2 . Directions: Read the following two passages. Fill in each blank with one proper word or the proper form of the given word to make the passage coherent. Make sure that your answers are grammatically correct.

The Origin of New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year! For many in the UK, if the New Year means anything, it means       1     (turn) over new leaf. And to do this, many of us make New Year’s resolutions-a list of ways     2     we intend to improve ourselves in the year ahead. We reflect on our past mistakes and make up our minds not to do them again.     3     (give) up smoking is ever popular, as is a promise to take up more exercise or spend more time with family.

But have you ever wondered when the idea of a New Year’s resolution comes from? The answer might lie in ancient Babylonia, according to History. com. The Babylonians     4     (believe) to be the first to hold recorded celebrations for the New Year. The 12 day-long celebration,     5     (name) Akitu, allowed them not only     6     (show) their loyalty to the King, but also to appeal to the gods to pay their debts and return the borrowed objects.

The ancient Romans too had similar traditions. New Year’s Day was a time     7     all government officers would take an oath(发誓) that they     8     obey the laws and support the city leader. Incidentally, the month of January is named after the Roman god Janus. He is the god of beginnings, transitions and time, among other things and is described as having two faces-one looking to the past and     9     facing forward to the future.

Whether you’re looking at a quick behavioral change     10     a huge personality checkup, you’re taking part in a tradition that goes back centuries. I wish you all the best sticking to your resolutions. Happy New Year!

3 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. Use one word that best fits each blank.

The word taboo comes from the Tongan language and is used in modern English to describe verbal and nonverbal behavior that is forbidden or to be avoided.     1     what some may think, taboos are not universal. They tend to be specific to a culture or country, and usually form around a group’s values and beliefs.     2     is considered acceptable behavior in one country may be a serious taboo in another. Therefore,     3     you travel to another country, on business or vacation, it is helpful to learn some of that country’s customs     4     you don’t insult the local people.

Verbal taboos usually involve topics     5     people believe are too private to talk about publicly, or release to one’s manner of speaking. In many cultures, for example, it is considered bad manners to discuss subjects     6     sex or religion in public. In some countries, the volume of one’s voice may annoy people.

Nonverbal taboos usually relate to body languages. One of the biggest difference among many Western Asian, and African cultures is the use of eye contact. In the USA, people make eye contact when talking to others. If a person avoids eye contact, others might think they are being honest or     7     they lack confidence. In many Asian and African cultures, however, children are taught to lower their eyes when talking to their elders, or     8     of higher rank, as a way to show respect.

Certain gestures made with the hands can have very different meanings depending on     9     you are. For example, Crossing your middles finger over your forefinger is the sign for good luck in many western countries, in Vietnam and Argentina, however, it is an unsuitable gesture.

Behavior that is acceptable and non-offensive in one culture can be highly offensive in another. When visiting a foreign country, be aware of some of the basic differences,     10     will help to ensure a more enjoyable trip.

4 . Direction: After reading   the passage below. Fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct

Increasingly, various phrases have been taking over a good old-fashioned "thank you" or "you’re welcome" in daily conversations in the United States. While     1     (dine)at a restaurant, when a waiter comes by to ask Americans     2     .they would like more water or bread, do you notice that they often say " I'm good,” rather than "no, thank you?” When someone thanks them for holding the door open, "no problem "is almost the same response as "you're welcome”.

Are Americans becoming ruder,     3     (abandon) traditional polite phrases, or are the words they use now just updated versions of the same emotion?

According to Lisa Gache, co-founder of Beverly Hills Manners, the decline of these magic words in our everyday conversation has to do with the preference     4     all things casual in our society today. Casual conversation, casual dress and casual behavior are present in all areas of life.

And apparently Americans agree with her. A survey     5     (conduct)by Rasmussen Reports revealed that 76 percent of those surveyed thought that Americans were becoming "ruder and     6     (civil).”

But is using phrases like "no problem"or “you bet"or " enjoy” really rude? Does more casual

phrasing erase the original emotion of gratitude? Doesn’t "no, thank you" sometimes sound a little too formal, perhaps even a little too harsh(刺耳的),     7     it begins with a “no”?

Emily Post Senning,     8     great-grandmother set the standard on manners with the book Etiquette, thought that while the principles of respect and consideration are "universal and timeless, " actual manners change over time and between cultures,     9     do the words used to express gratitude and appreciation.

It's probably not a bad idea     10     (remember)to say "please" and "thank you,” but don’t beat yourself up thinking you're a horrible person if you say "have a good one" instead of "have a nice day.”

5 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

In two days, it will be Christmas, children all over world     1     (look) forward to this day for weeks. People celebrate Christmas with food, decorations, music and more. But for many people, gift-giving is the most exciting part of the holiday.

I have found memories of Christmas shopping with my family as a child. I enjoyed the challenge of keeping my parents’ gifts a secret. It was hard to buy gifts right.     2     their noses without them seeing. Everyone placed     3     (wrap) gifts under the Christmas tree until Christmas morning,     4     we opened them.

Picking a great gift require     5     (know) the person you’re giving it to. You need to know the person’s tastes and find something the person doesn’t already have. This can be quite a big challenge. Often it’s wise to provide a receipt     6     the person needs to exchange the gift.

The best gifts are personal. Many Americans don’t feel money constitutes a good gift     7     it doesn’t require any thought. They prefer something chosen just for the person. If the gift is a high-quality homemade gift, that’s even better.

Gift-giving reflects the reason     8     people celebrate Christmas. Christians in particular remember the birth of Jesus. When he was born, wise men traveled many miles to visit him,     9     (bring) expensive gifts. But the greatest gift wasn’t from the wise man, but from God—the baby Jesus. God gave this gift because everyone needed it. We needed God to forgive our bad actions so that we     10     live forever with him. So on Christmas we give presents to imitate God’s action of giving the perfect gift.

6 . Directions: After reading the passages below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

The Greek myths are almost a myth themselves.

   

The great dramatists Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides drew on the myths,     1     did the Romans after them. Since then, poets, painters, sculptors, novelists — and later on, filmmakers and even comic strip authors —     2    (find) inspiration in them. Remember film Troy (2004) starring Brad Pitt? That movie remade The Iliad, Homer’s e t of the Trojan Wars.

Greek myths came from oral stories. In the beginning, people told these tales to     3    . They didn’t read them in books or watch them in the theater. It seems that     4     we write, paint or make films — or simply just enjoy these products — the Greek myths have a special resonance.

The names and the stories     5     be old, but the myths continue to be relevant. We can still be moved by beauty, like the story of Paris when he stole the gorgeous Helen away from her husband in Troy.

We feel pain in our hearts     6     we remember our family and friends back home. We can therefore readily understand Odysseus —     7    (separate) from his wife and son for a decade — and his desperation to get home.

The everyday life of western culture     8    (mark) by the Greek myths in all sorts of ways. Just look up into the night sky — names of the stars and constellations you see come from Greek characters.

In English, we say someone who makes money easily has “the Midas touch”. But often, character from Greek mythology, who turns     9     he touches into gold. Even the products we buy in supermarkets have names     10     (inspire) by the Greeks.