London--A morning train rides away, across the channel. English kids discuss the Liverpool's football team in a Paris pub.
Some Parisians have started to travel to work in London.
In the 19th century, Charles Dickens compared the two cities, London and Paris, in A Tale of Two Cities. These days, it might be A tale of One City.
As there are few jobs at home over recent years, perhaps 250,000 Frenchmen moved across the channel. With an undersea tunnel, they could travel between cities in three hours. The European Union freed them from immigration and customs.
Paris, rich in beauty, is more stylish. But London feels more full of life, and more fun until the pubs shut down.
“For me, the difference is that London is real, alive,” said Trevor Wheeler, a financial expert.
Chantal Jaouen, a professional designer, agrees. “I am French, but I’ll stay in London,” she said.
There is, of course, the other view. Julie Lenoux is a student who moved to London two years ago. “I think people laugh more in Paris,” she said.
“Both cities have changed beyond recognition,” said Larry Collins, an author and sometimes a Londoner. Like most people who know both cities well, he finds the two now fit together comfortably. “I first fell in love with Paris in the 1950s. Things are so much more ordered, and life is better.”
But certainly not cheaper. In some parts of London, rents can be twice those on Avenue Foch in Paris.
Deciding between London and Paris requires a lifestyle choice. Like Daphne Benoit, a French journalism student with perfect English, many young people are happy to be close enough so they don’t have to choose. “I love Paris, my little neighborhood, the way I can walk around a centre, but life is too organized,” she said. “In London, you can be whoever you want. No one cares.”
1.It can be inferred that ___________.
A．Paris and London are the two biggest cities in the world
B．In the 19th century, Dickens told his stories in the two cities
C．London and Paris used to be separated
D．Liverpool is a big city in France
2.According to this passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A．People feel it difficult to find a job in Paris.
B．People can't travel to London without a passport.
C．Living in France is more expensive than in London.
D．People can find any job in London.
3.The underlined phrase in Para9 most probably means “_____________”
A. beyond one’s imagination
B. so much that people don’t know them well again
C. so little that people still know them well
D. to people’s satisfaction
4.What’s the meaning of the last two sentences?
A．People can do everything in London.
B．People will feel lonely in London.
C．People in London enjoy living in different ways.
D．People in London enjoy a lawless life.
We can see how the product life cycle works by looking at the introduction of instant（速溶） coffee. When it was introduced, most people did not like it as well as "regular" coffee, and it took several years to gain general acceptance（introduction stage）.At one point, though, instant coffee grew rapidly in popularity, and many brands were introduced（stage of rapid growth）. After a while, people became attached to one brand and sales leveled off（stage of maturity）. Sales went into a slight decrease when freeze-dried coffees were introduced（stage of decline）.
The importance of the product life cycle to marketers is this: Different stages in the product life cycle call for different strategies. The goal is to extend product life so that sales and profits do not drop. One strategy is called market modification. It means that marketing managers look for new users and market sections. Did you know, for example, that the backpacks that so many students carry today were originally designed for the soldiers？
Market modification also means searching for increased usage among present customers or going for a different market, such as senior citizens. A marketer may re-position the product to appeal to new market sections.
Another product extension strategy is called product modification. It involves changing product quality, features, or style to attract new users or more usage from present users. American auto manufacturers are using quality improvement as one way to regain world markets. Note, also, how auto manufacturers once changed styles eagerly from year to year to keep demand from falling.
1.The first paragraph tells us that a new product is ________.
A．not easily accepted by the public
B．often of poorer quality compared with old ones
C．often more expensive than old ones
D．usually introduced to satisfy different tastes
2.Marketers need to know which of the four stages a product is in so as to________.
A．promote its production
B．work out marketing plans
C．speed up its life cycle
D．increase its popularity
3.The author mentions the example of "backpacks" （Para.2） to show the importance of________.
A．pleasing the young as well as the old
B．increasing usage among students
C．exploring new market sections
D．finding creative product designers
4.In order to attract more consumers, U.S. auto makers are ________.
A．modernizing product style
B．increasing product features
C．developing products of better quality
D．re-positioning their product in the market
There was great excitement on the planet of Venus(金星) this week. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since.
The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan (named after the great Venusian astronomer Prof. Manhattan, who first discovered it with his telescope 20000 light years ago).
Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information as to feasibility (可行性) of a manned flying saucer (碟) landing on Earth. A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology.
“We have come to the conclusion, based on last week’s satellite landing,” Prof. Zog said, “that there is no life on Earth.”
“How do you know this?” the science reporter of the Venus Evening Star asked.
“For one thing, Earth’s surface in the area of Manhattan is made up of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide (一氧化碳) and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive.” “What does this mean as far as our flying saucer program is concerned?”
“We shall have to take our own oxygen with us, which means a much heavier flying saucer than originally planned.”
“Are there any other dangers that you discovered in your studies?”
“Take a look at this photo. You see this dark black cloud hovering(盘旋) over the surface of Earth? We don’t know what it is made of, but it could give us a lot of trouble and we shall have further tests before we send a Venus Being there.”
“Over here you will notice what seems to be a river, but the satellite findings indicates it is polluted and the water is unfit to drink. This means we shall have to carry our own water, which will add even greater weight to the saucer.”
“If all you say is true, won’t this set back the flying saucer program several years?”
“Yes, but we shall continue as soon as the Grubstart gives us the added funds.” Prof. Zog replied.
1.During the week of great excitement the Venusian scientists succeeded in getting important information as to ____.
A. the feasibility of landing a satellite on Earth
B. the possibility of making a first-rate flying saucer
C. the feasibility of sending a Venus Being to Earth
D. the possibility of directing a flying saucer into Manhattan
2.According to Prof. Zog, the Venusians will have to take their own oxygen with them when they carry out their flying saucer program because ____.
A. they need it in their way to the planet of Earth
B. the Earth’s atmosphere is filled with deadly gases
C. there is a low level of oxygen for Venusians
D. there is no air on the planet of Earth
3.The “dark black cloud” on the photo refers to ____.
A. the polluted air hovering over the surface of Earth
B. the mass of tiny drops of water floating above Earth
C. the mass of small things moving through the air
D. the dark clouds gathering before a storm breaks
4.The author wishes to call our attention to the fact that ____.
A. that modern man has polluted his environment to such an extend that he might destroy himself if he went on like this
B. that there is a point in spending billions to land a flying saucer on Earth
C. that pollution has become so serous a problem on Earth that even Venusians find life there unbearable.
D. that it is difficult if not altogether impossible, to land a manned flying saucer on Earth
Federal regulators Wednesday approved (批准a plan to create a nationwide emergence alert（警报）system using text messages delivered to cell phones.
Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. The wireless industry's trade association, CTIA, estimates（估计）more than 48billion text messages are sent each month.
The plan comes from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires improvements to the nation's emergency alert system. The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission（FCC）with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.
"The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families before, and during, disasters and other emergencies," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan.
Participation in the alert system by carriers -telecommunications companies is voluntary, but it has received solid support from the wireless industry.
The program would be optional for cell phone users. They also may not be charged for receiving alerts.
There would be three different types of messages, according to the rules.
The first would be a national alert from the president, likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve "approaching threats," which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or storms or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction（绑架）emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.
The service could be in place by 2010.
1.What is the purpose of the approved plan?
A．To warn people of emergencies via messages.
B．To popularize the use of cell phones.
C．To estimate the monthly number of messages.
D．To promote the wireless industry.
2.The improvement to the present system is in the charge of________.
A．CTIA B the Warning Alert and Response Network
C．FCC D．federal regulators
3.An alert message will NOT be sent if________.
A．a child loses his way
B．a university shooting happens
C．a natural disaster happens
D．a terrorist attack occurs
4.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A．Cell Phone Alerts Protecting Students
B．Cell Phone Alerts by Wireless Industry
C．Cell Phone Alerts of National Disasters
D．Cell Phone Alerts Coming Soon
“Dad! He took a book without paying!” I yelled .
My father looked surprised. Before the boy could say anything, his mother grabbed his arm and shook it. “Is it true? You stole? Tell me!”
Everyone was quiet. The boy began to cry, and he nodded his head. He pulled out the comic book (漫画书) from under his shirt.
“Oh, Mr. Kim. I am sorry! My Ted made a big mistake!” Mrs. Diaz told my father. She tried to take the comic book, but Ted wouldn’t let go.
“It’s OK. He can keep it,” my father said with a smile.
“Oh no,” Mrs. Diaz said. “Let me pay right now ...” She dug in her purse. “How much?”
“Three seventy-five.”
Mrs. Diaz’s eyes widened, and she dug deeper. I saw her mouth make a small line. “Three seventy-five?” she asked.
“It’s OK. You can pay later,” my father said.
“No,” Mrs. Diaz said. She kept looking in her purse. “I have money here.”
I felt bad for yelling, for I realized that Ted had tried to steal the comic book because he didn’t have the money. Maybe the boy could have a job, I thought.
I had an idea.
“What if he worked with me?” I asked. They turned to me.
I said, “He can work with me to pay for the comic book.”
“Good,” my father said smiling at me. Mrs. Diaz nodded. She turned to her son, “You hear? You will work and buy the comic book!”
“Yes, Mama,” Ted said, hanging his head.
As they left, Ted looked back, and though he still seemed sad, he stuck out (伸出) his tongue at me.
Ted has been working here for two weeks. He has paid for the comic book, but my father says he is such a good worker that he can work with me as long as he wants. We are friends now.
1.Where did the story most probably take place?
A. In a classroom. B. In a supermarket.
C. At a bookstore. D. At a library.
2.By saying “but Ted wouldn’t let go” in Paragraph 4, the author means Ted ______.
A. took the book by mistake B. wanted to keep the book
C. didn’t want to go home D. didn’t think he was wrong
3.From the underlined sentences in the eighth paragraph, we may infer that Mrs. Diaz ______.
A. didn’t think her son stole the book
B. had been out of work for a long time
C. forgot to take money with her that day
D. couldn’t afford to pay for the book
4.In the last paragraph, what does the author mainly tell?
A. His idea was successful. B. Ted didn’t like the job.
C. He liked Ted very much. D. Ted was a naughty boy.
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
The night started out ordinarily enough. Jack and Tara, our 36 , were in their small beds surrounded by toy animals. My husband, Pat, and I went to sleep 37 .
38 after midnight, Jack quietly touched me. “Mommy, I want to stay with you. I promise I won’t take much room.” I shifted 39 to make room. My son soon fell asleep.
An hour later, Tara cried and I carefully went downstairs. “Mommy, my 40 is all stuffed up（堵住）. I can’t really breathe very well. Will you please 41 with me a little while?” Tara doesn’t often get up at night, 42 I decided to be there for her. She soon fell asleep. I returned to my own bed. I was determined to sleep. But to my 43 , I found Jack sleeping on my side of the bed. He looked so 44 that I couldn’t remove him. Quietly and carefully, I lay down between 45 and Jack.
I did manage to get some sleep 46 I heard Tara’s voice again. I returned to 47 Tara. “Mom, please lie down with me a little bit, I had a bad dream, and I’m so 48 .” “Of course, honey. It was only a dream. Mommy’s here and 49 is okay.” We fell asleep 50 each other’s arms.
Even in my sleepy state, I thought of 51 these nights of merry-go-round（一连串的繁忙活动）beds will be over. In their place, my twins will be grown. 52 before I’m ready, our children’ rooms will be much too 53 and empty. So it is especially on days when I’m worn out after a night on this mom’s merry-go-round that I remind 54 that these very days and nights are, in fact. “the good old days”, ever so 55 .
1.A．sons B．twins C．daughters D．students
2.A．downstairs B．in C．out D．upstairs
3.A．Sometimes B．Some time C．Sometime D．Some times
4.A．gently B．kindly C．rudely D．impatiently
5.A．nose B．mouth C．heart D．eye
6.A．come B．stay C．talk D．play
7.A．even thoughB．so C．no matter when D．however
8.A．joy B．anger C．disappointment D．surprise
9.A．deeply B．sound C．content D．deep
10.A．my father B．Tara C．Pat D．my mother
11.A．before B．when C．after D．until
12.A．show off B．look after C．watch out D．take care
13.A．scared B．exciting C．excited D．scaring
14.A．somethingB．anything C．everything D．nothing
15.A．over B．on C．by D．in
16.A．how often B．how soon C．how long D．how much
17.A．No doubt B．No wonder C．No problem D．No worry
18.A．noisy B．quiet C．still D．calm
19.A．my childrenB．my husband C．my friend D．myself
20.A．potential B．precise C．precious D．previous
