"Life is speeding up. Everyone is getting unwell."
     This may sound like something someone would say today. But in fact, an unknown citizen who lived 
in Rome in AD 52 wrote it.
     We all love new inventions. They are exciting, amazing and can even change our lives. But have all
 these developments really improve the quality of our lives?
     Picture this: You're rushing to finish your homework on the computer. Your mobile phone rings, a 
QQ message from your friend appears on the screen, the noise from the television is getting louder and
 louder. Suddenly the computer goes blank and you lose all your work. Now you have to stay up all
 night to get it done. How calm and happy do you feel?
      Inventions have speeded up our lives so much that they often leave us feeling stressed and tired. Why
 do you think people who live far away from noisy cities, who have no telephones, no cars, not even any
 electricity often seem to be happier? Perhaps because they lead simpler lives.
     One family in the UK went "back in time" to see what life was like without all the inventions we have
 today. The grandparents, with their daughter, and grandsons Benjamin, 10, and Tomas, 7, spent nine 
weeks in a 1940s house. They had no washing machine, microwave, computer or mobile phones.
     The grandmother, Lyn, said, "It was hard physically, but not mentally." She believed life was less 
materialistic. "The more things you have, the more difficult life becomes," She said. The boys said they 
fought less to fight over, such as their computer. Benjamin also noticed that his grandmother had changed 
from being a "trendy (时髦的), beer-drinking granny, to one who cooked things."
     Here are some simple ways to beat the stress often caused by our inventions!
     Don't be available all the time. Turn off your mobile phone at certain times of the day. 
     Don't check your e-mail every day. Don't reply to somebody as soon as they leave a text message
 just because you can. It may be fun at first, but it soon gets annoying.

1. The passage is mainly about _______.

A. problem with technology     
B. improvements of our life with technology
C. the important roles technology plays in our everyday life
D. major changes which will be likely to happen to technology

2. The writer quoted (引用) what a citizen in ancient Rome said at the beginning of the story 
     in order to _________.

A. share a truth about life          
B. tell us what life was like long time ago
C. make us wonder what causes such a thing to happen
D. point out that you experience some big problems and they may be the same

3. Why did the family choose to spend some time in a 1940's house? Because ________.

A. they liked to live simple lives
B. they were curious about how people lived without modern inventions
C. they were troubled by modern inventions
D. living in a different time would be a lot of fun for them

4. What do you think the underlined word "available" in the first suggestion offered by the writer mean?

A. Busy on line
B. Free
C. Be able to
D. Be found by others.

     Do you have bright ideas? Ideas or inventions that change society or, at least, make life easier for
somebody? Perhaps we all do sometimes, but we don't often make the idea a reality. Recently, in Britain,
there was a competition called British Designers for Tomorrow. The competition encourages young
people to carry out their bright ideas. There were two groups in the contest: Group One was for
schoolchildren under 16; Group Two was for schoolchildren over 16, and there were eleven
prize-winners altogether.
      Neil Hunt, one of the prize-winners, was called "Sunshine Superman". It's important when people
study the weather to be able to record sunshine accurately. We need to know how many hours of
sunshine we have and how strong it is. Most sunshine recorders only record direct sunlight. Neil's is more
accurate and this is very important for research into the way of using solar power.
     You can do so much with animated cartoon. Look at Simon West's idea for animated road signs. He
uses pictures which appear to move as you go nearer to or farther from them. This isn't a new idea. But it
is new to use these pictures on road signs. "We found that people were more likely to see moving signs,"
said Simon. So now, you can really see rocks falling, trains moving, horses running or a car falling over
the edge of a cliff. Quite a warning!
     The ideas in the competition were so inventive that we are surprised that British industry doesn't ask
more schoolchildren for suggestions. Perhaps this will be the start of "pupil power!"

1. The writer seems to be encouraging the British industry to         .

A. help schoolchildren in their studies
B. take better care of schoolchildren
C. stop asking schoolchildren for suggestions
D. pay more attention to schoolchildren's inventive power

2. Neil Hunt's design would finally lead to the improvement of the way of        .

A. recording direct sunshine
B. knowing how strong sunlight is
C. using the energy of the sun
D. recording the hours of sunshine

3. The organizers of the competition hoped the schoolchildren would      .

A. become good designers for future Britain
B. win as many prizes as they could
C. design something useful for the next day
D. invent something for immediate use

4. What's the use of Simon West's animated road signs?

A. To add to the beauty of a city.
B. To warn people on the roads of the danger ahead.
C. To help make a car trip more exciting.
D. To warn people to be careful while working.

5. The writer holds that people seldom      .

A. make their life easier
B. turn their bright ideas into reality
C. have bright ideas
D. think of inventing something

     All people have dreams and they obey the rule that if you can dream it, you can achieve it!Here are
four goals for people to reach a perfect life in their future.
     The first goal common to all of us is health and energy. We all want to be healthy and fit, to have high
levels of energy and to live free of pain and illness. Today, with the incredible advance in medical science,
the quality of our health and fitness, and our lifespan is largely determined by design, not by chance.
People with excellent health habits are far healthier, have more energy, and live longer and better than
people who have poor health habits. Remember that health is not everything, but without health everything
is nothing!
     The second goal that we all have in common is to enjoy excellent relationships-intimate, personal or
social-with the people we like and respect, and who in turn. Fully 85% of your happiness will be
determined by the quality of your relationships at each stage, and in each area, of your life. How well you
get along with people, and how much they like and respect you, have more impact on the quality of your
life than perhaps any other factor.
     The third common goal is to do work that we enjoy, to do it well, and to be well paid for it. You want
to be able to get and keep the job you want, to get paid more and promoted (晋升) faster. You want to
earn the very most that is possible for you at each stage of your career, whatever you do.
     The fourth goal we all have in common is to achieve financial independence. You want to reach the
point in life where you have enough money so that you never have any financial worries. You want to be
completely free of them. You want to be able to order dinner in a restaurant without referring to the price
listings to determine what you want to eat.

1. What does this passage chiefly talk about? (no more than 12 words)
_____________________________________________________________
2. Fill in the blank in Paragraph 3 with proper words. (no more than 6 words)
_____________________________________________________________
3. Complete the following sentence with proper words according to the underlined sentence
    in Paragraph 4.  (no more than 6 words)
 Everybody wants to make _________________  no matter what job he is engaged in.

4.Why does the author put health ahead of other goals?(no more than 20 words)
______________________________________________________________

5.What does the underlined word"them"in the last paragraph probably refer to? (no more than 3 words)
______________________________________________________________

     While income worry is a rather common problem of the aged, loneliness is another problem that aged
 parents may face. Of all the reasons that explain their loneliness, a large geographical distance between 
parents and their children is the major one. This phenomenon (现象) is commonly known as "Empty 
Nest Syndrome" (空巢综合症).
     In order to seek better chances outside their countries, many young people have gone abroad, leaving 
their parents behind with no clear idea of when they will return home. Their parents spend countless
 lonely days and nights, taking care of themselves, in the hope that someday their children will come back
 to stay with them. The fact that most of these young people have gone to Europeanized or Americanized 
societies makes it unlikely that they will hold as tightly to the value of duty as they would have if they had 
not left their countries. Whatever the case, it has been noted that the values they hold do not necessarily 
match what they actually do. This geographical and cultural distance also prevents the grown-up children
 from providing response (回应) in time for their aged parents living by themselves.
     The situation in which grown-up children live far away from their aged parents has been described as 
"distant parent phenomenon", which is common both in developed countries and in developing countries. 
Our society has not yet been well prepared for "Empty Nest Syndrome".

1. According to the passage, the loneliness of aged parents is mainly caused by _____.  

A. their earlier experience of feeling lonely
B. the unfavorable living conditions in their native countries
C. the common worry about their income
D. the geographical distance between parents and children

2. Many young people have gone abroad, leaving their aged parents behind, to_____.  

A. live in the countries with more money
B. seek a better place for their aged parents
C. continue their studies abroad
D. realize their dreams in foreign countries

3. If young people go abroad, _____.  

A they do not hold to the value of duty at all  
B. they can give some help to their parents back home
C. they cannot do what they should for their parents  
D. they believe what they actually do is right

4. From the last paragraph, we can infer that _____.  

A. "Empty Nest Syndrome" has arrived unexpectedly in our society
B. the situations in the developed and developing countries are different
C. children will become independent as soon as they go abroad
D. the aged parents are not fully prepared for "Empty Nest Syndrome"

     I really love my job because I enjoy working with small children and like the challenges and awards
from the job. I also think my work is important. There was a time when I thought I would never have that
sort of career (职业).
     I wasn't an excellent student because I didn't do much schoolwork. In my final term I started thinking
what I might do and found I didn't have much to offer. I just accepted that I wasn't the type to have a
career.
      I  then found myself a job, looking after two little girls. It wasn't too bad at first. But the problems
began when I agreed to live in, so that I would be there if my boss had to go out for business in the
evening. We agreed that if I had to work extra hours one week, she'd give me time off the next. But
unfortunately, it didn't often work out. I was getting extremely tired and fed up, because I had too many
late nights and early mornings with the children.
     One Sunday, I was in the park with the children, and met Megan who used to go to school with me. I
told her about my situation. She suggested that I should do a course and get a qualification (资格证书) if
I wanted to work with children. I didn't think I would be accepted because I didn't take many exams in
school. She persuaded me to phone the local college and they were really helpful. My experience
counted for a lot and I got on a part-time course. I had to leave my job with the family, and got work
helping out at a kindergarten.
     Now I've got a full-time job there. I shall always be thankful to Megan. I wish I had known earlier
that you could have a career, even if you aren't top of the class at school.

1. When staying with the two girls' family, the author ________.

A. was paid for extra work            
B. often worked long hours
C. got much help from her boss        
D. took a day off every other week

2. Why did the author leave her first job?

A. She found a full-time job.              
B. She was fed up with children.
C. She decided to attend a part-time course.  
D. She needed a rest after working extra hours.

3. What has the author learned from her own experiences?

A. Less successful students can still have a career.  
B. Qualifications are necessary for a career.
C. Hard work makes an excellent student.        
D. One must choose the job she likes.

     Children, especially boys, tend to idealize their fathers when they are young. Every little boy wants to
grow up to be just like his father, and every little girl thinks her father is the smartest man on the earth. It's
not very easy to be a good father, but it's not that difficult either. Children will truly enjoy spending time
with their fathers, not just when they are kids, but even when they are adults.
     Not all children communicate well with their fathers. Communication is often left to mothers, while
fathers dispense advice as and when necessary. Don't expect all conversations to centre around the
dinner table. Go to your children's bedrooms and talk to them about school, their teachers or their friends. Remember that the conversation cannot be one-sided. When your children open up to you, you also need
to open up to them.
     If your children come home from school feeling upset, go up to them and ask them what is the matter. And if it is something which seems to you to be a silly reason to be upset, don't voice your opinion. It
may be silly to you, but to your children it is important enough. So don't wave the topic away by telling
them not to bother about such stupid things. Simply discussing their problems with them will help them
feel better.
     Don't shy away from having discussions about your teenage children's love lives. Generally speaking,
your children are definitely not going to discuss intimate details with you. Try to let them know that you
are relaxed about topics on love. Tell your children how you met your wife. It is perfectly normal for
children to go through feelings for the opposite sex as they grow up, and by keeping the topic closed for
discussion, you are only shutting them off from discussing their feelings with you. All they will do is turn to
their friends.

1. To children their fathers are usually very _____.

A. kind    
B. great    
C. serious      
D.  strong

2. From the second paragraph we can know that _____.

A. some children don't like their fathers at all
B. talking with children around the dinner table is unnecessary
C. it is better for fathers to communicate more with their children
D. mothers should communicate less with their children.

3. Suppose your children are worried about something you should _____.

A. have a talk with them                
B. express your opinion
C. keep silent                  
D. let them alone

4. Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word "intimate" in Paragraph 4?

A. Public    
B. Personal    
C. Strange    
D. Serious

     Swimming cycling, jogging, skiing, dancing, walking or any of dozens of other activities can help your
heart.   1   . Whether it is a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all exercise
adds up to having a healthier heart. Here are some tips for exercise success.
     ☆Choose activities that are fun and add variety. Develop several activities that you can
enjoy.   2  
     ☆Wear comfortable, properly fitted shoes and comfortable, loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the
weather and the activity.
     ☆Find a convenient time and place to do activities.   3  . If you miss an exercise opportunity, work
activity into your day another way.
     ☆Use music to keep yourself entertained.
     ☆  4   Decide what kind of support you need. Do you want them to remind you to exercise?
Exercise with you regularly or occasionally? Be understanding when you get up early to exercise?Spend
time with the children while you exercise? Try not to ask you to change your exercise routine? Share
your activity time with others. Ask your family members, friends or co-workers for help.
     ☆Don't overdo it, especially at first. You can slowly increase the time and intensity (强度) of your
activities as you become more fit.   5  
     ☆Keep a record of your activities. Reward yourself at times. Nothing will inspire you more than
success!

A. Try to make it a habit, but be flexible.
B. They all cause you to feel warm and breathe heavily without being out of breath.
C. Be an active role model for your children.
D. That way, exercise will never seem boring.
E. If you are overweight or have a high risk of heart disease, see your doctor for medical advice before exercising.
F. Surround yourself with supportive people.
G. Gradually, work up to exercising on most days of the week for 30-60 minutes.

     1_____ the morning of 19th January I went snorkeling. 2_____ (see) such extraordinary beauty, I thought
every cell in my body woke up and 3_____ was like discovering a whole new dimension of life. During the trip,
I first became aware of the vivid colors 4_____ (围绕) me and the fantastic corals, in and around 5_____ all
kinds of elegant fish 6_____ (be) swimming among them. 7_____ there are still something 8_____ made me
feel 9_____ (害怕). For example, I didn't want to get close to the eel, the giant clam and the grey reef sharks,
for they made me scared to death 10_____ a moment.