New York’s streets were covered by people dressed in elephant costumes (服装) and others waving antiwar posters with pictures of US President George W. Bush on them last week. But this was no carnival (狂欢节) – it was the Republican Party’s National Convention (共和党全国大会), which attracted thousands of protestors (抗议者). It was the largest protest ever at a US political convention, with at least 120,000 people marching through Manhattan on August 29. They demanded that the US leave Iraq and a new president be chosen.

The Republicans say the opposition – Democrat Party (民主党) encouraged the people on to the streets. They believe it is a democratic move to help win presidential election, to be held on November 2. The election is described as “the decisive battle between donkey and elephant”. The two animals are the symbols of the two major political parties in the US. The elephant represents (象征) the Republicans, whose candidate (侯选人), President George W. Bush, is trying to defeat the donkey to win his second them. The donkey represents the democrats, whose candidate, John Kerry, is trying to kick the elephant out of the White House.

Republicans think the elephant is powerful and clever, but the Democrats argue it is stupid and conservative (守旧的). In return, the Republicans regard the donkey as stubborn (倔强的) and silly but the Democrats say it is humble, plain, smart and courageous.

The Republicans have been sending emails to Bush supporters and journalists with the heading, “An Elephant Never Forgets”, said party spokeswoman Heather Layman. Elephants are known for their long memories. The emails suggest that Bush will keep his promises, while Kerry will not stick to his words.

It is interesting that both symbols were created by a single person, Thomas Nast, a famous political cartoonist of the late 19th century. During the election in 1874, Nast drew a cartoon, in which a donkey in a lion’s skin frightened an elephant marked “Republican”.

What does “kick the elephant out of the White House” mean?

A. Drive the animal out of the White House.        B. Drive President Bush out of power.

C. Keep the elephant out of the White House.       D. Insist on Bush’s being elected.

In the eyes of the Republicans, the donkey is considered as      .

A. clever              B. foolish              C. polite              D. brave

Which of the following is NOT true?

A. The same artist created the two symbols.

B. The emails suggest Kerry will not carry out his promises.

C. “An Elephant Never Forgets” means that an elephant has a good memory.

D. John Kerry is a Democrat.

The Lies of George W. Bush

By David Corn

Imprint: Three Rivers Press

Trade Paperback: 368 pages

Pub Date: May 2004

Price: US $ 12.195

ISBN: 1400050677

All American presidents have lied, but George W. Bush has seriously abused the truth, this book tells us. It’s full of sharp accusations against the US president and his inner circle. David Corn, the Washington editor of “The Nation”, details the many times the Bush administration knowingly and intentionally misled the American public to advance its own interests and plan. These include: Unclear reports and presenting misleading arguments to gain public support for the war against Iraq. Misleading explanations, instead of telling the full truth, about the 9/11 attacks.

The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty

By Kitty Kelley

Imprint: Doubleday

Hardcover: 736 Pages

Pub Date: September 2004

Price: US $ 29.95

ISBN: 0385503245

They have got huge financial power and controlled world politics for more than half a century. They have been elected as governors, congressmen, senators and presidents. They have shaped America’s past and, with the country at war under the leadership of their No. 1 son, they are, shaping America’s future. As the Bush family has risen to power, they have been masters of their own public image. They act and operate under the protection of privacy their money and status has afforded them.

America’s Secret War

By George Friedman

Imprint: Doubleday

Hardcover: 368 pages

Pub Date: October 2004

Price: US $ 25.95

ISBN: 0385512457

Friedman tells the surprising truth behind America’s foreign policy and war in Afghanuistan and Iraq. In “America’s Secret War”, George Friedman identifies the Untied States’ most dangerous enemies. He also examines presidential strategies of the last quarter century, and reveals the real reasons behind the attack of 9/11 and the Bush administration’s reasons for the war in Iraq.

He describes in detail America’s secret and open efforts in the global war against terrorism.

1．Which of the two books are published by the same publisher?

       A．America’s Secret War and The Nation.

       B．The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty and The Lies of George W. Bush.

       C．The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty and America’s Secret War.

       D．America’s Secret War and The Lies of George W. Bush.

2．In the three books introduced above, the readers can learn           .

       A．how George W. Bush lied to the American people

       B．how the Bush family came to power

       C．the real truth behind the war on terrorism

       D．the truth about Bush

3．In which book is Bush criticized by the author?

       A．America’s Secret War.

       B．The Lies of George W. Bush.

       C．The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty.

       D．The Nation.

4．If you are an official from the department of foreign affairs, which book will most interest you?

       A．America’s Secret War.

       B．The Lies of George W. Bush

       C．The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty.

       D．The Nation.

Explaining China’s peaceful growth to the American politicians and public will top President Hu Jintao’s agenda when he visits the United States from September 5 to 8.

“This will be conductive to the development of Sino－US relations and China’s relationships with the rest of the world.” He Yafei, director of the Department of North American Affairs, said at a news briefing yesterday.

It will be Hu’s first State visit to the US after he became president in 2003. He will meet US President George W. Bush and legislators in Washington DC and business people in Seattle, and deliver a speech at Yale University in New Haven. Also on the list of areas of concern for Hu and Bush may be trade, Taiwan, energy and nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

China’s favorable balance of trade with the US derives from different economic structures in the two countries. The two economies supplement and benefit each other instead of competing, and the US should loosen its grip over its exports, especially high-tech products, to China, he said.

After his US trip, President Hu will travel to Canada and Mexico from September 8 to 13, and back to New York on September 14 to attend the World Summit and other activities in celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the United Nations.

Hu will wrap up his tour on September 16 at the UN in a show China’s support for the world body and multilateralism.

At yesterday’s news briefing, YC he also disclosed that the fourth round of Six－Party Talks on Korean Peninsula Nuclear issue will be resumed in the week of September 12.

1．The underlined word “wrap up ” can be taken place by ______.

    A．complete       B．go on          C．start          D．do…… secretly

2．President Hu Jintao may came home after ______.

    A．September 8th B．September 14th C．September 16th   D．September 13th

3．Which of the following is Not true?

    A．The visit to the US starts on September 5

    B．Hu and Bush may talk about Taiwan’s trade and energy.

    C．The economy of the two countries should supplement and benefit each other.

    D．Korean peninsula nuclear issue is another important problem the two presidents may talk about

4．The best title of this passage is ______.

    A．Itinerary for President Hu Jintao’s US visit

    B．Meeting in the US

    C．The Relationship between China and the US

    D．The Problem between China and the US

China is going green. In order to reduce air pollution and oil-shortages, car makers have announced their plans to develop hybrid(混合燃料) cars for the Chinese market. Toyota’s hybrid car Prius will be ready to drive in China this week. Let’s have a look at the new car.

Any vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or more sources of power. Hybrid cars have special engines, which are smaller than traditional gasoline engine. They run at 99 percent of their power when the car is going at a steady speed. A specially designed battery motor provides extra power for running up hills or when extra speed-up is needed.

Step into a Prius, and turn on the engine. The first thing you notice is how much quieter it is than a traditional car. At this point, the car’s gasoline engine is at rest. The electric motor will provide power until the car reaches about 24 kilometers per hour. If you stay at a low speed, you are effectively driving an electric car, with no gasoline being used, and no waste gas gives off.

The computer makes the decision about when to use a gas engine, when to go electric, and when to use a combination of the two. If you go over 24 kilometers per hour, when you step on the gas, you are actually telling the computer how fast you want to go.

The electronic motor recharges automatically using a set of batteries. When driving at a high speed, the gasoline engine not only powers the car, but also charges the batteries.

Any time you use the brake, the electric motor will work like a generator(发电机) and produce electricity to recharge the batteries. As a result, the car’s batteries will last for around 200, 000 miles.

1.Which of the following pictures can show how the power system of Prius works correctly?

   (W----wheel of the car, E:M----electric motor, G.E----gasoline engine, C----computer, B----batteries)

2.What is the most important characteristic of hybrid cars?

   A. They are powered by both a rechargeable battery and gasoline.

   B. They have smaller engines than traditional gasoline ones.

   C. They use only 99 percent of their power to run up hills.

   D. They are much quieter than traditional cars.

3.We can know from the report that ____.

   A. the batteries can be recharged at any time you want

   B. using the brake suggests that the gasoline engine should work

   C. the gasoline engine charges the batteries as well as powering the car

   D. the car’s batteries will last for around 200,000 miles without being recharged

4.The author writes this passage mainly to ________.

   A. announce plans to develop hybrid cars for the Chinese market

   B. let people know how to save their gasoline when driving a car

   C. teach people how to drive a hybrid car

   D. introduce a new kind of “green” car