Some people believe that international sport creates goodwill between the nations and that if countries
play games together they will learn to live together. Others say that the opposite is true: international
contests encourage false national pride and lead to misunderstanding and hatred. There is probably some
truth in both arguments, but in recent years the Olympic Games have done little to support the view that
sports encourage international brotherhood. Not only was there the incident of tragedy involving murders
of athletes, but the Games were also ruined by lesser incidents caused principally by minor national
contests.
     One country received its second-place medals with visible anger after the hockey final. There had
been noisy scenes at the end of the hockey match, as the losers disagreed with the final decisions. They
believed that one of their goals should have been allowed and that their opponents’ victory was unfair.
Their manager was in great anger when he said: “This isn’t hockey. Hockey and the International Hockey Federation are finished.” The president of the Federation said later that such behavior could result in the
suspension(停賽) of the team for at least three years.
     The American basketball team announced that they would not yield first place to Russia, after a
disputable(有爭(zhēng)議的) end to their contest. The game had ended in disorder. It was thought at first that
the United States had won by a single point, but it was announced that there were three seconds still to
play. A Russian player then threw the ball from one end of the court to the other, and another player
popped it into the basket. It was the first time the US had ever lost an Olympic basketball match. An
appeal jury (評(píng)審委員會(huì)) debated the matter for four and a half hours before announcing that the result
would stand. The American players then voted not to receive the silver medals.
     Incidents of this kind will continue as long as sport is played competitively rather than for the love of
the game. The suggestion that athletes should compete as individuals or in non-national teams, might be
too much to hope for. But in the present organization of the Olympics there is far too much that encourages aggressive patriotism (愛(ài)國(guó)主義).
1. According to the author, recent Olympic Games have ____.
A. created goodwill between the nations
B. hardly showed any international friendship
C. caused only false national pride
D. led to more and more misunderstanding and hatred
2. What did the manager mean by saying, “...Hockey and the International Hockey Federation are
finished”??
A. Hockey and the Federation are ruined by the unfair decisions.
B. His team would no longer take part in international games.
C. There should be no more hockey matches organized by the Federation.
D. The Federation should be ended.
3. The basketball example implied that ____.
A. too much patriotism was displayed in the incident
B. the announcement to make the match last longer was wrong
C. the appeal jury was too hesitant in making the decision
D. The American team was right in receiving the silver medals
4. Which statement best summarizes this passage?  
A. Athletes should compete as individuals.  
B. Different teams often have disputes when fighting for the first place.  
C. Any team that has disrespectful behavior should be suspended.  
D. The organization of the Olympic Games must be improved.

     Some expressions in English can be really puzzling. Have a look at the following to see how it
challenges your brainpower.
Homeric laughter
     The "Homer" in this expression is the Greek poet. People laugh differently. Some laugh silently, while
others tend to laugh loudly. "Homeric laughter" refers to laughter of the latter kind. It is at times
uncontrollable, and the entire body shakes during the process. This kind of laughter is called Homeric
laughter because this is how the gods laughed in Homer's classics.
A three-ring circus
     When you refer to a situation as being a three-ring circus, you are saying that it is a situation of
complete confusion. There are so many activities taking place all together that they leave you confused or
annoyed. The expression comes from the world of entertainment - the circus. The area where the artists
perform their acts is called the "ring". In the past, some of the circuses were so grand that they had three
acts taking place simultaneously in three different "rings". The audience had to decide which "ring" they
wanted to focus on.
In the swim (of things)
     When someone is in the swim of things, the individual is actively participating in the things happening
around him, as in "I've been ill, but soon I'll be back in the swim of thing." In the world of fishing, fishermen use the word "swim" to refer to the section of the lake/river where fish can be found in plenty. So, if you
are a fisherman and wish to catch a lot offish, where would you be? You would be "in the swim".
Chickens have come home to roost
     The word "roost" refers to the place where birds rest. It could be anything - the branch of a tree, a
henhouse, etc. The expression is normally used to mean that the bad things that someone did in the past
have come back to bite or upset the individual. In other words, one has to face the consequences of the
deeds done in the past. The original form of this 700-year-old expression was "curses are like chickens;
they always come home to roost".

1. Which of the following can best describe the picture? 
                                                  
A. Homeric laughter                                                                       
B. A three-ring circus                                                                      
C. In the swim (of things)                                                                
D. Chickens have come home to roost                                                          
2. What does the underlined word "simultaneously'(Paragraph 3) mean?                        
A. At the same time.                                                                       
B. Step by step.                                                                            
C. All of a sudden.                                                                        
D. One after another.                                                                        
3. lf you want to know more about such expressions, which website will you probably visit?  
A. www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/China.html                                                  
B. www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/university.html                                              
C. www.chinadaily.com.cn/culuture/language.html                                              
D. www.chinadaily.com.cn/entertainment/fashion.html                                          
4. The passage is written to_____.                                                        
A. tell readers some old and interesting stories                                            
B. indicate the development of English phrases                                              
C. correct some misunderstandings about words                                                
D. explain the meanings and origins of some phrases                                          

     YOUR mom might cook a bowl of noodles for you on your birthday. But in the US, a mom makes
a cupcake for her children on their birthday.
     Cupcakes are small, round cakes topped with frosting (糖霜). It has been an American tradition
that moms bring cupcakes to the classroom to celebrate their child's birthday.
     But recently some doctors have called for this to be banned. They believe cupcakes contribute to
child obesity.
     Despite their good intentions, however, some people believe that experts are interfering (妨礙) with
American culture. The cupcake is seen as American as apple pie - only prettier.
     According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, the cupcake is the
most democratic (民主的) of desserts. As they are small enough for one person, you don't have to share
your cupcake with anyone - it's all yours. They are also all the same size, so there can't be any cries of
"she got the bigger piece!"
     Each bite can taste different depending on how much icing you have. It is a lesson in self-determination. Some people eat only a little of the frosting every time, others have it all in just one bite.
     In recent years, eating a cupcake has become as trendy as having a cup of Starbucks coffee.
     Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton jokingly promised on a talk show that if she was
elected president, she would give everyone a cupcake on her birthday.
     Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, explains that the rise of the cupcake is very much
about going back to American national identity in food, which is all about comfort. "People want to think
about when they and their country were innocent," she said.

1. According to the passage, it has been an American tradition that ___________.

A. a party for children on their birthday
B. A mom cooks a bowl of noodles for her children on their birthday
C. A mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday and brings it to the classroom
D. parents go travelling with their children on their birthday

2. Why do doctors ask people to ban cupcakes on children's birthday?

A. Because they themselves don't like cupcakes.
B. Because they think cupcakes are not so delicious.
C. Because they believe cupcakes will cause cries of "She got the bigger piece".
D. Because they believe cupcakes are one of the causes to make children become fat.

3. Which of the following is Not true according to Marion Nestle?

A. The cupcake is more democratic than any other deserts in the US.
B. The cupcake is too small to share with others.
C. The sizes of cupcakes are the same so it's equal to everyone.
D. Cupcakes will lead to child obesity so they should be banned.

4. The underlined word "trendy" in paragraph 7 probably means ________.

A. popular
B. gentle
C. delicious
D. different

5. Why did the writer mention Hillary Clinton and Ruth Reichl?

A. To arouse the readers' attention.
B. To show that cupcakes are becoming a popular to show kindness and comfort.
C. To make a comparison between them.
D. To give readers a general idea of cupcakes.

     Tourism was not always as important as it is today．In the past only rich people could afford costly
travel to other countries．But in 1976 one common person in twenty visited a country away from home．
     More people travel today than in the past mainly because there is a growing middle class(中產(chǎn)階級(jí))
in many parts of the world．People now have more money to travel．Airplane fares at a bargain price
(特價(jià))for tourists make travel less expensive and thus more attractive than ever before．
     One person does not travel for the same reason as another．But more people enjoy seeing countries
that are different from their own．They also travel to meet new people and try new foods．
     Tourism causes many changes in a country and in people's lives．People build new hotels and train
native men and women as tourist guides．There are new night clubs and other amusements．
International tourism is clearly a big business．

1．More people travel today than in the past mainly because ________．

A．more people get interested in traveling
B．traveling today is more popular than in the past
C．people now have extra money for travel
D．more people want to see other parts of the world with their own eyes

2．What makes travel more attractive than ever before?

A．Special telegraph lines make travel less expensive．
B．New hotels and restaurants are built now．
C．More guides are being trained for tourists．
D．Travel by plane to other countries is much cheaper today．

3．Which of the following is wrong?

A．People travel for different reasons．
B．Most people like to see foreign countries．
C．When people travel they like to make good use of the plane．
D．People like to learn from the people of other countries．

4．Which statement does this passage lead you to believe?

A．Tourism will bring no changes in people's minds．
B．Tourism causes only some changes in food and in clothing of a country．
C．Tourism causes many changes in agriculture．
D．Tourism causes obvious changes in many ways of a country．

     The story of how the song Happy Birthday to You came to be, began as a sweet one, that later
soured. Two sisters, Mildred Hill, a teacher at the Louisville, Kentucky Experimental Kindergarten, and
Dr. Patty Hill, the headmaster of the same school, together wrote a song for the children, named Good
Morning to All. As the local expert on spiritual songs, and as the organist(風(fēng)琴師) for her church,
Mildred combined her musical talents with her sister's knowledge in the area of Kindergarten Education,
Good Morning to All was sure to be a success.  
     The sisters published the song in a collection called "Song Stories of the Kindergarten" in 1893.
Thirty-one years later, after Dr. Patty Hill became the head of the Department of Kindergarten Education
at Columbia University's Teacher College, a gentleman by the name of Robert H. Coleman published the
song, without the sisters' permission. What was worse, he added a second lyric, the familiar Happy
Birthday to You
     Mr. Coleman's addition of the second lyric made the song famous and popular and, eventually, the
sisters' original first lyric disappeared. Happy Birthday to You the one and only birthday song, had
altogether replaced the sisters' original title Good Morning to All.
     After Mildred died in 1916, Patty, together with a third sister named Jessica, discussed the issue
together and took Mr. Coleman to court. In court, they proved that they, indeed, owned the melody
(曲調(diào)). Because the family legally owns the song, they can earn royalties(取版稅)on it, whenever it is
sung for commercial purposes.

1. Why was the song Good Morning to All successful?

A. Because both of the two sister liked music a lot.
B. Because the two sisters are experts on music and education.
C. Because both of the sisters are passive and patient.
D. Because the two sisters are teachers of kindergarten.

2. What do the underlined words later soured mean (in Paragraph 1)?

A. The song was completely changed in the end.
B. The song later had a sad development story.
C. The son didn't become popular years later.
D. The song is meant for commercial use later.

3. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The Hill family got a lot of money eventually.    
B. Mr. Coleman got a lot of money from the song.
C. The Hill sisters got support from the court.          
D. Mr. Coleman published the song secretly.

4. What's the main idea of the passage?

A. The origin of a famous song.    
B. The addition of a famous song.
C. The life of the two sisters.
D. The story of a family's fame.

1. From the passage, we can know the crosstalk originates(源于) from ______.

A. the TV shows      
B. the teahouse and theater
C. the cinema           
D. the temple fairs and markets

2. Crosstalk makes a comeback mainly because_________.

A. it is one of the most popular traditional art forms
B. the pieces mainly cover folk tales and social issues
C. the pieces are changing with times and audience  
D. it is performed by some leading crosstalk artists

3. Which is the opposite of the underlined word "doldrums" (in the last paragraph)?

A. Boom.
B. Variety.
C. Harmony.
D. Period.

4. From the passage we can predict the future of crosstalk lies in______.

A. making up a variety of traditional pieces
B. having advantages over other media
C. young people's the awareness of its value     
D. the competitive and big markets for art

     Christmas is a religious holiday. It is the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a happy holiday. Families come together to share their happiness, go to church, and exchange gifts. During the days before Christmas, parties are held in schools, offices, factories, and clubs; homes and stores are
crowded with shoppers.?
     Cities and towns in the United States sparkle with bright lights and decorations. Churches, homes,
schools, shops, and streets are decorated with Christmas trees, colored lights, Santa Claus and his
reindeer, and nativity scenes showing the stable where Jesus Christ was born. Store windows display gifts and Christmas scenes. The traditional colors for this holiday are red and green, and red poinsettia is
considered as the Christmas flower. On Christmas Eve, President of the United States turns on the lights of the Christmas tree near the White House and sends his greetings to the nation.?
     Families prepare for this holiday a few weeks before. They make special foods. They make and buy
gifts. They wrap them with ornaments and lights. Houses are decorated with wreaths of holly, evergreens, and mistletoe. Many families share memories by following special ethnic Christmas traditions from their
country of origin. On Christmas Eve, many read the famous prom A Visit from Saint Nicholas by Clement Moore. Children hang up stockings to receive gifts from Santa Claus. Schools usually have two weeks of
vacation, and some families take vacations together.?
     People wish each other "Merry Christmas" during this holiday season. In many states, people look
forward to snow (White Christmas). Christmas carols are sung on the radio and in public places during this season. Some of the most famous carols are Silent Night, The First Noel, Joy to the World, and Jingle
Bells. There are many shows on television called "Christmas Specials". Films like A Christmas Carol (by
Charles Dickens) and Miracle on 34th Street are family favorites. Churches, organizations, and
newspapers ask for donations of money and food for the needy. Volunteers from the Salvation Army stand outside stores collecting money for the same purpose. Meals are prepared and served to the poor and
homeless.?

1.People celebrate Christmas Day because            .?
A.they want to share their happiness together?
B.they want to get Christmas gifts from Santa Claus?
C.they want to express their thanks to Jesus Christ?
D.they want to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ
2. Which of the following is NOT right??
A. People exchange gifts at Christmas.?
B. Homes and stores are very crowded at Christmas.?
C. People celebrate Christmas only on Christmas Eve.?
D. Students usually have a two-week vacation at Christmas.
3. Which of the following is NOT a Christmas carol??
A. Miracle on 34th Street.
B. The First Noel. ?
C. Joy to the World.  
D. Silent Night.
4. Who can get free meals on Christmas Day??
A. All the people.
B. The poor and homeless.?
C. Children.
D. Santa Claus.

     It is surprising that eating three meals a day-breakfast, lunch and dinner-has been a custom(習(xí)俗) only since 1890.  Before this time, people only had two meals a day-breakfast and dinner.  
     In the 16th century, breakfast was only to break one's fast(隨便吃一點(diǎn)). But 200 years later it had
become a large meal, not just for family, but for numbers of guests as well. It was a social(社會(huì)的)event.  It began at 10 a.m.  and lasted until 1 p.m. Then breakfast began to be less popular.  It became,
instead, a lighter meal and was taken at a much earlier hour.  By 1850 it had been pushed back to 8 a.m.  and became a family meal.
     Dinner, however, went to the other way. In the 16th century it was eaten at 11 a. m. Years later, it
had moved to the early afternoon, then to 5 p.m. By 1850 dinner time had reached 7 p.m. Lunch is a
recent idea. It first appeared as a snack to fill the gap(間隙) between breakfast and dinner.  

1. People did not have lunch                      .  

A. until 1890        
B. after 1890      
C. since 1890      
D. by 1890

2. " Dinner, however, went to the other way " means "                  ".

A. Dinner didn't go there with breakfast  
B. Dinner took the same way with breakfast
C. Dinner is different from breakfast    
D. Dinner is the same with breakfast

3. Breakfast became a family meal since the                   century.  

A. 17th    
B. 18th    
C. 16th    
D. 19th

4. The passage is mostly concerned with(涉及)                  .

A. what people eat for breakfast      
B. what people eat for dinner
C. the history of supper              
D. the history of the three meals