科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Japanese couples,too busy for a normal social life,are increasingly turning to actors to play their friends on the most important days of their lives.
Several agencies have sprung up (涌現(xiàn)) offering actors to attend weddings or even funerals.The first guest-for-hire company was established about nine years ago and around 10 now send out dozens of pretend friends to family events.
Agencies such as Hagemashi Tai —— which means “I want to cheer you up” —— charge around £100 for each “guest”.Other services such as giving a speech in praise of a bride or the groom cost extra.
The appearance of the small fake friends industry has been linked to social and economic changes in Japan.With lifetime employment (終身雇傭制) a thing of the past,couples feel uncomfortable about inviting work colleagues to their wedding.Increasingly busy and stressed out,many Japanese surround themselves with only a very small circle of friends.
When they marry,however,they are under pressure to match the number of their new partner’s wedding guests.Office Agents,the largest provider of pretend friends,makes sure that its employees have done their homework and know all about the bride or groom before the wedding.
Hiroshi Mizutani,the company’s founder,said the fake friends he provides must look happy,be well dressed and look like people with good jobs.
【小題1】Why did fake friends industry come into being in Japan?
| A.Because of social and economic changes. |
| B.Because of lifetime employment. |
| C.Because of normal social life. |
| D.Because of work pressure.. |
| A.weddings | B.funerals |
| C.work | D.family gathering |
| A.have done their housework |
| B.have good jobs |
| C.must look happy and be well dressed |
| D.feel uncomfortable |
| A.Japanese couples are under pressure to get married. |
| B.The first guest-for-hire company in Japan started. |
| C.Japanese couples’ social life is boring. |
| D.Japanese couples rely on fake friends. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Are you carrying too much on your back at school? I’m sure lots of children of your age will say “Yes”. Not only the students in China have this problem, but children in the United
States also have heavy school bags.
Doctors are starting to worry that younger and younger students are having back and neck problems as a result of school bags being too heavy for them.
“It’s hard for me to go upstairs with my bag because it’s so heavy,” said Rick Hammond, an 11-year-old student in the US.
Rick is among students who have common school bags with two straps (帶子) to carry them, but many other students choose rolling bags.
But even with rolling bags, getting up stairs and buses is still a problem for children. Many of them have hurt their backs and necks because of the heavy school bags.
But how much is too much? Doctors say students should carry no more than 10% to 15% of their own body weight.
Scott Bautch, a back doctor, said children under Grade 4 should stay with 10%. But it is also important that older children don’t stay with over 15%, because their bodies are still growing. “Children are losing their balance and falling down with their school bags,” he said.
Parents and teachers are starting to tell children to only take home library books they will be reading that night. Some teachers are using pieces of paper or thin workbooks for students to take home.
One of the best answers is, as some children said, to have no homework at all!
【小題1】From the passage we can know that .
| A.only children in China carry too heavy school bags |
| B.both children in China and the US carry too heavy school bags |
| C.children in other countries don’t carry too heavy bags |
| D.only children in the US carry too heavy school bags |
| A.they are too young |
| B.they don’t know how to go upstairs |
| C.their school bags are too heavy |
| D.their parents don’t always go upstairs with them together |
| A.his back and neck will be hurt | B.his head and arms will be hurt |
| C.his hands will be hurt | D.his feet will be hurt |
| A.5 kilos | B.3 kilos | C.5.5 kilos | D.4.5 kilos |
| A.they should have a little homework to do after they get home |
| B.their teachers had better not ask them to do any homework |
| C.they should only take home library books they will read that night |
| D.they should use thin workbooks instead of thick ones |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Everyone knows that the French are romantic, the Italians are fashionable and the Germans are serious. Or do they? Are these just stereotypes or is there really such a thing as national character? And if there is, can it affect how a nation succeed or fail?
At least one group of people is certain that it can. A recent survey of the top 500 entrepreneurs (實(shí)業(yè)家) in the UK found that 70 percent felt that their efforts were not appreciated by the British public.
Britain is hostile to success, they said. It has a culture of jealousy (嫉妒) . As a result, the survey said, entrepreneurs were “unloved, unwanted and misunderstood”. Jealousy is sometimes known as the “green-eyed monster” and the UK is its home. Scientists at Warwich University in the UK recently tested this idea. They gathered a group of people together and gave each an imaginary amount of money. Some were given a little, others a great deal. Those given a little money were given the chance to destroy the large amounts of money given to others—but at the cost of losing their own. Two thirds of the people tested agreed to do this.
This seems to prove the entrepreneurs were right to complain. But there is also conflicting evidence. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently reported that the UK was now the world’s fourth largest economy. That is not bad for people who are supposed to hate success. People in the UK also work longer hours than anyone else in Europe. So the British people are not lazy, either.
“It’s not really success that the British dislike,” says Carey Cooper, a Professor of management at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. “It’s people using their success in a way that seems arrogant (傲慢) or unfair or which separates them from their roots.”
Perhaps it is the entrepreneurs who are the problem. They set out to do things in their way. They work long hours. By their own efforts they become millionaires. But instead of being happy they complain that nobody loves them. It hardly seems worth following their example. If they were friendlier, people would like them more. And more people want to be like them.
【小題1】What does the underlined “it” in the second paragraph refer to__________?
| A.One group of people | B.A great survey | C.A nation | D.National character |
| A.the British public are hardworking |
| B.they are not popular simply because they are successful |
| C.love of success is Britain’s national character |
| D.they are considered as “green-eyed monsters” |
| A.Most people would rather fail than see others succeed |
| B.Two thirds of the people tested didn’t love money |
| C.An imaginary amount of money does not attract people |
| D.Most people are willing to enjoy success with others |
| A.jealousy is Britain’s national character |
| B.British entrepreneurs are not fairly treated |
| C.the British dislike the entrepreneurs because they do not behave properly |
| D.the scientists at Warwich University did a successful test |
| A.Everyone knows that the French are romantic, the Germans are fashionable and the Italians are serious. |
| B.About 350 entrepreneurs in the UK felt that their efforts were not appreciated by the British public. |
| C.The British people are not lazy and they work longer hours than anyone else in the world. |
| D.Carey Cooper said that the British really dislike success. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
“When I grow up, I want to be...”
Almost all of us have thought about, or been asked to think about, our future careers. Our answers may differ greatly. Even now your aspirations(志向,抱負(fù))may have changed from when you were in primary school.
However, it seems career options aren’t only based on personal taste. In a survey carried out by Teens, doctors, lawyers, and bankers were some of most popular careers that people said they hoped to follow. This is in line with a similar survey carried out in the UK in May 2011 by job website---Co.uk, in which medicine was the top choice among UK teenagers aged between 13 and 17.
Medicine and law are two of the oldest and best known professions. Their prestige (威望) may come from the fact that doctors and lawyers are much-respected members of society, and they make good money. What’s more, these professions are often seen as a sign of upward social mobility.
It is equally unsurprising that banking is now one of the most common career choices. Youngsters worldwide think of banking and see the money rolling in. Wealth is increasingly becoming one of the most important indicators(標(biāo)志) of a successful career. British young men list the UK tycoon(巨頭,大亨) Alan Sugar, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg as their top role models “for their wealth”. Just as Chinese teenagers see being a banker as a good and fun way to “wealth”.
However, not every child has the makings of doctor, lawyer, or banker. They are those who see achievement and happiness in other areas, and many teenagers dare to ink more individuality into their career options. As the Teens’ survey discovered, a variety of unconventional jobs---coffee shop owner, gourmet(美食家),waiter at a fast food restaurant---are among teenagers’ career choices. They can be equally interesting and rewarding jobs.
With every choice comes responsibility and challenge, and all career paths require specific education and training, you have to learn to balance optimism(樂觀主義)and confidence with being realistic about your particular talents and skills.
【小題1】What is the passage mainly about?
| A.Careers in teenagers’ mind. |
| B.Choosing a good job is very important. |
| C.Teenagers in the UK like doctors. |
| D.The choice of career needs challenge. |
| A.Medicine | B.Law | C.Bank | D.Education |
| A.respect from others | B.the oldest profession |
| C.high pay | D.upward social mobility |
| A.Prestige | B.Achievement | C.Happiness | D.Wealth |
| A.Careers such as gourmets and waiters are not as rewarding as doctors and lawyers. |
| B.Specific education and training can help get a good job. |
| C.Responsibility is the most important when you choose a good job. |
| D.Optimism and confidence is more important than being realistic when |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
La Gomera is the only place in the world which has a whistle (口哨)language. We do not know how and why it began because we do not know the complete history of the island. But we can certainly imagine the reasons for the beginning of the whistle language. There are many deep valleys on the island. A person on one side of a valley can not easily shout to a person on the other side. But he can whistle and be heard. Some of the best whistlers can be heard from four miles away and the record is seven miles.
The people who live on the island usually have good teeth, and this helps them to whistle well. They must also have good ears so that they can hear other whistlers.
We can understand why the whistle language continues. It is very useful on the island, and quite easy to learn. When somebody is hurt or ill, the whistle language takes the place of telephone. If the sick person is quite far away from the town, people pass the message from one to another. A boy guarding cattle on a hillside whistles to a man fishing from his boat. The last one is able to describe the trouble fully and exactly to the doctor in town. People help one another in the same way when a car breaks down or a cow is lost.
The whistle language is hundreds of years old, and probably it will continue to live on for hundreds of years more. Radio and TV often kill the special ways of speaking in different parts of a country. But on La Gomera you are nobody if you cannot whistle. Perhaps soon after TV arrives on the island, people there will be whistling the news and other facts and opinions.
【小題1】If a person on La Gomera is ill,______.
| A.others will phone the doctor in town |
| B.people will take him to town by carriage |
| C.his family will take him to the hospital |
| D.the whistle language will help pass the message to the doctor |
| A.many visitors go there every year |
| B.no visitors have ever been there |
| C.people there have special ears to hear whistles |
| D.people there use the whistle language to communicate with each other |
| A.It is not easy for a person to live on La Gomera if he cannot whistle. |
| B.The whistle language can only be found on La Gomera. |
| C.The whistle language has been used for hundreds of years on the island, but will not be used any longer. |
| D.The record shows that one best whistler can be heard others seven miles away. |
| A.The Secret Language | B.Do You Know the Whistle Language? |
| C.The Life of Islanders | D.La Gomera一a Mystery |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
It is quite reasonable to blame traffic jams,the cost of gas and the great speed of modern life,but manners on the road are becoming horrible. Everybody knows that the nicest men would become fierce tigers behind the wheel. It is all right to have a tiger in a cage, but to have one in the driver's seat is another matter.
Road politeness is not only good manners,but good sense. It takes the most cool-h(huán)eaded drivers great patience to give up the desire to beat back when forced to face rude driving. On the other hand,a little politeness goes a long way towards reducing the possibility of quarrelling and fighting. A friendly nod or a wave of thanks in answer to an act of politeness helps to create an atmosphere of good will and becomes so necessary in modern traffic conditions. But such behaviorsof politeness are by no means enough. Many drivers nowadays don't even seem able to recognize politeness when they see it.
However,misplaced politeness can also be dangerous. Typical examples are the driver who waves a child crossing the street at a wrong place into the path of oncoming cars that may not be able to stop in time. The same goes for encouraging old ladies to cross the road wherever andwhenever they want to.
An experienced driver,whose manners are faultless,told me it would help if drivers learnt to correctly join in traffic stream without causing total blockages that give rise to unpleasant feelings.
Unfortunately,modern drivers can't even learn to drive,let alone master the road man ship. Years ago,experts warned us that the fast increase of the car ownership would demand more give-and-takefrom all road users. It is high time for all of us to take this message to heart.
【小題1】The passage mainly talks about________.
| A.Road politeness |
| B.Traffic jams |
| C.Good manners |
| D.Modern drivers |
| A.great speed |
| B.traffic jams |
| C.terrible road conditions |
| D.the behavior of the drivers |
| A.beat back when forced to face rude driving |
| B.be able to recognize politeness when he sees it |
| C.join in traffic stream quickly however other people feel |
| D.encourage old ladies to cross the roads whenever they want to |
| A.master roadman ship |
| B.create atmosphere of good will |
| C.encourage old ladies to cross the road |
| D.give a friendly nod to show politeness |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for family, health, and life in general. However, Black Friday has turned it into a business.
Traditionally, the true value of Thanksgiving lies at home not the shopping centers. However, Black Friday has nowadays allowed society to ignore this as individuals long for something that they do not need or even truly want. Shopping on Black Friday becomes a sign of a shift into a culture that values material wealth over spending time with loved ones. People are willing to force their way through the crowds in their desperate search for marked-down sweaters and necklaces.
In recent years, Thanksgiving has become a pre-Black Friday holiday for many families. They are devoted to mapping out shopping routes and making organized schedules for which stores to hit first. By drawing individuals out to shopping centers with "matchless savings", businesses encourage this behavior of ignoring Thanksgiving. Many families take their home-cooked meals while camping out at the door of shopping centers. With each new year, Thanksgiving is becoming victim to over-commercialization—switching from a meaningful time of thanks and family to a day dedicated to products and profit.
Black Friday has shown that with current common standards, people cannot even set aside a single day to appreciate what they already have without immediately buying more. Families have lost sight of what is truly important in life, and have found reasons in debating between a low cost HD television and an appreciation for what they already have. Remember, Thanksgiving should be a day in which people are grateful for all that they have.
【小題1】The underlined word "this" in paragraph 2 probably refers to ______.
| A.the sign of a shift | B.the material wealth |
| C.the shopping crowd | D.the true value of Thanksgiving |
| A.Make full preparations for the Black Friday shopping. |
| B.Visit some newly-opened shopping centers in advance. |
| C.Find it difficult to choose a store for their first visit. |
| D.Go camping at the gate of shopping center for a good deal. |
| A.set aside a single day to buy more |
| B.try to spend less to get low cost products |
| C.stay with our families as long as we can |
| D.a(chǎn)ppreciate what we've possessed with our families |
| A.Annoyed. | B.Worried. | C.Supportive. | D.Unconcerned. |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
If you see a group of people dancing and singing on the street or in the railway station, you don't need to feel surprised.They are a flash mob (快閃族), which is a group of people who come together suddenly in a public place, do something unusual for a brief period of time, and then quickly break up.They are usually organized with the help of the Internet or other digital communication network.At a predetermined time, they gather and perform some distractions(消遣) such as waving their hands and exchanging books, Then, they quickly break up before the police can arrive.Using mobile phones, the flash mob can change its location if the first one has been replaced for any reason.
Bill Lasik, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine, organized the first flash mob in Manhattan in May 2003 and the first successful flash mob came together on June 3, 2003 - after the first attempt was foiled at Macy's department store.Lasik claimed that the activity was designed to make fun of hipsters (起時髦的人), and call attention to the cultural atmosphere.
Flash mob gatherings can sometimes shock people.Such an activity might seem amusing and untrue, but it also might frighten people who are not aware of what is taking place.Undoubtedly, flash mobs can serve as good political tools in any direction.They also have great economic potential, such as using flash mobs to advertise a product.
The flash mob is now becoming more and more popular.People use it to do many things.For example, in 2009, Michael Jackson's fans took part in a flash mob to remember him.Hundreds of his fans gathered singing and dancing Michael's famous song "Beat It" together.Flash mobs give people from all walks of life an opportunity to come together to create a memory.
【小題1】The undefined word "foiled" in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by _ 。
| A.forgotten | B.prevented | C.a(chǎn)nnounced | D.confirmed |
| A.The flash mob usually breaks up quickly for lacking enough time. |
| B.Once the place for the activity is determined, it can't be changed. |
| C.The flash mob can be made use offing many fields just for fun. |
| D.It gives people the chance to come together to do something unusual. |
| A.to entertain | B.to encourage |
| C.to inform | D.to persuade |
| A.negative | B.favorable | C.objective | D.doubtful |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
How cool can libraries be in an era(時代)of iPods and Kindles? More than you think.Only if you know where to go.
Central Library: Seattle, Washington, United States
The Central Library in Seattle is modern and fashionable and has tourists from around the world paying visits and taking tours.It was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and American designer Joshua Ramus.Tours began in 2006, two years after its opening.The library holds various art exhibitions, book signings and other events, while visitors can stop by the Chocolate cart for a coffee and scan through the gift shop anytime
Trinity College Library: Dublin, Ireland
The Trinity College Library in Dublin is the oldest library in Ireland, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I.It is the largest single library in the world, also known as the Long Room, which contains more than 200,000 0fthe library's oldest books.The Long Room houses one of the oldest harps(豎琴) in Ireland.Dating to the 15th century, the old harp is the model for the symbol foreland.
Geisel Library, University of California: San Diego, United States
At first glance, it looks like a spaceship.Architect William Pereira, who helped design actual space launch facilities at Cape Canaveral in Houston, Texas, designed the library in 1970.It has been featured in sci-fi films, short stories and novels.The library hosts "Dinner in the Library," which invites readers for cocktails, and also a special speech from distinguished authors.
TU Delft Library: The Netherlands
The library at the Delft University of Technology was constructed in 1997 and has more than 862,000 books, 16,000 magazine subscriptions and its own museum.The building itself exists beneath the ground, so you can't really see the actual Library.What makes it interesting is the roof, which is a grassy hill.The roof covers 5,500 square meters.And it has become one of the most striking and greenest structures in the area.
【小題1】Which of the four libraries has the longest history?
| A.Central Library. |
| B.Trinity College Library. |
| C.Geisel Library. |
| D.TU Delft Library. |
| A.famous writers often deliver speeches there |
| B.it has a reoffer grassy hill |
| C.Queen Elizabeth I founded the library |
| D.it is the largest single library in the world |
| A.buy souvenirs |
| B.drink cocktails |
| C.enjoy sci-fi films |
| D.see the old harp |
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科目: 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
If you have a chance to go to Finland, you will probably be surprised to find how “foolish” the Finnish people are.
Take the taxi drivers for example. Taxis in Finland are mostly high-class Benz with a fare of two US dollars a kilometer. You can go anywhere in one, tell the driver to drop you at any place, say that you have some business to attend to, and then walk off without paying your fare. The driver would not show the least sign of anxiety.
The dining rooms in all big hotels not only serve their guests, but also serve outside diners. Hotel guests have their meals free, so they naturally go to the free dining rooms to have their meals. The most they would do to show their good faith is to wave their registration card to the waiter. With such a loose check, you can easily use any old registration card to take a couple of friends to dine free of charge.
The Finnish workers are paid by the hour. They are very much on their own as soon as they have agreed with the boss on the rate(價錢). From then on, they just say how many hours they have worked and they will be paid accordingly(相應(yīng)地).
With so many loopholes(漏洞) in everyday life, surely Finland must be a heaven to those who love to take “petty advantages”. But the strange thing is, all the taxi passengers would always come back to pay their fare after they have attended to their business; not a single outsider has ever been found in the free hotel dining rooms. And workers always give an honest account of the exact hours they put in. As the Finns always act on good faith in everything they do, living in such a society has turned everyone into a real “gentleman”.
In a society of such high moral practice, what need is there for people to be on guard against others?
【小題1】While taking a taxi in Finland, _____.
| A.a(chǎn) passenger can go anywhere without having to pay the driver |
| B.a(chǎn) passenger pays two US dollars for a taxi ride |
| C.a(chǎn) passenger can never be turned down by the taxi driver wherever he wants to go |
| D.a(chǎn) passenger needs to provide good faith demonstration (證明) before leaving without paying |
| A.a(chǎn)re mostly poorly managed |
| B.provide meals for any diners |
| C.provide free wine and charge for food |
| D.provide meal for only those who live in the hotels |
| A.The workers in Finland are paid by the hour. |
| B.The workers are always honest with their working hours. |
| C.The workers and their bosses will make an agreement in advance about the pay. |
| D.The bosses in Finland are too busy to check the working hours of their employees. |
| A.people who are dishonest |
| B.people who often have meals in big hotels |
| C.people who often take taxis |
| D.people who are worthy of trust |
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