Five years ago, Steven Gerrard fulfilled a boyhood dream when he was made captain of   Liverpool, the football club he   had supported all his life. As one of the best teams in the English Premier League, the captain's armband weighed heavy on a player who had only turned 23.

  But through a combination of individual brilliance on the pitch (球场) and a growing awareness of what being a skipper (队长) is all about, Gerrard has gone on to make the captain's role his own.

He performed a rescue act for Liverpool by twice scoring as they came from 2－0 down to draw 2－2 against Hull City on December 13.His efforts steered (带领) the team to the top of the Premier League. “It's  easy for me to say we're a great team  and the squad's great，” said Gerrard.  “The hardest thing is to actually go out there and prove it on the pitch. I call the Premier League the bread and butter and I'm desperate for the title.”

Liverpool enjoyed some real success during the five years when Gerrard has been captain of the club—they've been to two Champions League finals and an FA Cup final, winning two out of three. But Gerrard believes he has learned more from being a captain “when things haven't gone too well”．

“You learn more from bad experiences really. Bad defeats, going out of competitions or failing short in the league, as captain, I feel more responsible, particularly when we get beaten，” he said. “I remember all those experiences and learn from all of that.”

 Gerrard grew up watching Liverpool. He joined the club's youth academy as a school boy. He then had tryouts with various clubs at 14, including Manchester United, which he claimed in his autobiography (自传) was “to pressure Liverpool into giving me a contract.” He signed with the club in 1997.

 Gerrard has dedicated his entire career to Liverpool and he is confident that the club will start another legend soon. “You just expect that dynasty to come，” he said.

1．The passage is mainly about ________.

A．Gerrard's love of Liverpool

B．what kind of person Gerrard is

C．Gerrard's latest performance on the pitch

D．Gerrard as captain of the Liverpool football club

2．From the text, we can see that ________.

A．Gerrard has outshone other captains of Liverpool

B．Gerrard did quite a good job in leading his team

C．Gerrrad intended to make the captain's role his own

D．Gerrrad has been confident of being a captain since chosen

3．Gerrard admitted that he learned more from ________.

A．try outs with various clubs

B．unsuccessful experiences

C．steering the team to the top

D．striving for the league title

4．From the last two paragraphs, we know that ________.

A．Gerrard compared Liverpool with other football clubs and finally decided on it

B．Gerrard was made captain soon after he signed with Liverpool

C．Gerrard believed the next season would be his dynasty

D．it was Liverpool that Gerrard had his eye on all along

President Clinton’s decision on Apr.8 to send Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji packing without an agreement on China’s entry into the World Trade Organization seemed to be a massive miscalculation. The President took a drubbing from much of the press, which had breathlessly reported that a deal was in the bag. The Cabinet and Whit House still appeared divided, and business leaders were characterized as furious over the lost opportunity. Zhu charged that Clinton lacked “the courage” to reach an accord. And when Clinton later telephoned the angry Zhu to pledge a renewed effort at negotiations, the gesture was widely portrayed as a flip-flop.

In fact, Clinton made the right decision in holding out for a better WTO deal. A lot more horse trading is needed before a final agreement can be reached. And without the Administration’s goal of a “bullet-proof agreement” that business lobbyists can enthusiastically sell to a Republican Congress, the whole process will end up in partisan acrimony that could harm relations with China for years.

THE HARD PART. Many business lobbyists, while disappointed that the deal was not closed, agree that better terms can still be had. And Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin, National Economic Council Director Gene B. Sperling, Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, and top trade negotiator Charlene Barshefsky all advised Clinton that while the Chinese had made a remarkable number of concessions, “we’re not there yet,” according to senior officials.

Negotiating with Zhu over the remaining issues may be the easy part. Although Clinton can signal U.S. approval for China’s entry into the WTO himself, he needs Congress to grant Beijing permanent most-favored-nation status as part of a broad trade accord. And the temptation for meddling on Capital Hill may prove over-whelming. Zhu had barely landed before Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss) declared himself skeptical that China deserved entry into the WTO. And Senators Jesse A. Helms (R-N.C.) and Emest F. Hollings (D-S. C.) promised to introduce a bill requiring congressional approval of any deal.

The hidden message from these three textile-state Southerners: Get more protection for the U. S. clothing industry. Hoping to smooth the way, the Administration tried, but failed, to budge Zhu on textiles. Also left in the lurch: Wall Street, Hollywood, and Detroit. Zhu refused to open up much of the lucrative Chinese securities market and insisted on “cultural” restrictions on American movies and music. He also blocked efforts to allow U. S. auto makers to provide fleet financing.

BIG JOB. Already, business lobbyists are blanketing Capitol Hill to presale any eventual agreement, but what they’ve heard so far isn’t encouraging. Republicans, including Lott, say that “the time just isn’t right” for the deal. Translation: We’re determined to make it look as if Clinton has capitulated to the Chinese and is ignoring human, religious, and labor rights violations; the theft of nuclear-weapons technology; and the sale of missile parts to America’s enemies. Beijing’s fierce critics within the Democratic Party, such as Senator Paul D. Wellstone of Minnesota and House Minority leader Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, won’t help, either.

Just how tough the lobbying job on Capitol Hill will be become clear on Apr. 20, when Rubin lectured 19chief executives on the need to discipline their Republican allies. With business and the White House still trading charges over who is responsible for the defeat of fast-track trade negotiating legislation in 1997, working together won’t be easy. And Republicans—with a wink—say that they’ll eventually embrace China’s entry into the WTO as a favor to Corporate America. Though not long before they torture Clinton. But Zhu is out on a limb, and if Congress overdoes the criticism, he may be forced by domestic critics to renege. Business must make this much dear to both its GOP allies and the Whit House: This historic deal is too important to risk losing to any more partisan squabbling

1.    The main idea of this passage is

[A]. The Contradiction between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

[B]. On China’s entry into WTO.

[C]. Clinton was right.

[D]. Business Lobbyists Control Capitol Hill.

2.    What does the sentence “Also left in the lurch: Wall Street, Hollywood, Detroit” convey?

[A]. Premier Zhu rejected their requirements.

[B]. The three places overdid criticism.

[C]. They wanted more protection.

[D]. They are in trouble.

3.    What was the attitude of the Republican Party toward China’s entry into the WTO?

[A]. Contradictory.              [B].Appreciative.

[C]. Disapproving.              [D]. Detestful.

4.    Who plays the leading part in the deal in America?

[A]. White House .              [B]. Republicans.

[C]. The Democratic Party.        [D]. Businessmen.

5.    It can be inferred from the passage that

[A]. America will make concessions.

[B]. America will hold out for a better WTO

[C]. Clinton has the right to signal U. S. approval for China’s entry.

[D]. Democratic party approve China’s entry into the WTO.

1 

China in the 21st century is making great progress in space technology. In 2003, the country sent up the manned spacecraft Shenzhou-V. Four years later, Chang’e-I went into orbit (轨道) around the moon. In 2008 a Chinese man did the country’s first spacewalk.

These achievements would have been unthinkable without the contribution of Qian Xuesen, a key scientist on space programs and rocketry (火箭技术) of the People’s Republic of China. This pioneering scientist passed away in Beijing on October 31 in 2009 at the age of 98.

   Once called “the father of our space industry”, Qian began working on China’s missile and space technology in 1956, when China had little technology. When asked by General Chen Geng whether the Chinese could develop their own missiles, Qian said Chinese could do anything that foreigners could.

His research helped lead to the explosion of China’s first atomic bomb (原子弹) in1964, as well as to its first man-made satellite in 1970 and its first manned spacecraft in 2003.

    Qian was born in Shanghai. He graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1934.Then he studied in the US at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later at the California Institute of Technology. During World WarⅡ, Qian’s research contributed to the development of rocket technology that the US military (军队) began using in the 1940s. He was once prevented from leaving the country because it was decided that he knew too much about certain military matters. It was not until in 1955 that Qian returned to China with the help of the late premier Zhou Enlai.

    “I plan to do my best to help the Chinese build a nation where they can live with dignity (尊严) and happiness, ” Qian told reporters before sailing for China in 1955. The great scientist devoted all his life to keeping the promise.

1. What is the article mainly about?

A. It gives a short history of Chinese missile and space programs.

B. It is about how Qian contributed to the Chinese space program.

C. It lists important events that Qian experienced.

D. It is a brief introduction to Qian, a famous Chinese scientist.

2.. Which statement about Qian is TRUE?

A. He was born in China and brought up in America.

B. He went to America for further study after graduation from university.

C. He returned to his hometown right after finishing his education.

D. He had worked on missiles in the US military before coming back to China.

3.Qian was personally involved in many historic events in China EXCEPT       .

A. the first spacewalk                                           B. the first man-made satellite

C. the development of missiles                   D. the explosion of an atomic bomb

4. From the article, we can conclude that       .

A. the US military had hoped to take full advantage of Qian’s talent

B. Qian had an important position in the US military in the 1940s

C. when World War broke out, Qian was studying at Shanghai Jiaotong University

D. it was not easy to get Qian back from the US

 

Eat to Excel

 

How fit are you? Do you look after yourself? Do you eat healthily or do you eat anything you like? Premier League football club Aston Villa are encouraging their players and local children to eat healthy food. They know that what you eat is the key to success.

How fit is a footballer?

Could you run ten kilometers in 90 minutes? A professional footballer can. Footballers have to be strong, quick, skillful and creative in their moves. Every Premier League club makes sure it has a good coaching scheme and a well-planned fitness program. They also ensure that players have the practice and training that will prepare them for matches. What else do you think clubs pay special attention to? A good stadium? Anything else? What about the food they eat?

Eating the right thing

A good diet is a fundamental part of sport these days. Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill’s sport and health experts have chosen a secret weapon --- organic food (food grown without chemicals). Fitness manager Jim Henry eats with his players and said: “I chose to switch to organic food for Aston Villa because I’ve read studies showing that organic food has higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.” He believes that the best way to get these is to eat the very best fresh food.

What to eat after the match

Head chef at Aston Villa, lan Edge, feeds players with the best food as soon as they finish an away match. He says: “Food is very important to sports stars and particularly after a game. There is an hour of opportunity when they need to eat to get the best muscle strength, so I hand out meals on the coach on the way home. If we can make one per cent difference to the players by using organic food, then it is worth it.”

Teaching healthy eating

Everyone at Aston Villa enjoys organic food at their training ground. But the club is also worried about the unhealthy diet among local children who prefer sweets and unhealthy fast food. As part of their work in the community, Aston Villa has opened up their kitchen and invited children from local schools to come and learn how to cook with the help of the Villa head chef. Villa midfielder, Nigel ReoCoker, visited the children on the opening day. “The kitchen promotes healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.” he said.

A final word from the kitchen

Head chef Ian says: “Footballers know how important food is to their profession and nine times out of ten, they go for the healthiest option.” Do you watch your diet? If you do and you keep yourself fit, you can be a winner!

1.Every Premier League Club provides footballers with ______________.

A. a good coach

B. a fitness center

C. proper practice and training

D. a delicious diet

2.According to Jim Henry, ___________________.

A. he believes the studies he has read about organic food

B. he will only eat organic food with his players

C. he thinks food is especially important after a game

D. he chose organic food as a secret weapon for footballers

3.We can learn from the passage that ___________________.

A. people can make one percent difference to players by using organic food

B. only a few footballers pay attention to the healthy eating

C. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat on their way to the match

D. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat some food within an hour after a match.

4.Why has Aston Villa invited children from local schools?

A. Because they want to teach kids how to cook delicious food.

B. Because they want to teach kids to play football.

C. Because they are fond of the kids in the community.

D. Because they intend to promote healthy eating.

 

 

A simple flower made headlines in the British press last week. How could that be?

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his ministers were attending a reception hosted by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. They insisted on wearing poppies(罂粟花) in their buttonholes.

What’s wrong with that?

According to the Global Times, Chinese officials apparently had asked the UK delegation not to wear poppies. The British said that poppies meant a great deal to them on that day and they would wear them all the same.

So what’s the significance of the poppy? It’s a flower which has different cultural and symbolic meanings for British and Chinese people.

From the Chinese point of view, the poppy is a symbol of China’s humiliation at the hands of European powers in the Opium Wars of the 19th century. Britain forced China to open the borders to trade —including in the opium —which was made from poppies grown in India.

Yet from the British viewpoint the poppy is a reminder of the killing during Word War I. Red poppies grew on the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium where many thousands of British soldiers died or were buried. Since then, Poppy Day (November 11) has become a time in the UK to wear poppies and remember the sacrifices of British soldiers and civilians in times of war.

So you can see that the poppy sets off strong feelings in the hearts of Chinese and British people for different reasons. And it makes sense for us to try to understand each other’s standpoint.

Of course cultural differences can also be interesting and funny. And what one nation thinks is an acceptable gift may be viewed differently by their guest from overseas. US President Barack Obama gave a gift of an iPod to Britain’s Queen —a dull person with no interest in music. Obama also presented Gordon Brown with a fine selection of American movies. But they were in US format and impossible to play on British DVD players.

Many countries have diplomats stationed overseas. Diplomats provide information and advice to their governments back home. However, sometimes it would seem that even diplomats can overlook the cultural significance of a small flower.

(   ) 1..  British Prime Minister David Cameron probably attended a reception in Beijing on         .

    A. October 1            B. November 11      C. December 31      D. January 1

(   ) 2..  The poppy reminds the Chinese of         .

    A. the shame caused by European countries in the 19th century

    B. the British soldiers who were killed and buried during World War I

    C. the Chinese soldiers killed during World War II

    D. the suffering caused by Britain during World War I

(   ) 3.. The diplomatic problem in Beijing is mainly caused by         .

    A. the translation mistake                      B. the language difference 

C. the cultural difference                          D. the different lifestyle

(   ) 4..  We can infer that         .

    A. Britain’s Queen is not interested in art

    B. Gordon Brown was fond of American movies US President Barack Obama sent him

    C. US President Barack Obama received a gift for music

    D. Britain’s Queen may not like the iPod US President Barack Obama presented her

(   ) 5..  What is the main idea of the 9th paragraph?

    A. Cultural difference can also be interesting and funny.

    B. Cultural differences can cause a big problem.

    C. US President Barack Obama likes to present gifts to other leaders.

    D. US leaders and British leaders get along well with each other.