【推荐2】This is a talk by a London taxi driver.

“I’ve been a taxi driver for nearly ten years. Most London taxi drivers have their own taxis.” “It’s a nice job most of time. you meet a lot of people. I always work at night, because there is too much traffic during the day. I live twenty miles outside London and I go to work at 5:30 in the afternoon.”

“I usually go home between 2 and 3 in the morning.”

“Some very strange things happened late at night. The other day I was taking a woman home from a party. She had her little dog with her. When we got to her house, she found that she had lost her key. So I waited in the car with the dog while she climbed in through the windows.” “I waited and waited. After half an hour of ringing the bell I decided to find out what was going on. I tied the dog to a tree and started to climb in through the window. The next thing I knew was that the police came.” They thought I was a thief.

“Luckily, the woman came downstairs. She must have gone to sleep and forgotten about me and the dog!”

1. The driver always worked at night because it was easier to ______.

A．drive	B．make money
C．climb in through the window	D．meet a lot of people

2. The woman climbed in through the window because ______.

A．she wanted to have a sleep	B．her husband didn’t open the door for her
C．she didn’t want to pay the driver	D．she couldn’t find her key

3. The story happened ______.

A．early in the morning	B．late at night
C．20 miles outside London	D．near the police station

4. Which of the following is wrong?

A．The driver worked until between 2 and 3 in the morning.

B．The police made a mistake.

C．The woman had no money to pay the driver.

D．The woman had forgotten about the driver and the dog.

【推荐2】Far out in the lake was a large wooden platform on which stood an improbably high diving board—a kind of wooden Eiffel Tower. It was, I’m sure, the county’s tallest wooden structure and no one had ever been known to jump from it.

So it was quite a shock when our teacher, Mr Milton, announced that he would dive off the high board that very afternoon.

Word of his questionable plan was already spreading through town as Mr Milton swam out to the platform.He was just a tiny, stick figure when he got there but even from such a distance the high board seemed almost to touch the clouds. Once at the top, he paced the enormously long board, then took some deep breaths and finally stood at edge. He was going to do it.

Several hundred people had gathered at the shore to watch. Mr Milton stood for quite a long time, then he raised his arms, took one massive bounce and launched himself into a perfect dive. It was beautiful. He fell with perfect style for what seemed minutes.The crowd fell silent.The only sound to be heard was the faint whistle of his body tearing through the air toward the water far，far below.

But about three quarters of the way down he seemed to have second thoughts and began suddenly to panic, waving his arms and legs like someone having a bad dream.When he was perhaps thirty feet above the water, he gave up on waving and spread his arms and legs wide，apparently hoping that it would somehow slow his fall.

It didn’t.

He hit the water at over six hundred miles an hour.The impact was so loud that it made birds fly out of their trees three miles away.I don’t think he entered the water at all.He just bounced off it, about fifteen feet back into the air. After that, he lay still on the surface, spinning like an autumn leaf.

He was brought to shore by two passing fishermen in a rowboat and placed on an old blanket where he spent the rest of the afternoon.Occasionally he accepted small sips of water, but otherwise was too shocked to speak. From head to toe, he was covered with deep red bruises.

...It was the best day of my life.

1. What did the writer think of Mr Milton’s plan to jump from the diving board?

A．Crazy.	B．Disappointing.
C．Heroic.	D．Confused.

2. In Paragraph 3, Mr Milton is described as “a tiny, stick figure” because he was         .

A．tired after swimming

B．very small and thin

C．very far away

D．sure to be broken

3. Why did Mr Milton suddenly start swinging his arms and legs during the dive?

A．He thought it was the best way to slow his fall.

B．He lost his confidence and started to panic.

C．He was signalling the crowd for help.

D．He wanted to show his courage.

4. Which of the following sentences from the passage is an example of a fact?

A．He hit the water at over six hundred miles an hour.

B．The impact was so loud that it made birds fly out of their trees three miles away.

C．He just bounced off it，about fifteen feet back into the air.

D．He was brought to shore by two passing fishermen in a rowboat.

【推荐1】One of the founding fathers of the Internet has predicted the end of traditional television.Vint Cerf, who helped to build the Internet while working as a researcher in America, said that the television was approaching its “iPod moment”.
In the same way that people now download their favorite music onto their iPod, he said that viewers would soon be downloading most favorite programs onto their computers. “85% of all videos we watch are prerecorded, so you can set your system to download them all the time,” said Mr Cerf, who is now the vice president of Google, the world’s largest search engine. “You’re still going to need live television for certain things—like news, sporting events and emergencies—but increasingly it is going to be almost like the iPod.”
Although television on demand has not yet become a mainstream activity in the UK, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have all spent vast sums of money on technology which enables viewers to watch their favorite shows on their computers.
But some critics (批评人士), including some Internet service providers, have warned that the Internet will collapse with millions of people downloading programs at the same time. Over the next four years, it is thought that the number of videos watched over the Internet will be four times as big as that. Broadband companies claim that the service will cause “traffic jams”, which will cost millions of pounds to get it to normal.
But Mr Cerf dismissed the warnings as “scare thoughts”, saying that critics had predicted 20 years ago that the Net would collapse when people all around the world started to use it all together. “In the past 30 years it’s increased a million times...We’re far from reaching the capacity,” he said, “It’s an understandable worry when they see huge amounts of information being moved around online.”
1. What would happen to television according to Vint Cerf?

A．Television would come to an end.

B．Television would be replaced by the computer.

C．Viewers would prefer watching TV programs downloaded on their computers.

D．Most people would prefer the Internet to television.

2. “iPod moment” refers to the time when ________.

A．people can enjoy the live broadcast of television

B．people can download content to look at later

C．all programs are recorded with careful plan

D．the computer and television are closely combined

3. According to the last paragraph, Mr Cerf held the idea that ________.

A．the Internet will collapse with many people downloading programs at the same time

B．the Net will collapse when people all around the world start to use it all together

C．the Internet service will break down with many videos watched over the Internet

D．people’s downloading TV programs on their computers won’t cause the collapse of the Internet

【推荐2】Expectations can be tricky and this is no different in the workplace! As I listen to some Baby Boomer managers relate their frustrations about working with Generation Y( Gen Y/millennials千禧一代) workers, their two main complaints center on their perceptions of the younger generation’s work ethic and sense of entitlement. These managers express that Gen Y workers want the honors of the workplace without putting in the sacrifices to earn them .

The Baby Boomer/Generation Y Conflict is a good title that I often use to describe this new millennium divide between Boomers and Gen Y workers. This conflict comes from different life experiences and generational expectations. Can Baby Boomers and Gen Y just get along? The answer is yes! As managers understand and account for the generational differences, they can move workplace dynamics from frustration and conflict to productivity and mutual understanding. To do so, we have to first understand Boomers and Gen Y.

Born between 1943 and 1960, Boomers, grew up in an environment of social unrest where challenging authority was the norm. As noted in Generations at Work significant events of the Boomer generation include the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, the women liberation movement and the Cold War. Boomers reflect that time in many ways: they tend to think they can change the world and they want to fulfill their own individual goals and potential. They come to the workplace confident, prepared to work hard, and expecting to be rewarded for their efforts.

Born between 1980 and 2000, Gen Y workers grew up in an environment of adult attention where monitoring, recognition, and support were the norm. Significant events of their generation include technology, protective parenting, school yard violence and multiculturalism. Gen Y workers reflect this time in many ways: they are the most technically talented generation and they are the most spoiled generation. Gen Y workers come to the workplace with confidence and a continuing expectation of recognition and support independent of results.

With the understanding that Generation Y workers have significantly different life experiences and expectations, Boomer manager can adjust their own interaction style and move from frustration and conflict to mutual understanding and productivity.

Gen Y workers are used to immediate feedback on how they are doing. It comes from their digital world where information is shared frequently and quickly. Give them ongoing feedback. Be sure to balance the feedback: tell them what they did well as well as how they can improve.

Many Gen Y workers are used to multiple supportive adults in their lives who spoiled and praised them. They respond better to coaching that focuses on outcomes than a direct management style.

Boomer managers sometimes make the assumption that Gen Y workers are rude or disrespectful of authority. More often, however, Gen Y workers do not understand normal standards of workplace behavior. For example, Gen Y workers often expect immediate responses from their bosses on whatever they communicate to them. This comes from their life experiences. They have had cell phones at a young age and are masters at communicating through text messages, social media, etc. Further, they are used to calling the adults in their lives and getting immediate attention. They bring these expectations to the workplace.

Boomers are partly responsible for launching some work-and-life balance programs for Gen Y workers. These younger generations have seen the negative effects that work has produced on some Boomers and decided that they want some balance in their lives. Many do not want to work like what Boomers have done. Boomer managers can engage Gen Y workers by supporting workplace flexibility and work-and-life balance. For these younger generations, work-and-life balance is among their top working priorities.

Expectations are hard to manage and different generations have different workplace expectations！Boomer and Gen Y conflict, however, does not have to continue. When Boomer managers understand these differences, they can both adapt their own interaction style and educate others to promote organizational productivity. These generations do not have to continue to collide in the workplace!

1. What can we infer from Paragraph 1?

A．Gen Y workers always dismiss the honors as useless.

B．Boomers complain about the job attitude held by Gen Y.

C．Boomers tend to show little respect for Gen Y’s entitlement.

D．Gen Y workers don’t care about Boomers’ misunderstandings.

2. Paragraphs 3 and 4 are meant to explore ______.

A．different attitudes towards accepted social norms.

B．the reasons for the frustrations and conflicts at work

C．the shared beliefs that united the two separate generations

D．the outcomes of different parenting on each generation

3. Which of the following could best describe the character of Boomers?

A．Gentle but reserved.	B．Stubborn and jealous.
C．Strict but generous.	D．Ambitious and confident.

4. What do Gen Y workers expect in the workplace?

A．Continual appreciation and assistance unaffected by results.

B．Good results as well as acknowledgement from bosses.

C．Independent advice on how to gain wide recognition.

D．Constant monitoring at work to boost their results.

5. How do Gen Y workers probably want feedback provided?

A．Occasionally by post.	B．Instantly and carefully weighed.
C．Regularly by means of praise.	D．Directly and casually informed.

6. Gen Y workers pay special attention to work-and-life balance because ______.

A．They are accustomed to the comfort of modern life

B．Their parents have been paying the same attention to it.

C．They don’t want to follow in the footsteps of Boomers.

D．Many sacrifices for honors have been made in the workplace.

【推荐3】To help you travel and learn well in Argentina, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your schedule. These are not only designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn and expand your personal and professional development.

Walking Tour of La Boca

The five-hour tour, moderate walking, starts at 11: 00 am in Monserrat and finishes at 4: 00 pm,Tuesdays and Fridays.

Price: f15 per person

Tour the beautiful cobblestone(#59p4i)streets of La Boca, the heart of Buenos Aires and the birthplace of tango. This charming walking tour is a must if you want to explore the rich history of Buenos Aires.

Photography Courses

Six hours of lessons per week

Price: f295 for two weeks

Study photography with an experienced private teacher who will fit your lessons to your individual needs. Classes include practical teaching, analysis of your work, theory and history, and regular opportunities to explore the city by yourself to photograph sceneries of the city.

Graffiti Tour of Buenos Aires

The three-hour tour starts at 3: 00 pm in Colegiales and finishes at 6: 00 pm in Palermo, Wednesday still Saturdays.

Price: f35 per person

Experience the world of city art through this wonderful tour. You can travel both on foot and by air-conditioned minibus. The tour finishes in Post Bar in Palermo, home to the unique street art gallery Hollywood in Cambodia.

Spanish Courses

One-week intensive course with private lessons, before starting your main project.

Price: E590 per week

Weekly lessons: 10 hours of lessons per week running concurrently( la]#t)with your main project.

Price:￡l95 per week

Use your time in Argentina to learn a little Spanish. You can either do a one-week intensive course or take lessons at the same time as doing your main project.

1. Which activity or course will enable you to learn the history of Buenos Aires?

A．Photography courses.	B．Graffiti tour of Buenos Aires.
C．Spanish courses.	D．Walking tour of La Boca.

2. What can you do in Palermo?

A．Explore the rich history of Argentina.	B．Do a one- week intensive course.
C．Enjoy the unique street art gallery.	D．Photograph landscapes.

3. Which of the following words CANNOT be used to describe the courses and activities?

A．Adventurous.

B．Educational.

C．Fun.

D．Wonderful.

【推荐1】When I was nine years old, I went off to summer camp for the first time. And my mother packed me a suitcase full of books, which to me seemed like a perfectly natural thing to do. While reading, you have the animal warmth of your family sitting right next to you, but you are also free to experience the adventure land inside your own mind. And I had this idea that camp was going to be just like this.

On the very first day, our counselor(顾问) gathered us all together and she taught us a cheer that she said we would be doing every day for the rest of the summer to instill(浸润) camp spirit. And it went like this: “R-O-W-D-I-E, that's the way we spell rowdie. Rowdie, rowdie, let's get rowdie . Yeah！”. So I couldn't figure out why we had to spell this word incorrectly. But I recited the cheer along with everybody else. I did my best. And I just waited for the time that I could go off and read my books.

But the first time that I took my book out of my suitcase, the coolest girl in the room came up to me and asked me, “Why are you being so mellow(安静的)?” Mellow, of course, is the exact opposite of R-O-W-D-I-E. And then the second time I tried it, the counselor came up to me with a concerned expression on her face and she repeated the point about camp spirit and said we should all work very hard to be outgoing.

And so I put my books away, back in their suitcase, and I put them under my bed, and there they stayed for the rest of the summer. And I felt kind of guilty about this. I felt as if the books needed me somehow, and they were calling out to me but I just gave them up.

1. According to the author, what would the coming camp be like?

A．It would be very noisy.

B．It would involve lots of reading.

C．It would be full of danger and excitement.

D．It would make a good chance to get close to nature.

2. How did the author feel about the cheer part?

A．Puzzled.	B．Excited.
C．Concerned.	D．Frightened.

3. How did the counselor react on seeing the author reading?

A．She got very angry.

B．She praised the author.

C．She asked the author to share the book

D．She indirectly advised the author not to read.

4. Why was the author guilty?

A．She was kind of quiet.

B．She had to leave her books unread.

C．She was unwilling to open her books.

D．She didn't follow the counselor's advice.

【推荐2】The holidays are a time to give. These charities一and many more一are looking for voluteers and donations.

World Wildlife Found

The World Wildlife Fund is helping to protect endangered species through the Symbolic Species Adoption program. Those who “adopt’’an animal will receive an adoption certificate and a photo of their species. Anyone can support endangered species year round by buying WWF apparel (服装）.worldwildlife.org/givng

DoSomething.org

This month, Dosomething. org launched their holiday campaign，“ Grandparents Gone Wired. The goal of the campaign is to make it easier for senior citizens to keep in touch with their loved ones using the Internet. Teens can volunteer to help seniors in their community. Volunteers are able to win prizes and scholarships, dosomething. org/grandparents

Coins for Change

Disney’s Club Penguin, a virtual gaining site for kids, launched its annual Coins for Change campaign this month. From Dec. 15 to Dec. 27，Club Penguin players can donate virtual coins to real-world causes. If players reach the donation goal, Club Penguin will donate $2 million to charity projects. clubpenguin. com.

Toys for Tots

Each year, the U. S. Marine Corps Toys Program collects new, unwrapped toys for the holidays. Communities across the nation host Toys for Tots drives around the holiday season. The toys collected are given as gifts to needy children so they can experience the joy of Christmas. toyfortots. org

American Red Cross

All you need is a pen and a piece of paper. The American Red Cross Holiday Mail Heroes Program is collecting handwritten card to send to members of the U. S. Armed Forces during the holidays. The charity has also set up a Holiday Giving Catalog where you can buy personal gifts, such as babysitting lessons. redcross. org

The Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive

The Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive is a non-profit organization sponsored by ABC’s Good Morning America and Burlington Coat Factory. During the holiday season Burlington stores collect gently worn coats. The donated coats are given to people in need to keep warm during the winter. oneivarmcoat. org

1. David, 8, is fond of playing virtual games. Which charity should he attend?

A．Coins for Change.	B．Toys for Tots.
C．DoSomething, org.	D．American Red Cross.

2. Handwritten cards for members of the U. S. Armed Forces are collected by

A．Disney’s Club Penguin

B．the Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive

C．the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program

D．the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program

3. From the passage we can lean that_______ .

A．Club Penguin donates $2 million to charity projects yearly

B．old toys collected are given to needy children as gifts

C．teens can help seniors contact their family members online

D．whoever donates warm coats is likely to win scholarships

4. Where can most probably the text be taken from?

A．A magazine.	B．A bulletin board.
C．The Internet.	D．A newspaper.

【推荐3】Today, we are constantly bombarded (轰炸) with media reports about research on the right diet to follow to help us maintain a healthy lifestyle or lose weight-but it’s hard to know which one to pick and, once chosen, it’s harder   still to stick to it. And now there’s another choice to get our teeth into.

A flexitarian (弹性素食者) diet involves eating plant-based foods and only occasionally eating meat and fish. This eating style allows you to supplement some ingredients that you wouldn’t get in a stricter vegan (素食主义者) diet-another trend growing in popularity. And like veganism, flexitarianism isn’t about eating carefully to help you lose a few pounds-it’s something people choose to help the planet. And a study into the global food system and how it affects the climate, has found that eating mainly plant-based foods is one of three key steps towards a sustainable (可持续的) future for all by 2050.

This research found that food waste will need to be halved and farming practices will also have to improve to achieve this. But without a single solution, a combined approach is needed. Dr Marco Springmann from the University of Oxford was one of the lead authors of the report. He told the BBC “We really found that a combination of measures would be needed to stay within environmental limits and those include changes towards healthier more plant-based diets.”

But whereas vegans think it’s wrong for animals to be killed for food, flexitarians believe eating meat once in a while is acceptable. And Dr Springmann agrees-as long as we “treat it as a luxury, it’s probably OK but you shouldn’t have more than one serving of red meat, which includes beef and pork, per week.” And here’s another fact to digest: If we moved to this type of diet, the study found that greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture would be cut by more than half.

1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To lead to the topic.	B．To entertain the readers.
C．To ask for information.	D．To present an idea.

2. What do we know about a flexitarian diet?

A．Flexitarianism aims to help you lose weight.

B．It involves eating no meat.

C．It benefits the environment.

D．It is the most popular eating style.

3. What does Dr. Marco Springmann agree with?

A．It’s wrong to kill animals for food.

B．Improving farming practices makes no sense.

C．A plant-based diet has nothing to do with climate change.

D．Combined measures are needed for environmental protection.

4. What can be the suitable title for the text?

A．Methods of keeping fit

B．Choose a flexitarian diet

C．Measures to protect the environment

D．Keep a strict vegan diet