There are over one million superstitions(迷信), and most people believe at least one or two of　them.

Many people are superstitious about numbers. They think that there are lucky numbers and unlucky numbers.

The number 13 is often considered unlucky. In some parts of the world, buildings have no 13th floor and streets have no houses with the number 13. In Japan, "4" is considered unlucky because in Japanese the word "four" is pronounced the same as the word "death" .

Japanese never give gifts of four knives, four napkins, or four of anything.

What are the lucky numbers? Seven is a lucky number in many places, and "8" is considered a lucky number in Japan and China. In China, businesses often open on August 8, and many couples register to get married at eight past eight on August 8.

Superstitions about numbers are so widespread that some people--called numerologist--make a living by giving advice about numbers.

In 1937, when the Toyoda family of Japan wanted to form a car company, they asked a numerologist if "Toyoda" would be a good name for the company. The numerologist said it would not be. He explained that "Toyota" would be a better name for the company. The family took his advice. As a result, millions of people drive "Toyota" and not "Toyoda" .

There are many other kinds of superstitions. There are superstitions about eating, sleeping, sneezing and itching(抓痒). There are superstitions about animals and holidays and horseshoes.

There are even superstitions about superstitions. Those superstitions will tell people how to reverse bad luck.

When the Japanese bump heads, they immediately bump heads again. According to a Japanese superstition, the first-bump means their parents will die, but the second bump "erases" the first bump         

To reverse bad luck in general, people turn around three times, turn their pockets inside out, or put their hats on backwards.

In the United States, baseball players sometimes wear their caps backwards when their team is losing. It looks silly, but the baseball players do not mind if it helps them win the game.

1.It can be inferred that superstitions about numbers are          .

2.The underlined word "reverse" means          .

3.If a Japanese purposely bumps his head again after an accidental bump, we can be sure that     .  

4.The writer wrote this passage with the purpose of          .

For hundreds of years, Japan has been hit, from time to time, by tsunamis（海啸）, which are caused by earthquakes or underwater volcanoes. The story of the boy Yuuki is the story of such a disaster.

Yuuki lived with his family in a seaside village, below a small mountain. One day, as he played on top of the mountain, Yuuki felt a small earthquake but it was not strong enough to frighten anybody. Soon after, however, Yuuki noticed the sea darken and begin running away from the shore very fast, leaving behind wide areas of beach that had never been seen before.

Yuuki remembered reading that just before a terrible tsunami, the sea suddenly and quickly rolls backward. He ran to the beach, warning the villagers who had gathered to admire the new beach land.

But no one listened. They laughed at him and continued playing in the new sand.

Desperate, Yuuki could think of only one thing to do. He lit a tree branch, raced to the rice fields and began burning the harvested rice. Then he called out, “Fire! Fire! Everyone run to the mountain! Now!”

When everyone reached the mountain top, a villager cried out, “Yuuki is mad! I saw him set the fire.” Yuuki hung his head in shame, but said nothing as the villagers screamed at him.

Just then, someone shouted, “Look!”

In the distance a huge dark wave of water was speeding towards the shore. When it hit the shore, it destroyed everything.

On the mountain everyone stared at the village ruins in terror.

“I'm sorry I burned the fields,” said Yuuki, his voice trembling.

“Yuuki,” the village chief answered. “You saved us all.”

The villagers cheered and raised Yuuki into the air. “We were going to celebrate our rice harvest tonight,” said one, “but now we’ll celebrate that we’re all still alive!”

1. Where was Yuuki when the earthquake struck?

2.In what order did the following events take place?

a.Yuuki ran to the rice fields.

b.The villagers paid no attention to Yuuki’s word.

c.Yuuki went to warn the villagers.

d.The village was in ruins.

e.The people were screaming at Yuuki.

3.How did Yuuki save the villagers from the disaster?

4.What were the people planning to do before the tsunami struck their village?

For hundreds of years, Japan has been hit, from time to time, by tsunamis（海啸）, which are caused by earthquakes or underwater volcanoes. The story of the boy Yuuki is the story of such a disaster.
Yuuki lived with his family in a seaside village, below a small mountain. One day, as he played on top of the mountain, Yuuki felt a small earthquake but it was not strong enough to frighten anybody. Soon after, however, Yuuki noticed the sea darken and begin running away from the shore very fast, leaving behind wide areas of beach that had never been seen before.
Yuuki remembered reading that just before a terrible tsunami, the sea suddenly and quickly rolls backward. He ran to the beach, warning the villagers who had gathered to admire the new beach land.
But no one listened. They laughed at him and continued playing in the new sand.
Desperate, Yuuki could think of only one thing to do. He lit a tree branch, raced to the rice fields and began burning the harvested rice. Then he called out, “Fire! Fire! Everyone run to the mountain! Now!”
When everyone reached the mountain top, a villager cried out, “Yuuki is mad! I saw him set the fire.” Yuuki hung his head in shame, but said nothing as the villagers screamed at him.
Just then, someone shouted, “Look!”
In the distance a huge dark wave of water was speeding towards the shore. When it hit the shore, it destroyed everything.
On the mountain everyone stared at the village ruins in terror.
“I'm sorry I burned the fields,” said Yuuki, his voice trembling.
“Yuuki,” the village chief answered. “You saved us all.”
The villagers cheered and raised Yuuki into the air. “We were going to celebrate our rice harvest tonight,” said one, “but now we’ll celebrate that we’re all still alive!”
【小题1】 Where was Yuuki when the earthquake struck?

Japanese officials are struggling to prevent the spread of mad cow disease. Japan's first case of mad cow disease was reported in September. The Agriculture Ministry confirmed last month that a second cow was infected. Japan is the only country in Asia where mad cow disease is known to have spread. The disease is officially known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalities, or BSE. It causes holes in the brain. Cows act strangely before they die. So it is called mad cow disease.

Scientists believe cows get the disease by eating meat and bone meal from infected animals. Since September, Japan has banned imports and use of feed(饲料) made from animal remains. Recently, the Agriculture Ministry announced plans to destroy about five thousand cows that may have been given the feed.

Sales of Japanese beef products have dropped sharply in the past three months. Since October, Japanese officials have tested all cows that are killed for their meat. Some scientists question the testing. They say the disease often cannot be identified in young animals.

Scientists believe it's terrible to eat infected meat that may cause a similar brain disease. It cannot be cured.

About one hundred people in Europe have died from the disease in recent years. Most of them have been in Britain.

Until recently, some experts have estimated that the total number of deaths from eating infected beef could be as high as one-hundred thirty thousand. However, two new reports say there will be fewer deaths than earlier estimated. Science magazine reported the findings.

The reports say the total number of deaths from the disease may be as low as two hundred.

Researchers from France used a computer program to make their estimate. They say their study is based partly on a better understanding of the disease. They also say evidences show that young people are more likely to become infected. In Britain, the average age of those who died is twenty-eight. Only a few victims were older than fifty. From this evidence, the team says the probability of a person becoming infected decreases with age.

8. According to the report, how many cases of mad cow disease were reported in Japan?

A. One. B. Two. C. Many. D. Didn't mention.

9. If a person were infected in Japan, he would likely eat________.

A. cow which had eaten meat and bone meal

B. cow which had eaten imported feed made from animal remains

C. young cow which had eaten meat and bone meal

D. young cow which had eaten imported feed made from animal remains

10. From the text, we know that________.

A. a British person of 30 is more likely to be infected

B. a British person of 40 is more likely to be infected

C. a Japanese person of 30 is more likely to be infected

D. a Japanese person of 40 is more likely to be infected