Switzerland is the best place to be born in the world in 2013，and the US is just 16th. A new study made by the Economist Intelligence Unit says American babies will have a dimmer（暗淡）future than those born in Hong Kong，Ireland and even Canada. The EIU，a sister company of The Economist，tried to measure how well countries will provide the best opportunities for a healthy，safe and prosperous life in years to come.

　 People born in Switzerland will tend to be the happiest and have the best quality of life in terms of wealth，health and trust in public institutions，according to the analysis. The Scandinavian countries of Norway，Sweden and Denmark also all make the top five in a‘quality-of-lif e’index(指數(shù)）where it is best to be born next year.

　 One of the most important factors is being rich，but other factors come into play including crime，trust in public institutions and the health of family life. In total，the index takes into account 11 factors. These include fixed factors such as geography，others that change slowly over time such as demography (人口學(xué)) social and cultural characteristics, and the state of the world economy. The index also looks at income per head in 2030，which is roughly when children born in 2013 will reach adulthood. Small economies take up the top 10 countries，with

Australia coming second and New Zealand and the Netherlands not too far behind.

　 Half of the top 10 countries are European，but only one，the Netherlands，is from the eurozone. The crisis-ridden south of Europe，including Greece，Portugal and Spain，falls behind despite the advantage of a favourable climate. Interestingly，the largest European economies-Germany，F(xiàn)rance and Britain-do not do particularly well. Nigeria has the unenviable(不值得羨慕的)title of being the worst country for a baby to enter the world in 2013.

56．According to the passage，the happiest people live in　　　 ·

　 A. Denmark B. Switzerland C. Germany D. Nigeria

57．The factors of telling the best place to be born don’t include　　　 ．

　 A. economy B. geography

　 C. trust in public institutions D. pollution

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

　 A. The Economist Intelligence Unit is a company.

　 B. The Economist attempted to measure the best place to live.

　 C. The Scandinavian countries are hardly at the top of the list.

　 D. Half of the top 10 countries are from the eurozone.

59．The purpose of the text is to show people　　　 ．

　 A. the best place to be born in 2013

　 B. a new study made by the EIU

　 C. the worst country to be born in 2013

　 D. the factors of measuring the best place to be born

閱讀下面短文，從短文后所給各題的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)(A,B,C,D)中，選出可以填人空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)，并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。

　 For lots of people，the holidays are about helping the less fortunate. 36 than buying present for each other，a group of friends in a Vermont snowboard(單板滑雪）group like to go to their 37 homeless shelter and give them a day to 38 ．They begin preparing at the 39 of the snow season by asking people who come to the mountain to 40 old winter clothing like jackets，boots，gloves，and hats. Then the group 41 the shelter to distribute（分發(fā)）the things. Says Jay，18，one of the 42 ，“We tell them，‘Now you guys are coming with us and we’re going to teach you how to 43 or snowboard all day for free.’It’s awesome(極好的)to know that we are able to take their minds 44 the stress in their lives for one day.”

　 For this group，working together to help the homeless makes heir relation 45 .They feel like a part of each other’s lives in a 46 way.

　 It may sound no wonder until you try it，but doing something for charity(慈善）can really help you 47 better about the whole experience of giving. That’s because it benefits for the 48 as well as the recipient-you’re left with a feeling of belonging and being connected. 49 to help an organization or group that fits with your 50 and the things you believe in. If you love children，buy a present for a child in need. 51 animals are your thing，talk to your local animal shelter-many distribute staples like pet food to low-income pet 52 over the holidays. If you 53 a grandparent and would like to spend time with the elderly 54 out at a nursing home over the holidays. Or share a special skill. If you’re good with your 55 ，you can help build or painting housing for people in need.

36. A. Other B. Rather C. More D. Less

37. A. hopeless B. curious C. local D. foreign

38. A. remember B. forget C. forgive D. exercise

39．A. end B. start C. weather D. middle

40. A. bring B. mend C. sell D. throw

41．A. rebuild B. take C. leave D. visit

42. A. students B. neighbors C. organizers D. workers

43. A. ski B. survive C. study D. struggle

44. A. for B. in C. off D. on

45. A. easier B. cleaner C. healthier D. stronger

46. A. complete B. meaningful C. new D. busy

47. A. live B. play C. feel D. express

48. A. giver B. visitor C. children D. officials

49. A. Promise B. Refuse C. Choose D. Answer

50. A. work B. values C. hobbies D. profession

51．A. If B. Because C. Though D. While

52. A. sellers B. bosses C. stores D. owners

53．A. visit B. become C. miss D. dislike

54. A. look B. send C. find D. help

55. A. hands B. minds C. eyes D. ideas

一Sorry，I shouldn’t have rushed you.

一　　 ．How about having a walk in the park beside the theatre？

　 A. You are welcome 　B. That’s right

　 C. I have no idea 　　 D. Never mind

To see a young couple loving each other is　　 ；but to see an old couple loving each other is the best sight of all.

　 A. no wonder B. no doubt C. no way D. no problem

Only when you are living in a foreign country     the importance of English.

    A. you can realize  B. you realized  C. did you realize  D. can you realize

In a new study of African elephants，researchers have　　 four distinct characters that are among a group.

　 A. convinced B. identified C. differed D. existed

Mo Yan’s novel，Red Sorghum，　　 was made into a film，won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1988.

　 A. that B. which C. what D. it

As everybody knows，      a person I s，the more things he needs to do tomorrow.

    A. the lazy  B. lazier  C. the lazier  D. the laziest

Online music providers in China hope to set up a plan that will charge individual users for music 　

　 A. prints B. projects C. records D. downloads

I didn’t have enough money on me，or I     that iphone on sale the other day.

    A. would buy   B. would have bought

    C. will buy     D. bought