TEXT G

First read the following question.

83.    The passage is mainly about___.

A.    loneliness       

B.    experience   

C.    memory         

D.    isolation 

Now read Text G quickly and mark your answer on your answer sheet.’

Loneliness is a curious thing. Most of us can remember feeling most lonely when we were not in fact alone at all, but when we were surrounded by people. Everyon e has experienced, at some time, that strong sense of isolation that comes over you when you are at a party or in a room full of happy laughing people. It sudde nly seems to you as if everybody knows everybody else, everybody knows what is g oing on; everybody, that is, except you.’

This feeling of loneliness which can overcome you when you are in a crowd is ver y difficult to get rid of. People living alone are advised to tackle their lonel iness by joining a club or a society, by going out and meeting people.

TEXT H

First read the following question.

84.    The author mainly discusses ___ of public transportation.

A.    the price     

B.    the types   

C.    the improveme nt       

D.    the advantage 

Now read Text H quickly and mark your answer on your answer sheet.’

The price of public transportation in Beijing has doubled twice since 1989, but it is still a bargain. Using the subway and minibuses used to show class status; now people of all classes take them, while some wealthy prefer taxis or private cars. What a change in just a few years!But there are downfalls to having more cars on the roads. Fortunately, the gover nment is aware of the problem. No-lead gasoline is the only one permitted in the city, and the rest of the country follows. Thousands of trees are planted in an d around the city every year. Children are taught why and how to protect the env ironment. At the same time, public transportation has marked real progress: buse s are everywhere and run frequently. We no longer see those old buses with broke n windows. Instead, there are fast buses, double-decker buses, air-conditioned o r heated buses, all offering a good service.

TEXT I

First read the following questions.

85.  Each participating team should at least have ___

A. two       

B. three     

C. four     

D. five 

86.  Participants can bring along their ___ to the competition.

A.   Christmas trees

B.   Christmas presents

C.   festival costumes

D.   decoration materials 

Now read Text I quickly and mark your answers on your answer sheet.’

With Christmas Day around the corner, Hong Kong’s Provisional Regional Council announced that a Christmas tree decoration competition will be held on Sunday in conjunction with the ongoing Regional Council Festival.’Members of the public are welcome to take part in the competition as families or small groups. Each team should be formed by at least three persons.’A total of 99 Christmas trees of 1.5 metres in height will be available for the participating teams to decorate. Participants can bring along their own decorati on materials and to use their imagination and creativity to achieve the best res ults.’

Each participating team can take home the Christmas tree it has decorated as a souvenir. In addition, there will be cash awards for the winners.

TEXT J

First read the following questions.

87.   If you only have time for a half-day trip, which day would you choo se?

A.   Sunday 23 July.

B.   Saturday 15 July.

C.   Wednesday 9 August.

D.   Saturday 5 August. 

88.    Which of the following trips offers you the opportunity to see Geor gian architecture?

A.    Trip One.       

B.    Trip Two.       

C.    Trip Three. 

D.     Trip Four. 

Now read Text quickly and mark your answers on your answer sheet.

Summer Outings

Trip One

Saturday 15 July  Stratford-upon-Avon and “Julius Caesar”

The coach will leave at 9 am, allowing a couple of hours to visit Stratford befo re the performance of “Julius Caesar” at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Back aro

und 7:30 pm.

Trip Two

Sunday 23 July    Bath

The spa town of Bath contains the country’s finest Roman ruins, and much elegant Georgian architecture. The coach will depart at 9 am, returning at around 6:30 pm.

Trip Three

Saturday 5 August    Stratford-upon-Avon and “The Taming of the Shrew” Another chance to visit Stratford. “The Taming of the Shrew” stars Josie Lawrenc e in the title role. The coach will leave at 9 am, returning at around 7:30 pm.

Trip Four

Wednesday 9 August  Oxford and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” A half-day trip to Oxford. The coach will leave at 2:15 pm, allowing an afternoo n to see the sights before one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays at the Playho use Theatre. Back after the show.

TEXT K

First read the following questions.

89.    Which nation is thought to be business-minded?

A.    The Dutch.      

 B.    The Italians.   

C.     The British.         

D.     The Germans. 

90.    The opinions seem to be most divided on___.

A.    the Germans           

B.    the Dutch   

C.    the French   

D.    the British 

Now read Text K quickly and mark your answers on your answer sheet.

Some of the data from a survey on national stereotypes in some European countries is summarized below:

Germans Liked themselves best of all. Most Europeans agreed that the Germans had the highest proportion of good qualities. They considered themselves very tolerant, but nobody else did.

French Not really admired by anyone except the Italians. Other Europeans found them conservative, withdrawn, brilliant, superficial. Also, not very friendl y.

British  Mixed reactions. Some found them calm, reserved, open- minded, others thought they were insular and superior. The British most admired the Dutch.

Italians      Generally considered by everyone to be lazy and untrustworthy, an d the Italians agreed! Most also found them to be charming, hospitable and noisy

. The Italians admired the French. Hardly anyone loved the Italians except the  French.

Dutch      Most admired people in Europe—except by their neighbours—the Belgians. Everyone agreed that the Dutch are hardworking, thrifty, good-natured, tolerant and business-minded. 

Part ⅠWRITING  ［45 MIN.］

SECTION A COMPOSITION

Write on ANSWER SHEET ONE a composition of about 150 words on the following topic: College life should be varied and colourful. And extracurricular activities are an important aspect of it. However, at present, there is much room for improveme nt in this regard. Write an article to the university radio entitled:

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities 

In the first part of your article you should clearly present your view, and in t he second part you should support your opinion with appropriate details. In the last part you should bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or summ ary.Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriacy. Failur e to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks.

SECTION B  NOTE-WRITING［10 MIN.］

Write on ANSWER SHEET ONE a note of about 50-60 words based on the following situation:

You’ve read on the notice board that the university library is looking for a par t-time library assistant who can work at weekends. You think that your classmate , George, is a suitable person for this vacancy. Write him a note, telling him w hat you know about the vacancy and trying to persuade him to go for an interview Marks will be awarded for content organization, grammar and appropriacy