阅读下列短文, 从所给的四个选项中, 选出最佳答案。

    What makes it rain? Rain falls from clouds for the same reason that anything falls to earth. The earth's gravity(引力)pulls it. But every cloud is made of water droplets(微滴)or ice crystals(结晶). Why doesn't rain or snow fall continuously from all clouds? The droplets or ice　　 crystals in clouds are very small. The effect of gravity on them is tiny.

    Droplets and ice crystals act like dust in the air which　　 is made visible in the rays of sunlight. To the careless observer, dust seems to act in a totally disorderly way, moving about freely without fixed direction. But in fact dust particles(微粒)are much larger than water droplets and they finally fall. The cloud droplet of ordinary size is only 1/2500 inch in diameter (直径). It is so small that it would take sixteen hours to fall half a mile in perfectly still air, and it does　　 not fall out of moving air at all. Only when the droplet grows to a diameter of 1/125 inch or larger can it fall from the cloud. The ordinary raindrop has a million times as much water as a tiny cloud droplet. The growth of a cloud droplet to a size large enough to fall out is the cause of rain.

　　 (1)  Why don't all ice crystals in clouds immediately fall to earth?

[    ]

A. They are hardly affected by the force of gravity. 　　 　　   

B. The earth's gravity keeps them from falling. 　　 　　   

C. The clouds prevent them from falling. 

D. The heat from the sun's rays makes them turn into steam. 　　 　　

(2)  What conclusion can we draw from drops of water larger  than 1/120 inch in diameter?　　

[    ]

A. They fall to the ground slowly. 　　 　　   

B. In moving air they fall at a speed of thirty-two miles per 　　 hour

C. In still air they would fall to earth. 　　 　　   

D. The earth's gravity has no effect on them.　　  　　 　　

(3) If air kept perfectly still for forty-eight hours, a cloud droplet would fall ________.　　

[    ]

A. 1/2 miles　　

B. 3/2 miles　　

C. 2 miles　　

D. 5/2 miles 　　

(4) What is the main topic of this passage? 

[    ]

A. Types of droplets　　　　　　 

B. Droplets and ice crystals　　 　　   

C. How gravity affects clouds　　

D. The cause of rain 　　

(5) According to the passage, which of the following is  not true?　　

[    ]

A. Cloud droplets can fall to earth as dust particles.  　　   

B. Though dust particles are very small, we can see them moving in the rays of sunlight. 　　   

C. Cloud droplets don't fall at all in moving air. 

D. If a cloud droplet grows to a size large enough, it will fall to earth. 

There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy, the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.

　　People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things. The pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine, the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend(or hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.

　　Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.

1.The phrase“sour the pleasure of society” most nearly means__________.

2.We can conclude from the passage that__________.

3.If such unhappy persons insist on keeping the habit, the author suggests that people should ______.

4.In this passage, the writer mainly________.

第三部分阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）

第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）

　　阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

　　JSC Boggs is an artist who makes money.To be exact,he draws money.In the United States he draws dollars,in Britain pounds and in France francs.Each are almost perfect reproductions,apart from the fact that he writes "Bank of Boggs" or another humorous message on them.

　　When Boggs goes shopping or for a meal,he offers "Boggs dollars" in the payment for what he wants.He also offers real money.It is up to the people selling the goods to take whichever they prefer.

　　When a shopkeeper or a restaurant owner takes a "Boggs dollar",he or she gives a receipt in return for the things bought.Boggs then sells the receipt at face value to art collectors.This is how he makes actual money for the times when people will not accept his drawings.

　　The collector uses the receipt to find the person holding the actual "Boggs dollar" and the two talk over what they think would be a fair price.This gives the shop or restaurant owner the chance to make another profit on the goods he or she sold to Boggs.It means Boggs actually gets paid for buying things.And it means that the collector has a unique work of art---each "Boggs dollar" is separately drawn.

　　Artists like to make us think.What Boggs wants us to think about is the nature of value and money. What is money really worth? Is value of money the same as personal value? Once "Boggs dollars " have been given away by the artist,they often continuew to circulate and grow on value A "Boggs one dollar bill" may have bought the artist a cup of coffee in New York.Now it may be worth a car or an expensive meal.It all depends on that value a person chooses to give it.

　　Money used to be worth a certain weight in gold or silver.Now it is just worth whatever the government or the banks.JSC Boggs is trying to start another type of money.People can choose "Boggs dolars" or not.And their value is up to whoever uses them.In a way,"Boggs dollars" are "people's money".

　　56.How much will Boggs get if he buys a cup of coffee with a "Boggs one dollar bill"?

　　　A.One dollar. B.More than one dollar.

　　　C.Less than one dollar. D.Much more than one dollar.

　　57.According to the text,the main difference between"value of money "and "personal value" is that ______.

　　　A.they rise or fall separately B.they refer to different people

　　　C.they are decided by different people D.they are decided by different banks

　　58.What does the writer mean by saying "Boggs dollars are people's money"?

　　　A.They are two different types of money.

　　　B.In fact they are not real money.

　　　C.People can share them and use them among themselves.

　　　D.People are free to use them and deck their value.

　　59.Choose the girht order in which Boggs gets paid.

　　　　a.He buys things with his dollars.

　　　　b.He sells the receipt to an art collector.

　　　　c.He araws dollars.

　　　　d.The art collector finds the shopkeeper to buy his dollars.

　　　　e.The shopkeeper gives him a receipt.

　　　A.c - a - e - b - d

　　　B.c - e - b - d - a

　　　C.e - c - b - d - a

　　　D.e - b - c - a - d

　Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious. In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for yeas. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.

　　The first kind of loneliness is temporary（暂时的）. This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result of a particular situation-for example, family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.

　　The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the second type, chronic（长期的）usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.

Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person's social contacts, e.g. friends, family members, co-workers, etc. we depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their popularity.

　　Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease. While temporary and situational loneliness can be normal, healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a sad, and sometimes dangerous condition.

How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?

　　A. Talk to friends              B. Just ignore it  

    C. Go to see a doctor      D. Ask your teachers for guidance

"It" in the last sentence of the second paragraph refers to _____.

　　A. temporary loneliness 　　    B. situational loneliness

　　C. a new place　　      D sleeplessness

The topic of the 4th paragraph is that____.

　　A. one problem of loneliness is a person's social contacts

　　B. we depend on various person for different reasons

　　C. lonely people don't have many social problems

　　D. lonely people don't have many friends

Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people?

　　A. Chronic loneliness can cause family problems　　 B. Chronic loneliness can cause serious illness

　　C. Chronic loneliness can not be overcome　　   D. A, B and C are all correct

What is the best title for the passage?

　　A. Three Kinds of Loneliness    B. Loneliness and Diseases

　　C. Loneliness and Social Contacts   D. Chronic Loneliness

Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general．Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?

Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian（百姓的）clothes．People have become conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform．The television repairman who wears uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes．Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform．What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a barber, or a waiter to lose professional identity（身份）than to step out of uniform?

　　Uniforms also have many practical benefits．They save on other clothes．They save on laundry bills．They are tax-deductible（可减税的）．They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.

　　Primary among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them．Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement．When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act similarly, on the job at least.

　　Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems．Though they are long-lasting, often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes．Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality _______.

　    A．still judge a man by his clothes

　    B．hold the uniform in such high regard

　    C．enjoy having a professional identity

　    D．will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform

People are accustomed to think that a man in uniform _______.

　    A．suggests quality work

　    B．discards his social identity

　    C．appears to be more practical

　    D．looks superior to a person in civilian clothes

The chief function of a uniform is to _______.

　    A．provide practical benefits to the wearer

　    B．make the wearer catch the public eye

       C．inspire the wearer’s confidence in himself

　    D．provide the wearer with a professional identity

The best title for this passage would be _______.

　    A．Uniforms and Society

　    B．The Importance of Wearing a Uniform

　    C．Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform

　    D．Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniforms