Napoleon, as a character in Tolstoy’s War and Peace, is more than once described as having “fat little hands.’’ Nor does he “sit well or firmly on the horse.’’ He is said to be “undersized.’’ with“short legs’’ and a “round stomach”. The issue here is not the accuracy of Tolstoy’s description--it seems not that far off from historical accounts but his choice of facts：other things that could be said of the man are not said. We are meant to understand the difference of a warring commander in the body of a fat little Frenchman. Tolstoy’s Napoleon could be any man wandering in the streets and putting a little of powdered tobacco up his nose—and that is the point.

It is a way the novelist uses to show the moral nature of a character. And it turns out that, as Tolstoy has it, Napoleon is a crazy man. In a scene in Book Three of War and Peace, the wars having reached the critical year of 1812,Napoleon receives a representative from the Tsar(沙皇), who has come with peace terms. Napoleon is very angry：doesn’t he have more army? He, not the Tsar, is the one to make the terms. He will destroy all of Europe if his army is stopped. “That is what you will have gained by engaging me in the war!” he shouts. And then, Tolstoy writes, Napoleon “walked silently several times up and down the room, his fat shoulders moving quickly.’’

Still later, after reviewing his army amid cheering crowds, Napoleon invites the shaken Russian to dinner. “He raised his hand to the Russian’s…face,” Tolstoy writes, and “taking him by the ear pulled it gently….” To have one’s ear pulled by the Emperor was considered the greatest honor and mark of favor at the French court. “Well, well, why don’t you say anything?’’ said he, as if it was ridiculous in his presence to respect any one but himself, Napoleon.

Tolstoy did his research, but the composition is his own.

51. Tolstoy’s description of Napoleon in War and Peace is _________.

A. far from the historical facts

B. based on the Russian history

C. based on his selection of facts

D. not related to historical details

52. Napoleon was angry when receiving the Russian representative because _________.

A. he thought he should be the one to make the peace terms

B. the Tsar's peace terms were hard to accept

C. the Russians stopped his military movement

D. he didn’t have any more army to fight with

53. What did Napoleon expect the Russian representative to do?

A. To walk out of the room in anger.

B. To show agreement with him.

C. To say something about the Tsar.

D. To express his admiration.

54. Tolstoy intended to present Napoleon as a man who is _________.

A. ill-mannered in dealing with foreign guests

B. fond of showing off his iron will

C. determined in destroying all of Europe

D. crazy for power and respect

55. What does the last sentence of the passage imply?

A. A writer doesn’t have to be faithful to his findings.

B. A writer may write about a hero in his own way.

C. A writer may not be responsible for what he writes.

D. A writer has hardly any freedom to show his feelings.

We have proof that you become what you eat. When you know the effects of different types of food, you can use your knowledge well and eat what you want to become.

Food has an impact on our physical and mental health. Have you ever heard any of the following advice?

Lettuce (萵苣) or milk can make you sleepy.

To stop feeling sleepy you should eat peanuts or dried fish.

Everyone has their own advice to give, which they have read about or have been told by older relatives. Some of these pieces of advice seem to contradict each other.

Eating chocolate makes you fat and gives you spots.

Chocolate contains the essential minerals: iron and magnesium (鎂).

What we need to figure out is what type of chocolate to eat to get the benefits and how much of it to eat. We can do this by reading the list of ingredients (原料) on the chocolate bar package. Exactly how much real chocolate is in there? And how much of that do we need to eat to get the benefits of the minerals it contains?

Future restaurants might be named after the physical or mental state they hope to create. Their menus will list the benefits of each dish and drink. Some restaurants have already started this concept, and list the nutritional (營養(yǎng)的) content of their dishes on the menus.

Let’s take the restaurant “Winners” as an example. Their menu would list dishes specifically designed to help you win sports competitions. Or you could choose the Go-faster salad, which is a large bowl of mixed raw vegetables in a light salad dressing, giving you energy without making you gain weight. And what kind of dishes do you think would be on the menu at the “Clever Café”?

So what’s going to happen to hamburgers and biscuits? Will the concept of eating food, because it’s tasty, go out of fashion? Of course not! Junk food is also changing. If ice-cream is not good for children, can’t we give them fat-free, sugar-free tofu ice-cream? Unhealthy food is going out of fashion, so brands are changing. We are told not to drink cola because of the sugar and caffeine content so cola companies are making sugar-free and caffeine-free drinks. We are told dried fruit is a healthier snack than biscuits so some biscuit companies are making biscuits with added vitamins.

1.By saying “you become what you eat”, the writer means that ________.

A．you will become your own food

B．you will know what food is good by its appearance

C．food has an effect on your health

D．you will know the effects of different types of food

2.What does the underlined word “contradict” mean in the text?

A．Oppose to                             B．Help with

C．Have influence on                       D．Benefit from

3.How can we eat chocolate properly, according to the passage?

A．To eat chocolate containing the essential minerals.

B．To read the list of ingredients on the package.

C．To get advice from others before eating real chocolate.

D．To learn how much chocolate we can consume before eating.

4.Which is true about the future restaurants?

A．The food in “Winners” can ensure you to win sports competitions.

B．They might list the nutritional content of their dishes on the menus.

C．Hamburgers will disappear in these restaurants.

D．The Go-faster salad helps you go faster.

5.The concept of eating tasty food will not go out of fashion because ________.

A．the junk food companies are changing their brand names

B．biscuit companies are making dried fruit

C．junk food will become healthier than before

D．Cola companies are still making cola

 

In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”. Many say the same of Merkel.

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders. Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman(政治家). Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. “I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said.

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctorate (博士學位) in physics and then she worked as a researcher.

However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. “Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends.

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since the second World War.

Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget(預算), some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn’t give up. She shuttled(穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.

“Strength comes from composure(鎮(zhèn)定) and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel.

1. Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office?

A. Because Catherine the Great is beautiful.

B. Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too.

C. Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it.

D. Because it is very expensive.

2.What is the correct order of the following events?

a. became the German Chancellor

b. got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher

c. join a political party

d. visit China

e. take part in the EU summit

f. as Minister for the Environment

A. bcafde         B. cbfdae          C. bcfaed           D. cbfaed

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

A. Merkel usually is hurry to make a decision when facing difficulties.

B. At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension.

C. Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world.

D. She is outstanding because of her calmness.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A. An excellent lecturer                     B. Germany’s iron lady

C. The change of a scholar                D. The youngest chancellor

 

 

Here are some of the most common causes of fatigue, and what you can do about them.

Inadequate Sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep you’ll be tired but it’s rare that busy people get enough sleep. When there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything, something has to give, and that’s usually sleep. Don’t fool yourself that you can get by on five or six hours of sleep a night. Most people need at least eight hours and some even more.

Hormone Imbalances. Thyroid disease is extremely common today, especially among young women and the elderly. As common as thyroid disease is, its symptoms are so similar to so many other ailments that it often goes unnoticed by both doctors and patients. If you’re suffering from fatigue, get your thyroid hormone levels checked.

Food Allergies. You may be allergic to common foods like dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat, corn, chocolate, or coffee. If you suffer from coughing or wheezing, digestive problems, headaches, muscle aches or joint pain, itching and skin problems, in addition to fatigue, try cutting out each of these foods for a week to see if you feel better without it. Also, don’t eat excessive amounts of any particular food during any one day.

Environmental Toxins. Fatigue may result from our polluted environment. If, in addition to fatigue, you suffer from headaches, allergies or respiratory problems, you may be absorbing airborne toxins. Check the ventilation system in your home and office. Buy houseplants, air filters, and water filters for your home. If you’re working in a “sick” building you may have to look for another job.

Couch Potato Syndrome. Fifty percent of depression and fatigue can be caused by inactivity. For an energy boost, do anything that gets you moving for 20 to 30 minutes a day.

Anemia. Anemia can be a hidden disease in women. If you’re tired for no known reason, have your total iron count taken. Sometimes, even though your blood count may show a normal level of red blood cells, you may still be deficient in iron. If your iron count is low, you may need supplements.

Cigarette Smoking. Cigarettes are an enormous energy drain. They rob the body’s cells of oxygen and produce carbon monoxide poisoning.

Too Much Coffee. If you drink a lot of coffee in the effort to beat fatigue, in the long run you’ll be even more tired. Coffee gives you a temporary lift at the cost of long-term energy.

Poor Nutrition. The typical American diet, high in refined foods and animal fat, supplies inadequate nutrients and drains energy. Switch to a diet low in animal protein and saturated fat and high in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Cut out highly processed foods. Take vitamins.

62. What does the underlined word “fatigue” mean?

   A. tiredness        B. weakness         C. sickness          D. laziness

63. Couch potato syndrome has something to do with ______.

   A. potato          B. couch            C. energy           D. inactivity

64. According to the passage, you can infer that ______.

   A. you can always do with five or six hours of sleep a night.

   B. fifty percent of depression and fatigue can be caused by inactivity.

   C. it’s easier for women to catch thyroid disease or anemia.

   D. the more coffee you drink, the less tired you are.

65. Which of the following is NOT one of the causes of fatigue according to the passage?

   A. Polluted environment.          B. Cigarette smoking.           C. Low iron count.

   D. A diet low in animal protein and saturated fat and high in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans.

 

Even if we have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle, the human body is programmed to wear out at a maximum of about 120 years, and usually less. We all have a biological clock inside us which determines the moment when our organs cease to function properly. This is because our cells have stopped renewing themselves and our body can no longer repair itself. This is also the moment when we are more likely to begin to suffer from the diseases of old age such as arthritis and Alzheimer’s. However, rapid advances in DNA research are beginning to throw light on the secrets of the ageing process. By the end of this century we could literally have the power of life over death.
Although it has long been accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan, it is also a fact that certain other organisms, such as reptiles and amphibians, appear to live indefinitely. The only reason we do not see 500-year-old alligators is because in the wild their lives are always in danger, from man, from pollution and from other animals. When they are kept in zoos they do not seem to age at all after they are fully grown. The same is true of some species of fish, which grow indefinitely and show no signs of ageing. The existence of animals with no fixed lifespan seems to indicate that an age gene really does exist. It is this gene which scientists are searching for, which may delay or repair damage to the body caused by ageing.
Another new area of research involves the oxidation（氧化） theory, which says that ageing is caused by the same process that makes iron rust. In controlled experiments, the lifespans of certain animals were shown to be lengthened with anti-oxidants; for example, the lifespan of mice can be increased by 30%. Antioxidants are already being used in face creams and other cosmetics, and they are likely to play an important part in keeping people physically young.
Perhaps the most immediate advance we are likely to see in the battle to halt（停止）the ageing process will be organ replacement. By the year 2020 it is likely that we will be replacing injured bones or even organs like livers and kidneys with ones “grown” in laboratories. By 2050 perhaps every organ in the body, except the brain, will have become commercially available. Recent experiments also show that it may one day be possible to “grow” new organs inside our body to replace worn-out ones, something which lizards and alligators already do.
Suddenly immortality（不死，不朽） seems within reach. We can begin to imagine a future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die. But do we really want to live forever?
【小題1】 When all humans reach a certain age,         .

A．they suffer the effects of their diet and lifestyle

B．the organs stop to perform appropriately

C．their cells continue to renew themselves

D．they develop arthritis and Alzheimer’s

【小題2】 The purpose of showing the case of alligators is to prove         .

A．a(chǎn)lligators are in danger in the wild because of the threat from man, pollution and other animals

B．it is widely accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan

C．there exists an age gene which may control ageing

D．the age gene damages the body

【小題3】The underlined phrase “live indefinitely” in Paragraph 2 probably mean         .

A．live for a period of time without a fixed end

B．live without a clear aim

C．live in an uncertain way

D．live without being fully grown

【小題4】It can be inferred from Paragraph 4 that         .

A．by 2050 we might have most of our worn-out organs replaced with new ones commercially

B．never can the ageing process be avoided

C．livers and kidneys are sure to be grown in laboratories by the year 2020

D．lizards and alligators grow new organs inside their body to replace worn-out ones

【小題5】 What is the main topic of this passage?

A．DNA researches show how our cells renew themselves.

B．Anti-oxidants are likely to play an important part in keeping people young.

C．How our biological clock works?

D．Eternal（永恒的） youth: new developments in anti-ageing research.

【小題6】By saying “But do we really want to live forever”, the author may probably mean         .

A．a(chǎn) future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die is on its way

B．he is uncertain whether we can live forever

C．it remains to be seen whether immortality is a blessing or a curse

D．immortality is no longer a dream