I have learned something about myself since I moved from Long Island to Florida three years ago. Even though I own a home in Port St. Lucie just minutes from the ocean, an uncontrollable urge wells up to return to Long Island even as others make their way south. I guess I am a snowbird stuck in reverse. Instead of enjoying Florida’s mild winters, I willingly endure the severe weather on Long Island, the place I called home for 65 years.
I’m like a migratory bird (候鸟) that has lost its sense of timing and direction, my wings flapping against season.
So what makes me fly against the tide of snowbirds? The answer has a lot to do with my reluctance to give up the things that define who I am. Once I hear that the temperature on Long Island has dipped into the range of 40 to 50 degrees, I begin to long for the sight and crackling sound of a wood fire. I also long for the bright display of colors -- first in the fall trees, and then in the lights around homes and at Rockefeller Center. Floridians decorate too, but can’t create the special feel of a New England winter.
I suppose the biggest reason why I return is to celebrate the holidays with people I haven’t seen in months. What could be better than sitting with family and friends for a Thanksgiving turkey dinner, or watching neighbors children excitedly open gifts on Christmas? Even the first snowfall seems special. I especially enjoy seeing a bright red bird settling on a snow-covered branch. (My wife and I spend winters at a retirement community in Ridge, and I’m grateful that I don’t have to shovel.)
While these simple pleasures are not unique to Long Island, they are some of the reasons why I come back. Who says you can’t go home?
1.What does the underlined word “reluctance” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.Coincidence. B.Expectation. C.Unwillingness. D.Motivation.
2.Which of the following words can best describe the author?
A.Imaginative and outspoken. B.Hard-working and serious.
C.Homesick and easy-going. D.Anxious and painful.
3.What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A.To describe his dream to be a free bird.
B.To explain the reasons for moving from his hometown.
C.To praise the beauty and warmth of his hometown.
D.To express his feeling of missing his hometown.
Restaurants play a major part in defining the characteristics of a city. They reveal the diversity of the place，the pace of the nightlife and the financial health. Beijing，a metropolis that is home to 20 million people，has tens of thousands of restaurants. Here are some special restaurants in Beijing.
Diaoyutai State Guest Restaurant
Traditionally，Diaoyutai State Guest Restaurant only served visiting dignitaries(达官贵人).But since 1980，it has opened to the public. It offers not only Chinese cuisine at its best but also secluded dining experience in an otherwise buzzing(嘈杂的) metropolis.
Location:No.2 Fucheng Road，Haidian District，Beijing
Cost:$222.01 per person
Heritage in Wanda Plaza
Heritage offers French cuisine，which is famous for its rich taste and subtle nuances. Location:Wanda Plaza，No.93 Jianguo Road，Chaoyang District，Beijing Cost:$ 125.49 per person
Kyoto Kaden Minokichi Kaiseki Ryori(怀石料理) in Pangu Hotel
Located in the only 7 star hotel in Beijing，Kyoto Kaden Minokichi Kaiseki Ryori is undoubtedly the most expensive restaurant in the city. Kaiseki is a traditional multi course Japanese diner. Kaiseki only uses seasonal ingredients and is prepared by master Japanese chef to reflect change of seasons.
Location:Pangu 7 Star Hotel，Beijing 27 Central North 4th Ring Road Chaoyang District，Beijing
Cost:$1159.29 per person
China Grill
People come for food but stay for the view. Situated on the top floor of a landmark building in the heart of CBD，China Grill offers an unparalleled view of Beijing landscape.
Location:66/F Park Hyatt,2 Jianguomen Wai，CBD，Beijing
Cost:$ 130.79 per person
1.What does the underlined word “secluded” mean in the second paragraph?
A.Fashionable. B.Crowded. C.Popular. D.Peaceful.
2.What can we learn about Kyoto Kaden Minokichi Kaiseki Ryori?
A.It only served visiting dignitaries when first opened. B.Its food is prepared by master Chinese chef.
C.It is the most expensive restaurant in Beijing. D.It is located in Haidian District in Beijing.
3.What is special about China Grill among the restaurants mentioned above?
A.It is the only one that serves Chinese food. B.It is the cheapest one of the four.
C.You can enjoy the view of Beijing when dining there. D.It is famous for its rich taste.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the speaker?
A.A student. B.A professor. C.A teacher’s helper.
2.What is the class mainly about?
A.Electricity. B.Modern science. C.Science in ancient Greece and Rome.
3.What was calculated correctly by an ancient Greek?
A.The size of the earth. B.The size of the moon.
C.The distance between the moon and the earth.
4.What will the speaker do next?
A.Talk about Archimedes. B.Explain a math problem. C.Answer some questions.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why does the woman plan to wear a mask tomorrow?
A.Because of the smog. B.Because of her illness. C.Because of the cold weather.
2.What’s a big problem in the city?
A.The heavy traffic. B.The air pollution. C.The large population.
3.What do the speakers decide to do?
A.Change their ways to go to work. B.Ask the government to do something.
C.Call on people to protect the environment.
4.What can we know about the man?
A.He always uses the public transport. B.He seldom listens to the weather report.
C.He is waiting for the weather to improve soon.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman say about her family?
A.They led a poor life. B.They kept a lot of birds. C.They owned a small farm.
2.What did the woman’s mother impress her with?
A.Her love. B.Her success. C.Her ambition.
3.What did the woman’s mother wish her to do?
A.Go to college. B.Become a writer. C.Have a better life.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man dislike?
A.Eating out. B.Shopping online. C.Going to the store.
2.What’s the girl’s plan?
A.Waiting for her mother. B.Having some pizza. C.Staying at home.
