Often we take for granted the many household items we use every day. It is difficult to imagine there was a time in the past when these inventions did not exist. Actually, several of the most common inventions have been with us for quite some time. Inventions like toothbrush, contact lenses（隐形眼镜）, and credit cards came into use long ago.

   The first toothbrush was introduced in China in the late 1400s but it was only 300 years later that this simple tool came into common use in Europe. By the nineteenth century, a variety of paste and powder cleaners were available throughout Europe as dental(牙齿的) care became more widespread. The first tube of toothpaste hit the market in Great Britain in 1891.

 There is evidence to show that the first contact lenses were actually suggested by an astronomer, Sir John Herschel, in 1827. However, SirJohn Herschel was never able to create a working model of his idea. It was not until 1887 that a Swiss doctor from Zurich, Dr. Eugen Frick, came up with a workable process for producing precision (精密)lenses. Dr. Frick designed a new method for producing contact lenses,and the Zeiss factory in Germany  began to produce contact lenses.

For Chinese wanting to work as nurses in the United Sates, the arrival of the test of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) may be a welcome move.
The CGFNS has a certification programme for people wanting to work as registered nurses in the US. The first CGFNS test in China is to be held in Beijing in July. Registrations is open till April 9. According to US labour law, nurses have to pass the National Council License Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) before they can practise. However, the NCLEX-RN is only useful in the US, making it difficult for people from other countries to get in. But, the US expects a shortage of 50,000 nurses by 2010. So, the CGFNS has not replaced the NCLEX-RN, which is still needed for work as a registered nurse in the US.
So what exactly does CGFNS do?
First of all, it helps international nurses qualify for a work visa for the US. Nurses educated abroad who do not have a US license by the NCLEX-RN, must get the CGFNS certificate. “But not everyone who gets a CGFNS certificate can get a work visa. There are many requirements for a visa, and the CGFNS is just one,” said John Ratigan, immigration officer for the CGFNS.
The certificate helps applicants meet requirements for the NCLEX-RN. Forty-two states require a CGFNS certificate from nurses educated abroad before taking the NCLEX-RN examination.
About 85 percent of those who passed the CGFNS have passed the NCLEX-RN. According to Barbara Michols, chief executive officer of CGFNS, “the CGFNS is cost-efficient for the Chinese. If they can’t pass the CGFNS here in China, their chances of passing the NCLEX-RN for the US are tiny. This saves time and money on visa applications and the long trip. ” In a word, to get a CGFNS certificate, a person must have: a credentials review, the CGFNS qualifying exam of nursing knowledge and an English language proficiency exam.
【小题1】   We can infer from the text that to people hoping to work as registered nurses in the US, CGFNS tests can be taken _____.

A．if you get a CGFNS certificate, you can pass the NCLEX-RN in the US and get visa applications

B．if you pass the NCLEX-RN in the US, you can get a CGFNS certificate and get visa applications

C．if you can't pass the NCLEX-RN in the US, you will not be able to pass the CGFNS examination

D．if you get a CGFNS certificate, you will be more likely to pass the NCLEX-RN examination

阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请阅读下列应用文及相关信息:

A. LEGENDS OF DETECTIVES

This magazine is published every month and tells you true stories about real life of famous detectives. You can find out how some of the most dangerous criminals were caught and how some famous detectives chased them.

B. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY

This weekly magazine is your window on the world. Have you ever wondered what the Indians eat for breakfast? Do you know that the Himalaya Mountains are getting higher every year? This fascinating magazine is full of colour photographs.

C. ISLAND

The chief editor of this magazine is Guo Jingming, a famous writer who is popular with teenagers. Every month Guo and other well-known writers bring you the latest teenage love stories. Each magazine carries three full-length stories as well as cartoons and colour pictures of your favorite film stars.

D. WORLD NEWS

This weekly magazine can help you keep in touch with the world. It is filled with facts and figures about almost everything you can think of, plus articles by our regular writers on the week's most interesting news stories. Special front page sums up the mews for the busy readers.

E. AMERICAN GUIDE

If you're thinking of going to America, this weekly magazine is a good choice for you because it is full of helpful suggestions on how to manage the visa and even what to buy once you're there. Lots of colour photos can help you choose the best hotel and the cheapest flights.

F. SHERLOCK HOLMES A NOTHER

This magazine brings you the best in crime thrillers written by well-known crime writers. These exciting stories are so good that you won't be able to put the magazine down. And every month one crime is left to be continued so that readers can try to guess what will happen.

请阅读以下相关读者的信息，并按照要求匹配信息。

1.Mary Alderson is a white-collar woman in a big firm. She doesn't have much time to read anything detailed but she is looking for something with plenty of brief news and information.

2.Julie Sunderland is a student in senior high school and loves spending time watching movies and lying on her bed reading some stories. She is always interested in finding out more about some of the biggest movie stars in the world.

3.Bill Woodward is retired now and he used to travel a lot when he was young. Now that he has stopped his work, he enjoys reading about foreign people, places and customs around the world.

4.Leroy used to be a policeman and he still takes an active interest in the work of detective, But recently he enjoys reading crime fictions after years spent chasing real criminals.

5.Kate Power has never been abroad and now she is planning to go to the US. The travel agent suggests that she read about some reference books first before she starts out.

Often we take for granted the many household items we use every day. It is difficult to imagine there was a time in the past when these inventions did not exist. Actually, several of the most common inventions have been with us for quite some time. Inventions like toothbrush, contact lenses（隐形眼镜）, and credit cards came into use long ago.
The first toothbrush was introduced in China in the late 1400s but it was only 300 years later that this simple tool came into common use in Europe. By the nineteenth century, a variety of paste and powder cleaners were available throughout Europe as dental(牙齿的) care became more widespread. The first tube of toothpaste hit the market in Great Britain in 1891.
There is evidence to show that the first contact lenses were actually suggested by an astronomer, Sir John Herschel, in 1827. However, SirJohn Herschel was never able to create a working model of his idea. It was not until 1887 that a Swiss doctor from Zurich, Dr. Eugen Frick, came up with a workable process for producing precision (精密)lenses. Dr. Frick designed a new method for producing contact lenses,and the Zeiss factory in Germany  began to produce contact lenses.
Credit cards have also been available for many years. They have been in use in the United States since the 1920s. At first, these cards were only used to buy gas in the quickly growing automobile service industry. Then, in the 1950s, Diners Club introduced the first general-purpose credit card. Today, credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, and American Express are commonly used by travelers around the world.
While it may be true that some of the greatest inventions and discoveries in history came about by chance, the majority of inventions that simplify our lives today came about through careful research and patient study. Of course, it still holds true that even with all the comforts of modern technology, inventors continue to search for ways of helping all of us get out of doing those necessary but tedious (乏味的) tasks which we still face. As the old saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
【小题1】From the second paragraph we can learn that _____.

Happy birthday
The China Nation Opera (CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists(歌手), like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired GM “and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias (咏叹调) of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date : 7:30 pm, September 7, 8
Location : Tianqiao Theatre
Tel : 6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets : 60—50 yuan (US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently-composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood”, “Memorial Ceremony for God” and “Wine Song”.
Time/date : 7:30 pm, September 13
Location: Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel: 6848-5462, 6841-9220
Tickets : 30-200 yuan (US $ 3.6—24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centered on this theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring Night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers, like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos（独奏）as well as collaborate（合奏）with the folk music orchestra.
Time/ date: 7:30 pm, September 21st
Location: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel: 6606-8888, 6606-9999
1. If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial       .