第二部分：阅读理解(共两节，满分 40分)
(共15小题;每小题2分，满分30分)
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
One-hundred-and seventh birthdays aren’t usually celebrated for authors who aren’t alive anymore. But Theodor Seuss Geisel---better known as the children’s books author Dr. Seuss ---who came into the world on 2 March, 1904, was an unusual man.
Like generations of children I was raised on his wonderful stories. But when I now read them to my children it’s not just the childhood memories I enjoy. His writing is brilliant and imaginative and flows with a self-confidence as sure as the words of a Shakespeare poem. Readers ride his characteristic rhythm (韵律) with an effortless joy that cannot be matched by any other modern writer
You have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself any direction you choose
And will you succeed?
Yes indeed, yes indeed!
Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed.
Seuss’s brilliant cartoons and clever words make his books a delight for adults but they attract mostly children of course. His stories teach kids moral lessons but in indirect and entertaining ways.
The first Seuss book I was given was The Lorax, written just as the 60s were becoming the 70s. Seuss was ahead of his time, and in this book the dawn of concern for environmental problems are shown as the Lorax “who speaks for the trees” battles against an evil businessman who wants to destroy the forest and make goods “which everyone needs”.
It’s not only a warning of the heavy price of environmental destruction, written well before most people had thought to worry, but it’s also a smart analysis of consumer societies “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” This is of course a moral message, but not of the kind designed to persuade the youngsters into behavior that adults want.
I could go on, but hey, it’s a birthday, and I’m sure you folks have some good toasts to raise for the party…
21. What’s the purpose of this passage?
A. To introduce Dr. Seuss’s life. B. To analyze Dr. Seuss’s books.
C. To describe Dr. Seuss’s writing style. D. To celebrate Dr. Seuss’s achievements.
22. Why does the author include Dr. Seuss’s poem?
A. To encourage readers to use their brains and choose their own way.
B. To give readers a sample of Seuss’s story The Lorax.
C. To provide readers with an example of Seuss’s writing style.
D. To explain how relevant Seuss’s stories remain today.
23. Why do adults also enjoy Seuss’s books?
A. His words and pictures are imaginative enough to be enjoyed by all.
B. His books give children obvious moral messages to learn from.
C. He writes about adult topics in a way that is understandable to children.
D. He was the first person to write about the environment.
24. When was the book The Lorax written?
A. Early 1960s. B. Early 1970s. C. Late 1960s. D. Late 1970s.
25. Which of the following is true about Seuss?
A. Many of the issues he discussed attracted greater concern in later years.
B. He is widely considered as the twentieth-century Shakespeare.
C. His books are more popular now than when they were first published.
D. Most readers thought his ideas were difficult to understand.
B
One day Bill went to eat at a restaurant in London.Suddenly a young woman sat down beside him.Bill could not think what she wanted.She did not look very happy.Bill asked her what was wrong.“The problem is,” she began.But then she stopped.She didn’t find it easy to tell Bill about it, it seemed.
“My husband and I wanted to meet here for lunch at 12,” she said at last, “but he hasn’t come.”
“Well, don’t you know where he is? Can you ring him up?”
“No, I can’t.” said the woman, “And I have had lunch now and I can’t pay the bill.Because I haven’t got any money with me.”
“Never mind, I’ll pay the bill for you.You can pay me back later.” Bill said.“If you give me your address, I’ll send you the money as soon as I get home.” With these words she left the restaurant.
A few weeks later, when Bill was having lunch at another restaurant, he suddenly heard a familiar(熟悉的)voice, “Excuse me.May I just sit here for a moment?” Bill turned round.It was the same young woman again.This time she was talking to a man with gray hair at a table not far from the gate.Bill smiled at the woman and got up from his chair and walked across the room.
.One day Bill came to eat at a restaurant _____ .
A.to meet a young woman B.to help a woman
C.to have lunch D.to have the last meal of the day
.The woman said she would _____ .
A.return Bill’s money as early as possible B.go to Bill’s home to return the money
C.give Bill’s money back the next day D.return Bill’s money at the restaurant
.Bill walked across the room _____ .
A.to pay the woman’s bill B.to say hello to the man with gray hair
C.to meet the woman D.to go away from the woman
