Proverbs are quite common in spoken English. We do not normally put them in a composition or letter. Sometimes it is helpful if you know what common proverbs mean. Here are a few examples:

1) "Once bitten, twice shy." If a dog bites me, I shall be twice as careful in future when I see it. This proverb is also used to apply(应用) to many things and not only to dogs. If you have been cheated at a shop, you will not go to the same shop again.

2) "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." If I am a hunter, trying to catch birds, it is better to catch one bird than to see two birds in a bush but not be able to catch them. Thus this means that what you have already got is better than the chance of being able to get something bigger in future.

3) "Too many cooks spoil the broth." When too many people do something, they get in each other's way.

4) "To pour oil on troubled waters."is to try to calm things down. Oil is lighter than water. If a ship is in trouble at sea, another ship may come to help it. The second ship can send small boats to rescue people. However, it may first pour oil on the sea to make the sea less rough.

5) "Don't be a dog in the manger(马槽)" means "Don't be selfish." In a stable(马房), the manger is the place where the horse's food is put. Sometimes a dog will sleep in the manger and bark when a horse comes to get its food. The dog does not want to eat the hay in the manger but it will not let the horse eat it.

6)"You can't get blood out of a stone." means that you cannot get, something from a person who has not got any of the things you want. For example, you cannot get a million dollars from a poor man.

60. Peter had a bicycle which was much too small for him but he did not want to let his younger brother ride on it. His mother was angry and said to him,"________."

A. You can't get blood out of a stone

B. Don't be a dog in the manger

C. The early bird gets the worm

D. Once bitten, twice shy

61. Mr and Mrs Smith had a quarrel. Their friend, Mr Brown, went to talk to them. When he came back, he told his wife that he had been trying to help the Smiths by ________.

A. pouring oil on troubled waters

B. getting blood out of a stone

C. being a dog in the manger

D. saying the early bird gets the worm

62. Mrs Chen wanted to buy a new dress. Her husband suggested that she buy it from a shop near their home. Mrs Chen disagreed because she had been cheated by that shop. Then she said, " ________."

A. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

B. I don't want to be a dog in the manger

C. Once bitten, twice shy

D. Too many cooks spoil the broth

63. Mr Brown had quite a good job in Hong Kong but he thought that if he went to Singapore he might get a much better job with more money and a large house. His wife did not want him to leave his job in Hong Kong and she reminded him that ________.

A. a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush

B. too many cooks spoiled the broth

C. he couldn't get blood out of a stone

D. he shouldn't pour oil on troubled waters

On the wall in my mother's bedroom there was a photo. Below the photo there was the word "speaking?".

"Who's that soldier called speaking?"I asked one day.

"He was Harold." she said. "He was my old brother. When the Second World War began Harold was eighteen. I was twelve then, and my sisters were ten and eight."

"Harold liked to play with us, and we often quarreled. When we quarreled, we said, "we're not speaking to you." But before long we were all happy again; and then we said, "We're speaking now. Are you speaking to us?"

"When the war broke out, Harold joined the army. A month later, he came back to see us. He brought a gun to show us. Then he went miles away to the war. We didn't see him for three years-three long, empty years. We didn't often hear from him. But one day in May there was a loud bang on the front door..."

"I ran to open it. It was Harold! He was an old Harold, a thinner Harold, too. He looked at me with his two green eyes and smiled. That smile was just the same as before, then he said one word, 'speaking?'"

"I didn't... I couldn't... answer. I just fell into his arms and he dropped his gun. He stayed with us for a month. We played all our old games again. Then he went back to the war, and never came back again. So I wrote the word below the photo."

56. When he(she) first saw the word "speaking" below the photo, the writer thought ________.

A. the soldier was called "speaking"

B. the photo was taken when the soldier was speaking

C. speaking was the soldier's favourite

D. Mum wished the soldier could speak to the writer

57. How old was the mother when Harold came back for the last time?

A. Twelve. B. Thirteen. C. Fifteen. D. Twenty-one.

58. Harold never came back again because ________.

A. he didn't want to speak to his sisters any more

B. he died in battle

C. his sisters didn't answer him when he came back

D. he disliked his sisters

59. When Harold came back home, ________.

A. he changed a lot except for his smile

B. he made a shoot in front of the door

C. his sisters could hardly recognize him

D. his sisters had another quarrel with him

Almost every family buys a copy of a newspaper every day. Some people subscribe to(订阅) as many as __36__ different newspapers. But __37__ do people read newspapers?

Five hundred years ago, __38__ of important happenings-battles __39__ or won, kings or rulers overthrown or __40__ -took months or even __41__ to travel from one country to another. The news __42__ by word of mouth was __43__. Today we can read in our newspapers of important events that happen in __44__countries on the same __45__ they happen.

Apart from supplying news all over the world, newspapers give us __46__other useful information. There are weather __47__, radio, television and film guides, book reviews, stories and of course, advertisements. There are all sorts of advertisements. The biggest ones are __48__ by large companies to __49__ to their products. They pay the __50__ thousands of dollars for them, but it is __51__, for news of their products goes into almost every __52__ in the country. For those who __53__ newspapers, advertisements are also very important. __54__ from advertisements makes it possible for them to __55__ their newspapers at a low price and still make profit(利润).

36. A. two and three B. two or three

C. two to three D. two by three

37. A. when B. how C. where D. why

38. A. articles B. books C. letters D. news

39. A. lost B. fought C. brought D. raised

40. A. carried B. thrown C. sent D. supported

41. A. days B. hours C. years D. centuries

42. A. passed B. telephoned C. flew D. phoned

43. A. exact B. never exact C. true D. exactly true

44. A. nearby B. big C. faraway D. no

45. A. second B. day C. hour D. year

46. A. a lot of B. a little C. a few D. no

47. A. papers B. discoveries C. reports D. researches

48. A. put in B. taken down C. written D. settled

49. A. bring attention B. lead C. fly attention D. stick

50. A. companies B. readers C. newspapers D. advertisements

51. A. a waste of money B. worth the money C. worth selling D. unnecessary

52. A. home B. school C. person D. factory

53. A. cost B. pay C. store D. produce

54. A. Knowledge B. Money C. Debt D. Information

55. A. print B. manage C. sell D. get

Agatha Christie's works have been turned into films and TV series, and a line of computer games is set to be released over the next six years. "My grandmother liked to use new ways to reach people who wanted to enjoy her works," said Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard. "Turning her stories into PC games allows us to introduce classic mysteries to new audiences."

Born in 1890 in England, Christie was educated at home and began her writing career while working as a nurse during World War I. She went on to produce 79 novels and numerous short stories, dying at the age of 86. "With her knowledge of murder, Christie could have been a teacher at police academies," said one fan.

Her first novel, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles", also introduced Hercule Poirot, a retired Belgian police officer who starred in 30 of her works. Among the most popular are "Murder on the Orient Express", and "Death on the Nile".

Poirot is a tidy little man with a funny-looking moustache, an egg-shaped head, and a high opinion of himself. He draws conclusions from observing the behavior of those around him, always managing to spot patterns that others cannot see. Poirot has become so famous that someone has even written his biography (传记), "The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot".

Starring in 17 novels, another Christie character, Miss Marple, is nearly as well-known as Poirot. But while the Belgian uses his powers of observation, the old Miss Marple relies on her knowledge of human nature to solve crimes. As she once said, "Human nature is the same everywhere."

71. When did Christie begin writing novels?

A. When she was at school.

B. When she was educated.

C. When she was a nurse.

D. When the First World War ended.

72. Why could Christie's works attract so many people?

A. Because she was a famous woman writer.

B. Because she was a woman teacher at police academies.

C. Because she used mysterious computer games.

D. Because her works were about murdering.

73. We can know from the text that Christie wrote __________ novels.

A. 79 B. 30 C. 17 D. 25

74. The third and fourth paragraphs mainly tell us __________

A. her two famous novels B. her novels' position and fame

C. a retired police officer D. her novels and its character

75. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?

A. "Death on the Nile" is the most famous novel by Christie in the world.

B. Agatha Christie turned her works into films, TV series and computer games.

C. Hercule Poirot isn't a famous character of Christie's novels.

D. Miss Marple settled crime problems by depending on her knowledge of human nature.

Since World War II, all nations of the world have shown a great interest in economic growth. The highly developed nations have shown the greatest growth rates. However, in spite of their growth rates, these nations have been troubled by two serious problems: inflation(通货膨胀) and unemployment. At one time economists believed that generally prices would rise faster than wages and employment, but that these would quickly follow, and that a fall in wages would bring a fall in prices. However, for some time the Western economists have been suffering from both continually increasing inflation and continually increasing unemployment.

Other problems have accompanied technological development. These include the pollution of water and air by the wastes of factories, solid wastes from many technical activities( including atomic ones), and the deterioration(恶化)of workers' health in many factories, mines, and other industrial activities. The concentration(密集) of population in cities has given rise to many problems of housing, educational and medical services, and higher and higher crime rates. These are the social costs of economic growth which must be met by the society.

Technological development and the economic growth dependent on it have brought about great changes in the economic systems. Production has been concentrated into a few large corporations(企业), such as the oil companies and the automobile producers.

67. Which of the following expressions is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. Economic growth. B. Production relationship.

C. Inflation and unemployment. D. Crime rates.

68. The highly developed countries have had their economy grown rapidly, __________.

A. so there are few poor people there

B. and the prices of goods are always low

C. and all the people there can enjoy high wages

D. but they have met inflation and unemployment

69. Technological development has led to many other problems except __________ according to the passage.

A. the deterioration of workers'health

B. pollution of air C. wars between countries

D. pollution of water

70. The reason why crime rates are higher and higher is that __________.

A. the housing problem hasn't been solved

B. population of cities grows rapidly

C. the society mustn't meet economic growth

D. there are no educational and medical services

IOC President Jacques Rogge gave the following speech at the Closing Ceremony of the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, this evening, in the Olympic Stadium in Athens:

Dear Greek friends,

You have won! You have won, by brilliantly meeting the tough challenge of holding the Games! A warm thank you to Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who has led the enthusiastic and extremely competent ATHOC team with great vision and charisma.

Thank you also to the Greek public authorities, which have transformed Athens and built an extraordinary urban and sporting heritage.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Games, and above all to the marvelous volunteers who have charmed us with their competence and kindness.

These Games were held in peace and brotherhood.

These were the Games where it became increasingly difficult to cheat and where clean athletes were better protected.

These were the Games where you, the athletes, have touched our hearts by your performances, your joys, and your tears.

These Games were unforgettable, dream Games. Athletes, you are role models. When you get home, promote the message of the Games; promote respect for others; and, above all, promote clean sport. Give back to sport what sport has given to you. And now, in accordance with tradition, I declare the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad closed and I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in Beijing to celebrate with us there the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

Thank you, Athens! Thank you, Greece!

63. The text above is __________.

A. the opening speech

B. the yearly report

C. the closing speech

D. the monthly report

64. From the above text it can be inferred that __________.

A. the Games of the XXIX Olympiad will be held in Beijing

B. the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad have been closed in Tokyo

C. the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad have no cheats

D. the Games of the XXIX Olympiad have been well prepared

65. "You have won!" means __________.

A. Greece has succeeded in hosting the 29th Olympic Games

B. Greece has been defeated by IOC President Jacques Rogge

C. Greece has accepted the hard challenge of holding the Games

D. Greece has passed the Olympic torch on to Beijing

66. IOC President Jacques Rogge thanked Greece's volunteers, because ______.

A. they supported the XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens

B. they pleased us with their competence and kindness

C. they completed all kinds of work for the Olympic Games

D. they prepared all kinds of services for all athletes

Spanish Primera Liga team, Barcelona, are to visit China in August and play a friendly match in Shanghai on August 8th. Organizers have announced the star-studded lineup for the match between Barcelona and a combined team from Shanghai International and Shenhua Club.

Brazil's Ronaldinho, Javier Saviola of Argentina, as well as Dutch internationals Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids are just a few of the names set to entertain the enthusiastic Chinese fans.

Swedish veteran Henrik Larsson, who has just joined Barcelona after his country's Euro 2004 campaign, is also likely to make the trip to China.

The match will give the local side a chance to avenge the Chinese national team's humiliating 6 nil loss to Barcelona last April during its European tour. Shanghai will be the last stop of Barcelona's 2004 Asian tour, which will also take them to South Korea and Japan. This is the third top European football club to visit China in recent years, since Man United's trip to Shanghai in 1999 and Real Madrid's Galacticos' match against the Chinese Dragons in Beijing last year.

60. The football match will take place between __________.

A. Brazil's team and Shanghai's team

B. Barcelona's team and a mixed team from China

C. Argentina's team and Shenhua's team

D. Barcelona's team and Sweden's team

61. The underlined word "enthusiastic" in paragraph 2 means __________.

A. 敌意的 B. 热情的 C. 友好的 D. 好客的

62. How many times has top European football club been to China?

A. 1. B. 2. C. 3. D. 4.

You may know all about vitamin C, but do you know why vitamin D is also important to your body? Experts from the Children's Hospital in Boston, US, have said that some teens don't get enough of this important nutrient (营养物).

Vitamin D is necessary to develop healthy bones. It is produced by the body with the help of sunlight. It can also be found in certain foods and drinks, such as liver (肝脏) and eggs. However, it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, which means enjoying the sunshine is very important.

The doctors who ran the study tested 307 adolescents (青少年) to discover how much vitamin D was in their blood. They found that 74 of the children tested-nearly 25 per cent-had vitamin D lack. Of those 74, 14 were severely short of the nutrient. The doctors also found that the amount of the vitamin found in a child's blood was affected by a number of factors(因素). Vitamin D levels drop in winter, probably because less time is spent outside in the sunlight. Diet was also a key factor as well.

Even skin color has an influence (影响), as people with darker skin find it more difficult to produce the vitamin. Vitamin D lack can lead to many health problems for both children and adults. It is also believed that low levels of it can cause depression (抑郁).

56. The best title for the text is __________.

A. Don't hide from the sunshine

B. Don't be short of vitamin C

C. Vitamin C is most important

D. Don't accept sunlight in the sun

57. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the text?

A. Vitamin D is good for developing healthy bones.

B. Vitamin D is also from a certain food and drinks.

C. Vitamin D isn't important to keep healthy.

D. Vitamin D that comes from sunshine is important.

58. The doctors carried out experiments to __________.

A. compare adolescents' vitamin D and sunshine

B. check how much vitamin D adolescents' blood has

C. discover the amount of adolescents'blood

D. study adolescents' blood type and nutrient

59. The result of lacking vitamin D probably is __________.

A. to improve adolescents' diet B. to make adolescents' blood run quickly

C. to have a great effect on children's skin

D. to lead to many health problems or depression

A pair of US scientists believe they have unlocked the mystery of the Mona Lisa __36__. Christopher Tyler and Leonid Kontsevich, of the San Francisco, California branch of the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, __37__ it comes from us: It's a part of our brain that interprets "visual noise", which is __38__ to the white fuzz you see on a badly-tuned TV.

The two scientists digitally __39__ a type of grey layer(层) of random(随便的) spots over an image of the __40__. They showed the results to 12 volunteers, __41__ were asked to put Mona Lisa's __42__ in one of the four categories: sad, slightly sad, slightly happy and happy.

__43__ would be expected, the "noise" that lifted the edges of her lips made her look __44__, and the "noise" that __45__ her lips seem flatter gave her a sadder look, says the British publication New Scientist.

But __46__ was more surprising was how the grey dots made people __47__ their opinion of Mona Lisa's expression.

The __48__ for this appears to be based __49__ the way the brain interprets the interrupted flow of light __50__ which is visual noise. This means that __51__ many people see the Mona Lisa, they are tricked into thinking her expression is changing __52__.

The Mona Lisa was __53__ by Italian Leonardo da Vinci, and __54__ in Paris' Louvre Museum. Some experts say that Mona Lisa is __55__ a self-portrait of da Vinci, or of a teenage boy.

36. A. cry B. smile C. sadness D. pleasure

37. A. talk B. tell C. speak D. say

38. A. same B. different C. simple D. similar

39. A. laid B. lay C. gave D. took

40. A. photo B. play C. painting D. film

41. A. who B. they C. which D. those

42. A. explanation B. expression C. suggestion D. phrase

43. A. It B. As C. What D. Which

44. A. richer B. better C. worse D. happier

45. A. made B. kept C. forced D. got

46. A. it B. which C. one D. what

47. A. express B. give C. change D. learn

48. A. reason B. suggestion C. excuse D. requirement

49. A. in B. on C. instead D. by

50. A. marks B. signs C. messages D. signals

51. A. since B. for C. when D. because

52. A. greatly B. slightly C. highly D. heavily

53. A. carried B. taken C. painted D. described

54. A. hangs B. raises C. flows D. waves

55. A. falsely B. actually C. wrongly D. truthfully

假如你是一名体育教师,就有关体育运动的益处谈一下自己的看法:

1. 体育运动对我们的身体健康有益处。

2. 体育运动能使我们的生活变得多彩多姿。

3. 体育运动对性格素养的形成有益处。