Windows 8, apart from Windows 95, is the biggest surprise and the only version of Microsoft’s operating system that has been changed from the core（核心）when compared to its former one. However, a recent study has shown that under 20% of business owners would be willing to upgrade to the new version of Windows. The reason for this remains to be discussed and debated, and we will try to throw light on this research by providing you with some of the most common advantages and disadvantages of Windows 8.
Generally speaking, there are a great number of plus sides related to upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8.
Speed—This is the biggest advantage to mention. Boot time has been reported to be up to nine times shorter than that with Windows 7.
New passwords—Instead of typing your passwords, Windows 8 will let you use gestures on your favorite photos to enter your password. This is not only practical but also extremely cool!
Windows 8 experience—Apart from computers, Windows 8 will be used on all devices, including smart phones, tablet PC’s and so on. Also, owing to the fact that it has been specifically designed with touch screen users in mind, Windows 8, besides using keyboard and mouse, will offer a whole new user experience.
However, there are still some disadvantages.
The first one that has to be mentioned is that there is no Start Menu from Windows. Yes, there is no Start button in the lower left corner, and this might be a real puzzle of many Windows users. Also, many users have had a problem to get used to the new interface（界面）introduced by Windows 8. The biggest problem that is worth noticing is that Windows 8 was originally designed for touch screen users, and this may have a bad effect on desktop users who have gotten used to doing everything with the help of their keyboard and mouse.
1.What does “plus sides” in Paragraph 2 probably refer to?
A. Math symbols. B. New rules.
C. Strengths. D. Messages.
2.According to the text the greatest advantage of Windows 8 is its ______.
A. high speed B. complex passwords
C. unique experience D. new interface
3.From the text we can learn that Windows 8 ______.
A. no longer requires a password
B. can be used on more than computers
C. will be popular with desktop users
D. was upgraded from windows 95
4.Many Windows 8 users face the problem that ______.
A. Start Menu is hidden in the lower left corner
B. they don’t get accustomed to the new interface
C. keyboard and mouse can’t be used any longer
D. they have to use fingerprints instead of button
Summer Holiday Fun 2015!
The summer holidays are upon us again. Here is our guide to summer holiday fun in Peterborough!
Peterborough Museum
The Age of the Dinosaurs is the museum's main attraction this summer. Get up close to prehistoric creatures via some great hands-on exhibits！Watch out for monsters lurking around every ember！The museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday，and from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays in August.
Call 01733 864663 for details.
Saxon Youth Club
School holiday fun：Young people aged 13—19 will be able to produce their own music，compete in sports activities，or try their hand at cooking at Saxon Youth Club，Saxon Community Centre，Norman Road，Peterborough every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 pm. PLUS an aero ball tournament will take place on Thursday,12th August between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Call 01353 720274 for details.
Houghton Mill
Through the Looking Glass—a new production of the family favorite on Monday 30th，August. Bring rugs or chairs to sit on and a picnic if you wish to eat during the play. Gates open 5:30 pm，performance 6:30 pm—8:30 pm. Tea room will be open until the end of the interval. Adult ￡ 10. Child ￡7. Family ￡20.
Booking advisable on 0845 4505157.
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
Farmland Games：From Wellie Wanging to Pretend Ploughing matches，come and join the Farmland Team. Collect your sporting stickers and create a colorful rosette that is fit for a winner！No need to book，just turn up between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Thursday,19th August. Suitable for children aged four and above，each child should be accompanied by an adult and all activities are included in the normal admission price. Tickets Cost：￡ 7 per child.
For further information，call 01223 810080.
1.If you are interested in cooking，you can go to ________.
A. Peterborough Museum B. Houghton Mill
C. Saxon Youth Club D. Farmland Museum
2.You want to watch the new play with your parents，so it will cost you ________.
A. ￡ 7 B. ￡ 17 C. ￡ 27 D. ￡ 20
3.Which of the following activities needs parents' company?
A. Playing farmland games.
B. Watching the new play.
C. Competing in sports activities.
D. Visiting the dinosaur exhibition.
书面表达
中国人出国旅游的不文明行为越来越受到广泛关注。请以表格中所列举的事实为依据，写一则英语短文，谈谈自己的看法。
不文明行为 | 你的看法 |
在公共场所： 随地吐痰 乱丢垃圾 大声喧哗 …… | 注意言谈举止 爱护环境 维护中国人的形象 …… |
注意：
1. 文章必须包括表格中的提示内容，可以增加细节使行文连贯；
2. 词数100左右；
3. 开头已经给出，不计入总词数；
4. 参考词汇：乱丢 (垃圾) litter；吐痰 spit；形象 image；声誉 reputation
As more and more Chinese go traveling abroad, reports about their bad manners flood in.
短文改错
文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误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（＼）画掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线， 并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
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 is reported, some needy students receive financial support of some kind people but never express our thanks．Personally, I think they are wrong．
Though the helpers didn’t expect any reward in return, but it’s necessary and good manner to say “thank you”．Besides, it is a basic social skill express ourselves in modern society．Maybe some of them do feel thankfully．It is only because they are afraid of being looked down upon which they remain silent．But I just want to say that being poor for a moment doesn’t mean you will be poor forever．
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。请将答案写在答题卡上，写在本试卷上无效。
The Internet is an amazing information resource. Students, teachers, and researchers use it as __1._ investigative tool. Journalists use it to find information for stories. Doctors use it to learn more about unfamiliar diseases and the 2. _ (late) medical development. Ordinary people use it for shopping, banking, bill-paying, and communicating with family and friends. People all over the world use it to connect with individuals from 3. countries and cultures. However, __4.____there are many positive developments __5.__ (associate) with the Internet, there are also certain fears and concerns. __6.__ concern relates to a lack of control over__7.__ appears on the Internet. With television and radio there are editors to check the accuracy or appropriateness of the content of programs, and with television there are 8. (restrict) on what kinds of programs can __9.__(broadcast) and at what times of the day. With the Internet, parents cannot check a published guide to determine what is suitable _10.___ their children to see.
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从1—20各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
There was once a farmer who had a fine olive orchard（橄榄园）. He was very hardworking, and the ________ always prospered（繁荣）under his care. But he knew that his three ________ looked down upon the farm work, and were eager to make wealth.
When the farmer was ________ and felt that he would die, he ________ the three sons to him and said, “My sons, there is a pot of gold ________ in the olive orchard. Dig for it, if you wish it.”
The sons tried to ________ him to tell them in what part of the orchard the ________was hidden, but he would tell them nothing more.
After the farmer was ________, the sons went to work to find the pot of gold; since they did not ________where the hiding-place was, they agreed to begin in a line, at one ________ of the orchard, and to dig until one of them should find the money.
The________ until they had turned up the________ from one end of the orchard to the other, ________ the tree-roots and between them. ________ no pot of gold was to be found. It seemed as if someone must have stolen it, or as if the farmer had been wandering in his wits. The three sons were bitterly ________ to have all their work for nothing.
The next olive ________, the olive trees in the orchard bore（结果实）more fruit than they had ________ given; when it was________ , it gave the sons a whole pot of gold.
And when they saw how much money had ________ the orchard, they suddenly understood what the wise father had ________ when he said, “There is gold hidden in the orchard. Dig for it, if you wish it.”
1.A．garden B．farm C．factory D．hospital
2.A．friends B．relatives C．sons D．children
3.A．healthy B．unlucky C．old D．sad
4.A．showed B．led C．visited D．called
5.A．sent B．put C．locked D．hidden
6.A．get B．wait C．cause D．make
7.A．gold B．goods C．jewel D．clothes
8.A．weak B．lost C．sick D．dead
9.A．think B．wonder C．know D．realise
10.A．top B．end C．surface D．bottom
11.A．searched B．dug C．discovered D．expected
12.A．sand B．ground C．soil D．floor
13.A．over B．among C．across D．round
14.A．Since B．And C．But D．Before
15.A．surprised B．disappointed C．worried D．sad
16.A．distance B．part C．season D．degree
17.A．already B．even C． still D．ever
18.A．sold B．made C．shipped D．saved
19.A．come on B．come about C．come from D．come up
20.A．thought B．mean C．planned D．guessed
