III. Reading Comprehension

Section A 

Directions: For each blank in the following passage 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.

There are many ways of defining success. It is accurate to say that each of us has our own __50___ of success, and that each of us is __51___ for setting our own goals and __52___ whether we have met these goals satisfactorily. Because each of us possesses unique differences in genetic ability and favorable environments in which to express these abilities, it is necessarily true that we must define success broadly.

For some people, simply being able to live their life with a minimum of misery and suffering is considered __53___ .Think of the peace of mind of the poor shepherd who
tends his sheep, enjoying his simple life with his family in the beauty of __54___ , and who is respected because he does a good job of __55___ the goals expected of and accepted by him and his society. On the other hand, it seems that __56___some people appear to be rich in __57___ possessions, many of them seem to be miserable and consider themselves unsuccessful when __58___their own goals of success. Because not all ventures can be successful, one should not set __59___ goals for achieving success, but if one has self-confidence and ability it would be unfortunate to set one’s goals at too low a __60___ of achievement.

A wise counselor once said to a young man who was __61___ frustration and disappointment with his own professional success, “You __62___set your goal to reach the moon in order to have success in traveling. Sometimes one can be very successful __63___by taking a walk in the park, or riding the subway downtown,” the counselor added, “You have not really failed and spoilt your chances for success until you have been unsuccessful at __64___you really like, and to which you have given your best effort.”  

50. A. purpose B. decision C. concept D. name

51. A. helpful B. charged C. free D. responsible

52. A. thinking B. determining C. knowing D. learning

53. A. development B. life C. a success D. progress

54. A. nature B. environment C. surrounding D. scenery

55. A. realizing B. carrying out C. achieving D. completing

56. A. as though B. even that C. as if D. even though

57. A. spiritual B. mental C. ideal D. material

58. A. judged by B. supposed to C. depended on D. relied on

59. A. untrue B. unrealistic C. wrong D. false

60. A. condition B. situation C. position D. standard

61. A. experiencing B. considering C. feeling D. thinking

62. A. mustn’t B. do not have to C. shouldn’t D. can’t

63. A. nearly B. mostly C. merely D. frequently

64. A. something B. anything C. nothing D. everything  

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)

The rise of the so-called “boomerang generation” is revealed in official figures showing that almost one in five graduates in their late 20s now live with their parents.

By contrast, only one in eight university graduates had failed to fly the nest by the same age 20 years ago. It also found that grown-up sons are twice as likely as their sisters to still be living with their parents in their late 20s. With nearly a quarter of men approaching 30 still living at home, the findings are bound to lead to claims of a “generation of mummy’s boys”.

Young professionals in their late 20s or early 30s have been nicknamed the “boomerang generation” because of the trend toward returning to the family home having initially left to study. Recent research has suggested that young people in Britain are twice as likely to choose to live with their parents in their late 20s than their counterparts elsewhere in Europe.

Growing housing prices, rising student debts and the effects of recession（衰退） on the job market have forced a wave of young people to move back into the family home at an age when they would normally be moving out. But commentators warned that the phenomenon may have more to do with young people facing “dire” prospects than simply a desire to save money.

While the proportion of those of university or college age moving out from the family home has continued to rise in the last 20 years, among those in their mid and late 20s the trend has been reversed. Overall 1.7 million people aged from 22 to 29 now share a roof with their parents, including more than 760,000 in their late 20s. In 1988, 22.7 per cent of men aged 25 to 29 were still living with their parents but last year the proportion was 24.5 per cent.

65. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. The economic crisis has shown its effect on the young generation.

B. More young professionals are returning home to live.

C. British parents are suffering more loads from their grown-up children.

D. Britain is suffering more than any other country in Europe.

66. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Male children seem to be more independent than females.

B. Eighty percent of university graduates were able to live independently two decades ago.

C. The grown-up children choose to live with their parents only to save money.

D. More and more children are moving out at university age.

67. What does the underlined word “dire” probably mean?

A. promising. B. inconvenient. C. very bad. D. hopeful.

68. The following factors may account for the phenomenon except ___________.

A. that living prices have risen a lot

B. that it’s difficult to land a job

C. that education has already cost them a lot

D. that parents can help them more  

(B)

It’s great fun to explore new places—it feels like an adventure, even when you know you’re not the first to have been there. But make sure not to get lost or waste time going round in circles.

 ● Do the map reading if you’re being driven somewhere. It’ll be easier if you keep turning the map so it follows the direction you’re traveling in. Keep looking ahead so that you can give the driver lots of warning before having to make a turn or you’ll have to move to the back seat.

● Get a group of friends together and go exploring. You'll need a good map, a compass (指南针）, a raincoat, a cell phone to call for help in case you get lost, and a bit of spare cash for emergencies. Tell someone where you’re going before you set out and let them know what time you expect to be back. The test is in not getting lost, not in seeing how fast you can go, so always stick together, waiting for slower friends to catch up.

● See if your school or a club organizes orienteering activities, in which you need a map and a compass to find your way. This can be done as a sport, with teams trying to find the way from A to B (and B to C, etc.) in the fastest time, or simply as a spare-time activity. Either way, it’s not only good fun, but a great way to keep fit.

69. Sitting beside the driver, you should___________.

A. direct the driver when necessary

B. look ahead to see where there’s a turn

C. move to the back seat if feeling uncomfortable

D. keep looking at the map to find a place to go to

70. Why do you need to tell someone your exploration plan before setting out?

A. To get information when in danger.

B. To be saved in case of an accident.

C. To share the fun with him/her in exploration.

D. To tell him/her what’s going on with the group members.

71. Orienteering activities can______________.

A. make people work fast B. help people stay healthy

C. help people organize other activities D. make people get prepared for sports