The election is over. The celebrations have ended. And the work for US president-elect Barack Obama has begun. The 47-year-old politician rose to the highest place because he was against the war in Iraq and he planned to fix the difficult economy. But what will the first African-American president do for race relations?  

Obama's victory appears to have given blacks and other minorities a true national role model. For years, many looked to athletes, musicians and pop stars for inspiration. As Darius Turner, an African-American high school student in Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times, “Kobe （the basketball player） doesn't have to be everyone's role model anymore.” A USA Today survey found that two-thirds of Americans believe relations between blacks and whites “will eventually be worked out”. This is the most hopeful answer since the question was first asked in 1963.  

However, it's still too early to tell whether Obama's presidency will solve many of the social problems facing low-income black families.  

It's unlikely that Obama will be able to reverse such trends overnight.  

However, Bil Banks, an expert of African-American Studies, says that young blacks need to find role models to follow. “That's not Martin Luther King, and not Barack Obama,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s actually the people closest to them. Barack only has so much influence.”  

In the opinion of black British politician Trevor Phillips, Obama's rise will contribute more to multiculturalism than to race relations in the US.  

68. For what reason did Obama win the election?  

A. He was African-American.  

B. He wanted to solve race relations.  

C. He could set an example for blacks.  

D. He was against the war and tried to improve economy.  

69. Which of the following is TRUE?  

A. Darius Turner regards Obama as his model.  

B. Obama answered the question asked in1963.  

C. Bil Banks was also African-American.  

D. Obama can improve the blacks' condition quickly.  

70. The underlined word “reverse” probably means _________.  

A. change            B. equal          C. interrupt          D. prevent  

71. What's the main idea of the passage?  

A. Obama has become the first African-American president.  

B. Obama has begun his work.  

C. Obama's victory has inspired young black people.  

D. Obama's rise has influenced the world.  

The head of the World Health Organization （WTO） yesterday warned of worsening health in the country's vast rural areas while praising the government for its commitment on improving healthcare in the countryside.  

“The health indicators have failed to improve in pace with economic indicators.”          said Margared Chan when addressing a conference on rural primary healthcare in China.  

“The health gap between rural and urban areas has grown even wider and health in parts of rural China is  deteriorating（恶化）,”she said, adding medical costs are rising faster than the growth of per capital income in rural areas.  

She said she appreciated the government's efforts and plans to build a medical system for all people. Saying “when fair and accessible public health services become the clear targets of a country's public health policy, people's health will improve.”  

The WTO chief said she noticed that the tasks on improving people's well-being in the report by Party chief Hu Jintao at the 17^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China included a basic medical insurance system for urban dwellers and a cooperative medical care system in rural areas.  

She said recent WTO research has found that diseases are the source of poverty for 30 to 50 percent of the rural population of 737 million.  

A growing number of rural people, especially the aged, are suffering from various diseases; however, few have access to decent healthcare, she told the conference.  

Chan criticized the practice of allowing healthcare services to be commercialized in rural areas, warning it will cause the patients more suffering.  

The government has pledged to provide its population with basic medical care by 2020.  

It's expanding medical care through the Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme, a plan under which subscribers（受捐者） are provided with 50 yuan（$6.4） per person―20 yuan （$2.6） each from the central and local governments and 10 yuan （$1.3） from the individual.  

Vice-Minister of Health Chen Xiaohong said nearly 85 percent of the country's rural area, or 2,429 counties, are participating in the plan.  

64. What can we infer from the passage?  

A. Healthcare developed more slowly than economics.  

B. Economics developed more slowly than healthcare.  

C. The health indicators failed to improve economics.  

D. Healthcare improved as much as economics.  

65. Which of the following statements is WRONG?  

A. Diseases are the source of poverty for the rural population  

B. About 200 million of the rural population are poor because of diseases.  

C. The government has taken some measures to improve the rural healthcare.  

D. The local governments will give 20 Yuan to each rural person  

66. What is Margaret Chan’s attitude towards The Rural Cooperative medical Scheme ?  

A. doubtful           B. disappointed          C. satisfied          D. anxious  

67. Which of the following can be chosen as the best title for this passage?  

A. Healthcare in Rural Area Faces Challenges  

B. The Head of the WTO----Margaret Chan  

C. The Comparison of Rural and Urban Healthcare  

D. The Importance of the Rural Healthcare  

The head of the World Health Organization （WTO） yesterday warned of worsening health in the country's vast rural areas while praising the government for its commitment on improving healthcare in the countryside.  

“The health indicators have failed to improve in pace with economic indicators.”          said Margared Chan when addressing a conference on rural primary healthcare in China.  

“The health gap between rural and urban areas has grown even wider and health in parts of rural China is  deteriorating（恶化）,”she said, adding medical costs are rising faster than the growth of per capital income in rural areas.  

She said she appreciated the government's efforts and plans to build a medical system for all people. Saying “when fair and accessible public health services become the clear targets of a country's public health policy, people's health will improve.”  

The WTO chief said she noticed that the tasks on improving people's well-being in the report by Party chief Hu Jintao at the 17^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China included a basic medical insurance system for urban dwellers and a cooperative medical care system in rural areas.  

She said recent WTO research has found that diseases are the source of poverty for 30 to 50 percent of the rural population of 737 million.  

A growing number of rural people, especially the aged, are suffering from various diseases; however, few have access to decent healthcare, she told the conference.  

Chan criticized the practice of allowing healthcare services to be commercialized in rural areas, warning it will cause the patients more suffering.  

The government has pledged to provide its population with basic medical care by 2020.  

It's expanding medical care through the Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme, a plan under which subscribers（受捐者） are provided with 50 yuan（$6.4） per person―20 yuan （$2.6） each from the central and local governments and 10 yuan （$1.3） from the individual.  

Vice-Minister of Health Chen Xiaohong said nearly 85 percent of the country's rural area, or 2,429 counties, are participating in the plan.  

64. What can we infer from the passage?  

A. Healthcare developed more slowly than economics.  

B. Economics developed more slowly than healthcare.  

C. The health indicators failed to improve economics.  

D. Healthcare improved as much as economics.  

65. Which of the following statements is WRONG?  

A. Diseases are the source of poverty for the rural population  

B. About 200 million of the rural population are poor because of diseases.  

C. The government has taken some measures to improve the rural healthcare.  

D. The local governments will give 20 Yuan to each rural person  

66. What is Margaret Chan’s attitude towards The Rural Cooperative medical Scheme ?  

A. doubtful           B. disappointed          C. satisfied          D. anxious  

67. Which of the following can be chosen as the best title for this passage?  

A. Healthcare in Rural Area Faces Challenges  

B. The Head of the WTO----Margaret Chan  

C. The Comparison of Rural and Urban Healthcare  

D. The Importance of the Rural Healthcare  

LONDON （Reuters）―Organic fruit, delivered right to the doorstep. That is what Gabriel Gold prefers, and he is willing to pay for it. If this is not possible, the 26-year-old computer technician will spend the extra money at the supermarket to buy organic food.  

“Organic produce is always better,” Gold said. “The food is free of pesticides（农药）, and you are generally supporting family farms instead of large farms. And at most times it is locally grown and seasonal. So it is more tasty.” Gold is one of a growing number of shoppers accepting the organic trend, and supermarkets across Britain are counting on more like him as they grow their organic food business. But how many shoppers really know what they are getting, and why are they willing to pay a higher price for organic produce? Market research shows that Gold and others who buy organic food can generally give clear reasons for their preferences but their knowledge of organic food is far from complete. For example, small amount of pesticides can be used on organic products. And about three quarters of organic food in Britain is not local but imported to meet growing demand. “The demand for organic food is increasing by about one third every year, so it is a very fast-growing market,” said Sue Flock, a specialist in this line of business.  

60. More and more people in Britain are buying organic food because________.  

A. they are getting richer                               B. they can get the food anywhere  

C. they consider the food free of pollution       D. they like home-grown fruit  

61. Which of the following statements is TRUE to the facts about most organic produce sold in Britain?  

A. It grows indoors all year round.             B. It is produced outside Britain.  

C. It is grown on family farms.                  D. It is produced on large farm.  

62. What is the meaning of “the organic trend” as the words are used in the text?  

A. Growing interest in organic food.           B. Better quality of organic food.  

C. Rising market for organic food.              D. Higher prices of organic food.  

63. What is the best title for this news story?  

A. Organic Food---Healthy, or Just for the Wealthy?  

B. The Making of Organic Food in Britain.  

C. Organic Food---to Import or Not?  

D. Good Qualities of Organic Food.  

Here’s an unusual story: a diamond ring was recently found in an egg. The magician, Liu Qian, discovered it, in front of an audience of millions at CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala. Liu’s magic tricks have made the centuries-old art of magic fashionable once again, and made him the hottest magician in China.  

As a seasoned young magician from Taiwan, Liu is popular worldwide for his magic shows. Countries he has performed in include the United States, Japan, South Korea and the UK.  

Witnessing something impossible happen right before your eyes is the root of people’s love for magic. Liu is known for his interaction with his audiences. He has a unique understanding of showmanship. “It is actually thinking, rather than one’s manipulation skills, that is more important to achieving a successful magic show. We think carefully about how to design the shows creatively, to make them appear more intriguing（吸引人的）,” Liu said.  

Liu’s success dates back to his childhood. Born in 1976 in Taiwan, he found himself attracted to a magic toy in a shop when he was seven years old. At the age of 12, he won Taiwan’s Youth Magic Contest, which was judged by the great American magician, David Copperfield.  

Yet, Liu never planned on becoming a professional magician. He studied Japanese literature at university and only hoped to be an amateur（业余） magician in his spare time. However, his failure to find a decent（体面的） job after graduation pushed him towards magic as a career. To refine his performing skills, he has performed on streets, roads and fields, for pedestrians（路人）, policemen and farmers. “Street shows are the biggest challenge for us magicians. We have to deal with unexpected situations and tough crowds.” Liu said.  

56. Why do people love to watch magic?  

A. Because Liu Qian is known for his interaction with his audiences.  

B. Because people love watching magicians make the impossible happen.  

C. Because people want to know the secret of the magic.  

D. Because people are curious about everything.  

57. What is the key reason that Liu Qian decided to make magic his career?  

A. He was good at magic when he was young.  

B. He had won Taiwan’s Youth Magic contest.  

C. He couldn’t find a decent job after graduation.  

D. He became an amateur in his spare time.  

58. From the passage we know that _____________.  

A. Liu thinks that manipulation skills is more important than thinking  

B. Liu was born in Japan in 1976.  

C. He has planned on becoming a professional magician since his childhood.  

D. Liu appeared once in front of an audience of millions at CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala.  

59. The passage is mainly about ________.  

A. Why Liu Qian plays magic well            B. What magic tricks are  

A new pastor（牧师） was to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn. Walking on the street, he found a beautiful old handmade   36   for sale. It was just the right size to   37   the hole in the front wall. He bought it and   38   back to the church.  

It started to snow. An old woman missed her bus near the church. The pastor invited her   39    in the warm church for the next bus    40    was 45 minutes later. She sat and  

41   the pastor put up the tablecloth on the wall. Then her face turned    42  . “Pastor,” she asked, “where did you get that tablecloth?” The pastor    43   . The woman asked him to see    44   the letters EBG were on the right corner. Yes, they were, the woman said EBG was the first    45   of her name and she made it 35 years before. She and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was   46   to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. But she was captured,   47   to prison and never saw her husband again.  

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth, but she made the pastor    48   it. The pastor 49   driving her home. She lived   50   the other side of Staten Island doing a house cleaning job.  

What a wonderful service people had at the church on Christmas Eve! At the end of the  51   an old man was left alone, and asked the pastor where he got the tablecloth because it was the one that his wife had made years   52  when they lived in Austria before the war. He told the pastor how the Nazis came, and he was   53   and put in prison. He never saw his wife or his home again. The pastor asked him if he   54   allow him to take him for a little ride.  

They drove to Staten Island to the same house, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas   55   he could ever imagine.  

 Space exploration has been made _______ with the development of modern science and technology.  

A. it possible        B. it was possible       C. possible        D. that possible  

As it turned out to be a small house party, we ______ so formally.  

A. needn't dress up                                B. shouldn't dress up  

C. were not necessary to dress up           D. needn't have dressed up  

_____ smooth and soft, this kind of cloth made of silk ____ well.  

A. Felt; sells    B. Feeling; is sold     C. Felt; is sold    D. Feeling; sells  

Before the war broke out, many people _______ in safe places possessions they couldn't take with them.  

A. threw away         B. gave away       C. put away      D. carried away