| 1. 难度：中等 | |
|
For Canaan Elementary’s second grade in Patchogue, N.Y., today is speech day, and right now it’s Chris Palaez’s turn. The 8-year-old is the joker of the class. With shining dark eyes, he seems like the kind of kid who would enjoy public speaking. But he’s nervous. “I’m here to tell you today why you should … should…” Chris trips on the “-ld,” a pronunciation difficulty for many non-native English speakers. His teacher, Thomas Whaley, is next to him, whispering support. “…Vote for …me …” Except for some stumbles, Chris is doing amazingly well. When he brings his speech to a nice conclusion, Whaley invites the rest of the class to praise him. A son of immigrants, Chris stared learning English a little over three years ago. Whaley recalls(回想起) how at the beginning of the year, when called upon to read, Chris would excuse himself to go to the bathroom. Learning English as a second language can be a painful experience. What you need is a great teacher who lets you make mistakes. “It takes a lot for any student,” Whaley explains, “especially for a student who is learning English as their new language, to feel confident enough to say, ‘I don’t know, but I want to know.’” Whaley got the idea of this second-grade presidential campaign project when he asked the children one day to raise their hands if they thought they could never be a president. The answer broke his heart. Whaley says the project is about more than just learning to read and speak in public. He wants these kids to learn to boast(夸耀) about themselves. “Boasting about yourself, and your best qualities,” Whaley says, “is very difficult for a child who came into the classroom not feeling confident.” 1.What made Chris nervous? A.Telling a story. B.Making a speech. C.Taking a test. D.Answering a question. 2.What does the underlined word “stumbles” in paragraph 2 refer to? A.Improper pauses. B.Bad manners. C.Spelling mistakes. D.Silly jokes. 3.We can infer that the purpose of Whaley’s project is to _________. A.help students see their own strengths B.assess students’ public speaking skills C.prepare students for their future jobs D.inspire students’ love for politics 4.Which of the following best describes Whaley as a teacher? A.Humorous. B.Ambitious. C.Caring. D.Demanding.
|
|
| 2. 难度：中等 | |
|
For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative. “It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows. Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences. “China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion — they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill. For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.” 1.What can we learn about the exhibition in New York? A.It promoted the sales of artworks. B.It attracted a large number of visitors. C.It showed ancient Chinese clothes. D.It aimed to introduce Chinese models. 2.What does Hill say about Chinese women? A.They are setting the fashion. B.They start many fashion campaigns. C.They admire super models. D.They do business all over the world. 3.What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean? A.learning from B.looking down on C.working with D.competing against 4.What can be a suitable title for the text? A.Young Models Selling Dreams to the World B.A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York C.Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics D.Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends
|
|
| 3. 难度：中等 | |
|
Before the 1830s, most newspapers were sold through annual subscriptions in America, usually $8 to $10 a year. Today $8 or $10 seems a small amount of money, but at that time these amounts were forbidding to most citizens. Accordingly, newspapers were read almost only by rich people in politics or the trades. In addition, most newspapers had little in them that would appeal to a mass audience. They were dull and visually forbidding. But the revolution that was taking place in the 1830s would change all that. The trend, then, was toward the “penny paper”—a term referring to papers made widely available to the public. It meant any inexpensive newspaper; perhaps more importantly it meant newspapers that could be bought in single copies on the street. This development did not take place overnight. It had been possible(but not easy) to buy single copies of newspapers before 1830, but this usually meant the reader had to go down to the printer’s office to purchase a copy. Street sales were almost unknown. However, within a few years, street sales of newspapers would be commonplace in eastern cities. At first the price of single copies was seldom a penny—usually two or three cents was charged—and some of the older well-known papers charged five or six cents. But the phrase “penny paper” caught the public’s fancy, and soon there would be papers that did indeed sell for only a penny. This new trend of newspapers for “the man on the street” did not begin well. Some of the early ventures(企业) were immediate failures. Publishers already in business, people who were owners of successful papers, had little desire to change the tradition. It took a few youthful and daring businessmen to get the ball rolling. 1.Which of the following best describes newspapers in America before the 1830s? A.Academic. B.Unattractive. C.Inexpensive. D.Confidential. 2.What did street sales mean to newspapers? A.They would be priced higher. B.They would disappear from cities. C.They could have more readers. D.They could regain public trust. 3.Who were the newspapers of the new trend targeted at? A.Local politicians. B.Common people. C.Young publishers. D.Rich businessmen. 4.What can we say about the birth of the penny paper? A.It was a difficult process. B.It was a temporary success. C.It was a robbery of the poor. D.It was a disaster for printers.
|
|
| 4. 难度：困难 | |
|
Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday. While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives, and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading. According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion (比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today.” The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2—8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session. When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to counsel(建议) parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time. The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home, more books purchased for them, parents who read more often, and parents who set aside time for them to read. As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore. 1.What is the Common Sense Media report probably about? A. Children’s reading habits. B. Quality of children’s books. C. Children’s after-class activities. D. Parent-child relationships. 2.Where can you find the data that best supports “children are reading a lot less for fun”? A. In paragraph 2. B. In paragraph 3. C. In paragraph 4. D. In paragraph 5. 3.Why do many parents limit electronic reading? A. E-books are of poor quality. B. It could be a waste of time. C. It may harm children’s health. D. E-readers are expensive. 4.How should parents encourage their children to read more? A. Act as role models for them. B. Ask then to write book reports. C. Set up reading groups for them. D. Talk with their reading class teachers.
|
|
| 5. 难度：困难 | |
|
Adults understand what it feels like to be flooded with objects. Why do we often assume that more is more when it comes to kids and their belongings? The good news is that I can help my own kids learn earlier than I did how to live more with less. I found the pre-holidays a good time to encourage young children to donate less-used things, and it worked. Because of our efforts, our daughter Georgia did decide to donate a large bag of toys to a little girl whose mother was unable to pay for her holiday due to illness. She chose to sell a few larger objects that were less often used when we promised to put the money into her school fund(基金)(our kindergarten daughter is serious about becoming a doctor) For weeks, I've been thinking of bigger, deeper questions: How do we make it a habit for them? And how do we train ourselves to help them live with, need, and use less? Yesterday, I sat with my son, Shepherd, determined to test my own theory on this. I decided to play with him with only one toy for as long as it would keep his interest. I expected that one toy would keep his attention for about five minutes, ten minutes, max. I chose a red rubber ball-simple, universally available. We passed it, he tried to put it in his mouth, he tried bouncing it, rolling it, sitting on it, throwing it. It was totally, completely enough for him. Before I knew it an hour had passed and it was time to move on to lunch. We both became absorbed in the simplicity of playing together. He had my full attention and I had his. My little experiment to find joy in a single object worked for both of us. 1.What do the words “more is more” in paragraph 1 probably mean? A.The more, the better. B.Enough is enough. C.More money, more worries. D.Earn more and spend more. 2.What made Georgia agree to sell some of her objects? A.Saving up for her holiday B.Raising money for a poor girl C.Adding the money to her fund D.Giving the money to a sick mother 3.Why did the author play the ball with Shepherd? A.To try out an idea B.To show a parent’s love C.To train his attention D.To help him start a hobby 4.What can be a suitable title for the text? A.Take It or Leave It B.A Lesson from Kids C.Live More with Less D.The Pleasure of Giving
|
|
| 6. 难度：困难 | |
|
As cultural symbols go, the American car is quite young. The Model T Ford was built at the Piquette Plant in Michigan a century ago, with the first rolling off the assembly line（装配线） on September 27, 1908. Only eleven cars were produced the next month. But eventually Henry Ford would build fifteen million of them. Modern America was born on the road, behind a wheel. The car shaped some of the most lasting aspects of American culture: the roadside diner, the billboard, the motel, even the hamburger. For most of the last century, the car represented what it meant to be American—going forward at high speed to find new worlds. The road novel, the road movie, these are the most typical American ideas, born of abundant petrol, cheap cars and a never-ending interstate highway system, the largest public works project in history. In 1928 Herbert Hoover imagined an America with “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” Since then, this society has moved onward, never looking back, as the car transformed America from a farm-based society into an industrial The cars that drove the American Dream have helped to create a global ecological disaster. In America the demand for oil has grown by 22 percent since 1990. The problems of excessive（过度的）energy consumption, climate change and population growth have been described in a book by the American writer Thomas L. Friedman. He fears the worst, but hopes for the best. Friedman points out that the green economy（经济）is a chance to keep American strength. “The ability to design, build and export green technologies for producing clean water, clean air and healthy and abundant food is going to be the currency of power in the new century.” 1.Why is hamburger mentioned in paragraph 2? A. To explain Americans’ love for travelling by car. B. To show the influence of cars on American culture. C. To stress the popularity of fast food with Americans. D. To praise the effectiveness of America’s road system. 2.What has the use of cars in America led to? A. Decline of economy. B. Environmental problems. C. A shortage of oil supply. D. A farm-based society. 3.What is Friedman’s attitude towards America’s future? A. Ambiguous. B. Doubtful. C. Hopeful. D. Tolera
|
|
| 7. 难度：中等 | |
|
Some of the world’s most famous musicians recently gathered in Paris and New Orleans to celebrate the first annual International Jazz Day. UNESCO( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recently set April 30 as a day to raise awareness of jazz music, its significance, and its potential as a unifying(联合) voice across cultures. Despite the celebrations, though, in the U.S. the jazz audience continues to shrink and grow older, and the music has failed to connect with younger generations. It’s Jason Moran’s job to help change that. As the Kennedy Center’s artistic adviser for jazz, Moran hopes to widen the audience for jazz, make the music more accessible, and preserve its history and culture. “Jazz seems like it’s not really a part of the American appetite,” Moran tells National Public Radio’s reporter Neal Conan. “What I’m hoping to accomplish is that my generation and younger start to reconsider and understand that jazz is not black and write anymore. It’s actually color, and it’s actually digital.” Moran says one of the problems with jazz today is that the entertainment aspect of the music has been lost. “The music can’t be presented today the way it was in 1908 or 1958. It has to continue to move, because the way the world works is not the same,” says Moran. Last year, Moran worked on a project that arranged Fats Waller’s music for a dance party, “Just to kind of put it back in the mind that Waller is dance music as much as it is concert music,” says Moran. “For me, it’s the recontextualization. In music, where does the emotion(情感) lie? Are we, as humans, gaining any insight(感悟) on how to talk about ourselves and how something as abstract as a Charlie Parker record gets us into a dialogue about our emotions and our thoughts? Sometimes we lose sight that the music has a wider context,” says Moran, “so I want to continue those dialogues. Those are the things I want to foster.” 1.Why did UNESCO set April 30 as International Jazz Day? A.To remember the birth of jazz. B.To protect cultural diversity. C.To encourage people to study music. D.To recognize the value of jazz. 2.What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 3 refer to? A.Jazz becoming more accessible. B.The production of jazz growing faster. C.Jazz being less popular with the young. D.The jazz audience becoming larger. 3.What can we infer about Moran’s opinion on jazz? A.It will disappear gradually. B.It remains black and white. C.It should keep up with the times. D.It changes every 50 years. 4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text? A.Exploring the Future of Jazz. B.The Rise and Fall of Jazz. C.The Story of a Jazz Musician. D.Celebrating the Jazz Day.
|
|
| 8. 难度：中等 | |
|
Minutes after the last movie ended yesterday at the Plaza Theater, employees were busy sweeping up popcorns and gathering coke cups. It was a scene that had been repeated many times in the theater’s 75-year history. This time, however, the cleanup was a little different. As one group of workers carried out the rubbish, another group began removing seats and other theater equipment in preparation for the building’s end. The film classic The Last Picture Show was the last movie shown in the old theater. Though the movie is 30 years old, most of the 250 seats were filled with teary-eyed audience wanting to say good-bye to the old building. Theater owner Ed Bradford said he chose the movie because it seemed proper. The movie is set in a small town where the only movie theater is preparing to close down. Bradford said that large modem theaters in the city made it impossible for the Plaza to compete. He added that the theater’s location (位置) was also a reason. “This used to be the center of town,” he said. “Now the area is mostly office buildings and warehouses.” Last week some city officials suggested the city might be interested in turning the old theater into a museum and public meeting place. However, these plans were given up because of financial problems. Bradford sold the building and land to a local development firm, which plans to build a shopping complex on the land where the theater is located. The theater audience said good-bye as Bradford locked the doors for the last time. After 75 years the Plaza Theater has shown its last movie. The theater will be missed. 1.In what way was yesterday’s cleanup at the Plaza special? A.It made room for new equipment. B.It signaled the closedown of the theater. C.It was done with the help of the audience. D.It marked the 75th anniversary of the theater. 2.Why was The Last Picture Stow put on? A.It was an all-time classic. B.It was about the history of the town. C.The audience requested it. D.The theater owner found it suitable. 3.What will probably happen to the building? A.It will be repaired. B.It will be turned into a museum. C.It will be knocked down. D.It will be sold to the city government. 4.What can we infer about the audience? A.They are disappointed with Bradford. B.They are sad to say goodbye to the old theater. C.They are supportive of the city officials. D.They are keen to have a shopping center.
|
|
| 9. 难度：中等 | |
|
The meaning of silence varies among cultural groups.Silences may be thoughtful, or they may be empty when a person has nothing to say. A silence in a conversation may also show stubbornness, uneasiness, or worry. Silence may be viewed by some cultural groups as extremely uncomfortable; therefore attempts may be made to fill every gap(间隙) with conversation. Persons in other cultural groups value silence and view it as necessary for understanding a person's needs. Many Native Americans value silence and feel it is a basic part of communicating among people, just as some traditional Chinese and Thai persons do. Therefore, when a person from one of these cultures is speaking and suddenly stops, what may be implied(暗示) is that the person wants the listener to consider what has been said before continuing.In these cultures, silence is a call for reflection. Other cultures may use silence in other ways, particularly when dealing with conflicts among people or in relationships of people with different amounts of power. For example, Russian, French, and Spanish persons may use silence to show agreement between parties about the topic under discussion. However, Mexicans may use silence when instructions are given by a person in authority rather than be rude to that person by arguing with him or her. In still another use, persons in Asian cultures may view silence as a sign of respect, particularly to an elder or a person in authority. Nurses and other care-givers need to be aware of the possible meanings of silence when they come across the personal anxiety their patients may be experiencing. Nurses should recognize their own personal and cultural construction of silence so that a patient’s silence is not interrupted too early or allowed to go on unnecessarily. A nurse who understands the healing(治愈) value of silence can use this understanding to assist in the care of patients from their own and from other cultures. 1.What does the author say about silence in conversations? A.It implies anger. B.It promotes friendship. C.It is culture-specific. D.It is content-based. 2.Which of the following people might regard silence as a call for careful thought? A.The Chinese. B.The French. C.The Mexicans. D.The Russians. 3.What does the author advise nurses to do about silence? A.Let it continue as the patient pleases. B.Break it while treating patients. C.Evaluate its harm to patients. D.Make use of its healing effects. 4.What may be the best title for the text? A.Sound and Silence B.What It Means to Be Silent C.Silence to Native Americans D.Speech Is Silver; Silence Is Gold
|
|
| 10. 难度：中等 | |
|
Five years ago, when I taught art at a school in Seattle, I used Tinkertoys as a test at the beginning of a term to find out something about my students. I put a small set of Tinkertoys in front of each student, and said: “Make something out of the Tinkertoys. You have 45 minutes today — and 45 minutes each day for the rest of the week.” A few students hesitated to start. They waited to see the rest of the class would do. Several others checked the instructions and made something according to one of the model plans provided. Another group built something out of their own imaginations. Once I had a boy who worked experimentally with Tinkertoys in his free time, his constructions filled a shelf in the art classroom and a good part of his bedroom at home. I was delighted at the presence of such a student. Here was an exceptionally creative mind at work. His presence meant that I had an unexpected teaching assistant in class whose creativity would infect(感染) other students. Encouraging this kind of thinking has a downside. I ran the risk of losing those students who had a different style of thinking. Without fail one would declare, “But I’m just not creative.” “Do you dream at night when you’re asleep?” “Oh, sure.” “So tell me one of your most interesting dreams.” The student would tell something wildly imaginative. Flying in the sky or in a time machine or growing three heads. “That’s pretty creative. Who does that for you?” “Nobody. I do it.” “Really-at night, when you’re asleep?” “Sure.” “Try doing it in the daytime, in class, okay?” 1.The teacher used Tinkertoys in class in order to ________. A.know more about the students B.make the lessons more exciting C.raise the students’ interest in art D.teach the students about toy design 2.What do we know about the boy mentioned in Paragraph 3? A.He liked to help his teacher. B.He preferred to study alone. C.He was active in class. D.He was imaginative. 3.What does the underlined word “downside” in Paragraph 4 probably mean? A.Mistake. B.Drawback. C.Difficulty. D.Burden. 4.Why did the teacher ask the students to talk about their dreams? A.To help them to see their creativity. B.To find out about their sleeping habits. C.To help them to improve their memory. D.To find out about their ways of thinking.
|
|
| 11. 难度：简单 | |
|
Reading can be a social activity．Think of the people who belong to book groups．They choose books to read and then meet to discuss them．Now the website BookCrossing．com turns the page on the traditional idea of a book group． Members go on the site and register the books they own and would like to share．BookCrossing provides an identification number to stick inside the book．Then the person leaves it in a public place，hoping that the book will have an adventure，traveling far and wide with each new reader who finds it． Bruce Pederson，the managing director of BookCrossing，says，"The two things that change your life are the people you meet and books you read．BookCrossing combines both．" Members leave books on park benches and buses，in train stations and coffee shops．Whoever finds their book will go to the site and record where they found it． People who find a book can also leave a journal entry describing what they thought of it．E-mails are then sent to the BookCrossers to keep them updated about where their books have been found．Bruce Peterson says the idea is for people not to be selfish by keeping a book to gather dust on a shelf at home． BookCrossing is part of a trend among people who want to get back to the"real"and not the virtual（虚拟）．The site now has more than one million members in more than one hundred thirty-five countries． 1.Why does the author mention book groups in the first paragraph？ ______ A.To explain what they are． B.To introduce BookCrossing． C.To stress the importance of reading． D.To encourage readers to share their ideas． 2.What does the underlined word"it"in Paragraph 2 refer to？ ______ A.The book． B.An adventure． C.A public place． D.The identification number． 3.What will a BookCrosser do with a book after reading it？ ______ A.Meet other readers to discuss it． B.Pass it on to another reader． C.Keep it safe in his bookcase． D.Mail it back to its owner． 4.What is the best title for the text？ ______ A.Online Reading：A Virtual Tour B.Electronic Books：A new Trend C.A Book Group Brings Tradition Back D.A Website Links People through Books
|
|
| 12. 难度：中等 | |
|
If you are a fruit grower — or would like to become one — take advantage of Apple Day to see what’s around. It’s called Apple Day but in practice it’s more like Apple Month. The day itself is on October 21, but since it has caught on, events now spread out over most of October around Britain. Visiting an apple event is a good chance to see, and often taste, a wide variety of apples. To people who are used to the limited choice of apples such as Golden Delicious and Royal Gala in supermarkets, it can be quite an eye opener to see the range of classical apples still in existence, such as Decio which was grown by the Romans. Although it doesn’t taste of anything special, it’s still worth a try, as is the knobbly(多疙瘩的) Cat’s Head which is more of a curiosity than anything else. There are also varieties developed to suit specific local conditions. One of the very best varieties for eating quality is Orleans Reinette, but you’ll need a warm, sheltered place with perfect soil to grow it, so it’s a pipe dream for most apple lovers who fall for it. At the events, you can meet expert growers and discuss which ones will best suit your conditions, and because these are family affairs, children are well catered for with apple-themed fun and games. Apple Days are being held at all sorts of places with an interest in fruit, including stately gardens and commercial orchards(果园). If you want to have a real orchard experience, try visiting the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, near Faversham in Kent. 1.What can people do at the apple events? A.Attend experts’ lectures. B.Visit fruit-loving families. C.Plant fruit trees in an orchard. D.Taste many kinds of apples. 2.What can we learn about Decio? A.It is a new variety. B.It has a strange look. C.It is rarely seen now. D.It has a special taste. 3.What does the underlined phrase “a pipe dream” in Paragraph 3 mean? A.A practical idea. B.A vain hope. C.A brilliant plan. D.A selfish desire. 4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the text? A.To show how to grow apples. B.To introduce an apple festival. C.To help people select apples. D.To promote apple research.
|
|
| 13. 难度：中等 | |
|
Why College Is Not Home The college years are supposed to be a time for important growth in autonomy(自主性) and the development of adult identity. However, now they are becoming an extended period of adolescence, during which many of today’s students are not shouldered with adult responsibilities. For previous generations, college was a decisive break from parental control; guidance and support needed to come from people of the same age and from within. In the past two decades, however, continued connection with and dependence on family, thanks to cell phones, email and social media, have increased significantly. Some parents go so far as to help with coursework. Instead of promoting the idea of college as a passage from the shelter of the family to autonomy and adult responsibility, universities have given in to the idea that they should provide the same environment as that of the home. To prepare for increased autonomy and responsibility, college needs to be a time of exploration and experimentation. This process involves ＂trying on＂ new ways of thinking about oneself both intellectually(在思维方面)and personally. While we should provide ＂safe spaces＂ within colleges, we must also make it safe to express opinions and challenge majority views. Intellectual growth and flexibility are fostered by strict debate and questioning. Learning to deal with the social world is equally important. Because a college community(群体) differs from the family, many students will struggle to find a sense of belonging. If students rely on administrators to regulate their social behavior and thinking pattern, they are not facing the challenge of finding an identity within a larger and complex community. Moreover, the tendency for universities to monitor and shape student behavior runs up against another characteristic of young adults: the response to being controlled by their elders. If acceptable social behavior is too strictly defined(规定) and controlled, the insensitive or aggressive behavior that administrators are seeking to minimize may actually be encouraged. It is not surprising that young people are likely to burst out, particularly when there are reasons to do so. Our generation once joined hands and stood firm at times of national emergency. What is lacking today is the conflict between adolescents’ desire for autonomy and their understanding of an unsafe world. Therefore, there is the desire for their dorms to be replacement homes and not places to experience intellectual growth. Every college discussion about community values, social climate and behavior should include recognition of the developmental importance of student autonomy and self-regulation, of the necessary tension between safety and self-discovery. 1.What’s the author’s attitude toward continued parental guidance to college students? A.Sympathetic. B.Disapproving. C.Supportive. D.Neutral. 2.The underlined word ＂passage＂ in Paragraph 2 means___________. A.change B.choice C.text D.extension 3.According to the author, what role should college play? A.To develop a shared identity among students. B.To define and regulate students’ social behavior. C.To provide a safe world without tension for students. D.To foster students’ intellectual and personal development. 4.Which of the following shows the development of ideas in the passage? A. C.
|
|
| 14. 难度：中等 | |
|
When John was growing up, other kids felt sorry for him. His parents always had him weeding the garden, carrying out the garbage and delivering newspapers. But when John reached adulthood, he was better off than his childhood playmates. He had more job satisfaction, a better marriage and was healthier. Most of all, he was happier. Far happier. These are the findings of a 40-year study that followed the lives of 456 teenage boys from Boston. The study showed that those who had worked as boys enjoyed happier and more productive lives than those who had not. ＂Boys who worked in the home or community gained competence(能力) and came to feel they were worthwhile members of society,＂ said George Vaillant, the psychologist(心理学家) who made the discovery. ＂And because they felt good about themselves, others felt good about them.＂ Vaillant’s study followed these males in great detail. Interviews were repeated at ages 25,31 and 47. Under Vaillant, the researchers compared the men’s mental-health scores with their boyhood-activity scores. Points were awarded for part-time jobs, housework, effort in school, and ability to deal with problems. The link between what the men had done as boys and how they turned out as adults was surprisingly sharp. Those who had done the most boyhood activities were twice as likely to have warm relations with a wide variety of people, five times as likely to be well paid and 16 times less likely to have been unemployed. The researchers also found that IQ and family social and economic class made no real difference in how the boys turned out. Working — at any age — is important. Childhood activities help a child develop responsibility, independence, confidence and competence — the underpinnings(基础) of emotional health. They also help him understand that people must cooperate and work toward common goals. The most competent adults are those who know how to do this. Yet work isn’t everything. As Tolstoy once said, ＂One can live magnificently in this world if one knows how to work and how to love, to work for the person one loves and to love one’s work.＂ 1.What do we know about John? A.He enjoyed his career and marriage. B.He had few childhood playmates. C.He received little love from his family. D.He was envied by others in his childhood. 2.Vaillant’s words in Paragraph 2 serve as . A.a description of personal values and social values B.an analysis of how work was related to competence C.an example for parents’ expectations of their children D.an explanation why some boys grew into happy men 3.Vaillant’s team obtained their findings by . A.recording the boys’ effort in school B.evaluating the men’s mental health C.comparing different sets of scores D.measuring the men’s problem solving ability 4.What does the underlined word ＂sharp＂ probably mean in Paragraph 4? A.Quick to react. B.Having a thin edge. C.Clear and definite. D.Sudden and rapid. 5.What can be inferred from the last paragraph? A.Competent adults know more about love than work. B.Emotional health is essential to a wonderful adult life. C.Love brings more joy to people than work does. D.Independence is the key to one’s success.
|
|
| 15. 难度：中等 | |
|
When I was nine years old, I loved to go fishing with my dad. But the only thing that wasn’t very fun about it was that he could catch many fish while I couldn’t catch anything. I usually got pretty upset and kept asking him why. He always answered, ”Son, if you want to catch a fish, you have to think like a fish.” I remember being even more upset then because, “I’m not a fish!” I didn’t know how to think like a fish. Besides, I reasoned, how could what I think influence what a fish does? As I got a little older I began to understand what my dad really meant. So, I read some books on fish. And I even joined the local fishing club and started attending the monthly meetings. I learned that a fish is a cold-blooded animal and therefore is very sensitive to water temperature. That is why fish prefer shallow water to deep water because the former is warmer. Besides, water is usually warmer in direct sunlight than in the shade. Yet, fish don’t have any eyelids(眼皮) and the sun hurts their eyes…The more I understood fish, the more I became effective at finding and catching them. When I grew up and entered the business world, I remember hearing my first boss say, “We all need to think like salespeople.” But it didn’t completely make sense. My dad never once said, “If you want to catch a fish you need to think like a fisherman.” What he said was, “You need to think like a fish.” Years later, with great efforts to promote long-term services to people much older and richer than me, I gradually learned what we all need is to think more like customers. It is not an easy job. I will show you how in the following chapters. 1.Why was the author upset in fishing trips when he was nine？ A.He could not catch a fish B.His father was not patient with him C.His father did not teach him fishing D.He could not influence a fish as his father did 2.What did the author’s father really mean? A.To read about fish B.To learn fishing by oneself C.To understand what fish think D.To study fishing in many ways 3.According to the author, fish are most likely to be found . A.in deep water on sunny days B.in deep water on cloudy days C.in shallow water under sunlight D.in shallow water under waterside trees 4.After entering the business world，the author found . A.it easy to think like a customer B.his father’s fishing advice inspiring C.his first boss’s sales ideas reasonable D.it difficult to sell services to poor people 5.This passage most likely comes from . A.a fishing guide B.a popular sales book C.a novel on childhood D.a millionaire’s biography
|
|
| 16. 难度：中等 | |
|
D Parents who help their children with homework may actually be bringing down their school grades. Other forms of prenatal involvement, including volunteering at school and observing a child's class, also fail to help, according to the most recent study on the topic. The findings challenge a key principle of modern parenting(养育子女) where schools except them to act as partners in their children's education. Previous generations concentrated on getting children to school on time, fed, dressed and ready to learn. Kaith Robinson, the author of the study, said, "I really don't know if the public is ready for this but there are some ways parents can be involved in their kids' education that leads to declines in their academic performance. One of the things that was consistently negative was parents' help with homework." Robinson suggested that may be because parents themselves struggle to understand the task." They may either not remember the material their kids are studying now, or in some cases never learnt it themselves, but they're still offering advice." Robinson assessed parental involvement performance and found one of the most damaging things a parent could do was to punish their children for poor marks. In general, about 20% of parental involvement was positive, about 45% negative and the rest statistically insignificant. Common sense suggests it was a good thing for parents to get involved because "children with good academic success do have involved parents ", admitted Robinson. But he argued that this did not prove parental involvement was the root cause of that success." A big surprise was that Asian-American parents whose kids are doing so well in school hardly involved. They took a more reasonable approach, conveying to their children how success at school could improve their lives." 1.The underlined expression "parental involvement " in Paragraph 1 probably means . A.parents' expectation on children's health B.parents' participation in children's education C.parents' control over children's life D.parents' plan for children's future 2.What is the major finding of Robinson's study ? A.Modern parents raise children in a more scientific way. B.Punishing kids for bad marks is mentally damaging. C.Parental involvement is not so beneficial as expected. D.Parents are not able to help with children’s homework. 3.The example of Asian-American parents implies that parents should . A.help children realize the importance of schooling B.set a specific life goal for their children C.spend more time improving their own lives D.take a more active part in school management
|
|
| 17. 难度：中等 | |
|
阅读下列材料，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。 A From the very beginning of school we make books and reading a constant source of possible failure and public humiliation. When children are little we make them read aloud, before the teacher and other children, so that we can be sure they “know” all the words they are reading. This means that when they don’t know a word, they are going to make a mistake, right in front of everyone. After having taught fifth-grade classes for four years, I decided to try at all costs to rid them of their fear and dislike of books, and to get them to read oftener and more adventurously. One day soon after school had started, I said to them, “Now I’m going to say something about reading that you have probably never heard a teacher say before. I would like you to read a lot of books this year, but I want you to read them only for pleasure. I am not going to ask you questions to find out whether you understand the books or not. If you understand enough of a book to enjoy it and want to go on reading it, that’s enough for me. Also I’m not going to ask you what words mean. “ The children sat stunned and silent. Was this a teacher talking? One girl, who had just come to us from a school where she had had a very hard time, looked at me steadily for a long time after I had finished. Then, still looking at me, she said slowly and seriously, Mr Holt, do you really mean that?” I said just as seriously, “I mean every word of it. During the spring she really astonished me. One day, she was reading at her desk, From a glimpse of the illustrations I thought I knew what the book was. I said to myself, “It can’t be,” and went to take a closer look. Sure enough, she was reading Moby Dick , in edition with woodcuts. I said, “Don’t you find parts of it rather heavy going?” She answered, Oh, sure, but I just skip over those parts and go on to the next good part. “ This is exactly what reading should be and in school so seldom is, an exciting, joyous adventure. Find something, dive into it, take the good parts, skip the bad parts, get what you can out of it, go on to something else. How different is our mean-spirited, picky insistence that every child get every last little scrap of “understanding” that can be dug out of a book. 1.According to the passage, children’s fear and dislike of books may result from________. A.reading little and thinking little B.reading often and adventurously C.being made to read too much D.being made to read aloud before others 2.The teacher told his students to read______ . A.for enjoyment B.for knowledge C.for a larger vocabulary D.for higher scores in exams 3.Upon hearing the teacher’s talk, the children probably felt that________. A.it sounded stupid B.it was not surprising at all C.it sounded too good to be true D.it was no different from other teachers' talk 4.Which of the following statements about the girl is TRUE according to the passage? A.She skipped over those easy parts while reading. B.She had a hard time finishing the required reading tasks. C.She learned to appreciate some parts of the difficult books. D.She turned out to be a top student after coming to this school. 5.From the teacher's point of view,_________ . A.children cannot tell good parts from bad parts while reading B.children should be left to decide what to read and how to read C.reading is never a pleasant and inspiring experience in school D.reading involves understanding every little piece of information
|
|
| 18. 难度：中等 | |
|
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.
|
|
