【推荐1】The Pew report—which was based on surveys carried out in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Poland and the Czech Republic—concluded that the European Union was “ the new sick man of Europe”.

The percentage of Europeans with a favorable view of the EU has plunged from 60 percent last year to 45 percent now.

The UK may be considered the most Eurosceptic（欧洲怀疑论者）country, but its support for the union has barely changed in the past 12 months, slipping only two points to 43 percent.

By contrast, France’s backing for the EU has slipped sharply, from 60 percent last year to 41 percent today.

On the question of whether to remain in the EU, 46 percent of the British want to leave the union and surprisingly, the same percentage want to stay.

The Pew report’s authors said, “The long-drawn economic crisis has created bad forces that are pulling European public opinion apart, separating the French from the Germans and Germans from everyone else.”

They added, “The effort over the past half century to create a more united Europe is now the main disaster of the euro crisis. The European project now stands in a bad reputation across much of Europe.”

The only European leader rated highly by their own voters was the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with 74 percent voters in favor of her.

Prime Minister David Cameron was the next highest with a positive score of 37 percent among the British public, although he can take some comfort from the fact that 58 percent of Poles（波兰人）and half of all French people think he is doing a good job.

In spite of the dark economic future and growing doubt of the EU, there were strong majorities of more than 60 percent in favor of keeping the euro in the five countries surveyed that use the single currency.

1. Which of the following is TRUE about the recent Pew report?

A．The UK has the smallest number of people against the EU.

B．There’s a slight change of the UK’s support for the EU.

C．More than half the Germans raise doubt about the EU.

D．A vast majority of French people are in favor of the EU.

2. As to whether to remain in the EU, ______.

A．The British are divided equally	B．few British want to stay
C．half British want to leave	D．many British don’t care about it

3. What’s the Pew report’s authors’ attitude towards the relation between France and
Germany?

A．Enthusiastic.	B．Optimistic.
C．Negative.	D．Neutral.

4. Why does Prime Minister David Cameron feel a little bit comfortable?

A．Only a score of 37 percent of Britons go against him.

B．Many of the Poles and French think well of him.

C．More than 60 percent of the Europeans are in favor of keeping the euro.

D．Angela Merkel has 74 percent voters supporting her.

【推荐2】William Wordsworth wrote that “the human mind is capable of excitement without the application of violent stimulants(刺激)”. And it appears that simply reading those words proves his point.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool found the works of Shakespeare and Wordsworth and the like had a beneficial effect on the mind. It can catch the reader's attention and trigger(触发) moments of self-reflection.

Using scanners, they monitor the brain activity of volunteers as they read pieces of classical English literature both in their original form and in a modern translation.

And, according to the Sunday Telegraph, the experiment showed the more challenging prose(散文) and poetry set off far more electrical activity in the brain than the easier versions.

The research also found poetry, in particular, increased a activity in the right part of the brain, an area concerned with “autobiographical(自传式的) memory”, which helped the reader to reflect on their own experiences. The researchers said this meant the classic were more useful than self-help books.

The brain response of 30 volunteers were watched in the first part of the research as they read Shakespeare in different forms.

In one example, volunteers read a line from King Lear, “A father and a gracious aged man him have you madded”, before reading the simpler version: “A father and a gracious aged man; him you have annoyed”. Shakespeare's use of “mad” as a verb caused a higher level of brain activity than the straightforward prose.

The next stage of the research was looking at the degree to which poetry could affect psychology and provide therapeutic(治疗的) benefit. Volunteers' brains were scanned while reading four lines by Wordsworth, and four “translated” lines were also provided.

The first version caused more brain activity, wake up not only the left part of the brain connected with language, but also the right part that relates to autobiographical memory and emotion.

“Poetry is not just a matter of style. It is also about deep versions of experience that add the emotional to the cognitive(认知的),” said Prof Davis, who will present the findings at the North of England education conference in Sheffield this week.

1. The words by William Wordsworth in paragraph 1 are used to________.

A．prove the poet's point	B．introduce the topic
C．serve as an example	D．stress the importance of reading

2. What is the beneficial effect of(reading classics on the mind?

A．It excites the reader’s mind.

B．It reflects the reader's experience.

C．It arouses the reader's curiosity.

D．It monitors the reader's brain activity.

3. What method is mainly used in the experiment?

A．Comparing responses.	B．Analyzing data.
C．Observing activities.	D．Testing ability.

4. According to Professor Davis, poetry can affect the mind mainly because of________.

A．its style	B．its language
C．its depth	D．its writer

【推荐3】The first set of Chinese stories presented in English scripts (剧本), titled Stories of China: Performed in English, was officially published by Foreign Languages Press. Planned by the New Channel International Education Group with the participation of playwrights from China, the United Kingdom and the United States, the book provides a new way for young people to learn English while inheriting (传承) and spreading Chinese culture.

The book contains 20 English scripts in novel formats covering a wide range of subjects. Unlike the most common English scripts for young readers on the market which are based on adaptations of European and American stories, those presented in this book are unique for being based on classic Chinese stories, readapted and written in English. The book is divided into first to third grades in terms of grammar and vocabulary difficulty, making it suitable for young English learners from primary school to junior and high school.

All the scripts in the book are written by top playwrights with elegant, pure and vivid language. The scripts are provided with a summary of the story in both Chinese and English, so that readers can fully understand the plot as well as the history and culture behind it. Readers can not only improve their English skills through immersive (沉浸式) reading and performance but also appreciate Chinese culture.

Hu Min, English education expert and founder of the New Channel, said the combination of traditional culture and English teaching has become a trend, guiding young people to bring their own wisdom and deep cultural heritage to tell Chinese stories to the world. New Channel will offer special courses on Stories of China: Performed in English in its many schools across the country, and cooperate with primary and secondary schools in Beijing, Shanghai to offer English drama courses on a trial basis. Hu believes the courses will set off a new wave of enthusiastic learning among young people.

1. Why was Stories of China: Performed in English published?

A．To offer English drama courses on a trial basis.

B．To make foreign students enjoy Chinese culture.

C．To advertise some of the top playwrights in China.

D．To improve English learning and circulate Chinese culture.

2. What do we know about the book?

A．It’s been published by a foreign press.

B．It stands out for its unique writing style.

C．It introduces classic Chinese stories.

D．It’s been popular in various schools.

3. What’s Hu Min’s attitude towards the courses to be offered?

A．Hopeful.

B．Doubtful.

C．Objective.

D．Conservative.

4. In which section of a magazine might the text appear?

A．Business.

B．Lifestyle.

C．Culture.

D．Politics.

【推荐1】When Allen invited me to go on a camping trip to the mountains, I imagined a wooden cabin overlooking a lake, with a warm fireplace, hot chocolate, and soft beds. But my happy image became a nightmare when Allen and his older brother, Leo, showed up with a truck filled with camping equipment----tents, sleeping bags, and water bottles. We were going on survival training!

Leo was keen to leave the city behind us and urged us to hurry. Several hours later, as we drove through the forest, the mountains seemed bigger than I remembered; the trees were larger, and the environment felt more threatening.

At the trailhead, Leo tied a sleeping bag onto my already heavy pack and lectured Allen and me about hiking rules. Then, with Leo in front, we set off along the narrow and steep dirt track that wound up the mountains.

After 6 hours of climbing, we finally reached the top. My legs were aching and I dropped my pack and complained but there was no time to rest." We need to set up camp quickly," said Leo. "There are dark clouds coming in. A storm's on its way.

I thought he was kidding, but Leo was quite serious. He and Allen worked expertly, while I stood around and pretended to help, thunder rumbling(发出隆隆声) in the distance. We just finished putting up the tents when it hit. The wind, thunder, and lightning were relentless(持续强烈的).

Leo, sensing that I was scared, started telling us some stories about his camping adventures. But each time lightning lit up the tent and the thunder echoed, I jumped. "Don't worry. Summer storms pass quickly," Leo said, trying to comfort me. "And at least the rain will keep the bears away," he said with a teasing smile, which was less comforting.

And just as quickly as the storm came rushing in, it passed, and we exited the tent. The view was incredible ---- I could see for miles. As darkness set in, I stared in wonder at the millions of stars glowing in the night sky.

I wouldn't lie ---- I was still wishing for a hot shower and a soft bed, but as I gazed upward at the Milky Way, I knew this was an adventure I would never forget.

1. Why did the author think his happy image became a nightmare?

A．Allen had arrived earlier than arranged.

B．He saw that Allen was not well prepared.

C．He realized their trip would be challenging.

D．Allen's brother was unexpectedly with him.

2. Why was it necessary to set up camp immediately after reaching the mountain top?

A．It was almost night time.	B．The weather was changing.
C．They were tired and needed to rest.	D．They needed protection from animals.

3. What can we know about Leo?

A．He is an experienced and capable hiker.	B．He is inconsiderate.
C．He had known the author for a long time.	D．He had not been to this mountain before.

4. How did the author feel at the end of the story?

A．Tired.

B．Optimistic.

C．Scared.

D．Disappointed.

【推荐3】One day, when I was working as a psychologist in England，an adolescent boy showed up in my office. It was David. He kept walking up and down restlessly, his face pale, and his hands shaking slightly. His head teacher had referred him to me. "This boy has lost his family," he wrote. "He is understandably very sad and refuses to talk to others, and I'm very worried about him. Can you help?”
I looked at David and showed him to a chair. How could I help him? There are problems psychology doesn’t have the answer to, and which no words can describe. Sometimes the best thing one can do is to listen openly and sympathetically.
The first two times we met, David didn't say a word. He sat there, only looking up to look at the children's drawings on the wall behind me. I suggested we play a game of chess. He nodded. After that he played chess with me every Wednesday afternoon——in complete silence and without looking at me. It's not easy to cheat in chess, but I admit I made sure David won once or twice.
Usually, he arrived earlier than agreed， took the chess board and pieces from the shelf and began setting them up before I even got a chance to sit down. It seemed as if he enjoyed my company. But why did he never look at me?
"Perhaps he simply needs someone to share his pain with," I thought. "Perhaps he senses that I respect his suffering.”Some months later, when we were playing chess, he looked up at me suddenly.
"Is your turn," he said.
After that day, David started talking. He got friends in school and joined a bicycle club. He wrote to me a few times about his biking with some friends, and about his plan to get into university. Now he had really started to live his own life.
Maybe I gave David something. But I also learned that one——without any words——can reach out to another person. All it takes is a hug, a shoulder to cry on, a friendly touch, and an ear that listens.
1. When he first met the author, David        .

A．felt a little excited

B．looked a little nervous

C．walked energetically

D．showed up with his teacher

2. As a psychologist, the author        .

A．was able to describe David's problem

B．was skeptical about psychology

C．was ready to listen to David

D．was sure of handling David's problem

3. David enjoyed being with the author because he________.

A．wanted to ask the author for advice

B．bear the author many times in the chess game

C．liked the children’s drawings in the office

D．need to share sorrow with the author

4. What can be inferred about David?

A．He recovered after months of treatment.

B．He liked biking before he lost his family.

C．He went into university soon after starting to talk.

D．He got friends in school before he met the author.

5. What made David change?

A．His teacher’s help.

B．The author’s friendship.

C．The author’s silent communication with him.

D．His exchange of letters with the author.

【推荐2】Jack London, one of America's great writers of adventure stories, was born in California in 1876. During his life, London did many jobs. His broad life experiences would become the background for his writing.

London loved to read. As a teenager, he spent many hours educating himself at the Oakland Public Library. He attended college at the University of California at Berkeley in 1896, but he stayed for only six months. He thought Berkeley was "not lively enough" and wanted to do something more exciting.

London wrote stories about working people and the hard times they had making a living. He knew their problems at first hand. He worked as a sailor, factory worker, and gold rusher, to name but a few of his many jobs.

Like many people of the time, London caught the Klondike Gold Rush Fever. In 1897, he headed for Alaska. He didn't find gold, but he discovered something even more valuable. He discovered that people enjoyed listening to the stories he made up. London entertained (使……快乐) the miners with story after story. Later, using his experiences during the Gold Rush, he created many more colorful stories. London decided to live a full, exciting life. Each day, he pushed himself. Once London made up his mind to be a writer, nothing could stop him. His goal was to write at least one thousand words every day. He refused to stop even when he was sick. In eighteen years, the writer published fifty-one books and hundreds of articles. He was the best-selling and highest-paid author of his day. Many people also considered him to be the best writer.

White Fang and The Call of the Wild are his must famous stories and are about surviving in the Alaskan wilderness.

Readers can enjoy Jack London's talent for telling wonderful stories each time they open one of his novels.

1. Which statement is true about Jack London?

A．He is famous for his learning ability.	B．He studied in many universities.
C．He was taught by the librarians.	D．His life experiences benefited him.

2. What did Jack London think of his college life?

A．It was not very easy.	B．It was not very busy.
C．It was not very interesting.	D．It was not very comfortable.

3. When did Jack London discover he had a talent for storytelling?

A．When he was a teenager.	B．When he was in Alaska.
C．When he went to college.	D．When he worked as a sailor.

4. Which of the following can best describe Jack London?

A．Strong-minded.

B．Big-mouthed.

C．Well-educated.

D．Sort-hearted.

5. What's the author's main purpose in writing the text?

A．To describe Jack London's life during the gold rush.

B．To introduce several books written by Jack London.

C．To show how Jack London became a great writer.

D．To require readers to read Jack London's books.