2 . There is no doubt that technology has had a big influence on our lives. People from all around the world can now talk to each other almost at once on mobile phones and the Internet. People can easily solve their problems with the help of computers and the world wide web. With this technology, it seems that the world is more connected now than ever before. Even so, there have been worries about technology making people feel lonely and disconnected from others around them.

So does this mean that technology makes us lonely?

In my opinion, it is hard to say Yes or No.

It’s true that humans need communication with each other. If we depend on technology too much to communicate, this can badly impact our mental (心理的) health. For me, technology is a tool. And just like any other kind of tool—like scissors, a pencil or a ruler, for example, it depends on how we use it: in a right way or in a right place. Take social media (社交媒体) as an example. If you only use it to compare yourself with others, you might feel sad and lonely. But if you use it as a tool to connect with friends and family or to start a new community to talk about your hobbies and interests, the loneliness will turn into love and friendship.

When you feel lonely after staring at your computer screen all day, maybe you can use that technology to reach out to a reliable (可靠的) friend and invite him or her out for lunch or a coffee.

1. What is the effect of technology in our lives according to the passage?

A．We can read electronic books.

B．We can solve our problems on the Internet.

C．We can buy almost anything we need online.

D．We can make friends with people around the world.

2. If we use technology too much, what will we feel according to Paragraph 4?

A．Tired and sleepy.	B．Bored and worried.
C．Warm and happy.	D．Sad and lonely.

3. What is the writer’s idea of technology?

A．It is a kind of tool.	B．It is a friend of ours.
C．It is a pair of scissors.	D．It is a way of communication.

4. Which word is close to the underlined word “impact”?

A．Connect.

B．Protect.

C．Influence.

D．Enter.

5. Which can be a proper title for the text?

A．Social Media is Important to Us	B．Technology Can be Good and Bad
C．Computers and the Internet Help Us	D．People Need to Communicate with Each Other

3 . Tomatoes are red, the sky is blue, and bananas are yellow, right? Well, not exactly — color does not really exist (存在). What exists is light. Light is real, but color is not. It is our brain that creates color.

We’re told to trust our eyes, but our eyes have little to do with vision (视觉). We see much more with our brains. You sometimes see different colors because your brain thinks they have a different meaning. The brain does this by looking at what’s around the object. Here is an example. If you see a person wearing a white shirt against different backgrounds, your brain might express the same white color differently. Suppose this person stands in front of a bright yellow background, your brain might think the white shirt is more like gray. If the person moves to a dark blue background, the same white shirt might appear closer to a brighter color.

Color is created according to our past experiences, and sometimes there are optical illusions (视错觉). That is because your brain includes the recent history of what you saw, at least for a brief time. But if you watch the thing for a longer time, your brain may forget the recent history and see the real color.

This raises the question: Do you see what I see? The answer, in short, is no. Our past and present experiences are different. None of us even sees the world as it really is, but as a meaning that comes from our own experiences. It’s clear that seeing is not always believing.

1. What is real according to the writer?

A．Light.

B．Mind.

C．Meaning.

D．Color.

2. Why does the writer give an example in Paragraph 2?

A．To make the text longer.	B．To make a comparison.
C．To support the idea.	D．To show a problem.

3. What does Paragraph 3 mainly tell us?

A．Color is influenced by the background of an object.

B．Color comes from our past experiences.

C．Color is changing all the time.

D．White is the lightest color.

4. Which word is close to the underlined word “brief”?

A．Hard.

B．Simple.

C．Quick.

D．Short.

5. Which can be a proper title for the text?

A．Does Color Stay the Same?	B．Is Seeing Really Believing?
C．Do You See What I See?	D．Is Color a Recent History?

4 . Do you know what a team needs most? If people on your team are not good at communication, you may often feel terrible. To create a successful team, good communication is the most necessary for both the team members and the leader. Here are some helpful suggestions.

①Don’t criticize (批评) other people. When someone on your team does something wrong, don’t criticize them. You can help them to find the reasons and then help them to solve the problem. Criticizing your team members too often may make them want to keep away from you. As a result, you may feel lonely.

②Listen to other people actively and think about their ideas carefully. When someone tells you about their ideas, you should listen to them actively and think about their ideas carefully, no matter how silly they may seem. This shows you are interested in their ideas and makes them feel good. If you are unclear about something, you should ask them about it. By doing this you can clear up any confusion (困惑) before moving on.

③Share your own ideas with other people. When you have a new idea, talk about it with your team members. This helps to make the idea better. Besides, it also helps to make your relationships with your team members better.

④Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions without fear. This builds trust, leading to a more harmonious (和谐的) team. By the way, regular (定期的) team meetings should be held to discuss something important and necessary.

1. How does the writer start the text?

A．By explaining an idea.	B．By asking a question.
C．By showing a saying.	D．By telling a story.

2. What is the writer’s advice if someone shares their ideas with you?

A．To listen to them actively and think carefully.	B．To share my interest with them warmly.
C．To ask them to move on quickly.	D．To take notes while listening.

3. Which of the following does the writer probably agree to do?

A．Try to create a friendly and comfortable environment.

B．Let others find their problems by themselves.

C．Keep your new and creative ideas as secrets.

D．Show no interest in others’ silly ideas.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Team leaders play a more important role in a team.

B．Communication is the key to a successful team.

C．Personal ability is more important than teamwork.

D．Leaders should communicate with the members.

6 . Have you ever thought about what’s more important, looking fashionable or feeling comfortable? No matter what you choose, don’t forget being fashionable isn’t everything. It’s more important to be healthy.

Some people believe that they need to be a certain size to look good. So, they start extreme diets that are not good for their health. They might not eat meals or eat too little, which can make them feel sick. Is it a healthy way to live?

Also, many girls wear shoes with very high heels. They might think high heels make them look taller. But these shoes can actually hurt their feet, make it hard to walk comfortably and increase risks of falls. Some even wear tight (紧的) clothes that influence blood circulation (循环), making it hard to breathe. Should we put fashion over comfort and physical health?

Besides, some boys and girls spend a lot of time and money changing their hair color. The material they use is usually harmful to their health. To make their hair straight or curly, they also use tools that are hot enough to burn their hair. But using these tools too often or at very high temperatures can make the hair dry or even burnt. Is it really worth it to risk our health, spending so much time and money?

So, let’s rethink what’s really important. Is it fashion or is it our well-being? Clothes or hairstyles don’t tell us anything about a person’s character. Instead of spending a lot of time choosing clothes, we could use that time to do fun things with friends. And instead of following extreme diets, let’s eat properly and exercise regularly. Remember, your value is not decided by your appearance, but by who you are as a person.

1. What’s the writer’s opinion?

A．We should look fashionable.	B．Fashionable is everything.
C．Feeling comfortable isn’t very important.	D．It’s more important to be healthy.

2. How many disadvantages of wearing shoes with very high heels does the writer give us?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

3. What does Paragraph 4 tell us?

A．Only girls spend a lot of time and money changing their hair color.

B．Don’t risk our health by changing the color or shape of our hair.

C．The material they use to make hair is seldom harmful to their health.

D．Using these tools at very high temperatures won’t make the hair dry or burnt.

4. Which word is close to the underlined word “well-being”?

A．Growth.

B．Health.

C．Warmth.

D．Wealth.

5. Which can be a proper title for the text?

A．Looking Fashionable or Feeling Comfortable	B．Boys and Girls
C．Clothes or Hairstyles	D．Following Extreme Diets

7 . To have a good conversation is a pleasure for most people. But not every conversation is good. Some conversations are one-sided. One person asks all the questions, and the other just gives one-word answers. A good conversation needs two or more people to keep it going.

Start a conversation

Ask something about the other person. “Tell me about yourself.” is a good start. Most people love a chance to talk about themselves. As the other person begins to talk, look for common ground. If you ask someone about his weekend, he could talk about what he did. Then you can share what you did.

Continue a conversation

When the other person is talking, listen carefully. It is not polite to cut in to add your experience. When they finish, ask some more questions. Don’t look around when they talk. That will make others uncomfortable. Besides, if you’re answering a question, don’t go on and on. Give an answer and stop. Also, avoid yes/no questions. They can stop a conversation. Instead, ask open-ended questions using what or why.

End a conversation

A conversation should end well, too. You could say, “I need to run now.”, showing that you have to leave. You may also give a reason. For example, “I really need to go. My class will start in 20 minutes.” Ending a conversation with a clear explanation makes both you and the other person feel good.

Now, go out and enjoy a good conversation!

1. How does the writer begin the text?

A．By telling a story.	B．By showing facts.
C．By giving a saying.	D．By listing numbers.

2. Which is helpful when having a conversation?

A．Give one-word answers.

B．Talk more about yourself.

C．Cut in to add your own experience.

D．Ask something about the other person.

3. Why should we avoid yes/no questions?

A．They are not polite.	B．They are too open-ended.
C．They can lead to dead ends.	D．They make others uncomfortable.

4. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A．To describe different types of questions.

B．To teach how to have good conversations.

C．To discuss why people need communication.

D．To share personal experiences in conversations.

8 . “I fell asleep on the bus, so I missed my stop. It was my first week in middle school.” — Isabel, aged 12.

“When I was in primary school, I put my shoes on the wrong way round. I didn’t notice but my friends did,” — Max, aged 13.

“I said to a friend that my teacher looked like a lion with her new hairstyle, and then realized the ‘lion’ was right behind me.” — Ella, aged 12.

Have you ever experienced these similar situations? No one likes feeling embarrassed, but learning to deal with these situations can make you feel more relaxed.

What does embarrassment feel like?

Embarrassment is a big feeling that can make you laugh, cry and want to hide forever. Missing a stop or putting your shoes on the wrong way round might feel like the end of the world, but everyone gets embarrassed sometimes. We all react differently, and what feels uncomfortable to one person might be easily laughed off by another. Whatever you are feeling embarrassed about, remember that it’s natural to feel this way.

Why do we feel embarrassed?

Scientists believe embarrassment is a way of teaching us not to repeat mistakes. It is more possible to feel embarrassed when you always care about what other people think of you. This may concern you all the time. Even if you think everyone sees you with cream on your face, study shows that fewer people notice it than you think.

Dealing with embarrassment.

●If something isn’t very serious, try making a joke out of it. You are listening to music so carefully that you walk into the wall. What should you do? Say like “The wall is truly harder than my head!” or “It takes me years to learn that!” Laughter can show people and yourself that it isn’t something to worry about.

●If someone makes you feel stupid, this is bullying (欺凌) and it’s important to talk about it with a trusted person. He or she may have more experience than you.

●Sometimes we’re embarrassed about the way we’ve behaved towards others. In that case, try saying how sorry you are and that you regret what happened. Telling someone can be the first step in moving on.

1. What is the writer’s real purpose of sharing these three students’ examples?

A．To show us how they solve their problems.

B．To lead in the topic about embarrassment.

C．To describe some funny situations in life.

D．To introduce how they behave in embarrassing situations.

2. How may we feel if we deal with embarrassment correctly?

A．More sad.

B．More terrible.

C．More confident.

D．More relaxed.

3. Which is TRUE about the embarrassment?

A．People solve embarrassing situations with jokes.

B．Embarrassment is a big but unnatural feeling.

C．Different people react differently to embarrassment.

D．Embarrassment helps people avoid making mistakes.

4. What does the underlined word “concern” probably mean?

A．Worry.

B．Teach.

C．Leave.

D．Change.

5. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．People who always feel embarrassed.

B．The reasons why people feel embarrassed.

C．The importance of solving embarrassing moments.

D．Something about embarrassment and its solutions.

9 . There are some traditional art forms in China. Paper cutting is one of them.

Traditional paper cuttings were first put on windows for decoration. This is why they’re also called “window flowers”. Today, people use paper cuttings to decorate not only windows, but also doors, walls and other objects at home. The paper cuttings themselves can also be given as gifts.

Paper cuttings are popular because of their expressions of good luck and wishes. During the Spring Festival, for example, many people put up paper cuttings of Chinese character “Fu”. They hope that this will bring them good luck. At wedding ceremonies (婚礼), you can always see paper cuttings of character “Xi”. It means that the couple can enjoy double happiness together. And paper cuttings of lively children or flowers express wishes for the couple to have a baby soon.

Paper cuttings have developed into different styles in different places of China. Paper cuttings from the northern places usually have interesting shapes and rich patterns. In Southern China, people prefer beautiful paper cuttings. They focus more on flowers, fruit, birds and fish.

It is quite easy to learn how to make paper cuttings. With a piece of red paper and a knife or a pair of scissors, you can try to make your own paper handcrafts. You can only make one piece at a time by using a knife. But if you use scissors to cut several pieces of paper together, you can make several same paper cuttings at once. Although paper cuttings are easy to start with, one needs a lot of practice and imagination to become really good at them.

1. What are paper cuttings used for at first?

A．Wishes for new couples.	B．Expressions of good luck.
C．Gifts for people’s birthdays.	D．Decorations on windows or doors.

2. What kind of paper cuttings does Southern China like?

A．Beautiful.

B．Interesting.

C．Red.

D．Different.

3. What does Paragraph 5 tell us?

A．How paper cuttings are made.	B．Where paper cuttings are used.
C．Why paper cuttings are popular.	D．When paper cuttings were invented.

4. Which can be a proper title for the text?

A．History of Paper Cuttings	B．Invention of Paper Cuttings
C．Introduction of Paper Cuttings	D．Meanings of Paper Cuttings

10 . When we watch sports games, we often notice sportsmen wearing earphones before the game. They keep their eyes shut, and nod along with the music. It seems the music is giving them power and cheering them up for the game. But is there any science behind such practices?

According to a new research, it turns out there is. Music makes us feel powerful, but not all songs have the same effect (效果).

The research was led by an American researcher named Dennis. His team had people listen to 31 songs of different types. The listeners felt powerful after listening to some songs, for example, Queen’s We Will Rock You.

Researchers also found that high-power music made people want to take control in social events and come first in competition.

Great sportsmen know this idea well. NBA player Kobe Bryant, for example, often puts on big headphones and even falls into deep thought to boost his game and have fewer worries.

Why does music have magical power? Dennis’s team explained: when people hear music that expresses a sense of power, they mimic (模拟) these feelings in their mind.

When choosing music, we also need to look at the type of music, according to researchers.

In the research by the Music in Exercise and Sport Group at Brunel University in London, they found that pop was perfect for slower tasks. If you’re warming up or cooling down after exercise, pop songs are the correct choice. Dance music was found to be best suitable for strength and weight training.

1. What does the writer mainly want to do in the first paragraph?

A．Tell people music can help them win.

B．Explain why music is important before games.

C．Describe sportsmen’ habits before the game starts.

D．Get readers to think if music is important in sports.

2. Which of the following might Dennis agree with?

A．Powerful music makes the game interesting.

B．Sportsmen should listen to music before games.

C．People felt powerful after listening to some songs.

D．The result of a game is mainly influenced by music.

3. What does the underlined word “boost” probably mean?

A．Lose.

B．Improve.

C．Control.

D．Continue.

4. How does the writer make his points clear?

A．By giving examples.	B．By using English sayings.
C．By giving common rules.	D．By comparing the researches.

5. Which is the proper title for the text?

A．Different Kinds of Music	B．Coming First in Competition
C．Some Meaningful Researches	D．Influence of Music in Sports