Before the law sits a gatekeeper. To this gatekeeper comes a man from the country who asks to gain entry into the law. But the gatekeeper says that he cannot grant him entry at the moment. The man thinks about it and then asks if he will be allowed to come in sometime later on. "It is possible," says the gatekeeper, "but not now." The gate to the law stands open, as always, and the gatekeeper walks to the side, so the man bends over in order to see through the gate into the inside. When the gatekeeper notices that, he laughs and says: "If it tempts you so much, try going inside in spite of my prohibition. But take note. I am powerful. And I am only the most lowly gatekeeper. But from room to room stand gatekeepers, each more powerful than the other. I cannot endure even one glimpse of the third."

The man from the country has not expected such difficulties: the law should always be accessible for everyone, he thinks, but as he now looks more closely at the gatekeeper in his fur coat, at his large pointed nose and his long, thin, black Tartar's beard, he decides that it would be better to wait until he gets permission to go inside. The gatekeeper gives him a stool and allows him to sit down at the side in front of the gate. There he sits for days and years. He makes many attempts to be let in, and he wears the gatekeeper out with his requests. The gatekeeper often interrogates him briefly, questioning him about his homeland and many other things, but they are indifferent questions, the kind great men put, and at the end he always tells him once more that he cannot let him inside yet. The man, who has equipped himself with many things for his journey, spends everything, no matter how valuable, to win over the gatekeeper. The latter takes it all but, as he does so, says, "I am taking this only so that you do not think you have failed to do anything."

During the many years the man observes the gatekeeper almost continuously. He forgets the other gatekeepers, and this first one seems to him the only barrier for entry into the law. He curses the unlucky circumstance, in the first years thoughtlessly and out loud; later, as he grows old, he only mumbles to himself. He becomes childish and, since in the long years studying the gatekeeper he has also come to know the fléas ( PZ) in his fur collar, he even asks the fleas to help him persuade the gatekeeper. Finally his eyesight grows weak, and he does not know whether things are really darker around him or whether his eyes are merely deceiving him. But he recognizes now in the darkness a ray of light which breaks out of the gateway to the law. Now he no longer has much time to live.

Before his death he gathers in his head all his experiences of the entire time up into one question which he has not yet put to the gatekeeper. He waves to him, since he can no longer lift up his stiffening body. The gatekeeper has to bend way down to him, for the great difference has changed things considerably to the disadvantage of the man. "You are insatiable (不知足的)."t "Everyone strives after the law," says the man, "so how is it that in these many years no one except me has requested entry?" The gatekeeper sees that the man is already dying and, in order to reach his diminishing sense of hearing, he shouts at him, "Here no one else can gain entry, since this entrance was assigned only to you. I'm going now to close it. "

1.Which can best describe the man from the country?

A.Brave but innocent. B. Loyal but ridiculous.

C. Tolerant but stubborn. D. Trustworthy but childish.

2.hat is the implied meaning of the underlined sentences?

A. Anyone who breaks the law will get severe punishment.

B. It's next to impossible for people to gain entry into the law.

C. The gatekeepers are powerful enough to defend the law.

D. All the gatekeepers take full responsibility for obeying the law.

3.The sentence "What do you still want to know now?" asks the gatekeeper. can be put in

A.① B. ② C. ③ D④

4.Which of the following is TRUE?

A.The gatekeeper is actually the symbol of responsibility.

B. All efforts made by the man from the country are in vain.

C. The man from the country finally gains access into the law.

D. A close relationship is formed between the gatekeeper and the man.

5.Why is the man from the country eager to have access to the law continuously?

A.Because he is anxious to explore the nature of law. .

B.Because no one can gain entry into the law except him.

C. Because the gatekeeper promises him entry into the law.

D. Because he knows how to take advantage of the gatekeeper.

6.What may be the title of the novel?

A. Before the law B. Above the law

C. A countryman's life D. A gatekeeper's duty

任务型阅读

请认真阅读下列短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意:请将答案写在答题纸上相应题号的横线上。每个空格只填一个单词。

Family structure is the core of any culture. A major function of the family is to socialize new members ofa culture. As children are raised in a family setting, they learn to become members of the family as well as members of the larger culture. The family provides the model for all other relationships in society. Through the observations and modeling of the behavior of other family members, children learn about the family and society including the values of the culture. Family structure and their inherent relationships and obligations are a major source of cultural difference.

The family is the center of most traditional Asians' lives. Many people worry about their families' welfare, reputation, and honor. Asian families are often extended, including several generations related by blood or marriage living in the same home. An Asian person's misdeeds are not blamed just on the individual but also on the family—including the dead ancestors.

Traditional Chinese, among many other Asians, respect their elders and feel a deep sense of duty toward them. Children repay their parents' sacrifices by being successful and supporting them in old age. This is accepted as a natural part of life in China. In contrast, taking care of aged parents is often viewed as tremendous burden in the United States, where aging and family support are not honored highly.

The Vietnamese family consists of people currently alive as well as the spirits of the dead and of the as-yet unborn. Any decisions or actions are done from family considerations, not individual desires. People's behavior is judged on whether it brings shame or pride to the family. Vietnamese children are trained to rely on their families, to honor elderly people, and to fear foreigners. Many Vietnamese think that their actions in this life will influence their status in the next life.

Fathers in traditional Japanese families are typically strict and distant. Japanese college students in one study said they would tell their fathers just about as much as they would tell a total stranger. The emotional and communication barrier between children and fathers in Japan appears very strong after children have reached a certain age.

Although there has been much talk about "family values" in the United States, the family is not a usual frame of reference for decisions in U.S. mainstream culture. Family connections are not so important to most people. Dropping the names of wealthy or famous people the family knows is done in the United States, but it is not viewed positively. More important is a person's own individual "track record" of personal achievement.

Thus, many cultural differences exist in family structures and values. In some cultures, the family is the center of life and the main frame of reference for decisions. In other cultures, the individuals, not the family, is primary. In some cultures, the family's reputation and honor depend on each person's actions; in other cultures, individuals can act without permanently affecting the family life. Some cultures value old people, while other cultures look down on them.

(Adapted from R. L. Oxford & R. C. Scarcella, "A Few Family Structures and Values Around the Globe")

Outline

Supporting details

1. A to family structure

Family structure is of great 2. A in different cultures.

Children raised in a family will gradually learn how to 3. A in a way which is acceptable in their culture or setting.

'Many cultural differences 4. A from family structures.

Examples of

Asian families

Traditional Asians 5. A their lives around family. Not only the individual but the family is to6. A for any wrongdoings.

O In China, parents' sacrifices will probably7. off when children grow up. Children will also provide for the elders.

O In Vietnam, it's not from the personal desires but from family considerations that decisions or actions are done.

In Japan, children are 8. A to share their emotions with father, thus making communication difficult.

Examples of families in the USA

Americans don't lay much emphasis on family values. 9. A personal achievement is considered more important.

Conclusion

Family structures and values 10. A in different cultures.

We’re always looking for well-written reviews of books, music, movies, television shows, websites, video games and other products. When writing a review, concentrate on exactly what you liked or didn’t like. Give examples of strengths and weaknesses, be descriptive and provide background information on an author, director, actor or musician, if possible. Find professional reviews in magazines or newspapers and see how reviewers deal with their topic, but be sure to express your own voice in your review.

Grammar Hint for Reviews: When describing a book, movie, album or anything else, use the present tense.

Book Reviews

Discuss an author’s technique, strengths and weaknesses instead of focusing on the plot. Does the story flow? Is there a strong sense of character and place? Did you stay up until dawn to finish it? Is it good reading for teenagers? What influence did it have on you and why? If you’ve read other books by the same author, discuss how this book compares.

Movie Reviews

Think of the major Oscar categories and consider the performances, music, lighting and setting, etc. Do these work together? Did some hold up while others didn’t? If the movie is based on a book, discuss whether one is better than the other and why. If the movie is a remake, compare the film to its original.

Remember that a well-written movie review should discuss strengths and weaknesses. Some readers may not have seen a movie yet, so don’t give away an exciting scene or the ending!

College Reviews

Begin by providing an overview of the college, including location, size and a description of the campus and/or dorm life. Think about all aspects of your college visit. What academic, athletic and after-class programs are available? What are the students like? What makes the college different from others? Every school has strengths and weaknesses. Be objective. Consider what the school has to offer and who might enjoy or benefit the most from attending there.

1.When writing a review, you ________.

A. cannot refer to any previous review

B. must express your own views and opinions

C. must provide some information about the author

D. needn’t give any examples to support your views

2.Which aspects should be included in all three reviews?

A. Strengths and weaknesses.

B. Plot and character.

C. Programs and scenes.

D. Location and description.

3.Where can you probably find the passage?

A. In a personal diary.

B. In an official report.

C. In a tourist guidebook.

D. In a popular magazine.

My grandmother Adele loved culture and was generous with its gifts. When I was a child, she took me to museums, restaurants, dances. She showered me with gifts from her travels around the world. But I can only remember her giving me one book—a book that, to this day, I have not read. She presented me with her own favorite childhood book: Hans Brinker. My grandmother was happy to share this book with me. She even decorated the title page with her proud writing.

I tried to read it. I adored reading, and would dive into a new pile of books from the library all at once. But something about Hans Brinker just wouldn’t let me in. The story was set in Holland, a long time ago. It felt dull and unfamiliar—even though I was a fan of classics of other times and places. I simply read the first pages over and over. I could not progress.

Standing on a bookshelf in our living room, the book was like something I avoided. It scolded me for not being interested, for not trying hard enough, for disappointing my grandmother.

The book started to fit in, almost forgotten, until Adele asked. Had I read it? Did I like it? Always determined, she wanted to know the answer. I would make some kind of excuse, feel bad, and open it again, hoping for a new reaction. The book weighed on me.

Years passed and finally Adele and I both accepted that I would never read Hans Brinker. Eventually I cleared the book from the shelf. The Hans Brinker experience led me to set a rule that I’ve lived by ever since: Do not ask about a book given as a gift. Don’t ask, despite your desire to discuss it to grow closer. The desire for such connection is what gives book-giving with special meaning—and increases the owner’s possibility to be a letdown.

Guilt is basically the same as for all gifts, though. If the giver doesn’t have the pleasure of seeing or hearing about the gift being enjoyed, and asks whether it is, then the owner—unless she can truthfully say “yes”—either has to admit to not liking the present, or else lie on the spot. Neither is pleasant. So, don’t ask.

1.When the author was a kid, his grandmother ________.

A. took him to travel around the world a lot

B. loved to take him to museums and stores

C. shared her childhood stories with him

D. gave him many gifts

2.What does the author think about the book his grandmother gave him?

A. Boring. B. Interesting.

C. Puzzling. D. Disappointing.

3.The underlined sentence “The book weighed on me” in Paragraph 4 probably means _______.

A. the book is too heavy for the author to carry

B. the author feels stressful facing the book

C. the book is full of powerful viewpoints

D. the author keeps reading the book

4.The author learns from the Hans Brinker’s experience that never________.

A. give others books as gifts

B. lie to people who give you gifts

C. get close to others through gifts

D. talk about the books given as gifts

We live in a sweet world. The average American kid consumes more than 20 teaspoons of sugar per day, and adults eat 50% more sugar today than they did in the 1970s. We all know that too much sugar isn’t good for you. But did we know it could be dangerous? A team of researchers at the University of Utah used mice to conduct a study on the negative effects of sugar. They found it could have serious effects on people’s health.

Sugar is found not only in sweets and candies, but also in many household items like pasta and crackers.

During the 58-week-long study, mice were fed a diet containing 25% more sugar. This percentage equals a healthy human diet along with three cans of soda daily. The team found that these mice were twice as likely to die as mice fed a similar diet without the sugar. Though the mice did not show signs of obesity or high blood pressure, male mice were 26% less territorial and produced 25% fewer offspring than the other mice.

Scientists often use mice for research because they have a similar genetic(基因) structure to humans. “Since most substances that are dangerous in mice are also dangerous in people, it’s likely that those physical problems that cause those mice to have increased deaths also work in people,” says study author James Ruff of the University of Utah. Findings from this study reveal negative effects that are not as noticeable as weight gain or heart problems. Sugar can contribute to long-term changes in the body that can change development and even shorten lives.

Cutting sugar out of the American diet altogether may be difficult. But making the effort to control our nation’s sugar desire will provide for a truly sweeter future.

1.The study conducted by researchers aimed at learning about________

A. the advantages and disadvantages of sugar

B. the negative effects of sugar on people’s health

C. the genetic structure of mice

D. American’s diet

2.According to the study, which of the following statements is wrong?

A. Sugar can even shorten lives.

B. Sugar’s negative effects are not noticeable.

C. Mice are more likely to die when fed a diet containing 25% more sugar.

D. Eating much more sugar can make mice put on weight and get high blood pressure.

3.From the passage we can infer_______

A. sugar plays a very important role in Americans’ diet

B. kids consume more sugar than adults in America

C. the study on human beings lasted 58 weeks

D. the genetic structure of mice is totally different from that of people

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

A. Living a sweet life

B. Kids consume much more sugar

C. Genetic structure of humans

D. Danger of sugar

It is true that world population is growing, but this is not the cause of our current and future global problems. Believing this will cause us to ignore the real problem and risk long-term damage to our planet.

Let me start by explaining why overpopulation is a myth. For one thing, the UN Population Division regularly predicts population growth but provides a low variant (变量), medium variant, and high variant to factor in various possibilities. In the 2010 revision, their high variant suggests that the world population will be almost 16 billion in 2100, but the low variant predicts it will peak at 8 billion and decrease to just over 6 billion by 2100. In most cases, it is the low variant that has come true in the past, suggesting the same will be true of their future population predictions. In addition to this, the size of families is actually decreasing.

For another, if the Earth is overpopulated, there needs to be insufficient (短缺) food, water, and space for humans to live. However, Indian economist Raj Krishna estimates that India alone is able to increase crop produce to the point of providing the entire world’s food supply. The World Food Programme confirms that there is sufficient food grown to feed the world and there is the same amount of fresh water on the planet now as there was 10,000 years ago. So how is it possible that the number of people in the world is affecting our planet?

Therefore, it is not an increase in population but an increase in consumption that is a severe threat. Materialism and overconsumption are facts of life for everybody in the western world, as possessions reflect a person’s status in society and people strive to obtain happiness through owning the latest fashionable goods. Not only that, but waste is a common occurrence which has a huge effect on our resources. It is a sad truth that 80% of the world’s resources are currently used by just 20% of the world’s population.

Our overconsumption must be addressed now to make our lives more sustainable (可持续的) and avoid continuing the terrible damage to the environment we are causing. The key is education. If we do not work towards this but instead focus on the wrong issue, we may find ourselves living on a planet that can no longer sustain human life.

1.According to the author, what causes our current and future global problems?

A. The increase in population.

B. Shortage of food and water.

C. The fast growth of material needs.

D. Failure to protect the environment.

2.The underlined word “myth” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _________.

A. fact B. misunderstanding C. possibility D. uncertainty

3.The author stresses that _____.

A. people should save food and water

B. economists are making wrong predictions

C. wrong judgment leads to serious consequences

D. measures should be taken to reduce population

4.What is mainly discussed in the passage?

A. The real cause of global problems.

B. The severe effect of overpopulation.

C. Reasonable use of natural resources.

D. Methods to reduce overconsumption.

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Lots of people give you advice on overcoming fear. ____1.___ However, I want to tell you that a world without fear would be more dangerous, less rewarding. So we want to treat fear as a friend. Here are three reasons.

____2.___ Think about it. Do you get more nervous when you meet the girl (or guy) of your dreams? Which is more fearful, talking to the boss of your company or to some of your friends? ___3.____ If you didn’t have fear to guide you, you might not know that! Not so bad, right?

Next, fear encourages us to take action. Fear is a call to action. In the past, our ancestors (祖先) didn’t run away in fear when they saw a tiger running toward them but tried to kill it for food. Now, most of us don’t face serious danger like hungry tigers every day, but we do face serious bosses or public speaking. So, what can we do? ___4.____ .

Lastly, fear lets you know you are alive. Why do we like roller coasters (过山车)? ____5._____ Same for horror movies.

So fear can guide you towards what’s important for you and encourage you to take action to improve your situation. Don’t we all need that kind of friend?

A. The first is that fear is an excellent guide to opportunity.

B. Don’t fear to be wrong.

C. They say if you can overcome fear, you will be successful.

D. It frightens us in a mostly safe way.

E. Imagine what life would be like without fear.

F. Fear is showing you what is important and what matters to you.

G. Let fear provide us with the energy to do what needs to be done.

完型填空

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。

The Hard Truth

One day, Marissa noticed a spider(蜘蛛) web, shining in the sunlight. A spider was spinning webs on it. The spider wasn’t trying to be something else, like a butterfly or a bee, Marissa thought. It was happy to be exactly what it was and to do what it was good at.

What came naturally to Marissa was_________. She could paint or draw all day long and never get bored. However, a few weeks ago Marissa signed________for high jump. Because her mother had been a high jump star in school, she thought it would make her mother happy. But now she________ that however hard she worked, she would never be a high jump star like her mother.

One night, halfway through her homework, Marissa fell________ .When she woke up, the clock __________1:00 A.M. Marissa got into a panic. There was still so much________ to do, but she really needed her rest for track(田径) practice. Marissa had always been a good student, but now track was risking her________ .

Then a dark thought ____________ Marissa’s mind. If she ________some of her classes, she would be off the track team. That was one way to solve her problem.

After a week of ________ her homework, letters had been mailed out to parents listing grades, and Marissa knew the letters would show that her grades had ________ a lot. She walked home with slow heavy steps, knowing her ________ plan had _________.

Just as Marissa had expected, her mother was waiting with the letter in her hand. “What’s happening to your grades? And more importantly, what’s happening to you?” she asked.

With tears in her eyes, Marissa admitted her ________ . “I only joined the track team to make you proud of me. I hated it, ________ I didn’t want to disappoint you. I thought if I were failing in my classes, Coach would kick me off the team. What a ________ I’ve made of everything.”

Marissa watched her mother’s face turn from anger to________. “Marissa, I was always proud of you. You didn’t need to do the high jump to make me happy. Now you have a lot of hard work in front of you because you made a bad ________.”

Marissa thought again about the spider. She realized she had lost sight of her ________ and twisted her web. Now she had to go back and ________ that web.

1.A. music B. art C. sport D. dance

2.A. up B. off C. over D. down

3.A. realized B. wondered C. insisted D. remembered

4.A. ill B. silent C. asleep D. apart

5.A. read B. says C. wrote D. hit

6.A. homework B. research C. housework D. practice

7.A. health B. life C. grades D. images

8.A. occurred B. took C. crossed D. appeared

9.A. gave B. attended C. took D. failed

10.A. completingB. copying C. ignoring D. preparing

11.A. risen B. dropped C. improved D. meant

12.A. perfect B. ugly C. simple D. serious

13.A. worked B. made C. stopped D. carried

14.A. feeling B. weakness C. secret D. excuse

15.A. and B. so C. or D. but

16.A. surprise B. scare C. mess D. joke

17.A. delight B. concern C. embarrassment D. disappointment

18.A. speech B. stop C. jump D. choice

19.A. balance B. example C. purpose D. success

20.A. rebuild B. break C. find D. review

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