(B)

　　The Koran

　　Most religions have some kind of holy text on which the religious beliefs are based. For Christians this text is the Holy Bible; for Jews it is the Torah and for Muslims it is the Koran.

　　Muslims believe that the Koran (33)________(consist) of revelations from God to Muhammad during the years 610 to 632 when Muhammad died. These revelations were written down by those (34)________ were close to him during this time and for several years after his death. They were gathered into the text (35)________(know) as the Koran during the years 630 to 650.

　　The interpretation of the Koran has always been a difficult task, even for Islamic scholars. For example, the meanings of some words are determined by dots above the vowels(元音). In ancient Arabic, however, very often these dots (36)________(omit). As a result some letters looked identical. Thus, the meanings of these words depended in many cases (37)________ the memories of the men who had written them. Early Muslims had to try to get the exact meanings of the words (38)________ these people died and it was too late.

　　Unlike the Bible, in which the events are provided in time order, there is no reference to (39)________ things occurred in the Koran. In any case, unlike the Bible, most the suras - sections - are composed of orders and warnings. Unlike in the Bible, there are very few stories in the Koran.

　　Muslims believe that by (40)________(recite) the book, they create a holy atmosphere, and there are many Muslims who have learned the Koran by heart.

　　Section B

　　Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

　　A. accommodate B. alternative C. boast D. budget E. elimination F. enclosed

　　G. maintaining H. possessions I. regulate J. tempting K. unaccompanied

　　When young people begin to live independently, home-hunting can involve some stress. But they would do well to remember that a new _____41_____ is available - micro-homes.

　　Fondly called ‘tiny houses,’ these houses have all living necessities in a small package, including kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Generally under 50 square meters, most tiny houses _____42_____ just one or two people though some claim the space for more. What’s lost in size is not lost in design as these homes are often quite unique and modern in design.

　　Besides an attractive appearance, tiny houses can also _____43_____ unique practical features. Making the best of urban space, the 72-to 122-centimeter-wide Keret House in Warsaw, the world’s narrowest home, filled in an alley(小巷). The sample home Ecocapsule uses solar power, wind power and rainwater collection to enable its owner to live practically anywhere. A system of rails allows the DALE micro-home to _____44_____ room size and number as well as adding the option of an open or _____45_____ courtyard.

　　As visually _____46_____ as micro-homes are, there are a few disadvantages to consider before getting comfortable on a minicouch. Moving into a tiny house requires the _____47_____ of most non-essentials, no matter the emotional connection to them. Guests will also mostly be out of the question as the limited space may even cause a(n) _____48_____ individual to experience some cabin fever. And finally, a micro-home is likely a temporary living option for most people since they will probably start families and acquire more _____49_____.

　　Though the limitation will scare some, there is usually a benefit. A small size results in a small price tag and small bills, making tiny houses easier to save up for and _____50_____. And though you won’t have much stuff around the house, this can provide the comfort of simple living and maintenance. Micro-homes are also practically mobile and claim eco-friendliness that can’t be matched by other homes. They probably aren’t for everyone or forever, but when it comes to your next (or first) home, they could be just what you need.

　　III. Reading Comprehension(47')

　　Section A(15')

　　Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.

　　At 1:30 p.m. on March 31, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. stepped from a crowd of onlookers and tried to kill Ronald Reagan, the president of the United States. Although he failed, he did cause injury to the president. The crime was committed in clear view of many people. _____51_____, at the end of his trial, Hinckley was found not _____52_____ by reason of insanity(精神失常). Instead of prison, Hinckley was sent to a mental hospital, where he remains.

　　The judgment in Hinckley’s case did more than annoy a few people. It _____53_____ a nationwide debate about whether people accused of a crime can claim they were insane when they did it. If they were capable of _____54_____ and then committing a crime, how could they later claim to have been insane? One starting point is to identify what insane means in a U.S. court of law.

　　Very young children cannot be _____55_____ if they do not know right from wrong, because they cannot be held morally responsible for their actions. For most people, moral responsibility comes with age and maturity. Psychologists, however, say that there are some adults who cannot recognize right from wrong. Since these adults cannot tell the _____56_____, they should not be held morally responsible for their actions. In a U.S. court of law, an adult like this may be considered insane. Hinckley was judged insane because _____57_____ determined that his mind was not functioning like a(n) _____58_____ adult’s so he had no idea what he was doing. Instead of spending the rest of his life in prison, Hinckley would be committed to a mental hospital, where he could be treated for his illness.

　　People who are against the use of an insanity defense say that criminals like Hinckley do know what they are doing. _____59_____ of the insanity defense say that everyone who commits a serous crime like Hinckley’s could be said to be mentally ill. Otherwise, the person would not commit the crime _____60_____. There are many people who struggle with severe mental illness who do not commit crimes. The illnesses should not be used as a(n) _____61_____ for violent behavior.

　　People who _____62_____ the insanity defense believe that mental illnesses are not always treatable. Psychologists have been able to detect patterns of behavior. These mental detectives have _____63_____ evidence that a person can be insane but seem normal. Hinckley and others with _____64_____ conditions suffer from delusions(错觉). Even though people with delusions may seem normal, the world does not appear to them as it does to other people. Therefore, experts say, such people cannot be held to the rules of behavior other people are held to. Their punishments should be _____65_____.

　　51. A. Therefore B. However C. Otherwise D. Moreover

　　52. A. hurt B. healthy C. safe D. guilty

　　53. A. kicked off B. cleared up C. let out D. put away

　　54. A. confessing B. starting C. planning D. discovering

　　55. A. sentenced B. punished C. annoyed D. defended

　　56. A. insanity B. truth C. responsibility D. difference

　　57. A. judges B. psychologists C. experts D. detectives

　　58. A. mature B. independent C. normal D. capable

　　59. A. Opponents B. Onlookers C. Victims D. Researchers

　　60. A. on the contrary B. by this means C. in the first place D. at the same time

　　61. A. example B. excuse C. defense D. idea

　　62. A. study B. refuse C. transform D. support

　　63. A. destroyed B. compared C. examined D. gathered

　　64. A. realistic B. ordinary C. similar D. treatable

　　65. A. severe B. negotiable C. acceptable D. legal