If you have never ever heard of pawpaw，you are not alone. Most Americans do not know of the fruit，although it is native to the United States. Once，however，it was one of the most popular fruits in North America. Happily，those who love the pawpaw are trying to return it to its former position in American foods.
The pawpaw is a kind of fruit that grows on trees found all over the eastern United States. It is similar in size to a typical mango. It has a dull green-colored skin，and a soft，almost creamy orange inside. Most people agree that the pawpaw tastes like a combination of bananas，apricots （杏）and mangos. Most people are very surprised by its sweet taste. The fruit has a very short harvest season，from two to three weeks in September and October.
The pawpaw has never been sold commercially. The fruit requires a very special environment-low，wet areas that sometimes flood. In addition，the fruit is good to eat for only two to three days after harvesting. This makes it hard to sell anywhere distant from the pawpaw trees.
Planters are again growing pawpaw trees and harvesting the fruit. In several states farmers have organized “pawpaw festivals” to reintroduce the food to people.
Farmers are trying to grow different kinds of paw paws that will be easier to ship and sell commercially. Donna and Jim Davis are pawpaw farmers in Westminster，Maryland. They told National Public Radio that they purchased their pawpaw trees in the 1990s and now sell the fruit at farmer markets and online.
So, who knows? Maybe the pawpaw will show up soon at a market near you.
1.What is the pawpaw's most outstanding nature?
A. It grows on trees all over the US.
B. Its sour taste is like an apricot.
C. It looks like a combination of bananas and mangos.
D. It is very rich in sugar.
2.Why is it difficult for the pawpaw to become a big business?
A. It has to be sold far from the pawpaw tree.
B. It is difficult to harvest in the low and wet areas.
C. It is hard to keep its freshness for long.
D. It needs expensive transportation to the market.
3.What do farmers do to deal with the disadvantage of paw paws?
A. They advertise on National Public Radio.
B. They plant improved pawpaw trees.
C. They organize pawpaw festivals.
D. They sell the fruit at farmer markets.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. A forgotten American fruit is becoming popular again.
B. Fruit of pawpaw plays an important part in America.
C. Most people have hardly eaten fresh paw paws.
D. A traditional fruit has changed people's diet.
There is such a group of singers in the western musical circle at present, who enter the business as online celebrities(名人)and then become top idols and giant stars globally.They become popular for their videos online and then they are discovered by talent agents and gradually cause huge storms in the musical circle.For example, Troye Sivan, a singer who is nicknamed “chuoye”, became popular on You tube from an early age.
As a popular video sharing website, You Tube has given rise to plenty of stars, creating a new celebrity culture.Providing a platform where anyone can post videos, You tube presents the opportunity for anyone to achieve fame by simply uploading a short video.Sivan has been making you tube videos since he was 12 to show his singing talent.In the digital age, Sivan has already developed large devoted audience online and his sensitive video blogs have earned him extreme popularity.
A.survey has showed that US teenagers are more attracted with You Tube stars, which is a surprising result.You Tube stars are judged to be more attractive, outstanding and related than traditional stars.Looking at the survey comments and feedback, teens enjoy a close and real experience with You Tube celebrities, who aren't carefully directed by design.Teens also say they appreciate YouTube stars sense of humor and risk-taking spirit, which are often limited by Hollywood stars.As a result, singers who make their first show in the traditional way no longer have a complete advantage in front of the audience.Online platforms open up a lot of doors for people.They become the best place to be discovered.
1.How do online celebrities become popular?
A.By acting in Hollywood.
B.By writing blogs on the website.
C.By posting their videos online and gain recognition.
D.By meeting audience across the country.
2.Why does the writer mention Troye Sivan in Paragraph I and Paragraph 2?
A.To give an example of becoming successful by working hard.
B.To give an example of becoming a well-known singer with the help of the website.
C.To give an example of holding a successful concert.
D.To give an example of sticking to great determination.
3.What can we infer about Hollywood stars according to the last paragraph?
A.They never give performances online.
B.They are more outstanding than YouTube stars.
C.They write less sensitive video blogs than YouTube stars.
D.They are less humorous and risk-taking than YouTube stars.
4.What is the author’s attitude towards online platforms like You Tube?
A.Positive. B.Negative.
C.Uncaring. D.Doubtful.
My six-year-old son, Stephen, was in front of the TV and smiled. His favorite show was about to begin---a Phoenix Suns basketball game.
“Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer’s voice was heard, “here is your starting lineup (首发阵容).” The arena (球场) darkened and the lights flashed when the players ran into the court to sing their team song. Stephen clapped and danced around. My wife Lorrie and I laughed. Stephen had been performing this for months. “One day I’m going to take you to a game, son,” I promised.
About a year later, the construction company where I worked finished a project for a Suns player. One afternoon my boss called me. “The player has two extra tickets for tonight’s game! Just pick them up at my office,” he said. I picked up the tickets, but felt a little disappointed when I looked at the clock. Even if I had had a helicopter, we would never have gone to the arena in time for the player introductions. Stephen would miss his favorite part! I grabbed my key, got Stephen in my car and hit the road. “Lord,” I prayed, “I’d love to see the joy on Stephen’s face. Help us make it on time.”
When I drove, it began to rain heavily. Suddenly, lightning flashed right near the arena! I turned on the radio to listen to the game. The announcer said there’d been a power failure at America West Arena. Everyone was fine, but there would be a delay until they got everything running. Finally, I parked the car and we walked in hurriedly to take our seats. I hoped that we hadn’t missed the introductions.
The very moment we entered the arena, the lights darkened. The music started. “Ladies and gentlemen, here’s your starting lineup!” Stephen’s eyes grew wide. There wasn’t enough space for him to dance around, but I could tell that his heart was leaping more than his body was able to. Thank heaven, he hadn’t missed a thing. And neither had I.
1.How did the author get the tickets?
A. His boss bought the tickets from a Suns player for him.
B. He bought the tickets from his boss.
C. His boss gave him the tickets as a reward for his work.
D. A Suns player offered the tickets for their work.
2.Why did the author feel disappointed when he got the tickets?
A. The game had already begun when he picked up the tickets.
B. The arena where the game would take place was too old.
C. It was too late for them to catch the beginning of the game.
D. He had no way to get a helicopter to take his son to the arena.
3.What might cause the delay of the game?
A. The arena was too wet and dirty after the heavy rain.
B. Lightning destroyed something at the arena.
C. The audience did not come to the arena on time.
D. The players came to the arena late because of the heavy rain.
4.What did the author mean by saying “And neither had I”?
A. He kept his promise to his son. B. He didn’t lose his job.
C. He didn’t miss a great match. D. He felt his son’s joy.
Alabama: Priester’s Pecans
Dessert in the South basically starts and ends with an ooey-gooey pecan(核桃) pie. Especially in Alabama, where the pecan is the official state nut. While there are plenty of farms that pick and package pecans, perhaps the most famous is Priester’s, a family-run business that’s been supplying Alabama with its favorite nuts for over seven decades.
Alaska: Salmon jerky
Forget beef jerky(肉干)—in Alaska, it’s all about the salmon jerky. Home to five different species of the flavorful fish (king, red, pink, silver, and chum), the northernmost state produces nearly one-third of the wild salmon consumed around the world. Bonus: Salmon is one of the seven healthiest fish you can eat.
Arizona: Saguaro cactus
The largest cactus(仙人掌) in the United States, the saguaro cactus is found only in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Living to be up to 200 years old, the cacti, whose flower is also the state’s flower, are generally around 30 feet tall and can grow unlimited arms. Want to see for yourself? Visit one of these 10 outstanding desert escapes in America.
California: Wine Guide
It isn’t called “Wine Country” for no reason. Northern California, specifically Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, produce over 60,000 registered wine labels, making vino(酒类产品) the state’s most valuable agricultural product. If you’re looking for the most popular varietals(优质酿酒葡萄汁), the top two frequently planted grapes are chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
1.How long has the Priester’s farm lasted?
A.About 7 years. B.About 30 years.
C.About 70 years. D.About 200 years.
2.Which state is famous for salmon?
A.Alaska. B.Arizona.
C.Alabama. D.California.
3.Where does the text probably come from?
A.A library guide. B.A news report.
C.A project handbook. D.A travel guide.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the first prize?
A.A two – week holiday. B.A 500 – pound camera. C.Two plane tickets to Jamaica.
2.When will the result of the competition come out?
A.On August 25. B.On August 31. C.On September 15.
3.What requirement do the photos need to meet?
A.They must be in black and white. B.They must be taken by kids over 18.
C.They must have been taken on holiday.
4.What does the speaker remind the competitors to do?
A.Write their information on the back of the photos.
B.Take part in next month’s super sports competition.
C.Get their photos back after the competition.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How many persons will share the house?
A.Two. B.Three. C.Four.
2.Which year of university is the woman in now?
A.The first year. B.The second year. C.The third year.
3.Why doesn’t the woman like the second house?
A.It’s too expensive. B.It’s not big enough. C.It’s not near the university.
4.What do we know about the last house?
A.It has a big garden. B.It is well furnished. C.The price is attractive.
