Wolves are important animals in the traditions and stories of most Native American tribes. To Native Americans, wolves often represent bravery. The animals also are signs of strength, loyalty, and success at hunting. Other cultures--such as the ancient Celtic and Nordic peoples-also placed high value on wolves.
However, from the wolves in horror films to the wolves in children’s stories, wolves get a bum rap(不公正的惩罚) in both literature and English expressions.
To begin with, there is the term lone wolf. The lone wolf isn’t a bad person. But they like to do things on their own. However, the term can mean something less than desirable. Lone wolf makes you think the person doesn’t want to be around people because he or she dislikes them.
Now, let’s move on to the home.
Parents might criticize their children for wolfing down their food. In other words, the child eats very quickly and without care. And if someone says a child was raised by wolves, that child has bad manners and is behaving like a wild animal. A wolf at the door means someone to whom you owe money is waiting just outside your door.
By the way, there are two popular wolf-related expressions that come from Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller.
The first is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A wolf in sheep’s clothing describes someone who acts and looks nice on the outside but is bad on the inside.
Aesop’s other wolf fable also involves a shepherd, but not a hardworking one. He is known as the boy who cried wolf. People who cry wolf are not trusted. People are so familiar with this story, you simply have to say cry wolf for them to know what you mean.
1.According to the passage, which group of people may think wolves are bad animals?
A. The ancient Nordic people B. The ancient Celtic people
C. Native Americans D. The English people
2.Which of the following can describe a person who often acts alone?
A. A wild wolf B. A lone wolf
C. A wolf at the door D. A wolf in sheep’s clothing
3.What may you probably mean by saying someone cries wolf?
A. The person is selfish B. The person is a liar
C. The person is stubborn D. The person is a troublemaker
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. Stories about wolves
B. The research on wolves
C. Expressions about wolves
D. The cultural differences about wolves
One evening I was going back from a supermarket. As I was approaching my car, I noticed that some person came and stood beside me. He was the one that could be considered as a bum. It seemed that he had no car, no home and no job. I thought that he would ask me for money, but he did not do that, he only said: “Your car is very nice”.
After several moments of silence, I replied: “Thanks”, and then the inner voice told me, “Ask him if he needs help”. After a short hesitation I asked him if he needed any help. His response was astonishing. I will never forget those simple three words that I heard from him: —“Don’t we all?”
It was a true discovery to me. I needed help. Although I had money and a place to sleep, I recognized that I needed help too. Then I opened my wallet and gave him enough money to get a meal and some shelter for a day.
Suddenly I understood that no matter how much money we have, we all need help. On the other hand, no matter how poor you are and how many material problems you have, you still might offer your help to others and you still might be giving. Even it’s just a nice word, you can give that and it can be priceless to other persons.
Maybe that man was just a homeless stranger, but to me he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by the Highest Loving Power personally to me to open my eyes and to show me that there is one thing, among all other values, which is very important and irreplaceable for each and every person. Actually, it is a true gift and it is called Giving.
1.The underlined word “bum” in Paragraph 1 can be a person _______.
A. who needs money B. who is a homeless man
C. who is willing to help others D. who is sent by the Highest Loving Power
2.Why did the writer give enough money to the man?
A. The writer had enough money to help.
B. He needed money to eat and have a rest.
C. His words gave the writer deep thoughts.
D. The writer is kind and always helps others.
3.What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?
A. Not everyone needs help. B. Giving is as important as receiving.
C. The rich should help the poor. D. A helping and touching word can help others.
4.What did the writer probably get from the man?
A. True meaning of giving. B. True meaning of being rich.
C. True meaning of values. D. True meaning of gifts.
No. 1 Snapchat
With this app, the pictures people share with friends will disappear automatically(自动地) after they are seen. Snapchat has become more and more popular since 2012. Over 700 million photos have been shown daily by May 2014, up from 20 million per day in 2012.
No. 2 Uber
The on-demand car service app allows users to order a ride and get picked up within minutes. On-demand service means no need to reserve (预订) and no waiting in taxi queues. And the app can be used in more than 40 countries.
N0. 3 WhatsApp
WhatsApp became the world’s most popular chat app in 2014 with over 600 million monthly users in August. It was also bought by Facebook in October for about $ 22 billion (about 136 billion yuan).
No. 4 Venmo
The mobile payment service is used to share bills by friends, who get together to have dinner or do something else. It took Millennials’ (生于1984-1995年间的“千禧一代”) smart-phones by storm in 2014. It is said that among college students the word “Venmo” is now being used as a verb—“just Venmo me”.
1.Which app can be chosen by those who like taking and sharing photos?
A. Snapchat. B. WhatsApp. C. Venmo. D. Uber
2.What can we use Uber for?
A. Pick up somebody. B. Traveling to different countries.
C. Calling a taxi. D. Waiting in lines.
3.How many people use WhatsApp in August, 2014?
A. Over 700 million. B. About 136 billion. C. About 22 billion. D. Over 600 million.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Which grade is the audience in ?
A. Grade One B. Grade Two . C. Grade Three .
2.What is the second piece of advice about?
A. A quiet place . B. An effective method . C. A good partner.
3.How often should students rest during study time ?
A. Ten minutes per hour . B. Twenty minutes per hour .
C. Ten minutes every two hours.
4.What does the speaker advise the audience to do at last ?
A. Spend over a week preparing for exams.
B. Reward themselves when their goals are reached.
C. Go to the concerts regularly to relax themselves.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why does the man say Hisense TVs are of high quality?
A. Because of their functions . B. Because of their appearances .
C. Because of their pictures .
2.What will the woman get if she buys a TV now?
A. A free DVD. B. A cheap CD. C. A big discount .
3.How much should the woman pay in total ?
A. $2,000 . B. $3,650 . C. $4,000 .
4.What do we know about the woman?
A. She lives in the city center. B. She works on Morning Sun Street.
C. She’d like to pay her bill in cash.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the man most probably?
A. A guide. B. A painter. C. A businessman.
2.What was called an “apple” by jazz musicians?
A. The concert they played.
B. The city where they performed .
C. The local man they came across.
3.Where does the woman suggest going?
A. The man’s neighborhood. B. A museum. C. A jazz club.
