Bernice Gallego sat down one day this summer, as she does pretty much every day, and began listing items on eBay. She dug into a box and pulled out a baseball card. She stopped for a moment and admired the picture. “Red Stocking B. B. Club of cincinnati,” the card read, under the reddish brown color photo of 10 men with their socks pulled up to their knees.
    As a collector and seller, it's her job to spot old items that might have value today．It's what Bernice, 72, and her husband, Al Gallego, 80, have been doing since 1974 at their California antique （古玩） store．
    This card, she figured, was worth selling on eBay．She took a picture, wrote a description and put it up for auction （拍賣）．She put a $10 price tag on it, deciding against $15 because it would have cost her an extra 20 cents．Later that night she got a few odd inquiries—someone wanting to know whether the card was real, someone wanting her to end the auction and sell him the card immediately．
    The card is actually 139 years old．Sports card collectors call the find "extremely rare" and estimate the card could fetch five, or perhaps, six figures at auction．
    Just like that, Bemice is the least likely character ever for a rare-baseball card story．"I didn't even know baseball existed that far back," Gallego says, "I don't think that I've ever been to a baseball game．" The theory is that the card came out of a storage space they bought a few years back．It is not uncommon in their line of work to buy the entire contents of storage units for around $200．
    When she met with card trader Rick Mirigian, she found out what the card was—an 1869 advertisement with a picture of the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings．
   "When I came to meet her and she took it out of a sandwich bag and she was smoking a cigarette, I almost fainted," Mirigian says．"They've uncovered a piece of history that few people will ever be able to imagine．That card is history．It's like unearthing a Mona Lisa or a Picasso．"
  72. What can we conclude from Paragraph 3?
     A. Bernice wanted to end the auction that night．
      B. Bernice had to pay some fees for her card on eBay
      C. Bernice decided to sell the card for $15．
      D. eBay charged her 20 cents for the card．
  73. The underlined word "fetch" in Paragraph 4 most probably means "____"．
      A. go and bring      B. add up to     C. be sold for    D. go down to  
  74. From the passage, we may learn that ____．
      A. Bernice is a baseball fan
      B. Bernice is the last person to purchase the rare-baseball card
      C. Bernice didn't realize the value of the card until she put it up for auction
      D. Bernice unexpectedly became the owner of the rare-baseball card
  75. What would be the best title for the passage?
      A. A Surprisingly Valuable Discovery       B. Bemice Gallego—A Lucky Collector
      C. Sports Card Collectors                     D. The History of the Baseball Card

One period of our lives when better results are demanded of us is, strangely enough, childhood. Despite being young we are expected to achieve good grades, stay out of trouble, make friends at school, do well on tests, perform chores (雜務) at home and so on. It’s not easy.

Likeable children enjoy many advantages, including the ability to deal more easily with stresses of growing up. In her book Understanding Child Stress, Dr. Carolyn Leonard states that children who are likeable and optimistic are able to gain support from others. This leads to focus and resilience（適應力）. Much research shows that resilience has enabled children to succeed in school, avoid drug abuse, and develop a healthy self-awareness.

Why does a likeable child more easily handle stress and do better in his or her life? Because likeability helps create what’s known as a positive feedback loop(回饋圈). The positive feelings you want to see in other people are returned to you, creating constant encouragement and motivation to deal with the daily stress of life.

This feedback loop continues into adulthood. To return once again to the example of teaching, learning becomes easier with a likeable personality. Michael Delucchi of the University of Hawaii reviewed dozens of studies to determine if likeable teachers received good ratings because of their likeability or because they in fact taught well. Delucchi found that “Students who perceive(察覺) a teacher as likeable, in contrast to those who do not, may be more attentive to the information that the teacher delivers and they’ll work harder on assignments, and they will learn more.”

You may have noticed this pattern in your own life when you try to give some advice. The more positive your relationship with that person, the more he or she seems to listen, and the more you feel certain that that person has heard you and intends to act on your words.

68. The writer implies in the first paragraph that __________.

A. children are expected much than we usually think

B. life is not easy for every one of us

C. better education results in smarter children      

D. to be a likable child is almost impossible

69. According to Dr. Leonard, likeable children __________.

A. will work harder on assignments and learn more

B. can achieve more and understand themselves better

C. can deal more easily with stress independently

D. are always optimistic and ready to help those in need

70. The main purpose of the studies done by Michael Delucchi is to find __________.

A. how a likeable teacher’s teaching style is formed

B. how a teacher’s likeability gains popularity

C. if a likeable teacher has a positive personality

D. if a likeable teacher draws more attention

71. The passage aims at proving that __________.

A. likeable people give better advice

B. likeable people do better in their childhood

C. likeable people do better in life generally    

D. social creatures enjoy more advantages

The weather predictions for Asia in 2050 read like a story from a doomsday movie．

       Many experts and green groups fear they will come true unless there is a united global effort to hold back greenhouse gas outpouring．In the decades to come, Asia—home to more than half the world's 63 billion people—will change from one climate extreme to another, with tired farmers battling droughts, floods, disease, food shortages and rising sea levels．

       "It's not a pretty picture," said Steve Sawyer, climate policy adviser with Greenpeace in Amsterdam．Global warming and changes of weather patterns are already occurring and there is more than enough carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to drive climate change for decades to come．

       Already, changes are being felt in Asia but worse is likely to come．Sawyer and top climate bodies say, and could lead to mass migration and widespread human disasters．According to predictions, icebergs will melt faster, some Pacific and Indian Ocean islands will have to evacuate (撤離) or build sea defenses, storms will become stronger and insects and water-borne diseases will move into new areas as the world warms．

       All this comes on top of rising populations and demand for food, water and other resources．Experts say environmental worsening such as deforestation (濫劃森林) and pollution will likely enlarge the results of climate change．

       In what could be a sign of the future, Japan was hit by a record of 10 typhoons and tropical storms this year, while two - thirds of Bangladesh, parts of Nepal and large areas of northeastern India were flooded, affecting 50 million people, destroying livelihoods and making tens of thousands ill．

       The year before, a winter cold strike and a summer heat wave killed more than 2,000 people in India．

64. This passage is mainly about ____ ．

        A. reasons why the world will no longer be suitable for us to live in

        B. the weather predictions for Asia in the future and the reasons

        C. how to improve our environment

        D. present situation and predictions of environmental problems in Asia.

65. In the future the Asian farmers will have to face the following except ____ ．

        A. wars         B. droughts     C. food shortages        D. floods     

66. The underlined word "doomsday" in the first paragraph may mean____ ．

        A. the hell       B. disaster      C. a great world war     D. the end of the world

67. Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage?

        A. Asian climate will change greatly．

        B. More than 50 million people have been ill in Asia the year before．

        C. Some islands may be flooded in the future．

        D. People may meet with some new diseases borne from water．

Fly into Lisbon(里斯本) and spend a couple of days exploring the capital, which is a terrific bargain. In addition to some worthwhile and affordable dining and lodging(住宿) choices, must-see sights include the Romanesque Lisbon Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Moorish Alfama quarter, with its markets and winding cobblestone (鵝卵石) streets. Take a taxi or bus to the Belém district, where you’ll find the Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery. After Lisbon, you can take a day trip, by train, to Sintra, a beautiful town nestled(依偎) against the hills about 20 miles west of Lisbon; its castle and palaces, like the Sintra National Palace and the Pena National Palace, are well worth a visit.

To see the countryside, rent a car and drive southeast about 90 minutes to the Alentejo region. Base yourself in Évora, an architectural precious stone. By foot, explore its winding cobblestone streets, fountains and whitewashed houses. Attractions include the Roman Temple of Évora. And make sure to hear some fado, the traditional music of Portugal.

Alternatively, head north from Lisbon to Oporto, about three hours, and then east to the winemaking region of the Douro River Valley. In his article Portugal Old, New and Undiscovered, Frank Bruni wrote:“All around us mountains undulated(波動) into the distance. The slopes(斜坡) in the foreground were an amazing patchwork of greens, reds, browns and grays, as if some grand hand had fashioned it into a picture on all that nature and agriculture can do.”

60. You can NOT enjoy the beauty of 　      　　 in Lisbon. 

A. the Tower of Belém                               B. the Moorish Alfama quarter

C. the Sintra National Palace                       D. Romanesque Lisbon Cathedral

61. In Alentejo region, a tourist can 　      　　. 

A. appreciate traditional music                        B. walk by the sea bare feet

C. enjoy a good view of the city                         D. buy some precious stones cheap

62. Frank Bruni’s words help the readers to get a better picture of 　      　　. 

A. Portugal                                          B. Lisbon

C. Oporto                                          D. Douro River Valley

63. The text is meant to 　      　　. 

A. describe the beauty of Portugal                  B. advise on travelling in Portugal

C. introduce the attractions in Lisbon                  D. compare the city with the countryside

George Gershwin, born in 1898, was one of America’s greatest composers (作曲家). He published his first song when he was eighteen years old. During the next twenty years he wrote more than five hundred songs.

Many of Gershwin’s songs were first written for musical plays performed in theatres in New York City. These plays were a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s and 1930s. Many of his songs have remained popular as ever. Over the years they have been sung and played in every possible way — from jazz to country.

In the 1920s there was a debate in the United States about jazz music. Could jazz, some people asked, be considered serious music? In 1924, jazz musician and orchestra（管弦樂隊）leader Paul Whiteman decided to organize a special concert to show that jazz was serious music. Gershwin agreed to compose something for the concert before he realized he had just a few weeks to do it. And in that short time, he composed a piece for piano and orchestra which he called Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin himself played the piano at the concert. The audience were thrilled when they heard his music. It made him world-famous and showed that jazz music could be both serious and popular.

In 1928, Gershwin went to Paris. He applied to study composition with the well-known musician Nadia Boulanger, but she rejected him. She was afraid that classical study would ruin his jazz-influenced style. While there, Gershwin wrote An American in Paris. When it was first performed, critics were divided over the music. Some called it happy and full of life, to others it was silly and boring. But it quickly became popular in Europe and the United States. It still remains one of his most famous works.

George Gershwin died in 1937, just days after doctors learned he had brain cancer. He was only thirty-nine years old. Newspapers all over the world reported his death on their front pages. People mourned（哀悼）the loss of the man and all the music he might have still written.

56. Many of Gershwin’s musical works were ________ .

A. composed for Paul Whiteman                      B. performed in various ways

C. written about New Yorkers                      D. played mainly in the countryside    

57. What do we know about the concert organized by Whiteman?

A. It attracted more people to theatres             B. It caused a debate among jazz musicians.

C. It proved jazz could be serious music     D. It made Gershwin leader of the orchestra

58. What did Gershwin do during his stay in Paris?

A. He created one of his best works                 B. He studied with Nadia Boulanger

C. He changed his music style                     D. He argued with French critics

59. Which of the following best describes Gershwin?

A. friendly and honest                                     B. serious and boring

C. popular and unhappy                                   D. talented and productive 

　 A Good Friend, A Second Self

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard my name called for the leading role in our high school play. Mrs. Dermitt, my drama teacher, had been looking for someone to play an energetic boy in a comedy. Luckily for me, she thought that I could handle the 　36 .

That afternoon my friend Kevin and I talked 　37 about the play. Although Kevin hadn’t been 　38 for a part on stage, his job with the set crew was important to the success of the play. I told him I was a little 　39 because I had a lot of lines to memorize.

“You can do it.” He said. I knew I could 　40 him: we had been friends since the third grade, and we 　41 a good team.

Preparations for the play moved at a rapid pace. While working hard with the set crew, Kevin 　42 spent hours helping me learn my lines. He often said my lines with me by silently moving his lips. We 　43 that he could probably play my part as well as I could.

Three days before the 　44 night, everything was ready for the performance. But when I woke up 　45 a fever and sore throat on the day of the play, the entire production came to a sudden 　46 . Everyone in the drama department was worried, 　47 there was no way I could perform. The play was 　48 to open in fewer than six hours, and we had no time to cancel. I tried to think of a way to 　49 . Then it hit me – Kevin knew the 　50 as well as I did. I called Mrs. Dermitt to give her my 　51 . Within a few short hours, Kevin stood onstage in costume and makeup. The amusing lines he had 　52 with me so many times made the crowd laugh and cheer. In a strange turn of events, Kevin and I had 　53 the day for everyone by working as a team.

Of course, I was terribly disappointed to have 　54 my chance in the spotlight, but I was extremely 　55 to have such a good friend.

36．A．part　　　　　　　　　 B．play　　　　　　　　　 C．band　　　　　　　　　 D．crew

37．A．excitedly　　　　　　 B．seriously　　　　　　 C．calmly　　　　　　　　 D．anxiously

38．A．elected　　　　　　　 B．trained　　　　　　　　 C．invited　　　　　　　　 D．chosen

40．A．talk with　　　　　　 B．tend to　　　　　　　 C．depend on　　　　　 D．agree with

41．A．joined　　　　　　　　 B．made　　　　　　　　　 C．took　　　　　　　　　 D．found

42．A．simply　　　　　　　　 B．only　　　　　　　　　 C．still　　　　　　　　　　 D．also

43．A．expected　　　　　　 B．debated　　　　　　　 C．joked　　　　　　　　 D．agreed

44．A．opening　　　　　　　 B．special　　　　　　　　 C．final　　　　　　　　　 D．greeting

45．A．from　　　　　　　　　 B．with　　　　　　　　　 C．in　　　　　　　　　　　 D．by

46．A．change　　　　　　　 B．turn　　　　　　　　　 C．end　　　　　　　　　　 D．stop

47．A．so　　　　　　　　　　　 B．but　　　　　　　　　　 C．and　　　　　　　　　　 D．for

48．A．likely　　　　　　　　　 B．ready　　　　　　　　 C．due　　　　　　　　　　 D．sure

49．A．pass　　　　　　　　　 B．care　　　　　　　　　 C．help　　　　　　　　　 D．face

50．A．lines　　　　　　　　　 B．steps　　　　　　　　　 C．point　　　　　　　　　 D．case

51．A．introduction　　　　 B．suggestion　　　　　 C．explanation　　　　 D．instruction

52．A．scanned　　　　　　 B．practiced　　　　　　 C．grasped　　　　　　　 D．presented

53．A．valued　　　　　　　　 B．left　　　　　　　　　　 C．saved　　　　　　　　 D．kept

54．A．missed　　　　　　　 B．avoided　　　　　　　 C．risked　　　　　　　　 D．offered

55．A．successful　　　　　 B．hopeful　　　　　　　 C．trustful　　　　　　　 D．thankful

 —Tom, you go to the station to pick up your father and I will cook the dinner.

— ______ I will go at once.

A. Why me?           B. Ok, that’s settled.      C. What for?                 D. Forget it!

 Although ____ by Xiamen University wasn’t far beyond his dream, he couldn’t afford the tuition.

      A. having been accepted                   B. being accepted

      C. to have been accepted                   D. accepted

 —Why did Emma cry so much when the cake fell on the floor?

    —She _____ it all morning.

   A. decorated                             B. had decorated

   C. was decorating                         D. had been decorating

 _____ the two are only several days apart in age, they seem to belong to wholly different generations.

      A. As              B. When          C. While               D. Since