2016 Exhibitions in the British Museum
Sunken cities: Egypt’s lost worlds
19 May － 27 November 2016
Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery
Adults￡16.50, Members/under 16s free
Sunken under the sea for over a thousand years, two lost cities of ancient Egypt were lately rediscovered. Their amazing discovery is transforming our understanding of the deep connections between the great ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece. Their story is told for the first time in this exhibition.
Francis Towne’s watercolours of Rome
21 January － 14 August 2016
Room 90/ Open late Fridays
Free, just drop in
Come and experience 18th-century Rome through an astonishing series of watercolours not displayed together since 1805.
Sicily: culture and conquest
21 April － 14 September 2016
Room 35
Tickets: Adults￡10, Members/under 16s free
This exhibition tells Sicily’s fascinating stories － from the arrival of the Greeks and other settlers, to the extraordinary period of enlightenment(启蒙) under Norman rule in the 11th to 13th centuries.
Early British exploration of the classical world
14 March － 27 July 2016
Room 90a/ Open late Fridays
Free, just drop in
This small display features a remarkable selection of drawings by British explorers and architects, who discovered and documented some of Sicily’s best surviving classical sculpture and architecture.
1.Which place are Francis Towne’s works picture about?
A. Egypt. B. France. C. Rome. D. Sicily.
2.What art works are housed in Room 90a?
A. Drawings. B. Buildings.
C. Sculptures. D. Watercolours.
3.Which exhibition can you attend in October?
A. Sicily: culture and conquest
B. Sunken cities: Egypt’s lost worlds
C. Francis Towne’s watercolours of Rome
D. Early British exploration of the classical world
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Chokwe Selassie, aged 13, is working hard to help drivers avoid potholes(坑洼). The eighth-grader was inspired to kick off his creation on a recent morning, when his mother was driving him to school. Their car was damaged as it went over a huge pothole in the middle of the street in their hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. He decided to do something about the pothole problem in his city.
Chokwe developed the app with his friends Rodriguez Ratliff and Emmanuel Brooks. When the app detects a pothole, it is highlighted in red. And if you get close to the pothole, your phone will warn you with a beep. Drivers can also use the app to report any potholes and look for other routes they can take to avoid roads that have them.
The app relies on current available information about the streets of Jackson, already stored in a database of the city’s 311 call system. Through the call system, citizens dial 3-1-1 to report non-emergency problems which include potholes. Chokwe and his friends determined that focusing on the 10 busiest streets in Jackson would give them a large enough sample size to test the prototype.
While developing the app, the boys took part in a Minority Male Makers Program sponsored by Verizon and held at Jackson State University. They learned 3D printing and design, and how to create apps. Through the program Chokwe and his friends received encouragement and guidance.
Although the app isn’t yet available for sale, Chokwe is already looking for ways to improve the app. He hopes to add more to it until it spreads all over the country.
1.Why is the car damage mentioned in the first paragraph?
A. To scold the road builders.
B. To introduce their bad luck.
C. To tell the inspiration for the app.
D. To warn the danger of careless driving.
2.What is the app used to do?
A. Warn drivers about potholes.
B. Help drivers obey traffic rules.
C. Stop drivers using mobile phones.
D. Tell drivers to avoid red lights.
3.How does the app work through the 311 call system?
A. By replying to citizens’ calls.
B. By broadcasting traffic accidents.
C. By settling non- emergency problems.
D. By using its information about potholes.
4.Which can be Chokwe’s future target?
A. Encouraging more kids to create apps.
B. Taking part in more learning programs.
C. Making the app available for sale online.
D. Making the app include streets nationwide.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
On Saturday 17 September 2016, you may catch sight of hundreds of apes(猩猩) running around the streets of London. They’ll have been filming a new Planet of the Apes movie, you’ll probably think. But in fact, when the starter’s pistol sounds for the Great Gorilla Run next year, this highly popular event will have been raising money for thirteen years. People from all over the world will run, jog or walk 8km in gorilla costumes through the capital’s streets, passing such iconic landmarks as The Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. By the time the last ape crosses the finishing line, the runners will have raised millions for endangered species and education projects in Central Africa.
Unusual charity events such as these are a huge trend for raising money for worthwhile causes. If, however, you’re looking to really like the idea of running through mud and freezing cold ice, then The Tough Mudder is perhaps what you’ve been searching for. In this difficult and tiring team event, participants finish a 10 to 12-mile barrier course that tests physical strength and mental courage. It’s more about friendship than winning. Over 150 such events worldwide have raised £5 million.
But fundraising doesn’t have to involve physical effort. Students at a school in Illinois played Justin Bieber’s song ‘Baby’ over loudspeakers and urged fellow students to pay to stop the song. They needed to raise $1,000 in one week to achieve this. Beyond expectations, they exceeded(超过) the goal within three days. Even teachers chipped in.
If you want to join the ranks of gorillas next September, you only have to pay £60 to register. This includes the gorilla suit, which you can keep. If you take part, not only will you have been helping the gorillas and people who depend on their habitat, you’ll never have to buy another set of fancy clothes again!
1.What is the Great Gorilla Run held for?
A. To film a new Planet of the Apes
B. To collect money for Central Africa
C. To make a study of the origin of man
D. To enjoy famous senic spots in London
2.What can we learn about the Tough Mudder?
A. It is disgusting B. It is unique
C. It is competitive D. It is challenging
3.What does the phrase “chipped in” in the third paragraph refer to?
A. Joined in singing
B. Made a contribution
C. Scolded the organizers
D. Interrupted the activity
4.Which can be a suitable title for the passage?
A. Going Crazy for Charity!
B. Protecting Our Rare Animals!
C. Competing in Unusual Events!
D. Watching Out for Aggressive Animals!
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
A recent housing project in Helsinki offers remarkably cheap apartments for those under the age of 25. They must commit to spending time with their older neighbors.
Helsinki offers 247-suqare-foot studio apartments with a bathroom, storage space, kitchen, and balcony for only $272 every month—about a third of the average price for a studio in the city. The apartment is inside homes for the elderly, and the young renter must spend between three to five hours with their elderly neighbors each week.
Like pretty much all other major cities in the world, Finland’s capital of Helsinki has faced rapid population growth in recent years. And with population growth, comes an inevitable rise in the cost of living, and of course, sharp increase in rent. Currently, Helsinki is ranked 14th on the list of the world’s most expensive cities. For those young and freshly independent, this causes terrible problems — even homelessness.
"It's a very expensive city to live in," Mr. Bostrom writes in an email to CNN’s Eoghan Macguire. "If you manage to get an apartment that the city owns, it can be quite affordable. The screening criteria included the ability to participate in a variety of activities, such as cooking or playing instruments, but the number of applicants for those apartments is so high that waiting list takes forever,” he says.
According to Helsinki’s Youth Housing Association, the city council aims to ensure that every young person will have a home by 2018. Miki Mielonen, a representative of the youth department, says this project, currently in its trial stages, will help out young people while offering social benefits to senior citizens. “I think there is quite a rigid opinion in Finland with many people thinking young of the old ideas that we are going to break down.”
1.Helsinki probably rents a cheap apartment to a young man who ________.
A. reaches the age of 25
B. has financial problems
C. promises to accompany the elderly
D. agrees to share it with his neighbor
2.Which is the root reason for the housing problems in Helsinki?
A. The population explosion.
B. The high living standard.
C. World’s priciest apartment rent.
D. Low employment of college graduates.
3.According to Mr Bostrom, the cheap apartments are ________.
A. well-decorated B. difficult to afford
C. in short supply D. popular with technicians
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. The young in Helsinki are mostly homeless.
B. Helsinki will overcome people’s prejudice.
C. The project will be experimental in future.
D. The project is more beneficial to the young.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。 选项中有两项为多余选项。
Living with a roommate can be a great experience as many roommates become lifelong friends. However, roommates living together under the same roof for a long time unavoidably conflict with each other. 1.________ To prevent this from happening to you, each conflict should be addressed in a productive, healthy way.
1. Set a time for discussion.
Once conflicts occur, you need to set up a time to discuss the conflict. 2.________ They may think about any problems they want to discuss. It also allows for a better discussion as the both roommates will most likely enter the discussion fairly calm.
2. Make rules for discussion
Before discussing the actual conflicts, set up some rules to guide the discussion. For example, each roommate is allowed to air one problem at a time and the other roommate has a chance to respond to it before another one is brought up. Making rules beforehand can prevent a screaming match from breaking out. 3.________
3.4.________
You can use your discussion to point out to your roommates their great traits and specific things you like about them. While this won’t solve the conflict, it can help your roommates be more understanding of your point of view and more willing to compromise.
4. Come up with a written roommate agreement
Once grievances（不满）have been aired by both parties you should develop a roommate agreement that is written down. This agreement should discuss what the rules are as well as what consequences exist for breaking them. For example, roommates having a conflict about overnight guests may compromise to allow overnight guests only on weekends with guests on weekdays being gone by 11 p. m. 5.________
A. Talk about your problems openly.
B. Point out good things about roommates.
C. Being honest can avoid unfriendly discussion.
D. This provides both parties a chance for preparation.
E. And disaster can strike when a conflict never gets settled.
F. A consequence may be that the violator(违反者) pays $5 for breaking the rules.
G. This is because both sides know they will have an opportunity to speak.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
The day before Christmas I pulled into a store parking lot and counted my money again. It wasn’t much. I _________ being poor, not having enough to _________my small children a few simple toys. As I was _________I noticed the Salvation Army(救世军) bell ringer at the _________ . I felt bad again because I didn’t feel I could _________ anything to give him. I started walking towards the entrance _________ two cars entered empty parking spaces in front of me. The first was a __________, new Cadillac which became the _________ of me the moment I saw it. “How _________,”I thought, “would it be to have enough money to buy a car like that!” The second car, _________ , was an ancient car more shabby than the one I was driving.
A man got out of the Cadillac and hurried into the store _________ past the bell ringer without a second _________. Out of the old car came a young mother with three small children following_________behind her. Her clothes looked as _________as her car, yet she stopped at the entrance and _________ a bill. In that second a(n) _________ touched me, my envy and dislike __________ me, and all the love and joy filled me. I fished a bill out of my own purse, _________ it in the Salvation Army kettle, and wished the _________ a “Merry Christmas!”
Now I felt I was a poor man but rich on the _________ . After finding a few things for my kids, I drove home with my heart singing.
1.A. hated B. permitted C. escaped D. regretted
2.A. make B. buy C. award D. lend
3.A. pulling out B. settling in C. getting out D. cutting in
4.A. parking space B. counter C. parking lot D. entrance
5.A. spare B. split C. spend D. save
6.A. though B. since C. when D. if
7.A. sharp B. dull C. pure D. shiny
8.A. target B. envy C. item D. bargain
9.A. nice B. precious C. rare D. expensive
10.A. therefore B. however C. anyhow D. besides
11.A. merely B. right C. hopefully D. seldom
12.A. smile B. nod C. glance D. wave
13.A. firmly B. bravely C. casually D. closely
14.A. worn out B. cast down C. tired out D. broken down
15.A. paid B. passed C. donated D. rejected
16.A. equality B. sympathy C. approval D. warmth
17.A. left B. visited C. reached D. missed
18.A. took B. handed C. started D. dropped
19.A. salesman B. bell ringer C. woman D. man driver
20.A. wealth B. luck C. inside D. outside
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面材料，在空格处填入适录的内容（1个单词）或使用括号内单词的正确形式。
The best travel experience of my life
Before I realized what had happened, we were off the ground. The earth just seemed to drop away from the hot air balloon. I 1.__________(honest) felt nothing when the ropes were unfastened and we started to fly into the sky. Graeme reminded us 2.__________(relax). He then set out to point out some of the best sights and photo opportunities, starting with the sunrise. Once the sun was up, the temples and pagodas were even 3.__________(beautiful). Graeme was too anxious to introduce some of his 4.__________(person) favourites, as well as those buildings experiencing repair work.
With the end of our flight 5.__________(approach), Graeme began to describe some final sites to us, including a small village and farm area. He then reminded us of landing procedures and asked us to hold additional sightseeing 6.__________(question) while he concentrated on the landing.7.__________ I really appreciated was that he was so clear and responsible 8.__________ safety! Our gentle landing went off smoothly and we were soon back on solid land. Hot air balloon rides 9.__________ (be) an unbelievable travel experience and I cannot think of 10.__________ more exciting place to enjoy them than in Bagan.
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：在错的词下画一横线，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。
In recently years, the sandstorm has occurred a lot of times, doing great harm to our daily life. Some people would rather to stay at home for fear of the dirty air caused by the sandstorm. Diseases relate to sandstorm get more and more people to hospital. What’s worse, many flights have to put off.
It’s an urgent task for us to take actions to stop sandstorms from happen. All citizens should raise our awareness of protecting the environment. We should plant more trees and don’t cut them down or dig up grass, where can contribute for land protection. Only in this way can we had a bluer sky and a better world to live in.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
书面表达
假定你是李华，你的美国笔友Jack给你发来邮件，告诉你他参加美国中西部“汉语桥”比赛（U. S. Midwest Chinese Bridge Speech Contest）获得了一等奖，希望你继续帮他学习中文。请你给他回复一封电子邮件。要点如下：
1．祝贺他获奖；
2．希望继续向他学习英语，你帮他学中文；
3．祝愿他能来中国参加决赛。
注意：
1．词数100左右；
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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难度: 中等查看答案及解析