The whole morning we just checked our own things. We were looking for items to give away. We thought of blankets, food and clothing. Our aim was not to find things we no longer wanted, but things we use every day and would be useful to others.
We made up boxes with the things and added some small toys. Inside the boxes a simple letter was placed, reading:
“Please take these items and know that your life is important. Times are difficult but they will pass. We share what we have, believing it will matter. Use the blanket to stay warm. Be safe and know that the human spirit can overcome（战胜） anything. Don’t hold your head down. Someday please do the same when you can. How you do it and when, your heart will tell you.
This kind act was not because the phone rang or for any reason. It was simply because it was the right time to do. We have often seen homeless people at the park where we left the belongings. The city would say that it isn’t a problem but I see the lives walking to and from it.
I noticed that my wife had put her favorite green coat into one of the boxes. I asked if she was sure about it and she simply replied that it had a hood (风帽). She liked the coat but knew the hood could shelter (遮挡)someone from the rain.
We don’t know where these gifts of compassion（同情）will go. We never go back and see what happens. It’s unimportant. The right things will find the right people and that is all that counts. On the way my wife started to cry. When I asked why, she said because some things felt so right. What can we learn from the first paragraph about the couple？
| A．They had deep feelings of their work |
| B．They often threw the useless daily items away |
| C．They liked helping others by sharing their things |
| D．They often gave away the daily items they didn’t use |
The couple placed the letter inside the box mainly to_______________.
| A．help the poor go through the difficulties |
| B．let the poor know who gave away the things |
| C．tell the poor how to use the items correctly |
| D．tell the poor to pass on the spirit to others |
Why did the author ask his wife if she was sure about giving away her green coat? _________.
| A．Because he thought the coat was very valuable |
| B．Because he thought the coat was of a very high price |
| C．Because he thought he liked the coat very much himself |
| D．Because he thought she liked the coat very much herself |
The couple liked this kind act because _______.
| A．they thought it was the right thing to do |
| B．they had a good habit of saving things |
| C．they often received telephone calls for help |
| D．they hated being troubled by homeless people |
What’s the best title for this passage?
| A．Boxes filled with compassion | B．Good behavior leading to happiness |
| C．The most important thing in our life | D．Happiness coming from sharing things |
Conjoined twins lead separate but active lives.
Lori and Reba have never been alone and they want to keep it that way.
The 40-year-old conjoined twins in Pennsylvania,US,have read about others locked together by an accident of birth who have been medically separated.But they insist only death can part them.
“We’ve never imagined a life divided,”Lori said.
Lori and Reba are joined together at the side of their heads,facing in opposite directions.Their blood supply is partly linked,but each has a separate brain.
Reba suffers from a disease which has left her completely dependent on her sister.
Lori wheels her everywhere they go in different professional directions.Lori worked in a laundry room at a hospital for six years before giving that up to allow Reba to try to become a country singer.
Her first song is called “The Fear of Being Alone”,which was inspired by Reba and Lori’s desire for togetherness.
Reba’s career has taken her across the United States, Europe and parts of Asia.
While the twins receive some money from the government, the earning from Reba’s concerts go to AIDS and cancer charities(慈善机构).
The sisters have set goals for themselves. Reba looks forward to a successful career as a country singer, while Lori says she hopes to get married and have children.Lori said,”So when it comes, it comes. Meanwhile, I live wonderfully from day to day.”When Lori said “We’ve never imagined a life divided”,she meant that .
| A．they don’t wish to be made separate |
| B．they think their case is beyond medical help |
| C．independent life would be too good to think of |
| D．they would die once separated |
By leading separate lives,the topic means that .
A
. either of the two can look after herself B .the twins do different things
C. they face in opposite directions D. they are no longer conjoined nowWhen Reba gives performances as a country singer,Lori .
| A．works in a hospital | B．continues her college education |
| C．brings up her children | D．looks after her sister |
The twins lead active lives because they .
| A．are tired of staying at home doing nothing |
| B．need more money |
C．want to prove themselve s as useful citizens |
| D．have to earn their own bread |
From the last paragraph we can understand that Lori .
A. thinks it’s too late for her to have children
B. is sure she’ll get married and have children
The English are famous for their manners． The phrase, “Manners maketh the man” was coined by Englishman William of Wykeham back in 1324, but they’re just as important today． Books are written on the subject, advice columns in magazines tell people how to behave, and “finishing schools” still exist to ensure that young girls become young “ladies”．
The best example of English manners is in their mastery of the art of forming a queue． It is a popular joke in England （the land of sporting failures） to say, “if only queuing was an Olympic sport, we’d win hands down．” No one knows exactly how and when it started, but queuing plays an important role in the English social make-up． School children are taught to queue for roll-call, assembly and lunch, and English people across the land form orderly queues at shops, banks, cinemas and bus-stops every day． The English obviously aren’t the only people who queue, but they seem to do it better than anyone else． As one visitor said, “I have travelled across Europe, the Middle and Far East and nowhere have I seen the single-file queues which are formed in England．”
The English are also famously polite when it comes to language． Whereas many other notions are more direct in their communication, the English prefer a more indirect form of asking for things． For example, an American who wants to talk to a colleague might say, “Got a minute?”; however an English person will often use a more indirect means might of requesting the chat, “Sorry to bother you, but would you possibly have a minute or so to have a quick chat if you don’t mind, please?”
The English also love to apologize for things． When squeezing past someone, people say “sorry”． And they will apologize if you bump into them, “whoops! Sorry! My fault．” In fact, no one seems to say “sorry” as much as the English: “sorry I’m late． /Sorry I forgot to call you last night．/I’m sorry you didn’t get the e-mail．” And so on． They also like to use “please” and “thank you” a lot． In a shop, they will say, “I’d like a packet of crisp, please． Thanks．” British students thank their lectures, a
nd bosses often thank their employees for doing their jobs． Why does “finishing schools” still exist to help young girls become “ladies”?
| A．Because the English mind their manners very much． |
| B．Because the English parents want to marry their daughters to the royal family． |
| C．Because the English girls are so rude that they need to be taught to be polite． |
| D．Because the English government ensures their existence． |
The underlined sentence in paragraph2 implies ________________．
| A．The English love the Olympics very much． |
| B．The English spend nothing winning an Olympic medal． |
| C．The English are best at queuing． |
| D．The English prefer to queue with their hands down． |
According to the passage, if Americans say “Waiter! Could I have another fork, please?” how will the English express such a meaning?
| A．Excuse me! Give me another fork, please! |
| B．Excuse me! I have to be a bother, but would you mind awfully changing this fork, please? |
| C．Hi! Would you mind giving me another fork? |
| D．Waiter! Come here and change the fork! |
According to the passage, why do the employers often thank their employees for doing their jobs?
| A．The employees can bring them a lot of benefits． |
| B．The employees finish their jobs perfectly． |
| C．The English employers’ good manners lead them to do so． |
| D．The employers do it as a result of the company’s regulation． |
Did you know that there are gifts that will multiply your happiness when you give them away? Here are five of those gifts． Giving these gifts will allow you to share with others your most unique treasure: your real self． Each gift will return to you many times．
1． Share appreciation
Tell someone how much you appreciate the faith they've shown in you． Thank them sincerely for being part of your life． Tell them how much they are needed．
Feeling appreciated is one of the most important needs that people have． When you share with someone your appreciation and gratitude, they will not forget you． Appreciation will return to you many times．
2． Share time
Balance your time expenditures （耗费）so you can spend time with the people that you love． Support local organizations by sharing your special talents． Volunteer time for projects that benefit others in your community, country, and world．
When we slow down and observe our thoughts closely, we will sometimes uncover gifts and talents we didn't know we had． Sharing time and talents can result in discoveries that bring happiness beyond measure．
3． Share knowledge and ideas
Tell someone about a great book that you read so they can benefit from it too． Teach a new concept or idea that you've learned．
One of the best ways to strengthen new concepts in your mind is to share them with others． The more often you share what you've learned, the stronger that information will become in your memory． Sharing knowledge also provides solutions to problems． The more knowledge we share, the more knowledge we receive in return．
4． Share friendship
Acknowledge someone's strengths． Let them know that you are willing to be there when they need you． Visit someone you haven't seen for a long time． Telephone friends or relatives who live far away． Introduce two friends who don't know each other．
Bringing one individual into another's life can result in tremendous changes for both people, and for you． We succeed with the help of others． People grow by growing together． If you'd like to have many friends, then share friendship with others generously．
5． Share kindness
Perform a random act of kindness for someone: a smile, compliment, or a favor just for fun． These will multiply and spread very rapidly．
There is a powerful quote by Stephen Jay Gould who said, “The center of human nature is rooted in ten thousand ordinary acts of kindness that define our days．” Kindness is priceless． The love, kindnesses, and value we have given authentically to others will be our remaining treasures at the end of life．
Think about this statement by Norman MacEwan: “Happiness is not so much in having as sharing． We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give．” What is the best title of this passage？
| A．We want to share． | B．Give your presents away． |
| C．We make a life by giving． | D．Don’t be mean to give． |
What can we learn from Stephen Jay Gould’s words？
| A．We all come from a world which is in a harmonious atmosphere． |
| B．Everybody’s deep heart is filled with kindness at first, which decides our present life． |
| C．Kindness is the most important thing in our daily life． |
| D．We need kindness all the time． |
For
those who are living a life on the go, what suggestion will the writer probably give to them?
| A．Tell the people around you how much you love them． |
| B．No one is an isolated island． We succeed with the help of others |
| C．The more knowledge we share, the more knowledge we receive in return． |
| D．Slow down and enjoy the life, which may bring you a brand new world with happiness． |
Where can you probably find this passage?
| A．Magazines | B．Newspapers | C．Guide books | D．Scientific reports |
Reading poems is not exactly an everyday activity for most people. In fact, many people never read a poem once they get out of high school.
It is worth reminding ourselves that this has not always been the case in America. In the nineteenth century, a usual American activity was to sit around the fireplace in the evening and read poems aloud. It is true that there was no television at the time, nor movie theatres, nor World Wide Web, to provide diversion. However, poems were a source of pleasure, of self-education, of connection to other people or to the world beyond one’s own community. Reading them was a social act as well as an individual one, and perhaps even more social than individual. Writing poems to share with friends and relations was, like reading poems by the fireside, another way in which poetry had a place in everyday life.
How did things change? Why are most Americans no longer comfortable with poetry, and why do most people today think that a poem has nothing to tell them and they can do well without poems?
There are, I believe, three culprits (肇事者): poets, teachers and we ourselves. Of these, the least important is the third: the world surrounding the poem has betrayed (背叛) us more than we have betrayed the poem. Early in the twentieth century, poetry in English headed into directions hostile (不利的) to the reading of poetry. Readers decided that poems were not for the fireside or the easy chair at night, that they belonged where other difficult-to-read things belonged.
Poets failed the readers, so did the teachers. They want their students to know something about the craft (技巧) of a poem, and they want their students to see that poems mean something. Yet what usually occurs when teachers push these concerns on their high school students is that young people decide poems are unpleasant crossword puzzles. Reading poems is thought to be a social act in the nineteenth century because _______.
| A．it built a link among people | B．it helped unite a community |
| C．it was a source of self-education | D．it was a source of pleasure |
The underlined word “diversion” in Paragraph 2 most probably means _______.
| A．diversity | B．change | C．amusements | D．happiness |
In the last paragraph, the writer questions _______.
| A．the difficulty in studying poems |
| B．the way poems are taught in school |
| C．students’ wrong ideas about poetry |
| D．the techniques used in writing poems |
According to the passage, what is the main cause of the great gap between readers and poetry?
| A．Poems have become difficult to understand. |
| B．Students are poorly educated in high school. |
| C．TV and the Internet are more attractive than poetry. |
| D．Students are becoming less interested in poetry. |
A gentle breeze blew through Jennifer’s hair. The golden red sun was setting. She was on the beach, looking up at the fiery (火红的) ball. She was amazed by its color, deep red in the middle, softly fading into yellow. She could hear nothing but the waves and the seagulls flying up above in the sky.
The atmosphere relaxed her. After all she had been through, this was what she needed. “It’s getting late,” she thought, “I must go home. My parents will be wondering where I am.”
She wondered how her parents would react, when she got home after the three days she was missing. She kept on walking, directing herself where she spent every summer holiday. The road was deserted. She walked slowly and silently. Just in a few hundred meters she would have been safe in her house.
It was really getting dark now. The sun had set a few minutes before and it was getting cold too. She wished she had her favorite sweater on: it kept her really warm. She imagined having it with her. This thought disappeared when she finally saw her front door. It seemed different. Nobody had taken care of the outside garden for a few days. She was shocked: her father was usually so strict about keeping everything clean and tidy, and now... It all seemed deserted. She couldn’t understand what was going on.
She entered the house. First, she went into the kitchen where she saw a note written by her father. It said: “Dear Ellen, there is some coffee ready. I went looking.” Ellen was her mother but — where was she? On the right side of the hallway was her parents’ room. She went in. Then she saw her. Her mother, lying on the bed, was sleeping. Her face looked so tired, as if she hadn’t slept for days. She was really pale. Jennifer would have wanted to wake her up but she looked too tired. So Jennifer just fell asleep beside her. When Jennifer woke up, something was different... she wasn’t in her mother’s room and she wasn’t wearing the old clothes she ran away in. She was in her cozy bed in her pajamas (睡衣).
It felt so good being back home. Suddenly she heard a voice, “Are you feeling better now, dear? You know you got us very, very scared.” The writer describes the beautiful sunset to show Jennifer’s ______.
| A．love of the natural beauty | B．desire of getting back home |
| C．intention of becoming independent | D．depression of being alone |
What does the underlined phrase “This thought” most probably mean?
| A．The idea of going back home. |
| B．Her anxiety about her parents. |
| C．The feeling of being warm in her favorite sweater. |
| D．The feeling of getting back home safely. |
Her father didn’t take care of the garden because ______.
| A．he was busy looking for her |
| B．he had to look after his wife |
| C．he was not strict with his job |
| D．he no longer enjoyed working in the garden |
What can we infer from this passage?
| A．In fact Jennifer’s mother had been sick for several days. |
| B．When she found the garden deserted, she realized she was wrong. |
| C．As Jennifer walked towards home, she became increasingly scared. |
| D．Having experienced a lot outside, Jennifer felt home was safest for her. |
People can be addicted to different things— e．g．alcohol, drug, certain foods，or eventelevision．People who have such an addiction are compulsive: they have a very powerfulpsychological need that they feel they must satisfy．According to psychologists, many peopleare compulsive spenders．They feel that they must spend money．This compulsion, like mostothers, is impossible to explain reasonably．For compulsive spenders who buy on credit, chargeaccounts are even more exciting than money．In other words, compulsive spenders feel thatwith credit, they can do anything．Their pleasure in spending large amounts is actually greaterthan the pleasure that they get from the things they buy．
There is even a special psychology of bargain hunting．To save money, of course, mostpeople look for sales, low prices, and discounts．Compulsive bargain hunters，however, oftenbuy things that they don't need just because they are cheap．They want to believe that they arehelping their budgets, but they are really playing an exciting game．When they can buysomething for less than other people, they feel that they are winners．Most people, expertsclaim, have two reasons for their behavior: a good reason for the things that they do and thereal reason．
It is not only scientists, of course, who understand the psychology of spending habits, butalso business people．Stores, companies, and advertisers use psychology to increase business．They consider people's needs for love, power, or influence, their basic values, their beliefs andopinions, and so on in their advertising and sales methods．
Psychologists often use a method called "behavior therapy（疗法）"to help individuals solvetheir personality problems．In the same way, they can help people who feel that they haveproblems with money．According to psychologists, a compulsive spender is one who spends large amounts ofmoney ．
| A．and takes great pleasure from what he or she buys |
| B．in order to satisfy his or her basic needs in life |
| C．just to meet his or her strong psychological need |
| D．entirely with an irrational eagerness |
According to the passage, compulsive bargain hunters are often in search of the lowest possible prices .
| A．because they feel satisfied if they spend less money than others |
| B．because they like to show off their success in getting things for less money |
| C．because they have money problem |
| D．because they want to save money to help heir budget |
The passage is mainly talking about．
| A．the psychology of money-spending habits |
| B．the purchasing habits of compulsive spenders |
| C．a special psychology of bargain hunting |
| D．the use of the psychology of spending habits in business |
From the passage we may safely conclude that compulsive spenders or compulsive bargainhunters .
| A．are really unreasonable |
| B．need special treatment |
| C．can't be cured |
| D．can never get any help to solve their problems with money |
I started winning competitions. We still had very little money -- my father had to borrow $5,000 to pay for a trip to the International Young Pianists Competition in Ettlingen, Germany, in 1994, when I was 12. I realized later how much pressure he was under. Tears streamed down his face when it was announced that I'd won -- earning enough money to pay back our loan.
It was soo n clear I couldn't stay in China forever. To become a world-class musician, I had to play on the world's big stages. So in 1997, my father and I moved again, this time to Philadelphia, so I could attend The Curtis Institute of Music. Finally our money worries were easing. The school paid for an apartment and even lent me a Steinway（斯坦威钢琴）.At night, I would sneak into the living room just to touch the keys.
Now that I was in America, I spent two years practicing, and by 1999 I had worked hard enough for fortune to take over. The Chicago Symphony orchestra heard me play and liked me, but orchestra schedules were set far in advance. I thought I might join them in a few years.
The next morning, I got a call. The great pianist Andre Watts, who was to play the "Gala Benefit Evening" at Chicago's Ravinia Festival, had become ill. I was asked to replace him. That performance was, for me, the moment. After violinist Isaac Stern introduced me, I played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. My father's mouth hung open throughout the entire song.
I played until 3:30 a.m. I felt something happening. Sure enough, it was a great success. Still, my father kept telling me, "You'd better practice!" But living in America with me was beginning to relax him. In Beijing I'd been fat -- he made sure I ate -- and he'd been skinny. Now I was getting thin. He wasn't.
My father and I had often practiced a piece called "Horses," a fun version for piano and erhu. One night in Carnegie Hall, after I played Chopin and Liszt, I brought Dad out on the stage, and we played our duet（二重奏）. People went crazy -- they loved it. My father couldn't sleep for days. He was too happy to sleep.
There have been lots of concerts in Carnegie Hall, but for me playing there was especially sweet when I remember the cold days in Beijing. Together, my father and I worked to reach the lucky place where fortune spots you, and lets you shine.In the first paragraph his father cried when it was announced that he'd won mainly because__________.
| A．his father was excited that his son succeeded at last. |
| B．his father was under too much pressure. |
| C．they could pay back the loan with the prize. |
| D．his father was proud of him. |
Tell the order of the events.
a. He and his father moved to Philadelphia.
b. He was asked to replace the great pianist Andre Watts.
c. He and his father played “Horses” together.
d.The Chicago Symphony orchestra heard his performance.
e. The Curtis Institute of Music lent him a Steinway
| A．a, e, c, b, d | B．b, e, a, d, c | C．d, a, e, b, c | D．a, e, d, b, c |
Which of the following statements agrees with the author?
| A．The writer’s father had been very fat before they went to America. |
| B．The writer thought he would be one of them soon when he knew the Chicago Symphony orchestra heard him play and liked him. |
| C．The Curtis Institute of Music finally eased their money worries. |
| D．One can achieve his dream if he is lucky enough. |
The underlined word there in the last paragraph refers to_________.
| A．America | B．Beijing. | C．Carnegie Hall | D．All the places he went to. |
What is the best title of the passage?
| A．I Took Off! | B．When Fortune Spots Me. |
| C．No Pain, No Gain. | D．My father and I |
Too cold for recess? School policies vary as much as temps
When is it too cold for schoolchildren to go outside for recess（课间休息）? The answer varies widely based on where a school is located and what the kids are used to.
Consider: One northern Minnesota school says it has to be 15 below zero before kids are kept inside. But in areas along the East Coast, temperatures below 35 to 40 degrees could keep kids inside. Canceling recess because of the cold is no small issue considering that much of the USA is trembling through what may be its coldest winter in a generation, according to AccuWeather.
There is no national temperature standard for when to keep kids inside during the winter months, the U.S. Department of Education says. Decisions are made at the local level, either by principals or school districts.
Consequently, policies are all over the map:
• In International Falls, Minn., the self-described "Icebox of the Nation," where the average high temperature in January is 13 degrees, Falls Elementary School Principal Jerry Hilfer says, "if it's 15 below (or warmer), they go out, no matter what." "At 20 below, it gets iffy," he adds.
• In Wicomico County, Md., principals typically keep children indoors when temperatures drop below freezing, or if it's raining or snowing, says Susan Jones, the school system's director of elementary education.
"That's the bottom line," says Curtis Twilley, principal of Pemberton Elementary School in Salisbury, Md. Twilley says students get little exercise when recess stays indoors. At Pemberton Elementary, the students will typically play board games or computer games in a classroom because the school's gym is occupied with other classes, he says.
• For schools in Marquette, Mich., which averages about 12 feet of snow per season, school officials acknowledge students are probably a little more prepared than those in some more mild climates.Which of the following is not true according to the passage_________.
| A．No national temperature standard is made for when to keep kids inside during the winter months. |
| B．Susan Jones insists students get little exercise when recess stays indoors. |
| C．In Wicomico County, children are kept indoors when temperatures dip below freezing. |
| D．Mich has about 12 feet of snow per season on average. |
Which place calls itself Box of Ice?
Wicomico County B. Marquette C.Salisbury D. Minn Considering_______, canceling recess In USA because of the cold is a big issue.
| A．different schools have different principles. |
| B．much of the USA has very cold winter. |
| C．physical activity can boost student performance. |
| D．decisions are made at the local level, |
The underlined word iffy means _______.
| A．uncertain | B．surprising | C． serious | D．worse |
What will be talked about next?
| A．More school policies |
| B．The reasons why school policies vary. |
| C．Measures to improve the situation. |
| D．Necessities to improve the situation |
People say teenagers are no good. They make too much noise in shopping malls; they drive recklessly（不顾一切地） up and down America’s main streets; they carry chips on their shoulders as big as the Sears Tower. And at least some of the time those things are true. But we shouldn’t forget that there are hard moments in the life of a teenager too.
I watched such a moment not long ago at a woman’s funeral. I didn’t expect the event to affect me. Through much of the ceremony, in fact, I remained unmoved.
The teenage grandson stepped forward. With his very first deep breath, every heart in that church was achingly reminded of something we had all forgotten. Softly he began: “I want to share a few values that Nana taught me. She never failed to see light in any situation. When our family dog would truely attract her, what would Nana say? ‘oh, what beautiful barking that dog has!’ That was Nana. ”
“She was a strong woman who often lived in the shadow of my grandpa, who was a successful businessman in this city. But she was the one behind the scenes who provided the strength and support for my grandpa’s career,” he said, with a voice now trembling, “That was Nana’s way.”
Through a low sob, he continued, “Whenever she did anything worth recognition, you
’d have to hear about it from a different source, because she was never one to show off.”
Finally, in a voice breaking free of sorrow, he looked up and said, “Nana taught me courage. She put up an incredible fight to the end, when she died peacefully, which is how she lived her life. That was Nana’s way, and I hope I can carry on in the same manner.”
There are no hearts as sensitive as those of teenagers, because everything is happening to them for the first time. The trouble with teenagers is that they haven’t learned to be controlled.
When that boy rose to speak about the woman who surely had been his truest and dearest friend, his honest voice dragged each of us out into the open where we could no longer hide in the calm ceremony . He exposed us to the truth about this very real woman who believed in a boy who probably tried the patience of many adults. He reminded us that his grandmother was more than another dot on the chart of life and death.
All over again we felt those powerful losses crossing our own hearts, and we knew that when you say good-bye to something happy, something young in yourself. And that something never really returns, and the pain never really goes away.In the first paragraph, the writer gave some examples to_____.
| A．support his idea that young people are no good. |
| B．introduce his point of view about young people. |
| C．tell people every coin has its two sides. |
| D．young people often make mistakes. |
From the boy’s speech, we know _____.
| A．his grandmother had great influence on him. |
| B．they had a dog which often attacked people |
| C．people had forgotten her until the boy appeared.. |
| D．his grandmother was so weak that she is always living in the shadow of his grandpa |
Which of the following statements is true?
| A．The boy ‘s speech moved no one present at the funeral except the writer. |
| B．The boy’s being good at expressing himself enabled him to draw everyone’s attention. |
| C．The boy was too grievedto accept the fact that his grandmother had passed away. |
| D．The writer didn’t expect the event would affect him. |
What words can best describe grandmother’s quality?
A. weak, mild and modest.
B.. easygoing, cautious and considerate
C. sensitive and hard on others.
D, patient, optimistic, strong and helpful.
70. The passage tells the readers____.
A. facing certain bitter facts help young people to grow.
B. young people have to control themselves
C. the adults should learn from the young.
D. the adults should teach the young how to be brave
Life gets noisier every day and very few people can be free from noise of some sort or another. It doesn’t matter where you live—in the middle of a modern city, or a faraway village—the chances that you will be disturbed by jet aeroplanes, transistor radios, oil-powered engines, etc. are almost everywhere .We seem to be getting used to noise, too. Some people feel quite lonely without background music while they are working.
Scientific tests have shown that total silence can be very frightening experience for human beings. However ,some people enjoy listening to pop music which is very loud, and this can do harm to their eardrums(耳鼓).The noise level in some disco is far above the usual safety level for heavy industrial areas.
One recent report about noise and concentration suggested that although a lot of people say that any noise disturbs their concentration, what really affects t
heir ability to concentrate is a change in the level of noise. It goes on to say that a background noise, which doesn’t change too much (music, for example) may even help people to concentrate.The best title for this passage is _______________.
| A．Noisy Life | B．Background Noise |
| C．Disturbed Concentration | D．Changeable Noise |
“Background music” in the passage means _______________.
| A．music played in the concert | B．a kind of noise coming into your ears |
| C．music helps people to concentrate | D．music played while people are working |
Some people may have their hearing hurt _______________.
| A．while they are in completely silence | B．while they are dancing violently |
| C．while they are listening to pop music | D．while they are listening to soft music |
Scientists have discovered that what prevents people from concentrating is _____.
| A．any kind of noise | B．great changes in level of noise |
| C．background noise | D．various background music |
What may even let people concentrate?
| A．Changeable noise. | B．Fairly stable noise. | C．Loud noise. | D．Some discos. |
Directions：Read the following three passages．Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements．For each of them there are 4 choices marked A，B，C and D．Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage．
A
Hi, dear boys and girls! Do you know how to be a healthy kid? Here are some rules you should follow.
First, eat different foods, especially fruit and vegetables. You may have a favorite food, but you'd better eat something different, if you eat different foods, you will probably get more nutrients your body needs.
Second, drink water and milk as often as possible. When you're really thirsty, cold water is the No.l choice. Milk is a great drink that can give you more calcium your body needs to grow strong bones.
Third, listen to your body. How do you feel when you are full? When you are eating, notice how your body feels and when your stomach feels comfortably full. Eating too much will not make you feel comfortable and make you fat.
Fourth, limit screen time. Screen time is the time you watch TV, DVDs and videos, or using computers. It is good to take more exercise such as basketball, bike riding and swimming. You can't watch TV for more than two hours a day.
Fifth, be active. One thing you'd like to do as a kid is to find out which activity you like best. Find ways to be active every day.
Follow these rules and you can be a healthy kid. You should eat different foods especially ___.
| A．meat | B．hamburgers | C．sweets | D．fruit and vegetables |
Which kind of drinks can give you more calcium?
| A．Juice | B．Milk | C．Cold water | D．Tea |
According to the passage, you should follow ＿＿rules if you want to be healthy.
| A．five | B．nine | C．fifteen | D．thirteen |
According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
| A．When you're eating, you don't have to notice how your body feels. |
| B．You can eat your favorite food as much as possible. |
| C．You can watch TV whenever you like to get more information. |
| D．We should try to live in an active way in our life. |
Which is the best title of the passage?
| A．How to make yourself important |
| B．How to be a healthy kid |
| C．How to be a popular kid |
| D．How to make your parents healthy |
Never go into a supermarket hungry! This is a good piece of advice. If you go shopping for food before lunchtime, you’ll probably buy more than you plan to. Unfortunately, however, just this advice isn’t enough for consumers these days. Modern shoppers need an education in how and how not to buy things at the store. First, you check the weekly newspaper ads. Find out the items that are on sale and decide if you really need these things. In other words, don’t buy anything just because it’s cheaper than usual! “New and Improved!” or “All Natural” on the front of a package influence you. Instead, read the list of ingredients(contents) on the back. Third, compare prices: that is, you should examine the prices of both different brands and different sizes of the same brand.
Another suggestion for consumers is to buy ordinary items instead of famous brands. Ordinary items in supermarkets come in plain packages. These products are cheaper because producers don’t spend much money on packing or advertising. The quality, however, is usually as good as the quality of well-known name brands. In the same way, in buying clothes, you can often find high quality and low prices in brands th
at are not famous. Shopping in discount clothing stores can help you save a lot of money. Although these stores aren’t very attractive, and they usually do not have individual dressing rooms, not only are the prices low, but you can often find the same famous brands that you find in high-priced department stores.
Wise consumers read magazine ads and watch TV commercials, but they do this with one advantage: knowledge of the psychology behind the ads. In other words, well-informed consumers watch for information and check for misinformation. They ask themselves questions: Is the advertiser hiding something in small print at the bottom of the page? Is there any real information in the commercial, or is the advertiser simply showing an attractive image? With the answers to these questions, consumers can make a wise choice.All the following statements are true about the phrase “ordinary items” in Paragraph 2 EXCEPT __________.
| A．ordinary items never say “New and Improved” or “All Natural” |
| B．ordinary products are usually cheaper than famous brands |
| C．producers spend less money on packaging of ordinary items |
| D．the quality of ordinary items is usually as good as that of famous brands |
What does the writer think about ads? __________
| A．They are believable. | B．They are attractive. |
| C．They are full of misinformation. | D．They are helpful to consumers. |
One of the author’s suggestions to consumers is __________.
| A．to make use of ads |
| B．not to buy items with words like “New and Improved” or “All Natural” |
| C．to buy high quality items such as famous brands after lunch |
| D．to buy any ordinary items instead of famous brands |
The author implies that __________.
| A．going into the supermarket hungry, you may buy more than you plan to |
| B．the quality of ordinary items is usually high and the prices are relatively low |
| C．discount clothing stores are good places to go to |
| D．ads sometimes don’t tell the truth |
Compared with the previous week, air quality in Shanghai became worse last week , according to the latest report from the Shanghai Environment Monitoring Centre．
The average air pollution index （API） for sulphur dioxide （SO2） remain almost unchanged from the previous week, but the APIs for nitrogen oxide （NOx） and total suspended （悬浮） particles （TSP） rose by 35 and 27 percent．
The overall quality still belonged to class 2 category．Nitrogen oxide, caused mainly by vehicle exhaust and burning of cooking gas, was still the major pollutant of the week．
The Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Centre operates six automatic air monitors in the city’s Putuo, Yangpu, Luwan, Hongkou, Jing’an and Xuhui districts．
Judging from the chart, on which day was the air quality the worst?
| A．October 13． | B．October 14． | C．October 17． | D．October 18． |
Which of the following can be used to describe the air quality of the week?
| A．Good． | B．Seriously polluted． |
| C．Excellent． | D．Slightly polluted． |
Six automatic air monitors are operated in the city except ________．
| A．Putuo District |
| B．Xuhui District |
| C．Chang’an District |
| D．Hongkou District |
In shanghai, nitrogen oxide mainly comes from ________．
| A．the burning natural gas |
| B．the burning cooking gas |
| C．the burning coal |
| D．dust raised by vehicles |
This passage is obviously taken from ________．
| A．a magazine about air pollution |
| B．a scientific report from TV |
| C．the weather column in a newspaper |
| D．the traveling guide to Shanghai |
Most Chinese people these days
know what it is like to have an “English teacher”, since almost all pupils study English from their third year. Usually that first English teacher will be a young and lovely lady in primary school. But my first English teacher is no other than my father. Looking back, I can see that, when I was only a little girl, he created an English environment by providing me with flashcards（识字卡），fun English- language toys and even dolls which can sing English songs! My interest in English had certainly been awakened（唤起） when I began to learn English at school. Just imagine, he went a step further and a
sked me to learn New Concept English by myself! I was confused and even angry. I could not understand why a father could be so strict with his little girl. All the same, he never gave up and he gently insisted that I follow through with his idea. At first, I read stories with tears and I actually hated them because they were too difficult for me. In the end, I came to love the funny stories and, to be honest, my father was always there with a helping hand. I am sure that my English would never have got so far without his support. And that’s why my father is not only my first English teacher but also my lifelong teacher. He is the one who awoke my interest, who gave me confidence and who offered me much needed help.Most pupils in China begin to learn English________.
| A．in primary school | B．from parents | C．at three years old | D．at home |
The underline part ‘no other than my father’ in the passage probably means________.
| A．like my father | B．not my father | C．my father himself | D．not only my father |
From the whole passage we can see that________.
| A．the girl preferred playing to learning English |
| B．the girl hates her father because he was strict |
| C．the girl is very thankful to her father |
| D．the father gave up after knowing his daughter could not understand |
Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．The girl’s father is her first English teacher. |
| B．The girl had been interested in English before going to school. |
| C．The girl’s father was always ready to help her with her English. |
| D．The girl could have learned English well by herself without her father. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．How I learned English at school |
| B．My father---my first and lifelong English teacher |
| C．The relationship between my father and I |
| D．I’ve made progress in English learning |
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