PART FOUR WRITING (45 points)
SECTIONA (10 points)
Direction: Reading the following passage. Fill in the numbered blanks with no more than three words for each answer that best fits the passage.
Why must we pay taxes? The answer is that the government needs money for many things, for example, to pay its soldiers, sailors and airmen, to build roads, bridges, offices, schools, etc, and to buy goods from abroad; and only the people of the country can supply the money.
One of the most important taxes is income-tax which a person pays according to the amount of his income, whether he is a merchant, a doctor, a lawyer, a shopkeeper, a miner or anything else. This is called a “direct” tax, because it is paid in money directly to the government.
Another tax is paid on goods such as watches, jewelry, new clothes, tobacco, wine, etc, when they are brought into a country. Such a tax is paid as part of the price of these goods if they are late sold in shops. We call it “indirect” tax, because it is paid indirectly through the shopkeepers.
People usually complain about(抱怨) having to pay taxes, but they forget that the money is spent on things that they and their families need. We need policemen to catch thieves, to see that men obey the laws, to direct traffic, etc, and they must be paid what they earn; children need education and there must be schools and teachers; we want our streets to be kept clean, and the wages of men who do this kind of work have to be paid. Above all, the country must always be ready to defend itself against attacking enemies, and we can’t have an army without paying for it. Besides, if a country wants to develop, there are many other things to do.
Taxes, therefore, cannot be avoided. We buy our food and clothes and pay for our amusements; but, there are several things that the State finds the money for, and that is necessary for us if our society is to continue. We have no real reason to complain, therefore, when we are asked to supply money to be spent for the good of ourselves and for our fellow-citizens.
Tax is a 71 part of our life
Why must we pay taxes?
⊕The State need the money for our society to 72 .
⊕We supply money for the good of ourselves and 73 .
How do we pay taxes?
⊕ 74
The tax is paid according to one’s 75 .
The tax is paid to the government.
⊕ 76
The tax is paid through 77 .
The tax is paid as part of the price of goods.
Where does tax money go?
⊕To 78 — to keep us safe
⊕To teachers — to 79 the children
⊕To cleaners — to 80 clean
⊕To the army — to defend our country
Students often want to practice their English outside class. One of the best ways to practice your English is to speak to a foreigner. You may ask, “Is it okay to try to talk to foreigners I see in the street?”
The answer is yes and no, but probably no! If you see a foreigner who looks lost, it is polite to ask him, “May I help you?” But, otherwise, you should probably let them get on with their business. Situations, however, do exist where it is quite all right to talk to foreigners. If a foreigner enters your school, classroom, office, shop or restaurant, for instance, feel free to ask him (for example):
— What is your name?
— Where do you come from?
— What do you think of Beijing?
— How long will you stay in Beijing?
There are also situations where it's okay to talk to foreigners in public places. If you see a foreigner alone in a restaurant, bar or coffee shop, it may be appropriate to ask him or her:
— Is this seat free?
— Do you mind if I talk to you in English?
You can probably help them if they are new in China and if they are alone, you may be able to make them feel more welcome.
After a few such questions, you should know whether this person wants to talk to you or not. If they ask you similar questions, or if they give long, informative answers, you're in luck. If not, then give them their privacy. Talking to strangers is fun if you choose the right time and place.
66. It is the best way to practice your spoken English with ______.
A. Japanese B. Americans C. our classmates D. French people
67. From the second paragraph we can get to know that ______.
A. it is polite to stop a foreigner to talk with him in the street
B. it is polite to interrupt foreigners in a conversation
C. it is impolite to interrupt a foreigner when he or she is on business
D. it is impolite to help a foreigner find his way
68. When you first meet a foreigner, you should say “_______”
A. Where are you going? B. Have you ten your dinner?
C. Can you help me with my English? D. Nice to meet you.
69. The writer suggests to us that we should ______.
A. follow the foreigners when we meet them in the street
B. talk with a foreigner in an accepted way
C. have a meal with foreigners in a restaurant
D. move to a place where a foreigner lives
70. This passage comes from a newspaper in column ________.
A. Sports B. Health C. Language D. Business
Young people can have problems with their minds. Some students become worried because they have to study very hard. Others have trouble getting on well with people like parents and classmates.
Liu Wei, a Junior 2 student from He’nan, could not understand his teacher and was doing badly in his lessons. He became so worried about it that he started to cut his finger with a knife. Another student, 14-year-old Yan Fang from Guangzhou, was afraid of exams. She got very worried in the test, and when she looked at the exam papers, she couldn’t think of anything to write.
A recent report from Jiefang Daily says about 18% Shanghai teenagers have mental (心理的) problems. Their troubles include being worried and very unhappy, and having problems in learning and getting on well with people. Many students who have problems won’t go for advice or help. Some think they will look stupid if they go to see a doctor. Others don’t want to talk about their secret.
Liang Yuezhu, an expert on teenagers from Beiing Anding Hospital has the following advice for teenagers:
Talk to your parents or teachers often.
Take part in group activities and play sports.
Go to see a doctor if you feel unhappy or un well.
61. The students who often become worried or have trouble getting on well with others may have______.
A. mental problems B. a headache
C. knives with them D. no parents
62. Liu Wei cut his finger with a knife because_______.
A. he was afraid of his teacher B. he wanted to frighten his parents
C. he was so worried about his study D. his finger was badly hurt
63. Yan Fang’s problems happened whenever______.
A. she studied very hard B. she had exams
C. she talked with her parents D. she thought of something
84. Students who have problems won’t ask others for help because______.
A. they won’t let others think they are stupid
B. they don’t think doctors can help them
C. they don’t want to tell their secret to others
D. both A and C
65. Liang Yuezhu’s advice tells us that______.
A. it’s better for the students who have mental problems to join others
B. it’s unnecessary for students to be with others
C. only group activities and sports can help students with mental problems
D. teachers and parents can’t do anything about mental problems
PART THREE READING COMPREHENSION (30 points)
Directions: There are 3 passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should choose the answer that fits best according to the information given in the passage.
A
One dark and stormy night, an elderly man and his wife entered the hall of a small hotel in Philadelphia, hoping to get room for the night.
The clerk, a friendly man with a beautiful smile, explained that there were three conferences in town. “All of our rooms are taken,” the clerk said, “but I can't send a nice couple like you into the rain at one o’clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It’s not a suite(套房), but it will be good enough to make you comfortable for the night.” The couple agreed.
As the elderly man paid the bill the next morning, he told the clerk, “You are the kind of person who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I’ll build one for you.” The clerk looked at them and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh.
Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the elderly man, asking the clerk to pay him a visit. The elderly man met him in New York, and led him to the corner of the Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He then pointed to a great new building there, a reddish stone one with watchtowers(塔楼) thrusting up to the sky, and told the clerk that it was the hotel he had just built for him。
That wonderful building was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. And this young clerk whose names was George C. Boldt never foresaw the return of events that would lead him into the manager of one of the world's most attractive hotels.
56 .When the elderly couple left the hotel, they .
A. tried to make the clerk pleased
B. wanted to build the same hotel in the future
C. hoped that the clerk would replace the boss of the hotel
D. thought the clerk was talented in managing hotels
57. Why did the elderly man build a hotel for the clerk?
A. He was grateful to the clerk. B. They had a bet(打赌) at first.
C. He wanted to fool the clerk. D. He wanted to sell the hotel.
58. According to the text, the clerk .
A. helped the couple because he thought they were poor
B. hoped that the old couple could give him a large amount of money
C. didn't expect to receive things in return from the old couple
D. became rich, thanks to his own efforts
59. From the text, we can infer that .
A. anybody can be a successful manager B. old people are always very rich
C. good luck is always waiting for lucky people D. kindness can bring a good return
60. What do you think of the clerk?
A. He was willing to help. B. He was very attractive.
C. He tried to make money for his hotel. D. He liked making friends
SECTION C (12 points)
Direction: Complete the following passage by using one word that best fits the context.
Winter swimming has become popular in Beijing. Many years ago, 48 people would go swimming in the city waters. But now there is a winter swimming club, 49 has more than 2,000 members. The oldest is 84 years of age and the youngest is only 7. The members are from all walks of life. They may be workers, peasants, soldiers, teachers and students. Even though it is now the coldest time of the season and the water 50 is around 0℃, many winter swimmers still swim in the icy waters. They enjoy 51 in the lake, while people by the water are wearing 52 clothes.
Why are so many people interested in winter swimming? Because it can do 53 to your health.
Bei Sha is 54 good example, he is 69 years old, and he once suffered from heart trouble for 26 years. After ten years of winter swimming, he is now 55 good health.
SECTION B (18 points)
Directions:For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked with A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the words or phrases that best fits the context.
People have always enjoyed laughing, and there has always been humor. One of the most well-known and well-loved types of comedy is called 36 . Stand-up comedy is special 37 the comedian is right there in front of the audience and may talk directly to audience members. A stand-up comedian may make fun of an audience member, or he or she might decide to tell different jokes 38 the reactions of an audience.
There are different styles of stand-up comedy. The main four are observational(观察评论类), prop(道具使用类), physical(形体动作类) and impressionist(印象模仿类) . In observational comedy, the comedian makes jokes about humorous things he or she 39 in everyday life. If you hear a comedian telling jokes about the way 40 people behave when they queue up in lines, or asking why it only rains when you forget your 41 , you are listening to an observational comedian. Prop comedians use things, called 42 , to tell their jokes. The jokes are not funny if you cannot see the prop. It is a type of visual humor. If a comedian points to a 43 tennis game and says, “I’ve been playing tennis 44 for a month. I don’t understand why I am not losing 45 !”, he or she is using the computer as a prop. Physical comedians use their bodies to make jokes. They have been 46 chairs, walking into doors, and falling down on stage for years. The last style is called 47 . These comedians act or speak like a well-known person. This is called doing an impression of the person.
36. A. prop B. comedy C. stand-up D. comedian
37. A. because of B. because C. although D. as if
38. A. in honor of B. in order to C. in case of D. in response to
39. A. watch B. observe C. see D. find
40. A. / B. in that C. how D. which
41. A. coat B. wallet C. umbrella D. sunglasses
42. A. queues B. humor C. impression D. props
43. A. funny B. boring C. computer D. new
44. A. every day B. everyday C. some times D. sometimes
45. A. weigh B. weight C. overweight D. weight-loss
46. A. running after B. fighting against C. competing with D. tripping over
47. A. impressionist B. prop C. physical D. observational