The Hawaiian Islands are in the Pacific Ocean almost 4,000, kilometres west of California. Tourism is very important to Hawaii. The tropical weather and beaches bring people from all over the world. But Hawaii is also experiencing problems from the downturn(经济衰退).
Last year was the first year since 2004 that Hawaii has had fewer than seven million visitors. The state had 6,800,000 arrivals in 2008. That was a decrease of 10% from the year before. State officials expect a decrease this year of another 2%. And they expect no growth in the economy through most of the year.
The Hawaiian Islands were formed millions of years ago by hot liquid rock flowing from undersea volcanoes. Visitors can still watch the process take place on the largest island, which like the state is named Hawaii. People usually just call it the Big Island.
Experts say Polynesian people first sailed to Hawaii about 2,000 years ago. A king ruled the islands when the 18th century British explorer James Cook arrived. At first, Hawaiians treated Captain Cook like a god. But in the end, he was killed on the Big Island in 1779.
Britain gave the islands their independence in 1843. Then, fifty years later, a group of American businessmen ousted the ruler and founded the Republic of Hawaii. It became an American territory in 1900.
That was three years after the United States set up a naval base at Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, which served as the command base for American operations in the Pacific during World War Two.
After the war, most Hawaiians required that Hawaii should be an independent state. In Congress(国会), though, there was resistance from southern states because of Hawaii’s non-white native population. But Congress passed the Hawaii Statehood Bill in 1959. Hawaiians accepted it, and on August 21st, President Eisenhower declared Hawaii the fiftieth state.
1..The number of visitors to Hawaii in 2009 is expected to be about _________.
A. 5,984,000 B. 6,664,000 C. 6,800,000 D. 6,936,000
2..When did the US set up a naval base at Pearl Harbor?
A. In 1893. B. In 1897. C. In 1900. D. In 1959.
3..What does the underlined word “ousted” in Paragraph 5 mean?
A. Forced out. B. Picked out. C. Elected. D. Became.
4..Which of the following is the correct order in the history of Hawaii?
a. It was ruled by a Polynesian king. b. It became an American territory.
c. The Republic of Hawaii was founded. d. It was under the rule of the British.
e. It became independent in 1843. f. It joined the United States.
A. a, b, d, c, e, f B. a, e, d, c, b, f C. a, d, e, c, b, f D. a, e, e, d, b, f
Once upon a time two brothers who lived on neighbouring farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious one in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed .
Then the long cooperoration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days’ work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with. Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek(河沟) at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow（草地） between us and he took his bulldozer（推土机） to the river levee（堤） and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. I want you to build me a fence — an 8-foot fence — so I won't need to see his place or his face any more. Cool him down , anyhow."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing, and hammering.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge — a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work — and his younger brother, was coming across, his hand spread out ..
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter lift his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."
1.. What was the life for the two brothers before the conflict ?
A. They live a poor , miserable life .
B. They were friendly neighbours ,helping each other .
C. They never speak to each other .
D. They live together as one family.
2.. The underlined word “spite” in paragraph 4 probably means ______________.
A. try to please B. make angry on purpose
C. laught at D. look down upon
3...Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage ?
A. The younger brother used his bulldozer to dig a creek .
B. After the conflict John was angry with his younger brother.
C. At first the carpenter planned to build an 8-foot fence as John asked him to.
D. The two brothers made peace at last .
4.. The best title for this passage is _______________.
A. A Fine Piece of Work B. A Clever Carpenter
C. A Conflict between Two Brothers D. Two Brothers
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D)中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
While attending a conference, I returned to my hotel room late one rainy evening. The overhead light outside my door was 36 and I had difficulty finding the keyhole. When I finally 37 to open the door, I 38 around the wall for a light switch. I found a 39 where a switch was once installed... but no switch.
No discouraged easily, I remembered seeing a 40 by the bed when I put away my luggage 41 in the day. I found the bed in the dark and felt around until I found the lamp, but when I switched it on, 42 happened! Now what?
Though I knew that it was dark outside my window 43 the outdoor light was burned out, I thought that 44 if I opened the curtains I might be able to use the light from the 45 to find another lamp. So I 46 my way slowly across the room to the curtains and... no draw-string!
I finally stumbled（跌跌撞撞） around until I found a desk lamp that actually 47 ! That evening I discovered in a whole new way just how dark the world can be and how necessary 48 is.
But even more necessary than 49 light is the light that shines from people—the light of love, sympathy and 50 . Because, for many people, the world is a dark and 51 place.
It is the shining that is important, for someone today just may be stumbling in discouragement or fear and in 52 of some light.
So let your light shine. Whatever ligh you 53 may be a beacon（灯塔）of hope and encouragement in someone’s darkness. And if you feel that your light is 54 a candle in a forest, remember this—there isn’t enough darkness in the world to 55
the light of one small candle.
1.. A. burning B. broken C. shining D. smooth
2... A. managed B. attempted C. succeeded D. meant
3... A. touched B. turned C. felt D. looked
4... A. light B. plate C. lamp D. signal
5.. A. lamp B. switch C. desk D. window
6... A. later B. earlier C. sooner D. first
7... A. something B. everything C. nothing D. anything
8... A. when B. unless C. since D. although
9... A. certainly B. surely C. absolutely D. perhaps
10.. A. stars B. street C. room D. shop
11.. A. forced. B. struggled C. made D. pushed
12... A. worked B. failed C. did D. closed
13.. A. love B. thinking C. dream D. light
14... A. spiritual B. physical C. mental D. inner
15... A. faith B. soul C. help D. attention
16.. A. mixed B. fancy C. lonely D. complicated
17... A. lack B. need C. favor D. face
18.. A. devote B. receive C. offer D. throw
19... A. only B. even C. ever D. much
20.. A. give out B. leave out C. take out D. put out
Women’s earnings are well below men’s, ______ educational difference that are decreasing between the two sexes.
A.in favor of B.in case of C. in spite of D. in terms of
Low-carbon life is of great benefit to improve the world environment. _____ can be enjoyed from it until you have a deep understanding of it, though.
A.something B.Nothing C.Few D. Much
—-Computers are becoming more and more important these years.
—-Yes. Without them human life quite different.
A. would be B. is C. will be D. would have been
