Hanging Gardens of Babylon(巴比伦空中花园)
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built in the 7th century BC and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were amazing not only because of their beauty, but also because of their location.
In the 7th century BC a king named Nebudchadnezzar II created the gardens as a sign of love for his wife, Amyitis. According to legend, Amyitis, the daughter of the king of the Medes, was homesick. She missed the green hills and valleys of her homeland.
Upon marrying Nebudchadnezzar II, Amyitis moved to the ancient chief city of Babylon. The area was in the Mesopotamian desert, and the climate there was totally different from where she had left. So the new queen was very sad about the flat and the sun-baked desert. To make Amyitis happier and more comfortable the king decided to build her a series of magnificent gardens.
Many think of the gardens as an otherworldly creation that hung in the air somehow. But experts agree that the gardens were actually built on a mountainside, rather than actually “hanging”.
The hanging Gardens of Babylon are famous. Stories of them spread throughout the ancient world, and ancient writers recorded a large number of descriptions of the gardens, but some wonder whether this paradise of the past ever existed. There are no historical records of it except stories. Whatever may happen, even the idea of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is amazing. They were essentially impossible to create because of the climate, but they were kept in the minds of many as a botanical beauty created in the middle of unattractive desert scenery.Hanging Gardens of Babylon are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, aren’t they?
What makes the Hanging Gardens of Babylon so amazing and famous?
Why did the king Nebudchadnezzar II create Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
What made the Hanging Gardens of Babylon essentially impossible to create?
According to the experts, were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon really hanging or built on a mountainside?
Did Hanging Gardens of Babylon really exist? What makes you think so? (In no more than THREE sentences)
Do you learn from your mistakes? I hope so. But have you ever made the same mistake twice? I have. Sometimes I make the same mistake three or four times!
Sometimes, good things happen because of mistakes. Once I got on the wrong train. That was a big mistake. But on that train, I saw a good friend. I was so happy I made that mistake!
Another time I ruined a surprise. My mother planned a surprise party for my father. She told me it was a secret. But I was just a little boy and I couldn’t keep the secret. I told my father about the party. At first, my mother was mad at me. But then my father said he was happy he knew about it. He said he didn’t like surprise.
When a good thing comes out of a mistake, that’s a happy accident.The boy saw ___ on the wrong train.
| A．his friend | B．his father |
| C．his mother | D．his teacher |
His mother asked him to ___.
| A．plan a surprise party | B．tell his father about the party |
| C．keep a secret about the party | D．invite his friend to the party |
What does the boy think of mistakes?
| A．Mistakes are not welcome. |
| B．A mistake is terrible thing.. |
| C．All mistakes men happy accidents. |
| D．Sometimes a mistake can be a good thing. |
At the World Expo Shanghai 2010, you will be able to see the world in just one day.
The World Expo (short for “exposition”) is the third largest world event after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. Countries build pavilions(展示馆) at the Expo, showing off technologies and cultures with colorful exhibitions and performances.
People can experience the most advanced technologies at the World Expo. Throughout history, many new inventions have made their debuts(样品) at the World Expo, including the TV, telephone and even the ice cream cone.
But the Expo is not just a trade fair(商品交易会). It’s a platform(平台) for cultural exchange, bringing people closer to the rest of the world.
For example, at the Shanghai Expo, couples may be able to marry in French-style weddings at the France Pavilion. Thailand will let visitors walk into its emperor’s palace. Visitors to the Austria Pavilion will have the chance to experience the snow-capped mountains of the country.
Many countries have also decided to bring their national treasures to the event.
Since the 1993 Expo in Chicago, the World Expo began to focus on one theme. It changed from a show into a community event. Visitors are invited to help solve global issues, such as environmental problems.
The theme of the Shanghai Expo is “Better city, better life”. It will call on the world to solve the problems human beings face as a result of urbanization(城市化). In the future, more and more people may care about protecting the places they live in.Countries build pavilions to show us ______ with colorful exhibitions and performances.
| A．the Olympic games | B．the FIFA World Cup |
| C．technologies and cultures | D．many cities |
What’s the meaning of “cultural exchange” in this passage?
| A．科技展示 | B．文化交流 | C．科技交流 | D．自由买卖 |
Which of the following is NOT true at the World Expo in this passage?
| A．People can experience the most advanced technologies. |
| B．Couples may be able to marry in French-style weddings at the France Pavilion. |
| C．Visitors can walk into the emperor’s palace of Thailand. |
| D．Australia Pavilion will let the visitors experience the snow-capped mountains of the country. |
When did the World Expo begin to focus on one theme?
| A．In 1990. | B．In 1993. | C．In 1998. | D．In 2010. |
What is the theme of the Shanghai Expo?
| A．One world, one dream. | B．Better world, better life. |
| C．Better city, better life. | D．One world, one family. |
In Britain you may often hear “Drop in any time” or “Come to see me soon”, but you can’t really do that. People just say those things to make you feel welcome. It is better to telephone before visiting someone at home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”, you should reply to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to go.
You should never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, “Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come.” If, after accepting, you are unable to go, be sure to tell those who are expecting you as soon as possible that you will not be there. Although it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it is considered polite to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate, or a small gift are all appropriate(合适的). A thank-you note or telephone call after the visit is also considered polite and is an appropriate way to express your appreciation for the invitation.What can you do when a British friend says, “Drop in anytime”?
| A．Visit him or her at any time. |
| B．Say no time to him or her seriously. |
| C．Telephone him or her before visiting. |
| D．Visit him or her soon. |
What does the underlined word “RSVP” probably mean in Chinese?
| A．请自便 | B．请回复 | C．请审阅 | D．请来访 |
What should you do if your British friend sends you an invitation but you do not want to go?
| A．Do not give him or her an answer. |
| B．Tell another friend to go instead of you. |
| C．Tell him or her that you can’t be there for some reason. |
| D．Tell him or her that you don’t want to go there. |
Which of the following is considered impolite in Britain?
| A．Buy small presents when invited. |
| B．Refuse the invitation without telling anyone. |
| C．Write a thank-you note after a visit. |
| D．Give a telephone call after a visit. |
Where would you probably see this passage?
| A．In an invitation. | B．In a guidebook. | C．On a poster. | D．In a newspaper. |
Almost every day, we discuss the topic of health, especially for kids. But what is health? “Health” means eating well, getting enough exercise, and having a healthy weight. Let’s read the following rules. They can help you stay healthy.
1. Eat a variety of food, especially fruit and vegetables. We all know that eating fruit and vegetables can help us stay healthy, but many of us only eat our favorite food. Remember that we can only get the nutrition (营养) we need by eating different kinds of food, especially fruit and vegetables.
2. Drink water and milk most often. Everyone knows that water is important. Besides that, kids need plenty of calcium (钙) to grow strong bones, and milk is rich in it. Every day, you should drink at least three cups of milk, when you are 9 years old or older. You should also try to have less sugary drinks, like soda and coca. They include a lot of sugar. Sugar only includes calories (热量), not important nutrition.
3. Listen to your body. When you are eating, notice how your body feels. When your stomach feels comfortably full, stop eating. Eating too much makes you feel uncomfortable. If you do it too often, it can make you unhealthy and fat.
4. Limit screen time. What’s screen time? It’s the amount of time you spend watching TV, movies and playing computer games. The more time you spend on these sitting-down activities, the less time you spend playing sports, like basketball, and doing other activities like riding and swimming. Try to spend no more than 2 hours a day on screen time. In this passage, “health” includes all of the following EXCEPT ______.
| A．eating well | B．doing more exercise |
| C．having a healthy weight | D．wearing comfortable clothes |
The underlined phrase “a variety of” means ______.
| A．plenty of | B．all kinds of | C．the rest of | D．a lot of |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．Eating more fruit and vegetables is good for people. |
| B．We should eat and drink things with little sugar. |
| C．We should spend the same time on both sitting-down activities and sports. |
| D．When we are full, we should stop eating, no matter how delicious the food is. |
Screen time is the time that you spend ______.
| A．playing computer games | B．watching movies |
| C．watching TV | D．All of above |
What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．How to eat healthy food. | B．Eating and playing are both important. |
| C．Suggestions for staying healthy. | D．Health is very important. |
Sixteen years ago a boy gave me an important gift. It was a smile.
It was the early autumn of my first year at a middle school, and my old school was far away. As a result, no one knew who I was. I was very lonely, and afraid to speak to anyone.
Every time I heard the other students talking and laughing, I felt my heart break. I couldn’t talk with anyone about my problems.
Then one day, when my classmates were talking happily with their friends, I was sitting at my desk unhappily as usual. At that moment, a boy entered the classroom. I didn’t know who he was. He passed by me and then turned back. He looked at me, with a smile.
Suddenly, I felt the touch of something bright and friendly. It made me feel happy and warm. That smile changed my life. I started to talk with other students and made friends. Day by day, I became closer to everyone in my class. The boy with the lucky smile has become my best friend now.
One day I asked him why he had smiled, but he couldn’t remember doing so!
It doesn’t matter because all the dark days have gone. I believe that the world is what you think it is. If you think it is lonely, you might always be alone. So smile at the world and it will smile back. When did the writer get the gift?
| A．At the age of 16. |
| B．After making friends with the boy. |
| C．In the first year at a middle school. |
| D．After becoming closer to everyone in the class. |
Why was the smile an important gift?
| A．Because the writer’s old school was far away. |
| B．Because the writer didn’t know who the boy was. |
| C．Because the smile didn’t mean anything to the boy. |
| D．Because the writer felt lonely and had no friends and it made her feel happy and warm. |
Why didn’t the writer talk to anyone in her new school about her problems?
| A．Because she was always unhappy. |
| B．Because she didn’t know anyone at the time. |
| C．Because she was in the first year at the junior high school. |
| D．Because she didn’t want her parents to worry about her. |
How did the smile change her life?
| A．She started to make friends. |
| B．She became the best friend of the boy. |
| C．Her parents didn’t worry about her any more. |
| D．She realized that she was lonely. |
Where does she now think her feeling of unhappiness came from?
| A．From her old school. | B．From her parents. |
| C．From herself. | D．From her classmates at the new school. |
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