Because of the stress and strains of modern life folks today would rather watch television than get together with neighbors. Their behavior doesn't mirror TV soaps like Coronation Street and East Enders.?

The Street's Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby know all their neighbors. But the Royal Mail survey shows that real-life under?35s wouldn't dream of popping next door for a chat or to borrow a cup of sugar.?

Three out of ten say they wouldn't know their neighbors if they saw them in the street. The same proportion would only offer to help neighbors if absolutely necessary, while thirty-one? ?percent? don't want to get to know them better. Twenty-six percent rarely or never speak to the person next door. Thirty-five percent only talk to neighbors occasionally, and six percent actively dislike them. The older generation are still sociable, with seventy percent of over?55s ?taking? time to chat to people next door. The report says: “In the past, the British tradition of village green gossip（闲聊）between neighbors was celebrated worldwide. But there's been a clear shift away from local links by the young generation.” Londoners are least likely to be neighbors, with a third rarely or never chatting over the garden fence. People in the Midlands—where 65 percent often speak to their neighbors are most friendly.?

Sociologist Jane Blakeman said: “People are working longer hours than ever before, and are traveling further to work. It leaves them far less time at home.”?

Almost a third of young people_______.?

A. know their neighbours quite well?

B. have no idea who lives next door to them ?

C. talk to their neighbours when they want to borrow something?

D. spend time chatting with neighbours like their parents?

It can be inferred that Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby are both_______.?

A. important roles in a popular TV series

B. famous stars in TV programmes?

C. old soap operas

D. members of royal family?

Gossip among neighbours is still common among_______.?

A. people under?35s    B. people between 35 and 55?

C. people over?55s      D. people of different ages?

There is a difference between London and the rest of Britain mainly in that non-Londoners

_______.?

A. would help their neighbours only when necessary?

B. are less likely to have good relations with their neighbours ?

C. wouldn't travel far and find more time to chat with neighbours?

D. are more likely to keep up the old British tradition of having a chat over garden fence

Because of the stress and strains of modern life folks today would rather watch television than get together with neighbors. Their behavior doesn't mirror TV soaps like Coronation Street and East Enders.?
The Street's Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby know all their neighbors. But the Royal Mail survey shows that real-life under?35s wouldn't dream of popping next door for a chat or to borrow a cup of sugar.?
Three out of ten say they wouldn't know their neighbors if they saw them in the street. The same proportion would only offer to help neighbors if absolutely necessary, while thirty-one??percent? don't want to get to know them better. Twenty-six percent rarely or never speak to the person next door. Thirty-five percent only talk to neighbors occasionally, and six percent actively dislike them. The older generation are still sociable, with seventy percent of over?55s ?taking? time to chat to people next door. The report says: “In the past, the British tradition of village green gossip（闲聊）between neighbors was celebrated worldwide. But there's been a clear shift away from local links by the young generation.” Londoners are least likely to be neighbors, with a third rarely or never chatting over the garden fence. People in the Midlands—where 65 percent often speak to their neighbors are most friendly.?
Sociologist Jane Blakeman said: “People are working longer hours than ever before, and are traveling further to work. It leaves them far less time at home.”?

1. 1.

   Almost a third of young people_______.?

   1. A.
      know their neighbours quite well?
   2. B.
      have no idea who lives next door to them ?
   3. C.
      talk to their neighbours when they want to borrow something?
   4. D.
      spend time chatting with neighbours like their parents?
2. 2.

   It can be inferred that Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby are both_______.?

   1. A.
      important roles in a popular TV series
   2. B.
      famous stars in TV programmes?
   3. C.
      old soap operas
   4. D.
      members of royal family?
3. 3.

   Gossip among neighbours is still common among_______.?

   1. A.
      people under?35s
   2. B.
      people between 35 and 55?
   3. C.
      people over?55s
   4. D.
      people of different ages?
4. 4.

   There is a difference between London and the rest of Britain mainly in that non-Londoners
   _______.?

   1. A.
      would help their neighbours only when necessary?
   2. B.
      are less likely to have good relations with their neighbours ?
   3. C.
      wouldn't travel far and find more time to chat with neighbours?
   4. D.
      are more likely to keep up the old British tradition of having a chat over garden fence

What is red but green, open but closed and old but new?

    The answer is: London’s new double-decker（双层）buses.

    Red double-deckers are a symbol of the city. Their status was sealed (确定) in 2008 when one bus made the longer-than-usual trip to Beijing to collect a special passenger: the Olympic Flame.

On November 11, a life-size model of the new bus was shown to the media. The Guardian reported that the new design shares some of the features of the much-missed double-decker Routemaster bus. The original Routemaster was introduced in 1956 but December 2005 saw the end of the old bus’s general service. It was because the bus was difficult for some passengers to use and not environmentally friendly. But it can still be seen on two heritage routes in the city.

Its replacements —boxy, modern double—deckers—have failed to win Londoners’ affection.

London mayor Boris Johnson told the BBC that the new buses were “a combination of nostalgia（怀旧）and the latest technology”. “Standing on the back platform of this bus brings a sense of nostalgia but also shows the best part of the latest technology and design, making this bus fit for the 21st Century,” he said.

The new bus also returns to the driver—and—conductor model—a key feature of the original version. It will be quieter than the old type and have a platform offering passengers the traditional hop—on hop—off service.

The first five new buses will be seen on the roads by early 2012.

1.Which of the following shows that red double—deckers are a symbol of London?

    A．They have a long history and are seen everywhere in London.

    B．They have nothing in common with the traditional Routemaster bus.

    C．One such bus went from London to Beijing to collect the Olympic Flame.

    D．They carried British athletes from London to attend the Beijing Olympics.

2.Which of the following is true of the original Routemaster?

    A．The bus came into use in the 1960s.

    B．The bus was banned because it was harmful to the environment.

    C．Passengers didn’t like the bus because it was slow.

    D．Visitors to London cannot see such buses on the roads any more.

3.According to London mayor Boris Johnson, the new Routemaster          .

    A．has not been as well received as was expected

    B．will be widely used in London in 2012

    C．is the most environmentally friendly bus in the UK

    D．combines the latest technology with key traditional features

4.What is the characteristic of the new red double – deckers?

    A．The buses will make no noises.

    B．The buses will have no conductors.

    C．They will be equipped with air – conditioning.

    D．The bus platform will offer passengers a traditional service.

______Bree is a middle-aged lady. She doesn’t like the contemporary styles but prefers clothes of older fashion.

______ Margaret is an office clerk and doesn’t earn a high salary. She wants to buy some ordinary but up-to-date clothes at an acceptable price.

______ . Alice, a young housewife, is now planning a family party. She would like to buy something in preparation for the dinner.

_____ Peter is a sales manager in an international company. He is a fan of fashion and favors French designs.

______ . Richard is a young engineer working at a hi-tech company. He would like to visit some places specializing in men’s clothes.

Abraham & Strauss, more familiarly known as A & S, is a busy store which carries reasonably — priced ready — to make adults and children wear fashions. It is the centerpiece of the largest mall in Manhattan.

Barney’s New York is a favorite among the young professional New Yorkers. It specializes in excellent, but expensive designer clothes. A branch for men is located in the glittering World Financial Center.

Berdorf Goodman is luxurious, very elegant. It carries top-quality contemporary fashions at high prices, specializing in European designers.

Lord & Taylor is famous for its classic and much more conservative fashions for men and women. The store places an emphasis on US designers. You need a strong pair of legs, comfortable shoes and lots of spare time to wander around.

John Lewis has a gorgeous selection of fabrics and haberdashery(男子服饰). Its china, glass and household items make John Lewis, and its well-known partner, Peter Johns, equally popular with Londoners.

The king of London department stores, by tradition, is Harrods. The spectacular food hall has splendid displays of fish, cheese, fruit and vegetables; other specialties include fashions for all ages, china and glass, and household items.

E
Britain’s 101-year-old Queen Mother , who died on March 30 , was famous for never giving interviews . However , her few publicized comments showed humor , a strong will and love for life .
In the 1920s , many men wanted to marry lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon . She only agreed to marry the future King George Ⅵ when he got down on bended knee for a third time to ask her . But she never forgave her brother Edward Ⅷ for stepping down from the throne（王位）in 1936 to marry divorced（离婚）woman Wallis Simpson . This meant that her shy husband became king. “Those last few days were like sitting on the edge of a volcano,” she said of the crisis.
The Queen Mother’s most famous role in British life was to try to boost（提高）Londoners’ morale（士气）during the World War II bombing（轰炸）, especially in the hardest-hit East End of London. When Buckingham Palace（白金汉宫）was hit by a bomb in 1940 , she said , “ I am glad we have been bombed . It makes me feel I can look the East End（people）in the face . ”
Famously , she refused suggestions that she and her children，the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret , should seek refuge（寻求避难）in Canada until the end of the war . “ The children won’t go without me , I won’t leave the king and the king will never go . ” she declared . “ I should die if I had to leave . ”
After better times returned，her love of expensive parties and high life continued，well into her old age . Her bank overdraft（透支）reached 4 million pounds .
She enjoyed fishing until well into her 80s but once choked（噎住）on a fishbone . After doctors removed the bone , she joked , “ After all these years of fishing , the fish are having their revenge（报复）. ”
In the end, she outlived the 20th century with energy and enthusiasm. “I love life, that’s my secret,” she told a friend when she was in her 80s . In a television interview last week, her grandson Prince Charles said, “She saw the funny side of life and we laughed until we cried.”
Hundreds of people have signed books of condolence（哀悼）across the country , including former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher .
“She loved her country and in return her country loved her.” said Prime Minister Tony Blair.
72. The Queen Mother refused to seek refuge in Canada with her children because       .
A. she didn’t think it safe to stay in Canada
B. she wasn’t willing to go without her husband
C. she hoped to boost Londoners’ morale
D. she wanted to earn good fame through the war
73. When Queen Mother went into her old age, she______.
A. was tired of peaceful life
B. began to show interest in fishing
C. was very luxury（奢侈）
D. looked down upon many things people had done
74. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. George VI became king of Britain when his wife was in her late thirties.
B. Queen Mother hadn’t expected her husband to become a king.
C. Buckingham Palace was burned to the ground during the World War II . 
D. Queen Mother showed bravery in face of the World War II.
75. From the passage we know that Queen Mother was______.
A. humorous and brave     B. talkative and humorous
C. talkative but shy               D. brave but shy