第二部分：阅读理解(共20小题;每小题2.5分，满分50分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

A

Countless people long to make a difference this holiday season, yet they don’t realize that opportunities to make a difference are everywhere. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Organize a blank drive

It is cold outside, but imagine how thousands of homeless people may feel without a home of their own, or even a blanket to keep them from the cold. Organize a blank drive for your local homeless, and ask around for donations!

Practice random acts of kindness

I’ll never forget the time when I went to pay for my Dr. Pepper, but the server resisted, saying my bill was paid by an anonymous (匿名的) guest. It’s this random act of kindness that restores my faith in humanity. Bless someone by paying for their drink at Starbucks, or praising them! If you live somewhere where it snows, shovel your neighbor’s snow out of their driveway for them! Whether it is as simple as praise or as complex as paying the bill, you’ll never know how far your impact will reach.

Say thank you

Just a simple thank-you can make somebody’s day, especially if they feel like their work is never noticed. Cultivate(培养)a smile on their face by being sincere and grateful for all that they do.

Use your talents to help the community

The best way to show your appreciation for people is by using the talents and skills you have to bless others. For me, I love to coordinate(协调)events and write , and so my way of reaching out to the community is through writing articles and creating awareness about problems we face today. If you can bake, make some delicious cookies for people to enjoy! If you can knit, put your talents to use by making clothes for children in foster care. Any talent can be used to help the community in meaningful ways.

Wish you a happy, healthy and helpful holiday season.

51. If you join a blank drive, you can _________.

A. collect donations for the homeless people  B. bring a blanket to go on a trip

C. buy a home for homeless people     D. keep yourself from the cold

52. How did the author restore his faith in humanity?

A. He helps others                  B. He often blessed others

C. He got help from others           D. He got praised by others

53. The underlined phrase “make somebody’s day” is to_________.

A. make someone feel grateful all day

B. do something unnoticed by people

C. make someone feel good all day

D. help someone to solve problems

54. What is the author’s talent?

A. Sewing         B. Writing          C. Baking         D. Knitting

55. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

A. Make a Difference in Your Holiday Season   B. Make the Best of Talent

C. Enjoy Your Holiday Season      D. Help Others in Need

B

Enrique Iglesias is a most successful singer! Born in 1975 in Madrid, Spain, Enrique is the child of the famous singer Julio Iglesias. Enrique’s mother is a journalist. His parents divorced in 1978. Although Enrique lived with his mother, she sent him to live with his father because of concerns about he r son’s safety. Enrique wanted to be a singer secretly, he didn’t wish his father to know that and didn’t want to live under his shelter. He sought his dream on his own.

Enrique released(发行) his first album “Enrique Iglesias” in 1995. This album had a collection of rock ballads(民谣) and five singles from it went straight to the top spots in Latin music. This album was followed by another “Vivir” in 1997. Three singles from this album occupied the top spots on the Latin charts yet again! Enrique also found himself nominated(提名) for the “Favorite Latin Artist” at the American Music Awards. By 1998, he had released his 3rd album, “Cosas Del Amor”. This year Enrique won the “Favorite Latin Artist”. “Bailamos” got him great fame. One of the songs in this album was also used in a movie. With the success of “Bailamos”, Enrique now already had many loyal fans. The album, “Enrique”, was released in 1999.

The year 2001 brought more success for him. His album, “Escape” had a few singles that reached the top spots. Enrique became a household name. This album is his biggest successful album so far. “Hero” and “Don’t Turn Off the Lights” soon turned Enrique into a super star. His next release in 2002 was a Spanish album “Quizas”. This album brought Enrique a “Latin Grammy Award” for the Best Pop Vocal Album. In 2007, he released another album “Insomniac” and the song “Do You Know” became an instantly popular song.

56. After his parents divorced, Enrique was sent to his father’s because _________.

A. he could be protected from some dangers

B. he could learn singing from his talented father

C. his mother would be able to focus on her career

D. his father could teach him how to behave correctly

57. Enrique didn’t tell his father about his dreaming of becoming a singer because he __________.

A. wanted to try a new singing style

B. hated his father for his carelessness

C. didn’t want to benefit from his father’s fame

D. planned to give his father a surprise when he succeeded

58. Which of the following albums has a song adopted in a movie?

A. “Vivir       B. “Bailamos”       C. “Enrique Iglesias”.  D. “Cosas Del Amor”.

59. The third paragraph is developed mainly by _______.

A. following the order of his albums’ influence

B. analyzing the style of his albums

C. making comparisons of his albums

D. following the order of time

60. What would be the best title for the passage?

A. Enrique Iglesias’ lucky life

B. Biography of Enrique Iglesias

C. Enrique Iglesias’ secret to success

D. Enrique Iglesias’ wonderful singing skills