When I spent Christmas away from home in Europe for the first time, I was only 14 and it was absolutely horrific. I am now married and live in the US. So there is little possibility for me to go home for Christmas. Now I am able to get through Christmas with some moments of joy:
First, you are advised to search you area for stores that carry items from your home country or town. Buy food, candles and some other things that mean something to you.
Hold on to the traditions from your home that you think are important even if other people think they are stupid. But keep in mind to be open for new traditions from wherever you might be, because those traditions are as important to those people around you as yours are to you. For me that includes celebrating Christmas on the 24^th.
Call, write Christmas cards, buy gifts and mail them to loved ones, just as if you were there. If you try to pretend as if the holiday doesn’t exist, you are just going to make it worse.
Introduce your traditions to your loved ones, especially your kids. It will only enrich their celebration of the holiday to have some unique traditions in their home. Little by little it will become their tradition and it’s fun for them to try something new.
Find clubs, churches or organizations that are from your home country. Chances are that they will have some celebration with some of your traditions which you can join in.
Food is one of the most important factors in any kind of tradition. Find the recipe of that cake your grandmother used and make it your tradition to bake that particular cake.
Call up your parents and get them to send you some of your favorite childhood ornaments (裝飾品) for your tree.
Embrace new traditions, talk to your family about which ones you want to make your own and stick with them.
If you are far away from home, Christmas can never be the same as you experienced it before, but it is important to remember these traditions while appreciating the new ones. Keep an open mind and find a compromise between old and new traditons.
小題1:The author spent his 14^th Christmas ___________.

A．unpleasantly in the US	B．joyfully in the US
C．unpleasantly in Europe	D．joyfully in Europe

小題2:Why does the author advise people to hunt in some special stores?

A．Because people can buy some discounted goods there.

B．Because people can feel less homesick there.

C．Because it’s an old Christmas tradition.

D．Because they offer goods from the hometown of the people.

小題3:Which of the following statements does the author agree with?

A．It’s great for children to have some unique traditions.

B．People should join in all kinds of clubs to celebrate Christmas.

C．People should give up traditions which are stupid in other people’s eyes.

D．It is popular to celebrate Christmas on the 24th around the world.

小題4:The author suggests giving a call to parents on Christmas mainly to __________.

A．express love to them	B．follow the tradition
C．a(chǎn)sk for some ornaments	D．set an example for children

Many people have been talking about the way in which the world will come to an end in 2012. Everybody wants to find out if December 21, 2012 is the last day of the earth. The rumor has already been spreading for a very long time. The Mayan’s prediction can account for the rumor. According to the rumor, the earth will experience dramatic changes in 2012 and the changes will be disastrous to all of the living creatures on earth. It is widely assumed that a Planet X will return to orbit the solar system. The return of Planet X will have a destructive effect on the solar system as well as on some planets including the Neptune, the Jupiter and the earth. Planet X will cross into their orbits. There’s a possibility that Jupiter will change into a little sun at this time, so folks will be well placed to see two suns in the sky in 2012.
The solar flares (耀斑) that occur in a 11-year cycle will reach their highest point in 2012. The powerful solar flares will affect the magnetic field of the earth and cause disasters. On December 21, 2012, the sun and the earth will line up in the same line at the equator(赤道). The winter solstice(冬至) only occurs once every 25,800 years. The events in the universe are signals that the world will come to an end. As a result of the solar flares, lots of disasters will happen that will destroy the face of the whole earth. Scientists are making the guess primarily based on the Mayan Long Count Calendar.
Many films have been made about the end of the world including End Game by Alex Jones and End Clock: Nostradamus 2012. The former provides insights about the way the world will become one state. After the world government is in place, it’s going to be easy to exterminate 80% of the people in the world. The rest will continue to live with assistance from advanced technology.
No one knows whether the world will end on December 21, 2012: There is no clear answer until the day arrives. Just as the Mayans claim, it will not be the time for the world to end. Instead, it will be the dawn of a fresh start.
小題1:What is the passage mainly about?

A．Information about end-of-the-world predictions.

B．Different opinions about end-of-the-world predictions.

C．Some doubts about end-of-the-world predictions.

D．Destructive effects of the end of the world.

小題2:Which of the following things will NOT happen if the end of the world really happens?

A．Humans will see two suns at the same time.

B．The earth will look completely different.

C．The earth and the moon will line up in the same line.

D．The solar flares will become stronger than before.

小題3:The underlined word “exterminate” in Paragraph 3 probably means “__________”.

A．save

B．kill

C．help

D．rule

小題4:What is the author’s attitude to the rumor that the world will end?

A．Optimistic .

B．Sad.

C．Unconcerned.

D．Scared.

If you are looking for the place that has everything, there’s only one place to visit, and that’s New York. It’s a whole world in a city.
The World of Theatre: All of New York is a stage. And it begins with Broadway. Where else can you find so many hit(成功) shows in one place? Only in New York.
The World of Music: Spend an evening with Beethoven at Lincoln Centre. Swing to the great jazz of Greenwich Village. Or rock yourself silly at the hottest dance spots found anywhere.
The World of Art: From Rembrandt to Picasso. From Egyptian tombs to Indian teepees. Whatever kind of art you like, you’ll find in New York.
The World of Fine Dining: Whether it’s roast Beijing duck in Chinatown, or the finest French coq au vin found anywhere, there’s a world of great taste waiting for you in New York.
The World of Sights: What other city has a statue of Liberty(自由女神像), a Rocketfeller Centre or a Bronx Zoo? Where else can you take a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park, only in New York.
小題1:Which of the following programme can a visitor have only in New York?

A．To enjoy Beijing duck.	B．To taste the finest French coq au vin.
C．To spend an evening with Beethoven.	D．To see the statue of Liberty.

小題2: From the text we know that ‘Rembrandt’ is most likely the name of a famous _______.

A．singer

B．painting

C．play

D．painter

小題3:What the writer really wanted to do is to _______.

A．try to persuade readers to pay a visit to New York

B．give readers some information about New York

C．supply readers some wonderful programmes in New York

D．help readers to get a better understanding of New York

Some places in the world have strange laws. It’s important for you to know about them before going there.
People who like to chew gum(口香糖) may have to leave Singapore. The government really wants to keep the city clean and will fine you for chewing gum.
Before you leave for the United Arab Emirates you’d better make sure you aren’t visiting during Ramadan(齋月). During that time you aren’t allowed to eat or drink in public. Tourists have been fined up to $275 for drinking in public.
Lovers spend so much time kissing each other goodbye at train stations that trains often start late. This law — no kissing your lover goodbye at train stations – is rather old, and isn’t in use today in France.
In Thailand it’s against the law to drive a car or motorcycle without a shirt on, no matter how hot it is. Punishments are different in different areas and can include warnings and tickets costing about $10. No joke -- the local police will stop you.
Studies in Denmark have shown that cars with their headlights on are more noticeable by other drivers than those with their headlights off. Drivers there are required to leave their headlights on even during the day, or they may face a fine up to $100.
Do you often buy things using coins? Don’t do it in Canada. The Currency Law of 1985 doesn’t allow using only coins to buy things. Even the use of the dollar-coin is limited (受限制的). The shop owner has the right to choose whether to take your coins or not.
Make sure you know about these laws before your next trip. Better safe than sorry.
小題1:What is mainly talked about in the text?

A．How to make your trip around the world safe.

B．Why there are strange laws in the world.

C．Some strange laws you should know about for your trip.

D．interesting places you can go to around the world.

小題2:If you are driving a car in Thailand, _____.

A．the police will play a joke on you

B．you should wear your shirt even though it’s hot

C．the police will give you tickets costing about $10

D．you should always keep your headlights on

小題3: What can we learn from the text?

A．The Singaporean government cares a lot about its environment.

B．Kissing goodbye at train stations isn’t allowed in France today.

C．Tourists in the United Arab Emirates shouldn’t eat in public.

D．You can turn your headlights off in daytime in Denmark.

小題4:What do we know about the strange law in Canada?

A．It is a newly invented law.	B．You aren’t allowed to use dollar-coins.
C．You will be fined if you use coins.	D．Shop owners can decide if you can use coins.

On Halloween Night, children go trick-treating in their neighborhoods. Dressed up as ghosts, skeleton devils, and various other characters, children knock on doors to collect their treats. Seldom do they actually perform a “trick”.
It is thought that trick-or-treating comes from an old English custom. On All Souls Day, poor people went begging and promised to say prayers in exchange for food. Apple bobbing, still a favorite Halloween game, was originally an ancient ceremony honoring the harvest time.
A jack-o’-lantern is placed on porches and windows to tell children that treats are available. The legend was that a man named Jack could enter heaven because he played tricks on the devil. As punishment, he had to wander the earth carrying a lantern waiting to be judged fit to get into heaven.
People believed that Halloween marked the connection between the world of the living and the world of the dead. This meant that ghosts would roam the earth on this night. Some believed that these ghosts would go back to the homes they lived in before they died.
Thankfully, Halloween is an amusing night when children can dress up and get a bag full of candy. We don’t have to worry about ghosts. Or do we?
小題1:Apple bobbing was an ancient ceremony held originally to ____.

A．honor the harvest time	B．honor the dead
C．honor the living	D．play a trick on each other

小題2:The underlined word “roam” is close in meaning to ____.

A．come back

B．place

C．collect

D．walk around

小題3:Which of the following is not true?
A. On Halloween Night, children often dress up as ghosts.
B. On Halloween Night, children often perform tricks.
C,. Trick-or-treating comes from an old English custom.
D. Children can get a lot of candy on Halloween Night.
小題4:According to the passage, Halloween is a(n) ____ festival.

A．sad

B．bad

C．interesting

D．boring

There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece. The one most widely accepted today is based on the assumption that drama evolved (演化) from ceremony. The argument for this view goes as follows.
In the beginning, human beings viewed the natural forces of the world --- even the seasonal changes --- as unpredictable, and they sought through various means to control these unknown and feared powers. Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results were then kept and repeated until they hardened into fixed ceremonies. Eventually stories arose which explained the mysteries of the ceremonies. As time passed some ceremonies were abandoned, but the stories, later called myths, remained and provided material for art and drama.
Those who believe that drama evolved out of ceremony also argue that those ceremonies contained the seed of theater because music, dance, masks, and costumes were almost always used. Furthermore, a suitable site had to be provided for performances and when the entire community did not participate, a clear division was usually made between the "acting area" and the "auditorium ". In addition, there were performers, and, since considerable importance was attached to avoiding mistakes in the performing of ceremonies, religious leaders usually took that task. Wearing masks and costumes, they often acted other people, animals, or supernatural beings, and imitated the desired effect --- success in hunt or battle, the coming rain, etc. as an actor might. Eventually such dramatic representations were separated from religious activities.
Another theory traces(追溯) the theater's origin from the human interest in storytelling. According to this view, tales (about the hunt, war, etc) are gradually developed, at first through the use of action and dialogue, and then through the assumption of each of the roles by a different person. A closely related theory traces theater to those dances that are primarily rhythmical and gymnastic or that are imitations of animal movements and sounds.
小題1:Which is the best title of the passage?

A．Religious activities in ancient Greece.

B．The ceremonies in ancient Greece.

C．Drama theories.

D．The origin of Greek Drama.

小題2:According to the passage, drama_______________.

A．was played in memory of ancient Greek ceremonies

B．was a form of ceremony played by ancient Greeks to control unknown powers

C．evolved out of ancient Greek ceremonies with time passing by

D．is one of the measures Ancient Greeks took to view natural forces

小題3:In tracing the beginning of drama, which of the following is not mentioned?

A．Planting.

B．Religious ceremonies.

C．Gymnastic.

D．Storytelling.

About three hundred words in the English language come from the names of people. Many of these words are technical words. When there is a new invention of discovery, a new word may be coined(杜撰) after the inventor or scientist.
It is interesting to observe how many common words have found their way into the language from the names of people. Lord Sandwich, who lived from 1718-1792, used to sit at the gambling(賭博) table eating bread with meat in between. As the Lord was the only one among his friends who ate bread in that way, his friends began to call the bread “sandwich” for fun. Later on，the word became part of the English language.
The word “boycott” means to refuse to have anything to do with somebody or something. It comes from a man called Captain Boycott. He was a land agent in 1880 and he collected rents and taxes for an English landowner in Ireland. But the Captain was a very harsh(苛刻的) man. He treated his poor tenants (佃戶) very badly. His tenants decided not to speak to him at all. Eventually word got back to the landowner and the Captain was removed（免除）. The word “boycott” became popular and was used by everyone to mean the kind of treatment that was received by Captain Boycott.
小題1:A few hundred ___________ come from the names of people.

A．new inventions

B．languages

C．English words

D．new discoveries

小題2:“Sandwich” is a word coined (杜撰) by ____________.

A．Lord Sandwich	B．the friends of Lord Sandwich
C．inventors	D．scientists

小題3: The tenants did not like ___________.

A．to collect rents and taxes	B．the English landowner
C．the harsh land agent	D．to speak

These days, there’s a popular cartoon named happy sheep and gray wolf. It’s an excellent Chinese cartoon, which tells the stories of happy sheep and gray wolf. The poor gray wolf is always trying hard to catch the sheep, but the sheep could always run away from the danger. The sheep are so clever and lovely that the cartoon gets all the children’s love. At the same time, the cartoon is full of humor. The children could learn more knowledge and enjoyment from it.
The cartoon is shown repeatedly on many TV channels.The Zhejiang Channel broadcasts the cartoon on weekends and the vacations; the Sichuan Channel broadcasts the cartoon for an hour in the evening; the Shandong Channel broadcasts it in the morning, while CCTV-3 broadcasts it at noon every day.
On one hand, the cartoon gets the children’s love because the happy sheep is really clever. He always has a way to work out any problem and save his friends. What’s more , there’re many things about happy sheep and gray wolf, such as the books, the toys, the pencil-box, the clothings, and so on. Children are happy to buy them. On the other hand, many adults (大人) also like the cartoon, for the gray wolf is regarded as the perfect husband with skills and effort. He invents many things just to catch a sheep for his wife. Though he is often hit by his wife, he always makes her happy without complaining (抱怨).
We can learn more from the cartoon, including the skills, the stories, the details, the humor, and so on. We could see the humor of Chinese type during the cartoon. But I don’t like its being shown so often. It may make the children spend more time on watching TV and it is bad for their health and study.
小題1:The underlined word “cartoon” in the first paragraph is ________.

A．a(chǎn) kind of picture	B．a(chǎn) kind of sheep
C．a(chǎn) kind of film	D．a(chǎn) kind of book

小題2:Which channel is not mentioned in the passage.

A．Zhejiang Channel

B．Shandong Channel

C．Sichuan Channel

D．CCTV-1

小題3:Why do many adults also like the cartoon Happy Sheep and Gray Wolf?

A．Because they like men like gray wolf.

B．Because they are still young.

C．Because they want to make their children happy.

D．Because there are many things about the happy sheep and the gray wolf.

小題4: The author doesn’t like its being shown repeatedly because ________

A．he thinks children will feel bored after seeing it again and again

B．he is afraid that children’s health and study will be affected

C．he doesn’t like the cartoon himself.

D．he thinks it is a waste of money

Dubai boasts(夸口) that it has just built a “new global landmark”---the Dubai Tower, which stands 512.1 meters high now and has just become the tallest building in the world.
The Dubai Tower now surpassesTaiwan’s Taipei 101, which is 508 meters tall, and has 141 storeys, more than any other building in the world.
The Dubai Tower, being built by South Korea’s Samsung Corporation and scheduled for completion next year, is one of a series of great projects taking shape in Dubai. The final projected height of the tower has remained a secret since the project was launched in January 2004; however, it is rumored that the tower will be more than 700 meters tall and have more than 160 storeys.
The Dubai Tower has become the tallest building in the world in just 1,276 days, leaving behind other tall buildings.
The Dubai Tower will house 30,000 apartments in addition to the world’s largest shopping mall. It is the centerpiece(重要工程) of the 20-billion-dollar venture. Another venture gradually emerging across the desert sands is Dubailand, a series of multi-billion-dollar projects claimed to be the Middle East’s very own Orlando. Dubai also paid 100 million dollars to buy the Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s superb cruise liners(游輪), which it plans to turn into a luxury floating hotel.
Faced with decreasing oil wealth, the Western-oriented emirate(酋長國) has raced to turn itself into a business and leisure hub and it aims to more than double the number of tourists to 15 million by 2015.
小題1: The underlined word “surpasses” in the second paragraph means____.

A．is equal to

B．matches

C．is left behind by

D．is higher than

小題2:Which building was the tallest in the world before the Dubai Tower began to be built?

A．Dubai land

B．Orlando

C．Taiwan’s Taipei 101

D．The Twin Towers

小題3:Why has the Western-oriented emirate paid more attention to becoming a business and leisure center?

A．Because it wants to attract more tourists to its places of interest.

B．Because it produces less oil than ever.

C．Because it aims to race with other countries to show its wealth.

D．Because it wants to set a new world record.

小題4:Which of the following statements about the Dubai Tower is TRUE according the passage ?

A．The Dubai Tower is 508 meters tall and has more than 141 storeys.

B．The final height of the Dubai Tower is over 700 meters tall.

C．Samsung Corporation has completed building the Dubai Tower.

D．The Dubai Tower has apartments and a shopping mall.

Since 1984, Philadelphia has been cleaning up its act. One by one, graffiti(涂鴉)-covered walls are being changed into outdoor art. So far, more than 1,800 murals (壁畫) have been painted. Philadelphia now has more murals than any other American city.
The walls that were once ugly with graffiti are now covered with beautiful pictures of historical heroes and modern art, thanks to the Mural Arts Program (MAP). Its work makes schools and public places attractive, and its citizens are very proud. The program began as part of Philadelphia's Anti-Graffiti Network. Jane Golden is the MAP's artistic director. "When people ask me what our program is about," she says, "I answer them with one word: hope." Each year, the MAP offers youth art programs and workshops. Some one-time graffiti writers even help paint MAP murals.
The MAP's work, says Golden, is all about developing a sense of community (社區(qū)). When a neighborhood requests a mural, the MAP works with the people there to develop a message. Some messages have been "Safe Streets," "Love and Care," and "Peace Walk."
The MAP receives up to 50 requests for murals each week. Last year, the workers painted 140 murals.
"The making of a mural enters people's collective memory as an extraordinary, pleasant moment in neighborhood history" says Golden, who began as a muralist in Los Angeles.
小題1:What is the Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia aimed at?

A．Helping the young find jobs.	B．Protecting the neighborhood.
C．Fighting against graffiti.	D．Attracting more visitors.

小題2:How does the MAP decide on the message for a mural?

A．By having discussions with people in the community.

B．By seeking advice from the city government.

C．By learning from the young graffiti writers.

D．By studying the history of the city.

小題3: Which of the following words best describes the work of the MAP?

A．Difficult.

B．Dangerous.

C．Experimental

D．Successful.