第一部分：詞匯選項(xiàng)
1 Would you please (call) my husband as soon as possible?
A phone B visit
C consult D invite
答案：A. phone
2 We had a long (conversation) about her parents.
A speech B question
C debate D talk
答案：D. talk
3 The chairman (proposed) that we stop the meeting.
A stated B announced
C suggested D demanded
答案：C. suggested
4 Obviously these people can be (relied) on in a crisis.
A depend on B lived on
C believed in D joined in
答案：A. depend on
5 There is always excitement at the Olympic Games when an athlete (breaks) a record.
A maintains B beats
C matches D tries
答案： B. beats
6 All the pupils seem to be very (cheerful).
A healthy B happy
C naughty D busy
答案：B. happy
7 The traditional paintings are (exhibited) on the second floor.
A displayed B laid
C kept D stored
答案：A. displayed
8 She stood there shaking with (fury).
A laugh B anxiety
C cry D anger
答案：D. anger
9 Mary evidently is the most (diligent) student among us.
A intelligent B beautiful
C hardworking D talkative
答案：C. hardworking
10 (Persistent) attempts to interview Garbo were fruitless.
A Forceful B Reasonable
C Firm D Continuous
答案： D. Continuous
11Why can't you stop your (eternal) complaining?
A long B everlasting
C temporary D boring
答案：B. everlasting
12 Hundreds of buildings were (wrecked) by the earthquake.
A damage B shaken
C fallen D jumped
答案：A. damaged
13 These paintings are considered by many to be (authentic).
A faithful B royal
C sincere D genuine
答案：D. genuine
14 Many economists have given in to the fatal (lure) of mathematics.
A simplicity B attraction
C power D rigor
答案：B. attraction
15 Ten years after the event, her death still remains a (puzzle).
A mist B fog
C secret D mystery
答案：D. mystery 第二部分：閱讀判斷
Fighting for a Better Future for Woman
When I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President, I always gave the same answer: that I was proud to be running as a woman but I was running because I thought I'd be the best president. But I am a woman, and like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious. I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.
I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to lead all children to brighter tomorrows.
To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect.
Let us resolve and work toward achieving some very simple propositions: There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices in the twenty-first century.
You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories, unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the President of the United States. And that is truly remarkable.
To those who are disappointed that we couldn't go all the way – especially the young people who put so much into this campaign – it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours.
Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you're knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.
As we gather here today in this historic magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead. If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.
16. Hillary Clinton has become the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
17. Hillary Clinton believed that if she were elected president of the United States, she would be the best.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
18. The American people are now ready to accept a woman as their president.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
19. The American young people feel disappointed at Hillary's failure to win the nomination.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
20. America's 50th female astronaut is right now moving round the Earth.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
21. Hillary Clinton will support Obama in the upcoming presidential election campaign.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
22. Hillary Clinton will no longer run for president.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
參考答案： CABAB CC
第三部分：概括大意與完成句子
McGrady's art is a spectacle
1 When Tracy McGrady is healthy, his play can be so beautiful that even his own teammates on the court cannot help but admire it - in the middle of a game.
2 "It's hard for me, because I'm a fan of basketball," Houston point guard Rafer Alston told the Houston Chronicle newspaper after McGrady's 44-point performance against Utah on January 5. "When he's shooting the ball like that, a lot of times I'm standing there watching and, all of a sudden, [the other team's] getting the ball and going on a fast break, and I'm getting yelled at by the coach." Indeed, McGrady's body control, his energy, his shooting - watching these are like watching an artist at work, blending colours, constructing sentences, or playing music.
3 Unfortunately, McGrady, 27, hasn't always been on the job. Already this season, he's missed seven games with back spasms. After Yao Ming was injured on Dec. 23, it appeared Houston would be without both of its stars. McGrady, however, returned three days later and has been playing well ever since, scoring more than 30 points in each of the last six games, as of Tuesday. Houston can't seem to get on without him. When McGrady was injured, the Rockets won two and lost five.
4 "Listen, there are only four or five people on the entire planet that can do the things he can do with the basketball," forward Shane Battier said of McGrady. "From a fan's perspective - and we're fans even though we're players - it's really fun to watch him do that. "From a player's perspective, his game can affect the entire team. No question. We see him, and we get excited, and that pumps us up. He keeps making shots, and suddenly it seems to become easier for everybody."
5 But it won't, really. Houston has just begun an important stretch on their schedule. Four of the next seven games will be played away from Houston - and without Yao. Six of the games will be against teams with winning records. Opponents will double-team McGrady in an attempt to dull the impact of his art. Instead of watching, McGrady's teammates will need to create a little art of their own.
23. Paragraph 2
24. Paragraph 3
25. Paragraph 4
26. Paragraph 5
A. McGrady's Injury
B. Necessity for the Teammates to Improve Their Own Skills
C. Evaluation from Two Different Perspectives
D. Spectacular Performance on the Court
E. Players Houston Can't Do Without
F. Yao Ming's Performance
27. McGrady plays basketball so well ______________.
28. Yao Ming missed several games ____________.
29. There are very few people on the Earth ___________.
30. Everyone will have to contribute __________.
A. since he returned
B. that his teammates cannot help admiring him
C. that he is often yelled at by the coach
D. who can play basketball so well
E. because he had been injured
F. if Houston hopes to win
參考答案：
23. D Spectacular Performance on the Court
24. E Players Houston Can't Do Without
25. C Evaluation from Two Different Perspectives
26. B Necessity for the Teammates to Improve Their Own Skills
27. B that his teammates cannot help admiring him
28. E because he had been injured
29. D who can play basketball so well
30. F if Houston hopes to win 第四部分：閱讀理解
第一篇 March Madness
For the rest of March, an epidemic (傳染病) will sweep across the US. It will keep kids home from school. College students will ignore piles of homework. Employees will suddenly lose their ability to concentrate.
The disease, known as "March Madness", refers to the yearly 65-team US men's college basketball tournament. It begins on March 15 and lasts through the beginning of April. Teams compete against each other in a single-elimination tournament that eventually crowns a national champion.
Nearly 20 million Americans will find themselves prisoners of basketball festival madness.
The fun comes partly from guessing the winners for every game. Friends compete against friends, husbands against wives, and colleagues against bosses.
Big-name schools are usually favored to advance into the tournament. But each year there are dark horses from little-known universities.
This adds to the madness. Watching a team from a school with 3,000 students beat a team from a school with 30,000, for many Americans, is an exciting experience. Last year, they little-known George Mason University was one of the final four teams. Many people had never been heard of the university before the tournament.
College basketball players are not paid, so the game is more about making a name for their university and themselves. But that doesn't mean money isn't involved.
About $4 billion will be spent gambling on the event. According to Media Life magazine, the event will draw over $500 million in advertising revenue this year topping the post-season revenue, including that of the NBA(全國籃球協(xié)會).
31. What will happen in the remaining part of the month?
A. Many Americans will be sent to madhouses.
B. Great excitement will spread across the US.
C. About 20 million Americans will be put in prison.
D. A deadly epidemic will break out in the US.
32. Which statement about the epidemic is NOT true?
A. It occurs every fourth year.
B. It starts on March 15.
C. It is known as "March Madness".
D. It lasts through the beginning of April.
33. Which of the following is NOT an instance of "March Madness"?
A. Kids run away from school.
B. Husbands kiss their wives.
C. College students keep homework piling up.
D. Employees can't concentrate on their work.
34. It is great fun
A. looking at wives kissing their husbands
B. listening to students talking to their teachers
C. watching farmers kicking their donkeys
D. betting on the winners of each game
35. The little-known George Mason University was a dark horse because
A. it had a student body of 30,000
B. its players were al black people
C. it had never been expected to be victorious
D. its players ran as fast as black horse
參考答案：
31. B. Great excitement will spread across the US.
32. A. It occurs every fourth year.
33. B. Husbands kiss their wives.
34. D. betting on the winners of each game
35. C. it had never been expected to be victorious
第二篇 Declining Interest in Developing Foreign Language Skills
Australia's foreign language skills are declining, Voice of America has reported. New figures show that only 13 percent of high school graduates can speak a foreign language. But four decades ago, 40 percent had foreign language skills.
Professor Elise Tipton, from the University of Sydney, says increasingly students do not feel the need to learn another language to boost their career. She believes that Australia's economic boom, which is driven by red-hot demand for its minerals, is helping mask serious deficiencies in its language skills.
Australia does business very successfully in English with most of its trading partners. But as the world's economic power shifts to emerging regions such as Asia, its language gap could soon be exposed. According to the new figures, less than 6.5 percent of high school graduates are proficient in an Asian language. Academics worry that this means Australia will increasingly be isolated from its economically important Asian neighbors. Dilip Dutta, from the economics and business faculty at Sydney University, says language skills can enhance trading opportunities. If Australians want to trade with Asian countries, it is very important for them to learn the language that will help them to get closer to the culture.
But students have different opinions about Asian language learning. Pippa McCowage, a 22-year-old Australian student, says many young Australians have a half-hearted approach to foreign languages, and the language curriculum is often weak. "While we're encouraged in high school to learn another language, it's not really apparent to me as a realistic expectation that you will have to speak it," said McCowage. "For example, I learned Japanese in high school, when I went on an exchange in Year 10, I found that the Japanese students of my age had a much greater proficiency in English than I did in Japanese. So in that sense, it almost discourages you.
At present, about 70 percent of Australia's major exports go to Asia and the Australian government has been keen on developing closer economic and diplomatic ties with Asia. Academics say that, as Asia becomes one of the world's economic powerhouses, Australia needs to improve its language skills if it is to take full advantage of the business opportunities on its doorstep.
36. What percentage of high school graduates were proficient in foreign language forty years ago?
A. 70 percent
B. 13 percent
C. 6.5 percent
D. 40 percent
37. What can be inferred from paragraph 2?
A. Australia is essentially a self-sufficient country.
B. Australia has rich deposits of minerals.
C. Australia has no intention to trade with Asian countries.
D. Australian students are not required to learn a foreign language.
38. What does Dilip Dutta think language skills can do?
A. Improve your relation with your partner.
B. Help settle international conflicts.
C. Increase trading opportunities.
D. Remove barriers in negotiations.
39. Why has the Australian government been keenly interested in strengthening ties with Asia?
A. Because Asia is where Australia's major exports go.
B. Because Asia is where Australia is located.
C. Because Asia is where Australians go and spend their holidays.
D. Because Asia is where Australia can play a big role in international affairs.
40. The word "faculty" in paragraph 3 can be replaced by
A. college.
B. building
C. department.
D. university.
參考答案：
36. D 40 percent
37. B Australia has rich deposits of minerals.
38. C Increase trading opportunities.
39. A Because Asia is where Australia's major exports go.
40. C department. 第三篇 Youth Emancipation in Spain
The Spanish Government is so worried about the number of young adults still living with their parents that it has decided to help them leave the nest.
Around 55 per cent of people aged 18-34 in Spain still sleep in their parents' homes, says the latest report from the country's state-run Institute of Youth.
To coax(勸誘) young people from their homes, the institute started a "Youth Emancipation(解放) programme this month. The programme offers guidance in finding rooms and jobs.
Economists blame young people's family dependence on the precarious(不穩(wěn)定的) labour market and increasing housing prices. Housing prices have risen 17 per cent a year since 2000.
Cultural reasons also contribute to the problem, say sociologists. Family ties in south Europe - Italy, Portugal and Greece - are stronger than those in middle and north Europe, said Spanish sociologist Almudena Moreno Minguez in her report "The Late Emancipation of Spanish Youth: Keys for Understanding".
"In general, young people in Spain firmly believe in the family as the main body around which their private life is organized," said Minguez.
In Spain - especially in the countryside, it is not uncommon to find entire groups of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews(外甥/侄子) all living on the same street. They regularly get together for Sunday dinner.
Parents' tolerance(寬容) is another factor. Spanish parents accept late-night partying and are wary of setting bedtime rules.
"A child can arrive home at whatever time he wants. If parents complain he'll put up a big fight and call the father a Fascist," said Jose Antonio Gomez Yanez, a sociologist at Carlos III University in Madrid.
Mothers' willingness to do children's household chores worsens the problem. Dioni-sio Masso, a 60-year-old in Madrid, has three children in their 20s. The eldest, 28, has a girlfriend and a job. But life with mum is good.
"His mum does the wash and cooks for him; in the end, he lives well," Masso said.
41. The "Youth Emancipation" programme aims at helping young people
A. live in an independent way
B. fight for freedom
C. fight against social injustice
D. get rid of family responsibilities
42. It can be inferred from paragraph 5 that family ties are stronger in Portugal than in
A. Greece
B. Finland
C. Spain
D. Italy
43. Young people's family dependence can be attributed to all the following factors EXCEPT
A. parent's tolerance
B. housing problems
C. unwillingness to get married
D. cultural traditions
44. Which of the following statements is NOT true of Dinoisio Masso?
A. She has a boyfriend.
B. She is 60 years old.
C. She has three children.
D. She lives in Madrid.
45. The phrase "wary of" in paragraph 8 could be best replaced by
A. tired of
B. afraid of
C. worried about
D. cautious about
參考答案：
41. A live in an independent way
42. B Finland
43. C unwillingness to get married
44. A She has a boyfriend
45. D cautious about
第五部分：補(bǔ)全短文
Reduce Packaging
Pressure increased recently on British supermarkets and retailers to reduce packaging as part of an anti-waste campaign. ________________(46). Britain generates 4.6 million tons of household waste every year by packaging.
Dozens of people have expressed anger at the excess of plastic wrapping. Campaigners has called on Britain to learn from other European countries. __________________(47). When returned bottles are put in a vending machines(自動售貨機(jī)), the deposit is refunded. Environmentalists warn that Britain lags behind in this.
There were reports of growing unease among consumers over the amount of packaging they have to deal with. Trade standards officers also object to excessive packaging. _________________(48)
In response to a campaign by Britain's The Independent newspaper, leading supermarkets have pointed to various initiatives to win the public confidence. __________________(49)
But campaigners said retailers and the government could learn much from anti-waste practices on the Continent. In Sweden, non-recyclable batteries have been taxed since 1991 to encourage a switch to alternatives. _____________(50) In Germany, plastic bags are unheard of in supermarkets and deposits are paid for reusable plastic and glass beverage bottles.
A. If a product is over packaged, don't buy it.
B. In Belgium, when you buy something in a plastic or glass container, you make a deposit.
C. This is because too much padding can give buyers a false impression of what they are buying.
D. This has resulted in a 74 percent reduction in sales.
E. Tesco said it was saving 112,000 tons of cardboard a year by switching to reusable plastic crates(裝貨箱) for transporting its fresh produce.
F. The campaign was initiated by The Independent newspaper.
正確答案：F B C E D
第六部分：完形填空
New Ideas
Iceland's President Olafur Grimsson is trying to drive carbon dioxide1 underground to _____(51) its release into the air.
Over the next two years, a team of scientists will try to ___(52) carbon dioxide-charged water2 into the rock underground. Scientist theory says this should work3. The CO2 will react with the rock to form a stable mineral that remains in the ____(53) for millions of years.
If the experiment succeeds, Iceland could give the world a new ____(54) to reduce CO2 emissions.
Sigurdur Gislason, a university professor in Iceland, says his country has an ___(55) over other countries: "We have enormous amounts of clean _____(56) and a small society. You can do experiments here that you can't do anywhere else."
In an attempt to cut back on the use of air conditioners during summer, the Japanese government in 2005 ___(57) a campaign to keep office temperatures at 28°C degrees in summer. Men were also encouraged to change business suits for ___(58) wear. In other words, no more ties.
"The ___(59) is meant to show the government's resolve to achieve Japan's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda. The ___(60) has cut an estimated 79,000 tons of carbon dioxide gas emissions each year.
As the country's 2005 Energy Policy Act __(61) into force this year, more Americans will be encouraged to use ___(62) cars and energy sources.
According to the new law, those who buy hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius can earn tax credits; or rebates, of ___(63) to $2,600 a year. Homemakers can also save when they renovate, claiming tax rebates ____(64) up to $500 simply by fitting their homes with energy-saving insulation. If they ___(65) in solar water heating, the payoff at tax time equal to 30 percent of the appliance's cost or a maximum of $2,000.
51 A) narrow B) reduce C) interrupt D) interfere
52 A) spread B) splash C) flow D) inject
53 A) rock B) air C) water D) soil
54 A) era B) period C) way D) page
55 A) merit B) benefit C) advantage D) profit
56 A) energy B) oil C) gas D) solar-power
57 A) called B) mounted C) opened D) broke
58 A) decent B) formal C)fashionable D) casual
59 A) move B) pledge C) promise D) statement
60 A) war B) campaign C) activity D) move
6l A) makes B) takes C) comes D) bring
62 A) fast B) cheap C) expensive D) environment-friendly
63 A) up B) under C) on D) from
64 A) worth B) give C) donate D) invest
65 A) spend B) give C) donate D) invest
51-55 B reduce; D inject; A rock; C way; C advantage
56-60 A energy; B mounted; D casual; A move; B campaign
61-65 C comes; D environment-friendly; A up; A worth; D invest
1 Would you please (call) my husband as soon as possible?
A phone B visit
C consult D invite
答案：A. phone
2 We had a long (conversation) about her parents.
A speech B question
C debate D talk
答案：D. talk
3 The chairman (proposed) that we stop the meeting.
A stated B announced
C suggested D demanded
答案：C. suggested
4 Obviously these people can be (relied) on in a crisis.
A depend on B lived on
C believed in D joined in
答案：A. depend on
5 There is always excitement at the Olympic Games when an athlete (breaks) a record.
A maintains B beats
C matches D tries
答案： B. beats
6 All the pupils seem to be very (cheerful).
A healthy B happy
C naughty D busy
答案：B. happy
7 The traditional paintings are (exhibited) on the second floor.
A displayed B laid
C kept D stored
答案：A. displayed
8 She stood there shaking with (fury).
A laugh B anxiety
C cry D anger
答案：D. anger
9 Mary evidently is the most (diligent) student among us.
A intelligent B beautiful
C hardworking D talkative
答案：C. hardworking
10 (Persistent) attempts to interview Garbo were fruitless.
A Forceful B Reasonable
C Firm D Continuous
答案： D. Continuous
11Why can't you stop your (eternal) complaining?
A long B everlasting
C temporary D boring
答案：B. everlasting
12 Hundreds of buildings were (wrecked) by the earthquake.
A damage B shaken
C fallen D jumped
答案：A. damaged
13 These paintings are considered by many to be (authentic).
A faithful B royal
C sincere D genuine
答案：D. genuine
14 Many economists have given in to the fatal (lure) of mathematics.
A simplicity B attraction
C power D rigor
答案：B. attraction
15 Ten years after the event, her death still remains a (puzzle).
A mist B fog
C secret D mystery
答案：D. mystery 第二部分：閱讀判斷
Fighting for a Better Future for Woman
When I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President, I always gave the same answer: that I was proud to be running as a woman but I was running because I thought I'd be the best president. But I am a woman, and like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious. I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.
I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to lead all children to brighter tomorrows.
To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect.
Let us resolve and work toward achieving some very simple propositions: There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices in the twenty-first century.
You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories, unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the President of the United States. And that is truly remarkable.
To those who are disappointed that we couldn't go all the way – especially the young people who put so much into this campaign – it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours.
Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you're knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.
As we gather here today in this historic magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead. If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.
16. Hillary Clinton has become the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
17. Hillary Clinton believed that if she were elected president of the United States, she would be the best.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
18. The American people are now ready to accept a woman as their president.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
19. The American young people feel disappointed at Hillary's failure to win the nomination.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
20. America's 50th female astronaut is right now moving round the Earth.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
21. Hillary Clinton will support Obama in the upcoming presidential election campaign.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
22. Hillary Clinton will no longer run for president.
A Right B Wrong C Not Mentioned
參考答案： CABAB CC
第三部分：概括大意與完成句子
McGrady's art is a spectacle
1 When Tracy McGrady is healthy, his play can be so beautiful that even his own teammates on the court cannot help but admire it - in the middle of a game.
2 "It's hard for me, because I'm a fan of basketball," Houston point guard Rafer Alston told the Houston Chronicle newspaper after McGrady's 44-point performance against Utah on January 5. "When he's shooting the ball like that, a lot of times I'm standing there watching and, all of a sudden, [the other team's] getting the ball and going on a fast break, and I'm getting yelled at by the coach." Indeed, McGrady's body control, his energy, his shooting - watching these are like watching an artist at work, blending colours, constructing sentences, or playing music.
3 Unfortunately, McGrady, 27, hasn't always been on the job. Already this season, he's missed seven games with back spasms. After Yao Ming was injured on Dec. 23, it appeared Houston would be without both of its stars. McGrady, however, returned three days later and has been playing well ever since, scoring more than 30 points in each of the last six games, as of Tuesday. Houston can't seem to get on without him. When McGrady was injured, the Rockets won two and lost five.
4 "Listen, there are only four or five people on the entire planet that can do the things he can do with the basketball," forward Shane Battier said of McGrady. "From a fan's perspective - and we're fans even though we're players - it's really fun to watch him do that. "From a player's perspective, his game can affect the entire team. No question. We see him, and we get excited, and that pumps us up. He keeps making shots, and suddenly it seems to become easier for everybody."
5 But it won't, really. Houston has just begun an important stretch on their schedule. Four of the next seven games will be played away from Houston - and without Yao. Six of the games will be against teams with winning records. Opponents will double-team McGrady in an attempt to dull the impact of his art. Instead of watching, McGrady's teammates will need to create a little art of their own.
23. Paragraph 2
24. Paragraph 3
25. Paragraph 4
26. Paragraph 5
A. McGrady's Injury
B. Necessity for the Teammates to Improve Their Own Skills
C. Evaluation from Two Different Perspectives
D. Spectacular Performance on the Court
E. Players Houston Can't Do Without
F. Yao Ming's Performance
27. McGrady plays basketball so well ______________.
28. Yao Ming missed several games ____________.
29. There are very few people on the Earth ___________.
30. Everyone will have to contribute __________.
A. since he returned
B. that his teammates cannot help admiring him
C. that he is often yelled at by the coach
D. who can play basketball so well
E. because he had been injured
F. if Houston hopes to win
參考答案：
23. D Spectacular Performance on the Court
24. E Players Houston Can't Do Without
25. C Evaluation from Two Different Perspectives
26. B Necessity for the Teammates to Improve Their Own Skills
27. B that his teammates cannot help admiring him
28. E because he had been injured
29. D who can play basketball so well
30. F if Houston hopes to win 第四部分：閱讀理解
第一篇 March Madness
For the rest of March, an epidemic (傳染病) will sweep across the US. It will keep kids home from school. College students will ignore piles of homework. Employees will suddenly lose their ability to concentrate.
The disease, known as "March Madness", refers to the yearly 65-team US men's college basketball tournament. It begins on March 15 and lasts through the beginning of April. Teams compete against each other in a single-elimination tournament that eventually crowns a national champion.
Nearly 20 million Americans will find themselves prisoners of basketball festival madness.
The fun comes partly from guessing the winners for every game. Friends compete against friends, husbands against wives, and colleagues against bosses.
Big-name schools are usually favored to advance into the tournament. But each year there are dark horses from little-known universities.
This adds to the madness. Watching a team from a school with 3,000 students beat a team from a school with 30,000, for many Americans, is an exciting experience. Last year, they little-known George Mason University was one of the final four teams. Many people had never been heard of the university before the tournament.
College basketball players are not paid, so the game is more about making a name for their university and themselves. But that doesn't mean money isn't involved.
About $4 billion will be spent gambling on the event. According to Media Life magazine, the event will draw over $500 million in advertising revenue this year topping the post-season revenue, including that of the NBA(全國籃球協(xié)會).
31. What will happen in the remaining part of the month?
A. Many Americans will be sent to madhouses.
B. Great excitement will spread across the US.
C. About 20 million Americans will be put in prison.
D. A deadly epidemic will break out in the US.
32. Which statement about the epidemic is NOT true?
A. It occurs every fourth year.
B. It starts on March 15.
C. It is known as "March Madness".
D. It lasts through the beginning of April.
33. Which of the following is NOT an instance of "March Madness"?
A. Kids run away from school.
B. Husbands kiss their wives.
C. College students keep homework piling up.
D. Employees can't concentrate on their work.
34. It is great fun
A. looking at wives kissing their husbands
B. listening to students talking to their teachers
C. watching farmers kicking their donkeys
D. betting on the winners of each game
35. The little-known George Mason University was a dark horse because
A. it had a student body of 30,000
B. its players were al black people
C. it had never been expected to be victorious
D. its players ran as fast as black horse
參考答案：
31. B. Great excitement will spread across the US.
32. A. It occurs every fourth year.
33. B. Husbands kiss their wives.
34. D. betting on the winners of each game
35. C. it had never been expected to be victorious
第二篇 Declining Interest in Developing Foreign Language Skills
Australia's foreign language skills are declining, Voice of America has reported. New figures show that only 13 percent of high school graduates can speak a foreign language. But four decades ago, 40 percent had foreign language skills.
Professor Elise Tipton, from the University of Sydney, says increasingly students do not feel the need to learn another language to boost their career. She believes that Australia's economic boom, which is driven by red-hot demand for its minerals, is helping mask serious deficiencies in its language skills.
Australia does business very successfully in English with most of its trading partners. But as the world's economic power shifts to emerging regions such as Asia, its language gap could soon be exposed. According to the new figures, less than 6.5 percent of high school graduates are proficient in an Asian language. Academics worry that this means Australia will increasingly be isolated from its economically important Asian neighbors. Dilip Dutta, from the economics and business faculty at Sydney University, says language skills can enhance trading opportunities. If Australians want to trade with Asian countries, it is very important for them to learn the language that will help them to get closer to the culture.
But students have different opinions about Asian language learning. Pippa McCowage, a 22-year-old Australian student, says many young Australians have a half-hearted approach to foreign languages, and the language curriculum is often weak. "While we're encouraged in high school to learn another language, it's not really apparent to me as a realistic expectation that you will have to speak it," said McCowage. "For example, I learned Japanese in high school, when I went on an exchange in Year 10, I found that the Japanese students of my age had a much greater proficiency in English than I did in Japanese. So in that sense, it almost discourages you.
At present, about 70 percent of Australia's major exports go to Asia and the Australian government has been keen on developing closer economic and diplomatic ties with Asia. Academics say that, as Asia becomes one of the world's economic powerhouses, Australia needs to improve its language skills if it is to take full advantage of the business opportunities on its doorstep.
36. What percentage of high school graduates were proficient in foreign language forty years ago?
A. 70 percent
B. 13 percent
C. 6.5 percent
D. 40 percent
37. What can be inferred from paragraph 2?
A. Australia is essentially a self-sufficient country.
B. Australia has rich deposits of minerals.
C. Australia has no intention to trade with Asian countries.
D. Australian students are not required to learn a foreign language.
38. What does Dilip Dutta think language skills can do?
A. Improve your relation with your partner.
B. Help settle international conflicts.
C. Increase trading opportunities.
D. Remove barriers in negotiations.
39. Why has the Australian government been keenly interested in strengthening ties with Asia?
A. Because Asia is where Australia's major exports go.
B. Because Asia is where Australia is located.
C. Because Asia is where Australians go and spend their holidays.
D. Because Asia is where Australia can play a big role in international affairs.
40. The word "faculty" in paragraph 3 can be replaced by
A. college.
B. building
C. department.
D. university.
參考答案：
36. D 40 percent
37. B Australia has rich deposits of minerals.
38. C Increase trading opportunities.
39. A Because Asia is where Australia's major exports go.
40. C department. 第三篇 Youth Emancipation in Spain
The Spanish Government is so worried about the number of young adults still living with their parents that it has decided to help them leave the nest.
Around 55 per cent of people aged 18-34 in Spain still sleep in their parents' homes, says the latest report from the country's state-run Institute of Youth.
To coax(勸誘) young people from their homes, the institute started a "Youth Emancipation(解放) programme this month. The programme offers guidance in finding rooms and jobs.
Economists blame young people's family dependence on the precarious(不穩(wěn)定的) labour market and increasing housing prices. Housing prices have risen 17 per cent a year since 2000.
Cultural reasons also contribute to the problem, say sociologists. Family ties in south Europe - Italy, Portugal and Greece - are stronger than those in middle and north Europe, said Spanish sociologist Almudena Moreno Minguez in her report "The Late Emancipation of Spanish Youth: Keys for Understanding".
"In general, young people in Spain firmly believe in the family as the main body around which their private life is organized," said Minguez.
In Spain - especially in the countryside, it is not uncommon to find entire groups of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews(外甥/侄子) all living on the same street. They regularly get together for Sunday dinner.
Parents' tolerance(寬容) is another factor. Spanish parents accept late-night partying and are wary of setting bedtime rules.
"A child can arrive home at whatever time he wants. If parents complain he'll put up a big fight and call the father a Fascist," said Jose Antonio Gomez Yanez, a sociologist at Carlos III University in Madrid.
Mothers' willingness to do children's household chores worsens the problem. Dioni-sio Masso, a 60-year-old in Madrid, has three children in their 20s. The eldest, 28, has a girlfriend and a job. But life with mum is good.
"His mum does the wash and cooks for him; in the end, he lives well," Masso said.
41. The "Youth Emancipation" programme aims at helping young people
A. live in an independent way
B. fight for freedom
C. fight against social injustice
D. get rid of family responsibilities
42. It can be inferred from paragraph 5 that family ties are stronger in Portugal than in
A. Greece
B. Finland
C. Spain
D. Italy
43. Young people's family dependence can be attributed to all the following factors EXCEPT
A. parent's tolerance
B. housing problems
C. unwillingness to get married
D. cultural traditions
44. Which of the following statements is NOT true of Dinoisio Masso?
A. She has a boyfriend.
B. She is 60 years old.
C. She has three children.
D. She lives in Madrid.
45. The phrase "wary of" in paragraph 8 could be best replaced by
A. tired of
B. afraid of
C. worried about
D. cautious about
參考答案：
41. A live in an independent way
42. B Finland
43. C unwillingness to get married
44. A She has a boyfriend
45. D cautious about
第五部分：補(bǔ)全短文
Reduce Packaging
Pressure increased recently on British supermarkets and retailers to reduce packaging as part of an anti-waste campaign. ________________(46). Britain generates 4.6 million tons of household waste every year by packaging.
Dozens of people have expressed anger at the excess of plastic wrapping. Campaigners has called on Britain to learn from other European countries. __________________(47). When returned bottles are put in a vending machines(自動售貨機(jī)), the deposit is refunded. Environmentalists warn that Britain lags behind in this.
There were reports of growing unease among consumers over the amount of packaging they have to deal with. Trade standards officers also object to excessive packaging. _________________(48)
In response to a campaign by Britain's The Independent newspaper, leading supermarkets have pointed to various initiatives to win the public confidence. __________________(49)
But campaigners said retailers and the government could learn much from anti-waste practices on the Continent. In Sweden, non-recyclable batteries have been taxed since 1991 to encourage a switch to alternatives. _____________(50) In Germany, plastic bags are unheard of in supermarkets and deposits are paid for reusable plastic and glass beverage bottles.
A. If a product is over packaged, don't buy it.
B. In Belgium, when you buy something in a plastic or glass container, you make a deposit.
C. This is because too much padding can give buyers a false impression of what they are buying.
D. This has resulted in a 74 percent reduction in sales.
E. Tesco said it was saving 112,000 tons of cardboard a year by switching to reusable plastic crates(裝貨箱) for transporting its fresh produce.
F. The campaign was initiated by The Independent newspaper.
正確答案：F B C E D
第六部分：完形填空
New Ideas
Iceland's President Olafur Grimsson is trying to drive carbon dioxide1 underground to _____(51) its release into the air.
Over the next two years, a team of scientists will try to ___(52) carbon dioxide-charged water2 into the rock underground. Scientist theory says this should work3. The CO2 will react with the rock to form a stable mineral that remains in the ____(53) for millions of years.
If the experiment succeeds, Iceland could give the world a new ____(54) to reduce CO2 emissions.
Sigurdur Gislason, a university professor in Iceland, says his country has an ___(55) over other countries: "We have enormous amounts of clean _____(56) and a small society. You can do experiments here that you can't do anywhere else."
In an attempt to cut back on the use of air conditioners during summer, the Japanese government in 2005 ___(57) a campaign to keep office temperatures at 28°C degrees in summer. Men were also encouraged to change business suits for ___(58) wear. In other words, no more ties.
"The ___(59) is meant to show the government's resolve to achieve Japan's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda. The ___(60) has cut an estimated 79,000 tons of carbon dioxide gas emissions each year.
As the country's 2005 Energy Policy Act __(61) into force this year, more Americans will be encouraged to use ___(62) cars and energy sources.
According to the new law, those who buy hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius can earn tax credits; or rebates, of ___(63) to $2,600 a year. Homemakers can also save when they renovate, claiming tax rebates ____(64) up to $500 simply by fitting their homes with energy-saving insulation. If they ___(65) in solar water heating, the payoff at tax time equal to 30 percent of the appliance's cost or a maximum of $2,000.
51 A) narrow B) reduce C) interrupt D) interfere
52 A) spread B) splash C) flow D) inject
53 A) rock B) air C) water D) soil
54 A) era B) period C) way D) page
55 A) merit B) benefit C) advantage D) profit
56 A) energy B) oil C) gas D) solar-power
57 A) called B) mounted C) opened D) broke
58 A) decent B) formal C)fashionable D) casual
59 A) move B) pledge C) promise D) statement
60 A) war B) campaign C) activity D) move
6l A) makes B) takes C) comes D) bring
62 A) fast B) cheap C) expensive D) environment-friendly
63 A) up B) under C) on D) from
64 A) worth B) give C) donate D) invest
65 A) spend B) give C) donate D) invest
51-55 B reduce; D inject; A rock; C way; C advantage
56-60 A energy; B mounted; D casual; A move; B campaign
61-65 C comes; D environment-friendly; A up; A worth; D invest