Chris Mazdzer won a silver medal in a men’s luge (无舵雪橇) singles event at 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, South Korea — equaling the best finish ever for any member of the US Olympic luge team. In the luge, competitors lie flat, feet first, on a small sled (雪橇). They can travel around an icy track at speeds up to 140 kilometers an hour. The riders control the sled’s speed by changing the position of their feet or by moving their shoulders.

So why did the US luge team win a medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics? Most credit must go to Chris Mazdzer himself. The American said his win was a product of 16 years of preparation and intense training. But another reason for Mazdzer’s success could have been the 3-D printing technology, which his team used to make its equipment.

The term 3-D is short for three dimensional, meaning an object with length, width and height. In 3-D printing, 3-D models are first created as files, or documents, on a computer. The printer then uses a substance (物质) like plastic or metal to create physical objects. The process involves making one layer of material at a time until the objects reach full form.

The US luge team worked with an American company called Stratasys on the designing and manufacturing process for the sleds. First, the company made a scan, or image, of the body of every member of the luge team. Then, 3-D printing technology was used to create tools for making molds (模子) in the shape of Olympians on top of a sled. The process of designing and tooling sled parts is highly complex and can take several weeks. Officials from the US luge team say 3-D printing can greatly simplify the process, speeding up the production of parts.

Jon Owen, says the use of 3-D printing has made the team more competitive. It helps the team “continuously adjust designs and run the sleds on the track much faster than traditional processes,” he said. He added that the technology also provides a way to perfectly fit each rider to the sled, while cutting production time and costs.

1.According to the author, what mainly contributed to Mazdzer’s winning the medal?

A.His own great efforts. B.His using a new technique.

C.The cooperation with his luge team. D.The US Olympic luge team’s encouragement.

2.To make the sleds for the team, what did the company have to do?

A.To create tools for making sled parts.

B.To take some photos of the members first.

C.To create molds according to the members’ bodies.

D.To ask the Olympians to be present for several weeks.

3.From the last paragraph we learn that 3-D printing most probably __________.

A.saves plenty of competitors’ training time

B.helps competitors achieve their full potential

C.requires great skills of riders to fit the track

D.allows riders to change their sleds continuously

4.What is the text mainly about?

A.How 3-D printing usually works.

B.How we take advantage of 3-D printing.

C.How the US luge team performed this year.

D.How 3-D printing helped Team US go for gold.

    My husband and I wanted desperately the instant transformation from typical consumers to eco-conscious people. We switched our light bulbs to CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs to conserve energy. We went about the house turning off lights and unplugging appliances that weren’t in use. But the rate of global warming exceeded our snail’s pace conversion to greenhood. So I pressed onward.

I decided to put veganism (素食主义) at the top of our agenda. Vegans refuse any animal flesh or commercial goods made from any animal byproducts such as milk or fats. All the family applauded this option except for my husband. Some kind of animal needed to sacrifice its dear life for his meal or it wasn’t his dinner. I cooked up a storm, struggling to prepare nutritious meals dominated by not — so — obvious vegan dishes like bean burritos and high-fiber vegetable stir-fry. It took a few days before he realized that he hadn’t been eating any meat.

“I feel like eating beef.” he announced. So that night, I took full advantage of a zucchini (西葫芦), cut it into chunky (粗大的) pieces and cooked them. Then I covered them with spices. My beef-starved husband had some and a curious look crossed his face.

“Where’s the beef?”

“Living peacefully somewhere on an open plain where it belongs.”

“I knew it!” he murmured. “You’ve surely made great contributions to the boom in cattle.” His taste buds were developed completely around the flavor of every kind of animal: cattle, pigs, deer, lambs, chickens and ducks. Converting him was like feeding grass to a lion.

I’m all for preserving our planet, but what good would it do to save the earth for tomorrow’s generation if today’s died of starvation? The next day, we went out for burgers. I was very careful to place the paper bag into our recycling bin.

1.Which of the following best explains “exceeded” underlined in Paragraph 1?

A.Defeated. B.Absorbed.

C.Bound. D.Distributed.

2.What do we know about the author’s husband from Paragraph 2?

A.He supported the meat-free diet.

B.He was a preserver of animals.

C.He was regarded as a meat lover.

D.He played a dominant role in cooking.

3.Which of the following is TRUE about the author?

A.She had a good sense of humor.

B.She successfully transformed her husband.

C.She advocated raising more cattle.

D.She had a perfect recipe for cooking meals.

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Greens or Lions? B.Hunger or Anger?

C.Economy or Environment? D.Discrimination or Appreciation?

    Did you know that badminton is also a fast-paced competitive sport? Badminton has been a Summer Olympic sport since 1992. Para-badminton will be included in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Here is what you need to know if your child is interested in badminton.

Badminton is played on a 44-foot-long rectangular (矩形的) court that is 17 feet wide for singles and 20 feet wide for doubles. It is the only sport that has mixed doubles events in the Olympic Games. It is divided in the middle by a net placed 5 feet off the ground, like volleyball, not at ground level like tennis.

In competition, each match is a set of three games played to 21 points. There is a one-minute break when a player or team reaches 11 points, and a two-minute break in between the first and second games and the second and third games.

Age kids can start: About 6 years old.

Best for kids who: Have good skills, are patient and hardworking, and can handle the pressure of one-on-one or two-on-two competition.

Team or individual: Matches can be singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two).

Costs: Beginners are expected to pay $30 to $40 for an entry-level racquet (球拍). Badminton shoes are similar in price to other athletic shoes. Join a club or team for lessons. A one-hour group lesson for beginners should cost $20 to $25, with costs increasing as your child moves up the ranks. You will also pay entry fees for competitions.

Time commitment required: Beginners will play for just an hour or two per week.

Potential for injury: Players have a very low risk of injury. Players who wear glasses should use eye protection.

1.From the passage, we can learn that ________.

A.badminton is a fast-paced competitive sport which began in 1992

B.badminton has mixed doubles events in the Olympic Games

C.the court for singles has the same width as that for doubles

D.para-badminton has been included in the Summer Olympic Games

2.How many minutes in all will a player have for a rest in a set of three games?

A.2. B.3.

C.5. D.7.

3.According to the passage, for the beginners, they should ________.

A.wear glasses to protect their eyes

B.start to learn badminton at the age of 8

C.play for at least an hour or two every day

D.pay at least $20 for a one-hour group lesson

假定你是李华，你的英国朋友 Tim 想要在暑假时到中国旅游，发邮件向你征求建议。请你回复一封邮件，内容包括：

1. 推荐一个城市。

2. 给出推荐理由。

注意：1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Tim,

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________         

Yours

                                                               LiHua

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、删改或修改。

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 was Monday morning, and the writing class had just begin. Everyone was silent, wait to see who would be called upon to read his and her paragraph aloud. Some of us were confident and eager take part in the class activity, others were nervous and anxious. I had done myself homework but I was shy. I was afraid that to speak in front of a larger group of people. At that moment, I remembered that my father once said, "The classroom is a place for learning and that include learning from textbooks, and mistake as well." Immediate, I raised my hand.

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。

Traditional Chinese culture, 1. (fantastic), is beginning to capture the attention of the world. Kung fu, in particular, has had a great impact 2.the millions of people who first learned about China through 3.. From that, they may come to China and learn about some other 4.(aspect) of this culture. Other Asian nations have long known about the greatness of ancient Chinese culture. Their own cultures are 5.mix of native ones and those Chinese characteristics. Confucianism(孔子学说), which was adopted long ago by Korea and Japan, still 6.(continue) today even as it is challenged by pop culture.

This strength comes from the ideas 7. (give) in the Four Books of Confucianism, which built upon the ideas of an even 8.(much) ancient period codified (编纂) in the Five Classics. From them, the West learns 9.is uniquely Chinese, for example, Feng shui. So far China has taken steps 10.(further) this spread of its culture by establishing Chinese Cultural Centers in such places as the United States and Europe.

    I was driving my newly-acquired motorcycle across the vastness of North Dakota. Suddenly, it broke____on the highway. Later I found it was because something had got stuck into the front tyre.

Anyway, I sat on the __ of the highway for a long time. I tried keeping calm, but it didn’t ___. Finally, a young man____and offered me a ___. However, he already had two motorcycles in the black of his truck, he could____take me along.

He____me to the next town, where I asked to be dropped off, but he waited____while I asked around if anyone could help me to go and pick up my motorcycle. One elderly____was working and said that I could use his pickup！Could you____that? A stranger gave the key to his pickup.

It was quite an____, I must say. So, as I drove back 20 miles to get my____, the young man who first ___to help me followed me. We both put the bike in the back of the truck, and then I followed him another 50 miles or so and____we arrived at his place. We both____the bike there to repair. Then, he followed me back to the small____so I could return the man's truck. I wanted to give the man some cash for using his truck, but he ___.

Two strangers helped____me from spending the night on the side of the road. I don't recall their names, but I value this experience as if it were yesterday. I felt so____. Thank you, strangers. It's you that____my day.

1.A.up B.in C.down D.out

2.A.side B.end C.middle D.back

3.A.matter B.help C.occur D.exist

4.A.took on B.turned down C.pulled over D.cut in

5.A.truck B.solution C.way D.ride

6.A.only B.even C.still D.also

7.A.guided B.drove C.led D.carried

8.A.nervously B.eagerly C.anxiously D.patiently

9.A.passer-by B.driver C.gentleman D.repairman

10.A.imagine B.guarantee C.prove D.acknowledge

11.A.expression B.impression C.adventure D.experience

12.A.bag B.car C.bike D.key

13.A.determined B.hesitated C.planned D.stopped

14.A.naturally B.eventually C.directly D.normally

15.A.unloaded B.fixed C.sold D.returned

16.A.garage B.town C.village D.shop

17.A.promised B.accepted C.declined D.confirmed

18.A.prevent B.rescue C.protect D.block

19.A.reliable B.considerate C.relieved D.grateful

20.A.make B.forget C.break D.pass

    Forgiveness

To forgive is a virtue, but no one has ever said it is easy. When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be extremely difficult to let go of your hate. However, forgiveness is possible, and it can be surprisingly beneficial to your physical and mental health. People who forgive show less sadness, anger and stress and more hopefulness, according to a recent research.

1. Try the following steps：

Calm yourself. 2. You can take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love.

Don’t wait for an apology. Many times the person who hurt you does not intend to apologize. They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don’t see things the same way. 3.  Keep in mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean becoming friends again with the person who upset you.

Take the control away from your offender (冒犯者). Rethinking about your hurt gives power to the person who caused you pain. Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you.

4. If you understand your offender, you may realize that he or she was acting out of unawareness, fear, and even love. You may want to write a letter to yourself from your offender’s point of view.

Don’t forget to forgive yourself. 5.  But it can rob you of your self­confidence if you don’t do it.

A．Why should you forgive?

B．How should you start to forgive?

C．Recognize the benefits of forgiveness.

D．Try to see things from your offender’s angle.

E．For some people, forgiving themselves is the biggest challenge.

F．To make your anger die away, try a simple stress­management technique.

G．If you wait for people to apologize, you could be waiting an awfully long time.

    Is It Worth Buying Organic Food? Organic food, grown without artificial chemicals, is increasingly popular nowadays. Consumers have been willing to pay up to twice more for goods with organic labels (商标). However, if you think paying a little more for organic food gets you a more nutritious and safer product, you might want to save your money. A study led by researchers at Stanford University says that organic products aren't necessarily more nutritious, and they're no less likely to suffer from disease-causing bacteria, either.

The latest results, published in the Annuals of Internal Medicine, suggest that buyers may be wasting their money. "We did not find strong evidence that organic food is more nutritious or healthier," says Dr. Crystal Smith-Spangler from Stanford. "So consumers shouldn't assume that one type of food has a lower risk or is safer."

For their new study, Smith-Spangler and her colleagues conducted a review of two categories of research, including 17 studies that compared health outcomes between consumers of organic against traditional food products, and 223 studies that analyzed the nutritional content of the foods, including key vitamins, minerals and fats.

While the researchers found little difference in nutritional content, they did find that organic fruit and vegetables were 20% less likely to have chemicals remaining on the surfaces. Neither organic nor traditional foods showed levels of chemicals high enough to go beyond food safety standards. And both organic and traditional meats, such as chicken and pork, were equally likely to be harmed by bacteria at very low rates. The researchers did find that organic milk and chicken contained higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat also found in fish that can reduce the risk of heart disease. However, these nutritional differences were too small, and the researchers were unwilling to make much of them until further studies confirm the trends.

Organic food is produced with fewer chemicals and more natural-growing practices, but that doesn't always translate into a more nutritious or healthier product. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that "whether you buy organic or not, finding the freshest foods available may have the biggest effect on taste." Fresh food is at least as good as anything marketed as organic.

1.The new research questions whether organic food __________.

A.should replace traditional food B.has been overpriced by farmers

C.is grown with less harmful chemicals D.is really more nutritious and healthier

2.Smith-Spangler and her colleagues found that __________.

A.organic food could reduce the risk of heart disease

B.traditional food was grown with more natural methods

C.both organic and traditional food they examined were safe

D.there was not a presence of any forms of bacteria in organic food

3.Which of the following is relatively healthier according to the passage?

A.Organic chicken and pork. B.Organic milk and chicken.

C.Traditional chicken and pork. D.Traditional fruit and vegetables.

4.What is the author’s attitude toward organic food?

A.Sceptical B.Neutral

C.Unconcerned D.Approving

    For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.

“It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows.

Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.

“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion — they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill.

For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.”

1.What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?

A.It promoted the sales of artworks. B.It attracted a large number of visitors.

C.It showed ancient Chinese clothes. D.It aimed to introduce Chinese models.

2.What does Hill say about Chinese women?

A.They are setting the fashion. B.They start many fashion campaigns.

C.They admire super models. D.They do business all over the world.

3.What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean?

A.learning from B.looking down on C.working with D.competing against

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Young Models Selling Dreams to the World

B.A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York

C.Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics

D.Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends

    In 1971 a young man who grew up very poor was traveling across the country, trying to make a new start for himself. Along the way he had completely run out of money and was forced to spend the night in his car. This continued until one morning, after a week of sleeping in his car, he walked nervously into a restaurant and ordered a big breakfast.

After eating his first good meal in weeks, he found himself lying to the waiter, telling him he had lost his wallet. The waiter, who was also the owner, walked behind the chair where the young man had been sitting. He bent down, and came up with a $ 20 bill that looked as if it had fallen on the floor. “Sir, you must have dropped this, ” the owner said. The young man couldn't believe his luck! He quickly paid for the breakfast, left a tip, bought gas with the change, and headed West.

On the way out of town, he began to understand what that fellow did. “Maybe nobody dropped the money at all. Maybe that fellow just knew I was in trouble and he helped me in a way that didn't embarrass me. So I just made a promise to help other people if I can. ”

Later, he worked very hard and became a rich man. Now, he lives near Kansas City. Each year he gives away thousands of dollars. He is known as the “Secret Santa” because at Christmas time each year, he personally hands money out to those on the street and at restaurants. Last year, he gave more than $ 50,000 away in Kansas City.

1.The young man was traveling across the country in 1971 probably to _____ .

A.improve his life B.hand out gifts to passers-by

C.look for a good restaurant D.show his new car to others

2.On the way out of town, the young man got to know that ___.

A.it was very honest of the owner to return his money

B.he could probably find himself a job in the restaurant

C.the owner helped him in a way that didn't hurt his feelings

D.another man who had breakfast in the restaurant lost the money

3.From this text we can infer that ___.

A.the man raised money for the poor B.the man did carry out his promise

C.Santa gives the man money each year D.the man was not successful in the end

4.The best title for the text may be __.

A.Secret Santa of Kansas City B.The Key to Success

C.A kind Waiter in the Restaurant D.Never Give Up

    South Africa is the water-lovers' paradise. Whether you want to be by the sea, on the sea or even under it, there are countless ways to get your ocean experience. Almost all of them are located on South Africa's east coast, where the Indian Ocean keeps water warm.

Thompson's Bay, Ballito

Drive 40 minutes north of Durban to reach the unique coastal town of Ballito. Popular with holidaymakers, Ballito has a choice of pretty beaches—and the best for swimming is Thompson's Bay. This scenic cove （小海湾）is sheltered from the wind and characterized by its calm waters, interesting rocky outcrops and a fascinating geological hole-in-the-wall. There's a walled tidal pool for those who are nervous to swim in the open ocean, making this spot a particularly good choice for families.

Umhlanga Rocks, Durban

Located a 20-minute drive from central Durban, the resort town of Umhlanga is a proper getaway for people

with good incomes and visitors in the know(知内情的). The main Umhlanga Rocks beach boasts safe swimming waters and endless golden sands, again protected by lifeguards and shark nets. A paved walkway provides direct access to the town's beachfront shops, restaurants and bars.

Gonubie Beach, East London

The coastal town of Gonubie is seen by many as a suburb of East London, one of the largest cities of the Eastern Cape. Its picture-perfect beach offers great swimming areas in the open sea. The Gonubie River reaches the sea at this point, too, and offers another bathing spot on days when the surf in the sea is bigger than usual. All along the river's green banks, you'll find a series of shaded spots perfect for summer picnics and barbecues.

Kelly’s Beach, Port Alfred

Further south on the Sunshine Coast, the laid-back town of Port Alfred is home to Kelly’s Beach, which was awarded Blue Flag status for 2017-2018. A 400-meter stretch of pale brown sand, the beach and its waters are exceptionally clean. Two viewing decks come in handy during whale-watching season, or for admiring spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

1.If you are planning a family trip to South Africa, which beach suits you best?

A.Thompson's Bay, Ballito. B.Umhlanga Rocks, Durban.

C.Gonubie Beach. East London D.Kelly's Beach, Port Alfred.

2.What's special about Umhlanga Rocks in Durban?

A.It is free for children. B.Its target crowd is the rich.

C.It has a walled tidal pool. D.It has pale brown sand.

3.What could you do when meeting violent waves on Gonubie Beach?

A.Go swimming in the open sea. B.Go bathing at another bathing spot.

C.Go surfing in the open sea. D.Go camping by the riverside.

假定你是学生会主席李华,你校将举办主题为“祖国颂”的庆祝建国70周年文艺演出,你将邀请你的英国朋友Joe观看这场演出。请你写封邮件向他介绍有关情况,内容包括：

1．举办的时间和地点;

2．活动的目的;

3．活动的内容。

注意：

1．词数100左右;

2．可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯;

3．参考词汇：祖国颂Ode to Our Motherland;周年纪念日anniversary.

Dear Joe,

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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短文。短文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误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(∧), 并在此符号下面写出该加的词。

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。

Last week, I went to a painting exhibition. Upon enter the gallery, I put on the earphones which would give me informations of all the paintings. Suddenly, I noticed that the elderly woman who didn’t know how to use the earphones stood anxiously in front of a painting. I rushed to her with hesitation but helped her put on the earphones. The woman thanks me for my kindness. I realized that was reaching out to others that could really bring a great moment of happiness, which was benefit to me so much. That day when I appreciated lots of breathtaking paintings. What’s more, I learned a valuable lesson from the grateful smile giving by the elderly woman.

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(不多于3个单词)。

1.（see）from outer space, Earth is a blue planet, due to the fact that the ocean covers over 70 percent of its surface. According to a new study published in the journal Science, the ocean plays a great role in 2.（slow）down global warming. 3.The New York Times reported, it is “4.important buffer（缓冲物）”.

The oceans can absorb 93 percent of the heat trapped by the greenhouse gases 5.humans release into the atmosphere. And the other 7 percent 6.（absorb)by the air, land and ice caps, according to the Guardian.

“If the ocean wasn’t absorbing as much heat, the surface of the land would heat up much 7. （fast） than it is right now,” said professor Malin L. Pinsky at Rutgers University in the US. “In fact, the ocean is saving us from rapid warming right now.”

However, the ocean itself, as Discover Magazine noted, is heating up 40 percent faster on average than the United Nations 8.（believe） five years ago. That means if the ocean temperatures increase 9.this speed, the high water temperatures “will kill off marine ecosystems, raise sea 10. (level) and make hurricanes more destructive （破坏性的）”, the Guardian reported.

课文填空

Neither its cause nor its 1. was understood. So many thousands of 2.people died every time there was an outbreak. John Snow wanted to face the 3. and solve this problem. He knew that cholera would never be controlled 4. its cause was found.

England is the largest of the four countries, and for 5.  it is divided 6. into three zones. ... .Although, 7., these cities are not as large as 8.in China, they have world-famous football teams and some of them even two!

Having said this he spread some food on the table, and produced a bed from the floor. After he left, I had a 9. meal and a hot bath. Exhausted, I slid into bed and fell fast 10..

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

My dad has been driving a truck for almost his entire life. He's usually ________ all the weekdays and comes home only at weekends. Sometimes he stays ________ for two weeks at a time. ________ I don't get to see him as often as I wish, we remain very ________.

My dad is the type of person who doesn't let you ________ up anything that you start. When I was eleven, my father bought me a piano. At first I was so ________ about it that I would spend hours and hours learning how to play. Then it got ________. I was so tired of it that I asked if I could stop. Much as I tried, he ________ me to go on. Now I have been playing for almost five years. I love it and I' m glad I ________ my dad's advice.

My dad is ________ talented, for he has been playing the guitar for over 20 years. Under his influence, I also like ________ now. Sometimes my dad can be my biggest ________. He makes me smile even when I lose in a talent show ________ sometimes he can be my biggest critic(批评家). He ________ ignores the small mistakes I make. He encourages me never to lose ________ because he thinks that all my efforts will ________ one day.

My dad is generous. Every Thursday night, he ________ to read to the children at a children’s club. When he reads, their ________ light up with curiosity about what will happen next. I feel ________ of having a person in my family who cares enough to volunteer to ________.

I love dad with all my heart. He's a hero in my heart and the most wonderful person in the world.

1.A.on B.out C.with D.in

2.A.alone B.home C.inside D.away

3.A.Even though B.In case C.If only D.As if

4.A.polite B.kind C.close D.different

5.A.give B.put C.take D.speed

6.A.crazy B.anxious C.nervous D.familiar

7.

A.rough B.boring

C.disappointing D.difficult

8.A.promised B.persuaded C.reminded D.suggested

9.A.challenged B.received C.listened D.took

10.A.physically B.musically C.typically D.exactly

11.A.drawing B.dancing C.writing D.composing

12.A.director B.supporter C.sponsor D.scholar

13.A.however B.and C.so D.still

14.A.often B.ever C.even D.never

15.A.aim B.dream C.strength D.heart

16.A.let out B.pay off C.take risks D.come true

17.A.offers B.likes C.intends D.agrees

18.A.bodies B.faces C.hands D.arms

19.A.proud B.optimistic C.jealous D.happy

20.A.help B.drive C.work D.read

    The best way to set yourself up for success is to make sure that your goals are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely．

Make your goals specific．

You need to give yourself a concrete goal so you know exactly what you’re working toward．1.Who will be involved in helping you reach your goal? What exact goal do you want to accomplish? Be very specific．When will you start and when will you reach your goal?

Make your goals measurable．

Now that you have some of the specifics of your goal nailed down, it's time to look at how you will measure your progress．After all, if you don’t have any way to measure your goal, how will you know when you’ve reached it?2. Some examples of measurable goals might be pounds lost, a positive change in blood work numbers, or fitness minutes accumulated．

Make your goals attainable．

It’s good to think big．3. A goal that’s attainable for you is one that you believe you can reach and have all the support, equipment, knowledge and resources needed to put your goals into action．

Make your goals relevant．

You need to make sure that you’re choosing a goal that fits you and your lifestyle．4.Pick something that is meaningful and relevant to you and you ll set yourself up for success．

Make your goals timely．

5.Otherwise, it will be difficult to know how to pace yourself to reach it．Every goal should have a date, which will help you stay on track．In addition, set up a few mini-deadlines to keep you on track to reaching your big-picture goal．

A. Put a deadline on your goal．

B. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today．

C. You know your goal is specific if it answers these questions．

D. Therefore, you should know in advance how you will make this happen．

E. However, it’s also important that you don’t set a goal that is too big to reach．

F. Don’t choose a goal just because someone else thinks it’s something you “should” do．

G. Your goal is measurable if you can find a way to quantify your success using real numbers．

    Goldfish have pretty boring lives, so maybe it’s a good thing they can only concentrate for nine seconds! But according to a new research, humans are becoming like goldfish. Our attention span (时长) is getting shorter ...and it’s all because of technology.

“We move quickly from one site to another on the web,” said Doctor Ted Selker, a computer scientist from Massachusetts, “and we are losing the ability to concentrate.” With millions of websites to choose from, the attention span of the average internet user is just seconds. There are other digital distractions（分心）too: email, instant messaging and quickie movies on websites.

Some people are worried about the effect on young people. “You need time to understand and think about what you read,” said Julia Wood, from London. “Young people search the net all the time and their brains become full of useless information but there is no time to make sense of it. I am trying to persuade my pupils to read more books, so that they concentrate on one subject for longer.”

Other teachers are trying more unusual methods to improve students’ concentration. Anne Savan, from Wales, was so worried about her students that she started playing Mozart during her science lessons. She says that it had an amazing effect: “The music made them calmer, and their concentration was much better.”

But not everyone believes that there is a problem. Ray Cole, an educational psychologist says, “On the web, young people learn to make quick decisions about what is and isn’t worth reading. They might look at five unhelpful websites very quickly, before stopping and reading a sixth useful website more carefully. In a world with so much information available, this is an important skill.”

1.Why does the writer mention “goldfish”?

A. To introduce background. B. To compare two species.

C. To introduce a topic. D. To suggest a way out.

2.What may cause a shorter attention span according to Dr. Ted Selker?

A. Skipping around the internet. B. Time to digest information.

C. Traditional methods of reading. D. Making decisions.

3.What will help students overcome a short attention span?

A. Composing music. B. Texting messages

C. Reading more books. D. Watching quickie movies.

4.What is Ray Cole’s attitude towards looking through websites quickly?

A. Cautious. B. Unfavorable.

C. Skeptical. D. Supportive.

    It has been around for centuries, but up until very recently, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) wasn’t fully accepted abroad. Proof of this can be found in The Treatment (《刮痧》), a 2001 film that tells the story of a Chinese man in the US who’s accused of abuse after he uses guasha, a form of TCM treatment, to cure his grandson’s disease.

During the last 10 years or so, however, TCM has been getting increasingly popular all over the world. A report released by the State Council Information Office on Dec. 6 says this style of health care, which includes different forms like herbal medicine and exercise, has spread to 183 countries and regions.

“We have set up 10 TCM centers outside China, and all of them are popular among locals,” Wang Guoqiang, head of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said at a news conference on Dec 6. “Governments of 86 countries and regions have signed agreements with the Chinese government on TCM corporation.”

One of the reasons behind the growing popularity of TCM is the increase of scientific research into it. And after Tu Youyou, the Chinese scientist who discovered the anti-malaria (抗疟疾) drug qinghaosu (青蒿素), won the Nobel Prize in 2015, TCM became even more famous internationally.

However, all these achievements in TCM don’t mean that it’s problem-free. Over the years, TCM has faced challenges in being able to prove that it has certain effects.

Some researchers have suggested TCM should be more exact and work together with Western medicine.

“Bringing together with Western medicine and TCM, rather than being in competition, is where the potential for great effects is,” said Bernhard Schwartlander, the China representative of the World Health Organization.

1.The film The Treatment is mentioned in the first paragraph to         .

A.introduce the film to readers

B.show TCM is increasingly popular

C.arouse readers’ interest in Western medicine

D.prove that TCM is not fully accepted in western countries

2.We can learn from the passage that         .

A.TCM is not exact in curing diseases

B.10 TCM centers abroad are all set up by locals

C.86 countries have cooperated with China on TCM

D.Tu Youyou’s success contributes to the popularity of TCM

3.According to Bernhard Schwartlander, TCM should         .

A.combine western medicine B.face no challenge at all

C.give an exact description of its effects D.compete with western medicine

4.Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A.A report on TCM B.Opinions about TCM

C.TCM spreads D.TCM & Western Medicine

    I remember watching TV and seeing other children suffer in other parts of the world when I was a very little child. I would talk to myself, “When I grow up, when I can become rich, I'll save kids all over the world.”

At the age of 17, I began my career here in America, and by 18, I started my first charity organization. I went on to team up with other organizations in the following years, and met, helped, and even lost some of the most beautiful souls, from six-year-old Jasmina Anema who passed away in 2010 from leukemia(白血病）---her story inspired thousands to volunteer as donors, to 2012 when my grandmother lost her battle with cancer, which is the very reason and the driving force behind the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF). We’re all human. And we all just want a chance: a chance at life, a chance in education, a chance at a future, really. And at CLF, our mission is to impact as many lives as possible, but it starts with just one.

People make it seem too hard to do charity work. The truth is, you don't have to be rich to help others. You don't need to be famous. You don’t even have to be college-educated. But it starts with your neighbor, the person right next to you, the person sitting next to you in class, the kid down the block in your neighborhood. You just do whatever you can to help in any way that you can. And today, I want to challenge each of you to make a commitment to help one person, one organization, one situation that touches your heat. My grandmother always used to say, “If you’ve got a dollar, there’s plenty to share.”

1.What did the author want to do at a young age?

A. Watch TV B. Help other children

C. Become wealthy D. Grow up quickly

2.Which of the following directly caused the author to create and develop the  CLF?

A. A six-year-old kid’s request.

B. Many volunteers’ inspiration for it

C. Her grandmother’s death of cancer.

D. Other organizations’ encouragement.

3.What does the underlined word “one”in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A. A life B. A chance

C. A task D. An organization

4.What does the author suggest people do in the last paragraph?

A. Do charity work when you are rich.

B. Challenge their friends to offer help.

C. Work very hard to get a college education.

D. Do little things to help those around them.

    Welcome to Arundel Castle which is situated in West Sussex, England. The castle has a history of nearly 1000 years and has welcomed visitors traveling from all over the world. Arundel Castle also plays a starring role in many films.

The Gardens

The White Garden is planted with soft white Iceberg Roses, and Snow White Lilies.

The Rose Garden is newly planted with lovely old-fashioned English roses that are at their very best in June and July.

The Organic Kitchen Garden produces a wide range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, pears, cherries and apples.

The Castle Shop

In the Castle Shop, you will discover a wide and interesting range of gift ideas for everyone. It offers gifts and souvenirs designed to appeal to all tastes and pockets. Foods, china, books, and stationery (文具)are all available. Many are sold in this Castle Shop only.

At Arundel Castle we pride ourselves on supporting local suppliers and actively encourage environmentally friendly products.

The Arundel Festival 2014

Saturday 16th to Monday 25th August

The annual Arundel Festival gets bigger and better every year. It is one of the most amazing, diverse and easily accessible arts festivals in the UK, offering a mix of visual arts, music, theatre and street entertainment.

Parking

Coaches and mini-buses can drop off at the main Castle entrance in Mill Road and park in the main town car park that is opposite the Castle entrance. Please inform us when making your booking of how many parking permits are required.

1.When visiting the castle, you can___.

A.get old-fashioned English roses as gifts B.see how the local gifts are being made

C.get seasonal fruit and vegetables for free D.buy eco-friendly products in the Castle Shop

2.Where can you park the coach?

A.In Mill Road B.Inside the Castle

C.In the main town car park D.At the main Castle entrance

3.How long does the Arundel Festival last this year?

A.10 days B.One week C.16 days D.One month

假定你是李华，打算寒假去英国伦敦旅行一星期，学习当地的文化，并顺便拜访你的英国朋友Jack。请你写信告知，内容包括：

1. 到伦敦的时间以及要呆多久； 

2. 请他推荐值得参观的景点；

3. 询问他方便被拜访的时间。   

4. 期待答复。

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；

3. 只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。

Last summer I go to Hangzhou with two Americans. I became their guide. First, we went to the West Lake, that is a famous place of interest in Hangzhou. We looked around it by the boat. After that, we went shop. The sellers couldn’t speak English. Though it was very harder, I tried my best to listen their words carefully and translate the sentences. They bought many things with their help. Next, we went to a small zoo but took some pictures. When we felt hungry, we went out and had lunch. After lunch, we visited some old house. All of us had a greatly time that day.

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。

Dear Tom,

I have received your letter and I am glad to give you some 1. (suggestion). First of all, don’t be 2. (disappoint). English is more or less difficult. Many students find 3. hard to write well. 4.my opinion, if you want to improve your writing, you can do 5. following things.

First, do some study with useful expressions and sentence structures.6.(try) to make some sentences with them. Second, read as much as possible. There are many things 7. can’t be learned at a time. You must see them many times. So in order 8. (write) well, you must learn to read much. 9. (final), you’d better recite some good passages.

By the way, a meeting 10. (hold) next week in our class to discuss the problems. Welcome to it!

Good luck!

Yours,

Li Hua

    One day, it was raining heavily and I didn’t have an umbrella, I had just_______a bus and had to walk back to my house.I_______walking in that direction, when I heard somebody shouting,“Sister,”“Sister.” I looked back and_______the stationery（文具）shopkeeper.I went to him and asked what was the_______.He said that since it was raining heavily, I could take a_______in his shop, have a look at his new_______and go home when the rain stopped.For a moment I hesitated（犹豫）,but the_______of getting to have a look at the pens made me nod.

To my surprise, I found that the_______was larger than I thought.The stationery shopkeeper offered me a chair and took out the pens for me.I_______a beautiful parker（派克）pen and had a try.It________so smoothly that I wanted to buy it with all my heart,________as expected, it was very expensive. The shopkeeper said, “I can give you the pen for ninety-five dollars________one hundred.” I looked up and thanked him for the________,but refused politely as it was________quite expensive for me. By that time, the rain had________,and after appreciating his________,I quickly walked back to my house.

After that day, the shop became my________place to hang out .The shopkeeper used to________me pens always at discount prices and very often also offered me tea.He had much information about all kinds of pens and other writing instruments.________both of us knew nothing about each other,we had a deep friendship based on our common ________.

1.A.run into B.got on C.run after D.got off

2.A.tried B.started C.considered D.avoided

3.A.observed B.answered C.saw D.remembered

4.A.matter B.trouble C.doubt D.reason

5.A.drink B.seat C.breath D.test

6.A.umbrella B.books C.tea D.pens

7.A.importance B.dream C.idea D.result

8.A.shop B.station C.factory D.bar

9.A.made use of B.ran out of C.caught sight of D.took care of

10.A.moved B.ran C.walked D.wrote

11.A.and B.but C.so D.or

12.A.instead of B.up to C.due to D.in addition to

13.A.convenience B.choice C.offer D.deal

14.A.even B.again C.ever D.still

15.A.come down B.stopped C.continued D.poured down

16.A.bravery B.politeness C.kindness D.carefulness

17.A.favourite B.personal C.only D.secret

18.A.share B.sell C.introduce D.send

19.A.Once B.Unless C.Since D.Although

20.A.interests B.lifestyles C.goals D.habits

How to stay focused in class

1. No matter how much you want to sit with your friends during the class, try your best to stay away from them. Talking with friends is not going to help you stay focused (集中注意力的) in class and will cause trouble, too.

Look at the teacher. Your teacher is not just standing up there talking — they’re trying to give you an acceptable education. Show the teacher that he or she has your full attention, by looking him or her in the eye. 2.

Take notes. By taking notes, you’ll be able to “get into” the lesson. 3. Listen for key phrases such as, “This is important,” “This is the main idea,” etc. This can help you listen more carefully; you’ll have something to do and focus on.

Join in class discussions. This is a wonderful way to become a more focused, successful student. When a teacher asks a question, offer to answer it. 4. This shows the teacher that you’re listening carefully during the class.

Ask a question. 5. This really shows your teacher that you want to be better, and can recognize the things you’re having difficulty with. Maybe someone else in the class has the same question but he or she is too afraid to ask. When the question is asked by you, he or she will be relaxed and so will you.

A. Do your best.

B. Don’t sit with friends.

C. Don’t try to finish your homework in class.

D. This person should have your full attention at all times in class.

E. Write down key points as your teacher speaks.

F. If you don’t understand something, never be afraid to ask.

G. When he or she asks for an opinion, share your own.

    Elephants on the coast of Thailand are acting strangely. They stamp their feet and signal toward the hills. The sea draws back from the beaches. Fish fall heavily in the mud. Suddenly, a huge wave appears. This is no ordinary wave. It is a tsunami (海啸)!

Tsunami waves are larger and faster than normal surface waves. A tsunami wave can travel as fast as a jet plane and can be as tall as a ten-story building. Imagine dropping a stone into a pond. The water on the surface ripples (起涟漪). A tsunami is like a very powerful ripple. Tsunamis begin when the ocean rises or falls very suddenly. Large amounts of seawater are displaced. This movement causes huge waves.

If a tsunami happens, there must be some kind of force that causes the ocean water to become displaced. Most tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes. However, volcanoes, landslides (塌方), large icebergs, and even meteorites (陨石) are able to cause one of these giant waves.

Tsunamis are extremely powerful. Ordinary waves lose power when they break. Tsunami waves can remain powerful for several days. Because tsunami waves are so strong, they can kill people, damage property, and completely ruin an ecosystem in just one hour.

Scientists have no way of predicting when a tsunami will hit. However, if a powerful enough earthquake happens, scientists can send out a warning or a watch. A warning means that a tsunami will very likely hit soon. A watch means that conditions are favorable for a tsunami. When people are informed of a watch or a warning, they have more time to prepare. It is best not to get caught unaware when a tsunami is on the way!

1.Why are elephants acting strangely before the Tsunamis?

A.They dislike the huge wave.

B.They are afraid of the big fish.

C.They can sense something out of the ordinary.

D.They see the ocean drawing back from the beaches.

2.What does the underlined word “displaced” in paragraph 2 mean?

A.Moved out of normal place. B.Pushed by human force.

C.Pulled to great heights. D.Hung down quickly.

3.Why do Tsunamis cause so much destruction?

A.They are not familiar to most people.

B.They are very powerful and long-lasting.

C.They break on the coast, unlike normal waves.

D.They are caused by underwater earthquakes.

4.What is this text mainly about?

A.How to guard against tsunamis. B.Differences between wave types.

C.What to do with tsunami waves. D.Causes and effects of tsunamis.

    Jim Denevan is an amazing artist whose work is admired by all, but owned by none — that’s because all of Jim’s art is created on an unusual canvas (画布) — the soft sand. He sometimes spends days working on a piece, only to see it washed away by the sea or a storm and that is just the way he likes it.

Denevan discovered his artistic talents about ten years ago, when he was wandering aimlessly on the beach with a stick. He ended up drawing a 12-foot-long fish. Since then, Jim has traveled over 1,800 miles while creating over 600 pieces of sand art.

Over the years, his drawings have become bigger, but the tools he uses haven’t changed — All he needs is a stick, a garden rake (耙) and most importantly, his lively imagination!

Just like any good artist, Jim is quite particular about the “quality” of his canvas, sometimes walking for miles, in search of perfect sand. His latest piece of work, which is also the world’s largest freelance (自由职业的) drawing, was created in the desert sands of Nevada. It took Jim three trips, eight days and over 100 miles of walking to create this 3-mile work of art. It took the storm just one night to destroy it! However, Jim says he actually enjoys watching the waves or rain wash his paintings away.

Jim’s art has become very popular over the years and was even the topic of a documentary named “Sandman” in 2005. Jim Denevan is not just about art in the sand — he is also an excellent cook and founder of an organization called “Outstanding in the Field”, whose motto (座右铭) is to celebrate food at its source. Accordingly, group dining events are held outdoors on farms, with the diners being treated to a delicious meal. The events, which are held in different farms throughout America, are always sold out the minute the schedule is announced.

1.What do we know about Denevan?

A.He used to be a cook.

B.He has a gift for creating sand art.

C.He puts his work on show regularly.

D.He showed artistic talents at a very young age.

2.What can we learn from the text?

A.Denevan walks a lot to complete his work.

B.It is not hard for Denevan to find suitable sand.

C.It takes a long time for the storm to destroy Denevan’s work.

D.Denevan is very particular about his drawing tools.

3.What does Denevan enjoy about his work according to the text?

A.Walking a long distance. B.Waiting for the storm to come.

C.Looking for a suitable canvas. D.Watching nature destroy his work.

4.Which of the following can best describe Denevan?

A.Generous. B.Open-minded.

C.Imaginative. D.Traditional.

    Two years ago I was very lonely and didn’t talk with anyone about my feelings. At the time I didn’t have many friends. I wanted someone to share my experiences and secrets with.I wanted someone to understand me. I started to imagine this friend. Often I imagined our conversations and what we would do, but I didn’t give my imagination a face.

Some weeks later we started a new project in school and I was working with one of my schoolmates. We had never worked together before but we got along well. After the project we started to spend some time together in school. One day we decided to take a walk. Ever since that walk we’ve been best friends. We listened and really understood each other.

I had wished for a best friend, but the universe gave me so much more. I have met one of my soul mates (挚友). We can sense each other, and it just takes one look and we know what the other is thinking. I didn’t think our friendship could grow much stronger. But now we have known each other for two years and our friendship is growing all the time.

It hasn’t only been easy. We have gone through both easy and hard times. But I’m grateful for the hard times, because they have forced me to grow and taught me a lot. My best friend has changed me. She has made me believe in myself. And I am now focusing on achieving one of my biggest dreams. Without her I wouldn’t even have realized what my biggest dream is.

I know there are soul mates out in the world for you. I am so grateful to have met one of mine. Believe in them, and your paths will cross!

1.What did the author do before meeting her soul mate?

A.She chose to stay alone. B.She spent time with other friends.

C.She told others about her feelings. D.She pictured a friend in her mind.

2.How did the author get to know her soul mate?

A.By taking a walk. B.By attending a party.

C.Through a school project. D.Through a friend’s introduction.

3.What do we know about the author and her soul mate?

A.Their friendship is still developing.

B.She is the author’s only soul mate.

C.They are trying hard to realize their dreams.

D.She has little confidence in their friendship.