Jiuquan, Gansu Sept. 25 (Xinhua)-China launched its third manned spacecraft on Thursday with three
astronauts on board to attempt the country's first-ever space walk.
     The spaceship Shenzhou-7 blasted off on a Long March II-F carrier rocket from the JiuQuan Satellite
Launch Center in the northwestern Gansu Province at 9:10 pm. after a breathtaking countdown to another
milestone on China's space journey. Onboard pilots Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng are expected
to orbit the earth for three days, when one of them will float out of the cabin about 343 kilometers above the
earth. 　　
     When they make it, China will become the third country in the world who is able to conduct
extra-vehicular activity (EVA) in space following the former Soviet Union and the United States. 　　
     President Hu Jintao watched the historic moment at the launch center, joined by Chinese experts and other
work staff. 　　
     Two taikonauts would enter the orbital module, where one would put on domestically-made spacesuit
Feitian and leave the module to take back test samples loaded outside, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of
the country's manned space project.
     The other would wear a Russian Orlan suit and stay in the depressurized cabin for support, said Zhou.
"We wish we could fly freely in space just like Feitian on the ancient Buddhist murals, so we gave this name
to the homemade spacesuit," said Zhou. Feitian, which literally means flying in the sky, is the name of a
legendary Buddhist goddess.
     Other tasks of the Shenzhou-7 crew include the release of a small monitoring satellite and a trial of the
data relay of the satellite Tianlian-I. 　　
     The taikonauts, all 42 years old, are scheduled to land in the central region of north China's Inner Mongolia
Autonomous Region in a re-entry module after their mission is completed.

1. The underlined word in the second paragraph means _____.

A. the action of counting seconds forwards from zero
B. the action of counting seconds backwards to zero
C. the period of time just before something important happens
D. something that can be counted

2. They call the spacesuit Feitian because _____.

A. The spacesuit can help them to fly freely in the sky
B. Feitian is the name of a legendary Buddhist goddess
C. The spacesuit is made in Russia
D. They wish they could fly freely in space just like Feitian

3. The main task of the Shenzhou-7 crew is to _____.

A. float out of the cabin about 343 kilometers above the earth
B. conduct extra-vehicular activity in space
C. release a small monitoring satellite
D. take back test samples loaded outside

4. According to the text, we can know that_____.

A. China has launched two manned spacecraft with astronauts on board
B. The three pilots are expected to orbit the earth for 3 days
C. The former Soviet Union and the United States can not conduct extra- vehicular activity in space
D. Two taikonauts would leave the module to take back test samples

                                              Special Bridges Help Animals Cross the Road 
                                                            --Reported by Sheila Carrick
     Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.
     Most people know this joke. But recently, some people have been much more worried about how the
grizzly bear and mountain lion can cross the road.
     "Millions of animals die each year on U.S. roads," the Federal Highway Administration reports. In fact,
only about 80 ocelots, an endangered wild cat, exist in the U.S. today. The main reason? Roadkill.
     "Ecopassages" may help animals cross the road without being hit by cars. They are paths both over and
under roads. "These ecopassages can be extremely useful, so that wildlife can avoid road accidents," said
Jodi Hilty of the Wildlife Protection Society.
     But do animals actually use the ecopassages? The answer is yes. Paul Beier of Northern Arizona
University found foot marks left by mountain lions on an ecopassage that went under a highway. This showed
that the lions used the passage.
     Builders of ecopassages try to make them look like a natural part of an area by planting trees on and around
them. Animals seem to be catching on. Animals as different as salamanders and grizzly bears are using the
bridges and underpasses.
     The next time you visit a park or drive through an area with a lot of wildlife, look around. You might see an
animals overpass!

1. The writer uses the example of "ocelots" to show that ______.

A. wild animals have become more dangerous
B. the driving conditions have improved greatly
C. the measure for protecting wildlife fails to work
D. an increasing number of animals are killed in road accidents animals on ecopassages

2. From the news story, we know an ecopassage is ______.

A. an underground path for cars
B. a fence built for the safety of the area
C. a bridge for animals to get over a river
D. a pass for animals to cross the road

3. When the writer says that animals seem "to be catching on", he means ______.

A. animals begin to realize the dangers on the road
B. animals begin to learn to use ecopassages
C. animals are crossing the road in groups
D. animals are increasing in number

4. The writer asks visitors and drivers to look around when traveling because ______.

A. wild animals may attack cars
B. wild animals may jam the road
C. they may see wild animals in the park
D. they may see wild

                                                                       NEWS BRIEF
     ●Prime Minister Tony Blair new allegations (指控) on Thursday that he misled Parliament and the public in
making the case for the war in Iraq after he disclosed his chief legal adviser's written opinion raising questions
about the legality (合法) of the war.
     ●U.S. Forest Service officials are reminding people to stay off Forest Service roads that are closed. The
fine for disobeying the rule of road closures is a maximum of ＄5,000 fine and/ or six months in prison. Those who enter the area and cause road damage may also be required to pay for repairs.
     ●In a second study presented at the meeting, scientists from the UK and Denmark showed that even a few
days of high temperatures can severely reduce production of crops such as wheat, soybeans, rice and
groundnuts, if it occurs when the plants are flowering.
     ●A bomb exploded in Thailand's mainly Muslin south on Sunday, killing two policemen and wounding three
others, a day after Thailand's queen condemned those behind a 15-month wave of violence (暴力).
     ●Mechanicsburg 3, West York 1: Ken Stamper and Rusty Bowman had seven kills each, and Ryan Warfield
had six to lead the Wildcats past the Bulldogs, 25-11, 25-15, 15-25, 25-23, in a non-league match.

1. The news brief covers _______.

A. war, law, violence, culture and agriculture
B. sports, war, violence, politics and climate
C. politics, culture, violence, climate and sports
D. violence, sports, politics, law and agriculture

2. From the news brief, we can learn that ________.

A. the Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats by 3-1 in a non-league match
B. Forest Service roads are closed for repairs before they are opened again
C. quite a few violent accidents happened in Tailand before the latest one
D. the British people think the decision made by Blair about the war is of legaliry

3. According to the U.S. Forest Service officials, those who enter the area and damage the closed roads ______.

A. shall have to pay a $ 5,000 fine for the repairs to them
B. shall be fined or put in prison, and may pay for the repairs
C. shall be fined $ 5,000 and kept in prison for six months
D. shall pay a fine and repair the roads as a punishment

4. The study of the scientists from the UK and Denmark is about _______.

A. the importance of climate and the growth of crops
B. the damage caused by high temperatures to some crops
C. the relationship between crops flowering and high temperatures
D. the effect of high temperatures on the production of some crops

      New York, 10 November 5:27pm, yesterday. Biggest power failure in the city's history. 　　
     *Thousands of people got stuck in lifts. Martin Saltzman spent three hours between the 21st and 22nd
floors of the Empire State Building. "There were twelve of us. But no one panicked. We passed the time
telling stories and playing word games. One man wanted to smoke but we didn't let him. Firemen finally got
us out." 　　
     *"It was the best night we've ever had.," said Angela Carraro. who runs an ltalian restaurant on 42nd
Street. "We had lots candles on the tables and the waiters were carrying candles on their trays. The place
was full and all night, in fact, for after we had closed, we let the people stay on and spend the night here." 　　
     * The zoos had their problems like everyone else. Keepers worked through the right. They used blankets
to keep flying squirrels and small monkeys warm. While zoos had problems keeping warm, supermarkets
had problems keeping cool."All of our ice cream and frozen foods melted," said the manger of a store in
downtown Manhattan. "They were worth $50,0000." 　　
     * The big electric clock in the lobby (大厅) of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in downtown Manhattan started
(滴答) again at 5:25 this morning. It was almost on time.

1. Throughout the period of darkness, Martin Saltzman and the eleven others were ______. 　　

A. nervous
B. excited
C. calm
D. frightened

2. In what way was the night of November 9 the best night for Angela Carraro? 　　

A. She had a taste of adventure. 　　
B. Burning candles brightened the place. 　　
C. Business was better than usual. 　　
D. Many people stayed the night in her restaurant.

3. How long did the power failure last? 　　

A. Nearly 12 hours.
B. More than 12 hours. 　　
C. Nearly 24 hours.
D. More than 24 hours.

     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 hall 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 dreams 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 Dreams

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Friedlander can be said to be _____.

A. clever
B. friendly
C. hardworking
D. strong-minded

     BEIJING-Seven prestigious universities in China announced Sunday that they would begin using the same
independent exam-besides the national one-to test students hoping to gain entrance to them in 2011.
     The seven are Peking University, Beihang University, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Fudan
University, Xiamen University and Hong Kong University.
     Students who want to gain entrance to any of the seven universities will only have to sit one independent
exam, according to the joint announcement.
     "This will help lighten the students' load, otherwise they must take several exams for different universities,"
said the announcement.
     Passing the exam could result in more than one interview chance, giving the students more opportunities to
choose their favorite universities.
     China's college entrance exam system is undergoing reform as universities aim to select students based on
independent criteria rather than just using the results of the national exam.
     In 2003, Peking University and another 21 universities were allowed to pilot (试用) the reform by using their
own criteria to independently select five percent of their students.
     Now nearly 80 universities across the country have the right to select talented students based on their own
exams.
     Education experts regard universities' selecting students according to independent examinations as conducive
(有助的) to better understanding where the students' talents lie.
     Although this may be the case, it has also created problems as students may sit many different exams as they
often apply for a number of universities.
     To relieve students from such pressures the national education outline (2010-2020) released in July this year
encourages high-level universities to group together to use the same exams.

1. If students want to be admitted to the seven prestigious universities, they can _____.

A. only pass the interview
B. only take the national exam
C. only take the independent exam
D. either take the national exam or the take the independent exam

2. Which is TRUE about using the same independent exam?

A. It can reduce students' load to take several exams.
B. The universities will have the same standard to test students.
C. There will be less trouble marking students' test papers.
D. It can avoid fierce competition among these universities.

3. If students pass the independent exam, they will _____.

A. take the national exam
B. have one or more interview chances
C. be admitted to one of the universities
D. he trained to be adapted to universities life and studies

4. What is the advantage of universities selecting students according to independent examinations?

A. Students needn't take the national exam.
B. Students' education cost can be lowered.
C. Students abilities and talents can be better found.
D. It can encourage middle schools to recommend more qualified students.

     NEW YORK CITY?A hurricane warning has been given for New York City. Forecasters say Hurricane
Irene could cause widespread flooding, power failure and billions of dollars in damage. About 65 million
Americans live in Hurricane Irene's projected path -many of whom have been evacuated.
     In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered the city's first-ever evacuation. Roughly
250,000 people have been told to leave their homes in low-lying areas, including the Wall Street financial
district.
     WASHINGTON D.C.-On Aug.24, 2011, Apple announced that Mr. Steve Jobs, who has battled cancer
for several years, was stepping down as the CEO but would serve as chairman.
     In January, he had announced that he was taking a medical leave of absence from Apple. In announcing
his leave, he turned daily oversight of the company over to the chief operating officer, Timothy D. Cook,
and it was Mr. Cook whom Apple named to succeed him as the next CEO of the company.
     TRIPOLI-Opposition forces in Libya say they control more than 90 percent of the country.It is still not
clear where Moammar Gadhafi is. The opposition has offered more than 1,600,000 dollars for his capture
(逮捕).The head of the opposition forces said his group supports a decision by local businessmen to provide
the money in an effort to speed up the capture. Earlier Wednesday, government forces fired onto the former
headquarters (总部) of Mr. Gadhafi, which is now controlled by opposition forces. Heavy fighting also
continued near Tripoli's airport and in a town of Zuara.

1. The underlined word "evacuated" probably means _______.

A. sent away to safer places
B. gathered around to higher positions
C. flooded off to lower reaches
D. left behind to dangerous situations

2. Who has been appointed as the new CEO of Apple?

A. Steve Jobs.
B. Michael Bloomberg.
C. Moammar Gadhafi.
D. Timothy D. Cook.

3. From the news above, we know that in Libya _______.

A. the local businessmen have offered money to catch hold of Gadhafi
B. the opposition forces suffered a thorough defeat near Tripoli's airport
C. the government forces are defending the headquarters of Mr. Gadhafi
D. the town of Zuara is the place where Moammar Gadhafi probably hides

     BEIJING-The handsome face and muscular figure of Lin Dan make him an ideal candidate for the big
screen.
     However, the Chinese badminton superstar says any speculation about a career in the entertainment
industry will have to wait until his on-court career ends.
     "Right now, I'm just focused on the 2012 Olympic Games. I will not think about the possibility of acting
as long as I'm still able to play the sport," said 27-year-old Lin during a press conference on Sunday
organized by razor (剃刀) brand Gillette.
     The reigning (占优势)Olympic and world champion is determined to hold on until the 2012 London
Olympics, even though he achieved a grand slam (大满贯) by winning the Asian Games in Guangzhou.
      "I will try my best and hold on to play the 2012 Olympic Games," said Lin, who won the MVP Award
at the Asian Games thanks to his men's single title and his overwhelming popularity with fans and the media.
      "I know it will be a tough two years. I know rising stars and old foes will come up and pose bigger
threats during my preparation. But I'm ready to accept the challenge," 'Super Dan' said.
     The Asiad title was the only major crown missing from Lin's glittering resume, which includes one
Olympic title and three consecutive world crowns.
      He said the pressure going into the Asiad was even greater than that at the 2008 Beijing Games.
     "I know lots of people expected me to pick up the title. There was big pressure on me," said Lin, who
was upset by Indonesia's Hidayat Taufik in the Doha final four years ago."So when I did it, I felt more
excited than when I won the Olympic title."

1. From the passage we can know that _______.

A. Lin Dan is fond of acting
B. Lin Dan will work on entertainment and badminton at the same time
C. Lin Dan has decided to take up badminton all his life.
D. Lin Dan won't consider join in the entertainment industry before he retires

2. We can infer that _______.

A. many athletes are afraid of the new opponent (对手)
B. Lin Dan will achieve his grand slam
C. Lin Dan is prepared to face the 2012 Olympic Games
D. Lin Dan beat Indonesia's Hidayat Taufik in 2006

3. Which can probably replace the underlined word "speculation" in Paragraph 2?

A. observation
B. prediction
C. contribution
D. consideration

4. Which statement is NOT true?

A. Lin Dan has won all kinds of titles of badminton.
B. The 2012 London Olympic Games had brought the biggest pressure to Lin Dan.
C. Lin Dan's success is partly due to the popularity with fans and the media.
D. Every year more new challengers will appear to compete with Lin Dan.

     BEIJING-Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday encouraged young Chinese students to dedicate their lives to
the people and bind their own destinies with that of the nation.
     Wen made the call at a symposium with some 100 students of the prestigious Tsinghua University, who
have chosen to work in China's less-developed western regions or at the grassroots level after graduation.
     Wen's Tsinghua tour marked his yearly visit to university campuses since 2003 ahead of the Chinese
Youth Day, which falls on Monday this year.
     In more than one hour's time, Wen listened to the students' stories and gave his advices on their future
development, encouraging them to"be resolute-minded, hard working and down-to-earth to achieve your
goals."
     Sui Shaochun, a mechanics students, said he had landed a job in an aeroplane manufacturing company
in southwestern Sichuan Province and was ready to devote himself to the country's project of building its
own big planes.
     Wen said the future of a young person and that of the nation were interdependent, and"the young should
bind their own destinies with that of the country."
     Another graduate-to-be Cheng Li told Wen she would work in Wenchuan of Sichuan, the epicenter of
the devastating May 12 earthquake, believing the reconstruction work would be"more meaningful than
anything else."
     Wen said the post-quake reconstruction requires a large number of professionals and he encouraged Cheng
to play her role."The love and devotion to the people is the loftiest part of human morals," said he.
     Wen praised Zou Shenglan and Yan Weilong after learning they had volunteered to work in Tibetan
villages. He told them to be prepared for the hardship in rural areas."I believe after being tempered at the
grassroots level in Tibet, you'll become more mature," he said."And when you look back at that part of
experience in the future, you'll have no regret."
     "I want you all to be well-educated people with moral integrity and work ability, and be of use to the
people," Wen said before concluding the discussion, followed by having lunch with the students at their
dinning hall.

1. Premier Wen Jiabao has made it a rule to________.

A. give a lecture to middle school students every year
B. meet students of Tsinghua University before the Chinese Youth Day
C. visit university students before the Chinese Youth Day
D. be invited by students of Tsinghua University before the Chinese Youth Day

2. At a symposium with students Wen encouraged them to ______.

A. work hard for country at school
B. go to the rural areas and the grassroots level
C. devote themselves to the rebuilding of Wenchuan
D. go to the countryside

3. Wen required all the students to show their loftiest part of human morals: _______.

A. hard-working and down-to-earth
B. resolute-minded and hard-working
C. resolute-minded and devotion
D. love and devotion

4. After the discussion, Wen _______.

A. had a group photo with the students present
B. had lunch with the students
C. visited the students' dorms
D. pictured the future with the students

                                              Special Bridges Help Animals Cross the Road 
                                                            --Reported by Sheila Carrick
     Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.
     Most people know this joke. But recently, some people have been much more worried about how the
grizzly bear and mountain lion can cross the road.
     "Millions of animals die each year on U.S. roads," the Federal Highway Administration reports. In fact,
only about 80 ocelots, an endangered wild cat, exist in the U.S. today. The main reason? Roadkill.
     "Ecopassages" may help animals cross the road without being hit by cars. They are paths both over and
under roads. "These ecopassages can be extremely useful, so that wildlife can avoid road accidents," said
Jodi Hilty of the Wildlife Protection Society.
     But do animals actually use the ecopassages? The answer is yes. Paul Beier of Northern Arizona
University found foot marks left by mountain lions on an ecopassage that went under a highway. This showed
that the lions used the passage.
     Builders of ecopassages try to make them look like a natural part of an area by planting trees on and around
them. Animals seem to be catching on. Animals as different as salamanders and grizzly bears are using the
bridges and underpasses.
     The next time you visit a park or drive through an area with a lot of wildlife, look around. You might see an
animals overpass!

1. The writer uses the example of "ocelots" to show that ______.

A. wild animals have become more dangerous
B. the driving conditions have improved greatly
C. an increasing number of animals are killed in road accidents animals on ecopassages
D. the measure for protecting wildlife fails to work

2. From the news story, we know an ecopassage is ______.

A. an underground path for cars
B. a fence built for the safety of the area
C. a bridge for animals to get over a river
D. a pass for animals to cross the road

3. When the writer says that animals seem "to be catching on", he means ______.

A. animals begin to realize the dangers on the road
B. animals are crossing the road in groups
C. animals are increasing in number
D. animals begin to learn to use ecopassages

4. The best title for the passage is _______.

A. Special bridges help animals cross the road
B. Endangered animals increase because of roadkill
C. Animals fail to cross the road
D. Take steps to protect animals in danger