Zurich of Switzerland is the city with the highest quality of life in 2006, while Baghdad, for the third year running, has the lowest, a survey published by human resource company Mercer on Monday shows.

Zurich, Geneva and Vancouver made the top three in the list while Bangui in the Central African Republic and Brazzaville, the capital of Congo Republic, joined Baghdad in the bottom three.

The top three cities in the list are all unchanged from last year.

Almost half the top 30 scoring cities are in Western Europe. In this region, Vienna follows Zurich and Geneva in 4th position. Other highly-rated cities include Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich in positions 6, 7 and 8 respectively. Athens remains the lowest scoring city in Western Europe, standing at position 79.

Chicago is one of the biggest climbers in the rankings since 2005, rising to 41st from 52nd due to reduced crime rates, while Cairo is one of the biggest fallers, sliding nine places to 131st out of 215 cities.

“This was due to political conflicts and terrorist attacks in the city and surrounding area,” Mercer said.

Asia-Pacific Auckland and Wellington have both moved up the rankings from 8th to 5th and 14th to 12th places respectively, while Sydney remains at position 9.

In Asia, Singapore ranks 34th followed by Tokyo, Japan’s highest scoring city, at position 35. Hong Kong’s modern and efficient infrastructure, including its airport which is considered one of best in the world, has pushed it up from 70th to 68th position.

The top-ranking city in China’s mainland is Shanghai in 103rd place.

“Beijing and Shanghai are on the rise and should experience rapid improvements in quality of living in the coming years. This is mainly due to greater international investment driven by the availability and lower cost of labor and manufacturing skills,” explained Mr. Slagin Parakatil, Senior Researcher at Mercer.

Mercer bases its annual survey on 39 quality-of-life factors, from political stability to schools, bars, restaurants and the environment.

The top ten cities in the list:

Zurich, Switzerland

Geneva, Switzerland

Vancouver, Canada

Vienna, Austria

Auckland, New Zealand

Dusseldorf, Germany

Munich, Germany

Sydney, Australia

Berne, Switzerland

57. From the first three paragraphs, we can NOT learn _____.

A. since 2004, Baghdad has been the city with the lowest quality of life

B. since 2004, Zurich has been the city with the highest quality of life

C. since 2004, Bangui, Brazzaville and Baghdad have been the bottom three

D. since 2004, Zurich Geneva and Vancouver have been the top three

58. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Athens is the lowest scoring city in the world

B. Cairo was the 122nd last year

C. In Asia, Tokyo is the best place to live

D. Due to modern infrastructure, Hong Kong has pushed it up by 3 places

59. By mentioning what Mr. Slagin Parakatil said, the author wants to show _____.

A. Beijing and Shanghai are less developed now

B. greater international investment will lead to the improvement in quality of life in Beijing and Shanghai

C. Mr. Slagin Parakatil expects little of Beijing and Shanghai

D. Beijng and Shanghai will improve rapidly in quality of life in the next few years

60. The purpose of writing the passage is to tell us _____.

A. the results of a survey

B. Zurich is the best place to live

C. the best and worst places to live

D. the rankings of the cities on quality of life in 2006

Environmental protection was stressed at Kanas, a growing tourism destination in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, famous for its attractive scenery and its “l(fā)ake monster”.

“All of the hotels and restaurants will withdraw from the scenic site to 30 kilometers away,” said Jim Liquan, an official with the Kanas Environment and Tourism Bureau. The move aims to protect environment of Kanas, a scenic site that is part of the European ecosystem and borders Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. Meanwhile, construction of environmental facilities including sewage(污水) and rubbish treatment plants will be completed soon.

According to Mao Ken, chief of Altay Prefecture where Kanas is located, the government invested 1 billion yuan (US $ 120 million) on environmental facilities. “Education for tourists is also important,” he said. An education center is being created to provide information on how to protect the environment in Kanas. But he vowed that the government would not interfere with the lives of traditional residents in Kanas.

It is expected that Kanas will receive more than 500,000 tourists this year, 4,000 more than last year, according to the official. “However, there are still few overseas visitors,” he said. Statistics showed that only 2 percent of the total number of tourists is foreigners. “This is partly because the transportation facilities connecting Kanas are still not convenient enough,” Mao said. At present, there is only one highway connecting Kanas.

“Upon request from tourists, construction of an airport will start this month and will be completed by the end of next year,” the official said. A railway line connecting Kuitun and Altay will also open to traffic in 2008 to make it possible to travel to Kanas by train, probably bringing in more tourists.

53. We can learn from the passage that Kanas is _____.

A. a lake

B. a town in Europe

C. a Kazakhstan city next to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

D. a tourism destination located in Altay Prefecture

54. There are few overseas visitors to Kanas because _____.

A. scenery in Kanas is not attractive enough

B. Kanas hasn’t been known to them 

C. the transportation to Kanas is not convenient enough

D. they are afraid of the “l(fā)ake monster”

55. Which of the following has the same meaning with the underlined word “withdraw” in the passage?

A. Go forward    B. Destroy    C. Replace     D. Move back

56. Which of the following is NOT the measure to be taken to improve environmental protection in Kanas?

A. To build an airport and a railway station to make it possible to travel to Kanas.

B. To invest a large sum of money to construct some of environmental facilities.

C. To withdraw all of the hotels and restaurants from the scenic site to 30 kilometers away

 D. To create an education center for protection

College graduation brings both the satisfaction of academic achievement and the expectation of a well-paid job. But for 6,000 graduates at San Jose State this year, there’s uncertainty as they enter one of the worst job markets in decades. Ryan Stewart has a freshly-minted(新興的) degree in religious studies, but no job prospects.

“You look at everybody’s parents and neighbors, and they’re getting laid off and don’t have jobs,” said Stewart, “then you look at the young people just coming into the workforce… it’s just scary.”

When the class of 2003 entered college, the future never looked brighter. But in the four years they’ve been here, the world outside has changed greatly.

“Those were the exciting times, lots of dot-com opportunities, exploding offers, students getting top dollar with lots of benefits,” said Cheryl Allmen-Vinnidge of the San Jose State Career Center. “Times have changed. It’s a mew market.”

Cheryl Allmen-Vinnidge ought to know. She runs the San Jose State Career Center, sort of a crossroad between college and the real world. Allmen-Vinnidge says students who do find jobs after college have done their homework.

“The typical graduate who does have a job offer started working on it two years ago. They’ve postured(定位) themselves well during the summer. They’ve had several internships(實(shí)習(xí))”, she said. And they’ve majored in one of the few fields that are still hot, like chemical engineering, accounting, or nursing, where average starting salaries  have actually increased over last year. Other popular fields have seen big declines in starting salaries.

Ryan Stewart may just end up going back to school. “I’d like to teach college some day and that requires more schooling, which would be great in a bad economy,” he said.

To some students, a degree may not be a ticket to instant wealth. For now, they can only hope its value will increase overtime.

49. The underlined expression “dot-com” in the 4 th paragraph probably means _____.

A. a company making dots

B. the Internet

C. teaching on the Internet

D. a well-known website

50. The purpose of a college career center is probably to _____.

A. help students do their homework

B. find jobs for students while they are in school

C. prepare students to find jobs after they graduate

D. help high school students get accepted to college

51. Ryan Stewart is probably going to _____.

A. get a teaching job

B. become a religious leader

C. change his major

D. go back to school

52. What does the underlined sentence “To some students, a degree may not be a ticket to instant wealth.” mean?

A. Having a college degree does not provide travel discounts.

B. A college degree doesn’t promise a person a high-paying job.

C. Most students with degrees will be able to find jobs.

D. The best way to get rich is to get a college degree.

When I was younger, bedtime was always my favourite part of the day. Wearing soft pajamas(睡衣褲) and with Lan, my stuffed monkey, in my arms, I felt no pressure at all.

I named Lan after my uncle when I compared Lan’s long arms and legs to his. One night I ran up to Uncle Lan at a family party and told him I had named my monkey after him. His eyebrows wrinkled(起皺紋) in confusion, then a chuckle(哈哈大笑) escaped his lips. I guess he didn’t understand how important it was to me.

Even if Uncle Lan didn’t think my monkey was special, I certainly did. I dressed him in a white baby nightgown. My mother thought that Lan was the best-dressed stuffed animal in the world. Yes, he was certainly a fashionable creature. The strong cologne(科隆香水) I used on him years ago makes him still smell “pretty”.

For a long time, Lan went everywhere with me. He was my best friend, and I told him everything. But when I turned twelve, I realized I was too old for stuffed animals. I thought people would think I was babyish, so I put him in the cupboard with the rest of my teddy bears and dolls. I begged him to understand why I was doing this, but at the same time I longed to talk to him again.

It took me several years to realize that it was OK to miss Lan. I know now that maturity doesn’t only mean growing up and taking on more responsibility. It also means holding on to your childhood and acting young sometimes.

Lan has been with me since I was six years old. Holding him in my arms connects me to my past and my present as I continue to grow and understand myself.

45. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the text?

A. Bedtime used to be the writer’s favourite part of the day because of the stuffed monkey.

 B. Uncle Lan liked the stuffed monkey as much as the writer.

C. The writer used to carry the monkey with her wherever she   went.

D. Years later the writer realized that it was not wrong to miss Monkey Lan.

46. The writer loved Monkey Lan deeply because _____.

A. he could understand her

B. he was a fashionable monkey

C. he could talk with her

D. he was her most honest listener

 47. We can learn from the text that the writer believes _____.

 A. keeping stuffed animals is babyish

B. maturity doesn’t mean growing up and taking on more responsibility

C. one should keep to his childhood and act young sometimes even when he has grown up

 D. human beings should be kind to animals

 48. We can infer from the text that _____.

A. the writer is still a teenager

B. the writer is now a middle-aged woman

C. Monkey Lan got angry for being left alone

D. Uncle Lan has a monkey-like face

Several months ago I decided it would be wise to look into the possibilities of buying a life insurance policy(保險(xiǎn)單), because I understood it might be a good investment. I got the name of an insurance agent from a friend and called the agent to get some information. From the kinds of questions I put to him the agent could tell that I knew nothing about insurance, so he kindly offered to explore the matter with me in more detail---to help me determine the kind of policy I ought to be considering.

That evening he appeared at my door promptly(準(zhǔn)時地) at 7:30; without wasting time on pleasantness, he spread his papers out on the kitchen table and launched into a lengthy explanation. I listened attentively as he talked about the difference between various types of policies, and he explained the kind of coverage he felt I ought to have. Toward the end of the evening (after three or four hours of talking), he kindly helped me fill out an application for a $50,000 policy, and then he asked if I could go to a Dr. Luther’s office on Friday for a physical examination.

I don’t know why, but it was not until the mention of the doctor’s appointment that I realized fully what was happening. I was about to sign a lifetime contract, yet I had not really made a decision about whether I wanted to buy the policy. However, since he had spent so much time with me, I didn’t want to make him feel that he had wasted his time. So I invented an excuse about things I had to do on Friday, and I assured him I would call him in a few days. Actually, I had no intention of going to see Dr. Luther or of calling the agent again. I wanted to forget the whole thing.

It’s been over three months now since our meeting, and my friendly insurance agent still calls at my office faithfully two or three times a week. My secretary knows that I don’t want to talk to him, so when he calls she tells him that I’m in a meeting or that I’m out of the office or that I’m away on a business trip. I realize now that it was a mistake not to tell him that first night that I didn’t want the policy. Since I still can’t bring myself to tell him clearly that I’m not interested, and please not to bother me anymore, all I can do is avoid his calls and hope I don’t run into him some place.

 41.The writer phoned the insurance agent because_____.   

   A. he wanted to fill out an application

   B. he had decided to buy a life insurance policy

   C. he took great interest in the insurance company

   D. he was eager to explore the possibilities of buying a policy

 42. After several hours of talking, the writer _____.

A. decided to buy the policy

B. decided to put off making a decision

C. made an appointment with Dr. Luther’s

D. decided not to buy the policy

 43. The writer didn’t tell the agent the truth because ____.

A. he was afraid of him

B. he felt embarrassed to do so

C. he thought it none of the agent’s business

D. he did not wish to lose the agent’s friendship

 44. The writer realized that _____.

A. he should have told the truth to the agent earlier

B. he should buy the policy

C. the agent is a real friend

D. insurance is but a cheat 

It was a beautiful day for sightseeing around downtown Portland. We were a group of students just out for some fun. 21 we all had different cravings(渴望), we 22 to split up and get what each of us wanted.

When my friend Robby 23 for a hot dog stand, I decided to keep her 24. But when she took out her money to pay him, the man 25 us.

“It looks a little on the cool side,” he said, “so 26 mind paying me. This will be free.”

We said our thanks and 27 our friends in the park. But as we talked and ate, I was distracted by a man 28 alone nearby, looking at us. I could tell that he hadn’t showered for days. Another 29 person, I thought.

But when Robby and I went to the garbage can to 30 my lunch bag, I heard a 31 voice ask, “There isn’t any food in the bag, is there?”

It was the man who had been watching us, with no 32 in his voice at all. He was obviously hungry, couldn’t 33 to see anything thrown away, and was 34 to asking this question.

Robby said, “Please wait for me for a minute,” and ran off. I watched 35 as she went across to the hot dog stand. Then I 36 what she was doing. She bought a hot dog and gave the hungry man the food.

When she came back to us, Robby said 37, “I was just passing on the 38 that someone gave to me.”

That day I learned how 39 can go farther than the person you give to. 40 giving, you teach others how to give also.

I wouldn’t think it ____ to ask him to ____ the club.

A. worthwhile; join                B. worthwhile; join in    

C. worthy; join                      D. worthy; join in

After five days’ climbing in the mountain, they reached ____ they thought was the place they’d been dreaming of.

A. that         B. where        C. which        D. what

I’m moving to the countryside because the air there is much fresher than ____ in the city.

   A. ones          B. one         C. that         D. those

-- Can I call for some friends and spend the day outside with them, Mom?

--- ____ I’ve told you to have a weekend on your own.

   A. Why so?                   B. Why not?      

   C. How come?               D. So what?