skimming and scanning(快速阅读)练习题

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For questions 1--7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked (a), (b), (c) and (d). For questions 8--10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

The Freshers' Fair

The Freshers' Fair usually takes place about a week after you begin university and offers freebies, give-aways, advice and information. It is often a great opportunity for new students to mingle with other freshers, current students, tutors, and representatives from the Student Union. All universities have clubs and societies and many of them use the Freshers' Fair as their opportunity to let you know what is on offer. There is usually a wide range to choose from, including sports, drama, debating, groups for all the main religions, musical and literary genres and film clubs. Y ou may also find that your course has a club or society for students studying your subject as well as groups for disabled and international students.

Clubs and societies can be a great way of meeting new people in your first weeks and an ideal chance to try new activities and explore new interests. Remember that some of the clubs and societies on offer will be more established than others so if you like the sound of a club, ask if you can pop along to the initial get-together before you commit yourself! Make sure you aren't pressurised into anything and use your discretion. If clubs involve a membership fee, think carefully before you commit to a regular payment—you may feel able to part with the cash in September but if a regular payment is coming out of your bank account even' month, you may regret it later on.

The Freshers' Fair is a great way to find out about the services and facilities of your local city or town. There are often representatives from local entertainment, leisure facilities, restaurants, clubs, pubs, insurance agencies, travel agents, mobile phone companies, taxi services and recruitment agencies. They are there to promote offers geared towards students and some will be competitive and discounted deals, but remember they are interested in attracting new customers—think carefully about the pros and cons of any services before signing up. The university health care, counselling, welfare services and other agencies, all usually have sialls at the Freshers' Fair so you can get information and find out how to access support if you require it during your course. And if you miss a stall or need more information, don't panic, contact your Student Union to learn more or to find out how to get involved.

Getting the most from the Fair

Do not wait until Freshers' Fair to make contact with your university or college's Disability Adviser / Learning Support Tutor. They are likely to be at their busiest then.

Contact them before you arrive to get assistance with the necessary form filling which accompanies the issue of student ID cards and Student Union cards during Freshers' Fair.

Get in touch with them if you wish to arrange for someone to be your sighted guide at the Fair.

Robert's experiences

Robert has just completed his second year studying History at the University of Y ork.

"Freshers' Fair is the main opportunity for these societies to sell themselves to first year students. It gave me an idea of the challenges I would face and how I would overcome them. Imagine a mass of students, squeezed into a medium-sized exhibition area, moving in every direction.

I'd researched the societies I wanted to join. I knew their websites inside out, the joining fees and activities, but one vital piece of information is missing—where they were in the room. So I began to search the aisles from one end to the other—until I realised that there was little point in continuing and decided to ask somebody for help. The somebody I asked turned out to be a member of the political society I was planning to join. He was pleased to have recruited a new member. Once the membership form was filled in, he introduced me to others who in turn helped me to find my other societies. Not only had I plucked up the courage to seek out help, but I now had my first network of acquaintances, who in future would recognize and help me."

Meeting new friends

Meeting new people and making new friends at University can be nerve-wracking. We asked some third year undergraduate students for their advice about starting university for the first time.

1 When does the Freshers' Fair start?

(a) A week after you begin universtity.

(b) Immediately after your university life begins.

(c) After other freshers, current students, tutors, and representatives from the Student Union have a meeting.

(d) After the university offers freebies, give-aways, advice and information.

2 The Freshers may________during the Freshers' Fair.

(a) meet other freshers, and teachers and find job opportunities as well

(b) get to know other people, and join different societies

(c) meet new people and find a sense of belonging to university

(d) join different clubs and get freebies

3 Freebie in Para 1 means________.

(a) free bee

(b) free of charge

(c) an article or service given free

(d) an opportunity given by the school authority

4 If a club calls for a membership fee, the freshers need to________.

(a) be informed of it

(b) be pressurised into it

(c) look before they leap

(d) commit to a regular payment as soon as they know it

5 Stall in Para 3 means________.

(a) a place where magazines and newspapers are sold

(b) a place where freebies can be available

(c) a large table on which you can put goods that you want to sell or information you want to give to people

(d) a small table with the products of health care, counselling, welfare services and other agencies laid out

6 To get most out of the Fair, you need to________.

(a) meet the representatives from local entertainment, leisure facilities, insurance agencies, travel agents, taxi services and recruitment agencies

(b) contact the university staff in advance

(c) fill in forms to get the student ID cards and Student Union cards

(d) both B&C

7 Robert benefited a lot from the Freshers' Fair by________.

(a) getting his first network of acquaintances

(b) selling himself to a debating society

(c) searching online about the society he longed to join

(d) filling in membership form

8 The representatives from services and facilities of local city or town in the Freshers' Fair aim to promote______________________________.

9 If the freshers need more information about the services of local city or town, they may____________________for more details.

10 Robert is a__________________ at the University of Y ork.

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions- For questions 1-7, mark Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if information is not given in the passage. For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the given in the passage.

Oyster is an appetising food with load of health benefits. Oysters provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals, packed into a high-protein, low-fat, and low-cholesterol package. Oysters are a favourite among exotic foods and research now shows this shellfish to be a rich source of zinc, one of the minerals required for the production of testosterone.

The texture of the raw oyster is soft and fleshy; it has a unique flavour that is sweet and sometime salty. The texture and flavour of oyster is often influenced by the water that they have grown in, with variations in salinity, minerals, and nutrients. Oysters can be eaten half shelled, raw, smoked, boiled, baked, fried, roasted, stewed, canned, pickled, steamed, grilled and it is best paired with a delic ious cocktail drink or wine.

Health benefits:

·Oysters are the most concentrated natural source of zinc, which is essential to maintain a strong immune system, support wound healing, maintain the senses of taste and smell. Zinc deficiency can result in symptoms such as slow growth, poor appetite, decreased wound healing, loss of hair, impaired senses of taste and smell, more frequent infections.

·Oyster is a good source of protein; each serving of six medium oysters contains six grams of protein. The protein found in oysters is high in tyrosine, an amino acid used by the brain to help regulate mood and adapt to stress.

·Oyster is low in fat and calories. A serving of oysters contains just 2 grams of fat.

·Oyster is low in cholesterol. It only contains 55mg of cholesterol per serving.

·Oyster helps maintain collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its firmness and help prevent sagging and wrinkles.

·Oyster is a known aphrodisiac because it is rich in amino acids that trigger increased levels of sex hormones.

Another reason is that high zinc content of oyster aids in the production of testosterone.

·Oyster can help improve vision.

·Oyster is also rich in iron, calcium and vitamin A.

Pearl oyster: All types of oysters (and, indeed, almost all other shelled molluscs) can secrete concretions that are known by biologists as pearls, but those which sometimes form in edible oysters are unattractive and have no market value at all.

Pearl oysters, however, are not closely related to true oysters. They are in a totally different family. Both cultured pearls and natural pearls can be obtained from these oysters and also yield pearls of commercial value.

The largest pearl-bearing oyster type is the saltwater Pinctada maxima, which is roughly the size of a dinner plate. Not all individual oysters produce pearls naturally. In fact, in a haul of three tons of oysters, only around three or four oysters produce perfect pearls.

In nature, pearl oysters produce natural pearls by covering a minute invading parasite with nacre (mother of pearl). Over the years, the irritating object is covered with enough layers of nacre to form what we know as a pearl. There are many different types and colours and shapes of pearl; these qualities depend on the natural pigment tone of the nacre, and the shape of the original irritant which was being covered over. Pearls can also be cultivated by pearl farmers placing a nucleus, usually a piece of polished mussel shell, inside the oyster. In three to six years, the oyster will produce a perfect pearl. These pearls are not as valuable as natural pearls, but look exactly the same. In fact since the beginning of the 20th century, when several researchers discovered how to produce artificial pearls, the cultured pearl market has far outgrown the natural pearl market. Natural pearls have become scarcer and scarcer and a necklace with only natural pearls can easily cost several hundred thousand US dollars.

Oyster cooking tips: Raw oysters should always be served chilled on a bed of ice. Thinly- sliced, buttered pumpernickel or crisp thin crackers complete the raw oyster eating experience.

Relaxing the muscles to shuck oysters is easier if you toss them in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes, but don't forget them!

If you have live oysters to be used in a cooked dish, rather than for eating raw, you can steam (a few seconds will do it) or microwave (about 30-60 seconds depending on the oven wattage) them just until the shells open. Then cut them from the shells and proceed.

Oysters are salty by nature, so most recipes using oysters will not need to be salted. Choose freshly-shucked oysters for broiling, smoking, or baking on the half-shell. As with many foods, size and age make a difference—smaller and younger oysters will most likely be more tender.

Most importantly, cook oysters gently to avoid turning them into a rubbery, chewy waste of good shellfish. When the edges begin to curl, they've had enough heat.

Herbs that pair well with oysters include thyme, fennel seed, paprika, and parsley.

1 Oyster is a high-protein, low-fat, and low-cholesterol sea food.

2 Where oysters grow affects their flavour and texture.

3 There are a lot of ways of cooking oyster.

4 The spirit such as V odka can be paired with oyster.

5 Having too much oyster will lead to loose skin and wrinkled face.

6 The pearls which grow in edible oysters are eye-catching.

7 The colour of pearls is determined by the natural pigment tone of the nacre.

8 ____________________ produce perfect pearls.

9 The cultured pearl market has expanded when ____________________.

10 With its salty nature, do not put ____________________into oyster.

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked (a), (b), (c) and (d). For questions

8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

Mind map

A mi nd map i s a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other i tems linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, vi sualize, structure, and classi fy ideas, and as an

ai d in study, organization, probl em-sol ving, deci sion making, and writi ng.

The elements of a gi ven mind map are arranged i ntui tively accordi ng to the i mportance of the concepts, and are

cl assi fied into groupings, branches, or areas, wi th the goal of representing semanti c or other connecti ons between porti ons of i nformation. Mi nd maps may al so ai d recall of exi sting memories.

By presenting i deas i n a radial, graphi cal, non-linear manner, mi nd maps encourage a brainstorming approach

to planning and organi zational tasks. Though the branches of a mind map represent hi erarchi cal tree structures, thei r radial arrangement di srupts the pri oritizi ng of concepts typi cally associated wi th hierarchies presented wi th more linear vi sual cues. Thi s orientation towards brainstorming encourages users to enumerate and connect concepts

wi thout a tendency to begin wi thi n a parti cul ar conceptual framework.

The mi nd map can be contrasted wi th the si milar i dea of concept mapping. The former i s based on radial

hi erarchi es and tree structures denoti ng relati onshi ps wi th a central governi ng concept, whereas concept maps are based on connecti ons between concepts i n more diverse patterns.

Mi nd maps (or similar concepts) have been used for centuries i n learni ng, brai nstormi ng, memory, vi sual

thi nking, and problem-solvi ng by educators, engineers, psychologi sts, and others. Some of the earliest examples of mind maps were developed by Porphyry of Tyros, a noted thi nker of the thi rd century, as he graphi cally vi sualized the concept categories of A ri stotle. Philosopher

Ramon Ll ull (1235-1315) al so used mind maps.

U ses: A mind map i s often created around a si ngl e word or text, pl aced i n the center, to whi ch associ ated ideas, words and concepts are added.

Mi nd maps have many appli cati ons i n personal, family, educational, and business situati ons, including note-taking, brai nstorming (wherein i deas are i nserted into the map radially around the centre node, wi thout the i mpli cit pri oriti zation that comes from hi erarchy or sequential arrangements, and wherein groupi ng and organizing i s reserved for later stages),

summarizi ng, revi si ng, and general cl arifying of thoughts. One coul d listen to a l ecture, for example, and take down notes using mind maps for the most i mportant points or keywords. One can al so use mind maps as a mnemoni c (rel ati ng to, assi sting, or i ntended to assi st the memory) technique or to sort out a compli cated i dea. Mind maps are al so promoted as a way to coll aborate in col our pen creativi ty sessi ons.

Mi nd maps can be drawn by hand, either as rough notes during a l ecture or meeti ng, for example, or can be more sophi sti cated in quality. There are al so a number of software packages available for produci ng mind maps.

Effectiveness in learning: Buzan cl aims that the mi nd map i s a vastly superi or note taki ng method because it does not l ead to a "semi-hypnoti c trance" state induced by other note forms. B uzan al so argues that the mi nd map utilizes the full range of left and ri ght human corti cal skill s, balances the brain, taps i nto the alleged 99 per cent of your unused mental potential, as well as i ntui tion (whi ch he call s superl ogi c). H owever, scholarl y research suggests that such clai ms may actually be marketing hype based on mi sconcepti ons about the brai n and the cerebral (of the brai n) hemi spheres. Criti cs argue that hemi spheri c speci alization theory has been i dentifi ed as pseudosci enti fi c when applied to mind mappi ng.

Schol arly research by Farrand, H ussain, and Hennessy (2002) found that the mi nd map technique had a li mited but si gni fi cant i mpact on memory recall in undergraduate students (a ten per cent i ncrease over baseline for a 600-word text onl y) as compared to preferred study methods (a six per cent increase over baseline). Thi s i mprovement was onl y robust after a week for those in the mind map group, and there was a si gnifi cant decrease i n motivation compared to the subjects' preferred methods of note taking. Farrand et al. suggested that l earners preferred to use other methods because usi ng a mind map was an unfamiliar techni que, and its status as a memory enhancing technique engendered reluctance to apply i t. Pressley, V anEtten, Y okoi, Freebern, and V anMeter (1998) found that l earners tended to learn far better by focusing on the content of l earning materi al rather than worrying over any one parti cular form of note taki ng.

1A mi nd map i s a diagram used to _____________ .

(a)represent words and generate i deas

(b)structure a central key word

(c)cl arify a central key i dea

(d)express ideas and function as an aid

2A mi nd map presents i deas in a _____________ .

(a)radial, graphi cal, and non-linear fashi on

(b)linear, ci rcul ar, and hierarchi cal way

(c)spi ral, graphi cal and radi al mode

(d)backtracki ng, radial and ci rcul ar manner

3Mi nd maps adopt a(n) ___________ approach to pl anning and organizati onal tasks.

(a) brainstorming (b) hi erarchi cal

(c) col ourful (d) el ectroni c

4Mi nd maps use___________ to denote relationships wi th a central governi ng concept.

(a)note form and abbreviati ons

(b) mnemonic technique

(c)radial hierarchies and tree structures

(d) memory enhancing techni que

5Mi nd maps can be made by ____________ .

(a) family (b) hand and software

(c) educati onal settings (d) indivi dual s

6Buzan thi nks that ___________ .

(a)learners tended to l earn far better by focusi ng on the content of learni ng material

(b) the mind map i s a vastly superior note taking method

(c)the mind map balances the brain

(d) both (b) & (c)

7Pseudoscienti fi c in the last paragraph but one means ________________ .

(a)really scientifi c

(b) pretending to be sci enti fi c

(c)of sheer sci ence

(d) bel onging to sci enti fi c fiel d

8The research by Farrand, Hussai n, and Hennessy (2002) found that the mind map technique had a limi ted but si gni fi cant i mpact on ______________________________________________ i n undergraduate students.

9A ccording to Farrand et al., i ts status as ______________________________________ makes people unwilling to use mind map.

10 _______________________________ thi nkers (philosophers) used mind map as the earliest examples in thi s

Passage.

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For questions 1-7, mark Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. For questions 8-10 complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

Seven secrets for a successful marriage

The chances today of havi ng a successful marriage are not encouraging. In North Ameri ca, for every two marriages there i s one divorce. A ccordi ng to insurance statisti cs, married people of all ages have a greater li fe expectancy than single people. Why i s i t that so many marriages fail— especially i n our hi ghl y enlightened age?

One reason i s that we often overl ook the fact that successful marriages don't happen by chance. They happen

onl y through constant effort—by persi stently practi ci ng basi c pri nci ples such as the followi ng seven

S-E-C-R-E-T-S.

S=Sort out rol es. Ti mes have changed dramati cally. A mong other things, modern conveniences and bi rth control have revoluti onized marri ed li fe. Wi ves and mothers are free to pursue careers. In North A meri ca, onl y 12

per cent of families live i n a traditi onal household where the husband i s the bread wi nner and the wi fe stays home to

care for the chil dren.

Radi cal changes have brought a mass confusi on of roles, whi ch has hel ped contribute to the skyrocketi ng

di vorce rate. Thi s i s notably so among young couples under 30 who are four ti mes more likel y to get divorced than

thei r parents.

For a successful marriage, both partners need to spell out and agree on thei r indi vidual rol es and responsibiliti es. If both are working (especially full ti me), both need to share home duties (i nside and out), and hel p

care for the chil dren.

E=Expectati ons that are real. B ased on our backgrounds we all come i nto marriage wi th preconceived i deas

of what i t should be like. Our expectations, however, are often unreal. For i nstance, i f you had a parent who was a perfectioni st and you fel t you coul d never qui te please him or her, chances are you may be a perfectioni st too. If so,

no matter what your spouse does, he or she will never be able fully to please you. Li fe can be di ffi cul t li ving wi th a perfectioni st.

Or i f you never felt adequately loved by a parent, chances are you may unconsci ousl y try to get your partner

to be a substi tute mother or father. Thi s obviously can never work.

These are onl y two examples of a myriad of ways unreal expectati ons devel op—not to menti on

Hollywood's unreali sti c infl uence. Whatever the reason, for a heal thy rel ati onshi p, marriage partners need to devel op reali sti c expectations.

C=Commitment. I read about one lawyer who speci alized i n contract marriages. A fter three years, he gave up. Why? Because none of the marriages he contracted survived. Contracts without commi tment are useless.

And marriages wi thout commi tment are equally useless. Thi s means that every step necessary will be taken to make i t work.

There al so needs to be a commitment to one another—to the well-bei ng, growth and development of each partner.

Marriage i s a commi tment of one i mperfect person to another i mperfect person. Without thi s ki nd of commi tment no marriage today can expect to survive.

R=Responsi bility. Responsi bility as well as commi tment are two of our greatest needs in today's world. Nowhere are they more important than i n marriage and family relationships.

People who choose to get married are responsible for thei r choi ce, for ful filling thei r responsi bilities, and for doi ng all they can to make thei r marriage succeed. People who have chil dren are al so responsi ble for the well-bei ng, growth and devel opment of thei r children.

Everyone going into marriage brings i nto the rel ati onshi p hi s or her personal problems and pockets of i mmaturi ty. Therefore, both partners are responsi ble for facing and resolving these problems and not blami ng thei r partners for them.

Each partner i s responsi ble for hi s or her own happi ness, reacti ons and feelings. Nobody el se can make us happy. If we haven't found happi ness before marriage, marriage won't provide it. Happi ness i s a by-product of maturi ty. For that, each one of us i s responsibl e. Onl y happy peopl e make happy marriages.

E=Effective communi cati on. Another secret for any successful relationship i s knowing how to communi cate effecti vely.

A ccording to a leading marriage counselor, at least hal f of all marriage breakdowns are caused by faulty communi cati on. Effective communi cation i s based on knowing our thoughts, desi res, moti ves and feelings—bei ng honest with them and

expressi ng them creatively. Peopl e who deny or suppress their inner feelings and true desi res fail to communi cate effecti vel y and can never di scover true i nti macy.

T=Ti me management. A chil d whose parents never spend suffi cient time with him or her feel s unwanted and unl oved. It's the same wi th a marri age partner. Ti me—in quanti ty as well as quali ty—i s needed for any wholesome rel ati onshi p to flouri sh.

In today's pressuri zed soci ety i t can be qui te a challenge for couples to spend quali ty time together. B y quality ti me we mean gi ving each other your presence; that i s, bei ng emoti onally with your partner and communi cating at the feeling l evel. There al so needs to be quanti ty ti me; that i s, suffi ci ent ti me to meet each other's needs to keep each other's love cup topped up. W e're not talki ng about clinging ti me as that will smoother a relati onshi p, but just being there for each other relati ng spi ri t to spi rit and heart to heart.

S=Spi ri tual commitment. Research has shown that families who are committed to a strong reli gious faith have a much greater chance of stayi ng together. It i s still true, the family that prays together i s much more li kel y to stay together. A good pl ace to start i s by findi ng a church that not only believes in God but al so i s commi tted to buil ding healthy personal rel ati onshi ps and successful families.

1In North A meri ca, the divorce rate i s 50 per cent.

2Married people of all ages li ve l onger than si ngle people.

3It i s constructive for both partners to understand thei r individual rol es and responsibiliti es in a successful marriage.

4Li fe can be a piece of cake livi ng wi th a perfectioni st.

5Wi thout effective communi cati on, marriage i s the tomb of l ove.

6Real expectations should be adjusted to unreali sti c ones i n a heal thy rel ati onshi p.

7Nei ther quality time nor quanti ty time can save marriage i f the partners are unwanted.

8In North A meri ca, only ____________________ per cent of families live in a traditi onal household where the husband earns money to support the family and the wi fe stays home to care for the children.

9The divorce rate i s skyrocketing among young coupl es _________________________ w ho are four ti mes more likel y to get di vorced than thei r parents.

10 Wi thout _________________ , no marriage today can expect to survi ve.

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For

questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked (a), (b), (c) and (d). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

Behind the first lady, a shadow stylist

Michelle Obama has become the mistress to American fashion. "The First Lady the World's Been Waiting for", blazes the March cover of V ogue, where Mrs Obama appears in a fuchsia (桃红) dress by Jason Wu, the young talent she helped turn into an overnight star. No first lady since Jacqueline Kennedy has had a more instantaneous impact on fashion. Whatever Mrs Obama wears, people notice and very often buy.

Despite the close study that people have made of Mrs Obama's style, it is not known that her wardrobe is being managed largely by a boutique owner in Chicago. Ikram Goldman, whose store is called Ikram, has played an unprecedented role since the election, serving as gatekeeper between the fashion industry and the first lady.

All details regarding the making of Mrs Obama's wardrobe for the inaugural were overseen by Ms Goldman, who kept designers in the dark about whether their outfit would be chosen. According to the designers involved, none of them had direct contact with the first lady—as designers have had in the past with first ladies. They worked from measurements and other information provided by Ms Goldman and delivered the finished garments to Chicago or Washington. "It was all very blind," said Maria Cornejo, who made eight jewel-tone suits, two winter coats and three dresses for Mrs Obama. Ms Cornejo said she had a rough idea of what would fit the new first lady based on things Mrs Obama had already worn from the designer's line.

Designers are reluctant to discuss their dealings with Ms Goldman—in part, some said, because they have not received guidance from the White House and in part because they don't want to say something that might cause them to lose business. As for Ms Goldman, she has remained virtually invisible and has not made herself available for interviews. Mrs Obama's press secretary, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, characterized the first lady's relationship with Ms Goldman as that of a loyal client.

To the older generation of design stars, the idea that a first lady would rely so heavily on a retailer—rather than on designers or an independent stylist, people who make their living solving problems of fit and proportion—is surprising. To some in fashion, there is also a question of a possible conflict of interest on Ms Goldman's part, because she sells clothes by the designers that Mrs Obama has worn and stands to benefit from their exposure.

"It is strange to think that the wife of the leader of the free world would choose clothes from only one store, when there is a wealth of clothes out there from other designers, including me," Arnold Scaasi said. Mr Scaasi, who has dressed first ladies since Mamie Eisenhower, though is perhaps best known for the blue velvet and silk inaugural gown of Barbara Bush, said he could not recall a time when designers did not have direct access to the White House. He was critical of Mr Wu's design for Mrs Obama, because of its loose fit. "I don't think the inaugural gown was flattering in any way," he said. "She could have looked much better."

Mrs Obama's predecessors typically went directly to Seventh A venue for their clothes, bypassing stores, editors, stylists and others who might have an agenda of their own. To be sure, many designers have benefited from their trade with a first lady—few more so than Oleg Cassini, who dressed Mrs Kennedy and for years afterward exploited that connection. Mrs Kennedy also bought Paris copies from Chez Ninon, a boutique in New Y ork.

Ms Goldman, who is 41 and who gave birth in December to twins, is considered a retail dynamo (精力充沛的人). It's not uncommon for her to ask designers to make special pieces for

customers, and many designers appreciate her taste, which combines vintage with more novel fashion. Her store, in both its Asiatic trappings and selection of high-end European, Japanese and American labels, is a good example of the curatorial shopping experience that fashion-conscious women like when hunting down $2,000 handbags and $6,000 crystal-studded coats. According to campaign-finance records, she and her husband, Josh Goldman, a lawyer, gave at least $6,900 to the Obama campaign.

Opinion is divided about whether Mrs Obama's shopping approach represents a positive departure from

the past or raises concern about concentrating her business with one place. (As her press secretary pointed out, the first lady also shops at Gap and J. Crew.) Indeed, many designers, battling enormous economic pressures, like reduced orders from stores, said they had not had time to consider the implications of Ms Goldman's role.

To Ms Toledo, who made Mrs Obama's inaugural day clothes and has been asked to make new clothes for her, this approach has never been fairer. "It's opened the door for many of us who might not have been looked at all," she said. In an email message, Mr Wu said he has tripled sales appointments for his fall collection, which he will present Friday, and that stores like Neiman Marcus have given his designs window display next to global brands like Dior.

A number of style watchers note with surprise that Mrs Obama seems to be wearing less Maria Pinto since the election, though this may change. "For me, the most memorable dresses that Michelle has worn were designed by Maria," said the designer Tracy Reese, referring to, among others, the fiery (火红的) red dress that Mrs Obama wore to meet the Bushes at the White House. She recalled meeting Mrs Obama at a party last June, when she told the designer: "I need to be wearing your things." Ms Reese, whose moderate-priced clothes are not carried at Ikram, said she received a call in December from Ms Goldman requesting day dresses. Because she doesn't have

a sample room, Ms Reese had to bring in people to make the order, which was sent to Ikram last month. "I'm still hoping she'll wear the dresses," Ms Reese said. Asked if she saw a conflict of interest that Mrs Obama's clothes are predominantly by designers carried at Ikram, Ms Reese said, "I would have thought so if I hadn't gotten the phone call."

Karen Erickson, whose company supplies Ikram with the Erickson Beamon pins that Mrs Obama likes, points out that going through Ms Goldman is no different than working with a Hollywood stylist.

Except Mrs Obama is not a Hollywood star. Here, there is a risk: Can the first lady of the United States wear borrowed things, like the $17,313 pair of Loree Rodkin diamond earrings she wore to the "We Are One" concert, on Jan 18, without appearing to support them and thus increase their value? The White House would not respond. It is unknown if those items were later sold.

1 Designers work for Mrs Obama from ______________________________

(a) direct contact with her

(b) information provided by Ms Goldman

(c) their own imagination

(d) information from TV and magazines

2 Designers are reluctant to discuss their dealings with Ms Goldman partly because __________________

(a) they fear that they may lose business

(b) they haven't got permission from the White House

(c) it is against the law to let out any information related to the first lady

(d) their components may learn the secret

3 The older generation of design stars considers it ________________________ that Mrs Obama doesn't rely heavily on designers or an independent stylist.

(a) reasonable (b) surprising

(c) amusing (d) absurd

4 Arnold Scaasi was critical of Mr Wu's design for Mrs Obama, because _____________

(a) he was envious of Mr Wu

(b) the colour of the dress was too bright

(c) the dress was loose

(d) Mrs Obama didn't look good in that dress

5 Ms Goldman is appreciated by many designers for _______________

(a) her energy

(b) her close relationship with Ms Obama

(c) her taste

(d) her talent for business

6 Many designers seldom consider the implications of Ms Goldman's role because _________.

(a) the first lady also shops at other stores

(b) enormous economic pressures occupy their attention

(c) Ms Goldman is influential in this field

(d) they don't want to get into trouble

7 To Ms Toledo, Mrs Obama's shopping approach is ______________.

(a) negative (b) positive

(c) unfair (d) neither negative nor positive

8 Before Mrs Obama, _____________ has had the most instantaneous impact on fashion

among first ladies.

9 Mrs Obama's relationship with Ms Goldman is characterized as that of _____________.

10 __________________used to be the place where most first ladies typically went directly for

their clothes.

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked (a)f (b), (c) and (d). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

Jeanne Becker al ways assumed she woul d have a sati sfying career and a famil y. But while her career in marketi ng and publi c relations progressed steadily, marriage proved el usive. A l ong- term rel ati onshi p ended when

she was in her late 30s, forci ng her to confront a hard question: What should she do about starti ng a family?

"I gave it about a year's worth of thought," says Ms Becker, presi dent of Becker Consul ting Servi ces in Coral Gables, Fl orida. She decided to adopt, beginning an odyssey that would take her far from home. It al so put her i n league wi th a growing number of unmarried women who face compl ex deci si ons about adopting chil dren al one—deci si ons that i nvol ve everything from finances to chil dcare to cultural di fferences.

Last year, nearly a thi rd of adoptive parents i n the U nited States were si ngle women, accordi ng to the Children's B ureau of the U S Department of H eal th and H uman Servi ces.

A s these women—a majori ty in their 30s and 40s, educated and financially secure—reach out to children in the US and abroad, they are forgi ng new terri tory i n the changing landscape of the Ameri can family. Many fi nd thei r di vergent path to motherhood deeply rewarding. Y et "arduous" i s al so a word that comes up i n conversati ons as they describe the adopti on process and solo child- rearing.

"Expensive" i s another word they use. Costs for internati onal adoption can range from $12,000 to $30,000, averaging between $15,000 and $25,000. A domesti c adopti on averages $16,000, al though expenses can vary wi del y.

A federal tax credi t that took effect last year offsets $10,000 i n costs for both domesti c and international adopti ons.

Li ke many si ngl e women, Ms Becker fi rst hoped to adopt a baby in the US. B ut after learni ng that bi rth mothers favour married couples, she researched China and Russi a, the top two countries for overseas adoption. She chose Russia, her father's ancestral homel and, and worked wi th an agency i n New Y ork. Mountains of paperwork were foll owed by hours with a social worker who conducted a home study.

A fter the agency approved Becker, she recei ved a "referral", a videotape of a ni ne-month-ol d Russi an boy. She showed i t to several physi cians, as well as a speech therapi st and a physi cal therapi st. "Everybody gave thumbs up," she says. A W estern-trai ned doctor i n Moscow al so exami ned the i nfant. The exam revealed some mi nor problems, but nothing major.

Becker made two trips to Russia. The fi rst time she travelled alone to appear in court and to meet the son she would name Ethan. The second time a fri end went wi th her to bri ng the 14-month-ol d child home. Smiling in approval, a Russi an j udge tol d her, "Li fe begins at 40." The whole process took 13 months, a fai rl y typi cal ti me frame.

Another adoptive mother, Darsi e Bowden of Skokie, Illinoi s, travelled to Chi na si x years ago to adopt an 11-month-old gi rl, whom she named Elizabeth. As a professor at DePaul U niversity in Chi cago, Ms Bowden needed to fi nd a country that di d not requi re a lengthy stay to pi ck up a chil d. "China was very strai ghtforward, a nd the kids tended to be pretty heal thy," she says.

Since then, China has i mposed a quota on si ngle women, limi ting them to ei ght per cent of adopti ons. Many countries allow onl y marri ed couples to adopt.

Ini tiall y, Bowden shared a nanny wi th another family. Elizabeth al so spent time at a family day care home. In those early months, B owden recall s, she was "ti red all the ti me", She al so had to adj ust her social network. "Some friends are more accommodating than others when you abandon them for a peri od."Al though she gradually reestabli shed the network, the process was hard.

She and other single parents emphasize the i mportance of li ning up outside support and incl uding men—grandfathers, uncles, friends—i n thei r chil dren's li ves. When B owden must work in the eveni ng, a friend who i s Elizabeth's godfather pi cks her up. "He adores her and so does hi s wi fe. It's a male role that's important for her."

Adopti on speci alists al so encourage parents to establi sh cul tural links wi th their chil dren's nati ve country. Five of the si x families who travelled to China wi th B owden li ve i n the Chi cago area. They get together often to enj oy Chinese-oriented acti vi ties wi th their daughters. Thi s includes cel ebrating Chinese New Y ear and "Gotcha Day", the day they pi cked up thei r infants.

For some si ngl e women, adoption creates a mi xed-race family. Eliana, a professional woman in the San Franci sco Bay area who does not want her last name used, adopted a daughter from H aiti i n December 2000.

A s an older, si ngle whi te mother wi th a dark-skinned child, Eliana has become keenly aware of the complexities of transraci al adoption. Such matches, she says, "require a l ot more thi nking, pl anning, and reflecti on than would

otherwi se be the case."

Betsy B urch, executi ve di rector of Single Parents for Adopti on of Children Everywhere (SPACE) in Boston and the adoptive mother of four black children, now grown, fi nds a lot of support for adopti ng transracially. But, she adds, "I don't encourage people to do that who are not certai n about i t."

Among bl ack women, adopti ons tend to be wi thi n the U S. A t the Black A doption Placement and Research Center in Oakland, Cali fornia, whi ch handles only domesti c adopti ons, 40 per cent of placements are to si ngle black women. Most are professi onal s between the ages of 30 and 50. Although some of them request babi es, executi ve di rector Gl oria King finds that many are open to adopti ng three- to five-year-olds. Most of the chil dren have speci al needs.

Other unexpected challenges can come i n adopti ng older children. Agencies caution that the older a child, the longer the adjustment can be. Children who have spent years i n orphanages can exhi bit what experts call "insti tuti onal behaviour". Because they have never lived i n a family, they do not know what a family structure i s.

Although acceptance of sol o adoption i s growing, many women still face cri ti ci sm. "There are al ways obj ections to si ngle adopti ons on ... grounds that chil dren shoul d have two parents of opposi te genders," says Hope Marindin, reti red di rector of the Nati onal Council for Si ngle Adoptive Parents i n Washi ngton. "Ideally, that i s the best thing."

But when that i s not possi ble, relatives and friends often show heartwarming support. Julie A sfahl, a marketi ng consul tant wi th IBM i n Boston who i s adopting a baby gi rl from Kazakhstan, descri bes her famil y as "thrilled".

Among dozens of people Ms A sfahl has tol d, only one or two have questioned i t. "Peopl e say, 'It's goi ng to change your li fe for the next 20 years.' I say, 'Not 20 years, for the rest of my life. Good! I've lived my whole li fe for mysel f.'"

In both domesti c and i nternational adopti ons, speci ali sts cauti on that prospective parents shoul d be cl ear about what they can accept i n terms of a chil d's race, di sabilities, and medi cally correctabl e condi tions. Says Kri ssi Bates, "Y ou have to be really honest wi th yourself about what i s OK and what i s not OK."

For any si ngle woman considering adoption, Meli ssa Ludtke, author of On Our Own, suggests a "reali ty check". She says: "I'd ask [the prospecti ve mother] about communi ty supports and family supports. H as she ever gone out and pri ced quality day care, whatever she can afford? Al so look into after-school care."

Hol man, the mother of two, offers thi s advi ce: "Really make sure you can handle i t both from a fi nancial and

an emoti onal aspect before you start. Y ou have to be sure you have your backups, and you have to be able to do it yourself. It's the most rewarding thing you'll ever do, but i t's al so al most the hardest thi ng you'll ever do."

1. According to the passage, Jeanne Becker's marriage was ________.

(a) difficult to reach (b) unsuccessful(c) satisfying (d) broken

2. According to the Children's Bureau of the US Department of Health and Human Services, a third of adoptive parents are single women ________.

(a) in their thirties

(b) poor-educated

(c) fi nanci ally i nsecure

(d) well-educated and financially secure

3. Those single women describe the adoption process and solo child-rearing as ____________________.

(a) easy (b) enjoyable (c) expensive (d) cheap

4. Darsie Bowden of Skokie travelled to China to adopt a child because __________ .

(a) picking up a child there doesn't cost much money

(b) she needn't stay there long to adopt a child

(c) children there are all healthy

(d) only China permits single women to adopt a child

5. Parents are encouraged by adoption specialists to __________ .

(a) keep contact with their children's birth parents

(b) hold more parties

(c) get together with other adoptive parents

(d) establish cultural links with their children's native country

6. Forty per cent of children at the Black Adoption Placement and Research Center in Oakland are adopted by ___________.

(a) married black couples (b) single black women

(c) single white women (d) married white couples

7. As Hope Marindin sees, there are always objections to single adoptions because _________ .

(a) it is best for children to have two parents of opposite genders

(b) adopted children will not know what a family structure is

(c) single parents cannot afford raising children

(d) there are a lot of unexpected challenges

8. A fairly typical time frame to adopt a child is _______________ .

9. In many countries, only ________________are allowed to adopt children.

10. Children who have spent years in orphanages can exhibit __________ .

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked (a) (b), (c) and (d). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

What you can do about missed flights?

Ever been bumped (取消订位) off a flight because it was overbooked, missed an appointment because an airport was closed by bad weather, or had a holiday cut short because your plane had mechanical problems? Frustrating, isn't it? But what can you do about it? What are your rights? It depends on what country you're in, what airline you've booked on, what sort of ticket you hold, what caused the delay, who you are, and your reason for travelling. Y ou maybe entitled to quite a lot, or you may be entitled to very little.

As the aviation consumer protection division of the US Department of Transport points out on its website,

the policies of different airlines vary enormously. It advises, if you are delayed, ask the airline staff if they will pay for meals or phone calls. Some do not provide any services to stranded passengers. Others may not offer services if bad weather or something else beyond the airline's control causes the delay.

Air New Zealand is probably representing every airline in the world when it says "it is extremely unfortunate when delays occur" and when it does the airline "is committed to working with its customers to ensure minimal disruption to their travel plans". But as they are commercial organizations, there is a limit to how much airlines are prepared to do for those customers. The baseline for what you can expect is provided by international conventions that most airlines have signed which state that a passenger whose flight doesn't take place is entitled to a fare refund. On top of that, many countries have also passed laws laying down levels of assistance passengers should be given depending on the circumstances.

From a passenger perspective, the most generous place to suffer flight delay is the European Union, which has new rules due to come into force in February—though the aviation industry is challenging the court—that would significantly increase what airlines have to provide. The EU wants anyone bumped off an overbooked flight to get to $1,000 compensation, as well as a ticket refund or a booking on an alternative flight. But the most controversial provision is that where a flight is delayed for reasons outside the airlines' control—bad weather, say, or state security requirements—the EU thinks passengers should still be given free meals and refreshments, a hotel room when they have to stay overnight, and reimbursement of their fare when there is a delay of more than five hours.

Like most airlines, Air New Zealand is appalled at this prospect. "It would be grossly unfair for airlines to have to pay compensation for delays outside their control," says a spokesman. "Others in the transport sector, such as bus and taxi companies, are not required to. Therefore, it is illogical that airlines should be subject to a different set of rules. "

Most airlines usually go beyond whatever may be required by international conventions or national laws to keep their customers happy. In the United States, most airlines have produced Customer Service Plans, which state precisely what they will do for customers whose flights are delayed or cancelled. Other airlines tend not to publicize their rules, to preserve a bit of flexibility, but the basic picture is much the same.

If a flight is cancelled or delayed because of reasons outside the control of the airlines—typically weather—they consider their obligations are fairly limited. They will refund your ticket price or book you on another flight. Where possible, they may organize alternative transport, such as a bus trip. If there is an overnight delay they will help with finding suitable accommodation. But if a problem stems from something within the control of the airlines—a mechanical breakdown, say, or staffing difficulties—most airlines will do a lot more. They will provide food and accommodation if necessary, maybe help to fill the time with a free sightseeing trip, and give out phone cards so passengers can contact relations. As well as refunding fares or booking on to other flights, they will also try to find seats on other airlines, even if the fare is considerably higher than the ticket price.

Some airlines are completely inflexible in the way they apply the rules for fear the exception may become the norm. But most will stretch the rules in special cases: good customers, families with young children, the sick and such like.

If the problem is due to overbooking—something all airlines acknowledge doing—then they go further still. First they will look for volunteers willing to give up their seats in return for another flight and some financial

compensation. If that fails, they will try to placate (抚慰) those who are involuntarily bumped with fare refunds and compensation.

Airlines are inclined to be careful about the sort of compensation they are prepared to give, but the US Airlines Southwest says on its web page it pays volunteers "a travel voucher in the amount of US $100 plus an amount equal to the face value of your remaining one-way flight coupons (通票)", as well as rebooking on to a latter flight. Ironically, someone who ends up being bumped involuntarily doesn't do quite so well. They are booked on the next available flight and a payment of up to $400 if the delay is more than two hours. That sort of payment is, however, about all you are likely to get, even if a disrupted flight means a lost business deal, a missed funeral or a spoiled holiday.

Airlines argue that is a risk customers should insure themselves against. They vigorously resist paying compensation for that sort of thing and, on the whole, have received legal backing for that view.

New Zealand's Civil Aviation Act limits an airline's liability to the lesser of any actual loss caused by a delay and ten times the cost of the ticket, and few people get that far. A spokes person for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs says airlines essentially have the same responsibilities as any other service provider. "If the consumer buys a ticket for a particular service then the airline is required to provide that service. If the airline overlooks, it's up to them to provide a remedy. The only exception is if the problem is caused by circumstances beyond the airline's control, such as fog at the airport or some problem overseas."

The law doesn't specify particular remedies, the ministry says. Instead, it gives customers the right to expect a remedy. If a consumer is not satisfied with the remedy offered "then the ultimate step is to go to the Disputes Tribunal (争端仲裁机构) or the courts." But the preferable course is for a solution to be reached by mutual agreement.

"Basically, you have to give the trader an opportunity to fix the situation. In the case of an airline, it could be to go on a different flight or it could be to get some of your money back. It's a matter for the parties to agree on."

1 According to the aviation consumer protection division of the US Department of Transport, passengers who are delayed can _______________ .

(a)do nothing but wait

(b)ask the airline staff if meals or phone calls will be paid for them

(c)go to the courts

(d)require a fare refund

2 There is a limit to how much airlines are prepared to do for passengers who are delayed because airlines___________________.

(a)will lose a lot of money

(b)are commercial organizations

(c)hope to pay less compensations for delays

(d)will go bankrupt

3 The European Union thinks passengers who are delayed more than five hours should be given ___________.

(a)free meals

(b)a booking on another flight

(c)a fare refund

(d)phone cards

4 Some airlines tend not to make their rules public in that______.

(a)passengers ask for compensation according to the rules

(b)they fear that other airlines follow them

(c)the rules are not in accordance with international conventions that most airlines have signed

(d)they want to preserve a bit of flexibility

5 Airlines consider their obligations are fairly limited when a delay of a flight is caused by _____________

(a)overbooking

(b)bad weather

(c)a mechanical breakdown

(d)staffing problems

6. Many airlines are completely inflexible in the way they apply the rules because ______ .

(a)the strict observation of rules may keep their customers happy

(b)the strict observation of rules may help them save a lot of money

(c)the exception may bring them a loss of profits

(d)the exception may become habitual

7. For passengers who end up being bumped off a flight involuntarily, the US Airlines Southwest_________.(a)books another flight for them

(b)gives them a $100 travel voucher

(c)refunds them ticket price

(d)organizes a bus trip

8 In many countries, laws have been laid down that levels of assistance passengers should be given depend on_________________________________________.

9 Air New Zealand considers it unfair to pay compensation for _______________________________.

10 The preferable way for airlines and customers to do about missed flights is ________________________ .

Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)

In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked (a), (b)f (c) and (d). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

Does exercise really make you healthier?

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) late this year released its new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, calling for adults between the ages of 18 and 64 to exercise moderately (such as brisk walking or water aerobics) for at least two hours and 30 minutes or vigorously (running, swimming, or cycling ten mph or faster) for at least an hour and 15 minutes weekly.

The longer, harder and more often you exercise, the greater the health benefits, including reducing the risk of diseases such as cancer and diabetes, according to the recommendations, which were based on a decade of scientific research.

Studies have shown that people who engage in the amount of exercise recommended by the feds live an average of three to seven years longer than couch potatoes, according to William Haskell, a medical professor at Stanford University who chaired the HHS advisory committee. But how exactly does exercise accomplish this? And what about claims by naysayers that exercise not only isn't healthy but may actually be bad for you? Is there any truth to them?

Good for the heart and blood vessels

In the past decade or so, various studies involving thousands of participants have shown that workouts lower the risk of heart disease. "Exercise has a favourable effect on virtually all risk factors of cardiovascular (心脏血管的) disease," says Jonathan Meyers, a health research scientist at the Palo Alto V eterans Affairs Health System in California. The reason, he says: When a person exercises, the heart muscle contracts forcefully and frequently, increasing blood flow through the arteries. （动脉）This leads to subtle changes in the autonomic nervous system, which controls the contraction and relaxation of these vessels. This fine-tuning leads to a lower resting heart rate (fewer beats to pump blood through the body), lower blood pressure and a more variable heart rate, all factors that lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Meyers says that exercise also limits inflammation (炎症、发炎) associated with heart trouble, such as arteriosclerosis (动脉硬化) or hardening of the arteries around the heart, which may lead to heart attacks. Many recent studies have focused on C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. Meyers says that research showed that sedentary（惯于久坐的）folks who embarked on three-to six-month exercise programmes, on average, experienced a 30 per cent dip in their C-reactive protein levels—about the same drop as someone given a statin (a cholesterol and inflammation- lowering drug). In other words, in many people, exercise might be as effective as an Rx in tamping down inflammation, one of the key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Exercise also boosts cardiovascular health by decreasing the amount of plasma (血浆) triglycerides (甘油三酸酯)—fatty molecules in the blood that are associated with plaque build-up in the arteries—notes Haskell.