III. Reading Comprehension (50 Points)

　　In this section there are 5 passages, and each passage is followed by a number of comprehension questions. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.

　　Questions 66 to 70 are based on the following passage:

　　Coin collection is one of the oldest known hobbies. In the past it was often enjoyed by kings and scholars. It is also a pleasant way of saving.

　　The designs on coins tell many stories. The coins of a country often are a record of its history and geography. Some ancient coins tell us all we know about a country or a period of history. They bring us portraits of rulers who would be otherwise (否则) unknown. Coins tell us about the art, religion, dress and hairstyles of people who lived long ago.

　　Your special interests will help you decide the kind of coin collection you would like to have. You may wish to collect the coins of one country or one part of the world. Or you may want your collection to contain coins from all over the world in certain period of time.

　　Some people choose to collect the coins of their own country, while others are interested in ancient Greek and Roman coins that visitors bring back from foreign countries can be the beginning of a collection.

　　Another way to start a collection is to select the best examples of coins now in use. You may be able to collect an interesting series of United States coins with different dates.

　　To get the most enjoyment from your hobby of coin collecting, read as much as you can on the subject. Try to form a group of collector friends. If you have an old or foreign coin, find out where and when it was made, its name and value, and what you could have bought with it when it was in use.

　　There are many ways to arrange coin collections. Some collectors keep their coins in small square (正方形) envelopes. A complete description (描述) of the coins should be written on the outside of the envelopes. These envelopes are arranged in cardboard boxes.

　　Never clean a coin unless it is caked with dirt. Remove the dirt with soap and warm water. Do not use anything hard. This will damage both the looks and value of the coin.

　　66. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the selection as a benefit of the ways mentioned in the selection is ______.

　　A. you can increase your knowledge of history.

　　B. you can learn about the geography of some countries.

　　C. you can have some ideas of how people lived in the old days.

　　D. you can buy things with the coins you have.

　　67. There are many ways to start a collection of coins. One of the ways mentioned in the selection is ______.

　　A. to start with the collection of coins according to the sizes

　　B. to buy all kinds of coins when you see them in the shops

　　C. to keep all the coins you happen to have

　　D. to collect coins of your own country according to the dates

　　68. You can get the most enjoyment from your collection of coins ______.

　　A. if you try to learn as much as possible from the coins you have in your collection

　　B. if you get a lot of money selling them

　　C. if you clean them every now and then

　　D. if you can arrange them in different ways

　　69. There are several ways to arrange your coins. The way recommended in the selection is ______.

　　A. to put them in bags

　　B. to keep them in small envelopes

　　C. to keep them in glass cases

　　D. to keep them in a jar

　　70. In order to keep the coins clean, you should ______.

　　A. clean them whenever you have time

　　B. clean them every month

　　C. clean them with hot water

　　D. clean them with warm water

　　Questions 71 to 75 are based on the following passage:

　　It's impolite to arrive at a dinner party more than 15 to 20 minutes late. The host or hostess usually waits for all of the guests before serving the food. If someone is late, the food may be spoiled, and so might the host or hostess' mood. If you find you will have to be late, call and tell them to start without you.

　　It's even worse to be early! The host or hostess will probably not be ready. If you are early, drive or walk around the block (街区) a few times, or just sit in your car until the right time.

　　It's often important to arrive at a party on time. Some get-togethers, especially formal dinner parties depend on exact arrival times. On the other hand, for open houses, the host or hostess invites guests to arrive and leave between specific times, so you can arrive at any time within the times he or she gives you.

　　It's nice to bring an empty stomach, but it's even nicer to bring a small gift. The gift should not cost a lot, or you might embarrass (使人难堪) the host or hostess. Flowers, wine, some pretty soap for the guest bathroom, a box of candy, a bottle of inexpensive but good wine and similar gifts will do fine. Never bring money as a gift.

　　North Americans might kiss a close friend on the cheek in greeting. (But never on the lips -- unless they are very, very close!) It is not customary (习惯) for Americans to greet each other with a kiss unless they had not met for a long time.

　　71. According to the writer, if someone is late for a dinner party, the food may be spoiled and ______.

　　A. the guests will have to go hungry

　　B. the host and the hostess will be in low spirits

　　C. the host and the hostess will be very angry

　　D. the host and the hostess will understand

　　72. If you find you'll have to be late for a dinner party, you should ______.

　　A. send someone to tell the host or the hostess not to wait for you

　　B. send someone to tell the host or the hostess to wait for you

　　C. call and tell the host or the hostess not to wait for you

　　D. call and tell the host or the hostess to wait for you

　　73. It can be inferred from the selection that an open house (para. 3, line 3) is ______.

　　A. a house which is open day and night

　　B. a party which is held in the open

　　C. a party which is open to anybody

　　D. a party for family members and friends. Guests can come and go between specific times.

　　74. It is nice to bring a ______ gift.

　　A. cheap B. expensive C. small D. costly

　　75. It is ______ to kiss your friend in greeting.

　　A. very impolite B. common C. not common D. wrong