As you move around your home, take a good look at the things you have. It is likely that your living room will have a television set and a video, and your kitchen a washing machine and a microwave oven. Your bedroom drawers will be filled with almost three times as many clothes as you need. You almost certainly own a car and possibly a home computer, holiday abroad at least once a year and eat out at least once a week.

         Now, perhaps, more than ever before, people are wondering what life is all about, and what it is for. Seeking material success is beginning to trouble large numbers of people around the world. They feel that the long hours work culture to make more money is eating up their lives, leaving them very little time or energy for family or pastimes. Many are turning to other ways of living and downshifting is one of them. Six percent of workers in Britain took the decision to downshift last year.

         One couple who downshifted is Daniel and Liz. They used to work in central London. He was a newspaper reporter and she used to work for an international bank. They would go to work by train every day from their large house in the suburbs, leaving their two children with a nanny. Most evenings Daniel wouldn’t get home until eight or nine o’clock and nearly twice a month he would have to fly to New York for meetings. They both earned a large amount of money but began to feel that life was passing them by.

　　Nowadays, they run a farm in the mountains of Wales. “I always wanted to have a farm then,” says Daniel, “and we took almost a year to make the decision to downshift. It’s taken some getting used to, but it’s been worth it. We have to think twice now about spending money on car repairs and we no longer have any holidays. However, I think it’s made us stronger as a family, and the children are a lot happier.

　　Liz, however, is not quite sure. “I used to enjoy my job, even though it was hard work and long hours. I’m not really a country girl, but I suppose I’m gradually getting used to looking after the animals. One thing I do like, though, is being able to see more of my children. My advice for other people wanting to do the same is not to think about it too much or you might not do it at all.”

1.The passage tells us that            .

A．people seldom work long hours to make money

B．people hardly buy more things than necessary

C．people are sure everything they own is in the right place

D．people realize there is more to life than just making money

2.When Daniel was a reporter he ___.

A．lived in central London       B．disliked his job

C．missed his children     D．was well paid

3.Daniel and Liz both agree that the move to the farm ____.

A．was easy to organize B．has improved family life

C．was extremely expensive   D．has been a total success

4.What does the author mean by saying"the long hours work culture to make more money is eating up their lives" in the second paragraph ?

A．People work long hours to earn their living.

B．To make more money through hard work is the aim of people's life.

C．Long hours of hard work occupy too much of people's life.

D．People spent too much time and money eating meals.

5.The underlined word "downshifting" in the second paragraph refers to _________.

A．repairing your car by yourself

B．spending money carefully

C．moving out to the countryside to live a simpler and better life

D．living in a big house in the suburbs and dining out once a week

C
　　Several years ago I worked in an office, which I had a locust tree growing outside the window. It had grown into a tall tree and must have been there for a long time. The tree blocked the view and made the office seem dull, unfortunately this happened to be the room assigned to me and I was depressed by it for quite some time.
　　When the first spring came, everything was green except the locust tree. Secretly, I was very happy because I had thought it had died.
　　One morning when I opened the window for fresh air, I unexpectedly smelt a familiar sweet scent floating into my office but I couldn’t name it. Suddenly, I realized it was the locust tree! The tree that I thought dead was blossoming in full glory.
　　From then on, I usually came to the office very early to see dew forming on the locust tree blossoms and every year was eager to see spring again.
　　During summer, the green leaves provided shade protecting me from the harsh sunlight, but allowing enough light in to make it pleasant. In autumn, the leaves turned into many different colors. Its beauty touched my soul. Many times I thought to take photos but never did. Then I had to leave in a hurry. Later in life it became a great regret that I had not done so.
　　Actually, many times in our lives, we think we own something, therefore we don’t cherish it. We don’t feel regretful until we lose it one day! Moreover, sometimes, we have to accept the things we don’t want and need to discover the hidden beauty to find unexpected joy!
59．The author of the passage employed a writing way ________.
A．of holding and releasing            B．that released first, then held
C．that held first, then released         D．that was not holding or releasing
60．What the author wanted to tell us is that ________.
A．not being delighted for what you have got and not feeling pity on the lost
B．think twice before you leap
C．treat everything calmly
D．cherish what you’ve owned
61．The reason the author came to the office early is ________.
A．to enjoy the dew                 B．to finish her work early
C．to do some cleaning              D．to avoid the burning sun
62．The underlined word “so” in the fifth paragraph perhaps refers to ________.
A．that I couldn’t see the tree any longer    B．that I should have taken some photos
C．that I had to leave                   D．that the tree died

C
　Being considered a leader in our society is indeed of high praise. Leadership means power, commands, respect and, most important, encourages achievement. Unlike vitamin C, leadership skills can’t be easily swallowed down. They must be carefully cultivated.
　Different from popular belief, most good leaders are made, not born. They learn their skills in their everyday lives. But which do they develop？How do they (and how can you) get others to follow?
　Always give credit. Many leaders note that the most efficient way to get a good performance from others is to treat them like heroes. Giving public credit to someone who has earned it is the best leadership technique in the world. It is also an act of generosity (慷慨) that’s never forgotten.
　Giving credit is more effective than even the most constructive criticism (批评), which often hurts rather than helps. Kenneth Blanchard, the author of The One-Minute Manager, agrees. “Catch people doing something right!” he says. Then tell everyone about it.
　Take informed risks. “The best leaders know that taking a risk is not a thoughtless exercise,” says management adviser Marilyn Machlowitz. “Sky divers don’t go up in an airplane without checking the parachutes (降落伞) beforehand.”
　Because the idea of risk also carries with it the possibility of failure, many of us usually wait for others to take charge. But if you want to be a leader, you must learn to fail and not die a thousand deaths. Pick yourself up and start all over again.
　Encourage enthusiasm (热情). “When people understand the important of work, they lend their mental strengths,” says Lee Ducat. But when they get excited about the work, all their energy gets poured into the job. That’s a great force! Is this the best way to create excitement? Be enthusiastic yourself. You will be followed by everyone.
64．The underlined word “cultivated” (in paragraph1) roughly means ________.
A．encouraged　　　　B．compared　　 C．examined　　　　D．developed
65．The part “always give credit” tells us that a leader should _______.
A．give helpful criticism　　　　　　　     B．regard others as real heroes
C．praise people for their good performances　  D．praise everyone
66．To be a good leader, you should _______.
A．not be afraid of any risks　　　　　　     B．think twice before taking risks
C．try to avoid any possible failures　　　　    D．know what a thoughtless exercise is
67．Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A．Leadership is of skills and techniques　　     B．Leadership is very important
C．Not many can be leaders　　　　　　     D．How to be a leader

(陕西)Brave Frenchman Found Half?way Around the World

(NEW YORK)A French tourist highly praised for rescuing a two?year?old girl in Manhattan said he didn't think twice before diving into the freezing East River.

　 Tuesday's Daily News said 29?year?old Julien Duret from France is the man who left the spot quickly after the rescue last Saturday.

　 He lifted the little girl out of the water after she fell off the bank at the South Street Seaport museum.He handed the girl to her father，David Anderson，who had dived in after him.

　 “I didn't think at all，”Duret told the Daily News.“It happened very fast.I reacted very fast.”

Duret，an engineer on vacation，was walking with his girlfriend along the pier(码头)when he saw something falling into the water.He thought it was a doll，but realized it was a child when he approached the river.In an instant，he took off his coat and jumped into the water.

　 When he reached the girl，she appeared lifeless，he said.Fortunately，when she was out of the water，she opened her eyes.

　 Anderson said his daughter slipped off the bank when he was adjusting his camera.An ambulance came later for her，said Duret，who was handed dry clothes from onlookers.Duret caught a taxi with his girlfriend shortly after.

The rescue happened on the day before he left for France.Duret said he didn't realize his tale of heroism had greatly moved New York until he was leaving the city the next morning.

　 “I don't really think I'm a hero，”said Duret.“Anyone would do the same thing.”

67．Why was Duret in New York?

A．To meet his girlfriend.

B．To work as an engineer.

C．To spend his holiday.

D．To visit the Andersons.

68．What did Duret do shortly after the ambulance came?

A．He was interviewed by a newspaper.

B．He asked his girlfriend for his dry clothes.

C．He went to the hospital in the ambulance.

D．He disappeared from the spot quickly.

69．Who dived after Duret into the river to save the little girl?

A．David Anderson. B．A passer?by.

C．His girlfriend. 　　　 D．A taxi driver.

70．When was Duret most probably found to be the very hero?

A．The day when he was leaving for home.

B．A couple of days after the girl was rescued.

C．The first day when he was in New York.

D．The same day when he was interviewed.