The freezing point is the temperature __________ water changes into ice.

A. at which　 B. on that 　　　　C. in which 　　　 D. of what

“Opinion” is a word that is used carelessly today. It is used to refer to matters of taste, belief, and judgment. This casual use would probably cause little confusion if people didn’t attach too much importance to opinion. Unfortunately, most believe it is of great importance. “I have as much right to my opinion as you to yours,” and “Everyone’s entitled to his opinion,” are common expressions. In fact, anyone who would challenge another’s opinion is likely to be considered intolerant(不可容忍的).

    Is that label accurate? Is it intolerant to challenge another’s opinion? It depends on what definition of opinion you have in mind. For example, you may ask a friend “What do you think of the new Ford cars?” And he may reply, “In my opinion, they’re ugly.” In this case, it would not only be intolerant to challenge his statement, but foolish. It’s obvious that by opinion he means his personal preference, a matter of taste. And as the old saying goes, “It’s pointless to argue about matters of taste.”

　　But consider this very different use of the term, a newspaper reports that the Supreme Court has delivered its opinion in a controversial(有争议的) case. Obviously the justices did not share their personal preferences, their likes and dislikes; they stated their considered judgment, painstakingly arrived at after thorough inquiry and careful consideration.

　　Most of what is referred to as opinion falls somewhere between these two extremes. It is not an expression of taste. Nor is it careful judgment. Yet it may contain elements of both. It is a view or belief more or less casually arrived at, with or without examining the evidence. Is everyone entitled to his opinion? Of course, this is not only permitted, but guaranteed. We are free to act on our opinions only so long as, in doing so, we do not harm others.

1.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

　 A. Everyone has a right to hold his own opinion.

　 B. Free expression of opinions often leads to confusion.

　 C. Most people tend to be careless in forming their opinions.

　 D. Casual use of the word “opinion” often brings about quarrels.

2.The new Ford cars are mentioned as an example to show that ________.

　 A. it is foolish to criticize a famous brand

　 B. one should not always agree to others’ opinions

　 C. personal tastes are not something to be challenged

　 D. it is unwise to express one’s likes and dislikes in public

3.Considered judgment is different from personal preference in that ________.

　 A. it is stated by judges in the court      

 B. it reflects public likes and dislikes

　 C. it is a result of a lot of argument　　

 D. it is based on careful thought

4.As indicated in the passage, being free to act on one’s opinion ________.

　 A. means that one can ignore other people’s criticism

　 B. means that one can force others to accept his preferences

　 C. doesn’t mean that one has the right to do things at will

　 D. doesn’t mean that one has the right to charge others without evidence

I believe that families are not only blood relatives, but sometimes people who show up and love you when no one else will.

In May 1977, I was living in a Howard Johnson’s motel off Interstate 10 in Houston. My dad and I 36 a room with two double beds and the bathroom was too 37 for a 15-year-old girl and her father. Dad’s second marriage was 　38 and my stepmother had 　39 us both out of the house the previous week. Dad had no 　40_ of what to do with me. And that’s when my other family 　41 .

Barbara and Roland Beach took me into their home 　42 　their only daughter, Su, my best friend, asked them to. I 　43 with them for the next seven years.

Barb washed my skirts the same as Su’s. She 　44 I had lunch money, doctors’ appointments, help with homework and nightly hugs. Barbara and Roland attended every football game where Su and I were being cheerleaders. As far as I could tell, for the Beaches there was no 45 between Su and me; I was their daughter, too.

When Su and I 46 college they kept my room the same for the entire four years I attended school. Recently, Barb presented me with an insurance they _47_ when I first moved in with them and had continued to pay on for 23 years.

The Beaches knew 48 about me when they took me in – they had heard the whole story from Su. When I was seven, my mother died and from then on my father relied on other people to _49 his kids. Before I went to live with the Beaches I had believed that life was entirely 　50__ and that love was shaky and untrustworthy. I had believed that the only person who would take care of me was me.

51 the Beaches, I would have become a bitter, cynical (愤世嫉俗的) woman. They gave me a(n) 52 that allowed me to grow and change. They kept me from being paralyzed(麻痹的) by my _53 , and they gave me the confidence to open my heart.

Now I 　54 family. For me, it wasn’t the family that was there on the day I was 55 , but the one that was there for me when I was living in a Howard Johnson’s on Interstate 10.

36. A. lived B. shared C. possessed D. bought

37. A. cheap B. noisy C. small D. limited

38. A. in trouble B. in sight C. in place D. in parts

39. A. struck B. took C. kicked D. knocked

40. A. plan B. choice C. chance D. idea

41. A. looked after B. showed up C. turned over D. came across

42. A. so B. because C. until D. while

43. A. worked B. traveled C. lived D. learned

44. A. worked out B. called up C. watched out D. made sure

45. A. change B. problem C. conflict D. difference

46. A. set off B. left for C. entered into D.admitted into

47. A. paid B. bought C. had D. owned

48. A. all B. little C. something D. nothing

49. A. supply B. teach C. encourage D. raise

50. A. different B. unfair C. easy D. hopeful

51. A. Thanks to B. In spite of C. Except for D. But for

52. A. home B. house C. ability D. lesson

53. A. choice B. failure C. past D. present

54. A. doubt about B. call on C. center on D. believe in

55. A. born B. accepted C. educated D. deserted

A. campaign　　　　　 B. noted　　　　　　　　　 C. focus　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. careful　　 E. released

F. fall　　　　　　　　　　 G. trend　　　　　　　 H. dead　　　　　　　　 I. major　　　　　　　　 J. extended

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The U.S. unemployment rate probably rose in October as employers stepped up hiring only slightly, underscoring President Barack Obama’s vulnerability in next week’s presidential election.

Employers likely added 125,000 jobs to their payrolls last month, according to a Reuters survey of economists. That would be up from 114,000 in September, but would 　 41　 short of what is needed to quickly cut the jobless rate.

Indeed, economists expect the unemployment rate — a key 　　42　 in the neck-and-neck race for the White House ——to tick up by a tenth of a percentage point to 7.9 percent, reversing part of a surprise drop seen in September.

The Labor Department's closely watched report, which will be 　 43 at 8:30 a.m. (12:30 GMT) on Friday, will be the last 　44 report card on the economy before Tuesday's presidential election, which pits (使竞争）President Obama against Republican Mitt Romney.

If economists are right, it will show the eighth straight month of dull job growth, a worrisome　 45 that would likely reinforce the Federal Reserve's resolve to keep easy money policies in place until the economy shows more vigor.

"The weakness in overall economic growth momentum has 　 46 into the last quarter of the year," said Millan Mulraine, an economist at TD Securities in New York.

Romney has made the nation's feeble jobs market, which has caused Obama a lot of trouble since he took office in 2009, the centerpiece of his 　 47 . The last Reuters/Ipsos daily tracking poll showed Obama and Romney in a 　 48　 heat.

Still, the report could provide fodder for both candidates. Some economists have 　 49　 an increase in the jobless rate might have a silver lining if it is driven by Americans pouring into the labor market to restart job hunts.