This month millions of American kids can forget about classroom bells and set off for grandparents’ homes, sleep-away camps and life guard stands. But summer vacation hasn’t always been a birth right of U.S. school children. Before the Civil War, schools operated on one of two calendars(日历), neither of which included a summer vacation. Rural(农村的) schooling was divided into summer and winter terms, leaving kids free to help with the farm work in the spring planting and fall harvest seasons. Urban students, meanwhile, regularly had as many as 48 weeks of study a year, with one break per quarter.
In the 1840s, however, educational reformers like Horace Mann moved to combine the two calendars out of concern that rural schooling was not enough and that overusing of young minds could lead to nervous disorders. Summer appeared as the obvious time for a break：it offered a rest for teachers, fit in the farming calendar and reduced doctors’ concern that packing students into hot classrooms would promote the spread of disease.
But people’s opinion about the modern U.S. school year, which averages 180 days, is still divided. Some experts say its pleasant but lazy summer break, which took hold in the early 20th century, is one of the reasons math skills and graduation rates of U.S. high schoolers ranked well below average in two international education reports published in 2007. Others insist that with children under increasing pressure to devote their downtime to internships(实习) or study, there’s still room for an institution that protects the lazy days of childhood.
1.What did the rural school calendar before the Civil War allow children to do?
A. Enjoy a summer vacation.
B. Take a break each quarter.
C. Have 48 weeks of study a year.
D. Assist their parents with farm work.
2.What did the educational reformers do in the 1840s?
A. They introduced summer vacation.
B. They shortened rural school terms.
C. They promoted the study of farming.
D. They advocated higher pay for teachers.
3.Why are some people unhappy about the modern U.S. school year?
A. It pushes the teachers too hard. B. It reduces the quality of education.
C. It ignores science instruction. D. It includes no time for internships.
The most welcome sight on a cold, wet winter night in London is the familiar shape of a London taxi cab approaching with its yellow “for hire” sign shining brightly. That shows it is ready to pick you up. Travelling by taxi in London is not just a way of going from one place to another. It is an experience to be enjoyed and remembered.
The main reason for this is the drivers, who are called "cabbies." Many of them are true Cockneys. This means they were born in the heart of London and speak their own special dialect(方言) of English. All of them know every street and famous building in the city, and all of them love to talk. A simple twenty-minute Journey across town can become very interesting. You may have a discussion about the government and its leaders or a friendly talk about the driver’s Aunty Nellie! One thing is for sure, it will never be boring. Cabbies know all the latest news about film stars, the Royal Family, government leaders, and popular singers or actors and actresses.
They also know the best places to eat, shop and relax. And they can take you straight to any large hotel, department store, theatre or museum. They know the shortest way possible without even looking at a map, because everyone who wants to become a taxi driver must pass a very difficult examination in order to get a license to drive a taxi. The exam is called “The Knowledge.” It is a written test, and in it drivers are asked the shortest way from one place to another. They must take into account the time of day—in rush hour, a longer route(路线) may be quicker—and describe the best way. Moreover they must never forget the one-way streets!
1.From what can we tell that someone is a Cockney?
A. Their interest. B. Their manners. C. Their speech. D. Their appearance.
2.What does the author suggest by mentioning "Aunty Nellie" in paragraph 2?
A. Passengers are full of curiosity.
B. Cabbies’ topics are wide-ranging.
C. Aunty Nellie is popular in London.
D. Londoners are friendly to each other.
3.What is the purpose of "The Knowledge"?
A. To qualify one to drive a taxi. B. To assess one’s driving skills.
C. To test drivers’ ability to write. D. To check taxi drivers memory.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Who is Pierre?
A. A doctor from Senegal.
B. A university researcher.
C. A United Nations official.
2.What does Pierre mainly talk about?
A. Food supplies in the world.
B. The role that the UN plays.
C. The purpose of his study.
3.What is the expected outcome of Pierre's work?
A. A new medicine. B. A new type of rice. C. A new farming method.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman doing?
A. Attending a seminar. B. Giving some advice. C. Doing an interview.
2.How often does the man travel by bus?
A. Twice a day. B. Every other day. C. Once a week.
3.How does the man feel about the bus service?
A. It's good. B. It's fair. C. It's poor.
4.What improvement should the bus company make?
A. Buses should be more punctual.
B. Drivers should be more polite.
C. Seats should be more comfortable.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why was Julia absent from the class?
A. She was ill. B. She got up late. C. She went to a party.
2.What has Robert got for Julia?
A. Textbooks. B. Oil paintings. C. Lecture notes.
3.Where will the speakers meet on Saturday?
A. At Robert's home. B. At a bar. C. At a shop.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Whose birthday is it?
A. Sarah's. B. Michael’s. C. Rebecca’s.
2.When will the birthday party begin?
A. At6:15. B. At6:30. C. At7:00.
3.What does the man want to know?
A. What to buy. B. Who to call. C. Where to park.
