More students than ever before are taking a gap year (间隔年) before going to university. It used to be called the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated (起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.
This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).
That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible.” he said.
But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship—young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to £ 15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods,” he said.
1.What do we learn about the gap year from the text?
A.It is flexible in length. B.It is a time for relaxation.
C.It is increasingly popular. D.It is required by universities.
2.According to Tony Higgins, students taking a gap year .
A.are better prepared for college studies
B.know a lot more about their future jobs
C.are more likely to leave university in debt
D.have a better chance to enter top universities
3.How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?
A.He’s puzzled. B.He’s worried.
C.He’s surprised. D.He’s annoyed.
4.What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?
A.Attend additional courses. B.Make plans for the new term.
C.Earn money for their education. D.Prepare for their graduate studies.
It was Mother’s Day morning last year and I was doing my shopping at our local supermarket with my five-year-old son, Tenyson. As we were leaving, we found that only minutes earlier an elderly woman had fallen over at the entrance and had hit her head on the concrete. Her husband was with her, but there was blood everywhere and the woman was embarrassed and clearly in shock.
Walking towards the scene, Tenyson became very upset about what had happened to the couple. He said to me, “Mum, it’s not much fun falling over in front of everyone.”
At the front of the supermarket a charity(慈善) group had set up a stand selling cooked sausages and flowers to raise funds. Tenyson suggested that we should buy the lady a flower. “It will make her feel better,” he said. I was amazed that he’d come up with such a sweet idea. So we went over to the flower seller and asked her if we could buy a flower for the lady to cheer her up. “Just take it,” she replied. “I can’t take your money for such a wonderful gesture.”
By now paramedics（救援人员）had arrived, and were attending the injured woman. As we walked up to her, my son became______by all the blood and medical equipment. He said he was just too scared to go up to her.
Instead I gave the flower to the woman’s husband and told him, “ My son was very upset for your wife and wanted to give her this flower to make her feel better.”
At that, the old man started crying and said, “Thank you so much, you have a wonderful son. Happy Mother’s Day to you.”
The man then bent down and gave his wife the flower, telling her who it was from. Though badly hurt and shaken, the old lady looked up at Tenyson with love in her eyes and gave him a little smile.
1.What dose the author intend to tell us?
A.One can never be too careful.
B.Actions speak louder than words.
C.Love begins with a little smile.
D.A small act of kindness brings a great joy.
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The elderly woman was knocked down by Tenyson.
B.Tenyson’s idea of buying a flower gained his mother’s support.
C.Tenyson’s care for the elderly woman puzzled the flower seller.
D.The elderly woman was moved to tears by Tenyson’s gesture.
3.The underlined word “intimidated” in the fourth paragraph probably means “___________”.
A.astonished B.struck C.frightened D.excited
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Flower Power
B.Mother’s Day
C.An Accidental Injury
D.An Embarrassing Moment
Basketball Statistician Help Wanted
The Athletic Department is looking for students to help assist staff during the Fall 2016, Winter 2016-17 and Spring 2017 semesters. Students in this position will be keeping live statistics during basketball games. Students must meet all of the following requirements:
•Good computer skills
•Available evenings and weekends
•Knowing basketball rules and statistics
Students interested in working for the Athletic Department should contact the Athletic Coordinator at their respective(各自的) campuses.
•TP/SS Athletic Coordinator, Michael Simone, 240-567-1308
•Rockville Athletic Coordinator, Jorge Zuniga, 240-567-7589
•Springfield Athletic Coordinator, Gary Miller, 240-567-2273
•Germantown Athletic Coordinator, Gauri Chavan, 240-567-6915
1.When will the job start?
A.In May 2016. B.In May 2017.
C.In September 2016. D.In September 2017.
2.Who is more likely to get the job?
A.Sam, English major, member of the college basketball team.
B.Judy, IT staff with night classes, children’s basketball team coach.
C.Ted, computer major, basketball fan, free on evenings and weekends.
D.Molly, part-time programmer, high school basketball player, new mother.
3.Whom should you contact if you want to apply for the job in Rockville?
A.Michael. B.Jorge.
C.Gauri. D.Gary.
假如你是学生会主席李华，你校即将举行一年一度的“校园书展（a campus book fair）”活动，其目的是给同学们提供一个交换、利用图书的机会。请你用英语写信给你的加拿大笔友Mike，介绍此次活动的有关活动并征求他的建议。内容应包括：
1. 活动目的；
2. 活动内容：买书、卖书、交换图书；
3. 活动意义。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头和结尾已给出，但不计入总次数。
Dear Mike,
How are you doing these days? _______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文．文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处．每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改．
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词．
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉．
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词．
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分．
Many of us were raised with the saying "Waste not, want not". None of us, therefore, can completely avoid waste in our lives.
Any kind of waste was thoughtless, whether we waste our potential talents, our own time, our limited natural resource, our money, or other people's time. Each of us can become more aware of and careful. The smallest good habits can make the big difference. It's a good feeling to know in our hearts we are doing our best in a world what is in serious trouble. By focusing on oil, water, paper, food or clothing, we are playing a part in cutting down on waste.
We must keep reminding us that it is easier to get into something than it is to get out of it. Actually, severe damage done to our land is fair recent in the history of our evolution. It's time for us to say no to waste so that our grandchildren's children will able to develop well.
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
The Great Wall of China is a series of walls made of stone, brick, and other materials, built along the historical northern borders of China 1. (protect) the Chinese states and empires. Several walls were built as early as the 7th century BC. These, later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are collectively referred to 2. the Great Wall. And especially famous is the wall built in 220--206 BC. The Great Wall has been built over various dynasties, the majority of 3. is from the Ming Dynasty(1368--1644).
Apart from defense, other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, the 4.(encourage) of trade and the control of immigration. The Great Wall winds 5. (it) way from west to east, along the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. 6. archaeological survey, 7. (use) advanced technology, has concluded that the Ming walls are 8,850 km in length. Another survey has found that the entire wall with all of its branches 8. (measure) 21,196km. Today, the Great Wall is 9. (general) recognized as one of the most 10. (impress) architectural wonders in history.
