In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress．When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”．Many say the same of Merkel．

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week．She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders．Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman（政治家）．Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order．Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next．“I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision．But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said．

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies．At 32, she got a doctorate （博士学位） in physics and then she worked as a researcher．

However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put off her love of politics．While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party．“Her calmness helped her stand out in the party．She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends．

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful．In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since the second World War．

Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad．At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget（预算）, some people believed the EU was close to breaking down．But Merkel didn’t give up．She shuttled（穿梭） between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement．

“Strength comes from composure（镇定） and courage．Many people say I am a strong woman．But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel．

1.Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office?

       A．Because Catherine the Great is beautiful．

       B．Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too．

       C．Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it．

       D．Because it is very expensive．

2.What is the correct order of the following events?

       a．became the German Chancellor

       b．got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher

       c．join a political party

       d．visit China

       e．take part in the EU summit

       f．as Minister for the Environment

       A．bcafde         B．cbfdae          C．bcfaed           D．cbfaed

3.Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?

       A．Merkel usually is hurry to make a decision when facing difficulties．

       B．At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension．

       C．Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world．

       D．She is outstanding because of her calmness．

4.What is the best title for the passage?

       A．An excellent lecturer                            B．Germany’s iron lady

       C．The change of a scholar                       D．The youngest chancellor

 

In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress．When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”．Many say the same of Merkel．

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week．She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders．Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman（政治家）．Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order．Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next．“I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision．But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said．

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies．At 32, she got a doctorate （博士学位） in physics and then she worked as a researcher．

However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put off her love of politics．While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party．“Her calmness helped her stand out in the party．She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends．

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful．In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since the second World War．

Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad．At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget（预算）, some people believed the EU was close to breaking down．But Merkel didn’t give up．She shuttled（穿梭） between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement．

“Strength comes from composure（镇定） and courage．Many people say I am a strong woman．But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel．

1．Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office?

       A．Because Catherine the Great is beautiful．

       B．Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too．

       C．Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it．

       D．Because it is very expensive．

2．What is the correct order of the following events?

       a．became the German Chancellor

       b．got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher

       c．join a political party

       d．visit China

       e．take part in the EU summit

       f．as Minister for the Environment

       A．bcafde         B．cbfdae          C．bcfaed           D．cbfaed

3．Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?

       A．Merkel usually is hurry to make a decision when facing difficulties．

       B．At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension．

       C．Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world．

       D．She is outstanding because of her calmness．

4．What is the best title for the passage?

       A．An excellent lecturer                            B．Germany’s iron lady

       C．The change of a scholar                       D．The youngest chancellor

Helen Thomas, born on August 4, 1920, is a famous news reporter for the Hearst News Service, and a member of the White House Press Corps．She served for fifty—seven years as a correspondent and White House bureau chief for United Press International（UPI）．She is called“ First Lady of the Press”．

Born in Kentucky，Helen Thomas was raised in Detroit，Michigan where she attended public schools and later graduated from Wayne State University． Upon leaving college，Helen served as a copy girl in an old company in Washington．In 1943，Ms Thomas joined United Press International and the Washington Press Corps．Thomas served as president of the Women’s National Press Club from 1959 to 1960．

In November，Helen began covering then president-elect John F． Kennedy, following him to the White House in January 1961 as a UPI correspondent（通讯员）．She later became White House bureau chief for UPI, where she was employed until her resignation on May 17,2000．Thomas then became a White House correspondent and a columnist．

Thomas was the only woman journalist traveling with then President Nixon to China in January,1972．She has traveled around the world several times with Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton，during the course of which she covered every Economic Summit．The World Almanac and Book of Fact has cited her as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in America．

On March 21, 2006, Thomas was called upon directly by President Bush for the first time in three years．Thomas asked Bush about Iraq．Helen Thomas has written four books and she is also a popular speaker at events nationwide．

1．What’s the correct order of the events?

       a．Thomas joined the United Press International and the Washington Press Corps．

       b．Thomas traveled with President Nixon to China．

       c．Thomas served as president of the Women’s National Press Club．

       d．Thomas resigned．

       e．Thomas was called upon by President Bush．

       f．Thomas became a White House correspondent and a columnist．

      A．a, b, c, d, e, f                                     B．a, c, b, d, f, e

       C．a, c, b, d, e, f                                                                  D．a, d, e, f, c, b

2．Which of the following is NOT true?

      A．Thomas made speeches about events nationwide．

      B．Thomas has written four books．

      C．Thomas covered every Economic Summit when traveling with US presidents．

      D．Thomas became a correspondent after she graduated from university．

3．According to the passage , we can know that           ．

       A．Thomas is called “ First Lady of America ”．

       B．President Bush received Thomas once in his term．

       C．Thomas is the most influential woman in America．

       D．Thomas traveled to China with president Nixon several times．

4．The passage tells us that Thomas           ．

       A．was very poor when she was young．

       B．served as president of the Women’s National Press Club for three years．

       C．traveled with then President Nixon to China without any other woman journalist ．

       D．has written many books and is popular worldwide．

5．What’s the best title for the passage?

       A．A successful news reporter------Helen Thomas．

       B．The first lady of the press------Helen Thomas．

       C．Life experience of Helen Thomas．

       D．Helen Thomas and her career．

About a year ago, a couple with three children moved into the apartment next door to mine. I never heard any noise from the children, but the parents were always shouting at the kids.

    We often met in the hallway when we were coming or going. I always spoke, but the only answer I got was a hello from the four-year-old girl.

    One afternoon when I returned, they were just coming out of their apartment and the little girl was holding the door open for the others. I remained in the car doing unnecessary things. But when I looked up I saw the little girl was still holding the door open, waiting for me. I hurried as much as I could and thanked her.

    I was really touched by her act of kindness. That afternoon I was at the K-Mart and I bought a white Teddy bear for her. The next day, there was a knock on the door and it was the little girl and her father. She was very proud of the bear and thanked me like I had never been thanked before.

    Now when we meet in the hall, we all speak in a friendly manner. As time passes, I don’t hear that yelling as often as before.

    Last night we had about four inches of snow. I looked out at my car and wondered how I was going to keep my doctor’s appointment. I went out to remove the snow. But when I opened my front door, I found my car was there with all the snow removed. You couldn’t imagine how I felt at that moment. I thanked that family in my heart.

    Isn’t it amazing how a small kind act of a four-year-old girl can change so many things for the better? My guardian angel says that good things come from small acts.

Who did the writer think removed the snow on his car?

A. That family next door.    B. Someone sent by his doctor.

C. Some strangers.         D. The gate keeper.

Which of the following is CORRECT according to the passage?

A. The children were very naughty and often made their parents angry.

B. Life must be very hard for the parents next door as they had a large family to support.

C. The writer put off the appointment with his doctor because of the heavy snow.

D. The little girl’s kind act changed the relationship between the writer and her family.

The right time order of these events in the passage may be         .

① I bought a white Teddy bear for the four-year-old little girl.

② A new family moved into the building next to my door.

③ The four-year-old little girl held the door for me.

④ The father came with the little girl and thanked me.

⑤We speak to each other now in a friendly manner.

A. ②-③-①-④-⑤   B. ②-④-①-③-⑤    C. ③-②-④-⑤-①  D. ③-④-②-⑤-①