“How’s the basketball coming on?”

   I put down my drink and looked across at the next table. I was curious about that because both the man and the woman were at least 65.

   “Oh, I’m not playing much basketball these days,” the woman replied. “But I’m getting much better at golf.”

   What’s this, I thought. I opened my packet of crisps, thoughtfully. “I’m still pretty hopeless at chess, I’m afraid,” the man said. “It beat me on level one this morning.”

   The penny dropped. These two were the proud owners of computer games.

   It’s very likely that one of the results of the development of the silicon chip(硅片) will be that a lot of people will have more exciting ways to spend their leisure time. It already has. Space invader machines are now a familiar sight everywhere. A lot of people play them, and some, particularly school children, get remarkably high scores. How, one wonders, do they find the time (and money) to become so good?

   If you have your own computers, the possibilities are endless. You can play any active sports without stepping out of your living room.

   You can become an expert at chess or backgammon without ever playing with another human being. Indeed, human beings aren’t needed at all.

   So, what of the future? Will we see school children stealing or even robbing to feed space invader machines? Will football grounds lie empty as families sit at home playing video football, or watching the national video football championship? Perhaps, it won’t go that far. But we won’t have to wait long for the Video Olympics. I’m sure of that.

   Back in the pub, I stood up, took out 20 pence, and went over to the space invader machine. I may not be much good at beating computers at backgammon, but any space invaders who arrive on Earth anywhere near me had better watch out.

 

72. The reason why the writer felt curious about the talk between the couple was that ____.

  A. he thought they were too old to play basketball

  B. they looked young for their age

  C. the old seldom went to the bar

  D. he didn’t believe they played basketball so well

73. The underlined sentence “The penny dropped.” in the fifth paragraph probably means ____.

  A. his wallet was stolen

  B. he dropped a penny into the space invader machine

  C. he asked for another drink for a penny

  D. he’s come to see what they meant

74. The text is mainly written to tell us that ____.

  A. computers will make people have a better time in their leisure time

  B. the writer was worried about the side effect of computers

  C. the old couple were excellent at playing golf

  D. school children shouldn’t play space invader machines so much

75. We can infer form the passage that ____.

  A. we can do everything without leaving our home in the future

  B. the writer was good at playing the space invader game

  C. school children will certainly steal or rob to feed the space invader machines

  D. the woman is better at playing chess than the man

         Are you afraid of sharks? You shouldn’t be! Below we cleared up the main myths about one of the world’s most perfectly formed creatures …

         All sharks are the same.

         This is absolutely not true. There are nearly four hundred species of sharks and they vary widely in habitat, size, features, diet and lifestyle. They range from the cigar shark, which is about 15 centimetres long, to the whale shark, which can be up to about nine meters long. More than 50 percent of sharks are less than a metre long and more than 90 percent are less than two metres long. And their habitat ranges from shallow to deep water and from the Arctic to the Tropic.

         ___________________

         This is not true, either. In fact, many shark populations are decreasing. The chief reason for this is that hundreds of thousands of them are caught in fishing nets. Depending on where they are caught. They are either killed for their fins(鳍), which are used in shark’s fin soup, or they are tossed back into the sea because they are unwanted. Almost all sharks which are discarded in this way die. Also, sharks mature late in life and produce very few young. If the current reduction in numbers continues, the ecological balance of the oceans will be severely threatened.

         Sharks will always attack you

         This is nonsense. The chances of being attacked by a shark are minimal. You are 250 times more likely to be killed by lightning than by a shark, and your chances of being killed by lightning are practically zero.

         However, if you are planning to take a swim in shark territory, then follow these simple rules:

         Avoid swimming at dawn or duck when visibility decreases.

         Avoid areas where there are breaking waves. Turbulent(汹涌的) water makes it difficult for sharks to see and determine whether you are prey(猎物).

         Do not wear jewellery in the water. Sharks are attracted to shiny fishes, and jewellery may resemble their scales(鳞片).

         Do not swim near schools of small fish, which are the favorite food of some sharks.

 

68. The underlined word “myths” in the first paragraph means ____.

A. an idea or story that many people believe but which is not true

B. something that is impossible to understand or explain or about which little is known

C. a feeling of surprise            

D. something that you are curious to know 

69. From the passage we can learn sharks ____.

A. look alike      B. are dangerous    C. usually live in deep sea     D. hardly attack people

70. Which of the following is proper for the blank in the third paragraph?

A. Sharks’ fin soup is nutritious                     B. There are too many sharks in the sea     

C. Many shark populations are decreasing         D. Sharks produce many young

71. Which of the following rules should you follow when you’re going to swim in shark areas?

A. Don’t swim before day breaks.                  B. Choose areas where there are big waves.

C. Wear something shiny when swimming.       D. Choose areas where there are many small fish.

Most high schools have at least four sports they offer to their students. In many districts, there must be an equal amount of sports for boys and girls. Some schools even have sporting clubs. High school sports have been an important part of the high school curriculum(课程) for many years. However, not all parents fully realize the importance. Some children are not even allowed to participate in school sports, because of the cost, the time commitment(投入), or the possibility of injury.

The truth is that high school sports are more than just fun. They are great tools to help students learn about life. They can teach students teamwork, cooperation, and leadership, etc. Students can take these things into their everyday lives as well. When they build their confidence on the sporting field, students are also building confidence against the world. They will be able to work well with others in all other areas of their life.

High school sports are also the perfect way to keep teens away from drugs and other dangerous behaviors. Coaches are great role models that can often encourage players to be well behaved. Some schools even have limits on GPAs (grade point average) for their athletes. If a student athlete’s grades fall below a certain point, they cannot play. Students who love sports will do anything to play, including studying more. They will also be less likely to try drugs or break the law in any other manner. So, allow your children to participate in school sports. Get involved and make friends with the parents of the other students. The whole family can have a great time and learn about sports together.

 

64. The passage is mainly written for ____.

A. high school teachers                             B. high school students

C. students’ parents                               D. sports lovers

65. The author believes that high school sports are ____.

A. interesting and useful                         B. important and cheap

C. expensive but worthwhile                  D. dangerous but meaningful

66. What does the underlined part “Coaches are great role models” mean?

A. Coaches respect athletes’ wishes.    B. Coaches are a good example to students.

C. Coaches are good partners.                D. Coaches are great athletes.

67. Which of the following is NOT used to support the idea that school sports help keep students away from some dangerous behaviors?

A. Coaches have a positive effect on students.

B. Schools are strict with their students.

C. Students loving sports study more.

D. Parents can have a great time with their children.

         My father and I were very close. I loved pleasing him, and he was always proud of my success. If I won a spelling contest at school, he was on top of the world. Later in life whenever I got a promotion(升职), I’d call my father right away and he’d rush out to tell all his friends. In 1970, when I was named president of the Ford Motor Company, I don’t know which of us was more excited.

   Like many native Italians, my parents were very open with their feelings and their loves not lonely at home, but also in public. Most of my friends would never hug their fathers. But I hugged and kissed my dad at every opportunity. Nothing could have felt more natural.

   He was a curious man who was always trying new things. He was the first person in Allentown to buy a motorcycle. Unfortunately, my father and his motorcycle didn’t get along too well. He fell off it so often that he got rid of it just a month after buying it. As a result, he never again trusted any vehicle with less than four wheels.

   Because of that motorcycle, I wasn’t allowed to have a bicycle when I was growing up. Whenever I wanted to ride a bike, I had to borrow one from a friend. On the other hand, my father let me drive a car as soon as I turned sixteen.

 

56. What nationality was my father?

A. American     B. Italian          C. Indian           D. Britain

57. My father didn’t allow me to ride a bicycle because ___ .

A. it was made out of his motorcycle.

B. It would cost him quite a lot of money.

C. It had less than four wheels.

D. He was afraid that people would laugh at him.

58. I hugged and kissed my father at every opportunity, ___ .

A. even though I hated to do so

B. because I was told to do so by my mother

C. as I was named president of the Ford Motor company

D. for I felt it quite natural to do so

59. What does the underlined word “ vehicle” probably mean?

A. bicycle     B. motorcycle       C. car     D. tool used to carry goods or passengers

    “Hi, Mommy, what are you doing?” asked Susie, who was only six years old. “I’m making a casserole(炖锅菜) for Mrs. Smith next door, __36__ Mrs. Smith is very sad. She lost her daughter and has a __37__ heart. We need to take care of her a little while.” Said her mother. “ Why, Mommy?” 

   “You see, Susie, when someone is very, very sad, they have __38__ doing the little things like making dinner or other housework. Because we’re __39__ of a community and Mrs. Smith won’t ever be able to talk with her daughter or hug(拥抱) her. You are a very __40__ girl, Susie; maybe you’ll think of __41__ way to help take care of Mrs. Smith.”

   Susie thought __42__ about this challenge and how she could do her __43__ on caring for Mrs. Smith. A few minutes later, Susie knocked on her door. After a few moments, Mrs. Smith __44__ the knock with a “Hi, Susie.”

   Susie noticed that Mrs. Smith didn’t have that familiar musical __45__ about her voice when she __46__ someone.

   “What can I do for you, Susie?” asked Mrs. Smith.

   “My mommy says that you lost your daughter and you’re very, very sad with a broken heart.” Susie __47__ her hand out shyly. In it was a Band-Aid. “This is for your broken heart.” Mrs. Smith knelt down and hugged Susie. Through her __48__ she said, “Thank you, darling girl, this will __49__ a lot.”

   Mrs. Smith __50__ Susie’s act of kindness and took it one step __51__. She bought a small key ring with a picture frame(框架) ---- the ones __52__ to carry keys and display a family __53__ at the same time. Mrs. Smith placed Susie’s Band-Aid in the frame to __54__ her to heal a little every time she sees it. It has become her symbol(象征) for healing, while not __55__ the joy and love she experienced with her daughter.

 

36. A. although

B. because

C. when

D. so

37. A. broken

B. absent

C. sick

D. gentle

38. A. trouble

B. time

C. interest

D. danger

39. A. owners

B. whole

C. part

D. relatives

40. A. naughty

B. little

C. pretty

D. smart

41. A. the other

B. the very

C. our

D. some

42. A. seriously

B. deeply

C. much

D. little

43. A. job

B. work

C. part

D. deed

44. A. replied

B. answered to

C. greeted

D. responded

45. A. sound

B. quality

C. gift

D. note

46. A. praised

B. helped

C. greeted

D. saw

47. A. gave

B. set

C. took

D. held

48. A. tears

B. sadness

C. excitement

D. glasses

49. A. do

B. care

C. mean

D. help

50. A. refused

B. accepted

C. received

D. took

51. A. more

B. forward

C. further

D. ahead

52. A. made

B. bought

C. invented

D. designed

53. A. photo

B. scene

C. gathering

D. life

54. A. force

B. remind

C. get

D. advise

55. A. forgetting

B. missing

C. losing

D. remembering

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