WHAT do you have to look forward to at the end of the year? Preparing for final exams? Homework? Not to worry: Life can’t be all sweating over textbooks – that’s why Hesuipian, or the “New Year film” was invented. In China as in the West, December is a time for exciting movie releases (上映) with the world’s top stars.

    Treasure Hunter (《刺陵》),December 9

What has Jay Chou been working on? See this action-packed fantasy adventure and find out.

In the movie, Chou becomes a Chinese version of Indiana Jones. He is given a map of buried treasure, but forced to give it up in return for the life of the daughter of his mentor (导师), played by top model from Taiwan, Lin Chiling. Joined by a famous archeologist, the three go on a thrilling journey to find the map and then the treasure.

    A Simple Noodle Story (《三枪拍案惊奇》), December 11

After masterminding (策划) the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, director Zhang Yimou has turned to something smaller – as the title of this movie suggests. The comedy-thriller is the story of a mean  noodle shop owner who hires  a killer to murder his wife and her lover. Xiao Shenyang is not the only comedic element in the movie. Zhang’s contribution of the theme song – he penned the lyrics and rapped – is another highlight.

     Sherlock Holmes (《大侦探福尔摩斯》), December 25

The immortal (不朽的) Sherlock Holmes is a character who appeals to each new generation. His magnifying glass and ever-present pipe  make him a figure you couldn’t mistake for any other detective. In this new movie he shows he has another string (琴弦) to his violin bow – he’s also a kungfu master! Along with his faithful partner Watson, he has to stop a plot to destroy Britain.

60. From the passage we know_______.

    A. New Year blockbusters are usually released in December around the world.

    B. Final exams usually happen in December.

   C. Treasure Hunter will be shown on Christmas.

   D. Sherlock Holmes is a character who appeals to only new generation

61. Which is NOT RIGHT According to the passage?

A.  Jay Chou becomes a co-operator in China of Indiana Jones

B. The journey to find the map and the treasure is thrilling .

C. Lin Chiling is a top model from Taiwan.

D. Xiao Shenyang stars in the film A Simple Noodle Story

62.“A Simple Noodle Story” is _______________

A. a tragedy-thriller    B.  a comedy  C. a comedy-thriller  D. an action movie

63. What is the meaning of "another string to his violin bow" ?

A. his violin in need of another string

B. his talent and skill unknown to the public

C. his being good at playing the violin

D. his skills for his detection

WHAT do you have to look forward to at the end of the year? Preparing for final exams? Homework? Not to worry: Life can’t be all sweating over textbooks – that’s why Hesuipian, or the “New Year film” was invented. In China as in the West, December is a time for exciting movie releases (上映) with the world’s top stars.
Treasure Hunter (《刺陵》),December 9
What has Jay Chou been working on? See this action-packed fantasy adventure and find out.
In the movie, Chou becomes a Chinese version of Indiana Jones. He is given a map of buried treasure, but forced to give it up in return for the life of the daughter of his mentor (导师), played by top model from Taiwan, Lin Chiling. Joined by a famous archeologist, the three go on a thrilling journey to find the map and then the treasure.
A Simple Noodle Story (《三枪拍案惊奇》), December 11
After masterminding (策划) the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, director Zhang Yimou has turned to something smaller – as the title of this movie suggests. The comedy-thriller is the story of a mean  noodle shop owner who hires  a killer to murder his wife and her lover. Xiao Shenyang is not the only comedic element in the movie. Zhang’s contribution of the theme song – he penned the lyrics and rapped – is another highlight.
Sherlock Holmes (《大侦探福尔摩斯》), December 25
The immortal (不朽的) Sherlock Holmes is a character who appeals to each new generation. His magnifying glass and ever-present pipe  make him a figure you couldn’t mistake for any other detective. In this new movie he shows he has another string (琴弦) to his violin bow – he’s also a kungfu master! Along with his faithful partner Watson, he has to stop a plot to destroy Britain.

1. 1.

   From the passage we know_______.
   

   1. A.
      New Year blockbusters are usually released in December around the world.
   2. B.
      Final exams usually happen in December.
   3. C.
      Treasure Hunter will be shown on Christmas.
   4. D.
      Sherlock Holmes is a character who appeals to only new generation
2. 2.

   Which is NOT RIGHT According to the passage?

   1. A.
        Jay Chou becomes a co-operator in China of Indiana Jones
   2. B.
      The journey to find the map and the treasure is thrilling .
   3. C.
      Lin Chiling is a top model from Taiwan.
   4. D.
      Xiao Shenyang stars in the film A Simple Noodle Story
3. 3.

   “A Simple Noodle Story” is _______________

   1. A.
      a tragedy-thriller   
   2. B.
        a comedy 
   3. C.
      a comedy-thriller 
   4. D.
      an action movie
4. 4.

   What is the meaning of "another string to his violin bow" ?

   1. A.
      his violin in need of another string
   2. B.
      his talent and skill unknown to the public
   3. C.
      his being good at playing the violin
   4. D.
      his skills for his detection

Cafe Hub

Near the Castle is The Hub, home of the Edinburgh International Festival and one of the most talked about spots in town. Our café is open every day for mouth-watering lunches, snacks and fine dining. Come in and enjoy the atmosphere of The Hub or watch the world go by from our beautiful house.

The Hub, Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

Open every day from 9:30 a.m. till late.

Tel:0131173 2067 www.thehub-edinburgh.com

Farm World

Enjoy being“A Farmer for a Day”. Join in delivering and feeding our spring babies—bottle feeding sessions twice daily. Fun for all family. Horse Rides, BMX Bikes Cross Country Course. Tractor Ride through 600 acres, New Adventure Playground, Nature Trails. Full details on website.

Open: May—Oct Wednesdays to Saturdays and daily during school holidays 11 a.m.—5 p.m.

Tel:01797 260256/260321 www.farmworldrye.co.uk

Enter the Europe-wide student competition!

Are you curious, creative and energetic? Are you interested in the new media? Are you between 12 and 9 years of age? Then Join Multimedia 2006 is for you!

Your challenge will be to build a team and develop a multimedia presentation in English-based on one of three different topics. You can register (报名) between May 1 and June 15, 2006 and will have to turn in your entry before September 15, 2006.

The rewards are wonderful: £ 150,000 in prize for schools and teams and the chance to attend a European student camp—plus new experiences, an opportunity to make friends throughout Europe!

For further information and registration forms go to: www.siemens.com/join. multimedia.

1.You’ll have to register first if you want____________.

   A. to enjoy delicious food

   B. to try Tractor Ride through 600 acres

   C. to enter the Europe-wide student competition

   D. to watch the world go by from the beautiful house

2.According to the passage, there will be_________rewards for the Europe-wide student competition.

   A. only one           B. two           C. three          D. four

3.You can visit Farm World_________.

   A. on Monday in May              B. any day in October

   C. at 2 p.m. at Christmas            D. at 10:30 a.m. during school holidays

4.From the advertisements above, we can learn that_________.

   A. Cafe Hub is a popular place in the local area

   B. families can enjoy Horse Rides on New Adventure Playground

   C. Farm World provides lunches, snacks and fine dining

   D. the Europe-wide student competition will be held on June 15,2006

On Nov.18th,1908,three men went up in a balloon(????).They started early in London. The headman was Auguste Gaudron,and the other two men were Tannar and Maitland. They had a big balloon and they were ready for a long way.

   Soon they heard the sea. They were carrying the usual rope(????),and it was hanging down from the basket of the balloon. At the end of the rope they had tied a metal box. This could hold water, or it could be empty. So they were able to change its weight(????).It was for use over the sea. They were also carrying some bags of sand.

   After the sun rose, the balloon went higher. It went up to 3,000 metes, and the air was very cold. The water in the balloon became ice. Snow fell past the men's basket, and they could see more snow on the ground. The men tried to throw out some more sand; but it was hard. They tried to break the icy sand with their knives, but it was not easy. The work was slow and they were still falling, so they had to drop some whole bags of sand. One of them fell on an icy lake and made a black hole in the ice.

   At last they pulled the box into the basket. It was still snowing; so they climbed to get away from the snow. They rose to 5,100 meters! Everything became icy. They were so cold that they decided to land. They came down in Poland heavily but safely. They had traveled 1,797 kilometers from London!

1.Three men flew in balloon ________.

  A. for nearly 1,800 kilometers                  B. to another city

C. to visit Poland                           D. more than a century ago

2.The metal box was used for ________.

  A. carrying the bags of sand                 B. keeping drinking-water

C. carrying ropes of the basket                  D. changing weight

3.When the balloon went up higher,________.

  A. the temperature of the balloon began to fall  

B. They saw the sun go down

C. They made a hole in the basket with their knives

D. They could see a black hole on the ground

4.The balloon landed ________.

  A. in London       B. on the sea        C. on a lake      D. in a foreign country

5.Which of the following is NOT true ________

  A  The three men started their journey before the sun rose.

  B.  The balloon began to go up when they threw bags of sand out of the basket.

  C.  When they pulled the box into the basket, the balloon began to climb up.

  D.  The three men had to land because they felt cold.