Passage One.doc

Passage OneOn a summer afternoon in 1795, a teenage boy named Daniel McGinnis was exploring a tiny island off the eastern coast of Canada. He was walking through a meadow (草地) of tall grass when he noticed something strange. In the center of meadow was a huge oak (橡树) tree. The ground beneath it was lower than the surrounding ground.Daniel knew that pirates (海盗) had once sailed in the waters around the island. The next day Daniel returned to the island with shovels (铲子) and two friends. The boys began digging and soon discovered a layer of stones. Under the stones was a hole about four meters wide. It was filled with loose dirt. The boys kept digging for several days. Three meters below the ground their shovels hit an oak floor. They kept digging.But when they discovered another oak floor nine meters below the ground, they decided that they couldnt dig any deeper.Eight years later, Daniel McGinnis returned with a group of men to continue digging beneath the oak tree. One evening, 30 meters below the ground, their shovels hit a large wooden box. The box had to be a treasure chest (大箱子)! The men went home to rest until daylight. When they returned in the morning, there was an unpleasant surprisethe hole had filled with water. The men couldnt remove the water.During the following 200 years, dozens of search groups have dug in the hole, but each group only made the hole bigger. The hole that was once four meters wide is now enormous. The oak tree is now gone. Where is the hole Daniel McGinnis found? Today nobody knows for sure, and there is still the problem of water in the hole. 1. Daniel McGinnis _.A. had ancestors who were pirates B. was curious about the valuable treasure of pirates C. was a pirate himselfD. recovered the valuable treasure of pirates2. When Daniel and his two friends dug for the treasure, they _. A. Discovered an oak there B. gave up because they had dug too deep C. found an oak floor D. dug for about 12 meters deep3. When Daniel and his friends continued digging eight years later, the major problem was _. A. removing the dirt B. making the hole biggerC. locating the large wooden box D. getting water out of the hole4. Which of the following explains the disappearance of the hole found by Daniel McGinnis? A. The oak tree was planted elsewhere. B. The hole was made much bigger.C. Seawater drowned (淹没) the island. D. Other search groups gave up on finding the hole.5. The best title for the passage is _.A. Legend (传奇) of Daniel McGinnis B. Mystery of the Hidden TreasureC. Discovery of the Hidden Treasure D. Explorers of the Mysterious IslandPassage Two Six years ago, Dr. Leslie Gordon found that her 21-month-old son, Sam, suffered from an extremely rare disease called progeria (早衰).Gordon, an assistant professor in an American college of medicine, wanted to find out what caused her sons condition and what she could do about it. But, at that time, no one knew the cause of the deadly disease. So she rounded up a team of experts. This team finally discovered the gene mutation that causes progeria and announced it on April 16.Researchers found that this gene mutation causes the nucleus (细胞核) of all the bodys cells, except for those in the brain, to become unbalanced. The nucleus holds most of the cells genes and chromosomes (染色体).“The nucleus is usually a nice, round structure,” said Gordon. “But with the disease, bubbles (水泡，气泡) form there. That most likely causes them to become unbalanced and lead to cell death.”This discovery is a big step towards finding a cure for affected children. But its not the end of the story.Every human being could benefit from this research. It provides a better understanding of what occurs in the bodies of aging people.Aging is a condition that eventually affects everyone. And Gordon believes drug companies will be interested in her findings because everyone wants to fight old age.Of course, she keeps her highest hopes for her son.“I hope, I hope, I hope that we can help Sam,” she said.“I live every day thinking we just need to do the best that we can. And we need to have hope. But this research is there for all the children.”6. Gordons son caught progeria six years ago when _.A. the disease frequently happened to childrenB. the cause of the disease was unknown to peopleC. much work had been done concerning the diseaseD. some ways had been discovered to treat the disease7. “Gene mutation” in the second paragraph refers to _.A. the change in the gene B。 the bubble in the geneC the death of the gene D。the balance of the gene8. Which of the following statements is the writers point in the passage?A. Life is a mystery. B. nature is dangerousC. Science can help us live.D. A child can cause a parent a lot of worries.9. The research benefits everyone, because _.A. it helps people fight agingB. it prevents people from dyingC. drug companies can develop more quicklyD. progeria is attacking more and more people10. The story of Gordon tells the following facts EXCEPT that _.A. she is great motherB. she is a devoted researcherC. she is a qualified leaderD. she is a chemistry professorPassage OneA store owner was tacking (钉住) a sign above his door that read “Puppies For Sale.” A little boy appeared under the store owners sign. “How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.”The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. “I have $2.37,” he said. “Can I please look at them?”The store owner whistled and five tiny balls of fur ran out. One puppy was falling far behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the limping puppy and said, “Whats wrong with that little dog?”The store owner explained that the little puppy didnt have a hip socket (臀骨臼). The little boy became excited and said, “Thats the little puppy I want to buy.”The store owner said, “No, you dont want to buy that little dog. But if you really want him, Ill just give him to you.”The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owners eyes and said, “I dont want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and Ill pay the full price. In fact, Ill give you $2.37 now and 50 cents a month until I have him all paid for.”The store owner said, “This little dog is never going able to run and jump like the other puppies.”To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to show a badly twisted (扭曲的), disabled left leg supported by a big metal brace (支撑物). He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, “Well, I dont run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands.” 1. The boy is able to offer something to the little puppy that no one else can. Whats that?A. A good home. B. A high price. C. Care and understanding.D. A big metal brace.2. Upon the boys request, the store owner _. A. asked for his reason B. laughed at his silly choice C. persuaded him to buy the other dogs D. suggested that he take the dog free of charge3. When the store owner offered to give the puppy to the boy, the boy was upset because _. A. he did not really like the puppyB. he hated to accept things freeC. he had enough money with him D. he thought the puppy had its value and should not be given away free4. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true? A. The little boy was disabled.B. The little boy bought the dog for fun.C. The store owner couldnt understand the little boy.D. The store owner didnt sell the dog to the little boy.5. The best title for the passage is _.A. Store Owner and His DogsB. Little Boy and Disabled DogC. A Dog in NeedD. Little Boys Best FriendPassage Two When I come across a good essay in the newspaper, I often cut it and keep it. But just as I am about to do so I find the article on the opposite side of the page just as interesting.It may be a discussion about a way to keep in good health, or advice about how to behave and conduct oneself in society. If I cut the front essay, the other one on the back of the page will suffer damage, leaving out half of it or the text will be kept but missing the subject. As a result, my scissors (剪刀) would stop before they start, or only halfway done when I find out the regrettable consequence.Sometimes, two things are to be done at the same time, both deserving your attention. You can only take up one of them, the other has to wait or even be given up. But you know the future is unknownthe changed situation may not allow you to do what is left behind. Thus, you are caught in a fix and you may feel sad. How come that nice opportunities and brilliant ideas should gather around all at once. It may happen that your life changes dramatically on your preference of one alternative over the other.In fact, that is what life is like: we are often faced with two choices that are equally desirable, just like what happens during newspaper-cutting. It often occurs that our attention is drawn to one thing only after we are engaged in another. The latter may be more important than the former and thus giving rise to a divided mind. I still remember a philosophers remarks: “When one door shuts, another one opens in life.” So a casual or passive choice may not necessarily be a bad one.Whatever we do in our lifetime, wherever lifes storms toss (抛) us, there must be something we can achieve, some shore we can land on that opens up new vistas (景色) for us. Dont forget there is always an alternative door open for every one. While the first door is closed, there must be another that is open for you.6.What annoys the writer when it comes to newspaper-cutting?A. There is a quite limited number of good essays.B. It takes too much time and effort to do it.C. Some of the articles will be inevitably damaged.D. He cant cut out the good articles on the opposite side of the same page.7. What does the third paragraph mainly tell us?A.There are often two good things both deserving our attention.B.Life is just like newspaper-cutting.C.Good opportunities and ideas often come to us at once.D.One has to decide on ones preference.8.Life and newspaper-cutting are alike because _.A. in both cases we have choices to makeB. newspaper-cutting is an important part in lifeC.there is always a door openD, .casual choice is always bad9.“When one door shuts, another one opens in life.” (Para. 4) means “_.”A. When we shut one door, we have to open anotherB. There is always a way for us whatever happensC. There are many doors in our livesD. Keep all doors open is important10.The author believes that _.A. one has to be educated to make choicesB. one will feel regretful if one chooses one thing instead of the otherC. a casual choice may turn out to be a good oneD. newspaper-cutting needs patiencePassage OneTraditional American summer camps offer young people to play many sports. These camps may be in the mountains. Or they may be in the woods, or at a lake. Some camps teach activities like painting or music. Or they teach computer programming or foreign languages. Children at all kinds of camps meet new friends. They learn new skills and develop independence.Some children go to camp during the day and return home at night. Others stay at camp all day and night. Children stay at an overnight camp for between one and eight weeks. Parents can pay less than one hundred dollars or more than seven-hundred dollars a week for an overnight camp.Children from poor families might not have a chance to attend summer camp. The Fresh Air Fund is a well-known organization. People around the country give money to support the Fresh Air Fund. Each summer it sends ten thousand poor children to stay with families in the country or to five camps in New York State.Summer camps have become very important to millions of families. Many American women now work outside the home. Working parents need a place where their children can be cared for during the summer when they are not in school.Young people who like the arts can learn about painting, music, acting or writing. Camps that offer programs in science and environmental studies are popular, too. There are also camps for older children who like wilderness adventure. These campers take long trips by bicycle or canoe. Or, they go rock climbing or ride horses. Other summer camps in America help children learn about religion or help them lose weight.1. All traditional American summer camps teach children to be _.A. brave B. lovely C. patient D. independent2. In an overnight camp, children _.A. return home at night B. only stay here for the nightC. spend less than a week there D. are there the whole day and night3. It can be learned from the passage that the Fresh Air Fund _.A. helps children in general B. receives money from around the countryC. has established five summer camps D. supports families in the country4. Summer camps have become popular because _.A. Children can learn more there than in schoolB. they teach children new skillsC. children like living there D. they are good places to send children to during summer vacation5. The writer wants to explain that summer camp is _.A. something new B. only for those in povertyC. possible for children from either poor or rich familiesD. possible only for those from rich familiesPassage Two People over the age of 65 in the United States are called senior citizens. Most senior citizens retire or no longer work full time. Also it is unusual for people of this age to live with their children and grandchildren. For many senior citizens, the years after age 65 are not enjoyable. They feel unproductive when they no longer work. Their lives lose meaning. In addition, they may feel lonely being away from their families. Moreover, they become more concerned about their health as they grow older. If they live in big cities, they often worry about their safety.Other senior citizens enjoy their lives. They feel free to do things they were not able to do when they were working and raising families. They now have time to enjoy hobbies and sports and travel. They associate with their fellow senior citizens who have common interests and equal free time. Many senior citizens move to retirement communities located in warm climates. Some senior citizens continue to work beyond retirement age. Many find new careers and professional opportunities after they retire.The number of the senior citizens in the United States is increasing rapidly because people are living longer than before. The average life span for Americans is now more than 74 years. Because of their larger numbers and more active life styles, senior citizens are gaining social influence in the country both politically and economically. Their concerns are receiving a wider audience than ever before. The time may come when all Americans will work forward to becoming senior citizens.6. Many senior citizens are not happy due to the following reasons EXCEPT _.A. loneliness B. less money C. poor health D. meaningless life7. Its implied in the first paragraph that _. A. living in the country is safer for elder people than living in big citiesB. people become senior citizens in the U.S. at 65C. most senior citizens live with their children D. people retire at 65 in the U.S.8. From para.2 we learn that _.A. senior citizens life can be enjoyableB. senior citizens enjoy their livesC. senior citizens enjoy living in retirement communitiesD. senior citizens enjoy working after retirement9. It can be learned from the passage that senior citizens must _ to be happy.A. have free time B. find fun in lifeC. continue to work D. live with their children10. According the writer, in the future, senior citizens will be _.A. enjoying a longer life span B. a burden to the societyC. highly respected D. fewer in numberPassage OneI have been hearing-impaired all my life. By the time I was five years old, putting on hearing aids in the morning was just as normal as brushing my teeth. However, I never believed that it should limit my success in any way.During my 17 years, I have met many people who dont know about hearing disabilities and deal with this by stereotyping me. My classmates told me something was wrong with my brain. My teachers would not let me sit past the second row because they worried I would not be able to hear. My “learning expert” tried to teach me sign language, though I had no need for it. People tend to speak louder than normal when they see my thick plastic hearing aids in my ears. Almost every month I hear someone say that hearing aids are for old people.However, my hearing disability has made me a stronger person. Because I wear hearing aids, I have to prove that I am not physically or mentally limited. I have to work harder and earn top grades in school to earn the respect of my teachers. In sports, Ive had to score more points to prove I am not physically challenged.I still dont know a word of sign language. I consider myself no different from anyone else. I wear hearing aids, but I can hear without them. And I am not “half deaf.” With my hearing aids on, I can hear just as well as anyone else.I truly believe I would not be the strong and ambitious person I am today if I did not have a hearing disability.1. When I was very young, hearing aids _.A. made my life difficultB. became a part of my lifeC. limited m