单选题Questions 11 to 14 are based on the following talk on manufacturing. You now have 15 seconds to read Questions 11 to 14.

单选题Why does Dr. Johnson want to use a gas-burning plant?

单选题At dawn one morning in early May, Sean Cosgrove is stashing piles of maps, notes and photocopied documents in his gym bag before heading for West Milford High, a rural school in northernmost New Jersey. On his 30-minute commute, the young former investment banker tries to dream up new ways of lifting the monumentally forgettable Mexican War off the textbook page and into his students' imaginations. Can he invoke the storied memories of Robert E. Lee, who cut his first military exploits on the plains of Veracuz—or will he be met with thundering responses of "Who's Lee"? Should he raise James K. Polk out of the mystic chords of memory, and hope, for a nanosecond, that the kids will care about the first U.S. president who stepped aside because he'd accomplished everything he wanted? Let's think some more. Well, there's always the Alamo. And hey, isn't that the teachers' parking lot up ahead? It's never an easy task. These big kids in big jeans and ball caps, come to his history classes believing that history is about as useful as Latin. Most are either unaware or unimpressed that the area's iron forges once produced artillery cannon for George Washington's army. Their sense of history orbits more narrowly around last month's adventures on "Shop Rite Strip", the students' nickname for downtown West Milford, once a factory town, now a Magnet for middle-class vacationers. Cosgrove looks uncommonly glum as he thumbs through a stack of exams in the teachers' lounge. "I can't belive anyone in my class could think John Brown was the governor of Massachusetts, "moans Cosgrove, 28, pointing to one student's test paper. He had to be sleeping for days on end. The same morning, students in his college bound class could name only one U. S. Supreme Court justice—Clarence Thomas. All his wit, energy and beyond-the-textbook research can't completely reverse the students' poor preparation in history, their lack of general knowledge, their numbness to the outside world. It's the bane of history teachers at every level. When University of Vermont professor James Loewen asked his senior social-science majors who fought in the Vietnam War, 22 percent answered North and South Korea. Don't these kids even go to the movies?

单选题Questions 1--4 Choose the best answer.

单选题 {{B}} Questions 14 to 16 are based on a news report about carbon footprint. You now have 15 seconds to read Questions 14 to 16.{{/B}}

单选题Over the past decade, thousands of patents have been granted for what are called business methods. Amazon. com received one for its "one-click" online payment system. Merrill Lynch got legal protection for an asset allocation strategy. One inventor patented a technique for lifting a box. Now the nation's top patent court appears completely ready to scale back on business-method patents, which have been controversial ever since they were first authorized 10 years ago. In a move that has intellectual-property lawyers abuzz, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said it would use a particular case to conduct a broad review of business-method patents. In re Bilski, as the case is known, is "a very big deal", says Dennis D. Crouch of the University of Missouri School of Law. It "has the potential to eliminate an entire class of patents". Curbs on business-method claims would be a dramatic about-face, because it was the Federal Circuit itself that introduced such patents with its 1998 decision in the so-called State Street Bank case, approving a patent on a way of pooling mutual-fund assets. That ruling produced an explosion in business-method patent filings, initially by emerging Internet companies trying to stake out exclusive rights to specific types of online transactions. Later, more established companies raced to add such patents to their files, if only as a defensive move against rivals that might beat them to the punch. In 2005, IBM noted in a court filing that it had been issued more than 300 business-method patents, despite the fact that it questioned the legal basis for granting them. Similarly, some Wall Street investment firms armed themselves with patents for financial products, even as they took positions in court cases opposing the practice. The Bilski case involves a claimed patent on a method for hedging risk in the energy market. The Federal Circuit issued an unusual order stating that the case would he heard by all 12 of the court's judges, rather than a typical panel of three, and that one issue it wants to evaluate is whether it should "reconsider" its State Street Bank ruling. The Federal Circuit's action comes in the wake of a series of recent decisions by the Supreme Court that has narrowed the scope of protections for patent holders. Last April, for example, the justices signaled that too many patents were being upheld for "inventions" that are obvious. The judges on the Federal Circuit are "reacting to the anti-patent trend at the Supreme Court", says Harold C. Wegner, a patent attorney and professor at George Washington University Law School.

单选题Wheredidclassicalmusicoriginate?A．InAsia.B．InAfrica.C．InEurope.D．InAustralia.

单选题 {{I}}Questions 11 - 13 are basic on the following talk. You now have 15 seconds to read Questions 11 - 13.{{/I}}

单选题Which of the following can produce the strongest shock?

单选题The U.S. government is divided into [A] the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial. [B] the Senate, the President and Cabinet. [C] the Senate, the Cabinet and the Executive. [D] the Legislative, the Cabinet and The Judicial.

单选题Questions 4～6 are based on the following passage, listen and choose the best answer.

单选题Male lions are rather reticent about expending their energy in hunting—more than three quarters of kills are made by lionesses. Setting off at dusk on a hunt, the lionesses are in front, tensely scanning ahead, the cubs lag playfully behind, and the males bring up the rear, walking slowly, their heads nodding with each step as if they are bored with the whole matter. But slothfulness may have survival value. With lionesses busy hunting, the males function as guards for the cubs, protecting them particularly from hyenas. Hunting lionesses have learnt to take advantage of their environment. Darkness provides them with cover, and at dusk they often wait near animals they want to kill until their outlines blend into the surroundings. Small prey, such as gazelle, present lions with no problem. They are simply grabbed with the paws, or slapped down and finished off with a bite in the neck. A different technique is used with large animals, such as wild beast. Usually a lioness pulls her prey down after running up behind it, and then seizes it by the throat, strangling it. Or she may place her mouth over the muzzle of a downed animal, and suffocate it. Lions practice remarkably sophisticated cooperative hunting techniques. Sighting prey, lionesses usually fan out and stalk closer until one is within striking distance. The startled herd may scatter or blot to one side right into a hidden lioness. Sometimes lionesses surround their quarry. While perhaps three crouch and wait, a fourth may backtrack and then circle far around and approach from the opposite side, a technique not unknown in human warfare. No obvious signals pass between the lions, other than that they watch one another. A tactic may also be adapted to a particular situation. One pride of lions often pursued prey at the end of narrow strip of land between two streams. Several lionesses would sit and wait until gazelle wandered into this natural dead-end. Then they would spread out and advance quite in the open, having learnt that the gazelle would not try to escape by running into the bush beside the river, but would run back the way they had come. A lioness has no trouble pulling down an animal of twice her weight. But a buffalo, which may scale a ton, presents problems. One lioness and a young bull battled for an hour and a half, the buffalo whirling around to face the cat with lowered horns whenever she came close. Finally she gave up and allowed him to walk away. But on another occasion, five males came across an old bull. He stood in a swamp, belly-deep in mud and water, safely facing his tormentors on the shore. Suddenly, inexplicably, he plodded towards them, it seemed intent on committing suicide. One lion grabbed his rump, another placed his paws on the bull's back and bit into the flesh. Slowly, without trying to defend himself, the buffalo sank to his knees and, with one lion holding his throat and another his muzzle, died of suffocation.

单选题{{B}}Text 1{{/B}} It can be shown in facts and figures that cycling is the cheapest, most convenient, and most environmentally desirable form of transport in towns, but such cold calculations do not mean much on a frosty winter morning. The real appeal of cycling is that it is so enjoyable. It has none of the difficulties and tensions of other ways of traveling so you are more cheerful after a ride, even through the rush hour. The first thing a non-cyclist says to you is' "But isn't it terribly dangerous?" It would be foolish to deny the danger of sharing the road with motor vehicles and it must be admitted that there is an alarming number of accidents involving cyclists. However, although police records indicate that the car driver is often to blame, the answer lies with the cyclist. It is possible to ride in such a way as to reduce risks to a minimum. If you decide to join the thousands in Britain who are now returning to cycling as a cheap, satisfying form of transport your first problem will be trying to decide what bike to buy. Here are three simple rules for buying a bike: 1. Always buy the best you can afford. Of course there has to be a meeting point between what you would really like and economic reality, but aim as high as you can and you will get the benefit not only when you ride but also if you want to sell. Well-made bikes keep their value very well. And don't forget to include in your calculations the fact that you'll begin saving money on fares and petrol the minute you leave the shop. 2. Get the best frame, the main structure of the bicycle, for your money as you can. Cheap brakes, wheels or gears can easily be replaced by more expensive ones, but the frame sets the upper limit on any transformation. You should allow for the possibility that your cycling ambitions will grow with practice. When you begin, the four miles to work may be the most you ever dream of, but after a few months a Sunday ride into the country begins to look more and more desirable. The best thing is to buy a bike just a little bit better than you think you'll need, and then grow into it. Otherwise, try to get a model that can be improved. 3. The fit is vital. Handlebars and seat height can be adjusted but you must get the right sized frame. On the whole it is best to get the largest size you can manage. Frame sizes are measured in inches and the usual adult range is from 21 inches to 25 inches, though extreme sizes outside those measurements can be found. Some people say if you take four inches off from your inside leg measurement you will end up with the right size of bike. The basic principle thought is that you should be able to stand with legs at either side of the crossbar (the bar that goes from the handlebars to the seat) with both feet comfortably flat on the ground.

单选题________ you are free， why not go skating with us？

单选题Audi A3 Most of our drivers said the A3 was their definite favorite in this group. They described it as refined and comfortable with good handing characteristics and light, precise steering. All the seats were comfortable and the front ones were easy to adjust. Most drivers liked the driving position, helped by a good range of steering wheel and seat height adjustments. The main instruments were clear and dashboard controls were well positioned. Mirror coverage was excellent but our drivers complained that the view out of the rear was badly hindered by the high rear window line and thick pillars. Getting into the back seats was easy, thanks to a clever seat mechanism, which moves the seat up and forward as well as tilting the backrest. Rear legroom was reasonable but the rear seat was only barely wide enough for three adults. Luggage space was average for this class of car but you have to remove the rear head restraints to fold the rear seat. There were plenty of useful interior storage spaces. All A3s come with an alarm and immobilizer as standard. Our "thief" got in through the doors in 20 seconds. But the radio was a non-standard fit, which is probably to deter thieves. The hinges of the rear seats could release in an accident, allowing luggage to crash through into the passenger compartment. Also, the driver''s knees could be damaged by stiff structures under the dash. Some parts of the fuel system and electrics would be vulnerable to damage in a frontal collision. Honda Civic Honda says its special VTEC engine has a winning combination of economy and performance, but our drivers found it a bit of a curate''s egg. It was the most economical of the car on test, but drivers found it sluggish at low revs, and its acceleration in the fifth gear was slow, so overtaking normally meant having to shift down to the fourth gear. The driving position was acceptable, but our panel criticized the restricted rear visibility — the rear window was quite small. Drivers found the back rest supportive but it was not available to make fine adjustments to the angle. The ride comfort was acceptable, but it wasn''t as good as the Audi''s or Rover''s. The driver''s seat didn''t slide forward when it was tilted, making rear access awkwardly from this side. In the back, headroom and legroom was excellent but testers didn''t find the seats particularly comfortable. The luggage space was small for this class of car, especially with the rear seats in place. However, folding the rear seat to increase luggage space was easy. Other points proved by our panel included well-placed minor controls, good mirror coverage, but fiddly radio controls. All Civics come with an immobilizer but no alarm. You may want to consider paying extra for an alarm, as our "thief" broke into through the doors in 13 seconds, and into the engine bay in just five seconds. There were stiff structures under the dash which could damage the driver''s knees in an accident, though there was no problem on the passenger''s side. The handbook (like the Audi''s) provided suggestion on using child restraints. Rover 216 The 1.6-litre engine had good power delivery at both high and low revs but some drivers complained that it was noisy at high revs. The brakes didn''t have very good progression, but drivers like their positive feel. Ride comfort and the handling were recommended. But drivers found it difficult to achieve a comfortable driving position. The driver''s seat was not height-adjustable, and there was only limited space to rest your clutch foot. Some testers also found the seat backrest uncomfortable. Visibility was married by the small mirrors. The rear view was also restricted by thick pillars and the small rear window. Getting into the back was tricky because the front seats did not slide forward when tilted. Once in the back, legroom and headroom were poor, and testers complained that their rear seat base was unsupportive. Luggage space was smaller than average for this class of car — this was compounded by a high boot sill and difficulties in folding the rear seat. But there were large pockets in the doors and rear side panels. The main radio controls were more convenient; they were mounted on the steering wheel so drivers didn''t have to take their hands off the wheel to use them. Our Rover 200s came with an alarm, though this isn''t standard on all versions. Our " thief" broke in through the doors in 15 seconds. Some of the electrics would be vulnerable in a frontal impact. The rear seat hinges could release in an accident, allowing luggage to crash through into the passenger compartment. Also, information in the handbook on using child restrains was not adequate.

单选题 {{I}}Questions 17～20 are based on the following talk. You now have 20 seconds to read Questions 17～20.{{/I}}

单选题 Text 3 In the past two years I've phoned, e-mailed and dined with three potential "ideal husbands". (This is according to the aunts or cousins who talk up the suitors to my parents. Marriage brokering is a favorite pastime for my extended family.) The investment banker was my first blind date. The timing couldn't have been worse. He'd made his mark and was searching for a full-fledged adult companion, not a recent journalism-school graduate who spent most of lunch whining about being unemployed. After that came drinks with the San Francisco-based attorney. He rattled on about himself for an hour and then we said polite goodbyes. It was a superficial meeting, as initial conversations usually are. Two days later he sent me a long-wided e-mail explaining that he wasn't ready for a serious commitment which was a share. because I'd already mailed the invitations, set up the bridal registry and commissioned the cake. Finally, there was the multimedia artist raised in London. We had been e-mailing each other for a few months and, for the most part, it was a pleasant exchange. When we met in person, he complimented my apartment, but said he would like it better if I weren't in it (I think he was joking). He made me see "Deep Impact". Enough said. Obviously, none of these gentlemen wound up being "the one". And compared with the agony that can follow a breakup after just a few months of dating, I came out relatively unscathed. However, just because there wasn't an emotional investment, the rejection didn't smart any less. In my most dire moments I consider surrendering my marital future to the scientists at the University of Hawaii who successfully cloned a couple of mice. If I could take elements of my three suitors and fuse them together, maybe I would have the perfect man. I could just relax while genetic engineering caught up with my needs. Of course, I don't see the anxious aunts and cousins waiting it out with me. In fact, my father seems keen on sending me on an extended holiday to India. I can just picture myself rolling out of Calcutta customs, bleary-eyed and jet-lagged, to be greeted by a line of eligible young men holding up little cards with their respective heights printed on them, well-intentioned mothers hovering close at hand.

单选题Which of the following is not true？

单选题 Questions 11～13 are based on the following talk about business management. You now have 15 seconds to read Questions 11～13.