1 . Louis Cha Leung-yung, 94, one of the most influential Chinese novelists, and better known under the pen name Jin Yong, died on October 30, 2018 in Hong Kong. Cha is best known for his martial arts or wuxia novels following kung fu heroes in ancient China.
Over 300 million copies of his works have been sold in the Chinese-speaking world. While few of his books have been translated into English, Cha is one of the word’s most-read Chinese authors, with fans across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, China. His stories have been on television shows, movies, comic books, and video games. The first part of his most popular series, Legends of the Condor Heroes（《射雕英雄传》）, was published in English earlier in 2018.
Born in Haining, Zhejiang Province, Cha graduated from the Law School of Soochow University in 1948.
In 1955, Cha published his first wuxia novel The book and the Sword in the then New Evening Post under his pen name Jin Yong.
He wrote 15 popular wuxia novels, his last, The Deer and the Cauldron, in 1972.
Cha also founded Hong Kong’s major Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao in 1959, and served as its editor-in-chief until retiring in 1989.
Cha also served on the Basic Law Drafting Committee before Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997. He made some of the greatest contributions to Chinese culture and Hong Kong’s media development.
Hong Kong science fiction novelist Ni Kuang called Cha’s novels “the best in the world of all time” and said Cha’s works would live on forever.
Hong Kong Screenwriters’ Guild President John Chong Ching said Cha was “China’s Shakespeare” and the “grandmaster” of Chinese screenwriters.
1. When was Louis Cha born?| A．In 1924. | B．In 1927 | C．In 1948. | D．In 1955. |
| A．The martial arts novels. | B．The martial arts and TV shows. |
| C．His movies and comic books. | D．A newspaper’s editor-in-chief. |
| A．They aren’t popular. | B．They are all translated into English. |
| C．They are changed into different forms. | D．They are only enjoyed across Taiwan, China. |
① Cha published his first wuxia novel. ②Cha graduated from Soochow University.
③Cha finished The Deer and the Cauldron. ④Cha founded the newspaper Ming Pao.
⑤Cha finished serving on the Basic Law Drafting Committee.
| A．①②③④⑤ | B．②①③④⑤ | C．⑤①②④③ | D．②①④③⑤ |
2 . The weather has always been much talked about in our daily life. But bad weather is sometimes hard to stop, no matter who he is—rich or poor, young or old—in every part of the world. Maybe that is why there are so many expressions about the weather, especially about rain.
Sometimes, when you need rain, you do not get any. Other times, you get rain when you don’t want it. Take a football game for example. A sudden heavy rain can stop a wonderful game, making the players and the 20,000 persons watching the game run for cover. If the game can’t go on, people who have bought the tickets are given “rain checks”. These are special tickets that will let them watch a later game for free.
“Rain checks” now means a second chance at something. Often, a rain check has nothing to do with rain.
Shops may give you a “rain check” when they sell something all out—a TV set, for example—at a special low price. After all the TV sets are gone, the shop gives rain checks to those who wanted to buy one. The rain check lets a person have another chance to buy the TV set later, at the same low price, after the shop receives some more from the factory.
“Rain check” is also used in our daily life. It’s a way of accepting invitation, but for a later time. You may ask for a “rain check” if you are asked to a friend’s house for dinner, but can’t be there. You say, “I would love to join you for dinner, but I’m busy. Could I have a rain check?” You are asking, in other words, if you could join your friend for dinner at another time.
1. If a game is stopped by a sudden rain, the game watchers _________.| A．might get TV sets at a very low price |
| B．have to wait until the game starts again |
| C．can get back the money for the tickets |
| D．will get special free tickets for a later game |
| A．accepting an invitation |
| B．a way of stopping raining |
| C．getting something at a special low price |
| D．a chance of doing or getting something of the same kind later |
| A．A dinner with one’s friend at another time. |
| B．A special free ticket for a later football game. |
| C．A way of accepting an invitation for a later time |
| D．Another chance for a later TV set at the same low price. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
3 . Are you shy? If you are, you are not alone. In fact, close to 50 percent of people are shy. Almost 80 percent of people feel shy at some point in their lives. These days, shyness is becoming more and more common. Now, scientists are trying to understand shyness. They have some interesting ideas about why people are shy.
Is it possible to be born shy? Many scientists say yes. They say 15 to 20 percent of babies behave shyly. These babies are a little quieter and more watchful than other babies. Interestingly, these shy babies usually have shy parents. As a result, scientists think that some shyness is genetic.
Family size might cause people to be shy as well. Scientists at Harvard University studied shy children. They found that 66 percent of them had older brothers and sisters. As a result, they became shy. At the same time, children with no brothers and sisters may be shy as well. Growing up alone, they often play by themselves. They are not able to learn the same social skills as children from big families.
You may also be shy because of where you were born. When scientists studied shyness in different countries. They found surprising differences. In Japan, most people said they were shy. But in Israel, only one of three people said so. What explains the difference? One scientist says the Japanese and Israelis have different opinions of failure. In Japan, when people do not succeed, they feel bad about themselves. They blame (责备) themselves for their failure. In Israel, the opposite is true. Israelis, often blame failure on outside reasons, such as family, teachers, friends, or bad luck. In Israel, freedom of opinion and risk taking are strongly supported. This may be why Israelis worry less about failure and are less shy.
For shy people, it can be difficult to make friends, speak in class, and even get a good job. But scientists say you can get over your shyness. They suggest trying new things and practicing conversation. And don’t forget--if you are shy, you are not the only one.
1. What does the underlined word “genetic” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Passed down from parents. | B．Learned from friends. |
| C．Taught by teachers. | D．Made up by brothers. |
| A．Most little babies are born shy and quiet. |
| B．If you are shy now, you will be shy forever. |
| C．Many shy children have older brothers and sisters. |
| D．Most Israeli people are shy of expressing opinions. |
| A．genetics, grow--ups and birthplace | B．genetics, family size and birthplace |
| C．family size, grown--ups and failure | D．genetics, family size and freedom |
| A．blaming their failure on outside reasons |
| B．trying new things and practicing conversation |
| C．getting themselves away from their shy parents |
| D．trying to understand reasons for their shyness |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
4 . Hello, my name is Frank. I like April. Do you know why? My birthday is on the thirteenth day of this month.
This week is my 14th birthday. When I have lunch, my friends come with nice birthday cards for me. I am so happy to see them. They all say “Happy Birthday” to me.
After lunch, we go to play soccer. At about six in the afternoon I come back home. My mother buys a pair of sport shoes for me. They are blue and white. I get a blue hat from my aunt, a soccer ball from my father and a model plane from my brother John. I like them.
It is really an interesting birthday. I’m very happy.
1. When is Frank’s birthday?| A．On April 4th. | B．On April 3rd. | C．On April 13th. | D．On April 30th. |
a. Frank and his friends go to play soccer.
b. Frank gets a blue hat.
c. Frank’s friends say “Happy Birthday” to him.
d. Frank comes back home.
| A．adbc | B．cabd | C．dacb | D．cadb |
①birthday cards ②sports trousers ③a blue hat ④a soccer ball ⑤a model plane
| A．①②③⑤ | B．①②③④ | C．②③④⑤ | D．①③④⑤ |
| A．Frank’s family | B．Frank’s birthday | C．A Busy Day | D．The Sports Day |
5 . There once lived an old man in a nice house. Behind the house there was a big garden. He planted many plants there. He took care of his flowers all the time, watering and fertilizing(施肥) them.
One day a young man went by the garden. He looked at the beautiful flowers, imagining how happy he could be if he lived in such a beautiful place. Then, suddenly he found the old gardener was blind(瞎). He was very ________ about this and asked, “You can’t see these flowers. Why are you busy taking care of them every day?”
The old man smiled and said, “I can tell you some reasons. First, I was a gardener when I was young, and I really like this job. Second, although I can’t see these flowers, I can touch them. Third, I can smell the sweetness of them. As to the last one, that’s you.”
“Me? But you don’t know me,” said the young man.
“Yeah, it’s true that I don’t know you. But I know that flowers are angels(天使) that everybody knows. We enjoy the happiness these flowers have brought us.”
The blind man’s work opened our eyes and pleased our heart, which also made his life happier.
It was just like Beethoven, who became deaf in his later life and wrote many great musical words. Beethoven himself couldn’t hear his wonderful music, but his music has encouraged millions of people to face their difficulties bravely. Isn’t it one kind of happiness?
1. How many reasons did the old man mention?| A．Three. | B．Four | C．Five | D．Six |
a. The old man told the reason.
b. The young man went by the garden.
c. The old man watered the flowers.
d. The young man found the old man was blind.
| A．b-c-a-d | B．c-b-a-d | C．b-c-d-a | D．c-b-d-a |
| A．excited | B．surprised | C．worried | D．relaxed |
| A．The Wise Young Man | B．The Nice Flowers |
| C．The Blind Gardener | D．A kind of Happiness |
6 . We like to believe that before we make a decision, most of the time, we take time to consider all the facts carefully. However, Experts believe that only 5% of our decisions are based on a rational （理性的）thought process. So, what influences our decision-making process?
We often leave decision-making to our instincts（本能）.Scientists have found out that if we had the choice, we like to avoid pain rather than get something. In fact, we're twice as happy when we try to avoid a bad situation than when we experience a good one. This is why when companies send ads, they use phrases like "How to avoid...", "Don't miss out!", etc.
There are also physical reasons that affect our decision-making. Psychologist （心理学家）John Bargh carried on an experiment where people were asked what they thought of a fictional person, while holding a cold or a hot cup of coffee. Those holding the hot cup believed the person to be warmer and more sociable than those holding the cold cup. So, when temperatures rise, the more likely we are to believe in strangers.
Stress is another thing which affects our decisions. Different situations are more or less stressful for different people. Researchers have found, though, that women are more conservative （保守的）about decisions when stressed, while men are to make riskier choices.
It may come as a surprise but every day from the minute we get up, we have to make countless decisions, like what to wear, what coffee to have and so on. Each choice makes our brain a little bit more tired, and this affects our decision-making. That's why important people, like presidents wearing the same three suits all the time, want to limit the small choices and spend more brain power （力量）on the bigger ones.
1. Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．Every day we have to make lots of big decisions. |
| B．People sometimes judge a person by what he wears. |
| C．What people wear influences their decision making. |
| D．Making fewer decisions helps to save brain power. |
| A．We make most of the decisions after our careful thinking. |
| B．People are likely to be happier to avoid something bad. |
| C．As the temperature is low, we are likely to believe others |
| D．People usually have risky decisions under heavy pressure. |
| A．tell us what influences decision-making | B．advise people to make rational decisions |
| C．warn people not to make risky decisions | D．show disadvantages of rational decisions |
7 .
How the little kite learned to fly? By Katherine Pyle “I never can do it,” the little kite said, As he looked at the others high over his head. “I know I should fall if I tried to fly.” “Try,” said the big kite, “only try! Or I fear you never will learn at all”. But the little kite said, “I’m afraid I’ll fall.” The big kite said, “Ah, well, goodbye! I am off.” And he rose towards the sky. Then the little kite’s paper stirred（微动）. And he shook himself free for flight. First scared, then bravery grown, Up, up he rose through the air alone, While far below he could see the ground, And the boys like small ants moving round. “Oh, how happy I am!” the little kite cried. “And all because I was brave and tried.” |
1. This writing is a .
| A．poem | B．play | C．diary | D．speech |
| A．laughed at it | B．encouraged it |
| C．said nothing to it | D．told it not to move |
| A．was free | B．grew up | C．was careful | D．tried bravely |
8 . Cold weather has a great effect on how our minds and our bodies work. Maybe that is why there are so many expressions that use the word “cold”.
For example, people who show no human emotions or feelings are said to be cold-blooded. Cold can affect other parts of the body. But the expression “get cold feet” has nothing to do with cold or your feet. The expression means being afraid to do something you have decided to do. For example, you agree to be CEO of a company. But then you learn that all the other officers have resigned (辞职), and all the work of the company will be your responsibility (责任). You are likely to get cold feet about being CEO when you understand the situation.
The expression “give someone the cold shoulder” probably comes from the physical act of turning your back toward someone, instead of speaking to him face to face. You may give the cold shoulder to a friend who has not kept a promise he made to you, or to someone who has lied about you to others.
“A cold fish” is not a fish. It is a person. But it is a person who is unemotional and shows no love or warmth. A cold fish does not offer much of himself to anyone. Someone who is a cold fish could be cold-hearted. He or she will never feel sorry for those in bad situation.
“Out in the cold” means not getting something that everybody else got. A person might say that everybody but him got a pay raise — he was left out in the cold. And it is not a pleasant place to be.
1. If you get cold feet, this means that .| A．you feel brave to do something | B．you feel too nervous to do something |
| C．you feel too cold to do something | D．you feel very angry about doing something |
| A．Henry was treated politely when he asked Mary to see a film |
| B．Henry was afraid to invite Mary to see a film with him |
| C．Mary didn’t care about Henry’s invitation and didn’t plan to go with him |
| D．Mary behaved unfriendly because she didn’t like to talk with Henry face toface |
| A．Opinions about cold weather. | B．Expressions connected with “cold”. |
| C．Relation between cold and body. | D．Examples of people who have a cold. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
9 . Do you know any 9-year-olds who have started their own museums? When Theodore Roosevelt was only nine, he and two of his cousins opened the "Roosevelt Museum of Natural History". The museum was in Theodore's bedroom. It had a total of 12 specimens. On display were a few seashells, some dead insects and some bird's nests. Young Roosevelt was proud of his small museum.
Born in New York in 1858, Theodore Roosevelt was not always healthy. "I was a sickly, delicate boy", he once wrote. Roosevelt had a health condition called asthma. He often found it hard to breathe. Instead of playing, he observed nature and then read and wrote about it.
Roosevelt's interest in nature sometimes got him into trouble. Once, his mother found several dead mice in the icebox. She demanded that the mice be thrown out. This was indeed "a loss to science", Roosevelt once said.
Because Roosevelt was often sickly as a boy, his body was small and frail. When he was about 12, his father urged him to improve his body. Roosevelt began working out in a gym. He didn't become strong quickly, but he did decide to face the challenges with a strong spirit. That determination stayed with Roosevelt his whole life. And eventually his body did get strong. As an adult, he was an active, healthy person. He enjoyed adventures, and he loved outdoors.
In 1900, at the age of 41, Roosevelt was elected Vice President. The next year, President McKinley, was shot and killed. Roosevelt became the 26th President. At 42, he was the youngest leader the country had ever had.
1. The correct order of the following events should be______________.a. Roosevelt began working out in the gym.
b. President McKinley was shot and killed.
c. Roosevelt opened the "Roosevelt Museum of Natural History".
d. Roosevelt became the youngest President of America.
| A．c-a-b-d | B．a-c-b-d | C．c-a-d-b | D．a-c-d-b |
| A．Humorous. | B．Honest. | C．Helpful. | D．Determined. |
| A．Roosevelt's mother agreed to keep mice |
| B．everyone with asthma is small and frail |
| C．Roosevelt respected his father's advice |
| D．working out in a gym is a waste of time |
| A．Small Nature Museums |
| B．Living with Asthma |
| C．The Childhoods of America's Presidents |
| D．American President McKinley |
①People use sayings(谚语) every day. You may ask an unhappy friend why she's “feeling blue”. If you've done only a small part of a big job, you might call it “a drop in the bucket”.
②These sayings don't mean exactly what the words say. But it’s easy to tell why we use them. Blue is a cool, quiet color. So it's a good word for "sad". A bucket holds too many water drops to count. So just one drop is very little.
③Some sayings are difficult to understand. When you go to bed, you “hit the hay(干草)”. If you want to know the meaning of the saying, you must know where it came from. It was first used in the 1930s. At that time, many Americans were out of work. Some went from place to place, looking for jobs. At night they were very tired. They often made a bed of hay in a field or barn. As soon as their heads "hit the hay", they fell asleep.
④Here is another saying. When you are not feeling well, you might say you are “under the weather”. But why? This saying is more than 200 years old. It began in the days when many people went from place to place by boat. When the strong winds rocked the boat, people often felt uncomfortable. The boat was sailing(航行) “under the weather”.
⑤Old sayings can be hard for children to understand. But new sayings come along every day. Children often understand new sayings better than older people do, That's why your grandmother might not know what you mean when you say “chill out” or “give me five”. She might think you’re “off your rocker”.
1. The saying “hit the hay” means “________”.| A．go to sleep | B．look for jobs | C．go to work | D．make a bed of hay |
| A．“Feel blue”. | B．“Give me five”. |
| C．“Under the weather”. | D．“A drop in the bucket”. |
| A．old people know more about sayings | B．people used sayings a lot in the past |
| C．sayings are difficult to understand | D．some sayings have a long history |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
