Passage 20 How men first learned to invent words is unknown; in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. (20) All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, we call words. The power of words, then, lies in their combinations--the things they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increases. Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and feelings. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary (文字的) style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music, and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they will make our speech silly and rude. The secret of a writer’s success is the use of words that______.
A. recall to us the glad and sad events of our past
B. are arranged in a creative way
C. are as beautiful as music
D. agree with certain literary style
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Passage 35 It seems that beauty and women are twins. You are joking No, I am not. Observe for yourself. Ads on fashion flood TV screens, radio programs, magazines, newspapers and the streets. Whether they have realized it or not, women are besieged (包围) by a sea of fashion. They are taught to think that without beautiful clothes they will grow old and lose their charm. So who dares to neglect dressing up at the cost of their appearance and youth But I do not agree with the opinion that women have to show their beauty through their looks. The richness of their mind proves to be more beautiful and attractive than their looks. (35) A woman who has experienced many troubles and may be called "aunt" or "granny" can still maintain her beauty if she has such excellent qualities as knowledge, ability, a kind heart, great courage and concern for others. In addition, old and young, beautiful and ugly are relative concepts. A person who keeps a young mind will never feel old. Curious about new things and eager to learn more, they keep up with the tide. Plainly dressed women may have a type of beauty, which is pure and real. Reading and learning is the best way to keep one youthful. Good books are fertile soil which can feed the flower of one’s heart and looks. Why does the author say that beauty and women are twins
A. Women are born to be beauties.
B. Women like to show off their beauty.
C. Women try to maintain their beauty by dressing up.
D. Women are proud of their beauty.
Passage 28 In every day usage "hot" means "having a lot of heat". Many people think that "cold" is something completely separated from heat. But this is not true. "Cold" simply means "having very little heat." Your life depends on heat. In fact, every living thing depends on it. (28) Without heat, every living thing would be frozen to death. All living things get their heat from the sun, which provides the conditions in which life is possible. Since the dawn of history, man has been able to make his own heat. He has been able to release the sun’s heat that is trapped in things such as wood, coal and oil. And he has been able to use this heat. Heat has made civilization possible. With heat, man could melt metals. As man learned to use metals and fuels, industries grew. As a result, engines were invented. These are machines that change heat energy into mechanical energy. Engine can do the work of many men. Without engines industrial civilization is impossible. Yet when the first engines were built in the 17th century, men were still wondering about the nature of heat. "What is it" they asked. Not until the early years of 19th century did they find the right answer. From the last two sentences, we can see______.
A. men have never found the nature of heat
B. men found the nature of heat in the 17th century
C. men found the nature of heat in the 19th century
D. men found the nature of heat before the 19th century
Passage 18 We all know that it is possible for ordinary people to make their homes on the equator (赤道), although often they may feel uncomfortably hot there. Millions do it. But as for the North Pole (北极)-we know that it is not only a dangerously cold place, but that people like you and me would find it quite impossible to live there. At the present time only the scientists and explorers can do so, and they use special equipment. Men had been traveling across and around the equator on wheels, on their feet or in ships for thousands of years; but only a few men, with great difficulty and in very recent time, have ever crossed the ice to the North Pole. So it may surprise you to learn that, when traveling by air, it is really safer to fly over the North Pole than over the equator. Of course, this is not true about landings in the polar region (which passenger planes do not make), but the weather, if we are flying at a height of 5, 000 meters above the Pole, is a delight. At 4, 000 meters and more above the earth you can always be sure that you will not see a cloud in the sky as far as the eye can reach. In the tropics (热带), on the other hand, you are not certain to keep clear of bad weather even at such heights as 18,000 or 20,000 meters. Planes can’t climb as high or as quickly in cold air as in warm air. Nor can clouds. (18) In practice, this is an advantage to the plane, which is already at a good height when it reaches the polar region and so does not need to climb, while at the same time cold air keeps the clouds down low. It is a delight to fly at the Pole because there______.
A. planes fly higher than at the equator
B. the eyes can reach about 4, 000 meters
C. planes are clear of bad weather
D. planes fly more quickly than at the equator
Passage 21 Most people have had a dog or wanted one as their companion at some time in their lives. If you are thinking of buying a dog, however, you should first decide what sort of companion you need and whether the dog is likely to be happy in the surroundings you can provide. Specialists’ advice is useful to help you choose the most suitable kind of dog. But in part the decision depends on common sense. Different dogs were originally developed to perform specific tasks. So, if you want a dog to protect you or your house, for example, you should choose the one that has the right size and characteristics. (21) You must also be ready to devote a great deal of time to training the dog when it is young and give it the exercise it needs throughout its life, unless you live in the countryside and can let it run freely. Dogs are demanding pets. Cats love the house and so are satisfactory with their place where there is secure, but a dog is loyal to its master and consequently wants him to show proof of his affection. The best time to buy a baby dog is when it is between 6 and 8 weeks old so that it can transfer its love for its mother to its master. If baby dogs have not established a relationship with the human being until they are over three months old, their strong relationship will always be with dogs. They are likely to be too shy when they are brought out into the world to become good pets. What is mentioned as a consideration in buying a dog
A. The color of the dog.
B. The price of the dog.
C. Whether the dog will fit the environment.
D. Whether the dog will get along with the other pets in the house.