The United States will introduce a new and comprehensive(综合的) exam for students who seek to study in American and other English-speaking countries, Xinhua News Agency reported from New York.
The exam, which stands for a great change from the current English level test, was disclosed by Theresa Chang Wei Jen, associate director of the International Service of the US College Board, America’s leading educational organization.
The Advanced Placement International English Language (APIEL) will be offered for the first time throughout the world on May 10, 2002, said Jen.
However, the APIEL is a strange title to most Chinese students, and it is unlikely to soon gain the similarity of other already existing exams, such as the TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language), the GRE(Graduate Record Examination), or the IELTS(International English Language Testing System).
“I have never heard of such a test and I would prefer the IELTS if I need another exam,” said Xu Jingyan, a graduating student from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who wants to study in England and has already taken the TOEFL.
Most of Xu’s classmates have never heard of the APIEL. “The APIEL is designed for international students who wish to get university studies in English-speaking countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia.” said Jen.
The APIEL has been adopted, said Jen, because the TOEFL can no longer accurately reflect the abilities of students of using the English language comprehensively in an academic environment. Xinhua reported that a fairly large number of foreign students who earned high scores in TOEFL exam turned out to be very ordinary educational performers after admission.
Compared with the TOEFL, the APIEL measures a student’s ability to read, write, speak and understand English through testing his or her skills in listening comprehension, speaking with accuracy(精确) and resourcefulness, and writing with clarity and fluency(流畅), Jen said.

  1. 1.

    The United States will introduce a new exam because _______.

    1. A.
      more and more students want to get further education in the USA
    2. B.
      the Chinese people pay special attention to English studies with China’s entry into the WTO
    3. C.
      the already existing exam systems seem to be far from perfect
    4. D.
      it will bring the US government quite a lot of money
  2. 2.

    Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the selection？

    1. A.
      It will take quite a period of time for people to accept the APIEL.
    2. B.
      The TOEFL is more popular with the Chinese than the IELTS.
    3. C.
      A student will have to take the APIEL if he or she wants to study in English—speaking countries from 2002.
    4. D.
      Chinese students will prefer the IELTS rather than the APIEL even in the future.
  3. 3.

    The underlined word current in the second paragraph means _______.

    1. A.
      modern
    2. B.
      present
    3. C.
      standard
    4. D.
      formal
  4. 4.

    Please decide which of the following would be the best title for this news report.

    1. A.
      The Key to English-speaking Countries
    2. B.
      The Four Skills in Learning English
    3. C.
      TOEFL, IELTS and GRE to be Out of Date
    4. D.
      New Exam Designed for Students

Many Western people are not used to sitting on the floor any more. In Japan, however, sitting upright on the floor is common in different situations. For example, meals are traditionally had when people sit on the tatami (榻榻米) loor around a low table. Also during the tea ceremony and other traditional events, one sits on the floor.
The formal way of sitting for both men and women is kneeling upright. People who are not used to sitting in this style may feel uncomfortable after a few minutes, and their legs may go numb. However, foreigners are not usually expected to be able to sit in this style for a long time, and an increasing number of Japanese people themselves aren’t able to do so, owing to a more westernized lifestyle.
In other situations, men usually sit cross-legged, while women sit on their knees laying both legs to one side. The former sitting style is considered wholly male, while the latter is considered completely female.
The most important guest sits on the honored seat which is set farthest from the entrance. If there is a tokonoma (壁龛) in the room, the guest should be seated in front of it. The host or the least important person is supposed to sit next to the entrance. Of course, there are other things to be considered in each particular case.

  1. 1.

    Which of the following situations is NOT mentioned in the passage?

    1. A.
      When men and women meet.
    2. B.
      When a tea ceremony is held.
    3. C.
      When traditional events are held.
    4. D.
      When meals are traditionally had.
  2. 2.

    According to the passage we can learn that ______.

    1. A.
      more and more Japanese sit in the formal way
    2. B.
      foreigners should always sit in the formal style in a Japanese home
    3. C.
      men shouldn’t sit on their knees laying both legs to one side
    4. D.
      men and women in Japan sit in the same informal way
  3. 3.

    When some guests are in a Japanese home, _______ should sit nearest to the entrance.

    1. A.
      the host himself
    2. B.
      both the host and the hostess
    3. C.
      the host or the least important person
    4. D.
      the most important guest
  4. 4.

    What is the passage mainly about?

    1. A.
      How foreigners should sit in Japanese homes.
    2. B.
      How foreigners should behave in Japanese homes.
    3. C.
      Where to sit in Japanese homes.
    4. D.
      How and where to sit in Japanese homes.

When movie star Scarlett Johansson was photographed naming in Los Angeles recently, she attracted a lot of attention; for the 27-year-old actress was wearing Vibram FiveFingers, so called because they look more like gloves than shoes, with a space for each toe.
Strange though they may look, these so-called barefoot shoes, which reproduce the effect of barefoot running but with less pain, are just one brand in a range of minimalist footwear. These super-thin sports shoes are causing a stir in the world of running and fitness. Why? Because some experts believe they could make you a better, more efficient runner and that traditional trainers could be doing you more harm than good.
"Wearing a shoe that has lots of cushioning and support affects the way your body naturally moves and studies suggest that this carries a higher risk of injury," explains Matt Wallden, an athlete performance expert. "But with barefoot shoes, the foot can actually feel the firmness and shape of the ground, which allows your body to respond effectively.’"
But before you rush out to invest in minimalist footwear, be careful. These kinds of shoes are not meant for everyone, or at least not straight away.
"Ordinary sports shoes with support are good for beginners whose bodies are not used to the impact of running," explains Patrick Davoren, former Olympic athlete. "It you are not in great condition, then running in minimalist footwear may cause injuries and will turn a lot of people off exercise and running.
If you are currently injured, and figures show that in any given year 65% of all runners are, it can be tempting to try anything that promises to get you back on the road, trail, or beach. But barefoot running is not a method of treating injury nor is it a magical way of suddenly turning you into a great athlete.
Even if you’re used to running, when you start using minimalist shoes you should build up your distance gradually. Start_off’by doing just 10% of what you’d normally run and increase the distance by no more than 10% every week. And a word of warning - you may never have soft feet again

  1. 1.

    The Vibram FiveFingers are shoes ______.

    1. A.
      specifically designed for women
    2. B.
      that have lots of cushion inside
    3. C.
      safest for people who enjoy sports
    4. D.
      that are much thinner than normal sports shoes
  2. 2.

    The underlined word "they" in paragraph 2 refers to ________.

    1. A.
      experts
    2. B.
      feet
    3. C.
      shoes
    4. D.
      runners
  3. 3.

    According to Matt Wallden, the new shoes ________.

    1. A.
      make feet more sensitive to the running surface
    2. B.
      will produce immediate improvements
    3. C.
      force your body to move less naturally
    4. D.
      increase the chances of getting hurt
  4. 4.

    The author suggests that new users of Vibram FiveFingers should ________.

    1. A.
      run in the shoes every day at top speed
    2. B.
      begin with a shorter running distance than normal
    3. C.
      occasionally run barefooted to harden their feet
    4. D.
      make sure they are already very fit before using them
  5. 5.

    Where would you probably read this article?

    1. A.
      A travel book.
    2. B.
      A movie website.
    3. C.
      A sports magazine.
    4. D.
      A science journal.

It was reported that it would ________ fine for the next few days．


  1. A.
    continue
  2. B.
    go on
  3. C.
    last
  4. D.
    look

The doctor __________ she sent her friend is very well known.


  1. A.
    by whom
  2. B.
    at whom
  3. C.
    whom
  4. D.
    to whom

This was the place ________．


  1. A.
    about that I was telling you
  2. B.
    about I was telling you
  3. C.
    about which I was telling you
  4. D.
    that I was telling you

When did you ________ the Youth League?


  1. A.
    join
  2. B.
    take part in
  3. C.
    join in
  4. D.
    take a part in

The dirty, homeless man sat on the pavement, staring at the atones. He thought back more than twenty years to when he was a boy living in a small red brick house on this very street. He recalled the flower garden, the swing his dad made, and the bike he had saved up for months to buy.
The man shrugged impatiently, for the brightness of those pictures hurt him, and his memory travelled on another ten years. He had a job by then, plenty of friends and started to come home less. He did not really want to remember those years, nor the day when, because o’ debts, he had gone home planning to ask for money. He felt embarrassed, but he knew exactly where his dad kept the money. When his parents stepped out of the room, he took what he wanted and left.
That was the last time he had seen them. Ashamed, he went abroad, and his parents knew nothing about the years of wandering or time in prison. But locked in his cell he often thought of home. Once free, he would love to see his parents again, if they were still alive, and still wanted to see him.
When his prison time was up, he found -a job, but couldn’t settle. Something was drawing him home. He did not want to arrive penniless, so he hitchhiked most of the long journey back. But less than a mile from his destination he started to feel sick with doubt. Could they ever accept this man who had so bitterly disappointed them?
He spent most of that day sitting under a tree. That evening he posted a letter which, although short, had taken him hours to write. It ended with:
I know it is unreasonable of me to suppose you want to see me ... so it’s up to you. I’ll come early Thursday morning. If you want me home, hang a white handkerchief in the window of my old bedroom. If it’s there, I’ll come in; if not, I’ll wave good-bye and go.
And now it was Thursday morning and he was sitting on the pavement at the end of the street. Finally he got up and walked slowly toward the old house. He drew a long breath and looked.
His parents were taking no risks. ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
The man threw his head back, gave a cry of relief and ran straight through the open front door.

  1. 1.

    Why did the man shrug impatiently (paragraph 2) while he was thinking of his childhood?

    1. A.
      The thoughts made him angry.
    2. B.
      He felt he had wasted time.
    3. C.
      He was anxious to go home.
    4. D.
      The sweet memory caused him much pain.
  2. 2.

    Why did it take him hours to write the letter?

    1. A.
      He doubted if his parents still lived in that house.
    2. B.
      He had much news to tell his parents.
    3. C.
      He felt ashamed to ask for forgiveness.
    4. D.
      He was longing to return home and felt excited.
  3. 3.

    In what order did the following events take place?
    a. He took the money from his parents.
    b. He bought a bicycle with his savings.
    c. He was sentenced to prison.
    d. He wrote the letter home.
    e. He sat on the pavement.
    f. He hitchhiked back home.

    1. A.
      b, a, c, d, e, f
    2. B.
      b, a, c, f, d, e
    3. C.
      a, c, b, d, f, a
    4. D.
      a, d, b, c, e, f
  4. 4.

    Which of the following best fits into paragraph 8 ?

    1. A.
      Every inch of the house was covered in white. Sheets, pillowcases and table clothes had been placed on every window and door, making it look like a snow house.
    2. B.
      The house before him was just as he remembered: the red bricks, the brown door and nothing else.
    3. C.
      A colourful blanket was over the front door. On it, in large letters, was written, "Welcome home, son
    4. D.
      A police car was parked in the drive way, and two officers stood at the front door.
  5. 5.

    The best title of the passage is _______.

    1. A.
      Sweet Memory
    2. B.
      White Handkerchief
    3. C.
      Abandoned Son
    4. D.
      Leaving Home

Beatrix Potter was a great English writer and artist, best known for her children’s books featuring animal characters such as in the children’s classic -- The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Beatrix was born into a rich London-based family where she was tutored by very strict private teachers and so spent her youth isolated from other youngsters.
During her youth she had a lot of pets and spent vacations in Scotland and also the Lake District. It was at the Lake District that she developed a love of wildlife. She studied the area’s natural wonders carefully and painted them continuously. But her old-fashioned, Manchester-born parents discouraged her intellectual improvement, thinking it inappropriate for a young lady. However, her study and watercolour paintings of wild mushrooms made her widely respected within the field of biology.
In her 30’s, Beatrix Potter wrote the remarkably successful kid’s book, The Tale of Pew Rabbit. Close to that time she became secretly engaged to her publisher Norman Warne. This caused a great disagreement with her parents, who did not approve of Beatrix getting married to somebody of lower social status. Sadly, Warne died before the marriage ceremony.
Ultimately Beatrix Potter began writing and also illustrating (绘图) kid’s books full-time. Using profits from her books, Beatrix grew to become economically independent of her parents and was eventually in a position to buy Hill Top Farm in the Lake District. She extended the property with additional purchases of neighbouring land over time. In her 40’s, Bestrix married William Heelis, a local lawyer. She ended up becoming a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to publish as well as illustrate books for children. In all she authored 23 publications.
Beatrix died on December 22, 1943, and left the majority of her property to the National Trust. Her books carry on selling well globally, in many different languages. Her stories have been retold in numerous formats including a ballet, movies, and cartoons.
Such is her reputation, and that of the characters from her publications, that many Beatrix Potter statues have been created. These tiny Beatrix Potter statues which include pretty much all the actual characters in her publications have become highly valued by art collects and fans of her literature throughout the world.

  1. 1.

    What can we learn about Beatrix Potter’s early life?

    1. A.
      She learned drawing skills from her tutors.
    2. B.
      She was very sociable and outgoing.
    3. C.
      She was greatly inspired by the beauty of nature.
    4. D.
      She was encouraged to think creatively and independently.
  2. 2.

    Why did Beatrix Potter’s parents oppose the idea of her marriage to Norman Warne?

    1. A.
      They did not believe she was mature enough to get married.
    2. B.
      They thought Warne was only interested in Beatrix Potter’s wealth.
    3. C.
      They believed that the couple’s characters were mismatched.
    4. D.
      They considered Warne to be too common for their daughter.
  3. 3.

    According to the passage, which part of the UK did Beatrix Potter love most?

    1. A.
      Manchester.
    2. B.
      Scotland.
    3. C.
      The Lake District.
    4. D.
      London.
  4. 4.

    In which of the following areas did Beatrix Potter show an interest during her life?

    1. A.
      Writing, biology, farming.
    2. B.
      Drawing, nature, ballet.
    3. C.
      Movies, farming, drawing.
    4. D.
      Writing, mushrooms, travel.
  5. 5.

    What is the function of the last two paragraphs of the passage?

    1. A.
      To describe the consequences of Beatrix Potter’s death.
    2. B.
      To present the lasting cultural influence of Beatrix Potter and her works..
    3. C.
      To show the changes in attitude towards Beatrix Potter’s works over the past years.
    4. D.
      To criticize the commercialization of Beatrix Potter’s characters since her death.

Many psychologists in the early twentieth century believed that humans use only 10 percent of their brains, and even the great Albert Einstein once wrote that most people use only a small portion of the grey matter between their ears. It’s a theory that has often been put forward in television documentaries; magazines, advertisements and books over the past century.
But nearly all scientists now agree the 10 percent theory is completely unfounded. In fact, they question how this figure was ever arrived at in the first place and what areas of the brain are supposed to be unneeded. The theory supposes that if 90 percent of the brain were removed, a person would Still be able to function normally, while in reality it is known that damage to even a small area of the brain can result in extremely serious physical injury different activities and that many areas of the brain are used at the same time for some complex activities or thought processes.
Throughout the course of one day, most .areas of the brain are active at some time, even during sleep. The 10 percent theory suggests that certain areas o’ the brain are not used, but scans slow activities throughout the entire brain and not in any separate part. The final argument against the 10 percent theory is the fact that doctors carefully map the brain before removing brain cancers so that they don’t affect other essential areas.
From an evolutionary point of view, it’s highly unlikely butt our comparatively larger brains would have evolved from our ancestors if the extra areas were not needed. In fact, there is absolutely no evidence support the 10 percent theory.

  1. 1.

    How did the 10 percent theory get such widespread popularity?

    1. A.
      It was promoted in various types of copular media.
    2. B.
      Albert Einstein argued strongly in support.
    3. C.
      It was proven in scientific research.
    4. D.
      Few people could prove it wrong.
  2. 2.

    The underlined word "unfounded" is chest in meaning to _________.

    1. A.
      undiscovered
    2. B.
      unproven
    3. C.
      unknown
    4. D.
      unnecessary
  3. 3.

    Which of the following is true according to the writer?

    1. A.
      We use less than 10% of our brains.
    2. B.
      Most brain disorders affect the same part of the brain.
    3. C.
      The brain is less active during times of sleep.
    4. D.
      The 10 percent theory does not make evolutionary sense.
  4. 4.

    What can we infer from the passage?

    1. A.
      People today use more of their brain than in the past.
    2. B.
      Scientific opinion about the topic of brain use is equally divided.
    3. C.
      Our understanding of the brain has changed greatly in the past decades.
    4. D.
      Modern scientists have a complete picture of how the brain works.
  5. 5.

    What is the main purpose of the passage?

    1. A.
      To present two sides of brain theory.
    2. B.
      To criticize the 10 percent theory.
    3. C.
      To explain how brain works.
    4. D.
      To describe the history of brain research.
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