Carnival does not take place only in Louisiana. There are many celebrations around the world.

　 In Brazil, the celebration is supposed to go on from the Saturday before Mardi Gras(四旬斋前的最后一天)to Mardi Gras Day, but in some Brazilian cities the celebration can last seven or eight days. Just like New Orleans, not many important things are decided in Brazil from New Year’s Day to Mardi Gras Day because everyone is preparing for or celebrating carnival. Most Brazilian parades have a subject, which could be political and historical. The parades had to have a subject related to Brazil until 1996. Some cities in Brazil do not have a street carnival but they might have an indoor ball.

　 Bolivia has carnival parades for children and then more parades for adults. The children dress up in costumes and march in the streets. The adults make traditional dance groups and dance in the streets. But the main part of Bolivia’s carnival is getting wet. Almost everyone gets wet from water balloons and water buckets. In Oruru, Bolivia, their carnival is held in the last ten days of the carnival season. People there participate in crafts and dancing, but their main carnival event is a ceremonial parade that lasts for twenty hours and parades for four kilometers. Over 20,000 dancers are involved as well as 10,000 musicians. This parade attracts at least 400,000 people.

　 The carnival in Venice, Italy is often regarded as the most carefully prepared carnival and lasts the ten days before Lent (四旬斋). Many events are held in the canals including shows, concerts, dances, and water processions(队列). The official ending to the celebration is the ball held in St. Mark’s Square.

(　 )1. What’s the best title of the passage?

　 　A. Carnivals around the world. B. History of carnival. C. Customs of carnival. D. Carnival parades.

(　 )2. From the passage we learn that in Brazil　　　　 .

　 　A. all urban residents celebrate carnival for a week

B. people prepare for or celebrate carnival after Mardi Gras Day

C. the parades should have a subject related to Brazil　　　　　 D. not all cities have a street carnival

(　 )3. The most important feature of the celebration of carnival in Bolivia is that 　　　 .

A.children wearing costumes march in the streets B. adult dance groups dance in the streets

C.people participate in crafts and dancing　 D.nearly all people are sprayed with water

(　 )4. Which of the following statements shows that the author pays special attention to the carnival in Bolivia?

　 A. The time of celebrating carnival in Bolivia is mentioned.

　 B. There are details and numbers about carnival celebrations in Bolivia.

　 C. Events or performances for carnival celebrations in Bolivia are mentioned.

　D. Participants in the carnival celebration in Bolivia are mentioned.

(　 )5. Which of the following areas or countries prepares the most carefully for their carnival according to the passage?

　　A. Louisiana.　　 B. Bolivia.　　　 C. Venice.　　　 D. Brazil.

There is one word that is on the lips of Americans , day and night , “Sorry”.
One time as I was walking on the street , a young man ran by hurriedly , brushing against my handbag . Even as he continued on his way , he turned back and said “sorry” to me . Even in a rush , he didn’t forget to apologize .
One day , after I bought some apples , the salesman was giving me the change , but I wasn’t ready for it , and a coin dropped on the ground, “I’m sorry ,” he said while bending down to pick it up . I was puzzled —why would he apologize when it was my fault ?
Another time , I stepped on a man’s foot in an escalator . At the same time , we both said “sorry” . I thought it interesting : was it really necessary for him apologize ?  
Later on , an American friend explained to me that according to the American ideas, the escalator is public place which everyone should be able to stand in . After someone occupies a position in the escalator , making it difficult for someone else to find a place to stand in , isn’t it necessary to express an apology ?
During my stay in America , I gradually realized that when friction (摩擦) occurs in daily life , Americans don’t care much about who is responsible . If someone is troubled , a “sorry” is always necessary . Even if the other person is hurt , the “sorry” would cool tempers . Perhaps this is why I never saw anyone quarreling on the buses , subways or streets in America .
【小题1】When I was walking in the street , ____ .

Australia －a huge island continent that lies to the south of Asia. Australia－more than two hundred years old, a nation that is still growing.

Its big cities lie on the southeast coast, this is where most Australians live. Australians prefer to own their own houses, though some live in apartments. Australians are a suburban（郊区的） people. The suburbs surround the cities for many miles, and so efficient transport is of great importance. As the economy grows, so do its industries- a higher level of production, a wider range of products.

   The Australian works hard, but he likes his leisure. The climate makes outdoor activities the most popular.

   Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a planned modern city located inland. Australia is governed by a parliamentary democracy(议会民主). The representatives of other countries have their embassies here. Australia wants to strengthen relations with her neighbors.

Australia is a strange land, a land of vast expanses- fertile valleys, snow fields and deserts- also a land with unique animal, many that can not be found on any other continent in the world today.

Much of the continent is dry, but man has utilized the land, made it productive, with its tools, with its technology. This is the driest continent of all, and water is a precious possession, more precious than all other natural resources. Large dams are built to collect the water, there to irrigate the fields of pastures（牧场） and crops.

But Australia is changing. The land of wool and wheat is now a land of large-scale industry and mining. The costs of developing the new mineral discoveries are enormous, but the rewards are great too.

Australia — a young and developing nation. Australia — a nation that wants to communicate with its neighbors.

1.Australia is an island located ______ of Asia and its big cities lie ____ of the coast.

A. to the south; on the southeast             B. to the north; on the southwest

C. to the east; on the northeast          D. to the east; on the southwest

2.We can infer from the passage that the Australian likes outdoor activities for the _____ climate.

A. dull and wet    B. fine and shiny  C. gloomy and rainy                 D. wet and cold

3.____ is the most precious source in Australia.

A. Mineral resource                       B. Animal         C. Desert                  D. Water

4.Which of the following statements about Australia is wrong?

A. Australians are a suburban people

B. Australia is governed by a parliamentary democracy.

C. Australia prefers to live in the downtown of big cities.

D. Wool and wheat used to be the main products of Australia.

American society is not nap (午睡)friendly . In fact , says David Dings , sleep specialist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine , “There’s even a prohibition (禁止) against admitting we need sleep”. Nobody wants to be caught napping or found asleep at work . To quote a proverb : “Some sleep five hours , nature requires seven , laziness nine and wickedness(淘气的) eleven.”
The way not to fall asleep at work is to take naps when you need them . “We have to totally change our attitude toward napping ,” says Dr. William Dement of Stanford University , the godfather of sleep research .
Last year a national commission led by Dement identified(发现) an “American sleep debt” which one member said was as important as the national debt . The commission was concerned about the dangers of sleepiness : people causing industrial accidents or falling asleep while driving . This may be why we have a new sleep policy in the White House . According to recent reports , President Clinton is trying to take a half---hour snooze (瞌睡) every afternoon .
About 60 percent of American adults nap when given the opportunity . We seem to have “a mid afternoon quiet phase ,” also called “a secondary sleep gate .” Sleeping 15 minutes to two hours in the early afternoon can reduce stress and make us refreshed . Clearly , we were born to nap .
We superstars of snooze don’t nap to replace lost shut--eye or to prepare for a night shift . Rather , we “snack” on sleep ,whenever , wherever and at whatever time we feel like it . I myself have napped in buses , cars , planes and on boats ; on floors and beds ;and in libraries ,  offices and museums .
【小题1】The research done by the Dement Commission shows that Americans     .

1. warn us of the wickedness of napping 

1. the traditional misconception the Americans have about sleep
2. the new sleep policy of the Clinton Administration
3. the rapid development of American industry
4. the Americans’ worry about the danger of sleepiness

1. preferable to have a sound sleep before a night shift
2. good practice to eat something light before we go to bed
3. essential (基本的) to make up for lost sleep
4. natural to take a nap whenever we feel the need for it