For the British, the home is a private place in which he or she goes to hide away from the troubles of life. It is very seldom that one would be invited to a British person’s home. It is rude to knock on a person’s door if you are not invited. If you are invited, don’t ask to see more than the downstairs that your British host invites you into. Never ask how much the house or any of the items in it cost.
To the American, most of them want their home to be a place where they can entertain (款待) and share their lives with their friends. They may be delighted to give you a full tour of their houses. They may also be pleased when you show your interest and pleasure in their houses.
Both British and American people will engage in quite a bit of chat and a drink or two before the meal is served. After the first mouthful, you should say how delicious the food is and ask something about it. Remember, never eat with your mouth open and make very little noise while eating. It would be nice of you to help your host in any way. Maybe offer to pour some drinks or clear up after the meal.
小題1:British people _______ invite friends to their home.

A．often

B．a(chǎn)lways

C．seldom

D．never

小題2:If your British friend invites you to his home, you can ____.

A．see anything you like

B．a(chǎn)sk how much his house is

C．a(chǎn)sk the cost of any of the items in it

D．only see the downstairs that you are invited into

小題3:When you show your interest and pleasure in American people’s house, they may be _____.

A．a(chǎn)ngry

B．happy

C．sad

D．worried

小題4:What does the underlined “engage in” mean in Chinese?

A．陷入

B．參與

C．回避

D．限制

小題5:What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．Some manners on visiting British and American people’s home.

B．Different table manners between British and American people.

C．Different ideas about the home between British and American people

D．Different ideas about how to get along well with neighbors between British and American people.

Although in the 17th century in the United States fine art and folk art had similar qualities, a difference between them began to appear as time went on in the 18th and 19th centuries artists with ambition studied abroad and came back to paint portraits(肖像) of upper-class families in American society. The less ambitious or less fortunate artists traveled around their own areas and created pictures of countryside society. Anyway, artists got trained and those simple creations improved a lot.
Around 1930，folk art began to take on a new meaning and was considered as an expression of a small cultural class. Folk art is never the product of art movements, but comes out of craft traditions. This art is based not on measurements or calculations and rarely goes with the standards of realism. It goes straight to the bases of art which the folk artists feel naturally.
The period 1930~ 1960 was the time when folk artists began to receive recognition. They often began their art careers late in life and used art as an outlet（出口） for their energy. Their materials were cheap and simple, their subjects were different, but their creativity flowed. Doing their own things became the norm（標(biāo)準(zhǔn)）, and was what made folk art so desirable.
Although it is hard to define folk art, one thing is certain --- it touches us in a special way because the artists show us how he or she brought beauty into their everyday life. Since folk artists come from all walks of life, each piece of art created is one of a kind, emphasizing color, simplicity of line and brave, simple form. Most importantly, it exemplifies（作為…的例子） the history of American life.
小題1:What similar qualities did folk art and fine art probably have in the 17th century?

A．They were both simple creations.

B．The artists of both focused on family life.

C．The artists of both came from the lower class.

D．They were both gifted creations by trained artists.

小題2: What was folk art around 1930 based on according to the second paragraph?

A．The traditions of the upper class.

B．The progress of art in that period.

C．The standards of realism.

D．The feelings of the artists.

小題3:Which of the following statements can be used to describe the works of folk artists?

A．They are difficult to understand.

B．They help artists let out their energy.

C．They show pictures of unreal life.

D．They are similar to one another.

小題4:Why did folk art become popular during the period from 1930 to 1960?

A．It offered artists the freedom of expression.

B．Artists didn’t need to spend much on materials.

C．Other kinds of art couldn’t express the beauty of life.

D．Artists could express their dissatisfaction towards society.

小題5:The author’s purpose in writing the text is to ___________. 

A．speak highly of folk art

B．compare folk art and fine art

C．explain the history and characteristics of folk art in America

D．explain the development and changes of American art

Every country has its own culture.
Even though each country uses doors. Doors many have_    __functions and purposes which lead to ___  _ differences.
When I first came to America, I noticed that a public building had two different__  ___ and they had distinct(不同的) functions. You have to push the door with the word “PUSH” to go out of the building and to pull the door with the word “PULL” to_   ____the building. This was new to me, because we use the ___  __ door in south Korea. For quite a few times I failed to go out of a shopping centre and was embarrassed.
The way of using school bus doors was also ____  __ to me .I used to take the school bus to classes. The school decided that when the driver opened both the front and back doors, ___    _who were getting off the bus should get off first, and students who were getting on should get on __   _ . In South Korea, we do not need to wait for people to get off. One morning, I hurried to the bus, and when the bus doors opened, I___   ____tried to get on the school bus through the front door. All the students around looked at me, I was totally_     _,and my face went red.

小題1:	A．different B．important C．practical D．unusual

小題2:	A．national B．embarrassing C．cultural D．a(chǎn)mazing

小題3:	A．exits B．entrances C．signs D．doors

小題4:	A．enter B．leave C．open D．close

小題5:	A．main B．same C．front D．back

小題6:	A．a(chǎn)nnoying B．hard C．satisfying D．strange

小題7:	A．parents B．students C．teachers D．drivers

小題8:	A．sooner B．later C．faster D．earlier

小題9:	A．politely B．patiently C．unconsciously D．slowly

小題10:

A．embarrassed B．a(chǎn)nnoyed C．unsatisfied D．excited

When you walk along a street in a big city in the United States， you may see clocks in most stores. Radio announcers give the correct time during the day. People there think that it is important to know the time. Most Americans have watches. They want to do certain things at certain times. They do not want to be late. Not all people all over the world value time. Suppose you visit a certain country in South America. You would find that people living there do not like to rush. If you had an appointment（約會(huì)）with someone， he would probably be late. He would not care for arriving on time. In some countries in South America， even the radio programs may not begin right on time， nor do the radio announcers think it important to announce the right time. Many people regard a clock as a machine. It seems to them that a person who does everything on time is controlled（控制）by a machine. They do not want a clock or any machine to have that much power over their lives.
小題1:There are clocks in most stores in the US cities because ______.

A．people in the stores want to sell these clocks

B．people think it important to know the time

C．bosses want to make their stores beautiful

D．they needn't wear watches when they are away from home

小題2:The underlined word “rush” in the passage most probably means ______.

A．“run”

B．“race”

C．“move”

D．“hurry”

小題3:If you had an appointment with someone in some place in South America,he might not arrive on time，and this is because ______.

A．he didn't have a watch with him

B．he didn't think it important to arrive on time

C．he forgot to have a look at a watch or a clock

D．he didn't like an appointment with someone

小題4:In some countries in South America ______.

A．the radio programs many start a bit early or late

B．the radio announcers do think it important to announce the exact time

C．many people think a clock has much power

D．most people do not want to be controlled by others

Informal conversation is an important part of any business relationship．Before you start a discussion，however，make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboo（禁忌）in a particular culture. Latin Americans enjoy sharing information about their local history, art and customs．You may expect questions about your family，and be sure to show pictures of your children．You may feel free to ask similar questions of your Latin American friends．The French think of conversation as an art form，and they enjoy the value of lively discussions as well as disagreements. For them，arguments can be interesting and they can cover pretty much or any topic ---- as long as they occur in are respectful and intelligent manner．
In the United States，business people like to discuss a wide range of topics，including opinions about work，family，hobbies，and politics. In Japan，China，and Korea，however，people are much more private．They do not share much about their thoughts，feelings，or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious business relationship they’re trying to build．Middle Easterners are also private about their personal lives and family matters．It is considered rude，for example，to ask a businessman from Saudi Arabia about his wife or children．
As a general rule，it’s best not to talk about politics or religion with your business friends．This can get you into trouble，even in the United States，where people hold different religious views．In addition，discussing one’s salary is usually considered unsuitable．Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world，although be careful not to criticize national sport．Instead，be friendly and praise your host’s team．
小題1:The author considers politics and religion ___________.

A．cheerful topics

B．taboo

C．rude topics

D．topics that can never be talked about

小題2:Which is typically a friendly topic in most places according to the author？

A．Sports．	B．Children．
C．Personal feelings．	D．Families．

小題3:Why are people from Asia more private in their conversation with others？

A．They don’t want to talk much with others．

B．They don’t want to have their good relationship with others harmed by informal conversation。

C．They are afraid to argue with their colleagues．

D．They want to keep their feelings to themselves．

小題4:What shouldn’t you do when talking about sports with colleagues from another country？

A．Praising your own country’s sports．

B．Criticizing your own country’s sports．

C．Praising the sports of your colleagues’ country．

D．Criticizing the sports of your colleagues’ country．

A new report says African governments are ill prepared to handle the growing number of people over age 65. The population in Africa  as in other parts of the world, is getting older. Currently, there are 36 million people on the continent 65 years and above. which is 3.6 percent of the population. up from 3.3 percent 10 years ago. That could rise to 4.5 percent by 2030 and 10 percent by 2050. The African development Bank is raising concerns over the shortage of health insurance and pensions (養(yǎng)老金).
The African Development Bank says. "Aging is highly linked with long-term physical and mental  disability and a number of long-term chronic (慢性的) conditions."
"Africa is not well prepared to care for its aging population right now. And it needs to prepare for this fact." said Professor Mthuli Ncube. the African Development Bank's chief economist. African nations spend far less on healthcare than developed nations do___ about $26per person per year. Not so many countries have well developed medical aid plans for the elderly, whether they are privately provided plans or indeed government plans. If you look at the pension plans, you will find the pension industries are not well developed in some of the countries.
Professor Mthuli Ncube said African governments failed to take action on health insurance
and pensions because they were busy with economic reforms.
Another challenge for Africa is the worsening of informal systems of social protection. That is cash and support from both the extended family and community sources.
. The African Development Bank recommends governments help carry out health insurance and pension plans. Ncube said African governments didn't have to handle the health insurance burden alone. "It is not only a must but also an opportunity for private companies to add their bit in this regard", he said. The report also recommends that African governments consider providing ways of free health services. medications and long-term health care facilities for the elderly.
小題1: From the first paragraph we know the facts except that ____

A．the speed of people aging is becoming quicker

B．Africa has the largest aging population

C．African governments are not well prepared to deal with the aging population

D．the shortage of health insurance and pensions adds to African governments' difficulty in dealing With the aging population

小題2:Which is not highly linked with the aging according to the passage?

A．Long-term physical disability.	B．Long-term mental disability.
C．Long-term chronic illnesses.	D．Long-term shortage of care and love.

小題3: What got in the way of developing health insurance and pensions in Africa?

A．The economic reforms.	B．Too many old people.
C．The shortage of land.	D．The development of the economy.

小題4:How can the aging problem be solved in Africa according to Ncube?

A．African governments should spend as much money on healthcare as developed countries

B．African people should save enough money to insure their health.

C．African governments should combine with private companies to finish health insurance and pension pains.

D．Private sources should take the main responsibility to help the elderly.

小題5:The article is most likely to be seen____

A．in a story book

B．in a newspaper

C．on a TV program

D．in a textbook

Ever since he got into the Hong Kong film industry in 1994 with He’s a Woman, She’s a Man, Hong Kong director, Peter Chan has been one of the industry’s most powerful voices. Later in 1996, another milestone Comrades: Almost a Love Story came into being. Chan’s latest film, American Dreams in China is a carefully-calculated film with an eye toward opening the mainland cinema market.
American Dreams in China is a film purely for Chinese audiences, but how it plays there remains to be seen. It sends the right messages, but whether that’s enough to make it a hit is everyone’s guess. Mainland audiences aren’t quite that easy to “speak” to.
The film began during the period of economic reforms in China in the 1980s. The bookish farm boy Cheng Dongqing (Huang Xiaoming), the ambitious and confident boy Meng Xiaojun (Deng Chao) and the poetic Wang Yang(Tong Dawei), were three friends at university in Beijing and preparing for American visa interviews. Wang was the first to be granted the visa but he gave it up for his western girlfriend, and Cheng was repeatedly denied. Only Meng actually got a study visa. As he was leaving, he told his friends that he wouldn’t come back.
Several years later, Cheng and Wang built a successful school, New Dream, from the ashes of Cheng’s misfortune(his girlfriend got a visa too, and Cheng lost his university teaching job) and Wang’s ability to connect with students often through Hollywood movies. In America, Meng suffered a lot. Disappointed, he went home and joined his friends at New Dream. Later, the three friends’ relationship became worsened, but finally was improved under the weight of their common goals.
小題1:Which of the following films made Peter Chan a most influential director in Hong Kong?

A．American Dreams in China

B．Comrades: Almost a Love Story

C．New Dream

D．He’s a Woman, She’s a Man

小題2:The underlined word “granted” (in paragraph 3) probably means “_________”.

A．prepared

B．given

C．involved

D．permitted

小題3:When the three men made preparations for American visa interviews, how many was/were offered a visa?

A．None

B．One.

C．Three.

D．Two

小題4:What led Cheng and Wang to start a business?

A．The connection with Hollywood movies.

B．The weight of their common goals.

C．Cheng’s misfortune and Wang’s ability.

D．Meng’s disappointment and sufferings.

No matter how long your life is, you will, at best, be able to read only a few books of all that have been written, and the few you do read should include the best. It is to be expected that the selections will change with the times. Yet there is a surprising uniformity (一致) in the lists which represent the best choices of any period.
What are the signs by which we may recognize a great book? The four I will mention may not be all there are, but they are the ones I’ve found most useful in explaining my choices over the years.
Great books are probably the most widely read. They are not best sellers for a year or two. They are enduring best sellers. GONE WITH THE WIND has had relatively few readers compared to the plays of Shakespeare or DONQUIXOTE. It would be reasonable to estimate that Homer Iliad has been read by at least 25,000,000 people in the last 3000 years.
Great books are popular, not pedantic(賣弄學(xué)問(wèn)的). They are not written by specialists about specialties for specialists. Whether they are philosophy or science, or history or poetry, they treat of human, not academic problems. They are written for men, not professors. To read a textbook for advanced students, you have to read an elementary textbook first. But the great books can be considered elementary in the sense that they treat the elements of any subject matter. They are not related to one another as a series of textbooks, graded in difficulty or in the technicality of the problems with which they deal.
Great books are always contemporary, the most readable and instructive.
Great books deal with the persistently unsolved problems of human life. There are genuine mysteries in the world that mark the limits of human knowing and thinking. Great minds acknowledge mysteries honestly. Wisdom is fortified (加強(qiáng)), not destroyed, by understanding its limitations.
小題1:Which is NOT the standard in the following when evaluating a great book?

A．Although not a best seller for a year or two, it must be the most widely read.

B．A great book can be read without any effort.

C．Great books are never out of date.

D．Great books will not disappoint you if you try to read them well.

小題2:According to the author, GONE WITH THE WIND is ______.

A．a(chǎn) best seller

B．disgusted by readers who like Shakespeare

C．read more often than Don Quixote

D．a(chǎn) great book

小題3:After reading the passage, we can infer that ______.

A．different periods have different lists of best books because there are many books for people to choose from

B．if you don’t read an elementary textbook, you may have difficulty in understanding an advanced one

C．Homer Iliad must be a best seller when it came out

D．great books often deal with unsolved problems of human life for the writers have confidence in settling them

小題4:The best title for this passage is ______.

A．Great Books in Your Life	B．Great Books in Your Specialty
C．How to Find a Great Book?	D．What Is a Great Book?

Anyone for kimchi(韓國(guó)泡菜)？ Around 2,000 women made the traditional dish last week in Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea(ROK).
More than 270 tons of kimchi were produced and handed out to needy neighbours.
In the ROK, kimchi is more than a dish to be eaten with every meal, even though Koreans are said to eat about 40 pounds(around 18kg) of kimchi per person each year.
According to Korean.net, the country’s official multilingual website, kimchi represents
“the spirit” of the Koreans.
Kimchi traditionally has a rosy color. Korea.net says: “The color red wards off (避開(kāi)) evil spirits. The color represents the spirit of the Korean people and kimchi is more than just a food. It’s a culture.”
A meal without kimchi is unthinkable. So what is kimchi?
Joan Raymond, food writer for US website health.com, writes: “It’s a reddish, fermented (發(fā)酵的) cabbage dish , made with a mix of garlic salt, vinegar, chili peppers and other spices.
It is served at every meal, either along with or mixed with rice and noodles. It is part of a high-fiber, low fat diet, which has kept obesity(肥胖) at bay.”
Kimchi is used in everything from soups to pancakes and as a topping (配料) on pizza and burgers.
Health.com named kimchi in its list of the world’s top five healthiest foods as it is rich in vitamins, aids digestion and may even reduce the risk of cancer.
A study conducted by Seoul National University claimed that chickens infected with the H5N1 virus (bird flu) recovered after eating food containing the same bacteria found in kimchi.
When Koreans pose for photos, they say “kimchi”, instead of “cheese”.
小題1:According to the article, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Kimchi contains something that can kill the H5N1 virus.

B．Kimchi is rated as the healthiest food in the world.

C．Kimchi is a cultural treasure for Koreans.

D．Each person eats 40 pounds of kimchi per month.

小題2:What does the underlined phrase “keep... at bay” mean?

A．predict

B．prevent

C．overcome

D．develop

小題3:What does the article mainly talk about?

A．The nutritional value of kimchi.

B．Ways of making kimchi.

C．The origin of kimchi.

D．Kimchi and what it means to Koreans.

“Choo, Choo!” Here comes the Chunnel train. Get aboard if you want to learn more about this underground transportation system. This is an unusual form of transportation, because it is a tunnel that trains travel through and not an actual form of transportation.
The Chunnel is actually the English nickname for the Channel Tunnel. In French, it is called le tunnel sous la Manche. It is a rail tunnel beneath the English Channel at the Straits of Dover. It connects Cheriton in Kent, England with Sangatte in northern France. It is the second longest rail tunnel in the world.
Did you know that the British and the French had a race whi1e they were building the Chunnel? The race was to see who could get to the middle of the tunnel first. The British won by a little bit. It took 15,000 workers over seven years to dig the tunnel. The tunnel was finished in 1994.
The completed Chunnel cost about $ 21 billion. But it all paid off, because it became very popular, very quick. Millions of people use it. Now it is getting even more popular.
There are three complete tunnels in the Chunnel. The two outside ones are the passenger trains. The small inner one is a guidance train. The guidance train is not used for transportation. Each track is exactly parallel to each other.
There are four different train systems in the Chunnel. The Eurostar is a high speed passenger service that connects London, Paris, Brussels, and Lille. The Eurotunnel shuttle is a rail ferry service. These shuttles carry cars. These are railcars that allow drivers to drive their vehicles on and off. There are also two Eurotunnel goods service trains.
Now you know more about the Chunnel. Everybody off, this is the last stop.
小題1:The Channel Tunnel links ______ with _______.

A．Dover; Kent

B．London; Paris

C．Lille; Brussels

D．Cheriton; Sangatte

小題2:Which of the following shows the structure of the tunnels in the Chunnel?

小題3:The Eurotunnel shuttle is intended to carry _________.

A．passengers	B．drivers and their vehicles
C．goods	D．staff members of the Chunnel

小題4:The text can most probably be __________.

A．found in a textbook	B．read in a magazine
C．broadcast on a train	D．heard in a railway station