In Europe people hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right throughout the meal, a system that is generally agreed to be more efficient than the American zigzag（曲折的）method. Americans hold both the fork and the knife in their right hands throughout the meal, so they continually change their forks to the left hand when they have to cut their meat. It seems to be funny for the Europeans to see Americans busy changing their dinner sets, making a lot of noises. A few explanations for this American style are as follows:?

(1)Americans are practical and efficient. Since most of us are right-handed, it is reasonable to keep our working tools at all times in the right hand that can use them most efficiently.?

(2)Americans, the master of the New World are rebels（叛逆者）.They use the zigzag method to break the rules in the Old World and in this way they are thumbing their nose at Mother England. Americans are a restless kind. They do not like to sit in one spot for very long when dining.

(3)Forced to do so, they respond by “playing” with the silver.?

Whatever the reason for the practice, it is now certainly as American as apple pie. Europeans recognize this and are quick to attack it as evidence of American innocence（无知）of form. Arguments against the zigzag method rest not only on grounds of efficiency but also on those of tradition. In Old World dining, the knife is held in the right hand continually because it can serve as an instant defense against the uninvited intruders（入侵者）.However, such alertness（警觉） is out of place in the New World, as every American believes that this is the home of the brave. Americans juggle their silverware, perhaps, to show that they are not afraid and that one of them holding a fork is worth any number of them holding blades（刀）.?

Americans use _______ to hold their fork to pick up the salad.?

A. the right hand    B. the left hand?

C. both hands  D. either of the two hands?

As the masters of the New World, Americans use a different cutting method from that in the Old World to _______.?

A. show their independence of Mother England?

B. show their disrespect to Mother England?

C. add a new tradition to those in Mother England?

D. show off their creativeness to Mother England?

In the sentence, the word “juggle” probably means _______.?

A. hold   B. play with　　　C. pick up      D. lay down?

Which of the following statements is NOT true??

A. European people hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand.

B. The zigzag eating method is related to American characteristics.?

C. The zigzag eating method has become an American feature.?

D. European people will use the American method because of its efficiency.

It is only during the last few years that man has generally realized that in the world of nature a balance exists between all forms of life. No living thing can exist by itself. It is part of a system in which all forms of life are joined together. If we change one part of the nature order, this will almost certainly bring about changes in some other parts.
　　The cutting of forests reduced the supply of oxygen. The killing of weeds and insects by chemicals led to the wide-spread poisoning of animals and birds. The throwing of waste products into the ocean hurt life in the sea, while waste gases changed the chemical balance of the atmosphere and shut out some of the sun’s necessary life-giving rays.
　　And so we could go on adding more examples until in despair(绝望) we might feel like giving up the struggle to control these harmful human activities. Man is very clever at changing the world around him to satisfy his immediate needs, but he is not so clever at looking far ahead, or at thinking about what the future results of his action might be. Man may well destroy himself because of his silly action.
【小题1】The first paragraph tells us that _____.

　　What comes into your mind when you think about robots? Do you imagine armies of evil metal monsters planning to take over the world? Or, perhaps of mechanical men who have been created as guards or soldiers by a mad genius? Or maybe you think of man- like robots who act, think, and look like human beings. In fact robots like these have more to do with science fiction films than with real life. In the real world robots are machines that do jobs which otherwise have to be done by people. Robots either operate by themselves or under the control of a person.

　　In a car factory, for example, robot machinery can put together and paint car bodies. On the sea bed remotecontrolled（遥控）underwater machines with mechanical arms can perform tasks too difficult for divers. Robot spacecraft can explore the solar system and send back information about planets and stars.

　　Many robots have computer brains. Some robots are fitted with cameras , sensors, and microphones which enable them to see, to feel, and to hear. And some robots can even produce electronic speech.

　　All this does not mean that a robot can think and behave like a human being. Present day robots have to be programmed with a good deal of information before they can carry out even simple tasks.

　44．Robots in real life________.

　　A. can behave like human beings   B. have the ability to control the world

　　C. can think by themselves        D. can help us with a lot of work

　45．According to this article, which of the following is not true about robots in the real world?

　　A. Some robots are as creative as artists.     B. Some robots can help manufacture cars.

　　C. Some robots can see and hear.       D. Some robots can explore outer space.

　46．Robots can perform many tasks for man because________.

　　A. they have intelligence    B. they are supplied with computer programs

　　C. they can imitate human beings    D. they have the ability to learn new things

　47．The robots in science fiction films and those in real life differ mainly in________.

　　A. mentality　　 B. appearance　　 C. material　　　 D. size

I don't think there is anything wrong with your blood. The key to your problem is that long nap（打盹,小睡）after dinner. If you didn't sleep for hours during the early part of the evening, you would be more ready to sleep at bedtime. If you didn't nap after dinner, you would not want to stay up so late, and you would not feel the need to take a sleeping pill. The pill is still working in your system when you get up in the morning. This helps account for the fact that you feel tired all day. You should get out of the habit of sleeping during the evening. Right after your evening meal, engage in some sort of physical activity - a sport such as bowling, perhaps. Or get together with friends for an evening of cards and conversation. Then go to bed at your usual time or a little earlier, and you should be able to get a good nights rest without taking a pill.
　　If you can get into the habit of spending your evenings this way, I am sure you will feel less tired during the day. At first it may be hard for you to go to sleep without taking a pill. If so, get up and watch television or do some jobs around your house until you feel sleepy. If you fall asleep and then wake up a few hours later, get up but do not take a sleeping pill. Read a while or listen to the radio, and make yourself a few hours'sleep that night, you will feel better in the morning than you usually feel after taking a pill. The next night you will be ready to sleep at an earlier hour.
　　The most important thing is to avoid taking that nap right after dinner and avoid taking pills.
1. According to the writer, it is difficult for you to go to sleep because　　　　　.
　　A. you get the habit of staying up late      B. you haven't taken sleeping pills
　　C. you sleep for hours after dinner         D. you fail to do some exercises
2. Which of the following is NOT true if you want to get out of the habit of sleeping during the evening?
A. Go to bed earlier than usual. 　　　B. Talk with friends after dinner.
C. Stay with friends after dinner. 　　 D. Do some physical labor. 
3. You feel tired all day probably because　　　　　.
A. you stay up too late 　　　B. you get up too early in the morning
C. you take sleeping pills 　　D. you wake up too frequently at night
4. Which of the following is true according to the passage
A. You mustn't take sleeping pills in order to get a good night's sleep.
B. You should stay up if you want to sleep effectively.
C. Food is necessary at night if you fail to go to sleep.
D. It is very important to get out of the habit of taking a nap after dinner.
5. We may infer that the author is most probably a　　　　　.
A. doctor　　　B. scientist 　　C.  reporter　　 D. professor

Driving Offence Points System

What is Driving Offence Points System?

After the introduction of this system, certain traffic offences will earn the driver points besides other punishment. If a driver makes any of these offences, the points will be recorded. When the driver gets a certain number of points, he will be forbidden to drive for a certain amount of time.   

What are the purposes of this system?

This is a system designed to make road much safer. It can improve standards of driving and reduce the accident rates.

Which traffic offences will result in Driving Offence points?

Of course, not all traffic offences are covered by this system. Only those that have direct effect on road safety are included. There are altogether fourteen items.

What will happen if you have got up to 10 points?

If you have got 10 points or above, but still less 15 points, you will receive a warning letter from the Transport Department. This letter will tell your record of Driving Offence Points and remind you of the result of getting more points. It is hoped that this warning will change your driving behavior for the better.

What will happen if you have got 15 points?

If you have got 15 points or more within two years, a court will take away your driving license. The first time you are found guilty you will not be able to drive for three months, but if you are caught a second time you will not be able to drive for six months.

The underlined word “Offence”（paragraph 1）refers to ________.

       A. a driving habit              B. an official of road safety

       C. bad behavior in the office D. an action against the traffic law

The Driving Offence Points __________.

       A. is a system that helps to improve the driving standards

       B. are points earned because of dangerous driving

       C. shows traffic offences of different kinds

       D. is a guide dealing with traffic offences

What will happen to you if you have got 13 points?

       A. You will be punished for the points.

       B. Your driving license will be taken away.

       C. Your record will be sent to the Transport Department.

       D. You will get a warning letter from the Transport Department.

What will happen to you if you are caught driving dangerously and two months later you are caught driving after drinking?

       A. Your license will be taken away.

       B. You will be taken to the police station.

C. You will not be able to drive for 3 months.

       D. You will not be able to drive for 6 months.