“How’s the basketball coming on?”

   I put down my drink and looked across at the next table. I was curious about that because both the man and the woman were at least 65.

   “Oh, I’m not playing much basketball these days,” the woman replied. “But I’m getting much better at golf.”

   What’s this, I thought. I opened my packet of crisps, thoughtfully.

“I’m still pretty hopeless at chess, I’m afraid,” the man said. “It beat me on level one this morning.”

   The penny dropped. These two were the proud owners of computer games.

   It’s very likely that one of the results of the development of the silicon chip (硅片) will be that a lot of people will have more exciting ways to spend their leisure time. It already has. Space invader machines are now a familiar sight everywhere. A lot of people play them, and some, particularly school children, get remarkably high scores. How, one wonders, do they find the time (and money) to become so good?

   If you have your own computers, the possibilities are endless. You can play any active sports without stepping out of your living room.

   You can become an expert at chess or backgammon (a kind of game) without ever playing with another human being. Indeed, human beings aren’t needed at all.

   So, what of the future? Will we see school children stealing or even robbing to feed space invader machines? Will football grounds lie empty as families sit at home playing video football, or watching the national video football championship? Perhaps, it won’t go that far. But we won’t have to wait long for the Video Olympics. I’m sure of that.

   Back in the pub, I stood up, took out 20 pence, and went over to the space invader machine. I may not be much good at beating computers at backgammon, but any space invaders who arrive on Earth anywhere near me had better watch out.

1. Why did the dialogue mentioned at the beginning of the passage draw the writer’s attention?

   A. Because the speakers were old.       

B. Because he wanted to join them.

   C. Because the speakers were famous people.      

D. Because he was interested in sports.

2. The example of the man and woman is taken at the beginning of the passage to show how ______ the computer games are.

   A. convenient   B. necessary    C. curious       D. popular

3. What does the underlined sentence “The penny dropped” most probably mean?

   A. It was understood.          B. It was strange.  

   C. It was great.               D. It was accepted.

4. According to the writer, development in computer will make people ______.

   A. friendlier         B. less active       C. more athletic         D. smarter.

5. From the last paragraph we can see ______.

   A. the writer is strongly against video games

   B. the writer never plays video games

   C. the writer is fond of playing video games

   D. the write is better at “backgammon” than “space invader”

第二节信息匹配（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）
请阅读下列广告和相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号（56-60）的相应选项字母涂黑。首先，请阅读下列广告：
A Kid-Tough? Digital Camera
Product: J8209
Ages: 3 years & up
Price: $70.00
Here’s a real digital camera that’s tough enough–and easy enough–for kids to use. What a perfect way for kids to get creative by taking, viewing and even printing their own digital pictures!
B Laugh & Learn? Learning Table?
Ages: 6-36 months 
Product: C5522
Approx. Retail Price: $40.00
Stir up the learning fun! Two interactive play modes teach A-B-C’s, 1-2-3’s, colors, textures, first words, music, and so much more! 15 sing-along songs, 10 fascinating activities, speech, sounds, and lots of ways to imagine and play.
C Brilliant Basics? Big Discoveries Table?
Ages: 9 months & up 
Product: K6671
Price: $25.00
This activity-filled table offers plenty to do, with open-ended play all around. While your baby is busy having fun, you’ll be amazed at all the new skills that develop! Before you know it, baby will be making big new discoveries, improving motor skills, developing eye-hand coordination, and learning to recognize colors, shapes and sizes.
D Baby Gymtastics? Bat & Score Goal?
Ages: 6-36 months 
Product: K0476
Price: $21.00
With this versatile set, even sitting babies can enjoy scoring a goal! When they bat the inflatable ball or the wiggly cheetah, baby is rewarded with music, lights and sounds. Then, once little ones start crawling or can stand and kick, you can easily convert it, for the whole goal experience! Detach the ball and the rhino becomes the “goalie.” Toddlers can push, kick or toss the ball at the target, while you stand back and catch the excitement!
E Go Baby Go!
Ages: 9-36 months
Price: $35.00
There’s nothing like having a friend you can rely on especially when you are learning to walk! This charming lion is ready to steady baby’s first steps, encouraging progress with rewarding lights, sounds, and upbeat music. Once walking is a sure thing, toddlers can hop on the lion’s back and ride all around for a roaring good time. Designed with a wide wheel base for sturdy support. With on/off switch plus volume control for quiet play.
F  ESPN Shot Block? Basketball
Product: H4685
Ages: 5 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $80.00
Bring defense to the game! Automatic shot-blocking rim defense and 8 ways to play add even more fun, excitement and challenge to indoor basketball fun!
Includes 2 balls. For indoor use only. Requires 4 "C" batteries.
请阅读以下人员的相关信息，然后匹配与之相应的广告：
56. Jack and his wife want to buy a toy for their 7-month-old baby. But Jack has a low income and intends to buy something which is not so expensive.
57. Alice and her husband have a 7-year-old son who likes using their expensive digital camera. They decide to buy him one which is cheap and easy to operate.
58. Lynne’s daughter is 11 months old. Lynne thinks it’s time for her daughter to learn to walk.
59. Margaret’s son, who is two years old, is very good at distinguishing（辨别）different shapes. Magaret says it is due to a toy she bought when her son was one year old. Which toy is she talking about?
60. Peter is fond of playing basketball. He expects his son to begin playing it before he goes to Primary School.

第二节信息匹配（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）

请阅读下列广告和相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号（56-60）的相应选项字母涂黑。首先，请阅读下列广告：

A Kid-Tough? Digital Camera

Product: J8209

Ages: 3 years & up

Price: $70.00

Here’s a real digital camera that’s tough enough–and easy enough–for kids to use. What a perfect way for kids to get creative by taking, viewing and even printing their own digital pictures!

B Laugh & Learn? Learning Table?

Ages: 6-36 months 

Product: C5522

Approx. Retail Price: $40.00

Stir up the learning fun! Two interactive play modes teach A-B-C’s, 1-2-3’s, colors, textures, first words, music, and so much more! 15 sing-along songs, 10 fascinating activities, speech, sounds, and lots of ways to imagine and play.

C Brilliant Basics? Big Discoveries Table?

Ages: 9 months & up 

Product: K6671

Price: $25.00

This activity-filled table offers plenty to do, with open-ended play all around. While your baby is busy having fun, you’ll be amazed at all the new skills that develop! Before you know it, baby will be making big new discoveries, improving motor skills, developing eye-hand coordination, and learning to recognize colors, shapes and sizes.

D Baby Gymtastics? Bat & Score Goal?

Ages: 6-36 months 

Product: K0476

Price: $21.00

With this versatile set, even sitting babies can enjoy scoring a goal! When they bat the inflatable ball or the wiggly cheetah, baby is rewarded with music, lights and sounds. Then, once little ones start crawling or can stand and kick, you can easily convert it, for the whole goal experience! Detach the ball and the rhino becomes the “goalie.” Toddlers can push, kick or toss the ball at the target, while you stand back and catch the excitement!

E Go Baby Go!

Ages: 9-36 months

Price: $35.00

There’s nothing like having a friend you can rely on especially when you are learning to walk! This charming lion is ready to steady baby’s first steps, encouraging progress with rewarding lights, sounds, and upbeat music. Once walking is a sure thing, toddlers can hop on the lion’s back and ride all around for a roaring good time. Designed with a wide wheel base for sturdy support. With on/off switch plus volume control for quiet play.

F  ESPN Shot Block? Basketball

Product: H4685

Ages: 5 years & up

Approx. Retail Price: $80.00

Bring defense to the game! Automatic shot-blocking rim defense and 8 ways to play add even more fun, excitement and challenge to indoor basketball fun!

Includes 2 balls. For indoor use only. Requires 4 "C" batteries.

请阅读以下人员的相关信息，然后匹配与之相应的广告：

56. Jack and his wife want to buy a toy for their 7-month-old baby. But Jack has a low income and intends to buy something which is not so expensive.

57. Alice and her husband have a 7-year-old son who likes using their expensive digital camera. They decide to buy him one which is cheap and easy to operate.

58. Lynne’s daughter is 11 months old. Lynne thinks it’s time for her daughter to learn to walk.

59. Margaret’s son, who is two years old, is very good at distinguishing（辨别）different shapes. Magaret says it is due to a toy she bought when her son was one year old. Which toy is she talking about?

60. Peter is fond of playing basketball. He expects his son to begin playing it before he goes to Primary School.

第二节 信息匹配（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）

请阅读下列广告和相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号（56-60）的相应选项字母涂黑。首先，请阅读下列广告：

A Kid-Tough?? Digital Camera

Product: J8209

Ages: 3 years & up

Price: $70.00

Here’s a real digital camera that’s tough enough–and easy enough–for kids to use. What a perfect way for kids to get creative by taking, viewing and even printing their own digital pictures!

B Laugh & Learn?? Learning Table??

Ages: 6-36 months 

Product: C5522

Approx. Retail Price: $40.00

Stir up the learning fun! Two interactive play modes teach A-B-C’s, 1-2-3’s, colors, textures, first words, music, and so much more! 15 sing-along songs, 10 fascinating activities, speech, sounds, and lots of ways to imagine and play.

C Brilliant Basics?? Big Discoveries Table??

Ages: 9 months & up 

Product: K6671

Price: $25.00

This activity-filled table offers plenty to do, with open-ended play all around. While your baby is busy having fun, you’ll be amazed at all the new skills that develop! Before you know it, baby will be making big new discoveries, improving motor skills, developing eye-hand coordination, and learning to recognize colors, shapes and sizes.

D Baby Gymtastics?? Bat & Score Goal??

Ages: 6-36 months 

Product: K0476

Price: $21.00

With this versatile set, even sitting babies can enjoy scoring a goal! When they bat the inflatable ball or the wiggly cheetah, baby is rewarded with music, lights and sounds. Then, once little ones start crawling or can stand and kick, you can easily convert it, for the whole goal experience! Detach the ball and the rhino becomes the “goalie.” Toddlers can push, kick or toss the ball at the target, while you stand back and catch the excitement!

E Go Baby Go!

Ages: 9-36 months

Price: $35.00

There’s nothing like having a friend you can rely on especially when you are learning to walk! This charming lion is ready to steady baby’s first steps, encouraging progress with rewarding lights, sounds, and upbeat music. Once walking is a sure thing, toddlers can hop on the lion’s back and ride all around for a roaring good time. Designed with a wide wheel base for sturdy support. With on/off switch plus volume control for quiet play.

F  ESPN Shot Block?? Basketball

Product: H4685

Ages: 5 years & up

Approx. Retail Price: $80.00

Bring defense to the game! Automatic shot-blocking rim defense and 8 ways to play add even more fun, excitement and challenge to indoor basketball fun!

Includes 2 balls. For indoor use only. Requires 4 "C" batteries.

请阅读以下人员的相关信息， 然后匹配与之相应的广告：

56. Jack and his wife want to buy a toy for their 7-month-old baby. But Jack has a low income and intends to buy something which is not so expensive.

57. Alice and her husband have a 7-year-old son who likes using their expensive digital camera. They decide to buy him one which is cheap and easy to operate.

58. Lynne’s daughter is 11 months old. Lynne thinks it’s time for her daughter to learn to walk.

59. Margaret’s son, who is two years old, is very good at distinguishing（辨别）different shapes. Magaret says it is due to a toy she bought when her son was one year old. Which toy is she talking about?

60. Peter is fond of playing basketball. He expects his son to begin playing it before he goes to Primary School.