New Zealand fishermen caught what may prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid (巨大的鱿鱼).

    In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles (触须) and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again.

    On February 21, New Zealand fishermen landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass (黑鲈) in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully pulled the creature into a net and dragged it aboard their ship.

    Scientists estimate (估计) that the animal weighs about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid the biggest on record.

    First identified in 1925 after two tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters.

    The recently captured colossal squid has been frozen to keep it for scientific study. It will be transported to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, in the capital city of Wellington. Experts believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. Scientists hope to learn more about the colossal squid’s diet, behavior and reproductive (繁殖) patterns.

    “Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature,” said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment.”

38. Why is it usually difficult for experts to observe the squid?

 A. Because it moves too fast.                               B. Because it is too large.

 C. Because it is very dangerous.                           D. Because it can go down to deep ocean.

39. What’s the purpose of catching such a huge squid?

 A. To make it into food.                                        B. To set a world record.

 C. To do research on it.                                       D. To display it for visitors.

40. Which of the following is TRUE about the possible record-breaking colossal squid?

 A. It lives in the cold, dark waters of the Arctic.

 B. Its tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach.

 C. It is a fierce hunter according to the scientific study.

 D. It is believed to be the first adult male ever caught.

41. What would be the best title for the passage?

 A. the biggest squid ever found                             B. scientific research on squid

 C. the lifestyle of the colossal squid                       D. how the fishermen caught the squid

Professional adventurer Mike Horn never met a challenge he didn’t welcome. In fact according to Horn, “The impossible exists only until we find a way to make it possible.”
As a child in Johannesburg, South Africa, Horn excelled at sports and loved adventure. But it wasn’t until he moved to Switzerland in 1990 that his life of adventure really began.
Horn had always loved sports and taking risks, and he was known for his crazy feats. He traveled in the South American Andes Mountains in the early 90s and then in 1997 crossed the entire continent on foot. He finished by floating 7,000 km down the Amazon River!
In 1999, H      orn began a solo trip around the world following the equator,without the use of any motor-powered transportation. When he finished successfully 17 months later, he became the first person to accomplish the feat.
Horn’biggest challenge to date came in 2006. He and a fellow adventurer walked from Russia to the North Pole in the sunless winter. Traveling through the winter darkness, he encountered polar bears and many other dangers.
In 2008, Horn began another unique adventure –one that will take four years to complete. Instead of trying to achieve more personal goals, Horn is now dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience with others.
He calls his latest expedition the “Pangaea Expedition.”with “Pangaea” standing for “a Pan Global Adventure for Environmental Action.”By the end of this expedition, Horn will have traveled 100,000 km and crossed all of the continents and oceans. But this time he won’t be going alone: He’s choosing young people from around the world, aged 13 to 20, to accompany him. Twelve young men at a time will participate in one of 12 different projects, ranging from studying glaciers to treating water sources.
The journey will take place onboard Horn’s 35-meter saiboat , the Pangaea which will become a floating science class . Along with a team of scientists, Horn plans to teach the young explorers about protecting and preserving the earth.
In perhaps his most important expedition, Horn will pass down his passion for Earth’s wonders to the next generation.
64.Which of the following is NOT ture?
A. He met with polar bears and many dangers in 2006 when Horn walked to the North Pole with another adventurer.
B. He loved sports, Earth’s wonders and taking risks.
C. It took Horn 17 months to complete his solo trip around the world without any Motor-powered transportation.
D. He really began his life of adventure in te 1990s.
65. The underlined sentence probably means____________.
A. He was afraid of challengers                          B. He never met challengers
C.He didn’t welcome challengers                       D. He was willing to meet challengers
66. In his latest “Pangaea Expedition”, Horn__________.
A. will have covered 100,000km and crossed only all the continents
B. will choose young men to take part in the 12 different projects
C. will be going around the world by himself
D. intends to teach the young men how to make expeditions
67. What is the best title for the passage?
A. Mike Horn-an adventurer with a cause           B. The Pangaea Expedition
C. How Mike Horn makes expeditions.               D. How to make expeditions.

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的选项中选出最佳答案

　　Some animals and insects(昆虫)use camouflage that is, they change color so that it is the same as the color of the tree or plant on which they are sitting. Others have developed a color thousands of years which is like the color of their living place.

　　One of the second kind is the Peppered Moth, which is found in England. It is light brown in color, and likes to rest on trees which are also light brown. This makes the moth difficult to be seen. It means that birds are less likely to see it and eat it.

　　But, about sixty years ago, smoke from factories began to reach some of the trees where the moth rested. It made the trees blacker. This meant that the moth become easier to see.

1．The word “camouflage” in the first sentence means ____.

[　　]

A．he same color

B．the tree on which insects are sitting

C．making it difficult to see something

D．color is d\always changing

2．The Peppered Moth likes to rest on trees which are light brown in order ____.

[　　]

A．not to be eaten by birds

B．not to be seen by other insects

C．to change its color

D．to be see by birds

3．Mother became easier to see because ________ .

[　　]

A．the moth changed its color

B．trees became blacker after 60 years

C．smoke from factories could lighten the color of the moth

D．smoke from factories mad the trees darker

4．It seems that ____.

[　　]

A．the moth always has the same color as the color of the trees

B．the moth is able to develop its color over years

C．people like the moth found in England

D．the Peppered Moth is being experimented

5．What do you think would probably happen?

[　　]

A．The peppered Moth would become darker year by year.

B．Te Peppered moth would change its color once.

C．The Peppered Moth would die out.

D．The Peppered Moth would be eaten by birds.

阅读理解 A

As you research music, you will find music that is familiar to you. You will find music which tells of interesting places and exciting things to do. You will find music which expresses feelings that are often your own.

   Music is an expression of people. As you research, you will find music of people at work and play. You will find music expressing love of the country, love of nature, and love of home.

   Music is also an expression of the composer(作曲家). The composer expresses his own musical ideas. He studies the materials of music and discovers ways of using them. He looks for new kinds of musical expression.

   Music can suggest actions and feelings which we all share. We can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the music of the people and the composers of different times and places.

In the first paragraph, the author tells us to ________.

   A. be friendly to music              B. find entertainment in music

   C. express your feelings in music        D. discover the things and places in music

 From the second paragraph, we know that ________.

   A. if we love music, we will love the country, nature and home

 B. you may listen to music at work or at play

C. music sings of the country, nature and home

   D. music can express how people live, work and think

 The last paragraph shows that music makes it possible ________.

   A. that people of different time and places can get together

   B. to bring understanding between people of different times and places

   C. that people can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the

music at the same time

   D. that music can express actions and feelings at the same time

Which of the following statements is NOT true? Music expresses             .

A. people’s musical ideas         B. people’s love of te country

C.ehe composer’s feelings        D.the feelings of our own

第二部分：阅读理解（20小题, 每小题2分，满分40分）

阅读下列短文, 从每题所给的四个选项 (A、B、C和D) 中, 选出最佳选项

A New Zealand fishermen caught what may prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid(鱿鱼).

In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles(触须) and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again.

On February 21, New Zealand fishermen landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully pulled the creature into a net and dragged in aboard their ship.

Scientists evaluate that the animal weighs about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid the biggest on record.

First identified in 1925 after two tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters.

The recently captured colossal squid has been frozen to keep it for scientific study. It will be transported to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, in the capital city of Wellington. Experts believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. Scientists hope to learn more about the colossal squid’s diet, behavior and reproductive(繁殖)patterns.

“Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature, ”said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderson. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment. ”

1. Why is it usually difficult for experts to observe the squid?

A. Because it moves too fast                       B. Because it is too large.

C. Because it is dangerous.                      D. Because it can go down to deep ocean.

2. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. The squid is from a science fiction story 

B. The fishermen often meet colossal squids

C. Scientists know much about the colossal squid. 

D. The fishermen had some difficulty catching the large squid.

3. What’s the purpose of catching such a huge squid?

A. To make it into food  B. To set a world record 

C. To do research on it  D. To display it for visitors

4. What would be the best title for the passage?

A. The biggest squid ever found                      B. Scientific research on squid

C. The lifestyle of the colossal squid         D. How the fishermen caught the squid