Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the presidential candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so. But selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle
Obama and what she might be able to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-American woman. As the potential First Lady, she would have the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African-American woman they so rarely see.
Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The prevailing theory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype of being neck-swirling, eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic mothers.
These images have helped define the way all black women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit to a cause, charity or foundations as First Lady, her most urgent and perhaps most complicated duty may be simply to be herself.
It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications have done in-depth features on regular African American women, little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis. For better or worse, Michelle will become a stand-in for us all.
Just as she will have her critics, she will also have millions of adoring fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady. African-American blogs have all written about what they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House---mainly showing the world that a black woman can support her man and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone---an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise, confidence and intellect will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around for far too long.
69.  Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?
A. She serves as a role model for African-American women.
B. She possesses many admirable qualities becoming a First Lady.
C. She will present to the world a new image of African-American women.
D. She will pay closer attention to the interests of African-American women
70. What is the common stereotype of African-American women according to the author?
A. They are victims of family violence. 
B. They are of an inferior social group.
C. They use quite a lot of body language.
D. They live on charity and social welfare.
71. What does the author say about Michelle Obama as a First Lady?
A. However many fans she has, she should remain modest.
B. She shouldn’t disappoint the African-American community.
C. However hard she tries, she can’t expect to please everybody.
D. She will give priority to African-American women’s concern.

Research has shown that music has an important effect on one’s body and psyche (心灵). In fact, there is a growing field of health care known as music therapy(治疗), which uses music to treat diseases. Even hospitals are beginning to use music therapy. This is not surprising, as music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways.
Research has shown that quick music can make a person feel more alert（警觉戒备）, while slow music can produce a calm, deep thinking state. Also, research has found that music can change brainwave activity levels. This can help the brain to change speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you’ve stopped listening.
Breathing and heart rates can also be influenced by music. This can mean slower breathing, slower heart rate. This is why music and music therapy can help reduce the damaging effects of long-term stress, greatly promoting (促进) not only relaxation, but health.
Music can also be used to bring about a more positive state of mind by helping to keep worries away. Music has also been found to bring many other benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of strokes（中风）. It is no surprise that so many people are considering music as an important tool to help the body become or stay healthy.
【小题1】What can we infer about music therapy(治疗)?

Exploit your parking space

An unused parking space or garage can make money. If you live near a city center or an airport, you could make anything up to £200 or £300 a week. Put an advertisement（广告）for free on Letpark or Atmyhousepark.

Rent（出租）a room

Spare room? Not only will a lodger（房客）earn you an income, but also, thanks to the government-backed “rent a room” program, you won’t have to pay any tax on the first £4500 you make per year. Try advertising your room on Roomspare or Roommateeasy.

Make money during special events

Don’t want a full-time lodger? Then rent on a short-term basis. If you live in the capital, renting a room out during the Olympics or other big events could bring in money, Grashpadder can advertise your space.

Live on set

Renting your home out as a “film set” could earn you hundreds of pounds a day, depending on the film production company and how long your home is needed. A quick search on the Internet will bring up dozens of online companies that allow you to register your home for free—but you will be charged if your home gets picked.

Use your roof

   You need the right kind of roof, but some energy companies pay the cost of fixing  solar equipment(around￡14,000), and let you use the energy produced for nothing. In return, they get paid for unused energy fed back into the National Grid. However, you have to sign a 25-year agreement with the supplier, which could prevent you from changing the roof.

1.If you earn ￡5000 from renting a room in one year, the tax you need to pay will be based on ______.

A. ￡800       B. ￡500     C. ￡4500    D.5000

2. Where can you put an advertisement to rent out a room during a big event?

A. On Letpark.      B. On Roomspare.    

C. On Grashpadder.     D. On Roommateeasy.

3.If you want to use energy free, you have to_____.

A. sign an agreement with the government  

B. pay around ￡14,000 for the equipment

C. sell the roof to some energy companies  

D. keep the roof unchanged for within 25 years

4.For whom is the text most probably written?

A. Lodgers.       B. Advertisers.     C. House owners.      D. Online companies

For decades, families settled on the sofa to share the latest news and TV series, until additional bedroom TV, computer games and the Internet almost put an end to family rows over who held the remote control. Now, however, the traditional living room scene is making a comeback. A study by the communications watchdog Ofcom has found families are once again gathering around the main television set, but they are bringing their pads and smartphones with them.

?? “The 1950s living room is making a comeback as a family entertainment centre,” said Jane Rumble, head of media research at Ofcom. “We are watching on much better, bigger, and more delicate television sets, but we are coming into the living room holding our connected devices.” While the family are coming together once more, comparisons with the past end there. With a range of smaller screens on hand, not everyone sitting on the sofa shares the same viewing experience.

??? The coronation (加冕礼) may have drawn the undivided attention of 20 million viewers in 1953, but those watching the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations 50 years later were as likely to be commenting online about BBC’s broadcast as watching it. “Just a few years ago, we would be talking about last night’s TV at work or at school,” said a viewer, “Now, we’re having those conversations live while watching TV, using social media, text and instant messaging.”

??? It is a behaviour of media meshing（联网）, whose influence was underlined during this year’s Wimbledon men’s tennis final. As Andy Murray pushed towards his victory, 1.1 million people worldwide sent an average of over two microblogs about the match.

??? People use the Internet to enhance their television experience, for example, by reading a newspaper live blog about a football match while watching the action on the main screen. For a huge number of younger viewers, the portable screen offers a chance to do something unrelated, such as online shopping, listening to music or watching another television programme.

Some 70% of 16-to-24-year-olds claim to be absorbed in what Ofcom calls “media stacking” at least once a week. For TV viewers, the Internet scanning is the most popular activity, but they are also calling friends on the phone or sending emails and texts. Surprisingly, 12% claim to have listened to the radio with the television on, and 6% say they have watched another video in the meanwhile.

1. According to the study by Ofcom, family members nowadays _______.

A. care more about who holds the remote control

B. share the same programmes in the living room

C. watch better and more delicate television programmes

D. enjoy TV together with various smaller screens on hand

2. This year’s Wimbledon men’s tennis final is mentioned to indicate _______.

A. so many people worldwide are watching TV

B. people like watching live matches on TV

C. the great influence of media meshing

D. the average amount of microblogs

3.Which shows the phenomenon of “media stacking” in the last paragraph?

A. People are watching TV while shopping online.

B. People are watching a broadcast of a coronation.

C. The Internet makes people spend less time on TV.

D. The Internet enriches people’s television experience.

4.The passage is written to ???? .

A. describe the changes connected devices(设备，仪器) bring to TV watching

B. report the comeback of the traditional living room scene

C. show the influence of connected devices on people

D. present the different roles TV plays in people’s life

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

My father was a highly educate, intelligent gentleman. He could debate or discuss for hours on almost any topic and hold your   31   in the process. I thought there was nothing be wasn’t   32  to do.

A few days before my younger brother’s 7^th birthday, Dad planned to assemble(装配) a new   33   as a special birthday surprise. After nearly an hour of  34   the instructions, Dan was still unable to   35  the new bike together. Later he  36  the paper of instructions,   37  up his tool box, and decided to take the bike back to the local toy store and pay extra   38  to have it correctly assembled there.   39  an idea came to him, as he called out to Lovett, the quiet little man who cut our grassland.

“Lovett, have you ever assembled a boy’s bicycle?”

As Lovett walked towards the bike, Dad handed him the  40  . Lovett handed it back to him, saying, “No ,thanks. I can’t read. When you can’t read, you have to  41  .” Less than 15 minutes later, the new bicycle was   42   assembled, with no  43   parts remaining. Dad shook Lovett’s hand, patted him on the back, thanked him, and hid the bike.

On the night after my brother received his shiny new gift, Dad announced at the family dinner table what had happened several days earlier. He took great  44   in telling it over and over again-be used it as an example of thinking.      

He did not prefer to illiteracy(文盲) , but strongly taught us to use our  45  , The joke was on my father,   46  he was able to turn it into a learning tool, and I liked him even more after that incident. I also gained a new   47   for Lovett. To me he had   48  been the old yard man who didn’t   49   much, but after that day, he seemed to smile broader, even walk taller, It’s amazing what a real nod of   50   can do to lift people up.

31．A．attention   B．belief       C．view  D．breath

32．A．willing     B．lucky C．able   D．sure

33．A．toy    B．bicycle     C．computer  D．boat

34．A．reading     B．reviewing C．examining D．searching

35．A．bring B．get    C．put．       D．give

36．A．folded up  B．looked through       C．turned to   D．devoted to

37．A．brought    B．added       C．set     D．picked

38．A．money      B．effort       C．service      D．tax

39．A．Thus B．Then C．Since D．Though

40．A．tools B．rites  C．orders       D．instructions

41．A．exchange  B．admit       C．learn D．think

42．A．Partly       B．fully  C．hardly      D．largely

43．A．separate    B．different   C．major       D．spare

44．A．delight     B．action       C．care   D．risk

45．A．resources  B．knowledge       C．heads D．hands

46．A．so     B． or    C．but    D．and

47．A．reward     B．regard      C．relief D．respect

48．A．never       B．regard      C．ever  D．often

49．A．show B．say    C．care   D．earn

50．A． approva1       B．agreement C．affection1 D．altitude