【推荐1】Have you ever seen a real night sky that looks like Van Gogh’s Starry Night? I hope not! So, why would an artist paint the sky this way? Perhaps I can answer that with another question. When you’re happy, why do you sing instead of speaking? Or when you’re in love, why do you speak of roses and honey? When we do these things, we, too are artists. We’re using something that goes beyond a mere scientific description in order to communicate our feelings more powerfully than straightforward words can. So consider for a moment that Van Gogh might not have been hallucinating on the night he painted this. Maybe he felt something so powerful that he had to go beyond the familiar to express it.
I hope I’mreminding you of something you already know as I describe the experience of being outside at night under a crystal clear sky that makes everything seem clean and refreshing. So you look up. And suddenly you see the sky that you’ve seldom seen before. It’s not just the same old dark night sky tonight. Instead, the blackness is a deep, rich blue that is more bottomless than any ocean. The stars are not spots of light but brilliant, magical diamonds that dance like tiny angels. In just this special moment, the sky is somehow alive, and it seems to speak to you silently about the meaning of infinity.
Now look at the painting again. Can you see something of what makes this such a famous and well-loved image? But there’s more here than that. Van Gogh paintedthis while he was quite struck down by a mental disease. It is natural to imagine that he frequently battled the fear that he would never escape hisprisonto true freedom. It is natural for us to imagine this because each of us has faced our own personal prison, whether it be disease, the loss of a loved one, serious financial problems … In such moments it is tempting to give up to despair and collapse in hopelessness.
Looking at this painting, I imagine Van Gogh in just such a moment of despair, when he isstruck by the memory of one of those amazing night skies. He recalls the sense that he is not alone, that there is a living, infinite world with rich colorful creatures and scenes all around.
And so the sky flows across the canvas full of vitality and power. The stars don’t just sparkle; they explode. Looking closer, we notice that the earth itself seems to respond to the movement in the sky, forming its own living waves in the mountain and rolling trees. In the sleepy village, the windows of the houses glow with the same light that brightens the universe. The giant trees at the left seem to capture the joy by stretching upwards toward the sky.
What a tremendous message of hope there is in this masterpiece! Even if our troubles persist, the world around us assures us that life is worth living. That’s what the angels sing about. Doesn’t it make you want to sing, too?
1. Looking at the painting Starry Night, we can see all the following except ________.

A．the singing angels	B．the giant trees
C．the sleeping village	D．the sparkling stars

2. Van Gogh does NOT describe a feeling of ________ through the Starry Night.

A．happiness

B．vitality

C．power

D．despair

3. What is the main purpose of this passage?

A．To explain how Van Gogh painted the Starry Night.

B．To tell us how to appreciate the Starry Night.

C．To prove Van Gogh was in a hallucinating state of mind while painting the picture.

D．To show us the beauty of the sky on a Starry Night.

【推荐2】In the US, people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don’t know. This means a hostess may not seat a small group until a small table is available, even if a large one is. If you are sitting at a table with people you don’t know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without asking if it will disturb them.
At American restaurants and coffee shops you are usually served tap water before you order. You may find the bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill.
Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing time for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day.
Serving in restaurants is often large, too large for many people. If you can’t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a “doggie bag”. It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you’re taking the food for yourself.
Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have “Sunday dinner”. This is an especially big noon meal.
Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% is expected and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change.
1. Which statement is true?

A．American people like sitting with people they don’t know.

B．A hostess always seats a small group at a large table.

C．American people never sit with people they don’t know.

D．American people will not light a cigarette if the people who sit at the same table mind their smoking.

2. What is served before you order?

A．Bread.

B．Butter.

C．Coffee.

D．Cold water.

3. What do American people always do when servings are too large for them?

A．They take the food home with a “doggie bag” for their dogs.

B．They leave the food on the table and go away.

C．They take the food home with a “doggie bag” and enjoy the food later.

D．They ask the waitress or waiter to keep the food for them.

4. What can you learn about “tips” according to the passage?

A．Customers often add tips to their check.

B．The price of the meal usually includes the tip.

C．People are not expected to pay tips in addition.

D．Tips are supposed to be left on the table when customers leave

【推荐3】Television has changed the lifestyle of people in every industrialized country in the world. In theUnited States, where sociologists have studied the effects, some interesting observations have been made.

Television, although not essential, has become an important part of most people’s lives. It alters people’s ways of seeing the world; in many ways, it supports and sustains (维持) modern life.

Television has become a baby-sitter, an introducer of conversations, the major transmitter of culture, and a keeper of tradition. Yet when what can be seen on TV in one day is critically analyzed, it becomes evident that television is not a teacher but a sustainer; the poor quality of programming does not elevate (提高) people into greater understanding, but rather maintains and encourages the life as it exists.

The primary reason for the lack of quality in American television is related to both the history of TV programming development and the economics of TV. Television in America began with the radio. Radio companies and their sponsors first experimented with television. Therefore, the close relationship which the advertisers had with radio programs became the system for American TV. Sponsors not only paid money for time within programs, but many actually produced the programs. Thus, in American society, television is primarily concerned with reflecting and attracting society rather than experimenting with new ideas. Advertisers want to attract the largest viewing audience possible. To do so requires that the programs be entertaining rather than educational, attractive rather than challenging.[

Television in America today remains, to a large extent, with the same organization andstandards as it had thirty years ago. The hope for further development and true achievement toward improving society will require a change in the entire system.

1. According to the author, American television is poor in quality because _________.

A．it is controlled by radio companies

B．the programs have to be developed partly for economic reasons

C．advertisers are interested in experimenting with new ideas

D．it is still at an early stage of development, compared with the radio

2. In the author’s view, American TV should _________.

A．be entertaining and attractive

B．reflect society and attract society

C．maintain and encourage the life as it exists

D．change with the development of society

3. Based on the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．TV has become a must in the American’s life.

B．One can expect to improve his understanding significantly from watching TV.

C．American TV is important to most people as it affects their life in many ways.

D．American TV nowadays has some different standards from the past.

4. The author’s attitude towards American television is _________.

A．negative	B．positive
C．indifferent	D．sympathetic

【推荐1】Jules Verne was born on 8 February 1828 in the French city of Nantes. From an early age, he had a fascination with exploration and discovery. When he was six, his teacher, Madame Sambin, told him stories about her husband, who disappeared while traveling the world on a ship 30 years before. She told her class that he was like Robinson Crusoe, a fictional castaway who lived on a desert island. Verne would later write stories about similar characters.

In 1847, Verne was sent by his family to study law at a university in Paris, but he preferred to write novels, poems and plays. After graduating, he realized he wanted to write adventure stories based on science and technology. This had never been done before, but Verne was sure that it would be a success. His first story, Five Weeks in a Balloon, was published in September 1862. His career lasted for more than 40 years, during which time he wrote more than 60 gripping stories.

To begin with, Verne wrote positive and optimistic books. Many of these were to be his most popular creations. Although some included fantastical elements, they were usually based in scientific fact, making them believable. These happy stories weren’t to last. As he got older, Verne became less confident in the idea that science and technology were always good for the planet. His books started to include more scientists who used technology for their own-sometimes evil - purposes. Verne died on 24 March 1905, but new books continued to be published until 1919. These stories were based on ideas Verne had written about while he was still alive, but featured new characters and plots created by his son, Michel.

In the 20th century, his books were translated into more than 140 languages and several successful film versions were released. His creations have been recognized as an inspiration for many scientists and inventors. Many of the futuristic ideas from his most popular books have since come true.

1. What is the purpose of Paragraph 1?

A．To show Verne’s discovery.

B．To offer the background information of Verne.

C．To tell of the adventure of Sambin’s husband.

D．To explain how Verne began his writing career.

2. What does the underlined word “This” refer to in Paragraph 2:

A．Writing novels, poems and plays.

B．Studying law.

C．Graduating from university.

D．Wring adventure stories.

3. What can be learned about Verne’s late works?

A．They covered happy elements.

B．They were unbelievable stories.

C．They revealed Verne’s doubt on science.

D．They were partly written by Berne’s son.

4. Which of the following best describes Verne?

A．Talented and productive.

B．Popular and caring.

C．Optimistic and generous.

D．Friendly and honest.

【推荐2】Have you ever heard of a great Chilean poet? He was once referred to as the Picasso of poetry. Beloved by Chileans of all classes, he is one of the most widely read and respected poets in history. And this year is the 114th birthday of Pablo Neruda(1904—1973).

Born with the name Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basolto, he was a tall, shy and lonely boy. He loved to read and started to write poetry when he, was ten. The American poet Walt Whitman, whose framed picture Neruda later kept on his table, became a major influence on his work.

However, his father did not like the idea of having a poet for a son and tried to discourage him from writing. To cover up the publication of his first poem, he took the pen name Pablo Neruda.

In 1924 Neruda gained fame with his most widely read work “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair”. Yet his rich experience as a diplomat and exile made him go beyond the theme of love. His work also reflected the political struggle of the left and development of South America. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.

Neruda loved the sea which he saw as creative, destructive and forever moving. He found inspiration in the power and freedom of the waves and the seabirds on the coast. “I need the sea because it teaches me,” he wrote. “I move in the university of the waves.” He loved how the sea forever renewed itself, a renewal echoed（共鸣）in his work.

1. Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basolto took the pen name Pablo Neruda because ______.

A．he was greatly influenced by other poets

B．literary greats usually used the pen name

C．his father encouraged him to use the name

D．he wanted to prevent his father knowing the publication

2. Which of the following is NOT the theme of his works?

A．Social reform.	B．Love.
C．Political struggle.	D．Development of South America.

3. The last paragraph mainly tells us ______.

A．Neruda loved to write his poems near the sea

B．the sea gave Neruda vast writing inspiration

C．the beautiful scenery along the Chile coast

D．Neruda’s poems were widely read overseas

【推荐3】He was once referred to as the Picasso of poetry. Beloved by Chileans of all classes, he is one of the most widely read and respected poets in history. And this year is the 100th birthday of Pablo Neruda (1904-1973).

Born with the name Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basolto, he was a tall, shy and lonely boy. He loved to read and started to write poetry when he was ten. The American poet Walt Whitman, whose framed picture Neruda later kept on his table, became a major influence on his work.

However, his father did not like the idea of having a poet for a son and tried to discourage him from writing. To cover up the publication of his first poem, he took the pen name Pablo Neruda.

In 1924 Neruda gained fame with his most widely read work “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair’’. Yet his rich experience as a diplomat and exile made him go beyond the theme of love. His work also reflected the political struggle of the left and development of South America. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.

Neruda loved the sea which he saw as creative, destructive and forever moving. He found inspiration in the power and freedom of the waves and the seabirds on the coast. “I need the sea because it teaches me,” he wrote. “I move in the university of the waves.” He loved how the sea forever renewed itself, a renewal echoed in his work.

1. The underlined word “Picasso” can probably be replaced by “________”.

A．most important person	B．famous person from Picasso
C．freedom fighter in Picasso	D．poem fan

2. Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basolto took the pen name Pablo Neruda because ________.

A．literary greats usually used the pen name

B．his father encouraged him to use the name

C．he wanted to prevent his father knowing the publication

D．he was greatly influenced by other poets

3. Which of the following is not the theme of his works?

A．Love.	B．Political struggle.
C．Social reform.	D．Development of South America.

4. The last paragraph mainly tells us ________.

A．the sea gave Neruda vast writing inspiration

B．the beautiful scenery along the Chile coast

C．Neruda’s poems were widely read overseas

D．Neruda loved to write his poems near the sea