1 . After years of observing human nature, I have decided that two qualities make the difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance curiosity and discontent. I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either. And I have never known an average man who had both. The two belong together.
What could be the best title for the passage?
| A．Curious Minds Never Feel Contented |
| B．Reflections on Human Nature |
| C．The Keys to Achievement |
| D．Never Too Late to Learn |
2 . For people who are interested in sound, the field of sound technology is definitely making noise. In the past, sound engineers worked in the back rooms of recording studios, but many of today's sound professionals are sharing their knowledge and experience with professionals in other fields to create new products based on the phenomenon we call sound.
Sound can be used as a weapon. Imagine that a police officer is chasing thief. The thief tries to escape. And the officer can't let him get away. He pulls out special device, points it at the suspect, and switches it on. The thief drops to the ground. This new weapon is called a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD,远程定向声波发射器). It produces a deafening sound so painful that it temporarily disables a person. The noise from the LRAD is directed like a ray of light and travels only into the ears of that person. but it is not deadly.
For those who hunger for some peace and quiet, sound can now create silence. Let's say you are at the airport, and the little boy on the seat next to you is humming (哼唱) a short commercial song. He hums it over and over again, and you are about to go crazy. Thanks to the Silence Machine. a British invention, you can get rid of the sound without upsetting the boy or his parents. One may wonder how the Silence Machine works. Well, it functions by analyzing the waves of the incoming sound and creating a second set of outgoing waves. The two sets of waves cancel each other out. Simply turn the machine on point it at the target, and your peace and quiet comes back.
Directed sound is a new technology that allows companies to use sound in much the same way spotlights (聚光灯) are used in the theater. A spotlight lights up only one section of a stage; similarly, a "spotsound" creates a circle of sound in one targeted area. This can be useful for businesses such as restaurants and stores because it offers a new way to attract customers. Restaurants can offer a choice of music along with the various food choices on the menu, allowing customers more control over the atmosphere in which they are dining. Directed sound is also beginning to appear in shopping centers and even at homes.
What does the passage focus on?
| A．How professionals invented sound products. |
| B．Inventions in the field of sound technology. |
| C．The growing interest in the study of sound |
| D．How sound engineers work in their studios. |
3 . How to Use a Modern Public Library
Has it been a while since your last visit to a public library? If so, you may be surprised to learn that libraries have changed for the better. It's been years since they were dusty little rooms with books. They have transformed themselves into places where you can develop your love of knowledge, meet interesting people, or find out how to start a business.
What is the purpose of the passage?
| A．To point out the importance of public libraries |
| B．To encourage people to work in public libraries. |
| C．To introduce the improved services of public libraries. |
| D．To call for the modernization of public library systems. |
4 . “They tell me that you’d like to make a statue (塑像) of me-is that correct, Miss Vinnie Ream?”
The deep, gentle voice helped calm the nervous girl. Asking a favor of the President of the United States was no casual matter, especially for a seventeen-year-old girl.
“Yes, sir” she replied, her dark eyes meeting his. “I wouldn’t have dared to ask you, but my teacher, Mr. Mills, says I am ready. I plan to make it in an admirable manner.”
President Lincoln smiled. “Painters, sculptors they’ve all tried to make the best of this ordinary face, but I'm afraid there's not much hope. What did you have in mind, Miss Ream? A bust (半身像)?”
Before Vinnie could say yes, the President hurried on, a shade of apology in his voice, “Of course -I shouldn’t have asked. A full-length pose would be much too big a project for a young woman your size.”
Vinnie’s face turned red. She realized she looked like a child, with her tiny figure. “Small does not mean weak, sir,” She defended herself, “I was born in the country of Wisconsin. I’ve driven teams of houses and carried water. Making a full-ength clay (粘土) figure would not exhaust my strength — and that is what I intend to do!”
The President’s eyes, brightened at her show of spirit. “Sorry, madam. I have underestimated you as I didn't know your background.”
But his smile faded as he rubbed his beard with bony fingers, in thought. “Miss Ream,” he sighed. “I’d like to let vou do it, but as vou know. we are in the middle of a war. How could I possibly take the time to pose for a sculpture now? I hardly have a minute to myself.”
Vinnie glanced around and noted the size of his office. “I work quickly,” she said. Her voice was soft but confident as she pointed to the corner near the windows. “If I were to bring my clay here and work for three hours every afternoon, I could complete most of the project while you are at your desk.”
The President seemed to consider her idea seriously. He got up and shook Vinnie’s hand warmly, “I've heard that you are a talented young woman, and I have found you charming and intelligent as well. I cannot make my decision immediately, but you will hear from me soon.”
The very next day, Vinnie received an invitation from the President.
What message does the story convey?
| A．A strong-willed soul can reach his goal. |
| B．Experience helps to promote excellence. |
| C．Ups and downs make one strong. |
| D．Devotion requires enthusiasm. |
5 . The connection between people and plants has long been the subject of scientific research. Recent studies have found positive effects. A study conducted in Youngstown, Ohio, for example discovered that greener areas of the city experienced less crime. In another, employees were shown to be 15% more productive when their workplaces were decorated with houseplants.
One of his latest projects has been to make plants glow(发光)in experiments using some common vegetables. Strano’s team found that they could create a faint light for three-and-a-half hours. The light，about one-thousandth of the amount needed to read by，is just a start. The technology, Strano said, could one day be used to light the rooms or even to turn tree into self-powered street lamps.
Lighting accounts for about 7% of the total electricity consumed in the US. Since lighting is often far removed from the power source (电源)-such as the distance from a power plant to street lamps on a remote highway-a lot of energy is lost during transmission (传输).
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．A new study of different plants |
| B．A big fall in crime rates. |
| C．Employees from various workplaces |
| D．Benefits from green plants. |
| A．Can we grow more glowing plants? |
| B．How do we live with glowing plants? |
| C．Could glowing plants replace lamps |
| D．How are glowing plants made pollution-free? |
6 . How to Make Good Oral Presentations
Talk to the Audience
We do not mean to face the audience, although gaining eye contact with as many people as possible when you present is important, since it adds a level of intimacy (亲近) and comfort to the presentation. We should prepare presentations that address the target audience. Be sure you know who your audience is—what are their backgrounds and knowledge level of the material you are presenting and what they are hoping to get out of the presentation.
A common mistake of inexperienced presenters is to try to say too much. They feel the need to prove themselves by proving to the audience that they know a lot. As a result, the main message is often lost, and valuable question time is usually reduced. A side effect of too much material is that you talk too quickly, and the audience can’t follow you.
Not everyone can have a chance to stand on a real stage before they make an oral presentation because the price is too high. Even if you are rich enough, the stage is not always empty for you. So why not use your own living room to better your oral presentation? Imagine the floor is the stage, and the chairs are your audience. Several times later and you will get more confidence.
The more you practice, the more likely you will know the time exactly. The more presentations you give, the better result you are going to get. An important talk should be given for the first time to an audience of family, classmates or friends. Repeat this for several times and collect advice. More importantly, when you give the presentation, stick to what you practice.
| A．Treat the Floor as a Stage (舞台) |
| B．Remember: Less is More |
| C．Remember to Speak Loudly |
| D．Practice and Time Your Presentation |
