Part II Reading Comprehension (40 points)

　　Directions: There are 4 passages in this part. Each of the passages is followed by 5 questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are 4 choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best one and mark your answer on the ANSWER SHEET.

　　Passage One

　　We often hear people talking about the generation gap. The name is new but the idea is old. The world keeps changing and it has always kept changing. During the second century after Christ, a wise man said, “Bury me on my face because in a little while everything will be turned upside down.”

　　There has always been a gap between generations, though more people talk about it now. The following shows what Old Mr. Ellis thinks ‘generation gap’ means: young people and their parents don’t understand each other.

　　“When I was a boy, I thought the world was a beautiful place. My life was very pleasant. But when I was older I learned about people who were treated badly, people who didn’t have enough to eat. I wanted to help them, and I married a girl who wanted to help them, too. We went to meetings and talked a lot, but it didn’t seem to make much difference.

　　“Our children grew up in a world at war. They didn’t know when the war would stop. They wanted their children to have nice clothes and toys. They didn’t want to think about the future. They thought nothing could be done about it.

　　“Now I have grandchildren and they have their own ideas. They are trying to make the world better. They are trying to help other people. They are making people listen to them. I’m proud of their generation.”

　　16. ‘Generation gap’ most probably means _________.

　　A. an old name with new meaning

　　B. the great changes between different periods

　　C. the fact that things will be turned upside down soon

　　D. old and young people don’t understand each other

　　17. The gap between generations _________.

　　A. has recently appeared

　　B. has existed for a long time

　　C. only exists in some special times

　　D. is something not much talked about today

　　18. What is Mr. Ellis’ attitude towards his grandchildren?

　　A. He doesn’t understand them very well.

　　B. He often criticize them.

　　C. He likes them very much.

　　D. He doesn’t care much about them.

　　19. Which of the following statements is true according to Mr. Ellis?

　　A. His children thought a lot about the future.

　　B. His children always listened to others.

　　C. His grandchildren try to make the world better.

　　D. His grandchildren want to have nice clothes and toys.

　　20. This passage is about _________.

　　A. the generation gap

　　B. Mr. Ellis’ life story

　　C. Mr. Ellis’ family

　　D. the differences among children

　　Passage One

　　Mr. Anders worked in a hospital. Three years ago, when he was sixty-eight, he retired. But a lot of people still come to ask him to look them over. He’s very busy in the daytime and he wants to have a good rest at night.

　　Half a year ago a young man moved into the room upstairs. At first he was quiet. The old man was satisfied with him. But now he has several friends. They often come to see him in the evening. They talk loudly, sing and dance. Mr. Anders is unhappy, but he seldom says anything about it.

　　It was the young man’s birthday yesterday. All his friends came at seven in the evening. They drank too much and made a lot of noise. The old man couldn’t fall asleep the whole night. In the morning, as soon as he got up, he went upstairs and knocked at the door. The young man opened it for him and asked him in.

　　“Did you hear me strike the ceiling last night, young man?” asked Mr. Anders. “It doesn’t matter, sir.” said the young man, “I don’t mind it. It was very noisy in my room, too.”

　　21. Mr. Anders is a .

　　A. teacher B. policeman

　　C. doctor D. gatekeeper

　　22. According to the passage, after Mr. Anders’ retirement, a lot of people come to ask him to .

　　A. live with them

　　B. check their health

　　C. they don’t pay him for it

　　D. his medical skill is good

　　23. Mr. Anders was first satisfied with the young man upstairs because ________.

　　A. he treated people friendly

　　B. he talked to others politely

　　C. he didn’t make much noise

　　D. he didn’t speak much

　　24. The word strike (in para. 4) in the story means .

　　A. knock lightly B. hit repeatedly

　　C. touch gently D. beat cheerfully

　　25. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

　　A. The young man thought Mr. Anders came to say sorry to him

　　B. Mr. Anders wanted to drink with the young man.

　　C. Mr. Anders hoped the young man to move to another house.

　　D. The young man was afraid to meet Mr. Anders.