Have you ever been to the beautiful country of Holland and its capital Amsterdam? Anyone who has traveled to Amsterdam would probably agree on one thing: Amsterdam's story is a tale of two cities -- one during the day and a completely different one at night．
During the day, the largest city in the Netherlands sits quietly on the Amstel River．You can rent a bicycle, visit the Van Gogh or Anne Frank museum, or take a water taxi．But when the sun goes down, the partying begins．In the big clubs and in coffee shops, tourists gather to hang out, talk politics and smoke．
Several areas of the city clearly show the two worlds that rule Amsterdam．And they're all within a short cab ride of each other．For example, Dam Square attracts daytime sightseers to its festivals, open markets, concerts and other events．Several beautiful and very popular hotels can be found there．And there's the Royal Palace and the Magna Plaza shopping mall．
But at night party-seekers come to the square．Hip hop or funk music is heard there．．So if you come, be ready to dance．The clubs don't shut down until 4 am．
And while you're there, check out the various inexpensive ways to tour the city．Don't worry about getting lost．Although Dutch is the official language, most people in Amsterdam speak English and are happy to help you with directions．And you'll notice that half the people in the streets are on bicycles they rent．
Amsterdam also has a well-planned canal system．For about 10 dollars, you can use the canal bus or a water taxi to cruise（巡游） the "Venice of the North"．
The city has a historic past．One impressive place to visit is the Anne Frank House on Nine Streets．It was there that the young Jewish girl wrote her famous diary during World War II．Visitors can view Anne's original diary and climb behind the bookcase to the room where she and her family hid from the Nazis for two years．
1.What means of transport is not available to visitors in Amsterdam?
A．A carriage． B．A bicycle． C．A canal bus． D．A water taxi．
2.When getting lost, a visitor can ask natives for directions in ___________ ．
A．only Dutch B．Dutch or English
C．only English D．Spanish and English
3.What can you learn about by visiting the Anne Frank House?
A．The experience of a beautiful girl survivor．
B．The glorious past of Amsterdam．
C．The life of Jewish during World War Ⅱ．
D．The suffering of the Dutch in wars．
4.The passage is intended to ____________ ．
A．call up people’s memories of World War Ⅱ
B．tell readers what A Tale of Two Cities is about
C．instruct visitors what to do and see in Holland
D．offer readers some information about Amsterdam
You may know the English letters A, B and C. But do you know there are people called ABC? You may like eating bananas. But did you know there is a “banana person”? How strange! Are these people from “another Earth”? No. They are just Chinese people like you and me.
ABC means American-Born Chinese. An ABC is a Chinese, but was born in the United States. Sometimes, people call an ABC a “banana person”. A banana is yellow outside and white inside. So, when a person is a banana, he or she is white inside—thinking like a Westerner and yellow outside—looking like a Chinese.
Do you know why? Usually, ABCs know little about China or the Chinese language. Some of them don’t speak Chinese.
But if ABCs cannot speak Chinese, can we still call them Chinese people? Yes, of course. They are Chinese. They are overseas (海外) Chinese. These people may be citizens(公民) of another country like the US, Canada or Singapore. But they have Chinese blood. Their parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents were from China. They all have black eyes and black hair.
But they are not Chinese citizens. They are not the people of the People’s Republic of China. For example, we all know the famous scientist C.N. Yang(杨振宁). He got the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1957. The Chinese love him, but he is an American citizen.
1.What’s the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A. He wants to tell us something about “ABC”.
B. He wants to show that Chinese are well respected in America.
C. He wants to tell us some knowledge about the English language.
D. He wants to introduce the American culture to us.
2.Chinese in Western countries are called “banana persons” because ____.
A. their bodies are white inside but yellow outside
B. they think like Westerners but look like Chinese
C. they were born in China but go to study in America
D. they like to eat bananas
3. C.N. Yang is mentioned here to show that ____.
A. American Chinese are great. B. we love American Chinese
C. The Chinese can win Nobel Prizes D. American Chinese are not Chinese citizens
Among the many things that Brisbane (布里斯班), Australia, does really well, the care for kids is the best one. Here is a list of places that will be suitable for your kids.
Swimming pools
Simple way for happiness: mix kids with water. Of course, this is a choice for the hot summer months.
Parks
Free outdoor fun: it’s suitable for kids of all ages. It’s a place for parents to let kids run wild.
The Children’s Art Centre
The Children’s Art Centre has been very popular. Kids’ favorite here is some exhibitions specially designed for children. But we must pay some money.
South Bank Parklands
South Bank Parklands has everything you need to keep kids amused. Take them for a swim at the man-made beach. On weekends, go through the arts market or go to a cheap movie. South Bank Parklands often gives free performances too.
Roma Street Parkland
Close to bus transport, this parkland is easily accessible（可进入的）. It’s ideal (理想的) for kids of all ages. Younger kids can take a trip on the Jelly Bean Express, a 1.3 km trackless train ride around the parkland. Free entry(进入) and open every day.
1.What does the text mainly talk about?
A. Brisbane—a beautiful city in Australia.
B. How to travel in Brisbane.
C. Famous parks and activities in Brisbane.
D. Some interesting places for kids in Brisbane.
2.. If your kids want to watch performances for free, you can take them to ______.
A. South Bank Parklands B. Roma Street Parkland
C. The Children’s Art Centre D. Parks
3.. What can we know about Roma Street Parkland?
A. It opens only at weekends.
B. Only younger kids can visit it.
C. We need not buy tickets for a visit.
D. Younger kids have to walk while visiting it.
4. What do kids love best in the Children’s Art Centre?
A. Man-made beach. B. Some exhibitions.
C. Arts market. D. Jelly Bean Express.
5.Who will be interested in the text most?
A. Children and parents. B. Artists C. Movie lovers. D. Swimmers.
An 80-year-old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45-year-old son. Suddenly a crow (乌鸦) landed on their window.
The father asked his son, “What is that?”
The son replied, “That is a crow.”
After a few minutes, the father asked his son for the second time, “What is this?”
The son said, “Father, I told you just now. It’s a crow.”
After a little while, the father asked his son the same question for the third time, “What is this?”
This time, the son said to his father in a low and cold tone, “It’s a crow, a crow.”
After a moment, the father yet again asked his son for the fourth time, “What is this?”
This time his son shouted at his father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again? I have told you already, ‘IT IS A CROW’. Are you not able to understand this?”
A minute later the father went to his room and came back with a diary, which he had kept since his son was born. On opening a page, he asked his son to read that page.
Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa when a crow suddenly landed on the window edge. My son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied him 23 times that it was a crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question. I didn’t at all feel angry, but instead felt affection for my son.
If your parents reach old age, do not look at them as a burden, but speak to them gently, and be kind to them. From today say this aloud, “I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered me with love. I will take care of my old parents in the best way no matter how they behave.”
1.The writer mainly intends to ______ .
A. tell us the function of a diary B. call on us to love our parents
C. teach us what a crow is D. introduce a pair of son and father
2.The underlined word “affection” (last but one Para.) probably means______.
A. puzzlement B. hatred(恨) C. worry D. love
3.We can infer that the father wrote that piece of diary at the age of ______.
A. eighty B. three C. thirty-eight D. forty-five
4.The old man brought out the diary, which he had kept since his son was born, because ______.
A. he forgot what had happened B. he would like his son to read it
C. it could remind himself of the past D. he wanted to find what a crow was
My chance came at last. Our school was going to hold a sports meet. I knew what it 21 to me so I got up very early to prepare for it. I 22 running and jumping. When I was 23 , I reminded myself of my promise and went on.
24 the time came nearer, I felt quite 25 . On the first day I came fourth in the 1500m 26 but I was far from 27 because what I wanted most was the highlight of the sports meeting—250x8 relay race. I would run the last leg for my team.
With a shot, the race began. All the students were 28 for their team. The competition was so 29 that I began to feel nervous. Before my turn came, my team was 30 the others. Even worse, I almost dropped the stick when I was trying to 31 it.
32 after that, there was nothing in my mind except to run as fast as possible. Just when I was approaching the finish line, my legs 33 . Then my promise came to mind again and 34 me to go on. To my surprise, I was the first to 35 the finish line!
36 , I had proved to myself and those who had often laughed at me that I am not 37 at all! My classmates greeted me warmly and I hugged them tightly. I had won the prize as well as their 38 .
From the sports meeting, I learnt that sometimes things are not so difficult as they 39 to be. Just try your best without fear and you might be surprised at the 40 .
1. A. mattered B. held C. meant D. brought
2.A. exercised B. practiced C. chose D. tried
3.A. tired B. upset C. lazy D. happy
4.A. For B. By C. With D. As
5.A. confident B. worried C. proud D. nervous
6.A. run B. jump C. race D. match
7. A. happy B. sad C. excited D. pleased
8.A. heading B. racing C. cheering D. shouting
9.A. difficult B. close C. heated D. near
10.A. running before B. leading C. falling behind D.catching up with
11.A. fetch B. hold C. pass D. take
12.A. Then B. But C. Thus D. Even
13.A. gave in B. gave out C. gave up D. gave away
14.A. had B. made C. let D. got
15.A. draw B. cut C. cross D. catch
16.A. At last B. After all C. Above all D. As a result
17.A. bad B. weak C. slow D. strong
18.A. congratulations B. respect C. support D. pride
19.A. seem B. hope C. look D. expect
20. A. beginning B. place C. result D. time
—Thank you for giving us a wonderful Chinese dinner, Ms. Wang.
—__________________.
A. Oh. I’m afraid I didn’t cook very well. B. I’m glad you enjoy it.
C. Come again when you are free. D. It’s not polite of you to say so.
