Mark and his brother Jason both were looking at the shining new computer enviously. Jason was determined not to go against their father’s wishes but Mark was more adventurous than his brother. He loves experimenting and his aim was to become a scientist like his father.

“Dad will be really mad if he finds out you’ve been playing with his new computer” Jason said, “He told us not to touch it.”

“He won’t find out,” Mark said, “I’ll just have a quick look and shut it down.”

Mark had been scolded before for touching his father’s equipment. But his curiosity was difficult to control and this new computer really puzzled him.

It was a strange-looking machine — one his dad had brought home from the laboratory where he worked. “It’s an experimental model,” his father had explained, so don’t touch it under any circumstances.” But his father’s warning only served to make Mark more curious. Without any further thought, Mark turned on the power switch. The computer burst into life and seconds later, the screen turned into colours, shifting and changing, and then two big white words appeared in the centre of the screen: “SPACE TRANSPORTER.”

“Yes!” Mark cried excitedly, “It’s a computer game. I knew it! Dad’s only been pretending to work. He’s really been playing games instead!” A new message appeared on the screen:

“ENTER NAMES

VOYAGE　１

VOYAGE　２

Mark’s finger flew across the keyboard as he typed in both of their names.

“INPUT ACCEPTED.

START  TRANSPORT  PROGRAM.

AUTO-RETRIEVE  INITIATED(自动回收程序已启动).”

     The screen turn even brighter and a noise suddenly rose in volume.

“I think we’d better shut it off, Mark,” Jason yelled out in terror, reaching for the power switch. A beam(光束) of dazzling white light burst out of the computer screen, wrapping the boys in its glow(光芒)，until they themselves seemed to be glowing. Then it died down just as suddenly as it had burst into life. And the boys were no longer there. On the screen, the letters changed：

“TRANSPORT SUCCESSFUL．

DESTINATION:  MARS.

RETRIEVE DATE:  2025

1.Why did Mark touch the computer against his father’s warning?

A. He wanted to take a voyage.

B. He wanted to practice his skills.

C. He was so much attracted by it.

D. He was eager to do an experiment.

2.Where did the boy’s father most likely work?

A. In an electronic factory

B. In a computer company

C. In a scientific research center.

D. In an information processing center.

3.Mark thought “SPACE TRANSPORTER” on the screen was the name of ________.

A. a computer game                                       B. a company website

C. a software producer                                           D. an astronomy program

4.Why did Jason want to shut off the computer?

A. He was afraid of being scolded.

B. He didn’t like the loud noise and light.

C. He didn’t want to play games.

D. He was afraid something dangerous might happen.

5.What happened to the boys at the end of the story?

A. They were blown into the air.

B. They were sent to another planet.

C. They were hidden in the strong light.

D. They were carried away to another country.

 

Mark and his brother Jason both were looking at the shining new computer enviously. Jason was determined not to go against their father’s wishes but Mark was more adventurous than his brother. He loves experimenting and his aim was to become a scientist like his father.

“Dad will be really mad if he finds out you’ve been playing with his new computer” Jason said, “He told us not  to touch it.”

“He won’t find out,” Mark said, “I’ll just have a quick look and shut it down.”

Mark had been scolded before for touching his father’s equipment. But his curiosity was difficult to control and this new computer really puzzled him.

It was a strange-looking machine — one his dad had brought home from the laboratory where he worked. “It’s an experimental model,” his father had explained, so don’t touch it under any circumstances.” But his father’s warning only served to make Mark more curious. Without any further thought, Mark turned on the power switch. The computer burst into life and seconds later, the screen turned into colours, shifting and changing, and then two big white words appeared in the centre of the screen: “SPACE TRANSPORTER.”

“Yes!” Mark cried excitedly, “It’s a computer game. I knew it! Dad’s only been pretending to work. He’s really been playing games instead!” A new message appeared on the screen:

“ENTER NAMES

    VOYAGE　１

    VOYAGE　２

    Mark’s finger flew across the keyboard as he typed in both of their names.

    “INPUT ACCEPTED.

    START  TRANSPORT  PROGRAM.

    AUTO-RETRIEVE  INITIATED(自动回收程序已启动).”

    The screen turn even brighter and a noise suddenly rose in volume.

    “I think we’d better shut it off, Mark,” Jason yelled out in terror, reaching for the power switch. A beam(光束) of dazzling white light burst out of the computer screen, wrapping the boys in its glow(光芒)，until they themselves seemed to be glowing. Then it died down just as suddenly as it had burst into life. And the boys were no longer there. On the screen, the letters changed：

“TRANSPORT SUCCESSFUL．

    DESTINATION:  MARS.

RETRIEVE DATE:  2025

1.Why did Mark touch the computer against his father’s warning?

A. He wanted to take a voyage.

B. He wanted to practice his skills.

C. He was so much attracted by it.    

D. He was eager to do an experiment.

2.Where did the boy’s father most likely work?

A. In an electronic factory.

B. In a computer company. 

C. In a scientific research center.

D. In an information processing center.

3.Mark thought “SPACE TRANSPORTER” on the screen was the name of ________.

A. a computer game                                            B. a company website 

C. a software producer                                           D. an astronomy program

4.Why did Jason want to shut off the computer?

A. He was afraid of being scolded.    

B. He didn’t like the loud noise and light.

C. He didn’t want to play games.

D. He was afraid something dangerous might happen.

5.What happened to the boys at the end of the story?

A. They were blown into the air.

B. They were sent to another planet.

C. They were hidden in the strong light.

D. They were carried away to another country.

 

?

Forever Young?

　　It's Girls Night Out:Mom Edition, and I'm a player in a whole new game. It occurs to me that I really don't know these　36　women. We've been circling　37　 for about three years, ever since our kids started　38　.We'd bump into each other in the parking　39　,at Valentine's Day parties, and later as one or the other shyly　40　we all sign our kids up for softball, gymnastics or dance. Who knows　41　the five of us clumped together more than　42　of us clumped with other mothers. I suppose it happens　43　,friendship circles spiraling in and around and about and anew.?

This is the　44　time we've gathered without the kids, and I am having a　45　time saying “Janice”, as opposed to “Zoe's mom” or “Susan”,　46　 “Kaitlin's mom”, and so I have decided, for tonight, not to　47　any names at all.?

The　48　has already taken our drink order. I can't believe nobody　49　beer.Nope, this is a Diet Coke and iced tea crowd. In the back of my mind I'm　50　if I'm going to be the naughty　51　who corrupts this group.?

There is so much　52　to take care of when you are just getting to　53　people as people. One of the things we are doing is　54　dates, the years that each of us　55　from this or that. I see where this is going.?

36. A. five      B. three   C. Four   D. two?

37. A. each other    B. one another       C. all of us     D. some of us?

38. A. primary school    B. university   C. high school D. preschool?

39. A. lot       B. Station       C. line     D. square?

40. A. said      B. suggested   C. informed    D. found?

41.A. what     B. that     C. how    D. why?

42. A. some    B. none   C. any     D. all?

43. A. all the time  B. all of a sudden   C. at the same time D. once and for all?

44. A. last      B. first    C. Usual  D. only?

45. A. spare    B. good   C. difficult     D. pleasant?

46. A. instead of    B. as well as   C. in case of   D. in the name of?

47. A. call      B. use     C. forget D. tell?

48. A. kid              B. mother       C. Friend D. waitress?

49. A. brought       B. liked   C. ordered      D. drank?

50. A. wondering   B. fearing       C. Speaking    D. asking?

51. A. girl      B. mother       C. One    D. kid?

52. A. trouble B. business     C. time    D. food?

53. A. regard  B. name  C. Find   D. know?

54. A. comparing   B. making      C. Deciding    D. discussing?

55. A. came    B. changed     C. graduated   D. got??