Part II. Reading Comprehension Directions: There are three passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. Task 1 India is the world’s biggest gold consumer, but the country’s passion for the yellow metal is waning ( 逐渐减弱 ). Record high prices and the recent economic recession have taken away some of the glitter of gold. The country’s passion for gold is rooted in culture and custom. Gold ornaments( 装饰品 ) are a traditional wedding present to brides and a gift of the precious metal during their religious festivals means good fortune. It is a traditional gift on other important occasions, such as the birth of a child. But shop owners say now they only see “essential customers”—those who have to buy for the marriage of a son or a daughter. Even these buyers are scaling back on purchases. Some are passing on traditional hereditary ( 遗传的 ) treasures, instead of buying new gold. Others are cutting back on the quantity of gold they buy and opting for ornaments of lesser weight. Gold is getting hit not just by the surging prices. In the big cities, the attraction of the precious metal is waning, as trends change. The new status symbol of the country’s wealthy class is no longer jewelry, but expensive mobile phones, iPods or designer labels. However, in a country where the love of gold dates back centuries, jewelry shop owners say they will wait patiently for sales to pick up. As has happened many times in the past, they are hoping that customers will flock back, once they get accustomed to the higher prices. 21. The reason for the decline of gold sales is that . A. The prices of gold are rising B. The price is high and the economy is not satisfying C. people no longer like gold as before D there is too much gold on the market 22. The fact that Indian people are crazy about gold lies in . A. the fact that gold is an important gift for weddings B. celebration of the birth of a child C. culture and custom D. a gift of religious festivals 23. What do some people do for the marriage of a son or a daughter now? A. They buy new gold B. They choose a large quantity of gold C. They pass on traditional hereditary treasures. D. They choose ornaments of much weight. 24. The country’s wealthy class has a tendency to prefer . A. jewelry and gold B. gold and mobile phones C. designer labels and iPods D. jewelry and mobile phones 25. The jewelry shop owners’ attitude towards the future situation can be described as . A. indifferent B. optimistic C. pessimistic D. angry Task 2 Scientists find that hard-working people live much longer than average men and women. Career women are healthier than housewives. Evidence shows that people without a steady job are in poorer health than jobholders. Why is work good for people’s health? It is because work keeps people busy away from loneliness. Researches show that people may feel unhappy, worried and lonely when they have nothing to do. Instead, the happiest are often those who are busy with their work. Many high achievers who love their careers feel that they are happiest when they are working hard. Work serves as a bridge between men and the world around them. By collective activity they find friendship and warmth. This is helpful and beneficial to health. The loss of work means the loss of everything. It affects one in spirit and emotion and is inclined to make him ill. Besides, work gives one a sense of fulfillment and a sense of achievement. Work makes one feel his value and status in society. When a writer finishes his writing or a doctor successfully operates on a patient or a teacher sees his students grow, they are happy beyond words and they may have a feeling of endless satisfaction. From the above we can come to the conclusion that the more you work, the happier and healthier you will be. Let us work hard and study and live a happy and healthy life. 26. Why are housewives not as healthy as career women? A. Because they are poorer than career women. B. Because they have more children than career women. C. Because they feel lonely more easily than career women. D. Because they eat less food than career women. 27. What do we know about the high achievers? A. They have nothing to do at home. B. They don’t care about their families. C. There is no friendship or warmth around them D. Their satisfying jobs help them to keep healthy. 28. What will happen to those who have lost their work? A. They are likely to be in poor health B. They will lose everything at home. C. They can live as long as those who work. D. They will have more time to make new friends. 29. According to Paragraph 3, why does a writer feel satisfied when he finishes writing? A. Because he can feel his value in society. B. Because he can earn a lot of money. C. Because he may make many friends. D. Because he may have time to rest finally. 30. The best title for this passage may be . A. People Should Find a Job B. Working Hard Is Good for Health C. People Should Make More Friends by Work D. The Loss of Work Means the Loss of Everything Task 3 The practice of exchanging foreign currency can vary by country. In one country, you may have to change your money at the airport, and in other countries you may need to buy your foreign currency in advance. Here are some places you can exchange foreign currency for US currency. Your Bank In many cases you can purchase US currency for your trip from a bank. Banks tend to have higher exchange rates than some currency exchange businesses. Before you purchase currency from a bank, check the currency exchange rates for that day so you can compare the rate the bank is giving and determine if it’s a good offer. There is a fee involved in withdrawing foreign currency from your bank. The Airport Currency exchange businesses can be found at most international airports, so you can purchase US currency either before you board your flight or at the US airport on arrival. Note that US airports typically have fewer currency exchange counters than travelers are accustomed to seeing in other parts of the world. If the airport you are flying into is not in a major US city, consider using the exchange service in your departure airport to be on the safe side. If you are in an airport where several exchange companies operate, be sure to shop around for the best rate and lowest exchange fee. 31. The practice of exchanging foreign currency . A. changes with time of the year B. depends on exchange rates of the day C. is exactly the same all over the world. D. is likely to differ from country to country 32. When you withdraw foreign currency from your bank, you are advised to . A. open a bank account B. pay a fee to the bank C. use your credit card D. inform the bank in advance 33. Before purchasing foreign currency form a bank, you are advised to . A. compare the exchange rates B. examine the services of the bank C. pay the exchange fee in advance D. deposit some money with the bank 34. In which case you are advised to consider using the exchange service in your departure airport? A. If you are flying with a foreign airline B. If the airport is far from the city center C. If you are not flying into a major US city. D. If the airport you are flying into is not safe. 35. The passage is mainly about . A. US currency B. exchange fees C. American airport D. currency exchange