Beauty has always been regarded as something praiseworthy.Almost everyone thinks attractive
people are happier and healthier,have better marriages and have more respectable occupations.
Personal consultants give them better advice for finding jobs.Even judges are softer on attractive
defendants(被告). But in the executive circle,beauty can become a liability.
    While attractiveness is a positive factor for a man on his way up the executive ladder,it is harmful
to a woman.
     Handsome male executives were thought as having more integrity than plainer men；effort and
ability were thought to account for their success.
    Attractive female executives were considered to have less integrity than unattractive ones；their
success was attributed not to ability but to factors such as luck.
     All unattractive women executives were thought to have more integrity and to be more capable
than the attractive female executives.Interestingly,though,the rise of the unattractive overnight successes
was attributed more to personal relationships and less to ability than that of attractive overnight
successes.
     Why are attractive women not thought to be able?An attractive woman is thought to be more
feminine and an attractive man more masculine(有男子氣概的)than the less attractive ones.Thus,
an attractive woman has an advantage in traditionally female jobs,but an attractive woman in a
traditionally masculine position appears to lack the"masculine"qualities required.
    This is true even in politics."When the only clue is how he or she looks,people treat men and
women differently,"says Anne Bowman,who recently published a study on the effects of attractiveness
on political candidates.She asked 125 undergraduate students to rank two groups of photographs,
one of men and one of women,in order of attractiveness.The students were told the photographs were
of candidates for political offices.They were asked to rank them again,in the order they would vote for
them.
     The results showed that attractive males utterly defeated unattractive men,but the women who had
been ranked most attractive invariably received the fewest votes.

1. The underlined word "liability"(in Para.1)most probably means "________".
A. misfortune  
B. instability
C. disadvantage 
D. burden

2. In traditionally female jobs,attractiveness________.
A. reinforces(加強)the feminine qualities required
B. makes women look more honest and capable
C. is of primary importance to women
D. often enables women to succeed quickly

3. Bowman's experiment reveals that when it comes to politics,attractiveness________.
A. turns out to be an obstacle to men
B. affects men and women alike
C. has as little effect on men as on women
D. is more of an obstacle than a benefit to women

4. It can be inferred from the passage that people's views on beauty are often________.
A. practical  
B. prejudiced
C. oldfashioned  
D. pessimistic

5. The author writes this passage to________.
A. demand equal rights for women
B. emphasize the importance of appearance
C. discuss the negative aspects of being attractive
D. give advice to jobseekers who are attractive

                                                            Winners Club
                                              You choose to be a winner!
     The Winners Club is a bank account specially designed for teenagers. It has been made to help you
better manage your money. The Winners Club is a transaction account(交易賬戶)where you receive a
keycard so you can get to your money 24/7-that's 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
     It's a club with impressive features for teenagers:
    No account keeping fees!
    You're no millionaire so we don't expect you to pay large fees. In fact, there are no account keeping or
transaction fees!
     Excellent interest rates!
     You want your money to grow. The Winners Club has a good rate of interest which gets even better
if you make at least two deposits(儲蓄)without taking them out in a month.
     Convenient
     Teenagers are busy-we get that. You may never need to come to a bank at all. With the Winners
Club you can choose to use handy tellers and to bank from home using the phone and the Internet…
You can have money directly deposited into your Winners Club account. This could be your pocket
money or your pay from your parttime job!
     Mega magazine included
     Along with your regular report, you will receive a FREE magazine full of good ideas to make even
more of your money. There are also fantastic offers and competitions only for Winners Club members.
     The Winners Club is a great choice for teenagers. And it is so easy to join. Simply fill in an application
form. You will have to get permission from your parent or guardian(so we can organize that cool keycard)but it is easy. We can't wait to hear from you. It's the best way to choose to be a winner!

1. The Winners Club is a bank account intended for _______.
A. parents  
B. teenagers
C. winners 
D. adults

2. Which of the following is TRUE about the Winners Club?
A. Special gifts are ready for parents.
B. The bank opens only on work days.
C. Services are convenient for its members.
D. Fees are necessary for the account keeping.

3.The Winners Club provides magazines which ________.
A. encourage spending
B. are free to all teenagers
C. are full of adventure stories
D. help to make more of your money

4. If you want to be a member of the Club, you must ________.
A. be an Internet user
B. be permitted by your parent
C. have a big sum of money
D. be in your twenties

5. What is the purpose of this text?
A. To set up a club.
B. To provide parttime jobs.
C. To organize keycards.
D. To introduce a new banking service.

      In December, 2010, many American newspapers publish a list of the best books of the year.
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen is one of the most repeatedly praised books on this year's list of
favorites. It tells about the ups and downs of the Berglund family over many years. Mr. Franzen fills
the book with sharp observations about American politics, culture and society.
      Jennifer Egan's book A Visit from the Goon Squad takes place in 13 chapters over 40 years.
The story moves back and forth in time, from different viewpoints. One main character is former
rock musician Bennie Salazar who works for a record company. The other main character is a
troubled young woman named Sasha who works for Bennie. The reader learns about their pasts
and those of their friends.
     The main character in The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman is a failing English Language
newspaper published in Rome, Italy. Each chapter of the book tells about a reporter or editor
working for this paper. Their stories are filled with intelligence and great personality.
      Two of the most popular nonfiction books of 2010 were about rock and roll stars. Just Kids
is by rock singer Patti Smith.It tells about her friendship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the
1960s and 1970s before they became famous. Life is the autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist
Keith Richards. It is an honest and exciting look at the development of rock and roll and the wild
times this famous band has experienced.
      Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells about a man named Louis Zamperini. She tells about his
extraordinary survival story after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during Would War Two.
     Stacy Schiff has received great praise for her book Cleopatra: A Life. It tells about one of the
most misrepresented and famous women in his story, Cleopatra. She ruled ancient Egypt about
2,000 years ago.One critic said Ms. Schiff has brought Cleopatra to life again by unearthing her
story from centuries of lies.

1.  How many books are mentioned in the passage?
A.  5.  
B.  6.  
C.  7.  
D.  8.

2.  The following books are related to music EXCEPT________.
A.  A Visit from the Goon Squad
B.  The Imperfectionists
C.  Just Kids
D.  Life

3.  If your major is the history of ancient Africa, you may pay attention to ________.
A.  Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
B.  Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
C.  Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
D.  The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

4.   Which book will give you a practical understanding of the USA?
A.  Freedom.
B.  Cleopatra: A Life.
C.  Life.
D.  A Visit from the Goon Squad.

5.  The last sentence of the passage implies that ________.
A.  Stacy Schiff is an archaeologist
B.  Stacy Schiff tells a story about an imaginary Egyptian queen
C.  the critic speaks highly of Cleopatra in history
D.  the critic finds the character in the book very real

     As the global financial crisis hits the economy, it's tough finding a job-especially if you're competing
with thousands of other hopeful students. Sometimes you get the interview, but don't quite seem to land
the job because you don't have related experience. Don't despair! Here are a few tips that might give you
an edge.
    Get connected to your network and try to expand it. Talk to friends, family and acquaintances. Let
everyone know you are looking for a job.
    Prepare your resume (個人簡歷) carefully and be sure it's perfect. Have someone else read it over for
typos (打字錯誤) and grammatical errors. Get professional help. It's worth the money to present yourself well. If money is tight, read books on resume writing from your public library or search for free help on the Internet.
     When you apply for a job, be sure you match and list any skills listed on the posting with the skills you
have. If you get an interview, be sure to describe those skills thoroughly. Just having the skills is not
enough. Expressing your abilities well can make all the difference in getting the job.
     Research typical interview questions and practice interviewing. Be well prepared for every interview.
     Don't be afraid to accept a position for which you are overqualified-if there's room for advancements. Many great job advancements come from first doing well at an entrylevel position. If you have the right
skills and attitude, it won't be long before you're in the job you want.
     Volunteer for a few weeks in your field of study to gain experience if you feel your resume needs an
improvement.
     When deciding what to wear for an interview, think about the position level and the dress code of the
organization.
     Use every tool available to you. For example, this site has many job links for your use.
Good luck!

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for the failing to find a job?
A. The global financial crisis.
B. The serious competence.
C. Your lack in related skills.
D. Your lack in related experience.

2. What's the author's advice on the resume?
A. To read it over several times by yourself.
B. To get professional help even if it costs.
C. To copy something from books.
D. To publish it on the Internet.

3. If you lack related experience you can________.
A. make up some in your resume
B. read books to get secondhanded one
C. do some related voluntary work
D. get some training at schools

4. Which of the following statements on interviews is RIGHT?
A. Have a few questions ready to ask the interviewer.
B. Describe clearly your ability to the interviewer.
C. Refuse the interviewer's offer of another position.
D. Wear new clothes for the interview.

5.The purpose of the text is to________.
A. show how to prepare for an interview
B. wish people good luck
C. encourage people not to despair
D. give advice on how to find a job

      The number of speakers of English in Shakespeare's time is estimated(估計) to have been about five
million. Today it is estimated that some 260 million people speak it as a native language, mainly in the
United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to
the standard varieties of English found in these areas, there are a great many regional and social varieties
of the language as well as various levels of usage that are employed both in its spoken and written forms.
      In fact, it is impossible to estimate the number of people in the world who have acquired an adequate(足夠的) working knowledge of English in addition to their own languages. The purpose for English
learning and the situations in which such learning takes place are so varied that it is difficult to explain and
still more difficult to judge what forms an adequate working knowledge for each situation.
      The main reason for the widespread demand for English is its presentday importance as a world
language. Besides serving the indefinite needs of its native speakers, English is a language in which some
of important works in science, technology, and other fields are being produced, and not always by native
speakers.       It is widely used for such purposes as meteorological and airport communications,
international conferences, and the spread of information over the radio and television networks of many
nations. It is a language of wider communication for a number of developing countries, especially former
British colonies. Many of these countries have multilingual populations and need a language for internal
communication in such matters as government, commerce, industry, law and education as well as for
international communication and for entrance to the scientific and technological developments in the West.

1. What would be the best title for this passage?
A. The Difficulties of Learning English
B. International Communications
C. The Standard Varieties of English
D. English as a World Language

2. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Some 260 million people in the world have an adequate working knowledge of English.
B. There are some 260 million native speakers of English in the world.
C. It is almost impossible to estimate the number of people with an adequate working
     knowledge of English.
D. People learn English for a variety of reasons.

3. According to the passage, what is the main reason for the widespread use of English?
A. It was popular during Shakespeare's time.
B. It is used in former British colonies.
C. It serves the needs of its native speakers.
D. It is a world language that is used for international communication.

4.What forms an adequate working knowledge of English?
A. The ability to read a newspaper.
B. It is difficult to judge because it differs for each situation.
C. Being a multilingual.
D. Being a native speaker.

5. What type of developing countries would be most likely to use English?
A. Those geographically close to the United States.
B. Those interested in the culture of the United States.
C. Former colonies of Great Britain.
D. Countries where international conferences are held.

     Ask savvy investors(投資者) how they learned their first lessons about money, and they'll probably
tell you lessons their parents taught them.
    The money values we learn as children stay with us the rest of our lives. If you are a parent, teaching
your children the value of saving and investing will benefit them the rest of their lives. Here's what you
can do:
     Help your child begin to save. Open savings accounts for your children, and teach them how the
bank adds interest to their savings that makes their money grow. Encourage your children to save a little
from every bit of money they receive, such as allowances, birthday gifts, etc. You may even want to set
up a matching program, contributing fifty cents for each dollar your child saves.
     Teach your child about stocks(股票). A child in elementary school can start learning about how
businesses work. Once your child understands the basics, ask him or her to think about some of the
businesses that might be good stock investments. Then use Morningstar Mutual Fund Guide(available
at your library)to find a quality mutual fund that holds some of these companies, or a mutual fund that
caters to children such as the Stein Roe Young Investor Fund. Many funds accept regular monthly
investments as low as $50 a month, so these funds can be a good way to teach children about the stock
market while saving for their college education.
      Encourage early IRA(個人退休金賬戶)saving. The new Roth IRA is a great way for children who
are working in summers or after school to begin saving for their future. Imagine how much money you'd
have today if you had saved $3,000 a year since you were a teenager!
      Let your kids handle their own money. We all learn by doing, so letting your kids manage a segment
of their budget(預(yù)算)will let them earn valuable financial lessons.They may make mistakes, but they will
be small mistakes that may help them avoid larger mistakes as adults.

1. Which would be the best title for this passage?
A. Why to Teach Your Children to Save
B. How to Teach Your Children to Save
C. Tips for Saving for Children
D. Start Good Saving Habits Early

2. A matching program means ________.
A. that you should set a good example to your children
B. that you should provide enough money for children so that they can save some
C. that you encourage your children to compete with each other in saving
D. that you encourage your children by giving some extra money for them to save

3. According to the author, you should teach your children about investment when he/she is ________.
A. in the kindergarten  
B. in primary school
C. in middle school  
D. in college

4. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of the Stein Roe Young Investor Fund?
A. It is usually with high benefits.
B. It accepts regular monthly investments.
C. It accepts small investments as low as $50 a month.
D. It caters to children who can afford small investments.

5.The advantage of letting your kids manage their budget lies in ________.
A. that they will make great businessmen in the future
B. that they will know the difficulty of managing a budget
C. that they will avoid making bigger mistakes in the future
D. that they will share happiness of managing their own budget

     Today, people all over the world are moving out of small villages in the country to go and live in big,
noisy cities. They are moving from the peaceful hills, mountains, fields, rivers and streams of the
countryside to the busy world of streets, buildings, traffic and crowds. This movement from rural(鄉(xiāng)下
的) areas to urban areas has been going on for over two hundred years.
     In many countries, the main reason people come to live in towns and cities is work. After one or two
large factories have been built in or near a town, people come to find work, and soon an industrial area
begins to grow. There is usually a_residential_area nearby, too. The families of these workers need
schools, hospitals and shops, so many people come to live in the area to provide these services and a
city grows.
     In every major city in the world, there is a business district where the big companies have their main
offices. In the United States, this area is usually in the city center downtown. It is here that you can see
many huge skyscrapers(摩天大樓)and office blocks. The people who work here often travel a long way
to work each day. Many of them live in the suburbs of the city, far away from the industrial area and the
city center. Some suburbs are very pleasant, with nice houses and big gardens. There are usually parks
for children to play in and large department stores where you can buy all you need.
      But what is the future of the big cities? Will they continue to get bigger and bigger? Perhaps not.
Some major cities have actually become smaller in the last ten years, and it is quite possible that one day
we will see people moving out of the major cities and back into smaller towns and villages.

1. The underlined phrase "a residential area" means an area________.
A. where people can buy things
B. which is suitable for living in
C. where people can do business
D. which is near a city center

2. Why do people move to live in cities or towns?
A. Because they can live more comfortably there.
B. Because they like noisy life better than peaceful life.
C. Because they mainly want to find work there.
D. Because they are sure of having a better life there.

3. Which of the following statement is NOT true about the business district?
A. Big companies usually have their main offices in the business district.
B. People usually work and live in the business district.
C. A business district usually lies in the city center downtown.
D. Nearly every major city has its own business district.

4. In the United States, many people work in the center of a big city________.
A. and live there
B. but live in the suburbs of the city
C. and live in another city
D. but live in rural areas

5. We can infer that this movement from rural to urban areas ________.
A. has been going on for more than 2,000 years
B. will surely continue in the future
C. may not continue in the future
D. has now stopped already