Twenty years ago I drove a taxi for a living. One night I went to pick up a passenger at 2:30 AM. When I­­­­­­­­­­­­   21  -，I found the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor    22 

I walked to the door and knocked “Just a minute” answered a weak elderly      23

After a long pause the door opened. A small woman in her eighties stood    24    me by her side was a small suitcase. I took the suitcase to the car and then  25to help the woman. She took my arm and we walked   26 toward the car.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. “It’s nothing” I told her. “I just try to   27  my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.” “Oh you’re such a good man.” She said. When we got into the taxi she gave me an address and then asked“Could you drive   28 downtown”

“It’s not the shortest way” I answered quickly.

“Oh I’m   29 ” she said. “I’m on my way to a hospice临终医院. I don’t have any   30  left. The doctor says I don’t have very long.”

I quietly reached over and   31  the meter计价器.

For the next two hours we drove through the city. She   32  me the building where she had once worked the neighborhood where she had lived and the furniture shop that had once been a ballroom where she had gone  33  as a girl.

Sometimes she’d ask me to slow down in front of a   34 building and would sit staring into the darkness saying nothing.

At  35  she suddenly said” I’m tired. Let’s go now.”

We drove in silence to the   36 she had given me. “How much do I   37 you” she asked. “Nothing.” I said. “You have to make a living” she answered. “Oh there are other   38 ” I answered. Almost without thinking I   39  and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. Our hug ended with her remark“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy.”

I walked into the  40 morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

It is midnight on September 22，2012．The sky above Manhattan，New York is filled with a curtain of colorful light． New Yorkers are fascinated by the beautiful aurora(极光)．However, their fascination is short-1ived．

 Within a few seconds，electric bulbs dim(变暗)and flicker(闪烁)，then become unusually bright for a few seconds．Then all the lights second  go out．Within 90 seconds，the entire eastern half of the US is without power．

 Besides the US，Europe，Japan and China are also  hit by the same terrible event．It is a violent solar flare(太阳耀斑)，150 million kilometers away on the surface of the sun．

 Science fiction? No．A report funded by NASA and issued by the US National Academy of Sciences in January this year says it could happen．

 A massive solar flare is most likely on a spring or autumn night in 2012，according to the report．

Solar flares are huge explosions on the surface of the sun．In a matter of just a few  minutes they heat material to many millions of degrees and release as much energy as a billion megatons(百万吨)of TNT explosives．Solar flares release a stream of charged high-energy particles(粒子)．They are called“solar winds”

 If one solar‘‘wind’’should hit the Earth's  magnetic shield(磁扬)，the result could be terrible for humans.

But there’s no need to run  for cover from solar winds．  They do not harm 1ife on  Earth，they only affect the way we live，especially since  we depend so much on modern  technology．They can pump extra electricity into power line,  and pipelines，causing blackouts and fuel leaks(泄漏).  Solar winds are also known to affect mobile phone operations, and may disrupt wireless Internet services．

Moreover, solar winds can prevent normal satellite operations，and disrupt radio communications  and navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System．

 Auroras  are  powered  by  solar wind．This wind blows  past the Earth at about 400-700 km per second and creates storms in the Earth’s magnetic environment．In the polar regions these explode into southern or northern polar lights．

 The most serious solar storm that hit Earth in history happened in 1859． It caused the failure of telegraph(电报)systems in Europe and  North America．

 So, for humans，the sun is  a  double-edged sword． Without1 the sun, there would  be no 1ife  on  Earth． Without the sun，   Earth would be a frozen dark   ball floating in space．However,  on the other hand，the sun can  disorder our 1ives from time  to time．    

10．What is the main idea of the passage?

A．It introduces to readers the advantages and disadvantages of the sun．

B．It describes a science fiction set in Manhattan on 22 September 2012．    

C．It shows readers the way in which solar winds form inside the sun．

D．It explains what solar flares are and their effects on human life．

11．The first two paragraphs are written_________.

A．to show a beautiful scene in a true story

B．to describe the beautiful scenery of Manhattan

C．to describe the power problem around the world

D．to introduce the topic of this passage

12．What can we conclude from the passage?

A．Solar flares will do great harm to those who are using the Internet．

B．Solar flares cannot reach as far as the polar regions．

C．Solar flares are huge explosions that happen inside the sun．    

D．1f it weren’t’t for our reliance on technology, solar flares probably wouldn’t affect us．

13．Solar winds will likely affect us in the following ways EXCEPT that    ．

A．normal satellite operations will be stopped

B．the lights in the areas affected will go out at the same time

C．people on the streets will be struck to death

D．some navigation systems will be out of order

   It is midnight on September 22, 2012. The sky above Manhattan，New York is filled with a curtain of colorful light. New Yorkers are fascinated by the beautiful aurora (极光). However, their fascination is short-lived.
Within a few seconds, electric bulbs dim and flicker (闪烁), then become unusually bright for a few seconds. Then all the lights go out. Within 90 seconds, the entire eastern half of the US is without power.
Besides the US, Europe, Japan and China are also hit by the same terrible event. It is a violent solar flare (太阳耀斑) ,150 million kilometers away on the surface of the sun.
Science fiction? No. A report funded by NASA and issued by the US National Academy of Sciences in January this year says it could happen.
A massive solar flare is most likely on a spring or autumn night in 2012, according to the report.
Solar flares are huge explosions on the surface of the sun. In a matter of just a few minutes they heat material to many millions of degrees and release as much energy as a billion megatons (百万吨) of TNT explosives. Solar flares release a stream of charged high-energy particles (粒子). They are called “solar winds”.
If one solar “wind” should hit the Earth’s magnetic shield (磁场), the result could be terrible for humans.
But there’s no need to run for cover from solar winds. They do not harm life on Earth, they only affect the way we live, especially since we depend so much on modern technology. They can pump extra electricity into power lines and pipelines, causing blackouts and fuel leaks. Solar winds are also known to affect mobile phone operations and may disrupt wireless Internet services.
Moreover, solar winds can prevent normal satellite operations, and disrupt radio communications and navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System.
Auroras are powered by solar wind. This wind blows past the Earth at about 400-700 km per second and creates storms in the Earth’s magnetic environment. In the polar regions these explode into southern or northern polar lights.
The most serious solar storm that hit Earth in history happened in 1859. It caused the failure of telegraph systems in Europe and North America.
So, for humans, the sun is a double-edged sword. Without the sun, there would be no life on Earth. Without the sun, Earth would be a frozen dark ball floating in space. However, on the other hand, the sun can disorder our lives from time to time.
56. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. It introduces to readers the advantages and disadvantages of the sun.
B. It describes a science fiction set in Manhattan on 22 September 2012.
C. It shows readers the way in which solar winds form inside the sun.
D. It explains what solar flares are and their effects on human life.
57. The first two paragraphs are written ____.
A. to show a beautiful scene in a true story
B. to describe the beautiful scenery of Manhattan
C. to describe the power problem around the world
D. to introduce the topic of this passage
58. What can we conclude from the passage?
A. Solar flares will do great harm to those who are using the Internet.
B. Solar flares cannot reach as far as the polar regions.
C. Solar flares are huge explosions that happen inside the sun.
D. But for our reliance on technology, solar flares wouldn’t
affect us so much.
59. Solar winds will likely affect us in the following ways EXCEPT that ____.
A. normal satellite operations will be stopped
B. the lights in the areas affected will go out at the same time
C. people on the streets will be struck to death
D. some navigation systems will be out of order

    It is midnight on September 22, 2012. The sky above Manhattan，New York is filled with a curtain of colorful light. New Yorkers are fascinated by the beautiful aurora (极光). However, their fascination is short-lived.

    Within a few seconds, electric bulbs dim and flicker (闪烁), then become unusually bright for a few seconds. Then all the lights go out. Within 90 seconds, the entire eastern half of the US is without power.

          Besides the US, Europe, Japan and China are also hit by the same terrible event. It is a violent solar flare (太阳耀斑) ,150 million kilometers away on the surface of the sun.

          Science fiction? No. A report funded by NASA and issued by the US National Academy of Sciences in January this year says it could happen.

    A massive solar flare is most likely on a spring or autumn night in 2012, according to the report.

    Solar flares are huge explosions on the surface of the sun. In a matter of just a few minutes they heat material to many millions of degrees and release as much energy as a billion megatons (百万吨) of TNT explosives. Solar flares release a stream of charged high-energy particles (粒子). They are called “solar winds”.

    If one solar “wind” should hit the Earth’s magnetic shield (磁场), the result could be terrible for humans.

    But there’s no need to run for cover from solar winds. They do not harm life on Earth, they only affect the way we live, especially since we depend so much on modern technology. They can pump extra electricity into power lines and pipelines, causing blackouts and fuel leaks. Solar winds are also known to affect mobile phone operations and may disrupt wireless Internet services.

    Moreover, solar winds can prevent normal satellite operations, and disrupt radio communications and navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System.

    Auroras are powered by solar wind. This wind blows past the Earth at about 400-700 km per second and creates storms in the Earth’s magnetic environment. In the polar regions these explode into southern or northern polar lights.

    The most serious solar storm that hit Earth in history happened in 1859. It caused the failure of telegraph systems in Europe and North America.

    So, for humans, the sun is a double-edged sword. Without the sun, there would be no life on Earth. Without the sun, Earth would be a frozen dark ball floating in space. However, on the other hand, the sun can disorder our lives from time to time.

56. What is the main idea of the passage?

         A. It introduces to readers the advantages and disadvantages of the sun.

         B. It describes a science fiction set in Manhattan on 22 September 2012.

         C. It shows readers the way in which solar winds form inside the sun.

         D. It explains what solar flares are and their effects on human life.

57. The first two paragraphs are written ____.

         A. to show a beautiful scene in a true story

         B. to describe the beautiful scenery of Manhattan

         C. to describe the power problem around the world

         D. to introduce the topic of this passage

58. What can we conclude from the passage?

         A. Solar flares will do great harm to those who are using the Internet.

         B. Solar flares cannot reach as far as the polar regions.

         C. Solar flares are huge explosions that happen inside the sun.

         D. But for our reliance on technology, solar flares wouldn’t

affect us so much.

59. Solar winds will likely affect us in the following ways EXCEPT that ____.

         A. normal satellite operations will be stopped

         B. the lights in the areas affected will go out at the same time

         C. people on the streets will be struck to death

         D. some navigation systems will be out of order

第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题,每小题2分，满分40分）

阅读下面短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、D）中，选出最佳选项。

  It is midnight on September 22, 2012. The sky above Manhattan，New York is filled with a curtain of colorful light. New Yorkers are fascinated by the beautiful aurora (极光). However, their fascination is short-lived.

  Within a few seconds, electric bulbs dim and flicker (闪烁), then become unusually bright for a few seconds. Then all the lights go out. Within 90 seconds, the entire eastern half of the US is without power.

        Besides the US, Europe, Japan and China are also hit by the same terrible event. It is a violent solar flare (太阳耀斑) ,150 million kilometers away on the surface of the sun.

        Science fiction? No. A report funded by NASA and issued by the US National Academy of Sciences in January this year says it could happen.

  A massive solar flare is most likely on a spring or autumn night in 2012, according to the report.

  Solar flares are huge explosions on the surface of the sun. In a matter of just a few minutes they heat material to many millions of degrees and release as much energy as a billion megatons (百万吨) of TNT explosives. Solar flares release a stream of charged high-energy particles (粒子). They are called “solar winds”.

  If one solar “wind” should hit the Earth’s magnetic shield (磁场), the result could be terrible for humans 。

  But there’s no need to run for cover from solar winds. They do not harm life on Earth, they only affect the way we live, especially since we depend so much on modern technology. They can pump extra electricity into power lines and pipelines, causing blackouts and fuel leaks. Solar winds are also known to affect mobile phone operations and may disrupt wireless Internet services.

  Moreover, solar winds can prevent normal satellite operations, and disrupt radio communications and navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System.

  Auroras are powered by solar wind. This wind blows past the Earth at about 400-700 km per second and creates storms in the Earth’s magnetic environment. In the polar regions these explode into southern or northern polar lights.

  The most serious solar storm that hit Earth in history happened in 1859. It caused the failure of telegraph systems in Europe and North America.

  So, for humans, the sun is a double-edged sword. Without the sun, there would be no life on Earth. Without the sun, Earth would be a frozen dark ball floating in space. However, on the other hand, the sun can disorder our lives from time to time.

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

       A. It introduces to readers the advantages and disadvantages of the sun.

       B. It describes a science fiction set in Manhattan on 22 September 2012.

       C. It shows readers the way in which solar winds form inside the sun.

       D. It explains what solar flares are and their effects on human life.

2. The first two paragraphs are written ____.

       A. to show a beautiful scene in a true story

       B. to describe the beautiful scenery of Manhattan

       C. to describe the power problem around the world

       D. to introduce the topic of this passage

3. What can we conclude from the passage?

       A. Solar flares will do great harm to those who are using the Internet.

       B. Solar flares cannot reach as far as the polar regions.

       C. Solar flares are huge explosions that happen inside the sun.

       D. But for our reliance on technology, solar flares wouldn’t

affect us so much.

4. Solar winds will likely affect us in the following ways EXCEPT that ____.

       A. normal satellite operations will be stopped

       B. the lights in the areas affected will go out at the same time

       C. people on the streets will be struck to death

       D. some navigation systems will be out of order