C

Everyone looks forward to progress, whether in one’s personal life or in the general society. Progress indicates a person’s ability to change the way he is living at the moment. Progress must lead to a better life and a brtter way of doing things.All these, however, remain true only in so far as people want to accept technology and move forward  by finding new and more efficient ways of doing things.

However,at the back of the minds of many people,especially those who miss the “good old days”, efficiency comes with a price. When communication becomes efficient,people are able to contact one another no matter where they are and at whatever time they wish to.The click of a button allows people miles apart to talk or to see each other without even leaving their homes. With the communication gadgets, such as mobile phones and iPads, people often do not take the effect to visit one another personally.A personal visit carries with it the additional feature of having to be in the person’s presence for as long as the visit lasts. We cannot unnecessarily excuse ourselves or turn the other person off.

With efficiency also comes mass production. Such is the nature of factories and the success of industrialization today. Factories have improved efficiency. Unskillful tasks are left to machines and products are better made and produced with greater accuracy than any human hand could ever have done. However, with the improvements in efficiency also comes the loss of the personal touch when making these products. For example, many handcrafts(手工艺品) are now produced in a factory. Although this means that supply is better able to increase demand, now that the supply is quick and efficient, the demand might fall because mass production lowers the quality of the handicraft and it is difficult to find unique designs on each item.

Nevertheless, we must not commit the mistake of analyzing progress only from one point of view. In fact, progress has allowed tradition to keep up. It is only with progress and the invention of new technology that many old products can be brought back to their old state. New technology is required for old products to stay old.

It is people’s attitude towards progress that causes the type of influence that technology has on society. Technology is flexible. There is no fixed way of making use of it. Everything depends on people’s attitude. The worst effects of progress will fall on those who are unable to rethink their attitudes and views of society. When we accept progress and adapt it to suit our needs, a new “past” is created.

28.According to Paragraph 1, progress can benefit people when they are willing to _______.

   A. live a better life               B. look for better methods

   C. change ways of living          D. accept technology and advance steadily

29. The underlined word “gadgets” is closest in meaning to _______.

   A. tools     B. messages       C. barriers       D. skills

30. Compared with home-made handicrafts, machine made products _______.

   A. lack great accuracy            B. lack the personal touch

   C. are of high value              D. are quite welcome

31. What can be learned about technology from Paragraph 4?

   A. It can destroy old traditions.          B. It can lead to social progress.

   C. It can be used to correct mistakes.     D. It can be used to preserve old products.

                                    D

     Here is the tour that’s voted “3rd best tour in London” on the Best Things to Do－TripAdvisor! Hairy Goat is the best and most original tour company in London.

     Do you like walking around a city and discovering something that makes a great photo? London is full of interesting photo chances and maybe you need someone to lead you to them. The tour is perfect for team events, families, groups of friends and school or college classes.

Bring: A fully charged camera and plenty of memory cards or film, a drink and wear comfortable walking shoes. Dress for three hours’ walking outside.

Price: ￡45 per adult (18yrs and over),￡40 per child (12-15yrs) and full-time students (student ID required). Some tours to be booked and paid in advance. Please call or email for details. Please follow the links on the website or call Corinna at +44(0)7540832771.

Meet: Meet in front of the Royal Exchange Building at Bank Underground Station. Take Exit 3 or 4 from the underground station. 

When: See the website for scheduled dates. 

Duration: Three hours, at a comfortable walking pace.

Finish: By an underground station within the city. Location varies daily.

32A family of four, including a son of 19 and a daughter of 13, should pay ________.

A. ￡180         B.￡175        C. ￡170         D. ￡160

33 According to the passage, the tour _________.

A. is intended for individuals only

B. takes three hours on a sightseeing vehicle

C. has been voted the best tour in London three times

D. offers chances to take great photos

34 According to the passage, which statement is NOT true?

A. Hairy Goat organizes the tour.

B. All the tours are not to be booked in advance.

C. People can go through the website to find the date.

D. The tour finishes at the same location every day.

35 The passage is written mainly to __________.

A. introduce the best thing to do in London

B. show more information about London

C. attract people to take the tour in London

D. encourage people to walk instead of driving
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