高考英语时文专题训练(一)

——时事新闻

Passage　1　 Giant leap for China

A few days ago, he was just Colonel (上校) Yang; few people knew his name or recognized his face. But last Thursday, when he came back to the earth after a 21-hour trip to space, Yang Liwei's smile was seen across the world above the magic words: "China's first spaceman".
　　　The 38-year-old astronaut was sent into space at 9 a.m. last Wednesday by China's Shenzhou V spacecraft, which orbited the earth 14 times. He landed safely at 6:23 a.m. the next day, making China the third country to successfully send a person into space, after the former Soviet Union and the US.

Yang was satisfied with his job. "I have seen many landing scenes before on video, and I think ours was one of the most successful," he said on a special plane to Beijing after landing.
　　　Born into an ordinary family in Liaoning Province, he became a pilot in the Chinese Air Force in 1987, spending 1,350 hours in the air. He joined the Chinese space programme 11 years later.

While in space, Yang recorded everything he saw as well as showing China's national flag and the United Nations' flag to the people watching on TV at home. He also ate a meal of diced chicken and fried rice, before taking a 3-hour nap. The whole project went according to plan, but space exploration is not as easy as it seems.
　　 Anyone who saw the destruction of the US space shuttle Columbia in February this year will know that Yang took a great risk.
　　 He experienced extremely high temperatures, while the gravitational forces (重力) on takeoff and landing were strong enough to force tears from his eyes.
　　 He has spent five years training to become a spaceman.

"I eat all of my meals at the space programme's dinning room and have never been able to take my son to kindergarten," he said. "I've never met his teachers."
　　 But becoming China's first spaceman has made all the effort worthwhile.
　　 "When I boarded the spacecraft for the first time, I couldn't help feeling excited," he said. "I decided that I had to fly it."
　　 To Chinese people, Yang is now a hero. One visitor to a Xinhua news agency online forum (网上论坛) said: "Yang's trip is a giant leap forward for China."
　　 Officials say the next Shenzhou will be launched by 2005. China also plans to develop spacewalking and a space lab.

1. What is the main idea of the story?
　 A. China's first manned space flight.
　 B. A hero with great courage
　 C. The first Chinese man in space
　 D. How Yang Liwei became China's first spaceman
2. How long did each of Yang's orbits take on average?
　 A. 1 hour.
　 B. 1.5 hours.
　 C. 6 hours.
　 D. The story didn't mention.
3. Why did the writer mention the gravitational forces on takeoff and landing?
　 A. To stress the hardship and the spaceman had to experience.
　 B. Because it was a very special experience for any spacemen.
　 C. To stress how much training he had to do to prepare for the flight
　 D. To show that Yang is lucky.
4. Why did the writer use "giant leap" in the title?
　 A. Because the space flight marked China's great progress in the field of space exploration.
　 B. Because Neil Armstrong said it was a "giant leap" for mankind when he first set foot on the moon.
　 C. Because the space flight was a huge success.
　 D. Both A and B.

Passage　2　 Chinese fourth unmanned spacecraft into space

China blasted its fourth unmanned craft into space on Monday in what is likely a final test before sending its first astronaut into orbit around earth, state media said.

　 The Shenzhou IV, or “Divine Ship,” took off from its launch center in the northwestern province of Gansu early Monday morning and had already settled into its course around Earth, the official Xinhua news agency and newspapers reported. “The successful launch of the Shenzhou IV has laid a solid foundation for China to send Chinese astronauts into space,” the China Daily quoted an official at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center as saying. Like its predecessors, the craft will circle Earth once every 90 minutes. The vessel, which boasts a complete system needed for manned flight, will fly in space for a few days before landing.

　　China’s space program is a test of national pride as the country, growing fast after two decades of market-oriented reforms, seeks a place on the world stage alongside great powers. China aims to become the third nation in the world capable of putting people in space. The Soviet Union first accomplished the feat in 1961, with the United States following the next year. The country started its manned flight program in 1992, the Xinhua reported, adding astronauts had entered the Shenzhou IV to train for missions for the first time. Xinhua quoted Su Shuangning, a leading official for the manned flight program, as saying Chinese astronauts, all with fighter pilot backgrounds, were absolutely capable of making their maiden voyage to outer space.　　

1.　　　 In ________ China started its manned flight program.

A. 1961　　  B.1962　　  C.1992　　　 D.2000

2.　　　 Which nations succeeded in carrying people into space?

A. the Soviet Union and China　　　　B. the United States and China

C. the　former Soviet Union and the United States　D. Russia

3.　　　 Which is NOT true about “the Shenzhou IV” according to this report?

A. It’s Chinese fourth unmanned spacecraft launched into space.

B. It is likely to be a final test before launching a manned craft.

C. It was successfully launched early Monday morning.

D. It did not boast a system needed for manned flight.

4.　　　 The Last sentence in bold implies all of the following but _________.

A. The leading official is quite sure that China is capable of sending manned crafts into space.

B. The astronauts who will take the first trip into space were picked out among the fighter pilots.

C.　Chinese astronauts have made several voyages to outer space before.

D.　　 Xinhua news agency quoted impersonally what Su Shuangning , the leading official for the manned flight program, said.

Passage　3　

An unmanned Chinese space capsule returned safely to Earth on Sunday, media said, laying the groundwork for China to attempt later this year to send an astronaut into space. A successful manned flight would make China only the third country, after Russia and the United States, able to send its own astronauts into space.

　 The Shenzhou IV capsule landed as planned just after 7:00 p.m. on China’s northern grasslands in the Inner Mongolia region. Chinese officials said that the next launch would be manned.

　 Shenzhou IV blasted into space Dec. 30 from a base in the Gobi desert. It orbited the earth 108 times and performed hundreds of maneuvers (机动运用), including unfolding its solar panels. Instruments functioned normally and collected a large amount of test data. The re-entry vehicle and its contents will be sent to Beijing for analysis. The flight was the second in less than 10 months for a Chinese space capsule -- the shortest period to date between launches and a possible sign of growing official confidence in the program. 　　　

　 A corps of about a dozen astronauts picked from among fighter pilots in China’s air force have been training for years to take the first trip into space. At least two were sent to Russia’s cosmonaut school, called “taikonauts” after the Chinese word for space, they used the　　　　  Shenzhou IV capsule for training.

　　 The Shenzhou IV, whose name means “Sacred Vessel,” carried the necessary equipment for a manned flight, and the mission tested life-support and other systems. Xinhua said the capsule was “identical to manned spaceships except there were no men aboard.”

1.　　　 What’s the best title for the passage?

A.　　  Unmanned Space Mission a Success

B.　　  Chinese Fourth Unmanned Spacecraft Into Space

C.　　  Chinese Astronauts Sent to Russia

D.　　 China--- the Third Country to Send Astronauts Into Space

2.  Shenzhou IV finished the following tasks successfully except that _________.

A.　　  it orbited the earth 108 times.

B.　　  It performed hundreds of maneuvers.

C.　　  it collected a large amount of test data

D.　　 it brought back a rock from the moon.

3.  The word “taikonauts” in bold may mean __________ in Chinese.

A. 太空　　　 B.太空人　　C.宇航员　　 D.太空舱

4.  From the last sentence, what Xinhua said means __________.

A. “The Shenzhou IV was the same as a manned spaceship but there were no men aboard on it this time.”

B. “The capsule was an unmanned spacecrafts and it needed improving in order to let men aboard.”

C. “The Sacred Vessel IV was identical to a manned spaceship but it was not able to carry men into space.”

D. “The spaceship is very similar to a manned one but it could not hold an astronauts.”

Passage　4　 SARS

Scientists say Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is caused by a new virus from the family of coronaviruses（冠状病毒）, which also causes the common cold.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The World Health Organization says the main　symptoms of SARS are high fever (over 38℃), dry cough, shortness breath or breathing difficulties. Changes in chest X-rays, which are indicative of pneumonia（肺炎）, also occur. SARS may be associated with other symptoms, including chills, headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhoea.

Health experts say the disease has an incubation period(潜伏期) of between two-to-seven days, with three-to-five days being more common, before victims start showing flu-like symptoms.

HOW DANGEROUS IS IT?

The mortality rate（死亡率） appears to be between 3 to 5 per cent. In Hong Kong, at least, those who infected invariably develop severe pneumonia, which can cause numerous complications. The victim’s condition can deteriorate（恶化） very quickly in as little as five days.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

There is currently no specific cure for the disease. But doctors worldwide have been treating it with ribavirin----an anti-viral drug----and steroids（类固醇）. Doctors say if treated early most patients without other serious illnesses can recover.

HOW DOES IT SPREAD?

WHO （世界卫生组织）and Hong Kong experts say the virus spreads through droplets by sneezing or coughing and such direct infection（传染） can usually happen within a radius of around three feet.

The virus can also spread indirectly as it can survive outside of the human body for three to six hours. Contact with any object that is tainted by droplets containing the virus, for example, a contaminated phone, could lead to infection if a person then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

Health experts have not ruled out that it could be airborne （空气传播的）, which infinitely raises the contagious nature of the virus and would make it far harder to contain（控制）.

1.  Which of the following is NOT considered as one of the symptoms of SARS?

A. dry cough　　 B. shortness of breath　  C. bleeding　　 D. loss of appetite

2.  It is possible that a person will be infected with SARS if _______________.

A.　　  they touches their nose after contacting with a contaminated phone.

B.　　  they don’t wash their hands twice a day.

C.　　  they　don’t know the contagious nature of the virus like health experts.

D.　　 they don’t go to a doctor　at once when they catch a cold.

3.  Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A.　　　Even though there is currently no specific cure, the doctors can treat SARS with an anti-viral drug.

B.　　　Before victims show flu-like symptoms, SARS has an incubation period of between two-to-seven days.

C.　　　That SARS could be airborne has not been ruled out by health experts from WHO.

D.　　 Doctors believe that every victim without other serious illnesses can be cured.

4.  From the information given in the passage we can deduce that _______________.

A.　　　SARS is a type of pneumonia which is caused by influenza.

B.　　　When an infected person travels, he can not spread the virus to other passengers on his flight.

C.　　　In order to control the spread of the disease, patients should be placed in an isolation unit.

D.　　 Wearing a mask is not a good way of keeping off SARS .

Passage　5　 Goodbye SARS!

BEIJING, China and the world celebrated a great day of victory on June 24.
On that day, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its removal of Beijing from its list of SARS-infected (感染"非典"的) areas. It also lifted it's travel warning against the city — the last in the world. Beijing was put on the WHO's travel warning list on April 23.

The announcement came after the number of cases in Beijing's hospitals fell to 46 — well below the WHO cut-off point of 60. Beijing had recorded a total of 2,521 cases of SARS and 192 deaths by June 26.

"Today's development is a milestone in the fight against SARS, not only in China but also the world. From today, the WHO has no more warnings against any places around the world," said Shigeru Omi, a WHO official.

Just one month ago, going out without a mask would have been thought of as daring and even irresponsible (不负责任) in the capital city of 13 million people.
"Change clothes and wash hands more often, take more physical exercise and organize fewer gatherings" were commonly-heard pieces of advice.

People opened their windows more often and disinfectants (消毒液) could be smelled in the subways (地铁), buses and offices.

Spitting in public became socially criticized. In Beijing and Guangzhou, public spitters were forced to pay a fine of 50 yuan. The fine (罚款) went up to 200 yuan in Shanghai.

At the peak of the SARS outbreak, Beijing residents were the "most unwelcome people" in the country. They were forced to cancel or put off almost all their travel plans, as most provinces and cities put a two-week quarantine (隔离) on travellers from Beijing.

With the WHO's announcement, life in China has returned to normal. All students in Beijing will return to school after more than two months of staying at home. And travelling has again become a big plan for the summer holiday.

However, medical experts have warned against any relaxation (放松) of SARS prevention and control measures after the lifting of the WHO travel warning.

1.  June 24 was a great day worthy of being celebrated because ______.

A. The last SARS-infected patient recovered on that day

B. WHO announced to remove Beijing from its list of SARS-infected areas

C. WHO’s travel warning against Beijing was lifted on that day

D. both B and C

2.　　　 The last paragraph suggests that _______.

A.　　  medical experts believe that there will not be another outbreak of SARS

B.　　  After the lifting of the WHO travel warning people can plan their travel to Beijing

C.　　   With the WHO's announcement, life in China has returned to normal

D.　　 medical experts warned us not to relax our efforts on SARS prevention and control measures

3.　　　 Which of the following statements is not true according to the passage?

A.　　  During the peak of the SARS outbreak, life of Beijingers was greatly affected.

B.　　  Most provinces and cities put a two-week quarantine (隔离) on travellers from Beijing.

C.　　  In Beijing and Shanghai, public spitters were forced to pay a fine of 50 yuan.

D.　　 The number of cases in Beijing's hospitals fell below 60 by June 24.

Passage  6  Peace problem

Six months have passed since Saddam Hussein's rule of Iraq was declared over, but in many ways the war is still being fought.
　　Groups opposed to American control of Baghdad have launched a series of suicide bombings across the city. Last Monday around 40 people were killed and more than 200 injured in the bloodiest day since peace was announced on May 1. One bomb even attacked the headquarters (总部) of the International Red Cross.
　　Dr Jalal F Massa, a doctor whose daughter was injured in the attack on the Red Cross, said: "We, the Iraqi people, who have suffered so much, feel helpless when we see these things. The US occupation has not been a success."
　　In the last three months, there have been several attacks in Iraq causing heavy damage. Not only were US troops targeted, but also UN buildings and workers, religious (宗教的) leaders, foreign officials and members of Iraq's new government.
　　On October 28, the number of US soldiers who have died in Iraq since May 1 rose to 139, one more than the number who died during the war itself.
　　 Paul Bremer, the US chief administrator (行政长官) in Iraq, told the Iraqi people the US didn't like being an occupying power and promised they would only stay as long as is necessary.
　　 Although, there is transitory government in Iraq, it is controlled by the US and there is no timetable for handing over power to the Iraqis. Many other countries, including France, Germany and Russia, see this as a key part to rebuilding the country.
　　 "Only in this way can it be made clear that the present political situation in Iraq is a temporary (暂时的) one," said Gunter Pleuger, Germany's Ambassador (大使) to the UN. Although the UN has agreed to help rebuild the country, it remains divided over what its role should be. While the likes of France and Germany want to see a quick hand-over of power, the US and Britain focus more on removing rebel forces still supporting Saddam.

Rosemary Hollis, of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, said that whatever the US-led troops choose to do, they must act quickly. "If they do not move soon, they will lose control and there will not be any new government to put in power," she warned. "They will be stuck, as happened to America after the war in Viet Nam (越南)."

1.Which of the following is NOT one of the disagreements over rebuilding Iraq?
　A. Whether the US occupation has been a success.
　B. Setting a clear date for the handover of power to Iraq.
　C. Whether the UN should take the leading role in rebuilding Iraq rather than the US.
　D. Removing the rebel forces that still support Saddam.
2. What is the main idea of this story?
　A. Baghdad saw the bloodiest day since peace was declared on May 1.
　B. The US occupation has not been a success.
　C. The rebuilding of Iraq mainly depended on UN’s decision.
　D. There are still many disagreements over how to rebuild Iraq.
3. Which shows the war is still going on?
　A. The number of US soldiers who have died in Iraq.
　B. The attack on the International Red Cross headquarters.
　C. The US troops are still in Iraq.
　D. All the above.
4. The writer of this story is ____.
　A. on the American side
　B. on the French side
　C. on the Iraqi side
　D. very objective (客观的)

Passage　7　　New road for peace?
It seems that nothing is ever easy in the Middle East, and the road to peace for Israel and Palestine is no different.
　 But, with a new Palestinian prime minister in place on April 23, the US has seen a new chance to put into place its "road map" for peace.
　 By May 5, the Palestinians had accepted the plan, but Israel still wanted major changes to be made.
　 The latest fighting between the two states began in September 2000. Over the past 31 months, thousands of Palestinians and Israelis have been killed and injured. Israel and Palestine have fought against each other since Israel created its own state in 1948. When Israel won the 1967 war, it gained control of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Since then, the Palestinians have demanded these three areas be part of their state.
　 Mahmoud Abbas became Palestine's new prime minister after Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat was forced to agree to share his power. Both the US and Israel had refused to enter into peace talks with Arafat, whom they consider unreliable (不可靠的).
　 The road map for peace leads in two directions: the safety of Israel and a state for the Palestinians.
Three-step plan
　 The plan was written last December by the US, the United Nations, the European Union (欧盟), and Russia.
　 *The first step is to stop the violence (暴力) on both sides. Palestinians would draw up a constitution (宪法) for their government. And Israelis living on land that was once Palestine would not build new homes.
　 *The second step calls for an international conference that draws up the creation of a Palestinian state.
　 *The final step aims for a lasting agreement between Israel and the Palestine, and the support of neighbouring Arab states (阿拉伯国家).
Uncertainty
　 US officials hope that both sides will follow the road to peace by 2005.
　 But to take the first step will be no easy task. Hours before the plan was announced, a suicide bomber (自杀爆炸者) killed himself and three others in Tel Aviv, Israel. The next day, 12 Palestinians were killed and 15 others were injured in an attack by the Israeli army on Gaza City. In other recent fighting in Gaza City on May 8, four more Palestinians were killed.

The Palestinians say that the two sides should be taking steps at the same time. But Israel demands the first step must be an end to Palestinian violence.
　　In the face of such disagreement, many analysts (分析家) don't believe the plan can ensure a peaceful future in the Middle East.

1.What is the main point of this story?
　A. The fighting between Israel and Palestine.
　B. The long process (进程) for Israel and Palestine to achieve peace.
　C. New chance and plan for peace in the Middle East.
　D. International efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.
2. What lies at the root of the conflicts (冲突) between Israel and Palestine?
　A. Israelis and Palestinians have different beliefs.
　B. Israelis live on land that once belonged to Palestinians.
　C. The founding of Israel.
　D. Disagreement on how to bring about peace.
3. Which of the following is not true?
　A. Israel and Palestine haven’t taken steps to work for peace at the same time.
　B. A new leader in Palestine has brought new hope.
　C. Part of the “road map” is to settle the disagreement between Israel and Palestine.
　D. Israel and Palestine have different views about the new plan.
4. Which side do you think the writer is on?
　A. Israel’s.
　B. Palestine’s.
　C. Analysts’.
　D. None of the above.

Passage  8　 Trapping the cat?

He has lived through countless dangers but time may be running out for the Palestinian (巴勒斯坦) leader, Yasser Arafat.
　　 On September 11, Israel (以色列) announced its decision to remove him, following several Palestinian suicide bomb attacks on Israel. "He should take some responsibility for the killings," an Israeli official said. "He has done nothing to stop the terrorist groups."
　　 But the decision has angered many other countries. China said that Arafat is the true leader, elected by the Palestinian people, and removing him would harm the peace in the Middle East. This view is shared by other governments.
　　 Arafat himself said: "They can kill me, but never get me out of my country." He has spent most of his life in danger as the chief target (目标) of Israel. But, just like a cat with nine lives, Arafat escaped every time.
　　 For years he has made a practice of sleeping in a different bed each night, thinking a moving target is harder to hit.
　　 In 1985, Israel sent fighter planes to kill Arafat. The wild bombing destroyed his old headquarters (总部) in Tunis but Arafat himself was unhurt.
　　 In 1992, the aircraft in which he was flying over north Africa broke in two during a crash landing. The crew was killed but he managed to remain alive.
　　 What is so unbelievable is that he always remains calm in great danger.
　　 Israeli tanks and helicopters attacked his headquarters in Ramallah in December, 2001. When they saw the attackers coming, Arafat's bodyguards ignored his orders to stay still and carried him to safety underground. Seconds later, several bombs exploded nearby. Though safe, his bodyguards were so scared they were soaked in sweat.
　　 But Arafat, with Israeli tanks only 200 metres away, showed no fear at all. He stayed in the damaged office, contacting foreign leaders in hope of preventing further attacks from Israel.

All these experiences have made him a mysterious man, and one of the world's most legendary (传奇式的) leaders.
　　 But has he used up the last of his nine lives? Only time will tell.

1. What is the main idea of the story？
　 A. Arafat was in danger again after Israel's decision to remove him.
　 B. Arafat faced dangers without fear.
　 C. Arafat was one of the most legendary leaders in the world.
　 D. Arafat may have used up the last of his nine lives.
2. Which is not one of the reasons that Arafat managed to live through countless dangers?
　 A. Luck.
　 B. He was very careful.
　 C. He kept a clear head in danger.
　 D. He had mysterious powers.
3. What does the boldfaced word “scared” in the last paragraph but three mean?
　 A. Glad.
　 B. Frightened.
　 C. Feeling lucky.
　 D. Worried.
4. Arafat's answer to Israeli decision showed ______.
　 A. that he wasn't afraid of danger
　 B. his determination to stay in his own country
　 C. that he has belief in himself
　 D. both A and B

Passage　9　 Imagining the transforming event

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon. But today's terrorists, be they international cults like Aum Shinrikyo or individual nihilists like the Unabomber, act on a greater variety of motives than ever before. More ominously, terrorists may gain access to weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear devices, germ dispensers, poison gas weapons, and even computer viruses. Also new is the world's dependence on a nearly invisible and fragile network for distributing energy and information. Long part of the Hollywood and Tom Clancy repertory of nightmarish scenarios, catastrophic terrorism has moved from far-fetched horror to a contingency that could happen next month. Although the United States still takes conventional terrorism seriously, as demonstrated by the response to the attacks on its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August, it is not yet prepared for the new threat of catastrophic terrorism.

American military superiority on the conventional battlefield pushes its adversaries toward unconventional alternatives. The United States has already destroyed one facility in Sudan in its attempt to target chemical weapons. Russia, storehouse of tens of thousands of weapons and material to make tens of thousands more, may be descending into turmoil. Meanwhile, the combination of new technology and lethal force has made biological weapons at least as deadly as chemical and nuclear alternatives. Technology is more accessible, and society is more vulnerable. Elaborate international networks have developed among organized criminals, drug traffickers, arms dealers, and money launderers, creating an infrastructure for catastrophic terrorism around the world.

The bombings in East Africa killed hundreds. A successful attack with weapons of mass destruction could certainly take thousands, or tens of thousands, of lives. If the device that exploded in 1993 under the World Trade Center had been nuclear, or had effectively dispersed a deadly pathogen, the resulting horror and chaos would have exceeded our ability to describe it. Such an act of catastrophic terrorism would be a watershed event in American history. It could involve loss of life and property unprecedented in peacetime and undermine America's fundamental sense of security, as did the Soviet atomic bomb test in 1949. Like Pearl Harbor, this event would divide our past and future into a before and after. The United States might respond with draconian measures, scaling back civil liberties, allowing wider surveillance of citizens, detention of suspects, and use of deadly force. More violence could follow, either further terrorist attacks or U.S. counterattacks. Belatedly, Americans would judge their leaders negligent for not addressing terrorism more urgently.

The danger of weapons of mass destruction being used against America and its allies is greater now than at any time since the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. It is a national security problem that deserves the kind of attention the Defense Department devotes to threats of military nuclear attack or regional aggression. The first obstacle to imagination is resignation. The prospects may seem so dreadful that some officials despair of doing anything useful. Some are fatalistic, as if contemplating the possibility of a supernova. Many thinkers reacted the same ...

1. What’s the main idea of the extract ?

A. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon

　B. Terrorists attacked on America’s embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August

  C. Long part of the Hollywood and Tom Clancy repertory of nightmarish scenarios will surely happen next month.

D. Today’s terrorists may gain access to weapons of mass destruction and the US is not yet well prepared for the new threat of catastrophic terrorism.

2. Weapons of mass destruction include all of the following except ________.

A. tear bombs

B. nuclear weapons

C. biological weapons

D. atomic bombs

3.What’s the main purpose of writing this passage?

A. To tell people what terrorism is.

B. To report the recent rampancy of terrorists.

C. To warn people to be highly aware of the new threat of terrorism.

D. To explain the danger of weapons of mass destruction.

 

Passage 10　 Four pieces of News

News item 1

ChongQing ---- A man has received compensation of more than 130,000 yuan (US&15,662) for being wrongly convicted of murder and serving nearly seven years in jail. Tong Liqing, who is now 41, was jailed for killing his brother’s maid. At his trial, Tong said he had admitted to the crime to escape further police beatings. His case attracted the attention of a local lawyer who spent six years finding evidence to prove Tong’s innocence.

News Item 2

Tokyo ---- An earthquake shook Tokyo on Wednesday but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. National broadcaster NHK said there was no danger of tidal waves. The earthquake measured a moderate 6.5 on the Richter scale. NHK said the epicenter was off the coast of the Kii peninsula in western Japan.

News Item 3

Hong Kong ---- More women from the Chinese mainland intend to visit Hong Kong in search of Mr. Right after restrictions on travel to Hong Kong were eased. In the first seven months of this year, some 18,000 couples registered for marriage in Hong Kong. For one third of these newly married couples, husbands or wives were from Chinese mainland. According to the China News Service, local matchmaking agencies have recently received more inquiries from women who are from the mainland, wanting to meet well educated men with a relatively good income.

News Item 4

NanJing---- A report that three kindergarten teachers knelt down before a South Korean couple to apologize, in Nanjing, of East China’s Jiangsu Province, has triggered wide criticism.

At a local kindergarten, a Chinese teacher frightened a South Korean child by saying she would cut off his fingers if he continued to make mischief. Although the kindergarten had apologized to the couple and dismissed the teacher surnamed Yang, the mother insisted that Yang should kneel down before her.

Sheng Dalin, a columnist, wrote in the XINXI SHIBAO that it was enough to fire the teacher and make an apology to the couple, but the mother’s request was beyond all reason.

1. “Excessive Apology” may be a good title for _______.

A. News item 1　　 B. News item 2　　C. News item 3　　D. News item 4

2. Which of the following will be the best heading for News Item 3 ?

  A. Women married to Hong Kong　　　　  B. Mr. Right in Hong Kong

  C. Match girls 　　　　　　　　　　　　D. A Hong Kong matchmaking agency

3. Which of the following is true according to the four pieces of news?

A. Tong Liqing from Chongqing was wrongly jailed for nearly 7 years before a local lawyer proved his innocence.

B.　　  The quake in Tokyo was not a moderate one.

C.　Girls from Chinese mainland intend to marry to a man whoever is a Hong Kong resident.

D. The columnist, Sheng Dalin, thinks that the teachers should knee down before the kid’s mother.

专题一　时事新闻练习答案及详解

Passage　1　　　1. C　　 2. B　　3. A　　4. D

中国载人航天飞行取得圆满成功，这一消息令国人振奋。

1．　全文行文角度以杨利伟为中心，故答案为C。

2．　计算题。信息源在第一二段这两处： “… …he came back to the earth after a 21-hour trip to space… …”　“ … …which orbited the earth 14 times” 也就是说环绕地球转了14圈耗时21小时，简单计算得平均每转一圈 1.5 小时，答案为: B。

3．　分析和该题相关的信息 “He experienced extremely high temperatures, while the gravitational forces (重力) on takeoff and landing were strong enough to force tears from his eyes.”，不难推知选项 A 意义相符。

4．　结合全文理解标题中的“giant leap”，其意义为选项A. 意即：神舟五号的成功标志着中国在航天领域里迈出了“一大步”, B 项表明：“giant leap” 这一遣词的来源。所以答案为：D

Passage　2　　　1. C　　2. C　　3. D　　4. C

这是一篇关于神舟四号模拟载人飞行的报道。

1.　　　 细节理解题。从最后一段　“The country started its manned flight program in 1992,　。。。”一句得知答案C。

2.　　　 从相关信息句　“The Soviet Union first accomplished the feat in 1961, with the United States following the next year.”推知答案为C项。

3.　　　 ABCD 逐一查证，D为不正确的说法。

4.　　　 该题考查对文章最后一句的理解。　D项是说新华社客观引述了Su Shuangning的原话，答案为:C.

Passage　3　　　1. A　　2. D　　3. A　　4. A

这是一篇关于神舟四号成功发射成功返回地面的报道。

1.　　　 文章标题要概括文章的中心，标题的内涵外延要准确反映文章的中心内容。做这类题不妨引导学生作这样的思考：如果让我来以某个选项为题写一篇文章或报道，我会在文章里写那些内容重点放在哪里，然后对比思考。这样更容易得到正确的选择。本题答案：A.

2.　　　 细节理解题。答案：D.

3.　　　 词义猜测题。理解文章倒数第二段最后一句，答案：A.

4.　　　 推理判断题。根据全文中心推断：神舟四号和载人飞船装备一样，只是没有宇航员。答案为：A.

Passage　 4　　　1. C　　2. A　　 3. D　　4. C

这是一篇介绍 SARS的文章。

1.　　　 细节理解题。根据文章二三段， C项 bleeding 不是SARS症状。

2.　　　 推理判断题。理解HOW DOES IT SPREAD?一段，了解SARS 的传播途径，判断A为正确答案。

3.　　　 逐一判断，正确答案为:D.

4.　　　 推理题。C 项为唯一正确的推断。

Passage　 5　　　 1. D　　 2. D　　3.C

告别SARS，北京举行庆祝活动。

1．细节判断题。根据第一段推断D为正确答案。

2．段落大意理解题。文章最后一段：医学专家警告不能放松对SARS的防治和控制。

3．细节推理题.C 符合文章提供的信息。

Passage　 6　　　1. A　　2. D　　3. D　　4.D

萨达姆政权倒台，伊拉克面临重建的问题。

1．  综合全文理解：　A不是伊拉克重建问题上存在的分歧。

2．  文章主旨题。 A,B,C 是文中提到的细节性的东西，但不是全文要表达的观点。

3．  细节推断题。文章二三四五段提供了相关信息。D 为正确答案。

4．  判断作者的立场观点。这篇文章中作者对伊拉克局势和重建问题作了客观地阐述。答案为：D.

Passage　7　 　　　1. C　　2. B　　3. C　　 4. D

巴以冲突由来已久，“和平路线图”能否顺利实施。从这篇报道可窥见一斑。

1．  主题判断题。C为正确答案。

2．  细节理解题。巴以冲突的根源是以色列人侵占了属于巴勒斯坦的领土。文中“When Israel won the 1967 war, it gained control of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Since then, the Palestinians have demanded these three areas be part of their state.”一句提供了这一信息。

3．  细节推理题。C为正确答案。事实上所有的“road map”都是用来解决巴以争端的。

4．  判断作者的立场。作者既不站在以色列的立场上也没有帮巴基斯坦说话，对分析家的观点也没表示自己的看法。答案为D.

Passage　 8　　 1. C　　2. D　　3. B　　4. D

阿拉法特再次成为以色列袭击的重点目标，纵然“猫有九命”，这位巴基斯坦领导人的传奇还能延续多久？

1．　主旨题。全文讲述的是阿拉法特的传奇经历。答案为：C　。

2．  阿拉法特能数次历经劫难，靠的并不是什么神秘的魔力。答案：D

3．  词义推断题。根据上下文黑体的scared应是“害怕的”意思。

4．  句意推测题。相关信息句在第四段第一句Arafat himself said: "They can kill me, but never get me out of my country."。这句话有两层意义，一是他不害怕；二是他决定留在巴基斯坦。答案为：D.

Passage　 9　　　1. D　　2. A　　3. C

恐怖活动乃世界和平社会稳定的公敌。看看这篇从美国官方网站上copy下来的文章节选，美国人对恐怖主义的警惕、以及恐怖分子一旦使用大规模杀伤性武器所造成的危害由此可见一斑。

1.　　　 主题判断题. 答案为：D。

2.　　　 细节理解题。A项是“催泪弹”，不属于Weapons of mass destruction。

3.　　　 本题考察对文章写作意图的理解，全文侧重警告人们警惕恐怖主义的新威胁---即恐怖分子使用大规模杀伤性武器。答案为：C。

Passage　10　　　1. D　　 2. C　　 3. A

报刊鳞选的四则新闻：重庆男子被误判入监7年，终获赔赏13万；日本地震；内地女孩青睐香港白领；韩国母亲要幼儿园老师下跪。

1．2．标题选择。答案分别为：D,C。

3．细节理解题。A为正确答案。