【推荐1】The Independent Project at the Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, is attracting huge interest in the education field. The program is a new concept that has developed a wide variety of students’ abilities and excited their interest in education and self-directed learning. They are a group of students that , instead of being educated through the normal school courses, have created their own subjects and project-based interactive learning.

The students are almost completely independent. They choose a goal that they want to accomplish and work on for the whole year. These goals have included some impressive attempts such as writing a novel, writing a play , learning the piano and more. Along with these larger attempts , the students meet every day to ask questions about other subjects like natural sciences , social sciences, etc. Although most of them say that they don’t like math, they did eventually develop an interest in math through this independent learning technique.

The education program, which has attracted a huge variety of students, allows the students to learn and develop research skills and questioning techniques and allows them to truly be interested in the subjects they are diving into . They also teach each other what they have learned , which allows them to develop different way of presenting and gathering material that they have researched.

I wish that I could have participated in such a project during my high school career, like writing a novel. I am currently studying English as well as education to pursue a teaching degree. I would love to adapt independent driven projects into a classroom in the future.

This project also raises some crucial questions. Do we need to rethink the structure of the education system itself? Are too many students being simply fed through a conveyor belt(传送带) that we blindly see as working toward their education? I think that the education system needs some improvements , and different learning styles need to be addressed immediately.

Individual differences in learning are huge keys to the functioning of a classroom. This project takes the idea to a whole new level. This is an extremely important event in the development of the American education system and I think everyone needs to keep an eye out for more programs like this.

1. What can we learn about the Independent Project？

A．There is little involvement from teachers.

B．Normal school courses are also available.

C．The students meet every week to discuss their courses.

D．It was designed to improve the students’ interest in math.

2. By saying “Are too many students --- toward their education?” the author seems to imply that ________.

A．teachers are really important for students.

B．different learning styles should be encouraged.

C．the project works like a conveyor belt of information.

D．knowledge can be better conveyed in smaller classes

3. What is the passage mainly about ?

A．The benefits of interactive learning	B．Individual differences in learning.
C．A group of independent students.	D．An unusual education program.

【推荐2】One is never too old to learn. Life learning (sometimes called un-schooling or self-directed learning) is one of those concepts that are almost easier to explain by saying what it isn't than what it is. And that's probably because our own schooled backgrounds have convinced(说服) us that learning happens only in a fine building on certain days, between certain hours, and managed by a specially trained professional.

Within that schooling framestudy, no matter how hard teachers try and no matter how good their textbooks, many bright students get bored, many slower students struggle and give up or lose their self-respect, and most of them reach the end of the process unprepared to enter into society. They have memorized a certain body of knowledge long enough to rush back the information on tests, but they haven't really learnt much, at least of the official curriculum.

Life learners, on the other hand, know that learning is not difficult, that people learn things quite easily if they're not compelled and forced, if they see a need to learn something, and if they are trusted and respected enough to learn it on their own timetable, at their own speed, in their own way—no matter what age and no matter whether we're at school or at home.

Life learning is independent of time, location or the presence of teacher. It does not require mom or dad to teach, or kids to work in workbooks at the table from 9 to noon. Life learning is learner-driven. It involves living and learning—in and from the real world. It is about exploring, questioning, experimenting, making messes, taking risks without fear of making mistakes, being laughed at and trying again.

Furthermore, life learning is about trusting kids to learn what they need to know and about helping them to learn and grow in their own ways. It is about providing positive experiences that enable children to understand the world and their culture and to interact with it.

1. It is implied(暗示) in the text that it is hard to ______.

A．tell the nature of life learning	B．carry life learning through
C．learn without going to school	D．find a specially trained teacher

2. According to the author, the schooling framestudy often ______.

A．produces slow students with poor memories

B．fails to provide enough knowledge about life

C．ignores some parts of the official curriculum

D．gives little care to the quality of teaching materials

3. Life learners recognize that learning will not be difficult if they are ______.

A．able to respect other people	B．careful to make a timetable
C．cautious about any mistakes	D．clear about why to learn

4. According to the author, life learning ______.

A．could prevent one from running risks

B．teaches a kid how to avoid being laughed at

C．makes a kid independent of his parents

D．could be a road full of trials and errors

5. Through life learning, children ______.

A．will grow without the assistance from parents

B．will be separated from the negative side of society

C．will be driven to learn necessary life knowledge

D．will learn to communicate with the real society

【推荐3】You want your essay to be the one that is passed around the admissions office or not? It's a little bit like the difference between being famous and infamous. Here are some basic tips to avoid that infamous essay：

● Don't write the “safe” essay.

    1       It could be something that others have also experienced, but make sure to say how it affected you. Something personal and unique never fails to stand out.

● Avoid the generic and get specific.

Never write that you're “well rounded” or that “many people have influenced” you.     2     Real and specific experiences are a lot more convincing than something you copy from the Internet.

●    3    

There is no need to share your participation level (hours per week and weeks per year) because colleges ask for that information on your activity list. It is important for the students to use every opportunity to show who they are and impress the admissions office.

● Don't talk about rankings.

Many students love focusing on the numbers when they are writing their “why this college” essay. They believe they are flattering (讨好) the college by saying the reason why they want to attend is that the college is highly ranked in US News & World Report. Obviously schools are aware of their rankings.     4    

● Don't complain.

If you have gone through difficult circumstances, you should share your story. Don't point fingers.     5     A better essay will talk about how you have dealt with, and hopefully overcome the obstacles you came across.

A．It's important to show patience and determination.

B．This applies to all types of essays.

C．Don't forget about the activity list.

D．Pick a topic that only you can write about.

E．They just want to know why you want to attend.

F．Don't repeat information that is elsewhere in your application.

G．Tell the reader what you've done, how you've been influenced, and by whom.

【推荐1】Stop Negative Talk

“I’m so fat,” one of your friends says. The girl next to her joins in. “Welf, I hate my hair today.” Without thinking, you respond “No, you ate not fat! I am fat. And my hair is flat and boring.”     1    

It is easy for people to engage in self-critical conversations, and once it starts there is often pressure for you to join in.     2    Maybe it is because “just talking” feels harmless. But before you know it, those opinions flow out of your conversations and into your life, where they start eating away at your self-respect.

    3     When you start talking about yourself in a negative way, you are not only affecting your self-respect, but your friends! When you criticize yourself, your friends might think you have the same standards for them. You have heard that it is important to treat others the way you want to be treated, but there is also value in treating yourself like you treat your friends. If you wouldn't criticize your friend for the same thing, chances are that you are being too hard on yourself. So, don't start it.

But what if someone else starts? For example, your friend feels insecure about how well he played in his soccer game, so he puts himself down. “I suck at soccer.”     4     Ask him, “do you really think that? Why?” Maybe he is actually upset about a comment someone made, or is just getting down on himself over one bad play. Whatever it is, talking through the real issue will help him more than slipping into another negative talk.

It is important to talk to your friend about your insecurities, but make sure you are not talking about them just to put yourself down.     5     Instead of just focusing on the negative, talk about what makes you and your friends beautiful and unique-including what you love about your body und what you have accomplished. When you show yourself love, you set yourself as an example, and everyone benefits from you positively.

A．Negative talk affects self-respect.

B．Criticizing yourself helps nobody.

C．But why do we hesitate to praise ourselves?

D．But why is it acceptable to talk so negatively?

E．All it takes is just one comment and the negative talk starts.

F．It is better to resist negative conversations and create more balanced ones.

G．Before everyone puts himself down, see if you can get to the root of the problem

【推荐2】Ways to Stop Worrying

A little worrying now and then can be self-protective.    1     But too much worrying can lead to many problems, such as reduced concentration, poor sleeping habits and the inability to handle everyday difficulties. What’s more, it may also cause physical health problems, such as high blood pressure.

Here are some tips to help you lighten up and enjoy life more.

1. Note down your worries

Writing in a worry journal helps create some distance between you and your concerns. Write down your thoughts briefly every day, perhaps the first thing in the morning, before you start your regular routine.    2    

2. Pack away your worries

    3     Imagine tucking (塞) away your anxieties in a small box and closing the lid (盖子). Set aside some time each day to open the box and examine your worries, but otherwise, keep it closed.

3. Share your worries with a friend

Don’t be embarrassed.    4     Then, he or she may give you some practical suggestions. Telling someone your fears helps lift the burden of worry and gives your friends a chance to offer comforting thoughts.

4.    5    

Select a quiet spot in your home where you can focus on your worries without being interrupted (打扰). Stay there every day for 10 to 20 minutes. Make sure you maintain a strict time limit and try to avoid worrying except when you’re in your designated (指定的) “worry space”.

A．Create a personal worry space.

B．See worries from a different perspective.

C．Talk to your friend about your worries.

D．If journal writing isn’t for you, create a “worry box” in your mind.

E．Spend about 15 minutes just writing and reflecting on what is bothering you.

F．Check with your local health centre about programs to stop worrying in your area.

G．Without anxiety you probably wouldn’t lock your door at night or schedule your regular check-up.

【推荐3】The driver who cuts you off in traffic.The neighbors who don't pick up after their dog.Situations such as these get our hearts racing and send our stress levels skyrocketing.Anger isn't a pleasant feeling.Some of us bottle up the emotion, while others explode in a wild rage (狂怒).Both habits do considerable harm to our bodies, our minds, and our relationships.

“Anger may fee1 uncomfortable and a lot of people think they have to get rid of their anger," says Patrick Keelan, a registered psychologist in Calgary, Alberta.“But anger is an emotion built into us to signal that something needs to be addressed.When we take notice of that signal and actually wrestle with the problem instead of turning a blind eye to it, we' re usually much better for it.”

Unfortunately, many of us have been conditioned to keep our emotions hidden.Increasingly,research is suggesting that this can have long-term effects on our health.Investigators at the University of Rochester noticed that people who contain their emotions tend to live shorter lives.When we're angry, stress hormones are released, which can make us more likely to develop a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, depression, immune related conditions.

Is it better, then, to scream and howl whenever something makes you mad? That's probably the reason why“rage rooms" have popped up in many American cities, where folks are invited to let steam off by violently smashing (打碎) stuff in a“safe" environment.However, the research indicates that when people display anger aggressively, it can actually increase the intensity of the anger -- and increase the likelihood of aggressive actions in the future.It doesn't take much imagination to predict how such behavior can affect your relationship with your spouse, your kids, or your colleagues.It also hurts your health.A large 2016 study at McMaster University found that people are more than twice as likely to have a heart attack after an angry explosion.

If we shouldn't bottle up our angry feelings but aggressive behavior isn't healthy either, how should we handle things that tick us of? It's the extreme highs and lows that cause the damage.If you're able to apply techniques that smooth out some of those peaks and valleys, you can have a gentler ride.

1. What does the underlined phrase“bottle up" in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Build up.

B．Hold back.

C．Let off.

D．Bring out.

2. What does Patrick Keelan think of anger?

A．Uncomfortable and avoidable.

B．Terrible and threatening.

C．Confusing and complex.

D．Normal and natural.

3. What is the consequence of displaying anger aggressively?

A．It leads to people's depression.

B．It warns people against violence.

C．It adds to people's anger.

D．It helps people to calm down.

4. What will be talked about if the passage is continued?

A．Possible causes of anger.

B．Tips on handling anger.

C．Possible harm of anger.

D．Tips on avoiding anger.

【推荐1】New Year’s resolutions(决心) have been around long enough that we all tend to stick to the same ones—hit the gym, lay off the candy, read more books, call your mother—regardless of whether we follow through with our intentions.

While January 1st seems like the perfect time to have a new start again, exactly when people developed that mindset(思维模式) isn’t common knowledge. It turns out that the modern belief of a New Year’s resolution isn’t as old as you thought. According to many historians, the ancient Babylonians were the first group of people to make New Year’s resolutions. However, instead of making a commitment to self improvement, they made a commitment to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed.

An ancient Roman tradition from 46 B. C, bears even more likeness to modern resolutions. Emperor Julius Caesar declared January the month of Janus. Romans believed Janus looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future. In his honor, they made sacrifices to the god and promises of good behavior for the coming year.

But the modern New Year’s resolution didn’t fully form until centuries later. The practice was common enough by the early 1800s. An article in 1802 states, “Statesmen have sworn to have no other object in view than the good of their country. The physicians have determined to advise the use of medicine no more than is necessary, and to he very reasonable in their fees.”

The first time “New Year’s resolution” appeared as a phrase was in the January 1st issue of a Boston newspaper in 1813. “I believe there are a lot of people,” the article goes, “with a serious determination of beginning the New Year with new resolutions and new behavior, and with the full belief that they shall accept punishment for all their former faults and wipe them away.

So as you make (and possibly fail at) your New year’s resolutions, know that you’re in good company.

1. Whose New Years resolutions were most different from the present common practice?

A．Ancient Babylonians’.	B．Ancient Romans’.
C．Statesmen’s in the 1800s.	D．Boston people’s in 1813.

2. According to Paragraph 4, the physicians focused their resolutions on ________.

A．annual incomes	B．personal ambitions
C．professional honesty	D．academic improvement

3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To encourage people to make New year’s resolutions.

B．To give advice on how to make New Year’s resolutions.

C．To compare different New year’s resolutions in history.

D．To introduce the development of New Year’s resolutions.

【推荐2】It's common for students to hear the same standard,cliched advice:"dream big","follow yours dreams",and "reach for the stars." But Student of the Year judge Alien Ma has something a bit different to add—"be practical".

The judge knows a thing or two about both big dreams and practical applications,and has seen plenty of students achieve both.

"We are looking to nurture talents,in this case technology talents,says Ma,CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). "When someone has this kind of crazy idea or brilliant idea—sometimes you can’t tell the difference—they need to find somebody to help them realize their dream."

And with all the big and sometimes crazy ideas Ma has heard from students through HKSTP,he says it is important to find a balance between creative ideas and practical applications.And part of this means being able to see the benefit of patience and long-term goals.

Ma says he sees many students try to get good marks through easy classes,rather than challenging themselves with harder courses that will pay off with knowledge that would be useful for their future.

"You should be looking out for your future,"he says.

And for secondary school students,Ma says this means having a broad understanding of the world around them, especially as it relates to Science,Technology,Engineering and Maths (Stem) knowledge.

"I think a lot of students today have this broad,sometimes international understanding,"he says.Ma sees many strong students using their knowledge to help others.And for him,these are the students that really stand out from the crowd,as they're making the connection between their knowledge and how they fit into the world around them."They don’t just study,they’re not just scholars,"he says."They are good scholars,but also good sports players or good musicians,for example,but they also give back to society.That’s what impresses me the most."

1. What do the underlined words mean in Para1?

A．Do not dream big any more.

B．Realizing dreams is equally important.

C．The standard advice is no longer useful.

D．Anyone who dreams big is great.

2. Why does Ma think students need help in realizing their dreams?

A．They are short of patience.

B．They can't balance study and life well.

C．They are far away from being practical.

D．They can’t tell crazy and bright ideas apart.

3. What is Ma' suggestion for students nowadays?

A．Set a goal.	B．Fit into society.
C．Begin with easy classes.	D．Take the long-term view.

4. What kind of feeling does Ma express in the last paragraph?

A．Politeness.	B．Inspiration.
C．Admiration.	D．Hopefulness.

【推荐3】One morning in Philadelphia, the sun shone bright through all the thick jungles and the tall churches. John, 6, wearing the worn-out clothes, walked from a far place, his dark small hands holding a piece of stolen bread.
John stopped for a moment at the entrance to the church and then left tightly holding the bread,          
He was an orphan(孤儿), whose parents were killed in World War II leaving him alone in the orphanage for five years, Like many children in the house, he had a lot of free time. Mostly no one took care of them, so they had to learn how to steal those they wanted.                      
John believed God to be real, so every Sunday morning in any case he would go to the church to have a look and listen to those people singing inside or reading the Bible. He felt only at this moment he was the child of God and so close to God. But he couldn’t enter because his clothes were so dirty. John himself knew it.
John was quietly calculating the times. This was his 45th Sunday at the entrance to the church. He stood on tiptoe（踮着脚尖） for a while and walked away.
As time passed, the pastor(牧师) noticed John and learned from others that he was the small boy who liked stealing things in the orphanages.
On the 46th Sunday, the sun was shining and John came still holding a piece of bread with his dark small hands. When he just stood there, the pastor came out. He felt like running away, but he was carried by the pastor's friendly smile.
The pastor walked up to his side, clearly seeing John's small hands shaking.
"Are you John?"
John didn't answer, but looked at the pastor and nodded.
"Do you believe in God?" the pastor patted John on his head with dust.
"Yes, I do!" This time John told him loudly.
"So you believe in yourself?"
John looked at the pastor, without a word.
The pastor went on saying, "At the first sight of you, I find you're different from other kids because you have a good heart."
His face turning red, John said nervously, "In fact, I'm a thief." With that, he lowered his head.
The pastor didn't speak, but held John's dark small hands, slowly opened them and put them against his wrinkled face.
"Ah" Just at the same time, John shouted and was about to take out his dark small hands. Yet the pastor tightly held his small hands and spread them out in the sun.
"Do you see, John?"
"What?"
"You're cupping the sunshine in your hands."
John blankly looked at his hands: when did they become so beautiful?
"In God's eyes, all children are the same. When they are willing to spread out their hands to greet the sun, the sun will naturally shine on them. And you have two things more than they do. First is courage and the second is kindness." With that, the pastor led him into the church. It was the first time that John went into this sacred place, and at this moment he didn't feel inferior, but the unspeakable warmth.
On that morning greeting the sunshine, John found himself again, along with the confidence, satisfaction, happiness, dreams he had never had.
Twenty years have passed. Now the boy who ever tightly held the bread with his dirt hands has been the most famous cook in Philadelphia and made many popular dishes.
Every Sunday morning, he would personally send the bread he baked to the orphanage. Those children who greeted him with cheers were used to consciously spreading their palms before they got the bread.
Because they all knew when we are willing to spread out our hands to greet the sunshine, the sun will naturally shine on us.
1. The method the writer uses to develop Paragraph is ______________

A．presenting contrasts (对比)	B．showing causes （原因）
C．offering analyses	D．providing explanations

2. Why didn't John go inside whenever he went to the church?

A．He was frightened to be recognized by the pastor

B．He was not welcomed by those singing in the church.

C．He was sorry for his dirty clothes and identity as a thief.

D．He was left alone in the orphanage and nobody cared for him.

3. Which of the following questions did John reply certainly?

A．“Are you John?"	B．"Do you see, John?"
C．"So you believe in yourself?"	D．"Do you believe in God?"

4. Which of the following can best describe the pastor's great effect on John?

A．John became a famous cook.

B．John admitted his bad behavior. (行为)

C．John believed God to be real

D．John spread warmth to other orphans.

5. According to the passage, the sunshine cupped in hands can bring ________

A．cheers and confidence	B．dreams and imagination
C．courage and kindness	D．forgiveness and satisfaction

【推荐1】Researchers say they have translated the meaning of gestures that wild chimpanzees (黑猩猩) use to communicate. They say wild chimps communicate 19 specific messages to one another with a “vocabulary” of 66 gestures. The scientists discovered this by following and filming groups of chimps in Uganda, and examining more than 5,000 incidents of these meaningful exchanges.

Dr Catherine Hobaiter, who led the research, said that this was the only form of intentional communication to be recorded in the animal kingdom. Only humans and chimps, she said, had a system of communication where they deliberately sent a message to another group member.

“That’s what’s so amazing about chimp gestures,” she said. “They’re the only thing that looks like human language in that respect.”

Although previous research has shown that apes and monkeys can understand complex information from another animal’s call, the animals do not appear to use their voices intentionally to communicate messages. This was a significant difference between calls and gestures, Dr Hobaiter said.

Chimps will check to see if they have the attention of the animal with which they wish to communicate. In one case, a mother presents her foot to her crying baby, signaling: “Climb on me.” The youngster immediately jumps on to its mothers back and they travel off together. “The big message from this study is that there is another species (物种) out there. that is meaningful in its communication, so that’s not unique to humans,” said Dr Hobaiter.

Dr Susanne Shultz, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Manchester, said the study was praiseworthy in seeking to enrich our knowledge of the evolution of human language. But, she added, the results were “a little disappointing”.

“The vagueness of the gesture meanings suggests either that the chimps have little to communicate, or we are still missing a lot of the information contained in their gestures and actions,” she said. “Moreover, the meanings seem to not go beyond what other animal convey with non-verbal communication. So, it seems the gulf remains. ”

1. What do chimps and humans have in common according to Dr Hobaiter?

A．Memorizing specific words.	B．Understanding complex information.
C．Using voices to communicate.	D．Communicating messages on purpose.

2. What did Dr Shultz think of the study?

A．It was well designed but poorly conducted.

B．It was a good try but the findings were limited.

C．It was inspiring but the evidence was unreliable.

D．It was a failure but the methods deserved praise.

3. What does the underlined word “gulf” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Difference.

B．Conflict.

C．Balance.

D．Connection.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Chimpanzee behaviour study achieved a breakthrough

B．Chimpanzees developed specific communication skills

C．Chimpanzees: the smartest species in the animal kingdom

D．Chimpanzee language: communication gestures translated

【推荐3】Elephants on the coast of Thailand are acting strangely. They stamp their feet and signal toward the hills. The sea draws back from the beaches. Fish fall heavily in the mud. Suddenly, a huge wave appears. This is no ordinary wave. It is a tsunami (海啸)!

Tsunami waves are larger and faster than normal surface waves. A tsunami wave can travel as fast as a jet plane and can be as tall as a ten-story building. Imagine dropping a stone into a pond. The water on the surface ripples (起涟漪). A tsunami is like a very powerful ripple. Tsunamis begin when the ocean rises or falls very suddenly. Large amounts of seawater are displaced. This movement causes huge waves.

If a tsunami happens, there must be some kind of force that causes the ocean water to become displaced. Most tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes. However, volcanoes, landslides (塌方), large icebergs, and even meteorites (陨石) are able to cause one of these giant waves.

Tsunamis are extremely powerful. Ordinary waves lose power when they break. Tsunami waves can remain powerful for several days. Because tsunami waves are so strong, they can kill people, damage property, and completely ruin an ecosystem in just one hour.

Scientists have no way of predicting when a tsunami will hit. However, if a powerful enough earthquake happens, scientists can send out a warning or a watch. A warning means that a tsunami will very likely hit soon. A watch means that conditions are favorable for a tsunami. When people are informed of a watch or a warning, they have more time to prepare. It is best not to get caught unaware when a tsunami is on the way!

1. Why are elephants acting strangely before the Tsunamis?

A．They dislike the huge wave.

B．They are afraid of the big fish.

C．They can sense something out of the ordinary.

D．They see the ocean drawing back from the beaches.

2. What does the underlined word “displaced” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Moved out of normal place.	B．Pushed by human force.
C．Pulled to great heights.	D．Hung down quickly.

3. Why do Tsunamis cause so much destruction?

A．They are not familiar to most people.

B．They are very powerful and long-lasting.

C．They break on the coast, unlike normal waves.

D．They are caused by underwater earthquakes.

4. What is this text mainly about?

A．How to guard against tsunamis.	B．Differences between wave types.
C．What to do with tsunami waves.	D．Causes and effects of tsunamis.