【推荐3】Would you BET on the future of this man? He is 53 years old. Most of his adult life has been a losing struggle against debt and misfortune. A war injury has made his left hand stop functioning, and he has often been in prison. Driven by heaven-knows-what motives, he determines to write a book.

The book turns out to be one that has appealed to the world for more than 350 years. That former prisoner was Cervantes, and the book was Don Quixote(《堂吉诃德》) . And the story poses an interesting question: why do some people discover new vitality and creativity to the end of their days, while others go to seed long before？

We've all known people who run out of steam before they reach life's halfway mark. I'm not talking about those who fail to get to the top. We can't all get there. I'm talking about people who have stopped learning on growing because they have adopted the fixed attitudes and opinions that all too often come with passing years.

Most of us, in fact, progressively narrow the variety of our lives. We succeed in our field of specialization and then become trapped in it. Nothing surprises us. We lose our sense of wonder. But, if we are willing to learn, the opportunities are everywhere.

The things we learn in maturity seldom involve information and skills. We learn to bear with the things we can't change. We learn to avoid self-pity. We learn that however much we try to please, some people are never going to love us-an idea that troubles at first but is eventually relaxing.

With high motivation and enthusiasm, we can keep on learning. Then we will know how important it is to have meaning in our life. However, we can achieve meaning only if we have made a commitment to something larger than our own little egos(自我) , whether to loved ones, to fellow humans, to work, or to some moral concept.

Many of us equate(将……等同于)   “commitment” with such “caring” occupations as teaching and nursing. But doing any ordinary job as well as one can is in itself an admirable commitment. People who work toward such excellence-whether they are driving a truck, or running a store-make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They've learned life's most valuable lesson.

1. The passage starts with the story of Cervantes to show that _____________.

A．loss of freedom stimulates one's creativity

B．age is not a barrier to achieving one's goal

C．misery inspires a man to fight against his fate

D．disability cannot stop a man's pursuit of success

2. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．End one's struggle for liberty.

B．Waste one's energy taking risks.

C．Miss the opportunity to succeed.

D．Lose the interest to continue learning.

3. What could be inferred from Paragraph 4?

A．Those who dare to try often get themselves trapped.

B．Those who tend to think back can hardly go ahead.

C．Opportunity favours those with a curious mind.

D．Opportunity awaits those with a cautious mind.

4. What is the author's purpose in writing the passage?

A．To provide guidance on leading a meaningful adult life.

B．To stress the need of shouldering responsibilities at work.

C．To state the importance of generating motivation for learning.

D．To suggest a way of pursuing excellence in our lifelong career.

【推荐1】Back in March, when the COVID-19 virus had just started its deadly influence across the country and people were terrified about a lack of every daily necessity, Jonny Blue focused on one particularly urgent need. Blue, a 33-year-old doctor saw reports of people buying and storing toilet paper. He came up with a simple yet clever solution.

One Saturday morning, Blue took a piece of cardboard, wrote “Share Your Toilet Paper” on it in huge letters, and camped out on the street corner. “It just inspired me to remind people that if you have a lot of something, that probably means there are people who don’t have very much of it because you took it all,” Blue said. “So sharing it is probably a good thing to keep in mind.”

The response was immediate and positive, with motorists honking horns(鸣笛) in support. Drivers stopped to drop off spare rolls of toilet paper, and, just as quickly, Blue handed them out.

“This guy said he just ran out and was going to a bunch of stores and couldn’t find any,” Blue said as cars went by. “Somebody had given me some, so I gave it to him. He was excited. He was like, ‘Do you want me to pay you?’ I said, ‘No, man. Take it.’”

A moment later, a driver in a white pickup truck slowed down just enough to take out a roll to add to Blue’s collections.

“People are loving it,” Blue said. “They’re honking, smiling, laughing. It’s kind of a hard time right now. People want a sense of community.”

1. What were people worried about at the beginning of the COVID-19 virus?

A．Unfriendly neighbors.	B．Expensive toilet paper.
C．Lack of medical support.	D．Not enough daily necessities.

2. What is the purpose of Blue’s action?

A．To stop buying and storing.	B．To encourage toilet paper sharing.
C．To advise people to save toilet paper.	D．To help people live a healthy lifestyle.

3. What does the underlined word “them” in paragraph 3 refer to ?

A．Drivers.

B．Letters.

C．Motorists.

D．Rolls of toilet paper.

4. Which of the following best describes Blue?

A．Professional.

B．Humorous.

C．Warm-hearted.

D．Outgoing.

5. What can be a best title for the text?

A．The Toilet Paper Sharing	B．Lack of Daily Necessities
C．Influences of COVID-19	D．Useful Advice from a Doctor

【推荐2】A few weeks ago, my teenage daughter Lisa failed a test. The grade might stop her from qualifying for the next class she wants to take. There were tears and some complaints for a few minutes. Then I saw something interesting. She made a joke, expressed gratitude that she didn’t have bigger problems, and finally made a plan on how to make improvements.

She was never the same as she was one year ago. That one was unwilling to take responsibility. That one stayed in anger and blamed others. We expect our kids to learn and grow. We hope for it. However, most of us grow through adversity(逆境), even trauma(精神创伤). It happened to Lisa last year repeatedly. She searched for ways to get her bearings and equip herself when everything around her was changing by the day. Psychologists call it post-traumatic growth.

Trauma refers to an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, attack, natural disaster, or other life-changing happenings. The growth after trauma doesn’t mean we get through challenges uninjured. It’s been a scary and painful time, for everyone, in one way or another. We may experience disbelief, depression, and even denial. As time moves on, people who have experienced trauma may have headaches or other physical symptoms, emotional ups and downs, and even relationship problems. Trauma does leave its irremovable marks.

However, in one study, researchers surveyed nearly 385 people who experienced financial difficulty during the pandemic. 88 percent of the people surveyed say they also have experienced some positive outcomes—They now have stronger family relationships and a greater appreciation of life.

1. What is Lisa like now when she fails?

A．She tries to cover it.	B．She is positive and adult.
C．She acts unconcerned.	D．She wants to make excuses.

2. What does the author intend to tell us through Lisa’s experience?

A．There is no sweet without sweat.

B．Experience is the father of wisdom.

C．Difficult situations are likely to make one stronger.

D．Responsibility is often more important than ability.

3. How does the author prove his view?

A．By analyzing existing data.

B．By quoting a psychologist.

C．By contrasting a person’s constant changes.

D．By giving examples together with study results.

4. Which of the following may the author agree with about post-traumatic growth?

A．It usually comes at a high price.

B．It produces little negative feelings.

C．It is growth that does both good and harm.

D．It is one of the fastest ways to make improvements.

【推荐3】Be a good tourist

Tourism can be both good or bad. Yes, it brings in money for the local economy and creates lots of jobs for locals, but it may also bring some problems.

One growing problem is tourists who want to prove that they have visited someplace. Tourists have used paint, rocks or even keys to write on the Luxor Temple in Egypt, the Colosseum in Rome, Stonehenge in the UK, memorial stones at the bottom of Qomolangma, and many, many other places. Thousands of tourists sites are being destroyed by tourists who “love them to death”. I have three words for people like this: please stop it. If you want to leave a mark on the world, do it by changing someone’s life with kindness and love. Pass kindness along to future generations, not destruction.

Another big problem in some places has been tourists disturbing (打扰) the local people and life. Some tourists wander around and take pictures of local people without asking for their permission. For example, Chiang Mai University in Thailand and Yonsei University in South Korea have great numbers of tourists visiting their campuses and walking through their libraries and other public areas, taking pictures of students and disturbing their studies. I have three words for tourists like this: please be considerate. Have fun in a way that does not disturb others.

The number of problems from tourists is endless: walking in large groups without considering others who need to walk by, crossing roads without observing local traffic laws, and many more. The only way to solve the issue of the terrible tourist is to make sure that you are not one! Be the best, kindest, most polite tourist possible. Remember, whenever you step outside your country’s borders, you are representing (代表) your country to the rest of the world.

1. What does “them” in the second paragraph refer to?

A．Memorial stones.	B．Jobs for locals.
C．Tourist spots.	D．Marks left by tourists.

2. What kind of mark does the writer suggest that tourists should take?

A．Kind behaviour that can change someone’s life.

B．Love and destruction that will have an effect on future generations.

C．A lot of money brought by tourism.

D．Only beautiful pictures taken by tourists.

3. What does the writer intend to tell us by the third paragraph?

A．Tourists can wander around and take pictures anywhere.

B．Tourists should try not to cause trouble for local people and life.

C．For all universities, admission should be free and everybody is welcome.

D．More university campuses should be open to the public.

4. According to the writer, what is the only way to solve the problem of the terrible tourist?

A．Providing better service.	B．Developing local economy.
C．Being a polite tourist.	D．Making friends during traveling.

【推荐1】One of the most beloved coins in history is a true American Classics: The Buffalo Nickel. Although they have not been issued for over 75 years, GovMint. Com is releasing to the public bags of original US government Buffalo Nickels. Now they can be acquired for a limited time only - not as individual collector coins, but by weight - just $49 for a full Quarter-pound Bag.

100% valuable collector coins - Guaranteed!

Every bag will be filled with collectible vintage Buffalos from over 75 years ago, GUARANTEED ONE COIN FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SERIES (dates our choice):

● 1920-1929 - "Roaring 20s" Buffalo

● 1930-1938 - The Buffalo's Last Decade

● Mint Marks (P.D, and S)

● All Collector Grade Very Good Condition

● Free Stone Arrowhead

Every vintage Buffalo Nickel you receive will be a coveted collector coin. Plus, order a gigantic full Pound bag and you'll also receive a vintage Liberty Head Nickel (1883-1912), a valuable collector classic!

Supplies limited - order now!

Supplies of vintage Buffalo Nickels are limited as the availability of these classic American coins continues to shrink each and every year. They make a precious gift for your children' family and friends - a gift that will be appreciated for a long time.

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Quarter Pound Buffalo Nickels (23 coins) plus Free Stone Arrowhead $49

Half Pound Bag (46 coins) plus Free Stone Arrowhead $79 SAVE $19

One Full Pound Bag (91 coins) plus Free Stone Arrowhead and Liberty Head Nickel $149 SAVE $47

1. In the first paragraph, the author ________.

A．introduces to readers the history of Buffalo Nickels

B．tells readers the significance of collecting Buffalo Nickels

C．encourages readers to purchase Buffalo Nickels right away

D．informs readers about the reason of releasing Buffalo Nickels

2. What is not included in Quarter Pound Buffalo Nickels?

A．Mint Marks.	B．"Roaring 20s" Buffalo.
C．Liberty Head Nickel.	D．Free Stone Arrowhead.

3. What is the original price for Half Pound Bag?

A．$98.

B．$79.

C．$68.

D．$102.

【推荐2】Trees often grow to appear strong, which might make it hard to believe that they're easily harmed on the Inside. But that is the case, according to a worldwide survey of more than 200 types of trees. Researchers studied the inner part of the trees and found that most don't have a built-in safety net that would allow them to survive a serious drought.

"I think this is a really big deal." ecologist David Breshears said. He says it and other studies "keep pointing to: ‘Whoa, our forests are really fragile."'

Studies like this one are particularly worrying about climate change. The average temperature of the planet is rising. Scientists predict that warming will cause changes in rainfall patterns. That could lead to longer, more severe droughts in many regions around the world. As a result, the trees that now grow there could face a serious threat.

When drought strikes, trees begin to fail in the xylem(木质部), special tissue made of many tiny, strawlike tubes. This tissue makes it possible for a tree to draw water from the ground and deliver it to the leaves. During times of drought, tiny air bubbles can develop in the tubes. Too many bubbles block the flow of water——and lead to certain death for the tree.

Brendan Choat, a plant physiologist, worked on the new study along with 23 other researchers. All together the scientists studied 226 tree species in 81 different sites around the world. Choat said that this study is the first to look at all forest types and find so many species living on the edge. Of the 226 different types of trees Choat and his colleagues studied, 70 percent lived close to the point where a serious drought would stop water transport. Trees that flower, such as maples and oaks, were more vulnerable than conifers (针叶树), which, including pines and firs have evergreen, needlelike leaves.

Plant ecologist Bettina Engelbrecht said that in the interest of conservation, scientists can't just concentrate on a few species. "We have to worry about them all."

1. The first paragraph implies that trees       .

A．can live through a drought.

B．have the ability to protect themselves

C．are worth a great deal of money

D．are weak as a matter of fact

2. What does the underlined word "it" in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．The drought.

B．The tube.

C．The water

D．The xylem.

3. What does Choat think of the study?

A．One-sided.

B．Fruitless.

C．Time-consuming.

D．Meaningful.

4. According to Bettina, what should scientists do?

A．Care about the trees that flower.

B．Pay attention to all species of trees.

C．Find out why pines and firs are strong.

D．Study the trees living on the edge of death.

5. What can be the best title of the text?

A．Serious drought is a threat to most trees

B．Trees face death due to lack of protection

C．Global warming reduces the number of trees

D．Trees reflect the change of the global climate

【推荐3】For sports fans, nothing could be better than watching a live event on TV or at a sports field. But there’s nothing worse than that event being called off because of bad weather. Bad light, a water-logged court or too much heat can cause matches to be postponed. But according to the latest research, extreme weather might be disturbing the sporting calendar more than ever in the future.

In one sport, golf, major tournaments like The Open, are already predicted to be victims of our changing climate. In the UK, an organization called The Climate Coalition says that golf courses such as St Andrews could be under water by the end of the century if sea levels rise even slightly. It told the BBC that its research predicts "cancelled football matches, flooded cricket grounds and golf courses sinking into the sea."

The threat to sporting events from climate change has been further highlighted in a new report, officially approved and licensed by the Rapid Transition Alliance. Writing about this for the BBC, Matt McGrath says that "By 2050, it's estimated that almost one in four English football league grounds can expect flooding every year." This will mean fewer matches played, less opportunity to watch the beautiful game and reduced government taxation from ticket sales.

Cricket also faces huge challenges globally as temperatures rise in places like India, Australia and the West Indies. The report says that stadiums in Adelaide and Perth will see a 60% increase in days with temperatures over 40 degrees centigrade over the next decade.

Of course, we know that the solution lies with reducing our carbon footprint. We could travel less to attend sports events, and reduce our waste when we do go. But this latest report finds that sports leaders are generally failing to address the issue seriously. However, because sport is universally popular and can be very influential, maybe it should be players, teams and their sponsors as well as fans who should promote a wide low carbon message to help protect sporting fields—before it’s 'game over'.

1. What is the latest research above mainly concerned with?

A．the forbidden sporting events	B．the influential climate change
C．the severe environmental pollution	D．the rising sea level

2. What influence will the extreme weather have on the sports?

A．Football fans cannot afford the entrance fee.

B．Overheat will largely affect the cricket calendar.

C．The golf games will thoroughly disappear due to rising sea level.

D．Sports leaders will face bigger challenges to lead their teams to win.

3. What does the underlined part “the issue” refer to in the last paragraph?

A．the constant increase in sea level	B．the fading popularity of sport events
C．the changing attitude of sponsors.	D．the effective reduction of carbon footprint

4. The research is introduced to us mainly to ___________.

A．inform the readers of the worsening global climate change

B．require governments’ protection of sporting fields

C．promote awareness of low carbon life on sports

D．urge financial support from sponsors

【推荐1】阅读下列短文，选出最佳选项。
City College Union Company
Secretary/Typist
The Union is a student-run organization with a permanent staff of 20. Typing speed: at least 60 wpm.
The ability to take shorthand dictation and a working knowledge of filling procedures are essential requirements.
The basic salary for the position is $ 18,500 per year.
Enquires to R. Barbar 387-5075.
Emu Airline
Secretary
Emu Airline is now offering a part-time position for a secretary.
The position offers at least 20 hours’ work a week, with a view to full-time work in the future. Monthly salary is about $ 1,400.
Phone 899-3264 for an appointment.
Word Processor
Operator (full-time)
We need an operator to work in an office associated with the building industry. Only experienced operators are expected to apply.
Starting salary: $ 17,950 yearly.
Apply in writing to: the Personnel Officer Hill Morgan Pty Ltd 38 Green Hill Rd.
Sewing Machinist Wanted
Jeans Industry
We are an expanding clothing company located south of the city. Our products include jeans, skirts, shorts and so on. We are looking for sewing machine operators.
The factory works a 38-hour week over 4-5 days. Wages for this are $ 18,050 per year.
If you are interested, come over and pick up an application form from Ripper Jeans, 23 North Ave, Beaudesert.
1. What do these four advertisements have in common?

A．Each of them is commented by their manager.

B．They are located in the south of the same city.

C．Their companies are introduced in detail.

D．They all want people in the proper position.

2. The applicants for the post of a secretary in City College Union Company should have the following qualities EXCEPT .

A．ability of organization.

B．knowledge about filling the form.

C．typing skill.

D．writing rapidly.

3. The attractiveness of the post in Emu Airline is     .

A．its promising future.

B．its free flying.

C．its good salary.

D．its nice working conditions.

4. If you want to be a sewing machine operator, you may contact this company by

A．visit.	B．fax.
C．phone.	D．email.

【推荐2】It was my first day back home since starting college. A lot had changed in the last year. Not with my hometown but with me. I had left as a 17-year-old boy and had now returned as an 18-year-old man. In the city, I was living on my own, had a part-time job and was studying. Even the government recognized I was an adult: I had a driver’s license. So here I was, on my summer vacation, walking down the main street with my father, desperate for him to acknowledge how mature I was. When his recognition failed to appear, I took matters into my own hands. “Dad,” I said casually, “I’m thirsty. Let’s go for a beer.” It was the first time I’d ever mentioned beer in front of my father, let alone ask him to drink one with me.

He turned to me with a curious expression on his face. “A beer? Well, I guess you’re old enough now. Let’s go to Sailors’ Bar. It’s where my cousin Tom, your uncle, used to drink. You remember him, right?”

I had only some vague recollection of my uncle. He was the black sheep of the family. We didn’t talk about him much. “What ever happened to Uncle Tom, Dad? I haven’t seen him in years,” I said as we continued towards the bar.

“Neither have I, unfortunately. He was a good kid once. But things changed,” my father said mournfully. As a boy, he explained, there had been no better-behaved boy than Tom. But after leaving school, he moved to the city and fell in with bad companies. He started going out every night, drinking in nightclubs and playing cards. Soon he lost everything and had to beg his mum to pay his debts. She agreed on condition that he returned home.

My dad took a deep breath and continued his tale. “Things settled down for a while. He married a lovely woman and gave up his bad habits. But it didn’t last. He was soon back to his old ways. He couldn’t resist. He was at Sailors’ Bar almost every night. His poor mother died of grief and shame. His wife followed her soon after.”

“What ruined him was alcohol. He told me once, when a man begins drinking, he never knows where it’ll end. ‘So’, Tom warned me. ‘be cautious about your first drink!’”

“He went from bad to worse. Last year Tom sent me a letter saying he had been found guilty of stealing, and sent to prison for ten years.”

Dad finished talking just as we reached the front door of Sailors’ Bar. “Anyway, here we are. Let’s go in,” he said. But understood. I put my arm around my father and said, “I’m not thirsty anymore, Dad. Let’s go home.”

1. Why did the young man invite his father to drink a beer?

A．Because he was thirsty while walking with his father.

B．Because he wanted to impress his father casually.

C．Because he wanted to show he was an adult.

D．Because he wanted to discuss his Uncle Tom.

2. What does the young man mean by referring to Uncle Tom as “the black sheep of the family”?

A．The family was concerned about Tom because he was always in trouble.

B．The family felt ashamed of Tom because he was a failure.

C．The family showed sympathy to Tom because he was unfortunate.

D．The family felt disgusted about him because he was different.

3. What was the main source of Uncle Tom’s problems?

A．His overly-strict family.

B．His addiction to card games.

C．The deaths of his mother and wife.

D．His inability to control his drinking.

4. In the story the father told his son about Tom in order to ________.

A．warn the son to keep away from Tom

B．entertain the son while they walked to the bar

C．recall an interesting period in the father’s life

D．convince the son of the harm caused by drinking

5. What is the correct order of the following events from Uncle Tom’s life?
a. His mother died.
b. He married a lovely girl.
c. He started going to nightclubs.
d. He was caught stealing.
e. He went back home to live with his mother.
f. He left school.

A．d, f, e, b, a, c	B．e, a, f, b, c, d
C．f, c, e, b, a, d	D．f, c, e, a, b, d

【推荐3】Goldfish have pretty boring lives, so maybe it’s a good thing they can only concentrate for nine seconds! But according to new research, humans are becoming like goldfish. Our attention span (时长) is getting shorter...and it’s all because of technology.

“We move quickly from one site to another on the web, ”says Doctor Ted Selker, a computer scientist from Massachusetts, “and we are losing the ability to concentrate.” With millions of websites to choose from, the attention span of the average internet user is just seconds. There are other digital distractions (分心) too: email, instant messaging and quickie movies on websites. Some people are worried about the effect on young people. “You need time to understand and think about what you read,” says Julia Wood, from London. “Young people search the net all the time and their brains become full of useless information but there is no time to make sense of it. I am trying to persuade my pupils to read more books, so that they concentrate on one subject for longer.”

Other teachers are trying more unusual methods to improve students’ concentration. Anne Savan, from Wales, was so worried about her students that she started playing Mozart during her science lessons. She says that it had an amazing effect: “The music made them calmer, and their concentration was much better.”

But not everyone believes that there is a problem. Ray Cole, an educational psychologist says: “On the web, young people learn to make quick decisions about what is and isn’t worth reading.

They might look at five unhelpful websites very quickly, before stopping and reading a sixth useful website more carefully. In a world with so much information available, this is an important skill.”

1. Why does the writer mention “goldfish”?

A．To analyze data.	B．To introduce a topic.
C．To settle problems.	D．To suggest a way out.

2. What may cause a shorter attention span according to Dr. Ted Selker?

A．Skipping around the internet.	B．Time to digest information.
C．Traditional methods of reading.	D．Making decisions.

3. What will help students overcome a short attention span?

A．Receiving emails.	B．Texting messages.
C．Reading more books.	D．Watching quickie movies.

4. What is Ray Cole’s attitude towards looking through websites quickly?

A．Cautious.	B．Unfavorable.
C．Skeptical.	D．Supportive.