I used to live selfishly, I should admit. But one moment changed me. I was on my lunch break and had_____ the office to get something to eat. On the way, I______a Busker (街头艺人), with a hat in front of him. I had some ______ in my pocket, but I would not give them to him, thinking to myself he would ______ use the money to feed his addiction (上瘾)to drugs or alcohol. He ______ like that type …young and ragged. ______ what was I going to spend the money on? Only to feed my addiction to Coca-Cola or chocolate! I then ______ I had no right to place myself above ______ just because he was busking.
I ______ and dropped all the coins into his ______, and he smiled at me, I watched for a while. As ______ as it sounds, I expected something more to come from that moment—a feeling of ______ or satisfaction, for example. But nothing happened. ______, I walked off. “It proved to be a waste of ______,” I thought.
On my way home at the end of the ______, I saw the busker again and he was ______. I watched him pick up the hat and walk ______ a cafe counter. There he poured the ______ money into a tin collecting ______ an earthquake fund-raising (募捐) event. He was busking for charity (慈善)!
Now I donate any ______ I have to charity tins and enjoy the feeling of giving.
1.A. left B. cleaned C. prepared D. searched
2.A. led B. chose C. saw D. argued
3.A. chocolates B. coins C. tins D. drugs
4.A. only B. almost C. rather D. still
5.A. acted B. looked C. sounded D. smelt
6.A. Though B. For C. Therefore D. But
7.A. observed B. realized C. expected D. guessed
8.A. it B. all C. him D. them
9.A. waited B. followed C. stopped D. arrived
10.A. rag B. hat C. pocket D. counter
11.A. selfish B. ordinary C. outstanding D. special
12.A. happiness B. sadness C. love D. hate
13.A. Disappointedly B. Unfortunately C. Curiously D. Comfortably
14.A. words B. effort C. space D. money
15.A. moment B. event C. break D. day
16.A. walking around B. passing by C. packing up D. picking out
17.A. around B. in C. behind D. to
18.A. direct B. basic C. actual D. total
19.A. by B. with C. on D. for
20.A. work B. change C. energy D. time
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven’t you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?
According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.
The study also found the effect is greater, the younger people learn a second language. A team led by Dr Andrea Michelle, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of “early bilinguals” who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners. Scans showed that grey matter density (密度) in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference.
“Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists.
It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.
Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills. “Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible (灵活的).” he said. “You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”
The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and 34. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. “Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world,” explained the scientists.
1.The main subject talked about in this passage is ______.
A. science on learning a second language
B. man’s ability of learning a second language
C. language can help brain power
D. language learning and maths study
2.In the second paragraph, the writer mentions “exercise” in order to ______.
A. say language is also a kind of physical labor
B. prove that one needs more practice when he (she) is learning a language
C. to show the importance of using the language when you learn the language
D. make people believe language learning helps grey matter work well
3.The underlined word “bilingual” probably means ______.
A. a researcher on language learning
B. a person who is good at learning foreign languages
C. a person who can speak two languages
D. an active language learner
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Thomas Edison was one of ten said to be the greatest genius of his age. There are only a few men in all of the history, who have changed the lives of other men as much as the inventor of the first useful electric light. But Edison could never be happy only because someone said he was a genius. “There is no such thing as genius,” Edison said. He said that what people called genius was mostly hard work.
But Edison was a dreamer as well as a worker. From his earliest days as a child he wondered about the secrets of nature. Nature, he often said, is full of secrets. He tried to understand them; then, he tried to learn what could usefully be done with them.
Edison enjoyed thinking. He knew that most people will do almost anything instead of the difficult work of thinking, especially if they do not think very often. But he knew, too, that thinking can give men enjoyment and pleasure.
Edison could not understand how anyone could be uninterested in life. As he loved to think, he also loved to work. On the day he became 75 years old, someone asked him what ideas he had about life. “Work,” he answered. “Discovering the secrets of nature and using them to make men happier.” He said he had enough inventions in his mind to give him another 100 years of work.
1.Edison thought ____________.
A. he could be happy if he was a genius
B. genius plays the most important part in one’s success
C. hard work could do better than genius
D. genius could do better than hard work
2.Edison was _____________.
A. very much interested in nature
B. interested in discovering the secrets of nature
C. interested in changing people’s ideas
D. uninterested in making people happier by discovering the secrets of nature
3.In Edison’s opinion, ______________.
A. thinking can supply people with enjoyment and pleasure as well as help
B. people’s success lies mostly in genius
C. hard work is the second important thing in making people successful
D. there are few secrets for him to discover later
4.The last sentence in the passage most probably implies __________.
A. life is too short for Edison to invent more for human beings
B. Edison made 100 inventions in his life
C. Edison was able to live and work for 100 years
D. people of his time were ready to give Edison another 100 years’ work
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
A Spanish company has opened the first public napping space in Madrid. Siesta & Go promises the Spanish people a quiet and restful getaway in the city’s business center.
Napping spaces are already nothing new places in other big cities in the world. But the idea would appear to work well with the culture of Spain, where people traditionally take a midday nap.
The Madrid nap bar recently opened with 19 beds. They can be rented by the minute or by the hour. People can choose either a private or shared room. An hour of napping time inside a private room costs about $ 15.
The company also offers areas to work, as well as armchairs, newspapers and coffee for those not wishing to sleep. Philip Marco is one happy customer. He says he gets tired during the day because he has a long drive to work. He says the midday nap is the perfect way to build up energy. “I come for about 30 minutes, something like that. Sleeping for 30 minutes usually is enough for me to be able to get through the evening.”
Siesta & Go provides all bedding, clean nightshirts and other materials. Nappers can request to be woken up when their time is up.
While many Spanish people love their midday naps, others like Carlos Villarroja say they are just too busy to keep this tradition. “It’s a Spanish tradition, but I think it’s more of an impractical thing than a tradition. Because with the lifestyle we have the working hours, we have very little free time for a nap, in my case, at least during the week.”
But many health experts believe there is evidence that taking a short nap is very good for the body and mind. Scientific studies show that taking a nap can also prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure and reduce stress.
1.The Madrid nap bar don’t allow customers to______________ .
A. share a room with others B. choose a private room
C. use it as an office D. sleep for free
2.What does Philip Marco feel about the Madrid nap bar?
A. Happy. B. Worried.
C. Amazed. D. Tired.
3.Why does Carlos Villarroja regard a midday nap as an impractical thing?
A. It is not necessary to take it.
B. Many people have no time to take it.
C. No research proves the good of taking it.
D. Many people have no spare money to pay for it.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Riding Club:
You can start horse-riding at any age. Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9
am and 8:30 pm (3:30 pm on Saturdays). There are 10 kilometres of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country. You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday:9:00 am一8:30 pm
Phone: (412)396—6754
Fax: (412)396—6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification. You’11 learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course members afterwards in the clubroom. There are 10 weekly two—hour lessons (Tuesdays 6 pm～8 pm).
Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 pm一8:00 pm
Phone: (412)396—6644 、
Fax: (412)396—6644
Diving Centre:
Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely. You only need a swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30pm一8:30pm
Phone: (412)396—6312
Fax: (412)396—6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal with a broad range of medical problems. Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hour from Monday to Sunday
Phone: (412)396—6649
Fax: (412)396—6648
Watersports Club:
We use a two-kilometre length of river for speedboat racing, and water-skiing. A beginners’ course consists of ten 20-minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a.m to 4 p.m, with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 am一4pm
Phone: (412)396—6899
Fax: (412)396—6890
1.If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous, you should join _______.
A. Watersports Club B. Diving Centre
C. Sailing Club D. Riding Club
2.If you want to experience a new activity in the countryside in the mornings, you may fax .
A. (412)396--6648 B. (412)396--6706
C. (412)396--6752 D. (412)396—6876
3.If you are planning to explore the ocean depths, you should attend your lessons at .
A. 24 hour from Monday to Sunday
B. Monday through Friday: 7:00am一10:00pm
C. Tuesdays: 6:00 pm一8:00 pm
D. Monday and Friday: 6:30pm一8:30pm
4.You want to do an activity one evening a week and get a diploma in the end, you can go to .
A. Watersports Club B. Diving center
C. Sailing Club D. Riding School
5.Which is NOT the convenience that the Medical Center provides?
A. Good equipment B. Well trained staff members
C. Various expensive medicines D. Nursery service
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Ways to Take Care of Your Books
What do you do to take care of the books in your library? Some collectors(收藏者) refuse to read the books in their collection; so the books remain in good condition. Others buy two copies of a book: they read one and leave the other untouched. However many readers must read their books but they still want to protect. 1..
Avoid Writing.
You may have been told to write in your books or even to underline words, phrases, and paragraphs. But if you plan to keep the book, add it to your library or even sell it — don't write in the book in ink. 2.. Use a notebook to take notes or use pieces of paper.
Avoid Food and Drinks.
Food and drinks are things that may be dangerous to your books. 3.. If you need to read while you eat make sure your fingers are clean and dry as you hold the book or turn the pages.
Take Care.
4.. Don’t let it drop to the ground. Don't place your book with the book open, face down. You'd better use a book cover to keep your book in the best condition.
5.
If you want to take care of your books, keep your books on a shelf when you are not reading them. But also take care that the books should be placed in an upright (竖立的) position.
A．Put it on the shelf.
B．Protect it from dust.
C．The ink may damage your book forever.
D．When you handle (握) your book, hold it with care.
E．No one knows exactly how to protect their books.
F．So the best way is to avoid eating or drinking while you read.
G．Here are some tips to keep your books in good condition.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入适当的词，并将答案填写在相应位置上。
In the age of the smart phone, there seems no reason to ask questions about: the weather forecast, a business’s phone number or directions, which can all be 1. (easy)found on Google, but very often people 2. (actual) ask these things by3.(make) a call. Your answer may be replied to with a thank-you e-mail.
This isn’t the first time that great changes4. (take) place in our manners due to technology. In 5.late 1870s, when the telephone6.(invent), people didn’t know how7.(greet) a caller. Often there is just 8.(silent). Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor, suggested that people 9.(say) “Ahoy”, but finally “Hello” went out, the greeting used in everyday face-to-face communications now.
Try to be respectful no matter 10.you communicate with. Just keep it in mind that politeness never goes out of fashion.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短语
1.躲/藏起来______________________
2.写下/记下______________________
3.和某人（很好地）相处______________________
4.爱上某人/某物______________________
5.按照，根据______________________
6.面对面______________________
7.母语______________________
8.即使______________________
9.信不信由你______________________
10.梦想做某事______________________
11.毕业于______________________
12.改变主意______________________
13.在…的高度______________________
14.向某人屈服______________________
15.握手______________________
16.爆发______________________
17.由---来判断______________________
18.分发，发出（气味等）______________________
19.数以万计的______________________
20.挖掘，发现______________________
21.把……送进监狱______________________
22.失去信心______________________
23.失业______________________
24.作为……的报酬______________________
25.被判处…徒刑______________________
26.寻找______________________
27.属于______________________
28.作为..的回报______________________
29.每隔四年______________________
30.参加______________________
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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。
One Sunday I tried a new lifestyle. I gave up the Internet, but even didn’t watch TV. I thought I would feel very boring. However, I had very different day. I wrote two article that morning. In the past, I always want to write one, but I didn’t have time. While I was separated from the net and TV, I could devote me to writing. I once read an article, what said that every morning the writer spent two hours wrote without the net. At that time, I thought up she was too strict. After I tried the method myself, I found it real worthwhile.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假如你是李华，你接受了一项写作任务，要为英语校报写一篇人物介绍。请根据以下信息进行写作。
姓名：余光中
生平：1928年10月21日生于南京，2017年12月14日卒于台湾
毕业学校：1952年毕业于台湾大学
专业：外语
爱好：阅读和写作
身份：诗人﹑散文家和翻译家
成就以及代表作： 其诗文和译著共40多种，获得台湾地区文学界各种重要奖项；其代表作《乡愁》入选中小学课本。被称为文坛“璀璨五彩笔”。
提示词：
散文家 essayist；《乡愁》Homesickness; 璀璨五彩笔 ‘Bright Multicolored Pens’
注意：1.词数100左右；
2．可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Editor，
It is my great honor to take on the task to write an article about a cultural celebrity._____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Yours，
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析