It was the last day of the final examination(考试)in a college. On the steps of building, a group of engineering students were waiting for the last exam. On their faces was confidence(自信).
They knew the exam would be easy. The professor(教授) had said they could bring any books or notes during the test.
Right after they came into the classroom. The professor handed out the papers. There were only five questions on it.
Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. On their faces was nervous expression. The professor watched the worried faces before him, and then asked. “How many of you have completed all five questions?” No hand was raised. “How many of you have answered four?” Still no hands. “Three? Two?” The students moved restlessly in their seats. “One, then? Certainly somebody has finished one.” But the class kept silent(沉默). The professor said, “That is exactly what I expected(期盼). I just want to make you know clearly that even though you have completed four years of engineering, there are still many things about the subject you don’t know. These questions you could not answer are common in everyday practice.” Then, smiling, he added, “You will all pass this course, your education has just begun.”
The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson he taught.
【小题1】Why did the students think the exam was easy at first?

You want to know about my staying in America, right? Well, to tell you the truth, it is really an eye-opening experience to study here.

In China, I had English classes five times a week since fifth grade. However, I didn’t know how different textbook English could be from everyday English until I came to Hotchkiss School, Connecticut.

When I first studied English, I was told to say,” I am fine” when people say “How are you?” But in the US, I found that people say, “I am good” or “I’m tired”.

One day, someone greeted me with “What’s up?” It made me confused . I thought for a moment and then smiled because I didn’t know what to say.

Since then, I have discovered more and more differences between Chinese and US cultures.

To my surprise, US girls spend a lot of time in the burning sun to get a tan(晒黑). However, in China, girls try every possible way to get their skin paler, or “whiter”.

I was also surprised by how hardworking US students are.  In China, schoolwork is almost everything, so we study hard and that’s it. But here, a “good” student gets good grades, does a lot for the public and plays sports or music.

The kids here are so talented, I am starting to be sorry that I gave up playing the piano at an early age and that I have never thought about sports.

1. What does the word “confused” in the fourth paragraph mean in Chinese ?

2.A good US student spends his / her time ______ .

3.Which of the following is NOT true ?

2012 is the Year of the Dragon in China. It began on January 23 but not on January 1st. The dragon is a symbol* of power and wealth in Chinese culture. And it is also the sign of the Emperor of China. People born in the Year of the Dragon are active-minded. They show a strong interest in the world around them, and will try their best to make their dreams come true all their lives.

    Dragon people are talented while these people enjoy being the center of attention. They will stop at nothing to get what they want. Dragon people are very friendly and if their friends face a problem, they will be there to offer help at once. There are some famous people who were born in the Year of the Dragon, such as the premier* of the Russian Putin and the famous Argentine soccer player Messi. In China, the CEO of Alibaba Group Mayun and movie star Zhouxun are dragon, too.

    There are some big events in the Year of the Dragon. In China, the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) * will be held in Beijing in March. The 9th National University Games in Tianjin will happen in September. And soccer fans, they can meet at the 2012 European Cup in June in Poland. And In Britain, the 30th Olympic Games is being held in London on July 27.

1.What does “Dragon” stand for in Chinese culture?

  A. power    B. wealth   C. the emperor   D. all of the above

2.When does the Year of Dragon begin?

  A. January 1^st.   B. January 23^rd    C. January 2^nd.   D. January 22^nd.

3.What will happen in July in London?

  A. National People's Congress    B. National University Games  

C. 2012 European Cup          D. the Olympic Games

4.Which of the following is NOT TRUE acorrding to the passage?

A. People born in the Year of the Dragon are active-minded.

B. People born in the Year of the Dragon enjoy being the center of attention.

C. If they face a problem, People born in the Year of the Dragon will give up.

D. If their friends face a problem, people born in the Year of the Dragon will offer help at once.

Obama has made history by becoming the first African-American in American history.

Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. His parents didn’t live together when he was two years old and later divorced. Obama grew up with his mother in Hawaii, and for a few years in Indonesia. Later, he moved to New York, where he graduated from Columbia University in 1983. Obama met his wife, Robinson, in June, 1989 and married her on October 3^rd, 1992. The couple’s first daughter was born in 1998, followed by a second daughter in 2001.

Obama took office in January 20, 2009. However, just when he became the president, he had to face many serious challenges ---- two foreign wars, the climate change and what he had described as “the worst financial crisis (经济危机) in a century”. But Obama said that he himself had been ready to face these challenges.

Obama’s success is a true milestone. It speaks to the fact that in America you really do get a chance to do anything, if you have the talent and abilities and you work hard enough.

1.   How old was Obama when he became the American president?

2.   Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Obama grew up with his father in Hawaii.

B. Obama has two sons with Robison.

C. Obama is the first black president in the USA.

D. Columbia University is in Washington.

3.Obama’s success tells us that __________.

4.   What does the underlined phrase “took office” in the third paragraph mean?

5.   According to the passage, Obama had to face the following challenges except for _____________.

Linda’s father hates waiting in long lines. I think he’s just not very _______.

A．patient           B．talented           C．popular           D．powerful