The other day at the supermarket, I saw a naughty child of about six crying loudly, falling to the floor and refusing to move. All the while the troubled mother was trying to persuade him to behave well but failed. A little smack(掌击) on his bottom would have done the job, I thought.
Teenagers also cause discipline(纪律)problems. As a teacher I had a 16-year-old student who had fallen in love with a waiter at a fast-food restaurant. In fact, she had left home to stay with him. So we decided to put her in the school hostel. She refused. When she heard her mother begging her to stay in the hostel she turned round and said: “Why don’t you stay in the hostel if you like it so much?”
My palms were itching to slap her for being so rude but the poor mother continued to cajole her, hoping that gentle persuasion would work wonders. It did not. I last heard that she had run away from home again.
The list goes on and on. Could it be that today’s parents are softer and believe that they must not rod (棍棒惩罚)their children for fear of the bad result? Or do they actually believe that the children will get rid of the bad habits and behave well naturally as they grow older? I beg to disagree. I believe it is the parents’ duty to discipline the children even at a young age.
My children who are now adults will prove the fact that I used the rod when I thought it necessary. Later when they went abroad, they related to their British university friends on how they were disciplined. Their friends abroad were filled with horror and told my daughter that I could be charged for child abuse(虐待). However, my daughter showed great respect for me when she told them that she would not be where she was today if not for my strict discipline.
48. According to the passage, the author would probably_______.
A. beat the children every day      B. punish the children when necessary
C. 1eave the children as they are         D. treat the children in a softer way
49. The underlined word “cajole”(in Paragraph 3) probably means________.
A. persuade       B. scold          C. forgive         D. punish
50. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The naughty boy’s mother hit him on the bottom at last．
B. The teenager’s mother lived together with her daughter in the school then．
C. The author was charged for child abuse by her daughter’s friends abroad．
D. The author’s daughter was very thankful for her parent’s strict discipline．
51. Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?
A. Respect Parents    B. Spoil Kids    C. Value Discipline  D. Protect Kids

In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”. Many say the same of Merkel.

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders. Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman(政治家). Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. “I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said.

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctorate (博士学位) in physics and then she worked as a researcher.

However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. “Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends.

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since the second World War.

Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget(预算), some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn’t give up. She shuttled(穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.

“Strength comes from composure(镇定) and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel.

1. Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office?

A. Because Catherine the Great is beautiful.

B. Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too.

C. Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it.

D. Because it is very expensive.

2.What is the correct order of the following events?

a. became the German Chancellor

b. got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher

c. join a political party

d. visit China

e. take part in the EU summit

f. as Minister for the Environment

A. bcafde         B. cbfdae          C. bcfaed           D. cbfaed

3.Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Merkel usually is hurry to make a decision when facing difficulties.

B. At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension.

C. Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world.

D. She is outstanding because of her calmness.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A. An excellent lecturer                     B. Germany’s iron lady

C. The change of a scholar                D. The youngest chancellor

    America’s national parks are like old friends. You may not see them for years, but just knowing they’re out there makes you feel better. Hearing the names of these famous old friends ---Yellowstone and Grand Canyon --- revives memories of past visits and promotes dreams of those still to come.

   Ancient fossil beds, Revolutionary War battlefields, mountain ranges, and monuments to heroic men and women who influenced this country are all a part of our National Park System (NPS). The care and preservation for future generations of these special places is entrusted to the National Park Service. Uniformed Rangers, the most visible representatives of the Service, not only offer park visitors a friendly wave, a helpful answer, or a history lesson, but also are rescuers, firefighters, and resource protection professionals. The National Park Service ranks also include historians, biologists and other experts who preserve and protect everything.

   Modern society has brought the National Park Service both challenges and opportunities. Satellite and computer technologies are expanding the educational possibilities of a national park. Cities are turning to the Park Service for expert assistance to preserve their cultural heritage, and are also working with the NPS to turn abandoned railroad tracks into bike and hiking trails.

To help meet these challenges and take advantage of these opportunities, the National Park Service had formed partnerships --- some dating back 100 years, some only months old --- with other agencies, state and local governments, community groups and individuals who share the National Park ethic.

1.Which of the following statements is TRUE about uniformed rangers?

A. They take tourists to national parks.      B. They always act as tourist guides.

C. They help set up new national parks.      D. They protect the National Park System.

2.The National Park Service does all the following EXCEPT _____________.

A. offering help to visitors                   

B. influencing the Nation

C. informing people of the National Park System   

D. helping preserve the cultural heritage

3.What is probably the best title for the passage?

A. American National Parks                         B. National Park Service

C. National Park Service Partnerships         D. Care and Preservation of American National Parks

4.What will the paragraph following this passage most probably discuss?

A. Cultural heritage of the National Park.

B. Educational possibilities of National Parks.

C. The work that has been done by the partners.

D. The preservation of national resources in America.

Despite the burning heat, the summer holidays are drawing to a close. After a period of pleasant relaxation, spending time with friends and family, our thoughts now turn towards the new school term. This can be an exciting time, filled with new opportunities, ambitions and challenges. Such new challenges can be frightening as we face unfamiliar situations, people and places. Many of you will be facing a new term in a higher grade. This may well mean a greater workload and more exam pressure. Maybe you are starting a new school and are worried about how to make new friend. Whichever new situation you face, there is no shamed in admitting you are worried of concerned. The fact that you are older and are facing more challenges does not mean that you have to deal with your problems alone. No matter how old we are, all of us need help sometimes, and admitting to weakness can be one of our greatest strengths. How else can we get the help we need to face our problems with confidence?

Also, this can be a good way to connect with new people in a similar situation. On the first day of a new term or at a new school, everyone will be nervous and uncertain. Admitting to this makes us seem much more human. After all, would you really want to be friends with someone who believes that they know everything and claims to never be afraid?

Whatever you new situation is at the beginning of this new term, relax, and remember that every student you come across is just as nervous as you are. Share what you believe to be your weaknesses and see just how strong you really are.

1．This passage may be _________.

       A．an official report                     B．a piece of news

       C．a speech to students                 D．a letter to friends

2．The underlined word “this” in paragraph 2 means __________.

       A．a similar situation                       B．our greatest strengths

       C．connection with new people              D．lack of confidence

3．Which of the following is true according to the writer?

       A．Being confident will make you lovelier.

       B．Sharing your weakness with others will make you strong.

       C．Showing your weakness will cause trouble.

       D．The strong know everything and are never afraid.

4．The best title for this passage may be __________.

       A．Admitting To Weakness                 B．Being Confident

       C．Fearing Nothing                       D．Being As Strong As Possible

    One day in the early March of 1993, Pauline and Tom Nichter and their 11-year-old son, Jason, were shopping for a toy in Buena Park, CA. Suddenly, Pauline saw a wallet lying on the floor. When she looked inside, she found $200. The family, homeless and without work, knew that could change their lives. But they took the wallet to the nearby police station and turned it in. The wallet was found to have some other pockets, and more money in them—over $2,000! The police called the man who lost the wallet to pick it up. The man thanked the Nichters and shook their hands, but did not reward them. Luckily for the family, a TV news reporter filmed the story. People from all over the world heard the story and sent them letters, money, and even offered them jobs. A businessman even let them live in his house for free for six months. So far, the family has received over $100,000. Now the Nichters’ future is bright.

The best title for the passage would be “________”.

  A. Money Is Everything         B. A Lost Wallet and a Family

C. A Kind Businessman         D. A Lost Wallet and the Police

Who found more money in the wallet?

  A. The police              B. Jason  

  C. Someone else in the shop  D. The man who lost the wallet

The underlined words “reward them” mean “________”.

  A. speak to the Nichters B. give something to the Nichters in return

C. pay the police      D. meet the news reporters

People from all over the world help the Nichters do lots of things except _______

  A.offere them jobs     B.sent them letters

  C.sent them money    D.offere them clothes

Which of the following is TRUE about the Nichters?

  A. They got lots of money from a reporter 

B. They made friends with the wallet loser

C. They posted letters to people all over the world 

D. They became known to many people