TEXT C
How we look and how we appear to others probably worries us more when we are in our teens or early twenties that at any other time in our life. Few of us are content to accept ourselves as we are, and few are brave enough to ignore the trends of fashion.

Most fashion magazines or TV advertisements try to persuade us that we should dress in a certain way or behave in a certain manner. If we do, they tell us, we will be able to meet new people with confidence and deal with every situation confidently and without embarrassment. Changing fashion, of course, does not apply just to dress. A barber today does not cut a boy's hair in the same way as he used to, and girls do not make up in the same way as their mothers and grandmothers did. The advertisers show us the latest fashionable styles and we are constantly under pressure to follow the fashion in case our friends think we are odd or dull.

What causes fashions to change? Sometimes convenience or practical necessity or just the fancy of an influential person can establish a fashion. Take hats, for example. In cold climates, early buildings were cold inside, so people wore hats indoors as well as outside. In recent times, the late President Kennedy caused a depression in the American the industry by not wearing hats more American men followed his example.

There is also a cyclical pattern in fashion. In the 1920s in Europe and America, short skirts became fashionable. After World War Two, they dropped to ankle length. Then they got shorter and shorter until the miniskirt was in fashion. After a few more years, skirts became longer again.

Today, society is much freer and easier than it used to be. It is no longer necessary to dress like everyone else. Within reason, you can dress as you like or do your hair the way you like instead of the way you should because it is the fashion. The popularity of jeans and the "untidy" look seems to be a reaction against the increasingly expensive fashions of the top fashion houses.

At the same time, appearance is still important in certain circumstances and then we must choose our clothes carefully. It would be foolish to go to an interview for a job in a law firm wearing jeans and a sweater, and it would be discourteous to visit some distinguished scholar looking as if we were going to the beach or a night club. However, you need never feel depressed if you don't look like the latest fashion photo. Look around you and you'll see that no one else does either!

72. The author thinks that people are

A. satisfied with their appearance.

B. concerned about appearance in old age.

C. far from neglecting what is in fashion.

D. reluctant to follow the trends in fashion.

73. Fashion magazines and TV advertisements seem to link fashion to

A. confidence in life.

B. personal dress.

C. individual hair style.

D. personal future.

74. Causes of fashions are

A. uniform.

B. varied.

C. unknown.

D. inexplicable.

75.Present-day society is much freer and easier because it emphasizes

A. uniformity.

B. formality.

C. informality.

D. individuality.

76. Which is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A. Care about appearance in formal situations.

B. Fashion in formal and informal situations.

C. Ignoring appearance in informal situations.

D. Ignoring appearance in all situations.

TEXT D
Massive changes in all of the world's deeply cherished sporting habits are underway. Whether it's one of London's parks full of people playing softball, and Russians taking up rugby, or the Superbowl rivaling the British Football Cup Final as a televised spectator event in Britain, the patterns of players and spectators are changing beyond recognition. We are witnessing a globalization of our sporting culture.

That annual bicycle race, the Tour de France, much loved by the French is a good case in point. Just a few years back it was a strictly continental affair with France, Belgium and Holland, Spain and Italy taking part. But in recent years it has been dominated by Colombian mountain climbers, and American and Irish riders.

The people who really matter welcome the shift toward globalization. Peugeot, Michelin and Panasonic are multi-national corporations that want worldwide returns for the millions they invest in teams. So it does them literally a world of good to see this unofficial world championship become just that.

This is undoubtedly an economic-based revolution we are witnessing here, one made possible by communications technology, but made to happen because of marketing considerations. Sell the game and you can Coca Cola or Budweiser as well.

The skilful way in which American football has been sold to Europe is a good example of how all sports will develop. The aim of course is not really to spread the sport for its own sake, but to increase the number of people interested in the major money-making events. The economics of the Superbowl are already astronomical. With seats at US$ 125, gate receipts alone were a staggering $10,000,000. the most important statistics of the day, however, was the $100,000,000 in TV advertising fees. Imagine how much that becomes when the eyes of the world are watching.

So it came as a terrible shock, but not really as a surprise, to learn that some people are now suggesting that soccer change from being a game of two 45-minute halves, to one of four 25 minute quarters. The idea is unashamedly to capture more advertising revenue, without giving any thought for the integrity of a sport which relies for its essence on the flowing nature of the action.

Moreover, as sports expand into world markets, and as our choice of sports as consumers also grows, so we will demand to see them played at a higher and higher level. In boxing we have already seen numerous, dubious world title categories because people will not pay to see anything less than a "World Title" fight, and this means that the title fights have to be held in different countries around the world!

77. Globalization of sporting culture means that

A. more people are taking up sports.

B. traditional sports are getting popular.

C. many local sports are becoming international.

D. foreigners are more interested in local sports.

78. Which of the following is NOT related to the massive changes?

A. Good economic returns.

B. Revival of sports.

C. Communications technology.

D. Marketing strategies.

79. What is the author's attitude towards the suggestion to change soccer into one of four 25-minute quarters?

A. Favorable.

B. Unclear.

C. Reserved.

D. Critical.

80. People want to see higher-level sports competitions mainly because

A. they become more professional than ever.

B. they regard sports as consumer goods.

C. there exist few world-class championships.

D. sports events are exciting and stimulating.

SECTION B SKIMMING AND SCANNING [5 MIN]
In this section there are seven passages with a total of ten multiple-choice question. Skim or scan them as required and then mark your answers on your answer sheet.

TEXT E

First read the following question.

81. The main purpose of the passage is to

A. warn people of pickpockets.

B. tell people what to wear.

C. describe how to catch thieves.

D. explain how to contact the police.

Now, go through TEXT E quickly and answer question 81.

Pickpockets operate in crowded places in hope of getting easy pickings. Don't make it easy for them. Keep wallets, purses and other valuables out of sight. If wearing a jacket, an inside pocket is the best place to use. If not, your possessions are safest in a pocket with a button-down flap.

TEXT F
First read the following question.

82. The main topic of the passage is

A. agricultural products.

B. irrigation methods.

C. natural resources

D. water shortages.

Now, go through TEXT F quickly and answer question 82.

It is widely accepted that China is a country faced with severe water shortages. Insufficient water resources have slowed agricultural development. And to make matters worse, some of the traditional Chinese irrigation methods have wasted an astonishing amount of water.

In China today, the utilization efficiency of farming water is about 30-40 per cent. This figure stands in sharp contrast to developed countries' utilization average of 70-80 per cent. The low utilization efficiency has resulted from the adoption of some traditional Chinese irrigation methods.

Only by using modern irrigation methods can we reduce water shortage in agriculture.

One of the advantages of modern irrigation methods is that they alone can save 20-30 per cent of the present volume of wasted irrigation water.

TEXT G

First read the following question.

83. The letter is about

A. cities in South-east Asia.

B. holiday greetings.

C. sightseeing.

D. travel plans.

Now, go through TEXT G quickly and answer question 83.

May 5th200_

Dear Mark,

Hello again! Here are my holiday plans. I'll leave on a tour of South-east Asia in August and will arrive in Singapore in September. Hope we'll be able to meet there. These are my travel plans:

August 28th London-Tokyo

September 1st Tokyo-Bangkok

September 4th Bangkok-Singapore

September 7th Singapore-Manila

September 9th Manila-London

Looking forward to seeing you again.

Best wishes,

Christopher

TEXT H
First read the following question.

84. Who will read the following excerpt from a pamphlet?

A. Travellers.

B. Baby-sitters.

C. Insurance agents.

D. Traffic police.

Now, go through TEXT H quickly and answer question 84.

DAY TRIPS

Even if you are only going on a day trip to another country, accidents can happen. So please make sure you have adequate travel insurance.

TAKE CARE IN WATER

Bathing will cool you but remember that fatal accidents can happen very easily and in the most unexpected conditions. Adults should watch each other for signs of trouble when in water. Children should always be supervised by an adult who can swim well. Young children should never be left unattended near a stretch of water.

TAKE CARE ON THE ROADS

Traffic accidents are the major cause of death among travelers. Whether driver of pedestrian, always check on local traffic regulations.

TEXT I
First read the following questions.

85. How many performances will the Irish dancing troupe give between June 23 and 25?

A. One

B. Two.

C. Three.

D. Four

86. Whose works will NOT be played at the concert?

A. Chopin.

B. Schumann.

C. Beethoven.

D. Liszt.

Now, go through TEXT I quickly and answer question 85 and 86.

Irish dance: The Irish International Dance Company, one of the most dynamic dance troupes in the world, will tour China with its classic production "Spirit of the Dance-the new Millennium."

The dancers include such famous names as Patricia Murray, one of the Irish dancing champions, and first-rate ballerina Claire Holding.

Sponsored by China National Culture and Art Company Ltd., the dancing troupe will give three performances at the Century Theatre.

Time: 7:30 pm, June 23-25

Place: Century Theatre, 40 Liangmaqiaolu, Chaoyang District

Telephone: 6551-8888

Piano solos: twenty Chinese and foreign piano music works will be played by three young, promising pianists from the China Central Conservatory of Music.

Programmes include: "Consolation No 3 in D-flat major" by Liszt, "For Elise" by Beethoven, "Turkish March" by Mozart, "Waltz in C-sharp minor" and "A Minute Waltz" by Chopin, and "Hungarian Dance" by Brahms.

Time: 7:30 pm, June 16

Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinbuajie, Xicheng District

Telephone: 6605-5812

TEXT J
First read the following questions.

87. When is the deadline for the competition?

A. May 7.

B. May 5.

C. June 18.

D. June 15.

88. The six lucky winners will

A. visit Guiyang City.

B. contact the Press Office.

C. go to China Daily.

D. take an overseas trip.

Now, go through TEXT J quickly and answer question 87 and 88.

Guiyang Customs and Scenery Competition

Notice

Fifteen question for the Guigyang Customs and Scenery Competition were published in China Daily on May 5 and 7, and on China Daily's web edition on May 7. Participants, please answer the questions and mail the answer card to:

Press Office, Guiyang Municipal People's Government

46 Zhongshan Xilu, Guiyang 550003, Guizhou, China

or find the competition on . Then answer the questions, fill in all information needed and click the button below to send it back.

The deadline for the competition is June 15 (subject to postmark).

The prize-drawing Ceremony will be held on June 18 in Guiyang City, and six lucky winners (three living in China, three from abroad) will be drawn from those who give correct answers to all questions. Their names will be published in China Daily and its web edition on June 19.

The six lucky winners will be invited to visit Guiyang from August 8 to 18.

TEXT K
First read the following questions.

89. If you want to travel to Shanghai on Air France on a Saturday, which flight would you take?

A. AF129.

B. AF128.

C. AF111.

D.AF112.

90. Does Lufthansa operate a flight between Beijing and Frankfurt every day?

A. No

B. Yes.

C. Yes, except on Saturdays.

D. No, only three days a week.