Nowadays everybody seems to think that they know English. Many people speak it but few speak it really well. Practice is necessary in speaking English well.
Reading is also one of the things that will help you to speak English better. Read whenever you can and whatever you like! Read papers and Internet sites that you like in English every day. Then, you will see that the number of known words is increasing and you are able to speak with more skills. Then you will have made the foundations（基础）and a good basis of English. It is not good to stop and get stuck there.
Going to England or an English speaking country is a good choice, but many people cannot afford it. If you cannot go, reading and speaking with your friends will also help you to practice your English. However, I think that it is very good to visit some English speaking country to see and test your knowledge in everyday life. You will feel the everyday usage of the language in its natural environment. There your level of English is going to improve even faster. Your ability to speak English is better. Nothing can match the excitement and happiness when a native speaker tells you that your English is very good!
Finally, in order to speak English well, you must be persistent（坚持的）and do it every day. It is like playing the piano. Pianists play it every day and so should you. Include English in your life and you will see where it is going. Practice, practice! Read, write and improve your language skills and you are on your way when you will be able to speak it with more and more confidence! Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
| A．How to Improve Your Language Skills | B．How to Speak English Well |
| C．Speaking English | D．Practice, Practice |
What does the writer suggest doing about reading?
| A．Trying to improve your vocabulary. |
| B．Keeping on reading when you have time. |
| C．Stopping when you have a good basis of English. |
| D．Looking up every unknown word when reading. |
In the writer’s eyes, the essential way to improve your speaking skills is .
| A．practicing | B．going abroad |
| C．reading | D．writing |
According to the passage, what may make the author excited?
| A．Reading papers and Internet sites. | B．Having a good basis of English. |
| C．Going to an English speaking country. | D．A native speaker’s praise. |
The uninvolved dad, turning up his nose at diapering(换尿布) and too busy to bathe, dress and play with his kids, is mostly a myth(神话) , a big government survey suggests. Most American fathers say they are heavily involved in hands-on parenting, the researchers found.
The results are encouraging and important " because others have found the more involved dads are, the better the outcomes for their children. " said researcher Jo Jones of the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control Prevention. She co-authored the report released Friday.
"Times have changed," said Robert Loftus, 34, of Yonkers, NY. He quit a six-figure sales job a year ago to care for his two young children while his wife works full time. "We are trying to rethink our priorities (优先考虑的事) and family seem to be N0 1 priority while in the past maybe people were more focused on career. "
The study involved nearly 4.000 fathers who were interviewed in person between 2009 and 2013.
◇Key findings among fathers living with children younger than 5 :
*9 in 10 bathed, diapered, helped them use the toilet or get dressed at least several times weekly .
* Even higher numbers played with them and ate meals with them that often
* Almost 2 0ut of 3 read to them at least several times weekly.
◇Among dads living with kids aged 5-18.
* More than 9 0ut of 10 ate meals with them at least several times weekly and talked with them about what happened during the kids' day that often.
* Almost 2 0ut of 3 helped with homework several times weekly.
* About half took their kids to or from activities that often.
Dr. David Hill, a Wilmington, N. C. pediatrician (儿科医生) said the survey reflects what he's seen among his patients' fathers. Increasingly, fathers rather than mothers take their kids to the doctor. Some "are anxious about changing a diaper, " he said.
Census(调查) numbers show that there were almost 190,000 stay-at-home dads nationwide last year versus 93,000 in 2010. Loftus, the New York stay-at-home dad, said, "I feel fortunate to be able to be such a hands-on father. I'm doing the most significant occupation in the world. "What can we learn about the research?
| A．It aimed to study fathers' influence on kids. |
| B．It showed most fathers often helped kids learn. |
| C．It found most fathers played with kids every day. |
| D． It mainly surveyed fathers' living with young kids. |
According to the text, Robert Loftus would agree that______.
| A．time is important for success |
| B．it is harder to find a job than before |
| C．family is more important than work |
| D． today's people are under much pressure |
Dr David Hill seems to consider the findings of the report ______ .
| A．surprising | B．misleading |
| C．convincing | D．unimportant |
What can we learn from Loftus' s words in the last paragraph?
| A．He is proud of his efforts. |
| B．He prefers to work full time. |
| C． He needs his wife' s support very much. |
| D．He finds it hard to be a stay-at-home dad. |
Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
| A．More stay-at-home dads in America |
| B．Parents spend more time with children . |
| C．The importance of family for Americans |
| D．American dads more involved in parenting |
Dear Mr. Plant,
I am an enthusiastic camper and longtime X-Ports customer, but after being offended（冒犯）for the third time at your Sierra Vista location, I am writing to complain about your impolite employees.
Several months ago ,I bought a tent that leaked（漏）the first time I used it and wanted it replaced . When I took it back, your employees accused me of tearing it myself. I left not only withm1, torn tent, but no refund(退款) and no satisfaction.
A couple of weeks ago , I bought a sleeping bag that was supposed to sleep two people comfort-ably. It didn't. Your employees refused to give me my money back even though I had the receipt. I was asked to leave the store, again with no satisfaction.
To my misfortune, my latest purchase(购买), of a piece of camping equipment at your store proyed to be another disappointment. The propane (丙烷) camp stove I bought didn't work properly. When I returned to exchange it, the rude clerk refused to help me because I did not have my sales receipt. It was an even exchange! He said that I was a problem and even asked if I had seen what products I-could purchase at one of your competitor's stores at comparable prices. Was he accusing me of something? Why would I have brought a receipt for an even exchange? Why would I know the price at other stores?
Furthermore, the clerk called security and forced me to leave your store-without my camp stove! How can I go camping now? The tent leaks, the sleeping bag is just wrong, and I don't have a stove to keep warm ! Who is going to refund my money for my stove? Who is going to help me get over the abuse I suffered in your store?
You, as the area manager must clear these matters up for me immediately! I am sending copies of this letter to your main office and the Sierra Vista Store.
Sincerely ,
Ima KumpaneeWhat was Ima' s proposed solution for the problem with the tent?
| A．To have it replaced. |
| B．To have it repaired. |
| C．To get a refund for it. |
| D．To get their apology. |
The clerk didn' t want to exchange the stove for Ima because_____.
| A．the clerk was offended |
| B．Ima destroyed it herself |
| C． Ima didn' t have the receipt |
| D．the clerk had given Ima the refund |
What was Ima' s attitude towards the purchase?
| A．Doubtful. | B．Surprised. |
| C．Dissatisfied. | D．Uninterested |
The letter is organized in order of ______.
| A．complexity | B．importance |
| C．space | D．time |
The letter was written to______.
| A．apply for a job in the store |
| B．complain about poor service |
| C．introduce some camping equipment |
| D．provide someone with information |
News 1
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday delivered a speech at a gathering marking the 15th anniversary of Macao’s return to China. He stressed the importance to strengthen the future-oriented education and upbringing of the young people in Macao, which was striving to address the shortage of human resources.
“We need to strengthen the education and upbringing of young people to ensure that fine tradition of loving the motherland and loving Macao will be carried forward from one generation to another and that the cause of ‘one country, two systems’ will be continuously advanced,” he said.
News 2
China has already built the largest high-speed rail network in the world, and leads especially in making high-speed trains, most of the rail makers are focusing more on enhancing innovation with a view to develop “China-designed” high-speed trains and to transfer technology to overseas countries.
China’s railway investment during the first 10 months of this year rose 37 percent from a year ago to 590 billion yuan, according to the country’s top economic planner.
News 3
Halloween is becoming the third-biggest imported festival after Christmas and Valentine’s Day in China.
As the festival approaches, lots of malls and theme parks have taken the card of “ghost”. All kinds of scary designs and various pumpkin shapes have pushed the festival atmosphere to its prime.
Many themes parks have planned “Halloween night”. In recent years, these kinds of activities have attracted more and more young people.
News 4
Li Yifeng is probably the most sought-after celebrity right now. Since the actor shot to fame with TV series Legend of the Ancient Sword （《古剑奇谭》）, he has been offered the opportunity to participate in a variety of movies and programs. And as the New Year is approaching, Hunan TV, Dragon TV, Zhejiang TV and Jiangsu TV are all fighting to get Li at their New Year gala. However, Li’s representative revealed that Li is sure to appear in Hunan TV’s gala. No plan has been made for Li to take the stage on Dragon TV.In President Xi’s speech, he mainly talked about ________.
| A．the shortage of human resources |
| B．the cause of “one country, two systems” |
| C．the tradition of loving the motherland |
| D．the education of the young people in Macao |
News 2 is likely to be about ________.
| A．politics | B．economy | C．culture | D．entertainment |
Which is the best title for News 3?
| A．The Activities of Halloween |
| B．The Designs of Halloween |
| C．Halloween Night in Theme Parks |
| D．Halloween Gains Popularity in China |
What can we learn from News 4?
| A．Li Yifeng is famous for acting in a TV series. |
| B．Li Yifeng has played leading roles in many films. |
| C．Dragon TV got the chance to interview Li Yifeng. |
| D．Li Yifeng is likely to appear in Zhejiang TV’s gala. |
This might not sound so extraordinary, but I didn’t just read a book in print, on an e-reader or even on a mobile phone. Instead, I read a book on dozens of devices(设备). I was not trying to set a Guinness world record. I wanted to answer a question I often hear: which e-reader or tablet（平板）is the best for reading books? So I set out to try them all, reading a chapter on each: the Amazon Kindle, the first and second generation Apple iPads and mobile phones. To be fair, I also read a chapter in that old-fashioned form — an old print paperback.
The book I chose was The Alienist. For the first chapter, I turned to an Amazon Kindle. Shopping on Amazon for the Kindle is simple; you go to Amazon’s Web site and buy the book, which is then sent to any devices with Kindle software installed(安装). Reading on the Amazon Kindle is a joy in many aspects. The Kindle is light．Its six-inch screen is the perfect size for reading, and reading on its black and white E Ink display doesn’t harm your eyes. Battery life is outstanding; on average you charge the device only once a month. My only complaint with the Kindle design is the placement of the keyboard at the bottom of the device. Amazon’s CEO has noted during past product announcements that the keyboard is there to help people take notes or search. But to me，it seems like a waste of space.
Despite the small screen on a mobile phone, I find reading on one to be simple and satisfactory. All of the mobile phones on which I read chapters felt somewhat similar; although screen brightness and the size of the phone’s screen did vary.
If I had wanted to, I could have bought my book through dozens of e-book apps (应用程序) in the Apple App Store. Most are free and offer access to thousands of free e-books or paid versions. But the big downside for many is that you can read them only on Apple devices. Both iPads 1＆2 offer an immersive（沉浸式）reading experience. I found myself jumping back and forth between my book and the Web, looking up old facts and pictures of New York City. I also found myself being sucked into the wormhole of the Internet and a few games of Angry Birds rather than reading my book. For the last chapters of the book, I read the paperback, which is still my favourite choice.
Since we are comparing devices so I guess I need to choose one. In the end it might come down to Kindle. But if money is tight, go for print. My used paperback cost only＄4 from Amazon.If the writer were short of money, he would prefer ______.
| A．a print paperback | B．an Apple iPad |
| C．a mobile phone | D．an Amazon Kindle |
According to the passage, which of the following statements on the Amazon Kindle is NOT TRUE?
| A．Its battery can last for a long time. |
| B．Its keyboard is kept in the proper position. |
| C．It is easy to carry and the screen size is proper. |
| D．It is comfortable for eyes because of its E Ink display. |
A possible customer would not buy iPads 1 & 2 for reading because ______.
| A．most e-book apps must be downloaded first |
| B．only paid-version e-books can be read on it |
| C．much information is lost at times when reading |
| D．attention is easily taken away when reading on it |
The passage is developed in the form of ______.
If your family is thinking of getting a pet, consider adopting from an animal shelter. Animal shelters are full of dogs, cats, rabbits, and more animals, all in need of loving homes. Some may come with emotional or behavioral issues, but most are happy, healthy, and ready for a loving home. Here are some tips for you to find great animals.
Make some decision.
Think about what you want in a pet and remember that all pets have different personalities. Cats tend to be more independent and need less affection, but kittens need lots of attention. Cats don’t need to be walked, but you need to clip their nails and play with them. Dogs need to be walked at the very least twice a day. However, they are usually great companions and love to spend time with their family.
Visit the shelter.
Set aside at least a few hours to visit shelters in your area—remember that you may need to visit more than one visit. Try to bring along everyone who will be living with a new pet. Ask the shelter staff lots of questions. And never adopt an animal because you feel sorry for it—be patient so you find a pet who is truly a good match for your family.
Get everything ready.
Buy all necessary supplies and food well before the animal comes home. Make sure that the entire household is in agreement about rules and responsibilities—will the dog be allowed on the couch? Who will clean the litter box? Put it in writing before the pet arrives.
Bring your new friend home!
You’ll probably be excited when your new pet arrives, but be sure to give them space and time to get adjusted to a new home and a new family. The pet may act differently once they leave the shelter. Interact（交流）with your pet a lot and get them used to a routine, and soon you’ll be one big happy family !Which of the following is the first important factor should be considered when adopting a pet?
| A．Think twice about the adoption. |
| B．Get detailed information about the pets. |
| C．Make full preparations for the coming pet. |
| D．Try to make the pet your family member. |
According to the article, which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．Both cats and dogs need walking and attention. |
| B．Both cats and dogs are human’s good partners. |
| C．All the animals in the shelter are in good condition. |
| D．It’s necessary to talk a lot with your new pets every day. |
Before a new pet comes home, we’d better ______.
| A．show concern for the animals |
| B．set down an agreement on paper |
| C．bring all the members to visit the shelter |
| D．get it adjusted to a new environment immediately |
The article is most likely intended for ______.
| A．animal shelters | B．shelter staff |
| C．pet lovers | D．pet protectors |
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