We can begin our discussion of “population as a global issue” with what most person mean when they discuss “ the population problem”: too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year. The facts are not in dispute. It was quite right to employ a similar matter that linked demographic(人口统计学）growth to “ a long, thin power fuse that burns steadily from time to time until it finally reaches the limit, and explodes”.

To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history. We find that population have been really stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, where infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could exceed their birth rates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race.

This pattern is important to know. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high rate of death.

Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8000B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. And a period of rapid growth since 1650. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased form some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and the present, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And it is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be 8 billion people throughout the world. One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world’s population each year. At present, this number is added very six hours. The increase is about 80,000,000 persons annually.

1.According to the passage, “population as a global issue” ____.

A. is quite unlike the population problem and thus doesn’t need our concern

B. focuses on tracking down the reason of rapid population growth

C. deals with the same problem aroused by the population problem

D. will manage the population growth problem from global perspectives

2.It can be inferred from the example of a power fuse that _____.

A. too much population will one day lead to the doom of human beings

B. the trend of population growth will keep unsteady until the destruction of Earth

C. demographic growth will follow a certain pattern of ups and downs

D. it is likely in the near future that population will reduce gradually

3.What leads to a stable growth of population for most of human history?

A. Species competition??? B. Low fertility???? C. Tribal fights? D. High rate of death

4.The reason for a rapid growth of population lies in the fact that ______.

A. people are permitted to have more children???

B. people can live better than before

C. newborn babies die less than before??????????

D. we have found the secret of longevity

5.How many people are born every six hours at present, according to the author?

A. Eighty million.?? B. Eight thousand?

C. Fifty thousand?? D. Five million

When you are visiting New York City with kids，there are numerous things to do which will entertain their spirits and feed their minds.

•The Whispering Gallery

Make your way to the Whispering Gallery. The Whispering Room's architecture allows for a phenomenon that usually sparks a lot of giggles. Once inside the gallery，place one person facing the corner at one end of the room and then place another person facing the corner at the opposite end. Ask one of the participants to whisper a phrase or a quick sentence or two and the person at the opposite end will be able to hear every word that was said.

E．42nd St.

New York，NY 10017

212­771­5322

grandcentralterminal.com

•American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869.In addition to its impressive exhibits，permanent attractions bring the cool feeling to kids. They can enter the Fossil Halls and take in the impressive dinosaur skeletons. And the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life educates kids on the fragility of the ocean.

Central Park West at 79th St.

New York，NY,10024

212—769—5606

amnh.org

•The Scholastic Store

Most parents want their children to read，and moreover，to enjoy reading. The Scholastic Store helps to make that wish a reality by publishing engaging，well written stories that appeal to children. With classics such as Clifford the Big Red Dog，The Magic School Bus，and Harry Potter，the Scholastic Store will delight your children.

557 Broadway

New York,10012

212—343—6100

scholastic.com

•Ellen's Stardust Diner

The restaurant is a place where each person in your family can find something to eat .At Ellen's Stardust Diner，a diverse menu will whet everyone's appetite. Arugula salads，grilled cheese，burgers and meatloaf are all on this varied menu. The hall of beauty queens，a drive-in theatre and wait staff that sing to you can add to the unique dining experience.

•1650 Broadway，corner of 51st St.

•New York，NY 10019

•212­956­5151

ellensstardustdiner.com  　　

1.Once children visit the Whispering Gallery they'll find it ________.

A．interesting       B．splendid      C．disappointing              D．frightening

2.Which of the following websites helps the kids learn about the ancient ocean life?

A．ellensstardustdiner.com          B．grandcentralterminal.com

C．amnh.org                      D．scholastic.com

3.You would like to get your children interested in reading so you can bring them to visit ________.

A．the Whispering Gallery                      B．the Scholastic Store

C．Ellen's Stardust Diner                        D．American Museum of Natural History

4.In addition to your favorite food in Ellen's Stardust Diner you can also ________.

A．make some good friends

B．see many beautiful queens

C．receive the first—class service

D．enjoy some entertaining programs

5.Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

A．Tips for travelling around New York City

B．Children would like to travel in big cities

C．Things to do with kids in New York City

D．Entertaining activities in the United States

第三部分：阅读理解(共20小题．每小题3分，满分60分) 　　　　　　

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项( A, B，C，和D)中，进出最佳答案．并将答案写在答题卡上。

A　　

Ticket price increases at HK Disney

Source：Xinhua | 02—05—2009 11：39

Hong Kong Disneyland announced on Tuesday it will raise weekday admission prices for mainland and overseas tourists by about 19 percent．But Hong Kong residents and tourists who purchase tickets through travel agents can still enjoy the old prices until June 30．　　　　

A one-day admission will cost HK $350($45)for adults and HK $250 for children aged up to 11 from Monday, the previous charges for weekends．Adults were previously admitted for HK $295 and children HK $210．

A Hong Kong Disneyland spokesman said the park does not expect the new pricing structure to have an immediate impact on attendances, as research shows guests choose when to visit the attraction based on time available rather than ticket prices．But the hikes(the rise of prices)drew immediate criticism from the industry．The greater tourism industry fears it may harm mainlanders willingness to visit Hong Kong．　　　　

Joseph Tung Yao-chung, executive director of Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, said the decision was unwise in the current financial climate．He also urged the company to rethink its decision, during an interview with Southern Metropolis Daily．　　　　

56．On September 10 of 2009(weekday), 　Hong Kong　 residents and tourists will have to spend__________buying three children tickets．

A．HK $360    B．$　360    C　．HK $750  D．HK $885　　　　

57．There is a family with five people, John，his father，mother，grandfather and grandmother．They are from America, John is eleven years old．If they visit the place on June 30 2009(weekday)，they will spend about________in total．

A．$212   B．$　1650    C　．HK $1400  D．$1390　　　　

58．What can we infer from the passage?

A．Joseph Tung Yao-chung disagreed about the ticket price increase at HK Disney．

B．Hong Kong Disneyland will make a lot of money by raising weekday admission prices for mainland tourists．　　　　

C．The Hong Kong Disneyland spokesman didn't like the new pricing structure．

D．Only tourists from mainland visit Hong Kong Disneyland．　

The area south of the Thames at Greenwich has a long history. Throughout time different buildings have been constructed on the same site. The Palace of Placentia, an English Royal Palace built in 1447, no longer exists apart from a few remains under the present buildings.

The grand buildings on the South Bank of the Thames at Greenwich were designed by Sir Christopher Wren, most famous for St. Paul’s Cathedral. The buildings were finally completed in 1745, although some parts started to be used as early as 1705. They’re now part of a university — having served as a naval（海军）hospital and a naval college and the setting for several cinemas.

But the buildings stand on a site which has a much longer history, of which now only a part remains that is below the ground. For nearly two hundred years, from around 1450 to 1650, Greenwich was one of the main royal palaces of England. Some of the most famous English rulers, such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, not only lived there, but also were born there.

Henry VIII put an armory（兵工厂）there, and there were also gardens, a great fountain (喷泉) and a mass of buildings. The Palace was also in a strategic location, because at the time either side of Greenwich on the Thames were important Royal Dockyards (船厂).

Eventually, though, the Palace fell into disrepair. In 1664, the King at the time, Charles II, decided to replace it with completely new buildings in a modern style. Only a cellar (地窖) from the former Royal Palace now remains, under one of the new buildings. Its red brick, typical of the 16th century, contrasts (对比) sharply with the white stone above it.

    Would you like to join us to have a good view of Greenwich?

1.We can learn from the passage that the Palace of Placentia _____.

A. had served as a university                B. was constructed with white stones

C. was designed by Christopher Wren         D. was of particular importance in a war

2. The buildings on the South Bank of the Thames at Greenwich now _____.

A. are in need of repair                     B. differ from those in the 16th century

C. were designed in the style of Elizabeth I     D. have a history of more than half a century

3.According to the passage, when did the Palace of Placentia disappear from the ground?

A. In the late 1400s.                    B. In the early 1600s.

C. In the late 1600s.                     D. In the early 1700s.             

4.Where can we most probably read this passage?

A. In a science report.                   B. In a personal diary.  

C. In a geography textbook.              D. In a travel magazine.

If you want to stay in a hotel in New York City for a week and enjoy designer details, memorable allowances, you need to get prepared for at least____________.

A. $ 1550               B. $ 1650              C. $ 1750           D. $ 1850

___________ is a good destination for New York rock climbers of all levels.

A. the Parks & Recreation Department            B. Brooklyn Boulders

C. Lower Manhattan                      D. Tent City

Suppose you are interested in Shakespeare’s plays, you may pay attention to more details written by _________.

A. ERIC KONIGSBERG                  B. LOUISE STORY    

C. FRED A. BERNSTEIN                    D. FELICIA R. LEE