When a storm is coming, most people leave the area as quickly as possible and head for safety. But there are a few people who will get into their cars and go straight for the center of the storm. These people are willing to risk (冒……危险) being killed by floods or 100-kilometer-an-hour winds for the excitement of watching the storm close up.

　　“Storm chasing (追逐) ” is becoming an increasingly popular hobby (喜好), especially in the Midwest of the United States, where there are frequent storms between March and July. A storm chaser begins the day by checking the Internet for the latest weather reports, and then drives up to 1 000 kilometers to where the storm will be and waits for it to develop.

　　Although anyone can do it, storm chasing is extremely dangerous. The power of a big storm can throw a cow into the air or destroy a whole house in seconds. Storm chasers are also often hurt in accidents caused by driving in a heavy rain. If you are a beginner,it is much safer to join a group for storm-chasing vacations during the storm season.

　　Even then, storm chasing is not all adventure and excitement. “Storm chasing is 95% driving, ” says Daniel Lynch, who spends most of his summer storm-chasing. “Sometimes you can sit around for hours waiting for something to happen, and all you get is blue sky and a few light showers. ”

　　However, for storm chasers, it is all worth it. “When you get close to a storm, it is the most exciting sight you will ever see in your life, ”says Jasper Morley. “Every storm is an example of the power of nature. It is the greatest show on Earth. ”

(1) For storm chasing, the first thing storm chasers do is to________.

[　　]

A．head straight for the center of the storm

B．get into the car for safety

C．wait patiently for the storm to develop

D．collect information about a coming storm

(2) Beginners of storm chasing are advised

[　　]

A．not do drive in a heavy rain

B．to do it in an organized way

C．not to get too close to a storm

D．to spend more time on it in summer

(3) By saying “it is all worth it” in the last paragraph, the author means that________.

[　　]

A．storm chasing costs a lot of money

B．storm chasing is worth hours of wait-ing

C．efforts in storm chasing are well paid

D．a storm presents the greatest show on Earth

(4) What can we learn from the text?

[　　]

A．Sometimes storm chasers get nothing but disappointment.

B．Many storm chasers get killed in the storms.

C．Storm chasing is becoming popular around the world

D．Storm chasing is only fit for young peo-ple.

In the early 80’s, I walked across the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver. Not alone, however. With me were more than 50,000 persons, mostly of my generation, on the Walk for Peace. Loving peace, I think, is one of three important qualities of my generation. 

That desire for peace has been an important characteristic of my generation for a long time. I grew up in the 60’s and early 70’s. At that time, many of us took part in demonstrations（示威游行） against the Vietnam War. Many people of my generation have devoted their lives to world peace, and lately we have seen success: US and Russian nuclear weapons are half their 1980 levels and nuclear disarmament（裁减军备） is agreed upon worldwide. 

Another characteristic of my generation is our participation in the “marriage revolution”. We were the first generation that had access to safe and reliable birth control. The idea of “free love” made it easier for men and women to safely express their love before marriage. The marriage revolution gave us power, especially to women, and the world was changed forever. 

The most important characteristic, however, is that many of us are deeply concerned about the environment. The results of my generation’s activities can be seen everywhere.

Although not all of us have participated, it is sure that we will continue to have a large impact on North America. We are nearing 50 years old, an age where people of my generation will become successful in politics and then, who knows what changes will come.

59. Which of the following does not belong to the characteristics of the author’s generation?

A. Travelling peacefully.             B. The wish for peace.

C. Belief in the idea of “free love”.   D. Protecting the environment.

60. “My generation” may be people born between ________.

A. the 50s and 60s                               B. the 60s and 70s

C. the 70s and 80s                                   D. the 80s and 90s

61. The passage implies that ________.

    A. most of the author’s generation died for world peace

    B. all the countries agreed to remove the nuclear weapons

    C. the demonstrations against the Vietnam War achieved success

    D. some of the author’s generation may have greater influence on the country

Customs are social habits. They have been handed down through generations (代) among groups, social classes, etc. Customs can be described as ways of doing things. They are particularly (特别) strong in social practices on the occasions (场合) of births, marriages and deaths.

In China, these days, some people in cities are learning from Western customs. For example, some brides dress in the long white dress that is usual bridal wear in many Western countries.

Every people (民族) has special customs for New Year. The Han people have many interesting Spring Festival customs. And now, quite a number of people living in the cities have followed the Western customs of sending New Year greeting cards for January 1st.

One interesting custom in China is that mothers wrap (包) up their babies tightly (紧紧的).This is not the custom in Western countries, where babies are usually dressed in loose garments.

6. It is true that customs      .

  A. have been formed during a short time

  B. have been formed little by little

  C. have been quickly formed and changed

  D. have never been changed

7. In this passage, the word “garment” is      .

  A. a kind of food        B. a bed

  C. a sort of clothes      D. a room

8. How do the Chinese young people learn from Western countries at their marriages?

  A. The brides（新娘）have on the white clothes.

  B. Men wear the white coats.

  C. Their parents all have attended their marriages.

  D. Their marriages are only held in the men’s homes.

9. From this passage we know      .

  A. the people all over China spend New Year in the same way

  B. people in the villages and cities send New Year greeting cards to each other

  C. each people has his special custom for New Year

  D. most of Chinese people take Spring Festival seriously

10. The difference about clothing between Chinese and Western babies is that      .

  A. Chinese babies are usually dressed in new clothes

  B. Chinese mothers are used to dressing their babies in colourful clothes

  C. Western babies are dressed in bigger clothes while Chinese babies are usually wrapped

  D. Western babies have more clothes than Chinese babies

Arrive Early

Plan your trip so that you’re at the venue(place) well before the scheduled start of the event. Gates open one to two hours before the start of competition at city and Whistler venues. Gates open four hours prior to the start of the Opening Ceremony, three hours prior to the start of the Closing Ceremony and two hours prior to the start of the Victory Ceremonies.

Travelling To Venues

In Metro Vancouver, public transit is the best way to go. If you’re heading to Whistler, options include commercial motorcoach and rideshare/carpool. Parking for spectators is at the Whistler Paralympic Park spectator(person who watches) parking lots.

Dress Appropriately

Dress for cold and wet weather — warmly, in layers and in waterproof clothing. Remember to wear suitable footwear as you may have to walk on uneven, snowy or icy surfaces.

Have Your Tickets Ready

Be sure to have your tickets with you as you must have a valid ticket to enter a venue. Treat your tickets like cash; lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced or refunded.

Prepare For The Security Screening

Avoid taking large bags to the venues. If you are unsure of what you can and cannot bring with you, check the prohibited and restricted items list.

Your Payment Options

Visa cards and cash are the only methods of payment accepted at Paralympic venues.

Accessibility

All venues have been reviewed for accessibility. If you have a specific need, see the nearest staff member for assistance.

Be Informed

At the venue, look for way-finding signage (招牌), listen to announcements and read the message boards — this will provide you with the information you need to make the most of your experience. Is there still something you need to know? Don’t hesitate to visit our information booths located at each venue. 

56. This passage is most probably written ______.

   A. to attract more and more spectators       B. for spectators to know clearly about dos and don'ts

   C. to remind players what to do                       D. for spectators to get to the venues more conveniently

57. If you go to watch the games, you’d better not ______.

   A. take a bus                                                              B. wear warm and waterproof clothes

   C. take large bags to the venue                                     D. use your visa cards or cash for the payment

58. Spectators must enter a venue ______.

   A. with valid tickets                                                  B. with visa cards

   C. with refunded tickets                                         D. with cash

阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为31—40的相应位置上。

Chuck’s Friend

In the movie Cast Away, Tom Hanks plays a man named Chuck Noland. Chuck is a businessman. One day Chuck is on a flight across the Pacific Ocean ____31_____ suddenly his plane crashes. Chuck survives the crash and lands on a ___32____ (desert) island.

On the island, Chuck has to learn to survive all alone. Perhaps the most difficult challenge is how to survive without friends. In order to survive, Chuck develops a ___33____ (friend) with an unusual friend – a volleyball he calls Wilson.

Chuck learns a lot about himself when he is alone on the island. He realizes that he hasn’t been a very good friend because he has always been thinking __ 34____ himself. During his five years on the island, Chuck learns how to be a good friend to Wilson. ___35____ though Wilson is just a volleyball, he becomes fond of him. He talks to him and treats him as a friend. Chuck learns that we need friends to share happiness and sorrow, and that it is important ___36____ (have) someone to care about. He ___37____ learns that he should have cared more about his friends.

A volleyball is certainly an unusual friend. Most of our friends are human beings, but we also make friends ___38____ animals and even things. For example, many of us have pets, and we all have ___39___ (favor) objects such as a lucky pen or a diary. The lesson we can learn from Chuck and all the others ___40____ have unusual friends is that friends are teachers.