Every January, Breckenridge hosts the International Snow Sculpture Championships. Fourteen teams travel
from all over the world to Switzerland to compete. Teams sculpt for sixty-five hours over five days. Each team hopes that when the time is up, its sculpture will be judged the best.
      As the championship begins, the fourteen teams are faced with huge blocks of snow that weigh twenty
tons each. The sculptors bring out their favorite tools that work best on the hard iced snow, but they are not
allowed to employ tools that use electricity.
     Most teams are inspired by what they have seen in daily life. For example, one team carved a teapot with
tea pouring out. Another team sculpted a little cat on its hind feet (后腳) reaching into a fish bowl complete
with water ripples (漣漪) and a crab (螃蟹) trying to attack the cat. In 2006, Team USA sculpted a golden dog
looking at its image reflected in a mirror. To create the effect that the little dog saw its reflection in the glass,
the artists carved two dogs facing each other with their paws (腳爪) touching.
     As the final hours of the competition tick by, exhausted team members add last-minute detail. They use
small brooms to brush off snow caught in tiny holes. One team member counts down the last five minutes
while others are busy cleaning up the tools. If they leave any tools behind, they will be out. When the whistle
bows, everyone must step away from the sculpture. The judges then vote on creativity, technical skills, and
visual impact (視覺效果)of the designs.
     In 200, Team USA took first place for their golden dog sculpture titled"Discovery". But the competition is
not just about medals and ribbons. "It's not about the prize," said Rob Neyland, Team USA's captain."It's about
touching the audience."
     Every year, as the championship ends, each team is already dreaming of the next masterpiece it will design.

1. What kind of tools are the sculptors Not permitted to use?(回答詞數(shù)不超過6個(gè))
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. What gives the sculptors ideas for their creative work? (回答詞數(shù)不超過9個(gè))
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why did Team USA win the competition in 2006? (回答詞數(shù)不超過15個(gè))
____________________________________________________________________________________

     Who's in control of your life? Who's pulling your strings? For the majority of us, it's other people-society,
colleagues, friends, family or our religious community. We learned this way of operating when we were very
young, of course. We were brainwashed. We discovered that feeling important and feeling accepted was a nice
experience and so we learned to do everything we could to make other people like us. As Oscar Wilde puts it,
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions,their lives a mimicry, their passions
a quota tion." 
     So when people tell us how wonderful we are, it makes us feel good. We long for this good feeling like a
drug-we are addicted to it and seek it out wherever we can. Therefore, we are so eager for the ap proval (贊
同) of others that we live unhappy and limited lives, failing to do the things we really want to. Just as drug
addicts and alcoholics live worsened lives to keep getting their fix (一劑毒品), we worsen our own existence
to get our own constant fix of approval.
      But, just as with any drug, there is a price to pay. The price of the approval drug is freedom-the freedom
to be ourselves. The truth is that we cannot control what other people think. People have their own agenda,
and they come with their own baggage and, in the end, they're more interested in themselves than in you.
Further more, if we try to live by the opinions of others, we will build our life on sinking sand. Everyone has
a different way of thinking, and people change their opinions all the time. The person who tries to please
everyone will only end up getting exhausted and probably pleasing no one in the process.
     So how can we take back control? I think there's only one way-make a conscious decision to stop caring
what other people think. We should guide ourselves by means of a set of values-not values imposed from the
outside by others, but innate values which come from within. If we are driven by these values and not by the
changing opinions and value systems of others, we will live a more authentic, effective, purposeful and happy
life.

1. What Oscar Wilde says implies that ____.

A. we have thoughts similar to those of others
B. most people have a variety of thoughts
C. other people's thoughts are more important
D. most people's thoughts are controlled by others

2. What does the author try to argue in the third paragraph?

A. Changing opinions may cost us our freedom.
B. We may lose ourselves to please others.
C. We need to pay for what we want to get.
D. The price of taking the drug is freedom.

3. It can be concluded from the passage that ____.

A. it's better to do what we like
B. we shouldn't care what others think
C. we shouldn't change our own opinions
D. it's important to accept others' opinions

     A barn is where farmers keep animals and equipment. Over time as fewer and fewer people worked
on the land, more and more barns were torn down to make way for developers. Others that remained
might have fallen into poor condition. Or perhaps they just no longer satisfy the needs of modern farmers. Keeping an old barn in good condition might not be seen as worth the cost if it doesn't serve much
purpose. But Americans with historic barns are being urged to save them. The magazine Successful
Farming and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are working together on a program called
Barn Again! The National Trust is a non-profit organization that works to provide protection for places
of historic importance in America.
     The Barn Again program advises hundreds of barn owners every year. Awards are given for the
projects that best succeed in restoring a barn for continued farm use. Winning buildings are used to
demonstrate methods of preservation.
     The organization suggests how problems with things like stone and concrete block foundations can be
fixed. With many old barns, the foundation they are built on is falling apart. Barn Again also offers advice
for other repairs, like how to replace siding and how to use a power washer to remove loose paint. And
farmers are given suggestions about how to calculate costs.
     Leo Fitzpatrick of Beaverton, Michigan won the 2004 Barn Again Award. He made one
improvement at a time. The work took more than nine years. He did it himself, even though for a while he
held another job in addition to farming. He says it cost him fourteen thousand dollars, much less than a
new barn of similar size. The improvements include strengthening the barn. There are no structural
supports inside the building; instead, its sizes hold it up.  

1. Why were barns torn down? (回答詞數(shù)不超過6個(gè))
2. What does Barn Again program do? (回答詞數(shù)不超過8個(gè))
3. What is the best title for the passage? (回答詞數(shù)不超過6個(gè))

     A popular saying goes, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
However, that's not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn't matter
if the words come from someone's else or ourselves -the positive and negative effects are just as
lasting.
     We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We're usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we
really shouldn't be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy
habit.
     This "self-talk" helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves
down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay
positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give
ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your
room, join me in saying "Good job!"
     Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we
should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item
to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clerk will probably
respond in a similar manner. Or harsh(刻薄的)and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be
defensive.
     Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said.
And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it
loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn't pass this test, then it's better left unsaid.
     Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when
we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem(自尊)and motivate others to do their best.
Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.

1. The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.

A. not sticks and stones but words will hurt us
B. inspiring words give us confidence
C. negative words may let us down
D. words have a lasting effect on us

2. There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because _______.

A. almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves
B. we can benefit from talking to ourselves
C. talking to ourselves always gives us courage
D. it does no harm to have "self-talk" when we are alone

2. The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely _______ .

A. praise ourselves
B. remind ourselves
C. make ourselves relaxed
D. give ourselves amusement

3. The author would probably hold the view that ______.

A. encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers
B. negative words may encourage us to make more progress
C. people tend to remember friendly words
D. it is better to think twice before talking to others

     With the start of the new semester students around the country exchange their fun and fashionable
clothes for boring school uniforms.
     "The uniform makes us look like a bunch of clones, especially when we are doing morning exercises
in the playground, "said Qing, a Senior 2 from a high school in Shanghai. "But we are not exactly the
same from the top to the bottom. The boys wear different sport shoes and girls have different decorations ( 裝飾品 )in their hair. These are the areas where you can express yourself" said Qing.
     Although it might be strange for boys to talk about fashion, they do care about what they wear in
school, especially shoes, according to Qing.
     "Nike and Adidas basketball shoes, although they are still the must for many of my friends ,are
becoming out-of-date," added. He explained, "Since Liu Xiang ran so fast in Athens, running shoes are
becoming popular in this autumn."
     "Still in fashion are the various baseball caps and American-style T-shirts with random English words
printed on them, "said Qing. "The accuracy ( 準(zhǔn)確性 )of the written message isn't important. Often, the
words are misspelt .  Sometimes they do not even make sense " Qing said with a smile.
     Besides sports shoes and T-shirts, styles and colours of school bags are another opportunity for
students to express their taste in fashion. Some bags are made more eye-catching by decorating them
with small hanging dolls. Other fashionable items are the colourful drink contains which are now popular
among girls this semester.
     As in China, the new semester in the US also brings new fashion trends: shirts printed with Chinese
words, necklaces with Hebrew ( 希伯萊 )or Hindi ( 印度的 )characters, and Brazilian jewelry, are all
common in schools in Florida, according to Carmen Domingues, a high school student.

1. What does "a bunch of  clones"( Paragraph 2)mean?

A. All of the clothes are the same.    
B. All of the exercises are the same.
C. All of the clothes are different.    
D. All of the exercises are different.

2. How do the students express themselves in school?

A. The girls wear different sport shoes.      
B. All the students wear school uniforms.
C. The girls have different decorations in their hair.
D. The boys drink water from colourful drinks containers.

3.Why are Nike and Adidas basketball shoes becoming out-of-date?

A. Because the shoes are not eye-catching.
B. Because running shoes become more popular.
C. Because the shoes have been popular for a long time.
D. Because they have changed their opinions for Liu Xiang.

4. Which of the following is NOT the new fashion trends in the US?

A. Necklace with Hebrew or Hindi characters.
B. Baseball caps and American-style T-shirts.
C. Shirts printed with Chinese words.
D. Brazilian jewelry.

     Rumour( 謠言 )is the most primitive way of spreading stories-by passing them on from mouth to
mouth. but civilized countries in normal times have better sources of news than rumour. They have radio,
television, and newspapers. In times of confusion ( 混亂 ), however, rumour appears and becomes
widespread. At such times the different kinds of news are in competition: the press, television, and radio
against the grapevine.
     Especially do rumours spread when war requires control on many important matters. The normal
news sources no longer give out enough information. Since the people can not learn through legal
channels all that they are anxious to learn, they pick up "news" wherever they can and when this happens,
rumour grows.
Rumours are often repeated even by those who do not believe the tales. There is an interest about them.
The reason is that the cleverly designed rumour gives expression to something  deep in the hearts of the
victims-the fears, doubts, forbidden hopes, or daydreams which they hesitate to voice directly.
Pessimistic ( 悲觀的 ) rumours about defeat and disasters show that the people who repeat them are
worried and anxious .Optimistic rumours  about record  production or peace soon coming point to
self- satisfaction or confidence-and often to over- confidence.

1. The author suggests that, in times of confusion, man often __________.

A. stops regular news services
B .turns to primitive ways for support
C. distrusts his fellow man
D. loses complete control of himself

2. The underlined word "grapevine" in Paragraph 1 probably means "__________".

A. rumour  
B. newspaper
C. information  
D. time

3. The author states that during wartime the regular sources of news provide only __________ .

A. false information      
B. optimistic reports
C. limited information  
D. pessimistic reports

4. Which of the following statements is mentioned as a reason for people to repeat a rumour?

A. They are too willing to believe.        
B. They take an interest in rumour.
C. They have a strong desire to make a fool of other people.
D. They find some rumours reflect their own unexpressed beliefs.

     Shopping for clothes is not the same experience for a man as it is for a woman. A man goes shopping
because he needs something. His purpose is settled and decided in advance. He knows what he wants,
and his objective is to find it and buy it; the price is a secondary consideration. All men simply walk into a
shop and ask the assistant for what they want. If the shop has it in stock, the salesman promptly produces
it, and the business of trying it on follows at once. All being well, the deal can be and often is completed in
less than five minutes, with hardly any chat and to everyone's satisfaction.
     For a man, slight problems may begin when the shop doesn't have what he wants. In that case the
salesman, as the name implies, tries to sell the customer something else, he offers the nearest he can to
the article required. No good salesman brings out such a substitute impolitely; he does so with skill: "I
know this jacket is not the style you want, sir, but would you like to try it for size? It happens to be the
colour you mentioned. "Few men have patience with this treatment, and the usual response is: "This is the
right colour and may be the right size, but I should be wasting my time and yours by trying it on."
     Now how does a woman go about buying clothes? In almost every respect she does so in the
opposite way. Her shopping is not often based on need. She has never fully made up her mind what she
wants, and she is only "having a look round". She is always open to persuasion; indeed she sets great
store by what the saleswoman tells her, even by what companions tell her. She will try on any number of
things. Uppermost in her mind is the thought of finding something that everyone thinks suits her. Contrary
to a lot of jokes, most women have an excellent sense of value when they buy clothes. They are always
on the lock- out for the unexpected bargain. Faced with a roomful of dresses, a woman may easily spend
an hour going from one rail to another, to and fro, often retracing her steps, before selecting the dresses
she wants to try on. It is a laborious process, but apparently an enjoyable one. Most dress shops provide
chairs for the waiting husbands.

1. According to the passage, when a man is buying clothes,____________.

A. he buys cheap things, regardless of quality
B. he chooses things that others introduce
C. he does not mind how much he has to pay for the right things
D. he buys good quality things, so long as they are not too dear

2.What does the passage tell us about women shoppers for clothes?

A. They welcome suggestions from anyone.
B. Women rarely consider buying cheap clothes.
C. Women often buy things without giving the matter proper thought.
D. They listen to advice but never take it.

3.What does a man do when he can not get exactly what he wants?

A. He buys a similar thing of the colour he wants.
B. He usually does not buy anything.
C. At least two of his requirements must be met before he buys.,
D. So long as the style is right, he buys the thing.

4. Many jokes make fun of women shoppers by saying that_________ .

A .they waste money on inferior( 劣質(zhì)的 )goods
B. they should buy only the best clothes
C. they are much more sensible than men
D. they think of the price of clothes and nothing else

5. Rrhat is the most obvious difference between men and women shoppers?

A. The fact that men do not try clothes on in a shop.
B. Women bargain for their clothes, but men do not.
C. Women stand up to shop, but men sit down.
D. The time they take over buying clothes.

                                      Success Is Not a Destination(目的地)
     Should people stop once they have achieved something? No! In life, they are always trying to make
things better or have more of the same success.
     Athletes are constantly striving(努力) to shorten time for races, increase heights or distances.
The world of medicine has had its series of successes, too. Christian Barnard performed several
successful heart transplants. Other medical experts have achieved organ transplants. Throughout the ages, mankind has found treatments and cures for cancer and other diseases. A cure for AIDS might soon be
discovered.
     Age does not seem to slow down achievers. Tina Tuner at 54 is still singing in abundance(豐富) and
attracting sell-out crowds wherever she goes.
     Comedian George Burns, in his 90s, wants to perform at Caesar's Palace when he turns 100.
     Success does not belong only to the rich and famous. It should be the goal of everyone. Many
successful people have had humble beginnings.
     Would you believe that actress Michelle Pfeifer of Cat was a supermarket checkout girl?
     At work, we strive for achievement, too. Success may mean organizing a conference more effectively
and efficiently each year. Sometimes, it is not a pat on the back or the promotion that makes it
worthwhile.
      Often, it is the inner thrill(一陣激動(dòng)) and satisfaction of achievement, no matter how small it may
be.
      Aiming for success doesn't mean you are greedy or dissatisfied. It is all part of gaining new
experiences. It ultimately(最終) makes you a more interesting and useful person in society.
     The journey to success has its road blocks, discouragement and distractions. It takes great
resourcefulness and achievement to overcome obstacles and setbacks to move on successfully

1. If an athlete can shorten time in races, he/she        .

A. is a real success
B. will stop his/her steps forward
C. is always sure to win
D. is the best runner of all

2.The expression "a pat on the back" probably means "       ".

A. patting somebody on the back
B. something important
C. singing somebody's praises
D. anything important

3. Which statement below is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Man now can transplant organs.
B. Man now can cure AIDS.
C. Not all successful people have humble beginnings.
D. Michelle was once a supermarket checkout girl.

4.The writer of the passage agrees to all the ideas EXCEPT that       .

A. any small success will make us excited
B. organizing a conference is a success
C. aiming for success is to gain new experiences in life
D. the journey to success is not so smooth to make

     To all of you at Chinese love links,
     I am 44 years old and never married. I have always wanted to find that perfect someone that I dream
about. For about the last five years I have almost given up the hope of ever finding the one I truly wish to
spend the rest of my life with.
     I have always tried to be a nice guy. I had found your website some four or five months before. I did
not know what to expect. I don't know how to speak Chinese and never thought truly of how I was to
an Asian woman.
     Well, I had a lot of replies from some very nice and pretty women. I had a hard time finding only a
couple to write to. But one stood out from the rest. She was cute, nice and seemed to hold a lot of the
same values as I do. In a short time I had decided to write only to her. We communicated via emails 2-3
times a day and phone calls once or twice a week.
     I went and met her and her family only a week ago. Her name is Ying and she lives in Nanning. I
found Nanning to be one of the most beautiful cities I had ever been to. We had even decided to marry
and to bring her to the USA under the fianc?e visa. Not only did she meet everything I had ever hoped to
find in someone else but turned out to be what every woman should be like, at least the ones I have met. We plan to marry as soon as she is here and start a family together as neither of us has children but we
both want them.
     So to anyone out there reading this, I can only say this: You may not find what you are looking for if
you're not honest with your partner and yourself. This site worked for me mostly because I was honest
with something that I wanted in someone else. When I did find her, love can work even across the other
side of the world, between language differences and cultural differences. I wish you all luck in finding
your perfect match. I have finally found mine and wish to give all my thanks to those at Chinese love links
to help make it happen.
Sincerely yours,
Arthur

1. We can infer from the letter that Chinese love links is a website to         .

A. help foreigners to travel in China
B. help both Chinese and foreigners to find one they want to marry
C. help Chinese and foreigners make friends
D. receive letters from the USA

2.Which of the following is true about Arthur's story?

A. He was sure of finding a Chinese woman as his wife at first.
B. He was determined to find a Chinese woman as his wife.
C. He almost lost hope in finding a perfect wife until he found Ying.
D. No women wrote to him before Ying.

3.Ying stood out from the rest because         .

A. she was a Chinese
B. she had much in common with Arthur
C. other women stopped writing to Arthur
D. she was cute and nice and often phoned to Arthur

4. Arthur thinks       is the most important in finding someone one wants to marry.

A. being honest with the partner and oneself
B. help from the website
C. difference in languages and places
D. difference in cultures