Alexandra Scott was born to Liz and Jay Scott in Manchester, Connecticut on January 18, 1996, the second of four children. Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer.
On her first birthday, the doctors informed Alex’s parents that if she beat her cancer it was doubtful that she would ever walk again. Just two weeks later, Alex slightly moved her leg at her parents’ request to kick. This was the first indication that she would turn out to be a courageous and confident child with big dreams and big accomplishments.
By her second birthday, Alex was able to stand up with leg braces（支架）. She worked hard to gain strength and to learn how to walk. She appeared to be overcoming the difficul-ties, until the shocking discovery within the next year that her tumors （肿瘤）had started growing again. In the year 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, Alex received a stem cell transplant（干细胞移植）and informed her mother, “When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand. ” She said she wanted to give the money to doctors to allow them to help other kids, like they helped me. True to her word, she held her first lemonade stand later that year with the help of her older brother and raised an amazing $ 2,000 for her hospital.
People from all over the world, moved by her story, held their own lemonade stands and donated the earnings to Alex and her cause. In August of 2004, Alex passed away at the age of 8, knowing that, with the help of others, she had raised more than $ 1 million to help find a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex’s family—including brothers Patrick, Eddie, and Joey—and supporters around the world are committed to continuing her inspiring cause through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
1.It can be learned from the text that Alex .
A. couldn’t walk until she was four
C. held her first lemonade stand in 2001
B. was the only daughter of the Scotts
D. was born with cancer
2.Why was Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation founded?
A. To promote her lemonade.
C. To attract public attention to her disease.
B. To set up a children’s hospital.
D. To collect money to help children with cancer.
3.What did the public do to support Alex and her cause?
A. They helped her sell lemonade.
C. They donated money to her foundation.
B. They provided free stands for her.
D. They donated stem cells for her operation.
4.Which of the following can best describe Alex?
A.Stubborn. B. Determined. C. Innocent. D. Energetic.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
In the fall of 1985, I was a bright¬-eyed girl heading off to Howard University, aiming at a legal career and dreaming of sitting on a Supreme Court bench somewhere. Twenty--one years later I am still a bright¬-eyed dreamer and one with quite a different tale to tell.
My grandma, an amazing woman, graduated from college at the age of 65. She was the first in our family to reach that goal. But one year after I started college, she developed cancer. I made the choice to withdraw from college to care for her. It meant that school and my personal dream would have to wait.
Then I got married with another dream: building my family with a combination of adopted and biological children. In 1999, we adopted our first son. To lay eyes on him was fantastic—and very emotional. A year later came our second adopted boy. Then followed son No.3. In 2003, I gave birth to another boy.
You can imagine how fully occupied I became, raising four boys under the age of 8! Our home was a complete zoo—a joyous zoo. Not surprising, I never did make it back to college full¬time. But I never gave up on the dream either. I had only one choice: to find a way. That meant taking as few as one class each semester.
The hardest part was feeling guilty about the time I spent away from the boys. They often wanted me to stay home with them. There certainly were times I wanted to quit, but I knew I should set an example for them to follow through the rest of their lives.
In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina. It took me over 21 years to get my college degree!
I am not special, just single¬-minded. It always struck me that when you’re looking at a big challenge from the outside it looks huge, but when you’re in the midst of it, it just seems normal. Everything you want won’t arrive in your life on one day. It’s a process. Remember: little steps add up to big dreams.
1.Why did the author quit school in her second year of college?
A. She suffered from a serious illness.
C. She wanted to study by herself.
B. She decided to look after her grandma.
D. She fell in love and got married.
2.What can we learn about the author from Paragraphs 4 and 5?
A. She wanted to remain a full¬time housewife.
B. She was too confused to make a correct choice.
C. She was busy yet happy with her family life.
D. She ignored her guilty feeling for her sons.
3.What does the author mostly want to tell us in the last paragraph?
A. Every coin has two sides.
C. Failure is the mother of success.
B. Well begun, half done.
D. Little by little, one goes far.
4.Which of the following can best describe the author?
A. Ambitious and sensitive.
C. Caring and determined.
B. Innocent and single¬minded.
D. Honest and responsible.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Many people like the feeling of the gentle wind in spring . Many like to see the falling leaves dancing in the wind in autumn. But sometimes, when the wind becomes a storm, it can be very destructive.
A series of such storms struck the US last month and caused very serious damage and human pain.
Every year, major storms cause many problems around the world. There is nothing people can do to stop these powerful forces of nature. But new techniques are helping scientists to predict how, when, and where big storms will happen. The more exact scientists’ warnings are, the better people can prepare for the storms.
Predictions are improving. “We’ve gotten better over the years, especially the last few years,” says Phil Klotzback, a scientist at an American university. How is a storm formed? Even if scientists know where a storm will happen, winds can suddenly change, carrying the storm to a new direction. “For a hurricane to happen, conditions have to be just right,” Klotzback says.
First, the ocean water needs to be warm enough so that it evaporates and rises into the air. As it rises, the vapor（水蒸气）cools and turns back into liquid. This process gives off heat. This produces energy like an engine that causes winds to increase. It drives the formation（形成）of a hurricane.
If wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour, the system is called a “tropical storm”, and it gets a name. At 75 miles per hour, it becomes a hurricane.
Hurricanes that hit the US start when a thunderstorm forms off the coast of Africa. Storms also develop over tropical waters in other parts of the world.
On average, 60 or 70 storms form off Africa every year. About 10 of them get names. There are usually about six hurricanes. Two tend to be very big, with winds of 115 miles per hour or higher.
The hurricane season lasts from June to November. Ninety percent of all hurricanes hit in August, September, and October.
1.vAccording to the passage, hurricanes usually ___________.
A. form off the coast of Africa and America
C. hit parts of the world in summer and autumn
B. travel at 40 miles per hour and get its name
D. cause sea winds to rise and blow over the sea
2.The underlined word “evaporates” (in Paragraph 5) probably means “___________”.
A. begins to move B. changes into a gas
C. becomes hot D. gets lost
3.Which of the following about the information of a hurricane is in the correct order?
a. The ocean water evaporates and goes into the air.
b. Heat creates energy and causes winds to increase.
c. The vapor cools.
d. The ocean water is warm enough.
e. The vapor changes back into liquid.
f. This course gives out heat.
A. a, d, e, b, c, f B. a, b, c, f, d, e
C. d, a, b, c, e, f D. d, a, c, e, f, b
4.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. One out of six or seven storms get names.
B. Every year at least 60 storms form off Africa.
C. The speed of the biggest two hurricanes reaches 115miles per hour.
D. About one third of the hurricanes tend to be very big.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Homestay provides English language students with the opportunity to speak English outside the classroom and the experience of being part of a British home.
What to Expect
The host will provide accommodation and meals. Rooms will be cleaned and bedcovers changed at least once a week. You will be given the house key and the host is there to offer help and advice as well as to take an interest in your physical and mental health.
Accommodation Zones
Homestays are located in London mainly in Zones 2, 3 and 4 of the transport system. Most hosts do not live in the town centre as much of central London is commercial and not residential . Zones 3 and 4 often offer larger accommodation in a less crowded area. It is very convenient to travel in London by Underground.
Meal Plans Available
Continental Breakfast
Breakfast and Dinner
Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
It’s important to note that few English families still provide a traditional cooked breakfast. Your accommodation includes Continental Breakfast which normally consists of fruit juice, cereal, bread and tea or coffee. Cheese, fruit and cold meat are not normally part of a Continental Breakfast in England. Dinners usually consist of meat or fish with vegetables followed by dessert, fruit and coffee.
Friends
If you wish to invite a friend over to visit, you must first ask your host’s permission. You have no right to entertain friends in a family home as some families feel it is an invasion of their privacy.
Self¬catering Accommodation in Private Homes
Accommodation on a room¬-only basis includes shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and often a main living room. This kind of accommodation offers an independent lifestyle and is more suitable for the long¬stay student. However, it does not provide the same family atmosphere as an ordinary homestay and may not benefit those who need to practise English at home quite as much.
1.The passage is probably written for ___________.
A. foreigners hoping to build British culture
B. hosts willing to receive foreign students
C. English learners applying to live in English homes
D. travellers planning to visit families in London
2.Why do some people choose self¬catering accommodation?
A. To enrich their knowledge of English.
C. To enjoy much more freedom.
B. To experience a warmer family atmosphere.
D. To entertain friends as they like.
3.What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?
A. The business centre of London is probably in Zone 1.
B. Zone 4 is more crowded than Zone 2.
C. Hosts dislike travelling to the city centre.
D. Accommodation in the city centre is not provided.
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。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Life is just like a box. Inside it are happiness and sorrow, failure and success, hope and despair. Life is a learning process. Experiences in it teach us new lessons and make us a better person.
Love
Love plays a key role in our life. Love makes you feel wanted. Without love a person could become cruel and violent. In the early stage of our life, our parents are the ones who show us with unconditional love and care. They tell us what is right or wrong, good or bad. 1. .It is only after marriage and having kids that a person understands and becomes sensitive to the feelings of others. Kids make a person responsible and mature and help us to understand life better.
Happiness and Sorrow
Materialistic happiness is shortlived, but happiness achieved by bringing a smile on others gives a certain level of fulfillment. 2. .No mind is happy without peace. We realize the true worth of happiness when we are in sorrow. Sorrow is basically due to death of a loved one, failure and despair. But these things are temporary and pass away.
Failure and Success
3. .It helps us to touch the sky, teaches us to survive and shows us a specific way.
Hope and Despair
Hope is what keeps life going. Parents always hope their children will do well. Hope makes us dream. Hope builds in patience.___ 4.___, because after every night there is a day. Nothing remains the same. We have only one choice—keep moving on in life and be hopeful.
Life teaches us not to regret over yesterday, for it has passed and is beyond our control. Tomorrow is unknown, for it could either be right or dull. 5. , so that we will enjoy a better tomorrow.
A. Life teaches us not to despair even in the darkest hour
B. So the only alternative is work hard today
C. But we always tend to take this for granted
D. Success lies in trusting yourself
E. So let’s enjoy every day
F. Failure is the path to success
G. Peace of mind is the main link to happiness
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
When __________ to danger and conflict, men tend to increase blood pressure, __________ nervous or anxious .
A. exposed; felt
B. exposed; feeling
C. exposing; felt
D. exposing; feeling
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Some research has indicated that unemployed workers should _________any job they can get, including, temporary work, as a bridge to well-paid employment.
A. build up
B. pick up
C. take up
D. make up
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Not until the poisonous fog was over __________ to school.
A. couldn’t return the students
C. could the students return
B. the students couldn’t return
D. The students could return
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Surely it doesn’t matter where the Students’ Association get their money from; what _________is what they do with it.
A. counts
B. applies
C. stresses
D. functions
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
It is clearly stated that regulations __________ everyone in the community, without exception.
A. adjust to
B. adapt to
C. attach to
D. apply to
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I had just got up and was about to cook my breakfast _________the telephone rang, but it was hung up ___________ I could answer it.
A. when; before
B. when; until
C. while; before
D. as; after
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I wish you ____________him my telephone number, but you did.
A. didn’t give
B. hadn’t give
C. wouldn’t give
D. shouldn’t give
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
— Can you shoot the bird at top of the tree?
— No, it is out of ___________.
A. reach
B. range
C. control
D. distance
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
The doctor thought ___________would be good for you to have a good rest.
A. this
B. that
C. one
D. it
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The village was ____________ from the outside after the flood arrived.
A. cut in
B. cut out
C. cut off
D. cut down
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完形填空
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、D)中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
Before I turned 29, my parents moved to Queensland, where I arrived for a visit six months later. I upon my mother with hugs, and for the first time in my life I said, “I love you, mom!” Then I gently , expecting some kind of reciprocation. But it never came. Instead, she appeared in horror.
When I was back at work, I overheard a workmate on a call to her mother and she concluded it with “I love you, Mum.” As as that. Why wasn’t it like that in mine? Something had to be done about this situation once and for all.
My came the next Sunday during my weekly phone call to my mother. After we had shared our usual pleasantries and , I took a deep breath and asked, “Do you love me, Mum?” After a short , she replied, “I love you. Don’t be silly. You know we never said things like that in my family.”
“Well, I want it to be said in ours. From now on I want to our conversations with ‘I love you.’”
In May 2000 my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was to hospital, and I phoned every day to her. One evening when I rang, a nurse answered the phone and regretfully informed me that my mother’s condition had rapidly worsened. She wasn’t expected to it through the night.
Knowing I couldn’t get a flight in time, I asked the nurse to put the phone next to my mother’s ear so I could talk to her. “She’s conscious,” the nurse replied. “It’s unlikely she’ll hear you.” But I didn’t care. I wanted to do it .
she’d placed the phone by my mother’s ear, I started and telling Mum over and over again that I loved her. At first, all I could hear was “Hmmmm”—but then, like a miracle, with a deep she said, “Love you … love you, darling.” It was the last thing she said before drifting into .
Although I was overwhelmed by her death, the surprising part was how well I . Of course, losing a parent is extremely painful and I shed many tears, but receiving those lovely last words made it much more . I had closure in the best possible way.
1.A. fell B. struck C. relied D. depended
2.A. pushed off B. turned up C. pulled away D. looked on
3.A. deserted B. frozen C. guilty D. clumsy
4.A. simple B. sacred C. apparent D. original
5.A. stress B. crisis C. emergency D. love
6.A. potential B. opportunity C. inspiration D. choice
7.A. interests B. secrets C. expectations D. updates
8.A. preparation B. friction C. hesitation D. identification
9.A. end B. start C. continue D. hold
10.A. permitted B. admitted C. allowed D. sentenced
11.A. check on B. attend to C. call on D. see to
12.A. take B. face C. make D. cool
13.A. entirely B. absolutely C. slightly D. barely
14.A. therefore B. otherwise C. anyway D. somehow
15.A. Before B. Once C. Unless D. Since
16.A. whispering B. yelling C. screaming D. sobbing
17.A. sigh B. conversation C. thought D. sleep
18.A. calmness B. unconsciousness C. hardness D. sickness
19.A. prayed B. clarified C. coped D. concluded
20.A. authentic B. arbitrary C. precise D. bearable
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
语法填空
Bodies are made to move！1.____________are not made for staying in front of the television or reading magazines all the time. Keeping fit doesn’t mean you have to be a super athlete and even a little exercise can give you a lot of fun. When you are fit and2.___________(health), you will find you look better and feel better. You’ll develop more energy and 3.____________(selfconfident).
Every time you move, you are exercising. The human body4.__________(design) to bend, stretch, run, jump and climb. The more it does, the 5.___________(strong) it will become. Best of all, exercise is fun. It’s 6.___________your body likes doing most—keeping on the move.
Physical exercise is not only good 7.____________your body. People 8.__________take regular exercise are usually happier, more relaxed and more alert than those 9.__________(sit) around all day. Try an experiment next time you’re in10.________bad mood, go for a walk or play a ball game.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
单词拼写
1.With two children ___ （参加）high school, the farmer couple have to work from morning till night .
2.The hotel has a restaurant for the guests’ ________________（方便）.
3.Though ______________（缺乏）money, his parents managed to send him to university.
4.You should keep us ________________（通知）whenever there is any change.
5.Shop wisely, for meaningful experiences provide more long-term happiness than physical _ （财物）.
6.The government _______________ （呼吁）to the International Red Cross to help the people suffering from the floods.
7.There is a lack of _________________ （足够的）provision for disabled students.
8.He was extremely _________________（恼怒）at the way he had been treated at home.
9.The samples________________（不同）in quality but were generally acceptable.
10.Chinese President Xi Jinping _____________（任命）seven new ambassadors to foreign countries and international organizations provision.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Dear Mr Green,
I am very exciting to learn that we are going to start a magazine together. It is indeed a wonderful idea and everyone hopes its success.
I would like a magazine to have three columns: News, Teachers’ Advice or Students’ Voice. From the News column we can learn about what was going on in both of our schools. In Teachers’ Advice, our teacher can give us such help that we may not be able to get in the classroom. Students’ Voice will allow us to free express our thoughts and feelings about our lives and studies.
I believe that this magazine will surely strengthen between our ties, and I am looking forward to read it.
Yours faithfully,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
书面表达
假如你是李华，上周日你参加了你的好友交换生Tom的生日晚会，奢侈的场面让你非常惊讶。请你针对此现象写一封信给他，谈谈你的看法。
内容包括：
1. 过于铺张，浪费严重；
2. 喧闹太久，干扰他人；
3. 生日晚会的真正意义。
注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当发挥，使得上下文连贯；
3.开头已写好，不计入总数。
参考词汇：奢侈的luxurious 铺张的extravagant
Dear Tom,
I’m glad to have attended your birthday party last Sunday.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Yours
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析