________(55)
A.a
B.an
C.the
D.x

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.
Just after the play started there was a power failure.
A.Hardly had the play started when there was a power failure.
B.No earlier had the play started than there was a power failure.
C.Hardly did the play start then there was a power failure.
D.No sooner did the play start before there was a power failure.

______(62)
A.do 
B.make
C.get
D.carry

IV. Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word or phrase.
Water polo is a rapidly growing sport in the United States and internationally as (31) ______. For anyone involved in playing or being a spectator, it is important to understand the rules of the game.
Each team (32) ______ of one goalie and six field players. Each field player plays both offense and defense, and the goalie is not allowed on the other half of the pool. There are many different arrangements of players in front of the goal. The (33) ______ of the players depends on the play that is being run, similar to basketball or hockey.
One important rule is that the ball can only be handled by one hand at a time. If a player (34) ______ the ball, which is the size of a volley ball, yellow and with rubber grip, with both hands, the referee calls a turnover and the possession of the ball goes to the opposing team.
The playing time, (35) ______ on the rules of play and the level of competition. Usually, men play four 7-minute quarters while women play four 6-minute quarters. Teams are usually allowed 2 time outs per game, but this may vary. (36) ______ consist of swimsuits for both men and women, as well as a cap on the head with plastic ear protectors and the player's number on both sides. Visiting teams wear lighter color caps, while home wears the darker color. In (37) ______, one point is given for each time the ball is thrown into the goal, and in some leagues there is a 2-point line several meters out of the goal. Each quarter begins with a (38) ______ in which the fastest members of each team race toward the ball, which is placed at the halfway point on the water by the referee.
Water polo is an (39) ______, challenging, and fun sport. It is full contact and its competitiveness cannot be underestimatted. The game is great to watch and (40) ______ better to play. You may not imagine what goes on underwater that no one, especially not the referee, can see. Water polo is a growing sport for good reason, and it may soon be one of the leading sports for both men and women's athletics.
(31) 
A.well                                    
B.too                          
C.so                            
D.also

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
While play hide and seek, the children came across some old photos in the attic.
A.discovered by accident  
B.took by mistake     
C.found on purpose 
D.looked for a reason

Choose the word which has the underlined part pronounced differently from the rest
A.strictly
B.literacy
C.policy
D.social

Read the following passage, and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
Alexis de Tocqueville, the French political scientist, historian, philosopher and politician, is most famous for a four-volume book he wrote called “Democracy in America”. He came to America in 1831 to study the American form of democracy and what it might mean to the rest of the world. After a visit of only nine months, he wrote a remarkable book which is regarded as a classic. De Tocqueville had unusual powers of observation. He described not only the democratic system of government and how it operated, but also its effect on how Americans think, feel, and act. Many scholars believe he had a deeper understanding of traditional American beliefs and values than anyone else who has written about the United States. What is so remarkable is that many of these traits which he observed nearly 200 years ago, are still visible and meaningful today. His observations are also important because the timing of his visit, the 1830s, was before America was industrialized. This was the era of the small farmer, the small businessman, and the settling of the western frontier. It was the period of history when the traditional values of the new country were newly established. In just a generation, some 40 years since the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, the new form of government had already produced a society of people with unique values. He was, however, a neutral observer and saw both the good and bad sides of these qualities.
The first part of “Democracy in America” was written in 1831-32 and published in 1835. A highly positive and optimistic account of American government and society, the book was very well received. He attempted to get a glimpse of the essence of American society, all the while promoting his own philosophy: the equaling of the classes and the inevitable depth of aristocratic privilege. The rest of the book he labored on for four years, and in 1840 the second part was published. This was substantially more pessimistic than the first, warning of the dangers despotism and governmental centralization, and applying his ideas and criticisms more directly to France. As a result, it was not received as well as the first part, except in England where it was acclaimed highly.
The word “unique” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.clearly identifiable 
B.outstanding      
C.unmatched      
D.positive

Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer.
Species that belong to an area are said to be native species. Typically, they have been part of a given biological landscape for a long period, and they are well adapted to the local environment and to the presence of other native species in the same general habitat. Exotic species are interlopers, foreign elements introduced intentionally or accidentally into new settings through human activities. In one context an introduced species may cause no obvious problems and may, over time, be regarded as being just as "natural" as any native species in the same habitat. In another context, exotics may seriously disrupt delicate ecological balances and create a cascade of unintended consequences. The worst of these unintended consequences arise when introduced species put native species in destruction by preying on them, altering their habitats, or out-competing them in the struggle for food resources. Although biological introductions have affected environments the world over, the most destructive, effects have occurred on islands, where introduced insects, cats, pigs, rats, mongooses, and other nonnative species have caused the grave endangerment or outright extinction of literally hundreds of species during the past 500 years.
One of other reason to cause species extinction is overexploitation. This word refers to the utilization of a species at a rate that is likely to cause its extreme endangerment or outright extinction. Among many examples of severe overexploitation, the case of the great whales stands out in special relief. By the middle of the 20th century, unrestricted whaling had brought many species of whales to incredibly low population sizes. In response to public pressure, in 1982 a number of nations, including the USA, agreed to an international moratorium on whaling. As a direct result, some whale which are thought to have been on extinction's doorstep 25 years ago have made amazing comebacks, such as grey whales in the western Pacific. Others remain at great risk. Many other species, however, continue to suffer high rates of exploitation because of the trade in animal parts. Currently, the demand for animal parts is centered in several parts of Asia where there. is a strong market for traditional medicines made from items like tiger bone and rhino horn.
According to the first paragraph, _______.
A.non-native species have caused badly damage to native ones
B.introducing new exotic species to local environments is necessary
C.exotic species have never been introduced on islands
D.very few native species have been damaged by exotic species

The exam was very hard. Only a few students passed it.
A.Not many students passed the exam because it was very difficult.
B.The exam was very hard, and that is why very few students passed it.
C.The majority of students passed the exam although it was very hard.
D.A and B

Read the passage and choose the best answer.
Jean spent her first few years in Hooper and her family moved to Otsego early in her life. She was only ten when her father died unexpectedly, leaving her mother to raise and support their family alone. Her mother soon went to work outside the home to provide for the family, and Jean, being one of the oldest, had to help care for her younger siblings. Although she had much responsibility at home, Jean thoroughly enjoyed school and was an excellent student. She went on to graduate 10th in her class at Otsego High School in 1953.
While still in high school, Jean met a young man named Charles "Chuck" Holly, at a dance in Alamo; and they were quite taken with each other. Over the next few years, their love for each other blossomed and they were married on February 24, 1953, while Jean was still in school. At the time, Chuck was serving his country in the military, and had come home on leave to marry his sweetheart. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, he was sent overseas to serve in Korea for the next fifteen months.
Upon his discharge, the couple settled into married life together in the Plainwell, Otsego area. To help make ends meet, Jean went to work at the collection bureau in Kalamazoo for a while, before taking a job at the cheese company in Otsego. In 1964, Chuck and Jean were overjoyed with the birth of their son, Chuck, who brought great joy into their lives. Jean remembered how her mother was always gone so much working after her father died and she did not want that for her son, so she left her job to devote herself to the role of a mother.
Jean's husband was a _______.
A.teacher                    
B.dancer                     
C.doctor                     
D.soldier