2010年全国职称英语综合类（B级）考试真题及答案第一部分：词汇选项(第1-15题，每题1分。共15分)
下面每个句子中均有1个词或短语划有底横线，请为每处划线部分确定1个意义最为接近的选项。
1．Patricia stared at the other girls with resentment．
A．doubt B．anger C．love D．surprise
2．I want to provide my boys with a decent education.
A．speeial B．private C．good D．general
3．Her father was a quiet man with graceful manners.
A．polite B．similar C．usual D．bad
4．There was a profound silence after his remark.
A．short B．deep C．proud D．sudden
5．The document was compiled by the Department of Health.
A．printed B．attached C．written D．sent
6．In the process，the light energy converts to heat energy.
A．change B．reduces C．leaves D．drops
7．Many cities have restricted smoking in public places.
A．limited B．allowed C．stopped D．kept
8．The thief was finally captured two miles away from the village.
A．killed B．jailed C．caught D．found
9．If we leave now，we should miss the traffic．
A．mix B．avoid C．direct D．stop
10．What are my chances of promotion if I stay here?
A．advancement B．replacement C．retirement D．adveaisement
11．We've seen a marked shift in our approach to the social issues．
A．great B．clear C．quick D．regular
12.Such a database would be extremely costly to set up．
A．update B．transfer C．destroy D．establish
13.The two banks have announced plans to merge next year．
A．combine B．break C．sell D．close
14.I enjoyed the play-it had a clever plot and very funny dialogues.
A．humorous B．Iong C．original D．boilng
15．He's spent years cultivating a knowledge of art．
A．denying B．using C．sharing D．developing
第二部分：阅读判断(第16-22题，每题1分，共7分)
下面的短文后列出了7个句子，请根据短文的内容对每个句子做出判断：如果该句提供的是正确信息，请选择A；如果该句提供的是错误信息，请选择B；如果该句的信息文中没有提及，请选择C。
The Race into Space
American millionaire Dennis Tito will always be famous．He was the first tourist in space．"I spent sixty years on Earth and eight days in space and from my viewpoint，it was two separate lives，"Tito explained．He loved his time in space．"Being in space and looking back at earth is one of the most rewarding experiences a human being can have．"
This kind of experience isn't cheap．It cost $ 20 million．However，Tito achieved his dream．so he was happy．"For me it was a life dream．It was a dream that began when I didn，t have any money，"he told reporters．
On 30 April 2002，Mark Shuttleworth became the world's second space tourist．Shuttleworth is a South African businessman．At the age of twenty-eight．he also paid $ 20 million for the eightday trip．
Both Tito and Shuttleworth bought their tickets from a company called Space Adventures．The company has around 100 people already on their waiting list for flights into space．The spaceship to take them doesn't exist yet．
Many of the customdrs are people who like adventure．They are the kind of people who also want to climb Mount Qomolangma．Other customers are people who love space．However，these people are worried．Because it's so expensive,only very rich people can go into space．They want space travel to be available to more people．
That day may soon be here．Inter Orbital Systems(IOS)plans to send up to four tourists a week into space．The tours will depart from an island in Tonga．The company promises a package that includes forty-five days of astronaut training in Russia and California，seven days in space，and a vacation in Tonga．for $2 million．
However，space flight is still very dangerous．Bill Readdy is NASA's deputy assistant administrator for space flight．He says that the chances of dying are about 1 in 500．Because of this it may take time before space tourism really takes off．You might be able to go up，but will you come down?
16．Dennis Tito was the first tourist in space．
A．Right B．Wrong C．Not mentioned
17．Mark Shuttleworth is an engineer from the United States．
A．Right B．Wrong C．Not mentioned
18．Both Tito and Shuttleworth have climbed Mount Qomolangma．
A．Right B．Wrong C．Not mentioned
19．Space Adventures has about 100 customers waiting for their travel into space．
A．Right B．Wrong C．Not mentioned
20．Space Adventures already has a spaceship．
A．Right B．Wrong C．Not mentioned
21．IOS will send its tourists into space from Tonga．
A．Right B．Wrong C．Not mentioned
22．Bill Readdy thinks space flight is very dangerous．
A．Right B．Wrong C．Not mentioned
第三部分：概括大意与完成句子(第23-30题，每题1分，共8分)
下面的短文后有2项测试任务：
(1)第23-26题要求从所给的6个选项中为第2-5段每段选择1个最佳标题；
(2)第27-30题要求从所给的6个选项中为每个句子确定1个最佳选项。
Waste Not，Want Not
1 Bob and Clara Darlington，who own and run a farm in the North of England，have alwayslooked for new ways of making money out of the produce they grow．Their SUCCESS began when theyestablished a shop on their farm，so that people could come and buy fresh vegetables directly fromthem．
2 The business was an immediate SUCCESS，and soon scored top marks in a competition set upby the Farm Retail Association to find the best farm shop in the country．The Association's inspectorsfound the Darlingtons'shop offered excellent service and value for money as well as quality fruit andvegetable．
3 Clara Darlington is a trained chef and，in addition to a range of home-grown foods andother local produce，she began offering a variety of prepared meals which she had made herself inthe farmhouse kitchen．A small cafe alongside the farm shop was soon added，with everything thatvisitors could taste on the menu also being for sale in the shop．
4 Clara admits that starting the business was expensive，and she has worked very hard，butmaintains that if the product is good，the public recognize this and buy it．"I aim to offer the highestquality to our customers，whether they come in for a loaf of bread，or take a whole dinner-partymenu．I take it as a compliment(恭维)if people take home one of my dishes to serve to their family and friends and get away with pretending they made it themselves．"
5 So it was that the couple realized that they had a surplus of misshapen or damaged vegetables grown on the farm which were unsuitable for selling in the shop．Clara，not wishing to see themget thrown away，decided to turn them into soup．
6 The soup met with the immediate approval of customers to the shop and Clara now producesten different varieties．She spent much of the summer traveling up and down to London by rail，doing presentations of the soups．As a result，they are now served in first-class railway restaurant carsbelonging to three companies as well as being stocked by a number of high-class London stores．
23．Paragraph 2_______________．
24．Paragraph 3________________．
25．Paragraph 4______________．
26．Paragraph 5____________．
A．Time well spent is rewarded
B．Professional recognition is obtained
C．A necessary alternative to farming
D．Professional skills are exploited
E．Continuing investment in high standards
F．Ensuring that nothing gets wasted
27．Bob an Clara Darlington established a shop to____________．
28．Apart from quality fruit and vegetables，the couple____________．
29．Instead of throwing the damaged vegetables away，the couple__________．
30．Clara spent much of the summer going to London to____________．
A．sell fresh vegetables
B．sell as much as possible
C．offer a variety of prepared meals
D．turn them into soup
E．fill a gap in the market
F．promote her soups
第四部分：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。请根据短文内容，为每题确定1个最佳选项。
第1篇
Immigration and Problems
Hundreds of thousands of people supporting immigration rights in the US filled streets all over America in early 2006．Many held signs and American flags and asked to be treated as citizens-notcriminals．Many of these supported legislation from Senator John McCain that would open a path tocitizenship to immigrants who were already in the country illegally．Proposed legislation from otherpoliticians called for stricter measures-including rounding up undocumented immigrants and send.ing them back to their home countries．
Canadian officials say that immigration applications continue to rise．Some want to keep thedoors open．They need the labor．About 400，000 immigrants were allowed into the country in 2005，according to the Canadian Government statistics．However，all this growth means that cities need toadapt．New comers don't always make a smooth transition into jobs for which they are skilled．So industries are using mentoring(辅导)programs to help new immigrants find proper jobs．
With the large numbers of undocumented African immigrants arriving in the Canary Islands andshowing no sign of abating(减少)，the Spanish Government has decided to get tough．There will beno more mass amnesties(特赦)for illegals，and anyone coming to Spain without permission will besent back，the government has announced．About 23，000 migrants(移民)landed on the islands in2006，and riots have erupted in some crowded reception centers．This has promoted local authoritiesto appeal to the United Nations for help．
France's new immigration and integration law gives the government new powers to encouragehigh-skilled migration．It takes effect in 2007．The new law authorizes the government will helpthese identified employers find immigrant workers with needed skills or qualifications．The selectedforeign employees will be granted"skills and talents"visas．valid for three years．But some peopleshow the concern that it'll cause brain drain in developing countries．
31．Many immigrants in the US took to the streets in early 2006，demanding that________．
A．John McCain be removed．
B．they be sent back home
C．they be treated as citizens
D．their culture be protected
32．The expression"rounding up"in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by_________．
A．encircling
B．separating
C．arresting
D．frightening
33．Canada is not very strict with immigration applications because___________．
A．it is a large country
B．it is suffering from labor shoaage
C．its population is decreasing
D．it is a multicultural country
34．To solve the immigration problem，the Spanish Government has decided___________．
A．to take tough measures against illegal immigration
B．to let immigrants freely enter the country
C．to integrate immigrants into the Spanish culture
D．to help immigrants find proper jobs
35．After France's new immigration and integration law takes effect，it will_________．
A．encourage overseas students to return home
B．bring damage to the unity of the country
C．arouse anger among French workers
D．make it hard for developing countries to keep talents
第2篇
The Iceman
On a September day in 1991，two Germans were climbing the mountains between Austria andItaly．High up on a mountain pass，they found the body of a man lying on the ice．At that height(10，499 feet，or 3，200 meters)，the ice is usually permanent，but 1991 had been an especiallywarm year．The mountain ice had melted more than usual and so the body had come to the surface．
It was lying face downward．The skeleton(骨架)was in perfect condition，except for a woundin the head．There was still skin on the bones and the remains of some clothes．The hands were still holding the wooden handle of an ax and on the feet there were very simple leather and cloth boots．
Nearby was a pair of gloves made of tree bark(树皮)and a holder for arrows．
Who was this man?How and when had he died?Everybody had a different answer to thesequestions．Some people thought that it was from this century，perhaps the body of a soldier who diedin World War 1，since several soldiers had already been found in the area．A Swiss woman believedit might be her father，who had died in those mountains twenty years before and whose body hadnever been found．The scientists who rushed to look at the body thought it was probably much older，maybe even a thousand years old．
With modern dating techniques，the scientists soon learned that the Iceman was about 5．300 years old．Born in about 3300 B．C．，he lived during the Bronze Age in Europe．At first scientiststhought he was probably a hunter who had died from an accident in the high mountains．More recent evidence，however，tells a different story．A new kind of X-rav shows an arrowhcad still stuck in his shoulder．It left only a tiny hole in his skin，but it caused internal damage and bleeding．He a1．most certainly died from this wound，and not from the wound on the back of his head．This meansthat he was probabb；in some kind of a battle．It may have been part of a larger war。or he may havebeen fighting bandits．He may even have been a bandit himself．
By studying his clothes and tools，scientists have already learned a great deal from the Icemanabout the times he lived in．we may never know the full story of how he died，but he has give Us im．portant clues to the history of those distant times．
36．The body of the Iceman was found in the mountains mainly because_________．
A．he was lying on the ice
B．he was just on a mountain pass
C．the melted iee made him visible
D．two Germans were climbing the mountains
37．What can be inferred from paragraph 2?
A．The Iceman lived a poor life．
B．The Iceman could have died from the wound in the head．
C．The Iceman was struck dead from behind．
D．The Iceman was killed while working
38．All the following are assumptions once made about the Iceman EXCEPT_________．
A．he was a soldier in World War 1
B．he was a Swiss woman's long-lost father
C．he was born about a thousand years ago
D．he came from Italy
39．The scientists made the deduction that the Iceman_________．
A．was probably in some kind of a battle
B．had got a wound on the back of his head
C．had a tiny hole in his skin causing his death
D．was hit in the shoulder by an arrowhead
40．The word"bandits"in paragraph 4 could be best replaced by_________．
A．hunters
B．shooters
C．robbers
D．soldiers
第3篇
Britain's Solo Sailor
Ellen MacArthur started sailing when she was eight，going out on sailing trips with her aunt．
She loved it so much that she saved her money for three years to buy her first small sailing boat．When she was 18．she sailed alone around Britain and won the"Young Sailor of the Year"award．
But Ellen really became famous in 2001．Aged only 24，she was one of only two women who entered the Vendee Globe round the world solo race，which lasts 100 days．Despite many problems，she came second in the race out of 24 competitors and she was given a very warm welcome when she returned．
Ambition and determination have always been a big part of Ellen's personality．When she wasyounger，she lived in a kind of hut(棚屋)for three years while she was trying to get sponsorship tocompete in a transatlantic race．Then she took a one-way ticked to France，bought a tiny seven meter class mini yacht，slept under it while she was repairing it，and then she raced it 4，000 kilometers across the Atlantic in 1997，alone for 33 days．
Ellen has had to learn many things，because sailing single-handed means that she has to beher own captain，electrician，sail maker，engineer，doctor，journalist，cameraman and cook．She also has to be very fit，and because of the dangers of sleeping for long periods of time she' in themiddle of the ocean，she has trained herself to sleep for about 20 minutes at a time．
And she needs courage．Once，In the middle of the ocean，she had to climb the mast(桅杆)of a boat to repair the sails-at four o'clock in the morning，with 100 kph winds blowing around her．It took her many hours to make the repairs．Ellen says。"1 was exhausted when I came down．It'shard to describe how it feels to be up there．It's like trying to hold onto a big pole，which for me isjust too big to get my alTOS around，with someone kicking you all the time and trying to shakeyou off．"
But in her diary，Ellen also describes moments which make it all worthwhile(值得的)："Abeautiful sunrise started the day，with black clouds slowly lit by the bright yellow sun．I have a verystrong feeling of pleasure，being out here on the ocean and having the chance to live this．I just feellucky to be here．"
41．In the Vendee Globe race，Ellen won________．
A．a gold medal
B．the"Best Women Sailor"award
C．the second place
D．the"Young Sailor of the Year"award
42．Ellen lived in a kind of hut for three years___________．
A．because she was interested in country life
B．because she was ambitious for the coming race
C．while she was learning how to repair sails
D．while she was trying to get financial support for a race
43．The word"solo"in the title could be best replaced by___________．
A．self-starter
B．single-handed
C．one performer
D．seIf-made
44．According to paragraph 4，which of the following statements is NOT true?
A．She has to be her own teacher．
B．She has trained herself to sleep for about 20 minutes at a time.
C．She has to be very fit．
D．She has to learn to repair sails．
45．How does Ellen feel about the Vendee Globe race?
A．It is surprising．
B．It is relaxing．
C．It is dangerous．
D．It is enjoyable．
第五部分：补全短文(第46-50题，每题2分，共10分)
下面的短文有5处空白，短文后有6个句子，其中5个取自短文，请根据短文内容将其分别放回原有位置，以恢复文章原貌。
Semco
At 21．Ricard0 Semler became boss of his father business in Brazil，Semco，which sold partsfor ships．Semler Junior worked like a madman，from 7：30 am，until midnight every day．One af-ternoon while touring a factory in New York he collapsed The doctor who treated him said
"There，s nothing wrong with you．But if you continue like this，you'11 find a new home in our hospital．"Semler got the message．He changed the way he worked．In fact，he changed the way his employees worked too．
He let his workers take more responsibility so that they would be the ones worrying when things went wrong．He allowed them to set their own salaries，and he cut all the jobs he thought were unnecessary．like receptionists and secretaries．____________(46)．"Everyone at Semco，even top managers，meets guests in reception does the photocopying，sends faxes，types letters and dials the phone．"
He eompletelv reorganized the office：instead of walls，they have plants at Semco，so bosses can't shut themselves away from everyone else．__________(47)．As for uniforms，some people wear suits and others wear T-shirts．
Semler says．"We have a sales manager named Rubin Agater who sits there reading the newspaper hour after hour．He doesn't even pretend to be busy．But when a Semco pump on the otherside of the world fails and millions of gallons of oil are about to spill into the sea．Rubin springs intoaction．_________(48)．That's when he earns his salary．No one cares if he doesn't look busy therest of the time．"
Semco has flexible working hours：the employees decide when they need to arrive at work．Theemployees also evaluate their bosses twice a year．__________(49)．
It sounds perfect．but does it work?The answer is in the numbers：in the last six years．
Semco's revenues have gone from$35 million to$212 million．The company has grown from eighthundred employees to 3，000．Why?
Semler says it's because of"peer pressure"．Peer pressure makes everyone work hard for every。one else．__________(50)．In other words，Ricardo Semler treats his workers like adults and expectsthem to act like adults．And they do．
A．This saved money and brought more equality to the company．
B．He knows everything there is to know about our pumps and how to fix them．
C．And the workers are free to decorate their workspace as they want．
D．Most managers spend their time making it difficult for workers to work．
E．If someone isn't doing his job well，the other workers will not allow the situation to contin'Ue．
F．Also．Semco lets its workers use the company's machines for their own projeets，and makesthem take holidays for at 1east thirty days a year．
第六部分：完形填空(第51-65题，每题1分，共15分)
阅读下面的短文，文中有15处空白，每处空白给出了4个选项，请根据短文的内容从4个选项中选择1个最佳答案，涂在答题卡相应的位置上。
The Case of the Disappearing Fingerprints
One useful anti-cancer drug can effectively erase the whorls and other characteristic marks thatgive people their distinctive fingerprints(指纹)．Losing them could become troublesome．A case___________(51)online in a letter by Annals of Oncology(肿瘤学)indicates how big a_______ (52)of losing fingerprints is．
Eng-Huat Tan．a Singapore-based medical doctor describes a 62-year old man who has usedcapecitabine to_________(53)his nasopharyngeal cancer(鼻咽癌)．After three years on the (54)，the patient decided to visit U．S．relatives last December．But he was stopped byU．S．customs officials__________(55)4 hours after entering the country when those officialscouldn't get fingerprints from the man．There were no___________(56)swirly marks appearing fromhis index finger．
"U．S．customs has been fingerprinting incoming foreign visitors for years，"Tan says．"unfortunately,for the Singaporean traveler，one potential__________(57)effect of his drug treatment is a smoothing of the tissue on the finger pads．_________(58)，no fingerprints．"
"It is uncertain when fingerprint_________(59)will begin to take place in patients who are taking capecitabine，"Tan points out．So he__________(60)any physicians who prescribe the drug to provide their patients with a doctor's_________(61)pointing out that their medicine may causefingerprints to disappear．
Eventually，the Singapore traveler made it into the United States．I guess the name on his pass-port didn't raise any red flags．But he's also now got the explanatory doctor's note-and won't 1eavehome___________(62)it．
By the way，maybe the Food and Drug Administration(美国食品药物管理局)，_________(63)approved use of the drug 11 years ago，should consider updating its list of side effects________(64)with this medicine．The current list does note that patients may experience vomiting(呕吐)，stomach pain and some other side effects．But no where___________(65)it mention the po．tential for loss of fingerprints．
51．A．released B．suggested C．accepted D．detected
52．A．problem B．gap C．sickness D．secret
53．A．cut B．treat C．find D．smooth
54．A．diet B．exercise C．recovery D．drug
55．A．in B．for C．at D．from
56．A．different B．strange C．interesting D．distinctive
57．A．good B．side C．normal D．main
58．A．However B．Meanwhile C．Hence D．Yet
59．A．chance B．mark C．loss D．danger
60．A．reports B．discourage C．cautions D．praise
61．A．note B．name C．book D．number
62．A．on B．out C．without D．off
63．A．who B．when C．which D．where
64．A．collected B．copied C．associated D．tested
65．A．must B．does C．can D．shouId
2009年职称英语等级考试综合类B级试题
第1部分：词汇选项(第1—15题，每题1分，共15分)
下面每个句子中均有1个词或短语划有底横线．请为每处划线部分确定1个意义最为接近的选项。
1. Would you please call my husband as soon as possible?
A. visit
B. phone
C. consult
D. invite
2. We had along conversation about her parents.
A. speech
B. Question
C. Talk
D. debate
3. The chairman proposed that we stop the meeting
A. stated
B. Announced
C. Demanded
D. suggested
4. Obviously these people can be relied on in a crisis.
A. lived on
B. depended on
C. believed in
D. joined in
5. There is always excitement at the Olympic Games when an athlete breaks a record.
A. beats
B. maintains
C. matches
D. tries
6. All the pupils seem to be very cheerful.
A. happy
B. healthyD. naughtyD. busy
7. The traditional paintings are exhibited on the second floor.
A laid
B displayed
C kept
D stored
8. She stood there, shaking with fury.
A misery
B laughter
C anger
D cry
9. Mary evidently is the most diligent student among us.
A intelligent
B beautiful
C talkative
D hardworking
10. Persistent attempts to interview Garbo were fruitless.
A Forceful
B Reasonable
C Continuous
D Firm
11. Why can't you stop your eternal complaining?
A everlasting
B long
C temporary
D boring
12. Hundreds of buildings were wrecked by the earthquake.
A shaken
B damaged
C fallen
D jumped
13. These paintings are considered by many to be authentic.
A faithful
B royal
C genuine
D sincere
14. Many economists have given in to the fatal lure of mathematics.
A attraction
B simplicity
C power
D rigor
15. The years after the event, her death still remains a puzzle.
A mist
B fog
C mystery
D secret
第2部分：阅读判断(第16～22题，每题1分，共7分)
下面的短文后列出了7个句子，请根据短文的内容对每个句子做出判断：如果该句提供的是正确信息，请选择A；如果该句提供的是错误信息，请选择B；如果该句的信息文中没有提及，请选择C。
Fighting for a Better Future for Woman
When I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President, I always gave the same answer: that I was proud to be running as a woman but I was running because I thought I'd be the best president. But I am a woman, and like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious. I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.
I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to lead all children to brighter tomorrows.
To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect.
Let us resolve and work toward achieving some very ** propositions: There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices
in the twenty-first century.
You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories, unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the President of the United States. And that is truly remarkable.
To those who are disappointed that we couldn't go all the way – especially the young people who put so much into this campaign – it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours.
Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you're knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.
As we gather here today in this historic magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead. If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.
16. Hillary Clinton has become the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.
A Right
B Wrong
C Not Mentioned
17. Hillary Clinton believed that if she were elected president of the United States, she would be the best.
A Right
B Wrong
C Not Mentioned
18. The American people are now ready to accept a woman as their president.
A Right
B Wrong
C Not Mentioned
19. The American young people feel disappointed at Hillary's failure to win the nomination.
A Right
B Wrong
C Not Mentioned
20. America's 50th female astronaut is right now moving round the Earth.
A Right
B Wrong
C Not Mentioned
21. Hillary Clinton will support Obama in the upcoming presidential election campaign.
A Right
B Wrong
C Not Mentioned
22. Hillary Clinton will no longer run for president.
A Right
B Wrong
C Not Mentioned
第3部分：概括大意与完成句子(第23—30题，每题1分，共8分)
下面的短文后有2项测试任务：(1)第23~26题要求从所给的6个选项中为第1~4
段每段选择1个最佳标题：(2)第27--30题要求从所给的6个选项中为每个句子确定1
个最佳选项。
McGrady's art is a spectaclar art
1 When Tracy McGrady is healthy, his play can be so beautiful that even his own teammates on the court cannot help but admire it - in the middle of a game.
2 "It's hard for me, because I'm a fan of basketball," Houston point guard Rafer Alston told the Houston Chronicle news** after McGrady's 44-point performance against Utah on January 5. "When he's shooting the ball like that, a lot of times I'm standing there watching and, all of a sudden, [the other team's] getting the ball and going on a fast break, and I'm getting yelled at by the coach." Indeed, McGrady's body control, his energy, his shooting - watching these are like watching an artist at work, blending colours, constructing sentences, or playing music.
3 Unfortunately, McGrady, 27, hasn't always been on the job. Already this season, he's missed seven games with back spasms. After Yao Ming was injured on Dec. 23, it appeared Houston would be without both of its stars. McGrady, however, returned three days later and has been playing well ever since, scoring more than 30 points in each of the last six games, as of Tuesday. Houston can't seem to get on without him. When McGrady was injured, the Rockets won two and lost five.
4 "Listen, there are only four or five people on the entire planet that can do the things he can do with the basketball," forward Shane Battier said of McGrady. "From a fan's perspective - and we're fans even though we're players - it's really fun to watch him do that. "From a player's perspective, his game can affect the entire team. No question. We see him, and we get excited, and that pumps us up. He keeps ** shots, and suddenly it seems to become easier for everybody."
5 But it won't, really. Houston has just begun an important stretch on their schedule. Four of the next seven games will be played away from Houston - and without Yao. Six of the games will be against teams with winning records. Opponents will double-team McGrady in an attempt to dull the impact of his art. Instead of watching, McGrady's teammates will need to create a little art of their own.
23. Paragraph 2______________
24. Paragraph 3______________
25. Paragraph 4______________
26. Paragraph 5______________
A. McGrady's Injury
B. Necessity for the Teammates to Improve Their Own Skills
C. Evaluation from Two Different Perspectives
D. Spectacular Performance on the Court
E. Players Houston Can't Do Without
F. Yao Ming's Performance
27. McGrady plays basketball so well ______________.
28. Yao Ming missed several games ____________.
29. There are very few people on the Earth ___________.
30. Everyone will have to contribute __________.
A. since he returned
B. that his teammates cannot help admiring him
C. that he is often yelled at by the coach
D. who can play basketball so well
E. because he had been injured
F. if Houston hopes to win
第4部分：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，请根据短文内容，为每题确定1个最佳选项。
第一篇 March Madness
For the rest of March, an epidemic (传染病) will sweep across the US. It will keep kids home from school. College students will ignore piles of homework. Employees will suddenly lose their ability to concentrate.
The disease, known as "March Madness", refers to the yearly 65-team US men's college basketball tournament. It begins on March 15 and lasts through the beginning of April. Teams compete against each other in a single-elimination tournament that eventually crowns a national champion.
Nearly 20 million Americans will find themselves prisoners of basketball festival madness.
The fun comes partly from guessing the winners for every game. Friends compete against friends, husbands against wives, and colleagues against bosses.
Big-name schools are usually favored to advance into the tournament. But each year there are dark horses from little-known universities.
This adds to the madness. Watching a team from a school with 3,000 students beat a team from a school with 30,000, for many Americans, is an exciting experience. Last year, they little-known George Mason University was one of the final four teams. Many people had never been heard of the university before the tournament.
College basketball players are not paid, so the game is more about ** a name for their university and themselves. But that doesn't mean money isn't involved.
About $4 billion will be spent gambling on the event. According to Media Life magazine, the event will draw over $500 million in advertising revenue this year topping the post-season revenue, including that of the NBA(全国篮球协会).
31. What will happen in the remaining part of the month?
A. Many Americans will be sent to madhouses.
B. Great excitement will spread across the US.
C. About 20 million Americans will be put in prison.
D. A deadly epidemic will break out in the US.
32. Which statement about the epidemic is NOT true?
A. It occurs every fourth year.
B. It starts on March 15.
C. It is known as "March Madness".
D. It lasts through the beginning of April.
33. Which of the following is NOT an instance of "March Madness"?
A. Kids run away from school.
B. Husbands kiss their wives.
C. College students keep homework piling up.
D. Employees can't concentrate on their work.
34. It is great fun
A. looking at wives kissing their husbands
B. listening to students talking to their teachers
C. watching farmers kicking their donkeys
D. betting on the winners of each game
35. The little-known George Mason University was a dark horse because
A. it had a student body of 30,000
B. its players were al black people
C. it had never been expected to be victorious
D. its players ran as fast as black horse
第二篇 Declining Interest in Developing Foreign Language Skills
Australia's foreign language skills are declining, V oice of America has reported. New figures show that only 13 percent of high school graduates can speak a foreign language. But four decades ago, 40 percent had foreign language skills.
Professor Elise Tipton, from the University of Sydney, says increasingly students do not feel the need to learn another language to boost their career. She believes that Australia's economic boom, which is driven by red-hot demand for its minerals, is helping mask serious deficiencies in its language skills.
Australia does business very successfully in English with most of its trading partners. But as the world's economic power shifts to emerging regions such as Asia, its language gap could soon be exposed. According to the new figures, less than 6.5 percent of high school graduates are proficient in an Asian language. Academics worry that this means Australia will increasingly be isolated from its economically important Asian neighbors. Dilip Dutta, from the economics and business faculty at Sydney University, says language skills can enhance trading opportunities. If Australians want to trade with Asian countries, it is very important for them to learn the language that will help them to get closer to the culture.
But students have different opinions about Asian language learning. Pippa McCowage, a 22-year-old Australian student, says many young Australians have a half-hearted approach to foreign languages, and the language curriculum is often weak. "While we're encouraged in high school to learn another language, it's not really apparent to me as a realistic expectation that you will have to speak it," said McCowage. "For example, I learned Japanese in high school, when I went on an exchange in Year 10, I found that the Japanese students of my age had a much greater proficiency in English than I did in Japanese. So in that sense, it almost discourages you.
At present, about 70 percent of Australia's major exports go to Asia and the Australian government has been keen on developing closer economic and diplomatic ties with Asia. Academics say that, as Asia becomes one of the world's economic powerhouses, Australia needs to improve its language skills if it is to take full advantage of the business opportunities on its doorstep.
36. What percentage of high school graduates were proficient in foreign language forty years ago?
A. 70 percent
B. 13 percent
C. 6.5 percent
D. 40 percent
37. What can be inferred from paragraph 2?
A. Australia is essentially a self-sufficient country.
B. Australia has rich deposits of minerals.
C. Australia has no intention to trade with Asian countries.
D. Australian students are not required to learn a foreign language.
38. What does Dilip Dutta think language skills can do?
A. Improve your relation with your partner.
B. Help settle international conflicts.
C. Increase trading opportunities.
D. Remove barriers in negotiations.
39. Why has the Australian government been keenly interested in strengthening ties with Asia?
A. Because Asia is where Australia's major exports go.
B. Because Asia is where Australia is located.
C. Because Asia is where Australians go and spend their holidays.
D. Because Asia is where Australia can play a big role in international affairs.
40. The word "faculty" in paragraph 3 can be replaced by
A. college.
B. building
C. department.
D. university.
第三篇 Youth Emancipation in Spain
The Spanish Government is so worried about the number of young adults still living with their parents that it has decided to help them leave the nest.
Around 55 per cent of people aged 18-34 in Spain still sleep in their parents' homes, says the latest report from the country's state-run Institute of Youth.
To coax(劝诱) young people from their homes, the institute started a "Youth Emancipation(解放) programme this month. The programme offers guidance in finding rooms and jobs.
Economists blame young people's family dependence on the precarious(不稳定的) labour market and increasing housing prices. Housing prices have risen 17 per cent a year since 2000.
Cultural reasons also contribute to the problem, say sociologists. Family ties in south Europe - Italy, Portugal and Greece - are stronger than those in middle and north Europe, said Spanish sociologist Almudena Moreno Minguez in her report "The Late Emancipation of Spanish Youth: Keys for Understanding".
"In general, young people in Spain firmly believe in the family as the main body around which their private life is organized," said Minguez.
In Spain - especially in the countryside, it is not uncommon to find entire groups of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews(外甥/侄子) all living on the same street. They regularly get together for Sunday dinner.
Parents' tolerance(宽容) is another factor. Spanish parents accept late-night partying and are wary of setting bedtime rules.
"A child can arrive home at whatever time he wants. If parents complain he'll put up a big fight and call the father a Fascist," said Jose Antonio Gomez Yanez, a sociologist at Carlos III University in Madrid.
Mothers' willingness to do children's household chores worsens the problem. Dioni-sio Masso, a 60-year-old in Madrid, has three children in their 20s. The eldest, 28, has a girlfriend and a job. But life with mum is good.
"His mum does the wash and cooks for him; in the end, he lives well," Masso said.
41. The "Youth Emancipation" programme aims at helping young people
A. live in an independent way
B. fight for freedom
C. fight against social injustice
D. get rid of family responsibilities
42. It can be inferred from paragraph 5 that family ties are stronger in Portugal than in
A. Greece
B. Finland
C. Spain
D. Italy
43. Young people's family dependence can be attributed to all the following factors EXCEPT
A. parent's tolerance
B. housing problems
C. unwillingness to get married
D. cultural traditions
44. Which of the following statements is NOT true of Dinoisio Masso?
A. She has a boyfriend.
B. She is 60 years old.
C. She has three children.
D. She lives in Madrid.
45. The phrase "wary of" in paragraph 8 could be best replaced by
A. tired of
B. afraid of
C. worried about
D. cautious about
第5部分：补全短文(第46～50题，每题2分，共10分)
下面的短文有5处空白，短文后有6个句子，其中5个取自短文，请根据短文内容将
其分别放回原有位置，以恢复文章原貌。
Reduce Packaging
Pressure increased recently on British supermarkets and retailers to reduce packaging as part of an anti-waste campaign. ________________(46). Britain generates 4.6 million tons of household waste every year by packaging.
Dozens of people have expressed anger at the excess of plastic wrapping. Campaigners has called on Britain to learn from other European countries. __________________(47). When returned bottles are put in a vending machines(自动售货机), the deposit is refunded. Environmentalists warn that Britain lags behind in this.
There were reports of growing unease among consumers over the amount of packaging they have to deal with. Trade standards officers also object to excessive packaging. _________________(48)
In response to a campaign by Britain's The Independent news**, leading supermarkets have pointed to various initiatives to win the public confidence. __________________(49)
But campaigners said retailers and the government could learn much from anti-waste practices on the Continent. In Sweden, non-recyclable batteries have been taxed since 1991 to encourage a switch to alternatives. _____________(50) In Germany, plastic bags are unheard of in supermarkets and deposits are paid for reusable plastic and glass beverage bottles.
A. If a product is over packaged, don't buy it.
B. In Belgium, when you buy something in a plastic or glass container, you make a deposit.
C. This is because too much padding can give buyers a false impression of what they are buying.
D. This has resulted in a 74 percent reduction in sales.
E. Tesco said it was saving 112,000 tons of cardboard a year by switching to reusable plastic crates(装货箱) for transporting its fresh produce.
F. The campaign was initiated by The Independent news**.
第6部分：完形填空(第51～65题，每题1分，共15分)
下面的短文有15处空白，请根据短文内容为每处空白确定1个最佳选项。
New Ideas
Iceland's President Olafur Grimsson is trying to drive carbon dioxide1 underground to _____(51) its release into the air.
Over the next two years, a team of scientists will try to ___(52) carbon dioxide-charged water2 into the rock underground. Scientist theory says this should work3. The CO2 will react with the rock to form a stable mineral that remains in the ____(53) for millions of years.
If the experiment succeeds, Iceland could give the world a new ____(54) to reduce CO2 emissions.
Sigurdur Gislason, a university professor in Iceland, says his country has an ___(55) over other countries: "We have enormous amounts of clean _____(56) and a small society. You can do experiments here that you can't do anywhere else."
In an attempt to cut back on the use of air conditioners during summer, the Japanese government in 2005 ___(57) a campaign to keep office temperatures at 28°C degrees in summer. Men were also encouraged to change business suits for ___(58) wear. In other words, no more ties.
"The ___(59) is meant to show the government's resolve to achieve Japan's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda. The ___(60) has cut an estimated 79,000 tons of carbon dioxide gas emissions each year.
As the country's 2005 Energy Policy Act __(61) into force this year, more Americans will be encouraged to use ___(62) cars and energy sources.
According to the new law, those who buy hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius can earn tax credits; or rebates, of ___(63) to $2,600 a year. Homemakers can also save when they renovate, claiming tax rebates ____(64) up to $500 simply by fitting their homes with energy-saving insulation. If they ___(65) in solar water heating, the payoff at tax time equal to 30 percent of the appliance's cost or a maximum of $2,000.
51 A) narrow B) reduce C) interrupt D) interfere
52 A) spread B) splash C) flow D) inject
53 A) rock B) air C) water D) soil
54 A) era B) period C) way D) page
55 A) merit B) benefit C) advantage D) profit
56 A) energy B) oil C) gas D) solar-power
57 A) called B) mounted C) opened D) broke
58 A) decent B) formal C)fashionable D) casual
59 A) move B) pledge C) promise D) statement
60 A) war B) campaign C) activity D) move
6l A) makes B) takes C) comes D) bring
62 A) fast B) cheap C) expensive D) environment-friendly
63 A) up B) under C) on D) from
64 A) worth B) give C) donate D) invest
65 A) spend B) give C) donate D) invest
2008年职称英语真题之综合类B级
第1部分：词汇选项(第1—15题，每题1分，共15分)下面每个句子中均有1个词或短语划有底横线，请为每处划线部分确定1个意义最为接近的选项。
1. She found me very dull．
A. dirty B sleepy C. lazy D. boring
2. The President made a brief visit to Beijing．
A short
B working
C formal
D secret
3. He was persuaded to give up the idea．
A mention
B accept
C consider
D drop
4. Jack consumes a pound of cheese a day．
A eats
B drink
C buys
D produces
5. Mary just told US a very fascinating story．
A strange
B frightening
C difficult
D interesting
6. It's a gorgeous day anyway．
A lovely
B cold
C normal
D rainy
7. Her life is becoming more diverse.
A generous
B humorous
C varied
D romantic
8. Foreign military aid was prolonging the war
A broadening
B worsening
C extending
D accelerating
9. She was unwilling to go but she had no choice
A unable
B indecisive
C ready
D reluctant
l0. She is slender, with delicate wrists and ankles
A .sick
B weak
C slim
D pale
11. With immense relief, I stopped running.
A .some
B enormous
C little
D extensive
12. The scientists began to accumulate data.
A . collect
B handle
C analyze
D investigate
13. Jack eventually overtook the last truck
A. hit B passed C reached D led
14. Sometimes it is advisable to book hotels in advance
A. possible B profitable C easy D wise
15. The reason for their unusual behavior remains a puzzle
A. fact B mystery C statement D game
第3部分：概括大意与完成句子(第23～30题，每题1分，共8分)
下面的短文后有2项测试任务：(1)第23~26题要求从所给的6个选项中为第2---5段每段选择1个最佳标题；(2)第27"--30题要求从所给的6个选项中为每个句子确定1个最佳选项。
A New Citizenship Test
1 Last week，a sample of the new US citizenship(公民身份)exam was released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services(US-cist)．It will be tried out in 10 cities early next year to replace the current test in 2008．Instead of asking how many stripes the US flag has，as the current test does，the new one asks why there are 13 stripes．Instead of having to name the branches of government，an applicant is asked to explain why there are three．
2 "The goal is to make it more meaningful．"explains Emilio Gonzalez，director of the US．CIS．Immigrants who pass it are expected to have
a better‖ understanding and respect‖ for US civic(公民的)values，Gonzalez says．
3．The us sin‘t the only country dealing with citizenship)tests that aim to get a‖ shared
commitment‖ from immigrants for their adopted country‘s‖ values"．1n recent years，in addition to the usual requirement of language／work
skills and economic status，several European countries have adopted citizenship tests．Britain introduced a new citizenship test Last November．1n March．a new butch law--took effect requiring all would-be immigrants to take a citizenship test．It involved watching a video showing nude(裸体的)women bathing at beaches and gay(同性恋的)men kissing in public．The aim was to ensure that‖ newcomers will be comfortable with the country‘s liberal social mores
4 Europe has been known for welcoming immigrants for decades．But，today，the fact is that some immigrants are kept apart from Inca citizens by culture and they become hostile to each other．Promoting integration has become a major concern for European countries，after the rioting in Muslim ghettoes(少数民族聚居区)in France and the killing Of Dutch public figures by religious extremists．
5 Officials believe that a person‘s attachment to a country can be tested by his or her knowledge of the country．However, some critics say that the changes can do little to help people assimilate(同化)themselves．"Immigration is a culture war today．Is giving a new test the right way to lessen the accusations in that fight?‖ says Ali Noonan，of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition(难民辩护联盟)．
23. Paragraph 2_____________
24. Paragraph 3_____________
25. Paragraph 4_____________
26. Paragraph 5_____________
A Preparation for taking a citizenship test
B citizenship tests in European countries
C importance of promoting integration
D Necessity to know the branches of government
E Different views on the new citizenship test
F goal of the new citizenship test
27. The questions in the new citizenship test are more difficult
28. Would-be immigrants to the US are expected
29. In the Dutch citizenship test, all would-be immigrants are required
30. Some people fear that changes in the citizenship test will do little
A to know a lot more about the country
B to watch a video
C to help immigrants accept the new culture
D to marry American citizens
E to do low-skill jobs
F to answer
第4部分：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。请根据短文内容，为每题确定1个最佳选项。
第一篇Political Spins
Last week，US White House spokesman Tony Snow sent journalists digging for their dictionaries．He called recent criticism by the former President Bill Clinton‖ chutzpah"(大胆放肆)．With just one sentence，Snow managed to make headlines，a joke and a defense of President George W．Bush．Interestingly, this is how battles are fought and won in US politics-with carefully-worded one-liners(一行字幕新闻)made for TV which often lack substance and clarity(清晰度)．
"The amount of i nformation that candidates attempt to communicate to people is actually getting smaller and smaller,‖ said Mark Smith，a political science professor at Cedarville University．This has been accompanied by a changing media environment，Smith said．In 1 968，the average TV or radio sound bite(演讲中的句子或短语)was 48 seconds，according to Smith．In 1996。the average sound bite had shrunk to 8 seconds．Thus，politicians wanting publicity try to make their public communication as quotable as possible.
Campaigning politicians also use 30-'second"I V ads and clever campaign slogans to boost their messages．Republican presidential candidate John McCain rides to campaign stops in a bus named the‖ Straight-Talk Express"．Mocking hopes the name will convince voters he plans to tell people the truth—whether it‘s in fashion or not．Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton，on the other hand，has chosen the campaign slogan‖ Let the conversation begin"．She hopes it will help her appear open—minded and friendly．
But one—liners，TV ads and campaign slogans all have a single key ingredient：something commonly called political‖ spin"．Brooks Jackson，a former journalist and the current director of the non—partisan(无党派的)website Fact Check．org，calls spin‖ just a polite word for deception(欺骗)．"
"I do believe that very often politicians believe their own spin．"said Jackson．
"Strong partisans suffer from a universal human tendency：They ignore the evidence that would force them into the uncomfortable position of having to change their minds and admit that they were wrong."
31. Which statement is NOT true of one-liners?
A They are unclear. B. They contain a lot of information
C They lack substance.
D They are carefully constructed.
32 What changed from 1968 to 1996?
A. Publicity.
B. Information.
C. Communication.
D. The average sound bite.
33. The campaign slogan "Straight-Talk Express" aims at convincing voters that the
Presidential candidate is
A. honest.
B. friendly.
C. open-minded.
D. warm-hearted.
34. According to Brooks Jackson, all campaign slogans are
A. attractive.
B. impressive.
C. deceptive.
D. informative.
35. Which statement best describes strong partisans?
A .They are very funny.
B .They are very healthy.
C .They are very aggressive.
D .They are very stubborn (顽固的).
第二篇
A Tale of Scottish Rural Life
Lewis Grassic Gibbon's Sunset Song (1932) was voted "the best Scottish novel of all time" by Scotland's reading public in 2005. Once considered shocking for its frankdescription of aspects of the lives of Scotland's poor rural farmers, it has been adapted for stage, film, TV and radio in recent decades.
The novel is set on the fictional estate of Kin Addie, in the farming country of the Scottish northwest in the years up to and beyond World War I. At its heart is the story of Chris, who is both part of the community and a little outside it.
Grassic Gibbon gives us the most detailed and intimate account of the life of hisheroine (女主人公). We watch her grow through a childhood dominated by her cruel buthard-working father; experience tragedy (her mother's suicide and murder of her twinchildren); and learn about her feelings as she grows into a woman. We see her marrylose her husband, then marry again. Chris has seemed so convincing a figure to somefemale readers that they cannot believe that she is the creation of a man.
But it would be misleading to suggest that this book is just about Chris. It is truly a novel of a place and its people. Its opening section tells of Kin Addie‘s long history, in a language that imitates the place's changing, patterns of speech and writing.
The story itself is amazingly full of characters and incidents. It is told from Chris' point of view but also from that of the gossiping community, a community where everybody knows everybody else's business and nothing is ever forgotten.
Sunset Song has a social theme too. It is concerned with what Grassic Gibbon
perceives as the destruction of traditional Scottish rural life first by modernization and then by World War I. Gibbon tried hard to show how certain characters resist the war. Despite this, the war takes the young men away, a number of them to their deaths. In particular, it takes away Chris' husband, Evan Avondale. The war finally kills Evan, but not in the way his widow is told. In fact, the Germans aren't responsible for his death, but his own side. He is shot because he is said to have run away from a battle.
If the novel is about the end of one way of life, it also looks ahead. It is a "Sunset Song" but is concerned too with the new Kin Addie, indeed of the new European world. Grassic Gibbon went on to publish two other novels about the place that continue its story.
36. What is Sunset Song mainly about?
A. The First World War.
B. The beauty of the sunset.
C. The new European world.
D. The lives of rural Scottish farmers
37. Which statement is NOT true of Chris?
A. She is the heroine of Sunset Song
B. She had a miserable childhood.
C. She is the creation of a man.
D. She married only once.
38. What is the opening section of the novel mainly concerned with?
A. The climate of Kinraddie.
B. The history of Kinraddie.
C. The geography of Kinraddie.
D. The language spoken in Kinraddie.
39. Who killed Chris' husband, Ewan?
A. His own troops.
B. The French army.
C. The Germans.
D. The Russian soldiers.
40. The word "Sunset" in the title of this novel most probably means
A. the end of the heroine's life.
B. the end of the story.
C. the end of the traditional way of life.
D. the end of the day.
第三篇Centers of the Great European Cities
The centers of the great cities of Europe are meeting places by tradition．People gather there to drink coffee and chat late into the night．A mixture of locals and tourists make for an exciting，metropolitan(大都市的)atmosphere．
Squares，plazas(广场)and arcades(拱廊)form the heart of Europe‘s cities．
Venice、in Italy has the Piazza San Marco—a beautiful square surrounded by shops，churches，restaurants and cafes。In Barcelona，Spain，La Becquerel is a lively market with hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of goods．London‘S Covent Garden is filled with fruit and vegetable stalls by day and musicians，acrobats(杂技演员)and artists by night．The government buildings at the center of many cities often are architecturally impressive In London，they serve as a beautiful backdrop(背景)to the coffee tables that line the streets and the banks of the Thames．
These vibrant(有活力的)hearts are the product of centuries of evolution，social historian Joel Garreau told US News and World Report recently．"The reason people think Venice is SO great today is you don't see all the mistakes，"said Girardeau．"Those have all been removed．"Most European cities were laid out before the invention of the car. SO bars，restaurants and cafes were near to people‘S homes．Today，the focus of many Europea ns‘ life has moved away from the centers．They live in the suburbs and outskirts. driving to supermarkets to get their supplies．But on a continent where people treasure convention，there are still those who hold onto traditional ways，living and shopping locally．These people，together with tourists，provide the city centers with their reason for existence．
Coffee culture plays a part in keeping these city centers flourishing. This is particularly true of Paris whose citizens are famous enthusiastic conversationalists．This skill is developed over many hours spent chatting over espressos(浓咖啡)and cigarettes．
Religion also plays a role in developing sociable atmosphere．People in Roman Catholic countries used to visit the Church on an almost daily
basis．Entire communities would gather in the same building and then move out to the markets．cafes and bars in the surrounding streets．An enormous example of this relationship between church and society is the Cuomo．The huge marble cathedral in Florence，Italy is surrounded by bakeries and coffee shops，and caters(迎合)not only to the tourist crowds，but also the local community.
41. It can be inferred from the first paragraph that each big city in Europe
A. has many large squares.
B. has many very magnificent sky-scrapers.
C. draws tourists in large numbers every year.
D. has a center where tourists meet their spouses.
42. Which statement is NOT true of Covent Garden?
A. It is crowded with people.
B. It is located in London.
C. It is filled with stalls.
D. It is surrounded by shops, churches, restaurants and cafes
43. Why do people think that Venice is so great?
A. Because it is a famous tourist attraction.
B. Because you can reach anywhere by boat.
C. Because it is well-known for its merchants.
D. Because all the mistakes have been removed
44.What are Parisians famous for?
A. Their pursuit of independence.
B. Their enthusiasm for conversation.
C. Their ability to keep the city flourishing.
D. Their devotion to developing a multiple culture.
45.The writer cites the Cuomo in the last paragraph as an example to illustrate that
A. there is a tight link between church and society.
B. all churches are magnificent.
C. old churches are very popular.
D. high-rise churches are impressive.
第5部分：补全短文(第46～50题，每题2分，共10分)
下面的短文有5处空白，短文后有6个句子，其中5个取自短文，请根据短文内容将其分别放回原有位置，以恢复文章原貌。
Rising Tuition in the US
Every Spring，US university administrators gather to discuss the next acade mic year‘S budget．They consider faculty salaries，utility costs for dormitories，new building needs and repairs to old ones．They run the numbers and conclude-it seems，inevitably-that，yet again，the cost of tuition must go up．
According to the US'S College Board，the price of attending a four-year private university in the US rose 81 percent between 1993 and 2004._______(46)In 2005 and 2006,the numbers continued to rise．
According to university officials，college cost increases are simply the result of balancing university checkbooks．"Tuition increases at Cedarville University are determined by our revenue needs for each year．"said the university‘s president，Dr Bill Brown．"Student tuition pays for 78 percent of the university‘s operating costs．"Brown‘s sch oliast a private university that enrolls about 3．1 00 undergrads and is consistently recognized by annual college ranking guides like US News and World Report‘s and The Princeton Review‘s.________(47) Tuition at private universities is set by administr ation Follicles and then sent for approval to the school‘s board of trustees(董事)．________(48)This board oversees (监管)ail of a state‘s public institutions．
John Durham，assistant secretary to the board of trustees at East Carolina University(ECU)，explains that state Law says that public institutions must make their services available whenever possible to the people of the state for free．Durham said that North Carolina residents only pay 22 percent of the cost of their education．________(49)State residents attending ECU pay about US$10，000 for tuition room and board before financial aid．
Amid the news about continued increases in college costs，however，there is some good news．Tuition increases have been accompanied by roughly equal increases in financial aid at almost every university．To receive financial aid，US students complete a formal application with the federal government．The federal government then decides whether an applicant is eligible(有资格的)for grants or loans_________(50)
A The application is then sent to the student's university, where the school itself will decide whether free money will be given to the student and how much
B At public universities, however, tuition increases must also be approved by a state education committee, sometimes called the board of governors
C The school currently charges US$23,410 a year for tuition
D Many American people are simply unable to pay the growing cost of food
E That's more than double the rate of inflation
F The state government covers the rest
第6部分：完型填空(第51～65题，每题1分，共1 5分)
下面的短文有15处空白，请根据短文内容为每处空白确定1个最佳选项。
How Two Great Conflicts Helped to Change Europe
Ninety years ago on a sunny morning in Northern France，something happened that changed B．retain and Europe for even At half past seven
on the morning of July 1,1916，whistles(哨子)blew and thousands of British soldiers left their positions to attack their German enemies．By the end of the day,20，000 of them were dead，and another 30，000 wounded or missing．The Battle of the Somme，_________(51)it is called，lasted for six months．When, it ended，125，000 British soldiers were dead. They had gained five kilometers of ground．This was one of a series of great battles during WWI．The attack on the Somme was staged to relieve_________(52)on the French，who were engaged in a great battle of their own at a place called Verdun．By the time the battle ended，over a million French and German troops had been killed．
About 1 7 million people were killed in WWI．There have been wars with greater numbers of dead．But there has never been one in________(53)most of the dead were concentrated in such a small area．on the Somme battlefield，two men died for every meter of space．
Local farmers working in the land sit________(54)the bodies of those who died in that battle．The dead of all nations were buried in a series of giant graveyards along the line of the border________(55)France and Belgium．Relatives and descendants (子孙)of those who died still visit these graveyards today．What the French call the "tourism of death"________(56)an important contribution to the Iowa economy．It took a second great conflict before Europe was to turn_________(57)war itself．Twenty—eight years after the Somme battle'，a、liberating amyl of British，American and Canadian troops took back than 500，000 people were killed，New_______(58)from another German invasion．More_______(59)were built.
Two great conflicts across two generations helped to change the European mind about war．Germany, once the most warlike country in Europe，is now probably more in (60)of peace than any other．One major cause of war in Europe was rivalry(竞争)between France and Germany．The European Union was specifically formed to end that ________(61)．
According to US commentator William Pfaff。"Europeans are interested in a slow development of civilized and tolerant international relations，——(62)on problems while avoiding catastrophes(灾难)along the way．They have themselves only recently________(63)from the catastrophes of VVWI and WWI I，when tens of millions of people were destroyed．They don‘t want_______(64)．"
The last British veteran of the Somme battle died in 2005，aged 108．And WWI is passing out of memory and into history．But for anyone who wants to understand how Europeans _________(65)，it is still important to know a little about the terrible events of July 1, 1916.
51 A since B because C as D for
52 A aggression B anxiety C pressure D resistance
53 A where B which C why D that
54 A find B look for C seek D look at
55 A among B on C in D between
56 A makes B brings C gives D adds
57 A into B to C in D against
58 A America B Britain Canada D France
59 A monuments B graveyards C tablets D gravestones
60 A hatred B suspicion C favor D fear
61 A war B rivalry C battle D revenge
62 A compromising B confronting C attacking D fighting
63 A repeated B recovered C repaired D relaxed
64 A much B many C more D less
65 A behave B assume C know D think
2007年职称英语考试综合类(B级)试题及答案
第1部分：词汇选项（第1~15题，每题1分，共15分）
下面每个句子中均有1个词或短语划有底横线，请为每处划线部分确定1个意义最为接近的选项。
1.I have been trying to quit smoking.
A.give up
B.pick up
C.build up
D.take up
2.Relief workers were shocked by what they saw.
A.moved
B.touched
C.surprised
D.worried
3.The weather is a constant subject of conversation in Britain.
A.question
B.problem
C.title
D.topic
4.This is not typical of English,but is a feature of the Chinese language.
A.particular
B.characteristic
C.remarkable
D.idiomatic
5.It is virtually impossible to persuade him to apply for the job.
A.simply
B.almost
C.totally
https://www.doczj.com/doc/4e18499166.html,pletely
6.These are defensive behavior patterns which derive from our fears.
A.stem
B.rely
C.develop
D.grow
7.Only a small minority of the mentally ill are liable to harm themselves or others.
A.easy
B.possible
C.likely
D.difficult
8.They have the capability to destroy the enemy in a few days.
A.possibility
B.necessity
C.ability
D.probability
9.We have never seen such gorgeous hills.
A.beautiful
B.stretching
C.spreading
D.rolling
10.The leaves have been swept into huge heaps.
A.loads
https://www.doczj.com/doc/4e18499166.html,yers
C.pyramids
D.piles
11.The news will horrify everyone.
A.attract
B.terrify
C.tempt
D.excite
12.The article sketched the major events of the decade.
A.described
B.offered
C.outlined
D.presented
13.I won‘t tolerate that kind of behavior.
A.bear
B.receive
C.admit
D.take
14.Their style of playing football is utterly different.
A.barely
B.scarcely
C.hardly
D.totally
15.Her sister urged her to apply for the job.
A.advised
B.caused
C.forced
D.promised
第2部分：阅读判断（第16~22题，第题1分，共7分）
下面的短文后列出了7个句子，请根据短文的内容对每个句子做出判断：如果该句提供的是正确信息，请选择A；如果该句提供的是错误信息，请选择B；如果该句的信息文中没有提及，请选择C。
Scotland:A Land of Wisdom
In the 1740s,the famous French philosopher V oltaire said―We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilization.‖That‘s not a bad advertisement for any country when it comes to attracting people to search for a first-class education.
According to the American author Arthur Herman,the Scots invented the modern world itself.He argues that Scottish thinkers and intellectuals worked out many of the most important ideas on which modern life depends-everything from the scientific method to market economics.Their ideas did not just spread among intellectuals,but to those people in business,government and the sciences who actually shaped the Western world. It all started during the period that historians call the Scottish Enlightenment(启蒙运动),which is usually seen as taking place between the years 1740 and 1800.Before that,philosophy was mainly concemed with religion.For the thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment,the proper study of humanity was mankind itself.
Their reasoning was practical.For the philosopher David Hume,humanity was the right subject for philosophy because we can examine human behavior and so find real evidence of how people think and feel.And from that we can make judgments about the societies we live in and make concrete suggestions about how they can be improved,for universal benefit.
Hume‘s enquiry into the nature of knowledge laid the foundations for the scientific method-the pursuit of truth through experiment.His friend and fellow resident of Edinburgh,Adam Smith,famously applied the study of mankind to the ways in which mankind does business.Trade,he argued,was a form of infrmation.In pursuing our own interests through trading in markets,we all come to benefit each other.
Smith‘s idea ha s dominated modern views of economics.It also has wide applications.He was one of the philosophers to point out that nations can become rich,free and powerful through peace,trade and invention.
Although the Scottish Enlightenment ended a long time ago,the ideas which evolved at that time still underpin(构成……的基础)our theories of human exchange and enquiry.It also exists in Scotland itself in an educational tradition that combines academic excellence with orientation(方向).
16.Scotland is the right place to receive a first-class education.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
17.According to Arthur Herman,the Scots developed many important ideas which modern life depends on.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
18.Philosophers had come to know the importance of studying humanity even before the Scottish Enlightenment took place.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
19.David Hume was the first philosopher to study mankind.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
20.Smith‘s idea has extensive applications.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
21.Our current theories of human exchange and enquiry have nothing to do with the ideas developed during the Scottish Enlightenment.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
22.Smith died in 1800.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
第3部分：概括大意与完成句子（第23~30题，每题1分，共8分）
下面的短文后有2项测试任务：（1）第23~26题要求从所给的6个选项中为第2~5段每段选择1个最佳标题；（2）第27~30题要求从所给的6个选项中为每个句子确定1个最佳选项。
Things to Know about the UK
1From Buckingham Palace to Oxford,the UK is loaded with wonderful icons(标志)of past eras.But it has also modernized with confidence.It‘s now better known for vibrant(充满活力的)cities with great nightlife and attraction.Fashions,fine dining,clubbing,shopping-the UK is among the
world‘s best.
2Most people have strong preconceptions about the British.But if you‘re one of these people,you‘d be wise to abandon those ideas.Visit a nightclub in one of the big cities,a football match,or a good local pub and you might more readily describe the English people as humorous and hospitable.It‘s certainly true that no other country in the world has more bird-watchers,sports supporters,pet owners and gardeners than the UK.
3Getting around England is pretty easy.Budget(廉价的)airlines like Easyjet and Rynnair fly domestically.Trains can deliver you very efficiently from one major city to another.Long distance express buses are called coaches.Where coaches and buses run on the same route,coaches are more expensive (though quicker) than buses.London‘s famous black cabs are excellent but expensive.Minicabs are cheaper competitors,with freelance(个体的)drivers.But usually you need to giv e a call first.London‘s underground is called the Tube.It‘s very convenient and can get you to almost any part of the city.
4The UK is not famous for its food.But you still need to know some of the traditional English foods.The most famous must be fish and chips.The fish and chips are deep fried in flour.English breakfast is something you need to try.It is fried bacon,sausages,fried eggs,black pudding,fried tomatoes,fried bread and baked beans,with toast and a pot of tea.Other things like shepherd‘s pie and Yorkshire pudding are also well-known as a part of English food culture.
5Pubbing and clubbing are the main forms of English nightlife,especially for the young.Pubbing means going to a pub with friends,having drinks,and chatting.Clubbing is different from pubbing and includes going to a pub,or a place of music,or a bar,or any other places to gather with friends.Clubbing can be found https://www.doczj.com/doc/4e18499166.html,ually there is some kind of dress code for clubbing,such as no jeans,no sportswear,or smart clubwear,while pubbing is much more casual.
23.Paragraph 2
24.Paragraph 3
25.Paragraph 4
26.Paragraph 5
AEducation
BPeople
CTransport
DDrinks
EFood
FNightlife
27.The UK is a country that is.
28.The British people are.
29.Coaches in the UK are.
30.Fish and chips are.
Afaster but more expensive than buses
Bboth ancient and modern
Chumorous and hospitable
Dcheap and efficient
Etraditional and famous
Fclever and hardworking
第4部分：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。请根据短文内容，为每题确定1个最佳选项。
第一篇A Debate on the English Language
A measure declaring English the national language is under intense debate in the United States.The US Senate passed two declarations last week.One calls English the nation’s official language and the other says it is the “common and unifying(统一的)”tongue.But Am ericans found themselves divided on the issue.
Since people worldwide know that most Americans speak only English,many can’t understand why the issue is so controversial(有争议的).
“The discussion is related to fears of immigration issues,”says Dick Tucker,a social scientist at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University.“It’s related to a worry about the changing demography(人口统计)of the US.It’s a worry about who will continue to have political and economic influence.”
In fact,the notion of protecting the language h as been kicked around almost since the nation’s founding.John Adams lobbied(游说)in 1780 for the creation of a national academy to correct and improve the English language.But his proposal died,since lawmakers saw it as a royalist(保皇主义者)attempt to define personal behavior.
Since then,the country hasn’t had a national language,but the idea of recognizing the special status of English lived on.
The emotions surrounding language resu**ce(再次浮现)not because people feel comfortable with English.It is more about the discomfort many Americans feel with the new languages,says Walt Wolfram,a professor at North Carolina State University. “Language is never about language,”he says.
According to the 2000 US Census Bureau report,of 209 million Americans over 18 years old,172 million speak only English at home.About 37 million speak languages other than English.Among them,6.5 million speak poor English and 3.1 million don’t speak English at all.
31.What are the two declarations concerned with?
A.The status of the English language.
B.The protection of new languages.
C.The rights to speak one’s mother tongue.
D.The improvement of the English language.
32.Who suggested in the 18th century that English should be protected?
A.Walt Wolfram.
B.John Adams.
C.Royalists.
D.Dick Tucker.
33.Which of the following is the current debate NOT related to?
A.The immigration issues.
B.The changing demography.
C.The worry about the new languages.
D.The US’s military strength.
34.Which statement is true according to the 2000 US Census Bureau report?
A.172 million Americans speak only English in their work places.
B.37 million Americans speak English.
C.209 million Americans are above the age of 18.
D.6.5 million Americans speak good English.
35.The phrase“kicked around”(paragraph 4)could be best repl aced by
A.“invented”.
B.“formed”.
C.“shaped”.
D.“discussed”.
第二篇Kobe Bryant
After 10 seasons wearing the No 8 on his back,Kobe Bryant will become No 24 next season.The reason for the surprising decision by the Los Angeles Lakers super guard last week has become a hot topic for debate.
Bryant wore No 24 when he was in early high school,but he changed to No 33 in his senior year.He switched to No 8 when he was selected by the Lakers in 1996,and has not been changed since.
Bryant has refused to explain the decision until the end of the play-offs(季后赛).So guessing Bryant’s motive has become a popular game among NBA fans and news** columnists(专栏作家).
There are all kinds of speculations.Many say that Bryant wants to leave the past behind and have a fresh start.He has often been criticized for playing to benefit himself and not the team as a whole.Others say that he may be trying to compare himself to Michael Jordan.Jordan was famous for his No 23 jersey(运动衫).Some,such as NBC Sport columnist Michael Ventre,argue that it is“all about money”.Bryant will make more money by selling new jerseys to his fans.
Some speculations are more about fun.For example,there is an opinion that Kobe is actually just a diehard(非常执著的)fan of the popular TV drama “24”.
All this talk has turned the number change into a major issue.It seems that there is a lot of fuss(大惊小怪)over something that should be pretty **.
Jersey numbers have their own special significance in American sports,especially basketball.Players choose their number when they join a team and they usually stick with that number for the rest of their career.When a great player retires,his team will honor him by retiring his number.
To some extent,the jersey is the player,and the player is the jersey.Thus,when you see the famous No 23 for the Chicago Bulls,you immediately think about Michael Jordan.A No 32 Miami Heats jersey recalls the image of Shaquille O’Neal,and the Houston Rockets’ No 11 belongs only to Yao Ming.
Lots of stories are behind players’ jersey number selections.Jordan said that he chose No 23 because it was roughly half of 45.Jordan’s elder brother wore the No 45 in college.Yao Ming once revealed that the No 11 stands for two people in love-meaning him and his girlfriend Ye Li.
36.Which team has Bryant played for?
A.The Los Angeles Lakers.
B.The Houston Rockets.
C.The Chicago Bulls.
D.The Miami Heats.
37.How long has Bryant been wearing No 8?
A.Since he started to play basketball.
B.For ten seasons.
C.Since he entered high school.
D.Since he left the Lakers.
38.Which of the following is NOT a speculation about Bryant’s motive to change his number,according to this passage?
A.He wants to leave his past behind and have a fresh start.
B.He wants to compare himself to Jordan.
C.He wants to earn more money.
D.He wants to show that he is a man of great importance.
39.Why did Jordan choose No 23?
A.Because that number would make him famous.
B.Because that number would make his fans miss him.
C.Because that number was related to the number his brother once wore.
D.Because that number was easy to remember.
40.What does the number Yao Ming chose stand for?
A.Two long legs.
B.Two strong arms.
C.Two people in love.
D.Two big countries.
第三篇Trying to Find a Parther
One of the most striking findings of a recent poll in the UK is that of the people inbterviewed,one in two believes that it is becoming more difficult to meet someone to start a family with.
Why are many finding it increasingly difficult to start and sustain intimate relationships?Does modern life really make it harder to fall in love?Or are we ** it harder for ourselves?
It is certainly the case today that contemporary couples benefit in different ways from relationships.Women no longer rely upon partners for economic security or status.A man doesn’t expect his spouse to be in sole charge of running his household and raising his children.
But perhaps the knowledge that we can live perfectly well without a partnership means that it takes much more to persuade people to abandon their independence.
In theory,finding a partner should be much **r these days.Only a few generations ago,your choice of soulmate (心上人) was constrained(**) by geography,social convention and family tradition.Although it was never explicit,many marriages were essentially arranged.
Now those barriers have been broken down.You can approach a builder or a brain surgeon in any bar in any city on any given evening.When the world is your oyster (牡蛎),you surely have a better chance of finding a pearl.
But it seems that the old conventions have been replaced by an even tighter constraint:the tyranny of choice.
The expectations of partners are inflated(提高) to an unmanageable degree:good looks,impressive salary,kind to grandmother,and right socks.There is no room for error in the first impression.
We think that a re lationship can be perfect.If it isn’t,it is disposable.We work to protect ourselves against future heartache and don’t put in the hard emotional labor needed to build a strong relationship.Of course,this is complicated by realities.The cost of housing and child-rearing creates pressure to have a stable income and career before a life partnership.
41.What does the recent poll show?
A.It is getting more difficult for a woman to find her husband.
B.It is getting increasingly difficult to start a familyl.
C.It is getting more difficult for a man to find his wife.
D.It is getting increasingly difficult to develop an intimate relationship with your spouse.
42.Which of the following is NOT true about a contemporary married couple?
A.The wife doesn’t have to raise the children all by herself.
B.The husband doesn’t have to support the family all by himself.
C.The wife is no longer the only person to manage the household.
D.They will receive a large sum of money from the govemment.
43.Which of the following was NOT a constraint on one’s choice of soulmate in the old days?
A.The health condition of his or her grandmother.
B.The geographical environment.
C.The social convention.
D.The family tradition.
44.Which of the following is NOT expected of a partner according to this passage?
A.Good looks.
B.An impressive career.
C.A high salary.
D.A fine sense of humor.
45.The word“sustain”(paragraph 2)could be best replaced by
A.“reduce”.
B.“shake”.
C.“maintain”.
D.“weaken”.
第5部分：补全短文（第46~50题，每题2分，共10分）
下面的短文有5处空白，短文后有6个句子，其中5个取自短文，请根据短文内容将其分别放回原有位置，以恢复文章原貌。
A Heroic Woman
The whole of the United States cheered its latest hero,Ashley Smith,with the Federal Bureau of lnvestigation saying it was planning to give a big reward to her for having a brave heart and wise mind.
（46）She was moving into her apartment in Atlanta,Georgia early on the morning of March 12,when a man followed her to her door and put a gun to her side.―I started walking to my door,and I felt really,really afraid,‖she said in a TV interview last week.The man w as Brian Nichols,33.He was suspected of killing three people at an Atlanta courthouse(法院)on March 11 and later of killing a federal agent.（47）Nichols tied Smith up with tape,but released her after she repeatedly begged him not to take her life.―I told him if h e hurt me,my little girl wouldn‘t have a mummy,‖she said.In order to calm the man down,she read to him from―The Purpose-Driven Life‖,a best-selling religious book.He asked her to repeat a paragraph―about what you thought your purpose in life was-what tale nts were you given.‖（48）
―I basically just talked to him and tried to gain his trust,‖Smith said.
Smith said she asked Nichols why he chose her.―He said he thought I was an angel sent from God,and we were Christian sister and brogher,‖she said.―And that he was lost,and that God led him to me to tell him that he had hurt a lot of peopole.‖（49）She said Nichols was surprised when she made him breakfast and that the two of them watched television coverage(报道)of the police hunt for him.―I cannot believe that‘s me,‖Nichols told the woman.Then,Nichols asked Smith what she thought he should do.She said,―I think you should turn yourself in.If you don‘t,lots more people are going to get hurt.‖
Eventually,he let her go.（50）A US$60,000 reward had been posted for Nichols‘ capture.Authorities said they did not yet know if Smith would be eligible(有资格的)for that money.
AThe local police were searching for him.
BSmith is a 26-year-old single mother with a daughter.
CSmith tried very hard to kill Nichols.
DShe even cooked breakfast for the man before he allowed her to leave.
EAnd the two of them discussed this topic.
FThen she called the police.
第6部分：完形填空（第51~65题，每题1分，共15分）
下面的短文有15处空白，请根据短文内容为每处空白确定1个最佳选项。
Hitchhiking(搭车旅游)
When I was in my teens(十几岁)and 20s,hitchhiking was a main form of long-distance transport.The kindness or curiosity of strangers（51）me all over Europe,North America,Asia and southern Africa.Some of the lift-givers became friends,many provided hospitality（52）the road.
Not only did you find out much more about a country than（53）traveling by train or plane,but also there was that element of excitement about where you would finish up that night.Hitchhiking featured importantly in Western culture.It has books and songs about it.So what has happened to （54）?
A few years ago,I asked the same question about hitchhiking in a column on a news**.（55）of people from all over the world responded with their view on the state of hitchhiking.
―If there is a hitchhiker‘s （56）it must be lran,‖came one reply.Rural lreland was reco mmended as a friendly place for hitchhiking,（57）was Quebec,Canada-―if you don‘t mind being berated(严厉指责)for not speaking French.‖
But while hitchhiking was clearly still alive and well in many parts of the world,the （58）feeling was that throughout much of the west it was doomed(消亡).
With so much news about crime in the media,people assumed that anyone on the open road without the money for even a bus ticket must present a danger.But do we（59）to be so wary both to hitchhike and to give a lift?
In Poland in the 1960s,（60）a Polish woman who e-mailed me,―the authorities introduced the Hitchhiker‘s Booklet.The booklet contained coupons for drivers,so each time a driver（61）somebody,he or she received a coupon.At the end of the season,（62）who had picked up the most hikers were rewarded with various prizes.Everybody was hitchhiking then.‖
Surely this is a good idea for society.Hitchhiking would increase respect by breaking down（63）between strangers.It would help fight（64）warming by cutting down on fuel consumption as hitchhikers would be using existing fuels.It would also improve eductional standards by delivering instant（65）in geography,history,politics and sociology.
51.A.madeB.tookC.traveledD.crossed
52.A.aboveB.overC.atD.on
53.A.whenB.afterC.beforeD.until
54.A.the booksB.themC.itD.the songs
55.A.HundredsB.HundredC.ThousandD.Dozen
56.A.skyB.spaceC.mapD.heaven
57.A.likeB.asC.forD.since
https://www.doczj.com/doc/4e18499166.html,rgeC.generalD.little
59.A.have toB.mustC.shouldD.need
60.A.according toB.owing toC.due toD.with respect to
61.A.sentB.picked upC.selectedD.brought
62.A.passengersB.hikersC.driversD.strangers
63.A.fencesB.barriersC.gapsD.stones