Iceland has the highest birth rate in Europe, the highest divorce rate, and the highest percentage of women working outside the home. Such statistics are often evidence of a miserable, chaotic（混乱的）society, with loads of children, broken homes and absent mothers. But Iceland is the exception – its citizens are the happiest in the world.

Perhaps the country's geographic location contributes to Icelanders' happiness. Located in the middle of the North Atlantic, with Greenland as its nearest neighbor, Iceland is free from the taboos（禁忌）that cause so much trouble elsewhere. For instance, people who divorce are not looked down upon by society.

Icelanders are offsprings（后代）of the Vikings, a north European people who invaded European coasts from the 8th through the 10th century. This tradition of getting out into the world lives on in modern-day Iceland. Practically all Icelanders have studied or worked abroad, and most speak English.

Perhaps as a result, Iceland's economic policies blend the best of those from Europe with the US to create its own welfare system.

"Many of us have lived in the US, and studied there," said the Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde. "We have both taken from them and found that naturally we share the can-do attitude—— that if you work hard, anything can be done."

Indeed, the country is rich in writers, painters, film makers and musicians. There's Sigur Ros, a post-rock band, and also a national symphony orchestra that plays to the highest standards all over the world. Half the population appears to have written a book.

"Iceland has harsh（恶劣的） nature, with its bitter ever-changing weather,” said Haraldur Jonsson, a painter, sculptor and video and performance artist. “We cannot escape it. So we find ways________. We have to have a rich internal（内在的）life to fill the empty spaces."

57．It is commonly believed that high birth rate and divorce rate will bring about ________.

       A．social problems              B．happiness

       C．a unique welfare system     D．modern way of life

58．The underlined word "blend" in the fourth paragraph means            .

       A．combine       B．correct          C．compare       D．compete

59．Which of the following is NOT mentioned as the reason for Icelanders’ happiness?

       A．Geographic location.       B．A rich internal life.

       C．National pride.     D．Freedom from taboos.

60．The most suitable phrase to fill in the blank in the last paragraph is             .

       A．to get rid of it    B．to have it changed  C．to get away from it        D．to live with it

Glynis Davis:

    I first piled on the pounds when I was pregnant(怀孕) and I couldn’t lose them afterwards. Then I joined a slimming club. My target was 10 stone and I lost 2 stone 2lbs in six months. I felt great and people kept saying how good I looked. But Christmas came and I started to slip back into my old eating habits. I told myself I'd lose the weight at slimming classes in the new year... but it didn't happen. Instead of losing the pounds, I put them on. I'd lost the willpower and tried to convince myself that the odd bag of crisps didn't make any difference - but the scales don't lie.

Roz Juma:

To be honest, I never weigh myself any more - I've learned to be happy with myself. It seemed ridiculous to feel guilty about every spoonful of tasty food that passed my lips. My philosophy is simple: You shouldn't be thinking too much about food and dieting. Instead, you should get on with life and stop dreaming about a super-thin body. This is obviously the size I'm meant to be and, most of all, I'm happy with it.

Lesley Godwin:

I was very happy after winning Young Slimmer of the Year. I'd look in the mirror unable to believe this slim creature was me. That might have been my problem - perhaps I didn't relate to my reflection any more. Winning a national competition makes everything worse, though, because you feel the eyes of the world are on you. I feel a failure because I've put on weight again... I find it shameful and embarrassing.

Julia Minifie:

I'm a compulsive eater. I can't control my urges and I really love cakes. When I'm slim I feel like a million dollars - and when I'm not I get very depressed. Over the years I'd tried and failed with just about every diet. I was determined I'd never put the weight back on, but at some stage along the line I lost my resolution, and it started to creep on again... Certainly I will face the same problem in the future.

Ros Langford:

Before moving in with my husband Gavin, I'd always been about 8 stone, but the joy to be a housewife went straight to my to my waist and I put on 2 stone in a year. Every so often I try to go on a diet... I'm really good for a few days, then end up eating the children's leftovers or gorging on chocolate - my weakness. I'd like to be slim, but right now my priorities are the children and home. I may be more motivated when the kids are older.

1．What do you think the five women are all talking about?

  A．Different diets they prefer.

  B．Their different ways to keep themselves slim.

  C．Their own slimming matter.

  D．Their same attitude towards keeping slim.

2．What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 “I didn’t relate to my reflection any more.” Mean?

  A．I didn’t imagine myself to be such a slim creature.

  B．I didn’t look in the mirror any more.

  C．I didn’t ever keep myself slim.

  D．I didn’t pay any attention to my figure from then on.

3．Which of the following best described each of the five women’s attitudes toward slimming?

      A．1-b; 2-c; 3-f; 4-a; 5-d                       B．1-b; 2-e; 3-d; 4-f; 5-a

    C．1-b; 2-e; 3-c; 4-f; 5-a                        D．1-b; 2-f; 3-c; 4-d; 5-e

4．Where are these short passages most likely to be taken from?

  A．Talks on the air.                                   B．Magazines for children.

       C．Advertisements on the wall.                  D．News on TV.

阅读理解

　　Glynis Davis：

　　I first piled on the pounds when I was in the family way and I couldn’t lose them afterwards. Then I joined a slimming club. My target (aim) was 140 pounds and I lost 30 pounds in six months. I felt great and people kept saying how good I looked. But Christmas came and I started to slip back into my old eating habits. I told myself I’d lose the weight at slimming classes in the new year…but it didn’t happen. Instead of losing the pounds, I put them on. I’d lost will power and tried to believe that the odd bags of fish and chips didn’t make any difference but the scales don’t lie.

Roz Juma:

　　To be honest, I never weigh myself any more—I’ve learnt to be happy with myself. It seemed to me that 1 would be sorry for every spoonful of tasty food that passed my lips. My idea is simple. You shouldn’t be too much thinking about food and dieting. Instead, you should get on with life and stop dreaming of a super - thin body. This is obviously the size I meant to be end, most of a11．I am happy with it.

Lesley Godwin:

　　I was very happy after winning Young Slimmer of the Year. I’d look in the mirror unable to believe this slim lady was me! That might have been my problem - perhaps from then on I didn’t pay any attention to myself. Winning a national competition makes everything worse, though, because you feel a complete failure because I’ve put on weight again.

Ros Landford:

　　Before moving in with my husband Gavin, I’d always been about 110 pounds, but the pleasant housework went straight to my waist and I put on 15 pounds in a year. Every year so often I try to go on a diet…I’m really good on a few days, then end up having the children’s leftover or eating happily chocolate - - - my weakness. I’d like to be slim, but right now my duty is the children and home. I might take more exercise when my kids are older.

1．What is the subject discussed in the text?

[　　]

A．Four women’s opinions about slimming matter.

B．Four women’s ideas about their life after marriage.

C．Four women’s work as a housewife.

D．Different diets they prefer.

2．Where are these short passages most likely to be taken from?

[　　]

A．Talks On the air.

B．Advertisements on the wall.

C．Books in a library.

D．Magazines for children.

3．What does the underlined word“scales”possibly mean?

[　　]

A．The coach in the slimming club.

B．Some tools to measure weight.

C．Glynis Davis’ dear husband.

D．The salesperson in a food shop.

4．Which of the following best describe each of the four women’s attitudes towards slimming?

①Glynis Davis

a．I put on weight soon after I got married.

②Roz Juma

b．Fame doesn’t necessarily mean success.

③Lesley Godwin

c．Facts speak much louder than works.

④Ros Landford

d．I like myself as I am. And to be what you are.

[　　]

Iceland has the highest birth rate in Europe, the highest divorce rate, and the highest percentage of women working outside the home. Such statistics are often evidence of a miserable, chaotic（混乱的）society, with loads of children, broken homes and absent mothers. But Iceland is the exception – its citizens are the happiest in the world.
Perhaps the country's geographic location contributes to Icelanders' happiness. Located in the middle of the North Atlantic, with Greenland as its nearest neighbor, Iceland is free from the taboos（禁忌）that cause so much trouble elsewhere. For instance, people who divorce are not looked down upon by society.
Icelanders are offsprings（后代）of the Vikings, a north European people who invaded European coasts from the 8th through the 10th century. This tradition of getting out into the world lives on in modern-day Iceland. Practically all Icelanders have studied or worked abroad, and most speak English.
Perhaps as a result, Iceland's economic policies blend the best of those from Europe with the US to create its own welfare system.
"Many of us have lived in the US, and studied there," said the Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde. "We have both taken from them and found that naturally we share the can-do attitude—— that if you work hard, anything can be done."
Indeed, the country is rich in writers, painters, film makers and musicians. There's Sigur Ros, a post-rock band, and also a national symphony orchestra that plays to the highest standards all over the world. Half the population appears to have written a book.
"Iceland has harsh（恶劣的） nature, with its bitter ever-changing weather,” said Haraldur Jonsson, a painter, sculptor and video and performance artist. “We cannot escape it. So we find ways________. We have to have a rich internal（内在的）life to fill the empty spaces."

1. 1.

   It is commonly believed that high birth rate and divorce rate will bring about ________.
   

   1. A.
      social problems            
   2. B.
      happiness
   3. C.
      a unique welfare system   
   4. D.
      modern way of life
2. 2.

   The underlined word "blend" in the fourth paragraph means            .
   

   1. A.
      combine     
   2. B.
      correct        
   3. C.
      compare     
   4. D.
      compete
3. 3.

   Which of the following is NOT mentioned as the reason for Icelanders’ happiness?
   

   1. A.
      Geographic location.      
   2. B.
      A rich internal life.
   3. C.
      National pride.    
   4. D.
      Freedom from taboos.
4. 4.

   The most suitable phrase to fill in the blank in the last paragraph is             .
   

   1. A.
      to get rid of it  
   2. B.
      to have it changed 
   3. C.
      to get away from it      
   4. D.
      to live with it