People turn to magic(魔力)chiefly as a form of insurance--that is, they use it along with actions that actually bring results. For example, hunters may use a hunting charm(咒语). But they also use their hunting skills and knowledge of animals. The charm may give hunters the extra confidence they need to hunt even more successfully than they would without it. If they shoot a lot of game(猎物), they credit the charm for their success. Many events happen naturally without magic. Crops grow without it, and sick people get well without it. But if people use magic to bring a good harvest or to cure a patient, they may believe the magic was responsible. 

People also tend to forget magic's failures and to be impressed by its surface successes. They may consider magic successful if it appears to work only 10 per cent of the time. Even when magic fails, people often explain the failure without doubting the power of the magic. They may say that the magician made a mistake in reciting the spell or that another magician cast a more powerful spell against the magician.

Many anthropologists(人类学家) believe that people have faith in magic because they feel a need to believe in it. People may turn to magic to reduce their fear and uncertainty if they feel they have no control over the outcome of a situation. For example, farmers use knowledge and skill when they plant their fields. But they know that weather, insects, or diseases might ruin the crops. So farmers in some societies may also plant a charm or perform a magic rite to ensure a good harvest.

16.From the passage, we can learn that the writer of the passage may be _______.

A. a hunter     B. a farmer     C. a magician    D. an anthropologist

17.Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?

A. Magic and Hunting.          B. Magic and Farming.

C. Why Magic Works?          D. Why People Believe in Magic?

18. The underlined word “spell”(Paragraph 2) most likely means______.

A. magic words.    B. magic events.    C. words or expressions     D. magicians.

19. People believe in magic because________.

A. magic powers are greater than natural powers

B. magic can turn dreams into reality

C. they are not sure of themselves  

D. magic can bring good results

20. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Even though magic fails, believers in magic will explain the reason.

B. Believers in magic usually overstate the power of magic.

C. People use magic to reduce their uncertainty and give them extra confidence

D. Magic can solve problems people can’t deal with in a natural way.

Once upon a time there was a great man who married the woman of his dreams. With their love, they created a little girl. She was a bright and cheerful little girl and the great man loved her very much.

  When the little girl was growing up, the great man would hug her and tell her, “ I love you, little girl.” The little girl would shout and say, “ I’m not a little girls anymore.” Then the man would laugh and say, “ But to me, you’ll always be my little girl.”

  The little girl who- was- not- little- anymore left her home and went into the world. As she learned more about herself, she learned more about the man. She saw that he truly was great and strong, for now she recognized his strengths. One of his strengths was his ability to express his love to his family. It didn’t matter where she went in the world, the man would call her and say, “ I love you, little girl.”

  The day came when the little girl who-was- not- little-anymore received a phone call. The great man was damaged. He had had a stroke(中风 ). He couldn’t talk anymore and they weren’t sure that he could understand the words spoken to him.

  And so she went to the side of the great man. When she walked into the room and saw him, he looked small and not strong at all. He looked at her and tried to speak, but he could not.

  The little girl did the only thing she could do. She climbed up on the bed next to the great man. Tears ran from both of their eyes and she drew her arms around the useless shoulders of her father.

  Her head on his chest, she thought of many things. She remembered the wonderful times together and how she has always felt protected. And then she heard from within the man, the beat of his heart. The heart where the musid and the words had always lived. The heart beat on, steadily unconcerned about damage to the rest of the body. And while she rested there, the magic happened. She heard what she needed to hear.

  His hear beat out the words that his mouth could no longer say…

   I love you

   I love you

   I love you

   Little girl

   Little girl

   Little girl

   And she was comforted.

In the 2^nd paragraph, the little girl showed her ____ by pouting.

 A. displeasure   B. disappointment   C. agreement   D. excitement

The following except ____ can be inferred as the consequences of the father’s stoke.

 A. the loss of speaking ability   B. the inability to move around

 C. that his arms could no longer function properly  D. the beat of his heart

The girl felt _____ when she returned home and saw her father in bed.

 A. she was protected just as before   B. she could never have left home

 C. the difficulty of being old and sick  D. the need to show him her love

Which statement is true according to the story?

The daughter left her home because she had a fight with her father.

The girl returned home when she got a letter from his father about his illness.

The father recovered as if by magic soon after the daughter’s return.

D．From the father’s example, the daughter learned how to express her love.

Barcelona December 22,2007.

Spain’s “El Gordo,” the word’s biggest lottery (彩票), gave out 2.2 billion euros (欧元) (1.6 billion pounds) in Christmas prizes on Saturday.

El Gordo, Spanish for "The Fat One", is designed so that as many people as possible across Spain get a festive windfall. The top prize this year was 3 million euros -- going to the series of tickets with the magic number 06381.

Because the tickets are sold in a series of 10, only those who paid 200 euros for the whole strip get the full prize.

The biggest share of winning tickets was bought by people in the town of Nava, in the north-western Asturias region.

The draw lasts three-and-a-half hours and is carried live on national television with children from the San Ildefonso school, a former orphanage in Madrid, in turn chanting the winning numbers and the amount won.

Lotteries have two centuries of history in Spain. The country spent 2.87 billion euros on the lottery -- 5.7 percent more than last year. Seventy percent is paid out in prizes. Most of the rest goes in costs. Eight out of ten Spaniards bought tickets for the lottery, spending on average 64 euros. Spaniards often choose lottery numbers matching significant dates although there was no particular favourite in 2007. In 2006, one of the most sought-after series was 22105, the date on which Fernando Alonso became Formula 1 world champion for the second year running.

1.The underlined word “windfall” in paragraph two probably means         .

       A．fat gift                                               B．unexpected fortune

       C．big feast                                             D．wind and snow

2.Who is likely to win the full prize in El Gordo?

       A．People who paid 200 euros for the wole group of series.

       B．People who bough tickets with the magic number 06381.

       C．People who lived in a town in the northwestern Asturias.

       D．People who chose lottery numbers matching Alonso’s date.

3.According to the text, children from the San Ildefonso School in Madrid will         .

       A．host the draw of lottery live on TV

       B．offer a show of three – and – a – half hours

       C．perform with the lottery draw as Christmas celebration

       D．help make some declarations for the draw as invited guests

4.What can we learn about the history of lotteries in Spain?

       A．Most of the money people spent on lotteries goes in the cost.

       B．The majority of Spaniards have the experience of buying lotteries.

       C．Lottery numbers matching significant dates help people win every year.

       D．As the biggest in the world, Spanish lotteries have a history of two centuries.

Stepping into an old wardrobe, four English schoolchildren find themselves in the magical world of Narnia. On this delightful land, they find friends among the many talking creatures.

The children soon discover, however, that Narnia is ruled by the White Witch. Edmund, one of the children, falls under her power. Who can free Narnia? Only Aslan, the great and noble lion. He alone knows the Deeper Magic. But the children themselves must help fight the battle against the White Witch and those who serve her.

B. The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)

Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, hasn’t caught any fish in more than 80 days. Sailing far out from land, the old man hooks an enormous fish. That begins an agonizing three?day battle. First he struggles against the great fish. Then he must fight off the sharks that circle the little boat and threaten to eat his fish. Exhausted and bleeding, the old man arrives back at shore. But his fish, his beautiful fish . . .

Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for this superb story of strength and courage, of victory and regret.

C. A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine Lingle)

Meg’s father, a U.S. government scientist, has been missing for many months. He had been experimenting with time travel when he mysteriously disappeared.

Now Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin will try to rescue him. But first they must outwit the forces of evil they encounter on their journey through time and space. Can they find Meg’s father before it’s too late?

This novel is more than just a science?fiction adventure. It’s an exploration of the nature of our universe.

D. The Pearl (John Steinbeck)

One day Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, finds a magnificent pearl. With it he dreams of buying a better life, new clothes and schooling for his son. Instead, it brings only evil. His wife pleads with him to get rid of it. "No," says Kino. "I will have my chance. I am a man." But when he kills a man who is trying to steal the pearl, Kino and his wife must run for their lives.

This tale of dreams, justice and the power of greed is told simply and beautifully.

E. The Long Winter (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

It’s winter, 1880—1881, on America’s northern prairies. Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls and their four girls stay near the kitchen stove to keep warm. Heavy snowstorms cut them off even from neighbors. With the trains stopped, no supplies can reach the town. Food and fuel are running out. Day after day the girls must grind wheat for bread and twist hay to burn. At times they nearly lose the battle to keep their spirits up.

This story provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of early American settlers.

F. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bront??)

Jane Eyre ranks as one of the greatest and most perennially popular works of English fiction. Although the poor but plucky heroine is outwardly of plain appearance, she possesses an indomitable spirit, a sharp wit and great courage. She is forced to battle against the exigencies of a cruel guardian, a harsh employer and a rigid social order. All of which circumscribe her life and position when she becomes governess to the daughter of the mysterious, sardonic and attractive Mr Rochester.

    However, there is great kindness and warmth in this epic love story, which is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Yorkshire moors.

请阅读以下读者的相关信息，然后匹配和他/她感兴趣的书籍：

56. Tom is a manager in a big city so he keeps busy every day. He was born in America but his family move to another country when he was still a child. Tom missed the day spent in America and he is extremely interested in the history of America.

57. George’s father is a lawyer and George loves discussing with his father about justice and crime. He dreams of becoming a professional detective one day. His father encourages him to read English books about dreams and justice.

58. Mike has just graduated from a high school. He got the highest score in his English exam and now he is very proud of his English. He prefers to write something that is abstract, especially stories written by authors who have won the Nobel Prizes.

59. Susan comes from China and she can only read simple English. The film Harry Potter aroused her interest in the magic world so she is eager to read some books on magic.

60. Jan is 13 years old. She is fond of nature and often observes the insects and plants in her garden for hours. She hopes to find a book that is not only interesting but also provides knowledge of nature of our universe.

B

Magical Accommodations in the Heart of the Disneyland Resort

Almost as long as The Happiest Place on Earth has been drawing guests from around the world, the 990room Disneyland Hotel has been keeping the magic going with its first-class accommodations, entertainment, shops and exceptional recreational opportunities. Cool off at the Never Land Pool, themed after the Disney animated classic “Peter Pan”. Dine at one of the award-winning restaurants or at the wacky Goofy’s Kitchen.

Shop for unique Disney items at Disney’s Fantasia Shop. With all the fun and excitement going on at the Disneyland Hotel, it’s no wonder your Disney Character pals are always dropping by to visit!

The original Disney hotel has the feeling of magic wherever you turn. The fun and fantasy here will leave you with sweet dreams that always end happily ever after. Conveniently located close to the Downtown Disney District, 990 rooms in three high-rise towers, Disney touches are everywhere, like the oversized Sorcerer’s Hat and the Never Land themed pool, Stet-of-the-are business center and conference facilities unrivaled by many Anaheim hotels, imaginative environments, attention to detail and Disney-quality service.

45．This passage may most probably be _____.

A．an ad for a hotel      B．an introduction to Disney land

C．a tour guide to an adventure land    D．a letter from a customer

46．The underlined word unrivaled in the last paragraph probably means _____.

A．suspected  B．unmatched       C．discovered       D．disliked

47．You may have dinner at _______.

A．Fantasia Shop  B．Never Land Pool    

C．Goofy’s Kitchen      D．Sorcerer’s Hat

48．The Happiest Place on Earth in the first paragraph refers to ______.

A．Disneyland Resort   B．Disney hotel C．Anaheim hotels    D．Downtown Disney