【推荐1】A young couple that had received many valuable wedding(结婚) presents built their house in a suburb. One morning they received in the post two tickets for a popular show in the city, with a single line:
“Guess who sent them.”
The couple had much amusement in trying to find out the kind person who gave them the tickets, but failed in the effort. They attended the theatre, and had a pleasant time. On their returning home late at night, still trying to guess who in the world had sent them the tickets, they found their house rid of everything valuable. And on the table in the kitchen was a piece of paper on which was written in the same hand as the note with the tickets.
“Now you know!”
1. The young couple in the story ________.

A．received many valuable gifts one morning

B．bought two tickets for a popular show one morning

C．got two tickets for a show from strangers

D．were invited to a popular show by their friends one morning

2. The couple went to the show ________.

A．early in the morning that day

B．to look for the person who sent them the tickets

C．to enjoy themselves in the evening

D．and found the person who sent them the tickets also attended the show.

3. The person who sent the couple the tickets was to ________.

A．show friendship to them

B．let them go out for a fresh air

C．make fun of them on purpose

D．have them go and then steal the things in the house

【推荐2】London, Reuters---What could annoy teenagers enough to make them stop hanging out with friends and go home？
No, it’s not a visit from their mothers, and not a threat to take away their cellphones or pocket money.
It’s high-frequency noise. The UK police recently agreed to use a device (装置) called the Sonic Teenager Deterrent. It sends out a sound that makes teenagers become so impatient and angry that they have to cover their ears tightly and walk away.
The sound is at extreme high-pitch that can be heard by those under 20. The body’s natural ability to detect some wave bands (波段) decreases almost entirely after 20, so few adults can hear the sounds. The black-box device, nicknamed the Mosquito because of its sound, can be fixed to the outside walls of shops, offices and homes. It sounds to youngsters like a crazy insect or a badly played violin. But it causes no physical damage.
A number of police forces and councils have given permission to use the system and want to install it at trouble spots.
Staffordshire Police Inspector Amanda Davies, who has given the device to shopkeepers in the Moorlands area, said," It is controlled by the shopkeepers--if they can see through their window that there is a problem, they turn the device on for a while until the group has run away."
1. The device can be used to ____________.

A．threaten teenagers in public

B．drive away trouble-makers under 20

C．help mothers control their teenage children

D．help the police control shopkeepers

2. From the passage we can know that ___________.

A．young people often suffer from pains in ears

B．shopkeepers are troubled by noisy insects

C．high-frequency noise is beyond the listening ability of people over 20

D．the police invented a new device to deal with teenagers

3. The purpose of the writer to write the passage is ________.

A．to advertise a new hi-tech device

B．to tell the reader a piece of news

C．to sell the device to shopkeepers

D．to inform the public as the spokesman of the police

4. Who will welcome the device most?

A．Shopkeepers.

B．The police.

C．Young people.

D．The producer.

【推荐1】Give a little sunshine!

The Council on Aging(COA)runs a telephone friendship project called the Sunshine Call Program, matching over-60s with a friendly volunteer for a daily chat over the phone. The aim is simple -- to help ease the loneliness and repair social networks.

Sheila, 77, a retired teacher, lived alone. She has been receiving calls from Rianne, a volunteer, for over two months. “Talking to Rianne is something I really look forward to -- a breath of fresh air. We talk about everything -- theatre, her work, books we’ve read. . . Listening to someone else’s life enriches you and gives you something positive to focus on.” “At the beginning, I had no expectation of how the phone calls would go, but it’s wonderful that it’s led to a genuine friendship. Rianne helps me a lot...”

Are you ready to add a little sunshine to a senior’s life?

The Sunshine Call Program initially links a volunteer with an isolated(独居的)senior for a daily call. When comfortable, the volunteer introduces a second senior to the call. Then another, until there are four seniors to one volunteer on what is essentially a conference call. Without having to leave the house, you will help the seniors meet and make new friends. They will then exchange phone numbers to chat on their own and reduce their isolation.

What are the volunteer qualifications?

Volunteers must have access to the Internet and be willing to be trained on the use of a chat app. COA will provide all supplies required to make the calls. Besides, volunteers must agree to participate in monthly meetings with other volunteers and guest speakers. All volunteers must be willing to provide a recent Criminal Record Cheek, the cost of which will be borne by COA. And the most important volunteer qualification is a sense of caring and a desire to help seniors in the community!

If you wish to volunteer with our Sunshine Call program, never hesitate! Just CLICK HERE to fill out the application form.

1. Why does the passage mention Sheila’s experience?

A．To show her loneliness.	B．To share a sweet memory.
C．To stress the value of the program.	D．To praise Rianne’s kindness.

2. One of the responsibilities is______.

A．making weekly calls to seniors	B．visiting seniors during holidays
C．introducing new friends to seniors	D．teaching seniors to use smart phones

3. 1f you want to be a volunteer, what are you required to do?

A．Learn the use of a chat app.	B．Prepare a computer by yourself.
C．Offer a letter of recommendation.	D．Have relevant working experience.

【推荐2】On the 1st of March Bulgarian people celebrate a traditional holiday called Baba Marta and it is related to welcoming the approaching spring. People all over the world meet spring with joy and new hopes but in Bulgaria it is saved as an ancient tradition.

On that day, Bulgarians exchange so-called "Martenitsa" and tell each other, "Chestita Baba Marta!"(Happy Grandma Marta! ). This custom is essentially to wish great health, good luck, and happiness to family and friends. The name "Martenitsa" is taken from the Bulgarian word for March, or, as a legend tells, an angry old lady called Grandma Marta-Baba Marta in Bulgarian.

In Bulgarian folklore Baba Marta is a grumpy old woman who changes her mood very rapidly and it reflects in the changeable March weather. When she is smiling the weather is sunny and warm, but if she gets angry the cold will stay for longer and it may even snow. By wearing the red and white colors of the Martenitsa, they hoped that it will make winter pass faster and bring spring.

The Martenitsa is made of twined red and white threads-woollen, silk, or cotton. The white is a symbol of strength, purity and happiness. The red is associated with health and blood.

When someone gives you a Martenitsa you should wear it either pinned on your clothes, on the hand tied around the wrist, or around your neck until you see, or a fruit tree in blossom for the first time in the season. After that you can tie it on a blossoming tree for fertility. Like kind of amulet, Martenitsa was regarded as a magic power believed to protect folks from "ill fortune", diseases and an evil eye.

The custom of wearing Martenitsa is probably one of the most interesting Bulgarian traditions and it is considered to be unique to Bulgaria. According to one of the many legends, this tradition is also related to the founding of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD.

1. What do we know about Martenitsa?

A．It marks a huge improvement on agriculture.

B．It is celebrated by Bulgarian people on May 1st.

C．It lasts from March 1st until around the end of May.

D．It is a traditional holiday connected with welcoming spring.

2. What does the underlined word "grumpy" in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Open-minded.

B．Ill-tempered.

C．Easy-going.

D．Cold-blooded.

3. How should a Martenitsa be worn correctly?

A．By pinning it on the head.	B．By drawing it on the body.
C．By tying it around the wrist.	D．By sticking it on the trousers.

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

A．To promote cultural research.	B．To tell people what to do in spring.
C．To introduce a Bulgarian tradition.	D．To show how to make the Martenitsa.

【推荐3】Note-taking is a skill that can help you do well in all your schoolwork—everything from taking tests to researching a paper. But unfortunately, most schools don’t have classes that teach you how to take notes. So here are some tips.

Write down key facts. If you have a teacher who writes notes on the board, that’s good: You can copy them down. If not, write down the most important points from class. Does your history teacher mention the date of a key Civil War battle? Does your English teacher give examples of Shakespeare’s use of irony (讽刺)? Write it down!

Different teachers do things differently. For example, some teachers may mention lots of dates and facts in class but only write the key ones on the board. Other teachers may not write anything down, but they may repeat a certain date or piece of information. After a while, you’ll get to know a teacher’s style.

Don’t overdo it. Don’t be crazy about taking notes. You’ll be frantic (慌乱的) if you try to write down every word that’s said in class. And if you focus too much on getting your notes right, you might miss important points. Some people actually learn better by listening, writing down a few key points, and then going over the material after class.

Ask. Don’t be afraid to ask the teacher to repeat something you miss. If you don’t want to ask in class, see your teacher afterwards. It’s much easier than wondering if you got the notes right as you study.

Compare. Keep your notes handy when you’re doing your reading homework.

1. What’s an advantage of note-taking according to the writer?

A．It helps you to get good marks in tests.

B．It’s a basic skill of researching a paper.

C．It helps fix your mind on what the teacher says.

D．It gives you a better understanding of key facts.

2. Why is Shakespeare mentioned in the passage?

A．To introduce the topic on note-taking.

B．To compare writing styles in different times.

C．To give an example of forming good habits.

D．To explain what a key fact is in a teacher’s class.

3. It’s suggested in the third paragraph that ________.

A．teachers encourage their students to be active in class

B．it’s helpful for teachers to learn from each other in styles

C．it’s not always possible to note down all information in class

D．a teacher’s style be taken into consideration when taking notes

4. The writer has the opinion that students ________.

A．must try to take correct and detailed notes in class

B．should put down only key points while listening carefully

C．must not interrupt the teacher by asking questions in class

D．should put down as much information as possible in class

【推荐1】THE 2019 NATIONAL BALLOON CLASSIC: July 26^th - August 3^rd

FOR 9 DAYS EVERY SUMMER, IOWA SKIES COME ALIVE as nearly 100 hot air balloons paint the town with brilliant colors and charming special shapes. Don’t miss a moment of the excitement as skilled pilots compete for points and prizes every morning and every evening. Great family fun and unbelievable entertainment value await you at the Memorial Balloon Field. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside as you listen to live music during the evening balloon flights. Grab a bite to eat, take the children to Kids Land, buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind view, and prepare to be amazed as dark skies come alive with a mystical light during Dawn Patrols and Nite Glows.

1. When could people attend the National Balloon Classic in 2019?

A．July 3rd.	B．July 25th.
C．August 1st	D．August 26th.

2. What can people do on the National Balloon Classic?

A．Buy a balloon.

B．Take a balloon ride.

C．Paint balloons with colors.

D．Compete in a balloon flight.

3. What can we learn about the admission?

A．Children are free of charge for entry.

B．People can only pay cash for admission.

C．People should print online tickets before entry.

D．People can call 815-777-2747 for further information.

【推荐2】The world’s top automakers are increasingly offering more electric vehicle models. This growth is expected to continue, with more people choosing to hit the road with clean-running electric cars.

Environmentalists have praised the automakers for taking major steps to limit harmful pollutants linked to worldwide climate change. But electric vehicles are also known for not producing another kind of pollution - noise. They run on batteries instead of fuel, and can operate in silence.

While many people might consider this a good thing, quiet cars can also cause problems. The main danger is that people around electric vehicles face a greater risk of being hit if they cannot hear the cars coming.

Governments in the United States and Europe have recognized this problem. So, they have set requirements for manufacturers to add warning sounds to electric vehicles.

The U.S.Department of Transportation finalized its rules a year ago. The rules require electric and hybrid (混和能源) vehicles to be equipped with some warning sounds when moving at speeds up to 30 kilometers per hour. The rules are aimed at preventing injuries among people walking or riding bicycles and to protect the blind.

So what kinds of sounds can we expect to hear from the next generation of electric vehicles? One of the easiest solutions would be for carmakers to reproduce the sound a traditional car running on fuel. But many industry officials believe this would be a mistake. They say this would not support the electric vehicle’s true identity.

Frank Welsch, the head of technical development at Volkswagen, said that finding the perfect sound mix is not an easy process. He said. “It cannot be too annoying. It cannot sound like anything we had in the past.”

An official from Mercedes-Benz said the sound was designed to provide a safe warning without annoying passengers inside the vehicle. He said the goal was to create a car that remains completely quiet inside.

It might seem strange to think that part of our automotive future is currently being developed in the same kinds of recording studios used by musicians. But that is exactly what is happening.

1. What’s the main advantages of the electric cars over the traditional cars?

A．Fast and clean.

B．Smart and modern.

C．Inexpensive and fashionable.

D．Limited pollution and no noise.

2. What’s the author’s purpose to write the first two paragraphs?

A．To provide some facts about electric cars.

B．To introduce the topic of the passage.

C．To list the advantages of automobiles.

D．To stress the importance of saving energy.

3. Sounds are added to electric cars to _________.

A．limit pollutants

B．prevent injuries

C．increase sales

D．make cars smarter

4. What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Electric Cars Need Creative Sounds to Replace Engine Noise.

B．Electric Car Sounds Promote Sales to a Large Degree.

C．Recording Studios Will Create Sounds for All Electric cars.

D．Governments Call on People to Design Electric Car Sounds.

【推荐3】

CAN-DO PEOPLE	NO-CAN-DO
Take initiative to make it happen Think about problems and barriers Act	Wait for something to happen to them Think about solutions and options Are acted upon

If you think can-do, and you’re creative and persistent, it’s amazing what you can accomplish. During college, I remember being told that to fulfill my language requirement, I would “have to” take a class that I had no interest in and was meaningless to me. Instead of taking this class, however, I decided to create my own. So I put together a list of books I would read and the assignments I would do and found a teacher to sponsor me. I then went to the dean of the school and presented my case. He bought into my idea and I completed my language requirement by taking my self-built course.

American aviator Elinor Smith once said, “It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”

It’s so true. To reach your goals in life, you must seize the initiative. If you’re feeling bad about not being asked out on dates, don’t just sit around and sulk, do something about it. Find ways to meet people. Be friendly and try smiling a lot. Ask them out. They may not know how great you are.

Don’t wait for that perfect job to fall in your lap, go after it. Send out your resume, network, volunteer to work for free.

If you’re at a store and need assistance, don’t wait for the salesperson to find you, you find them.

Some people mistake can-do for being pushy, aggressive, or obnoxious. Wrong. Can-do is courageous, persistent, and smart. Others think can-do people stretch the rules and make their own laws. Not so. Can-do thinkers are creative, enterprising, and extremely resourceful.

George Bernard Shaw, the English playwright, knew all about can-do. Listen to how he said it: “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.”

1. What are those can-do people more likely to do?

A．They await in patience till their boss give the approval.

B．They remain somewhat reserved in a romantic relationship.

C．They always challenge people who think differently.

D．They turn to his friends in We-chat when they need a hand.

2. By saying “I don’t believe in circumstances” he means .

A．It’s circumstances not the people are to blame for what they are

B．One should get up earlier in order to find a way out

C．Have the initiative and you are in a better position to win

D．he is eager to get on in the world

3. How does the writer present his idea?

A．By illustration.	B．By example.
C．By reason.	D．By story.

【推荐1】Everyday, 340 million people speak it. One billion people are learning it and it is said that by 2050, half of the world's population will be using it. What are we talking about? That global language-English.

The English language started in Britain in the 5th century. It is a mixed language. It was built up when German, Scandinavian and French invaders settled in England and created a common language for communication.

Today it is the official language of the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Ireland as well as many islands in the Caribbean. Many other countries and regions use it for politics and business, for example, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and the Philippines. English is also one of the official languages of Hong Kong.

But global advertising and pop music mean that in most countries, you will see or hear some English. Thanks to McDonalds, we all know about “burgers”, “fries” and “milkshakes”. Songs by Madonna, Britney Spears and Celine Dion are in English. We can sing along, even if we do not understand what we are singing!

English is a messy language. Every year, dictionaries include new words that talk about popular culture, for example, computer-related words such as “blogging”, “download” and “chat room”. Also included are words that teenagers use. Who does not know “cool”, “OK” and “hello”?

Other languages also influence English. Many English words come from French. Words like “cafe” and expressions like “c'est la vie” (that is life) are all part of the English language. On the other hand, the French language includes English words like “le weekend” and “le camping”. German words are also part of English. Words like “kindergarten” come from the German language.

Recently, British people have become interested in “yoga”. But the word comes from an ancient Hindu language in India.

1. The English language has a history of           .

A．over 2000 years.	B．over 500 years.
C．over 1500 years.	D．over 1000 years.

2. The underlined expression “thanks to” can be replaced by           .

A．because of.	B．thankful to.
C．not until.	D．as if.

3. Which of the following statements is true about the language of English?

A．It has been changing all the time.

B．It has borrowed words from all the other languages.

C．French words are used by the English because dictionaries have French words.

D．Singers and film stars have the greatest influence on language.

4. How many people in the world are using English now?

A．One billion people.	B．more than 340 million.
C．almost all the people in the world.	D．not mentioned above, but the number is growing rapidly.

5. Many countries and regions use it for politics and business except           .

A．the USA.	B．Nigeria.
C．the Philippines.	D．Norway.

【推荐3】Retirement (退休) should be time of joy and freedom. However, for some people retirement comes with feelings of depression (沮丧), which makes life difficult for them.
Retirement is a major life change. Even good changes usually involve some kinds of loss. When you retire, you find yourself lacking whatever working used to provide. That could include, for example, 1. knowing you’re working for society, 2. getting admiration from your skills, 3. having “aha” moments when you solve problems, 4. having people to socialize with, and 5. simply having a place to go and a reason to get out of bed every day. For most people, there’s a financial loss, too. Also, retirement age is a time when a lot of people have to deal with losing their parents or having serious health problems of their own.
Because of all these, retirees are more likely to get depressed.
Depression is very harmful. First, depression can make physical health problems worse. Second, it takes a toll on relationship because it can make people angry. Third, it’s hard to get much done when you’re depressed.
What can we do to overcome (克服) the feelings of depression? First, do all the things that help depression in general: drink enough water, exercise, talk to friends, have a hobby, laugh, and spend time in nature. If you feel depressed more often than not, it’s probably time to talk to a doctor about your feelings. Second, it’s important to keep busy and get out of the house when you can. Make specific plans with friends. Take a class Volunteer. Or just make sure you start each day with some kind of goal. Third, try to focus on what you’ve gained by retiring. Think about what you may have now that you wished you had before you were able to retire. For example, days that are less stressful, a chance to rest and take better care of your body, more time for your family and yourself. To write, to start a hobby and to learn something new are all new possibilities. Finally, tell your story. You’ve lived a long time and you become an oral historian each time you talk with someone about your experiences. You can also write in a journal or make a video recording of your memories. Telling your stories can help you look back on your life and career with a sense of wholeness and achievements.
1. People may find life very hard after they retire because of ___________.

A．freedom	B．nervousness
C．discouragement (losing heart)	D．hard work

2. All the following can cause the retirees’ unpleasant feelings EXCEPT _______________.

A．they will suffer from financial loss

B．they have to support their parents

C．they may lose the reason to get up early

D．they may have fewer people to socialize with

3. The underlined sentence in Paragraph 4 means ________________.

A．it makes people’s relationships unusual

B．it makes people’s relationships in peace

C．it makes people’s relationships in danger

D．it makes people stay in touch with each other.

4. What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Depression and Retirement

B．Depression During Retirement Is Harmful

C．Reasons for Depression During Retirement

D．How to Overcome Depression During Retirement