You either have it, or you don’t — a sense (感觉) of direction, that is. But why is it that some people could find their way across the Sahara without a map, while others can lose themselves in the next street?
Scientists say we’re all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works. One theory is that people with a good sense of direction have simply worked harder at developing it. Research being carried out at Liverpool University supports this idea and suggests that if we don’t use it, we lose it.
“Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around,” says Jim Martland, Research Director of the project. “However, if they are not allowed out alone or are taken everywhere by car, they never develop the skills.”
Jim Martland also emphasizes (强调) that young people should be taught certain skills to improve their sense of direction. He makes the following suggestions:
◆ If you are using a map, turn it so it relates to the way you are facing.
◆ If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route.
◆ Simplify the way of finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or walls in the countryside to guide you. Count your steps so that you know how far you have gone and note any landmarks such as tower blocks or hills which can help to find out where you are.
Now you need never get lost again!
【小题1】 Scientists believe that                           .

A．people never lose their sense of direction

B．some babies are born with a sense of direction

C．people learn a sense of direction as they grow older

D．everybody owned a sense of direction from birth

【小题2】 What is TRUE of seven-year-old children according to the passage?

A．They never have a sense of direction without maps.

B．They have a sense of direction and can find their way around.

C．They should never be allowed out alone if they lack a sense of direction.

D．They can develop a good sense of direction if they are driven around in a car.

【小题3】If you leave your bike in a strange place, you should                             .

A．tie it to a tree so as to stop it from being stolen

B．remember something easily known on the route

C．draw a map of the route to help remember where it is

D．stay away from taking the same route when you come back to it

【小题4】According to the passage, the best way to find your way around is to                .

A．ask policemen for directions

B．count the number of landmarks that you see

C．use walls, streams, and streets to guide yourself

D．remember your route by looking out for steps and stairs

【小题5】 Where can you probably read this passage?

A．In the newspaper.	B．In an ad.
C．In a storybook.	D．In a novel (小说).

When my son, Mark, was in the third grade, he saved all his pocket money for over three months to buy Christmas presents. The third Saturday in December Mark said he had made his list and had twenty dollars in his pocket.
I drove him to a nearby supermarket. Mark picked up a basket and went in while I waited and watched in the car. It took Mark over 45 minutes to choose his presents. Finally he came to the checkout counter and reached into his pocket for his money. It was not there! There was a hole in his pocket, but no money. Mark stood there holding his basket, tears falling down his face.
Then a surprising thing happened. A woman came up to Mark and took him in her arms. "You would help me a lot if you let me pay for you," said the woman. "It would be the most wonderful gift you could give me. I only ask that one day you will pass it on. When you grow up, I would like you to find someone you can help. When you help others, 1 know you will feel as good about it as I do now."
Mark took the money, dried his tears and ran back to the checkout counter as fast as he could. That year we all enjoyed our gifts almost as much as Mark enjoyed giving them to us.
I would like to say “thank you” to that very kind woman, and tell her that four years later, Mark went house to house collecting blankets and clothes for the homeless people in the fire. And I want to promise her that Mark will never forget to keep passing it on.
【小题1】When did the story probably happen?

A．On Christmas Day.	B．Before Christmas Day,
C．On New Year's Day.	D．After New Year's Day.

【小题2】When they got to the supermarket, Mark went in_________.

A．with the writer	B．by himself
C．with the woman	D．with his friends

【小题3】What happened to Mark in the supermarket?

A．His gifts were stolen.	B．He broke his basket.
C．He lost his money.	D．He lost his way.

【小题4】Why did the writer want to say “thank you” to the woman?

A．Because she bought Mark a nice present.

B．Because she always paid money for others.

C．Because she collected clothes for the homeless.

D．Because she taught Mark to help people in need.

【小题5】What's the best title for this passage?

A．A big supermarket	B．A kind woman
C．A happy family	D．A wonderful gift

Having Fun "Growing" and "Stealing"?
Recently，an Internet game has become a new fashion among young office workers and students. People can "farm" on a piece of "land" and "grow"， "sell" or even "steal" "vegetables"，"flowers" and "fruits" on the Net. They can earn some e-money and buy more "seeds"，"pets" and even "houses".
Joyce interviewed some young people. Here are their opinions.
Harold：I don’t quite understand why they are so mad about the childish game， Maybe they are just not confident enough to face the real world.
Allan：I enjoy putting some "bugs" in my friends’ gardens and we’ve become closer because of the game. Having fun together is the most exciting thing about it.
Laura： You know， people in the city are longing for(渴望) the life in the countryside. It reduces my work pressure(压力)；besides，it gives me the exciting experience of being a "thief".
Ivy：Well. it’s just a waste of time. Teenagers playing the game spend so many hours on it that they can not focus on(专注于)their study.
【小题1】 According to the passage，people can’t _______ things in this game.

A．grow

B．borrow

C．steal

D．sell

【小题2】Which is NOT the reason why people like the game?

A．They are longing for country life.

B．They can have fun with friends.

C．The game can relax people and give them a new experience.

D．They are confident enough to face the real world.

【小题3】Where can you find this passage?

A．In a car magazine.	B．In an advertisement.
C．In a newspaper	D．In a science book

“What is success?” Mr Gruber asked his 6^th grade business class. It was his opening conversation for the first class of the term.

“Success is riding in a sweet car, watching an 80-inch TV, and living in a place with at least twelve rooms.” One student answered, earning laughs from all the students.

Mr Gruber smiled, but shook his head. “Tom, that is excess(过量). That is not success.”

“How about being able to provide for your family?” A blonde girl named Sandy in the front suggested as an answer.

“Now we’re getting closer,” Mr Gruber smiled, “but try thinking about what you need and what you want.”

“Getting everything you want.” Tom shouted out an answer again, trying for more laughs.

Mr Gruber sighed. “ I believe we’ve already talked about excess versus(与…比较) success.”

“Getting everything you need, but some of what you want?” James, sitting in the back wondered aloud.

“Quite right!” Mr Gruber clapped. “Success is getting everything you need and some of what you want. The more you get that you want, the more successful you are. You do reach a point where you are living in excess, though.”

“What does this have to do with business?” Tom asked. It seemed if it wasn’t funny, he wasn’t happy.

“Well, Tom, think of it this way: the point of business is to make a living to support your family. Once you have properly seen to (确保) their needs, you can then see to getting the extras that you want.”

“What if I don’t have a family?” he continued to be difficult.

“Then you have to provide for yourself, a family of one.”

“He has goldfish to think about!” Peter, Tom’s friend, shouted out.

“Then he needs to provide for a family of one with a fishbowl.” Mr. Gruber corrected himself.

Tom nodded, satisfied with that answer.

“So in the next nine weeks, we’re going to study basic business situations, like having a checking account and understanding credit cards.”

Tom rubbed his hands together excitedly. “When do we get to start spending?”

“You already are, Tom. You’re spending time with us!” Mr. Gruber laughed. “Now, let’s see what you guys know about credit cards…”

1.What class did Mr Gruber teach?

A．History           B．Science           C．Maths            D．Business

2.Which student didn’t seem to be taking the class seriously?

A．Tom              B．James            C．Peter             D．Sandy

3.How did Mr Gruber make his class lively and interesting?

A．He himself kept talking’

B．He just read from a textbook.

C．He showed a movie to his students.

D．He got his students to take part in a discussion.

4.What do you think of Mr Gruber according to the passage?

A．Strange           B．Patient            C．Shy              D．Proud

5.What can be the best title of this passage?

A．Get What You Want                      B．Needs and Wants

C．Try to Get More Money                   D．How to Live Well