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III. Reading Comprehension
Section A
Directions: For each blank in the following passages there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
In India, almost all marriages are arranged. Even among the educated middle classes in modern urban India, marriage is as much a concern of the families as it is of the __51__. So customary is the practice of arranged marriage that there is a special name for a marriage which is not __52__: It is called a “love match”.
On my first trip to India, I met many young men and women whose parents were in the process of “getting them married”. In many cases, the bride and groom would not meet each other before the marriage. __53__ they might meet for a brief conversation, and this meeting would take place only after their parents had decided that the match was __54__. Parents do not force their children to marry a person who either marriage partner finds unacceptable. But only after one match is refused will another be sought.
As a young American woman in India for the first time, I found this custom of arranged marriage __55__. How could any intelligent young person __56__ to such a marriage without great reluctance? It was __57__ to everything I believed about the importance of romantic love as the only basis of a happy marriage. It was also in conflict with my strongly held beliefs that the choice of such a close and permanent relationship could be made only by individuals __58__. If anyone had tried to arrange my marriage, I would have been __59__!
Sita, one of my young friends, was a college graduate with a degree in political science. She had been __60__ for over a year while her parents were arranging a match for her. I found it difficult to accept the obedient（顺从的） manner in which this well-educated young woman awaited the outcome of a process that would __61__ her spending the rest of her life with a man she hardly knew, a total stranger, __62__ by her parents.
In frustration and distress, I asked her, “Don’t you care who you __63__?” “Of course I care,” she answered. “This is why I must let my parents choose a boy for me. My marriage is too important to be arranged by such a(n) __64__ person as myself. In such matters, it is better to have my parents’ __65__”.
51.A. classesB. individualsC. societyD. country
52. A. matchedB. decidedC. concernedD. arranged
53. A. After allB. In additionC. At mostD. On average
54. A. comfortableB. imperfectC. suitableD. dissatisfying
55.A. acceptableB. amazingC. depressingD. strange
56.A. agreeB. turnC. exchange D. devote
57. A. customary B. remarkableC. similarD. contrary
58. A. involvedB. presentC. informedD. available
59. A. ambitiousB. proudC. rebellious D. puzzled
60. A. fightingB. protestingC. waitingD. dreaming
61. A. profit fromB. hold backC. act outD. result in
62. A. picked outB. picked upC. taken upD. taken out
63. A. encounterB. favorC. marry D. join
64. A. intelligentB. unfortunateC. inexperiencedD. careless
65. A. blessingB. guidanceC. fortuneD. promise
Section B
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.
(A)
Yo-Yo Ma is one of the most gifted cellists (大提琴手) in the world today. He is known internationally for not only the many classical pieces he performs but also his willingness to think outside of the box musically.
Yo-Yo Ma has recorded over 75 albums; many of them strictly considered classical in arrangement, while others differ greatly from classical music. He’s worked with musicians like Bobby Mcferrin and Sting, and explored musical forms that range from traditional Chinese music to bluegrass. His musical explorations, including the scoring or performance in numerous films, have won Ma many awards and honors.
Born to Chinese immigrant parents in Paris in 1955, Yo-Yo Ma was already a gifted musician by the time his family moved to the U.S., when he was seven. One of his first performances where he was much noted was a 1962 performance for U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Ma was certainly a genius, appearing on television by the time he was eight and performing with numerous orchestras through his teens.
Like many young extraordinary musicians, Yo-Yo Ma’s educational path included the study at the distinguished Juilliard School of Music. Unlike geniuses that stay on a singular path, Ma felt that he wanted to expand his education by taking a traditional liberal arts course at first Columbia and then Harvard University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1976. He wasn’t always certain that he should continue to pursue his career as a cellist, and refers to hearing the work of Pablo Casals, the famous Spanish cellist, as inspiration to continue his studies and performance.
By the early 1980s, Yo-Yo Ma had become internationally known. He also began to express considerable interest in the possibilities of musical education for children. To that end, he made appearances on Sesame Street and other shows targeted at children.
In 1998, Ma started the Silk Road Project, which promotes cooperation among artists, including musicians from around the world. His devotion to bringing together the various cultures represented by the ancient Silk Road is expressed in Ma’s political attitude of peace through music. In 2006, the UN Secretary General Kofi Anan named Ma a Peace Ambassador.
66.Which of the following statements is TRUE about Yo-Yo Ma?
A. He has explored a wide range of musical forms.
B. He wasn’t well-known in the U.S. until the 1980s.
C. He is famous only for the classical pieces he performs.
D. He was determined to become a cellist since childhood.
67.Whose work has had an influence on Ma in deciding to pursue a career as a cellist?
A. Bobby McFerrin’s.B. Kofi Anan’s. C. Pablo Casals’.D. Sting’s.
68. Through the Silk Road Project, Yo-Yo Ma intended to ___________.
A. continue his studies while performing with musicians all around the world
B. bring together many different cultures represented by the ancient Silk Road
C. become a UN Peace Ambassador by expressing his political attitude of peace
D. promote musical education for children in the countries along the ancient Silk Road
69.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A. To Be Known as Early as Possible
B. Growth Process of a Peace Ambassador
C. University Education: Key Factor to Yo-Yo Ma’s Success
D. A Talented Musician with Sense of Social Responsibility
( B )
Kuringai Chase National Park Guided Walks and Nature Activities
SUNDAY MAY 7 EASY
Early Morning Stroll in Upper Lane Cove Valley
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the end of Day RD, Cheltenham, while the bush is alive with birdsong.
Round trip: 4 hours
FRIDAY MAY 12 MEDIUM
Possum prowl
Meet 7:30 p.m. at Seaforth Oval carpark. Enjoy the peace of the bush at night. Lovely water views. Bring torch and wear non-slip shoes as some rock climbing involved. Coffee and biscuits supplied.
Duration: 2 hours
SUNDAY JUNE 4 HARD
Baime Basin Track
Meet 9:30 a.m. Track#8, West Head Road, Magnificent Pittwater views.
Visit Beechwood cottage. Bring lunch and drink. Some steep sections.
Reasonable fitness required.FRIDAY JUNE 6 EASY
Poetry around a campfire
Meet 7:00 p.m. Kalkaari Visitor Center. Share your favourite poem or one of your own with a group around a gently cracking fire. Drinks and food to follow. Bring a cup and a blanket (or a chair).
Cost: $4.00 per person.
Duration: 2.5 hours
SUNDAY JUNE 25 EASY
Morning Walk at Mitchell Park
Meet 8:30 a.m. entrance to Mitchell Park, Mitchell Park Rd. Cattai for a pleasant walk wandering through rainforest, river flats and dry forest to swampland（沼泽地）. Binoculars（双筒望远镜）a must to bring as many birds live here. Finish with morning tea.
Duration: 3 hours
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GRADING
EASY suitable for ALL fitness levels
MEDIUM for those who PERIODICALLY exercise
HARD only if you REGULARLY exercise
70. If you seldom exercise, prefer nature to literature and are used to getting up early, you’re most likely to join __________.
A. Early Morning Stroll in Upper Lane Cove Valley
B. Baime Basin Track
C. Poetry around a campfire
D. Morning Walk at Mitchell Park
71. If you want to enjoy the peace of the bush at night, you are required to __________.
A. meet at 7:30 p.m. June 6B. bring slippers with you
C. prepare a torchD. climb rocks for two hours
72. How many guided walks and nature activities provide food or drink?
A. 1.B. 2.C. 3.D. 4.
73. In the activity “Morning Walk at Mitchell Park”, one may have no chance to ___________.
A.appreciate bird watchingB. enjoy mountain climbing
C.take a relaxing walkD. have morning tea
