B
For most people, Christmas is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. But for Santa Claus,
and the thousands of fake Santas who impersonate（模仿） him every year, the Christmas season is time to get
to work.
Although Santa Claus waits until Christmas Eve to take his famous sleigh (雪橇) ride, Santa
impersonators can be found at shopping malls around America throughout the six weeks leading up to
December 25. "When you see Santa talking with kids at your local mall, that's when you know Christmas
really is on the way," says Mary Lewine of New York City.
With the excitement of Christmas, people often forget about the real people behind the red robes （长袍)
and white beards, but being a mall Santa. is a tough job. "There is more to it than just sitting in a chair. There is
more to it than just a red suit," said Timothy Connaghan, who has worked as a Santa for.38 years. "Children
can really put the wear and tear on you.”
A recent survey showed some of the challenges that mall Santas face every year. About 90 percent of
Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids
cough or sneeze on them every day. Even more disturbing, one-third of the Santas admit to having children wet
themselves while sitting on their laps.
So why would anyone take this job? For Ben Brauch, a retired high school teacher who has worked as a
Santa for the last six years, the answer is simple-the children. "I see maybe 12,000 kids in a six-week period.
It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids." In fact, Brauch loves his job so much that
he keeps his white beard long all year.
25. According to Timothy Connaghan, we can conclude that _
A. all children are moved to tears when seeing Santa B. a mall Santa is always sitting in a chair
C. a mall Santa tolerates a lot during Christmas D. Santa impersonators are greatly admired
26. The underlined word "claimed" in the 4th paragraph probably means “ ”
A: hesitated B. stated C. worried D. insisted
27. Why does Ben Brauch love his job of Santa impersonator?
A. Because he can keep his white beard long all year. .
B. Because he as nothing else to do after retiring.
C. Because he can earn a large sum of money. .
D. Because he enjoys playing with children.
28. What is the best title of the text?
A. Santa impersonators during Christmas B. The coming Christmas
C. Shopping malls in America D. A disturbing job
C
Two girls living next door to each other-a seemingly plain scene that has two very different life .stories
behind it.
Chi Zhen, an 18-year-old student in Seville, Spain, used his camera to tell the story of two lives, which
went widespread online. Comments on the photos indicate that they have inspired many, to believe that the
future is in their own hands.
Chi has seen many youths living life without a goal, wasting their time and blaming bad luck for it.
Feeling regret for them, he took a series of photos of his friends Veronica and Anna Maria, both freshmen at
the University of Seville in Spain. They live completely different life styles and are getting opposite results.
Chi hopes the photos will inspire those who have let go of their own fate (命运).
In the photos, Anna Maria, a Spanish girl, can be seen watching a TV programme . She spends most of her
time in front of her laptop. She rarely goes out, because she thinks she's not attractive and doesn't know what
to say in social situations. "'I'm not as lucky as Veronica," she often says.
But she doesn't know that while she's wasting time watching TV, -Veronica, the "lucky" girl next door,
has taught herself four foreign languages and traveled to many places. She goes to the library frequently and
her extensive knowledge and experience allow her to take part in any conversation and become the center of
attention.
Chi thinks that Anna Maria resembles many of his Chinese .friends who study abroad. They are trapped to
their little circles, never trying to change their fate./'They say 'maybe I'll do it in my next life', but they are in
their 20s, their best time. How can they give up hope and accept this as their life?" Chi says.
The influence of the photos has gone far beyond what Chi expected. One user commented on his photos
on Renren.com, saying, "A wall separates two worlds, and the life we have depends on what we do." Another
is determined to make a change right away. "I'm turning off my laptop and not watching TV anymore," he
wrote.
29. What would be the best title of the text?
A. A lucky dog in social circles B. Comments on the photos
C. A photo separates two worlds . D. Tales of two opposite lives
30. It can be concluded from the widespread photos online that _ '
A. life one has depends on what one does B. Anna is an attractive girl with a goal
C. Veronica is much luckier than Anna D. Chi wastes his time in taking photos
31. According to the text, Veronica _.
A. likes watching TV programmes B. seldom chats with others
C. is often the centre of attention D. lets go of her own fate
32. Many of Chi's Chinese friends who study abroad _
A. determine to make a change right away B. like to travel to different places of interest
C. believe they will do better in next life D. are more willing to live in little circles '
D
The UN weather agency warned on Tuesday there was a good chance of an "El Nino" climate
phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean this year, bringing droughts（干旱） and heavy rainfall to the rest of the world
The World Meteorological (气象的) Organization (WMO) said its modeling suggested a "fairly large potential
for an El Nino, most likely by the end of the second quarter of 2016".
The El Nino phenomenon occurs every two to seven years, when the trade winds that circulate surface
water in the tropical (熟带的) Pacific start to weaken.
WMO pointed out Tuesday that since last December, trade winds had weakened and there had been a
significant warming of the waters below the surface in the central Pacific.
“While there is no guarantee this situation will lead to an El Nino event, the longer the trade winds remain weakened, and subsurface temperatures stay significantly warmer than average, the higher chances are," it said.
Two thirds of climate models predicted that the phenomenon would begin sometime between June and
August, with one-fifth suggesting it could start as early as May, and the remaining predicting no El Nino this
year, it said.
It is often followed by a return swing of La Nina, which is characterized by unusually cool ocean surface
temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.
"El Nino has an important warming effect on global average temperatures," Jarraud cautioned, stressing
that combined with warming from greenhouse gases such events had "the potential to cause a sharp rise in
global average temperature".
33. It can be inferred from the first two paragraphs that -'
A. a weather agency warned an "El Nino" would appear on Tuesday
B. WMO showed an El Nino would probably happen by June in 2016
C. an El Nino would bring heavy rainfall to the Pacific Ocean
D. The phenomenon of El Nino happens every seven years
34. What does the underlined phrase "this situation" in Paragraph 4 refer to?
A. Cool ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.
B. A significant warming of the waters below the surface in the central Pacific.
C. Trade winds that circulate surface water in the Pacific.
D. Heavy rainfall in different areas all over the world.
35. According to the text, what might be the percentage of no "El Nino" this year?
A.13%. B.20%. C.67%. D.87%.
第二节 （共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Cold blesses us all
It's November, the time of year when people often get blessed more. This is not because God likes cold
weather, nor because others are feeling generous with. Thanksgiving just around the corner. 36