MIANYANG—At a corner of the city’s Jiuzhou Stadium, one of the biggest camps set up for those left homeless in the earthquake, 62-year-old Liu Yaorong was leaning against a window on Thursday.

Pointing to a quilt and clothes he received from the local government, he said: “These are all I have. My home collapsed in the quake, and everything in the town was flooded.”

He used to live in Xuanping town of Beichuan county which was destroyed by the quake. Adding to his misery, rivers blocked by landslides(山崩) led to flooding in the town.

But Liu said he was lucky because he was healthy, otherwise he would not have the energy to walk 10 hours on damaged and dangerous mountainous roads to escape the flood on Monday. He said the trip used to take him about 90 minutes when the roads were in good condition.

The journey was difficult and “rocks kept falling,” he said, showing injured legs and black, split toenails.

Liu said his three sons were working in eastern cities as migrant workers.

“I’ve been living alone in the mountains for more than 20 years. My wife died 30 years ago,” he said in a low voice.

During his journey to Mianyang, Liu said he saw many elderly people who chose to stay.

“Soldiers were persuading them to leave for fear of floods,” he said.

Talking about his home before the quake struck, Liu’s mood lifted. “I raised pigs and chickens, and grew vegetables. I could have rice, meat and greens almost every day,” he said.

“But now, I have only biscuits and instant noodles.”

Liu said one of his sons returned home from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, after the quake, but left because the father refused to go with him.

“I don’t want to leave home. And I know it is difficult for them out there. How could I add to their burden?” he asked, his eyes red.

“I still want to go back to my home. Given a small piece of land, I could live by myself.”

It is learnt that resettlement plans for displaced people have not been finalized.

However, not every elderly person is as strong-willed as Liu.

Psychologists said the elderly need as much comfort as children. Lu Jianguo, a psychologist from Chengdu Medical College, said “We will first let them cry and tell their stories, and then help them regain confidence.”

1.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

2.The underlined word “ misery  ”in the third paragraph most probably means “      ”.

3.What’s Liu Yaorong’s attitude towards self-relief after the earthquake?

4. What would be the best title for the news report?

Ladji Doucoure of France beat Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China in the final meters to claim the title of the men’s 110 meters hurdles at the 10^th world championships in Helsinki on Friday.
Doucoure, who led the world this season with 12.97 seconds, over took the Chinese to win the race in 13.07 seconds. Liu was second in 13.08. Four-time world champion Allen Johnson of the United States took the third in 13.10.
The 22-year-old Doucoure said after the race, “ I can not tell you just how long I have been dreaming of this. This victory is the result of a lot of hard work, and also a lot of support from people who have believed in me. I had a bad start, touched a few hurdles, but after the 4^th hurdle I picked up my race and went straight to the finish line.”
Liu, who won the Olympic gold with a world record-tying time of 12.91 seconds, said, “I’m very satisfied with the second place. The result could have been worse. I felt quite well and did my best. I’ m not tired, I had some clearance problems at the start, so I should practice that some mor. Finally, I didn’t lose by much, only by a little bit, but I did think I could win it.”
Liu’s coach, Sun Haiping said on Friday he was content with Liu’s performance.
“ Liu Xiang was quite good during his reaction period, but he was a little bit slow in the middle and he finally caught up during the last two hurdles,” Sun told Xinhua.
Although satisfied with the silver medal and the clocking of 13.08 seconds, Sun said Liu might have added the world title to the Olympic championship if Liu had run the track neighboring his major rivals(对手) of Doucoure Ladji or Allen Johnson.
“ If he had run next to Ladji Doucoure or Allen Johnson, Liu could have kept pace with them and then sprinted(疾跑) at the last stage. In this case, he could grab the gold,” said Sun, who had become a household name for coaching China’s first men’s Olympic champion in the track.
【小题1】This passage probably appears_________.

Asian athletes have had a spare time in the first two days of the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England. But Chinese hurdler(跨栏运动员) Liu Xiang surprised everyone by taking the bronze medal in the men's 60-meter hurdles.

Liu became the first Chinese male athlete to get a world indoor medal in the 18-year history of the championship and was the only Asian medallist this time. 

"Karaoke (卡拉OK)! That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to get a big group of my friends together and sing. I love both Western and Chinese music but especially Michael Jackson," said Liu after clocking 7.52 seconds in the final to take his place on the podium (领奖台).

"Frankly speaking, I didn't think I was in the shape to win a medal," Liu said. "On my arrival here, my aim was just to fight my way into the final. After I did that, I thought I might just get into the top six. I knew British hurdler Colin Jackson was going to be here and he's the world record holder indoors and out."

"There was also Cuba's reigning (统治的) Olympic champion Anier Garcia and Allen Johnson, from the United States." It was Johnson, the reigning world outdoor champion, who was successful in 7.47 seconds with Garcia second and Jackson finished back in fifth. 

Now Liu will never underestimate his chances again and is aiming for glory in Paris later this year.

"There is the World Championship outdoors in the summer and I have now got to think that I can get a medal. I can never again think that I can't get a medal," he said. Liu's success here marks his rapid transition into the senior ranks.

"The university gives me a lot of flexibility. My courses are very easy and the teachers are very helpful," said Liu.

They might have to be even more accommodating(乐于助人的) now if Liu starts taking on celebrity status, although an invite to his homecoming karaoke party may help.

The first sentence "Asian athletes have had a spare time in the first two days…" means "________".

A. Asian athletes can do things at their will in the first two days

B. Asian athletes haven't any achievements in the first two days

C. Asian athletes could match athletes from other continents

D. Asian athletes are tired of competing in the first two days

The underlined sentence means "________".

A. I was not satisfied with my performances

B. winning a medal can't show what I have done

C. I didn't think I was able to win a medal

D. I haven't told anyone about my achievements in the hurdles

Liu ________ the World Championship outdoors in Paris later this year.

A. is busy preparing for

B. has great pressure on

C. is more confident of his ability in

D. pays little attention to

Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Liu Xiang was the youngest athlete to take part in the competition in England.

B. Liu Xiang was the first Asian medallist to get a world indoor medal.

C. Liu Xiang is not only a good athlete but a music-lover.

D. Liu Xiang finds it hard to get along with teachers in university.

"USA? Britain? Which country is better to study in?" We often hear such discussions. As China opens its doors, studying abroad has become a dream for many Chinese students. They want to learn about the world.

It's true that studying abroad can help students develop themselves. Language skills will improve and it may be easier to find jobs.

But there are problems that should be considered(考虑). Language is the first. Students must spend a lot of time learning another language and getting used to a different culture.

Students must also learn to live without parents' care and deal with all kinds of things they haven't had to do before, like looking after themselves. There are reports about Chinese students abroad sinking into an ocean of difficulties and giving up easily. When they have to take care of themselves, it is hard for students to study well.

Finally, studying abroad brings a heavy burden(负担) to the family. For most Chinese parents, the cost of studying abroad is very high. But is it worth it?

We know that there are many famous people who succeed in great things through their hard work in China. Liu Xiang is a good example. Once an American teacher invited him there but he refused. He kept training hard with his Chinese teacher. He surprised the world when he won a gold medal(金牌) at the Athens Olympics. So when you wonder which country is better to study in, consider whether studying abroad is the right choice(选择).

1.From the passage, we learn that many Chinese students dream about studying abroad to __________.

A．taste a new life                         B．make a lot of money

C．learn about the world                    D．learn to look after themselves

2.The writer thinks __________ should be considered first before students study abroad.

A．places            B．time              C．money            D．language

3.The writer mentions Liu Xiang in the passage in order to tell us that __________.

A．Chinese teachers are better than American ones

B．studying abroad is not the right choice

C．people can also be successful in China if they work hard

D．Liu Xiang was a gold medal winner

4.Which of the following is NOT true?

A．Studying abroad will cost students' families a lot of money.

B．Studying abroad will make it easy for students to learn well.

C．Studying abroad will help students to improve language skills.

D．Studying abroad will bring students a lot of difficulties in their life.