Imagine one day, the water taps in your house stop running. You have to buy water from shops. And still there isn’t enough for everyone. Your mother has to save the family’s shower water to do other things. Would you be able to stand that kind of life?
Probably not. But that’s what kids in Yemen are experiencing. Experts said Yemen is going to be the first country in the world to run out of water. According to a report, the capital, Sanaa, will run out of drinking water as early as 2025.
Because of the shortage, the government often cuts the water supply. Hannan, an 18-year-old from Lahej, told the Times: “In a good week we’ll have a water supply all week. But then the following week there will be water only for a day or two.”
Hannan said only rich people have enough water to use. They can buy water from the shops or from the water truck. Private companies own the trucks. They travel around the city every day to sell water – at very high prices.
“A lot of people can’t afford it,” she said.
The average person in Yemen uses 100 to 200 cubic meters of water per year. That is far below the international water poverty line of 1,000 cubic meters.
The government is thinking of making use of seawater. But it will cost a lot and it may not happen soon enough to help the people of Yemen.
小題1:The purpose of the text is to _______.

A．tell us what life is like in Yemen

B．draw our attention to water shortage

C．remind us how important water is

D．show us ways of solving problems

小題2:The underlined word “that” in Paragraph 2 refers to _____.

A．buying water from shops

B．drinking dirty water

C．suffering from water shortage

D．washing clothes with used water

小題3:Hannan described _____.

A．what her life is like

B．how beautiful Lahej is

C．how people use water fully

D．how heavy the traffic in Lahej is

小題4:The Yemen Government _____.

A．has found a practical solution

B．only cares about rich people

C．may try to make use of seawater

D．can do nothing about the water supply

小題5:We can infer from the text that _____.

A．Sanaa will run out of water in 10 years

B．Hannan is a teenager from a rich family

C．the capital of Yemen is developing fast

D．private companies make a lot of money

Findings from a new study were presented at a recent meeting of the American Psychosomatic(身心的) Society. Researchers in the United States studied 100,000 women during an eight-year period, beginning in 1994. All of the women were fifty or older. The study was part of the Women’s Health Initiative organized by the National Institutes of Health.
The women were asked questions measuring their beliefs or ideas about the future. The researchers attempted to identify each woman’s personality eight years after gathering the information.
The study found that hopeful individuals were 14% less likely than other women to have died from any cause. The hopeful women were also 30% less likely to have died from heart disease after the eight years.
Hilary Tindle from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania was the lead author of the report. She said the study confirmed earlier research that linked optimistic feelings to longer life.
The researchers also gathered information about people’s education, financial earnings, physical activity and use of alcohol or cigarettes. Independent of those things, the findings still showed that optimists had less of a chance of dying during the eight-year period.
Some women who answered the questions were found to be hostile (懷敵意的), or highly untrusting of others. These women were 16% more likely to die than the others. They also were 23% more likely to die of cancer.
The study also found women who were not optimistic were more likely to smoke and have high blood pressure or diabetes. They were also more likely not to exercise.
Tindle says the study did not confirm whether optimism leads to healthier choices, or if it actually affects a person’s physical health. She also says the study does not prove that negative (消極的) emotions or distrust lead to bad health effects and shorter life. Yet there does appear to be a link that calls for more research.
小題1:In which part of a newspaper can you read the above passage?

A．Nation	B．Opinion
C．Science	D．Business

小題2:Researchers carry out the study to ________.

A．decide who is more likely to enjoy a happier life

B．find out the link between personality and health

C．gather information for the National Institutes of Health

D．compare each woman’s personality changes

小題3:What can be inferred from the text?

A．Negative emotions cause a shorter life indeed.

B．There may be some link between personality and health.

C．It’s uncertain whether optimism affects one’s health.

D．The more optimistic you are, the longer life you may enjoy.

小題4:Who is more likely to die of cancer according to the text?

A．A woman who always doubts what others say.

B．A woman who doesn’t exercise.

C．A woman with high blood pressure.

D．A woman with poor physical health.

小題5:What’s Hilary Tindle’s opinion of the study?

A．Unfair.

B．Useless.

C．Necessary.

D．Reliable.

Do you still get free plastic bags from the supermarkets? Things have changed.
China has banned free plastic bags at shops and supermarkets, and people have to pay for using plastic bags. The rule started on June 1, 2008. It came because our country tried to make litter less. Making super-thin plastic bags has also been banned.
The Chinese once used about 3,000,000,000 plastic shopping bags a day, and they have caused pollution of the environment. The bags have become a main cause of plastic pollution because they are easy to break and people throw them away here and there. So the Chinese people are encouraged to bring their own bags for shopping.
What kind of shopping bag is the best to bring? Some students in Anhui have a good idea. They make their own shopping bags. They use old clothes to make cloth bags, and send them to their parents as presents. They also ask their parents and friends to use cloth bags instead of plastic ones. They think it is their duty to protect the environment.
小題1: People in China have to _____ now.

A．throw plastic bags here and there

B．collect plastic bags in the street

C．pay for using plastic bags at shops and supermarkets

D．use free plastic bags at shops and supermarkets

小題2: China made this rule because plastic bags were bad for the ______.

A．environment	B．litter
C．shops	D．supermarkets

小題3: Some students in Anhui ______.

A．a(chǎn)sk their parents to make cloth bags	B．make cloth bags themselves
C．pick up plastic bags everywhere	D．buy cloth bags for their parents

小題4: What’s the main idea of this article?

A．Making super-thin plastic bags has been banned in China.

B．The bags have become a main cause of plastic pollution.

C．Some students in Anhui begin to make their own shopping bags.

D．To protect the environment, free plastic bags have been banned in China.

Researchers found that compared with teens who spent much of their free time in front of TV sets, those who were physically active often had higher self-respect, better grades and were less likely to have risky behavior like taking drugs, smoking, or drinking．The findings, based on a national survey of nearly 12,000 middle and high school students, were published in a journal．
"Across the board, children who engaged in any kind of activity were belier off than kids who watched a lot of TV," said study co author professor Penny Gordon Larsen of the University of North Carolina．
Other studies have linked certain content of television programs, such as violence and sex, to children's behavior．But beyond this issue, Gordon-Larsen said that kids who spend hours watching TV "miss opportunities" to develop skills, learn teamwork and have other experiences that their more active peers benefit from．
That doesn't mean, however, that kids have to be on the football team． The study found that some activities like skating and skateboarding——which adults sometimes frown upon——were also related to better self respect and less risk taking．
That skaters were better behaved than TV watchers might come as a surprise to some adults who consider these teens to be bad, according to Gordon-Larsen．Skateboarding is forbidden in many public areas, and some communities oppose building skating parks．But if kids who like to skate have nowhere to do it, "it's a shame," said Gordon-Larsen．
Not only should parents encourage their kids to engage iii the physical activities they enjoy, she said, but schools and communities should also do more to create opportunities for children to be active．
小題1:From the passage we know that          .

A．physically active kids get into less trouble

B．more skating parks are being built

C．kids who spend hours watching TV benefit a lot

D．kids who have nowhere to skate tend to take drugs

小題2:If your kid is a football player, he is more likely to ____

A．get into the habit of smoking or drinking

B．develop teamwork spirit

C．have risky behaviors

D．fail in the schoolwork

小題3:This passage is mainly written to ___     ．

A．offer some information to teachers and parents

B．persuade kids not to watch a lot of TV

C．urge the public to help children be active

D．show the author's concern about children's growth

小題4:What does the underlined sentence "which adults sometimes frown upon" in the 4th paragraph mean?

A．Some adults don't understand the sports．

B．Some adults are impatient with kids．

C．Adults consider it dangerous to go skating or skateboarding.

D．Some adults think them related to bad behaviors.

小題5:It can be inferred from the passage that          .

A．kids are not expected to be active by some parents

B．professor Penny is a famous writer and journalist

C．skateboarding is popular in schools and communities

D．kids are not encouraged to join the football team

Today, almost everyone has heard of Harry Potter. The books detailing his experiences at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have aroused passion, creativity, and interest in reading throughout the world.
But have you ever considered why you are a fan of the Harry Potter series?
JK Rowling has created a list of characters and an environment for them to inhabit that appeals to both adults and children. 
The fantasy aspect of the wizarding world expands the imagination, and takes the mind to new and exciting places. Anything could happen there. Her stories contain parts of the believable and unbelievable, changing the predictability that readers commonly come across and bear in fiction. 
The main theme of the series, including good versus evil, prejudice, love, death, sacrifice, friendship and loyalty, in actuality contributes to the ever-lasting nature of the stories. At the same time, these themes remind us of classic literature, offering mature readers tales that wear like a comfortable pair of shoes, while introducing younger readers to concepts they will meet throughout their lives. 
Much of the appeal also comes from the characters. In each book, JK Rowling introduces and describes the characters in such a way that we wonder not only about their futures, but also about their pasts. Even supporting characters are suddenly more than just extras in the background. And what of Harry Potter himself? We care about Harry, because we watch him grow from an innocent boy to a powerful wizard. We see him as both Hero and Victim. He experiences endless love and extreme pain, and as readers, we experience them with him.
This perfect combination of emotion, suspense and fantasy, together with the fact that JK Rowling is a superb storyteller is the reason why we are Harry potter fans. People are fond of Harry Potter series. With books like these, it’s hard not to be.
小題1: Harry Potter series become popular partly because ____________.

A．they remind us of the childhood and environment we had in the past

B．they take us to a world beyond our imagination and expectation

C．they offer us ever-lasting nature of the stories

D．they set an example of hero for us to follow

小題2:What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 6 mean?

A．The supporting characters are not necessary in the story.

B．Readers care only about Harry but not those supporting characters.

C．Even the supporting characters are attractive in the story.

D．Those supporting characters only appear all of a sudden.

小題3:The themes of the Harry Potter series do not contain ____________.

A．prejudice and love	B．good and evil
C．death and sacrifice	D．safety and peace

小題4:People care for Harry Potter because ____________.

A．they think of classic literature when reading the story

B．they find different experiences from theirs on Harry

C．they share the experiences with Harry

D．they like JK Rowling’s description very much

閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的四個選項(xiàng)（A、B、C和D）中，選出最佳選項(xiàng)，并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。
B
Most parents love the Internet and want their kids to use it. But a new survey in America finds almost as many also fear the online world—especially social networking sites such as My Space—and worry their kids will get in trouble with people they meet.
“The parents see the web’s incredible potential(可能性), and they know their kids have to be there.” says James Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, which released results from a survey that looked into parental attitudes toward the Internet. “It is also what they are scared of most.”
The study was conducted online May 5-10 by Insight Research Group. It says 80% of parents are concerned about kids meeting bad people online. That’s because young people who largely have grown up with the Net think of it as a social outlet(出口), say the researchers. To young people, the benefits of giving out some personal information to reach out to friends outweigh the risks. And the study shows they are so comfortable with the medium that 78% have a personal website or blog.
Parents also recognize the importance of the Internet. The survey shows 91% think the Net helps their children explore their passions, and 77% think the Internet is one of the most valuable education tools teens have. But 88% think it’s important to know what their kids are doing online.
Findings suggest both parents and teens need more education about using online media, Steyer says.
Internet safety has become an increasing concern for parents in America. Organizations like the Non-profit Common Sense have been trying to reach and help parents pay attention to the problem.
小題1: In the second paragraph, the underlined word “It” refers to_____.

A．Common Sense Media	B．the result of the survey
C．the web’s incredible potential	D．the website called My Space

小題2:Why do young people give out their personal information?

A．They think it has more advantages than disadvantages.

B．They want to make themselves famous by doing that.

C．They want to have a personal website each.

D．They want to get some information from others.

小題3: Most parents think it is important to know_____.

A．where their children give out the information	B．what kind of websites they have
C．how often they go online	D．what their children are doing online

小題4:From the passage we can infer that_____.

A．children are too young to know how to use the Internet

B．parents must teach their children how to use the Internet

C．parents also need to learn more about using the Internet

D．the Internet is the most valuable tool for children to learn

People are talking about the “new economy.” It’s very different from the “old economy”.
In the old economy, people travel to walk. They buy things in stores. They use the post office, the fax and the telephone to send information. They see people face-to-face at their jobs or in stores. People get information from newspapers, radio, television, books and libraries.
In the new economy, people do business through the “net,” which is a connection of millions of computers everywhere in the world. In the new economy, workers often work at home. They can get information online. They can communicate with employers and co-workers by e-mail. Businesses have “virtual stores”. They are websites on which customers can see the products. Businesses can sell to customers anywhere in the world.
In the new economy, people live a fast paced, convenient and colorful life. The whole world develops more quickly than before. But the new economy is a double-edge sword. Its disadvantage is also obvious. For example, the Internet has led to a huge increase in credit card cheating. Some illegal websites offer some cheap or banned goods or services. Online shoppers who enter their credit card information may never receive the goods they want to buy and their card information could even be for sale in an illegal website. So people in the new economy should be smarter and knowledgeable.
小題1:The cause of the differences between the new economy and the old economy is ____.

A．the change of people’s idea	B．the business people do
C．the use of the Internet	D．the change of people’s life

小題2:In the old economy, people can do the following things EXCEPT____.

A．getting information from books

B．communicating with friends by telephone

C．meeting people face to face

D．shopping online

小題3:“But the new economy is a double-edge sword ” in the last passage means_____.

A．The new economy is as sharp as a sword

B．The new economy has advantages and disadvantages

C．The new economy is better than the old economy

D．Both the new economy and the old economy have disadvantages

小題4:Which of the following is NOT true?

A．People can get all kinds of information on the Internet.

B．Telephone, radio, television, newspapers and so on will disappear in the new economy.

C．People in the new economy should have high quality.

D．Life in the new economy is more comfortable than the one in the old economy.

Many families find that when it comes to a Caribbean getaway, they prefer bigger hotels. If you’re considering an Aruba vacation, there are plenty of resorts that will suit your every need.
Aruba Marriott Resort and Casino(娛樂場)
This resort is on Aruba’s famous palm Beach, and has the largest rooms of all Aruba hotels. A recent upgrade gives it a very fashionable look and feel. The resort offers excellent services on site including delicate fine dining and a 24-hour casino.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort
Popular with families, this resort stands out by its style and elegance. The most attractive aspect is the Spanish-style architecture and garden-like grounds. you will find waterfalls flowing into the beautiful man-made lake which add to the relaxing atmosphere. This hotel offers plenty to enjoy.
Renaissance Aruba Ocean Suites
This resort is absolutely fantastic for families with young children and features 40 acres of private beaches. The pool complex (建筑群)features several outdoor pools, two pool-side bars, and a swim-up bar. There is also a kids club which offers many activities. Guests at this hotel even have full access to the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spring.
Occidental Grand Aruba
This resort is set on a beautiful white sandy beach and offers everything from sailing to late-night dancing. There is always plenty to do on the resort free of charge, but if you want to pay a little extra you can book yourself in for deep-sea fishing, golf, or private tennis lessons.
小題1:What is the main characteristic of Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort?

A．Its large rooms.	B．Its sandy beach
C．Its outdoor pools.	D．Its style and elegance.

小題2:If you want your children to enjoy themselves you’d better choose_____.

A．Aruba Marriott Resort	B．Occidental Grand Aruba
C．Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort	D．Renaissance Aruba Ocean Suites

小題3:The author writes the passage to ________.

A．introduce

B．educate

C．reason

D．persuade

A “blogger” is a person who writes on an Internet computer Web site called a “blog”. The word “blog” is a short way of saying web log, or personal Web site. Anyone can start a blog, and they can write about anything they like.
There are millions of blogs on the Internet today. They provide news, information and ideas to many people who read them. They contain links to other Web sites. And they provide a place for people to write their ideas and react to the ideas of others.
A research company called Peruse has studied more than 3,000 Web logs. It says that blogs are most popular with teenage girls. They use them to let their friends know what is happening in their lives. The study also says that more than 100,000 bloggers stopped taking part in the activity after a year.
However, some people develop serious blogs to present political and other ideas. For example, the Republican and Democratic parties in the southern state of Kentucky recently started their own blogs. And American companies are beginning to use blogs to advertise their products.
At the same time, some long-standing blogs have ended. Last week, blogging leader Dave Winner closed his free blog service, weblogs.com. He says the site became too costly to continue. He started the blog four years ago, and thousands of people had written on it.
One blog that is still going strong is called Rebecca’s Pocket. It involves much useful information for readers. Rebecca Blood created the Web site in 1999. She wrote about the history of blogs on the site. That article led to a book called “The Weblog Handbook”. It has been translated into four languages so far.
Ms Blood says Rebecca’s Pocket gets about 30,000 visitors a month. She writes about anything and everything----politics, culture and movies. She recently provided medical advice. And she wrote about how to prevent people from stealing money from online bank accounts.
小題1:The text is written mainly to ____

A．introduce an Internet computer Web site called “blog”

B．introduce a way of reading on blogs

C．tell readers about blogs

D．tell readers how to write blogs

小題2:From the text we can learn that blogs cover almost everything except __ _.

A．different ideas

B．medical advice

C．a(chǎn)dvertisements

D．a(chǎn)ccount codes

小題3:According to this passage , which of the following is NOT true?

A．Politicians don’t use blogs at all

B．A lot of bloggers no longer write or read blogs

C．Those who like to use blogs are mostly teenage girls

D．Dave Winer closed his “weblogs.com” because of money shortage

小題4: The reason why Rebecca’s Pocket is still going strong is that____  

A．it was created by a woman

B．it provides plenty of useful information and advice

C．it is about the history of books

D．it has editions in at least four different languages

This year some twenty-three hundred teenagers(young people aged from13~19)from all over the world will spend about ten months in U.S. homes. They will attend U.S. schools, meet U.S. teenagers, and form impressions of the real America. At the same time, about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world.
Here is a two-way student exchange in action. Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George’s family. In turn, George’s son Mike spent a year in Fred’s home in America.
Fred, a lively young man, knew little German when he arrived, but after two months’ study the language began to come to him. School was completely different from what he had expected—much harder. Students rose respectfully when the teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no outside activities.
Family life, too, was different. The father’s word was law, and all activities were around the family rather than the individual(個人). Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car.
“Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it.”
At the same time, in America, Mike, a friendly German boy, was also forming his idea. “I suppose I should criticize(批評)American schools,” he said. “It is far too easy by our level. But I have to say that I like it very much. In    Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many outside activities. I think that maybe your schools are better in training for citizens. There ought to be some middle ground between the two.”
小題1:This year ________teenagers will take part in the exchange programme between America and other countries.

A．twenty-three hundred

B．thirteen hundred

C．over three thousand

D．less than two thousand

小題2:The whole exchange programme is mainly to__________.

A．help teenagers in other countries know the real America

B．send students in America to travel in Germany

C．let students learn something about other countries

D．have teenagers learn new languages

小題3: Fred and Mike agree that__________.

A．America food tasted better than German food

B．German schools were harder than American schools

C．Americans and Germans were both friendly

D．There were more cars on the streets in America

小題4:What is particular in American schools is that________.

A．there is some middle ground between the two teaching buildings

B．there are a lot of after-school activities

C．students usually take fourteen subjects in all

D．students go out side to enjoy themselves in a car

小題5:Which of the following is not true according to this passage?
A. There were few outside activities in Germany.
B. Fred had his own car when he was in America.
C. Subjects seemed easy for Mike in the USA.
D. All family activities were around the individual in Germany.