2 . Each time Chinese New Year is approaching, preparations are underway around the world. Here are some Chinatowns for those outside of China wishing to celebrate Chinese New Year.

London

Although it may not be as large or as long-built as others, having only become a center for the Chinese community during the 1950s, London’s Chinatown is a perfectly formed firework that knows how to welcome the new year with a bang. Decorated with red lanterns, previous years have seen shows with acrobatics (杂技), martial arts (武术), dances and operas nearby.

San Francisco

San Francisco’s Chinatown is perhaps the most famous in the USA. The city was the main entry point for Chinese who had crossed the Pacific to the USA during the early 19th century. Between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street, this historic area is a local treasure, attracting more visitors per year than the Golden Gate Bridge.

Bangkok

With an about 100-year-old history, the Thai capital’s Chinatown contains complex streets offering all kinds of tasty food, clothes and toys. Sunday Market days are such a good time to get the full atmosphere of the neighborhood. The area is also known for its gold dealers, whose shops line the road.

Port Louis

Founded in Port Louis, this Mauritian Chinatown shows the island nation’s rich cultural diversity. Built in the early years of the 20th century by settlers from China, its tiny shops and restaurants serve locals and visitors. During Spring Festival, the most exciting sight is the dragon dances on the Rue Royale where Chinese musicians and dancers perform the traditional dragon dances through the streets.

Melbourne

The Chinatown in Melbourne, Australia was formed with the Victorian “gold rush” in the mid-19th century. According to Reuters, Melbourne Chinatown is not only the oldest Chinatown in Australia, but also the longest in all cities in the Western world. Many architectural relics of that time are still preserved, making this street a corridor of traditional Chinese architecture.

1. Which of the following has the longest history?

A．London’s Chinatown.	B．San Francisco’s Chinatown.
C．Port Louis’s Chinatown.	D．Bangkok’s Chinatown.

2. What’s special about Bangkok’s Chinatown?

A．It is crowded with Chinese restaurants.	B．It is the major entrance for the Chinese.
C．It is well-known for its gold business.	D．You can enjoy fireworks there.

3. Where can you go if you want to enjoy the dragon dances?

A．The Rue Royale in Port Louis.	B．The Sunday Market in Bangkok.
C．Grant Avenue in San Francisco.	D．The Chinese community in London.

4. If you want to see traditional Chinese architecture, you can go to the Chinatown in________.

A．London

B．Bangkok

C．Port Louis

D．Melbourne

3 . From Santa Barbara to Scotland, strangers are becoming friends by going on bike rides together. They get paired up by Cycling Without Age, an organization that helps seniors go for bike rides, even if they can’t pedal themselves.

Hugh Lyon and David Lawrence, who are roughly 20 years apart in age, have been riding together for years. The 56-year-old Lawrence serves as a “pilot”, driving the trishaw-a bike with a passenger seat in the front that Cycling Without Age uses for their rides. They go for rides about once a week, often discussing the history of their town.

“Despite my deceased parents, it gives me a connection with people from an older generation,” said Lawrence, “and I enjoy spending time with them and hearing their Stories.” The pair have formed a friendship outside of cycling. Lawrence said he calls Lyon often and goes to the gym with him to help him with exercises he can’t do on his own.

Ole Kassow, who founded Cycling Without Age, said that’s the power of the program. “The truly powerful thing about these bike rides is that they tie people and stories together to create new relationships,” he told CBS News. “In my experience, friendships-and the ability to form new relationships at any age-are what define a good life, and often also a long and happy life.”

John Boettner started the Santa Barbara chapter. He has one rule for passengers. “They say, ‘What does it cost if I’m going to go for a ride?’ I say, ‘Here’s what it costs: You have to wave. If you don’t wave, I’m going to kick you out,’” he joked. He said he likes when they hit red lights, because it gives them a chance to connect with people on the road. “Driving the trishaw is the best advertisement for Cycling Without Age”, Boettner said, “When you take a 101-year-old woman for a bike ride and she holds your hand tight and says thank you and gives you a kiss on the cheek, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

1. What benefit did Lawrence get from Cycling Without Age?

A．Picking up forgotten stories.	B．Improving his health condition.
C．Understanding his parents’ love.	D．Creating a relationship with seniors.

2. Why did Ole Kassow mention “friendships”?

A．To share the pleasure of cycling.	B．To state the nature of happiness.
C．To show the value of the program.	D．To introduce the definition of a good life.

3. What can we learn from Boettner’s words in the last paragraph?

A．The program needs to be advertised.	B．Passengers have to pay for their rides.
C．Red lights connect people with the pilots.	D．Bike riders feel content by offering rides.

4. What message does the passage convey?

A．A true friend is one soul in two bodies.	B．Be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud.
C．Don’t go through life, grow through life.	D．Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

5 . When two ninth-grade students found smoke coming out of the back of their school bus early Tuesday morning，their bus driver knew just what to do. Thanks to her _______ thinking，more than 50 students’ lives were _______.

While _______ a group of 56 students to their middle school in Duncan，South Carolina，on Tuesday，Teresa Stroble noticed the heavy _______ rising from the back of her bus. She _______ pulled the bus over，evacuated(疏散) the students，and radioed the transportation office to ask _______ to call 911. Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after the fire began and quickly _______ the fire，which CBS News reported was so _______ that people driving by were able to feel its heat inside their cars. Parents of the children on the bus were _______ the fire，but thanks to Stroble，the news they received was all ____________ not a single child had been hurt.

Since then，Stroble，who has been a bus driver for seven years ____________ also works as a teacher’s assistant(助教)，has been ____________ for her brave actions. “We are so ____________ of our bus driver，” headmaster Scott Turner told local CBS News. “She was ____________ .She also kept the students calm. She made sure they were safe. She didn’t leave the bus ____________ they all left. She is our ____________ today.”

The local fire department is still unsure what ____________ the fire，but some say that this 1995 ____________ has been known to have wiring and electrical problems. ____________ ，we’re so happy that Stroble was able to ____________ on her feet and keep everyone safe and sound.

1.

A．careful

B．deep

C．kind

D．quick

2.

A．saved

B．shown

C．gotten

D．checked

3.

A．bringing

B．driving

C．inviting

D．walking

4.

A．gas

B．water

C．smoke

D．heat

5.

A．gradually

B．suddenly

C．finally

D．immediately

6.

A．anyone

B．someone

C．everyone

D．another

7.

A．found out

B．turned down

C．put out

D．cut down

8.

A．large

B．wide

C．fast

D．bright

9.

A．tired of

B．angry about

C．surprised at

D．worried about

10.

A．new

B．simple

C．good

D．active

11.

A．or

B．and

C．but

D．so

12.

A．praised

B．encouraged

C．helped

D．supported

13.

A．sure

B．fond

C．certain

D．proud

14.

A．serious

B．mad

C．calm

D．positive

15.

A．after

B．until

C．if

D．because

16.

A．hero

B．friend

C．teacher

D．leader

17.

A．controlled

B．fixed

C．ordered

D．caused

18.

A．topic

B．bus

C．source

D．detail

19.

A．Also

B．Besides

C．However

D．Later

20.

A．think

B．focus

C．stand

D．look

6 . China is a land of bicycles. At least it was back in 1992 when I traveled the country. Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle. Millions of them, all black. Cars were rare. Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year, I’ve found the opposite is true. There are millions of cars. However, people still use their bicycles to get around. For many, it’s the easiest and cheapest way to travel today. Bicycles also come in different colors --- silver, green, red, blue, yellow, whatever you want.

It’s fun watching people biking. They rush quickly through crossroads, move skillfully through traffic, and ride even on sidewalks. Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can’t provide.

Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture, I decided to buy a bicycle. Great weather accompanied my great buy. I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started home.

My first ride home was orderly (守秩序的). To be safe, I stayed with a “pack” of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times. I didn’t want to get hit. So I took the ride carefully.

Crossing the streets was the biggest problem. It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States. The streets here were wide, so crossing took time, skill and a little bit of luck.

I finally made it home. The feeling on the bicycle was amazing. The air hitting my face and going through my hair was wonderful. I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people. Biking made me feel alive.

1. According to the author, why are bicycles still popular in China today?

A．Because they are traditional and safe.

B．Because they are convenient and inexpensive.

C．Because they are colorful and available.

D．Because they are fast and environment friendly.

2. The author decided to buy a bicycle because he intended __________.

A．to ride it for fun	B．to use it for transport
C．to experience local culture	D．to improve his riding skills

3. How did the author feel about his street crossing？

A．It was boring.	B．It was difficult.
C．It was lively.	D．It was wonderful.

4. Which of the following best describes the author’s biking experience

A．The author enjoyed showing off his biking skills.

B．The author was annoyed by the air while riding.

C．The author was praised by the other bikers.

D．The author took great pleasure in biking.