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和D)中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

High school graduation -- the bittersweet feelings are as much a part of me now as they were twenty-one years ago.

As graduation day came near, excitement increased. Being out of high school meant I finally grew up. Soon I would be on my own, making my own decisions, doing what I was interested in without someone looking over my shoulder (惴惴不安).

There was never any question in my mind that I would go to college. But which college I would attend seemed like a never-ending list of unknowns: What would college be like? Would I make friends easily? Would I miss my family so much that I wouldn't be able to stand it? What if the college I selected turned out to be a terrible mistake?

Then panic set in. My feelings took a 180-degree mm. I really didn't want to leave high school at all. It had been nice being respected as a Senior by the underclass students for the past year; I didn't enjoy the idea of being on the bottom of the ladder again.

Despite months of expectation, nothing Could have prepared me for the impact of the actual day. As the familiar tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" echoed (回响) in the background, tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, and I was consumed by a rush of sadness. I rose from my seat when I heard my name called and slowly crossed the stage to receive my diploma. As I reached out my hand, I knew that I was reaching not just for a piece of paper but for a new life. Exciting as the future of a new life seemed, it wasn't easy to say goodbye to the old one -- the familiar faces, the' familiar routine. I would even miss that chemistry class I wasn't particularly fond of.

That September, I was lucky to attend a wonderful university. I needn't have worried about liking it. My years there turned out to be some of the best years of my life. And as for friends, some of the friendships I formed there I still value today.

41. The author writes the passage mainly to tell us .

A. his high school life B. his university life

C. his bittersweet memories D. his graduation ceremony

42. The author felt excited about graduation because .

A. he could go to college B. he could be independent

C. he was tired of high school life D. he won a scholarship to university

43. The underlined word "one" (in Paragraph 5) most probably refers to .

A. school B. diploma C. class D. life

44. We know from the last paragraph that at university the author .

A. got on quite well B. made few friends

C. majored in chemistry D. missed his family much

B

In some urban centers, workaholism is so common that people do not consider it unusual. They accept the lifestyle as normal. Government workers in Washington D. C, for example, frequently work sixty to seventy hours a week. They don't do this because they have to; they do it because they want to.

Workaholicm can be a serious problem. Because true workaholics would rather work than do anything else, they probably don't know how to relax.

Is workaholism always dangerous? Perhaps not. There are, certainly, people who work well under stress. Some studies show that many workaholics have great energy and interest in life. Their work is so pleasurable that they are actually very happy. For most workaholics, work and entertainment keep them busy and creative.

Why do workaholics enjoy their jobs so much? There are several advantages to work. Of course, it provides people with paychecks, and this is important. But it offers more than financial security. It provides people with self confidence; they have a feeling of satisfaction when they're finishing a challenging piece of work and are able to say, “I made that.” Psychologists claim that work gives people an identity through participation in work, they get a sense of self and individualism. In addition, most jobs provide people with a socially acceptable way to meet others. Perhaps some people are compulsive about their work, but their addiction seems to be a safe--even an advantageous-one.

45. The passage indicates that workaholics .

A. just know work but nothing else

B. are willing to work hard for long hours without pay

C. find their work provide them more satisfaction and self confidence than how much they

are paid

D. has the work with more responsibility than others

46. One of the reasons that some people are not willing to quit their jobs even in their eighties and nineties is that .

A. they are in the need of financial security

B. they would rather work than be disturbed by domestic affairs

C. they long for a sense of identity and being accomplished

D. they may have health problems from sheer boredom

47. This passage is mainly about .

A. workaholics are usually successful people, but their lives are in a mess

B. workaholism can lead to serious problems but it can also create a joyful life

C. people who are absorbed in their work may enjoy movies, sports and other kinds of

entertainment

D. those who work even under difficult conditions may be very happy

48. It can be inferred from the passage that

A. in the eyes of all the common people workaholics are peculiar

B. to workaholics, work is the sole source of happiness

C. a piece of challenging work may provide the workaholics a sense of satisfaction

D. workaholics are as addicted to their job as other people are to drugs or alcohol

C

WASHINGTON--More people than ever are driving under the influence of their cell phones, according to a survey published Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The survey showed 8 percent of drivers, or 1.2 million people, were using hand-held or hands-free cell phones, during daylight hours last year, a 50 percent increase since 2002 and a 100 percent rise in four years.

All that talking is a potential safety problem, said NHTSA spokesman Pale Tyson. "While we don' t have hard proof that there' s been an increase in the number of accidents, we know that talking on the phone can affect drivers' performance," he said.

The District of Columbia and New Hampshire no longer allow talking on hand-held cell phones while driving, according to the Governors of the Highway Safety Association.

Some communities, such as Brookline, Mass, and Santa Fe, require handsfree cell phones, but about a half-dozen states prevent local governments from limiting cell phones use in cars. Young drivers, between 16 and 24, increased their talking on cell phones by 60 percent between 2002 and 2004.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it wants all 50 states to ban those with learners' permits from using cell phones or other wireless devices while driving. New Jersey and Maine are the only two states that have passed such laws.

The survey was carried out between June 7 and July 11, 2005, at 1, 200 road sites across the country and, in some cases, done by telephone.

49. Which of the following shows the right number of drivers who use cell phones while driving?

50. The underlined word" potential" in Paragraph 3 probably means .

A. serious B. possible C. common D. obvious

51. It can be inferred that .

A. there isn't hard proof that using cell phones while driving will cause more accidents

B. some districts will no longer allow drivers to talk on hand-held cell phones

C. people hold different opinions as to whether cell phones use in cars should be limited

D. only two states have passed laws to ban drivers using cell phones while driving

52. The main purpose of this text is to .

A. encourage drivers to use handsfree cell phones

B. inform people about cell phones use while driving

C. state some information about cell phones

D. tell people about the driving laws

D

Throughout our childhood our parents taught us to say "thank you" and it has become a habit -- something we say automatically, along with "please". And because of this we have forgotten just how important gratitude is and how essential it is in leading fuelled (感到满足的) lives.

Just for a minute, think of all the things you are grateful for, such as loving friends, good health, great holidays as well as everyday items such as a comfortable home, TV, and clean water. The list, in fact, could go on and on.

Now focus on events that have made you resentful -- it's raining, the car won't start, and a colleague irritates (使烦躁)you. You start to feel unhappy, and that is something that certainly does not make you feel good!

It's a simple choice and we have the ability to choose how we feel. But for most of us, it just doesn't seem as easy as that -- isn't the world out to get us? Well, no, it isn't actually, and it's just our perception (认识) of how things are.

Let me give you an example: it's a rainy day, and immediately most people will start to complain, telling everyone who will listen what a miserable day it is, with the result that they end up feeling miserable themselves. But look at it another way and despite wet clothes and hair, both will dry perfectly well and no lasting harm has been done. And in addition to this, because of rain, we not only live in a green and beautiful landscape, we are also able to grow a lot of fruit and vegetables.

There really is no obvious reason for feeling miserable -- in fact there is a great deal to be grateful for. It's all to do with how we perceive things.

Realize what a difference having gratitude can make to your life. That's why gratitude is so special --use it to feel good!

53. What do we usually do without thinking according to the author?

A. Focus on bad things. B. Prefer to feel good.

C. Express thanks orally. D. Take many things for granted.

54. By the example in the fifth paragraph, the author advises us to .

A. see things in a different way B. accept the unchangeable things

C. ignore the harm bad weather does D. listen to others' complaints patiently

55. By writing the passage, the author mainly wants to tell us .

A. to think twice before we act B. to be grateful for what we have

C. it is no use making complaints D. saying "thank you" has many advantages

56. The tone of the author in this passage is .

A. humorous B. disapproving C. persuasive D. ironic