Many people now think that teachers give pupils too much homework. They say that it is 　36　   for children to work at home in their free time.  　37　  ， they argue that most teachers do not   　38　   plan the homework tasks they give to pupils. The result is that pupils have to   　39　  tasks which they have already done at school.

Recently in Greece， many parents   　40　   about the difficult homework which teachers gave to their children. The parents said that most of the homework was a waste of time， and they wanted to   　41　   it. Spain and Turkey are two countries which stopped homework recently. In Denmark， Germany and several other countries in Europe， teachers cannot   　42　   homework at weekends. In Holland， teachers allow pupils to stay at school to do their homework. The children are   　43　   to help one another. Similar   　44　   also exists in some British schools.

Most people agree that homework is not   　45　  . A pupil who can do his homework in a quiet and   　46　   room is in a much better position than a pupil who does his homework in a small， noisy room with the television on. Some parents help their children with their homework. Other parents take no   　47　   at all in their children’s homework.

1.A.unnecessary        B.uninteresting C.unfortunate      D.unimportant

2.A.Nevertheless       B.However    C.Therefore            D.Moreover

3.A.considerably        B.favorably    C.properly               D.pleasantly

4.A.finish            B.repeat     C.attend                  D.accomplish

5.A.quarreled       B.puzzled       C.explored              D.complained

6.A.delay                B.stop             C.block                     D.prove

7.A.design                   B.draft            C.do                          D.set   

8.A.forbidden        B.free              C.desperate                     D.afraid

9.A.schedule          B.mistake      C.arrangement      D.behavior

10.A.fair                 B.average      C.balanced              D.comparative

11.A.furnished                B.expensive   C.comfortable        D.suitable

12.A.interest              B.curiosity     C.notice                   D.attention

　　In the United States in the early 1800’s, individual state governments had more effect on the economy than did the federal government. States controlled manufacturing, banking, mining and transportation firms and participated in the construction of various internal improvements such as canals, turnpikes（收费关卡）, and railroads. The states encouraged internal improvements in two distinct ways: first, by actually establishing state companies to build such improvements; second, by providing part of the capital for mixed public-private companies setting out to make a profit.
　　In the early nineteenth century, state governments also engaged in a surprisingly large amount of direct restricting activity, including extensive licensing and inspection programs. Licensing targets reflected both similarities in and difference between the economy of the nineteenth century and that of today: in the nineteenth century, state regulation through licensing fell especially on drug dealers, innkeepers and retail merchants of various kinds. The goods of trade generally came under state inspection and such important raw material as lumber and gunpowder were also subject to state control. Finally, state governments experimented with direct labor and business regulation designed to help the individual laborer or consumer, including setting maximum limits on hours of work and restrictions on price-fixing by business.
　　Although the states dominated economic activity during this period, the federal government was not inactive. Its goals were the facilitation of western settlement and the development of native industries. Toward these ends the federal government pursued several courses of action. It established a national bank to stabilize banking activities in the country and, in part, to provide a supply of relatively easy money to the region, where it was greatly needed for settlement. It permitted access to public western lands on increasing easy term, with a summit in the Homestead Act of 1862, by which title to land could be claimed on the basis of residence alone. Finally, it set up a system of tariffs（关税） that was basically protectionist in effect, although maneuvering for position by various regional interests produced frequent changes in tariff rates throughout the nineteenth century.
1.What does the passage mainly discuss？
　　A. States rights versus federal rights.
　　B. The participation of state governments in railroad, canal, and turnpike construction.
　　C. The roles of state and federal government in the economy of the nineteenth century.
　　D. Restricting activity by state government.
2.It can be inferred from the first paragraph that in the nineteenth century canals and railroads were ______.
　　A. built with money that came from the federal government
　　B. much more expensive to build than they had been previously
　　C. built predominantly in the western part of the country
　　D. sometimes built in part by state companies
3.According to the passage, which of the following is true of the Homestead Act of 1862？
　　A. It increased the money supply in the West.
　　B. It was a law first passed by state government in the West.
　　C. It made it increasingly possible for settlers to obtain land in the West.
　　D. It established tariffs in a number of regions.
4.Which of the following activities was the responsibility of the federal government in the nineteenth century？
　　A. Control of the manufacture of gunpowder.
　　B. Determining the conditions under which individuals worked.
　　C. Regulation of the supply of money.
　　D. Inspection of new homes built on western lands.

On a hot summer day in late August, I sought shade and a cool drink at a waterfront cafe on a Greek island. Over hundred degrees in   21   air. Crowded. Tempers（脾气）of both the tourists and waiters had   22   to meet the situation, making it a rather quarrelsome environment（环境）.

At the table next to mine sat an attractive,   23  couple, waiting for   24  . They held hands, whispered, kissed, and laughed. Suddenly they stood, picked up their   25   and stepped together   26   the edge of where they were sitting to place the table in the sea water. The man stepped   27   for the two chairs. He politely   28   his lady in the knee-deep water and then sat down himself. All people around laughed and cheered.

  29   appeared. He paused for just a second, walked into the water to   30   the table and take their   31  , and then walked back to the   32   cheers of the rest of his   33  . Minutes later he returned carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. Without pausing, he went

  34   into the water to   35   the wine. The couple toasted（祝酒）each other, the waiter and the crowd. And the crowd   36   by cheering and throwing flowers to them. Three other tables   37    to have lunch in the water. The place was now filled with laughter.

One doesn’t step into water in one’s best summer clothes. Why not?

    Customers are not served   38  . Why not?

    Sometimes one should consider   39   the line of convention（常规）and enjoy   40   to the fullest.

21. A. fresh                  B. cool                       C. still                  D. thin 

22. A. managed            B. expected            C. attempted         D. risen 

23. A. lonely                B. curious　　       C. well-dressed      D. bad-tempered　　　

24. A. cheers                B. service                     C. attention           D. flowers

25. A. metal table         B. empty bottle　　C. chairs              D. bags

26. A. on                     B. off                   C. around             D. along

27. A. outside               B. forward　　      C. down                      D. back　　

28. A. led                    B. seated               C. watched            D. received

29. A. The manager      B. A friend　         C. A waiter           D. The servant　

30. A. set                     B. wash                C. remove             D. check

31. A. menu                 B. bill                  C. food                 D. order

32. A. loud                  B. anxious             C. familiar            D. final

33. A. tourists              B. customers         C. fellows             D. assistants

34. A. at last                B. in time            C. once more               D. as well

35. A. change                      B. drink　             C. sell                  D. serve　

36. A. replied　            B. insisted　          C. agreed　           D. understood　

37. A. prepared            B. joined in           C. settled up          D. continued　

38. A. with pleasure       B. in the café               C. in the sea          D. with wine

39. A. following           B. keeping            C. limiting            D. crossing　

40. A. life                    B. wine                C. lunch                      D. time　

D

　　For many year,motorcycle riding was considered a male sport.Women usually rode on the seat behind the men driving the two - wheeled vehicle.Now more and more women are taking the front seat.

　　More than twenty million people in the United States ride motorcycles.The number of female motorcyclists has increased greatly over the past few years.More than ten percent of motorcycle owners in the United States are women.

　　We spoke with "Lisa Russell,Briggit Pope,Rayna Evans and Angela Meeks-Odom".They are on the executive committee of Lady Sport Riders motorcycle club in Largo,Maryland.They say they ride for more than fun.They say it gives women a wonderful feeling,a sense of freedom and control.

　　In 1998 the number of female bikers rose sharply.Lady Sport Riders began in 1999 in the Washington,D.C. area.The women formed the organization to share,their love of motorcyle riding.They say female motorcycle clubs let women share a strong sisterhood.Like other motorcycle clubs,the members of Lady Sport Riders also help their community(社区).

　　Female riders have helped change motorcycle culture.The Motorcycle Industry Council says more than five years ago factories began producing equipment that makes riding more pleasant for women.Some bikes now have smaller,softer seats and controls that are easier to reach. Modern clothes for riding look good and still provide protection.Besides,women are now riding motorcycles that are as powerful as the ones men ride.Lady Sprot Riders believe women have earned their place in the sport of motorcycle riding.When speaking of male motorcyclists,the members of the club say:"They Made the Game…We Came to Play!"

　　68."Taking the front seat" means ______ in the first paragraph.

　　A.siiing in front of the driver

　　B.sitting in front of the driver

　　C.driving faster than male drivers

　　D.driving motorcycles themselves

　　69.What do we know about Lisa Russell,Briggit Pope,Rayna Evans and Angela Meeks-Odom?

　　A.They together wrote the passage.

　　B.they were interviewed by the writers.

　　C.They started a club to help the community.

　　D.They started riding motorcycles in 1999.

　　70.Which is the same with both male and female riders?

　　A.The size and quality of the seats.

　　B.The design of the controls.

　　C.The clothes for riding.

　　D.the engine power of the motorcycles.

She took up skating at age 85, made her first movie appearance at age 114, and held a concert in the neighborhood on her 121st birthday.

　　    When it comes to long life, Jeanne Calment is the world’s recordholder. She lived to the ripe old age of 122. So is 122 the upper limit to the human life span（寿命）? If scientists come up with some sort of pill or diet that would slow aging, could we possibly make it to 150－or beyond?

　　    Researchers don’t entirely agree on the answers. “Calment lived to 122, so it wouldn’t surprise me if someone alive today reaches 130 or 135, ”says Jerry Shay at the University of Texas.

　　    Steve Austad at the University of Texas agrees. “People can live much longer than we think, ”he says. “Experts used to say that humans couldn’t live past 110. When Calment blew past that age, they raised the number to 120. So why can’t we go higher? ”

　　    The trouble with guessing how old people can live to be is that it’s all just guessing. “Anyone can make up a number, ”says Rich Miller at the University of Michigan. “Usually the scientist who picks the highest number gets his name in Time magazine. ”

　　    Won’t new anti-aging techniques keep us alive for centuries? Any cure, says Miller, for aging would probably keep most of us kicking until about 120. Researchers are working on treatments that lengthen the life span of mice by 50 percent at most. So, if the average human life span is about 80 years, says Miller, “adding another 50 percent would get you to 120. ”

　　    So what can we conclude from this little disagreement among the researchers? That life span is flexible（有弹性的）, but there is a limit, says George Martin of the University of Washington. “We can get flies to live 50 percent longer, ”he says. “But a fly’s never going to live 150 years. ”Of course, if you became a new species （物种）, one that ages at a slower speed, that would be a different story, he adds.

　　    Does Martin really believe that humans could evolve （进化）their way to longer life? “It’s pretty cool to think about, ”he says with a smile.

1. What does the story of Jeanne Calment prove to us?

A．People can live to 122.

B．Old people are creative.

C．Women are sporty at 85.

D．Women live longer than men.

2. According to Steve Austad at the University of Texas, ______.

A．the average human life span could be 110

B．scientists cannot find ways to slow aging

C．few people can expect to live to over 150

D．researchers are not sure how long people can live

3. Who would agree that a scientist will become famous if he makes the wildest guess at longevity?

A．Jerry Shay.　                           B．Steve Austad

C．Rich Miller　                           D．George Martin

4. What can we infer from the last three paragraphs?

A．Most of us could be good at sports even at 120.

B．The average human life span cannot be doubled

C．Scientists believe mice are aging at a slower speed than before.

D．New techniques could be used to change flies into a new species