The right to die

It was 3:45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot parliamentary(议会的) debates, Australia’s northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably sick patients who wish to die.

The measure passed by the convincing vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, executive director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on via the group's on line service, Death NET. Says Hofsess: "We posted bulletins all day long, because of course this isn't just something that happened in Australia. It's world history."

The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage(通过).

But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia - where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part, other states are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia(安乐死). In the US and Canada, where the right to die movement is gathering strength, observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling.

Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death, probably by a deadly injection or pill, to put an end to suffering. The patient must be diagnosed(诊断) as terminally ill by two doctors. After a "cooling off" period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally III law means he can get on with living without the haunting fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. "I'm not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks," he says.

1.This passage is mainly about ________.

A.the development and function of euthanasia

B.the passage(通过)of a law on euthanasia and its worldwide influence.

C.some successful examples about euthanasia

D.conditions and procedures to perform euthanasia in Australia.

2.What does “observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling” mean?

A.Observers are taking a wait-and –see attitude towards the future of euthanasia.

B.There is a possibility of similar bills being passed in the US and Canada.

C.Observers are waiting to see the movement end up in failure.

D.The process of the bill taking effect may finally come to a stop.

3. During a “cooling off” period, a patient will _________.

A.wait for two doctors’ diagnosis

B.sign a certificate of request

C.think over his decision of euthanasia

D.turn to his doctors for more advice

4.What’s the author’s attitude towards euthanasia?

A.Hostile           B.doubtful           C.Favorable         D.Indifferent

 

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Ⅲ 阅读(共两节。满分40分)

第一节 阅读理解(共15小题;每小题2分, 满分30分)

阅读下列短文, 从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中, 选出最佳选项, 并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

I’ve loved my mother’s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as Mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world.

Years later, during her final illness, Mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk”, he said, “is for Elizabeth” 。

I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me, she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter.

They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was “too emotional”. But she lived “on the surface”.

As years passed and I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive me.

I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came.

My hope turned to disappointment, the little interest, finally, peace — it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn’t be sure that the letter had even got to Mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.

Now the present of her desk told me, as she’d never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work, I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside — a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded and refolded many times.

Give me an answer, my desk, in any way you choose, Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.

31. The writer began to love her mother’s desk _______.

A. after Mother died             B. before she became a writer

C. when she was a child          D. when Mother gave it to her

32. The passage shows about _______.

A. Mother wrote her daughter in careful words

B. Mother cared much about her daughter in words

C. Mother was too serious about everything her daughter had done

D. Mother was cold on the surface but kind in her heart to her daughter

33. The word “gulf” in the 4th paragraph means _______.

A. part of the sea going far in land

B. free talks between mother and daughter

C. different ideas between the mother and daughter

D. deep understanding between the old and the young

34. What did Mother do with her daughter’s letter asking for forgiveness?

A. She had never received the letter.

B. She read the letter again and again till she died.

C. For years, she often talked about the letter.

D. She didn’t forgive her daughter at all in her life.

35. What’s the best title of the passage?

A. My letter to Mother                 B. Mother and children

C. My Mother’s Desk                  D. Talks between Mother and Me

 

Eat to Excel

 

How fit are you? Do you look after yourself? Do you eat healthily or do you eat anything you like? Premier League football club Aston Villa are encouraging their players and local children to eat healthy food. They know that what you eat is the key to success.

How fit is a footballer?

Could you run ten kilometers in 90 minutes? A professional footballer can. Footballers have to be strong, quick, skillful and creative in their moves. Every Premier League club makes sure it has a good coaching scheme and a well-planned fitness program. They also ensure that players have the practice and training that will prepare them for matches. What else do you think clubs pay special attention to? A good stadium? Anything else? What about the food they eat?

Eating the right thing

A good diet is a fundamental part of sport these days. Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill’s sport and health experts have chosen a secret weapon --- organic food (food grown without chemicals). Fitness manager Jim Henry eats with his players and said: “I chose to switch to organic food for Aston Villa because I’ve read studies showing that organic food has higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.” He believes that the best way to get these is to eat the very best fresh food.

What to eat after the match

Head chef at Aston Villa, lan Edge, feeds players with the best food as soon as they finish an away match. He says: “Food is very important to sports stars and particularly after a game. There is an hour of opportunity when they need to eat to get the best muscle strength, so I hand out meals on the coach on the way home. If we can make one per cent difference to the players by using organic food, then it is worth it.”

Teaching healthy eating

Everyone at Aston Villa enjoys organic food at their training ground. But the club is also worried about the unhealthy diet among local children who prefer sweets and unhealthy fast food. As part of their work in the community, Aston Villa has opened up their kitchen and invited children from local schools to come and learn how to cook with the help of the Villa head chef. Villa midfielder, Nigel ReoCoker, visited the children on the opening day. “The kitchen promotes healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.” he said.

A final word from the kitchen

Head chef Ian says: “Footballers know how important food is to their profession and nine times out of ten, they go for the healthiest option.” Do you watch your diet? If you do and you keep yourself fit, you can be a winner!

1.Every Premier League Club provides footballers with ______________.

A. a good coach

B. a fitness center

C. proper practice and training

D. a delicious diet

2.According to Jim Henry, ___________________.

A. he believes the studies he has read about organic food

B. he will only eat organic food with his players

C. he thinks food is especially important after a game

D. he chose organic food as a secret weapon for footballers

3.We can learn from the passage that ___________________.

A. people can make one percent difference to players by using organic food

B. only a few footballers pay attention to the healthy eating

C. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat on their way to the match

D. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat some food within an hour after a match.

4.Why has Aston Villa invited children from local schools?

A. Because they want to teach kids how to cook delicious food.

B. Because they want to teach kids to play football.

C. Because they are fond of the kids in the community.

D. Because they intend to promote healthy eating.

 

 

 

阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

I was successful at my job . I worked very hard , but it ___1___ me and my family a fabulous (极好的) lifestyle . I’d worked for the same company for twenty years and had worked my way up to department director. ___2___, one afternoon last May, I was called to the office, and it was __3__ explained to me that they were letting me go. I just sat there __4__ they talked on and all I could think was, “I’ve ___5___ .” I’d been so well respected ; ___6___ I was of no value.

For six weeks, I was in a very __7__ place. I wandered around my house like a zombie (僵尸).I could __8__ things needed doing, but would not do anything . My beliefs in looking forward and seeing the positive(积极的) in everything ___9___ me .

Then, in late June, my youngest son’s football team made the city cup final. The year before, he’d been very sad when I __10___ the same final, so he was ___11___ when I told him I’d go. Not only did they win, but the look on his face as he saw me ___12___ him on was unbelievable. From then in , I spent the summer enjoying my sons and their passions (激情) . I attended match after match and performances of my elder son’s band —I ___13___ went to another city to watch him play. These moments were so ___14___. My life had been so much devoted to __15__ for so long , and I felt __16__ that my sons were happy to welcome me into their world.

___17___ , being unemployed gave me back a sense of purpose — I was someone’s mum! I felt a sense of being ___18____ again. Now I feel more positive about my professional ___19___ and I’m getting on better with my family than I ever have. Losing my job made me realize just how __20__ it is to achieve real balance in life.

1.A. promised  B. afforded  C. showed   D. left

2.A. Therefore  B. Anyhow  C. Otherwise D. However

3.A. quickly    B. gently    C. partly    D. easily

4.A. until      B. after     C. as       D. so

5.A. failed     B. finished    C. tried     D. changed

6.A. suddenly    B. finally     C. immediately     D. shortly

7.A. secret     B. quiet     C. lonely      D. dark

8.A. see       B. get       C. suggest    D. understand

9.A. defended   B. directed   C. deserted   D. disturbed

10.A. watched    B. missed    C. lost     D. won

11.A. disappointed B. worried   C.  honoured   D. delighted

12.A. cheering    B. taking     C. leading     D. passing

13.A. just        B. even       C. still         D. almost

14.A. hopeful     B. meaningful   C. difficult     D. strange

15.A. work       B. family        C. matches    D. performances

16.A. successful   B. thoughtful     C. thankful    D. peaceful

17.A. Naturally    B. Doubtfully     C. Disagreeably    D. Unexpectedly

18.A. employed    B. comforted     C. valued        D. encouraged

19.A. education     B. experience    C. relationship    D. future

20.A. important     B. interesting     C. simple       D. surprising

 

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