You’re hiking with a friend and then as you step over a stone, a snake beneath bites your leg. One thought races through your mind, “If you get bitten by a snake, suck (吸) out the venom (毒液).’’ Terrified, you turn to your friend, but he replies, “No way! Then we’ll both die.”

Most likely, your friend wouldn’t die. But if he has an open wound in his mouth, the venom could enter his body through bloodstream, which is no help to either of you. So, venom sucking isn’t a solution.

To understand how to treat snakebites, you need to know the difference between poisons and venoms. Poisons (毒药) are toxic, in other words, dangerous, if you take in or smell them. Venoms, on the other hand, are only harmful if they get into the bloodstream.

So, if you suck the venom out of a snake bite, you won’t get hurt. But that doesn’t mean you should do it! Experts now strongly advise against it. Why? Venom enters the bloodstream super quickly, and trying to suck it out is rather useless because it’s faster than your reaction. The best way to prevent the venom from quickly moving through the bloodstream is to remain calm, and avoid doing anything that would increase the heart rate.

So what else should we do? Well, be aware of what snakes are in the place you are walking in. That way you will have an idea which ones are dangerous.

4. The writer introduces the topic by _______.

A．showing a fact	B．asking a question
C．telling a story	D．listing a difference

5. The venom enters your bloodstream when sucking _______.

A．if you have an open wound in your mouth

B．if you smell them from the snakebite

C．if you are terrified to call your friend for help

D．if you don’t wash your mouth after sucking

6. Which of the following is true about venoms?

A．They are almost nothing different from poisons.

B．They would increase the heart rate very quickly.

C．They are dangerous if they enter the bloodstream.

D．They move slowly if they enter the bloodstream.

7. If your are bitten by a snake, what should you do first?

A．Run to the nearest place for help.

B．Keep calm and don’t move at all.

C．Shout for help as loudly as possible.

D．Find the snake and kill it at once.

Farming was considered part of the countryside charm (魅力) in the past. But now, farms have come to the city and they can even be found high up on balconies (阳台).

According to a recent report from Chinese online shopping platform Alibaba, the sales of vegetable seeds in the first quarter, from January to March, on Tmall doubled compared with the same period last year. Sales of products such as nutrient soil (营养土) and gardening tools have increased since April of last year. Out of all the people buying farming tools and seeds, most were born after 1995.

Zhang Chao, 17, from Anhui province, is one young “urban farmer”. The senior high student said his love for planting began in primary school when he lived with his grandpa in the countryside. “Spending his whole life as a farmer, my grandpa likes to plant seasonal vegetables in our backyard garden when he was older,” Zhang said. “Following his steps, I also learned to grow my own vegetables.” Though farming needs hard work, Zhang said he still had a sense of achievement when he saw seeds gradually turn into seedlings and later plants.

“It has brought me good memories,” added Zhang.

Although Zhang recently moved to a place without a yard, he continues his hobby with a balcony garden. He has bought strawberry and tomato seeds. “Growing fruits and vegetables not only brings delicious food and ensures food security, but it also reminds me of the happy times with my grandpa.” said Zhang.

8. What does the underlined word “urban” probably mean?

A．countryside

B．city

C．mountain

D．sea

9. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Most urban farmers were born before 1995.

B．There are a lot of farms in the city now.

C．Farming in the city also needs hard work.

D．Zhang Chao’s grandpa is also an urban farmer.

10. When did Zhang Chao begin to love farming?

A．He saw seeds turn into seedlings and later plants.

B．He moved to a place with a balcony garden.

C．He lived with his grandpa in the countryside.

D．He learned to grow his own vegetables himself.

11. For Zhang Chao, farming in the yard or in a balcony is a _______.

A．job

B．hobby

C．habit

D．plan

John Newbery, was an English publisher (出版商) of books who first made children’s literature (文学) a popular and profitable (赚钱的) part of the literary market. He also supported and published the works of Christopher Smart, Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson. Because of his achievements, the Newbery Medal was named after him in 1922. And he is also called “The Father of Children’s Literature”.

John Newbery was born in 1713 in Berkshire, England. The son of a farmer, he saw to his own education and through his efforts became apprenticed (学徒) to a printer when he was sixteen years old. In 1740, Newbery started a publishing business in Reading. It became so successful that just a few years later, he was able to move to London to open a shop.

It was during this time that his first children’s book A Little Pretty Pocket Book was published. It was filled with rhymes and came bound in a colorful cover. The book also came with a ball for boys and a pincushion (针垫) for girls. Records showed that these items were red on one side and black on the other. When children did a good thing, they got a pin in the red side. When they did a bad thing, they got a pin in the black side. It was made to instruct children in proper way with playfulness rather than punishment.

A Little Pretty Pocket Book was so successful that it allowed Newbery to move his shop to a better location by 1747. He continued to publish for both adults and children, working to create more interesting gifts like balls and pincushions that allowed his books to serve as marketing as well as stories.

Throughout his career, Newbery published over one hundred books for children. Before him, there was no literature published especially for children; while after his work, it is one of the most popular and profitable publishing kinds. He published alphabet (字母) books, picture books, fairy tales, novels, and magazines.

Newbery passed away in 1767 at the age of fifty-four. In 1922, the Association (协会) for Library Service to Children created the John Newbery Medal as a way of honoring his great contribution (贡献) to American literature for children.

12. Who is “The Father of Children’s Literature”?

A．Christopher Smart.	B．Oliver Goldsmith.
C．Samuel Johnson.	D．John Newbery.

13. Which of the following is the character of John Newbery’s first children’s book?

A．The book had a red and black cover.

B．The book came with a ball for girls.

C．The book was full of rhymes.

D．The book showed how to punish kids.

14. What is probably the right order of the events?
1. John Newbery opened a shop in London.          2. He became apprenticed to a printer.
3. Newbery passed away.                            4. A Little Pretty Pocket Book was published.       
5. The Newbery Medal was named after him.

A．21435

B．24135

C．21453

D．24153

15. What is probably the title of the passage?

A．John Newbery: the father of children’s literature.

B．The first children’s book: A Little Pretty Pocket Book.

C．From a very common farmer to a great publisher.

D．John Newbery Medal: an honor to writers.

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Everyone loves to hear a good joke. Imagine if you can make everyone laugh in a party! You will surely be the most popular one in crowd. However, it won’t be an easy thing to draw people’s interest. Here are a few tips from the experts to help you be the life of the party.

    16    

Tell your jokes to as many people as you can, or even to the cat, until you can tell them well. You can start with short jokes, and repeat telling the same jokes until you can tell them naturally without a second thought.

    17    

Nothing is more embarrassing than forgetting your joke halfway through, or leaving out an important part, or forgetting the funniest sentence. Even if the writer of the joke is not you, try to tell it as if you are the main character in it, and get familiar with every single detail.

    18    

Don’t apologize or begin by saying you can’t tell jokes very well. Just jump right in. And don’t tell your audience (观众) how funny the joke is. This actually makes jokes less funny. When you are telling your jokes, you are the pop star in the party.

    19    

Good jokes are short and simple. Cut out unnecessary details and dont explain things. True humor sometimes even hides behind only two or three words.

    20    

When you are telling your jokes, remember to pay attention to people around you! Do they look interested, or bored, or confused? Slow down for them if they are confused, or speed up if they are already bored. It is very important for them to follow your joke. Are they ready for the funniest part now? Your audience will let you know how to tell your joke in a proper way.

A．Less is more!

B．Know your jokes!

C．Listen to your audience!

D．Be confident!

E．Practice, practice, and practice!

F．Time it right!