Have you ever wished you could solve complex math problems without thinking? What about learning to play the piano in just three days? Or mastering several foreign languages within a month?
Eddie Morra, the main character in the movie Limitless can do all these things. But he isn’t Superman or Harry Potter. Eddie has taken pills called NZT.
Thriller Limitless came out in China on October 13. In the movie, Eddie is faced with “writer’s block”. He hasn’t written a single word of a novel, and his deadline has passed. And there’s more bad news: his girlfriend breaks up with him. By chance, Eddie runs into a relative who is a drug dealer. He gives Eddie some pills called NZT that allow people to make use of 100 percent of their brains. With the magic pills, Eddie’s life changes completely. He can recall everything he has ever read, seen or heard. He gains a sixth sense that allows him to predict future events. He even becomes a kungfu master by simply memorizing actions in Bruce Lee’s movie.
Before long he has finished his novel, won back his girlfriend and stepped into the financial world. He becomes rich incredibly quickly and is soon employed by a powerful Wall Street company. However, bad side effects are just around the corner. The effects of the pill last for only one or two days, and Eddie has to find more supplies of the pills. Meanwhile, the pills start to have other effects on him. Eddies’ mind loses the ability to control the actions of his body. What does destiny hold for him? Will he be able to go back to his normal life?
“Eddie’s fate turns out to be a barbed （讽刺的） joke… a sharp-eyed comic fable for an age of greed (贪婪)and speed.” writes A. O. Scott, a movie critic with the New York Times.
The drug isn’t real-----yet, some researchers say such memory-enhancing drugs might not be far off. Would you take such a pill despite its side effects? Is the ability to remember everything a blessing or a curse?
1.Which of the following happened to Eddie after he took the pill?
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A．He can easily call everyone in the world. |
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B．He can expect what will happen next with his sixth sense. |
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C．He can control a powerful Wall Street company and becomes rich. |
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D．He can make a special pill to improve his own memory. |
2.What’s A. O. Scott’s opinion of the movie?
A. The movie can help slow our pace in life.
B. The movie turned out to be only a joke.
C. The movie can help invent a memory-enhancing drug.
D. The movie aims to show something is wrong with our society.
3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
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A．Memory-enhancing is sure to do good to us. |
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B．More people will take pills to enhance their memory. |
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C．People are soon likely to remember everything. |
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D．Such a pill to enhance memories may soon be invented. |
4.What is writer’s purpose of writing the passage?
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A．To give us the information of a new movie. |
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B．To inform us of a new research on a new drug. |
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C．To suggest a good way to improve memory. |
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D．To tell us something about a new drug to enhance our memory. |
One morning more than thirty years ago, I entered the Track Kitchen, a restaurant where everyone from the humblest(卑微的) to the most powerful came for breakfast. I noticed an empty chair next to an elderly, unshaven man, who looked somewhat disheveled. He was wearing a worn-out hat and was alone. I asked if I might join him. He agreed quietly and I sat down to have my breakfast.
We cautiously began a conversation and spoke about a wide rang of things. We never introduced ourselves. I was concerned that he might have no money and not be able to afford something to eat. So as I rose to go back to the counter and buy a second cup of coffee, I asked,
“My I get you something?”
“A coffee would be nice.”
Then I bought him a cup of coffee, we talked more, and he accepted another cup of coffee. Finally, I rose to leave, wished him well, and headed for the exit. At the door I met one of my friends. He asked,
“How did you get to know Mr. Galbreath?”
“Who?”
“The man you were sitting with. He is chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs.”
I could hardly believe it. I was buying, offering a free breakfast, and feeling pity for one of the world’s richest and most powerful men!
My few minutes with Mr. Galbreath changed my life. Now I try to treat everyone with respect, no matter who I think they are, and no matter another human being with kindness and sincerity.
1.What does the underlined word “disheveled” mean?
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A．Unfriendly. |
B．Kind. |
C．Elegant. |
D．Untidy. |
2.The author bought coffee for the old man because .
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A．he wanted to start a conversation |
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B．he thought the old man was poor |
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C．he intended to show his politeness |
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D．he would like to thank the old man |
3.How did the author probably feel after he talked with his friend?
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A．Surprised. |
B．Pitiful. |
C．Proud. |
D．Satisfied. |
4.What is the message mainly expressed in the story?
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A．We should learn to be generous. |
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B．It is honorable to help those in need. |
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C．We should avoid judging people by their appearances. |
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D．People in high positions are not like what we expect. |
Austin Children’s Museum
This 7,000-square-foot museum aims to entertain and educate children up to age 9. In its Global City exhibit, people can go shopping for groceries, order lunch at a diner, pretend that they’re doctors or construction workers, and more. In other fun exhibits, they learn about Austin’s history, explore the world of water, and experience life on a large Texas farm.
Open time: From Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Sunday, 12:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Address: 201 Colorado St, Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512-4722499
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Founded in 1899, it is the world’s oldest children’s museum, featuring interactive exhibits, workshops, and special events. The Mystery of Things teaches children about cultural and scientific objects and Music Mix welcomes young virtuosos (名家).
Open time: From Wednesday to Friday, 2:00 p.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Address: 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, New York 1213
Phone: 718-7354400
Children’s Discovery Museum
This museum’s hand-on exhibits explore the relationships between the natural and the created worlds, and among people of different cultures and times. Exhibits include Streets, a 5/8-scale copy of an actual city, with streets lights, and waterworks, which shows how pumps can move water through a reservoir system.
Open time: From Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Sunday, from noon. Closed on holidays.
Address: 180 Woz Way, Guadalupe River Park, San Jose, California 95110
Phone: 408-2985437
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
This museum is the largest of its kind. Exhibits cover science, culture, space, history, and explorations. Among them are the Space Quest Planetarium (additional fee), the 33-foot-high Water Clock, the Playscape gallery for preschools, and the Dinosphere exhibit, along with hand-on science exhibits.
The largest gallery, the Center for Exploration, is designed for ages 12 and up.
Open time: From Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 25.
Address: 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Phone: 317-3343322
1.Suppose that December 25 is Tuesday, which of the following museums can you visit?
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A．Austin Children’s Museum. |
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B．Brooklyn Children’s Museum. |
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C．Children’s Discovery Museum. |
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D．Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. |
2.If you want to see how pumps can move water through a reservoir system, you should visit the museum in _____.
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A．Texas |
B．New York |
C．California |
D．Indiana |
3.After entering the museum you need to pay an additional fee to see _____.
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A．the Center for Exploration |
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B．the Space Quest Planetarium |
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C．the Global City exhibit |
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D．Waterworks |
4.Which of the following is not exhibited in Children’s Museum of Indianapolis?
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A．culture |
B．history |
C．explorations |
D．special events |
We were on tour a few summers ago, driving through Chicago, when right outside of the city, we got pulled over. A middle-aged policeman came up to the car and was really being troublesome at first. Lecturing us, he said, “You were speeding. Where are you going in such a hurry?” Our guitarist, Tim, told him that we were on our way to Wisconsin to play a show. His way towards us totally changed. He asked, “Oh, so you boys are in a band（乐队）？” We told him that we were. He then asked all the usual band questions about the type of music we played, and how long we had been at it. Suddenly, he stopped and said, “Tim, you want to get out of this ticket, don’t you?” Tim said, “Yes.” So the officer asked him to step out of the car. The rest of us, inside the car, didn’t know what to think as we watched the policeman talk to Tim. Next thing we knew, the policeman was putting Tim in the back of the police car he had parked in front of us. With that, he threw the car into reverse（倒车），stopping a few feet in back of our car. Now we suddenly felt frightened. We didn’t know if we were all going to prison, or if the policeman was going to sell Tim on the black market or something. All of a sudden, the policeman’s voice came over his loudspeaker. He said, “Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time ever, we have Tim here singing on Route 90.” Turns out, the policeman had told Tim that the only way he was getting out of the ticket was if he sang part of one of our songs over the loudspeaker in the police car. Seconds later, Tim started screaming into the receiver. The policeman enjoyed the performance, and sent us on our way without a ticket.
1.The policeman stopped the boys to .
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A．put them into prison |
B．give them a ticket |
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C．enjoy their performance |
D．ask some band questions |
2.The policeman became friendly to the boys when he knew they .
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A．had long been at the band |
B．played the music he loved |
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C．were driving for a show |
D．promised him a performance |
3.The boys probably felt when they drove off.
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A．joyful |
B．calm |
C．nervous |
D．frightened |
It’s certain that the following tale is a nice example that can teach us a good lesson. One day, a young man 16 begged from door to door along the street. 17 an old wallet in hand, he was asking for a few coins to buy something to eat. He kept complaining about his bad 18 and kept wondering why those who had so much money were never 19 and were always desiring more.
“As for me, if I had only enough to eat and to wear, I would not want anything more."
Just at that moment Goddess Fortune 20 the beggar among the crowd and approached him, greeting, “Hi, young man, I have wished to 21 you for a long time. If you open your wallet, I will pour my gold into it. But keep in mind that I will do that only on this 22 : All that falls into the wallet will be pure gold belonging to you; but every piece falling upon the ground 23 become dust, worth nothing. Are you clear?”
“I see. Now I’m ready. ” said the beggar with confidence.
“Then you should 24 ! It’s obvious that your wallet is a/an 25 one, so don’t load it too heavily,” said the Goddess Fortune.
The excited beggar could hardly 26 to have gold. He quickly opened his wallet, and a 27 of yellow coins was poured into it. The wallet became heavier and heavier.
“Is that enough? Isn’t it cracking? Will your wallet strong enough for more?” warned the Goddess.
“Never 28 .It’s still strong enough now” replied the beggar firmly.
The wallet was filled with so many coins that the beggar’s hands began to 29 . “Ah, if only the golden stream would 30 forever! Just a little more,” said the beggar, “ 31 just a handful or two.”
“There! It’s full. The wallet will 32 .” warned the Goddess again, but the beggar insisted, “ I know it will 33 a little more, just a little more.”
One more piece was added and the wallet split. The 34 fell upon the ground and became dust. The greedy beggar had now 35 but his broken wallet.
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-- Isn’t that Ann’s husband over there?
-- No, it ________ be him. I’m sure he doesn’t wear glasses.
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A． can’t |
B．must not |
C．won’t |
D．may not |
