第二部分  阅读理解(共两节，满分40分)

第一节(共15小题：每小题2分，满分30分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

My  color television has given me nothing but a headache.I was able to buy it a little over a year ago  because I had my relatives give me  money for my birthday instead of a lot of clothes that wouldn’t fit.I let a salesclerk fool me into buying a discontinued model,I realized this a day late,when I saw newspaper advertisements for the set at seventy-five dollars less  than I had paid,The set worked so beautifully when I first got it home that I would keep it on until stations signed off  for the night,Fortunately, I didn’t got any channels showing all-night movies or I would never have gotten to bed.

Then I started developing a problem with the set that involved static (静电) noise. For some reason,when certain shows switched into a commercial, a loud noise would sound for a few seconds. Gradually,this noise began to appear during a show, and to get rid of it,I had to change to another channel and then change it back.Sometimes this technique would not work,and I had to pick up the set and shake it to remove the sound. I actually began to build up my arm muscles(肌肉) shaking my set.

When neither of these methods removed the static noise ,I would sit helplessly and  wait for the noise to go away.At last I ended up hitting the set with my fist,and it stopped working altogether .My trip to the repair shop cost me $62, and the set is working well now,but I keep expecting more trouble.

21.Why did the author say he was fooled into buying the TV set?

A.He got an older model than he had expected.

B.He couldn’t return it when it was broken.

C.He could have bought it at a lower price.

D.He failed to find any movie shows on it.

22.Which of the following can best replace the phrase”signed off”in Paragraph 1?

A.ended all their programs

B.provided fewer channels

C.changed to commercials

D.showed all-night movies

23.How did the author finally get his TV set working again?

A. By shaking and hitting it.

B. By turning it on and off.

C. By switching channels.

D. By having it repaired.

24. How does the anthor sound when telling the story ?

A. Curious

B. Anxious

C. Cautious

D. Humorous

B

Your house may have an effect on your figure . Experts say the way you design your home could play a role in whether you pack on the pounds or keep them off . You can make your environment work for you instead of against you . Here are some ways to turn your home into part of diet plan.

Open the curtains and turn up the lights . Dark environments are more likely to encourage overeating , for people are often less self-conscious(难为情)when they’re in poorly lit places-and so more likely to eat lots of food . If your home doesn’t have enough window light , get more lamps and flood the place with brightness.

Mind the colors . Research suggests warm colors fuel our appetites . In one study , people who ate meals in a blue room consumed 33 percent less than those in a yellow or red room . Warm colors like yellow make tood appear more appetizing , while cold colors make us feel less hungry . So when it’s time to repaint , go blue.

Don’t forget the clock-or the radio. People who eat slowly tend to consume about 70 fewer calories(卡路里) per  meal than those who rush through their meals. Begin keeping track of the time, and try to make dinner last at least 30 minutes, And while you’re at it, actually sit down to eat. If you need some help slowing down , turn on relaxing music. It makes you less likely to rush through a meal.

Downsize the dishs, Big serving bowls and plates can easily make us fat. We eat about 22 percent more when using a 12-inch plate instead of a 10-inch plate. When we choose a large spoon over a smaller one ,total intake(摄入) jumps by 14 percent. And we’ll pour about 30 percent more liquid into a short, wide glass than a tall, skinny glass.

25.The text is especially helpful for those who care about_______.

A. their home comforts

B. their body shape

C. house buying

D. healthy diets

26.A home environment in blue can help people_________.

A.digest food better

B.reduce food intake

C.burn more calories

D.regain their appetites

27.What are people advised to do at mealtimes?

A.Eat quickly.

B.Play fast music.

C.Use smaller spoons.

D.Turn down the lights.

28.What can be a suitable title for the test?

A.Is Your Hourse Making You Fat?

B.Ways of Serving Dinner

C.Effects of Self-Consciousness

D.Is Your Home Environment Relaxing?

C

More student than ever cefore are taking a gap-year (间隔年)before going to university.It used to be called the “year off” between school and university.The gap-year phenomenon originated(起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.

This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by University and College Admissions Serbice(UCAS).

That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS  said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be stisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible,” he said.

But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students(NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student had ship – young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to ￡15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and More students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree.NUS statistics show that over 40%  of students  are  forced   to  work  during  term  time  and  the figure  increases  to 90% during  vacation periods,”he said.

29. What do we learn about the gap year from the text?

A. It is flexible in length.

B. It is a time for relaxation.

C. It is increasingly popular.

D. It is required by universities.

30. According to Tony Higgins,students taking a gap year______.

A.are better prepared for college studies

B.know a lot more about their future jobs

C.are more likely to leave university in debt

D.have a better chance to enter top universities

31. How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?

A. He's puzzled.

B. He's worried.

C. He's surprised.

D. He's annoyed.

32. What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?

A.Attend additional courses.

B. Make plans for the new term.

C.Earn money for their education.

D.Prepaer for their graduate studies.

D

Choose Your One-Day Tours

Tour A-Bath & Stonchenge including entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge-￡until 26 March and ￡39 thereafter.

Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey,the Royal Crescent and the Costute Mtsan.Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments dating back over 5,000 years.

Tour B-Oxford & Stratford including entrance fees to the University St Mary’s Church Tower and Anne Hathaway's house一￡32 until 12 March and ￡36 thereafter.

Oxford:Includes a guided of England’s oldest university city and colleges. Look over the “city of dreaming spires(尖顶)”form St Mary’s Church Tower. Stratford:Includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.

Tour C—Windsor Castle & Hampton Court including entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace--£34 until March and £37 thereafter.

Includes a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, Henry Mill’s favourite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle(entrace fees not included). With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four Kings and one Queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze(迷宫)where it is easy to get lost!

Tour D-Cambridgeincluding entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great-£33 .until 18 March and £37 thereafter.

Includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.

33.Which tour will you choose if you want to see England’s oldest university city?

A.Tour A

B.Tour B

C.Tour C

D.Tour D

34.Which of the following tours charges the lowest fee on 17 March?

A.Windsor Castle & Hampton Court.

B.Oxford & Stratford

C.Bath &Stonehenge.

D.Cambridge.

35.Why is Hampton Court a major tourist attraction?

A.It used to be the home of royal families.

B.It used to be a well-known maze

C.It is the oldest palace in Britain

D.It is a world-famous castle.