Nowadays more and more young athletes are taking part in the risky activities called “extreme sports” or “X-sports”.
In the past young athletes would play baseball. Today, they want risk and excitement — the closer to the edge, the better. They snowboard over cliff and hike deep mountains.
Extreme sports started as an alternative to more expensive sports such as golf. A city kid who couldn’t afford expensive sports equipment could get a skateboard and have fun. But now it has become a whole new area of sports, with specialized equipment and high levels of skill. There is even an Olympics for extreme sports, called the winter x-game, which includes snow mountain hiking and ice climbing.
What makes extreme sports so popular? Maybe it’s because people love the risk. City people want to be outdoors on the weekends and do something challenging. The new equipment is so much better that people can take more risks without getting hurt. Sure there’s a risk. Once you go mountain hiking or snowboarding, it’s impossible to go back to have riding or skiing. It’s just too boring.
Now even the older crowd is starting to join in. Every weekend, groups of friends in their early 30s get together. On weekdays they work as computer programmers in the same office. On weekends they hike mountains together.
Extreme sports are certainly not for everyone. Most people still prefer to play basketball or watch sports on TV. But it has been a fact that extreme sports are gaining popularity.
【小題1】Extreme sports started as an alternative to more expensive sports because _______.

A．people didn’t like to play golf

B．some city kids couldn’t afford expensive sports equipment

C．there is an Olympics for extreme sports

D．extreme sports are gaining popularity

【小題2】More and more young athletes are taking part in extreme sports because _______.

A．people want risk and excitement

B．it’s impossible to go back to have riding or skiing

C．people can take more risks without getting hurt

D．the older crowd is starting to join in

【小題3】To have extreme sports, you should _______.

A．have specialized equipment and high levels of skill

B．be very young at age

C．do snow mountain hiking and ice climbing

D．a(chǎn)fford expensive sports equipment

【小題4】The author gives the example of the computer programmers in the same office to show _______.

A．young people love risks

B．they can’t afford golf

C．they don’t like to play basketball or watch sports on TV

D．extreme sports are gaining popularity

【小題5】The main idea of this passage is _______.

A．extreme sports are certainly not for everyone

B．the benefits and costs of extreme sports

C．the development of extreme sports

D．what makes extreme sports so popular

Christmas bird – watching is popular in the U.S.A. When the holiday season comes, some Americans are likely to watch and count birds in the sky with great interest every day. This activity began in the early part of the last century. It has a one-hundred-year history. At that time, there was a so-called “holiday hunting” custom. In order to celebrate the holiday, the hunters went out to kill birds and beasts. By 1900, there were 27 bird lovers who decided to count birds instead of killing birds. Since then, Christmas bird-watching was held every year. It has been continued to the present.

There were 42000 people who took part in the bird-watching last Christmas, from December 16 the year before to January 3 next year. They were in the United States and Canada, central America, south America and the Caribbean, watching and counting birds in the sky. The whole viewing area was divided into 1600 points. Each birdwatcher was responsible for 25 meters, and was required to write down the types and quantities of birds within 24 hours.

A birdwatcher described what he had watched vividly in his diary—“ When I looked up, I saw a beautiful ‘landscape’ in the sky: Red-crowned cranes(丹頂鶴) were driving up in cunning wedges that split the air. They were so neatly arranged, coordinating their movements. I was excited and breathtaking. Interestingly, the “human” shape(人字行) always maintains 110° ” .

“Why do red-crowned cranes choose to use ‘human’ shape when flying in formation?” He continued, “In my opinion, there are four reasons: first, the ‘human’ shape can make red-crowned cranes use increasing air which is produced by each other’s wings when they are swinging in the sky. It can increase the glide time and save physical ability. Second, the ‘human’ shape will enhance communication among the birds. The orders and the relevant information issued by the lead bird can be conveyed to each member in this migratory group unimpeded, accurately, rapidly and conveniently. Third, such a formation will help to find the birds left behind because of feeling run down as fast as possible, so that the young, the weak, the sick birds can get everyone’s help and encouragement. Finally, the ‘human’ shape shows not only beauty but also unity. It can give enemies a deterrent.They will be terrified and did not dare to attack the birds.The migration security of the birds will be ensured.”  

Environmental experts admired and evaluated Christmas bird-watching highly. They pointed out that it made perfect sense. On the one hand it could enhance the human awareness of environmental protection. On the other hand it could provide first-hand information on birds.

49．When did Christmas bird – watching begin?

         A．Sometime during Christmas holiday.         B．At the beginning of 20th century.

         C．In the early 19 th century.          D．Since there was Christmas Day

50．What do bird – watchers do when they are bird – watching?

         A．They kill birds and beasts.          B．They watch birds and beasts.

         C．They watch and count birds.     D．They look at the sky and write diaries.

51．The following are all reasons for red – crowned cranes flying in “human” shape except      .

         A．they can help each other and ensure their safety

         B．they can communicate with each other in order to reduce tiredness.

         C．they can make use of the air produced by each other’s wings.

         D．they can look stronger in case they come across enemies

52．This passage consists of five paragraphs. Please arrange the five main ideas of the paragraphs in order of their appearance in the passage.

    a. How the bird – watchers divided their watching task and what was done.

         b. How Christmas bird – watching came into being.

         c. Christmas bird – watching is of great importance environmentally and scientifically.

         d. A Christmas bird – watcher watched and was amazed by red – crowned cranes.

         e. Red – crowned cranes fly in “human” formation for quite good reasons.

         A．a(chǎn) – b – c – d – e         B．b – c – e – d – a         C．b- a – d – e – c D．b – d – e – a – c

 

I want to talk about the economy．Not "the economy" we hear about endlessly in the news each day and in politicians' speeches．I want to talk about the real economy, the one we live in day by day．

Most people aren't particularly interested in "the economy"．"Share prices are flying high; interest rates are soaring;  the Dow Jones Index closed sixty-three points down on 8472．35．" We hear this and subconsciously switch off．

Notice that "the economy" is not the same as the economy, "The economy" is what men in suits play with to make vast personal wealth．The economy is where the rest of us live on a daily basis, earning our living, paying our taxes, and purchasing the necessities of life．

We are supposed to be benefiting from all the advantages of a well-off society．So why do we feel tired and stressed? We have no time for anything other than work, which is ridiculous given the number of labor-saving devices in our lives．Our towns become more and more crowded．We poison our air and seas, and our food is full of chemicals．There's something wrong here．If times were truly good, then you may think we'd all feel optimistic about the future．Yet the majority of us are deeply worried．More than 90 percent of us think we are too concerned about ourselves and not concerned enough about future generations．

The term "economic expansion" suggests something desirable, but expansion simply means spending more money．More spending doesn't mean that life is getting better．We all know it often means the opposite - greed, crime, poverty, pollution．More spending merely feeds our whole economic system, which is based on production and consumption．Unless money keeps circulating,  the economy breaks down．If we don't keep consuming,  the whole system goes into stalemate（僵局）．

How do we break the cycle and make some changes? We need to become far more aware of the results of our actions．We buy clothes that are made in sweat shops by virtual slaves in poor parts of the world．We create mountains of waste．We demand cheap food,  mindless of the fact that it totally lacks taste and is produced using chemicals that poison the land．

The consumption culture makes us unaware of the effect of our own behavior．Our main problem is not that we don't know what to do about it．It is gathering the desire to do it．

1.According to the author, which one belongs to the real economy?

A．The Dow Jones Index．

B．Increases in interest rates

C．Skyrocketing share prices

D．Shopping in a supermarket

2.It can be concluded from Paragraph 4 that        ．

A．people are benefiting from a well-off society

B．the future generation is a big concern for most people

C．people still feel much pressure despite labor-saving devices

D．the majority of people are optimistic about the future

3.What is true about economic expansion?

A．It guarantees a better life for us．

B．It may lead to some social problems．

C．It will stop the circulation of money．

D．It has only brought desirable effects．

4.The author writes the passage mainly to       ．

A．call on us to change our behavior

B．suggest a solution for over-consumption

C．make a distinction between two economies

D．inform us of the effects of economic expansion

 

Nowadays more and more young athletes are taking part in the risky activities called “extreme sports” or “X-sports”.

In the past young athletes would play baseball. Today, they want risk and excitement — the closer to the edge, the better. They snowboard over cliff and hike deep mountains.

Extreme sports started as an alternative to more expensive sports such as golf. A city kid who couldn’t afford expensive sports equipment could get a skateboard and have fun. But now it has become a whole new area of sports, with specialized equipment and high levels of skill. There is even an Olympics for extreme sports, called the winter x-game, which includes snow mountain hiking and ice climbing.

What makes extreme sports so popular? Maybe it’s because people love the risk. City people want to be outdoors on the weekends and do something challenging. The new equipment is so much better that people can take more risks without getting hurt. Sure there’s a risk. Once you go mountain hiking or snowboarding, it’s impossible to go back to have riding or skiing. It’s just too boring.

Now even the older crowd is starting to join in. Every weekend, groups of friends in their early 30s get together. On weekdays they work as computer programmers in the same office. On weekends they hike mountains together.

Extreme sports are certainly not for everyone. Most people still prefer to play basketball or watch sports on TV. But it has been a fact that extreme sports are gaining popularity.

1.Extreme sports started as an alternative to more expensive sports because _______.

A．people didn’t like to play golf

B．some city kids couldn’t afford expensive sports equipment

C．there is an Olympics for extreme sports

D．extreme sports are gaining popularity

2.More and more young athletes are taking part in extreme sports because _______.

A．people want risk and excitement

B．it’s impossible to go back to have riding or skiing

C．people can take more risks without getting hurt

D．the older crowd is starting to join in

3.To have extreme sports, you should _______.

A．have specialized equipment and high levels of skill

B．be very young at age

C．do snow mountain hiking and ice climbing

D．a(chǎn)fford expensive sports equipment

4.The author gives the example of the computer programmers in the same office to show _______.

A．young people love risks

B．they can’t afford golf

C．they don’t like to play basketball or watch sports on TV

D．extreme sports are gaining popularity

5.The main idea of this passage is _______.

A．extreme sports are certainly not for everyone

B．the benefits and costs of extreme sports

C．the development of extreme sports

D．what makes extreme sports so popular

 

I want to talk about the economy．Not "the economy" we hear about endlessly in the news each day and in politicians' speeches．I want to talk about the real economy, the one we live in day by day．

         Most people aren't particularly interested in "the economy"．"Share prices are flying high; interest rates are soaring(令人傷心的）; the Dow Jones Index closed sixty-three points down on 8472．35．" We hear this and subconsciously switch off．

        Notice that "the economy" is not the same as the economy, "The economy" is what men in suits play with to make vast personal wealth．The economy is where the rest of us live on a daily basis, earning our living, paying our taxes, and purchasing the necessities of life．

        We are supposed to be benefiting from all the advantages of a well-off society．So why do we feel tired and stressed? We have no time for anything other than work, which is ridiculous given the number of labor-saving devices in our lives．Our towns become more and more crowded．We poison our air and seas, and our food is full of chemicals．There's something wrong here．If times were truly good, then you may think we'd all feel optimistic about the future．Yet the majority of us are deeply worried．More than 90 percent of us think we are too concerned about ourselves and not concerned enough about future generations．

    The term "economic expansion" suggests something desirable, but expansion simply means spending more money．More spending doesn't mean that life is getting better. We all know it often means the opposite - greed, crime, poverty, pollution. More spending merely feeds our whole economic system, which is based on production and consumption. Unless money keeps circulating, the economy breaks down. If we don't keep consuming, the whole system goes into stalemate（僵局）．

         How do we break the cycle and make some changes? We need to become far more aware of the results of our actions. We buy clothes that are made in sweat shops by virtual slaves in poor parts of the world. We create mountains of waste. We demand cheap food, mindless of the fact that it totally lacks taste and is produced using chemicals that poison the land．

    The consumption（消費） culture makes us unaware of the effect of our own behavior. Our main problem is not that we don't know what to do about it. It is gathering the desire to do it．

1.According to the author, which one belongs to the real economy?

A．The Dow Jones Index．       B．Increases in interest rates．

C．Shopping in a supermarket．      D．Skyrocketing share prices．

2.It can be concluded from Paragraph 4 that         ．

A．people are benefiting from a well-off society

B．the future generation is a big concern for most people

C．the majority of people are optimistic about the future

D．people still feel much pressure despite labor-saving devices

3.What is true about economic expansion?

A．It may lead to some social problems．

B．It guarantees a better life for us．

C．It will stop the circulation of money．

D．It has only brought desirable effects．

4.The author writes the passage mainly to        ．

A．suggest a solution for over-consumption

B．call on us to change our behavior

C．make a distinction between two economies        

D．inform us of the effects of economic expansion