Is it a tree? Is it a bear? If you’re looking at a tree in the shape of a bear, it’s a topiary(林木雕塑). A topiary is a tree or a bush(灌木) that is trained into a shape. Growing a topiary garden takes both time and skills. 
A topiary gardener should make a drawing first. The drawing shows the final shape that the gardener likes. The gardener then chooses a bush for the topiary. It may be one that just planted or one that is already in place.
In June of the plant’s first year, the gardener looks for new leaves. When the leaves grow, it’s time to shape(给……造型) the bottom of the bush. It needs about five years. The top is not trimmed during this time. In the fifth year, the bush grows tall enough for shaping. Then the gardener begins to shape the whole bush.
Once a topiary has been starte
d, it needs care all year. In the summer it must be cut many times to keep its shape. This cutting also helps the bush grow. In the winter the bushes don’t grow. The gardeners have to brush snow of the plants, or snow may hurt some parts of them.
Topiary gardening is very old art. The Romans did it in the first Century. In the sixteenth century, people in Europe like topiaries too. By the late 1600s, topiaries were also grown in America. Today it’s popular in many parts of the world. Put the following in the right order according to the passage.
a. The gardener chooses a bush for the topiary.
b. The whole bush grows tall enough for shaping.
c. The gardener begins to shape the bottom of the bush.
d. The gardener draws the shape of a topiary.
| A．d→a→b→c | B．b→c→a→d | C．a→d→c→b | D．d→a→c→b |
In which part of the world did the topiary gardening begin first?
| A．In Rome. | B．In Europe. | C．In America. | D．In Africa. |
Saving water is an important part of going green. As water becomes less and polluted more, conservation (保护) becomes more and more important. The less water you use, the less wastewater will end up in our rivers and lakes. Wasting water means that more water needs to be treated and cleaned, a process that requires quite a lot of energy.
As it is said above, cutting down on water usage is one of the most important things you can do for your local environment and the planet as a whole. That is why more green households are going blue: cutting down their water footprint by conserving and harvesting (收获) water.
It may seem like a big concept, but going blue starts with small changes that everyone can make. Something as simple as turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save a lot of water. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than under a tap to save even more. Make sure that the taps are fully turned off every time you step away from the sink or the shower — all those little drips can add up to a lot of water waste.
Another way of reducing your water footprint is reducing your dependence on the main water supply. Rainwater harvesting can meet a lot of your home’s water needs. Many of us already practice rainwater harvesting in a small way. Collecting water from your gutters (檐沟) is a great way to keep your garden green without running the sprinkler (洒水器). The underlined word “green” means ______ in this passage.
| A．未成熟的 | B．环保 | C．嫉妒 | D．健康的 |
According to the passage, which is NOT the reason that people should save water?
| A．Treating wastewater needs much energy. |
| B．The water on the earth is becoming less and less. |
| C．The water on the earth is becoming polluted more. |
| D．Rainwater harvesting can meet a lot of your home’s water needs. |
According to the passage, all of these can be used to save water except ______.
| A．washing fruit and vegetables under a tap |
| B．using a bowl to wash your fruit and vegetables |
| C．making sure taps are fully turned off all the time |
| D．turning off the tap every time after brushing your teeth |
Which of the following is the best title of this passage?
| A．Save Water by Turning off the Tap |
| B．How to Treat and Clean Wastewater |
| C．Keep Your Garden Green with Rainwater |
| D．Save Water Starting with Small Changes |
From the passage, we can know that_____.
| A．we can get enough water by harvesting |
| B．most people pay no attention to saving water |
| C．we can practice rainwater harvesting in a small way |
| D．harvesting water is more necessary than conserving it |
Youth, friendship and love are the main themes of this year’s Chinese movies, such as So Young(《致青春》) and American Dreams in China(《中国合伙人》). Tiny Times(《小时代》), one of the most popular movies this summer, also has the same features.
The movie was based on author and director Guo Jingming’s novel of the same name. It tells a story about four girls who come from different backgrounds and of different personalities. Since it was shown on June 27, Tiny Times has made 483 million yuan at the box office. The sequel(续集) of it was shown on Aug 8 and it has also been a big box office hit.
Cao Yuhan, 13, a high school student at Beijing Jianhua Experimental School, is a big fan of the movie. “I’m deeply touched by their friendship,” Cao said. “When Nan Xiwang is in trouble, the other three girls try their best to help her, even running barefoot in the snow. However, not everyone has had good things to say. The people’s Daily said that the film went too far in encouraging youths to become materialistic(物质至上主义的). Film commentator Raymond Zhou wrote on his online blog that “Buying luxury goods seems as a way to express love or friendship, and the word ‘money’ is repeated over and over again. Song Kexin, 14, a high school student at Zhida Middle School in Taiyuan, Shanxi, shows a typical example of a fan’s attitude(态度). And that’s to look for the positive value. “That movie is a little far from our daily life. My friends and I are not having parties every day,” Song said, “But I admire Tang Wanru’s optimistic attitude. She’s always looking at the bright side of life. I should learn from her.”Which is NOT one of the main themes of this year’s Chinese movies?
| A．Youth | B．Love | C．War | D．Friendship |
According to the article, the movie Tiny Times ________.
| A．is more popular than the other two movies |
| B．was made from Guo Jingming’s novel |
| C．tells about four girls with similar personalities |
| D．opened in Chinese cinemas on August 8 |
What does film commentator Zhou Liming think of the movie?
| A．The four girls’ friendship is touching. |
| B．It encourages the young to work hard. |
| C．It has many advertisements for luxury goods. |
| D．It shows money expresses love or friendship. |
Song Kexin admires Tang Wanru because of Tang’s ________.
| A．optimistic attitude | B．rich family background |
| C．good looks | D．excellent grades at school |
Square Dance ABC is an exciting new way to practice square dancing.
Enjoy a fan, easy beginner’s square dance, with no experience needed.
There are three different dances. The A, B and C dances can be experienced in any order. This is the main difference between Square Dance ABC and the traditional “lesson-based” way. You can do the three beginner’s dances in any order.
Instead of waiting until a class starts once a year, people can start Square Dance ABC any time!
After all three dances (in an order), dancers have learned 22 square dance movements. The next step is the experienced ABC dance, using all 22 movements.
It is easy to convince people to try square dancing any time. Most people that try it will like it. Square Dance ABC will bring lots of opportunities(机会) for fun, fitness and friends!
Come on, we’ll make this project as easy as A-B-C!
If you have questions or comments about this site, please e-mail us at Webmaster@Square Dance ABC.com.Who might be interested in this website?
| A．Kids that are good at drawing. | B．Adults that want to go traveling |
| C．Volunteers that want to teach children | D．People that want to learn to dance. |
If you join the Square Dance ABC, you can _________.
| A．save lots of money for a holiday. |
| B．try square dancing only once |
| C．stay healthy and make lots of friends |
| D．learn the English letters ABC more easily |
The passage is probably ________.
| A．an advertisement by an English club |
| B．an invitation by an English club |
| C．an application by a sports club |
| D．an advertisement by a dance club |
Imagine that you are going on a trip to Ireland. The first three days of your trip are planned below. Read the schedule and use it to answer the questions below.
| Day 1 Morning: Your trip begins in the capital city, Dublin. There you will visit Temple Bar, an area famous for its brightly colored buildings, busy stores and restaurants. Stop by the outdoor market for some cheese and homemade bread. Afternoon: Walk to Dublin Castle(城堡). Visit the Throne Room to see the golden chair where the kings and queens from England once sat. Evening: Watch an Irish step-dance performance. |
| Day 2 Morning: Ride the train to the city of Limerick. Take a tour of King John’s Castle, which has built about 800 years ago. Afternoon: Ride a boat along the River Shannon. Evening: Enjoy a nice Irish meal. |
| Day 3 Morning: Ride the train to the city of Cork. Walk along St. Patrick’s Street, known for its many stores. Feel free to buy souvenirs. Afternoon: Take a bus to nearby Blarney Castle. Climb the tower to see the famous Blarney Stone, which is thought to give those who kiss it good luck. Then return to Cork. Evening: Watch a Gaelic football match. Rest for the next day’s horseback riding lesson. |
Where can the tourists see the golden chair?
| A．At Temple Bar. | B．In Dublin Castle |
| C．On St. Patrick’s Street | D．In Blarney Castle. |
What kind of transportation will the tourists use during the trip?
| A．Train, bus and boat. | B．Bus, train and plane. |
| C．Horse, bus and bike. | D．Boat, car and bus. |
How many days will the trip probably last?
| A．Only one day | B．No more than three days. |
| C．Exactly two days | D．At least four days |
How often one hears children wishing they were grown-ups, and old people wishing they were young again. Each age has its pleasures and its pains(痛苦), and the happiest person is the one who enjoys what each age gives him without wasting his time in useless regrets(后悔).
Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities(责任) to make life difficult. If a child has good parents, he is fed, looked after and loved, whatever he may do. It is impossible that he will ever again in his life be given so much without having to do anything in return. What’s more, life is always giving new things to the child--- things that have lost their interest for older people because they are too well-known. But a child has his pains: he is not so free to do what he wishes to do; he is repeatedly being told not do something or being punished for what he has wrongly done.
When a young man starts to earn his own living, he can no longer expect others to pay for his food, his clothes, and his room, but has to work if he wants to live comfortably. If he spends most of his time playing about in the way he used to as a child, he will go hungry. And if he breaks the laws of society(社会) as he used to break the laws of his parents, he may go to prison. If, however, he worked hard, keeps out of trouble and has good health, he can have the greatest happiness of building up for himself his own position(地位) in society.What is the happiest person according to the passage?
| A．A child who can do whatever he likes. |
| B．An old person who lives in a comfortable life. |
| C．A grown-up who no longer expects other to pay for him. |
| D．A person who never wastes his time in his whole life. |
Which of the following is true, according to the second paragraph?
| A．Life for a child is fairly easy. |
| B．A child is always loved whatever he does. |
| C．If much is given to a child, he must do something in return. |
| D．Only children are interested in life. |
What is the main idea of the passage?
| A．Life is not enjoyable since each age had some pains. |
| B．Young men can have the greatest happiness if they work hard. |
| C．Childhood is the most enjoyable time in one’s life. |
| D．One is the happiest if he can make good use of each age in his life. |
What will the fourth paragraph most probably discuss following this passage?
| A．Examples of successful young men. |
| B．How to build up one’s position in society. |
| C．Joys and pains of old people. |
| D．What to do when one has problems in life. |
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