When was the last time you went to your local library? Last week? A month ago? A year ago?

For many reasons, borrowing books from libraries seems to be in decline. With advances in technology, it is now possible for people to download and read whatever they like on electronic devices such as Kindles. It has been argued that doing this is cheaper than buying hard-copy books. They are also lightweight, making them ideal for travelling.

Call me old fashioned, but I’ve never got into the e-books: I like to have printed books lining my bookshelves; I love the smell of a new book; and I enjoy leafing through paper pages — as long as I avoid the paper cuts!

So, I prefer paper books, and I also prefer to own them myself. Libraries only lend books, so what use are they to someone like me, or to someone who only reads electronic books?

Personally, I still love libraries. They offer a quiet space to sit, read, think, do research…a real escape from the outside world. When I was at university, I frequently spent hours at the library and borrowed numerous journals, articles and other printed materials, as it was just too expensive to buy brand new books every week. Libraries are free!

Libraries often organize a series of interesting activities as well. My local library hosted actors, historians and other speakers during the town’s annual art and literature festival. Well-known authors are also invited to libraries to give speeches or lead discussions about their work. Events such as these are a great way to appeal to people of all ages in the community and encourage the use of libraries.

There are still many fantastic ways to use libraries — maybe we just need to be more awake to them!

1.What is the writer’s purpose of using question sentences in Paragraph 1?

A.To introduce the topic of the passage.

B.To make readers answer questions.

C.To give readers some advice.

D.To conduct a survey.

2.What can we know about e-books?

A.They are easy to buy.

B.They are cheap and easy to take.

C.They can be borrowed from libraries.

D.They are a waste of energy.

3.What does the underlined word “them” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A.Libraries. B.E-books.

C.Paper books. D.Bookshelves.

4.What is the best title of the passage?

A.The end of the library?

B.The reasons for my loving libraries!

C.Which is better, e-books or paper books?

D.The last time of visiting your local library!

    The Torch Festival is a traditional festival celebrated among some ethnic groups in southwestern China, such as the Yi, Bai, Hani, Lisu，Naxi，Pumi and Lahu，etc. It usually falls on the 24th or 25th of June, with three days of celebrations. The origin（起源）of the festival may have something to do with the worship of fire by ancestors（祖先），who believed fire had the power to drive away insects and protect crop growth. For some ethnic groups，it’s a tradition in the festival for elders to share farming experience with young people and educate them on taking care of crops.

During the festival, big torches are made to stand in all villages, with small torches placed in front of the door of each house. When night falls, the torches are lit and the villages are bright. At the same time, people walk around the fields and houses, holding small torches and placing the torches in the field corners. Inside the villages, young people are singing and dancing around the big torches that keep burning throughout the night. Other activities like horse races, bullfights, etc. are also held during the festival.

In a horse race of the Yi people in Yunnan, torches are used to form hurdles（栏架） for riders to get through. The Hani people in Yunnan traditionally attach fruits to torches with ropes. When the ropes are broken after the torches are lit, people struggle for the fruits for good luck.

For the Lisu people in Sichuan, the festival is an occasion for holding grand torch parades. Big torches are carried by the procession（队伍）, which is like a fire dragon. If several processions from different directions meet, it’s a tradition to exchange the big torches with one another.

1.Why did people originally light torches during the Torch Festival?

A.To drive away insects and evils.

B.To celebrate crop harvests.

C.To light up the villages and fields.

D.To memorize their ancestors.

2.Which of the following activities is not included during the festival?

A.Learning how to farm.

B.Singing and dancing.

C.Horse racing and bullfighting.

D.Enjoying big dinners.

3.Looking for fruits is the festival activity of _______.

A.the Yi people

B.the Hani people

C.the Lisu people

D.the Naxi people

4.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A.Horses are the most popular animals in Yunnan.

B.Most peoples celebrate the festival in a similar way.

C.Fruits are regarded as a sign of good luck in Sichuan.

D.The festival is celebrated differently by different ethnic groups.

    Enjoy historic Oakland Cemetery after dark at Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours, a seasonal tradition! A costumed docent (讲解员) guides you through the cemetery’s beautifully-lit Victorian gardens as you experience the stories that Atlanta’s sons and daughters come to life.

Tours will be held nightly from 5: 30 pm to 10: 30 pm, Friday Oct. 23—Sunday Oct. 25, and Thursday, Oct. 29—Saturday, Oct. 31. Tours last approximately one hour.

The evening also includes musical performances. A story teller and guests are encouraged to arrive in costume to set the mood for the events.

Tickets are available in advance only via ticketalternative. com. Tickets are $25 for adults and $13 for children aged 4-12 (plus taxes and fees). Children under 3 are free. This event is family-friendly, but is recommended for children aged 8 and up.

Tickets go on sale to Historic Oakland Foundation members in advance, on July 1-15, and go on sale to the general public on July 15. If you’re not a HOF member, join today!

1.When can we take part in Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours?

A.At 8:30 am on Oct. 23. B.At 8: 30 pm on Oct. 24.

C.At 10: 00 pm on Oct. 28. D.At 10: 00 am on Oct. 31.

2.What can we do while attending the tours?

A.Learn to build Victorian gardens. B.Get Halloween costumes for free.

C.Enjoy some musical performances. D.Tell other people Halloween stories.

3.How much should a couple with their 8-year-old son pay for the tickets?

A.$13. B.$38. C.$50. D.$63.

假定你是李华，你们学校下周末要到东南花都花博园参加社会实践，请你写封邮件，邀请你的交换生朋友Terry参加。内容包括：

1.提出邀请；

2.活动内容（如种菜、种花等）和意义；

3.集合时间和地点。

注意：

1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

参考词汇：东南花都花博园 Southeast Flowers Garden；社会实践 social practice

Dear Terry

Yours,

Li Hua

根据句意及单词首字母和汉语提示，写出下列句中所缺单词的正确形式。

1.We should c_______（结合） theory with practice in realizing our goal.

2.The o________（显而易见的） way of reducing pollution is to cut car use.

3.It's bad m_______（礼貌） to laugh at others when they are in trouble.

4.Films and video games with v_________（暴力的） scenes have a bad effect on children.

5.The room, which m_______ （测量）more than 40 square meters, will be used as the manager’s office.

6.He said his teacher and his parents' words i_______（激励） him to have another try.

7.To my r________（遗憾）， I have wasted a lot of time when I should have studied hard.

8.Up to now, no one has come up with a convincing e________（解释） of why dinosaurs died out.

9.Her heart was s________（轻微地） damaged on account of her long illness.

10.He spared no efforts to o________（克服） the difficulties and finally succeeded.

    A cold wind blew and leaves danced around an old man crouched（蹲）in a doorway. His coat offered little_______and he shivered（颤抖）constantly,_______his hand in the hope of a coin or two. Around him, people hurried by, not_______ him.

Just then, a coin fell close to his _______. He picked it up. It was enough for a cup of tea and something to eat. His mouth _______.

He pushed open the door of a tea room and warmth _______over him. Hungrily, he eyed the_______ behind the counter（柜台）.

“A cup of tea please, he said." And a piece of bread too._______ , and as quickly as possible if it's no _______.”

“Takeaway?” the woman asked, but it sounded like an order. "Yes, "he ________ .Then he looked back towards the ________.

There stood a small girl. Even through the window he could see the ________ circles under her eyes and the grey color of her skin.

“That's one pound," the woman said __________ . The old man nodded his head and __________ the money. He looked back again to the window and the little girl, shivering in the cold. Then he __________ to the girl.

“You look cold. Here,” he said, offering out the paper bag. "You __________ this more than me.”

The girl eyed the bag, seemed __________ and grabbed （攫取）it. "Thanks, "she said and ran off. He watched her __________ into the darkness of the night and__________ .

A cold wind blew and leaves danced around an old man crouched in a doorway. His stomach made a low sound with __________ .Around him, people hurried by,…

1.A.help B.warmth C.protection D.comfort

2.A.holding out B.waving C.pulling out D.raising

3.A.discovering B.remembering C.notice D.disturbing

4.A.hands B.coat C.back D.feet

5.A.froze B.opened C.watered D.closed

6.A.washed B.gathered C.passed D.rushed

7.A.money B.food C.woman D.sign

8.A.Fresh B.Large C.Ordinary D.Hot

9.A.trouble B.doubt C.harm D.wonder

10.A.explained B.added C.replied D.commented

11.A.door B.customers C.passers-by D.window

12.A.bright B.dark C.clear D.natural

13.A.unwillingly B.gently C.coldly D.joyfully

14.A.handed over B.set aside C.paid back D.saved

15.A.turned B.headed C.returned D.pointed

16.A.like B.appreciate C.know D.need

17.A.satisfied B.shocked C.disappointed D.frightened

18.A.disappear B.look C.wander D.jump

19.A.wept B.followed C.smiled D.whispered

20.A.cold B.anger C.relief D.hunger

Ways to Book the Cheapest Flights Possible

Unless you are one of those first-class fliers for whom money is not a problem,1.. But ticket prices change every day, and your tickets could end up costing your whole vacation budget. Don't worry. With a little creativity and a lot of research, it is possible to fly affordably.

Plan Accordingly

If you do not have much flexibility（弹性）in your dates, buy your tickets at least 2-4 months in advance.2.. Air fares will rise steadily as the time nears. However, if you have the flexibility to drop everything and go, last minute deals can save you much.

Set air fare Alerts（新知通告）

No matter when you start your planning, it can be helpful to set email alerts for flights to the destination（目的地）of your choice. There are generally recognized days when air fare is the cheapest（Tuesdays or Wednesdays）,3.. Sometimes the best deal will come through a surprise sale.

4.

Yes, it is way more convenient to fly direct from your home airport to your destination. But this depending on where you live. Sometimes, purposely including a stopover can actually save you money.

Search Single Seats

It may be cheaper to buy each ticket individually（个人地）for the same flight,5.. It works because airlines set different prices for different seats on the same plane! When a group of seats are sold together, the airline often charges the highest price among the group for all the seats.

A.Add A Stop.

B.Always Fly Non-stop.

C.even if you are traveling as a group.

D.but you can't necessarily rely on that.

E.you don't want to spend more than you have to on air fare.

F.That might mean you begin researching 4-6 months ahead.

G.That way you'll have plenty of time to get prepared for the trip.

    Researchers from the Institute for Human Ma succeeded in training a 165-pound human-like robot, called Atlas, to move across narrow blocks using a system called LIDAR.

At first sight, a robot walking across several blocks may look like a simple thing but many actions that humans can do easily are difficult for robots as heavy as Atlas.

Our joints （关节） and a natural balance system allow us to deal with different obstacles （障碍）easily. Besides, our small, narrow feet allow us to move around tight obstacles easily, or step over obstacles, while supporting ourselves.

With atlas, LIDAR uses a pulsed laser（脉冲激光器）to measure the distance between objects and this is done by the machine so it can step correctly on the blocks. It also builds a map of the area Atlas's going to travel across, and then uses a‘ path planning algorithm（算法）’to determine each step it should take. The robot is able to balance with its human-like feet and joints which give it ranges（范围）of movement.

Presently Atlas is successful with about half of its tests, according to IHMC, but the company is already working to increase that rate by improving the robot's balance and the range of movement in its joints.

Perhaps the most interesting setting for using human-like robots is outer space. The team say that when humans explore other planets, robots like Atlas could go before that to develop a habitat suitable for human beings to live in. But researchers believe they would be immediately useful in dangerous emergency situation. Their ability to walk on different types of land could make them perfect for searching a fallen building or an earthquake for people trapped, where a wheeled robot would get stuck.

1.Why is Atlas' weight mentioned?

A.To show the success of the research. B.To compare Atlas with other robots

C.To make readers interested in the topic. D.To tell how Atlas walks independently.

2.What does Atlas depend on to keep balance?

A.LIDAR. B.Its natural joints.

C.Narrow blocks. D.Its weight.

3.What can we learn about Atlas?

A.It can easily walk across different obstacles. B.It is still under improvement.

C.A pulsed laser decides each step it takes. D.It helps create a map of outer space.

4.What might Atlas do in the distant future?

A.Save lives in dangerous situations. B.Rebuild fallen houses

C.Forecast earthquake. D.Explore possible living space.

    When I first met George, I was in my early 30s. My children were just entering school life allowing me to escape from endless housework. At 65, George had recently left work and was seeking a rewarding hobby for his golden years. For both of us, we loved painting and we met at a local TAFE painting class. Thus began a friendship that was to last for 25 years —until the day he died.

George was an energetic man who lived life to the full. He loved his family, his friends, and was loyal and outspoken. As the only male in a painting class full of women, George quite enjoyed it. He ruled the roost（栖息处）and we were his hens. He loved his singular（单一的）role and looked after his hens with the same attention he gave to everything.

He took to painting with passion and devotion. He carefully housed his expensive painting tools a box—a red metal tool box—built to bear hard knocks. Not fancy, but smooth and shiny and very red.

In 2004, I learned that he was very ill and went to visit him. “He's very confused and may not recognize you,” Penny, his daughter, warned. But as I bent over, George opened his eyes —“Bev!” he said, and with surprising strength, held my hand. ”I’ve always been hoping to leave my box to you. I'm afraid I can’t paint anymore, and you have the best talent and are most likely to use it," he said. With tears in my eyes, I accepted the gift on the proviso（附带条件）he could take it back at any time. He never did. He died two days later.

Today I still use much of his equipment kept in the box. As I paint I big personality, generous spirit and unfailing encouragemen. The box is still in good shape, very red. The original shop sticker is still firmly in place although the price has worn off.

But that's all right because to my mind something, like friendship, are beyond price.

1.What does the author focus on in Paragraph 1?

A.Difference in their ages. B.Reasons for their hobby.

C.Beginning of their friendship. D.Time of George's death.

2.How did the author feel about their painting class?

A.It was love-filled. B.It was encouraging. C.It was unequal. D.It was difficult.

3.What does the author intend to do in writing the text?

A.Introduce a close friend. B.Honor the memories of a friend.

C.Prove the importance of a hobby. D.Appreciate her friend’s gife.

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Value of Devotion B.A Meaningful Life C.Keys to Friendship D.A Red Box

    You have the ability to decide if you are happy or not. Happiness is a choice. You can't on someone else to make you happy.

You can choose your emotions（情感）. True happiness comes from within; it can't be forced by outside forces. So how do you choose happiness? The same way you choose a new pair of shoes. When you're buying new shoes, you choose a pair that you like and feel good. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes that you don’t like or that don't fit well, right? You choose it because that's what you want to experience in your life. So why do we keep choosing emotions and feelings that don’t make us feel good?

Choosing to be after you realize your anger has shown up can be beneficial. We choose our feelings; no one can do that for us. If we let others influence our emotions, we are giving them power over us. When others cause us anger or pain, we are giving them our power.

We need to keep in check our feelings and not react immediately to what is thrown at us. We need to think our actions out instead of just reacting to what someone says or does.

Remember that we can always choose happiness. At first it will be difficult to just change your thoughts and feelings from anger, self-doubt, or fear to joy and happiness. But it is only a thought away. Don’t be lost in what happens to you unnecessarily but realize what is causing you to feel that way. Realize that thoughts, feelings and emotions can change. Then move on and choose to be happy.

1.How did the author develop her idea in Paragraph 2?

A.By making a comparison. B.By referring to a social problem.

C.By giving reasons. D.By describing her own experience.

2.What does it mean if we choose to be happy rather than angry?

A.We're making others happy B.We're better controlling our feelings.

C.We're getting to know our emotions. D.We’re sharing power with others.

3.Which of the following best explains “keep in check” underlined in Paragraph 4?

A.Express. B.Set down. C.Improve. D.Hold back.

4.What's the main idea of the text?

A.How to choose our feelings. B.Where to find happiness.

C.Making decisions to be cheerful. D.Thinking twice before actions.