71.Research findings have shown that about 20 percent of people only 10 percent can be

          (分类) as “early birds” .

72. The company never           (妥协) on the quality of its products.

73. It was this exploring around problems and his           (充满活力的) spirit that led to his most famous invention—the telephone in 1876.

74. The           (标准) are so strict that it is difficult to get new ideas accepted unless they are truly novel.

75. The           (最初的) requirement is that you need perfect DNA which gives information for how cells are to grow.

 This company has launched several types of new cars this year, and one 　　　 appeals to the young. 

A. in return        B. in particular     C. in addition                           D. in turn

Below are some major cultural touchstones of young Chinese people born in the 1990s. They are ___51___ the results of both online discussions and our observations. We fully understand that the Class of 2014 has shown a rapidly evolving ___52___ of individuality.

Lifestyle

● They don’t read the instruction manuals that come with electrical___53___.

●With friends, they never stop talking; with strangers, they never ___54___ the ice.

●They seldom pass a reflective surface without checking their___55___, especially hairstyle.

Technology

●A new QQ name lasts one day, and a new ringtone lasts two weeks.

●Posts with more than 500 words are too long.

●They ___56___ make phone calls. Text messages are preferable.

Attitude toward the world

●Nobody else can really understand them.

●Never ask a question. Just ___57___it for the answer!

●Although the media favor stories of angst (忧虑)and___58___, the large majority of the youth are happy, or at least content.

___59___ with China’s Class of 2014, the American peers show similar traits ___60___ differences.

Lifestyle

●Very few of today’s students know how to write in cursive.

●Leasing (租赁) ___61___students to upgrade their cars more regularly.

●Students don’t realize that, when another person ___62___to their wrist, they are asking for the time. (They don’t wear watches!)

Technology

●E-mail is just too slow, and students seldom, ___63___, use snail mail （平信）.

●he first home computer that today’s students ever touched was an Apple II or Mac II; such computers can now only be found in ___64___.

Attitude toward the world

●“Go West, young college grad,” has always implied “and don’t stop until you get to Asia--- and learn Chinese along the way.”

●A quarter of all freshmen entering college this ___65___have at least one immigrant parent.  

51. A. leading to          B. heading for           C. made from              D. based on

52. A. sense                B. passion                   C. symbol            D. passing

53. A. appliances        B. faults                      C. engineers        D. bulbs

54. A. touch                B. taste                     C. break                     D. melt

55. A. face                  B. look                        C. picture                    D. body

56. A. habitually          B. frequently              C. seldom            D. never

57. A. ignore               B. search                         C. dismiss           D. Google

58. A. society                     B. shortage                C. shock                     D. sweet

59. A. Contrast            B. Compared            C. Accompanied   D. Access

60. A. rather than        B. as great as                  C. instead of        D. as well as

61. A. pushes                     B. allows                     C. forces                     D. helps

62. A. points                B. returns                           C. comes                    D. sends

63. A. however            B. for ever              C. if ever                   D. hardly ever

64. A. universities              B. stadiums                 C. Galleries          D. museums

65. A. fall                            B. way                              C. trip                   D. day

 Mary asked me, “Have you really realized the part the computer has 　　　 in the daily life?” 

A. made              B. given   C. caused                  D. played

 He is said ______ in the company for ten years, but I don’t know why he resigned in 2013

   A. to work            B. to have worked    C. working   D. having worked

 Since the baby milk powder was found to be polluted, there has been universal doubt _____ other food products are safe _____.

  A. that; to eat       B. whether; to be eaten

  C. whether; to eat      D. that; to be eaten

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（），并在其下面写出该加的词。

侧除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。

修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；

2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Some days ago there was a theft in our house in that we lost some precious item. A few days later I speak to my  neighbor，an elderly retired man，about the need for collective security in our community so as that such an incident  wouldn't happen in other houses. To my surprise，her advice is” You protect your own house and let others defend for  themselves.” I was terrible disappointed at his response. Until today--，I am similarly frustrating to see many people feel  that mind our own business is the top rule. But please remember we are living a shared society.” Unit we stand，divided we fall”.

  Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental well-being and boosts our physical health in surprising and astonishing ways.  36  Here are some amazing scientifically-proven benefits of being hooked on music.

  Music reduces depression

  More than 350 million people suffer from depression around the world. A study by Hans Joachim Trappe in Germany demonstrated that music can benefit patients with depressive symptoms, depending on the type of music.   37    But techno and heavy metal brought people down even more. The next time you feel low, put on some classical or meditative music to lift your spirits.

      38   

  Research shows that taking music lessons predicts higher academic performance and IQ in young children. In one study, 6-year-olds who took keyboard or singing lessons in small groups for 36 weeks had significantly larger increases in IQ and standardized educational test results than children who took either drama lessons or no lessons.     39   

  Music keeps your brain healthy in old age

  A study with healthy older adults found that those with ten or more years of musical experience scored higher on cognitive tests than musicians with one to nine years of musical study. The non-musicians scored the lowest. Business magnate Warren Buffet stays sharp at age 84 by playing ukulele.     40   

A. To help them achieve academic excellence, encourage them to sing or play an instrument.

B. Musical training can help raise our IQs and even keep us sharp in old age.

C. Music raises IQ and academic performance.

D. It’s never too late to play an instrument to keep you on top of your game.

E. Meditative sounds and classical music lifted people up.

F. Music strengthens learning and memory.

G. Music can make you happy every day.

请根据下图写一篇100—120个词的短文。你的短文应包括下列要点：

1. 简要描写图画内容；2. 说明图画含义；3. 表达你的观点。

       注意：1. 短文的标题和开头已给出（不计词数）；

2. 参考词汇：spoil 宠坏

Too Much Care Spoils a Child

As is shown in the picture above, _________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

假如英语课上老师要求同学们交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，要求你在错误的地方增加、删除或修改某个单词。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写上该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（﹨）划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写上修改后的词。

注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;2. 只允许修改10处, 多者(从第11处起)不计分。

  One afternoon, I was sitting at my desk, sad, because I got a low mark in the exam. Then, Jim, one of my best friend, told me what it was my turn to clean the classroom. After heard that, I was very angry that I lost my temper. A few seconds late, I realized that I am wrong. When I went to say sorry for him after class, to my surprise, Jim gave me big smile. She said, “We are good friends all the time, aren’t we? I should have offered to you a few words of comfort.”

 The star football was out of____with the aggressive reports

A. patience           B. habit           C. practice          D. envy

   Once there was a very poor and devoted woman who always prayed to God, asking very little, if anything for herself. But she would love to prepare a special 41._______ and have God share at her table. And God 42._______ her invitation.

   She prepared a banquet and waited 43.________. Soon there was a 44._______ on the door, and when she opened it, there stood an old beggar asking for something to eat. She invited him in. He 45.______ all the food, thanked his hostess and left.

   Though slightly 46._______, she prepared another meal, awaiting the arrival of God. A few hours later, an old Gypsy woman with no teeth knocked at the door, insisting that any true believer in God would not 47._______ her something to eat. Though lack of money, she let the woman in. The Gypsy ate everything, did not even 48._______ the woman and left without closing the door.

   Now without 49._______, she hurried to town with a little silver cup that had been in her family for several generations, but she was willing to 50._______ with it to share a meal with God.

   Late in the night she 51.______ home to prepare yet a third meal. She waited and waited until, once more, there was a knock on the door. Holding her 52._______, she slowly opened the door to find a wandering monk, 53._______ a meal.

   Again, she received him 54._______. This man also ate all that was set on the table and left after 55._______the woman for her kindness.

   Now it was too 56._______, with no way to buy any more food and no more money with which to buy it. She went 57._______ on her knees, weeping such heart-broken tears. She asked God 58.______ she had done wrong and why had he not come to share at the table as he had promised. And God, lifted the woman off her 59.______, held her close to his heart, and said, “ My child, I 60._______ your hospitality so much that I came three times!”

41. A. meal             B. gift                   C. seat              D. promise

42. A. accepted       B. refused            C. checked       D. received

43. A. urgently        B. patiently           C. desperately  D. officially

44. A. noise            B. beat                 C. knock           D. note

45. A. finished         B. cooked            C. completed      D. wasted

46. A. amused        B. disappointed    C. amazed        D. alarmed

47. A. offer              B. send                C. deny             D. show

48. A. notice           B. recognize        C. thank            D. criticize

49. A. money          B. luck                  C. courage        D. strength

50. A. meet             B. break               C. fill                  D. part

51. A. rushed          B. went                C. came            D. approached

52. A arms              B. breath              C. anger           D. tears

53. A. in search of    B. in face of         C. in charge of   D. in front of

54. A. coldly            B. differently        C. slightly          D. warmly

55. A. blaming         B. blessing           C. accusing       D. complaining

56. A. cold              B. hot                   C. late               D. quiet

57. A .up                 B. in                     C. down             D. through

58. A. why               B. how                 C. that              D. what

59. A .knees            B. hands              C. feet              D. legs

60. A. disliked          B. observed         C. experienced   D. enjoyed

Being less than perfectly well-dressed in a business setting can result in a feeling of great discomfort that may well require treatment to eliminate. And the sad truth is that “clothing mismatches” on the job can ruin the day of the person who is wearing the inappropriate attire(着装)—and the people with whom he or she comes in contact.

   Offices vary when it comes to dress codes. Some businesses have very high standards for their employees and set strict guidelines for office attire, while others maintain a more relaxed attitude. However, it is always important to remember that no matter what your company’s attitude is regarding what you wear, you are working in a business environment and you should dress properly. Certain items may be more appropriate for evening wear than for a business meeting, just as shorts and a T-shirt are better suited for the beach than for an office environment. Your attire should reflect both your environment and your position. A senior vice president has a different image to maintain than that of a secretary or sales assistant. Like it or not, you will be judged by your personal appearance.

   This is never more apparent than on “dress-down days”, when what you wear can say more about you than any business suit ever could. In fact, people will pay more attention to what you wear on dress-down days than on “business professional ” days. Thus, when dressing in “business casual” clothes, try to put some good taste into your wardrobe choices, recognize that the “real” definition of business casual is to dress just one notch(等级) down from what you would normally wear of business-professional attire days.

   Remember, there are borders between your career and our social life. You should dress one way for play and another way when you mean business. Always ask yourself where you are going and how other people will be dressed when you get there. Is the final destination the opera, the beach, or the office? Dress properly and you will discover the truth in the principle that clothes make the man—and the woman. When in doubt, always misjudge on the side of dressing slightly more traditionally than the situation demands.

58. What is the passage mainly about?

 A. How to dress properly in a business setting.

B. A president of a company should dress differently from a secretary or sales assistant.

  C. The differences between professional and casual dress.

  D. Improper dress will make a person feel uncomfortable.

59. Which of the following statements is true?

  A. Every company has strict rules regarding office dress.

  B. You can wear whatever you like if your company doesn’t have standards for dressing.

  C. You should dress according to the business setting even when there are no fixed rules.

 D. In companies with relaxed rules on office dress, you can’t spot a manager among others.

60. Which statement best describes “dress-down days”?

 A. We can’t judge a person’s taste by his clothes on dress-down days.

 B. People’s clothes on dress-down days don’t receive much attention.

C. On dress-down days, you can wear whatever you like.

D. People are usually more careful about what they wear on dress-down days than on other occasions.

61. Which of the following is NOT the rule in the passage with regard to business dress?

  A. For a business meeting and a concert, you should dress differently.

  B. Remember to ask others for advice when you are not sure about what to dress.

  C. Think about how other guests will wear if you are invited to a dinner.

  D. Dress a bit traditionally if you are not sure about proper dress for a certain occasion.

    The Puritans (清教徒) get a bad reputation in America—especially when it comes to alcohol.

     Mayflower, the first ship that came over from England to Massachusetts Bay, actually carried more beer than water. In fact the Founding Fathers of America liked a drink—Samuel Adams was a partner in his father’s brewery, and Thomas Jefferson was famous for importing European wines.

     Early Americans took a healthful small drink for breakfast, whiskey was a typical lunchtime drink, ale (麦芽酒) accompanied supper and the day ended with another drink called nightcap. Most Americans in 1790 consumed an average of 5. 8 gallons of pure alcohol a year. In 1830, consumption reached 7. 1 gallons a year and alcoholism was starting to have a serious influence on communities. Women and children might be in physical danger if the man of the house began drinking. If he became ill or lost his job through drinking, there was no social safety net to support or protect his family. Eventually, alcoholism was being treated as a disease.

     By the late 19th Century, support for Prohibition, banning the manufacture and sale of alcohol, was powerful. The first arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol was in 1897. On 16 January 1919, Prohibition was set into law. However, by the 1930s when American economy was experiencing a hard time it was widely believed that making alcohol legal again would provide badly-needed jobs and taxes. So in February of 1933, Prohibition was ended. Still, Prohibition had a great influence on alcohol drinking in this country. In 1955, Americans drank an average of 2.3 gallons of pure alcohol a year. The Prohibition movement was still quite strong after Prohibition ended and it led to a lot of local prohibition on alcohol.

     The American presidency has done a lot to rehabilitate alcohol and make it respectable again. Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama can all be seen on film drinking socially and making official toasts with international celebrities.

32. Which is TRUE about the Puritans according to the passage?

    A. Their ancestors came to America to sell alcohol.

    B. They founded the breweries in European countries.

    C. They had a habit of alcohol drinking.

    D. They were the major importer of alcohol.

33. In what way was an alcoholic’s family affected by alcoholism?

A. His family couldn’t afford the drink.    

B. His family might suffer financially.

C. His wife and children might become ill.     

D. His family ought not be treated equally.

34. What can be learned about Prohibition in America?

A. It came into law in the 19th century.                  B. It discouraged alcohol drinking.

C. Its effect disappeared after its removal.           D. It failed to forbid drunk driving.

35. The passage mainly talks about__________.      

    A. the brief history of alcohol drinking in America

    B. American presidents’ affection for alcohol drinking

    C. the Puritans’ bad reputation in America

    D. the reasons why Prohibition came into law

When I look back at my decision to be a working mom, I realize that I didn’t think I had any other choice. Hubby and I had been a two-income family   36  the time we were married. It didn’t occur to me that we would be anything else though it’s hardly news that the choice has its   37  .

Hubby traveled a lot when our kids were young, and I often was a weekday single mom. I had an understanding boss，who allowed me to work a(n)   38   schedule for about 12 years. My 32-hour work week provided the chance to   39   in my kids’ kindergarten classrooms.

The woman who cared for the kids in our   40   was truly a gift from God. Nan and I   41   values and parenting styles.

Never underestimate (低估) the value of   42  . When Dad was away, the kids knew the drill. Though sports activities and piano lessons   43   interrupted our schedules, generally we got up, fed and out without much commotion (混乱) and back in, fed and  44  with a little time left over for a game or a favorite TV show. Mom got a few minutes of   45   before crashing herself (睡觉).

Looking back on the past, I realize we could have made other   46  . We could have been vegetable gardeners. Lots of families   47   on one income. But I think we would have lost something just as important as my   48  .

My work at the News Sentinel has been   49   and exciting. I’ve worked with people I never would have met had I been at home. I’ve spent my career   50   sentences and stories and learning and passing along information about our community. My coworkers are my Tennessee family.

My work has been   51   to me in important ways, and I think it has made me a more interesting and satisfied   52   and parent. And our family has learned to   53   the time we do have together.

  54  , if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t change my decision to be a working mom. And I wouldn’t change a single thing about the kids who   55   it.

36. A. from                       B. before                    C. at                             D. by

37. A. benefits                      B. challenges                  C. shortcomings             D. privileges

38. A. extended                    B. packed                      C. reduced                     D. regulated

39. A. interfere                    B. volunteer                   C. study                       D. compete

40. A. separation                  B. conflict                     C. adjustment                 D. absence

41. A. influenced                  B. suspected               C. shared                       D. ignored

42. A. routine                       B. independence             C. cooperation               D. schedule

43. A. systematically            B. effectively                 C. occasionally               D. adequately

44. A. entertained                 B. bathed                       C. exercised                   D. worked

45. A. peace                         B. excitement                 C. panic                        D. silence

46. A. mistakes                    B. fortunes              C. achievements        D. choices

47. A. fail                            B. manage                     C. squeeze                     D. part

48. A. income                      B. children                     C. passion                     D. life

49. A. fun                            B. tiring                        C. dull                           D. demanding

50. A. reading                      B. shaping                     C. reciting                     D. digesting

51. A. original                      B. optional             C. meaningful                D. stressful

52. A. employer                    B. breadwinner               C. partner                      D. learner

53. A. kill                             B. value                         C. spend                        D. save

54. A. Therefore                   B. Meanwhile                 C. However                   D. Otherwise

55. A. pushed for                 B. centered around         C. catered to               D.lived through

       Like many new graduates, I left university full of hope for the future but with no real idea of what I wanted to do. My degree, with honors, in English literature had not really prepared me for anything practical. I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world somehow, but I had no idea how to do that. That’s when I learned about the Lighthouse Project.

       I started my journey as a Lighthouse Project volunteer by reading as much as I could about the experiences of previous volunteers. I knew it would be a lot of hard work, and that I would be away from my family and friends for a very long time. In short, I did not take my decision to apply for the Lighthouse Project lightly. Neither did my family.

       Eventually, however, I won the support of my family, and I sent in all the paperwork needed for the application. After countless interviews and presentations, I managed to stand out among the candidates and survive the test alone. Several months later, I finally received a call asking me to report for the duty. I would be going to a small village near Abuja, Nigeria. Where? What? Nigeria? I had no idea. But I was about to find out.

       After completing my training, I was sent to the village that was small and desperately in need of proper accommodation. Though the local villagers were poor, they offered their homes, hearts, and food as if I were their own family. I was asked to lead a small team of local people in building a new schoolhouse. For the next year or so, I taught in that same schoolhouse. But I sometimes think I learned more from my students than they did from me. Sometime during that period, I realized that all those things that had seemed so strange or unusual to me no longer did, though I did not get anywhere with the local language, and returned to the United States a different man. The Lighthouse Project had changed my life forever.

24. What do we know about the author?

  A. His university education focused on the theoretical knowledge.

  B. His dream at university was to become a volunteer.

  C. He took pride in having contributed to the world.

  D. He felt honored to study English literature.

25. According to Paragraph 2, it is most likely that the author __________.

  A. discussed his decision with his family

  B. asked previous volunteers about voluntary work

  C. attended special training to perform difficult tasks

  D. felt frightened about having to leave his family and friends

26. In his application for the volunteer job, the author ___________.

  A. participated in many discussions

  B. went through challenging survival tests

  C. wrote quite a few papers on voluntary work

  D. faced strong competition from other candidates

27. What can we infer from the author’s experiences in Nigeria?

  A. He found some difficulty adapting to the local culture.

  B. He had learned to communicate in the local language.

  C. He had overcome all his weaknesses before he left for home.

  D. He was chosen as the most respectable teacher by his students.

When families gather for Christmas dinner, some will stick to formal traditions dating back to grandma's generation. Their tables will be set with the good dishes and silver, and the dress code will be Sunday best.

    But in many other homes, this china-and-silver elegance has given way to a stoneware (粗陶) and stainless informality, with dresses assuming an equally casual-Friday look. For hosts and guests, the change means greater simplicity and comfort. For makers of fine china in Britain, it spells economic hard times. Last week Royal Doulton, the largest employer in Stoke-on-Trent, announced that it is eliminating 1,000 jobs -- one-fifth of its total workforce. That brings to more than 4, 000 the number of positions lost in 18 months in the pottery (陶瓷) region. Wedgwood and other pottery factories made cuts earlier.

    Although a strong pound and weak markets in Asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in Stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts. A spokesman for Royal Doulton admitted that the company "has been somewhat slow in catching up with the trend" toward casual dining. Families eat together less often, he explained, and more people eat alone, either because they are single or they eat in front of television. Even dinner parties, if they happen at all, have gone casual. In a time of long work hours and demanding family schedules, busy hosts insist, rightly, that it's better to share a takeout pizza on paper plates in the family room than to wait for the perfect moment or a "real" dinner party.

Too often, the perfect moment never comes. Iron a fine-patterned tablecloth? Forget it. Polish the silver? Who has time? Yet the loss of formality has its down side. The fine points of etiquette (礼节) that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents (" Chew with your mouth closed." "Keep your elbows off the table. ") must be picked up else-where. Some companies now offer etiquette seminars for employees who may be able professionally but inexperienced socially.

28. Why do people tend to follow the trend to casual dining?

A. Busy schedules leave people no time for formality

B. Family members need more time to relax.  

    C. People prefer to live a comfortable life.

    D. Young people won't follow the etiquette of the older generation.

29. It can be learned from the passage that 'Royal Doulton is              .

    A. a seller of stainless steel tableware         B. a dealer in stoneware

    C. a pottery chain store                     D. a producer of fine china

30. The main cause of the layoffs in the pottery industry is              .

    A. the increased value of the pound      B. the worsening economy in Asia

    C. the change in people's way of life      D. the fierce competition at home and abroad

31. Formal table manners, though less popular than before in current Social life,___________.

    A. are still a must on certain occasions       B. are certain to return sooner or later

    C. are still being taught by parents at home   D. can help improve personal relationships

     It's normal wake briefly during the night.__36__But if you’re waking up during the night and having trouble falling back asleep. the following tips may help.

     Stay out of your head. The key to getting back to sleep is continuing to prepare your body for sleep,so remain in bed in a relaxed  position. Hard as it may be, try not to strop over the fact that you’re awake, because that very stress and anxiety encourage your body to stay awake.__37__.

      __38__if you are finding it hard to fall back asleep, try a relaxation technique such as visualization. deep breathing. or meditation. which can be done without even getting out of bed. Remind yourself that although they’re not a replacement for sleep. rest and relaxation still help refresh your body.

       Do a quiet, non-stimulating activity. If you’re been awake for more than 15 minutes. try getting out of bed and doing a quiet, non-stimulating activity. such as reading a book. Keep the lights dim so as not to think that it’s time to wake up.__39__A light snack might help relax you. but be careful not to eat so much that your body begins to expect a meal at that time of the day.

      __40__if you wake during the night feeling anxious about something, make a brief note of it on paper and postpone worrying about it until the next day when you are fresh and it will be easier to resolve.

A. Make relaxation your goal, not sleep

B. Put off worries and troubles

C. Use a flashlight to go to the bathroom at night

D. In fact, a good sleeper won’t even remember it

E. Also avoid screens of any kind--computers. TVs, cell phones. iPads.

F. You’ll be much more productive and creative after a good night’s rest

G. A good way to stay out of your head is to focus on the feeling in your body

One of the greatest gifts one generation can give to other generations is the wisdom it has gained from experience.

This idea has inspired the award-winning photographer Zuckerman. He interviewed and took photos of fifty over-sixty-five-year-olds all over the world. His project explores various aspects of their lives. The photos and interviews are now available on our website. Click on the introductions to read the complete interviews.

Let us now have a culture of peace.

—Federico Mayor Zaragoza, Spain

Federico Mayor Zaragoza obtained a doctorate in pharmacy（药学）from the Complutense. University of Madrid in 1958. After many years spent in politics, he became Director-General of UNESCO in 1987.in 1999, he created the Foundation for a Culture of Peace, of which he is now the president. In addition to many scientific publications, he has published four collections of poems and several books of essays.

Writing is a discovery.

—Nadine Gordimer, South Africa

Due to a weak heart, Nadine Gordimer attended school and university briefly. She read widely and began writing at an early age. She published her first short story at the age of fifteen, and has completed a large number of works, which have been translated into forty languages. In 1991 Cordimer won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Jazz is about the only form of an today.

—Dave Brubeck, USA

Dave Brubeck studied music at the University of the Pacific and graduated in 1942. After World War Two he was encouraged to play jazz. In 1951, he recorded his first album. Brubeck’s 1959 album has become a jazz standard. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.

For more figures CLICK HERE.

21. Why did Andrew Zuckerman choose the fifty elders for his project?

 A. Because their accomplishments inspired him.

B. Because they are physically impressive.

C. Because their wisdom deserves to be passed on.

D. Because they have similar experiences.

 22. According to the web page. Federico Mayor Zaragoza _______.

    A. has won many awards for his work in politics 

B. has served as the president of a university

    C. has devoted all his life to the field of science 

D. has made achievements in different areas

23. Who most probably said “My education has been the library and books”in the interview when reflecting on his/her experience?

    A. Andrew Zuckerman.      B. Federico Mayor Zaragoza.

    C. Nadine Gordimer.         D. Dave Brubeck.

24. What is the main purpose of this web page?

    A. To publicize Zuckerman’s project.

B. To show Zuckerman’s awards. 

   C. To spread the wisdom of the three people. 

    D. To celebrate the achievements of the three people.

Christmas was just a week away and I had five people left to shop for but only three dollars.

 “Let’s set a price limit on our gifts this year,” I suggested to my best friend Joanie.

 “That’s a good idea,” Joanie agreed. “How about nothing over five dollars?”

  “How about sixty cents?” I felt like the biggest cheapskate in the world.

  “I guess this is where I'm supposed to say it’s not the gift but the thought that counts,” Joanie smiled.

  It is almost impossible to buy anything under sixty cents, so it was really going to have to be very small gifts with very big thoughts.

  Finally, Christmas Day arrived. I gave my mother a candle with a note that said, “You are the brightest light in my life.” She almost cried when she read the note.

  I gave my brother a wooden ruler. On the back of it I had painted, “No brother in the world could measure up to you.” He gave me a bag of sugar and wrote on it, “You’re my sweet sister.”

  For Joanie, I painted a pair of shoes with a note that said, “No one could ever fill your shoes.” She thanked me and said I always delighted her and made her laugh.

  To my other two friends, I gave Annie a paper fan and a note on it, “I’m your biggest fan.” I gave Helen a calculator that cost one dollar and I painted a message on the back, “You can always count on me.”

  My mother knows she is the most important person in my life. My brother thinks I’m sweet. Joanie thinks I’m funny and make her laugh, which is important because her dad moved away last year and she misses him and is sad sometimes....

24. When Christmas neared, the author worried that she________.

A. had few friends to give her gifts

B. had little money to buy gifts for others

C. didn’t know what gifts her friends would like

D. didn’t have enough time to shop

25. The underlined word “cheapskate” in Paragraph 4 may mean a person who________.

A. is the richest in the world                     B. buys the cheapest skateboards

C. spends as little money as possible              D. buys the cheapest things in the world

26. The girl gave her mother a candle because it stands for________.

A. the girl’s own life                           B. her mother’s life

  C. the girl’s role in her mother’s life                  D.  the mother’s role in the girl’s life

27. What lesson can we learn from the passage?

A. It is an art to choose gifts.                   B. It is the thought not the gift that matters.

C. How to choose cheap gifts.                  D. Giving gifts improves friendships.