【推荐1】“What are you?” they ask. “Guess,” I say. Some suggest I have Japanese eyes. Others think I’m Filipino, maybe Indian. Few guess the truth: I am Mexican American. But it’s not like I’ve ever worn that name alone. I’m part of a younger generation of Americans whose identity is shaped neither by where we came from nor where we ended up.

My parents know the California immigrant experience first-hand. They grew up picking fruit in the San Joaquin Valley, knowing what it was to be poor, but also knowing what it was to be Mexican. Wanting a better life for their children, they went to college and got professional jobs. By the time I was born, they were fully accepted into the middle class. I grew up in the racially mixed zones of Sacramento, and when my parents talked of their years in the fields it was hard to connect those stories to where we found ourselves now.

By the time I reached my teens, difference had announced itself. We were all struggling for a sense of individuality, looking everywhere but where we came from. Identity became goods. Wearing certain clothes and liking certain kinds of music created social categories.

I became a junkman, sorting through the ruins of pop culture past looking for the pieces of myself. In love with the Beatles, I linked myself to England. Fascinated by Japanese cartoon, I took language classes at the local Buddhist temple.

I grew up American to a fault, rarely considering my own people’s culture and humanity. I left Sacramento and moved to San Francisco’s Mission District to put myself together again. There I first saw my people living in a separate community that had its own language, one I’d never learned. My brown face led people to ask me for directions in Spanish. I could only respond with a universally understood shrug.

“This is what I am,” I said to myself, looking at a street full of newly arrived immigrants. No, that wasn’t quite it. I corrected myself: “This is where I come from.”

Is it tragic that I grew up far from my mother culture, discovering it so late in life? I prefer to think that my American upbringing has taught me to apply insights from many different cultures to my everyday life. I am a product not just of Mexico or the U.S. but of the world as a whole.

1. Where does the writer grow up?

A．In Sacramento.	B．In a Mexico town.
C．In the San Joaquin Valley.	D．In San Francisco’s Mission District.

2. What did the writer learn from his American upbringing?

A．To promote mother culture.	B．To adapt to new surroundings.
C．To clearly express individuality.	D．To learn from different cultures.

3. You can infer from the article that the writer ________.

A．liked to play sports	B．wanted to learn Spanish
C．was interested in different cultures	D．did not like living in San Francisco

4. This article is mainly about ________.

A．the growing pains of immigrants	B．the culture differences in America
C．the author’s exploration of his identity	D．the problems of immigrants in America

【推荐2】I was a shy girl. I didn’t even like to answer the telephone for fear I’d have to talk to somebody I didn’t know. I enjoyed the loneliness of exploring nature. However, at school I had to spend all day in the company of others. My escape was reading. I spent a lot of time studying and was rewarded with good grades. My only failure was Spanish—I’d get all As on my written work and tests, but Ds and Fs on the spoken part.

Eventually I went to college. During my third year of college, I had enough of being shy and determined to change my outlook and behavior. One day while at school, I noticed an advertisement for positions on the local classical music radio station. I had grown up listening to classical music, and I could easily pronounce names such as Tchaikovsky, Albinoni, and Chopin.

I had absolutely no background in radio, and absolutely no hope of getting the job. The idea of talking to thousands of listeners in “radio land” terrified me. However, I luckily survived the interview. I was given brief descriptions of symphonies（交响乐）and a public service announcement to read, and a list of composers’ names to pronounce. It wasn’t hard for me. I left the recording session（录音时段）with a sense of relief and a sense of accomplishment. About two weeks later I actually landed the job. It was a challenging job, but I grew to enjoy it greatly. I began to feel comfortable talking to people.

Although I now spend many hours each week talking with people, I’m still basically a quiet person. Perhaps it is my soft voice and my quiet nature that helps draw people out as they respond to my questions as I interview them. My former shyness is a fortune, as I can relate to people who feel discomfortable when they talk to newspaper reporters. I still enjoy moments of loneliness and the peace found in nature. But I’m also glad I decided to make a change in my life that has opened many doors and opportunities that I never knew existed.

1. What do we learn about the author?

A．She didn’t like reading.	B．She didn’t work hard enough.
C．She wasn’t interested in music.	D．She wasn’t good at speaking Spanish.

2. How did the author feel before the interview?

A．Very excited.	B．Pretty confident.
C．Highly confused.	D．Extremely nervous.

3. What does the author later think of her quiet personality?

A．It makes others feel less comfortable.	B．It is beneficial for her challenging job.
C．It prevents her being a newspaper reporter.	D．It draws a negative response from audiences.

4. The text mainly focuses on the author’s ________.

A．desire to find her true self	B．feeling about being a radio hostess
C．story of exploring the meaning of life	D．experience and feeling of overcoming shyness

【推荐3】One of the most important things that has happened to me occurred long before I was aware of it. As the story goes, I was three days old and Mom was singing “The Name Game” song to me: “Christine Bo-Bean.” By day four, I was given a new name —Christine-Bo-Bean, or just Bo-Bee to my mother.

Now, I am Bo to her and close friends. Although I have been Bo to my mother all my life, I recently discovered that my true name is not on my birth certificate; it’s the name that is as unique and memorable as I am.

People usually know me as Christine. They still see me as a quiet, bookish child. They don’t know who I am now. My most recent hopes, fears, goals, dreams and opinions escape their notice; it is easier to think of me as I was. In their minds, they have a box labeled “Christine” in which I fit neatly, and as Christine, I was content with the perfect packaging.

Those who call me Bo or Bo-Bee really know me. They remember who I was and realize I have changed. The Bo I am is ever-changing, ever-growing and ever-learning.

When I was Christine, I was quiet, and easily scared. I feared groups, meeting new people and sharing my opinions. I was more comfortable with a book than my best friend. As Christine, I thought everyone was better than I was.

As Bo, I still love my books, but I want to discuss them. As Bo, my dream is to live where I can experience new things and meet new people. I dream about being alone on a stage lit by a single spotlight; I have that confidence now. I am equal to those I once saw as better than me.

I can’t always be Bo. Sometimes exposing myself is still scary and I feel too nervous; I want to hide in those old boxes. Mostly, however, I am ready for the world. So, just call me Bo.

1. When was the author given a nickname?

A．When she was three years old.

B．On the fourth day after she was born.

C．Seven days after she was born.

D．When she received the old “Christine” box.

2. What do the people know about the author as Christine?

A．They think the author is active and crazy.

B．They care about the author’s most recent feelings.

C．They don’t realize the author has changed.

D．They don’t know the author has changed her name.

3. What kind of person was the author in the past?

A．She showed no interest in reading.

B．She took pleasure in finding new things.

C．She loved reading and sharing books with friends.

D．She lacked confidence and preferred to be alone.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Bo—the True Name

B．A Unique Name

C．Remember the Past

D．The Meaning of Nickname

【推荐3】What do employers want from business graduates?

Prospective employers have always expected business-school graduates to possess a certain set of skills, such as strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Today, employers are looking for even more一technical expertise paired with interpersonal and intrapersonal（内在） skills.

    1     You can learn the technical skills on the job or in school, but the soft skills are more challenging to get.

    2     That can make you the type of employee that companies want to hire and promote. Recent data in The Financial Times 2018 Skills Gap Study agrees that soft skills, like the ability to work well in a team, were rated as "most important" by 64 percent of respondents.

During your business-school experience, you'll have the opportunity to build these skills as you work on group projects, interact with teachers, and participate in internships（实习）.When you reflect on your personal and professional lives, the people who have mastered skills like communication, listening, and cooperation are the people who stand out to you.    3    

But that doesn't mean that there aren't other skills on the top of many companies' wish lists.    4     The first is "combine", which is the ability to combine and deal with information from multiple sources to solve complex problems. The second is "organize", or the ability to organize information to see relationships and to solve multiple, interrelated problems.     5    

A．Market yourself as someone with soft skills.

B．And they stand out to prospective employers too.

C．So these skills in high demand have great value in the hiring market.

D．What you may not realize is the lasting impact of developing skills like leadership.

E．Soft skills like flexibility and teamwork are in high demand among employers.

F．The skills you gain while earning your MBA help prepare you for various careers.

G．The skills that employers have the most difficulty finding often have the most value in the marketplace.

【推荐2】An 80-year-old man and his family may soon get a bill for the cost of his rescue mission. After an all-night search by rescuers, James Clark of Dublin, Ohio, was found “not moving and exhibiting what appeared to be signs and symptoms on low body temperature to the point of not being able to speak any clear words,” according to a statement.

Similarly, in 2015, a family of four received an about 8,500 bill after their daytime hike left them lost in the dark and requiring search and rescue(SAR). This raises an interesting question: Who pays for the cost when you get lost or injured in the great outdoors?

The high cost of SAR missions is what prompted states like New Hampshire to pass laws that establish programs like Hike Safe to hold individuals more financially accountable for their rescues. However, some people have called for more strict laws to shift SAR costs off taxpayers. They say such a move would ultimately make people take more responsibility, but it's a controversial idea. "Society rescues people all the time-auto accident victims, home fire victims-and at far greater cost than wilderness hiker rescues." writes Backpacker.

Critics say putting a price tag on SAR could cause people to hesitate before calling for help in emergency situations. But Heggie says this isn't actually the reason why the National Park Service doesn't charge for SAR. "If an agency such as NPS starts charging the public for SAR costs, the agency essentially has to conduct SAR operations. If something goes wrong during the SAR operation, someone could lead to a lawsuit(起诉).”

Both Heggie and Kupper say the best way people can avoid needing rescue is simply by being prepared, suggesting that people research hikes before they go, pay attention to their surroundings, pack essential gear and not rely on a cellphone as a survival kit. "The best time to prevent SAR incidents is when people are still at home," Heggie said.

1. What happened to James when he was rescued?

A．He lost his way home.	B．He didn't dare to move alone.
C．He couldn't express himself.	D．He was seriously injured.

2. What benefit does a price tag on SAR have?

A．To pay back the rescuers.	B．To make hikers more responsible.
C．To reduce outdoor activities.	D．To discourage hikers calling for help.

3. What is the reason for NPS to avoid charging for SAR?

A．The possibility of being charged.	B．The heavy burden of medical costs.
C．The difficulty in doing a SAR operation.	D．The fear of doing fewer SAR operations.

4. What is the most effective way to avoid a rescue need according to Heggie?

A．Packing necessary things.	B．Carrying a survival kit.
C．Taking a cellphone everywhere.	D．Preparing well in advance.

【推荐2】 Too much eating. Too many unhealthy foods. Too many ads for food. Too few activities. Different reasons are given for America’s weight problem---a problem increasingly shared by other countries. Almost one-fifth of American children and teenagers             are overweight.
Schools have been asked to increase physical education, an important tool for public health. However, a recent study has shown an increase in the number of injuries in P.E. classes.
Researchers say one possible reason for this is a decrease in the number of school nurses. Schools without a nurse on duty may be more likely to send an injured child to a hospital.
Another possible reason for more injuries is a change in the traditional idea of physical education. This “New P.E.” expands the kinds of sports that are taught. But activities that some schools offer now, like rock climbing and skateboarding, can             also increase the risks, says Cheryl Richardson, who is with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education(NASPE).
She also says not all states require P.E. teachers to be specially trained. Untrained teachers could be less likely to recognize unsafe conditions.
Cheryl Richardson points to one of the study’s findings –that injuries are often the result of contact with a person or a structure. This tells her that the teachers were not giving each student enough space to move around safely.
Six activities produced seventy percent of all injuries: running, basketball, football, volleyball, rugby and gymnastics.
The researchers say larger class sizes are another possible reason for the increase in injuries. Larger classes can mean less supervision(监督). The National Association for Sport and Physical Education says twenty to thirty students in a P.E. class             should be the limit.
1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A．What leads to the weight problem in America.

B．Whether students should have more P.E. classes.

C．Why there have been more injuries in P.E. classes.

D．What kinds of activities are safe for school students.

2. We can know from the third paragraph that__________.

A．nurses are paid more in hospitals than in schools in America.

B．many nurses in American schools don’t have good skills.

C．fewer people choose to become a nurse in America.

D．American schools need more school nurses at present.

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．P.E. classes become more dangerous for students now in America.

B．Fewer and fewer students are interested in P.E. classes in America.

C．The number of P.E. teachers in schools must be increased now.

D．P.E. classes follow the traditional ideas in physical education.

4. According to Cheryl Richardson,____________.

A．students should do more exercise when they are at school

B．teachers are partly responsible for injuries in P.E. classes

C．the equipment for P.E. classes must be improved in all schools.

D．P.E. teachers should give students more freedom in their classes

【推荐3】We asked teachers from the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about the kindest thing a student has ever done for them. Here are some of their most lovely responses...

1. “I was having a really bad day and saw a large group of kids surrounding another group. Expecting the worst I went over only to discover they were all trying to rearrange a vase of flowers they got me.” —Errinanderson

2. “One student I worked particularly closely with wrote a goodbye card to me that said, ‘You make me proud of myself.’ I still take it out and read it when I’m feeling down.” —Jennifer Graham, via Facebook

3. “On my birthday last year, my second-grade students were acting particularly out of control. In an attempt to reign them in I said, ‘How can you guys be so mean to me on my birthday?!’ After school, I was called to the office. When I walked up, I saw my quietest student standing there with his mom. He had asked her to take him to the store immediately after school so he could get me a birthday present. It was an adorable pair of earrings that looked like rulers. It made my whole day better, and I made a point to wear them often for the rest of the year.” —Katie Ann, via Facebook

4. “I taught in Japan as a teaching assistant and the job was really interesting but the hours were long, so I drank Coke to keep me going. My students found it incredibly fascinating that I regularly had a can of cola on my desk, so for my going away present they bought a giant three litre container of coke and wrote lovely messages with their signatures in Japanese and English on the label.” —Eli Sullivan

1. Who are the four interviewees?

A．Teachers.	B．Students.
C．Clerks.	D．Officers.

2. Why did Errinanderson go over to the kids?

A．To help the kids.

B．To rearrange a vase of flowers for the kids.

C．To find out what happened to the kids.

D．To ask the kids to give him a vase of flowers.

3. How many persons expressed their opinions by Facebook?

A．1.	B．2.
C．3.	D．4.

4. What did Eli Sullivan get from the students?

A．A vase of flowers	B．A birthday card.
C．A goodbye card.	D．Some coke.