第三部分 阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
On October 16th 1987, southern Britain was hit by a hurricane, the worst storm to hit Britain since 1703.
Twenty years later, Britain is remembering the disaster known as The Great Storm. 15 million trees across the area were uprooted by the wind, and a wet autumn had made the ground very muddy (泥泞的).
The falling trees caused damage to buildings and vehicles, and blocked roads and railway lines, forcing everyone, from adults to schoolchildren to stay at home.
There were also blackouts across the area, as power lines were damaged by falling trees and flying debris (残骸). People used candles and flashlights (手电) for light, and gas stoves and open fires to cook food.
The storm lasted for 4 hours, and killed 18 lives. The bad weather caused so much damage mostly because of the fact that most people were completely unprepared, and be-cause many weather forecasters didn’t think it could cause a problem.
Earlier that week, weather forecasts had predicted severe (严重的) weather, but forecasters thought it would miss Britain and only affect the English Channel. A well-known weatherman, Michael Fish, ever said that the storm wouldn’t happen, though in fact he was talking about a hurricane in Florida at that time.
The unusual storm caused more than ￡1billion in dam-age, and hundreds of people were injured.
Could the same thing happen today in Britain? Well, as a result of climate change many people think that sudden and severe weather changes are more likely. However, technology has improved, and satellites give us a much more accurate(精确的)picture of future weather. If another Great Storm comes along, the British public will probably be warned earlier and have more time to prepare!
56. The bad weather in 1987 in Britain caused a lot of damage because ______.
A. it caused a great flood                    B. most people were not prepared
C. it happened in the summer                            D. there was no weather forecast
57. Which of the following was NOT one of the effects of The Great Storm?
A. There were a number of deaths and injuries.   B. The electricity went out.
C. It hit Florida first.                                D. Roads and railway lines were blocked.
58. One week before The Great Storm, weather forecasts ______.
A. could not predict severe weather at all
B. had predicted the severe weather, but some weather forecasters thought it would miss Britain
C. showed that the terrible storm would not hit the English Channel
D. showed that The Great Storm would affect both England and Florida
59. We learn from the last paragraph that ______.
A. this kind of bad weather will not happen in Britain again
B. bad weather will happen more frequently in Britain now
C. people will be better prepared if there is bad weather in Britain now
D. bad weather may be stopped with the development of technology

INDLANAPOLIS—Doctors and health advocates （提倡者）have warned for years that American children are getting fatter. Now even some kids’ teddy bears are packing on the pounds.
But these heavy toys aim to combat（对抗）obesity, not add to it.
Researchers at Indiana State University in Terre Haute tried a small experiment to test the effects of having kids play with heavier toys. They found that 10 children aged 6 to 8 burned more calories and had higher heart and breathing rate when they moved 3-pound toy blocks instead of unweighted blocks.
So could adding a small weight to stuffed animals and other toys help kids get fit?
“This is not going to solve the obesity problem,” said John Ozmun, a professor who did the study with graduate student Lee Robbins. “But it has been possible to make a positive contribution.”
Some experts cautioned that children could hurt themselves by trying to lift too much too soon and said more activity is preferable to heavier toys. But all agreed that childhood obesity is a big problem.
Obesity rate has become three times over the past 40 years for children and adolescents, raising the risk of diabetes（糖尿病）and other health problems. Federal health officials say more than a third of American children are overweight, and about 17 percent are considered obese（肥胖的）.
“Squeezing activity into daily routines can be a good way for children to get more exercise and shed unhealthy pounds,” said Aicia Moag-Stahlberg, who heads Action for Healthy Kids.
“By adding weights, you’re adding some intensity to the action,” she said.
Kara Tucker, youth development coordinator for the National institute for Fitness and Sport in Indianapolis, said active playing helps youngsters work out without realising it.
“Giant soccer is one of my favorites,” Tucker said. “If we told the kids, ‘Hey, you’re going to run up and down the court 20 times,’ they would completely be uninterested. Yet when we put a big soccer ball out there, they will just run forever. They’re having a great time.”
56．What does the passage mainly tell us?
A．American children are getting fatter.
B．New toys are needed for overweight children.
C．Heavier toys help children to combat the obesity problem.
D．Doubts about heavier toys for obese children.
57．What does John Ozmun think of the measure of using heavier toys?
A．It can solve the obesity problem.
B．It is of little use to the obesity problem.
C．It may be of some help to the obesity problem
D．It may hurt children.
58．Some experts think it would be better for obese kids to    .
A．play with light toys
B．play with less heavy toys
C．be on diet
D．have more activity
59．Which of the following is true about obese children in the US?
A．Obesity rate has risen by 30% over the past 40 years.
B．There are now three times as many obese children as 40 years ago.
C．One are fewer overweight children than obese children.
D．There are fewer overweight children than obese children.
60．What Tucker said in the last paragraph suggests that       .
A．he himself likes playing giant soccer balls best
B．he prefers kids to have active playing
C．kids have no interest in running
D．an activity will not work if kids know the purpose of it

Guangzhou （Xinhua）——12 people were killed and 20 injured early yesterday morning when they jumped from a burning train car into the path of an oncoming goods train in Southern China. When No. 247 Wuchang——Guangzhou passenger train was passing the Dayaoshan Tunnel in Guangdong Province， South China at 00 ：17 yesterday， a fire caused by passengers' smoking broke out on No. 17 car. They wanted to extinguish fire. As the train stopped some frightened passengers jumped from windows. 12 people were crushed to death and 20 others injured by a northward passing goods train（No. 1766）。
1. In which direction did the passenger train travel？
A. Northward. B. Southward. C. Eastward. D. Westward.
2. When did the accident happen？
A. At 00：17 am.           B. At 00：17 pm.
C. At seventeen past one.  D. At seventeen to one.
3. Where did the accident happen？
A. In Wuchang.  B. In Guangzhou.
C. In Hubei.   D. In Guangdong.
4. What was the cause of the fire？
A. A heavy rain.   B. High temperature. C. Carelessness.   D. Fear.

TOKYO —Imagine a bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames(机械支架) to a pair of shoes for an idea of how the new wearable assisted-walking machine from Honda works．
The experimental machine, showed on Friday, is designed to support bodyweight, reduce stress on the knees and help people organize steps and stay in crouching（蹲坐） positions．Honda showed a video of its employees wearing the machine.
Engineer Jun Ashihara also said the machine is useful for people standing in long lines and to people who run around to make deliveries．
"This should be as easy to use as a bicycle," Ashihara said．"It reduces stress, and you should feel less tired．"
To wear it, you put the seat between your legs, put on the shoes and push the “on” button．Then just start walking around．
In a test run for media, this reporter found it does take some time to get used to the machine.  “I could sense how it supported my moves, pushing up on my bottom when I crouched and pushing at my soles(脚底) to help lift my legs when I walked,” he said.
The system has a computer, a motor, gears（齿轮）, batteries and sensors in it, so it responds to a person's movements, according to Honda Motor Co．
Pricing and commercial product plans are still undecided．Japan's No．2 automaker will begin testing a prototype（模型） later this month．
The need for such mechanical help is expected to grow in Japan, which has one of the most rapidly aging societies in the world．
Other companies are also eyeing the potentially attractive market of helping the weak and the old get around．Japan is among the world's leading nations in robotics technology, not only for industrial use but also for entertainment and companionship．
1．Honda's new wearable assisted-walking machine is mainly to      .
A．show Honda's power in technology B．protect the environment
C．meet the social needs in the future  D．improve social progress
2．According to the passage, the power of the new wearable assisted-walking machine is from_________.
A．manpower                     B．batteries
C．a computer                      D．the machine movement
3．It can be learned from the passage that              .
A．the new machine has been produced m large numbers
B．Honda will control the future market for the new machine
C．the price of Honda's new machine will be very low
D．the future market for the new machine will be promising
4．What would be the best title for the passage?
A．Wearable machine that helps walk
B．Hondo's new bicycle for the old
C．Wearable machine helps go to work
D．New development of the bicycle

China recorded fewer traffic accidents in 2001 than in 2000 and a lower going continued in January this year .
The traffic accidents in 2001 totaled 270, 000 , fewer by 20, 000 than in 2000 .
But the number of the dead for 2001 was 54, 000 , an increase of 1, 000 from the year before . The increase was not as slow as that in recent years .
A government official said in Beijing yesterday that 3, 821 persons were killed in highway traffic accidents last month , a drop of 12.8 percent from January 2001 . He also said there were 21, 201 traffic accidents in the first month of the year , 10.1 percent fewer than January last year , and 11, 700 people injured .
The traffic accidents last year caused a loss worth 27.32 million yuan , about 2.9 million US dollars .
Economic Daily also said 170, 000 persons were injured in the traffic accidents in 2001 , fewer by 10, 000 than in 2000 .
( From China Daily , February 16 , 2002)
1. In 2000 the total number of the traffic accidents was ________ .
A. 290, 000     B. 250, 000      C. 270, 000      D. 20, 000
2. In 2000 ________ persons were killed in the traffic accidents .
A. 1, 000     B. 53, 000      C. 54, 000      D. 55, 000
3. Which is true according to the news report ?
A. The traffic accidents in 2002 will go up continuously .
B. Economic Daily said the traffic accidents caused a loss worth 2.9 million US dollars in 2000 .
C. In January 2002 , there were 3, 821 highway traffic accidents .
D. There were more traffic accidents in January 2001 than in January 2002 .
4. The best title for this news report should be ________ .
A. Road Accidents 2001        B. Road Accidents 2000
C. Death Up or Down This Year  D. $ 2.9 Million Loss in Traffic Accidents

New Zealand

Operation Green Sweep
For Teens Currently in 6th-12th Grades
Operation Green Sweep is a volunteer program for teens who want to earn community service
hours by helping to clean up our city parks and community centers. Teens will clean up various
local parks, remove light rubbish and learn a thing or two about our parks and surrounding
environment.
Fridays, April 17 to May 29, 2009
3:30 to 5:00
Meet at the Teen Center, 2203 Central Avenue, Room 170
Cost: $45 --- covers the uniform shirt, training guidebook and transportation
Note: If you miss more than two days, you may be dropped from the program without earning
your hours. Please bring a snack, wear work clothes (no skirts or open-toed shoes) and sunscreen.
Teens are expected to arrive at the meeting place on time, learn communication skills and learn to plan ahead. All volunteers must meet at the Veteran’s Memorial Building to receive their tasks. Do not be late because transportation is provided to take teens to their selected sites.
Save your receipts(收据). There will be a $15 charge per receipt to reprint receipts.
In the event if a class is cancelled(取消) by us, full refunds(退款) will be given. There will be a $15 administration(管理) fee for cancellations put forward by participants.
1. Operation Green Sweep is intended for those who __________.
A. are willing to serve the community
B. are interested in playing in the parks
C. hope to learn how to plant various flowers
D. expect to work in parks after graduation
2. What do we know about the program Operation Green Sweep?
A. Teens should pay $45 for transportation.
B. It lasts from 3:30 to 5:00 pm every day.
C. Teens will go to their working places themselves.
D. Teens can learn communication skills there.
3. To join in the program, teens are asked to ___________.
A. bring their own uniform shirt
B. pay $45 for it
C. promise to serve the community all life
D. wear skirts and open-toed shoes
4. If you give up the activity, how much money is left for you?
A. $45   B. $5    C. $30    D. $15

Computers Help Fire Fighters
In Kansas City, Missouri, a computer helps fire fighters. The computer contains information about every one of the 35000 street addresses in the city. When fire fighters answer a call, the computer will give them important about the burning building, its position and almost all the ways of helping fire fighters with the problems facing them. For example, it can give medical information about invalids living in a burning building. With this information, the fire fighters can take special care to find these sick persons and carry them away quickly and safely.
The Kansas City computer system also keeps a medical record of each of the city’s 9000 fire fighters. The kind of information is especially useful when a hospital can treat the injured. With this information, doctors at the hospital can treat the injured fire fighters more quickly and easily.
1. Missouri is most likely the name of ___________.
A. a well—known river                   B. the head of the fire fighters
C. a state in the USA                     D. a new kind of computer
2. The computer can give ______________.
A. useful and useless information about the city
B. useful information about everyone living in the city
C. useful information about every street address in the city
D. information about every town around the city
3. In this passage the word “invalid” means a person __________.
A. who is badly injured               B. who is helped by firemen
C. who wants to be a firemen          D. who has become weak through illness or injury
4. If injured, the firemen will ___________.
A. be treated at once with the computer’s help    B. hardly get any treatment
C. ask doctors and nurses for help             D. be taken to hospital by the computer

第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
On the evening of June 21, 1992, a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes entered the beautiful hall of the Bell Tower Hotel in Xi’an with his bicycle. The hotel workers received him and telephoned the manager, for they had never seen a bicycle in the hotel ball before though they lived in “the kingdom of bicycles”.
Robert Friedlander, an American, arrived in Xi’an on his bicycle trip across Asia which started last December in New Delhi, India.
When he was 11, he read the book Marco Polo and made up his mind to visit the Silk Road. Now, after 44 years, he was on the Silk Road in Xi’an and his early dream were coming true. Robert Friedlander’s next destinations(目的地) were Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Urumqi, etc. He will complete his trip in Pakistan.
1. The best headline (标题) for this newspaper article would be ___________.
A. The Kingdom of Bicycles            B. A Beautiful Hotel in Xi’an
C. Marco Polo and the Silk Road         D. An American Achieving His Aims 
2. The hotel workers told the manager about Friedlander coming to the hotel because ___________.
A. he asked to see the manager          
B. he entered the hall with a bike
C. the manager had to know about all foreign guests
D. the manager knew about his trip and was expecting him
3. Friedlander is visiting the three countries in the following order, _________.
A. China, India, and Pakistan            B. India, China, and Pakistan
C. Pakistan, China, and India            D. China, Pakistan and India
4. What made Friedlander want to come to China?
A. The stories about Marco Polo.         B. The famous sights in Xi’an.
C. His interest in Chinese silk.           D. His childhood dreams about bicycles.

Happy birthday
The China Nation Opera (CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists(歌手), like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired GM “and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias (咏叹调) of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date : 7:30 pm, September 7, 8
Location : Tianqiao Theatre
Tel : 6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets : 60—50 yuan (US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently-composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood”, “Memorial Ceremony for God” and “Wine Song”.
Time/date : 7:30 pm, September 13
Location: Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel: 6848-5462, 6841-9220
Tickets : 30-200 yuan (US $ 3.6—24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centered on this theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring Night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers, like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos（独奏）as well as collaborate（合奏）with the folk music orchestra.
Time/ date: 7:30 pm, September 21st
Location: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel: 6606-8888, 6606-9999
1. If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial       .