56．This passage is most probably taken from 　　　　.

　　　 A．a government report　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B．a yearly economy rview

　　　 C．an airline guidebook　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D．a newspaper

55．A good title for this passage would be 　　　　　　.

　　　 A．A Study of Gypsy Life　　　　　　　　　　　　 B．Will Gypsies Survive?

　　　 C．I Decide to Become a Gypsy　　　　　　　　 D．First Impression of a Gypsy Camp

E

The US airline industry is facing a new threat to its profits-heavier passengers, a report has found. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average US adult put on ten pounds (4.5kg) of weight during the 1990s. Transporting the extra weight cost airlines an extra ＄275 million in fuel costs in 2000, the report says.

Earnings at airlines have already been under pressure due to the decreasing demand and a record increase in the price of crude oil(原油). In the US, a number of airlines have gone bust while others are struggling to survive in an ever more competitive market place. While it is relatively easy to check the weight of a traveler’s luggage and charge those that burst limits, it is much harder to regulate a person’s waistline. Some firms have toyed with the idea of(jokingly suggested) charging overweight travelers for two seats, but it is not a practice that has taken off industry-wide.

Last year, the American Federal Aviation Administration increased the average passenger weight they use to calculate aircraft loads by ten pounds. Since then, crude oil prices have hit record levels, with many firms responding by raising the fuel charge they add to ticket prices.

The rising level of obesity(过度肥胖)in the US and in Europe has prompted government health campaigns and harsh criticism of a number of food firms. Restaurant chain McDonald’s has taken the main force of the attack, and has in recent months reworked its menu to include healthier options, which has helped lift profits.

As with fast food restaurants, timely adjustment may be the best solution presently for American airlines. The prediction by experts, however, is that humans are set to become bigger.

54．Which of the following best represents the author’s opinion of these Gypsies? He thinks they are 　　　　　.

　　　 A．lazy and dirty　　　 B．fascinating　　　　　 C．hardworking　　　　 D．untrustworthy

53．The author uses many words that are attractive to our senses in the passage. Which of the following does he not emphasize?

　　　 A．sight　　　　　　　　　 B．smell　　　　　　　　　 C．sound　　　　　　　　　 D．touch

52．What does the underlined word “pungent” mean according to the context?

　　　 A．sweetish　　　　　　　 B．strong　　　　　　　　 C．sickening　　　　　　 D．familiar

51．What does the author think of the change in today’s children?

　　　 A．He feels their adultlike behavior is so funny.

　　　 B．He thinks the change worthy of note.

　　　 C．He considers it a rapid development.

　　　 D．He is upset about it.

D

As I approached the Gypsy camp for the first time, yellow, wild-looking, stiff-haired dogs barked. Fifteen covered wagons were spread out in a wide half circle, partly hiding the Gypsies from the road. Around the campfires sat women clothed in deep-colored dresses, their big, expressive eyes and strong, white teeth standing out against beautiful dark matte skin. The many gold pieces they wore as earrings, necklackes and bracelets sharpened their color even more. Their shiny blue-black hair was long and the skirts of their dresses were ankle-length. My first impression of them was one of health and vitality(活力).Groups of small barefoot children ran all over the campsite, a few dressed in rags but most nearly naked, carefree and happy. At the far end of the encampment a number of horses, tied to long chains, were eating grass and of course there were the ever-present half-wild barking dogs. Several men lay in the shade of an oak tree. Thin smoke rose skyward and the pungent smell of burning wood filled the air. Even from a distance the loud, clear voices of these Gypsies resounded with an intensity which I was not used to. Mixing with them, farther away, was the snorting and neighing of horses, the occasional sharp noise of a whip and the high-pitched cry of a baby, contrasting with the whisper of the immediate surrounding of the camp itself.

50．What does the author think of communication through print for children?

　　　 A．It enables children to gain more social information.

　　　 B．It develops children’s interest in reading and writing.

　　　 C．It helps children to read and write well.

　　　 D．It can control what children are to learn.

49．According to the author, that today’s children seem adultlike results from 　　　　　.

　　　 A．the widespread influence of television

　　　 B．the poor arrangement of teaching content

　　　 C．the fast pace of human scientific development

　　　 D．the rising standard of living

48．Traditionally, a child is supposed to learn about the adult world 　　　　　.

　　　 A．through connection with society　　　　　　 B．gradually and under guidance

　　　 C．naturally without being taught　　　　　　　 D．through watching television

47．According to the author, feeling depressed is 　　　　　.

　　　 A．a sure sign of a mental problem in a child

　　　 B．a mental state present in all humans, including children

　　　 C．something that cannot be avoided in children’s mental development

　　　 D．something hardly to be expected in a young child