Few buildings on earth can compete with the legendary beauty of the Taj Mahal. Towering over the ancient Indian city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is the grandest monument (纪念碑) to love ever created.

The lovers in this story are the 17th century Indian emperor Shah Jehan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. She took a leading role in advising him, which is something unusual for a woman to do for a husband who’s an emperor. Over the course of their nineteen-year marriage she gave birth to 14 children. But in 1631 while trying to deliver their fifteenth — she tragically died. He was heartbroken when she died. And after her death, he decided to build the world’s greatest monument ever built, for love.

He ordered the royal architects to design the most beautiful building the world had known and decided to name it after his beloved, Mumtaz Mahal. He called on twenty thousand workers and sent many more people to all corners of his country in search of valuable metals and jewels. And after seventeen years of hard work, Shah Jehan’s monument was completed and his beloved empress was moved to her final resting place.

       Everything had gone according to plan, but Shah Jehan’s luck was about to change ... In 1658, just four years after the completion of the Taj Mahal, he was thrown out of power. Unfortunately, his son, Aran Azibe imprisoned him, his own father. And he spent the last seven years of his life in prison. And he was allowed to look at the Taj Mahal through a window. His life was in ruins, but when he died his last wish was promised. He was buried beside his beloved wife in the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal was built for ______.

A. Mumtaz                      B. Shah      C. Mumtaz or Shah           D. Mumtaz and Shah

The Taj Mahal was completed in ______.

A. 1658   B. 1662          C. 1665      D. 1654      

What was unusual for Mumtaz Mahal according to the passage?

A. She gave birth to 14 children for her husband.   B. She gave important advice to her husband.

C. She asked her son to imprison his father.   D. She planned to build the world’s greatest monument.

Which of the following is TRUE about Shah Jehan?

A. He was killed by his own son.  B. He lost his power as a result of the Taj Mahal.

C. He put his own son into prison.  D. He hoped to be buried together with his wife.  

Chuck was one of my students in my high school English class. He was a writer of great 21. So, when he was accepted into the journalism program at the University of Missouri, I wasn’t 22.

  During his first year at college, Chuck would stopp by the school a few times to keep me informed of his 23. We recalled（回忆）that we had worked together several years before to 24 money for some sick African babies who were being cared for by a nurse friend of mine in Thailand, a place far away yet close to our 25. Chuck raised several thousand dollars. It was an activity that 26 our common relationship into a friendship.

  In his second year at college, it was discovered that Chuck had lung cancer and had only a short while to 27. I went to see him one day. Seeing me, he was filled with 28 and we talked and laughed for most of the afternoon.

  About six weeks later, Chuck died. It was a great 29 for everyone, especially for his family. Chuck was 30 and full of promise. More  31, he was a good person, a just person.

  When I went to his funeral（葬礼）, his father told me that several weeks before, Chuck had asked him to 32 his possessions with him so that he might select a few things to be buried together with him . Chuck 33 six items, including an essay(论文) he had written.

   He told me that Chuck liked the 34 I had written to him at the bottom of the last page. In that little note, I affirmed(证实) his talent as a 35.

   I was grateful for the 36 gift Chuck gave me that day. His taking my note with him offered me a great opportunity to 37 students’ lives. I felt a sense of purpose that was greater than ever. Whenever I 38 my purpose in teaching, I think of Chuck, and I am reminded of it once again: 39 have the power to affect hearts and 40 for a long time.

1.. A. use          B. talent           C. height           D. assistance

2..A. disappointed B. amused           C. excited       D. surprised

3.. A. secret           B. school               C. progress          D. family

4. A. raise             B. borrow           C. spend         D. save

5.. A. college      B. hearts           C. village       D. friends

6.. A. transformed      B. divided          C. put           D. devoted

7.. A. spare            B. act              C. live              D. sleep

8.. A. worry            B. joy              C. pain              D. tears

9.. A. honor            B. comfort          C. day           D. loss

10. A. fortunate        B. serious          C. talented          D. unsatisfied

11.. A. importantly     B. seriously            C. usually      D. sincerely

12.. A. go over         B. take over            C. give away         D. threw away

13.. A. added           B. bought           C. examined          D. chose

14.. A. story           B. letter               C. joke              D. message

15.. A. writer          B. teacher          C. doctor        D. comedian

16.. A. excellent       B. practical            C. special      D. expensive

17.. A. believe         B. draw                 C. know              D. influence

18. A. remember         B. forget           C. change        D. achieve

19.. A. Parents         B. Teachers             C. Students     D. Strangers

20.. A. health          B. appearance       C. accents       D. minds

The Taj Mahal (泰姬陵) is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the finest example of the late style of Indian architecture (建筑). It is at Agra in northern India. It lies beside the River Jumna in the middle of gardens with quiet pools.

　　The Taj Mahal was built by the Mogul emperor (皇帝) Shah Jehan, who ruled India in the seventeenth century. It is in memory of his favorite wife, Arjumand Banu Bagam, known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The building, which was completed between 1632 and 1638, was designed by a local Muslim architect (建筑师), Ustad Ahmad Lahori. The whole building, with gardens and gateway structures, was completed in 1643. The Taj Mahal stands at one end of the garden tomb with marble (大理石) path. The room is softly lighted by the light that passes through double screens of carved marble set high in the walls. The building now is kept in good condition.

　　The Taj Mahal took 22 years to build. Shah Jehan planned a similar building, but in black instead of white, to lie on the other side of the river. But before it could be built, Shah Jehan was imprisoned (监禁) by his son and buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal.

1.The Taj Mahal was built for____ .

2. Why do you think Shah Jehan was buried next to his wife?

3.The passage mainly tells us____ .

4.Form the passage we can learn that____ .

With so many people ______ in the mine(矿), none of the rescue workers would stop to have a rest.

The gray-haired lady can’t wait to leave the building to search for her dad. Unless watched, she will walk in the streets in an effort to find her father, who died 30 years ago.

Not all cases of Alzheimer’s disease look like this, but Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that is said to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death for people over age 75. It is said that about three percent of the U.S. population over age 65 have Alzheimer’s. In the early stages, people may exhibit short-term memory loss. Some may experience changes in personality, easy to be angry. As the disease progresses, patients might lose the ability to move and may be unable to speak or move at all. This progressive disease generally lasts 8 to 10 years before death occurs.

While no one is certain what causes these changes in the brain’s nerve fibers （神经纤维）, their effect is certain. Alzheimer’s destroys not only the patients, but also spouses（配偶）, friends and families.

What should you do if you notice progressive memory loss in yourself or a loved one? Have the person examined by a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Though many reasons other than Alzheimer’s disease may cause memory loss, its early diagnosis（诊断）and treatment may delay some of the most serious effects.

What feeling will you likely experience if a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease? A person will often go through the various stages of sadness, shock, anger, and so on. If the spouse develops the disease, you may experience hurt and disappointment when he or she doesn’t remember you are married.

Life for the Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones will never be the same as the disease progresses, bringing a deep sorrow, loss and even anger towards God. No matter what feelings are present, facing them honestly will serve one better than burying them.

What can be inferred from the passage about the gray-haired day?

       A. She has been living with her father.

       B. She was sad about the death of her father.

       C. She can’t search for her father without being watched.

       D. She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

When people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, ________.

       A. their families and friends will suffer from the same disease

       B. their families and friends will experience mental sufferings

       C. they will certainly die in 8 to 10 years

       D. they will forget everybody but their spouses

Memory loss occurs ________.

       A. from Alzheimer’s disease and nothing else

       B. from sadness, shock, anger, and so on

       C. for a number of reasons   

       D. with changes in personality

From the passage we know that        .

A. early treatment may stop Alzheimer’s disease occurring

B. it is still unknown what causes the changes in the brain’s nerve fibers

C. nerve fibers in the brain will cause Alzheimer’s disease

D. when one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, he will be buried