Increasingly ,over the past ten years ,people—especially young people—have become aware of the need to change their eating habits ,because much of the food they eat ,particularly processed foods ,is not good for the health .As a result ,there has been a growing interest in natural foods :foods which do not contain chemical fertilizers ,widely used in farming today .
Natural foods ,for example ,are vegetables ,fruit and grain which have been grown in soil that is rich in organic(有機的)matter . In simple terms ,this means that the soil has been nourished by unused vegetable matter ,which provides it with essential vitamins and minerals. This in itself is a natural process compared with the use of chemicals and fertilizers , the main purpose of which is to increase the amount—but not the quality—of food grown in commercial farming areas .
Natural foods also include animals which have been allowed to feed and move freely in healthy grassland for cattle .Compare this with what happens in the mass production of poultry (家禽):there are battery farms ,for example ,where thousands of chickens live crowded together in one building and are fed on food which is little better than rubbish .Chickens kept in this way are not only tasteless as food; they also produce eggs which lack important vitamins .
There are other things of healthy eating which are now receiving increasing attention from experts on diet .Take ,for example ,the question of sugar .This is actually a non-essential food! Although another natural food ,such as honey ,can be used to sweeten food if this is necessary ,we can in fact do without it .It is not that sugar is harmful in itself .But it does seem to be addictive : the quantity we use has grown steadily over the last two centuries and in Britain today each person consumes an average of 200 pounds a year !Yet all it does is provide us with energy ,in the form of calories .There are no vitamins in it ,no minerals ,and no fibre .
It’s very important that nowadays fibre is considered to be an important part of a healthy diet .In white bread ,for example ,the fibre has been removed .But it is present in unrefined flour and of course in vegetables .It is interesting to note that in countries where the national diet contains large quantities of unrefined flour and vegetables ,certain diseases are comparatively not often seen .For this reason ,the importance is placed on the eating of wholemeal(沒有去麩的面粉)bread and more vegetables by modern experts on “healthy eating”.
小題1:People have become more interested in natural foods because            .

A．they want to keep fit

B．they want to taste all kinds of foods

C．natural foods are more delicious than processed foods

D．they want to return to nature

小題2:Chickens raised in poultry farms are all of the following EXCEPT that           .

A．they are fed on food which is little better than garbage

B．they live in very crowed condition

C．the eggs they produce lack vitamins

D．they are allowed to move about and eat freely

小題3:According to the passage,_________.

A．people need sugar to give them energy

B．sugar is bad for the health

C．the use of sugar is habit forming

D．sugar only sweetens food, but provides us with nothing useful

In the United States, 30 percent of the people have a “weight problem”。To many people the cause is obvious (明顯的): they eat too much. But scientific evidence (證據(jù)) does little to support this idea. Going back to America of 1910, we find that people were thinner than today, yet they ate more food. In those days people worked harder physically, walked more, used machines much less, and didn’t watch television.
Several modern studies, moreover, have shown that fatter people don’t eat more on average than thinner people. A 1979 study of 3,545 London office workers showed that fat people eat less than slim (苗條的) people.
Studies also show that slim people are more active than fat people. A study by a research group at Stanford University found the following interesting facts:
The more the man ran, the greater loss of the body fat
The more they ran, the greater increase in food intake.
Thus, those who ran the most ate the most, yet lost the greatest amount of body fat.
小題1: Nowadays many Americans have the problem that ______.

A．they are too slim

B．they work too hard

C．they are too fat

D．they lose too much body fat

小題2:According to the passage, how many people in 900 Americans have a “weight problem”?

A．150.

B．300.

C．600.

D．270.

小題3:Is there any scientific evidence to support the idea that eating too much is the cause of a “weight problem”?

A．Yes, there is plenty of evidence.	B．Of course, there is some evidence to support this.
C．There is hardly any scientific evidence to support this.	D．We are not sure.

小題4:The Americans in 1910 ________.  

A．a(chǎn)te more food and had more physical activities
B．a(chǎn)te less food but had more physical activities
C．a(chǎn)te less food and had less physical activities	D．had more problems

When people in the U.S. have company or when they're invited to (formal or informal)get-together, they usually make a point of trying to make others feel comfortable and relaxed.On the whole, they tend to be informal. Men shake hands, but usually only when they're introduced. Male friends and business associate who haven't seen each other in a while may shake hands when they say hello. Women usually don't shake hands when being introduced to each other. When a woman and man are introduced, shaking hands is up to the woman. Americans rarely shake hands to say goodbye, except on business occasions. American women are used to being independent. They are used to going to places by themselves, making their own money, and often living alone. Sometimes they will ask men for help, but they usually don't want to be protected. Since the women's movement started, it's not always clear whether women expect men to open doors or help them into their coats. American women may start conversations with men or even ask them to dance.
There are a lot of Americans who don't smoke or drink, and many who don't want people to do those things in their houses. It's always best to ask for permission before you,bring alcohol to a dinner or before you light up a cigarette, if you are with people you don't ,know very well. Non-smokers have become more militant (好戰(zhàn)的) about smoking in public places. Many restaurants, for example, have set up special areas for smokers.
House guests may bring gifts when they come to visit, and they often offer to help in some way. As a guest, you may want to ask your host or hostess if there's anything you can do to help in the kitchen. In many cases, the gesture is more important than actually helping.
小題1:"…the gesture is more important than actually helping." Here "gesture" means_________.

A．態(tài)度

B．話題

C．姿態(tài)

D．言行

小題2:When American people are introduced to each other, ____________.

A．men seldom shake hands	B．women often shake hands
C．a(chǎn) woman decides if she will shake hands with a man
D．a(chǎn) man decides if he will shake hands with a woman

小題3:___________is not mentioned in the passage.
A. How to visit an American family      B. When American women's movement started
C. American women are independentD Non-smokers hate smoking in public places.
小題4: Which one is NOT right? ________________.
A None of Americans want people to smoke or drink in their houses
B Many Americans don’t smoke or drink
C Many special areas for smokers have been set up in the US
D It’s best to ask before you smoke in America

  In Colombia, there are some unwritten rules that people are used to. These rules are not officially established, but people do respect them. For example, on a bus, a person keeps a distance from another person, and people don’t like to touch each other. Many people come to work late because they prefer to wait for another bus if the first one is too crowded. They don’t want to have to stand too close to another person, or maybe they are afraid of starting a conversation.
A friend of mine in Colombia once said his mom got angry because he came home late, so he asked her, “Mom, what do you think of most people arriving at their jobs so late?” That gave her the answer to her question since everyone knows no one wants to get on a bus that is too crowded. His mother realized at that moment that customs have a big influence on a person’s life.
Sometimes, people don’t like to make any kind of conversation or make eye contact(接觸) with others. For example, when they are in line at a bank, they prefer to look up or down rather than look at other people.
Moreover, people usually look down when they are in an elevator. Not only on a bus, in line at a bank, and in an elevator do people usually avoid talking to other people, but also in the streets when they are walking, they prefer to look down and to avoid contact with others.
小題1: Why do many people get to work late in Colombia?

A．They always think the next bus will be better.

B．They don’t want to get on crowded buses.

C．It’s an official rule in Colombia.

D．They get into conversations and miss their buses.

小題2: From the text we learn that        . 

A．customs influence people’s lives	B．a(chǎn) mother always understands her son
C．people respect each other in Colombia	D．people like to talk in elevators in Colombia

小題3:When people in Colombia are in line at banks, they         .

A．make eye contact	B．look at other people
C．make conversation	D．look up or down

小題4: What would be the best title for the text?

A．What People Do in Different Situations	B．Avoid Getting on a Crowded Bus
C．Special Customs in Colombia	D．Obeying Unwritten Rules

Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures.
In any approach to a problem and in any negotiations, the Western world turns to the“I to you” approach while Japan，the “you to you” approach. The former means both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view. Naturally, often comes a confrontation(沖突) situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with.The latter is based on each side trying to understand the other person’s point of view. Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual(相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony.
Besides, Western decision-making goes mostly from top management(管理人員) and often does not consult middle management or the worker. However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on “bottom-up direction”, ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision.
Difference in decision-making also comes from different communication styles. The Japanese business person works to achieve harmony, even if the deal fallsthrough, and will spend whatever time is necessary to determine a “you to you” approach, communicating personal views only indirectly. They put a thorough job above the Western deadline approach. So the Japanese are thorough in their meetings. Thus Americans are often annoyed by the many meetings in many Japanese businesses. But where the American is pressingfor a specific decision, the Japanese is trying to think up a rather broad direction.
On the other hand, once a given agreement is made, it is the Japanese who sometimes wonderat the slow pace in which Westerners carry out the decision. The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, lag(落后)behind as they take the time for in-depth planning.
小題1: The text mainly tells us that Japan and the Western world         .

A．face great difficulty in making decisions

B．a(chǎn)re different in decision-making styles

C．have all members contribute to a decision

D．have two approaches: “I to you” and “you to I”

小題2:Which of the following is TRUE of the Westerners?

A．They carry out the decision once it is made.

B．There are many meetings in their businesses.

C．They work to achieve harmony in doing business.

D．They are good at handling confrontation situation.

小題3:The author’s attitude towards Japanese decision-making is         .

A．positive

B．critical

C．negative

D．casual(無所謂的）

Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting（永恒的、永久的） happiness. Aristotle (亞里士多德), a Greek thinker, said, “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.
The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. Too often, we spend so much time thinking about the future —for example, getting into college or getting a good job —that we fail to enjoy the present. You should enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have several close friends often live happier and healthier lives.
Another secret to living a happy life is to be active, and have hobbies where you forget your problems and time. Many people experience this dancing, or playing a sport, such as swimming. You can forget about your problems, and only think about the activity. Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an elderly person, or simply help out around the house by washing the dishes.
小題1: The best title（標題）of the passage is ________.

A．Money Makes You Happy

B．The Secrets of Happiness

C．Ideas for Helping Other People to Be Happy

D．Good Friends Make You Happy

小題2: The second paragraph tells us that ________.

A．the more friends you have, the happier you will be

B．we shouldn’t think about our future

C．happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life.

D．some people fail to live a happy life

小題3: The passage gives us ________ pieces of advice on happiness.

A．one

B．two

C．three

D．four

小題4: Which of the following is not mentioned in the passage?

A．Reading a good book.

B．Traveling to a foreign country.

C．Playing a sport.

D．Spending time with close friends.

The private automobile（私家車）has long played an important role in the United States. In fact, it has become a necessary and important part of the American way of life. In 1986, sixty-nine percent of American families owned at least one car, and thirty-eight percent had more than one. By giving workers rapid transportation, the automobile has freed them from having to live near their place of work. This has encouraged the growth of the cities, but it has also led to traffic problems.
For farm families the automobile is very helpful. It has made it possible for them to travel to town very often for business and for pleasure, and also to transport their children to distant schools.
Family life has been affected（影響）in various ways, The car helps to keep families together when it is used for picnics, outings, and other shared experiences. However, when teenage children have the use of the car, their parents can't keep an eye on them. There is a great danger if the driver has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or showing off by speeding or breaking down traffic laws. Mothers of victims（受害者）of such accidents have formed an organization called MADD（Mothers Against Drunk Driving. These women want to prevent further tragedies（悲�。�. They have worked to encourage the government to limit the youngest drinking age, Students have formed a similar organization, SADD（Students Against Drunk Driving）and are spreading the same message among their friends.
For many Americans the automobile is a necessity. But for some, it is also a mark of social position and for young people, a sign of becoming an adult. Altogether, cars mean very much to Americans.
小題1:.
. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the text?

A．Cars have encouraged the growth of the cities.

B．Cars can bring families together when they go for picnics.

C．Cars have enabled people to live far from their place of work.

D．Cars help city families to transport their children to faraway schools.

小題2:.. What has been done to deal with the problem of drunk driving?

A．Patents have paid more attention to their children.

B．Some organizations have been set up against drunk driving.

C．Mothers have tried to persuade their children not to drink alcohol.

D．University students have asked the government to solve the problem.

小題3:. We can infer from the text that ____________ in America.

A．it will be more difficult for people to get new cars

B．parents will not allow their children to have their own cars

C．the government will encourage people to use public transportation

D．cars will still be popular though they have caused many problems

No one can avoid being influenced by advertisements. Much as we may pride ourselves on our good taste, we are no longer free to choose the things we want, for advertising exerts a subtle influence on us. In their efforts to persuade us to buy this or that product, advertisers have made a close study of human nature and have classified all our little weaknesses.
Advertisers discovered years ago that all of us love to get something for nothing. An advertisement which begins with the magic word FREE can rarely go wrong. These days, advertisers not only offer free samples, but free cars, free houses, and free trips round the world as well. They devise hundreds of competitions which will enable us to win huge sums of money. Radio and television have made it possible for advertisers to capture the attention of millions of people in this way.
During a radio programme, a company of biscuit manufacturers once asked listeners to bake biscuits and send them to their factory. They offered to pay $10 a pound for the biggest biscuit baked by a listener. The response to this competition was tremendous. Before long, biscuits of all shapes and sizes began arriving at the factory. One lady brought in a biscuit on a wheelbarrow. It weighed nearly 500 pounds. A little later, a man came along with a biscuit which occupied the whole of his car. All the biscuits that were sent were carefully weighed. The largest was 713 pounds. It seemed certain that this would win the prize. But just before the competition closed, a lorry arrived at the factory with a truly colossal biscuit which weighed 2,400 pounds. It had been baked by a college student who had used over 1,000 pounds of flour, 800 pounds of sugar, 200 pounds of fat, and 400 pounds of various other ingredients. It was so heavy that a crane had to be used to remove it from the lorry. The manufacturers had to pay more money than they had anticipated, for they bought the biscuit from the student for $24,000.
小題1:.
. Why have advertisers made a close study of human weakness?

A．They thought it was very interesting to do so.

B．They wanted to persuade the customers to buy their products.

C．They thought it was their duty.

D．They wanted to research how much people spend buying their products.

小題2:.
. Why do advertisers offer free samples and other things to people?

A．They use them to attract people’s attention.

B．Their advertisements have little effect on customers.

C．Different means are being used to cheat people.

D．They produce too many products that can’t be sold out.

小題3:.
From the last paragraph, we know that the factory failed to expect _______.

A．how many people would take an interest in the competition

B．how many ingredients are needed to bake a large biscuit

C．it was possible to bake a biscuit as large as the student’s

D．the payment wouldn’t be as high as $ 24,000

In most people’s opinion, the tiger is not an animal that we would ordinarily think of as being chicken. However, one tiger, which lives in an English zoo, turned out to be more cowardly( 膽小的) than his keepers could ever have imagined.
Tanvir, a two-year-old Bengal tiger, got stuck at the top of a new 5m-high activity tower in the zoo, after climbing it for the first time.
The wooden tower had been designed to provide mental exercise for Tanvir by testing his ability of dealing with troublesome situations, but after climbing it in just a few seconds, he lost his courage when it came to coming back down. Tanvir went on to spend nearly two days at the top of the tower trying to collect the courage to attempt to get down.
A spokesperson for the zoo said that several days before Tanvir had taken half an hour to get down a lower tower only 1.5m high, and the taller tower had clearly been too much challenging for him.
“Every time he got to the edge, he looked out, put a paw over, and thought, ‘no, I cannot make it!’”laughed Samantha Cordrey, Tanvir’s keeper. In the end Tanvir’s hunger defeated his fear, and after almost 48 hours he made his way down. Burying himself in a big meal just like a hungry pig, Tanvir seemed to forget such a shameful experience for a while.
It appears that his experience would not be the worst in Tanvir’s life if he continued to act like a chicken. It is not known whether he will take courage to go back up his exercise tower again.
The whole episode(插曲) only serves to show the difficulties faced by zoo staff in creating environments that will improve animals’ living ability in enclosed space.
小題1:When speaking of Tanvir’s shameful experience, Samantha Cordrey might feel it was_____.

A．funny

B．surprising

C．exciting

D．unbelievable

小題2:What made Tanvir get down the 5m-high activity tower at last?

A．The coldness of the weather.	B．The direction from his keepers.
C．The sufferings of being hungry	D．The fear of being alone

小題3: Why does the author say “this experience would not be the worst in Tanvir’s life if…”(Paragraph 6)?

A．Because Tanvir’s keepers will design more difficult exercise for him.

B．Because Tanvir is so cowardly that he has little courage to meet greater challenges.

C．Because Tanvir’s bad health will bring him much trouble in practice.

D．Because Tanvir is always careless and often causes trouble by accident.

小題4: The zoo designed the 5m-high activity tower to______.

A．make Tanvir become brave

B．improve Tanvir’s performance skills

C．let tourists watch Tanvir better

D．improve Tanvir’s living ability

Americans have taken over from the Indians many things besides their continent! Where did corn, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate and maple sugar come from? The Indians. Who invented moccasins, snowshoes and hammocks? The Indians!
A list of the tools, plants, materials and designs we owe to the Indians would include hundreds of items. But there is something far more familiar, something that is always at hand. It is used daily by every American: a large vocabulary of Indian words.
Potato, tomato, chocolate, moccasin and hammock came into English from Indian languages. So did cocoa, tobacco, maize (an Indian word for corn) and succotash. Some words have changed on the way. Potato, for example, comes from a word that sounds like “batata”. Cocoa began as “cacahuatl”.
Some meanings have also changed. The long Indian word from which succotash comes means “something broken off in bits”. Indian women often varied their dishes by mixing bits of one food with another. White men who ate an Indian dish of mixed lima beans (青豆) and corn began using the Indian word to mean this particular mixture.
Put on your moccasins and take a walk in the country. If it is a cold day and you wear a mackinaw, your jacket will be as Indian as your shoes. But mackinaw came from “michilimackinac”, the Indian name of a place where a fort (集市) served as a trading post. Bright-colored blankets or jackets bought at the post soon became known as “mackinaws”.
Early white visitors to the continent found Indian words useful for the things new to them. But some Indian sounds, such as the “tl” at the end of many words, were hard to say. That is why “coyotl” became coyote and “tomatle” became tomato.
Some words simply seemed too long. So, “musickwautash” became succotash and “rockahominy” became hominy.
小題1:The first two paragraphs may serve as a(n)     .

A．explanation

B．introduction

C．comment

D．background

小題2: Which of the following has been changed for easier pronunciation?

A．Batata

B．Chocolate

C．Tomatle

D．Rockahominy

小題3: Some words have changed because       .

A．they are too long

B．nobody can use them

C．the things they refer to have disappeared

D．they are too difficult for people to write

小題4: What is the passage mainly about?

A．How Indian traditions affect us.

B．Why Indian words were changed.

C．Things we owe to the Indians.

D．Indian words all around us.