If you don’t prepare yourself now, retirement may be some of the most boring and dull years of your life. To have a happy, fulfilling retirement, you need to start preparing right away.
The most obvious thing for people to do when they retire is to take up a hobby. The most important step to take before retiring, though, is to make sure that you actually have started some hobbies. Once you’re retired, unless you ‘ve already started a hobby, you’ll find it very hard to get into something new. Some hobbies aren’t for everyone. Think about what you enjoy doing and start participating on a casual basis now.
Another thing many people participate in is volunteering. Not only does volunteering give you something to do, it also gives you a sense of accomplishment(成就) and can add meaning to your life .Volunteering is also rewarding in other ways, too. There are hundreds of different types of volunteer services and you’ll always be able to meet new and interesting people. Also, don’t think that volunteering is always only about helping someone for free. Many companies pay their volunteers after they’ve had enough experience and prove themselves to be valuable workers.
There are plenty of other potions, as well. Going back to school is a great way to keep yourself feeling young. Taking a vacation around the world with your loved ones is another great way to spend your retirement.
Ultimately, though, the key to a happy retirement is simply keeping yourself busy and doing whatever you love. If there’s nothing you love doing now, then you’ll find that once you have a vast amount of free time, your life will be pretty empty. Now is the time to find out what you want to do when you retire.
【小题1】Why does the author suggest starting a hobby before retirement?

A．Because we are likely to have difficulty starting a hobby after retirement.

B．Because we are gong to have a vast amount of free time after retirement.

C．Because we will only have a limited choice of hobbies after retirement

D．Because not every one of us has already started some hobbies already.

【小题2】What can we learn about volunteering from the text?

A．We can make devoted friends through volunteering.

B．It can help companies find hard-working workers.

C．One can even make some money by volunteering.

D．Almost everyone is willing to help in some way.

【小题3】Which of the following can best explain “a happy retirement”?

A．Travelling around the world every year.

B．Going back to university for further study.

C．Having plenty of free time for one’s hobbies.

D．Living a busy life and doing what one enjoys doing

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.
Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品) of technological developments in the space industry!
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human beings to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
【小题1】Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?

A．To express his doubts.	B．To compare different ideas.
C．To introduce points for discussion.	D．To describe the conditions on Earth.

【小题2】What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?

A．Humans are nature-born to do so.	B．Humans have the tendency to fight.
C．Humans may find new sources of food.	D．Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.

【小题3】The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.

A．survival chances	B．potential resources
C．unexpected benefits	D．physical possessions

【小题4】What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A．O ur genetic makeup.	B．Resources on the earth..
C．The adaptive ability of humans.	D．By-products in space exploration.

【小题5】Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?

A．Space exploration has created many wonders.

B．Space exploration provides the best value for money.

C．Space exploration can benefit science and technology

D．Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Were you born in the 1990s? Do you think you are different from older generations? As there has been considerable discussion about “the post­1990s” in newspapers and on the Internet recently, people including the group themselves, have begun to look at some things that help shape their culture. Do you find them true?
1. Jay Chou　He is not handsome. When he hums no one can understand him. But the 28­year­old Taiwan singer has stolen the hearts of many boys and girls who  were born in the 1990s. They are crazy about him. Huang Kaiqin, a 16­year­old Shanghai student, said，“I love him! I love everything from his lyrics to his melody(旋律), and to his attitude toward the life. ”
2. PSP　Its full name is Play­ Station Portable and it's a Sony product for game fans. Teens love it because PSP is better than the Game Boy in terms of pictures, controls and choices of games. With a PSP you can also play MP3 or MP4, watch movies and so on.
3. Naruto　Among all the popular cartoons and comic books, the Japanese manga series has been this generation's favorite read. Naruto, who was orphaned at birth, grows from being a naughty boy to a powerful ninja (日本武士). Naruto teaches readers that honor is very important and not to give up, even if something is hard to achieve.
4. iPods　MP3s are not in any way, shape or form. But the iPod is amazing because it is a complete library of music in your hand. Post­90s are always excited about the latest product.
5. Tuzki　Tuzki, the white and hairy baby rabbit, was not born until January this year. But Tuzki's popularity has been spreading quickly among post­90s who like QQ and MSN. Wang Lin, a college student, created the cool little rabbit.
6. Chat lingo　On the Internet, the chat lingo is cool and convenient. But one day, teachers notice a new generation of errors entering their students' essays.  Words such as “3Q”，“ORZ” and “b4” confuse adults but are part of teens' everyday lives.
【小题1】Which of the following is WRONG? 

A．The latest product among teens is iPod.

B．Naruto is a character in a popular cartoon.

C．Some adults don't understand their children's words.

D．Tuzki is a college student born in January.

【小题2】Why does the author write the passage? 

A．He wants to make teens born in the 1990s understand more.

B．He criticizes the teens born in the 1990s.

C．He doesn't understand the young at all.

D．He feels worried about the young.

【小题3】The best topic of this passage might be ________. 

A．the post­1990s	B．fashionable people
C．teens with electronic products	D．chatting generation

                               

     People believes that climbing can do good to health. Where can you learn the skill of climbing then? If you think that you have to go to the mountains to learn how to climb, you’re wrong. Many Americans are learning to climb in city gyms(体育馆). Here, people are learning on  climbing. The climbing wall goes straight up and small holding places for hands and feet.

    How do people climb the wall? To climb, you need special shoes and (保护带) around your chest to hold you. There are ropes(绳索)tied to your. The ropes hold you in place so that you don’t fall. A beginner’s wall is usually about 15 feet high, and you climb straight up. There are small pieces of metal that stick out for you to stand on and hold on to. Sometimes it’s easy to see the new piece of metal. Sometimes, it’s not. The most difficult is an your fear. It’s normal for humans to be afraid of falling, so it’s difficult not to feel fear. But when you move away from the wall, the and the ropes hold you, and you begin to feel safe. You move slowly until you reach the top.

    Climbing attracts people because it’s good exercise for almost everyone. You use your whole body, especially your arms and legs. This sport gives your body a complete workout. When you climb, both your mind and your body can become stronger.

What can we infer from the passage?

   A. People are fairly interested in climbing nowadays.

   B. It is impossible to build up one’s body by climbing.

   C. People can only learn the skill of climbing outdoors.

   D. It is always easy to see holding places in climbing.

The most difficult thing to do in wall climbing is _______.

   A. to tie ropes to your                B. to control your fear

   C. to move away from the wall         D. to climb straight up

The word “workout” underlined in the last paragraph most probably means _________.

   A. settlement           B. exercise       C. excitement        D. tiredness

Why does the author write this passage?

   A. To tell people where to find gyms.          B. To prove the basic need for climbing

   C. To encourage people to climb mountains.    D. introduce the sport of wall climbing

The UK has a well­respected higher education system and some of the top universities and research institutions in the world. But to those who are new to it all, sometimes it can be confusing．

October is usually the busiest month in the college calendar. Universities have something called Freshers’ Week for their newcomers. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, join lots of clubs and settle into university life．

However, having just left the comfort of home and all your friends behind, the prospect（前景）of meeting lots of strangers in big halls can be nerve­wracking（令人头痛的）. Where do you start? Who should you make friends with? Which clubs should you join?

Luckily, there will be thousands of others in the same boat as you worrying about starting their university social life on the right foot. So just take it all in slowly. Don’t rush into anything that you’ll regret for the next three years.

Here is some top advice from past students on how to survive Freshers’ Week：

●Learn rules. Make sure you know British social etiquette（礼节）. Have a few wine glasses and snacks handy for your housemates and friends.

●Be kind. Sometimes cups of tea or even slices of toast can give you a head start in making friends.

●Be sociable. The more active you are, the more likely you’ll be to meet new people than if you’re someone who never leaves their room.

●Bring a doorstop. Keep your door open when you’re in and that sends positive messages to your neighbors that you’re friendly.

So with a bit of clever planning and effort, Freshers’ Week can give you a great start to your university life and soon you’ll be passing on your experience to next year’s new recruits．

1.Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the passage？

A．October is generally the busiest month for universities．

B．It’s a good idea to have a doorstop.

C．A bit of planning can make Freshers’ Week easier.

D．The first week of your every year at university is called Freshers’ Week．

2.The underlined word "recruits" in the last paragraph refers to__________．

A．courses           B．freshers           C．neighbors         D．challenges

3.We can infer from the 4th paragraph that 　　　　．

A．the newcomers usually miss the days living at home

B．most of the students in the UK spend three years in universities

C．many freshers are worried about how to fit university life

D．all the new students will make new friends and join certain clubs

4.Why does the author suggest having wine glasses and snacks handy？

A．To pass the busy university life．

B．To help make friends with other freshers．

C．To show yourself a drinker as others．

D．To pass the time in a happy way．