When Frida Kahlo’s paintings were on show in London, a poet described her paintings as “ a ribbon（丝带）around a bomb”. Such comments seem to suggest Kahlo had a big influence on the art world of her time. Sadly, she is actually a much bigger name today than she was during her time.
Born in 1907 in a village near Mexico City , Kahlo suffered from polio（小儿麻痹症） at the age of seven. Her spine（脊柱） became bent as she grew older. Then, in 1925, her back was broken in several places in a school-bus accident. Throughout the rest of her life, the artist had many operations, but nothing was able to cure the terrible pain in her back. However, the accident had an unexpected side effect. While lying in her bed recovering, Kahlo taught herself to paint.
In 1929, she got married to Diego Rivera, another famous Mexican artist. Rivera’s strong influence on Kahlo’s style can be seen in her early works, but her later works from the 1940s, known today as her best works, show less influence from her husband.
Unfortunately, her works did not attract much attention in the 1930s and1940s, even in her home country. Her first one-woman show in Mexico was not held until 1953. For more than a decade after her death in 1954, Kahlo’s works remained largely unnoticed by the world, but in the 1970s her works began to gain international fame at last.
1.What does the phrase “a much bigger name” in Paragraph 1 most nearly mean?
A. a far better artist
B. a much more famous person
C. a much stronger person
D. a far more gifted artist
2.The terrible pain Kahlo suffered was caused by .
A. back injuries B. her bent spine
C. polio D. the operations she had
3.Kahlo’s style had become increasingly independent since the .
A.1930s B. 1970s C. 1950s D. 1940s
4.What is the author’s attitude toward Kahlo?
A. Devotion. B. Encouragement.
C. Worry. D. Sympathy.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I have been consistently opposed to feeding a baby regularly. As a doctor, mother and scientist in child development I believe there is nothing to recommend it, from the baby’s point of view.
Mothers, doctors and nurses alike have no idea of where a baby’s blood sugar level lies. All we know is that a low level is harmful to brain development and makes a baby easily annoyed. In this state, the baby is difficult to calm down and sleep is impossible. The baby asks for attention by crying and searching for food with its mouth.
It is not just unkind but also dangerous to say a four-hourly feeding schedule will make a baby satisfied. The first of the experts to advocate a strict clock-watching schedule was Dr Frederic Truby King who was against feeding in the night. I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous. Baby feeding shouldn’t follow a timetable set by the mum. What is important is feeding a baby in the best way, though it may cause some inconvenience in the first few weeks.
Well, at last we have copper-bottomed research that supports demand feeding and points out the weaknesses of strictly timed feeding. The research finds out that babies who are fed on demand do better at school at age 5, 7, 11 and 14, than babies fed according to the clock. By the age of 8, their IQ scores are four to five percent higher than babies fed by a rigid（严格的）timetable. This research comes from Oxford and Essex University using a sample of 10,419 children born in the early 1990s, taking account of parental education, family income, a child’s sex and age, the mother’s health and feeding style. These results don’t surprise me. Feeding according to schedule runs the risk of harming the rapidly growing brain by taking no account of sinking blood sugar levels.
I hope this research will put an end to advocating strictly timed baby feeding practices.
1.What does the author think about Dr King?
A. He is strict.
B. He is unkind.
C. He has the wrong idea.
D. He sets a timetable for mothers
2.The word copper-bottomed in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to .
A. basic B. reliable
C. surprising D. interesting
3.What does the research tell us about feeding a baby on demand?
A. The baby will sleep well.
B. The baby will have its brain harmed.
C. The baby will have a low blood sugar level.
D. The baby will grow to be wiser by the age of 8.
4.The author supports feeding the baby .
A. whenever it wants food
B. according to its blood sugar level
C. in the night
D. every four hours
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
It is common and usual to see people freak out when they face challenges in their life. We all pass in different life problems and challenges. No one is free of life problems. Only a dead man faces no problem. As long as you are alive, challenges are everywhere.
How do you face problems and challenges in your life? Problems and challenges are the building blocks of your personality. They make you who you are. Besides, whether what happened in your life builds or destructs（破坏、毁灭）you depends on how you look at it. If you take your problems as troubles, they will be troubles and may cause destruction. If you take them as constructive (有建设性的）tools, you are going to be built up on them.
Problems are everywhere. No one can avoid them. And they are good too. They open up a different look and opportunity if you are willing to see. When you face troubles, do not frustrate or freak out. Just cool yourself to think in a different direction. Think in a positive way. Every problem has its own good as well as bad sides. Focus on the good one. Look at the bright side.
Besides, there is always a good person, perhaps your mom or dad, or one of your friends, right beside you who can turn everything into your best if you are willing to turn to them. No matter what happens, they will be there to help you. Trust them and they will never let you down. All you need to know is that you are loved wherever you are.
1.What’s the meaning of the underlined phrase “freak out” in Paragraph 1?
A. Feel shy. B. Stay calm.
C. Keep silent. D. Feel upset.
2.In Paragraph 2, the writer implies that ______.
A. problems cause troubles
B. attitude is everything
C. challenges can be avoided
D. personalities are built on failures
3.What’s the writer’s purpose to write the passage?
A. To encourage. B. To compare.
C. To prove. D. To explain.
4.What can be the best title of the passage?
A. How to Avoid Problems
B. Challenges Are Everywhere
C. Face Your Challenges Bravely
D. You Are Loved Wherever You Are
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Here is your best chance to travel around the UK in 2012: More than 200 B&Bs (bed & breakfast) across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are selected to offer you amazing services for your stay at their lowest prices! Don’t miss it. Just collect the vouchers（活动券）in our B&B Daily printed from 01/ 04/ 2012 to 07/ 04/ 2012 and book the stays for your travel following the terms and conditions below:
● The offer includes a room for the night and a breakfast the next morning.
● The offer is of two kinds: £20 per room, per night, valid（有效的）during stay
period of 02/ 04/ 2012—31/ 05/ 2012 and then again 01/ 09/ 2012— 31/ 10/ 2012; £35 per room, per night, valid during stay period of 01/ 06/ 2012 — 31/ 08/ 2012.
● The offer is valid for a basic twin or double room only.
● The stay must be booked directly with the chosen B&Bs before 28/ 04/ 2012.
● Each voucher can only be used by the holder to book one room for one night.
● If voucher holders book either the £20 or £35 per room per night, any additional
services such as lunch, evening meal or activities may require an extra charge. But these are not required in order to take up the offer. Please check directly with your chosen B&Bs to see what extra services are available.
● Vouchers must be presented on arrival. If no vouchers are presented, the B&Bs may reserve（保留） the right to charge at full price for every night of stay.
● Vouchers may not be used together with any other offer.
● The voucher holders must pay for the stay in full at the time of booking. Additional £10 may be paid to confirm（确认）the booking and will be returned on arrival.
● The B&Bs reserve the right to refuse voucher holders’ bookings for people under the age of 18.
1.The voucher can be used for a stay at the chosen B&B on .
A. 09/ 01/ 2012 B. 28/ 04/ 2012
C. 01/ 03/ 2012 D. 04/ 02/ 2012
2.How much should be paid for a two-night stay in October 2012 at a chosen B&B?
A. £ 70. B. £30. C. £35. D. £40.
3.By taking up the offer, the voucher holders can choose to .
A. have lunch or evening meal without paying extra money
B. book either a basic twin or double room at the chosen B&Bs
C. use the B&B offer together with other offers
D. book the stays through B&B Daily
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。
1. You probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily so, however. Anyone can become a better student if he or she wants to. Here’s how:
Plan your time carefully. When planning your work, you should make a list of things that you have to do. After making this list, you should make a schedule of your time. First your time for eating, sleeping, dressing, etc. Then decide a good, regular time for studying. 2. A weekly schedule may not solve all your problems, but it will force you realize what is happening to your time.
Find a good place to study. Look around the house for a good study area. Keep this space, which may be a desk or simply a corner of your room, free of everything but study materials. No games, radios, or television. When you sit down to study, concentrate on the subject.
Make good use of your time in class. 3. Listening carefully in class means less work later. Taking notes will help you remember what the teacher says.
Study regularly. When you get home from school, go over your notes, and review the important points that your teacher mentioned in class. If you know what your teacher is going to discuss the next day, read the material. 4. If you do these things regularly, the material will become more meaningful, and you’ll remember it longer.
Develop a good attitude towards tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. They help you remember your new knowledge. The world won’t end if you don’t pass a test, so don’t be overly worried.
5. You will probably discover them after you have tried these.
A. There are other methods that might help you with your studying.
B. Don’t forget to set aside enough time for entertainment.
C. Take advantage of class time to listen to everything the teacher says.
D. No one can become a top student unless he or she works hard.
E. Maybe you are an average student.
F. Make full use of class time to take notes of what the teacher says in class.
G. This will help you understand the next class.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完形填空
I became a gardener when I was twelve. My early ________ of gardening may not have originated from my love for nature. It was to ________ my parents.
At that time, we had a big yard in which a beautiful maple tree stood. But my mother often looked with ________ at this work of natural art. Those golden leaves seemed like tons of rubbish to her, “something else to ________ !” Seeing the neighbors busy with gardening, my father even thought it a waste of time.
At that age, I always did something ________ to whatever my parents did! If gardening were something they found ________ , I would plant a garden!
I planted some lily (百合花) seeds in the yard. But they failed to ________ . I continued to plant sunflower seeds and roses. Wild ________ joy, I found the first rose bloom (开花). One by one, the flowers bloomed their heads off. ________ , I was touched by this land of wonder.
________ , my parents showed no interest in my garden. My father even ________ at me because he found it was ________ to move around my garden to the driveway. To my mother’s ________ , I put in her vase my real roses which, in her eyes, were simply weeds ________ flowers.
Regardless of their________ , I kept on planting my garden and ________ to enjoy the pleasure of gardening. Plants make such good companions: they breathe, they bloom, they ________ to care and love.
It has been many years since I made my first garden out of my desire to ________ my parents. Today I become known as Mrs. Greenthumbs, teaching gardening and hosting a gardening show, which makes my parents feel very ________ . And now I could say it is my affection for ________ that makes me a real gardener.
1.A. memory B. intention C. dream D. design
2.A. please B. change C. annoy D. help
3.A. excitement B. appreciation C. surprise D. doubt
4.A. clean up B. care about C. collect up D. come in
5.A. equal B. similar C. opposite D. superior
6.A. painful B. upsetting C. valuable D. interesting
7.A. hold on B. break out C. come up D. get through
8.A. to B. by C. in D. with
9.A. Luckily B. Eventually C. Regularly D. Cheerfully
10.A. Instead B. Besides C. Therefore D. However
11.A. shouted B. laughed C. glanced D. jumped
12.A. troublesome B. convenient C. enjoyable D. dangerous
13.A. sadness B. displeasure C. delight D. relief
14.A. other than B. more than C. rather than D. less than
15.A. dislike B. encouragement C. threat D. suggestion
16.A. decided B. stopped C. continued D. struggled
17.A. respond B. turn C. devote D. lead
18.A. defeat B. satisfy C. respect D. challenge
19.A. comfortable B. proud C. strange D. disappointed
20.A. freedom B. life C. growth D. nature
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（不多于3个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Some people live in the world for body 1. others for dignity (尊严).
I once took a walk along the street on a Saturday dusk, with 2. Pepsi can in my hand. An old woman in ragged clothes, who was living on collecting used cans and tins, moved slowly towards me, with a bag on the back. 3. (walk) nearer, she looked up at me and then fixed her eyes 4. my can. At that time, I hadn’t finished my cola, 5. I gave several coins instead.
She stared at me for a few seconds and handed back the money. Quite 6. (confuse), I asked, “Why not? Isn’t that what you want?”
“I am not a beggar,” she said seriously, word by word. Instantly, I felt so sorry. I 7. (intend) to help her, but I8. (complete) misunderstood her. Thus I hurt her. 9. I could do at that moment was to drink up the cola and hand her the emptied can. This time, she gave me a smile with 10. (satisfy) and gratitude in her eyes. The woman is poor in material life but is so respectable as a person. I am not only moved but also have learned a good lesson.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
请默写Rural Education的第一段所给两个句子之间的空白部分：
Now in the rural areas, there are many children out of school.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
The third reason is that some children are not interested in their lessons, and would not like to go to school.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短文改错
短文中共有10处错误，错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号（∧），并在此符号下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词的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 prefer my English classes to be taught in English only. What we all know, a good learning environment is of greatly importance if we want to study English well. Classes teaching in English provide students for a better environment. When English is an only language in class, students will have more opportunity to practise listening and speaking. However, there were problems with this method. Sometimes we may find difficult to follow the teacher and some slow learners may even give up learn English. In spite of these difficulties, but I believe practice makes perfect. With enough practice, we can overcome the difficulties and benefit from English classes in the long run.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
书面表达
假如你叫李华，你的加拿大笔友James想了解一下你要参加的2015年全国中学生英语冬令营的有关情况，请根据以下信息给他写一封回信，并邀请他参加你们的活动。
| 营址 | 桂林 |
| 活动时间 | 2015年12月底，共4天 |
| 参加人员 | 1.全国中学生英语能力竞赛获奖者 2.中国、美国和澳大利亚的英语老师 |
| 活动内容 | 1.举行英语演讲比赛 2.观看学生表演 3.游览桂林风景名胜 4.交流英语学习经验 |
注意：1.信件须包括以上提供的内容要点，可以适当增加细节，使内容连贯；
2.词数：120左右；
3.参考词汇：全国中学生英语能力竞赛: NEPC
Dear James,
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Yours truly,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析