—Do you believe that opportunities always ________ the prepared minds?

—I couldn't agree more.

A．make B．change

C．keep D．favor

People think what I do is so wonderful because I interview stars.And I have to admit that when I first started working at Sassy in 1987 I was excited about that part of my job for the first couple of months，anyway.Then I noticed how stars would fool me around for months.I could never get enough time with a star to find out anything interesting，and some acted just simply rudely.I started hating the way I was treated，and I was really disappointed to see that these people I had worshipped (崇拜) before were pretty ordinary.So I decided I would just tell the truth instead of keeping up their myths (神秘)．If the star was a bad guy，I would say so.If I thought anyone was stupid，I did not hold back that information.

I thought readers would appreciate that kind of honesty.Surprisingly，many of them hated me for it.I have gotten so many attacks on my character.In their eyes，being famous is everything，even more desirable that being truly creative and talented.

Why do we need stars？In fact，the media created stars to satisfy our basic need for gossip (閑聊)．Over time，talking about people we have never met and we are never likely to meet has become what we are crazy about.Thus，some people are more interested in the personal lives of the stars than in the lives of their own family and their own friends.That is why it is so ridiculous when a star wants to discuss only his or her work in an interview—as we care.We want the dirt on their personal lives.

There is another reason we worship stars.As a whole，our society is not as religious as it once was.It seems that people need something to fulfill them the way religion once did.Star worship exists as an unfulfilling desire for true heroes.

We make them stars，but then their reputation makes us feel unimportant，and we truly feel better about ourselves when they die.I am part of this whole process.No wonder I feel soiled at the end of workday.

1.What are the stars like according to the author?

A．They always treat others rudely.

B．They always talk about something dull.

C．They are actually ordinary people.

D．They are usually honest and polite.

2.We worship stars because ________.

A．we need true mental heroes to support us

B．we can learn something useful from famous stars

C．we concern about the stars，family and friends

D．we like talking about the star's dressing styles

3.When the author is writing this article，his tone sounds ________.

A．excited B．a(chǎn)ngry

C．worried D．calm

4.What is the main purpose of the author writing the passage?

A．To show the disadvantages of working with stars.

B．To remind us not to worship famous stars blindly.

C．To laugh at the failures of stars he has interviewed.

D．To talk about the reasons why we worship stars.

It's slim?budget time in Las Vegas

Las Vegas? It's where half?price flights are wide open and where reservations are easily booked on a moment's notice. Tourism is down, so rooms are plentiful, as well as inexpensive.

Getting there: The best way to get there from McCarran Airport is to exit the baggage claim through Door 11 and check in at any number of shuttle booths. Shuttle vans that run between the airport and the Las Vegas Strip cost $6 for a one?way trip.

Leaving Las Vegas：Many Vegas vacationers are eager to get there and slow to leave. So take the “red?eye” back home. Most red?eye flights leave around midnight, leaving you with an extra night of gaming, and fun without added expense of a higher hotel charge. You can sleep the whole way home.

Romantic getaway: Las Vegas is no longer all about gaming. The artwork at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is certainly comparable to that at the Louvre. Speaking of Paris, take a trip up the Eiffel Tower at Paris?Las Vegas. The Eiffel Tower Experience costs just $10($7 for kids) and is unquestionably worth the price of admission. For an intimate evening, don't hesitate to book reservations at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Get an impressive nighttime view of the Fountains at Bellagio by asking for seating alongside the floor?to?ceiling windows. This is truly a one?of?a?kind fine?dining experience. Details：www.parislasvegas.com.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes：Casinos(娛樂場) can appear very close together, but actually may not be. Know the tram systems that run up and down the Strip. Most tram lines are free.

Shows：Purchase show tickets at one of the many “Half Priced Show” booths on the Strip. You can experience a unique show each night of your stay. Need a look at what's playing when you'll be there? Visit www.booklasvegasshows.com.

Buffets：In Vegas you can take anything to the next level—including eating. Seven casinos on the Strip have teamed up to bring you an amazing deal：seven buffets—breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner—all for just $44.99 within a 24?hour period. Details：www.harrahs.com/total/las?vegas/buffet?of?buffets.

1.What is the author's purpose of writing the passage?

A．To introduce the present situation of Las Vegas.

B．To attract readers to travel to Las Vegas.

C．To tell readers how to go to Las Vegas.

D．To show his own travel experience.

2.If you want to know more about food in Las Vegas, you should ________.

A．visit www.parislasvegas.com

B．visit www.booklasvegasshows.com

C．visit www.harrahs.com/total/las?vegas/buffet?of?buffets

D．visit www.newyorknewyork.com/attractions/

the?roller?coaster.aspx

3.If a couple and a 5?year?old child want to take the Eiffel Tower Experience, they have to pay ________.

A．$10 B．$20

C．$27 D．$34

4.From the passage, we can conclude that ________.

A．Las Vegas is famous as a gaming city

B．eating in Las Vegas is very expensive

C．a(chǎn)ll the red?eye flights leave around midnight

D．a(chǎn) round trip in Las Vegas costs $6

—I regret ________ you that your application has not been successful.

—Not successful? I performed pretty well in my interview!

A．informing B．to inform

C．having informed D．to have informed

________ clearly ________ nothing to do, the soldiers left the village the next day.

A．It; was B．It; being

C．There; was D．There; being

It is said that sixty percent of all energy ________ in the world today is being lost as waste heat.

A．produced B．producing

C．to produce D．having produced

The text is too difficult. The explanation of our teacher will help make it easy ________.

A．to understand B．to be understood

C．understood D．understanding

Misunderstandings ________ from lack of social communication, unless ________ properly, may lead to serious problems.

A．a(chǎn)risen; handling B．a(chǎn)rising; handled

C．rising; handled D．risen; handling

China is expected to export 1 billion mobile phones this year, ________ by a surge in demand for smartphones worldwide.

A．drive B．driving C．to drive D．driven

My mother went to the private school in person ________ that I would be safe there.

A．confirming B．having confirmed

C．to confirm D．confirmed