When traveling abroad, it is wise to carry your money in traveler's checks because checks are protected against loss or theft. If your checks are lost or stolen, the issuing authority will refund(赔偿) your money.

Not only are they safe, they are also convenient. They are available in different currencies and they can be cashed at most banks throughout the world. Most shops, hotels and restaurants also accept them.

Traveler's checks are very easy to use. When you collect them, you sign each check once. The cashier enters the amount in your passport. When you cash, you sign each check again. The cashier will usually ask to see your passport again too.

To get traveler's checks you usually go to your bank. They can be paid in cash or in other ways. Large amounts, however, must be ordered in advance.

For the safety and convenience of traveler's checks, you are charged two commissions(佣金，酬劳): an insurance commission when you buy them and an encashment commission when you cash them.

It is suitable to make a note of the serial numbers of your checks. Keep this separate from your traveler's checks.

1.People like to carry their money in traveler’s checks when traveling abroad, because______.

A．they cannot be lost or stolen

B．they can be used anywhere

C．they are safe and handy

D．they can save travelers plenty of money

2.If your traveler's checks are lost or stolen, who will refund you?

A．The authority that issues you the passport.

B．The insurance company.

C．The bank where you buy your checks.

D．The travel agency that arranges your travel.

3.You sign your traveler’s check for the second time in order to ________.

A．get your passport                       B．cash it

C．claim insurance                         D．pay for commission

4.Which of the following statement is TRUE?

A．You need not pay a commission for the safety of your traveler’s checks.

B．People usually get traveler’s checks from foreign banks.

C．Traveler’s checks can be exchanged for the money of the country you visit.

D．You cannot get your passport until you get your traveler’s checks.

 

Stepfamilies are commonplace in the United States and their number continues to grow．While stepfamilies differ widely in their make-up， they all consist of a parenting couple and children， one or more of whom is of a previous union．Such combinations of his kids， her kids， and then， possibly， kids of the new union make for complicated and often trying difficulties， more challenging than those of traditional families．

       Since stepfamilies involve more people and， consequently， more potential problems from the start than do childless new marriage， it is wise for the couple to do some careful planning prior to （＝before） marriage．Not only do the prospective（预期的） marital partners need agreement about their own carriers， life goals， finance and special interests， they must also prepare for new relationship with their children and attempt to accommodate their individual needs and feelings．Furthermore， there are often the rights of other relatives to consider．

       As for any family， the basic ingredient（成分） of a successful stepfamily are affection， kindness and mutual（相互的） respect．However， love alone is not enough．Certainly love is the cornerstone upon which the foundation of any family is built， but there are also many other important ingredients involved in building a successful stepfamily．

       Surveys reveal that successful families regard the ability to communicate openly as the most important factor in their success．Communication is what keeps families on track and functioning as a unit．Although healthy communication is easier for some people than for others， this skill can be learned and improved．Healthy communication involves speaking clearly and listening carefully．

       By their very nature， stepfamilies often are complicated by past events that give rise to ambivalent（矛盾的） loyalties， lingering（持久的） hurts， fears， feelings of guilt and unrealistic dreams．The difficulties that arise within the stepfamilies are human and understandable．However， there are ways to confront（面临） and resolve them．For example， support groups and professional counselors（法律顾问） are available in most communities to provide help and guidance when communications stopped and problems seem overwhelming（压倒性的）．

       Planning and building a stepfamily is not a responsibility to take lightly．It can be a very trying and， at times， seemingly impossible effort．Many potential troubles can arise and threaten to destroy the stepfamily．Nevertheless， meeting and mastering these special challenges can bring unexpected satisfactions and rewarding depths of family closeness and affection．

According to the passage， there are 　　　　 in the United States．

       A．no stepfamilies

       B．more stepfamilies than ever before

       C．fewer stepfamilies than ever before

       D．fewer stepfamilies than traditional ones

Which of the following can help avoid the potential problems arising in a stepfamily？

       A．The pursuit of the same careers．

       B．Professional interventions（干涉）．

       C．The development of special interests．

       D．Careful planning before the marriage．

Many people believe that 　　　　 contributes most to the building of a successful stepfamily．

       A．everlasting loyalties

       B．open communication

       C．kindness and mutual respect

       D．persistent（持久稳固的） affection

It is natural for a stepfamily to be 　　　　．

       A．unrealistic

       B．complicated

       C．ambivalent

       D．guilty

According to the author， planning and building a stepfamily is 　　　　．

       A．impossible

       B．satisfying and rewarding

       C．discouraging and frustrating

       D．a difficult and trying experience

Maybe it is true that we do not know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we do not know what we have been missing until it arrives.

It takes an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Do not expect love in return; but if it does not, be content it has grown in yours. Do not rely on one’s appearance; it can trick you. Do not rely on wealth; even that fades away. Rely on someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You cannot go on well in life until you let your past failures and heartaches go off. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trails to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people do not necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness waits for those who cry, those appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

1.In this passage, the writer wants to tell us ______.

A．what to do in our life

B．where to go with other persons

C．how to treat our life

D．how to get on well with other persons

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

A．If you give someone your love, you are sure to receive love in return.

B．We often don’t know what we have lost until it happens someday.

C．It is wise not to rely on anybody because you are likely to be deceived.

D．If it takes you a short time to love someone, you will easily forget the person.

3.If you put yourself in another person’s position, ______.

A．you shouldn’t do what will hurt other people

B．you should put on other people’s shoes

C．you should believe in other people

D．you should depend on your imagination

4.In the last paragraph the writer is actually telling us that a person in the world should be one who ______.

A．can accept the suggestions made by others

B．can live happily and forget the past

C．does good to other people and is respected and loved by them

D．has made a lot of money for himself before he dies

 

第三节：语法填空（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）

阅读下面短文, 按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空, 并将答案填写在答题纸标号为56-65的相应位置上。

Do you know parents of high school students who come to the rescue whenever their son or daughter is ____56____ a tough situation? Have they tried to negotiate with the school for a different teacher or a better grade?

If so, they may be helicopter parents, ____57____are always prepared to rush to schools to rescue their children from any adversity(逆境). College admissions office began using this nickname a few years ago ___58____they noticed that parents were becoming___59___（increase）involved in the daily lives of their college-age children.

Actually, helicopter parents cause many problems__60__different stages of development. For example, __61___ can hinder(妨碍;阻碍) a child’s ability to develop his or her own motivation, self-confidence or sense of responsibility. ___62___should Johnny make the effort to remember his violin if he knows that Dad will bring it to school? Moreover, students who haven’t had the opportunity to smooth away their own obstacles（障碍）----whether social or academic----emerge(出现) from adolescence poorly___63__（equip）to handle the demands of college and adulthood.

___64__, I think it is wise to be mindful of the importance of teaching self-reliance and responsibility, and that requires letting children experience the life lessons and ___65___（consequent）of their actions.

 

Today, when there are many top graduates looking for top jobs, graduates can differentiate(区别) themselves by obtaining a double major or even a double degree. Increasingly, employers are looking for individuals who are not only competent and intelligent, but who have different skill sets and who are knowledgeable in many areas. Part of the appeal to employers is that your extra work demonstrates a willingness to take on difficult tasks. Additionally, if your majors overlap (重叠), you are able to show potential employers that you have both breadth  and depth of knowledge.

By studying for a double major, although you will be studying for only one degree, you will be focusing on two related and integrated subjects that complement (补充) each other. Classes overlap between the majors, meaning fewer classes are required than with a double degree, so it is easier to finish within four years.

In contrast, with the more rigorous (严格的) double degree, you will be studying for two different degrees in two completely different areas of study. Although pursuing such a course of study allows students to complete two wholly separate degrees in less time than if they were to earn them separately, many strong students still find it incredibly difficult to complete in four or five years.

If you are committed to a double major/degree, it is wise to do a little bit of planning. Some students try to find two courses of studies that are related, while others seek to round out their academic studies by choosing two completely unrelated fields.

    For double majors, common pairings include: (i) economics and a foreign language; (ii) political science or government and journalism; (iii) economics and psychology.

For double degrees, common pairings include: (i) engineering and a business program such as finance or accounting; (ii) engineering and economics.

1.What do employers think of the graduates with different skill sets and knowledge in many areas?

A. They should be given top jobs.   

B. They are willing to take difficult tasks.

C. They are better than those who are competent and intelligent.

D. They must have attained a double major or even a double degree.          

2.According to the passage, the underlined word “breadth” most probably means_________.

A. width   B. amount        C. quantity                    D. quality

3.To obtain a double major, you _________.

A. should complete two wholly separate degrees

B. need to focus on two related and integrated subjects

C. need to spend more time than obtaining a double degree

D. have to take courses in two completely different areas of study

4.If you are devoted to a double major or degree, you should _________.

A. find two subjects with overlapping classes

B. learn about what your potential employers want

C. decide what to learn with your intentions considered       

D. try to decide on some common pairings as soon as possible

5.Which statement is CORRECT according to the passage?

A. Economics is a major while engineering is a degree.

B. Every college student should take a double major or degree.

C. Earning a double degree is more difficult than obtaining a double major.

D Some students choose two completely unrelated fields to show their ability in academic study.