Navigation computers, now sold by most car-makers, cost $2,000 and up. No surprise, then, that they are most often found in luxury cars, like Lexus, BMW and Audi. But it is a developing technology—meaning prices should eventually drop—and the market does seem to be growing.

Even at current prices, a navigation computer is impressive. It can guide you from point to point in most major cities with precise turn-by-turn directions—spoken by a clear human-sounding voice, and written on a screen in front of the driver.

The computer works with an antenna(天线) that takes signals from no fewer than three of the 24 global positioning system(GPS) satellites. By measuring the time required for a signal to travel between the satellites and the antenna, the car’s location can be noted down within 100 meters.

The satellite signals, along with inputs on speed from a wheel-speed sensor and direction from a meter, determine the car’s position even as it moves. This information is combined with a map database. Streets, landmarks and points of interest are included.

Most systems are basically identical. The differences come in hardware—the way the computer accepts the driver’s request for directions and the way it presents the driving instructions. On most systems, a driver enters a desired address, motorway junction or point of interest via a touch screen or disc. But the Lexus screen goes a step further: you can point to any spot on the map screen and get directions to it.

BMW’s system offers a set of cross hairs(瞄准器上的十字纹) that can be moved across the map (you have several choices of map scale) to pick a point you’d like to get to. Audi’s screen can be switched to TV reception.

Even the voices that recite the directions can differ, with better systems like BMW’s and Lexus’s having a wider vocabulary. The instructions are available in French, German, Spanish, Dutch and Italian, as well as English. The driver can also choose parameters for determining the route: fastest, shortest or no freeways (高速公路), for example.

46. We learn from the passage that navigation computers______ .

A. will greatly promote sales of automobiles

B. may help solve potential traffic problems

C. are likely to be accepted by more drivers

D. will soon be viewed as a symbol of luxury

47. With a navigation computer, a driver will easily find the best route to his destination_______ .

    A. by inputting the exact address

B. by indicating the location of his car

C. by checking his computer database

D. by giving vocal orders to the computer

48. Despite their varied designs, navigation computers used in cars______.

A. are more or less the same price

B. provide directions in much the same way

C. work on more or less the same principles

D. receive instructions from the same satellites

49. The navigation computer functions _______.

A. by means of a direction finder and a speed detector

B. basically on satellite signals and a map database

??   C. mainly through the reception of turn-by-turn directions

    D. by using a screen to display satellite signals

50. The navigation systems in cars like Lexus, BMW and Audi are mentioned to show______ .

A. the immaturity of the new technology

B. the superiority of the global positioning system

C. the cause of price change in car equipment

D. the different ways of providing guidance to the driver

C

Conjoined twins lead separate but active lives.

Lori and Reba have never been alone and they want to keep it that way.

The 40-year-old conjoined twins in Pennsylvania,US,have read about others locked together by an accident of birth who have been medically separated.But they insist only death can part them.

“We’ve never imagined a life divided,”Lori said.

Lori and Reba are joined together at the side of their heads,facing in opposite directions.Their blood supply is partly linked,but each has a separate brain.

Reba suffers from a disease which has left her completely dependent on her sister.

Lori wheels her everywhere they go in different professional directions.Lori worked in a laundry room at a hospital for six years before giving that up to allow Reba to try to become a country singer.

Her first song is called “The Fear of Being Alone”,which was inspired by Reba and Lori’s desire for togetherness.

Reba’s career has taken her across the United States,Europe and parts of Asia.

While the twins receive some money from the government,the earning from Reba’s concerts go to AIDS and cancer charities(慈善机构).

The sisters have set goals for themselves.Reba looks forward to a successful career as a country singer,while Lori says she hopes to get married and have children.Lori said,”So when it comes,it comes.Meanwhile,I live wonderfully from day to day.”

46.When Lori said “We’ve never imagined a life divided”,she meant that      .

A.they don’t wish to be made separate        

B.they think their case is beyond medical help

C.independent life would be too good to think of 

D.they would die once separated

47.By leading separate lives,the topic means that       .

A.either of the two can look after herself   B.the twins do different things

C.they face in opposite directions         D.they are no longer conjoined now

48.When Reba gives performances as a country singer,Lori       .

A.works in a hospital                   B.continues her college education

C.brings up her children      D.looks after her sister

49.The twins lead active lives because they       .

A.are tired of staying at home doing nothing 

B.need more money  

C.want to prove themselves as useful citizens

D.have to earn their own bread

50.From the last paragraph we can understand that Lori       .

A.thinks it’s too late for her to have children 

B.is sure she’ll get married and have children

C.prefers to have things go naturally     

D.would rather not change her way of life

To Whom It May Concern:

      On March 5, 2012 , I bought a Perfect Muffin Kit(松饼粉 ) from your store at Midfield Shopping Center. The cashier who assisted me was George. George was very friendly and told me that the Perfect Muffin Kit would live up to the guarantee on the box: “Perfect Muffins Every Time!”.

      Unfortunately, this product did not live up to what it promised . The muffins I made were far from perfect . I followed the directions in the package very carefully . First , I removed the bag of mix from the box. Then , I poured it into a bowl. Next, I added the correct amount of water to the mix and stirred it. According to the directions, after stirring the mixture , I added half a cup of dried prapes, nuts , berries, or another favorite ingredient(配料 ) . My favorite ingredient happens to be hot sauce (沙司 ). I find that a bit of hot sauce makes pizza and soup taste very delicious. So, continuing to follow the directions, I added half a cup of hot sauce to the mix and stirred it. Finally, I poured the mix into muffin tins and baked it in the baker at 350 degrees for exactly 20 minutes.

When the muffins finished baking, I was very excited to eat the “Perfect Muffins” as promised on the box. You can imagine my disappointment when, upon tasting the muffins, I discovered that they were not perfect. These muffins were , in fact , absolutely terrible. Not even my dog was interested in eating these supposedly “perfect” muffins.

 I would appreciate a full refund(退款 ) of $3.99 for this product as soon as possible. Enclosed are the receipt, the empty box, and one of the un-perfect muffins so that you can experience it for yourself . Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely ,

Michelle Bauer

1.This letter is most likely addressed to _______.

A. a local storeowner                  

B. the owner of the muffin mix company

C. the clerk at a local muffin bakery      

D. George, the cashier who sold the muffin mix

2.The tone(语气 ) of the author can best be described as ________.

A. embarrassed           B. hopeless         

C. disappointed        D. disgusted

3.the author was unhappy with the product because________.

A. the directions of the product contained a mistake

B. it was not up to the promise made on the box

C. it was too difficult to follow the directions

D. it was worth less money than she paid for it

4.The author’s main purpose in writing this letter is to ________.

A. prevent others from making the same mistake

B. persuade the company to change the wording on their box

C. get back all the money paid from the shop

D. complain about how bad the muffins tasted

You may think that sailing is a difficult sport, but it is really not hard to learn it. You do not need to be strong. But you need to be quick. And you need to understand a few basic rules about the wind.
First, you must ask yourself, “Where is the wind coming from? Is it coming from ahead or behind or from the side?” You must think about this all the time on the boat. The wind direction tells you what to do with the sail.
Let’s start with the wind blowing from the behind. This means the wind and the boat are going in the same direction. Then you must always keep the sail outside the boat. It should be at a 90° angle (角度) to the boat. Then it will catch the wind best.
If the wind is blowing from the side, it is blowing across the boat. In this case, you must keep the sail half way outside the boat. It should be at a 45° angle to the boat. It needs to be out far enough to catch the wind, but it shouldn’t flap (摆动). It shouldn’t look like on a flagpole. If it is flapping, it is probably out too far, and the boat will slow down.
Sailing into the wind is not possible. If you try, the sail will flap and the boat will stop. You may want to go in that direction. It is possible, but you can’t go in a straight line. You must go first in one direction and then in another. This is called tacking. When you are tacking, you must always keep the sail inside the boat.
【小题1】What should you consider first while sailing?

第二节 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36~55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
Children with learning disabilities (LD) often have problems. For many, strong feelings of 36 , anger, sadness, or shame can lead to  37  difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. These problems can be far more than the academic challenges themselves.
Several leading experts in the field of LD have offered  38   to parents on ways to help  39   their children from these problems.
To be most effective in supporting your child,   40   can help to understand some underlying(not easily noticed)  41  for the psychological and emotional challenges he(she) may   42 .
First, it is not difficult to see   43  children with LD are at greater risk for developing psychological difficulties  44   one considers the repeated failure they experience as they   45  their way through the educational system, which may misunderstand or ignore their needs.   46  their efforts to "try harder," children with LD may receive little   47   feedback. Their academic struggles and failures are often met with   48  by teachers, peers, and parents. Such disapproval can take the form of negative labeling of a child as "slow," "lazy," or "dumb."  49   developing a sense of pride in their accomplishments, children with LD may   50   in frustration and shame. Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence only further   51  with learning and academic success.
The second reason is the   52   difficulties they often experience. Research indicates that as many as 75% of kids with LD have such difficulties as making and keeping friends. Children with learning disabilities are less   53  , and often rejected by their peers. Teachers and other adults also may   54  to have negative views of children with learning disabilities. Such social rejection can result in loss of self-esteem and feelings of loneliness, which,   55  , may lead to psychological difficulties such as anxiety and depression.
36. A. frustration                  B. excitement                C. surprise                    D. curiosity
37. A. academic                   B. cultural                    C. physical                   D. psychological
38. A. help                          B. suggestions            C. chances                    D. comments
39. A. prevent                      B. protect                            C. prohibit                   D. persuade
40. A. they                          B. parents                     C. it                             D. experts
41. A. excuses                      B. opinions                   C. directions                 D. reasons
42. A. expect                       B. imagine                    C. face                       D. ignore
43. A. why                          B. where                      C. which                      D. when
44. A. unless                        B. though                            C. if                            D. because
45. A. feel                           B. find                         C. change                            D. fight
46. A. Without                            B. Despite                    C. Through                   D. Due to
47. A. positive                            B. negative                   C. subjective                 D. sensitive
48. A. support                      B. sympathy                 C. disapproval               D. complaint
49. A. Other than                 B. Rather than               C. More than                D. Less than
50. A. stay up                      B. turn up                        C. pick up                    D. end up
51. A. compare                       B. mix                         C. interfere                   D. compete
52. A. social                        B. economic                 C. technical                  D. learning
53. A. invited                       B. accepted                   C. criticized                 D. impressed
54. A. tend                          B. wait                         C. manage                    D. desire
55. A. in general                  B. in particular                 C. in total                    D. in turn