【推荐1】阅读下面短文，根据短文内容完成对该问题的回答。

Madeline’s family vacation to the beach was usually the highlight of her summer. This year，however， her parents announced a new rule：no phones allowed for the entire week. “No distractions(使人分心的事) ， ”they said.

“But my friends will be expecting updates,” Madeline said.

“They’ll have to wait,” her mom said and opened a drawer. Madeline saw that her parents’ phones were already in it. Madeline had to drop her phone in, too.

The drive to the beach house took most of the day. That night after dinner, Madeline came into the kitchen, where her father was washing dishes.

“Still hungry?” he asked.

“No,” she answered. “Couldn’t I have my phone back?”

“Can’t,” he said. “It’s not here. Remember? Check out the bookcase in the living room. Might find something you like.”

She walked into the living room and saw a jigsaw puzzle（拼图玩具）on the bookcase. She took it, put the pieces on the table, and began to sort them.

After what seemed like minutes, she looked up. It was past ten o'clock. She had been working for almost two hours! The puzzle was less than half done.

The next morning, a golden sun was rising over the blue ocean. The sky was cloudless. The view was wonderful. Madeline’s hand shot to the beside table, but there was nothing there.

That evening, Madeline lost herself in the jigsaw puzzle again. She felt a little excited every time the shapes met. Soon, the puzzle was complete.

She stepped back to enjoy the finished puzzle. The picture showed an old painting of several farmhands working in a brown field and there was a giant rainbow arching across the sky.

Madeline enjoyed the puzzle for a few minutes, trying to keep the image in her mind. Then, she quietly started taking it apart. That, she thought, was just for me.

1. What’s the new rule for Madeline’s family vacation?
2. How did Madeline feel about the new rule at first?
3. How do you understand the underlined sentence in the last paragraph?
4. Do you think your smartphone is a distraction while traveling? Why or why not? (about 40 words)

【推荐3】The moment I was born, I seemed to be part of a set, as if my twin brother David and I were a package deal. We faced constant comparisons in our physical appearance. People were always comparing our personalities and academic performances as well! These constant comparisons made me decide not to go to the same university as my twin brother.

That is not to say we didn’t have good academic experiences in the past or didn’t get along. In eleventh grade, we were placed in the same math experimental class. I recall arriving early to the first class and being a bit disappointed when I saw David already seated at his desk. It is hard to avoid comparisons when we were in the same class. However, we found that we actually worked well together, in our own way. We would argue about the best way to solve a problem and debate its answer. As the year went on, I noticed that our teacher kept moving us closer and closer together. Our argument was actually productive.

However, we were two very different candidates. I was very involved in extracurricular(课 外的) activities, while David had better test scores than I did. I’m fond of writing while David enjoys playing computer games. I am currently studying English and French at McGill University, while David is studying computer science at Union College.

Besides escaping comparisons, there have been other benefits to going to different universities. The first one is that we are forced to talk to each other, as we no longer see each other every day. This is healthier for our relationship. The second, also the more important one, is that after having so many similar experiences together we can have our own experiences separate from one another.

Going to a different university has benefited me thus far. It allows for more personal growth, and I’m not attached to the label of being a twin.

1. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．Why Do People Like to Compare Me with My Twin Brother?

B．Why Am I Choosing a Different University with My Twin Brother?

C．What Are Some Main Benefits of Being Twin Brothers at School?

D．How Can Twin Brothers Get Along Well with Each Other at School?

2. What can be inferred about the author?

A．He was fed up with people’s comparisons.

B．He was glad to hear people’s comparisons.

C．He is more handsome than David.

D．He was better at academic subjects than David.

3. What does the author think of him and David studying in the same math experimental class?

A．Boring.

B．Harmful.

C．Awful.

D．Beneficial.

4. The author chose to go to a different university in order to ________.

A．avoid seeing David	B．escape arguing with David
C．pursue a different experience	D．strengthen bonds with David

【推荐1】A pile of shoes on a front porch(门廊) isn't anything out of the ordinary for most households, but for Heather Duckworth it held a special meaning during her sons' 18th summer.

The mom, who has an11-year-old daughter, 18-year-old twin sons, and a 20-year-old son, wrote a heartfelt post about seeing a pile of shoes outside her door and all that it represents," These shoes mean that I have a house full of kids, mostly teenagers, in their summer holiday. These shoes mean there is probably no food left in my house. These shoes mean noise and mess but laughter and music as well."

When Duckworth returned from work and saw the shoes recently, they brought on a wave of sadness because she realized that things were changing. Most of the kids who wear the shoes have just graduated from high school and she realizes that time is precious in her 18th summer with her sons. She continues that she knows seeing the shoes in the house means that the kids are safe, but soon all the shoes will be "spread across college campuses "and she knows "all of these shoes might not find their way back home next summer as life takes them on new adventures."

The time might be bittersweet, but Duckworth wants to focus on creating happy memories rather than focusing on the sadness that could come. She is going to be thankful for the shoes and enjoy every moment with the kid

The sentimental post generated a massive amount of interest with it being shared over 88,000 times in a week and receiving 14,000 comments. Duckworth was touched by the comments and how the story resonated(共鸣) with so many . She responds,

" What a gift you all have given me in knowing that I am not alone in feeling this way. Motherhood is hard, but we are all in this together!"

1. What do the shoes mainly mean for Heather Duckworth?

A．The messy but happy life.	B．The tiring and disorderly family.
C．The endless and hard housework.	D．A lot of household responsibility.

2. What change will happen to Heather Duckworth?

A．She will be trapped in a financial crisis.	B．Some of her children will leave her.
C．The kids will not be safe any longer.	D．Her children won't love her as before.

3. What can we learn about the comments on Heather Duck worth's post?

A．They are made mainly by mothers.

B．Most readers disagree with her opinion at all.

C．Many mothers have the same experience as hers.

D．Many people are interested in placing shoes properly.

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

A．The Children's Shoes	B．Live More Happily
C．The Hard Motherhood	D．A Hot Post for Mothers

【推荐2】Adults usually do not remember most of the things that are taught by their teachers at school. But this story is one such lesson that I will never forget. Every time I drift off course, I think of this story.
It was a normal Monday morning, and my teacher was teaching us on important things in life and about devoting ourselves to what is important to us. This is how the story went:
An old man lived in a certain part of London, and he would wake up every morning and go to the subway. He would get onto the train right to Central London, and then sit at the street corner and beg. He would do this every single day of his life. He sat at the same street corner and begged for almost 20 years.
His house was dirty, and a stench (恶臭) came out of the house and it smelled terrible. The neighbors could not stand the smell any more, so they called for the police officers to clear the place. The officers knocked down the door and cleaned the house. There were small bags of money all over the house that he had collected over the years.
The police counted the money, and they soon realized that the old man was a millionaire (百万富翁). They waited outside his house expecting to share the good news with him. When the old man arrived home that evening, one of the officers told him that there was no need for him to beg any more as he was a rich man now, a millionaire.
But the old man said nothing at all; he went into his house and locked the door. The next morning he woke up as usual, went to the subway, sat at the street corner and continued to beg.
Clearly, this old man had no great plans, dreams or anything significant (有意义的) for his life. We learn nothing from this story other than staying focused on the things we enjoy doing.
1. The neighbor called the police because ______.

A．the old man kept begging money from them every day

B．there was something dangerous in the old man’s house

C．the old man wouldn’t buy tickets for the train

D．they couldn’t bear the smell from the old man’s house

2. When the old man knew he was a millionaire, he ______.

A．remained calm	B．became excited
C．felt worried	D．became nervous

3. What lesson do we learn from the story?

A．Make great plans for your life.

B．Keep on doing what you like.

C．Do something that is good to society.

D．Depend on yourself rather than others.

【推荐3】Are you crying because you're sad or because something moves you? It's all okay. Some people try to hold back tears because they are scared it makes them seem weak, which is not a wise practice. Don't try to fight the tears, but let them flow freely,     1     .

1. It gives you more support

Sometimes people don't understand how much something is bothering you,    2     . Research carried out in 2018 shows that crying is so-called attachment behavior. This means that crying makes people want to comfort you and support you.

2.     3    

When you cry because something made you sad, the pain is often quite sharp, but you do feel relieved after you cry. That is not that strange. Researchers found out that your body produces oxytocin and endorphins when you cry. These components make people feel good and that's why you experience the sharp pain a little less intense.

3. It is said to cause less stress

    4     , but researchers are convinced that crying can lessen stress. When you cry, your tears contain a certain concentration of stress hormones (激素). These stress hormones leave your body when you cry and researchers have developed a theory that you experience less stress after crying because of it.

4. It can improve your sight

Most people know tears as the drops that pour over your cheeks when you cry, but there is also something called 'basal tears'. This is the liquid that is produced when you blink (眨眼).It keeps your eyes watery and allows you to see clearly. Sometimes your eyes can be a bit dry,     5    . When you cry, your eyes will be wet for a little.

A．It really eases the pain

B．It can make you farsighted

C．which makes you see a little less

D．It is no use crying over spilt milk

E．because crying also has four benefits

F．A lot of research still has to be done

G．but they suddenly understand it better when you cry

【推荐1】The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. More than 2,000 years ago, ancient Chinese people created this overall framework to mark the annual passage of time based on observations of the surfs motion. In the international meteorological field (国际气象界), the 24 solar terms are honored as “the fifth great invention of China”.

The 24 solar terms begins with Start of Spring, followed by Rain Water, Insects Awaken... and ends up with Minor Cold and Major Cold. Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice are two days of the year with the longest and shortest amount of daylight respectively, while Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox are days with the most balanced amount of daytime and nighttime. Through these four parts, a year is divided into four parts: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

In ancient times this system not only guided agricultural production, instructing farmers to expect the changes in temperature, spring planting and autumn harvest, but also directed Chinese folk customs. For example, Winter Solstice was the first one set among 24 terms and later developed into a festival to worship Heaven and ancestors. Every year at Winter Solstice, emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties would go to the temple of Heaven to hold a ceremony to worship Heaven, for good weather for their crops, and peace and prosperity for the country.

Nowadays, the 24 solar terms could not only be applied to farming, but also guide Chinese everyday life. They remind people to adapt to the changes in the seasons through suitable food and cultural rituals (文化仪式). Seasonal customs are still the rage, such as eating spring pancakes at Start of Spring, sweeping ancestors’ tombs at Qing Ming, gaining weight to keep warm at Start of Autumn and eating nutritious food to store energy at Start of Winter. They have actually became indispensable rituals in Chinese life.

The 24 solar terms is a common cognitive system among Chinese. It reflects the emotional bond, the wisdom and creativity of Chinese, who respect and live in harmony with nature.

1. How were the 24 solar terms created in ancient China?

A．They were set based on the movements of the sun.

B．They were created according to the change of the weather.

C．They were the results of learning from each other.

D．They were gradually developed from the practical experience.

2. What is a common feature of Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox?

A．They were set only for guiding agricultural activities.

B．They both play the role in dividing a day into day and night.

C．They are the days on which the length of a day is longer than night.

D．They both have the same amount of day and night time.

3. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Change.	B．Fashion.
C．Appreciation.	D．Honor.

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．The reasons for the recognition of the 24 solar terms.

B．The ways to handle the relationship between human and nature.

C．The origin and influence of the 24 solar terms in China.

D．The traditions and customs of the 24 solar terms in ancient China.

【推荐2】One of the statements that many personal development coaches seem to agree on is the fact that great things happen the minute we step outside of our comfort zone.

As soon as we decide that we're willing to go beyond what is safe, the possibilities are endless.

For me, one of the most important things that we should always keep in mind is that growth and comfort can't coexist.

Personal development author Napoleon Hill once wrote, ''Whatever the mind can understand and believe, the mind can achieve regardless of how many times you may have failed in the past or how lofty your aims and hopes may be.”

This statement is especially powerful because it reminds us that we are the only ones who can be responsible for how far we will go.

To reach any personal objective, we're usually required to change the way we do things.

However, stepping outside of our comfort zone is probably the most important step toward experiencing real change.

But consistency and continuing to move forward are equally as important, as it's extremely easy to slip back into old habits without realizing it.

For a long time, I knew that I wanted to live in Argentina, so halfway through my bachelor's degree, I bought a one-way ticket there. While I was in Argentina, I was able to finish the last two years of my degree online before flying home for graduation.

I currently still live in Argentina, and I can proudly say that taking the necessary steps to make it a reality was one of the most important things I ever did.

Of course, I'm not implying that we should all buy one-way tickets to foreign countries and just see what happens.

But it's important for us to recognize what we want and try to bring our dreams to life.

Living in a comfort zone can trick us into believing that we have plenty of time when, in reality, years can fly by without us haying accomplished what we really wanted to.

Remember, we won't always have tomorrow to do what we could have done today. So, hug the discomfort and allow it to encourage you to try new things. You never know what you could be missing out on by remaining complacent.

1. What does the author intend to show by quoting Napoleon Hill's words?

A．Hard work is the key to achieving aims	B．We should never lose faith even if we fail
C．Our own thoughts decide how far we will go	D．Our life is full of all kinds of possibilities

2. How can we reach our personal goals according to the author?

A．By going beyond what is safe and stick to it

B．By getting rid of all our old habits and move forward

C．By moving to another place to experience a different life

D．By living a steady life and make good use of our time

3. What can we know from the author's experience?

A．She failed to get her bachelor's degree.

B．She moved back home after her graduation.

C．She was satisfied with her one-way ticket decision.

D．She was not sure if she would enjoy life in Argentina.

4. What is the author's main purpose in writing this article?

A．To show that we should be content with our lives.

B．To share some of her important decisions in life.

C．To persuade readers to pursue what they really want.

D．To encourage readers to step out of their comfort zones.

【推荐3】Most of time black and white appears as opposites. White means light and purity(纯洁),while black is darkness and evil. But it is not always true. Sometimes the words are used differently.

White hats and black hats represent the traditional meaning of the words. The hats are used to tell the “good guys” and the “bad guys” in American western movies. Now the tradition of white hats and black hats is no longer a part of movie making,but you still hear the expression when people talk about good guys and bad guys. “A black sheep” is a person who does things that are not accepted,who breaks tradition. “A black sheep” is rejected(被排斥)because he brings shame to his group. A family may have a member who is thought of as “a black sheep”,a person who is not welcome at family gatherings.

Black is also used in some expressions that describe good things. Being “in the black” for example,is a good thing for anyone. It is a business expression that means a company is making money. When someone says his business is “in the red”,he means it is losing money.

White usually means something good. A “white collar” job,for example,is the kind of job many people want. It is a job where you work at a desk,using your brain instead of your muscles. Sometimes white is used in an expression that is not good. “Whitewash” is such an expression. At first “whitewash” meant to paint over something with a white paint to make it look better. But now “whitewash” has a different meaning: to hide or cover up mistakes or failures.

1. When a person is called “a black sheep”,it shows that______.

A．he is as black as a sheep

B．he always feels on top of the world

C．he will create wonders

D．he is not welcomed by people around him

2. Which of the statements is NOT true according to the passage？

A．People usually think of black and white as opposites.

B．White hats and black hats are only used in movies.

C．White hats and black hats represent the “good guys” and the bad guys.

D．Black usually means something bad while white often means something good.

3. All of the following expressions mean something not good EXCEPT______.

A．a black sheep

B．black hats

C．in the black

D．whitewash