【推荐1】Hetty Robinson learnt all about money when very young. As a child, she read the financial pages of the newspaper to her rich father. Her father died when Hetty was 30, and she inherited $1 million. When she herself died in 1916, she left almost $100 million to her two children.

Hetty made her money on the New York stock exchange. She was a financial genius. She made money so easily that people called her the Witch of Wall Street. But although she was one of the richest women in the world, she counted every cent and spent as little as possible. She didn’t own a house, because she didn’t want to pay property taxes. So she and her children lived in cheap hotels.

She spent almost nothing on clothes, and always wore the same long black dress. She washed it herself, but to save soap she only washed the bottom of the dress, where it touched the ground. Other people had their own offices, but Hetty used a desk in the bank where she kept her money, because it didn’t cost anything. She sat in the bank and ate her sandwiches while she bought and sold stocks and shares. If the bank complained, she just moved all her money to another bank.

Hetty’s family paid the price for her meanness. When she was 33 she married a millionaire, Edward Green, and they had two children. But Green lost all his money, so she left him. When her son, Ned, injured his knee, Hetty didn’t want to pay for a doctor, so she took him to a free hospital for poor people. Unfortunately the doctor knew Hetty was rich and he asked for money. Hetty refused and took the boy away. His leg got worse and two years later doctors removed it.

But eventually Ned got his revenge. At the age of 81 Hetty had an argument with a shop assistant about the price of a bottle of milk. She became so angry that she had a heart attack and died. So Hetty’s meanness finally killed her. Ned inherited half his mother’s fortune, and he spent it all on parties, holidays and expensive jewellery.

1. What fact can be learned about Hetty Robinson from the passage?

A．She came from a poor family.	B．She worked for a bank.
C．She was nice to her son.	D．She died from extreme anger.

2. Hetty Robinson was called the Witch of Wall Street mainly because ________.

A．she was fond of reading financial pages of the newspaper

B．she made a huge fortune easily through stocks and shares

C．she liked wearing the same long black dress every day

D．she turned out to be the richest woman in New York

3. Which of the following best describes Hetty Robinson?

A．Talented but not generous.	B．Wealthy and kind.
C．Aggressive but not diligent.	D．Curious and lucky.

【推荐2】Sally Smith is an unbelievable woman who looks like a fit 40-year-old, although she just turned 70. She follows a special raw(生的；未加工的) diet and only drinks rainwater.

She looks so young that people mistake her for her daughter when she’s out with her husband of 54 years, but I think he isn’t complaining.

Mrs. Smith says the secret to her beauty lies in her special diet, consisting of organic vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts grown in her own garden; she calls it the “fountain(源泉) of youth”. The woman doesn’t touch anything that has been cooked.

And another strange thing she does is to collect rainwater, to keep her garden blossoming, but also to drink. But Mrs. Smith, who is from Miami-Dade County, Florida, didn’t always have such a healthy lifestyle. In fact, she ate meat regularly, as her husband used to own a meat factory way back in the 1960s. It was then that she decided to change her eating habit forever. And what a great decision that was! I mean, just look at her!

When she started off, Mrs. Smith was just looking for a few health benefits and never expected that she would look like a 40-year-old at the age of 70. Over the 27 years, she has been eating raw food, and she has written two booklets called Journey to Health and also produced a DVD containing all her healthy secrets.

Her husband, Mr. Smith, wishes he had followed her example, because now he looks much, much older and also suffers from diabetes (糖尿病) and high blood pressure. He takes prescription medicine every day, but Sally doesn’t even take an aspirin(阿司匹林).

1. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Her raw diet.

B．Her beauty.

C．Specially cooked food.

D．The organic food.

2. What kind of person does the author think Mrs. Smith is?

A．Careless.

B．Honest.

C．Strong-willed.

D．Open-minded.

3. What did the woman do with her healthy secrets?

A．She sold them to the local people.

B．She gave up them at the age of 70.

C．She shared them with the public in various ways.

D．She improved them with her husband’s help.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards Mrs. Smith’s lifestyle?

A．Uninterested.

B．Doubtful.

C．Negative.

D．Supportive.

【推荐1】Harper Lee was an American novelist widely known for To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, which won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize and has become a classic of modern American literature. The 1962 film adaptation starring Gregory Peck won three Academy Awards.

For decades, the book was Lee’s only major work of published fiction, but it was hugely influential for generations of US readers. It has sold more than 10 million copies, and is one of the most widely taught novels in the US schools. In 2007 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to literature.

Lee wanted to live a simple life and was never comfortable with the attention the novel won her, and she practically disappeared from public life after it appeared. The world, however, continued waiting for a new novel from her, and on occasion she suggested that she had a story in progress.

In 2015, a book did come out. Go Set a Watchman was more of a first draft, featuring Scout, the young girl who was the main character of To Kill a Mockingbird. Go Set a Watchman tells a story of Scout as an adult. Accusations arose that the 89-year-old Lee was not able to agree to the manuscript’s release，and that various parties had signed on her behalf.

Though Lee moved to New York in 1949, she spent many years guarding her privacy (隐私) in Monroeville, which served as the clear inspiration for the setting in To Kill a Mockingbird.

In 2007, Lee suffered a stroke (中风), but recovered and later settled in Monroeville permanently to care for her sister, Alice, who died in 2014. She was said to eat breakfast every morning at the same fast-food spot, and was friendly with her neighbors. The countless Americans knew her only through her works，and they will undoubtedly miss her.

1. What can be learned about Harper Lee from the first two paragraphs?

A．She was regarded the greatest writer in America.

B．She made great contributions to American literature.

C．She once starred in a film adapted from her own novel.

D．She got her novels well accepted in most American schools.

2. Why did Harper Lee disappear from public life after her first novel came out?

A．She tried to get out of accusations.

B．She wanted to write another novel.

C．She intended to avoid being bothered.

D．She wasn’t comfortable with her novel’s influence.

3. What can we learn about Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman?

A．It tells her own life story.

B．It is adapted into a famous film.

C．It won her lots of honors and awards.

D．It continues the story of her earlier one.

4. What can be inferred about Harper Lee from the last paragraph?

A．She died of a stroke in 2014.

B．She will be remembered forever.

C．She cared much for her neighbors.

D．She led a lonely life in her later life.

【推荐2】Mini Book Excerpts（节选）
Biography
When Salinger learned that a car park was to be built on the land, the middle-aged writer was shocked and quickly bought the neighboring area to protect it… The townspeople never forgot the rescue and came to help their most famous neighbor.
J. D. Salinger: A Life by Kenneth Slawenski（Random House,$27）
Mystery（疑案小说）
“You’re a smart boy. Benny’s death was no accident, and you’re the only one who saw it happen. Do you think the murderer should get away with it ? ” The boy was staring stubbornly (固执地；倔强地) at his lap again.
A thought suddenly occurred to Annika, “Did you …You recognized the man in the car, didn’t you?”
The boy hesitated, twisting his fingers, “Maybe,” he said quietly.
Red Wolf by Liza Marklund（Atria Books, $25. 99）
Short Stories
She wants to say to him what she has learned, none of it in class: Some women are born stupid, and some women are too smart for their own good. Some women are born to give , and some women only know how to take. Some women learn who they want to be from their mothers, some who they don’t want to be. Some mothers suffer so their daughters won’t. Some mothers love so their daughters won’t.
You Are Free by Danzy Senna（Riverhead Books, $15）
Humor
Do your kids like to have fun? Come to Fun Times! Do you like to watch your kids having fun? Bring them to Fun Times! Fun Times!’s “amusement cycling” is the most fun you can have, legally, in the United States right now. Why spend thousands of dollars flying to Disney World when you can spend less than half of that within a day’s drive of most cities?
Happy: And Other Bad Thoughtsby Larry Doyle（Ecco, $14. 99）
1. If the readers want to know about the life of Salinger, they should buy the book published by      .

A．Ecco

B．Random House

C．Riverhead Books

D．Atria Books

2. The book Happy :And Other Bad Thoughtsis intended for               .

A．young children	B．Disney World workers
C．middle school teachers	D．parents with young children

3. Which book describes women with characters of their own?

A．You Are Free	B．J. D. Salinger: A Life
C．Happy: And Other Bad Thoughts	D．Red Wolf

4. After finishing the book Red Wolf, the readers would learn that              .

A．the murderer got away with the crime

B．Benny died of an accident

C．the boy helped arrest the murderer

D．Annika carried out the crime

【推荐3】A Book Review — The Snake-Stone by Berlie Doherty

The setting: Urban England (the cities), but also rural England (the countryside) including remote English villages.

The theme: The main theme is a teenage search of self-discovery, in this case the search for a mother from whom the hero was separated at an early age. Its other concerns are love, getting on with others, being persistent and courageous and trying to deal with doubts, troubles and worries. As the book moves to a close, James’ swimming coach says to him: “You are not like a kid obeying instructions any more. You are diving like a young man who knows where he is going.”

The characters: James is the hero of the story. He is a championship diver, and has a comfortable life with his foster parents. Yet he also has the qualities to take him on a long journey to find his birth mother. The other characters in The Snake-Stone, James’ parents, his diving instructor, best friend, the villagers, people he meets on his journey, are pictured realistically.

The turning point: The turning point in the story comes while James’ foster parents are away in London, and he wonders about the identity of his birth mother. The only clue he has is a fossil, “the snake stone” which she left behind along with a note on which she had written: “Take good care of Sammie.” It was written on a torn envelope with parts of an address still there.

The journey: Instead of going to London, James decides to find his birth mother. With help from his geography teacher, James sets out for the remote country village where his mother might be found. James has painful, challenging, but also humorous and happy travels. The mother he finally meets, Anne, has a minor yet powerful voice in the novel. He comes to understand why she left him at a stranger’s door fifteen years before. Although the meeting is not long, it leaves him with a feeling of completeness. As a journey of self-discovery, The Snake-Stone also provides its readers with a happy ending. Its hero says, on returning to his foster parents, “I was home.”

1. What is the main theme of the novel?

A．Life with foster parents.

B．Life in the world of diving.

C．A journey of self-discovery.

D．A travel around the country.

2. What do the coach’s words in Paragraph 2 suggest?

A．James is a successful diver.

B．James is a hopeful swimmer.

C．James is an outgoing young man.

D．James is an independent young man.

3. The snake stone in the novel is ________ .

A．a stone with an address on it

B．a clue left by the birth mother

C．a gift from the swimming coach

D．a fossil spotted in a country village

4. It can be concluded that James’ journey is ________.

A．worthwhile	B．boring
C．comfortable	D．disappointing

【推荐1】Born into a poor family, Lin Bu studied hard and grew up to be a learned scholar. He had travelled extensively across China before living the carefree life of a hermit(隐士).He was a good poet and writer but he never kept any of his writings, tearing them up right after penning them.

“Why won't you keep them for later generations?” people asked.

“I’m a forest hermit” he said. “If I seek no praise now, why should posthumous(死后的) fame matter to me?”

The most extraordinary thing about Lin Bu was his Plum Blossom Wife and Crane Son, meaning that he had a plum blossom(梅花) as his wife and a crane as his son. This fascination puzzled his friends. “Why plum blossoms, of all flowers?” they asked.

“Plum blossoms alone flower during the coldest of days, unbending to the freezing falling snow. It is the character of these 'Gentlemen of the Flowers' that attracts learned gentlemen, as well as hermits like myself.” he replied.

After Lin Bu died, the Flying Crane Pavilion(亭子) was built in his memory. People would come to admire the hundreds of plum trees, appreciating the form and character of Lin Bu' s beloved ‘wife' and 'son'.

One day, two scholars had a discussion. “Isn't it a shame that a competent person justifying his official ranks settle for a hermit's life in the depths of the mountains?” one asked. “What's so bad about fame and fortune that they have escaped it?”

“It's true that all people wish for fame and fortune, but they must suffer a great deal to obtain them. The darkest side of human nature is almost always revealed in these struggles for fame and fortune.”

“That's why a hermit would flee from all worldly cares, maintaining his noble character, just as the plum blossoms quietly flower in the depths of winter!” Their discussion ended, but the two remained in the pavilion for a long time.

1. Why did Lin Bu destroy his own writings?

A．Because he traveled a lot as a learned scholar.	B．Because he was not satisfied with their quality.
C．Because he cared nothing about fame and fortune.	D．Because he didn't care about later generations.

2. What is special about plum blossoms in Lin Bu's eyes?

A．They symbolize beauty and peace.	B．They symbolize bravery and independence.
C．They symbolize happiness and long life.	D．They symbolize purity and good luck.

3. What does the last sentence of this article indicate?

A．The debate on Lin Bu' s choice would last for a long time.

B．The two scholars would maintain their noble characters long.

C．The Flying Crane Pavilion would attract more Chinese scholars.

D．Lin Bu' s story would have a lasting influence on Chinese scholars.

4. What can we mainly learn from this article?

A．Chinese culture valued living in harmony with Nature.

B．Nature played an important role in Chinese scholars' daily life.

C．Hermits in China generally compared themselves to plum blossoms.

D．Material success meant nothing to scholars with a noble character in China.

【推荐2】One early morning, I went into the living room to find my mother reading a thick book called Best Loved Poems to Read Again and Again. My interest was aroused only by the fact that the word “Poems” appeared in big, hot pink letters.

“Is it good?” I asked her.

“Yeah,” she answered. “There’s one I really like and you’ll like it, too.” I leaned forward.

“‘Patty Poem,’”she read the title. Who is Patty? I wondered. The poem began:

She never puts her toys away, Just leaves them scattered①where they lay,...

①散乱的

The poem was just three short sections. The final one came quickly:

When she grows and gathers poise②, I’ll miss her harum-scarum③noise, And look in vain for scattered toys.

②稳重 ③莽撞的

And I’ll be sad.

A terrible sadness washed over me. Whoever Patty was, she was a mean girl. Then, the shock.

“It’s you, honey,” My mother said sadly.

To my mother, the poem revealed a parent’s affection when her child grows up and leaves. To me, the “she” in the poem was horror. It was my mama who would be sad. It was so terrible I burst out crying.

“What’s wrong?” my mother asked.

“Oh Mama,” I cried. “I don’t want to grow up ever!”

She smiled. “Honey, it’s okay. You’re not growing up anytime soon. And when you do, I’ll still love you, okay?”

“Okay,” I was still weeping. My panic has gone. But I could not help thinking about that silly poem. After what seemed like a safe amount of time, I read the poem again and was confused. It all fit so well together, like a puzzle. The language was simple, so simple I could plainly understand its meaning, yet it was still beautiful. I was now fascinated by the idea of poetry, words that had the power to make or break a person’s world.

I have since fallen in love with other poems, but “Patty Poem” remains my poem. After all, “Patty Poem” gave me my love for poetry not because it was the poem that lifted my spirits, but because it was the one that hurt me the most.

1. Why was the writer attracted by the book Best Loved Poems to Read Again and Again?

A．It was a thick enough book.	B．Something on its cover caught her eye.
C．Her mother was reading it with interest.	D．It has a meaningful title.

2. After her mother read the poem to her, the writer felt _________ initially.

A．sorrowful

B．excited

C．horrified

D．confused

3. The writer’s mother liked to read “Patty Poem” probably because _________.

A．it reflected her own childhood	B．it was written in simple language
C．it was composed by a famous poet	D．it gave her a hint of what would happen

4. It can be concluded from the passage that “Patty Poem” leads the writer to _________.

A．discover the power of poetry	B．recognize her love for puzzles
C．find her eagerness to grow up	D．experience great homesickness