If you are a book-lover, you may be interested in the following.
Dietland, by Sarai Walker
If you’re sick of the stick-thin and perfectly slim models of society today, Dietland is for you. The funny novel follows Plum Kettle, an over-weight advice journalist who answers fan mail for a teen girls’ website. She’s convinced that her life won’t really start until she saves up enough money for her weight-loss operation — when she’ll finally look like the “perfect” woman. But after she gets pulled into a series of adventures with a group of women who live life on their own terms, she begins to reconsider her own opinions of what “beauty” really is.
Orhan’s Inheritance, by Aline Ohanesian
After Orhan’s Turkish grandfather dies, he learns that while he’s taken over his grandfather’s successful business, the house that’s been in his family for generations was not left to him. Instead, it went to an 87-year-old woman who lives in L.A. that no one in his family has ever heard of. To get to the bottom of this, Orhan travels to L.A. to meet with the woman. It’s then that he uncovers the secrets of his family.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari
If the story of evolution (进化) has always interested you, this book is for you. In it, Dr. Yuval Noah Harari explores how, if 100,000 years ago there were six different kinds of humans on Earth, only one lived through to today: homo sapiens. He takes both an historical and biological approach to his discussion of how humans have evolved over time. He talks about the society created by sapiens and cultural wonders. And perhaps what is most fascinating is the evolution of humans.
1.What does Plum Kettle want before she joins the women in the adventures?
A. Natural beauty.
B. A large sum of money.
C. A healthy lifestyle.
D. A slim shape.
2.What puzzled Orhan after his grandfather’s death?
A.Their house was given to a stranger.
B.His grandfather’s business was such a success.
C.He had to take care of the 87-year-old woman.
D.The 87-year-old woman was one of his relatives.
3. What’s the most interesting in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind ?
A. The advanced society. B. The rise of humans.
C. The development of biology. D. The cultural wonders.
假如你是李华，最近你在澳大利亚布里斯班的home stay打算来中国旅游并来看望你，来之前有些问题要咨询你，请根据下面home stay的电子邮件用英语回一封电子邮件。
Hi LiHua,
Hope you and your family are well. We have booked a tour to see the sights of China in March. In the travel we plan to fly to Wuhan to see you .How does that sound? Because we are going to stay in your city for two days, so can you keep us informed of your arrangements about our stay and how can we get to your city from the airport? By the way, which hotel we had better reserve in your city?
Waiting for your reply!
Steven and Karen
注意：1. 词数120字左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 写作内容不要透露你所在城市的任何信息，推荐酒店为White Swan Hotel。
Hi Steven and Karen，
I’ m more than thrilled to know that you are going to be with us for two days and___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Looking forward to your coming!
Yours,
LiHua
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处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每次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(＼)划掉。
修改：在错的词下画横线，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。
Sunny 31st ,July
It was sunny today and I was in a good mood. Tired of studying or the noise of city life, I come to the ecology park to enjoy scenery and get relaxing in the afternoon.
While I arrived at the park, what came into its sight were the thick green trees. The air was fresh. In addition, I could clearly see a path around the pond. Lying on the grasses decorated with various flowers, I felt with ease because all that I wanted was peace inside.
Therefore, with time going by quickly, the sun was setting in the west. So I had to return back home. I would never forget such romantic experience, which was really beyond description.
语法填空
阅读下面材料，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处用一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空。
In recent years many TV shows have become extremely popular among Chinese audience. Those programs, ranging from talent or dating shows to reality shows 1. (receive) both commercial success and public attention.
Their popularity is 2. (main) based on simple facts. First, they care 3. social concerns. Second, without exception, they explore a perfect balance between the international forms and Chinese expressions.
Despite apparent highlights, much room 4. (leave) for improvement. Above all, commercial interests often outweigh 5. （education） purposes, causing many complaints about the 6. (bearable) advertisements. In addition, some sharp remarks, 7. they are eye-catching, may have misleading effects on the youth.
In my opinion, such shows should shoulder more responsibility instead of merely 8. (entertain) the public. 9. is expected, these programs should be positive in their forms as well as functions. Meanwhile, the 10. (medium) should also safeguard the values of our society.
完形填空
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
People from every corner flooded into the streets that Christmas Eve. "Frosty the Snowman," and "Jingle Bells" in stores; on the pavements, the street singers performed happily. Everyone, was by someone else, delighted and cheerful. I was alone.
As one of 8 kids of a Brazilian family, brought up in America's crowded apartment, I'd spent several years searching for aloneness. Now, , at 27, a college student after the with my girlfriend , every cell inside me wanted to be alone, not at Christmas. My family had to Brazil and my friends were with their own lives. Dusk was approaching, and the fact that I had to return to my home made me sad. Lights from windows blinked, and I hoped someone would from one of those homes to invite me inside with a Christmas tree decorated with shiny fake snow and presents.
At a market, I felt more when people were buying lots of goods, which the gifts we received as children in my mind . I missed my family and wanted to cry for wanting to be alone and for having achieved it.
Outside the church , a manger(小耶稣) had been set . I stood with others watching the scene, some of them themselves, praying. As I walked home, I realized that leaving Brazil was still a painful experience as I struggled with I had become in 15 years in America. I'd mourned the , but for the first time, I recognized what I’d gained. I was independent, and healthy. My life was still ahead, full of .
Sometimes the best gift is the one that you give yourself. That Christmas, I gave myself for what I'd obtained up to now and promise to go forward. It is the best gift I've ever got, the one that I most .
1.A.sharedB. playedC. servedD. held
2.A.accompaniedB. employedC. attendedD. supported
3.A. usuallyB. extremelyC. reallyD. eventually
4.A. breakupB. dateC. sympathyD. concern
5.A. soB. butC. andD. or
6.A. movedB. slippedC. cameD. returned
7.A. pleasedB. satisfiedC. occupiedD. bored
8.A. shabbyB. emptyC. warmD. cozy
9.A. turn upB. hang outC. go awayD. break in
10.A. dealtB. discountedC. wrappedD. donated
11.A. tiredB. nervousC. excitedD. upset
12.A. called upB. called forC. called onD. called in
13.A. downB. upC. asideD. about
14.A. huggingB. bowingC. crossingD. bending
15.A. howB. whichC. whatD. that
16.A. casesB. limitsC. lossesD. worries
17.A. lonelyB. educatedC. shyD. wealthy
18.A. possibilityB. sightC. sadnessD. hardship
19.A. surpriseB. defeatC. prizeD. credit
20.A. selectB. valueC. saveD. admit
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。
In your life, sometimes you may be asked to speak in front of a large group of people. Although it sounds a little scary, even those with stage fright can speak successfully to the group with adequate preparation.
1. Practice your speech before the big day. 1. If possible, practice the speech in front of a friend or family member to get used to saying it to real people. If you feel you must have note cards, limit the amount to about three cards. This will force you to keep your speech concise and help you keep your eyes focused on your audience.
2. Remember why you've been invited to speak. If you're battling fear over speaking to a large group of people, keep your mind on the fact that you were selected for this important role. The speech organizers must have seen something valuable in you or your expertise. 2.
3. Remember that fear of public speaking is very common. 3. Most of the people in the audience would be feeling the same fear and stress that you do in your position. Knowing this may make you feel better.
4. 4. What you say should be tailored to why you're there and who you're speaking to in order to avoid sounding general. If speaking to a charity group, mention the good work certain specific individuals have done for the cause. If speaking at a business conference, briefly state why you want to help these people.
5. Keep eye contact with the crowd. 5. Pick one person in each section and look at him while you're speaking. After each important point in your speech, switch your focus to another section. When you focus only on one person at a time, the size of the crowd isn't as frightening.
A. A good memory is really helpful.
B. Show appreciation to your audience.
C. Mention your audience in your speech.
D. The more you have it memorized, the better.
E. In fact, it's normal to feel nervous or stressed out before a big speech.
F. Separate the crowd into three sections mentally as you get up to speak.
G. The knowledge of other people's respect for you should reduce some of the fear.
