Tokyo-based Takara Co. Ltd（有限公司）says about 300,000 of the dog translating gadgets have been sold since it was on sale in Japan late last year. They think far bigger sales come to America in August. The United States is home to about 67 million dogs, more than six times the number in Japan.

　　Regarded as one of the coolest inventions（发明）of 2002 by Time magazine, the gadget translates each bark into six feelings. It can tell whether the dog is happy, sad, disappointed or angry etc.

　　“We know that the Americans love their dogs so much, so we don’t think they will mind spending $ 120 on this gadget,” the marketing manager said during an interview in America.

　　One thing that seems certain is that the market for animal translation gadgets will likely keep on a dog’s world since Takara has no plans to make a gadget for cats. “They are too changeable,” the marketing manager said.

　　1．This text mainly tells us that________.

　　A. the gadget is very expensive

　　B. Japanese made a new gadget

　　C. American dogs can tell their feelings

　　D. Japanese will sell the gadget in America

　　2．“They are too changeable.” means “________ are too changeable.”

　　A. Cats　　　　 B. Dogs　　　　　C. Stores　　　　 D. People

　　3．We can learn from the text that________.

　　A. people need to talk to dogs

　　B. there are more dogs in America than in Japan

　　C. Japanese people don’t like dogs

　　D. they will make a gadget for kids in the future

　　4．Takara Co. Ltd. is ________ the sale of its new gadget.

　　A. proud of　　　B. satisfied with　　 C. sure of　　　 D. worried about

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa. It is also the second largest lake in the world. It is an important lake because it is one of the sources(源头) for the longest river in the world, the Nile River. Lake Victoria provides a source of water, food, and power(电力) for several African countries. Lake Victoria is a big part of African life.

Unfortunately, Lake Victoria has a problem. It is shrinking. There are several power stations at Lake Victoria in Uganda. These are on the Nile River, and besides producing power, they keep the water of the lake at a certain level. For the past forty years, that level has been 11.9 meters. Over the last several years, the water level has dropped by about 2.5 meters. There seem to be several reasons for this drop.

One possible reason is drought(干旱). Drought has been very bad in the area since 2000. Lake Victoria gets all of its water from rain, so the drought means less water in the lake.

However, some environmentalists believe that the real problem is the power plants(工厂) on Lake Victoria. Uganda depends on those power plants for most of its power, and they made the power plants larger in 2000. Many people believe the power plants have been taking too much water off Lake Victoria. As a result, they have been asked to use less water until Lake Victoria goes back to its old level.

Whether the low water level is caused by drought or power plants, the result is the same. This is already a poor area of Africa, where many people live a really hard life. People, animals and plants around Lake Victoria will suffer even more from low water levels on the lake. Many people need Lake Victoria for fishing or growing food. Fish need the water to live, and animals need it for water. Plants around the lake will die without the water, and then more animals and people will suffer. Unless the lake fills soon, many people will suffer and die.

1.Lake Victoria is __________.

A. an important lake in Africa

B. the largest lake in the world

C. the source of water, food and power for America

D. the only source for the Nile River

2.What does “It is shrinking” most probably mean?

A. It is becoming larger.

B. It is becoming more beautiful.

C. It is becoming smaller.

D. It is becoming more useful.

3.The water level of Lake Victoria is now __________.

A. 2.5 meters     　B. 11.9 meters              C. 14.4 meters          D. 9.4 meters

4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Rain water is the only source for the lake.

B. There has been little rain in the lake area since 2000.

C. The power plants in Uganda provide water for the lake.

D The power plants in Uganda were made larger in 2000.

5.According to the passage, how can we solve the problems around Lake Victoria?

A. People must build more power plants.

B. More sources of water must be found.

C. Every country should offer some money to Africa.

D. All the people living in the area should move to another place.

完形填空 阅读短文，从每题所给选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项（共15分；每空1分，满分15分）
The students in Shanghai No. 3 Girls High School have a flower-arrangement (插花) lesson every week. The course is the first of its kind among middle schools in Shanghai. It helps the students to enjoy the   46  of flowers better. That’s why the course has become very popular   47  the students.
The teachers of the course are all specially trained(专门地培训). They are   48   at this art and work hard at passing on the skill   49  students. So far, many students in the school have   50  a lot of prizes in this field. In order to further   51  the students’ skills, the teachers usually play   52  while students are arranging flowers. Students are   53  with the music, and they   54  more good ideas for flower-arrangement.
Besides, the teachers   55  teach the students other skills at the   56  time. For example, they ask the students to   57  compositions(作文) about flowers. In this way, students not only   58   art education but also improve(提高) their writing skills.
Several months ago, some foreign teachers   59  the school. When they saw common flowers become more lively and meaningful, they were amazed and interested. They made videos and would play them in class for their own   60  after they returned home.