1 . Why are some people more successful than others? Why do some people make more money, live happier lives and achieve much more in the same number of years than most people?
Over the year, I have read thousands of books and articles on the subjects of success and achievement. It seems that the reasons for those achievements have been discussed for more than two thousand years, in every way. But one thing that most experts agree on is self-discipline (自律).
Some years ago, I attended a meeting in New York. I happened to meet a gentleman. His name was Kopmeyer. He was famous in the field of success and achievement. He had written four books, and each of them had 250 success principles (原则). He had developed these during more than 50 years of research and study. I had read all of his books more than once.
Luckily, I had a chance to talk with him. I asked him a question that many people would ask, “Of all the one thousand success principles you have discovered, which is the most important?”
He smiled at me as if he had been asked this question many times, and replied without thinking twice, “There are 999 different success principles, but without self-discipline, none of them work.” He went on saying, “Many years ago, Thomas Huxley said the most important success principle is, ‘Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.’”
Self-discipline is magic because it opens all doors for you and makes everything else possible.
1. How did the writer learn about the key to success?| A．By reading a lot of books. | B．By attending some meetings. |
| C．By asking some questions. | D．By doing some research. |
| A．The subject of success was new to many people. |
| B．Kopmeyer developed one thousand success principles. |
| C．The writer asked Kopmeyer a special question. |
| D．Kopmeyer wasn’t interested in the writer’s question. |
| A．Having more chances. | B．Working hard. |
| C．Self-discipline. | D．Working in a team. |
| A．When You Can Succeed | B．A Special Question |
| C．Everything Is Possible | D．The Key to Success |
2 . As is known to all, “No farmers, no food.” Well, we now have a new day of celebration, the Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival. It’s the first in China created especially for farmers.
“The Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival falls on the Auturnnal Equinox each year, starting in 2018,” said Han Changfu, the Minister of Agriculture.
The Auturnnal Equinox is one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. This year, the Auturnnal Equinox falls on September 23, one day before the Mid-autumn Festival. It gives people in the city a great chance to travel to the countryside, enjoy the beautiful scenery and celebrate the harvest with farmers. Although climates and crops are different in many parts of China, the harvest time is usually in autumn. This is why the government decided to celebrate this festival on the Auturnnal Equinox.
As a major agricultural country, China has the largest number of farmers in the world. And it can produce a large number of agricultural products every year. “I’m sure the festival will become one of the most popular and most important ones around the world,” Han said.
Shen Jianhua, a university professor, says farmers should have a special festival since they have made great contributions to our country. Setting up the festival can improve the position of farmers, increase their self-esteem (自尊) and create an environment where they are respected and valued.
1. Why does Chinese government create such a festival?| A．To improve the position of farmers. | B．To show the gratefulness to farmers, |
| C．To increase farmers’ self-esteem. | D．All above. |
| A．September 24th. | B．September 22nd. |
| C．September 23rd. | D．the same day as the Auturnnal Equinox. |
| A．it’s neither hot nor cold | B．most crops are harvested |
| C．people are not very busy | D．farmers want to have a rest |
| A．The Agriculture of China | B．The Auturnnal Equinox |
| C．The Chinese Farmers | D．The Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival |
3 . Elephants are large animals. People have long been interested in elephants. There could be many reasons for this. They can grow over 10 feet tall and weigh as much as 14,000 pounds. These large animals eat grass, leaves and fruit. An elephant’s long teeth never stop growing. However, the most interesting thing of the elephant is its trunk.
An elephant’s trunk is strong and flexible and it can do many things. Scientists believe the elephant’s trunk may have over 40,000 muscles (肌肉). Elephants can use their trunks to pick up small pieces of fruit or move large trees. With their trunks, they can reach high up into trees to get the leaves.
Elephants use their trunks to smell. They also reach out to say hi to one another with their trunks. A baby elephant will sometimes use its trunk to hold on to its mother’s tail so it doesn’t get lost as they walk to find a new place. As it swims, an elephant can hold its trunk above the water to take in air.
Elephants can also use their trunks as straws (吸管). First, the elephant will take water into its trunk. Then, it puts the end of its trunk into its mouth to give itself a nice drink. Sometimes, elephants will use their trunks as showers. They can fill their trunks with water and spray (喷洒) themselves.
1. What does the underlined word “flexible” mean in Chinese?| A．猛烈的 | B．灵活的 | C．狡猾的 | D．浪漫的 |
| A．To help itself breathe (呼吸). | B．To get some water to drink. |
| C．To hold on to its mother’s tail. | D．To say hello to others. |
| A．How heavy can the elephant grow up to? | B．How long are the elephant’s teeth? |
| C．How does the elephant shower itself? | D．What can the elephant use its trunk to do? |
| A．How strong the elephant is! | B．The elephant’s trunk. |
| C．Elephant’s long and interesting teeth. | D．The world’s largest animal. |
4 . Do you know what a service robot (服务型机器人) is? When you come into the house, he turns on (打开) the lights. While you have dinner, he cleans the room. Before you go to bed, he tells you what the weather (天气) will be like tomorrow, and then reads you a bedtime story. We also call it the “service robot”. Service robots make people’s lives easier and more beautiful.
From cleaning to teaching, music to sports, they can do many kinds of jobs. Teotronico is a service robot as well as a music teacher. He can play the piano well. There is also a service robot called Bestic. It can act (行动) as a man and feed (喂养) people. It can be a good helper for little kids, old people and those having difficulties using their hands. The supermarket robot Alpha makes buying things easier. You can talk with the robot. It will help you find things quickly and then take them for you to make you more relaxed.
It may not be far when every family has one service robot. Do you want to have a service robot, too?
1. What may the service robot do when people have dinner according to the first paragraph?| A．Do some cleaning. | B．Turn on the TV. |
| C．Do some shopping. | D．Read them stories. |
| A．By telling us a story. |
| B．By giving us some examples (例子). |
| C．By showing us the results (结果) of studies. |
| D．By answering some questions. |
| A．Jenny — She can’t eat food by herself. |
| B．Nancy — Her hands are injured (受伤的). |
| C．Bob — He doesn’t know how to do his homework. |
| D．Daniel — He is going to be 85 years old. |
| A．Interesting bedtime stories. |
| B．Robots working in schools. |
| C．Life in the future (将来). |
| D．Useful service robots. |
5 . In Britain, his name is known by almost everyone. And his clothing -a blue duffle coat and an old red hat is iconic(标志性的). During a trip to China four years ago, Britain's Prince William even met the famous bear at the Chinese opening of the film Paddington.
Paddington was first introduced to the world in 1958 in the children's book A Bear Called Paddington by British writer Michael Bond. In the story, Paddington is kind and humorous also polite and always calls people "Mr.", "Mrs." and "Miss". This cute bear immediately won over people's hearts. "Many Britons were raised on tales of Paddington, the second-best-known bear in fiction(小说) after Winnie the Pooh. "The Economist noted.
The story shows how kind British people are towards those who are in trouble, as Paddington is given a new home in London after escaping from an earthquake in Peru.
As time went on, Paddington became popular in other countries. He first appeared on TV in 1975. He's also been made into toys that wear different costurnes. He's been a guard for the British royal(l王室的) family, a British policeman and a' coffee shop waiter.
Paddington is also beloved that it's common to find plates and tea towels with Paddington patterns(图案) in British homes. Paddington has a special facial expression. He is known for giving a hard stare(瞪视) whenever he meets somebody he doesn't like. Therefore, when someone gives a hard stare, you could say that they're making a "Paddington Bear face."
1. How long has paddington been around?| A．For about four years. | B．For about 17 years. | C．For nearly 45 years. | D．For over 60 years. |
| A．Because he has magic powers. | B．Because he is polite and humorous. |
| C．Because he is their grandparents, favorite. | D．Because he always helps others in trouble. |
| A．being rude to someone | B．putting on a black face |
| C．staring hard at someone | D．watching someone carefully |
| A．Paddington is beloved by the world | B．Paddington's first TV appearance. |
| C．Paddington is famous in Britain. | D．Paddington s new home. |
6 . Almost all animals need to sleep to stay healthy. But sleeping can also be dangerous because other animals may hurt those who are sleeping. This leads to many different ways of sleeping that help them stay safe. Some of these ways may surprise you!
Almost all bats sleep upside down. They hang from a branch of a tree or the ceiling of a cave. Up high, bats are safe from most other animals. If they are in danger, they just fly away.
A dolphin sleeps with just half its brain at a time. It must stay awake to breathe and to watch for danger. Dolphin mothers and babies can go without sleep for as long as two months to stay safe.
Some ducks sleep with just half their brains, too. These ducks often sleep in a line. The ducks at both ends help to keep the group safe. They keep one eye open to watch for danger. The ducks in the middle sleep deeply with both eyes closed.
Seals breathe air, but that doesn’t stop some of them from sleeping underwater. They hold their breath and dive deep to sleep for up to twenty minutes at a time. Sleeping deep under- water helps these seals stay safe from animals that hunt them near the surface.
Horses often sleep standing up. Their legs lock in place so they don’t fall over. If a horse is lying down, it needs a long time to get up. A horse can run from danger more quickly if it is already standing.
A flamingo can sleep while standing on one leg. The standing leg locks so it stays straight. The other leg remains close to the flamingo’s body. Its head rests on its back. A flamingo lives (and sleeps) near many other birds to stay safe.
Some seabirds can sleep while they fly. These large birds spend most of their lives over the ocean. They are in danger on the water, but they are safe in the air
They fly for many hours without flapping（拍打）their wings. Sometimes they sleep while they are flying.
Would you like to sleep how they sleep?
1. The animals that sleep with half their brains are _______.| A．dolphins and ducks | B．ducks and seals |
| C．bats and dolphins | D．flamingos and seabirds |
| A．they are afraid of falling over | B．they can run from danger quickly |
| C．this helps them to sleep deeply | D．it takes them a long time to go to sleep |
| A．offer to help | B．come to teach | C．want to kill | D．refuse to protect |
| A．Sleep as Animals Do | B．Sleep to Stay Healthy |
| C．How Animals Sleep | D．What Sleeping Animals Are Like |
7 . Sandy: Please help me. I am a girl from America. I can’t learn Chinese well. My Chinese teacher always speaks too fast. Many of my friends think Chinese is easy. But I don’t! I can’t get high marks(高分). Sometimes I can’t understand what the teacher says in class. How I hope I can have a Chinese pen friend!
Jim: I am too short. I am only 1.4 meters tall. I like playing basketball but they all say I can’t be a good basketball player. How can I be tall? Can short boys play basketball? I hope someone can teach me how to be a good guide(后卫).
Joan: I want to be a slim(苗条的) girl. Some of my friends say I am too fat. Is it because my parents are fat, too? Am I a pretty girl? When I see those slim girls, my eyes are green. I hope to know some ways to be slimmer.
Danny: I need friends. I am not happy because I don’t have many good friends to chat(聊天) with. I am not good at talking. And my face turns red when I am with many people. But I really want to have many friends. Can you tell me how to make friends with other children?
1. Sandy can’t learn ________ well.| A．IT | B．P.E. | C．Chinese | D．history |
| A．矮的 | B．高的 | C．强悍的 | D．懦弱的 |
| A．Joan wants to be a doctor. | B．Joan wants to be a good basketball player. |
| C．Joan wants to be fat. | D．Joan wants to be slim. |
| A．Healthy Food is Good for You | B．We Want Some Help |
| C．School Day | D．A Trip to School |
8 . What does it feel like to break a bone(骨头)? It's different for everyone, but the pain is often serious. If the break is small, however, the person may feel little pain. If you think that you or someone else has broken a bone, the most important things to do are to stay calm, make the hurt person comfortable, and call the doctor. Do not move the hurt body part because movement could make it worse.
To treat the break, the doctor will need to take an Xray first. This gives the doctor the information that if he or she needs to set the bone. Then, put it back to its normal place. If the bone is large or it is broken in more than one place, the doctor may need to use metal pins(钢钉) to set it. After the bone has been set, the next step is usually putting on a cast, the special hard thing that will keep the bone in place for a month or two.
Your bones are very good at becoming healthy themselves. Broken bones will make many new cells and tidy blood vessels(血管). These covers both end the broken part and close up the break until the bone is as whole and strong as before.
1. When someone breaks his bone, we shouldn't ________.| A．stay calm | B．ask the doctor for help |
| C．comfort the hurt person | D．move the hurt part |
a. take an Xray b. use metal pins to set it
c. put it back to its normal place d. put on a cast
| A．a→c→b→d | B．a→b→c→d | C．a→d→c→b | D．a→c→d→b |
| A．Everyone feels the same when he breaks a bone. |
| B．The most important thing to do is to put some medicine on the hurt body part. |
| C．To treat the break, the doctor will put the bone back to its normal place first. |
| D．Bones are very good at becoming healthy themselves. |
| A．What Causes the Broken Bones | B．What You Should Know About Broken Bones |
| C．How to Know If a Bone Is Broken | D．How Broken Bones Become Healthy Themselves |
| A．in a storybook | B．in a history book |
| C．in a health care book | D．in a geography book |
Do you like spicy(辛辣的) food? If yes, try this spicy food by Emily Rudnick. She is a twelve-year-old girl at Aspen Middle School in Denver, US. She made her own spicy food. It is called Rudspice.
Rudnick learned to cook at an early age of five. The idea of spice came from a camp. She put a lot of spice on food. “The food is better. I think we should make a spice that can make all food taste better.” Rudnick told Denver Westward, a reporter from BBC.
She first learned about the spice business(生意) from Savory Spice owners Mike and Janet Johnston. Then she tried it at home. With the help of her father Mr. Rudnick, she made six different kinds of spicy food. To get the best one, she tested their tastes on foods like popcorn(爆米花) and eggs. She used chili(辣椒), onions and other things to make Rudspice.
She made it into a business, too. This month, it went into Savory Spice shops in the US.
1. Emily Rudnick ________.| A．is a student from the UK | B．likes taking a trip |
| C．works in a food shop | D．is a girl student, aged 12 |
| A．having a camp | B．visiting the shops |
| C．eating in a restaurant | D．cooking food at home |
| A．the mother was strict with Emily |
| B．Emily made the food for twelve years |
| C．the spicy food got popular in the US |
| D．Emily didn't like going to school |
| A．A Spice Shop | B．Girl's Spicy Food Idea |
| C．Different Food Shops | D．A Girl from a Food Shop |
10 . More and more people believe that technologies are great for learning. Today, such teaching tools（工具） as iPads are used in a lot of courses（学科）, including language, history and science.
Many teachers are supporters of using iPads in language learning. They say that students now have much more time for discussion in the classroom. The teachers also say that iPads allow students to learn at their own pace. Some students might listen to a conversation only once and understand it, so they can save time for doing other things. Other students, however, might need to listen to the same conversation again and again to understand it.
The students who are using the new tool in some courses are also happy. They believe that using iPads is a more enjoyable way to learn, such as listening to stories and watching movies. The class has become much more interesting and creative.
There are other advantages for students. By using iPads, they can concentrate on the material and learn more. Teaching notes are stored（分类） in their iPads and are easy to find. Some students spend more time studying now.
Many adults complain that technologies such as iPads are bad for students. They worry that students might use iPads to download teaching notes and use them to cheat during exams. Some believe that iPads may separate（分隔） students from each other.
However, technologies are already a part of most students’ day-to-day lives. As for cheating, teachers can ask students to hand in their iPads when they take exams. Education needs to make changes with the times as technology is playing an important part. We should look forward to a wonderful future when iPads and other technologies can add a lot to the classroom.
1. In the second paragraph, the underlined phrase “at their own pace” probably means ________.| A．according to their own | B．without their teachers’ help |
| C．about whatever they like | D．in their parents’ hope |
| A．Paragraph 3 | B．Paragraph 4 | C．Paragraph 5 | D．Paragraph 6 |
| A．teachers can control students’ learning | B．exam results depend a lot on new technologies |
| C．technology in education has a bright future | D．students spend more time in studying |
| A．New Technology Changes Learning | B．No Teachers for Learning |
| C．A Change in Language Learning | D．The Progress in Technology |
