【2011·陕西西安中学适应性训练四】D

Life gets noisier every day and very few people can be free from noise of some sort or another. It doesn't matter where you live---in the middle of a modern city or a faraway village---the chances are that you’ll be disturbed by jet planes, transistor radios, oil-powered engines, etc. We seem to be getting used to noise, too. Some people feel quite lonely without background music while they’re working.

Scientific tests have shown that total silence can be a very frightening experience for a human being. However, some people enjoy listening to pop music which is very loud, and this can do harm to their eardrums(耳鼓). The noise level in some discos is far above the usual safety level for heavy industrial areas.

One recent report about noise and concentration suggested that although a lot of people say that any noise disturbs their concentration, what really influences their ability to concentrate is a change in the level of noise. It goes on to say that a background noise which doesn't change too much (music, for example) may even help people to concentrate.

58. According to this passage, the noise pollution______.

A. has become the worst in the countryside 

B. has become better in big cities

C. has spread from cities to villages     

D. has been controlled in modern cities

59. What does background music refer to?

A. Music played while people are working.   

B. Music played in the backyard.

C. Noise that continues while you’re listening to other noises.

D. Music used to help people to concentrate.

60. Some people have their hearing harmed______.

A. while listening to pop music       B. in complete silence

C. when speaking loudly              D. while watching TV

【2011·陕西西安中学适应性训练四】B

One of our biggest fears nowadays is that our kids might some day get lost in a “sea of technology” rather than experiencing the natural world. Fear – producing TV and computer games are leading to a serious disconnect between kids and the great outdoors, which will change the wild places of the world, its creatures and human health for the worse, unless adults get working on child’s play.

Each of us had a place in nature we go sometimes, even if it was torn down. We cannot be the last generation to have that place. At this rate, kids who miss the sense of wonder outdoors will not grow up to be protectors of natural landscapes. “If the decline in parks use continues across North America, who will defend parks against encroachment（蚕食）?” asks Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods.

Without having a nature experience, kids can turn out just fine, but they are missing out a huge enrichment of their lives. That applies to everything from their physical health and mental health, to stress levels, creativity and cognitive（认知的）skills. Experts predict modern kids will have poorer health than their parents—and they say a lack of outside play is surely part of it; research suggests that kids do better academically in schools with a nature component and that play in nature fosters（培养）leadership by the smartest, not by the toughest. Even a tiny outdoor experience can create wonder in a child. The three – year – old turning over his first rock realizes he is not alone in the world. A clump of trees on the roadside can be the whole universe in his eyes. We really need to value that more.

Kids are not to blame. They are over – protected and frightened. It is dangerous out there from time to time, but repetitive stress from computers is replacing breaking an arm as a childhood rite（仪式）of passage.

Everyone from developers to schools and outdoorsy citizens, should help regain for our kids some of the freedom and joy of exploring, taking friendship in fields and woods that cement（增强）love, respect and need for the landscape. As parents, we should devote some of our energies to taking our kids into nature. This could yet be our greatest cause.

50. According to Paragraph 2, the writer thinks that_____.

A. we are the last generation to experience nature.

B. the author of Last Child in the Woods don’t defend parks against encroachment

C. without having a nature experience, kids are missing out a huge enrichment of their lives

D. children should grow up to be protectors of nature

51. According to the passage, children without experiencing nature will     .

A. keep a high sense of wonder

B. be over – protected by their parents

C. be less healthy both physically and mentally

D. change wild places and creatures for the better

52. According to the author, children’s breaking an arm is     .

A. the fault on the part of their parents

B. the natural experience in their growing up

C. the result of their own carelessness in play

D. the effect of their repetitive stress from computers

53. In writing this passage, the author mainly intends to     .

A. blame children for getting lost in computer games                 

B. encourage children to protect parks from encroachment

C. show his concern about children’s lack of experience in nature

D. inspire children to keep the sense of wonder about things around

【2011·陕西西安中学适应性训练四】Ａ

For thousands of years, the most important two buildings in any British village have been the church and the pub. Traditionally, the church and the pub are at the heart of any village or town, where the people gather together to socialize and exchange news.

As a result, British pubs are often old and well preserved. Many of them have become historic sites. The most famous example is the pub in the city of Nottingham called “Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem”, which dates back to the year 1189 AD and is probably the oldest pub in England.

However, British pubs are not just for kings and queens; they welcome people from all classes and parts of society. On a cold night, the pub’s landlord or landlady can always find a warm place for you by the fire. There is always honest and hearty food and plenty of drink available at an affordable price.

That’s how things used to be. Things are beginning to change. It is said that the credit crunch(信贷紧缩) is causing 39 British pubs a week to go out of business. People do not have enough spare money to spend on beer. Recently, the UK government banned smoking in all pubs, and that may also have affected the number of customers going to pubs.

This decline is happening despite the fact that in 2005 the UK government started to allow pubs to stay open after 1l pm. Previously, with 1l pm as closing time, customers would have to drink quite quickly, meaning they sometimes got more drunk than they would if allowed to drink slowly. The British habit of drinking a lot very quickly is known as “binge drinking”, and it causes long-term health problems for people and problems with violent crime for communities.

In order to save their businesses, pubs are trying to change with the market. British pubs now offer something for everyone. A lot of pubs used to be “Working Men's Clubs”, meaning that women could not usually enter. Today, however, women can freely enter 99% of pubs without experiencing any problems. Perhaps things are changing for the better after all.

46. The passage mainly tells us something about       

A. the past and present of British pubs     B. the decline of British pubs

   C. the long history of British pubs         D. the importance of British pubs

47. Which may not be the cause of the decline of British pubs?

A. The credit crunch.          B. The present closing time.

   C. The ban of smoking.         D. Having no spare money.

48. We can infer from the passage that       

   A. British people used to like drinking slowly

   B. closing the pubs early will reduce social problems

   C. binge drinking means drinking less beer

D. British government aims to discourage people from binge drinking

49. We can see from the last paragraph that the author ________

  A. is against the admission of too many women to the pubs

   B. holds an optimistic attitude towards the British pubs

   C. thinks that women in the pubs will cause less social problems

   D. thinks that British pubs should offer everything you need

【2011·重庆主城八区调研】D

     Fly into Lisbon and spend a couple of days exploring the capital, which is a terrific bargain. In addition to some worthwhile and affordable dining and lodging(住宿) choices, must-see sights include the Romanesque Lisbon Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Moorish Alfama quarter, with its markets and winding cobblestone streets. Take a taxi or bus to the Belém district, where you’ll find the Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery. After Lisbon, you can take a day trip, by train, to Sintra, a beautiful town nestled(依偎) against the hills about 20 miles west of Lisbon; its castle and palaces, like the Sintra National Palace and the Pena National Palace, are well worth a visit.

To see the countryside, rent a car and drive southeast about 90 minutes to the Alentejo region. Base yourself in Évora, an architectural precious stone. By foot, explore its winding cobblestone streets, fountains and whitewashed houses. Attractions include the Roman Temple of Évora. And make sure to hear some fado, the traditional music of Portugal(葡萄牙).

Alternatively, head north from Lisbon to Oporto, about three hours, and then east to the winemaking region of the Douro River Valley. In his article Portugal Old, New and Undiscovered, Frank Bruni wrote: “All around us mountains undulated(波动) into the distance. The slopes（斜坡）in the foreground were an amazing patchwork of greens, reds, browns and grays, as if some grand hand had fashioned it into a picture on all that nature and agriculture can do.”

68. You can NOT enjoy the beauty of ________ in Lisbon.

   A. the Sintra National Palace               

B. the Moorish Alfama quarter

   C. the Tower of Bel ém                       

D. Romanesque Lisbon Cathedral

69. In Alentejo region, a tourist can ________.

   A. walk by the sea bare feet

B. appreciate traditional music

   C. enjoy a good view of the city        

D. buy some precious stones cheap

70. Frank Bruni’s words help the readers to get a better picture of ________.

   A. Douro River Valley       

B. Lisbon       

C. Oporto       

D. Portugal

71. The text is meant to ________.

   A. advise on travelling in Portugal

   B. describe the beauty of Portugal

   C. introduce the attractions in Lisbon

   D. compare the city with the countryside

【2011·重庆主城八区调研】C

Finding the right school for your child is a process. You will want to read about the school, talk to any friends who are involved in the school and, most important of all, visit the school.

The first step in finding out about Indian Creek is to request an information packet. We will be happy to send you a packet containing a brochure(小册子), the fee structure and an application. The packet should answer most of your general questions about the school.

In order to get a true sense of Indian Creek School, you should come for an Admission Tour, which includes a personal meeting focusing on your child, a tour of the building and the classrooms, and a discussion of the curriculum(课程).

This visit is no less important if the child for whom you are seeking admission is a teenager than if he or she is a three-year-old one. Every school has a different “school climate.” If you visit two or three schools, you will notice that each “feels” different. You know your child best and you will quickly develop a sense of whether a school is the right match or not.

●The initial point of entry for Indian Creek Students is at the pre-kindergarten level for three year olds.

●Children must be three years old by August 31st.

●We also have major points of entry from grade six to grade nine. At each of these levels, we open new sections and accept students in addition to those moving up from our own lower grades.

●There are scattered(零散的) openings available throughout the program due to attrition(学生流失). Once an opening occurs, students spend a day at ICS, part of which includes admission testing.

64. You can NOT get to know about ICS by ________.

   A. getting an information packet    

B. taking an admission tour

   C. asking friends involved in ICS       

D. taking an admission test

65. During the Admission Tour, you can ________.

   A. having a meeting with the children       

B. decide on the design of the classrooms

   C. talk with the school about the courses                   

D. choose the weather suitable for study

66. Which of the following is NOT accepted for ICS when there is no attrition?

   A. A boy who will be 3 years old by July.                   

B. A fifth grader originally studying in ICS.

   C. An eighth grader from another school.

   D. A fourth grader from another school.

67. The text is intended for ________.

   A. teachers     

B. parents      

C. kindergarteners  

D. school kids

【2011·重庆主城八区调研】B

Dear Abby,

I am a very conservative woman. I don’t drink, dance, wear makeups or pants. I enjoy the company of friends despite（尽管）our differences and thought they enjoyed mine.

On our most recent outing, however, they laughed at my religious jewelry, commented on my “lack of fashion,” and made me feel guilty for not wanting to stay out late.

Despite this, they are great friends and would help me at the drop of a hat. I don’t bring up their being overweight, or that I think some of the clothes they wear are ugly. I don’t criticize them for sleeping around. I wish they would accept me for who I am.

I am considering not going out with them the next time they ask, but I don’t really want it to come to that. Any suggestions?

—Just an Old-Fashioned Girl

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________________________________________________________

Dear Old-Fashioned Girl,

Just this: It’s time for you to start cultivating relationships with people whose values are more like your own. The friends you have described may be lovely, but their comments were out of line and folks are known by the company they keep. If you spend a lot of time with the women you have described, people will begin to make assumptions(臆断) about you.

                                                       —Abby

60. The underlined word “conservative” is closest in meaning to ________.

   A. beautiful    

B. old-fashioned    

C. overweight   

D. ordinary-looking

61. When did Old-fashioned Girl feel guilty?

   A. When her friends stayed out late.

   B. When she stayed out late with her friends. 

C. When she refused her friends’ request to stay out late.

   D. When her friends refused her to stay out late with them.

62. Which of the following could Old-fashioned Girl most possibly agree to?

   A. It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.

   B. Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty.

   C. The friend is the one who knows all about you, and still likes you. 

   D. True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable. 

63. According to Abby, it’s a good idea for Old-fashioned Girl to ________.

   A. talk with her friends                

B. understand her friends

   C. forgive her friends                  

D. break up with her friends

【2011·辽宁锦州市质检三】 A

The drug store was closing for the night. Young Alfred Higgins, the stop-assistant, was ready to go home. Mr. Carr, the boss, stared at him and said: “Hold on, Alfred. Maybe you’d be good enough to take the things out of your pockets and leave them here before you go.” Alfred’s face got red. After a little hesitation, he took out what he had stolen. Mr. Carr said, “Maybe I should call your mother and let her know I’m going to have to put you in prison.”

Alfred thought his mother would come rushing in, eyes burning with anger. But, to his surprise, she arrived wearing a smile. “Hello, I’m Alfred’s mother. Is he in trouble?” she said. Mr. Carr was surprised, too. He had expected Alfred’s mother to come in nervously, shaking with fear, asking with wet eyes for a mercy for her son. But no, she was most calm, quiet and pleasant and was making Mr. Carr feel guilty…. Soon Mr. Carr was shaking his head in agreement with what she was saying. “Of course”, he said, “I don’t want to be cruel. You are right. Sometimes, a little good advice is the best thing for a boy at certain times in his life and it often takes the youths long time to get sense into their heads.” And he warmly shook Mrs. Higgins’s hand.

Back home, without even looking at Alfred, she said, “You are a bad luck. It is one thing after another, always has been. Why do you stand there so stupidly? Go to bed.” In his bedroom, Alfred heard his mother in the kitchen. There was no shame in him, just pride in his mother’s strength. He felt he must tell her how great she was. As he got to the kitchen, he saw his mother drinking a cup of tea. He was shocked by what he saw. His mother’s face was a frightened, broken one. It was not the same cool, bright face he saw earlier in the drug store. As she lifted the tea cup, her hand shook. And some of the tea splashed on the table.  Her lips moved nervously. She looked very old. He watched his mother without making a sound. The picture of his mother made him want to cry. He felt his youth coming to an end. He saw all the troubles he brought his mother in her shaking hand and the deep lines of worry in her grey face. It seemed to him that this was the first time he had ever really seen his mother.

56. The reason why Mr. Carr felt guilty was that ________.

A. Alfred’s mother appeared polite and gentle

B. he should have called a policeman in first

C. he found Alfred was in fact innocent

D. he thought he was partly responsible for it

57. Which of the following is probably said by Mrs. Higgins while talking to Mr. Carr?

A. “You know, it takes time for a youth to truly grow up.”

B. “I can’t believe it! You are treating my son like that!”

C. “Please, for God’s sake, you know, he is just a kid.”

D. “Punishment makes sense because it teaches about the law.”

58. What does the underlined phrase “his mother’s strength”(Para. 3) refer to?

A. Mrs. Higgins’s attitude towards parental sufferings.

B. Mrs. Higgins’s calmness and communicating skills.

C. Mrs. Higgins’s love and care for her son Alfred.

D. Mrs. Higgins’s greatness as a woman.

59. After the incident, young Alfred would probably ________.

A. feel ashamed of her mother         B. learn to live an independent life

C. change his attitudes towards life     D. hate Mr. Carr for hurting her mother   

The Japanese coined the word tsunami to mean "harbor wave." ("tsu" means harbor, and the character "nami" means wave). Japan's most powerful earthquake since records began has struck the north-east coast, leading to a massive tsunami. Cars, ships and buildings were swept away by a wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake, which struck about 400km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo and caused massive destruction, flattening whole cities, starting powerful fires, and killing hundreds.

In the wake of the Japanese tragedy, remember these tsunami survival tips:

1. A good warning sign of an approaching tsunami is "drawback," when the ocean recedes （减弱）drastically or the water level falls unusually along the shoreline.

During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, a 10-year-old girl on vacation with her family in Thailand, Tilly Smith, saved the lives of dozens of tourists when she recognized the receding water and frothing bubbles on the surface of the water as a sign that a tsunami was on its way. Experts believe that a receding ocean may give people as much as five minutes' warning to evacuate the area.

2. You're not out of danger after the first wave of a tsunami.

A tsunami occurs as a series of waves known as a "wave train," and the series of surges（奔涌向前） can be five minutes or up to an hour apart. The tsunami does not usually appear on the shoreline as a gigantic breaking wave, but rather as a rapid tide or a wall of water. The worst mistake you can make is staying near the beach out of curiosity. Find higher ground and go as far inland as you can. If you can see the waves, you're still too close.

3. A tsunami surge may be small at one point of the shore and large at another point.

Move to higher ground as soon as you can and don't assume that because there's minimal activity in the coastal area where you are, it will be like that everywhere else.

4. Keep your ears peeled.

Many witnesses have said that a tsunami sounds thunderous, like a freight train.

67. The underlined word “coined” is closest to “____” in meaning.

A. invented a new word or phrase that other people then began to use

B. introduced a new word into a language

C. explained a new word

D. gave a definition to a new word.

68. What can we learn from the passage?

A.You will be out of danger if thirty minutes has passed after the first tsunami wave.

B. Tilly Smith must have a very good knowledge of science.

C. A lot of people must have been killed in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

D. If a tsunami surge is small at one point of the shore and it should be small at another point.

69. Which of the following statements is not true?

A. The 2011 Japanese tsunami is Japan's most powerful earthquake since records began.

B. The worst mistake you can make is staying near the beach out of curiosity after the first wave of a tsunami.

C. Experts believe that a receding ocean may give people as much as five minutes' warning to escape from the area.

D. A good warning sign of an approaching tsunami is "drawback," when the ocean

recedes slightly or the water level falls usually along the shoreline.

70. What is the best title of this passage?

A. Smart Actions during Tsunami        B. Signs of Tsunami identification

C. Methods of Avoiding Tsunami        D. Tips for Tsunami Survival

【2011·黑龙江哈六中第二次模拟】

A

A lot of us lose life’s tough battles by starting a frontal (正面的) attack—when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who hit a traffic jam on his way to work shortly after receiving an ultimatum(最后通牒) about being late on the job. Although there was a good reason for Sam’s being late—serious illness at home—he decided that this by-now-familiar excuse wouldn’t work any longer. His supervisor was probably already pacing up and down preparing a dismissal speech.

Yet, Sam entered the office at 9:35. The place was as quiet as a locker room(更衣室); everyone was hard at work. Sam’s supervisor came up to him. Suddenly, Sam forced a grin and stretched out his hand. “How do you do!” he said. “I’m Sam Maynard. I’m applying for a job, which, I understand, became available just 35 minutes ago. Does the early bird get the worm?”

The room exploded in laughter. The supervisor clamped off a smile and walked back to his office. Sam Maynard had saved his job—with the only tool that could win, a laugh.

Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected, means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying “no”, criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it’s the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialog may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance than people in any other forum.

56. Why was Sam late for his job?

A. Because he was ill.

B. Because he got up late.

C. Because he was caught in a traffic jam.

D. He was busy applying for a new job.

57. The main idea of this passage is ________.

A. Sam Maynard saved his job with humor

B. humor is important in our lives

C. early bird gets the worm

D. humor can solve racial discriminations

58. The phrase “clamped off” in Paragraph 3 means ________.

A. tried to hold back    B. tried to set    C. charged   D. gave out

59. Which of the following statements can we infer from the passage?

A. Many lose life’s battles for they are lacking in a sense of humor.

B. It wasn’t the first time that Sam came late for his work.

C. Sam was supposed to come to his office at 8:30.

D. Humor is the most effective way of solving problems.

【2011·辽宁锦州市质检二】

C

Parents are often amazed at how fast their child grows and develops. New research has determined that the ability to quantify may develop much sooner than most parents realize.

Kristy vanMarle, professor of the University of Missouri, has determined that contrary to what previous studies have shown, infants（婴儿）are able to quantify substances（物质）—like sand or water—as early as 10 months. As long as the difference between the two substances is large enough, infants will choose the larger amount, especially when it comes to food.

With the assistance of her team researchers, vanMarle tested the quantifying skills of babies by presenting them with two cups: one containing a small amount of food, and one containing a larger amount. Consistently, the babies chose the larger amount.

“Several studies throughout the last 15 years have shown that infants are very good at telling how many objects they see; however, infants don’t seem to count things like water or sand,” vanMarle said. “What we’re saying is that they can quantify substances; it’s just much harder. The infants can see how much food goes into each cup and compare that in their memories. They decide which amount is larger, and they almost always select the larger one.”

This information further refutes（驳斥）the long-held idea that babies “know nothing of the world,” vanMarle said.

“Since psychologists have begun studying infants with sensitive measures, we’ve discovered a lot of early abilities. I think for parents, it should be exciting to know that there’s somebody in there that has some fundamental and basic knowledge of the world, and that knowledge is guiding their development,” vanMarle said.

In the future, vanMarle says this kind of study could be linked to a child’s progress in math-related skills, although programs marketed to increase those abilities, such as “Baby Einstein,” still have mixed reviews when it comes to academic study.

63. The quantifying ability refers to the ability to ________.

A. choose between different substances B. get much knowledge of the world

C. describe the quantity of something            D. obtain math-related skills

64. What is mainly talked about in Paragraph 4?

A. The process of doing research.                B. The scientific findings.

C. The final choice of infants.                      D. The observation of infants’ behavior.

65. Babies choose the larger amount of food ________.

A. by saying numbers                                  B. with the help of parents

C. on personal preference                            D. through their natural abilities

66. What’s the best title of the text?

A. Breakthrough in Baby Studies                   B. Amazing Baby-training Ideas

C. Early Human Abilities                        D. Unique Quantifying Methods