In today's world of cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one time-telling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is "an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function." Many young adults agree ─ and use their cell phones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.
However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted(自夸) about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory(附件，配件) business. And for many today, the image(外形) a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.
"Complications" ─ features that go beyond simple timekeeping ─ are an important part of a watch's image. Today's watches offer a host of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers(追踪器), compasses(指南针), lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!
Creativity is also a key element in today's watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don't even look like watches. The company's popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell the time. It looks more like a futuristic bracelet(手镯) than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a "handless" watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.
Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative flair or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what's on their wrists(手腕). Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!
1.Why aren’t watches popular with young people as before?
A. Because watches cannot keep good time as cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players.
B. Because watches are featured by the disadvantages of simple function
C. Because watches are too expensive to afford.
D. Because watches don’t have beautiful appearance as other modern time telling tools.
2. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1 mean?
A. Watching-making is facing a survival crisis challenge.
B. Watching-making is faced with the developing opportunity.
C. Watching-making becomes the sun rising industry.
D. Watching-making has a specific development target.
3. It can be implied that ____________________.
A. people will gradually lose interest in watches as they grow older
B. watchmakers hardly change the development strategy for watches
C. today’s watches are better than those in the past in quality
D. customers used to be more concerned with the quality of a watch than with its image.
4.The following qualities can make a watch popular EXCEPT _________.
A. multifunction B. accuracy C. nice design D. low price
5.What’s the best title of the passage?
A. Watches and Teenagers B. The History of Watches
C. The Accuracy of Watches D. Watches Tell More Than Time
Americans are proud of their variety and individuality，yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform，whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a fivestar general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?
Among the arguments for uniforms，one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian(百姓的)clothes. People have become conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears a uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic(技工) is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse，a policeman，a barber，or a waiter to lose professional identity（身份）than to step out of uniform?
Uniforms also have many practical benefits. They save on other clothes. They save on laundry(洗衣店）bills. They are taxdeductible(可减税的)．They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.
Primary(主要的) among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms，the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it，without change，until retirement. When people look alike，they tend to think，speak，and act similarly，on the job at least.
Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are longlasting，often their initial(最初的)expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain（维持，维护），requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering(洗涤) possible with many types of civilian clothes.
1. It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality______.
A. still judge a man by his clothes
B. hold the uniform in such high regard
C. enjoy having a professional identity
D. will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform
2. People are accustomed to think that a man in uniform ____.
A. suggests quality work B. discards(丢弃)his social identity
C. appears to be more practical D. looks superior to a person in civilian clothes
3.The chief function of a uniform is to ____.
A. provide practical benefits to the wearer B. make the wearer catch the public eye
C. inspire the wearer ' s confidence in himself D. provide the wearer with a professional identity
4.According to the passage, people wearing uniforms ____.
A. are usually helpful B. have little or no individual freedom
C. tend to lose their individuality D. enjoy greater popularity
5.The best title for this passage would be ____.
A. Uniforms and Society B. The Importance of Wearing a Uniform
C. Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform D. Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniforms
Phys ed (physical education) is making a comeback as a part of the school core curriculum(核心课程)，but with a difference. While group sports are still part of the curriculum, the new way is to teach skills that are useful beyond gym class. Instead of learning how to climb a rope, children are taught to lift weights, balance their diets and build physical endurance(忍耐力). In this way，kids are given the tools and skills and experiences so they can lead a physically active life for the rest of their life.
Considering that 15 percent of American children aged 6 to 18 are overweight, supporters say more money and thought must be put into phys ed curriculum. In many cases, that may mean not just replacing the old gym-class model with fitness programs but also starting up phys ed programs because school boards often "put P.E. on the chopping block (砧板), cutting it entirely or decreasing its teachers or the days it is offered," says Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, the executive director of Action for Health Kids. The difference in phys ed programs is partly due to the lack of a national standard. "Physical education needs to be part of the core curriculum," she added.
The wisdom of the new approach has some scientific support. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have showed how effective the fit-for-life model of gym class can be. They observed how 50 overweight children lost more weight when they cycled and skied cross-country (越野)than when they played sports. The researchers also found that teaching sports like football resulted in less overall movement, partly because some reluctant（不情愿的）students were able to sit on the bench.
Another problem with simply teaching group sports in gym class is that only a small percentage of students continue playing them after graduating from high school. The new method teaches skills that translate to adulthood.
1.According to the passage, what is usually taught in the old gym class?
A. Lift weights B. Climb a rope C. Cycle D. Have a balanced diet
2.What does Alicia Moag-Stahlberg mean by saying “some school boards put P. E. on the chopping block”?
A. Schools do not pay enough attention to P. E..
B. Schools welcome P. E. but do not have time for it.
C. Schools put P.E. in the first place.
D. Schools cut down other subjects’ time for P. E..
3.Which is NOT the reason to carry out phys ed programs according to the passage?
A. More teenagers are overweight.
B. Traditional group sports teaching is not effective.
C. Students need to learn some skills to help them lead a physically active life.
D. Phys ed programs need less money to support.
4.How many problems are mentioned in the passage with simply teaching group sports?
A. Two B. Three C. Four D. One
5.What’s the difference between the come-back phys ed and the ordinary gym-class model?
A. The Phys ed teaches group sports.
B. The Phys ed provides more fitness programs.
C. The Phys ed teaches tools and skills which could be used in the future life.
D. The Phys ed has more support from the government.
Last year, I lived in Chile for half a year. I lived with a Chilean family and had the responsibilities of any Chilean teenager. I had good days and bad days I didn’t understand.
Chuquicamata, my host community, is a mining camp. When I arrived there, I was scared. It was so different from what I was used to. There were lots of dogs on the streets, and there was no downtown, few smoothly paved streets, and little to do for entertainment. Rain was not seen very often, earthquakes and windstorms were frequent.
I had studied Spanish for two and a half years and was always one of the best students in my class. But in my first week in Chile I was only able to communicate and needed one person to whom I could explain my shock. I couldn’t speak the thoughts in my head and there were so many.
Most exchange students experience this like me. Culture shock presents itself in everything from increased aggression (敌对心理) towards the people to lack of appetite(食欲). I was required to overcome all difficulties.
As time passed, everything changed. I began to forget words in English and to dream in Spanish and love Chilean food. I got used to not depending on expensive things for fun. Fun in Chuquicamata was being with people. And I took math, physics, chemistry, biology, Spanish, art, and philosophy.
But the sacrifices were nothing compared to the gain. I learned how to accept and to succeed in another culture. I now have a deeper understanding of both myself and others.
1.The author came to Chile last year with the purpose of ________.
A. paying a visit to Chile as a tourist B. experiencing Chilean life as a teacher
C. studying Chilean culture as a college student D. studying knowledge as an exchange student
2.On arriving in Chile, why did the author feel frightened?
A. Because he did not know how to get along with the local people.
B. Because it was full of dangers like earthquakes and windstorms.
C. Because its living conditions were worse than what he was used to.
D. Because it was not convenient for him to shop there.
3.In the first week in Chile the author _ _______.
A. was not used to eating Chilean food B. had some friends to have a chat with
C. couldn’t communicate with people D. couldn’t express his thoughts in English
4.What did the author most probably think of his life in Chile?
A. Wonderful and worthwhile B. Difficult but meaningful
C. Difficult and meaningless D. Boring and disappointing
5. According to the passage, which of the following statements about Chile is TRUE?
A. its official language is Spanish and English.
B. It is a developing country without foreign students.
C. It seldom rains and natural disasters often happen.
D. Most Chileans are not friendly to foreigners.
Once upon a time a king, in the company of his ministers, went to the imperial garden for a walk. When he was walking around a pond, a strange idea 26 upon him and he asked, “How many buckets(桶) of water are there in the pond?” The ministers looked at each other, 27 to give an answer.
Rather 28 , the king ordered, “You have three days’ grace. Any one who offers an answer will be handsomely awarded. Those who fail will be 29 .”
The time limit was due in the twinkling（闪烁）of an eye, yet the ministers were still at their wit’s end. At this time a child appeared who declared that he knew the answer. The king told his 30 ministers to go with the child for the measurement. To their 31 , the child refused the suggestion with a smile, “It is very easy. No 32 to go to the pond.” This made the king laugh 33 , “Alright, let us know what it is.” The child winked (眨眼) and said, “That 34 on the size of the bucket. If it is as big as the pond, there is one bucket of water; if it is half as big, two buckets; if one third as big, three buckets; if...” “Stop! That’s it. You’ve got the 35 .” The king was satisfied and the child was duly rewarded.
Why did the ministers feel it so different to settle the problem? Because they fell in a pitfall (陷阱), following a wrong way of thinking. People’s thinking often goes a habitual way — the beaten track of straightforwardness. 36 is a static (静态的) way presupposing every object definite and certain, i.e. the size of the pond and the bucket should be clearly 37 . If one of them is unknown, it will be difficult to do the measurement, let alone 38 . Why not change your mode of thought — from static to dynamic（动态的）, from concrete to 39 ? If you adopt an indirect way and try to find out the proportional relation between the pond and the bucket, you’ll get an answer — flexible yet 40 to solve the problem.
Sometimes to get out of the difficulty one must change one’s way of thinking, or simply change one’s approach towards a problem.
1. A. fixed B. focused C. came D. looked
2.A. struggling B. thinking C. falling D. failing
3.A. disappointed B. excited C. pleased D. contented
4.A. killed B. punished C. blamed D. scolded
5.A. exciting B. amazing C. surprising D. trembling
6.A. doubt B. surprise C. envy D. delight
7.A. good B. use C. need D. wonder
8.A. wonderfully B. joyfully C. cheerfully D. doubtfully
9. A. decides B. depends C. calls D. looks
10.A. award B. reward C. answer D. number
11.A. This B. That C. It D. Such
12.A. marked B. measured C. signed D. known
13.A. another B. other C. one D. both
14.A. detailed B. easy C. simple D. abstract
15.A. acceptable B. available C. adequate D. proper
He talks about Rome as if he _________there before.
A. were B. had been C. has been D. was
