Just One Drink

There’s a small cross by the side of Highway 128, near the town of Boonville. If this cross could  1 , it would tell you this sad story:

Seven years ago my brother, Michael, was on a friend’s farm. They decided to go out for dinner. Joe arrived and  2  to drive—after just one drink.

 3  , the four friends traveled the winding road. They didn’t know  4  it would end—nobody did. Suddenly, they changed their direction and swerved（拐进） into the  5  lane, colliding with a(n)  6  car.

Back home we were watching E.T. on video in front of a warm fire. Then we went to bed. At 2:00 A．M. a police officer  7  my mom with the  8  news. Michael had been killed.

In the morning, I found my mother and sister  9 . I stood there,  10 . “What’s wrong?” I asked, 11 my sleepy eyes.

Mom took a deep  12  . “Come here …”

Thus began a difficult and tiring journey through grief（忧伤）, where all roads lead to nowhere. It still 13  to remember that day.

The  14  thing that helps is telling my story, hoping you will remember it if you are 15  to get into a car with someone who has had a drink—even just  16  drink.

Joe chose the road to 17 . He was convicted of manslaughter（过失杀人） and served time. 18  , the real punishment is living with the consequences of his actions. He left us with a(n)  19  in our hearts that will never go away, a nightmare that will haunt him—and us—for the rest of our lives. And a small  20  by the side of Highway 128.        

(Dedicated with love to the memory of Michael Laddish)

1．A．laugh                   B．hear                   C．talk                   D．walk

2．A．abandoned             B．wondered            C．volunteered          D．provided

4．A．how                  B．where                 C．when                 D．what

5．A．correct                 B．wrong                C．opposite             D．wide

6．A．riding                 B．oncoming           C．carrying             D．driving

7．A．woke                    B．threatened           C．comforted          D．arose

8．A．accurate               B．shocking            C．expected            D．doubtful

9．A．whispering           B．complaining         C．crying               D．cursing

10．A．disappointed        B．confused            C．desperate          D．motivated

11．A．closing               B．rubbing               C．sticking             D．appealing

12．A．breath                B．chance                C．joke                  D．look

13．A．wounds               B．injures                 C．hurts                 D．senses

14．A．only                   B．lucky                  C．just                    D．useful

15．A．attached              B．encouraged          C．forced               D．acquired

16．A．little                    B．much                 C．few                    D．one

17．A．nowhere             B．anywhere            C．somewhere         D．everywhere

18．A．Meanwhile           B．However             C．Therefore           D．But

19．A．hole                 B．hope                  C．space                D．ache

20．A．car             B．mark          C．cross            D．graveyard

About 500 years ago, the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus proved the Earth was round. Now American author Thomas Friedman tells us the Earth is flat in his bestseller: The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century.

If he is not joking, then why is the world flat? Friedman owes it to technological forces. Because of the Internet and the World Wide Web, he believes geographical barriers are disappearing. Individuals and companies around the world can cooperate or compete on the same level.

Bill Gates explains the meaning of this transformation best. Thirty years ago, he tells Friedman, if you had to choose between being born a genius in Shanghai and an average person in Poughkeepsie (a city in southeast New York), you would have chosen Poughkeepsie because your chances of living a prosperous life were much greater there. "Now," Gates says, "I would rather be a genius born in China than an average guy born in Poughkeepsie." This shows that success today is determined more by ability than by location.

Globalization 3.0, as he calls it, is driven by ambitious individuals: freelancers (自由撰稿人) and creative new businesses all over the world, especially in India and China. They can compete not just for low-wage manufacturing but, increasingly, for the highest-end research and design work as well.

Big companies have played another important role in this globalization process. They move their factories from one country to another to cut costs. It's usual now for an engineer in China to be working for an American company. The Internet keeps them in constant touch with their American partners. People everywhere, from the US to China, have procedures of the same standard for getting their work done.

The Reuters news agency provides a good example. The company moved its operation offices from London and New York to India. The Indian employees have the necessary technical skills. But the salaries and office rents are less than one-fifth of what they would be in New York or London.

1．The fact that Bill Gates made a different choice shows that ______.

A．success is largely determined by where you live

B．a genius is sure to succeed

C．Shanghai has taken the place of New York now

D．one can succeed from anywhere as long as he is intelligent enough

2．Why is the world flat according to Friedman?

A．Because the Earth has changed 500 years later.

B．Because geniuses can be found everywhere all over the world .

C．Because great progress in science and technology makes the world seem smaller.

D．Because the 21st century makes travel easier.

3．Which of the following is NOT mentioned as one of the advantages of globalization?

A．Lower cost for factories                      B．Low-wage manufacturing

C．Cheap rents                                        D．Low-priced products

4．The main idea of the passage is that ______.

A．a genius plays a role in the advancement of science and technology

B．both cooperation and competition between businesses lead to globalization

C．China and India are catching up with the western countries

D．business competition helps to speed up globalization

Australians have been warned they face a life or death decision over their water — drink recycled sewage (污水) or die.

With the drought continuing, the country is set to be forced to use purified waste water for drinking, even though there is great disagreement to the measure.

Queensland has become the first state to introduce the policy after a warning from its premier.
“I think in the end, because of the drought, all of Australia is going to end up drinking recycled purified water,” said Peter Beattie. “These are difficult decisions, but you either drink water or you die. There's no choice. It's liquid gold, it's a matter of life and death.”  

Beattie said Australia's second largest state would become the first to use recycled water for drinking.

Water is recycled in Britain and parts of northern Europe along with the US and Israel.  

But Australians have never liked the idea.  

To try to change the way Australians think, Prime Minister John Howard and Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull have backed Queensland’s move. "I am very strongly in favour of recycling and Mr Beattie is right and I agree with him completely," Howard said.  

Turnbull added that Australian cities, all now facing water shortages because of the worst drought on record, must start to use recycled water. "All of our big cities have to widen the range of water sources to include sources which are not dependent on rainfall," he said.

1．Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Queensland is the second largest state in Australia.

B．Some European countries have taken the measures already.

C．Queensland suffers most from the drought among the other states.

D．Australians usually depend on rainfall for their water sources.

2．From the passage, it can be inferred that______.

A．other ways to solve the water shortage may be discussed and discovered

B．many Australians like the idea of drinking recycled water

C．big cities in other states will not follow Queensland

D．Britain faces the same drought problem as Australia does

3．What does the underlined word “backed” probably mean?

A．supported        B．adopted            C．changed    D．fell behind

4．The title for this passage would probably be ______.

A．Live or Die? A Life or Death Decision Over Water

B．A Perfect Solution to Water Shortage

C．No to Recycled Water

D．Rainfall or Sewage? No One Cares

He grew up among knights (国际象棋中的马), kings and queens. At 16, Norway’s chess genius Magnus Carlsen is pushing to become the world’s youngest world title contender (竞争者).

Carlsen, who was introduced to the game by his father Henrik when he was a little boy, became the   world’s youngest international grandmaster (大师) at 13．Now he is 17th in the World Chess Federation’s ranking of top players –a position much desired for a player his age.

“I’m going for the world championship,” says Magnus, the third youngest grandmaster in world history. But former champion Gary Kasparov and India’s Viswanathan Anand, the World Chess Federation’s current number one, already see him as a possible person who will take their position after they have left.

From a young age, Carlsen showed signs of extraordinary intelligence. “At the age of two, he already knew all the car brand names. At five, whatever he built with his toys was very unique and outstanding,” his father says.  

It is also reported that he learnt the names of every country of the world, with their flag, capital and size by heart. But his first attempts at the game were embarrassing and he was far from the “Mozart of Chess”.  

“I almost gave up,” his father remembers. But as Magnus watched his father and older sister play, he began to like the challenge.  

After playing his first tournament（决赛） at eight, his baby face became a common feature in chess circles.  

When asked what he does when not playing chess, Magnus’ answers to an interviewer’s questions come easily.  

Girls? “I haven’t done much in that field.”  

Money? “Has never been a problem.”  

Hobbies? “I love to play football, spend time with my friends and be in front of my computer as people my age do. And listen to music.”  

But then, strangely enough, math is not his thing. “I was definitely the best in my class when I was little but now I hate it,” he says.

So what’s the secret behind his success so far?  

“Before a match I will sleep a lot,” he says. “There are very often bad dreams; like that the person I am playing with cheats.”

1．Magnus began to show his talent in chess at the age of ______.

A．13                      B．16                       C．8                            D．5

2．Why is Magnus good at chess ?

A．Because he played his tournament at a very young age.

B．Because he is better at math than others.

C．Because he had a good rest by sleeping a lot before each match.

D．Because he was born with a special ability to create and learn new things.

3．As a famous chess player, Magnus likes to do the following things except ______.

A．getting together with kids of his age     B．playing football

C．playing his computer                       D．dating girls

4．Magnus is considered to be “Mozart of Chess” because ______.

A．Magnus’ hobby of listening to music plays a part in his success

B．Magnus has the same gift for chess as Mozart has for music

C．Magnus was not quick at learning chess in the beginning

D．Magnus decided to become “Mozart” while still young

Thursday July 6

Posters Exhibition  

The Consulate General of Germany in Shanghai is hosting an exhibition of World Cup posters created by artists from around the world. Fourteen posters in different styles by artists from different countries and China are on display.

Venue(地点): Consulate General of Germany (Shanghai)  

Time: 9:00 am — 12:00 am and 1:00 pm — 4:00 pm  

Price: free                                        

Tel: 021 63912068

ay July 7

"Love Letter"

This play was written by American contemporary playwright Carol Rocamora. It's based on a love story by well known Russian short story writer and dramatist Anton Chekhov (1860-1904). Now Shanghai Drama Arts Centre brings this romantic story to the stage.

Venue: Shanghai Drama Arts Centre

Time: 7:30 pm  

Price: 100 yuan  

Tel: 021 — 62172426

Saturday July 8

Pop Concert

S.H.E. will give a concert on the weekend. This three-girl group debuted in 2001 and became popular in Asia. This week, they will give their local fans a musical treat in a show featuring some of their best known songs.  

Venue: Shanghai Stadium  

Time: 7:30 pm  

Price: 320 — 1,080 yuan  

Tel: 021 — 62172426

Sunday July 9

Solo Violin Concert

A violin concert titled "Conversation between a leading conductor and violinist" will be held on the weekend in Guangzhou. The concert will be given by renowned Swiss conductor Charles Dutoit and talented violist Chantal Juillet from Canada.   

Venue: Xinghai Concert Hall (Guangzhou)

Time: 8:00 pm   

Price: 80 — 280 yuan   

Tel: 020 — 87353869

Wednesday July 12

Piano Recital

Gary Graffman, the piano master from the US will give a piano performance in Shanghai. Graffman is the director of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and used to be the tutor of talented Chinese pianist Lang Lang.   

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theatre   

Time: 7:30 pm   

Price: 80 — 280 yuan   

Tel: 021 — 65430200

1．Which of following events will not happen in Shanghai?               

A．Piano recital.                                      B．Pop concert.  

C．Posters exhibition.                               D．Solo violin concert.

2．Who do you think is not a music performer?

       A．Charles Dutoit.                                    B．Chantal Juillet.

       C．Gary Graffman.                                   D．Carol Rocamora.

3．The most expensive performance is ______.

    A．"Love Letter"       B．Pop concert    C．Solo violin concert   D．Piano recital

4．Posters exhibition is probably the best choice for ______.

       A．football fans                                                                                                      B．those who don’t work at all

       C．people who like to read romantic stories                               

       D．people on holiday

A vision explosion（爆炸）was there waiting for us as we entered the underground jazz bar.

The five-member live band was playing loud, energetic music. The eager crowd couldn't get enough of it. Some nodded in satisfaction. Others tapped their feet. But most were out on the dance floor, laughing as they threw their bodies around to the music.

With scenes like this, it's no wonder I haven't been able to leave Paris. 

There is always something going on here. I never planned to go to a jazz bar in this city. I worried at first that it wasn't French enough—I can easily see jazz at home. But some old friends of mine, who are studying in Paris, told me that I wouldn't regret it.  

It didn't take long for me to agree. The scene in front of me is in an excited mess. There's no room on the tiny dance floor. My friend tells me that this space was once used as a prison room during World War II. She's not joking. Prisoners at that time must have been shocked seeing the damp stone basement. I couldn't think of a more complete contrast to the joy on display tonight. No jazz bar in Australia would have a history like this!  

The leader of the band is an old French saxophonist in his 70s. He's cool and some kind of leader, sometimes walking up to the microphone to sing a couple of words. I'm told that he has been playing at this bar for over 45 years. So how could I refuse when he points to us and tells us to get on the dance floor too?  

I feel completely out of place—there are some skilled dancers about. Clearly many come here every week. But the energy pulls us through and we have a ball. It is easily my favourite time in Paris. I certainly didn't expect that.  

Adrian e-mailed me recently to say that he had arrived home safely. I plan to return soon too. Of course, I will have to find a way to pull myself out of Paris first.

1．How does the author like the city of Paris?

       A．He doesn’t like the city because of its noisy bars.

       B．He wants to escape Paris to return home quickly.

       C．He is very interested in Jazz bars in Paris.

       D．The history of the Jazz bar is a shame to Paris.

2．Why does the writer feel out of place?

       A．Because he wants to leave and go back home.

       B．Because he is not a good dancer.

       C．Because he is not used to a dance like this.

D．Because the music is too loud.

3．The writer mentions Australia probably because ______.

       A．he wants to show the differences between the jazz bars in these two places

B．he couldn’t find a way to leave Paris

       C．he misses his friend Adrian back home

       D．Australia has jazz bars similar to ones in Paris

4．It can be learned that______.

       A．everyone in the bar enjoys himself

       B．the bars in Australia are usually quiet

       C．explosion can happen anytime in Paris bars

       D．the leader of the band was born in the 70s

根据对话内容，从对话后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Holly Porter is the owner of a small company, Porter Printing Co. With the help of her secretary, Lizzy, she is arranging a 10th-anniversary staff dinner.

P—Porter                        L—Lizzy   

P:  Now that we’ve arranged the time and place, we can write the invitation.

L:    1 

P:  How about this “To celebrate 10 years in business, Holly Porter requests the honor of your presence at …”  2 

L:  It just sounds very formal.

P:  What do you suggest, then?

L:  How about this : “After 10 years at Porter Printing, it’s time to celebrate! Join us at…”

P:  That does sound better.

L:  Should the invitation include children, Ms. Porter?

P:     3 

L:  How would you like to say that, then?

P:  I guess we can’t say, “No kids, please,” can we?

L:    4   How about just addressing the invitation to “employee and guest”?

P:    5 

A．No, no. I don’t mind.             

B．That sounds fine. I hope they get the hint(暗示).

C．What would you like it to say?       

D．What’s the matter? You don’t like this?          

E. No. Not this time.                 

F. That may not sound very nice.                 

G. That would be fine with us.

根据下列句子及所给汉语注释，在句子右边的横线上写出空缺处各单词的正确形式。（每空只限一词）

1．It’s the __________ (酒精) in drink that makes people drunk.

2．To his __________ (宽慰), a loud knock on the door spared him from giving an explanation.

3．Having __________ (向---咨询) her doctor, she clearly knows how much exercise she should attempt every day. 

4．I wanted so much to believe that he was pure and __________ (高尚的), but to my disappointment, he was actually not.

5．When the violinist finished, the audience __________ (鼓掌) for five minutes.

6．The young men of the present day are __________ (超出) my comprehension.

7．We can input __________ (数据)needed to be processed or preserved by a computer via a keyboard.

8．He figured that he would __________ (放弃) the job before Johnson fired him.

9．I wasn’t qualified to apply for the job really but I got it __________ (不管怎样).

10．The blanket will provide additional __________ (温暖) and comfort in bed.

He has topped the list of world billionaire for 12 years with          1．_______________  

a fortune of US$50 billion. It is said to make US$1 billion an             2．_______________

hour. But the richest man in the world will no long spend most        3．_______________

of his time earn money. Instead, he will be using his wealth                   4．_______________

to help those in need.

   Bill Gates, founder of the world’s largest software company  

Microsoft, announcing on June 15^th that he was only ready to work  5．_______________

for the company “part-time” and that he would focus more in his           6．_______________

charitable foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,

was founded with his wife in 2001. From the world’s biggest taker    7．_______________

to the biggest giver, Gates is a live legend.                                       8．_______________

   “With the success of Microsoft, I’ve given the gift of               9．_______________

great wealth. But I believe with great wealth comes great                  10．_______________

responsibility, the responsibility to give back to society,” said Gates

in his announcement.

某网站今日以“你赞成取消‘黄金周’吗？”为题展开调查. 有很多网友投票发表个人观点。请根据下表提供的信息，陈述你的观点，以便向某中学生英语报投稿。

要求：

1．字数：120字

2．参考词汇：

黄金周the Golden Week (或以the GW代替)

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旅游景点scenic spot