I was born in Tuckahoe, Talbot Country, Maryland. I have no accurate (准确的) knowledge of my age,
never having seen any record containing it. By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as
horses know of theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus
ignorant (不知情的). I do not remember having ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday. They seldom
come nearer to it than planting-time, harvesting, springtime, or autumntime. A lack of information concerning
my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood. The white children could tell their ages,
but I could not tell. Why the same right ought to be taken away from me! I was not allowed to ask my master
about it. He considered all such questions on the part of a slave improper and impolite. The nearest estimate
(估计) I can live makes me now between twenty-seven and twenty-eight years of age. I come to this, from
hearing my master say, some time during 1835, I was about seventeen years old. My mother was named
Harriet Bailey. She was the daughter of Isaac and Betsey Bailey, both colored, and quite dark.
     My father was a white man. The opinion was also whispered that my master was my father; but of the
correctness of this opinion, I know nothing and I have no means to know. My mother and I were separated
when I was but an infant-before I knew her as my mother. It is a common custom, in the part of Maryland
from which I ran away, to part children from their mothers at a very early age. Frequently, before the child
has reached its twelfth month, its mother is taken from it,and hired out on some farm a considerable distance
off, and the child is placed under the care of an older woman, too old for field labor.

1. It can be learned from the text that ____.

A. the slaves forgot the exact time when they were born
B. the writer didn't know whether his master was his father
C. the writer was about twenty-seven years old in 1835
D. the writer's mother left him as soon as he was born

2. The underlined word "it" in Paragraph l refers to ____.

A. their birthdays
B. my age
C. a record
D. Maryland

3. According to the passage, when the writer was very young his mother ____.

A. ran away
B. was light-skinned
C. had several children
D. was sent to work elsewhere

4. The author was most probably raised ____.

A. by his grandparents
B. by an old woman slave
C. with his master's support
D. together with other children

5. How does the writer feel about not knowing his age? 

A. Curious.
B. Unhappy.
C. Astonished.
D. Ashamed.

     Death Valley is one of the most famous deserts in the United States, covering a wide area with its alkali
sand. Almost 20 percent of this area is well below sea level, and Badwater, a salt water pool, is about 280
feet below sea level and the lowest point in the United States.
     Long ago the Panamint Indians called this place “Tomesha”- the land of fire. Death Valley's present
name dates back to 1849, when a group of miners coming across from Nevada became lost in its
unpleasantness and hugeness and their adventure turned out to be a sad story. Today Death Valley has
been declared a National Monument and is crossed by several well-marked roads where good services can
be found easily. Luckily the change created by human settlement has hardly ruined the special beauty of this
place.
     Here nature created a lot of surprising scenes, almost like the sights on the moon, ever-changing as the
frequent wind moves the sand about, showing the most unusual colors. One of the most astonishing and
colorful parts of Death Valley is the Devil's Golf Course, where it seems hard for one to tell reality from
dreams. Sand sculptures stand-on a frightening ground, as evening shadows move and lengthen.

1.The name “Death valley” comes from _____.

A. an Indian name
B. the death of the miners
C. the local people
D. a National Monument

2. From the passage we can learn that _____.

A. no one had ever known the desert before the miners
B. it's still not easy to travel across the desert
C. people can find gas-stations, cafes and hotels in the desert
D. people have changed the natural sight of the desert

3. The Devil's Golf Course is famous for _____.

A. the terrible sights
B. the moon-like sights
C. the dream-like sights
D. the ever-changing sights

4. From the passage we can see that the writer _____ the Death Valley .

A. appreciates
B. is fearful of
C. dislikes
D. is tired of

     One of the main decisions you must make when traveling is deciding where to stay. A good place to
stay can often make a holiday. Whether you are looking for a classy hotel or a night under the stars, we
can guide you through your different options.
     Bed and Breakfast
     An English invention, bed and breakfasts offer exactly what they suggest, a bed for the night and
breakfast in the morning. People who hate the anonymity of hotels but want more luxury than a hostel
often choose to stay at bed and breakfasts. "B&B's", usually someone's private home, are often found
in the countryside.
     Hostels
     For those traveling on a tight budget, hostels are the best accommodation option. Informal places
usually with a friendly youthful vibe(氛围), they offer dormitory beds for rent. Bathrooms are usually
down the hall.
     Remember to check reviews by previous guests online before you book your hostel.
     Couch Surfing
     An unusual but interesting option, couch surfing is a growing trend among young internationals. The
idea is that you become a member of the online couch-surfing community (www. couchsurfing. com)
and then when you travel, look up other members in that country and ask to stay on their couch (沙发).
Most hosts will suggest sightseeing trips and take you out in the evening, making it a great way to see
things that aren't in your guidebook. And remember, it may be free but don't forget to offer to buy your
host a drink or dinner.
     Camping
     Sleeping under the stars! For budget travelers staying at camping grounds is the cheapest way to
travel. The drawback is that you have to carry a tent with you. Camping grounds can be found across
Europe, America and Australia. However, if you intend on camping in busy cities, check first where the
nearest campsite is. More often than not, they are on the outskirts, which can mean lengthy bus rides into
town when you want to eat or see the sights.

1. Hostels are popular among budget travelers because they provide  _____.

A. a friendly atmosphere   
B. dormitory beds for sale
C. reviews by previous guests  
D. beds and bathrooms as well

2. The advantage of couch surfing is that  _____.
  

A. you don't have to pay any money
B. you can have a couch to sleep on
C. you can explore the nightlife there
D. the host will charge you for sightseeing

3. The disadvantage of camping is that you have to ______.  

A. sleep in the open air
B. take some extra articles
C. camp near big cities for safety
D. take a long distance bus to the campsites

4. You want a better but not too expensive place to stay, you may choose _____.  

A. Bed and Breakfast    
B. Hostels    
C. Couch Surfing  
D. Camping

    AAAGH !  The Generation 90s is coming!
     Wearing earphones,using complicated Net language and constantly text messaging friends,the
Gen-90s following the Gen-80s begin to make their world debut.
     Each generation or age group has its own symbols and lifestyle. Read on and judge for yourselves
if you fit the Gen-90s profile.
Earphones
      These little devices seem to grow on the heads of the Cen-90s. They might lead to MP3,MP4 or
MP101 players,giving these young people a plugged-in,cool and perhaps self-indulgent look.  Of course,
life is not always music to the ears.
     Martian Language
     They have created their own code-like online language. It's a mixture of English,Japanese and Chinese
that perhaps only Martians can understand. This is an imaginative generation,though they need to be
careful to keep it out of their term papers.
Self-portrait
        Saying " cheese"  to their own digital cameras is routine for this generation.  A little bit of
narcissismc (自恋) never hurts anyone.  It helps them reflect a little on their own lives.  But be aware of
the risks of posting private photos online.
Text-messaging
     They can type their mobile phones as fast as they can speak. This is a generation that respects
efficiency. Nevertheless,oral communication is important and will never go out of style.  

1.  Who are the intended readers of the passage?    

A. Teens.        
B. Educators.      
C. Socialists.      
D. Parents.

2. The main idea of the passage is about _________.      

A. the Gen-90s' happy life
B. the differences between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s
C. the Gen-90s' unique lifestyle and some practical wamings
D. the similarities between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s

3.  Which can replace the underlined word"routine" ?

A. Usual.        
B. Habitual.      
C. General.       
D. Regular.

4. According to this passage,which is False?

A. Not all teens are cautious about posting photos.
B. They type their mobile phones so fast that it can catch the speed of speaking.
C.  The Gen-90s have a preference for some music players,and even regard them as a necessary
      part of life
D. They don't use the cool and complex online language in formal writing.

     If you are worried about things and are under a lot of stress at work or school,then you are probably
not sleeping well. Worry can keep you awake,tossing and tuming in bed until the early hours of the moming when you eventually fall asleep. When you wake up.you don't feel refreshed.but tired and wom out and
unable to face a new day.
     Dr Henry Winkle,in a recent newspaper article entitled Stress and Sleep,indicates that______． Dr
Winkle says,"The more we worry,the less we sleep,the more we are unable to deal with stress.  If we can
find a way to get a good night's sleep," he adds. "we can often find the energy to deal with what's worrying us. "
     So,what is a good night's sleep? Research shows that the amount of sleep which people need in order
to keep healthy varies a lot. Seven hours is about the average amount,though strangely enough,sleeping
longer often gives you a headache instead of making you feel more refreshed.
     Dr Winkle believes that preparing for sleeping is important. People who work late should try to give
themselves a short break and do something restful before going to bed.  This could be watching TV or
listening to music.  Doing some exercise earlier in the day should help you to feel physically as well as
mentally tired. A bedtime drink can also help,but coffee or tea should be avoided as they contain caffeine
and will keep you awake.  " When you put the light out,"  Dr Winkle says,"concentrate on relaxing your
muscles,working slowly up from your feet,and you'll be asleep before you know it. "
   

1.  What is the best title of the passage? ( Please answer within 10 words)
        ______________________________________________________________________
2. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?
     People shouldn't go to sleep immediately but should take a break after working late in the night.
        ______________________________________________________________________
3.  Please fill in the blank in the second paragraph with proper words or phrases to complete
      the sentence.  ( Please answer within 10 words)
     _____________________________________________________________________
4.  Someone says that the longer you sleep,the better you feel. Try to find some arguments from
     the passage against the idea.  (Please answer within 30 words)
______________________________________________________________________
5. Translate the underlined sentence in the first paragraph into Chinese.
_____________________________________________________________________

     Have you ever wished you could not feel pain? There are people in the world with this ability. They
do not know when they are hurting. Last year,Nature magazine published a report about six children who
have never suffered pain.The research team found the children after hearing about a boy who apparently
felt no pain. The boy stood on burning coals and stabbed his arms with knives to earn money.  He died in
a fall before the researchers could meet him.  But the team was able to find members of the boy's extended family.  They also seemed unable to feel pain.
     This may lead to bad results. These children sometimes burned themselves with hot liquids or steam.
They sat on hot hearting devices.  They cut their lips with their teeth,but felt no pain.  Two of the children
bit off one-third of their
tongue. Yet they could feel pressure and tell differences between hot and cold.
     Why were they unable to feel pain? Doctor Woods and his research team studied
DNA-deoxyribonucleic acid from the children. They also examined DNA from the children's parents. The team found that all had health. The researchers found that each child received a faulty version of the gene
from a parent.  The gene is called SCN9A.  It gives orders to a protein that serves as a passageway for
the chemical sodium(钠). All nerve cells have such passages.  This is how spinal cord and brain work.
     Researchers discovered something important about SCN9A. They linked it to a rare condition in
which patients suffer painful burning in their feet or hands.  The problems of these patients were nearly
opposite to those of the children who felt no pain.  "In patients with the painful burning hands and feet,
SCN9A was too active. The findings may mean better medical help for pain," Doctor Woods says.

1. According to Doctor Woods,what do we know about the SCN9A in persons with no pain? 

A. There is no SCN9A.
B. There is little SCN9A.
C. SCN9A was not active.
D. SCN9A was active

2. What is the purpose of Doctor Woods and his research team studying DNA from the children?

A. To find out why children don't feel pain.
B. To prove their supposition.
C. To obtain some faulty gene.
D. To locate the nerve cells.

3.  What is the main idea of the second paragraph?  

A. Some bad results of the patients.
B. The cause of the disease.    
C. The cure of the disease.
D. The differences between hot and cold.

     The American humorist,Will Rogers,used to say," All I know is what I read in the newspapers".  This
was an exaggeration for humorous purposes,but it is true that newspapers are an important source of
information.  Many people begin their day by reading the paper. In this way they leam what is going on in
the world. Sometimes,however,they don't have time to read the news carefully and must be satisfied with
a quick look at the front page;at other times they may be in such a hurry that they have time only to glance at the headlines.
     There are newspapers to satisfy every reader. In the big cities there are many types of papers,with
several different editions every day. In small towns there are fewer newspapers and perhaps only one
edition each day. In some areas the
paper is printed weekly.
     Most newspapers have several sections,especially on Sundays when the edition is larger than usual.
There are,in addition to the front page with the most important news,the sports section,the society page,
the comics,the amusement section,a business page,and the editorials.
     Another type of publication which helps keep the population informed is the magazine. Some
magazines are published weekly,others are put out monthly. There are news magazines,literary magazines,
and magazines for such special interests as photography,sports,art,and music. Some are primarily for men,others for women,and there is a selection of children's magazines,too. In the United States,there are publications for every taste and interest.  

1. The function of a newspaper is ________.        

A. to help people to begin their day by reading it
B. to satisfy every reader
C. to get people well informed of all kinds of news
D. to provide its readers with many sections

2. The purpose of headlines is _____.         

A.  to show the main idea of an article or a passage
B. to tell its readers how to entitle an arlicle or a passage
C. a piece of news for people to glance at
D. to be printed in large letters above a story in a newspaper  

3. The best title for this passage is ______     

A. Newspaper Should Be Read Every Day
B. Different Newspapers Should Be Provided to Satisfy Their Readers
C. Many Types of Newspapers Must Be Published in Big Cities
D. Newspapers and Magazines   

4.  When Will Rogers said that all he knew was what he read in the newspapers,his real purpose
      was _________.      

A. to tell you that the real source of his knowledge was from the newspaper
B.  to show that newspapers helped to get him well informed
C.  to show that he was very leamed through reading newspapers
D. to tell you that he was interested in reading newspapers

5. Which sentence is the main idea of the 4th paragraph?    

A. Sentence One.                                    
B. Sentence Two.
C. Sentence Four.                                  
D. Sentence Six.