A punctual person is in the habit of doing a thing at the proper time and is never late in keeping an appointment.
The unpunctual man，on the one hand，never does what he has to do at the proper time.__ 1._There is a proverb saying, “Time flies never to be recalled”. This is true. __2.__Time is more valuable than material things. In fact，time is life itself. The unpunctual man is for ever wasting and mismanaging his most valuable possessions as well as other's. The unpunctual person is always complaining that he finds no time to answer letters，or return calls or keep appointments promptly.. __3.__He knows that he can not get through his huge amount of work unless he faithfully keeps every piece of work when it has to be attended to.
__4.__If a person is invited to dinner and arrives later than the appointed time，he keeps all the other guests waiting for him. Usually this will be regarded as a great disrespect to the host and all other guests present.
Unpunctuality，moreover，is very harmful when it comes to do one's duty，whether public or private. Imagine how it would be if those who are put in charge of important tasks failed to be at their proper place at the appointed time.__ 5.__
A. He is always in a hurry and in the end loses both time and his good name
B. They appear to be busy but never get well organized
C. Maybe everybody minds being kept waiting at a party
D. A lost thing may be found again，but lost time can never be regained.
E. But the man who really has a great deal to do is very careful of his time and seldom complains of want of it
F. After all, man who is known to be habitually unpunctual is never trusted by his friends or fellow men.
G. Failure to be punctual in keeping one's appointments is sign of disrespect towards others.
In the United States you will find yourself being urged from every page of every newspaper and every television station to buy all kinds of goods.
Not only is there a wide range of prices for goods in America, there is also a wide range in the quality of goods offered for sale. Unlike some countries, Americans generally pay the price of a product without question, instead of trying to get a lower price by bargaining. However, there are many “sales” in the United States, during which time stores will lower their normal prices. This may all be very confusing to visitors. How are you going to know how to “get your money’s worth” when you shop? Perhaps the best advice is: Don’t hurry. Visit various stores and determine the quality of goods. Read the advertisements so that you can compare prices.
There is a great variety of shops in the United States, ranging from very large stores called “department stores” to very small shops. There are “discount houses” offering goods at low prices, and “dime stores” specializing in a wide range of inexpensive items.
Most department stores in large cities carry better quality products at higher prices. However, they offer the shoppers great convenience since they contain such a wide variety of products.
If convenience isn’t as important to you as price, you may want to shop in discount houses. These stores have nearly as great a variety of goods as department stores, but offer lower prices. They can do so for several reasons. They don’t offer the same services to buyers that department stores do; there may be fewer sales people; and the store probably doesn’t deliver purchases.
Another popular shop is the “dime store”. No longer selling many things for five or ten cents, these stores got their name in the last century when it was decided that a small profit on a great quantity of goods would be better than a large profit on fewer sales. Dime stores specialize in a wide variety of inexpensive items and today, prices range from a quarter or 50 cents up to several dollars.
1.Where can we most probably read this passage?
A. In a research paper. B. In a science report.
C. In a geography book. D. In a travel magazine.
2.Why can discount houses offer goods at lower prices compared with department stores?
a. They have fewer employees.
b. They have larger quantities of goods.
c. They offer fewer services.
d. They don’t provide delivery service.
A. a b c B. a b d C. a c d D. b c d
3.What’s special about dime stores?
A. They sell lots of goods at a small profit.
B. They make big profits by selling some goods.
C. They provide goods with a price lower than 50 cents.
D. They provide goods ranging from bargains to expensive ones.
.
Bissel is a small village of the West Sahara. It lies next to a l.5-square-kilometer oasis（绿洲）, from where three days and nights are generally required to go out of the desert. However, before Ken Levin discovered it in 1926, none of the Bissel villagers had ever walked out of the desert. Reportedly, they were not unwilling to leave this barren land. Many had previously tried but failed, always somehow finding themselves back at the oasis after several days of trying to walk out.
When interviewed by Ken Levin, an expert at the British Royal College of Sciences, the villagers explained that no matter which direction they walked it always brought them back to the village.Why couldn’t the Bissel villagers walk out of the desert? Levin was very puzzled. He had, by himself, managed to walk north from the village and reach the nearest town in three and a half days. He decided to carry out an experiment to solve the mystery. He and a Bissel villager called Argutel, would walk out of the desert together. They prepared enough water for a half-a-month journey and two camels. But this time Ken Levin didn't bring his compass. Levin would follow Argutel.
Ten days later, they had walked for about 500 miles but were still in the desert. On the 11th morning, an oasis came into their view. They were back at Bissel. Levin now understood why the Bissel people couldn’t escape the desert. They had no knowledge of the North Star, which had for centuries provided sailors and other travelers with a point of direction. In the desert, if a person goes forward relying only on their senses, they will not be able to travel in a straight line. Rather they will travel in a very large circle and eventually track back to where they began. Levin explained to Argutel the function of the North Star and said, “As long as you rest in the daytime and walk towards the brightest star at night, you would be able to walk out of the desert.” Argutel did as he was told. Three days later, he came to the edge of the desert.
Now in the West Sahara, Bissel has become a bright pearl, where tens of thousands of tourists come every year. Argutel’s bronze statue stands in the center of the town. On its base are the words: __________________________________.
1.Ken Levin asked Argutel to walk to the north in order to ________.
A. prove that people could walk out of the desert see
B. how far away Bissel was to the edge of the desert
C. tell people not to walk in circles
D. show Argutel was a great person
2.According to the passage, Ken Levin ________.
A. knew Argutel before he came to the village
B. came to Bissel to do experiments on behalf of his college
C. became the first man to walk out of the desert from Bissel Village
D. taught Bissel villagers knowledge of the North Star when he first arrived
3.It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A. Ken Levin didn’t walk south because it would take more days
B. the use of a compass was necessary to walk out of the desert
C. tourism in Bissel has been greatly developed and improved
D. Argutel became the leader of Bissel after his return
4.Which of the following can most probably be found at the base of Argutel’s statue?
A. A new life starts from the fixed direction.
B. Where there is a will, there is a way.
C. A long journey starts with the first step.
D. Two heads are better than one.
We considered a list of the best American books. Here are five that may help accurately show the national character. Most from a century or so ago, they still entertain, teach, and inspire:
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
First published in 1851, the adventure stories of Captain Ahab and his monomaniacal(偏执的) pursuit of the white whale draw us into a universe full of fascinating characters and stories.
The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams
Published in 1918, the book was an autobiography. Born in one of America’s most famous political families, Adams provides insight into his family, including his experience as private secretary to his father, minister to England during the American Civil war.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
When Whitman published Leaves of Grass in 1855, he wanted to accurately describe the American experience and reflect the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime.
Poems by Emily Dickinson
An enthusiastic poet whose works have had considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickson’s frequent use of dashes, occasional capitalization(大写) of nouns, and unconventional metaphors(隐喻) have contributed to her reputation as one of the most inventive poets of the 19th century American literature. However, most of her poems were not published during her lifetime.
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
First published in 1855, this is Longfellow’s most popular and most recognized poem, the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian, sent by the Great Spirit to guide the nations in the ways of peace.
1.Walt Whitman wrote Leaves of Grass in order to _______.
A. show his talent and heroic life to us
B. draw us into a fascinating universe
C. provide insight into his family
D. reflect the great changes in the American literary world
2.If you want to read a story about a magic American Indian, you can read _______.
A. Moby-Dick B. The Song of Hiawatha
C. Poems D. Leaves of Grass
3.Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Because the five books are from a century or so ago, they can’t teach and inspire us.
B. Herman Melville was considered as one of the most inventive poets of the 19th century American literature.
C. The Education of Henry Adams is a non-fiction book.
D. Of the five books, Moby-Dick was published last.
4.Why did the author write the passage?
A. To introduce several best American books to readers.
B. To make an advertisement for a book store.
C. To tell stories of several famous writers.
D. To talk about some knowledge about literature.
If you haven’t heard or seen anything about Road Rage in the last few months, you’ve probably been avoiding the media. There have been countless stories about this new and scary phenomenon, considered a type of aggressive driving. You have most likely encountered aggressive driving or Road Rage recently if you drive at all.
While drunk driving remains a critical problem, the facts about aggressive driving are surely as disturbing. For instance, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Association, 41,907 people died on the highway last year. Of those deaths, the agency estimates that about two-thirds were caused at least in part by aggressive driving behavior.
Why is this phenomenon occurring more than ever now, and why is it something that seemed almost nonexistent a few short years ago? Experts have several theories, and all are probably partially correct. One suggestion is extreme overcrowding. In the last decade, the number of cars on the roads has increased by more than 11 percent, and the number of miles driven has increased by 35 percent. However, the number of new road miles has only increased by 1 percent. That means more cars in the same amount of space; and the problem is severe in urban areas. Also, people have less time and more things to do. With people working and trying to fit extra chores and activities into the day, stress levels have never been higher. Stress creates anxiety, which leads to short tempers. These factors, when combined in certain situations, can spell Road Rage.
You may think you are the last person who would drive aggressively, but you might be surprised. For instance, have you ever yelled out loud at a slower driver, sounded the horn long and hard an another car, or sped up to keep another driver from passing? If you recognize yourself in any of these situations, watch out!
Whether you are getting angry at other drivers, or another driver is visibly upset with you, there are things you can do to avoid any major conflict. If you are easily influenced by Road Rage, the key is to release your emotion in a healthy way. If you are the target of another driver’s rage, do everything possible to get away from the other driver safely, including avoiding eye contact and getting out of their way.
1.The first sentence in Para. 1 implies that ______.
A. Road Rage has received much media coverage in the last few months
B. the media created the term “Road Rage” only a few months ago C. one may be angered by media reports and wants to avoid them
D. people not interested in the media know little about recent happenings
2. The underlined word “spell” in Para. 3 means ________.
A. relieve B. cause C. spread D. prevent
3.Which of the following characterizes aggressive driving?
A. Talking while driving.
B. Driving at high speed.
C. Shouting at another driver.
D. Sounding the horn when passing
4.The last paragraph is intended to _________.
A. tell people how to deal with Road Rage
B. inform people how aggressive drivers could be
C. show people how to control themselves when angry
D. warn people against eye contact with another driver
One day I decided to quit．I quitted my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the 36 to have one last talk with God． "Can you give me one good 37 not to quit?" His answer surprised me．
"Look around． Do you see the fern（蕨类植物） and the bamboo? When I planted their seeds, I took good care of them．The fern quickly grew from the earth． 38 nothing came from the bamboo seed． During the following three years, the fern grew more plentiful． And 39 , nothing came from the bamboo seed． But I did not quit on the bamboo． Then in the fifth year a 40 sprout（新芽） emerged from the earth． Compared to the fern it was 41 small and insignificant． But just 6 months later the bamboo 42 to over 100 feet tall． It had spent the five years growing 43 ． Those roots made it strong and gave it 44 it needed to survive． I wouldn’t give any of my creations a challenge it could not 45 ．”
He said to me． "All this time you have been struggling, you have 46 been growing roots． I would not quit on the bamboo． 47 will I ever quit on you． Don't 48 yourself with others． The bamboo had a different 49 from the fern． Yet they both make the forest beautiful． Your time will 50 ． You will rise high! "
"How high should I rise?" I asked．
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked 51 ．
"As high as it can?" I 52 ．
"Yes," He said． "Give me glory 53 rising as high as you can．"
I left the forest and bring back this story． I hope it can help you see that God will never 54 on you． Never regret a day in your life． Good days give you happiness． Bad days give you 55 ． Both are necessary to life．
1.A． farm B．heaven C．bushes D．woods
2.A． reason B． sense C．response D．explanation
3.A． Even B． Instead C．Yet D．Rather
4.A． again B． always C．ever D．often
5.A． thin B． tiny C．weak D．short
6.A． largely B． entirely C．seemingly D．probably
7.A． raised B． provided C．rose D．produced
8.A． fruits B． leaves C．seeds D. roots
9.A． which B． where C．how D．what
10.A． present B． explore C．handle D .offer
11.A． particularly B． actually C．merely D． obviously
12.A． Either B． So C．Neither D． As
13.A． furnish B． associate C. connect D． compare
14.A． purpose B． recognition C. credit D． possibility
15.A． go B． come C． get D． leave
16.A． in nature B． in exchange C． in respect D． in turn
17.A． questioned B． required C． requested D． remarked
18.A． from B． with C． by D． for
19.A． cut up B． give up C． break up D． pick up
20.A． experiences B． strengths C． awards D． ambitions
