Americans are more socially isolated than they were 20 years ago, and nearly a quarter of people said they had “zero”close friends with whom to discuss personal matters. More than 50 percent named two or fewer confidants (密友), most often immediate family members, the researchers said.

　 “This is a big social change, and it shows something that’s not good for our society，” said Duke University Professor Lynn Smith. She said that it showed there was a surprising drop in the number of close friends people had since 1985. At that time, Americans most commonly said they had three close friends whom they had known for a long time, saw often, and with whom they shared a number of interests. They were almost likely to name four or five friends and the relationships often sprang from their neighborhoods or communities (社区).

　 Ties to a close network of friends create a social safety net that is good for society, and for the individual. People were not asked why they had fewer intimate (亲密的) ties, but Smith said that part of the causes could be that Americans are working more, marrying later, having fewer children, and commuting (往返上班) longer distances. “It’s one thing to know someone and exchange e-mails with him. It’s another thing to say, ‘Will you give me a ride out of town with all of my possessions and pets?’ and ‘Can I stay with you for a couple or three months?’” Smith said. “Worrying about social isolation is not a matter of nostalgia (怀旧之情) for a warm and comfortable past. Real things are strongly connected with that，” added Harvard University Professor Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, a book on the decline of American communities. He suggested flexible work schedules would allow Americans to tend both personal and professional lives.

1. What’s the passage mainly talking about?

　　 A. American social isolation.

　　 B. Americans have “zero” close friends.

　　 C. Ties to a close network of friends are good for society.

　　 D. Flexible work schedules change Americans’ lifestyle.

2. From the second paragraph we can learn that people tend to ____.

　　 A. be closer than before

　　 B. be less close than before

　　 C. have more friends than before

　　 D. have more family members than before

3. Which of the following is the possible cause of American social isolation?

　　 A. They work more.

　　 B. They don’t marry.

　　 C. They have more children.

　　 D. They spend too much time on relaxation.

4. According to Professor Robert, ____.

　 A. there could be four possible causes for American social isolation

　　 B. worrying about social isolation is not a matter of nostalgia

　　 C. flexible work schedules don’t affect (影响) Americans’ way of life

　　 D. American social isolation is only a small social problem

As is well known to all, football is played t_________ the world.

Go to bed right away. Forget you need to get up as early as you can ____ the early train?

A. catch B. catching　 C. caught　 D. to catch

He went to the airport to meet his favorite film star, only ______ that she had left.

A. to tell　　　 B. telling　　　　　 C. to be told　　 D. being told

这是我所见到的最奇怪的鱼。

Conjoined twins lead separate but active lives.

Lori and Reba have never been alone and they want to keep it that way.

The 40-year-old conjoined twins in Pennsylvania,US,have read about others locked together by an accident of birth who have been medically separated.But they insist only death can part them.

“We’ve never imagined a life divided,”Lori said.

Lori and Reba are joined together at the side of their heads,facing in opposite directions.Their blood supply is partly linked,but each has a separate brain.

Reba suffers from a disease which has left her completely dependent on her sister.

Lori wheels her everywhere they go in different professional directions.Lori worked in a laundry room at a hospital for six years before giving that up to allow Reba to try to become a country singer.

Her first song is called “The Fear of Being Alone”,which was inspired by Reba and Lori’s desire for togetherness.

Reba’s career has taken her across the United States,Europe and parts of Asia.

While the twins receive some money from the government,the earning from Reba’s concerts go to AIDS and cancer charities(慈善机构).

The sisters have set goals for themselves.Reba looks forward to a successful career as a country singer,while Lori says she hopes to get married and have children.Lori said,”So when it comes,it comes.Meanwhile,I live wonderfully from day to day.”

1.When Lori said “We’ve never imagined a life divided”,she meant that 　　　.

A.they don’t wish to be made separate　　　　 B.they think their case is beyond medical help

C.independent life would be too good to think of　　　 D.they would die once separated

2.By leading separate lives,the topic means that 　　　.

A.either of the two can look after herself　　　 B.the twins do different things

C.they face in opposite directions　　　 D.they are no longer conjoined now

3.When Reba gives performances as a country singer,Lori 　　　.

A.works in a hospital　　　　 B.continues her college education

C.brings up her children　　　 D.looks after her sister

4.The twins lead active lives because they 　　　.

A.are tired of staying at home doing nothing　　 B.need more money

C.want to prove themselves as useful citizens　　 D.have to earn their own bread

5.From the last paragraph we can understand that Lori 　　　.

A.thinks it’s too late for her to have children　 B.is sure she’ll get married and have children

C.prefers to have things go naturally　　　　 D.would rather not change her

Houston,Texas(June8,2002)---In 2004,the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA)will send two robots( 机器人 )to separate places of Mars to seek out past and present signs of water.It is an exciting idea to send two robots driving over very different places of Mars at the same time,to be able to see what is on the other side of the hill.

Last month,NASA announced(宣布)it was sending one robot to Mars,but after two weeks,it decided there was enough money for two.The robots will be sent up within two weeks of each other in May and June of 2003 from Kennedy Space Center.If all goes well,the two spacecraft（宇宙飞船)will touch down on Mars,after a seven-and-a-half-month space flight,on January 2 and 20,2004.

The robots,each weighing 150kilograms can cover 100 metres per day.They are designed to be able to examine the mineral(矿物质 )content of the soil,and their special camera will take pictures of the lands and hills.Although they will be under control from Earth,the robots are able to move more freely compared to those sent up before them.

The actual landing points have not been determined yet,but the scientists say it will be in areas where they hope to find water.

1.According to the news report,scientists plan to send robots up to Mars to ______.

A.find out whether there is water on Mars

B.see if robots can find minerals there

C.test how fast robots can drive there　　

D.prove that robots can work on Mars

2.How long in between will the two robots be sent to Mars?

A. 1 year　 B.7.5 months　 C.2 months 　 D.2.weeks

3.One of the important jobs for the robots on Mars is to _________.

A.study the soil　　　　 B.walk everywhere

C.test the new camera　　 D.find a suitable landing point

—Does your Dad quit smoking, Jenny?

—Yes, but he　　　　 for almost ten years.

　 A．smoked　　 B．was smoking C．has smoked　 D．had smoked

―Can I get out in the daytime?（ ）

―No. The school rules state that no child ______ be allowed out during the day, unless accompanied by an adult.

A. shall　　 B. need　　　 C. will　　　　 D. can

Is there anything you want from town? I’m going to get __________.

　 A. those letters mailed　　　　　　　 B. mailed letters

　 C. to mailed those letters　　　　　　　　 D. those letters mail