1 . When someone has a sharply different viewpoint from our own, we naturally choose two common ways, either avoiding a conversation with that person or trying to convince (说服) them they are wrong. Research shows there is another way: using receptive (接纳性的) language, showing that we are truly interested in a new point of view.

Many of us try to avoid disputed (有争议的) discussions. We prefer to talk with someone with similar opinions. This happens because we usually think that talking to someone who has disagreements will be more unpleasant than it actually is. When we do have to talk with people holding different views, we typically try to convince them to give up their belief because we think we are right and try to “win” the argument. And the other side is likely to think the same way, which leads to even more difficult problems to walk through.

A more effective method is being conversationally receptive. Research shows that when we appear receptive to others’ different views, our arguments sound more convincing. Receptive language can also make those with whom we disagree more receptive in return. It makes us more likable, and others more interested in partnering with us.

Researchers suggested three tips that can help us improve conversational receptiveness in even the most heated disagreements.

Recognize the other person’s point of view. Say “I understand that…or”, “I believe what you’re saying is…” to show that you take an active part in the conversation and find value and even trust in their points.

Hedge your statements. When we talk, we usually hold the opinion that we should be strong and confident and express our views in a direct, forceful way. But if we show that we are not so sure about our belief, our views will be better received.

Express your arguments in an acceptable way. You might say, “Let’s consider the possible benefits of having fewer people working on the project “rather than”, “We should not add more people to the project.” The second sentence sounds unpleasant, showing that the speaker is not open to the possibility of further discussion.

By following these tips in our communication, we’ll be more likely to have an effective conversation and bridge the differences.

1. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．Why people dislike those with different opinions.

B．How people convince others to give up their belief.

C．How people communicate to deal with difficult problems.

D．Why people use two common ways when facing disagreements.

2. According to the passage, what can being conversationally receptive lead to?

A．Effective communication.	B．Creative statements.
C．Increased confidence.	D．Divided opinions.

3. What does the words “Hedge your statements” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Explain your reasons clearly.	B．Raise your questions politely.
C．Voice your ideas less forcefully.	D．Express your excuses more directly.

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

A．To stress the importance of productive communication.

B．To introduce a better way to deal with disagreements.

C．To explain the reasons for using receptive language.

D．To provide three effective tips to win an argument.

2 . ①It’s known that green tea is a symbol of Chinese culture. Also, it helps to improve health in so many ways that some people think of it as a kind of medicine. Perhaps that is why the Chinese have been using it for more than 4,000 years to treat all kinds of medical problems. Today, scientists know that there are catechin, caffeine, vitamin C and theanine in green tea that are good for health.

②Catechin is helpful for lowering (降低) cancer (癌症) risk. It protects the body from cancer-causing substances (物质) and slows the growth of cancer. Besides fighting cancer, catechin prevents serious health problems like heart disease.

③Caffeine causes the heart to beat faster. That’s why it was once thought that caffeine was not very healthy, but studies suggest that there are also good reasons for drinking caffeine. Specifically, caffeine has to do with a lower risk for Parkinson’s disease and liver (肝脏) disease. Yet, caffeine also has some weaknesses. It can influence sleep and make people nervous, so experts advise teenagers not to have more than 100 ml of caffeine a day. This is about the caffeine of a small cup of coffee.

④Vitamin C is something that the human body cannot make enough by itself. So we have to get it through food and drink. The vitamin may play a role in improving physical conditions to colds and the flu. Also, it helps people to get well more quickly from those illnesses.

⑤Theanine is another healthy substance found in tea. It has been shown to lower stress, both mental and physical, and increase mind abilities. It is also used for preventing some brain diseases.

⑥As you can see, green tea has many good values. Drinking it may help you stay healthy. Of course, as with any healthy substance, it is important to check if there are any bad influence as well.

1. Why have the Chinese been using tea for over 4,000 years according to the passage?

A．Because it’s delicious for us to drink.	B．Because it helps to deal with illnesses.
C．Because it’s a symbol of Chinese culture.	D．Because it’s made into different drinks.

2. Why is caffeine in green tea good for our health?

A．It lowers cancer risk.	B．It makes the heart to beat faster.
C．It lowers liver disease risk.	D．It makes people less stressed.

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

A．Tea can take the place of medicine.	B．We should drink as much tea as possible.
C．Tea has some bad influence on our health.	D．Drinking tea may help people to stay in health.

4. Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?

A．

B．

C．

D．

3 . The British are known for their sense of humour, but it is often difficult for foreigners to understand their jokes. The main point to remember is that the British often use understatement.

Understatement means saying less than you think or feel. For example, if someone is very impolite and shouts at another person, someone else might say, “She isn’t exactly friendly.” Or if someone is sunburnt outside, he might say, “________.” Understatement is often used in an annoying situation or to make another person look silly. Understatement plays an important part in British humour.

Another key to understanding British humour is that the British like to make fun of themselves as well as others. They often laugh about the silly things that happen in our everyday life when someone falls over in the street. They also like to make jokes of people from different classes of society. They like to make jokes about the way they speak, the way they dress and the way they behave. What’s more, the British love to watch comedies about people who do not know how to behave in society. The famous Mr. Bean is a good example of this kind of humour.

Mr. Bean is the role played by British actor Rowan Atkinson in 1990. Mr. Bean doesn’t talk often. Instead, he uses his body movements and facial expressions to make people laugh. Perhaps what makes Mr. Bean so funny is that he does things that adults in the real world wouldn’t do. Mr. Bean is popular in many countries around the world because you don’t need to understand his humour with the help of English. As a result, British sense of humour has become well-known to many people.

1. How does the author explain “understatement”?

A．By listing facts.	B．By making a survey.
C．By giving examples.	D．By making comparisons.

2. Which is the best sentence for ________ in Paragraph 2?

A．It’s a little sunny today.	B．I love the sun so much.
C．The sun plays a joke on me.	D．The heat has nearly killed me.

3. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．The British prefer to laugh at themselves rather than others in their daily life.

B．The British usually fully express how they really feel or think in their conversations.

C．Most of English people suppose it’s impolite to make fun of people who can’t behave well

D．Mr. Bean is popular in the world because he often uses body languages instead of talking a lot.

4. What can be the best title for the passage?

A．Developing a Sense of Humour	B．Understanding British Humour
C．The Influence of British Humour	D．Movie Actors with British Humour

5 .

Many scientists believe our love of sugar may actually be an addiction (上瘾). When we eat or drink sugary foods, the sugar goes into our blood and influences the parts of our brain that make us feel good. Then the good feeling goes away, leaving us wanting more. All tasty foods do this, but sugar has an especially strong influence. In this way, it is an addictive drug (药) that doctors suggest we should all cut down on.

“It seems like every time I study an illness and follow a way to the cause, I find my way back to sugar,” says scientist Richard Johnson, One-third of adults worldwide have high blood pressure, and up to 347 million have diabetes (糖尿病). Why? “Sugar, we believe, is one of the causes, if not the major (主要) cause,” says Johnson.

Our bodies are designed to live on very little sugar. Early humans often had very little food, so our bodies learned to be very experienced in storing sugar as fat. In this way, we had energy stored for when there was no food. But today, most people have more than enough. So the very thing that once saved us may now be killing us.

So what is the solution? It’s clear that we need to eat less sugar. The trouble is, in today’s work, it’s not easy to avoid. From breakfast cereals (谷物) to after-dinner desserts (甜点), our foods are increasingly filled with it. Some producer even use sugar to replace taste in foods that are advertised as low in fat. So while the foods appear to be healthier, plenty of sugar are often added.

1. What did scientists find about sugar?

A．It can be found in all tasty foods.	B．It is something that influence our brain.
C．It can make us feel good for a long time.	D．It is the main cause of high blood pressure.

2. What does the phrase “the very thing”in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Saving sugar as fat.	B．Having less energy.
C．Having no food to eat.	D．Eating too much fat.

3. Why is it not easy to avoid sugar according to the passage?

A．People today seldom exercise.	B．We get used to eat it at school.
C．It’s in so many food and drinks.	D．Some producers sell too much sugar.

4. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To remind readers to eat less sugar.	B．To ask scientists to fight against sugar.
C．To tell readers the illness caused by sugar.	D．To teach readers different ways to store sugar.

6 .

“Do you know Macao was never my real name. I have been away for too long, mother ...”

Song of Seven Sons — Macao, was written by Wen Yiduo in 1925, is still in the hearts of Macao’s teenagers today. The Basic Law of Macao Special Administrative Region came out in 1993 and to work on Dec, 20, 1999, as Macao returned to China. From then on, it has become much easier to build a closer relationship with their motherland.

Chan U, an 18-year-old, is studying at the University of Macao. She said, “travelling to the Chinese mainland has become easier. Visits to Zhuhai have become a part of the daily life of some people.” Kun Lot U, 25, studies at the South China University of Technology. She said, “Many local people go to Zhuhai to buy vegetables as they are fresher and cheaper than those in local markets. Young people often go to Zhuhai to play jubensha, a role-playing game.”

The number of trips out of Macao in January was 2.23 million, and most of them went to the Chinese mainland. Cities like Chongqing, Changsha and Hangzhou are popular places for young people, according to Chan. Guangdong is also a good choice since the language and food are similar.

“Young people in Macao care a lot about what’s happening on the mainland,” said Kun, “Like the young people on the mainland, they also use apps from the mainland to know the hot issues (话题). They have learned many mainland Internet catchphrases (流行语). I know about the most popular ones such as ‘yyds’, and they make us understand more about people and life on the mainland.”

More than half of the people in Macao use online shopping apps from the mainland. Kun said that it’s because they can find almost everything they need at good prices on the apps. The products are first shipped to a collection station in Macao. It usually takes about three to seven days for local people to get the product. “The connection between Macao and the motherland is getting stronger and stronger,” said Chan.

1. Why does the writer mention Song of the Seven Sons — Macao?

A．To start a story.	B．To explain an idea.
C．To introduce a topic	D．To discuss a problem

2. What does the underlined word “they” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Apps from the mainland.	B．Hot issues from the mainland.
C．Role-playing games from the mainland.	D．Internet catchphrases from the mainland.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Most people in Macao enjoy visiting Zhuhai in their daily life.

B．In January, 2.23 million people in Macao visited the Chinese mainland.

C．The language and food in Guangdong are different from those in Macao.

D．Online shopping apps from the mainland are popular with people in Macao.

4. What’s the best title of this passage?

A．The Daily Life of Young People in Macao

B．Macao, Staying Connected with the Mainland

C．A famous Song, Song of the Seven Sons — Macao

D．The Most Popular Places for Young People on the Mainland