February has long been a month of romance. With the sweet smell of roses in the air romantic films hit cinemas and love stories fill newspapers and magazines. On the 14th day, it is a custom for a boy to take his girlfriend out to dinner, buy her flowers and chocolates, write poems, sing to her or even spell out her name with rose petals! This is what you see on Valentine’s Day, a day named after Valentine who was a priest in the third century Rome. When the emperor (皇帝) decided that single men could become better soldiers than those with wives, he didn’t allow marriage.

But Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, the emperor sentenced him to death. While in prison, it is said that Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his prison guard. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine”, an expression that is still in use today. Valentine died for what he believed in and so he was made a Saint (圣徒), as well as becoming one of history’s most romantic characters.

Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is also popular among Chinese young people. Some students are planning to make Valentine’s cards for parents, teachers and friends. Others want to hold parties at which they will exchange small gifts and eat heart-shaped cakes. The idea is to have fun and encourage people to share in the spirit of St. Valentine.

Why did the emperor in Rome not allow marriage in his country?

    A. Because there were few women in his country at that time.

B. Because he thought men without wives could be better soldiers.

C. Because there wasn’t enough food for so many people.

D. Because he wanted to control the birth rate.

Valentine was put into prison because ______.

A. he killed one of the soldiers 

B. he stole a lot of food

C. he didn’t obey the emperor’s order   

D. he didn’t want to be a soldier

. The last paragraph mainly tells us ______.

A. students in China send cards to their teachers

B. it is a good idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

C. it is interesting to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

D. Valentine’s Day is also popular in China now

II、阅读（共两节，满分50分）
第一节阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A teenage girl is fighting for her life today after being struck by lightning as severe thunderstorms swept across Britain. The girl was one of four teenage girls from London who were hit by lightning in the Parade Ground area of Hyde Park during a storm. Earlier, Joseph Wharton, 14, died as he was struck by lightning while camping in his friend’s backyard in the West Midlands.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said the girl remained in serious condition at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. She had stopped breathing by the time the first paramedic (护理人员) arrived on the scene just two minutes after the strike at 5:40 p.m. yesterday.
The other three girls hit by the bolt all had injuries, and were taken to University College Hospital. Their conditions were not serious, the spokesman added.
The strike lifted the girls into the air and then dropped them to the ground, a witness reported.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said paramedics risked their lives to treat the girls. “The storm was still overhead and lightning was still coming down while they were treating the patients,” he said. “All staff involved acted very professionally in providing fast treatment to these patients in very difficult circumstances.” Scotland Yard said the incident was being looked into by officers from the Royal Parks’ Operational Command Unit.
Joseph Wharton of Byland Way, Bloxwich, was hit during the extended thunderstorm which struck the region yesterday morning. He was pronounced dead at Walsall Manor Hospital.
He had been sleeping in a tent while staying with school friend Michael Lees at a house on nearby Cresswell Crescent.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said paramedics were called at 7:50 a.m. and unsuccessful attempts were made to revive（使苏醒）the sports-mad teenager. A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said four or five people die each year as a result of lightning strikes in the UK.
26、All four girls________.
A. were killed by the lightning                B. were seriously injured
C. were being treated at the same hospital   D. were lifted up and dropped to the ground
27、The underlined word “bolt” probably means “________”.
A. thunder             B. rain                  C. storm                      D. lightning
28、Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The boy was killed after the four girls had been hit.
B. The paramedics began to treat the girls after taking them to the hospital.
C. First-aid was given to the girls during the storm.
D. The boy was hit by lightning in the Parade Ground area of Hyde Park.
29、It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A. many British people die from lightning strikes every year
B. the writer blames the government for the accident
C. the paramedics could also have been hit by lightning while aiding the girls
D. Joseph had been playing in the open air before the strike
30、This passage is probably taken from a ________.
A. magazine       B. newspaper   C. science fiction    D. weather report

第二节：完形填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）

请认真阅读下面各题，从题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

The Conservative Party leader David Cameron has been elected British Prime Minister. Labor Party’s Gordon Brown, the   36   Prime Minister, had to   37   the tears as he said his goodbyes outside of 10 Downing St. And Cameron is the youngest UK prime minister in almost 200 years.

According to electoral rules, the leader of the party that wins a majority in Parliament becomes the new prime minister and forms the new government. If no party wins a majority, a coalition (联合) government   38   several parties may be formed. The head of the coalition party that   39   most seats in parliament probably becomes the new prime minister.

In Britain’s May 6 parliamentary   40  , Cameron’s Conservative Party won the most seats, but did not get a majority. After negotiations, with an agreement   41   between the Conservatives and the third-placed Liberal Democrats, a governing coalition was formed. [来源:ZXXK]

Cameron has grown   42   a shy primary school student with   43   school reports into a famous political   44  . He is reportedly a   45   of King William IV (1765 –1837). Cameron studied at the elite Eton College, for centuries the school   46   the choice for the nation’s wealthiest people to send their male children to. He went   47   to Oxford University, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics.

Once at primary school, Cameron had the poorest school report in the class. At Eton, Cameron was a problem boy. In 1983, he was suspected of taking drugs. He was punished, and   48   ordered to copy 500 lines of Latin text. He   49   the incident and worked harder.

Cameron was very   50   at Oxford. He captained the tennis team there. He was a member of a dining society. After graduation, he   51   politics. In 2001 Cameron became a member of Parliament and in 2005, at the age of 38, was elected the leader of the Conservative Party.

Now he has been elected the head of a country   52   deep economic troubles. At least 1.3 million people have been   53   in the serious financial crisis. British voters will be looking to see   54   the program his party has proposed to deal with the problem   55   do anything to help.

36. A. latest                                 B. current                          C. former                             D. latter

37. A. hold back                          B. hold off                            C. hold on                            D. hold out

38. A. is made up of                   B. consisting of                  C. is composed of              D. makes up of

39. A. holds                                  B. takes                               C. includes                          D. contains

40. A. selection                           B. election                           C. conference                     D. negotiation

41. A. reached                             B. arriving at                      C. coming to                       D. establishing

42. A. with                                    B. of                             C. from                                 D. for

43. A. excellent                           B. poor                                 C. average                          D. outstanding

44. A. people                               B. character                       C. image                              D. figure

45. A. son                                     B. grandson                        C. relative                           D. descendent

46. A. is                                        B. has been                         C. had been                        D. being

47. A. on                                       B. up                                     C. down                               D. out

48. A. otherwise                         B. therefore                        C. nevertheless                 D. however

49. A. survived from                  B. recovered from             C. benefited from              D. changing from

50. A. silent                                  B. positive                           C. active                              D. enthusiastic

51. A. took to                               B. toot after                       C. took off                           D. took over

52. A. faced                                  B. facing with                     C. faced with                      D. faces

53. A. laid off                               B. laid down                        C. laid aside                        D. laid out

54. A. that                                    B. what                                C. if                                       D. how

55. A. can                                     B. should                            C. must                                D. need

第二节：以下是五个应聘者的信息。请阅读A至F职位招聘的信息，选出符合他们要求的最佳选项。选项中有一项是多余选项。(答案写在答题卷上)

Elizabeth Nagata.

 Elizabeth once studied in a secretarial program when she was at university. She has worked in Sumitomo Corporation as an executive assistant for eight years.

James Florian.

James once worked as a salesperson and served as the director of new home sales in both Forest Lakes and Glenmore for three years. He can speak excellent German and English, and he is very good at dealing with people.

Arthur Smith.

Arthur, a 22-year-old boy, has just graduated from college. He’s got a diploma in Library Technician Program. Wishing to have some free time, he doesn’t want to work full time.

Gillian Anderson.

Gillian graduated from the University of Manchester and got a Master’s Degree in Library Science five years ago. As soon as she left school, she worked in St. Bride Printing Library as a librarian. Now she is skilled in dealing with almost everything in the library system.

.Jerome Fingelhamm.

Jerome, aged 32, majored in computer science when he was at university. He has worked in a software company for six years and is an expert at both software and hardware. He got a driver’s license when he was eighteen years old.

Sales Executive

We are looking for intelligent sales staff for our ever-growing team. Applicants must have at least one year sales experience, knowledge of English language publications and media, good English and social skills.

B. Executive Assistant Vancouver

Island Regional Library (VIRL) has an opportunity for an executive assistant. A diploma in Business Administration or a secretarial program is needed. A minimum (最小值) of five years’ experience as an executive assistant to an executive director is required.

C. Reference Specialist

You’re responsible for providing support for reference services in the library system. The successful applicant must have a Master’s Degree in Library Science and a minimum of three years’ experience as a professional librarian.

D. Library Technician

We need a part-time library technician. Your position is responsible for library cataloging (编目录), binding, ordering publications, assisting in legal research. Both technical and reference services are required. The successful applicant should have a Library Technician diploma (文凭).

E. Circulation Director(发行总监)

We are looking for a circulation director. The successful applicant must have good managing skills, including the ability to assign tasks to ensure the work of the circulation department is done to the highest standard. A sales experience of at least ten years is needed.

F. Computer & Network Assistant

This position is responsible for the activities related to the use of automated (自动化的) systems. Duties include installing (安装), repairing and updating software and hardware. A driver’s license is necessary.

NEW YORK (AP) — The investigation into the disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz has gone through decades and countries, from basements to rooftops and seemingly everywhere in between.

No one has ever been charged criminally — and the little boy with sandy brown hair and a toothy grin was declared dead in 2001.

This week, the six-year-old boy who went missing from the Soho area of New York City in 1979 is back in the news. Police and the FBI are investigating a possible lead into the 33-year-old case of Etan Patz, the first missing child to appear on the side of a milk box.

The child disappeared on the way to school on the morning of May 25, 1979. It was the first time he was allowed to walk the two blocks to the bus stop alone.

A tip seemed to have led officials to the basement of a building on the corner of Prince and Wooster streets, about a block and a half from where Etan had lived with his family.

The name Etan Patz has become a hot topic on Twitter as people weigh in on the case. Shirley Brady noted: “As mom to a 6 years old in Soho, it’s still held out by locals as cautionary tale (警示故事).” Another wrote, “Boy who disappeared on his way to school in 1979 has been REOPENED! Crazy.” One wondered, “Why is FBI and NYPD searching for a kid that disappeared in 1979?”

Good question. This is a case that Stuart Gra Bois, as an assistant U.S. lawyer under Rudolph Giuliani, followed for years. It became the most famous missing-person case in New York City, turned a nationwide spotlight on missing children, and created headlines around the globe. No one was ever stated guilty of the crime.

The case led to the creation of National Missing Children’s Day, marked on May 25, the day the blond-haired, blue-eyed child went missing.

The case has even pointed to a suspect, charged with child molester (猥亵者) Julio Antonio Ramos, who is currently in prison. Patz’s babysitter had been dating the man, and Ramos did know the kid, but has denied taking him away.

New evidence in the case suggests another suspect who lived in the apartment at the time: a local handyman named Othniel Miller, who gave Etan $1 for helping him the night before the disappearance.

The man’s name had come up in an earlier investigation, but he was a friend of the Patz family, and the NYPD did not follow the lead.

Investigators plan to be at the site, 127 B Prince St., which is now a Lucky Brand jeans store, for the next two to three days to search for human remains. The Associated Press reports that the excavation (挖掘) has been the result of a recently ordered review of the case by Manhattan’s police. 

1.We can learn from the first three paragraphs that ________.

A．The 6-year-old missing boy was found by the side of a milk box

B．Police and the FBI have not been following the case of Etan Patz for 33 years

C．The investigation into the disappearance of boy has worked fruitlessly for decades

D．Etan Patz went missing from the Soho area of New York city in 1979 and died in 2001

2.What does the underlined phrase “weigh in on the case” mean?

A．ignore the case                         B．feel stressed on the case

C．reopen the case                        D．begin to discuss the case

3.What was a possible cause of reopening the case of Etan Patz?

A．Local lawyers strongly demanded the reopening of the case.

B．The Associated Press reported the result of the review of the case.

C．New evidence appeared which led officials to the basement of a building.

D．Local people realized the importance of the case without criminal being charged.

4.Which of the following statements is true in the text?

A．The National Missing Children’s Day was created on May 25, 1979.

B．The search for human remains will be carried out at 127 B Prince Street.

C．The NYPD didn’t follow the lead of Julio Antonio for he had been dating Patz’ babysitter.

D．Othniel Miller, a local handyman assisted Etan and gave him $1 before the disappearance.

5.We can learn from the passage that ________.

A．People air the same view about the case on the Internet

B．People reject the reopening of the case of the missing boy

C．The missing-person case still has a long-lasting influence on people

D．Twitter is the only place for people to discuss about missing-person cases