The most popular way to welcome the new year in the United States is to have a big party. Some
parties are at people's homes. But in recent years,it has become more and more common for Americans
to go to a hotel or a club or a restaurant on the night of December the 31st. There,they can have dinner,
drink and dance.
       Most New Year's parties have something in common. First of all, they are usually noisy. People sing
and bands play. And often, guests pull a cracker when the clock strikes twelve at midnight. People think
that loud sounds would drive away the evil spirits of the old year before the new year begins.
       For many people New Year Eve is the night when they can drink as much as they like. Some New
Year's celebrations have ended sadly for people who got drunk and had driving accidents. Radio and
television announcements warn people of the danger of drunk driving. Some places offer free rides home
for drunken people.
    The biggest and noisiest New Year party in the United States takes place at Times Square in New
York City. Thousands of people gather there. Some of them ring bells or let off crackers. Others blow
whistles or car horns. And at 12 o'clock,they begin to cheer as an electric sign in the shape of a red apple
lights up on top of a tall building.
     The Americans keep up important traditions as the new year begins. They make decisions about how
to improve themselves in the year ahead. Experts say that the most common New Year decision in
the United States is to eat less. But many Americans also promise themselves to stop smoking,or stop
drinking wine,or to be nicer to their friends and families.
    Experts find fewer than ten percent of Americans carry out their New Year decisions. Few want to
give up this tradition. Almost everyone seems to enjoy looking back over the year that has just ended and
looking forward to a nice beginning of a new year.

1. The article is about____.    

A. some important traditions in the USA
B. when and where the Americans welcome the new year
C. New Year' celebrations in the USA
D. American ways of life and their interests

2. Most New Year parties are usually noisy,because ____ .  

A. people sing songs
B. bands play music
C. guests pull crackers
D. people want to get rid of bad luck of the old year

3. In order to prevent car accidents ____on New Year's Eve. 

A. many Americans promise to stop drinking wine
B. drunken people are forbidden to drive, but can be driven home free
C. little wine is served at New Year' celebrations
D. people are warned of the danger of drinking too much

     For many years it was common in the United States to associate Chinese Americans with restaurants
and places that wash clothes. People did not realize that the Chinese had been driven into these
occupations by the prejudice and discrimination that faced them in this country.
     The first Chinese to reach the United States came during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Like
most of the other people there, they had come to search for gold. In that largely unoccupied land, the
men staked a  claim (立界標(biāo)表明所有權(quán) ) for themselves  by placing markers in the ground. However,
either because the Chinese were so different from the others or because they worked so patiently that
they sometimes succeeded in getting a mining claim to make a profit( where others saw no way to do so) ,
they became the target of their competitors. They were troubled and attacked in many ways.
     Often they were prevented from working their claims; some places even passed regulations forbidding
them to own claims. The Chinese therefore started to seek out other ways of earning a living. Some of them began to wash clothes for the white miners; others set up small restaurants. ( There were almost no
women in California in those days and the Chinese filled a real need by doing this " women's work". )
Some went to work as farmhands or as fishermen.
      In the early 1860's many more Chinese arrived in California. This time railroad companies brought
the men in to construct the first railroad line from Califomia to the East. They were sorely needed
because the work was so hard and dangerous,and it was carried on in such an isolated part of the
country that the railroad company could not find other laborers for the job. As in the case of the first
Chinese in America,these Chinese were almost all males; and like them,too,they encountered a great deal
of prejudice. The hostility grew especially strong after the railroad project was completed,and the Chinese
laborers returned to California-thousands of them,all out of work.
        Many of today's Chinese Americans are the descendants (后裔) of some of the early miners and
railroad workers. 

1. What is the main idea of the passage?      

A. The first Chinese to reach the United States came during theCalifornia Gold Rush of 1849.
B. Many more Chinese arrived in Califomia to construct the first railroad from California to the East.
C. Early Chinese immigrants to America experienced a lot of prejudice and discrimination.
D. Prejudice and discrimination that Chinese Americans met.

2. Why did the Chinese become the target of their competitors?   

A. Because the Chinese were different and they worked patiently to achieve a lot of success while others couldn't.
B. The Chinese were so different from the others.
C. They worked so patiently with little payment.
D. There were almost no women in California in those days.

3. What was the fate of the Chinese after the construction of the railroad ?    

A. They went back to their own country.
B. They stayed to work in the railroad companies.
C. They went to California to search for gold.
D. The hostility grew especially strong.

     Everyday, 340 million people speak it. One billion people are learning it and it is said that by 2050,
half of the world's population will be using it. What are we talking about? That global language-English.
     The English language started in Britain in the 5th century. It is a mixed language. It was built up when
German. Scandinavian and French invaders settled in England and created a common language for
communication.
     Today it is the official language of the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa
and Ireland as well as many islands in the Caribbean . Many other countries and regions use it for politics
and business, for example, India. Pakistan, Nigeria and the Philippines. English is also one of the official
languages of Hong Kong.
     But global advertising and pop music mean that in most countries, you will see or hear some English.
Thanks to McDonalds, we all know about "burgers". "fries" and "milkshakes". Songs by Madonna,
Britney Spears and Celine Dion are in English. We can sing along, even if we do not understand what
we are singing!
     English is a messy (雜亂的) language. Every year, dictionaries include new words that talk about
popular culture, for example, computer-related words such as "blogging", "download" and "chatroom".
Also included are words that teenagers use. Who does not know "cool", "OK" and "hello" ?
     Other languages also influence English. Many English words come from French. Words like "cafe"
and expressions like "c'est la vie" (that is life) are all part of the English language. On the other hand, the
French language includes English words like "le weekend" and "le camping". German words are also part
of English. Words like "kindergarten" come from the German language.
     Recently, British people have become interested in "yoga". But the word comes from an ancient Hindu
language in India.

1. The English language has a history of  ______.

A. over 2000 years
B. over 500 years  
C. over 1500 years
D. over 1000 years

2. The underlined expression "thanks to " can be replaced by ______.

A. because of
B. thankful to    
C. not until
D. as if.

3. Which of the following statements is true about the language of English ?

A. It has been changing all the time.
B. It has borrowed words from all the other languages.
C. French words are used by the English because dictionaries have French words.
D. Singers and film stars have the greatest influence on language.

4. How many people in the world are using English now?

A. One billion people                
B. 340 million
C. almost all the people in the world.
D. not mentioned above, but the number is growing rapidly.

5. Many countries and regions use it for politics and business except______.

A. the USA    
B. Nigeria      
C. the Philippines    
D. Norway

     While all cultures share the same basic emotions, the body language used throughout different
cultures of  the world vary enormously. What can mean one thing in one country can often mean
something completely different in another.
     For example, in North America and Europe people tend to prefer direct eye contact. But in some
Asian countries longer eye contact is considered rude. So when communicating with people, always be
aware of different cultural customs that may exist.
     A V sign in the US could mean victory, but in England, it stands for a rude challenge, which has the
same meaning as showing the middle finger in the US.
     The OK gesture in America and England is given to mean everything is good or well. But in Latin
America is looked on as a rude sign.
     The thumbs up sign in America and most of Europe means that something is good or well done, but
it is considered rude in many Asian countries.
     Putting your feet on the table is generally not thought to be rude in America and England. However,
in Thailand it is really rude.
     Telling someone to come to you by curling your index finger is acceptable in America and England,
but this gesture signifies death in Singapore.
     Raising your hand up means stop in America and England. In some Asian countries this gesture is
used when asking for permission to speak.
     In most westernized countries it is considered normal for two men to shake hands. In some Asian
countries it is quite normal for men to kiss each other, while in most westernized countries men kissing
in public would be viewed as homosexual behavior.
     If you would like more information on different cultural gestures all over the world, see this site on
nonverbal communication.

1. What's the best title for this passage?

A. How gestures can vary in different cultures.
B. What gestures can be acceptable in western countries?
C. What can we do when traveling? 
D. How to be friendly to others

2. In Singapore when someone died, people there usually ________.

A. put thumbs up                
B. curl their middle fingers
C. curl their index fingers
D. raise their hands up

3. To what main clue is the passage written when the writer tries telling readers different cultural gestures?

A. Asian countries    
B. Latin America
C. America and England
D. Southern Asia

4. The passage may come from ___________.

A. a radio program  
B. a TV channel  
C. a magazine column    
D. the Internet  

     Howling(吼叫) is a behavior commonly observed among a wolf pack(狼群). As pack animals,
wolves work together to hunt and rely on howling as an important means of communication among
each other. There're different explanations of a wolf's howl and it appears that there may be more to
discover．
     One theory is that wolves howl to bond better together. It's almost as if howling together helps
the pack stay together. Perhaps something similar to people feeling a sense of involvement with each
other when singing a song together. But this theory may be wrong, explains Fred H. Harrington, a
professor who studies wolf behavior.
     Indeed, there have been times when wolves have been seen one moment howling in a chorus(合唱),
and the next, quarreling among each other. It appears that usually the lowest-ranking members of the
pack may actually be "punished" for joining in the chorus at times. So is howling a way to strengthen
a social bond or just a way to reconfirm status (地位) among its members? Why do wolves howl
for sure?
     What is clear, however, is that howling is often used among packmates to locate each other.
Hunting grounds are distant and it happens that wolves may separate from one another at times. When
this happens, howling appears to be an excellent means of gathering.
      Howling, interestingly, is a contagious behavior. When one wolf starts to howl, very likely others
will follow. This is often seen to occur in the morning, as if wolves were doing some sort of "roll call"
where wolves all howl together to report their presence.

1. What is the possible similarity between wolves' howling together and human's singing in chorus?

A. The act of calling each other．      
B. The sense of accomplishment．
C. The act of hunting for something．    
D. The sense of belonging to a group．

2. Why does Harrington think the "social bond" theory may be wrong?

A. Wolves separate from each other after howling．
B. Wolves tend to protect their hunting grounds．
C. Wolves sometimes have quarrels after howling together．
D. Wolves of low rank are encouraged to join in the chorus．

3. Researchers are sure that wolves often howl to______．

A. show their ranks                  
B. find their companions
C. report the missing ones              
D. express their loneliness

4. "Howling… is a contagious behaviour"(in the last paragraph)means_______．

A. howling is a signal for hunting      
B. howling is a way of communication
C. howling often occurs in the morning  
D. howling spreads from one to another  

     In the traditional marriage, the man worked at a job to earn money for the family. Most men worked
in an office, a factory, or some other place away from the home. Since the man earned the money, they
paid the bills. The money was used for food, clothes, the house, and other family needs, the man made
most of the decisions. He was the boss.
     In the traditional marriage, the woman seldom worked away from the house. She stayed at home to
care for the children and her husband. She cooked meals, cleaned the house, washed the clothes, and
did other housework. Her job at home was very important.
      In recent years, many couples continues to have a traditional relationship of the kind of man who has
a job and earns the money for the family. The woman stays at home and cares for the children and the
house. Many American are happy with the kind of marriage. But some other Americans have a different
impression of marriage and family responsibilities
     There are two important differences in male and female roles now. One is that both men and women
have to stay at home. Both men and women may choose roles that are comfortable for them.
     The second difference in male and female roles is that within marriage many decisions and
responsibilities are shared. The husband and wife may choose to have children, or they may not. If they
have children, the man takes care of them some of the time, all of the time or not at all. The woman may
want to stay at home and take care of the children, or she may want to go to work. Men and women
now decide these things together in a marriage. Many married people now share these decisions and
responsibilities of their families.

1 Which of the following is NOT true in the traditional marriage?

A. Men worked at a job to earn money for the family.
B. The woman made most of the decisions.
C. The woman stayed at home to care for the children.
D. The man paid the bills.

2. In recent years_______.

A young couples refuse the traditional relationship
B. the woman has a job and earns the money for the family
C. the woman doesn't stay at home and care for the children and the house
D. the role of men and women has begun to change

3. Men and women may now choose all the following except to _______.

A. marry or to stay single
B. work or stay at home
C. leave their job just because they have children
D. have their roles that are comfortable for them

4. The followings are all now true except ______.

A. they may choose to have children or not
B. the man may take care of the children some of the time
C. the woman is the most important person in the house
D. the woman may want to go to work

     Athens will welcome the 2004 Olympic Games with open arms. Not only will the Games be returning
to their birthplace, but they'll also be entering a new period of Olympic history.
     The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been looking for ways to make the world's largest
sporting event a bit smaller and easier for cities to host. Mexico is the only Latin American nation to have
hosted the Olympics. And the games have never been held in Africa.
     It costs well over $4 billion to host the Olympic Games. And this is stopping many poorer countries
from trying to win the bid. Cities in Africa and Latin America, with great social and money problems,
cannot even begin to make the bid.
     So, the IOC has suggested 117 ways to make the Games smaller and easier for cities across the world. These ideas are to be put into practice soon---maybe in time for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The IOC
wants to save up to $400 million.
     The suggestions include limiting the number of sports to 28 and the number of athletes to 10,500.
     "Imagine a bus with 28 seats and some sports need to get off to give their places to other sports,"
said an IOC official. Sports that might not appear in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games included baseball,
softball and the modern pentathlon(五項(xiàng)全能)(shooting, fencing, horse, jumping, swimming and running).
     "We think that the Olympic Games have to be made smaller, and the less costly so that they can be
organized by all continents and subcontinents(次大陸)," said IOC president Jacques Rogge." Our
dream is that a continent such as Africa will be able to organize the Olympic Games."

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

A. The Olympic Games have to be made smaller and less costly  
B. The Olympic Games have to increase the number of sports.  
C. The Olympic games have to increase the number of athletes.  
D. The Olympic Games have to enlarge their global attraction.

2. From the passage, we can know that the Olympics have been held in four continents EXCEPT   ____________.  

A. Asia    
B. America    
C. Europe    
D. Africa

3. The events which are most probably limited include ______ according to the passage.  

A. basketball, baseball and football  
B. baseball, softball and volleyball  
C. softball, baseball and the modern pentathlon  
D. softball, fencing and pentathlon

4. The purpose of writing the article is to ______.  

A. think highly of the Athens Olympic Games  
B. make many poorer countries be able to organize the Olympics.  
C. increase the events of the Athens Olympic Games  
D. make Athens enter a new period of Olympic history

     The International Red Cross and Red Crescent(彎月) Museum was opened in Geneva in 1988.
  1  tells the story of men and women who, in the course of the major events of the last 150 years,
have given assistance   2 victims of wars and natural disasters.
     The organization   3 (found) in 1863, and was based on an idea by a Swiss businessman called
Henry Dunant. He had witnessed too many   4 (die) and wounds at the Battle of Solferino in Italy
four years  5  (early), in which 40,000 people were killed, wounded or missing. He had seen the
lack of medical services and the great suffering of many of the wounded,   6 simply died from lack
of care. The International Red Cross/Red Crescent exists  7  (help) the victims of conflicts and
disasters regardless of their nationality.
       8  symbol of the organization was originally just the red cross. It has no religious significance; the
founders   9 the movement adopted it in honor of Switzerland. However, the original symbol, the
red cross, could hurt Muslim soldiers' feelings,   10  a second symbol, the red crescent, was used.
Both are now official symbols.