Standing desks have become common across Silicon Valley, offering health benefits to those willing to work on their feet. However, due to their high price, they have failed to catch on until now. Recently, Ikea has brought out Bekant convertible（可改变的）standing desk that can become a normal desk at the touch of a button. The $500 adjustable desk can transform from a standard desk to a standing one, and Ikea hopes it could make the standing desk mainstream.
Experts say that changing from a seated to a standing desk can improve productivity. Similar desks have become a common sight at tech firms such as Google, where some employees have even installed treadmill (跑步机)and bicycle desks.
The desk is not the first “convertible” on the market. As early as 2013, Stir Kinect brought out an adjustable desk. The $3,890 Stir Kinect desk has a motor to raise and lower itself, converting it into a standing desk or a traditional desk. The desk can even be programmed to move up and down slightly, making it appear to take a gentle breath to remind the user to change their position. To move between sitting and standing positions, owners simply double tap on the screen. The desk can learn the user’s preferences over time and suggest the best seating position.
The Stir Kinect desk was created by a team of ex-Apple and Disney engineers. It has a built-in touch screen to control and track movement, and can tell users exactly how many calories they burn by standing during their working day. It also has devices containing power points and USB ports for charging phones, to keep cables hidden.
“Ikea’s height adjustable desk is great for opening up the lower end of the market, ’’ said JP Labrosse, founder and CEO of Stir.
1.What is the text mainly about?
A. Ikea has brought out an adjustable standing desk.
B. Silicon Valley offered health benefits to officials.
C. Google formed their tech firms to design bicycle desks.
D. The Stir Kinect desk will become mainstream in the market：
2. Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?
A. Before Bekant desk, similar adjustable desks have been widely used.
B. The seated desks will take the place of the standing desks in the future.
C. Compared to the Stir Kinect desk, the Bekant desk is much cheaper.
D. The adjustable desks were designed by the Apple and Disney Company.
3.The Stir Kinect desk______.
A. can breathe in and breathe out by pressing the button once.
B. can charge phones by using a device containing power point.
C. can tell you how many calories you need for a walk
D. can advise you to do more exercise at a proper time
4.What can we infer from the last sentence given by JP Labrosse that______.
A. Ikea’s adjustable desk will be popular with average people.
B. Ikea will have to sell furniture at a lower price in the future.
C. This height adjustable table can only be found in Ikea.
D. It is not necessary for Ikea to open up the market at all.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Dear Sharon Draper,
A lot of books have flashes of insight, but only few of them can open the readers’ mind and make them realize something new. Your book, Out of My Mind, filled me with those sparks. I enjoyed getting to know Melody. Despite the fact that she had cerebral palsy(脑瘫)，Melody had an amazing character that shone brightly. Out of My Mind helped me learn a life-long lesson.
Your book has changed my point of view. I never teased those who had special needs, but I never really felt comfortable around them either. When I started reading your novel, I saw how Melody was a smart and talented girl. At the beginning of the book, I asked myself, “Would I be Melody’s friend?” The voice in my stomach told me the sad truth: no. I carried on with your book from start to finish, and when I closed it, I asked myself the same question, “Would I be Melody’s friend?” I realized, with a smile, that the answer was right in front of me. Throughout Out of My Mind, I had become Melody’s friend.
Last year, there was a boy in my class who had Asperger’s syndrome(阿斯伯格综合症). I didn’t really know him; he just seemed different to me. This was around the time that I read your novel. Melody showed me how she was just as good as anyone else in her classroom and how the same goes for anyone else with disabilities. The boy in my class amazed me by what he was capable of doing. As the days went by, I started helping him instead of avoiding him.
Melody opened my eyes and cleared the world around me. She showed me how a girl with cerebral palsy was the same as a girl like me. Now it is time for me to thank you for writing this amazing novel. I will never forget your fantastic book.
Sincerely,
Margaret Lim
1.Before Margaret Lim read Out of My Mind, she ________.
A. often laughed at those who are disabled
B. liked to help those who had special needs
C. wouldn’t make friends with the disabled
D. looked down upon those who are different
2.According to the passage, the author mainly thinks Out of My Mind is ________.
A. beautiful in words
B. influential to readers
C. skillful at writing
D. successful in sales
3.What does the second paragraph mainly talk about?
A. The characters of a disabled girl.
B. The change of Margaret’s attitude toward the disabled.
C. The friendship between Margaret and Melody.
D. The main content of Out of My Mind.
4. What can we learn from the third paragraph?
A. Melody became Margaret Lim’s classmate and they became good friends.
B. The boy who had Asperger’s syndrome was different from his classmates.
C. The disabled can deal with many things as well as the healthy people.
D. Margaret Lim often helped the disabled boy since they became classmates.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Your glasses may someday replace your smartphone, and some New Yorkers are ready for the change. Some in the city can't wait to try them on and use the maps and GPS that the eyewear is likely to include.
" I'd use it if I were hanging out with friends at 3 a. m. and going to the bar and wanted to see what was open," said Walter Choo, 40, of Fort Greene.
The smartphone-like glasses will likely come out this year and cost between $250 and $600, the Times said, possibly including a variation of augmented(增强的) reality, a technology already available on smartphones and tablets (平板电脑) that overlays information onto the screen about one's surroundings. So, for example, if you were walking down a street, indicators would pop up showing you the nearest coffee shop or directions could come into view right on the sidewalk in front of you.
"As far as a mainstream consumer product, this just isn't something anybody needs," said Sam Biddle, who writes for Gizmodo.com. " We're used to having one thing in our pocket to do all these things," he added, "and the average consumer isn't gonna be able to afford another device (装置) that's hundreds and hundreds of dollars. "[
Google publisher Seth Weintraub, who has been reporting on the smartphone-like glasses since late last year, said he is confident that this type of wearable device will eventually be as common as smartphones. "It's just like smartphones 10 years ago," Weintraub said. "A few people started getting emails on their phones, and people thought that was crazy. Same kind of thing. We see people bending their heads to look at their smartphones, and it's unnatural," he said. "There's gonna be improvements to that, and this a step there. "
1. One of the possible functions of the smartphone-like glasses is to ____.
A. program the opening hours of a bar
B. supply you with a picture of the future
C. provide information about your surroundings
D. update the maps and GPS in your smartphones
2.The underlined phrase "pop up" in the third paragraph probably means " ____".
A. develop rapidly B. get round quickly
C. appear immediately D. go over automatically
3.According to Sam Biddle, the smartphone-like glasses are ____.
A. necessary for teenagers
B. attractive to New Yorkers
C. available to people worldwide
D. expensive for average consumers
4.We can learn from the last two paragraphs that the smartphone-like glasses ____.
A. may have a potential market
B. are as common as smartphones
C. are popular among young adults
D. will be improved by a new technology
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Jackson Language School Summer
Opening and Closing Times
The Jackson Language School is open each day except Sunday. There is an English Corner also available from 6:00pm—9:00pm at the Bellevue Hall across from the school.
Class Size
Classes have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 16 in one class. Classes are equipped with earphones and an electronically controlled listening.
Teachers
Teachers are all experienced and have a minimum of 2 years’ experience and at least a certificate in teaching English as a Second Language. They are all available for tutoring if you need it.
Location
The school is located 15 minutes from central London at 34 Inverleith Row, next to the Marks and Spencer shopping Centre. It is near a bus shop and only a 5 minutes’ walk from the Tube.
Attendance
Students on student visas are expected to attend regularly. Students who are absent more than 60% of the time will be reported to the Student Office. Moreover, if students attend less than 80%, they will not be able to get a certificate form Jackson School. It is also required by the Student Office for visa extension.
Home stay
You are able to stay with a British family if you request so. Jackson has a home stay program that matches students and families according to their own requirements and needs. While generally no problems occur, students may move from a home stay household if he or she gives a 2-week written notice to the home stay family school.
Language Policy
As the course is an immersion (浸入式）program, students are expected to speak English the entire time they are at the school. If they speak any language other than English at the school, they may be asked to leave the school for a day.
1.If you attend more than 80% of your classes, ______.
A. you will be likely to get a certificate
B. you will not obtain a visa extension
C. you may be reported to the Student Office
D. you may not he able to get a certificate
2.The students are expected to speak English______
A. part of the time while at Jackson
B. the entire time they are at the school
C. no matter when they want to
D. when they are in home stay family
3.At Jackson School, ______.
A. you can’t move out of a home stay family
B. you can’t take part in an English Corner.
C. you can turn to a tutor when necessary
D. you can study in a class less than 10 students.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the doctors. 1. .
Some people blame(责备) the fact that we are surrounded (包围) by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream, at low prices. 2. , then probably children would buy less take-away food.
3. . I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If parents often give their children fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, they will go for sweet and salty foods, and children will find it hard to get rid of the habit.
There is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. 4. . What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.
The above are the main reasons for this problem. 5. , as well as forcing them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.
A. There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight
B. Adults are becoming fatter and unhealthier too
C. If there were fewer of these restaurants
D. Therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active
E. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime (消遣), it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food
F. I feel there are a number of reasons for this
G. It’s a good idea to allow children to eat what they choose
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Eric in a high chair and noticed everyone was eating and talking. Suddenly, Eric screamed with and said, “Hi there.” His fat baby hands hit the high chair tray, and his eyes were wide with excitement.
I looked around and saw the of his enjoyment. It was an old man with a worn and oily coat. And his hair was uncombed and unwashed. I was sure he . His hand waved. “Hi there, baby; I see ya,” the man said to Eric.
My husband and I looks. Eric continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed this. My husband and I were .
We finally the meal and for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat me and the door. “Lord, just let me out of here he speaks to me or Eric,” I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be . As I did so, Eric leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s “ ” position. Before I could stop him, he had himself to the man’s arms. Eric, in an act of total and love, laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder.
His hands full of dirt, pain and hard labor gently, so gently, cradled(轻轻抱着) my baby’s and patted his back. I stood amazed. After a while, he pushed Eric from his chest as though he were in pain, saying “God bless you, ma’am. You’ve given me the best Christmas gift.”
I had just witnessed a genuine love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin(罪恶), who made no . The ragged old man, , had reminded me that a genuine love is one in which the meaning of love is realized.
1.A. hurriedly B. happily C. sadly D. quietly
2.A. delight B. surprise C. anger D. satisfaction
3.A. source B. result C. effect D. degree
4.A. smiled B. smelled C. felt D. cheated
5.A. turned B. separated C. exchanged D. replaced
6.A. embarrassed B. shocked C. excited D. curious
7.A. got up B. got through C. got over D. got off
8.A. moved B. headed C. reached D. advanced
9.A. in front of B. against C. next to D. between
10.A. though B. since C. before D. if
11.A. holding B. fighting C. taking D. breathing
12.A. let-me-go B. pick-me-up C. put-me-down D. take-me-on
13.A. jumped B. devoted C. driven D. thrown
14.A. independence B. trust C. desire D. devotion
15.A. beautiful B. strong C. old D. firm
16.A. legs B. head C. neck D. bottom
17.A. eagerly B. violently C. unwillingly D. gladly
18.A. decision B. judgment C. conclusion D. choice
19.A. strangely B. powerfully C. unknowingly D. gratefully
20.A. realistic B. false C. loyal D. true
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Most Americans don’t like to get advice 1.__________members of their family. They get advice from “2.________(strange)”. When they need advice, they don’t usually go to people they know. 3._________ many of them write letters to newspapers and magazines 4.________ give advice on many different subjects, 5._________ (include) family problems, the use of language, health, cooking, child care, clothes, and even on how6._________ (buy) a house or a car.
Most newspapers regularly print letters from7.__________ (read) with problems. Along with the letters 8._________ are answers written by people who are supposed to know how to solve such problems. Some of these writers are doctors, 9.__________ are lawyers or educators. But two of the most famous writers of advice are women without special 10.________ (train) for this kind of work.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短文改错(共10小题;每小题1分，满分10分)
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。
While Joe left university, he got a good job in a bike factory. After he had worked there for some years, he decided to have change. But he put a notice in several newspapers, saying what experiences he had and the kind of job he would like to have. One of the answers he accepted was from a man looked for a job, too. This man wrote to him, “Dear sir, when you get a new job, to be kind enough to give my name and address to your present boss，as I have been trying to find a position like you for a long time.” After he reads the letter, he suddenly realized what he had done was real foolish.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
：（25分）请你根据下面这幅漫画用英语写一篇短文。短文内容应该包括以下三个方面：
1．描述这幅漫画的内容。
2．是否同意他们的教育方式，并陈述理由。
3．对家庭教育提出建议。
注意： 1 词数100左右。 2 参考词汇： 溺爱 spoil
As can be seen in the cartoon, the young couple educate their child in different ways. _____________________________________________________________________________
难度: 简单查看答案及解析