A huge lake of salty water appears to be buried deep in Mars，scientists reported this week．The presence of water raises the chances of finding life on the red planet．The discovery is based on observations by a European spacecraft．It has excited experts．Water is necessary for life，and scientists have long hoped to prove that it is present on Mars．

Cassie Stuurman is a geophysicist at the University of Texas．In 2016，she found evidence of a huge ice deposit(沉积)on Mars．“If these researchers are right，this is the first time we’ve found evidence of a large water body on Mars．”Stuurman said．Researchers are not yet sure how deep the area of water is．So，they cannot say whether it is an underground pool，or just an area of soft and wet soil．

In order to find the water，Italian researchers examined radar signals．The signals were collected over three years by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft．The results suggest that a 20-kilometer-wide water body lies below ice that is 1.5 kilometers thick．They believe the area is close to the planet’s southern pole．

Mars is very cold，but salt in the water may have kept it from freezing．It is the same as when you put salt on a road to prevent ice from forming．The water would be extremely cold，right at the point where it’s about to freeze．And it would be salty．Such conditions are not ideal for life to form．But，she said there are bacteria on the earth that have been able to survive in similar conditions．

Mars has been a popular planet for exploration，with some groups placing instruments on its surface and others examining it from space．In May，NASA launched another spacecraft，the InSight Mars lander which will dig deep into the data under the surface after it reaches a flat area of the planet in November．

1.Where do the Italian researchers believe the water body on Mars is?

A. In a poo1．

B. Above ice．

C. In soft and wet soil．

D. Near the southern pole of Mars．

2.What can we learn about the water on Mars from the text?

A. It is probably filled with creatures．

B. It flows on the surface of Mars．

C. It is mainly in the form of solid．

D. It is probably at the freezing point．

3.What will the InSight Mars lander do when it reaches Mars?

A. Dig a hole to protect the lander itself．

B. Explore the surface of Mars．

C. Gather information under the surface of Mars．

D. Examine Mars from space．

4.What is the main idea of the text?

A. Life used to exist on Mars．

B. Researchers find new species on Mars．

C. Mars will be the humans’second home．

D. Water is buried beneath Mars’surface．

I live in the center of the city and there is a large parking lot full of parking spots nearby．Rain is a rare occurrence in LA，so cars easily collect pollutants and dust．Together with my friends，I decided it should be a kind gesture to surprise the owners with a car wash．So we bought car washing supplies and brought out all the bath towels we could find．With all the supplies in hand，we were able to convince another roommate to help out as well and we began watering down the cars．

Every once in a while，someone would come by and asked us seemingly stupid men，“Who told you to wash the cars?”or，even better，“who paid you to wash their cars?”We explained we just wanted to do something kind．But our response was often me with an even more confused look．

As the afternoon went on，some other friends that came by understood our goal of the spontaneous event and started helping out with some of the duties．First one friend then two，and by the time we had cleaned the entire lot，we had an entire car washing crew with independent individually assigned tasks and duties．

I wasn't cleaning cars to be able to afford a new phone．I was cleaning cars simply because I wanted to offer the car owners kindness．There was no equipment to weigh our value created．We couldn’t measure our success in dollars earned over the time spent washing cars when we could have been earning twice as much at work．

I now realize，first hand，that there is a special energy created when you choose to think bigger than yourself and act in service of others and maybe，like me，you’11 find it’s actually the greatest gift you’ you’ll ever get．

1.What attitude did passers-by show towards the author’s behavior?

A. Curious and puzzled．    B. Doubtful and fearful．

C. Moved and respectful．    D. Supportive and appreciative．

2.Why did the author decide to wash the cars?

A. To earn money to buy a phone．

B. To do a good deed for the car owners．

C. To set a good example to his friends．

D. To remind the drivers of their dirty cars．

3.How did the author complete cleaning the cars?

A. With the permission of the drivers．

B. By cooperating with his friends．

C. By attracting strangers to join them．

D. Under the leadership of one of his friends．

4.What can we learn from the text?

A. There is a lack of rain in the city the author lives in．

B. The car owners felt grateful to the author and his friends．

C. Some of the author’s friends stopped cleaning the cars halfway．

D. The author and his friends clean the cars willingly day and night．

Considering that Sundarbans National Park is situated in the tropics，September to March is the ideal time to come here．April，May and June are too hot while July and August often bring heavy season winds that limit travel and don’t make for a very pleasant sightseeing experience．You can really enjoy doing lots of charming things in the Sundarbans during September to March．

Take a river tour

Most tourists who explore the Sundarbans arrive in Khulna City first．From there，you can join a boat tour that travels south along the Ganges River through miles of preserved forest all the way to Kotka，where there is a beautiful beach along the Bay of Bengal．

Visit a bird habitat

This bird habitat is a nesting place for dozens of tropical birds found in the Sundarbans．The best way to observe these birds is climbing up the Sajnekhali Watchtower．If you’re lucky，you’11 also catch the famed Bengal Tiger making its rounds through the swampy jungle．

Visit the Mangrove(红树林)Interpretation Centre

If you wish to spend some time indoors out of the sweaty heat，go to the Mangrove Interpretation Centre．This place is very educational with many posters，maps and exhibits showing the wildlife and varieties of mangrove plants found within the park．You’ll also get to see crocodiles in a small pool．

Take a tour of local villages

Experience village life that has largely remained unchanged for centuries．In this vast tropical region，there are villages made up of various ethnic groups who rely on fishing，farming and working in the local through growing tourist industry for their livelihoods．The Sundarbans is a UNESCO world heritage site where you can visit villages and talk to locals，who will gladly share their culture with you．

1.Which month is suitable for a visit to Sundarbans National Park?

A. December．    B. August．

C. June．    D. May．

2.What can visitors do in the Mangrove Interpretation Centre?

A. See some plants and animals．

B. Put up posters about wildlife．

C. Feed crocodiles in a small river．

D. Observe birds by climbing up the trees．

3.What is the author’s main purpose in writing the text?

A. To advertise some natural animal habitats．

B. To advocate the protection of forests in Khulna City．

C. To introduce several charming villages in the vast tropical region．

D. To show visitors something attractive to do in the Sundarbans．

假设你叫汤姆，是一家英文杂志社的心理咨询师。某中学生小王给你写信，提到自己偏胖，想节食减肥， 征求你的意见。请你给她回一封信，谈谈你对该问题的见解。内容要点如下：

1.健康比漂亮重要

2.学生以学习为主，不要过于注重外貌和别人的看法

3.可以通过多锻炼身体来保持健康，要改变不良的饮食习惯

4.健康的心态也很重要

注意：1.短文必须包括所有内容要点，可适当发挥

2.词数：100 词左右

3.参考词汇：心态state of mind    外貌 appearance

Dear Xiao Wang,

I have received and read your letter, in which you mentioned that you wanted to lose weight by dieting.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Tom

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（）划掉。

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。

Our school photography club is going to held an International High School Student Photography Show.

As far as I know, the theme of the show is environmental protection. Actually, I know you are gifted in take good pictures and had always wanted to do something for environmental protection. I clearly remember you showed me some photo on that theme the last time when you visited our school. Beside, it will start on June 15th and last three weeks. What makes me exciting is that any student whom is interested can participate in it. In word, I firmly believe this is surely a good chance for more people to see them. If you want to join, send my photos to photoshow@126.com.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

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。

One morning, I was waiting at the bus stop, worried about 1.  (be) late for school. There were many people waiting at the bus stop, 2. some of them looked very anxious and 3. (disappoint).When the bus finally came, we all hurried on board. I got a place next 4.  the window, so I had a good view of the sidewalk. A boy on a bike  5. (catch ) my attention. He was riding beside the bus and waving his arms. I heard a passenger behind me shouting to the driver, but he refused 6. (stop) until we reached the next stop. Still, the boy kept7. (ride). He was carrying something over his shoulder and shouting. Finally, when we came to the next stop, the boy ran up to the door of the bus. I heard an excited conversation. Then the driver stood up and asked, “Did anyone lose a suitcase at the last stop?” A woman on the bus shouted, “Oh, dear! It’s8. (I).”She pushed her way to the driver and took the suitcase thankfully, Everyone on the bus began talking about9. the boy had done, and the crowd of strangers10. (sudden) became friendly to one another.

    My husband, Tom, has always been good with animals, but I was still amazed when he befriended a female grouse (松鸡). It’s ______for a grouse to have any contact (接触)with people. In fact, they’re hard to spot, ______they usually fly off when they hear humans approaching

This grouse came into our lives in _______Tom was working out in the field when he ______her walking around at the edge of the field. She was ______unafraid and seemed to be ______about what he was doing,

Tom saw the ______bird several times, and site got more comfortable around him. We quickly grew ______of the bird and decided to call her Mildred.

One day, as Tom was working, Mildred came within a few feet of him to watch. Tom ______he didn’t see her and kept working to see what she would do next.

Apparently, she didn’t like to be ______. She’d run up and peck (啄) at Tom’s hands, then ______ off to see what he would do. This went on for about 20 minutes, until Mildred became tired of the ______and left.

As spring went and summer came, Mildred started to ______more and more often. ______Mildred felt comfortable enough to jump up on Tom’s leg and stay long enough for me to get a ______of the two of them together. This friendly grouse soon felt ______no just with our family, but with anybody who walked or drove by.

When hunting season opened, we put a ______at the end of our driveway asking ______not to shoot our pet grouse. My father, who lived down the road, ______warned people not to shoot her. ______, hunters would stop and take pictures, because they had never seen anything like her.

1.A. interesting B. reasonable C. impossible D. unusual

2.A. though B. because C. unless D. until

3.A. spring B. summer C. autumn D. winter

4.A. got B. kept C. noticed D. imagined

5.A. naturally B. certainly C. normally D. surprisingly

6.A. crazy B. curious C. concerned D. cautious

7.A. shy B. awkward C. friendly D. elegant

8.A. careful B. tired C. fond D. sick

9.A. supposed B. realized C. hoped D. pretended

10.A. ignored B. observed C. amazed D. disturbed

11.A. put B. back C. set D. take

12.A. game B. work C. place D. man

13.A. give up B. come out C. turn over D. fly by

14.A. Eventually B. Suddenly C. Constantly D. Presently

15.A. chance B. dream C. picture D. sense

16.A. comfortable B. guilty C. anxious D. familiar

17.A. lantern B. sign C. gun D. loudspeaker

18.A. drivers B. farmers C. hunters D. tourists

19.A. just B. yet C. thus D. also

20.A. In fact B. For long C. On the contrary D. By the way

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ---Lao Tzu

If you are in a city where everyone rushes, realize that you don’t have to be like everyone else. You can be different. You can walk instead of driving in rush hour traffic. You can be on your iPhone or Blackberry less, and disconnected sometimes. Your environment doesn’t control your life    you do. I’m not going to tell you how to give you a step-by-step guide to moving slower. 1.

Do less.

Cut back on your projects, on your task list, on how much you try to do each day. Focus not on quantity but on quality.2. Save smaller, routine tasks for later in the day, but give yourself time to focus.

Have fewer meetings.

3.And they eat into your day, forcing you to squeeze the things you really need to do into small windows, and making you rush.

4.

When you do the important things with focus, without rush, there will be things that get pushed back, and that don’t get done. And you need to ask yourself: how necessary are these things? What would happen if I stopped doing them?

Practice mindfulness.

Simply learn to live in the present, rather than things so much about future or the past. When you eat, fully appreciate your food. When you are with someone, be with them fully. When you are walking, appreciate your surroundings, no matter where you are.

Try these things out. Life is better when unrushed. 5.

A.Start to put off or cancel the unnecessary.

B.Meetings are usually a “big waste of time”.

C.The world likely won’t end if you don’t pass one of the examinations.

D.But here are some things to consider and perhaps adopt, if they work for your life.

E.Remember the quote: if nature can get everything done without rushing, so can you.

F.Pick 2-3 important things---or even just one important thing---and work on those first.

G.Give yourself more time to get ready and get there.

I began to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunt’s house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then. I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning.

I do not remember myself crying for this reason again. In fact, I think I cried very little when I was saying goodbye to my friends and relatives. When we were leaving I thought about all the places I was going to see—the strange and magical places I had known only from books and pictures. The country I was leaving and never to come back was hardly in my head then.

The four years that followed taught me the importance of optimism（乐观）, but the idea did not come to me at once. For the first two years in New York I was really lost—having to study in three schools as a result of family moves. I did not quite know what I was or what I should be. Mother remarried, and things became even more complex for me. Some time passed before my stepfather and I got used to each other. I was often sad, and saw no end to “the hard times.”

My responsibilities in the family increased a lot since I knew English better than everyone else at home. I wrote letters, filled out forms, translated at interviews with Immigration officers（移民局官员）, took my grandparents to the doctor and translated there, and even discussed telephone bills with company representatives.

From my experiences I have learned one important rule: Almost all common troubles go away at last! Something good is certain to happen in the end when you do not give up, and just wait a little! I believe that my life will turn out all right, even though it will not be that easy.

1.How did the author get to know America?

A. From radio programs    B. From books and pictures

C. From her mother    D. From her relatives

2.Upon leaving for America the author felt __________.

A. excited    B. confused

C. worried    D. amazed

3.For the first two years in New York, the author __________.

A. often lost her way

B. did not think about her future

C. studied in three different schools

D. got on well with her stepfather

4.What can we learn about the author from Paragraph 4?

A. She worked as a translator.

B. She attended a lot of job interviews.

C. She paid telephone bills for her family.

D. She helped her family with her English.

I love charity(慈善) shops and so do lots of other people in Britain because you find quite a few of them on every high street. The charity shop is a British institution, selling everything from clothes to electric goods, all at very good prices. You can get things you won’t find in the shops anymore. The thing I like best about them is that your money is going to a good cause and not into the pockets of profit-driven companies, and you are not damaging the planet, but finding a new home for unwanted goods.

The first charity shop was opened in 1947 by Oxfam. The famous charity’s appeal to aid postwar Greece had been so successful it had been flooded with donations(捐赠物). They decided to set up a shop to sell some of these donations to raise money for that appeal. Now there are over 7,000 charity shops in the UK. My favourite charity shop in my hometown is the Red Cross shop, where I always find children’s books, all 10 or 20 pence each.

Most of the people working in the charity shops are volunteers, although there is often a manager who gets paid. Over 90% of the goods in the charity shops are donated by the public. Every morning you see bags of unwanted items outside the front of shops, although they don’t encourage this, rather ask people to bring things in when the shop is open.

The shops have very low running costs: all profits go to charity work. Charity shops raise more than ￡110 million a year, funding(资助) medical research, overseas aid, supporting sick and poor children, homeless and disabled people, and much more. What better place to spend your money? You get something special for a very good price and a good moral sense. You provide funds to a good cause and tread lightly on the environment.

1.The author loves the charity shop mainly because of       .

A. its convenient location    B. its great variety of goods

C. its spirit of goodwill    D. its nice shopping environment

2.The first charity shop in the UK was set up to       .

A. sell cheap products    B. deal with unwanted things

C. raise money for patients    D. help a foreign country

3.Which of the following is TRUE about charity shops?

A. The operating costs are very low.    B. The staff are usually well paid.

C. 90% of the donations are second-hand.    D. They are open twenty-four hours a day.

4.Which of the following may be the best title for the passage?

A. What to Buy at Charity Shops.

B. Charity Shop: Its Origin & Development.

C. Charity Shop: Where You Buy to Donate.

D. The Public’s Concern about Charity Shops.

Are people less happy or more happy the older they get ? A study found that people generally become happier and experience less worry after age 50. In fact, it found that by the age of 85, people are happier with their life than they were at 18.

The finding came from a Gallup survey of more than 340,000 adults between the age of 18 and 85 in the United States.

Arthur Stone in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University in New York led the study. His team found that levels of stress were highest among adults between the ages of 22 and 25. Stress levels dropped sharply after people reached their fifties.

Happiness was highest among the youngest adults and those in their early seventies. But the people least likely to report feeling negative emotions were those in their seventies and eighties. The survey also found that men and women had similar emotional patternsas they grow older. However, women at all ages reported more sadness, stress and worry than men did.

The researchers also considered possible influences like having young children, being unemployed or being single. But they found that influences like these did not affect the levels of happiness and well-being related to age.

So why would happiness increase with age ? One theory is that, as people get older, they become more thankful for what they have and have better control of their emotions. They also spend less time thinking about bad experiences.

The original goal of the study was to confirm the popular belief that aging is connected with increased sleep problems. The survey did find an increase during middle age, especially in women. But except for that , people reported that they felt their sleep quality improved as they got older.

1.Old people may be happier probably because _________

A. their children have grown up.    B. they don’t have to work every day.

C. they can do whatever they like best.    D. they are most likely satisfied with life.

2.According to the survey, when will adults feel most stressful?

A. In their twenties.    B. In their fifties.

C. In their seventies.    D. In their eighties.

3.What may make Arthur Stone a bit surprised?

A. Women usually live longer than men.    B. Middle-age men mostly are very rich.

C. Old people usually have a better sleep.    D. Most of old people can’t sleep well at night.

4.Which of the following may be the topic of this passage ?

A. The difference between men and women.    B. Old people’s feeling of happiness.

C. The young people and the old people.    D. The connection of sleep and happiness.

Monthly Talks at London Canal Museum

Our monthly talks start at 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month except August.

Admission is at normal charges and you don’t need to book. They end around 21:00.

November 7th

The Canal Pioneers, by Chris Lewis. James Brindley is recognized as one of the leading early canal engineers. He was also a major player in training others in the art of canal planning and building. Chris Lewis will explain how Brindley made a positive contribution to the education of that group of early “civil engineers”.

December 5th

Ice for the Metropolis, by Malcolm Tucker. Well before the arrival of freezers, there was a demand for ice for food preservation and catering, Malcolm will explain the history of importing natural ice and the technology of building ice wells, and how London’s ice trade grew.

February 6th

An Update on the Cotsword Canals, by Liz Payne. The Stroudwater Canal is moving towards reopening. The Thames and Severn Canal will take a little longer. We will have a report on the present state of play.

March 6th

Eyots and Aits—Thames Islands, by Miranda Vickers. The Thames had many islands. Miranda has undertaken a review of all of them. She will tell us about those of greatest interest.

Online bookings:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/book

More infor:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson

London Cannal Museum

12-13 New Wharf Road, London NI 9RT

www.canalmuseum.org.uk    www.canalmuseum.mobi

Tel:02077130836

1.When is the talk on James Brindley?

A. February 6th.    B. March 6th.

C. November 7th.    D. December 5th.

2.What is the topic of the talk in February?

A. The Canal Pioneers.    B. Ice for the Metropolis

C. Eyots and Aits—Thames Islands    D. An Update on the Cotsword Canals

3.Who will give the talk on the islands in the Thames?

A. Miranda Vickers.    B. Malcolm Tucker.

C. Chris Lewis.    D. Liz Payne.

假定你是李华，正在你班学习汉语的英国留学生Bill对中国的建筑很感兴趣，周末你想带他到苏州园林游玩。请你给Bill写一封电子邮件，邀请他一同前往。

注意:

1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

3.开头语已写好，不计入总词数。

Dear Bill,

How are you doing?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

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(\)划掉。

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。

There is an old man live next to my door. He lives alone. Occasional his children will come to visit to him. When we asked him the reason for which he didn’t move to live with his children, he said he didn’t want to trouble them because their different lifestyles. The man likes to sit in front of the shop, that people chat excitedly every day. Once he helped the woman carry heavy food home. Besides, whenever someone ask for informations, he knows everything. He is surely a good person. And we were willing to look on her as our friend.

阅读下面的短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

National Love Our Children Day began in America in 2004. It 1. (fall) on the first Saturday in April. 2. (it) aim is to honor and celebrate America’s children and stress the 3. (important) of love as they grow up. It is also intended to promote the relationship of family members and raise awareness of the need to protect children 4. the harmful side of society. Some people may argue that every day should be Love Our Children Day. However, there are millions of other children 5. are less fortunate and grow up without a loving childhood. Healthy and happy children provide the basis for a safe society for future generations when they become 6. (parent).

National Love Our Children Day 7. (start) by the organization Love Our Children USA nearly 15 years ago. It helps to organize events across America to make children feel 8.(delight). Their website advises us 9. (spend) the day with the children and do something special together or buy them something they’ve been dreaming for 10. long time. Former mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, also said, “All of our children deserve the love, encouragement and respect which they need to reach their full potential today and every day of the year.”

    Years ago, we celebrated our oldest son’s first birthday by holding a super party. I spent months ______, cutting out handmade banners（横幅）and making all kinds of decorations. I kept

____ my husband’s work as he built a cardboard city background. And I would lose ______ of my emotions when it didn’t progress exactly as I _____.

I didn’t know exactly why I stuck to ______ a party like that, but I felt this unspoken ______. It was a feeling that my ______ as a mom and my love for my son were tied to how ______ this party was. Actually my son was turning one year old, and he had no idea what was going on. ______, this clearly meant nothing to him.

I tried to ______ other people and maybe even prove something to myself, only to find it made me ______. On his birthday, I put on a ton of makeup（化妆品） to _____ my stress and smiled to our ______ even though I nearly broke down. It was the ______ party because of the memories attached to it! I ruined a ______ memory for me as a mother and decided to make a ____.

Last weekend, we celebrated my other son Hudson’s sixth birthday. He asked a Ninjago theme, so a week before the party, I searched Amazon (a shopping website) and ______ a banner and some basic party materials as he ______. On that day, we ordered a big meal and used disposable（一次性的）plates to avoid hours of cleaning up. The party was ______ but perfect. As Hudson went to bed that night, he told me it was his best birthday ever.

Parents’______ for kids does not lie in the complexity of celebrating kids’ birthday.

1.A. researching B. preparing C. thinking D. studying

2.A. ignoring B. doubting C. finding D. checking

3.A. control B. count C. sight D. track

4.A. learned B. explained C. expected D. promised

5.A. damaging B. arranging C. attending D. leaving

6.A. fears B. concern C. questions D. pressure

7.A. dream B. job C. identity D. post

8.A. personal B. difficult C. familiar D. brilliant

9.A. However B. Therefore C. Anyhow D. Besides

10.A. persuade B. remind C. inspire D. impress

11.A. delighted B. annoyed C. tired D. astonished

12.A. create B. cover C. express D. experience

13.A. neighbors B. relatives C. colleagues D. guests

14.A. worst B. newest C. best D. biggest

15.A. clear B. bitter C. precious D. accurate

16.A. mess B. deal C. joke D. change

17.A. designed B. purchased C. made D. wanted

18.A. taught B. did C. demanded D. commanded

19.A. splendid B. complicated C. plain D. boring

20.A. affection B. praise C. sympathy D. advice

By making positive changes in your life you can become better. 1.Here are some quick and easy ways to help you become a better person.

2.

Recognize what areas you are lacking. For this you can ask a trusted friend or family member for help. Being unaware of your weaknesses makes it hard for you to improve. The successful people know where they aren’t strong and they use their strengths to make up for it.

Quit a bad habit.

Quitting a bad habit is good for you. 3.If you aren’t ready to quit your bad habits right away, start out with small steps. Find a trusted friend that can give you encouragement if you’re struggling.

Break up with negative thinking.

4.This can have a bad influence on your life. Negative thinking really makes you down mentally and physically. Trying to think more positively helps you reduce stress and requires you to stop making excuses.

Treat others with kindness.

Showing other people that you care for them is a great way to be a better person. 5.Something just like buying a coffee for your classmates can make a huge positive impact on their and your day.

A. Know your weaknesses.

B. Take better care of yourself.

C. Negative friends often complain about things.

D. Do you always see the negative side of things?

E. It not only makes you a better person, but it makes you more confident.

F. However, it may be tough sometimes to figure out how to do it.

G. Small acts of kindness will make other people feel better and lift your spirits as well.

I read a newspaper article about a new concept. The idea is simple, but revolutionary(革命性的): combining a residential home for the elderly with a nursery school in the same building. The children and the residents(住户)eat lunch together and share activities such as music, painting and gardening. In the afternoons, the residents enjoy reading stories to the children and, if a child is feeling sad or tired, there is always a kind lap to sit on and a hug.

Nowadays there is less and less contact between the old and the young. There are many reasons for this, including the breakdown of the extended family, working parents with no time to care for ageing relations, and smaller flats with no room for grandparents. But the result is the same: increasing numbers of children without grandparents and old people who have no contact with children. It’s a major problem in many societies.

That’s why inter-generational(代际的) programs are growing in popularity all over the world. There are examples of successful actions all over the world. Using young people to teach IT skills to older people is one obvious example. Using old people as volunteer assistants in schools is another. One successful scheme in London pairs young volunteers with old people who are losing their sight. The young people help with practical things such as writing letters, reading bank statements and helping with shopping, and the older people can pass on their knowledge and experience to their young visitors. For example, a retired judge may be paired with a teenager who wants to study law.

But it isn’t only the individuals concerned who gain from inter-generational activities. The advantages to society are huge too. If older people can understand and accept the youth of today, there will be less conflict in a community. And we can use the strengths of one generation to help another. Then perhaps getting old won’t be so sad after all.

1.Why does the author mention the newspaper article he read?

A. To argue for a new concept.    B. To show his interest in the topic.

C. To introduce the topic of the text.    D. To draw our attention to a social problem.

2.What is the purpose of the inter-generational programs?

A. To provide a good job opportunity for the young.

B. To bring the old and the young together.

C. To teach the young to respect the old.

D. To ask the old to care for the young.

3.What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A. The reasons why inter-generational programs enjoy popularity in the world.

B. The inter-generational programs’ benefits to individuals.

C. The inter-generational programs all over the world.

D. The examples of inter-generational activities.

4.What may be the best title for the text?

A. Building bridges for the old and the young.

B. A new concept in caring for the old is born.

C. Offering a warm home for the young.

D. Being old is no more sad.

The American dream is the faith held by many people in the United States of America that through hard work, courage, creativity and determination, they can achieve a better life for themselves. More specifically, they agree on how to get ahead in America: get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy their own house. But do Americans still believe in that path, and if they do, is it attainable?

The most recent National Journal poll asked participants about the American dream, what it takes to achieve their goal, and whether or not they felt the control over their ability to be successful. Obviously, the results show that today, the idea of the American dream and what it takes to achieve it looks quite different from it did in the late 20th century. Generally speaking, people felt that their actions and hard work not outside force deciding their lives. But the participants had definitely mixed feelings about what actions make for a better life in the current economy.

In the last seven years, Americans have grown more pessimistic(悲观的) about the power of education to lead to success. Even though they see going to college as a fairly achievable goal, a majority 52 percent think that young people do not need a 4-year college education in order to be successful.

Miguel Maeda, 42, who has a master’s degree and works in public health, was the first in his family to go to college, which has allowed him to achieve a sense of financial stability(稳定) his parents and grandparents never did. While some, like Maeda, emphasized the value of degree rather than the education itself, others still see college as a way to gain new viewpoints and life experiences. To Fendley, a sense of drive and purpose, as well as an effective high-school education, and basic life skills, like balancing a checkbook(支票簿), are the necessary elements for a successful life in America.

1.It used to be commonly acknowledged that to succeed in America, one had to have ____.

A. a sense of drive and purpose    B. an advanced academic degree

C. a firm belief in their dream    D. an ambition to get ahead

2.What is the finding of the latest National Journal poll concerning the American dream?

A. More and more Americans are finding it hard to realize.

B. It remains alive among the majority of American people.

C. An increasing number of young Americans are abandoning it.

D. Americans’ idea of it has changed over the past few decades.

3.What do Americans now think of the role of college education in achieving success?

A. It still remains open to debate.

B. It has proved to be beyond doubt.

C. It is much better understood now than ever.

D. It is no longer as important as it used to be.

4.How do some people view college education these days?

A. It helps broaden their minds.    B. It needs to be strengthened.

C. It widens cultural diversity.    D. It promotes gender equality.

    I can proudly say that last year I broke the record for the oldest person in the world to ride a roller-coaster. I’m 105, but I feel younger. Even the doctor agrees I’m in good condition. I’m a bit deaf and my legs feel weak, but they are the only issue.

I rode the Twistosaurus at Flamingo Land, which spins you round quite fast. I didn’t choose to go on that. I’d have preferred a really fast one that went upside down. But I was told I couldn’t ride something like that, because my blood pressure could drop and I might have some danger.

I wasn’t nervous — I don’t get frightened of anything. I was securely fastened, so I knew I wouldn’t fall out. The roller-coaster ride went on for three or four minutes, and it couldn’t be a better experience. And I raised a lot of money for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance fund, which was fantastic.

People were saying I’d got a place in the Guinness World Records. Later, someone came to present me with the certificate. I had it on the wall in my living room, with another one that got a year earlier.

My record-breaking ways really began a couple of years ago, with the ice-bucket challenge. It turned out that I was probably the oldest person in the world to do it, and the video was very popular. After that, I stared to think about what else I could do to raise money for different charities.

I’m not sure if anyone admires all the fun I’m having. They just say I’m daft and that’s about it. But I’ve had many good days and many exciting times. I’ve had a really good life. I don’t think I’ve wasted any of it.

1.Why didn’t the author choose to go on riding the Twistosaurus?

A. Because he was in a bad physical condition.

B. Because he was told not to do so.

C. Because he considered it too gentle.

D. Because he thought it spun too fast.

2.How did the author most probably react while riding the roller-coaster?

A. He really enjoyed himself.

B. He was very worried at first.

C. He couldn’t think much about it.

D. He got frightened as it started moving.

3.What do you know about the author from Paragraph 4?

A. He was the oldest person in the world.

B. He set a record the year before last year.

C. He disliked showing off his success.

D. He was eager to get certificates.

4.What does the underlined word “daft” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A. healthy. B. strong.

C. crazy. D. funny.

Lovell Camps Kids’ Club in Switzerland

Lovell Camps Kids’ Club is an English language Montessori（蒙台梭利）style club. Children will enjoy a wonderful and safe learning experience which includes language activities, cooking, arts and crafts, singing, dancing, etc.

Learning outside the classroom plays a necessary role at Lovell Camps, making children experience the outdoors. During the summer months this can include visits to local playgrounds, farms and indoor or outdoor swimming pools. Winter time gives children the chance to go skiing and play outside in the snow.

Admission:

The Lovell Camps Kids’ Club is for pre-school children aged between 2 and 5.

What’s included:

Fees include: Healthy snacks and school equipment. If you choose the skiing activity, fees include transportation to and from the ski hill and professional ski instructions.

Fees do not include: Ski rentals, round-trip transportation from Kids’ Club to home and medical insurance.

Time:

Kids’ Club is open from December to March and in July and August. It is closed on Mondays during the year.

1.What is the special activity in summer?

A. Getting close to animals. B. Swimming in the pool.

C. Singing and dancing. D. Visiting farms.

2.Lovell Camps Kids’ Club is designed for 2- to 5-year-olds ____.

A. who are good at swimming B. who enjoy outdoor activities

C. who want to learn skiing D. who are interested in playing sports

3.For which of the following should kids pay extra?

A. Medical insurance. B. Healthy snacks.

C. School equipment. D. Transportation to the ski hill.

听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1.Where is the woman most probably?

A. In a classroom.    B. At home.    C. In a studio.

2.What does the woman most probably think of the Grand Canyon?

A. Quiet.    B. Dangerous.    C. Amazing.

3.What is Maui?

A. An island.    B. A town.    C. A large city.

4.What is the main attraction in San Diego?

A. The San Diego Zoo.    B. The city.    C. The beach.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.When will the performance end this Friday night?

A. At 8:00 pm.    B. At 8:30 pm.    C. At 9:00 pm.

2.Why does the man want to leave the band?

A. To focus on his study.    B. To work part-time.    C. To join a new band.

3.What does the man do in the band?

A. He sings.    B. He plays the guitar.    C. He plays the piano.

4.What does the woman mean in the end?

A. The man is good at his study.

B. The man should study harder.

C. The man shouldn’t leave the band.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.What is the man’s present job?

A. A computer operator.    B. A typist.    C. A salesman.

2.What is the woman’s attitude to the man’s changing his job?

A. She approves of it.

B. She disagrees with it.

C. She thinks it makes no difference.

3.When does the conversation take place?

A. In the morning.    B. At noon.    C. In the afternoon.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.When will the man leave?

A. Half an hour later.    B. One hour later.    C. Two hours later.

2.Why does the man say it’s a pity?

A. The woman throws away the sports section without reading it.

B. The woman knows little about sport games.

C. The woman seldom watches news on TV.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.How many people will go on a picnic?

A. Two.    B. Three.    C. Four.

2.How will the man go to the picnic place tomorrow?

A. By bus.    B. The woman will drive him.    C. On foot.

What are the two speakers mainly talking about?

A. A new movie.    B. An old movie.    C. A fun experience.

What will the weather be like this evening?

A. Rainy.    B. Cloudy.    C. Fine.

Who is the woman most probably?

A. The man’s mother.    B. The man’s boss.    C. The man’s colleague.

What does the man mean?

A. The problems are hard for him too.

B. He has dealt with all the problems.

C. The woman should make a good plan.