Is it a tree? Is it a bear? If
you’re looking at a tree in the shape of a bear,
it’s a topiary(林木雕塑). A topiary is a tree or a bush(灌木) that is trained into a shape. Growing a topiary garden takes both
time and skills. 
A topiary gardener should make a drawing first. The drawing shows the final shape that the gardener likes. The gardener then chooses a bush for the topiary. It may be one that just planted or one that is already in place.
In June of the plant’s first year, the gardener looks for new leaves. When the leaves grow, it’s time to shape(给……造型) the bottom of the bush. It needs about five years. The top is not trimmed during this time. In the fifth year, the bush grows tall enough for shaping. Then the gardener begins to shape the whole bush.
Once a topiary has been started, it needs care all year. In the summer it must be cut many times to keep its shape. This cutting also helps the bush grow. In the winter the bushes don’t grow. The gardeners have to brush snow of the plants, or snow may hurt some parts of them.
Topiary gardening is very old art. The Romans did it in the first Century. In the sixteenth century, people in Europe like topiaries too. By the late 1600s, topiaries were also grown in America. Today it’s popular in many parts of the world.
1. Put the following in the right order according to the passage.
a. The gardener chooses a bush for the topiary.
b. The whole bush grows tall enough for shaping.
c. The gardener begins to shape the bottom of the bush.
d. The gardener draws the shape of a topiary.
A. d→a→b→c B. b→c→a→d C. a→d→c→b D. d→a→c→b
2.In which part of the world did the topiary gardening begin first?
A. In Rome. B. In Europe. C. In America. D. In Africa.
Many students ask for advice about improving their English. There are three basic questions.
The first question is about real English. Li Hao from Hubei wrote, “I enjoy watching English films and listening to real English songs. But it takes a long time. What do you think?”
This is a great way to learn English! Talk about the film or song with your friends, and guess the meaning of the new words. Just enjoy yourself!
The second question is about speaking. Sam, from Suzhou wrote, “Our school has a foreign teacher. But I’m shy and can’t speak to her. What should I do?”
When I visit China, lots of people in the street say, “Hello! How are you? Where are you from? Do you like China?” These are good questions to start a conversation. Many people are shy when they speak English, so before you begin, take a deep breath and smile! Smiling always helps.
The third question is about vocabulary. Olive, from Anhui wrote, “I want to remember all the new words. I wrote them down, but I forget them quickly. What should I do?”
Try to remember eight or nine words a day. Write them on pieces of paper and place them in your bedroom. Say the words when you see them, and change them every day. And when you’re shopping, how about counting the English words, or saying the English names for everything you see?
1.How many basic questions do the students often ask?
A. Two. B. Three. C. Four. D. Five.
2. What should you do if you are shy to speak English?
A. Watch English films.
B. Write down the words first.
C. Listen to real English songs.
D. Take a deep breath and smile before you begin?
3.What is Oliver’s problem?
A. He’s too shy to talk with others.
B. He’s not able to count English words.
C. He can’t remember new words.
D. He doesn’t know what real English is.
4. What’s the best title of this passage?
A. How to learn English
B. Talking about English films
C. Advice about English writing
D. The way of beginning an English conversation
(Megan and Kyle are talking before class begins.)
Megan: Hey, Kyle, are you ready for the big test today? I studied that list of words and the definitions(释义) for two hours last night.
Kyle: Oh, but I didn’t study at all. I just wrote all the answers on the palm(手掌) of my hand, see?
Megan: Kyle! You can’t do that! That’s cheating(作弊)！
Kyle: Hey, don’t worry. I won’t be caught. Mrs King will never know.
(Mrs King comes in and passes out the test papers.)
Mrs King: Okay, no more talking. You may begin.
(Kyle looks st his hand when the teacher isn’t looking.)
Joe: (raising his hand) Mrs King, may I have a drink? I have the hiccups(打嗝).
Mrs King: Yes, you may.
Kyle: (raising his hand) Mrs King, may I get a drink, too?
Mrs King: Kyle, what is that on your hand? I think you had better come to my desk.
Kyle: Oh no…
(After this, Kyle realizes his mistake and never cheats in exams again.)
1. Where did the story possibly take place?
A. In the classroom.
B. In the library.
C. On the playground.
D. In the reading room.
2. Where did Kyle write the answers?
A. On his desk.
B. In his notebook.
C. Megan told his classmates everything.
D. Joe told Mrs King about Kyle’s cheating.
Norman Bethune is one of China’s most famous heroes, but he wasn’t Chinese—he was Canadian. He gave his life to helping Chinese people.
Norman Bethune born in 1890. He became a in 1916, and he went to the front to look after injured soldiers in the First World War. He saw many soldiers die in the war. Later he invented new treatments to soldiers, and medical tools to use outside hospitals.
In 1938 he came to China to treat the Chinese soldiers in the mountains north of Yan’an. There were doctors, so he had to work very hard. He opened hospitals to give treatment to local people and soldiers, and to train doctors and nurses. He also wrote books so that doctors can learn about new treatments.
Dr Bethune worked very hard without stopping to . Once, he performed operations 69 hours without stopping, and saved 112 people. He working in spite of cutting his hand during an operation. In the end, he died because he did not take care of his .
Dr Bethune’s work with the Chinese soldiers made a hero in China. There are books and films about him, and he is remembered in both Canada and China.
1.A. is B. was C. has been D. be
2. A. doctor B. nurse C. teacher D. worker
3. A. understand B. believed C. help D. count
4.A. little B. few C. much D. many
5.A. rest B. act C. with D. for
6. A. from B. since C. with D. for
7. A. allowed B. continued C. forgot D. stopped
8.A. face B. leg C. foot D. hand
9. A. his B. he C. him D. one
10. A. still B. never C. hardly D. regularly
—I’m sorry I broke your coffee cup.
— .
A. You’re welcome B. I don’t know C. You’re right D. It doesn’t matter
John is the boy legs were badly hurt in the accident.
A. whose B. that C. who D. which
