A volcanic eruption in Iceland has sent ash across northern Europe. Airlines have stopped or changed the flights across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving airport hundreds of passengers stuck in airports.
Grimsvotn is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Europe. What makes Grimsvotn different is that it lies under a huge glacier(冰川) of ice up to 12 maters thick. The hot volcano heats up the ice above it, which then forms a layer of water between the glacier and the volcano. This layer of water puts pressure on the volcano, keeping it stable, As the water flows out from under the glacier, the pressure lifts. The lava(岩浆) from the volcano then comes up to the surface. This is exactly what happened today.
Now, airlines have to make changes to their flights so as not to fly through the clouds of
volcanic ash. According to KLM, one of Europe’s biggest airlines, airplanes cannot
go under the cloud or over it. Going through the cloud can result in ash getting stuck in
the airplane’s engines, causing damage to the plane.
The eruption has also caused problems for animals in Iceland. The volcano left ash and sharp, glass-like rocks all over the countryside. Farmers are keeping their animals inside to stop them from eating ash-covered grass or the sharp object.
1. What makes Grimsvotn different from other volcanoes?
A. It is below ice.                       B. It lies under the sea
C. It is the largest volcano                    D. It is lava affects the airlines
2. What keeps Grimsvotn still?
A. The slow flow of water                B. The low water temperature
C. The thick glacier                    D. The water pressure
3. Which of the following is the result of the volcanic eruption?
A. People stop traveling in Europe      
B. Airlines suffer from the loss of planes
C. It becomes dangerous for animals to eat outside
D. Farmers have lost many of their animals
4. This text is most probably taken from_________.
A. a research paper                   B. a newspaper report
C. a class presentation              D. a geography textbook.

Alzheimer’s disease is a major national health problem. Nearly 2 million Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. It is a leading cause of death among the elderly. But Alzheimer’s disease is not confined （限于） to the aged. There may be a million or more people under the age of 65 suffering from the disease.
　　At one time, people suffering from the disease were said to be“getting old”.The disease was thought to be a natural part of growing old, but it is now known that Alzheimer’s disease strikes young and old alike. It is an organic disease which destroys brain cells.
　　Alzheimer’s disease affects the patient’s memory, speech, and movement. In the beginning stages of the disease, the patient may seem slightly confused. He may have trouble speaking, then the patient’s memory begins to fail. He may forget dates, numbers, names and plans.
As the disease progresses, the patient may not recognize family and friends. These symptoms（症状） often cause terrible anxiety in the patient. He may feel lost and frightened. Sometimes the patient reacts with wild and bad behavior.
　　In the last stages of the disease, the patient may not be able to take care of himself. He may have lost the ability to speak and walk.
　　Scientists don’t know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease. It may be caused by a virus.It may be caused by a poisonous substance（物质） in the environment. At present, there is no cure for the disease. But there are ways to slow its progress. Exercise and physical treatment can help the patients of this disease.
【小题1】The main idea of the passage is that Alzheimer’s disease ________.

Shanghai is the largest city in China with well-developed business and industry, and also holds a leading place in China's arts, sciences and education. About eleven million people make their homes in Shanghai. This enormous city spreads out along the banks of the Huang Pu River, which flows into the mouth of the Yangtze River about fourteen miles north.
Shanghai began as a fishing village in the 11th century, but by the mid-18th century it was an important area for growing cotton. After 1842 when China lost the Opium War with Great Britain, the British realized that Shanghai was in an excellent location to serve as a seaport for the densely populated Yangtze River Plain. They forced the Chinese government to allow English traders to settle on the wastelands outside the
city walls. Later, French, American, and Japanese traders also came to Shanghai and were allowed to live in certain territorial zones without being under the Chinese laws. The foreigners built whole new sections of Shanghai, including homes, stores, factories, and office buildings. Thousands of Chinese poured into Shanghai in search of jobs, most of whom settled in the old part of the city. As a result of all the foreigners, Shanghai became greatly influenced by Western culture.
During the 1900s, opium sales along with the gambling brought in big profits. After the Anti-Japanese War in 1945, the Nationalist Chinese government took over the city. In 1949, Shanghai was liberated and administrated under the Communist Chinese government. Since the 1990s, Shanghai has developed quickly and has become a new international metropolis in China and will host the World Expo in 2010.
1. The British first wanted to settle Shanghai because       .
A. they wanted to build stores and factories here
B. they thought the place was beautiful and fit for living
C. they realized that it was a very good location for a seaport
D. they wanted to take control of the Yangtze River Plain
2. Which of the following statements about Shanghai in the 1900s is True?
A. It was an important centre for growing cotton.
B. Shanghai was important only, because it was a big seaport city.
C. Opium and cotton sales brought in huge profits.
D. Foreign settlers in Shanghai were free from Chinese laws.
3. What's the main idea of the second paragraph?
A. Shanghai' development into an international city.
B. Certain territorial zones for foreigners in Shanghai.
C. Brief history of Shanghai from the 11th century to the early 20th.
D. The influence of western culture on Shanghai.
4. Which of the following can replace the word "metropolis"(bold in last para.)?
A. seaport city                         B. big city
C. capital city                         D. developing city

More than 600, 000 tourists from the Chinese mainland visited Taiwan last year, fulfilling expectations despite the impact of H1N1 flu and the global economic downturn.
A total of 606, 100 mainland tourists visited Taiwan in the past year, with each spending nearly $1, 800 on the island, including accommodation and shopping, Shao Qiwei, chairman of the Beijing-based Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, said on Friday.
“We see good cooperation between tourism industries across the Straits taking shape,” Shao said. Since July 2008, when Taiwan first opened to mainland tourists, about 660, 000 mainland tourists have visited the island and spent $1.13 billion there, benefiting local transportation as well as the retail, entertainment and health industries.
In four months starting August last year, mainland tourists spent $65.72 million through Union Pay payment cards, figures from mainland bankcard association China Union Pay showed.
“Years of isolation between the two sides have made Taiwan an attractive place for mainland tourists,” said Zheng Lijuan, deputy (副的) general manager of CITS International MICE Co. Ltd.
But under the impact of H1N1 flu since May, the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan had also dropped sharply, leading to industry insiders（内部的人）casting doubt as to whether the goal of attracting 600, 000 mainland tourists to Taiwan in 2009 could be achieved.
Despite the unfavorable conditions, a string of relaxed rules last year have spurred (刺激) the interest of mainland tourists in visiting Taiwan.
In the past year, Taiwan has opened to mainland residents in 25 provinces, up from the initial 13 provinces. Relaxed rules have also allowed five tourists to form a group to visit Taiwan, instead of the initial requirement of at least 10 tourists. Mainland tourists can also stay in Taiwan for a maximum of 15 days, instead of the initial 10 days.
Combined with mainland business groups, more than 900, 000 mainland travelers visited Taiwan in 2009, Christine Lai, director of the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, told China Daily.
Without releasing the goal for this year, Lai expressed hopes that mainland tourists would head to Taiwan on second or even third visits.
64. Why do mainlanders like to visit Taiwan?
A. Taiwan is a very beautiful island.
B. There are many shops, malls and bookstores in Taiwan.
C. The accommodation and transportation are very good in Taiwan.
D. Years of isolation between Taiwan and mainland makes it an attractive place.
65. What was the original goal of mainland tourists to Taiwan in 2009?
A. 660, 000                    B. 606, 100               C. 600, 000                  D. 900, 000
66. The number of mainland tourists to Taiwan in 2009 was fulfilled because         .
A. the residents of 25 provinces could visit Taiwan
B. mainland tourists could stay in Taiwan for 15 days
C. the Chinese government made a string of relaxed rules
D. there were no impacts of H1N1 flu in Taiwan and mainland
67. We can infer from the text that         .
A. there may be a goal for Mainland tourists visiting Taiwan in 2010
B. Chinese mainland tourists can stay in Taiwan for a maximum of 10 days
C. the global economic downturn had not influnced Taiwan’s travel industry
D. H1N1 flu had not made the number of the mainland tourists to Taiwan drop
68. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. Visitors to Taiwan will slowdown
B. Mainland tourists to Taiwan hit mark
C. More and more mainland tourists visit Taiwan
D. H1N1 and global economic influence Taiwan’s travel industry

My husband, Micheal, and I were at a restaurant with his boss, a rather stern(严厉的) elderly man. When Micheal began a story I was sure he had told before, I gave him a kick under the table. There was no response, so I gave him another kick. Still the story went on. Suddenly he stopped and said with a smile, “Oh, but I’ve told you this one before, haven’t I ?” We all chuckled and changed the subject.
Later, on the dance floor, I asked my husband why it had taken him so long to get my message. “What do you mean?” he replied. “I cut off the story as soon as you kicked me.”
“But I kicked you twice, and it still took you a while to stop!”
Suddenly we realized what had happened and returned to our table. The boss smiled and said, “Don’t worry. After the second one I thought it wasn’t for me, so I passed it along!”
【小题1】The writer kicked her husband because __________.