Four Best Countries to Visit in Europe
Germany
As the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest attracts a large number of beer lovers from all over the world every September. In addition to the beer, during the Oktoberfest every year, a dress parade is held in the streets of Munich. There are nearly 10,000 people to take part in the parade.
Greece
The city Santonia in this country is the most popular tourist city in Europe, because there is a very romantic Aegean Sea. Every year there are a lot of couples or newlyweds, who will come here for their honeymoon. Greece is famous for its fresh air and pleasant climate. Mountains and sea, bright sunshine, ever green plants, olives, bananas, grapes and other fruit trees are everywhere. It is a popular tourist destination in the world. September to October is the best time to visit Greece.
Italy
November is getting colder in Europe, but Italy on the Mediterranean is having its best season. Not many tourists, the scenery is still. Hotels are cutting prices to welcome quiet tourists. Without the noisy crowds, Rome, Venice and Florence would truly lift their veil (面纱).
Norway
In December, the Earth entered the cold winter, but there are always some people liking different travel. Norway is the best place to visit. Norway is seen by many as a ski paradise (天堂), and not just because of the long ski season and excellent skiing conditions. The main reason is that there are children’s slopes to play on, red slopes to slide on, vast snow fields in the mountains to chase and, importantly, real fun to ski on.
1.When should you go to Germany if you are a beer lover?
A.In September. B.In May.
C.In July. D.In October.
2.Which place is the most suitable for a couple’s honeymoon?
A.Munich. B.Venice.
C.Santonia. D.Rome.
3.What can tourists do in December in Norway?
A.They can take part in a beer festival.
B.They can take part in a dress parade.
C.They can enjoy ever green plants.
D.They can have excellent snow fields to ski.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I got this strange idea that I would run for student body president (学生会主席) when I was in the eighth grade. To run for student body president is not a surprising decision for most outgoing and popular people. But in fact, I tended to daydream, read books that were not on the required list, and sat at the table at the cafeteria with the only two friends I had, Denise and Janice. What happened within two months led me to the single best method to succeed in achieving something.
Claire was perfect-in-front-of-adults and had decent grades, though she was rude to me, which motivated me to sign up to run against her for student body president. Denise decided we should form a mastermind group to get me elected. We met everyday, right after school, reviewing a list of students. We brainstormed reasons why each one might want to vote, in their own interests for me or more likely against Claire.
We used a method we learned from Denise’s sister. It meant that we looked for students who were most likely to influence a group of other students. Those are the people we approached first. My narrow victory was a surprise to many, frankly, including the three of us.
That’s how I got my first taste of the power of what’s now called Collective Intelligence. With the right model for how we meet, we become more valuable together than apart.
When a group commits to supporting each other by meeting regularly and acting by mutually agreed upon rules of engagement, remarkable things will happen. We tend to bring the best out in each other, as thousands have learned around the world through their mastermind groups. Individuals become tight-knit teams. We become happier and higher-performing with and for each other. It is never too late for you to start your own mastermind group of no more than seven members around a strong sweet spot of mutual interest, which will definitely evolve into something different and more meaningful over the years.
1.Why was it a surprising decision for the author to run for president?
A.She was lonely then. B.She was popular.
C.She was not very outgoing. D.She often daydreams.
2.What’s the way of Denise’s sister?
A.Helping hand out posters.
B.Looking for influential people.
C.Helping learn from others.
D.Helping have public campaigns.
3.How did the author beat Claire?
A.Mainly by doing something for others’ interests.
B.Mainly by getting help from Denise’s sister.
C.Mainly by using her great communicative ability.
D.Mainly by making use of group intelligence.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.Path to Greater Success and Friendship
B.Methods to Be Student Body President
C.Effective Ways to Find Good Friends
D.Clever Ways to Get Support from Others
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Workers are returning to their careers, or starting new ones after age 65.
More than ever, work is where many of us get our sense of purpose. That doesn’t end at age 65. After being retired for only three months, Sue Ellen King returned to work at the University of Florida Health in Jacksonville, Florida, where she had been a care nurse and nursing educator for 38 years. She is now working part-time in a position created just for her. “It’s perfect,” she told The New York Times. “I get the satisfaction of having people appreciate what I do.” With the average life span for those who reach age 64 now getting all the way to 84 years old, those who reach retirement age still have many potential years of work to go.
Job sites connected toward part-timers, temporary positions, and some can also turn up opportunities that may lead to longer-term work. Fred Dodd tried a part-time job after his unemployment as a clerk for large banks at age 63. He’d thought about retiring then. “But part of me just wanted to keep working partly for the money, but more just because I felt I wanted to do more in my career,” he said.
The retired have the advantage of not needing to focus on the earnings potential of whatever jobs they take on, so these older workers are attracted to more meaningful work. And since they are voluntarily putting their skills and experience to good use, they may well have more flexibility than mid-career people. Two-thirds of retirees who’d come back to the work world were doing meaningful work they enjoyed. Legal work and community service were popular choices, as was teaching—all areas in which older workers might have an opportunity to make their own schedules.
Earning more money rarely seems like a bad idea, but it can cause issues for retirees, including effects when they claim Social Security (申请社会保障) benefits early.
1.How does Sue Ellen King like her work?
A.Interesting. B.Satisfying.
C.Boring. D.Encouraging.
2.What does the second paragraph mainly tell us?
A.Giving an example of successful returning to work after retirement.
B.Why Sue Ellen King found a nursing job.
C.What is Sue Ellen King’s work.
D.Giving an example of working full-time in a university.
3.What was the main reason for Fred to have a part-time job?
A.He was out of work. B.He could help large banks.
C.He had personal crisis. D.He liked continuing working.
4.Why do the retired like meaningful jobs?
A.These jobs have more flexibility.
B.These jobs have lots of potential.
C.They don’t care much for salary.
D.They can’t do very hard jobs.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
A new Japanese research has suggested that regularly eating mushrooms could help lower the risk of cancer. The researchers found that the men who consumed mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 percent lower risk of developing cancer, regardless of how much fruit and vegetables, or meat and dairy products they ate—compared to those who ate mushrooms less than once per week. Eating mushrooms more often appeared to bring even bigger benefits, with those who consumed mushrooms three or more times per week showing a 17 percent lower risk than those who ate mushrooms less than once a week.
Eating mushrooms also appeared to be particularly beneficial among those who ate a large amount of meat and dairy products, little fruit and few vegetables. The findings, published in the International Journal of Cancer, are the first to suggest that there may be an association between eating mushrooms and a lower risk of cancer.
“Test-tube studies and studies conducted on living organisms have shown that mushrooms have the potential to prevent cancer” said lead researcher Shu Zhang. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study indicating the cancer-preventive potential of mushrooms at a population level.” Zhang added that, “mushrooms are a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, especially L-ergothioneine,” which is believed to help fight against stress, and that is cell imbalance caused by lifestyle choices such as poor diets and exposure to environmental poisons. This imbalance can lead to chronic inflammation, resulting in chronic diseases such as cancer.
“Considering the average American consumes less than 5 grams of mushrooms per day, which is lower than that consumed by the participants in this study (7.6 g/day), one would expect that even a small increase in mushroom consumption can offer potential health benefits,” said Zhang. However, Zhang added that, “Although our study suggests regular consumption of mushrooms may reduce the risk of cancer, we also want to emphasize that eating a healthy and balanced diet is much more important than filling your shopping basket with mushrooms.”
1.What is the new Japanese research about?
A.Healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of cancer.
B.Often eating mushrooms reduces the risk of cancer.
C.Drinking dairy products is good for our health.
D.Eating fruit and vegetables makes us healthier.
2.Who seem to especially benefit from eating mushrooms?
A.People who are over fat and having a poor diet.
B.People who are feeling over stressed.
C.People who consume much meat but few vegetables and little fruit.
D.People who consume many dairy products and suffer cancer.
3.Why can the mushroom help reduce the risk of cancer?
A.It avoids the stress from a disease.
B.It reduces environmental poisons.
C.It hell helps reduce weight.
D.It has a source of cancer-preventive.
4.What does the underlined word “inflammation” probably means?
A.A state of being physically healthy.
B.A state of keeping body balance.
C.A physical condition that someone needs to be on a diet.
D.A condition that a part of the body becomes red, sore and swollen.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
How to Improve Your Mental and Emotional Health
Your mental health and emotional well-being are important aspects of your overall health. In fact, they are just as important as your physical health. Your mental health can be affected by medical conditions such as depression. 1. No matter what your situation is, you can take steps to improve your mental and emotional health.
Have fun. Experts say that playing might actually be good for you. A great way to boost your mood is to make time to do something fun. Think of some new ways to enjoy yourself. Organize a game night. Invite your friends over for board games or cards. Head to the park. Swinging is just as much fun for adults as it is for kids. Make more jokes. Try something as simple as saying ''Lovely weather, isn't it?'' while you're waiting for the bus in a heavy rain. 2.
3. Try to get in touch with your artistic side. Creative activities can be very therapeutic (治疗的), and can also serve as mood boosters. Consider sketching as a relaxing activity. Take an art class. Contact your local community center for details. This would also be a great way to make new friends. Get a coloring book. Kids aren't the only ones who enjoy coloring. Adult coloring books can help you relax. Listen to music. Or, learn to play an instrument. You could find a group class or hire an individual teacher.
Volunteer. Giving back to others is a great way to make yourself feel good. Volunteering can boost your mood and improve your emotional health. Plus, it's important to help others. 4. Choose something that interests you. For example, if you love animals, consider volunteering at your local animal shelter. 5.. You might even make some new friends!
A.Be creative.
B.It's a win-win situation.
C.Try to get in touch with your music side.
D.It is a great way to improve your confidence.
E.Volunteering can also serve as a way to meet new people.
F.It may not be original, but the act can improve your mood.
G.Environmental factors, such as your job, also make an impact.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Two mayors made a bet on the outcome of the Vegetable Bowl, the annual football game between their high school teams. If Arvada's team _________, the mayor of Arvada would send the mayor of Boulder ten pounds of sliced potatoes, _________ for frying. If Boulder's team didn’t win, the mayor would _________ ten pounds of sliced _________, prepared for sandwiches or salads.
_________, before the game started, the mayor of Boulder _________ the Arvada mayor tell someone else something rude about their tomatoes. Arvada mayor said, ''They _________ the worst tomatoes. If they lose and send us their tomatoes, I'm going to give them all to my _________.'' The mayor of Boulder was _________ to hear this, because he thought Boulder's tomatoes were the __________ in the state. So he gave the __________ some thought. The following week, the big game was __________. Boulder lost its star player in the first half when he tripped over a cheerleader (拉拉队长) and __________ his big toe. The __________ star player watched the rest of the game from the bench. His team ended up __________, 38 to 12. The two mayors shook hands after the game, and the Arvada mayor said, ''I'm really looking forward to those tomatoes. '' As the Boulder team left the stadium, some __________ fans threw ripe tomatoes at them.
A week later, the mayor of Arvada received a package of __________ sliced tomatoes. He took them__________ to his pig, which gobbled (狼吞虎咽) them right up. That night the mayor of Boulder __________ his wife if Arvada's mayor had called. ''No, '' she said. ''Why? '' ''Because I __________ a pint of hot sauce (辣椒酱) into the tomatoes and I want to know how his pig's doing. ''
1.A.lost B.challenged C.cooperate D.delayed
2.A.eager B.read C.anxious D.essential
3.A.threw B.lend C.send D.sell
4.A.potatoes B.tomatoes C.onions D.carrots
5.A.Besides B.Therefore C.Finally D.Unfortunately
6.A.overheard B.overlooked C.observed D.overcame
7.A.preserve B.pick C.grow D.fry
8.A.players B.pigs C.coach D.wife
9.A.hopeless B.bad C.upset D.excited
10.A.best B.only C.same D.whole
11.A.match B.mayor C.team D.matter
12.A.benefited B.won C.played D.delayed
13.A.bled B.sprained C.squeeze D.healed
14.A.depressed B.astonished C.anxious D.faithful
15.A.hoping B.losing C.working D.competing
16.A.curious B.typical C.ambitious D.unhappy
17.A.positively B.cautiously C.beautifully D.ridiculous
18.A.straight B.down C.sincerely D.independently
19.A.asked B.blamed C.informed D.texted
20.A.sent B.transported C.dissolved D.mixed
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Dogs, just like humans, can get cold when the temperature starts to drop. We can wear coats or hats, but dogs don't really have them 1. they just refuse to wear them. If you live in a cold climate, it will be important 2. (know) your dog's limits and how you can keep them safe and warm.
Actually, when it is too cold for dogs to go outside heavily depends upon the dog's size, coat 3. (thick), color and other 4. (factor), but in general, when the temperature hits below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (华氏温度), dogs can actually start to get hurt from 5. cold.
In many parts of the world, the temperature 6. (remain) below 32 degrees for several months at a time. Since dogs 7. (obvious) can’t stay inside all day during the winter season, the most important thing to remember is to pay attention to your dogs when you take them out. They will typically let you know if they are not 8. (comfort).
If your dog isn't a breed (品种) that can bear the cold well, 9. (get) them a coat can be helpful. Make sure that the coat is warm but still allows your dog to have a full range 10. motion.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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。
I was so sorry to know you’re having so a bad time at the moment. The truth is everyone will have a bad time when things seem to being wrong. The important thing is to learn to control your temper.
First, you are supposing to talk to someone you trust about how you feel. This is a good way on which you can let your anger out without hurting others or themselves. Second, playing team games with your friends as physical exercise is an effective way to get the rid of anger. And third, remain optimistically about your future. A positive attitude towards life can be of great help with your spirit.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，你收到英国网友Mary的一封来信，询问爱好方面的问题。请根据以下提示回信。内容包括：
1. 人人都需要有爱好；
2. 拥有良好爱好的益处；
3. 谈谈你自己的爱好及原因。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数。
Dear Mary,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours
Li Hi
难度: 中等查看答案及解析