专题20 阅读理解（社会生活类）-备战2020年高考英语精选考点专项突破题集

一、阅读理解

1. 难度：困难

    During the rosy years of elementary school(小学), I enjoyed sharing my dolls and jokes, which allowed me to keep my high social status. I was the queen of the playground. Then came my tweens and teens, and mean girls and cool kids. They rose in the ranks not by being friendly but by smoking cigarettes, breaking rules and playing jokes on others, among whom I soon found myself.

Popularity is a well-explored subject in social psychology. Mitch Prinstein, a professor of clinical psychology sorts the popular into two categories: the likable and the status seekers. The likables’ plays-well-with-others qualities strengthen schoolyard friendships, jump-start interpersonal skills and, when tapped early, are employed ever after in life and work. Then there’s the kind of popularity that appears in adolescence: status born of power and even dishonorable behavior.

Enviable as the cool kids may have seemed, Dr. Prinstein’s studies show unpleasant consequences. Those who were highest in status in high school, as well as those least liked in elementary school, are “most likely to engage(从事) in dangerous and risky behavior.”

In one study, Dr. Prinstein examined the two types of popularity in 235 adolescents, scoring the least liked, the most liked and the highest in status based on student surveys(调查研究). “We found that the least well-liked teens had become more aggressive over time toward their classmates. But so had those who were high in status. It clearly showed that while likability can lead to healthy adjustment, high status has just the opposite effect on us.”

Dr. Prinstein has also found that the qualities that made the neighbors want you on a play date—sharing, kindness, openness—carry over to later years and make you better able to relate and connect with others.

In analyzing his and other research, Dr. Prinstein came to another conclusion: Not only is likability related to positive life outcomes, but it is also responsible for those outcomes, too. “Being liked creates opportunities for learning and for new kinds of life experiences that help somebody gain an advantage, ” he said.

1.What sort of girl was the author in her early years of elementary school?

A.Unkind. B.Lonely. C.Generous. D.Cool.

2.What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A.The classification of the popular.

B.The characteristics of adolescents.

C.The importance of interpersonal skills.

D.The causes of dishonorable behavior.

3.What did Dr. Prinstein’s study find about the most liked kids?

A.They appeared to be aggressive.

B.They tended to be more adaptable.

C.They enjoyed the highest status.

D.They performed well academically.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Be Nice—You Won’t Finish Last

B.The Higher the Status, the Beer

C.Be the Best—You Can Make It

D.More Self-Control, Less Aggressiveness

2. 难度：中等

    Marian Bechtel sits at West Palm Beach’s Bar Louie counter by herself, quietly reading her e-book as she waits for her salad. What is she reading? None of your business! Lunch is Bechtel’s “me” time. And like more Americans, she’s not alone.

A new report found 46 percent of meals are eaten alone in America. More than half(53 percent) have breakfast alone and nearly half(46 percent) have lunch by themselves. Only at dinnertime are we eating together anymore, 74 percent, according to statistics from the report.

“I prefer to go out and be out. Alone, but together, you know?” Bechtel said, looking up from her book. Bechtel, who works in downtown West Palm Beach, has lunch with coworkers sometimes, but like many of us, too often works through lunch at her desk. A lunchtime escape allows her to keep a boss from tapping her on the shoulder. She returns to work feeling energized. “Today, I just wanted some time to myself,” she said.

Just two seats over, Andrew Mazoleny, a local videographer, is finishing his lunch at the bar. He likes that he can sit and check his phone in peace or chat up the barkeeper with whom he’s on a first-name basis if he wants to have a little interaction(交流). “I reflect on how my day’s gone and think about the rest of the week,” he said. “It’s a chance for self-reflection. You return to work recharged and with a plan.”

That freedom to choose is one reason more people like to eat alone. There was a time when people may have felt awkward about asking for a table for one, but those days are over. Now, we have our smartphones to keep us company at the table. “It doesn’t feel as alone as it may have before all the advances in technology,” said Laurie Demeritt, whose company provided the statistics for the report.

1.What are the statistics in paragraph 2 about?

A.Food variety.

B.Eating habits.

C.Table manners.

D.Restaurant service.

2.Why does Bechtel prefer to go out for lunch?

A.To meet with her coworkers.

B.To catch up with her work.

C.To have some time on her own.

D.To collect data for her report.

3.What do we know about Mazoleny?

A.He makes videos for the bar.

B.He’s fond of the food at the bar.

C.He interviews customers at the bar.

D.He’s familiar with the barkeeper.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A.The trend of having meals alone.

B.The importance of self-reflection.

C.The stress from working overtime.

D.The advantage of wireless technology.

3. 难度：中等

    Money with no strings attached. It’s not something you see every day. But at Union Station in Los Angeles last month, a board went up with dollar bills attached to it with pins and a sign that read, “Give What You Can, Take What You Need.”

People quickly caught on. And while many took dollars, many others pinned their own cash to the board. “People of all ages, races, and socio-economic(社会经济的) backgrounds gave and took,” said Tyler Bridges of The Toolbox, which created the project. “We even had a bride in her wedding dress come up to the board and take a few dollars.” Most of the bills on the board were singles, but a few people left fives, tens and even twenties. The video clip(片段) shows one man who had found a $ 20 bill pinning it to the board.

“What I can say for the folks that gave the most, is that they were full of smiles,” Bridges said. “There’s a certain feeling that giving can do for you and that was apparent in those that gave the most.” Most people who took dollars took only a few, but Bridges said a very small number took as much as they could.

While the clip might look like part of a new ad campaign, Bridges said the only goal was to show generosity and sympathy. He added that he hopes people in other cities might try similar projects and post their own videos on the Internet.

“After all, everyone has bad days and good days,” he said. “Some days you need a helping hand and some days you can be the one giving the helping hand.”

1.What does the expression “money with no strings attached” in paragraph 1 mean?

A.Money spent without hesitation.

B.Money not legally made.

C.Money offered without conditions.

D.Money not tied together.

2.What did Bridges want to show by mentioning the bride?

A.Women tended to be more sociable.

B.The activity attracted various people.

C.Economic problems were getting worse.

D.Young couples needed financial assistance.

3.Why did Bridges carry out the project?

A.To do a test on people’s morals.

B.To raise money for his company.

C.To earn himself a good reputation.

D.To promote kindness and sympathy.

4. 难度：中等

    The problem of robocalls has gotten so bad that many people now refuse to pick up calls from numbers they don’t know. By next year, half of the calls we receive will be scams(欺诈). We are finally waking up to the severity of the problem by supporting and developing a group of tools, apps and approaches intended to prevent scammers from getting through. Unfortunately, it’s too little, too late. By the time these “solutions”(解决方案) become widely available, scammers will have moved onto cleverer means. In the near future, it’s not just going to be the number you see on your screen that will be in doubt. Soon you will also question whether the voice you’re hearing is actually real.

That’s because there are a number of powerful voice manipulation(处理) and automation technologies that are about to become widely available for anyone to use. At this year’s I/O Conference, a company showed a new voice technology able to produce such a convincing human-sounding voice that it was able to speak to a receptionist and book a reservation without detection.

These developments are likely to make our current problems with robocalls much worse. The reason that robocalls are a headache has less to do with amount than precision. A decade of data breaches(数据侵入) of personal information has led to a situation where scammers can easily learn your mother’s name, and far more. Armed with this knowledge, they’re able to carry out individually targeted campaigns to cheat people. This means, for example, that a scammer could call you from what looks to be a familiar number and talk to you using a voice that sounds exactly like your bank teller’s, tricking you into “confirming” your address, mother’s name, and card number. Scammers follow money, so companies will be the worst hit. A lot of business is still done over the phone, and much of it is based on trust and existing relationships. Voice manipulation technologies may weaken that gradually.

We need to deal with the insecure nature of our telecom networks. Phone carriers and consumers need to work together to find ways of determining and communicating what is real. That might mean either developing a uniform way to mark videos and images, showing when and who they were made by, or abandoning phone calls altogether and moving towards data-based communications—using apps like FaceTime or WhatsApp, which can be tied to your identity.

Credibility is hard to earn but easy to lose, and the problem is only going to get harder from here on out.

1.How does the author feel about the solutions to problem of robocalls?

A.Panicked. B.Confused. C.Embarrassed. D.Disappointed.

2.Taking advantage of the new technologies, scammer can ________.

A.aim at victims precisely B.damage databases easily

C.start campaigns rapidly D.spread information widely

3.What does the passage imply?

A.Honesty is the best policy.

B.Technologies can be double-edged.

C.There are more solutions than problems.

D.Credibility holds the key to development.

4.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A.Where the Problem of Robocalls Is Rooted

B.Who Is to Blame for the Problem of Robocalls

C.Why Robocalls Are About to Get More Dangerous

D.How Robocalls Are Affecting the World of Technology

5. 难度：困难

    Would you BET on the future of this man? He is 53 years old. Most of his adult life has been a losing struggle against debt and misfortune. A war injury has made his left hand stop functioning, and he has often been in prison. Driven by heaven-knows-what motives, he determines to write a book.

The book turns out to be one that has appealed to the world for more than 350 years. That former prisoner was Cervantes, and the book was Don Quixote（《堂吉诃德》）. And the story poses an interesting question: why do some people discover new vitality and creativity to the end of their days, while others go to seed long before?

We’ve all known people who run out of steam before they reach life’s halfway mark. I’m not talking about those who fail to get to the top. We can’t all get there. I’m talking about people who have stopped learning on growing because they have adopted the fixed attitudes and opinions that all too often come with passing years.

Most of us, in fact, progressively narrow the variety of our lives. We succeed in our field of specialization and then become trapped in it. Nothing surprises us. We lose our sense of wonder. But, if we are willing to learn, the opportunities are everywhere.

The things we learn in maturity seldom involve information and skills. We learn to bear with the things we can’t change. We learn to avoid self-pity. We learn that however much we try to please, some people are never going to love us—an idea that troubles at first but is eventually relaxing.

With high motivation and enthusiasm, we can keep on learning. Then we will know how important it is to have meaning in our life. However, we can achieve meaning only if we have made a commitment to something larger than our own little egos(自我), whether to loved ones, to fellow humans, to work, or to some moral concept.

Many of us equate(视……等同于) “commitment” with such “caring” occupations as teaching and nursing. But doing any ordinary job as well as one can is in itself an admirable commitment. People who work toward such excellence—whether they are driving a truck, or running a store—make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They’ve learned life’s most valuable lesson.

1.The passage starts with the story of Cervantes to show that ________.

A.loss of freedom stimulates one’s creativity

B.age is not a barrier to achieving one’s goal

C.misery inspires a man to fight against his fate

D.disability cannot stop a man’s pursuit of success

2.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A.End one’s struggle for liberty.

B.Waste one’s energy taking risks.

C.Miss the opportunity to succeed.

D.Lose the interest to continue learning.

3.What could be inferred from Paragraph 4？

A.Those who dare to try often get themselves trapped.

B.Those who tend to think back can hardly go ahead.

C.Opportunity favors those with a curious mind.

D.Opportunity awaits those with a cautious mind.

4.What does the author intend to tell us in Paragraph 5？

A.A tough man can tolerate suffering.

B.A wise man can live without self-pity.

C.A man should try to satisfy people around him.

D.A man should learn suitable ways to deal with life.

5.What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage？

A.To provide guidance on leading a meaningful adult life.

B.To stress the need of shouldering responsibilities at work.

C.To state the importance of generating motivation for learning.

D.To suggest a way of pursuing excellence in our lifelong career.

6. 难度：中等

    Who cares if people think wrongly that the internet has had more important influences than the washing machine? Why does it matter that people are more impressed by the most recent changes?

It would not matter if these misjudgments were just a matter of people’s opinions. However, they have real impacts, as they result in misguided use of scarce resources.

The fascination with the ICT(Information and Communication Technology) revolution, represented by the internet, has made some rich countries wrongly conclude that making things is so “yesterday” that they should try to live on ideas. This belief in “post-industrial society” has led those countries to neglect their manufacturing sector(制造业), with negative consequences for their economies.

Even more worryingly, the fascination with the internet by people in rich countries has moved the international community to worry about the “digital divide” between the rich countries and the poor countries. This has led companies and individuals to donate money to developing countries to buy computer equipment and internet facilities. The question, however, is whether this is what the developing countries need the most. Perhaps giving money for those less fashionable things such as digging wells, extending electricity networks and making more affordable washing machines would have improved people’s lives more than giving every child a laptop computer or setting up internet centres in rural villages, I am not saying that those things are necessarily more important, but many donators have rushed into fancy programmes without carefully assessing the relative long-term costs and benefits of alternative uses of their money.

In yet another example, a fascination with the new has led people to believe that the recent changes in the technologies of communications and transportation are so revolutionary that now we live in a “borderless world”. As a result, in the last twenty years or so, many people have come to believe that whatever change is happening today is the result of great technological progress, going against which will be like trying to turn the clock back. Believing in such a world, many governments have put an end to some of the very necessary regulations on cross-border flows of capital, labour and goods, with poor results.

Understanding technological trends is very important for correctly designing economic policies, both at the national and the international levels, and for making the right career choices at the individual level. However, our fascination with the latest, and our under valuation of what has already become common, can, and has, led us in all sorts of wrong directions.

1.Misjudgments on the influences of new technology can lead to ________.

A.a lack of confidence in technology

B.a slow progress in technology

C.a conflict of public opinions

D.a waste of limited resources

2.The example in Paragraph 4 suggests that donators should ________.

A.take people’s essential needs into account

B.make their programmes attractive to people

C.ensure that each child gets financial support

D.provide more affordable internet facilities

3.What has led many governments to remove necessary regulations?

A.Neglecting the impacts of technological advances.

B.Believing that the world has become borderless.

C.Ignoring the power of economic development.

D.Over-emphasizing the role of international communication.

4.What can we learn from the passage?

A.People should be encouraged to make more donations.

B.Traditional technology still has a place nowadays.

C.Making right career choices is crucial to personal success.

D.Economic policies should follow technological trends.

7. 难度：中等

    Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid is used to grilling guests on the sofa every morning, but she is cooking up a storm in her latest role — showing families how to prepare delicious and nutritious meals on a tight budget.

In Save Money: Good Food, she visits a different home each week and with the help of chef Matt Tebbutt offers top tips on how to reduce food waste, while preparing recipes for under £5 per family a day. And the Good Morning Britain presenter says she’s been able to put a lot of what she’s leant into practice in her own home, preparing meals for sons, Sam,14, Finn,13, and Jack, 11.

"We love Mexican churros, so I buy them on my phone from my local Mexican takeaway restaurant," she explains. "I pay £5 for a portion(一份), but Matt makes them for 26p a portion, because they are flour, water, sugar and oil. Everybody can buy takeaway food, but sometimes we’re not aware how cheaply we can make this food ourselves. "

The eight-part series(系列节自), Save Money: Good Food, follows in the footsteps of ITV’s Save Money: Good Health, which gave viewers advice on how to get value from the vast range of health products on the market.

With food our biggest weekly household expense, Susanna and Matt spend time with a different family each week. In tonight’s Easter special they come to the aid of a family in need of some delicious inspiration on a budget. The team transforms the family’s long weekend of celebration with less expensive but still tasty recipes.

1.What do we know about Susanna Reid? 学-科网

A.She enjoys embarrassing her guests. B.She has started a new programme.

C.She dislikes working early in the morning. D.She has had a light budget for her family.

2.How does Matt Tebbutt help Susanna?

A.He buys cooking materials for her. B.He prepares food for her kids.

C.He assists her in cooking matters. D.He invites guest families for her.

3.What does the author intend to do in paragraph 4?

A.Summarize the previous paragraphs. B.Provide some advice for the readers.

C.Add some background information. D.Introduce a new topic for discussion.

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

A.Keeping Fit by Eating Smart B.Balancing Our Daily Diet

C.Making yourself a Perfect Chef D.Cooking Well for Less

8. 难度：困难

    Languages have been coming and going for thousands of years, but in recent times there has been less coming and a lot more going. When the world was still populated by hunter-gatherers, small, tightly knit(联系) groups developed their own patterns of speech independent of each other. Some language experts believe that 10,000 years ago, when the world had just five to ten million people, they spoke perhaps 12,000 languages between them.

Soon afterwards, many of those people started settling down to become farmers, and their languages too became more settled and fewer in number. In recent centuries, trade, industrialization, the development of the nation-state and the spread of universal compulsory education, especially globalisation and better communications in the past few decades, all have caused many languages to disappear, and dominant languages such as English, Spanish and Chinese are increasingly taking over.

At present, the world has about 6,800 languages. The distribution of these languages is hugely uneven. The general rule is that mild zones have relatively few languages. Often spoken by many people while hot, wet zones have lots, often spoken by small numbers. Europe has only around 200 Languages: the Americas about 1,000, Africa 2,400; and Asia and the Pacific perhaps 3,200, of which Papua New Guinea alone accounts for well over 800. The median number(中位数) of speakers is a mere 6.000, which means that half the worlds languages are spoken by fewer people than that.

Already well over 400 of the total of 6,800 languages are close to extinction(消亡), with only a few elderly speakers left. Pick, at random, Busuu in Cameroon (eight remaining speakers), Chiapaneco in Mexico(150). Lipan Apache in the United States(two or three) or Wadjigu in Australia (one, with a question-mark): none of these seems to have much chance of survival.

1.What can we infer about languages in hunter-gatherer times?

A.They developed very fast. B.They were large in number.

C.They had similar patters. D.They were closely connected

2.Which of the following best explains "dominant" underlined in paragraph 2？

A.Complex. B.Advanced.

C.Powerful. D.Modern.

3.How many languages are spoken by less than 6, 000 people at present?

A.About 6,800 . B.About 3,400

C.About 2,400 D.About 1,200.

4.What is the main idea of the text?

A.New languages will be created.

B.Peoples lifestyles are reflected in languages.

C.Human development results in fewer languages.

D.Geography determines language evolution.

9. 难度：中等

    Many of us love July because it’s the month when nature’s berries and stone fruits are in abundance. These colourful and sweet jewels form British Columbia’s fields are little powerhouses of nutritional protection.

Of the common berries, strawberries are highest in vitamin C, although, because of their seeds, raspberries contain a little more protein (蛋白质), iron and zinc (not that fruits have much protein). Blueberries are particularly high in antioxidants (抗氧化物质). The yellow and orange stone fruits such as peaches are high in the carotenoids we turn into vitamin A and which are antioxidants. As for cherries (樱桃), they are so delicious who cares? However, they are rich in vitamin C.

When combined with berries of slices of other fruits, frozen bananas make an excellent base for thick, cooling fruit shakes and low fat “ice cream”. For this purpose, select ripe bananas for freezing as they are much sweeter. Remove the skin and place them in plastic bags or containers and freeze. If you like, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the bananas will prevent them turning brown. Frozen bananas will last several weeks, depending on their ripeness and the temperature of the freezer.

If you have a juicer, you can simply feed in frozen bananas and some berries or sliced fruit. Out comes a “soft-serve” creamy dessert, to be eaten right away. This makes a fun activity for a children’s party; they love feeding the fruit and frozen bananas into the top of the machine and watching the ice cream come out below.

1.What does the author seem to like about cherries?

A.They contain protein. B.They are high in vitamin A.

C.They have a pleasant taste. D.They are rich in antioxidants.

2.Why is fresh lemon juice used in freezing bananas?

A.To make them smell better. B.To keep their colour.

C.To speed up their ripening. D.To improve their nutrition.

3.What is “a juicer” in the last paragraph?

A.A dessert. B.A drink.

C.A container. D.A machine.

4.From which is the text probably taken?

A.A biology textbook. B.A health magazine.

C.A research paper. D.A travel brochure.

10. 难度：困难

We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.

What’s the problem? It’s possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence. It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s awkward and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits.

Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t

even exist if it weren’t for casual conversation. Small talk is the grease(润滑剂) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. ＂Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk,＂ he explains. ＂The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them.＂

In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction(互动) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. ＂It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband,＂ says Dunn. ＂But interactions with peripheral(边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.＂

Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. ＂Small talk is the basis of good manners,＂ he says.

1.What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?

A. Addiction to smartphones.

B. Inappropriate behaviours in public places.

C. Absence of communication between strangers.

D. Impatience with slow service.

2.What is important for successful small talk according to Carducci?

A. Showing good manners.    B. Relating to other people.

C. Focusing on a topic.    D. Making business deals.

3.What does the coffee-shop study suggest about small talk?

A. It improves family relationships.    B. It raises people’s confidence.

C. It matters as much as a formal talk.    D. It makes people feel good.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. Conversation Counts    B. Ways of Making Small Talk

C. Benefits of Small Talk    D. Uncomfortable Silence

11. 难度：中等

    Cities usually have a good reason for being where they are, like a nearby port or river. People settle in these places because they are easy to get to and naturally suited to communications and trade. New York City, for example, is near a large harbour at the mouth of the Hudson River. Over 300 years its population grew gradually from 800 people to 8 million. But not all cities develop slowly over a long period of time. Boom towns grow from nothing almost overnight. In 1896, Dawson, Canada, was unmapped wilderness(荒野). But gold was discovered there in 1897, and two years later, it was one of the largest cities in the West, with a population of 30,000.

Dawson did not have any of the natural conveniences of cities like London or Paris. People went there for gold. They travelled over snow-covered mountains and sailed hundreds of miles up icy rivers. The path to Dawson was covered with thirty feet of wet snow that could fall without warming. An avalanche(雪崩) once closed the path, killing 63 people. For many who made it to Dawson, however, the rewards were worth the difficult trip. Of the first 20,000 people who dug for gold, 4,000 got rich. About 100 of these stayed rich men for the rest of their lives.

But no matter how rich they were, Dawson was never comfortable. Necessities like food and wood were very expensive. But soon, the gold that Dawson depended on had all been found. The city was crowded with disappointed people with no interest in settling down, and when they heard there were new gold discoveries in Alaska, they left Dawson City as quickly as they had come. Today, people still come and go — to see where the Canadian gold rush happened. Tourism is now the chief industry of Dawson City — its present population is 762.

1.What attracted the early settlers to New York City?

A.Its business culture.

B.Its small population.

C.Its geographical position.

D.Its favourable climate.

2.What do we know about those who first dug for gold in Dawson?

A.Two-thirds of them stayed there.

B.One out of five people got rich.

C.Almost everyone gave up.

D.Half of them died.

3.What was the main reason for many people to leave Dawson?

A.They found the city too crowded.

B.They wanted to try their luck elsewhere.

C.They were unable to stand the winter.

D.They were short of food.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A.The rise and fall of a city.

B.The gold rush in Canada.

C.Journeys into the wilderness.

D.Tourism in Dawson.

12. 难度：中等

    Steven Stein likes to follow garbage trucks. His strange habit makes sense when you consider that he’s an environmental scientist who studies how to reduce litter, including things that fall off garbage trucks as they drive down the road. What is even more interesting is that one of Stein’s jobs is defending an industry behind the plastic shopping bags.

Americans use more than 100 billion thin film plastic bags every year. So many end up in tree branches or along highways that a growing number of cities do not allow them at checkouts(收银台). The bags are prohibited in some 90 cities in California, including Los Angeles. Eyeing these headwinds, plastic-bag makers are hiring scientists like Stein to make the case that their products are not as bad for the planet as most people assume.

Among the bag makers’ argument: many cities with bans still allow shoppers to purchase paper bags, which are easily recycled but require more energy to produce and transport. And while plastic bags may be ugly to look at, they represent a small percentage of all garbage on the ground today.

The industry has also taken aim at the product that has appeared as its replacement: reusable shopping bags. The stronger a reusable bag is, the longer its life and the more plastic-bag use it cancels out. However, longer-lasting reusable bags often require more energy to make. One study found that a cotton bag must be used at least 131 times to be better for the planet than plastic.

Environmentalists don’t dispute(质疑) these points. They hope paper bags will be banned someday too and want shoppers to use the same reusable bags for years.

1.What has Steven Stein been hired to do?

A.Help increase grocery sales.

B.Recycle the waste material.

C.Stop things falling off trucks.

D.Argue for the use of plastic bags.

2.What does the word “headwinds” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A.Bans on plastic bags.

B.Effects of city development.

C.Headaches caused by garbage.

D.Plastic bags hung in trees.

3.What is a disadvantage of reusable bags according to plastic-bag makers?

A.They are quite expensive.

B.Replacing them can be difficult.

C.They are less strong than plastic bags.

D.Producing them requires more energy.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Plastic, Paper or Neither

B.Industry, Pollution and Environment

C.Recycle or Throw Away

D.Garbage Collection and Waste Control

13. 难度：简单

    Fire Prevention Information

The University of Adelaide employs a full-time staff of fire prevention professionals. They inspect all campus buildings and test and maintain all sprinkler(喷水灭火装置）systems fire alarms and fire extinguishers (灭火器). They also provide educational programs or fire safety in the residence hall. Whenever you move to a new area, you should locate the fire alarm pull stations and the two exits nearest your room.

Fire Alarms

The floors of all campus buildings are equipped with manual(手动的）fire alarm systems which include fire alarm pull stations and pipes. Most are also equipped with automatic fire alarm systems consisting of heat detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers. For your safety, never tamper with(胡乱摆弄）these systems. False fire alarms are illegal and may lead to imprisonment.

Fire Drills

A fire drill will be conducted in your residence hall every semester. During a fire drill, please do the following:

·Take your room key and ID, close and lock the door to your room.

·Exit immediately from the nearest emergency exit do not use a lift.

·Meet outside of your residence hall and wait for further instructions.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are located on each floor and in each apartment. Use a fire extinguisher only if you have been trained to do so. Irresponsible use of a fire extinguisher can create a dangerous situation for other residents and could result in damage to personal property.

Misuse of a fire extinguisher will result in fines.

Smoke Detector

A smoke detector is on the ceiling in your room. Some buildings also have heat detectors on the ceilings. Do the following to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detector:

·If your smoke detector is working properly, the red light should be on. If the red light is not blinking（闪动），contact residence hall staff immediately.

·Do not cover or block your smoke detector in any way.

·If a smoke detector sets off an alarm and there is no fire or smoke, inform your hall staff.

1.What is the main duty of the fire prevention professionals?

A.To provide part-time jobs for students.

B.To lead the students to the nearest exits.

C.To check and maintain fire prevention equipment.

D.To train teachers to be fire prevention professionals.

2.What do the automatic fire alarm systems include?

A.Pipes and smoke detectors.

B.Smoke detectors and sprinklers.

C.Fire alarm pull stations and pipes.

D.Sprinklers and fire alarm pull stations

3.In a fire drill, the students should ________.

A.rush quickly to a lift

B.gather at the nearest exit.

C.shut the door and leave at once

D.wait for instructions in the hall

4.What do we know about the use of fire extinguishers?

A.Using them wrongly results in punishment.

B.Irresponsible use of them can damage them.

C.Improper use of them can destroy the apartment.

D.Using them without a trainer present is forbidden.

5.To ensure the safe operation of the smoke detector, one should_________.

A.contact the hall staff regularly

B.cover the things that burn easily

C.start the smoke detector in a fire

D.make certain the red light is working

14. 难度：困难

    Give yourself a test. Which way is the wind blowing? How many kinds of wildflowers can be seen from your front door? If your awareness is as sharp as it could be, you’ll have no trouble answering these questions.

Most of us observed much more as children than we do as adults. A child’s day is filled with fascination, newness and wonder. Curiosity gave us all a natural awareness. But distinctions that were sharp to us as children become unclear; we are numb(麻木的）to new stimulation(刺激), new ideas. Relearning the art of seeing the world around us is quite simple, although it takes practice and requires breaking some bad habits.

The first step in awakening senses is to stop predicting what we are going to see and feel before it occurs. This blocks awareness. One chilly night when I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains with some students, I mentioned that we were going to cross a mountain stream. The students began complaining about how cold it would be. We reached the stream, and they unwillingly walked ahead. They were almost knee-deep when they realized it was a hot spring. Later they all admitted they’d felt cold water at first.

Another block to awareness is the obsession(痴迷) many of us have with naming things. I saw bird watchers who spotted a bird, immediately looked it up in field guides, and said, a "ruby-crowned kinglet" and checked it off. They no longer paid attention to the bird and never learned what it was doing.

The pressures of "time" and "destination" are further blocks to awareness. I encountered many hikers who were headed to a distant camp-ground with just enough time to get there before dark. It seldom occurred to them to wander a bit, to take a moment to see what’s around them. I asked them what they’d seen. "Oh, a few birds," they said. They seemed bent on their destinations.

Nature seems to unfold to people who watch and wait. Next time you take a walk, no matter where it is, take in all the sights, sounds and sensations. Wander in this frame of mind and you will open a new dimension to your life.z.

1.According to Paragraph 2, compared with adults, children are more ____________.

A.anxious to do wonders

B.sensitive to others’ feelings

C.likely to develop unpleasant habits

D.eager to explore the world around them

2.What idea does the author convey in Paragraph 3?

A.To avoid jumping to conclusions.

B.To stop complaining all the time.

C.To follow the teacher’s advice.

D.To admit mistakes honestly.

3.The bird watchers’ behavior shows that they __________.

A.are very patient in their observation

B.are really fascinated by nature

C.care only about the names of birds

D.question the accuracy of the field guides

4.Why do the hikers take no notice of the surroundings during the journey?

A.The natural beauty isn’t attractive to them.

B.They focus on arriving at the camp in time.

C.The forest in the dark is dangerous for them.

D.They are keen to see rare birds at the destination.

5.In the passage, the author intends to tell us we should __________.

A.fill our senses to feel the wonders of the world

B.get rid of some bad habits in our daily life

C.open our mind to new things and ideas

D.try our best to protect nature

15. 难度：中等

    Preparing Cities for Robot Cars

The possibility of self-driving robot cars has often seemed like a futurist’s dream, years away from materializing in the real world. Well, the future is apparently now. The California Department of Motor Vehicles began giving permits in April for companies to test truly self-driving cars on public roads. The state also cleared the way for companies to sell or rent out self-driving cars, and for companies to operate driverless taxi services. California, it should be noted, isn’t leading the way here. Companies have been testing their vehicles in cities across the country. It’s hard to predict when driverless cars will be everywhere on our roads. But however long it takes, the technology has the potential to change our transportation systems and our cities, for better or for worse, depending on how the transformation is regulated.

While much of the debate so far has been focused on the safety of driverless cars(and rightfully so), policymakers also should be talking about how self-driving vehicles can help reduce traffic jams, cut emissions(排放) and offer more convenient, affordable mobility options. The arrival of driverless vehicles is a chance to make sure that those vehicles are environmentally friendly and more shared.

Do we want to copy — or even worsen — the traffic of today with driverless cars? Imagine a future where most adults own individual self-driving vehicles. They tolerate long, slow journeys to and from work on packed highways because they can work, entertain themselves or sleep on the ride, which encourages urban spread. They take their driverless car to an appointment and set the empty vehicle to circle the building to avoid paying for parking. Instead of walking a few blocks to pick up a child or the dry cleaning, they send the self-driving minibus. The convenience even leads fewer people to take public transport — an unwelcome side effect researchers have already found in ride-hailing(叫车) services.

A study from the University of California at Davis suggested that replacing petrol-powered private cars worldwide with electric, self-driving and shared systems could reduce carbon emissions from transportation 80% and cut the cost of transportation infrastructure(基础设施) and operations 40% by 2050. Fewer emissions and cheaper travel sound pretty appealing. The first commercially available driverless cars will almost certainly be fielded by ride-hailing services, considering the cost of self-driving technology as well as liability and maintenance issues(责任与维护问题). But driverless car ownership could increase as the prices drop and more people become comfortable with the technology.

Policymakers should start thinking now about how to make sure the appearance of driverless vehicles doesn’t extend the worst aspects of the car-controlled transportation system we have today. The coming technological advancement presents a chance for cities and states to develop transportation systems designed to move more people, and more affordably. The car of the future is coming. We just have to plan for it.

1.According to the author, attention should be paid to how driverless cars can __________.

A.help deal with transportation-related problems

B.provide better services to customers

C.cause damage to our environment

D.make some people lose jobs

2.As for driverless cars, what is the author’s major concern?

A.Safety. B.Side effects.

C.Affordability. D.Management.

3.What does the underlined word ＂fielded＂ in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A.Employed. B.Replaced.

C.Shared. D.Reduced.

4.What is the author’s attitude to the future of self-driving cars?

A.Doubtful. B.Positive.

C.Disapproving. D.Sympathetic.

16. 难度：中等

    In the 1760s, Mathurin Roze opened a series of shops that boasted(享有）a special meat soup called consomme. Although the main attraction was the soup, Roze's chain shops also set a new standard for dining out, which helped to establish Roze as the inventor of the modern restaurant.

Today, scholars have generated large amounts of instructive research about restaurants. Take visual hints that influence what we eat: diners served themselves about 20 percent more pasta(意大利面食）when their plates matched their food.  When a dark-colored cake was served on a black plate rather than a white one, customers recognized it as sweeter and more tasty.

Lighting matters, too. When Berlin restaurant customers ate in darkness, they couldn't tell how much they'd had: those given extra-large shares ate more than everyone else, but were none the wiser—they didn’t feel fuller, and they were just as ready for dessert.

Time is money, but that principle means different things for different types of restaurants. Unlike fast-food places. fine dining shops prefer customers to stay longer and spend. One way to encourage customers to stay and order that extra round: put on some Mozart(莫扎特）.When classical, rather than pop, music was playing, diners spent more. Fast music hurried diners out.

Particular scents also have an effect: diners who got the scent of lavender(薰衣草）stayed longer and spent more than those who smelled lemon, or no scent.

Meanwhile, things that you might expect to discourage spending—"bad" tables, crowding. high prices — don't necessarily. Diners at bad tables — next to the kitchen door, say — spent nearly as much as others but soon fled. It can be concluded that restaurant keepers need not "be overly concerned about ‘bad' tables," given that they're profitable. As for crowds, a Hong Kong study found that they increased a restaurant's reputation, suggesting great food at fair prices. And doubling a buffet's price led customers to say that its pizza was 11 percent tastier.

1.The underlined phrase "none the wiser" in paragraph 3 most probably implies that the customers were         .

A.not aware of eating more than usual

B.not willing to share food with others

C.not conscious of the food quality

D.not fond of the food provided

2.How could a fine dining shop make more profit?

A.playing classical music.

B.Introducing lemon scent.

C.Making the light brighter,

D.Using plates of larger size.

3.What does the last paragraph talk about?

A.Tips to attract more customers.

B.Problems restaurants are faced with.

C.Ways to improve restaurants' reputation.

D.Common misunderstandings about restaurants.

17. 难度：中等

    If you want to disturb the car industry, you'd better have a few billion dollars: Mom-and-pop carmakers are unlikely to beat the biggest car companies. But in agriculture, small farmers can get the best of the major players. By connecting directly with customers, and by responding quickly to changes in the markets as well as in the ecosystems(生态系统）, small farmers can keep one step ahead of the big guys. As the co-founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC, 美国青年农会）and a family farmer myself. I have a front-row seat to the innovations among small farmers that are transforming the industry.

For example, take the Quick Cut Greens Harvester, a tool developed just a couple of years ago by a young farmer, Jonathan Dysinger, in Tennessee, with a small loan from a local Slow Money group. It enables small-scale farmers to harvest 175 pounds of green vegetables per hour—a huge improvement over harvesting just a few dozen pounds by hand—suddenly making it possible for the little guys to compete with large farms of California. Before the tool came out, small farmers couldn't touch the price per pound offered by California farms. But now, with the combination of a better price point and a generally fresher product, they can stay in business.

The sustainable success of small farmers, though, won't happen without fundamental changes to the industry. One crucial factor is secure access to land. Competition from investors. developers, and established large farmers makes owning one's own land unattainable for many new farmers.

From 2004 to 2013, agricultural land values doubled, and they continue to rise in many regions.

Another challenge for more than a million of the most qualified farm workers and managers is a non-existent path to citizenship — the greatest barrier to building a farm of their own. With farmers over the age of 65 outnumbering(多于）farmers younger than 35 by six to one, and with two-thirds of the nation's farmland in need of a new farmer, we must clear the path for talented people willing to grow the nation's food.

There are solutions that could light a path toward a more sustainable and fair farm economy, but farmers can't clumsily put them together before us. We at the NYFC need broad support as we urge Congress to increase farmland conservation, as we push for immigration reform, and as we seek policies that will ensure the success of a diverse and ambitious next generation of farms from all backgrounds. With a new farm bill to be debated in Congress, consumers must take a stand with young farmers.

1.The author mentions car industry at the beginning of the passage to introduce          .

A.the progress made in car industry

B.a special feature of agriculture

C.a trend of development in agriculture

D.the importance of investing in car industry

2.What does the author want to illustrate with the example in paragraph 2?

A.Loans to small local farmers are necessary.

B.Technology is vital for agricultural development.

C.Competition between small and big farms is fierce

D.Small farmers may gain some advantages over big ones.

3.What is the difficulty for those new famers?

A.To gain more financial aid.

B.To hire good farm managers.

C.To have fans of their own.

D.To win old farmers’ support.

4.What should farmers do for a more sustainable and fair farm economy?

A.Seek support beyond NYFC.

B.Expand farmland conservation.

C.Become members of NYFC.

D.Invest more to improve technology.

18. 难度：困难

    A new commodity brings about a highly profitable, fast-growing industry, urging antitrust(反垄断) regulators to step in to check those who control its flow. A century ago, the resource in question was oil. Now similar concerns are being raised by the giants(巨头) that deal in data, the oil of the digital age. The most valuable firms are Google, Amazon, Facebook and Microsoft. All look unstoppable.

Such situations have led to calls for the tech giants to be broken up. But size alone is not a crime. The giants’ success has benefited consumers. Few want to live without search engines or a quick delivery. Far from charging consumers high prices, many of these services are free (users pay, in effect, by handing over yet more data). And the appearance of new-born giants suggests that newcomers can make waves, too.

But there is cause for concern. The internet has made data abundant, all-present and far more valuable, changing the nature of data and competition. Google initially used the data collected from users to target advertising better. But recently it has discovered that data can be turned into new services: translation and visual recognition, to be sold to other companies. Internet companies’ control of data gives them enormous power. So they have a "God’s eye view" of activities in their own markets and beyond.

This nature of data makes the antitrust measures of the past less useful. Breaking up firms like Google into five small ones would not stop remaking themselves: in time, one of them would become great again. A rethink is required — and as a new approach starts to become apparent, two ideas stand out.

The first is that antitrust authorities need to move from the industrial age into the 21st century. When considering a merger(兼并), for example, they have traditionally used size to determine when to step in. They now need to take into account the extent of firms’ data assets(资产) when assessing the impact of deals. The purchase price could also be a signal that an established company is buying a new-born threat. When this takes place, especially when a new-born company has no revenue to speak of, the regulators should raise red flags.

The second principle is to loosen the control that providers of on-line services have over data and give more to those who supply them. Companies could be forced to reveal to consumers what information they hold and how much money they make from it. Governments could order the sharing of certain kinds of data, with users’ consent.

Restarting antitrust for the information age will not be easy. But if governments don’t want a data economy controlled by a few giants, they must act soon.

1.Why is there a call to break up giants?

A.They have controlled the data market.

B.They collect enormous private data.

C.They no longer provide free services.

D.They dismissed some new-born giants.

2.What does the technological innovation in Paragraph 3 indicate?

A.Data giants’ technology is very expensive.

B.Google’s idea is popular among data firms.

C.Data can strengthen giants’ controlling position.

D.Data can be turned into new services or products.

3.By paying attention to firms’ data assets, antitrust regulators could 　　　.

A.kill a new threat

B.avoid the size trap

C.favour bigger firms

D.charge higher prices

4.What is the purpose of loosening the giants’ control of data?

A.Big companies could relieve data security pressure.

B.Governments could relieve their financial pressure.

C.Consumers could better protect their privacy.

D.Small companies could get more opportunities.

19. 难度：中等

    Suppose you’re in a rush, feeling tired, not paying attention to your screen, and you send an email that could get you in trouble.

Realisation will probably set in seconds after you’ve clicked “send”. You freeze in horrors and burn with shame.

What to do? Here are four common email accidents, and how to recover.

Clicking “send” too soon

Don’t waste your time trying to find out if the receivers has read it yet. Write another email as swiftly as you can and send it with a brief explaining that this is the correct version and the previous version should be ignored.

Writing the wrong time

The sooner you notice, the better. Respond quickly and briefly, apologizing for your mistake. Keep the tone measured: don’t handle it too lightly, as people can be offered, especially if your error suggests a misunderstanding of their culture(I.e. incorrect ordering of Chinese names).

Clicking “reply all” unintentionally

You accidentally reveal(透露)to entire company what menu choices you would prefer at the staff Christmas dinner, or what holiday you’d like to take. In this instance, the best solution is to send a quick, light-hearted apology to explain your awkwardness. But it can quickly rise to something worse, when everyone starts hitting “reply all” to join in a long and unpleasant conversation. In this instance, step away from your keyboard to allow everyone to calm down.

Sending an offensive message to it’s subject

The most awkward email mistake is usually committed in anger. You write an unkind message about someone, intending to send it to a friend, but accidentally send it to the person you’re discussing. In that case, ask to speak in person as soon as possible and say sorry. Explain your frustrations calmly and sensibly—see it as an opportunity tic hear up any difficulties you may have with this person.

1.After realizing an email accident, you are likely to feel _______.

A. curious B. tired

C. awful D. funny

2.If you have written the wrong name in an email, it is best to ________.

A. apologise in a serious manner

B. tell the receiver to ignore the error

C. learn to write the name correctly

D. send a short notice to everyone

3.What should you do when an unpleasant conversation is started by your “reply all” email?

A. Try offering other choices.

B. Avoid further involvement.

C. Meet other staff members.

D. Make a light-hearted apology.

4.How should you deal with the problem caused by an offensive email?

A. By promising not to offend the receiver again.

B. By seeking support from the receiver’s friends.

C. By asking the receiver to control his anger.

D. By talking to the receiver face to face.

5.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Defining email errors.

B. Reducing email mistakes.

C. Handling email accidents.

D. Improving email writing.

20. 难度：困难

    This month, Germany’s transport minister, Alexander Dobrindt, proposed the first set of rules for autonomous vehicles(自主驾驶车辆). They would define the driver’s role in such cars and govern how such cars perform in crashes where lives might be lost.

The proposal attempts to deal with what some call the “death valley” of autonomous vehicles: the grey area between semi-autonomous and fully driverless cars that could delay the driverless future.

Dobrindt wants three things: that a car always chooses property(财产) damage over personal injury; that it never distinguishes between humans based on age or race; and that if a human removes his or her hands from the driving wheel — to check email, say — the car’s maker is responsible if there is a crash.

“The change to the road traffic law will permit fully automatic driving,” says Dobrindt. It will put fully driverless cars on an equal legal footing to human drivers, he says.

Who is responsible for the operation of such vehicles is not clear among car makers, consumers and lawyers. “The liability(法律责任) issue is the biggest one of them all,” says Natasha Merat at the University of Leeds, UK.

An assumption behind UK insurance for driverless cars, introduces earlier this year, insists that a human “ be watchful and monitoring the road” at every moment.

But that is not what many people have in mind when thinking of driverless cars. “When you say ‘driverless cars’, people expect driverless cars.”Merat says. “You know — no driver.”

Because of the confusion, Merat thinks some car makers will wait until vehicles can be fully automated without operation.

Driverless cars may end up being a form of public transport rather than vehicles you own, says Ryan Calo at Stanford University, California. That is happening in the UK and Singapore, where government-provided driverless vehicles are being launched.

That would go down poorly in the US, however. “The idea that the government would take over driverless cars and treat them as a public good would get absolutely nowhere here,” says Calo.

1.What does the phrase “death valley” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A. A place where cars often break down.

B. A case where passing a law is impossible.

C. An area where no driving is permitted.

D. A situation where drivers’ role is not clear.

2.The proposal put forward by Dobrindt aims to __________.

A. stop people from breaking traffic rules

B. help promote fully automatic driving

C. protect drivers of all ages and races

D. prevent serious property damage

3.What do consumers think of the operation of driverless cars?

A. It should get the attention of insurance companies.

B. It should be the main concern of law makers.

C. It should not cause deadly traffic accidents.

D. It should involve no human responsibility.

4.Driverless vehicles in public transport see no bright future in __________.

A. Singapore

B. the UK

C. the US

D. Germany

5.What could be the best title for passage?

A. Autonomous Driving: Whose Liability?

B. Fully Automatic Cars: A New Breakthrough

C. Autonomous Vehicles: Driver Removed

D. Driverless Cars: Root of Road Accidents

21. 难度：困难

    I read somewhere that we spend a full third of our lives waiting. But where are we doing all of this waiting, and what does it mean to an impatient society like ours? To understand the issue, let’s take a look at three types of “waits”.

The very purest form of waiting is the Watched-Pot Wait. It is without doubt the most annoying of all. Take filling up the kitchen sink(洗碗池) as an example. There is absolutely nothing you can do while this is going on but keep both eyes fixed on the sink until it’s full. During these waits, the brain slips away from the body and wanders about until the water runs over the edge of the counter and onto your socks. This kind of wait makes the waiter helpless and mindless.

A cousin to the Watched-Pot Wait is the Forced Wait. This one requires a bit of discipline. Properly preparing packaged noodle soup required a Forced Wait. Directions are very specific. “Bring three cups of water to boil, add mix, simmer three minutes, remove from heat, let stand five minutes.”I have my doubts that anyone has actually followed the procedures strictly. After all, Forced Waiting requires patience.

Perhaps the most powerful type of waiting is the Lucky-Break Wait. This type of wait is unusual in that it is for the most part voluntary. Unlike the Forced Wait, which is also voluntary, waiting for your lucky break does not necessarily mean that it will happen.

Turning one’s life into a waiting game requires faith and hope, and is strictly for the optimists among us. On the surface it seems as ridiculous as following the directions on soup mixes, but the Lucky-Break Wait well serves those who are willing to do it. As long as one doesn’t come to rely on it, wishing for a few good things to happen never hurts anybody.

We certainly do spend a good deal of our time waiting. The next time you’re standing at the sink waiting for it to fill while cooking noodle soup that you’ll have to eat until a large bag of cash falls out of the sky, don’t be desperate. You’re probably just as busy as the next guy.

1.While doing a Watched-Pot Wait, we tend to ___________.

A.keep ourselves busy

B.get absent-minded

C.grow anxious

D.stay focused

2.What is the difference between the Forced Wait and the Watched-Pot Wait?\

A.The Forced Wait requires some self-control.

B.The Forced Wait makes people passive.

C.The Watched-Pot Wait needs directions.

D.The Watched-Pot Wait engages body and brain.

3.What can we learn about the Lucky-Break Wait?

A.It is less voluntary than the Forced Wait.

B.It doesn’t always bring the desired result.

C.It is more fruitful than the Forced Wait.

D.It doesn’t give people faith and hope.

4.What does the author advise us to do the next time we are waiting?

A.Take it seriously.

B.Don’t rely on others.

C.Do something else.

D.Don’t lose heart.

5.The author supports his view by _________.

A.exploring various causes of “waits”.

B.describing detailed processes of “waits”.

C.analyzing different categories of “waits”

D.revealing frustrating consequences of “waits”

22. 难度：困难

    Grandparents Answer a Call

As a third－generation native of Brownsville, Texas, Mildred Garza never planned to move away.Even when her daughter and son asked her to move to San Antonio to help with their children, she politely refused.Only after a year of friendly discussion did Ms.Garza finally say yes.That was four years ago.Today all three generations regard the move as a success, giving them a closer relationship than they would have had in separate cities.

No statistics show the number of grandparents like Garza who are moving closer to adult children and grandchildren. Yet there is evidence suggesting that the trend is growing.Even President Obama’s mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, has agreed to leave Chicago and move into the White House to help care for her granddaughters. According to a study by grandparents.com, 83 percent of the people said Mrs.Robinson's decision will influence grandparents in the American family.Two－thirds believe more families will follow the example of Obama’s family.

“In the 1960s we were all a little wild and couldn't get away from home far enough or fast enough to prove we could do it on our own,”says Christine Crosby, publisher of Grand, a magazine for grandparents. “We now realize how important family is and how important it is to be near them, especially when you’re raising children.”

Moving is not for everyone. Almost every grandparent wants to be with his or her grandchildren and is willing to make sacrifices, but sometimes it is wiser to say no and visit frequently instead.Having your grandchildren far away is hard, especially knowing your adult child is struggling, but giving up the life you know may be harder.

1.Why was Garza’s move a success?

A.It strengthened her family ties.

B.It improved her living conditions.

C.It enabled her to make more friends.

D.It helped her know more new places.

2.What was the reaction of the public to Mrs.Robinson’s decision?

A.17% expressed their support for it.

B.Few people responded sympathetically.

C.83% believed it had a bad influence.

D.The majority thought it was a trend.

3.What did Crosby say about people in the 1960s?

A.They were unsure of themselves.

B.They were eager to raise more children.

C.They wanted to live away from their parents.

D.They had little respect for their grandparents.

4.What does the author suggest the grandparents do in the last paragraph?

A.Make decisions in the best interests of their own.

B.Ask their children to pay more visits to them.

C.Sacrifice for their struggling children.

D.Get to know themselves better.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 难度：中等

    A new collection of photos brings an unsuccessful  Antarctic voyage back to life.

Frank Hurley's  pictures would  be outstanding—undoubtedly first­rate photo­journalism—if they had been made last week.In fact，they were shot from 1914 through 1916, most of them after a disastrous shipwreck(海难), by a cameraman who had no reasonable expectation of survival.Many of the images were stored in an ice chest, under freezing water, in the damaged wooden ship.

The ship was the Endurance, a small, tight, Norwegian­built three­master that was intended to take Sir Ernest Shackleton and a small crew of seamen and scientists, 27 men in all，to the southernmost shore of Antarctica's Weddell Sea.From that point Shackleton wanted to force a passage by dog sled (雪橇) across the continent.The journey was intended to achieve more than what Captain Robert Falcon Scott had done.Captain Scott had reached the South Pole early in 1912 but had died with his four companions on the march back.

As writer Caroline Alexander makes clear in her forceful and well­researched story The Endurance, adventuring was even then a thoroughly commercial effort.Scott's last journey，completed as he lay in a tent dying of cold and hunger, caught the world's imagination, and a film made in his honor drew crowds.Shackleton, a onetime British merchant­navy officer who had got to within 100 miles of the South Pole in 1908, started a business before his 1914 voyage to make money from movie and still photography.Frank Hurley, a confident and gifted Australian photographer who knew the Antarctic，was hired to make the images, most of which have never before been published.

1.What do we know about the photos taken by Hurley?

A.They were made last week.

B.They showed undersea sceneries.

C.They were found by a cameraman.

D.They recorded a disastrous adventure.

2.Who reached the South Pole first according to the text?

A.Frank Hurley.

B.Ernest Shackleton.

C.Robert Falcon Scott.

D.Caroline Alexander.

3.What does Alexander think was the purpose of the 1914 voyage?

A.Artistic creation. B.Scientific research.

C.Money making. D.Treasure hunting.

27. 难度：中等

    On one of her trips to New York several years ago, Eudora Welty decided to take a couple of New York friends out to dinner. They settled in at a comfortable East Side cafe and within minutes, another customer was approaching their table.

“Hey, aren’t you from Mississippi?” the elegant, white-haired writer remembered being asked by the stranger. “I’m from Mississippi too.”

Without a second thought, the woman joined the Welty party. When her dinner partner showed up, she also pulled up a chair.

“They began telling me all the news of Mississippi,” Welty said. “I didn’t know what my New York friends were thinking.”

Taxis on a rainy New York night are rarer than sunshine. By the time the group got up to leave, it was pouring outside. Welty’s new friends immediately sent a waiter to find a cab. Heading back downtown toward her hotel, her big-city friends were amazed at the turn of events that had changed their Big Apple dinner into a Mississippi.

“My friends said: ‘Now we believe your stories,’” Welty added. “And I said: ‘Now you know. These are the people that make me write them.’”

Sitting on a sofa in her room, Welty, a slim figure in a simple gray dress, looked pleased with this explanation.

“I don’t make them up,” she said of the characters in her fiction these last 50 or so years. “I don’t have to.”

Beauticians, bartenders, piano players and people with purple hats, Welty’s people come from afternoons spent visiting with old friends, from walks through the streets of her native Jackson, Miss., from conversations overheard on a bus. It annoys Welty that, at 78, her left ear has now given out. Sometimes, sitting on a bus or a train, she hears only a fragment(片段) of a particularly interesting story.

1.What happened when Welty was with her friends at the cafe?

A.Two strangers joined her.

B.Her childhood friends came in.

C.A heavy rain ruined the dinner.

D.Some  people held a party there.

2.The underlined word “them” in Paragraph 6 refers to Welty’s ________.

A.readers B.parties

C.friends D.stories

3.What can we learn about the characters in Welty’s fiction?

A.They live in big cities.

B.They are mostly women.

C.They come from real life.

D.They are pleasure seekers.

28. 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.

29. 难度：中等

    December 15, 2014

Dear Alfred，

I want to tell you how important your help is to my life.

Growing up, I had people telling me I was too slow, though, with an IQ of 150+ at 17, I’m anything but stupid. The fact was that I was found to have ADHD(注意力缺陷多动障碍). Anxious all the time, I was unable to keep focused for more than an hour at a time.

However, when something did interest me, I could become absorbed. In high school, I became curious about the computer, and built my first website. Moreover, I completed the senior course of Computer Basics, plus five relevant pre-college courses.

While I was exploring my curiosity, my disease got worse. I wanted to go to college after high school, but couldn’t . So, I was killing my time at home until June 2012 when I discovered the online computer courses of your training center.

Since then, I have taken courses like Data Science and Advanced Mathematics. Currently, I’m learning your Probability course. I have hundreds of printer paper, covered in self-written notes from your video. This has given me a purpose.

Last year, I spent all my time looking for a job where, without dealing with the public , I could work alone, but still have a team to talk to. Luckily, I discovered the job—Data Analyst—this month and have been going full steam ahead. I want to prove that I can teach myself a respectful profession, without going to college, and be just as good as, if not better than, my competitors.

Thank you. You’ve given me hope that I can follow my heart. For the first time, I feel good about myself because I’m doing something, not because someone told me I was doing good. I feel whole.

This is why you’re saving my life.

Yours,

Tanis

1.why did’t Tanis go to college after high school?

A.She had learned enough about computer science

B.She had more difficulty keeping focused

C.She preferred taking online courses

D.She was too slow to learn

2.As for the working environment, Tains prefers____.

A.working by herself

B.dealing with the public

C.competing against others

D.staying with ADHD students

3.Tanis wrote this letter in order to_____.

A.explain why she was interested in the computer

B.share the ideas she had for her profession

C.show how grateful she was to the center

D.describe the courses she had taken so far

30. 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. B.

C. D.

31. 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.

32. 难度：中等

Failure is probably the most exhausting experience a person ever has. There is nothing more tiring than not succeeding.

We experience this tiredness in two ways: as start-up fatigue(疲惫) and performance fatigue. In the former case, we keep putting off a task because it has either too boring or too difficult. And the longer we delay it, the more tired we feel.

Such start-up fatigue is very real, even if not actually physical, not something in our muscles and bones. The solution is obvious though perhaps not easy to apply: always handle the most difficult job first.

Years ago, I was asked to write 102 essays on the great ideas of some famous authors. Applying my own rule, I determined to write them in alphabetical(按字母顺序), never letting myself leave out a tough idea. And I always started the day’s work with the difficult task of essay-writing. Experience proved that the rule works.

Performance fatigue is more difficult to handle. Though willing to get started, we cannot seem to do the job right. Its difficulties appear so great that, however hard we work, we fail again and again. In such a situation, I work as hard as I can-then let the unconscious take over.

When planning Encyclopaedia Britannica (《大英百科全书》), I had to create a table of contents based on the topics of its articles. Nothing like this had ever been done before, and day after day I kept coming up with solutions, but none of them worked. My fatigue became almost unbearable.

One day, mentally exhausted, I wrote down all the reasons why this problem could not be solved. I tried to convince myself that the trouble was with the problem itself, not with me. Relived, I sat back in an easy chair and fell asleep.

An hour later, I woke up suddenly with the solution clearly in mind. In the weeks that followed, the solution which had come up in my unconscious mind provided correct at every step. Though I worked as hard as before, I felt no fatigue. Success was now as exciting as failure had been depressing.

Human beings, I believe must try to succeed. Success, then, means never feeling tired.

1.People with start-up fatigue are most likely to ________.

A.delay tasks B.work hard

C.seek help D.accept failure

2.What does the author recommend doing to prevent start-up fatigue?

A.Writing essays in strict order.

B.Building up physical strength.

C.Leaving out the toughest ideas.

D.Dealing with the hardest task first.

3.On what occasion does a person probably suffer from performance fatigue?

A.Before starting a difficult task.

B.When all the solutions fail.

C.If the job is rather boring.

D.After finding a way out.

4.According to the author, the unconscious mind may help us ________.

A.ignore mental problems B.get some nice sleep

C.gain complete relief D.find the right solution

5.What could be the best title for the passage?

A.Success Is Built upon Failure

B.How to Handle Performance Fatigue

C.Getting over Fatigue: A Way to Success

D.Fatigue: An Early Sign of Health Problems

33. 难度：中等

Section B

Direction：Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished sattments. For each of them there are four choices markedA, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.

(A)

One early morning, I went into the living room to find my mother reading a thick book called Best Loved Poems to Read Again and Again. My interest was aroused only by the fact that the word “Poems” appeared in big, hot pink letters.

“Is it good?” I asked her.

“Yeah,” she answered. “There’s one I really like and you’ll like it, too.” I leaned forward.

“‘Patty Poem,’” she read the title. Who is Patty? I wondered. The poem began:

She never puts her toys away,

The poem was just three short sections. The final one came quickly:

And I’ll be sad.               

A terrible sorrow washed over me. Whoever Patty was, she was a mean girl. Then, the shock.

“It’s you, honey,” My mother said sadly.

To my mother, the poem revealed a parent’s affection when her child grows up and leaves. To me, the “she” in the poem was horror. It was my mama who would be sad. It was so terrible I burst out crying.

“What’s wrong?” my mother asked.

“Oh Mama,” I cried. “I don’t want to grow up ever!”

She smiled. “Honey, it’s okay. You’re not growing up anytime soon. And when you do, I’ll still love you, okay?”

“Okay,” I was still weeping. My panic has gone. But I could not help thinking about that silly poem. After what seemed like a safe amount of time, I read the poem again and was confused. It all fit so well together, like a puzzle. The language was simple, so simple I could plainly understand its meaning, yet it was still beautiful. I was now fascinated by the idea of poetry, words that had the power to make or break a person’s world.

I have since fallen in love with other poems, but “Patty Poem” remains my poem. After all, “Patty Poem” gave me my love for poetry not because it was the poem that lifted my spirits, but because it was the one that hurt me the most.

1.Why was the writer attracted by the book Best Loved Poems to Read Again and Again?

A.It was a thick enough book.

B.Something on its cover caught her eye.

C.Her mother was reading it with interest.

D.It has a meaningful title.

2.After her mother read the poem to her, the writer felt ______ at first.

A.sad B.excited

C.horrified D.confused

3.The writer’s mother liked to read “Patty Poem” probably because______.

A.it reflected her own childhood

B.it was written in simple language

C.it was composed by a famous poet

D.it gave her a hint of what would happen

4.It can be concluded from the passage that“Patty Poem”leads the writer to _______.

A.discover the power of poetry

B.recognize her love for puzzles

C.find her eagerness to grow up

D.experience great homesickness

34. 难度：中等

1.It can be concluded from paragraph 1 that _______.

A.the problem of global warming will have been quite solved by 2020

B.gas emissions have been effectively reduced in developed countries

C.the Paris Agreements is more influential than the Kyoto Protocol

D.humans have made continuous efforts to slow down global warming

2.If nations could only keep the initial promises of the Paris Agreement, what would happen by the year 2100?

A.The human population would increase by one third.

B.Little over 50% of all species would still exist.

C.Nations would not need to tighten their emissions targets.

D.The Agreement’s minimum goal would not be reached.

3.If those island nations not far above sea level are to survive, the maximum temperature rise, since the start of the industrial age, should be_______.

A.0.8℃ B.1.5℃

C.2℃ D.3.5℃

35. 难度：中等

阅读理解。

Enough ＂meaningless drivel＂. That’s the message from a group of members of the UK government who have been examining how social media firms like LinkedIn gather and use social media data.

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s report, released last week, has blamed firms for making people sign up to long incomprehensible legal contracts and calls for an international standard or kitemark (认证标记) to identify sites that have clear terms and conditions.

＂The term and conditions statement that we all carelessly agree to is meaningless drivel to anyone,＂ says Andrew Miller, the chair of the committee. Instead, he says, firms should provide a plain-English version of their terms. The simplified version would be checked by a third party and awarded a kitemark if it is an accurate reflection of the original.

It is not yet clear who would administer the scheme, but the UK government is looking at introducing it on a voluntary basis. ＂we need to think through how we make that work in practice,＂ says Miller.

Would we pay any more attention to a kitemark? ＂I think if you went and did the survey, people would like to think they would,＂ says Nigel Shadbolt at the University of Southampton, UK, who studies open data. ＂We do know people worry a lot about the inappropriate use of their information.＂ But what would happen in practice is another matter, he says.

Other organisations such as banks ask customers to sign long contracts they may not read or understand, but Miller believes social media requires special attention because it is so new. ＂We still don’t know how significant the long-term impact is going to be of unwise things that kids put on social media that come back and bite them in 20 years’ time,＂ he says.

Shadbolt, who gave evidence to the committee, says the problem is that we don’t know how companies will use our data because their business models and uses of data are still evolving. Large collections of personal information  have become valuable only recently, he says.

The shock and anger when a social media firm does something with data that people don’t expect, even if users have apparently permission, show that the current situation isn’t working. If properly administered, a kitemark on terms and conditions could help people know what exactly they are signing up to. Although they would still have to actually read them.

1.What does the phrase ＂ meaningless drivel＂ in paragraphs 1 and 3 refer to?

A.Legal contracts that social media firms make people sign up to.

B.Warnings from the UK government against unsafe websites.

C.Guidelines on how to use social media websites properly.

D.Insignificant data collected by social media firms.

2.It can be inferred from the passage that Nigel Shadbolt doubts whether _______.

A.social media firms would conduct a survey on the kitemark scheme

B.people would pay as much attention to a kitemark as they think

C.a kitemark scheme would be workable on a nationwide scale

D.the kitemark would help companies develop their business models

3.Andrew Miller thinks social media needs more attention than banks mainly because _______.

A.their users consist largely of kids under 20 years old

B.the language in their contracts is usually harder to understand

C.the information they collected could become more valuable in future

D.it remains unknown how users’ data will be taken advantage of

4.The writer advises users of social media to _______.

A.think carefully before posting anything onto such websites

B.read the terms and conditions even if there is a kitemark

C.take no further action if they can find a kitemark

D.avoid providing too much personal information

5.Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A.Say no to social media?

B.New security rules in operation?

C.Accept without reading?

D.Administration matters!

36. 难度：困难

    If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Dreaming about whether you would want to read minds, see through walls, or have superhuman strength may sound silly, but it actually gets to the heart of what really matters in your life.

Every day in our work, we are inspired by the people we meet doing extraordinary things to improve the world.

They have a different kind of superpower that all of us possess: the power to make a difference in the lives of others.

We’re not saying that everyone needs to contribute their lives to the poor. Your lives are busy enough doing homework, playing sports, making friends, seeking after your dreams. But we do think that you can live a more powerful life when you devote some of your time and energy to something much larger than yourself. Find an issue you are interested in and learn more. Volunteer or, if you can, contribute a little money to a cause. Whatever you do, don’t be a bystander. Get involved. You may have the opportunity to make your biggest difference when you’re older. But why not start now?

Our own experience working together on health, development, and energy the last twenty years has been one of the most rewarding parts of our lives. It has changed who we are and continues to fuel our optimism about how much the lives of the poorest people will improve in the years ahead.

1.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A.Your life style. B.Your life value.

C.Your trouble in life. D.Your life experience.

2.Why does the author say they are inspired every day?

A.They possess different kinds of superpowers.

B.They have got the power to change the world.

C.Some people around them are making the world better.

D.There are many powerful people in their life and work.

3.What does the author stress in Paragraph 5?

A.Learning more and contributing more to a cause.

B.Rising above self and acting to help others.

C.Working hard to get a bigger opportunity.

D.Trying your best to help the poor.

4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A.The author believes the lives of the poorest will get better.

B.Much more progress will be made in the near future.

C.The work on health is the most valuable experience.

D.People’s efforts have been materially rewarded.

37. 难度：简单

    A warm drink of milk before bed has long been the best choice for those wanting a good night’s sleep. But now a study has found it really does help people nod off（打瞌睡）—if it is milked from a cow at night.

Researchers have discovered that “night milk” contains more melatonin(褪黑激素), which has been proven to help people feel sleepy and reduce anxiety（焦虑）.The study, by researchers from Seoul, South Korea, involved mice being fed with dried milk powder（奶粉） made from cows milked both during the day and at night. Those given night milk, which contained 10 times the amount of melatonin, were less active and less anxious than those fed with the milk collected during daytime, according to the study published in The Journal of Medicinal Food.

Night milk quickened the start of sleep and caused the mice to sleep longer.

While the effect of cow milk harvested at different time has not been tested on humans up to now, taking melatonin drugs has been suggested to those who have trouble falling asleep at night.

Previous （以前的）studies have also showed that milk can be excellent for helping sleep because of the calcium content, which helps people to relax.

1.According to the text, the mice fed with daytime milk_______.

A.started sleep more easily B.were more anxious

C.were less active D.woke up later

2.Which of the following is true of melatonin according to the text?

A.It’s been tested on mice for ten years.

B.It can make people more energetic.

C.It exists in milk in great amount.

D.It’s used in sleeping drugs.

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

A.Night Milk and Sleep B.Fat Sugar and Health

C.An Experiment on Mice D.Milk Drinking and Health

4.How does the author support the theme of the text?

A.By giving examples.

B.By stating arguments.

C.By explaining statistical data.

D.By providing research results.

38. 难度：中等

    ＂Did you hear what happened to Adam last Friday?＂ Lindsey whispers to Tori.

With her eyes shining, Tori brags, ＂You bet I did. Sean told me two days ago.＂

Who are Lindsey and Tori talking about? It just happens to be yours truly, Adam Freedman. I can tell you that what they are saying is (a) not nice and (b) not even true. Still, Lindsey and Tori aren’t very different from most students here at Linton High School, including me. Many of our conversations are gossip(闲话). I have noticed three effects of gossip: it can hurt people, it can give gossipers a strange kind of satisfaction, and it can cause social pressures in a group.

An important negative effect of gossip is that it can hurt the person being talked about. Usually, gossip spreads information about a topic — breakups, trouble at home, even dropping out — that a person would rather keep secret. The more embarrassing or shameful the secret is, the juicier the gossip it makes. Probably the worst type of gossip is the absolute lie. People often think of gossipers as harmless, but cruel lies can cause pain.

If we know that gossip can be harmful, then why do so many of us do it? The answer lies in another effect of gossip: the satisfaction it gives us. Sharing the latest rumor(传言) can make a person feel important because he or she knows something that others don’t. Similarly, hearing the latest rumor can make a person feel like part of the ＂in group.＂ In other words, gossip is satisfying because it gives people a sense of belonging or even superiority(优越感).

Gossip also can have a third effect: it strengthens unwritten, unspoken rules about how people should act. Professor David Wilson explains that gossip is important in policing behaviors in a group. Translated into high school terms, this means that if everybody you hang around with is laughing at what John wore or what Jane said, then you can bet that wearing or saying something similar will get you the same kind of negative attention. The do’s and don’ts conveyed through gossip will never show up in any student handbook.

The effects of gossip vary depending on the situation. The next time you feel the urge to spread the latest news, think about why you want to gossip and what effects your ＂juicy story＂ might have.

1.The author uses a conversation at the beginning of the passage to __________.

A.introduce a topic B.present an argument

C.describe the characters D.clarify his writing purpose

2.An important negative effect of gossip is that it _________.

A.breaks up relationships B.embarrasses the listener

C.spreads information around D.causes unpleasant experiences

3.In the author’s opinion, many people like to gossip because it __________.

A.gives them a feeling of pleasure

B.helps them to make more friends

C.makes them better at telling stories

D.enables them to meet important people

4.Professor David Wilson thinks that gossip can ________.

A.provide students with written rules

B.help people watch their own behaviors

C.force schools to improve student handbooks

D.attract the police’s attention to group behaviors

5.What advice does the author give in the passage?

A.Never become a gossiper. B.Stay away from gossipers.

C.Don’t let gossip turn into lies. D.Think twice before you gossip.

39. 难度：中等

阅读下列短文，从每篇短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

“I see you’ve got a bit of water on your coat,” said the man at the petrol station. “Is it raining out there?”“No, it’s pretty nice,” I replied, checking my sleeve. “Oh, right. A pony(马驹) bit me earlier.”

As it happened, the bite was virtually painless: more the kind of small bite you might get from a naughty child. The pony responsible was queuing up for some ice cream in the car park near Haytor, and perhaps thought I’d jumped in ahead of him.

The reason why the ponies here are naughty is that Haytor is a tourist-heavy area and tourists are constantly feeding the ponies foods, despite sighs asking them not to. By feeding the ponies, tourists increase the risk of them getting hit by a car, and make them harder to gather during the area’s annual pony drift(迁移).

The purpose of a pony drift is to gather them up so their health can be checked, the baby ones can be stooped from feeding on their mother’s milk, and those who’ve gone beyond their limited area can be returned to their correct area. Some of them are also later sold, in order to limit the number of ponies according to the rules set by Natural England.

Three weeks ago, I witnessed a small near-disaster a few mils west of here. While walking, I noticed a pony roll over on his back. “Hello!” I said to him, assuming he was just rolling for fun, but he was very still and, as I got closer, I saw him kicking his legs in the air and breathing heavily. I began to properly worry about him. Fortunately, I managed to get in touch with a Dartmoor’s Livestock Protection officer and send her a photo. The officer immediately sent a local farmer out to check on the pony. The pony had actually been trapped between two rocks. The farmer freed him, and he began to run happily around again.

Dartmoor has 1,000 or so ponies, who play a critical role in creating the diversity of species in this area. Many people are working hard to preserve these ponies, and trying to come up with plans to find a sustainable(可持续的) future for one of Dartmoor’s most financially-troubled elements.

1.Why are tourists asked not to feed the ponies?

A.To protect the tourists from being bitten

B.To keep the ponies off the petrol station

C.To avoid putting the ponies in danger

D.To prevent the ponies from fighting

2.One of the purposes of the annual pony drift is ______________.

A.to feed baby ponies on milk

B.to control the number of ponies

C.to expand the habitat for ponies

D.to sell the ponies at a good price

3.What as the author’s first reaction when he saw a pony roll on its back?

A.He freed it from the trap

B.He called a protection officer

C.He worried about it very much

D.He thought of it as being naughty

4.What does the author imply about the preservation of Dartmoor’s ponies?

A.It lacks people’s involvement.

B.It costs a large amount of money

C.It will affect tourism in Dartmoor.

D.It has caused an imbalance of species

40. 难度：中等

C

Hilversum is a medium-sized city between the major cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht in the Gooi area of North Holland, the Netherlands. Unlike most of the Netherlands, Hilversum is actually in a hilly area with the soil mostly consisting of sand. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, it still attracts travelers to come over to cycle and walk through the surrounding forests. They visit it for a relaxing day off from the urban madness. For Dutch people, Hilversum is all about textile (纺织) and media industries, and modern architecture.

In history, Hilversum was largely an agricultural area. Daily life was marked by farming, sheep raising and wool production. A railway link to Amsterdam in 1874 attracted rich traders from Amsterdam to Hilversum. They build themselves large villas (别墅) in the wooded surroundings of the town. One of the families moving in was the Brenninkmeijers, currently the wealthiest family of the Netherlands. They moved in after big success in the textile industry and aided a substantial textile industry in Hilversum. But the textile boom lasted only several decades. The last factory closed in the 1960s.

The change to a media economy started in 1920, when the Nederlandse Seintoestedllen Fabriek (NSF) established a radio factory in Hiversum. Most radio stations called in the large villas in the leafy areas of the town. Television gave another push to the local economy. Hilversum became the media capital of the Netherlands, and Dutch televison stars moved into the leafy neighborhoods surrounding the town.

In the early 1900s, modern architcts W.M. Dudok and J. Duiker placed hundreds of remarkable buildings in Hilversum. These modern architectural masterpieces (杰作) are so many that Hilversum almost feels like an open air museum. Dudok alone shaped most 20th century Hilversum and approximately 75 buildings in 1928-1931. It has wide international fame and is included in many architecture textbooks. The building has a remarkable shape and looks like a combination of “blocks”. Actually, one may start his journey of modern architecture by walking or biking the W.M. Dudok Architectural Route in Hilversum.

1.Hilversum is different from most of the Netherlands in that ______.

A.it has a large population

B.it is cut off from big cities

C.it has many beautiful gardens

D.it is in a hilly area with sandy soil

2.What was the greatest contribution of the Brenninkmeijers to Hilversum?

A.Building a railway link to Amsterdam

B.Helping its textile industry to develop

C.Constructing large villas for the poor

D.Assisting its agricultural industry

3.The beginning of the media industry in Hilversum was marked by the establishment of ______.

A.a radio factory

B.the medial capital

C.a radio station

D.a TV station

4.What is known about W.M. Dudok’s Hilversum Town Hall?

A.It consists of approximately 75 buildings

B.It looks like an open air museum in the city

C.It is a classic example in architecture textbooks

D.It has shaped most of 20th century Hilvesum.

41. 难度：中等

E

Science has a lot of uses. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up. Indeed science is so good at what it does that there’s always a temptation(诱惑) to drag it into problems where it may not be helpful. David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character,and Achievement, appears to be the latest in a long line of writers who have failed to resist the temptation.

Brooks gained fame for several books. His latest book The Social Animal, however, is more ambitious and serious than his earlier books. It is an attempt to deal with a set of weighty topics. The book focuses on big questions: What has science revealed about human nature? What are the sources of character? And why are some people happy and successful while others aren’t?

To answer these questions, Brooks surveys a wide range of disciplines（学科）. Considering this, you might expect the book to be a dry recitation of facts. But Brooks has structured his book in an unorthodox(非常规的), and perhaps unfortunate, way. Instead of introducing scientific theories, he tells a story, within which he tries to make his points, perhaps in order to keep the reader’s attention.So as Harold and Erica, the hero and heroine in his story, live through childhood, we hear about the science of child development and as they begin to date we hear about the theory of sexual attraction. Brooks carries this through to the death of one of his characters.

On the whole,Brooks’ story is acceptable if uninspired. As one would expect, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed, for instance, the chapter in which Harold discovers how to think on his own. While Harold and Erica are certainly not strong or memorable characters, the more serious problems with The Social Animal lie elsewhere. These problems partly involve Brooks’ attempt to translate his tale into science.

1.The author mentions the functions of science at the beginning of the passage to__________.

A.illustrate where science can be applied

B.demonstrate the value of Brooks’ new book

C.remind the reader of the importance of science

D.explain why many writers use science in their works

2.According to the author, which of the following could be a strength of the book?

A.Its strong basis.

B.Its convincing points.

C.Its clear writing.

D.Its memorable characters.

3.What is the author’s general attitude towards the book?

A.Contradictory.

B.Supportive.

C.Cautious.

D.Critical.

4.What is the author likely to write about after the last paragraph?

A.Problems with the book.

B.Brooks’s life experience.

C.Death of the characters.

D.Brooks’s translation skills.

42. 难度：中等

D

Freedom and Responsibility

Freedom’s challenge in the Digital Age is a serious topic. We are facing today a strange new world and we are all wondering what we are going to do with it.

Some 2,500 years ago Greece discovered freedom. Before that there was no freedom. There were great civilizations, splendid empires, but no freedom anywhere. Egypt and Babylon were both tyrannies ,  one very powerful man ruling over helpless masses.

In Greece, in Athens (雅典), a little city in a little country, there were no helpless masses. And Athenians willingly obeyed the written laws which they themselves passed, and the unwritten, which must be obeyed if free men live together. They must show each other kindness and pity and the many qualities without which life would be very painful unless one chose to live alone in the desert.The Athenians never thought that a man was free if he could do what he wanted. A man was free if he was self-controlled. To make yourself obey what you approved was freedom. They were saved from looking at their lives as their own private affair. Each one felt responsible for the welfare of Athens, not because it was forced on him from the outside, but because the city was his pride and his safety. The essential belief of the first free government in the world was liberty for all men who could control themselves and would take responsibility for the state.

But discovering freedom is not like discovering computers. It cannot be discovered once for all. If people do not prize it, and work for it, it will go. Constant watch is its price. Athens changed. It was a change that took place without being noticed though it was of the extreme importance, a spiritual change which affected the whole state. It had been the Athenian’ s pride and joy to give to their city. That they could get material benefits from her never entered their minds. There had to be a complete change of attitude before they could look at the city as an employer who paid her citizens for doing her work. Now instead of men giving to the state, the state was to give to them. What the people wanted was a government which would provide a comfortable life for them; and with this as the primary object, ideas of freedom and self-reliance and responsibility were neglected to the point of disappearing. Athens was more and more looked on as a cooperative business possessed of great wealth in which all citizens had a right to share.

Athens reached the point when the freedom she really wanted was freedom from responsibility. There could be only one result. If men insisted on being free from the burden of self-dependence and responsibility for the common good, they would cease to be free. Responsibility is the price every man must pay for freedom. It is to be had on no other terms. Athens, the Athens of Ancient Greece, refused responsibility; she reached the end of freedom and was never to have it again. But, “the excellent becomes the permanent”, Aristotle said. Athens lost freedom forever, but freedom was not lost forever for the world. A great American, James Madison, referred to: “The capacity (能力) of mankind for self-government.” No doubt he had not an idea that he was speaking Greek. Athens was not in the farthest background of his mind, but once man has a great and good idea, it is never completely lost. The Digital Age cannot destroy it. Somehow in this or that man’s thought such an idea lives though unconsidered by the world of action. One can never be sure that it is not on the point of breaking out into action only sure that it will do so sometime.

1.What does the underlined word “tyrannies” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A.Countries where their people need help.

B.Powerful states with higher civilization.

C.Splendid empires where people enjoy freedom.

D.Governments ruled with absolute power.

2.People believing in freedom are those who________ .

A.regard their life as their own business

B.seek gains as their primary object

C.behave within the laws and value systems

D.treat others with kindness and pity

3.What change in attitude took place in Athens?

A.The Athenians refused to take their responsibility.

B.The Athenians no longer took pride in the city.

C.The Athenians benefited spiritually from the government.

D.The Athenians looked on the government as a business.

4.What does the sentence “There could be only one result.” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A.Athens would continue to be free.

B.Athens would cease to have freedom.

C.Freedom would come from responsibility.

D.Freedom would stop Athens from self-dependence.

5.Why does the author refer to Aristotle and Madison?

A.The author is hopeful about freedom.

B.The author is cautious about self-government.

C.The author is skeptical of Greek civilization.

D.The author is proud of man’s capacity.

6.What is the author’s understanding of freedom?

A.Freedom can be more popular in the digital age.

B.Freedom may come to an end in the digital age.

C.Freedom should have priority over responsibility.

D.Freedom needs to be guaranteed by responsibility.

43. 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

44. 难度：中等

It was once common to regard Britain as a society with class distinction. Each class had unique characteristics.

In recent years, many writers have begun to speak of the ‘decline of class ’ and ‘classless society ’ in Britain. And in modern day consumer society everyone is considered to be middle class.

But pronouncing the death of class is too early. A recent wide-ranging study of pubic opinion found 90 percent of people still placing themselves in a particular class; 73 percent agreeed that class was still a vital part of British society.; and 52 percent thought there were still sharp class differences. Thus, class may not be culturally and politically obvious, yet it remains an imprtant part of British society. Britain seems to have a love of stratification.

One unchanging aspect of a British person’s class position is accent. The words a person speaks tell her or his class. A study of British accents during the 1970s found that a voice sounding like a BBC newsreader was viewed as the most attractive voice. Most people said this accent sounds ‘educated ’ and ‘soft ’. The accents placed at the bottom in this study, on the other hand, were regional(地区的) city accents. These accents were seen as ‘common ’ and ‘ugly ’. However, a similar study of British accents in the US turned these results upside down and placed some regional accents as the most attractive and BBC English as the least. This suggests that British attitudes towards accent have deep roots and are based on class prejudice.

In recent years, however, young upper midder-class people in London, have begun to adopt some regional accents, in order to hide their class origins. This is an indication of class becoming unnoticed. However, the 1995 pop song ‘ Common People ’ puts forward the view that though a middle-class person may ‘ want to live like common people ’ they can never appreciate the reality of a working class life.

1.A recent study of pubic opinion shows that in modern Britain_________.

A.it is time to end class distinction

B.most people belong to middle class

C.it is easy to recognize a person’s class

D.people regard themselves socially different

2.The word stratification in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to_________.

A.variety B.division

C.authority D.qualification

3.The study in the US showed that BBC English was regarded as _________.

A.regional B.educated

C.prejudiced D.unattractive

4.British attitudes towards accent_________.

A.have a long tradition

B.are based on regional status

C.are shared by the Americans

D.have changed in recent years

5.What is the main idea of the passage?

A.The middle class is expanding.

B.A person’s accent reflects his class.

C.Class is a key part of British society.

D.Each class has unique characteristics.

45. 难度：中等

    Across Britain, burnt toast will be served to mothers in bed this morning as older sons and daughters rush to deliver their supermarket bunches of flowers. But, according to a new study, we should be placing a higher value on motherhood all year.

Mothers have long known that their home workload was just as heavy as paid work. Now, the new study has shown that if they were paid for their parental labours, they would earn as much as $ 172,000 a year.

The study looked at the range of jobs mothers do, as well as the hours they are working, to determine the figure. This would make their yearly income $ 30,000 more than the Prime Minister earns.

By analysing the numbers, it found the average mother works 119 hours a week, 40 of which would usually be paid at a standard rate and 79 hours as overtime. After questioning 1,000 mothers with children under 18, it found that, on most days, mums started their routine work at 7am and finished at around 11pm.

To calculate just how much mothers would earn from that labour, it suggested some of the roles that mums could take on, including housekeeper, part-time lawyer, personal trainer and entertainer. Being a part-time lawyer, at £ 48.98 an hour, would prove to be the most profitable of the “mum jobs”, with psychologist (心理学家) a close second.

It also asked mothers about the challenges they face, with 80 percent making emotional demand as the hardest thing about motherhood.

Over a third of .mums felt they needed more training and around half said they missed going out with friends.

The study shows mothers matter all year long and not just on Mother’s Day. The emotional, physical and mental energy mothers devote to their, children can be never-ending, but children are also sources of great joy and happiness. Investing (投入) in time for parenting and raising relationships is money well spent.

1.How much would a mother earn a year if working as the Prime Minister?

A.£ 30,000. B.£ 142,000.

C.£ 172,000. D.£ 202,000.

2.The biggest challenge for most mothers is from       .

A.emotional demand B.low pay for work

C.heavy workload D.lack of training

3.What is stressed in the last paragraph?

A.Mothers’ importance shows in family all year long.

B.The sacrifices mothers make are huge but worthwhile.

C.Mothers’ devotion to children can hardly be calculated.

D.Investing time in parenting would bring a financial return.

4.What can we conclude from the study?

A.Mothers，working hours should be largely reduced.

B.Mothers should balance their time for work and rest.

C.Mothers’ labour is of a higher value than it is realised.

D.Mothers should be freed from housework for social life.

46. 难度：中等

Once when I was facing a decision that involved high risk, I went to a friend. He looked at me for a moment, and then wrote a sentence containing the best advice I’ve ever had: Be bold and brave — and mighty (强大的) forces will come to your aid.

Those words made me see clearly that when I had fallen short in the past, it was seldom because I had tried and failed. It was usually because I had let fear of failure stop me from trying at all. On the other hand, whenever I had plunged into deep water, forced by courage or circumstance, I had always been able to swim until I got my feet on the ground again.

Boldness means a decision to bite off more than you can eat. And there is nothing mysterious about the mighty forces. They are potential powers we possess: energy, skill, sound judgment, creative ideas — even physical strength greater than most of us realize.

Admittedly, those mighty forces are spiritual ones. But they are more important than physical ones. A college classmate of mine, Tim, was an excellent football player, even though he weighed much less than the average player. “In one game I suddenly found myself confronting a huge player, who had nothing but me between him and our goal line,” said Tim. “I was so frightened that I closed my eyes and desperately threw myself at that guy like a bullet（子弹） — and stopped him cold.”

Boldness — a willingness to extend yourself to the extreme—is not one that can be acquired overnight. But it can be taught to children and developed in adults. Confidence builds up. Surely, there will be setbacks (挫折) and disappointments in life; boldness in itself is no guarantee of success. But the person who tries to do something and fails is a lot better off than the person who tries to do nothing and succeeds.

So, always try to live a little bit beyond your abilities—and you’ll find your abilities are greater than you ever dreamed.

1.Why was the author sometimes unable to reach his goal in the past?

A.He faced huge risks.

B.He lacked mighty forces.

C.Fear prevented him from trying.

D.Failure blocked his way to success.

2.What is the implied meaning of the underlined part?

A.Swallow more than you can digest.

B.Act slightly above your abilities.

C.Develop more mysterious powers.

D.Learn to make creative decisions.

3.What was especially important for Tim’s successful defense in the football game?

A.His physical strength.

B.His basic skill.

C.His real fear.

D.His spiritual force.

4.What can be learned from Paragraph 5?

A.Confidence grows more rapidly in adults.

B.Trying without success is meaningless.

C.Repeated failure creates a better life.

D.Boldness can be gained little by little.

5.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

A.To encourage people to be courageous.

B.To advise people to build up physical power.

C.To tell people the ways to guarantee success.

D.To recommend people to develop more abilities.

47. 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

48. 难度：中等

B

Graph can be a very useful tool for conveying information especially numbers， percentages, and other data . A graph gives the reader a picture to interpret. That can be a lot more pages and pages and pages explaining the data .

Graphs can seem frightening, but reading a graph is a lot like reading a story. The graph has a title ,a main idea ,and supporting details .You can use your active reading skills to analyze and understand graphs just like any other text .

Most graphs have a few basic parts: a caption or introduction paragraph, a title , a legend or key, and labeled axes. An active reader looks at each part of the graph before trying to interpret the data. Captions will usually tell you where the data came from (for example, a scientific study of 400 African elephants from 1980 to 2005). Captions usually summarize the author's main point as well. The title is very important. It tells you the main idea of the graph by stating what kind of information is being shown. A legend, also called a key ,is a guide to the symbols and colors used in the graph. Many graphs, including bar graphs and line graphs, have two axes that form a corner, Usually these axes are the left side and the bottom of the graph .Each axis will always have a label. The label tells you what each axis measures.

Bar Graphs

A bar graph has two axes and uses bars to show amounts. In Graph 1 ,we see that the x-axis shows grades that students earned, and the y-axis shows bow many students earned each grade .You can see that 6 students earned an A because the bar for A stretches up to 6 on the vertical measurement. There is a lot of information we can get from a simple graph like this(See Graph 1).

Line Graphs

A line graph looks similar to a bar graph ,but instead of Bars, it plots points and connects them with a line .It has the same parts as a bar graph – two labeled axes –and can be read the same way .To read a line graph, it’s important to focus on the points of intersection rather than the line segments between the points, This type of graph is most commonly used to show how something changes over time.

Here is a graph that charts how far a bird flies during the first Five days of its spring migration (See Graph 2).

The unit of measurement for the x-axis is days. The unit of measurement for the y-axis is kilometers. Thus we can see that ,on the first day, the pipit flew 20 kilometers. The line segment goes up between Day 1 and Day 2,which means that the bird flew farther on Day 2.If the line segment angled dawn, as between Day 4 and Day 5,it would mean that the bird flew fewer  kilometers than the day before. This line graph is a quick, visual way to tell the reader about the bird’s migration.

Pie Graphs

A typical pie graph looks like a circular pie. The circle is divided into sections, and each section represents a fraction of the data. The graph is commonly used to show percentages; the whole pie represents l00 percent, so each piece is a fraction of the whole.

A pie graph might include a legend，or it might use icons or labels within each slice. This pie graph shows on month’s expense, (See Graph 3 ).

Food $ 25

Movies $ 12

Clothing $ 36

Savings $ 20

Books $ 7

1.When used in a graph，a legend is_____

A.a guide to the symbols and colors

B.an introduction paragraph

C.the main idea

D.the data

2.What is the total number of students who earned a C or better ?

A.4. B.6. C.10. D.20 .

3.The bird covered the longest distance on _____

A.Day 1 B.Day 2 C.Day 3 D.Day 4

4.Which of the following cost Amy most ?

A.Food. B.Books C.Movies D.Clothing.

49. 难度：中等

D

In 2004 ,when my daughter Becky was ten , she and my husband ,Joe, were united in their desire for a dog . As for me , I shared none of their canine lust.

But why , they pleaded. “Because I don’t have time to take care of a dog.” But we’ll do it. ” Really? You’re going to walk the dog? Feed the dog? Bathe the dog?” Yes, yes , and yes .”I don’t believe you .” We will . We promise.

They didn’t . From day two (everyone wanted to walk the cute puppy that first day ) , neither thought to walk the dog . While I was slow to accept that I would be the one to keep track of her shots , to schedule her vet appointments , to feed and clean her , Misty knew this on day one . As she looked up at the three new humans in her life (small, medium, and large) , she calculated , The medium one is the sucker in the pack.

Quickly, she and I developed something very similar to a Vulcan mind meld (心灵融合) . She’d look at me with those sad brown eyes of hers , beam her need , and then wait , trusting I would understand — which , strangely , I almost always did . In no time , she became my feet as I read , and splaying across my stomach as I watched television .

Even so , part of me continued to resent walking duty . Joe and Becky had promised. Not fair , I’d balk (不心甘情愿地做) silently as she and I walked . “Not fair , ” I’ d loudly remind anyone within earshot upon our return home .

Then one day — January 1, 2007 , to be exact — my husband ‘ s doctor uttered an unthinkable word : leukemia ( 白血病) .With that , I spent eight to ten hours a day with Joe in the hospital , doing anything and everything I could to ease his discomfort. During those six months of hospitalizations, Becky, 12 at the time, adjusted to other adults being in the house when she returned from school. My work colleagues adjusted to my taking off at a moment's notice for medical emergencies. Every part of my life changed; no part of my old routine remained.

Save one: Misty still needed walking. At the beginning, when friends offered to take her

through her paces, I declined because I knew they had their own households to deal with.

As the months went by，I began to realize that I actually wanted to walk Misty. The walk in the morning before I headed to the hospital was a quiet, peaceful time to gather my thoughts or to just be before the day's medical drama unfolded. The evening walk was a time to shake off the day's upsets and let the worry tracks in my head go to white noise.

When serious illness visits your household, it's , not just your daily routine and your assumptions about the future that are no longer familiar. Pretty much everyone you acts differently.

Not Misty. Take her for a walk, and she had no interest in Joe's blood counts or ’one marrow test results. On the street or in the park, she had only one thing on her mind: squirrels! She Was so joyous that even on the worst days, she could make me smile. On a daily basis she reminded me that life goes on.

After Joe died in 2009，Misty slept on his pillow.

I'm grateful一to a point. The truth is, after years of balking, I've come to enjoy m’ walks with Misty. As I watch her chase after a squirrel, throwing her whole being into the here-and-now of an exercise that has never once ended in victory, she reminds me, too, that no matter how harsh the present or unpredictable the future , there's almost always some measure of joy to be extracted from the moment.

1.why didn't the writer agree to raise a dog at the beginning of the story?

A.She was afraid the dog would get the family, into trouble.

B.It would be her business to take care of the dog

C.Her husband and daughter were united as one.

D.She didn't want to spoil he’ daughter.

2.Which of the following is the closest in meaning to " The medium one is the sucker in the pack” (Paragraph 3)?

A."The middle-aged person loves me most.”

B.”The medium-sized woman is the hostess.”

C."The man in the middle is the one who has the final say.”

D."The woman is the kind and trustworthy one in the family.”

3.It can be inferred from Paragraph 3 that_______.

A.Misty was quite clever

B.Misty could solve math problems

C.the writer was a slow learner

D.no one walked Misty the first day

4.The story came to its turning point when________.

A.Joe died in 2009

B.Joe fell ill in 2007

C.the writer began to walk the dog

D.the dog tired to please the writer

5.Why did the writer continue to walk Misty while Joe was in hospital?

A.Misty couldn’t live without her

B.Her friends didn’t offer any help

C.The walk provided her with spiritual comfort.

D.She didn't want Misty to ’others companion.

6.What is the message the writer wants to convey in the passage?

A.One should learn to enjoy hard times.

B.A disaster can change everything in life.

C.Moments of joy suggest that there is still hope ahead.

D.People will change their attitude toward you when you are in difficulty.

50. 难度：中等

    In ancient Egypt, a shopkeeper discovered that he could attract customers to his shop simply by making changes to its environment. Modern businesses have been following his lead, with more tactics (策略).

One tactic involves where to display the goods. For example, stores place fruits and vegetables in the first section. They know that customers who buy the healthy food first will feel happy so that they will buy more junk food (垃圾食品) later in their trip. In department stores, the women’s shoe section is generally next to the women’s cosmetics (化妆品) section: while the shop assistant is going back to find the right size shoe, bored customers are likely to wander over and find some cosmetics they might want to try later.

Besides, businesses seek to appeal to customers’ senses. Stores notice that the smell of baked goods encourages shopping, so they make their own bread each morning and then fan the bread smell into the store throughout the day. Music sells goods, too. Researchers in Britain found that when French music was played, sales of French wines went up.

When it comes to the selling of houses, businesses also use highly rewarding tactics. They find that customers make decisions in the first few seconds upon walking in the door, and turn it into a business opportunity. A California builder designed the structure of its houses smartly. When entering the house, the customer would see the Pacific Ocean through the windows, and then the pool through an open stairway leading to the lower level. The instant view of water on both levels helped sell these $ 10 million houses.

1.Why do stores usually display fruits and vegetables in the first section?

A.To save customers time. B.To show they are high quality foods.

C.To help sell junk food. D.To sell them at discount prices.

2.According to Paragraph 3, which of the following encourages customers to buy?

A.Opening the store early in the morning. B.Displaying British wines next to French ones.

C.Inviting customers to play music. D.Filling the store with the smell of fresh bread.

3.What is the California builder’s story intended to prove?

A.The house structure is a key factor customers consider.

B.The more costly the house is, the better it sells.

C.An ocean view is much to the customers’ taste.

D.A good first impression increases sales.

4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A.To explain how businesses turn people into their customers.

B.To introduce how businesses have grown from the past.

C.To report researches on customer behavior.

D.To show dishonest business practices.

51. 难度：简单

    As Internet users become more dependent on the Internet to store information, are people remember less? If you know your computer will save information, why store it in your own personal memory, your brain? Experts are wondering if the Internet is changing what we remember and how.

In a recent study, Professor Betsy Sparrow conducted some experiments. She and her research team wanted to know the Internet is changing memory. In the first experiment, they gave people 40 unimportant facts to type into a computer. The first group of people understood that the computer would save the information. The second group understood that the computer would not save it. Later, the second group remembered the information better. People in the first group knew they could find the information again, so they did not try to remember it.

In another experiment, the researchers gave people facts to remember, and told them where to find the information on the Internet. The information was in a specific computer folder (文件夹). Surprisingly, people later remember the folder location (位置) better than the facts. When people use the Internet, they do not remember the information. Rather, they remember how to find it. This is called “transactive memory (交互记忆)”

According to Sparrow, we are not becoming people with poor memories as a result of the Internet. Instead, computer users are developing stronger transactive memories; that is, people are learning how to organize huge quantities of information so that they are able to access it at a later date. This doesn’t mean we are becoming either more or less intelligent, but there is no doubt that the way we use memory is changing.

1.The passage begins with two questions to ________.

A.introduce the main topic B.show the author’s attitude

C.describe how to use the Internet D.explain how to store information

2.What can we learn about the first experiment?

A.Sparrow’s team typed the information into a computer.

B.The two groups remembered the information equally well.

C.The first group did not try to remember the formation.

D.The second group did not understand the information.

3.In transactive memory, people ________.

A.keep the information in mind

B.change the quantity of information

C.organize information like a computer

D.remember how to find the information

4.What is the effect of the Internet according to Sparrow's research?

A.We are using memory differently.

B.We are becoming more intelligent.

C.We have poorer memories than before.

D.We need a better way to access information.

52. 难度：困难

Food serves as a form of communication in two fundamental ways. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust. Food can also have a specific meaning, and play a significant role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between rural (农村的) and urban areas within one country.

Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion (时刻) or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition hits its roots in the custom of sharing bread.

Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread represent blocks of gold for prosperity (兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies (预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.

Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.

Nutrition is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.

1.According to the passage, sharing bread______.

A.indicates a lack of food

B.can help to develop unity

C.is a custom unique to rural areas

D.has its roots in birthday celebrations

2.What does the coin in vasilopita signify for its receiver in the New Year?

A.Trust. B.Success.

C.Health. D.Togetherness.

3.The author explains the role of food in celebrations by______.

A.using examples B.making comparisons

C.analyzing causes D.describing processes

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A.The custom of sharing food.

B.The specific meaning of food.

C.The role of food in ceremonies.

D.The importance of food in culture.

53. 难度：中等

A

Forget Cyclists, Pedestrians are Real Danger
We are having a debate about this topic. Here are some letters from our readers.
■Yes, many cyclists behave dangerously. Many drivers are disrespectful of cyclists. But pedestrians are probably the worse offenders.
People of all ages happily walk along the pavement with eyes and hands glued to the mobile phone, quite unaware of what is going on around them. They may even do the same thing while crossing a road at a pedestrian crossing or elsewhere. The rest of us have to evade (避让) them or just stand still to wait for the unavoidable collision.
The real problem is that some pedestrians seem to be, at least for the moment, in worlds of their own that are, to them, much more important than the welfare of others.
——Michael Horan
■I love the letter from Bob Brooks about cyclists (Viewpoints, May 29). I am afraid they seem to think they own the roads.
I was walking across Altrincham Road one morning when a cyclist went round me and on being asked what he was doing he shouted at me.
The government built a cycle lane on the road but it is hardly used.
The police do nothing. What a laugh they are!
The cyclists should all have to be made to use the cycle lanes and wear helmets, fluorescent (发荧光的) jacket and lights at night and in the morning they should pay some sort of tax and be fined for not wearing them.
——Carol Harvey
■Cyclists jump on and off pavements (which are meant for pedestrians), ride at speed along the pavements, and think they have a special right to go through traffic lights when they are on red.
I was almost knocked down recently by a cyclist riding on the pavement when there was a cycle lane right next to him.
Other road users, including horse riders, manage to obey the rules so why not cyclists?
It's about time they had to be registered and insured, so when they do hit a pedestrian or a vehicle, or cause an accident, at least they can be treated and there might be an opportunity to claim.
——JML
Write to Viewpoints of the newspaper.
 

1.Michael Horan wrote the letter mainly to show that _______.

A.drivers should be polite to cyclists

B.road accidents can actually be avoided

C.sine pedestrians are a threat to road safety

D.walking while using phones hurts one's eyes

2.Carol Harvey suggests that cyclists should _______.

A.be provided with enough roads

B.be asked to ride on their own lanes

C.be made to pay less tax for cycling

D.be fined for laughing at policemen

3.What is a complaint of JML?

A.Very few drivers are insured.

B.Cyclists ride fast on pavements.

C.Pedestrians go through red traffic lights.

D.Horse riders disrespect other road users.

4.The underlined word "they" in the third letter refers to ______.

A.accidents B.vehicles

C.pedestrians D.cyclists

5.The three letters present viewpoints on _______.

A.real source of road danger

B.ways to improve road facilities

C.measures to punish road offences

D.increased awareness of road rules

54. 难度：中等

C

Have your parents ever inspected your room to see if you cleaned it properly? Imagine having your entire houses, garage, and yard inspected at any time -- with no warning. Inspections were a regular part of lighthouse (灯塔) living, and a keeper's reputation depended on results. A few times each year, an inspector arrived to look over the entire light station. The inspections were supposed to be a surprise, but keeper sometimes had advance notice.

Once lighthouses had telephones, keepers would call each other to warn that the inspector was approaching. After boats began flying special flags noting the inspector aboard, the keeper's family made it a game to see who could notice the boat first. As soon as someone spotted the boat, everyone would do last-minute tidying and change into fancy clothes. The keeper then scurried to put on his dress uniform and cap. Children of keepers remember inspectors wearing white gloves to run their fingers over door frames and windowsills looking for dust.

Despite the serious nature of inspections, they resulted in some funny moments. Betty Byrnes remembered when her mother did not have time to wash all the dishes before an inspection. At the time, people did not have dishwashers in their homes. In an effort to clean up quickly, Mrs. Byrnes tossed all the dishes into a big bread pan, covered them with a cloth and stuck them in the oven. If the inspector opened the oven door, it would look like bread was baking. he never did.

One day, Glenn Furst's mother put oil on the kitchen floor just before the inspector entered their house. Like floor wax, the oil made the floors shiny and helped protect the wood. This time, though, she used a little too much oil. When the inspector extended his hand to greet Glenn's mother, he slipped on the freshly oiled surface. "He came across that floor waving his arms like a young bird attempting its first flight," Glenn late wrote. After he steadied himself, he shook Glenn's mother's hand, and the inspection continued as though nothing had happened.

1.What does Paragraph 1 tell us about the inspection at the light station?

A.It was carried out once a year.

B.It was often announced in advance.

C.It was important for the keeper's fame.

D.It was focused on the garage and yard.

2.The family began making preparations immediately after ______.

A.one of the members saw the boat

B.a warning call reached the lighthouse

C.the keeper put on the dress uniform and cap

D.the inspector flew special flags in the distance

3.Mrs. Byrnes put the dishes in the oven because this would ______.

A.result in some fun

B.speed up washing them

C.make her home look tidy

D.be a demand from the inspector

4.If the inspector had opened the oven door, he would have seen _______.

A.an empty pan

B.many clean dishes

C.pieces of baked bread

D.a cloth covering something

5.The inspector waved his arms ______.

A.to try his best to keep steady

B.to show his satisfaction with the floor

C.to extend a warm greeting to Glenn's mother

D.to express his intention to continue the inspection

55. 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.

56. 难度：中等

    Food festivals around the world

Stilton Cheese Rolling

May Day is a traditional day for celebrations, but the 2,000 English villagers of Stilton must be the only people in the world who include cheese rolling in their annual plans. Teams of four, dressed in a variety of strange and funny clothes, roll a complete cheese along a 50-metre course. On the way, they must not kick or throw their cheese, or go into their competitors' lane（赛道）. Competition is fierce and the chief prize is a complete Stilton cheese weighing about four kilos (disappointingly, but understandably the cheeses used in the race are wooden ones). All the competitors arc served with beer or port wine, the traditional accompaniment for Stilton cheese.

Fiery Foods Festival—The Hottest Festival on Earth

Every year more than 10,000 people head for the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They come from as far away as Australia, the Caribbean and China, but they all share a common addiction—food that is not just spicy（辛辣）,but hot enough to make your mouth burn, your head spin and your eyes water. Their destination is the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival which is held over a period of three clays every March. You might like to try a chocolate-covered habanero pepper—officially the hottest pepper in the world—or any one of the thousands of products that are on show. But one thing's for sure—if you don't like the feeling of a burning tongue, this festival isn't for you!

La Tomatina—The World's Biggest Food Fight

On the last Wednesday of every August, the Spanish town of Bunol hosts Ea Tomatina—the world's largest food fight. A week-long celebration leads up to an exciting tomato battle as the highlight of the week's events. The early morning sees the arrival of large trucks with tomatoes—official fight-starters get things going by casting tomatoes at the crowd.

The battle lasts little more than half an hour, in which time around 50,000 kilograms of tomatoes have been thrown at anyone or anything that moves, runs, or fights back. Then everyone heads down to the river to make friends again—and for a much-needed wash!

1.In the Stilton cheese rolling competition, competitors on each team must             .

A.wear various formal clothes

B.roll a wooden cheese in their own lane

C.kick or throw their cheese

D.use a real cheese weighing about four kilos

2.Where is the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival held?

A.In New Mexico.

B.In the Caribbean.

C.In Australia.

D.In China.

3.The celebration of La Tomatina lasts              .

A.three days

B.seven days

C.less than three days

D.more than seven days

4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A.The chief prize for the Stilton cheese rolling competition is beer or port wine.

B.More than 10,000 Chinese take pail in the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival.

C.Thousands of spicy foods are on show in the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival.

D.An exciting tomato battle takes place at the beginning of La Tomatina.

57. 难度：中等

Life can be so wonderful, full of adventure and joy. It can also be full of challenges, setbacks and heartbreaks. Whatever our circumstances, we generally still have dreams, hopes and desires—that little something more we want for ourselves and our loved ones. Yet knowing we can have more can also create a problem, because when we go to change the way we do things, up come the old patterns and pitfalls that stopped us from seeking what we wanted in the first place.

This tension between what we feel we can have and "what were seemingly able to have is the niggling  suffering, the anxiety we feel. This is where we usually think it's easier to just give up. But we're never meant to let go of the part of us that knows we can have more. The intelligence behind that knowing is us—the real us. It's the part that believes in life and its possibilities. If you drop that, you begin to feel a little "dead" inside because you're dropping "you".

So, if we have this capability but somehow life seems to keep us stuck, how do we break these patterns?

Decide on a new course and make one decision at a time. This is good advice for a new adventure or just getting through today's challenges.

While, deep down, we know we can do it, our mind—or the minds of those close to us—usually says we can't.

That isn't a reason to stop, it's just the mind, that little man or woman on your shoulder, trying to talk you out of something again. It has done it many times before. It's all about starting simple and doing it now.

Decide and act before overthinking. When you do this you may feel a little, or large, release from the jail of your mind and you'll be on your way.

1.It can be inferred from the first two paragraphs that we should     .

A.slow down and live a simple life

B.be careful when we choose to change

C.stick to our dreams under any circumstances

D.be content with what we already have

2.What is the key to breaking the old patterns?

A.To focus on every detail.

B.To decide and take immediate action.

C.To listen to those close to us.

D.To think twice before we act.

3.Which of the following best explains the underlined part in the last paragraph?

A.Escape from your punishment

B.Realization of your dreams.

C.Freedom from your tension.

D.Reduction of your expectations.

4.What does the author intend to tell us?

A.It's easier than we think to get what we want.

B.It's important to learn to accept sufferings in life.

C.It's impractical to change our way of thinking.

D.It's harder than we expect to follow a new course.

58. 难度：中等

Group exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve physical fitness and sustain a healthy lifestyle.Group exercise is challenging, yet fun and empowering! Of course everyone knows that exercise is good for the body.However, studies have shown that when exercise is performed in groups, it's not only great for improving physical health but for psychological health. It's an opportunity to be social, release endorphins , and improve your strength. Additionally, group exercise creates a community feel and the shared common goal motivates participants to work hard. The instrumental support of taking on a fitness journey with others proves more effective than going to the gym alone.

Another beneficial aspect of group exercise is the informational support participants receive from the instructor.Many people fear the gym because they feel lost and don't want to embarrass themselves. If you feel you can relate, then group training is an even better option for you. It's a great opportunity to learn more about fitness through the clear instruction and supervision of a fitness instructor. If you're tired of wandering around the gym wasting time and becoming bored, !you can attend an upbeat group fitness class that'll keep your workout on track. Don't let

fitness frighten you!

If you're serious about wanting to live a healthy lifestyle, it's extremely important to surround yourself with people who'll provide you with the proper emotional support. I wouldn't scold anyone for deciding to party on weekends and in turn I wouldn't expect anyone to give offence to me for focusing on my health. Surround yourself with people who uplift, encourage and understand you! Make fitness even more fun by trying something new or any group fitness class, with a friend. Plan to go for a jog together. Then try a fun healthy restaurant or fresh juice bar! Fitness can be both fun and social!

Surrounding yourself with people who'll provide you with respect support can be very beneficial while working towards reaching health and fitness goals. First, decide to do it for yourself and work towards staying positive. Then make sure the people you surround yourself with are supportive. Don't let negativity ruin your motivation.

1.The first paragraph focuses on    .

A.the greatest challenge of group exercise

B.the most effective way to improve physical fitness

C.the contribution of group exercise to psychological health

D.the shared common goal in performing exercise in groups

2.The underlined word "upbeat" in the second paragraph probably means "

A.cheerful B.average C.serious D.temporal

3.When it comes to emotional support, the author thinks it necessary         

A.to sustain a colorful lifestyle

B.to party on weekends with positive people

C.to try a fun healthy restaurant regularly

D.to surround yourself with supportive people

4.What would be the best title for the passage?

A.Seeking Support B.Supporting Health

C.Improving Your Strength D.Building Up Fitness

59. 难度：中等

阅读理解。

The freezing Northeast hasn’t been a terribly fun place to spend time this winter, so when the chance came for a weekend to Sarasota, Florida, my bags  were packed before you could say “sunshine”. I left for the land of warmth and vitamin C(维生素C), thinking of beaches and orange trees. When we touched down to blue skies and warm air, I sent up a small prayer of gratefulness. Swimming pools, wine tasting, and pink sunsets(at normal evening hours, not 4 in the afternoon) filled the weekend, but the best part- particularly to my taste, dulled by months of cold- weather root vegetables- was a 7 a.m. adventure to the Sarasota farmers’ market that proved to be more than worth the early wake-up call.

The market, which was founded in 1979, sets up its tents every Saturday from 7:00 am to 1 p.m, rain or shine, along North Lemon and State streets. Baskets of perfect red strawberries, the red-painted sides of the Java Dawg coffee truck; and most of all, the tomatoes: amazing, large, soft and round red tomatoes.

Disappointed by many a broken, vine-ripened(蔓上成熟的) promise, I’ve refused to buy winter tomatoes for years. No matter how attractive they look in the store, once I get them home they’re unfailingly dry, hard, and tasteless. But I homed in, with uncertainty, on one particular table at the Brown’s Grove Farm’s stand, full of fresh and soft tomatoes the size of my fist. These were the real deal- and at that moment, I realized that the best part of Sarasota in winter was going to be eating things that back home in New York I wouldn’t be experiencing again for months.

Delighted as I was by the tomatoes in sight, my happiness deepened when I learned that Brown’s Grove Farm is one of the suppliers for Jack Dusty, a newly opened restaurant at the Sarasota Ritz Carlton, where- luckily for me- I was planning to have dinner that very night. Without even seeing the menu, I knew I’d be ordering every tomato on it.

1.What did the author think of her winter life in New York?

A.Exciting. B.Boring.

C.Relaxing. D.Annoying.

2.What made the author’s getting up late early worthwhile?

A.Having a swim.

B.Breathing in fresh air.

C.Walking in the morning sun.

D.Visiting a local farmer’s market.

3.What can we learn about tomatoes sold in New York in winter?

A.They are soft. B.They look nice.

C.They taste great D.They are juicy.

4.What was the author going to that evening?

A.Go to a farm. B.Check into a hotel.

C.Eat in a restaurant. D.Buy fresh vegatables.

60. 难度：中等

Look to many of history’s cultural symbols, and there you’ll find an ancestor of Frosty, the snowman in the movie Frozen. It appeared on some of the first postcards, starred in some of the earliest silent movies, and was the subject of a couple of the earliest photos, dating all the way back to the 1800s. I discovered even more about one of humanity’s earliest forms of life art during several years of research around the world.

For example, snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages, built with great skill and thought. At a time of limited means of expression, snow was like free art supplies dropped from the sky. It was a popular activity for couples to leisurely walk through town to view the temporary works of chilly art. Some were created by famous artists, including a 19-year-old Michelangelo, who in 1494 was appointed by the ruler of Florence, Italy, to build a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard.

The Miracle of 1511 took place during six freezing works called the Winter of Death. The city of Brussels was covered in snowmen—an impressive scene that told stories on every street corner. Some were political in nature, criticizing the church and government. Some were a reflection of people’s imagination. For the people of Brussels, this was a defining moment of defining freedom. At least until spring arrived, by which time they were dealing with damaging floods.

If you fear the heyday of the snowman has passed, don’t worry: I’ve learned that some explosive snowman history is still being made today. Every year since 1818, the people of Zurich, Switzerland, celebrate the beginning of spring by blowing up a snowman. On the third Monday of April, the holiday Sechselauten is kicked off when a cotton snowman called the Boogg is stuffed with explosive and paraded through town by bakers and other tradesmen who throw bread to the crowds. The parade ends with the Boogg being placed on a 40-foot pile of firewood. After the bells of the Church of St. Peter have rung six times, representing the passing of winter, the pile is lit. When the snowman explodes, winter is considered officially over—the quicker it is burnt down, the longer summer is said to be.

1.According to the passage, why did snowmen become a phenomenon in the Middle Ages?

A.People thought of snow as holy art supplies.

B.People longed to see masterpieces of snow.

C.Building snowmen was a way for people to express themselves.

D.Building snowmen helped people develop their skill and thought.

2.“The heyday of the snowman” （paragraph 4） means the time when___________.

A.snowmen were made mainly by artists

B.snowmen enjoyed great popularity

C.snowmen were politically criticized

D.snowmen caused damaging floods

3.In Zurich, the blowing up of the Boogg symbolizes__________________.

A.the start of the parade

B.the coming of a longer summer

C.the passing of the winter

D.the success of tradesmen

4.What can be concluded about snowmen from the passage?

A.They were appreciated in history

B.They have lost their value

C.They were related to movies

D.They vary in shape and size

61. 难度：中等

    One of the executives gathered at the Aspen Institute for a day-long leadership workshop using the works of Shakespeare was discussing the role of Brutus in the death of Julius Caesar. “Brutus was not an honorable man,” he said. “He was a traitor（叛徒）. And he murdered someone in cold blood.” The agreement was that Brutus had acted with cruelty when other options were available to him. He made a bad decision, they said—at least as it was presented by Shakespeare—to take the lead in murdering Julius Caesar. And though one of the executives acknowledged that Brutus had the good of the republic in mind, Caesar was nevertheless his superior. “You have to endeavor,” the executives said, “our policy is to obey the chain of command.”

During the last few years, business executives and book writers looking for a new way to advise corporate America have been exploiting Shakespeare’s wisdom for profitable ends. None more so than husband and wife team Kenneth and Carol Adelman, well-known advisers to the White House, who started up a training company called “Movers and Shakespeares”. They are amateur Shakespeare scholars and Shakespeare lovers, and they have combined their passion and their high level contacts into a management training business. They conduct between 30 and 40 workshops annually, focusing on half a dozen different plays, mostly for corporations, but also for government agencies.

The workshops all take the same form, focusing on a single play as a kind of case study, and using individual scenes as specific lessons. In Julius Caesar , sly provocation（狡诈的挑唆） of Brutus to take up arms against the what was a basis for a discussion of methods of team building and grass roots organism.

Although neither of the Adelmans is academically trained in literature, the programmes, contain plenty of Shakespeare tradition and background. Their workshop on Henry V, for example, includes a helpful explanation of Henry’s winning strategy at the Battle of Agincourt. But they do come to the text with a few biases (偏向): their reading of Henry V minimizes his misuse of power. Instead, they emphasize the story of the youth who seizes opportunity and becomes a masterful leader. And at the workshop on Caesar, Mr. Adelmans had little good to say about Brutus, saying “the noblest Roman of them all” couldn’t make his mind up about things.

Many of the participants pointed to very specific elements in the play that they felt related Caesar’s pride, which led to his murder, and Brutus’s mistakes in leading the  after the murder, they said, raise vital questions for anyone serving as a business when and ho w do you resist the boss?

1.According to paragraph 1, what did all the executives think of Brutus?

A.Cruel. B.Superior.

C.Honorable. D.Bade

2.According to the passage, the Adelmans set up “Movers and Shakespeares” to ________.

A.help executives to understand Shakespeare’s plays better

B.give advice on leadership by analyzing Shakespeare’s plays

C.provide case studies of Shakespeare’s plays in literature workshops

D.guide government agencies to follow the characters in Shakespeare’s plays.

3.Why do the Adelmans conduct a workshop on Henry V?

A.To highlight the importance of catching opportunities.

B.To encourage masterful leaders to plan strategies to win.

C.To illustrate the harm of prejudices in management.

D.To warn executives against power misuse.

4.It can be inferred from the passage that ____.

A.the Adelmans’ programme proves biased as the roles of characters are maximized.

B.executives feel bored with too many specific elements of Shakespeare’s plays.

C.the Adelmans will make more profits if they are professional scholars.

D.Shakespeare has played an important role in the management field.

5.The best title for the passage is _____.

A.Shakespeare’s plays: Executives reconsider corporate culture

B.Shakespeare’s plays: An essential key to business success

C.Shakespeare’s plays: a lesson for business motivation

D.Shakespeare’s plays: Dramatic training brings dramatic results