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Despite the fact that it has never been seen almost everyone is familiar with the legendary

unicorn(独角兽). Descriptions of unicorns have been found dating from ancient times. The great philosopher Aristotle theorized that there were two types of unicorn--- the so-called Indian Ass and the Oryx, a kind of antelope. Unicorns are often used in the logo of a noble family, town council or university as their special sign. Even Scotland is represented by a unicorn.

According to the legend, anyone attempting to catch a unicorn had to be extremely cautious

as it has a reputation for being very fierce. A clever trick suggested by unicorn-trappers, in order to catch this magnificent beast without being hurt by its horn, was for the hunter to stand in front of a tree and then to move quickly behind it as the unicorn charged. Hopefully, the creature could then be captured when its horn was stuck in the tree.

When hollowed out and used as a drinking-cup, the unicorn’s horn was said to have the power to offer protection against person. It was believed that nobody could be harmed-by drinking the contents of a unicorn’s horn. Right up until the French Revolution in 1789, the French court was said to have used cups made of “unicorn” horn in order to protect the king. In addition, the horn was said to have medicinal value, so much so that it could be sold for more than ten times the price of the same weight of gold. What, then, was “unicorn” horn? We know at times the rhino(犀牛) was confused with this legendary creature. A drinking-cup supposedly made of “unicorn” horn was discovered to be made of the horn of a rhino.

Which of the following is TRUE of the unicorn?

A. It was not historically recorded               B. Its horn was first used in France

C. It was similar to the Indian Ass and the Oryx    D. It could be the symbol of a university

To catch a unicorn, the unicorn-trappers had to try all of the following EXCEPT ____.

A. tempting the unicorn to attack              B. making use of the tree as a protection

C. hiding quickly behind the unicorn           D. having the unicorn horn stuck in the tree

The last paragraph is mainly about ____.

A. the properties of the unicorn horn           B. the users of the unicorn horn

C. the price of the unicorn horn    

D. the comparison between the unicorn horn and the rhino horn

In the last paragraph, the word “unicorn ” is in quotation marks (引号)because _____.

A. the cup is designed only for a royal family    

B. the unicorn does not exist in reality

C. the unicorn is the rarest animal in the world

D. the medicinal value of the horn is appreciated

When he was a boy, he used to go there and watched _______.   A. repairing bicycles              

B. to repair bicycles     C. bicycles being repaired          D. bicycles to be repaired

Looking back on  my childhood, I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made.  Although we were all brought up in the same way,my br others and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them,I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental arithmetic.

Before World War I we spent our summer holidays in Hungary. I have only the dim memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents,aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a clear memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds, and above all, the insects.

I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world and my enthusiasm had led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil reading about other people's observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. Suddenly you fancy you see the answer to the riddle, because it all seems to fit together. This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some might honor with the title of scientific research.

But curiosity,a keen eye,a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist: one of the outstanding  and essential qualities required is self?discipline, a quality I lack. A scientist, up to a certain point,can be made. A naturalist is born. If you can combine the two,you get the best of both worlds.

1.The first paragraph tells us the author .      

A.was interested in flowers and insects in his childhood 

B.lost his hearing when he was a child

C.didn’t like his brothers and sisters    

D.was born to a naturalist’s family

2.The author can’t remember his relatives clearly because         .

A.he didn’t live very long with them   

B.the family was extremely large

C.he was too young when he lived with them  

D.he was fully occupied with observing nature

3.It can be inferred from the passage that the author was         .

A.a scientist as well as a naturalist   

B.a naturalist but not a scientist

C.no more than a born naturalist        

D.first of all a scientist

4.The author says that he is a naturalist rather than a scientist probably because he thinks he         .

A.has a great deal of trouble doing mental arithmetic

B.lacks some of the qualities required of a scientist

C.just reads about other people’s observations and discoveries

D.comes up with solutions in a most natural way

Global warming threatens to hold back human progress, and make unachievable all UN targets to reduce poverty, according to some of the world’s leading international and development groups.

In a report published today, Oxfam, Greenpeace, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, WWF and 15 other groups say rich governments must immediately address climate change to avoid even “unbearable levels” of worldwide poverty.

“Food production, water supplies, public health and people’s living environment are already being damaged,” the report says. “The world must meet its promise to achieve poverty reduction and also deal with climate change.”

The report, which draws on UN predictions of the effects of climate change in poor countries over the next 50 years, says poor countries will experience more flooding, declining food production, more disease and the worsening or disappearing of entire ecosystems(生态系统)on which many of the world’s poorest people depend.

“Climate change needs to be addressed now. The poor will bear the burden of it. The frontline experience of many of us working in international development indicates that communities are having to fight against more extreme weather conditions.”

Climate change will play havoc(浩劫)with agriculture and water supplies and will increase diseases. “By 2025 the proportion of the world’s population living in countries of great water stress will almost double, to 6 billion people. Tropical and sub-tropical areas will be hardest hit — those countries already suffering from food shortage”.

Poor countries mostly do not need high-tech solutions, but would most benefit from education, research and being shown how to farm better. The report says unchecked global warming, more than wars or political confusion, will displace millions of people and destabilize (不安定) many countries.

9. ________ should play a leading role in resisting the more extreme weather conditions according to the report.

A. International groups         B. Poor countries    

C. Rich countries               D. Tropical and sub-tropical countries

10. Which of the following is not the effect of global warming according to the report?

A. More natural disasters and starvation.  B. Increasing the world’s population.

C. Making millions of people move to other places.

D. Shaking the foundation of a country.

11. Which of the following is not true according to the text?

A. Poverty and climate change are closely linked.

B. More and more people will suffer from the water stress and food shortage.

C. What the poor countries need badly is high technology.

D. International communities have to take steps to resist the bad climate.

12. What is the best title of the passage?

A. International Development Brings in Climate Change

B. Global Warming Is a Bigger Threat to Poor

C. International Groups Work Together to Reduce Poverty

D. Worldwide Poverty Shall Be Avoided

Never in the history of Sierra Leone’s elections have women so actively engaged in politics or competed for parliamentary seats. In the past, women did the dancing and cooking for elections campaigning. In the May 14th elections, we saw over 168 women candidates competitive for President, Vice President and Parliamentary seats.

One would think that about 5% of these women would have emerged as winners. But it was not so, because of our cultural perception of women. We need to change our culture. Women could be active politicians. The Christians in their own way encouraged women to be preachers(传教士) but the Muslim leaders say women should not head for officiating(主持) prayers.

The same happens in certain parts of the country where women are not part of decision taken in male secret societies. This prevents them from achieving some of their goals. A senior head in one of the ministries told me that she was getting problems with some of her staff members especially the male staff. Most women that come from the Northern part of country experience such problems. Some men are saying that a woman cannot be their leader.

Some women are also prejudiced against their women folks. In the last elections, most woman did not support their colleagues. In some parts of the country, because they are not members of secret societies they were not allowed to contest for chieftaincies (酋长或首领的位置). However, Sierra Leones not withstanding the cultural prejudice against women has witnessed women occupying high public offices. They have been appointed to head certain areas.

Sierra Leone is moving from its past culture. We need a change in our culture. Women all over the world are recognized one way or the other as they are now involved in the use of technology. We now see women as air pilots, and they even attempt to go to travel in space.

9.In the past, women in Sierra Leone .       .

A.took active part in politics                     B.contested for parliamentary seats

C.danced and cooked for the election campaigning  D.shared the equal rights with men

10.About 5% of the women engaged in election would have succeeded if .       .

A.there were less prejudice against women          B.less Muslim leaders had objected

C.more women had been engaged in the election     D.more preachers had supported them

11.The author concludes that the women candidates can’t win the competitive vote because .      

A.women is more suitable for the dancing and cooking job

B.women candidates can’t get the support of their folks

C.women prejudice still exists in today’s society

D.women are not capable enough to be a chieftain

12.The main idea of the passage is .

A.the prejudice against women in various fields

B.women in Sierra Leone, striving for their political rights

C.women in Sierra Leone, challenge for men’s status

D.women in Sierra Leone, being involved in politics

Can you think of some cases______drivers obviously knew the traffic rules but didn’t obey them?

       A. why          B. where              C. as             D. which

—— Was the driving pleasant when you went to Mexico last summer?

—— No, it ＿＿＿＿ for four days when we arrived, so the roads were very muddy.

A.was raining     B.had been raining  C.would be raining     D.rained

All substances, ＿＿＿＿＿ solids, liquids, or gases, are made up of entirely atoms.

A.whether they     B.whether  C.whether are they     D.whether are

His plan ＿＿＿＿＿ to be a perfect one.

A.proved     B.was proved  C.is proving     D.proving