A

A lot of earthquakes happen in the world every year. Why do earthquakes happen? Scientists tell us the outside of the earth is made of a number of different plates (板块). The plates move very slowly. Sometimes they stop and don’t move for a long time. When some of the earth’s plates move suddenly, an earthquake happens.

Many earthquakes happen under the sea. Sometimes they happen near mountains. In fact, earthquakes may happen anywhere on the earth.

During an earthquake, the shakings make rocks rise suddenly and even break open. Houses fall. People are killed or hurt. Sometimes whole villages or cities are destroyed.

Can we do something to keep ourselves safe from earthquakes? Scientists have studied earthquakes and made maps that show“earthquake belts”. In the areas in these belts, it’s possible for earthquakes to happen. In these areas we can make houses strong enough to stand against earthquakes.

In the future, scientists will be able to predict (预言) exactly when and where an earthquake will happen. They can tell us what to do and how to do it as well.

(   )1. Few earthquakes happen in the world every year.

(   )2. The outside of the earth is made of a number of different plates.

(   )3. We can do nothing to keep ourselves safe from earthquake. 

(   )4. A map showing the earthquake belts tells people what kind of houses can stand in an earthquake.

(   )5. In the future, scientists can predict exactly when and where an earthquake will happen.

                                   B

     Many people say that they are working too many hours. They don't have enough time to relax or to stay with their family.

     Work hours are different from one country to another. In France, people spend about 1,646 hours a year at work. In Japan, however, people work about 2,159 hours a year. That means a Japanese worker works 513 more hours a year than a French worker.

     Why do people work so many hours? Some people work extra hours because they want to make more money. However, many companies don't pay overtime. Their workers don't get more pay for more work. Some people think it's their duty to work more hours. Some are afraid of losing their jobs if they don't work more hours.

     Many people say that their vacations are too short. In France, people get five weeks of paid vacation a year. In Germany, they get four to six weeks, and in the United States, two weeks. One study shows fewer than half of workers used all their vacation days. In Great Britain, there is a saying, 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull (迟钝的) boy.' If that is true, there must be a lot of dull people in the world.

(   )6. A Japanese worker works __ more hours a year than a French one.

          A. 513              B. 1,646             C. 2,159              D. 3,805

(   )7. The word 'extra' in Paragraph 3 means '.

          A. 正常的   B. 额外的      C. 有用的      D. 少量的

(   )8. People in ________ get only two weeks of paid vacation a year.

           A. France          B. Germany          

C. the United States    D. Great Britain

(   )9. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

       A. No companies offer vacations to their workers.

       B. Many people say they have enough time to relax.

       C. Not all companies pay their workers for more work.

       D. More than half of workers use all their vacation days.

(   )10. What can we infer from the passage?

        A. Many workers have to work long hours.  B. Many people have vacations long enough.

       C. Work hours are the same around the world.   D. There are a lot of dull people in the world.

                                      C

      ①'I will think of it.' It is easy to say this, but do you know what great things have come from thinking? Though we can not see, or hear, or feel our thoughts, they have great power (力量) !

      ②Isaac Newton was seated in his garden on a summer evening when he saw an apple fall from a tree. He began to think, and tried to find out why the apple fell. Then he discovered how the earth, sun, moon, and stars are kept in their places.

     ③James Ferguson once saw the inside of his father's watch, and he wondered, 'Why should I not make a watch?' This set him thinking and it led to a wooden clock which kept good time.

④Walt Disney, the famous American film-maker, was often thinking of new ideas. One day, when he was in a meeting, he suddenly stopped talking, deep in thought. He looked and looked at a place high up in the room. This continued for a long time, end then he got an idea for a new cartoon.

 ⑤Ideas come at any time, end the important thing is to think. When you meet with any difficulty, don't lose heart. Try to think of it before asking someone to help you. Think and by thinking you will learn how to think creatively.

(   )11. Newton wanted to find out ________.

A. when the apple hit him                 B. why the apple fell                        

C. who made the apple fall                D. where the apple fell

(   )12. ________ made a wooden clock.

A. Isaac Newton    B. Walt Disney   C. James Ferguson   D. James' father

(   )13. Walt Disney was ________ when he got an idea for a new cartoon.

A. making a film         B. telling a story     

C. having a meeting    D. sitting in a garden

(   )14. From the passage we can learn that

A. we should always ask others for help      B. every one of us likes thinking

C. it is easy to see and hear our thoughts    D. thinking helps to get new ideas

(   )15. Which of the following shows the structure (结构) of the passage?

（①=Paragraph 1, ②= Paragraph 2, …）                

D

The human brain weighs about 1.4 kilograms, but it can, hold much more information than most computers. However, there is another difference between humans and computers. Computers don't forget information they are given, but humans often do. No one remembers everything, and luckily we don't usually have to. But everyone can improve their memory if they want to. Here are some suggestions.

◆Try to use new informati6n immediately. For example, if you meet someone who says 'Hi! I'm Carlos,' don't just say 'Hello.' Repeat the person's name. Say'____'

◆Break a big number into smaller parts. For example, it's hard to memorize (记忆) 109244153. But if you break it into three parts--109/244/153―it becomes easier.

◆Write out what you need to remember ever and over again. This will help you keep it in mind longer, especially for memorizing formulas (公式) or facts.

◆Always review information. If you bring what you've learned back to your mind, they become easier to remember. For example, before you go to sleep, it’s a good idea to review the new things you learned that clay.

◆Discuss with a friend. It is always easier to remember things through discussions. You can have a discussion about what's right and what's wrong, and it will lead to the right answer.

◆Never tell yourself that you have a bad memory. You can always do something to help improve your memory. And everyone's memory gets better if they use it often enough.

All of the suggestions are helpful. If you follow them, you are certain to improve your memory.

(   )16. How many suggestions are mentioned in the passage?

A. Three.         B. Four.              C. Five.              D. Six.

(   )17. Which should be put in the blank (空格) in Paragraph 2？

A. Hello, Carlos.    B. How do you do?  

     C. Hello, I am Sophia. D. Glad to meet you!

(   )18. What can help memorize a big number more easily according to the passage?

A. To store it in a computer.              B. To break it into stunner parts.

C. To discuss it with a friend.              D. To review it before you sleep.

(   )19. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Discussing with friends can help you remember things.

B. Always reviewing information can help you fall asleep.

C. Formulas and facts can help you learn about your brain.

D. Human beings can improve their memory by computer

(   )20. What does the sentence 'Never tell yourself that you have a bad memory” mean?

A. You should tell others about your bad memory.

B. You should believe in other people all the time.

C. You should ask others to improve their memory.

D. You should be confident in your memory ability.