In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”. Many say the same of Merkel.

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders. Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman(政治家). Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. “I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said.

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctorate (博士学位) in physics and then she worked as a researcher.

However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. “Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends.

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since the second World War.

Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget(预算), some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn’t give up. She shuttled(穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.

“Strength comes from composure(镇定) and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel.

Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office?

A. Because Catherine the Great is beautiful.

B. Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too.

C. Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it.

D. Because it is very expensive.

What is the correct order of the following events?

a. became the German Chancellor

b. got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher

c. join a political party

d. visit China

e. take part in the EU summit

f. as Minister for the Environment

A. bcafde         B. cbfdae          C. bcfaed           D. cbfaed

Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Merkel usually is hurry to make a decision when facing difficulties.

B. At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension.

C. Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world.

D. She is outstanding because of her calmness.

What is the best title for the passage?

A. An excellent lecturer               B. Germany’s iron lady

C. The change of a scholar           D. The youngest chancellor

Hurry! Time to “steal vegetables”
Don't be afraid! We are not encouraging the stealing behavior, but to tell you maybe the most popular topic from white-collars' mouth in cities. Together with "How many vegetables do you steal today," "it's harvest time for your ripe peach," "I bought you a new car today."
Are there so many people in the city really have their own farms, or are they really so rich to buy someone else cars casually?
The answer is obviously negative. They just play some games on Social Network Sites (SNS) like kaixin001.com.
Can you imagine that more than millions of people in Chinese mainland will spend lots of time on SNS to play game and talk to friends, especially white-collars who work in the cities? Take kaixin001.com as an example, the current member of it has already hit 38 million.
However, the great number of people who would like to use such SNS indicates another social problem. That is lots of people choose to escape from the reality. And SNS just offer them a Virtual space to forget the reality.
Kinds of games and various of friends do give netizens lots of fun. Though indulging, dreaming, chatting and playing , it seems like people could really escape from all the upsets in reality. But virtual world is not real and no one can live in it forever, and reality is not that simple like noodling around on the internet.
Since this kind of social phenomenon is so popular on the internet, people start thinking to remove it in the reality.After playing the "happy farm" game on kaixin001.com, would you like to put yourself among the real corps while smelling the fragrance of the countryside? Recently, a farm land service called "happy farm in reality" was opened in the suburbs of Shanghai where white-collar workers from around that region can experience the real farmer's life by themselves
【小题1】What is the topic of the passage?

A．Because they like playing computer games.

B．Because it offers them a virtual space to escape from reality.

C．because they can talk and play with their friends at the same time.

D．because they can harvest peaches.

In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”. Many say the same of Merkel.

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders. Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman(政治家). Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. “I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said.

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctorate (博士学位) in physics and then she worked as a researcher.

However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. “Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends.

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since the second World War.

Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget(预算), some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn’t give up. She shuttled(穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.

“Strength comes from composure(镇定) and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel.

1. Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office?

A. Because Catherine the Great is beautiful.

B. Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too.

C. Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it.

D. Because it is very expensive.

2.What is the correct order of the following events?

a. became the German Chancellor

b. got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher

c. join a political party

d. visit China

e. take part in the EU summit

f. as Minister for the Environment

A. bcafde         B. cbfdae          C. bcfaed           D. cbfaed

3.Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Merkel usually is hurry to make a decision when facing difficulties.

B. At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension.

C. Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world.

D. She is outstanding because of her calmness.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A. An excellent lecturer                     B. Germany’s iron lady

C. The change of a scholar                D. The youngest chancellor

Hurry! Time to “steal vegetables”

Don't be afraid! We are not encouraging the stealing behavior, but to tell you maybe the most popular topic from white-collars' mouth in cities. Together with "How many vegetables do you steal today," "it's harvest time for your ripe peach," "I bought you a new car today."

   Are there so many people in the city really have their own farms, or are they really so rich to buy someone else cars casually?

   The answer is obviously negative. They just play some games on Social Network Sites (SNS) like kaixin001.com.

   Can you imagine that more than millions of people in Chinese mainland will spend lots of time on SNS to play game and talk to friends, especially white-collars who work in the cities? Take kaixin001.com as an example, the current member of it has already hit 38 million.

   However, the great number of people who would like to use such SNS indicates another social problem. That is lots of people choose to escape from the reality. And SNS just offer them a Virtual space to forget the reality.

   Kinds of games and various of friends do give netizens lots of fun. Though indulging, dreaming, chatting and playing , it seems like people could really escape from all the upsets in reality. But virtual world is not real and no one can live in it forever, and reality is not that simple like noodling around on the internet.

   Since this kind of social phenomenon is so popular on the internet, people start thinking to remove it in the reality.After playing the "happy farm" game on kaixin001.com, would you like to put yourself among the real corps while smelling the fragrance of the countryside? Recently, a farm land service called "happy farm in reality" was opened in the suburbs of Shanghai where white-collar workers from around that region can experience the real farmer's life by themselves

1.What is the topic of the passage?

   A. It’s time to” steal vegetables.”

B. a computer game called “Happy Farm”

C. open a farm in reality

D. something behind the game “Happy Farm”

2.Why are so many people interested in “Happy Farm”?

A. Because they like playing computer games.

B. Because it offers them a virtual space to escape from reality.

C. because they can talk and play with their friends at the same time.

 D. because they can harvest peaches.

3.Which group are the majority playing the “Happy Farm” game?

A. Farmers    B. White-collars    C. workers     D. students

4.What’s the author’s attitude towards the “ Happy Farm” game?

A. positive      B. worried       C. neutral   D. we don’t know

Being in no great hurry,______.

A.we went the long route with scenery

B.the long,scenic route was our preference

C.we took the long,scenic route

D.our preference was taking the long,scenic route