A federal agency on Tuesday called for a ban on all cellphone use by drivers -- the most far-reaching recommendation up to now — saying its decision was based on a decade of investigations into distraction-related(与分散注意力有关的) accidents, as well as growing concerns that powerful mobile devices are giving drivers even more reasons to look away from the road.
As part of its recommendation, the National Transportation Safety Board is urging states to ban drivers from using hands-free devices, including wireless headsets. No state now has made laws to ban such activity, but the Board said that drivers faced serious risks from talking on wireless headsets, just as they do by taking a hand off the wheel to hold a phone to their ears.
However, the concern was heightened by increasingly powerful phones that people can use to send e-mails, watch movies and play games.
"Every year, new devices are being on sale." she said. "People are attracted to update their Facebook page, to play music with cellphone, as if sitting at a desk. But they are driving a car."
The agency based its recommendation on evidence from its investigation of numerous crashes in which electronic distraction was a major contributing factor.
Ms. Hersman said she understood that this recommendation would be unwelcome in some circles, given the number of drivers who talk and text. But she compared distracted driving to drunken driving and even smoking, which required wholesale cultural shifts to change behavior.
"It's going to be very unpopular with some people." she said. "We're not here to win a popularity contest. We're here to do the right thing. This is a difficult recommendation, but it's the right recommendation and it is time."
The agency's recommendation is not required for states to adopt such a ban. And it won't likely be agreed upon by state lawmakers who are unwillingly to anger those who have grown accustomed to using their device behind the wheel.
The ban also deserves attention because it is the first call by a federal agency to end the practice completely, rather than the partial ban that some lawmakers have put in place by allowing hands-free talking.
【小题1】The ban on all cellphone use by drivers was put forward______.

A．after a long discussion and recommendation

B．after about ten years' investigation in it

C．because of the most powerful mobile devices

D．for the reason of heading away from the road

【小题2】From the second paragraph we know that now______.

A．it is legal to use wireless headsets while driving

B．wireless headsets are illegal in some states

C．it is safe to talk on wireless headsets while driving

D．hands-free devices can be used in some states

【小题3】We can know from the passage that______.

A．electronic distraction resulted in numerous crashes

B．numerous crashes were caused by drunk driving

C．electronic distraction contributed much to the ban

D．the recommendation was based on electronic distraction

【小题4】Ms Hersman thinks that distracted driving, drunken driving and smoking______.

A．are just common behaviors	B．can be shifted to behaviors
C．are behaviors to be changed	D．are just cultural behaviors

【小题5】Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A．Cellphone Ban inCars	B．Valuable Ban for Cellphones
C．Drivers Ban Cellphones	D．Cellphone Ban while Driving

Australian Flag Designs by Readers of the Sun-Herald
We received dozens of responses after inviting readers to send in their designs for a new flag. The designs we received include:
James Anthony, Drummoyne
James reduces the Union Jack down in size and changes its shape to become a reminder of the British tradition rather than canceling it altogether. At the same time he suggests enlarging the stars of the Southern Cross. His design attempts to use the best of both worlds in a newly designed flag.
As he says, “the British part of the Australian Flag is too big and the Australian bits are too small. When you make the stars bigger the Australian flag can look impressive.”
Joe Bollen, Turranmurra
Joe’s flag has the main elements of a risen sun, white horizon(地平线), red earth at the base and the Southern Cross. He intends to make the risen sun a special Australian symbol on the flag. He believes it represents life. The Southern Cross shows that we live in the Southern Hemisphere. (半球)
Maria Ieraci, Sydney
Maria deleted the Union Jack but otherwise kept the flag as is with the Southern Cross and Federation Star. She says, ‘There is only one correct way to change the Australian flag” and that is “to drop the Union Jack ---- when Australia becomes a Republic”, which she hopes will be before 2010.
Ron Bennett, Sydney
Ron recommends using the Aboriginal colors but replacing their image of the sun with the map of Australia. He says, “Australia is unique being an island continent with an instantly recognizable outline at that” and “this will leave no doubt as to which country the flag belongs.”
【小题1】Which of the four designs can remind you of the past of the country?

A．Joe’s

B．Maria’s

C．Ron’s

D．Jame’s

【小题2】The Southern Cross in some of the designs represents _________.

A．the spirit of the nation

B．the position of the country

C．the tradition of Britain

D．the expectations of the people

【小题3】What does the Union Jack refer to?

A．the British flag

B．A former British ruler

C．group of stars

D．A former symbol of Australia

A three-year independent investigation into the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon has yielded new eyewitness evidence which, according to the Southern California-based researchers who conducted the investigation conclusively (and unfortunately), establishes as a historical fact that the violence which took place in Arlington that day was not the result of a surprise attack by suicide hijackers, but rather a military black operation involving a carefully planned and skillfully executed deception."
A CNN Reporter at the scene states that there is no evidence that a 757 hit the Pentagon.
　  What hit the Pentagon? A Boeing 757 loaded with passengers and fuel right? Who was on Flight 757? According to the Flight Information there were No Arabs on it. That makes me wonder if Flight 757 actually existed at all.
　　From the pictures and the videos, people can find that there are several doubtful points that need to be taken into consideration, for example the marker line on the grass in the satellite and ground pictures, the different colors of the smoke, the hole which the plane impacted, and the standing pylons (架线塔).
　　Also, from the comparison of the different pictures, people can find some other strange points. For example, the gear (齿轮) is not the matching one. The wreckage of the plane is not the one from the American Airlines. The glass on the pavement of the pole is another doubtful point. The last thing that need considering is about the collapse. One of the gif video shows the plane impacting the Pentagon. The only problem with this video footage is that it has been altered (改变) and can not be fully trusted.
　　These crash photos and videos shown here clearly have been doctored (篡改) and don't even match the physics of what happened. So where is the real video? It leaves me many questions. Is this a missile? It is a real enigma.
【小题1】Where can you possibly read this article?

A．In a newspaper.

B．In a book.

C．On a website.

D．In a magazine.

【小题2】What the word “yielded” mean in the first sentence?

A．given in

B．surrendered

C．given away

D．produced

【小题3】Which of the following doubtful points is not mentioned in the passage?

A．the colors of the smoke

B．the model of the plane

C．the standing pylons

D．the marker line on the grass

【小题4】What is the author’s attitude towards the 911 investigation?

A．Positive.

B．Neutral.

C．Skeptical.

D．Negative.

Faced with a tough job market, fresh graduates are dreaming of running their own businesses instead. But a recent survey has showed that such ambitions lack the required support and remain just that — dreams.
The Shanghai Municipal Employment Promotion Center poll of 1,276 graduates in several universities and colleges in the city, released last Friday, showed 59.78 percent of respondents considered the possibility of setting up a company or at least a small store. "But they just stop at the 'thinking' stage," it stated.
Respondents put the top reasons for not going it alone down to a shortage of investment and a lack of business opportunity. They also listed lack of business experience and social networks, the need for advanced study and objections from family members as factors that stood in their way.
More than 90 percent of the interviewees said they would rather take up a job after graduating and then consider starting their own business two or three years down the road.
Guo Bing, a senior student in Shanghai International Studies University majoring in English, decided he wanted to be his own boss last year. But he is looking for a job first. "If I fail to find a satisfying job, I would like to establish a company in exhibition services," Guo said.
The Shanghai native has some relatives working in a local printing plant. With their help, Guo hopes to produce exhibition brochures at a relatively low price. He is also confident that his English language skills can help him do well in the industry.
"Social networking is an important factor leading to business success," Guo said.
Guo said that the shortage of graduate jobs is the main reason driving more university students to set up a business right after their graduation.
Jiang said the university sets up a business guide team made of government officials and professionals. They regularly give training courses to students who show an interest in having their own business. The parents of university graduates are more willing to help their children start up alone, the survey showed" Once you win the support of your family, you have won half the battle," Guo added.
【小题1】Which of the following can be the best title?

A．A Tough Job Market

B．Graduates Who Can Only Dream of Being Boss

C．The Ambitious Fresh Graduates

D．The Story of Guo Bing

【小题2】Which of the following does NOT stop fresh graduates realizing their dreams of being bosses?

A．The lack of business opportunity and investment.

B．The shortage of business experience.

C．Less skilled English language.

D．Their family members’ objections.

【小题3】In the view of Guo Bing, what is the key factor that makes fresh graduates dream of being boss soon after
graduation?

A．Their family don’t support them.

B．Their social networking is not good.

C．There are not enough graduate jobs.

D．They want to achieve greater success.

【小题4】Which of the following statements is NOT true about Guo Bing?

A．He has started his own business with the help of his relatives.

B．English is his major in the university.

C．He is trying to find a job which can satisfies him.

D．He is a Shanghai native.

【小题5】Who is this article mostly intended for?

A．The parents whose child graduates from university soon.

B．Those who will graduate from university.

C．Those who want to be bosses.

D．The officials who work in the government.

What should you think about in trying to find your career? You are probably better at some school subjects than others. These may show strengths that you can use in your work. A boy who is good at mathematics can use that in an engineering career. A girl who spells well and likes English may be good at office work .So it is important to do well at school. On the other hand, you may not have any specially strong or weak subjects but your records show a general satisfactory standard. Although not all subjects can be used directly in a job, they may have indirect value. Knowledge of history is not required for most jobs but if history is one of your good subjects you will have learned to remember facts and details. This is an ability that can be useful in many jobs.?  
Your school may have taught you skills, such as typing or technical drawing, which you can use in your work. You may be good at metal work or cookery(烹饪术)and look for a job where you can improve these skills.?  
If you have had a part-time job on Saturdays or in the summer, think what you gained from it. If nothing else, you may have learned how to get to work on time, to follow instructions and to get on with older workers. You may have learned to give correct change in a shop, for example. Just as important, you may become interested in a particular industry or career you see from the inside in a part-time job.?  
Facing your weak points is also part of knowing yourself. You may be all thumbs when you handle(运用)tools; perhaps you are a poor speller or cannot add up a column of figures. It is bitter to face any weaknesses than to pretend they do not exist. Your school record, for instance, may not be too good, yet it is an important part of your background. You should not be apologetic about it but instead recognize that you will have a chance of a fresh start at work..
【小题1】Which of the following best sums up the first paragraph??  

A．The importance of doing well at school.

B．Using school performance to help to choose a career.?

C．The importance of being good at all subjects.?

D．The indirect value of schoolwork. ?

【小题2】The writer thinks that for a student to have a part-time job is probably _____.  

A．a waste of time that could have been spent on study?

B．useful for his future work?

C．a good way to earn extra money?

D．a good way to find out his weak points ?

【小题3】According to the passage, if a student’s school record is not good, he ____.  

A．will be a complete failure in his future work?

B．will not be able to find a suitable job?

C．will regret not having worked harder at school?

D．may do well in his future work ?

【小题4】Which subject is supposed to have no direct value for job hunting??  

A．Mathematics.

B．English.

C．Technical drawing.

D．History. ?

【小题5】The whole passage centers on ____.?  

A．choosing a career according to what one is skilled in?

B．acquiring knowledge by working hard at school?

C．finding one’s strong and weak points?

D．developing one’s abilities useful in school work ?

A speech is a wonderful opportunity to inform, persuade or entertain. The best speeches often take on a combination of all three of these components（组成部分）. However, before you can go about the writing of a great speech, it is important to set goals. Goals keep you，your speech and your audience focused.
What a goal is
In the context of a speech, a goal is the purpose of the speech, and what it hopes to accomplish. For example, the goal of a eulogy(颂歌) might be to celebrate the life of a loved one. The goal of a speech at a political gathering would be to inform the crowd about the political position of a candidate and persuade them to vote and campaign for the candidate in question（正被讨论的）.
Why a goal is important
Without a goal, a speech is without direction. The goal informs the structure and content of the speech. For example, if a speech's goal is to convince people that smoking is bad for them, the speech will be structured with persuasive arguments to back up the goal. A speech with a goal of informing the audience will keep the information fair and factual.
A goal is incredibly important to the speech's ability to connect with an audience. If the speaker is unaware of the goal of the speech, the audience will likely be unaware as well. This severely reduces the effectiveness of the message.
Aside from informing the audience of the content and structure, a speech's goal drives the speaker to greater heights. If a speaker is asked to speak on a specific subject, but never establishes the goal, they won't know where to start in the research, organizing and writing of the speech.
______________
If you have been charged with(被委以) delivering a speech, establishing a goal can seem difficult at first. There are several things to take into consideration. First, think about who you will be speaking to. The demographic(人口统计) of your audience will likely determine whether you will be able to persuade them, or whether they will be able to sit through（一直坐到……结束）. Second, think about the topic itself. If the topic is something controversial（有争议的）, it may worth your while to consider an informative approach to present both sides of the issue. Finally, consider your resources. A speech with an informative or persuasive goal usually requires a great deal of research, and sometimes takes more time to write.
【小题1】According to the passage, what three components does the best speech combine?

A．Informing, delivering and entertaining.

B．Informing, persuading and entertaining.

C．Informing, writing and delivering.

D．Informing, writing and persuading.

【小题2】The goal of a speech at a political gathering might be ________.

A．to persuade the audience to vote for a candidate

B．to celebrate the life of a person you admire

C．to entertain the audience with humor and magic

D．to persuade the audience to buy new products

【小题3】All the following indicate the importance of a speech goal EXCEPT that ________.

A．a speech will lose its direction without a goal

B．a speech goal can help keep the audience aware of the speech

C．a speech goal can help the speaker know about the research, organizing and writing

D．a speech goal makes it possible for the speaker to achieve whatever he wants in life

【小题4】Which of the following can be filled into the blank as the subtitle for the last paragraph?

A．How to achieve a speech goal	B．How to deliver a difficult speech
C．What to consider to establish a goal	D．What to consider to deliver a speech

It gives me great pleasure today to say a few words in praise of a man we will all miss very much. To be honest, I can't imagine we will do without him when he's gone.
　　Bill Masters almost single-handed built up our sales force in the Houston area and developed the market position that we enjoy today. In only six years, he has brought the firm from a very low fifth position in the area sales to the point where we now outsell all but one of our competitors. Not only have we got 37 per cent of the market under Bill's leadership; we are increasing our share with each passing month.
　　As you know, the company has moved Bill to northern California to work his sales magic in one of this company's most competitive(竞争的) areas. But we know that if anyone can do it, Bill Masters can, and I know you all join me in wishing him the best of luck in his new work.
【小题1】The speech was made _______.

A．at a welcome meeting

B．at the opening of a new school term

C．when somebody was leaving

D．when they had a new manager

【小题2】 How long did Masters worked there?

A．37 years	B．less than 5 years
C．about six years	D．since he began to work

【小题3】When Bill started to work in Houston area, he had _______to help him.

A．many people	B．nobody
C．about 37 people	D．very few people

【小题4】Bill increased the company's sale _______.

A．by 37 per cent every month

B．to the second largest in the area

C．to be the fifth largest in the area

D．five times as much as before

Before you make friends, you have to decide who you want to be your friends. Most people like to have friends who like to do the same kind of things they do.
The quickest way to make a friend is to smile. When you smile, people think you are friendly and easy to talk to. It may not be easy at first to smile, but remember most people will stay away from a scared or angry looking face.
One easy way to start a conversation with someone is to say something nice about him. Think about how great you feel when someone says something nice to you. Doesn’t it make you want to keep talking to that person?
Ask your new friends questions about themselves. Who’s their favorite singer, where do they live, what do they do after school are all good questions to start a conversation. Make sure you have something to add to the conversation, too. When someone asks you a question, do have an answer for them. There’s nothing that will stop a conversation quicker than a shrug (耸肩) for an answer.
Kids who show an interest in other kids and who are kind and friendly make good friends. Remember, everyone wants to be around people who like to do similar things and people who are nice to them.
【小题1】This passage gives us some advice on _________.

A．how to make friends

B．what kind of person you can make friends with

C．how to start a conversation

D．the importance of smile

【小题2】Most people like to make friends with those______.

A．who are sad every day.

B．who share the same interest

C．who are fond of talking

D．who say bad things to them

【小题3】According to the third paragraph, most people enjoy talking to one _______.

A．who is always smiling

B．who seems to be friendly

C．who praises them

D．who points out their shortcomings.

【小题4】The underlined (划线的)part in this passage means “_______”.

A．being very proud	B．making no answer
C．knowing nothing	D．not hoping to answer

Honey(蜂蜜)from the African forest is not only a kind of natural sugar, it is also delicious. Most people, and many animals, like eating it. However, the only way for them to get that honey is to find a wild bees' nest(巢)and take the honey from it. Often, these nests are high up in trees, and it is difficult to find them. In parts of Africa, though, people and animals looking for honey have a strange and unexpected helper一a little bird called a honey guide.
The honey guide does not actually like honey, but it does like the wax (蜂蜡) in the beehives (蜂房). The little bird cannot reach this wax, which is deep inside the bees’ nest. So, when it finds a suitable nest, it looks for someone to help it. The honey guide gives a loud cry that attracts the attention of both passing animals and people. Once it has their attention, it flies through the forest, waiting from time to time for the curious animal or people as it leads them to the nest. When they
finally arrive at the nest, the follower reaches in to get at the delicious honey as the bird patiently waits and watches. Some of the honey, and the wax, always falls to the ground, and this is when the honey guide takes its share.
Scientists do not know why the honey guide likes eating the wax, but it is very determined in its efforts to get it. The birds seem to be able to smell wax from a long distance away. They will quickly arrive whenever a beekeeper is taking honey from his beehives, and will even enter churches when beeswax candles are being lit.
【小题1】Why is it difficult to find a wild bees' nest?

A．It's small in size.	B．It's hidden in trees.
C．It's covered with wax.	D．It's hard to recognize.

【小题2】What do the words "the follower" in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A．A bee.

B．A bird.

C．A honey seeker.

D．A beekeeper.

【小题3】The honey guide is special in the way________.

A．it gets its food	B．it goes to church
C．it sings in the forest	D．it reaches into bees' nests

【小题4】What can be the best title for the text?

A．Wild Bees	B．Wax and Honey
C．Beekeeping in Africa	D．Honey-Lover's Helper

In white shirt, blue pants, black cloth shoes and two pigtails, Jingqiu gives off an air of great "pure beauty" in Zhang Yimou’s new movie Under the Hawthorn Tree, which tells the story of the sad romance of Jingqiu and a handsome young man named Laosan set at the end of　the "cultural revolution" (1966-- 1976).
Before it was released, moviegoers foresaw what this "pure beauty" could be. Director Zhang complained of how long it had taken him to find the right girl for the part of Jingqiu -- a character so innocent. She believes that simply lying on the same bed as a man will make her pregnant.
It was 18-year-old Zhou Dongyu who stood out from the crowd. According to Zhang, Zhou has "eyes that are clear like a fountain on a mountainside". Born to an ordinary worker's family, the Shijiazhuang girl was in her final year of high school and working hard for a place in an art college.
"If you have fair skin and clear eyes, as Jingqiu does, it is easy to look pure. Girls today wear so many jewels and make-up--that's the reason Zhang was not interested," said Du Yanlai, 17, of Chengdu.
While some teenagers consider such "pure" beauty illusory, others believe that it speaks of something soulful.
Purity is all about an innocence that shines through from within, thinks 16-year-old Tan Mengxi of Nanjing. "Being pure can be simple, not having complicated thoughts and being inexperienced. However, it doesn't mean an ignorant or native person. So, a person is pure in his or her nature if he or she is always enthusiastic and able to deal with difficult matters independently. This purity doesn't pass with time, "she said.
【小题1】What's the real purity according to Tan Mengxi?

A．Having eyes as clear as a fountain.

B．Not wearing so many jewels and make-up.

C．Being ignorant and native.

D．Being simple, enthusiastic and able to manage things alone.

【小题2】What does the underlined word “illusory” mean here?

A．unreal.

B．unhealthy.

C．unscientific.

D．negative.

【小题3】What can we infer from the passage?

A．Zhou Dongyu, who was 18,was from an art college.

B．Director Zhang disliked those girls with so many accessories and make-up.

C．Different people have different opinions about purity.

D．Many young girls in China are eager to stand out.

【小题4】The main idea of the passage is ______.

A．Why Director Zhang selected Miss Zhou as the leading star

B．How people like the movie Under the Hawthorn Tree

C．What makes a pure girl

D．Why Chinese girls want to be pure