Last week, I took a sales class for female business owners. The     36   thing the instructor did was ask if anyone had been the victim of a     37   sales experience. Every person in the room    38   her hand.

When she knew details, we learned that the     39   situations had one thing in common. It     40   that whenever a class member had a bad sales experience, it involved the     41   promising something he wouldn’t or couldn’t deliver.

The example I     42  with the class was a current one. I bought a summer membership at our community pool     43   because it advertised a lovely baby pool to which I could escape with my active one and four year-olds. However, every time I’ve used the pool this summer, the baby area has been     44   . Too much chlorine（氯气）,    45   one manager.

I’m sure the pool director was very apologetic that his     46   had been inconvenienced, and that’s nice, but the     47   is that I did not get what I paid for. When the baby pool was closed, I had to swim with my     48   in the adult pool, which did not     49   me the control I wanted and as such, was quite stressful. I would have rather stayed home.

The pool has     50  a customer. I will not be buying a pass next summer.

In work and in life, it is really important not to     51   something you can’t deliver, because at best, it will improve your   52    . At worse, you could lose your job.    53   , before you assure a co-worker or customer that you can get something done, make sure that your boss or someone higher-up isn’t going to step in and force you to     54   your plan. You are not God, so don’t lead people to believe that you     55  the universe.

1.                A．last            B．first            C．latest D．only

2.                A．good           B．miserable       C．bad  D．wonderful

3.                A．raised          B．rose           C．arose D．aroused

4.                A．negative        B．supportive      C．positive   D．pessimistic

5.                A．appeared       B．noticed         C．seemed  D．presented

6.                A．seller          B．buyer          C．shopper  D．assistant

7.                A．told           B．shared         C．held D．spoke

8.                A．roughly         B．correctly        C．naturally  D．precisely

9.                A．closed         B．turned         C．switched  D．forbidden

10.               A．announced      B．claimed        C．declared  D．exclaimed

11.               A．colleagues      B．fellows         C．customers D．children

12.               A．point          B．subject         C．sense D．truth

13.               A．friends         B．students        C．kids  D．cousins

14.               A．supply         B．afford          C．provide   D．undertake

15.               A．gained         B．acquired        C．hurt  D．lost

16.               A．promise        B．serve          C．accommodate  D．explain

17.               A．mood          B．relationships     C．feelings   D．learning

18.               A．However       B．Instead         C．Therefore D．Besides

19.               A．abandon        B．continue        C．change    D．conduct

20.               A．command       B．demand        C．contain    D．control

（C）
Astronaut Jim Voss has enjoyed many memorable moments in his career，including three space flights and one space walk. But he recalls with special fondness a decidedly earthbound（为地球引力所束缚的）experience in the summer of 1980 when he participated in the NASA ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program. Voss， then a science teacher at West Poin，was assigned to the Marshall Space Flight Center's propulsion（推进） lab in Alabama to analyze why a hydraulic fuel pump seal （液压燃料泵的密封圈）on the space shuttle（航天飞机） was working so well when previous seals had failed. It was a seemingly tiny problem among the vast complexities of running the space program. Yet it was important to NASA because any crack in the seal could have led to destructive results for the astronauts who relied on them.
“I worked a bit with NASA engineers，” says Voss， “but I did it mostly by an analysis. I used a handheld calculator， not a computer， to do a thermodynamic（热力学的） analysis.” At the end of the summer，he，like the other NASA ASEE fellows working at Marshall，summarized his findings in a formal presentation and detailed paper. It was a valuable moment for Voss because the ASEE program gave him added understanding of  NASA，deepened his desire to fly in space，and intensified his application for astronaut status.
　　It was not an easy process. Voss was actually passed over when he first applied for the astronaut program in 1978. Over the next nine years he reapplied repeatedly，and was finally accepted in 1987. Since then he has participated in three space missions. The 50 year old Army officer，who lives in Houston，is now in training for a four-month mission as a crew member on the International Space Station starting in July 2000.
　Voss says the ASEE program is wonderful for all involved. “It brings in people from the academic world and gives NASA a special property for a particular period of time. It brings some fresh eyes and fresh ideas to NASA，and establishes a link with our colleges and universities，” Voss explains. “There's an exchange of information and an exchange of perspectives that is very important.”
For the academic side，Voss says，the ASEE program also “brings institutions of higher learning more insight into new technology. We give them an opportunity to work on real world problems and take it back to the classroom.”
66. Why was the hydraulic fuel pump seal important for the space shuttle？
A） Because previous seals all failed.
B） Because it was very complex in running the space program.
C） Because great care has to be taken of the hydraulic fuel pump sealing.
D） Because any crack in the seals would cause disastrous results for the astronauts.
67.The great significance of Voss's findings lies in_________ .
A） strengthening his determination to join in space flights
B） furthering his understanding of NASA
C） consolidating his astronaut status in NASA programs
D） Both A and B
68. How many flights will Voss have finished if his four-month mission starting in July 2000 ends up successfully？
A） Three  B） Two   C） Four     D） Five
69. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to what Voss said on the ASEE program？
A） Fresh members from the academic world participate in the program.
B） The program brings new outlooks to NASA space programs.
C） It is important for the space scientists to exchange information and perspectives.
D） American colleges and universities are a special property of NASA.
70. What does Voss want to stress in the last paragraph？
A） The technological significance of the program.
B） The educational significance of the program.
C） The philosophical significance of the program.
D） The historical significance of the program.

       In last week’s edition I read “Novel Without a Plot(情节)”, by Carlo Dante, a review of Adele Kman’s latest novel. I, too, have read The Newcomer. Dante insists The Newcomer lacks a plot. He fails to recognize that some novels are plot-driven and others are character-centered. Clearly Dante prefers to read the former and feels it reasonable and acceptable to force readers to accept his preference. There are many readers who do not require a story to drive us quickly from one action-packed moment to the next. We are content to get to know an interesting character who meets challenges and tries various ways to overcome them.

       Violet Wang is a wonderful example of this type of character, and we are fortunate that the novel is told from her point of view. We first experience her world in San Francisco, where she is surrounded by Chinese American traditions and the support of a large family. We feel her confusion and upsetting sense of loss as she must leave all that is familiar to her.

       When Violet arrives in the area that will be her new home, we see its beauty and mystery through her eyes. As she tries to adapt to the life in a place where she feels like an outsider, many of us may remember similar times in our own lives. We ache when she hurts and feel great success in our hearts when she experiences progress.

       I won’t tell you why Violet has had to make such a great life change or how she comes terms with it, Unlike Dante, I think that most readers would greatly enjoy this book. In these times of action-adventure movies and computer games, many have lost the patience to be readers, thinkers, and human beings concerned with various feelings. I think that someone who fails to see the value in this book is missing out on a lot.

1．According to the author, what do we learn about Carlo Dante?

       A．He has the same experience as Violet Wang.

       B．He has a positive view on Adele Kwan’s novel.

       C．He likes novels having action-packed moments better.

       D．He thinks most readers would appreciate The Newcomer.

2．What do we know about Violet Wang?

       A．She is misunderstood by Carlo Dante.

       B．She has experienced great changes in her life.

       C．She is confused by Chinese American traditions.

       D．She has become more outgoing since her move.

3．In the author’s opinion, what kind of book is The Newcomer?

       A．It’s a fine character-centered novel.

       B．It’s Adele Kwan’s latest best seller.

       C．It’s a novel accepted by action movie fans.

       D．It’s about a typical story full of deep sadness.

4．The author writes this passage to         .

       A．tell a real story of Violet Wang

       B．argue why she prefers The Newcomer

       C．persuade people to buy Adele Kwan’s latest novel

       D．present the characteristics of different types of novels

5．In which section of the newspaper can we read this article?

       A．Entertainment.  B．Social affairs    C．Technology.     D．Literature.

　　A teacher was asking one of her pupils some questions, but not even one of the answers was correct. So the teacher __(1)___ to ask him some very simple questions. She hoped that he could give at least one __(2)___ answer.

　　“Now Sam,”said the teacher,“__(3)___ is Waterloo?”

　　“Waterloo?”said the boy.“Oh, it's a kind of __(4)___ machine, I think.”

　　The teacher was __(5)___. She shook her head and raised __(6)___ question,“Sam, be __(7)___, please. Now tell me the __(8)___ to a very, very simple question: Who was Washington?”

　　“Well,”the answer __(9)___ quickly,“Washington must be the man who uses that washing machine.”

　　The teacher got __(10)___, but she didn't __(11)___. She thought and thought, and at last she thought of the __(12)___ question--if this could be __(13)___ a question: Who is the __(14)___ of the United States now?

　　Sam thought for a long time, but he had no __(15)___ at all. Then the teacher lost her temper（脾气）. She __(16)___,“Bush!”Sam looked __(17)___ and sat down.“Stand up!”Sam stood up again. He looked __(18)___.“Oh, I'm __(19)___.”he said，“I thought you were calling the __(20)___ student.”

Being beautiful means a lot to teenage girls. Once it did to me too. I was the vainest person in the world, but that all changed one December night.
It was a Thursday, and I was getting ready for the wrestling tournament the following day. I was so excited; it was going to be my first tournament as a cheerleader. I walked past the mirror and stopped to check my appearance. I noticed my eyebrows were a little bushy, and that’s when my vanity kicked in. The brows could be easily fixed with the waxing kit I had purchased. I put the jar of wax in the microwave. But instead of heating the wax for 30 seconds, I pressed too many zeros and heated it for three minutes. As I reached for the jar, I dropped it, spilling it all over myself.
My mother came running when she heard my screams. The hot wax was rolling down my face and arm. My mom took a wet washcloth and tried to wash the wax off my face. This proved to be a bad idea, because the wax was honey based, and it pulled my skin off with the wax.
The 15-mile drive to the emergency room seemed to take hours. When we finally arrived, the nurse didn’t waste any time. They took me straight to a doctor and gave me extra-strength painkillers, so my mind was in confusion. The doctor explained how severe my burns really were: my arm was a combination of first-, second- and third-degree burns, and needed to stay bandaged. My face was first- and second-degree burns. If the wax had gotten any closer to my right eye, I would have lost my sight. I was covered in multi-colored “goop(药膏)”, wrapped, and sent home to recover.
I got up the next morning and the first thing I wanted to do was wash off the remaining wax. I unwrapped the bandages and “degooped”, letting warm water gently remove the rest of the wax. The next step was to do a self-evaluation of the damage. I couldn’t believe how horrible I looked. A horror-movie monster stared back at me from the mirror. All I could think was, my life is over. For someone as vain as me, this was very true. I thought I was going to be horribly disfigured(毁容的)for the rest of my life! All I could do was cry.
My mom made it worse by forcing me to go out in public. She dragged me to the grocery store and wherever else she felt like taking me. Everywhere we went, people had a million questions, none of which I wanted to answer. Then my mom declared she was going to put me through even more torture—I had to go to school on Monday. School only led to more questions from more people.
Now, two years later, my wounds have healed, leaving a few scars. I still feel self-conscious if I don’t wear make-up, and I’ve discovered that three-quarter length sleeves are wonderful for covering the scars on my arm.
After spending several months adjusting to this injury, I realized how vain I was. I had made beauty important, but it never was or will ever be that important. It took this event to teach me that no matter how much you change on the outside, you’re still the same person on the inside. 

1. 1.

   After the accident, the writer has come to realize that ________.

   1. A.
      teenage girls care too much about their appearance
   2. B.
      loving beauty will necessarily make one disfigured
   3. C.
      we can never judge a person merely by one’s looks
   4. D.
      sometimes being beautiful can cost you something
2. 2.

   Which of the four statements is a fact?

   1. A.
      The severe damage to her sight and face weren’t recovered.
   2. B.
      The mother wished the writer to face her misfortune bravely.
   3. C.
      From the lesson we conclude that “once bitten, twice frightened”.
   4. D.
      The severe burns were caused by her mother’s lack of first-aid.
3. 3.

   The underlined sentence in the last paragraph is closest to ________.

   1. A.
      beauty is not everything
   2. B.
      a student shall not make up
   3. C.
      beauty is not important
   4. D.
      loving beauty will spoil you
4. 4.

   The author develops her composition by ________.

   1. A.
      offering accurate facts
   2. B.
      giving contrast and comparison
   3. C.
      using logical arguments
   4. D.
      representing own experiences
5. 5.

   Which of the following can be the best title?

   1. A.
      The Price of Vanity
   2. B.
      An Unexpected Ending
   3. C.
      A Disfigured Girl
   4. D.
      Beauty Ruins Everything