Few laws are so effective that you can see results just days after they take effect. But in the nine days since the federal cigarette tax more than doubled----to $1.01 per pack---smokers have jammed telephone ‘quit lines’ across the country seeking to kick the habit.

This is not a surprise to public health advocates. They’ve studied the effect of state tax increases for years, finding that smokers, especially teens, are price sensitive. Nor is it a shock to the industry, which fiercely fights every tax increase.

The only wonder is that so many states insist on closing their ears to the message. Tobacco taxes improve public health, they raise money and most particularly, they deter people from taking up the habit as teens, which is when nearly all smokers are addicted. Yet the rate of taxation varies widely.

In Manhattan, for instance, which has the highest tax in the nation, a pack of Marlboro Light Kings cost $10.06 at one drugstore Wednesday. In Charleston, S.C., where the 7-cent-a-pack tax is the lowest in the nation, the price was $4.78.

The influence is obvious.

In New York, high school smoking hit a new low in the latest surveys----13.8%, far below the national average. By comparison, 26 % of high school students smoke in Kentucky, Other low-tax states have similarly depressing teen-smoking records.

Hal Rogers, Representative from Kentucky, like those who are against high tobacco taxes, argues that the burden of the tax falls on low-income Americans “who choose to smoke.”

That’s true. But there is more reason in keeping future generations of low-income workers from getting hooked in the first place.  As for today’s adults, if the new tax drives them to quit, they will have more to spend on their families, cut their risk of cancer and heart disease and feel better.

31. The text is mainly about___________.

A  the price of cigarettes                      

B  the rate of teen smoking

C  the effect of tobacco tax increase          

D  the differences in tobacco tax rate

32. What does the author think is a surprise?

A  Teen smokers are price sensitive.

B  Some states still keep the tobacco tax low.

C  Tobacco taxes improve public health.

D  Tobacco industry fiercely fights the tax rise.

33. The underlined word "deter" in Paragraph 3 most probably means      .

A. discourage   B. remove        C. benefit           D. free

34. Rogers’ attitude towards the low-income smokers might be that of     .

A. tolerance          B. unconcern         C. doubt                 D. sympathy

35. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A. The new tax will be beneficial in the long run.

B. Low-income Americans are more likely to fall ill.

C. Future generations will be hooked on smoking.

D. Adults will depend more on their families.

What a ______ smell! How long was it since you last cleaned the house?

  A. smelly         B. tasty          C. sweet        D. disgusting

II 閱讀（共兩節(jié)，滿分40分）

第一節(jié)：閱讀理解（共15小題；每小題2分，滿分30分）

閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的四個選項（A、B、C和D）中，選出最佳答案。

A

We are all called upon to make a speech at some point in life, but most of us don’t do a very good job. This article gives some suggestions on how to give an effective speech.

    So, you have to give a speech-- and you’re terrified. You get nervous, you forget what you want to say, you stumble over words, you talk too long, and you bore your audience. Later you think, “Thank goodness, it’s over. I’m just no good at public speaking. I hope I never have to do that again. ”

    Cheer up! It doesn’t have to be that bad. Here are some simple steps to take the pain out of speech making. Ask yourself the purpose of your speech. What is the occasion? Why are you speaking? Then, gather as many facts as you can on your subject. Spend plenty of time doing your research. Then spend plenty of time organizing your material so that your speech is clear and easy to follow. Use as many examples as possible, and use pictures, charts, and graphs if they will help you make your points more clearly. Never forget your audience. Don’t talk over their heads, and don’t talk down to them. Treat your audience with respect. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

    Just remember: be prepared. Know your subject, your audience, and the occasion. Be brief. Say what you have to say and then stop. And be yourself. Let your personality come through so that you make person-to -person contact with your audience.

    If you follow these simple steps, you’ll see that you don’t have to be afraid of public speaking. In fact, you may find the experience so enjoyable that you volunteer to make more speeches! You’re not convinced yet? Give it a try and see what happens.

26. The main idea of this article is _________.

    A. you can improve your speaking ability  B. a poor speaker can never change

    C. always make a short speech           D. it is hard to make a speech

  27. Paragraph 2 implies that ________.

    A. many people are afraid of giving a speech  B. many people are happy to give a speech

    C. many people do not prepare for a speech   D. many people talk too long

  28. The phrase “talk over their heads” means ________.

    A. speak too loudly      B. look at the ceiling

    C. look down upon them   D. use words and ideas that are too difficult

  29. All of the following statements are true except that ___________.

    A. few people know how to make good speeches

    B. a lecturer does not need to organize his speech

C. research is important in preparing a speech

D. there are simple steps you can take to improve your speaking ability

30. The title for this passage may be _______.

    A. Do Not Make a Long Speech  B. How to Give a Good Speech

C. How to Prepare for a Speech   D. Try to Enjoy a Speech               

I’m told that you are going to Canada to have a three month further study. Don’t let such a good chance to improve your English _____ through your fingers.

A. ski          B. spreads         C. slips                  D. skip

 Can you tell me _________________ last night?

A. what was the matter outside                              B. what was matter outside

C. what the matter was outside                            D. what is wrong outside

31. I was just about to go to bed last night ______ the telephone rang. 

A. while    B. when    C. as    D. before

Professor Wang has written some short stories, but he is______ known for his plays.

A. the best             B. more                 C. better                D. the most

______ the room, the nurse found the tape-recorder ______ .

   A. Entering; stealing              B. Entering; gone       

C. To have entered; being stone      D. Having entered; to be stolen

書面表達(dá)（滿分25分）

根據(jù)所給提示，寫一篇介紹臺灣的短文。

主要內(nèi)容：

1．地理位置（如圖）；

2．我國最大的島嶼，面積約36000平方千米，人口2000多萬；

3．自然資源豐富，香蕉、稻米、茶葉等農(nóng)產(chǎn)品馳名中外；

4．風(fēng)景優(yōu)美，氣候宜人，世界各地的游客紛至沓來；

5．自古以來就是我國的一部分，島內(nèi)絕大多數(shù)居民來自福建和廣東。海峽兩岸人民對未來寄予期望。

   （提示：臺灣海峽：the Taiwan Straits）

At first, the company had 15 notebook computers but only one – third       used regularly. Now we have over 60 working all day long.

       A．were B．a(chǎn)re   C．was   D．is