British Airways booking secrets-and the best late deals this week: Short holidays and European city breaks.
Dublin from $ 109 pp: Enjoy the Emerald Isle without the St Patrick’s Day crowds. Departing 20th March, this package includes a two night stay at the four-star Kings Wood Hotel Citywest and return flights from London Stansted. Click here.
Bruges from $ 159 pp: Treat mum to a mother’s day city break in the medieval, fairly-tale town of Bruges and enjoy canal-side strolls and a nice helping of culture. Price includes two nights at the four-star NH Brugge with travel from London St Pancras, departing 20th March. Click here.
Madrid from $ 166 pp: Fly from Liverpool on March 27 for three nights’ B& B at the three-star Espahotel Plaza de Espana. Real Madrid don’t have a football game then, so sec if Ronaldo fancies a cerveza. Click here.
French Alps from $ 499 pp: Save over $ 320 each on a week’s skinning at Les Arcs 2000, staying catered at the Chalet Vanoise. Based on two sharing and includes flights from Manchester on March 18 and transfers. Six-day lift passes from $ 219, equipment hire from $ 65. Click here.
Tenerife from $ 289 pp: Get your tan on early with a trip to the European home of beaches: Tenerife, with its postcard perfect golden sand. Spend seven nights at the four-star Hotel Spa La Quinta Park Suites, departing 6th May and including return flights. Click here.
1.Which destination is the cheapest?
A. Dublin B. Bruges
C. French Alps D. Tenerife
2.Where can you treat mom to a mother’s day city break?
A. Madrid B. Bruges
C. Tenerife D. French Alps
3.Where would you most probably see this text?
A. UK airlines B. A magazine
C. ATV program D. The Internet B
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Papa, as a son of a dirt-poor farmer, left school early and went to work in a factory, for education was for the rich then. So, the world became his school. With great interest, he read everything he could lay his hands on, listened to the town elders and learned about the world beyond his tiny hometown. “There’s so much to learn,” he’d say. “Though we are born stupid, only the stupid remain that way.’’ He was determined that none of his children would be denied an education.
Thus, Papa insisted that we learn at least one new thing each day. Though, as children, we thought this was crazy, it would never have occurred to us to deny Papa a request. And dinner time seemed perfect for sharing what we had learned. We would talk about the news of the day; no matter how insignificant, it was never taken lightly. Papa would listen carefully and was ready with some comment, always to the point.
Then came the moment-the time to share the day’s new learning.
Papa, at the head of the table, would push back his chair and pour a glass of red wine, ready to listen.
“Felice,” he’d say. “tell me what you learned today.”
“I learned that the population of Nepal is...”
Silence.
Papa was thinking about what was said, as if the salvation (拯救) of the world would depend upon it. “The population of Nepal. Hmm. Well...” he’d say. “Get the map; let’s see where Nepal is.” And the whole family went on a search for Nepal.
This same experience was repeated until each family member had a turn. Dinner ended only after we had a clear understanding of at least half a dozen such facts.
As children, we thought very little about these educational wonders. Our family, however, was growing together, sharing experiences and participating in one another’s education. And by looking at us, listening to us, respecting our input, affirming (打定) our value, giving us a sense of dignity. Papa was unquestionably our most influential teacher.
Later during my training as a future teacher, I studied with some of the most famous educators. They were imparting what Papa had known all along-the value of continual learning. His technique has served me well all my life. Not a single day has been wasted, though I can never tell when knowing the population of Nepal might prove useful.
1.What do we know from the first paragraph?
A. The author’s father was born in a worker’s family.
B. Those born stupid could not change their life.
C. The poor could hardly afford school education.
D. The town elders wanted to learn about the world.
2.The underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refers to “ ”
A. one new thing B. the news
C. a request D. some comment
3.What is the greatest value of “dinner time” to the author?
A. Winning Papa’s approval B. Showing talents
C. Continual learning D. Family get-together
4.It can be learned from the passage that the author
A. appreciated his father’s educational technique. B. knew very well about Nepal.
C. felt regret about those wasted days. D. enjoyed talking about news.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
When men get together, they seldom talk about their feelings or inner thoughts. However, they talk about a lot, like their newest computer, how to repair their car, or even business.
Talk might move to the best place to find fish or women, jump to computer games, then continue to the sport of the season. They also like to tell jokes each other and spend a fair amount of time playing one up and boasting (吹牛). Men seldom call each other to chat.
When a man meets a woman, he usually wants to make a good impression. Many single men try hard to carry on amusing, fun, and pleasant conversations. They use conversation to discover her interests and feelings in order to learn how to be attractive to her.
Some men, either out of nervousness or ignorance, spend most of the time talking about themselves, often appearing to brag about their achievements or talk endlessly about their problems or work. Even the quietest man talks to his woman when love is new.
When women get together, they talk about feelings and relationships, their work and their family. They enjoy talking but also want the give and lake of a talk, then listen. Women often call each other to chat. Conversation is an important part of most women’s lives.
As relationships progress, however, many a man turns on the television and forgets how to talk. This raises anger and cry from his woman partner who says. “You never talk to me anymore.’’ Some men start talking. Many, however, mainly discuss their own achievements and problems.
When the woman starts talking about her favorite subjects: feelings, family，relationships, friends and her work, many men lose interest or bring the conversation back to themselves. Pretty soon, the man is back to staring at the television each night, wondering where his relationship has gone. The woman is talking to her friends, mom, sister, or neighbor, often about that very relationship and how she is hurting.
1.What can we know about men from the first two paragraphs?.
A. They like to talk about practical matters
B. They are willing to expose their inner thoughts
C. They prefer to take adventurous travels.
D. They often call each other to chat about work
2.Which of the following can replace the underlined part “brag about” in paragraph 4?
A. Show off B. Dream about
C. Put forward D. Care for
3.What is the same topic in both men’s and women’s talk?
A. Family B. Work
C. Friends D. Jokes
4.What is the best title of this passage?
A. How a man makes a good impression to a woman
B. Good relationship between men and women
C. Talking, the women’s main tool in communication
D. Men talk: women talk; do they talk together?
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
A new phone app uses shaking from smartphones to warn people about earthquakes. The new app is called MyShake, which is the work of four researchers at the University of California. Berkeley.
Smartphones are equipped with accelerometers(加速器). MyShake uses phone accelerometers to measure seismic (地震的) activity. It has been programmed to know the difference between normal activity and earthquake movement. The software developers say their app is right 93 percent of the time. A smartphone sends seismic information to the app developers. If the developers receive several warnings from one area, it recognizes that an earthquake may be taking place or will take place soon. Using information sent from the app, the network then judges the location and strength of the quake in real time. MyShake can record 5.0 earthquake at distances of 10 kilometers or less.
MyShake uses very little power, according to its developers. Only when seismic activity is sensed by the app does it become active and sends data to the network. The app works best when your phone is resting on a flat surface, like a table.
The developers hope that MyShake can add to information collected by the U.S Geological Survey. That U.S agency has created the Earthquake Early Warning System, also known as the EEW. The EEW has used sensors for measuring quakes in many areas. In places where no such equipment exists, MyShake may be the only method of early quake detection (发现). The app also shows ways to stay safer during an earthquake. The developers say it will become more effective as more people use it.
The developers say they hope to add a feature that will warn people about possible tsunami after an earthquake.
1.The new app
A. is a kind of accelerometer.
B. feels earthquakes through smartphones.
C. is developed by the U.S Geological Survey.
D. predicts possible tsunami after an earthquake.
2.What is the second paragraph mainly talking about?
A. How MyShake works.
B. What seismic activity is.
C. Why MyShake is developed.
D. When accelerometers record earthquake.
3.We can infer that MyShake
A. docs not work when the spartphone is in the pocket
B. sleeps while there is no shaking of the earth’s surface.
C. guides people how to survive when many people use it at the same time.
D. recognizes an earthquake when it receive the information from other sensors.
4.The new app developers hope to
A. use the information by the U.S Geological Survey to better MyShake.
B. unite the U.S Geological Survey to combine the EEW and MyShake.
C. help the EEW detect earthquakes somewhere.
D. improve the EEW.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Things to do when you are feeling down
Let’s start with a fact. We all have days when we feel down and discouraged.1.. Here is a list to help you get back on track.
Take care of yourself
This may seem like an obvious thing, but try your best to get a good night s sleep and eat healthy food when you’re hungry.2.. Consider setting an earlier bedtime than usual and stick to it. Make some nourishing snacks that you can easily grab instead of sugary junk food. Fresh fruit, a piece of cheese, some cut-up vegetables, homemade soup, they are all quick and easy options to consider.
3..
If you are going through a tough time, think about some healthy comforts that will make you feel better. Take a bike or go for a walk in nature. Treat yourself to a lunch at your favorite restaurant. Listen to some good music. Call a friend. Watch a funny movie. Take a nap. Read a good book. The release from stress will add to your level of happiness.
Make an action plan
Can you identify what’s making you unhappy? If so, you have a good chance of changing it.4. You don’t have to figure out a whole plan to solve your conflicts; simply taking some steps in the right direction will boost your good feeling.
This, too, shall pass
What do you say to yourself when you are going through a tough time? Beating yourself up is not helpful!5.. Examples are, “It is what it is; let me just accept it and move on.” “All I can do is put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.” “And finally, this, shall pass.”
A. Science shows that both of these things can have a huge positive impact on both your mood and your blood sugar.
B. A lot of researches show that when we intend to be happy, our thoughts and actions follow suit.
C. What action can you take today that will make you feel better and change the pattern?
D. What can you do to pull yourself back from despair?
E. Try saying things that are comforting your heart and mind.
F. Other times, the blues just seem to hit for no reason at all.
G. Find things to comfort yourself.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
My wife and I were attending a wedding at St. John’s Church. The sound of ______ rang to the heavens as the ceremony continued.
At the church, I ______ an old friend, Casper, who happened to be at the ______. Now 73, Casper was a brilliant and ______ softball pitched (投球手) back in the Men’s Leagues of Philadelphia in the mid-60s. I did not ______ the now silver-haired fellow until my brother-in-law John mentioned his name to me! After a very pleasant ______, Casper asked if I remembered a letter of ______ I had written to him back in 1964. It appeared Casper fell on hard times, as professional pitchers ______ do, and he wasn’t pitching too well for a period of time. I did not ______ the letter, but he said, “Yes, I still have it, and I read it anytime ______ aren’t going too well.” He said that he had read the letter many times, and the situation always seemed to improve. I was ______ and speechless!
He continued, “You don’t remember?” I said, “Sadly, no, I don’t.” but I did ask if I could have a(n)______ of the letter. He said he would email it to me. After the ______, we met on the steps of the church. Casper came up to me and ______ the letter. He lived a block from the ______ and had run home to get it. The envelope was ______ and turned yellow, and so was the letter inside. That letter had to be nearly 50 years old.
In ______ term, the letter read:
“These hard times are ______! Keep your enthusiasm for the ______. Never quit and you will be back on top again ______. Hang on there!”
1.A. wind B. music C. traffic D. fireworks
2.A. took over B. ran into C. picked up D. called on
3.A. meeting B. service C. scene D. position
4.A. limited B. balanced C. devoted D. talented
5.A. invite B. recognize C. disturb D. inform
6.A. discussion B. shaking C. journey D. greeting
7.A. apology B. appreciation C. encouragement D. introduction
8.A. sometimes B. entirely C. rarely D. forever
9.A. receive B. write C. remember D. preserve
10.A. jobs B. things C. stages D. effects
11.A. pleased B. disappointed C. puzzled D. annoyed
12.A. address B. copy C. record D. opinion
13.A. party B. break C. wedding D. incident
14.A. dropped B. delivered C. opened D. presented
15.A. theatre B. church C. office D. station
16.A. folded B. faded C. painted D. divided
17.A. gentle B. patient C. modest D. simple
18.A. reasonable B. temporary C. relative D. impressive
19.A. game B. prize C. glory D. lesson
20.A. casually B. properly C. totally D. shortly
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
This weekend I was delighted to show my parents around Seville, as they 1. (come) for a short but sweet visit. Although the weather wasn’t the best, we still made 2. best of our time together.
Being reunited with the people you love in a new place 3. (bring) excitement. Showing them around the new city makes you 4. (extraordinary) happy. For example, as Seville is known for flamenco (弗拉门科舞), I took them to see a famous 5. (perform) my friends recommended to me, which gave us such a wonderful visual feast. Furthermore, getting to show your visitors the places 6. (appeal) to you is a pleasant feeling, because you are eager to let them know where you love to spend your time. You are letting them get involved 7. your new life. Also you have the opportunity 8. (show) your beloved ones the new places that they may fall in love with.
So, after a two-day trip, I feel pleased to have had the time to explore those 9. (attraction) with my parents. I am already looking forward to their next visit 10. I can show them more of what Seville offers and what I am still yet to discover.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
文中共有10处语言错误，每句中城多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
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。
Living without an aim is like sailing without compass. If there is no aim, we will get lose. Last term, I couldn’t accept the truth which I failed in my math examination. I decided to give it up, so I skipped from classes frequently. Considered my case, my teacher offered me several detailed approach and advised me to set a short-term goal to improve my math. Finally, I work harder than ever and made great progress in her math. In my opinion, success lies in a series of goals. However, we should remember to make our targets clearly and try our best to realize our dreams.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，请用英文写一封申请信，申请作为“接待家庭(host family)”接待来你校交换学习的英国中学生Johnson.内容包括：
1. 自我介绍；
2. 家庭条件及个人优势；
3. 安排英国朋友参加的活动。
注意：1.词数100左右
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Sir or Madam,
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难度: 中等查看答案及解析