1 . Empathy lets us feel another person's pain and makes us help. Do any other animals feel empathy? Scientists found that rats（老鼠）do, too. Most people don't like rats. In many people's eyes, rats are only bad. But Jean Decety and his partners at the University of Chicago did an experiment（实验）. It showed that rats are kind, warm-hearted animals. They can feel each other's pain.
In the experiment, scientists placed pairs of rats in plastic cages（笼子）for two weeks. During this time, they got to know each other, Then scientists put one of the rats from each pair into a small container（容器）in the cages. The small container had a door. Many of the trapped（困住的）rats squeaked（吱吱叫）to show their unhappiness. The other rats of the pairs could see their friends clearly.
In most pairs, the free rats would become very worried about their friends. They kept trying to save their friends again and again throughout the month. Scientists put the rats' favorite chocolate in the cages, but the rats didn't eat it until they had saved their friends successfully. Scientists also found that female rats seemed to act more empathetic than male rats.
“The results are the first to show that the rats will do something to help if their friends are in trouble” Decety said. “Unlike those animals, rats can be used in laboratory（实验）studies. They will help us to learn which parts of the brain lead to empathy.”
1. A person with empathy is often _________.| A．warm-hearted | B．clever | C．active | D．strong |
| A．Because they were full at that time. |
| B．Because chocolate was not their favorite food. |
| C．Because they wanted to save the trapped rats first. |
| D．Because they were afraid that the chocolate was bad. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．When facing the danger, rats don't like chocolate anymore. |
| B．Female rats are more empathetic than male rats. |
| C．Rats are warm-hearted and can feel other animals' pain. |
| D．Rats are empathetic and can feel each other's pain. |
2 . It’s no secret that there is a space(空间) problem in Manhattan(曼哈顿). People build up higher and higher buildings because there isn’t much land left and there is no room to build out. So people have been building lots of tall and thin buildings. Developers(开发商) are trying to build higher and higher buildings. However, the government has made laws(法律) that don’t allow developers to build too high buildings.
Oiio Studio thinks about things differently, “what if our buildings were not tall but long?” So the founder of Oiio Studio, Ioannis Oikonomou, design(设计) a U-shaped building, the Big Bend. It would be a very thin building. It would curve at the top and return to the ground. Oikonomous, said he thought of the great idea because he learned from a piece of news. It said that a company made a lift that could travel in curves. So he designed the Big Bend. He thought it as “the longest building in the world”. It would be 4000 feet from end to end and would need a different lift system.
We can’t change the law, ▲ . So if we can bend(使弯曲) our building, we would be able to build one of the most amazing buildings in Manhattan,” Oiio Studio said.
The Big Bend is just an idea for now. Oikonomous has sent the plans to a few companies, and is looking for developers. If successful, they will build the Big Bend around West 57th Street, just to the south of Central Park.
1. Why are developers trying to build higher and higher buildings in Manhattan?| A．Because there are too many people. | B．Because people enjoy tall buildings. |
| C．Because there isn’t much land left. | D．Because the buildings are too low. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．so we can build buildings | B．but we can report news |
| C．so we can’t build buildings | D．but we can change our buildings |
| A．No one wants to build the Big Bend. |
| B．They have not built the Big Bend yet(还). |
| C．We can see the Big Bend in Manhattan now. |
| D．The Big Bend is very high. |
3 . Work is helpful to health. Scientists find that the hard-working people live longer than those who have no jobs. Studies show that the jobless are in poorer health than job-holders. The women have jobs are healthier than housewives.
Why is work good for health? It is because work keeps people busy, away from feeling lonely. Researches show that people feel unhappy and worried when they have nothing to do. The happiest people are those who are busy. Many high achievers who love their jobs feel they are the happiest when they are working hard. They work as a bridge between their dream and reality, so they have energy every day. By work, people get to know each other. By taking part in all kinds of activities, they find friendship and warmth. This is helpful to health. The loss(丧失) of work means the loss of everything. It makes people down and it will cause more illnesses.
Besides, work makes one feel hopeful and proud. When a writer finishes his writing or a doctor successfully operates on a patient or a teacher sees his students grow, they are very happy.
From the above, we can come to a conclusion: the more you work, the happier and healthier you will be.
1. People who have no jobs are ________ than job-holders.| A．in poorer health | B．happier | C．healthier | D．busier |
| A．People who are busy have a lot of money. |
| B．People who have more friends are the happiest. |
| C．People who are busy are the happiest. |
| D．People who are busy are the most worried. |
| A．People who are hard-working live longer than those who are jobless. |
| B．Work can make people feel tired and lonely. |
| C．The loss of work will cause more illnesses. |
| D．People can get to know each other by working together. |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
4 . A wonderful moment was across China after a big win in the women’s volleyball final at Rio Olympics. China beat Serbia 3-1 and won the gold medal in the women’s volleyball. This is China’s third Olympic women’s volleyball gold medal after the ones in 1984 and 2004. Here’s a review of their triumphant journey in Rio.
The Chinese women’s volleyball team first lost to Netherlands. But you’d have never known it two days later. The team beat a strong Italy. And they gave a repeat performance against Puerto Rico. But after a short time happiness, they had to fight with European champions Serbia and the US.
Facing host Brazil, the Chinese girls tried their best to play each ball. At last they beat Brazil. Facing the Netherlands again in the semi-finals, they won 3-1.
The final was difficult as China and Serbia battled hard in each set of the match which lasted ninety-seven minutes. China lost the opening set at 19-25, but Chinese girls never gave up, and they took the next three sets at 25-17, 25-22, 25-23.
For the Chinese, the women’s volleyball team has always been a symbol of perseverance. And once again, their perseverance paid off.
1. This is China’s __________ Olympic women’s volleyball gold medal.| A．second | B．third | C．fourth | D．fifth |
| A．Serbia | B．the US | C．Netherlands | D．Puerto Rico |
a, China beat Italy b, China lost to Netherlands c, China beat Brazil
d, China beat Serbia 3-1 e, China beat Netherlands 3-1
| A．a-b-c-d-e | B．b-a-c-e-d | C．b-c-a-e-d | D．d-b-a-c-e |
| A．In 1948 and 2008, the Chinese women’s volleyball team got the Olympics gold medal. |
| B．It is believed that Serbia’s women’s volleyball team is the Asian champions. |
| C．The Chinese girls never give up in the face of difficulties. |
| D．The Chinese women’s volleyball team has always been a symbol of friendship. |
5 . Just like any relationship, best friendships depend on trust, promise, respect and interests. When any of these elements（要素） is missing, the friendship will be hard to go on. If the trust is totally broken, you may not be able to forgive him/her.
Sometimes a friendship ends because either you or your friend gets tired of putting the heart into it. This can happen when one of you finds a new friend or even a new hobby that takes up much time. Or, perhaps you find the relationship is always going in an unhealthy way and you want some distance（距离）. Other times, you simply change and want to leave each other. Sure, it seems sad at the time, but it's completely normal.
Not all friendships are meant to last forever. So, what should you do if something like this happens to you? Read on for some friendly advice.
Whatever the reason you're breaking up with your best friend is, always remember that he/she was once super important to you. Take the time to sit down and tell him/her what's going on and why. Don't send him/her an unpleasant e-mail. Don't start ignoring him/her though you're busy with your new hobby. In fact, maybe he/she has known there's a problem and would be willing to have a heart-to-heart chat. If you're not sure about wanting an end forever, you could suggest you two take a break from each other. If, after a while, you realize why you became the best friends in the beginning, you can try getting back to your former behaviors.
Whatever you do, be honest about your feelings while having respect for his/hers. And if you both agree the Best Forever Friend thing is over, make sure not to be enemies.
1. According to the passage, what may end a friendship?| A．Competing with each other for the same thing |
| B．Living too far away from each other. |
| C．Realizing it's hard to understand each other. |
| D．Spending too much time on your new hobby |
| A．忽视 | B．原谅 | C．理解 | D．误解 |
| A．What is friendship? |
| B．How to make friends? |
| C．What to do when friendship is in trouble? |
| D．How to find a real friend? |
（①＝Par.（自然段）1 ②＝Para.2 ③＝Para.3 ④＝Para.4 ⑤＝Para.5）
| A．①②; ③④⑤ | B．①②; ③④; ⑤ | C．①; ②③④; ⑤ | D．①②③; ④⑤ |
6 . Tomatoes taste great. With a lot of vitamins, they are good for you, too! People all over the world enjoy this amazing fruit.
Not all tomatoes are red. They can be yellow, orange, pink, or white. All tomatoes are green before they are ready to be picked. Then the tomatoes turn their true color. That’s when they’re ready to eat!
Tomatoes first grew in the Americas. The Incas grew them over 1,000 years ago. They were introduced to Europe by the Spanish in the early 16th century. The Spanish and Italians seem to have been the first Europeans to accept them as food. In France, people grew. Tomatoes in the garden just to enjoy their beauty. Many people there thought tomatoes would make them sick. It was years before some of them would eat tomatoes.
Tomatoes are fruits. They grow from seeds. They won’t grow in cold weather. But with water, sunlight and warmth, tomatoes grow fast. They can grow in pots or in the ground. As the plant grows taller, people may tie it to a stick. Next is the blooming stage. Flowers appear. The flowers turn into fruit. Some kinds of tomatoes can be picked in about six more weeks. Some tomatoes are large. One kind of tomato can weigh as much as two pounds.
You can eat raw tomatoes. First, wash them. Then, cut them up for salads or sandwiches. Tomatoes can be cooked, too. They can be grilled, boiled, or even fried. Do you use ketchup? It is made from tomatoes. Tomatoes don’t have a smell. But they taste great in foods around the world. Many dishes from India use tomatoes. Spaghetti sauce and pizza from Italy use them, too. Raw tomatoes are in Mexican salsa.
1. From the passage, we know that tomatoes ________.| A．come in different colors |
| B．grew in Europe first |
| C．can grow in all weathers |
| D．have a special smell |
| A．some people in Inca |
| B．some people in Italy |
| C．some people in France |
| D．some people in Spain |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
4. Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
| A．Value of Tomatoes | B．All about Tomatoes |
| C．Incas and Tomatoes | D．Growing Great Tomatoes |
"Well, I'll eat the cake," Alice said. "If I get taller, I can reach the key on the table. And if get smaller, I can go under the door into the garden. "Then she finished the cake very soon.
"I shall be as tall as a house in a minute," she said. She tried to look down at her feet, and could only just see them.
Just then her head hit the ceiling （天花板） of the room. She was now about three meters tall quickly, she took the key from the table and hurried to the garden door. But she was too tall to go through the door. She began to cry. The tears （泪水） ran down her face, and soon there was large pool of salt water all around her on the floor. Suddenly she heard a voice, and she stopped crying to listen.
"Oh, the Duchess （公爵夫人）, the Duchess! She'll be very angry! I'm late, and she's waiting for me. Oh dear, oh dear!"
It was the White Rabbit again. He was hurrying down the long room, with a pair of white gloves in one hand and a fan in the other hand.
Alice was afraid, but she needed help. So she said in a low voice, "Oh, please, sir."
Her voice frightened （使惊恐） the Rabbit. He dropped the gloves and the fan, and ran away quickly.
Alice picked up the gloves and the fan. The room was very hot, so she cooled down with the fan. She said, "Oh dear! How strange everything is today! Shall I get smaller during the night?"
She began to feel very unhappy again, but then she looked down at her hand. She was wearing one of the Rabbit's white gloves. "How did I get it on my hand?" she thought." Oh, I'm getting smaller again! I'm already less than a meter tall and getting smaller every second! How can I stop it?" She saw the fan in her other hand. "It must be the fan!" she thought, and quickly she dropped it.
She was now very, very small, and the key was still lying on the table.
"Things are worse than ever," thought poor Alice. She turned away from the door, and fell into salt water, right up to her neck. At first, she thought it was the sea, but then she saw it was the pool of her own tears.
"Oh, why did I cry so much?" said Alice. She swam around and looked for a way out, but the pool was very big. Just then she saw an animal in the water near her. It looked like a large animal to Alice, but it was only a mouse.
"Shall I speak to it?" thought Alice. "Everything is very strange here, so perhaps a mouse can speak."
Then she began, "Oh, mouse, do you know the way out of this pool? I am very tired of swimming."
But the mouse looked at her with its little eyes and said nothing.
"Perhaps it doesn't understand English," thought Alice. "Perhaps it's a French mouse." So she began again, and said in French, "Where is my cat?" （This was first sentence in her French book.）
The mouse jumped half out of the water and looked at her angrily.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" cried Alice quickly. "Of course, you don't like cats, do you?"
"No. I don't like cats," the mouse replied.
（Adapted from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland）
1. What did the White Rabbit drop when he heard Alice's voice?| A．The cake and the fan. |
| B．The cake and the key. |
| C．The gloves and the fan. |
| D．The gloves and the key. |
| A．Bored. |
| B．Excited. |
| C．Unhappy. |
| D．Curious. |
a. Alice fell into the salt water.
b. Alice ate up the whole cake.
c. Alice met a mouse and spoke to it.
d. Alice took the key and hurried to the door.
| A．b﹣a﹣d﹣c | B．c﹣b﹣d﹣a | C．c﹣d﹣a﹣b | D．b﹣d﹣a﹣c |
| A．The key was taken away by a French cat. |
| B．The fan made Alice get smaller and smaller. |
| C．The mouse couldn't speak French or English. |
| D．The White Rabbit was waiting for the Duchess. |
| A．The White Rabbit's house |
| B．The ceiling of the room |
| C．A cute mouse and a lazy cat |
| D．Alice's strange experience |
8 . ①Chemistry is everywhere in our daily life. Sometimes it's easy to see. At other times, it can be very hard to see the everyday chemistry at work, but nearly everything you touch has some chemicals (化学物质) in it.
②Chemistry helps to make products for use. Something as simple as toothpaste has at least three chemicals that keep your teeth clean. Other things in your daily life are created by chemistry, such as hair products and soap. Without chemistry, we would never have known that we need soap to get the oil out of clothes.
③Chemistry also helps us understand the world around us. Thanks to chemistry, we know bleach (漂白剂) can't be mixed with vinegar (醋), because the mixture can produce harmful gas.
④Chemistry plays a big role in food preparation. Cooking food causes it to go through a chemical change. That is the reason why cooked food often tastes different from uncooked food. Too much or too little of any chemical material makes a difference to the result of baking (烘焙). For example, the cake can be too soft or too hard.
⑤Chemistry isn't something that just lives in a laboratory; it's something that you meet hundreds of times in life. Knowing how chemistry works will give you a greater understanding of the life.
1. What can the chemistry in soap help us?| A．To clean the teeth. | B．To make the teeth strong. |
| C．To clean the oil off clothes. | D．To make the clothes new. |
| A．we can mix bleach with vinegar | B．the mixture can produce useful gas |
| C．we can't mix bleach with vinegar | D．chemistry can't help us make products |
| A．cooked food is much better than uncooked food |
| B．chemistry plays a big role in food preparation |
| C．there are no chemical changes while we are cooking |
| D．the cake can't be too soft or too hard with chemistry |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．Chemistry and food. | B．Chemistry around the world. |
| C．Chemistry and products. | D．Chemistry in everyday life. |
9 . How do we know the time? A clock, a watch or a mobile phone can help us. However, many years ago there were no clocks and knowing the time was not so easy. Over the centuries people have developed different ways of telling the time.
About 5, 500 years ago, the Egyptians invented the sun clock. This was a tall stone building. Its shadow(影子) showed the movement of the sun. So people were able to know midday. The Egyptians made a sundial about 3, 500 years ago. It was smaller than the sun clock and could let people know the time for half a day. On cloudy days or at night it was impossible to tell the time with a sun clock or a sundial. Water clocks were the first clocks not to use the sun. The idea is simple. Water flows(流动) from one bottle to another. When the water reaches a certain level, it shows the hours. The Egyptians used water clocks about 3, 400 years ago. These clocks were popular in the Middle East and China. But they failed to make people know the exact time.
In the 13th century, the mechanical clock was invented. This was more exact, but it was expensive to make one. Over the next few centuries it was developed. For example, springs(发条) were added around 1500. This enabled people to get the correct time and allowed clocks to be smaller. In 1927, the first quartz clock was developed. Clocks became cheaper to build. It’s also cheaper for ordinary people to own a clock. People began depending on them more and more to run business, markets and so on. More recently, in 1956, came the digital clock. And nowadays satellites send our mobile phones the time to the exact second.
There has been a lot of progress in timekeeping. Clocks are always changing but some things never change. Many of us still have trouble getting out of bed on time and not being late for school or work.
1. According to the passage, we can’t use ________ to tell the time on a rainy day.| A．water clock | B．sun clock | C．digital clock | D．mechanical clock |
| A．现代的 | B．特殊的 | C．富有的 | D．普通的 |
| A．Four. | B．Five. | C．Six. | D．Seven. |
(①=paragraph 1 ②= pargaph 2,…)
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
| A．The importance of time. | B．The development of timekeeping. |
| C．The inventions of clocks. | D．The history of a digital clock. |
10 . How would you feel if someone decided to take away your park? Well that's what's happening in my community. There's a park that some people want to turn into a golf course (高尔夫球场). Let me tell you why I think it's a bad idea.
First, a park is meant to be for the whole community. Not everyone likes golf, so not everyone will get to use the park. This isn't fair. A community park should have open spaces for everyone to use.
Second, to make way for the golf course, lots of playground equipment (设施) will have to be moved or knocked down, which is a waste of time and money. It's also a waste of perfectly good equipment. The swings, for example, will probably just end up as litter.
Third, what about giving young people something to do? Not all kids are crazy about golf. At the moment, the park has a skating place and a playground. These attract lots of kids from the community. If you turn the park into a golf course, these kids won't have anywhere to go and they won't have anything to do.
This means that they will stay at home and turn on a video game rather than get some exercise. It also means that they might be out on the street causing trouble. Wouldn't it be better to give them something to do at the park?
Finally, golf is expensive. Building a golf course and maintaining (维护)it costs a lot of money. Who is going to pay to maintain the golf course? What about those people who can't afford to join a golf club? That means that the golf course will only be available to people with lots of money.
Turning our park into a golf course is a bad idea. I suggest we have a community meeting before plans go any further.
1. Some people want to change the park into __________.| A．a golf club | B．a golf course | C．a park | D．a skating place |
| A．go to get some exercise | B．fall in love with golf |
| C．play video games at home | D．go to the street and make friends |
(P=Paragraph)
A． | B． | C． | D． |
4. What is the writer's purpose in writing this passage?
| A．To help carry out further plans. |
| B．To make the park more beautiful. |
| C．To encourage children to go skating. |
| D．To stop the golf course from being built. |
