The q________ of products is the key to improving a nation’s economy.

   Iceland has energy to spare, and the small country has found a cutting-edge(尖端的) way to reduce its oil dependency. Volcanoes formed the island nation out of ash and lava(熔巖), which heat huge underground lakes to the boiling point. The hot water is piped into cities providing heat for homes, businesses and even swimming pools. The water runs through turbines(渦輪機(jī)), providing all the country’s electricity.

   Iceland wants to make plans to improve its cars, buses and trucks to run on renewable energy. Iceland has already started by turning water into fuel ----hydrogen(氫) fuel. Here’s how it works: Electrodes (電極) change the water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules(分子). Hydrogen electrons pass through a conductor that creates the current to power an electric engine.

   Hydrogen fuel now costs two to three times as much as gasoline, but gets up to three times the distance than gas, making the overall cost about the same. As an added benefit, there is no carbon(碳) ----only water steam.

   In the capital, Reykjavik, they are already testing three hydrogen-powered electric buses. The drivers are impressed. “I like these buses better because with hydrogen you get no pollution,” said bus driver Rognvaldur Jonatanison. By the middle of this century, all Icelanders will be required to run their cars only on hydrogen fuel, meaning no more gasoline.

　　“If we make hydrogen and use that as a fuel for transportation then we can run the whole society on our own local renewable energy sources,”said Marie Mack. Icelanders are showing the world that by making fuel from water, it is possible to kick the oil habit.

57. From Paragraph 1 we may infer that ________.

A. Iceland lacks natural resources           

B. volcanoes do more good than harm to Iceland

C. Iceland only depends on oil for energy     

D. Iceland’s electricity is made from coal

58. Which of the following is necessary during the period of turning water into fuel according to Paragraph 2?

   A. Lava               B. Electric engine        C. Conductor         D. Turbine

59. The cars with hydrogen as fuel ________.

A. are environmentally friendly                   B. are cheaper

    C. run much faster                                     D. will make useful steam

60. What would be the best title for the passage?

A. Pollution saying goodbye to the world.    

B. Iceland becoming a country without oil

C. Iceland began to turn water into fuel     

D. Man able to kick the oil habit

When you are in another country, it is important to know the language, but it is equally important to know how to communicate nonverbally(非語言地) by making gestures. According to a pioneer in nonverbal communication, only 30 to 35 percent of our communication is verbal. When people don't know the language, the most common way to communicate is through gestures. However, many gestures have different meanings, or no meaning at all, in different parts of the world.

In the United States, for example, nodding your head up and down means “yes”. In some parts of Greece and Turkey, however, this motion can mean “no”. In Southeast Asia, nodding your head is a polite way of saying “I've heard you”.

In ancient Rome, when the emperor wanted to spare someone's life, he would put his thumb up. Today in the United States, people often put their thumbs up, which means everything is all right. However, in Sardinia and Greece, the gesture is insulting and should not be used there.

In the United States, holding your hand up with the thumb and index finger in a circle and the other three fingers spread out means “Everything is O.K.” and is frequently used by astronauts and politicians. In France and Belgium, it can mean “You’re worth nothing.”

There are other nonverbal signals that people should be aware of when they go to another country, such as the distance to maintain between speakers. Americans usually feel good when speaking with someone if the distance between them is about eighteen inches to arm’s length. Anything closer makes them feel uncomfortable.

When talking to Americans, it is also important to make eye contact. If you look down when talking to an American, he / she may feel that you are embarrassed, afraid, or trying to hide something.

These few examples show that your actions can speak louder than your words. In a particular cultural contest, what you say and what you don’t say are equally important.

53. Which of the following is true?

A. People all over the world only communicate verbally.

B. Most of our gestures have no meaning at all.

C. People often communicate through gestures

D. Gestures are a unique way to communicate.

54. When someone puts his / her thumb up in ______, it means everything is all right.

A. ancient Rome  B. the United States         C. France     D. Belgium

55. What is the meaning of “your actions can speak louder than your words” in the passage means ________. 

A. your deeds are better than your words

B. what you do is better than what you say

C. you try to show your best manners

D. you are better understood by your gestures than through your words

56. When you are in another country, ________.

A. it is unimportant to know the language

B. it is important to know a foreigner can certainly understand your gestures

C. to know how to communicate nonverbally is as important as to know the language

D. to communicate through gestures is more important than to know the language

Alzheimer's disease is a major national health problem. Nearly 2 million Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's disease. It is a leading cause of death among the elderly. But Alzheimer's disease is not confined (限于) to the aged. There may be a million or more people under the age of 65 suffering from the disease.

At one time, people suffering from the disease were said to be "getting old". The disease was thought to be a natural part of growing old, but it is now known that Alzheimer's disease strikes young and old alike. It is an organic(器官的) disease that destroys brain cells.

Alzheimer's disease affects the patient's memory, speech, and movement. In the beginning stages of the disease, the patient may seem slightly confused. He may have trouble speaking. Then the patient's memory begins to fail. He may forget dates, telephone numbers, names and plans.

As the disease progresses, the patient may not recognize family and friends. These symptoms(癥狀) often cause terrible anxiety in the patient. He may feel lost and frightened. Sometimes the patient reacts with wild and bad behavior.

In the last stages of the disease, the patient may not be able to take care of himself. He may have lost the ability to speak and walk.

Some of the scientists think a virus causes Alzheimer's disease. At present, there is no cure for the disease. But there are ways to slow its progress. Exercise and physical treatment can help the patients of this disease.

49. Alzheimer's disease ________.

A. a terrible part of the aging process 

B. is an organic disease that affects young and old

C. can be cured by physical treatment       

D. causes high fever

50. All of the following are symptoms of Alzheimer's disease EXCEPT ________.

 A. brain damage                     B. difficulty in speaking 

C. loss of sight                     D. loss of the ability to walk

51. According to the passage, which of the following may be a cause of Alzheimer's disease?

A. Poisons produced by the brain.    B. Getting old.   

C. A virus.                                     D. Lack of exercise.

52. The progress of Alzheimer's disease can be slowed by ________.

A. operation                        B. a change in environment 

C. medicines                      D. physical treatment and exercise

    Michael stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal in order to connect with the office. After work, he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder, or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn't talk to any other human beings, and he doesn't see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from contact with our fellow human beings.

The world of business is one area in which technology is separating us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants（會(huì)計(jì)）could do their jobs at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they're dealing with. In addition, the way employees are paid will change. Workers' salaries will be automatically paid into their bank accounts, making paper checks unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their checks. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts.

Another area that technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now, fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living looms.

45. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. Clerks will be able to work at home.      

B. One can play baseball on the computer.

     C. One can listen to music without disturbing others.

D. One can borrow books from libraries at home.

46. The sentence "Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible" means _______.

  A. Michael is person full of imagination and he can make his dreams come true

   B. Michael is not a real person but the lifestyle does exist

   C. Michael has ambitions（雄心）but he can't make his dreams come true

   D. Michael is a person full of imagination and his lifestyle is common nowadays

47. What will the author most probably discuss after the last paragraph?

   A. Games and sports.                      B. Personal banking.

   C. Music and films.                        D. International business.

48. What is the main idea of the passage?

   A. We may no longer need to communicate with other human beings.

   B. Modern technology seems to be separating human beings.

   C. We may no longer need to work in the office.

   D. Modern technology makes it possible for us to work and entertain ourselves at home.

The Man of Many Secrets ― Harry Houdini ― was one of the greatest American entertainers in the theater. He was a man famous for his escapes ― from prison cells, from wooden boxes floating in rivers, from locked tanks full of water. He appeared in theaters all over Europe and America. Crowds came to see the great Houdini and his “magic” tricks.

Of course, his secret was not magic, or supernatural powers. It was simply strength. He had the ability to move his toes as well as his fingers. He could move his body into almost any position he wanted.

Houdini started working in the entertainment world when he was 17, in 1891. He and his brother Theo performed card tricks in club in New York. They called themselves the Houdini Brothers. When Harry married in 1894, he and his wife Bess worked together as magician and assistant. But for a long time they were not very successful. Then Harry performed his first prison escape in Chicago in 1898. Harry persuaded a detective to let him try to escape from the prison, and he invited the local newspapermen to watch.

It was the publicity(宣傳) that came from this that started Harry Houdini’s success. Harry had fingers trained to escape from handcuffs(手銬) and toes trained to escape ankle chains. But his biggest secret was how he unlocked the prison doors. Every time he went into the prison cell, Bess gave him a kiss for good luck ― and a small skeleton key, which is a key that fits many locks, pass quickly from her mouth to his.

Harry used these prison escapes to build his fame. He arranged to escape from the local prison of every town he visited. In the afternoon, the people of the town would read about it in their local newspapers, and in the evening every seat in the local theater would be full. What was the result? Worldwide fame, and a name remembered today.

41. According to the passage, Houdini’s success in prison escapes depends on ________.

A. his special tricks and supernatural powers

B. his unusual ability and a skeleton key

C. his magic tricks and inhuman powers

D. his wisdom and magic tricks

42. In the fourth paragraph, the underlined word “this” refers to ________.

A. his first prison escape                     B. the year 1898

C. the publicity                                   D. Harry Houdini’s success

43. It can be inferred from the passage that Houdini became famous ________.

A. in 1894                                         B. before he married

C. at the age of 17                              D. when he was about 24

44. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A. A Skeleton Key                            B. Many Secrets

C. World-wide Fame                        D. Great Escapes

       As people grow older they cry   21  and less. Young people over 20 seldom cry. I am one of them.  22  on the day of my 22nd birthday,  23  once again returned to my eyes.

       That morning in the sixth class my students played a performance. It was very funny and had everyone   24  . I never thought my students were __25   actors but they looked like real stars.

As I was watching   26  , Rosalie told me that somebody had slipped out. I stood up and looked, but couldn’t find them. I didn’t   27  because I was excited about the play. I just kept watching and laughing.

       At the   28  of the performance, Bruce announced, “Do you know what day it is today?” to which everyone answered, “It is our teacher’s   29  !” Then everyone clapped. I was a little shy, stood up and said “thank you” with a smile. At that __30   I felt that something was going to happen.

       It   31  . Suddenly all the lights were shut off. The classroom was quite dark.  32 I could ask why, Victor (the monitor) and Henry walked in, with a cake and a red rose. They went   33  to me and said, “Happy birthday, Miss Li!” Every student began   __34  “Happy birthday to you.”   

       Everyone smiled at me and said, “Please blow out the candles and make a   35  !” I said to   36  , “I hope this moment will last   37  and ever,” then I blew out all the candles. I was so   38  that I could not say anything. Tears came to my eyes but I just   __39  . I repeated “thanks very much” many times.

Those considerate and lovely children made me __40   the true meaning of happiness.

He looked at us in a ________ way as if we had come from a different world.  

    A. curious         B. crazy           C. frequent           D. familiar

The world's economic development is not a win-lose game but one in which all ________ be winners.

A. can                   B. shall         C. must           D. would

 The question ________ at tomorrow’s meeting is very important.

A. to discuss                            B. discussed

C. to be discussed                    D. being discussed