Americans use many expressions with the word dog. People in the United States love their dogs and treat them well. They take their dogs for walks, let them play outside and give them good food and medical care. However, dogs without owners to care for them lead a different kind of life. The expression, to lead a dog’s life, describes a person who has an unhappy life.
Some people say we live in a dog-eat-dog world. That means many people are competing for the same things, like good jobs. They say that to be successful, a person has to work like a dog. This means they have to work very, very hard. Such hard work can make people dog-tired. And, the situation would be even worse if they became sick as a dog.
Still, people say every dog has its day. This means that every person enjoys a successful period during his or her life. To be successful, people often have to learn new skills. Yet, some people say that you can never teach an old dog new tricks. They believe that older people do not like to learn new things and will not change the way they do things.
Some people are compared to dogs in bad ways. People who are unkind or uncaring can be described as meaner than a junkyard dog. Junkyard dogs live in places where people throw away things they do not want. But mean dogs are often used to guard this property. They bark or attack people who try to enter the property. However, sometimes a person who appears to be mean and threatening is really not so bad. We say his bark is worse than his bite.
Dog expressions also are used to describe the weather. The dog days of summer are the hottest days of the year. A rainstorm may cool the weather. But we do not want it to rain too hard. We do not want it to rain cats and dogs.
1.What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. Dogs in our daily lives
B. Expressions with dogs
C. The role dogs take in America
D. Attitude of the American citizens to dogs
2.What does “dog-tired” describe in the passage?
A. Describe a very successful person.
B. Describe the dogs are very tired after a long walk.
C. Describe a rainy and cloudy weather.
D. Describe the heavy degree of exhaustion of people after long time work.
3.How are people compared to dogs in bad ways?
A. By mean dogs and junkyard dogs.
B. By lazy dogs and bad dogs.
C. By sick dogs and tired dogs.
D. None of them is right.
4.What can we learn from the text?
A．Everyone can be successful if he learns from the old.
B．It might be difficult for the young to learn new skills.
C．Junkyard dogs are careful in money arrangement.
D．Fierce persons aren’t so awful as their appearance sometimes.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Many of us are used to hearing stories of people being pickpocketed in busy places. But most of us are aware of the dangers, so we are safe – at least, we think we are.
According to a BBC report, a growing number of thieves are trying to “hack (侵入) our mind’s weaknesses” to get their hands on our possessions.
“In fact, the key requirement for a successful pickpocket isn’t having quick fingers,” said the report. By using psychology, some pickpockets are taking advantage of the loopholes(漏洞) in our brains.
Our lack of ability to multitask is one of the most important loopholes used by pickpockets, the report explains. While this can often be a good trait(特点), allowing us to focus on the most important details in our surroundings, “a good trickster can use it against you, ” said neuroscientist Auzana Martinez-Conde.
“It’s all about directing people’s attention toward something else,” said James Brown, who studies the tricks of pickpocketing. Confidence, the power of suggestion, and certain hand movements such as moving your hands in an arc (弧形) are all said to be things that fool us.
Groups of pickpockets use a common trick designed to create a scene and confuse victims.
The first gang member, a “blocker”, walks in front of the victim and suddenly bumps into them. A second member of the gang then bumps into both of them from behind and stages an argument with the “blocker”. In the confusion, both men steal what they can and pass it to a third thief who quickly runs off with the stolen goods.
Some thieves go even further to exploit our psychology by hanging out near signs reading “beware of pickpockets”. Since this is one of the last places people expect to be robbed, many check where their valuables are, giving away their location to thieves.
But according to Brown, as long as we don’t daydream in public, we shouldn’t be worried.
“A street thief will avoid like the plague(瘟疫)” people who are demonstrating（展现）a very open awareness of their environment,” he said.
1.According to the BBC report, the main strategy of a successful pickpocket is________.
A. to distract victims
B. to give themselves multiple tasks to do
C. to focus on the most important details
D. to use swift hand movements
2.When groups of pickpockets use their common trick, ________.
A. it is the third thief’s task to steal what they can from the victim
B. the victim usually doesn’t dare to argue with them
C. the victim usually gets confused and lets down his or her guard
D. two members bump into the victim from different directions at the same time
3.Why do some thieves hang out near signs saying things like “beware of pickpocketers”?
A. They think it is more thrilling to steal in those areas.
B. Normally there are no police officers around.
C. They don’t know common people’s psychology.
D. They have a better chance of locating people’s valuables there.
4.According to James Brown, which of the following types of person is more likely to be pickpocketed?
A. People who look weak.
B. People who are walking slowly.
C. People who are absent-minded.
D. People who are alert to their surroundings.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Whether it’s joining a school club, going to a friend’s birthday party, or travelling by train, we can meet new people anywhere and anytime in our lives. However, many of us feel awkward when meeting people for the first time, especially when we aren’t quite sure what to say. The situation feels cold, even icy.
“Breaking the ice” is a term widely used in the English-speaking countries to describe a small talk technique that can help rescue a conversation from certain failure.
So where do you even begin? Well, a good start is to accept that it is perfectly normal to feel a little nervous when talking to someone for the first time. They might look grumpy or scary, but they could turn out to be the nicest person you’ve ever met.
You might think that breaking the ice is difficult. But sometimes just a simple “hello”, followed by a three-second smile, can make all the difference.
Complimenting someone on their garment or accessories(饰品) is also a great, easy way to break the ice. You might say: “I love your jacket. Where did you buy it from？”
Being in an uncomfortable or unpleasant situation with someone new might feel terrible, but it can actually be one of the best icebreakers. By focusing on the situation, you come together to fight the common enemy: the long bathroom queue, for example, or the overcrowded bus.
You can make observations too. “What kind of drink is that?” “That’s a lovely name. What does it mean?” “Do you study here too?” There are opportunities all around you to ask questions that don’t seem weird, as long as you have some follow-up questions in mind.
If you’re feeling extra bold, make a joke. Jokes can be difficult to master but if you get them right, they show the likeable, witty side of your character. “What’s your name?” “Well, people usually call me Mike, but you can call me tonight.”
1.Which is the best title for the passage?
A. How to develop friendship with a stranger
B. Advice on breaking the ice when we communicate with a stranger
C. How to become a successful public speaker
D. How to start a conversation with a person
2.The underlined word “grumpy” can be replaced by______.
A. easily annoyed B. gentle
C. low-spirited D. cheerful
3.What can we learn from the passage?
A. “Breaking the ice” is a small talk technique widely used in our daily communication all over the world.
B. As long as you can smile at others, you will make some friends.
C. Realizing that it’s normal to feel nervous in front of a stranger is a good start to break the ice.
D. Being in an uncomfortable situation with some strangers can be the best icebreakers.
4.According to the passage, making a joke________.
A. can be done with ease.
B. leads to many new friends.
C. can show your wisdom and lovely character.
D. makes you enjoy your life happily.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Exchange a glance with someone, and then look away. Do you realize that you have made a statement? Hold the glance for a second longer and you have made a different situation, there is a permissible time that you can hold a person’s stare without being friendly, rude, or aggressive. If you are on a lift, what stare-time are you permitted? To answer this question, consider what you typically do. You very likely give other passengers a quick glance to size them up and to assure them that you mean no harm. Since being close to another person signals the possibility of interaction, you need to send out a signal telling others you want to be left alone. So you cut off eye contact----what sociologist Erving Goffiman calls “a dimming(变暗) of the lights”. You look down at the floor, at the indicator(指示) lights, anywhere but into another passenger’s eyes. Should you break the rule against staring at a stranger on a lift, you will make the other person extremely uncomfortable, and you are likely to feel a bit strange yourself.
If you hold eye contact for more than 3 seconds, what are you telling another person? Much depends on the person and the situation. For instance, a man and a woman communicate interest in this manner. They stare at each other for about 3 seconds at a time, and then drop their eyes down for 3 seconds, before letting their eyes meet again. But if one man gives another man a 3-second-plus stare, he signals, “I know you”, “I am interested in you” or “You look peculiar(奇怪) and I am curious about you”. This type of stare often produces hostile(敌意的) feelings.
1. If one is looked at by a stranger for too long, he tends to feel ________.
A. depressed B. uneasy
C. curious D. amused
2. If you want to be left alone on a lift, the best thing to do is _____.
A. to look into another passenger’s eyes
B. to avoid eye contact with other passengers
C. to signal you don’t mean to do harm to anyone
D. to keep a distance from other passengers
3.It can be inferred from the first paragraph that ________.
A. every glance has its significance
B. staring at a person is an expression of interest
C. a stare longer than 3 seconds is unacceptable
D. a glance conveys more meaning than words
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
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。
5 Signs Proving That You’re A Pretty Quick Learner
According to a study it is discovered that fast learners (specifically language learners) have more white matter and less symmetrical(对称的) brains. 1. . Sometimes what seems so sophisticated needs the simplest solution. Here is how to know if you are a pretty quick learner.
1. You are not afraid to say “I don’t know”
Pretty quick learners accept that they do not know it all. They keep their minds open and are willing to ask questions and quiz for answers to know more. While some are reluctant and hesitant to show their ignorance on a subject, quick learners are not.
2. You are able to visualize it
2. They take advantage of how to deal with it with all their senses. They visualize it by taking advantage of their mental powers to drive solutions and learning.
3. 3.
Quick learners know that difficult problems do not need a difficult approach. Many great minds from Thomas Edison to Henry Ford and even Steve Jobs looked for ways to address challenges with simple solutions. They simplify and immerse themselves in their goals to find the easiest and simplest way out of a hole.
4. You are selective
4. Rather you take your time to broadly consider those that are worthy of your attention and assessment. Through this you are able to go after the most promising solutions
available.
5. You take action
After all is said and done, at the end of the day it is up to you to take action. If you are learning a new language you really cannot make so much progress if you do not speak the new language, whether you get it right or not. 5.
A. You simplify.
B. Quick learners learn by doing and taking decisive action.
C. Learning fast or being a quick learner depends on how we use our brains.
D. Quick learning has productivity attached to it.
E. When dealt with problems, quick learners are multidimensional (多维的).
F. You do not go after all the possible explanations or solutions to a problem.
G. You understand that many questions have no answers.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完形填空
阅读下面短文，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。
We humans love to make comparisons. On the market, we ________ o find the best ones. In the classroom teachers compare their students to the ________ . And parents compare their child to his or her peers to ________ an idea of what is “normal”.
________ , comparisons of any kind come with a sting(刺痛) for everyone. When parents make it clear to anyone that their child is ________ to all other children in all ways, they put their child under ________ . Some children will obey when they are pressured to ________ their parents’ need for perfection; others may ________ , trying to be just like any other kid, or, better still, to be just who they are. In other ________ , parents who compare their child to other children might end up ________ their child is somehow “deficient(有缺点的)” . And, again, they pressure their child to be ________ enough.
A most disturbing ________ of all this comparing is that it pushes children into the destructive world of competition. “In a ________ culture, a child is told that it isn’t enough to be good---he or she must ________ others,” writes Alfie Kohn, a parenting expert.
According to Kohn, research doesn’t ________ the theory that competition brings success. One after another, researchers have concluded that children don’t learn better ________ education is changed into a competitive struggle. Competition prevents a child’s ability ________ not only educationally but socially, too.
So, ________ competition, cooperation! Instead of ________other people’s children, parents need to pay close attention to their own, learn who they are, discover their interests and talents, and teach them how to cooperate with others. They will need role models to ________ them.
1.A. see B. touch C. sell D. compare
2.A. mature B. new C. model D. overseas
3.A. get B. use C. share D. explain
4.A. Therefore B. However C. Otherwise D. Besides
5.A. harmful B. superior C. responsible D. thankful
6.A. pressure B. control C. discussion D. consideration
7.A. express B. prove C. satisfy D. create
8.A. disappear B. wait C. resist D. rest
9.A. cases B. words C. ways D. nations
10.A. denying B. deciding C. predicting D. concluding
11.A. honest B. good C. patient D. polite
12.A. process B. consequence C. purpose D. method
13.A. traditional B. scientific C. political D. competitive
14.A. defeat B. accept C. recognize D. choose
15.A. test B. challenge C. support D. change
16.A. since B. until C. when D. unless
17.A. losing B. progressing C. showing D. reducing
18.A. apart from B. because of C. as for D. instead of
19.A. shouting at B. laughing at C. looking at D. striking at
20.A. guide B. force C. invite D. expect
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（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
I always have my own ways to learn English. First, I always read the text in advance so that I can know what I must pay much attention to in class. 1.______ my delight, when my teacher raises a question, I know how to answer more often. And whenever I answer a question 2._____ (correct), I have a strong sense of achievement.
Besides, I always try to take notes in class. Important language points, grammar rules, useful 3.___ (express) and key words are4.____ we want to take down. After class, I organize the notes so that I can have a better5._______ (understand) of them. Of course, I will certainly read aloud the notes in the morning.
To develop my interest in English, after class I 6._____ (wide) read English materials. By this means I can also develop my ability of reading.
7.____ (chat) with my teachers and classmates is also one of my ways to learn English. We often talk8.____ English about different topics concerning friendship, sports, etc. Free expression in English always 9.____ (give) me a sense of pride, 10._____ in turn inspires me to learn English better.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短文改错
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：在错的词下画一横线，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。
Taking parts in recreation activities help us keep fit. There are various kinds of activity in our daily life, for example, listening to music, watching TV, playing chess, or going to cinema. But I think we’d better to have more outdoor activities. As students, we usually sit too longer in the classroom, and as a result our eyes and brains getting tired. But it’s a good idea to play ball games, go swimming, do some runnings, or even go for a picnic. Our brains also need changes to make itself smart and active. In a word, exercise is good for health.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
书面表达
随着通信技术的发展，手机愈来愈普及了。同学们几乎人人都有手机。上周你们班就学生是否应该带手机入学校进行了专题讨论。同学们对此各抒己见。请谈谈你的看法。
要求包括以下内容：
1) 赞同和不赞同的理由；
2) 你个人观点。
注意：
1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯的。
难度: 中等查看答案及解析