TEST 1
Passage 1
The French Revolution broke out in 1789. At the time France was in a crisis. The government was badly run and people’s lives were miserable. King Louis XIV tried to control the national parliament and raise more taxes. But his effort failed. He ordered his troops to Versailles. The people thought that Louis intended to put down the Revolution by force. On July 14,1789, they stormed and took the Bastille, where political prisoners were kept. Ever since that day, July 14 has been the French National Day. Louis tried to flee the country in 1792 to get support from Austria and Prussia. However, he was caught and put in prison. In September 1792, the monarchy was abolished. In the same year, Louis was executed. A few months later his wife, Marie also had her head cut off. The Revolution of France had frightened the other kings of Europe. Armies from Austria and Prussia began to march against France. The French raised republican armies to defend the nation. The Revolution went through a period of terror. Thousands of people lost their lives. In the end, power passed to Napoleon Bonaparte. (190 words)
法国大革命爆发于1789年，当时法国处于一片危机之中，政府腐败，民不聊生。国王路易十四试图控制国会从而提高苛税，但是没有成功，他就命令军队开进凡尔赛宫。人们认为路易十四准备用武力镇压革命，于是在1789年7月14日，愤怒的人们群起而攻占了当时关押政治犯的巴士底狱（Bastille）。从那以后，每年的7月14日就成为法国的国庆日。1792年，路易十四想逃到奥地利和普鲁士寻求庇护，不过他还是被抓住送进监狱。1792年9月，法国的君主制废除。同年，路易十四被处死。几个月之后，他的妻子也被处死。法国的大革命使欧洲其它国家感到不安，奥地利和普鲁士的军队开向法国。法国人民组织共和军保卫国家，大革命经历了最困难的时期，成千上万人浴血奋战失去生命。最后，政权几经更迭到了拿破仑手里。
Passage 2
In the United States, it is not customary to telephone someone very early in the morning. If you telephone him early in the day, while he is shaving or having breakfast, the time of the call shows that the matter is very important and requires immediate attention. The same meaning is attached to telephone calls made after 11:00 p.m. If someone receives a call during sleeping hours, he assumes it’s a matter of life or death. The time chosen for the call communicates its importance. In social life, time plays a very important part. In the U.S.A. guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation to a dinner party is extended only three or four days before the party date. But it is not true in all countries. In other areas of the world, it may be considered foolish to make an appointment too far in advance because plans which are made for a date more than a week away tend to be forgotten. The meaning of time differs in different parts of the world. Thus, misunderstandings arise between people from different cultures that treat time differently. Promptness is valued highly in American life, for example. If people are not prompt, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible. In the U.S. no one would think of keeping a business associate waiting for an hour, it would be too impolite. A person who is 5 minutes late, will say a few words of explanation, though perhaps he will not complete the sentence. (260 words)Passage 2 在美国，人们通常不会在上午太早的时候给人打电话。如果太早打电话，碰上这个时候对方正好在刮胡子或早餐，此时的电话往往意味着事情非常紧急需要马上处理。同样道理，晚上11点以后也不宜给人打电话。如果有人在睡觉时间接到电话，他会认为有性命悠关的大事！打电话的时间和电话本身的重要性是紧密关联的。在社交中，时间扮演着很重要的角色。在美国，离宴会只有3、4天才接到请柬的客人们会觉得他们不够受重视。但这样的习俗并非全世界都一样。在世界上有些地方，预约时间太早被认为很愚蠢，因为如果太早，比如1周以上，这样的约定很容易被忘掉。所以不同地方的人时间观念不同。时间观念的不同导致了不同文化人们之间会产生误解。在美国，守时是一种美德。一个不遵守时间的人被认为是不礼貌、不负责的。没有人会让商业伙伴等上一个小时，那样就太不礼貌了。就算迟到5分种，也要花口舌解释一番，尽管有时对方比较大度让他不必解释。
Passage 3
A foreigner’s first impression of the U.S. is likely to be that everyone is in a rush-often under pressure. City people appear always to be hurrying to get where they are going restlessly, seeking attention in a store, and elbowing others as they try to complete their errands （任务）. Racing through daytime meals is part of the pace of life in this country.Working time is considered precious. Others in public eating places are waiting for you to finish so that they too can be served and get back to work within the time allowed. Each person hurries to make room for the next person. If you don’t, waiters will hurry you.You also find drivers will be abrupt and that people will push past you. You will miss smiles, brief conversations, and small courtesies with strangers. Don’t take it personally. This is because people value time highly, and they resent someone else “wasting” it beyond a certain courtesy point.
The view of time affects the importance we attach to patience. In the American system of values, patience is not a high priority. Many of us have what might be called “a short fuse.” We begin to move restlessly about if we feel time is slipping away without some returnbe this in terms of pleasure, work value, or rest. Those coming from lands where time is looked upon differently may find this matter of pace to be one of their most difficult adjustments in both business and daily life.Many newcomers to the States will miss the opening courtesy of a business call, for example, they will miss the ritual socializing that goes with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee they may be traditional in their own country. They may miss leisurely business chats in a café or coffeehouse. Normally, Americans do not assess their visitors in such relaxed surroundings over prolonged small talks. We seek out evidence of past performance rather than evaluate a business colleague through social courtesies. Since we generally assess and probe professionally rather than socially, we start talking business very quickly. (348 words)Passage 3 一个外国人对美国的第一印象很可能是：美国人压力太大、太忙了。城市里的每个人似乎总在急匆匆地赶往他们要去的地方；在商场急切地寻找目标；工作时总在催促同伴。甚至连白天吃饭也是急匆匆的。
工作时间是宝贵的。你在公共场所吃饭时旁边有很多人等着你的位子，他们要在有限的时间里吃完急着赶回去继续工作。每个人吃饭都是急匆匆的，以便给别人让座位。要是你慢吞吞的，服务员就会催你。
你会发现美国的驾车人态度也不好，因为后面总有人催着。你甚至看不到人们脸上的有微笑（因为大家赶时间没空微笑），也看不到人们简短交谈，看不到人们与陌生人打招呼。看到这一切时请不要太在意，这不是美国人冷漠，而是他们太珍惜时间了，他们最恨有人打着礼仪的旗号浪费时间。
时间观念影响着美国人的耐心程度。在美国人的价值观中，耐心不是最重要的。我们很多人都容易发脾气。看到时间白白浪费时我们会感到焦虑不安。无论在商业上还是日常生活中，从其它国家来的人往往感到要跟上美国人的这种节奏很困难。
TEST 2Passage 1Sixteen-year-old Maria was waiting in line at the airport in Santo Domingo. She was leaving her native country to join her sister in the United States. She spoke English very well. Though she was very happy she could go abroad, she was feeling sad at leaving her family and fiends. As she was thinking all about this, she suddenly heard the airline employee asking her to pick up her luggage and put it on the scales（称）. Maria pulled and pulled. The bag was too heavy and she just couldn’t lift it up. The man behind her got very impatient. He, too, was waiting to check in his luggage.“What’s wrong with this girl?” He said, “Why doesn’t she hurry up?” He moved forward and placed his bag on the counter, hoping to check in fist. He was in a hurry to get a good seat.Maria was very angry, but she was very polite. And in her best English she said, “Why are you so upset? There are enough seats for everyone on the plane. If you are in such a hurry, why can’t you give me a hand with my luggage?”The man was surprised to hear Maria speak English. He quickly picked up her luggage and stepped back. Everyone was looking at him with disapproval. (224 words)Passage 1 Maria在圣多明各（SantoDomingo）机场排队准备登机，她今年16岁。这次她是要离开祖国到美国去与姐姐团聚。她能讲一口流利的英语。尽管即将去国外与姐姐相见，但一想到要离开家庭和朋友，Maria还是不免忧伤。正当她思绪万千的时候，机场工作人员叫她把行李放在磅秤上去。东西太沉了，不管她如何拖，总是无法拎到磅秤上。在她后面的一名男旅客开始不耐烦了。他也想给自己的行李称重。
“那女的怎么搞的，她就不能快点吗？” 这个男的一边向前挤一边嘟嘟囔囔。他一下跨到前面把自己的行李放在柜台上，准备第一个检票登机，以便抢个好座位。
Maria很生气，但她还是保持着礼貌。她用纯正的英语说道：“你为什么这么急躁呢？飞机上有足够的座位，你急什么呢？如果你真急，为什么不肯帮我提一下行李呢？”
该男子没想到Maria能说如此流利的英语。他迅速把Maria行李提到磅秤上，自己往后退了一步。周围的人都用不屑的目光看着该男子。Passage 2There are three kinds of goals: short-term, medium-range and long-term goals.Short-term goals are those that usually deal with current activities, which we can apply on a daily basis. Such goals can be achieved in a week or less, or two weeks, or possibly, months. It should be remembered that just as a building is no stronger than its foundation, long-term goals cannot amount to very much without the achievement of solid short-term goals. Upon completing our short-term goals, we should date the occasion and then add new short-term goals that will build on those that have been completed.The intermediate goals build on the foundation of the short-term goals. They might deal with just one term of school or the entire school year, or they could even extend for several years. Any time you move a step at a time, you should never allow yourself to become discouraged or overwhelmed. As you complete each step, you will enforce the belief in your ability to grow and succeed. And as your list of completion dates grow, your motivation and desire will increase.Long-term goals may be related to our dreams of the future. They might cover five years or more. Life is not a static thing. We should never allow a long-term goal to limit us or our course of action.(221 words)Passage 2 目标有3种：短期目标、中期目标和长期目标。
短期目标通常关系到当前的活动，可以每天为基础。这类目标可用数月，或1、2周甚至更少的时间来完成。就象建筑物一样，一定要基础牢固才能使房子牢固，如果短期目标不完成，长期目标也不可能实现。每完成一个短期目标，我们都要适时地在此基础上再增加一个短期目标。
中期目标的实现有赖于短期目标的完成。这类目标通常关注的是一学期或一学年的规划，有时也可长达数年。你每前进一步，就会增加一份自信和成功的勇气，而不应被困难吓倒。你离成功越近，你的动力和渴望越强。
长期目标关系到我们到我们对未来的梦想。该类目标可能需要5年甚至更长的时间去实现。生活不是一成不变的。我们要灵活变化，不要被长期目标束缚了我们的手脚（或思想）。
Passage 3Britain and France are separated by the English Channel, a body of water that can be crossed in as few as 20 minutes. But the cultures of the two countries sometimes seem to be miles apart.Last Thursday Britain and France celebrated the 100th anniversary（周年纪念）of the signing of a friendship agreement called the Entente Cordiality. The agreement marked a new beginning for the countries following centuries of wars and love-hate partnership.But their relationship has been ups and downs over the past century. Just last year, there were fierce disagreements over the Iraq war-which British Prime Minister Tony Blair supported despite French President Jacques Chirac speaking out against it. This discomfort is expressed in Blair and Chirac’s body language at international meetings. While the French leader often greets German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with a hug（拥抱）, Blair just receives a handshake. However, some political experts say the war in Iraq could in fact have helped ties.The history of divisions may well be because of the very different ways in which the two sides see the world. But this doesn’t stop 12 million Britons taking holidays in France each year. However, only 3 million French come in the opposite direction. Surveys（调查）show that most French people feel closer to the Germans than they do to the British. And the research carried out in Britain has found that only a third of the population believes the French can be trusted. Perhaps this bad feeling comes because the British dislike France’s close relationship with Germany, or because the French are not happy with Britain’s close links with the US.Whatever the answer is, as both sides celebrate 100 years of “doubtful friendship”, they are at least able to make jokes about each other. Here’s one: What’s the best thing about Britain’s relationship with France? The English Channel. (320 words)Passage 3 英法两国之间隔着英吉利海峡。水面不算宽，20分钟就可横渡，不过英法两国的文化差异巨大。
上周四，英法两国共同庆祝友好条约（Entente Cordiality）签订100周年。在经历了数个世纪的战争和爱恨交加的伙伴关系后，该条约可被看作是一个新的开始。
在上个世纪，两国的关系经历了多次波折。去年，两国在伊拉克战争的问题上出现严重分歧：英国首相布莱尔支持战争，法国总统希拉克则发对战争。这种分歧在国际会议上也体现出来，希拉克与德国总理施罗德见面拥抱而只和布莱尔握手。然而，一些政治评论家认为伊拉克战争也有纽带的作用。
历史上的分歧可能源自英法两国人对世界的看法不同。但这些并不妨碍每年有1200万英国人去法国度假。但去英国度假的法国人只有300万，调查显示大部分法国人觉得自己与德国人关系更近，与英国人的关系要稍微差些。英国的调查显示只有三分之一的英国人觉得法国人值得信赖。之所以产生这种情况可能是英国人觉的法德两国走得太近；也或许法国人对过于亲密的英美关系不满。
不管真实原因是怎样的，两国之间还在庆祝着100年来“令人怀疑的友谊”，他们之间至少玩笑还是可以开的。这里就有一个：英法关系中什么最好（重要）？答案就是英吉利海峡。TEST 4Passage 1Community service is an important component of education here at our university. We encourage all students to volunteer for at least one community activity before they graduate. A new community program called “One On One” helps elementary students who’ve fallen behind. Your education majors might be especially interested in it because it offers the opportunity to do some teaching, that is, tutoring in math and English.You’d have to volunteer two hours a week for one semester. You can choose to help a child with math, English, or both. Half-hour lessons are fine, so you could do a half hour of each subject two days a week.Professor Dodge will act as a mentor to the tutors — he’ll be available to help you with lesson plans or to offer suggestions for activities. He has office hours every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. You can sign up for the program with him and begin the tutoring next week.I’m sure you’ll enjoy this community service … and you’ll gain valuable experience at the same time. It looks good on your resume, too, showing that you’ve had experience with children and that you care about your community. If you’d like to sign up, or if you have any questions, stop by Professor Dodge’s office this week. (220 words)Passage 1社区服务是我们这里大学教育的一个重要组成部分。我们鼓励所有学生在毕业前至少参与一项社区的志愿者活动。最近有一个名为“1+1”的社区服务项目，该项目可以帮助到学业落后的低年级学生。你们的专业很可能与此有关，因为社区服务项目提供你参与教学的机会，比如辅导数学和英语。
社区服务要求至少有一个学期你每周要奉献出2小时。你可以选择辅导一个小学生的数学和英语，或其中的一门。如果你每次辅导数学和英语各花半小时的话，一周两次辅导正合适，刚好2个小时。
道奇教授将给这些从事社区服务的大学生当指导者，他会给你们提供许多建议，你们有授课计划方面的问题都可以找他帮助。道奇教授的办公时间是每周二和周四的下午。你们可以报名参加他的讲座，下周起就可开始社区的授课辅导。
我相信你们会喜欢上社区服务…同时能获得宝贵的经验。将来你们的简历上也会增添不少亮色，说明你有教育小学生的经历，关心社区。如果你们愿意报名或还有什么问题，欢迎各位本周前往道奇教授的办公室咨询。
Passage 2
When John and Victoria Falls arrived in New York City for one-year stay, they did not bring very many things with them. They had planned either to live in a furnished apartment or to buy used furniture. But they soon learned about a new system that more and more people are using. The renting of home furnishings (bed, tables, dishes, and so on) has become one of America’s fastest growing businesses.What kinds of people rent their home furnishings instead of buying them? People who are international business or government officials, foreign students, airline workers, young married couple – people whose job or business may force them to move frequently from one city to another. They save a lot of trouble and the cost of moving their furniture each time. They simply rent new furniture when they reach their new homes. Young people with little money do not want to buy cheap furniture that they may soon dislike. They prefer to wait until they have enough money to buy furniture that they really like. Meanwhile, they find they can rent better quality furniture than they could afford to buy.One family, who now have a large, beautiful home of their own, liked their rented furniture so much that they decided to keep renting it instead of buying new things. But usually people don’t like to tell others about it. The idea of renting home furnishings is still quite new, and they are not sure what their neighbors might think. (248words)Passage 2 John和Victoria到了纽约并准备在那呆上1年，不过他们并没有随身带多少东西。他们打算要么住设施齐全的公寓，要么买一套新的家具。但是，他们很快了解到纽约越来越多的人体验着一种全新的方式----租家具。 家具租赁业是现在美国发展最快的行业。
什么样的人会租家具而不是买家具呢？跨国公司和政府的驻外人员、留学生、飞行工作人员、年轻夫妇----这些人的公司或工作常使他们在城市间迁移。租家具可以省却很多麻烦，也能省下不少钱。他们到达一处新家时通常只租新的家具。经济不宽裕的年轻夫妇一般不会买不喜欢的旧家具，他们宁可租新家具。他们喜欢在资金足够时去买真正心仪的新家具。同时他们发现，钱不够宽裕时，可以租到的家具要比买得起的家具质量上好许多。
有的家庭即使拥有属于自己的宽敞房子也愿意租用喜爱的家具，他们不急于去买。不过这一切他们是不会告诉别人的，因为租家具的思想还是比较新潮的，他们不知道邻居们对此会是如何看法。
Passage 3
Paper is one of the most important products ever invented by man. Wide spread use of written language would not have been possible without some cheap and practical material to write on. The invention of paper meant that more people could be educated because more books could be printed and distributed. Together with the printing press, paper provided an extremely important way to communicate knowledge.How much paper do you use every year? Probably you cannot answer that question quickly. In 1990 the world’s use of paper was about one kilogram for each person a year. Now some countries use as much as 50 kilograms of paper for each person a year. Countries like the United States, England and Sweden use more paper than other countries.Paper, like many other things that we use today, was first made in China. In Egypt and the West, paper was not very commonly used before the year 1400. The Egyptians wrote on a kind of material made of a water plant. Europeans used parchment for many hundreds of year. Parchment was very strong; it was made from the skin of certain young animals. We have learnt of the most important facts of European history from records that were kept on parchment. (208words)Passage 3 纸是人类至今最重要的发明之一。要是没有廉价实用的材料可以书写，书面语言的广泛传播便不可能实现。纸的发明使大量书籍可以印刷发行，更多的人有机会接受教育。纸和印刷术成为了传播知识的特别重要的途径。
一个人每年要用掉多少纸张？你可能无法很快回答这个问题。1900年，世界的年人均用纸量是1公斤。现在有些国家这个数字已达50公斤。美国、英国和瑞典的用量还要多。
纸和其它许多东西一样，都是首先在中国发明的。在埃及和欧洲，直到1400年以后纸张才开始大量使用。之前埃及人是书写在一种由水生植物制造的材料上的。欧洲人则使用了几百年的养皮纸。羊皮纸非常坚韧，它是由年幼动物的皮做成的。我们所了解的欧洲历史很多是从羊皮纸上得来的。
TEST 4Passage1Laws have been written to govern the use of American National Flag, and to ensure proper respect for the flag. Custom has also governed the common practice in regard to its use. All the armed services have precise regulations on how to display the national flag. This may vary somewhat from the general rules. The national flag should be raised and lowered by hand. Do not raise the flag while it is folded. Unfolded the flag first, and then hoist it quickly to the top of the flagpole. Lower it slowly and with dignity. Place no objects on or over the flag. Do not use the flag as part of a costume or athletic uniform. Do not print it upon cushions, handkerchief, paper napkins or boxes. A federal law provides that the trademark cannot be registered if it comprises the flag, or badgers of the US. When the flag is used to unveil a statue or monument, it shouldn’t serve as a covering of the object to be unveiled. If it is displayed on such occasions, do not allow the flag to the ground, but let it be carried high up in the air to form a feature of the ceremony. Take every precaution to prevent the flag from soiled. It should not be allowed to touch the ground or floor, nor to brush against objects.Passage 1 美国有专门的法律规定如何使用国旗来确保国人对国旗的尊重。社会习俗中也有不少尊重国旗做法。军人使用国旗更有严格的规定，和一般的做法有些不同。国旗的升降只能用人工进行。不能升挂折叠未打开的国旗。第一步先要打开国旗，然后迅速升至杆顶。降旗要慢，庄严。不要有东西压在国旗上。不能用国旗做戏服和运动服。不能把国旗印在座垫上，手绢上，餐巾纸上或盒子上。联邦法律规定商标中不能含有国旗和国徽图案。在纪念碑或雕塑的揭幕仪式上使用国旗时，不能把国旗当作覆盖物，也不能让国旗掉到地上，应当使国旗处在仪式现场的显目高处。注意不要弄脏国旗，不要掉到地上或地板上，不要和别的东西刮蹭。
Passage 2
It has been reported that in colleges across the United States, the daytime serial drama known as the soap opera has suddenly become “in”. Between the hours of 11 a. m. and 4:30 p. m., college television lounges are filled with soap opera fans who can’t wait to see the next episode in the lives of their favorite characters.
Actually, soaps are more than a college favorite; they’re a youth favorite. When school is out, high-school students are in front of their TV sets. One young working woman admitted that she turned down a higher paying job rather than give up watching her favorite serials. During the 1960’s, it was uncommon for young people to watch soap operas. The mood of the sixties was very different from now. It was a time of seriousness, and talk was about social issues of great importance.
Now, seriousness has been replaced by fun. Young people want to be happy. It may seem strange that they should turn to soap opera, which is known for showing trouble in people’s lives. But soap opera is enjoyment. Young people can identify with the soap opera character, who, like the college-age viewer, is looking for happy love, and probably not finding it. And soap opera gives young people a chance to feel close to people without having to bear any responsibility for their problems.Passage 2 据报道，被人们称作“肥皂剧”的连续剧在全美国的很多大学中突然变得流行起来。从每天上午11点到下午4点半，各大学的电视室里挤满了前来看电视的学生，这些肥皂剧迷们迫不急待地要看下一集当中他们喜爱的主人公的命运发展。
事实上，肥皂剧不仅是大学生的最爱，确切地说，它们是年轻人的最爱。一放学，中学生们就马上坐到了电视机前。一个青年女工说她宁愿放弃高薪也不愿放弃看喜爱的电视节目。60年代看肥皂剧的年轻人很少。当时年轻人的心态和现在完全不同，那时候主题严肃，谈论的话题都涉及重要的社会问题。
现在，严肃已被娱乐取代。年轻人只想要快乐。而肥皂剧都是反映人们生活中烦恼的，年轻人喜欢肥皂剧倒让人有一点奇怪。不过肥皂剧终究是娱乐的：年轻人和肥皂剧中的主人公一样，也和那些大学生一样，他们一直在寻找快乐之爱，往往还没找到。肥皂剧让年轻人和那些剧中人物很相近：都不必为他们的问题承担责任。
Passage 3
How men first learnt to invent words is unknown; in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thought and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to present those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, we call words.
The power of words, then, lies in their associations-the thing they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they will make our speech silly and vulgar.Passage 3 我们不知道文字是如何产生的；换句话说，语言的起源还是个谜。人和动物不一样，他会发出某种特定的声音来表示相应的思想感情、行为动作和其它事情。因此人们之间可以交流。慢慢地，人们之间有了共同认可的固定符号，我们称之为字母。字母组合起来可以代表原先的那些声音。字母的好处是可以写下来。这些声音无论是口头表达还是写下来，我们都称之为文字（单词）。
文字的力量在于它的联系功能，它能使我们头脑中显现某样东西。文字包含意思，年纪越大，我们积累的反映过去欢乐或悲伤的文字也越多。
伟大作家之所以伟大，是因为他们不仅有伟大的思想，而且他们能用文字把思想表达出来，强烈震撼读者。能够用某种方法驾驭文字且充满魅力就是我们所说的文学风格。首先，真正的诗人就是驾驭文字的大师。他们的作品不仅表达思想，而且能象歌曲一样有韵律可以咏唱，他们所表达的意境和联想让人们感动落泪。我们平时在选择用词时也应谨慎精确，不然就会显得愚蠢粗俗。
TEST 5Passage 1
Many people who work in London prefer to live outside it, and to go in to their offices or schools every day by train, car or bus, even though this means they have to get up early in the morning and reach home late in the evening.
One advantage of living outside London is that houses are cheaper. Even a small flat in London without a garden costs quite a lot to rent. With the same money, one can get a little house in the country with a garden of one’s own.
Then, in the country one can really get away from the noise and hurry of busy working lives. Even though one has to get up earlier and spend more time in trains or buses, one can sleep better at night and during weekends and on summer evenings, one can enjoy the fresh, clean air of the country. If one likes gardens, one can spend one’s free time digging, planting, watering and doing the hundred and one other jobs which are needed in a garden. Then, when the flowers and vegetables come up, one has got the reward together with those who have shared the secret of Nature.
Some people, however, take no interest in country things: for them, happiness lies in the town, with its cinemas and theatres, beautiful shops and busy streets, dance-halls and restaurants. Such people would feel that their life was not worth living if they had to live it outside London. An occasional walk in one of the parks and a fortnight’s (two weeks) visit to the sea every summer is all the country they want: the rest they are quite prepared to leave to those who are glad to get away from London every night.Passage 1 许多在伦敦工作的人选择居住在城外，每天或坐火车或坐汽车从城市四周赶到位于城里的公司或学校，这意味着他们每天必须很早起床，晚上很晚才能到家。
住在伦敦城外的好处之一是房子便宜。在伦敦，就算租一套不带花园的小套间也要花不少钱，而用同样的钱可以在乡下住一幢房子，还带花园。
住在乡下可以真正远离喧嚣。虽然需要早起，花在交通上的时间也多，不过晚上可以睡得更香，遇上周末或是夏日的晚上，人可以呼吸清鲜的空气。如果你喜欢花园，可以在闲暇时间挖土，种植，浇水，以及园内的所有其它事务。当花果蔬菜成熟的时候，你和那些乐享大自然秘密的人们一样得到了回报。
然而也有人对乡下的一切不感兴趣。在他们看来，幸福在城里：电影院、戏院、亮丽的商店、繁忙的街道、舞厅、饭店，所有这些都在城里。有人甚至觉得要是离开伦敦的话他活着也没意义了。他们和乡村的联系也就是偶尔去乡间公园散散步，盛夏季节去海边小住1、2礼拜就可以。其余时间他们更愿呆在城里，就让那些晚上乐意远离伦敦的人呆在乡下吧！
Passage 2
By definition, heroes and heroines are men and women distinguished by uncommon courage, achievements, and self-sacrifice made most for the benefits of others-they are people against whom we measure others. They are men and women recognized for shaping our nation’s consciousness and development as well as the lives of those who admire them. Yet, some people say that ours is an age where true heroes and heroines are hard to come by, where the very idea of heroism is something beyond us – an artifact of the past. Some maintain, that because the Cold War is over and because America is at peace, our age is essentially an unheroic one. Furthermore, the overall crime rate is down, poverty has been eased by a strong and growing economy, and advances continue to be made in medical science.
Cultural icons are hard to define, but we know them when we see them. They are people who manage to go beyond celebrity（明星）, who are legendary, who somehow manage to become mythic. But what makes some figures icons and others mere celebrities? That’s hard to answer. In part, their lives have the quality of a story to tell. For instance, the beautiful young Diana Spencer who at 19 married a prince, renounced marriage and the throne, and died at the moment she found true love. Good looks certainly help. So does a special indefinable charm, with the help of the media. But nothing confirms an icon more than a tragic death – such as Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Princess Diana.Passage 2 从定义上来说，英雄人物就是具有非凡勇气和成就的人（无论男女），他们全都具有牺牲精神，愿意为大众利益而奉献自己，他们是我们普通人的参照对象。英雄人物不仅对景仰他们的普通人产生影响，更对一个民族的意识和发展有积极意义。然而，有人说现在不是适合产生英雄的时代，我们头脑中基本没有英雄主义这样的概念—它属于过去年代的产物啦。有人认为由于冷战结束，美国处于和平发展当中，我们处于一个平庸的年代。而且，总体犯罪率大大降低，贫困也随着经济的发展而逐步消失，医学上不断有新的突破。
文化偶像的定义很难下，不过我们真切地知道他们的存在。他们超越一般意义上的明星，带有一些传奇经历，有时甚至具有神话色彩。哪些人属于偶像，哪些人只是一般意义上的明星呢？这个问题很难回答。部分来说，偶像的生活要有故事的特质。例如，年轻美貌的黛安娜19岁嫁给王子，后来离婚，告别王室，最终找到真爱时却死于车祸。外貌无疑很重要。与众不同又有不可捉摸的魅力再加上媒体的渲染起了同样重要的作用。但是悲剧式的死亡往往更能衬托偶像的形象----马丁.路得.金，肯尼迪，黛安娜王妃，他们的故事说明了这一点。
Passage 3
Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are excessively concerned with their own appearance and actions. Worrisome thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: what kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?
It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must negatively affect people. A person’s conception of himself or herself is reflected in the way he or she behaves, and they way a person behaves affects other people’s reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a profound effect on all areas of their lives.
Shy people, having low self-esteem, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need reassurance that they are doing “the right thing.” Shy people are very sensitive to criticism; they feel it confirms their feelings of inferiority. They also find it difficult to be pleased by compliment with a statement like this one, “You’re just saying that to make me feel good. I know it’s not true.” It is clear that while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.
Can shyness be completely eliminated, or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determined and patient efforts in building self-confidence. Since shyness goes hand in hand with a lack of self-esteems, it is important for people to accept their weakness as well as their strengths.
Each one of us is a unique, worthwhile individual, interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our full potential. Let’s not allow shyness to block our chances for a rich and fulfilling life.Passage 3 害羞是由于在众人面前感觉不自在而引发的。害羞的人容易焦虑，自我意识强，他们过分在意自己的外表和行为。他们头脑里常有这样不安的想法：我给别人留下了怎样的印象？别人喜欢我吗？我是否听起来很蠢？我穿的衣服难看吗？
显而易见，这些不适的感觉对人有负面影响。一个人的自我认识体现在他/她的言行举止上，这些行为影响着他人对此作出反映。总体来说，人们对自身的看法深刻影响到他们生活的方方面面。
害羞的人往往自信不足，常常被动，易受他人影响。他们需要有相信自己的心态，认识到自己所做的是正确的。害羞的人对批评意见比较敏感。他们感到自卑意识由此增强。害羞的人难以取悦。他们会说这样的话：“你说那些是让我高兴，其实我知道我没那么好。” 显然，自我意识是一种良好的品质，过份的自我意识就不好了。
害羞能够消除或至少减轻吗？当然。只要人们坚定耐心地培养自信就可克服害羞。既然害羞源自缺乏自信，人们应该在看到自己长处的同时认识自己的短处。
每个人都是独特的，有价值的个体，有自己的行为方式。我们对自己了解越多，我们就越能发挥自己的潜能。不要让害羞妨碍我们享受丰富的人生
TEST 6Passage 1
Places to stay in Britain are as varied as the places you visit. Whatever your budget is the choice — from basic barn to small hotel, from tiny cottage to grand castle — is all part of fun.Hostels
Cheap, good-value hostels are aimed at all types of like-minded travelers, who prefer value over luxury and you don’t have to be young or single to use them. Britain’s independent hostels and backpackers hostels also offer a great welcome. Facilities and prices vary, especially in rural areas, where some hostels are a little more than a bunkhouse（临时住房）while others are remarkably comfortable — almost like bargain hotels.Youth Hotels
Founded many years ago to “help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside”, the Youth Hotels Association is still going strong in the 21st century. The network of 230 hotels is a perfect gateway for exploring Britain’s towns and countryside.B&Bs
The B&Bs (bed and breakfasts) is a great British institution. In essence you get a room in somebody’s house, and small B&Bs house, and small B&Bs may only have one guest room, so you’ll really feel like part of the family. Larger B&Bs may have four or five rooms and more facilities, but just as warm as a welcome.In country areas your B&Bs might be in a village or an isolated farm surrounded by fields. Prices reflect facilities: and usually run from around ￡12 to￡ 20 per person. City B&Bs charge about ￡25 to￡ 30 per person, although they’re often cheaper as you go further out to the suburbs.Pubs & Inns
As well as selling drinks and meals, Britain’s pubs and inns sometimes offer B&Bs, particularly in country areas. Staying a night or two can be great fun and puts you at the heart of local community.Rates range from around ￡15 to￡ 25 per person. Pubs are more likely to have single rooms.Passage 1 在英国，旅游者可以选择的住宿地多种多样。从普通的仓库到小型宾馆，从简小农舍到宏大城堡，无论哪种类型，都充满乐趣，你可以根据自己的经济状况自由选择。
客
栈
廉价实惠的客栈定位在形形色色趣味相投重精神胜过物质的游客群体，而且客栈没有规定游客必须是年轻人或者单身。英国零散（非连锁）的客栈也很受欢迎。在乡村地区，这些客栈的设施和价格各异，有的仅比临时住房好些，而有的不比宾馆逊色。
青年旅社
青年旅社成立于很多年前，旨在“帮助所有想了解乡村，关心乡村，热爱乡村的人实现愿望，尤其是经济不够宽裕的年轻人”。青年旅社联合会在21世纪仍旧发展迅猛。由230家旅社组成的网络能为你探索英国的乡村提供完美的服务。
B & B （家庭旅店）
“B & B” 的原意是床位加早餐。 这种家庭旅店是英国的一大创新。你寄宿在人们家里，独住一个房间，有些小的家庭旅店总共只有一个客房，在这样的氛围下你会感到自己是家庭的一分子。大一点的家庭旅店有4、5间客房，设施也会多一些，但是同样温馨。
在农村地区家庭旅店有时在村子里，有时在僻静的农场里。价格不同，设施也不同：通常每人在12到20英镑之间。城市的家庭旅店价格在25至30英镑之间，越偏越便宜。
酒吧和路边店
英国的酒吧和路边店除了提供饮料和食品外，有时也提供住宿服务，尤其在乡村是这样。在这里呆上1、2晚真是件不错的事情，乐趣无穷：你能置身于当地社会，感受他们的文化。
酒吧和路边店的住宿价格在每人15到25英镑之间，酒吧里大多提供单间。
Passage 2
What makes a person a scientist?
Does he have ways or tools of learning that are different from those of others? The answer is “no”. It is not the tools a scientist uses but how he uses these tools that make him a scientist. You will probably agree that knowing how to use a power is important to a carpenter. You will probably agree, too, that knowing how to investigate, how to discover information, is important to everyone. The scientist, however, goes one step further, he must be sure that he has a reasonable answer to his questions and that his answer can be confirmed by other persons. He also works to fit the answer he gets to many questions into a large set of ideas about how the world works.
The scientist’s knowledge must be exact. There is no room for half right or right just half the time. He must be as nearly right as the conditions permit. What works under one set of conditions at one time must work under the same conditions at other times. If the conditions are different, any changes the scientist observes in a demonstration must be explained by the changes in the conditions. This is one reason that investigations are important in science. Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, arrived at this theory through mathematics. The accuracy of this mathematics was later tested through investigations, Einstein’s ideas were shown to be correct. A scientist uses many tools for measurements. Then the measurements are used to make mathematical calculations that may test his investigations.Passage 2 怎样才能成为科学家呢？是不是科学家使用的学习方法或学习工具与常人不同呢？答案是否定的。科学家与常人的区别不在于他用什么工具，而在于他如何使用工具。你可能同意这一点：懂得如何使用电动工具对于木匠而言是很重要的；你也知道对于每个人而言，如何进行调查研究如何发现信息很重要。而科学家的研究得比我们的认识更进一步，他必须确保他的研究结果是正确的，可被他人验证。科学家还必须保证他的研究结果可以解释世界上同类型的现象。
科学家的知识必须精确，决不能来个半对半错或时对时错。他必须在条件允许的情况下尽可能地准确。某时某种条件下成立的命题若换了时间，只要条件一样，还应当是成立的，否则便不是科学的东西。如果条件变了，由此引发的任何变化都应该可以在条件变化的基础上得出结论。因此科学上的调查研究很重要。爱因斯坦就是通过数学方法得出他的相对论的。他精确的数学演算被后人反复验证。科学家有许多工具进行测量。这些测量数字用来计算，从而验证他的研究。
Passage 3
A characteristic of American culture that has become almost a tradition is to respect the self-made man — the man who has risen to the top through his own efforts, usually beginning by working with his hands. While the leader in business or industry or the college professor occupies a higher social position and commands greater respect in the community than the common laborer or even the skilled factory worker, he may take pains to point out that his father started life in America as a farmer or laborer of some sort.
This attitude toward manual（体力的）labor is now still seen many aspects of American life. One is invited to dinner at a home that is not only comfortably but even luxuriously（豪华地）furnished and in which there is every evidence of the fact the family has been able to afford foreign travel, expensive hobbies, and college education for the children; yet the hostess probably will cook the dinner herself, will serve it herself and will wash dishes afterward, furthermore the dinner will not consist merely of something quickly and easily assembled from contents of various cans and a cake or a pie bought at the nearby bakery. On the contrary, the hostess usually takes pride in careful preparation of special dishes. A professional may talk about washing the car, digging in his flowerbeds, painting the house. His wife may even help with these things, just as he often helps her with the dishwashing. The son who is away at college may wait on table and wash dishes for his living, or during the summer he may work with a construction gang on a highway in order to pay for his education
Passage 3 美国文化的特点是崇尚自我奋斗。靠自己的双手通过努力达到成功的人倍受人们的尊重。工商界的领袖和大学教授在美国享有很高的地位，相比工人阶层而言，他们更受社会的尊重，即便如此，他们也多会自豪地说他们的父辈曾做过农场工人或类似的职业等等。
美国人重视体力劳动的态度在许多方面都能体现出来。在美国你常会遇到这样的现象：比如你去朋友家做客，对方家装修豪华，家境殷实，子女们都接受良好的大学教育，属于那种可以经常出国旅游，有奢侈喜好的家庭。女主人很可能亲自下厨，宴会结束后还亲自洗涮。宴桌上的食物不光有现成的面包蛋糕和罐头食品，还有许多是女主人亲自烹制的。她很乐意向客人展示自己的厨艺。一些男性在单位是专家权威，在家里照样做洗车、挖泥和刷漆的粗活。他的妻子会和他一起做这些事，他也帮妻子洗碗之类。他们上大学的儿子可能在学习之余打工挣生活费，或暑假时在建筑队打工挣来年的学费。(完)