Many boys love reading about the legends of old pirates (海盗) and dreaming of their own wild adventures. But modern pirates are not a thing of the past. Last month Somali pirates did their boldest hijacking (劫持) to date. They seized the Saudi supertanker (超大型油轮) Sirius Star carrying crude oil worth about $100 million. They demanded $15 million to free the ship and its crew.

The pirates have kept hitting the headlines this year: 92 attacks have been attempted, with 36 successful hijackings and 268 crew members taken hostage (人质). The Chinese fishing ship Tianyu 8, with 17 Chinese and 8 foreigners on board, has been in their hands since November 14.

Of course piracy (海盗行为) is nothing new. Even since there has been water and ships there have been pirates. The earliest documented history of pirates dates back to the 13^th century in the Mediterranean Sea. Even the famous Roman emperor Julius Caesar was once kidnapped by pirates.

Piracy reached its peak in the mid-1700s. It was during this time in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa that men like “Blackbeard the Pirate” made this profession attractive. But with the creation of stronger national Navies piracy became less popular around the world.

In the mid-20^th century, most pirates were petty (小规模的) thieves. They used hooks to sneak (偷偷摸摸) on board ships at anchor, and grabbed all that they could find. These pirates were more likely to flee than fight if faced by the crew.

However, nowadays piracy has become a multi-million-dollar business at tracting many in poor countries. Pirates are treated like heroes among local fishermen.

They use satellite phones and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Once they spot their target, they swarm the ship with fast boats and shoot it by firing AK-47s or even rocket-propelled grenades (火箭榴弹炮). Then they hold the ship and its crews for money.

“The world should take forceful actions together to fight piracy,” said leaders at the Asian and Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru.

“However, putting in anti-piarcy army can only be half of the solution. We have to protect the fair chance of Somali fishermen to get a good living and keep them from the lure of easy money,” said Peter Lehr, a lecturer in terrorism studies.

60. When did piracy reach its peak?

       A. In the 13^th century.                 B. In the mid- 1700s.

C. In the mid-20^th century.          D. November 14,2008.

61. What does the underlined sentence probably mean?

       A. Pirates were very bold at first.

B. Pirates were very popular then.

C. Pirates were very attractive then.

D. Pirates were not so bold at that time.

62. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

       A. The pirates have committed 92 crimes successfully this year.

B. Piracy became more and more popular as the national Navies became powerful.

C. Nowadays, pirates are learning to use modern weapons to commit crimes at sea.

D. On November 18, a Chinese ship was attacked by a suspected pirate ship.

63. What’s the most probable headline of this passage?

       A. Pirates are back                      B. The legends of pirates

C. Terrorism of the world            D. Who are pirates

Do you love holidays, but hate the increase in weight that follows? You are not alone. Holidays are time for splendid meals and celebrating, especially with the traditional cultural foods.

With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays. The idea is to enjoy the holidays and think about moderation (节制). Whether it is celebrating at the office party or sitting down for the traditional family dinner, regard eating as a time for tasting a variety of foods. Here are some tips to carry you through the round of celebrations and your social calendar without feeling having done wrong.

Set some goals that you can reach. Unless you have special needs to go on a diet, there are no forbidden foods. Don't turn down the foods you enjoy, but be sensible.

Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack. This can help you to avoid eating or drinking much. Use a small luncheon-size plate and avoid the large ones that may encourage you to “load up”. You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist. Once you have had your “tasting” serving, move away from the dining room. Doing so will make it easy to stop yourself eating constantly at the sight of food.

Eat slowly and fill up beforehand with clear soup and raw fruit or vegetables and fruit in a yogurt (酸奶) dressing rather than cream and cheese sauces. You can also drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full.

If you have a sweet tooth, try mints, hard cardies, and fruits. These don't have the fat content of creamy desserts and chocolate.

Avoid high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a generous amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables.

Don't let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off extra calories.

56. The underlined sentence “You are not alone.” here means that ______.

       A. you are firmly supportd by a lot of people

B. many people are with you and you’ll never be alone

C. the situation mentioned above is common among many people

D. many people enjoy holidays and seldom hate putting on weight

57. What does the writer actually tell you when he says “Don't turn down the foods you enjoy, but sensible”?

A. You can enjoy your favorite foods but don't eat too much.

B. You must pour down the foods you enjoy, for it is reasonable.

C. You shouldn't refuse anything you like and eat it as much as possible.

D. You ought to accept what you enjoy and refuse what you don't.

58. Which of the following may be a great favorite of a person who has a sweet tooth?

A. Clear soup and raw fruit.               B. Salad and green vegetables.

C. Mints, hard candies and fruits.        D. Creamy desserts and chocolate.

59. The passage mainly tells you _____ during the holidays.

A. how to follow a healthy diet    

B. how to control your portions (食量)

C. how to maintain your normal weight

D. how to maintain physical advity

My ears are recently full of joyous remarks from my friends such as, “Oh, Beckham is so handsome, so cool, that I can’t help falling in love with him!” or “What perfect skills he has!” Yeah, I _36_ to some degree, though I sometimes do want to _37_ them how much they know about Beckham, apart from his _38_ and how much they know about football apart from _39_ goals. It seems funny that we are _40_ for things, with which we are unfamiliar or about which we are _41_, but we all, my friends as well as I, consider this one of life’s _42_ .

We need these pleasures to _43_ our lives. But that doesn't _44_ to craziness or nonsense. As an old saying goes: “Don't judge a book by its cover.” We _45_ not judge anything from its appearance. We should all know, it is one’s good _46_ and great contribution that make one a star and unforgettable. Therefore we’d better say _47_ about Beckham’s good looks.

If we close our eyes, falling in deep _48_, we can find that the things that move us to be really happy or sad have a _49_ meaning. If we don't go deeper and are just satisfied with _50_ things, sooner or later we will find that we have not really gained anything because our first _51_ has blinded and misled (误导) us, and we’ll remain ignorant _52_ we realize that and make some changes.

It is believed that thinking and going deeper than before is a _53_ of great progress. If one day we are willing to go deeper into everything, no matter how much it _54_ us, we will finally prove how much we have _55_ up, how much more sensible, mature, and intelligent we have become.

 It is a custom here that the guest of honor, along with his wife and two daughters, _____at the first table.

       A. is seating          B. is seated           C. are seated           D. seats

At the age of seven, _____.

       A. his father died                        B. he lost his father

C. his dog followed him              D. his parents divorced

My child didn't feel quite himself these days. The doctor said it was just a flu. What _____!

       A. a surprise         B. a pity         C. a shame            D. a relief

_____, and you will succeed.

       A. Making more efforts               B. More efforts

C. To make more efforts             D. If you make efforts

The book, _____ as a surprise for his sister, was lost in the mail. 

A. intending                                       B. intended         

C. to be intended                                D. being intended

―I am going to travel to America. Would you consider telling me about your experiences there?

―_____. Let’s discuss it over dinner.

A. That’s all right   B. By all means      C. Go ahead          D. It just depends

He came _____where I was hiding and my heart beat faster.

       A. more closely to        B. much closer            

C. rather closer to        D. quite closely to