主題一 藝術世界

本刊試題研究中心

Ⅰ.閱讀理解

I was about 13 when an uncle gave me a copy of Jostein Gaarder'sSophie's World.It was full of ideas that were new to me,so I spent the summer with my head in and out of that book.It spoke to me and brought me into a world of philosophy(哲學).

That love for philosophy lasted until I got to college.Nothing kills the love for philosophy faster than people who think they understand Foucault, Baudrillard, or Confucius better than you—and then try to explain them.

Eric Weiner'sThe Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophersreawakened my love for philosophy.It is not an explanation, but an invitation to think and experience philosophy.

Weiner starts each chapter with a scene on a train ride between cities and then frames each philosopher's work in the context of one thing they can help us do better.The end result is a read in which we learn to wonder like Socrates,see like Thoreau,listen like Schopenhauer, and have no regrets like Nietzsche.This, more than a book about understanding philosophy,is a book about learning to use philosophy to improve a life.

He makes philosophical thought an appealing exercise that improves the quality of our experiences,and he does so with plenty of humor.Weiner enters into conversation with some of the most important philosophers in history, and he becomes part of that crowd in the process by decoding(解讀)their messages and adding his own interpretation.

The Socrates Expressis a fun, sharp book that draws readers in with its apparent simplicity and gradually pulls them in deeper thoughts on desire,loneliness,and aging.The invitation is clear: Weiner wants you to pick up a cup of coffee or tea and sit down with this book.I encourage you to take his offer.It's worth your time, even if time is something we don't have a lot of.

1.Who opened the door to philosophy for the author?

A.Foucault.B.Eric Weiner.

C.Jostein Gaarder.D.A college teacher.

2.Why does the author list great philosophers in paragraph 4?

A.To compare Weiner with them.

B.To give examples of great works.

C.To praise their writing skills.

D.To help readers understand Weiner's book.

3.What does the author like aboutThe Socrates Express?

A.Its views on history are well-presented.

B.Its ideas can be applied to daily life.

C.It includes comments from readers.

D.It leaves an open ending.

4.What does the author think of Weiner's book?

A.Objective and plain.

B.Daring and ambitious.

C.Serious and hard to follow.

D.Humorous and straightforward.

Ⅱ.補全信息

Color is in everything we touch,taste,smell and feel.It evokes(喚起)emotion without any thought.__1__We are all familiar with it,but do you know the following facts?

Silver will save your life.When buying a new car and finding yourself facing various choices, you can't think clearly.Your best choice is to go with silver.Silver-colored cars are least likely to be involved in a car accident.__2__Another reason is the silver color's ability to have a look of cleanliness.

____3_Tough prisoners and crazy patients?It is the color commonly used to help calm down those who are out of control.So it surely has a useful place and a purpose,other than decorating a dress or Barbie's dream house.

Yellow makes you hungry.Yellow and orange are not recommended for use in kitchens, as they have a positive influence on your appetite.__4__I'm not normally one for conspiracy(陰謀)theories—but perhaps there's something in it for them if we remain ignorant of yellow's effects.

Color is an imaginary friend.Technically, it's all in our heads: color does not exist at all.__5__So, if you start a heated debate over color combinations with someone that you are certain has a low IQ or is just color-blind，remember it's a pointless argument and you should drop it instantly.You're both wrong.

A.Pink comforts the nerves.

B.Blue is the most common favorite color.

C.They are most noticeable on the road and in low light.

D.Yellow-colored walls seldom leave us wanting more food.

E.It can be the focus of our careers,our lifestyle and the fun we have.

F.Then where would our restaurant owners be without the clever tricks?

G.Color tries to make sense of the huge amount of information from the outer world.

Ⅲ.完形填空

A new week began.Marcus entered the school.__1__, he cried out,“What happened to the stadium?”Someone had painted faces on the stadium wall!

All students were whispering with__2__about the graffiti (涂鴉).Possible explanations spread like wildfire around the school.

Later, when Brian cleaned the blackboard, Marcus suddenly spotted the paint on his hands.He__3__that it was Brian who did it.After school, Marcus followed Brian and____4_on what he was doing.When Brian opened his locker, Marcus saw small cans of paint!He decided to__5__it to Mr Johnson.

The next morning, Brian was called to the principal's office.The moment Mr Johnson____6_asked about the graffiti, Brian cried.__7__, Brian explained that he liked to paint,but he couldn't join the art club because he had to go__8__home after school to babysit his little brother.“I'm sorry.I'll clean the stadium,”he sobbed.

Though angry at first,Mr Johnson began to soften as he realized how__9__Brian was.“Brian,painting graffiti on school walls is a very serious matter.Of course you should clean and__10__the wall.”Mr Johnson paused,“__11__I must say, those paintings are quite good.Did you do it alone?”Brian nodded,“Yes.I'm good at painting.”

Mr Johnson thought for a moment before making a(n)__12__.“Well,”he said,“some teachers suggested that we hire a local artist to paint our school mascot on the school wall.Would you like to participate in that?”

“Really?”Brian hesitated,__13__to believe it.

“Yes, but it's a hard work, and we can consider it part of your__14__,”Mr Johnson said,trying to hide his__15__as he picked up the phone.

1.A.Gradually B.Generally C.Usually D.Suddenly

2.A.curiosity B.disappointment C.fear D.relief

3.A.wiped B.examined C.scanned D.suspected

4.A.spied B.reflected C.commented D.hit

5.A.make B.report C.describe D.retell

6.A.hesitantly B.patiently C.directly D.sympathetically

7.A.Ashamed B.Surprised C.Excited D.Satisfied

8.A.slowly B.late C.deliberately D.right

9.A.fortunate B.miserable C.relaxed D.naughty

10.A.repaint B.hide C.build D.repair

11.A.And B.So C.Or D.But

12.A.promise B.choice C.decision D.appointment

13.A.unable B.unwilling C.unlikely D.unhappy

14.A.responsibility B.talent C.devotion D.punishment

15.A.regret B.anger C.smile D.pride

Ⅳ.語法填空

For thousands of years,people have used fables(寓言)1.________(teach)a lesson or to pass on wisdom.Fables were part of the oral tradition of many early cultures, and the well-known Aesop's fables date to the 2.________(six) century, BC.Yet, the form of the fable still has values today,3.________Rachel Carson says inA Fable for Tomorrow.

Carson uses a simple, direct style common to fable.In fact, her style and tone (口吻)are seemingly directed at children.“There was once a town in the heart of America,4.________all life seemed to enjoy peaceful existence with the surroundings,”her fable begins, 5.________(borrow) some familiar words from many age-old fables.Behind the simple style,however,is a serious message 6.________(intend)for everyone.

7.________(difference) from traditional fables, Carson's story ends with an accusation instead of a moral.She warns of the environmental dangers facing society, and she teaches that people must take responsibility 8.________saving their environment.

The themes of traditional fables often deal with simple truths about everyday life.However, Cason's theme is a more weighty 9.________(warn) about environmental destruction.Carson proves that a simple lyric form that has been passed down through the ages can still 10.________(employ)today to draw attention to important truths.

Ⅴ.書面表達

假定你是校學生會主席李華，學校近期擬舉辦主題為“走進藝術，提升素養”的英語演講比賽。請你代表學生會寫一則通知。內容要點：

1.活動時間和地點；

2.報名方式和截止時間。

注意：

1.詞數80左右；

2.可以適當增加細節，以使行文連貫。

Notice

Dear students,

We look forward to your active involvement!

The Students'Union

Ⅵ.讀后續寫

閱讀下面材料，根據其內容和所給段落開頭語續寫兩段，使之構成一篇完整的短文。

When I was in middle school, my social studies teacher asked me to enter a writing contest.I said no without thinking.I did not love writing.My family came from Brazil, so English was only my second language.Writing was so difficult and painful for me that my teacher had allowed me to present my paper on the sinking of the Titanic by acting out a play,where I played all the parts.No one laughed harder than he did.

So, why did he suddenly force me to do something in which I was sure to fail? His reply:“Because I love your stories.If you're willing to apply yourself,I think you will have a good shot at this.”Encouraged by his words,I agreed to give it a try.

I chose Paul Revere's horse as my subject.Paul Revere was a silversmith (銀匠) in Boston who rode a horse at night on April 18,1775 to Lexington to warn people that British soldiers were coming.My story would come straight from the horse's mouth.Not a brilliant idea,but funny;and unlikely to be anyone else's choice.

What did the horse think, as he sped through the night? Did he get tired? Have doubts?Did he want to quit?I sympathized immediately.I got tired.I had doubts.I wanted to quit.But, like Revere's horse, I kept going.I worked hard.I checked my spelling.I asked my older sister to correct my grammar.I checked out a half dozen books on Paul Revere from the library.I even read a few of them.

When I handed in the essay to my teacher, he read it, laughed out loud, and said,“Great.Now, write it again.”I wrote it again, and again and again.When I finally finished it, the thought of winning had given way to the enjoyment of writing.If I didn't win, I wouldn't care.

注意：續寫詞數應為150左右。

Paragraph 1:

A few weeks later,when I almost forgot the contest,there came the news._____________

Paragraph 2:

I went to my teacher's office after the award presentation.________________________