Engineering students are supposed to be examples of practicality and rationality (理性), but when it comes to my college education I am an idealist and a fool. In high school I wanted to be an electrical engineer and, of course, any reasonable student with my aims would have chosen a college with a large engineering department, many famous professors and lots of good labs and research equipment. But that's not what I did.

I chose to study engineering at a small liberal-arts (文科) university that doesn't even offer a major in electrical engineering. Obviously, this was not a practical choice; I came here for more noble reasons. I wanted a broad education that would provide me with flexibility and a value system to guide me in my job. I wanted to open my eyes and expand my vision by communicating with people who weren't studying science or engineering. My parents, teachers and other adults praised me for such a wise choice. They told me I was wise and grown-up beyond my 18 years, and I believed them.

　I headed off to the college and sure I was going to have an advantage over those students who went to big engineering "factories" where they didn't care if you had values or were flexible. I was going to be a complete engineer: technical expert and excellent humanist all in one.

　Now I'm not so sure. Somewhere along the way my noble ideas crashed into reality, as all noble ideas finally do. After three years of struggling to balance math, physics and engineering courses with liberal-arts courses, I have learned there are reasons why few engineering students try to reconcile engineering with liberal-arts courses in college.

　The reality that has blocked my path to become the typical successful student is that engineering and the liberal arts simply don't mix as easily as I supposed in high school. Individually they shape a person in very different ways. The struggle to reconcile the two fields of study is difficult.

1.Why did the author choose to study engineering at a small liberal-arts university?

A．He intended to become an engineer and humanist.

B．He intended to be a reasonable student with noble ideals.

C．He wanted to be an example of practicality and rationality.

D．He wanted to communicate with liberal-arts students.

2.According to the author, by communicating with people who study liberal arts, engineering students can ___________.

A．become noble idealists

B．broaden their knowledge

C．find a better job in the future

D．balance engineering and liberal arts

3. Which word below can replace the underlined word “reconcile”?

A．confuse

B．compare

C．combine

D．compete

4.The underlined sentence in 1st paragraph means ___________.

A．he has failed to achieve his ideal aims

B．he is not a practical and rational student

C．his choice of attending to a small liberal-arts university is reasonable

D．his idea of combining engineering with liberal - arts is noble and wise

5. The author suggests in this passage that ___________.

A．liberal-arts students are supported to take engineering courses

B．technical experts with a wide vision are expected in the society

C．successful engineering students are more welcomed in the society

D．engineering universities with liberal-arts courses are needed

 

What's On

Stage

An acrobatic(杂技) soul: To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the China Acrobatic Troupe will present "The Soul of China", where the seemingly impossible is made real. Chills(寒战) will run down your spine (脊柱) as you watch breathlessly as performers take their art and their bodies to the edge

Time: 7:30p. m,Septemberl3—19

Place: Capital Theatre,22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District

Exhibitions

Joint show: A group ink painting exhibition is running at the Huangshicheng Art Gallery in Beijing.

About 50 works by 25 young artists including Ge Yun and Yu Yang are on display.

Time: 9 a.m. —5 p.m.until September 10

Place: Huangshicheng Gallery, 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng Distirct

Oil paintings: The Wanfung Art Gallery will host a joint show of oil paintings by 10 young and middle — aged artists. On display are more than 30 of their latest works, which capture(捕捉) he wonderous variety of life in unique(独特的) styles.

Time: 9 a.m. —4 p.m.until September 15

Place: 136 Nanchizi Street, Dongcheng District

Literature (文学) museum: The National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature offers an in —depth study of the evolution of Chinese contemporary literature from 1919 to 1949.

Time: 9 a.m. — 4 p.m, daily

Place: 45 Anyuan Donglu, Chaoyang District(Shaoyaoju area)

Conarts

Beijing rocks: "The Fashionow Night of Chinese Rock" is set to bring rock fans out by the thousands next month. Nine Chinese rock bands will perform at the concert, including older generation bands, middle generation and some recent arrivals. The audience(听众) will be given a chance to decide what songs they want to hear, which is sure to bring a storm.

Time: September 16

Place: The Olympic Center

Belgium Orchestra (管弦乐队): La Petite Bande, the Baroque Orchestra of Belgium, will perform in Beijing at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities as part of activities across the world to commemorate(纪念) the 250th anniversary of Bach' s death.

Time: 7:30 p.m. September l1—14

Place: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities

What do you think of the acrobatic show mentioned here?

A．When you watch it, you will certainly feel cold.

B．Something strange will puzzle everyone, including scientists.

C．Unexpected things will make you excited and surprised.

D．Even the bravest ones will be too frightened to go on watching.

The most characteristic thing about the Fashionow Night of Chinese Rock is that_________.

A．it will let the audience choose the performers and the music

B．it is to bring thousands of rock fans out of their homes

C．it will certainly cause a rock storm throughout China

D．it is to be held in memory of one of the greatest musicians

Suppose it is September 14 today, how marry activities can people choose to attend?

A．2　　　　　　　 B．3　　　　　　　　 C．4　　　　　　　　D．5

On the whole, we can conclude__________.

A．people in Beijing prefer modem culture to something traditional

B．there are usually more cultural activities in September than in any other month

C．most of the cultural activities in Beijing are for foreign visitors only

D．we can enjoy a large variety of cultural activities in Beijing

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

　　1. It is a new term in today's tourism industry．But in an age of growing environmental awareness, it is not too difficult for us to imagine and understand this new form of holiday．

　　Ecotourism, which is considered as a kind of responsible tourism, is typically defined（定义）as travel to places where special and unusual plants, animals and cultural heritages （遗产） are the main ttractions．  2. Therefore, programs concerning the protection of some natural and cultural spots also form'a part of ecotourism．　　Ecotourism is developing at great speed．According to a recent report by the World Tourism Organization, ecotourism in recent years has enjoyed an annual growth of about 5% worldwide． 3.  They include bird watching, hiking, diving, photography and taking part in various kinds of local cultural events．　　4.  However, it looks like some smaller towns and country areas may well become the new destinations for people to visit tomorrow because they are rich in ecological, cultural and historical resources （资源）．

　　Ecotourism has been gaining increasing recognition and popularity mainly for the relaxing, natural and vivid experience it offers to tourists．People are attracted to nature  and long to be close to it．However, a conflict between nature and human beings is unavoidable． 5.

　　A．The definition of ecotourism is beyond words．

　　B．It takes ecology and culture into consideration．

　　C．You may not be very familiar with "ecotourism"．

　　D．More than 80 activities have been listed for ecotourism．

　　E．People can have great fun enjoying nature through ecotourism．

　　F．Big cities are still the major places that attract tourists in our society today．

　　G．How to protect natural resources while taking advantage of them is of great importance．

 

A tall figure appeared from the dark door of the tent. It was a smoking young man about twenty three or four. He had an almost black face, though smooth. His moustache was black with curled points. There was an unusual force in his face, and in his daring rolling eyes. cef

　　Rebecca still stood hesitating like a swimmer about to make his dive, hardly knowing whether to return or move forward.

         "Hi, my beauty, what can I do for you?" said he, approaching. Realizing that she was quite at a loss, the man spoke in a gentle voice, "Never mind. I am Mr. Thackeray. Have you come to see me or my mother?"

　　This scene differed greatly from what Rebecca had expected. She had dreamed of an aged and dignified(威严的) face. She told herself to be calm and answered "I came to see your mother, sir."

　　"I am afraid you cannot see her-she is ill in bed," replied the representative of the house; for this was Mr. Alee Thackeray, the only son of the noble family. "What is the business you wish to see her about?"

　　"It isn't business-it is-I can hardly say what!"

　　"Pleasure?"

　　"Oh no. Why, sir, if I tell you, it will seem..."

　　Rebecca's sense of a certain ridicule(奚落，讥笑) was now so obvious and strong that, despite her general discomfort at being here, her rosy lips curved(弯曲) towards a smile, much to the attraction of the young man.

　　"It is so foolish", she murmured. "I fear I can't tell you!"

　　"Never mind; I like foolish things. Try again, my dear," said he kindly.

　　"Mother told me to come," Rebecca continued; "and, indeed, I was in the mind to do so myself. But I did not expect it would turn out like this. I came…sir, I came to tell you that we are of the same family as you."

　　"Ho Ho! Poor relations?"

　　"Yes."

　　"Rossetti?"

　　"No. Thackeray."

　　"Ay, ay; I mean Thackeray."

　　"Our names are worn away to Durbeyfield; but we have several proofs that we are Thackeray. The local scholars hold the view that we are, and...and we have an old seal and a silver spoon marked with the same castle as yours. So mother said we ought to make ourselves known to you, as we've lost our horse by a bad accident. We can hardly make a living."

    "It’s very kind of your mother, I'm sure." Alec looked at Rebecca as he spoke, in a way that made her uneasy. "And so, my pretty girl, you've come on a friendly visit to us, as relations?"

　　"I suppose I have," looking less confident and uncomfortable again.

"Well, there's no harm in it. I mean it doesn’t hurt to come and make yourself known to me. Where do you live? What are you?" …

1.While meeting with Alec, Rebecca feels _______during the whole course.

A. nervous and uneasy

B. excited and hopeful

C. amazed and comfortable

D. pleased but embarrassed.

2.Which of the following is suitable to describe Rebecca’s impression of Alec?

A. unfriendly and ta lkative

B. forceful and daring

C. gentle and reliable

D. older than expected

3.What is Rebecca’s real purpose of making this visit?

A. To see Alec himself.

B. To see Alec's mother.

C. To confirm that they are of the same family.

D. To make known their relationship and seek help.

4.From the passage, we can conclude that Alec appears quite friendly to Rebecca largely because __________.

A. Rebecca is his distant relation

B. Rebecca looks polite to him

C. Rebecca is a pretty girl

D. Rebecca looks ridiculous

 

"Where is it?" "Where is ____? I don't know what do you mean?"

　　A. what    B.    that?    C. where    D. so