Mexico's neighbours are the United States on the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. Mexico
is about one quarter of the United States. Mexico has more than ninety million people. The language of
Mexico is Spanish. This makes Mexico the world's largest Spanish-speaking country.
     Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico. The city is also very high. It is 7349 feet high
(2240 metres). This makes it one of the highest capital cities in the world. The population (人口) of Iexico
City grows bigger every day. About thirty million people live there. It has more people than any other city
in the world, even more than Tokyo.
     Mexico also has its specialities (特点). Many of the foods we eat started in Mexico. Foods like beans,
maize, avocados, tomatoes, peanuts, chili peppers, vanilla, and chocolate come from Mexico. Mexico is
also famous for its cactus (仙人掌) plants. Mexico has more kinds of cactus than any other country.

1. Mexico is ______ the USA.

A. on the south of
B. on the north of
C. a part of
D. as large as

2. Mexicans speak ______.

A. English
B. French
C. Spanish
D. Latin (拉丁语)

3. Which of the following is NOT true?

A. Mexico City is the capital of Mexico.
B. The population of Mexico City is 30,000,000.
C. Tokyo is one of the cities with the largest population.
D. Mexico City is the highest city in the world.

4. Tomatoes were originally (最初) grown in ______.

A. America
B. Spain
C. Tokyo
D. Mexico

5. The best title (题目) of the passage is ______.

A. Mexico City
B. Mexico's plants
C. Mexico
D. Mexico's population

     At the World Expo Shanghai 2010, you will be able to see the world in just one day.
     The World Expo (short for "exposition") is the third largest world event after the Olympics and the FIFA
World Cup. Countries build pavilions (展示馆) at the Expo, showing off technologies and cultures with
colorful exhibitions and performances.
     People can experience the most advanced technologies at the World Expo. Throughout history, many new
inventions have made their debuts (样品) at the World Expo, including the TV, telephone and even the ice
cream cone.
     But the Expo is not just a trade fair (商品交易会). It's a platform (平台) for cultural exchange, bringing
people closer to the rest of the world.
     For example, at the Shanghai Expo, couples may be able to marry in French-style weddings at the France
Pavilion. Thailand will let visitors walk into its emperor's palace. Visitors to the Austria Pavilion will have the
chance to experience the snow-capped mountains of the country.
     Many countries have also decided to bring their national treasures to the event.
     Since the 1993 Expo in Chicago, the World Expo began to focus on one theme. It changed from a show
into a community event. Visitors are invited to help solve global issues, such as environmental problems.
     The theme of the Shanghai Expo is "Better city, better life". It will call on the world to solve the problems
human beings face as a result of urbanization (城市化). In the future, more and more people may care about
protecting the places they live in.

1. Countries build pavilions to show us _____ with colorful exhibitions and performances.

A. the Olympic games
B. the FIFA World Cup
C. technologies and cultures
D. many cities

2. What's the meaning of "cultural exchange" in this passage?

A. 科技展示
B. 文化交流
C. 科技交流
D. 自由买卖

3. Which of the following is NOT true at the World Expo in this passage?

A. People can experience the most advanced technologies.
B. Couples may be able to marry in French-style weddings at the France Pavilion.
C. Visitors can walk into the emperor's palace of Thailand.
D. Australia Pavilion will let the visitors experience the snow-capped mountains of the country.

4. When did the World Expo begin to focus on one theme?

A. In 1990.
B. In 1993.
C. In 1998.
D. In 2010. 

5. What is the theme of the Shanghai Expo?

A. One world, one dream.
B. Better world, better life.
C. Better city, better life.
D. One world, one family.

    Why do people drink? Often because they are 1           , but this can't be the 2            reason. There
 3             be other reasons, too. In many countries, when friends see each other, they often have a
drink 4            they sit and talk. Many English people don't need anyone 5          , they drink tea several
times 6            day even if they are alone.
    In most countries people say something interesting when they drink 7           . The English often say
cheer. In the countries there are many places (cafes, bars) where they 8            drinks. 9            there
are so many drink places, it seems that many people drink more often than they really 10            it.

    "Sesame Street" has been called "the longest street in the world". That is because the television program
by that name can now be seen in many parts of the world. That program became one of American exports
soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969. 
    In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more
than half the country's pre-school children, from every kind of economic, racial (种族的), and geographical
group.
    Although some educators object (反对) to some parts of the program, parents praise (赞扬) it highly.
Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems come out when first
graders who have learnt from "Sesame Street" are in the same class with children who have not watched the
program.
    Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited
(受益) from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional (偶尔的) viewers.
In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children
who can watch it regularly.
    The programs all use songs, stories, jokes and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers,
letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced
in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate (单独的) letters.
    Why has "Sesame Street" been so much more successful than other children's shows? Many reasons have
been suggested. People mention the educational theories (理论) of its creators, the support by the government
and private businesses, and the skillful use of various TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that
mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But
the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.
The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.

1. "Sesame Street" is actually ______. 

A. a street in the US
B. a program for children
C. a program for teachers
D. a program for students

2. Children who often watch the program ______.

A. can have programs in school
B. will find it a great help
C. will take no interest in their studies
D. needn't go to school

3. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. It is shown at different hours during the week.
B. Famous adult stars often appear on it.
C. This program has been on for less than forty years.
D. Children learn and enjoy themselves while watching it.

4. Why is "Sesame Street" so popular in the world?

A. Because it is supported by the government and businesses.
B. Because it uses different kinds of skillful tricks.
C. Because mothers watch it along with their children.
D. Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.

5. The best title for this passage can be ______.

A. Sesame Street
B. Educating Children
C. TV Programs
D. A Great Success

     The Chinese New Year is the most important festival for the Chinese people. For the Chinese, the New
Year comes with the first day of the First Moon, between January 21 and February 19. It takes about 15 days
to prepare for it.
     On the eve of the festival, people close the shops and the streets are empty. Everyone locks their doors and
stays at home.
     In the morning, people dress in their best clothes, and usually the old stay at home, and the young go out to
pay a New Year Call (拜年). It is an important time for the young. The young people bow (鞠躬) to the old
people. The Chinese call this"Ke Tou". This means"touching the ground with the forehead (额头)". Then the
young people give their best wishes to the old people. The old people give children gifts or lucky money.
     They are very polite and do not use bad words. It's the most important day of the year.

1. "The Chinese New Year" in the passage means"_____".

A. Mid-autumn Festival
B. the Spring Festival
C. Christmas Day
D. the Dragon Boat Festival

2. It takes about _____ to get ready for the Chinese New Year.

A. a few days
B. twelve days
C. half a month
D. three weeks

3. People don't open their shops _____ the festival.

A. on the first day of
B. on the night before
C. in the morning of
D. in the afternoon of

4. From this passage we can know that _____ give children gifts or lucky money.

A. the teachers
B. their friends
C. the old people
D. their brothers

5. On the Chinese New Year's Day, what do people usually say to each other when they meet?

A. Good luck.
B. Best wishes.
C. Good morning.
D. Both A and B.

     On New Year's Day, many people eat special food for good luck.
     In some Latin American (拉丁美洲) countries, people eat twelve grapes at 12 o'clock on New Year's
Eve-one grape for good luck in each month of the new year.
    In china, people always eat dumplings. Some people make dumplings with a coin (硬币) in them. Everyone
wants to find the coin for luck and money in the new year. Of course they don't eat the coin.
    Japanese eat noodles on New Year's Day and their birthdays. Because they all look forward to good luck
and long life (生命).

1. On New Year's Day, many people eat special food for _______.

A. health
B. money
C. long life
D. good luck

2. In some Latin American countries, people eat _______ grapes on New Year's Eve.

A. Four
B. twelve
C. 365
D. 24

3. Chinese people eat dumplings with ______ in them on New Year's Eve.

A. grapes
B. noodles
C. a coin
D. an egg

4. People in _______ eat noodles on New Year's Day.

A. Japan
B. the USA
C. China
D. the UK

5. Which one is right?

A. People in China eat a coin on New Year's Day.
B. One grape is for good luck in each hour of the New Year's Day.
C. Chinese people make dumplings with coins.
D. Both Chinese and Japanese people eat noodles on their birthdays.

     Every country has its favorite food. Italians like to eat pizza. Indians like to eat hot food. Japanese like
to eat fish. Often they don't cook it.
     In England, one of the most popular kinds of food is fish and chips. People usually buy it in a fish and
chip shop. They put it in paper bags, and take it home, or to their workplace. Sometimes they eat it in the
park or on the road. The world's favorite food is American fast food. If you go to some important cities in
the world, you can find people eating hamburgers and chips.
    Fish and chips and Chinese take-away food are very popular in England. But they are less popular in the
USA; they eat take-away food, too, like chicken. But the most popular kind of take-away food is the
hamburger. It looks like bread with meat in it. Ham (火腿) is a kind of pork, but the hamburger does not have
any pork in it. The beef is inside a kind of cake hamburgers are delicious. They are also popular in England
and Australia.

1. Italians like to eat _____.

A. fish
B. pizza
C. dumplings
D. hot food

2. Fish and chips are very popular in _____.

A. the USA
B. Canada
C. Australia
D. England

3. In different countries people eat _____ food.

A. same
B. the same
C. different
D. the different

4. The hamburger does not have any _____ in it.

A. pork
B. beef
C. fish
D. chips

5. Hamburger is a kind of _____.

A. meat
B. drink
C. food
D. vegetable