Christmas bird – watching is popular in the U.S.A. When the holiday season comes, some Americans are likely to watch and count birds in the sky with great interest every day. This activity began in the early part of the last century. It has a one-hundred-year history. At that time, there was a so-called “holiday hunting” custom. In order to celebrate the holiday, the hunters went out to kill birds and beasts. By 1900, there were 27 bird lovers who decided to count birds instead of killing birds. Since then, Christmas bird-watching was held every year. It has been continued to the present.

There were 42000 people who took part in the bird-watching last Christmas, from December 16 the year before to January 3 next year. They were in the United States and Canada, central America, south America and the Caribbean, watching and counting birds in the sky. The whole viewing area was divided into 1600 points. Each birdwatcher was responsible for 25 meters, and was required to write down the types and quantities of birds within 24 hours.

A birdwatcher described what he had watched vividly in his diary—“ When I looked up, I saw a beautiful ‘landscape’ in the sky: Red-crowned cranes(丹顶鹤) were driving up in cunning wedges that split the air. They were so neatly arranged, coordinating their movements. I was excited and breathtaking. Interestingly, the “human” shape(人字行) always maintains 110° ” .

“Why do red-crowned cranes choose to use ‘human’ shape when flying in formation?” He continued, “In my opinion, there are four reasons: first, the ‘human’ shape can make red-crowned cranes use increasing air which is produced by each other’s wings when they are swinging in the sky. It can increase the glide time and save physical ability. Second, the ‘human’ shape will enhance communication among the birds. The orders and the relevant information issued by the lead bird can be conveyed to each member in this migratory group unimpeded, accurately, rapidly and conveniently. Third, such a formation will help to find the birds left behind because of feeling run down as fast as possible, so that the young, the weak, the sick birds can get everyone’s help and encouragement. Finally, the ‘human’ shape shows not only beauty but also unity. It can give enemies a deterrent.They will be terrified and did not dare to attack the birds.The migration security of the birds will be ensured.”  

Environmental experts admired and evaluated Christmas bird-watching highly. They pointed out that it made perfect sense. On the one hand it could enhance the human awareness of environmental protection. On the other hand it could provide first-hand information on birds.

49．When did Christmas bird – watching begin?

         A．Sometime during Christmas holiday.         B．At the beginning of 20th century.

         C．In the early 19 th century.          D．Since there was Christmas Day

50．What do bird – watchers do when they are bird – watching?

         A．They kill birds and beasts.          B．They watch birds and beasts.

         C．They watch and count birds.     D．They look at the sky and write diaries.

51．The following are all reasons for red – crowned cranes flying in “human” shape except      .

         A．they can help each other and ensure their safety

         B．they can communicate with each other in order to reduce tiredness.

         C．they can make use of the air produced by each other’s wings.

         D．they can look stronger in case they come across enemies

52．This passage consists of five paragraphs. Please arrange the five main ideas of the paragraphs in order of their appearance in the passage.

    a. How the bird – watchers divided their watching task and what was done.

         b. How Christmas bird – watching came into being.

         c. Christmas bird – watching is of great importance environmentally and scientifically.

         d. A Christmas bird – watcher watched and was amazed by red – crowned cranes.

         e. Red – crowned cranes fly in “human” formation for quite good reasons.

         A．a – b – c – d – e         B．b – c – e – d – a         C．b- a – d – e – c D．b – d – e – a – c

Yousuf Karsh，the Canadian portrait artist who photographed many of the most influential figures of the 20th century，died in a Boston hospital on July l3 th，2002．He was 93．

??? Working from a studio in Ottawa，Karsh produced famous portraits of such subjects as Winston Churchill，John F．Kennedy，Ernest Hemingway and Albert Einstein．Actually he has become almost as famous as his legendary subjects．In the latest edition of Who’s Who，which listed the most notable people of the last century，Karsh was the only Canadian of the 100 famous people listed——51 0f whom Karsh had photographed．

??? As a master portraitist，often working in black and white．Karsh was famous for talking to his subjects as he was getting the shot’s composition just right，asking them questions and putting them at ease．In preparation，he read as much as he could about the sitters，but avoided having the idea beforehand of how he would photograph them．He sought, as he wrote in Karsh Portfolio in 1967，to capture the “essential element which has made them great，” explaining，“All I know is that within every mall a secret is hidden，and as a photographer, it is my task to reveal it if I can．”

Karsh was born in America in 1908，and his uncle，George Nakash，brought him to John Garo，all outstanding photographer，to teach him in 1928．Four years later，Karsh set up his own studio in Ottawa．

In December of 1941，his memorable portrait of Winston Churchill brought Karsh into international fame．Canada’s Prime Minister Mackenzie King arranged for him to photograph Churchill following Churchill’s speech in the House of Commons．Not told，Churchill lit up a cigar, “Why was I not told of this?’’ Karsh asked him to remove the cigar and，when he didn’t，stepped forward and gently removed it with the comment，“Forgive me，Sir．”Churchill glowered (怒目而视) as the shot was taken，then permitted Karsh to take still another,；jokingly commenting，“You can even make a roaring lion stand still to be photographed．” The Churchill portrait has since appeared in publications all over the world．

??? Karsh traveled to London in 1943 with his portable studio —— an 8-by-10 view camera and many studio lamps to photograph such notables as George Bernard Shaw and the royal family．All these portraits fully illustrate Karsh’s ability．

1.What did Karsh seek to do most in working?

A．Capture the essence and greatness of the character．

B．Present the true and vivid expression of the subject．

C．Make the photograph more colorful and expressive．

D．Reveal the idea he has got in preparing for the shot．

2.The underlined word “sitters”in Para 3 probably means __________ ．

A．characters seated????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B．subjects questioned

C．models photographed????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D．photographs taken

3.The last three paragraphs are mainly developed by __________ ．

A．following time order????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B．providing examples

C．making comparisons????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D．giving causes and effects

4.From the passage，we can learn that __________ ．

A．Churchill was asked to stand still when Karsh took a photograph of him

B．Churchill’s portrait hanging in the House of Commons gave Karsh great fame

C．Karsh was listed as one of the 100 notables by Who’s Who in the last century

D．Karsh could skilfully adjust the subjects’ mood when photographing them