The past week was possibly the most eventful in the history of customer technology markets, or to be precise, the 7-inch (17.8-cm) tablet (平板電腦)market. Never before have three of the biggest players in the industry scheduled what could be truly historic product launches (上市）so close together.

Despite its name, the 7.9-inch iPad Mini is one of the largest among the mini-tablets. It's got all the aesthetics of its earlier 9.7-inch iPad and is unbelievably thin-just 7.2 mm, 23 percent thinner than the iPad.

Apple's iPad Mini

Release date: Nov 2,2012 (Wi-Fi version)

 Operating system: iOS 6

Size: 19.9 x 13.5 x 0.7 cm

Prices: $329 (16GB Wi-Fi), $429 (32GB Wi-Fi), $519 (64GB Wi-Fi), or $459 (16GB Data)

$559 (32GB Data), $659 (64GB Data)

Google may have been forced to cancel its Android event in New York City on Oct 29 due to the threat of hurricane Sandy, but that isn't stopping it from making same big announcements. For starters, Google has confirmed (證實(shí)）that the Nexus 10 will be running Android 4.2 out of the box, so get excited. It will also come equipped with a 10-inch display running at an impressive 2560x1600 resolution. On the inside, it'll have a A15 dual-core (雙核）processor running alongside 2GB of RAM (內(nèi)存)，so expect the Nexus 10 to be a speedy little tablet. Google's Nexus 10 Release date: Nov 13，2012 Operating system: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Size: 26.4 x 17.8x0.9 cm Prices: $399 (16GB), $449 (32GB)

Microsoft's Surface is a bold product with some great touches. It doesn't feature a camera and focuses on Office software, which suggests Microsoft is focusing this product on an executive toy. There's no 3G connection (only Wi-Fi) so owners won't have to worry about an extra contract.

The real delight, however, is Metro, the impressive navigation interface (導(dǎo)航界面).It is beautifully designed with brightly colored squares for navigation. Pre-orders for Surface in the US sold out over the weekend, so it would seem customers are excited.

Microsoft's Surface

Release date: Oct 26,2012

Operating system: Windows 8 RT

 Size: 27.5 x 17.2 x 0.9 cm

Prices: $499 (32GB M-Fi)

47.   What can be inferred from the first paragraph?

A.    The three biggest companies made a new product together.

B.    A technology has been introduced to tablet industry.

C.    The three coiflpanies launched their new products nearly at the same time.

D.    The tablet market, in October was out of control.

48.   What is the 7.9-inch iPad Mini's major contribution to the customers?

A. Wi-Fi version.    B. Operating system.     C. Prices. D. Size.

49.   How many technologies will be introduced to the Nexus 10 according to Google?

A. 6.       B. 5.       C. 4.       D. 3.

50.   Which tablet with 32GB Wi-Fi is the most expensive?

A. Microsoft's Surface.  B. Apple's iPad Mini.

C. Google's Nexus 10.   D. A15 dual-core processor.

People are being lured (引誘）onto Facebook with the promise of a fun, free service without realizing they're paying for it by giving up their personal information. Facebook then attempts to make money by selling their data to advertisers that want to send targeted messages.

Most Facebook users don't realize this is happening. Even if they know what the company is up to, they still have no idea what they're paying for Face book because people don't really know what their personal data is worth.

The biggest problem, however, is that the company keeps changing the rules. Early on, you keep everything private. That was the great thing about facebook-you could create your own little private network. Last year, the company changed its privacy rules so that many things— your city, your photo, your friends' names—were set, by default (默認(rèn))to be shared with every one on the Internet.

According to Facebook's vice-president Elliot Schrage, the company is simply making changes to improve its service, and if people don't share information, they have a "less satisfying experience".

Some critics think this is more about Facebook looking to make more money. In original business model, which involved selling ads and putting them at the side of the pages totally. Who wants to look at ads when they're online connecting with their friends?

The privacy issue has already landed Facebook in hot water in Washington. In April. Senator Charles Schumer called on Facebook to change its privacy policy. He also urged the Federal Trade Commission to set guidelines for social-networking sites. "I think the senator rightly communicated that we had not been clear about what the new products were and how people could choose to use them or not to use them," Schrage admits.

I think that whatever Facebook has done so far to invade our privacy, it's only the beginning. That is why I'm considering deactivating (撤銷）my account. Facebook is a handy site, but I'm upset by the idea that my information is in the hands of people I don't trust. That's too high a price to pay.

43.　 Why do people give their personal information to Facebook according to Paragraph 1?

A.　 Because they can get some money from Facebook.

B.　 Because their information is not important.

C.　 Because they are promised to have a fun and free service.

D.　 Because they can also get other people's information.

44.　 What does the author say about most Facebook users?

A.　 They are unwilling to give up their personal information.

B.　 They don't know their personal data enriches Facebook.

C.　 They don't identify themselves when using the website.

D.　 They care very much about their personal information.

45.　 Why does Facebook make changes to its rules according to Elliot Schrage?

A. To give better service to its users.　 B. To obey to the Federal guidelines.

C. To improve its users' connection.　　 D. To expand its business.

46.　 Why does Senator Charles Schumer support publicly?

A.　 Setting guidelines for advertising on websites.

B.　 Banning the sharing of users' personal information.

C.　 Making regulations for social-networking sites.

D.　 Removing ads from all social-networking sites.

Agricultural experts met in Ethiopia last week to discuss ways to help sub-Saharan Africa become a major producer of wheat. The area traditionally produced little wheat, while North Africa was the grain basket.

Wheat production fell sharply in sub-Saharan countries during the 1980s. In the 1960s, attempts were made to grow wheat in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. But those countries found it was less costly to import wheat from Europe and the United States. Another problem is that Africa's wheat farms were often far from population centers. There also were transportation issues. And some lowlands were not a good place to grow wheat.

Hans Joachim Braun ,one of the experts, says now is a good time to increase wheat production. In the last four years we have seen three major price hikes, where the wheat price and other staple process (主食加工）exploded. And that puts a big, big bill on countries which are depending on wheat imports, and Africa is the biggest wheat importer.

He also says demand for wheat in sub-Saharan Africa is growing faster than for any other crop. With higher income people would like to have more diversified(多樣化）food. But that is possible not the most important one. The most important one is that there is a tremendous migration(移民）of in particular male labor to the cities. And wheat products are convenient food because you can easily buy it. It's easy to process and you also can store it for a few days, which is different from some of the maize and rice products.

There are three possible challenges for growing more wheat in Africa： climate change, disease and pests, like insects. Mr. Braun says rising temperatures should not have a major effect on wheat. In fact, he says, it could help wheat grow in areas with high rainfall totals. As for fighting disease and pests, experts suggest growing more resistant crops. In addition, railroads and roads would have to be improved so large amounts of wheat could be moved to large markets.

39.   What does the word "hikes" in Paragraph 3 probably refer to?

A. big changes B. large increases C. long trips D. big bills

40.   Wheat price exploding indicates_____.

A.    sub-Saharan countries need to increase wheat production badly

B.    sub-Saharan countries have to issue more money

C.    sub-Saharan countries should grow more Corn

D.    importing much wheat is urgent

41.   Why is there a higher demand for wheat in sub-Saharan Africa ？

A.    Because the number of hungry people there is increasing.

B.    Because higher income people have the diversified need of food.

C.    Because male labor are crowding into the cities.

D.    Because the wheat price is lower.

42.   According to Mr. Braun the main challenges for growing more wheat in Africa are_____.

A.    climate change and disease

B.    resistant crops and climate change

C.    rising temperatures and disease and pests

D.    disease and pests and inconvenient transportation

More than a third of the babies born this year could receive a 100th birthday message from whoever happens to be on the throne in the second decade of the 22nd century, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It forecasts that 35% of the 826,000 people born in 2012 will live to become centenarians.

But a long life is not unalloyed good news. David Sinclair, head of policy and research at the International Longevity Centre UK, warned that for many the future may mean social isolation(隔離）as they live longer than friends and members of their families.

"It is of course good news that so many more people are living longer," he said, "but there is a big 'but1. We will be older, but in worse health, and at high risk of living alone. The other problem is that we are very poor at forward planning. We deal with the problems that are under our noses, but even problems two or three years away seem quite distant enough to put off. When you're talking about forecasts for a time half a century away and more, I see no evidence that we are putting in place the measures to deal with it."

This year there will be 14,500 centenarians in the UK, a number which is expected to increase to 110,000 in 2035.

Women have higher life expectancies than men at every age: the likelihood of a girl born this year reaching her century is estimated to be 39%; for boys the figure is 32%.

The estimated number of female centenarians has risen from 500 in 1961 to more than 10,000 in 2010，a figure which is projected to reach 71,000 by 2035 and 276,000 by 2060.

Men are also living far longer, although their numbers are far fewer. There were an estimated 92 male centenarians in 1961 and just below 2,000 in 2010.

35.　 The under lined word centenarians probably means people who_____.

A. are born this year　　 B. live longer than their friends

C. are in poor health　　 D. are a hundred or more years old

36.　 From what David Sinclair said, we can learn_____.

A.　 he doesn't believe so many people are living longer

B.　 the older we are, the more likely we are to live alone and in poor health

C.　 the people who are good at forward planning are likely to live longer

D.　 too distant planning is not always necessary for most of us

37.　 Which of the following statement is true?

A.　 About 289，100 people born in 2012 will live to 100.

B.　 More men will reach their century than women in the future.

C.　 The number of the female centenarians was 1,000 in 1970s

D.　 More than 600 people reached their century in 1961.

38.　 What does this passage mainly talk about?

A.　 A long life is not always good news.

B.　 A long life also means social and physical isolation

C.　 In the future, more people will live to 100 in the UK.

D.　 It is good to live to 100.

Online educational learning games is an effective way with endless option (選擇）for teaching kids of all age groups, and children are also able to operate it without much assistance. Parents find it easier to teach kids through these programs, who become familiar with operating the computer.

Kids have fun learning phonetics, spelling and even a new language. Children are not willing to learn math tables or difficult words at school. They find it fun to sit in front of a computer and learn language and solve mathematical problems. In this age of computers, computers are becoming an important part of the child's daily curriculum with parents opting to teach these children new things each day with the help of online educational games.

Computers are also known to improve the motor skills in children. In addition, the level of these games can be adjusted according to the level and learning ability of the kids. The makers of the games keep the kids' interest in mind while designing them so that their interest is maintained. Another advantage of these games is that you can find free online games and do not have to invest in these expensive products. Other activities that are available on the internet include online coloring games. This is also a constructive way that children can use to pass their leisure time.

Another advantage is that the children can lay in the comfort of their homes. Kids who are fond of playing on the computer can spend their time learning educational material instead on video games that teach violence.

Parents have to keep an eye on their kids and make sure that they do not spend their time on the computer playing games that could be harmful for them. It is essential to direct the kids to educational sites that have beneficial games and are known to help the progress of these children.

31.What is the main idea of this text?

A. Online games can be harmful to kids.　　 B. Online games can be helpful to kids.

C. Kids like to play games online. D. Parents are worried about their kids.

32.Kids don't like to learn knowledge probably because_____.

A. they have trouble operating the computer B. phonetics and spelling are useless

C. staying in the classroom is boring　 D. mathematical problems are difficult

33.What should the makers mainly consider while designing the computer games?

A. The kid's expense.　　 B. The kid's interest.

C. The kid's level.　 D. The kid's ability.

34.One of the advantages of online games is that they can_____.

A. help parents keep an eye on their kids

B. make it easier to solve mathematical problems

C. establish closer relationship between parents and kids

D. leave kids comfortable at home

My son Joey was born with badly twisted 11____ .The doctors assured us that with treatment he would be able to walk 12 ____but would never run very well. The first three years of his life were spent in 13____ .casts and braces. By the time he was eight, you wouldn't know he had a problem when you saw him 14____ .

The children in our neighborhood ran around as most children do during 15____  ,and Joey would jump right in and run and play, too. We 16____told him that he probably wouldn't be able to 17____ as well as the other children. So he didn't know.

In seventh grade he decided to 18____ for the cross-country team. Every day he 19 ____ with the team. He worked harder and ran more than any of the others-four to five miles a day ~~perhaps he sensed that the 20____ that seemed to come naturally to so many others did not come naturally to him. Although the entire team runs, only the 21 ____seven runners have the potential to score points for the 22____ .We didn't tell him he probably would never make the team, so he didn't know.

He 23____to run four to five miles a day. Every day24____ the day he had a 103-degree fever. I was 25____ .So I went to look for him after school. I found him running all alone. The sweat ran down his face and his eyes were glassy (呆滯)from his 26____ .Yet he looked straight ahead and 27____ running. We never told him he couldn't run four miles with a 103-degree fever. So he didn't know.

Two weeks later, the names of the team runners were 28____ .Joey was number six on the 29____.Joey had made the team. He was in seventh grade-the other six team members were all eighth-graders. We never told him he shouldn't 30____ to make the team. We never told him he couldn't do it We never told him he couldn't do it...so he didn't know. He just did it

       A cough is usually nothing to worry about unless it lasts for ten days _____

A. instead       B. or more      C. at most      D. only

       Of the two coats, I'd choose the _____one to spare some money for a book.

A. cheapest     B. most expensive

C. cheaper      D. more expensive

1 want to thank my friend John, without  _____ help, I wouldn't have been saved.

A. his      B. whose C. whom D. which

--Look! Somebody _____the sofa.

--Well, it wasn't me. I didn't do it.

A. is cleaning B. was cleaning

C. has cleaned D. had cleaned