A family watching a dolphin from their boat were shocked when it dropped them off a cod (鳕鱼) supper for dinner.

The group were enjoying watching the mammal playing in the water when it suddenly dived down and caught the cod before placing it near to Lucy Watkins, 14.

The dolphin then appeared and began pulling the fish towards the stunned teenager. Lucy and her grandparents wondered whether they should pick up the fish in case the dolphin wanted it for tea.

But the dolphin then appeared seconds later with his own fish, this time a seabass (石斑鱼), and began eating. The family gratefully accepted the cod, which weighed about 10 pounds, before taking it home to cook for their dinner.

Lucy said, “He definitely wanted me to have his fish. He first dropped it 20 feet away but then pushed it to within 5 feet of my boat. Everyone was watching on the beach and we caused quite a stir (激动) when we came back with the cod.”

Grandmother Nina added, “It was as if he was saying to Lucy ‘Don’t worry, now I’ve got a fish to play with and so have you. This is mine for my tea; you have that one for yours.’ ”

“He was just so playful and content to be around us. Lucy was swinging her fingers in the water and he seemed to be attracted by that.”

“If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never have believed it. My theory is that he was lonely and wanted human company. He was with us for about two hours.”

“It seemed rude to refuse him so we took the fish and had cod and chips for supper. It was very large. I’ve still got half in the freezer.”

A spokesman from Whale and Dolphin Conservation said, “This is a very interesting account. There are many examples worldwide of dolphins interacting with humans. We would just make our usual appeal for people to generally keep their distance.”

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

A.Astonished. B.Upset.

C.Disappointed. D.Worried.

2.Why didn’t the family accept the cod at once?

A.Because Lucy’s grandparents didn’t like cods.

B.Because they were not sure whether it was a gift for them.

C.Because they didn’t know how clever the dolphin was.

D.Because they wanted to change for another one.

3.According to the text, we can infer that __________.

A.Lucy was afraid when she first saw the dolphin

B.Grandmother didn’t believe what the dolphin had done

C.the fish was delicious so they kept a half in the freezer

D.dolphins should be given their own living space

假如你是李华，目前作为一名交换生在英国一所中学学习。因为学校面积较大，宿舍区到教学区距离较远。请你利用学校英文报栏目给校长写信反映问题，希望引进校园共享单车。内容包括：

1.反映困难；

2.分析原因；

3.提出希望。

注意:1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯：

3.文章的开头和结尾已经给出，不计人总词数。

Dear Headmaster,

We are hoping that you can notice the problem with us students' campus life.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We would appreciate it if you could reply soon!

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

假定英语课上老师要求同学们交换修改作文，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。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（∧），并在其下面写上该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下而写上修改后的词。

注倉：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 Thursday was the day where I paid a visit for the museum of tea together with some foreign students and showed them around there.

I led them to look through the relics about tea at the exhibition in beginning. They were curious about the stories behind those old mysteriously things. Then I showed them what to make tea. All of them learned carefully and one of them even took out his camera to make a record of every step. Had watched for some time, they tried making tea by themselves. At the end of the activity, we had a photo was taken together. Exhausted and delighted they expressed their gratefulness to me for my detailed explain.

The activity impressed me deeply because it not only helped me improve my skills of communication but also allow me to know more about our traditional culture that day. I enjoyed it very much.

阅读下列材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或用括号内单词的正确形式。

My father always told me, "All work is noble. ” He wasn't wealthy, but he earned a quite 1. (reason) living. Thanks to his effort, I was able to go to an art college. I, however, wanted to do something different, something more interesting - I was special!

After graduation, I moved to New York 2. search of a graphic designer job. It was winter and I only brought money to support myself for about a month. I wasn't worried-I was sure I'd find a fantastic job immediately.

Within a few weeks, 3. (reject) many times in town, I found myself wandering around the streets. My hostel rent was almost gone and I hadn't eaten for days. “How had I reached this point?"  I wondered as I trembled in my thin jacket.

I was just about to give up 4. my dad called. He suggested I get a job in a restaurant until something else came along. At first, pride made me hesitate but I was cold, hungry, and unwilling to go home feeling ashamed and defeated.

I entered a cafe near one of the design 5. (office) that had turned me away and asked the manager if they were hiring waiters. She said they were shorthanded , and I 6. (offer) a job right away. Surprisingly, I found that I really enjoyed serving people. I started making big tips. Later, the manager learned that I had a design background and asked me to design the cafe menus, That led to a part-time job at an advertising company.

7.(previous) I had never considered 8. (be) a waiter, but there I was. I eventually got my dream design job, but that winter I learned not to make an 9. (assume) about work. The restaurant 10.I once worked will be remembered by me forever.

    Thanks to the power of the Internet, many people have become superstars overnight. Their _______ is felt online in catchphrases(名言), photos and videos that _______ around the Internet. hey have gotten famous _______ the unique luck of becoming an Internet celebrity.

This global phenomenon has certainly caught on in the US, and American high school students are no _______. Alex is one of their_______.

Alex? A few months ago, he was a high school student living a  _______life. He lived in Texas in the US. He woke up at 7 am for school. He had 144 followers on Twitter. But now everybody on social media knows him. How?

You must have had this experience. You were waiting in line for the _______ in a store when you realized that your cashier was smoking _______. Well, that's exactly what happened to someone who saw Alex. He was working in a chain store one weekend and a teen girl took his photo and posted it on the Internet. She _______ a caption(文字说明) naming the store, writing, "This is Alex from Target," and teen girls soon began ________ the picture on every social media platform.

Alex, who worked in the Target store all clay, had no idea that he had become a sensation. He only felt ________ when he noticed his checkout line had gotten ________ long. Then his Target manager showed him the online photo.

Alex's life began to ________. He got thousands of followers on Twitter, a social network, within the first 24 hours and his new fans even tried to ________ which Target store he worked at. "I was getting tons of texts," Alex said. "They all said 'This is crazy, you're famous.

________ , Alex also paid the ________ for fame when he received criticism and verbal ________.  Many have taken to social media to call Alex names. Twitter is full of ________ criticizing his looks.

Alex has tried to________the criticism. He says he wants to take what he learned from his days of being bullied and help to ________teenagers who are experiencing meanness online.

1.A.profession B.potential C.purpose D.presence

2.A.float B.shake C.interrupt D.perform

3.A.regardless of B.free from C.due to D.apart from

4.A.need B.sense C.exception D.reason

5.A.schoolmates B.representatives C.settlers D.citizens

6.A.normal B.colorful C.healthy D.tough

7.A.board B.notice C.shelf D.checkout

8.A.big B.hot C.free D.light

9.A.added B.copied C.mixed D.moved

10.A.taking B.editing C.sharing D.drawing

11.A.fortunate B.strange C.thrilled D.upset

12.A.slightly B.commonly C.unnecessarily D.unusually

13.A.change B.recover C.improve D.suffer

14.A.remember B.see to C.figure out D.explain

15.A.Instead B.Therefore C.Otherwise D.However

16.A.price B.note C.rent D.tax

17.A.attacks B.promises C.agreements D.reminders

18.A.rules B.marks C.posts D.bills

19.A.set off B.give off C.brush off D.take off

20.A.attract B.guide C.follow D.consult

    Fashion, a term that is related to clothes, accessories(配饰), hairstyles and so on, is like a wind and is changing rapidly. From school-aged kids to working adults, everybody wants to look best. Fashion is promoted mostly by TV advertisements and celebrities. Many people define their fashion statement as comfort. They wear whatever they feel comfortable. 1.You can't wear a jogging suit to attend a wedding, and similarly you won't wear a dress to jog.

Nowadays, fashion has become one common language for people all over the world. It helps to connect people internationally, because it travels from one city to another. Sometimes, fashion can be an inspiration for many to discover their hidden potential. 2.In other words, fashion inspires some people to extend their knowledge and creativity to turn their hobby into a career. And therefore, fashion offers employment opportunities to those who dream of being part of the fashion industry.

Besides, following your own fashion statement makes you a more independent thinker. If you think you have the ability to wear fashion clothes, then it gives you a great deal of confidence. It also helps you make new friends easily. If you share the same interest with other people, then communicating with them won't be difficult. 3.

However, there are also negative impacts of fashion. For example, today some students focus more on fashion instead of their studies. They want to know everything about fashion but little about their schooling. 4. Besides, people experimenting with their hair or skin often forget about the allergies(过敏) they need to face due to using such products.

In a word, fashion will not be harmful to our society if we learn to keep a balance between our studies and interests. There is no harm in being fashionable. 5. So following fashion trends should be done within limits.

A. Of course, you need to consider the occasion, too.

B. This is one of the major negative impacts on students.

C. You will have a common topic to start your discussion.

D. A fashion usually remains popular for about one to three years.

E. But don t let it have a bad effect on your way of life and career.

F. Clothing can be decorated or designed with all types of images and colors.

G. And it encourages people to attend fashion schools and make something out of their careers.

    Stress in middle age can make your brain shrink and make your memory worse, scientists have discovered. The brain-reducing effects of stress, identified in people in their 40s free from dementia - a serious mental disorder caused by brain disease or injury, were found to be caused by cortisol(皮质醇). The high levels of the stress hormone may be an early warning “sign that someone may end up with dementia, the research suggests.

Stress also made people's thinking skills worse, which the Harvard Medical School study, published in the journal Neurology found. For the research, scientists led by Dr. Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui studied 2,231 people with an average of 49 and free of dementia. He said." Our research detected memory loss and brain shrinkage in middle-aged people before symptoms started to show. So it's important for people to find ways to reduce stress, such as getting enough sleep, taking part in moderate exercise, making relaxation techniques part of their daily lives or asking their doctor about their cortisol levels and taking a cortisol-reducing medication if needed. "He also added, "It's important for physicians to give professional advice to all people with high cortisol levels."

Researchers found lower scores on tests of memory and thinking in people with higher levels of cortisol than those with average levels. In addition, people with higher cortisol levels had a smaller brain volume, with those with high cortisol levels having brains that were 88.5 per cent of the total cranial(颅骨的) volume. This was compared to 88. 7 percent of the total cranial volume for people with normal levels of the hormone. No links were found between low levels of cortisol and brain size.

Cortisol helps the body respond to stress and when we are stressed, cortisol levels increase because that is our fight - or - flight(战或逃) response. It can also help reduce inflammation(发炎) and control blood sugar and blood pressure. High cortisol levels can be caused by stress, medical conditions or medications.

“Cortisol affects many different functions so it is important to fully investigate how high levels of the hormone may affect the brain," Dr Echouffo-Tcheugui said, “While other studies have examined cortisol and memory, we believe our large, community-based study is the first to explore, in middle-aged people, cortisol levels and brain volume, as well as memory and thinking skills. ”

1.What may Dr. Echouffo-Tcheugui suggest people do about stress-reducing?

A.Early to bed and early to rise. B.Strengthen the social network.

C.Eat food with more protein. D.Ride a bicycle around a lake.

2.Which statement about cortisol may the author agree to?

A.Higher cortisol levels are associated with larger brain volume.

B.The more stressed one feels, the higher his cortisol levels are.

C.Age and gender play a big role in the participants' brain volume.

D.People with high cortisol levels will suffer from low blood pressure.

3.What's the possible direction for future research according to Dr. Echouffo-Tcheugui?

A.How high cortisol levels affect human brains.

B.The link between cortisol levels and memory

C.The link between cortisol levels and brain size.

D.How cortisol affects peoples response.

4.Why does the author write this passage?

A.To suggest the efficient ways to reduce stress.

B.To prevent the features and functions of cortisol.

C.To explain how cortisol affects people s stress level.

D.To show stress can cause memory loss and brain shrinkage.

    ESSEX-Sorrowful families in Vietnam are struggling to bring home the bodies of loved ones who died in a refrigerated truck while trying to illegally enter the United Kingdom on Oct 23. Many of the relatives of the 39 people who died in the freezing, airless vehicle are too poor to bring the bodies back to Vietnam.

Ten of the 39 victims were from the Can Loc district of Ha Tinh province, where Bui Huy Cuong is deputy chairman of the people's committee. He told the Guardian Newspaper that officials have visited bereaved(新近丧失亲人的) families to encourage them to receive ashes, instead of bodies, because it would be cheaper. But he said families want bodies so they can be honored in traditional funerals and are hoping the authorities will pay. "At the moment, we are not sure if the British or the Vietnamese government will take responsibility for bringing victims back to Vietnam, " he said. "Families know nothing about it. It should be clear soon which government (if any) will take responsibility …how much can British and Vietnamese governments pay, and how much will Vietnamese families need to contribute."

The brother of 26-year-old Pham Thi Tra My told the paper his family does not want ashes. Pham Manh Cuong said, “My family wishes to bring my older sister's body back home because we all agreed we want to see her for the last time. If they do not pay for the transportation fee. we have to pay the fee. We have to accept my sister's ashes in Vietnam, because we are in a very difficult position. '' Pham Thi Tra My was the victim who came to prominence when her final text home was made public in which she said, "I'm sorry, Mum. My journey abroad has not succeeded. Mum, I love you so much I'm dying because I can't breathe. ”

Nguyen Dinh Gia, the father of another victim, Nguyen Dinh Luong, from Nghe An province, said his family also wants a body. He said villagers have been visited by local authorities but do not understand their options. “They did not tell me how much the transport fee is, but told us 让's costly …so it's easier to bring back ashes instead of the body," he said. “I said we are asking for help from two governments ... We've had to wait for many days now and are falling into depression.”

The Vietnamese government has not commented on the repatriations(调回本国).Police in the UK and in Vietnam have made several arrests in connection with the incident that claimed the lives of 31 male and 8 female victims, of whom 10 were teenagers.

1.What does Bui Huy Cuong mainly want to express in Para. 2?

A.How officials care about the bereaved families.

B.Some authorities encourage families to receive ashes.

C.How money will be raised to bring the victims back to Vietnam.

D.Families want bodies so they can be honored in traditional funerals.

2.What is the possible meaning of the underlined word “prominence” in Para. 3?

A.Being likely to cause harm.

B.The state of being noticeable.

C.The quality of being pleasant or attractive.

D.Behavior acquired through frequent repetition.

3.We know about Nguyen Dinh Luong from the news report?

A.brother is Pham Manh Cuong.

B.He is from Nghe An province, Vietnam.

C.His family will fly to England to sec his body.

D.His body will soon be brought back to Vietnam.

4.What Can be the best title for the news report?

A.39 People die in the freezing, airless vehicle

B.39 People try to illegally enter the United Kingdom.

C.Relatives struggling to take 39 UK truck death victims back to Vietnam.

D.Arrests in connection with the incident that claim the lives of Vietnamese.

    The scene has been set. The Columbus Marathon, 26. 2 miles, Oct. 29th. For Rich Carryer and Michelle Cefola, two 34-year-old twins from Pittsburgh, PA, this was the day when months of hard work and dedication would pay off. Just a short time ago, they were both heading down the same road as their father, who had his first bypass surgery(心脏搭桥手术) at age 38. Regular workouts and a sensible diet just weren't part of their lives. Michelle, however, started a regular fitness program, and soon Michelle began to run. The going was slow at first, but soon Michelle was averaging 30-40 miles a week. With this new lifestyle Michelle was able to lose 90 pounds in 18 months.

Rich was inspired by Michelle's success and also began a dramatic transformation. Rich started a regular exercise routine and also began adding running to his regular exercise. Once again, the running came slow and short at first, but soon Rich was also running 30-40 miles a week. During the first 10 months of Rich's new lifestyle, he was able to lose more than 70 pounds. With all the running that the two were doing, and with all the hard work they had already completed, they decided to try to satisfy a deep-down wish to run a marathon together as the perfect culmination(顶点) of months of hard work.

Michelle thought the Columbus Marathon made the most sense, and Rich noticed that his employer, Giant Eagle grocery stores, would be opening new locations in the Columbus area shortly after the marathon on October 29th. Rich thought it would be a great way to promote Giant Eagle while they were in Columbus for the event. Rich took his idea to his supervisors(主管) and his idea was embraced, as Giant Eagle agreed to sponsor the twins' effort. They started a very strict 18-week marathon training program, which pushed them to their limits. While in Columbus, the two planned on promoting Giant Eagle in any way they could.

And so, on October 29th, Rich and Michelle reached a defining moment in their lives, They showed that each and every one of us has the power to change physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They learned that determination combined with a vision and fueled by inspiration, can lead to accomplishment.

1.What do we know about the twins?

A.They set up a fitness center. B.They are crazy about sports.

C.They both received an operation. D.They struggled to lose weight.

2.Why did the twins run the marathon together?

A.To turn their dream into a reality. B.To start a training program.

C.To run more Giant Eagle stores. D.To meet their father's requirement.

3.Who offered some money to support the twins to participate in the Columbus Marathon?

A.The twins’ relatives. B.Michelle's employer.

C.The twins' friends. D.Rich's employer.

4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A.Practice makes perfect. B.Many hands make light work.

C.Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. D.All things are difficult before they are easy.

A 2-bedroom house for rent in Downham Way, Bromley, BRI

Description

Situated in a center, this surprisingly large 2-bedroom house is a stone's throw from Grove Park station with its array of shops, bars and restaurants. What's more, it is close to local schools-primary and secondary schools.

This property is well presented, full of character and charm, and has many attractive features. It is comprised of an entrance hall, a fully fitted modern kitchen and has central gas heating. To the first floor there is a landing, giving access to two double bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside there is a well-kept garden to the front aspect of the property. Offered unfurnished and earliest viewing advised.

The house is available from 27th Nov. 2019 and it is great for professionals and families. All photographs are provided for guidance only and viewings are allowed. If you are satisfied with the house and want to rent it, 2 weeks' deposit, which is half of a month's rent, will be required.

Summary & Exclusions：

Rent Amount: £ 1,400 per month(Rent is due on 1st of the month.)

Agent Fees: £ 150

Administration Fees: £ 50

Minimum rent term is 12 months/ Maximum number of renters is 5

Bills not included

No Parking Available

Note：

If calling, please quote reference(编号):220540

Phone bookings are available from 9 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week.

1.What can we learn about the house?

A.It has a neat back garden.

B.It is equipped with tailored furniture.

C.It is near primary and secondary schools.

D.It can be booked on the phone after 8:30 am.

2.How much is the deposit if a family of three is to rent the house?

A.£ 350. B.£ 700. C.£ 1,050. D.£ 1,400.

3.Who is qualified for renting the house?

A.A family of four wants to rent the house for two years.

B.A family of five wants to rent the house for half a year.

C.A family of six wants to rent the house for one year.

D.A family of three wants to rent the house for nine months.

为提高高三学生的锻炼意识和环保意识，你校学生会将于2020年1月1日上午9：00在宝湖公园组织一次plogging活动（跑步捡垃圾活动）。请你根据提示给高三师生写一则通知，内容包括：

1．活动目的；

2．活动内容；

3．注意事项。

注意：1. 词数：100词左右；

2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Notice

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Student Union

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；

2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

December 1st was World AIDS Day. Our class organized the charity run to raise money for children suffered from the disease. It was the first time that we launched such an activity. We set about early in the morning from the school gate to the Center Square and their run lasted almost one hour .Because we had planned everything well, the journey was still a tough task. But instead of complaining about or giving up , all of us tried our best and managed to reach the finishing line. More important , with the supports of many people ,we finally raised over 10,000 yuan for the sick children. Exhausting as we were, we felt very happy to have such a meaningful experience.

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。

The fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral de Paris(巴黎圣母院) has raised questions about the condition of thousands of other cathedrals and historic 1. (structure) across the Europe. It also raises questions about whether European government 2. (do) enough to keep up and care for such buildings in the past decades. Tibor Navacies, the European Union’s top culture official, told The associated Press that “we are so used to our outstanding cultural heritage 3. we tend to forget that it needs 4. (restore) from time to time." Some people say the fire was a wake-up call , not just for Europe , but the whole world .

Large fires have long robbed humanity 5. knowledge , art and treasures . In 2015 , the German engineering company Siemens 6.(find) that Scotland had about ten7.( damage ) fires a year , while England lost at least a dozen listed buildings a year . In Germany , seventy historic buildings have been 8. (heavy) damaged since 2000. Experts say9.is needed is continuous attention and maintenance. Some say world famous monuments like Notre-Dame are the driving force behind tourism and should get more respect. Sneska , who heads the heritage group Europa Nostra , noted the 10. (significant ) of such respect . " Cultural heritage is a gold mine. You cannot exploit it and then just leave the mine and go to another one.” he said.

    Michael rises every morning at 4:00 and walks into his sandwich shop. By 5:50, he's making the rounds of the shelters on Centre Street . He ____out 200 sandwiches to the homeless before beginning his workday .

20 years ago, when Michael _____ a homeless man named John, he began to help him with effort then. Day after day , he brought John some food and , when it was really cold , a _______place in his car while he was working .Once he asked John if he wanted to get cleaned up . It was a (an )______offer , because Michael thought John would refuse.______, John said , “ Are you going to wash me ? “ Michael knew that he was ______his promise . It was at that moment that Michael ______to help the homeless .

Michael received no _______, saying , “ I'm not getting media attention . I just want to do some good in my ______.

Michael made 200 sandwiches every day in the past 20 years. “I don't simply_______ the sandwiches on a table for them to ______up . I shake their hands and ______ them a good day . “ Once Mayor (市长)Koeh came to make the rounds with him . They______the media , and it seemed like it was just the two of them . But of all Michael's _______,working side by side with the Mayor was not as important as working next to someone else.

A man had _____from the sandwich takers, and Michael worried about that. He hoped the man had moved on to a more______environment. One day, the man came back, greeting Michael and carrying________of his own to hand out. He said Michael's daily food , warm handshakes and wishes had given him the _______ he badly needed . After achieving some success, he decided to do the same thing as Michael,

The moment needed no ______. The two men worked silently , side by side , handing out their sandwiches . It was another day on Centre Street , but a day with just a little more _______.

1.A.sets B.gives C.picks D.finds

2.A.got across B.came along C.ran after D.came across

3.A.entertaining B.relaxing C.resting D.playing

4.A.silly B.empty C.free D.crazy

5.A.Surprisingly B.Disappointedly C.Fortunately D.Thankfully

6.A.tricking B.presenting C.testing D.viewing

7.A.demanded B.agreed C.pretended D.determined

8.A.benefit B.sponsorship C.information D.sympathy

9.A.way B.means C.method D.purpose

10.A.check B.match C.lay D.cover

11.A.make B.look C.set D.pick

12.A.predict B.hope C.follow D.wish

13.A.ignored B.blamed C.confirmed D.handled

14.A.memories B.situations C.schedules D.professions

15.A.escaped B.volunteered C.disappeared D.survived

16.A.competitive B.complex C.familiar D.stable

17.A.money B.sandwiches C.food D.plan

18.A.responsibility B.encouragement C.permission D.achievement

19.A.purpose B.relief C.dialogue D.doubt

20.A.hope B.fun C.pride D.luck

    Learning a new language can be tough, and there is no magical way to go about it. 1.

Know your learning style. This is the single most important thing you need to know when starting to learn a language .2. You will need to figure out if you learn best through repetition, through writing down or listening to a native speaker.

Learn pronunciation.3. Just ask a Polish person how to pronounce the letters"cz". It will help to learn IPA, the International Phonetic Alphabet, as most dictionaries use it. Besides, the Foreign Service Institute offers free online language learning materials, which include audio recordings that help with learning pronunciation.

4. This is probably the most important part of the language besides the vocabulary. "Paul want Mary go store" may communicate an idea, but it is not at all correct English. If you do not pay attention to grammar, you can sound equally incomprehensible in another language.

Memorize 30 words and phrases each day. Within 90 days this means you will have memorized about 80% of the language. Memorization is half the battle and there are many different ways to memorize.

Practice the alphabet. Especially if you are learning a language which operates in a different alphabetical system, you will need to know what the letters look like and how they operate .

5. In doing so , your brain will have an easy path to remembering the letter and the sound that accompanies it .

A. Pay attention to grammar.

B. Start with the most common words.

C. Therefore, there are really no secrets or shortcuts.

D. Try associating images with each letter and sound.

E. Everyone learns differently, especially when it comes to language.

F. Nevertheless, with certain techniques you will be fluent in no time.

G. Even if a language has the same alphabet as yours, the pronunciation is not always the same.

    Wind farms have been considered as the way to fight global warming, but a new study suggests they could actually heat the planet up.

The study found that the US would get warmer if the number of turbines(涡轮机）were increased markedly. Researchers say they'll require much more land than previously thought, needing five to 20 times more space than earlier studies have suggested. And winds created by vast fields of turbines could mix warm and cool air, which makes the surface quite warm .

Despite the potential drawbacks, however, the researchers argue wind energy still makes more sense for the environment than fossil fuels. Study coauthor and Harvard University scientist Professor David Keith argued that, when it comes to energy production, there is no free lunch. "Wind beats coal by any environmental measure, but that doesn't mean that its effects can be ignored. We must use fewer fossil fuels to stop carbon production. In doing so, we must make choices between various low-carbon technologies , all of which have some environmental effects , " he said.

More than ten previous studies have now observed local warming caused by US wind farms. Researchers suggested that solar power offers a less damaging energy source in the fight against climate change. In terms of temperature difference per unit of energy generation, solar power has about 10 times less effect than wind, and the solar power energy is mature in a wide range of fields. But there are other considerations. For example, solar farms are dense(密集的）, while the land between wind turbines can be co-used for agriculture.

Tidal power is an environmentally-friendly energy source. In addition to being a renewable energy, it does not give off any climate gases and does not take up a lot of space . However , there are currently very few examples from real tidal power plants and their effects on the environment. Also, it is important to realize that the methods for generating electricity from tidal energy are relatively new technologies. It is projected that tidal power will be commercially profitable within2030 with better technology and larger scales.

1.What is the purpose of the text?

A.To introduce a study finding.

B.To discuss the global warming problem.

C.To prove the benefits of wind farms.

D.To call attention to environmental protection.

2.What is paragraph 2 mainly about ?

A.The effects of global warming.

B.The reason for using wind energy.

C.The disadvantages of wind farms.

D.The working principle of wind farms.

3.What do Professor David Keith's words suggest?

A.Producing energy is easier than before.

B.Consuming energy damages the environment.

C.Burning coal should be totally stopped.

D.Developing low-carbon technologies is hard.

4.Which is recommended considering the environment and practical use?

A.Wind energy. B.Fossil fuel.

C.Tidal power. D.Solar energy.

    If you go to any college in the United States, you will find most students carrying the same items：books, laptops, cell phones and their official school identification cards, or IDs. These small plastic cards do more than showing the names and pictures of students.

In recent years, IDs in some colleges can also buy things. The schools enter into agreements with banks so students can link their cards to private financial accounts. This way, students can use their cards to pay for things like food on campus and school supplies. In other words, their IDs become debit cards(借记卡）. However, new research suggests that the way these card programs operate can harm students.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group(U.S. PIRG) aims to use research to support and protect people's financial interests. The organization has been looking into agreements between colleges and banks for several years.This April, Kaitlyn Vitez, higher education campaign director for U.S. PIRG, released their latest findings."Students with campus debit cards paid over $ 24 million in fees during the last contract year. For example, students may be charged fees if they use another bank to withdraw money. Or, they may be charged fees if they spend more money than they have in their bank accounts , " she said . " Any large fee can create unexpected problems for students , however , banks do not make possible fees clear enough to students."

U.S.PIRG noted that some banks pay colleges for permission to advertise their debit card programs on campus. The advertising can appear to be part of official school programmes and students may feel pushed towards opening accounts.U.S.PIRG also found a connection between colleges with paid agreements and student fees. Students at colleges that received money from banks ended up paying up to 2.3 times more than students at colleges with unpaid agreements. U.S. PIRG contacted several of the colleges in their latest research, yet they seem not to give satisfying comments.

1.What is the second paragraph mainly about ?

A.Potential harm of IDs. B.Additional use of IDs.

C.Students consuming habits. D.Students' financial condition.

2.What does the PIRG study find?

A.All banks pay for their bank card ads on campus.

B.Campus debit cards present high fees for students.

C.Many students like to use debit cards at college.

D.Colleges have signed illegal agreements with banks.

3.What do Kaitlyn Vitez's words imply?

A.Colleges benefit a lot from working with banks.

B.Most students fall into heavy debts at college.

C.Banks give away students' financial privacy somehow.

D.Students lack enough information on their campus debit cards.

4.What will the author probably talk about in the following paragraph ?

A.Solutions to the phenomenon. B.Future of school IDs.

C.Details of debit card programs. D.Response of some schools.

    Thirteen-year-old Madison Williams was studying in her bedroom when Leigh Williams, her mother, told her that a little boy fell into a septic tank(化粪池）and no one could reach him.

Madison and Leigh ran to a neighbor's yard, where they found the boy's worried mother and other adults surrounding the tank opening. It stuck out a few inches above the ground and was 11 inches in width-slightly wider than a basketball-with a hatch(盖子)that had been moved unnoticed. The two-year-old boy had slipped in and was drowning in four feet of waste water inside the eight-feet-deep tank.

Madison surveyed the situation. She was the only one who could fit through the small hole. Without hesitation, she told the adults, "Lower me in. Inside, the tank was dark, and the air was smelly . In the process , she jammed her left wrist against a hidden pole , injuring the muscles in her wrist so severely that the hand was left useless.

Rather than tending to her injury ,Madison tried to feel the underwater boy. Minutes went by before she saw the outline of his foot. Madison shot her good hand out and grasped the foot tightly "Pull me up!" she shouted. Then, ten minutes after Madison had entered the tank, she and the boy were lifted out.

But the boy wasn't out of trouble. He had lacked Oxygen long enough that he wasn't breathing. He was placed on his side, and an adult hit him hard on the back. It was only when Madison heard him cry that she knew he was all right . It took Madison longer to recover than the boy, who was taken to hospital and left hospital that same night .She, however, experienced months of painful treatment, for the injury that she had postponed tending was more severe, which, says neighbor Mary Holley, made the girl's actions all the more impressive.

1.What most likely caused the boy to fall into the septic tank?

A.The tank was very hard to be noticed.

B.The boy was curious about the unknown.

C.The hatch was not in the correct position.

D.The tank opening stood out on the ground.

2.Why did Madison take longer to recover?

A.The injury to her wrist became worse

B.She wasn't sent to hospital in time.

C.She paid all her attention to the boy.

D.Serious infection set in to her wound.

3.Which of the following can be used to best describe Madison?

A.Modest. B.Optimistic.

C.Courageous. D.Hard-working.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A.A lucky little boy. B.A terrible drowning accident.

C.A hidden septic tank. D.An admirable teen hero.

LEG CRAMPS(痉挛）AT NIGHT?

If muscle pain , cramping and stiffness (酸痛)in your legs ,back , feet or bottom are interrupting your sleep, you should know relief is available. Muscle Cramp Pain Reliever that contains eight active materials and has no known side effects can help prevent and relieve cramps and pains that are worse at night. It is sold at Aid, and CVS. Receive a free bottle when you order three (Limit 3 per order). Satisfaction guaranteed. Order now at www. LegCrampsRelief. com.

STRONG FOOT PAIN?

Do you suffer from burning or sudden and strong pain in your feet ? You should know help is available . Pain Relieving Foot Cream contains Eucalyptus Oil and Beeswax, known to relieve sharp, burning, and strong pain while also restoring skin that is severely dry, sensitive, or gets itchy(发痒的）or harmed. No known side effects. It is sold at Walgreens CVS, Rite Aid, Target and Walmart. Get a free jar when you order above two (Limit 3 per order). Get more details or order now at www.MDFootCream.com

BACK OR LEG PAIN?

Are pains down the back of your legs, or pain in your bottom or lower back making it uncomfortable to sit, walk or sleep? Leg & Back Pain Relief Cream combines seven active materials to relieve burning pains and annoying feelings. This product is not intended to treat or cure pain, but can ease painful symptoms. Stop using and get medical help if any extra bad effects like an itch bother you . It is sold at CVS , Rite Aid and Amazon . Get a free jar when you order three (Limit3 per order). Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! Get more details or order now at www. Leg BackCream. com.

1.Which is the function of Pain Relieving Foot Cream?

A.Repairing damaged skin B.Relieving stiffness in feet.

C.Preventing strong foot pain. D.Curing pain in lower body .

2.What do the three products have in common?

A.They are sold at the same places. B.They have satisfaction guarantees .

C.They have no known side effects. D.They offer a better deal when ordered three.

3.What type of writing does this text belong to?

A.A study. B.A direction

C.An advertisement. D.A notice.

假设你是红星中学高三(1)班学生李华。请你根据以下四幅图，给21世纪英文报写一封稿件，介绍上周你班同学邀请一位常年在学校附近拉二胡的老人参加校艺术节的过程。

注意：1. 词数不少于60;

2. 开头已给出，不计入总词数。

提示词：拉二胡 play the erhu

Last week, a special guest was invited to our annual school art festival.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

假设你是红星中学高三学生李华，你的英国朋友Chris想了解中国家庭里的家规，并请你向他介绍一条你家的家规。请给他写封回信，内容包括：

1. 这条家规的内容；

2. 这条家规对你的影响。

注意：1. 词数不少于50.

2. 开头和结尾已经给出，不计入总词数。

提示词：家规：family rules

Dear Chris,

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

A Wonder Plant

Every rainy season, the mountain gorillas (大猩猩) of Central Africa migrate to the foothills and lower parts of the Virunga Mountains to feed on bamboo. For the 650 or so that remain in the wild, it’s a vital food source. 1. Gorillas aren’t the only locals keen on bamboo. For the people near the mountains, it’s a valuable raw material used for building houses and making household items. But in the past 100 years, resources have come under increasing pressure as populations have exploded and large areas of bamboo forest have been cleared to make way for farms.

2. All over the world, the ranges of many bamboo species appear to be reducing, endangering the people and animals that depend upon them. A report published by the UN Environment Programme has revealed just how profound our ignorance of global bamboo resources is.

Bamboo is a wonder plant. Its ecological role extends beyond providing food and habitat for animals. Bamboo tends to grow in stands made up of groups of individual plants that grow from root systems. Its extensive root systems are crucial in preventing water loss and soil erosion.3. In India 25% of paper produced is made from bamboo fiber, and in Brazil, 100,000 hectares of bamboo are grown for its production. Because of its flexibility and strength, it has traditionally been used in construction. Bamboo is often the only readily available raw material for people in many developing countries.

4. Ray Townsend, vice president of the British Bamboo Society, says, “Some plants are threatened because they can’t survive in the habitat—they aren’t strong enough or there aren’t enough of them, perhaps. But bamboo can take care of itself-it is strong enough to survive if left alone.5.” When forest goes, it is transformed into something else: there isn’t anywhere for forest plants such as bamboo to grow if you create a cattle grass land.

A. Sadly, this isn’t a single story.

B. It is the physical disturbance that is the threat to bamboo.

C. Until now, bamboo has been viewed as a second-class plant.

D. Without it, their chances of survival would be reduced significantly.

E. Besides, bamboo’s most immediate significance lies in its economic value.

F. More than a billion people rely on bamboo for either their shelter or income.

G. Despite bamboo’s value in economy and ecology, its situation is all the more worrying.

That robots, automation, and software can replace people might seem obvious to anyone who’s worked in automotive manufacturing. But MIT business scholars Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee’s claim is more troubling and controversial. They believe that rapid technological change has been destroying jobs faster than it is creating them.

They believe that technology increases productivity and makes societies wealthier, but it became clear to them that the same technologies making many jobs safer, easier, and more productive were also reducing the demand for many types of human workers. Technologies like the Web, artificial intelligence, and big data are automating many routine tasks. Countless traditional white-collar jobs, such as many in the post office and in customer service, have disappeared.

As evidence, Brynjolfsson and McAfee point to a chart on which separate lines represent productivity and total employment in the United States. For years after World War II, the two lines closely tracked each other, with increases in jobs corresponding to increases in productivity. Then, beginning in 2000, the lines diverge; productivity continues to rise steadily, but employment suddenly shrinks. By 2011, a significant gap appears between the two lines, showing economic growth with no parallel increase in job creation.

United States Productivity and Employment

But are these new technologies really responsible for a decade of lackluster (无生气) job growth? David Autor, an economist at MIT who has studied the connections between jobs and technology, doubts that technology could account for such a sudden change in total employment. Moreover, he also doubts that productivity has, in fact, risen steadily in the United States in the past decade. If he’s right, it raises the possibility that poor job growth could be simply a result of a depressed economy. The sudden slowdown in job creation “is a big puzzle,” he says, “but there’s not a lot of evidence that it’s linked to computers.” “To be sure, computer technologies are changing the types of jobs available, but that is very different from saying technology is affecting the total number of jobs,” he adds. “Jobs can change a lot without there being huge changes in employment rates.”

Lawrence Katz, a Harvard economist, says that while technological changes can be painful for workers whose skills no longer match the needs of employers, no historical pattern shows these shifts leading to a net decrease in jobs over an extended period. Still, Katz doesn’t dismiss the notion that there is something different about today’s digital technologies. Though he expects the historical pattern to hold, it is “genuinely a question,” he says. “If technology disrupts enough, who knows what will happen?”

1.Which period on the chart strongly supports McAfee’s claim?

A. 1947—1967.    B. 1985—1987.

C. 1997—2000.    D. 2011—2013.

2.According to David Autor, the change in job growth ________.

A. is not necessarily caused by technology

B. results from a weakening economy

C. has no connection with productivity

D. affects the current types of jobs

3.What is Lawrence Katz’s attitude towards the topic?

A. Optimistic.    B. Defensive.

C. Objective.    D. Disapproving.

4.The main purpose of the passage is to ________.

A. show the relation between productivity and job creation

B. discuss the effect of technological advances on employment

C. argue against the wide use of artificial intelligence

D. explain the impact of technologies on productivity

Over Half of Young Chinese Block Parents on WeChat Moments

We all know the feeling—you want to check what someone you care about has been up to on social media, and suddenly you find you are denied access to their feeds. It’s an instant start of mixed emotions and speculations—when did this happen? Did I do anything wrong? What are they attempting to hide from me?

And that’s what half of Chinese parents have to deal with when they try to browse their children’s WeChat Moments, also known as “Friends’ Circle”, as suggested by a recent survey released by Tencent, the Chinese Internet giant. According to the report, entitled Annual White Paper on Family Affection on WeChat Moments, about 52 percent of WeChat users aged 18 to 29 block their parents on Moments, a major feature on the platform that allows users to share everything they like with their WeChat contacts.

About 62 percent of the young interviewees said that parents “are neurotic about everything,” along with reasons such as fear of parents’ disapproval, rejection to parents’ nagging(唠叨), and seeking privacy. “My parents don’t know Moments very well, so I just told them I don’t use it anymore,” said Qin Jianping, a 28-year-old. He added that his parents had been leaving comments requesting updates on his dating status on every post he made on Moments since he broke up with his girlfriend two years ago. Xie Yun, a 26-year-old, said that while she didn’t block her parents entirely, they were in a specific group to which she only shares positive posts. “I don’t want my parents to see minor setbacks in my life,” she said, adding that once her parents saw a Moments picture of her hand getting slightly burned while cooking, and they traveled all the way to her city to make sure she was all right.

The report also found that more than 49 percent of Chinese parents use WeChat as a main channel to communicate with their children. Roughly 36 percent of the parents who took the survey said they checked every post made by their children. When asked how they would react to being blocked, some parents said they would initiate a conversation with their children to find out the reason, while others said they wouldn’t care. And some parents just outsmart their kids in this hide-and-seek game online. “I didn’t realize I was blocked until I compared what I could see on my phone to what my son’s aunt could see,” said Chen, a mother of a 27-year-old son. “I chose to remain silent on this and now I’m following my son’s posts through his aunt.”

1.Parents would like to read their children's WeChat Moments because they ________.

A.are too emotional and speculative

B.want to keep up with the trend of time

C.leave a lot of comments on their feeds

D.are concerned about their children’s lives

2.The children block their parents to ________.

A.protect their privacy B.learn from parents’ nagging

C.challenge parental authority D.maintain a positive state

3.What does the underlined sentence mean?

A.Parents exchange ideas with their kids on the hide-and-seek game.

B.Parents are clever enough to win the “hide-and-seek game”.

C.Parents learn more knowledge from their kids in the hide-and-seek game.

D.Parents have a better understanding of their children.

4.The author looks into parents' being blocked is to ________.

A.criticize parents B.support students

C.analyse a phenomenon D.demand readers

She Walked Through Fire

On Thanksgiving weekend, the Heffelmire family gathered for a meal at their home. After dinner, the family went down to the finished basement to relax except Charlotte’s father, Eric, who was in the garage to fix his truck.

Around 8 pm, Charlotte decided to check on her dad. She walked through the kitchen. When she opened the side door to the garage, black smoke rose up into the kitchen. She could barely make out her father lying on his back, trapped under the truck. He’d removed the front passenger-side tyre and raised the truck on a jack(千斤顶). The truck had slipped off the jack, and now the whole weight of the wheel was on his chest and shoulders.

Charlotte ran to the front of the truck and struggled to lift it. Eric was still conscious, and he yelled, “You got it! One more try!?” She tried again and was able to tip the truck backward just enough for her to pull her dad by the shirt with both hands from under the truck.

She dragged him across the garage and 20 feet down the driveway. Then she ran back to the garage, which had burst into flames. “I was afraid the car was going to explode,” says Charlotte, so she climbed into the truck, which faced forward, turned the key, and pressed the gas pedal(油门). The car slowly rolled out, the metal wheel scratching loudly against the concrete.

Safely on the driveway, Charlotte stopped the truck and ran back to the basement. “There’s a fire! Everybody get out!” she yelled as she picked up her three-month-old niece and ran out. Outside, she handed the baby to her mom, and then ran around to the burning garage. She picked up a garden hose(水管) and sprayed the fire while calling 911.

A few minutes later, firefighters and an ambulance arrived. Charlotte was treated for second-degree burns on both her feet and face. Her dad had injuries on his chest and shoulders, as well as minor burns on his face. The garage and the house were damaged but the family survived.

The Heffelmires are staying in an apartment while their house is rebuilt. “Charlotte is a remarkable kid,” says her dad. Charlotte, however, simply says, “I was saving my family and my house. I wasn’t going to let my dad die.”

1.Eric got trapped because ________.

A.the kitchen was on fire B.the wheel fell off the truck

C.the front tyre was removed D.the truck slipped off the jack

2.As a result of the fire, ________.

A.the truck exploded

B.the house was not fit to live in

C.the three-month-old baby was injured

D.Charlotte was burned on her chest and shoulders

3.It can be inferred from the passage that Charlotte is ________.

A.proud and clear-headed B.modest and easy-going

C.calm and quick-minded D.independent and self-centered

Climbing Without Ropes

The popular image of the mountain climber is of a person carefully climbing a steep cliff with a network of safety ropes, but it is not the only kind. Many climbers now enjoy bouldering. It’s more accessible and better for the environment.

Here is an example of a climber addressing a bouldering problem.

Figure 1: The climber has two routes she could take, one to the left and one to the right. The left one appears easier because it has a jug within easy reach, but look what happens if she chooses that direction. She gets stuck on the rock and has to go back down. Sometimes that is even more difficult than going up.

Figure 2: The climber takes the one to the right this time. Using a foothold and placing her right hand in a crimp, she is able to lift herself up and locate other handholds. After only a few moves, she is able to throw her leg over the top of the boulder and pull herself up.

1.According to the passage, bouldering ________.

A.is an indoor sport B.has no safety protection

C.needs maps and equipment D.is a steep cliff climbing

2.Bouldering becomes popular because ________.

A.it challenges the limits B.it costs less

C.it builds minds and bodies D.it is a team game

3.According to the example, the right route is ________.

A.a shortcut B.a dead end

C.tough but to the top D.lined with jugs

4.The passage is likely to appear in ________.

A.a book review B.a science report

C.a newspaper advertisement D.a sports magazine

From Disappointment to Purpose

I’m known for my determination. If I want something, I _______ for it; I refuse to give up ___________ I succeed. Over the years this attitude has worked well for me and helped me achieve my goals. For example, when I wanted to be on the dance team at school, I learned all the dances and practiced until I could hardly _________. And when I wanted money for a new computer, I washed cars, babysat, and walked dogs for all my neighbors.

_______ this year everything changed. I had set my sights on a summer _______that I was determined to get at the Water Zone, because the employees there could go on the water rides after their work and get free food at the snack bar. It was the _________ job to have on hot summer vacations. So just as I had achieved every goal in the past, I set out to _________ the job. I completed the application in my neatest handwriting, carefully prepared for my interview, and gathered a pack of _______ letters. I was certain that nothing could keep me from my dream job.

But after my ___________, the manager of the Water Zone told me that he could hire only those with experience in water safety. I was ____________. I felt like a failure.

On the last weekend before school ended, my teacher, Mrs. Keller, asked me __________ I would be interested in the kids’ summer day camp. I decided that I had nothing to __________, so I called the manager and ____________ an interview. She was ____________ by my babysitting experience and employed me. In less than a week, I had completely __________ about wanting to work at the water park. Each time I comforted a little boy who missed his mother or a little girl who needed to help tying her shoes, I felt I was doing something __________. I realized that I had discovered my life’s __________: to work with children. I now have a new goal. I’m going to study to become an elementary school teacher.

Sometimes in life we don’t get __________ what we want. Our dream guy or girl may not be interested in us. The coach may not select us for the team. A certain employer may not choose to hire us. It’s natural to feel __________; I sure did. But I also learned an important lesson. Occasionally, when we don’t get what we want, something even ____________ is waiting for us around the corner!

1.A.go B.apply C.cheer D.wait

2.A.when B.until C.since D.once

3.A.smile B.speak C.think D.move

4.A.Otherwise B.So C.But D.Therefore

5.A.day B.course C.job D.camp

6.A.perfect B.tough C.regular D.potential

7.A.land B.quit C.change D.keep

8.A.instruction B.application C.recommendation D.invitation

9.A.practice B.interview C.expectation D.experiment

10.A.promoted B.punished C.selected D.refused

11.A.how B.whether C.what D.why

12.A.save B.learn C.lose D.regret

13.A.scheduled B.cancelled C.mentioned D.gave

14.A.inspired B.impressed C.touched D.puzzled

15.A.doubted B.complained C.forgotten D.known

16.A.challenging B.reasonable C.traditional D.significant

17.A.track B.motto C.belief D.purpose

18.A.only B.exactly C.properly D.immediately

19.A.curious B.nervous C.disappointed D.interested

20.A.better B.easier C.higher D.crazier

Fred entered without knocking and, very out of breath, sank _______ a chair.

A.on B.off C.into D.to

I ___________ a full mark in the last listening exam if I hadn’t practiced it during the winter holiday.

A.didn’t got B.hadn’t got

C.wouldn’t get D.wouldn’t have got

—I have not heard from Mark for a long time. I'm quite worried about him.

—OK. I ___________ you know the minute I hear anything.

A.have let B.let C.would let D.will let