阅读下面两篇短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卷标号为16-25的相应位置上。
A policeman pulled over a florist’s van yesterday and arrested the driver, Karl Rover, for smoking and transporting illegal things. The police got __1.__ (sceptic) when Karl remained stopped even after the light had turned green.
One officer asked Karl __2.__ he was heading. Smiling widely, Karl said he was making a delivery. The officer told Karl to turn off the radio, which was blasting(轰鸣) out rock music. “Duke, this is __3.__ Grateful Dead,” said Karl.
A moment later, Karl’s cell phone rang. Karl said, “Hey, dude. What’s up?” The officer took the phone __4.__ Karl.
“Did you get the cash for the weed?” asked the voice on the other end.
“Yes,” the officer replied, __5.__(pretend) that he was Karl.
“How much did you get?”
“$1,000.”
“$1,000! $1,000! __6.__ is the matter with you?” That’s $50,000 worth of grass, you idiot! I’m going to kill you!”
The officer laughed when the other person __7.__(hang) up. He went around to the back of the van and opened the doors. __8.__ there were lots of flowers in the back, there were also many plastic bags, __9.__(tight) packed with illegal things.
The officer brought out his handcuffs. Karl’s smile disappeared. “Hey, at least let __10.__ have one more hit!”
Sports are by nature competitive. But recently, the over-competitive nature youth sports seem to have taken on has led to cause for ____.
Those who are strongly against competition point out that in a competition, only one wins while the rest ____. They argue that competition leads children to define themselves by the outcome, tying their self-esteem(自尊心) up with their ability to ____ others. They further argue that competition causes anxiety, affects learning and causes children to view others as____ to their success. Competition restricts participation and ___ success. A “win-at-all-costs” mentality can cause children to pay little attention to honesty and fair play.
On the opposite side of the debate are those who view competition as a ____ part of American society. They argue that placing kids in a competitive situation such as sports helps prepare them for a(n) ____ life in our society that is full of competition. ____ is a normal part of human nature and part of everyday life. Other arguments ____ competitive sports are that they provide challenges, help kids develop skills, and teach them how to get along with others.
The third side of this debate says that a little competition can’t be that ____, as long as competition does not get out of hand and take on a “win-at-all-costs” mentality. They claim that competition in itself is not bad and it can serve as a ____ of social comparison, necessary for adolescents to see how ____ they are. Their advice is to introduce competition ____ while focusing more on mastery and cooperation during childhood. The gradual shift toward competition will allow children to build skills, participate fully, and focus on ____ rather than winning.
It is important that you consider all of the possible ____ of competition before you put your child in a competitive situation.
1.A. alarm B. concern C. optimism D. accident
2.A. follow B. stop C. fail D. return
3.A. beat B. change C. study D. control
4.A. tickets B. barriers C. roads D. invitations
5.A. refuses B. limits C. imagines D. stresses
6.A. healthy B. popular C. hard D. missing
7.A. political B. early C. adult D. daily
8.A. Disagreement B. Motivation C. Difficulty D. Competition
9.A. doubting B. attacking C. supporting D. ignoring
10.A. necessary B. bad C. interesting D. boring
11.A. sample B. product C. subject D. means
12.A. unique B. young C. normal D. skillful
13.A. gradually B. eventually C. widely D. forcefully
14.A. observing B. teaching C. playing D. growing
15.A. benefits B. outcomes C. responsibilities D. methods
Dear Alice,
I have just got some good news to tell to you. I win a national prize for painting last week. My father was so pleasing that he suggested that I went to England for a holiday. I’d like to staying there for a month, visiting place of interest and practicing my English as well. We’ve been writing to each other for near a year now. I have often dreamed of talk face to face with you. I imagine you’ll be at vacation yourself by that time. Perhaps we could go out do some sightseeing together.
Lily
What is your favorite color? Do you like yellow, orange, or red? If you do, you must be an optimist （ 乐观派），a leader, or an active person who enjoys life, people and excitement. Do you prefer gray or blue? 1. If you love green, you are strong- minded and determined. __2.___ At least this is what psychologists tell us, and they should know, because they have been seriously studying the meaning of color preference, and the effect that colors have on human beings.
_3.____ A yellow room makes us feel more cheerful and more comfortable than a dark green one, and a red dress brings warmth and cheer to the saddest winter day. __4.__ Light and bright colors make people not only happier but also more active. It is a fact that factory workers work better, harder, and have fewer accidents when their machines are painted orange rather than black or dark gray.
Remember, then, that if you feel low, you can always brighten your day or your life with a new shirt or a few colorful things. 5. And don’t forget that anyone can guess your character when you choose a piece of handkerchief or a lampshade.( 灯罩）
A. You wish to succeed and want other people to see you are successful.
B. Remember also that you will know your friends and your enemies better when you find out what colors they like and dislike.
C. No one can choose his color preference in his life.
D. Color preference can help you see through your enemies.
E. Different colors have different effects.
F. On the other hand , black is depressing.
G. Then you are probably quiet, shy and you would rather follow than lead.
If Confucius（孔子）were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He’d need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing(短暂的) thought. It’s nothing personal. Most Americans don’t even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn’t mean that Americans don’t care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually included Chinese art, history and philosophy（哲学）. Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantage of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks of Westerners philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker’s ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is.
1.The opening paragraph is mainly intended to ________
A. provide some key facts about Confucius
B. prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations
C. show great respect for the ancient thinker
D. attract the readers’ interest in the subject
2.We can learn from Paragraph 4 that American students______
A. have a great interest in studying Chinese
B. take an active part in Chinese competitions
C. try to get high scores in Chinese exams
D. fight for a chance to learn Chinese
3.The passage is likely to appear in ___________.
A. a biography B. a history paper C. a newspaper D. a philosophy textbook
