve physical, emotional and mental health.
Covey includes exercises to help you analyse your life. He challenges you to decide what you want to contribute to society in your lifetime. He does this by asking you to think about what people to say about you after you die. Your answer to this question will help you make better decisions about how to spend your time. In this way, you can challenge yourself to make your dreams and ambitions come true.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has the potential to really improve your life.

Introduction	This book can help you improve your career and your  【小題1】  relationship and manage your time better.
For success	l Habits: you must know what to do and why should do it. You also must want to do it. l   【小題2】  .You should achieve a  【小題3】between success and a good relationship with the people around you.
The seven 【小題4】	The first three habits focus on personal 【小題5】   . The next three habits are about how to get along with others. The seventh habit shows how to achieve physical, emotional and  【小題6】 health.
Exercises	l They help you  【小題7】  your life. l Decide what  【小題8】 you want to make in your lifetime. l Challenge yourself to【小題9】your dreams and ambitions.
【小題10】	The book has the potential to really improve your life.