题目内容

    In the college-admissions wars, we parents are the true fighters. We’re pushing our kids to get good grades, take SAT preparatory courses and build resumes so they can get into the college of our first choice. I’ve twice been to the wars, and as I survey the battlefield, something different is happening. We see our kids’ college background as a prize demonstrating how well we’ve raised them. But we can’t acknowledge that our obsession(痴迷) is more about us than them. So we’ve created various justifications(辩解)that turn out to be half-truths, prejudices or myths. It actually doesn’t matter much whether Aaron and Nicole go to Stanford.

We have a full-developed panic; we worry that there won’t be enough prizes to go around. Fearful parents urge their children to apply to more schools than ever. What causes the hysteria(歇斯底里) is the belief that scarce elite(精英)degrees must be highly valuable. Their graduates must enjoy more success because they get a better education and develop better contacts. All seems right but mostly wrong. We haven’t found any convincing evidence that selectivity or prestige matters. Selective schools don’t systematically employ better instructional approaches than less selective schools. On two measures—professors’ feedback and the number of essay exams selective schools do slightly worse.

By some studies, selective schools do enhance(提高) their graduates’ lifetime earnings. The gain is reckoned at 2-4% for every 100-point increase in a school’s average SAT scores. But even this advantage is probably a statistical fluke(偶然). A well-known study examined students who got into highly selective schools and then went elsewhere. They earned just as much as graduates from higher-status schools.

Kids count more than their colleges. Getting into Yale may signify intelligence, talent and ambition. But it’s not the only indicator and, surprisingly, its significance is declining. The reason: so many similar people go elsewhere. Getting into college is not life’s only competition. In the next competition—the job market and graduate school—the results may change. Princeton economist Alan Krueger studied admissions to one top Ph.D. program. High scores on the GRE helped explain who got in; degrees of famous universities didn’t.

So, parents, take it easy(lighten up). The stakes (利害关系) have been vastly exaggerated. Up to a point, we can rationalize our pushiness. America is a competitive society; our kids need to adjust to that. But too much pushiness can be destructive. The very ambition we impose on our children may get some into Harvard but may also set them up for disappointment. One study found that, other things being equal, graduates of highly selective schools experienced more job dissatisfaction. They may have been so conditioned to being on top that anything less disappoints.

1. Why does the author say that parents are the true fighters in the college-admissions wars?

       A. They have the final say in which university their children are to attend.

       B. They know best which universities are most suitable for their children.

       C. They have to carry out intensive surveys of colleges before children make an application.

       D. They care more about which college their children go to than the children themselves.

2. Why do parents urge their children to apply to more schools than ever?

       A. They want to increase their children’s chances of entering a prestigious college.

       B. They hope their children can enter a university that offers attractive scholarships.

       C. Their children will have a wider choice of which college to go to.

       D. Elite universities now enroll fewer student than they used to.

3. What does the author mean by “kids count more than their colleges” Line1, para.4?

       A. Continuing education is more important to a person’s success.

       B. A person’s happiness should be valued more than their education.

       C. Kids’ actual abilities are more important than their college background.

       D. What kids learn at college cannot keep up with job market requirements.

4. What does Krueger’s study tell us?

       A. Getting into Ph.D. programs may be more competitive than getting into college.

       B. Degrees of prestigious universities do not guarantee entry to graduate programs.

       C. Graduates from prestigious universities do not care much about their GRE scores.

       D. Connections built in prestigious universities may be kept long after graduation.

5. One possible result of pushing children into elite universities is that______

       A. they earn less than their peers from other institutions  

       B. they turn out to be less competitive in the job market

       C. they experience more job dissatisfaction after graduation 

       D. they overemphasize their qualifications in job application

【小题1】D

【小题2】A

【小题3】C

【小题4】B

【小题5】C

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The space shuttle Columbia flared and broke up in the skies over Texas on Saturday, February 1,2003, killing the seven astronauts on board in what NASA and President Bush called a tragedy for the entire nation. NASA launched an investigation into the disaster and began searching for the astronauts' remains. It said that although there had been some data failures it was too early to nail down a precise cause. The break-up, 16 minutes before the shuttle was due to land at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, spread possibly toxic debris(有毒的残骸) over a wide swath of Texas and neighboring states.

Dramatic television images of the shuttle's descent clearly showed several white trails(痕迹) streaking through blue skies after the shuttle suddenly fell apart. It was almost 17 years to the day that the Challenger shuttle exploded on Jan. 28, 1986, killing all seven astronauts on board.

Take-off and re-entry into Earth's atmosphere are the most dangerous parts of a space mission. In 42 years of US' human space flight, there had never been an accident in the descent to Earth or landing. Challenger exploded just after take-off.

Rescue teams scrambled to search for the remains of the crew, which included the first Israeli to fly on the shuttle, former combat pilot Col. Ilan Ramon. There were warnings that parts of a vast 120-mile-long corridor of debris could be toxic because of poisonous rocket propellant(推进器).

"We are not ready to confirm that we have found any human remains," Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerrs said. He added that among the roughly 1,000 calls reporting debris, some people said they found remains of crew members.

"The Columbia is lost. There are no survivors, …Their mission was almost complete and we lost them so close to home. … America's space program will go on," said a grim-faced Bush in a message broadcast on television, which included condolences to the families of the dead astronauts.

1. The word “descent” in the passage means ________.

A. taking off   B. landing      C. orbiting     D. walking down

2. Which is true of the Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon?

A. He was the first Israeli astronaut to fly on the shuttle.

B. He was the first foreign astronaut to fly on the American shuttle.

C. He used to be a passenger plane pilot.

D. He was the only survivor in the Columbia disaster.

3. The Columbia disaster and the Challenger disaster were similar in that ________.

A. there were seven astronauts killed on board

B. both the shuttles exploded when they took off

C. Both the shuttles exploded when they were about to land

D. no human remains were found

4. Which of the following is wrong according to the news?

A. The U.S.A. will give up the space program because of the accident.

B. NASA hasn’t found the cause of the Columbia disaster.

C. Before the Columbia disaster, no shuttles had exploded in the course of landing.

D. Take-off and re-entry into Earth's atmosphere are the most dangerous parts of a space mission.

CHOOSE YOUR VIRGINIA
Rock House Museum
Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville’s Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 .
Grand Caverns
Grand Caverns is America’s oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited—you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April—October , 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 .
The News Museum
The News Museum in Arlington is the world’s only interactive(互动)museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today’s news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.—5 p. m. You can visit www. News museum .Org .
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington’s only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 .
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 .
【小题1】What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage ?

A.To attract tourists to Virginia .
B.To encourage people to settle in Virginia .
C.To introduce historic sites in Virginia .
D.To give people a general description of Virginia .
【小题2】 In what way is The News Museum different from Rock House Museum ?
A.It is larger .B.It is more exciting .
C.Visitors can act in it .D.Visitors can see more in it .
【小题3】If you want to enjoy yourself in the evening , you may go to       .
A.The News MuseumB.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
C.Grand CavernsD.Virginia Beach
【小题4】Which of the following places is NOT open in the winter months ?
A.The news Museum .
B.Grand Caverns .
C.Virginia Beach .
D.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens .
【小题5】Which of the following is NOT a fact when tourists are visiting the Virginia Beach ?
A.Tourists can camp in the open air .
B.Tourists can enjoy some special events there .
C.Tourists can not go there in their own cars .
D.Tourists can enjoy themselves on the clean beach .

CHOOSE YOUR VIRGINIA

Rock House Museum

Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville’s Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 .

Grand Caverns

Grand Caverns is America’s oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited—you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April—October , 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 .

The News Museum

The News Museum in Arlington is the world’s only interactive(互动)museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today’s news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.—5 p. m. You can visit www. News museum .Org .

Kenmore Plantation & Gardens

Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington’s only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 .

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 .

1.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage ?

A.To attract tourists to Virginia .

B.To encourage people to settle in Virginia .

C.To introduce historic sites in Virginia .

D.To give people a general description of Virginia .

2. In what way is The News Museum different from Rock House Museum ?

A.It is larger .

B.It is more exciting .

C.Visitors can act in it .

D.Visitors can see more in it .

3.If you want to enjoy yourself in the evening , you may go to       .

A.The News Museum

B.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens

C.Grand Caverns

D.Virginia Beach

4.Which of the following places is NOT open in the winter months ?

A.The news Museum .

B.Grand Caverns .

C.Virginia Beach .

D.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens .

5.Which of the following is NOT a fact when tourists are visiting the Virginia Beach ?

A.Tourists can camp in the open air .

B.Tourists can enjoy some special events there .

C.Tourists can not go there in their own cars .

D.Tourists can enjoy themselves on the clean beach .

 

第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)

阅读下面短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该       项涂黑。

Reina  wrote in her blog (博客);“a few months ago I took my cat to the vet(兽医)because she was old and very sick . The vet injected her in the stomach and said she would die .She tried to stand but she couldn't .It took at least twenty minutes for her to die . I sat in the room with her and the vet came in a couple of times and finally he said she was gone . I will never forget how she died .Was she frightened ? What was wrong with the old way ?"

Dear Reina

My beloved cat Bugle was very sick with kidney (肾)failure and I took him to the vet . I stayed with him for 10 minutes , holding him in my arms and loving him as we always did ,and he look at me ,as if to say ,"It's ok ....I'm ready." After that the vet came in and injected him with the shot that would put him into a quiet sleep .All the while I held him and told him I loved him , then the vet said his heart stopped beating .They placed him in a little box and I took him home and buried him in the yard where we always run and played ,right under his favourite bush .I still cry myself to sleep ,even though I  am a grown man of 65 years of age ! That cat means everything to me .I have a little stone on his grave and it says ,"Bugle ,my beloved cat ,you were so smart and loving ,I shall miss you every   day for the rest of my life !"

I am sorry for your loss and I know you must feel.I hope this comforts you some .

Love COL Bright .

56  Why did Reina go to the vet ?

A To get some advice on pet care       B To give her cat some medical care

C TO have her cat's stomach examined  D To have her cat's life ended in Comfort

57.  It seemed that Bright treated his pet cat as ______

A a close neighbour B  a good helper  C a part of his family  D a new friend

58  According to the passage , we can learn that Reina and Bright ________

A both suffered pet loss B  both had an old sick pet cat

C are close friends    D have similar life experience

59  Bright replied to Reina in order to _______

A comfort her           B share his story 

C encourage her         D tell her to forget her past         

 

第二节完形填空(共20小题;每小题1.5分,满分30分)

  阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、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。

  Columnist Dave Barry says this about his father:"My dad would try anything - carpentry(木匠活),electrical wiring,roofing and so on.From watching him,I learned a lesson that still 36 to my life today:no matter how difficult a task may seem, 37 you're not afraid to try it,you can do it."

  I learned from my parents the value of "going for it"." 38 ventured(冒险),nothing lost" is the motto of too many of us.Many people are so afraid to 39 that they never venture beyond the familiar."Better to be safe than sorry",has 40 too many people in the cocoon(保护膜) of their 41 zones.

  A delightful 42 tells that Col.Robert Johnson of Salem,New Jersey,announced that he would take a 43 risk.He let the town know that he would 44 a wolf peach on the steps of the country courthouse at noon on September 26,1820. "Why would he take such a chance?" asked the 45 people.

  Scientists and doctors had long declared the wolf peach to be 46 .If the wolf peach was too ripe and warmed by the sun,they told him he would be exposing himself to brain fever.Should he somehow 47 the experience,the skin of the 48 would stick to the lining of his stomach(他的胃黏膜) and 49 cause cancer.

  Nearly 2,000 people 50 the square to see Col.Johnson eat the "poisonous" peach - now known as the tomato.

  Col.Johnson believed his 51 was small,but it must be take if the 52 about the peach were to be 53 .Who has accompished anything worthwhile 54 taking a risk?

  Much like the tortoise it makes 55 only when it sticks its neck out.

  36.A.refers         B.applies       C.tends          D.leads

  37.A.if            B.since         C.although       D.unless

  38.A.Anything      B.Something    C.Nothing        D.Everything

  39.A.fail           B.win          C.succeed        D.leave

  40.A.turned        B.trapped       C.forbidden      D.orced

  41.A.comfortable    B.miserable     C.surprising     D.unimportant

  42.A.novel         B.message      C.joke          D.story

  43.A.private        B.public       C.secret        D.national

  44.A.buy          B.sell          C.eat           D.cut

  45.A.puzzled       B.disappointed   C.angry        D.happy

  46.A.delicious       B.smelly        C.salty        D.poisonous

  47.A.enjoy         B.survive         C.understand  D.know

  48.A.wolf         B.seed           C.peach      D.body

  49.A.eventually     B.firstly          C.lately       D.hardly

  50.A.reached      B.decorated         C.surrounded  D.crowded

  51.A.audience     B.risk            C.fruit        D.size

  52.A.myths        B.ingredients    C.truths         D.prices

  53.A.changed      B.adopted        C.removed      D.grasped

  54.A.without      B.for            C.with         D.except

  55.A.sense        B.trouble         C.room        D.progress

 

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