How many of us have looked up at the stars and wondered about other worlds? Of course, we know a lot about space now, but for people living thousands of years ago, the stars were strange. Astrology（占星術(shù)）is one of the world’s most ancient ideas. It started about 3,000 years ago and was used to predict what would happen to countries and to people in the future.

Astrology was created by the ancient Greeks（希臘人）. They believed that the place of the sun and the stars could affect a person’s life and what would happen to them in the future. Astrology is a Greek word that means “science of the star”. Even famous Greek people like Plat thought Astrology was important and he studied it carefully. Later Europeans thought that Plato was talented man so they continued to follow his idea about the stars.

Some people think that farmers started the Astrology to help them decide when to plant and harvest（收割）. They needed to know what time of year it was. For example, Scorpio（天蝎座）can only be seen in the evening sky in the summer. Over time, using the stars to plan daily life became a strong part of many cultures. People who spent their lives moving from one place to another, like some northern Chinese, use the stars to tell them when and where to go.

Today many people think Astrology is just fun but some people take it very seriously.

（ ）46.What did people long ago know about the stars?

A. How many there were.　　　 B. Not very much.　　

C. How far away they were.　　 D. They were not real.

（ ）47. What did later Europeans think about Plato?

A. He was really clever.　　 B. He was a star.

C. He was silly.　　　　　 D. He was able to tell them what would happen in the future.

（ ）48. Why might have Astrology started?

A. Farmers needed to know when to move.

B. Farmers needed to take care of their crops.

C. Farmers needed to know when to start.

D. Farmers needed to study.

閱讀理解 　　How many of us have looked up at the stars and wondered about other worlds?Of course，we know a great deal about the universe now but for people living thousands of years ago，the stars were a mystery(神秘的事物)．Astrology(占星術(shù)) is one of the world's most ancient (古代的) ideas．It started 3,000 years ago and was used to predict (預(yù)言) what would happen to countries and to people in the future． 　　Horoscopes and astrology were developed by the ancient Greeks．They believed that the position(位置) of the sun and the planets could affect a person's life and what would happen to them in the future．Astrology is actually a Greek word that means“science of the stars”．Even famous Greek thinkers like Plato thought astrology was important and he studied it carefully．Later Europeans thought that Plato was a genius so they continued to follow his ideas about the stars． 　　Some people think that farmers started the horoscope to help them decide when to plant and harvest their crops．They needed to know what time of the year it was．For example，Scorpio can only be seen in the evening sky in the summer．Some historians (歷史學(xué)家) think that many of the myths (神話) associated with star signs were invented to help farmers remember cultures．People who spent their lives moving from one place to another，like the Mongols，used the stars to tell them when and where to go． 　　The Catholic Church(教堂)，which was very powerful a long time ago，told people not to take notice of horoscopes．It was not until the seventeenth century that people were able to freely use the horoscope again．Today many people think the horoscope is just fun but some people take it very seriously． (1) What did people long ago know about the stars? 　　A．How far away they were．　　B．How many there were． 　　C．Not very much．D．That they were not real． [　　] (2) Which best describes how old astrology is? 　　A．It is a recent idea．　　B．It is a very old idea． 　　C．It is modern idea．D．It is something from the future． [　　] (3) What did later Europeans think about Plato? 　　A．That he was really clever． 　　B．That he was able to tell them what would happen in the future． 　　C．That he was a star． 　　D．That he should be ignored in the seventeenth century． [　　] (4) What might astrology have started for? 　　A．Farmers needed to know when to move． 　　B．Farmers needed to know when to rest． 　　C．Farmers needed to manage their crops． 　　D．Farmers needed to study． [　　] (5) Why were myths for the horoscope invented? 　　A．To make them more fun．　　B．To sell newspapers． 　　C．To help people remember them．D．To make them easier to see． [　　]

13．Every morning，some people may have the habit of watching the astrological （占星術(shù)的）advice on the TV news before they go to work．When reading magazines，some people might first go to the section on astrological predictions to determine what's in store for them in the coming day，week or month．This interest in astrology is especially strong at the beginning of a new year．Immediately before a new year，many astrological experts are making predictions and giving advice．It seems that astrology is gaining popularity，but how popular is astrology and is it actually trustworthy？
According to a study by searchterms．com，the word astrology is the most searched topic on the Internet，and a search for astrology on Google will bring up nearly two million websites．A study by the newspaper USA Today shows that a third of all Americans believe in astrology and spend almost $100million a year on it．More surprisingly，the fastest-growing group of believers in America is made up of managers and professionals．No wonder Donald Regan，former White House Chief of Staff，said，"It's common knowledge that a large percentage of Wall Street brokers use astrology．"
The most famous astrologer is Nostradamus．Long ago，he correctly predicted events such as the Second World War，the killing of U．S．President John F．Kennedy，and most recently，the attack on the World Trade Center．Another famous astrologer，F(xiàn)rau Elsbeth Ebertin，accurately predicted that Adolph Hitler would become Führer-the leader after she was given Hitler's birth chart．In fact，Hitler himself was a believer in astrology．It's thought that he used an astrologer throughout the Second World War．The wife of former American president Ronald Reagan，Nancy，was also a firm believer in astrology．She employed an astrologer to ask about President Reagan's future safety after the president was shot．
Though some people may consider astrology superstitious （迷信的），others think it is both a science and an art．Since the moon has an effect on the ocean，and 75percent of the human body is made up of water，it is reasonable to say that astrology，a study of the stars，may affect humans as well．Therefore，if viewed in this way，astrology may be believable and it is easy to see why it is so popular．
36．What is the main idea of the article？B
A．More and more people，especially stars，are interested in astrology．
B．Astrology is becoming popular and has some basis in science．
C．Famous astrologers can predict events correctly．
D．People should use astrology every day．
37．Which of the following events was NOT predicted by Nostradamus？D
A．The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center．
B．The killing of President Kennedy．
C．The outbreak of World WarⅡ．
D．The birth of Führer Hitler．
38．What can we learn from the passage？A
A．Astrology is one of the most popular topics on the Internet．
B．Astrology can help change people's lives for the better．
C．Only a few Wall Street brokers use astrology．
D．Most of Americans believe in astrology．
39．The author tends to think astrology isC．
A．boring         B．puzzling               C．believable             D．strange．

Bruce Jun Fan Lee was born in the hour of the Dragon, between 6 and 8 a.m., in the “Year of the Dragon” on November 27, 1940 at the Jackson Street Hospital in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Today, a plaque (牌匾) in the hospital’s entry remembers the place of his birth. Bruce’s birth, in the hour and the year of Dragon, is a powerful symbol in Chinese astrology (星相學(xué)). It would be a strong indication of the powerful life that was to be lived by Bruce Lee and the explosive influence his life would have on countless others.

At the age of three months, Lee Hoi Chuen, his wife Grace and baby Bruce returned to Hong Kong where Bruce would be raised until the age of 18. Probably because of the long ocean voyage and the change in climates, Bruce was not a strong child in his very early years, a condition that would change when he took up the study of kung fu at the age of 13.

At the age of 13, Bruce was introduced to Master Yip Man, a teacher of the Wing Chun style of kung fu. For five years Bruce studied diligently and became very proficient. Regarding Yip Man as a master teacher and wise man, Bruce respected him greatly and frequently visited with him in later years. When he first took up kung fu, he used his new skills to fight his “enemies”, but it did not take long for Bruce to learn that the real value of martial arts training is that the skills of physical combat (搏斗) build up confidence to the point that one does not feel the constant need to defend one’s honor through fighting.

In high school, Bruce, now no longer a weak child, was beginning to improve his body through hard training. One of his accomplishments was winning an interschool Boxing Championship against an English student. Given the graceful movements, which would later be spectacularly displayed in his films, it is no surprise that Bruce was also an excellent dancer, and in 1958 he won the Hong Kong Cha Cha Championship.

At the age of 18, Bruce was looking for new prospect in his life, as were his parents who were discouraged that Bruce had not made much progress academically. His family decided that it was time for him to return to the land of his birth and find his future there. In April of 1959, with $100 in his pocket, Bruce boarded a steamship and began his voyage to San Francisco.

1.The plaque at the entrance of the Jackson Street Hospital is considered as ________.

A. an obvious sign of Bruce’s powerful life

B. a strong influence of Bruce’s life on others

C. a reminder of Bruce Lee’s birthplace

D. a powerful symbol in Chinese astrology

2.Bruce didn’t have a strong body until ________.

A. he practiced boxing in high school

B. he took up kung fu with Master Yip Man

C. he won a dancing championship

D. he returned to the land of his birth

3.Learning kung fu diligently from Master Yip Man, Bruce soon realized that ________.

A. one can’t master kung fu skills without much practice

B. only through physical combat can one defend his honor

C. one can never defeat himself unless trained by a master

D. excellent kung fu skills can strengthen one’s confidence considerably

4.It can be inferred from the passage that ________.

A. Bruce didn’t have outstanding academic achievements in school

B. Master Yip Man offered to teach Bruce Chinese kung fu for free

C. Bruce’s parents sent him back to San Francisco for better education

D. Bruce made a big fortune by participating in boxing competitions

2008 is now finally in the past as millions of Chinese people around the world welcomed the Chinese New year on Monday 26 January.

As we waved goodbye to the Year of the Rat, the Year of the Ox was greeted in traditional style with firecrackers, parties and feasts.

As the Chinese word for Ox is pronounced 'Niu' which sounds similar to 'new' in English, but has the meaning of being 'bullish', that is, optimistic; this pun（雙關(guān)語） is interpreted as a luck start to the year.

According to Chinese astrology（占星學(xué)）, people born in the Year of the Ox are patient, hardworking and can inspire confidence in others. However, they can be fierce and remarkably stubborn at times.

Traditionally in London, the Chinese New Year celebration is held on the first Sunday after New Year's Day. This year, the mayor of London has promised spectators a rich mixture of live performances, a colourful parade and culinary delights（烹飪佳肴） at the famous landmark Trafalgar Square.

Further up in Derry, in Northern Ireland, the celebration arrived early. Locals were treated to calligraphy demonstrations（書法表演）, authentic（地道的）Chinese tea tasting and a Chinese banquet. The mayor of Derry, Gerard Diver, thought the events were extremely important, not just for the Chinese community, but to everyone in Derry.

“We live on an island, and I sometimes think that we're perhaps not as exposed to different cultures or to different ways of doing things as we should be. This is a valuable opportunity to gain an insight into Chinese culture and traditions, and it's also an important sign of progress,” said Mr. Diver.

The global financial crisis has, however, affected celebrations elsewhere in the country. Coventry Community Chinese Association was forced to cancel its plans for the New Year due to lack of funding. Similarly in the south west part of the country, decisions were made to scale down（縮減） the celebration after a number of sponsors（贊助商） were forced to cut back on financial support.

Despite the setbacks, people are determined to welcome the Niu Year in style and hope the Year of the Ox will bring prosperity through fortitude（毅力） and hard work.

1．Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?

      A．A Chinese Banquet                               B．Financial Crisis

       C．Happy Niu Year                                   D．New Year Celebration

2．From the passage we can infer         .

       A．the Chinese culture has a strong influence on the British

       B．the Chinese culture affects the global financial crisis

       C．most British people are not interested in Chinese culture

       D．the British culture doesn’t agree with the Chinese culture

3．Why did the Mayor of Derry think the events were extremely important?

       A．Because people can taste Chinese tea.

       B．Because people can take part in a Chinese banquet.

       C．Because people can know something of Chinese culture and traditions.

       D．Because the global financial crisis was coming.

4．According to the passage, people born in the year of the OX are usually          .

      A．patient, hardworking and friendly

       B．patient, hard working but stubborn

       C．patient, hardworking and inspiring

       D．patient, hardworking and colorful

5．What happened to some of the celebrations due to the global financial crisis?

       A．The celebrations were greatly affected.

       B．Some people had to cancel their plans of celebrations.

       C．Decisions were made to scale down the celebrations.

       D．All of the above.

I stood there outside of the classroom  with the other students，waiting for the supervisor（監(jiān)考老師）to open the door，and   1  filled the heart.
When we were finally inside the classroom，I realized how   2  it was.  The heater hadn't been on and the _3___ were as cold as ice.  Alright then, the supervisor started to walk around，____4___everyone's calculator to make sure they were "approved devices"（允許使用的工具）．
At around 8：25，the test started.  I was___5____my way through word problems， grammar sections，and reading and   6  sections.  The supervisor kept walking around the room,    7  each student's extra pencils and   8  sharpening them for us.I turned the___9___when instructed to，___10____it wasn't another math section and it wasn't.  It was a reading section —— ___11____！I started reading the excerpt（片段）given and was    12  to discover that it wasn't a boring piece about astrology （星象）or biological science. ____13____，it was an excerpt from a romantic novel.  I became little____14____with reading it and at times I wanted to say "Awww！”aloud.  My heart was     15       swooning（沉醉）and I think I was   16 .  Hopefully I got the questiotions from that section____17__because I actually had fun answering them.  Who knew the SAT could actually bring   18 ？
It was about 1 p. m.  when the test was over.  I got out of the classroom  with____19____．As I was walking outside the building，I was thinking that the test was no longer a bitter____20____for the first time in my life.

【小題1】

A． happiness B． nervousness C． calmness D． sadness

【小題2】

A． amazing B． disappointing C． tiring D． freezing

【小題3】

A． seats B． walls C． floors D．hearts

【小題4】

A． seeing B． taking C． checking D．preparing

【小題5】

A． looking B． pacing C． making D． showing

【小題6】

A． comprehension B． thinking C． guessing D． recitation

【小題7】

A． bringing in B． putting down C． picking up D． showing off

【小題8】

A． kindly B． slightly C． directly D． slowly

【小題9】

A． door B． direction C． pencil D． page

【小題10】A.  finding         B.  praying       C.  deciding     D,  imagining

【小題11】

A． terrible B． great C． sure D． no

【小題12】

A． frightened B． worried C． shocked D． regretted

【小題13】

A． However B． Therefore C． Also D． Rather

【小題14】

A． carried away B． worn out C． tired D． confused

【小題15】

A． suddenly B． totally C． over D． again

【小題16】

A． reading B． sleeping C． smiling D． whispering

【小題17】

A． right B． ready C． clear D． possible

【小題18】

A． hope B．joy C．interest D． trouble

【小題19】

A．relief B．hunger C．strength D．courage

【小題20】

A．a(chǎn)ttempt B．fact C．process D．experience

I stood there outside of the classroom  with the other students，waiting for the supervisor（監(jiān)考老師）to open the door，and   1  filled the heart.

When we were finally inside the classroom，I realized how   2  it was.  The heater hadn't been on and the _3___ were as cold as ice.  Alright then, the supervisor started to walk around，____4___everyone's calculator to make sure they were "approved devices"（允許使用的工具）．

At around 8：25，the test started.  I was___5____my way through word problems， grammar sections，and reading and   6  sections.  The supervisor kept walking around the room,    7  each student's extra pencils and   8  sharpening them for us.I turned the___9___when instructed to，___10____it wasn't another math section and it wasn't.  It was a reading section —— ___11____！I started reading the excerpt（片段）given and was    12  to discover that it wasn't a boring piece about astrology （星象）or biological science. ____13____，it was an excerpt from a romantic novel.  I became little____14____with reading it and at times I wanted to say "Awww！”aloud.  My heart was     15       swooning（沉醉）and I think I was   16 .  Hopefully I got the questiotions from that section____17__because I actually had fun answering them.  Who knew the SAT could actually bring   18 ？

It was about 1 p. m.  when the test was over.  I got out of the classroom  with____19____．As I was walking outside the building，I was thinking that the test was no longer a bitter____20____for the first time in my life.

1.                A． happiness      B． nervousness    C． calmness D． sadness

 

2.                A． amazing       B． disappointing    C． tiring    D． freezing

 

3.                A． seats          B． walls          C． floors   D．hearts

 

4.                A． seeing         B． taking         C． checking D．preparing

 

5.                A． looking        B． pacing         C． making  D． showing

 

6.                A． comprehension B． thinking        C． guessing D． recitation

 

7.                A． bringing in     B． putting down    C． picking up    D． showing off

 

8.                A． kindly         B． slightly         C． directly  D． slowly

 

9.                A． door          B． direction       C． pencil   D． page

 

10.A.  finding         B.  praying       C.  deciding     D,  imagining

11.               A． terrible        B． great          C． sure D． no

 

12.               A． frightened     B． worried       C． shocked  D． regretted

 

13.               A． However      B． Therefore      C． Also D． Rather

 

14.               A． carried away    B． worn out       C． tired D． confused

 

15.               A． suddenly      B． totally         C． over D． again

 

16.               A． reading        B． sleeping       C． smiling   D． whispering

 

17.               A． right          B． ready         C． clear D． possible

 

18.               A． hope         B．joy            C．interest   D． trouble

 

19.               A．relief          B．hunger         C．strength   D．courage

 

20.               A．a(chǎn)ttempt        B．fact            C．process   D．experience

 

 

I stood there outside of the classroom with the other students，waiting for the supervisor(監(jiān)考老師) to open the door，and ____ filled the heart.

When we were finally inside the classroom，I realized how ____ it was.The heater hadn’t been on and the ____ were as cold as ice.Alright then，the supervisor started to walk around，____ everyone’s calculator to make sure they were “approved devices”(允許使用的工具)．

At around 8∶25，the test started.I was ____ my way through word problems，grammar sections，and reading and ____ sections.The supervisor kept walking around the room，___ each student’s extra pencils and ____ sharpening them for us.

I turned the ____ when instructed to，____ it wasn’t another math section and it wasn’t.It was a reading section——____！I started reading the excerpt(片段) given and was ____ to discover that it wasn’t a boring piece about astrology(星象) or biological science.____，it was an excerpt from a romantic novel.I became little ____ with reading it and at times I wanted to say “Aww” aloud.My heart was ____ swooning(沉醉) and I think I was ____.Hopefully I got the questions from that section ____ because I actually had fun answering them.Who knew the SAT could actually bring ____？

It was about 1∶00 p．m.when the test was over.I got out of the classroom with ____.As I was walking outside the building，I was thinking that the test was no longer a bitter ____ for the first time in my life.

1.A.happiness? B．nervousness

C．calmness? D．sadness

2.A.amazing? B．disappointing

C．tiring? D．freezing

3.A.seats? B．walls

C．floors? D．hearts

4.A.seeing B．taking

C．checking? D．preparing

5.A.looking B．pacing

C．making? D．showing

6.A.comprehension? B．thinking

C．guessing? D．recitation

7.A.bringing in? B．putting down

C．picking up? D．showing off

8.A.kindly? B．slightly

C．directly? D．slowly

9.A.door? B．direction

C．pencil D．page

10.A.finding? B．praying

C．deciding? D．imagining

11.A.terrible? B．great

C．sure? D．no

12.A.frightened B．worried

C．shocked? D．regretted

13.A.However? B．Therefore

C．Also? D．Rather

14.A.carried away? B．worn out

C．tired? D．confused

15.A.suddenly? B．totally

C．over? D．again

16.A.reading? B．sleeping

C．smiling? D．whispering

17.A.right? B．ready

C．clear? D．possible

18.A.hope B．joy

C．interest? D．trouble

19.A.relief? B．hunger

C．strength? D．courage

20.A.attempt? B．fact

C．process? D．experience

 

I stood there outside of the classroom with the other students，waiting for the supervisor(監(jiān)考老師) to open the door，and ____ filled the heart.
When we were finally inside the classroom，I realized how ____ it was.The heater hadn’t been on and the ____ were as cold as ice.Alright then，the supervisor started to walk around，____ everyone’s calculator to make sure they were “approved devices”(允許使用的工具)．
At around 8∶25，the test started.I was ____ my way through word problems，grammar sections，and reading and ____ sections.The supervisor kept walking around the room，___ each student’s extra pencils and ____ sharpening them for us.
I turned the ____ when instructed to，____ it wasn’t another math section and it wasn’t.It was a reading section——____！I started reading the excerpt(片段) given and was ____ to discover that it wasn’t a boring piece about astrology(星象) or biological science.____，it was an excerpt from a romantic novel.I became little ____ with reading it and at times I wanted to say “Aww” aloud.My heart was ____ swooning(沉醉) and I think I was ____.Hopefully I got the questions from that section ____ because I actually had fun answering them.Who knew the SAT could actually bring ____？
It was about 1∶00 p．m.when the test was over.I got out of the classroom with ____.As I was walking outside the building，I was thinking that the test was no longer a bitter ____ for the first time in my life.

【小題1】

A．happiness B．nervousness C．calmness D．sadness

【小題2】

A．a(chǎn)mazing B．disappointing C．tiring D．freezing

【小題3】

A．seats B．walls C．floors D．hearts

【小題4】

A．seeing B．taking C．checking D．preparing

【小題5】

A．looking B．pacing C．making D．showing

【小題6】

A．comprehension B．thinking C．guessing D．recitation

【小題7】

A．bringing in B．putting down C．picking up D．showing off

【小題8】

A．kindly B．slightly C．directly D．slowly

【小題9】

A．door B．direction C．pencil D．page

【小題10】

A．finding B．praying C．deciding D．imagining

【小題11】

A．terrible B．great C．sure D．no

【小題12】

A．frightened B．worried C．shocked D．regretted

【小題13】

A．However B．Therefore C．Also D．Rather

【小題14】

A．carried away B．worn out C．tired D．confused

【小題15】

A．suddenly B．totally C．over D．a(chǎn)gain

【小題16】

A．reading B．sleeping C．smiling D．whispering

【小題17】

A．right B．ready C．clear D．possible

【小題18】

A．hope B．joy C．interest D．trouble

【小題19】

A．relief B．hunger C．strength D．courage

【小題20】

A．a(chǎn)ttempt B．fact C．process D．experience

閱讀下面短文，從短文后各題所給的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)(A、B、 C和D)中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)，并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。

　 I stood there outside of the classroom with the other students，waiting for the supervisor（監(jiān)考老師）to open the door，and 　36 filled the heart.

When we were finally inside the classroom，I realized how 　37 it was. The heater hadn't been on and the __38___ were as cold as ice. Alright then, the supervisor started to walk around，____39___everyone's calculator to make sure they were "approved devices"（允許使用的工具）．

At around 8：25，the test started. I was___40____my way through word problems， grammar sections，and reading and 　41 sections. The supervisor kept walking around the room,　 　42 each student's extra pencils and 　43 sharpening them for us.I turned the___44____when instructed to，___45____it wasn't another math section and it wasn't. It was a reading section —— ___46____！I started reading the excerpt（片段）given and was 　 47 to discover that it wasn't a boring piece about astrology （星象）or biological science. ____48____，it was an excerpt from a romantic novel. I became little____49____with reading it and at times I wanted to say "Awww！”aloud. My heart was 　　50　　 　 swooning（沉醉）and I think I was 　51 . Hopefully I got the questiotions from that section____52___because I actually had fun answering them. Who knew the SAT could actually bring 　53 ？

It was about 1 p. m. when the test was over. I got out of the classroom with____54____．As I was walking outside the building，I was thinking that the test was no longer a bitter____55____for the first time in my life.

36. A. happiness　 B. nervousness　 C. calmness　 D. sadness

37. A. amazing　　 B. disappointing　 C. tiring　 D. freezing

38. A. seats　　　 B. walls　　　　　 C. floors　 D. hearts

39. A. seeing　　 B. taking　　 C. checking　　 D. preparing

40. A. looking　　 B. pacing　　 C. making　　　 D. showing

41. A. comprehension　 B. thinking　 C. guessing　　 D. recitation

42. A. bringing in　　 B. putting down　 C. picking up　 D. showing off

43. A. kindly　　　　 B. slightly　　　 C. directly　　 D. slowly

44. A. door　　　　　 B. direction　　 C. pencil　　　 D. page

45. A. finding　　　　 B. praying　　　 C. deciding　　 D, imagining

46. A. terrible　　　　 B. great　　　　 C. sure　　　　 D. no

47. A. frightened　　 B. worried　　　 C. shocked　　 D. regretted

48. A. However　　 B. Therefore　 C. Also　　　　 D. Rather

49. A. carried away　 B. worn out　 C. tired　　　 D. confused

50. A. suddenly　　 B. totally　　 C. over　　　　 D. again

51. A. reading　 B. sleeping　 C. smiling　　　 D. whispering

52. A. right　　 B. ready　　　　 C. clear　　　　 D. possible

53.　 A.hope　　　 B. joy　　　　 C. interest　　　　 D.trouble

54.　 A. relief　　　 B. hunger　　 C. strength　　　　 D. courage

55.　 A. attempt　　　 B. fact　　　 C. process　　　　 D. experience