January 1,2002 was a day that would be remembered for year to come.On the day, the euro became the official currency of twelve European countries, replacing currencies as famous as the German mark and the French franc.
But the change from the old currencies to the new one was only a success after lots of problems were solved.
The first problem was what to call the new currency.People in different countries had different suggestions.After a long discussion, the name“euro”was finally accepted by all of the countries involved.
The next problem was the design.A normal bill or coin has a design related to the country concerned, like the picture of a famous person of monument.So how could they design something that was representative of twelve different countries and their traditions?The final answer was a compromise.Every euro coin has a standard European face on one side, but each Member State is allowed to decorate the other side with an image linked to their own country.For example, Spanish coins have the image of the Spanish king, and German coins have pictures of Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate.So even though you can spend the coins in any of the twelve counties, you can tell which country they originally came from.Euro bills will be uniform throughout the euro area.
The final problem was how to introduce the money.Imagine how complicated it was to change the kind of money you use, not just for ordinary people, but also for companies:Coca-Cola had to adapt almost 300,000 vending machines.(自动售货机)to accept the new coins.To help people get used to the idea, stores started publishing prices in both the old and the new currency from January 2000.
The final change from the old currencies to the new euro was a huge success.People in Europe are now using the euro bills and coins as easily as Americans use dollars.
(1)
How long has the euro been an official currency?
[ ]
A.
For over 7 years.
B.
For over 8 years.
C.
For over 6 years.
D.
For over 5 years.
(2)
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
When the euro first came into use, the stores got into trouble.
B.
People can tell in which country a euro coin was made.
C.
The new euro bills have different designs.
D.
Some people still have difficulty in using the new currency.
(3)
The author mentions Coca-Cola in paragraph 5 to ________.
[ ]
A.
indicate that Coca-Cola has steady financial foundations.
B.
tell us Coca-Cola has made a contribution to Europe.
C.
prove it took lost of effort and money to introduce the euro.
D.
show Coca-Cola is very popular with consumers.
(4)
Which of the following were the problems when changing from the old currencies to the new one?
If you want to know British culture, you’d better know something about her wedding customs.Here are some very famous, popular rhymes:
Choosing the day
Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all
Choosing the month
Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds to mate, you wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you’ll know.
Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man.
Marry in the month of May, and you’ll surely rue(后悔)the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you’ll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry(推迟).
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.
Wedding dress colour
Married in White, you have chosen right,
Married in Blue, your love will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in whirl(混乱),
Married in Brown, you will live in town,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Pink, your spirit will sink,
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.
Surnames
To change the name and not the(first)letter
Is to change for the worst and not the better
(1)
Generally, what day is the busiest wedding day in Britain?
[ ]
A.
Monday
B.
Friday
C.
Wednesday
D.
Saturday
(2)
At a wedding, the bride’s white dress means _________.
[ ]
A.
I’m pure and honest
B.
he’s the very fellow I’m after
C.
he’s lucky to marry me
D.
we’ll live together happily and luckily
(3)
Which of the following is the best date for wedding in UK?
[ ]
A.
Dec.13, 2004/Sat
B.
Sep.5, 2004/Fri
C.
Jan.20, 2004/Thur
D.
Dec.3, 2004/Mon
(4)
What does the last rhyme Surname suggest?
[ ]
A.
You’d better not change your first name for your husband’s.
B.
A family name and a first name are both very important.
C.
It is thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname begins with the same letter as hers.
D.
The same surname will bring good luck and happiness to the couple at a time when their lives are changing.
阅读理解
Are you interested in the following course? Please read them and make a decision soon.
A.Understanding computers
This twelve-hour course is for people who do not know very much about computers but who need to learn about them.You will learn what computers are,what they can and can’t do,and how to use them.
Course fee:$75 Jan.7,14,21,28 Sat.9∶00~11∶50a.m.
Equipment fee:$10.
Joseph Saunders is a professor of computer science at New Urban University.He has over twelve years of experience in the computer field.
B.Stopping smoking
Do you want to stop smoking? Have you already tried to stop smoking using the latest methods? You can stop smoking and this special course will help you do it.
Course fee:$30 Jan.4,11,18,25 Mon.4∶00~7∶00p.m.
Doctor John Coode is a practicing psychologist who has helped hundreds of people stop smoking.
C.Typing
This course is for these who want to learn to type,as well as those who want to make their typing better.The course is individualized.You are tested in the first class and begin practicing at one of the eight different skill levels.This allows you to learn at your own speed.Each program lasts 20 hours.Bring your own paper.
Course fee:$125 Material fee:$25
Two hours each evening for two weeks.This course is taught by a number of best business education teachers who have successfully taught typing course before.
(1)
The typing course is for ________.
[ ]
A.
beginners
B.
skilled typist
C.
unskilled persons
D.
A and C
(2)
If one wants to learn basic computer program,he must pay ________.
[ ]
A.
$75+$10
B.
$50+$10
C.
$30+$25
D.
$35+$25
(3)
According to the ads,if you want to give up smoking,you will need at least ________.
[ ]
A.
twelve hours’ study
B.
some special medicine
C.
pay forty dollars
D.
buy a psychology book
(4)
Everyone taking a typing course can ________.
[ ]
A.
work at his own speed
B.
type fast
C.
learn much more than others
D.
begin practicing at his own level
阅读理解
WASHINGTON–Barack Obama swept to victory as the first black president in the US history Tuesday night in an electoral(选举的)college landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself."Change has come," he told a huge group of cheering supporters.
In his first speech as victor, Obama stated the challenges ahead."The greatest of a lifetime," he said, "two wars, a planet in danger, the worst financial crisis in a century."
He added, "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face."
The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator(民主党参议员)from Illinois sealed his historic triumph by defeating Republican Sen.John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states-Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Iowa and more.
In his speech, Obama invoked(引用)the words of Lincoln and echoed John F.Kennedy."So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in(努力投入)and work harder," he said.
He and his running mate, Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths(宣誓)of office as president and vice president on Jan.20, 2009.
Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession(不景气), and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.
Obama has said his first order of presidential business will be to deal with the economy.He has also promised to withdraw most US combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.
(1)
What is special about Barack Obama, the newly-elected president of America?
[ ]
A.
He has a black father and a white mother.
B.
He is the first black president in the US history.
C.
He defeated Republican Sen.John McCain easily.
D.
He will move into the White Palace on Jan.20, 2009.
(2)
What Obama emphasized in his first speech were ________.
[ ]
A.
dangers
B.
wars
C.
challenges
D.
financial problems
(3)
The first issue Obama will focus his attention on may probably be to ________.
[ ]
A.
withdraw most US combat troops from Iraq
B.
care for environmental protection
C.
declare two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
D.
deal with the problems of economy
(4)
According to the passage, Obama's attitude toward the challenges he faces is ________.
[ ]
A.
positive
B.
negative
C.
ambiguous
D.
worried
阅读理解
Below are some classified ads from an English newspaper.
Classified ads
FOR DIRECT CLASSIFIED SERVICE CALL 800-0557 10 A.M.-4P.M.MONDAY-FRIDAY
FOR SALE
COME to moving sale-Plants, pottery, books, clothes, etc, Sat, Dec.14th, 9a.m.-5p.m.1612 Femdale, Apt.I.800-4696.
USED FUR COATS and JACKETS.Good condition.$30-$50.Call 800-0436 after 12 noon.
MOVING:Must sell.TV21, $50; AM/FM radio A/C or battery, $15; cassette tape recorder, $10.Call Jon or Pat, 800-0739 after 5p.m.or weekends.
SHEEPSKIN COAT:man's, size 42, I year old.$85.After 6 p.m., 800-5224.
LOST AND FOUND
FOUND:Cat, 6 months old, black and white markings.Found near Linden and South U.Steve.800-4661.
LOST:Gold wire rim glasses in brown case.Campus area.Reward.Call Gregg 800-2896.
FOUND:Set of keys on Tappan rear Hill intersection.Identify key chain.Call 800-9662.
FOUND:Nov.8th-A black and white puppy in Packard Jewett area.800-5770.
PERSONAL
OVERSEAS JOBS:Australia, Europe, S.America, Africa.Students all professions and occupations, $700 to $3000 monthly.Expenses paid, overtime.Sightseeing, Free information at STUDENTS' UNION.
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER plans to publish a booklet of student travel adventures.If you like to write about your foreign experiences, unusual or just plain interesting.Call 800-9310 and ask for Mike or Janet.
UNSURE WHAT TO DO?
Life-Planning Workshop, Dec, 13th-15th.Bob and Margaret Atwood, 800-0046.
ROOMMATES
FEMALE ROOMMATE
WANTED:Own room near campus.Available December 1st.Rent $300 per month until March 1st.$450 thereafter.Call Jill for details, 800-7839.
NEED PERSON to assume lease for own bedroom in PT.near campus, $ 380/mo.Starting Jan.1st, Call 800-6157 after 5p.m.
DOMESTIC SERVICE
EARLY HOUR WAKE-UP SERVICE:For prompt, courteous wake-up service, call 800-0760.
HELP WANTED
BABYSITTER-MY HOME If you are available a few hours during the day, and some evenings to care for 2 school-age children, please call Gayle Morre, days 800-1111, evenings and weekends 800-4964.
PERSONS WANTED for delivery work, Own transportation.Good pay.Apply 2311 E.Stadium.Office 101, after 9 a.m.