Going back to school is a very exciting event for my two boys. It means getting new school bags and books, and seeing friends again after the summer holiday.
My oldest son, 9-year-old Salem, asked me several times where we would go to buy a backpack, while my other son, 6-year-old Abdullah, asked what school would be like this year.
For the last three years, school was a nightmare for many children and their parents as violence increased and there were more attacks on schools and teachers. As a result, many parents prevented their children from going to school. One of six children in this country did not attend primary school in 2009. Many kids who did attend school were accompanied by a parent for the entire day to make sure nothing happened to their children.
For poor families or those with large families, back to school can be an expensive time. The government gives some help to those living in poor neighborhoods, and school bags, note books and other items(商品) are given for free.
Most of the merchants who sell notebooks and pens now sell their products out on the street instead of in stores. They sit on the ground and lay their items on the ground or they have a small table to sell their goods.
The bags cost between $10 and $20, while clothes and shoes cost between $20 and $30. I found all the things I needed for my sons and even bought something for myself. I spent about $50 on each of them, including school uniforms.
At the end of the day, we returned to our home carrying many shopping bags filled with items that made my children happy and excited to go back to school. I just hope this school year will be a peaceful one. The author’s children are ________ to go to school.
| A．eager | B．afraid | C．unwilling | D．surprised |
The underlined word “nightmare” is the closest in meaning to ________.
| A．fantasy | B．dream world | C．prison | D．terrible situation |
Many children are not going to school mainly because of ________.
| A．the terrible education system | B．security problems and poverty |
| C．parents’ distrust in schools | D．the government’s inability |
As a parent, the author ________.
| A．is unable to afford his kids’ schooling | B．is unwilling to send his kids to school |
| C．hopes his kids have a happy school life | D．complains school education costs too much |
Which of the following statement is NOT true?
| A．Many parents prevented their children from going to school for great study pressure. |
| B．School bags, note books and other items(商品) are given to those living in poor neighborhoods for free. |
| C．The author spent about $100 for her two sons. |
| D．The items the author bought made her children happy and excited to go back to school. |
Zhang Wenchi is a 19-year-old student of Hubei Xiangyang No.1 High School. He is very brave and always helps others in need.
On March 26, 2012, Zhang donated bone marrow (骨髓) at the Navy General Hospital of Beijing. He is the youngest and the first high school student to do it. Last April, Zhang became a blood donor on his 18th birthday. He also joined the China Marrow Donor Program that day. Six months later, his bone marrow was chosen as a match for a 4-year-old leukemia (白血病) patient from Fujian.
Zhang was studying for the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) when the call from the Chinese Bone Marrow Donors came. He found out that the patient could not wait, or things might get worse. With the support of his family and school, Zhang arrived at the hospital in Beijing the very next day.
“Saving a life is more important than taking an exam, and having the chance to help cure a patient does not allow for more thought,” Zhang said.
The transplant operation (移植手术) was a success. After that, Zhang Wenchi was in good health and he came back to school soon. Zhang said then the most important task for him was the exam. He hoped that his dream of becoming a pilot could come true.
Now the NCEE has been over for more than a month, and what about Zhang Wenchi’s marks? To our great relief, it’s known that he has earned 540 points, which means he can be admitted into Beihang University (formerly Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics). Therefore he can realize his dream of flying in the sky.
Zhang’s deed has earned him nationwide respect, and some have given him the nickname, “the most beautiful post-90s student”.Which of the following about Zhang Wenchi is right?
| A．He was born on March 26, 1993. |
| B．He donated bone marrow at a hospital in Xiangyang. |
| C．He is the first university student to donate bone marrow. |
| D．His bone marrow was chosen as a match for a patient from Fujian. |
From Zhang Wenchi’s words we know that ______.
| A．he is a little unreasonable |
| B．he is very active and outgoing |
| C．he is very kind and determined |
| D．he is always ready to quit exams |
What’s the main idea of the last but one paragraph?
| A．Zhang Wenchi’s points and our anxiety. |
| B．Zhang Wenchi’s points and his future education. |
| C．Zhang Wenchi is sure to fly in the sky tomorrow. |
| D．Beihang University has already decided to admit him. |
What’s the best title for the passage?
| A．Zhang Wenchi’s college dream |
| B．A 19-year-old student gave up exams |
| C．A 4-year-old leukemia patient was saved |
| D．Zhang Wenchi---the most beautiful post-90s student |
The text is most probably taken from ______.
| A．a computer book | B．a library guide |
| C．a project handbook | D．a newspaper report |
Online clothes shoppers will be told exactly what size is best. for them using new software which combines with their web camera or smart phone to form a“3D tape measure”.
Scientists from Surrey University and design experts from the London College of Fashion are developing a program which can take precise (精确的) waist, hip, chest and other measurements from camera images.
Using the person’s height as a starting point，the software will be able to build up a 3D image and estimate their size at various different points on the body, based on their overall proportions.
The result will be a more accurate sizing guide than previous systems based on waist size or a “small／medium／large”scale, which rely on limited measurements and the buyer’s perception of their own body size.
Shoppers and retailers(零售商)who choose to sign up for the project could save millions of pounds a year in postage costs by removing the need to order multiple sizes of the same garment(服装) and send back ill-fitting clothes, researchers claimed.
The project, sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC), is expected to be brought to market within two years.
After choosing an item, the shopper will activate the software, enter their height, stand in front of their webcam or smart phone in their underwear and take a photograph.
The software will not store or transmit the image to the internet, but will use it to judge the person’s dimensions at various points on their body.
Philip Delamore of the London College of Fashion said：“The potential benefits for the fashion industry and for shoppers are huge. Currently, it’s common for online shoppers to order two or three different sizes of the same item of clothing at the same time, as they’re unsure which one will fit best.”What is the essential part of a 3D tape measure?
| A．a software | B．a webcam |
| C．a microphone | D．a smart phone |
What can we learn about the 3D tape measure?
| A．It will store or transmit the image to the internet. |
| B．It is based on the buyer’s perception of their size. |
| C．It will be a co-working production. |
| D．It uses a person’s weight as a starting point. |
Compared with the traditional sizing system, a 3D tape measure is_______.
| A．quicker | B．more precise |
| C．more beautiful | D．more vivid |
How can the 3D tape measure benefit online shoppers?
| A．Online shoppers will get their ordered garment in time. |
| B．Online shoppers will get their ordered garment more quickly. |
| C．Online shoppers will get an ordered garment of high quality. |
| D．Online shoppers will get an ordered garment to their measure. |
What is the right order for a shopper to form a 3D tape measure?
①to take a photo with a webcam
②to activate the software
③to enter his／her height
④to judge his size by analyzing his image
| A．①②③④ | B．②①③④ | C．②③①④ | D．②③④① |
Americans who volunteer for the Peace Corps get a chance to help improve lives in developing countries. They also get a chance to learn more about the world, and about themselves. This week this program is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
President John Kennedy established the Peace Corps soon after he took office in 1961. It was the time of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The new program gave Americans a chance to answer the call to service that the president made in his inaugural(就职的)speech. “Ask not what your country can do for you,” he said. “Ask what you can do for your country.” Kennedy told Peace Corps volunteers that America’s image in the countries where they were going would depend largely on them.
On August 30th, 1961, the first group of 51 Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Accra, Ghana, to serve as teachers. They had agreed to work for almost no pay. They would spend two years in Ghana helping its people and learning the reality of life in a developing country. Most of the volunteers had just completed college. About half of them taught English or health care. In the 50 years since then, more than 200，000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers. They have worked in 139 countries.
The Peace Corps is a government agency that was created to promote world peace and friendship. There are three goals: First, to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Second, to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served. And, third. to help promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans.
Today, the Peace Corps has more than 8,000 volunteers and trainees in 77 countries. They work in agriculture, economic development, education, the environment and health care. Some work in programs related to youth development.
Sixty percent of current Peace Corps volunteers are women. The average age of a volunteer is 28. But the ages of Peace Corps volunteers range from 18 to 86. Some Americans join the Peace Corps after they retire. Today seven percent of volunteers are over the age of 50. And 19 percent are members of minority groups. Volunteers for the Peace Corps can _______.
| A．improve their abilities by learning in some developed countries |
| B．travel to many foreign countries to learn more about the world |
| C．have an opportunity to help all the people in developing countries |
| D．contribute to lives in developing countries and develop themselves |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?
| A．Volunteers served as teachers to work for no pay in Accra, Ghana. |
| B．Kennedy established the Peace Corps before he took office in 1961. |
| C．Most of the volunteers of the first group had just graduated from college. |
| D．America’s image in the foreign countries depends completely on volunteers. |
The fourth paragraph is mainly about _______.
| A．what the Peace Corps is and its steps |
| B．why the Peace Corps was created and what are its goals |
| C．what role the Peace Corps play in daily life |
| D．How the Peace Corps was created and its aims |
According to the text, volunteers and trainees assist in the following aspects EXCEPT _______.
| A．industry | B．environment | C．education | D．health care |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
| A．Most of the volunteers for the Peace Corps are women. |
| B．Few minority groups joined the Peace Corps. |
| C．Half of the retired volunteers joined the Peace Corps. |
| D．People of different ages take an active part in the Peace Corps. |
A New Zealand volcano dormant for more than a century has erupted，sending up ash clouds，disturbing flights and closing roads．
Mount Tongariro, one of three volcanoes in the centre of the North Island, became active just before midnight local time, with reports of loud explosions，pouting rocks and steam.
The 1, 978m peak is in a national park popular with hikers. No damages have been reported after the eruption.
Witnesses described a dramatic scene as the volcano erupted.
“I saw this beautiful. big cloud and I thought: ‘Gee that looks like a volcanic plume’. Just as I thought that there was a great big orange flash,” truck driver Bryn Rodda told New Zealand National Radio. “It was quite impressive.”
Mount Tongariro last erupted 115 years ago. And scientists said they did not yet know if this eruption was a single event.
Experts said they were caught by surprise—they had recorded some activity like an earthquake in recent weeks but were not expecting an eruption．
“This might just be a quiet period and we should expect it to start again at any time. So we are watching things Very closely,” volcanologist Michael Rosenberg told TVNZ.
Eruption activity has currently reduced, New Zealand media said．Meteorologists(气象学家)said the ash was blowing east towards the Pacific Ocean.
A number of inland flights from the North Island to the South Island had been affected by the volcanic activity, Air New Zealand said.
Police said highways that had been closed because visibility was affected after the eruption are now open.
Some residents in the nearby areas had temporarily left their homes. Officials have not ordered an evacuation(撤离), but advised those affected by the ash cloud to stay indoors and close their doors and windows.What effect did the eruption cause?
| A．Flood. | B．Road block. | C．Strong wind. | D．Air crash. |
What does the underlined word“dormant”in the first paragraph probably mean?
| A．Inactive. | B．Movable. |
| C．Silent. | D．Covered. |
Which of the following is true of the passage?
| A．Some international flights were cancelled after the eruption. |
| B．All residents had to move away from their homes after the eruption. |
| C．Some witnesses thought it was very interesting and attractive. |
| D．Loud explosions caused great damage to the highways and airports. |
What do the experts expect might happen next?
| A．Another eruption. |
| B．An earthquake. |
| C．Diseases caused by the ashes. |
| D．An overall evacuation. |
Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
| A．National Park in New Zealand Damaged |
| B．Nothing Is Impossible. |
| C．Volcano or Earthquake? |
| D．Sudden Eruption of a Volcano in New Zealand. |
The insanely popular song from South Korean recording artist PSY has just become the most watched video on YouTube ever, gaining more than 808 million views on the popular media site.
The record was previously held by another pop heavyweight, Justin Bieber, whose song“Baby”had a little more than 804 million views at press time. PSY made the announcement early today.
Since its release，the song has outshone such other popular videos as Jennifer Lopez’s“On the Floor.”and Eminem’s“Love the Way You Lie”.
And in September，“Gangnam Style”also became the most liked video on YouTube，now with nearly 5.4 million thumbs up．
At the time of the announcement, the Guinness Book of World Records released a statement saying: “In years past it was unthinkable that something would be viewed a hundred million times, and now Gangnam Style has achieved more than twice this figure in just three months on YouTube. PSY，your certificate is waiting here at our office，come and pick it up any time!”
Despite its massive popularity, the video shows no signs of slowing down, and it even has a shot at becoming the first video to get more than one billion views.
If it maintains its current rate of around six million new views per day, “Gangnam Style”would be in line to break that record by the end of the year.
It has found its way to the tops of music charts in more than 30 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Canada, while providing material for thousands of parody videos.
It became a staple in the 2012 presidential elections with the now ramous “Mitt Romney Style” video and was even used by the North Korean government in propaganda(宣传)films promoting their supreme leader. Meanwhile, such influential figures as President Obama, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt have all made mention of the hit song. Which of the following ranks second in views on YouTube?
| A．Gangnam Style． | B．Baby． |
| C．On the Floor． | D．Love the Way You Lie． |
Which statement about Gangnam Style on YouTube is wrong?
| A．It has become the most watched video． |
| B．It has become the most liked video． |
| C．It has won more than 5.4 million thumbs down． |
| D．It has more than two hundred million views in three months． |
What does the statement made by the Guinness Book of World Records suggest?
| A．Some video gained more views than Gangnam Style． |
| B．It is impossible that Gangnam Style should have 100 million views． |
| C．Guinness Book of World Records has recognized Gangnam Style’s achievements． |
| D．Guinness Book of World Records won’t believe Gangnam Style’s achievements． |
Gangnam Style is to _______ if it keeps its current rate．
| A．get more than one billion views |
| B．get more than two billion views |
| C．get more than 808 million Views |
| D．get one hundred million views |
What can we learn about Gangnam Style from the last paragraph?
| A．It is especially popular in developing countries. |
| B．It has played a part in the US presidential elections. |
| C．Few influential figures know it. |
| D．The supreme leader of North Korea has ever performed it. |
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