58．When June called the writer to talk about her new decision, the writer . A．felt than June would do something meaningful B．refused at first, but changed her mind later C．had decided not to make any comments on June’s list D．was eager to learn more about the new list
B
To Whom It May Concern:
Your address was forwarded to us by Why Bother Magazine. All of us here think The International Institute of Not Doing Much is the best organization in the world. You know how to avoid unnecessary activities!
We closely followed the advice in your article. First, we replaced all our telephones with carrier pigeons. Simply removing the jingle of telephones and replacing them with the pleasant sounds of birds has had a remarkable effect on everyone. Besides, birds are cheaper than telephone service. After all, we are a business. We have to think of the bottom line. As a side benefit, the birds also fertilize the lawn outside the new employee sauna（蒸气浴室）.
Next, we sold the computers off to Stab, Grab, Grit, and Nasty, a firm of lawyers nearby. Our electricity bill went way down. Big savings! The boss is impressed. We have completely embraced paper technology. Now that we all use pencils, doodling is on the increase, and the quality of pencilwomanship is impressive, as you can tell from my handwriting in this letter. By the way, if you can, please send this letter back to us. We can erase and reuse it. Just tie it to Maggie’s leg and she’ll know where to take it.
Now it’s very calm and quiet here. You can notice the difference. No more loud chatter on the telephones! All we hear is the scratching of pencil on paper, the sound of pigeons, and the delivery of inter-office correspondence by paper airplane.
Wonderful! I’ve always wanted to work for an insurance company ever since I was a little girl. Now it’s perfect. Sincerely yours, Eleanor Lightly Spokeswoman and Company Hair Stylist ABC Activity Insurance: Insure against overdoing it 59．Which of the following best describes the life the author is leading? A．A simple, slow-paced life. B．A life of hard work and security. C．A religious, peasant-like life. D．A life away from paper and pencils. 60．Where is Eleanor’s letter sent to? A．Why Bother Magazine. B．ABC Activity Insurance Company. C．Stab, Grab, Grit, and Nasty Law Firm. D．The International Institute of Not Doing Much.
61．Which of the following is practiced in the author’s company? A．Replacing the manual work system with modern technology. B．Turning off lights in the daytime to save electricity. C．Recycling paper resources whenever possible. D．Buying birds and pets as company for the staff. 62．What is true about Maggie?
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A．She works as a manager in the author’s company.
B．She sometimes helps fertilize the lawn outside the sauna. C．She often helps with inter-office correspondence using e-mail. D．Her handwriting has improved a lot after entering the company.
C
A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone’s else or ourselves --- the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.
We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.
This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”
Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clear will probably respond in a similar manner. Or harsh（刻薄的）and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive.
Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.
Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem（自尊）and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.
63．The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________. A．words have a lasting effect on us B．inspiring words give us confidence C．negative words may let us down D．not sticks and stones but words will hurt us
64．There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because _______. A．almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves B．talking to ourselves always gives us courage C．we can benefit from talking to ourselves D．it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone
65．The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely _______. A．remind ourselves B．praise ourselves C．make ourselves relaxed D．give ourselves amusement 66．The author would probably hold the view that ___________. A．encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers
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B．negative words may stimulate us to make more progress C．people tend to remember friendly words
D．it is better to think twice before talking to others
D
No budget for your vacation? Try home exchanges – swapping houses with strangers. Agree to
use each other’s cars, and you can save dollars on car rentals (租赁费), too.
Home exchanges are not new. At least one group, Intervac, has been facilitating such an arrangement since 1953. But trading online is gaining popularity these days, with several sites in operation, including HomeExchanges. Founded in 1992, with some 28,000 listings, this company bills itself as the world’s largest home exchange club, reporting that membership has increased 30% this year.
The annual fee is usually less than US$100. Members can access thousands of listings for apartments, villas, suburban homes and farms around the world. Initial contact is made via e-mail, with subsequent communication usually by phone. Before a match is made, potential swappers tend to discuss a lot.
However, the concept may sound risky to some people. What about theft? Damage? These are reasonable causes for concern, but equally unlikely. As one swapper puts it, “Nobody is going to fly across the ocean or drive 600 miles to come steal your TV. Besides, at the same time they’re staying in your home, you are staying in their home.”
Exchange sites recommend that swappers discuss such matters ahead of time. They may fill out an agreement spelling out who shoulders which responsibilities if a problem arises. It does not matter if the agreement would hold up in court, but it does give the exchangers a little satisfaction.
Generally, the biggest complaint among home exchangers has to do with different standards of cleanliness. Swappers are supposed to make sure their home is in order before they depart, but one person’s idea of “clean” may be more forgiving than another’s. Some owners say if they come back to a less-than-sparkling kitchen, it may be inconvenient but would not sour them on future exchanges.
67．What is the second paragraph mainly about?
A．How to exchange homes.
B．How home exchange is becoming popular. C．The biggest home exchange agency Intervac. D．A contrast between Intervac and HomeExchanges. A．advertises A．By phone.
B．dedicates
C．replaces B．By e-mail.
D．Via a face-to-face meeting.
D．participates
68．Which of the following is closest in meaning to “bills” in the second paragraph? 69．How do home exchangers normally begin their communication?
C．Via a matchmaker.
A．One can file a lawsuit in court. B．Both parties can trade online.
C．Both parties can sign an agreement beforehand.
70．What is recommended in the passage to deal with theft and damage concerns?
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D．One can damage the home of the other party in return.
第二卷（共35分）
第一节 任务型阅读 阅读下列短文并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入最恰当的单词，每空格1词（共10个小题；每小题1分，满分10分）
New discoveries suggest that trade between Europe and Asia along the Silk Road probably began many centuries earlier than once thought. The findings add a fascinating new page to the epic（史诗）of the Silk Road, which spread far and wide in no time.
The latest and most surprising discovery is pieces of silk found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy from about l,000 BC, long before regular traffic on the Silk Road and at least one thousand years before silk was previously thought to be used in Egypt. Other research may extend human activity along this route back even further, perhaps a million years to the moving of human ancestors into eastern Asia.
The official origin of East-West trade along the road is usually placed in the late 2nct century BC when an agent of the Chinese Emperor Wu-di returned from a dangerous secret mission（使命）across the desert into the remote high country of Central Asia. The agent, Zhang Qian, traveled as far as Afghanistan and brought back knowledge of even more distant lands such as Persia, Syria and a place known as Lijien, perhaps Rome. Historians have called this one of the most important journeys in ancient times. His journey opened the way for what have been thought to be the first indirect contacts between the ancient world's two superpowers, China and Rome. Chinese silk, first traded to Central Asia for war horses, was soon finding its way to the markets of Rome through a network of businessmen.
But the new discoveries show that Chinese silk apparently existed in the West long before the Han emperor started organized trade over the Silk Road. The research could change thinking about the early history of world trade and provide insights（了解）into the mystery of just how and when Europe first realized the glorious culture at the other end of Eurasia. Paragraph outline Supporting details Introduction New findings about the (71) of trade along the Silk Road are spread far and wide in no time. The latest ☆ The silk thread found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy from about 1,000 discovery BC makes all feel greatly (72) . ☆ The discovery suggests the trade along the Silk Road may (73) back to an earlier time than once (74) . Zhang Qian’s The accepted official (75) of East – West commerce along the Silk mission Road. Importance ☆ Opening the way for the first (76) contacts between the two ancient superpowers, China and Rome. ☆ (77) Chinese silk to Central Asia and Persia. ☆ Making Chinese silk (78) the markets of Rome.
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Summary ☆ Show the (79) of Chinese silk in the West long before the Han Dynasty. ☆ Change thinking about the early history of word trade. ☆ Help people find out more facts about Europe first (80) Chinese culture.
第二节 书面表达（满分25分）
当今医疗费昂贵，不少人因付不起医疗费而只好忍受疾病的折磨。人们强烈呼吁医疗改革，要求政府建立有效的医疗保障机制。请根据下图，以“Health Care Reform”为题用英语写一篇短文，简要说明图画中所表达的内容，重点阐述这种现象可有带来的严重后果，并表明你的观点。
注意：
1．短文应包括图中所提供的主要信息，并做适当发挥，使短文内容连贯、完整。 2．词数：150左右。
3．注解：hospital discharge：出院单
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