(Student's sample) Thomas Edison is a famous man I admire. He is a great American inventor. Who invent a lot of important things. He is also businessman who earned a lot of money. The most important thing he invent is the electric light. Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors, who holded a record 1,093 patents in his name. Edison improved the history and invented history. (Improved sample) Thomas Edison is a famous man I admire. As a great American inventor, he invented a lot of important things. He was also a successful businessman who earned a lot of money. His most important inventions include the electric light. Edison is considered as one of the most prolific inventors because he held a record 1,093 patents in his name. I admire Edison because he made history.
Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) Directions:In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1 - 7, mark Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. For questions 8 - 10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.
The Why's of Some Popular Superstitions
Do you carry a lucky penny? Have you ever knocked on wood or crossed your fingers after talking about something pleasant? Do you avoid walking under a ladder? Most of today's superstitious beliefs can be traced back to those of primitive people who had no understanding of the laws of nature. However, there are few people even today who are completely free of superstitious beliefs. So have fun with them and enjoy them, but don't take them seriously. Crossing Your Fingers. Often people cross their fingers when making a wish. They believe this will make the wish come true. This came from the idea that when two lines crossed, the wish was held at the center of the lines until it came to pass, Umbrellas. Will opening an umbrella indoors bring bad luck and disappointments? This superstition began in the Old World many years ago, when umbrellas were made big enough to cover a whole family. When opened indoors, these clumsy, thick things usually hurt someone or broke something in the house. They were bad luck indeed. Walking Under a Ladder. In past centuries walking under ladders was forbidden in some countries. One of the oldest beliefs was that a leaning ladder made a triangle, a symbol of life, with the wall and the floor. Anyone who walked through this sacred triangle would be punished unless counter-charms were used. He might save himself by making a wish or crossing his fingers. In fact, it is sensible to avoid walking under ladders. A ladder can collapse, or a workman's tool resting on it can fall and hit you. Spill Salt. Many superstitions have been built around salt. We now understand the chemical reasons that enable salt to melt snow but help freeze ice cream. But the ancients thought that salt was magic and could perform good or evil. When they discovered that salt could preserve food, they felt it could also protect them. It was believed that spilling salt was a warning from friendly spirits that evil was nearby. The people thought that the good spirits live on the right side of the body and the evil ones on the left. Therefore, early man threw a pinch of salt over his left shoulder to win the favor of the spirits who planned to hurt him. Breaking a Mirror. Some people think that breaking a mirror will mean seven years of hard luck. This started long before mirrors were known, when early man believed that the reflection he saw of himself in a pool of water was his soul, or "other self". This other self would be injured if disturbed in any way. After mirrors were made of glass, breaking one continued to mean bad luck to the other self. About 2,000 years ago, the Romans thought that life renewed itself every seven years. That's why it would take a person that long to recover from such a blow. Sneezes. Your friends are likely to say "God bless you" when you sneeze. In the Near and Far East people may clasp their hands and bow toward you. The custom of asking God's blessing began when early man believed that a person's spirit or soul was in the form of air or breath in the head. A sneeze might expel the spirit for a short time, or even forever, unless God prevented it. The act of bowing toward the sneezer was also counter-magic and meant "May your soul not escape."
1. Today most people have no superstitious beliefs because they understand the laws of nature.
N
文章第二段第二句提到,现在也几乎很少有人能完全不迷信,本题与此不符。
2. To cross your heart when you make a wish will help make the wish come true.
NG
文章第三段中提到,当许愿时把食指与中指交叉能使愿望实现,但没有提到在胸口画十字具有这样的作用。
3. People believed opening an umbrella indoors brought bad luck because in the past, big umbrellas were made for a whole family and if opened indoors, they usually made some trouble.
8. Ancient people felt salt could protect them because ______.
they found that salt could preserve food
文章第六段第五句中可以找到该题答案。
9. It would take a person seven years to recover from the bad luck caused by breaking a mirror because ______.
it was thought that life renewed itself every seven years
文章第七段倒数第二句中可以找到该题答案。
10. If you sneeze, people may ask God's blessing or bow toward you in order to ______.
prevent your soul from escaping
文章最后一段中可以找到该题答案。
Part Ⅲ Listening Comprehension
Section A Directions:In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
A.Both Mike and his twin brother are naughty boys.
B.Both Mike and his twin brother are polite boys.
C.Mike is polite, but his twin brother is rude.
D.Mike is rude, but his twin brother is polite.
A B C D
C
[解析] W: Mike is so nice. I have never seen such a well-mannered boy before. M: Yeah, but what surprises me is that his twin brother is just the opposite. Q: What is true about Mike and his twin brother?
2.
A.$7.
B.$5.
C.$10.
D.$14.
A B C D
C
[解析] W: You mean the red T-shirt is $5 and the black one is 2 dollars more. M: Yes, and the white one is twice as much as the red one. Q: How much is the white T-shirt?
3.
A.The library.
B.The bookstore.
C.The reading room.
D.The classroom.
A B C D
A
[解析] W: What's your plan for this afternoon? M: I will try to renew the book. It's so confusing that I must read it again. Q: Where will the man go in the afternoon?
4.
A.Go to bed early.
B.Go to hospital.
C.Go out for a drink.
D.Go out for dinner.
A B C D
D
[解析] M: Why don't we have dinner at Moon's Kitchen tonight? You know, it's recommended by Epicure. W: I'd like to, but I prefer to go to bed early. I'm so tired. Q: What does the man suggest the woman should do?
5.
A.The man will help his daughter with her homework.
B.The man is very busy.
C.The man is very angry at his daughter's request.
D.The man helps his daughter with her homework every day.
A B C D
B
[解析] W: Would you please help me with my homework today, Daddy? M: If I had time, I would help you every day, darling. Q: What can we learn from this conversation?
[解析] M: Excuse me, do you have the time? You know, my watch says 9:40, but I don't know whether it is slow. W: Yes, and it's 10 minutes slow. Q: What time is it now?
7.
A.Mechanic.
B.Headmaster.
C.Doctor.
D.Lawyer.
A B C D
C
[解析] M: Well, what seems to be wrong with you? W: I've been very busy these days and this morning I had severe headache. Q: What is the man?
8.
A.By bus.
B.To get a lift.
C.By subway.
D.To call a taxi.
A B C D
D
[解析] W. It's so late! The subways and the buses have all stopped. Now how can we get home? M: We have no choice but to call a taxi. Q: How will they go home?
Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
[解析] 19-22 M: So we are agreed on where to go. Now how do we get there? There won't be any point in going to the travel agent until we know exactly what we want. W: OK, then. Well, we can fly, or we can go by coach. M: Hmm. If we go by coach, it will be a lot cheaper. W: Yes, but the plane's much quicker and it's more comfortable. M: What time is the flight? W: Just a minute. It's 7:00 in the morning or ... No, that's the only one that day. M: 7:00! That means we'll have to check in by 5:00 if we want decent seats. And we'll need to leave the house two hours before we check in. If I get up that early, I'll be in a bad mood for the rest of the holiday. W: You'll be able to sleep when we're on the plane. M: What time's the coach? W: 11:00 from the local bus station. M: Well, that settles it. W: But the coach journey takes nearly a day and a half. As soon as we got there, we'd have to think about coming back. M: Oh, you're exaggerating. Flying won't be much faster, if you include the time for checking in and getting to and from the airport. W: Well, I don't agree. If we had two weeks for the holiday, the coach would be all right. But we've only got one week, so I'd rather fly. 19. What will the man and the woman do after they know where to go for a holiday and how to go there?
10.
A.The man thinks that to go by air is more comfortable at first.
B.The man cannot stand getting up before 3:00 in the early morning.
C.The woman holds that to go by coach is a better choice.
D.There are two flights to their destination every day.
A B C D
B
[解析] Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the conversation?
11.
A.The coach is much cheaper.
B.They cannot get good seats on the coach.
C.She is carsick.
D.The coach journey takes too much time.
A B C D
D
[解析] What's the biggest problem with the coach journey according to the woman?
12.
A.One week.
B.Two weeks.
C.A day and a half.
D.Three days.
A B C D
A
[解析] How long is their holiday?
Questions 23 to 25 are bused on the conversation you have just heard.
A.A good restaurant worth going to with some friends.
B.The best Indian restaurant in the town.
C.Whether they should go out of the town to dinner.
D.The reason why the restaurant, Gilbey's, is so expensive.
A B C D
A
[解析] 23-25 W: John, sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if you know of a good restaurant around here. I've got some old friends staying with me at the moment, and we want to go out to dinner. M: Well, let me think. The trouble is there isn't a great deal of choice in town. I mean there're some great restaurants in the country. W: Yeah, but we haven't got a car. M: Well, one of the nicest restaurants I've been to is Gilbey's, which is in the town center. W: It's near the Town Hall, isn't it? M: That's right. It's expensive but it's very refined and classy, you know, quite good food, pleasant atmosphere but I don't know if it's open every evening. W: Well, we'll try that. I'd better give them a ring to find out if they're open. M: But what about Indian food? W: Oh yes, I love Indian. M: Then how about the Golden Palm Leaf? W: That's a great place. The food was OK and the staff were very friendly. It was a bit noisy though. But it's worth going back to. M: What about Gino's? The wine was really excellent. W: Yeah, I've been there, but I didn't rate the food much. It was a bit disappointing. And the service was quite slow. 23. What are the man and the woman talking about?
14.
A.Because she wants to know the prices first.
B.Because she is not sure whether it is open that night.
C.Because the restaurant is very busy and she has to make a reservation.
D.Because she wants to know whether it offers Indian food.
A B C D
B
[解析] Why would the woman like to call Gilbey's before they go there?
15.
A.The food.
B.The noise.
C.The service.
D.Both A and C.
A B C D
D
[解析] What does the woman dislike about Gino's?
Section B Directions:In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage One Question 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
[解析] 26-28 It was two weeks before Christmas, and Mrs Smith was very busy. She bought a lot Of Christmas cards to send to her friends and to her husband's friends. She put them on the table in the living-room. Then, when her husband came home from work, she said to him, "Darling, Christmas is coming. Here are the Christmas cards for our friends, and here are some stamps, a pen and our book of addresses. Will you please write the cards while I am cooking the dinner?" To her surprise, Mr Smith did not say anything, but walked out of the living-room and went to his study. Mrs Smith was very angry with him, but she said nothing and decided to see whether her husband would do as she said after he was back. Then a minute later he came back with a box. Mrs Smith opened it just to find it full of Christmas cards. And all of them had addresses and stamps on them. "These are from last year," her husband said, "I forgot to post them." 26. What did Mrs Smith want her husband to do with the Christmas cards?
2.
A.Because he wanted to have dinner first.
B.Because he lost the book of addresses.
C.Because he came home very late.
D.Because he left the living-room without a word.
A B C D
D
[解析] Why was Mrs Smith angry with her husband?
3.
A.Mr Smith forgot to send the Christmas cards last year.
B.Mr Smith bought Christmas cards for their friends, too.
C.Mrs Smith forgot to send the Christmas cards last year.
D.Their friends sent the Christmas cards to them.
A B C D
A
[解析] Where did the Christmas cards in the box come from?
Passage Two Question 29 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.
[解析] 29-32 There were two high mountains, and on the very top of ,each mountain stood a castle. A dog was running in the valley below. It sniffed along the ground to look for some food. Suddenly, from one castle the trumpet sounded announcing that dinner was ready. At once the dog started running up the mountain to get a little food. But just as it had come halfway, the trumpeter stopped, and a trumpet from the other castle began to blow. Then the dog thought, "They will have finished eating here before I came, but over there they will have just begun." So it went down and ran up the other mountain. But now the trumpet at the first castle started blowing again, whereas the other had stopped. Once more the dog ran down one mountain and up the other. He kept doing this until both trumpeters stopped at last and dinner was over. The dog got no food at all. 29. Where was the dog looking for food?
5.
A.There were two castles on the top of two high mountains.
B.After the trumpet sounded, the dog started running up the mountain to have dinner.
C.The dog ran up the other mountain because it knew that the castle on the first mountain had stopped offering food.
D.The dog kept running down one mountain and up the other several times.
A B C D
C
[解析] Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
6.
A.Because it was late.
B.Because it couldn't decide which castle to go to have dinner.
C.Because the mountains were too high.
D.Because it was too hungry to go to the top of the mountains.
A B C D
B
[解析] Why did the dog fail to get food?
7.
A.We should work hard.
B.If we tire ourselves out, we have to stand our hunger.
C.We should always do things beforehand.
D.Once we make up our mind, we should stick it out.
A B C D
D
[解析] What can we learn from the story?
Passage Three Question 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
[解析] 33-35 The Golden Gate Bridge lies in the beautiful city of San Francisco. Each day, about 100,000 automobiles cross the bridge, taking people to and from the city. More than half of the automobiles cross the bridge during the morning and evening rush hours. With traffic so heavy, the trip is not pleasant. However, there is at least one group of happy people. They are happy because they travel under the bridge instead of on it. They go to work by boat and enjoy it very much. So much that most of them say they will never go by car again. The boat is quiet and comfortable. And the passengers can have breakfast in the morning, and in the evening they can order a drink. If weather permits, they can enjoy the sun on the deck. The boat trip takes only 30 minutes and is not very expensive. And moreover, it seems to make people feel more friendly toward each other. Yet not everyone is happy about the trip. They feel that half an hour is just too short to relax. 33. How many automobiles cross the bridge during the morning and evening rush hours?
9.
A.They can avoid the rush hours.
B.They can avoid crossing the bridge.
C.They can take the boat instead of the car.
D.They can take the plane instead of the car.
A B C D
C
[解析] How can people have a happy trip with the heavy traffic?
10.
A.Because they prefer to travel by car.
B.Because they feel the boat trip is too expensive.
C.Because they cannot enjoy the sun on the deck.
D.Because they feel the boat trip is too short.
A B C D
D
[解析] Why aren't some people happy about the trip?
Section C Directions:In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written. There are several ways you can find out about the countries and places you wish to visit. You can talk to friends who have 1 to the places. Or you can read travel books. It would 2 that there are three kinds of travel books. The first are those that give a 3 , subjective account of travels which the author has actually made himself. If they are 4 and have a good index then they can be useful when you are 5 your travels. The second kind are those books 6 purpose is to give a purely objective description of things to be done and seen. If a 7 , cultured person has written such a book then it is even more useful. It can be classified 8 a selective guide book. The third kind are those books which are called "a guide" to some place or other. Their primary function is to assist the reader who 9 . If they are good, they will, in addition to their factual information, give an analysis or an interpretation. Like the first kind they can be inspiring and entertaining. 10 that it does not describe everything as "marvelous", "fabulous" or "magical". You must also note its date of publication because travel is a very practical affair and 11 . Finally, you should make sure that the contents are well presented and easy to find.
[解析] 36-46 There are several ways you can find out about the countries and places you wish to visit. You can talk to friends who have (36) traveled to the places. Or you can read travel books. It would (37) seem that there are three kinds of travel books. The first are those that give a (38) personal, subjective account of travels which the author has actually made himself. If they are (39) informative and have a good index then they can be useful when you are (40) planning your travels. The second kind are those books (41) whose purpose is to give a purely objective description of things to be done and seen. If a (42) well-read, cultured person has written such a book then it is even more useful. It can be classified (43) as a selective guide book. The third kind are those books which are called "a guide" to some place or other. Their primary function is to assist the reader who (44) wishes to plan in the most practical way. If they are good, they will, in addition to their factual information, give an analysis or an interpretation. Like the first kind they can be inspiring and entertaining. (45) Whatever kind of travel book you choose you must make sure that it does not describe everything as "marvelous", "fabulous" or "magical". You must also note its date of publication because travel is a very practical affair and (46) many things change quickly in the twentieth century. Finally, you should make sure that the contents are well presented and easy to find.
2.
seem
3.
personal
4.
informative
5.
planning
6.
whose
7.
well-read
8.
as
9.
wishes to plan in the most practical way
10.
Whatever kind of travel book you choose you must ma ke sure
11.
many things change quickly in the twentieth century
Part Ⅳ Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)
Section A Directions:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. The traditional American Thanksgiving Day celebration goes back to 1621. In that year a special feast was prepared in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The colonists who had 1 there had left England because they felt denied of 2 freedom. They came to the new land and faced difficulties in coming across the ocean. The ship which carried them was called Mayflower. The North Atlantic was difficult to travel. There were bad storms. They were assisted in 3 to live in the new land by the Indians who inhabited the region. The Puritans, as they were, had much to be 4 for. Their religious practices were no longer a 5 of criticism by the government. They learned to 6 their farming habits to the climate and soil. When they selected the 4th Thursday of November 7 their Thanksgiving celebration, they invited their neighbors, the Indians, to join them in dinner and a prayer of 8 for the new life. They recalled the group of 102 men, women and children who left England. And they remembered the dead who did not live to see the 9 of Massachusetts. They reflected 10 the 65 days' journey which tested their strength.
A. thankful I) source B. have J) attempt C. on K) for D. learning L) congratulant E. bank M) adjust F. settled N) shores G. gratitude O) religious H) to
Section B Directions:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One Most Americans would agree, one of the United States' most pressing social problems is the breakdown of the two-parent family. Today, millions of American children grow up without fathers, often in poverty. Too often, these children lack the love and guidance they desperately need -- and which they would ordinarily receive from two responsible parents. Traditionally, American parents have placed the needs of their children above their own, often delaying their own gratification (享受) or sacrificing material comforts in the interests of their children's future. At present, however, nearly one half of all new marriages end in divorce, with often troubling consequences for the children involved. Worse, every year, thousands of teenage, unmarried Americans become mothers outside the context of wedlock (婚姻) altogether, with generally disastrous results for the mothers and children alike and for American society more generally. In refreshing contrast, Chinese continue to value intact marriages. This is not to say that Chinese marriages are all perfect -- they certainly are not, judging from increasing rates of divorce and extramarital (婚外的) affairs -- but the willingness of Chinese to set aside their own needs and stay together for the sake of the children is admirable and worthy of study.
1. The passage is mainly concerned with ______.
A.The breakdown of the two-parent family in the United States
B.The Chinese marriage is a good example for Americans
C.The influence of divorce over children
D.The necessity for parents to place the needs of their children above their own
3. According to the author, parents should ______.
A.give their children love and guidance
B.sacrifice everything for their children
C.never divorce if they have children
D.avoid troubling their children if they want to divorce
A B C D
A
细节题。见本文第三行these children lack…from two responsible parents(这些孩子缺少他们极度需要的、本应从负责的父母那儿能得到的爱和指引)。因此,作者认为“父母应该给予孩子爱和指导”,A项为正确选择。
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Now American parents place their own needs above their children's.
B.Unmarried mothers have to bring up their children in poverty.
C.Divorce rate in the United States has reached 50%.
D.Chinese marriages are worth studying because Chinese parents place the needs of their children above their own.
A B C D
D
细节题。见本文最后一句the willingness of Chinese…is admirable and worthy of study(中国人把自己的需要放在一边,为了孩子情愿维持家庭,值得赞赏和学习)。由此可知,根据本文,正确的说法是D项“因为中国父母置孩子的需要于自身需要之上,中国人的婚姻值得学习”。
Passage Two Fengshui is the ancient Chinese study of the energy of a place, and the art of creating harmony and balance in both your living and working environment. The origins of fengshui, which literally means "wind and water", go back at least 4,000 years in Chinese history. Its foundation was and still is the understanding that the arrangement of our surroundings exerts a powerful influence upon the well-being of our lives. Today it is rarely possible to have the perfect setting for a building because of existing planning coupled with the impact of less than ideal urban living. However, fengshui's ancient philosophy is currently having a strong influence on design and decor (装饰,装潢) trends towards uncluttered surroundings and harmonious living. We have all experienced feeling an atmosphere -- good or bad -- as soon as we walk into a building. The fengshui of any place is a significant part of that feeling. When we relate comfortably to our environment we feel more balanced and positive so we are better able to harness positive outcomes. Living in harmony with the supportive natural forces of our surroundings is fundamental fengshui wisdom. To achieve this Fengshui Living follows the authentic classical methods of the ancient Chinese Masters, applying them to today's busy modern environment.
1. What is the passage mainly concerned with?
A.Ancient fengshui wisdom.
B.Fengshui and its influence upon the environment.
C.The perfect setting for a building.
D.The authentic classical methods of the ancient Chinese Masters.
2. The author mentions ______ as the reason(s) for imperfect setting for a building.
A.existing planning
B.busy modern environment
C.the impact of less than ideal urban living
D.A and C
A B C D
D
细节题。见本文第二段第一句Today it is rarely possible…less than ideal urban living(现在由于现有布局以及不理想的城市生存空间的影响,对建筑物来说,几乎不可能有完美的环境)。由此可知,作者认为对建筑物来说没有完美环境的原因包括“现有布局”和“不理想的城市生存空间的影响”,D项为正确选择。
3. The word "uncluttered" (Line 4, Para. 2) could best be replaced by ______.
A.dirty
B.social
C.tidy
D.unpleasant
A B C D
C
词义推断题。在第二段的fengshui's ancient philosophy…uncluttered surroundings and harmonious living(目前,风水的古代哲学对更重视整洁环境和 和谐生活的设计装潢趋势有着很大的影响)。这句句子中,根据上下文,uncluttered的含义最接近C项“整洁的”。
4. Where do modern design, decor trends and ancient fengshui wisdom come to an agreement?
A.Balanced and positive feeling.
B.Supportive natural forces.
C.Living in harmony.
D.How to harness positive outcomes.
A B C D
C
细节题。根据本文第二段fengshui's ancient philosophy…uncluttered surroundings and harmonious living以及Living in harmony…fengshui wisdom(与环境中对我们有益的自然力量和谐生存是风水智慧的基础).现代设计装潢趋势和古代风水智慧的相通之处在于C项“和谐生活”。
Part Ⅴ Error Correction Directions:This part consists of a short passage. In this passage, there are altogether 10 mistakes, one in each numbered line. You may have to change a word, add a word or delete a word. Mark out the mistakes and put the corrections in the blanks provided. If you change a word, cross it out and write the correct word in the corresponding blank. If you add a word, put an insertion mark (Λ) in the right place and write the missing word in the blank. If you delete a word, cross it out and put a slash (/) in the blank. When does history begin? It is tempting to reply "in the beginning", but like many obvious answers, this is turned out to be unhelpful soon. As a 67. ______ great Swiss historian once points out in another connection, history is the 68. ______ one subject where you cannot begin at the beginning. If we want to, we can trace the chain of human descent back to the appear of vertebrates 69. ______ (脊椎动物), or even to the photosynthetic (光合的) cells which lie at the start of life itself. We can go back further still, to almost unimaginably 70. ______ upheavals (剧变) which formed this planet and even to the origins of universe. Yet this is not "history". 71. ______ Commonsense helps here: history is the story of mankind, what it has 72. ______ done, suffered or enjoyed. We all know that dogs and cats do not have histories, so human beings do. Even when historians write about a natural 73. ______ process beyond human control, such as the ups and down of climate, or 74. ______ the spread of disease, they do so only because it helps us to understand why men and women have lived (and died) in some ways rather than others. This suggests that all what we have to do is to identify the 75. ______ moment which the first human beings step out from the shadows of the 76. ______ remote past.