Rumour（谣言）is the most primitive way of spreading stories--- by passing them on from mouth to mouth. but civilized countries in normal times have better sources  of news than rumour. They have radio, television, and newspapers. In times of confusion（混乱）, however, rumour appears and becomes widespread. At such times the different kinds of news are in competition: the press, television, and radio against the grapevine.

Especially do rumours spread when war requires control on many important matters. The normal news sources no longer give out enough information. Since the people can not learn through legal channels all that they are anxious to learn, they pick up "news" wherever they can and when this happens, rumour grows.

Rumours are often repeated even by those who do not believe the tales. There is an interest about them. The reason is that the cleverly designed rumour gives expression to something  deep in the hearts of the victims --- the fears, doubts, forbidden hopes, or daydreams which they hesitate to voice directly. Pessimistic（悲观的）rumours about defeat and disasters show that the people who repeat them are worried and anxious .Optimistic rumours about record production or peace soon coming point to self- satisfaction or confidence---and often to over- confidence.

The author suggests that, in times of confusion, man often __________.

       A．stops regular news services

       B .turns to primitive ways for support

       C．distrusts his fellow man

       D．loses complete control of himself

The underlined word "grapevine" in Paragraph 1 probably means "__________”.

       A．rumour  B．newspaper       C．information          D．time

The author states that during wartime the regular sources of news provide only __________ .

       A．false information              B．optimistic reports

       C．limited information         D．pessimistic reports

Which of the following statements is mentioned as a reason for people to repeat a rumour?

       A．They are too willing to believe.       

       B．They take an interest in rumour.

       C．They have a strong desire to make a fool of other people.

       D．They find some rumours reflect their own unexpressed beliefs.  

This year some twenty-three hundred teenagers（young people aged from 13 —19）from all over the world will spend about ten months in U. S. homes. They will attend U.S. schools, meet U.S. teenagers, and form impressions of the real America. At the same time, about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world.

Here is a two-way student exchange in action. Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George’s family. In turn, George’s son Mike spent a year in Fred’s home in America.

Fred, a lively young man, knew little German when he arrived, but after two months’ study, the language began to come to him. The school was completely different from what he had expected — much harder. Students rose respectfully^① when the teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no outside activities.

       Family life, too, was different. The father’s word was law, and all activities were around the family rather than the individual. Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car.

       “Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it.”

       At the same time, in America, Mike, a friendly German boy, was also forming his idea. “I suppose I should criticize^② American schools,” he says. “It is far too easy by our level. But I have to say that I like it very much. In Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many outside activities. I think that maybe your schools are better in training for citizens. There ought to be some middle ground between the two.”

Notes:

respectfully  adv. 尊敬地，谦恭地

criticize  vt. 批评，责备

Choose the best answers according to the above:

This year       __ teenagers will take part in the exchange programme between America and other countries.

A. twenty-three hundred       B. thirteen hundred

C. over three thousand   D. less than two thousand

The whole exchange programme is mainly to        __.

A. help teenagers in other countries know the real America

B. send students in America to travel in Germany

C. let students learn something about other countries

D. have teenagers learn new languages

What is particular in America schools is that        __.

A. there is some middle ground between the two teaching buildings.

B. there are a lot of outside activities

C. students usually take fourteen subjects in all

D. students go outside to enjoy themselves in a car

After experiencing the American school life, Mike thought        __.

A. a better education should include something good from both American and Germany

B. German schools trained students to be better citizens

C. American schools were not as good as German schools

D. the easy life in the American school was more helpful to students

The old man, _______ abroad for twenty years, is on the way back to his motherland.?

A. to work　  B. working ?

C. to have worked 　 D. having worked?

Just then,another man, _______ behind the first,spoke up，“Who are you?”.

A. sitting B. to sit?

C. sat D. having sat?

—I’m sorry,but there’s no smoking on this flight.?

—Oh,I _______ that.Sorry, I won’t again.

A. don’t know B. didn’t know?

C. won’t know D. haven’t known?

Let’s keep to the point or we _______ any decisions.?

A. will never reach B. have never reached?

C. never reach D. never reached

—Can you finish the reports today??

—Sure.I’ve _______ half of them already.?

A. got away from B. got down to?

C. got around D. got through?

After he retired from office,Rogers _______ painting for a while,but soon lost interest.

A. took up B. saved up?

C. kept up D. drew up?

Next summer, _______ I’ll stay in Sanya,will surely be another pleasant holiday.

A. which B. when?

C. that D. where?

I saw a woman running toward me in the dark.Before I could recognize who she was, she had run back in the direction _______ she had come.?

A. of which?

B. by which?

C. in which?

D. from which?