LONDON — Life for Cathy Hagner and her three children is set to permanent(永久的) fast-forward.

Their full school day and her job as a lawyer's assistant are busy enough. But Hanger also has to take the two boys to soccer or hockey or basketball while dropping off her daughter at piano lessons or Girl Scout Club.

Often, the exhausted family doesn't get home until 7 pm. There is just time for a quick supper before homework. In today's world, middle-class American and British parents treat their children as if they are competitors racing for some finishing line.

Parents take their children from activity to activity in order to make their future bright. It seems that raising a genius has become a more important goal than raising a happy and well-balanced child.

“Doctors across the country are reporting a growing number of children suffering from stomachaches and headaches due to exhaustion and stress,” says child expert William Doherty of the University of Minnesota.

Teachers are dealing with exhausted kids in the classroom. It's a very serious problem. Many children attend after-school clubs by necessity. But competitive pressures also create an explosion of activities. They include sports, language, music and math classes for children as young as four.

“There is a new parenting trend(趋势) under way which says that you have to tap all your child’s potential(潜能) at a young age; otherwise you will let him down,” says Terry Apter, a Cambridge-based child and adolescent psychiatrist(青少年精神病专家).

“It isn't entirely new: there have always been pushy parents. But what was previously(以前) seen as strange behaviour is now well accepted.”

1. From the second paragraph of this passage we can find that _______.

A. Hagner wastes much time helping her children's lessons

B. Hagner doesn't spend much time on her full-time job

C. Hagner is interested in sports and music

D. Hagner busies herself by following a trend

2. British parents, as the writer described in this passage, _______.

A. treat their children as sports players

B. pay no attention to their children's lessons

C. bring up their children in a simple way

D. give their children little time to develop freely

3. The writer's opinion about after-school clubs is that ________.

A. activities in the country are too competitive

B. children should attend four clubs at a time

C. some clubs result in competitive pressures

D. clubs should have more subjects for school children

4. The last paragraph tells us that in Britain _______.

A. parents used to take their children to every club

B. parents used to be wise on how to raise children

C. parents have all benefited from children’s clubs

D. parents have come to know the standard of education

通读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后在各题所给的A、 B、C、D四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案。

Unchangeable Love

One day I visited an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting. I was expecting a quiet         of the splendid artwork.

A young         viewing the paintings ahead of me        nonstop between themselves. I watched them a moment and decided the lady was doing all the talking. I admired the man's       for putting up with her         stream of words.        by their noise, I moved on.

I met them several times as I moved       the various rooms of art. Each time I heard her continuous flow of words, I moved away      .

I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a       when the couple approached the       . Before they left, the man        into his pocket and pulled out a white object. He        it into a long stick and then tapped his way into the        to get his wife's jacket.

"He's a        man." the clerk at the counter said." Most of us would give up if we were blinded at such a young age. During his recovery, he made a promise his life wouldn't change. So, as before, he and his wife come in       there is a new art show." "But what does he get out of the art?" I asked." He can't see." "Can't see! You're       . He sees a lot. More than you and I do," the clerk said, " His wife       each painting so he can see it in his head."

I learned something about patience,        and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without __ _ and the courage of a husband who would not        blindness to change his life. And I saw the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away, hand in hand.

1.A. touch                      B. view                           C. wander           D. scenery

2.A. lady                   B. man                       C. couple            D. clerk

3.A. chatted                B. argued                    C. discussed          D. spoke

4.A. knowledge             B. confidence                 C. wisdom            D. patience

5.A. vivid                  B. constant                   C. tasteless       D. exciting

6.A. Adopted               B. Discouraged                C. Surprised          D. Disturbed

7.A. through              B. in                           C. towards            D. from

8.A. anxiously               B. seriously                   C. quickly       D. angrily

9.A. comment              B. decision                    C. purchase          D. list

10.A.entrance             B.exit                        C.front               D.queue

11.A. put                  B. held                        C. reached           D. turned

12.A. made               B. lengthened                C. brought            D. changed

13.A. shop                 B. counter                    C. hall           D. coatroom

14.A. brave               B. kind                        C. rough         D. blind

15.A. wherever           B. whatever                   C. whichever         D. whenever

16.A. wrong               B. silly                         C. humorous          D. unique

17.A. describes           B. draws                      C. shows              D. tells

18.A. curiosity             B. pride                    C. enthusiasm        D. courage

19.A. support         B. sight                           C. expectation       D. hesitation

20.A. get                  B. hope                       C. allow               D. stop

 

When most people think of tropical islands, lined with white sandy beaches and bright blue seas, it is often the Caribbean or South Pacific that comes to mind．But for Chinese tourists who want a taste of paradise on Earth there is a new place to consider.

Mauritius, an island lying off the southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, has just been added to China's list of tourist destinations. Rich in history, natural beauty and culture, the island has been a popular destination for the world's tourists for many years.

On December 15 a total of eight African countries were added to the list. The others are Tunisia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Seychelles.

The island has passed through the controlling hands of a number of European powers, including Dutch, French and British. In 1968, Mauritius won its independence.

At present, over half the population of Mauritius is Hindu and another fifth is Muslim. Both groups are descendants(后裔)from workers brought to the island from India by the British. Some Chinese were also brought over to work. There are also descendants of African slaves and Franco-Mauritians, the original settlers of the island.

One of the best things about the island is the food．There is a mouth-watering mix of European, Chinese and Indian flavours and seafood is very popular. A typical Mauritian dinner might have Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork, British roast beef and French-style vegetables. Boiled rice is served with just about everything. All that is washed down with a plentiful supply of local beer and rum(朗姆酒).

The pleasant tropical climate and scenery provide the perfect setting to enjoy everything. The sea is full of colorful life that lives around the coral reef. This makes Mauritius a wonderful place for swimming and diving. The large number of interesting fish means it is also an exciting place for those who like to go fishing.

Which of the following can’t be used to describe Mauritius?

       A．Tropical island, white sandy beach and bright blue sea.

       B．Beautiful scenery, rich history and culture.

       C．Most of the people in Mauritius are black.

       D．Delicious food mixed with eastern and western flavours.

Which group of the following topics is not discussed in the text?

       A．Food and history.           B．Scenery and population.

       C．Location and sports.      D．Natural resources and agriculture.

Which of the following is true?

       A．Mauritius has something similar to the Caribbean or South Pacific.

       B．Mauritius has a history of less than 40 years.

       C．Mauritius has been a popular destination for Chinese tourists for many years.

       D．The main food in Mauritius is local beer and rum.

The underlined word “This” in the last paragraph refers to ________.

       A．Pleasant tropical climate  B．Beautiful scenery  

       C．The sea with colorful life       D．The coral reef 

One day I visited an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting. I was expecting a quiet  36  of the splendid artwork.

A young  37  viewing the paintings ahead of me  38  nonstop between themselves. I watched them a moment and decided the lady was doing all the talking. I admired the man's  39  for putting up with her  40  stream of words.  41  by their noise, I moved on.

I met them several times as I moved  42  the various rooms of art. Each time I heard her continuous flow of words, I moved away  43   .

I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a  44  when the couple approached the    45   .Before they left, the man  46  into his pocket and pulled out a white object. He  47  it into a long stick and then  48  his way into the coatroom to get his wife's jacket.

“He's a  49  man.” the clerk at the counter said. “Most of us would give up if we were blinded at such a young age. During his recovery, he made a promise his life wouldn't change. So, as before, he and his wife come in  50  there is a new art show.”

“But what does he get out of the art?” I asked. “He can't see.”

“Can't see! You're  51  . He sees a lot. More than you and I do,” the clerk said. “His wife 52  each painting so he can see it in his head.”

I learned something about patience,   53  and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without  54  and the courage of a husband who would not  55  blindness to change his life. And I saw the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away, their arms intertwined.

1.A. view                              B. touch                                C. wander                   D. scenery

2.A. lady                               B. man                                   C. couple                              D. clerk

3.A. yelled                            B. argued                              C. screamed                         D. chatted

4.A. attempt                         B. patience                           C. wisdom                   D. independence

5.A. vivid                              B. constant                          C. casual                     D. exciting

6.A. Adopted                       B. Adapted                           C. Conducted                       D. Disturbed

7.A. towards                        B. to                                       C. through                            D. from

8.A. anxiously                      B. slowly                               C. quickly                    D. sensibly

9.A. comment                      B. decision                           C. purchase                          D. profit

10.A. entrance                    B. queue                               C. front                                 D. exit

11.A. plugged                      B. reached                           C. held                                  D. bent

12.A. lengthened                B. made                                C. brought                            D. broadened

13.A. led                               B. found                                C. forced                              D. tapped

14.A. brave                                   B. rough                                C. smart                                D. generous

15.A. wherever                            B. whatever                         C. whenever                        D. whichever

16.A. wrong                         B. silly                                    C. equal                                D. unique

17.A. describes                            B. draws                                C. shows                               D. decorates

18.A. kindness                     B. courage                            C. enthusiasm                      D. pride

19.A. support                      B. expectation                     C. sight                                  D. confidence

20.A. allow                                    B. hope                                 C. get                                     D. cause

 

When most people think of tropical islands, lined with white sandy beaches and bright blue seas, it is often the Caribbean or South Pacific that comes to mind. But for Chinese tourists who want a taste of paradise on Earth there is a new place to consider.

Mauritius, an island lying off the southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, has just been added to China’s list of tourist destinations. Rich in history, natural beauty and culture, the island has been a popular destination for the world’s tourists for many years.

On December 15 a total of eight African countries were added to the list. The others are Tunisia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Seychelles.

The island has passed through the controlling hands of a number of European powers, including Dutch, French and British. In 1968, Mauritius won its independence.

At present, over half the population of Mauritius is Hindu and another fifth is Muslim. Both groups are descendants(后裔) from workers brought to the island from India by the British. Some Chinese were also brought over to work. There are also descendants of African slaves and Franco-Mauritians, the original settlers of the island.

One of the best things about the island is the food. There is a mouth-watering mix of European, Chinese and Indian flavours and seafood is very popular. A typical Mauritian dinner might have Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork, British roast beef and French-style vegetables. Boiled rice is served with just about everything. All that is washed down with a plentiful supply of local beer and rum(朗姆酒).

The pleasant tropical climate and scenery provide the perfect setting to enjoy everything. The sea is full of colorful life that lives around the coral reef. This makes Mauritius a wonderful place for swimming and diving. The large number of interesting fish means it is also an exciting place for those who like to go fishing. (from www.nmet168.com)

5. Which of the following can’t be used to describe Mauritius?

A. Tropical island, white sandy beach and bright blue sea.

B. Beautiful scenery, rich history and culture.

C. Most of the people in Mauritius are black.

D. Delicious food mixed with eastern and western flavours.

6. Which group of the following topics is not discussed in the text?

A. Food and history.                  B. Scenery and population.

C. Location and sports.               D. Natural resources and agriculture.

7. Which of the following is true?

A. Mauritius has something similar to the Caribbean or South Pacific.

B. Mauritius has a history of less than 40 years.

C. Mauritius has been a popular destination for Chinese tourists for many years.

D. The main food in Mauritius is local beer and rum.

8. The underlined word “This” in the last paragraph refers to ________.

A. Pleasant tropical climate        B. Beautiful scenery  

C. The sea with colorful life       D. The coral reef