A
难度: 易 字数:250 words 标准用时:4 minutes 实际用时:_________
Pet owners are being encouraged to take their animals to work, a move scientists say can be good for productivity, workplace morale(士气), and the well-being of animals.
A study found that 25% of Australian women would like to keep an office pot. Sue Chaseling of Petcare Information Service said the practice of keeping office pets was good both for the people and the pots. "On the pots' side, they are not left on their own and won't feel lonely and unhappy," she said. A study of major US companies showed that 73 % found office pots beneficial(有益的), while 27% experienced a drop in absenteeism(缺勤).
Xami Riggs has two cats walking around her Global Hair Salon in Paddington. "My customers love them. They are their favorites," she said. "They are not troublesome. They know when to go and have a sleep in the sun." Little black BJ has spent nearly all his two years "working" at Punch Gallery in Balmain. Owner Iain Powell said he had had cats at the gallery for 15 years. "BJ often lies in the shop window and people walking past tap on the glass," he said.
Ms Chaseling said cats were popular in service industries because they enabled a point of conversation. But she said owners had to make sure both their co-workers and the cats were comfortable.
1. The percentage of American companies that are in favor of keeping office pots is _______.
A. 73% B. 27% C. 25% D. 15%
2. We know from the text that "BJ" _______.
A. works in the Global Hair Salon B. often greets the passers-by
C. likes to sleep in the sun D. is a two-year-old cat
3. The best title for this text would be _______.
A. Pets Help Attract Customers B. Your Favorite Office Pets
C. Pets Join the Workforce D. Busy Life for Pets
B
难度: 中 字数:235 words 标准用时:4 minutes 实际用时:_________
Britain's oldest man made his first visit to London yesterday at the age of 110. Mr. John Evans had never found the time or the money-to make the trip from his home near Swansea. But, when British Rail offered him an all-expenses-paid birthday trip to the capital, he just could not refuse.
Until yesterday he had never been far from home, except for one trip to Aberdeen. Mr. Evans, who spent 60 years working as a miner in South Wales, almost made the journey to London once before, at the turn of the century. "There was a trip to the White City but it was ten shillings (1 shilling = 1/20 pound) return from Swansea—too much I thought. All my money went to the family then." he said.
During the next two days Mr. Evans will be taken on a whistle-stop tour of London to see the sights. Top of his list is a visit to the Houses of Parliament(国会).
The only arrangement he does not care for is the wheelchair provided to move him about if he gets tired. "I don't like the chair business--people will think I am getting old," he said.
His secret for a long and healthy life has been well publicized--no alcohol, no cigarette and no anger. Before setting off from Swansea with his 76-year-old son, Amwel, he quipped," I'm glad to see they've given me a return ticket. "
4. It was reported that Mr. Evans's healthy long life was to a certain extent due to his ______.
A. wine drinking B. proper smoking C. mild temper D. sense of humor
5. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A single trip from Mr. Evans's home to the White City used to be ten shillings.
B. The first place for Mr. Evans to visit is the Houses of Parliament.
C. He appreciated people's arrangement of a wheelchair during his visit.
D. Mr. Evans once made the journey to London at the turn of the century.
6. The word "quip" in the last sentence most probably means _______.
A. to make a witty remark B. to express a happy message
C. to make a wish D. to tell a joke
7. What might be the best title for this passage?
A. 110-Year-Old Tourist B. Secret for Long and Healthy Life
C. Free Return Ticket D. Sightseeing in London
C
难度: 中 字数:318 words 标准用时:5 minutes 实际用时:_________
A new plan for getting children to and from school is being started by a local government in Eastern England. This could end the worries of many parents fearful for their children's safety on the roads.
Until now the local government has only been prepared to provide bus services for children living more than three miles from their school, or sometimes less if special reasons existed. Now it has been decided that if a group of parents ask for help in organizing transport they will be prepared to go ahead, as long as the arrangement will not lose money and children taking part will be attending their nearest school.
The new plan is to be tried out this term for children living at Milton who attend Impington School. The children live just within the three-mile limit and the local government has said in the past that they will not undertake to provide free transport to the school. But now they have agreed to offer a sum of money for a bus service from Milton to Impington and back, a plan which has the support of the school's headmaster.
Between 50 and 60 parents have said they would like their children to take part. Final calculations have still to be carried out, but a government official has said the cost to parents should be less than £20 a term.
They have been able to arrange the service at a low cost because there is already an agreement with the bus company for a bus to take children who live further away to Impington. The same bus would now just make one more journey to pick up the Milton children. The official said they would get in touch with other groups of parents who in the past had asked if transport could be provided for their children, to see if they would like to take part in the new plan.
8. What is the aim of the plan?
A. To prevent the students' road accidents. B. To relieve the traffic pressure.
C. To save time for the parents and students. D. To help the parents save money.
9. How can the local government arrange the new bus service at a low cost?
A. By letting the bus run in the morning only.
B. By limiting the number of the students.
C. By obtaining the support from the headmaster.
D. By linking the new bus service with the existing one.
10. The new bus service will be paid for by ______.
A. the parents B. the local government
C. the bus company D. the local government and the parents
11. Which of the following is possible if the plan is carried out?
A. The bus company will make much more money.
B. The children can choose whatever school they like.
C. The parents can get rid of their worries.
D. The students in Impington School can have free bus rides.
12. This passage is most probably _______.
A. a personal letter B. an advertisement C. a headmaster's report D. a newspaper article
D
难度: 中 字数:294 words 标准用时:5 minutes 实际用时:_________
Sometimes doing something for yourself - even shopping--can give others a lift. That's the case at charity shops and non-profit stores such as Ten Thousand Villages which helps provide skilled workmen with money in developing countries.
Their handicrafts(手工艺品) are sold throughout North America in 180 stores, 95 of them operated by Ten Thousand Villages.
"People come into the store because we have a lot of interesting things, but then they're drawn to us by the mission(慈善的行动) ," says organization spokeswoman Juanita Fox.
"It just feels good to be making a difference when you're buying something."
In the Alexandria, Virginia shop, generals display windows draw you in. They are filled with practical, attractive home furnishings in blue and white, all international in mood.
Once inside though, it's clear that this isn't just another import store. On the wall behind the cash register is the following note:
"Ten Thousand Villagers provides necessary, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Your Buying Makes a Difference. "
The store was opened in 1994 as part of a network of shops across the USA run by the Mennonite Church, which is based in Akron, Pennsylvania.
Currently, 60,000 skilled workmen from 32 countries provide goods to the stores, with all proceeds (收益) re-invested in the organization.
Management of the Alexandria shop is overseen by an all-volunteer board of directors. More than 40 additional volunteers help doing everything from working the register to unpacking stock.
Maria Yannopoulos got involved after visiting a store and getting to know another volunteer. "Since we are non-profit, we are really looking for value because the more we sell, the more jobs we can create. Giving someone job rather than charity helps in so many ways. "
13. The underlined part "give other a lift" in the first paragraph means ______.
A. offer other a ride in a car B. take others up and down in another floor
C. make others think of plans D. make others more pleased
14. A large number of people visit Ten Thousand Villagers because _______.
A. they are fond of traveling around B. they can find something interesting
C. they can enjoy the wonderful foods D. they want to learn how to farm in the fields
15. What can we learn from the note mentioned in this passage?
A. goods sold at Ten Thousand Villages are expensive
B. Stories about Ten Thousand Villages are interesting
C. What the purpose of the shop is
D. Goods from the Third World are better than those from the USA
16. From the last paragraph we can learn that ________.
A. American volunteers like to run shops
B. American shops are mostly operated by volunteers
C. Volunteers often offer goods to their friends as presents
D. Shopping can also be a kind of charity
E
难度: 难 字数:392 words 标准用时:6.5 minutes 实际用时:_________
Sometime today-perhaps several times-Dick Winter will think about the 19-rear-old who saved his life.
Because of this young man, Winter enjoys things like friendships, colours and laughter every day.
The young man saved Winter's life by signing an organ donor card (器官捐赠卡).
"I can't say thank you enough," Winter said yesterday at a news conference marking the tenth anniversary of the Multi Organ Transplant program at Toronto General Hospital.
What Winter knows of the 19-year-old who saved his life is only that he died in a car accident and that his family was willing to honour his wishes and donate his organs for transplantation.
His liver(肝脏) went to Winter, who was dying from liver trouble. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of what a painful thing it must have been for them," Winter said yesterday.
"They are very, very special people."
Winter, 63, is fitter now than he was 10 years ago, when he got the transplant. He has five modals from the 1995 World Transplant Games in swimming and hopes to collect some more next year in Japan.
"At one time, we were probably strange people in the eyes of other people. Now it's expected you should be able to go back and do everything you did before. Only better."
The biggest change for Winter, however, isn't that he has become a competitive athlete. The biggest change is how deeply he appreciates every little thing about his now.
"I have no time for arguments," said Winter.
"You change everything. Material things don't mean as much. Friendships mean a lot. "
Also at yesterday's news conference was Dr. Gray Levy, Winter's doctor.
Levy said he has bittersweet feelings when he looks at winter and hears of his athletic exploits.
Levy knows that for every recipient(接受者) like Winter, there are several others who die even though they could be saved because there aren't enough donated organs.
"For every Mr. Winter, we have five to 10 people that will never be given the chance that Mr. Winter was given," Levy said.
Levy said greater public awareness and more resources are needed. He noted that in Spain and the United States, hospitals receive $10,000 per donor to cover the costs of the operating room, doctors, nurses and teams to work with the donors' families.
17. Which of the following is true about the 19-year-old?
A. He died of liver trouble B. He got wounded in a battle.
C. He was willing to donate his organs. D. He became a recipient of a prize.
18. What do we learn about Dick Winter?
A. He is becoming less competitive now. B. He is always thinking about his early life.
C. He knows all about the young man and his family.
D. He values friendships more than material things.
19. Dr. Levy would agree that ______.
A. Spanish hospitals have more favorable conditions for organ transplant
B. the Canadian public have realized the importance of organ donation
C. Spanish hospitals received more money from the donors
D. Canadian hospitals now have enough donated organs
20. What's the author's purpose in writing this article?
A. The public should give more support to organ transplant.
B. Transplant patients are thankful for the help they receive.
C. Transplant can change a patent's life greatly.
D. It is not easy to get organs for transplant.
新闻报道阅读
A
1.A细节认定题。从文章第二段最后一句“A study of major US companies showed that 73%found office pets beneficial(有益的)”可知,A项正确。
2.D细节认定题,根据文章倒数第二段第一句话 “Little black BJ has spent a nearly all his two
years “working” at Punch Gallery in Balmain” 可知,对BJ正确的陈述应为D项,其余三项均与事实不符或在文中未提。
3.C主旨大意题。全文介绍了几个Pet owners带宠物上班的例子说明宠物可“join the workforce”,只有C项概括得全面准确,而A项和B项只说明某一方面,D项则在文章中未提及。
B
4.C这是一道细节理解题。从文章最后一段第一句话His secret for a long and healthy life has been well publicized--no alcohol,no cigarette and no anger可知,老人长寿的秘诀是“不喝酒,不吸烟,不生气”,其中“不生气”一条即对应C项mild temper(性情温和)。
5.B这也是一道细节理解题。从第三段内容可知,老人第一个要参观的地方是国会大厦。
6.A这是一道语义猜测题。从文中老人所说的话“I'm glad to see they've given me a return ticket.”可知,他是用一种诙谐的语气说的。a witty remark意为“机智或诙谐的谈话”。
7.A这是一道标题选择题。从整篇短文的内容可知,文章主要讲述了一位百岁老人参观伦敦的新闻报道。所以答案应选A项。标题选择题是阅读理解考试中常见的一种题型。解答这类试题时要注意标题的选择应当切合文意,其范围不可太大太空,同时又不能太窄不能涵盖全文。另外,英文标题还讲究简练,生动,富有新意。
C
8.A这是一道细节理解题。从文章第一段可知,当地实行新计划的目的是防止孩子们在上学和放学途中出事故。
9.D这是一道细节理解题。从文章最后一段第一句话They have been able to arrange the service at a low cost because there is already an agreement with the bus company for a bus to take children who live further away to Impington可知,通过将新的公共汽车线路与原有的公共汽车线路连接的方式使费用降了下来。
10.D这是一道细节理解题。阅读短文第三、四段内容可知,为了实施这项计划,将投资一定数量的资金,同时家长也要花一部分钱。
11.C这是一道推理判断题。由于该计划的实施,使学生在上学和放学的途中减少了交通事故而免除了家长的担心。
12.D这也是一道推理判断题。通过短文的内容及其新闻语言来看,这篇短文应当是报纸中的新闻报道。
D
13.D这是一道句意理解题。give other a lift的本意是“让某人搭车”,但联系全文来看,在这家商店购物便能使别的国家的贫穷人员找到生计,当然会令他们感到高兴,故选答案D。
14.B 这是一道细节理解题。从文章第三段People come into the store because we have a lot of interesting things一句可知。
15.C这是一道细节推断题。读文章第七段Ten Thousand Villagers provides necessary,fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.可知,该商店通过销售第三世界国家人们的手工艺品向他们提供必要的收人,意即该商店的经营宗旨(purpose)。
16.D这是一道段意归纳题。从最后一段…the more we sell,the more jobs we can create.和 Giving someone a job rather than charity helps in so many ways.两句话可知,在此商店购物不仅仅是是购物,还能帮助别人找到工作,这是一种最好的慈善事业。
E
17.C 这是一道细节理解题。从第五段What Winter knows of the 19--year·-old who saved his life is only that he died in a car accident and that his family was willing to honour his wishes and donate his organs for transplantation.可知,这位19岁的青年人自愿把自己的器官捐献出来。
18.D 这是一道细节理解题。从第12段You change everything.Material things don’t mean as much.Friendships mean a lot.一句可得出结论,Dick Winter珍视友谊胜过物质。
19.A这是一道细节理解题。从最后一段最后一句话He noted that in Spain and the United States,hospitals receive$10,000 per donor to cover the costs of the operating room,doctors,nurses and teams to work with the donors’ families.可以看出,Levy医生认为,西班牙的医院有更适合器官移植的条件。
20.A这是一道主旨判断题。概括全篇内容,特别是最后一段内容可知,作者希望公众支持器官移植。下载本文