B
Penguins live together，but each pair has a little piece of ground of their own.When a penguin wants to walk through its neighbor’s ground，it must ask permission.If it does not do that，it will have to fight.Most of the time，penguins live on the water.They eat shell fish and look after their children carefully.
All penguins are good parents—the male penguins are perhaps the best parents in the world.They walk in the sea in the middle of the dark Antarctic water.They choose their wives in the dark.They can only hear them—not see them.Then the female penguins lay their eggs and go away for about two months.The males take care of the eggs.If the eggs get cold，there will be no chicks.There is no food.The snow falls heavily and the wind blows strongly—sometimes at 150 kilometers an hour.The penguins do not move.When the females return from the sea，they will not remember their husbands.It does not matter.Only one thing matters—the eggs.Male penguins never fight—unless a penguin leaves a chick for a minute.They then fight because they all want it.They are strange and wonderful birds.
31.It seems interesting and unusual that the male penguins choose their wives ______.
A.when the female penguins return from the sea
B.just by hearing in the darkness
C.each time they see the lovely females
D.after they have had their own grounds
32.Male penguins fight when ______.
A.they choose their wives
B.they see a chick left alone
C.they want to get something to eat
D.they walk through their neighbors’ ground
33.From the passage we know that ______.
A.penguins live a hard life
B.penguins live in pairs
C.penguins will fight if one walks through others’ ground without permission
D.each penguin has a little piece of ground of its own
34.The penguins choose their wives in the dark.We can infer that ______.
A.penguins like nights very much
B.there is no daytime in that place at all
C.the weather is cloudy and rainy all the year around
D.the sun can’t shine there for nearly half a year every year
35.Which of the following is NOT true?
A.Female penguins take care of the eggs.
B.Female penguins often have their new husbands.
C.Male penguins use their ears to choose wives.
D.Male penguins don’t move when they take care of eggs，even though the wind often blows strongly.
C
The French word renaissance means rebirth.It was first used in 1855 by the historian Jules Michelet in his History of France，then adopted by historians of culture，by art historians，and eventually by music historians，all of whom applied it to European culture during the 150 years spanning 1450-1600.The concept of rebirth was appropriate to this period of European history because of the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture that began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe.Scholars and artists of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries wanted to restore the learning and ideals of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome.To these scholars this meant a return to human—as opposed to spiritual values.Fulfillment in life—as opposed to concern about an afterlife—became a desirable goal，and expressing the entire range of human emotions and enjoying the pleasures of the senses were no longer frowned on.Artists and writers now turned to secular(不朽的)as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable and appealing.
These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance period—how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed，experienced，discussed，and circulated.They could see the architectural monuments，sculptures(雕塑)，plays，and poems that were being rediscovered，but they could not actually hear ancient music—although they could read the writings of classical philosophers，poets，essayists，and music theorists that were becoming available in translation.They learned about the power of ancient music to move the listener and wondered why modern music did not have the same effect.For example，the influential religious leader Bernardino Cirillo expressed disappointment with the learned music of his time.He urged musicians to follow the example of the sculptors，painters，architects，and scholars who had rediscovered ancient art and literature.
The musical Renaissance in Europe was more a general cultural movement and state of mind than a specific set of musical techniques.Furthermore，music changed so rapidly during this century and a half—though at different rates in different countries—that we cannot define a single Renaissance style.
36.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The musical compositions that best illustrate the developments during the European Renaissance.
B.The musical techniques that were in use during the European Renaissance.
C.The European Renaissance as a cultural development that included changes in musical style.
D.The ancient Greek and Roman musical practices used during the European Renaissance.
37.The underlined word “now” in Paragraph 1 refers to ________.
A.1855
B.the period of the Renaissance
C.tile time of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome
D.the time at which the author wrote the passage
38.It can be inferred from the passage that thinkers of the Renaissance were seeking a rebirth of ________.
A.spirituality in everyday life
B.communication among artists across Europe
C.a cultural emphasis on human values
D.religious themes in art that would accompany the traditional secular themes
39.What can be inferred about the music of ancient Greece and Rome?
A.Its effect on listeners was described in a number of classical texts.
B.It was played on instruments that are familiar to modern audiences.
C.It expressed more different ideals than classical sculpture，painting and poetry.
D.It had the same effect on Renaissance audiences as it had when originally performed.
40.According to the passage，why was Bernardino Cirillo disappointed with the music of his time?
A.It did not contain enough religious themes.
B.It had little emotional impact on audiences.
C.It was not complex enough to appeal to musicians.
D.It was too dependent on the art and literature of his time.
D
The high school prom is the first formal social event for most American teenagers.It has also been a rite(仪式) of passage for young Americans for nearly a century.
The word “prom” was first used in the 1890s，referring to formal dances in which the guests of a party would display their fashions and dancing skills during the evening’s grand march.In the United States，parents and educators have come to regard the prom as an important lesson in social skills.Therefore，proms have been held every year in high schools for students to learn proper social behavior.
The first high school proms were held in the 1920s in America.By the 1930s，proms were common across the country.For many older Americans，the prom was a modest，homegrown affair in the school gymnasium.Promgoers were well dressed but not fancily dressed up for the occasion：boys wore jackets and ties and girls their Sunday dresses.Couples danced to music provided by a local amateur band or a record player.After the 1960s，and especially since the 1980s，the high school prom in many areas has become a serious exercise in excessive consumption，with boys renting expensive tuxedos and girls wearing designer gowns.Expensive cars were hired to drive the promgoers to big restaurants or discos for an allnight celebrations
Whether simple or lavish，proms have always been more or less upsetting events for adolescents who worry about selfimage and fitting in with their peers.Prom night can be a fearful experience for socially awkward teens or for those who do not secure dates.Since the 1990s，alternative proms have been organized in some areas to meet the needs of particular students.For example，proms organized by and for homeless youth were reported.There were also “couplefree” proms to which all students are welcome.
41.In what way are high school proms significant to American teenagers?
A.They are part of the graduation ceremony.
B.They are occasions for teens to show off their wealth.
C.They are important events for teenagers to learn social skills.
D.They are formal events in which teens share their fearful experiences.
42.Which best expresses the main idea of the third paragraph?
A.Proper social behavior must be observed by promgoers.
B.Proms held in earlier times gave less pressure to teenagers.
C.Proms are regarded as important because everyone dresses up for the occasion.
D.The prom has changed from a modest event to an expensive party over the years.
43.According to the text，what led to alternative proms?
A.Not all students behaved well at the proms.
B.Proms were too serious for young promgoers.
C.Teenagers wanted to attend proms with their dates.
D.Students with special needs did not enjoy conventional proms.
44.Which is true according to the text?
A.Unconventional proms have been organized since the 1990s.
B.In the 1980s，proms were held in local churches for teenagers to attend.
C.Proms have been a significant event in American high schools since the 1930s.
D.In the 1890s，high school proms were allnight social events.
45.Which of the following is suggested but not clearly stated?
A.Many high school students attend proms together with their lovers.
B.The first high school proms were held in the 1920s in America.
C.Prom night can be a fearful experience for socially awkward teens.
D.The high school prom is the first formal social event for most American teenagers.
