For some people, music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.” People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes (音调). Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.
As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music sets them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret, a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.
Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn’t involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can’t see certain colors.
Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed (诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say, ‘No thanks, I’m amusic,’” says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”
1.Which of the following is true of amusics?
A. They can easily tell two different songs apart.
B. Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them.
C. Their situation is well understood by musicians.
D. They love places where they are likely to hear music.
2.According to paragraph3, a person with “defective hearing” is probably one who __________.
A. dislikes listening to speeches
B. can hear anything nonmusical
C. has a hearing problem
D. lacks a complex hearing system
3.What is the passage mainly concerned with?
A. Amusics’ strange behaviours.
B. Some people’s inability to enjoy music.
C. Musical talent and brain structure.
D. Identification and treatment of amusics.
University Room Regulations
Approved and Prohibited Items
The following items are approved for use in residential (住宿的) rooms: electric blankets, hair dryers, personal computers, radios, televisions and DVD players. Items that are not allowed in student rooms include: candles, ceiling fans, fireworks, waterbeds, sun lamps and wireless routers. Please note that any prohibited items will be taken away by the Office of Residence Life.
Access to Residential Rooms
Students are provided with a combination (组合密码) for their room door locks upon check-in. Do not share your room door lock combination with anyone. The Office of Residence Life may change the door lock combination at any time at the expense of the resident if it is found that the student has shared the combination with others. The fee is $25 to change a room combination.
Cooking Policy
Students living in buildings that have kitchens are only permitted to cook in the kitchen. Students must clean up after cooking. This is not the responsibility of housekeeping staff. Kitchens that are not kept clean may be closed for use. With the exception of using a small microwave oven (微波炉) to heat food, students are not permitted to cook in their rooms.
Pet Policy
No pets except fish are permitted in student rooms. Students who are found with pets, whether visiting or owned by the student, are subject to an initial fine of $100 and a continuing fine of $50 a day per pet. Students receive written notice when the fine goes into effect. If, one week from the date of written notice, the pet is not removed, the student is referred to the Student Court.
Quiet Hours
Residential buildings must maintain an atmosphere that supports the academic mission of the University. Minimum quiet hours in all campus residences are 11:00 pm to 8:00 am Sunday through Thursday. Quiet hours on Friday and Saturday nights are 1:00 am to 8:00 am. Students who violate quiet hours are subject to a fine of $25.
1.Which of the following items are allowed in student rooms?
A. Ceiling fans and waterbeds.
B. Wireless routers and radios.
C. Hair dryers and candles.
D. TVs and electric blankets.
2.What do we know about the cooking policy?
A. A microwave oven can be used.
B. Cooking in student rooms is permitted.
C. A housekeeper is to clean up the kitchen.
D. Students are to close kitchen doors after cooking.
3.When can students enjoy a party in residences?
A. 7:00 am, Sunday. B. 7:30 am, Thursday.
C. 11:30 pm, Monday. D. 00:30 am, Saturday.
In 1978, I was 18 and was working as a nurse in a small town about 270 km away from Sydney, Australia. I was looking forward to having five days off from duty. Unfortunately, the only one train a day back to my home in Sydney had already left. So I thought I’d hitch a ride (搭便车).
I waited by the side of the highway for three hours but no one stopped for me. Finally, a man walked over and introduced himself as Gordon. He said that although he couldn’t give me a lift, I should come back to his house for lunch. He noticed me standing for hours in the November heat and thought I must be hungry. I was doubtful as a young girl but he assured （使…放心）me I was safe, and he also offered to help me find a lift home afterwards. When we arrived at his house, he made us sandwiches. After lunch, he helped me find a lift home.
Twenty-five years later, in 2003, while I was driving to a nearby town one day, I saw an elderly man standing in the glaring heat, trying to hitch a ride. I thought it was another chance to repay someone for the favour I’d been given decades earlier. I pulled over and picked him up. I made him comfortable on the back seat and offered him some water.
After a few moments of small talk, the man said to me, “You haven’t changed a bit, even your red hair is still the same.”
I couldn’t remember where I’d met him. He then told me he was the man who had given me lunch and helped me find a lift all those years ago. It was Gordon.
1.The author had to hitch a ride one day in 1978 because .
A. her work delayed her trip to Sydney
B. she missed the only train back home
C. she was going home for her holidays
D. the town was far away from Sydney
2.Which of the following did Gordon do according to Paragraph 2?
A. He helped the girl find a ride.
B. He gave the girl a ride back home.
C. He bought sandwiches for the girl.
D. He watched the girl for three hours.
3.The reason why the author offered a lift to the elderly man was that .
A. she realized he was Gordon
B. she had known him for decades
C. she was going to the nearby town
D. she wanted to repay the favour she once got
4.What does the author want to tell the readers through the story?
A. Those who give rides will be repaid.
B. Good manners bring about happiness.
C. Giving sometimes produces nice results.
D. People should offer free rides to others.
书面表达
假定你是李华，你的美国朋友彼得希望成为2022年北京冬奥会志愿者，他向你询问冬奥会相关情况，并求助怎样学好汉语。请给他回封电子邮件，要点如下：
1．收到来信，获悉求助；
2．冬奥盛会，北京张家口合办；
3．学好汉语的两条建议。
注意：1. 词数: 100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
Dear Peter,
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Yours
Li Hua
短文改错
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处，每处仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（^），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
It has been ten years since I graduate from high school. Last week, I informed of a class reunion held by our monitor unexpected. Much to my delight, most of his classmates got reunited, recall the time we spent together. In addition, many activities were arranged, one of that was to visit our school and teachers. It reminded us of the excited moments we enjoyed together. All of us thought it was the huge success. Despite of being separated, I will never forget my dear classmates or always keep the precious memory in mind.
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（不多于3个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
During a recent Senior Three English lesson, the teacher caught Xiao Di, 1. female student, busily typing messages on her cell-phone. To the teacher’s surprise, Xiao Di wasn’t just texting her friends the latest small talk. She was 2. (actual) blogging about what was being taught in the classroom, sharing her opinions about the information and material 3. her classmates.
The case caused a heated 4. (discuss) among teachers and students city-wide. Miss Li, an English teacher from another nearby school said, “I am amazed at how 5. (create)the students can be when writing on their blogs. To me it’s a great way for students to improve their writing skills while writing about personal feelings and 6. (experience).” 7. other teachers are worried that blog-addiction may disturb their students’ study.
A supporter and classmate of Xiao Di said, “We love her blog! We all read it each day and can’t wait to see 8. she writes about next. Her interesting stories and great suggestions on study really help to encourage us. And it adds a little fun to our stressful life.” Another student blogger admitted that he often works late into the night, writing his blog and responding to comments 9. (post) there. He said, “Sometimes I don’t even have time to finish my homework. I can’t help myself. I really have a lot 10. (say). ”
