【推荐1】阅读下面短文并回答问题（请注意问题后的词数要求）。

[1]It is now possible to watch live sport on television on any day of the week, and the current amount of reporting will undoubtedly increase further in years to come. This is certainly having an influence on the live sports events themselves, and there are both benefits and shortcomings to this.

[2]Why has there been such growth in televised sport? For one thing, with digital broadcasting, there are now many more TV channels than there were even ten years ago. Moreover, sport has become an important form of entertainment, appealing to both men and women.

[3]When are the benefits of this state of affairs? One obvious advantage to the profession is the addition of money provided by television companies. Large football clubs benefit financially from TV income and the top players can command very large salaries. Less popular sports also receive money that can be used in training and awareness-raising. What’s more, there is a health benefit to some of the population, because through televised sport, more people have become interested in actually playing sport.

[4]However,________ if so much sport is on television. Considering football again, many small clubs have suffered financial losses recently, as they cannot compete with the large ones. There has been a general falling in ticket sales, especially among smaller clubs. Fewer people attend live matches nowadays, preferring to watch from the comfort of their living room. And ticket prices have risen greatly.

[5]To sum up, while televised sport has created many opportunities and benefited certain people and clubs very much, it has also been responsible for changing the nature of live sports events for ever.

1. What is the main idea of the text? (no more than 8 words)
________________
2. Complete the following statement with words from Paragraph 2. ( no more than 3 words)
There has been a great increase in TV channels in the past few years with the help of________________.
3. Point out the advantage of televised sport which does not concern money in Paragraph3. (no more than 3 words)
________________
4. Fill in the blank in Paragraph 4 with proper words. (no more than 6 words)
________________
5. What does the word “it” (Line2, Paragraph5) probably refer to? (no more than 3 words)
________________

【推荐2】The audience starts to scream and young people all over Britain turn on their TVs. Yes, it’s Top of the Pops!

Top of the Pops is an amazing 34 years old. Pop stars from all over the world appear on this successful TV programme. After 1,800 shows, it’s still the most popular pop music show in Britain. So what’s the secret?

“We get lots of bands to perform live in the studio,” says producer Chris Cowey. “That just doesn’t happen on other shows.”

Chris starts planning the programme over a week before it goes out. His first job is to decide which bands to have on the show. When the chart of the top twenty songs is produced on Sunday, Chris can start to book the bands.

Monday starts with Chris meeting his sound, lighting and camera workers. They listen to each song and plan the show.

Tuesday is paperwork day. There are bookings to make sure of letters to answer and lots of phone calls to make. The show is on Thursday. Bands arrive at the studio from 10 o'clock in the morning and start practising. Tonight’s presenter, Jo Whiley, practices too.

First the bands go to make up. Judy and Issy are the make-up artists. “We see the stars with no make-up on, looking terrible,” says Issy. Then the bands go to the costume department where Marianne dresses the stars.

Back in the studio things are happening. The audience are practicing their dance moves! It takes over two hours to record the whole programme, then Chris edits it all night long. The final version is exactly 29 minutes long.

1. What make(s) Top of the Pops still the most popular in Britain?

A．The live performances in the studio.

B．The jobs carefully done by the workers of the TV station.

C．The great fame of the bands.

D．The large numbers of pop fans in Britain.

2. When the bands receive the invitations to the performance, _________.

A．they must decide on the songs

B．they don’t have to decide what songs they will perform

C．the songs that will be performed haven’t been decided on

D．they have no idea what songs they will perform

3. The underlined word “costume” in Paragraph 7 probably means        .

A．makeup	B．stage
C．studio	D．clothes

4. How is a music programme made at the TV station?

A．

B．

C．

D．

5. Which is the proper title for the passage?

A．More Popular, More Successful	B．A Stage for Pop Stars
C．Go Backstage of Top of the Pops.	D．A Popular Live Band.

【推荐1】Climbers at Qomolangma are being asked to clean up after themselves.

Qomolangma has earned the nickname (绰号) the World’s Highest Garbage Dump (垃圾场).

Climbing Qomolangma, the world's highest mountain, just becomes more challenging. The government of Nepal is telling climbers they cannot leave trash on the trails. Each climber will have to come down the mountain with at the least 18 pounds of garbage. That’s the average amount of trash a climber leaves behind on Qomolangma.

Officials say climbers are responsible for their own trash. “We are not asking climbers to pick up trash left by someone else,” said the Nepal Tourism Ministry. “We just want them to bring back what they took up.”

More than 4,000 people have reached the 29,035-foot summit (顶峰) in more than 60 years. Leaving trash along the way helps climbers keep their bags light so they have energy to reach the summit. “The trash problem in Qomolangma is not new.” Burlakoti says. “When the people started to climb the mountain, they started to leave their garbage there.” They have left behind bottles, food boxes and equipment.

The new rule came into effect in April, 2014. To make sure it is followed, climbers will have to deposit money (交保证金) before they climb. Once they climb back down the mountain, officials will check climbers at a return camp to make sure they have the required 18 pounds of trash. If they do, their money will be returned to them. If they do not, climbers will not receive their deposit and they will not be given a permit the next time they want to climb Qomolangma.

The goal is to make sure no more litter will be left on Qomolangma. “As we offer Qomolangma to all the people of the world they should take responsibility to clean it.” Burlakoti says, “After seeing the results from this, we will also apply this rule to other mountains.”

1. Why does Qomolangma get the nickname the World’s Highest Garbage Dump?

A．The white snow on it looks like white trash.

B．The government of Nepal transported trash onto it.

C．There is too much trash left on it by climbers.

D．The government of Nepal has used up the resources on it.

2. Climbers left trash along the way in order to______.

A．provide guidance for other climbers

B．help climbers themselves find their way

C．get timely medical rescue when in danger

D．reach the summit without too much load

3. If climbers want to climb Qomolangma again, they must______.

A．get the climbing license

B．have a large bag

C．get the permission from the local people

D．bring back the required trash in the last climbing

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Protect our beautiful mountains

B．Bring back your litter when climbing

C．A new rule of protecting the earth

D．Qomolangma belonging to the world people

【推荐3】Every few years, there’s a hot new management-strategy that promises to make employees happier, healthier and more productive. To that end we’ve seen the rise of positions like chief happiness officer’ as well as workplace dogs and on-site meditation. But while the employers may have improved the office itself, they have not solved the stress itself: the crushing tide of emails and IMs, which-thanks to the rise of smartphones-can pull us back to work, anytime, anywhere.

Now, in an effort to prevent burnout, a growing number of employers have started to suggest ways in which employees should unplug their connected devices. The automaker, Volkswagen, in collaboration with its union, sets its servers to stop mobile email service for some workers from 30 minutes after quitting time until 30 minutes before starting time.

These measures may sound dramatic and possibly impractical, but there is a data to suggest they are needed. A recent research has suggested that limiting the number of times a day that we check email or work-chat services -- from say 10 or 20 to three or four--can not only reduce stress levels but also increase the overall productivity.

But in order for any solution to succeed, workers have to be willing to regulate their own habits. Yet that is especially tough in a country like the U.S., where, being super-busy, or at least appearing to be super-busy, is a point of pride. Even if more U.S employers were to implement the kinds of limits that Volkswagen do, experts are skeptical that they’d work. “If the social norm is to be on all the time, you don’t want to be the odd one out,” says Angela Leaney, a New Jersey-based marketing consultant, adding that some bosses will think less of employees for not answering emails after work hours, even if they say they won’t.

Moreover, dictating (强制规定) when and how employees should use their connected devices will inevitably hamper many workers. There are plenty of people who do their best work at 3 a. m. In fact, a majority of working adults say that being able to check work email at home makes it easier to get more done; many also said it improved their relationships with their colleagues.

For now, it seems, the best way for employers to foster a fulfilled, productive workforce is to be flexible, both inside and outside the office. One example, although Andy Mon-fried, the CEO and founder of Lotame, a New York-based data management company, says those kinds of time limits wouldn’t work for his business-- it’s too global-- he does give his employees flexibility on when and where they can work. He’s also vigilant (警惕的) about burnout. “I vowed that I would not create a company where people had the Sunday-might blues--the kind where you go to bed sick to your stomach,” he says. “I tell people if that’s happening repeatedly, it’s a sign of work-life imbalance and they should come talk to me.”

1. To stop employees from getting exhausted, employers have begun to ________.

A．allow pet dogs in the office

B．encourage meditation in the workplace

C．promise to make their staff happier and more productive

D．advise their staff to disconnect their communication devices

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article?

A．Volkswagen’s policy will also apply to U.S. companies.

B．Employers will find ways to regulate workers’ working habit.

C．U.S employers won’t think of contacting employees after work.

D．U.S experts cast doubt on the feasibility of limiting connected time.

3. The underlined word ‘hamper’ (in paragraph 5) can be best replaced by ________.

A．comfort	B．harm
C．tighten	D．relieve

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the article?

A．Employees applaud the way to cut down their connected time.

B．The "time limits" are considered worldwide but not entirely practical.

C．Impractical as the measures sound, they will work well for employers.

D．Flexibility on when and where to work is the best way to avoid burnout.

【推荐1】Growing up, I wanted to be just like my mom. She was kind. People always seemed to feel comfortable in her presence. For years, she was a volunteer in our community. I loved going to the local nursing home with her where she taught a ceramic class.

On one summer day, Mama told me to get changed and meet her at the car.

I had planned to spend the day at the lake with friends. Why did she have to ruin everything? I imagined the cool lake water. Annoyed, I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut. We sat in silence. I was too upset to make conversation.

“Tasha, would you like to know where we are going?” Mama asked calmly.

“No,” I said.

“We are going to volunteer at a children’s shelter today. I have been there before and I think it will benefit you,” she explained.

When we reached the shelter, Mama rang the doorbell. Moments later, we were greeted by a woman. She led us to the front room where all of the children were playing. I noticed a baby whose body was scarred with iron marks. I was told it was because she wouldn’t stop crying. The majority of the children had noticeable physical scars. Others hid their emotional wounds.

As I took in my surroundings, I felt a gentle tug on my shirt. I looked down to see a little girl looking up at me. “Hi. You want to play dolls with me?” she asked. I looked over at Mama for reinforcement. She smiled and nodded. I turned back and said, “Sure.” Her tiny hand reached up and held mine, as if to comfort me.

My mom taught me a worthy lesson that summer. I returned to the shelter with her several times. During those visits, some of the children shared their troubled pasts with me and I learned to be grateful for what I had. Today as I try to instill(逐渐灌输) these values in my own child, I reflect back to that experience. It was a time that I will never forget.

1. The author admired her mom for ________.

A．her kindness to others	B．her excellent teaching
C．her quality of honesty	D．her positive attitude to life

2. When she was asked to go out with her mom, the author was ________.

A．excited	B．surprised
C．angry	D．worried

3. From the passage we learn most children in the shelter ________.

A．were often punished by staff	B．weren’t allowed to go outside
C．were once treated badly	D．all suffered from mental illness

4. The underlined word “reinforcement” in the passage is closest in meaning to “________”.

A．truth	B．support
C．comfort	D．help

【推荐2】Last night’s meteor(流星) shower left many people in the community dissatisfied and demanding answers. According to Gabe Rothsclild, Emerald Valley’s mayor, people gathered in the suburbs of the city, carrying heavy telescopes, expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky. What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.

“My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing, but it turned out to be a huge disappointment.”

Astronomers—scientists who study stars and planets—have been complaining about this problem for decades. They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past. They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.

There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds, bats frogs, snakes, etc. For example, outdoor lighting severely affects migrating birds. According to the International Dark-Sky Association. “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers.”

Countless more animals casualties result from the use of artificial lighting. Clearly, people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings, but some scientists think it can be harmful for humans, too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase person’s chances of getting cancer.

Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of high pollution. For years, Flagstaff, Arizona, has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory. Similar efforts have been made worldwide, and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them, so that other creatures can share the night.

1. It happened last night that         .

A．the meteors flew past before being noticed	B．the city’s lights affected the meteor watching
C．the city light show attracted many people	D．the meteor watching ended up as a social outing

2. What do the astronomers complain about?

A．Light pollution has remained unsolved for years.	B．Their observation equipment is in poor repair.
C．Meteor showers occur less often than before.	D．Their eyesight is failing due to artificial lighting.

3. Lighting regulations in Flagstaff, Arizona are put into effect to         .

A．create an ideal observation condition	B．lessen the chance of getting cancer
C．ensure citizens a good sleep at night	D．enable all creatures to live in harmony

4. What message does the author most want to give us?

A．Saving wildlife is saving ourselves.

B．Great efforts should be made to save energy.

C．New equipment should be introduced for space study.

D．Human activities should be environmentally friendly.

【推荐1】I like staying overnight at my granny Ruiz’s house until she starts telling me how wonderful my cousin Maya is. Then it’s Maya this and Maya that until I don’t ever want to hear another word about her.

That’s why I wasn’t too excited when granny called me to “come on over”. When I got there, it was worse than I expected. Maya sat there, all dressed up.

Maya was taller than I’d remembered her from her last visit four years ago. She was talking about how nice to see me again. But I could tell that she didn’t really think so.

I couldn’t remember what it was I didn’t like about her. The last time she was there, we’d had hours of fun together. After that, I’d heard about her only through granny’s tales. Now Maya looked great with the latest haircut and a beautiful dress. I glanced down at my jeans and sneakers. It was bad enough that she was granny’s favorite-smarter and more talented than I was-but elegant, too? This was too much.

Maya’s words crashed through my thoughts, “I hear you like skating,” I was surprised, wondering how she knew about my skating.

“I hear you take piano lessons,” I countered. A funny look crossed her face and she nodded.

“I hear you were captain of your softball team,” she said.

“Wait a minute,” I said. “How do you know this?”

Maya shrugged and looked down. “I hear about you all the time from granny’s letters.”

“Granny tells me about you all the time, too!” I said. “I even know you wear a size-three shoe!”

Maya laughed. I also smiled, knowing now that granny had two favorites.

1. We can infer that the author felt ______ every time granny talked about Maya.

A．excited	B．curious
C．surprised	D．uncomfortable

2. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A．Maya and the author hadn’t met each other for about four years.

B．They both knew a lot about each other through their granny.

C．Maya was happy about the get-together but the author wasn’t.

D．The author loved sports, such as skating and playing softball.

3. What’s the best title for the passage?

A．Fun Time with Maya	B．Granny’s Favorite
C．Our Loving Granny	D．A Surprise Get-together

【推荐2】One day my wife and I went shopping at the shop. We took the car as we had a lot of things to buy because my brother and his family were going to spend the weekend with us. We stopped the car in front of the shop. An hour later we came back to the car with a lot of things. Then the trouble started. We couldn’t open the car door.“Oh dear,” said my wife. “What are we going to do?”“Let’s ask the policeman,” I said. The policeman was very kind and glad to help us. A few minutes later he got the door open. Just at that moment an angry man came up and shouted. “What are you doing with my car?” We looked at the number of the car and our faces turned very red.

1. The husband and wife went shopping _________.

A．in their car

B．by bus

C．on foot

D．It didn’t mentioned

2. __________ opened the car door in the end.

A．The policeman

B．The wife

C．The husband

D．The wife and the husband

3. The owner of the car was very angry ________.

A．to find his car opened by others	B．not to find his car
C．to see a policeman standing by his car	D．to see his car broken

4. They didn’t know it was a wrong car till ____________.

A．they saw a man coming	B．they heard the man’s shout
C．they saw a policeman coming	D．they saw the number of the car

【推荐3】In Japan, more than 25% of the population is over 65, a figure set to rise to 40 percent by 2050.

That means authorities need to think about ways to keep healthy and active for longer but also about how to cope with labor shortages.

At Cross Heart, more than half of the 119 caregivers are over 60, and 15 of them are over 70. The foundation   that runs this nursing   home and others in   Kanagaw a Prefecture has raised the official retirement age to 70 but allows employees to keep working until 80 if they want to and can.

Although older workers have constraints—some can’t do the heavier tasks—they also offer advantages over younger workers who want time off for their children, said nursing home director Kaori Yokoo.

“Plus, because they’re close in age, they can relate to each other more, ” she said. For the older workers, the money is a nice benefit, but the main motivation is the activity and sense of community.

Hiroko   Akiyama,   at   the   University   of   Tokyo’s   Institute   of   Gerontology,   said   a Japanese 65-year-old is in much better physical and mental shape than a 65-year-old a few decades ago. “They are full of energy, and healthy and long-liv ing,” she said. Her research has found that working helps keep seniors that way.

Meanwhile,   researchers   are   working   on   robots   that   can   lift   the   elderly   out   of   beds   and wheelchairs.

Still, Japan can’t rely only on seniors or, potentially, robots to staff its nursing homes, where the need will only grow as the population ages, analysts say.

Japan has agreements with Indonesia, Vietn am and the Philipp ines under which applicants who complete job training and pass a Japanese language test can work at a Japanese nursing home.   But many Japanese also express deep concern about cultural differences.

1. From the text we can learn that in Japan ______.

A．money w ill be spent increasing the skills of the workforce

B．young people are willing to care for children but not seniors

C．aging caregivers will increasingly become a usual trend

D．high-level nursing homes are in great need

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

A．failures.	B．benefits.
C．experiences.	D．drawbacks.

3. What is the main reason for the old to work for nursing homes?

A．To meet their physical and mental needs.	B．To earn some money for their families.
C．To show love and respect for seniors.	D．To reduce the young’s burden.

4. How many aspects does the writer mention to increase the workforce?

A．2.

B．3.

C．4.

D．5.