57. The purpose of the passage is to ____

A. warn　　　　　 B. advise　　　　　 C. describe　　　　　 D. advertise

D

Everyone knows that the Frenchmen are romantic, the Italians are fashionable and the Germans are serious. Are these just stereotypes or is there really such a thing as national character? And if there is, can it affect how a nation succeed or fail?

At least one group of people is certain that it can. A recent survey of the top 500 entrepreneurs(企业家)in the UK found that 70% felt that their efforts were not appreciated by the British public. Britain is hostile(敌意的)to success, they said. It has a culture of jealousy. As a result, the survey said, entrepreneurs were “unloved, unwanted and misunderstood.” Jealousy is sometimes known as the “green – eyed monster” and the UK is its home.

Scientists at Warwich University in the UK recently tested this idea. They gathered a group of people together and gave each an imaginary amount of money. Some were given a little, others a great deal. Those given a little were given the chance to destroy the large amount of money given to others – but at the cost of losing their own. Two thirds of the people tested agreed to do this.

This seems to prove that the entrepreneurs were right to complain. But there is also conflicting evidence. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently reported that the UK is now the world’s fourth largest economy. That is not bad for people who are supposed to hate success. People in the UK also work longer hours than anyone else in Europe. So the British people are not lazy, either.

“It is not really success that the British dislike,” says Carey Cooper, a professor of management at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. “It’s people using their success in a way that seems proud or unfair or which separates them from their roots.”

Perhaps it is the entrepreneurs who are the problem. They set out to do things in their way. They work long hours. By their own efforts they become millionaires. But instead of being happy they complain that nobody loves them. It hardly seems worth following their example. If they were more friendly, people would like them more. And more people want to be like them.

56. One of the hotels offers special price for ____

A. young people　 B. elderly people　 C. foreign guests　　 D. students

55. If you want to take your children and your dog with you on holiday, you can choose ____

A. The Country Garden Hotel　　　　 B. Willapark Manor Hotel

C. The Bay Hotel　　　　　　　　　 D. Boscastle

54. All of the following hotels are close to the sea EXCEPT ____

A. SW France　　　　　　　　　　　 　　 B. The Blakeney Hotel

C. Willapark Manor Hotel　　　　　　 D. The Country Garden Hotel

53. What does the writer feel about boys?

A. He feels curious about their noise.　　　　　　 B. He is fed up with these creatures.

C. He is amazed by their naughtiness.　　　　　　 D. He feels unsafe staying with them.

C

The Bay Hotel It’s a quiet, comfortable hotel overlooking(俯瞰)the bay in an uncommercialised Cornish fishing village on England’s most southerly point. If pop music is no longer your strong point, and you are considering a relaxing holiday where the scenery is breathtaking and the sound of the sea is live music to your ears, come and stay with us. For adults only. Sssh! Don’t tell everyone！

Willapark Manor Hotel Peaceful situation in 14 acres of separated gardens and woodland, overlooking picturesque bay. Close to coastal path and beach. Excellent cuisine. Our excellent service brings our guests back year after year. Children(reductions)and pets welcome.

The Country Garden Hotel Delightful hotel sets in lovely gardens; calm Island of Wight near Tennyson Downs. Great food! Garden, sea view and ground floor rooms. Please call for brochure(服务指南)and sample menu. Adults 0nly and pets welcome.

Boscasfle Romantic 17th Century farmer’s cottage in countryside with splendid coastal views. Well-equipped. Sleeps 5. Regret no pets/smoking. Garden with furniture.

Godshill 4 star self-served units. Non smoking. Sleeps 2--4. Open all year. Good walks. Close to pubs. Peaceful. Cosy. No pets.

The Blakeney Hotel Overlooking harbour, traditional privately owned friendly hotel bedrooms, lift, heated indoor pool, spa bath and saunas. Relax, walk, sail, play golf, explore the villages, countryside and coast. Special seasonal midweek price for aged citizens.

SW France Rural setting near Cordes. Two beautifully repainted old houses, sleep gardens, woodland, pool, views, excellent walks. Available all year round Outstanding.

52. According to the writer, boys appreciate everything in the following except _________.

A. ice cream　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. comic books

C. Saturday mornings　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. Sunday schools

51. What’s the meaning of the underlined sentence?

A. He has altogether five fingers.　　　　　　　　　 B. He is slow, foolish and clumsy.

C. He becomes clever and smart.　　　　　　　　　　 D. He cuts his hand with a knife.

50. The whole passage is in a tone of _________.

A. humor and love　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. respect and harmony

C. hope and expectation　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. confidence and imagination

49．According to the writer, when you do real traveling, you should ­­­­­_______.

A. never mind how worried your parents are

B. give your parents your address and return date

C. tell your parents details about your travel

D. not let your parents worry about you

B

What Is a Boy?

Between the innocence of babyhood and the seriousness of manhood we find a delightful creature called a “boy”. Boys come in different sizes, weights, and colors, but all boys have the same belief: to enjoy every second of every minute of every hour of every day and to fill the air with noise until the adult males pack them off to bed at night.

Boys are found everywhere – on top of, under, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around, or jumping to. Mothers spoil them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers love them, and God protects them. A boy is TRUTH with dirt on its face, BEAUTY with a cut on its finger, WISDOM with chocolate in its hair, and the HOPE of the future with a snake in its pocket.

When you are busy, a boy is a trouble – maker and a noise. When you want him to make a good impression, his brain turns to jelly(糊状物)or else he becomes a wild creature bent on(致力于)destroying the world and himself with it.

A boy is a mixture – he has the stomach of a horse, the digestion of stones and sand, the energy of an atomic bomb, the curiosity of a cat, the imagination of a superman, the shyness of a sweet girl, the brave nature of a bull, the violence of a firecracker, but when you ask him to make something, he has five thumbs on each hand.

He likes ice cream, knives, saws, Christmas, comic books, woods, water(in its natural habitat), large animals, Dad, trains, Saturday mornings, and fire engines. He is not much for Sunday schools, company, schools, books without pictures, music lessons, neckties, barbers, girls, overcoats, adults, or bedtime.

Nobody else is so early to rise, or so late to supper. Nobody else gets so much fun out of trees, dogs, and breezes. Nobody else can put into one pocket a rusty knife, a half eaten apple, a three-feet rope, six cents and some unknown things.

A boy is a magical creature – he is your headache but when you come home at night with only destroyed pieces of your hopes and dreams, he can mend them like new with two magic words, “Hi, Dad!”

48. Your parents allow you to travel in a school party because 　.

A. they want you to be truly free

B. you are still under their control

C. they don’t have time to travel with you

D. they know it’s good for you