内容发布更新时间 : 2024/5/19 14:15:20星期一 下面是文章的全部内容请认真阅读。

Passage 1

The origins of April Fools’ Day, sometimes called All Fools’ Day, are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the application of a new calendar.

Ancient cultures celebrated New Year’s Day on or around April 1. In medieval times (中世纪) much of Europe celebrated March 25ch 25 as the beginning of the new year.

In 1582, Pope (罗马教皇) Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year’s Day to be celebrated on January 1.

That year, France accepted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year’s day to Jan. 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on “fool’s errands” or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.

There are at least two difficulties with this explanation. The first is that it doesn’t fully explain why other European countries also observe April Fools’ Day. The Gregorian calendar was not applied by England until 1752, for example, but April Fools’ Day was already well established there by that point. The second is that we have no direct historical evidence for this explanation, only conjecture (猜测) which appears to have been made more recently.

1.Which of the following statements about April Fools’ Day is TRUE? A)It was observed by all the fools. B)It is observed in many countries.

C)People have been sure about its origin. D)It is a legal holiday throughout the world.

2.According to the passage, New Year’s Day was celebrated______. A)on or around April 1 in ancient cultures before 1582 B)on March 25 in Rome and India in ancient times C)on January 1. by all the people in France in 1582 D)on January 1. by people in England well after1752

3.In the fourth paragraph, the phrase “fool’s errands” means ______ .

A)fruitful tasks B)fruitless tasks C)simple tasks D)difficult tasks 4.Those who continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1 in France after 1582 _____.

A)were forced to accept the reformed calendar B)began to make fun of those traditionalists C)refused to be sent on “fool’s errands” that day D)were likely to be made fun of by others that day

5.Which of the following does not go against the belief that April Fools’ Day stems from the application of a new calendar? ______

A)Many people in France did not accept or learn about the change of New Year’s day then.

B)We have no direct historical evidence for the explanation of the origins, only conjecture.

C)France accepted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year’s day to Jan. 1 in 1582.

D)April Fools’ Day was established in England long before the new

Passage 2

Dr Stephen Mak has reported that he treats terminal(晚期的) cancer patients in an unusual way, and many patients recovered. He explains that before he uses solar energy to clear the illnesses of his patients, he believes on natural recovering in the body against illnesses--always eating fresh fruit on an empty stomach--this is one of his special ways to cure cancer. Lately, his success rate in curing cancer is about eighty percent. Cancer patients shouldn’t die. The cure for cancer has already been found, whether you believe it or not.

We used to know that among hundreds of cancer patients many die under the traditional chemical treatments. Only very few live for 5 years and most live for only about 2 to 3 years. The treatments actually don’t make any difference, because most cancer patients also live for about 2 years without any treatment. It is difficult to cure cancer patients who’ve undergone chemical treatments and radiotherapy （放射治疗）, as their cells are toxic(中毒) and weak. When there is a relapse （复发）, the cancer spreads very fast, as the resistance is poor.

Dr Stephen Mak also explains how and when to eat fruit. It means eating fresh fruit on an empty stomach. Eating fruit like that plays a major role in removing harmful things from life system, supplying people with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities

6. According to Dr Stephen Mak, his unusual way of treating terminal cancer patients is______.

A)believing in natural recovering in the body against illnesses B)developing his own secret way

C)eating fresh fruit on an empty stomach

D)using solar energy first to clear the patients’ illnesses 7. Dr Stephen Mak’s success rate in curing cancer is ______.

A)3/5 B)18% C)2/5 D)80% 8.According to the second paragraph, the chemical treatments on cancer seem to be ___B___.

A)effective B)ineffective C)impossible D)possible 9.Which of the following is the worst side effect of chemical and radiotherapy treatments on cancer? ______

A)They stop the patients from a relapse.

B)They poison and weaken the patients’ cells. C)They disturb the cancer spreads. D)They delay the patients’ recovery.

10.What is true about Dr Stephen Mak’s special treatment on cancer? ______ A)It helps most cancer patients live for about 2 years more.

B)It guarantees that cancer patients should no longer die.

C)It is difficult to cure cancer patients who have undergone chemical treatments. D)It plays a role in cleaning life system and bringing in more healthy energy.

Passage 3

Flying man Liu Xiang, former Olympic and world champion, returned to competition by finishing second at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix (SGGP. on Sunday.

Liu’s return after 13 months out injured was cheered by an excited crowd of 25,000 at the Shanghai Stadium. He fought back from behind to cross the finish line shoulder by shoulder with his rival Terrence Trammell of American, one of the two holders of 13.15 seconds record at SGGP and silver medallist at two Olympic Games and three world championships.

“I had not expected to run so fast,” said Liu, who clocked 13.70 seconds in a training session last week. “It’s just beyond my imagination.”

Liu ,a national hero before the Beijing Olympic Games, was criticized by netizens(网民) for his shock withdrawal(退出) at the Bird’s Nest. He just returned to training in July after a surgery on his right tendon(跟腱) in the United States last December. ⑤His performance in Shanghai gave the fans hope that he has been back on winning track.

Liu Xiang, previously holding the world record of 12.88 seconds, said, “I will try to avoid injuries in future races, big or small. Now the past is past. Today I think the fans felt happy for me and also a little disappointed for not winning the first. I am sure that I will do better in the days to come.”

His coach Sun Haipin said “Liu’s foot injury will not be a problem any longer. But I still hope he should improve gradually.” 11. Liu Xiang came back to SGGP by ______. A. fighting back from behind schedule

B. finishing second but in a similar time of the first prize winner C. holding his previous world record

D. finishing first shoulder by shoulder with his rival T. Trammell

12. Liu’s withdrawal at the Bird’s Nest in the Beijing Olympic Games ____.

A. was criticized by netizens B. was necessary for his foot surgery C. was to avoid injuries in future races D. was shocking to the whole world

C. anxious about his possible injuries in future races 13. Terrence Trammell, Liu’s rival at SGGP, won ______.

A. two gold medals at Olympic Games in America B. two silver medals and four gold medals.

C. five silver medals at Olympic Games and world championships. D. another silver medal at SGGP in the Shanghai Stadium 14. Liu’s best record in world races has been reported as_____.

A.12.88 seconds B.13.70 seconds C.13.00 seconds D.13.15 seconds 15. It seemed that both Liu Xiang’s coach and his fans were _______. A. happy and confident about Liu’s successful return