Languages have been coming and going for thousands of years, but in recent times there has been less coming and a lot more going. When the world was still populated by hunter-gatherers, small, tightly knit(联系) groups developed their own patterns of speech independent of each other. Some language experts believe that 10,000 years ago, when the world had just five to ten million people, they spoke perhaps 12,000 languages between them.
Soon afterwards, many of those people started settling down to become farmers, and their languages too became more settled and fewer in number. In recent centuries, trade, industrialization, the development of the nation-state and the spread of universal compulsory education, especially globalisation and better communications in the past few decades, all have caused many languages to disappear, and dominant languages such as English, Spanish and Chinese are increasingly taking over.
At present, the world has about 6,800 languages. The distribution of these languages is hugely uneven. The general rule is that mild zones have relatively few languages. Often spoken by many people while hot, wet zones have lots, often spoken by small numbers. Europe has only around 200 Languages: the Americas about 1,000, Africa 2,400; and Asia and the Pacific perhaps 3,200, of which Papua New Guinea alone accounts for well over 800. The median number(中位数) of speakers is a mere 6.000, which means that half the worlds languages are spoken by fewer people than that.
Already well over 400 of the total of 6,800 languages are close to extinction(消亡), with only a few elderly speakers left. Pick, at random, Busuu in Cameroon (eight remaining speakers), Chiapaneco in Mexico(150). Lipan Apache in the United States(two or three) or Wadjigu in Australia (one, with a question-mark): none of these seems to have much chance of survival.
1.What can we infer about languages in hunter-gatherer times?
A.They developed very fast. B.They were large in number.
C.They had similar patters. D.They were closely connected
2.Which of the following best explains "dominant" underlined in paragraph 2？
A.Complex. B.Advanced.
C.Powerful. D.Modern.
3.How many languages are spoken by less than 6, 000 people at present?
A.About 6,800 . B.About 3,400
C.About 2,400 D.About 1,200.
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A.New languages will be created.
B.Peoples lifestyles are reflected in languages.
C.Human development results in fewer languages.
D.Geography determines language evolution.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Listed here are four of the thousands of impressive museums around the world.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Bilbao，Spain
Built in 1997，the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is one of the newest in the world.It has transformed the industrial city of Bilbao into a travelers' desired destination.The beautiful architecture of the museum has provided a dramatic background for movies and commercials.
The Louvre in Paris，France
Probably the most famous Louvre also holds the most famous painting in the world，the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci.Crowds can be found any day surrounding the small，but mysterious painting of the smiling woman.But，the Louvre is much more than a home to the “Mona Lisa”．The Louvre is visited by more people each year than any other museum in the world.
The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia，America
Just opened in its new downtown location in 2012，the Barnes Foundation is “unique”in that it is a completely reproduced display from one man's private collection.Dr.Albert C．Barnes started collecting art in the early 20th century and collected，among others，the largest number of original Renoir paintings in the world.
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence，Italy
Walking on the marbled floors feels like stepping back in time.The building itself is a beautiful palace—like structure with frescoes(湿壁画) decorating the ceilings and walls.Viewers are bowled over(印象深刻) by the works by Botticelli，such as “The Birth of Venus”．Classic artworks from nearly 1，000 years ago describe religious events of the time.
1.Which of the following is the most popular?
A.The Louvre.
B.The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
C.The Barnes Foundation.
D.The Uffizi Gallery.
2.What makes the Barnes Foundation particular?
A.Its structure. B.Its collection.
C.Its location. D.Its history.
3.What type of writing is this text?
A.An activity poster.
B.An exhibition announcement.
C.An art show review.
D.A travel guide.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Food serves as a form of communication in two fundamental ways. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust. Food can also have a specific meaning, and play a significant role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between rural (农村的) and urban areas within one country.
Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion (时刻) or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition hits its roots in the custom of sharing bread.
Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread represent blocks of gold for prosperity (兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies (预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.
Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.
Nutrition is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.
1.According to the passage, sharing bread______.
A.indicates a lack of food
B.can help to develop unity
C.is a custom unique to rural areas
D.has its roots in birthday celebrations
2.What does the coin in vasilopita signify for its receiver in the New Year?
A.Trust. B.Success.
C.Health. D.Togetherness.
3.The author explains the role of food in celebrations by______.
A.using examples B.making comparisons
C.analyzing causes D.describing processes
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The custom of sharing food.
B.The specific meaning of food.
C.The role of food in ceremonies.
D.The importance of food in culture.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Attending college can be expensive, and applying to college can be costly as well. With today’s college application fees averaging around $ 80, you can expect to spend hundreds of dollars on college before you are even accepted into a school.
One of the easiest ways to save money on college application fees before you begin applying is to narrow down your list of schools. To save money, try to limit the schools to which you apply to about 2-3 reach schools and 2-3 safety schools.
At some schools, being a relative of a graduate can secure you a free application. If you are applying to a school where one of your parents or grandparents is a former graduate, check to see if you’ re qualified for it.
Research the preferred method of applying for each school on your list. Some schools offer free online applications, yet charge a fee for paper submissions. This is because online applications save schools the cost of employing a staff member to physically enter the application information.
Several states, such as Michigan and North Carolina, take part in College Application Week, where many schools in the participating states cancel their application fee for the week. Be sure to contact the schools to I j which you are applying to see if they participate in College Application Week and when the program takes place in that state.
Apply for early admission. If you have already decided on which college is your top choice, consider applying under an Early Action or Early Decision admission program. If you are accepted, you won’t have to submit application fees to other schools.
For more information regarding college applications and the fees associated with them, contact your high I school advisor or the admissions department at your school(s) of interest.
1.The passage is mainly written to______.
A.introduce famous universities in the United Stales
B.show some practical ways to apply an ideal college
C.advertise for successful applications and advisors
D.offer tips to save money on college application fees
2.What does the author advise to do in the second paragraph?
A.Write down your favorite universities.
B.Reduce the number of your university choices.
C.Apply to two universities each time.
D.Mind your safety when applying to college.
3.Some schools offer free online application to______,
A.receive fees faster than before B.employ someone else to work
C.cut down the cost of employment D.enter the application information
4.It can be known from the passage that______,
A.application fee might be canceled conditionally
B.many countries attend College Application Week
C.applying for early admission is the best policy
D.admission departments determine your future
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
How Laughing at Yourself Makes You Attractive
Have you ever embarrassed yourself in public and got laughed at for it ?1.And it’s okay—we should even have a laugh about them.
● Laughing at yourself means accepting who you really are. You may feel bad about yourself because of past misfortune. However, it’s normal to be imperfect. What’s important is that you should be honest with yourself about who you are.2. You won’t be able to laugh at yourself without self-acceptance.
● Laughing at yourself helps increase your confidence. When you’re able to stay optimistic and laugh at yourself, you are likely to be more successful in life.3..More importantly, it helps you realize your own weaknesses, so you know which areas to do better in.
●4..Laughing at someone else may hurt their feelings even if you didn’t intend to, while laughing at yourself does not.—You might even bring a smile to their faces. People will like it, because it shows that you have the courage to do so and you’re being real about your imperfections.
5..So instead of blaming yourself, try to think of your mistakes, in a positive way and accept yourself just as you are. Learn to laugh at yourself and you will be more attractive.
A. Laughing at yourself makes you popular.
B. Accept yourself despite your imperfections.
C. You don’t need to take yourself seriously all the time.
D. Chances are that we all have these kinds of experiences.
E. Laughing at yourself changes an ideal image of yourself.
F. Just remember that humans all make mistakes.
G. This is because laughing at yourself contributes to your mental health.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Dear Seth, you are only three years old, and at this point in your life you are not able to ____this letter.But some day when you______, I hope you will find something______in what I am going to share with you. Life can be______.There will be people in your life who won’t be very nice. They’ll______you because you are different,______for no good reason. You will also face heartbreak and might be______by those you love. I hope you don’t have to face these too much, but such things______. Be open to life anyway. You’ll find cruelty and______on your journey through life, but don’t let that______you from finding new things. I don’t retreat(退却)from life, and don’t hide or wall yourself off. Be open to new things, new experiences, and new people. You will______ many times, but if you allow that to stop you from trying, you will______many chances. Do remember failure is a stepping stone to_______You will meet many people who will try to do______than you, in school, in college, and at work. They’ll try to have nicer cars, bigger houses, nicer clothes, and so on. To______, life is a competition. However, I believe life is a______. If you always try your best to______others, you are wasting your life. Learn to enjoy your life______and you will make it a journey of_____of learning and of love. Finally, know that I love you and always will. You are______a really wonderful journey, and I will always be there for you.
Love Dad
1.A.study B.understand C.believe D.expect
2.A.grow up B.show up C.cheer up D.give up
3.A.familiar B.valuable C.normal D.interesting
4.A.unkind B.peaceful C.equal D.simple
5.A.look at B.run after C.laugh at D.look after
6.A.if B.but C.so D.or
7.A.hurt B.found C.accepted D.impressed
8.A.matter B.work C.disappear D.happen
9.A.luck B.pain C.difference D.hope
10.A.protect B.encourage C.stop D.choose
11.A.leave B.prepare C.escape D.fail
12.A.enjoy B.try C.miss D.meet
13.A.success B.life C.action D.sorrow
14.A.earlier B.better C.less D.faster
15.A.you B.me C.him D.them
16.A.challenge B.drama C.journey D.dream
17.A.change B.pardon C.follow D.beat
18.A.somewhere B.instead C.afterwards D.though
19.A.cruelty B.danger C.happiness D.quietness
20.A.starting B.destroying C.finishing D.replacing
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
语法填空
It's common to see food delivery workers riding electric bikes in a hurry through big cities in China. Some of them even risk 1. (run) red lights to deliver their meals in time. However, such careless behavior often causes serious problems.
The reason for the rise of such a careless behavior is that there is 2. large demand for food delivery workers, and many companies offer high salaries 3.(attract) new workers.
In fact, food delivery workers are often under high 4.(press) from their employers. They face company fines for delivering food late. Moreover, the more orders they take, the more money they can earn, 5. leads to some workers checking 6.(they) mobile phones for new orders while they are riding their bikes
While most companies require delivery workers to follow traffic rules, it remains a problem whether these requirements and rules are 7.(strict) obeyed
To solve the problem, some cities 8.(take) action since last year. Shanghai required the delivery workers should9.(train) on traffic rules and safety. Now in Shenzhen, if a delivery worker gets caught breaking traffic rules more than twice, he or she will be banned 10. driving food delivery vehicles for a whole year.
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。
Last weekend, I went to visit my English teacher, who was already in his fifty. He gives me a lot help when I was a junior middle school student. Delighting to see me, he asked about my senior middle school life. Then he advised me to make fully preparations for the coming entrance examination. It was so a pleasure to see him again that I didn’t notice it was very later. I had to say goodbye to each other.
He is not only a good teacher but also my close friend. Wherever I will go, I will always treasure the time when I spent with my teacher.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假如你叫李华，进入高三的学习，压力很大，想和父母说说心里话，请你用英文在你的博客上用书信形式表达出来。主要内容如下：
| 知心话 | 感恩——感谢父母的关心、鼓励 对父母的期望——(1)多加交流 (2)适时提供帮助 |
| 学习打算 | 考生自拟(至少写两点) |
注意：(1)短文必须包括所有内容要点，可适当发挥。
(2)词数：100左右(开头与结尾已给出，不计入词数)。
Dear Mom and Dad,
With the College Entrance Examination approaching, I really hope to have a heart-to-heart talk with you!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mom and Dad, I am quite confident about my future. Wish you good health and a happy life.
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析