The U．S．Postal Service (USPS) is losing billions of dollars a year．The government company that delivers "small mail" is losing out to email and other types of electronic communication．First-class mail amount fell from a high point of 104 million pieces in 2000 to just 64 million pieces by 2014.
Congress permits the 600,000-empIoyee USPS to hold a monopoly (垄断) over first-class and standard mail．The company pays no federal, state or local taxes; pays no vehicle fees; and is free from many regulations on other businesses．Despite these advantages, the USPS has lost $52 billion since 2007, and will continue losing money without major reforms.
The problem is that Congress is preventing the USPS from reducing costs as its sales decline, and is blocking efforts to end Saturday service and close unneeded post office locations．USPS also has a costly union-dominated workforce that slows the introduction of new ideas or methods down．USPS workers earn significantly higher payment than comparable private-sector workers．The answer is to privatize the USPS and open postal markets to competition．With the rise of the Internet, the argument that mail is a natural monopoly that needs government protection is weaker than ever.
Other countries facing declining letter amounts have made reforms．Germany and the Netherlands privatized their national postal companies over a decade ago, and other European countries have followed suit．Britain floated shares of the Royal Mail on its stock exchange in 2013．Some countries, such us Sweden and New Zealand, have not privatized their national postal companies, but they have opened them up to competition.
These reforms have driven efficiency improvements in all of these countries．Additional number of workers have been reduced, productivity has risen and consumers have benefited．Also, note that cost-cutting measures—such as closing tone post offices—are good for both the economy and the environment.
Privatization and competition also encourage new changes．When the USPS monopoly over "extremely urgent" mail was stopped in 1979, we saw an explosion in efficient overnight private delivery by firms such as FedEx.
The government needs to wake up to changing technology, study postal reforms abroad and let businessmen reinvent our out-of-date postal system.
1.What do we know about the USPS?
A．Its great competitor is the delivery firm FedEx.
B．It is an old public service open to competitions.
C．Its employees don't pay federal, state or local taxes.
D．It has complete control of first-class and standard mail.
2.The author mentions some other countries in Paragraph 4 to __________.
A．explain the procedures of reform to the USPS
B．show the advantages of private postal services
C．set some examples for the government to learn from
D．prove the situation is very common around the world
3.The author probably that the USPS __________.
A．needs government’s protection as ever
B．can work together with other businesses
C．must be replaced by international companies
D．should be sold out and become a private service
4.Which of the following shows the development of ideas in this passage?
A．
B．
C．
D．
Music for Humans and Humpback Whales As researchers conclude in Science, the love of music is not only a universal feature of the human species, but is also deeply fixed in complex structures of the human brain, and is far more ancient than previously suspected.
In the articles that discuss the field of bio-musicology, the study of the biological basis for the creation and appreciation of music, researchers present various evidence to show that music-making is at once an original human "business", and an art form with skillful performers throughout the animal kingdom.
The new reports stress that humans hold no copyright on sound wisdom, and that a number of nonhuman animals produce what can rightly be called music, rather than random sound．Recent in-depth analyses of the songs sung by humpback whales show that, even when their organ would allow them to do otherwise, the animals converge on the same choices relating to sounds and beauty, and accept the same laws of song composition as those preferred by human musicians, and human ears, everywhere.
For example, male humpback whales, who spend six months of each year doing little else but singing, use rhythms (节奏) similar to those found in human music and musical phrases of similar length—a few seconds．Whales are able to make sounds over a range of at least seven octaves (八度音阶), yet they tend to move on through a song in beautiful musical intervals, rather than moving forwards madly．They mix the sounds like drums and pure tones in a ratio (比例) which agrees with that heard in much western music．They also use a favorite technique of human singers, the so-called A-B-A form, in which a theme is stated, then developed, and then returned to in slightly revised form．
Perhaps most impressive, humpback songs contain tunes that rhyme．"This suggests that whales use rhyme in the same way we do: as a technique in poem to help them remember complex material," the researchers write.
1.The underlined words "converge on" in Paragraph 3 probably means__________.
A．tend towards
B．refer to
C．turn into
D．put forward
2.Which of the following shows the advanced musical ability in humpback whales?
A．They can remember complex material.
B．They can create pleasing patterns of music.
C．They can make sounds like drums continuously.
D．They can sing along with rhythms of western music.
3.What is the main idea of the article?
A．Animals are able to compose and enjoy music like humans.
B．Human beings borrow ideas in music from humpback whales.
C．Humpback whales are skillful performers in the animal kingdom.
D．Music-making is an ancient activity of both humans and animals.
4.The main purpose of the passage is to __________.
A．argue and discuss
B．inform and explain
C．compare and advertise
D．examine and assess
The Come-back Coffeehouse The sign in the window read "Carl's Coffee Shoppe," spelled the old-fashioned way．Hallie shook her head and wondered how many times she had suggested an alternative．She entered the shop and saw only one person.
"I could help with the books, Dad", Hallie offered, "There's not much you could do." Her father signed．"How about if you clean the counters instead?" His statement made her feel like a little girl instead of a senior in high school．Hallie sprayed some cleanser and ran a cloth over the worn countertops．After she had washed a few of the old eggshell-colored cups, she began her homework．At closing time, Hallie's parents sat beside her．"You know the shop has not been profitable lately," Mr．Rhodes began．"We need to decide if it is even worth keeping it open." "We're going to visit Uncle Harold over spring vacation." Mrs．Rhodes continued．"He can look over the books and tell us what our options are．You and Aunt Tess will run the shop for the week."
By spring vacation Hallie was ready for an adventure．Hllie's parents gave some instructions, and said good-bye．Hallie stared absently out the window at the passersby: young people on their way to work, and kids on their school vacation．They were not the same people that her grandpa Carl had served．Suddenly Hallie had an idea．She confided in Aunt Tess, who approved．The two eagerly set to work.
At the end of the week, Hallie was coming out from the kitchen when she saw her parents standing in the shop, confused．She smiled as her parents stared at the teens around the counter and the young families seated at the tables.
"Welcome back!" Hallie swept her arms to present the restaurant's cheerful new decoration．Bright, attractive coverings spread over the tables, and modern posters hung on the walls, while, colorful mismatched dishes contributed to the pleasant atmosphere."
"I brought board games from home," Hallie added excitedly, "and the bookstore down the street donated the posters．When we talked to our friends about what we were doing, they were happy to give us some dishes." Hallie held her breath as she waited for her parents' reaction.
"Everyone certainly seems to like the changes," noted Mrs．Rhodes.
"Speaking of changes," Mr．Rhodes said, "I see our name has changed, too."
"Do you mind? I changed our name to 'Come-Back Coffeehouse' to make the shop sound welcoming, as in 'Please come back again'..."
A smile spread across her father's face．"The new name is fitting．Thanks to you, this place certainly has made a comeback!"
1.What can we infer from the first two paragraphs?
A．Hallie trusted Aunt Tess very much.
B．Hallie took charge of the books for her parents.
C．Hallie's parents didn't take her opinions seriously.
D．Hallie's parents didn't count on the shop for a living.
2.What do we learn about "Carl's Coffee Shoppe"?
A．It is behind the times．
B．It has regular customers.
C．It is located on a quiet street．
D．It follows family traditions well.
3.What did Hallie do after her parents left?
A．She advertised for the shop.
B．She made the shop more attractive.
C．She invited her friends to the shop.
D．She turned the shop into an activity center.
4.What kind of girl in Hallie?
A．Smart and helpful．
B．Modest and out-going.
C．Optimistic and generous．
D．Faithful and hardworking.
New Way to Experience Dentistry
Have you ever had your hand held during a dental procedure you feel uneasy about? What about a dental office that mimics（模仿） the spirit of Disneyland? If you're looking for a dental office that provides the best care and the best environment, you're looking for Dr．Licking's office in Sunnyvale.
Officer manager Judy, who has worked with Dr．Licking for 38 years, speaks highly of his kindness．She believes that the office is “the Disneyland of dentistry”．Everyone from children to their grandparents loves the environment and care they receive from this welcoming office.
Dr．Licking is known as the best dental care provider for anyone who fears facing appointments with the dental office．The staff goes out of their way to make patients feel comfortable and at ease．Dr．Licking and Judy set the standard with their saying, “when someone comes to your home, you stand up and welcome them, like an old family friend.”
Dr．Licking's office has all．They recently relocated to put the new equipment into their practice．The office is equipped with an intra-oral video camera, and as a patient you can get pictures of your teeth as you're walking out the door.
Setting himself apart from other dentists, Dr．Licking continues his education beyond what is required．For this reason, he is one of few dentists in the country who offers ozone treatment．Ozone can naturally stop decay (蛀蚀) in its tracks．For more information on this new technology, visit their website at www.drjohnlicking.com.
Dr．Licking's office is Diamond Certified, an honor given only to companies with the higher quality after extensive and continual research．Dr．Licking's office extends an invitation to you to meet their gentle staff and offers you a free office visit, including x-rays and an exam.
The office holds extended hours ranging from 7 a．m．to 8 p, m., Monday through Thursday．Don't worry if you have an emergency．Dr．Licking’s office responds to all emergencies and urgent calls.
JOHN LICKING, D.D.S.
Cosmetic & Family Dentistry since 1970
408—736—6235
drjohnlicking.com
877 W.Fremont Ave．Suite C3, Sunnyvale
1.What is special about the dental office?
A．It has a caring environment.
B．It is decorated like Disneyland.
C．It uses the most advanced equipment.
D．It provides service for both kids and old people.
2.What do we know about Dr．Licking?
A．He has developed ozone treatment.
B．He is the best dentist all over the country.
C．He has been studying dentistry continuously.
D．He has worked as a dentist for nearly 38 years.
3.The passage is written to ______.
A．introduce a famous dentist
B．show a new treatment for tooth decay
C．advise people to have their teeth examed
D．invite people to visit Dr．Licking's office
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D 四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Running for a Dream
I will never forget that November day．It was hotter than normal．This was the ____ my father and I had waited so long for, because we had been working towards this race for three years．Dozens of familiar faces from church and school flashed across my view．They had come ____ me．I saw worry and ____ on my father’s face．Then the race began!
For the first two and a half miles, I felt ____．I had never before been so ready for something．The weeks leading up to the race were filled with controlled ____ and a strict diet．My friends hadn’t seen me in weeks, but they understood the ____ required to make my dream a reality．As in all of my races, I didn't ____ out in the front, I loved the pleasure of passing people as my strength overtook their premature speed.
Then without warning, my strength began to decrease．Neck and neck with one of my greatest competitors, I ____ see the finish line．I had begun the final dash into ___ when my knees became weak and my legs gave way．Nothing I could do would make them ____ weight.
I watched as runners rushed by me．____ I knew my dreams of victory were destroyed, I had to finish the race．However, my legs hurt badly．With all of the ____ left in me, I got on my hands and knees and crawled (爬), inch by inch, across the finish line．Voices, both ____ and familiar, cheered me on．They gave me the courage to keep ____ until the very end.
The doctors were there in seconds, but my eyes searched the crowd for him．There was only one person I wanted to ____ to．I whispered, “I’m so sorry, Dad, I'm so sorry I ____ you.” He looked at me, saying, “You could never disappoint me．Sometimes these things just ____．All that matters is that you did your best.”
“But we worked so ____．What about our dream?” He reached over for my hand and said, “Don't you know that you are my dream and it has come true?”
It wasn't long before my running shoes were back on, marking a ____ path for my journey, I learned that all of the miles, the tears, the sweat, and the pain my dad and I experienced together were not for a ____．What I realized, though, was that to him, I was the greatest prize he had ever won.
1.A．dream B．weather C．result D．day
2.A．for B．to C．across D．over
3.A．coldness B．astonishment C．excitement D．amusement
4.A．proud B．great C．nervous D．afraid
5.A．programs B．studies C．instructions D．practices
6.A．sacrifice B．potential C．patience D．attention
7.A．look B．move C．start D．come
8.A．should B．could C．must D．need
9.A．relief B．spirit C．pleasure D．glory
10.A．give B．feel C．hold D．add
11.A．Where B．Because C．If D．Although
12.A．trust B．emotion C．strength D．confidence
13.A．loud B．foreign C．soft D．firm
14.A．going B．running C．fighting D．training
15.A．refer B．talk C．listen D．agree
16.A．frightened B．disturbed C．disappointed D．bored
17.A．develop B．change C．follow D．happen
18.A．late B．hard C．closely D．quickly
19.A．new B．near C．rough D．narrow
20.A．wish B．duty C．rank D．race
Muir succeeds ______ other designers have failed—her clothes are original, yet stylish.
A．that B．what C．which D．where
