Rumors (谣言): we've all heard some and we've all spread some. In more traditional times they shook entire families. Today, they travel differently because the way we share information has also changed.
The fact is that rumors have great potential to upset things, whether socially or personally. We don't enjoy being on the receiving end of one, since they usually don't have good intentions. They are somewhat veiled (掩饰的) messages.
Normally rumors are oral messages: word of mouth. The paradox (自相矛盾) is that there is no evidence to support rumors, but the more people share it, the more they see it as true. To finish explaining rumors, we think that they follow certain very clear laws. Secrecy: The source is unknown. There is also a proven phenomenon that human beings usually forget the source of a message before they forget its content. Certainty: We hardly question rumors simply because of the mental effort involved. On the other hand, no one likes to doubt a person who convinces us that the information they spread is true. Change: It acts like a tree. New rumors branch out to fill in the gaps left by the first rumor.
Another property (属性) of rumors is that they tend to become viral. Each receiver is at the same time a potential transmitter (传输者) of the information. The receiver often adds their own opinion. Their manner and tone of transmitting it also changes it.
How can we end rumors? The answer is as simple as it is impossible: preventing people from communicating. A more realistic response is equally difficult, although less than the first one. It is that we should be critical of the information we receive. We should ask ourselves if the source is reliable. Ask (if possible) the person you heard it from whether they also trust the information. We should also think about if the rumor benefits someone, and if that someone started the rumor.
One rumor to be especially cautious of is a rumor about groups relatively unable to defend themselves. That's why we say, "History is always told by the winners." The first payment the defeated must make is to accept the victor's version of the story.
1.What can we learn about rumors?
A.We have all heard some and believed them.
B.We're happy to be the receiving end of them.
C.They may have negative influence on society.
D.They often hide good intentions in the messages.
2.How are rumours like a tree?
A.Rumours keep changing, just as trees change their colour.
B.Rumours are deeply rooted in reality, like tree roots in the earth.
C.New rumours have gaps, like the space between tree branches.
D.New rumours grow out of the original, like branches out of a trunk.
3.What does the underlined word ‘viral’ in Para 4 probably mean?
A.Something easily spread.
B.Something acceptable.
C.Something easily defended.
D.Something beneficial.
4.Which of the following may the author agree with?
A.It is easy to prevent people from spreading rumors.
B.People are often active in judging the rumors critically.
C.We should think about the hidden message of the rumors.
D.Stories told by the victors are usually better worth trusting.
The ex-wife murder
“Who shot her?” cried Mr. Rogers as he rushed into the hospital three minutes after his ex-wife died from a gunshot through her head.
“Just a minute, Mr. Rogers,” said Detective Timo.“We’ll have to ask you a few questions first. Although you have been divorced for the past six months, you still live in the same house with your ex-wife, Mary Ann, right?”
“That’s right,” replied Mr. Rogers.
“Did you have trouble recently?”
“Well… yesterday, when I told her I was going on a business trip, she threatened to kill herself. I had to take a bottle of iodine (碘酒) quickly from her hands because she was about to drink it. When I left last night at seven, I told her I was spending the night with friends in Sewickley. She didn’t argue. And I got back to town this afternoon,” continued Mr. Rogers. “I called home and the maid answered.”
“Just what did she say?”asked Detective Timo.
“She said,‘Oh, Mr. Rogers, they took the poor mistress to St. Ann’s Hospital about half an hour ago. Please hurry to her.’She was crying, so I couldn’t get anything else out of her. Then I hurried here. Where is she?"
“The nurse will show you," said Detective Timo with a nod.
“A strange case," said the police. “This couple is a little too much for me! A man and a woman living together after being divorced six months! ”
“Did anyone tell Mr. Rogers that Mary Ann died from a gunshot before he arrived?” asked Detective Timo, deep in thought.
“Nobody did. I ordered everyone who knows the details of the case not to discuss it. ”
“That’s the point. You’d better detain (拘留) Mr. Rogers. If he didn’t shoot her himself, I’m sure he knows who did.”
1.Where did the police and Detective Timo talk with Mr.Rogers?
A.In the hospital. B.At the police station.
C.In Mr.Rogers’home. D.In Mr.Rogers’friend’s home.
2.What is the correct order of the events of the story?
a.Mr.Rogers argued with his wife.
b.Mr.Rogers rushed to the hospital.
c.Mr.Rogers went on a trip.
d.Mr.Rogers’ex-wife was killed.
e.Mr.Rogers called his maid.
A.abced B.cdeba C.acdeb D.bdaec
3.What most probably led Detective Timo to suspect Mr.Rogers?
A.Mr.Rogers argued with Mary Ann before the murder took place.
B.Mr.Rogers still lived with Mary Ann after being divorced for six months.
C.Mr.Rogers went back to town very quickly after Mary Ann was murdered.
D.Mr.Rogers asked“who shot her”though no one told him Mary Ann was shot.
4.What can the passage be taken from?
A.A report. B.A novel.
C.A collection of poems. D.A project handbook.
Spring will soon be upon us and a new term is here. All over the world spring is the season of new life: flowers bloom，baby animals are born, and the weather becomes warmer. During this time of year, people usually walk around with a spring in their steps and a feeling of fresh beginnings. However, for a fresh beginning it takes more than the bright colors and fresh air of spring. We need to look at ourselves, set new goals, and decide how to improve ourselves.
In England, people usually do this on the first day of the year. We look at the past year and think about what we’d like to change or improve in our lives, and we call this a New Year’s resolution (决心). These can be anything from improving one’s health through exercise or giving up bad habits, to studying harder for better grades or trying to find a good work or life balance.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait for the beginning of a new year to try and become better people. We can do this whenever we like. The milestone of a new term is just a good place to start.
Sometimes it’s difficult to take the first step in achieving newly set goals, but an old saying is “to begin is to be half-way there. ” I agree with this because taking on a new task or changing habits can seem daunting at first, but once we begin, they get easier.
The trick with deciding on a resolution for a new term is not to set unrealistic goals. If we do this, it’s easy to lose heart, because the final goal seems so far away. Try to make many small goals that you want to reach on the way to your final goal. This way, you can see your progress easily.
1.What should we do in spring according to the first paragraph?
A.To have an animal for a pet.
B.To set goals for a fresh beginning.
C.To take a walk around outdoors.
D.To enjoy fresh air and bright colors.
2.What does the underlined word“daunting”probably mean in Paragraph 4?
A.changeable B.difficult C.lovely D.dangerous
3.What does the last paragraph want to tell us?
A.If you see no progress,you’ll be sad.
B.Whatever happens，stick to your dreams.
C.Your goals should be realistic and small.
D.Never lose heart when meeting with difficulties.
4.What can be learned from the text?
A.Well begun is half done.
B.All roads lead to Rome.
C.All that ends well is well.
D.Be swift to hear,slow to speak.
Best musicals and shows in London’s West End
Thriller-Live
See Thriller-Live, a musical in memory of Michael Jackson and the J acksons. The show joined London’s West End after three UK tours and popularity across Europe. Celebrate the career of the King of Pop during non-stop hits at this top London theatre show.
Prices from £32.72
The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical, The Phantom of the Opera, tells the tale of a shadowy character who attempts to make Christina the leading lady of the Paris Opera. With a fantastic plot and breathtaking scene, this long- running show is one of the must-see musicals in London.
Prices: from £30.75
The Book of Mormon
This comedy musical follows the plight of a pair of teenage Mormon missionaries sent to convert a village in a dangerous part of Uganda. The brainchild of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, The Book of Mormon has won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Prices: from £24.60
Matilda The Musical
Be wowed by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning production of Matilda The Musical. Roald Dahl’s celebrated story bursts into life in this West End musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. Children and adults alike will be delighted by the little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Prices: from £24.00
1.What is The Phantom of the Opera special for?
A.Its attractive story. B.Its beautiful songs.
C.Its excellent costumes. D.Its experienced actors.
2.Both kids and adults are most likely to enjoy_____.
A.Thriller-Live B.Matilda The Musical
C.The Book of Mormon D.The Phantom of the Opera
3.What does the text mainly aim to do?
A.Evaluate musicals. B.Criticize musicals.
C.Analyze musicals. D.Advertise musicals.
请认真阅读下文信息，并按要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章。
A new regulation by China’s Ministry of Education aims to grant primary and middle school teachers more room in punishing their students in order to achieve better teaching results.
The regulation lists punishments available to teachers in three categories based on the level of severity of the offense, including naming and shaming, forced standing that lasts no longer than one class session, and suspension of class for no longer than one week.
Zhang Lifeng, a 43-year-old parent, welcomed the move. “The regulation should have come earlier,” she said. “It will benefit both teachers and students as well as parents.”
However, a ninth grader at a middle school, disagreed. “It is normal for adolescent students to make mistakes. I don’t think punishments are necessary. They may cause more trouble,” he said.
Chen Xianzhe, a professor with the School of Education at South China Normal University, said punishments are just a part of the teaching process.
The regulation asks schools to draft their own regulations accordingly to clarify the rules for teachers in taking disciplinary actions against their students.
（写作内容）
1、用约30个单词概括上述信息的主要内容；
2、谈谈你如何看待教育惩戒，并简述理由；
3、请你对教育惩戒规则的实施提出合理建议(至少两点)。
（写作要求）
1、写作过程中不能直接引用原文语句；
2、作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称；
3、不必写标题。
（评分标准）
内容完整，语言规范，语篇连贯，词数适当
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
请认真阅读下列短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意：每个空格只填 1个单词。请将答案写在答题纸上相应题号的横线上。
Chances are you have heard about the “marshmallow test.” Put a marshmallow in front of a child and give them two choices: eat it now or wait 15 minutes and get two. According to a classic study, children able to delay gratification (满足) and wait for the second marshmallow have better academic, social and health outcomes years later. Since these early experiments, researchers have shown that a wide range of childhood traits from social and emotional skills to motivation and self-control can predict better life outcomes.
Now a new study has found another link between behavior in childhood and success later in life. Published in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry, my colleagues and I report that children who were rated as “inattentive” by kindergarten teachers had lower earnings at ages 33 to 35, and those
rated as prosocial--such as being kind, helpful and considerate--earned more.
This study shows that inattention may be among the most powerful early behavioral predictors of future earnings. It also demonstrates that it is possible to identify children at risk of lower future earnings based on a single teacher assessment made in kindergarten, which has important practical implications. If these children can be identified, then it may be possible to intervene--for example, by flagging them for further assessment or by providing support or prevention programs--and thus improve their life chances.
The classic marshmallow study failed to account for intelligence and family background, which are known to influence future life success. Recent efforts to replicate that experiment using a larger and more diverse sample found that the effect was roughly half of that seen in the classic study. When the researchers controlled for the children’s IQ and family background, the effect virtually disappeared.
In another influential study, published in 2011, children aged three to 11 with good self-control were reported to have more wealth, better health and fewer criminal conviction in early adulthood. But the paper failed to consider the role of antisocial traits, such as aggression and opposition. When these were adjusted for in a replication study, the effects were considerably weakened. One problem with self-control studies such as these is that they lump many traits--such as attention, delayed gratification and conscientiousness--together to create a single composite self-control score, often combining traits assessed across multiple years. This approach makes it hard to identify the “active ingredients” that are linked with the outcome of interest, a crucial step if you plan to develop targeted intervention programs designed to improve life outcomes by promoting “good” traits and reducing “bad” ones.
The 1. marshmallow test | Children who wait for the second marshmallow perform better academically, 2. and socially later on in life. |
The main factor from a new study: inattention | Children who are considered inattentive at kindergarten earn much 3. at ages 33-35 than those with such positive 4. as kindness, helpfulness and consideration. |
It’s possible to judge if a child has potential low future outcome according to how he is 5. by the kindergarten teacher. This 6. that we can help these children by providing 7. or prevention programs. | |
Findings of the new study | Children’s future life is greatly 8. by other factors like intelligence and family background. Antisocial traits such as aggression and opposition also 9. the effect considerably. The 10. of the traits across years makes it hard to identify which traits are active during a specific time period. |
