We regret to find that your l/C has ___ arrive here within the time limit stipulated.

Life is difficult.

It is a great truth because once we truly understand and accept it, then life is no longer difficult.

Most do not fully see this truth. Instead they complain about their problems and difficulties as if life should be easy. It seems to them that difficulties represent a special kind of suffering especially forced upon them or else upon their families, their class, or even their nations.

What makes life difficult is that the process of facing and solving problems is a painful one. Problems, depending on their natures, cause us sadness or loneliness or regret or anger or fear. These are uncomfortable feelings, often as painful as any kind of physical pain. And since life causes endless serious problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy.

Yes, it is in this whole process of solving problems that life has its meaning. Problems are the serious tests that tell us success from failure. When we desire to encourage the growth of human spirit, we encourage the human ability to solve problems, just as in school we set problems for our children to resolve. It is through the pain of meeting and working out problems that we learn. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those things that hurt, instruct. " It is for this reason that wise people learn not to fear but to welcome the pain of problems.

From this passage, it can be inferred that______.

A．everybody has problems

B．we become stronger by meeting and solving the problems of life

C．life is difficult because our problems bring us pain

D．people like to complain about their problems

听力原文： How do the birds manage to find their way？ There seems to be no single answer: they use many methods. Some we are beginning to understand; and there may be some that depend on abilities we have not yet suspected. Many birds certainly follow major geographical features. Migrants follow recognized land, fly over familiar sea and arrive at their summer homes.

But all birds cannot use such straightforward methods. An Arctic sea bird, for example, has to fly at least 3,000 kilometers across the Antarctic Ocean with no land to guide it. We know that some birds flying at night, navigate by the star for on cloudy nights they tend to get lost.

Day-flying birds may use the sun. If they are to do so, they must have a precise sense of time. Still others appear to be able to use the earth' s magnetic field as a guide. So it seems that many migrating birds must carry in their brains a clock, a compass and the memory of a map.

(33)

A．They use many different methods.

B．All birds follow major geographical features.

C．All birds use their memory of a map.

D．We have no information about this.

y must work to survive. Others face a hard decision.

Perhaps the easiest choice has to do with economists. One husband said, "Marge and I decided after careful consideration that for her to go back to work at this moment was an extravagance(奢侈) we couldn't afford," With two preschool children, it soon became clear in their figuring that with babysitters(临时照看小孩的人), transportation, and increased taxes, rather than having more money, they might actually end up with less.

Economic factors are usually the first to be considered, but they are not the most important. The most important aspects of the decision have to do with the emotional needs of each member of the family. It is in this area that husbands and wives find themselves having to face many confusing and conflicting feelings.

There are many women who find that homemaking is boring or who feel imprisoned(被禁) if they have to stay home with a young child or several children. On the other hand, there are women who think that homemaking gives them the deepest satisfaction.

From my own experiences, I would like to suggest that sometimes the decision to go hack is made in too much haste. There are few decisions that I now regret more. I wasn't mature enough to see how much I could have gained at home. I regret my impatience to get on with my career. I wish I had allowed myself the luxury of watching the world through my little girl's eyes.

Which word in the first two paragraphs best explains why many women have to work？

To: Mark Hopkins＜hopkinsm@mgc.com＞ From: George Wallace＜gwallace@solarsys.com＞ Subject: March 10 Installation Date: March 1 Dear Mr. Hopkins, As we discussed earlier, I know how important it is for an assembly line to have a power source it can trust. I am sure you will find that our solar backup system is as reliable as conventional backup batteries, in addition to being more cost-effective and requiring very little maintenance. Since we will install the system outside work hours, it will not affect your schedule or cause inconvenience for your workers. If you have any questions before the installation on Saturday, do not hesitate to ask questions. Otherwise, I will see you then. Yours sincerely, George Wallace Sales Director To: George Wallace＜gwallace@solarsys.com＞ From: Mark Hopkins＜hopkinsm@mgc.com＞ Date: March 2 Dear Mr. Wallace, Thank you for your e-mail. I regret to say that we have to postpone the installation of the solar backup system. When I met you last week, I totally forgot we have an annual safety inspection by the Wellington City Fire Department on the same day we are planning to install the solar backup system. Id like to install the system on March 15 instead. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. Please let me know whether the date is convenient for you. Thank you. Mark Hopkins Floor Manager Micro Goods Company

For what type of business does Mr. Wallace most likely work？

A．A maintenance service

B．An energy company

C．A fire equipment manufacturer

D．An internet service provider

More than forty thousand readers told us what they looked for in close friendships, what they expected【C1】______friends, what they were Willing to give in【C2】______, and how satisfied they were【C3】______the quality of their friendships. The【C4】______give little comfort to social critics.

Friendship【C5】______to be a unique form. of【C6】______bonding. Unlike marriage or the ties that【C7】______parents and children, it is not defined or regulated by【C8】______Unlike other social roles that we are expected to【C9】______--as citizens, employees, members of professional societies and【C10】______organizations--it has its own principle, which is to promote【C11】______of warmth, true love, and affection【C12】______two people.

The survey on friendship appeared in the March【C13】______of Psychology. The findings【C14】______that issues of trust and betrayal(背叛)are【C15】______to friendship. They also suggest that our readers do not【C16】______for friends only among those who are【C17】______"like them," but find many【C18】______differ in race, religion, and ethnic(种族的)background. Arguably the most important【C19】______that emerges from the data,【C20】______, is not something that we found--but what we did not.

【C1】

A．on

B．of

C．to

D．for

A.order

B.response

C.answer

D.reaction

We regret ______ you that we no longer manufacture the item you have ordered.

A．advising

B．to advising

C．advise

D．to advise

听力原文： Pyramids along the Nile River are the most interesting buildings in the world. Thousands of years ago in Egypt, kings built the pyramids. They used to build them as their tombs. The kings thought the pyramids would help them find life after death. They also wanted the world to remember them as important people.

The oldest pyramid we know today is the one near Sahara in Egypt. It is about 5 000 years old. The largest is the pyramid of Khufu. It is made of two million three hundred thousand huge stones, most of them higher than a person. It is about 114 meters high. To build the pyramid of Khufu, 100000 men worked for twenty years. We know there were wonderful treasures in the pyramid. Robbers went into the pyramids and took many of these treasures. Today some of the treasures are in museums though.

How did the people of ancient days build the pyramids？ How did they carry and lift the huge stones？ Each stone fits so well and they didn't have our modern machines. Scientists have studied the pyramids but no one can say for sure how they did it.

29. Which of the following is the reason of building pyramids according to the passage？

30.When did the first pyramid come into existence？

31.Which of the following statements is true about the biggest pyramid？

(30)

A．To be used as rooms.

B．To help find life after death.

C．To remember the important workers.

D．To communicate with others in the sky.

Trying to Find a Parther

One of the most striking findings of a recent poll in the UK is that of the people interviewed, one in two believes that it is becoming more difficult to meet someone to start a family with.

Why are many finding it increasingly difficult to start and sustain intimate relationships？ Does modern life really make it harder to fall in love？ Or are we making it harder for ourselves？

It is certainly the case today that contemporary couples benefit in different ways from relationships. Women no longer rely upon partners for economic security or status. A man doesn't expect his spouse to be in sole charge of running his household and raising his children.

But perhaps the knowledge that we can live perfectly well without a partnership means that it takes much more to persuade people to abandon their independence.

In theory, finding a partner should be much simpler these days. Only a few generations ago, your choice of soulmate (心上人) was constrained(限制) by geography, social convention and family tradition. Although it was never explicit, many marriages were essentially arranged.

Now those barriers have been broken down. You can approach a builder or a brain surgeon in any bar in any city on any given evening. When the world is your oyster (牡蛎),you surely have a better chance of finding a pearl.

But it seems that the old conventions have been replaced by an even tighter constraint: the tyranny of choice.

The expectations of partners are inflated(提高) to an unmanageable degree: good looks, impressive salary, kind to grandmother, and right socks. There is no room for error in the first impression.

We think that a relationship can be perfect. If it isn't, it is disposable. We work to protect ourselves against future heartache and don't put in the hard emotional labor needed to build a strong relationship. Of course, this is complicated by realities. The cost of housing and child-rearing creates pressure to have a stable income and career before a life partnership.

What does the recent poll show？

A．It is getting more difficult for a woman to find her husband.

B．It is getting increasingly difficult to start a family.

C．It is getting more difficult for a man to find his wife.

D．It is getting increasingly difficult to develop an intimate relationship with your spouse.

appropriate job opportunity for you at current stage.

We regret to inform. you that the materials you ordered are ______.

A．out of work

B．out of stock

C．out of reach

D．out of practice