四、阅读理解(第31——45题，每题3分，共45分)
下面有3篇短文，每篇短文后有5道题，每道题后面都有4个选项。请仔细阅读短文并根据短文回答其后面的问题，从4个选项中选择1个最佳答案涂在答题卡相应的位置上。
第一篇
My Fast Job
I was six when I joined my father and two elder brothers at sunrise in the hayfields of Eufaula, Oklahoma. By the time I was eight I was helping Dad fix up low-income rental properties. He gave me a penny for every nail I pulled out of old boards.
I got my first real job, at JM's Restaurant in town, when I was 12. My main responsibilities were clearing tables and washing dishes, but sometimes I helped cook.
Every day after school I would head to JM's and work until ten. Saturdays I worked from two until eleven. At that age it was unlucky going to work and watching my friends run off to swim or play. I didn't necessarily like work, but I loved what working allowed me to have. Because of my job I was always the one buying when my friends and I went to the local bar Tastee Freez. This made me proud.
Word that I was honest and hardworking got around town. A local clothing store extended credit to me although I was only in the seventh grade. I immediately charged a $ 68 sports coat and a $ 22 pair of trousers. I was making only 65 cents an hour, and I was already $ 90 in debt! So I learned early the danger of easy credit. I paid it off as soon as I could.
My first job taught me discipline, responsibility and brought me a level of personal satisfaction few of my friends had experienced. As my father, who worked three jobs, once told me, "If you understand sacrifice and commitment, there are not many things in life you can't have." How right he was!
31 When the author was a child, he was made to help his father work because___________
A the restaurant was short of hands.
B his family belonged to the low-income group.
C he wanted to earn some money.
D he was stronger than his two brothers.
32 At the age of 12, the author got a job at a restaurant and often worked till late at night because___________
A he liked that work.
B he didn't like playing.
C he was hard-working.
D he felt rewarded by doing that work.
33 The word "Word" in the sentence "Word that I was honest and-hard-working got around town in the fourth paragraph means___________
A statement.
B advice.
C news.
D promise.
34 When the author was in the seventh grade, he was in debt because___________
A he did not work any more.
B he bought clothes on credit.
C he was charged too much for the sports coat.
D he made little money at that time.
35 What does the author want to tell the reader by this text?
A If you know sacrifice and responsibility, you can have many things in life.
B Children from poor families usually have a very unhappy childhood.
C Children should be made to work and earn some money by themselves.
D You will learn discipline and responsibility by working early in life.
第二篇
Stone Hill Mall
Stone Hill Mall has fewer large department stores than most malls but, instead, features more than 100 small specialty shops, while the few that are not used yet will be filled as soon as the mall's owners find proprietors (业主) who fit the mall's image.
One thing that makes Stone Hill Mall popular was that all of the stores remain open from 9 a.m. until 10 p. m., Monday through Friday. This favourable start has certainly been advantageous thanks to such features as its being the only shopping centre in the area to provide free baby-sitting for children from two to eight years old and its offering restaurants to suit every pocket, with the possible exception of the highly budget-conscious. Furthermore, as far as movie entertainment is concerned, Stone Hill Mall tops Westgate Mall, which looked very impressive when it opened last year, with three separate cinemas.
Besides, the air-conditioning system makes sure a comfortable inside temperature of 25 degrees centigrade no matter what the weather is like outside, and in addition to its three beautiful fountains, the mall has a quiet garden area with comfortable benches and chairs for shoppers who have become tired.
One complaint about Stone Hill Mall is that it is located outside the city, but there is a regular bus service between the mall and the city centre. A further complaint might be that, although the mall is surrounded by trees to match it with the scenery, it will be some years before these can effectively make the main buildings and the vast parking lot a part of the area around.
36 Stone Hill Mall is different from other malls because it has___________
A more large department stores.
B more empty space to rent.
C many shops selling special goods.
D shops selling expensive goods.
37 Stone Hill Mall is popular with shoppers mainly because of its___________
A long business hours.
B attractive restaurants.
C children's stores.
D entertainment facilities
38 What makes Stone Hill Mail a more favourable shopping place is___________
A the prices in the shops.
B the weather in the area.
C the childcare facilities.
D the conditions inside the mall.
39 It is implied in the passage that the writer takes a(n)___________ attitude towards the mall.
A critical
B indifferent
C fair
D one-sided
40 The main purpose of the passage is to
A compare Stone Hill Mall with other shopping centers
B introduce the unique features of the mall.
C discuss its strengths and weaknesses,
D draw attention to the inadequacies of shopping centers.
