Many cities have subways and underground public transportation to take locals and tourists alike rapidly around the city.However, there’s something different about riding a London subway.It may not look different, but the historical value of one of England’s most popular forms of transportation is enough to make riding the subway a must when visiting London.With a little under 300 different stations, the subway can take you almost anywhere you need to go.
Riding a London subway, a person from other countries will notice one major difference: in London, people do not look at each other.In fact, eye contact is avoided at all times.That’s not rudeness ―people are just too busy to bother looking.
Busy doing what, you ask? Well, they’re certainly not using the time for a moment of quiet thinking.Nor are they reading a book.New technology has replaced quiet habits.Today the only acceptable form of book on the London underground is an e-book.
Apple must earn a fortune from London commuters(使用月票上下班者).Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, over 40,000―yes, that’s 40,000 “apps” have been designed.
Commuters love them because they are the perfect time-fillers.One “app”, called iShoot, is a game that features tanks.Another one, Tube Exits, tells passengers where to sit on the train to be closest to the exit of their destination.iSteam clouds the iPhone screen when you breathe into the microphone.You can then write in the “steam” on your phone screen.
For those without an iPhone, another Apple product, the iPod, may be the distraction(消遣)of choice.It’s not just teenagers who “plug in” to their music-iPods are a popular way to pass the time for all ages.
And if games, e-books and music aren’t enough to keep you occupied, then perhaps you would prefer a film? The development of palm DVD technology means many commuters watch their favorite TV shows or films on the way to work.With all these distractions, it’s amazing that people still remember to get off the train.
1.Those who want to save time to reach where they go can download ______ to their iPhones.
A.iShoot B.Tube Exits C. iSteam D.iPod
2.People in London do not make eye contact on the subway because ______
A.they are going to work and have no time to communicate with each other
B.they love reading books and do not want to be disturbed
C.they feel sleepy because of getting up early
D.they are busy playing games, reading e-books, listening to music or watching films
3.The underlined word “apps” in the fourth paragraph means ______.
A.computers B.programs downloaded for the iPhone
C.computer companies D.fortune from London commuters
4.Which word best describes the writer’s attitude towards commuters’ behaviors?
A.for B.against C.neutral D.hateful
5.The main idea of the passage is that ______.
A.London commuters are unfriendly to strangers
B.Apple has earned a lot of money from selling 40,000 apps
C.technology is changing how London commuters spend their traveling time
D.riding a London subway is a must when visiting London
I believe that families are not only blood relatives, but sometimes people who show up and love you when no one else will.
In May 1977, I was living in a Howard Johnson’s motel off Interstate 10 in Houston. My dad and I 21 a room with two double beds and a bathroom which was too 22 for a 15-year-old girl and her father. Dad’s second marriage was 23 and my stepmother had 24 us both out of the house the previous week. Dad had no 25_ what to do with me. And that’s when my other family 26 .
Barbara and Roland Beach took me into their home 27 their only daughter, Su, my best friend, asked them to. I 28 with them for the next seven years.
Barb washed my skirts the same as Su’s. She 29 I had lunch money, doctors’ appointments, help with homework and nightly hugs. Barbara and Roland attended every football game where Su and I were being cheerleaders. 30 I could tell, for the Beaches there was no 31 between Su and me; I was their daughter, too.
When Su and I 32 college they kept my room the same for the entire four years I attended school. Recently, Barb presented me with an insurance policy they bought when I first moved in with them and had continued to pay on for 23 years.
The Beaches knew 33 about me when they took me in – they had heard the whole story from Su. When I was seven, my mother died and from then on my father relied on other people to _34 his kids. Before I went to live with the Beaches I had believed that life was entirely 35__ and that love was shaky and untrustworthy. I had believed that the only person who would take care of me was me.
36 the Beaches, I would have become a bitter, cynical (愤世嫉俗的) woman. They gave me a(n) 37 that allowed me to grow and change. They kept me from being paralyzed(使瘫痪 ,使麻痹 ,使无能力)by my _38 , and they gave me the confidence to open my heart.
I 39 family. For me, it wasn’t the family that was there on the day I was 40 , but the one that was there for me when I was living in a Howard Johnson’s on Interstate 10.
1.A. lived B. shared C. possessed D. bought
2.A. cheap B. noisy C. small D. limited
3.A. in trouble B. in sight C. in place D. in parts
4.A. struck B. removed C. kicked D. knocked
5.A. plan B. choice C. chance D. idea
6.A. looked after B. showed up C. turned over D. came cross
7.A. so B. because C. until D. while
8.A. worked B. traveled C. lived D. learned
9.A. worked out B. called up C. watched out D. made sure
10.A. As long as B. As far as C. As soon as D. As many as
11.A. change B. problem C. conflict D. difference
12.A. set off B. left for C. entered into D. admitted into
13.A. all B. little C. something D. nothing
14.A. supply B. teach C. encourage D. raise
15.A. different B. unfair C. easy D. hopeful
16.A. Thanks to B. In spite of C. Except for D. But for
17.A. home B. house C. ability D. lesson
18.A. choice B. failure C. past D. present
19.A. doubt about B. call on C. center on D. believe in
20.A. born B. accepted C. educated D. deserted
----- Have you ever heard of Jay Chou's new movie "Kung fu Dunk"?
----- ________ . Does it come out in February?
A. Yes, I see B. No, I never heard
C. Yes, it rings a bell D. No, it comes as no surprise
----Are you still mad at her?
---Not really, but I can’t ___ that her remarks hurt me.
A. deny B. refuse C. reject D. decline
The manager said, “Every means _____ tried, but there is no result.”
A. have been B. has been C. will be D. were
I was ill that day, otherwise I ____ the sports meet
A. would have taken part in B. took part in
C. had taken part in D. would take part in