Imagine being the only person in the Forbidden City. You could stay there all day without swarms of people crowding around. You'd be able to look at the ancient treasures without worrying about other visitors pushing you for a better view. Well, in two years time you'll be able to have such an experience, just like the former emperors used to. The only difference is that your Forbidden City fun will be online.

Thanks to new technology, a virtual tour of the Forbidden City will be available online by 2008. The project － jointly driven by the Palace Museum and computer company IBM － aims to help teenagers around the world become more interested in Chinese culture. The project will offer an interactive, three-dimensional view of the palace. The virtual tour will provide images from all over the 780,000-square-metre palace.

"The Palace Museum is a big book; there are always places you haven't read about," said Hu Chui from the museum. There are many rooms closed for protection. But the virtual platform breaks the boundaries of time and space, meaning visitors can see whatever they want. "The interaction and games content in the virtual tour will attract more young people to understand and love our cultural heritage," added Hu.

In the virtual tour, historical figures will actually talk to visitors and answer their questions. The stories behind the buildings and treasures will also be told. "The online environment, presented in both Chinese and English, enables visitors to experience the culture and stories of the museum," said James Yeh, an IBM official.

If you visit the Forbidden City now, which of the following won’t be the case you’ll have?

A. It is crowed with a lot of visitors.   B. Visitors are pushing you for a better view.

C. You are the only person in it.           D. You can see some ancient treasures in it.

Which of the following is not the advantage of the virtual tour of the Forbidden City?

A. Visitors can see whatever they want.

B. Visitor can ask and talk to historical figures.

C. Visitors can get to know the cultural heritage by playing games.

D. Visitors can walk around the Forbidden City with your family.

The “project” underlined in paragraph 2 refers to ______.

A. a virtual tour of the Forbidden City

B. a new “Forbidden City” to be built by the Palace Museum and IBM computer company

C. an Internet cafe to be built in the Palace Museum

D. a big book to be published to introduce Chinese culture

What attracts teenagers most to the virtual tour is _____.

A. the visible pictures in the place

B. the interaction and game playing

C. the online environment presented in English

D. the platform without the boundaries of time and space

BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- A recent sudden temperature drop in most areas of China has set off fears of a possible return of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the country has mobilized to prepare for another outbreak.  

North China's Tianjin Port resumed a temperature reporting system on Sunday. Any passengers through the port with a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius would be provided medical observation and reported to relevant authorities. 

Zhong Nanshan, a well-known anti-SARS scientist during the last outbreak, said it was unlikely the SARS virus would die out naturally and it would definitely come back, but predicted no widespread epidemic outbreak and the epidemic would not cause serious damage again.

Caught unprepared this spring, Chinese authorities have learned to act quickly before the epidemic can take a hold.

Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Yi Thursday urged strictly implementing the daily SARS epidemic reporting system and warned that people delaying reporting or hiding the true situation would be severely punished.

In Beijing, the disease control center in Dongcheng District has recovered a 24 hour schedule for possible epidemic breakout. Every afternoon before 3:00 o'clock, the center receives SARS reports from every hospital in the district and then reports to the Beijing municipal disease control center and health bureau.

In Beijing Xiehe Hospital, plans are ready for fever patients to receive treatment in a special section. Doctors in that ward, wearing protective clothing, will observe patients for any possible respiratory diseases. Patients with high fever and symptoms of respiratory diseases are required to be observed for one or two weeks.

North China's Shanxi Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the two other hardest-hit areas in the last SARS crisis, have both set up an emergency response mechanism and mobilized all concerned departments. The system has also been set up in rural Inner Mongolia.

People are urged to pick up again the healthy habits they formed during the last SARS outbreak. Zhong Nanshan said the most important way to prevent SARS was to play more sports and maintain good ventilation. Spitting in public and eating wild animals were very dangerous, said Zhong.  

This passage is mainly about_______.

 A. Zhong Nanshan, a well-known anti-SARS scientist

 B. What happened during the first outbreak of SARS

 C. How well China is prepared for another likely outbreak of SARS

 D. What hospitals in Beijing have done

Which isn’t included in the measures taken by the Chinese?

 A. A temperature reporting system.    B. The daily SARS epidemic reporting system.

 C. A 24-hour schedule for possible epidemic breakout.

 D. An emergency response mechanism all over the country.

Which doesn’t belong to Beijing’s reaction to the possible epidemic?

 A. SARS reports must be given to the disease control center and health bureau.

 B. Fever patients receiving special sections are ready.

 C. High fever patients are to be observed for 3 weeks.

 D. Doctors treating high fever patients will wear protection clothes.

Since my retirement(退休) from teaching music in 2001, I have spent a good deal of time painting as an artist. I actually began drawing again in the summer of 1995 when my father died, so perhaps I was trying to recover from the loss of my father, or maybe it was just that it brought back memories of him. In any case, I drew pen and ink animals and landscapes(風(fēng)景畫) much influenced(影響) by Krenkel and St. John for five years.

For some strange reason, I had been waiting until my retirement to start doing watercolors again, but as soon as I walked out of the school door for the last time I picked up my brushes and rediscovered Andrew Wyeth, who quickly became my favorite artist. I had looked through all the art books I had on my shelves and found his watercolors to be the closest to how I thought good watercolors should look. So I painted landscapes around Minnesota for three years and tried out many other types of painting. However, watercolors remained my first choice, and I think I did my best work there, showing my paintings at a number of art exhibitions.

Art is now together with my piano playing and reading. There is a time for everything in my world, and it is wonderful to have some time doing what I want to do. As Confucious once said, “At seventy I can follow my heart’s desire.”

What is the text mainly about?

A. Learning to paint in later life.                     B. How to paint watercolors

C. An artist-turned teacher                          D. Life after retirement

The author started drawing again in 1995 because_________.

A. he hoped to draw a picture of his father

B. he couldn’t stop missing his father

C. he had more time after retirement  

D. he liked animals and landscapes

We can infer from the text that the author__________.

A. had been taught by Krenkel and St. John

B. painted landscapes in Minnesota for 5 years

C. believed Wyeth to be the best in watercolors

D. started his retirement life at the age of severty

How does the author probably feel about his life as an artist?

A. Very enjoyable.   B. A bit regretful     C. Rather busy.        D. Fairly dull.

Australians have been warned they face a life or death decision over their water — drink recycled sewage (污水) or die.

With t he drought (干旱) continuing, the country is set to be forced to use purified (凈化的) waste water for drinking, even though there is great opposition to the measure.

Queensland has become the first state to introduce the policy after a warning from its premier .

 "I think in the end, because of the drought, all of Australia is going to end up drinking recycled purified water," said Peter Beattie.  

 "These are difficult decisions, but you either drink water or you die. There's no choice. It's liquid gold, it's a matter of life and death."

Beattie said Australia's second largest state would become the first to use recycled water for drinking.

Water is recycled in Britain and parts of northern Europe along with the US and Israel.

But Australians have never liked the idea.

To try to change the way Australians think, Prime Minister John Howard and Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull have adhered to Queensland's move.

"I am very strongly for recycling and Mr. Beattie is right and I agree with him completely," Howard said.

“Australian cities, all now facing water shortages because of the worst drought on record, must start to use recycled water.” added Turnbull, "All of our big cities have to widen the range of water sources to include sources which are not dependent on rainfall."

What is the text mainly about?

A. Continuing drought forces Australians to drink recycled sewage

B. Australians face the choice of life and death

C. Premier Beattie is worried about his people’s health

D. We should avoid drinking recycled water to keep healthy

According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A. Nobody disagrees to the idea of drinking recycled purified water

B. Australia's second largest state has become the first state to introduce the policy

C. No other countries but Australia decide to drink recycled water

D. The drought is the worst one in the droughts recorded in Australian history.

What can we learn from the last paragraph ?

A. Australians have never like drinking purified waste water

B. Australians should develop more water sources to live through the hard time

C. Australians can’t depend upon rainwater , which is not suitable for drinking .

D. Australian government has no ability to solve the problem of water shortage

The underlined phrase “adhered to” in Paragraph 9 probably means_________.

A. disliked    B. gone against    C. supported   D. doubted  

It can be inferred from what Premier Peter Beattie said that________.

A. he gives orders to drink purified waste water

B. It is painful for him to see his people drink recycled sewage

C. If the decision is made, people won’t survive the drought

D. It’s up to you to either make a life or death decision

Cyber Cafe computer centers are found in many cities around the world. Now, a few American high schools are opening these centers. For example, high school in the state of Maryland began operating a Cyber Cafe last March. All students at Bethesde-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda can use the Cyber Cafe. But school officials say I especially helps students who have no computer or cannot use the Internet at home.  

The officials say thirteen percent of the students at the school are from poor families. Many student have arrived in the United States from poor families. Many students have arrived in the United States from other countries only recently. Students in the school’s program for learning English speak twenty-three other languages.

The idea for a Cyber Cafe at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School began three years ago. A that time, officials were planning o restore the school building. Parents interested in technology proposed a Cyber Cafe.

They wanted this center even though schools in the area had suffered budget cuts. The community wanted to help. It wanted all students to have the best chances to learn.

Officials in the area supported the idea. So did an organization called the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Educational Foundation. The foundation includes parents, teachers, former students, and business, community and other leaders.

Over two years, the foundation collected money for a Cyber Cafe and other new computers. It received more than one hundred seventy thousand dollars. The Café now has sixteen computer, a printer and a device called a scanner . School official Ann Hengerer (HEN-grr-er) says students use the Internet to complete research. They also write homework and required papers on the computers. In addition, they can send and receive electronic mails. That is especially helpful for the many students who have family members in other nations.

The Cyber Cafe also serves a social purpose. Visitors can stop by for a drink of coffee, tee or hot chocolate. On Long Island, in School has six computers in is Cyber Cafe. One student at the school says students can start their homework even before they leave school.

What is mainly discussed in the passage?

Cyber Cafe computer centers in many cities around the world

High school Cyber Cafe

Cyber Cafe at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School  

Cyber Cafe at Walter G. 0’Connell Copiague High School

Who can use the Cyber Cafe?

Only the students from poor families

All the students at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High school

Only the students from other countries

Only the students who have no computer or cannon use the Internet at home

Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

Parents interested in technology proposed a Cyber Cafe.

The community wanted all students to have the best chances to learn.

Officials in the area supported the idea.

The foundation didn’t support the idea until two years later.

This passage may be adapted from a column entitled _________.

A. Education Report      B. In the News     C. Development Report      D. Science Report

A traveler was passing through a desert on a hot day. He was tired, feeling thirsty and hungry. At least, he needed a shady spot to rest for a while. A big leafy tree came into view at some distance away. He felt glad and said to himself, “Had I water to drink, now.” Yes, he found a glass full of cold water on the ground right in front of him. Then, he wished, “Had I something to eat right here.” Immediately, a variety of dishes appeared before him. He was under the shade of Kalpa-Vriksha — a magical tree. Whoever was under it would have whatever he wished for!

The traveler enjoyed the delicious food. He felt drowsy. He wished for a nice bed. It was granted. He stretched himself comfortably on the soft mattress. He hoped that someone would massage (按摩) his feet. Yes, a young lady appeared. She started massaging his feet and legs.

He now started thinking differently. “How can things happen like this? Is it some kind of a trick played by a magical demon (魔鬼)?” he doubted. Oh, a true demon appeared in place of the nice lady! Within no time the demon started leaping at him, with his mouth wide open. The frightened traveler took to his heels and ran away.

What will happen if you sit under the magical tree?

A. You will get what you want.

B. You will marry a young girl.

C. You will meet a demon.

D. You will get rid of all your trouble.

The underlined word “drowsy” in the second paragraph means “_______”.

A. hungry     B. sleepy      C. thirsty        D. cold

How many wishes did the traveler make?

A. 3        B. 4     C. 5    D. 6.

What will people die of 100 years from now? If you think that is a simple question, you have not been paying attention to the revolution that is taking place in bio-technology(生物技術(shù)). With the help of new medicine, the human body will last a very long time. Death will come mainly from accidents, murder and war. Today’s leading killers, such as heart disease, cancer, and aging itself, will become distant memories.

In discussion of technological changes, the Internet gets most of the attention these days. But the change in medicine can be the real technological event of our times. How long can humans live? Human brains were known to decide the final death. Cells are the basic units of all living things, and until recently, scientists were sure that the life of cells could not go much beyond l20 years because the basic materials of cells, such as those of brain cells, would not last forever. But the upper limits will be broken by new medicine. Sometime between 2050 and 2100, medicine will have advanced to the point at which every 10 years or so, people will be able to take medicine to repair their organs. The medicine, made up of the basic building materials of life, will build new brain cells, heart cells, and so on—in much the same way our bodies make new skin cells to take the place of old ones.

It is exciting to imaging that the advance in technology may be changing the most basic condition of human existence, but many technical problems still must be cleared up on the way to this wonderful future. 

6. According to the passage, human death is now mainly caused by        .

A. diseases and aging                                 B. accidents and war

C. accidents and aging                        D. heart disease and war

7. In the author’s opinion, today’s most important advance in technology lies in        .

A. medicine          B. the Internet     C. brain cells                     D. human organ

8. Humans may live longer in the future because        .

A. heart disease will be far away from us

B. human brains can decide the final death

C. the basic materials of cells will last forever

D. human organs can be repaired by new medicine

9. How long can humans live in the future according to the passage?

A. Over 100 years.                             B. More than 120 years.

C. About 150 years.                                   D. The passage doesn’t tell us.

10. We can learn from the passage that        .

A. human life will not last more than 120 years in the future

B. humans have to take medicine to build new skin cells now

C. much needs to be done before humans can have a longer life

D. we have already solved the technical problems in building new cells

Fire can help people in many ways. But it can also be very harmful. Fire can heat water, warm your houses, give light, and cook food. But fire can burn things too. It can burn trees, houses, animals, or people. Sometimes big fires can burn forests.

Nobody knows for sure how people began to use fire. But there are many interesting, old stories about the first time a man or woman started a fire. One story from Australia tells about a man a very, very long time ago. He went up to the sun by a rope and brought fire down.

Today people know how to make a fire with matches. Children sometimes like to play with them. But matches can be very dangerous. One match can burn a piece of paper, and then it might burn a house. A small fire can become a big fire very fast.

Fires kill many people every year. So you must he careful with matches. You should also learn to put out fires. Fires need oxygen. Without oxygen they die. There is oxygen in the air. Cover a fire with water, sand, or in an emergency, with your coat or something else.This keeps the air away from a fire and kills it.

Be careful with fire, and it will help you. Be careless with fire, and it will burn you.

8. According to the passage which of the following is true?

A. Where there is oxygen there is fire.

B. It is an Australian who started a fire.

C. We are not sure how people started to use fire.

D. Nobody knows how to make a fire.

9. The reason why children mustn’t play with matches is that ________.

A. they don’t know how to make a fire with matches  B. it is not interesting

C. matches can be dangerous                     D. matches burn paper

10. If you are going to put out a fire, you________.

A. must be careful with matches       B. have to know fires kill many people every year

C. have to cover it with water only       D. should keep air away from it

11. We must be careful with fire, or it ________.

A. can die              B. warms our houses  C. might burn us             D. will help us

12. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Fire can help people in many ways. B. Fire can be both helpful and harmful.

C. Fire can burn things and people.      D. We must be careful with matches.

The medical world is gradually realizing that the quality of the environment in hospitals may play a significant role in the process of recovery from illness.

As part of a nationwide effort in Britain to bring art out of the galleries and into public place, some of the country’s most talented artists have been called in to transform older hospitals and to soften the hard edges of modern buildings. Of the 2,500 National Health Service hospitals in Britain, almost 100 now have significant collections of contemporary art in corridors, waiting areas and treatment rooms.

These recent initiatives owe a great deal to one artist, Peter Senior, who set up his studio at a Manchester Hospital in Northeastern England during the early 1970s. He felt the artist had lost his place in modern society, and that art should be enjoyed by a wider audience.

A typical hospital waiting room might have as many as 5,000 visitors each week. What a better place to hold regular exhibitions of art and paintings, in the outpatients waiting area of the Manchester Royal Hospital in 1975. Believed to be Britain’s first hospital artist, Senior was so much in demand that he was soon joined by a team of six young art school graduations.

The effect is striking. Now in the corridors and waiting rooms, the visitor experiences a full view of fresh colors, playful images and restful courtyard.

The quality of the environment may reduce the need for expense when a patient is recovering from an illness. A study has shown that patients who had a view onto a garden needed half the number of strong painkillers compared with patients who had no view at all or only a brick wall to look at.

9. What does the author mean by using the phrase “to soften the hard edge of modern buildings”, in the second paragraph?

A. To hold exhibitions of art and paintings in hospitals.

B. To tear down the old hospital and build a new one.

C. To decorate hospitals with art collection.

D. To paint the walls of hospitals in soft colors.

10. What is true about Peter Senior?

A. A famous doctor in Manchester Hospital and a talented artist.

B. Britain’s first hospital artist and a patient in Manchester Royal Hospital.

C. One of the six young art school graduations.

D. A talented artist and a pioneer introducing art into hospitals.

11. What can we conclude from the fact that six young art school graduates joined Peter?

A. Artists should take an active part in social activities.

B. The role of hospital environment is being recognized.

C. Artists are more important to patients in hospitals.

D. Hospitals need more young art school graduates to attend the patients.

12. What does the last paragraph suggest?

A. The improvement of hospital environment may help the patients recover from illness.

B. The improvement of hospital environment may cost the patients more than before.

C. The patients needed no painkillers when they had a view of a painting.

D. The patients had no pain at all after the improvement of hospital environment.

閱讀下面短文, 掌握其大意, 然后從1-10各題所給的四個選項(xiàng)（A、B、C和D）中, 選出最佳選項(xiàng)。

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Love is blind”? If so, you are already   1   with a type of mistake in our attempts to understand others: halo effects. This type of mistake    2   to the fact that once we form an overall impression of somebody, it could have strong effects on our   3     of his personality.   4  ,  halo effects are both common and powerful. For example, most organizations contain one or more “superstars”--- people who have earned the reputation for being unusually   5    and capable. Once they have gained such a “halo”, everything they do receives good   6   . Ideas that would be regarded as just so-so if suggested by someone else are seen as    7   when proposed by these persons. And actions that might be considered risky if taken by others are seen as brave when carried out by these “chosen” men and women.

As you can see, halo effects carry high costs. They may lead some persons to have an   8     high opinion of their own worth, while making things  9   for others who are equally deserving. Further, by giving too much influence to persons who are not ready to receive it, and by preventing hidden talent from being   10   , they can harm organizations as well as individuals. Clearly, then, it is important to recognize the existence and impact of halo effects; only then can their harmful effects be avoided.

A. familiar                 B. wrong                      C. connected                 D. bored

A. adds               B. extends                    C. keeps                       D. refers

A. choices                  B. memories                 C. judgments                D. requirements

A. Unfortunately        B. Probably                  C. Hopefully                 D. Generally

A. amusing                B. conscious                 C. fashionable               D. talented

A. comment               B. reply                        C. effect                       D. opportunity

A. average                 B. excellent                  C. funny                       D. similar

A. unexpectedly     B. understandably    C. unreasonably   D. unsuccessfully

A. difficult                 B. disorderly                 C. valuable                   D. significant

A. harmed                B. discovered                C. wasted                     D. protected