Skeptics are a strange lot. Some of them refuse to admit the serious threat of human activities to the environment, and they are tired of people who disagree with them. Those people, say skeptics, spread nothing but bad news about the environment. The “eco-guilt” brought on by the discouraging news about our planet gives rise to the popularity of skeptics as people search for more comforting worldviews.
Perhaps that explain why a new book by Bjorn Lomborg received so much publicity. That book, The Skeptical Environmentalist, declares that it measures the “real state of the world” as fine. Of course, another explanation is the deep pockets some big businesses with special interests. Indeed, Mr. Lomborg’s views are similar to those of some Industry-funded organizations, which start huge activities though the media to confuse the public about issues like global warming.
So it was strange to see Mr. Lomborg’s book go largely unchallenged in the media though his beliefs were contrary to most scientific opinions. One national newspaper in Canada ran a number of articles and reviews full of words of praise, even with the conclusion that “After Lomborg, the environmental movement will begin to die down.”
Such one-sided views should have immediately been challenged. But only a different review appeared in Nature, a respected science magazine with specific readership. The review remarked that Mr. Lomborg’s “preference for unexamined materials is incredible (不可信的)”。
A critical (批判的) eye is valuable, and the media should present information in such a way that could allow people to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, that is often inaccessible as blocked by the desire to be shocking or to defend some special interests. People might become half-blind before a world partially exhibited by the media. That’s a shame, because matters concerning the health of the planet are far too important to be treated lightly.
【小题1】 According to the passage, which of the following may be regarded as “skeptics”?

A．People who agree on the popularity of “eco-guilt”.

B．People who disbelieve the serious situation of our planet.

C．People who dislike the harmful effect of human activities.

D．People who spread comforting news to protect our environment.

【小题2】Which of the following can be a reason for the popularity of Lomborg’s books?

A．Some big businesses intend to protect their own interests.

B．The book challenges views about the fine state of the world.

C．The author convinces people to seek comforting worldviews.

D．Industry–funded media present confusing information.

【小题3】The author mentioned the review in Nature in order to_____.

A．voice a different opinion

B．find fault with Lomborg’s book

C．challenge the authority of the media

D．point out the value of scientific views.

【小题4】What is the author’s main purpose in writing the passage?

A．To encourage the skeptics to have a critical eye.

B．To warn the public of the danger of half–blindness with reviews.

C．To blame the media’s lack of responsibility in presenting information.

D．To show the importance of presenting overall information by the media.

阅读理解

　　Hong Kong pop star Zhang Guorong, 46, jumped out of a window of Mandarin Oriental Hotel at the start of April, 2003, leaving behind sorrowful fans and suicide (自杀)note which newspapers said was caused by emotional (情感的)problems. His death shocked the public and the incident again brought a serious topic to light—suicide.

　　Zhang was best known globally for his part in the blockbuster film “Farewell My Concubine, ”where he played a homosexual (同性恋的)Chinese opera singer. The popular 1993 film won a lot of awards including the world-famous Palmed' Or at the Cannes Film Festival. However, such achievements could not make Zhang content with his life. It was reported that long before his death, Zhang had been suffering from depression (意志消沉). His tragedy shows we need to learn how to reduce the pressure from our society by happily and naturally facing life. Depression, a mental illness, and suicide have often been highlighted in the past as serious social problems—and for good reason.

　　According to experts, about 5 to 10 percent of people are suffering from depression, some of whom are not even aware of the illness. And alarmingly, 10 to 15 percent of people suffering from depression will be likely to commit suicide.

　　Statisticians (统计学家)also show suicide is the leading cause of death among young adults. It leads to 3. 6 percent of all deaths each year in China, a survey said. Last year, 287,000 Chinese died after committing suicide. The female rate is 25 percent higher than the male rate. For this reason, the media must highlight the negative (负面的)influence of Zhang's tragedy in its reporting. It is shameful to talk too much about his death. Although his achievements in the arts were great, his final choice cannot be praised, let alone calling his death a “perfect end” to a shining life.

　　The media should guide people—especially Zhang's fans—to shake off their sorrow quickly, learn a lesson from their idol's tragedy, find a release from the pressure of their lives and value their priceless lives.

1．Why on earth did Zhang choose to kill himself in such a way?

[　　]

A．Because he was not as popular as he was before.

B．Because he was disappointed at his life.

C．Because he suffered from high pressure from his fans.

D．Because he dropped out of the hotel accidently.

2．What does the word “blockbuster” in the second paragraph probably mean?

[　　]

A．Most popular.

B．Very interesting.

C．Ordinary.

D．Boring.

3．From the passage we can know

[　　]

A．more men commit suicide than women in our country

B．suicide only takes a small part in the deaths of young adults

C．is not right for the media to report the “perfect end” of Zhang widely

D．people never content with their achievements and life will often commit suicide easily

70．Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

[　　]

A．It made little difference whether Zhang died or not among his fans.

B．It was something happening suddenly- that caused Zhang's suicide.

C．Not all the people who suffer from depression know their case clearly .

D．Zhang called on people to make a choice to value their lives.

There is one foreign product the Japanese are buying faster than others and its popularity has caused an uneasy feeling among many Japanese.

That product is foreign words.

Gairaigo — words that come from outside － have been part of the Japanese language for centuries. Mostly borrowed from English and Chinese, these terms are often changed into forms no longer understood by native speakers.

But in the last few years the trickle (涓涓流水) of foreign words has become a flood, and people fear the increasing use of foreign words is making it hard for the Japanese to understand each other and could lead to many people forgetting the good qualities of traditional Japanese.

“The popularity of foreign words is part of the Japanese interest in anything new,”says University Lecturer and Writer Takashi Saito.”By using a foreign word you can make a subject seem new, which makes it easier for the media to pick up.”

“Experts often study abroad and use English terms when they speak with people in their own fields. Those terms are then included in government white papers,” said Muturo Kai, president of the National Language Research Institute.”Foreign words find their way easily into announcements made to the general public, when they should really be explained in Japanese.”

Against the flow of new words, many Japanese are turning back to the study of their own language. Saito’s Japanese to Be Read Aloud is one of many language books that are now flying off booksellers’ shelves.

“We were expecting to sell the books to young people,” said the writer, ”but it turns out they are more popular with the older generation, who seem uneasy about the future of Japanese.”

What advantages do foreign words have over traditional Japanese terms?

A. The ideas expressed in foreign words sound new.

B. Foreign words are best suited for announcements.

C. Foreign words make new subjects easier to understand.

D. The use of foreign words makes the media more popular.

In the opinion of Takashi Saito, Japanese people ______.

A. are good at learning foreign languages           B. are willing to learn about new things

C. trust the media                                             D. respect experts

Which of the following plays an important part in the spread of foreign words?

A. The media and government papers.         B. Best-selling Japanese textbooks.

C. The interest of young Japanese.                     D. Foreign products and experts.

The book Japanese to Be Read Aloud ______.

A.sells very well in Japan

B.is supported by the government

C.is questioned by the old generation

D.causes misunderstanding among the readers

Skeptics are a strange lot. Some of them refuse to admit the serious threat of human activities to the environment, and they are tired of people who disagree with them. Those people, say skeptics, spread nothing but bad news about the environment. The “eco-guilt” brought on by the discouraging news about our planet gives rise to the popularity of skeptics as people search for more comforting worldviews.

Perhaps that explain why a new book by Bjorn Lomborg received so much publicity. That book, The Skeptical Environmentalist, declares that it measures the “real state of the world” as fine. Of course, another explanation is the deep pockets some big businesses with special interests. Indeed, Mr. Lomborg’s views are similar to those of some Industry-funded organizations, which start huge activities though the media to confuse the public about issues like global warming.

So it was strange to see Mr. Lomborg’s book go largely unchallenged in the media though his beliefs were contrary to most scientific opinions. One national newspaper in Canada ran a number of articles and reviews full of words of praise, even with the conclusion that “After Lomborg, the environmental movement will begin to die down.”

Such one-sided views should have immediately been challenged. But only a different review appeared in Nature, a respected science magazine with specific readership. The review remarked that Mr. Lomborg’s “preference for unexamined materials is incredible (不可信的)”。

A critical (批判的) eye is valuable, and the media should present information in such a way that could allow people to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, that is often inaccessible as blocked by the desire to be shocking or to defend some special interests. People might become half-blind before a world partially exhibited by the media. That’s a shame, because matters concerning the health of the planet are far too important to be treated lightly.

1. According to the passage, which of the following may be regarded as “skeptics”?

A. People who agree on the popularity of “eco-guilt”.

B. People who disbelieve the serious situation of our planet.

C. People who dislike the harmful effect of human activities.

D. People who spread comforting news to protect our environment.

2.Which of the following can be a reason for the popularity of Lomborg’s books?

A. Some big businesses intend to protect their own interests.

B. The book challenges views about the fine state of the world.

C. The author convinces people to seek comforting worldviews.

D. Industry–funded media present confusing information.

3.The author mentioned the review in Nature in order to_____.

A. voice a different opinion

B. find fault with Lomborg’s book 

C. challenge the authority of the media

D. point out the value of scientific views.

4.What is the author’s main purpose in writing the passage?

A. To encourage the skeptics to have a critical eye.

B. To warn the public of the danger of half–blindness with reviews.

C. To blame the media’s lack of responsibility in presenting information.

D. To show the importance of presenting overall information by the media.

 

About 40 percent of the top students in college entrance examinations have chosen overseas universities for their postgraduate studies, according to a survey.

Most of them have stayed overseas after finishing their intended courses, showed a survey that tracked 130 top performers in college entrance exams from 1977 to 1998.

The survey, released on the China Alumni Association website, found it worrying that many of the top students would not ________ despite the country's rapid development in the past few decades.     

The government should find better ways to hold back talented students, said Cai Yanhou, a professor with Central South University in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province.

UNESCO figures show Chinese students comprise 14 percent of international students, the highest in the world. Their favorite destinations for higher studies are the US, Britain and Japan. Some experts said handsome scholarships, better job prospects and more opportunities to pursue further studies are the main attractions of foreign universities.

But Cai, who also led the survey team, said "top in exams" does not necessarily mean "top in career" because the study found none of the top students at college entrance exams had become a top Chinese expert or academic. Some of them are just more adaptable to exam-oriented education than their peers, experts said.      

The media fill pages and time slots with their "success" stories to gain wider readership and viewership. High schools promote their former students proudly to attract new ones, and universities want to show their superior status by recruiting them, they said.

Wang hoped future reforms would do away with the score-oriented method so that students can be judged from all aspects.

1. What is the best title of the passage? (Please answer within 10 words)

                                                                         

2. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?

The top students’ “success” stories are widely announced by the media to attract the readers’ and the viewers’ interest.     

                                                                         

3. Please fill in the blank in the second paragraph with proper words or phrases to complete the sentence. (Please answer within 10 words)      

                                                                         

4. If you are one of the top students in college entrance examinations, will you choose to study abroad? Why or why not?(Please answer within 30 words)

                                                                           

5. Translate the underlined sentence into Chinese