After sunset on our last day at the farm I walked out into the desert. In this, the first pleasant moment for a walk after long hot hours, I thought I was the only thing out of doors. Suddenly I stopped. Before me a rattlesnake lay fixed, its head not yet drawn back to strike but only turned a little to watch what I would do. Many snakes will run away at the sight of a man but this rattlesnake felt no necessity to get out of any-body's way. He held his ground in calm watch-fullness waiting for me to show my intentions. My first aim was to take no notice of him; I had never killed an animal if I was not forced to kill. But I remembered that there were children, dogs and horses at the farm as well as men and women with thin clothes on; my duty was to kill the snake. I went back to the farm and returned with a stick. The rattlesnake had not moved; he lay like a wire but more quickly than I could stride he shot into a bush and set up his rattling, warning me by this that I had made an unreasonable attack and attempted to take his life and that if I insisted he would have no choice but to take mine if he could. For a moment I listened to this terrifying sound and then I struck into the bush with my stick and, chop-ping about, dragged him out of the bush with his back broken.
He struck once more at the stick but a moment later his neck was broken and he was soon dead althoughwww.ks5u.com when I picked him up by the tail his mouth opened, proving that a dead snake may still bite. There was blood in his mouth and poison was dropping; it was not only a dis-gusting(令人作呕的) sight but a pitiful one too. I dropped the body into a green bush and, as I did so, I saw him in my imagination, crawling over the sands as he might have done if I had let him go.

1.
At the sight of the author, the rattlesnake .
1. A.
  shot into a bush
2. B.
  lay motionless but got ready to meet danger
3. C.
  drew itself up to strike
4. D.
  took no notice of his presence
2.
The author had to kill the rattlesnake because .
1. A.
  it stood in his way
2. B.
  it attempted to take his life
3. C.
  it presented a disgusting sight
4. D.
  its presence was a danger to the people and animals at the farm
3.
Which of the following best describes the rattlesnake?
1. A.
  It attacked man without any reason.
2. B.
  It would not attack unless it was attacked.
3. C.
  It ran away at the sight of man.
4. D.
  It exposed itself to danger.
4.
It is implied at the end of the passage that the author____.
1. A.
  regretted having killed the snake
2. B.
  was glad that he had killed the snake
3. C.
  felt a little sorry for the snake
4. D.
  could not help thinking about the dead snake

Supermarkets are trying out new computers that make shopping carts more intelligent(具备智能的). They will help shoppers find paper cups or toilet soap, and keep a record of the bill.
The touch-screen devices(触摸屏装置) are on show at the Food Marketing Institute’s exhibition here this week, “These devices are able to create value and get you around the store quicker,” said Michael Alexander, manager of Springboard Retail Networks Inc., which makes a smart cart computer called the Concierge.
Canadian stores will test the Concierge in July. A similar device, IBM’s “Shopping Buddy”, has recently been test-marketed at Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts.
Neither device tells you how many fat grams or calories are in your cart, but they will flash you with items on sale. The idea is to make it easier for people to buy, not to have second thoughts that maybe you should put something back on the shelf.
“The whole model is driven by advertisers’ need to get in front of shoppers,” said Alexander. “They’re not watching 30-second TV ads anymore.”
People can use a home computer to make their shopping lists. Once at the store, a shopper can use a preferred customer card to start a system(系统) that will organize the trip around the store. If you’re looking for toothpicks, you type in the word or pick it from a list, and a map will appear on the screen showing where you are and where you can find them.
The device also keeps a record of what you buy. When you’re finished, the device figures out your bill. Then you go to the checker or place your card into a self-checkout stand and pay.
The new computerized shopping assistants don’t come cheap. The Buddy devices will cost the average store about $160,000, and the Concierge will cost stores about $500 for each device.

1.
The underlined word “they” (paragraph 1) refers to ______.
1. A.
  supermarkets
2. B.
  shop assistants
3. C.
  shopping carts
4. D.
  shop managers
2.
Which of the following is the correct order of shopping with computerized shopping carts?
a. Start the system. b. Make a shopping list.
c. Find the things you want. d. Go to a self-checkout stand.
1. A.
  abdc
2. B.
  bacd
3. C.
  acbd
4. D.
  bcad
3.
We can learn from the last paragraph that ______.
1. A.
  intelligent shopping carts cost a large sum of money
2. B.
  the Concierge is cheaper than the Buddy devices
3. C.
  shop assistants with computer knowledge are well paid
4. D.
  average stores prefer the Concierge to the Buddy devices
4.
What might be the most suitable title for the text?
1. A.
  New age for supermarkets
2. B.
  Concierge and Shopping Buddy
3. C.
  New computers make shopping carts smarter
4. D.
  Touch-screen devices make shopping enjoyable

Below is a discussion on a website.
http://www.TalkingPoints.com/
Stuck on a desert island?
Started on 23rd April by Steve Posts 1 – 7 of 42
Post 1
Steve
USA Hi, everyone. What would you miss most and least if you were stuck on a desert island? For me, it would be the changing seasons in New England. I guess this will sound stupid but I’d probably miss the rain, too. I wouldn’t miss getting up at six every day to go to work, though! What about you?
Post 2
Tomas
Germany Good question. Steve, I think I’d miss different types of bread, and shopping at the supermarket. I’d miss the food most. What would I miss least? My mobile phone. I’d like to be completely quiet, at least for a little while.
Post 3
Paola
Italy I would miss the company of people because I know I’d like to have someone to share experiences with. I’d go mad on my own. And I surely wouldn’t miss junk mails(垃圾邮件). I hate coming home every evening with a pile of junk mails in my post box.
Post 4
Miko
Japan Hi, I would miss Manga cartoon, the internet and Japanese food, like sushi. I’d also miss TV shows and shopping for clothes… In fact, I’d miss everything.
Post 5
Roger
UK I would miss my daily newspaper and listening to the news on TV and radio. I’d feel very cut off if I didn’t know what was happening in the world. What I’d miss least would be traffic jams in the city, particularly my journey to work.
Post 6
Jayne Why hasn’t anyone mentioned their family? I’d be lost without my husband and two kids. They’re the most important for me. And I can’t get started in the morning without a cup of black coffee. I wouldn’t miss doing the housework!
Post 7
Jaime
Mexico It would have to be music. I couldn’t live without my music. I wouldn’t miss going to school at all or doing homework!

1.
Who would miss his or her family most?
1. A.
  Jaime
2. B.
  Jayne
3. C.
  Miko
4. D.
  Paola
2.
Which of the following people would feel most uncomfortable without the news media?
1. A.
  Steve
2. B.
  Jaime
3. C.
  Roger
4. D.
  Tomas
3.
How many of them mentioned that they would miss food or drink?
1. A.
  One
2. B.
  Two
3. C.
  Three
4. D.
  Four

Sarah Williams went to a boarding school. Here is one of the letters she wrote to her parents from the school:
Wentworth Girls’ school
Beachside
July 20th
Dearest Mom and Dad,
I’ m afraid I have some very bad news for you. I have been very naughty and the school principal is very angry with me. She is going to write to you. You must come and take me away from here. She does not want me in the school any longer.
The trouble started last night when I was smoking in bed. This breaks the rules, of course. We are not supposed to smoke at all.
As I was smoking, I heard footsteps coming towards the room. I did not want a teacher to catch me smoking, so I threw the cigarette away.
Unfortunately, the cigarette fell into the waste-paper basket, which caught fire.
There was a curtain near the waste-paper basket which caught fire, too. Soon the whole room was burning.
The principal phoned for the fire department. The school is a long way from the town and by the time the fire department arrived, the whole school was in flames. Many of the girls are in the hospital.
The principal says that the fire was all my fault and you must pay for the damage. She will send you a bill for about a million dollars.
I’m very sorry about this.
Much love,
Sarah
P. S. None of the above is true, but I have failed my exams. I just want you to know how bad the things could have been!

1.
Sarah wrote home to .
1. A.
  tell her parents about the fire
2. B.
  ask for a lot of money
3. C.
  tell her parents she had failed her exams
4. D.
  tell her parents she had to leave school
2.
Why did Sarah tell her parents the story about the fire?
1. A.
  She wanted to worry them.
2. B.
  She wanted to make them laugh.
3. C.
  She wanted to make them less angry at the real news.
4. D.
  She wanted to warn them about what the principal was going to do.
3.
The letter before the P. S. was ________.
1. A.
  mostly true
2. B.
  partly true
3. C.
  all true
4. D.
  completely untrue
4.
Sarah said the principal was angry because ________.
1. A.
  she had failed her exams
2. B.
  it was her fault that had caused the fire
3. C.
  she had not made the phone call in time
4. D.
  she had been caught smoking in bed

While football fans feel strongly angry about mistakes made by referees (裁判) because they cannot see clearly what has happened, a small German company is quietly pleased.
For Cairos Technologies, mistakes made by referees are the kind of advertising that money cannot buy. The company has developed a tiny chip(芯片) that fits inside a football and determines whether the ball has crossed the goal line, by being able to discover its exact location on the field. The world football organization, FIFA, has shown interest in the technology. It is very possible that the new technology will be used in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
"We've been testing the technology at the main soccer stadium in Nuremberg for some time and more recently in an under-17 FIFA Cup in Peru," said Gunter Rohmer, a director of the company. "The technology has performed well, and we're pretty optimistic that it will be used at the games in Germany next year."
The chip only weighs 12 grams, and is placed in the center of the football. It sends 2,000 signals a second to a receiver network of 12 antennas(天线), placed around the field. The receivers then send information about the ball's location to a central computer, and because it works in real time, it can immediately tell the referee whether a goal has been scored. The chip even can tell when the ball crosses the line in mid-air. Oliver Braun, one of the inventors of the chip, says that feedback from German referees was generally positive. Germany sports-wear giant Adidas is also optimistic about using this kind of chip in other ball sports.
FIFA aims to test the technology later this year at another game in Japan before deciding whether or not to introduce it in all 12 stadiums in Germany for next year's World Cup.

1.
Carlos Technologies is pleased because ________.
1. A.
  football fans are angry with referees
2. B.
  their new product can satisfy football fans
3. C.
  their new product will have a good market
4. D.
  they can sell a lot of football in the future
2.
In the first sentence in Paragraph 2,"... mistakes made by referees are the kind of advertising that money cannot buy" means ___________.
1. A.
  Carios Technologies can't afford the high price for advertising their product
2. B.
  Mistakes in production are also a kind of advertisement
3. C.
  Carios Technologies has already spent a lot of money on advertising their product
4. D.
  Referees' mistakes will be of great help for the sale of Carlos Technologies' new product
3.
The underlined word "feedback" probably means ___________.
1. A.
  information given back by a user
2. B.
  advice given by someone
3. C.
  supplying food to customers
4. D.
  food given back by consumers

If you are human, you can’t help but experience times when everything seems to be going wrong and you feel as if your life is completely out of control. It is during those “down times” that words of encouragement from family, friends, co-workers or even strangers can lighten your spirits. It is also during those times that destructive words can sink you deeper and deeper into depression.
For example, consider this story about a group of frogs who were traveling through the woods when two of them fell into a deep pit （坑）. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two unfortunate frogs they would never get out.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump out of the pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop. Finally, one of the frogs took heed of what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again the crowd of frogs shouted at him to stop the pain. The more they shouted, the harder he jumped and finally he made it to safety.
When he got out, the other frogs asked him why he continued to jump when they were all shouting at him to simply quit. The frog explained to them that he was a little bit deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Every time you have a chance to say either something positive or negative to another human being, do choose the chance to say something positive! Don’t let those opportunities get away from you. Your words have a large amount of power. Use them wisely. You really never know just how much they can mean to someone else.

1.
The first paragraph tells us that words play an important part especially when .
1. A.
  we stay with our family, friends and co-workers
2. B.
  we hear strangers say something to us
3. C.
  we get through hard times in life
4. D.
  we make some big mistakes
2.
The underlined phrase “took heed of ” had the similar meaning with “ ”.
1. A.
  acted according to
2. B.
  had some doubt
3. C.
  held on to
4. D.
  got used to
3.
The more they shouted, the harder he jumped and finally he made it to safety. That’s because .
1. A.
  he struggled to prove that they were wrong
2. B.
  he thought they were encouraging him
3. C.
  he was angry with what they said
4. D.
  he didn’t want to let them down
4.
After reading the passage, readers should learn a lesson that .
1. A.
  we can use encouraging words to help others out
2. B.
  having a positive attitude is important in life
3. C.
  never give up until we win
4. D.
  we must believe in ourselves rather than others

Famous centenarians (百岁老人) still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year, Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others."
Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to train the brain are essential for senior citizens.
Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of a listless elderly generation.
Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a gallbladder (胆囊) operation he composed a samba tune (桑巴舞曲) in the clinic.
Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?" Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for a "good stage role".
Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges.
With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers.

1.
From the first two paragraphs, we can see ______.
1. A.
  being active at 102 is achievable for everybody
2. B.
  Oliveira owes his long life to his mother’s help
3. C.
  being fit in old age is a matter of luck and character
4. D.
  social skills and wisdom are difficult for the senior
2.
How many centenarians are mentioned in this passage?
1. A.
  4
2. B.
  5
3. C.
  6
4. D.
  7
3.
By saying "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?” in Paragraph 5, Heesters shows us he ________.
1. A.
  wants to sit or lie in comfort
2. B.
  is waiting for people to pick him up
3. C.
  is willing to work till he dies
4. D.
  prefers to give performance at home
4.
In the passage so many examples were given to show ________.
1. A.
  old age is a big problem if you want to succeed
2. B.
  as a senior citizen, you have to be open-minded and optimistic
3. C.
  old people should never think of themselves as old
4. D.
  old age cannot prevent a great person from achieving a lot
5.
In the writer’s opinion, the architect Oscar Niemeyer is not ________.
1. A.
  intelligent
2. B.
  pessimistic
3. C.
  positive
4. D.
  diligent

Good afternoon, and welcome to England. We hope that your visit here will be a pleasant one. Today, I would draw your attention to a few of our laws.
The first one is drinking. Now, you may not buy wine in this country if you are under 18 years of age, nor may your friends buy it for you.
Secondly, noise. Enjoy yourselves by all means, but please don’t make unnecessary noise, particularly, at night. We ask you to respect other people who may wish to be quiet.
Thirdly, crossing the road. Be careful, the traffic moves on the left side of the road in this country. Use pedestrian crossing and don’t take any chance when crossing the road.
My next point is about rubbish. It isn’t lawful to drop rubbish in the street. When you have something to throw away, please put it in your pocket and take it home, or put it in a dustbin.
Finally, as regards smoking, it is against law to buy cigarettes or tobacco if you are under 16 years of age.
I’d like to finish by saying that if you require any sort of help or assistance, you should contact the police, who will be pleased to help you. You can call, write or directly go to ask any policeman.

1.
take any chance means .
1. A.
  冒险，碰运气
2. B.
  趁机
3. C.
  失去机会
4. D.
  生气
2.
Who do you think is most likely to make the speech?
1. A.
  A guide
2. B.
  A person who makes the law
3. C.
  A teacher
4. D.
  An English officer
3.
How many laws are there discussed in the speech?
1. A.
  Three
2. B.
  Four
3. C.
  Five
4. D.
  Six
4.
The main purpose of this speech is to .
1. A.
  tell people those above 18 can smoke and drink there
2. B.
  declare the different laws of England
3. C.
  give advice to travelers to the country
4. D.
  warn people against going to the country
5.
From the speech we have learnt that .
1. A.
  in the country, if you are 18 years of age, you may not buy wine, but your friends can buy it for you
2. B.
  you may not buy cigarettes or tobacco unless you are above 16 years of age
3. C.
  because the traffic moves on the left side of the road, you must use pedestrian when crossing the road
4. D.
  you can’t make a noise except at night

ARIZONA
Thunderbird Lodge in Canyon de Chelly
A one-night stay at the historic lodge starts at $59 for a single room and the lodge offers half-day tours of Canyon de Chelly ( $41 for adults and $32 for children aged 12 and under).
Time: May 31, 2009 ~ Nov. 1, 2009
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 17.1 percent
Contact: 800/679-2473, tbirdlodge.com
CALIFORNIA
Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe
A three-night stay in a lakeside cabin(小木屋) for two people, an Emerald Bay sightseeing for two, free breakfast and lunch. Rates are $299 per couple – saving of up to $400.
Details: Hotel taxes are included
Time: Through Dec. 15, 2009
Contact: 800/234-8946, zephyrcove.com
NEVADA
Montelago Village at Lake Las Vegas
A one-night stay at the mediterranean-style Montelago Village, 17 miles from Las Vegas. Rates start at $65 per person including ice-skating fees and skate rentals.
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 12 percent
Time: Nov. 17, 2009~Jan. 15, 2010
Contact: 866/399-2753, montelagovillage.com
YELLOWSTONE
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
A two-night stay, breakfast daily, full day ski rental, unlimited ice-skating and skates and a book of Yellowstone photos. Rates start at $119 per person. A one-night stay at the hotel starts at $65.
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 8 percent
Time: Jan .1, 2010~May 2, 2010
Contact: 866/439-2473, travelyellowstone.com

1.
If a couple and their 14-year-old son want to have a half-day tour of Canyon de Chelly on Oct. 13, 2009, they should pay __________.
1. A.
  $114
2. B.
  $123
3. C.
  $177
4. D.
  $189
2.
If you are interested in ice-skating, you may find more information in __________.
1. A.
  tbirdlodge.com and zephyrcove.com
2. B.
  montelagovillage.com and tbirdlodge.com
3. C.
  zephyrcove.com and travelyellowstone.com
4. D.
  travelyellowstone.com and montelagovillage.com
3.
If you have a holiday in December, and intend to stay in a European-style hotel, you may go to __________.
1. A.
  Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
2. B.
  Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe
3. C.
  Montelago Village at Lake Las Vegas
4. D.
  Thunderbird Lodge in Canyon de Chelly

I woke up the other day to find that 10 inches of freshly fallen snow was waiting for me outside my door. The flakes were still1 heavily too. I didn’t want my little dogs2 in it, so I reluctantly 3 on my heavy coat and grabbed the snow shovel to make a4. I had only gotten a bit done, however,5 the handle of my old snow shovel6 with a “snap”. Laughing and shaking my head, I7 to wait out the storm for a while.
It was late in the afternoon when the snow finally 8 and I trudged(跋涉) over to my Dad’s house to borrow his shovel and9 again. By then the 10 inches of snow had turned into a foot and a half. I started out slow setting a steady10 and stopping to rest whenever my back started to ache. After a while, though, the 11 finally broke and the sun peeked out to12 me on. The work seemed a lot easier then even though it was still13. I even sang a few Christmas carols and14 while I cleared out the drives, cleaned off the cars, and shoveled out the paths. After an hour of hard work the job was finally done.15, I let the child that still lives16 of me fall back into the snow and17 a snow angel for the angels in Heaven to see. It felt good walking back to my house after a job well done. It felt even better18 around at this wonderful world of white.
I don’t know why life sometimes gives us spring days and sometimes dumps a ton of snow in us. I do know,19, that we can pray, laugh, love, and choose20 through it all.

1.
1. A.
  falling
2. B.
  floating
3. C.
  piling
4. D.
  flying
2.
1. A.
  missing
2. B.
  running
3. C.
  hiding
4. D.
  drowning
3.
1. A.
  pulled
2. B.
  dragged
3. C.
  drew
4. D.
  pushed
4.
1. A.
  difference
2. B.
  discovery
3. C.
  path
4. D.
  snowman
5.
1. A.
  until
2. B.
  when
3. C.
  once
4. D.
  as
6.
1. A.
  crashed
2. B.
  bent
3. C.
  slipped
4. D.
  broke
7.
1. A.
  decided
2. B.
  hoped
3. C.
  continued
4. D.
  hesitated
8.
1. A.
  disappeared
2. B.
  froze
3. C.
  stopped
4. D.
  melted
9.
1. A.
  clear
2. B.
  try
3. C.
  check
4. D.
  think
10.
1. A.
  development
2. B.
  rate
3. C.
  step
4. D.
  pace
11.
1. A.
  clouds
2. B.
  shovel
3. C.
  sky
4. D.
  trees
12.
1. A.
  overlook
2. B.
  cheer
3. C.
  shine
4. D.
  watch
13.
1. A.
  heavy
2. B.
  cold
3. C.
  warm
4. D.
  bright
14.
1. A.
  danced
2. B.
  jumped
3. C.
  stopped
4. D.
  smiled
15.
1. A.
  Laughing
2. B.
  Crying
3. C.
  Resting
4. D.
  Wandering
16.
1. A.
  outside
2. B.
  inside
3. C.
  beyond
4. D.
  above
17.
1. A.
  catch
2. B.
  find
3. C.
  make
4. D.
  pretend
18.
1. A.
  looking
2. B.
  walking
3. C.
  turning
4. D.
  wondering
19.
1. A.
  anyway
2. B.
  still
3. C.
  then
4. D.
  however
20.
1. A.
  fate
2. B.
  determination
3. C.
  joy
4. D.
  luck

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