I despised the dumpy kid for curling up and letting us beat on him. He didn't know it, but
the less he fought the worse he made it on himself and the harder he made it on me. I hated feeling
the guilt for something we hadn't even done yet.
We'd found the kid walking alone a few blocks from 86th Street, our turf. He was walking
with a fudgesicle in one hand and a bottle of Coca-Cola in the other. He didn't have a care in the
world as he waddled down the street. For him, summer vacations meant time away from the
teasing and cruelty of high school. Being a tubby kid with pimples would be tough amongst the
sharks that stalk the halls everyday. When I had that realization, I felt sorry for the little creep and
what we were about to do to him.
I don't think the rest of the guys felt the way I did. They looked forward to moments like
this. Miles Morgan, Ronnie Dougan, Terrance "Terry" Smalls and Jay O'Neal were my friends, my
family, my brothers. Together we were the 86th Street Choppers. All of us were eighteen except
Ronnie who was nineteen and the meanest son-of-a-gun in the bunch.
We stopped the pudgy kid in the middle of the sidewalk and surrounded him. He wore a
dirty white t-shirt and high-water jeans. Everything about him practically begged for this moment.
The kid stopped eating his fudgesicle and muttered, "What's up, fellas?"
Miles grinned and shook his head while clicking his tongue against his teeth. Miles was a
thick guy, not fat, just naturally big. He weighed in around two hundred pounds and none of it was
soft. Miles scratched his chin and said, "I'm thirsty."
The kid stared at the Coca-Cola in his hand, thoughts racing through his mind. The
fudgesicle dripped down onto his other hand.
Jay O'Neal snatched the bottle of soda away from the kid and handed it to Miles. Jay was
Miles' shadow and a scrapper in the best Irish tradition. He hated his red hair so much that he
always had on a Yankees baseball hat to cover the flat top he sported.
Miles studied the bottle and growled at the kid whose eyes were now wide in fear. "Coke? I
hate Coke."
1、What from the following list would be the best title for this passage?
The Summer
The Dumpy Boy
Jay O'neal's Red Hair
A Tale of the 86th Street Choppers
How to Beat Up a Sissy
2、Which of the following feelings does the narrator hint at that he feels, but he doesn’t
believe his gang-member friends feel?
Courage
Hatred
Joy
Honor
Guilt
Mr. Herriot was sitting in his office, one day, when a lad entered, and handed him a small
slip of paper. It was a bill for five dollars, due to his shoemaker, a poor man who lived in the next
square.
"Tell Mr. Grant that I will settle this soon. It isn't just convenient today."
The boy retired.
Now, Mr. Herriot had a five-dollar bill in his pocket; but, he felt as if he couldn't part with it.
He didn't like to be entirely out of money. So, acting from this impulse, he had sent the boy away.
Very still sat Mr. Herriot for the next five minutes; yet his thoughts were busy. He was not
altogether satisfied with himself. The shoemaker was a poor man, and needed his money as soon
as earned--he was not unadvised of this fact.
"I wish I had sent him the five dollars," said Mr. Herriot, at length, half-audibly. "He wants
it worse than I do."
He mused still further.
"The fact is," he at length exclaimed, starting up, "it is Grant's money, and not mine; and
what is more, he shall have it."
So saying, Herriot took up his hat and left his office.
"Did you get the money, Charles," said Grant, as his boy entered the shop. There was a good
deal of earnestness in the shoemaker's tones.
"No, sir," replied the lad.
"Didn't get the money!"
"No, sir."
"Wasn't Mr. Herriot in?"
"Yes, sir; but he said it wasn't convenient to-day."
"Oh, dear! I'm sorry!" came from the shoemaker, in a depressed voice.
A woman was sitting in Grant's shop when the boy came in; she had now risen, and was
leaning on the counter; a look of disappointment was in her face.
"It can't be helped, Mrs. Lee," said Grant. "I was sure of getting the money from him. He
never disappointed me before. Call in to-morrow, and I will try and have it for you."
The woman looked troubled as well as disappointed. Slowly she turned away and left the
shop. A few minutes after her departure, Herriot came in, and, after some words of apology, paid
the bill.
"Run and get this note changed into silver for me," said the shoemaker to his boy, the
moment his customer had departed.
"Now," said he, so soon as the silver was placed in his hands, "take two dollars to Mrs. Lee,
and three to Mr. Weaver across the street. Tell Mr. Weaver that I am obliged to him for having
loaned me the money this morning, and sorry that I hadn't as much in the house when he sent for it
an hour ago."
"I wish I had it, Mrs. Elder. But, I assure you that I have not," said Mr. Weaver, the tailor. "I
paid out the last dollar just before you came in. But call in to-morrow, and you shall have the
money to a certainty."
"But what I am to do to-day? I haven't a cent to bless myself with; and I owe so much at the
grocer's, where I deal, that he won't trust me for any thing more."
The tailor looked troubled, and the woman lingered. Just at this moment the shoemaker's boy
entered.
"Here are the three dollars Mr. Grant borrowed of you this morning," said the lad. "He says
he's sorry he hadn't the money when you sent for it awhile ago."
How the faces of the tailor and his needlewoman brightened instantly, as if a gleam of
sunshine had penetrated the room.
"Here is just the money I owe you," said the former, in a cheerful voice, and he handed the
woman the three dollars he had received. A moment after and he was alone, but with the glad face
of the poor woman, whose need he had been able to supply, distinct before him.
Of the three dollars received by the needlewoman two went to the grocer, on account of her
debt to him, half a dollar was paid to an old and needy colored woman who had earned it by
scrubbing, and who was waiting for Mrs. Weaver's return from the tailor's to get her due, and thus
be able to provide an evening's and a morning's meal for herself and children. The other
half-dollar was paid to the baker when he called towards evening to leave the accustomed loaf.
Thus the poor needlewoman had been able to discharge four debts, and, at the same time
re-establish her credit with the grocer and baker, from whom came the largest portion of the food
consumed in her little family.
3、The debts described in the story involved all but who of the following choices?
Mr. Herriot
Mrs. Graham
Mr. Grant
Mrs. Lee
Mr. Weaver
4、Which of the following is not mentioned as a profession of one of the characters
in this passage?
Needlewoman
Tailor
Sheriff
Weaver
Shoemaker
5、How many people are paid what is owed them in this passage?
Two
Four
Six
Seven
Nine
6、Choose the best title for this passage from the following list.
The Debt of the Needlewoman
Payng the Grocer
Mr Herriot and Charles
What Five Dollars Paid
How Mr. Weaver Paid His Needlewoman
7、This story could best be described as which of the following?
Comedy
Drama
Fable
Fantasy
Adventure
Nan was polishing the tumblers at the pantry window, outside of which John Osborne was
leaning among the vines. His arms were folded on the sill and his straw hat was pushed back from
his flushed, eager face as he watched Nan's deft movements.
Beyond them, old Abe Stewart was mowing the grass in the orchard with a scythe and
casting uneasy glances at the pair. Old Abe did not approve of John Osborne as a suitor for Nan.
John was poor; and old Abe, although he was the wealthiest farmer in Granville, was bent on
Nan's making a good match. He looked upon John Osborne as a mere fortune-hunter, and it was a
thorn in the flesh to see him talking to Nan while he, old Abe, was too far away to hear what they
were saying. He had a good deal of confidence in Nan, she was a sensible, level-headed girl. Still,
there was no knowing what freak even a sensible girl might take into her head, and Nan was so
determined when she did make up her mind. She was his own daughter in that.
However, old Abe need not have worried himself. It could not be said that Nan was helping
John Osborne on in his wooing at all. Instead, she was teasing and snubbing him by turns.
Nan was very pretty. Moreover, Nan was well aware of the fact. She knew that the way her dark
hair curled around her ears and forehead was bewitching; that her complexion was the envy of
every girl in Granville; that her long lashes had a trick of drooping over very soft, dark eyes in a
fashion calculated to turn masculine heads hopelessly. John Osborne knew all this too, to his cost.
He had called to ask Nan to go with him to the Lone Lake picnic the next day. At this request Nan
dropped her eyes and murmured that she was sorry, but he was too late--she had promised to go
with somebody else. There was no need of Nan's making such a mystery about it. The somebody
else was her only cousin, Ned Bennett, who had had a quarrel with his own girl; the latter lived at
Lone Lake, and Ned had coaxed Nan to go over with him and try her hand at patching matters up
between him and his offended lady-love. And Nan, who was an amiable creature and
tender-hearted where anybody's lover except her own was concerned, had agreed to go.
8、Why was Old Abe casting uneasy glances at Nan and John Osborne?
Because he did not approve of John as a suitor
Because he wanted Nan to finish her chores
Because John was supposed to be working
Because Old Abe didn't like his work
Because John should have been helping Nan
9、Which of the following was not one of Nan’s features that the author mentions that
made her beautiful?
Her dark hair
Her figure
Her complexion
Her long eyelashes
Her dark, soft eyes
10、Where was the picnic going to be held the following day?
AT Snyder Beach
On Beaver Creek
At Lone Lake
At Morris's Tavern
At cousin Ned's
11、What word comes closest in meaning to the word "bewitching"?
Annoying
Unscrupulous
Enchanting
Insufferable
Devastating
"Tell me a story," said the Baroness, staring out despairingly at the rain; it was that light,
apologetic sort of rain that looks as if it was going to leave off every minute and goes on for the
greater part of the afternoon.
"What sort of story?" asked Clovis, giving his croquet mallet a valedictory shove into
retirement.
"One just true enough to be interesting and not true enough to be tiresome," said the
Baroness.
Clovis rearranged several cushions to his personal solace and satisfaction; he knew that the
Baroness liked her guests to be comfortable, and he thought it right to respect her wishes in that
particular.
"Have I ever told you the story of St. Vespaluus?" he asked.
"You've told me stories about grand-dukes and lion-tamers and financiers' widows and a
postmaster in Herzegovina," said the Baroness, "and about an Italian jockey and an amateur
governess who went to Warsaw, and several about your mother, but certainly never anything about
a saint."
"This story happened a long while ago," he said, "in those uncomfortable piebald times
when a third of the people were Pagan, and a third Christian, and the biggest third of all just
followed whichever religion the Court happened to profess. There was a certain king called
Hkrikros, who had a fearful temper and no immediate successor in his own family; his married
sister, however, had provided him with a large stock of nephews from which to select his heir. And
the most eligible and royally-approved of all these nephews was the sixteen-year-old Vespaluus.
He was the best looking, and the best horseman and javelin-thrower, and had that priceless
princely gift of being able to walk past a supplicant with an air of not having seen him, but would
certainly have given something if he had. My mother has that gift to a certain extent; she can go
smilingly and financially unscathed through a charity bazaar, and meet the organizers next day
with a solicitous 'had I but known you were in need of funds' air that is really rather a triumph in
audacity. Now Hkrikros was a Pagan of the first water, and kept the worship of the sacred serpents,
who lived in a hallowed grove on a hill near the royal palace, up to a high pitch of enthusiasm.
The common people were allowed to please themselves, within certain discreet limits, in the
matter of private religion, but any official in the service of the Court who went over to the new
cult was looked down on, literally as well as metaphorically, the looking down being done from
the gallery that ran round the royal bear-pit. Consequently there was considerable scandal and
consternation when the youthful Vespaluus appeared one day at a Court function with a rosary
tucked into his belt, and announced in reply to angry questionings that he had decided to adopt
Christianity, or at any rate to give it a trial. If it had been any of the other nephews the king would
possibly have ordered something drastic in the way of scourging and banishment, but in the case
of the favoured Vespaluus he determined to look on the whole thing much as a modern father
might regard the announced intention of his son to adopt the stage as a profession. He sent
accordingly for the Royal Librarian. The royal library in those days was not a very extensive affair,
and the keeper of the king's books had a great deal of leisure on his hands. Consequently he was in
frequent demand for the settlement of other people's affairs when these strayed beyond normal
limits and got temporarily unmanageable.
12、What word, from the following selection, can replace the word “piebald” in the
phrase “…in those piebald times…” and maintain the meaning of the phrase?
Mottled
Dark
Crazy
Joyous
Interminable
13、Which of the following is NOT on the list of stories that Clovis has already told
the Baroness?
Grand dukes
Lion tamers
Financiers' widows
Postmaster in Herzegovina
Horse trainer in Moldavia
14、Who settled disputes when things strayed beyond normal limits?
Valpuus
Royal Librarian
King Henry
King Hkrikros
Royal Judge
15、What of the following was the religion of King Hkrikros?
Pagan of the Air
Pagan of the Druid
Pagan of the Water
Pagan of the Earth
Pagan of the Wind
16、What were the characters engaged in at the beginning of the story?
Golf
Canasta
Baseball
Croquet
Scrabble
If you want to get gigs, then you are going to have to do some schmoozing with club owners,
bar owners and people of that nature. This means you are going to have to appear as professional
and convincing as possible. You are going to have to come prepared with all the gear you need to
successfully market yourself so you can book gigs and get paid. First impressions are the most
important thing in this biz. If you want to book gigs then you need to bring the following things
with you to a meeting: a resume, a demo, a business card (with a link to your site), a poster or
flyer, price and a confidant attitude. And most importantly, dress for success. You don't have to
wear a tux, just look presentable. You might even want to bring your instruments in case they want
a short live audition, you never know.
Hopefully you will get the gig and it will end right there but you may not get hired right
away. If this is you then you need to have a little persistence. Stop in every week or so and see if
they have anything for you. Ask them if anyone has canceled and if there is a spot that needs to be
filled. But beware, there is a fine line between persistence and stalking so be careful you are not
doing the latter. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. There are other places to play
besides bars and clubs. Get creative! What about coffee shops, music stores, high school dances,
book stores, restaurants, parks, festivals, fairs, or private parties? The same rules apply when
meeting with the people that are related to these events and places. If you can't find gigs at these
places, ask them to refer you to someplace you can book gigs. If you present yourself
professionally then they will respect you, even if they don't have a spot for you. One thing you can
try to do is convince the owners or whoever you are meeting with that you can draw a crowd.
Don't promise this if you can't make it happen. And if you promise this, then you need to make it
happen. I am sure you have friends, family, acquaintances and co-workers that you can convince
to come see you. It is even better if you have a solid group of fans going that will show up as well.
All of these tips will help you get gigs. Market yourself because no one else is going to do it.
Remember, you can be your best asset or your worst enemy. Don't go to a meeting unprepared and
don't stalk the people you have meeting with. If you want to get gigs then presenting yourself as a
professional, top quality musician the eventually people will be knocking at your door for a
change.
17、Which of the following is not listed as something to bring with you to get a ‘gig’?
Resume
Business card
Flyer
Agent
Demo
18、What title would be the most effective one for this article?
Gigs In The Park
Dressing for Gigs
Playing for Bars and Clubs
Schmoozing for Gigs
Effectiveness of Flyers for Gigs
19、What title would be the most effective one for this article?
Gigs in the Park
Dressing for Gigs
Playing for Bars and Clubs
Schmoozing for Gigs
Effectiveness of Flyers For Gigs
20、What words could replace the words “persistence” and “stalking” in the 10th
sentence?
Perseverance / preying
Permanence / following
Resignation / catching
Enthusiasm / runnning
Anxiety / attention
21、In a book store, which section would this article most likely appear under?
Language
Non-fiction
Music
Education
Business
22、Which of the following is a more formal word for "gig"?
Occupation
Career
Engagement
Fish
Education
I get there almost two hours early, but it doesn't matter. I know I'll be welcome. I ring the
bell and already I can hear Susan's delighted cry from the kitchen as I lower my finger - 'It must be
Simon' - and see her form divided into a dozen concave images by the shell-pattern of the
front-door glass, each miniature Susan stretching her arms out towards me. She opens the door
and I'm drawn in and hugged, my rucksack slumped over on the step. She is wearing a pullover
and a long cotton skirt. I feel her stomach and the prickle of the rough wool through my shirt. She
smells of cumin and fennel seed; she must be cooking for this evening. Stepping back to look at
me, she lets me go and smiles, looping her hair behind her ears, then reaches to pick up the
rucksack. I follow her into the broad, uncluttered hall.
I love this house. The walls are white, but there's something about the height and placing of
the windows that makes them seem amber, as though the hall were plugged straight into some
source of warm, entirely natural light. Susan's eyes are hazel as she turns to beam at me again and
the scent of cumin on her clothes is slowly overlaid by cinnamon as we walk to the kitchen. I try
to take my rucksack from her, protesting, and we tussle playfully until I give in, with a gesture of
mock courtesy. Her fingers brush against mine, their dry floury warmth like that of a husk.
'Joey's gone to do some shopping,' she says as I sit down at the table. She opens the oven
and takes out a tray of biscuits, testing one with her finger to make sure they're done.
'They're for this evening really,' she says with a doubtful tone, almost of reproach. 'We've
asked some people round.' She shifts the biscuits onto a rack to cool, then breaks one into two
with a little sigh and offers me half. It crumbles as I eat. 'You'll like them,' she says, and I wonder
for a moment what she means.
'Who's in the house now?' I say, wanting to know who she'd called to when I rang the bell. It
must be someone who knows my name, I think, and I am curious, even shy. I expected Joey to be
here. Susan smiles, licking a finger to dab up crumbs from her skirt, then reaches down beneath
the table. She makes a crooning noise until a cat I have never seen moves warily in her direction.
23、Which passage does the author use to inform the reader of the narrator’s name?
I can hear Susan's delighted cry from the kitchen as I lower my finger - 'It must be
Simon.'
She opens the door and I'm drawn in and hugged
Stepping back to look at me, she lets me go and smiles
'Joey's gone to do some shopping,' she says
I expected Joey to be here.
When we think about it, music is not just a pleasant pastime that is either passively listened to
or actively produced. It has a much deeper, more fundamental purpose. Our reactions to outside
events can be completely altered by music. It can make us happy, sad, frightened, elated,
thoughtful . . . the list of emotions it engenders are as long as their number. And words are not
necessary to create this ambience. For instance, how would silent movies have worked without the
music? Those Keystone Cops without the frenetic piano plinkity plonk, the doe-eyed heroines
without the sobbing strings, the huge sweeping epics without full orchestral back up? They just
wouldn't have worked. Nowadays, with the proliferation of world music, we listen to and enjoy
music in many different languages, without necessarily understanding a word the singers say,
much as opera was once listened to as the fashionable 'world' music of its day - just another
example of the emotive power of music.
24、In line 22, the phrase “with the proliferation of world music” might be better
stated as
“with easier access to world music”
“with the mushrooming of world music”
“with the escalation of world music”
“with the decrease in world music”
“with the increase in world music”
25、 The speaker's language emphasizes which of the following characteristics about
music?
its power to evoke feelings
its power to stimulate the intellect
its brilliance
its usefulness
its ability to transcend language barriers
Different breeds of cats have different personalities. Some cats are quiet while others like to
meow all the time. Can you tolerate a cat that meows almost every hour? Some cats are fussy
and choosy about the food you give them while others will eat just about anything. Can you
afford the kind of food that your cat prefers? Some cats don't mind being surrounded and petted by
strange people while others will wield their claws if they face a person they haven't met before.
Does your house accept many strangers or are you alone most of the time? And some cats love
to climb and curl on the lap of their masters. But others prefer to be left alone, watching TV or
listening to the radio. Are you a cat owner who likes to cuddle all the time?
You will know when your cat is trying to get your attention. It will endlessly meow at you or
it will follow you around or it will rub its body against your leg. You will also know if your cat is
comfortable or scared by lifting up your cat. If the body is loose, then your cat is relaxed. If the
body is tight, then something is scaring the daylights out of it.
26、The word “wield” in line 13 most closely means
brandish
exercise
throw
constrain
maneuver
27、In this passage, the author suggests that
cats are not social creatures
cats are expensive to maintain
cats are annoying and noisy
cats can bond with only one person
cats are driven by their personalities
28、The author suggests which of the following?
all animal behaviors can be modified
one should not own an excitable animal
an animal’s temperament should be respected
all pets should go through some type of obedience training
pets should not be allowed around strangers
Are narcissists addicted to being famous? You bet. This, by far, is their predominant drive. Being
famous encompasses a few important functions: it endows the narcissist with power, provides him
with a constant source of narcissistic supply (admiration, adoration, approval, awe), and fulfils
important ego functions.
The image that the narcissist projects is hurled back at him, reflected by those exposed to his
celebrity or fame. This way he feels alive, his very existence is affirmed and he acquires a
sensation of clear boundaries (where the narcissist ends and the world begins).
29、Which of the following best expresses what is described in the passage?
A symbiotic relationship between fame and narcissism
The meaning of narcissism
The need for power that narcissists possess
The public’s fascination with celebrities
What it takes to create a celebrity
Harry rose to his feet and shook St. Clair and Langdon.
"Up, boys!" he said. "The enemy will soon be here. I can see their bayonets glittering on the
hills."
The Invincibles sprang to their feet almost as one man, and soon all the troops of Evans were
up and humming like bees. Food and coffee were served to them hastily, but, before the last cup
was thrown down, a heavy crash came from
one of the hills beyond Bull Run, and a shell, screaming over their heads, burst beyond them. It
was quickly followed by another, and then the round shot and shells came in dozens from batteries
which had been posted well in the night.
The Southern batteries replied with all their might and the riflemen supported them, sending
the bullets in sheets across Bull Run. The battle flamed in fifteen minutes into extraordinary
violence. Harry had never before heard such a continuous and terrific thunder. It seemed that the
drums of his ears would be smashed in, but over his head he heard the continuous hissing and
whirring of steel and lead. The Northern riflemen were at work, too, and it was fortunate for the
Invincibles that they were able to lie down, as they poured their fire into the bushes and woods on
the opposite bank.
30、The author uses the line “Harry had never before heard such a continuous and terrific
thunder” to make the point that
thunderstorms rarely occurred back then
Harry had never been in battle before
Harry had never heard gunfire before
battles are noisy
a lightning storm was impending
31、“Batteries” in line 18 most closely means
intentional physical attacks on a person
devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy
a group of heavy guns with their equipment
places where heavy guns are mounted
a long line of small tiered cages
Lifelong learners live by the motto "you're never too old to learn" and this attitude is the
reason that people who approach life with this mindset are seen to not only live longer but also
enjoy a better quality of life. This can be attributed to the law of nature known as the "use it or
lose it" law. As we age, it can be observed that those who are considerably inactive develop
mobility problems as they age, whereas those who are quite active do not develop these mobility
problems. A similar effect takes place with anyone who takes no part in any mentally challenging
activity or pursuit. After years of mental inactivity, you lose the mental abilities and clarity that
you once had and when old age approaches, the effects of not giving your brain the stimulation
required to grow becomes more evident.
32、The author of this passage would most likely agree with which of the following
statements?
As you age, continued physical activity will maintain your mental abilities.
Mental activity is more important than physical activity in maintaining quality of life.
Mental and physical activity are both crucial to quality of life and lifespan.
Once you reach a certain age, the effects of mental activity are diminished.
Whereas mental activity can help you enjoy a better quality of life as you age, it cannot
prolong your life.
There are a number of reasons why the life expectancy of people varies. Some of these reasons
are genetic whereas others are environmental. Tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol
consumption can threaten health, as can living in poor conditions. Stress can also be a factor in
aging. For instance, the psychological effects of redundancy may cause a person to age more
quickly than while the person remained in his or her employment.
Genetically, a person who comes from a family where most have lived to old age is also likely
to enjoy longevity. This genetic heritage can also determine the aspects of good health such as a
healthy heart, healthy brain, good circulation and good eyesight and hearing.
Even people who do not come from a heritage of longevity can live to old age if they look
after themselves and avoid the risk factors that cause poor physical and mental health, thus
accelerating the aging process. Following a healthy diet, regular exercise, drinking in moderation,
cutting out smoking, and following safe practices can all help to increase potential life span.
33、Which of the following best expresses what is described in the passage?
how genetics play a greater role in life expectancy than environmental factors
how smoking plays the greatest role in decreasing life expectancy
how the psychology of aging impacts life expectancy
the effects of retirement on the life expectancy of an individual
the factors contributing to the life expectancy of a human being
34、The author uses the term “redundancy” in line 11 to mean
overabundance
superfluous repetition
the condition of being no longer needed in a company
the inclusion of more information than is necessary for communication
the provision of duplicate systems
35、The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
Excessive drinking and smoking can be offset by regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Genetic factors are controllable, whereas environmental factors are not.
Good physical health is more important to longevity than good mental health.
Regardless of genetic factors, you can, to some extent, control your life expectancy.
Retirement greatly enhances quality of life for most people.
Olmec religion featured mainly worship of the Jaguar and Werejaguars (children with Jaguar
features), though snake worship was popular too. They believed that the Jaguar was very closely
associated with a person's spirit and that should the Jaguar die, the person would also die. To
maintain their position in society, the Olmec ruling elite needed to make the people believe either
that they were gods or that they were associated with the gods. Gods of fire, water, Earth & sun
were the popular deities.
Their religion, symbolic language, and architectural systems seemed strong & popular enough
to have lasted through to the Zapotecs, Teotihuacans and Mayan peoples, until everything changed
with the Spanish conquests of Hernandez Cortez and Spanish influence. The Catholic Church was
especially instrumental in destroying the old gods and bringing a new One that eventually spread
throughout the whole of South America. Some might argue that Catholicism brought about
changes for good and others point to the great poverty of the majority of predominantly Catholic
South America.
36、The passage suggests that
an individual’s spirit was closely linked to the god of fire
Spanish exploration brought prosperity to the Olmec civilization and all of South
America
the contributions of the Olmecs to civilization were swept away before they could have
any effect on subsequent cultures
the Olmec civilization had died out before the Spaniards arrived
the Olmecs did not use any form of writing
37、The author suggests that which of the following deities was the most important to
the Olmecs
Earth
fire
the Jaguar
the snake
the sun
38、The passage indicates that the Olmecs were all of the following except
creative
democratic
literate
nature worshiping
polytheistic
In time of famine, their law code permitted fathers to sell their sons aged seven or above into
slavery. Infanticide was not a crime. Communities of 40 or 50 starving emaciated people would
join hands at the edge of a cliff and jump. Some chronicles report that "men ate each other." They
would comb the forests for beechnuts overlooked by the wild pigs and would grind acorns, beans,
peas and tree bark into a flour to bake as bread. Hedgerows were scoured for paltry herbs, roots,
nettles and grasses. "What makes bitter things sweet?" asked a Yorkshire schoolmaster. "Hunger."
A "crazy bread" of ground poppies, hemp and darnel gave our poor starving ancestors some
relief with visions of paradise. Molds that laced the rye that was aging contained a variety of
mycotoxins (and lysergic acid [LSD], the psychedelic drug of the "60s) that could not only make
people appear mad but would severely weaken the immune system, permitting disease to run
rampant. (Note that the cause of the great plagues and epidemics was not the disease agent, but the
fragile or non-existent immune system of the starving and poisoned host.)
39、Today, the “crazy bread” mentioned in line 19 would be comparable to
bread soaked with rum
poppyseed muffins
brownies laced with marijuana
Oreos
banana nut bread
40、Which of the following revelations is specifically stated in the passage?
Disease was frequently transmitted by flies, fleas, and other insects.
The greatest health risk in today’s world is heart disease brought on by improper diet.
Three-fourths of the population of the Anglo-Saxon society died of hunger or suicide.
Many people during this time succumbed to the effects of hallucinogens.
Epidemics and plagues were the result of weakened immune systems not the disease agents.
The migration and the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly continue to puzzle human beings.
Studies have established that a Monarch butterfly completes a round trip only once in its entire life
cycle. With an average life span of about 6-8 weeks (of one generation through the various stages egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly), the migration chapter is not covered in a single generation. In
fact, it is the fourth generation Monarch butterflies that take the long flights (ranging to some
1800-2500 miles) from their summer homes to their winter roosting spots traversing many
mountains and forests in their way.
The first three generations complete their life cycles in the northern regions. The fourth
generation butterflies attain maturity at the onset of fall. These adults are slightly different from
the summer adults; they do not mate rather take to flight to keep warm. Monarch butterflies east of
the Rocky Mountains migrate to the Oyamel fir trees of Mexico and the ones west of the Rockies
migrate to the eucalyptus trees of Pacific Grove and surrounding areas in southern California. The
fall generation Monarchs hibernate in their warm nesting grounds of Mexico and southern
California until the arrival of spring when they wake up to mate and migrate back to the summer
homes. There they lay eggs and die.
41、According to the passage,
a Monarch butterfly has an average life span of three months
eucalyptus trees may be found in the Rocky Mountains
fourth generation Monarchs mature during the spring
the Monarchs lay their eggs and die in the northern regions
the third generation of Monarch butterflies migrate north
42、The word “traversing” in line 18 means
climbing at an angle across a slope
crossing over
moving sideways
opposing
reaching across
43、According to the author, the puzzle facing researchers regarding Monarch butterflies
is
that Monarch butterflies hibernate
that Monarchs have such a short life span
that the complete migration (full-circle) is only completed by the fourth generation
of any Monarch butterfly
that the fourth generation Monarch does not mate in the north when it first matures
that the Monarch is able to travel such great distances
Monopoly, Risk, and Clue have roots buried deep in the sands of ancient Mesopotamia. British
archeologist Charles Leonard Woolley unearthed the earliest known board game in the late 1920's.
He was excavating a burial tomb in Ur, what is now southern Iraq. The game, buried with other
treasure, had been interred nearly 4,500 years earlier. The Royal Game of Ur is the earliest known
board game. Not only did Woolley find the game board and game pieces, he also found
instructions for playing the game. They were engraved in cuneiform texts located at the site. The
Royal Game of Ur, or the ‘game of 20 squares' was a race game with two players racing to the end
of the board. Since that time, similar game boards have been found throughout the ancient world,
from Egypt to India. The game Woolley found can still be played today, just as the ancient
Sumerians enjoyed it.
44、All of the following are suggested by this passage EXCEPT
board games have universal appeal
the Royal Game of Ur is the basis for our game of Monopoly
the Sumerians believed in an afterlife
the Sumerians introduced board games to the rest of the world
the work of archeologists enlighten us as to the culture of people of the past
45、The oldest board game was discovered in what today is known as
Egypt
India
Iraq
Sumeria
Ur
There is a common belief that depictions of Mars show him as a warrior, but look a little closer
and you see that he is no savage attacker but a disciplined soldier in regulation battle dress bearing
regulation arms. As Mars Gradivus, he was the patron of the legions and a fitting role model for
the highly trained Roman infantryman. It is his Greek equivalent, Ares, who has the character
traits of the wild warrior.
For Mars was also the father of Rome. It was believed he had dallied with a Vestal Virgin who
subsequently gave birth to the twins Romulus and Remus, the founders of the Eternal City, and so
he was known as Mars Pater, the father and protector of all the people who lived within the gates.
46、The author of this passage suggests which of the following about the Roman god, Mars?
He and his Greek equivalent, Ares, are very similar.
He fathered numerous children with Roman goddesses.
He resembled more of a typical soldier than a savage warrior.
He was the founder of Rome.
He was viewed as an enemy of Rome.
Answers：
1. The answer is
A Tale of the 86th Street Choppers
Explanation:
A is incorrect, though the scene is set in the summer. B, C and E are incorrect because they
don’t cover the whole story. D is the best choice, as the narrator is part of the gang, describing
it and what they did.
2. The answer is
Guilt
Explanation:
The narrator does not mention A, B, C or D, making them incorrect choices. E, guilt, is the
emotion he mentions—“I hated feeling the guilt”—and is the correct answer.
3. The answer is
Mrs. Graham
Explanation:
The story explains the debts of A, C, D, and E and are incorrect answers. B, Mrs. Graham is
not mentioned in the story and is the correct choice.
4. The answer is
Sheriff
Explanation:
A, B, D, and E are each mentioned as professions of the characters and are incorrect choices.
The story does not mention C and is the correct answer.
5. The answer is
Seven
Explanation:
The correct answer is D, seven: Mr. Herriot paid Mr. Grant. who paid Mrs. Lee, who paid Mr.
Weaver, who paid the needlewoman, who paid the grocer, baker and scrubbing lady, which
adds up to seven: A, B, C, and D therefore, are incorrect choices.
6. The answer is
What Five Dollars Paid
Explanation:
A, B, C, and E each are discussed in the story, but do not describe the over-all idea and are
not the best choices. D is the correct choice because it relates best to the five dollars and
everywhere that it went.
7. The answer is
Fable
Explanation:
This story, while comical in a way, is one that teaches a moral lesson, making A, B, D and E
incorrect choices. C, fable, best describes the story because it has a lesson, or moral.
8. The answer is
Because he did not approve of John as a suitor
Explanation:
A is the correct answer as it is stated in the passage that he did not approve of John and was
wary of him. B is incorrect because the author does not indicate that Old Abe cared whether or
not Nan finished her chores. C, D and E were not mentioned as reasons for Old Abe’s uneasy
looks and are incorrect.
9. The answer is
Her figure
Explanation:
A, C, D, and E are each mentioned as one of Nan’s attributes and are the wrong choices. B,
her figure, was not included in that list and is the correct answer
10. The answer is
At Lone Lake
Explanation:
A, B, and D are never mentioned in the passage and are not correct choices. Ned is
mentioned, but his house is not mentioned as the picnic location and is incorrect. C is correct,
the passage states that John wanted to ask Nan to go with him to Lone Lake picnic the next
day.
11. The answer is
Enchanting
Explanation:
A, B, D and E do not mean the same thing as bewitching and are incorrect answers. In this
case, she knows that her hair can be enchanting when it falls just so, making C the best
choice.
12. The answer is
Mottled
Explanation:
The idea of the phrase is to emphasize the various religions and the many different people
who adhered to them, therefore, B, C, D and E do not correctly fit that meaning and are
incorrect choices. A, mottled, indicates variances, and is the best choice.
13. The answer is
Horse trainer in Moldavia
Explanation:
The Baroness mentions A, B, C and D in her list of stories he’s already told her and are
incorrect choices. E is not on that list and is the correct answer.
14. The answer is
Royal Librarian
Explanation:
A, and D are characters, but are not the ones who settled disputes and are incorrect choices.
C and E are not mentioned in the passage and are incorrect. B is the correct choice, found at
the end of the passage.
15. The answer is
Pagan of the Water
Explanation:
A B, D and E are incorrect choices as it states that he was a pagan of the water. Therefore, C
is the correct choice.
16. The answer is
Croquet
Explanation:
A, B, C and E each are games, but not the one described in the passage and are incorrect
answers. Croquet is mentioned within the sentence “. . .giving his croquet mallet a valedictory
shove….” and is the correct answer.
17. The answer is
Agent
Explanation:
A, B, C and E each are listed in the passage as things you must take with you to be prepared
and are incorrect. D, agent, is not one of the things recommended in the list of things you need
to have to get a ‘gig’ and is the correct choice.
18. The answer is
Schmoozing for Gigs
Explanation:
A is incorrect because it is only casually mentioned and not the main idea. B is incorrect since
it is only one of many ideas the article mentions. C does not deal with how to get the ‘gig,’
therefore it is incorrect. E is incorrect because it is referring to one thing you can take with you
to an interview. D uses a clever word from the text and refers to the over-all theme of how to
get a ‘gig’ and is, therefore, the most effective title
19. The answer is
Schmoozing for Gigs
Explanation:
A is incorrect because it is only casually mentioned and not the main idea. B is incorrect since
it is only one of many ideas the article mentions. C does not deal with how to get the ‘gig,’
therefore it is incorrect. E is incorrect because it is referring to one thing you can take with you
to an interview. D uses a clever word from the text and refers to the over-all theme of how to
get a ‘gig’ and is, therefore, the most effective title
20. The answer is
Perseverance / preying
Explanation:
B is incorrect because permanence means already established and following does not exactly
indicate stealth. C, D, and E give choices that are not equivalents to the words persistence or
preying. A is the best choice because perseverance means persistence and preying means
stalking.
21. The answer is
Music
Explanation:
A and E are not correct because this article clearly is about music how to approach potential
employers. B is incorrect because it is too general. E is incorrect because, while it concerns
the business of securing employment, its focus is clearly toward musicians. C, then, is the
answer that best describes the section in which this article would be found.
22. The answer is
Engagement
Explanation:
A and B are incorrect because they mean what is done for a living and not a particular job
within that living. D is incorrect because it is an alternate meaning of the word 'gig.' E is
incorrect as it does not mean gig or any kind of job. C is the correct answer, as gig in this case
means a particular job, or appearance.
23. The answer is
I can hear Susan's delighted cry from the kitchen as I lower my finger - 'It must be
Simon.'
Explanation:
B and C contain no names making them incorrect choices. D and E use a name, but the
narrator is speaking about someone else and not himself, so they are incorrect answers. A is
the correct choice; the author employs Susan’s dialogue as a way to let the reader know that
the narrator’s name is Simon.
24. The answer is
“with easier access to world music”
Explanation:
It is not so much that the amount of world music has changed, but that technology and other
innovations have increased access to and awareness of the music of the world.
25. The answer is
its power to evoke feelings
Explanation:
In lines 5-7, the author describes how music can alter our reactions. In lines 7-11, the author
writes of the emotions that music can evoke, and again in the last sentence, she writes of its
emotive power.
26. The answer is
brandish
Explanation:
In this context, "wield" means that the cat will flash or "brandish" its claws like a weapon.
27. The answer is
cats are driven by their personalities
Explanation:
The introductory sentence in paragraph 3 states that "different breeds of cats have different
personalities." The author goes on to describe different tendencies in cats depending upon the
personality of the cat. This supports Choice (E). The other four choices are generalizations
that are not true and not supported as being true in all cases by the author.
28. The answer is
an animal’s temperament should be respected
Explanation:
The author discusses how different cats have different personalities. She lists several
questions you should ask yourself before you decide to own a cat, implying that you need to be
willing to accept the cat as it is and accommodate its temperament.
29. The answer is
A symbiotic relationship between fame and narcissism
Explanation:
The passage describes how narcissists need fame and celebrity to feed their egos, and
celebrity needs people, such as narcissists who desire to be famous, in order to exist.
30. The answer is
Harry had never been in battle before
Explanation:
These words are in the middle of a paragraph describing the battle that is raging around Harry.
This makes Choices (B), (C), and (D) possibilities. The author is focusing on Harry, so Choice
(D) is too general. "A continuous and terrific thunder" would not describe ordinary gunfire.
Choice (B) is the best answer.
31. The answer is
a group of heavy guns with their equipment
Explanation:
All of the choices are possible definitions of "batteries." However, since the events in this
passage take place in a battle, Choices C and D are possibilities. The line states that "the
Southern batteries replied with all their might," which would indicate that they were heavy
guns, not just the places where the guns were mounted. Therefore, Choice C is the correct
answer.
32. The answer is
Mental and physical activity are both crucial to quality of life and lifespan.
Explanation:
In lines 10-18, the author indicates that people who are inactive develop mobility problems and
the lack of mental activity has a similar effect.
33. The answer is
the factors contributing to the life expectancy of a human being
Explanation:
The passage discusses various factors, good and bad, genetic and environmental, that affect
life expectancy. Choices (A) and (B) are not supported by the passage. Only the psychological
effects of redundancy are discussed, not the psychology of aging. Choice (D) is mentioned but
not developed in the passage.
34. The answer is
the condition of being no longer needed in a company
Explanation:
The line states that “the psychological effects of redundancy may cause a person to age more
quickly than while the person remained in his or her employment.” The latter part of the
sentence indicates that the person is no longer employed.
35. The answer is
Regardless of genetic factors, you can, to some extent, control your life expectancy.
Explanation:
In lines 24-30 , the author states that “even people who do not come from a heritage of
longevity can live to old age if they look after themselves and avoid the risk factors that cause
poor physical and mental health, thus accelerating the aging process.”
36. The answer is
the Olmec civilization had died out before the Spaniards arrived
Explanation:
In lines 17-23, the author discusses how the religion, language, and architecture of the Olmecs
lasted through at least three other civilizations, implying that the people themselves were no
longer around. The same lines also mean that Choice (C) is not correct. Choice (A) is disputed
by lines 5-9, which links a person’s spirit with the Jaguar. Choice (B) is contradicted by lines
23-33, which link the introduction of Catholicism with the coming of the Spaniards and question
whether it helped or hurt the people. Choice (E) is not correct, because line 15 refers to the
symbolic language of the Olmecs.
37. The answer is
the Jaguar
Explanation:
Although the author lists the gods of Earth, fire, and the sun as being among the most popular
deities, the Jaguar is said to have been directly linked to a person’s spirit. If the Jaguar were to
die, so would the person.
38. The answer is
democratic
Explanation:
Choice A is not correct because they developed a style of architecture. Choice C is wrong
because they had a symbolic language. They worshiped animals, fire, water, the Earth, and
the sun – all elements of nature which rules out Choice D. Choice E, “polytheistic”, means they
worshiped many gods which is also supported by the passage. On the other hand, the author
refers to the “ruling elite” which is not indicative of a democratic society. Choice B is the
correct answer.
39.The answer is
brownies laced with marijuana
Explanation:
The "crazy bread" that the author refers to contained plants that caused feelings of elation and
hallucinations. One of these plants was hemp, and marijuana can be obtained from hemp.This
crazy bread would have had the same effect as eating brownies laced with marijuana.
40. The answer is
Epidemics and plagues were the result of weakened immune systems not the disease
agents.
Explanation:
The answer is found in lines 28-35.
41. The answer is
the Monarchs lay their eggs and die in the northern regions
Explanation:
Lines 7-8 state that the average life span of a Monarch is 6-8 weeks. Choice (A) is not correct.
Lines 29-31indicate that eucalyptus trees may be found in southern California, not in the
Rockies. Choice (B) is incorrect. Choice (C) is not right, because lines 20-22 state that “the
fourth generation butterflies attain maturity at the onset of fall.” Lines 31-36 state that the fall,
or fourth generation, Monarchs migrate back north. Choice (E) is also incorrect. Choice (D) is
supported by lines 31-36.
42. The answer is
crossing over
Explanation:
All of the choices are definitions of “traversing.” However, in the context of this passage it
means that the butterflies are “crossing over” the mountains and forests during their migration.
43. The answer is
that the complete migration (full-circle) is only completed by the fourth generation of
any Monarch butterfly
Explanation:
The introductory sentence to the first paragraph expresses the puzzlement that scientists feel
over the migration and life cycle of the Monarch. The author goes on to expound on this being
a puzzle because of the fact that each Monarch has about a two-month life span, and it is only
the fourth generation that makes the migration to and from the southern regions.
44. The answer is
the Royal Game of Ur is the basis for our game of Monopoly
Explanation:
The Royal Game of Ur is a board game, just as Monopoly is. However, Monopoly is not a race
game. Board games exist to this day throughout the world. The burial of treasure and games
with people indicates a belief in the afterlife as they are intended to keep the dead company
and amuse them. The passage suggests that the Sumerians introduced board games to the
rest of the world, since the game found there is the oldest known one. Archeologists uncover
possessions from the past which give us insights into how the people lived.
45. The answer is
Iraq
Explanation:
In lines 5-8, the passage states that the game was discovered during an excavation in Ur,
which is now southern Iraq.
46. The answer is
He resembled more of a typical soldier than a savage warrior.
Explanation:
In the first paragraph, the author discusses how depictions of Mars actually show him as a
regulation soldier as opposed to a wild warrior. In lines 11-13, the author mentions how this
differentiates him from Ares. The only mention of children is Romulus and Remus who were
fathered with a mortal (lines 16-19). Rome was actually founded by these two children, not
Mars (lines 18-19). Lines 20-22 state that Mars was viewed as a protector, not an enemy, of
Rome.