It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The streams were long gone back into the earth. If we didn’t see some rain soon we would lose everything.

I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He was obviously walking with a great effort trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house.

Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful long step toward the woods. This activity went on for over an hour: walking cautiously to the woods, then running back to the house. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me. I quietly walked out of the house and followed him on his journey.

He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked; being very careful not to spill(洒出) the water he held in them. Branches and thorns slapped his little face but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much greater purpose. As I looked at him secretly, I saw the most amazing site.

Several large deer appeared threatening in front of him. But Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. And I saw a baby deer laying on the ground, obviously suffering from heavy loss of water and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy’s hand.

I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save a life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops... and more drops... and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, Himself, was crying with pride.

21. Why did the author follow her son?

   A. Because there might be danger           B. Because her son was doing a good deed

   C. Because she was curious                D. Because she intended to help

22. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

   A. Rain was in great need at the time         B .Billy carried water with his small hands

   C. There were few trees in the words         D. Billy walked into the woods many times

23. Which is the correct order of the development of the story?

   ①The author was moved to tears         ②Billy fed the water to the baby deer

③Billy walked towards the large deer   ④It began to rain

⑤The author followed Billy into the woods

A.⑤③②①④    B.③②⑤①④   C.④①③②⑤   D. ⑤②①③④

24. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

   A. Importance of Water               B. The Water of Life

   C. How to Save Animals              D. Animals in Danger

Do people stop once they have achieved something? No! in life, we are always trying to do things better or having more of the same success.

Jane Fonda moved from being an Academy Award actress to a successful businesswoman. Her aerobics (有氧体操) workout videos have been sold around the world.. Athletes are constantly making greater and greater efforts to lower time for races; increase heights or distances.

The world of medicine has had its series of successes too. Christian Barnard performed several successful heart transplants. Other medical experts have achieved organ transplants. Throughout the ages, mankind has found treatment and cures for tuberculosis (肺结核) , cancer, and other diseases. A cure of AIDS might soon be discovered.

Age does not seem to slow down achievers. Tina Turner at 54 is still singing with great energy and attracting sell-out crowds wherever she goes.

At work, we go all out for achievements too. Success may mean organizing a conference more effectively and efficiently each year. Sometimes, it is not a pat on the back or the promotion that makes it worthwhile. Often it is the inner thrill and satisfaction of achievement, no matter how small it may be.

Aiming for success doesn’t mean you are greedy or dissatisfied. It is all part of gaining new experiences and dimensions in life. It finally makes you a more interesting and useful person in society.

25. The author uses Jane Fonda as an example to show that ________.

   A. people need to stand out in more than one field

   B. beautiful actresses are likely to be successful

   C. people never stop trying for more achievements

   D. women can be as successful as men

26. What is the author’s attitude towards people’s desire for success?

   A. Approving            B. Disapproving     C. Unclear           D. Doubtful

27. How is the passage organized?

   A. ∧                   B. ▽             C. △              D. ◇

28. What might be a proper title for this passage?

   A. Success Is No Destination                  B. Success Comes the Hard Way

   C. A Small Success Also Counts                D. Everyone Can Be Successful

   The slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” won the Academy Award for best picture on Sunday, making history as the first movie from a black director to win the film industry’s highest honor in 86 years of the Oscars. Can anyone tell me your ideas about this movie?----Great Martin

“12 Years a Slave is a surprisingly underwhelming movie. It is move of a string of picture about several heartless and evil white men(and women) who are just mean without the motivation of running a plantation on their minds. There is very little character development and most of the film relies on what the audience already knows and feels about slavery.”----Gemini Jeff

“Never have I been stunned into an emotional silence after watching a film in the theater. I’ve come out of films before thinking” My god, that was unbelievable’, bike when I saw The Lord of the Ring for the first time, but this film just hits you on another level entirely. You sit there after it’s over, wondering if what you’d just experienced was teal. The day after you feel the same.”                                       --Paul Johnson

“This movie is just an average movie about slavery. Are you kidding me, segregation movies are a dime a dozen and this movie beat out Gravity for Golden Globes? Gravity has never been done before. 12 Years a Slave I watched once and will never watch again. I watched Gravity 5 times and still love it.”

                                                                   ---Dominionator

“This movie was realistic and engaging at every second. Even the dramatic pauses were worthwhile and definitely not a waste of time. The script inferred and hinted at events rather than just plain saying them, and that was genius. Outstanding photography, amazing special effects and the acting is top-notch. There were a few people that walked out during some scenes. What a shame!”---Apols

29. The main purpose of Great Martin’s writing is_______.

   A. to give a brief introduction of the movie

   B. to share his own opinions with others

   C. to invite answers to his question

   D. to explain why he asks the question

30. The underlined word “stunned” in the third paragraph probably means______.

   A. puzzled     B. shocked     C. disappointed     D. concerned

31. Among the four speakers, who made positive comments on the movie?

   A. Gemini Jeff and Paul Johnson

   B. Paul Johnson and Dominionator

   C. Gemini Jeff and Dominionator

   D. Paul Johnson and Apols

32. Which of the following best states Paul Johnson’s ideas about 12 Years a Slave?

   A. It leave little room for character development

   B. It reaches the height of The Lord of the Rings

   C. It doesn’t deserve such high praise

   D. It amazes the audience with its special effects.

Attractions in Wisconsin

Swiss Historical Village

612 Seventh Ave, New Glares

The Swiss Historical Village offers a delightful look at pioneer life in America’s heartland.14 buildings in the village give a full picture of every day life in the nineteenth-century Midwest.

Tue.---Fri., May 1st---October 31st, 10:00am---4:00pm. Admission is $20

( 608 ) 527-2317 www.swisshistoricalvillage.com

Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe`

6858 Paoli Rd., Paoli WI

One of the largest collections of fine arts and crafts (手工艺品)in Wisconsin. Over 5000 sq. Ft. of exhibition space in a historical creamery. While visiting enjoy a wonderful prepared lunch at our cafe` overlooking the Sugar River. Just minutes from Madison!

Gallery open Tue.—Sun.,10:00am—5:00 pm

Cafe` open Wed.—Sat, 11:00 am—3:00 pm Sun. brunch with wine, 10:00---3:00 pm

( 608 ) 845-6600 www.artisangal.com

Wisconsin Historical Museum

30N. Carroll Street On Madison’s Capital Square

Discover Wisconsin’s history and culture on four floors of exhibits. Open for public program.

Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00am---4:00 pm. Admission is free.

(608)264-6555 www. wisconsinhistory. Org/museum

Christopher Columbus Museum

239 Whitney St., Columbus

World-class exhibit---2000 quality souvenirs marking Chicago’s 1893 World Columbus Exhibition.

Tour buses are always welcome

Open daily, 8:15 am---4:00 pm

(608)623-1992 www. columbusantiquemall.com

33. Which of the following is on Capital Square?

   A. Wisconsin Historical Museum             B. Swiss Historical Village

   C. Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café           D. Christopher Columbus Museum

34.Where can visitors have lunch?

A. At Wisconsin Historical Museum           B. At Swiss Historical Village

C. At Christopher Columbus Museum         D. At Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe`  

35.We can learn from the text that_________.

A. Tickets are needed for Wisconsin Historical Museum

B. Swiss Historical Village is open for half a year.

C. Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe are open daily for 4 hours.

D. Christopher Columbus Museum overlooks a river.

Getting older

No one really knows how and why people change as they get older. Also, no theory sufficiently explains all the changes of the aging process. Aging is a complex and varied process that varies in how it affects different people and organs.   36   

At a certain point in our lives our body systems will begin to weaken.    37    . It may become more difficult for us to see and hear. The slow change of aging causes our bodies to lose some of their ability to bounce back from disease and injury. In order to live longer, we have always tried to slow or stop this change that leads us toward the end of our lives.

    38    . A good diet plays an important role. The amount and the type of exercise we get are another two factors. Our living condition is yet another. But scientists studying the aging problem want to know: Why do people grow old? ____39  

There is nothing to be afraid of as the old age comes. Many consider the later part of life to be the best time for living.  40  

What we consider the old age now may only be middle-aged some day soon. With so many advances in medical science happening so quickly, life length may one day be measured in centuries, rather than in years!                

A. They hope that by studying the aging medical science they may be able to make the length of life longer.

B. Many factors decide our health.

C. Our strength may become weaker.

D. As for diet, people are advised to eat less salt and sugar.

E. Physical activity may become less, but often we get better understanding of the world and ourselves.

F. Symptoms include a lack of energy, slow reactions, insomnia and poor memory.

G. In fact, even in one person, different organ systems “age” at different rate.