China is a land of bicycles. At least it was back in 1992 when I traveled the country. Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle. Millions of them, all black. Cars were rare. Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year, I’ve found the opposite is true. There are millions of cars. However, people still use their bicycles to get around. For many, it’s the easiest and cheapest way to travel today. Bicycles also come in different colors---silver, green, red, blue, yellow, whatever you want.

         It’s fun watching people biking. They rush quickly through crossroads, move skillfully through traffic, and ride even on sidewalks(人行道). Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can’t provide.

         Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture, I decided to buy a bicycle. Great weather accompanied my great buy. I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started home.

         My first ride home was orderly (守秩序的). To be safe, I stayed with a “pack” of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times. I didn’t want to get hit. So I took the ride carefully.

         Crossing the streets was the biggest problem. It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States. The streets here were wide, so crossing took time, skill and a little bit of luck.

         I finally made it home. The feeling on the bicycle was amazing. The air hitting my face and going through my hair was wonderful. I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people. Biking made me feel alive.

1.According to the author, why are bicycles still popular in China today?

A. Because they are traditional and safe.

B. Because they are convenient and inexpensive.

C. Because they are colorful and available.

D. Because they are fast and environment friendly.

2.The author decided to buy a bicycle because he intended __________.

A. to ride it for fun                                                   B. to use it for transport

C. to experience local skills                                    D. to improve his riding skills

3.How did the author feel about his street crossing?

A. It was boring.         B. It was difficult.

C. It was lively.            D. It was wonderful.

4.Which of the following best describes the author’s biking experience?

A. The author enjoyed showing off his biking skills.

B. The author was annoyed by the air while riding.

C. The author was praised by the other bikers.

D. The author took great pleasure in biking.

First Lady Michelle Obama urged students to visit China at the "100,000 Strong" China Study Abroad forum at Howard University in 2011.
President Barack Obama announced the "100,000 Strong" Initiative （倡议） during his 2009 visit to China. The program aims to increase and diversify the number of American students studying in China by making studying abroad more affordable.
During the event at Howard, Mrs. Obama spoke about the importance of studying abroad, something she never did while in college. "Studying in countries like China is about so much more than just improving your own prospects（前景） in the global market. The fact is that with every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish you are shaping an image of America projected to the rest of the world," she said.
David Marzban from Pepperdine University recalled a time when he formed a cross-cultural bond with a complete stranger at a restaurant near Fudan University in Shanghai. He noticed a young chef signaling him to come over. "He presses the play button on his media player and starts singing 'California Dreaming' and wants me to sing along with him," Marzban said. "At this time I knew a great friendship had started during my first two weeks in China."
Nicole Baden, a senior communications major at Howard University, recalled how her time in China really helped her master the language. "You have to experience the culture while learning the language to really master it and to understand why things are how they are compared to your own culture," Baden said.
Mrs. Obama encouraged students to set aside concept that studying abroad is for rich kids only or for those attending certain schools. In addition, the first lady announced that the Chinese government is giving 10,000 "Bridge Scholarships" to cover costs for American students and teachers studying in China.
Students from several schools attended the forum. 12-year-old Sarah Davis, who studied in China last summer, said she was very excited to hear Michelle Obama talk about the country. “I love Chinese. Out of all the languages I’ve learned, Chinese is the most difficult and interesting,” she said.
【小题1】The examples mentioned in the passage mainly indicate that _____.

Cambodians are continuing to mourn the death of King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, who died in Beijing this week. In an exclusive interview with CCTV, China’s ambassador to Cambodia, Pan Guangxue, says Sihanouk made indelible(不可磨灭的) contributions to Sino-Cambodian relations and his death will not affect the friendship between the two countries.
Since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has maintained close contact with Cambodia. Bilateral(双边的) trade volume has increased rapidly in recent years, from 200 million US dollars in 2002 to nearly 2.5 billion US dollars in 2011.
China is now not only Cambodia’s third largest trading partner, but for many years has been Cambodia’s number one investor. Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia’s “King-Father” pioneered the relationship.
Pan Guangxue said, “If we look back at previous decades, I think Sihanouk made the right choice, a choice good to Cambodian national development. It was because of his commitment to the development of Sino-Cambodia friendship that we’ve achieved what we have today.”
In 2010, the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership, during its Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to China.
And 2013 is set to be China-Cambodia Friendship Year.
Pan Guangxue said, “Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on many occasions that China does not tell Cambodia what to do or what not to do. China does not point fingers at Cambodia. I think this is a true evaluation of Sino-Cambodian relations. China pursues an independent peaceful foreign policy of non-alignment(不结盟) and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.”
The ambassador says Sihanouk’s death is a huge loss to both China and Cambodia, but that bilateral relations will not be affected.
Pan Guangxue said, “I believe the bilateral relationship will be sustained and grow even stronger.”
With both countries enjoying the benefits of the fruitful relationship, the governments of China and Cambodia have promised that Sihanouk’s legacy(遗产) will continue to be the foundation of even stronger ties.
【小题1】We can learn from the passage that Sihanouk ________.

阅读理解

　　Good morning. I'm speaking to you today from Beijing. In just two days, I've seen some of the rich history and remarkable changes that are taking place in China, home to nearly one- quarter of the world's population.

　　China is the oldest civilization on Earth. In Xi'an, on Friday, I saw the old and the new China, from magnificent Terra Cotta Warriors sculpted by artisans 2,000 years before America was founded, to the beginnings of democracy in a nearby village, where residents soon will hold elections.

　　I've been touched by the warm reception given to me, my family, and the members of Congress travelling with us. Tens of thousands of Chinese families have lined the streets to greet us. For all these people, China is changing. I see cell phones, beepers, new office buildings.

　　China is no longer the same country it was when president Nixon first came here 26 years ago. Never before have so many Chinese had the opportunity to start businesses, lift their families out of poverty, choose where to live, work, and travel, and enjoy the fruits of their labors.

　　Today in Beijing I am meeting with China' s leaders to talk about the future of our two countries and a relationship between us that is essential to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous world in the next century. We talked about the United States and China's mutual interests ---- promoting peace in Korea, where 400,000 U.S. soldiers still risk their lives to patrol the Cold Wars last frontier; preventing a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan; restoring economic stability in Asia; stopping the spread of unclear soldiers chemical, and biological weapons and the misspread of unclear soldiers chemical, and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them; combating international crime and drug trafficking; preserving the environment; and opening trade.

　　China is important to our future, with the largest population on Earth, a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, an economy increasingly connected to our own. Without China, it will be difficult to face the challenges. In dealing with China, we must stay true to a course that is both principled and pragmatic．We must continue to expand our areas of cooperation, even as we deal directly with out differences. With China, we can build a safer, more prosperous future for our children, a world of unlimited possibility in the new century

　　Thanks for listening.

(1)When was the Terra Cotta in Xi'an sculpted?

[　　]

A．2,000 years ago.

B．On the beginning of the last century.

C．2,000 years before America was founded．

D．Right before Clinton's visit to China．

(2)Who traveled together with Clinton in China?

[　　]

A．His family.

B．His family and some congressmen.

C．Members of congress.

D．Reporters and bodyguards.

(3)Which of the following issue was NOT discussed by President Clinton and China's leaders during his visit in Beijing?

[　　]

A．peace in KoreA．

B．Asian economy.

C．American human rights.

D．prohibition of nuclear weapons.

(4)Which of the following impressed the president most during his visit in China?

[　　]

A．Rich history and remarkable changes of China．

B．Modern communication facilities of China．

C．Democracy progress of China．

D．Economic development of China．

(5)According to the president's address, why is China important to the U. S.?

[　　]

A．Because China has the largest population in the world．

B．Because China has a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

C．Because China and the U.S. have mutual interests in the economic development.

D．All of the above.

"A survey was conducted in Shanghai where interviewees were asked if they wanted to be a factory worker. One percent of all people interviewed said “YES," Wang Hongjun, a technician, said, raising his voice for dramatic effect. "But I can tell you, only a small part of that 1 percent are telling the truth."
I've met colorful people like Wang all over China. They are cynical (玩世不恭的) yet warmhearted, plain spoken but smart. And many of them are confined (局限于) to work in factories.
Wang is a top technician but also represents manual factory workers, who are China's most important natural resource. Their energy is powering China's economic boom, and their muscle is turning the wheel of the world's factory.
But does their unskilled labor give their life meaning? At school, did they tell their friends: "When I grow up I want to work in a factory making socks?" Did you?
Factory work has always been a stepping-stone from farm life to the city and a modern life. It's been happening for centuries, but today, with our space-age technology, it's outdated. Earning 1,200 yuan ($169) per month working in a factory is better than that on a farm, but as Wang points out, it's not a dream career. There should be better ways to earn your rice.
Many modern factories no longer have production line workers. Robots do the assembly (装配). People just do the monitoring. In this age of technology, in which China is now working smarter and not just harder, why are people still standing in production lines?
But life is cheap in China. So why not continue to exploit the low-cost labor situation and keep the economy growing fast, some entrepreneurs may ask.
But have these businessmen ever labored in a factory?
61. How many people surveyed really like to be factory workers?   
A. One percent                       B. Only a small part
C. Only a small part of that one percent          D. The writer didn’t mention it. 
62. Which is NOT the writer's opinion of factory workers?
A. cynical    B. unimportant     C. warmhearted      D. plain spoken
63. Wang Hongjun is a person who is___________.   
A. difficult to get along with
B. humorous but serious
C. cynical but warmhearted, plain spoken but smart
D. full of energy but doesn't want to work hard
64. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? 
A. Factory workers make contributions to China's economic boom.
B. Working in a factory is better than that on a farm.
C. Factory workers are satisfied with their living conditions.
D. Some entrepreneurs exploited the low-cost labor situation.
65. The writer uses___________ to begin the passage.  
A. a lot of figures       B. many examples    C. some dialogue     D. the result of a survey