阅读理解

　　A higher reading rate, with no loss of comprehension, will help you in other subjects as well as in English, and the general principles apply to any language. Naturally, you will not read every book at the same speed. You would expect to read a newspaper, for example, much more rapidly than a physics or economics textbook--but you can raise your average reading speed over the whole range of materials you wish to cover so that the percentage gained will be the same as whatever kind of reading you are concerned with.

　　The reading passages which follow are all of an average level of difficulty for your stage of instruction. They are all about five hundred words long. They are about topics of general interest which do not require a great deal of specialized knowledge. Thus they fall between the kind of reading you might find in your textbooks, and the much less demanding kind you will find in a newspaper or a light novel. If you read this kind of English, with understanding at four hundred words per minute, you might skim through a newspaper at perhaps 650～700, while with a difficult textbook you might drop to two hundred or two hundred and fifty.

　　perhaps you would like to know what reading speeds are common among native English-speaking university students and how those speeds can be improved. Tests in Minnesota, U.S.A, for example, have shown that students without special training can read English of average difficulty, for example, Tolstoy's War and Peace in translation, at speeds of between 240 and 250 words per minute with about seventy percent comprehension. Students in Minnesota claim that after twelve half-hour lessons, once a week, the reading speed can be increased, with no less of comprehension, to around five hundred words per minute.

(1)From the first paragraph, we know _______

[　　]

A．we will read a newspaper and a textbook at the same speed.

B．a higher reading speed will help a lot in learning a language.

C．reading fast and understanding more will help us not only in our language study but also in other subjects.

D．raising your speed will affect your understanding.

(2)In general, the reading passages have the following characteristics EXCEPT ________

[　　]

A．the length is about five hundred words.

B．they are about topics that arouse people's interest.

C．they concerned with common knowledge.

D．they are full of technical terms.

(3)The average speed of untrained native speakers in the University of Minnesota is ________.

[　　]

A．about three hundred words per minute

B．about two hundred and forty-five words pen minute

C．about sixty words per minute

D．about five hundred words per minute

(4)According to the passage, how fast can you expect to read after you have attended twelve half-hour lessons in the University of Minnesota?

[　　]

A．You can increase your reading speed by three times.

B．No real increase in reading speed can be achieved.

C．You can increase your reading speed by four times.

D．You can double your reading speed.

(5)Where do you think the passage is taken from?

[　　]

A．The introduction to a book on fast reading.

B．A local newspaper for young people.

C．A school newspaper run by students.

D．The introduction to an English textbook.

阅读理解

  At one time a traveler could learn about a region（地区）by looking at the houses. For example, he or she could understand what building materials were available. In areas with many wooden houses, the traveler would have guessed that there were nearby forests. Stone houses would have indicated（表明）that stones were easy to get. However, a closer look at the houses would have told the traveler even more about the area.

　　In cold mountain regions of the world, for example, people have traditionally built houses so that one side almost touches the mountain. Thus, this side of the house is protected from cold winds. Modern designers who plan houses are finding this old tradition to be very useful. They are designing houses with one or more walls that touch the surrounding earth. In fact, sometimes the houses are almost completely covered with soil. These houses are efficiently heated and cooled because underground temperatures change very little.

（1）The main idea of paragraph 1 may be that ________ .

[　　]

A. houses would tell the features（特征）of a region

B. people travelled in order to learn about houses

C. people built houses only with materials that were easy to get

D. different houses were made of different materials

（2）The houses in cold mountain regions ________ .

[　　]

A. must be located in places without strong wind

B. are built nearly against the mountain

C. have not changed much

D. are built with mud tops

（3）The main idea of paragraph 2 may be that _______ .

[　　]

A. modern houses are efficiently heated and cooled

B. modern designers dislike the old tradition

C. modern designers have changed the old tradition

D. modern designers have learned from the old tradition

（4）Some modern houses are built ________ .

[　　]

A. in mountain areas

B. half-buried in the ground

C. where modern building materials are available

D. with good heating and cooling systems

（5）The author develops his topic sentence by ________ .

[　　]

阅读理解

    Without proper planning, tourism can cause problem. For example, too many tourists can crowd public places that are also enjoyed by the inhabitants (居民) of a country. If tourists create too much traffic, the inhabitants become annoyed (烦恼) and unhappy. They begin to dislike tourists and treat them impolitely. They forget how much tourism can help the country's economy. It is important to think about the people of a destination country and how tourism affects them. Tourism should help a country keep the customs and beauty that attract tourists. Tourism should also advance the well-being (health and happiness) of local inhabitants.

　　Too much tourism can be a problem. If tourism grows too quickly people must leave other jobs to work in the tourist industry. This means that other parts of the country's economy can suffer. On the other hand, if there is not enough tourism, people can lose jobs. Business can also lose money. It costs a great deal of money to build large hotels, airports, air terminals (终点站),first-class roads, and other support facilities (设施) needed by the tourist attractions. For example, a major international-class hotel can cost as much as 50 thousand dollars per room to build. If this room is not used most of the time, the owners of the hotel lose money.

　　Building a hotel is just a beginning. There must be many support facilities as well, including roads to get to the hotel, electricity service to handle waste, and water. All of these support facilities cost money. If they are not used because there are not enough tourists, jobs and money are lost.

(1)Which of the following has most probably been discussed in the paragraph that goes before the passage?

[　　]

A. It is extremely important to develop tourism.

B. Building roads and hotels are very important.

C. Support facilities are highly necessary.

D. Planning is of great importance to tourism.

(2)Too much tourism can cause all these troubles EXCEPT ________.

[　　]

A. an ill effect on other industries

B. a change of tourists' customs

C. over crowdness of places of interest

D. pressure of traffic

(3)Not enough tourism can lead to ________.

[　　]

A. an increase of unemployment

B. a decrease in tourist attractions

C. the higher cost of support facilities

D. a rise in price and a fall in pay

(4)It is good for local people to be well aware (意识到) that tourism will ________.

[　　]

A. use up a large amount of water

B. weaken their economy

C. help to keep their tradition

D. help to improve their life

(5)The word “handle” in the last paragraph most probably means _________.

[　　]

阅读理解

　　Some people seem to have a knack（诀窍）for learning languages. They can pick up new vocabulary, master rules of grammar, and learn to write in the new language more quickly than others. They do not seem to be any cleverer than others, so what makes language learning so much easier for them? Perhaps if we take a close look at these successful language learners, we may discover a few of the techniques which make language learning easier for them.

　　First of all, successful language learners are independent（独立的） learners. They do not depend on the book or the teacher; they discover their own way to learn the language. Instead of waiting for the teacher to explain, they try to find the patterns（句型）and the rules for themselves. They are good guessers who look for clues（情缘）and form their own conclusions. When they guess wrong, they guess again. They try to learn from their mistakes.

　　Successful language learning is active learning. Therefore, successful learners do not wait for a chance to use the language; they look for such a chance. They find people who speak the language and they ask these people to correct them when they make a mistake. They will try anything to communicate（交际）.They are not afraid to repeat what they hear or to say strange things; they are willing to make mistakes and try again. When communication is difficult, they can accept information that is inexact or incomplete. It is more important for them to learn to think in the language than to know the meaning at every word.

　　Finally successful language learners are learners with a purpose. They want to learn the language because they are interested in the language and the people who speak it. It is necessary for them to learn the language in order to communicate with these people and to learn from them. They find it easy to practice using the language regularly（经常地）because they want to learn with it.

　　What kind of language learner are you? If you are a successful language learner, you have probably been learning independently, actively, and purposefully. On the other hand, if your language learning has been less than successful, you might do well to try some of the techniques discussed above.

（1）If you want to be a successful language learner, you should ________.

[　　]

A. be cleverer than others

B. learn the language independently, actively, and purposefully

C. master the rules of grammar

D. remember the meaning of every word

（2）An active language learner is one who _______.

[　　]

A. makes use of any chance to practice the language

B. tries to accept as much information as he can

C. thinks it more important to know the meaning of every word

D. is waiting for difficult communication with others

（3）The last sentence suggests that __________.

[　　]

A. unsuccessful language learners should try the techniques of successful language learners

B. less successful language learners try to use successful language learning techniques

C. there are different techniques for language learners to try

D. less successful language learning is the result of using these techniques

（4）The author（作者）writes this article to ___________.

[　　]

A. answer some questions about language learning

B. explain why language learning is difficult

C. tell us which language learning technique is more helpful

D. encourage language learners to use these techniques

（5）Which is right according to the passage?

[　　]

A. Most people seem to have a knack（诀窍）for learning languages.

B. Successful language learners needn't be independent（独立的）learners.

C. Successful learners do not wait for a chance to use the language; they look for such a chance.

D. They find it easy to practice using the language regularly（经常地） because they know the meaning of every word.

阅读理解

　　As I was leaving to meet Lynne, my roommate told me that I'd better take some money, but I didn't listen to him. I thought that Lynne would pay because she had invited me. I arrived at the restaurant exactly on time. I'd been told that Americans expect you to be on time. Lynne and I sat at a table in the corner of the restaurant and a waitress came and took our order. The dinner was a great success. I talked a lot about Saudi Arabia and Lynne told me all about herself. After two hours the waitress finally came and asked if we wanted one check or two. Lynne said two. We went to the cashier（收银员） and Lynne paid her check. I was embarrassed when the cashier gave me my bill. I had no money to pay for my meal. Then I had an idea. I pretended to look for something in my pockets and said, “Oh! I forgot my money! Can I call my roommate, please?” The cashier showed me where the phone was and I quickly called my roommate. In a few minutes he arrived with some money, but he couldn't hide（隐藏）how he felt. He laughed all the way home. Now, I think it's funny too, but at the time I was terribly embarrassed. I thought that an invitation to have dinner meant the same thing in the United States as in my country. I guess you have to understand that your customs（风俗）are only your customs. When you visit a foreign country, you have to learn about their customs, too.

（1）The writer's roommate advised the writer to take some money with him _________.

[　　]

A. to pay for the meal

B. to share （分摊） the cost of the meal

C. to invite Lynne to dinner

D. to pay the checks

（2）The roommate laughed all the way home, because _________.

[　　]

A. the writer was embarrassed when he couldn't pay his check

B. the writer telephoned him to bring some money to him

C. the writer hadn't told Lynne the truth

D. the writer would not listen to him when he left the house

（3）The writer and Lynne _________.

[　　]

A. enjoyed their meal very much

B. successfully finished their meal

C. had a talk for two hours

D. traveled to Saudi Arabia together

（4）Customs can be _________ in different countries according to this passage.

[　　]

A. quite the same

B. completely different

C. close to each other

D. very similar

（5）Which is right according to the passage?

[　　]

A. The writer is American.

B. The writer thought Lynne would pay for his meal.

C. The roommate went to the restaurant to have a meal with the writer.

D. The writer was too poor to pay for his own meal.

阅读理解

　　Recently studies have shown that the earth is getting warmer. The scientists who carried out the studies say a large amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere is the reason for the warming. CO₂ is the gas which human and animals give off when They breathe. It is also produced when coal, oil and other things are burnt. Scientists have warned that this kind of burning is adding too much CO₂ to the atmosphere. They believe the gas acts like a green house--the grass-topped building used to grow plants in cold weather. They say the gas is like the grass roof of a green house, which lets in sunlight, but prevents heat from running away. As a result, they say the earth becomes warmer.

　　One of these scientists, Dr. Hansen, says the weather will become so hot that some rivers will dry up. On the other hand, satellite pictures show us there is less ice in the Antarctic during the summer time than in earlier years. The heat would turn all the ice at both ends of the earth into water, making the oceans rise five to seven meters higher than they are now.

(1)The weather is getting warmer because ________.

[　　]

A. there are too many human and animals on the earth

B. a lot of heat has been produced by burning of some materials

C. the sun has given more heat in recent years

D. there is a large amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere

(2)Farmers in cold weather build some green houses to ________.

[　　]

A. keep warm in winter

B. get some more sunlight

C. get some heat to plant some vegetables

D. prevent some vegetables from shining

(3)Too much CO₂ makes the earth warmer than before because ________.

[　　]

A. it can give heat to the earth

B. it can prevent heat from running away

C. it can absorb heat form the sun

D. it cam pollute the atmosphere

(4)According to the view of Dr. Hansen, some day in the future ________.

[　　]

A. all rivers on the earth will dry up

B. the water level on land will rise five to seven meters higher

C. all ice in the Antarctic will turn into water

D. all ice on the earth will turn into water

(5)What do you think the best way to prevent the earth from getting warmer?

[　　]

A. Many animals should be get rid of.

B. Many kinds of materials should be used again.

C. The growing increase of population should be controlled.

D. Something should be done to prevent air pollution.

阅读理解 

　　In most languages, a greeting is usually followed by “small talk”. Small talk means the little things we talk about at the start of a conversation. In English-speaking countries people often make small talk about the weather, “Nice day, isn't it?” “Terrible weather, isn't it?” But there is something special about small talk. It must be about something which both people have the same opinion about. The purpose of small talk is to let both people agree on something. This makes meeting people easier and more comfortable. People usually agree about the weather, so it is a safe topic for small talk. But people often disagree about religion or politics so these are not suitable topics for small talk in English. The topics for small talk also depend on where the conversation is taking place. At football matches, people make small talk about the game they are watching, “Great game, isn't it?” At bus-stops, people may comment about the transport system, “The bus service is terrible, isn't it?”

　　Greetings and small talk are an important part of conversation in any language. The way people greet each other and the things they talk about, however, may be different from one language to another. This shows that there is much more to learn when we learn a language than just the vocabulary and the grammar of the language. We also have to learn the social behavior of the people who speak it.

(1)Small talk _______.play the role of the doctor

[　　]

A. is a kind of conversation with short words

B. is a greeting when people meet each other

C. is to let people disagree about something

D. is something we talk about to start with a conversation

(2)The favorite topic of small talk is about _______.

[　　]

(3)The passage suggests that when we learn a language _______.

[　　]

A. we should learn about the transport system of the country

B. we should only master the grammar, and vocabulary

C. we should know the culture about the country

D. we should grasp the importance of the language

(4)When we say “Great game, isn't it?”, we in fact _______.

[　　]

A. ask a question

B. have a conversation

C. greet each other

D. begin a small talk

(5)What we learn from the passage is that _______.

[　　]

A. different language has different grammar

B. small talk is an important part in a language

C. small talk depends on the purpose of the conversation

D. in English-speaking countries we should talk about the weather

　阅读理解

　Foreigners are likely to win more investment opportunities in China since the central government has passed a fresh regulation on Tuesday to attract foreign capital. The regulation,which will take effect on April 1,out-lines how China will expand cooperation with,foreign investors. Compared with the old foreign investment guide-line,the government has given foreigners more investment opportunities. And the government also encourages foreigners to take part in the key state-owned enterprises re-form (企业改革).

　　According to the regulation,overseas investors are expected to become shareholders in the key state-owned enterprises. Overseas investors will even be allowed to hold the controlling stake (控股) in the large state-owned enterprises,except for those of key importance to national or economic security.

　　“China's WTO membership has reduced the risks and costs for foreign investors,and more capital and advanced techniques and expert knowledge or skill are expected to flow in,” an official said.

　　In particular,the new regulation makes an earnest request for capital for agricultural technology,transportation,energy and new material industry. The service industry,including banking,telecommunication,insurance,and tourism,will gradually become another focal point of co-

operation.

　　The country hopes foreign investors start businesses in the western regions,where they will enjoy more favour-able taxation policies for the next 10 years.

(1)According to the passage,after the fresh regulation has taken effect，________.

[　　]

A. more and more foreign capital will be brought in

B. Chinese capital will be attracted by foreign countries

C. foreigners will be likely to win more opportunities to attract Chinese capital

D. more investment will be given to the countries like China

(2)A great deal of foreign capital has come to China because ________.

[　　]

A. the foreign investors have too much money

B. there are too many enterprises in China

C. China is a large country

D. China's reform will bring great benefit to the foreign investors

(3)Which of the following statements is Not true?

[　　]

A. The development of agricultural technology needs foreign investment.

B. Foreign capital is made an earnest request for to develop the new industry.

C. Foreigners are encouraged to take part in China's enterprises reform.

D. Foreign investors can hold the controlling stake of all the state-owned enterprises.

(4)From the passage we can infer that China's service industry will ________ in future.

[　　]

A. fall behind others

B. develop at the same speed as now

C. be developed rapidly

D. continue co-operation with foreigners

(5)If foreign investors start their business in the western regions,they will ________.

[　　]

A. pay more taxes

B. lose more benefit

C. offer more taxes

D. gain more advantages

阅读理解

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

　　A．Goods for auction sales

　　B．Definition of bidding

　　C．Way to sell more goods by auction

　　D．Auction sales in history

　　E．Brief introduction to auctions

　　F．Making a larger profit as an auctioneer

1．

[　　]

Auctions are public sales of goods, conducted by an officially approved auctioneer. He asks the crowd assembled in the auction-room to make offers, or “bids”, for the various items on sale. He encourages buyers to bid higher figures, and finally names the highest bidder as the buyer of the goods. This is called “knocking down” the goods, for the bidding ends when the auctioneer strikes a small hammer on a table at which he stands.

2．

[　　]

The ancient Roman probably invented sales by auction, and the English word comes from the Latin auction, meaning “increase”. The Romans usually sold in this way the goods taken in war. In England in the eighteenth centuries, goods were often sold “by the candle”: a short candle was lit by the auctioneer, and bids could be made while it stayed alight.

3．

[　　]

Practically all goods whose qualities vary are sold by auction. Among these are coffee, skins, wool, tea, furs, silk and wines. Auction sales are also usual for land and property. Furniture, pictures, rare books, old china and similar works of art.

4．

[　　]

An auction is usually advertised beforehand with full particulars of the articles to be sold and where and when they can be viewed by potential buyers. If the advertisement cannot give full details, catalogues are printed, and each group of goods to be sold together, called a“lot”, is usually given a number. The auctioneer need not begin with Lot 1 and continue in the order of numbers: he may wait until he notices the fact that certain buyers are in the room and then produce the Tots they are likely to be interested in.

5．

[　　]

The auctioneer's services are paid for in the form of a percentage of the price the goods are sold for. The auctioneer therefore has a direct interest in pushing up the bidding as high as possible. He will not waste time by starting the bidding too low. He will also play on the opponents among his buyers and succeed in getting a high price by encouraging two business competitors to bid against each other.