Famous centenarians (百歲老人) still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who
stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the
Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year,
Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in
order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some
humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others."
   Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to
do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to
train the brain are essential for senior citizens.
   Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt
Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of
a listless elderly generation.
   Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best
known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The
role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that
serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day
working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a
gallbladder (膽囊) operation he composed a samba tune (桑巴舞曲) in the clinic.
   Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer
spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be
at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. "Should I just sit at home and wait until they
come and pick me up?" Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for
a "good stage role".
   Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has
described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she
and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges.
   With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers.


1. From the first two paragraphs, we can see ______. 

A. being active at 102 is achievable for everybody
B. Oliveira owes his long life to his mother's help
C. being fit in old age is a matter of luck and character
D. social skills and wisdom are difficult for the senior

2. How many centenarians are mentioned in this passage?

A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7

3. By saying "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?", Heesters shows
    us he ________.

A. wants to sit or lie in comfort
B. is waiting for people to pick him up
C. is willing to work till he dies
D. prefers to give performance at home

4. In the passage so many examples were given to show ________.

A. old age is a big problem if you want to succeed
B. as a senior citizen, you have to be open-minded and optimistic
C. ole people should never think of themselves as old
D. old age can not prevent a great person from achieving a lot

5. In the writer's opinion, the architect Oscar Niemeyer is not ________.

A. sympathy    
B. pessimistic  
C. positive    
D. diligent

     A few years ago my sister moved from her home in Alabama to Buffalo, New York. Since moving to
Buffalo she's become a big hockey fan and has encouraged me to start watching it. Unfortunately it's very difficult to find hockey on television here in Alabama. Since hockey games don't air very much on television  I've had to look for different ways to watch hockey games.
     I often see websites that claim if you go to their website you can watch television on your computer. I
try out many of these websites hoping that one of the television stations is a northern station that airs
hockey games. Unfortunately, most of them don't work. Either the site doesn't really give you what they
advertise or their video player doesn't work properly. But finally I've found one websites that actually
works.
     Free Tube is a site that you can go to and watch Television online for free. You don't have to
download any kind special software or pay money or even sign up for anything. All you have to do is go
to Free Tube, choose your channel and start watching.
      The different channels to choose from are separated into different categories like news, business,
entertainment, music and sports. You're not going to find channels like NBC or ABC so you can watch
the latest episode of Heroes or Grey's Anatomy but it does include some popular channels like Cartoon Network and ESPN.
      There is also a movie section. Each move channel airs different sorts of films like adventure, classics,
comedy or horror and that channel will always air that kind of movies. The movie section also includes
my favorite station called Maxx Trailers (預告片). Maxx Trailers airs nothing but movies trailers 24
hours a day. Some of the trailers are for movies coming out and some are for movies that have already
been released but already released movies don't go back farther than a couple of months.
     So far I haven't had any problems with Free Tube's video player either. Whenever I choose a channel
the video almost always works and usually loads every quickly. The only problem I have with Free Tube
is that there is currently a glitch if you're using Firefox. Once you choose a channel you can't select
another channel to change to, your web browser will freeze up. So if you're using Firefox the only way to
switch channels is to leave the site and re-enter the site, when choose what channel you want to go to.
However, Free Tube is aware of this glitch and is working with Mozilla to get it fixed right away.
     If you're missing some show everyone is talking about like Grey's Anatomy or Heroes this isn't really
a solution for that. But Free Tube is a good way to find channels that you weren't aware of; there are
several good stations to be found.

1. The author mainly ________ in this passage.

A. tells us his experience in using the Web.
B. introduces Free Tube to the readers
C. shows us the disadvantages of Free Tube
D. shows us how to enjoy films online

2. The author got interested in watching hockey games ________

A. because he is a sports fan
B. due to his sister's influence
C. since everyone enjoys the games
D. because he has nothing to do all day long

3. Which of the following is TRUE about Free Tube?

A. You'll have to pay if you watch films on Free Tube.
B. You'll have to fix special software on your computer to visit Free Tube.
C. Users have to sign up their user's name first.
D. Channels are divided into different categories on Free Tube.

4. Form the passage we can learn that _________

A. the author is also very fond of movies
B. Maxx Trailers airs to-be-released movies
C. ABC is a very famous TV station in America
D. Firefox is the only software used to watch films online

5. The underlined word "glitch" probably means _________

A. cover
B. change
C. note
D. fault

     In a cold winter, a couple had to move out from the luxury villa because of bankruptcy. The husband
worked day and night to support the family but with no care of his wife. So she thought, "he doesn't love
me anymore, he just cares his business...not me".
     One day, she began to take a bath, he stopped her at the door, "Let me take it first, OK?" "Why not
let me shower first," she asked. "I was tired, sweetie, you take it later, OK?" She was totally depressed.
     On a morose day, she found nothing to do and turned on his computer, a few words blurred her
eyes...it was his diary:
     Today, I was quite sad, she asked me why I was always taking the bath first, and I said to her, I was
exhausted. She was unhappy, in her mind, I treated her not as well as usual, but how can I do? I wasn't
as rich as before! We moved to the small apartment, there was only a shower in such a freezing winter.
But I found that if one person took the shower first, the room could get a litter warm, so every time I
rushed to the bathroom first. I was thinking that, when she took the shower, the room would get warmer,
at least1℃,2℃or 3℃
     Now I can't give her comfortable life, bring her the luxury restaurant, buy expensive dresses for her,
but at least, I can give her 1℃love.

1. Why was the husband always taking the bath first?

A. Because he was tired from work.
B. Because he didn't love her anymore.
C. Because he wanted to get the bathroom warmer.
D. Because he treated his wife not as well as usual.

2. What does the underlined word "bankruptcy" in the first paragraph probably mean?

A. crash
B. moving
C. diseases
D. failure

3. The best title of the passage may be ______.

A. A trouble
B. 1℃love
C. Husband and wife
D. A romantic love story

     In 1982 Steven Callahan was crossing the Atlantic alone in his sailboat when it struck something and
sank. He was out of the shipping lanes and floating in a life raft, alone. His supplies were few. His chances were small. Yet when three fishermen found him seventy-six days later, he was alive.
     His account of how he survived is fascinating. But the thing that caught my eye was how he managed
to keep himself going when all hope seemed lost. Giving up would have seemed the only wise option.
     When people survive these kinds of circumstances, they do something with their minds that gives them
the courage to keep going. Many people in similarly desperate circumstances give in or go mad.
     "I tell myself I can handle it," wrote Callahan. "Compared to what others have been through, I'm
fortunate. I tell myself these things over and over, building up fortitude(堅強意志)…."
     It struck me as something important. And I've told myself the same thing when my own goals seemed
far off or when my problems seemed too overwhelming. And every time I've said it, I have always come
back to my senses.
      The truth is, our circumstances are only bad compared to something better. But others have been
through much worse. So here, coming to us from the extreme edge of survival, are words that can give us
strength. Whatever you're going through, tell yourself you can handle it. Tell this to yourself over and over, and it will help you get through the rough spots with a little more fortitude.

1. The writer seemed more interested in ______.

A. something that made Steven Callahan want to cross the Atlantic
B. What made Steven Callahan live through the circumstances
C. what Steven Callahan thought of in the ban circumstances
D. what was wrong with his boat on the half way

2. From the third paragraph we can infer that ______.

A. the state of mind means one's life or death
B. keeping up one's spirit is especially easy for one
C. most people have good physiological quality
D. bad conditions can strengthen one's will

3. How did Steven Callahan build up his confidence in difficulty?

A. By comparing himself with others.
B. By trying over and over again to call help.
C. By encouraging himself once and again.
D. By trying out different ways of how to survive.

4. What did the writer get from the experience of Steven Callahan?

A .One shouldn't lose heart when in difficulty.
B. Encouragement comes from one's behaviors.
C. The strength of example is endless.
D. To experience the difficulty does good to one person.

      I was 13 years old.  My family had moved to Southern California from North Florida a year before. 
 I hit adolescence with a vengeance.  I was angry and rebellious, with little regard for anything my parents
had to say, particularly if it had to do with me.  Like so many teenagers, I struggled to escape from
anything that didn't agree with my picture of the world. A "brilliant without need of guidance" kid, I
rejected any overt offering of love.  In fact, I got angry at the mention of the word love.
     One night, after a particularly difficult day, I _____________, shut the door and got into bed.  As I
lay down in the privacy of my bed, my hands slipped under my pillow.  There was an envelope.  I pulled
it out and on the envelope it said, "To read when you're alone."
     Since I was alone, no one would know whether I read it or not, so I opened it.  It said "Mike, I know
life is hard right now, I know you are frustrated and I know we don't do everything right.  I also know
that I love you completely and nothing you do or say will ever change that.  I am here for you if you ever
need to talk, and if you don't, that's okay.  Just know that no matter where you go or what you do in your
life, I will always love you and be proud that you are my son.  I'm here for you and I love you - that will
never change.  Love, Mom.
That was the first of several "To read when you're alone" letters.  They were never mentioned until I was
an adult.
Today I travel the world helping people.  I was in Sarasota, Florida, teaching a seminar when, at the end
of the day, a lady came up to me and shared the difficulty she was having with her son.  We walked out
to the beach, and I told her of my mom's undying love and about the "To read when you're alone" letters.  Several weeks later, I got a card that said she had written her first letter and left it for her son.
     That night as I went to bed, I put my hands under my pillow and remembered the relief I felt every
time I got a letter.  In the midst of my turbulent teen years, the letters were the calm assurance that I
could be loved in spite of me, not because of me.  Just before I fell asleep I thanked God that my mom
knew what I, an angry teenager, needed.  Today when the seas of life get stormy, I know that just under
my pillow there is that calm assurance that love - consistent, abiding, unconditional love - changes lives.    
 
1.  The passage is mainly about _______.

A. communication between parents and children.
B. the childhood of the writer
C. parents' devotion to their children
D. the lesson the writer got from the letter.

2.  We can inferred that the boy used to be ________

A. friendly      
B. rebellious        
C. easy-going          
D. considerate

3.  The best phrase for the blank may be _____________

A. I went into my door              
B. I run into my door      
C. I slipped into my door            
D. I stormed into my door  

4.  We can learn from the passage except that____________

A. The letter changed the author a lot
B. Children should be encouraged to be what he is
C. The mother's concern moved the author greatly
D. We children should communicate with our parents pften

     When Alexandra Holderman of Indiana was five years old, she saw a bay dressed in only a T-shirt,
diaper(尿布), and blanket in the middle of winter. Alexandra could tell that the baby was very cold. "He
had red, chapped(皸裂) skin and a runny nose," she remembers.
     That same year, Alexandra started Baby Bundles (包裹), a program to help mothers keep their
babies warm. She packed bundles of pajamas, blankets, diapers, bottles and bibs, and then delivered
them to centers for women who couldn't afford the items. Alexandra continues this program today.
     Where does Alexandra get the money for her program? The first year, family members helped a lot.
Many of them gave Alexandra money to buy supplies. Alexandra's mother, who has always encouraged
Alexandra to share her blessings with people who are less fortunate, taught her how to request donations
from stores.
     Alexandra felt shy speaking with stores' business managers at first. "But now it just comes naturally,"
she says, "and I have places that donate stuff every year." Alexandra has been doing Baby Bundles for
six years now. Each September she writes betters to stores asking for supplies and donations. Then she
makes follow-up phone calls. In October, she gathers all of the donations and goes shopping. One of the
biggest challenges is getting all of the supplies she needs while staying within a planned budget.    
Alexandra has had to give up her allowance and some time with friends, but she knows that what she's
doing helps. Sometimes she sees a baby wearing clothes like the ones she put in her bundles. And she
wonders if that baby was helped by her program. "I know that there are babies out there who are
warmer and healthier now," she says.
      Alexandra plans to continue Baby Bundles as long as she can and is currently trying to get a Web
site set up. She hopes that her work will inspire other young people to find ways to serve their
communities. Alexandra has made sure that many babies in Indiana remain cozy during the winter
months.    
1. The following things except ________ may be included in Alexandra's Baby Bundles.

A. baby clothes      
B. diapers      
C. baby caps      
D. money

2. What do you think mainly helps her program to continue?

A. Her family's money to buy supplies.
B. Her mother's encouragement.
C. Supplies and donations from stores.
D. Support from the local government.

3. What does the underlined word "allowance" mean?

A. pocket money    
B. permission      
C. salary      
D. spare time

4. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT TRUE?

A. She finds it challenging to get all of the supplies she needs with limited money.
B. Now, Alexandra is only 11years old.
C.The main purpose of her work is to inspire other young people to serve their communities.
D. Now many babies in Indiana are warmer and healthier during the winter months.