【推荐1】April 23 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Organizations in Britain have planned numerous events to honor him.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, his birthplace, the tourism organization has a great number of free events, including performances of Shakespeare’s plays, and a dazzling fireworks display. And the BBC is broadcasting a live show from Stratfore-upon-Avon, celebrating Shakespeare’s widespread influence on the world. In England’s capital, the London Shakespeare Centre is holding a series of public performances, exhibitions and activities. It isn’t just England that honors the anniversary of the death of this extraordinary writer. In Washington, D.C., the Folger Shakespeare Library, which houses the world’s largest collection of documents relating to William Shakespeare, is displaying a series of exhibitions.

Shakespeare is probably one of the most famous authors and is considered a genius. He wrote around 37 plays and 154 sonnets(十四行诗), and his work has been translated into over one hundred languages! He penned beautiful metaphors(暗喻), serious dramas and amusing tales.

Shakespeare also invented many new terms and phrases. If someone’s behavior suggested they were not being honest and should not be trusted, Shakespeare called their actions suspicious. If someone was being silly and perhaps looking like a fool, Shakespeare found their actions laughable. And Shakespeare called people who offered their opinions on the quality of something critics. Today, for instance, food critics and film critics give audiences their opinions of foods and films. The familiar phrase “break the ice” comes from Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew. “The ice is broken” when a difficult conversation or meeting is calmed by some basic introduction, such as a simple game. More common words coined by Shakespeare include road, gossip, lonely, bump and hurry.

Four hundred years after his death, Shakespeare surely lives on，in everyday speech, as the most famous writer of all time!

1. The passage is mainly about ______.

A．the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death

B．the influence Shakespeare has on written English

C．the friends of William Shakespeare

D．Shakespeare’s colorful and fruitful life

2. Shakespeare is honored in the following ways except ______.

A．a great number of free events in Stratford-upon-Avon

B．a series of activities in the London Shakespeare Centre

C．a series of exhibitions in the Folger Shakespeare Library

D．a live show of Shakespeare in Washington, D.C.

3. According to the text, a simple game to make a difficult conversation easy is called ______.

A．an ice-breaker	B．a suspicious man
C．a critic	D．a laughable man

【推荐2】The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil(邪恶的) spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family members would come to stay with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to keep away from the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.

The following are some countries’ birthday traditions:

Canada--Putting butter on the nose. In Atlantic Canada, the birthday child’s nose is put butter on for good luck.

China--Noodles for lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his / her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.

England--Money cakes. Certain symbolic(象征性的) objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it is being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, you will be rich.

Ireland--Birthday bump(碰撞). The birthday child is lifted upside down and “ bumped” on the floor for good luck.

Italy--Pulling ears. The child’s ears are pulled as many times as how old he / she is turning.

Japan--New clothes. The birthday child wears new clothes to mark the occasion.

New Zealand--Birthday claps. After the candles are hit, the happy birthday song is sung loudly and often out of tune and then the birthday person receives a clap for each year he / she has been alive and then one for good luck.

The United States--Cake, candles and the birthday song. A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is.

1. The first paragraph mainly talks about         .

A．why there are so many birthday traditions

B．how birthday parties started

C．how to keep away from evil spirits

D．why gifts must be given to the birthday person

2. According to the passage, in which country can the birthday children probably receive a gift of money?

A．China.	B．England.
C．Ireland.	D．Japan.

3. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．In New Zealand, an eight-year-old birthday child receives eight claps in all.

B．In Ireland, bumping the birthday child means good luck to him/her.

C．In England, coins are the only things that can be made into a birthday cake.

D．In Italy, the birthday child’s ears are pulled when he/she is lifted upside down.

4. The birthday traditions of New Zealand and the United States share all the following in common EXCEPT       .

A．birthday cake	B．birthday candles
C．birthday claps	D．birthday song

5. In which section of a website does the passage probably appear?

A．Tech&Science.	B．Entertainment.
C．Careers&Jobs.	D．Culture.

【推荐3】Kid’s birthday parties are wonderfully fun for all, but in the way that they are traditionally celebrated, the are the enemy of “zero waste living”. A kid’s birthday party can produce lots of waste, from the plates, cups and uneaten food, to the gift wrap, present boxes, and disposable (一次性的) decorations. It doesn’t have to be like that.     1     .

Invitations

Forget the themed paper invitations; they get thrown away almost immediately anyway.     2     The mobile phone is a common communication tool which enables your guests to receive the invitation at any time.

Decorations

    3     Stay away from them altogether, including balloons. If you must decorate, choose some reusable, classic decorations that can be pulled out every single year, such as colored lights. Make your own painted and personalized banner, paper hats, and so on. Keep them for the next year.

Food

Don’t overdo the food preparation.     4     So you should put out only what is necessary, rather than ending up with loads of leftovers that are potentially ruined by the kids. Keep the rest for other meals. If other parents bring food, ask them to bring it in reusable containers.

Gifts

The gift giving part of a birthday party can produce a lot of unappealing trash, which is why you should choose an alternative. My kids have gone to several toonie parties ( a toonie is a two - dollar coin it Canada ), where each guest gives two dollars in their card and that money can be used by the birthday child to buy a single toy.

    5    

A．However, most parents find it hard to hold a “clean” party.

B．It’s a great idea for reducing waste and making a child’s birthday wishes come true.

C．Try using a basic email or phone call to create your guest list.

D．Kids hardly eat anything at birthday parties because they’re so excited.

E．Decorations can usually make the party room more attractive.

F．Here are some ideas on how to cut down on unnecessary, waste and have a   fun celebration.

G．Decorations for kids’ birthday parties are almost always disposable.

【推荐2】In recent years, China has witnessed the growth of luxury (奢侈品) brands. In this market, Chinese consumers are now the largest spenders. It’s clear that a new generation of young, materialistic people is increasingly relying on luxury brands to improve its self-image. I am a fashionist too, at least in spirit — I love to look at clothes and shoes. But I don’t understand why people spend lots of money on designer labels. When a young woman buys a handbag that costs two months of her salary, that’s a scary thing.

What’s interesting is that scientists have found that having luxury things doesn’t lead to happiness. Study after study has shown that although we want material things, when we get them we don’t suddenly become “happy” people. In fact, a series of studies by Leaf Van Boven at the University of Colorado, US, has shown that individuals who spend money on travel and similar experiences get more pleasure than those who invest it in material things. That’s because experiences are more easily combined with a person’s identity. If I travel to Yunnan, that adventure affects how I think in the future. My memories become a part of me.

Moreover, as Van Boven has observed, young people who pursue happiness through “things” are liked less by their peers. People prefer those who pursue happiness through experiences.

It’s natural to want to express yourself through your appearance. So my advice is: create a look that isn’t tied to a designer label. Convey your own message. Take some lessons from the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. He was always in Levis jeans and a black turtleneck. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, routinely appears in hoodies and sneakers. These people, successful people, have style. You don’t have to break the bank to send a message about who you are. Take a trip. Go out into the world. Then come back and confidently create your own signature look.

1. What can we infer from the first paragraph?

A．The author enjoys buying luxury brands herself.

B．The author agrees to overspend money on material things.

C．The author is critical of youths tying their looks to designer labels.

D．The author finds it natural for fashionists to follow fashion trends.

2. Leaf Van Boven’s studies showed that ______.

A．people dislike those who love luxuries

B．traveling changes a person’s identity greatly

C．luxuries have a negative effect on people’s happiness

D．experiences can bring people more happiness than luxuries

3. What is the author’s advice on expressing oneself?

A．Be selective about designer labels.	B．Create your own personal unique style.
C．Choose simple and fashionable styles.	D．Try styles like Mark Zuckerberg’s.

4. The main purpose of the article is to ______.

A．prove how luxury leads to an unpleasant life

B．tell how to express yourself through appearances

C．report on a series of studies about luxuries and happiness

D．persuade readers to invest in experiences instead of luxuries

【推荐1】I told my friend Graham that I often cycle two miles from my house to the town centre but unfortunately there is a big hill on the route. He replied, “You mean fortunately.” He explained that I should be glad of the extra exercise that the hill provided.
My attitude to the hill has now changed. I used to complain as I approached it but now I tell myself the following. This hill will exercise my heart and lungs. It will help me to lose weight and get fit. It will mean that I live longer. This hill is my friend. Finally I comfort myself with the thought of all those silly people who pay money to go to a gym and sit on stationery exercise bicycles when I can get the same value for free. I have a smile of satisfaction as I reach the top of the hill.
Problems are there to be faced and overcome. We cannot achieve anything with an easy life. Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to gain a university degree. Her activism and writing proved inspirational. She wrote, “Character cannot be developed in ease. Only through experiences of suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.”
One of the main determinants of success in life is our attitude towards adversity (逆境). From time to time we all face hardships, problems, accidents and difficulties. Some are of our making but many are no fault of our own. While we cannot choose the adversity, we can choose our attitude towards it.
Douglas Bader was 21 when in 1931 he had both legs cut off following a flying accident．He was determined to fly again and went on to become one of the leading flying aviators in the Battle of Britain with 22 aerial victories over the Germans．He was an inspiration to others during the war. He said, “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this or that. That’s nonsense. Make up your mind, you’ll never use crutches (拐杖) or a stick, and then have a go at everything. Go to school, and join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.”
The biographies (传记) of great people are full of examples of how they took steps to overcome the difficulties they faced. The common thread is that they did not become depressed. They chose their attitude. They chose to be positive. They took on the challenge. They won.
Nevertheless, there is still the problem of how you change your attitude towards adversity.
1. Which of the following is true according to the author of the passage?

A．Going to a gym is greatly beneficial to people’s health.

B．Climbing hills on bicycles is the best way to take exercise.

C．Those who want to achieve success can’t expect to live an easy life.

D．People’s attitude to adversity is the only factor of their success.

2. By quoting what Douglas Bader said, the author intends to tell us “.”

A．Nothing is difficult to the man who will try.

B．A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

C．If you risk nothing, you will have nothing.

D．Failure is the mother of success．

3. Following this passage, the author will further talk about .

A．how his friend helped him to change his attitude towards the adversity he faced

B．why it is important to keep optimistic in face of adversity

C．what steps to take to change your attitude towards the adversity you face

D．what great people have in common

4. Which of the following can best function as the title of the passage?

A．Life is full of adversity

B．Different attitudes towards adversity

C．Nothing is impossible

D．Face adversity with a smile

【推荐2】I work at a company where there are lots of employees. I can’t say that I know them all by name, but I know my fair share of them. I think that almost all of them know me. It is all based on one simple principle: I believe that every single person deserves to be acknowledged, even though it is only a smile or a nod of the head.

When I was about ten years old, I was walking down the street with my mother. She stopped to speak to Mr. Lee. I was busy throwing stones at the stop sign. I knew I could see Mr. Lee any old time around the neighborhood, so I didn’t pay any attention to him. After we passed Mr. Lee, my mother stopped me and said something that has stuck with me from that day until now. She said, “You let that be the last time you ever walk by somebody and not open up your mouth to speak, because even a dog can wave its tail when it passes you on the street.” That phrase sounds simple, but it’s been a guidepost for me and the foundation of who I am.

At work, I always used to say hello to the founder of the company and ask him how our business was doing. But I also spoke to the people who cleaned the buildings and asked how their children were doing. I’ve become vice president, but that hasn’t changed the way I approach people. I still follow my mother’s advice. I speak to everyone I see, no matter where I am. You will realize how powerful it is just to open your mouth and say, “Hello.” I’ve learned that speaking to people creates a pathway into their world, and it lets them come into mine, too.

1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “acknowledged” in Paragraph 1?

A．Accepted.	B．Thanked.
C．Greeted.	D．Respected.

2. Why did the author ignore Mr. Lee?

A．The author often met him.	B．The author was too busy.
C．The author didn’t like him.	D．The author didn’t know him.

3. What did the author learn from his mother?

A．Everyone should be treated fairly.	B．Speak to everyone you see.
C．Polite behavior is important in your life.	D．Friends may disappear from your life any time.

4. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To show respect for his mother.	B．To share how to succeed in work.
C．To show how to approach others.	D．To share an important principle.

【推荐3】For years I hadn't known much about gardening. I grew up in the countryside but got hooked on music and drawing and put a great deal of effort into books. As a teenager, the fields beyond my home became a green barrier to the big city I so longed to be part of.I was always full of life,free from worries.

Breaking up with Josh changed everything. I felt so lost and alone. Yet I didn't turn to gardening for recovery straight away. That summer I went to a dozen festivals,danced my way through sleepless weekends and relied on kind friends. But none of them worked for long.

Then one day I walked to the balcony,seeing sunflowers blooming brightly in the wind. They made me realize that plants always carried on. “How small my heartbreak is in the grand scheme of things," I said to myself. I had no idea where I'd end up living, but I could rely on those cycles of growth,decay(衰退)and renewal. There was something enormously comforting in that.

Gradually,the need for green space became a habit that changed my life. When I was staying with friends, I'd hunt out parks. Within a couple of months, I'd signed up as a volunteer at a local community garden and would get there early on Sunday mornings, as if it were my own kind of church.

It's not surprising that being outdoors and surrounding myself with nature helped me through this difficult time. Studies by the Royal College of Physicians have found that gardening can lower blood pressure,relieve anxiety and depression, boost mood,and burn calories.

Fifteen months later, I found a new home,nestled in a patch of south London woodland.I have 30 houseplants in total and my balcony blooms all year around,so it feels like both an oasis(绿洲)and somewhere to think.

Life is still sometimes frustrating.Difficult things still happen. But these days I know how to treat myself: I make sure I go outside, breathe in, look at what's growing, and I always feel better.

1. Which can best describe the author in her teenage years?

A．Stubborn but innocent.

B．Diligent and carefree.

C．Productive and optimistic.

D．Ambitious but selfish.

2. What actually drew the author to gardening?

A．It reminded her of the childhood.

B．It helped her ease negative feelings.

C．It broke down the barrier to the big city.

D．It relieved the symptoms of sleeplessness.

3. The underlined part in Paragraph 4 probably refers to

A．praying to God in the church

B．the need for green space in life

C．hunting out as many parks as possible

D．the voluntary work in the community garden

4. What does the text focus on?

A．Cure of nature.

B．Curse of fate.

C．Obstacle to peace.

D．Openness to change.