Some people say that city living in the 21st century is stressful and offers no advantages, but I don’t agree with them completely.
With the development of high-tech and the improvement of living qualities, more and more people crowd into the city, which leads to the uncontrollable urbanization(城市化). Because of this, some of the largest cities must be fairly oppressive(压抑的)places to live in if you are short of money or unemployed. However, for those with much income, a city provides colorful environment which enables people to enjoy their modern life. In that case, I believe the advantages of urban living far outweigh its shortcomings.
Regarding shopping, as for me, rather than click on the Internet to get what I want, I prefer to window shop. All kinds of shopping malls and supermarkets located in the city centre really content me. What’s more, a large city’s service even covers numbers of the surrounding towns and benefits many people.
In terms of entertainment, city residents are usually spoiled for choice, from amusement parks to sport stadiums; whoever you are will find exactly what you need. Maybe go to a concert tonight and visit museums tomorrow. City always contains various activities and is full of energy.
City also provides better opportunities with so many choices and challenges. Cities with universities offer high-standard education so that graduates from these places always get ideal jobs with considerable salary. Every day in the business district, you can see a fierce competition among those large companies, while there are exactly places that may give birth to talents.
Many people may complain about the traffic jam or pollution in the city, but I think with some useful measures to take, our city will be more habitable rather than stressful.
1. What does the author intend to tell us in the passage?| A．City living in the 21st century is stressful. |
| B．City provides more conveniences and pleasures. |
| C．City living brings great trouble to the youth. |
| D．City is gradually dying out as a matter of fact |
| A．disposable income and colorful environment |
| B．quantities of population and shopping centers |
| C．great entertainments and better education |
| D．strong measures and fresh air |
| A．because there are no more choices for amusements |
| B．because they can hardly find what they like to do |
| C．because there are so many kinds of entertainments |
| D．because they will spend more money in a way |
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【推荐1】It’s not easy to feel like you’re always under the spotlight being judged for each little mistake you make. Your mind is in an endless circle playing what you said and did over and over again. And you wish you had a time capsule (胶囊) to go back and make things change if you find mistakes. You fear what others will think about you and that they will dislike you. You want to be socially perfect.
Academically, you work long endless hours just to make those excellent marks. Although most would say “it’s good to have high standards (标准)”, they have no idea about the internal bell you put yourself through to achieve perfection. If you come up to less than your desired goal, you will feel as though you have failed, but you’re far from failing; you just don’t see it that way. So instead you are telling yourself that you’re stupid, and not smart. The pressure you place on yourself weighs you down and you wear the “not good enough” label each and every day.
You not only have high standards for yourself but you also have them for others. If people don’t perform up to your expectations then you will think them not good enough. This causes a lot of frustration because you can’t trust anyone to get things right. So instead of being a team player you fly solo and try to do two or three jobs at once. Your unrealistic expectations cause you to criticize and judge others and that leads to problems in other aspects of your life.
The attempt to be perfect is called perfectionism and it’s damaging our emotional and mental health. We fight for perfection of our body, our performance, and our relationships. In a society that overstates mistakes, is it any wonder that so many young people attempt the impossible task of being perfect?
We all have fears and make mistakes, and that’s perfectly OK. It’s our imperfections that makes life interesting and they help us grow into a stronger and more adaptable person. We don’t have to achieve the impossible. We are designed to be perfectly imperfect.
1. Where is the text most likely from?| A．A diary. | B．A novel. | C．A magazine. | D．A guidebook. |
| A．Nobody is perfect. | B．Be generous with praise. |
| C．There is no best, only better. | D．A contented mind is an everlasting feast. |
| A．The society plays a role in perfectionism. |
| B．More and more people are making mistakes. |
| C．Many young people find it impossible to be perfect. |
| D．It’s unusual for a society to seek perfectionism nowadays. |
| A．It’s unbearable. | B．It`s part of our life. |
| C．It has to be overcome. | D．It does harm to our mental health. |
【推荐2】In the days before the internet, critical thinking was the most important skill that informed citizens could have. But in the digital age, according to Anastasia Kozyreva, a German psychologist, an even more important skill is “critical ignoring.” With such an overabundance of information, we need to first decide what’s worth our attention and time, and what’s not.
The first strategy is self-nudging. This involves avoiding low-quality information so that we have more quality time for ourselves. It also involves the removal of distracting things from the environment around you. Of course, we need to stay informed of world events, so we can’t just ignore the internet altogether. When you do go into social media, Kozyreva recommends setting time limits, which prevents you from losing track of time as you click on one attractive link after another.
The next strategy is lateral (横向的) reading. Its purpose is to improve judgments about the reliability of information, and to protect you from false and misleading information. The strategy involves opening a new web page to find out more about the source of the information. Likewise, it’s also good to check the source of the information in an internet post. Headlines are often cheating. They’re designed to attract attention, not provide information. The main idea of the article may be completely contrary to the implication in the headline. A sensational claim may provide a link with a headline that seems to support it, but a careful reading of the original source shows it doesn’t.
We live in a digital age in which we’re overwhelmed with information, much of it of poor quality. Train our critical ignoring skills and we can get the benefits of the internet while we avoid falling victim to those who try to control our attention.
1. Which of the following saying can best describe “critical ignoring”?| A．Rob Peter to pay Paul. | B．Make something out of nothing. |
| C．Birds of a feather flock together. | D．Separate the sheep from the goats. |
| A．Improving study equipment. | B．Managing our own time well. |
| C．Avoiding access to social media. | D．Staying informed of what happened. |
| A．By focusing on headlines. | B．By reading posts at random. |
| C．By searching for original sources. | D．By consulting authorities for advice. |
| A．To clarify a concept. | B．To promote an app. | C．To describe a scene. | D．To make a proposal. |
【推荐3】Richard Branson has had great global success. He is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which consists of more than 400 companies.
So what, I asked, is his most important secret to success? His answer was simple: Look for the best in other people. Throughout his life he's never thought ill of other people. He looks for the best and praises them. Branson at time seems almost not human. He's too good at what he does. No, great, Nearly perfect. When he starts something, he is very likely to succeed. He has fallen out with others though, like anyone else. He is only human. He told me, "Life is short and the world is much smaller than one realizes. You are going to come across people time and time again in the most surprising places. As a leader it's even more important to be out there praising and encouraging people. If you do fall out with somebody in life, even if you think it was their mistake, give them a call. Befriend them. Go out to lunch with them."
The greatest leaders in the world have taught forgiveness. Perhaps the most extreme example is Nelson Mandela, who invited his former prison guard to his inauguration(就职典礼)and even had lunch with a man who in the past wanted him to be sentenced to death.
Life is too short. We are humans and sometimes we make mistakes and anger people. What defines us is not those who are able to avoid confrontation(对抗), but those who are able to deal with it. The human body is able to self-heal(自愈)when we are cut. In that same manner, we must heal our past relationships.
Branson wins respect from those around him. A natural-born leader, he is always deep in thought and hungry for more; always one step ahead. And it was Richard Branson who taught me about forgiveness.
1. Richard Branson's success lies in his .| A．of forts | B．generosity |
| C．judgement | D．determination |
| A．he suffered a lot in prison |
| B．he was one of the greatest leaders |
| C．the power of forgiveness is really magical |
| D．great people set a good example of forgiveness |
| A．live in peace with others | B．be respected by our enemies |
| C．make a difference to others | D．make as few mistakes as possible |
| A．The key to success | B．What is forgiveness? |
| C．Invite your enemies to lunch | D．Richard Branson's success story |
One of the most famous residents of Tuscumbia was Helen Keller. Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880. Her home was a white frame cottage built by her grandparents. Since ivy (常春藤) grew everywhere, the house was called Ivy Green. It was here, at the water pump in the backyard, that Keller learned the word “w-a-t-e-r” with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Visitors to Ivy Green can walk under boxwood trees that are 150 years old. The home has furniture that the Keller family used. It also has Keller’s Braille (盲文) books and her original Braille typewriter.
Spring Park is Tuscumbia’s most popular park and favorite tourist attraction. This park has the world’s largest manufactured waterfall called Coldwater Falls. The Spring Park Light and Water Show is an amazing sight to see. It takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at sundown. The water appears to dance to music and colored lights. The music played during the show is recorded by singers and musicians from Alabama.
Fame Recording Studios is in the city of Muscle Shoals in Colbert County. The studio is the first successful recording studio in Alabama. It is best known for creating “Southern rock,” “Southern soul,” and “county soul.” Well-known performers like Aretha Franklin and musical groups such as Alabama and Lynyrd have made recordings at this studio.
Visitors can continue to explore music in Alabama by visiting the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia. Built in 1990, this site recognizes the musical talents of more than 500 Alabama residents in a wide variety of musical styles, including country and rhythm and blues.
Truly, Colbert County has a lot of wonderful locations to visit. Guests will not be disappointed in a visit to this delightful place.
1. Which of the following is TRUE about Alabama and music?
| A．Alabama musicians have established exhibits for visitors. |
| B．There are a great many talented musicians in Alabama. |
| C．Music is the most important industry in Alabama. |
| D．Alabama residents enjoy listening to music. |
| A．1. | B．2. | C．3. | D．4. |
| A．to learn from Helen Keller |
| B．to visit businesses in Alabama |
| C．to stop for a visit in Colbert County |
| D．to listen to Southern styles of music |
| A．a story book | B．a book review |
| C．a personal diary | D．a travel magazine |
【推荐2】Several years ago, I read about William Helmreich walking every street in New York City. I told my husband, “I can do that for Montreal.” With little hesitation, I devoted the next five years to the project.
I’m a walk-lover, but I did little preparation for this undertaking. All I did was to buy a map. It didn’t even show all of Montreal. So, when I say I walked every street in Montreal, I actually walked the full length of every street on my map.
From one end of my map to the other, all houses were well looked after. People made great efforts to decorate their homes, and with this came one of the greatest pleasures of my walks: the different measures they took to decorate their frontages.
I discovered that pigs are a popular decorative element throughout the city. The type that is dressed up as humans, I mean. I saw pigs wearing dresses, shirts and even swimming suits. They weren’t the only animals around either. One garden’s giant deer was particularly eye-catching.
Every outing has its wonders. Never assume a neighborhood has little of interest to offer. You must be trained to seek out strange things. Otherwise, you might never spot the clothes on the sidewalks. If I stopped to collect everything I saw lying around abandoned, I could equip a small country. Where did they come from? How did people lose their shoes while out walking? A puzzle.
There was enough fun on my walks that I’d have a few laughs and come home lighter-hearted than when I left.
As my project progressed, I felt like I owned the city. I could get off at any metro stop and my feet remembered the route to the best shops. They also conveniently recalled the place of the closest washrooms.
Anyone can get in on this walking game. I admit with some shame, I used to feel completely satisfied staying in my part of town, but after I joined in the game, I found walking its streets had truly opened my eyes to Montreal’s full menu. So just head to a neighborhood to nose around. I can assure you that you’ll feel like a pioneer with the discoveries you bring back.
1. What inspired the author to walk the streets of Montreal?| A．Doing some research. |
| B．Her husband’s advice. |
| C．Getting some exercise. |
| D．Someone’s walking experience. |
| A．Many houses are abandoned. |
| B．Clothes are deserted everywhere. |
| C．People enjoy decorating their houses. |
| D．Pigs are the only popular animals there. |
| A．take part in |
| B．make use of |
| C．benefit from |
| D．get addicted to |
| A．Curious and grateful. |
| B．Cheerful and satisfied. |
| C．Puzzled and frightened. |
| D．Confused and disappointed. |
【推荐3】Jersey City is holding its first annual mural(壁画)festival and the event is an exhibition of color and art. Over 70 artists showed their art pieces on over 50 walls. Tons of paint was used. Thousands of square meters of art were created. Guests were Unused and impressed.
Jersey city has always been popular with street artists. Salvador Dali, David Bowie, Mike Tyson and many other famous faces from different times are looking at guests from the city walls. But in the last seven years, over 150 colorful artworks have appeared on the city walls.
Jersey City officials approved the idea and made the Jersey City mural festival an annual event. “We have one of the most dynamic mural programs in the entire country. Today speaks to the fact that the investment in arts and culture is going to lead the way back for us. People appreciate it and want to live in a city like Jersey city for these exact reasons.”
Hundreds of artists hoping to be part of the festival presented their projects in advance for official approval. Officials selected the art based on creativity and execution(实施). There were no limitations when it came to the theme or subject. They ranged from political to abstract. Almost 80 artists participated this year. The whole city was decorated with these grand murals.
Tasty food, refreshing drinks, art and lively conversations — the festival proved to be a magnet for both tourists and locals. Communities were brought together through art.
While the festival only lasts a few days, the murals will stay on the city walls until next year when more art finds its way into the public spaces of Jersey City.
1. What makes the annual mural festival held in Jersey City?| A．The approval of local officials. |
| B．The ancient artworks on the city walls. |
| C．The influence of artists like Mike Tyson. |
| D．The investment from the entire country. |
| A．They have to be world-famous. |
| B．They must paint abstract subjects. |
| C．They have to be very creative. |
| D．They must fit the theme of the year. |
| A．Something attractive. | B．Something puzzling. |
| C．Something dangerous. | D．Something challenging. |
| A．Jersey City: A Public Holiday. |
| B．Jersey City: A Tourist Attraction. |
| C．Jersey City: A Colorful Memory. |
| D．Jersey City: An Artist's Hometown. |
