After The Super Girl was shown on TV, it was loved by millions of people, especially the young people. It becomes a hot topic among people. Here are some of their opinions
China is a developing country and women now show their abilities as freely as men do. The modern world is a stage for them to show who they are and what they want.
—Nancy , 14     The Super Girls
One of the girls looks like Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) . In Singapore, a show of this kind is called Superstar. I think the competition like this is a good chance for the young girls with the dreams of stage. As for The Super Girl, I hope I can see one international super star coming out from this year's competition .
—Linda , 16
I am worried about these super girls. They are educated in different ways. At their ages, they should be spending more time at school , not on the stage. What are they learning? And for what?
—John , 15
【小题1】What do people think about The Super Girl ?

A．It was loved by all the people	B．Different people have different ideas
C．All the young people enjoyed it very much	D．It is not popular among people

【小题2】Linda hopes to see           from The Super Girl.

A．a show called Superstar in Singapore	B．a girl with the name of Jolin Tsai
C．an international superstar coming out	D．some young girls with dreams of the stage

【小题3】John worries about the super girls because these girls           .

A．don't spend enough time studying at school

B．spend too much time studying at school

C．show their abilities in their free time

D．are educated in the same way

Among various programs, TV talk shows have covered every inch of space on daytime television．And anyone who watches them regularly knows that each one is different in style．But no two shows are more opposite in content, while at the same time standing out above the rest, than the Jerry Springer and Oprah Winfrey shows．
Jerry Springer could easily be considered the king of "rubbish talk"．The topics on his show are as surprising as can be．For example, the show takes the ever-common talk show titles of love, sex, cheating, and hate, to a different level．Clearly, the Jerry Springer show is about the dark side of society, yet people are willing to eat up the troubles of other people's lives．
Like Jerry Springer, Oprah Winfrey takes the TV talk show to its top．But Oprah goes in the opposite direction．The show is mainly about the improvement of society and different quality of life．Contents are from teaching your children lessons, managing your work week, to getting to know your neighbors．
Compared to Oprah, the Jerry Springer show looks like poisonous waste being poured into society．Jerry ends every show with a "final word"．He makes a small speech about the entire idea of the show．Hopefully, this is the part where most people will learn something very valuable．
Clean as it is, the Oprah show is not for everyone．The show's main audience are middle-class Americans．Most of the people have the time, money and ability to deal with life's tough problems．Jerry Springer, on the other hand, has more of a connection with the young adults of society．These are 18-to 21year-olds whose main troubles in life include love, relationship, sex, money and drug．They are the ones who see some value and lessons to be learned through the show's exploitation．
【小题1】Compared with other TV talk shows, both the Jerry Springer and the Oprah Winfrey shows are____．

A．more interesting	B．unusually poplar
C．more detailed	D．more formal

【小题2】Though the social problems Jerry Springer talks about appear unpleasant, people who watch the shows ______．

A．remain interested in them

B．are ready to face up to them

C．remain cold to them

D．are willing to get away from them

【小题3】Which of the following is likely to be a topic of the Oprah Winfrey show?

A．A new type of robot．	B．National hatred．
C．Family income planning．	D．Street accident．

【小题4】We can learn from the passage that the two talk shows ____．

A．have become the only ones of its kind

B．exploit the weaknesses in human nature

C．appear at different times of the day

D．attract different people

After the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at retaliatory(报复的) action against China for its “significantly undervalued” currency, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urged the IMF to pressure China to adopt “more flexible, more market-directed exchange-rate management”. This is a coded message to China: You’re keeping on purpose your currency cheap, and the U.S. economy is paying the price. So cut it out --- or else. The normally dull IMF meeting became the latest battleground for the U.S. to be against a fast developing China.
Our new conventional wisdom is that China’s policy leads to make trade deficits (逆差) greater and the loss of American jobs. Dozens of candidates have run ads attacking a competitor for allowing China to take advantage of us. In the election-year view, China grew 10% annually for the past decade while maintaining low inflation(通涨) only by taking advantage of its artificially low currency. The idea that the U.S. is not responsible for its own economy is a black-is-white view. It argues that China and its currency are causing the lion’s share of harm.
This is an argument born of fear. It covers a fact that the economies of China and the U.S. have become beneficial to each other. Those trillions in reserves that China accumulates: Where do they go? Back to the U.S. in the form of lending money to the federal government. Those made-in-China goods that account for the trade deficit: Whom do they benefit? China, yes, but also American consumers and companies. Without China, American companies could not have maintained their profitability in recent years. Take two brand names, Caterpillar and Nike. Both have their products made in China, but both also view China as a fast-growing market for their products.
George Soros warned recently that a currency war could put the world into disorder more damaging than anything caused by the financial crisis of the 1930s. He’s right. Whether we like it or not, we live in a global system. The zero-sum attitude toward China and its currency is a relic, the remaining of an earlier time when nations defined economic life.
China is far from perfect and seeks its own advantage, but holding it accountable for our domestic problems is beyond outdated. It reflects a dangerous refusal to deal with the world as it is. Retaliating against China over currency will not regain high-end jobs in the U.S., which needs more our own demand. It will not renew construction or retool the American labor force. It will not rebuild rotting bridges or create a next-generation energy network.
【小题1】Which of the following argument can be supported by the writer?

A．China is the winner in the Sino-US trade.

B．China’s rapid development over the past ten years is based on its low inflation.

C．The world’s economy will benefit from China’s policy changes on its currency.

D．The US will get hurt if it tries hard on damaging China’s economy.

【小题2】This passage is in a tone that is ____________.

A．in favor of China

B．in the shoes of US

C．blaming China’s low currency policy

D．helping IMF solve the world’s economic problem

【小题3】The writer makes his point of view clear through the passage by using _____________.

A．reasonable analysis

B．leaders’ quotations

C．figure examples

D．moving stories

【小题4】China’s currency policy ________.

A．will help increase the demand in the US

B．is unable to equip the American labor force with new working skills

C．could guide the world economy for the next decade

D．is to be controlled by the international currency groups

  The 1980s was called the “Me Decade” because for many this time was marked by a fascination with the self. The idea that each person has a self may seem natuaral to us, but this concept is actually quite new. The idea that each human life is unique developed between the 11th and 15th centuries in Europe. Before that time, individuals were considered in relation to a group, and even today, many eastern cultures place more emphasis on the importance of a collective self than on a unique and independent self.
Both eastern and western cultures see the self as divided into an inner, private self and an outer, public self. But where they differ is in terms of which part is seen as the“real you.” Western culture tends to promote the idea of individuality—a self that is separated from other selves. In contrast, many eastern cultures focus on an inter-independent self that gets its diversity in large part from inter-relationship with others.
For example, a Confucian(孔子) idea stresses the importance of “face”—other people’s views of the self and maintaining one’s desired status in their eyes. In the past, some Asian cultures developed clear rules about the specific clothes and even colors that people in certain social classes and occupations were allowed to display, and these live on today in Japanese style manuals. This style of dress is at odds with such western practices as “casual Fridays,” which encourage employees to dress informally and express their unique selves.
【小题1】 Which is true about the self according to the text?

A．Many eastern cultures see the self connected with others.

B．Those born in the 1980s are generally most self-centered than others.

C．The concept that eac person has a self may seem strange to eastern cultures

D．Western cultures regard the self as an outer, public self while eastern cultures don’t.

【小题2】 What does the 2nd paragraph mainly talk about?

A．How eastern and western cultures see the self.

B．Eastern cultures contrast sharply with western cultures

C．Both eastern and western cultures appreciate the importance of self

D．Eastern cultures are as important as western cultures

【小题3】 A Japanese dress code is mentioned in the last paragraph to _________.

A．explain the importance of “face”

B．say how traditional the Japanese are

C．emphasize the importance of eastern cultures

D．show how eastern cultures see the self in relation to others

【小题4】 The underlined phrase “at odds with” most probably means_______.

A．in agreement with	B．in disagreement with
C．in comparison with	D．in need of

American cities are similar to other cities around the world: American cities are changing, just as American society is changing. After World War Two, the population of most large American cities decreased; however, the population in many Sun Belt cities increase. Los Angeles and Houston are cities where population shifts (转移) to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, city residents became wealthier. They moved out of their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the suburbs.
Now things are changing. The children of the people who left the cities in the 1950s are now adults. Many, unlike their parents, want to live in the cities. They continue to move to Sun Belt cities and older ones of the Northeast and Midwest. Many young professionals are moving back into the city. They prefer the city to the suburbs because their jobs are there; or they just enjoy the excitement and possibilities that the city offers.
This population shift is bringing problems as well as benefits. Countless poor people must leave their apartments in the city because the owners want to sell the buildings or make apartments for sale instead of for rent. In the 1950s, many poor people did not have enough money to move to the suburbs; now many of these same people do not have enough money to stay in the cities.
Only a few years ago, people thought that the older American cities were dying. Some city residents now see a bright, new future. Others see only problems and conflicts. One thing is sure: many dying cities are alive again.
【小题1】What does the author think of cities all over the world?

A．They are alive.	B．They are hopeless.
C．They are similar.	D．They are different.

【小题2】 Why did American city residents want to live in the suburbs after World War Two?

A．Because older American cities were dying.

B．Because they were richer and needed more space.

C．Because cities contained the worst parts of society.

D．Because they could hardly afford to live in the city.

【小题3】According to the 4^th paragraph, a great many poor people in American cities             .

A．are faced with housing problems	B．are forced to move to the suburbs
C．want to sell their buildings	D．need more money for daily expenses

【小题4】We can conclude from the text that            .

A．American cities are changing for the worse

B．people have different views on American cities

C．many people are now moving from American cities

D．the population is decreasing in older American cities

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report.
China has recently been faced with serious issues of product safety. Some cases have brought attention internationally to the increased use of imported ingredients to make food and medicine.
In Panama, medicine made with a poisonous chemical killed or sickened more than one hundred people. A Chinese company had identified it as diethylamide glycol （ [化]乙二醇）, a low – cost substitute commonly used in automobile antifreeze（防冻剂）.
Some countries have banned Chinese-made toothpaste containing diethylamide glycol. China has now told companies to discontinue its use, even though it says the toothpaste is safe. Another industrial chemical, melamine（三聚氰胺）, was found in wheat flour used to make pet food in North America. Thousands of dogs and cats became sick.
The United States has restricted some imports of Chinese seafood because they contained banned substance. And questions have been raised about other products, including children’s toys covered with lead paint.
Chinese officials promised to provide the European Union, the biggest trading partner, with detailed reports on enforcement efforts against unsafe goods.
Meglena Kuneva, commissioner (理事) for consumer protection of the European Union said China should have kept its promise.
China recently closed three companies linked to the Panama and the pet food scare. And itdismissed the former head of its food and drug administration. He was found guilty of corruption (腐败) for approving unsafe drugs. This week, a conference of the State Council approved a proposed special measure on the supervision of food safety. The Xinhua News Agency said it calls for stronger controls over producers, greater responsibilities for government and more serious punishment for illegal activities.
But Chinese officials have accused some foreign media of overstating problems with goods made in China. They say food imports from the United States also fail inspection sometimes. Next Week, American and Chinese food safety officials are planning to hold 5 days of meetings in Beijing to discuss cooperation.
And that’s the VOA Special English Economics Report. I’m Mario Ritter.
【小题1】How many cases with safety problems are mentioned in the passage?

A．Six

B．Five

C．Four

D．Three

【小题2】How was Panama case dealt with afterwards?
A．Three companies linked to it were closed down.
B．The former head of food and drug administration was removed from his position.
C．More serious punishment was conducted for leaders linked to it.
D. Both A and B.
【小题3】It can be inferred but not clearly stated that ________.

A．Chinese- made toothpaste is safe

B．the safety of “made in China” is doubted

C．there are safety problems with one more Chinese products.

D．stronger control over Chinese products is in need

【小题4】The passage is mainly about ________.

A．China is facing product safety problems

B．more controls are taken of Chinese goods

C．overstated problems with Chinese goods

D．China is losing its trade partners

Japanese people,who never miss a chance to be photographed,were lining up to get their pictures on a postage stamp．Vanity（虚荣）stamps with personal photographs went on sale for the first time in Japan as part of an international postage stamp exhibition．The customer’s photo was taken with a digital camera and then printed on stamp sheets,a process that takes about five minutes．Sold in a sheet of 10 stamps for $8．80,little more than the cost of lunch in Tokyo,each stamp printed a different scene from a traditional painting along with the photo．
The stamps can be used normally to mail a letter,and postal officials hope they will help encourage interest in letter writing in the Internet age．“Certainly e-mail is a useful method of communication,but letters are fun in a different way,”said Hatsumi Shimizu an official in the Post Ministry．“We want to show young people that letters can be fun too．”
While similar stamp sheets appeared in Australia in 1999 and are now sold in some nations and territories,Japan’s fondness for commemorative photos is likely to make them especially popular here．Indeed,officials had prepared 1 000 sheets but they were sold out in less than 30 minutes．Although the stamps are currently only available as a special service during the exhibition,postal officials said they may start selling them on a regular basis in the future．
【小题1】The best title of this passage might be______．

A．Never Miss a Chance to be Photographed	B．Your Own Face on a Postage Stamp
C．First Japanese Postage Stamps with a Photo	D．Letters are as Fun as E-mails

【小题2】By saying“little more than the cost of lunch in Tokyo”,the author really means______．

A．this service is not very expensive	B．the cost of this service is very high
C．food in Tokyo is very dear	D．$8．80 is a very small amount of money

【小题3】The purpose of this activity is______．

A．to make the international postage stamp exhibition more interesting
B．to make more stamps for normal use	C．to draw interest in writing letters
D．to satisfy Japan’s fondness of commemorative photos

【小题4】Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Japanese people like to take photos．	B．This kind of stamps must be used to mail letters．
C．Japanese people can get this kind of stamps easily after the stamp exhibition．
D．This service is more popular in Japan than in other places．

For many in the United States,Arab-Americans are an invisible part of the population．Though Arab-Americans as a community have made great contributions to American society in fields from literature to politics to medicine,many Americans know very little about Americans of Arab backgrounds．
Arab history in the United States goes back to the late 1800’s when large numbers of Arab immigrants first began making their journey to a land known simply as“Amreeka”．
Historians generally describe Arab immigration to America in two waves．The first wave took place between 1860 and 1924．The first wave consisted of Lebanese and Syrian,and some Egyptian immigrants．These new immigrants,who were mostly Christian,came to America in search of better opportunities．Even the doomed Titanic,which set sail for America in 1912,had close to a hundred Arab passengers aboard．The majority of Arab-Americans today are descendents of the first wave of immigrants;they are the third or more generation Americans．
The second wave of immigrants followed after World War Ⅱ,caused by political unrest in the Middle East．This second wave of immigrants consists of mainly Arab Muslims（穆斯林）and continues to this day．
Arab-Americans make up 3 million of the population in the United States,according to demographers．And quite different from popular belief,64 percent of them are American-born．Eighty-two percent of Arab-Americans are US citizens．
Arab-Americans are beyond the national average in both education and income．Education is important among Arab-Americans;82 percent have high school diplomas,36 percent have bachelor’s degrees or higher,and 15 percent have graduate degrees．The-median（中位数的） average income among Arab-Americans is $39 580,which is higher than the US average．
【小题1】 What would be the best title for the text?

A．Arabs in America．	B．The Two Arab Immigration Waves to America．
C．Arab-Americans,Contributions to America	D．Arab-Americans,Education and Income．

【小题2】The first wave of immigrants took place because______．

A．all Arabs were Christian at that time	B．Arabs wanted to hunt for a better development
C．the Second World War broke out	D．Arabs wanted to gain higher income

【小题3】The writer of this passage mentioned Titanic______．

A．to tell us that taking ship at that time was dangerous

B．because Titanic became a well-known disaster

C．to show us there were many Arabs flocking into America at that time

D．to inform us that Arabs are brave enough

【小题4】From the last paragraph we can infer that______．

A．Arab-Americans are much more clever than native Americans

B．Arab-Americans are hard-working people

C．the higher education you receive,the higher income you will get in America

D．Arab-Americans play the most important role in the American average in both education and income

Different countries and different people have different manners. We must find out their customs, so that they will not think us ill-mannered. Here are some examples of the things that a well-mannered person does or does not do.
If you visit a Chinese family you should knock at the door first. When the door opens, you’ll not move before the host says “Come in, please!”. After you enter the room, you wouldn’t sit down until the host asks you to take a seat. When a cup of tea is put on a tea-table before you or sent to your hand, you’ll say “Thank you” and receive it with your two hands, not one hand, or they’ll think you are ill-mannered.
Before entering a house in Japan, it is good manners to take off your shoes. In European countries, even though shoes sometimes become very dirty, this is not done. In a Malay (马来西亚的) house, a guest never finishes the food on the table. He leaves a little to show that he has had enough. In England, a guest always finishes a drink or the food to show that he has enjoyed it. This will make the host, especially (尤其) the hostess pleased.
【小题1】In China, when the host opens the door, ____ before he says “Come in, please!”

A．you won’t leave

B．you won’t walk

C．you won’t stand in front of him

D．you won’t get in

【小题2】 In European countries,____ when you get into a house.

A．you needn’t take off your shoes	B．you must take off your dirty shoes
C．you are not allowed to wear dirty shoes	D．you should put on clean shoes

【小题3】In a Malay house, a guest leaves a little food to show that ____.

A．he has enjoyed it	B．he is quite full
C．he is not hungry at all	D．he needs some drink

Like every language, American English is full of special expressions, phrases that come from the day-to-day life to the people and develop in their own way. Our expression today is “to face the music”.
When someone says, “Well, I guess I’ll have to face the music.” It does not mean he’s planning to go to the concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this and did that, any why you didn’t do this or that. Sour music indeed, but it has to be faced. At some time or another, every one of us has had to face the music, especially as children. We can all remember father’s angry voice, “I want to talk to you.” and only because we did not obey him. What an unpleasant business it was!
The phrase “to face the music” is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. And where did this expression come from? The first explanation comes from the American novelist, James Fenimore Cooper. He said, in 1851, that the expression was first used by actors while waiting in the wings to go on the stage. When they got their cue to go on, they often said, “Well, it’s time to face the music.” And that is exactly what they did- facing the orchestra which was just below them. And an actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of the audience that might be friendly or perhaps hostile, especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. If he did not, there would be no play. So the expression “to face the music” came to mean “having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice.”
Other explanations about the expression go back to the army. When the men faced inspection by their leader, the soldiers would be worried about hw well they looked. Was their equipment clean, whinny enough to pass inspection? Still the men had to go out, and face the music of the band, as well as the inspection. What else could they do?
Another army explanation is more closely related to the idea of facing the results and accepting the responsibility for something that should not have been done. As, for example, when a man is forced out of the army because he did something terrible, he is dishonored. The band does not play. Only the drums tap a sad, slow beat. The soldier is forced to leave, facing such music as it is and facing the back of his horse.
【小题1】According to the passage, how many ways does the phrase “to face the music” come from?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

【小题2】What’s the meaning of “to face the music?”

A．To face something far less pleasant.	B．To face the stage.
C．To face the back of one’s horse.	D．To face one’s leader.

【小题3】The underlined word “hostile” in Paragraph 3 means “      ”.

A．unfriendly

B．dislike

C．unimportant

D．unnecessary