Americans: Restless? Illiterate（文盲）？

    Americans are queer people; they can’t rest. They have more time, more leisure, shorter work hours, more holidays, and more vacations than any other people in the world. But they can’t rest. They rush up and down across their continent as tourists; they move about in great herds to conventions（大会）; they search the wilderness; they flood the mountains; they keep the hotels full. But they can’t rest. The scenery rushes past them. They learn it, but they don’t see it. Battles and monuments are announced to them on a tour bus. They hear them, but they don’t get them. They never stop moving; they rush up and down as Shriners, Masons, Old Graduates, Bankers—they are a new thing each day, always rushing to a reunion or something. So they go on rushing about till eventually the undertaker（殡葬工）gather them to a last convention.

    Americans are queer people; they can’t read. They have more schools, and better schools and spend more money on schools and colleges than all Europe. But they can’t read. They print more books in a year than the French print in ten. But they can’t read. They cover their country with one hundred thousand tons of Sunday newspapers every week. But they don’t read them. They’re too busy. They use them for fires and to make more paper with. They buy eagerly thousands of new novels at two dollars each. But they read only page one. Their streets are full of huge signs. They won’t look at them. Their streetcars are filled with advertising; they turn their eyes away. Transparent colors, cart wheels, and mechanical flares whirl and flicker in the crowded streets at night. No one sees them. Tons of letters pour into the mail boxes, through the houses, and down the garbage cans. No one reads them.

The underlined word“queer”mean _________________.  

 A. strange                   B. difficult                   C. forgetful                  D. friendly

According to the text, when do the Americans stop rushing about?

    A. When they are not allowed to.

    B. When they feel tired and sleepy.

C. When they stop breathing eventually.

    D. When they are seriously ill in bed.

The Americans know the places of battles and monuments ______________.

    A. by driving there in person

    B. when they are on the tour bus

    C. from books and magazines

    D. from their friends and co-workers

Why does the writer write this passage?

    A. To tell people the Americans are illiterate.

    B. To prove the Americans to be a queer nation.

    C. To make fun of the American way of life.

    D. To give the readers information about USA.

B

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60. What is special about Hotelopia?

A. Its destinations spread all over the world.   B. It provides the cheap food.

C. Its prices range from low to high.     D. It aims at attracting family holidays.

61. Janet is interested in environmental protection. She will most probably visit______

A. www.hoteiopia.co.uk             B. www.directholidays.co.uk

C. www.responsibletravel.com        D. www.virginholidays.co.uk

62. Sarah, who is fond of skiing, would like to take a trip. Maybe she can go to_______

A. Haven Holidays                  B. Hotelopia

C. Responsible Travel                D. Virgin Holidays

63. The passage is most probably taken from____________.

A. a website       B. a newspaper      C. a travel guide       D. a magazine

The new Sherlock Holmes film might inspire mystery fans to visit the scenes of the crime or, perhaps, places that inspire classic mysteries. Otto Penzler, owner of New York's Mysterious Bookshop and editor of The Best American Mystery Stories 2009, recommends for USA TODAY some spots to go undercover.
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, N.Y.
At this picturesque Hudson Valley Victorian resort, "Guests are divided into teams as they try to solve the mystery dramatization presented on opening night." Penzler says. An upcoming vampire-inspired weekend (March 12-14) is called Fangs for the Memories. "Many rooms have fireplaces, and the lake views will take away your breath." he says.
More info: 800-772-6646; mohonk.com
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
"You get a list of suspects when you check in for the interactive crime-solving weekend (Feb. 12-14)." Penzler says. Other than the "murders" that occur, the weather and surroundings make for a pleasant weekend. More info: 800 654-2924; KiawahResort.com
Poe Museum, Richmond, Va.
"The current exhibit here, Ratiocination: Poe the Detective, is about Poe's efforts to solve the real life murder of Mary Rogers in New York." Penzler says of the case that inspired Poe's story, The Mystery of Marie Roget. Poe spent a third of his life in Richmond. On display are his neatly written manuscripts, childhood bed and a lock of his hair. There is also a section about his mysterious death.
More info: 888-213-2763; poemuseum.org
Sherlock Holmes' ， London, England
In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes is a guided tour of sites related to "the greatest detective who ever lived. "Penzler says of the excursion that includes references to the new Sherlock Holmes movie. "The tour finishes up at the Sherlock Holmes Pub with its re-creation of Holmes and Dr. Watson's sitting room, complete with bullet holes, and letters pinned to the fireplace mantel with a knife."
Further enquiry: 020-7624-3978, walks.com
Grand Hotel, Torquay, England
The Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, spent her honeymoon at the hotel. "This lovely place offers bargain rates that include a boat ride on the River Dart to Greenaway and a house tour of the place where Dame Agatha lived for more than 20 years. It's a chance to enjoy a nostalgic look at another time.
60.Further enquiry: 800-005-3905, grandtorquay.co.uk/agathachristie.php
If you want to experience detective activities, you may log on_________  .
A. KiawahResort.com           B. Poemuseum.org
C. Walks.com                D. grandtorquay.co.uk.agathachristie.php
61.If you want to see some documents of real world murder you can visit__________.
A. Sherlock Holmes' London B. Kiawah Island Golf Resort
C. Poe Museum      D. Mohonk Mountain House
62.If you want to find some clues about a new detective film, you had best contact____for a tour.
A. 800 654 2924       B. 888-213-2763      C. 800-772-6646       D. 020-7624-3978

Americans: Restless? Illiterate(没文化的) ?

    Americans are queer people: they can’t rest. They have more time, more leisure, shorter work hours, more holidays, and more vacations than any other people in the world. But they can’t rest. They rush up and down across their continent as tourists; they move about in great herds to conferences; they search the wilderness; they flood the mountains; they keep the hotels full. But they can’t rest. The scenery rushes past them. They learn it. Battles and monuments are announced to them on a tour bus. They hear them, but they don’t get them. They never stop moving; they rush up and down as Shriners, Masons, Old Graduates, Bankers—they are a new thing each day, always rushing to a reunion or something. So they go on rushing about till eventually the undertaker (殡葬工) gather them to the grave.

    Americans are queer people: they can’t read. They have more schools, and better schools and spend more money on schools and colleges than all Europe. But they can’t read. They print more books in a year than the French print in ten. But they can’t read. They cover their country with one hundred thousand tons of Sunday newspapers every week. But they don’t read them. They’re too busy. They use them for fires and to make more paper with. They buy eagerly thousands of new novels at two dollars each. But they read only page one. Their streets are full of huge signs. They won’t look at them. Their streetcars are filled with advertising; they turn their eyes away. Transparent colors, cart wheels, and mechanical flares whirl and flicker in the crowded streets at night. No one sees them. Tons of letters pour into the mail boxes, through the houses, and down the garbage cans. No one reads them.

The underlined word “queer ” means ___________.

A. difficult    B. strange  C. forgetful    D. friendly

According to the text, when do the Americans stop rushing about ?

A. When they are to allowed to.     B. Where they feel tired and sleepy

C. When they are seriously ill in bed   D. When they stop breathing eventually

The Americans know the places of battles and monuments ___________.

A. when they are on the tour bus    B. by driving there in person

C. from books and magazines D. from their friends and co-workers

Why does the writer write this passage?

A. To tell people the Americans are illiterate

B. To prove the Americans to be a queer nation

C. To give the readers information about USA

D. To make fun of the American way of life

B
Safe  online  shopping  starts  here
If you’re looking for a travel or holiday shop or online travel agent, then look no further. Book a flight, holiday, hotel or car rental from our excellent travel section.
Hotelopia ★ ★ ★ ★ ★   
www.hotelopia.co.uk
Hotelopia offers both business and leisure（休闲）travelers accommodation from budget to five star at reduced rates (价格 ) at over 9,000 properties ( 庄园) in more than 500 destinations in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.
>> go to Hotelopia now
Haven Holidays ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
www.havenholidays.com
Haven Holidays offer a range of UK fun-filled family holidays and have 34 great parks in some of your favorite locations throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
>> go to Haven Holidays now
Direct Holidays ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
www.directholidays.co.uk
If you’re looking for late holiday deals or cheap holidays, then Direct Holidays is an ideal choice. Discount deals direct from the tour operator, meaning there’s no middleman, so you get the right holiday for less money.
>>go to Direct Holidays now
Responsible Travel  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
www.responsibletravel.com
Responsible Travel handpicks inspiring holidays from all over the globe. It helps local people to earn a fairer income from tourism, support local conservation and ensure that any negative environmental effects are reduced.
>> go to Responsible Travel now
Virgin Holidays ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
www.virginholidays.co.uk
Virgin Holidays offer holidays to mainland USA, Canada, the Caribbean, the Far East, South Africa, the Middle East, Indian Ocean, Mauritius, New Zealand and Australia. They also have a well-established ski program.
>> go to Virgin Holidays now
60. What is special about Hotelopia?
A. Its destinations spread all over the world.   B. It provides the cheap food.
C. Its prices range from low to high.     D. It aims at attracting family holidays.
61. Janet is interested in environmental protection. She will most probably visit______
A. www.hoteiopia.co.uk             B. www.directholidays.co.uk
C. www.responsibletravel.com        D. www.virginholidays.co.uk
62. Sarah, who is fond of skiing, would like to take a trip. Maybe she can go to_______
A. Haven Holidays                  B. Hotelopia
C. Responsible Travel                D. Virgin Holidays
63. The passage is most probably taken from____________.
A. a website       B. a newspaper      C. a travel guide       D. a magazine