2 . Drmiinnggg! That’s the sound that kids all over the country hate to hear—the alarm bell. The new school year has just started and children across the UK have to wake up early in the morning to go to school.

But students at one school in north-cast England are lucky. They can lie in bed for an extra（额外的）hour before they go to school. Monkseaton High School has been allowing its pupils to come into school an hour later than other schools.

The headmaster, Dr Paul Kelley, says that this new way helps students pay more attention to their lessons in class. He feels that young people are more energetic and can perform better for the rest of the day. And he adds that for their school students, a late start at school may be better than an early one.

Dr. Kelley tells the BBC that teenagers don't perform very well in the morning and their need to sleep is biological（生物的）.

It seems that this new approach to teaching shows positive（乐观的） results. The number of students who sleep in class drops quickly. Besides, the school has already seen a drop in the number of pupils who play truant（逃学）by 27%. More importantly, Dr. Kelley also says that exam results have improved by 20%—30% over the past year.

Classes at Monkseaton High School begin at 10 a.m. and finish at 3:40 p.m. However, the school opens from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The students can come early and leave late if they want.

1. This passage is a speech given by a headmaster.
2. The students in Monkseaton High School can go to school an hour earlier than the students in other schools.
3. According to the passage, Dr. Paul Kelley agrees with the new approach.
4. Thanks to the new approach, the number of pupils who play truant drops.
5. From the passage, we know that classes usually begin at 9:00 a.m. in schools in the UK.

3 . Flowers feel feelings. It’s a secret well known by flower lovers. They expect flowers to come out with quiet and soft encouragements.

So it should be no surprise that the Yellowbright Flower growing in a large red field trembled (颤抖) with strong feelings now. He trembled because he felt different. He was the only Yellowbright Flower flowering in a field of red plants, whatever they were. He knew walkers stopped and stared before walking on. He knew he was some special thing, the only thing of his kind. And the only thing of anything is always a very lonely thing to be, no matter what thing it is.

Until one bright midnight, as he danced in the summer wind, the field spoke to him. Yes, a voice came from one red plant in the field. This plant, whatever it was, now spoke to him by saying this, “You’re not really alone, you know.” No one and nothing had ever spoken to him before. To say he was surprised would be an understatement (轻描淡写). Remember, flowers feel strong feelings.

“You’ve been wrong before,” the red plant went on. “You’re a rose. So am I. So are we all, all of us in this big field. If you re yellow, with a different bloom (开花), ________. But it’s all of us, together, that the walkers stop walking to see. Not just you. Together, we’re a garden. Alone, you’re only one pretty but very small blossom (花).” Funny how this changed things for the Yellowbright Flower, who now realized he was really a Yellowbright Rose. Funny how those few words changed everything. Because nothing is really the only thing of anything, no matter how special that one thing is.

We stop feeling different and lonely when we understand we’re part of something larger than ourselves.

1. The Yellowbright Flower trembled with strong feelings because ________.

A．he knew he was a yellow rose	B．he felt different and special
C．he grew in a large field	D．he always felt very lonely

2. The Yellowbright Flower felt ________when he first heard a red rose?

A．shocked

B．scared

C．upset

D．pleased

3. Which of the following can be put in Paragraph 4?

A．your color will make you the most beautiful

B．you will not be able to feel the strong feelings

C．your color only adds to the beauty of this field

D．you will not be seen by walkers walking by

4. According to the passage, which of the followings is true?

A．The yellow rose is the prettiest in the garden.

B．The red rose changed what the yellow one though before.

C．The red rose was happy to see the walkers.

D．The yellow rose thought the garden was very funny.

5. What does the writer mainly want to tell us?

A．Something is really special.	B．Everything is part of something.
C．Anything can be changed.	D．Nothing matters except yourself.

4 . What makes you who you are as a person? You probably have some ideas of your own personality. Are you similar to Martin Luther King or Albert Einstein? Read about these types and find out.

The Dreamer A dreamer thinks there is a “right”way to do things. This person wants to live in the“perfect world”. A dreamer is often hard-working and organized. Many are good listeners and like to help others. Many dreamers work as teachers, lawyers, and in leadership roles. Famous dreamers: Mohandas   Gandhi, Martin King Jr.

The Partners A partner wants to be in a group. For this person, group harmony is important. And rules can help us live in harmony because they can keep everything in good order and help the members avoid arguing. Partners are often serious, careful people. Many do well as teachers, managers, police officers, and politicians. Famous partners: Mother Teresa, Queen Elizabeth II

The thinker For thinkers, understanding   things   is very important. They like to solve problems and make new things. Thinkers can also be competitive. They like to win. They are independent and often have very strong opinions. Many thinkers work as scientists, inventors, politicians, and engineers. Famous thinkers: Bill Gates

The Artist Artists want to be free. They don’t want to follow the rules all the time. Artists like action and are often impulsive ( 冲动的). They also like trying new things. Like thinkers, many artists have strong opinions. Many artists are creative and do well as musicians, actors, fashion designers, and athletes. The motto of artists might be “Variety is the spice of life.” Famous artists :Russell Crowe, Madomma

1. The following people are very serious and like to follow rules in a group Except ________.

A．Mother Teresa

B．Queen ElizabethⅡ

C．Bill Gates

D．Barack Obama

2. If you want to live in the “perfect world”, you may do well as ________.

A．a scientist

B．a lawyer

C．an inventor

D．a musician

3. Einstein is probably an example of ________. .

A．the dreamer

B．the partner

C．the thinker

D．the artist

4. Which of the following in NOT true about artists?

A．They don’t like to follow the rules all the time.

B．They are usually careful and organized.

C．They like action and are often impulsive.

D．They like trying new things and have strong opinions.

5. The passage mainly talks about ________.

A．different jobs

B．famous people

C．similar groups

D．personality types

5 . When the woman finds out that she is pregnant. People in China always say that she "has happiness".

The first month in life of a baby is very important. It is a Chinese tradition that parents hold a celebration for their baby's first full month of life. It is called "Moon-yut" in Chinese, which is also known as Chinese full month celebration. In the past, the newborn babies were difficult to survive because lots of people were very poor at that time. People believed that a baby who reached one month was going to survive. So on the morning of a baby's 30th day, families prepared offerings for gods so that they can protect the baby in his or her life.

The red egg and ginger party tradition is an ancient Chinese custom to introduce newborn babies to others. Guests joining the party bring presents. Babies get "lucky money" in red envelopes. There are some other presents. Legend has it that the tiger was the king of all animals in China. It is believed that tigers can protect babies. That is why people bring presents like tiger hats, tiger shoes and other similar objects.

The guests are given red eggs and ginger as presents. It's a way to thank them for coming and giving best wishes to the child. Eggs are symbols of life changes and the red color in China means good luck. The round shape shows harmony and happiness in life. Ginger also has its symbolic meaning. In Chinese cooking, it's very important to keep a balance between the Yin (cold) and Yang (warm). Ginger adds a spicy touch to nutritional needs of a new mother, who is tired and weak (or the Chinese would see yin) after pregnancy and giving birth. To get stronger, new mothers in China traditionally drink a special soup made of pig's feet, eggs and ginger.

1. Parents hold the red egg and ginger party to celebrate their baby's___________.

A．first birthday	B．first three months of life
C．first month of life	D．third birthday

2. In the past it was hard for many new born babies to survive mainly because___________.

A．they were not liked by their parents

B．their parents were too poor to raise them

C．they didn't have enough places to live

D．they were born in rich physical condition

3. What do red eggs symbolized?

A．Life changes and strength.	B．Life changes and balance.
C．Good luck and balance.	D．Good luck and happiness.

4. Why do people use ginger for new mothers in Chinese cooking according to the passage?

A．Because it's delicious.

B．Because the new mothers like it very much.

C．Because it can keep a balance between the Yin and Yang.

D．Because it's color is red.

5. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The best gifts for new babies.

B．The customs about a newborn baby.

C．Different kinds of birthday parties.

D．Some baby stories in the past

6 .

Deep Green Bush School is New Zealand’s newest and most unusual school with just eight students. The weather is so beautiful that the school day will start with fishing. After, the kids will eat lunch cooked on an open fire. Homework and classes? Canceled. Students spend most of the day outdoors exploring nature. They also learn about the plants and animals of their home. Students learn to read and write, but they do so at their own pace, when they begin getting interested, not when the teacher decides it is time to learn.

“We are called a school but we look nothing like any school out there,” says Joey Moncarz, who had been a teacher in more common schools for five years before he helped start the school more than a year ago. Being worried that common schools were not preparing children for the problems of the future, he began thinking about a very different kind of education, teaching kids the skills of survival.

Some parents saw their kids were unhappy and stressed in mainstream education and began to question whether it is normal or right for kids to come home stressed and unhappy. People have asked Moncarz to open similar “bush schools” around New Zealand, and as far away as Europe and China.

David Berg is a learning expert. He said schools like Moncarz’s are becoming more popular. However, he says, these schools need to be careful. Children need to learn traditional subjects so they can find jobs in the modern world. Berg said many people still feel it is important to spend more time in nature. People in the modern world need to have many skills and some of those can be developed outside.

Moncarz insists that the school isn’t an experiment( 试 验 ). For two million years, parents   have brought up their kids with nature, he said. “We don’t want to be one of a kind, we want to take the place of mainstream schools,” he said. “We are using the same method parents have used to teach their kids for millions of years. Locking kids in a classroom and driving them to learn just causes a lot of problems.”

1. Paragraph 1 is mostly about ________.

A．how many kids learn outside	B．where the school building is
C．what the bush school is like	D．why there is no homework

2. According to Paragraph 2, Mr. Moncarz started Deep Green Bush School because he thought ________.

A．learning about the nature is less helpful

B．normal schools do not teach the right things

C．normal schools teach things in the future

D．everything should not be taught in schools

3. Which of the following is the closest to the meaning “mainstream education” in Paragraph 3?

A．the most acceptable education	B．public education
C．the most important education	D．private education

4. Which of the following is NOT true according to Paragraphs 3—5?

A．Parents wish their kids to get education in China.

B．David Berg doesn’t totally agree with Moncarz.

C．Moncarz hopes bush schools will be main education.

D．Moncarz believes the bush school pattern is not new.

5. What is the author’s purpose for writing the article?

A．To make more kids choose outdoor schools.

B．To describe and explain an outdoor school.

C．To tell parents that outdoor schools are bad.

D．To see how weather means to bush schools.

7 . Buying Is Doing?

How important is shopping to you? How much time do you spend buying things? And how much time do you spend organizing these things in your home? In the future, how much time will you spend in movie theaters, at amusement parks, at shopping malls, or at convenience stores? When you add it all up, you will robably see you spend a lot of your life consuming (消费) things. Consuming products is not necessarily bad. However, if we spend too much time doing it, we should look at it carefully.

Imagine that you have a week off from school. You don't have to go to class. However, in this week, you cannot spend any money—no shopping, no movies, no eating out. How would you spend your time? What things would bring you happiness? Perhaps you would take a walk with your best friend. Perhaps you would help a child read. Or you might spend time with your family.

When we look back, it is likely that non-consuming experiences like these will be our most important memories. Why? Non-consuming activities are active, not passive. They don't come in a package. You make the experience yourself. For example, each person who reads to a child will have a different experience. The experience changes with the reader, the child, and the book. Similarly，when you have a conversation with a friend, you are actively creating an experience. The conversation that you have with your friend cannot be experienced or recreated by anyone else. However, if you watch a movie with a friend, you will each have a packaged experience. It requires no action and little interaction between the two of you.

The environment we live in encourages us to have packaged experiences. We feel that we must consume because we believe that buying is doing. However, we can start a personal revolution(变革) against consumerism. How? By consuming less. We can ask ourselves what experiences bring us the greatest satisfaction. Then we can organize our lives so that we have more of those kinds of experiences.

1. If consuming products takes too much time, we should_______.

A．spend less money	B．think about it carefully
C．organize our things

2. According to the passage, the writer believes that_________.

A．we can say no to consumerism by consuming less

B．buying things can bring us the greatest satisfaction

C．the environment seldom influences our shopping choices

3. The word “those kinds of experiences” in the last sentence means________.

A．consuming experiences

B．Non-consuming experiences

C．Experiences that bring us great satisfaction

4. What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage?

A．To introduce some ways of enjoying our spare time.

B．To encourage people to have more active experiences.

C．To explain reasons behind people's shopping behavior.

8 . Learning to communicate well is a skill you will use all your life. You need this skill in your personal life to express your feelings to friends and family members. You need to be able to communicate well in school, too. Your future job success may also depend on your ability to communicate.

Kinds of Communication

There are two main kinds of communication. The first kind is verbal communication(语言交流). It includes the use of words to send information. Speaking and writing are both forms of verbal communication.

Go Green—Green Technology

Have you ever considered computers to be green technology? Think about all the trees needed to make paper for books and your written activities. The ability to transfer (转移) the written tasks to a computer makes it quite an environmentally friendly invention.

Nonverbal communication(非语言交流) includes any means of sending a message that does not use words. Your appearance, body language and the way you react are all forms of nonverbal communication.

Global(全球的) Connections—Communication Differences

Western cultures value direct eye contact(交流) and train kids to "look people in the eye". But Japanese, African, and many Latin American cultures avoid eye contact to show respect.

Community Connections—Good Manners

It is easy to have good manners if you try to think of others first. If someone new joins your group of friends or moves into your neighborhood. Make a self-introduction first. Make him or her feel welcome. Help someone who needs a hand. Hold the door open for the person behind you.

Being an Active Listener

Communication is a two-way process. Sometimes you are the sender and sometimes you are the receiver. To receive the messages clearly, it helps to be an active listener. Active listening is a communication skill in which the listener shows a clear understanding of what a person is saying. You can do this in several ways.

Repeat what you think the speaker is saying.

Let the speaker know you are listening by nodding or shaking your head.

If the message you receive is not clear, ask questions.

Listen before answering.

Do not interrupt(打断). Allow the speaker to finish what he or she has to say.

1. Please translate the underlined(划线的) sentence into Chinese. (将文中划线句子译成汉语）
_________________________________________________________________________ .
2. Why are computers mentioned when talking about verbal communication?(根据文章内容回答问题）
___________________________________________________________________________       .
3. Which good nonverbal communication behaviors are given in the passage? (列两条即可)
__________________________________________________________________________       .
4. In the passage, the underlined word "this" refers to(指)   _________________________       .
5. After reading the passage, what do you think of your communication skills? Why do you think so?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

9 . Facebook is developing an app called Lasso that lets users create fun and short videos. It's said that the app is similar to Tik Tok, a very popular 15-Second video app which is known as Douyin in China.

Lasso is Facebook's latest app to win over teenagers. In fact, Facebook has lost a lot of its young users. In 2018, only half of teens say they still use Facebook, compared to in 2014 when 71 percent of them said they did.

It's said that users can record themselves dancing and lip-syncing(对口形) to music. But to the users surprise, this is similar to what they can already do on Tik Tok. The app also lets users record short videos. This can be done on Tik Tok, too.

However, Facebook never thinks so. "Lasso is a new app for short videos," the company said. "It will be welcomed by young people. From comedies to beauty to health and more, we can help you achieve ① them. And we will collect people’s opinions on it. "

When you use Lasso, you should allow the app to look through your pages, photos, and videos. ② After that's set up, you can be free to look through millions of short videos from others. However, you are also unable to hide your personal information.

Still, people cannot use Lasso until a couple of years later. But since 2016, Tik Tok has been around. So far, Facebook hasn't explained more about Lasso on its website.

1. 回答问题:What is Lasso used to do?
_________________________________________________________
2. 写出文中①画线处“them”指代的内容。
_________________________________________________________
3. 文中②处画线句子翻译成汉语。
_________________________________________________________
4. 列举两个文中提到与Lasso类似的app 。
_______________________,   ___________________________
5. 给文章起个标题。
__________________________________________________________

10 . Kobe Bryant was born with basketball already in his blood. His dad was a former NBA star. When Kobe was six years old, his dad started playing basketball in Europe, so his family moved to Italy. The family stayed there for seven years. While living in Italy, Kobe learned to speak good Italian and started playing basketball.

The family moved back to the United States when Kobe was 13 and he started playing high school basketball. Kobe figured he was already good enough to play in the NBA, so he skipped college and was chosen right after high school by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft. In a trade the Hornets are still crying about, they sent Kobe to the LA Lakers. Although he did not go to college, Kobe was a quick learner on the courts of the NBA. He played in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in 1998 and by 2000, Kobe had developed into one of basketball's best players. Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal teamed up to lead the LA Lakers to three straight NBA Championship Titles from 2000 to 2002. In 2003, Kobe was caught by the police.

In 2004, the case against Kobe was dropped, but Kobe still had to live with a damaged reputation(受损的名誉). In 2004, Kobe tried to show that he could lead the LA Lakers without Shaq. After Kobe told the Lakers he wouldn't be wearing the purple and gold if Shaq was in the team, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat before the 2004-2005 season. The trade was good news for the Heat, who won the NBA championship冠军with O'Neal. In the next few years, Kobe grew disappointed as his team repeatedly suffered first round exits（退出）. The 2007-2008 season is when the LA Lakers finally got over the hump. They went on to have the best record of any team.

1. By the first sentence, the writer means________.

A．Kobe's blood was special when he was born

B．all of Kobe's family members are basketball players

C．Kobe liked to play with a basketball as a baby

D．Kobe was born to be a basketball player.

2. We can infer (推断) from the second paragraph that________.

A．the Charlotte Hornets regretted trading Kobe

B．in 1998, Kobe became one of basketball's best players

C．the LA Lakers have won three NBA Championship Titles till now

D．Kobe was confident about his playing before high school

3. What is the right order of the following events?
a. Shaq was traded to the Heat.         
b. Kobe was caught by the police.
c. Kobe's family moved to Italy.
d. Kobe played in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time.

A．cbad

B．cdba

C．cabd

D．dcab

4. The underlined part "got over the hump" means _________.

A．gained the advantage	B．lost the game
C．went through the hard times	D．traded a better player

5. The writer wrote the passage to _________.

A．give us an introduction of Kobe

B．tell us how to become a basketball star

C．give us some news about the NBA All-Star Game

D．introduce the LA Lakers