Wang Xuan, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, was planning to get Internet and TV service in the U. S. She went to Verizon, the U. S’ largest wireless communication service provider, only to be told that she couldn’t enjoy the service because her credit score wasn’t high enough.
In most Western countries, a credit score is a number that determines whether you are are a reliable person to lend credit to. A higher score means you have better personal credit. Your score is affected by your monthly debts, whether you pay bills on time and other types of information.
Wang is hardly alone in dealing with credit score trouble. Many Chinese overseas students lack the necessary knowledge about credit scores, even though it’s widely used in their everyday lives. Banks will check your score if you want to get a credit card. To get a loan, a good credit score is vital. It also matter, when you rent an apartment or buy a house. Its influence doesn’t end there. An increasing number of employ now check the credit scores of applicants. You can’t ignore that a credit report can be a judge of character.
So how can you get a good credit score? Make your repayments on time and pay off your accounts early if you can. If you’re using to pay off debts, make sure you keep enough cash in an easy access savings account for emergencies. If you want to improve your credit rating immediately, you should fix any problems on your credit file before you start applying for a loan. Also, cancel any credit cards that you’re not currently using.
1.What problem did Wang Xuan have?
A. Her credit score was too low.
B. Her credit affected graduation.
C. She couldn’t enjoy public services.
D. She couldn’t stay in the U. S. any more.
2.Why do students like Wang have credit score trouble?
A. Credit score is too hard to improve.
B. They don’t know well of credit score.
C. Credit score is hardly used in their life.
D. They lack access to relevant knowledge.
3.What does the underlined word “judge’’ in Paragraph 3 probably mean？
A. The official in control of a court.
B. Someone to decide on a competition.
C. Fact to prove something true.
D. Ability to do something well.
4.What may cause credit score trouble?
A. Having few monthly debts.
B. Using savings to pay off debts.
C. Paying off your accounts early.
D. Having little cash in an account.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Where there are people, there are chickens. One result of a huge chicken population is a huge amount of chicken feather, which are normally burned or treated as rubbish, polluting the environment.
Ryan Robinson, a biology graduate from Imperial College London, believed there would be a different solution for this feathery waste. Therefore, along with designer Elena Dieckman, he has discovered a way to turn feathers into an insulating (绝缘的) material for buildings or a packing material for food or medicine. The pair has formed a start-up, called Aeropowder, to try and turn their invention into a commercial product. They believe the new material could have a range of uses.
“Currently feathers are mainly transformed in this country to a low-grade animal food called feather meal. Feathers can also be burned or thrown away. And these methods do not make use of their amazing natural properties (特性).” says Robinson.
It turns out that feathers are quite a wonder material. “Feathers are insulating due to their structure, which are hollow fibers,” says Robinson. Extra air in the fibers means less heat transfer. “What has been surprising is how well the material has performed, and we hope to continue to make it better and better. “The current form of Aeropowder’s material looks much more like a fattened brick of feathers. It’s flexible and light.
Aeropowder isn’t the first to try to find a further use for this very common waste product. In 2011, researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the US suggested that chicken feathers should be used to help produce a kind of environmental plastic. The next challenge will be to find a way for this material to be made close to where the chickens are, rather than sending it far away to a processing plant.
“There is still work to be done to get our material tested with early adopters,” Robinson says. “But in the long term, we wish to become the world experts in feather-based materials.”
1.Why did Ryan begin to search for the solution for feathery waste?
A. To produce environmental plastic. B. To make big business profits.
C. To find better building materials. D. To avoid its polluting the environment.
2.What’s the advantage of the feather building material?
A. It can keep the house warm. B. It is easy to be made into bricks.
C. It is enough. D. It helps heat spread quickly.
3.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. Ryan: an expert in feather-based materials
B. Feather meal: a new kind of animal food
C. Chicken feathers: a wonder material
D. Aeropowder: a new processing plant
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
How to Retain More of Every Book You Read
In recent years, I have focused on building good reading habits and learned how to read more. For most people, the final goal of reading a nonfiction book is to actually improve their life by learning a new skill, understanding an important problem, or looking at the world in a new way. 1. With that in mind, I’d like to share three reading comprehension skills that I use to make my reading more productive.
Make all of your notes searchable. Having searchable book notes is important for returning to ideas easily.2. An idea is only useful if you can find it when you need it. There is no need to leave the task of reading comprehension merely up to your memory.
3. When you go to the library, all of the books will be divided into different categories. In the real world, of course, knowledge is not separated into neatly defined boxes.4. For that reason, I try to consider how the book Fm reading is connected with all of the ideas that are already inside my head. Whenever possible, I try to combine the lessons Fm learning with previous ideas.
Summarize the book in one paragraph.5. It forces me to review my notes and consider what is really important about the book. In many cases, I find that I can usually get just as much useful information from reading my one-paragraph summary and reviewing my notes as I would if I read the entire book again.
A. Combine thoughts as you read.
B. All knowledge is interconnected.
C. Describe the book to your friends.
D. Read widely if you want to practice the skills.
E. It increases the chances that you will apply what you read in real life.
F. Once I finish a book, I challenge myself to conclude the text in just three sentences.
G. It’s important to read books, but it is just as important to remember what you read and use it.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
I have an unforgettable experience to share. I still remember, during my 70 days of kindness, at the beginning of January, I was trying to _______ as many nice things as possible that I can do for people. One of them was to volunteer at a _______ and spend time with someone to make their day _______. Since procrastination (拖延症) was always a problem, I decided to _______ on that idea as soon as it came up. I looked up the _______ nursery homes to my apartment _______ I don’t have a car and was going to bike there right away. After finding the nursery home, I called up to set up a(n)_______.
After a brief meeting and some paper work, the following week I started _______ checkers with Mr. Oates. The energy of the nursing home seemed kind of _______ but walking into Mr. Oates room was completely different. He had a bright __________ and seemed really excited to see me. His first words to me were “I’m really happy you’re here. I have been __________ all day to play checkers with you. “Those words alone __________ made me happy and know I made the right __________ to volunteer there.
Then I __________ to stop by once a week playing checkers with him and __________ that bright smile every time I walked into his room. We would tell __________ and stories to each other, not even paying attention to the time. Two hours would __________ quickly.
I really like how we were able to become friends __________ our race, age, and place in life. My favorite thing about spending time with him was his __________ to have me around. It made me feel really __________ and he told me he felt the same way.
1.A. come up with B. put up with C. look forward to D. get along with
2.A. hospital B. shelter C. kindergarten D. nursery home
3.A. richer B. shorter C. happier D. easier
4.A. depend B. act C. put D. turn
5.A. nearest B. farthest C. cleanest D. best
6.A. if B. although C. when D. because
7.A. charity B. meeting C. plan D. organization
8.A. making B. buying C. playing D. discussing
9.A. high B. low C. active D. effective
10.A. day B. personality C. brain D. smile
11.A. waiting B. sitting C. imagining D. wondering
12.A. slowly B. frequently C. instantly D. constantly
13.A. conclusion B. decision C. promise D. response
14.A. offered B. continued C. struggled D. desired
15.A. wore B. respected C. won D. received
16.A. jokes B. lies C. differences D. truth
17.A. fly B. run C. spend D. flow
18.A. because of B. instead of C. in favor of D. regardless of
19.A. motivation B. consideration C. appreciation D. hesitation
20.A. attractive B. special C. lovely D. strange
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
When will the man arrive?
A. At 8:15. B. At 8:30. C. At 8:45.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
What is the relationship between the speakers?
A. Mother and son. B. Old classmates. C. New friends.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Where does the conversation probably take place?
A. In a store. B. In an office. C. In a bank.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
（题文）How much do three ties cost?
A. 60 dollars. B. 72 dollars. C. 90 dollars.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
What is the man most concerned about?
A. The problem of the car. B. The way to get home. C. The time to fix the problem.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What happened to the man?
A. He almost drowned himself.
B. He got wet in a storm.
C. He caught a cold.
2.What will the man probably do next?
A. Wash his clothes. B. Go to see a doctor. C. Take a hot shower.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What did Bill feel nervous about?
A. His illness. B. His sleep. C. His operation.
2.How long was it before Bill was allowed to eat?
A. 24 hours. B. 48 hours. C. 72 hours.
3.What does Bill expect to do now?
A. Drink beer. B. Leave hospital. C. Eat steak.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is Mary learning this term?
A. Business. B. Marketing. C. Advertising.
2.What’s the trouble with Mary?
A. She can’t keep up.
B. She need renew her lessons.
C. She can’t understand the teacher.
3.What does the teacher think of taking notes?
A. Quite boring. B. Unnecessary. C. Very useful.
4.What does the teacher suggest Mary do after the lecture?
A. Discuss the lecture. B. Go over her notes. C. Attend the activity class.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What do the two telephone companies have in common?
A. They charge less. B. They send strong signals. C. They have the best service.
2.What news can be got from the hotel message board?
A. Buying a used car. B. Taking a free ride. C. Renting a new car.
3.Why do many travelers like to work at hotels?
A. To have free meals. B. To make extra money. C. To stay for free.
4.What is the speaker doing?
A. Guiding tourists around Australia.
B. Recommending travel styles in Australia.
C. Telling travelers money-saving ways in Australia.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Folk-rocker Richie Havens, who died on April 22 at the age of 72, will be remembered for many things, among which his performance at Woodstock in 1969 made him into music history.
He wasn’t supposed to open the festival—he was scheduled to play fifth that day. Plans changed when the opening band, Sweetwater, got caught in traffic, Michael Lang, producer of the festival, said he chose Havens “because of his calm but powerful manner”. His performance went overtime because the next act was stuck in traffic, too. This led Richie Havens to create on the spot what became one of the most significant moments of the Woodstock Festival: his performance of “Freedom”.
The oldest of nine children, Havens was raised in the poor Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York. As a child, he dreamed of growing up to be a surgeon, but set off on a musical path as a teenager. Forming a music group in high school, he then landed in New York’s Greenwich Village folk clubs at 17. He soon stood out from the other young singers.
He recorded two albums on small labels (公司) before signing with Bob Dylan’s manager, Albert Grossman. He then joined a larger label and went on to tour for more than 40 years, making close to 30 albums.
Besides a good songwriter, Richie Havens was also an outstanding song interpreter. In many occasions he’d tell of spending three days learning Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”: “I wasn’t born to sing so I practiced the song over and over again in a stairwell.” One night, a man stopped him and said it was the best version he’d ever heard. Havens always ended the story by saying: “that’s how I first met Bob Dylan.”
1.What can we know about the Woodstock Festival in 1969?
A. Michael Lang was to blame for the traffic.
B. The first four bands all got stuck in the traffic.
C. Richie Havens was the only one invited to play.
D. It offered a chance to Richie Havens to success.
2.What plays an important role in Havens’ success?
A. Good luck. B. Timely help. C. Hard work. D. Great talent.
3.The underlined “a man” in the last paragraph actually refers to ________.
A. Bob Dylan B. Alert Grossman C. Michael Lang D. Richie Havens
4.It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A. Richie released 30 albums in total in his life
B. Richie grew up in a wonderful environment
C. Richie played Freedom without preparation
D. Richie dreamed to be a singer since childhood
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Chinese knot is an ancient folk art form in China, simple 1. attractive as well. Its history can date back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), and it was fully developed in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and became 2. (wide) popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. A knot 3. is made of colorful silk thread can bring good luck to its owner. It is often used to express good wishes, 4.(include) happiness, prosperity, love and the absence of evil.
Chinese knot 5. (indicate) that every knot is made of a single rope and named by its specific form and meaning. For example, “Happiness & Health”, “Luck and Auspiciousness (吉祥)” and “Wish you a fair wind”. By combining different knots 6. other well-designed things skillfully, a unique auspicious Chinese knot with many wishes 7. (form). And it is also worth noting that the logo for Beijing’s bid 8. (host) the 2008 Olympics was based on a traditional knot craft design.
Today, people are fond of Chinese knot for its 9. (character) form, colorfulness and deep meaning. Most commonly, the knot is used either as a hanging 10.(decorate), such as in the home or car, or on the body like ring, earrings, hand chain or necklace.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
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。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。
Help others can make us happy. Bad luck fell on one of my classmate one day. She suddenly became so sick to move her legs. She was sent to hospital quickly, needing to be operated on immediately. And the cost was so much that her single parent couldn’t afford it. Nobody was willing see that. Our school call on all the students to donate money to her. As everyone knows, many hands can make a work easier. With all our efforts, our students collected nearly 8000 yuan for her. We hope to see that she used to be-a health and happy girl.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假如你是李华，想邀请你的英国朋友Leslie一起参加你校举行的“弘扬中华传统文化——戏曲进校园”展演活动。请给他写封邮件，内容包括：
1. 活动时间、地点。
2. 活动内容。
注意:（1）词数100左右；（2）行文连贯，语篇完整；（3）文中不得透露个人真实信息。
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难度: 简单查看答案及解析