I grew up on a farm outside Port Clinton, Ohio. I was the youngest son, with four brothers and four sisters, plus a girl my folks took in. By the late 60s, most of us were ______and had families of our own. One day, ______ we were visiting my parents in late summer or early fall, Dad mentioned he’d ______wanted a Crimson King maple tree for the yard. Mom agreed that they were pretty.
Like many parents, mine were______to shop for something, so I ______this was a great ______to get them something they’d appreciate. I also thought if they wanted one tree, two would be even better. I ______the price at work and decided it was a bit more than I could ______-but all of my siblings agreed to give a hand.
In northern Ohio, we don’t plant maple trees at Christmas, so we decided to surprise Mom and Dad with a ______Christmas in October before the ground froze. We asked my aunt _____she’d help us with the deception(欺骗), and she called my parents in ______to say she was coming for a Sunday visit. Then my sisters and sisters-in-law went into ______, planning a big holiday turkey dinner.
On the ______Sunday, we all met at my house and loaded the trees in a pickup truck. I ___ up as Santa Claus. Then off we went, nine or 10 cars ______with people and food, plus the pickup.
When the caravan(队伍) ______my folks’ house, Dad came rushing out of the back door, convinced something was ______. He and Mom were ______when we told them why we were there.
When Christmas ______, of course, we couldn’t go to our parents’ house empty handed, so Mom and Dad got double presents that year. Almost half a century later, I still drive by the old farmhouse(农庄) and smile when I see those big, handsome ______and remember giving a special gift to special people on Christmas in October.
1.A. divorced B. married C. born D. friendly
2.A. once B. since C. while D. if
3.A. casually B. occasionally C. hardly D. always
4.A. hard B. convenient C. available D. anxious
5.A. performed B. figured C. promoted D. guaranteed
6.A. opportunity B. performance C. permission D. access
7.A. watched B. checked C. noticed D. tested
8.A. account B. acquire C. afford D. advocate
9.A. common B. usual C. ordinary D. special
10.A. if B. why C. that D. what
11.A. detail B. surprise C. advance D. excitement
12.A. fashion B. direction C. instruction D. action
13.A. greeting B. adjusted C. chosen D. predicted
14.A. looked up B. took up C. turned up D. dressed up
15.A. covered B. loaded C. surrounded D. crowded
16.A. arrived at B. reached for C. left for D. headed for
17.A. adequate B. wrong C. beautiful D. invisible
18.A. amazed B. delighted C. amused D. confused
19.A. faded away B. turned around C. rolled away D. rolled around
20.A. folks B. pickups C. trees D. trucks
Every living thing has genes. Genes carry information. 1. They make sure that humans give birth to humans and cows give birth to cows. They also make sure that a dog doesn’t give birth to a frog, or an elephant to a horse. However, genetic engineers take genes from one species-for example, a snake, and transfer them to another-for example, corn. 2. Such new life forms have been described, by some scientists as a real-life Frankenstein(科幻怪人).
Genetic engineers put duck genes into chicken to make the chickens bigger. They put hormones(激素) into cows to make them produce more milk. They put genes from flowers into beans and from fish into tomatoes. 3. It just makes them easier and faster for the farmer to grow.
The effects of genetic engineering on the natural world may be disastrous. The engineers may create strange life beings, or monsters. that we cannot control. 4. They’ll have to find one, fight for one-or kill for one. It may be your land they fight for-or you that they kill. Moreover, the effects of these experiments can often be cruel. In America, pigs were given human genes to make them bigger and less fatty. The experiment failed. The pigs became very ill and began to lose their eyesight. We would all like a better, healthier and longer life, and genetic engineering might give us this. On the other hand, it may be a dangerous experiment with nature. In the story of Frankenstein, the doctor created such a terrible and dangerous monster that he had to destroy it. 5.
A. The information tells us what to do or what not to do
B. We must make sure that this tale remains a story-and no more than that
C. This doesn’t make them cheaper, tastier, or healthier
D. The new life forms have no natural habitat or home
E. Then they feed the tomatoes to the fish
F. In this way a new life form is created
G. They are passed on from generation to generation
"Developed and developing nations can learn from each other seeking a low-carbon economy. In terms of energy saving and green economy, China doesn't lag behind developed nations," said Zhou Changyi, director of the energy saving department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
"While we can learn many aspects from developed nations, they also should learn something from us, such as water conservation," Zhou said in a speech during the new Path of China's Industrialization forum at the ongoing China International Industry Fair.
He said industrialized nations and China are dealing with different issues to fight climate change. The United Kingdom, for example, is concerned about transport, buildings and new energy in reducing carbon emissions. For China, the most urgent task is how to realize new type of industrialization and avoid mistakes that other countries made when they industrialized.
Swiss power and automation technology group ABB called for a stronger focus on product life-cycle assessment, or LCA, which is used to study the environmental impact of a product from the research and manufacturing stage through its usage and recycling.
Tobias Becker, head of ABB' s process automation division for North Asia and China, said LCA is an effective tool in helping manufacturing industries to reduce carbon emissions.
LCA shows that industrial customers should focus on a product's environmental impact throughout its life-cycle instead of on its initial investment.
Richard Hausmann, North East Asia CEO of Siemens, said, "The color of future industrialization is green. "
The Germany company recently announces that it wants to receive orders worth more than 6 billion Euros ( US 8. 8 billion) for intelligent power networks, Smart Grid, over the next five years. Siemens has set a 20 percent market share target for the global smart grid business.
A smart grid delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using digital technology, advanced sensors specialized computers that save energy, reduce costs and increase reliability. The United States and China are considered the two biggest markets for smart grid.
1.Which of the following can best replace the phrase "lag behind" in Paragraph 1？
A. act better than B. perform worse than
C. run faster than D. keep quieter than
2.What do we know about LCA from the text?
A. LCA is used to study the impact on a product.
B. LCA is one of the exhibitions at this year's fair.
C. LCA can help manufacturing industries decrease carbon release a lot.
D. LCA advises industrial customers to focus on the initial investment.
3.____about Smart Grid isn't mentioned in the text.
A. Small in size B. Low-cost C. Energy-saving
D. Security
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Intelligent Power Networks
B. Low-carbon Economy -a Shared Goal
C. Two Biggest Markets for Smart Grid
D. Developed and Developing Nations Can Learn from Each Other
The news of Harper Lee’s second novel broke the internet. Go Set a Watchman would be published in July. Lee became a recluse (隐士)after the publication of her first book, To Kill a Mockingbird, in 1960. Although the author has been out of the public eye for more than 50 years, the wave that followed the announcement showed her novel’s beloved place in the American literary works.
In 1991, The Book of the Month Club and the library of Congress conducted a survey that made readers identify books that had made a difference in their lives. Lee’s book followed only The Bible. Alongside the works of Shakespeare and Twain, To Kill a Mockingbird remains one of the most widely taught books nationwide, reaching an estimated 70% of American public schools. What makes it such a perfect read for young people？
English class is a place where young Americans come to know themselves. In the folds of dusty books, students can make contact with humanity beyond the superficial(肤浅的) conversations of the school hallways. Literature promises relief, a place to figure out one’s problems and get to know oneself better.
To Kill a Mockingbird particularly distinguishes itself in this regard. It speaks in child’s voice without treating its readership as children. People have called it an ‘impossible’ achievement, a children’s book penned in the prose(散文) of a well-educated adult—it’s unlikely that a child like
Scout could exist in the real world. But that’s exactly what makes it such a charming read for young people. It alludes to (转弯抹角地说到)the consciousness of a well-educated adult going through difficult realities, but shows it through the light and playful voice of a curious little girl.
1.In which year might Go Set a Watchman come out?
A. 2015 B. 1960 C. 1910 D. 1991
2.Which book leaves the deepest impression on American readers?
A. Go Set a Watchman B. To Kill a Mockingbird
C. The Bible D. Shakespeare’s works
3.Which of the following statements is right about To Kill a Mockingbird?
A. Its author may be a playful child.
B. It’s a story about a well-educated adult.
C. Young people can see themselves from it.
D. It’s impossible for children like Scout to exist.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. The Great Writer: Harper Lee B. The Great Young People Novel
C. Voices from Children D. Differences Harper Lee made
Given the tradition of students bringing apples to their teachers, it somehow seems fitting that an old apple barn(谷仓)will find a new life as a one-room schoolhouse. And it is just as fitting that a retired schoolteacher will become the caretaker of that historic treasure.
My friend Velma, a teacher for more than 30 years, has been retired for some time now, but that doesn’t stop her giving history lessons at the old Englewood School, located on her family’s
California farm. The lovingly restored building was constructed around 1850 as a home for a woodsman and later was used as apple barn. Then, in 1870 it began a new life as a schoolhouse.
Originally located in the nearby Englewood meadow, it was now moved its current site in 1978 by Velma’s late husband and his brother, Robert and Richard, who thought it would help keep
Velma busy in retirement. No nails had been used in the original construction, so each piece of wood had to be carefully marked and the building was reassembled（重装）on its new site. The brothers worked with much care and hard work to ensure a perfect fit of mitered（斜接的）corners.
After the relocation, Velma and her family furnished the school with some of its original desks. They also added a collection of schoolbooks, the oldest dating back to 1845. Perhaps the school’s most cherished souvenir is the diploma of student Hettie Essig, who graduated on June 30, 1904. Hettie’s daughter, Flora, presented Velma with the precious keepsake.
Nowadays Velma gives tours to local schoolchildren and other groups, who learn what it was like to attend school back in the good old days. She has kids ring the school bell, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing “Good Morning to You” as they might have done in days gone by. Then, with twinkling eyes and much enthusiasm, she tells the history of the school, and gives a short sample lesson.
1.The Englewood School was originally built as __________.
A. a man’ s house B. a schoolhouse
C. a restroom D. an apple barn
2.Which word can best describe the school’s being relocated?
A. Inspiring B. Refreshing
C. fashionable D. Challenging
3.What does the underlined part “the precious keepsake” in Para.4 mean?
A. The school’s original supplies
B. The collection of schoolbooks
C. The oldest schoolbook
D. The diploma of Hettie Essig.
4.Which can serve as the best title of the passage?
A. The Good Old Days in the Schoolhouse
B. A Mysterious Building with a Long History
C. A Historic One-room Schoolhouse
D. A Teacher Devoted to Restoring Old Buildings
For tourists holding the Barcelona Card, the information below will be useful if you plan to admire some artworks or architectures there.
Sagrada Familia
Opening hours: 09:00-18:00(October-March); 09:00-20:00(April-September)
Admission: $11, or $10 with the Barcelona Card
The project's vast sale and its special design have made it one of Barcelona's top tourist attractions for many years.
La Pedrera
Opening hours: November-February: 09:00-18:30; March-October: 09:00-20:00
Admission：$9.50. Save 20% with the Barcelona Card.
It is a unique modernist building made of bricks and colorful tiles（瓦）. Visitors can see the amazing 800 square meters attic（阁楼）with 270 brick arches that give you a feeling that you are walking inside the skeleton of a whale.
Barcelona FC Museum
Opening hours: 6th April-4th October:10:00-20:00;the rest of the year. 10:00-18:30
Admission：$8.50 for entry to the museum and $17 for a guided tour.
When you buy your ticket you have two options: a ticket for the museum to see the football stadium or a special one for $15 where you get to see the stadium and the scenes at the club.
Picasso Museum
Opening hours: Check the website for details as they vary depending on the time of the year.
Admission：$9 for main exhibition-extra for special showings. Save 50% with Barcelona Card.
The museum has arranged Picasso’s paintings from his early days to his final works. Arranging the paintings in this way gives you a fascinating insight into the development of Picasso.
1.What do we know the tourist attractions mentioned in the passage?
A. Sagrada Familia is the largest building in Barcelona.
B. La Pedrera is well-known for its colorful material.
C. Barcelona FC Museum may attract football fans.
D. Picasso Museum offers only one exhibition.
2.If you visit the stadium and the club with a tour guide in Barcelona FC museum, you should pay________
A. $25.5 B. $34 C. $42.5 D. $32
3.What do the attractions have in common?
A. The Barcelona Card is a must for visiting them.
B. They are all famous for their architectural styles.
C. Their opening hours are changeable in different seasons.
D. Tourists can have a discount of 20% with the Barcelona Card.
