As we know, there are differences between western culture and Chinese culture. We can see differences when we pay attention to the way words are used. Let’s look at the words about animals and plants. Most expressions in Chinese about the dog, for example, “a homeless dog”, “a mad dog”, “a running dog” and “a dog catching mouse”, have negative meanings. But in western countries, dogs are thought to be honest and good friends of humans. In English, people use the dog to describe positive actions. For example, “You are a lucky dog.” means you are a lucky person. And “every dog has its day.” means each person has good luck sometimes. To describe a person’s serious illness, they say “sick as a dog”. The word “dog-tired” means very tired. However, Chinese love cats very much. But in western culture, “cat” is often used to describe a woman who is cruel.
The rose is regarded as symbol of love in both China and some western countries. People think the rose means love, peace, courage and friendship. And the rose is the national flower of England, America and many other countries.
The words about plants and animals are used in positive or negative ways in different cultures. We can learn about many differences in cultures by comparing how some words are used.
【小题1】“Every dog has its day.” means “________”.

A．Everybody in the world is lucky.

B．Each person lives his own way of life.

C．If one works hard, he’s sure to succeed.

D．Everybody has a time in life to be lucky.

【小题2】What can we know from the passage?

A．Words show differences in culture.

B．Chinese people prefer dogs to cats.

C．Western people think cats to be good friends.

D．Rose is the national flower of all western countries.

【小题3】Which statement is right according to passage?

A．People think the rose means love, peace, luck and friendship.

B．The words about plants and animals are used both in positive and negative ways in different cultures.

C．In China, people use the dog to describe negative actions.

D．In eastern culture, “cat” is often used to describe a woman who is cruel.

【小题4】What’s the best title for the passage?

A．Negative or Positive

B．Different Countries Have Different Culture

C．Rose Means the Same in Chinese and English

D．What Dog and Cat Mean in English and Chinese

Dolphins are our friends. They can use tools to solve problems although they don't have hands.   For example, scientists have ever found that a dolphin can make a shy eel(鳗鱼) come out of its hole with a dead fish.

Dolphins use different sounds to exchange information with each other. Scientists in Hawaii have developed a sign language to give instructions to dolphins, and the results are amazing. They find that dolphins not only understand the meaning of individual (个别的) words, but also understand the importance of word order in a sentence.

Most animals enjoy playing — but dolphins seem to like making their games as challenging as possible. On a beautiful day in 1997, scientists at a beach watched a little dog going into the sea and swimming towards the dolphins. To their surprise, the dolphins came up to the dog and then started throwing it into the air. The dog seemed to enjoy the "game" and continued playing with the dolphins for more than an hour.

Dolphins live in a very different world from ours, but they are very good at our "IQ tests” . For example, they will jump out of the water when they hear a whistle (口哨) noise. They do this because they will get a fish as a prize.

There is still much to learn about these cute problem-solvers, but it is certain that watching a dolphin show is fun.

根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。（5分）

1. What can a dolphin use to make an eel come out of its hole?

A. Its mouth.   B. Its head.      C. A dead fish.     D. A little dog.

2.How do dolphins exchange information with each other?

A. By using tails.            B. By using tools.

C. By using words.            D. By using sounds.

3.Where did the dolphins throw the dog when playing?

A. Onto its back.            B. Into the air.

C. Onto the beach.           D. Into the water.

4.Why do the dolphins jump out of the water when they hear a whistle noise?

A. Because they want to get a fish as a prize.

B. Because they enjoy playing on the water.

C. Because they want to play with other dolphins.

D. Because the dolphin keepers want them to come out.

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

A. Dolphins understand many languages.

B. Dolphins are a kind of clever animals.

C. Scientists have known dolphins well enough.

D. Dolphins seem to make their games relaxing.

 

The Internet, mobile phones and iPads are parts of our lives now. Technology is greatly affecting all ways of our lives, from the ways we work to the ways we play. And it even causes a number of social problems such as cloning (克隆) humans.

    We have had lots of technology and it has changed our lives a lot. We are sure that humans will continue to use more and more technology. Here are some examples of modern technology that will change our ideas and will affect our lives greatly.

    Global Positioning System (GPS) (全球定位系统)

    It's a system that uses radio signals from satellites to show exact (精确的) information.   It tells you where the user is on the earth in all weather conditions.  It's made up of three parts: satellites, control equipments (设备) on land and receivers.

    Space Technology

    Russian and American scientists have worked together for the International Space Station, (ISS) for a long time. They hope the ISS will provide a long-lasting lab. Such a lab will bring humans limitless (无限的) advantages. It's even hoped that one day space technology will take humans to their new houses in space.

    Underwater Robot

    Hercules is a kind of underwater robot with some high technology equipments. It will be used to search for ancient ships which were destroyed into the deep sea during their journey long ago.

    The world is changing so quickly that it's hard for us to catch up with all the new inventions because they seem to come out every month. It's important for us to learn about new technology and the role that it plays in our lives. So we should be willing to accept modem technology, or we will fall behind the times.

1. _______ can tell you where the user is on the earth exactly.

A. Satellites                                                  B. Receivers

C. Global Positioning System                     D. Underwater Robot

2. According to the passage, which is NOT true about the ISS?

A. It has carried people to other planets.

B. It will provide a long-lasting lab for us.

C. Russia and America are working for it.

D. Humans will get a lot of advantages from it.

3. Hercules is used to_______.

A. save lives in the sea                              

B. take pictures in the sea

C. repair the broken ships              

D. look for the ancient ships in the sea

4. What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To help us study some new technology.

B. To tell us technology is changing the world.

C. To help solve the problems that technology causes.

D. To remind us the advantages of technology are limitless.

 

0ur village carpenter(木匠)，John Hill, came one day and made a dining table for my wife.  He made it just the right size to fill the space between the two window.  When I got home that evening, John was drinking a cup of tea and writing out his bill( 账单) for his job.
My wife said to me quietly, “That’s his ninth cup of tea today. ”But she said in a loud voice, “It’s a beautiful table, dear, isn’t it?” “I’ll decide about that when I see the bill,” I said.  John laughed and gave me his bill for the work.  I read:
One dining table                 10^th November, 2011
Cost of wood                    $ 17:00
Paint                           $1. 50
Work, 8 hours($1 an hour)          $8. 00
Total                           $36. 50
When I was looking at the bill, John said,” It’s been a fine day, hasn’t it? Quite sunny. ”
“Yes,” I said.  “I’m glad it’s only the 10^th of November. ”
“Me, too,” said John, “you wait—it will be a lot colder by the end of the month. ”
“Yes, colder—and more expensive! Dining table will be $20 more expensive on November 30^th, won’t they, John?”
John looked hard at me for half a minute.  Was there a little smile in his two blue eyes? I gave his bill back to him.
“If it’s not too much trouble, John,” I said,“Please add(加) it up again, You can forget the date-------”
I paid him $26. 50 and he was happy to get it.
【小题1】Why did John talk about the weather when the writer was looking at the bill?

A． Because he didn’t want the writer to check the bill carefully.

B． Because he wanted to show that he was really polite.

C．Because it’s a good way to communicate with each other.

D．Because he wanted to confirm what the weather was like.

【小题2】How much would John ask for if he made a dining table on the last day of December according to his bill?

A．$ 26. 50

B．$36. 50

C．$56. 50

D．$57. 50

【小题3】When John got the money, he was happy because__________________________.

A． he felt lucky to get the money for his work

B． he got paid a lot more than usual for his work

C． he got as much money as he had expected

D． he didn’t have to add up the costs any more

【小题4】Which word can best describe John?

A． Clever

B． Silly

C． Dishonest

D． Humorous(幽默的)

【小题5】What can we learn about John from the passage?

A． He made a mistake carelessly in the bill

B． He tried to get more money for his work.

C． He had written the bill before the writer got home

D． He had talked about the bill with the writer’s wife.

Do you have any foreign friends? Do you know their characteristics(特征)?

The Germans are very quiet and they always keep calm. They don’t like to speak more words. They look very serious. They like different kinds of amusements. The Germans are very hard—working. They like tidiness, especially the women, who always keep their home clean.

In some ways, the Englishmen look the same as the Germans. They are very quiet and never talk too much with the strangers. They are really polite, so we often hear they say “Thank you.” Or “Sorry.” The gentlemen are also the Englishmen.

The French’s holidays are very long. They like traveling and usually spend their long time staying in other countries. The Frenchmen are more outgoing than the Germans. It is very easy to make friends with them.

Compared to the Frenchmen, the Americans are more outgoing. And they are even opener than all of the Europeans. They don’t like to depend on others. So it is very common that the students do part-time jobs in their free time. And in Americans’ eyes, success is an important part in their life.

1.According to the passage, ______are very quiet.

A. only the Germans         B. only the Englishmen

C. only the Frenchmen       D. both the Germans and the Englishmen

2. What does the underlined word “tidiness” mean in Chinese?

A.整洁      B.安静      C.时尚      D.随意

3.In the writer’s eyes, the gentlemen are______.

A. the Germans      B. the Frenchmen        C. the Englishmen       D. the Americans

4.What can we learn about the Frenchmen from the passage?

A. They are more outgoing than the Americans.

B. It is very easy to make friends with them.

C. They like traveling in their own country.

D. They look serious and are always hard-working.

5.Which is the best title of the passage?

A. Foreigners’ hobbies.

B. Who are more outgoing?

C. Characteristics of the foreigners.

D. Success is an important part in Americans’ life.