CARDIFF, Wales-Poets, singers and musicians from across the globe gathered in Wales to celebrate the tradition (传统) of storytelling.

“It might seem strange that people still want to listen in the age of watching television，but this is an unusual art form whose time has come again,” said David Ambrose, director of Beyond the Border, and international storytelling festival (节日) in Wales.

“Some of the tales, like those of the Inuit from Canada, are thousands of years old. So our storytellers have come from distant lands to connect us with the distance of time,” he said early this month.

Two Inuit women, both in their mid 60s, are among the few remaining who can do Kntadjait, or throat singing, which had few words and much sound.

Their art is governed by the cold of their surroundings, forcing them to say little but listen attentively.

Ambrose started the festival in 1993, after several years of working with those reviving (bringing back into use or existence) storytelling in Wales.

“It came out of a group of people who wanted to reconnect with traditions. And as all the Welsh are storytellers, it was in good hands here,” Ambrose said.

1. Ambrose believes that the art of storytelling _________.

  A. will be more popular than TV

  B. will be popular again

  C. started in Wales

  D. are in the hands of some old people

2. From the tales told by the Inuit, people can learn _______.

  A. about their life as early as thousands of years ago

  B. why they tell the stories in a throat-singing way

  C. how cold it has been where the Inuit live

  D. how difficult it is to understand the Inuit

3. According to the writer, which of the following is NOT true?

   A. Storytelling once stopped in Wales.

   B. Storytelling has a long history in Wales.

   C. Storytelling is always well received in Wales.

   D. Storytelling did not come back until 1993 in Wales.

4. The underlined phrase in good hands means_______.

   A. controlled by rich people

   B. grasped by good storytellers

   C. taken good care of

   D. protected by kind people

When we say that Cambridge is a university town, we do not mean just that it is a town with a university in it. Manchester and Milan have universities, but we do not call them university towns. A university town is one where there is no clear separation between the university buildings and the rest of the city. The university is not just one part of the town; it is all over the town. The heart of Cambridge has its shops, pubs, market place and so on, but most of it is university-colleges, faculties, libraries, clubs and other places for university staff and students. Students fill the shops, cafes, bands, and churches, making these as well part of the university.

The town was there first. Two Roman roads crossed there, and there are signs of building before Roman times (earlier than A. D. 43). Cambridge became a center of learning, and the authority of the head of the university was recognized by the king in 1226.

With about 8250 undergraduates and over 2000 postgraduates, the city is a busy place in “fill turn”. Undergraduates are not allowed to keep cars in Cambridge, so nearly all of them use bicycles. Don't try to drive through Cambridge during the five minutes between lectures. Your bicycles must go through a boiling sea of other bicycles hurrying in all directions. If you are in Cambridge at five minutes to the hour any morning of full term, you know that you are in a university town.

1. What is called a university town?

   A. A town with a university in it.

   B. A university with a town in it.

   C. One where there is no clear separation between a university and a town.

   D. One where there both a university and a town.

2. How many students does Cambridge have?

   A. Eight thousand, two hundred and fifty.

   B. Two thousand.

   C. Ten thousand.

   D. More than ten thousand.

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage? In Cambridge _______.

    A. the university is all over the town

    B. the town came earlier than the university

    C. during the five minutes between lectures, your bicycle must go through other bicycles hurrying in all directions

D. the teacher have many strange ways of making their lectures lively and interesting

4. What's the title of the passage?

    A. Cambridge-A University Town

    B. Cambridge-A Center of Learning

    C. Cambridge with Many Students

    D. Cambridge with a Long History

A language never stands still. It is always changing and developing. These changes are rapid in primitive societies, but slow in advanced ones, because the invention

and printing and the spread of education have fixed a traditional usage. The only important change that English has undergone since the first of the 16th century is a large increase in its vocabulary. It is interesting to trace the different way in which new words are invented. Let us take just two English words and see how they were made, sandwich and television.

   Sandwich, which is now no longer are entirely English words, but also international, comes from the Earl of Sandwich (died in 1792) who invented the particular form of quick meal so that he could go on gambling all through the night without stopping for dinner. Many names of things are in fact taken from the name of the first inventors, for example, the electrical terms Watt and Volt.

    Television is one of many new scientific words which re invented from old Greek and Latin word. “Tele” is Greek, meaning “far”, while “vision” comes from the Latin verb, meaning “to see”.

1. “Stands” in the first sentence means___________.

   A. be in a certain condition　　　　　　　　  　　   B. not sit

   C. remain without change　　　　　　　　    D. rise to the feet

2. What do you think Volt was? It referred to_________.

   A. a player　　　　  B. a physicist　　　　 C. a writer　　 D. a nurse

3. The invention of sandwich has something to do with__________.

   A. work　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　      B. study

   C. gambling　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. journey

4. English has undergone an important change in its vocabulary for almost _______centuries.

   A. five　　　　    B. four　　　　   C. three　　　　   D. six

5. The language cannot develop rapidly in advanced societies because_______.

   A. the societies have stopped changing

   B. the printing has been invented

   C. the education has spread

   D. both B and C

The most noticeable trend among today's media companies is vertical integration (垂直统一管理) , an attempt(尝试) to control several related aspects(方面) of the media business at once, each part helping the other. Besides publishing magazines and books, Time Warner, for example, owns Home Box Office ( HBO), Warner movie studios (摄影棚), various cable TV systems throughout the USA, and CNN as well. The Japanese company Matsushita Owns MCA. Records and Universal Studios and manufactures broadcast production equipment.

    To describe the financial status ( 财务状态 ) of today’s media is also to talk about acquisitions(获得). The media are buying and selling each other in unprecedented(空前的) numbers and forming media groups to position themselves in the market place to maintain and increase their profits(利润). In 1986, the first time a broadcast network had been sold, two networks were sold that year—ABC and NBC.

    Media acquisitions have skyrocketed(猛增) since 1980 for two reasons. The first is that most big corporations today are publicly traded companies, which means that their stock is traded on one of the nation’s stock exchanges (股票交易). This makes acquisitions relatively easy.

    A media company that wants to buy a publicly owned company can buy that company's stock when the stock becomes available(有用的). The open availabilities of stock in these companies means that anybody with enough money can invest in the American media Indus tries, which is exactly how Rupert Murdoch joined the media business.

The second reason for the increase in media alliances(联合) is that beginning in 1980, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gradually deregulated (解除管制) the broadcast media. Before 1980, for example, the FCC allowed one company to own only five TV stations, five AM radio stations, and five FM radio stations; companies also were required to hold onto a station for three years before the station could be sold. The post-1980 FCC eliminated the three-year rule and raised the number of broadcast holdings allowed for one owner. This trend (倾向；趋势) of media acquisitions is continuing throughout the 1990s,as changing technology expands the market for media products.

1. Which of the following is true of the media?

A. They used to sell and buy each other in great numbers.

B. They are trading each other in greater numbers today.

C. They used to be controlled by two networks—ABC and NBC.

D. They have stopped the trend of acquisitions in the 1990s.

2. According to the passage, what makes acquisitions easier?

A. The changing technology employed by the media.

B. The media's increasing profits in the marketplace.

C. The ever tougher regulations of the FCC on the media since 1980.

D. The availabilities of the media's stocks on stock exchanges.

3. What is the FCC’s new policy regarding media alliances?

B. It doesn't allow companies to sell their stocks publicly

C. It permits one company to own more media businesses at the same time.

D. It has eliminated all post 1980 companies.

4. The issue of media ownership is important because ____.

A. it affects the amount of money the stockholders will make

B. it decides whether we can have different aspects of the media

C. it concerns the channels through which to express opinions

D. it means that more and more people will hold onto only a few stations.

Washington—Nearly 40 million children in developing countries stand to lose one of both parents to AIDS over the next 13 years, and almost 3 million children under 15 have caught the disease worldwide, US experts said.

　　 "More than 40 million children in 23 developing nations will be likely to have lost one or both of their parents by 2010. Most of these deaths will be the result of the HIV/AIDS and complicated(复杂的)illness," Brian Atwood, a US official said. Meanwhile, since the first reported death of a child by AIDS in Los Angeles 15 years ago, almost 3 million children under 15 are said to have caught the disease worldwide, and at least 1 000 are dying each day.

   "In countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, HIV/AIDS is pulling years of progress in economic and social development," he added.

   "Life expectancy(期待；期望) which has been steadily on the rise for the last thirty—will drop to 40 years or less in nine African countries by 2020. "

    Atwood said serious work to help stop children from dying in developing countries was being wiped out.

   "In all 23 countries included in this study, AIDS-related death will take away the gains made in child survival over the past 20 years. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, children's death rates will likely double. "

1. According to the news, the writer worries most about_______.

  A. grown-ups　　   B. children　　　　 C. Americans　　    D. old people

2. AIDS is developing fast in_________.

 A. Europe　　　　   B. North America    C. poor countries　　 D. rich countries

3. The first child who died of AIDS lived in_________.

  A. England　　　　 B. Russia　　　　   C. Japan　　　　    D. America

4. AIDS is not only causing millions of deaths to human beings, but also_________.

  A. speeding the development of society　　   B. slowing down the development of society

  C. polluting the air　　　　　　　　　　    D. breaking the balance of nature

5. The underlined words "wiped out" means_________.

  A. cleared out　　   B. rubbed away　　  C. dried up　　　　  D. destroyed

Shanghai: Car rentals (租贷) are becoming more and more popular as an inexpensive way of taking to the roads. Business people, foreigners and families alike are making good use of the growing industry.

The first car rental firm opened in Shanghai in 1992 and now 12 car rental players are in the game, with more than 11 500 cars in their books.

    The largest player—Shanghai Bashi Tourism Car Rental Center Offers a wide variety of choices deluxe sedans, minivans, stations wagons, coaches. Santana sedans are the big favorite.

    Firms can attract enough customers for 70 percent of their cars every month. This figure shoots up during holiday seasons like National Day, Labor Day and New Year's Day, with some recording 100 percent rental.

    The major market force rests in the growing population of white-collar employees, who can afford the new service, said Zhuang Yingwu, marketing manager of Shanghai Angel Car Rental Co.

1. The words "deluxe sedans minivans" and "stations wagons" used in the text refer to_______.

  A. cars in the making　　　　　　　　　　   B. car rental firms

  C. cars for rent　　　　　　　　　　　　    D. car makers

2. Which of the following statements is true according to the text?

  A. 70%of the cars can be rented out on holiday.

  B. 70%of the customers are white-collar employees.

  C. More firms are open for service during holiday seasons.

  D. Some firms rent out all their cars during holiday seasons.

3. Shanghai's car rental industry is growing so fast mainly due to________.

  A. better cars supplied by producers

  B. fast service offered by car rental firms

  C. the increasing number of white collar employees

  D. people's growing interest in traveling during holidays

The old Volkswagen Beetle “The Bug” is making a comeback. People who own them are planning to keep them forever. People who don’t own them are paying high prices when they can find one for sale. It's more remarkable (值得一提的) when you realize that VW doesn't even make them anymore!

    A spokesman for Volkswagen of America says there were about five million “Bugs” on American roads in 1997. That was the last year they were shipped to America. VW calculates that about four million of them are still running... and running... and running.

    Used car businessmen say they can't keep “Bugs” on their lots these days. They feel it's because these cars enjoy a fame of reliable (可靠的), inexpensive transportation. The cars average about 30 miles per gallon of gas.

    But all hasn't been smooth going for the “Bugs”. The heating system is poor. And since it travels very close to the ground, large cars tend to splash (飞溅) it with winter's snow and mud. Some in the safety field consider the Beetle as defenseless against heavier cars. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has nothing that shows any problem with them at all.

1. The reason why people like to have a “Bug” is that ________.

    A. it is defensive and travels very close to the ground

    B. it travels smoothly and safely

    C. it is cheap and saves a lot of gas

    D. it is reliable and inexpensive in transportation

2. What is the problem with a “Bug”?

    A. It is not as strong as the other cars. B. It does not go smoothly.

    C. It has a poor heating system.　　　　   D. It travels too fast.

3. In the last sentence, the word“them”refers to ________.

    A.“Bugs”

    B. heavier cars

    C. some people in the safety field

    D. People from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

4. The Americans ________.

    A. used to have interest in“Bugs”　　 B. start to feel interested in“Bugs”

    C. have never lost interest in“Bugs” 　　   D. have become interested in“Bugs”again

Medicine comes in many forms. In its liquid form, medicine affects the body very quickly. But the effects of liquid medicine aren’t usually long-lasting. That is why pills and capsules are also used.

The pills and capsules being sold today are not perfect, either. Pills dissolve in the stomach. The medicine in the pills is released when the pills dissolve. But often, the pills dissolve too quickly.

Scientists have been trying to develop a pill that can release medicine slowly over a long period of time. They have applied their knowledge of plants to produce the “osmotic(渗透的) pump pills”。

The cell wall of plants are made of cellulose (纤维素). There are millions of tiny holes in the cellulose wall of plants. These holes are big enough to allow water through the cell walls. As water enters a cell, pressure builds up in the cell. The pressure pumps other substances out of the cell. These substances leave the cell through the cellulose wall. This slow, steady process is called osmosis.

The osmotic pump pill is coated with synthetic cellulose. Liquid medicine is contained in the pill. The holes in the cellulose coating of the pill are big enough to allow water in the pill. As water from the body enters the pill, pressure builds up in the pill. The medicine is slowly pumps out of the pill.

1.The passage implies that the osmotic pump pill is better than other pills and capsules because _____.

A.　　  it releases medicine slowly over a long period of time

B.　　  the coating doesn’t dissolve in the stomach

C.　　  the medicine in the pill can affect the body quickly

D.　　 it helps to build pressure in the body

2. The way that the osmosis pump pill works is based on a process called ______.

A.　　   cellulose

B.　　   osmosis

C.　　   pressure

D.　　  synthesis

3.The passage implies that medicine in an osmotic pump pill will leave the pill when _____.

A. the pill is swallowed

B. the cellulose coating is dissolved

C. enough pressure builds up in the pill

D. the medicine is dissolved with water in the body

4. The passage implies that cellulose is a porous substance because it contains ______.

A. millions of tiny holes

B. substance that dissolves it

C. a substance that creates pressure

D. liquid medicine

If you do not use your arms or legs for some time, they become weak; when you start using them again, they slowly become strong again. Everybody knows this, and nobody would think of questioning this fact. Yet there are many people who do not seem to know that one’s memory works in the same way. When someone says that he has a good memory, he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by exercising it regularly, either consciously or unconsciously. When someone else says that his memory is poor, he really means that he does not give it enough opportunity to become strong. The position is exactly the same as that of two people, one of whom exercises his arms and legs by playing tennis, while the other sits in a chair or a motor all day.

If a friend complains that his arms are weak, we know that it is his own fault. If he tells us that he has a poor memory, many of us think his parents are to blame, or that he is just unlucky, and few of us realize that it is just as much his own fault as if it was his arms or legs that were weak. Not all of us can become extremely strong or extremely clever; but all of us can, if we have ordinary bodies and brains, improve our strength and our memory by the same means----practice.

Have you ever noticed that people who cannot read or write usually have better memories than those who can? Why is this? Of course, because those who cannot read or write have to remember things; they cannot write them down in a little book. They have to remember dates, times and places, names, songs and stories; so their memory is the whole time being exercised.

So if you want a good memory, learn from the poor; practice remembering.

1. How does a person do to keep a good memory?

   A. By exercising his arms or legs regularly.

   B. By giving his memory opportunity to become strong.

   C. By exercising his memory regularly.

   D. By sitting in a chair or a motor all day.

2. According to the author, who usually have a better memory?

   A. Those who are talented in memorizing things.

   B. Those who cannot read or write.

   C. Those who have ordinary bodies.

   D. Those who always exercise his arms and legs.

3. What should you do if you want a good memory?

   A. To go in for as many sports as possible.

   B. To practice remembering.

   C. To write down the things you should remember in a notebook.

   D. To learn from those who cannot read or write.

4. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

   A. He who says he has a good memory always exercises it consciously.

   B. He who says he has a good memory always exercises it unconsciously.

   C. Many people think that the parents of those who have a poor memory are to blame.

   D. All of those who can not read and write have better memories than those who can.

In ancient time the most important examinations were spoken, not written. In the schools of ancient Greece and Rome, testing usually consisted of saying poetry aloud or giving speeches.

In the European universities of the Middle Ages, students who were working for advanced degrees had to discuss questions in their field of study with people who had made a special study of the subject. This custom exists today as part of the process of testing candidates for the doctor’s degree.

Generally, however, modern examinations are written. The written examination, where all students are tested on the same questions, was probably not known until the nineteenth century. Perhaps it came into existence with the great increase in population and the development of modern industry. A room full of candidates for a state examination, timed exactly by an electric clock and carefully watched over by managers, resembles a group of workers at an automobile factory. Certainly, during examinations, teachers and students are expected to act like machines.

One type of test is sometimes called “objective” test. It is intended to deal with facts, not personal opinions. To make up an objective test, the teacher writes a series of questions, each of which has only one correct answer. Along with each question the teacher write the correct answer and also three statements that look like answers to students who have not learned the material properly.

1. Which of the following statements is true about the students in the Middle Ages?

   A. They took objective test.

   B. They specialized in one subject.

   C. They were timed by electrical clock.

   D. They usually took spoken tests.

2. The main idea of paragraph 3 is that________.

   A. workers now take examinations

   B. the population had grown rapidly

   C. there are only written exams today

   D. examinations are now written and timed

3. Modern industry must have developed ________.

   A. before the Middle Ages

   B. around the 19^th century

   C. in Greece or Rome

   D. machines to take tests

4. It may be concluded from the passage that testing________.

   A. should test only opinions

   B. should always be written

   C. has changed since the Middle Ages

   D. is given only in factories