“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in so many parts of the world. That program became one of American’s exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.

In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the nation’s pre-school children, from every kind of economic, racial, and geographical group.

Although some educators don’t agree to certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems appear when first graders who have learned from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.

Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional(偶然的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.

The programs all use songs, stories, jokes, and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.

Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories of its creators, the support by the government and private businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.

1. Children who often watch the program _______.

A. can have problems in school                 B. will be well educated

C. will take no interest in their studies          D. have benefited from it

2. What is special about the program?

A. Children learn and enjoy themselves while watching.

B. It makes children feel able to learn.

C. It is shown at different hours during the week.

D. It offers great fun.

3. Why is “Sesame Street” so popular in the world?

A. Because it is supported by the government and businesses.

B. Because it uses a variety of skillful tricks.

C. Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.

D. Because mothers watch it along with their children.

4. The best title for this passage can be _ ______.

A. TV Programs                                 B. Sesame Street

C. Educating Children                     D. A Great Success

What is great art? On the one hand, we can all see that great art is old art which is called great. But how do we know which art of our own times is great, and which will be forgotten? And who decides?
These are important questions, for the great art of the past often was not considered great during its own time. When Shakespeare and Charles Dickens were writing, for example, most critics considered them as hack (平庸的) writers with little or no literary ability.
Similarly, Van Gogh and many of the other Impressionist painters of the late nineteenth century were not allowed to participate in events involving what were thought to be the "real" painters of the time, and often they were very poor. Yet today their paintings often sell for millions of dollars, while those so-called "real" painters are now barely remembered.
So what makes great art? Can, for example, rock music be great art? Music videos? Cartoons and comics? Those who call themselves critics of the fine arts often have been the last to recognize great art in the past, and we can probably expect this to be the situation today.
Critics often don’t recognize great art because they tend to be prejudiced against what is popular. Popular works, whether they are novels, movies, or comics, are usually considered to be produced for the sake of money only, and not for the sake of art.
But popularity, it seems to me, is one of the three signs that a present-day work of art may come to be thought of as great. The other two are that it is groundbreaking, and that it is inherently (内在的) beautiful.
Many works have one or even two of these qualities of being popular, unusual, and beautiful. But having all the three often will mean that a work of art will someday be seen to be great, though it may take a good spoonful of time, such as a century or two, to know for sure.
【小题1】The first paragraph is intended to__________.

What is great art? On the one hand, we can all see that great art is old art which is called great. But how do we know which art of our own times is great, and which will be forgotten? And who decides?

These are important questions, for the great art of the past often was not considered great during its own time. When Shakespeare and Charles Dickens were writing, for example, most critics considered them as hack (平庸的) writers with little or no literary ability.

Similarly, Van Gogh and many of the other Impressionist painters of the late nineteenth century were not allowed to participate in events involving what were thought to be the "real" painters of the time, and often they were very poor. Yet today their paintings often sell for millions of dollars, while those so-called "real" painters are now barely remembered.

So what makes great art? Can, for example, rock music be great art? Music videos? Cartoons and comics? Those who call themselves critics of the fine arts often have been the last to recognize great art in the past, and we can probably expect this to be the situation today.

Critics often don’t recognize great art because they tend to be prejudiced against what is popular. Popular works, whether they are novels, movies, or comics, are usually considered to be produced for the sake of money only, and not for the sake of art.

But popularity, it seems to me, is one of the three signs that a present-day work of art may come to be thought of as great. The other two are that it is groundbreaking, and that it is inherently (内在的) beautiful.

Many works have one or even two of these qualities of being popular, unusual, and beautiful. But having all the three often will mean that a work of art will someday be seen to be great, though it may take a good spoonful of time, such as a century or two, to know for sure.

1.The first paragraph is intended to__________.

2.The author used the examples of Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Van Gogh to prove _____.

3.According to the author, great works _______.

4.What can be inferred from the passage?

B
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are drawing near. Are you eager to enjoy watching the matches or start serving as a volunteer? First, you need to know about audience manners.
The behavior of courtside audiences is considered to be an important part of sporting culture. In 2004, after world champion Stephen Hendry lost to Ding Junhui in the China Open Snooker Championships, he complained of the noise from Chinese spectators. Perhaps you and your classmates could be written on the back of the tickets. Read your ticket carefully before you leave, remember to take away your soft drink bottles and other trash(垃圾).
During exciting games, try to control yourself. Don’t criticize the performance of players and coaches. Be careful with your words, since some may cause anger among other people in the audience.
Applause is a special form of body language you can use to communicate with players. But you should do it properly. When players first appear, clap your hands together to welcome them, but don’t go on for too long. After an excellent performance, applaud warmly. If someone fails, your applause will help encourage them.
Applause is not welcome, however, while a game is in progress and players need to keep their concentration. Various sports have various rules for the audience.
Enjoying artistic gymnastics requires silence. But lots of cheering can really help basketball and football players. Snooker and table tennis courtside behavior includes a ban on flash photography. Mobile phones are not allowed in shooting centers.
To be a good spectator, you should take time to learn the game-specific rules and related culture of each event.
46．What does the underlined work “spectators” mean in the second paragraph?
A．Players     B．Audiences C．Coaches    D．Organizers
47．When can’t you leave the spot of a game?
A．When the game is going on    B．When the game is just over
C．Before the game begins   D．When the game is long over
48．What should you do during an exciting football game?
A．Control yourself      B．Keep quiet
C．Praise the players     D．Cheer the players
49．When can’t you clap your hands?
A．When players first appear      
B．When an excellent performance is over
C．When someone fails
D．When a player is finishing a very difficult performance
50．What is the best title of this text ?
A．How to be a good audience of Beijing Olympic Games
B．How to support players at Beijing Olympic Games
C．How to control yourself at Beijing Olympic Games
D．How to enjoy the games at Beijing Olympic Games

While scientists are worried that humans are causing higher temperatures on the Earth, a Maryland man, Ace, thinks we can save the world by spraying（喷射）huge amounts of water into the air.
Ace told the McClatchy News Service that at least 1,000 places should be chosen to spray water. The water would be sprayed between 20 and 200 feet into the air. Thousands of tons of seawater would be sprayed for years at a time.
The 1,000 sites would be picked after more studies. They would be mostly in the Northern Hemisphere(北半球). Ace says he would avoid tropical（热带的）areas of the globe. He says water turns to rain too quickly in these areas for his plan to work.
The water would be changed into vapor. That process requires heat. The water vapor would rise above the Earth. The water vapor would form clouds. The clouds would help in several ways. They would cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight. They would later turn into rains. The rains would provide another way of cooling the Earth.
Ace’s plan has gotten some support from a limited scientific study. Kenneth Caldeira is a climate scientist. He works at the Carnegie Institution’s Department of Global Ecology at Stanford University in California. Caldeira tested some of the Ace’s figures on a computer program. The computer model is used by top scientists to study global climate change. The model showed that the plan might work.
“More tests are planned in 2009. Ideas like Ace’s should be considered carefully and with an open mind,” Calderira said. “Every brilliant（卓越的）invention in the history of technology looked a little bit mad when first put forward.”
65．What’s the purpose of Ace’s plan?
A. To reduce air pollution.                      
B. To make summer cooler.
C. To offer dry areas more rain.                  
D. To solve the problem of global warming. 
66．According to Ace’s plan,___________.
A. planes would be used to spray water.       
B. it would be best to spray water on rainy days.
C. seawater would be sprayed high into the sky
D.1,000 sites in the Southern Hemisphere would be chosen.
67．Why wouldn’t Ace spray water in tropical areas?
A. Water is changed into vapor too quickly.      
B. Water turns to rain too quickly.
C. It is hard for vapor to form clouds.           
D. It is bad for local plants to have too much rain.
68. It seems that Caldeira ____________.
A. takes Ace’s plan seriously                 
B. thinks Ace’s idea too crazy
C. doesn’t believe the computer’s result        
D. agrees to carry out Ace’s plan right away