Intellectual property (IP) is a product of the mind that has commercial value. The concept dates back to 1623 when the first patent law to protect IP sights was passed. IP rights protect the artist from having his/her creative ideas copied by another. For example, if somebody generated an idea for a novel, that idea is protected by IP rights. If someone else wishes to represent the idea or develop it further, he/ she must consult the original artists, who will normally be rewarded financially for its use. Back in the 17^th century, IP rights were primarily carried out to protect newly developed manufacturing processes against stealing. But today, intellectual property rights, are also enjoyed by those who creative music, art and literature.

In recent years, IP rights have been the focus of a great deal of discussion because of a technology which looks set to weaken them altogether; the Internet. Many years ago, if you wanted a recording of a song, you would have to purchase it from a music store; if a novel, form a book store. In those days, IP rights were easily protected since it was very difficult to obtain intellectual property without paying for it. However, a lot of IP, including songs, films, books and artwork, can be downloaded today free of charge using the Internet. This practice has now taken the world by storm, dramatically affecting the way in which we view IP rights.

1.According to the writer, in the beginning, If rights were mainly of use to ______.

2.What do we know about the internet according to the passage?

3.According to paragraph 2, what has “taken the world by storm”?

4.A possible title for this passage could be ______.

Topping the class academically was certainly an advantage. Studying was a breeze for

Nigel. The reward was certainly incomparable to the little effort that he had to put it. It begin when he was selected to help the teachers in the computer laboratories.

The peak of his school career came not when he topped the school but when he was selected for the nationwide competition. Unlike everyone else, Nigel wanted to join the contest because he liked playing with the Lego sets and making something out of them. Nigel spent the next two months rebuilding the robot. It was during the time that Nigel found out about the prizes for the competition. Its well us auspices competitor. Alicia, from a neighboring school. His early intentions were forgotten. Getting the thousand-dollar prize was more important than anything else. Nigel decided to befriend Alicia. Unaware of his intentions, she told him all about the robot that she had been building for the competition. He even helped her to put the finishing branches to her robot. He was glad with the way things had progressed. His robot looked even better than Alicia’s and it was able to become a ball with its arms, something Alicia had failed to do.

On the day of the competition, he says Alicia. Everything dawned on her the minute she saw him among the competition. She stared at him, puzzled at first, then angry and finally a look of helplessness came over her.

The flashbulbs of the camera exploded in Nigel’s try. The robot bird performed actions so unique and different that the specialist judgments were the same. Nigel was so personal with himself that he did not even notice the girl standing a few feet away from him. Without her, he would never win the competition.

1.What reward did Nigel receive for doing well in his school work?

2.Nigel’s original intention of joining the contest was to ___.

3.Why did Nigel help Alicia finish her robot?

4.What is the author’s attitude towards Nigel’s actions?

1.Munchies Food Hall does NOT sell ____.

2.The prices at Munchies are ____.

3.Everyone who eats at Munchies well receive a ____.

4.I will find out who has won the top to Western Australia when I __.

Despite the fact that it has never been seen almost everyone is familiar with the legendary

unicorn(独角兽). Descriptions of unicorns have been found dating from ancient times. The great philosopher Aristotle theorized that there were two types of unicorn--- the so-called Indian Ass and the Oryx, a kind of antelope. Unicorns are often used in the logo of a noble family, town council or university as their special sign. Even Scotland is represented by a unicorn.

According to the legend, anyone attempting to catch a unicorn had to be extremely cautious

as it has a reputation for being very fierce. A clever trick suggested by unicorn-trappers, in order to catch this magnificent beast without being hurt by its horn, was for the hunter to stand in front of a tree and then to move quickly behind it as the unicorn charged. Hopefully, the creature could then be captured when its horn was stuck in the tree.

When hollowed out and used as a drinking-cup, the unicorn’s horn was said to have the power to offer protection against person. It was believed that nobody could be harmed-by drinking the contents of a unicorn’s horn. Right up until the French Revolution in 1789, the French court was said to have used cups made of “unicorn” horn in order to protect the king. In addition, the horn was said to have medicinal value, so much so that it could be sold for more than ten times the price of the same weight of gold. What, then, was “unicorn” horn? We know at times the rhino(犀牛) was confused with this legendary creature. A drinking-cup supposedly made of “unicorn” horn was discovered to be made of the horn of a rhino.

1.Which of the following is TRUE of the unicorn?

2.To catch a unicorn, the unicorn-trappers had to try all of the following EXCEPT ____.

3.The last paragraph is mainly about ____.

4.In the last paragraph, the word “unicorn ” is in quotation marks (引号)because _____.

--- I’m sorry. I ___________ at you the other day.

--- Forget it. I was a bit out of control myself.

 --- I’m sure Andrew will win the first prize in the final.

--- I think so. He ___________ for it for months.

--- I’m still working on my project.

--- Oh, you’ll miss the deadline. Time is ____________.

 It is __________ to spend money on preventing illnesses by promoting healthy living rather than spending on trying to make people ___________ after they are ill.

 --- They are quiet, aren’t they?

--- Yes. They are accustomed ____________ at meals.

--- Why do you suggest we buy a new machine?

--- Because the old one has been damaged ___________.