【推荐1】When you hear Westerners (西方人) say “Drop in anytime” or “Come and see me soon”, you should realize that it doesn’t mean you are welcome to come over to their house anytime. It’s wise to telephone before visiting someone.

Never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, “Thank you for inviting me, but I may not be able to come.” If you are unable to come after accepting the invitation, be sure to tell those who invite you in advance (提前) that you will not be there.

When you have accepted the invitation to a party or a dinner, it is polite to bring small gifts with you, such as bottles of drink, flowers and chocolate. Sometimes Westerners may take you out to dinner in a restaurant and it does not necessarily mean that he is going to pay the bill at the end of the meal. He might want you to “go Dutch”, which means each person pays his own bill.

1. The best title of this passage is ________

A．Drop in anytime.	B．Come and see me soon.
C．Invitation in western countries.	D．Westerners.

2. When Westerners say “ Drop in anytime” or “Come and see me soon” , it means ______

A．you are welcome to visit them anytime

B．you are welcome to visit them, but you still need to call them before going to their house.

C．they don’t want you to visit them.

D．they will hold a party for you.

3. If a westerner invites you to go to his house, ________

A．you may refuse if you don’t plan to go.

B．you have to accept the invitation even if you don’t want to go.

C．you can’t accept the invitation.

D．and you accept the invitation, you must go.

4. If you have accepted the invitation to a party or a dinner, what kind of gifts will you bring?

A．Money.	B．Televisions
C．Computers.	D．Books

【推荐2】Specialists（专家） say it is not easy to get used to life in a new culture. “Culture shock” is what these specialists use when talking about the feelings that people have in a new environment. There are three stages of culture shock, say the specialists. In the first stage, the newcomers like their new environment. Then, when the fresh experience dies, they begin to hate the city, the country, the people, and everything else. In the last stage, the newcomers begin to get used to their surroundings and, as a result, enjoy their life more.

There are some evident factors（因素）in culture shock. The weather may be unpleasant. The customs may be different. The public service systems-the telephones, post office, or transportation－may be difficult to work out. The simplest things seem to be big problems. The language may be difficult.

Who feels culture shock? Everyone does in this way or that. But culture shock surprises most people. Very often the people having the worst culture shock are those who never had any difficulties in their own country. Coming to a new country, these people find they do not have the same positions they have back home. They find themselves without any identify. They have to build a new self－image.

Culture shock gives rise to a feeling of helplessness. This feeling may be homesickness. When homesick, people feel like staying inside all the time. They want to protect themselves from the strange environment, and create an escape inside their room for a sense of security（安全）. This escape does solve the problem of culture shock for the short time, but it does nothing to make the person familiar with the culture. Getting to know the new environment and gaining experience－these are the long-term solutions to the problem of culture shock.

1. When people move to a new country, they _________.

A．will get used to their new surroundings with difficulty

B．have well prepared for the new surroundings

C．will get used to the culture of the country quickly

D．will never be familiar with culture of the country

2. According to the passage, factors that give rise to culture shock include all of the following except __________.

A．language communication	B．weather conditions and customs
C．public service systems	D．homesickness

3. According to the passage, the more successful you are at home, ________.

A．the fewer difficulties you may have abroad

B．the more difficulties you may have abroad

C．the more money you will earn abroad

D．the less homesick you may feel abroad

4. The writer tells us that the best way to overcome culture shock is to _______.

A．protect ourselves from unfamiliar environment

B．develop a strange sense of self-protection

C．get familiar with new culture

D．return to our own country

【推荐3】阅读下面短文并按要求完成阅读任务。请将答案书写在答题纸相应位置。

Most cultures have a festival of light. Each culture celebrates this festival in a different way. There is one thing that is the same, however, and this is the wish for peace and happiness in the world.

The Jewish Festival of Light is called Hanukkah. Hanukkah usually takes place in December. The story of why Hanukkah is celebrated is very old. It is told that a very long time ago, Jewish people called the Macabees were at war with a country called Syria. On the day that the Macabees won the war, they cleaned up their holy place, which is called a temple, because the Syrian people had been living there. They wanted to light their holy lamps to say thank you for the end of the war, but found only a very small amount of oil left over to do that. The Macabees lit the lamps anyway, thinking that they would soon go out. The lamps kept burning for eight days! The Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah every year by lighting a candlestick that has eight candleholders. Every night a new candle is lit so that on the eighth night, all eight candles stand together. Presents are given at this time and money is given to the poor.

Lanterns are another form of light. In China, lanterns are famous works of art. The Lantern Festival goes back more than 2,000 years to the Qin Dynasty. It takes place on the 15^th day of the Chinese New Year, bringing the New Year season to a close. During the festival, parks become a sea of lanterns. Sometimes streets are blocked off and lanterns are put down on each side to make a hallway of lanterns. People also hang lanterns in their gardens, outside their houses or on boats. The lanterns are made in many shapes, sizes and colours. They are usually made from silk, paper and plastic. Some are even made from ice. It is believed that these lanterns will guide visitors and the spirits of ancestors to the celebrations. The Lantern Festival is a time for families, young and old to spend together. Every New Year the wish is the same—peace and happiness to all.

1. What’s the same with the festivals of light in different cultures? (不超过11个单词)
2. Why do the Jewish light a new candle every night during the festival? (不超过12个单词)
3. What festival brings an end to the new year season? (不超过5个单词)
4. What is the purpose of this article? (不超过8个单词)

【推荐2】Parents and kids today dress alike, listen to the same music, and are friends. Is this a good thing?

Sometimes, when Mr. Ballmer and his 16-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, listen to rock music together and talk about interests both enjoy, such as pop culture, he remembers his more distant relationship with his parents when he was a teenager.

“I would never have said to my mom, ‘Hey, the new Maroon 5 album is really great. How do you like it?’” says Ballmer. “There was just a complete gap in taste.”

Music was not the only gulf. From clothing and hairstyles to activities and expectations, earlier generations of parents and children often appeared to move in separate orbits.

Today, the generation gap has not disappeared, but it is getting narrow in many families. Conversations on subjects such as sex and drugs would not have taken place a generation ago. Now they are comfortable and common. And parent-child activities, from shopping to sports, involve a feeling of mutual trust and friendship that can continue into adulthood.

But family experts warn that the new equality can also result in less respect for parents. “There’s still a lot of strictness and authority on the part of parents out there, but there is a change happening,” says Kerrie, a psychology professor at Lebanon Valley College. “In the middle of that change, there is a lot of confusion among parents.”

Family researchers offer a variety of reasons for these evolving roles and attitudes. They see the 1960s as a turning point. Great cultural changes led to more open communication and a more democratic (民主的) process that encourages everyone to have a say.

“My parents were on the ‘before’ side of that change, but today’s parents, the 40-year-olds, were on the ‘after’ side.” explains Mr. Ballmer. “It’s not something easily accomplished by parents these days, because life is more difficult to understand or deal with, but sharing interests does make it more fun to be a parent now.”

1. Which of the following indicates that the generation gap is disappearing?

A．Parents share more interests with their children.

B．Parents and children talk more about sex and drugs.

C．Parents and children get involved in the same activities.

D．Parents believe in their children’s abilities more than before.

2. What is the change in today’s parent-child relationship?

A．More confusion among parents.

B．Less gratitude to parents from children.

C．New equality between parents and children.

D．More strictness and expectations of parents.

3. What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph mean according to the author?

A．Today’s parents can set a limit to the change.

B．Today’s parents follow the trend of the change.

C．Today’s parents don’t take the change seriously.

D．Today’s parents can hardly adjust to the change.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．A description of difficulties today’s parents meet with.

B．Predictions of the parent-child relationship in the future.

C．Suggestions on how to handle the parent-child relationship.

D．A discussion on the development of the parent-child relationship.

【推荐3】Elephants are truly incredible animals. August 12 is World Elephant Day which means to help save elephants. What do you know about elephants? Here are some facts you may not know.

We know that elephants are large. But do you know that elephants often avoid eating a type of acacia tree (金合欢树)? Because it is home to ants and an elephant doesn’t want to get the ants inside its trunk. Its trunk is full of sensitive nerve endings.

Female elephants live in groups of about 15 elephants. The oldest in the group is the leader. She not only decides when and where they move but also determines when they rest all the year. Male elephants leave the female groups between the age of 12 and 15. But they aren’t loners. They live in all-male groups.

Asian elephants don’t run. Running requires lifting all four feet at once. But elephants filmed in Thailand always keep at least two on the ground at all times.

Elephants have passed the mirror test. They recognize themselves in a mirror. According to tests, great apes, and dolphins also have this ability.

Elephants can get sunburned so they take care to protect themselves. “Elephants will throw sand on their backs and on their heads to keep them from getting sunburned and to keep bugs off, ” said Tony Barthel, working at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. How do elephants protect their young? Adult elephants will put them in sand and then they will guard the little ones as they sleep.

Some farmers in Kenya protect their fields from elephants by lining the borders with beehives (蜂箱). Not only are their crops saved, but the farmers also get more from the honey.

1. World Elephant Day is designed to ________.

A．show some facts about elephants

B．introduce Asian elephants’ features

C．tell people some animals are in danger

D．call on people to protect elephants

2. Why are elephants not willing to eat acacia trees?

A．Because elephants are sensitive to acacia trees.

B．Because acacia trees are too tall to reach.

C．Because elephants’ trunks are easily hurt by ants in the trees.

D．Because fruit on the acacia trees are hard to eat.

3. What do we infer about male elephants?

A．They decide when and where their groups move.

B．They live with female elephants at an early age.

C．Their oldest male elephant is chosen as their leader.

D．They can run faster than female elephants.

4. How do elephants protect their young kids?

A．Guard kids when kids sleep.

B．Put some sand on kids’ heads.

C．Pat kids’ backs from time to time.

D．Use their trunks to keep bugs off.

【推荐1】A Scottish artist has been owed increasing the fortunes of the global pencil industry to after the surprise success of her “coloring-in” books for grown-ups.

Johanna Basford’s books of wonderful fill-in drawings have met a huge demand from those seeking to switch off from iPads, laptops and computer games. Now, having already topped the Amazon best-seller lists, her works are also giving a great increase in global sales for high-quality pencils, as coloring-in fans compete to make masterpieces of their own.

Far from being free of the digital age, pencil manufacturers are now struggling to cope with demand, with Faber Castell, the world ‘ s largest wood pencil manufacturer, revealing that it was now having to run extra shifts (轮班) at its factories.

“ People like coloring-in because they are fed up with digital, ” Ms Basford told “ The Sunday Telegraph”. “There is something nice about picking up a pencil and a pen. You are not going to get interrupted by Twitter, and there are also childhood memories in it. The last time you did a bit of coloring in, you probably weren’t about thinking about things that trouble you.” Rather like other recent middle-class crazes like home-baking, coloring-in appeals to nostalgia (怀旧感).

However, while it might be healthier than rushing in a home-made cake competition inspired by the Great British Bake Off, there is still a guilty pleasure to it, for not everyone approves of university-educated adults dedicating their spare hours to a “coloring-in” book that, in the view of critics anyway, ranks somewhere below puzzler books.

Leading the chorus of disapproval is comedian Russell Brand, who produced a recent sketch(素描) entitled “Adult Coloring Books: Is This the Apocalypse (大灾难)?” “What has turned us into terrified kids that want to live in childish stupors (恍惚)?” He got angry, accusing coloring-in fans of being scared of the modern world.

And what did Ms Basford say about criticizers like Mr Brand? “It’s a case of whatever makes you happy. There’s no right or wrong about it,” she said. “Who knows, maybe he just hasn’t found the right coloring-in book yet.”

“Coloring-in” clubs have formed worldwide, meeting in cafes and online to compare their works, and keeping the lead in the pencil of the industry.

1. Why did people owe the development of the global pencil industry to Johanna Basford?

A．Because Basford made effective advertisements for pencils in her books.

B．Because Basford works for the biggest pencil manufacturer.

C．Because Basford’s books’ hit led to increase in pencil sales.

D．Because Basford became successful by drawing her books with pencils.

2. In the fourth paragraph, Ms Basford .

A．showed how to use pencils and pens

B．explained why her books won popularity

C．admitted that she involved childhood memories in her books

D．complained that she had a lot of things troubling her

3. The underlined word “it” in the fifth paragraph refers to .

A．home-baking

B．coloring-in

C．the “coloring-in” book

D．a guilty pleasure

4. What’s Russell Brand’s attitude towards “coloring-in” books?

A．Negative.	B．Supportive.
C．Suspicious.	D．Uncertain.

【推荐2】Even with wonderful friends, family and a partner, I don't always want to be surrounded by people. “Table for one? Or will someone else be joining you?” A dinner reservation for one person never fails to raise a few eyebrows. I actively choose to spend time alone when possible. But not everyone has the luxury of choosing to be alone, of course, many are forced into one-on-one time because they have no one.

But for those of us who spend our days surrounded by colleagues in the workplace, our evenings and weekends with family, friends and partners, all the while being constantly bombarded by WhatsApp,social media and email, time to ourselves can be a rare treat. Time to yourself not only gives you the chance to do practical things you don't normally get round to but also the activities your pals don't want to do. In a less real way, spending time alone also allows-or perhaps forces- you to sit with your own thoughts, to think about things that might normally be drowned out by conversation and the noise of companionship. When you're alone you get time to think without purpose.

It is worth noting that I'm a real introvert(性格内向者）,so perhaps sitting alone with my thoughts-refilling my energy reserves-might just be indulging personality traits that others don't have. But I believe more people could benefit from it.

Given this constant social conditioning since childhood that we should be surrounded by people , it's no wonder many hesitate to press forward at the idea of spending time alone-a sign we've failed at climbing that social ladder. And if you're an extrovert who gets their energy from other people, this must be even harder. But as someone who has come to love spending time alone, even when there are many wonderful souls in my life I can spend time with, I wish more people would give solo a go.

Reservation for one, please.

1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A．The author wants to be alone all the time.

B．The author feels bored with family and friends.

C．Surrounded by people, the author still feels lonely.

D．Reserving a table for one will draw disapproving looks.

2. What is the main idea of the second paragraph?

A．The benefits of alone time.

B．The weaknesses of social media.

C．The definition of being alone.

D．The ways of spending time alone.

3. How does an introvert regain their energy according to the author?

A．By eating delicious food.

B．By reflecting on their own thoughts.

C．By socializing with others.

D．By reading their favourite books.

4. The last sentence "Reservation for one, please." is intended to       .

A．quote others' words

B．answer the waiter's question

C．excite the readers' appetite

D．stress the author's determination

【推荐3】Gene technology to benefit people
Among all the fast growing science and technology, the research of human genes, or biological engineering as people call it, is drawing more and more attention now. Sometimes it is a hot topic discussed by people.
The greatest thing that gene technology can do is to cure serious diseases that doctors at present can almost do nothing with, such as cancer and heart disease. Every year, millions of people are murdered by these two killers. And to date, doctors have not found an effective way to cure them. But if the gene technology is applied, not only these two diseases can be cured completely, bringing happiness and more living days to the patients, but also the great amount of money people spend on curing their diseases can be saved, therefore it benefits the economy as well. In addition, human life span(寿命) can be prolonged.
Gene technology can help people to give birth to more healthy and clever children. Some families, with the English imperial(皇室) family being a good example, have hereditary(遗传的) diseases. This means their children will for sure have the family disease, which is a great trouble for these families. In the past, doctors could do nothing about hereditary diseases. But gene technology can solve this problem perfectly. The scientist just need to find the wrong gene and correct it and a healthy child will be born.
Some people are worrying that the gene research can be used to manufacture human beings in large quantities. In the past few years, scientists have succeeded in cloning a sheep; therefore these people predict that human babies would soon be cloned. But I believe cloned babies will not come out in large quantities, for most couples in the world can have babies in very normal way. Of course, the governments must take care to control gene technology.
1. What does "these two killers" in the second paragraph refer to?

A．Gene technology and another treatment of the two diseases.

B．The two murderers who killed the cloned baby

C．The two diseases of cancer and heart disease

D．Hereditary diseases and cancer

2. What’s the main idea of the third paragraph?

A．How gene technology can be applied in the field of treating hereditary diseases.

B．Gene technology can be used to clone human babies.

C．Gene technology can help people to give birth of a baby.

D．Gene technology can help the English imperial family out

3. In what way gene technology can help to treat hereditary diseases?

A．Using gene technology, people with hereditary diseases can have more living days.

B．Using gene technology, scientist finds the wrong gene and corrects it.

C．Using gene technology, human babies can be cloned.

D．Doctors can cure cancer and heart disease with the help of gene technology.

4. What is the main purpose of writing this passage?

A．Expressing the writer’s idea that gene technology will benefit people

B．Telling people the advantages of gene technology

C．Telling the readers that gene technology will not benefit people

D．Explaining that gene technology will also do harm to the humanity

【推荐1】The Trades Union Congress(TUC) has urged the government to use high productivity from the greater use of robots and artificial intelligence to reverse(推翻) planned changes to the state retirement age.

Before its annual congress in Brighton, the TUC said higher productivity thanks to technological innovation(革新) ought to bring greater benefits for working people. It said recent progress had mainly benefited business owners, rather than being shared across the workforce through better wages and working conditions. Frances O'Grady, the TUC general secretary, said: "Robots and Al could let us produce more for less, promoting national prosperity. But we need a debate about who benefits from this wealth, and how workers get a fair share."

There have been previous waves of technological advances since the first Industrial Revolution, when inefficient jobs have been replaced by machines or the number of people required to do work has been reduced. Such advances have not led to a total loss of jobs, but have disturbed the type of work people do.

There are concerns that the current stage of innovation could be more damaging, while the rewards from higher productivity have not necessarily led to higher wages. The latest available figures show low unemployment unseen since the mid-1970s, but growth in real wages remains negative.

In 1950, almost one in three workers worked in manufacturing, while one in twelve worked in professional and technical services. By 2016 the proportions(比例) had changed completely, but in the communities which were affected, the jobs lost in manufacturing were not replaced by jobs of similar or better quality. Wages in former industrial areas were still 10% below the national average.

The increase in the state retirement age by seven years, which was controversially(有争议的) brought forward by the Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke, is expected to affect about 7 million people in their late 30s and early 40s. As well as reversing the proposal on the retirement age, the TUC said workers should be given the right to a midlife career review, while firms should invest more in workplace training. At present, the UK invests just half of the EU average, it said. O'Grady said: "Robots are not just terminators. Some of today's jobs will not survive, but new jobs will be created. We must make sure that tomorrow's jobs are no worse than today's."

1. According to the TUC, the use of robots and artificial intelligence should result in ______.

A．technological advances

B．higher levels of productivity

C．benefits for working people

D．more wealth of business owners

2. It can be inferred that the waves of technological advances ______.

A．had a great influence on the labor structure

B．tended to be more damaging than constructive

C．were the outcome of the Industrial Revolution

D．slowly raised the real income of working people

3. What can we learn about the proposal of David Gauke?

A．It is strongly opposed by the TUC.

B．It will help to create new types of jobs.

C．It has produced a widespread influence.

D．It reflects the real needs of economic growth.

4. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Technological innovation has contributed to people's wage increases.

B．The government plans to delay retirement age, from which 7 million people will suffer.

C．The use of robots and artificial intelligence is only beneficial to the national prosperity.

D．O'Grady holds an idea that new jobs in the future must be ensured to be at least as good as today's.

【推荐2】iD Tech teen camps and programs

Tech classes held at 150+ prestigious (声誉高的) campus locations nationwide

At iD Tech, you’ll enjoy a one-of-a-kind summer experience, alongside peers and the teaching staff who share your love for tech. Whether you’re just starting your tech journey or you’re looking for your next challenge, gain a competitive edge for college and beyond with real-world tech skills and portfolio (系列照片) — ready projects.

For college-bound teens, the future starts here

Just imagine — in the near future, you could be an undergraduate at the very same campus where you attended iD Tech!

A taste of independence

For many families, iD Tech serves as an ideal opportunity to grant teens a taste of independence during the summer. In addition to first-class technology education, teens will enjoy:

• The college experience: explore the dining halls, dorms, and prestigious universities

• The opportunity to make small adjustments to projects and create a pre-college portfolio

While activities and excursions (短途旅行) are supervised for safety, our summer staff gives teens the space they need to socialize and build self-confidence in the presence of their peers.

Benefits of camps

Depending on the program and location you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the university, eat in the dining halls, stay overnight in the dorms (learn more about our overnight summer camps), socialize, and discover cool campus hangouts.

Not to mention touring a real app development or video game studio, taking off-campus field trips, competing in gaming tournaments, and building an impressive portfolio (activities vary by program and location).

• Guidance from instructors and professors who are pursuing tech-related careers.

• A variety of activities including gaming tournaments, coffee runs, industry discussions, pick-up games of Ultimate Frisbee, or time to relax over low-key conversation.

If you have additional questions about our teen summer camps or would like a personalized course recommendation, please give our Camp Specialists a call at 1-888-709-8324 or 1-408-871-3700 (international), or contact us here.

1. What is special about iD Tech teen camps and programs?

A．Only teachers majoring in tech are involved in them.

B．They provide teens with the conventional summer experience.

C．They help teens gain the advantage and equip them with practical tech skills.

D．They are only aimed at the teens who want to challenge themselves in terms of tech.

2. All the following strengths of iD Tech teen camps are true EXCEPT         .

A．instructions from the teachers devoted to careers concerning tech

B．visiting the university and experiencing the canteen and dormitory

C．trips outside of the campus to see, study or experience certain things

D．various activities like managing a coffee shop and discussing relaxing topics

3. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To encourage teens to be independent.

B．To advertise iD Tech teen camps and programs.

C．To let teens get ready for the future college life.

D．To help teens learn social skills and build confidence.

【推荐3】It is food news guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate appears to lower the risk of depression by a quarter. While 7.6 percent of the 13,000 people surveyed reported depressive symptoms, just 1.5 percent of the chocolate eaters did.

The study by University College London (UCL), the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services Canada, also found that the people who consumed the most of any chocolate were also 57 percent less likely to report depressive symptoms. Lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson said, “This study provides some evidence that consumption of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, may be associated with reduced odds of clinically relevant depressive symptoms.”

The study is the first to examine the association with depression according to the type of chocolate consumed. The team assessed data from 13,626 adults from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A range of other factors including height, weight, marital status, ethnicity, education, household income, physical activity, smoking and chronic health problems were also taken into account to ensure the study only measured chocolate’s effect on depressive symptoms.

After adjusting for these factors, it was found that individuals who reported eating any dark chocolate in two 24-hour periods had 70 percent lower odds of reporting clinically relevant depressive symptoms in the previous two weeks than those who reported not eating chocolate at all.

Chocolate contains a number of psychoactive ingredients which produce a feeling of euphoria similar to that of cannabinoid (大麻素), found in cannabis. It also contains phenyl ethylamine (苯乙胺), a neuromodulator (神经调节物质) which is believed to be important for regulating people’s moods. Dark chocolate also has higher concentration of flavonoids (类黄酮), antioxidant chemicals which lower inflammation and can prevent the onset (发生) of depression.

However, British scientists pointed out that the decision to eat dark chocolate could be linked to other health factors. For example, people who choose dark chocolate may be more health conscious in general, which is known to protect against depression. Depressed people are also more likely to desire for more sugary fatty foods and so could be less likely to pick a dark alterative when choosing chocolate.

1. Which of the following statements is TRUE of the study?

A．minority of chocolate eaters suffer from depression.	B．majority of people surveyed are depressive.
C．All kinds of chocolate can help fight depression.	D．Half of people with depression are surveyed.

2. The study is typical in that ________.

A．it pointed out the relationship between depression and chocolate

B．it demonstrated the protective effects of black chocolate

C．the findings were based on the type of chocolate consumed

D．the researchers conducted the survey worldwide

3. What is the fifth paragraph mainly about?

A．The advantages of chocolate.	B．The reasons for the protective effects.
C．The causes of depression.	D．The effects of chocolate.

4. What’s the British scientists’ attitude toward the findings?

A．Cautious.

B．Supportive.

C．Unimportant.

D．Curious.