Everyone has got two personalities—the one that is shown to the world and the other that is secret and real. You don’t show your secret personality when you’re awake because you can control your behavior，but when you’re asleep， your sleeping position shows the real you. In a normal night，of course，people frequently change their positions. The important position is that you go to sleep in.

If you go to sleep on your back，you’re a very open person. You normally trust people and you are easily influenced by fashion or new ideas. You don’t like to displease people，so you never express your real feelings. You’re quite shy and you aren’t sure of yourself.

If you sleep on your stomach，you are a rather secretive person. You worry a lot and you’re always easily upset. You always stick to your own opinions or judgment, but you don’t raise your hopes too much. You usually live for today not tomorrow. This means that you enjoy having a good time.

If you sleep curled up you are probably a very nervous person. You have a low opinion of yourself and so you’re often defensive. You’re shy and you don’t normally like meeting people. You prefer to be on your own. You’re easily hurt.

If you sleep on your side，you have usually got a well-balanced personality. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You’re usually careful. You believe in yourself. You sometimes feel anxious, but you don’t often get sad. You always say what you think even if it makes people rather angry.

1. According to the passage, a person, who is not willing to change his mind and hard to deal with, probably sleeps ______.

A. on his side　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B. on his back

C. curled up　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　    D. on his stomach

2. If a person prefers to sleep curled up rather than on his back, he may be well content to ______.

A. do things personally

B. stay alone

C. keep things secret

D. trust others easily

3. Which of the following people, in the author’s opinion, most likely have personalities opposite to each other?

A. The people sleeping on their stomachs and those sleeping on their backs.

B. The people sleeping on their backs and those sleeping curled up.

C. The people sleeping on their backs and those sleeping on their sides.

D. The people sleeping curled up and those sleeping on their stomachs.

4. What the author mainly intends to tell us is that ______.

A. one’s sleeping position has something to do with one’s character

B. everyone has got both real and secret personalities

C. the position in which one goes to sleep is most important one

D. when awake, one does not show one’s secret personality

There is a popular belief among parents that schools are no longer interested in spelling. No school I have taught in has ever ignored spelling or considered it unimportant as a basic skill. There are, however, vastly different ideas about how to teach it, or how much priority（优先）it must be given over general language development and writing ability. The problem is, how to encourage a child to express himself freely and confidently in writing without holding him back with the complexities of spelling?

If spelling becomes the only focal point of his teacher’s interest, clearly a bright child will be likely to “play safe”. He will tend to write only words within his spelling range, choosing to avoid adventurous language. That’s why teachers often encourage the early use of dictionaries and pay attention to content rather than technical ability.

I was once shocked to read on the bottom of a sensitive piece of writing about a personal experience: “This work is terrible! There are far too many spelling errors and your writing is illegible. ”It may have been a sharp criticism of the pupil’s technical abilities in writing, but it was also a sad reflection on the teacher who had omitted to read the essay, which contained some beautiful expressions of the child’s deep feelings. The teacher was not wrong to draw attention to the errors, but if his priorities had centered on the child’s ideas, an expression of his disappointment with the presentation would have given the pupil more motivation（动力）to seek improvement.

1. Teachers are different in their opinions about______.

A. the difficulties in teaching spelling

B. the role of spelling in general language development

C. the complexities of the basic writing skills

D. the necessity of teaching spelling

2. The expression “play safe” probably means______.

A. to write carefully

B. to do as teachers say

C. to use dictionaries frequently

D. to avoid using words one is not sure of

3. Teachers encourage the use of dictionaries so that______.

A. students will be able to express their ideas more freely

B. teachers will have less trouble in correcting mistakes

C. students will have more confidence in writing

D. students will learn to be independent of teachers

4. The writer seems to think that the teacher’s judgment on that sensitive piece of writing is______.

A. reasonable

B. unfair

C. foolish

D. careless

5. The major point discussed in the passage is______.

A. the importance of developing writing skills

B. the complexities of spelling

C. the correct way of marking composition

D. the relationship between spelling and the content of a composition

I’m not a computer expert. I have been in the field for only a short time. I never learned much in the way of science or math. And I’m quite puzzled by things like engineering or electronics.

Then why am I able to write about computers?  I can write on this subject because of these shortcomings. The last two years of learning has been an ordeal for me. By hard work I have managed to learn enough to use computers fairly well, and to work with people who know a great deal more than I. Since I have learned all this at such personal cost, I would like to share my knowledge with others. More and more people want to know about computers, and want to know quickly.

The best way to learn is to take a course. However, many people do not have the time for this. They will have to find some other ways to get some basic information. I hope to be able to help them by writing about some of the things I have learned by myself.

I have a home computer on which I’ve learned in my own time. I have used it like a home study course. I have sat down with it day after day, night after night. I have forced it to give up some of its secrets. Now I can use it to do some of the work that I get paid for. And I can do this work in my own home, instead of in an office. Many people may soon be working on a computer at home, just as many now take in other people’s typing.

Some things about computers are easier than you may fear. First, computers are logical. Things that at first seem difficult will make sense to you after you learn the rules. Second, it is really not hard to learn enough to use today’s machines. You do not need to have a great brain. But you do have to learn to think in new ways. And you do have to keep a good bit of information in your head. Finally, there are many people around who are really enthusiastic about computers. These people are always happy to be of help.

1. The purpose of writing this article is to ______.

A. help those who want to learn computers

B. tell us that it’s difficult to learn computers

C. let us know how hardworking the writer was

D. show us how to make money at home through computers

2. The underlined word “ordeal” probably means ______.

A. an interesting experience

B. something easy

C. something difficult

D. a tiring job

3. According to the passage, a home computer can be best described as ______.

A. puzzling　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. frightening

C. friendly　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   D. logical

4. We can learn from the passage that the writer ______.

A. often helps his co-workers

B. knows a lot about computers

C. wants to give a computer course to others

D. likes writing very much

5. According to the writer, a computer can be used at home to ______.

A. take typing for fun

B. help you change your job

C. help you make money in some way

D. take a college course

By the middle of the 21st century we will have built space stations which will be circling the earth and probably be circling the moon, too. We will have set up bases on planets like Mars(火星). At present, we use radar to “watch” nearly 8 000 objects in space. In addition, there are at least 30 000 bits of rubbish from the size of marbles to the size of basketballs flying round the earth. These will be increasing in number by the year 2050 and will be orbiting the earth. All these bits and pieces are watched by NORAD (North American Radar Defence Command).

NORAD will have more and more rubbish to watch as the years go by. Some bits fall back to earth, like the Russian satellite C954, which crashed in the Northern Territories of Canada in 1978. Crashing junk could give us a bad headache. Most of the stuff(工作人员) will stay up there (we hope）！The sad fact is that we who are alive today will not be clearing our own junk tomorrow. Perhaps we will just be watching from some other safe place as it goes round and round the earth!

1. Setting up space stations is ______.

A. something in a story

B. already made

C. just an idea

D. to be made very soon

2. Why are there so many bits circling the earth? Because ______.

A. there are many space stations

B. these bits are watched by NORAD

C. these bits are from marbles or basketballs

D. these bits are from some satellites or other objects in space

3. The junk will ______.

A. become more and more

B. be cleared up

C. make people have a bad headache

D. be circling Mars

4. NORAD is ______ as the years go by.

A. busier and busier

B. staying up there

C. becoming more and more

D. moving to another safe place

5. The saddest thing mentioned in the passage is that ______.

A. Radar and NORAD have to watch 38 000 objects in all

B. by the year 2050 there will so many objects orbiting the earth

C. some bits will fall back to the earth

D. we can send up objects but we can’t clear them up

One of the best-known American writers of children’s books is Alfred Strong, or Doctor Strong. Now an art show called “Doctor From then to Now” is traveling around the United States. The pictures and drawings show the history of Doctor Strong.

Doctor Strong first became famous almost fifty years ago when his first children’s books were published. Since then, he has written forty-five books that have sold more than one hundred million copies around the world.

Doctor Strong’s books are known for their easy use of words and colorful, hand-drawn pictures, which bring life to his animals. The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and hundreds of others.

Most of Doctor Strong’s books, although written in a funny way, have serious messages. For example, in MecElligot’s Pool, he describes the dangers of pollution(污染). He discusses the arms race(军备竞赛)in The Butter Battle Book, written in 1984.

Doctor Strong is almost 84 years old now. He says he never planned to write stories just for children. He says he writes stories that interest people of all ages. He says he uses easy words for everyone, even a child, to understand his books.

1. Doctor Strong became famous in______.

A. his eighties when his art show was traveling around the world

B. his fifties when his drawings and writings were published

C. his thirties when his children’s books were first sold in America

D. 1984 when his book MecElligot’s Pool was published

2. Doctor Strong’s books are very popular in America because______.

A. they are stories about animals

B. they are written in easy words with colorful pictures

C. he organized the art show in California

D. they are written in a funny way

3. Doctor Strong writes such books in order______.

A. to show his pictures

B. to organize a special art show of his own

C. to interest his young readers only

D. not only to interest people but also to expose(揭露)some serious social problems

Guilin(Xinhua)—A Boeing 737 jet plane crashed the day before yesterday near Guilin in South China, killing all 133 passengers and eight crew members.

Among the passengers killed in the crash were one Canadian, two Spaniards, nine from Macao. Their names are not yet known.

Officials say that the plane was flying from Guangzhou to Guilin when it crashed. Witnesses said that at 7: 45 a. m. they saw the jet belch smoke before it hit the mountain and exploded into pieces. Searching operations immediately began after the plane crashed.

CHINA DAILY Thursday, Sept. 26, 1996

1. There were______people in the jet plane, including______foreigners.

A. 133; 13　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B. 141; 3

C. 141; 4　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. 154; 3

2. Searching operations began______.

A. on Tuesday morning

B. on the morning of Nov. 25

C. on the afternoon of Sept. 24

D. on the evening of that day

3. The word “witness” in the third paragraph probably means a person______.

A. who has been in danger

B. who has done something serious himself

C. who has watched the news on TV

D. who has seen something happening himself

4. The best title of the news is______.

A. Some Foreign Visitors were killed in Boeing 737 jet Crash

B. 141 Died in Boeing 737 jet Crash near Guilin

C. Searching Operations Have Begun

D. Warning No Plane is Safe Enough

5. Which of the following is not true?

A. The Boeing 737 jet plane crashed in Guangdong province.

B. In the jet plane, 138 Chinese were killed.

C. The crash took place in Guangxi province on Sept. 24.

D. After the plane belched smoke, it hit the mountain.

The first tape recorder didn’t use tape. It used long thin wire. It was invented in 1900 by Valdermar Poulsen. In 1930, German scientists invented the tape we use today. Back then the tape was on big rolls. In 1964 the Philips company in Holland invented the cassette. It’s pretty much a holder for the tape. People use cassettes all over the world. If you don’t have a cassette recorder, borrow one.

Think of a book your parents read out loud to you. That might be great book to read out loud to your mom or dad in their car. Put a cassette in the recorder, open the book, hit the record button and start reading out loud.

Remember there is no such a thing as a wrong way to do this. You might think you’ve made a mistake, and this gift is part of you, and nothing about that can be a mistake. It’s impossible.

You get to be all artistic and creative here. You might want to play music in the background. Do whatever you want. The gift is you, so you decide. Remember to say “I love you” at the end of your reading. That’s like the prize at the end of the book.

1. Choose the right order that shows the development of the tape recorder.

a. Using big rolls.

b. Using cassettes.

c. Using thin wire.

A. a b c　　   　　　　　　　　   B. b c a　　　　　　　　 　　   C. c a b　　   D. c b a

2. Why does the author mention the history of tape recorders in Paragraph 1?

A. To inform readers of new inventions.

B. To lead into his following suggestion.

C. To give an example of his suggestion.

D. To show the importance of tape recorders.

3. What does the author advise us to do?

A. To read a book to our parents in their car.

B. To ask our parents to record a book.

C. To make a gift for our parents.

D. To practise reading out loud.

4. Why does the author say it is impossible to make a mistake in Paragraph 3?

A. Because the tape shows your true love.

B. Because it’s easy to use a tape recorder.

C. Because the music is what your parents like.

D. Because it’s impossible to find a mistake in the book.

Written records indicate that in 1153 B.C., workers in the city of Thebes, Egypt protested receiving the same food every day, as well as their overall working conditions. This was the first recorded disagreement between labor and management. About 800 years later, the first strike happened. Aristos, originally from Greece, led the strike in Rome against his master in protest of meal breaks, which were too short. The tradition of organizing workers to protest unfair conditions has continued to the present. Today, labor unions stand up for the rights of workers using collective bargaining techniques. These unions, which exist all around the world, take two basic forms -- voluntary unions, bureaucratic(官僚政治的) unions.

　　  Voluntary, or free unions, leave the choice of membership up to individuals. Not everyone must join the union, but enough people do join so that the union keeps power in the workplace. The purpose of this type of union is to establish a good living standard for employees and also to protect this standard during times of economic difficulty. Countries where this type of union is popular include most of Western Europe, Britain, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

　　  Membership in bureaucratic unions is also voluntary, but because these unions are closely connected to political parties in the countries where these unions operate, members of the party include themselves as members of the union. This type of union's main purpose is to set up good relations between the ruling government and members of the union. Political and social reforms おare the main goals of this type of union. Bureaucratic unions are found in Latin America, and some Asian and African countries.

　　  When unions and employers do not see eye to eye on an issue, the union sends some of its workers to meet with the employers and try to reach an agreement. However, collective bargaining does not always sufficiently influence policy makers. When this technique fails to meet the union goals, a strike may be called. Strikes may take several different forms including pickets, sit-down strikes, and also general strikes in which labor for an entire region may stop. Unions have found that strikes are the most effective in times when unemployment is low and economic conditions are good.

In the summer of 1936, people all over the world heard the name of Jesse Owens. That summer, Jesse joined the best athletes from 50 nations to compete in the Olympic Games. They met in the city of Berlin, Germany.

　　 There was special interest in the Olympic Games that year.

　　 Adolph Hitler was ruler of Germany. Hitler and his Nazi Party believed that white people --- especially German people --- were the best race of people on earth. They believed that other races of people --- especially those with dark skin- were almost less than human. In the summer of 1936, Hitler wanted to prove his beliefs to the world. He wanted to show that German athletes could win every important competition.

　　 Jesse Owens was black, too. Until 1936, very few black athletes had competed in the Olympic Games for the United States. Jesse was proud to be on the team. He was very sure of his ability.

　　 Jesse spent one week competing in four different Olympic track and field events in Berlin. During that time, he did not think much about the color of his skin, or about Adolph Hitler. At last, Jesse Owens won the highest award --- the gold medal-in all four of the Olympic competitions he entered. In the hundred-meter run, he equaled the fastest time ever run in that Olympic event. In the long jump and the 200-meter run, he set new Olympic records. And as part of a four-man team, he helped set a new world record for the 400-meter relay race.

1. Row many nations took part in the Olympic Games in 1936?

  A 50    B 55    C 60    D 65

2. What can be inferred from the passage?

  A Hitler thought of Jesse Owens as a hero.

  B Hitler believed that black people were worse than white people.

  C Jesse Owens was black.

  D Jesse Owens was not confident in himself when he took part in the Olympic Games.

3. In which city was the Olympic Games held in 1936?

  A In New York.    B In London.    C In Germany.　　    D In Berlin.

4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

  A Hitler's belief that German people were better than any other race of people in the world.

  B Black young man--Jesse Owens--became famous by winning four gold medals in the

Olympic Games in 1936.

  C Jesse succeeded in the Olympic Games because of his hard training.

D Hitler hated black people, especially Jesse Owens.

The Rainmaker

Can a person make it rain? Many people believed that Charles Hatfiled could. In the early 1900s, Mr. Hatfield traveled through the United States, Canada, and Mexico bringing rain to farms and cities that suffered from drought. For 30 years, people considered him the greatest rainmaker in North America. In order to make it rain, he used a secret mixture of chemicals that can おbe placed high on wooden towers in special trays. As the chemicals evaporated, they attracted rain clouds to the area. Over his career, Mr. Hatfield even offered to help clear the fog from London and to water the Sahara Desert.

　　 One of Mr. Hatfiled's most amazing rainmaking accomplishments happened in southern California in 1916. Because he knew that the city of San Diego did not have enough water, Mr. Hatfield offered to give the city a hand with its water problem. He planned to create enough rain to fill the lake behind Morena Dam near the city. Since the time the dam was built, the lake had never been more than half full, but the lake could hold 57 billion liters (15 billion gallons) of water if it were full. Filling the lake would help the city of San Diego with its constant water problems. Mr. Hatfield suggested that if he succeeded in filling the lake with rain water, the city would pay him $10,000. If no rain fell, the city would pay nothing. The city agreed because they had nothing to lose from the business deal, and only paying $10,000 for that much water seemed to be a steal.

On January 1, 1916, Mr. Hatfield began his rainmaking procedure. It began to rain four days later. The rain continued for the next five days. On January 10, it began to rain more heavily, and the rain continued for the next 10 days! The city of San Diego was flooded. Fifty people died. More than 200 bridges were washed away, and many miles of train tracks were destroyed. However, Mr. Hatfield did succeed in filling the lake. The water was within 12 centimeters of the top of the dam. Mr. Hatfield thought that he had completed his job, so he went to collect his money from the city. However, the city of San Diego backed out of the deal. They said that the rain was an "act of God" and not the work of the rainmaker. Mr. Hatfield tried to sue the city, but he never collected any money for his work.

Please answer the questions below.