How often do you use your car? Can you use your car less often? Do you know the following facts in the UK?

　　·About 50% of all car joumeys are just for fun.

　　·Over 80% people go to work by car.

　　·25% car joumeys are under two miles.

　　·70% car joumeys are under five miles.

　　WALKING & CYCLING

　　Instead of using the car for short journeys, why not walk or ride a bicycle? Walking is a most popular form of exercise - it's good for your health and it can save you money. If you work nearby, try walking or cycling instead of driving. Walking your children to school gives them valuable road experience.

　　BUSES

　　Bus companies are using new buses: some run on new fuels(燃料) which produce less pollution; some have special steps for disabled and old people to get on and off. There are special traffic lanes (行车道) to make bus journeys easier and more reliable. So do something to help solve the pollution problem - have the bus take you to work and our children to school.

　　TRAINS

　　All car joumeys, long or short, can be hard work. For some trips it is wiser to take the train. Leave your car at home and walk, cycle or take a bus to and from the station. Train travel is fast, safe and comfortable. Train tickets are not always expensive; some are quite cheap at discount.

　　1. The writer believes that_______ can give children valuable road experience.

　　A. traveling by train B. walking to school

　　C. taking new fuel buses D. going to school in parents' cars

　　2. Using buses helps produce less pollution because_______.

　　A. bus drivers have more driving experience

　　B. bus tickets are usually free of charge

　　C. buses can run down special traffic lanes

　　D. some new buses run on new fuels

　　3. What is the main purpose of this passage?

　　A. To teach people how to use the buses.

　　B. To advise people to travel by train.

　　C. To advise people to use cars less often.

　　D. To tell people to obey traffic rules.

　　I was riding my special motorbike this past weekend and stopped at a store. As I was getting my wheelchair off the back, a man watched me from his car and I noticed a wheelchair in his back seat. We spoke for a moment and I asked him about the wheelchair. He answered that it was for his daughter. "Well, do you think she would like to go for a ride on my motorbike with me?" I asked. He couldn't believe his ears. A total stranger would ask him this. He thought about it for a second and said, "OK, as long as I Can follow you."

　　He introduced me to Amy and he sat her on my back seat. Her father followed me for a few miles and she talked non-stop about what she wanted for Christmas.

　　As we came back to the store she said, "This ride is the best Christmas present I could ever receive. I have been in a wheelchair my whole life and didn't know I could do this." Then she turned to him and said, "Oh Daddy, I'm going to be OK. Mr. Bryant does all kinds of things-and I will, too." Her father held my hands and said, "I was sitting here praying for a gift for Amy that would encourage her. She often felt that her life was boring compared to other children. God answered my prayer(祷告) just now. Now I pray that God will bless you for your gift to Amy today." Being kind and thoughtful to others, we can be an answer to prayer.

　　4. How did the father feel at first when Mr. Bryant invited his daughter for a ride?

　　A. He was nervous because he was worried about his daughter's safety.

　　B. He was happy because his daughter could have fun.

　　C. He was moved because Mr. Bryant was willing to help his daughter.

　　D. He was greatly surprised because he didn't know Mr. Bryant.

　　5. What can we know about Mr. Bryant?

　　A. He was a disabled man. B. He usually drove too fast.

　　C. He worked in a store. D. He often helped people in trouble.

　　6. According to the passage, the girl _______.

　　A. was not allowed to do any sports

　　B. used to be a completely healthy person

　　C. usually felt her life was not interesting

　　D. was unwilling to communicate with a stranger

　　7. What did Mr. Bryant's gift refer to according to the girl's father?

　　A. The motorbike. B. The wheelchair. C. The prayer. D. The ride.

　　It was a warm April day when a letter came from the only college I had ever dreamed of attending. I don't remember ever smiling so wide, But then I found that the cost of Dream School's tuition(学费)was around $ 40,000 - an impossible amount! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition?

　　In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial(金融的) problem, I could go wherever I would be the happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn't sure what to do.

　　One of the schools that offered me free tuition had an .informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents' financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was to smile politely, eat free food and listen carefully. But I surprised myself.

　　At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events in the university: As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed to care about the students a lot. As the president ended his speech, I realized that I would spend the next four years right there.

　　To be honest, my university is not as well-known as my "dream" university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me

　　33. From the passage we can know that the writer wanted to become_______ in the future,

　　A. a scientist B. a president C. a writer D. a professor

　　8. _______ worried me a lot when I got the offer from my dream university.

　　A. The population of the university

　　B. The cost of the tuition

　　C. The offers from 3 0ther colleges

　　D. The activities in the university

　　9. At the informational dinner party, the president left me a deep impression (印象) by _______.

　　A. offering me free food and free events

　　B. his clear introduction to the university

　　C. showing me a bright future

　　D. his patience and politeness

　　10 We can learn from the passage that_______.

　　A. it's wise to choose the right rather than the best

　　B. only students from rich families go to better universities

　　C. the way to success is choosing the best university

　　D. a good speech can make a difference in one's life

　　English people think that the home is a place to protect themselves from the outside world, not one for others to see and enjoy. For them, their house is a personal place in which they go to hide away from the troubles of life.

　　To the Americans, their home is an expression of themselves, a place to show others what kind of people they are. So they would very much like to have visitors in their house and see it. Americans also want their home to be a place where they can have fun and share their lives with their friends.

　　English people, on the other hand, usually spend much more time with friends at public places. Few people would be invited to an Englishman's home. You could work with a person or live next door to someone for years, but you could never see the inside of his home.

　　If you are invited, that is great. It's a good idea to bring something to drink or eat. You can do the same thing in an American home, too.

　　Once inside the house, the rules(规则) change again. Don't ask to see more than what the English people show you. Never ask how much their house or any of the things in it cost. The Americans, on the other hand, may be glad to show you around their house. They will be pleased when you show your interest and ask how expensive something is.

　　Both English and American people will have a lot of chat, and a drink or two before the meal. Remember, never eat with your mouth open and make any noise while you eat.

　　Another rule in both countries is not to show your own idea about their country or its customs. Most people are proud of their country and their way of doing things, even though they are not happy with it! So it is best just to listen and smile politely.

　　Remember these home rules, and you will be invited back again.

　　11. The underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 seems to tell us that_______.

　　A. if we go to an American home, the host will show us everything in it

　　B. we can know what kind of people they are from their home

　　C. the home is the only place for the Americans to express themselves

　　D. American people are good at expressing their own ideas at home

　　12. From the passage, we learn that English people_______.

　　A. often invite their neighbors to their home

　　B. have a large fun area in their house

　　C. usually spend their time with friends at public places

　　D. like to show off their expensive house to the visitors

　　13. According to the passage, in both England and the US, _______ -.

　　A. you can ask about how much the house is

　　B. it is a good idea to show your idea about their country

　　C. you should not make any noise while eating

　　D. the home is a place to protect oneself from the outside world

　　14. Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

　　A. Rules on visiting a home. B. Home parties.

　　C. English way of life. D. Friendly Americans.

　　参考答案：

　　1-3：BDC 4-7：DACD 8-14：CBBA