Mark Twain is someone Americans are taught to love. Older relatives, English teachers and the media always praise (表扬) him. But when you actually take the time to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you find that his work is more wonderful than you could ever imagine.
The novel describes a young boy named Tom Sawyer growing up in a small town along the Mississippi River. He explores the countryside on a riverboat with his friends, falls in love with girls, starts secret clubs and searches for treasure. Twain’s idea of childhood is magical – a time of imagination, wonder and, of course, adventure.
More importantly, through the eyes of Tom Sawyer, Twain cleverly makes fun of US culture. For example, Tom hates going to church, and Twain uses scenes of Tom there to mock religion and its old traditions.
Twain’s writing is full of these kinds of critical (批判的) points about culture and politics. That’s why he is so loved in the US – he wasn’t afraid to state his opinions, and he did so clearly.
He also believed strongly in women’s right to vote in elections and gave a famous speech on the subject, called “Votes for Women”, in 1901.
“Tom was a great hero once more – the pet of the old, the envy of the young,” Twain writes in Tom Sawyer. But he could just as well be describing himself.
1.According to the writer, after reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you are likely to think _______.
A. it’s not worth all the praise
B. it’s as wonderful as you imagined
C. it’s better to read it with teachers
D. it’s even better than you imagined
2.What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?
A. A brief description of the novel.
B. Where Twain’s idea of childhood comes from.
C. How naughty and adventurous Tom Sawyer is.
D. What makes Tom Sawyer’s adventures so wonderful.
3.What does the underlined word “mock” mean?
A. make changes to B. make fun of
C. give reasons for D. give examples of
4.Why is Twain so loved in the US according to the article?
A. He supported women’s right to vote.
B. He wrote bad things about US wars abroad.
C. He criticized American culture and society clearly and cleverly.
D. He showed readers a magical childhood that everyone would love.
Youth, friendship and love are the main themes of this year’s Chinese movies, such as So Young(《致青春》) and American Dreams in China(《中国合伙人》). Tiny Times(《小时代》), one of the most popular movies this summer, also has the same features.
The movie was based on author and director Guo Jingming’s novel of the same name. It tells a story about four girls who come from different backgrounds and of different personalities. Since it was shown on June 27, Tiny Times has made 483 million yuan at the box office. The sequel(续集) of it was shown on Aug 8 and it has also been a big box office hit.
Cao Yuhan, 13, a high school student at Beijing Jianhua Experimental School, is a big fan of the movie. “I’m deeply touched by their friendship,” Cao said. “When Nan Xiwang is in trouble, the other three girls try their best to help her, even running barefoot （光脚）in the snow. However, not everyone has had good things to say. The people’s Daily said that the film went too far in encouraging youths to become materialistic(物质至上主义的). Film commentator Raymond Zhou wrote on his online blog that “Buying luxury goods (奢侈品)seems as a way to express love or friendship, and the word ‘money’ is repeated over and over again. Song Kexin, 14, a high school student at Zhida Middle School in Taiyuan, Shanxi, shows a typical example of a fan’s attitude(态度). And that’s to look for the positive value. “That movie is a little far from our daily life. My friends and I are not having parties every day,” Song said, “But I admire Tang Wanru’s optimistic attitude（乐观态度）. She’s always looking at the bright side of life. I should learn from her.”
1.Which is NOT one of the main themes of this year’s Chinese movies?
A. Youth B. Love
C. War D. Friendship
2.According to the article, the movie Tiny Times ________.
A. is more popular than the other two movies
B. was made from Guo Jingming’s novel
C. tells about four girls with similar personalities
D.opened in Chinese cinemas on August 8
3.What does film commentator Zhou Liming think of the movie?
A. The four girls’ friendship is touching.
B. It encourages the young to work hard.
C. It has many advertisements for luxury goods.
D. It shows money expresses love or friendship.
4.Song Kexin admires Tang Wanru because of Tang’s ________.
A. optimistic attitude B. rich family background
C. good looks D. excellent grades at school
This dog was born on Christmas Eve in 2002. He was different from other dogs because he was born with only two legs. The poor dog of course could not walk and even his mother Sarah did not want him. His first owner Michael Johnson also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of killing him. But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She decided to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself. She called him “Faith”.
In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard (滑板) to let him feel the movement… Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure (诱惑) and reward for him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, after only six months, Faith learned to balance on his legs and jump to move forward. After further training in this snow, he could now walk like a person.
Faith loves to walk around now. Wherever he goes, he attracts people’s attention. He is fast becoming famous on the international scene and has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. A book named With a Little Faith is now being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies.
Jude Stringfellow, his present owner, has stopped working and plans to take him around the world to tell people “that even without a perfect body, one can have a strong will (意志)”.
Faith is a good example of the strong will and wonder of life. In life there are always unpleasant things. So, in order to feel better, you just need to look at life from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone will appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day.
1.Faith is different from other dogs because _______.
A. he doesn’t have a tail
B. he has only two legs
C. he was born on Christmas Day
D. his mother loves him best
2.Faith’s present owner is ________.
A. Sarah B. Michael Johnson
C. Harry Potter D. Jude Stringfellow
3.Which of the following is the correct order for Faith to learn to walk around like a person?
① jump to move forward
② train in the snow
③ feel the movement on a surfboard
④ balance on his legs
⑤ use peanut butter on a spoon as a reward
A. ③①④②⑤ B. ③⑤④①②
C. ②⑤③①④ D. ④⑤①③②
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A. Faith’s mother can walk with two legs like a person.
B. If we don’t have a perfect body, we can’t be successful.
C. When we meet with difficulties, we should never give up.
D. When we have difficulties, we should wait for others’ help.
Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English. Here are some advertisements about English language training from newspapers. You may find the information you need.
Global English Center General English in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. * 3-month (700 yuan ), 6-month (1,200 yuan ) and one-year (2,000 yuan ) courses. * Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day, Mon. ~ Fri.. * Experienced college English teachers. Tel: 67605272 Add: 105 Zhongshan Road, 100082 |
Modern Language School Special courses in English for business, travel, banking, hotel management and office skills. * Small classes ( 12~16 students ) on Sat. & Sun. from 2:00~5:00 p.m.. * Native English teachers from Canada and the USA. * Language lab and computers supplied. * 3-month course: 1,050 yuan; 6-month course: 1,850 yuan. Add: Modern Language School, 675 Park Road, 100056 Tel: 67353019 |
The 21st Century English Training Center We specialize in effective teaching at all levels. * We offer morning or afternoon classes, both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan. *Entrance exams: June 1 and Dec. 1. Call 67801642 for more information. |
The International House of English A six-month English course for students of all levels at very low cost: 60 yuan for 12 hours per week. * Class hours: 9:00~12:00 a.m. and 2:00~5:00 p.m.. *Well trained Chinese and foreign teachers experienced in teaching English as a second/foreign language. Call 67353019 for further information. |
1.Mr. White works in the daytime every day and the place he will choose is ______.
A. Global English Center
B. Modern Language School
C. The 21st Century English Training Center
D. The International House of English
2.The 21st Century English Training Center is different from the other three. It ______.
A. has a language lab and computers
B. has more experienced teachers
C. offers morning or afternoon classes
D. requires an entrance exam
3.If you want to attend the course at the International House of English, you’ll pay about ______.
A. 1,200 yuan B. 60 yuan
C. 1,500 yuan D. 1,800 yuan
完形填空（共15小题，每小题1分，计15分）
Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed a boy ahead of him had dropped all of the books he was carrying. Mark helped the boy pick them up. they were going the same way, he carried them for the boy. As they walked, Mark knew the boy’s name was Bill. Mark discovered that he loved computer games, baseball and history and that he was having a lot of with his other subjects. Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed with a few laughs and some shared small talk, and then Mark went home. They to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice and then ended up from the same high school. Just three weeks before they finished school, Bill asked Mark if they could have a talk.
Bill him of the day years ago when they had first met. ‘Do you wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?’ asked Bill. ‘You see, I out my locker because I didn’t want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had planned to from home and I was going home to pack my things. But after we spent some time together and laughing, I realized that I had done that, I would have a new friend and missed all the fun we would have together. So you see, Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you did a lot more. You my life.’
1.A. After B. Since C. Although D. Until
2.A. also B. still C. always D. almost
3.A. questions B. ideas C. trouble D. doubt
4.A. from B. with C. to D. for
5.A. quickly B. proudly C. freely D. pleasantly
6.A. continued B. hoped C. preferred D. offered
7.A. all B. both C. every D. none
8.A. removed B. reminded C. asked D. described
9.A. ever B. soon C. even D. never
10.A. checked B. took C. cleaned D. put
11.A. run away B. take away C. put away D. pass away
12.A. reading B. playing C. talking D. watching
13.A. before B. if C. while D. as
14.A. forgotten B. made C. became D. lost
15.A. helped B. saved C. changed D. improved
—Would you mind my using your computer? —______
A. Yes. Here you are. B. No, you can’t.
C. No, not at all. D. You’re welcome.
