50. Why does the writer want to take an example “a full cup of hot coffee” in Paragraph 2?

　　 A. Because drinks are necessary for drivers.

　　 B. Because he wants to remind drivers to take a rest.

　　 C. To enjoy the driving with a cup of coffee.

　　 D. To explain the importance of careful and smooth driving.

49. What is the main idea of Rule Number One?

　　 A. To increase the driving speed.

　　 B. To drive smoothly on icy roads.

　　 C. To manage your car irregularly.

　　 D. To drive fast on snowy roads.

48. Which of the following can be used to explain why driving in winter is very dangerous?

　　 A. People drive more gently and slowly.

　　 B. People drive three times faster than usual.

　　 C. Unexpected things may often take place.

　　 D. Drivers usually have too much coffee.

47. Of the following persons, who hasn’t got a medal in the World Indoor Championship?

　A. Garcia. 　　　 B. Allen Johnson.

　C. Liu Xiang. 　　　　　　　 D. Michael Jackson.

D

Winter is dangerous for drivers because it is so difficult to know what is going to happen and accidents take place easily. Bad weather can be waiting to meet you. Ice might be hiding under the snow, waiting to send you off the road. The car coming towards you might suddenly move across the road. Here are two rules for driving safely on icy roads:

Rule Number One is to drive smoothly. Irregular movements can make a car very difficult to manage. So each time you turn the wheel, touch the brake or increase your speed, you must be as gently and slow as possible. Just imagine you are driving with a full cup of hot coffee on the seat next to you. You should drive carefully enough in order that you would not get the coffee out of the cup.

Rule Number Two is to pay attention to what might happen. The more ice there is, the farther you have to look down the road. Test how long it takes to stop by gently braking. Remember that you may be driving more quickly than you think. Generally speaking, allow double your normal stopping distance when the road is wet, three times this distance on snow, and even more on ice. Try to stay in control of your car at all times, or you will get into trouble.

46. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

　　　 A. Liu Xiang was the youngest athlete to take part in the competition in England.

　　　 B. Liu Xiang was the first Asian medallist to get a world indoor medal.

　　　 C. Liu Xiang is not only a good athlete but a music-lover.

　　　 D. Liu Xiang finds it hard to get along with teachers in university.

45. Liu ________ the World Championship outdoors in Paris later this year.

　　　 A. is busy preparing for

　　　 B. has great pressure on

　　　 C. is more confident of his ability in

　　　 D. pays little attention to

44. The underlined sentence means “________”.

　　　 A. I was not satisfied with my performances

　　　 B. Winning a medal can’t show what I have done

　　　 C. I didn’t think I was able to win a medal

　　　 D. I haven’t told anyone about my achievements in the hurdles

43. The first sentence “Asian athletes have had a spare time in the first two days...” means “______”.

　　　 A. Asian athletes can do things at their will in the first two days

　　　 B. Asian athletes haven’t any achievements in the first two days

　　　 C. Asian athletes could match athletes from other continents

　　　 D. Asian athletes are tired of competing in the first two days

42. The underlined word “panicked” (in Paragraph 2) most probably means “_________”.

　　 A. was frightened　　　 　 B. felt excited

　　 C. calmed down　　　 　　 D. was stewed

C

Asian athletes have had a spare time in the first two days of the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England. But Chinese hurdler (跨栏运动员) Liu Xiang surprised everyone by taking the bronze medal in the men’s 60-meter hurdles.

Liu became the first Chinese male athlete to get a world indoor medal in the 18-year history of the championship and was the only Asian medallist this time.

“Karaoke (卡拉OK)! That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to get a big group of my friends together and sing. I love both Western and Chinese music but especially Michael Jackson,” said Liu after clocking 7.52 seconds in the final to take his place on the podium (领奖台).

“Frankly speaking, I didn’t think I was in the shape to win a medal,” Liu said. “On my arrival here, my aim was just to fight my way into the final. After I did that, I thought I might just get into the top six. I knew British hurdler Colin Jackson was going to be here and he’s the world record holder indoors and out.”

“There was also Cuba’s reigning (统治的) Olympic champion Anier Garcia and Allen Johnson, from the United States.” It was Johnson, the reigning world outdoor champion, who was successful in 7.47 seconds with Garcia second and Jackson finished back in fifth.

Now Liu will never underestimate his chances again and is aiming for glory in Paris later this year.

“There is the World Championship outdoors in the summer and I have now got to think that I can get a medal. I can never again think that I can’t get a medal,” he said. Liu’s success here marks his rapid transition into the senior ranks.

“The university gives me a lot of flexibility. My courses are very easy and the teachers are very helpful,” said Liu.

They might have to be even more accommodating (乐于助人的) now if Liu starts taking on celebrity status, although an invite to his homecoming karaoke party may help.

41. How long did the power failure last?

　　 A. Almost 12 hours.　　　 B. Almost 24 hours.

　　 C. More than 12 hours.　 D. More than 24 hours.