El Nifio, a Spanish term for “the Christ child”, was named by South American fisherman who noticed that the global weather pattern, which happens every two to seven years, reduced the amount of fishes caught around Christmas. El Nifio sees warm water, collected over several years in the western Pacific, flow back eastwards when winds that normally blow westwards weaken, or sometimes the other way round.

The weather effects both good and bad, are felt in many places. Rich countries gain more from powerful Nifio, on balance, than they lose. A study found that a strong Nifio in 1997 helped American’s economy grow by 15 billion, partly because of better agricultural harvest, farmers in the Midwest gained from extra rain. The total rise in agricultural in rich countries in growth than the fall in poor ones.

But in Indonesia extremely dry forests are in flames. A multi-year drought (干旱）in south-east Brazil is becoming worse. Though heavy rains brought about by El Nino may relieve the drought in California, they are likely to cause surface flooding and other disasters.

The most recent powerful Nino, in 1997-98, killed around 21,000 people and caused damage worth $36 billion around the globe. But such Ninos come with months of warning, and so much is known about how they happen that governments can prepare. According to the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), however, just 12% of disaster-relief funding in the past two decades has gone on reducing risks in advance, rather than recovery and rebuilding afterwards. This is despite evidence that a dollar spent on risk-reduction saves at least two on reconstruction.

Simple improvements to infrastructure (基础设施）can reduce the spread of disease. Better sewers (下水道）make it less likely that heavy rain is followed by an outbreak of the disease of bad stomach. Stronger bridges mean villages are less likely to be left without food and medicine after floods. According to a paper in 2011 by Mr Hsiang and co-authors, civil conflict is related to El Nino’s harmful effects—and the poorer the country, the stronger the link. Though the relationship may not be causal, helping divided communities to prepare for disasters would at least reduce the risk that those disasters are followed by killing and wounding people. Since the poorest are least likely to make up for their losses from disasters linked to El Nino, reducing their losses needs to be the priority.

1.What can we learn about El Nino in Paragraph 1?

A.It is named after a South American fisherman.

B.It takes place almost every year all over the world.

C.It forces fishermen to stop catching fish around Christmas.

D.It sees the changes of water flow direction in the ocean.

2.What may El Ninos bring about to the countries affected?

A.Agricultural harvests in rich countries fall.

B.Droughts become more harmful than floods.

C.Rich countries’ gains are greater than their losses.

D.Poor countries suffer less from droughts economically.

3.The data provided by ODI in Paragraph 4 suggest that_________.

A.more investment should go to risk reduction

B.governments of poor countries need more aid

C.victims of El Nino deserve more compensation

D.recovery and reconstruction should come first

4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?

A.To introduce El Nino and its origin.

B.To explain the consequences of El Nino.

C.To show ways of fighting against El Nino.

D.To urge people to prepare for El Nino.

    Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining global popularity. According to a government white paper, TCM has been introduced in 183 countries and regions around the world.

Westerners’ understanding of TCM, however, may be limited to acupuncture(针灸), cupping(拔罐) and massage(按摩). For instance, the purple, injury-like marks left on U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps’ back from cupping for the purpose of relaxing his muscles and reducing pain became the center of attention during the Rio Olympics in 2016.

As a matter of fact, Chinese herbs play a more important role in getting rid of diseases and keeping the body in good condition in the TCM treatment system than physical treatment. It is therefore disappointing to know that while 103 World Health Organization member countries have given approval to the practice of acupuncture, not many recognize Chinese herbal medicine. TCM falls far behind Western medicine owing partly to the slow development of Chinese herbs.

Herbs are made into pills, powder and soup, and the kind of herbs used, their quality and quantity, and the processing of the ingredients jointly determine the effectiveness of the prescription. Compared with Western medicine, which has standardized drug production processes and treatment methods, TCM lacks standardization, with the chemical composition and functions of its medicines being unclear and their effects being unstable. Fortunately, standardization has improved in recent decades, with an increasing number of factories producing patented TCM drugs.

Another factor that has prevented the development of TCM prescription(处方) drugs is the lack of creativity. While Western medicine-making companies come up with new products every year, TCM drug producers tend to make medicines according to prescriptions handed down from the past. Chinese chemist Tu Youyou’s winning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her research into malaria(疟疾) treatment may drive creativity to some extent in China’s TCM industry. However, the current state of affairs cannot be changed within a short time.

1.Why does the author mention the example of Michael Phelps?

A.Because Phelps has an international fame for his interest in TCM.

B.Because cupping is a kind of important TCM treatment.

C.Because currently westerners have a preference for TCM

D.Because westerners have rather limited knowledge about TCM.

2.Why don’t some member countries of WHO recognize Chinese herbal medicine?

A.Because Chinese herbs can’t cure diseases as well as western medicine

B.Because they only approve of the practice of acupuncture

C.Because Chinese medicine tastes so bad.

D.Because medicine made out of Chinese herbs develops pretty slowly

3.Compared with Western medicine, what is the weak point of TCM in Paragraph 4?

A.The methods of processing herbs.

B.The effectiveness of prescription.

C.Lack of proper standardization.

D.Its unstable functions.

4.The lack of creativity in TCM refers to the fact that_______.

A.medicine-making companies lack creativity

B.prescriptions are passed down from generation to generation

C.Western companies are more experienced

D.medicine-making companies lack driving force and experienced specialists

Volunteering Is Fun

One afternoon I was sitting at home feeling so bored. Instead of feeling sorry for myself. I wanted to meet people and have new experiences so I decided to start volunteering. I searched on my computer and found a website where I could volunteer on a farm in France.

My time working on a farm was a new experience for me. It was basically a free holiday as food and accommodation were provided. However，it was not your typical holiday as I had to look after fifteen horses and sleep at the top of a tower in a castle！I was an awful farmer but it did not matter because I made some great friends.

However，you do not need to go abroad to volunteer. I have had plenty of adventures at home as volunteering can become a hobby. For example，I love singing so I had a good laugh waving my arms in an attempt to conduct my local choir（唱诗班）. I did slowly improve and it felt great to conduct the choir in a concert. At university，I organized a concert for charity with my friends. It was really fun finding bands and raising money for a cause we believe in.

It is true that you feel good volunteering but there are also other advantages. I once volunteered as a server at a charity sports event where the organizers gave me cupcakes to thank me for my services. I also volunteered in a charity shop so I found loads of nice cheap clothes to update my wardrobe(衣柜)．

While this is all fun，my favorite aspect of volunteering is creating and sharing stories. My terrible attempts at farming have given me hilarious stories to tell！Talking to volunteers from different countries and backgrounds has also helped me learn more about the world. I feel thankful to have had so much fun with many nice people thanks to volunteering.

1.Why did the author want to volunteer?

A.He wanted to go abroad.

B.He felt ashamed of himself.

C.He wanted to taste new life and make friends.

D.He wanted to be a farmer.

2.The underlined word “hilarious” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to“________”．

A.sad B.funny

C.awful D.critical

3.The author did much volunteering work except________．

A.taking care of horses and sheep

B.conducting a choir in a concert

C.helping in a charity sports event

D.helping in a charity shop

4.How does the author feel according to the last paragraph?

A.Curious. B.Anxious.

C.Cautious. D.Grateful.

    Welcome to The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met, which is short for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. Millions of people take part in The Met experience online or offline.

Since it was founded in 1870, The Met has always tried to be more than a storeroom of rare and beautiful objects. Every day» art comes alive in the Museum’s galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.

Notes：

I. How can I obtain permission to film or photograph at The Metropolitan Museum of Art? Please email a detailed request to communicatiom@nietmuseum.org.

II. How can I obtain suitable images to reproduce in a magazine, newspaper, or website? To view and request press images for the Museum’s current and upcoming exhibitions and news stories about the Met, please sign in or register for a press account in the Press Images section of the online Press Room.

III. All other image requests should be directed to Art Resource through its website (http://www.artres. com), by telephone at 212-505-8700, or email at requests@artres.com. You may also submit your request using the Image Request Form available on the Met’s website.

IV. If you have any other questions, please contact the Museum’s Digital Department:

Digital Department

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10028-0198

Telephone: 212-650-2550

Email: prtvacypolicy@metmuseum.org

1.What type of writing is this text?

A.A business guide. B.An art survey.

C.A research report. D.An advertisement.

2.What can we learn about the Met from the text?

A.The Met has a history of 5,000 years.

B.People started to visit the Met online to buy objects.

C.The Met stops collecting arts right now.

D.People cannot take a photo without the permission of the Met.

3.What should you do if you want to have images used for a magazine?

A.Email to communications@metmuseum.org.

B.Telephone at 212-505-8700.

C.Write an application at the online Press Room.

D.Contact the Museum’s Digital Department.

书面表达

假如你是李明，你发现部分同学每次遇到重要考试，都会出现一些焦虑症状。请你用英语写一封信，向某学生英文报编辑反映该问题。信的内容应包括下列要点：

焦虑症状：头晕、乏力、睡眠不好、食欲不振等；

建议：1．考前制定好合适的复习计划；

2．考试期间正常作息；

3．睡前洗热水澡、喝热牛奶等有助于睡眠；

注意：1．词数：100个左右。开头已给出，不计词数；

2．不要逐句翻译，可适当增加细节以使行文连贯；

3．参考词汇：头晕– dizzy (adj.)

Dear editor,

I’m Li Ming, a student of Senior Three. I’m writing to tell you about some symptoms of anxiety among us students before exams.

Li Ming

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（Λ），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。

Many people which smoke say that smoking helps them to think better. But I strongly against smoking. First, smoking is harmfully to one’s health. People who smoke may die of different illness and diseases. Second, smoking polluted the air. People find them impossible to work well in the room full of smoke. Third, smoking wastes of much money. It’s said that millions of dollars are spent treating diseases causing by smoking. To sum up, smoking does more harm than good. But students should not pick up the habit of smoking.

语法填空： 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。

Once there were two mice, a city mouse and a country mouse. They were distant(远房的) relatives. One day the city mouse, 1. lived in a big house wrote a letter to the country mouse inviting him for a visit.

Excited, the country mouse accepted the 2. (invite) and came to the city mouse’s house. He was greeted by the city mouse cheerfully. The country mouse was surprised to see 3. big the house was. The city mouse was pleased 4. led the country mouse to the kitchen. When they climbed up the table, there were a large piece of bread, fruit and cheese 5. it. But just as they began to eat, they heard 6. great noise. The city mouse cried, “Run! Run! The cat 7. (come)!” They ran away quickly and hid.

8.(breathe) heavily after hiding in the mouse-hole, the country mouse said to the city mouse, “ I should go back to my house in the country. Even if I eat nothing but beans, I can live 9.(peace). Why don’t you come with me to the country? 10. is nicer to be poor and happy than to be rich and afraid.”

    I try to take part in as many sports as I can at school, but to be honest I'm pretty hopeless! _______, last week I decided I'd try to get onto the school relay(接力赛跑)team, _______ they' re considered really cool. And _______, after some running tests, I actually succeeded in getting a place - only as a reserve for competitions, but still! Then I _______that was just the beginning. The other team members didn't exactly object to a newcomer,but I could _______ they didn't totally approve of(认可) my being there. The team is made up of the _______ sports people in the school, so _______ them was a real honour. And any _______ they were in usually resulted in a win. Anyway, the yearly school sports day was coming up, so I thought I'd better start _______.

________, the sports day came, and I was as well prepared as I could be. And I knew my friends all ________ me, so that helped a lot. And just then we ________ that another team member had been injured, so they'd be ________ me to help them win.This was my ________. I started concentrating(集中注意力)as hard as I could on the ________ ahead.

I was really ________ waiting for the runner behind me to pass me the baton(接力棒). But suddenly there he was-and I was off! And guess what? I ________ faster than any other members of the team-and we ________ ! It was fantastic! But the best part was that ________ the race, the rest of the team insisted on carrying me round the track on their shoulders. I’ll never ________ it!

1.A.Again B.Anyway C.Instead D.Besides

2.A.as B.unless C.if D.though

3.A.importantly B.amazingly C.obviously D.suddenly

4.A.agreed B.imagined C.expected D.realized

5.A.tell B.accept C.prove D.predict

6.A.tallest B.youngest C.best D.coolest

7.A.trailing B.finding C.joining D.guiding

8.A.teams B.parties C.tests D.races

9.A.performing B.practising C.thinking D.hiding

10.A.Usually B.Finally C.Firstly D.Frequently

11.A.believed in B.turned to C.spoke of D.looked after

12.A.hoped B.feared C.heard D.guessed

13.A.putting away B.arguing with C.fighting against D.depending on

14.A.chance B.mistake C.decision D.feeling

15.A.idea B.trip C.task D.report

16.A.generous B.nervous C.curious D.serious

17.A.travelled B.rose C.ran D.walked

18.A.lost B.missed C.left D.won

19.A.after B.before C.during D.from

20.A.repeat B.change C.forget D.make

    There's a lot for teenagers to do! Trying new thing is a great way to become more independent, explore your own interests and learn about other places and cultures. 1.

What about going to a festival? 2. Camp festival has The Den, an area for 13-17 year olds, with music, DJs, workshops and activities. - no adults allowed! The three-day Larmer Tree Festival has an excellent Youth Zone where you can chill out(放松). 3. I’d also recommend(推荐)the Citadel. That one is a one-day event, so it's an ideal first-time festival.

What could be better than hiking(远足)in the countryside and staying somewhere beautiful overnight? The Youth Hostels Association has over 200 places to stay in England and Wales, and many of them are close to national parks. The hostels are clean and warm, and they have everything you need. Last summer, I went youth hostelling for four days with a group of friends in the Peak District. 4. What we really liked was being able to cook all our own meals in the kitchen. A one-night stay costs less than ₤20, so it's a bargain.

5. You won't have to organise anything because there are adults to help. But don't worry, they won’t tell you what to do, and you’ll get a lot of freedom to do what you want. Some tours even include volunteer programmes, language programmes or specialities such as photography, so there's something for everyone. One thing's certain: you'll meet lots of other young people and have a great time.

A. Here are just a few ideas

B. We stayed each night at a different hostel.

C. You’ll need a separate ticket for each journey.

D. Camp Bestival and Larmer Tree are really teen-friendly.

E. It's a great way to see some of Europe's most amazing sights.

F. There are also over 50 bands to watch on three different stages.

G. If you love traveling, there are plenty of group tours for teens.

    Language and culture are connected to each other in so many ways: language names and explains important events and people. When the Fourth Earl of Sandwich (1718-1792) ordered a lunch (so that he didn’t have to leave the gaming tables) there was no word to refer to the bread-and-butter-encased food that has ever since borne his name. Another example is grog, a drink of rum(朗姆酒)mixed with water. The word was coined from the nickname(绰号)of Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757)—Old Grog. The nickname came from the cloak(披风)of “ grogram ” which he habitually wore, and it provided the word for watered-down rum which he gave to sailors. In Australia it has become the word for alcoholic(含酒精的)drink of any kind. Both sandwich and grog are known throughout the English-speaking world, and have been borrowed into other European languages—sandwich into French, and grog into German.

In Australia some rather more specialised foods go by the names of local heroes and heroines. The lamington owes its name to Charles Wallace Alexander Napier Cochrane-Baillie, Second Baron of Lamington, who was governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901. He was well-known for his concern for the treatment of local workers in northern Qucensland. Another sweet, Peach Melba, was invented in 1892 or 1893 by the French cook Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel, London, to respect the Australian singer Nellie Melba.

Some words have their origin in the sports world. The boxer Larry Foley (1849-1917) stopped boxing at the age of 30, having developed a training school for young boxers. His name is probably the one behind the expression “give someone Larry Dooley". Also a sporting hero was the footballer Roy Cazaly (1893-1963), who is the person in “ Up There Cazaly ” , used well beyond football as an expression of encouragement. He became a great footballer by taking amazingly high marks for the St Kilda and South Melbourne clubs.

1.What's the origin of the word"grog"?

A.It was first used by Vernon.

B.It was borrowed from German.

C.It dates back to the late 18th century.

D.It has some relationship with clothes.

2.Which of the following is related to an Australian singer?

A.Sandwich. B.Grog.

C.Lamington. D.Peach Melba.

3.What is the possible meaning of "give someone Larry Dooley"?

A.Give up somebody. B.Encourage somebody.

C.Give somebody a beating. D.Teach somebody to fight.

4.What similarity do the words and expressions mentioned in the text share?

A.They are difficult to understand. B.They come from people’s names.

C.They have been used for centuries. D.They are mainly used in Australia.

    They may be small, but they build big things! Coral(珊瑚虫), which live in the warm parts of the Earth's oceans, are probably the biggest builders on the planet. Coral polyps turn calcium(钙)from seawater into a kind of hard stone. Slowly, they build up a hard skeleton(外骨骼)around their bodies. When polyps die, their skeletons remain. Young polys attach themselves to the old skeletons and make new skeletons. Over time, various shapes are slowly built up into amazing coral reefs(珊瑚礁).

Scientists sometimes think of coral reefs as underwater cities. There are nearly a thousand coral species. Reefs are also home to millions of sea creatures, like fish, crabs, turtles, and sharks.

Humans don't live in coral reef cities, but we get a lot from them. Reefs create jobs for people in the fishing industry and other related businesses. They also supply us with food. Reefs protect our coasts-the coral slows waves down and protects beaches from wearing. Chemicals from reef creatures help scientists create new medicines, which help doctors treat different illnesses.

Coral reefs are very important, yet we don’t take good care of them. Environmental problems have already killed about twenty percent of the world’s reefs. About half of the remaining reefs are dying, and experts believe all of Earth's coral reefs will be in danger by 2050.

People catch too many reef fish and often damage the reefs. Polluted water also causes problems because reef-destroying algae(海藻)grow in dirty water. Even air pollution hurts coral reefs. Global warming causes warmer ocean water, which can cause polyps to lose helpful algae. Without the algae, coral turns white. If it continues, the coral dies.

Can we save coral reefs? Experts say yes-if we make hard choices. Many people around the world are working to protect reefs. Humans and coral polyps are very different, but we both build amazing cities. We will both win if people protect our beautiful oceans.

1.What can be learned about coral reefs?

A.They turn calcium into stones. B.They can be found in cold waters.

C.They provide food for coral polyps. D.They are formed by the growth of coral

2.How do coral reefs help humans?

A.By taking in pollution. B.By protecting beaches.

C.By improving the environment. D.By giving out important chemicals.

3.The helpful algae give coral its         .

A.hardness B.size C.color D.shape

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

A.Cities in the sea B.Reefs in trouble

C.Why are reefs important? D.How can we protect coral reefs?

    Molly Burke was not born blind. She started losing her sight when she was four. Doctor said that she had a rare eye disease that would slowly take away her eyesight completely. In first grade, she learned to read Braille (the language used for the blind) although she could still see. Life was pretty normal for the next few years. However ,in seventh grade, things got worse. Black turned to grey. Yellow turned to white. Soon, Molly couldn’t see the blackboard.

As her eyesight weakened, Molly began using stick to help her walk. This embarrassed her friends, and people stopped inviting her to do things. Then the bullying (欺凌) began.

Molly once broke her ankle and had to use crutches (拐杖) to help her walk. A group of girls, who used to be her friends did something terrible. They were usually responsible for walking Molly to the classroom. Instead, they took the blind 14-year-old outside and down a hill. “I was alone,” remembers Molly. “ I couldn’t see. Nor could I walk.” Luckily, Molly had her cell phone and was able to call her mother for help.

After she finished high school, Molly thought about what she wanted to do before going to college. Her brother was working in a children’s home in Africa, and she wanted to do some things that would help others, too. Then, she found out about Me to We, an organization that has been helping people through volunteering and developing leadership skills. She joined the organization on a youth trip to Kenya to help build a school. While there, she spoke at a local girls’ school. Molly now knew what she wanted to do next — to be one of the speakers at Me to We.

Molly has been speaking to schools all over the USA and Canada about Bullying. Her advice? Be strong! During a speech in Toronto, she spoke to about 20,000 people. They stood up and applauded wildly after her speech. Her father said, “Molly has a real ability to inspire people and to help others who are going through something whether it’s a disability, or bullying, or a different set of challenges.”

1.Why did Molly learn Braille in first grade?

A.She was blind. B.She was interested in it.

C.She would be blind someday. D.She wanted to help her blind friends.

2.What happened to Molly when she was fourteen?

A.She began to lose her eyesight. B.She was left at the foot of a hill.

C.She was beaten by her classmates. D.She had her first cell phone.

3.What did Molly do before going to college?

A.She worked in children’s home. B.She founded Me to We.

C.She taught in Africa. D.She went to Kenya.

4.Molly is sharing her own experience to help other people _____________.

A.be leaders. B.be kind persons.

C.challenge themselves. D.overcome their problems.

Four interesting books about adventures for children

See You in the Cosmos

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng is about Alex and his crazy life. Alex goes to a rocket festival, finds out he has a stepsister, loses his dog, gets seriously injured, and travels around the country, while recording his adventures on his iPod to send to space. Maiah Weidemann, 11, said, “This is one of the best books I've ever read, and I seriously recommend（推荐）it.”

The Cricket in Times Square

The Cricket in Times Square is a 1960 children's book by George Selden and pictured by Garth Williams. It won the Newbery Honor in 1961. The story is about a cricket（蟋蟀）who got lost and ended up in Times Square, New York. He makes friends there that are kind and loving. The question is: Does he get back home?

A Year Without Autumn

A girl named Jenni and her family go on their yearly trip to Riverside Village. Jenni meets up with her best friend, Autumn, at Riverside Village. But when Jenni goes to visit Autumn's apartment and takes an unfamiliar lift, it transports Jenni one year into the future. She works to return to the present, Liz Kessler tells us a story about what true friendship is all about.

The Mysterious Benedict Society(series)

This exciting series by Trenton Lee Stewart is an adventurous story about a group of four kids who are on a mission（使命）to save the world. Each of them has been through lonely times, but they’re working together to save their lives. Nothing is safe, not even their homes. They have to leave their loved ones behind and go into dangerous places undercover. This is a time to remember, and it will change their lives forever.

1.Who is the main character in See You in the Cosmos?

A.Alex. B.Jack.

C.George. D.Maiah.

2.What is The Cricket in Times Square probably about?

A.War. B.Space.

C.Future. D.Friendship.

3.Which novel is set in dangerous environment?

A.The Mysterious Benedict Society. B.The Cricket in Times Square.

C.A Year Without Autumn. D.See You in the Cosmos.

假如你是李华，你的美国笔友John发来邮件说他新学期在选择课程方面遇到了一些困惑，很着急。请你根据以下提示给他回一封邮件。

1. 表示理解；

2. 提出建议；

3. 表达祝愿。

注意：1. 词数100左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

汉译英

1.我们期盼着迎接来自英国的交换生。

2.如果早起床的话，我们应该会赶得上。

3.我能接受失败，但是我不能接受不努力。

4.由于沉迷游戏，他不能集中精力于学习上。

5.当姚明双脚离开地面时，时间似乎都凝固了。

单词拼写

1.He ________ (戒掉) smoking when he was at college.

2.It’s a big challenge for me to speak English ________ (流利).

3.Marathon is just a fun run that help the ________ (社区).

4.The blind boy has a ________ (积极) attitude towards life.

5.I’ve had my passport, and I’m  _______ (申请) for my visa tomorrow.

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。

Wang Kun and Wang Wei are brother and sister. They have dreamed of 1. (take) a great bike trip. It was Wang Wei 2. first had the idea to cycle along the Mekong River. In order to do the trip properly, they went to the library and found a large atlas (地图集) with good maps 3. it. After a careful study of the maps, they found the source of the river. They 4. (ride) bicycles to travel along the Mekong River, whose source is in Qinghai Province. When it enters Southeast Asia, it travels 5. (slow) through hills, low valleys and the plains where rice grows. Although there were 6. (difficult), Wang Kun and Wang Wei were determined 7. (begin) their journey. During their journey, they enjoyed 8. beautiful scenery of deep valleys, waterfalls and the continuous change of the weather. 9. (final), they reached Dali in Yunnan Province, where Dao Wei and Yu Hang joined them. The four of them went on with their great bike trip. This was a really 10. (amaze) experience.

    During my first three years of college, I put on weight quickly. Between classwork and a part-time job, I had zero time for ______. Besides, I ate a lot of fast food. Not surprisingly, I _____ a fat stomach.

After leaving college, I ______ to take exercise. Invited by a friend, I ______ working out with exercise machines three times a week. I was the kind of person who did not try something ____. I ate the same food; I did the same thing. M friend, however, became ______. One day, he said, “We’re not getting enough exercise. We should play tennis instead.”

Me? Play tennis? No way. I was strongly against his ______. I was not good at sports and I was ______ the exercise machines. ______, weeks later, I found myself standing on a tennis court (球场). As I held my racket (球拍), I felt ______. I ran after every ball he served to me, completely ______ about 90% of them, hitting the rest into the other court.

The first few months were quite ______. But one day, as the ball came flying toward me, my racket and the ball finally met in the place where it is most effective to hit a ball. I watched ______ as my return landed where I had aimed (瞄准) it. I had finally ______ how to play tennis properly!

I learned a ______ during my journey toward learning to play tennis: I can do whatever I set my mind to.

1.A.games B.holidays C.research D.exercise

2.A.got B.wanted C.hated D.protected

3.A.decided B.agreed C.regretted D.continued

4.A.avoided B.imagined C.began D.minded

5.A.important B.new C.simple D.similar

6.A.busy B.careless C.bored D.lazy

7.A.rule B.job C.reply D.idea

8.A.worried about B.happy with C.sure of D.responsible for

9.A.As usual B.At first C.Besides D.However

10.A.silly B.relaxed C.proud D.satisfied

11.A.controlling B.throwing C.missing D.playing

12.A.interesting B.painful C.different D.easy

13.A.in secret B.in anger C.in fear D.in surprise

14.A.asked B.learned C.taught D.remembered

15.A.lesson B.skill C.business D.task

A letter to my children on their first day of school

Dear Olivia and Evan,

As I opened my eyes this morning, the realization that you will be starting a new school year at a new school today controlled my mind for a moment. As we went about our morning routine (例行事务), I thought of so many things I wanted to say to you.

As I quietly entered your room and softly kissed you awake—I wanted to tell you that I know what it’s like to be the new kid. I understand worrying about finding your way both physically and socially. You’ll spend a lifetime finding your way. 1.

As I stood at the bathroom door while you brushed your teeth—I wanted to tell you to try not to look so nervous. 2. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. I believe a smile is worth at least that much.

3.—I wanted to tell you if at any moment today you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, just breathe. You’ll be surprised how a couple of deep breaths can help you see things in a whole new light.

As we got in the car—I wanted to tell you not everyone will have things in common with you. 4. They may pleasantly surprise you.

As I drove the few blocks to school—I wanted to tell you to listen when the teacher speaks, when someone new talks about themselves, etc. 5.

As you got out of the car I gave you each a kiss and a hug and said — “Just be yourself, and remember how much I love you. I’ll be waiting to hear all about your experiences this afternoon.”

I realized that’s really all you needed to hear.

Love

Mom

A. Never give up.

B. As you went to bed

C. As you ate your breakfast

D. Accept the differences happily.

E. It’s good to take notes while listening in class.

F. Listening is one of those skills that will come in handy later in life.

G. The simple act of smiling can be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

    As a young boy, I knew what people said was not always what they meant or were feeling. And I knew it was possible to get others to do what I wanted if I read their real feelings and responded suitably to their needs. At the age of eleven, I sold rubber door-to-door after school and quickly worked out how to tell if someone was likely to buy from me. When I knocked on a door, if someone told me to go away but their hands were open and they showed their palms (the inside surfaces of their hands), I knew it was safe to continue because they weren’t angry although they may have a dismissive (不屑的) attitude. If someone told me to go away in a soft voice but used a pointed finger or closed hand, I knew it was time to leave.

As a teenager, I became a salesperson, and my ability to read people earned me enough money to buy my first house. Selling gave me the chance to meet people and study them close and to know whether they would buy or not, simply by watching their body language.

I joined the life insurance (保险) business at the age of twenty. And I went on to break several sales records for my company, becoming the youngest person to sell over a million dollars’ worth of business in my first year. This achievement allowed me to become a member of the well-known Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), which recognizes the world’s top achievers in life insurance. I was lucky that the skills I’d learned as a boy in watching body language while selling could be used in this new area, and were directly related to the success I could have in any business closely connected with people.

1.Which of the following meant the author must go away?

A.A customer’s soft voice.

B.A customer’s pointed finger.

C.A customer’s open palms.

D.A customer’s dismissive expression.

2.What does the underlined words “new area” in the last paragraph refer to?

A.The study of selling products.

B.The work for the MDRT.

C.The sales industry.

D.The life insurance business.

3.What was the key to the author’s success?

A.Listening to customers’ words.

B.Understanding customers habits.

C.Trying to satisfy customers’ needs.

D.Reading customers’ body language.

4.How does the text mainly develop?

A.By following the order of time.

B.By giving clear explanations.

C.By giving well-known examples.

D.By following the order of importance.

    Each May since 1956 people from across Europe and around the world have gathered around their televisions with friends and family for an evening of international entertainment (娱乐): The Eurovision Song Contest. It may be a fun event but perhaps it’s not the shared celebration of European language that it could be. In the first ten years of Eurovision, the UK and Ireland were the only two countries to sing in English. Now English is what we expect. Is it that English has become the official language of music?

From high streets in Hungary to supermarkets in Sweden, from bus stops in Bulgaria to parks in Poland, people listen to English-language music everywhere. And people don’t just listen, they sing it too! From sporting events in Spain to nightclubs in Norway, from concerts in Croatia to fitness classes in France, people sing along to popular songs in their everyday lives, in English. But why?

For one evening each year Eurovision is the dinner party of Europe. A dinner party to which each guest brings something unique. Their clothing, tradition and food represent their culture and their language shows the character of a nation. Although there are 50 nations with 83 languages, for Eurovision, English is the only language. Does Eurovision really represent Europe?

English is an international language spoken by over 1 billion people worldwide. It is no surprise that so many musicians make music in English. Of course, music makes money and more listeners make more money. According to Ragnar Thorhallsson, a singer and guitarist, English is simpler and is easier to make rhymes (韵律). Could this be true?

Let’s remember that although English-language music is everywhere, music is not everything. As long as we continue to learn, to speak, to love, diversity (多样性) shall be valued. After all, what fun is a dinner party if the guests can’t communicate or express themselves in the way they choose?

1.What do we know about Eurovision?

A.Singers sing English songs.

B.It helps protect European cultures.

C.It is the most popular contest in the world.

D.Singers mainly come from the UK and Ireland.

2.What’s the main idea of Paragraph 2?

A.Music in daily life. B.The popularity of English music.

C.The official language of music. D.Music in different countries.

3.What can we infer about Ragnar Thorhallsson’s opinion of English?

A.It is easy and beautiful.

B.It should be used in all music.

C.It is the best language in the world.

D.It helps musicians make money easily.

4.What is mainly discussed in the text?

A.Why we should protect language diversity.

B.How language and music affect each other.

C.Whether English is the official language of music.

D.Why Eurovision is becoming more and more popular.

    It was a cold morning, and Eduardo Ortega was nervous. He held a large envelope (信封). In it was his dream. “This is everything,” he said. “I’ve worked for this since I was a young boy.”

He remembered the long hours working in the fields, picking strawberries and beans. After work every day, his tired friends drank coffee or slept. Eduardo went to the evening school. He studied, read, and wrote poems and short stories. Although he missed many classes, he became the best student.

One school year, Eduardo wrote a poem that won a prize — a trip to San Francisco. As he flew, he felt free from his life of hard work in the fields. He promised himself not to return to that life. He loved to fly.

This morning, Eduardo caught the school bus and went to school with the envelope. He walked past his classmates and sat down at his desk. He took a deep breath, drew the envelope out of his pocket and carefully opened it and began reading the letter inside. It was the answer to his application to the state university. It was also the answer to the beginning of his dream of becoming a pilot.

Even though Eduardo worked to help his family, his father always encouraged him to go to school. So, while he worked, he also studied. Eduardo knew that his dream was his father’s dream, too. His father was a smart man, but he was too poor to go to college. He loved to read, but never had time, because he worked long hours.

Now, as he read the words, “Congratulations … you have been accepted,” he knew his dream was not lost. One day he would become a pilot, flying every day to all the exciting places in the world.

1.What did Eduardo do when his friends drank coffee or slept?

A.He attended classes. B.He studied and wrote.

C.He worked in the fields. D.He helped around his home.

2.What was Eduardo’s dream?

A.Becoming a pilot. B.Becoming a writer.

C.Travelling around the world. D.Realizing his father’s dream.

3.What was Eduardo’s father’s attitude toward his dream?

A.Doubtful. B.Unconcerned.

C.Supportive. D.Unclear.

4.What was in the envelope?

A.An invitation to a flying trip.

B.Encouragement from his father.

C.Congratulations from his friends.

D.An admission notice from a university.

The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Questio Save a Rain Forest Species

By Sandra Markle. Ages 8 to 10.

Woolly Monkeys spend most of their time high up in 150-foot-tall trees. That makes them difficult animals to count and to study. But cameras have provided valuable information and taken, as this book shows, amazing pictures. Experts now believe that Peru’s lowland monkeys and the waste they produce are necessary to the survival of the rain forest.

Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild

By Catherine Thimmesh. Ages 10 to 12.

The giant panda is much-beloved in China, but in the past 40 years, at least half of its places has been destroyed. Camp Panda tells about efforts to reintroduce the giant pandas into the wild so that they might have a future. As part of the efforts, people wear panda costumes (服装) that smell like pandas while weighing and measuring the young pandas. They aren’t supposed to get used to seeing and being around people, because people could bring a threat to them in the wild.

Beyond Words: What Elephants and Whales Think and Feel

By Carl Safina. Ages 10 and older.

Carl Safina studied elephants in an African national park and killer whales off the coast of Washington state. He learned about their strong family bonds, the surprising ways they communicate and how they play and hang out with one another. This book makes a strong case for protecting the ability of these animals to live freely.

Back from the Brink: Saving Animals from Extinction

By Nancy F Castaldo. Ages 10 and older.

This book focuses on seven groups of animals—including whooping cranes, California condors and American alligators—that were brought back to healthy numbers by a lot of efforts. As she celebrates these successes, Nancy F. Castaldo also makes clear that dangers, such as the effects of climate change, still cloud the future of these creatures.

1.Which is the most suitable book for readers below 10?

A.The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Questio Save a Rain Forest Species.

B.Beyond Words: What Elephants and Whales Think and Feel.

C.Back from the Brink: Saving Animals from Extinction.

D.Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild.

2.Why do people wear panda costumes?

A.To attract visitors.

B.To make pandas feel safe.

C.To take photos of pandas in the wild.

D.To celebrate the increasing number of pandas.

3.What do these four books focus on?

A.Animal rights. B.Climate change.

C.Animal protection. D.Rain forests.

4.What’s the purpose of the author to write the text?

A.To introduce four books. B.To get to know some writers.

C.To describe some rare animals. D.To educate children to love animals.

假如你是高二学生李华，你班交换生Charles即将结束假期从美国返回，你想委托他 为你代购一个剃须刀，作为生日礼物送给爸爸。请按以下要求给他写一封电子邮件。

1. 品牌：Gillette;

2. 价格：30美元左右

参考词汇：剃须刀shaver

要求：1. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

2. 词数：100词左右；

3. 开头和结尾已经给岀，不计入总词数。

Dear Charles,

I haven't seen you for over three weeks.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours truly,

Li Hua

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

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧) ）,并在其下面写岀该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。

修改：在错的词下面划一横线，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。

With our city's first subway comes into use, great changes have been taken place recently. Many people preferred to take the subway instead of driving cars, because it's fastly and eco-friendly. Under the help of the subway network, traffic jams and road accidents have declined sharply, making that convenient for people to travel. In the meantime, we can enjoy clean airs and see a blue sky. Living in the present city, I can feel the strong sense of happiness. Beside, what makes us excited is it has connected the city with the towns nearby. I wish our city would be better and better.

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。

Roald Dahl was bom in Wales, in 1916. He was an unhappy schoolboy, so after 1. (graduate) from school he decided to look for adventure. He first worked for the Shell Company in East Africa, where he lived in the jungle, and then he joined the Royal Air Force, as a pilot, when the Second World War broke out. He 2. (injure) while flying, so in1942 he went to Washington, where he started his career3.a writer.

4. (published) in 1943, Dahl's first children's book, The gremlins, was followed by many others. They were all very 5. (success) because he really connected with the children^ interests. He later admitted he couldn't have written children's stories 6. he hadn’t had children of his own. 7. (actual), his books are based on bedtime stories he made up for his own children.

As for his family life, he married Patricia Neal, 8. actress, and they had five children. However, they were not happy. Patricia suffered a stroke but later recovered. Their 9. (marry) ended in divorce. Dahl died in Oxford in 1990. He, 10. always donated money to those in need, was a generous man. He was awarded several important prizes. His secret of becoming a good writer is a lively imagination and hard work.

    It was the men's skating finals of the Winter Olympics when I was 16. Someday I'd be in the Olympics._________ , it was my dream.

That night I lay on our living room floor excitedly watching the_______ between the Brians: American Brian Boitano facing Brian Orser in Canada. Both of them had been world champions. Both of them_______to win. Naturally I was for Brian Boitano, a northern Californian like me. We had skated _______the same ice. I held my breath in amazement.Boitano _______ successfully. The gold medal! I jumped in the _________when his score went up.

But what happened next is what I'll never forget. Brian Boitano sat in front of the camera with his coach, _______ by a group of journalists. He was talking about his career and his medal, talking to the whole world. A terrible _______ feeling went through me. I could never be in the Olympics, I thought. I could not talk in public like that. Just the idea of a press conference _______ me.

I loved skating partly because I didn't have to talk. I could ________ myself with my jumps and dances better. I didn't have to stand up and give a speech like some teachers expected. I could feel the blood ________ to my face if I thought a teacher was going to call me. I ________ at my shoes. I was sure I'd make a(n) ________of myself.

The next day I was at the rink (溜冰场) as usual. I was practicing a combination of jumps that had once seemed ________. I worked very hard the next few years, on the ice and especially off. After journalists talked to me and although my heart ________every time I spoke to them, I got to know them. They became ________ faces. And they got to know me. So when my big ________came four years after Brian's, I was ready.

Sometimes I think my biggest accomplishment was not winning the gold __________talking to the press afterwards. When you do the thing you iear most, you put an end to fear.

Fear can stop you dead in your tracks. Fear can ________ a dream. What are you afraid of?What scares you more than anything else? This year, walk ________ up to it and conquer it,step by step.

1.A.In fact B.As a consequence C.Ahead of D.As well

2.A.case B.appointment C.battle D.conflict

3.A.applied B.attended C.suspected D.deserved

4.A.on B.for C.off D.in

5.A.arranged B.performed C.processed D.approved

6.A.capsule B.air C.excitement D.photograph

7.A.rejected B.treated C.assisted D.surrounded

8.A.sinking B.delighted C.motivated D.willing

9.A.attracted B.impressed C.terrified D.updated

10.A.enjoy B.express C.clarify D.adjust

11.A.flow B.pour C.slide D.rush

12.A.stared B.glared C.concentrated D.polished

13.A.guest B.victim C.fool D.amateur

14.A.thrilling B.complex C.impossible D.splendid

15.A.lightened B.pounded C.settled D.broke

16.A.enthusiastic B.greedy C.eager D.familiar

17.A.moment B.ceremony C.assignment D.accomplishment

18.A.or B.also C.but D.and

19.A.achieve B.kill C.blame D.lack

20.A.very B.away C.from D.right

Dear Readers,

Medical related emergencies are on the rise with more old people living alone. More seniors are looking for an independent lifestyle and better quality of life. More than 1 in 3 people over the age of 64 will fall this year.1.

A medical emergency can lead to a disaster when a person is not given timely support. 2.. Our solution is highly suggested by doctors, health care professionals and hospitals.

We are offering a FREE Medical Alert System to seniors or their loved ones who call now. 3. . And our system can detect falls automatically.

Call Toll-Free 1-800-360-0405 and gain peace of mind. There's no long-term contract. Our medical alert professionals can walk you through everything over the phone.

The first 100 callers to order will receive:

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*Free Shipping (Mention Reader's Digest).

5. Don't wait until after a fall to give us a call. Call now Toll-Free 1-800-231-0167

A.Most of them are slightly injured.

B.The necklace pendant can travel with you.

C.Free Medical Alert System ($ 300 value).

D.The system is top-ranked and easy-to-use.

E.Nearly half will not be able to get up without support.

F.Take advantage of this special offer now to protect yourself or a loved one.

G.However, it can be prevented with our 24-hour emergency response system.

    When Pope Francis recently told a reporter that he stopped watching television 25 years ago, it reminded me that several of my friends had gone TV-free as well. They had really quit TV? It seemed fairly unlikely.

And so it was. It turned out that most Americans who "cut the cord " are not getting rid of their TV sets. What they're doing, like my friends, is canceling their cable or satellite TV contracts. Not such a major move, but nice cost savings. You can still watch lots of TV programming these days on your computer or TV by subscribing to an online streaming service. Netflix is currently the most popular of those.

There is, however, a small group of the population that has adopted a true zero-tolerance policy when it comes to television. Listen to what was said about TV by none other than Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor In 2010 following his terminal cancer diagnosis, he called out TV as the enemy of productivity. "If you really want to have time back in your life," he said, "unplug you TV and put it in a closet and put a blanket over it."

My friend Laura Schiff, a former journalist, appreciates that point all too well. "Television always felt like a waste of time," she told me the other day. When her old TV failed, she decided not to replace it. "No regrets. Without TV I get a much deeper understanding of the world and what's going on around us." The amazing irony (讽刺): Schiff's late father, Arthur Schiff was the genius behind such memorable TV marketing catchphrases (广告语) as "Act now and you'll also receive...and "But wait, there's more!"

For some Americans, there is no "more". There is already too, too much 一 too much stupid programming, too much commercials for products no one needs. Most of all, “TV robs us of our precious time," as author Joshua Fields Millbum said in his book, Everything That Remains.

1.We learn from paragraph 2 that most Americans who cut the cord ______.

A.stop watching TV completely

B.get rid of their TV sets

C.canceling their TV contracts to save money

D.still watch lots of programs through cable TV

2.According to the passage, Netflix is probably ________ .

A.a popular online streaming service

B.a satellite TV station

C.a new brand of TV sets

D.a most popular TV program currently

3.Why was Randy Pausch against television?

A.It was a waste of money.

B.He had little time to spare for it.

C.It was a waste of productive time.

D.He suffered from headaches because of it.

4.We can infer from the last paragraph that some Americans _______.

A.demand changes in television

B.will never believe TV catchphrases

C.spend more time watching TV

D.will never watch TV

    A group of young adults are building wooden boats, serving as workers in a boat building program sponsored by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation to be taught skills, self-confidence and discipline to change their lives for the better.

The young workers learn their craft at the foundation's seaport center, a floating wooden house on the banks of the Potomac River in Alexandria, once a busy seaport town in America. The yearlong program teaches small groups of young adults from 18 to 22 years old how to build small wooden sailboats. The program pays them a small wage.

A number of the young adults have not finished high school, and the foundation works to help them pass their GED, a high school equivalency. Those who do not have adequate math skills receive tutoring from a volunteer. One of the young workers, Chris, said he was a good student but had to drop out of high school to work due to his family situation. The program manager, once a role model of the group, remarked: “They know I'm living proof of what hard work and dedication gets you to. ” Now more than halfway through his apprenticeship, Chris said he feels better about himself.

When the wooden boats are finished, they will be sold. Chris said he will be sad to see them go5 but knows that, like life, they are meant to sail forward. "There is so much creativity that gets into making them. They're beautiful on the water. I'm delighted they're going to be a good home."

1.What is the boat building program intended to do?

A.Offer boats to companies that need them.

B.Donate boats to the poor community nearby.

C.Help more people learn about the history of boats.

D.Make a better life for those young adults in trouble.

2.What can those young workers learn in this program?

A.They learn how to manage a program.

B.They learn how to build up confidence.

C.They learn how to build boats and sell them.

D.They learn how to teach others math problems.

3.What can we infer from the text?

A.The boats built are meant for tourism.

B.Chris dropped out of school for poor marks.

C.The young workers are all taught by volunteers.

D.Participants of the program are not all teenagers.

4.What is this article mainly about?

A.Hard work is what leads to success.

B.The art of building boats is hard to learn.

C.The future of the youth lies in themselves.

D.Building boats improves the young's lives.