第三部分 阅读理解(共两节,满分40分)

第一节 (共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)

阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在
答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

Are you looking for some new and exciting places to take your kids to? Try some of these places:

•Visit art museums. They offer a variety of activities to excite your kids' interest. Many offer workshops for making hand-made pieces, traveling exhibits, book signings (签名) by children's favorite writers, and even musical performances and other arts.

•Head to a natural history museum. This is where kids can discover the past from dinosaur models to rock collections and pictures of stars in the sky. Also, ask what kind of workshops and educational programs are prepared for kids and any special events that are coming up.

•Go to a Youtheater. Look for one in your area offering plays for child and family visitors. Pre-show play shops are conducted by area artists and educators where kids can discover the secret about performing arts. Puppet (木偶) making and stage make-up are just a couple of the special offerings you might find.

•Try hands-on science. Visit one of the many hands-on science museums around the country. These science play-lands are great fun for kids and grown-ups alike. They'll keep your child mentally and physically active the whole day through while pushing buttons, experimenting, and building. When everyone is tired, enjoy a fun family science show, commonly found in these museums.

56. If a child is interested in the universe, he probably will visit _______.
A. a Youtheater
B. an art museum
C. a natural history museum
D. a hands-on science museum

57. What can kids do at a Youtheater?
A. Look at rock collections.
B. See dinosaur models.
C. Watch puppet making.
D. Give performances.

58. What does "hands-on science" mean in the last paragraph?
A. Science games designed by kids.
B. Learning science by doing things.
C. A show of kids' science work.
D. Reading science books.

59. Where does this text probably come from?
A. A science textbook.
B. A tourist map.
C. A museum guide.
D. A news report.

B

Honey from the African forest is not only a kind of natural sugar, it is also delicious. Most people, and many animals, like eating it. However, the only way for them to get that honey is to find a wild bees' nest and take the honey from it. Often, these nests are high up in trees, and it is difficult to find them. In parts of Africa, though, people and animals looking for honey have a strange and unexpected helper - a little bird called a honey guide.

The honey guide does not actually like honey, but it does like the wax in the beehives (蜂房). The little bird cannot reach this wax, which is deep inside the bees' nest. So, when it finds a suitable nest, it looks for someone to help it. The honey guide gives a loud cry that attracts the attention of both passing animals and people. Once it has their attention, it flies through the forest, waiting from time to time for the curious animal or person as it leads them to the nest. When they finally arrive at the nest, the follower reaches in to get at the delicious honey as the bird patiently waits and watches. Some of the honey, and the wax, always falls to the ground, and this is when the honey guide takes its share.

Scientists do not know why the honey guide likes eating the wax, but it is very determined in its efforts to get it. The birds seem to be able to smell wax from a long distance away. They will quickly arrive whenever a beekeeper is taking honey from his beehives, and will even enter churches when beeswax candles are being lit.

60. Why is it difficult to find a wild bees' nest?
A. It's small in size.
B. It's hidden in trees.
C. It's covered with wax.
D. It's hard to recognize.

61. What do the words "the follower" in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. A bee.
B. A bird.
C. A honey seeker.
D. A beekeeper.

62. The honey guide is special in the way _______.
A. it gets its food
B. it goes to church
C. it sings in the forest
D. it reaches into bees' nests

63. What can be the best title for the text?
A. Wild Bees
B. Wax and Honey
C. Beekeeping in Africa
D. Honey-Lover's Helper