Two scientists from the United States have been traveling to countries in South America to study lightning storms. Rather than observing the lightning from the ground, scientists are watching the lightning from airplanes that fly at high altitudes(海拔) above the surface of Earth. The splendid phenomena—which have been given the imaginary names of “red sprites,” “blue jets,” and “elves”—occur high in the atmosphere above the clouds.

       During some storms a sudden flash of light will spread over the upper atmosphere with a red light that can extend as far as 60 miles above Earth. Known as a sprite, this lightning appears in the sky often in the shape of a huge carrot or jellyfish in groups of two or more. Blue jets are flashes of blue light that emanate from the top of thunderstorms and then spreading upward as much as 20 miles above Earth. These jets of light can increase in size at speeds near 60 miles per second. Elves are the most recently discovered type of high-altitude lightning. These flashes take place 40 to 60 miles above Earth and often appear just before sprites and are much brighter than sprites. Because they occur too fast to be seen with eyes, they can be detected only by instruments.

       Although scientists do not have a certain explanation for the phenomena, they are making some progress. For example, one popular theory is that the light seen from the red sprites and blue jets results from the collision(碰撞) of electrically charged tiny bits with nitrogen molecules(氮分子) in Earth’s atmosphere. The collision causes molecules to shine blue in the stratosphere, or lower altitudes. These same molecules shine red in the mesosphere, the atmosphere above the stratosphere, and they can spread to an altitude of about 50 miles. Elves seem to be caused when forceful lightning hits the ground and sends electrically charged bits into the higher altitudes.

1．What is the common characteristic of “red sprites,” “blue jets” and “elves”?

       A．They are sudden blue flashes.

       B．They can only be discovered by equipment.

       C．They are caused by the collision of atmosphere.

       D．They spread upward 20 to 60 miles above Earth.

2．The words “emanate from” underlined in paragraph 2 probably mean       .

       A．come from          B．result from          C．break away from  D．range from

3．What is the third paragraph about?

       A．A research about the Earth.                   B．The causes of the collision.

       C．An explanation for the phenomena.        D．Different theories about lightning.

4．What is the best title of this passage?

       A．A Frightening Study.                            B．Movement of the Molecules.

       C．The Changeable Atmosphere.  D．Lightning above the Clouds.

       In last week’s edition I read “Novel Without a Plot(情節(jié))”, by Carlo Dante, a review of Adele Kman’s latest novel. I, too, have read The Newcomer. Dante insists The Newcomer lacks a plot. He fails to recognize that some novels are plot-driven and others are character-centered. Clearly Dante prefers to read the former and feels it reasonable and acceptable to force readers to accept his preference. There are many readers who do not require a story to drive us quickly from one action-packed moment to the next. We are content to get to know an interesting character who meets challenges and tries various ways to overcome them.

       Violet Wang is a wonderful example of this type of character, and we are fortunate that the novel is told from her point of view. We first experience her world in San Francisco, where she is surrounded by Chinese American traditions and the support of a large family. We feel her confusion and upsetting sense of loss as she must leave all that is familiar to her.

       When Violet arrives in the area that will be her new home, we see its beauty and mystery through her eyes. As she tries to adapt to the life in a place where she feels like an outsider, many of us may remember similar times in our own lives. We ache when she hurts and feel great success in our hearts when she experiences progress.

       I won’t tell you why Violet has had to make such a great life change or how she comes terms with it, Unlike Dante, I think that most readers would greatly enjoy this book. In these times of action-adventure movies and computer games, many have lost the patience to be readers, thinkers, and human beings concerned with various feelings. I think that someone who fails to see the value in this book is missing out on a lot.

1．According to the author, what do we learn about Carlo Dante?

       A．He has the same experience as Violet Wang.

       B．He has a positive view on Adele Kwan’s novel.

       C．He likes novels having action-packed moments better.

       D．He thinks most readers would appreciate The Newcomer.

2．What do we know about Violet Wang?

       A．She is misunderstood by Carlo Dante.

       B．She has experienced great changes in her life.

       C．She is confused by Chinese American traditions.

       D．She has become more outgoing since her move.

3．In the author’s opinion, what kind of book is The Newcomer?

       A．It’s a fine character-centered novel.

       B．It’s Adele Kwan’s latest best seller.

       C．It’s a novel accepted by action movie fans.

       D．It’s about a typical story full of deep sadness.

4．The author writes this passage to         .

       A．tell a real story of Violet Wang

       B．a(chǎn)rgue why she prefers The Newcomer

       C．persuade people to buy Adele Kwan’s latest novel

       D．present the characteristics of different types of novels

5．In which section of the newspaper can we read this article?

       A．Entertainment.  B．Social affairs    C．Technology.     D．Literature.

Daewoo and the art of customer focus

       When Daewoo entered the UK car market in spring 1995 it was hardly known at all; its cars were technically average and had an unfashionable country of origin (Korea) With around 40 carmakers, the market was crowded. Less than half of these had market shares of over 1%. Many companies had a “Buy UK” or “Buy European” policy for their fleet purchases（集團(tuán)購買）， which account for about half of all car purchases.

       Since the mid-1970s, no new competitor to the UK car market had achieved more than a 1% market share. Yet Daewoo did exactly that in less than a year. We believe it did so by achieving its aim of being the most customer focused car company in the UK.

       Daewoo’s market research showed that the best market to be aimed at would be drivers mainly interested in a car’s ability to get from A to B reliably and cheaply. Research had shown that most motorists were afraid to visit car showrooms and found salespeople too forcefully. They believed that they were treated even worse after the sale. Further, Daewoo’s research found that in the market they were aiming at, 84% of motorists believed that the treatment they got from the salesperson was at least as important as how they felt about the car itself.

       Daewoo developed a new way of selling:

*They did not use traders to sell their cars. By saving the money normally paid to traders, Daewoo was able to offer higher specifications(規(guī)格) at a lower price.

*Daewoo designed its car showrooms to be like high street stores, with free access to product information and a free cafe; salespeople were on a fixed salary and no bargaining on price was allowed.

*The price included promises and three years’ free servicing.

*Daewoo offered free collection and delivery as well as a car lent to a customer during servicing.

       Daewoo’s competitors had been unwilling or unable to rethink the way that they did business in the face of clear dissatisfaction in the market. This created a market opportunity that Daewoo is able to exploit.

1．What is the passage about?

       A．How Daewoo bought their share in the UK car market.

       B．How Daewoo gave their customers advice on cars.

       C．How Daewoo developed their policy on car sales.

       D．How Daewoo researched the UK car market.

2．Which of the following best describes Daewoo’s cars?

       A．Inexpensive in relation to the specifications.

       B．Comfortable in relation to its low price.

       C．Satisfactory and of fashionable design.

       D．Reliable and of high technology.

3．In what way did Daewoo sell their cars?

       A．By offering good after-sale service.

       B．By making showrooms much tidier.

       C．By accepting the prices offered by customers.

       D．By giving salesman extra money if they sell more.

4．What did Daewoo’s competitors do when their customers were not satisfied?

       A．They created a new market opportunity.

       B．They tried to exploit their market abroad.

       C．They did nothing to change the way of selling cars.

       D．They reconsidered the method of satisfying their customers.

       你班準(zhǔn)備舉行一次題為“迎奧運，文明從我做起”的英語主題班會，請你根據(jù)以下提示寫一篇發(fā)言稿談?wù)勀隳壳笆窃趺醋龅摹?/p>

       *自覺排隊乘車；主動讓座

       *在公共場所不大聲喧嘩

       *為社區(qū)義務(wù)打掃衛(wèi)生

       *節(jié)約能源，如：隨手關(guān)燈

       注意：1．文章的開頭已為你寫好。

2．詞語不少于60。

       Hello everyone! It’s nice to speak about what I do for the Olympic Games.                

--- What does          typical traditional tea – house in Chengdu look like?

--- Usually it is in the open air, and they serve           tea in covered tea – sets.

A．a(chǎn); the        B．a(chǎn); /           C．the; the     D．/; /

--- I didn’t do well in maths.

--- I did         you; so we are half and half.

A．not worse than        B．no worse than  C．not better than  D．no better than

Catherine is determined, hard–working and intelligent.     , I couldn’t speak      highly of her.

A．As a result; very      B．In a word; too  C．After all; much        D．Anyhow; enough

    some teenagers don’t realize is         difficult life can be after they get addicted to drugs.

A．What; how       B．That; how C．What；what    D．That; what

       as the most excellent student in her university, as most classmates had expected, made her parents very happy.

A．Mary was chosen                                       B．Mary’s chosen

C．Mary’s being chosen                                          D．Mary being chosen

--- The price is fine with me. How would you like       paid?

--- Well, it is up to you.

A．one          B．this           C．that          D．it