1 . Six Neanderthals who lived in what is now France were eaten by their fellow Neanderthals some 100,000 years ago, according to fearful evidence of the cannibalistic (食人的) event discovered by scientists in a cave in the 1990s. Now, researchers may have figured out why the Neanderthals, including two children, became victims of cannibalism: Global warming.

While previous studies have examined Neanderthal remains to find proof of cannibalistic behavior, this is the first study to offer clues as to what may have led Neanderthals to become cannibals. Scientists found that rapid changes in local ecosystems as the planet warmed may have wiped out the animal species that Neanderthals ate, forcing them to look elsewhere to fill their stomachs.

The researchers examined a layer of sediment (沉积物) in a cave known as Baume Moula-Guercy, in southeastern France. In that layer, charcoal (碳) and animal bones were so well-preserved that scientists could reconstruct an environmental picture representing 120,000 to 130,000 years ago. They discovered that the climate in the area was likely even warmer than it is today, and that the change from a cold, dry climate to a warmer one happened quickly. “Maybe within a few generations”, study co-author Emmanuel said. As the animals that once populated the landscape disappeared, some Neanderthals ate what they could find — their neighbors.

Cannibalism is by no means unique to Neanderthals, and has been practiced by humans and their relatives “from the early Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age and beyond,” the study authors reported. The behavior adopted by the starving Neanderthals in the Baume Moula-Guercy should therefore not be viewed as “a mark of bestiality (兽性) or sub-humanity”, but as an emergency adaptation to a period of severe environmental stress, according to the study.

1. What does the study mainly focus on?

A．The social behavior of Neanderthals.

B．The reason for cannibalism among Neanderthals.

C．The climate change in southeastern France.

D．The influence of global warming on ancient animals.

2. What can possibly be used to describe the climate in southeastern France 120,000 to 130,000 years ago?

A．It was no warmer than it is today.

B．It was first warm while later cold and dry.

C．Its change was mild and went through quite a long process.

D．Its change is a chief factor contributing to cannibalism.

3. Which of the following might the study authors agree with?

A．Neanderthals’ cannibalism showed their bestiality.

B．Cannibalism was actually a measure the Neanderthals had to adopt to survive.

C．Neanderthals’ cannibalism guaranteed their rule over other tribes.

D．Only Neanderthals were found to have cannibalism in human history.

4. Where can you most possibly find this passage?

A．In a science journal.	B．In a travel brochure.
C．In a history book.	D．In a geography book.

2 . Because of its extremely rich natural resources, the United States appeared to be a land of plenty where millions could come to find what they wanted. Therefore, immigrants have traditionally come to this land, hoping to make a fortune. Of course, most immigrants did not get rich overnight, and many of them suffered terribly, but most of them were finally able to improve upon their former standard of living. Even if they were not able to achieve the success they wanted, they could be very certain that their children would have the opportunity for a better life.

The phrase “going from rags to riches” became a slogan for the “American Dream”. Because of the huge riches of the North American Continent, the dream came true for many of the immigrants. They achieved material success and many got tied to material things. Material wealth became a value to the American people.

Americans have paid a price, however, for their material wealth. The North American Continent was rich in natural resources when the first settlers arrived, but all these resources were unexploited. Only by hard work could these natural resources be changed into material things, allowing a more comfortable standard of living. Hard work has been both necessary and rewarding for most Americans throughout their history. Because of this, they came to see material things as the natural reward for their hard work.

Most Americans still believe in the value of hard work. Most believe that people should hold jobs and not live off welfare payments (福利金) from the government. There have been many efforts to reform the welfare system so that people would not become dependent on welfare and stop looking for jobs to support themselves.

However, as the United States has shifted from an industry-based economy to one that is service-based or information-based, there has been a fall in high- paying jobs for factory workers. Additionally, with it competing in a global economy, many workers are losing their old jobs and finding that they must now work longer hours for less money and fewer benefits.

1. What attracted immigrants to come to America?

A．The natural beauty in America.

B．The dream of becoming famous.

C．The wish of improving their lives.

D．The idea of experiencing different traditions.

2. What does the underlined word “unexploited” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Undervalued.

B．Undeveloped.

C．Unprotected.

D．Unchecked.

3. What may most Americans agree?

A．People depend too much on government welfare.	B．One should support himself through hard work.
C．Welfare payments make sure people live better.	D．Everyone should hold a job whoever he is.

4. What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A．Why working hours are longer.

B．What affects the global economy.

C．What causes workers to quit jobs.

D．Why life is harder for workers.

3 . Almost all cultures celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another in some way. Different cultures celebrate the beginning of a new year in different ways, and at different times on the calendar.

In Western countries, people usually celebrate New Year at midnight on December 31st or January 1st. People may go to parties, sometimes dressed in formal clothes, and they may drink champagne（香槟）at midnight. During the first minutes of the new year, people cheer and wish each other happiness for the year ahead. But some cultures prefer to celebrate the new year by waking up early to watch the sunrise. They welcome the new year with the first light of the sunrise.

Many cultures also do special things to get rid of bad luck at the beginning of a new year. For example, in Ecuador, families make a big doll from old clothes. The doll is filled with old newspapers and firecrackers. At midnight, these dolls are burned to show the bad things from the past year are gone and the new year can start afresh（重新）.

Other common traditions to keep away bad luck in a new year include throwing things into rivers or the ocean, or saying special things on the first day of the new year.

Other New Year traditions are followed to bring good luck in the new year. One widespread Spanish tradition for good luck is to eat grapes on New Year's Day. The more grapes a person eats, the more good luck the person will have in the new year. In France, people eat pancakes for good luck at New Year. In the United States, some people eat black-eyed peas for good luck—but to get good luck for a whole year you have to eat 365 of them！

1. Which of the following can be the best title of the text?

A．Several different New Year traditions

B．The meaning of "Happy New Year!"

C．What to eat on New Year's Day

D．Why people dress up nicely on New Year's Day

2. What do you know from the first two paragraphs？

A．Different cultures celebrate the beginning and ending of a year in the same way.

B．The Western people celebrate the New Year only by watching the sunrise.

C．People around the world celebrate the New Year at different times.

D．People hold parties, wear new clothes and drink champagne for a whole day.

3. In some cultures, why do people throw things into rivers or oceans?

A．To bring good luck.

B．To forget everything.

C．To avoid bad luck.

D．To plan for the next year.

4. Which of following is CORRECT if people want to escape bad luck and wish for good luck?

A．Families make big dolls filled with old clothes

B．Friends tell something special to each other

C．Some people get up early to watch the sunrise

D．Europeans eat 365 grapes on New Year's Day

4 . Switzerland is the world’s most famous watchmaker,    1    makes it little surprise that    2    (it) people are the most punctual in the world. For them, being on time is not only a nice thing to do, but it’s a strict    3    (believe) that they build almost every aspect of their lives on.

According to the BBC, everything in Switzerland, from trains and buses    4    personal meetings, is on time. If someone says they are meeting you at 3 pm, they    5    not be there at 2:55 or 3:05 - just 3 pm. It shows “a deep expression of respect for other people”, US writer Eric Weiner, who    6    (recent) traveled to Switzerland, wrote for BBC News. “A punctual person is a     7    (consider) one. By showing up on time for everything, a Swiss person is expressing he values your time and, by extension, he values you.”

This valuable quality of Swiss people    8    (report) to originate from the country’s mountain areas. Due to poor weather, people had to plant and harvest crops exactly on time,    9    they would have nothing to eat.

However, being punctual also has its problems. Since everybody has their lunch at exactly 12 and takes their coffee break at 4 pm, elevators and coffee shops all tend    10    (be) full at the same time.