A flock of hungry pigeons were flying across the sky in search of food. Having traveled a long distance, they felt tired and settled down on a tree. Just below the tree, they saw grains strewn (撒满) all over the ground. The pigeons were happy to have found enough food to eat. All the pigeons came down from the tree and started eating the grains. As they were doing so, a huge net fell on them and trapped them all.
The pigeons were taken aback(大吃一惊). They noticed a hunter sitting at a distance from the tree, a bow and arrow in hand. The pigeons realized it was the hunter who had trapped them in the net. The hunter got up and began to move towards the pigeons.
The leader of the pigeons spoke, “Friends, we are in great trouble. The hunter will catch us if we do not act swiftly in a few seconds. There is only one option available at this moment. Let all of us use our force together and fly up along with the net. If all of us use our force and fly together, we can fly carrying the net along with us. Let us start now.”
All the pigeons agreed with him and flew high carrying the net along with them. After traveling enough distance away from the hunter, the pigeons settled on a tree and carefully came out of the net one by one and thus escaped the evil design of the hunter.
1.Who strewed the grains over the ground?
A. A villager. B. The hunter.
C. The pigeon owner. D. The writer.
2.What does the underlined word “option” mean?
A. reason B. choice C. action D. opinion
3.How did the pigeons react when they got trapped?
A. They didn't know what to do.
B. They tried to fly in all directions.
C. They remained calm.
D. They decided to fight against the hunter.
4.This story wants to tell us that ________.
A. two heads are better than one
B. confidence will save everyone
C. teamwork can work wonders
D. actions speak louder than words
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Japanese students work very hard but many are unhappy. They feel heavy pressures from their parents to do well in school. Most students are always being told by their parents to study harder so that they can have a wonderful life. Though this may be good ideas for those very bright students, it can have very bad results for many students who are not quick enough at learning.
Unfortunately, a number of students killed themselves. Others are after comfort in using drugs. Some do bad things with trouble-makers and turn to crime. Many of them have tried very hard at school but have failed in the exams and have disappointed their parents. Such students feel that they are less important and leave school before they have finished their study.
It is surprising that though most Japanese parents are worried about their children, they do not help them in any way. Many parents feel that they are not able to help their children and that it is the teachers’ work to help their children. To make matters worse, a lot of parents send their children to special schools called juku-cram schools. These schools are open during the evening and on weekends, and their only purpose is to prepare students to pass exams. They do not try to educate students in any real sense of the real world. It thus comes as a shock to realize that almost three quarters of the junior or high school population attend these cram schools.
Ordinary Japanese schools usually have rules about everything from the students’ hair to their clothes and things in their school bag. Child psychologists now think that such strict rules often lead to a feeling of being unsafe and being unable to fit into society. They regard the rules as being harmful to the development of each student. They believe that no sense of moral values is developed and that students are given neither guidance nor training in becoming good citizens.
1.A lot of Japanese students are unhappy at school because_______.
A. they work very hard
B. they find they can't do well at school
C. they feel unimportant
D. they are under too much pressure
2.Because of their failure at school, some students take drugs to .
A. kill themselves B. seek comfort
C. disappoint their parents D. make trouble
3.In juku-cram schools students_________.
A. are taken good care of by the teachers
B. feel no pressure
C. are trained to pass exams
D. can learn a lot of useful things
4.In ordinary Japanese schools,______________ .
A. there are strict rules
B. students feel safe
C. students can do anything
D. learning is not important
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Edda, a Little Valkyrie’s First Day of School
Written and illustrated(配图) by Adam Auerbach.
32 pp. Christy Ottaviano/Holt. $15.50.
Edda’s home is in Asgard, “a land full of magic and adventure.” But Edda, the littlest Valkyrie, doesn’t have quite enough to do, until her father flies her “all the way to Earth for the first day of school.”
The contrast between home and school is hard to get used to (in one, she can ride reindeer; in the other she gazes guinea pig(天竺鼠) through glass at the classroom). In his first picture book, Auerbach mixes the two worlds perfectly. Children are likely to appreciate the joke.
Planet Kindergarten
By Sue Ganz-Schmitt. Illustrated by Shane Prigmore.
32 pp. Chronicle. $14.99.
After careful preparations and a successful blastoff, a boy finds himself in a very unfamiliar environment. “We’re aliens from many galaxies(星系) on Planet Kindergarten,” he reflects as he sees his very varied classmates for the first time.
Prigmore, who designs for the movie industry, uses black backgrounds and bright colors to give this space adventure visual excitement and humor.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade
By Justin Roberts. Illustrated by Christian Robinson.
42 pp. Putnam. $18.99.
It makes sense that the author of the long, rhyming lines in “The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade” is a children’s music performer. The story is about the power of one small person to fight prejudice.
Sally, whom no one ever seems to notice, is “paying super extra special attention” to the “terrible stuff” happening around her. When she decides to take action, she’s not alone for long.
And Two Boys Booed
By Judith Viorst.
32 pp. Margaret Ferguson/Farrar, Straus & Giroux. $16.59.
Ever felt quietly confident one minute, and a shaking mess the next? In Viorst’s story about determination, a little boy wakes up thinking about singing his song in the class talent show.
1.Which of the following is true about the book Edda, a Little Valkyrie’s First Day of School?
A. Edda found it easy to apply herself to the life on earth.
B. The book was Adam Auerbach’s first picture book.
C. The book was illustrated by Shane Prigmore.
D. The story of the book was about a little boy’s determination.
2.If you are interested in space adventure, you would probably choose______.
A. Edda, a Little Valkyrie’s First Day of School
B. Planet Kindergarten
C. The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade
D. And Two Boys Booed
3.The book The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade was published by__________.
A. Christy Ottaviano/Holt.
B. Chronicle.
C. Putnam
D. Margaret Ferguson/Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
4.All of the four books mentioned_______________.
A. are for children
B. have the same number of pages
C. have colorful pictures in them
D. need reading under parents’ guidance
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
John Milton was born in 1606. His father expected him to enter the church of England, but Milton wanted to be a poet. At twenty-nine Milton set off for a travel on the continent. He traveled in France, Switzerland and Italy, winning the friendship of many artists and scientists, including Galileo, the famous Italian scientist who suffered for his discovery in prison. In 1639, he was planning to go on this journey when the news reached him of the break between the king and Parliament(国会). Milton returned to England immediately, and put himself into the struggle against the king, for which he had long been prepared. During the Civil war, Milton worked as the spokesman of the revolution. By the beginning of 1652, Milton had become completely blind, yet he didn’t stop fighting. After the Restoration(复辟), his books were burnt, and he himself avoided being killed because of his blindness.
John Milton was not only a brave revolutionary but also a great poet. His famous poem Paradise Lost(失乐园) was an immediate success. But, for its publication (being published), Milton received only 18 pounds. He died in 1671.
1.The underlined word “continent” in the first paragraph means ________.
A. Asia B. Europe C. America D. Africa
2.What can we learn from the passage?
A. In 1635 Milton made friends with many artists and poets.
B. Milton was put in prison for his discovery.
C. Paradise Lost was popular and was a hit at that time.
D. Milton was determined to be a poet because he didn’t like churches.
3.Milton would have been killed if ________________.
A. he had been the spokesman of the revolution
B. his books hadn’t been burnt
C. he hadn’t written the poem Paradise Lost
D. he hadn’t been completely blind
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。注意：请将答案转涂到答题卡上，写在本试卷上无效。
Healthy habits for living longer
Many of us are set in our daily habits. We eat the same meal, wear the same clothes, take the same route to work and work the same old job. But what we sometimes fail to recognize is the huge influence that our daily habits can have on our health. It is very important for us to keep our daily habits healthy. 1.
Take some exercise every day. Daily exercise does improve our health. In fact, studies show that daily exercise can add three years to our life. Opportunity for exercise is everywhere—just be creative. Whenever we can, walk to work. 2. It’s really that simple.
Eat a healthy breakfast. Researchers have found that those who eat an early morning meal are less likely to be too fat and get diseases compared with those who don’t. 3.
All in all, eating breakfast is a great and healthy way to start our day.
Have enough sleep. 4. Failing to get at least seven hours of sleep appears to increase the risk of major illnesses including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many more.
Get chances to communicate(交流). 5. Any social communication can positively affect our health because we can have more time and chances to communicate with others. All of these can add years to our lives.
A. Not enough quality sleep can shorten our life.
B. Exercise also helps us keep away from illnesses.
C. If we live or work in a tall building, just take the stairs.
D. Breakfast-eaters also report feeling better.
E. There’s an old saying that says a good friend is cheaper than treatment.
F. Finding time for structured exercise can be pretty much impossible for many people.
G. By making just a few small changes and keeping them, we can add a few years to our life.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完形填空
阅读下面的短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
My father brought home a sailboat when I was ten, and almost each Sunday in summers we would go sailing. Dad was quite skilled in sailing, but not good at ________ . As for me, I ________ both well before twelve because of living close to Lake Ontario.
The last time Dad and I set sail together is really ________ . It was a perfect weekend after I graduated from university. I came home and ________ Dad to go sailing. Out we set soon on the ________ lake. Dad hadn’t sailed for years, but everything ________ well with the tiller（舵柄）in his hands.
When we were in the middle of the lake, a ________ wind came all of a sudden. The boat was ________ violently. Dad was always at his best in any ________, but at this moment he ________ .
“John! ________ !” he shouted in a trembling(颤抖的) voice, with the tiller still in his hands.
In my memory he could fix any ________ . He was the one I always ________ for strength and security. Before I could respond, a ________ of water got into the boat. I rushed to the tiller ________it was too late. Another huge wall of water ________ the boat in a minute. We were thrown into the water, and Dad was struggling aimlessly. At that moment, I felt fiercely ________ of him.
I swam to Dad ________ and assisted him in climbing onto the hull（船壳）of the boat. Upon sitting on the hull, Dad was still a little frightened. “It’s all right, Dad. We are ________ow.” I comforted him.
That was the first time Dad had counted on me in a moment of emergency(紧急情况). More importantly, I found it was my turn to start ________ of my father.
1.A. boating B. running C. swimming D. teaching
2.A.enjoyed B. desired C. hated D. learned
3.A. unforgivable B. unforgettable C. cheerful D. regretful
4.A. sent B. ordered C. invited D. allowed
5.A. calm B. icy C. stormy D. thundery
6.A. finished B. went C. seemed D. sounded
7.A. strong B. gentle C. cold D. hot
8.A. pulled B. broken C. sailed D. hit
9.A. danger B. place C. sport D. job
10.A. suffered B. fell C. froze D. forgot
11.A. Look B. Help C. Run D. Jump
12.A. problem B. relationship C. machine D. boat
13.A. turned to B. lived with C. argued with D. objected to
14.A. well B. stream C. shower D. wave
15.A. before B. or C. after D. but
16.A. turned on B. turned into C. turned over D. turned up
17.A. sorry B. protective C. tired D. afraid
18.A. hopelessly B. quickly C. slowly D. helplessly
19.A. painful B. dangerous C. safe D. tired
20.A. catching sight B. getting fond C. getting tired D. taking care
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
语法填空
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Crying marriage? 1. (surprise), isn’t it? Actually, the custom of crying marriage existed a long time ago in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, and 2. (remain) in fashion until the end of the Qing Dynasty. 3. not so popular as before, the custom is still kept by people in many places, 4. (especial) Tujia people, who view it necessary to marriage procedure.
It is very much 5. same in different places of the province. According to elderly people, every bride（新娘）had to cry at the wedding. Otherwise, the bride’s neighbors would look down upon 6. as a poorly 7. (educate) girl and she would become the laughing stock of the village. In fact, there were cases 8. the bride was beaten by her mother for not crying at the wedding ceremony.
9. a word, crying at wedding is a means by custom to express the happiness of the wedding through sorrowful words. 10. , in the arranged（安排）marriages by the Chinese parents, a lot of brides did cry over their unsatisfactory marriage.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析