Passage 71
Our Community
One Tuesday evening in the beginning of the fall 1996 semester (学期 ) at Shippensburg University, sirens sounded. These sirens were not in celebration; they were a cry to the university that something was wrong. A house, only one block away, was on fire. Nine of the university’s students lived there.
From the minute the word got out that help was needed, it seemed like everyone showed up. The victims (受灾者) of the fire were offered endless invitations for housing for the night. The very next day, everyone got into gear to do their part in helping them. Flyers ( = handbills) were posted with items that were immediately needed, just to get these students through this next couple of days. Boxes for donations (捐赠品) and money jars were placed in every residence hall (学生宿舍).
As a residence director, I went before the students in my hall to ask them to do what they could. I knew that college students don’t have much, but I asked them to do their best: “Every little bit will help.” I really didn’t think they could do much. I was proved wrong.
At the hall council meeting the night after the fire, my residents decided to have a wing competition, where each wing of the building would team up to see who could bring in the most donations. I announced that the wing who won would receive a free pizza party.
Thursday evening we announced over the PA system that we were beginning the wing competition. Within minutes, the place exploded. The single large box that I had placed in the lobby (大厅) was overflowing. We quickly grabbed more boxes, and we watched in amazement as they, too, filled to the brim(边；沿). Members of the resident assistant staff and I began to count the items. I was astonished by what I saw, and I was inspired by these kids.
When we came to the final tally(得分), the winners turned to me and announced that they would like to donate their winnings as well. They wanted the victims of the fire to have their pizza party.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I had watched these students jump to action, work tirelessly and donate all that they could. And then, as if that were not enough, they handed over their reward. I was touched and so very proud of them.
1. The writer mainly wanted to_____ by the story.
A. tell us nine of the college students suffered from a fire
B. sing praise of the college students helping the victims selflessly
C. describe how successful the wing competition was
D. express he was deeply moved by the college students’ action
2. The phrase “get into gear” in the second paragraph means ____.
A. start working B. take measures
C. be ready D. be eager
3. At first, the residence director thought ____.
A. it was impossible to expect the college students to donate anything
B. it was easy to collect a lot of donations from the college students
C. the college students would donate something, but not much
D. the college students would donate all they could
4. The wing competition was held ______.
A. several days after the fire
B. the night after the fire
C. a week after the fire
D. two days after the fire
5. The phrase “in amazement” in paragraph 5 means ____.
A. satisfiedly B. excitedly
C. surprisedly D. happily
答案与分析
本文是记叙文。全文叙述了在救灾捐助活动中，大学生的积极表现，以此赞扬他们正义的精神。
1. B主旨大意题。作者写此文章意在通过救灾捐助活动歌颂大学生忘我的助人为乐的精神，描述场面是手段，颂扬精神是目的。
2. A细节理解题。整段叙述救灾的紧急行动情况和大家的积极性，四个选项中只有A项的意思能和前后文吻合统一起来。
3. C作者起先的想法在第三段体现出来。
4. D星期二晚上发生火灾，星期四晚上搞募捐比赛，募捐比赛是在灾后两天搞的。
5. C作者原以为大学生没什么东西可捐，对他们的捐献本没抱多大的期望。但捐献现场的气氛却是那样热烈，这大大出乎其意料，所以感到“惊讶”是很自然的。本段最后一句中的 “astonished” 对此题也可起到提示和印证的作用。
Passage 72
In 1985, scientists reported a change in the atmosphere ─ a hole, or thinning of ozone (臭氧) in the atmosphere, over Antarctica. Scientists were not sure what was causing it.
Most scientists believe that man-made chemicals are destroying the ozone. But finding the major cause has not helped solve the problem. In fact, experts say the problem seems to be spreading. Scientists also have found signs of ozone loss in other parts of the atmosphere.
Ozone is found both in the air we breathe and in the upper atmosphere. Near the earth, ozone in the air is a danger to life. It is a waste product. But ozone found 10 kilometers to 50 kilometers up in the atmosphere protects life on earth. Ozone forms in the atmosphere through the action of solar (the sun’s) radiation. Once formed, the ozone blocks harmful radiation from reaching the earth. Scientists say a reduce in ozone and an increase in the harmful radiation will cause many more cases of skin cancer and will harm crops, animals and fish.
Scientists began to study the condition of ozone in the atmosphere in March 1988.The report said temperatures in the hole are getting colder. It is about eight degrees colder 15 kilometers above earth than it was in 1979. Scientists think the first loss of ozone reduce the amount of solar energy the atmosphere can take in. This cools the atmosphere, increases ice cloud production and leads to more ozone loss.
Another report said that scientists found signs the ozone problem has spread. The study shows that the loss of ozone over the areas with larger population in North America and Europe was at least three times greater than scientists had thought. The ozone levels reduced much more seriously during winter months than in warmer months. This is not surprising, because the amount of ozone in the atmosphere changes with the temperature.
Why has the ozone problem developed? No one knows for sure. An international effort is being made to stop the loss of ozone in the atmosphere. But many experts fear the effort will not produce results fast enough to prevent harm to life on earth.
1. This text is mainly about____.
A. change in the atmosphere B. solar radiation
C. the ozone problem D. the ozone from
2. From the text, we’ve learnt that____.
A. the scientists have found exactly what was causing the loss of ozone
B. the temperature in 1979 are much colder
C. ozone holds on solar energy and helps atmosphere take it in
D. efforts have been made to stop the loss of ozone successfully
3. The writer provides us with such a passage in order to___.
A. surprise us B. call the public’s attention to the ozone problem
C. help us to understand the world D. satisfy us with scientific reports
答案与分析
通读全文，本文是科普文章阅读。全文叙述了在南极洲以及北美等的上空臭氧的数量在减少，如果长期这样下去，太阳中的有害物质就会危害地球上的生物。
1. C 主旨大意题。全文讲述了地球上的臭氧层遭受破坏的问题。
2. C 细节题。从“Ozone forms in the atmosphere through the action of solar (the sun’s) radiation. Once formed, the ozone blocks harmful radiation from reaching the earth”得此答案。
3. B 作者意图推断题。作者首先讲了大气层中的臭氧层遭到了破坏，接着讲了臭氧层对地球上生物的重要性，目的是唤醒人们的环保意识。
Passage 73
Weather changes when the temperature and the amount of water in the atmosphere change. We can see and feel water coming from the atmosphere when we have rain. But the water must somehow get back to the atmosphere. Meteorologists call this the water cycle.
There are many stages in the water cycle. Rain falls when water vapour in clouds condenses (凝结). Drops of water form and fall to the ground. The water soaks into the ground and feeds streams and rivers. A lot of rain falls into the sea. The heat of the sun evaporates some of the water in the ground and in the rivers, lakes, and the sea. It changes the liquid water into water vapour. The vapour rises onto the air. Water vapour is normally invisible. On a very damp or humid day, however, you can sometimes see water vapour rising from a puddle (水坑) or pond in a mist (薄雾) above the water. Water vapour also gets into the air from living things. Trees and other plants take in water through their roots and give off water vapour from their leaves. People and land animal drink water and breathe out water vapour. In all these ways the water returns to the air. There it gathers to form clouds and condenses to form rain. The rain falls to earth, and the cycle starts again. It continues even if snow or hail (冰雹) fall instead because both eventually melt to form water. The amount of water vapour in the air depends on the temperature. The air is more moist (潮湿) in the tropics (热带) than in the cold polar regions.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Water cycle. B. Water vapour.
C. How rain forms. D. Water, vapour, rain.
2. How many ways of the water returning to the air are discussed in the text?
A. Two. B. Three. C. Four. D. Five.
3. Whether water vapour can be seen or not depends on .
A. how much water is evaporated B. how good your eyes are
C. in which way water is evaporated D. climate or weather
4. From the passage we get to know .
A. there is more water vapour in the air in the tropics than in cold polar regions
B. there is more water vapour in the air in cold polar region than in the tropics
C. it gets more rain in the tropics than in cold polar regions because there is less vapour
D. the amount of water vapour in the air depends on how often it rains
答案与分析：
通读全文，本文是说明文。全文说明了水循环。
1. A 主旨大意题。全文讲述的是水循环，因此A为最佳答案。
2. B 包括江河等水被太阳蒸发、树木通过树叶蒸发、人通过呼吸将水汽传出
3. D 推理判断题。从“On a very damp or humid day, however, you can sometimes see water vapour rising from a puddle (水坑) or pond in a mist (薄雾) above the water”得此答案。
4. A 推理题。是热量将水蒸发，因此可以推知A为正确选项。
Passage 74
A hobby(嗜好)can be almost anything a person likes to do in his spare time. Hobbyists raise pets, build mode ships, weave baskets, watch birds, hunt animals, climb mountains, raise flowers, fish, ski, skate, and swim. Hobbyists also paint pictures, attend concerts and plays, and perform on musical instruments. They collect everything from books to butterflies, and from shells to stamps.
People take up hobbies because these activities offer enjoyment, friendship, knowledge and relaxation. Sometimes they even yield financial profit. Hobbies help people relax after periods of hard work, and provide a balance between work and play. Hobbies also offer interesting activities for persons who have retired. Anyone, rich or poor, old or young, sick or well, can follow a satisfying hobby, regardless of his age, position, or income.
Hobbies can help a person’s mental and physical health. Doctors have found that hobbies are valuable in helping patients recover from physical or mental illness. Hobbies give bedridden or wheel-chair patients something to do, and provide interests that keep them from thinking about themselves. Many hospitals treat patients by having them take up interesting hobbies or pastimes.
In early times, most people were too busy making a living to have many hobbies. But some persons who had leisure did enjoy hobbies. The ancient Egyptians played games with balls made of wood or pottery.
People today have more time than ever before for hobbies. Machines have reduced the amount of time they must spend on their jobs. Hobbies provide variety for workers who do the same monotonous (单调的) tasks all day long. More people are retiring than ever before, and at an earlier age. Those who have developed hobbies never need to worry about what to do with their newly-found leisure hours.
Sir William Osler, a famous Canadian doctor, expressed the value hobbies of hobbies by saying. “No man is really happy or safe without a hobby.”
1.Which of the following is right?
A. Hobby is one’s regular activity in his office.
B. Hobby is not one’s regular activity in his spare time.
C. Hobby is a kind of activity only for old people.
D. Hobby is a kind of activity only for young people.
2. It seems that people who ___ may spend more time enjoying their hobbies.
A. have little money B. have much money
C. have retired from their work D. have left school
3.The phrase “ recover from ”in the third paragraph means ____.
A. get back B. become healthy again
C. become calm D. supply with a new cover
4. In early times, most people spent less time on their hobbies, because ____.
A. they were brave and hard-working B. the living conditions were poor
C. they were engaged in making a living D. B and C
5. What’s the writer’s opinion about hobbies?
A. People all over the world have the same hobby.
B. Machines also have their hobbies.
C. Hobbies are popular among people in Egypt.
D. People should have hobbies in their spare time
答案与分析
本文是一篇说明文。介绍了业余爱好的种类及其必要性。
1. B推断题。A 选项中 “in his office” 与文中 “in his spare time”不符。 C项说只对老年人适宜也过于片面。 D项与C项一样片面。
2. C推断题。根据第二段最后一句排除 A 、B选项，而前一句告诉我们退休人员会有更多时间做他们感兴趣的事。
3. B猜测词义题。利用思维线索解答此题，医生的职责是让病人变得健康，故B项“恢复健康”是最佳选项。
4. D细节题。抓住第四段第一句可知，早期人类因忙于生计而没有大多的爱好。
5. D推断题。文章最后两段的叙述表明作者对业余爱好的看法。
Passage 75
The Internet has led to a huge increase in credit-card (信用卡)fraud. Your card information could even be for sale in an illegal Website (非法网站). Websites offering cheap goods and services should be regarded with card. On line, shoppers who enter their credit-card information may never receive the goods they thought they bought.
The thieves then go shopping with your card number — or sell the information over the Internet.
Computer hackers (黑客) have broken down security (安全) system, raise questions about the safety of card-holder information.
Several months ago, 25,000 customers of CD universe, an on-line music retailer (批发商), were not lucky. Their names, addresses and credit-card numbers were posted on a Website after the retailer refused to pay US ＄157 ,828 to get back the information.
Credit-card firms are now fighting against on-line fraud. Master-card is working on plans for Web-only credit-card, with a lower credit limit. The card could be used only for shopping on-line. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep from being cheated.
Ask about your credit-card firm’s on-line rules: Under British law, cardholders are responsible (对……负有责任) for the first US ＄78 of any fraudulent spending.
And shop only at secure sites: Send your credit-card information only if the Website offers advanced secure system.
If the security is in place, a letter will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. The Website address may also start —the extra “s” stands for secure. If in doubt, give your credit-card information over the telephone.
Keep your password (密码) safe: Most on-line sites require a user name and password before placing an order. Treat your password with care.
1.The underlined word fraud in the first paragraph probably means _____.
A. cheating B. sale C. payment D. use
2. Thieves usually get the information of the credit-card _____.
A. because many customers lost their cards
B. by paying money for people working in the information companies
C. because of the carelessness of the customers
D. by stealing the information from Websites
3. If the passwords of your credit-cards are not probably kept, _____.
A. the bank and the shop will suffer great losses
B. you will not be able to get back your information
C. you might suffer great losses
D. the bank will answer for your loss
4. The best title for the passage might be _____.
A. How to Beat On-line Credit-card Thieves
B. How to shop on the Internet
C. Never Use Credit cards Without an Advanced Computer
D. Why Thieves Steal Credit-Card Information
答案与分析
通读全文，本文是记叙文。全文叙述了很多非法网站从网上盗用客户信用卡，甚至进行出售的情况，作者提醒人们要注意保护信用卡的密码。
1. A 词义理解题。通读全文我们得知，非法网站盗用信用卡，因此A为最佳答案。
2. D 细节理解题。从“Computer hackers (黑客) have broken down security (安全) system, raise questions about the safety of card-holder information”我们可以得到此答案根据。
3. C 细节题。在网上黑客盗取你信用卡的密码后，他们就可以用你信用卡去买东西，或将你的信用卡的号码以及密码卖给别人。
4. A 主旨大意题。作者通过叙述网上信用卡的被盗，告诫人们要保护好自己的信用卡。
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