第三部分：阅读理解 (共20小题;每小题2分, 满分40分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

A

My mother through her fine example instilled (慢慢灌输) within me the desire to help others. She taught me to notice those whom others ignore.

The railroad tracks (轨道) were within a mile of our house. Beggars frequently would knock at the doors in our neighbourhood in summer asking for food. They were often turned away. Others simply ignored the knocks.

My mum always went to the door smiling. She would invite them to stay and have some thing to eat. She would have me open up the card table and carry a chair out onto the covered side porch (走廊). There was a nice view into the flower gardens, and it was cool even on the hottest days.

She would bring a red and white tablecloth and set the table as carefully as she did for any company. She would pour their coffee and pile their plates with food and dessert. Usually she sent a packed lunch with them when they were ready to go, too. Sometimes she would take the newspapers to those who asked about work.

She listened to those who wanted to talk. She never asked what would lead them to be in this difficult situation. It did not matter. She saw only the need. Some thought she should not extend this courtesy (礼貌). She would say, "In the depression (萧条时期) when my father was searching around for any work to feed us, thoughtful people fed him. I am just repaying their kindness. I cannot offer them money, but I can see they do not leave hungry and discouraged." My mum was quite a lady.

36. The writer's house was frequently visited by the beggars because _______.

A. they seemed to be very rich             B. his mother was known to be generous

C. they lived near a railway station          D. there was a railway near their house

37. How did the writer's mother treat beggars?

A. She was on guard against them.           B. She looked down upon them.

C. She respected them equally.              D. She took pride in them.

38. The writer's mother sometimes took out newspapers _______.

A. for the beggars to kill time               B. to teach the beggars how to read

C. to help those who asked about work       D. to help them do find their families

39. Which of the following can make an explanation for the mother's attitude to beggars?

A. Her father was once helped by others.    B. Her father liked to help beggars.

C. She was once a beggar herself.          D. Her mother taught her to help beggars.

40. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. the auther’s mother liked the beggers.

B. the atitude of the mother to the beggers was kind, couraging and helpful.

C. the auther’s mother was intersted in the beggers.

D. the auther’s mother thought highly of the beggers.

.                     B

On May 8, last Thursday morning, the Olympic flame was lit on the top of Mount Qomolangma! It was a historic moment for China exactly three months ahead of the Beijing Games.

Tibetan female climber Cering Wangmo reached the summit with a special extreme-altitude Olympic torch. This event is what China has promised to the world as the high point of the torch relay, the longest and most challenging of all time.

Five torchbearers(火炬手) finished the highest relay ever—three of the climbers are Tibetan athletes.

Team members said “Beijing welcomes you!” in Chinese, English and Tibetan, as they stood at the summit celebrating, with the event broadcast on national television.

“I finally fulfilled the last dream of my husband,” said Gyigyi with tears in her eyes. She was the first torchbearer. Her husband lost his life in an attempt to climb all 14 mountains in China more than 8,000 meters three years ago.

“We are on top of the world! One world, one dream,” shouted Nima Cering, at the top of his voice. He said that although he had climbed the peak(峰顶)several times, this was the most significant ascent(登高). “As a Tibetan and a Chinese I pray for the success of Beijing 2008,” he added.

The special torch is different form the one currently touring the Chinese mainland, after an around-the-world relay. Officials organizing the trek up the peak had earlier set an April 26 target to begin the ascent, but high winds and heavy snow had delayed the mission.

The Xinhua News Agency said that the Qomolangma leg of the torch relay represents the Olympic motto, “higher, faster and stronger,” in practice and will promote unity among all 56 ethnic groups in China.

41. It was a historic moment because ______.

A. some Tibetan torchbearers took part in it

B. it was lit three months before the Olympic Games were held

C. it was lit on the top of Mount Qomolangma for the first time

D. it was the longest attempt in history

42. Which is RIGHT according to the whole passage?

A. All the five torchbearers are men.

B. Only the five torchbearers reached the summit.

C. Team members said “Beijing welcomes you!” in their native language.

D. At least two of the five torchbearers are females.

43. What does the word “leg” underlined in the last paragraph refer to?

A. one part of a journey or race

B. one of the long parts that connect the feet to the rest of the body

C. the leg of an animal, especially the top part, cooked and eaten

D. the part of a pair of trousers that covers the leg

44. What would be the best title for the text?

A. One world, one dream

B. Relay reaches its highest point

C. Qomolangma, the highest summit in the world

D. The special torch and the brave torchbearers

45. Where can you read about this passage?

A. In the English textbook.    B. In the newspaper.

C. In the science report.    D. On the street wall.

C

Mail carriers will be delivering some good news and some bad news this week.

The bad news Stamp prices are expected to rise 2 cents in May to 41 cents, the Postal Regulatory Commission announced yesterday. The good news With the introduction of a “forever stamp,” it may be the last time Americans have to use annoying 2-or-3-cent stamps to make up postage differences.

Beginning in May, people would be able to purchase the stamps in booklets of 20 at the regular rate of a first-class stamp. As the name implies, “forever stamps” will keep their first-class mailing value forever, even when the postage rate goes up.

The new “forever stamp” is the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) answer to the complaints about frequent rate increases. The May increases will be the fifth in a decade. Postal rates have risen because of inflation (通货膨胀), competition from online bill paying, and the rising costs of employee benefits, including healthcare, says Mark Saunders, a spokesman for USPS.

The USPS expects some financial gain from sales of the “forever stamp” and the savings from not printing as many 2-or-3-cent stamps. “It’s not your grandfather’s stamp,” says Mr. Saunders. “It could be your great-grandchildren’s stamp.”

Other countries, including Canada, England, and Finland use similar stamps.

Don Schilling, who has collected stamps for 50 years, says he’s interested in the public’s reaction. “This is an entirely new class of stamps.” Mr. Schilling says. He adds that he’ll buy the stamps because he will be able to use them for a long period of time, not because they could make him rich — the volume printed will be too large for collectors. “We won’t be able to send our kids to college on these,” he says, laughing.

The USPS board of governors has yet to accept the Postal Regulatory Commission’s decision, but tends to follow its recommendations. No plans have been announced yet for the design of the stamps.

46. The main purpose of introducing a “forever stamp” is ______.

A. to reduce the cost of printing 2-or-3-cent stamps

B. to help save the consumers’ cost on first-class mailing

C. to respond to the complaints about rising postal rates

D. to compete with online bill paying

47. By saying “It could be your great-grandchildren’s stamp”, Mr. Saunders means that forever stamps _______.

A. could be collected by one’s great-grandchildren

B. might be very precious in great-grandchildren’s hands

C. might have been inherited from one’s great-grandfathers

D. could be used by one’s great-grandchildren even decades later

48. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. The investment in forever stamps will bring adequate reward.

B. America will be the first country to issue forever stamps.

C. The design of the “forever stamp” remains to be revealed.

D. 2-or-3-cent stamps will no longer be printed in the future.

49. Why do people tend to buy “forever stamps”?

A. Because they are cheaper than the old ones.

B. Because they can be used for a long time.

C. Because they can make people rich.

D. Because many countries, including Canada, England, and Finland use forever stamps.

50. What can be concluded from the passage?

A. With forever stamps, there will be no need to worry about rate changes.

B. Postal workers will benefit most from the sales of forever stamps.

C. The inflation has become a threat to the sales of first-class stamps.

D. New interest will be aroused in collecting forever stamps.