| 1. 难度：中等 | |
|
Dear Friend, The recent success of children's books has made the general public aware that there's a huge market out there. And there's a growing need for new writers trained to create the $3 billion worth of children's books bought each year ... plus stories and articles needed by over 650 publishers of magazines for children and teenagers. Who are these needed writers? They're ordinary folks like you and me. But am I good enough? I was once where you might be now. My thoughts of writing had been pushed down by self-doubt, and I didn't know where to turn for help. Then, I accepted a free offer from the Institute to test my writing aptitude（潜能）, and it turned out to be the inspiration I needed. The promise that paid off The Institute made the same promise to me that they will make to you, if you show basic writing ability: You will complete at least one manuscript（手稿） suitable to hand in to a publisher by the time you finish our course. I really didn't expect any publication before I finished the course, but that happened. I sold three stories. And I soon discovered that was not unusual at the Institute. Since graduation, I have authored 34 nationally published children's books and over 300 stories and articles. Free test and brochure We offer a free aptitude test and will send you a copy of our brochure describing our recognized home-study courses on the basis of one-on-one training. Realize your writing dream today. There's nothing sadder than a dream delayed until it fades forever. Sincerely,
Kristi Holly, Instructor Institute of Children's Literature 1. From the first three paragraphs, we learn that_____. A. children’s books are usually bestsellers B. publishers are making $3 billion each year C. magazines for teenagers have drawn public attention D. there is a growing need for writers of children's books 2. When finishing the course, you are promised to_____. A. be a successful publisher B. become a confident editor C. finish one work for publication D. get one story or article published 3. Kristi Holly mentions her experience mainly to_____. A. prove she is a good instructor B. promote the writing program C. give her advice on course preparation D. show she sold more stories than article
|
|
| 2. 难度：中等 | |
|
From the health point of view we are living in a marvelous age. We are immunized from birth against many of the most dangerous diseases. A large number of once fatal illnesses can now be cured by modern drugs and surgery. It is almost certain that one day remedies will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has increased enormously. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the incredible slaughter of men, women and children on the roads. Man versus the motor-car ! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousands of people the world over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen. It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel, his car becomes the extension of his personality. There is no doubt that the motor-car often brings out a man’s very worst qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind a steering-wheel. They swear, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-years-olds and utterly selfish. All their hidden frustrations, disappointments and jealousies seem to be brought to the surface by the act of driving. The surprising thing is that society smiles so benignly on the motorist and seems to condone his behaviour. Everything is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost uninhabitable because of heavy tragic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is desecrated by road networks; and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing more than a statistic, to be conveniently forgotten. It is high time a world code were created to reduce this senseless waste of human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are notoriously lax and even the strictest are not strict enough. A code which was universally accepted could only have a dramatically beneficial effect on the accident rate. Here are a few examples of some the things that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made far more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to take a test every three years or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through stringent annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can impair a person’s driving ability. Present drinking and driving laws (where they exist) should be mad much stricter. Maximum and minimum speed limits should be imposed on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may sound inordinately harsh. But surely nothing should be considered as to severe if tit results in reducing the annual toll of human life. After all, the world is for human beings, not motor-cars.
1.The main idea of this passage is [A] Traffic accidents are mainly caused by motorists. Thousands of people the world over are killed each year. [C] The laws of some countries about driving are too lax. [D] Only stricter traffic laws can prevent accidents. 2.What does the author think of society toward motorists? [A] Society smiles on the motorists. Huge car parks are built in the cities and towns. [C] Victims of accidents are nothing. [D] Society condones their rude driving. 3.Why does the author say:’ his car becomes the extension of his personality?’ [A] Driving can show his real self. Driving can show the other part of his personality. [C] Driving can bring out his character. [D] His car embodies his temper. 4..Which of the followings is NOT mentioned as a way against traffic accidents? [A] Build more highways. Stricter driving tests. [C] Test drivers every three years. [D] raise age limit and lay down safety specifications. 5..The attitude of the author is [A] ironical critical [C] appealing [D] militant
Vocabulary 1.immunise 使免疫，使免除 2.expectation of life = life expectancy 平均寿命 3.versus = against 对顶，反对 4.mutilate 伤害 5.wilful 任性的，固执的 6.benign 宽厚的，仁慈的 7.condone 宽容 8.desecrate 亵渎，玷污 9.code 法规，规定，惯例 10.stringent 严格的，紧急的，迫切的 11.performance 演出，成品，这里是指 car’ s behavior such as speed, function etc.可译成行为， 汽车行为、功能等。
|
|
| 3. 难度：中等 | |
|
I grew up in a house where the TV was seldom turned on and with one wall in my bedroom entirely lined with bookshelves, most of my childhood was spent on books I could get hold of. In fact, I grew up thinking of reading as natural as breathing and books unbelievably powerful in shaping perspectives (观点) by creating worlds we could step into, take part. in. and live in. With this unshakable belief, I, at. fourteen, decided to become a writer. Here too, reading became useful. Every writer starts off knowing that he has something to say, but being unable to find the right ways to say it. He has to find his own voice by reading widely and discovering which parts of the writers he agrees or disagrees with, or agrees with so strongly that it reshapes his own world. He cannot write without loving to read, because only through reading other people’s writing can one discover what works, what doesn’t and, in the end, together with lots of practice, what voice he has. Now I am in college, and have come to realize how important it is to read fiction (文学作品)．As a. law student, my reading is in fact limited to subject matter—the volume (量) of what I have to read for classes every week means there is little time to read anything else. Such reading made it all the clearer to me that I live in a very small part in this great place called life. Reading fiction reminds me that there is life beyond my own. It allows me to travel across the high seas and along the Silk Road, all from the comfort of my own armchair, to experience, though secondhand, exciting experiences that I wouldn't necessarily be able to have in my lifetime. 1. What can be inferred about the author as a child? A. He never watched TV. B. He read what he had to. C. He found reading unbelievable. D. He considered reading part of his life. 2.The underlined word "voice" in the second paragraph most probably means “ ”. A. an idea B. a sound quality C. a way of writing D. a world to write about 3. What effect does reading have on the author? A. It helps him to realize his dream. B. It opens up a wider world for him. C. It makes his college life more interesting. D. It increases his interest in worldwide travel. 4. Which of the following can be the best title of this text? A. Why do I read? B. How do I read? C. What do I read? D. When do I read?
|
|
