Everywhere inside Valerie Tolman's home in Missouri City are signs that she has a big heart. There are family photos, including those of two biological and two adopted children who are all now grown; her two rescue dogs, Ivy and Ellie, are close by and, in an upstairs bedroom, are four kittens she's looking after. Her love of animals and passion for helping strays (走失的宠物) find homes earned her the Missouri City Volunteer of the Year award in 2017.

Tolman, a former newspaper reporter and software-industry analyst, started the volunteer program at the Missouri City Animal Shelter in 2014 after she retired. She later formed the Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter, a nonprofit to expand the group's efforts to keep animals healthy, alive and adoptable. ''I like living things, and it breaks my heart to think something is suffering - animals or humans, '' Tolman said.

She even challenged city officials about the lack of funding (资金提供) for the shelter, and encouraged the public to complain (投诉) in letters and emails to the City Council. Eventually, the council budgeted $250,000 for the shelter. ''I fought city hall and won, '' she said. ''The animals are in such better shape. I'm proud of that. ''

But she's most proud of her efforts to send high school students from low-income families to college. She and her husband Davis Tolman, a retired petroleum geologist, started a scholarship for first-generation college students in 2001. Tolman said 5l students have received full tuition (学费), including books, through the program. Although the graduation rate for the scholarship receivers is 54 percent, Tolman said all of the students tended to become successful in life simply because they attended college. Most of the students are the first in their families to go to college.

''It has a ripple effect, and even though some may not finish, there is a feeling that anything is possible, '' she said. ''We now have nurses, teachers and engineers because of this program. ''

1.What makes Tolman do volunteer work?

A.Her satisfaction of material rewards.

B.Her sense of duty.

C.Her love for creatures.

D.Her inspiration from other people.

2.What can we infer about the City Council in Paragraph 3?

A.It asked the public to build shelters for strays.

B.It annoyed the public by its inaction.

C.It didn't have enough money to build shelters.

D.It had paid little attention to strays before.

3.What can we learn about the scholarship receivers?

A.They all graduated from college with a degree.

B.They tended to manage their life more easily.

C.They helped spread the idea of the program.

D.They supported their families when in college.

    The cheerful smiles and legendary strength of the Sherpas(夏尔巴人) have been an essential part of Mount Everest climbing expeditions(探险) from the very beginning. Indeed, very few significant successes have been achieved without them.

When Western mountaineers first set their sights on the world’s highest peak, they found in the Sherpas a people ideally suited to the hardship of high-altitude climbing, unfailingly positive, stout at altitude, and seemingly resistant to cold.

Sherpas did not venture into the high peaks until European mountaineers began arriving to climb in the world’s greatest mountain range. Mount Everest, known as Chomolungma or “Goddess Mother of the Land” to the Sherpas, was long considered as a living place of the gods where humans were not allowed to go.

Although Everest now sees many a human footprint, the Sherpas still regard the mountain as a holy place. All modern expeditions begin with a Puja ceremony in which Sherpas and other team members leave offerings and pay respect to the gods of the mountain, hoping to remain in their good graces throughout the climb.

Sherpas were first employed as porters, tasked with carrying large amounts of equipment to supply the military-style expeditions of the day. The early climbers were amazed at the strength of these people, from the fittest of mature men to the young and elderly. In addition to their heavy loads, some of the women even carried along their babies. The whole troop of Sherpas slept outside, using only rocks for shelter, as temperatures dropped well below freezing.

Stronger Sherpas soon graduated from porter status and began to undertake challenging climbing. Those who distinguished themselves were awarded the Tiger Medal, and many desired this honor and the higher pay rate it afforded. Despite the potential dangers, the Sherpa people remained enthusiastic about taking part in Everest expeditions, which even then were becoming an important source of income for a poor mountain folk.

1.Sherpas didn’t go into the high peaks before Europeans’ arrival mainly because ________.

A.they enjoyed staying at low altitudes B.they were short of proper equipment

C.they were unaware of their potentials D.they considered the mountain as holy

2.By mentioning the “rocks” in Paragraph 5, the writer emphasizes _______.

A.the intelligence of the Sherpas B.the challenges for the climbers

C.the physical ability of the Sherpas D.the wild landscape of Mount Everest

3.Which of the following can best describe the Sherpas according to the text?

A.Talented for high-altitude climbing. B.Adventurous and crazy about wealth.

C.Generous and willing to help climbers. D.Professional in treating altitude sickness.

听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1.Where does most of Stephen and Jenny’s money come from?

A.Beef and chicken. B.Milk and eggs. C.Sheep.

2.How often does Stephen cut the wool off the sheep?

A.Three times a year. B.Twice a year. C.Once a year.

3.Why didn’t Jenny’s sweaters sell well?

A.They were too expensive.

B.They weren't easy to wash.

C.They weren't sold at a right time.

4.What do we know about Jenny’s socks?

A.They are popular. B.They have six sizes. C.They are made at home now.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.When does the man usually read?

A.At night. B.Early in the morning. C.When traveling on the bus.

2.How many hours does the man spend reading per week?

A.About three hours. B.About four hours. C.About five hours.

3.What kind of books does the man like?

A.Love stories. B.Travel books. C.Science fiction.

4.What does the woman think of love fiction?

A.It helps her relax. B.It wastes time. C.It can teach her a lot.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.What are the speakers discussing?

A.A weekend meeting. B.A good advertisement. C.The product marketing.

2.How many people attended the event?

A.50. B.100. C.250.

3.What does the man suggest doing next time?

A.Advertising online. B.Using television ads. C.Holding an event on Saturday

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.What is the woman doing?

A.Having a phone interview.

B.Asking about a job offer.

C.Informing the man of an appointment.

2.When will the woman come back?

A.Next Monday. B.Next Tuesday. C.Next Friday.

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.Why does the man talk to the woman?

A.To ask for a wake-up call.

B.To find out some information.

C.To express his dissatisfaction with the service.

2.What will the woman do for the man?

A.Prepare a breakfast for him. B.Have his room cleaned. C.Offer a reduction in his bill.

What is the man’s problem?

A.His computer doesn’t work.

B.He doesn’t understand the theories.

C.He doesn’t know how to apply the theories.

What will the woman do?

A.Make some copies. B.Attend a meeting. C.Arrange a meeting.

Where does this conversation probably take place?

A.In a taxi. B.In a bank. C.In a restaurant

Why does the man seldom wear the shirt?

A.It is too old. B.It doesn’t fit him. C.It has a dark color.

What made the man feel uncomfortable?

A.The hot weather. B.The culture shock. C.The long journey.

假定你是李华，是你校篮球队队长（captain），请用英语给你市篮球队的外籍运动员Max写一封邮件。内容包括：

1．你喜欢他的原因；

2．你的梦想；

3．希望他能来你校访问并指导。

注意：1．词数100左右；

2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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2处。涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：此行缺一个词在缺词处加一个漏字符号（N），在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（）划掉。

修改：在错的词下划横线，在该词下面写出改正后的词。

注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限词；

2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Our model of which a garden should be goes back to childhood. My sister and I like to visit Grandmother when we were young. After rushing out of car, we ran to our grandmother’s garden. It was interested that, with seasons changing, the garden would to take on different looks. They were neat paths and a wooden bridge over a pool. She used to keep a small garden, including ducks and another animals, but later she made it much large. Grandmother looked after the garden with great care. We often helped Grandmother grow several row of plants or pick vegetables. Being with her was real enjoyable. That’s our dream garden, a place full of love of Grandmother.

阅读下面短 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。

Disney announces new release dates for “Mulan”

The Walt Disney Co. announced on Friday new release date for the China-set live-action movie “Mulan” in 1.(respond) to the COVID-19 pandemic (流行病), Now “Mulan” 2. (plan) to open on July 24, 2020, according to Disney.

“Mulan” opening in July remains 3. (risk). Disney delayed nearly all of its big-budget movies 4. most of the theaters in the United States and other countries were shut down in 5. effort to fight against the coronavirus. It is still unclear when the movie theater industry will be back on its feet when people are still forced to stay in their homes amid the pandemic.

Adam Aron, CEO of AMC Entertainment, told CNBC, “He is hoping to have locations open by mid-June and he is certain that moviegoers will be eager 6. (return) to cinema.” 7. (base) on the legend of an ancient Chinese heroine,“Mulan” is a live action adaptation of Disney's 1998 animated film of the same name.

The film was 8. (original) scheduled to hit US theaters on March 27 with an early estimate of at least $85 million in its opening weekend.

Mulan, according to the folk legend, lived during an unrest era of the Chinese history more than 1,400 years ago. She dressed 9. (her) up as a man to serve in the army in place of her aged father and fight 10. the country.

    Once I went with my brother to watch how the villagers caught fish in the local pond. Usually the locals catch fish in the _______ morning. It was exciting so we _______ at 4 o’clock. Not only did it sound like a(n) _______ to me, but it also turned out to teach me a _______lesson.

The fishermen had a big fishing net, one side of which was _______ along with the boundary of the pond and the other end was taken to the _______ boundary of the pond underwater. After a certain time they slowly started _______ the free end towards the fixed end. Most fish got _______ inside the net and the fish had already started feeling _______ wrong. Because of the lack of ________, they started panicking. Some started ________ to get out of the net. Though they knew getting out of the water was a big risk, they still ________ their best to jump with all their strength; ________ few fish got out of the net. I asked a fisherman about the fish that “escaped”. They told me it usually ________ that next time they would again get ________ after another 6 months. Hearing this, I realized one of the greatest life lessons. The fish that took the risk actually ________ their life time by 6 months! I ________ what would happen if they lived in big lakes. Maybe, they could live longer.

In life there are certain situations where we might feel we are ________ our living space. We take the biggest risk of our lives and jump out of the space, ________ we fall into another small one where we may end up failing. So we need to be wise enough to choose to live in much ________ spaces where we have more conditions to help survive or succeed.

1.A.fine B.summer C.cold D.early

2.A.got up B.went on C.took off D.set sail

3.A.adventure B.amusement C.advantage D.game

4.A.music B.business C.life D.duty

5.A.drawn B.arranged C.thrown D.fixed

6.A.common B.opposite C.close D.natural

7.A.escaping B.connecting C.moving D.driving

8.A.trapped B.counted C.pressed D.pulled

9.A.anything B.everything C.nothing D.something

10.A.water B.air C.space D.power

11.A.running B.jumping C.sinking D.swimming

12.A.tried B.controlled C.developed D.found

13.A.proudly B.suddenly C.expectedly D.unluckily

14.A.predicted B.disappeared C.happened D.returned

15.A.discovered B.caught C.saved D.assisted

16.A.increased B.wasted C.calculated D.spent

17.A.regretted B.hoped C.worried D.imagined

18.A.using B.losing C.shaping D.changing

19.A.so B.and C.but D.for

20.A.bigger B.shorter C.easier D.harder

    “A lie can travel half way around the world before the truth can put its boots on,” said Mark Twain.1.

To make matters worse, most young people get news from social media sites where facts are mixed with rumors, half-truths and complete lies. 2.In the latest PISA, which tested 15-year-olds worldwide on academic subjects, fewer than one in ten of the examinees were reported to be able to distinguish fact from opinion. Another study showed that students at all levels of education could not tell real news from fake news. In one instance, 80 percent thought that a paid advertisement was a real news story.

3. They want to influence public opinion either for or against something or someone. It is important, then, for young people to recognize when they are being used and to be skeptical of online information.

Traditional media, such as newspapers and television, are still the more credible source of information.4.And then editors have the job of making sure those facts are correct. However, if you are getting most of your information online, you have to be your own editor In that case, the first thing to do is to look at the writer of a post. Is this person known to be credible? Does the site where you read the post have a prejudice? 5. By doing so, you won’t be fooled into chasing lies.

A.Secondly, you can ignore traditional media.

B.This has led to young people becoming confused.

C.Reporters are professionally trained to look for facts.

D.Fake news is spread by people who have a prejudice.

E.This may be because fake news can easily catch their attention.

F.In today’s Internet world of “fake news”, lies spread even faster than the truth.

G.Next, look for other sources from mainstream media to confirm the information.

    With more than two million videos on YouTube, cats are one of the most searched things on the Internet. A new exhibition called “How Cats Took Over The Internet” opened at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York. It looked at the history of how cats rose to Internet fame, and why people like them so much.

Almost half of all original YouTube videos are of people ’s pets, and around 26 billion views are just for cats, making them the single most popular category. Some cats have become famous and earned millions of pounds after their owners posted their pictures online.

So how did cats become so popular?

Since the Internet became widely used in the 1990s, people have been sharing pictures of their cats via email. In 2005 one of YouTube’s co-founders Steve Chen posted a video of his cat called Pyjamas playing with a rope, making him the first person to upload a cat video to YouTube.

In 2007 Eric Nakagawa and Kari Unebasami started a website sharing funny pictures of cats, The site quickly became popular, and users were able to upload pictures of their cats with writing over the top. It now has over 100 million views a month and has created a whole new form of communication on the Internet.

Why cats? A scientific study has proved that looking at videos of cats can improve people's mood. Assistant professor Jessica Gall Myrick from Indians University, America, asked 7,000 people how they felt before and after watching videos of cats. The results showed that people felt happier after watching videos of cats, and that they felt less anxious.

The Internet has also been responsible for creating a number of famous cats such as Grumpy Cat, Lil BUB and Maru. They have appeared on lots of TV shows, advertisements and film festivals, and even have their own brands. Lil BUB even has her own charity, and has raised around $130, 000 for pets with special needs.

1.What’s true about cats according to the text?

A.Their fame is related to the widespread of the Internet and a relative website.

B.Cat videos take up half of all the original YouTube videos.

C.They are the first to be filmed among all the animals throughout the world.

D.They earned millions with their videos in the 1990s.

2.Why did Jessica make the study?

A.To improve people's mood and reduce people's anxiety.

B.To ask about people's present feelings and living conditions.

C.To find the effect of watching cat videos on people's mood.

D.To help people live their life to the fullest.

3.What’s special about Lil BUB?

A.She has the most videos online. B.She is popular at home and abroad.

C.She has her own brands. D.She has her own charity.

4.What’s the best title for the text?

A.Cats become celebrities B.Cat videos rule the Internet

C.Watching cat videos counts D.Cats’ contributions to the world

    The classic model of education — a burst at the start and company training — is breaking down. One reason is the need for new and constantly updated skill. Manufacturing increasingly calls for brain work rather than manual labor.

Pushing people into ever-higher levels of formal education at the start of their lives is not the way to handle the problem. Just 16% of Americans think that a four-year college degree prepares students very well for a good job. Although a vocational education promises that vital first hire, those with specialized training tend to withdraw from the labor force earlier than those with general education perhaps because they are less adaptable.

At the same time on-the-job training is shrinking. In America and Britain it has fallen by roughly half in the past two decades. Self-employment is spreading, leaving more people to take responsibility for their own skills. Taking time out later in life to pursue a formal qualification is an option, but it costs money and most colleges are meant for youngsters.

The market is innovating to enable workers to learn and earn in new ways. Providers from General Assembly to Pluralsight are building businesses on the promise of improving careers. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have turned away from lectures on Plato or black holes in favor of courses that make their students more employable. At Udacity and Coursera self-improvers pay for cheap, short programs. By offering degrees online, universities are making it easier for professionals to polish their skills. A single master’s program from Georgia Tech could expand the annual output of computer-science master’s degrees in America by close to 10%.

Lifelong learning starts at school. As a rule, education should not be narrowly vocational. The curriculum needs to teach children how to study and think. A focus on “metacognition” (元认知) will make them better at picking up skills later in life.

1.Which is the reason why traditional education is failing?

A.It bursts educators’ bubble in the beginning. B.Companies can’t afford training fees.

C.Old skills can’t meet the present needs. D.It fails to develop one’s brain.

2.What can we infer from the text?

A.The more knowledgeable one is, the more likely he is to be employed.

B.Most Americans are poor at their studies in the college.

C.More than 80% of Americans have to be self-employed now.

D.Returning to college after working is not considered worthwhile.

3.What does the underlined word “innovating” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A.Reforming its system. B.Declining little by little.

C.Booming all at once. D.Wasting time and energy.

4.How do colleges adapt to the present education model?

A.They open online courses. B.They provide easier access to updated skills.

C.They pay for cheap short programs. D.They lower the standard for master’s degree.

    Robert Irwin is a typical teenage boy, who enjoys mountain biking and photography. He also lives in a large zoo.

Robert, the son of the late “Crocodile Hunter” star Steve Irwin, is now taking center stage in “Crikey! It’s the Irwins, ” a new series on Animal Planet.

“We’ve worked on quite a few different TV projects, but this is actually the first time my whole family has come back to Animal Planet together, so it’s pretty unusual, ”says Robert.

Premiering(首映)at 8 p.m. on Sunday, “Crikey! ” follows the Irwins as they run the 100-acre Australia Zoo, founded by Steve Irwin’s parents. Steve owned and ran the zoo before he died in 2006.

“We’ve always grown up in front of a camera. Bindi, my sister, and I were both filmed for some of the original ‘Crocodile Hunter’ documentaries, ”says Robert.

“I’m very lucky in the way that I’ve had so much of my life captured on camera, so as the memories you have of Dad start to fade, you can always look back at the old footage and relive those special moments, ” he says.

“Crikey! It’s the Irwins” has some footage of Steve. The most exciting part of the premiere involves Robert leading the “ Croc Show" at the zoo’s “ Crocoseum, ”a 5,500-seat stadium Steve built to give crocodile performances and educate visitors about crocodile behavior.

Of course, running a zoo doesn’t leave much time for school, so Robert participates in Distance Education, a program similar to homeschooling. “School can be difficult for me to fit in, ” he says. “But I've actually got a classroom that’s set up at Australia Zoo and a teacher that travels with us wherever we go, so I can fit in all of my studies. ”

Robert continues, “I’m learning as much as I can about all of the animals and all of the work at Australia Zoo. I feel really honored to be following in Dad’s footsteps. I love continuing that work. ”

1.Why is the new series special to Robert?

A.It is being filmed in a large zoo. B.It includes his whole family.

C.It is the first documentary he has made. D.It allows him to work with his dad.

2.What does Robert think of being captured on camera?

A.It encourages him to work hard. B.It helps increase his popularity.

C.It encourages him to care about animals. D.It helps strengthen his ties to his dad.

3.How does Robert keep up with his schooling?

A.He is taking some online courses. B.He is homeschooled by his mom.

C.He goes to school whenever he has time. D.He asks some teachers to teach him at home.

4.What’s Robert’s dream job in the future?

A.Feeding animals. B.Becoming a crocodile expert.

C.Running Australia Zoo. D.Becoming a wildlife photographer.

Elaine's Etiquette (礼节) Classes

Teddy Bear Tea Party

This tea party is great for preschool boys and girls! Children can bring their favorite teddy bear, doll or action figure to attend the party! With songs and role-play, children will learn their first steps to proper manners!

Course Description

·Pre-schoolers   

·Al-hour presentation

·$10 per student   

·Includes dessert, fruit and lemonade

Etiquette Advantage Course

We’re excited to announce our new youth course, “The Etiquette Advantage”! Children will learn how to exhibit polite behavior at home or in public. The course will discuss dining tips, communication through technology and person to person, and more!

Course Description

·lst-5th graders   

·2.5-hour course       

·$50 per student

Polished Presence Series

As children start junior high school, they will need to have the tools to show up in the world with a polished presence and the ability to behave properly in a variety of social and professional situations Our so-year-long program will help them access the key to success.

Course Description

·6th-12th graders

·September 20, 2020-May 16, 2021

·Meets once each month on Sundays

·2.5-hour session from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm

·S400 per student; Early bird gets a 20% discount by August 15th.

Timeless Manners Class

Our class will teach young people not only everyday manners but also basic etiquette and tips that will make them appear more professional while attending a job interview. They will learn how to use the power of politeness to present the best of who they are in different situations.

Course Description

·College graduates   

·l-hour workshop       

·$40 per student

1.What do we know about Teddy Bear Tea Party?

A.It is designed for 1st-5th graders. B.It is a hands-on learning process.

C.It lasts about two hours each time. D.It needs kids to take food and drink.

2.How much should a child pay if he or she applies for Polished Presence Series on August 7th?

A.$80. B.$200.

C.$320. D.$400.

3.Which of the following classes is most suitable for job seekers?

A.Teddy Bear Tea Party. B.Etiquette Advantage Course.

C.Polished Presence Series. D.Timeless Manners Class.

Directions: Write and English composition in 120-150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese.

假设你是学生会主席王海，你发现许多学生倒掉午餐到学校的小卖部去买零食，于是在同学中作了调查。请给校长写封信，信的内容包括分析产生此现象的原因，并就此现象提出具体的建议。

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.

1.在宇宙中有许多肉眼看不到的星星（visible）

2.直到期末考试临近，迈克才意识到他的复习时间不够了。（Not until…）

3.只有当你了解了在不同情形下色彩联想的差异性，你才会避免冒犯别人或使自己难看。（Only）

4.作为一名教育工作者，你应该牢记在日常教学中要注重学生的身心发展。（emphasis）

Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, whether it is the uniform of a lift operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?

Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian clothes. People have become conditioned to expect higher quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears a uniform is likely to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a hairdresser, or a waiter to lose professional identity than to step out of uniform?

Uniforms also have many practical good points. They are often more comfortable and more lasing than civilian clothes.

Primary fact among the argument against uniforms is their lack of variety and the loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look alike, they are likely to think, speak, and act similarly on the job at least.

Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long-lasting, often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

Direction: In the article, 4 sentences have been removed. Choose the most suitable ones from the list A-AC to fit into each of the numbered gaps. There are TWO which do not fit in any of the gaps.

Do not underestimate the power of revision in the days and hours before an examination. The closer you are to the exam, the more chance you have of storing and keeping important information. But do not overdo it 1. An effective daily routine can help you to go through an exam period, so in the days leading up to your first exam, get into the habit of being up and ready to work by 9 a.m. It can be a shock to the system after months of working to your own timetable to be mentally alert at that time if you have not prepared for.

On the day of the exam, have a good breakfast, pack everything you need (pens, pencils, erasers, etc), then make your way to the examination hall in good time. Do not arrive too early, though, as other people’s anxiety can be passed on to you, and you may suffer from panic.

Once in your seat, simply stop for a few seconds and collect your thoughts. 2. When you first look at the test paper, spend a shot period reading through all the instructions and questions, paying attention to key verbs such as “discuss”, “compare” and “evaluate”. Map out a quick plan of points you wish to make and how much time you should spend on each question.

It is wise always to allow for 10 minutes at the end of the exam to give yourself time to go back over your answers. Once you have selected the questions you wish to deal with, begin by attempting the one you think is you strongest. It will give you more confidence when you see a well-answered question down on paper.

3. If you do need something else to focus on to help collect your thoughts, choose a fixture in the room, such as the ceiling — or anything else — that will not allow you to be distracted.

Finally, once you have finished, never hang around outside afterwards to discuss the exams you’ve taken with other students. 4.

A.After all, examiners can get very bored marking dull answers.

B.Close your eyes and take in a few slow, deep breaths to help you relax.

C.When you get home, read the examination paper through and look up all the words you didn’t understand.

D.Go and have a well-earned rest then prepare for your next exam.

E.Try not to be tempted to look at those around you, or at the clock.

F.Sleep, exercise and relaxation are all just as important.

    About the time that schools and others quite reasonably became interested in seeing to it that all children, whatever their background, were fairly treated, intelligence testing became unpopular.

Some thought it was unfair to minority children. Through the past few decades such testing has gone out of fashion and many communities have indeed forbidden it.

However, paradoxically(自相矛盾的), just recently a group of black parents filed a lawsuit (诉讼) in California claiming that the state’s ban on IQ testing discriminates(歧视) against their children by denying them the opportunity to take the test. (They believe, correctly, that IQ tests are a valid method of evaluating (评估) children for special education classes.) The judge, therefore, reversed, at least partially his original decision.

And so the argument goes on and on. Does it benefit or harm children from minority groups to have their intelligence tested? We have always been on the side of permitting, even promoting such testing. If a child of any color or group is doing poorly in school it seems to us very important to know whether it is because he or she is of low intelligence, or whether some other factor is the cause.

What school and family can do to improve poor performance is influenced by its cause. It is not discriminative to evaluate either a child’s physical condition or his intellectual level.

Unfortunately, intellectual level seems to be a sensitive subject, and what the law allows us to do varies from time to time. The same fluctuation (起伏) back and forth occurs in areas other than intelligence. Thirty years or so ago, for instance, white families were encouraged to adopt black children. It was considered discriminative not to do so.

And then the style changed and this cross-racial adopting became generally unpopular, and social agencies felt that black children should go to black families only. It is hard to say what are the best procedures. But surely good will on the part of all of us is needed.

As to intelligence, in our opinion, the more we know about any child’s intellectual level, the better for the child in question.

1.Why did the intelligence test become unpopular in the past few decades?

A. Its validity was challenged by many communities.

B. It was considered discriminative against minority children.

C. It met with strong opposition from the majority of black parents.

D. It robbed the black children of their rights to a good education.

2.The author believes that intelligence testing       .

A. may ease racial discrimination in the United States

B. can encourage black children to keep up with white children

C. may seriously worsen racial discrimination in the United States

D. can help black parents make decisions about their children’s education

3.The author’s opinion of child adoption seems to be that      .

A. no definite rules can be prescribed

B. white families should adopt black children

C. adoption should be based on IQ test results

D. cross-racial adoption is to be advocated

4.Child adoption is mentioned in the passage to show that ______.

A. good will may sometimes complicate racial problems

B. social surroundings are vital to the healthy growth of children

C. intelligence testing also applies to non-academic areas

D. American opinion can shift when it comes to sensitive issues

    Do you want to get home from work knowing you have made a real difference in someone’s life?

If yes, don’t care about sex or age! Come and join us, then you’ll make it!

Position: Volunteer Social Care Assistant

(No Pay with Free Meals)

Place: Manchester

Hours: Part Time

We are now looking for volunteers to support people with learning disabilities to live active lives! Only 4 days left. Don’t miss the chance of lending your warm hands to help others!

Role:

You will provide people with learning disabilities with all aspects of their daily lives. You will help them to develop new skills. You will help them to protect their rights and their safety. But your primary concern is to let them know they are valued.

Skills and Experience Required:

You will have the right values and great listening skills. You will be honest and patient. You will have the ability to drive a car and to communicate in fluent written and spoken English since you’ll have to help those people with different learning disabilities. Previous care-related experience will be a great advantage for you.

1.What does the underlined part mean?

A.You’ll make others’ lives more meaningful with this job.

B.You’ll arrive home just in time from this job.

C.You’ll earn a good salary from this job.

D.You’ll succeed in getting this job.

2.The volunteers’ primary responsibility is to help people with learning disabilities ________.

A.to get some financial support

B.to properly protect themselves

C.to learn some new living skills

D.to realize their own importance

3.Which of the following can first be chosen as a volunteer?

A.The one who can drive a car.

B.The one who has done similar work before.

C.The one who has patience to listen to others.

D.The one who can use English to communicate.

    For some people,music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.” People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes(音调). Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.

As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music sets them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret,a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.

Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn't involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can't see. certain colors.

Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed(诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say,” No thanks, I'm amusic,'“says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”

1.Which of the following is true of amusic?

A.Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them.

B.They love places where they are likely to hear music.

C.They can easily tell two different songs apart.

D.Their situation is well understood by musicians.

2.According to Paragraph 3, a person with “defective hearing” is probably one who ___________.

A.dislikes listening to speeches

B.can hear anything nonmusical

C.has a hearing problem

D.lacks a complex hearing system

3.In the last paragraph, Margaret expressed her wish that __________.

A.her problem with music had been diagnosed earlier

B.she were seventeen years old rather than seventy

C.her problem could be easily explained

D.she were able to meet other amusics

4.What is the passage mainly concerned with?

A.Amusics' strange behaviours.

B.Some people's inability to enjoy music.

C.Musical talent and brain structure.

D.Identification and treatment of amusics.

    In modern society loneliness can be seen as a social phenomenon and people can experience loneliness for many reasons. It is a very common, though normally temporary, _______ of a breakup, divorce, or loss of any important long-term relationship. In these cases, loneliness may result both from the loss of a specific person and from the _______ from social circles. The loss of a significant person in one’s life will typically initiate a grief response; in this situation, one might feel lonely, even while in the company of others.

Loneliness may also result from any socially disruptive (破裂的) event, such as moving from one’s home town into _______ communities leading to homesickness. Loneliness can also occur in places with low population densities in which there are comparatively few people to _______.

There are many different ways used to _______ loneliness. The first step that most doctors recommend to patients is therapy. Short term therapy typically occurs over a period of ten to twenty weeks. During therapy, emphasis is put on understanding the cause of the problem, _______ the negative thoughts, feelings, and attitudes resulting from the problem, and exploring ways to help the patient feel connected. Some doctors also recommend _______ therapy as a means to connect with other sufferers and establish a support system. It may take several attempts before a suitable anti-depressant medication is found. Some patients may also develop a resistance to a certain type of medication and need to _______ periodically.

Another treatment is animal-assisted therapy. Studies and surveys indicate that the presence of animal companions such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs can _______ feelings of loneliness or depression among some sufferers. Beyond the companionship the animal itself provides there may also be increased opportunities for ________ with other pet owners. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are a number of other health benefits associated with pet ownership, such as lowered blood pressure. In addition, some other alternative approaches may include exercise, dieting, etc, which many patients find have a ________ effect on relieving symptoms. Results of a study also suggest that correcting maladaptive social cognition (认知) offers the best chance of ________loneliness.

Nevertheless, loneliness can sometimes play an important role in the ________ process. In some people, temporary or prolonged loneliness can lead to notable artistic and creative expression, for example, as was the case with poet Emily Dickinson, and numerous musicians. This is not to imply that loneliness itself ensures this creativity, ________, it may have an influence on the subject matter of the artist and more likely be present in individuals ________creative activities.

1.A.type B.concern C.consequence D.evidence

2.A.withdrawal B.absence C.disappearance D.presence

3.A.informal B.uncertain C.relevant D.unfamiliar

4.A.turn to B.interact with C.long for D.share with

5.A.release B.observe C.monitor D.treat

6.A.reversing B.directing C.measuring D.pursuing

7.A.long-term B.sightseeing C.patient D.group

8.A.quit B.evolve C.switch D.exercise

9.A.confirm B.protest C.enhance D.ease

10.A.socializing B.interfering C.comparing D.coping

11.A.historic B.restorative C.decisive D.permanent

12.A.promoting B.enhancing C.reducing D.striving

13.A.creative B.musical C.artistic D.poetic

14.A.however B.therefore C.rather D.otherwise

15.A.restricted to B.engaged in C.concerned about D.altered by

Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Nook’s arrival, Good or Bad?

Booklovers, most of them, will tell you 1. a pleasure it is to lend a favorite read to a friend – the novel you stayed up all night to get to the end of; the travel book that made you feel 2. you yourself were on a train ride through India. For a while it seemed that e-book users were to be denied this pleasure of lending to friends. You could buy a book or magazine for your reading device, but you couldn’t lend it out.

But now, with the Nook, the US book chain Barnes and Noble’s response to Amazon’s Kindle, electronic readers will be able to have their latest literary enthusiasm 3.(press) on their friends, just like readers of physical books can. You simply email the book from your Nook and your friend can read it for two weeks, 4.(use) any device with the Barnes & Noble e-book reader software. It’s a big improvement from previous e-book readers.

The Nook offers other features too. You read in black and white on the main screen, just like with Kindle. The difference is 5. on the lower part of the device there’s a color touch screen, 6. allows you to browse through a book or magazine, but goes black when you’re not using it so that you save power.

7. exciting thing about the Nook is that it offers Wi-Fi, arguably a big advance on previous e-book readers. Customers in the United States can use the Internet connection 8.(read) whole e-books at Barnes and Noble’s hundreds of bookstores for free. None of Barnes and Noble’s competitors can come close to this.

But the Nook, ironically, 9.(turn out) to be a money-loser for Barnes and Noble, or at least a job-loser for Barnes and Noble’s employees. According to Marian Maneker at The Big Money Website, 10. the Nook is successful it might take sales from the company’s bookstores, eventually forcing their closure and the loss of thousands of jobs.