When I was a boy my father told me that he could do anything he wanted to. Dad said that he wanted to be the first to develop color prints in our city and so he did．
When I was 16，Dad looked closely at the violin I played and said that he wanted to make one．He read about violin-making, and then became a violin-maker at the age of 43. He bought the tools and materials, opened a small store and set Mom up as the shopkeeper, while he worked at a local company. He retired from the company 17 years later and continued to make violins and other instruments.
Dad often guessed why the Stradivarius violins sounded so beautiful. Some experts told him that it was the special varnish(油漆)that gave the instruments their beautiful sound．Dad argued that chemists could analyze the varnish—if that was the answer．
One of Dad’s friends asked him which kind of wood was used to make violins．When Dad explained that the top was made of spruce(云杉), his friend said that he had all old piece of spruce which Dad might be interested in.
He worked for the next 12 months making a violin from the wood that his friend had given him. It proved to be an excellent violin and it would become Dad’s masterpiece. He believed that the secret of the Stradivarius sound was in the wood itself.
Later, the instrument was stolen, Dad’s spirit was broken and he stopped making instruments. But he kept the music shop until he was 80 years old, selling guitars and violins.
The violin has been missing for more than 25 years．Somewhere a musician is playing a late-20th-century violin with an excellent tone．The owner today may never understand why this Ordinary-looking violin sounds so much like Stradivarius．
1.In Paragraph l，the writer mentioned his father’s developing color prints to .
A. let others know that he believed his father
B. show that his father would like to make violins
C. Prove that his father could do anything he wanted to
D. give an example showing that his father was an inventor
2.What did the writer’s father think about Stradivarius violins?
A. They were made by experts．
B. The wood of the violins was special．
C. The way of making them was unusual．
D. The varnish was different from the others．
3.From the underlined sentence, we learn that the writer’s father ．
A. found another new job
B. wanted to become famous
C. lost interest in instruments
D. liked the violin very much
4.What could be the best title of the passage?
A. My Experienced Father
B. My Father and His Violin
C. The Secret of Making Violins
D. The New Owner of the Violin
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
According to EMTP and Stat Gear CEO Avi Goldstein, every driver should be taught how to get out of a car when it becomes submerged in water.
“Accidents and natural disasters often occur so quickly that it’s essential for drivers to be prepared,” says Goldstein. “In this case, preparation is simply knowing what should be done before it happens.”
Goldstein offers the following lifesaving tips:
1.Try to stay calm. The worst thing you can do is become overly agitated and panicked.
2. Don’t try to open the door. This will cause the car fill with water very quickly.
3. Unfasten your seat belt or cut it if it’s jammed.
4. Help free anyone else in the car.
5. Use a window punch — preferably spring-loaded. It’s nearly impossible to break a car window with your hands or feet.
6. Exit through the broken window and swim up to safety.
“Every car should be equipped with a window punch and seat belt cutter, but they are usually completely forgotten by car owners,” says Goldstein. For example, the T3 Tactical Auto Rescue Tool from Stat Gear features a 440c stainless steel serrated knife, seat belt cutter, spring-loaded window punch and LED light.
Goldstein asserts that the T3 or another similar tool should always be within arms length of a driver. “If for any reason a driver becomes pinned into his or her seat, emergency tools need to be within reach--otherwise they are useless. They will do you no good in your trunk or backseat.” The following is a quick demonstration on how to escape a sinking car with a baby on board.
1.What is the meaning of the underlined word in paragraph 1?
A. washed B. cleaned C. stuck D. discovered
2.According to the passage, where should you put a window punch and a seat belt cutter in your car?
A. Near the driver’s seat. B. In the trunk.
C. In the back seat. D. Under the engine.
【小题What will be following the passage?
A. How to save a baby in a car.
B. How to help a baby escape from a car.
C. How to escape from a sinking car with a baby.
D. How to avoid sinking a car with a baby.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
In ancient Egypt, a shopkeeper discovered that he could attract customers to his shop simply by making changes to its environment. Modern businesses have been following his lead, with more tactics（策略）.
One tactic involves where to display the goods. For example, stores place fruits and vegetables in the first section. They know that customers who buy the healthy food first will feel happy so that they will buy more junk food later in their trip. In department stores, section is generally next to the women’s cosmetics(化妆品) section：while the shop assistant is going back to find the right size shoe, bored customers are likely to wander over cosmetics they might want to try later.
Besides, businesses seek to appeal to customers’ senses. Stores notice that the smell of baked goods encourages shopping, they make their own bread each morning and then fan the bread smell into the store throughout the day. Music sells goods, too. Researchers in Britain found that when French music was played, sales of French wine went up.
When it comes to the selling of houses, businesses also use highly rewarding tactics. They find that customers make decision in the first few second upon walking in the door, and turn it into a business opportunity. A California builder designed the structure of its houses smartly. When entering the house, the customer would see the Pacific Ocean through the windows, and then the poll through an open stairway leading to the lower level. The instant view of water on both levels helped sell these $10 million houses.
1.Why do stores usually display fruits and vegetables in the first section?
A. To save customers times.
B. To show they are high quality foods.
C. To help sell junk food.
D. To sell them at discount prices.
2.According to Paragraph 3, which of the following encourages customers to buy?
A. Opening the store early in the morning.
B. Displaying British wines next to French ones.
C. Inviting customers to play music.
D. Filling the store with the smell of fresh bread.
3.What is the California builder’s story intended to prove?
A. The house structure is a key factor customers consider.
B. The more costly the house is, the better it sells.
C. An ocean view is much to the customers’ taste.
D. A good first impression increases sales.
4. What is the main purpose of the passage?
A. To explain how businesses turn people into their customers.
B. To introduces how businesses have grown from the past.
C. To report researches on customer behavior.
D. To show dishonest business practices.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
There is a large percentage of Asian people in the US. They’re hard working, respectful but strange sometimes. If you don’t understand the culture, you will get some problems with them. Asian people are different from any other cultures if you think you know them, you might want to think again.
How are they different? When it comes to most Asian culture, respect is everything. You can do anything you want but don't disrespect an Asian man. You will get some real consequences afterward and especially if he is your boss. It’s something called “face saving” in the Asian culture. It’s ridiculous sometimes but it’s their culture. Sometimes their culture can come in between their relationship at work. Asian people might expect a lot of respect from their co-workers when their co-workers just see them as an equal.
Americans are very different from Asian people. If you’re Asian, you might want to understand the American culture and even adapt to their culture if you work with them. It will be easier for you since you’re in their countries. Imagine an American working in China, expecting Chinese co-workers to get along with him when he criticizes them straight out on every single matter in front of everyone. I think they will take him outside and take care of him. It just doesn’t work that way with Asian people.
If you’re an American boss giving your Asian employee a review, you will see that they will have a problem with your negative remarks. They will think that you don’t like them, disrespectful, and want to get rid of them; when in fact, you’re just doing your job. Of course, it’s not fair for you as an American boss but just expect that it can be something that is on your Asian employee’s mind.
1.The Americans can’t get along well with the Asians probably because______.
A. their cultures are different
B. they don’t like each other
C. both of them are too proud
D. they have different political views
2.The underlined phrase “face saving” in Paragraph 2 probably means_____.
A. saving some money for later use
B. making faces to please your boss
C. showing some respect to somebody
D. helping somebody out of trouble
3. From the third paragraph we can know that it is difficult_________.
A. for the Asians to accept the culture in America
B. for the Americans to adapt to the culture in China
C. for people to learn the culture in a foreign country
D. for people to follow the culture in their own country
4.The negative remarks an American boss gives on your work probably mean he/she ____________________.
A. doesn’t like you any longer
B. thinks you are not worth respecting
C. offer you some better advice
D. wants you to improve your work
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中的两项为多余选项。
Handwriting can make or break the first impression. If your handwriting is difficult for others to read, you will sometimes feel embarrassed. 1. . It needs lots of practice to improve your handwriting.
2. . Try each of them out on a piece of paper by signing your name. Find out which type of pen you can write best with. You may be amazed at the change in your handwriting just by changing to another pen.
3. . Do not just do what feels comfortable because that is just your old bad habit coming back into play. Try to hold the pen lightly and don’t press too hard.
Use your chosen pen to write Os on some pieces of lined paper. Write until you have filled up all the lines. Be careful with each O that you write. 4. . Practice writing Os as much as possible. Remember : practice makes perfect. You may practice for weeks or months if you need to. 5. .
As your handwriting shows signs of improvement , go ahead and keep on practicing by writing more words.
A. Gather different types of pens.
B. Practice holding your pen in different ways.
C. However , a bad writing habit is hard to break.
D. Choose a type of pen with which you write best.
E. It won’t help if you write a lot of careless Os on the paper.
F. Two to three months’ practice is enough to get good handwriting.
G. After you are confident in your Os, do the same thing with your name.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完形填空阅读下面短文。从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Bobby was getting cold in the snow. His shoes had a few holes and did a poor job of keeping out the . He had been out for about an hour already, he could not hit an idea for his mother' s Christmas gift.
Ever since his father died three years ago, the family had . His mother’s small wage could make ends meet. What the family lacked in they made up for in love. Bobby' s sisters, clever with hands, had already beautiful gifts for their mother. But Bobby had nothing.
Standing up, Bobby walked to the street. It wasn't without a father, especially when he needed a man to talk to. He walked from shop to shop. Everything seemed so beautiful and so out of .
It was getting dark and Bobby turned to walk home when his eyes caught something shining on the ground. He reached down and a shiny dime(a coin of ten cents).Never before has anyone felt so as Bobby felt at that moment. spread throughout his body. his new found treasure, he walked into a nearby store. His quickly turned cold when knowing he could buy nothing with only a dime.
Then he went into a flower shop. Bobby handed the dime and asked he could buy one flower for his mother. Looking at Bobby and his dime, the shopkeeper for a second and asked Bobby to wait there. Then he went in. Few minutes later, the shopkeeper came out with a bunch of beautiful red roses. Bobby' s heart as the shopkeeper placed the roses gently into a beautiful box. He had only a dime !
"That will be ten cents, young man,” the shop owner said. Bobby gave the man his coin in disbelief. Could this be true? the boy' s mind, the shopkeeper added, "I just happened to have some roses on sale. Would you like them?"
This time Bobby didn't . Walking out of the door, Bobby heard the shopkeeper say, "Merry Christmas, son. "
1.A.rain B.cold C.dark D.dust
2.A.yet B.so C.or D.thus
3.A.ended B.moved C.struggled D.united
4.A.hardly B.probably C.usually D.totally
5.A.time B.spirit C.money D.education
6.A.bought B.made C.ordered D.exchanged
7.A. safe B. wise C. strange D. easy
8.A. mind B. control C. reach D. sight
9.A. gradually B. suddenly C. hurriedly D. deliberately
10.A. searched B. watched C. placed D.discovered
11.A. popular B. special C. wealthy D. comfortable
12.A.Warmth B. Panic C. Regret D. Ambition
13.A. Choosing B. Holding C. Bringing D. Fetching
14.A. guilt B. patience C. curiosity D. excitement
15.A. what B. why C. if D. when
16.A. paused B. looked C. waited D. prayed
17.A. settled B. sank C. bled D. relieved
18.A. Slowly B. Calmly C. Secretly D. Unwillingly
19.A. Changing B. Clearing C. Occupying D. Reading
20.A. refuse B.stop C.insist D.hesitate
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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。
A Brave Maid
A wooden vase from the Ming Dynasty at the entrance of the reception hall 1. (amaze) everyone. The artists designed it in a rare style and selected 2. (value) jewels to decorate it. People thought highly 3. its fancy colour of honey and the beautiful 4. (paint ) on it.
The vase used to belong to a former castle. But when the country was at war, the enemy troops exploded the castle. Debates on how the vase survived went on and on. In order 5. (remove) people’s doubt, a team of no less than 20 people carried out6. informal investigation. The evidences they found 7. (show) a maid took the vase apart and asked a sailor to sink it in a local well. 8. never gave away the secret even under the cruel trial of the enemies 9. were in search of treasures.
It is worth 10. (give) this brave maid a fortune in return.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短文改错
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下短文。短文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧), 并在此符号下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改： 在错的词下划一横线, 并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处, 多者(从第11处起) 不计分。
My brother Donald didn’t do well in math. When the day of the exam comes, Donald sat next to Brian, which was always good at math. Donald careful copied Brian’s answers. At end of the exam, the teacher collected the papers and graded it. Then she decided to give a prize to the student who got the high grade. But it was a bit of difficult for her to make a decision, because Donald and Brian got the same grade. The teacher thought about that and made on her mind to give the prize to Brian. Donald said it was unfair. “That’s true,” the teacher said. “Therefore, Brian’s answer to Question 18 was ‘I don’t know’. Your was ‘Neither do I’.”
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
书面表达
目前出国旅游很热门，假设你是某高中学生李华,你的朋友Lily计划假期出国旅游，希望你能给予她一些建议。请你用英语写一篇电子邮件回复她。
要点如下：
1.旅游中出现的一些不文明现象。
2.你的建议。
注意：1.词数在100左右，
2.可适当增加细节以使行文连贯；
3.参考词汇：吐痰 spit；树立形象 uphold an image
难度: 中等查看答案及解析