【推荐1】Many of us are so busy with our work, study and home life that there is often no time left to do something that we enjoy. Here are some ways to gain the necessary time you need to slow down, enjoy your life and relax yourself.

Schedule time for yourself.     1     Try to save certain weeknights just for yourself. If others ask you to do something at those nights, just tell them you have plans. Use the time for gardening, reading, exercising, thinking or the ultimate luxury (奢侈) of doing nothing!

Give yourself a monthly treat.     2     It could be during your lunch break, a weekend or it could be leaving work early. Maybe you want to see a movie, have a haircut, play golf or get whatever treat you’re always thinking about but rarely do. Put the treats into your schedule and do them one by one!

Buy tickets to concerts or any other events you would enjoy in advance. And then schedule the plans with a friend.     3    

    4     Huh? Yes, many of us work late regularly. If it is the same with you, leave work exactly on time at least once a week. And then enjoy that time! Leave work aside temporarily.

Join a group. Here are some groups that can allow you to have some time away from work and home: the singing group, the gardening group, the astronomy society, the book club, the skiing club, etc. What are you interested in? Strike while the iron is hot.     5     If you can’t find one, consider starting one yourself!

A．Schedule a treat for yourself once a month.

B．Listen to your favorite music!

C．Find a club in your community today and join it!

D．Having the tickets already in hand will force you to make it happen!

E．Enjoy evenings for yourself.

F．Take an adult education class.

G．Leave work on time.

【推荐3】Dear Betty,

My roommate’s family wants me to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with them in their home. I accepted the invitation, and I’m excited about going, but I’m a little nervous about it, too. The social customs in my country are different from those here, so I’m a little worried about making mistakes.

Should I bring a gift, such as candy or flowers? Should I arrive on time or a little late? At the dinner table, how can I know which fork or knife to use? How can I let the family know that I’m thankful for their kindness?

Yours,

Knowing Nothing

Dear Knowing Nothing,

It’s a good idea to bring a gift when you go to a dinner party. Flowers are always welcome, or you can bring a bottle of wine if you know the family drink it.

You should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late. Don’t get there early. If you are going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.

Try to relax at the dinner table. If you don’t know how to use the right fork, knife or spoon, just watch the other guests, and follow them. If you still have no idea of what to do, don’t be shy about asking the person next to you; it’s better to ask them than to be silently uncomfortable and nervous.

If you like the food, say so. Of course, you’ll thank the host and hostess for the meal and for their kindness. It’s also a good idea to send a card to thank them the day after.

Yours,

Betty

1. When Knowing Nothing accepted the invitation of her classmate, what’s her feeling?

A．very sad

B．disappointed

C．a little nervous

D．a little upset

2. Knowing Nothing wrote a letter to Betty to _____.

A．tell Betty some good news	B．ask for some advice
C．answer some questions	D．invite her to dinner

3. According to Betty, Knowing Nothing ______ when going to a dinner party.

A．can only bring some flowers

B．can’t bring wine

C．should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late

D．should arrive twenty minutes late

4. Which following statement is True?

A．It is not polite to ask the person next to you.

B．You must bring a bottle of wine when you go to a dinner party.

C．It is common to be more than fifteen minutes late.

D．It’s good to send a card to thank them the day after.

【推荐1】From Santa Barbara to Scotland, strangers are becoming friends by going on bike rides together. They get paired up by Cycling Without Age, an organization that helps seniors go for bike rides, even if they can’t pedal themselves.

Hugh Lyon and David Lawrence, who are roughly 20 years apart in age, have been riding together for years. The 56-year-old Lawrence serves as a “pilot”, driving the trishaw—a bike with a passenger seat in the front that Cycling Without Age uses for their rides. They go for rides about once a week often discussing the history of their town.

“Despite my deceased parents, it gives me a connection with people from an older generation,” said Lawrence “and I enjoy spending time with them and hearing their stories.”

The pair have formed a friendship outside of cycling. Lawrence said he calls Lyon often and goes to the gym with him to help him with exercises he can’t do on his own.

Ole Kassow, who founded Cycling Without Age, said that’s the power of the program. “The truly powerful thing about these bike rides is that they tie people and stories together to create new relationships,” he told CBS News. “In my friendships—and the ability to form new relationships at any age—are what define a good life, and often also a long and happy life.”

John Boettner started the Santa Barbara chapter. He has one rule for passengers. “They say, ‘What does it cost if I’m going to go for a ride?’ I say, ‘Here’s what it costs: You have to wave. If you don’t wave, I’m going to kick you out,’” he joked. He said he likes when they hit red lights, because it gives them a chance to connect with people on the road. “Driving the trishaw is the best advertisement for Cycling Without Age”, Boettner said, “When you take a 101-year-old woman for a bike ride and she holds your hand tight and says thank you and gives you a kiss on the cheek, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

1. What did Lawrence benefit from Cycling Without Age?

A．Picking up forgotten stories.	B．Improving his health condition.
C．Understanding his parents’ love.	D．Creating a relationship with seniors.

2. Why did Ole Kassow mention “friendships”?

A．To share the pleasure of cycling.	B．To state the nature of happiness.
C．To show the value of the program.	D．To introduce the definition of a good life.

3. What can we learn from Boettner’s words in the last paragraph?

A．The program needs to be advertised.	B．Passengers have to pay for their rides.
C．Red lights connect people on the road.	D．Bike riders feel fulfilled by offering rides.

4. What is the best title for this article?

A．Every cloud has a silver lining	B．Friendship on the wheels
C．Grow through life	D．Happiness is a journey, not a destination

【推荐3】When it comes to friends, I desire those who will share my happiness, who possess wings of their own and who will fly with me. I seek friends whose qualities illuminate（照亮）me and train me up for love. It is for these people that I reserve the glowing hours, too good not to share.

When I was in the eighth grade, I had a friend. We were shy and “too serious” about our studies when it was becoming fashionable with our classmates to learn acceptable social behaviors. We said little at school, but she would come to my house and we would sit down with pencils and paper, and one of us would say:“Let’s start with a train whistle today.” We would sit quietly together and write separate poems or stories that grew out of a train whistle. Then we would read them aloud. At the end of that school year, we, too, were changing into social creatures and the stories and poems stopped.

When I lived for a time in London, I had a friend, He was in despair(失望)and I was in despair. But our friendship was based on the idea in each of us that we would be sorry later if we did not explore this great city because we had felt bad at the time. We met every Sunday for five weeks and found many excellent things. We walked until our despairs disappeared and then we parted. We gave London to each other.

For almost four years I have had remarkable friend whose imagination illuminates mine. We write long letters in which we often discover our strangest selves. Each of us appears, sometimes in a funny way, in the other’s dreams. She and I agree that, at certain times, we seem to be parts of the same mind. In my most interesting moments, I often think: “Yes, I must tell….”We have never met.

It is such comforting companions I wish to keep. One bright hour with their kind is worth more to me than the lifetime services of a psychologist（心理学家），who will only fill up the healing（愈合的）silence necessary to those darkest moments in which I would rather be my own best friend.

1. In the eighth grade, what the author did before developing proper social behavior was to ______.

A．become serious about her study

B．go to her friend’s house regularly

C．learn from her classmates at school

D．share poems and stories with her friend

2. In Paragraph 3, “We gave London to each other” probably means ______.

A．our exploration of London was a memorable gift to both of us

B．we were unwilling to tear ourselves away from London

C．our unpleasant feeling about London disappeared

D．we parted with each other in London

3. According to Paragraph 4, the author and her friend _______.

A．call each other regularly

B．have similar personalities

C．enjoy writing to each other

D．dream of meeting each other

4. In the darkest moments, the author would prefer to ______.

A．seek professional help	B．be left alone
C．stay with her best friend	D．break the silence

5. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Unforgettable Experiences

B．Remarkable Imagination

C．Lifelong Friendship

D．Noble Companions

【推荐1】The first time Richard Epstein went to his local ice-skating rink, he was handed a free pair of skates. “Do things out of my comfort zone, and good things happen,” he observes.

This wisdom was borne out last December, when Epstein, a 78-year-old scientist, skated in his exhibition. His wife filmed his routine, which he performed with his coach, then his eldest daughter posted it on Twitter. Nearly 3 million people viewed it. Epstein somewhat can’t understand the response, describing himself as “just an old guy going around in circles”.

Often, when he drives to the rink, he reminds himself that good things follow discomfort. He always feels a little anxious. “There is a risk of failure that I have to get over.” he says.

As a child, Epstein was “really terrible” at sports. He still feels embarrassed that he couldn’t threw a ball straight. “I’m an active person but one of the world’s worst athletes. I don’t have this ‘used to be good’ mentality,” he says. What he does have is a long personal and professional history of embracing mistakes, and uncertainty.

He used to look back at his childhood self, and think that one day he would feel relaxed and cool and comfortable in his own shin. Maybe ice-skating makes up for clumsiness in childhood? Epstein has also tried snowboarding, rock climbing and inline skating, all of which challenge balance.

At high school, Epstein was streamed in “the medium track”. However, as a scientist, he has always committed to projects with uncertain futures, and worked fruitfully in that unmapped space. The word he comes up with to describe his scientific style and perhaps he would say it applies to the rink too is “clumsy”.

Epstein never lets his old age or fear of failures prevent him from pursuing his passion for exploration. He enjoys how the ice takes him out of his ordinary ways. “There’s the wind blowing through my hair. It is a joy to slide and turn, to get on the inside edge of the skate.”

1. How did Epstein feel about people’s response to his exhibition video?

A．Anxious.

B．Proud.

C．Confused.

D．Delighted.

2. What do we know about Epstein’s childhood?

A．He was an average student.	B．He was mentally challenged.
C．He had a good sense of balance.	D．He showed little talent in sports.

3. What can be learned from the last paragraph?

A．Epstein is too old to manage his own life.	B．Epstein is brave enough to try new things.
C．Fear of failure stops Epstein taking chances.	D．Epstein’s life returns to normal because of ice.

【推荐2】My son was entering Grade 1. He was a bit nervous because he knew his best friend would not be in his new class. I explained to him that even though his best friend would not be in his class, he would still have some of his old classmates. On the first day of school when the class list was posted, I was shocked! My son had zero former classmates in his class. None. Not one.

How could this happen?

I asked my friend who works with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. She explained, “Many largely populated schools often shuffle(弄混) the kids around each year to encourage new friendships.”

If schools are actively trying to place two best friends in different classes simply to shake things up, think it is a blunder.

I was lucky enough to attend the same primary school all the way through. It was a small class and our group of students moved through each grade together, We felt like brothers and sisters. It was wonderful.

While it may be good to shake things up a bit in the older grades, it seems almost cruel(残忍的) to separate good friends in the younger grades without good cause. One mom named Karen says that her son is always starting a new grade without any close friends. At first, she thought it was a good idea. Then she realized one thing — her son does not have a “best friend,” which makes her pretty worried. In fact, she thinks that he does not have any close friends because his classmates are always changing.

Part of a school’s responsibility is to provide a safe and comfortable space for children to learn and grow. If that environment is always changing — causing terrible results — perhaps it is time to rethink this practice.

1. How did the author bring in the topic?

A．By telling a story.	B．By using other people's words.
C．By making comparisons	D．By showing research findings.

2. What does the underlined word “blunder” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Cheat.

B．Strategy.

C．Mistake.

D．Failure.

3. Why did the author mention her own primary school experience?

A．To prove that smaller classes are better.

B．To discuss the importance of good friends.

C．To explain how friendships are developed at school.

D．To show the advantage of having familiar classmates.

4. What's Karen’s attitude toward the practice of her son's school?

A．She supports it.	B．She is against it.
C．She isn't interested in it.	D．She is uncertain about it.

【推荐1】For years，the giant squid (大王乌贼) had remained a modern mystery.Living in the dark depths of the ocean，the creature is difficult for scientists to observe directly.It had also managed to avoid all attempts to film it.That changed last July：for the first time ever，scientists were able to catch the giant squid on video in its natural habitat.They were amazed by what they saw.The scientists filmed the squid in the North Pacific Ocean，south of Tokyo，Japan.They followed it down to a depth of 2，952 feet.They shot more than 23 minutes of video before the squid swam off into even darker depths.The video footage will be released to the public later this month on The Discovery Channel.

Tsunemi Kubodera，a zoologist at Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science，led the team that filmed the squid.The team went into the ocean in a small submarine with lights invisible to both humans and squid.Since giant squid eat smaller squid，the scientists released a small squid as bait (诱饵)．Then the scientists waited in the pitch black for the giant squid to approach.

The color video shows the creature floating vertically，eating the bait squid.The giant squid is 9 to 10 feet long and is missing its two longest tentacles (触须)．With those tentacles，it could have measured up to 26 feet long.It has huge black eyes，the size of dinner plates，“It was shining and so beautiful，” Kubodera said.

Because the deep ocean is so unfriendly to humans，little is known about the giant squid.Scientists say catching the mysterious creature on video is an important step toward understanding it.For centuries，sailors had reported seeing a huge，ocean－dwelling beast，thought to be the giant squid.The creature is also believed to be the subject of the Nordic myth of the kraken，a sea creature that supposedly attacked ships in Scandinavian waters over the past thousands of years.

1. Why is it difficult to film the giant squid?

A．Because it is illegal to film the giant squid.

B．Because it is too expensive to make such a film.

C．Because the giant squid lives in the dark deep ocean.

D．Because the giant squid is dangerous to humans.

2. We can learn from the first paragraph that scientists   ________．

A．first saw the giant squid in the ocean

B．discovered a new sea creature in the ocean

C．have the ocean bottom secretly recorded on video

D．have first caught the legendary giant squid on video

3. According to the passage，the giant squid's longest tentacles can be   ________．

A．16 to 17 feet long

B．9 to 10 feet long

C．more than 26 feet long

D．about 36 feet long

4. The scientists released a small squid in the ocean to   ________．

A．increase the number of the giant squid

B．trick the giant squid into coming out

C．make an educational film about it

D．show concern for the giant squid

【推荐2】Monthly Talks at London Canal Museum

Our monthly talks start at 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month except August. Admission is at normal charges and you don’t need to book. They end around 21:00.

November 7th

The Canal Pioneers, by Chris Lewis. James Brindley is recognized as one of the leading early canal engineers. He was also a major player in training others in the art of canal planning and building. Chris Lewis will explain how Brindley made such a positive contribution to the education of that group of early “civil engineers”.

December 5th

Ice for the Metropolis, by Malcolm Tucker. Well before the arrival of freezers, there was a demand for ice for food preservation and catering, Malcolm will explain the history of importing natural ice and the technology of building ice wells, and how London’s ice trade grew.

February 6th

An Update on the Cotsword Canals, by Liz Payne. The Stroudwater Canal is moving towards reopening. The Thames and Severn Canal will take a little longer. We will have a report on the present state of play.

March 6th

Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands, by Miranda Vickers. The Thames had many islands. Miranda has undertaken a review of all of them. She will tell us about those of greatest interest.

Online bookings:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/book

More into:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson

London Canal Museum

12-13 New Wharf Road, London NI 9RT

www.canalmuseum.org.uk   www.canalmuseum.mobi

Tel:020 77130836

1. When is the talk on James Brindley?

A．February 6th.	B．December 5th.
C．November 7th.	D．March 6th.

2. What is the topic of the talk in February?

A．The Canal Pioneers.	B．An Update on the Cotsword Canals
C．Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands	D．Ice for the Metropolis

3. Who will give the talk on the islands in the Thames.

A．Miranda Vickers	B．Malcolm Tucker
C．Chris Lewis	D．Liz Payne

【推荐3】The James Geddes Language Center includes two language laboratories, especially equipped for language teaching and extensive tape production and processing facilities. A test is required of every student whose recent course in French was taken in high school or at a college other than Boston University. The test can be taken at any time, but should be taken only once. The following is the arrangement for the French courses this summer.

● CAS LF 111 First-Semester French

This is for students who have never studied French including grammar, conversation practice, written exercises and directed compositions. Lab 1 is required.

Tuition: $1,800

Duration: July 1 - July 15

Time: Monday to Wednesday 9 am-11:30 am

● CAS LF 112 Second-Semester French

The CAS LF 111 examination result is required. This is a continuation of the CAS LF 111 basic text: grammar, conversation, compositions and additional readings. Lab 1 is required.

Tuition: $1,800 Duration:

Duration: July 16 - July 31

Time: Monday to Wednesday 9 am-11:30 am

● CAS LF 211 Third-Semester French

The CAS LF 112 examination result is required. If you want to strengthen your skills in grammar and conversation, don’t miss it. Literary readings, listening to novels in the language laboratory and discussions in class are included. Lab 2 is required.

Tuition: $2,000

Duration: August 1 - August 15

Time: Thursday to Saturday 11 am-1 pm

● CAS LF 212 Fourth-Semester French

The CAS LF 211 examination result is still a must. Like the three above, the whole class is also instructed in French. You’ll continue CAS LF 211 grammar review, conversation and compositions, learning selections from modern literature, listening to novels in the laboratory and discussions in class. Lab 1 is required.

Tuition: $2,000

Duration: August 16 - August 31

Time: Thursday to Saturday 11 am-1 pm

1. What is special about CAS LF 111 First-Semester French?

A．It lasts the longest time.

B．It includes the novel reading teaching.

C．It requires no French basis before attending it.

D．It is not provided with advanced teaching facilities.

2. What is the common point among the courses?

A．The price.	B．The language of instruction.
C．The duration.	D．The weekly open time.

3. Which course is conducted in a different laboratory?

A．CAS LF 111 First-Semester French.

B．CAS LF 112 Second-Semester French.

C．CAS LF 211 Third-Semester French,

D．CAS LF 212 Fourth-Semester French.