第二部分：阅读理解(共25小题;第一节每小题2分，第二节每小题1分，满分45分)

第一节 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

Death Valley is one of the most famous deserts in the United States, covering a wide area with its alkali sand. Almost 20 percent of this area is well below sea level, and Badwater, a salt water pool, is about 280 feet below sea level and the lowest point in the United States.

Long ago the Panamint Indians called this place “Tomesha”? the land of fire. Death Valley’s present name dates back to 1849, when a group of miners coming across from Nevada became lost in its unpleasantness and hugeness and their adventure turned out to be a sad story. Today Death Valley has been declared a National Monument and is crossed by several well-marked roads where good services can be found easily. Luckily the change created by human settlement has hardly ruined the special beauty of this place.

Here nature created a lot of surprising scenes, almost like the sights on the moon, ever-changing as the frequent wind moves the sand about, showing the most unusual colors. One of the most astonishing and colorful parts of Death Valley is the Devil’s Golf Course, where it seems hard for one to tell reality from dreams. Sand sculptures stand-on a frightening ground, as evening shadows move and lengthen.

41.The name “Death valley” comes from _____.

A. an Indian name B. the death of the miners

C. the local people D. a National Monument

42. From the passage we can learn that _____.

A. no one had ever known the desert before the miners

B. it’s still not easy to travel across the desert

C. people can find gas-stations, cafes and hotels in the desert

D. people have changed the natural sight of the desert

43. The Devil’s Golf Course is famous for _____.

A. the terrible sights B. the moon-like sights

C. the dream-like sights D. the ever-changing sights

44. From the passage we can see that the writer the Death Valley.

A. appreciates B. is fearful of C. dislikes D. is tired of

B

You don’t need millions to be happy. In fact, at The Happiness Institute in Australia, a couple of hundred dollars may be enough.

The institute opened its doors last year, and, since then, men and women of all ages have been paying A $ 200 an hour (US $140) for lessons on how to feel great.

“You can actually increase your happiness levels. That’s what we teach,” said Timothy Sharp, founder of the institute.

Experts say that only about 15 percent of happiness comes from income, assets and other financial factors. As much as 85 percent comes from things such as attitude, life control and relationships.

Most of us are significantly better off financially than our parents and grandparents, but happiness levels haven’t changed to reflect that.

Studies show that once the basic needs of shelter and food are met, additional wealth adds very little to happiness.

Many decades ago, the “sage of Baltimore, Maryland”, editor HL Mencken, defined wealth as earning US $100 more than your “wife’s sister’s husband.”

Behavioral economists now say part of the reason we are richer but not happier is because we compare ourselves to people better off materially.

“The argument is that if you want to be happy there’s a very simple thing you can do: Compare yourself to people who are less well off than you? poorer, smaller house, car,” said Sharp.

The Happiness Institute aims to show you how to overcome these unhappiness factors by focusing on “more than just your bank account.”

“If I compare myself to Bill Gates then I’m always going to be down,” said Sharp.

A better thing to compare with, he said, might be Kerry Packer, Australia’s richest person who has had a kidney transplant and heart surgery in recent years.

45. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. You can learn to increase your happiness levels by attending the classes at The Happiness Institute.

B. Most of us are happier than our parents or grandparents since we earn more.

C. Earning US $100 more than your wife’s sister’s husband if you want to be happy.

D. Both Bill Gates and Kerry Packer are examples of those who are extremely rich but obviously unhappy.

46. If you have 500 Australian dollars, you can get about _____ U. S. dollars from a bank.

A. 550 B. 450 C. 350 D. 250

47. The underlined phrase in the 9th paragraph has the same meaning as the word ______.

A. healthy B. unhealthy C. free D. wealthy

48. The author wrote the passage to tell us ______.

A. happiness is everything

B. wealth is the foundation of happiness

C. have fun at the Happiness Institute

D. money doesn’t always mean happiness

C

Childhood is a happy time, right? Not necessarily. Consider these facts.

Depression may occur in as many as 1 in 33 children.

Once a child has an episode(一段情节) of depression, he or she has a 50 percent chance of experiencing another episode in the next 5 years.

Suicide(自杀) is the 6th leading cause of death for 5-to-15-year-olds.

If your child experiences 5 or more of these signs or symptoms (症状) for at least 2 weeks, he or she may be experiencing depression or another mental illness.

Feeling — Does your child demonstrate:

Sadness

Emptiness

Hopelessness

Guilt

Worthlessness

Lack of enjoyment in everyday pleasures Thinking桰s your child having trouble:

Concentrating

Making decisions

Completing schoolwork

Maintaining grades

Maintaining friendship s Physical problems — Does your child complain of:

Headaches

Stomachaches

Lack of energy

Sleeping problems ( too much or too little)

Weight or appetite changes

( gain or loss ) Suicide risk — Does your child talk or think about:

Suicide

Death

Other morbid (生病的) subjects Behavior problems --Is your child: Irritable

Not wanting to go to school

Wanting to be alone most of the time

Having difficulty getting along with others

Cutting classes or skipping school

Dropping out of sports, hobbies or other activities

Drinking alcohol or using drugs. Sometimes, a child who causes problems at school or at home may actually be depressed, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. If you think your child may be depressed, it’s important to have your child treated. Discuss your child’s problems with his or her doctor. The doctor may suggest a referral to a children’s psychologist(心理医生)or psychiatrist(精神病医生).

Treatment may include individual and family therapy(治疗), along with an antidepressant medication (抗抑郁药).

49. This article is particularly written for ______.

A. parents B. teachers C. children D. psychologists

50. Which statement describes a child who may have physical problems?

A. The child is always in high mood.

B. The child always feels tired but sleeps only four hours a day.

C. The child hates to study.

D. The child can not concentrate on one thing for a long period.

51. When your child always talks about death or other morbid subjects, he or she ______.

A. may has trouble in thinking B. may have suicide risk

C. may have behavior problems D. may have physical problems

52. What should we do when we find our kids experiencing depression?

A. Ask for leave to accompany them at home.

B. Ask them to take antidepressant immediately.

C. Go to see the doctor.

D. Ask them to have a good rest.