“ Just sign here, sir,” the deliveryman said as he handed Oscar Reyna a packet.

The package consisted of a long, narrow box   36  wrapped in brown paper.   37  the box, Oscar saw an umbrella inside—a very old one with a beautifully carved wooden handle.   38  he had not seen it in more than 20 years, he recognized it   39 .

Oscar was 16 when he first saw the   40  umbrella. He had gone to a concert with his grandparents. As they were leaving, he noticed an umbrella on an empty seat. Impressed by its   41  Oscar felt a strong desire to find its   42 .

Oscar   43  the manager to look in the record of advance ticket sales. Just as he thought, a man matched the seat   44  Oscar had found the umbrella. The name was Mrs. Katie O’Brien.

Oscar talked his grandparents into going by Mrs. O’Brien   45  on their way home. He rang the bell, the door opened, and an elderly woman appeared. “May I   46  you?” she asked.

“I’d like to return it if it’s yours,” Oscar said,   47  the umbrella as if presenting a   48  that had long been wished for.

“ Why, yes ! It’s mine,” replied Mrs. O’Brien with a   49  smile and shining eyes. “It was given to me by my father years ago. Thank you so much for returning it. May I offer you a reward for your   50 ?

“No, ma’ma, ”he said , “My grandmother says that a good deed is its own reward.”

“Well, that’s   51  what my father used to say. What is your name, young man?”

Years later Oscar was staring at the finely carved handle of the umbrella as he remembered Mrs. O’ Brien. It was in perfect condition, considering how   52  it was. Why had it arrived here today?

As if   53  , a note fell from the paper. It read：Mrs. O’Brien wanted you to   54  this umbrella as a present for a kind,   55  gesture long ago.

1.                A．strictly         B．carefully        C．roughly   D．casually

2.                A．Opening        B．Seizing         C．Observing D．Searching

3.                A．After          B．When          C．Since D．Although

4.                A．clearly         B．fully           C．immediately   D．suddenly

5.                A．average        B．unusual         C．plain D．typical

6.                A．beauty         B．shape          C．origin    D．history

7.                A．designer        B．seller          C．user D．owner

8.                A．convinced      B．forced          C．encouraged   D．advised

9.                A．until           B．before         C．which    D．where

10.               A．family          B．theatre         C．house D．neighborhood

11.               A．invite          B．help           C．bother    D．know

12.               A．putting up      B．turning out      C．picking up D．holding out

13.               A．chance         B．fact            C．gift   D．result

14.               A．wide           B．confident       C．proud D．shy

15.               A．patience        B．kindness        C．courage   D．determination

16.               A．obviously       B．naturally        C．exactly    D．probably

17.               A．old            B．rare           C．precious   D．nice

18.               A．in contrast      B．in return        C．in exchange    D．in answer

19.               A．possess        B．accept         C．carry D．value

20.               A．attractive       B．significant       C．unselfish  D．sympathetic

 In many countries, some scientists are already _______ research in order to produce a cloned human baby.

In many countries, some scientists are already _______ research in order to produce a cloned human baby.

----The prices are _____ day by day. It’s hard to make ends meet.(收支相抵)

----I hope the terrible situation won’t continue.

A．putting up         B．going up          C．keeping down      D．going down

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of natural disasters over the past few years, and it is assumed that global warming and climate change could cause even more disasters in the future. Some of the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.

    London

    London’s flood defences are getting older. Since 1982, the Thames Barrier(水闸)has protected the city from the threat of flooding, but it was only designed to last until 2030 and close once every two or three years. About 26 years later the barrier now closes five or six times a year and according to Environment Agency predictions, by 2050 the barrier will be closed on almost every tide if the problem is not addressed.

    There are 26 underground stations, 400 schools, 16 hospitals, an airport and 80 billion worth of property in London’s flood risk area, so large scale flooding would be disastrous.

    Paris

    Over a six week period in July and August 2003, more than 1 1,400—mainly elderly people—died in France from dehydration(脱水)and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heat wave. Heat waves of similar intensity(强度)are expected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such a disaster does not happen again?

    One solution is to have air-conditioners installed in elderly care homes. But this is considered a short-term solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increases carbon emissions(排放).

 In Paris the local authorities are encouraging architects to design new types of buildings such as the building “Flower Tower,” which uses a covering of bamboo to act as a natural air-conditioner.

Shanghai

    Shanghai is the fastest growing city on Earth. It has a population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.

    An estimated 250，000 people move to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energy consumption. China relies heavily on coal—fired power stations, but these emissions increase temperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.

1.What problem should be settled now in London?

A．How to protect the city’s property

B．Where to build its flood defences

C．How to use the Thames Barrier to protect the city

D．How to improve the function of the old flood defences

2.Which of the following measures can’t solve the heat wave disaster in Paris?

A．Putting up new types of buildings with a covering of bamboo

B．Having air-conditioners installed in elderly care homes

C．Forbidding the city to build“Flower Tower”

D．Encouraging architects to design new types of buildings

3.The major threats to Shanghai are           ．

A．increasing population and coal-fired power stations

B．rising sea levels and typhoons

C．extremely high temperature and rising sea levels

D．extra demands on energy consumption and typhoons

4.The purpose of the passage is       ．

A．to tell us how to protect the big cities

B．to give advice on how to defend natural disasters

C．to explain what causes flood and heat waves

D．to warn us of the increasing natural disasters in big cities

5.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．Big Cities Facing Big Disasters

B．Big Disasters in the Future

C．The Increase of Natural Disasters

D．Solutions to Natural Disasters