The 19th century was a period of great change in the history of the USA. After the U.S. civil war, the Southerners were not happy with the situation which they were forced to face. The slaves were liberated, even the ones that wished to continue the old way of living. The economy of the South had gone down considerably and there was little opportunity for honest work. The growing number of blacks living as free men next to their former owners nourished the anger of some Southerners. The South was a wasteland both financially and psychologically. This resulted in the formation of secret societies, the Ku Klux Klan being the most infamous of them.

Six Confederate veterans, all in their twenties, founded the Klan. They also started the typical Klan clothing: a white robe and white "witches" hats with eyeholes. However, the purpose of this original form of the Ku Klux Klan was not political or even racist. The main aim of the Klan at the beginning was to play pranks and have fun. All of the Klan members had to attend the weekly gatherings, which "were held in the cellar of a deserted brick house standing on a hill ".

This secret society of bored young men started gradually enlarging. Soon the pranks of the original Klan were designated mainly towards the liberated slaves. They held particularly the Negroes in terror who had gained land and prospered. The original, fairly innocent secret society turned into a blood-thirsty group. By 1870 The Ku Klux Klan and their operation had been made known all through the States, mostly in a negative way. During the late 1950s and early 1960s there were several blacks murdered, and houses bombed. The Klansmen were dedicated to cutting this "bad weed" out of the American soil. It reacted strongly against the Civil Rights movement and opposed Martin Luther King. This form of the Ku Klux Klan was extremely political.

The Klan is still fairly active in the USA today. However, the times were changing and there was no point attacking blacks, as the Civil Rights movement could not be erased. It seems the violent Klan of the 1960s has changed into a society controlled by strict rules and honour codes. The members of the Klan are now dedicated to protecting the white race and the "proper Christian religion". They declare that they have the same right to preach for white power as the blacks have to being proud of their origins. The main form of action in today's Klan is protests, rallies and Internet shows. It seems that the modern Klan still fosters some of the main ideas of the Ku Klux Klan but in a more peaceful and rational way.

57. This article is mainly about .

(A) the origin of the Ku Klux Klan and how it has operated

(B) the honor code and strict rules of the Ku Klux Klan

(C) the U.S. Civil War and slave liberation

(D) the Klan’s political stand and the idea of equality

58. What is the true phenomenon after the U.S. Civil War ?

(A) No liberated slaves wanted the old way of living.

(B) The southerners soon identified with the Yankees.

(C) The economy of the south prospered.

(D) Secret societies started to form.

59. Which of the following is TRUE about the KKK before 1870?

(A) It acted against the Civil Right movement

(B) It had its members wear white costumes

(C) It held the weekly gathering in a Protestant church

(D) It was an extreme political society

60. Which of the following statements about today’s Klan is NOT true ?

(A) It is dedicated to protecting the white race.

(B) It takes action in the form of rallies and internet shows.

(C) It still holds hatred toward blacks.

(D) It strives to be neutral and rational.

Some people argue that the pressures on international sportsmen and sportswomen kill the essence of sport—the pursuit of personal excellence. Children kick a football around for fun. When they get older and play for local school teams, they become competitive but they still enjoy playing. However, the individual representing his/her country cannot afford to think about enjoying him/herself; he has to think only about winning. He/She is responsible for an entire nation’s hope, dreams and reputation.

A good example is the football World Cup. Football is the world’s most important sport. It is even more important now that the United States is seriously taking it up. Winning the World Cup is perhaps the summit of international sporting success. Mention “Argentina” to someone and chances are that he/she’ll think of football. In a sense, winning the World Cup “puts Argentina on the map.”

Sports fans and supporters get quite irrational about the World Cup. People in England felt that their country was somehow important after they won in 1966. Years ago thousands of Scots sold their cars, and even their houses, and spent all their money travelling to Argentina, where the finals were played.

So, am I arguing that international competition kills the idea of sport? Certainly not! Do the Argentineans really believe that because eleven of their men proved the most skillful at football, their nation is in every way better than all others? Not really. But it’s nice to know that you won, and that in one way at least your country is best.

53. According to the passage, the United States .

(A) has begun to give much attention to football

(B) is fond of playing football

(C) has won the football World Cup

(D) is getting sick of football

54. In the second paragraph, the word “summit” means the

(A) highest point

(B) mountain top

(C) award

(D) summary

55. According to the passage, if a sportsman only thinks about winning, he will .

(A) fail to succeed

(B) be successful

(C) lose enjoyment

(D) be irrational

56. What is the author’s attitude towards international games?

(A) Nations that meet on a football field are unlikely to meet on a battlefield.

(B) Nations that win the football World Cup are regarded as best in all aspects.

(C) Nations that win in international games prove best on the sports field at least.

(D) Nations that give much attention to international competitions are world-famous in many ways.

1. Angela adopted little Johnny and took care of him. Now she loves him so much as if she his real mom.

(A) was (B) is (C) had been (D) were

2. I couldn’t have solved that tough problem my teacher’s urgent assistance.

(A) without (B) for (C) with (D) but

3. The presidential candidate has to have his script __________ before tomorrow. Thousands of people are looking forward to his speech in the campaign.

(A) to prepare (B) preparing (C) prepare (D) prepared

4. _________ people talk about these days is the celebrity’s ***** scandal. Many people blame the entertainer for having taken racy pictures.

(A) Whatever (B) What (C) Which (D) Who

5. Those were _____ beautiful days _____ sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock and relive those days again and again.

(A) such…that (B) so…that (C) such…as (D) so…as

6. At American baseball games, you will not be surprised _____ eating hot dogs and popcorn and chatting with friends.

(A) by (B) that (C) to see people (D) to see that

7. Jerry looks so upset. He ______ by his teacher.

(A) should scold (B) might have been scolded (C) should have been (D) must be scolding

8. It is not advisable for a girl to prefer looking sexy ______ clever.

(A) to be (B) to being (C) than being (D) rather than be

1. It can sometimes be difficult to tell fact from _____.

(A) reflection (B) situation (C) section (D) fiction

2. I strongly recommend you have a Valentine’s dinner at this Italian restaurant, which provides _____ dining atmosphere and attentive service.

(A) agreeable (B) honorable (C) complex (D) freezing

3. We'd have a much better chance of finding the child if we _____ into groups.

(A) break off (B) come forward (C) spread out (D) split up

4. The thief _____ that he had stolen the famous painting and was sent to prison.

(A) recovered (B) confessed (C) claimed (D) arranged

5. People have been looking for _____ of life on other planets for years.

(A) issues (B) quantity (C) evidence (D) flavors

6. Most freshmen soon _____ the life on the HSNU campus, and some even said they missed the campus very much during the winter vacation.

(A) cut down on (B) ran out of (C) worked out (D) got accustomed to

7. "Do you want to come to the KTV parlor with us?'' "_____ I think I'll just stay in and read.''

(A) What a pity! (B) You know what they say. (C) Not really. (D) The more, the merrier!

8. _____ for bad behavior can range from time-outs to no-TVs for several days, so you’d better behave yourselves.

(A) Engagements (B) Punishments (C) Forgiveness (D) Party favors

9. I liked him instantly, especially as he, like me, was a basketball _____, who played basketball so well and loved it so much.

(A) miracle (B) interest (C) fanatic (D) broom

10. “I’d like to _____ a seat on the next plane to New York.” “I’m sorry, but all the tickets for the plane have been booked. You may have to standby on the day of flight.”

(A) release (B) remove (C) reply (D) reserve

When Mr. Dashwood dies, the Dashwood women are left with only a small fortune. Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters are then taken in by a kindly cousin, but their lack of money affects the marriageability of both practical Elinor and romantic Marianne. Elinor is _30_ to find Edward Ferrars, whom she loves wholeheartedly, engaged to another woman, but she is sensible and keeps her feelings hidden. Though Marianne has been well-cared by a more worthy man, Colonel Brandon, she shows more interest in John Willoughby, who _31_ chooses to marry a rich woman and leaves Marianne heartbroken and lovesick. Both relationships are sorely tried, but through the hardships and heartbreak, true love and a happy ending will _32_ for both the sisters who have shown very different natures.

30. (A) relieved (B) impressive (C) delighted (D) upset

31. (A) thoughtfully (B) eventually (C) smoothly (D) sharply

32. (A) find their way (B) capture their imagination (C) hold their attention (D) get them down

“Politically correct” is commonly abbreviated to PC. PC language is _25_ upon the idea that "language represents thought, and may even control thought." It is true that word choices have significant "framing effects" on the concepts and attitudes of speakers and listeners. _26_ both genders fairly, nonsexist words are preferred to those laying too much emphasis on gender. For instance, “police officer” is more appropriate than “policeman.” Nowadays, women are _27_ jobs that were once taken up by men. Minimizing sex-role stereotypes through avoiding gender-specific terms _28_ one of the goals PC language is seeking. PC language reflects changes of society. As society progresses, _29_ language.

25. (A) attempted (B) advocated (C) appreciated (D) appointed

26. (A) To treat (B) Treating (C) To be treated (D) Having been treated

27. (A) criticizing (B) entering (C) consuming (D) founding

28. (A) are (B) have to be (C) is (D) there can be

29. (A) and so is B) so is (C) the same as (D) so does

Baseball is a very popular sport in Asia and South America. In Taiwan, fans use air horns to cheer on their team and yell “Jiayou! Jiayou!”, _20_ “Go! Go! Go!” to excite the baseball player. And when a player hits a home run, a girl will _21_ the player with the mascot of the team after he runs around the bases. _22_ , the fans in the Dominican Republic cheer loudly throughout the game. _23_ music and dancing are part of Dominican culture, you might even find a meringue band _24_ through the stands at a baseball game.

20. (A) that means (B) meant to be (C) which means (D) which is meant

21. (A) offer (B) give (C) toss (D) present

22. (A) In contrast (B) Likewise (C) However (D) In addition

23. (A) Since (B) Despite (C) While (D) Even though

24. (A) move (B) moving (C) to move (D) and move

There are many customs and superstitions connected 15 weddings. In the past, a wedding was _16_ as a time when people were particularly susceptible to bad luck and evil spirits. Nowadays, weddings are times for elaborate and even wild celebrations. In many cases, _17_ a wedding ceremony in the church, an exquisite

_18_ is held in the garden for the newlyweds and their guests. Some customs, such as not being seen by the groom in her wedding dress before the ceremony, are known throughout the country and many other parts of the world. _19_ may be regional or even maintained within families from generation to generation.

15. (A) with (B) about (C) into (D) toward

16. (A) thought (B) looked (C) seen (D) regarding

17. (A) following (B) followed (C) to follow (D) being followed

18. (A) receiver (B) receipt (C) recipient (D) reception

19. (A) Another (B) The others (C) Others (D) The other