Teenagers Talking About "Being a Teenager"
      Being a teenager is a strange and yet exciting part of life. We are faced with tough and important decisions
each and every day-decisions that will affect our lives. 
                                                                                                                                                 -Katie
      Being a teenager is hard. I was such a cheerful kid with a best friend and lots of good friends. I got good
marks and I was happy with my family. But since I became a teenager, things changed. Everything changed-
my family, my friends, and my grades. In fact, my whole life changed. I started worrying about my figure and
the way I looked. I started getting pimples (粉刺) all over my face. I think teenage life is harder for girls than
for boys. 
                                                                                                                                                 -Julia
      Teenage years are a time when the single decision of right and wrong is based on what we see and hear.
Peer (同伴) pressure is more and more serious, and the need to "fit in" ( 顺应,适合) sometimes is more
important than"right" decisions. 
                                                                                                                                                 -Ashley
      Me? I have so much pressure (压力)! Being the only child in the family, my parents say that my future is
the future of the family! My parents, who both have not gone to university, put all their efforts into me, hoping
I can bring honor to the family. I really don't want to let my parents down, and I'll study harder and try my
best to get into university. 
                                                                                                                                              -Chen Mei 
     Though teenagers face many difficulties, I believe that we can all enjoy our time as "young adults"
somewhere in between the tears and the anger. Just think… ten years from now when you throw your back
out and start balding (秃顶), all you'll be saying to yourself is "What I wouldn't give to be seventeen again!" 
                                                                                                                                                -Kathy

1. _____ thinks that teenage life is harder for girls than for boys.

A. Katie
B. Kathy
C. Ashley
D. Julia

2. Ashley thinks that _____.

A. to fit in is more important than right decisions
B. decisions are not so important for teenagers
C. being a teenager is strange and yet exciting
D. teenagers should always make right decisions

3. Chen Mei felt great pressure from _____.

A. her neighbors
B. her teachers
C. her parents
D. her classmates

4. According to Kathy, teenagers _____.

A. should do just like adults
B. should enjoy their teenage time
C. should get through all difficulties
D. should find a place to enjoy themselves

Dear Mom and Dad,
     I'm afraid I have some very bad news for you. I have been very naughty and the school master is very
angry with me. She is going to write to you. You must come and take me away from here. She does not
want me in the school any longer. The trouble started last night when I was smoking a cigarette in bed. As
I was smoking, I heard footsteps coming towards the room. I did not want a teacher to catch me smoking,
so I threw the cigarette away. Unfortunately, the cigarette fell into the waste-paper basket. It caught fire.
     There was a curtain near the waste-paper basket. It caught fire too. Soon the whole room was burning.
The master phoned the fire brigade (消防队). The school is a long way from the town and before the fire
brigade arrived, the whole school was on fire. The master said that the fire was all my fault and I must pay
for the damage. She will send you a bill for about a million dollars.
     I'm very sorry for this. 
                                                                                                                                        Much love 
                                                                                                                                        Sarah

1. Why did Sarah write to his parents?

A. He missed them very much for they hadn't seen each other for a long time.
B. He told his parents what he had done in school.
C. He was tired of studying, and wanted to leave school.
D. He thought he was old enough to help them do something.

2. Where did Sarah smoke?

A. in the classroom
B. in the dinning hall
C. in the street
D. in the dormitory

3. Why was the school master angry with him?

A. because he was too naughty
B. because he was too lazy
C. because he caused a big fire
D. because he stole something from the school

4. According to the passage, what should the students not do?

A. they should not smoke, because smoking is dangerous to them
B. they should not dance, because dancing would waste a lot of money
C. they should not make friends, because making friends would take them absent
D. they should not wear expensive clothes because they would waste a lot of money

     Like many people you may be dreaming of a career as a rock and roll star. There are two ways to go about
getting one. First there is the traditional (传统的) way. Find some friends and form a group. Learn to play the
guitar or the drums. Write your own songs. Spend hours arguing about the band name. then go out on the road.
     The next step is to spend a year or two touring. If you are any good, the crowds will get bigger. In the end
an artist from a record (唱片) company may come to a show. If he or she likes you, there may be a deal (交易). This is the path traditionally followed by bands in the music industry. Success means fame and wealth. And
failure gives you some interesting stories to tell your children.
     Over the last few years a different path to success has become known. Boy bands like Boyzone and girl
bands like Spice Girls don't come together on their own. They are created by managers and record companies.
Their image (形象) is strictly controlled. Professional (专业) song writers usually write their music. This is a
convenient arrangement (安排) and the public seems to love the result.
     Though boy and girl bands have become very popular recently, there is a long tradition of making music in
this way. In the early 1960's an American businessman called Berry Gordy founded Motown Records. Motown
is short for "motor town". The record company was based in the city of Detroit, where thousands of African-
Americans had moved to work in the car industry. They brought with them a cultural tradition of writing and
performing music. This style later became known as "soul music". Berry Gordy was a diamond miner.
Motown stars were not just given songs to sing. They were also taught how to dress well and speak properly.

1. The passage is mainly about _____.

A. why the record company is forming more bands
B. how the band has developed and become popular
C. what is the traditional way of forming a band
D. when the band became popular

2. If a newborn band wants to succeed, as the writer tells, it must have the chance _____.

A. to travel in big cities
B. to meet an businessman
C. to perform before an artist
D. to experience failure again and again

3. From the fourth paragraph, we can draw a decision (推论) that _____.

A. Motown was only enjoyed by the workers in Detroit
B. Motown showed the style of the black Americans
C. Detroit used to be famous for its music industry
D. Detroit was founded by African-Americans

4. The underlined word "where" in paragraph 4 refers to _____.

A. the city of Detroit
B. The record company
C. Motown
D. the diamond mine

5. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. The only successful way to form a band is to write your own songs.
B. Boyzone is a band which was formed on its own.
C. A band with a record company shouldn't perform in a controlled way.
D. The African-Americans had a cultural tradition of writing and performing music.

     CBC is a famous air company which has over twenty planes carrying passengers and goods, flying
along 12 fixed lines all over the world. Its service is very good but some passengers are still not satisfied
with it and that is why in 1998 and 1999 the company received letters of complaints(投诉) from consumers
or passengers who pointed out over a dozen kinds of problems which are divided in groups in the following
table. This division is called Category. Problems that appear when the plane is flying are Flight problems.
Those about passengers' things carried by the plane are Baggage problems. Customer service refers to
service work which passengers are not satisfied with. Over sales of seats are about the fact that more seats
are sold and as a result the plane is too crowded to be safe. Refund problems appear when passengers fail
to receive the money paid to them because of what they have lost. Fares are problems about the price of
tickets. Reservations are problems that appear when passengers could not get the tickets they have already
booked. Tours are problems about the passengers'traveling by air or hotel problems. Advertising is what the
passengers think about advertisement on the plane. Credit problems are about the use of credit cards. 　　
          ONSUMER COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE CBC 　　
Category　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 1998　　　　1999 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　                                                                       (percent)　 (percent) 　　
Flight problems…………………………………   20.0%　　　 22.1% 　　
Baggage …………………………………………  18.3%　 　　21.8% 　　
Customer service ………………………………   13.1%　　　 11.3% 　　
Over sales of seats ……………………………… 10.5%　 　　11.8% 　　
Refund problems ………………………………   10.1%　　　  8.1% 　　
Fares ……………………………………………   6.4%　　　   6.0% 　　
Reservations and ticketing ………………………  5.8%　　　   5.6% 　　
Tours ……………………………………………  3.3%　　　　2.3% 　　
Smoking …………………………………………  3.2%　　　   2.9% 　　
Advertising ………………………………………  1.2%　　　　1.1% 　　
Credit ……………………………………………  1.0%　　　   0.8% 　　
Special passengers ………………………………  0.9%　　　   0.9% 　　
Other ……………………………………………   6.2%　　　   5.3% 　　
Total　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　   100.%　 　   100.%　 　　
Total Number of Complaints　　　 　　　        22,988　　　 13,278 49

1. About how many complaints concerning Credit were received by the CBC in 1998?

A. 133 　　
B. 220 　　
C. 230 　　
D. 1,220

2. By about what percent did the total number of complaints decrease from 1998 to 1999?

A. 40% 　　
B. 60% 　　
C. 75% 　　
D. 100%

3. Which of the following statements or sayings can be inferred from the table? 
    I. In 1998 and in 1999, complaints about Flight problems, Baggage, and Customer service together took
        more than 50 percent of all consumer complaints received by the CBC Company. 　
    II. The number of Special passenger complaints was unchanged from 1998 to 1999.
    III. From 1998 to 1999 the number of Flight problem complaints increased by more than two percent.

A. I only 　　
B. II only 　　
C. I and II only 　　
D. I and III only

     The easiest way for the English to deal with their social discomfort is to avoid social interaction altogether,
by choosing either leisure (闲暇) activities that can be performed in the privacy of one's own house, or outdoor
activities that follow their interest without direct contact with anyone other than one's own family members,
such as going for a walk, or to the cinema, or shopping.
      In recent survey, over half of all the leisure activities were of this private domestic type, and of the top
ten pastimes, only two-having friends round for a meal or drink, and going to the pub-could be described as
'sociable'. The most domestic activities are the most popular: watching TV, listening to the radio, reading,
DIY (Do It Yourself) and gardening. Even when the English are being sociable, the survey findings show that
most of them would much rather entertain a few close friends or relatives in the safety of their own homes
than venture out among strangers.
      In the latest national census survey (人口普查), over half of the entire adult male population had been
DIYing in the four weeks before the census date. Nearly a third of the female population had also been busily
improving their homes, and their work with their gardens was equally obvious: 52 percent of all English males
and 45 percent of females had been out there, cutting branches and weeding grass.
      Even among people claiming to belong to a particular religion, only two percent attend services every week. The rest of the population can be found every Sunday at their local garden center or DIY superstore. And when
they want a break from caring about their own homes and gardens, they go on trips to visit bigger and better
houses and gardens, such as the stately homes and gardens opened to the public by the National Trust and the
Royal Horticulture Society. Visiting grand country houses always ranks as one of the most popular national
pastimes.

1. The result of the survey shows that _____.

[     ]

A. about half English people enjoy working in their gardens
B. 8 out of 10 pastimes can be described as social activities
C. 2 percent of the religious people enjoy visits to public houses
D. visiting stately homes is the most popular national pastime

2. According to the passage, the English enjoy all of the following EXCEPT _____.

[     ]

A. the social activities, such as gathering with friends
B. working at home and in their gardens
C. dining out in a public place among strangers
D. visits to stately homes and gardens

3. The underlined word "domestic" probably means _____.

[     ]

A. public
B. household
C. outdoor
D. collective

4. The passage mainly tells us about _____.

[     ]

A. why the English don't like social activities
B. how the English spend their leisure time
C. what the result of a recent census survey is
D. where the English hold their private activities

     I chose to study in Madrid because I had a desire to learn Spanish. My first impressions of Madrid
were incredible. It was before the New Year that I arrived in Madrid for the first time. While traveling
to my Spanish friend's house in a taxi, I appreciated the buildings along the road which were different
from those of my own country.
     There are an incredible number of restaurants and bars from all over the world. If you are really into
sightseeing, I hope you have rechargeable batteries for your digital camera, because one week really isn't
enough time to see everything here including a number of art, science, and historical museums as well as
parks, buildings, and amazing landscapes.
      What I liked best about life in Madrid was the fact that if you were frustrated with schoolwork and
wanted to have some fun, you can easily go out. The nightlife never seems to stop and the people are all
very friendly. You can meet people and practice Spanish while having fun at the same time.
      What I liked least was the fact that many people smoked in the streets. Also, coming from the US,
I was used to having a big breakfast every morning, but while living with an actual Spanish family, I wasn't
really satisfied with the food in the morning.
      I think I have definitely become more independent since I came back from Spain. Living in a big city
like Madrid I found that it is necessary to plan ahead and to make a schedule (时间表) for future. There is
so much to see, not just in the Spanish World, but in the European World as well.

1. What's the purpose of the text?

A. To attract people to tour around Madrid.
B. To show how to enjoy Spanish culture.
C. To give advice on how to study Spanish.
D. To describe the author's life in Madrid.

2. The author went to Madrid to _____.

A. visit his friend
B. go on a sightseeing tour
C. study Spanish
D. complete his trip around Europe

3. Why did the author suggest taking rechargeable batteries?

A. It's difficult to deal with the used batteries.
B. It's not convenient to recharge batteries.
C. There are few stores that sell ordinary batteries.
D. You will find lots of places worth taking pictures of.

4. Which of the following in Madrid didn't please the author?

A. Parks and buildings.
B. Restaurants and bars.
C. Nightlife.
D. Breakfast.

     Shopping for clothes is not the same experience for a man as it is for a woman. A man goes shopping
because he needs something. He knows what he wants, and his purpose is to find it and buy it; the price is
a less important consideration. All men simply walk into a shop and ask the assistant for what they want.
If the shop has it, the salesman immediately produces it, and the business of trying it is done at once. All
being well, the bargain can be and often is completed in less than five minutes, with hardly any chat and
to everyone's satisfaction.
      For a man, slight problems may begin when the shop does not have what he wants. Then the salesman
tries to sell the customer something else-he offers the nearest he can to the thing required. He usually says,
"I know this jacket is not the style you want, sir, but would you like to try it on for size? It happens to be
the color you want." Few men have patience with this treatment, and the usual reply is:"This is the right
color and may be the right size, but I should be wasting my time and yours by trying it on."
      Now how does a woman go about buying clothes? She does so in the opposite. She has never fully
made up her mind what she wants, and she is only "having a look round." She is always open to persuasion;
indeed she considers of great importance what the saleswoman tells her, even what her friends tell her. She
will try on any number of things. Highest in her mind is the thought of finding something that everyone thinks
suits her. Most women have an excellent sense of value when they buy clothes. They are always trying to
find an unexpected bargain. Faced with a roomful of dresses, a woman may easily spend an hour going from
one counter to another before selecting the dresses she wants to try on. It takes a great deal of time but gives
great joy. Most dress shops supply chairs for the waiting husbands.

1. When a man is buying clothes, he ______.

A. puts price before quality　　
B. chooses things that others think suitable for him
C. does not mind much the price he has to pay for the right things
D. buys good quality things, so long as they do not cost too much

2. When a man cannot get what he wants, he _____.

A. buys something of the same color in a slight different style
B. usually does not buy anything
C. will try on some other clothes of the same style
D. wastes no time in buying something else

 3. What does the passage tell us about women shoppers for clothes?

A. They welcome suggestions from anyone
B. Women seldom consider buying cheap clothes
C. Women often buy things without thinking　　
D. They listen to advice but never take it

4. The most obvious difference between men and women shoppers is _____.

A. that men do not try clothes on in a shop while women do
B. that women bargain for their clothes and men don't
C. that women do their shopping standing up but men do theirs sitting down
D. the time they take over buying clothes

    The use of cars is becoming more and more popular in the twentieth century. A large number of the
world's population are now able to buy and use cars.
     Having a car gives much mobility (活动余地), enabling the driver to move around freely. The owner
of a car is no longer forced to depend on public transport (公共交通) and doesn't, therefore, have to work
in a place near his home. Instead, he can choose from a greater variety of jobs and he could change his job
frequently.
     Travelling to work by car is also more comfortable than having to use public transport; the driver can
use the heating in winter and the air conditioning in summer to meet his own need and preference. There is
no discomfort caused by waiting for buses, trains or underground trains, etc. With the building of good fast
motorways,long distances can be covered rapidly and pleasantly. Also, for the first time in the century, many
people are able to enjoy their free time to the full by making trips to the countryside or seaside at weekends.
This feeling of independence and the freedom to go wherever you please is perhaps the greatest advantage
(优势) of the car.

1. What does the writer think of the public transport?

A. It gives less mobility
B. It is not comfortable at all
C. It enables a variety of jobs
D. It is becoming more popular than before

2. Traveling by bus may be _____.

A. less comfortable than by underground train
B. more comfortable than by other transport
C. less comfortable than by other public transport
D. less comfortable than by car

3. What does the underlined word mean?

A. from time to time
B. with difficulty
C. against his own will
D. never

4. What does the writer think of having a car of your own?

A. It offers lots of advantages.
B. It has lots of independence.
C. It gives the feeling of freedom.
D. It offers free trips.

     It is Saturday afternoon. You and your friends are planning to go to the movies and then spend the night
together. Just as you start to get ready, your dad reminds you that it is your aunt's birthday and the whole
family is going out to dinner to celebrate. How can this possibly end without a huge argument? 　　
     One of the greatest sources of tension (紧张情绪) between teenagers and their families is the struggle
to balance personal desires with family expectations. As you are getting older, you are becoming more
independent and more interested in being with your friends. 　　
     However, at the same time, your family is trying to figure out how to deal with these changes. While
you once spent most of your free time with your family, you are now often absent from home. Parents
may get their feelings hurt. Or they might feel that they are losing control of their family during this period.
You might feel angry that so many family demands are placed on you. 　　
     There are a few things you can try to make it a little easier to ease (缓解) the tension. 　　
     * Make your plans in advance. Ask your parents if there is anything else planned at that time. 　　
     * When something with your friends interferes (冲突) with a family event,try to figure out if there is
any way you can do both. 　　
     * Suggest something you would really like to do with your family. Sometimes parents feel better just
knowing their teenager wants to spend time with them. 　　
      Some of the time you won't be happy with the outcome (结果). You might either have to disappoint
your parents or have to miss out being with your friends. However, if you show consideration for the
feelings of both your family and your friends,you can solve the problem in a tender way.

1. The purpose of the first paragraph is to _____.

A. show a disagreement of views
B. serve as a description of teenager trouble 　　
C. serve as an introduction to the discussion
D. show the popularity of teenager problem

2. The tension between teenagers and their families is caused by the fact that _____.

A. teenagers don't like to take family demands 　　
B. parents want to keep their family under control 　　
C. parents feel unhappy that their children make so many friends 　　
D. both parents and teenagers don't pay attention to each other's feeling much

3. What's the purpose of the passage?

A. To inform us of parent and teenager tension.
B. To advise teenagers how to deal with their tension with their families.
C. To persuade parents to show consideration for teenagers.
D. To tell us about a common teenager problem.