Americans who volunteer for the Peace Corps get a chance to help improve lives in developing countries. They also get a chance to learn more about the world, and about themselves. This week this program is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
President John Kennedy established the Peace Corps soon after he took office in 1961. It was the time of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The new program gave Americans a chance to answer the call to service that the president made in his inaugural(就职的)speech. “Ask not what your country can do for you,” he said. “Ask what you can do for your country.” Kennedy told Peace Corps volunteers that America’s image in the countries where they were going would depend largely on them.
On August 30th, 1961, the first group of 51 Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Accra, Ghana, to serve as teachers. They had agreed to work for almost no pay. They would spend two years in Ghana helping its people and learning the reality of life in a developing country. Most of the volunteers had just completed college. About half of them taught English or health care. In the 50 years since then, more than 200，000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers. They have worked in 139 countries.
The Peace Corps is a government agency that was created to promote world peace and friendship. There are three goals: First, to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Second, to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served. And, third. to help promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans.
Today, the Peace Corps has more than 8,000 volunteers and trainees in 77 countries. They work in agriculture, economic development, education, the environment and health care. Some work in programs related to youth development.
Sixty percent of current Peace Corps volunteers are women. The average age of a volunteer is 28. But the ages of Peace Corps volunteers range from 18 to 86. Some Americans join the Peace Corps after they retire. Today seven percent of volunteers are over the age of 50. And 19 percent are members of minority groups.
【小题1】Volunteers for the Peace Corps can _______.

Americans who volunteer for the Peace Corps get a chance to help improve lives in developing countries. They also get a chance to learn more about the world, and about themselves. This week this program is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

President John Kennedy established the Peace Corps soon after he took office in 1961. It was the time of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The new program gave Americans a chance to answer the call to service that the president made in his inaugural(就职的)speech. “Ask not what your country can do for you,” he said. “Ask what you can do for your country.” Kennedy told Peace Corps volunteers that America’s image in the countries where they were going would depend largely on them.

On August 30th, 1961, the first group of 51 Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Accra, Ghana, to serve as teachers. They had agreed to work for almost no pay. They would spend two years in Ghana helping its people and learning the reality of life in a developing country. Most of the volunteers had just completed college. About half of them taught English or health care. In the 50 years since then, more than 200，000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers. They have worked in 139 countries.

The Peace Corps is a government agency that was created to promote world peace and friendship. There are three goals: First, to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Second, to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served. And, third. to help promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans.

Today, the Peace Corps has more than 8,000 volunteers and trainees in 77 countries. They work in agriculture, economic development, education, the environment and health care. Some work in programs related to youth development.

Sixty percent of current Peace Corps volunteers are women. The average age of a volunteer is 28. But the ages of Peace Corps volunteers range from 18 to 86. Some Americans join the Peace Corps after they retire. Today seven percent of volunteers are over the age of 50. And 19 percent are members of minority groups.

1.Volunteers for the Peace Corps can _______.

A．improve their abilities by learning in some developed countries

B．travel to many foreign countries to learn more about the world

C．have an opportunity to help all the people in developing countries

D．contribute to lives in developing countries and develop themselves

2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?

A．Volunteers served as teachers to work for no pay in Accra, Ghana.

B．Kennedy established the Peace Corps before he took office in 1961.

C．Most of the volunteers of the first group had just graduated from college.

D．America’s image in the foreign countries depends completely on volunteers.

3.The fourth paragraph is mainly about _______.

A．what the Peace Corps is and its steps

B．why the Peace Corps was created and what are its goals

C．what role the Peace Corps play in daily life

D．How the Peace Corps was created and its aims

4.According to the text, volunteers and trainees assist in the following aspects EXCEPT _______.

A．industry           B．environment       C．education         D．health care

5.What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．Most of the volunteers for the Peace Corps are women.

B．Few minority groups joined the Peace Corps.

C．Half of the retired volunteers joined the Peace Corps.

D．People of different ages take an active part in the Peace Corps.

Tug-of –war is not only popular in China, but in many other countries. Their tug-of-war match is a little different from ours. They have eight men for each team, while we may have the match between two sides with equal men or women players. Of course, they are usually tall, strong and heavy.
For a tug-of-war match, we need a long thick rope. Each team stands at one end of the rope, holding it. Then they try to pull the center of the rope, marked in the ground towards each of their own sides. The team which succeeds in pulling the center of the rope away through a certain distance is the winner.
Many foreign sports experts think we don’t have to be tall, heavy and strong to play tug-of-war. We don’t have endless energy, for a match lasts only a few minutes. The secret is good hands. The players must have big strong, hard hands. Before they start the match they put mixture of oil and petrol on their hands so they can hold the rope better.
Many foreign experts say the best hand for tug-of-war belong to the sons of farmers. This is because they have to work hard when they are still very young. Farming is a good practice for this sport!

1. 1.

   In our country tug-of-war ______.
   

   1. A.
      is not very popular  
   2. B.
      is not so popular as in foreign countries
   3. C.
      is only a men’s game 
   4. D.
      is not only played by men but also by women
2. 2.

   In foreign countries a tug-of-war team __________.
   

   1. A.
      has eight men or women players
   2. B.
      has men players equal in number to the other side
   3. C.
      has eight men players
   4. D.
      is formed in the same way as in our country
3. 3.

   Tug-of-war is a match in which who __________ are winners.
   

   1. A.
      pulled the rope to their side farther
   2. B.
      made the center near to their own side
   3. C.
      succeeded in pulling the center of the rope in their direction
   4. D.
      made the center of the rope pass through a certain length nearer to their side
4. 4.

   The foreign experts think a good tug-of-war player must _________.
   

   1. A.
      have lasting energy 
   2. B.
      have big, strong and hard hands
   3. C.
      do farm work         
   4. D.
      be tall, heavy and strong
5. 5.

   Which of the following is not true?
   

   1. A.
      In foreign countries women take part in tug-of-war.
   2. B.
      In foreign countries a tug-of-war match has 16 players.
   3. C.
      In order to hold the rope better, many players put a mixture of oil and petrol on their hands.
   4. D.
      The sons of farmers are thought to be the best tug-of-war players.

Every country has its different customs when visiting other people's homes for a dinner party. It's important to know these before visiting a foreign country, so that you can avoid making embarrassing mistakes. Three people from different countries explain how to behave at a dinner party there.

Masako, Japan

The first thing to remember when visiting a Japanese home for dinner is that you should always dress correctly, as if going to the office. Casual wear is not appropriate. When you meet someone in Japan you should always bow. A deep bow is suitable for someone older or senior to you, while a short bow is suitable for younger people or your peers. Remember to take off your shoes when you enter the house. Always take a gift when you visit a Japanese home. Your host will expect it. It is important to arrive on time, and certainly not more than five minutes late. Don't sit down at the table until your host tells you where to sit. When you have finished eating and drinking, return your chopsticks to the chopstick rest, and do not finish your glass. If you do so, your host will pour more into the glass.

Mamadou, Senegal

Don't be surprised if there are only men or only women at your table when you go out to dinner in Senegal. Men and women sometimes eat separately in nay country. Wait until your host tells you where to sit. We normally sit on the floor to eat. First, everyone washes their hands in a washing basin. When the food comes it will be placed in front of you, and at first you will be offered food from the dishes by your host. Later you can serve yourself from the dishes, but make sure you do not lean over the food. Take food from the part of the bowl closest to you. Try a little of everything. It is polite to do so. Please make sure your feet do not touch the mat on which the food is placed.

Luis, Spain

Spanish dinner parties are great fun. We often start late in the evening and don't get up to leave until the small hours of the morning. I think you will enjoy going out to dinner in Spain. Firstly, never arrive on time. Fifteen or twenty minutes late is normal. Shake hands with your host, smile and look him in the eye. If he offers you a cup of coffee, be sure to accept it. Not to do so would be to reject your host' s kindness. A gift is not necessary, but will be welcomed. Food is served on individual plates, western-style, and is eaten with a knife and fork. Keep your hands where others can see them during the meal, but don' t put your elbows on the table. When you have finished, put your knife and fork at an angle on the plate. Try to finish your food if you can!

72. What is the purpose of the writer in writing this passage?

A. To introduce some customs in foreign countries.

B. To tell stories about three people at dinner parties.

C. To avoid making embarrassing mistakes when dining abroad.

D. To show the importance of cultural awareness when travelling abroad.

73. From Masako's explanation, we can know that in Japan _________.

A. young people bow not so deeply as older or senior people

B. old people don't have to bow to young people

C. young people do not bow deeply to those of the same age

D. all people should bow deeply to each other when they meet

74. Which of the following should a guest in Senegal do when the food is served?

A. Wait until the host asks him/her to eat.                  B. Don't eat until the host helps him/her.

C. Help himself/herself to anything he likes.              D. Eat up the food from the closest plate.

75. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The Japanese sit on the floor and eat in front of a mat.

B. The Senegalese sit on the floor and eat at a table.

C. The Spanish sit at a table and eat with chopsticks.

D. The Japanese sit at a table and eat with chopsticks.