阅读理解

　　When I was 17 years old I had surgery because of a disease．The day after the surgery, I awoke to find a friend of mine sitting in a chair across from my bed．I don't remember much about his visit．But I will not forget that he visited me on that day, and sat there for I don't know how long, while I was under the influence of a morphine drip(输液)．We benefit greatly from our close friendships, but they are not a matter of calculable gain or loss．

　　Our age, what we might call the age of economics, is strongly influenced by two types of relationships that reflect the lives we are encouraged to lead．There are consumer relationships, those that we participate in for the pleasure they bring us．They are focused on the present．It is what brings immediate pleasure that matters．And there are entrepreneurial(商业的)relationships, those that we invest in, hoping they will bring us some return．

　　Aristotle thought that there were three types of friendship：those of pleasure, those of usefulness, and true friendship．In pleasure friendships, he said, “It is not for their character that men love ready-witted people, but because they find them pleasant．” About the usefulness friendships, he said, “Those who love each other for their utility(效用)do not love each other for themselves, but because of some good which they get from each other．”

　　Although we benefit from our close friendships, these friendships are not a matter of calculable gain and loss．Consumer pleasures are lasting for only a limited time．They surround us for a short period and then they fade, like a drug．Entrepreneur friendship, when successful, leads to the victory of personal gain．

　　It is precisely this non-economic character that is threatened in a society in which each of us is offered only the choices of ownership, shopping, competition and growth．It is threatened when we are led to believe that friendships without obvious recognizable gain are, in the economic sense, irrational(不合理的)．Friendships are not without reason, perhaps, but they are certainly without that particular reason．Shared experience, not just everyday amusement or advancement, is the true basis of friendship．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

阅读理解

　　What is the nature of the scientific attitude, the attitude of the man or woman who studies and applies physics, biology, chemistry, geology, engineering, medicine or any other science?

　　We all know that science plays an important role in our societies．However, many people believe that our progress depends on two different aspects of science．The first aspect is the application of the machines, products and systems of knowledge that scientists and technologists develop．The second is the application of the special methods of thought and action　that scientists use in their work．

　　What are these special methods of thinking and acting? First of all, it seems that a successful scientist is curious-he wants to find out how and why the universe works．He usually pays attention to problems which he notices have no satisfying explanation, and　looks for relationships even if the data available seem to be unconnected．Moreover,　he thinks he can improve the existing conditions and enjoys trying to solve the problems which this involves．

　　He is a good observer, accurate, patient and objective and uses the facts he observes to the fullest．For example, trained observers obtain a very large amount of information about a star mainly from the accurate analysis of the simple lines that appear in a spectrum(光谱)．

　　He does not accept statements which are not based on the most complete evidence available．He rejects authority as the only basis for truth．Scientists always check statements and make experiments carefully and objectively．

　　Furthermore,　he does not readily accept his own idea, since he knows that man is the least reliable of scientific instruments and that a number of factors tend to disturb objective investigation．

　　Lastly,　he is full of imagination　since he often has to look for relationships in data which are not only complex but also frequently incomplete．Furthermore,　he needs imagination　if he wants to guess how processes work and how events take place．

　　These seem to be some of the ways in which a successful scientist or technologist thinks and acts．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

阅读理解

　　The iPad is an Apple tablet computer．The device sits somewhere between a laptop and a smart phone, according to Apple's chief executive, Steven P．Jobs, and does certain things better than both of them, like surfing the Web, reading e-books and playing videos．The iPad went on sale on April 3, 2010, and Apple said it had shipped 500,000 units in the first week．The handheld device puts Apple on a direct collision course with the Kindle from Amazon, which Mr．Jobs ever considered as pioneering the category．

　　It is common knowledge that media companies hope the iPad will finally lead to available way for them to charge for news, books and other materials．The half-inch thick, 1．5-pound device features a 9．7-inch multi-touch screen and is powered by a customized(订制的)Apple microchip, which is called A4．It has been designed with an exposed screen and without a camera or separate keyboard．The iPad has the same operating system as the iPhone and also has access to its 140,000 applications．

　　The price of the device starts at ＄499 for the most basic model, with a Wi-Fi wireless connection．More expensive models with more memory and with 3G wireless access will cost ＄629 to ＄829, depending on storage size．

　　Because Apple is attempting to popularize a new kind of computing device, acceptance among consumers is expected to be slower than with previous Apple devices．Critics assume that some buyers are waiting for future versions of the iPad to appear, perhaps with a camera or USB ports(端口)．

　　On its first day on sale, iPad users downloaded more than one million applications from the company's AppStore and more than 250,000 electronic books from its iBookstore．A new wave of apps is expected in response to the iPad．For an application developer, having an application accepted for a highly desired Apple product means reaching a passionate group of consumers．The potential income is huge：the apps market for the iPhone and iPod Touch alone is already worth a billion dollars a year in sales．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

阅读理解

　　When Siva Kalyan was born, his backbone was deformed(畸形的)resulting in a lifelong difficulty in walking．But that hasn't stopped the nine-year-old from becoming a prodigy(天才)．

　　Until he was three-and-a-half years old, Siva could not even crawl．Wanting the best treatment for their son, Siva's parents moved with him from India to Australia and later to the USA．

　　In the USA, his parents enrolled(使入学)him in the second grade based on his age．But his teachers soon realized they had a genius．Siva was then tested for the eighth grade, but it was soon found out that he was actually qualified for college courses．As one advanced course was not enough, the brilliant boy is now taking two courses from Stanford University．Due to the treatment he received, Siva's physical condition has improved as well．

　　But none of this “just happened”．It was his parents' understanding and correct guidance, and the loving care of his grandparents that contributed to the growth of the genius．Siva's highly educated and hardworking family has brought him up on the basis of certain principles．

　　The family believes that once a strong foundation is built for the child in English and mathematics, the child is equipped to master any other subject, law, history, or engineering．It is equally important to recognize the strengths of a child rather than forcing the child to do things that he may not want to do．

　　Siva's parents helped．Siva focus his energies on his strength, which is mathematics．At the same time they took care to see that he had friends to play with and enjoyed a few recreational activities．The only activity that's restricted for Siva is viewing television．Siva watches TV only for 30 minutes a day and video games are a bonus for special occasions．

　　Thanks to his mother who is a singer, Siva has also learned music and even won the first and second prize at two competitions．In sports, he likes to swim．He began to learn swimming to strengthen his muscles, and by the age of eight he was able to swim a kilometer in both the backstroke and the freestyle．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　Reading to dogs is an unusual way to help children improve their literacy skills．With their shining brown eyes, wagging tails, and unconditional love, dogs can provide the nonjudgmental listeners needed for a beginning reader to gain confidence, according to Intermountain Therapy Animals(ITA)in Salt Lake City．The group says it is the first program in the country to use dogs to help develop literacy in children, with the introduction of Reading Edueation Assistance Dogs(READ)．

　　The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea．“Literacy specialists admit that children who read below the level of their fellow pupils are often afraid of reading aloud in a group, often have lower self-respect, and regard reading as a headache, ” said Lisa Myron, manager of the children's department．

　　Last November, the two groups started “Dog Day Afternoon” in the children's department of the main library．About 25 children attended each of the four Saturday-afternoon classes, reading for half an hour．Those who attended three of the four classes received a “pawgraphed” book at the last class．

　　The program was so successful that the library plans to repeat it in April, according to Dana Thumpowsky, public relations manager．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　Doomed beauties such as Cleopatra and Marilvn Monroe were far from alone in their misery．Very attractive people tend to form partnerships that are less stable and satisfying than those enjoyed by plain Janes．

　　According to research by Dr John Blaine of the University of Southem Califormia, relationships between people whose professions largely depend on their appearances, such as models or actors, tend to end much faster than those between lawyers, doctors or students．

　　Blaine said the beautiful felt different from childhood．They are treated as special, which may create both arrogance(傲慢)and insecurity．All too often, beauty can be used as an alternative to education．Often they are pushed out of their class or town, told to go off and make their fortune in Hollywood or London and, when the majority fail, they have few talents to make a living．

　　Blaine added that beautiful people score poorly on the “big five”-the key factors American experts consider when helping distressed couples．These are neuroticism(神经过敏), including anger and anxiety; extroversion(性格外向); openness to new experiences; agreeableness; and conscientiousness, or sticking by agreements they have made．Attractive people often see no reason to try to change until their looks start to fade．

　　Krista Sutherland, of the University of California Los Angeles, said partnerships that appeared to be perfect from the outside, such as the former “dream teams” of Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise or Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley, where backgrounds and aspirations(抱负)are often shared, did not necessarily lead to happiness．

(1)

(2)

(3)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　Britain's most popular lie has been disclosed, with one in four people admitting using “Sorry I had no signal" when returning a missed mobile phone call, a survey found．

　　Researchers found the average Briton tells on average four lies every day or almost 1500 every year．Almost one in six men admitted they were most likely to lie to their wife or girlfriend, on average at least twice a day．The most popular lie was saying you had no mobile phone signal, with one in four people admitting regularly using the little white lie．It usually came after they hit the “ignore" button when their mobile rang．

　　Three quarters of people think women are better liars．The research found 46 per cent of girls have been caught lying, compared to 58 of men．

　　The second most common fib(无关紧要的谎言)is “I haven't got any cash on me” when asked for money by tramps(流浪者), beggars and Big Issue sellers．“Nothing's wrong – I'm fine” came third followed by “You look lovely” and “Nice to see you”．

　　Modern technology turned out to have contributed to many lies with “I didn't get your text” in 18th, “Our server was down” in 20th and “My battery died” in 26th place．

　　Other lies to make the top ten included “I'll give you a ring”, “We're just good friends” and “We'll have to meet up soon”．“I'm on my way” and “No, your bum doesn't look big in that” completed the top ten．

　　Men tell the most fibs, coming out with five every day compared to women who lie just three times．

　　In many cases perhaps it is better to flatter with a fib than destroy someone with the truth, according to a spokesman for OnePoll, which carried out the research of 4, 300 adults．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

Here are some advertisements taken from a newspaper．

(1)

Dear Drew Carter,

　　Your first year on this earth has been a pleasure ride for all of us．We love you!

Dad and Mom

and many friends

(2)

Lawlis-Clarke

　　The Doctor Virgil and Marjorie Lawlis are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Diane Susan to Mr．Robert Brent Clarks, son of Mr．and Mrs．James Clarks of Herford, Texas．

　　A spring wedding is planned in House．

(3)

Isbell-Foss

　　Mr．and Mrs．Davis K．Isbell announce the marriage of their daughter Dang to Mr．Stanley Foss, son of Mrs．John Sipe of Ada, Minnessota．

　　The wedding will be early April at Abiding Love Lutheran Church．

(4)

Story-Kurio

　　Miss Stephanie Story and Mr．Todd Warren Kurio were married on February 5, at half past seven o'clock in the evening in Highland Park Prebytefian Church in Dallas, Texas．The bride is the daughter of Mr．and Mrs．Herbert Brue Story Jr．of Dallas．The groom is the son of Mr．and Mrs．Gerald Stanley Kurio of Austin．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

阅读理解

　　In July 1994, Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, was struck by 21 pieces of comet．When the fragments(碎片)landed in the southern part of the giant planet, the explosions were watched by scientists here on earth．But what if our own planet was hit by a comet?

　　The year is 2094．It has been announced that a comet is heading towards the earth．Most of it will miss our planet, but two fragments will probably hit the southern part of the earth．The news has caused panic．

　　On 17 July, a fragment of four kilometers wide enters the earth's atmosphere with a huge explosion．About half of the fragment is destroyed．But the major part survives and hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound．The sea boils and an enormous wave is created and spreads．The wall of water rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour．Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people are drowned．The waves move into the Indian Ocean and head towards Asia．

　　Millions of people are already dead in the southern part of the earth, but the north won't escape for long．Tons of broken pieces are thrown into the atmosphere by the explosions．As the sun is hidden by clouds of dust, temperatures around the world fall to almost zero．Crops are ruined．Wars break out as countries fight for food．A year later civilization has collapsed．No more than 10 million people have survived．

　　Could it really happen? In fact, it has already happened more than once in the history of the earth．The dinosaurs were on the earth for over 160 million years．Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared．Many scientists believed that the earth was hit by a space fragment．The dinosaurs couldn't survive in the cold climate that followed and they became extinct．Will we meet the same end?

(1)

(2)

阅读理解

　　Walt Whitman was born in 1819 in New York City．During his long life, he watched America grow from a young nation to the strongest industrial power in the world．Whitman was influenced by events around him．But his poetry speaks of the inner self．He celebrated great people like President Abraham Lincoln．He also celebrated common people．

　　As a young man, Whitman worked as a school teacher, a printer and a newspaper reporter．He was thirty-six years old when his first book of poetry was published．He called it Leaves of Grass．It has only twelve poems．The poems are written in free verse．The lines do not follow any set form．Some lines are short and some are long．The word at the end of each line do not have a similar sound．They do not rhyme．

　　One of America's greatest thinkers and writers immediately recognized the importance of Leaves of Grass．Ralph Waldo Emerson praised Whitman's work．But most other poets and writers said nothing or denounced it．

　　The American Civil War began in 1861．During the war, Whitman worked without pay at army hospitals．He helped care for the wounded and dying soldiers．He sat beside these men for hours．He brought them food and wrote letters for them．After the Civil War, Whitman worked for government agencies．He watched the United States try to heal itself and increase democracy．

　　To Walt Whitman, democracy was more than a political system or idea．It was the natural form of government for free people．Whitman believed democracy was meant to honor the rights of every person and the equality of all people．

　　In 1873, Walt Whitman suffered a stroke．he spent the last few years of his life in Camden, New Jersey and wrote more poems．Whitman was poor and weak during the last few years of his life．He died in 1892．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)