For centuries, people wondered how big the Earth was. Unfortunately, although the Earth was flat, no one was able to figure out its size. Gradually, however, people began to realize that the Earth was really round.

Then, in the third century BC(2,300 years ago), a Greek man named Eratosthenes had an idea. Eratosthenes was sure that the Earth was a sphere. He used the sun and geometry(几何学) to figure out the size of the Earth. He calculated that the circumference(圆周) of the Earth was 28,600 miles(46,000 kilometers). The true size of the Earth is 25,000 miles(40,000 kilometers).

Eratosthenes’ measurement was wrong, but it was very close to the truth.

For many centuries after Eratoshenes lived, people made maps of the Earth. However, they did not know very much about the world outside of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Mapmakers could not draw accurate maps of the Earth until people began traveling around the world in the fifteenth century, mapping small areas each time. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, people began making correct maps of countries, but the first accurate maps of the world were not made until the 1890s.

Maps today are reliable(可依靠的), inexpensive, and easy to understand. People depend on maps every day. What would our lives be like without them?

1.A sphere is a ______.

A. large shape    B. planet

C. ball shape    D. member of the sun family

2.What’s a synonym(同义词) for “figure out”?

A. geometry    B. calculate

C. make out    D. understand

3.The first correct maps of the world were made_____________.

A. in the 15gth century    B. in the 18th century

C. in the 19th century    D. in the 20th century

4.When did map makers begin to draw correct maps of the Earth?

A. When people began to travel around the world

B. When people knew the size of the Earth

C. When people knew the shape of the Earth

D. Before people traveled around the world

A strange object was found in a small city called Carlos Spegazzini, just a short drive from the capital city of Buenos Aires.

When farmer Jose first found an odd scene in his farmland, he began to dig at the object. However, he quickly found himself running to tell his wife. Jose needed more support if he was going to investigate this strange thing.

Even the dog was hesitant to investigate. Unfamiliar with the object, man’s best friend was not about to jump at it with little concern. Therefore, they chose to call in somebody who has a better idea of what to do.

When the police first showed up, they were just as stumped as Jose. They knew this object was something out of the ordinary. It might even be something extraordinary, so more questions appeared.

It quickly became apparent, it was time to call in the big guys. That’s right; when you find something that appears to be out-of-this-world, it’s time to call in those who study the mysteries of the old world.

Authorities called in archaeologists who jumped at the chance to study the object. They quickly determined one thing was for certain: the ancient big one that left this behind was absolutely massive! The group was unable to move the shell, as it weighed nearly two tons!

Clearly, this massive beast was not the only of its kind existing in the modem-day world. Similar fossils had been found in the surrounding areas and had even made their way to museums. But what was the ancient beast?

1.What is the right order of the events?

a. Jose found a strange object and began to dig

b. Jose and his wife called the police

c. Jose ran to tell his wife

d. Archaeologists came to study the object and found similar fossils.

e. They called in some experts.

A. abode    B. acbed

C. acbde    D. abced

2.What does the underlined word “stumped” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A. Both the police and Jose were unfamiliar with the object and did not know what to do.

B. The police knew this object was something out-of-this-world as Jose did.

C. The police and Jose all liked to collect stamps.

D. The police were just as stupid as Jose.

3.According to the passage, when we find something that appears to be out-of-this-world, we should ________.

A. run to our family and friends.

B. call the police

C. call in those who study the mysteries of the world.

D. ignore and leave it behind.

4.What do you think the ancient beast is mostly likely to be?

A. A dinosaur.    B. An insect

C. A tree.    D. A dog.

Netgear Wi-Fi Range Extender

Est. Price: $30 | Buy it on Amazon

Why We Love It: This is a great device to increase your wi-fi signal and get the fastest streaming power. It’s also useful to set up separate wi-fi networks for guests.

External Phone Charger

Est. Price: $30 | Buy it on B&H Photo

Why We Love It: Charge your phone anywhere while also extending its battery life. This particular model can also be used with the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and iPad. It has a standard USB drive so users can charge e-readers as well.

Pop Sockets Smartphone Stand

Est. Price: $10 | Buy it on Amazon

Why We Love It: It may look silly, but this gripper is actually really useful for taking pictures or watching videos. It also folds down flat when not in use for a more separate look.

Fitbit

Est. Price: $401 Buy it on Bed Bath & Beyond

Why We Love It: Track steps and monitor sleep cycles to improve your health. It also records workouts, and receives call, text, or calendar notifications.

1.Which one can be used to connect your smartphone with the network?

A. Pop Sockets Smartphone Stand    B. External Phone Charger

C. Netgear Wi-Fi Range Extender    D. Fitbit

2.According to the passage, which statement is NOT true?

A. Netgear Wi-Fi Range Extender can build different wi-fi networks for each person-

B. External Phone Charger can be used anywhere in iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, iPad.

C. Pop Sockets Smartphone Stand is beautiful and useful for photography.

D. Fitbit can keep company with us when doing exercise.

3.What do they have in common with each other?

A. Their prices are all under $40.

B. They all can be bought online.

C. They all help to make smartphones more available.

D. They are not loved by people because of their usage.

2018年10月28日，重庆万州一辆公交车因车上乘客和司机发生肢体冲突，造成公交车失控与一辆小轿车相撞后坠入江中，造成重大人员伤亡。该事件很快成为全社会关注的焦点。Youth 杂志Safety专栏正在开展征文活动:希望青少年学生不仅要遵纪守法，维护公共安全，也要特别注意自身安全(生命安全，财产安全，网络信息安全等)，假设你叫李华，对此话题很感兴趣，你将以信件的方式从某个方面或者多个方面谈谈安全问题，以提醒更多年轻人重视。

注意:1.词数100左右， 开头与结尾已经给出，不计入总词数；

2.可适当增加细节， 以使行文连贯；

3.可能用到的词汇:网络network/cyber， 账户account，财产property，密码password

Dear Editor,

As teenagers, we all should obey laws and care about public safety and I also hope that

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Best wishes.

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。

It is true that men are increasing likely to take on the role of househusband, while more women than ever is the breadwinners in their families. There could have several reasons for this. In recent years, parents have had various changes in our society. Equal rights movements have made a great progress. It has become socially acceptable for men stay at home and look after his children. At the same time, the rising cost of living has meant that both marriage partner usually need to work or save money before starting a family. Therefore, when couples have children, they may decide who works and who stays at home, depend on the personal preference of each partner, or based on what partner earns more money.

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。

As we all know, Columbus was a great explorer. He left Spain in September 1492,1. (look) for gold. Native Americans greeted him, offering gifts of corn. Columbus found little gold on that trip, but he collected many 2. (plant), including corn, to bring back to Spain.

Columbus didn’t know it, but the corn was much 3. (valuable) than gold. Farmers from Europe to Asia accepted it 4. (immediate). They grew it on cold mountainsides and in rainforests. So it 5. (feed) millions of people all over the world today.

On his second trip, Columbus brought back a few chocolate beans to make chocolate. Europeans and Asians loved this new drink, and soon they were paying a great deal of money for the beans. Chocolate beans became so valuable in Central America 6. they 7. (use)as cash for 200 years.

Tomatoes and potatoes took some time to become popular. Eventually, 8., they became the basis of a lot of popular foods. 9. is hard to imagine life without fried potatoes or chocolate. Thanks10. native American culture, many people are able to enjoy lots of tasty food.

It was a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon some fifteen or sixteen years ago. I took my two kids to the local playground. As soon as we got there my daughter headed for the swings(秋千)and asked for a ____. I noticed another little girl ____ to get her own swing going high as I was ____ my daughter to go higher and higher.

I walked over to the little girl and asked ____ she needed help. She smiled and said YES and I soon had her feet flying towards the ____ while she laughed happily. For the next two hours I found myself pushing swings and playing games with my daughter and the little girl. By the time we headed home, I was ____ tired, but my spirits were flying ____ than those swings.

Three years later I was ____ again after a day’s work. Still, I needed to ____ my kids from their school before heading home. I stood in the ____ waiting area waiting for my children. Suddenly, I felt two ____ arms wrapped around my legs. I looked down and there was the little girl I met 3 years before on the ____ smiling up at me. She gave me a big hug before running away to ____ the school bus. As I watched her ____, I didn’t feel tired any more and my spirits were once again ____ with that swing.

The love we ____ with others will find its way back to us. It will travel from heart to heart. It may take seconds or it may take ____. The law of love, ____ is never broken. We will get back what we give. We will harvest what we ____ . The kindness we give and the joy we create will always come back to ____ us.

1.A. jump    B. pull    C. push    D. climb

2.A. failed    B. decided    C. stopped    D. managed

3.A. encouraging    B. helping    C. refusing    D. advising

4.A. why    B. how    C. when    D. whether

5.A. clouds    B. ground    C. swing    D. trees

6.A. finally    B. suddenly    C. physically    D. mentally

7.A. faster    B. higher    C. more quickly    D. more slowly

8.A. amazed    B. upset    C. concerned    D. tired

9.A. look after    B. pick up    C. take away    D. bring up

10.A. parents’    B. teachers’    C. patients’    D. passengers’

11.A. strong    B. long    C. tiny    D. weak

12.A. classroom    B. school    C. kindergarten    D. playground

13.A. drive    B. catch    C. reach    D. repair

14.A. hands    B. head    C. face    D. back

15.A. flying    B. crying    C. running    D. falling

16.A. own    B. care    C. share    D. find

17.A. hours    B. days    C. months    D. years

18.A. though    B. therefore    C. still    D. besides

19.A. save    B. plant    C. design    D. offer

20.A. scare    B. interest    C. excite    D. shock

Everyone wants to perform well at school. Add these tips to your life and you should be on your way to being a top student!

1..I cannot stress how important it is to pay attention to what your teacher is teaching you. Take part in class discussions if you have something worth adding. Pay attention during class, especially during lectures.

Taking notes is important. You don’t need to write down every single word your teacher says but write down what he or she writes on the board or any special fact you think you might need for a test. 2.. In this way it will help you learn more effectively (有效地) by actually thinking about what you are writing.

Don’t skip school. You will be missing out on stuff. 3.. However, you will have more work and you have missed lectures. Also, try not to be late for class. It’s most likely that your teacher won’t appreciate it and you will get yourself behind.

4.. If you have an “I don’t care about school or this class” attitude, then teachers will be less willing to help you with problems. The same goes for lazy attitude. Have a respectful attitude to the teacher and other students. Try not to laugh when other students make mistakes.

Always ask questions. 5.. If you don’t understand, ask someone. Read your textbook and notes，and then if that fails, seek help. Ask a teacher, friend, classmate, parent, etc. Get a tutor if you need one.

A. It is true that you could make up the work.

B. Keep a good attitude towards things.

C. Pay attention to everything the teacher says.

D. There is no shame in needing some help.

E. Staying organized will be helpful.

F. Write in your own words.

G. Be prepared.

As Internet users become more dependent on the Internet to store information, are people remembering less? If you know your computer will save information, why store it in your own personal memory, your brain? Experts are wondering if the Internet is changing what we remember and how.

In a recent study, Professor Betsy Sparrow conducted some experiments. She and her research team wanted to know the Internet is changing memory. In the first experiment, they gave people 40 unimportant facts to type into a computer. The first group of people understood that the computer would save the information. The second group understood that the computer would not save it. Later, the second group remembered the information better. People in the first group knew they could find the information again, so they did not try to remember it.

In another experiment, the researchers gave people facts to remember, and told them where to find the information on the Internet. The information was in a specific computer folder(文件夹). Surprisingly, people later remember the folder location(位置)better than the facts. When people use the Internet, they do not remember the information. Rather, they remember how to find it. This is called “transactive memory”.

According to Sparrow, we are not becoming people with poor memories as a result of the Internet. Instead, computer users are developing stronger transactive memories; that is, people are learning how to organize large amounts of information so that they are able to find it at a later date. This doesn't mean we are becoming either more or less intelligent, but there is no doubt that the way we use memory is changing.

1.The passage begins with two questions to ___________________.

A. describe how to use the Internet.    B. introduce the main topic.

C. show the author’s attitude .    D. explain how to store information.

2.What can we learn about the first experiment?

A. Sparrow’s team typed the information into a computer.

B. The two groups remembered the information equally well.

C. The second group did not understand the information.

D. The first group did not try to remember the information.

3.In transactive memory, people ___________________.

A. remember how to find the information.

B. keep the information in mind.

C. change the quantity of information.

D. organize information like a computer.

4.What is the effect of the Internet according to Sparrow's research?

A. We are becoming more intelligent.    B. We have poorer memories than before.

C. We are using memory differently.    D. We need a better way to get information.

There are so many expressions in American English that sound pleasant but are not.

“Face the music” is a good example. When someone says they have to face the music, it does not mean they are going to a musical performance or concert. To face the music means to accept the unpleasant results of an action.

Imagine a friend asks you to take care of her beautiful red sports car. She gives you the keys and says, “Thanks so much for watching my car while I’m away. But please do not drive it. It is an extremely fast car.” But you do not listen. You want to show off and pretend the car is yours. So, you drive it around town. As bad luck would have it, you lose control of the car and drive it into a stop sign. The damage is serious. When your friend returns, you must tell her what you have done and “face the music”. That could mean losing her friendship or paying for repairs to her sports car or both. Whatever the music is, you must face it.

There are other American expressions that mean the same as “face the music”.

To “take your medicine” means to accept the results from something bad you have done. And if someone says, “You made your bed. Now lie in it.” He means you created a bad situation and now you will experience the results, or as we say in American spoken English, you must deal with it!

“Pay the piper” also means the same as “face the music”. But, that expression has its own very interesting beginning. We will talk about that on another Words and Their Stories.

1.What does “face the music” mean?

A. Going to a musical performance.    B. Apologizing to the person you have hurt.

C. Dealing with the situation you have caused.    D. Accepting the unpleasant results of an action.

2.Which of the following expressions doesn’t have the same meaning with the others?

A. Face the music.    B. Make your bed.

C. Take your medicine.    D. Pay the piper.

3.Which action belongs to a “take your medicine”？

A. You caught a cold and took some medicine.

B. You worked hard but failed in the exam.

C. You broke the traffic rules and caused an accident.

D. You moved to a new city and lost touch with your old friends.

4.What may be talked about in the next programme?

A. Other words and their stories.    B. The beginning of “pay the piper”.

C. The wider use of “face the music”.    D. An example of “take your medicine”.

Everyone has got two personalities---the one that is shown to the world and the other that is secret and real. You don’t show your secret personality when you’re awake because you can control yourself, but when you’re asleep, your sleeping position shows the real you. In a normal night, of course, you often change your sleeping positions. The important position that best shows your secret personality is the one that you fall asleep with.

If you go to sleep on your back, you’re a very open person. You normally trust people and you are easily influenced by fashion or new ideas. You don’t like to upset people. So you never express your real feelings. You’re quite shy and you aren’t very confident.

If you sleep on your stomach, you are a person who likes to keep secrets. You worry a lot and you’re always easily becoming sad. You never want to change your ideas, but you are satisfied with your life the way it is. You usually live for today not tomorrow.

If you sleep curled up(卷曲), you are probably a very nervous person. You have a low opinion of yourself and you often protecting yourself from being hurt, so you are very defensive. You’re shy and you don’t usually like meeting people. You prefer to be on your own. You’re easily hurt.

If you sleep on your side, you have usually got a well-balanced(平衡的) personality. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You’re usually careful. You believe in yourself. You sometimes feel anxious, but you don’t often get unhappy. You always say what you think, even if it makes people rather angry.

1.You may find the passage in_____.

A. a story book.    B. a guide book.

C. a sports newspaper.    D. a science magazine.

2.Which is NOT mentioned in the second paragragh about a person’s personality?

A. He or she is always open with others.    B. He or she is always easily upset.

C. He or she always likes new ideas.    D. He or she tends to believe in others.

3.Tina hardly tells her secrets to her friends. She probably goes to sleep _______.

A. curled up.    B. on her back.

C. on her stomach.    D. on her side.

4.What does the passage tell us?

A. Sleeping positions show people’s secret personalities.

B. Sleeping on your side is the best way of sleeping.

C. Changing positions will cause sleeping problems.

D. Enough sleep makes people look better and healthier.

Most foodies (吃货) agree that eating healthy food is important. But sometimes making good food choices can be tough. Now, there are apps that can help people learn about the food they eat to improve their diets and their dining out experiences.

Cheese & Wine Pairing app

Wine and cheese can be a great combination. But which wines go best with which cheeses? Max McCalman’s Cheese & Wine Pairing app can help. It provides information about hundreds of different cheeses and advises wines to pair with each. Max McCalman’s Cheese & Wine Pairing app is free for iPhones and iPads.

Calorific app

What does 200 calories look like? It can be hard to picture. Calorific provides images of 200 calories worth of food. The pictures can help people on a diet and those who just want to eat healthier food. The app is free for iPads and iPhones. There is also a version that provides more information for a price.

HappyCow app

Vegetarians do not eat animal meat. Vegans do not eat any animal products. The HappyCow app is made for both groups. Users can search for vegetarian-vegan restaurants and stores around the world. A free version of HappyCow is available for Android that has ads and requires an Internet connection.

LocalEats app

Restaurant chains, like McDonald’s, can be found almost anywhere a person might travel. But sometimes travelers want to eat like locals. LocalEats is designed for that. It lists locally owned restaurants so users can try foods from that area. The app costs about a dollar.

1.If people want to go on a diet, they need________.

A. Cheese & Wine Pairing app.    B. Calorific app.

C. LocalEats app.    D. HappyCow app.

2.Which of the following apps is NOT free for iPhone or Android?

A. HappyCow app.    B. Calorific app.

C. LocalEats app.    D. Cheese & Wine Pairing app.

3.What is the main purpose of this article?

A. To show the differences in food apps.    B. To advertise the best apps for iPhones.

C. To introduce some healthy eating habits.    D. To inform foodies of some useful apps.

听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1.In which place is there a 24-hour bank?

A. Trafalgar Square

B. Westminster.

C. Heathrow airport.

2.How long are banks in Britain usually open?

A. 5 hours.    B. 6 hours.    C. 7 hours.

3.Where can overseas visitors change money?

A. At large department stores.

B. At local hotels.

C. At all the banks.

4.What should people do before changing money?

A. Fill in a form.

B. Go to the Trafalgar Square office.

C. Check the rate of exchange.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.What does the man think of his college life?

A. Interesting.    B. Boring.    C. Just so-so.

2.What club has the man joined?

A. A dancing club.    B. A football club.    C. A chess club.

3.What does the man think of doing a part-time job?

A. It can help one earn a lot of money.

B. It would take up too much study time.

C. It can contribute to one’s studies.

4.What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?

A. Husband and wife.

B. Employee and employer.

C. Friends.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.How much is the rent?

A. $300.    B. $650.    C. $950.

2.Which of the following is NOT included in the rent?

A. Electricity.    B. Gas.    C. Water.

3.When will the woman take a look at the apartment?

A. At 10 am today.    B. At 10 am tomorrow.    C. Sometime next week.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.Where is the cafe?

A. Behind Ricky’s new house.

B. At the top of the cliff.

C. Near the fence.

2.When is Ricky’s birthday?

A. 14th August.    B. 15th August.    C. 16th August.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.Who hurt the man’s eye?

A. His manager.    B. His daughter.    C. His client.

2.What does the woman advise the man to do?

A. See a doctor.

B. Meet a client.

C. Have a rest.

What does the man plan to do for his mother on her birthday?

A. Buy her a bunch of flowers.

B. Buy her a new coat.

C. Cook a dinner for her.

What is the weather like?

A. Cold.    B. Hot.    C. Cool.

Why can’t the man return the shoes?

A. He has worn them too long.

B. He lost the receipt.

C. The shoes are comfortable.

How often does the woman eat out?

A. Three times a week.

B. Four times a week.

C. Five times a week.

When should the man check in?

A. At 4:30 pm.

B. At 4:00 pm.

C. At 5:30 pm.

你发现你的好友小明最近很苦恼，并得知：为了让他专注学习考上理想大学，家人打算让他母亲不再跟随父亲外出打工，而在学校旁租房专门陪读。对于是否接受这个决定，他左右为难，拿不定主意。

请给小明写封邮件劝慰他，内容包括：

1．分析父母为什么做这个决定；

2. 建议他接受或者拒绝，并说明理由。

注意：1．词数100左右（开头、结尾已给出，不计入总词数。）

2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Xiaoming,

Are you feeling better now ?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hoping you’ll be cheerful soon !

Yours,

Zou Kai

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限一词;

2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Two years ago my husband buy me a bicycle. If you live in a town, it is often fast than a car and you don’t have to worry parking. You can leave them in any place you like. As it has a seat at the back or a basket at the front, it’s convenient for me to take my little daughter to school, and go shopping. I use it most in summer while the weather is warm and dry. It can be unpleasant in winter, though, when the weather is cold and rain. It can also be dangerous. You should be careful of on a bicycle. Accidents are not the only problem. One day I went shop and came back to find my front wheel gone. Now I have three strong lock.

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，并将答案填写在答题卡的相应位置。

Jane was walking round the department store.She remembered how difficult1.was to choose a suitable Christmas present for her father. She wished that this year she could2.( easy ) buy a special one 3.( please ) him, just like her mother, who was always delighted to receive her gift.

Besides, shopping at this time of the year was not 4.pleasant experience: people stepped on your feet or 5.( push ) you with their elbows ( 肘部 )，hurrying ahead to get to a bargain.

Jane paused in front of a counter 6.some attractive ties were on display. “ They are real silk, ” the assistant tried to attract her.“ Worth double the price. ” But Jane knew from past experience that her 7.( choose ) of ties hardly ever pleased her father.

Jane stopped where a small crowd of men had gathered. She found some good quality pipes on sale. She did not hesitate for long: although her father smoked a pipe only once in a while, she knew that this was a present which was bound to please 8..

When Jane got home, with her small but well-chosen present in her bag, her parents were already 9.table having supper. Her mother was excited. “ Your father has at last decided to stop smoking,” Jane 10.( inform ).

When I was younger I developed an interest in stories of magic. I ______ books where wizards (巫师) and fighters ______ the powers of darkness in strange worlds. I was very happy when they ______ to bring peace and happiness to their lands in the end. Like most of the readers of these stories I secretly ______ for magical powers for myself. I wanted to be able to magically make my pain disappear, to make my problems ______, and to have power over this world that so ______ has power over us.

As I got older, however, I ______ that there was no such thing as magic and how ______ the reality of life was. I had daily pain from a back injury that never healed (治愈)  right. I went through a ______ period of poverty for many years. I felt ______ when both of my sons were diagnosed with Autism (自闭症). I still sometimes daydreamed of magic ______ even that faded away.

Then one day it struck me that there was a ______ kind of magic, which grew ______ in my heart, soul, and mind day by day and year by year. This magic was called LOVE. It ______ me to my own highest self and to all of the other ______ in this world. It didn’t get rid of my ______ but it made every day of my life feel richer. It didn’t cure my sons, Autism, but it helped me see them as the beautiful, loving, and joyful souls that they ______ are. It didn’t make me a wizard or a fighter.______, it helped me to drive the darkness of this world with my own ______.

May you choose it, share it, and live in it every single day of your life. May you use it to ______ others, and to heal this world.

1.A. borrowed    B. wrote    C. read    D. bought

2.A. controlled    B. battled    C. owned    D. lost

3.A. started    B. managed    C. failed    D. refused

4.A. learned    B. looked    C. fought    D. wished

5.A. go away    B. noticed    C. pass by    D. change

6.A. seldom    B. much    C. often    D. little

7.A. guessed    B. realized    C. imagined    D. hoped

8.A. unusual    B. exciting    C. cruel    D. normal

9.A. boring    B. meaningful    C. short    D. long

10.A. tired    B. nervous    C. serious    D. hopeless

11.A. because    B. but    C. and    D. so

12.A. common    B. pure    C. different    D. similar

13.A. deeper    B. bigger    C. stronger    D. thicker

14.A. connected    B. introduced    C. compared    D. limited

15.A. patients    B. souls    C. friends    D. neighbors

16.A. poverty    B. fear    C. trouble    D. puzzle

17.A. hardly    B. possibly    C. totally    D. truly

18.A. Otherwise    B. Moreover    C. Still    D. Therefore

19.A. light    B. life    C. calmness    D. silence

20.A. attract    B. persuade    C. make    D. help

Daily to-do lists can help you get focused and organized. Follow these tips to create a good to-do list.

Notice the order.

It may help you to develop some sort of system for your to-do list. 1.you can even use a number system and mark them from 1 to 5. Items that are marked 1 might be done later, while the 5s are tasks you should deal with first.

Reduce the list.

2.. If you have 15 minutes to spare, find something on the list that you can complete in that time period. You may think that 15 minutes is not enough to do something, but several 15 minutes add up to something huge.

Add in something fun.

Yourto-do list is no doubt full of things you may not like. That’s why adding in fun activities and tasks should also be important. A fun item doesn’t feel like work. It may even feel like a break. 3. .

Don’t list too much.

It’s important not to overwhelm yourself. 4. . If there’s too much on your plate or you have to work too fast, you can’t possibly enjoy yourself and you’ll only end up being frustrated and overwhelmed.

5. .

Your list needs to be organized in a way that makes you feel comfortable. There are many choices nowadays. However, the old-fashioned pen and paper method may work best for you. You can also use the Internet or even your cell phone to keep your list organized.

A.Keep it organized.

B.Avoid too much stress.

C.Write it the night before.

D.Certainly every item on the list can’t be equally important.

E.You need to complete talks or part of tasks one step at a time.

F.When you return to the less interesting items, you’ll be more active to get them done.

G.Everything that goes on your to-do list should be something important that you need to do.

To travel abroad, we often meet the problem of what to take and how to take it. Take as little as possible. Choose clothes for your use in different kinds of situations and when you have made your final choice, take half of it! It’s always a big problem to take too many things, and anyway if necessary, you can buy what you need in America. Things like jeans, T-shirts and other clothes are good buys in the US. If you hunt around you can usually find something on sale.

Whatever baggage you take, make sure it is easy to take. Getting on and off buses and trains, even just changing planes, can be a test if your bags are too heavy or too many. The best way is to take one holdall, like a suitcase or a backpack, and then a smaller bag. Even when you have to check in your holdall, at the airport or bus station, you can keep all your money and documents by your side. It is also a good idea to keep a change of clothing in your shoulder bag in case your suitcase or backpack gets lost by an airline or a bus company.

The means you choose to travel around the US will depend on your money, you time and something else. Since there are certain discounts available to travelers who buy their tickets outside the US, it is a good idea to make travel plans before you go. Also, when you buy your tickets outside the US, you save the eight percent sales tax.  Travel is like everything else in America---you have to shop around for the best busy. Never be afraid to ask for the cheapest fare. The clerk seldom offers you the cheapest one.

1.What is the writer’s idea about what to take while travelling abroad?

A. Take as many clothes as possible

B. Take as few things as you can

C. Take only your tickets and money

D. Take whatever you can use in different situations.

2.The writer thinks travelers had better put their money and documents in ____________.

A. a suitcase    B. a backpack

C. a shoulder bag    D. a coat pocket

3.From the last paragraph we can learn that ______________.

A. travelling around the US will cost you little money

B. clerks always show you the cheapest things

C. asking prices is not good manners in the US

D. buying tickets outside the US is cheaper

4.The passage is mainly about some advice about_____________.

A. travelling in America

B. shopping in America

C. the means to travel around the US

D. the ways to save money in the US

Moments before I could lift my case to put it in the plane’s overhead locker ahead of our recent holiday to Europe, my father gently urged me to stop. He held the thick handles of the case and lifted it with his thin arms, pushing it into place with a sigh. “You should relax and be the lady, and let me do the heavy tasks,” he said seriously. “In the future, someone special will come into your life and take over such tasks from me, but that will never happen if you do everything yourself.”

I was stunned into silence. This was not the father I remembered from childhood, who trained me to study hard at school, asked me to earn my own pocket money as a teenager at a local coffee shop, and even taught me household chores so that my life alone in London wouldn’t turn into a mess. But then, eight years after I left home and started a new life in the UK, I realized for the first time that my dad still has expectations for me to be like a princess and to stay dependent and delicate, which were considered necessary qualities of women in traditional China.

Well, that came a little late, Little did Dad know that over the three years of my university life, I moved flats five times all by myself, dragging suitcases of books and clothes, and waiting for the taxi in the rain while holding tight onto cardboard boxes. Meanwhile, living in the UK – a country currently led by a female prime minister – I have never thought there is anything girls cannot do. Most of my female friends are professionals working in the City of London, and after work, we frequently go down to the pub for a drink, just like the guys do – something my mother never did.

I wondered how I might make Dad understand the new world his little girl has entered. Perhaps one day, he will realize the “someone special” in my life will appreciate my confidence and independence above dependence, and admit that times have changed.

1.What does the underlined word “stunned” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A. Annoyed.    B. Embarrassed.

C. Surprised    D. Excited.

2.What qualities of women did traditional China appreciate according to Paragraph 2?

A. Dependent and gentle.    B. Hardworking and tough.

C. Beautiful and confident.    D. Independent and ambitious.

3.What’s the author’s purpose by mentioning her stay in London?

A. To complain how strict her father was.

B. To describe how hard her life in the UK was.

C. To regret not working hard enough at school.

D. To show she was used to living independently.

4.What can we infer about the author according to the last paragraph?

A. She has a misunderstanding of her father.

B. She thinks women should be independent.

C. She longs to meet her life partner in the UK.

D. She is thankful for her father’s strict training.

I was raised in a house where my sisters and I weren’t trusted by our mother to manage our own appearance．As a result，there were rules，and trends were largely ignored. A few years ago，I was home for a visit when my mom，now in her early 70s，called me into her bedroom．We were about ready to leave for dinner．“I don’t know what to wear” she complained “You girls always look so good．”

I paused in the doorway and looked at her,wondering if I'd misheard．“What do you mean?”I asked her．“You know what to wear‘'No．”she answered．“I don’t．Can you pick something?”I was so surprised．

This was the same woman who，in 1989，told my younger sister she wasn’t allowed to leave the house wearing a pair of ripped(有破洞的)jeans；the same woman who，in high school，called me while l was out at a party to ask if my hair was up．“You look better with it down，”she told me，before I could answer I realized，suddenly,that my mother—always so strong—not only wanted my opinion，but needed it．I pulled a pair of blue jeans from the closet and a light blue sweater from her drawer “Wear this with your black shoes，”I told her．She did My mother certainly doesn’t need anyone to take care of her．In fact，she still cares for my grandmother who lives with her．But with that one question，my mother and I started the role reversal(转变)that happens with all parents and all children，from caregiver to receiver．

Now,if I’m visiting or we’re together,it's rare for her to wear anything without checking with me first．But every so often，it seems like she asks me just to be able to disagree with my answer and pick out something on her own．And when she does，I just tell her what I think of the way she looks. Sometimes it's“great”．And sometimes it’s“awful．’’

1.When the author was young，she____.

A. could never know what to wear

B. always wore trendy clothes and hairstyles

C. was not allowed to go to parties at night

D. had to pick her clothes according to her mother’s rules

2.The first time the author’s mother asked her for advice on clothes，she____.

A. was happy to do something for her mother

B. came to realize that her mother needed her care

C. was worried that her mother was too old to live alone

D. had no idea what was suitable for her mother

3.When the author gives her opinion about clothes，her mother____.

A. always accepts her suggestions happily

B. sometimes chooses to follow her own ideas

C. is often surprised by what the author says

D. still shows uncertainty about what to wear

4.The author wrote this article mainly to____.

A. show what it is like to have a strict mother

B. remind readers to visit their parents often

C. stress her mother’s great influence on her

D. show how the role of parents and their children call change