The south and east of the Great Lakes is famous for the huge amounts of snow it receives. When the snow starts to fall every year,　people start discussing the phrase “lake-effect snow”.

Lake-effect snow which is influenced by the movement of cold air over the relatively warm water of the Great Lakes often comes in late autumn and early winter. Because of the at least 20 degrees’ difference between the lake water and the overrunning air, it’s easy to form huge amounts of snow.

As the cool air crosses the water of Great Lakes, the lowest levels of the atmosphere begin to warm and pick up moisture. This newly warmed atmosphere is lighter than the cold air above it, so it starts rising. As the changed air continues to climb higher and higher, it finally meets much colder atmosphere which changes the moisture into water drops and ice, forming clouds. After this course repeats a number of times, the clouds become heavier and heavier, and then they are changed into snow and fall down.

The most important point that decides the amount of snowfall is the direction of the wind. If the wind runs perpendicularly（垂直地）across the lake, there won’t be plenty of time for clouds to develop. However, if the wind runs in the opposite direction, clouds will form easily. The longer the cold air travels over the lake, the more moisture it is able to produce, which leads to a greater amount of snow.

The largest amount of the lake-effect snow was found across the U.P. of Michigan, the northwestern Pennsylvania and the far southwestern and northwestern New York, which are all along the south or east of the Great Lakes. It has been over 100 inches of snowfall in a winter season.

1.The level of the snowfall depends on ________.

A．the size of the lake

B．the direction of the wind

C．the temperature of the lake

D．the strength of the wind

2.From the passage, we can learn that ________.

A．clouds are easy to produce with the help of the perpendicular wind

B．cold air always falls down and picks up moisture to form clouds

C．the temperature of the lake water is the same as the overrunning air’s above it

D．the longer journey of the cold atmosphere can make a grater amount of snow

3.The passage is mainly about ________.

A．the influences of the lake-effect snow for local people

B．the weight between moisture and atmosphere

C．how the phrase “lake-effect snow” comes in New York

D．how the lake-effect snow forms around the Great Lakes

I have always loved kids. However, the children here at Shanti Bhavan are unlike any that I have ever met. They have a strong drive and determination and are thankful for the wonderful opportunity they have been given. While at Shanti Bhavan, I taught 3^rd graders writing, language, and literature, 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th graders public speaking, 9^th and 10^th graders basketball, and piano lessons. I found teaching the children was the most rewarding experience of my life. They are really fast learners and really have an interest in knowledge. It was easy to get on with such polite, well-mannered, and hard-working students. They dream big and I only hope that I can continue to be a part of helping them achieve their goals.

As far as my day-to-day living went, I was perfectly comfortable here and came to consider it as a second home. My room was clean and comfortable and the staff could not have been nicer.

In addition, I really appreciated the support of all the teachers. They were so welcoming and kind that it truly cleared away my fears and culture shock. They often gave me advice and befriended me and I owe much to them for their warmth.

I honestly feel that Shanti Bhavan is the most beautiful place on earth. It has love and learning, and I am very sad to be leaving. I am looking forward to my return to this newly found family as soon as possible. Thank you so much Miss Beena and Mrs. Law for all of your love and support. The experience that I worked with them will always come into my mind. This has been the greatest experience of my life.

50．What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A. Kids liked basketball lessons best.

B. Kids at Shanti Bhavan helped the author a lot.

C. The author is a fast learner and dreams big.

D. The author taught different lessons at the same time.

51．What does the author think of the students at Shanti Bhavan?

A. Generous B. Clever   C. Brave    D. Funny

52．Which of the following words can best describe the author’s day-to-day living at Shanti Bhavan?

A. Lonely   B. Simple   C. Disappointed D. Comfortable

53．Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. The author will come back soon.

B. The author has decided to settle at Shanti Bhavan.

C. The author once felt uneasy at Shanti Bhavan.

D. The author was forced to come to Shanti Bhavan at first.

PART THREE: READING COMPREHENSION (30分)

Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are 4 choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.

A

The Wuhan to Guangzhou MU(动车组) Train route will start to operate on the 26th of this month. The train is the fastest in the world. All the construction and preparations for the route's operation are in the final stages. Our reporter Li Dong has the details.

In a trial operation, the speed of the MU Train reached 394 kilometers per hour, the highest in the world. Though the speed during normal operation may be at 350 kilometers per hour, but this newly built high speed railway may still reduce the travel time of Wuhan to Guangzhou from more than 10 to 3 hours.

The total length of Wuhan—Guangzhou high speed railway is more than 1068 kilometers. The railway connects Hubei, Hunan and Guangdong. The total investment is more than 116 billion yuan.

Protection facilities like bars and surveillance cameras are installed along the whole railway. Zhang Shuguang, director of transport bureau of the Ministry of Railway says the safety system of the train and the route is also state of the art.

"The break distance of the train is 5 kilometers. But the MU Train can respond to any emergency situations within 32 kilometers. It's very safe."

The shortened travel distance is good news for many people. However some passengers also hope the service can be upgraded.

"The dinning and entertainment service can be better. I hope I can watch TV on the train."

"The weariness during travel can be eased if I can use internet on the train. I can feel more comfortable."

Jing Libin is the MU Train driver of the Wuhan—Guangzhou high speed railway. As a MU Train engineer who witnessed China's high speed railway development. Jing Libin says: It's a way faster!

"The development of China's railway is so fast. In the beginning of the year, the speed is only 160 kilometers per hour. Soon, the speed reached 250 kilometers. And now, it's 350 kilometers! As a driver, I am very impressed."

China plans to increase the railway operation length from the current 80 thousand kilometers to 110 thousand kilometers, which includes 18 thousand kilometers of high speed passenger railways by 2012.

Within 3 years, China plans to build an "8 Hour, High Speed Transportation Circle", which means, passengers may reach nearly all the provincial capital cities in China in about 8 hours by high speed railway. With the development of the railway, China’s economy will also continue her highest development. In the near future, China will be really powerful in the world.

56. What is the best title of the passage?

A. Fastest Train in the World

C. High Speed Railway Construction

B. Trial Operation of the MU Train

D. Newly Typed Train in the World.

57. Surveillance cameras are used for________.

A. art   B. speed   C. safety    D. research

58. How much time would be needed from Wuhan to Guangzhou if the train travelled at its top speed?

A. a little more than three hours           C. more than four hours

B. less than three hours                  D. less than seven hours

59. What can we learn from the passage?

A. There will be no problems on the new train.

B. Passengers are completely satisfied with the new train.

C. Jing Libin is very proud of the development of China’s railway.

D. China has 110 thousand kilometers ofthe railway operation length now.

60. What can we infer according to the author?

A. Nobody expected China would have such a fast train.

B. China will build more high speed railways.

C. The service of the train is hard to be improved.

D. China’s economy would slow down if her transport couldn’t be improved.

PART THREE: READING COMPREHENSION (30分)
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are 4 choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.
A
The Wuhan to Guangzhou MU(动车组) Train route will start to operate on the 26th of this month. The train is the fastest in the world. All the construction and preparations for the route's operation are in the final stages. Our reporter Li Dong has the details.
In a trial operation, the speed of the MU Train reached 394 kilometers per hour, the highest in the world. Though the speed during normal operation may be at 350 kilometers per hour, but this newly built high speed railway may still reduce the travel time of Wuhan to Guangzhou from more than 10 to 3 hours.
The total length of Wuhan—Guangzhou high speed railway is more than 1068 kilometers. The railway connects Hubei, Hunan and Guangdong. The total investment is more than 116 billion yuan.
Protection facilities like bars and surveillance cameras are installed along the whole railway. Zhang Shuguang, director of transport bureau of the Ministry of Railway says the safety system of the train and the route is also state of the art.
"The break distance of the train is 5 kilometers. But the MU Train can respond to any emergency situations within 32 kilometers. It's very safe."
The shortened travel distance is good news for many people. However some passengers also hope the service can be upgraded.
"The dinning and entertainment service can be better. I hope I can watch TV on the train."
"The weariness during travel can be eased if I can use internet on the train. I can feel more comfortable."
Jing Libin is the MU Train driver of the Wuhan—Guangzhou high speed railway. As a MU Train engineer who witnessed China's high speed railway development. Jing Libin says: It's a way faster!
"The development of China's railway is so fast. In the beginning of the year, the speed is only 160 kilometers per hour. Soon, the speed reached 250 kilometers. And now, it's 350 kilometers! As a driver, I am very impressed."
China plans to increase the railway operation length from the current 80 thousand kilometers to 110 thousand kilometers, which includes 18 thousand kilometers of high speed passenger railways by 2012.
Within 3 years, China plans to build an "8 Hour, High Speed Transportation Circle", which means, passengers may reach nearly all the provincial capital cities in China in about 8 hours by high speed railway. With the development of the railway, China’s economy will also continue her highest development. In the near future, China will be really powerful in the world.
56. What is the best title of the passage?
A. Fastest Train in the World
C. High Speed Railway Construction
B. Trial Operation of the MU Train
D. Newly Typed Train in the World.
57. Surveillance cameras are used for________.
A. art   B. speed   C. safety    D. research
58. How much time would be needed from Wuhan to Guangzhou if the train travelled at its top speed?
A. a little more than three hours           C. more than four hours
B. less than three hours                  D. less than seven hours
59. What can we learn from the passage?
A. There will be no problems on the new train.
B. Passengers are completely satisfied with the new train.
C. Jing Libin is very proud of the development of China’s railway.
D. China has 110 thousand kilometers ofthe railway operation length now.
60. What can we infer according to the author?
A. Nobody expected China would have such a fast train.
B. China will build more high speed railways.
C. The service of the train is hard to be improved.
D. China’s economy would slow down if her transport couldn’t be improved.

I have always loved kids. However, the children here at Shanti Bhavan are unlike any that I have ever met. They have a strong drive and determination and are thankful for the wonderful opportunity they have been given. While at Shanti Bhavan, I taught 3^rd graders writing, language, and literature, 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th graders public speaking, 9^th and 10^th graders basketball, and piano lessons. I found teaching the children was the most rewarding experience of my life. They are really fast learners and really have an interest in knowledge. It was easy to get on with such polite, well-mannered, and hard-working students. They dream big and I only hope that I can continue to be a part of helping them achieve their goals.

As far as my day-to-day living went, I was perfectly comfortable here and came to consider it as a second home. My room was clean and comfortable and the staff could not have been nicer.

In addition, I really appreciated the support of all the teachers. They were so welcoming and kind that it truly cleared away my fears and culture shock. They often gave me advice and befriended me and I owe much to them for their warmth.

I honestly feel that Shanti Bhavan is the most beautiful place on earth. It has love and learning, and I am very sad to be leaving. I am looking forward to my return to this newly found family as soon as possible. Thank you so much Miss Beena and Mrs. Law for all of your love and support. The experience that I worked with them will always come into my mind. This has been the greatest experience of my life.

1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A. Kids liked basketball lessons best.

B. Kids at Shanti Bhavan helped the author a lot.

C. The author is a fast learner and dreams big.

D. The author taught different lessons at the same time.

2.What does the author think of the students at Shanti Bhavan?

A. Generous      B. Clever   C. Brave    D. Funny

3.Which of the following words can best describe the author’s day-to-day living at Shanti Bhavan?

A. Lonely          B. Simple  C. Disappointed         D. Comfortable

4.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. The author will come back soon.

B. The author has decided to settle at Shanti Bhavan.

C. The author once felt uneasy at Shanti Bhavan.

D. The author was forced to come to Shanti Bhavan at first.