In 1901, H. G. Wells, an English writer, wrote a book describing a trip to the moon. When the explorers landed on the moon, they discovered that the moon was full of underground cities.
They showed their surprise to the “moon people” they met. In turn, the “moon people” showed their surprise. “Why,” they asked, “are you traveling to outer space when you don’t even use your inner space?”
H. G. Wells could only imagine travel to the moon. In 1969, human beings did land on the moon. People today know that there are no underground cities on the moon. However, the question that the “moon people” asked is still an interesting one. A growing number of scientists are seriously thinking about it.
Underground systems are already in place. Many cities have underground car parks. In some cities, such as Tokyo, Seoul and Montreal, there are large underground shopping areas. The “Channel”, a tunnel connecting England and France, is now completed.
But what about underground cities? Japan’s Taisei Corporation is designing a network of underground systems, called “Alice Cities”. The designers imagine using surface space for public parks and using underground space for flats, offices, shopping, and so on. A solar dome would cover the whole city.
Supporters(支持者) of underground development say that building down rather than building up is a good way to use the earth’s space. The space, they say, can be used for farms, parks, gardens and wilderness. H. G. Well’s “moon people” would agree. Would you?
【小题1】The explorers in H. G. Well’s story were surprised to find that the “moon people” ______.

1. If the interviewer asked about your family or school, speak with loyalty and __________.（喜爱）
2. Don’t you think it __________（荒唐的）to go out for a picnic in such bad weather?
3. When the old man let out his real  __________ （身份）as the president of the multinational company, the woman
was shocked.
4. It's a little__________ (别扭的 尴尬的), because he's my friend but I'm still his boss.
5. This __________ （环境的） effect of this new factory could be disastrous.
6. Children and a__________ should be paid more attention to.
7. It is a h__________ thing to see one person make another suffer.
8. He is not a friend of mine，only an a__________.
9. The quality of raw m__________ is essential to the quality of product.
10.His old car c__________ much gasoline, so he decided to buy a new one.

"S. H.E. is going to sing at the CCTV annual Spring Festival Evening Party, is that true?" cried out Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl in Shanghai and die-hard S. H.E. fan.

After checking it on the Internet, Peng quickly phoned friends to spread the news. For fans like her, S. H. E. ’s performance is perhaps the only part of the old fashioned evening to get excited about.

The Taiwanese band is made up of Selina, Hebe and Ella. Their name comes from the first letter of each of the singers' English names.

Last week S. H. E. announced they would perform in Las Vegas, US, over Christmas and then in Guangzhou on January 15.

At their Shanghai show on October 30, hundreds of parents waited outside the Hongkou Stadium. Inside, thousands of teenagers sang, cried and shouted as the band performed.

"I love their music, healthy image and everything related to them. Thank God that, although my parents don't understand why I love them so much, they still bought me a ticket for that show," said Peng about the Shanghai performance.

It is not just on the mainland that the three girls have made audiences much excited. In the past year the band has passed through Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Singapore and Malaysia.

When the three high school girls entered a singing contest in Taiwan in 2000, none of them ever dreamed of being a superstar. "We had never met before, and we didn't talk at all at the beginning," recalled Ella.

When asked about the secret of their success, she said, "Our average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep us close to our fans. We are happy to be the girls next door, your singing sisters."

"It's really a magical journey, from day-dreaming high school girls to singers performing on the same stage as our idols(偶像). Nothing but magical," she said.

1. Why was Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl, so excited?

2.How did the Taiwanese band get the name?

3.What do you know about Peng Weiye?

4.Which is true about S. H. E. ?

5. Which do you think is NOT the reason for S. H. E’s popularity among their fans?

I truly hope that at the end of this short essay(短文) you will know how to learn English.

     I was born in Somalia, and Italian is my mother tongue. 31 enough, soon after I arrived in London when I was 17, I was admitted to a sixth-form college. I found caring (体贴的) teachers there, who 32   taught me English. This, I think, was a(n) 33 factor(因素) that encouraged me to learn the language. The most important thing, 34, is to work hard. So those of you who don’t have such good teachers should not 35. When I was in London, I 36 myself to English learning as I 37 to go to university very much. Mastering the language was the only 38 to achieve my goal.

    Now I have 39 my master’s degree from Oxford University. Looking back, I 40 I was quite innocent (天真的),for I never imagined learning English was going to be so much 41. The more fluent I become, the 42 the language became. One can master it only 43 years of tireless efforts(努力).

    Some basic 44 which I would give to people who are interested in learning the language are:

1. Buy a good dictionary. 45 English learners use their dictionaries all the time.

2.46 English newspapers. Don’t forget to 47 the new words in your dictionary.

3. Listen to the radio 48 watching TV as listening to the radio helps you more.

4. Talk, talk and talk to 49 at anytime and anywhere.

    And even though at times it may be embarrassing(尴尬的) to make 50 ，you will finally correct them and remember them. Soon you will start to become fluent.

Books for Children

If you want to make a Christmas plan together with your children, which book do you prefer？

       A. Star of Wonder                                            B. The Not-So-Wise Man

       C. First Festival: Christmas                        D. My Very First Christmas Book

Which number would you dial if you want to order a book for your 2-year-old child?

       A. 07459 40560.                               B. 07459 38922.

       C. 07459 45783.                               D. 07459 44116.

If your child wants to read stories of animals, whose book will be your choice?

       A. Pat Alexander.                                             B. Beth Webb.

C. Lois Rock.                                                   D. Elizabeth Goudge.