第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）

　　　阅读下列短文，从每篇短文后所给各题的四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。 

A

   In October 1800，John Todd was born in Rutland, Vermont. Soon afterward，his parents moved to Killingworth, Connecticut. When John was six, both his parents died. A kind-hearted aunt in North Killingworth agreed to take John and give him a home. He was brought up by her and lived in her home until he left to study for the ministry.

    His aunt took seriously ill and feared she was about to die. In great suffering she wrote John Todd a letter in which she asked him to tell her what death would be like.

    Here is the letter he sent in reply:

    It is now thirty-five years since I, as a little boy of six, was left quite alone in the world. You sent me word you would give me a home and be a kind mother to me. I have never forgotten the day when I made the long journey of ten miles to your house in North Killingworth. I can still remember my disappointment when, instead of coming for me yourself, you sent your servant James to fetch me.

　　I well remembered my tears and anxiety as, sitting high on your horse and sticking tight to James, I rode off to my new home. Night fell before we finished the journey, and as it grew dark I became lonely and afraid. “Do you think she’ll go to bed before we get there?” I asked James anxiously. “Oh, no,” he said encouragingly. “She’ll stay up for you. When we get out of these woods you’ll see her candle shining in the window.”

    Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle. I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me and that you lifted me — a tired and confused little boy — down from the horse. You had a fire burning on the ground, a hot supper waiting on the stove. After supper you took me to my new room, heard me say my prayers, and then sat beside me until I fell asleep.

　　　You probably realize why I am recalling all this to your memory. Some day soon God will send for you, to take you to a new home. Don’t fear the callings, the strange journey, or the dark messenger of death who will fetch you. God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago. At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome waiting, and you will be safe in God’s care. I shall watch you and pray for you till you are out of sight, and then wait for the day when I shall make the same journey myself and find you waiting at the end of the road to greet me.

51. What do we know from the first two paragraphs?

　　　A. Todd was forty when he wrote this letter.

　　　B. Todd’s aunt was somewhat feared of death.

　　　C. Todd was very excited when first met by the aunt.

　　　D. Todd was kind to his aunt’s concern. 

52. According to the passage, we can infer that __________. 

　　　A. Todd dislikes his aunt very much

　　　B. Todd will wait for his aunt at the end of the road

　　　C. Todd will one day make the same road himself

　　　D. Todd will write this letter for God’s benefit

53. The underlined sentence in the last paragraph probably means _________. 

　　　A. God can be trusted many years ago

　　　B. you did as much as God many years ago

　　　C. you were kind enough to me many years ago 

　　　D. God will treat you as well as you did many years ago

54. What is the best title of the passage?

　　　A. An unforgettable childhood

　 B. A Timeless Letter of Comfort

　　　C. A letter of giving thanks

　　　D. A full-of-love burning candle 

B

    Shi Jianfei is a college student at Beijing Information Science and Technology University. He met with an academic problem during the summer vocation but it took him a lot determination to finally approach his professor to solve the problem. To his surprise, the meeting turned out to be quite pleasant.

    But only few students turn to their professors to ask for advice in solving problems or discuss academic topics with them. According to an investigation of 2,636 college students conducted by MyCOS, a Beijing-based consultancy (咨询公司), more than a third of them contact their, professor less than once a year.

    Although most students and teachers are willing to communicate with each other, it seems that an effective communication system is absent. Shi says , “Communication usually takes place in class or between classes, because it's difficult to get in touch with professors at any other time. University professors always look very busy.”

    However, from the teachers' perspective, students are too cautious about communicating with professors. “They're worried about asking questions for they think they may leave a bad impression,” says Du Xiguang, professor of chemistry at Northeast Normal University. Du created a QQ group in which students can discuss various issues with him, ranging from academic topics to personal problems. “I find they are very talkative in this group. But if they talk to me in person, they're shy and nervous,” he says.

    Wu Qian, 22, an English major at Tsinghua University admits that when she meets with  problems she prefers talking to her classmates and upper-classmen. “I think many students are too shy and passive, myself included. I feel more comfortable communicating with my classmates,” she says.

　　　Du also says that the shyness of many students to a change lies in different teaching styles. In primary school, Chinese students get used to talking with their teachers because they're like“nannies” who not only teach, but also watch out for their students' personal development.

    “In college, such communication isn't compulsory any more and students aren't pushed to discuss their ideas with professors,” says Du. “The real problem is that students aren't yet ready to engage in adult conversation with professors. Some of them just expect professors to explain facts and help them prepare for exams, like in high school.”

55. What does Paragraph 2 talk about?

　　A. The reason why the communication is little.

　　B. The present situation of communication.

　　C. The background of the phenomenon.

　　D. The details of the phenomenon.

56. What’s the real reason why Shi Jianfei didn’t turn to his professor for help immediately meeting with an academic problem?

　　A. An effective communication mechanism is absent.

B. It's difficult to get in touch with professor. 

　　C. He is too shy and passive.

　　D. Communication isn't compulsory any more.

57. The underlined word “nannies” is closest in meaning to_________.

　　A. nurses         B. gardeners         C. friends          D. leaders 

58. In which way does the author present the passage?

　　A. By giving some dialogues between students and teachers  

　　B. By giving some specific examples of students and teachers    

　　C. By interviewing different students and teachers     

　　D. By listing some facts and opinions of students and teachers
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