Tickets for the World Expo (世博会) 2010 will go on sale for groups on March 27, and for
the public on July 1, 2009.
     The basic ticket price will be 160 yuan. Foreigners will be able to buy tickets from overseas
outlets authorized by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination (BSWEC)
     From March 27 to June 30, group bookings can be made for organizations, institutions and
enterprises.The public can buy tickets from July 1.
    Peak day admission tickets will cost 200 yuan and will cover 17 days including Chinese Labor
Day holiday (May 1-3), National Day holiday (October 1-7), and the last week before closing
(October 25-31).
    Tickets will be discounted from 10 to 30 yuan for those who buy before the Expo opens on May
1, 2010.People going to the Expo after 5pm (apart from the peak days) can get tickets for 90 yuan
but only during Expo.Three-day passes will cost 400 yuan and seven-day passes 900 yuan.
    At least 62 million tickets will be available. Discounts will also be offered to the disabled, senior
citizens, students with valid IDs and Chinese servicemen and women. Children under 1.2 meters
will not have to pay. he basic price is "affordable" for the majority of people. It was common practice
to set ticket prices within the 1 to 3 percent range of the host country's per-capita disposable income
(人均可支配收入).
     The Expo organizer will encourage people to reserve tickets in advance or buy group tickets in
an attempt to control visitor flow. The organizer is expecting 70 million visitors, 5 percent of whom
will be from overseas.
    The organizer will appoint domestic and overseas agencies to sell tickets and there will be 3,200
sales outlets in China. People will be able to purchase tickets at branches of China Mobile, China
Telecom, Bank of Communications <http://www.bankcomm.com/jh/en/index.jsp> and China Post.
Online and hotline channels will also be opened.
    The first domestic and overseas ticket sales agencies will sign contracts with the organizer on
March 2.During Expo, visitors will be able to buy tickets on site or at kiosks(电话亭). The Expo
Bureau will appoint travel agents to organize group tours.

1. If you want to visit Expo at 9 a.m. on May 2, 2010, you will have to pay ______ for the ticket.

A. 200 yuan
B. 90 yuan
C. 160 yuan
D. 190 yuan  

2. To control visitor flow, the Expo organizer will ________ .

A. sign contracts with the sales agencies
B. appoint travel agents to organize group tours
C. appoint domestic and overseas agencies to sell tickets
D. encourage people to book tickets ahead of time or buy group tickets

3. The main idea of this passage is _________.

A. where people can buy Shanghai Expo tickets
B. that Shanghai World Expo will be held on 2010
C. that Shanghai World Expo tickets will set to go on sale
D. how people can buy tickets to visit Shanghai World Expo

     "But I just paid 1. 69 for this bottle of wine last week. How is it that the price is 2.25?"
     There are at least three things going on that have caused the price of wine to rise. All have to do
with the supply and demand factors of economics.
     The first factor is that people are drinking more wine than ever before. This demand formore wine
has increased wine sales in America at the rate of 15 percent a year.
     The second factor is that the supply of wine has stayed relatively the same, which meansthat the
same number of bottles is produced each year. Wine producers are trying to open upnew land to
grow more grapes. But in at least three wine producing areas of the world-France,Germany, and
California - new vineyards (葡萄园)will not be useable in the near future. Wines are produced in
other countries, such as Italy, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Argentine,Australia, Austria, and Chile.
And these wines will be seen more often on the American market. But none of these countries will be
able to fill the good wines.
     The third factor is that costs of wine production are soaring. The workers who make wine are
asking for more money, and the machinery needed to press the grapes is becoming more expensive.
     When the demand for something is greater than the supply, prices go up. When productioncosts,
meaning the price of labor and machinery rise, the producer adds this increase to the price of the wine.
For these reasons, that bottle of wine now costs 2. 25 instead of 1. 69.

1. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. Every year people drink more wine.
B. Countries won't be able to fill the demand for good wines.
C. The prices of things go up when the demand for them is greater than the supply.
D. The supply of wine will always be less than demand.

2. This passage is written to.

A. describe where wine is produced
B. persuade people drink more beer
C. explain why the price of wine is rising
D. describe why wine is a favorite drink to many Americans

3. The underlined word "soaring" means".

A. adding quickly
B. reducing fast
C. demanding badly
D. increasing fast

     Raymond Schneider politely made his way through crowds of customers as he made for the candy
bins at Dylan's Candy Bar in Manhattan. Since he was out of employment, Mr. Schneider, a
33-year-old designer, says he has become a person who always buys a lot of sweets every time he
shops for groceries.
"Sugar is comforting," he said. "There's nothing more stressful than growing financial insecurity (不安
全感) everywhere."
     The recession (经济衰退) seems to have a sweet tooth. As unemployment has risen, Americans,
particularly adults, have been consuming (消费) growing amounts of candy.
     Theories vary on exactly why. For many, sugar lifts spirits dragged low by the economy. For others,
candy also reminds them of better times. And not importantly, it is relatively cheap.
     At Candyality, a store in Chicago, business has jumped by nearly 80 percent and the owner, Terese
McDonald, said she was struggling to keep up with the demand for Bit-O-Honeys, and Sour Balls.
Many big candy makers are also reporting rising sales and big profits (利润).
     "It's not surprising." said Peter Liebhold, chairman of the Smithsonian Institution's work and industry
division. "During the Great Depression in the 1930's, candy companies stayed in business."

1. Raymond Schneider was set as an example to show ________.  

A. many Americans were jobless in the recession
B. lots of Americans like candies
C. many Americans in the recession like sweets which are comforting
D. Americans are suffering much in the recession

2. What does the underlined sentence mean?

A. Candy consuming rises while people are suffering bad effects of the recession.
B. The recession doesn't affect Americans.
C. Americans are optimistic even though they are out of employment.
D. Candy companies stayed in business during the Great Depression.

3. Which is NOT the reason why people in the recession like sugar?

A. It is relatively cheap.
B. It is comforting and can make a lot of profits. 
C. It raises people's spirits up.
D. It calls up people's good memories.

4. The best title of the passage is ________.

A. Sugar Is Comforting
B. Candy Companies Has a Bright Future
C. Americans Have a Sweet Tooth
D. Sugar Sales Rise in the Recession

                                      Commencement (毕业典礼) is a time for idealism.
     But economic reality is cruel everywhere; especially for new graduate. They have been told
repeatedly that a college degree is an open sesame(芝麻) to the global economy. But that's not
necessarily so, according to new research by two economists at he Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Frank Levy and Peter Temin.
     It is true that people with college degrees make more money than people without degrees.
The gap has narrowed somewhat in recent years, which is disturbing. But the earning power of
college graduates still far outpaces that of less-educated workers.
     The bad news, though, is that a college degree does not ensure a bigger share of the economics
pie for many graduates. In recent decades Mr. Levy and Mr. Temin show, only college-educated
women have seen their income grow in line with economy wide gains in productivity. The earnings
of male college graduates have failed to keep pace with productivity gains.
     Instead, a huge share of productivity growth, which expands the nation's income, is going to
Americans on the top of the income scale. In 2005, the latest year with available data, the top of
1 percent of Americans-whose average annual income was $ 1.1 million- took in 21.8 percent
of the nation's income, their largest share since 1929.
     Administration officials, and other politicians and economists, often, believe that income inequality,
reflects an education gap. But Mr. Levy and Mr. Temin show that in the case of men, the average
bachelor's degree is not enough to catch the rising tide of the global economy.
They argue that the real reason that inequality is worsening is the lack of strong policies that broadly
distribute economic gains. In the past, for example, a more progressive income tax and unions
promote equality. Positive measures have been eroding and new ones have not yet emerged, making
the income gap even greater.
     Mr. Levy and Mr. Temin conclude that only a new government policy can restore general
prosperity. That's a challenge to the nation's leader and today's graduates. America needs them to
contribute to the development of the nation in global economy.

1. The passage is mainly about that _______.

A. there is a big income gap between female and male college graduates in America.
B. college graduates find it hard to find an ideal job after graduation in America.
C. research shows that American government should take measures to ensure income
     equality for college graduates
D. college degrees are losing value in America.

2. What is the main idea of paragraph 5?

A. The whole nation has enjoyed a big income growth with the growth of productivity.
B. Much of the total income in America has been gained by a few very rich people.
C. A small part of people in America have income increase.
D. Upper class Americans contribute most to productivity growth.

3. The underlined word "eroding" in paragraph 7 probably means _______.

A. being gradually destroyed by wind or rain    
B. gradually reducing power
C. gradually disappearing                  
D. gradually not suitable

4. We can infer from the passage that _______.

A. female college graduates have higher income than male ones.
B. female college graduates have benefited from some governmental measures to ensure 
    their income growth.  
C. income tax can grantee income equality.
D. new measures and policies have been taken to promote income equality.

5. From the passage, some economists believe that the worsening income inequality is caused by ____.

A. lower college degree of college graduates  
B. lack of proper governmental policies
C. gender discrimination        
D. underdevelopment of economy and productivity.

     It was reported last week that developers could take photos from Apple mobile and Google
Android devices without the phone owners knowing that the images were being taken. In Apple's
case, developers can also obtain the location information for each photo.
    Senator(参议员) Charles Schumer said in a telephone interview that his office had spoken with
officials at both Apple and Google on Monday.
     "We asked them if they could find a way on their own to prevent Apple from having access to
private info," Mr. Schumer said. "They were friendly and open to the idea that this ought to be
changed."
     On Sunday, Mr. Schumer said that he  planned to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission
(联邦贸易委员会) asking the agency to investigate Apple and Google after the privacy concerns
came to light. Claudia Bourne Farrell, an F.T.C. spokeswoman, said the agency had received the
letter but she could not comment further.
     "It sends shivers up the spine to think that one's personal photos, address book, and who knows
what else can be obtained and even posted online without consent," Mr. Schumer wrote in his letter
to the F.T.  C. "If the technology exists to open the door to this kind of privacy invasion, then surely
technology exists to close it, and that's exactly what must happen."
     Mr. Schumer said if Apple and Google could not come to an agreement to fix the problem, then
he would be forced to take the issue further.
     He said other companies had been willing to work with his office to fix issues. "I'm optimistic that
we can get this changed without any regulation," he said. "If it's not changed, then we'll look the F.T.C,
and if that doesn't work then we'll look at legislative approach."
     The F.T.C. has warned companies to try to be more vigilant(警醒的) in their efforts to protect
consumers when it comes to privacy.

1. The senators spoke with officials at both Apple and Google       .

A. to discuss whether it is illegal to have access to private information.
B. to stop them from developing the technology of taking photos.
C. to urge them not to invade consumers' privacy.
D. to keep them from obtaining the location information for each photo.

2. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Privacy invasion from Apple has existed for a long time.
B. Privacy invasion from Google has existed for a long time.
C. Apple and Google have decided to make a change.
D. Mr. Schumer takes the privacy concerns caused by Apple and Google seriously.

3. Mr. Schumer's letter to the F.T.C. mainly shows that the technology to open the door to privacy
    invasion       .

A. causes people to worry about the safety of their personal information .
B. can be used if permitted.
C. causes personal information to be posted online without permission.
D. causes privacy invasion to happen frequently.

4. If the privacy concerns can't be solved with the help of the F.T.C.,      .

A.The companies will be fined.
B. The companies will be closed.
C. The senators will turn to legislation.
D. The senators will force the companies not to invade privacy.

5.Where can we read about the passage?

A. In a science report.        
B. In a newspaper.
C. In a magazine            
D. In a textbook.

     McDonnell, who has made oil drilling off Virginia's coast, one of his administration's top tasks,
flew to Houston on Monday to advertise the benefits of offshore drilling at a national conference.
He told reporters before he left that he does not want to postpone drilling but to learn from the
accident off Louisiana's coast.
     "What we do as Americans is that we find out what went wrong and how can we do things
better, " Mc Donnell said."I think that's the spirit of American people."
     President Obama announced in March that Virginia will become one of the first East Coast
states to drill offshore for oil and natural gas.Companies could conduct exploratory drilling in
Virginia's waters 50 miles off the coast late next year or early in 2012.
     In Virginia Beach, the state's largest city and one that relies heavily on tourism, Mayor Will
Sessoms said he would be worried if the timetable was not changed.Sessoms supported drilling
and helped the city pass a resolution (决议) in favor of it, in part to help the tourism industry by
keeping the cost of gas down.But, he said, the Louisiana accident was a wakeup call.
     "It's alarming to me, " Sessoms said."It gives me great concern."
     Obama swore Friday that no expansion of offshore oil drilling would take place until investigations
into the Louisiana accident were complete.
     Virginia's officials, who support drilling, said they agree that drilling should be delayed.Sen.Mark
Warner said it was "appropriate" for Obama to delay offshore projects.McDonnell said he wants to
see a full investigation into the Louisiana accident, but he still thinks that drilling could begin off
Virginia's coast as soon as next year or early 2012.
     McDonnell has also said that drilling off Virginia's coast would create thousands of jobs, as well
as lessen US dependence on foreign oil.
     A recent explosion and fire on an exploratory well in the Gulf (海湾) of Mexico left 11 workers
missing and dead.Crude oil (原油) has been leaking into the gulf since, inching closer to the coasts
of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
     The accident confirmed the worst fears of environmental groups and people already worried that
possible spills (溢出) could harm plants, animals, and tourism.

1. What was McDonnell's opinion about drilling off Virginia's coast?

A. It should be stopped as it may cause damage to the environment.
B. It should be delayed due to the gulf oil accident.
C. It has a lot of benefits, and thus shouldn't be delayed.
D. It could make the US dependent on foreign oil.

2. Why did Will Sessoms support drilling off Virginia's coast?

A. It could create thousands of jobs.
B. It could help recover the economy.
C. It met the spirit of American people.
D. It partly helped the tourism industry.

3. What do we know about the accident?

A. The explosion in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers.
B. The leaked crude oil may affect the coasts of 3 states.
C. The investigation into the accident has been completed.
D. Officials who support drilling off Virginia's coast are not in favor of the investigation.