I can’t think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. You’ll find that some festivals are celebrated by an entire country, while others may be known only to a single city or region, but either way festivals play an important role in a certain culture. Just enjoy them!
★ Tomatina — Bunol, Spain
Every last Wednesday in August, the town of Bunol is filled with tons of tomatoes in the world’s biggest food flight. Many people wear goggles (护目镜) during this hour of great fun, as the town becomes a red river.
★ Boryeong Mud Festival — Boryeong, South Korea
For two weeks in July, millions gather in Boryeong to experience the grey pools and slides. What began as a way to help sell the region’s mineral-rich mud has turned into a festive party with music and fireworks. The mud is usually only available in cosmetic products (化妆品), but here you can cake yourself in grey as you want.
★ Holi — India
Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India’s most important holidays. During the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February or early March, the air is full of brightly colored powder (粉末). The festival is celebrated differently throughout the country, with bonfires and music, but the cheerful spirit is common among Hindu people around the world.
★ International Pillow Fight Day — Worldwide
Tens of thousands of people took part in the 4th annual International Pillow Fight Day on April 2, 2013. From London to Vancouver to many other cities, the festival is held in more than 100 countries. So just bring a soft pillow in early April, and watch feathers fly.
1.According to the author, _______________.
A. there should be festivals celebrated by the whole world
B. festivals give people the best chances to experience a culture
C. it’s usually hard for people to accept a different culture
D. festivals in a certain culture often change with time
2. We learn from the passage that _______________.
A. the town of Bunol in Spain is on a river
B. cosmetic products sell well on Boryeong Mud Festival
C. International Pillow Fight Day has a short history
D. Holi is the greatest festival for Indian people
3.The passage is most likely to be found in __________.
A. a personal diary
B. a technical report
C. a geography book
D. a travel magazine
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Norway — Ten Chinese college students arrived at the country’s Arctic（北极的） research base, the Yellow River Station, on Friday.
On Saturday, the students are expected to witness the end of four months of darkness in the area, as the sun makes a rare appearance.
During their four-day stay at the station, the students will meet and learn from some of China’s leading polar researchers. They were welcomed at the station yesterday by its director, He Jianfeng, who is an expert on marine micro-ecosystems.
The students will also visit the German and Norwegian stations and meet researchers there.
As for entertainment, the visitors will get the chance to play ice hockey at the world’s most northerly stadium.
Among the visitors is Zheng Li, a student majoring in telecommunications at Dalian Marinetime University.
“It is so exciting to see how the Chinese researchers work in the world’s most northerly laboratory,” she said.
“This opportunity is precious. Most people will never get the chance to travel so far from home and visit such an amazing place. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Wu Jinyou, head of the Polar Research Institute of China, and the group’s leader, said, “I hope the students have not only a field trip to the Yellow River station, but are also touched by the devotion and spirit of the Chinese researchers here. I also expect in the future, some of them will choose to devote themselves to polar research and maybe even work with us.”
The students have been in Norway since February 28, and were given Arctic training before moving to the station.
The Arctic expedition is one of the several international cooperation and exchange activities forming the China Program for International Polar Year (2007- 2008). It was launched last March.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency, March 8, 2008)
1. Which of the following is TRUE about Wu Jinyou?
A. He is a graduate from Dalian Marinetime University.
B. He is the president of Dalian Marinetime University.
C. He thinks highly of the devotion and spirit of the Chinese researchers.
D. He is sure that all the ten students will make good polar researchers.
2.What does Zheng Li mean by saying “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”?
A. The trip to the research station is extremely exciting.
B. It’s exciting to see the sun rise in Arctic area.
C. Playing ice hockey in Arctic area is really a life-long memory.
D. People are only allowed to visit the station once in their lifetime.
3.What could be the best title of the news report?
A. Chinese Students Play Ice Hockey at Arctic Station
B. Chinese Students Do Research in Norway
C. Chinese Students Arrive at Arctic Station
D. Chinese Students Receive Training at Arctic Station
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Woman Uses Daughter's Key to "Steal" Car
Charlie Vansant, a college student of Athens, Ohio, who reported that his car was stolen, got a surprise when he learned a woman had mistaken it for her daughter's car and taken it — using her key.
Kate Anderson became an accidental car thief when picking up her daughter's car near an Ohio University building last week. Anderson spotted the Toyota Camry（丰田凯美瑞）and used her daughter's key to unlock the car, start the engine and drive home — without realizing that the car wasn't her daughter's.
When Charlie Vansant left class a short time later, he found only an empty parking spot. He first assumed the car had been towed, but when the police couldn't find a record of it, they took a theft(偷窃) report.
The morning after Anderson took the car, her daughter discovered the Camry in the driveway wasn't hers. Anderson said she was able to find Vansant's name on paperwork in the glove compartment and look up his phone number on the website for the university.
When Anderson told Charlie the car was in her driveway, "It sounded really suspicious at first, as she wanted to hold the thing for ransom (赎金) , ” said Vansant. He eventually went to the house with a police officer, where he was reunited with his car. According to the police report, the case was closed "because of mistaken car identity", and Anderson wasn't charged.
Vansant seemed to blame the car company more than the "thief". "Her key fit not only my lock, but my ignition（点火装置）as well — so high-five for Toyota, I guess." he said.
1.What does the underlined word "towed" mean in paragraph 3?
A. sold B. damaged.C. removeD.stolen.
2.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Mrs. Anderson's daughter discovered the car her mother drove was not hers.
B. Mrs. Anderson stole Charlie's car at the request of her daughter.
C. Charlie had thought he had to give Anderson money to get his car back.
D. Mrs. Anderson used her daughter's key to unlock Charlie's car and drive home.
3. What does Charlie mean by "high-five for Toyota"?
A. He should thank Toyota for returning his car.
B. He thinks highly of Toyota for producing large quantities of cars.
C. He wants to celebrate with Toyota for getting his car back.
D. He is blaming Toyota for the poor quality of car keys.
4.What is likely to happen next according to the passage?
A. Mrs. Anderson was charged with stealing a car.
B. Charlie blamed Mrs. Anderson for mistakenly taking his car.
C. The Toyota Company would give Charlie a new car as compensation.
D. Charlie would ask the Toyota Company to give him an explanation.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Paparazzi, (狗仔队)or “paps”, are photographers who take pictures of famous people when they are not at the center of public attention. Paps are different from professional photographers or journalists because they never take ordinary photos.
The goal for paparazzi is to get pictures that no one else will get and then sell the pictures to the buyer who offers the most money — normainly a small newspaper, magazine or website.
There is no law against paparazzi taking pictures in public places. However, there are laws that protect certain individuals. For example, child protection laws stop improper pictures of anyone under 16 from being published.
There is also no law that stops paparazzi from following celebrities（名人） and taking their pictures either. However, if paps are secretly following them and taking pictures of their faces, they could get into trouble.
Most paparazzi hang out on streets and hot spots for celebrities, waiting for the opportunity to take a picture of a star. Many stay on the streets until the early hours of the morning when celebrities are leaving nightclubs and looking a little worse for wear. However, some have other ways to make sure they get pictures. Many paps are in contact with “informers” who know the locations of celebrities at any given time. They then pass the information on to paparazzi. An informer could be anyone — from a restaurant waiter to a salesman.
Most of the time, paparazzi get a bad reputation for following celebrities. But sometimes stars or their managers will contact paps themselves and tell them exactly where and when they will go. What a love-hate relationship between paparazzi and celebrities!
1.Which of the following things paparazzi might do would be against the law?
A. Taking pictures of famous people in public places.
B. Getting unsuitable pictures of a 10-year-old actress published.
C. Following a famous woman singer secretly and taking her pictures.
D. Hanging out at the places where celebrities often appear.
2. In order to earn big money a pap has to ________.
A. make friends with famous people
B. sell the pictures to a big newspaper
C. get the only first-hand pictures
D. know the locations of celebrities
3.The fifth paragraph mainly tells us ________.
A. how much paparazzi pay for the pictures
B. how dangerous paparazzi’s job is
C. how paparazzi contact informers .
D. how paparazzi get the pictures
4. What can we infer from the passage?
A. Paparazzi always take pictures when famous people are tired.
B. Stars hate paparazzi and don’t want to be followed.
C. Informers might get paparazzi into trouble.
D.Paparazzi and famous people rely on each other sometimes.
5.The underlined phrase "hang out" probably means _______.
A. check out
B. keep away
C. wander about
D. leave out
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得最佳选项，选项中有两个选项为多余选项。
How to stay in a good mood
It’s typical to feel your mood starting to become bad. If you want to be able to stay in a good mood, then you have to form these habits that will keep you feeling happy.
1. Don’t take love for granted.
If you’re lucky enough to have a special someone, then you should make your time together meaningful. 1.Make time to spend time with your special someone. Being around your loved one has been proven to make people happier.
2. Get regular exercise.
Regular exercise is one of the most important habits that you need to form. 2.You can go running three times a week and walk the other four. Just make sure to be as active as you can every day.
3. Spend time with your friends.
3. Of course, don’t always hang out with friends when you have a free moment. Make sure you do make time to see friends at least once or twice a week, if you can.
4. Get enough sleep.
4. One of the easiest ways to stay in a good mood is to be well-rested. Waking up feeling full of energy will make you feel much more ready to face the day and much more excited about everything ahead of you.
5. 5.
If you want to stay in a good mood, then you have to make sure that you eat three healthy and diverse meals every day. Start off with a healthy breakfast, and don’t skip this meal no matter what things happen. Have light snacks throughout the day, like yogurt or fruit, to keep you energetic.
A. Make sure that you sleep for 7-8 hours a day.
B. Have a healthy eating schedule.
C. Do begin with a healthy breakfast in the morning.
D. However, you don’t have to do the same boring old thing every day.
E. Once you start exercising, do the same sports at the regular time every day.
F. Don’t stop doing the things you love with the person you love.
G. Hanging out with friends will keep you feeling alive
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
It was a beautiful, sunny day. I had just finished my daughter to the airport to catch an early morning flight. My sons and I went to a fast-food place for before heading back home. After eating, we all got into the car and pulled out of the . The restaurant was at the very top of a hill. At the bottom of the hill was a sign, so we found ourselves at the end of a line of traffic waiting while the cars at the bottom turned onto the road one at a time.
As I looked down to the bottom of the hill, my eyes saw an elderly man standing the stop sign. His clothes were and shabby (破旧的). He held a cardboard sign with the words “ Help Please!” written on it. My heart went out to him and I myself in his situation. As car after car turned onto the main road without for him, I reached for my wallet to look for whatever was left in it. As I was pulling it out of my wallet, , I saw a young woman walk up to him along the side of the road. She was carrying a bag full of taken out from the restaurant I was just at. I watched as the old man the young girl and smiled as she reached out her arms to give him a hug.
Suddenly a honk (喇叭声) from the car behind me made me realize that I hadn’t been forward because this simple choice for had captured (attracted) my attention and my heart. By the time I reached the of the hill, both the man and the lady who had helped him were gone. Yet, as I drove home, the sun seemed to shine even brighter and Heaven felt a bit closer to Earth.
1.A. forcing B. driving C. cheating D. asking
2.A. thenB.stillC. thusD. first
3.A. coffeeB. teaC. breakfastD. lunch
4.A.living room B.parking lotC. gardenD. yard
5.A. restB.turning C. stopD. slowing
6.A. quiet B.single C. longD. strange
7.A. oppositeB. mainC.downwardD. slim
8.A. on B. with C. over D. by
9.A. looseB. formalC. oldD. clean
10.A. Offer B.Call C.Need D. Refuse
11.A. hid B.remindedC. regretted D.imagined
12.A. stopping B. begging C. reachingD.praying
13.A. card B. numberC. cash D. information
14.A. therefore B. insteadC.anyway D. however
15.A.foodB. money C. hopeD. paper
16.A.rewardedB.admittedC. thanked D. paid
17.A. soft B. shortC. loud D. gentle
18.A. jumping B. pushingC.wanderingD. moving
19.A.courage B. trust C.kindness D. success
20.A. back B. topC. middle D. bottom
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
According to a recent survey, violence did 1.(existence) in schools. Students showed their fear and parents and teachers also expressed their great concern about it. 2.(obvious), it’s time for the whole society to pay more attention to the mental health of adolescents (青少年).
Nowadays, school violence is 3. hot issue. I think this is a phenomenon (现象) 4.calls for our great concern. We should try every effort to prevent violence from 5.(happen) at school, for more and more students would drop out of school 6. their personal safety could not be ensured. In fact, violence can 7.(learn). Children learn violent behavior from adults or from 8. they see on television or on the Internet.
If I meet with school violence, I will not answer violence 9. violence, for it will result in more fighting. I will tell my teachers or parents about it. I think they will help me deal with it well and they will protect me from the bad guys.
All in all, every student 10. behave himself and keep away from violence.
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。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. 每处错误及其修改仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Last week I went to visit to my former neighbor, Mr. Yang. He and I used to living next to each other for many years. About half a year ago, an order came which our old buildings, as well as many other similar ones, should be going to be pulled away to make room for a main street. So they had to move apart. Mr. Yang now lives in the suburbs near a beautiful park. His apartment is much big than before. The only problem is that it took quite a long time to get to the downtown area. Thus, Mr. Yang doesn’t seem to worry about the long distance. He says that new subway line will be built in a few year and he is sure life will be better in the future.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Shenzhen Daily 就 “Health and Wealth, Which Is More Important?” 在读者中展开讨论。假设你是李华，向报社投稿。请依据下列要点，适当添加细节，写一篇100词左右的短文。首句已给出，不计入总词数。
1. 财富比健康重要。富人受人尊敬，而穷人受歧视；
2. 健康胜于财富，健康的人才能享受生活；
3. 你的看法。
Health and Wealth, Which Is More Important?
Some people hold the view that wealth is more important than health.
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难度: 中等查看答案及解析