What to expect in the cinema this winter?

       Running Time: 1 hour 54 min.                    Release Date: December7, 2007

       Starring: Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards,                           Directed by: Chris Weitz

       12-year-old Lyra is a girl who lives in a world, where human souls take the form of animal companions. When her best friend disappears, Lyra promises to find him. One thing Lyra packs for the trip is a mysterious compass that many people are violently determined to get. What is awaiting her?

       Running Time: 1 hour 42min.                     Release Date: December14, 2007

       Starring: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Dash Mihok,

      Robert Neville, a brilliant scientist, isn’t quite brilliant enough to stop a man-made virus from escaping and killing everyone in sight. Somehow, Robert is Virus-free. As Robert realizes that his time may be up, he’s determined to find a way to save the human race—using his own virus-free blood.

       Running Time: 1 hour 57 min.                    Release Date: November 29, 2007

       Starring: Laz Alonso, Chris Brown,

       It’s Christmas! Time for joy! Love! Gifts! And, oh family. For the first time in many years, the whitefields are all coming home. It should be a happy time for all, but after years away, it’s clear that there are plenty of reasons they’ve grown apart. How can all these people and all their secrets survive under one roof? By the time the presents are opened, they are to find out what they have missed for these years—family.

       Running Time: 2hours 20min                      Release Date: December 22nd, 2007

       Starring: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Harden

       Freshly graduated from Harvard with a bright future, 22 year-old Christopher instead walked out of his “good” life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way changed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people. Was Christopher a heroic adventurer or another American loser?

1．The film with the longest running time is        .

       A．The Golden Compass                           B．I AM Legend

       C．This Christmas                                    D．Into the Wild

2．“This Christmas” probably        .

       A．reveals how to choose Christmas gifts for our relatives

       B．reveals the secrets to a successful marriage

       C．reveals the importance of money to any family

       D．reveals the truth of a family and its real problems

3．In the movie “Into the Wild”, the “good” life is probably     .

       A．adventurous and dangerous                           B．steady and promising

       C．risky and exciting                            D．poor and depressing

China news, Beijing, Feb. 9 – Housing price in China has always aroused heated discussions among property developers and ordinary Chinese. To many property developers and local government officials, housing price in China is still low compared with many developed countries. However, the average housing price in the United States is only 8,000 yuan per square meter, while in China, it is even higher than in the United States. This shows that there are some bubbles(泡沫) in Chinese real estate market, the International Finance News reported.

       Although the average price of residential houses in the United States, after converted to Renminbi, is about 8,000 yuan per square meter, the houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property developers do when they sell their houses. If US property developers sell their houses according to the building area, then the housing price will be even lower than 8,000 yuan per square meter. In most big Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, houses are sold at a price even higher than those in the US.

       The high housing sales price in large cities in China proves that Chinese real estate market does have some bubbles. Moreover, Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality, environment and supporting facilities. Furthermore, it should be noted that American people’s average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people. How can the Chinese afford to buy a house which is even more expensive than that sold in US?

       At the beginning of 2007, Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public. Now in order to reduce the high housing prices, the government can regulate the real estate market by raising tax on property industry and controlling the release of loans and lands to property developers. At the same time, the government should allow people to build more houses through various fund-raising channels, such as funds collected from buyers or raised by working units. By applying these multiple means, it is expected that the high housing prices can be lowered.

1．According to the passage, what is the average housing price per square meter in China?

       A．8000 yuan           B．10000 yuan          C．7000 yuan           D．It’s not mentioned here

2．Which of the following does NOT support the idea that the average housing price in China is   even higher than in the United States?

       A．Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality,

       environment and supporting facilities.

       B．American people’s average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese

       people.

       C．The houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property

       developers do when they sell their houses.

       D．There are more people who need houses in China.

3．What is the main idea of this passage?

       A．The housing price in China is so high that the government should do something useful to prevent it.

       B．There are some bubbles in Chinese real estate market.

       C．The average housing price in China is even higher than in the United States.

       D．Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public.

4．How many measures are mentioned in the last paragraph in order to reduce the high housing    prices?

       A．Four         B．Three         C．Five          D．Two

Some futurologists have assumed that the vast increase of women in the workforce may portend（预示）a rejection of marriage. Many women, according to this hypothesis, would rather work than marry. The opposite of this concern is that the prospects of becoming a multi-paycheck household could encourage marriage. In the past, only the earnings and financial prospects of the man counted in the marriage decision. Now, however, the earning ability of a woman can make her more attractive as a marriage partner. Data show that economic downturns tend to put off marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead. As the economy comes to life, the number of marriages also rises.

       The increase in divorce rates follows to the increase in women working outside the home. Yet, it may be wrong to jump to any simple cause-and-effect conclusions. The impact of a wife’s work on divorce is no less cloudy than its impact on marriage decisions. The realization that she can be a good provider may increase the chances that a working wife will choose divorce over an unsatisfactory marriage. But the reverse is equally plausible（似是而非的）. Tensions grounded in financial problems often play a key role in ending a marriage. By raising a family’s standard of living, a working wife may strengthen her family’s financial and emotional stability.

       Psychological factors also should be considered. For example, a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. She may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. On the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union.

       Also, a major part of women’s inequality in marriage has been due to the fact that, in most cases, men have remained the main breadwinners. A working wife may rob a husband of being the master of the house. Depending upon how the couple reacts to these new conditions, it could create a stronger equal partnership or it could create new insecurities.

1．It is said in the passage that when the economy slides_____.

       A．men would choose working women as their marriage partners

       B．more women would get married to seek financial security

       C．even working women would worry about their marriages

       D．more people would prefer to remain single for the time being

2．If women find fulfillment through work outside the home,_____.

       A．they are more likely to dominate their marriage partners

       B．their husbands are expected to do more housework

       C．their marriage ties can be strengthened

       D．they tend to put their career before marriage

3．One reason why women with no career may seek a divorce is that_____.

       A．they feel that they have been robbed of their freedom

       B．they are afraid of being bossed around by their husbands

       C．they feel that their partners fail to live up to their expectations

       D．they tend to suspect their husbands? loyalty to their marriage

4．Which of the following statements can best summarize the authors view in the passage?

       A．The stability of marriage and the divorce rate may reflect the economic situation of the country.

       B．Even when economically independent, most women have to struggle for real equality in marriage.

       C．In order to secure their marriage women should work outside the home and remain independent.

       D．The impact of the growing female workforce on marriage varies from case to case.

Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading form A-F for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need.

1．              

       You should always seek grant（奖学金）opportunities that match your program’s goals and objectives rather than the other way around. If you change your program based on an investor’s guidelines, you may end up with a project or program that is mere shell（框架）of the original plan. The goal of grant writing is not simply to bring more money in for your agency; the goal is to fund programs that will meet the needs of your investor.

2．              

       Most funding agencies publish grant guidelines or requirements. Make sure you understand them and follow them exactly. Note the deadline and whether the proposal must be received by the deadline. Don’t have your proposal thrown out because you didn’t follow the guidelines properly. Exceptions are rarely made, regardless of the circumstances. Some investors have special requirements; follow them!

3．               

       Your “needs statement” drives your entire grant proposal. The proposed program should revolve around the problems faced by your clients. The purpose of the grant is to meet the specific needs you have identified. If you have not adequately described the reason you need the program, including the research data when possible, the investor will see no reason to invest in your project.

4．              

       Every proposal will require a section that describes the broad goals and measurable objectives of your project. You should detail the activities of your project Your budget and budget narrative must closely match the described activities. Your evaluation should carefully measure whether the stated project objectives are being met on a timely basis. Foundation and corporate investors generally expect this section to be no longer than 5 to 10 pages. Federal grants may allow up to 50 pages or more for a thorough discussion of your project. Again, follow the guidelines of the investor.

5．              

       If you are fortunate enough to have your proposal funded, send a thank-you note for the grant. Next, keep the funding agency informed about your activities, progress and accomplishments. Invite them to come to see your program in operation. Send reports that tell how you’ve used the funds. In short, make your investor your partner.

Translate the following sentences into English. You are required to use the word given in the bracket for each respective sentence.

1．出于健康的缘故，他已经戒烟了。（sake）

2．毫无疑问，人们可以从网上获得他们感兴趣的任何东西。（available）

3．据报道，近年来，旅游业每年在全世界有大约5%的增长。（enjoy）

4．作为上海市民，我们强烈地感到办好2010世博会是我们的职责。（duty）

5．轻轨（elevated train）、地铁和磁悬浮（maglev train）构成的城市公共交通使上海成为一个更适宜居住的城市。（make）

6．有消息说，他被复旦大学提前录取了，这使得他的父母欣喜若狂。（which）

Write an English composition in 120—150 words. The composition must be based on the information given below.

       现在，高中生的学习压力越来越大，甚至出现了广大师生不愿意看到的情况。请结合自身情况，谈谈压力太大的危害以及减少压力的办法。

—What does          typical traditional tea – house in Chengdu look like?

—Usually it is in the open air, and they serve         tea in covered tea – sets.

A．a; /         B．a; the          C．the; the          D．/; /

—I didn’t do well in math .

—I did         you; so we are half and half.

A．not worse than                  B．no worse than

C．not better than                   D．no better than

－I really don’t know how to thank you enough.

－______.

                                       A．No problem.                                       B．Think nothing of it.

C．With pleasure.                                           D．Glad to hear that

Imagine life as a game _____ you are playing with five balls. You name them --work, family, health, friends and spirit.

A．where         B．that        C．as               D．which