Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.

The dragon, one of the imaginary creatures in the Chinese culture, is considered to be the luckiest birth sign. It is commonly believed that those born in the Year of the Dragon are fated for wealth and success. Since couples can only have a “dragon baby” every twelve years, many postpone or plan their pregnancies for this year. May 2nd is the suggested deadline for having a dragon baby. Doctors in Hong Kong estimate that there could be 10% more babies born in Hong Kong compared to last year. Despite heavy restrictions and fines, many mainland mothers try to give birth in Hong Kong. Some want to avoid China’s one child policy, while others want better quality services and education for their children. Teachers in mainland China say that trying to have babies this year is foolish since dragon babies will lose out on educational opportunities due to the expected boom.

Questions:

14. Why do so many people expect to have dragon babies? (B)

15. Which day is the suggested deadline for having a dragon baby? (A)

16. Which is not the reason for mainland mothers’ giving birth in Hong Kong? (C) 

 Section C

Blanks 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.

M: Did you enjoy your weekend at the Highland Hotel? I heard it’s an excellent place to stay and has good facilities.

W: I had a wonderful time. The rooms are not very big, but they are well furnished. The restaurant is excellent and reasonably priced. 

M: What’s the service like? 

W: It’s very good. Check in and check out only took a few minutes. The wait staff is very good. A waiter recommended their baked fish, which tasted wonderful. The hotel was quite full, so I’d suggest making a reservation if you intend to go there. The hotel offers a discount at the weekends. 

M: It sounds perfect. Did you have any complaints at all? 

W: There was a problem with the Internet access, so I couldn’t check my email, but I didn’t complain about it to the management. 

M: I suppose you were happy to forget about the outside world. 

W: Yes, I was. Here’s their business card. 

M: Thanks. One of the things I dislike about hotels is that everyone expects tips. 

W: I know. At the Highland Hotel, they have an interesting policy. When you check out, you put some money in a special box at reception. Each evening, the money in the box is shared equally by the hotel staff.

17. Reasonable    18. discount    19. access   20. equally 

Blanks 21 through 24 are based on the following conversation.  

M: Hey, Lucy! You look … different. You’ve colored your hair again!

W: Yes. I got it done yesterday. I was getting tired of the dark black hair.

M: But isn’t it bad for you to dye your hair all the time?

W: Well, I don’t do it all the time.

M: Let’s see, you had light brown hair in August. You were blond in November, and back to black after that and now red!

W: Wow, has it been that many already? But it doesn’t matter. I’m having fun.

M: Expensive fun, I think!

W: But don’t you think colored hair is more attractive than boring old black?

M: Yes, but some people say that using hair dye too often increases the risk of some kinds of cancer.

W: Oh, come on. That was true back in the 70s. Not today.

M: I’m just telling you what I heard.

W: Anyway, not all hair dyes are bad for you.

M: I have heard that some hair dyes use plants for coloring. They’re called “natural hair dyes.”

W: Really?

M: They are not supposed to contain chemicals that harm your hair.

W: That sounds too good to be true! I’ll try it next time.

M: You’d better get it done at a salon where there are professionals.

W: It’s much more expensive!

M: True. Well, remember it’s your hair.

21. Light brown     22. less attractive/ boring  

23. cause cancer     24. contain chemicals

Grammar

25-40  C D C C C      B C A C A       A C B C A C

Vocabulary

41-49  D I A G E F B H C

Cloze

50-64  C A D A B      D C D A B      C A A D B

Reading

65-68 BDCB         69-71 ACB

72-75 B C D A      76-80 DBFAC

81.   phobia   

82.   avoid the object of his fear  

83.   Upsetting experiences earlier in life and inherited memory.

84.   progressive exposure 

Translation

1.    We are looking forward to receiving your proposals.

2.    His great scientific discovery astonished the world.

3.    The increasingly tense doctor-patient relationship remains to be solved.

4.    Is the saying that we should devote our limited life to the unlimited work of serving people out of date?

5.    The tourist industry won’t grow if the restaurant owners regard tourists as fish to be hooked rather than as guests to be welcomed.