When introducing American universities, some of the first institutions to mention are the Ivy League schools. Originally, the Ivy League was an athletic conference made up of 8 private institutes of higher learning in northeastern United States. However, as time went on, these schools also became known for their excellence in academics besides athletics. Included in the Ivy League schools are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and Harvard University. These 8 schools have been recognized as some of the best colleges and universities in the United States.
Harvard University is a private institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The university includes a number of graduate and professional schools, as well as a college for undergraduates. In 2012, Harvard ranked number one in US News’ ranking of national universities again. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institute of higher education in the United States. It can be said that first there was Harvard, then the United States of America. Also, Harvard’s library contains the oldest collection of books in the United States as well as the largest private collection in the world. Harvard has also been described by Forbes Magazine as one of the “billionaire universities” as of their recent list of 469 billionaires, 50 received a degree from Harvard.
Harvard College (the institute for undergraduate students) is one of the most famous schools in the United States. It offers over 40 undergraduate fields of study, including astrophysics(天体物理学), mathematics, neurobiology(神经生物学), etc. And the financial aid program there is amazing. Even though the tuition is about $ 37,576, and there are other expenses throughout the year, about 70% of undergraduate students received financial aid. Out of those students, over 90% of them had their full need met. And the policies for international students are the same for U.S. citizens.
Harvard College is very selective, as it only admits about 6% of their applicants. For admission into Harvard College, it is required that students take the SAT or the ACT, as well as SAT Subject Tests. Harvard will also look at other factors during admission such as your application essay, high school transcript, work experience, GPA (Grade Point Average), your interview, recommendations, and most importantly, your character and personal qualities.
1.What are the Ivy League schools famous for?
A. Athletics and location. B. Academics and history.
C. Financial aid and training. D. Athletics and academics.
2.Why is Harvard called one of the “billionaire universities”?
A. Because nearly one ninth of the billionaires once studied in Harvard.
B. Because there are 50 billionaires in Harvard.
C. Because people can get a lot of money from Harvard.
D. Because 469 billionaires sponsor Harvard.
3.What can we learn from the passage?
A. 90% students in Harvard have their full need met.
B. About 70% of undergraduate students received financial aid.
C. Harvard College is the institute for graduate students.
D. The policies for international students are different for U.S. citizens.
4.To be admitted by Harvard, you need ________.
①high school transcript
②a good application essay
③living permit
④to take the SAT or the ACT
⑤health certificate
⑥good personal qualities
A. ①②③ B. ④⑤⑥
C. ①③⑤ D. ②④⑥
Your local grocery store is a psychological minefield (布雷区)，where even the bananas are ripe with mystery.
1.Southpaws (左撇子) have an invisible advantage
You've probably seen that stores keep go-to items produce, meats, dairy on the outer edge. But did you notice that most of them are set up to make you run counterclockwise (逆时针)? Ninety percent of us are right-handed, so we buy more when it's counterclockwise.You'll also often find the dairy section in the back-left corner: Because dairy is likely on your list, stores make sure you take the longest route to get there.In fairness, it's also a more convenient place to put a fridge.
2.Everything is in its place
It's safe to say that nothing you see on a shelf is there by chance.The cookies on sale at the end of a passage are likely the result of smart product placement.More expensive items are usually placed at an adult's eye level, while colorful treats and other products for kids are positioned lower to catch the attention of children.
3.Time goes by so slowly
Stores rarely have windows or clocks.With no reference to the outside world, customers can easily lose track of how long they've been there so that they can buy more.Grocery stores may use another trick to control your sense of time: small floor tiles (瓷砖).
1.Why do stores usually put dairy in the back-left corner?
A. To make people buy more. B. To attract people's attention.
C. Because it is a quiet place. D. Because most people are right-handed.
2.You are more likely to find toys________.
A. in corners B. at the end of a passage
C. at an adult's eye level D. on lower shelves
3.Why are there usually no windows or clocks in stores?
A. They are useless. B. To make customers stay longer.
C. There is no space for them. D. To allow customers to enjoy themselves.
4.Which can be the best title for the text?
A. Advantages of stores B. Secrets of stores
C. How to shop in stores D. How to operate a store
Mark was a great kid from a tough neighborhood. Crime, drugs, fighting and poverty: You name the problem and his neighborhood had it. A scholarship fund provided his tuition to Catholic High, where he was a great baseball player.
Mark struggled in the classroom, though. He was bright, just behind, due to a more than difficult home environment. But there were problems finding the time for all he needed to do. After-school tutoring seemed impossible because of baseball practice. Some suggested Mark abandon sports and concentrate on “schooling”. But, in reality, if he was going to attend college he would need his sports; so to miss practice and then perform any less than at his best on the field was not wise.
A fellow teacher, Mrs. Jones, offered to tutor Mark in math at her home. I asked Mark to come to my house for other areas of work. No one paid us. Mrs. Jones summed it up this way: “Pay day doesn’t always come on Mondays”.
When we were not working with Mark to improve his skills for the ACT, the coach and Mark’s dad took him to various colleges to talk with both baseball and football program coaches. He settled on the college that offered him scholarships to play both sports. But he needed a good ACT score.
It takes months to receive the results of college entrance exams. One afternoon after school, while I was grading papers in my room, there was a noise outside the door.
Mark came in, lifted me out of the seat behind my desk, spun(旋转) me around in the air, and yelled over and over: “I’m going to college! I’m going to college!”
“I guess you got your scores!” I asked.
“Well, yeah!” he laughed. “And guess what? I got one point more than I need to be admitted. One point extra. Thank you! Now, where’s Mrs. Jones? I’ve got to tell her too!”
Until that moment, I had never quite understood what the expression “Pay day doesn’t always come on Mondays” meant. But it was clear to me the instant Mark ran into the room to announce his news. No amount of money could ever replace my spin in the air at the hands of a boy who finally had a chance at a better life.
1.Mark had difficulty in learning mainly because ________.
A. he spent most of his spare time practicing baseball
B. his family couldn’t afford any tutoring for him
C. his parent didn’t care about his study
D. he was constantly involved in the crimes in his neighborhood
2.According to the article, which of the following is false?
A. The teachers offered to tutor Mark free of charge.
B. Theft was a problem in Mark’s neighborhood.
C. Mark owed his success in passing ACT to his teachers.
D. Mark went to college mainly due to his good ACT score.
3.The underlined word “settled on” in the fourth paragraph probably means _____.
A. was accepted by B. reached a final decision about
C. paid a visit to D. became familiar with
4.What is the best title for this passage?
A. Pay Day Will Come Some Day.
B. Practice Makes a Better Life.
C. Relationships between Teachers and Students.
D. Never Give up on Yourself.
1.Which film is the most suitable for a high school student interested in science fictions?
A. I Feel Pretty. B. Traffik. C. Genesis. D. Le Redoutable.
2.If you are a big fan of film star Michelle Williams, you will choose to watch _______.
A. I Feel Pretty B. Traffik C. Genesis D. Le Redoutable
3.Which of the following statement is true about the film Le Redoutable?
A. The story happens in Great Britain.
B. The film lasts more than two hours.
C. It intends to discuss the nature and value of free will.
D. It's a love story between a film director and an actress.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the speaker talking about?
A. Dream. B. Reality. C. Relationship.
2.What can we know about Cathy?
A. She likes sailing. B. She is an old woman. C. She is afraid of storms.
3.What does the speaker want to do?
A. Save all creatures. B. Participate in exploring Mars. C. Live for several hundred years.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why can’t Mr.Parker answer the phone?
A. He is not in. B. He has a meeting. C. He is making a call.
2.When does the conversation take place according to Shanghai time?
A. At 9:00 in the evening. B. At 2:00 in the afternoon. C. At 9:00 in the morning.
3.What has Mr.Parker known about Mr.Jacob before the call?
A. Schedule. B. Phone. C. Email address.
