Passage Eleven (Superconducting Materials)
The stone age, The Iron Age. Entire epochs have been named for materials. So what to call the decades ahead? The choice will be tough. Welcome to the age of superstuff. Material science -- once the least sexy technology – is bursting with new, practical discoveries led by superconducting ceramics that may revolutionize electronics. But superconductors are just part of the picture: from house and cars to cook pots and artificial teeth, the world will someday be made of different stuff. Exotic plastics, glass and ceramics will shape the future just as surely as have genetic engineering and computer science.
The key to the new materials is researchers’ increasing ability to manipulate substances at the molecular level. Ceramics, for example, have long been limited by their brittleness. But by minimizing the microscopic imperfections that cause it, scientists are making far stronger ceramics that still retain such qualities as hardness and heat resistance. Ford Motor Co. now uses ceramic tools to cut steel. A firm called Kyocera has created a line of ceramic scissors and knives that stay sharp for years and never rust or corrode.
A similar transformation has overtaken plastics. High-strength polymers now form bridges, ice-skating rinks and helicopter rotors. And one new plastic that generates electricity when vibrated or pushed is used in electric guitars, touch sensors for robot hands and karate jackets that automatically record each punch and chop. Even plastic litter, which once threatened to permanently blot the landscape, has proved amenable to molecular tinkering. Several manufacturers now make biodegradable forms; some plastic six-pack rings for example, gradually decompose when exposed to sunlight. Researchers are developing ways to make plastics as recyclable as metal or glass. Besides, composites – plastic reinforced with fibers of graphite or other compounds – made the round-the-world flight of the voyager possible and have even been proved in combat: a helmet saved an infantryman’s life by deflecting two bullets in the Grenada invasion.
Some advanced materials are old standard with a new twist. The newest fiberoptic cable that carry telephone calls cross-country are made of glass so transparent that a piece of 100 miles thick is clearer than a standard window pane.
But new materials have no impact until they are made into products. And that transition could prove difficult, for switching requires lengthy research and investment. It can be said a firmer handle on how to move to commercialization will determine the success or failure of a country in the near future.
1.How many new materials are mentioned in this passage?
A.Two          B.Three          C.Four               D.Five
2.Why does the author mention genetic engineering and computer science?
A.To compare them with the new materials.
B.To show the significance of the new materials on the future world.
C.To compare the new materials to them.
D.To explain his view point.
3.Why is transition difficult?
A.Because transition requires money and time.
B.Because many manufacturers are unwilling to change their equipment.
C.Because research on new materials is very difficult.
[D]Because it takes 10 years.
4.Where lies success of a country in the New Age of superstuff?
A.It lies in research.
B.It lies in investment.
C.It lies in innovation.
D.It lies in application.

The words “timetable” and “schedule” make most final year students want to eat their own vomit(呕吐物). Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that final year students must develop a timetable. If you don’t have a schedule or plan for studying, you will have no way of allocating your valuable time when the unexpected arises. A well-thought-out timetable can be a lifesaver. It is up to you to learn how to develop a schedule that meets your needs .Change it if necessary, but most important, follow it. All timetables should be made with the idea that they can be changed. A good one will keep you from wandering off course.

       A good timetable should make every hour count—every class, social event and other activity you engage in .You must focus on the other “free time” available and how you will use it. Make a weekly schedule and divided each day into one-hour increments. Indicate times for classes, socializing, and work time. Also block off a period for sleeping every day. In the precious hours left over, plan time for study. This gives you a rough road map of the time available. Of course, you can change your schedule as circumstances need.

       The timetable you develop should guide you in how to distribute the available time in the most productive manner. Sticking to your schedule can be tough, but don’t dribble away valuable time. Avoiding study is the easiest thing in the world. It is up to you to follow the schedule you’ve prepared. A good deal of your success in high school and with any future study depends on this simple truth.

       Remember, there is a learning curve. You learn the most in the first 30 minutes of study; after that, it progressively deteriorates（减弱）. After four or five hours of studying the same material in the same way, you are learning virtually nothing. The solution is to keep switching subjects and study styles.

1.What is the best title of the passage?

       A．Advantages of starting a timetable  B．Keep to it, and you will succeed

       C．Make a schedule, and follow it      D．Learn to love your timetable

2.What does Paragraph 2 talk about?

       A．Tips for making a schedule.            B．Significance of a scientific timetable.

       C．Requirements for making a timetable.    D．Importance of following one’s schedule.

3.The following are characteristics of a good timetable EXCEPT that     .

       A．it can be changed            B．it is flexible

       C．it is of many periods           D．it can save our time

4.From this passage, we can learn if we wish to achieve high learning efficiency, we’d better     .

       A．shift subjects and use different methods regularly

       B．devote to the same material continuously

       C．turn to teachers for help if necessary

       D．have a break every thirty minutes

More than 20 million kids in the United States live with one parent. Separation and divorce are the most common reasons for this. In other cases, the mom and dad may never have lived together, or one of them may have died.

Living with one parent instead of two can bring about a lot of emotions. These feelings can be pretty strong, and they can be confusing, too. You might feel terribly sad and angry because your parents divorced.

Single parents are often working parents because someone needs to earn money to buy food, clothing, and a place to live in. Having a job means your mom or dad is able to provide these things and more for you. People work for other reasons, too. A job can let a person use his or her special talents and skills. A job can be important because it helps people in the community.

But even though you might understand why your mom or dad has to work, sometimes it can be hard to accept. This can be especially true during the summer or school vacations. You’re home, they’re gone, and the days can seem really long.

It can be tough when you don’t have enough time with your dad or mom. When you live with one parent, that person really has to do the work of two people. Besides a job, your mom or dad is responsible for caring for the kids, the house, the yard, the car and the pets. So what can you do ?

One of the best ways is to hold a family meeting. Talk about everyone’s schedule for work, school, and activities. You can also talk about what jobs around the house need to be done every day. You might want to help your parent cook dinner sometimes. That can be both fun and helpful to your parent. Maybe you can also schedule a weekly game or a movie at night.

1.What are the main reasons for kids’ living with one parent?

A．Separation and divorce.                  B．A lot of emotions.

C．Working and caring for the kids.            D．Working parents.

2.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Some kids live with one parent for the other’s death.

B．Living with one parent can cause a lot of emotions.

C．Working means a mom or dad is able to provide things for their kids.

D．Kids can also talk about what jobs in their school can be done at a family meeting.

3.It can be inferred from the underlined sentence (in Paragraph 4 ) that ______

A．the kid in the company of friends does want help

B．the kid who plays with both parents does need their love

C．the kid lacks both parents’ love does feel lonely

D．the kid who understands parents’ work does be helpful

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A．Living with a single parent                 B．Single parents and work

C．How to work with a single parent            D．Schedules for work

The beet (甜菜) is a tasty root vegetable that does not require much work to grow. People think of beets as being always dark red，but they can also be pink，yellow or white. Beets are high in nutrients，and both the root and the tops can be eaten. The leaves make good salads when the plants are young，and the greens can be cooked when the plants are older. Beets grow best in full sun and in loose soil that is not too wet.

Remove stones from the soil while preparing the ground，and test it before adding fertilizer Beet seeds can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked at the start of the growing season. Planting them every two or three weeks will provide a continuous harvest into the fall. A beet seed is a fruit containing several seeds. Overcrowding the plants will mean that the roots cannot spread out and grow，so thin the beets by removing the smaller ones and using them as greens.

A specialist named Cindy Haynes says little or no fertilizer is needed in rich soils. Once the seeds are planted，however，she suggests covering the soil to protect it from the rain and during dry periods. She also suggests putting a fence around the plants to keep away rabbits and deer. She says the only work beets need once they have been thinned is weeding and， when the weather is dry，a weekly watering. For best results，beets should be picked when the roots are two and one-half centimeters around. Larger beets can be tough，and have to be cooked for a long time. Beets can be eaten in many ways.

60.What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A. How to test the soil.           B. How to plant beets

C. When to harvest beets.          D. When to plant beets.

61.Smaller beets are often removed in order to       .

A. give other beets space to grow    B. add more fertilizer to the soil

C. plant new seeds                D. use the green，young leaves in salads

62.What may the next part of the last paragraph be about?

A. When to pick beets.             B. How to eat beets.

C. The uses of beets.              D. The taste of larger beets.

63.The passage is most probably from a(n)     .

A. gardening book   B. education magazine   C. science report   D. entertainment magazine

第二节 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卡标号为31-40的相应位置上。

More than 20 million kids in the United States live with one parent .Separation and divorce are __(31)__ most common reasons for this . Living with one parent instead __(32)___ two can bring out a lot of emotions . These feelings can be pretty strong , and they can be confusing , __(33)___ . You might feel terribly sad and angry because your parents divorced .

Single parents are often working parents __(34)___  someone needs to earn money to buy food , clothing , and a place to live . ___(35)___(have) a job means your mom or dad is able to provide these things and more for you .

But even though you might understand ___(36)__ your mom or dad has to work , sometimes it can be hard __(37)___accept . This can be especially true during the summer or school vacations . You are at home , they __(38)____ , and the days can seem really long .

It can be tough when you don’t have enough time with your dad or mum. So __(39)__ can you do ?

One of the best ways is to hold a family meeting . Talk about everyone’s schedule for work , school , and activities . You might want to help your parent cook dinner sometimes . This can be both funny and __(40)___ (help) to your parent . Maybe you can also schedule a weekly game or movie night .