Many people take it for granted that black is a color of bad things while white should always mean something good. This may be because, in their opinion, black is related to darkness and white to purity. However, that is not always the case. Did you know that the same one color may mean something differently in different places of the world?
In the English-speaking world, black is the color of mourning—people wear black at the funeral. Red is concerned with danger or bloodshed（傷亡）. Yellow is the word for fear. If you are afraid, you are yellow. Yet none of these sayings is true outside the English-speaking world. In China and Korea white is the color of mourning. In Russia, China and some other countries, red stands for beauty, life and excellence. In Italy and Germany, you are yellow with anger, not with fear.
Even within the English-speaking area, it is not difficult to find color contradictions（矛盾）.A redcap in the United States is a porter in a railway station. In Britain, however, a redcap is a military policeman. Both names are logical, because both men wear red caps. Similarly, the British term for an American white-collar worker is sometimes called a black-coated worker.
One does not have to cross an area to find color differences. Would you rather be red-blooded or a blue-blooded? If we go back to the origin, we find that both terms are logical as both names suggest. The expression “blueblood” comes from Spain, where some noble families proudly told the world that they had “blue blood”. Actually they meant that they had no Moorish or Jewish blood. But then why “blue” blood? Because they were fair-skinned, and it is only natural that their blood vessels (血管)stood out appearing blue.
小題1: Yellow is concerned with anger in ________________.

A．India	B．Britain
C．China	D．Italy

小題2:Both Britain and America would probably agree that ________________.

A．a(chǎn) redcap is a porter in a station

B．black is the color of mourning

C．red stands for beauty and excellence

D．a(chǎn) black-coated worker is employed in an office

小題3: In Britain , a redcap is a           

A．porter

B．nobleman

C．clerk

D．military policeman

小題4:The best title for this reading selection is ________________.

A．The Origin of Blue Blood

B．Colors that Carry Bad Meanings

C．The Meaning Concerned with Certain Colors

D．The Development of the Symbolic Use of Colors

The CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs’ story about death
When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered（遇到）to help me make the big choice in life.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that was incurable, and that I would live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is my doctors’ code for preparing yourself to die.
I lived with that diagnosis all day. I was completely in despair. Later that evening, I had another biopsy（活組織檢查）and my wife told me that tumor turned to be curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I’m fine now.
This was the closest I’ve been to facing death. To tell the truth, no one wants to die. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. It clears out the old to make room for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away.
Your time is so limited that you shouldn’t waste it repeating someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma（教條）----which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart. It somehow already knows what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
小題1:The doctor advised the author to go home and get his affairs in order because_________.

A．he had to rest at home

B．his disease was not serious at all

C．his disease couldn’t be cured

D．he had to wait for the result of the test

小題2: How did the author feel after the diagnosis?

A．Angry

B．Excited

C．Optimistic

D．Hopeless

小題3:What does the author think of death?

A．He thinks it is nothing to be scared of.

B．He thinks it is not the end of life.

C．He thinks it is impossible to avoid.

D．He thinks it is the beginning of a new life

小題4: In the author’s opinion, we should ____________.
A. follow others’ advice
B. take no notice of diseases
C. take exercise and keep healthy
D have the courage to follow our heart

As is known to all, colors appear in every language to express people’s feeling and thoughts. Then, what is the situation in American English?
Red is a hot color. Americans may say they are red hot about something unfair. They are red hot when they are very angry about something. The small hot-tasting peppers found in many Mexican foods are called red hot for their color and their fiery taste. Fast loud music is popular with many people. They may say the music is red hot, especially the kind called Dixieland Jazz.
Pink is a lighter kind of red. People sometimes say they are in the pink when they are in good health. The expression was first used in America at the beginning of the twentieth century. It comes from the fact that many babies are born with nice pink skin that shows that they are in good health.
The color black is often used in expressions. People describe a day on which everything goes wrong as a black day. People or things on a blacklist are connected with things illegal now. But at one time, some businesses refused to employ people who were on a blacklist for belonging to unpopular organizations.
The color green is natural for trees and grass. But it is an unnatural color for humans. A person who has a sick feeling in his stomach may say he feels a little green. A passenger on a boat who is feeling very sick from high waves may look very green.
Sometimes a person may be upset because he does not have something as nice as a friend has. That person may say he is green with envy. Some people are green with envy because a friend has more dollars or greenbacks. Dollars are called greenbacks because green is the color of the back side of the paper money.
小題1:Americans use “red hot” to describe the following EXCEPT _______.

A．something unfair	B．small hot-tasting peppers
C．the person who is very angry	D．popular music like Dixieland Jazz

小題2:When we say someone feels a little green, it means he/she _______.

A．enjoys himself in boating	B．is hit by a high wave
C．has a stomachache	D．likes trees and grass

小題3:In the writer’s eyes, what is related to a black day?

A．Being sent a beautiful gift.	B．Passing a very difficult test.
C．Failing in an important interview.	D．Being invited to an exciting party.

Michael, a normal American, stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal in order to connect with the office. After work he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn’t talk to any other human beings, and he doesn’t see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his life style is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from communicating with our fellow human beings.
The world of business is one area in which technology is separating us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants could do their job at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they’re dealing with. Also, the way employees are paid will change. Workers’ salaries will be automatically paid into their bank accounts, making paper checks unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their checks. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts.
Another area in which technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now, fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living rooms.
小題1:The underlined sentence in the first paragraph means _______.

A．Michael is a person full of imagination and his dreams can come true

B．Michael is not a real person but the life style does exist

C．Michael has ambitions but he can’t make his dreams come true

D．Michael is full of imagination and his life style is common nowadays

小題2:What does the author discuss in the last paragraph ?

A．Technology is changing ways of entertainment.

B．People will never go to the concert in future.

C．How to borrow videotapes at home.

D．How to see a movie at home.

小題3: What is the main idea of the passage?

A．We may no longer need to communicate with other people.

B．Modern technology seems to be separating people.

C．We may no longer need to work in the office.

D．Modern technology makes it possible for us to work at home.

A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone’s else or ourselves --- the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.
We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.
This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should alsobe quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”
Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clear will probably respond in a similar manner. Or harsh（刻薄的）and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive.
Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.
Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem（自尊）and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.
小題1:The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.

A．not sticks and stones but words will hurt us

B．inspiring words give us confidence

C．negative words may let us down

D．words have a lasting effect on us

小題2: There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because _______

A．a(chǎn)lmost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves

B．we can benefit from talking to ourselves

C．talking to ourselves always gives us courage

D．it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone

小題3: The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely _______

A．praise ourselves	B．remind ourselves
C．make ourselves relaxed	D．give ourselves amusement

小題4:The author would probably hold the view that ___________

A．encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers

B．negative words may stimulate us to make more progress

C．people tend to remember friendly words

D．it is better to think twice before talking to others

The requirements for high school graduation have just changed in my community. As a result, all students must   36  sixty hours of service learning,   37  they will not receive a diploma（文憑）.    38   of service learning include cleaning up a polluted river, working in a soup kitchen, or tutoring a student. During a service experience, students must keep a journal and then write a  39  about what they have learned.
Supporters state that there are many   40 of service learning. Perhaps most importantly, students are forced to think   41 their own interests and become aware of the needs of others. Students are also able to learn real-life skills that   42  responsibility, problem-solving, and working as part of a team. Finally, students can explore possible careers 43  service learning.
For example, if a student wonders what teaching is like, he or she can choose to work in a primary school classroom a few afternoons each month.  44  there are many benefits, opponents （反對者） point out problems with the new requirement. First, they   45 that ,because service learning is time-consuming, students spend   46  time studying the core subjects. Second, they believe that forcing students to work without   47  goes against the law.
In my view, service learning is a great way to   48  to the community, learn new skills, and explore different careers.  49  , I don’ t believe you should force people to help others – the  50  to help must come from the heart. I think the best solution is one that gives students choices. Choice encourages both freedom and responsibility.

小題1:	A．spend B．gain C．complete D．save

小題2:	A．a(chǎn)nd B．or C．but D．for

小題3:	A．Subjects B．Ideas C．Procedures D．Examples

小題4:	A．diary B．report C．note D．notice

小題5:	A．courses B．benefits C．challenges D．features

小題6:	A．beyond B．a(chǎn)bout C．over D．in

小題7:	A．possess B．a(chǎn)pply C．include D．develop

小題8:	A．through B．a(chǎn)cross C．of D．on

小題9:	A．So B．Thus C．Since D．While

小題10:

A．a(chǎn)rgue B．doubt C．overlook D．a(chǎn)dmit

小題11:

A．much B．full C．less D．more

小題12:

A．cost B．pay C．care D．praise

小題13:

A．contribute B．lead C．a(chǎn)ttend D．belong

小題14:

A．Therefore B．Besides C．but D．However

小題15:

A．courage B．desire C．emotion D．spirit

Animation means making things which are lifeless come alive and move.
Since earliest times, people have always been astonished by movement. But not until last century had we managed to take control of movement, to record it, and in the case of animation, to retranslate it and recreate it. To do all this, we use a movie camera and a projector (放映機(jī)).
In the world of cartoon animation, nothing is impossible. You can make the characters do exactly what you want them to do.
A famous early cartoon character was Felix the Cat, created by Pat Sullivan in America in the early nineteen twenties. Felix was a wonderful cat. He could do all sorts of things no natural cat could do like taking off his tail, using it as a handle and then putting it back.
Most of the great early animators lived and worked in America, the home of the moving picture industry. The famous Walt Disney cartoon characters came to life after 1928. Popeye the Sailor and his girl friend Olive Oyo were born at Max Flcischer in 1933.
But to be an animator, you don’t have to be a professional. It is possible for anyone to make a simple animated film without using a camera at all. All you have to do is to draw directly onto an empty film and then run the film through a projector.
小題1:What does the passage mainly discuss?

A．Animal world

B．Movie camera

C．Cartoon making

D．Movement

小題2:Which of the following statements is True?

A．People were unable to recreate the movement or record it in the nineteenth century.

B．Pat Sullivan was a famous early cartoon character.

C．It is impossible to make cartoon characters to do what they are designed to do.

D．Only professional animators can make animated films.

小題3: According to the passage, Felix the Cat _________.

A．was created by the American cartoonist Felix.

B．was designed by Pat Sullivan in the early twentieth century.

C．was unable to do what natural cats could not do.

D．was created in the United States in the nineteenth century.

小題4:It can be inferred from the passage that _________.

A．Walt Disney’s cartoon characters were born earlier than Pat Sullivan’s.

B．only professionals can create cartoon character

C．Popeye the Sailor and Olive Oyo were famous cartoonists.

D．the cartoon industry started in the United States.

According to the United States government, people are classified as homeless if they have no place to stay and no expectation of finding a place for the next thirty days．Although technically accurate, that is an impersonal assessment of an enormous and very human problem．
The homeless population represents all of us Americans．It includes men and women, the elderly, children, and infants．Its members are from all ethnic groups．What they have in common is poverty．
Currently in the U．S．, thirty-nine million people live in poverty．When money is really tight, paying the rent or buying food often becomes a choice．Government assistance in the form of food stamps does help but, as one homeless man explains, you can’t pay the rent with food stamps．
With no money for rent, the streets and homeless shelters become the alternative．
Although men constitute the largest group within the homeless population, homeless women with children are rapidly joining them．In fact, one quarter of the homeless people in the U．S．a(chǎn)re teenagers and young children．
People may become homeless for numerous reasons．However, there are certain factors that many of these individuals have in common．They include a lack of adequate education and job skills．A majority of the teenagers and adults have not completed high school．
The abuse of alcohol and drugs is also a common factor．One third of the adult homeless population abuses alcohol．While one quarter of the same group uses drugs．
Some members of this population suffer mental health problems．Within the past several years many institutions for the mentally ill have been closed and their patients sent “home”．Unfortunately, a number of those people have no home to go to and they are unable to adequately look after themselves．
Job loss in today’s economy has also become a real factor in the loss of people’s homes．The breakup of families through abandonment and divorce are also contributing factors, particularly when there are children involved．The parent who is left to care for the kids with inadequate income may be forced to depend on the homeless shelters to put a roof over their heads．
小題1:The writer thinks that the U．S．government’s definition for the homeless reveals ________．

A．a(chǎn)n insincere attitude toward the homeless

B．a(chǎn)n unbearable attitude toward the homeless

C．a(chǎn)n uncivilized attitude toward the homeless

D．a(chǎn)n unsympathetic attitude toward the homeless

小題2:The U．S．government helps the homeless by ___________．

A．giving them homeless allowance

B．giving them food stamps

C．finding jobs for them

D．finding residence for them

小題3:People become homeless for all the following reasons E  XCEPT __________．

A．the lack of adequate education

B．the abuse of alcohol and drugs

C．the closure of institutions for the mentally ill

D．the poor performance of economy

小題4:The breakup of families is likely to lead to homelessness because a parent with kids may_____．

A．lose his or her job in today’s economy

B．be unable to look after the kids

C．not have enough income

D．find residence at a homeless shelter

Coupons to spend
“How did you spend your coupons?”
On their first day back to school, many students in Hangzhou greeted each other this way.
The coupons referred to the 100 yuan coupons each student received form the city government before the Spring Festival holidays. Over 260,000 primary school and middle school students were given coupons. They could use them in local stores and supermarkets, or to see movies and buy books.
The same coupons have also been given to low income families in Hangzhou. Other cities, including Chengdu and Nanjing, also gave coupons to their citizens. More cities are expected to follow their lead.
Why are local governments doing this?
These programmes are all part of a broader effort in China to increase domestic demand in the face of the global financial crisis.
The crisis has seriously affected China’s exports and investments (投資). Many factories in southern cities have been closed down. Some companies are laying off workers or reducing their pay. The stock market and real estate market have been falling.
In a time of financial crisis, people usually respond by saving money. They are uncertain about the future and are afraid that more difficult times may be ahead. Now many people are choosing not to spend money carelessly. Major chain stores have seen a sharp slowdown in sales, analysts say.
But spending keeps an economy healthy. If people don’t spend, there will be too many products in the market. Then shops will stop buying products from factories. When factories receive no orders, they close down. The workers there accordingly lose their jobs. Also, if people don’t spend, the service industry suffers. The total result is that the whole economy breaks down.
Issuing coupons is a practical and effective way to increase domestic demand in the current situation, said Jiang Zengwei, vice-minister of China’s Ministry of Commerce. Hangzhou reported a rise in customers in local markets during Spring Festival holiday.
However, issuing coupons is only a temporary measure. To increase consumers’ confidence, the government needs to establish a sound secure social system in the long term. When people don’t have to worry about education, health care and their pension, they will be more willing to spend instead of saving.
小題1:Why are local governments issuing coupons?

A．To increase domestic demand in the face of the global financial crisis.

B．To enable students to use them in local stores and supermarkets, or to see movies and buy books independently.

C．To help those low income families in the global financial crisis.

D．To show the government’s ability to solve economic problems

小題2:What is NOT the influence that the global financial crisis has brought us?

A．China’s exports and investments have been seriously affected.

B．People begin to spend money without a second thought.

C．Workers are faced with losing jobs and the reduction of the salaries.

D．The active stock market and real estate market have gone.

小題3:What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Issuing coupons is a practical and effective way to increase domestic demand in a long term.

B．The total result of saving money is that the whole economy breaks down.

C．The government may carry out new policies to encourage citizens to be willing to spend in the near future.

D．After issuing the coupons, the local markets have seen a rise in customers during Spring Festival holiday.

小題4:If the government is to print a slogan on the coupons to restore consumers’ confidence, what might be used to promote the idea?

A．Spend now, save later.

B．Spend money like there’s no tomorrow; come on!

C．Spend money like it’s going out of style; let’s do it!

D．Big spender, wise spender.

Friendship Day in India falls on the first Sunday of August every year. It is celebrated with many activities.
Young people in India spend the day with their closest friends and have fun together. Most youngsters in India plan a movie or have a meal with their friends. Many friends may go on a drive to tourist places or make a plan for camping. Some friends go to the supermarket to do some shopping. On Friendship Day, most stores offer discounted prices for customers and it is the perfect day to buy something for friends.
Some friends go to parties that are organized by many restaurants in order to attract youngsters. Such parties are very enjoyable. You can get food at a discounted price. Some friends just decide to meet up (碰頭，相聚) at someone’s home and talk about their happy time. The time good friends spend sitting together and talking over a cup of coffee is precious and unforgettable.
Long-distance friends call up each other on this day and wish each other with warm feelings. Some of them even plan to meet up on this particular day. Yet some others plan a surprising visit just to see their friend gasp (喘息) in shock!
In 2009, Friendship Day in India falls on August 2^nd.So don’t forget to celebrate it with your friends.
小題1:When is Friendship Day celebrated in India?

A．On August 2nd every year.	B．On the third weekend of August every year.
C．On August 1st every year.	D．On the first weekend of August every year.

小題2:According to the text, which of the following is the most popular way that youngsters in India celebrate Friendship Day?

A．Traveling with friends	B．Seeing a film with friends
C．Dancing with friends	D．Going shopping with friends.

小題3: How many ways are discussed in Paragraph 3 that friends spend Friendship Day together?

A．Two

B．Three

C．Four

D．Five

小題4:The underlined phrase “a surprising visit” in Paragraph 4 refers to “____”.

A．a(chǎn) visit to a friend who hasn’t expected it

B．a(chǎn) visit to a friend who has dreamed of it for a long time

C．a(chǎn) visit to a friend who tries to avoid it

D．a(chǎn) visit to a friend who lives in a faraway place