West is somehow “free and preferable”

56．The word “censure” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to “ ”

A．examination B．force

C．blame

D．pressure

57．Which of the following doesn’t contribute to feeling rushed?

A．Marketing of time-saving products. B．The fax-it-to-me-car technology.

C．Eating together and not getting up until everybody has finished D．Longer working hours.

58．We can learn from the passage that “no time” trend ___________. B

The small unframed painting called “Fisherman” was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $ 27000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession.

Pitt said, “I didn’t know it was so valuable. I’m not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought ‘Fisherman’ in Italy in 1970 for $140. the picture was dirty, and I couldn’t see the artist’s signature. But anyway it wasn’t the picture that I like. I bought it because of the frame.”

“It’s most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I’ll never part with it.”

A．brings pressure on the individual B．is very desirable to the individual

C．is not harmful if you have no control of events D．has caused heart diseases and psychological problems

“When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn’t know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $ 140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then.”

“Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone’s signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale.”

As a result of his explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of (指控) knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department.

Pitt was not happy. “I told the truth as I knew it then,” he said, “What else could I say?”

And then the judge agreed with him. “The Customs Department is to be responsible (blame),” he said, “for making a true valuation of goods bought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty.

59．Pitt met the customs officer __________, where the officer was employed to ________.

A．at the railway station or airport; examine people’s baggage B．at the airport or port; examine people’s baggage C．at the bus-stop; help people enter the USA D．at the airport or port; help people enter the USA

60．From the passage we can infer that if Maveleone had been a well-know artist _________.

A．the painting would have cost much more than $ 140 B．he wouldn’t have sold his painting at such a low price

C．the customs officer wouldn’t have valued the painting at $ 140 D．Pitt wouldn’t have had the intention to buy any of his paintings

61．Pitt took off the frame in order to ____________.

A．clean the painting to put it up for sale B．look for the artist’s signature C．use if for his wife’s photograph D．find the painting’s true value

62．Which is true according to the passage?

A．Pitt knew the true value of the picture. B．Pitt’s wife knew the true value of the picture.

C．When Pitt’s wife suggested keeping the picture, she was kind of joking. D．Pitt didn’t pay any duty at all.

63．Which of the following statements is true to the story? In the end __________. C

Vegetable gardening is the relaxing art and science of turning a love for growing plants into a worthwhile activity.

Vegetable gardeners agree that many home-grown vegetables picked at their best are superior to those vegetables purchased from markets. From spring through late fall, a well-planned and well-kept garden can prove a supply of fresh vegetables, thus increasing the nutrition of the family diet.

A．Pitt was asked to pay the correct amount of duty.

B．Pitt sold the frame of the painting at an even higher price. C．The Customs Department had no right to revalue the painting. D．Pitt’s wife was regarded as an expert because of her wise suggestion.

Freezers make it possible to keep some of the vegetables to be enjoyed at a later date. Other vegetables can be stored for a few months in a cool area.

Having vegetables in the backyard makes home gardening appealing(吸收人的) for many people. In addition, vegetable gardening provides exercise and fun for both urban and suburban families.

Although the money spent for a garden may be little, one cannot escape the fact that gardening requires hard work and time. Many of the gardening tasks must be performed at times that are most inconvenient. Not doing jobs that should be done on a regular basis may result in failure and a negative feeling toward gardening.

One should not plant a garden that is too large for him to care for. A small, well-kept garden is more enjoyable and profitable than a large neglected one. Vegetables do well in full sunlight and need at least five or six hours of sun during the middle of the day. Too much shading results in poor plants and few vegetables. If possible, the garden should be near the house so the gardener can work in it at odd moments.

Soils for vegetables should be easily broken up and porous(能渗透的) for quick water drainage and good aeration(透气). A deep, fine, sandy good quality soil is best.

Usually the hoe owner has little choice in the soil type he can choose. Fortunately, many vegetables can be grown on poor soils if the soils are properly prepared.

64．Home-grown vegetables ___________.

A．can remain standing for a long time and need not be picked immediately. B．have to be eaten as soon as they are picked

C．sell well in the market because of their good quality

D．picked at the right moment are more nutritious than those bought from