The weather might be freezing at home, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend the winter trembling. Instead, grab your bathing suit and sunscreen and head to these sunny spots that offer the best warm-weather getaways.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Head to the hot city nightlife of San Juan, where the streets of smart Condado back right into the palm trees and lapping waves. Top chefs, stylish hotels, bars, clubs, and shops are all just steps away from the tropical beaches. Since Puerto Rico is a United States Commonwealth, it’s one of the easiest islands in the Caribbean to visit since you won’t need any pass, have to change money, or even worry about your cell phone working.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
What’s better than diving into the salty sea? Going into the clear and salt-free waters of the natural limestone cenotes of the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. Spend a sunny day exploring these natural cave pools filled with cool water that springs from the ground below and the thick palm forests that surround them. Then head back to Fairmont Mayakoba for comfortable rooms and modern Mexican cuisine.
New Orleans
New Orlean’s lively nightlife and live-music scenes make the “Big Easy” a great girl’s trip winter getaway. And even if your crew isn’t one to seek out the boozy Bourbon Street crawl, there’s plenty of amazing food to be discovered in the French Quarter, plenty of shopping and walking in the Garden District.
Clearwater, Florida
If you want to meet a real movie star while also taking in the sun, head to the Gulf shores of Clearwater, Florida. Here you can meet the stars of Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, Winter and Hope, who are in residence at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
1.What makes Puerto Rico an easy tourist destination?
A.No pass is needed. B.It lies in the Caribbean.
C.It’s near the tropical beaches. D.Many travel services are offered.
2.What can you do if going to Riviera Maya?
A.Dive into the salty sea. B.Enjoy live-music scenes.
C.Meet some real famous actors. D.Explore swimming in cave pools.
3.Which place will you go to if you are a film fan?
A.San Juan, Puerto Rico. B.Riviera Maya, Mexico.
C.New Orleans. D.Clearwater, Florida.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Nine-year-old Patches the Dachshund was saved by a 3D-printed skull she received after the removal of an orange-sized tumor (肿瘤).
Patches had a small bump on her head for years. Her owner took her to see vets before ending up in the hands of Dr. Michelle Oblak.
Dr. Oblak had been researching 3D-printing uses for dogs. According to Oblak, a dog in Patches’ situation would need an expensive operation where the animal’s tumor and skull would be removed and then replaced. However, Oblak believed Patches was the ideal candidate to receive it.
Dymeck, Patches’ owner, said that she was hesitant (犹豫的), but the potential to help others convinced her. “They felt she could recover from this,” Dymeck said. “And to be part of research was a big thing for me – if they can learn something from animals to help humans, that’s important.”
The brand new method used to save Patches’ life started with a CT scan of her tumor. Then, Oblak and her team digitally removed the tumor in Patches’ skull. After that, they mapped out what the 3D-printed skull piece would look like and where it would fit on the dog. “There’s little room for error,” Oblak explained. “We’re talking less than two millimeters or else the plate wouldn’t fit.”
After everything was drawn out, Oblak sent the designs over to the 3D-printing company and just two weeks later Patches’ customized skull (定制的头骨) was ready. Then Patches went under the knife. After a four-hour operation, the dog was back to herself. Patches is now cancer-free. She has a scar on her head but it seems like a small price to pay for the life-saving operation.
“Our hope is this is something that could be more widely available on a broad scale,” Oblak said. “It went very well.”
1.What exactly is Patches?
A.A pet. B.A doctor.
C.A servant. D.A patient.
2.What was the problem with Patches?
A.She had a headache. B.Her skull was broken.
C.She suffered from a cancer. D.Her head was covered with scars.
3.Which word can best describe Dymeck？
A.Experienced. B.Responsible.
C.Unselfish. D.Talented.
4.What can we learn about the operation from the passage?
A.A small error happened. B.It cost Oblak a lot of money.
C.It was challenging and demanding. D.A CT scan mapped out the 3D skull piece.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
In the UK, Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated on 5 November and the night skies are filled with color. It’s a special day in honor of a historic event.
In 1606 English Catholics were angry because the King of England, James I, was treating them badly. In protest (抗议), a group of men made a plan, known as the “Gunpowder Plot”, to blow up the House of Parliament in London. An huge explosion was planned for 5 November, the day the king was due to open parliament.
The group chose a man called Guy Fawkes to light the gunpowder. The plot did not succeed — the gunpowder was found before it exploded and all the men involved were arrested, beaten and executed. To celebrate his survival, King James ordered the people of England to have a bonfire on the night of 5 November.
On 5 November people remember the plot by celebrating Bonfire Night. All over Britain there are firework displays and bonfires with models of Guy Fawkes, made from clothes and filled with newspaper, which are burned on the fire. The fireworks are a reminder of the gunpowder that Guy Fawkes hid in the cellar of Parliament.
Children used to take home-made Guys onto the streets and ask for “a penny for the Guy” to collect money to buy fireworks. At the Edenbridge Display in Kent last year, a 9-meter “celebrity” Guy was burned of Wayne Rooney wearing Shrek-style ears and a Manchester United football shirt.
It’s normally quite cold in November in Britain, so on Bonfire Night people wear hats, scarves and gloves to spend the evening outside. Traditional Bonfire Night food is hot baked potatoes. There are also toffee apples and in the north of England they eat a special type of cake called parkin.
1.Why was 5 November chosen by “Gunpowder Plot”?
A.There would be a protest
B.There would be an explosion
C.James I would open parliament
D.James I would put Catholics to death
2.What does the underlined words “executed” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.Scolded. B.Punished.
C.Injured. D.Killed.
3.What seems to attract children most on Bonfire Night?
A.Celebrities. B.Fireworks.
C.Models of Guy Fawkes. D.Bonfire Night foods.
4.What can be the best title for the passage?
A.Bonfire Night B.Guy Fawkes
C.Gunpowder Plot Failed D.Edenbridge Display Made It
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Did you know people who live in different parts of China have different habits and preferences? For example, people from southern China prefer to eat vegetables, while people from north China like to eat meat. According to a new study in a journal, gene variations (基因变异) might be responsible for these differences. Researchers from China’s BGI collected genetic information from 141, 431 Chinese women, who came from 31 provinces and consisted of 36 ethnic minority groups.
The researchers found that there are six gene frequencies that are different among people from both northern and southern China. They found that natural selection has played an important role in the ways that people living in different regions of China have developed, affecting their food preferences, immunities(免疫力)to illness and physical features.
A variation of the gene FADS2 is more commonly found in northern people. It helps people metabolize (新陈代谢) fatty acids, which suggests a diet that is rich in flesh. This is due to climate differences. Northern China is at a higher latitude. This weather is difficult to grow vegetables in. Therefore, northerners tend to eat more meat.
The study also found differences in the immune systems of both groups. Most people in southern China carry the gene CR1, which protects against malaria. Malaria was once quite common in southern China. In order to survive, the genes of people in the south evolved to fight against this disease. However, people in the south are also more sensitive to certain illnesses, as they lack the genes to stop them.
Genes can also cause physical differences between northerners and southerners. Most northerners have the ABCC11 gene, which causes dry earwax, less body smell and fewer sweats. These physical differences are also more beneficial to living in cold environments. Southerners are less likely to have this gene, as it did not develop in their population.
1.What did the new study focus on?
A.Regions. B.Vegetables.
C.Gene variations. D.Ethnic minority groups.
2.What is the main function of the gene FADS2?
A.It helps store fat. B.It helps digest meat.
C.It helps gain weight. D.It helps treat illness.
3.According to the study, most northerners ______.
A.are immune to malaria B.catch blood-borne illnesses easily
C.have no body smell D.sweat less frequently
4.How many differences did the study find related to genes?
A.Two. B.Three.
C.Four. D.Five.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
By definition, most people are average. Average is what everyone else does. If you want to succeed, you must go beyond average. So, how do you choose not to be average? Here are 5 Ways to Choose Not to Be Average:
1. Have goals. Average doesn’t have goals. Average doesn’t write them down. 1. Make sure you have clearly defined goals and that you do something daily to move them forward.
2. Go above and beyond. 2. Average does what is expected and stops there. Go beyond people’s expectations and surprise them with results.
3. Push yourself. Average likes easy. Average doesn’t push limits. 3. Always be testing your limits to reach new ones.
4. 4. Average likes comfortable. Average likes the well-worn path that is easy to follow. Average is where everyone else goes. Make your own path if you don’t want to end up with everyone else.
5. Try new things. Average doesn’t like change. Average likes the status quo (现状). Always be willing to try new things in order to learn and grow.
Life is too short to be average. 5. Choose to be more. Choose to be something better. Choose to be above average.
A. Make your own path.
B. You are stronger than you think.
C. You have many chances to enjoy yourself.
D. Believe you have reasons to choose to be average.
E. Average does just enough to get by and nothing more.
F. Ask yourself if you are settling for the same as everyone else.
G. And average doesn’t make progress every single day without excuses.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面的短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
It was pouring outside. We all stood inside the door of the Wall-Mart waiting, some ________, others annoyed, because nature messed up their hurried ________.I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens ________ the dirt and dust of the world.
“Mom, let’s run through the rain,” a girl’s voice ________ me.
“No, honey, we’ll wait until it ________down a bit,” Mom replied.
The young girl waited about another minute and ________, “Mom, let’s run through the rain.”
“We’ll get ________ if we do,” Mom said.
“No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said as she ________ her Mom’s arm.
“This morning? ________ did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”
“Don’t you remember? When you were ________ to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through everything.’”
The entire ________ turned silent. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being ________ . But then we heard, “Honey, you are ________. Let’s run through the rain. If we get wet, maybe we just need ________,” Mom said. Then off they ran.
We all stood ________, smiling and laughing as they ran past the cars. Yes, they got wet. But they were ________ by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their ________ . Circumstances or people can take away your ________ possessions, and they can even take away your breath. But no one can take away your precious ________ . So don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day! I hope you still take the ________ to run through the rain.
1.A.anxiously B.angrily C.patiently D.silently
2.A.day B.meal C.arrival D.appointment
3.A.eating up B.taking in C.fighting with D.washing away
4.A.urged B.caught C.reminded D.frightened
5.A.falls B.pours C.flows D.slows
6.A.advised B.argued C.responded D.repeated
7.A.cold B.wet C.hurt D.annoyed
8.A.saw B.struck C.lifted D.pulled
9.A.When B.Where C.Why D.How
10.A.talking B.pointing C.apologizing D.complaining
11.A.street B.market C.crowd D.audience
12.A.silly B.mature C.honest D.dangerous
13.A.simple B.right C.clever D.different
14.A.noticing B.equipping C.washing D.adjusting
15.A.resting B.waiting C.thinking D.watching
16.A.supported B.followed C.praised D.encouraged
17.A.cars B.shelters C.groups D.colleagues
18.A.future B.material C.private D.various
19.A.wishes B.chances C.memories D.wealths
20.A.youth B.breath C.time D.measure
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入 1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Goldfish have invaded a river in Australia, a part of the sea in Canada and a lake in Colorado. Experts 1.study rivers and lakes say they are a real problem. And it’s not the fish that started it all but humans. Pet owners get 2. (tire) of the little Nemos and Dorys. They take their fish to a nearby stream, sending their pets into the wild. By and by, many settle in and their population grows this way.
In open water, they cause big problems. These goldfish have 3. (many) food than goldfish in a tank. Some weigh as much as four 4. (pound)! Giants search for plants, fish eggs, and other treats at the bottom of the river or lake, which makes the water 5. (cloud).
Native fish have a hard time in these conditions. Once goldfish take over, they are hard 6. (remove). Officials have tried some ways, but failed. The best way is to keep pet fish out 7. rivers and lakes in the first place. People should give unwanted fish back to pet stores, where pet fish can 8. (leave).
But sometimes nature solves 9. own problems. For example, before officials in Colorado could decide what to do, help came from an unexpected source: A group of hungry pelicans (鹈鹕) 10. (eat) up all of the invaders.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
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 show greatly interest in reading, for books can give me much knowledge. Besides, reading can allow me to understand colorful world more clearly. I benefit a lot from read. As we know, there is a variety of books for us to choose from, like history books, science books, literary books and so on. But which interests me most are literary books, especially those written to famous writers. For one thing, they help improving my writing skills and broaden my horizons. For one another, they can enrich my life or provide me with great fun. In a nutshell, I thought it really beneficial to read all kinds of good books.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，在你所喜欢的Learning English杂志创刊十周年之际，请给主编写封信，内容包括：
1. 表示感谢；
2. 分享收获；
3. 谈谈建议。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
3. 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Editor,
With the 10th anniversary of Learning English just around the corner, I am writing to.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析