The 22,000-student district discovered the shortage last month. "It's extraordinary. Nobody would have imagined something happening like this at this level," said State Treasurer Mike Coffman.

　　Coffman and district officials last week agreed on a state emergency plan freeing up a $9.8 million loan that enabled the payroll(工资单) to be met for 2,700 teachers and staff in time for the holidays.

　　District officials also took $1.7 million from student-activity accounts in its 38 schools.

　　At Coffman's request, the District Attorney has begun investigating the district's finances. Coffman says he wants to know whether district officials hid the budgetshortage until after the November election, when voters approved a $212 million bond issue for schools.

　　In Frederick, students' parents are buying classroom supplies and offering to pay for groceries and utilities to keep first-year teachers and principals in their jobs.

　　Some $36,000 have been raised in donations from Safeway. A Chevrolet dealership donated $10,000 and forgave the district's $10,750 bill for renting the driver education cars. IBM contributed 4,500 packs of paper.

　　"We employ thousands of people in this community," said Mitch Carson, a hospital chief executive, who helped raise funds. "We have children in the schools, and we see how they could be affected."

　　At Creek High School, three students started a website that displays newspaper articles, district information and an email forum(论坛). "Rumors about what's happening to the district are moving at lighting speed," said a student. "We wanted to know the truth, and spread that around instead."

　　原文出处

　　Community bailing out broke school district

　　Parents are offering to help pay grocery and utility bills. Businesses are donating cash and a group of students run an informational Web site.

　　In communities just north of Denver, residents are pitching in to help teachers and administrators as the St. Vrain Valley School District grapples with a $13.8 million budget shortfall blamed on mismanagement.

　　"We're worried about our teachers and our principals, and we really don't want to lose them because of this," parent Merrill Bohanning, 44, said. "If we can help ease their financial burden, we will."

　　Teachers are grateful, but know it may be years before the district is solvent.

　　"Teachers feel really good about the parent support," said Jeannie Beyer, spokeswoman for the St. Vrain Valley Education Association. "But they realize it's not going to be possible for them to solve this problem."

　　The 22,000-student district in parts of Weld, Boulder and Larimer counties discovered the shortfall last month. The finance director resigned and an assistant superintendent has been suspended. District officials said an independent audit showed the two mismanaged the budget but did not commit fraud.

　　"It's extraordinary. Nobody would have ever imagined something happening like this at this level," said State Treasurer Mike Coffman. "I think the state needs to learn from this."

　　It takes a village

　　Coffman and district officials last week agreed on a state bailout plan freeing up a $9.8 million loan that enabled the payroll to be met for 2,700 teachers and staff in time for the holidays.

　　The plan calls for all district employees to take a 7.1 percent pay cut beginning January 1 and a hiring freeze through June 2004. Administrators who used to pay $1 a month for family health insurance now will pay $1 for themselves and the regular premium for the rest of their families.

　　District officials also took $1.7 million from student-activity accounts in its 38 schools.

　　At Coffman's request, the Boulder District Attorney has begun investigating the district's finances. Coffman has said he wants to know whether district officials hid the budget shortfall until after the November election, when voters approved a $212 million bond issue for schools.

　　In Frederick about 30 miles northeast of Denver, Bohanning and other parents of students at Prairie Ridge Elementary School are buying classroom supplies and offering to pay for groceries and utility bills to keep first-year teachers and principals in their jobs.

　　Some $36,000 have been raised in donations from Safeway. A Chevrolet dealership chipped in $10,000 and forgave the district's $10,750 bill for renting the driver education cars. IBM chipped in 4,500 reams of paper.

　　"We employ thousands of people in this community," said Mitch Carson, a hospital chief executive officer, who helped raise funds. "We have children in the schools, and we see how they could be affected."

　　At Silver Creek Middle-Senior High School, three juniors started a Web site called www.poorschool.com that displays newspaper articles, district information and an e-mail forum.

　　"Rumors about what is happening to the district are moving at lightning speed," site co-creator Mitch Lubbers, 17, said. "We wanted to know the truth, and spread that around instead."

　　26. What has happened to the Vrain School District?

　　{A) A huge financial problem has arisen.}

　　B) Many schools there are mismanaged.

　　C) Lots of teachers in the district are planning to quit.

　　D) Many administrativepersonnel have been laid off.

　　27. How did the residents in the Vrain School District respond to the budgetshortage?

　　A) They felt somewhat helpless about it.

　　B) They accused those responsible for it.

　　{C) They pooled their efforts to help solve it.}

　　D) They demanded a thorough investigation.

　　28. In the view of State Treasurer Mike Coffman, the educationalbudgetshortage is _________.

　　A) unavoidable

　　{B) unthinkable }

　　C) insolvable

　　D) irreversible

　　29. Why did Coffman request an investigation?

　　{A) To see if there was a deliberate cover-up of the problem.}

　　B) To find out the extent of the consequences of the case.

　　C) To make sure that the school principals were innocent.

　　D) To stop the voters approving the $212 million bond issue.

　　30. Three high school students started a website in order to __________.

　　A) attract greater public attention to their needs

　　B) appeal to the public for contributions and donations

　　C) expose officials who neglected their duties

　　{D) keep people properly informed of the crisis}

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　　Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage.

　　"Humans should not try to avoid stress any more than they would shun food, love or exercise." said Dr. Hans Selye, the first physician to document the effects of stress on the body. While here's no question that continuous stress is harmful, several studies suggest that challenging situations in which you're able to rise to the occasion can be good for you.

　　In a 2001 study of 158 hospital nurses, those who faced considerable work demands but coped with the challenge were more likely to say they were in good health than those who felt they couldn't get the job done.

　　Stress that you can manage may also boost immune(免疫的) function. In a study at the Academic Center for Dentistry in Amsterdam, researchers put volunteers through two stressful experiences. In the first, a timed task that required memorizing a list followed by a short test, subjects believed they had control over the outcome. In the second, they weren't in control: They had to sit through a gory(血淋淋的) video on surgical procedures. Those who did go on the memory test had an increase in levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that's the body's first line of defense against germs. The video-watchers experienced a downturn in the antibody.

　　Stress prompts the body to produce certain stress hormones. In short bursts these hormones have a positive effect, including improved memory function. "They can help nerve cells handle information and put it into storage," says Dr. Bruce McEwen of Rockefeller University in New York. But in the long run these hormones can have a harmful effect on the body and brain.

　　"Sustained stress is not good for you," says Richard Morimoto, a researcher at Northwestern University in Illinois studying the effects of stress on longevity(长寿), "It's the occasional burst of stress or brief exposure to stress that could be protective."

　　原文出处

　　Healing Power of Stress

　　Some of those crazy, time-crunched days at the office may actually be good for you

　　"Man SHOULD NOT try to avoid stress than he would shun food, love or exercise," said Dr. HansSelye, the first physician to document the effects of stress on the body. While there's no question that prolonged stress is harmful, several studies suggest that challenging situations in which you're able to rise to the occasion can be good for you.

　　In a 2001 study of 158 hospital nurses, those who faced considerable work demands but coped with the challenge were more likely to say they were in good health than those who felt they couldn't get the job done.

　　Stress that you can manage may also boost immune function. In a study at the Academic Centre for Dentistry in Amsterdam, researchers put volunteers through two stressful experiences. In the first, a timed task that required memorizing a list followed by a short test, subjects believed they had control over the outcome. In the second, they weren't in control: They had to sit through a gory video on surgical procedures. Those who did go on the memory test had an increase in levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that's the body's first line of defense against germs. The video-watchers experienced a downturn in the antibody.

　　Stress prompts the body to produce adrenaline and the stress hormonecortisol. In short bursts these hormones have a positive effect, including improved memory function. "Cortisol and adrenaline enhances how nerve cells handle information and put it into storage," says Bruce McEwen, head of the laboratory of neuron endocrinology at Rockefeller University. But over the long term these hormones can have a corrosive effect on the body and brain.

　　"Sustained stress is not good for you," says Richard Morimoto, a researcher at Northwestern University studying the effects of stress on longevity. "It's the occasional burst of stress or brief exposure to environmental or physiological stress that could be protective."

　　31. The passage is mainly about ______

　　{A) the benefits of manageable stress}

　　B) how to avoid stressful situations

　　C) how to cope with stress effectively

　　D) the effects of stress hormones on memory

　　32. The word "shun" (Line 1, Para.1) most probably means________.

　　A) cut down on

　　{B) stay away from}

　　C) run out of

　　D) put up with

　　33. We can conclude from the study of the 158 nurses in 2001 that _______

　　A) people under stress tend to have a poor memory

　　B) people who can't get their job done experience more stress

　　{C) doing challenging work may be good for one's health}

　　D) stress will weaken the body's defense against germs

　　34. In the experiment described in Paragraph 3, the video-watchers experienced a downturn in the antibody because ______.

　　A) the video was not enjoyable at all

　　{B) the outcome was beyond their control }

　　C) they knew little about surgical procedures

　　D) they felt no pressure while watching the video

　　35. Dr. Bruce McEwen of Rockefeller University believes that ______.

　　A) a person's memory is determined by the level of hormones in his body

　　B) stress hormones have lastingpositive effects on the brain

　　{C) short bursts of stress hormones enhance memory function}

　　D) a person's memory improves with continued experience of stress.

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　　Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage.

　　If you want to teach your children how to say sorry, you must be good at saying it yourself, especially to your own children. But how you say it can be quite tricky.

　　If you say to your children "I'm sorry I got angry with you, but …" what follows that "but" can render the apology ineffective: "I had a bad day" or "your noise was giving me a headache" leaves the person who has been injured feeling that he should be apologizing for his bad behavior in expecting an apology.

　　Another method by which people appear to apologize without actually doing so is to say "I'm sorry you're upset"; this suggests that you are somehow at fault for allowing yourself to get upset by what the other person has done.

　　Then there is the general, all covering apology, which avoids the necessity of identifying a specific act that was particularly hurtful or insulting, and which the person who is apologizing should promise never to do again. Saying "I'm useless as a parent" does not commit a person to any specific improvement.

　　These pseudo-apologies are used by people who believe saying sorry shows weakness. Parents who wish to teach their children to apologize should see it as a sign of strength, and therefore not resort to these pseudo-apologies.

　　But even when presented with examples of genuine contrition(痛悔), children still need help to become aware of the complexities of saying sorry. A three-year-old might need help in understanding that other children feel pain just as he does, and that hitting a playmate over the head with a heavy toy requires an apology. A six-year-old might need reminding that spoiling other children's expectations can require an apology. A 12-year-old might need to be shown that raiding the biscuit tin without asking permission is acceptable, but that borrowing a parent's clothes without permission is not.

　　36. If a mother adds "but" to an apology, ________.

　　A) she doesn't feel that she should have apologized.

　　B) she does not realize that the child has been hurt

　　C) the child may find the apology easier to accept

　　{D) the child may feel that he owes her an apology}

　　37. According to the author, saying "I'm sorry you're upset" most probably means "_______".

　　A) You have good reason to get upset

　　{B) I'm aware you're upset, but I'm not to blame}

　　C) I apologize for hurting your feelings

　　D) I'm at fault for making you upset

　　38. It is not advisable to use the general, all-covering apology because ______.

　　A) it gets one into the habit of making empty promises

　　B) it may make the other person feel guilty

　　{C) it is vague and ineffective}

　　D) it is hurtful and insulting

　　39. We learn from the last paragraph that in teaching children to say sorry ______.

　　A) the complexities involved should be ignored

　　{B) their ages should be taken into account}

　　C) parents need to set them a good example

　　D) parents should be patient and tolerant

　　40. It can be inferred from the passage that apologizing properly is _________.

　　A) a social issue calling for immediate attention

　　B) not necessary among family members

　　C) a sign of social progress

　　{D) not as simple as it seems }

　　Part III Vocabulary (20 minutes)

　　Directions: There are 30 incomplete sentences in this part. For each sentence there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. Choose the ONE answer that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.

　　41. Some people believe that since oil is scarce, the ____ of the motor industry is uncertain.

　　A) terminal B) benefit {C) fate }D) estimate

　　42. To speed up the ______ of letters, the Post Office introduced automatic sorting.

　　A) treatment{ B) delivery} C) transmission D) departure

　　43. These overseas students show great ______ for learning a new language.

　　{A) enthusiasm }B) authority C) convention D) faith

　　44. The defense lawyer was questioning the old man who was one of the ______ of the murder committed last month.

　　A) observers {B) witnesses} C) audiences D) viewers

　　45. Politically these nations tend to be ______, with very high birth rates but poor education and very low levels of literacy.

　　{A) unstable} B) reluctant C) rational D) unsteady

　　46. The chairman was blamed for letting his secretary ________too much work last week.

　　A) take to B) take out C) take away {D) take on}

　　47. "You try to get some sleep. I'll _____the patient's breakfast," said the nurse.

　　{A) see to }B) stick to C) get to D) lead to

　　48. The London Marathon is a difficult race. _______, thousands of runners participate every year.

　　A) Therefore B) Furthermore C) Accordingly {D) Nevertheless}

　　49. The bank refused to ______ him any money, so he had to postpone buying a house.

　　A) credit B) borrow {C) loan }D) lease

　　50. The more a nation's companies _______ factories abroad, the smaller that country's recorded exports will be.

　　A) lie B) spot C) stand {D) locate}

　　51. Being ignorant of the law is not accepted as an ______ for breaking the law.

　　{A) excuse} B) intention C) option D) approval

　　52. Within two days, the army fired more than two hundred rockets and missiles at military _____ in the coastal city.

　　A) goals B) aims{ C) targets} D) destinations

　　53. It is said in some parts of the world, goats, rather than cows, serve as a vital _____of milk.

　　A) storage B) reserve C) resource{ D) source}

　　54. "This light is too______ for me to read by. Don't we have a brighter bulb some where", said the elderly man.

　　A) mild {B} dim} C) minute D) slight

　　55. We have arranged to go to the cinema on Friday, but we can be _______ and go another day.

　　A) reliable B) probable C) feasible{ D) flexible}

　　56. We are quite sure that we can ______our present difficulties and finish the task according to schedule.

　　A) get across {B) get over} C) get away D) get off

　　57. ______ recent developments we do not think your scheme is practical.

　　{A) In view of} B) In case of C) In memory of D) In favor of

　　58. Jessica was ______ from the warehouse to the accounting office, which was considered a promotion.

　　A) delivered B) exchanged {C) transferred} D) transformed

　　59. Mr. Smith asked his secretary to ______ a new paragraph in the annual report she was typing.

　　A) inject B) install C) invade {D) insert}

　　60. There's the living room still to be _____, so that's my next project.

　　A) abandoned{B) decorated }C) dissolved D) assessed

　　61. The old paper mill has been ______ to make way for a new shopping centre.

　　A) cut down B) kept down {C) torn down }D) held down

　　62. It may be necessary to stop ______ in the learning process and go back to the difficult points in the lessons.

　　A) at a distance B) at intervals C) at case D) at length

　　63. You can hire a bicycle in many places. Usually you'll have to pay a _________.

　　A) fare B) fund {C) deposit }D) deal

　　64. My grandfather had always taken a _______ interest in my work, and I had an equal admiration for the stories of his time.

　　A) splendid B) weighty C) vague {D) keen}

　　65. ________ quantities of water are being used nowadays with the rapid development of industry and agriculture.

　　{A) Excessive} B) Extensive C) Extreme D) Exclusive　　

　　66. John cannot afford to go to university, _______ going abroad.

　　A) nothing but B) anything but {C) not to speak of} D) nothing to speak of

　　67. Most laboratory and field studies of human behavior ______ taking a situational photograph at a given time and in a given place.

　　{A) involve} B) compose C) enclose D) attach

　　68. If you don't like to swim, you _____ as well stay at home.

　　A) should{ B) may} C) can D) would

　　69. Dr. Smith was always ______ the poor and the sick, often providing them with free medical care.

　　A) reminded of B) absorbed in C) tended by {D) concerned about}

　　70. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth ______ of American Independence.

　　A) ceremony B) occasion C) occurrence{D) anniversary}

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