This is an open letter to the three people who stole my handbag from the department store where I am
employed as a shop assistant.
     When you took my bag, I don't know what you thought you were going to get. With my wages, there's
not much left on a Tuesday. I hope the 5 was useful to you. I have informed the social security office so
you won't be able to cash the child benefit next week. I hope that won't leave you too short, but if you really
need a couple of pounds, I suppose you could always cash one of the two checks left in my check book.
Of course, I phoned the bank right away and the check-cashing card is no longer valid, so it won't be much
use to you.
     Actually I don't mind about the money too much. We single parents who work to support our families
understand only too well what it means to be short of cash. However, I don't suppose it went very far among
the three of you. Sorry about that!
     I wish you had left the bag behind and just taken the wallet and check book. There were all kinds of papers
in it, and notes and things that I really need. I really think that was very inconsiderate of you. I mean, how
would you like something like that to happen to you?
     Well, perhaps the bag will turn up. It wasn't even an expensive one, just a plain, old brown leather shoulder
bag. You probably dumped it in the nearest rubbish bin or threw it into the bushes. We've looked around, of
course, but no one saw which way you went after you left the shop.
     I'm not really angry with you. I know how the pressures of modern living can affect us, but I am sad at
the loss of my personal things. I feel violated and helpless. The police were very icy, and they just shrugged
(聳) their shoulders."It happens all the time," they told me. Some small comfort, I suppose. But I've lost just
a little more faith in human nature. And as my young son said when I told him what had happened, "Why?
Mummy, why us?" I couldn't answer that question. I wonder if you can.

1. In writing Paragraph 2, the writer wants to _____.

A. describe the contents of the bag in detail
B. give some suggestions to the three thieves
C. tell the thieves hardly any money was available
D. state the fact that she was careless with the money

2. Which of the following is the most valuable to the writer?

A. The cash in her bag.
B. The papers and notes in the bag.
C. The handbag itself.
D. The check books in the bag.

3. What can we conclude about the police?

A. They have doubts about human nature.
B. They show sympathy for the woman.
C. They think the case quite common.
D. They are unable to find the thieves.

4. Why does the author write the letter?

A. To give the thieves a serious warning.
B. To complain about the fall of morality.
C. To call people's attention to their belongings.
D. To express her affection for her valuable bag.

     A punctual person is in the habit of doing a thing at the proper time and is never late in keeping an
appointment. The unpunctual man, on the other hand, never does what he has to do at the right time.
1_____.
     There's a proverb which says, "Time flies never to be recalled." This is true. 2_____. The unpunctual
man is for ever wasting his most valuable possessions as well as others'. The unpunctual person is always
complaining that he finds no time to answer letters, or return calls or keep appointments. 3_____. He knows
that he can get through his huge amount of work only if he faithfully keeps every appointment and deals
with every piece of work when it has to be attended to. 
     4_____. If a person is invited to dinner and arrives later than the appointed time, he keeps all the other
guests waiting for him. Usually this will be regarded as rude both to the host and the other guests.
     Unpunctuality, moreover, is very harmful when it comes to one's duty. Imagine how it would be if those
who are put in charge of important tasks failed to be at their proper place at the appointed time. 5_____

A. They appear to be busy but never get well paid.
B. He is always in a hurry and ends up losing time.
C. Maybe nobody minds being kept waiting at a dinner party.
D. A lost thing may be found again, but lost time can never be regained.
E. But the man who really has a great deal to do is very careful of his time.
F. A man who is known to be habitually unpunctual is never trusted by others.
G. Failure to be punctual in keeping one's appointment is a sign of disrespect towards others.

     It seems that every week someone becomes "the first" or "the youngest" or even "the first married couple"
to do something that doesn't seem to be very useful to the rest of us.
     Why do they do it? Don't they have better things to do with their time and money? Human beings have
already climbed the highest mountains, sailed across the oceans and flown around the world. But there's still
a lot of the universe left, and the bottom of the ocean is still a bit of a mystery, you just need a lot of technology
to explore them. So, those who feel the need for adventure can only do things that have been done before.
     In May of this year a British man became the first person to walk alone from Canada to the North Pole.
Personally, if I wanted to visit the Arctic, I'd rather go as a tourist on a cruise ship, with a helicopter trip to
the North Pole included in the price. But OK, this man decided that he wanted to walk. The problem was that
he went in the spring when the ice begins to melt and break up. So he got stuck on a lonely piece of ice and
a plane had to be sent in to rescue him.
     These sorts of rescues are making many Australians angry with these record breakers. People trying to
break sailing or rowing records get into trouble in the seas. So the Australian navy has to send ships to save
them and this costs the government millions of dollars. I suppose we can't just leave them to drown but we
should give the bill to the people who are rescued.

1. According to the author, the so-called record breakers _____.

A. do not benefit other people at all
B. inspire people to continue exploring
C. are boring and should be stopped
D. are usually not wealthy enough

2. We can infer from the second paragraph that _____.

A. there are no high mountains for people to climb
B. nothing is left for people to explore in the universe
C. it's beyond ordinary people to explore the unknown
D. human beings could fly around the world long ago

3. Many Australians are angry because the record breakers _____.

A. often get into trouble
B. never use a cruise ship or a helicopter
C. never pay their own costs
D. satisfy their needs at the cost of others' interest

4. What is the writer's attitude towards the record breakers?

A. Positive.
B. Negative.
C. Uninterested.
D. Neutral (中立的).

     Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some people prefer
to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore
the world. Exotic (異國的) places call to them. "Come visit us and we will show you my mysteries," they say.
     Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the seven
continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and the cities and natural
wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And a few lucky people even realize
their dreams to visit the most mysterious continent on the earth-Antarctica.
     Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better understanding about the earth and the
people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive.
So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.

1. If a person is bitten by a travel bug, he _____.

A. prefers to stay at home
B. feels a lot of pain
C. is eager to see the world
D. hates exotic places

2. The writer suggests travelers go to _____ to experience the most different cultures.

A. America
B. Europe
C. Asia
D. Antarctica

3. From the passage, we can learn that by exploring the world you can _____.

A. understand the earth and the people
B. open your minds
C. have a sense of achievement
D. live a different life forever

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Advantages of traveling
B. Interesting places
C. Culture differences
D. Attitudes towards traveling

     You're rushing to work and a man ahead of you collapses on the sidewalk. Do you stop to help? In a
study of by-standers, it was found that some people avert their gaze and keep on walking rather than stop
and get involved.
     "There is a tendency to decide that no action is needed. " says a psychologist. "The first thoughts that
pop into your mind often keep you from offering help. In order to take action, you have to work against
them. " Here are some common thoughts that might prevent you from helping. 
     ● Why should I be the one? I'm probably not the most competent (有能力的) person in this crowd. You
might think someone older or with more medical knowledge should offer assistance. 
     ● What if he doesn't really need my help? The fear of embarrassment is powerful; no one wants to risk
looking foolish in front of others. 
     ● No one else looks concerned-this must not be a problem. We can follow the people around us, but most
people tend to hold back their emotions in public.
     "If you spot trouble and find yourself explaining inaction, force yourself to stop and evaluate the situation
instead of walking on," says the psychologist. "Then retry to involve other people; you don't have to take on
the entire responsibility of being helpful. Sometimes it's just a matter of turning to the person next to you and
saying, 'It looks like we should do something. ' Or asking someone if an ambulance has been called and, if not,
to call for one. Once you take action, most people will follow you."

1. Which is NOT the common thought that stops you from helping others?

A. I'm not the very person capable of settling the problem.
B. It looks like we should do something.
C. It must not be a problem as no one else is concerned.
D. He doesn't really need my help.

2. According to a study of by-standers, what will some people do when a man ahead falls down on the sidewalk?

A. They will call for help and then walk away.
B. They will stop and offer help.
C. They will turn away their eyes and goon walking.
D. They will laugh at him.

3. We learn from the last paragraph that if we spot trouble, _____.

A. we should call the ambulance as soon as we can
B. we should take on the whole responsibility and do something alone
C. we should stop and evaluate the situation and try to make other people follow
D. we should turn to other people and ask them to take on the responsibility

4. In order to offer others your timely help, you need to _____.

A. ask others for help and call the police
B. get along well with the passers-by who spot the trouble
C. go directly to the police station
D. work against the first thoughts that prevent you offering help

5. The main purpose of the text is to tell readers _____. 

A. to give others a hand
B. to be more competent
C. not to risk looking foolish
D. to stop and evaluate the situation

     After years of trying to balance work with motherhood, Karl Smith left her corporate (公司的) job behind
to start her own business.
     It's been over a decade since this mom entrepreneur (企業(yè)家) began making cakes out of her family's
kitchen. In that time, she has managed to grow Magical Moments & Elite Party Rentals into a well-developed
wedding planning and rental operation. Statistics show that these kinds of mommy-owned businesses are on
the rise. Many women say they can't find work that allows them to balance their responsibilities at home.
     Indeed, according to a national study conducted by Ipsos-Reid on behalf of Microsoft Canada, fifty-four
percent of female small business owners agree that being able to work at home to raise their family was a key
reason to leave the corporate world behind.
     "Being a mom entrepreneur means trading a typical 9-to-5 work week in for a more irregular routine," says
Gemma Moore, a busy mother of two who owns and operates MG Moore Designs, a design company
specializing in website, photography and print media. "Finding a business that you can build in the evenings will
allow you to spend time with your children during the day and continue your business after they go to school."
     Ninety-two percent of female small business owners say that mobile equipment and computer software can
help a mom entrepreneur make her own hours and work whenever she is most productive. In fact, ninety-five
percent agree that small business owners need to be more technology-savvy than ever before. The more
technology they master, the more successfully they will run their businesses.
     "Balance is a key aspect for most entrepreneurs, but this is especially true for women," says Ruth Bastedo,
President, Women Entrepreneurs of Canada (WEC). "Entrepreneurs recognize that today's technology can help
them to find work/life balance while still providing them with the tools and materials they need to grow their
businesses more effectively.

1. Many female employees left their corporate jobs in order to _____.

A. master more and more technology
B. support their families in a better way
C. look after their children more carefully
D. carry out their responsibilities as housewives

2. What can we know about Gemma Moore from the passage?

A. She has two companies of her own.
B. She was once doing trade business.
C. She does not work in the daytime.
D. She can arrange her time more properly.

3. The underlined part "be more technology-savvy" (in Paragraph 5) probably means "_____".

A. save more hours for technology
B. spend less money on technology
C. have a better knowledge of technology
D. find better balance in technical field

4. The passage mainly tells us that _____.

A. most women can hardly find suitable work
B. new technology can help women to find work
C. Karl Smith has started her own business at home
D. mommy-owned businesses can balance work and life

Dear Mr. Wang,
     I'm glad to tell you I'm back in London and how pleased I am to 1. ______ met you and your family during
my stay in your beautiful town. What pleased me most was the visit 2. ______ the museum and the old country
houses. I'd really like to keep in 3. t______ with all of you and I hope you won't mind 4. ______ (寫信) to me
again. 
     In fact, I didn't have as good a journey as 5. ______ (預(yù)科). There were some weather problems, 6. ______
caused the delay of my flight. Then I had to 7. c______ planes in Berlin. And something 8. ______(令人失望的)
happened to my luggage. When I got to London, it was 9. s______ left in Berlin. Anyway, please accept my
thanks again and give my best 10. r______ to your family.
                                                                                                                                       Yours sincerely,
                                                                                                                                        Martin Jacobs

     Most dog owners feel that their dogs are their best friends. Almost everyone likes dogs because they try
hard to please their owners. One of my favorite stories is about a dog who wanted his owner to please him.
     One of my friends has a large German shepherd (牧羊犬) named Jack. Every Sunday afternoon, my
friend takes Jack for a walk in the park. Jack likes these long walks very much.
     One Sunday afternoon, a young man came to visit my friend. He stayed a long time, and he talked and
talked. Soon it was time for my friend to take Jack for his walk, but the visitor didn't leave. Jack became
very worried about his walk in the park. He walked around the room several times and then sat down directly
in front of the visitor and looked at him. But the visitor paid no attention. He continued talking. Finally, Jack
couldn't stand it any longer. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later. He sat down again
in front of the visitor, but this time he held the man's hat in his mouth.
     German shepherds aren't the only intelligent dogs. Another intelligent dog is a Seeing Eye dog. This is a
special dog which helps blind people walk along the streets and do many other things. We call these dogs
Seeing Eye dogs because they are the "eye" of the blind people and they help them to "see". Seeing Eye dogs
generally go to special schools for several years to leam to help blind people.

1. The writer tells the story about the dog Jack to show that _____.

A. it, like many other dogs, always tried to please its owner master
B. it, unlike many other dogs, always wanted its master to please it
C. it was more intelligent than many other dogs
D. it was the most faithful dog of his friend's

2. Jack came to sit in front of the visitor in order to _____.

A. please him
B. be pleased
C. ask him to leave immediately
D. invite him for a walk

3. The sentence "Finally, Jack couldn't stand it any longer." means _____.

4. Which of the following titles would be the best for the passage?

A. Dogs-A Great Help to People
B. An Impatient Dog
C. An Introduction to Dogs
D. Famous Dogs in Germany