A serious problem for today’s society is who should be responsible for our elderly and how to improve their lives. It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society. I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem.

First, employers should take the responsibility for their retried employees. To make this possible, a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose. But when a company must take life long responsibility for its employees, it may suffer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs.

Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility to the individual. This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement. This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years. This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor.

In addition, the government could take responsibility for the care of the elderly. This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions. Furthermore, some institutions should be created for senior citizens, which can help provide a comfortable life for them. Unfortunately , as the present situation in our country shows, this is not a truly viable answer. The government can seldom afford to care for the elderly, particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young.

One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some workplaces especially for the elderly where they are independent.

To sum up, all these options have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to our elderly generations.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A. The problem faced by the old in society.

B. Why we should take responsibility for the old.

C. How we can improve the lives of the old.

D. Where the old can go to get their pensions.

2.According to the passage, how can the government help to improve the lives of retired people?

A. Set aside some profits to help people with problems after they retire

B. Increase saving levels of people during their working years

C. Increase the discounts for food and transport for the old

D. Make available pensions for those who have retired

3.The underlined word “viable” most probably means ____.

A. impossible B. practical

C. useful D. successful

4.What can be concluded from the passage?

A. Taking care of the old is mainly an issue of money

B. Employers should allow their workers to retire at a later age

C. Becoming independent should be the goal of most old people

D. There is no single solution to the problem of the old

When I was a child, I often dreamed of the time when I could leave home and escape to the city. We lived on a farm, in the winter especially, we were quite cut off from the outside world. As soon as I left school, I packed my bags and moved to the capital. However, I soon discovered that my life has its problems ,too.

One big disadvantage is money. It costs so much to go out, not to mention basics like food and housing. Another disadvantage is pollution. I suffer from asthma(哮喘), and at times the air is so bad that I am afraid to go outside. Then there is the problem of traveling round. Although I have a car, I seldom use it because of the traffic jams. One choice is to go by bicycle, but that can be quite dangerous.

Of course there are advantages. First, there is so much to do in the city, whatever you tastes in culture or entertainment(娛樂活動). Besides, there are wonderful jobs and greater chances of moving to a more important job or position. Finally, if you like shopping, the variety of goods is very surprising --- and , what is more, shops are often only a short walk away.

Is life better then, in the city? Perhaps it is , when you are in your teens(十幾歲)or twenties. However, as you get older, and especially if you have small children, the peace of the countryside may seem preferable. I certainly hope to move back there soon.

1.Which of the following is true about the writer?

A. He is very old now.

B. He is in good health.

C. He prefers driving a car.

D. He lives in the city now.

2.In the passage, the writer tries to __________.

A. express his opinions about way of life

B. describe his life in the countryside

C. an interest in the outside world

D. persuade the reader to live in the city

3.How is the passage mainly developed?

A. By inferring.

B. By comparing.

C. By listing examples.

D. By giving explanations.

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，從短文后的選項中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項。選項中有兩項為多余選項。

A：Good morning. __1._

B：Yes, please. Could you introduce me a nice place to see over the weekend?

A：OK, Qingdao is a nice place to visit. __2.__ The weather is neither hot nor cold.

B：Sounds good. 3.___

A：You can get there by train.

B：Shall I visit places of interest by bus in Qingdao?

A：Sure. __4.__

B：Really perfect. __5.__

A：280 yuan each person. It includes train tickets, park tickets, hotel and meals.

B：Well. It’s nice. I’d like to book the tour for two.

A. It’s the right time to go there.

B. Which place are you going to visit?

C. How can I get there?

D. Hope you will have a great time there.

E. How much does it cost?

F. Can I help you, madam?

G. Our sightseeing bus will take you around the city.

閱讀下面短文，從短文后各題所給的四個選項中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項。

Down-to-earth means someone or something that is honest, practical and easy to deal with. It is _________ to find someone who is down-to-earth. A person who is down-to-earth is easy to talk to and _________ other people as equals. A down-to-earth person is just the _________ of someone who acts important and proud．

Down-to-earth persons _________ be important members of society. _________ they don’t let their importance “go to their heads”. They do not _________ themselves to be better persons than others of less importance. Someone who is filled with his own importance and pride, often without cause, is _________ to have “his nose in the air”. There is _________ way a person with his nose in the air can be down-to-earth.

Americans _________ another expression that means almost the same as down-to-earth. The expression is “both-feet-on-the-ground”. Someone with both-feet-on-the-ground is a person with a good _________ of reality. He _________ what is called “common sense”. He may have 52 , but he does not allow them to_________ his knowledge of what is real. The opposite kind of 54 is one who has hid “head-in-the-clouds”. A man with his head-in-the-clouds is a dreamer whose _________ is not in the real world．

_________ , such a dreamer can be brought back to reality. _________ words from a teacher can usually get a day-dreaming student to put both feet back on the ground．Usually, the person who is down-to-earth is very _________ to have both feet on the ground． _________we have both our feet firmly on the ground, we are down-to-earth, and we act honestly and openly _________ others. Our lives are like the ground below us, said and strong.

1.A．pleasant B．sad C．common D．surprising

2.A．meets B．welcomes C．receives D．a(chǎn)ccepts

3.A．case B．kind C．opposite D．example

4.A．must B．may C．should D．will

5.A．But B．So C．For D．And

6.A．wish B．expect C．desire D．consider

7.A．said B．told C．a(chǎn)sked D．made

8.A．some B．a(chǎn) C．no D．every

9.A．discover B．find C．make D．use

10.A．understanding B．wish C．reason D．expectation

11.A．demands B．lacks C．has D．likes

12.A．fortunes B．dreams C．a(chǎn)chievements D．disadvantages

13.A．block B．protect C．own D．gain

14.A．idea B．people C．a(chǎn)ttitude D．person

15.A．mind B．life C．body D．head

16.A．Always B．Therefore C．However D．Sometimes

17.A．Sharp B．All C．No D．Bad

18.A．possible B．probable C．likely D．a(chǎn)ble

19.A．Though B．Since C．When D．Unless

20.A．towards B．for C．over D．onto

閱讀下面短文，按照句子結(jié)構(gòu)的語法性和上下文連貫的要求，在空格處填入一個適當?shù)脑~或使用括號中詞語的正確形式填空。

David: Hi, Linda, what are you doing?

Linda: Hi, David．I 1. （prepare） for the test tomorrow．

David: But 2. are you sitting here in the garden?

Linda: Well, the library is full and the classroom is too noisy． Are you ready 3. the test ?

David: I am afraid not．I feel very nervous． We don't have much time 4. （leave）．

Linda: We can prepare together．Maybe that can help．

David: Good idea．How many units will be included in 5. coming test?

Linda: Three altogether．They are Unit 4,Unit5 and Unit 6．

David: Really? I 6. （think） Unit 6 would not be covered．

Linda: It is included 7. it is only partly finished by our teacher． Now let's ask each other questions．You go first．

David: All right．Please name three European countries．

Linda: It's easy．France, Germany and Russia．I 8. even say more．

David: It seems you are 9. （well） prepared than me． Now it's 10. turn to ask me questions．

Linda: OK．What are the seven continents of the world?

David: Asia, Europe, Africa, and err．．．．I really can't remember them all．

Linda: Don't worry． You still have some time today to prepare．

短文改錯

此題要求改正所給短文中的錯誤。文中共有10處語言錯誤。錯誤涉及一個單詞的增加、刪除或修改。

增加：在缺詞處加一個漏字符號（∧），并在其下面寫出該加的詞。

刪除：把多余的詞用斜線（\）劃掉。

修改：在錯的詞下劃一橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。

注意：1.每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞；

2. 只允許修改10處，多者（從第11處起）不計分。

Never shall I forget the first English lesson giving by Miss Liu. One Monday morning, when she entered the classroom, we found that she was a young or beautiful lady. Then she introduced herself and said they shouldn’t call her Teacher Liu but Miss Liu. Later, she asked us to go to the blackboard and said something about ourselves with English in turn. When it was my turn, I felt so shyly that I didn’t dare to say anything before the class. She went up to me and said kindly, “Don’t afraid. I believe you can do them well.” At the last, 1 went to the blackboard. She praised me for which I had done.

書面表達

假設(shè)你叫李華，你校高二同學(xué)正在開展一場討論，主題是: 高中學(xué)生要不要參加體育鍛煉。請根據(jù)下面所提供的信息，給英文報社寫一封信，介紹討論情況。

55%的同學(xué)認為：

應(yīng)該每天進行體育鍛煉；

做早操，打乒乓球、打籃球，但不要時間過長；

鍛煉能增強體質(zhì)，減少疾��；

鍛煉能使大腦休息，使學(xué)習(xí)效果更好。

45% 的同學(xué)認為：

鍛煉浪費時間;

鍛煉容易使人疲勞；

鍛煉以后很興奮，較長時間不能投入學(xué)習(xí)；

鍛煉中途可能會受傷。

[寫作要求] 1. 可適當增加細節(jié)，使行文連貫。

2.表達清晰。

3.詞數(shù)100左右。

4.開頭結(jié)尾已寫出，不計入總詞數(shù)。

參考詞匯：build their body and reduce lot of diseases. 增強體質(zhì)，減少疾病;

a waste of time and tiring 浪費時間, 使人疲勞

be hurt 受傷

Dear Editor,

I’m writing to tell you about a discussion we’ve had about whether students should take physical exercise.

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Yours sincerely，

Li Hua

It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The streams were long gone back into the earth. If we didn't see some rain soon we would lose everything.

I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He was obviously walking with a great effort... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house.

Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful long step toward the woods. This activity went on for over an hour: walking cautiously to the woods, then running back to the house. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me. I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey.

He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked; being very careful not to spill the water he held in them. Branches and thorns slapped his little face but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much greater purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing sight.

Several large deer appeared threatening in front of him. But Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. And I saw a baby deer lying on the ground, obviously suffering from heavy loss of water and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand.

I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save a life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops... and more drops... and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, Himself, was weeping with pride.

1.Why did the author follow her son?

A. Because there might be danger.

B. Because her son was doing a good deed.

C. Because she intended to help.

D. Because she was curious.

2.Which of the following statements is Not True according to the passage?

A. Rain was in great need.

B. Billy carried water with his small hands.

C. There were few trees in the woods.

D. Billy walked into the woods and then returned over and over again.

3.Which is the correct order of the development of the story?

① The author was moved to tears.

② Billy fed the water to the baby deer.

③ Billy walked towards the large deer.

④ It began to rain.

⑤ The author followed Billy into the woods.

A. ③②⑤①④ B. ⑤③②①④

C. ④①③②⑤ D. ⑤②①③④

4.At the end of the story, the author might experience different feelings Except that ________.

A. Billy was a pride

B. God was touched by Billy's activity

C. the rain should have dropped earlier

D. it was worthwhile to have given birth to Billy

Music for Humans and Humpback Whales

As researchers conclude in Science, the love of music is not only a universal feature of the human species, but is also deeply fixed in complex structures of the human brain, and is far more ancient than previously suspected.

In the articles that discuss the field of bio-musicology, the study of the biological basis for the creation and appreciation of music, researchers present various evidence to, show that music-making is at once an original human "business", and an art form with skillful performers throughout the animal kingdom.

The new reports stress that humans hold no copyright on sound wisdom, and that a number of nonhuman animals produce what can rightly be called music, rather than random sound. Recent in-depth analyses of the songs sung by humpback whales show that, even when their organ would allow them to do otherwise, the animals converge on the same choices relating to sounds and beauty, and accept the same laws of song composition as those preferred by human musicians, and human ears, everywhere.

For example, male humpback whales, who spend six months of each year doing little else but singing, use rhythms (節(jié)奏) similar to those found in human music and musical phrases of similar length—a few seconds. Whales are able to make sounds over a range of at least seven octaves (八度音階), yet they tend to move on through a song in beautiful musical intervals, rather than moving forwards madly. They mix the sounds like drums and pure tones in a ratio (比例) which agrees with that heard in much western music. They also use a favorite technique of human singers, the so-called A-B-A form, in which a theme is stated, then developed, and then returned to in slightly revised form.

Perhaps most impressive, humpback songs contain tunes that rhyme. "This suggests that whales use rhyme in the same way we do: as a technique in poem to help them remember complex material," the researchers write.

1.The underlined words "converge on" in Paragraph 3 probably means ________.

A. tend towards B. refer to

C. turn into D. put forward

2.Which of the following shows the advanced musical ability in humpback whales?

A. They can remember complex material.

B. They can create pleasing patterns of music.

C. They can make sounds like drums continuously.

D. They can sing along with rhythms of western music.

3.What is the main idea of the article?

A. Animals are able to compose and enjoy music like humans.

B. Human beings borrow ideas in music from humpback whales.

C. Humpback whales are skillful performers in the animal kingdom.

D. Music-making, an ancient activity of both humans and animals.

4.The main purpose of the passage is to ________.

A. argue and discuss B. inform and explain

C. compare and advertise D. examine and assess

One of the newest taboos (禁忌) in American society is the topic of fat. Unlike many other taboos, fat is a topic that America talk about often. It is not taboo to talk about fat; it’s taboo to be fat.

The “in” look is thin. In the work world, most companies prefer youthful-looking, slim executives to sell their image and their products to the public. The thin look is associated with youth, vigor and success. The fat person, on the other hand, is thought of as lazy and lacking in energy, self-discipline and self-respect. After all, people think, how can people who care about themselves, and therefore the way they look, allow themselves to become fat? In an image conscious society like the U.S. , fat is “out”.

It is not surprising, then, that millions of Americans have become obsessed (著迷) with staying slim and “in shape”. The pursuit of youthful physical appearance is not, however, the only reason for America’s obsession with diet and exercise.

Recent research has shown the great importance of diet and exercise for personal health. As in most technologically developed nations, the life-style of North Americans has changed very quickly during the course of last century. Modern machines do all the physical labor that people were once forced to do by hand. Cars and buses transport us quickly from point to point. As the result of inactivity and disuse, people’s bodies can easily become weak and vulnerable to disease. In an effort to avoid such a fate, millions of Americans are spending more of their time exercising.

The effects of this new appreciation of the importance of exercise is clear: parks are filled with joggers and bicyclists, physical education programs are enjoying a newly-founded fame and many companies are providing exercise equipment for their employees to use during the work day.

1.In the United States, fat is something ________.

A. people always talk about

B. not regarded as a taboo topic

C. people usually pay no attention to

D. belonging to the same treatment as other taboos

2.What do Americans think of thin people?

A. Their work helps them to look youthful

B. They are energetic and successful.

C. Their appearances affects their behavior

D. They are lacking in self-discipline.

3.According to Paragraph 4, which of the following is an example of “inactivity?

A. Mary does her housework by hand.

B. Celia takes part in a marathon

C. Cecilia goes to her office by car.

D. Margaret plays badminton every Saturday.

4.Why are parks filled with joggers and bicyclists?

A. Because these parks are fit for sports.

B. Because people are enjoying prestigious status in parks.

C. Because people are taking part in physical education programs.

D. Because people now recognize they should do more exercise.