A plane crash in Western Russian killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and the other 96 political and military officials on board on April 10. The accident has led to huge national mourning in Poland. But it may provide an opportunity for reconciliation (和解) between Poland and Russia, countries that have a troubled relationship.
Many from the political elite were lost in the crash. Beside the president, the dead include the army chief of Staff, the head of National Security Bureau, the national bank president, the deputy foreign minister and other members of parliament.
The Polish delegation was heading to Russia to mark the 70 th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre (屠杀) when the accident occurred. In 1940, about 22,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals, and officials captured after the Soviet Army invaded Poland in 1939, were killed secretly by Soviet police in the forest of Russia’s Katyn.
The Katyn Massacre had been a sensitive topic between the countries. The former Soviet Union always denied responsibility for the massacre. It was not until 1992 that Russian released archived documents about the killing.
Katyn is merely a short chapter in Poland and Russia’s long and troubled history. In the 18 th century, along with Prussia, (then an important part of Germany) and Austria. Russia participated in three carve – ups of Poland. In 1795, after the third carve – up, the country was erased from the map of Europe. It was in 1918 that Poland regained its independence. But in 1939, at the beginning of the World War II, it was invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union under a secret pact. After the war, Poland became a communist country with close ties to the Soviet Union.
In 1989, Poland switched to capitalism and pursued a pro – West position. The most recent tension between the two countries was in 2008. That year, Poland decided to have a US missile shield (导弹防御系统) on its soil, while neighboring Russia threatened to aim missiles at Poland.
But the plane crash has created a chance for reconciliation, with Russia sharing the sadness of Poland. Russia has declared April 12 a day of mourning for the victims. Flags flew at half – mast in Moscow. And earlier on April 7, Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin became the first Russian leader to mark the anniversary of the massacre.
“I think it should improve relations between the two countries, as Russians feel our grief,” said Radek Sikorski, Pland’s foreign minister.
66.Put the following events in order of time.
①The Katyn Massacre
②Poland switched to capitalism.
③Russia divided Poland with Austria and Prussia.
④Poland became a communist country.
⑤Poland was invaded by the Soviet Army.
A.③①④⑤② B.③⑤①④②  C.①③⑤④②  D.①⑤②④③
67.After the accident, which of the following did Russia do to share the sadness of Poland?
A.Flags were lowed to half – mast in the capital city of Russia.
B.Russia threatened to aim missiles at Poland.
C.Russia declared the day when the accident happened a day of mourning for the victims.
D.Vladimir Putin marked the anniversary of the massacre.
68.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The Katyn Massacre was the very beginning of Poland and Russia’s trouble relationship.
B.In 1939 about 22,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals, and officials were killed by Soviet police in the forest of Russia’s Katyn.
C.Altogether 96 political and military officials were killed in the accident.
D.The relationship between Poland and Russia has not always been tense since the three carve – ups of Poland in the 18 th century.
69.It can be conclude from the article that        .
A.the relationship between Poland and Russia will be even tenser than before
B.Poland will cancel its plan to mark the anniversary of the Katyn Massacre
C.no Russian leaders have marked the anniversary of the massacre before, though Russia released the truth in 1992.
D.Poland will forgive Russians, for they showed great sympathy after the accident.
70.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.The troubled relationship between Russia and Poland.
B.Poland and Russia united by tragedy.
C.The 70 th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre.
D.A plane crash killing Polish president.

Nuclear energy has always been controversial. But since the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Fukushima (Japan) last year the issue is back in the headlines. And the world is divided— some countries are planning more nuclear plants, while others have promised to shut theirs down.

After Fukushima, Germany decided to switch off all its nuclear plants by 2022. Switzerland and Italy are also phasing out nuclear power. But France and the United States remain staunch supporters of atomic energy. In fact, almost 80% of France’s electricity comes from nuclear power, the highest percentage in the world. And in the US, the Obama administration said it “continues to support the expansion of nuclear power, despite the crisis in Japan.”

Nuclear supporters claim nuclear power can help the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power doesn’t create greenhouse gases. So, pro-nuclear countries argue that nuclear power allows them to generate energy without contributing to climate change. Britain’s chief scientific adviser (John Beddington) supports this view. He recently said that the world doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring nuclear energy.

Nuclear power is also relatively cheap. Renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind power may be clean, but they’re expensive; and right now, they require a lot of investment. This higher cost of using “green energy” is usually passed onto the consumer. So, while many people may prefer their energy to come from a renewable source, not so many are prepared to pay higher energy bills. This is of particular concern while the world economy is in such bad shape.

The main argument against nuclear energy is that it isn’t safe. For a start, nuclear waste is very difficult to dispose of, and remains toxic to humans for thousands of years. And even before Fukushima, there were several high-profile nuclear disasters. The most famous is probably the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, in the Ukraine. The radiation from the meltdown spread all over Europe, affecting thousands.

The nuclear energy issue is very complex. And it doesn’t look like it’ll be resolved anytime soon. As a Japanese commentator recently said, “it’s been a bad year for the ‘nuclear village’, but I don’t think they’re down and out yet.” The battle continues.

1.Which of the following may NOT be the advantage of nuclear energy over other energy sources?

A.Nuclear energy doesn’t produce any greenhouse gases.

B.Nuclear energy can help prevent the climate damage.

C.Nuclear energy is more environmental-friendly than other green energy sources.

D.Nuclear energy can save the consumers some money, compared to other renewable energies.

2.What does the underlined word “this” refer to in paragraph 4?

A.The fact that many people prefer to use the green energy sources while unwilling to pay higher bill.

B.The cost of using renewable sources

C.The fact that the nuclear power is cheaper.

D.The investment of renewable energy sources

3.We can learn from the last paragraph that _______.

A.the Japanese commentator is positive about the future of nuclear energy

B.the nuclear energy issue will be soon settled

C.a battle will break out in the future

D.Japan is considering to build a nuclear village in the future

4.What is the author’s purpose of writing the passage?

A.To highlight the danger of using nuclear energy.

B.To introduce some serious nuclear disasters.

C.To show the argument between nuclear supporters and protesters.

D.To give some advice on how to use nuclear energy safely.

 

阅读理解。
     The NBA's version of the Ming Dynasty is done. After helping pro basketball gain a foothold in
the world's most populous market, Chinese star Yao Ming has retired.
     Yao made it official Wednesday, telling a news conference that a series of foot and leg injuries
forced him to end his playing career at the age of 30.
     "I will formally end my career," said Yao, who became a household name in China before starting
his NBA career with the Houston Rockets in 2002. Yao played eight seasons in the NBA.
     "Today is an important day for me and holds a special meaning for both my basketball career and
my future," Yao said. "I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture(断裂) in my left foot
for the third time at the end of last year. My past six months were a painful wait. I have been thinking
about my future over and over. Today I am announcing a personal decision, ending my career as a
basketball player and officially retire. But_one_door_is_closing_and_another_one_is_opening."
      Yao said he would return to work with his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks, with the
possibility of becoming general manager. He already owns the club and wants to contribute more.
      "My playing career started with the club. I hope I can do something for it," Yao said.
      He later appeared with his family on the stage to the applause and cheers of the crowd. He thanked
a lot of people-his family, former coaches, even players like Shaquille O'Neal-"for making me a better
player, I will be always with you. Thank you."
      Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was among those attending the farewell(告别)conference
Wednesday. Morey made the long trip from Houston. Morey said 20 hours on planes was tiring but
"I would be sorry if I wasn't here." "It's a big moment," Morey added. "Yao had a sense of humor, a
great attitude and sense of responsibility. I hope we can continue his culture in the NBA."
      Yao had played six years with the Chinese national team before joining the Rockets, and was
already a star in his home country. He carried the Olympic torch through Tian'anmen Square and his
country's flag during the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He also donated $2 million
and set up a foundation to rebuild schools in the wake of the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan.
1.Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A.Yao Ming: a household name
B.Chinese great Yao Ming retires from basketball
C.A farewell conference
D.Yao Ming's personal decision
2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 4 mean?
A.He has retired from playing basketball and his new career will begin.
B.He can't go to the US because of his retirement.
C.He is welcomed in his motherland.
D.He will return to work with the charity.
3.According to the passage, which of the following words can't be used to describe Yao Ming?
A.Talented.  
B.Responsible.
C.Generous.  
D.Cautious.
4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The reason why Yao Ming retired is that he is too old.
B.Yao Ming played six years in America.
C.Yao Ming started his playing career in Houston.
D.Yao Ming was once an Olympic torchbearer.
阅读理解

     The NBA's version of the Ming Dynasty is done. After helping pro basketball gain a foothold in the
world's most populous market, Chinese star Yao Ming has retired.
    Yao made it official Wednesday, telling a news conference that a series of foot and leg injuries forced
him to end his playing career at the age of 30.
     "I will formally end my career," said Yao, who became a household name in China before starting his
NBA career with the Houston Rockets in 2002. Yao played eight seasons in the NBA.
     "Today is an important day for me and holds a special meaning for both my basketball career and my
future," Yao said. "I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture(断裂) in my left foot for the
third time at the end of last year. My past six months were a painful wait. I have been thinking about my
future over and over. Today I am announcing a personal decision, ending my career as a basketball player and officially retire. But_one_door_is_closing_and_another_one_is_opening."
     Yao said he would return to work with his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks, with the
possibility of becoming general manager. He already owns the club and wants to contribute more.
     "My playing career started with the club. I hope I can do something for it," Yao said.
     He later appeared with his family on the stage to the applause and cheers of the crowd. He thanked
a lot of people-his family, former coaches, even players like Shaquille O'Neal-"for making me a better
player, I will be always with you. Thank you."
     Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was among those attending the farewell(告别)conference
Wednesday. Morey made the long trip from Houston. Morey said 20 hours on planes was tiring but "I
would be sorry if I wasn't here." "It's a big moment," Morey added. "Yao had a sense of humor, a great
attitude and sense of responsibility. I hope we can continue his culture in the NBA."
     Yao had played six years with the Chinese national team before joining the Rockets, and was already
a star in his home country. He carried the Olympic torch through Tian'anmen Square and his country's
flag during the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He also donated $2 million and set
up a foundation to rebuild schools in the wake of the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan.

The NBA’s version of the Ming Dynasty is done. After helping pro basketball gain a foothold in the world’s most populous market, Chinese star Yao Ming has retired.

Yao made it official Wednesday, telling a news conference that a series of foot and leg injuries forced him to end his playing career at the age of 30.

“I will formally end my career,” said Yao, who became a household name in China before starting his NBA career with the Houston Rockets in 2002. Yao played eight seasons in the NBA.

“Today is an important day for me and holds a special meaning for both my basketball career and my future,” Yao said. “I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture (断裂) in my left foot for the third time at the end of last year. My past six months were a painful wait. I have been thinking about my future over and over. Today I am announcing a personal decision, ending my career as a basketball player and officially retire. But one door is closing and another one is opening.”

Yao said he would return to work with his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks, with the possibility of becoming general manager. He already owns the club and wants to contribute more.

“My playing career started with the club. I hope I can do something for it,” Yao said.

He later appeared with his family on the stage to the applause and cheers of the crowd. He thanked a lot of people ---- his family, former coaches, even players like Shaquille O’Neal ---- “for making me a better player. I will be always with you. Thank you.”

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was among those attending the farewell (告别) conference Wednesday. Morey made the long trip from Houston. Morey said 20 hours on planes was tiring but he would be sorry if he wasn’t here. “It’s a big moment,” Morey added. “Yao had a sense of humor, a great attitude and sense of responsibility. I hope we can continue his culture in the NBA.”

Yao had played six years with the Chinese national team before joining the Rockets, and was already a star in his home country. He carried the Olympic torch through Tiananmen Square and his country’s flag during the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He also donated $ 2 million and set up a foundation to rebuild schools in the wake of the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan.

61. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A. Yao Ming: a household name

B. Yao Ming retires from the basketball

C. A farewell conference

D. Yao Ming’s personal decision

62. According to the passage, which of the following words can’t be used to describe Yao Ming?

  A. Talented.

B. Responsible.

C. Generous.

D. Cautious.

63. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

  A. The reason why Yao Ming retired is that he is too old.

  B. Yao Ming played six years in America.

  C. Yao Ming started his playing career in Houston.

  D. Yao Ming was once an Olympic torchbearer.

64. What does the author want to tell us in the last paragraph but one?

  A. Daryl Morey is the general manager of Rockets.

  B. Daryl Morey was very tired at the conference.

  C. Daryl Morey thought highly of Yao Ming.

  D. The conference was a big moment of the year.