第三部分：阅读理解 (共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分)

Foreign Media Praise China's Earthquake Relief

The Wall Street Journal Asia Edition (U.S.), the Globe and Mail (Canada), the Guardian (U.K.), among other foreign news agencies, have recently published articles on China's earthquake relief. They have all praised the earthquake relief efforts made by the Chinese government.

The Wall Street Journal Asia Edition published an article on May 21 saying that on the eighth day of the most serious natural disaster to hit China in decades, rescuing survivors from the ruins had been quickly replaced by the formidable challenge of helping them. The article said that people overseas have been deeply impressed by earthquake relief efforts by the Chinese government.

The Associated French Press (AFP) reported on May 21 that China has become more open amid the campaign.

Aircraft loaded with relief supplies from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, Singapore and other countries have arrived in disaster areas in southwestern China.

The Associated Press (AP) published an article on May 21 reporting that China is making great efforts to deal with a formidable task caused by the earthquake how to provide temporary shelter for so many people. The article said that many tents have been built; and food and medical care are provided to the people whose lives have been completely disrupted (混乱) by the earthquake.

The Global and Mail of Canada published an article on May 20 that said the rapid earthquake relief work in Sichuan demonstrates China's powerful economic strength.

An article carried in the British Guardian said that one week after the Sichuan earthquake, China began a three-day national mourning period at 14:28 on May19, and all Chinese people stood in silence for three minutes in memory of the victims.

The ongoing search and rescue action is encouraged by one miraculous survivor after another. Chinese officials said that, so far, no epidemic had occurred after the earthquake.

1. How many press media are mentioned in the article?

A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6

2. What is the best title of the passage?

A. Foreign media praise China's earthquake relief

B. the rapid earthquake relief work in Sichuan demonstrates China's powerful

economic strength

C. the most serious natural disaster to hit China in decades

D. Tens of thousands of people’s lives have been completely disrupted by the

earthquake.

3. According to the passage, what is the most pressing task in the earthquake-hit areas?

A. rescuing survivors

B. providing temporary shelter and food for the victims

C burying dead bodies

D. clearing away the ruins

4. What is the possible meaning of the underlined word  “formidable” in paragraph 4?

A. very difficult     B. glorious     C. light   D. pressing