Today:
A chilly (寒冷的) and frosty start for many this morning, followed by a day of sunshine and local showers. The showers will be slow moving and heavy at times, particularly in the east with a risk of thunder.
Tonight:
Showers will ease this evening and clear spells (一段时间) will develop causing a widespread frost. However, rain will push into the northwest during the early hours, turning heavy at times.
Friday:
Rain, locally heavy, will continue southeastwards through the day with strong winds. Elsewhere, it’ll be bright with some sunshine.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Rain across central parts on Saturday will ease and move northwards. Largely dry elsewhere with some misty sunshine. Mixture of sunshine and showers on Sunday and Monday, turning warmer.
Updated at: 0404 on Thu 31 Mar
UK 6-30 days
UK outlook for Tuesday 5 Apr to Wednesday 13 Apr:
A generally unsettled picture is likely next week, with showers or longer spells of rain affecting the majority of the UK, but with some drier and sunnier interludes (间歇). Temperatures will probably be around normal for most, but central and southeastern areas may see some warmer air moving up from the continent at times. The week after next will probably continue to be changeable with showers or longer spells of rain crossing the UK, but with some brighter and drier interludes in between. Temperatures may become rather low across the north and northwest later next week.
Updated at: 1236 on Wed 30 Mar
UK outlook for Thursday 14 Apr to Saturday 30 Apr:
It is likely to be changeable with a mixture of sunny spells and showers. However, some longer drier spells are also likely, particularly in northwestern areas. Overall temperatures will remain around normal for the time of year but with some warmer spells developing at times.
Updated at: 1237 on Wed 30 Mar
1.Which of the following may best describe today’s weather in general?
A.Cold but fine. B.Cold and rainy.
C.Showers and thunder. D.Frosty and rainy.
2.The weather of tonight is similar to Friday in that .
A.it has strong winds B.it has frost
C.it has heavy rain. D.it is mainly sunny.
3.What will the weather be like in Britain from April 5 to 13?
A.It will be quite dry. B.It will be rather cold.
C.It will be generally rainy. D.It will be hot in the north.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I looked down, immediately closed my eyes and hung to the wall of rock with fear. Fifty feet below me, the brightly colored helmets of my team spread across the rocky floor. I looked behind me and my stomach rolled as I thought of the dangerous large rock.
Backpacking in Death Valley for a month exposed me to a number of new experiences. Out there I was pushed, challenged, and dared to be something bigger than myself. Death Valley removed all my barriers so I could reach out freely to find that deeper meaning I could be truly passionate about.
More than anything else, the unexpected aspects of the desert inspired me to appreciate the wonders of life. The first night out there, I was astonished by the brilliance of the stars. Out in the desert these extremely small winks of light were brighter and more wonderful than I had ever seen them before. After that, I started to notice small beauties: the rose, the patterns in the walls of Marble Canyon.
I saw the part I had played in this group. I looked back at myself, the stranger I had been merely days before, and became aware of how self-absorbed (自恋的) I was. I never truly saw the impact I had on my environment because of the constant flow of material goods. Camping with limited resources made evident that waste of water, space, and material goods ignores our responsibilities to our earth. Understanding that this planet is affected negatively or positively by the things we do convinced me to become involved in conservation efforts for the rest of my life. It is this passion for environmental sustainability (可持续性) that I brought back from Death Valley. In sharing what I saw, I hope to influence others to act to take care of our environment.
Hours later, I looked back at the steep rock I had covered. It was this kind of natural beauty, that first inspired me. I feel a greater bond with them now that they have arisen as the basis of my lifelong goal.
1.We can replace the underlined word “passionate” in the second paragraph with “ “.
A.considerate B.enthusiastic C.optimistic D.curious
2.Which of the following best describes the feeling of the author in the third paragraph?
A.Stressed. B.Grateful. C.Regretful. D.Confused.
3.According to the text, what is the author’s lifelong goal?
A.To offer to build a harmonious society.
B.To overcome all difficulties with great determination.
C.To develop a strong sense of responsibility for his behavior.
D.To devote the rest of his life to protecting the environment.
4.The author thinks the trip .
A.frightened him a lot B.made him braver and cleverer
C.let him learn to enjoy desert D.helped him learn much
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Fascinating Venice
Located in the northeast of Italy, Venice is well-known for its cultural treasures, romantic atmosphere and unusual living-on-water experience. The city spreads out over 118 islands, which are linked by more than 400 bridges, in the Venetian Lagoon.
Venice’s historical center consists of six regions. Italy in the south, the busiest main regions, are linked by the Rialto Bridge. The famous stone arch bridge (拱桥) crosses Venice’s main waterway — the Grand Canal. When night falls, many tourists enjoy dinner at the outside tables by the Grand Canal while watching colorfully lit boats going by.
Near the end of the S-shaped Grand Canal lies St. Mark’s Basilica, a must-see. Inside, beautiful mosaics (镶嵌图案) tell stories of Bible figures. Nearby are the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. These were made famous by Lord Byron, “I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs, a palace and prison on each hand.” The story has it that if a couple passes under the bridge, their love will last forever.
In the square outside the Basilica, lovers of literature can sit at Caffe Florian, regarded as the oldest coffee house in Europe. Charles Dickens, Henry James as well as Lord Byron enjoyed the aromatic (芳香的) drink here.
Art lovers should buy a museum pass and visit some of the city’s museums. They can view works by Venetian masters like Giovanni, Titian and Tintoretto.
On five small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, Murano has been home to glass-makers since 1291. Tourists can visit factories, studios and the Glass Museum. Glass artists produce everything from simple souvenir pieces to beautiful works of contemporary art. Only glassworks made using traditional methods on Murano can be called Murano Glass. The nearby island of Burano is famous for lace (蕾丝 )making and colorful houses. Looking at the colorful houses and kaleidoscopic (万花筒似的) streets makes people feel as if they were walking in the fairy tale.
The City of Water promises beauty of all kinds, and it definitely lives up to its promise.
1.Why does the author mention Lord Byron’s words?
A.To introduce the famous British poet.
B.To explain why the two places are famous.
C.To show why St. Mark’s Basilica is a must-see.
D.To compare the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
2.Where should you go in Venice if you love art?
A.Caffe Florian. B.The city’s museums.
C.St. Mark’s Basilica. D.The Bridge of Sighs.
3.What is Murano well-known for?
A.Bridges. B.Lace making.
C.Glassworks. D.Colorful houses.
4.How does the author think of Murano Glass?
A.It’s simple. B.It’s too traditional.
C.It’s colorful. D.It’s very special.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Britain’s government is to introduce a law making it a legal requirement for the first time for every public sector (部门) worker in a public-facing role to speak English fluently, the Cabinet Office announced Sunday. The Cabinet Office said it will mean all public sector organisations must ensure staff can communicate effectively with the public, at what will be similar to a language skill good enough to pass a high-level high college exam.
A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said: “This requirement would increase depending on the nature of the role and profession. Doctors, for example, are already required to have a much higher level of English.”
“Organisations including the National Health Service (NHS), armed forces and state-funded schools will all be bound by a new code (法规) of practice which will be produced following a consultation in the autumn. The law and code of practice will apply to both existing and new employees working in public-facing roles.”
Hancock said: “We are controlling immigration (移民) for the benefit of all hard-working people. That includes making sure that foreign nationals employed in customer-facing public sector roles are able to speak English of a high standard. We have already introduced tough new language requirements for migrants, now we will introduce new law in the coming Immigration Bill to deliver the commitment (承诺) made by Prime Minister David Cameron to go further.”
The new primary law will be used to extend the same level of language control to every public sector worker in a customer facing role. It will include police officers, social workers, teaching staff and assistants, and local government employees. Added Minister Hancock: “This will be the first time there has been an approach to enforcing (强制实施) fluent English across the public sector and will create a consistent experience for taxpayers, while promoting integration (整合；一体化) and British values in the United Kingdom.”
1.In public sectors, the English requirement .
A.is going to apply only to new employees
B.will be different for different jobs
C.is the hardest for doctors
D.aroused a heated debate
2.Which of the following may Hancock agree with?
A.People in Britain will have to work harder.
B.There are too many migrants in Britain.
C.It will be harder for foreigners to be Englishmen.
D.The requirement can help promote employment.
3.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that .
A.the new law will involve many public sectors
B.it may be hard to carry out the new law
C.many public sector workers can’t use English well
D.the new law may change British values
4.What does the text mainly tell us?
A.English is more and more popular and important in the world.
B.Fluent English will be a requirement in public sectors in Britain.
C.English can make a difference in effective communication at work.
D.A new primary law on immigration has been made in Britain.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Because of Internet technology, people from different parts of the world can connect with one another, and get information about any and everything in the world. 1. They spend so much time online, hardly realizing that much of it is actually wasted on something meaningless. For example, they waste much time playing games. Luckily there are many meaningful things you can do on the Internet. For example:
●2. These courses don’t require you to go out to attend classes. They can also be done from the comfort of your home. So they’re very convenient.
●If you’re a DIY (Do It Yourself) person, you should check for online resources (资源) that help you with this thing. From questions like how to paint a room, to questions like how to repair a broken car engine, all the answers can be found online. 3. From home decoration and repair to fashion and relationships, there are many sources that give you good advice.
●Practise your hobby on the Internet. Find information on what you like to do. Find the latest information on things of your interest. 4. In a word, the Internet has many good sources that allow you to practise your hobbies, and even earn out of them.
●Listen to your favorite songs, watch your favorite movies, or listen to speeches by inspirational (激励的) speakers. Songs can help you feel relaxed. 5. And listening to inspirational speeches can make you feel good about yourself.
A.Take part in fun activities that you enjoy.
B.Movies can give you that much-needed break.
C.Take academic courses and improve your skills.
D.However, very few of us make real good use of the Internet.
E.So, what type of productive thing would you like to do on the Internet?
F.There are so many websites where we can discover ideas and gain knowledge.
G.Also you can use the Internet to find answers for questions related to daily living.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Last week, I had to travel by air. I was carrying two large _______ and a medium-sized one yes, I know I was not traveling _______. I had to take a bus and a train before getting to the _______. It was not an easy task _______ I took it easy and I left with more than enough _______.
I arrived at the bus stop and there were a few other people _______ . The bus came and one by one I struggled _______ and put the suitcases inside the bus. Then I began to think, “Why doesn’t anyone offer to _______ ?” I sat on the bus and kept thinking, “Many passengers are _______ and strong enough, and most of them are my neighbors. How unkind, typical of this country! That’s why I want to ________ as soon as I can... etc.”
I ________ stopped myself and decided to change my ________ . I had been trying especially lately to “switch” as soon as I saw negativity coming into my head, so I went for: “I’ m ________ that I managed; I’ m ________ enough; I look forward to the challenges of this ________ ; I will meet people I love ... etc.”
The bus arrived at my destination and I waited for everyone to ________ so I could patiently take out my suitcases one by one. And a man in his 70’s whom I would least have ________ to help came back up and offered to give me a hand! He ________ the last one for me! I was so pleased and surprised, giving him a big ________ . He smiled back and we both went our separate ways. He seemed pretty pleased with himself.
I then thought, “I should have hugged him.” Hope I will ________ him again...
1.A.coats B.tools C.boxes D.suitcases
2.A.alone B.early C.light D.safe
3.A.station B.airport C.department D.office
4.A.and B.because C.but D.though
5.A.time B.interest C.food D.room
6.A.wandering B.waiting C.struggling D.driving
7.A.painfully B.gratefully C.proudly D.angrily
8.A.check B.advise C.come D.help
9.A.generous B.busy C.honest D.young
10.A.settle B.leave C.fight D.succeed
11.A.really B.hardly C.suddenly D.secretly
12.A.thoughts B.tastes C.memory D.action
13.A.sure B.glad C.afraid D.sorry
14.A.kind B.strong C.relaxed D.important
15.A.trip B.position C.career D.race
16.A.take off B.turn up C.get off D.break in
17.A.respected B.inspired C.promised D.expected
18.A.discovered B.carried C.examined D.fixed
19.A.smile B.hug C.opportunity D.present
20.A.visit B.choose C.trust D.see
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。
Here is a story about an old wise man. One day, the wise man was on his way to teach a village. In the village people were very 1. (interest) in his ideas. Each person in the village had prepared well, thinking about 2. question he or she might ask the wise man.
The wise man finally arrived and went into a large room 3. people asked their questions. There was great expectation and 4. (excite).
The wise man walked silently around the room and sang a sweet and soft song. One by one, people 5. (take) up the song. Soon everyone was singing along with the wise man. As people became 6. (comfort) with his song, the wise man started to dance 7. the music. He danced everywhere in the room, and one by one, people danced with him. Soon everyone in the whole village was dancing 8. (wild) together.
Later at night, 9. wise man slowly slowed the dance and finally stopped. He said, “I trust that I 10. (answer) all of your questions.”
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。
Dear Gabriela,
Thanks for your last letter and I’m glad that you’re interested in reading books with English. I’ve just finished read Pride and Prejudice.
The story is very old-fashioned, and it’s very good. It’s a very interesting story. In the beginning the main character have a very bad firstly impression and they hate each other. However, after a short time, we know each other better. Well, I’ll let you to read the book to find that out!
The language is not difficult to make out. I'm sure you will like a character, Elizabeth Bennet. She just like you! Anyway, I hope you’ll enjoy the book. Write back soon and tell me what you get on.
Maria
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假如你是李华，你在网上看到一个为加拿大学生提供食宿的招聘广告，你想申请，请写一封自荐信。内容要点：
1. 学英语六年了，能够流利地说英语了；
2. 自己是热心肠，喜欢帮助别人；
3. 家人说地道的普通话。
注意：1. 词数100左右；2. 书信格式已经给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Sir or Madam,
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Looking forward to your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析