1 . There are top four places to visit in the Monterey Peninsula, California, where there are so many activities and beautiful lookout spots.
Pebble BeachThis scenic place offers many activities, hotels, and restaurants. At Pebble Beach, one can go fishing, swimming, diving, surfing, picnicking, boating, and on the nature trails there’s bicycling and hiking. It is a picture that is perfect with a white sand beach and beautiful view of the ocean.
Monterey Bay AquariumRegarded as the number one aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium has all kinds of interesting fish to see. Not only do they have strange fish but also other sea creatures too. They have very creative ways of displaying the fish; sharks are kept in a large glass looking tank. Admission (入场费) for adults is $ 34.95, children (13-17) $ 31.95, and children under 12 is $ 21.95．
The Butterfly SanctuaryEvery year in October, the Monarch butterfly migrates to Monterey County to stay for the winter. This is actually called overwintering, and at this sanctuary (庇护所) these large numbers of butterflies gather together on the tree branches to keep warm. There are tens of thousands of them flying up and down; it’d be a sight worth seeing.
Andrew Molera State ParkBeing the largest state park in the area, Andrew Molera State Park offers many activities and natural views. The Big Sur, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel, is within this park and is very beautiful. The park also offers camping, surfing, and hiking.
If you ever had the chance to go to Monterey County, California these are some of the places you’d like to see. Check them out for yourself at their websites below and see if they’ll be added to your travel wish list!
1. Visitors would like to go to Pebble Beach because ______.| A．they can see shark there | B．it is beautiful and has a lot of activities |
| C．it can offer excellent staying conditions | D．it has a lot of attractions and restaurants |
| A．34.95 dollars | B．66.90 dollars | C．91.85 dollar | D．101.85 dollars |
| A．Pebble Beach | B．Monterey Bay Aquarium |
| C．The Butterfly Sanctuary | D．Andrew Molera State Park |
| A．California. | B．The Big Sur. |
| C．Monterey County. | D．The Monterey Peninsula. |
| A．Monterey Bay Aquarium is considered the best in the U. S. |
| B．The Monarch butterfly migrates to Monterey Country in spring. |
| C．Andrew Molera State Park is the largest state park in the U. S. |
| D．In the Aquarium sharks are kept in a very large pool. |
2 . To put it simply, stress can be the father of growth, while a crisis can be the mother of innovation. The notion that great good can emerge from great adversity (逆境) is as old as the legend of the great phoenix (凤凰), who not only arises but soars to new heights from its own ashes.
In 1598, William Shakespeare penned the play As You Like It. One of the most famous lines from that play is spoken in Act 2 Scene 1 by Duke Senior, “Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad (癞蛤蟆), ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.” Even 500 years ago, the potential value of adversity was recognized, not by a great healer, but by a great playwright. Can this really be the case?
Fast-forward to the great silent film star Mary Pickford. She was called the most popular actress in the world in the 1910s and 1920s. Failing to continue acting with the advent of the “talkies”(movies with recorded sound), she co-founded the film company United Artists. Shifting her talents to producing and directing, she became the most powerful woman in the entertainment industry. She once noted, “You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.”
Rather than fear and try to avoid adversity, perhaps we should accept the inevitability (必然) of adversity and prepare for it. Indeed, positive things can emerge from adversity.
Adversity reveals true opportunities for those preparing to take advantage. Dr. John Krumboltz’s happenstance theory states that career and life development is best fostered by preparing for opportunities that you may not know even exist in the current moment. Numerous unpredictable factors are potentially shaping the future. These include the crises adversity brings.
In Friedrich Nietzsche’s book, Behold the Man, the German philosopher writes that a person who has “turned out well” could be recognized by the ability to take advantage of and prosper from adversity, just as he wrote before, “What does not kill him makes him stronger.”
So, the next time adversity enters your life, will you run from it, or will you embrace it and use it as a step ping stone to greater happiness and success?
1. Why does the author quote the line from Shakespeare’s play?| A．To emphasize the great wisdom of Shakespeare. |
| B．To highlight the beauty of Shakespeare’s language. |
| C．To challenge the conventional belief regarding adversity. |
| D．To show the long-standing recognition of adversity’s value. |
| A．Fame can block one’s achievements. |
| B．Strong determination overcomes adversity. |
| C．Accepting adversity results in positive outcomes. |
| D．Courage in the face of challenges leads to success. |
| A．Embracing uncertainty. | B．Managing life’s challenges. |
| C．Seizing hidden opportunities. | D．Focusing on personal growth. |
| A．Cautious. | B．Favorable. | C．Neutral. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Finding value and opportunity in facing adversity. |
| B．Stress as the primary cause of growth and innovation. |
| C．How to avoid adversity and negative experiences in life. |
| D．Historical figures who failed to overcome adversity effectively. |
3 . I was scared when a loud noise in my apartment woke me in the middle of the night. I rushed to turn on my bedroom light and discovered it was a cat. Here’s the thing — I do not have a cat. And this was not the first time this particular cat had demanded my attention. I immediately calmed down and realized my mistake — I had left a window open. I approached my house guest to entertain her by giving her some treats and scratches under her collar.
Just like many others, I shifted from working in an office to working from home. Living alone can be separate from outside at the best of times. It was around the one-month mark of the lockdown when I heard a meow outside my window. Sitting outside on the grass was a long-haired, golden-colored cat. I opened the window, and this beautiful cat jumped into my home. Her short visit lifted my spirits for the day.
A few days later, I heard a familiar meow. I saw a name tag on her collar: Mika. On this second visit, I also noticed Mika was cross-eyed, which only made her more lovely.
Over the next few weeks, Mika would drop by occasionally. Sometimes, she only stayed for a few minutes; other times, she would wander around my apartment much longer. Each visit cheered me up. Mika even served as my social bridge, helping me connect with some new neighbors, who, as it turns out, had also received visits from her.
While the lockdown has been awful, I doubt I might not have ever met Mika if it had not happened. But perhaps she came by at this time because she sensed a need for connection on my part.
While dogs are said to be man’s best friend, a good cat can be everyone’s best friend.
1. What do we know about the cat from the first paragraph?| A．She entered by the window. |
| B．She used to go out at night. |
| C．She annoyed the neighbors badly. |
| D．She liked the author’s treats particularly. |
| A．Moved. | B．Cheerful. | C．Lonely. | D．Angry. |
| A．By bringing food. |
| B．By serving as a social bridge. |
| C．By keeping the house clean. |
| D．By protecting him from dangers. |
| A．The open window. | B．The lockdown. |
| C．A need for connection. | D．A stay with new neighbors. |
| A．The author lives an unusual life. | B．The author longs for a peaceful society. |
| C．Keeping cats is boring. | D．Befriending nice cats is worthwhile. |
4 . Mobile phone has become a problem for middle schools. Some middle schools in Australia have banned students from carrying mobile phones during school hours.
Mobile phone used among children bas become a problem for the school this year. Several children have got mobile phone as Christmas gifts, and more students will want them.
Mary Bluett, an official, said mobile phone use is a distraction(分心的事)to student during school hours and it also gives teachers so much trouble in their classrooms. Teachers were also saying that sometimes students might use phone messages to cheat during exams.
She said some schools had tried to ban mobile phones. Some parents felt unhappy because they couldn’t get in touch with their children.
Many teachers said students should not have mobile phones at school, but if there was a good reason, they could leave their phones at school office. They also said there were many reasons why the students should not have mobile phones at school: they were easy to lose and were a distraction from studies.
Many people say that they understand why parents would want their children to have phones, but they think schools should let the students know when they can use their mobile phones.
1. Some middle schools in Australia have banned students from carrying mobile phones__________.| A．because they are students | B．when they are free |
| C．when they are at school | D．because they are children |
| A．the makers and sellers | B．the passers-by and strangers |
| C．their parents and friends | D．some mobile phone users |
| A．Chat on line. | B．Play games. |
| C．Take something away. | D．Use dishonest methods. |
| A．use their mobile phones | B．leave their mobile phones at school office |
| C．help the teachers with their work | D．get in touch with their children. |
| A．students shouldn’t have mobile phones at school except for some special reasons |
| B．it is impossible to ban students from using mobile phone at school |
| C．some parents felt unhappy because they couldn’t use their phones at school |
| D．parents should teach their children how to use mobile phones during school hours |
5 . Remembering names is an important social skill. Here are some ways to master it.
Recite and repeat in conversation.
When you hear a person’s name, repeat it. Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips. You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.
Ask the other person to recite and repeat.
You can let other people help you remember their names. After you’ve been introduced to someone, ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you. Most people will be pleased by the effort you’re making to learn their names.
Admit you don’t know.
Admitting that you can’t remember someone’s name can actually make people relaxed. Most of them will feel sympathy if you say, “I’m working to remember names better. Yours is right on the tip of my tongue. What is it again?”
Use associations.
Link each person yon meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual. For example, you could make a mental note: “Vicki Cheng — tall, black hair.” To reinforce (加强) your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.
Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.
When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.
Go early.
Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That’s fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others — an automatic review for you.
1. How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?| A．They will be moved. | B．They will be annoyed. |
| C．They will be delighted. | D．They will be discouraged. |
| A．tell him the truth | B．tell him a white lie | C．ask him for pity | D．ask others to help you |
| A．write them down | B．say it to yourself several times |
| C．go early to parties | D．spell and pronounce the name correctly |
| A．all their names | B．a couple of names first |
| C．just their last names | D．as many names as possible |
| A．Tips on an important social skill. | B．Importance of attending parties. |
| C．How to make use of associations. | D．How to recite and repeat names. |
6 . I’ll never forget May 12. 2008. We were having classes at Beichuan Middle School, Sichuan Province, when a huge
At about 2:28 pm, our
Hours later, some people came to rescue and
Later, I
World after such a(n)
Now, some of my classmates and I were
May victims rest in peace. May survivors live to be stronger.
1.| A．rain | B．earthquake | C．snow | D．rock |
| A．classmate | B．parent | C．friend | D．teacher |
| A．Finally | B．Luckily | C．Suddenly | D．Actually |
| A．fall | B．stand | C．run | D．walk |
| A．home | B．desks | C．classroom | D．outdoors |
| A．Minutes | B．Weeks | C．Hours | D．Days |
| A．trapped | B．stayed | C．played | D．packed |
| A．lived | B．suffered | C．enjoyed | D．escaped |
| A．ignored | B．recovered | C．rescued | D．remembered |
| A．all | B．some | C．none | D．each |
| A．found out | B．added up | C．came up | D．set down |
| A．devoted | B．helped | C．killed | D．concerned |
| A．outside | B．with | C．between | D．among |
| A．now | B．once | C．then | D．never |
| A．attitude | B．trouble | C．disaster | D．experience |
| A．life | B．damage | C．hurt | D．item |
| A．in ruins | B．dug out | C．as usual | D．set up |
| A．judged | B．persuaded | C．joined | D．organized |
| A．keep on | B．give in | C．care about | D．go through |
| A．peaceful | B．safe | C．grateful | D．active |
Why not take a more measured approach to a happier, healthier you? From your office to your bedroom to your car, these small changes can have a big impact on your life.
Wake up ten minutes earlier. When you start your morning in a hurry, you set a stressful tone for the day. (I’m speaking from experience here.) Even ten extra minutes in the morning can help you feel more calm, collected, and ready to face the day.
Spend five minutes in silence or meditation (冥想). You’ll soon realize, whether it’s in the morning or evening, that five minutes of sitting quietly with your eyes closed feels a lot longer than five minutes. But just this short silence can foster a quietness that carries through the day. When things go off the rails, simply close your eyes and recall that earlier quietness.
Walk. Is there one trip you’d normally make in the car (to work, the gym, the store) that you can make on foot? Walking saves money (good for you) and gas (good for the environment) and burns calories (around 2,000 steps equal one mile), which is good for your health.
Tell someone you love them. Life is never long enough to say this as many times as it should be said. Whether your mother, a friend, a significant other, or your dog, make it a habit to tell someone at least once a day that you love him or her. While it may feel strange at first, you will never regret it.
Stand (or sit) up straight. Good posture prevents back and neck pain and even build confidence. When driving, tilt (倾斜) your rearview mirror (后视镜) up a bit. You’ll have to sit up to see. At your desk, the top of your computer screen should be at eye level. Put a small cushion in the curve of your lower back, and your spine (脊柱) will become straight.
1. What does the text mainly talk about? (No more than 10 words)2. Why is getting up ten minutes earlier in the morning suggested? (No more than 18 words)
3. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “foster” in paragraph 3? (No more than 2 words)
4. What benefit can you get from good posture? (No more than 15 words)
5. Do you like going to school on foot? Why or why not? (No more than 25 words)
8 . A week before Christmas, my grandmother passed away. My boss
Here, my string (一串) of bad luck began: my plan was
The woman is a stranger,
| A．suddenly | B．worriedly | C．kindly | D．proudly |
| A．in peace | B．in surprise | C．in secret | D．in time |
| A．sad | B．great | C．common | D．comfortable |
| A．attracted | B．supported | C．affected | D．recorded |
| A．borrow | B．check | C．find | D．book |
| A．flat | B．snowy | C．busy | D．narrow |
| A．came over | B．set out | C．broke down | D．showed up |
| A．spare | B．good | C．full | D．strong |
| A．pass | B．keep | C．take | D．change |
| A．left | B．laughed | C．cried | D．jumped |
| A．treatment | B．help | C．time | D．money |
| A．hurriedly | B．carefully | C．quietly | D．slowly |
| A．miss | B．lose | C．build | D．notice |
| A．notebook | B．bag | C．keys | D．tools |
| A．confusion | B．excitement | C．gratitude | D．amazement |
| A．happiness | B．kindness | C．excuse | D．answer |
| A．offering | B．saving | C．promising | D．sending |
| A．for | B．so | C．and | D．but |
| A．meet | B．forget | C．invite | D．remember |
| A．believe | B．imagine | C．decide | D．doubt |
9 . Do you think cookies can tell stories? Jasmine Cho, 35, does.
A baker, artist, entrepreneur and activist, Cho tries to spread knowledge about social justice issues and diversity through the delicious medium of cookies.
It was in high school that she discovered her love of baking. At a sleepover a friend taught her how to make a dessert, “sort of demystifying baking and that whole process”.
Later, Cho realized her second passion: learning more about her Asian, American culture. An elective in college that taught Asian-American immigrant experiences brought an emotional moment for her. “So many emotions came up that I just couldn’t articulate. It was like this mix of anger, of relief, empowerment, sadness...” Cho said.
Cho realized she could combine these two passions to educate others about influential Asian American people and showcase matters that were important to her. With her online bakery, she designed cookie portraits about people she admired and posted the images on Instagram. “I don’t think I ever really knew how to communicate these stories until I found cookies,” Cho said. “Cookies are just so disarming. Who doesn’t like cookies?”
One cookie that Cho has identified with deeply is one she made of George Helm, a Hawaiian activist in the 1970s.
“It’s insane the amount of injustice that the native Hawaiian population has faced as well through the whole annexation (吞并) of the kingdom. There were so many horrific stories that I heard about nuclear testing and the fallout ( 核爆炸后的沉降物) impacting native Hawaiian populations in all of this,” Cho said, “George Helm was one of those activists who really represented the spirituality of the native Hawaiians and the connection to their land, to nature.”
Among her amazing cookie art are other political figures such as Larry Itliong, a Filipino-American labor organizer, and pop culture figures such as Keanu Reeves, a Canadian actor.
Cho hopes her cookie art continues to inspire people to be creative and think positively.
“Instead of trying to think of something new and original, just look inward and see, maybe there’s already a passion or a love that you have,” Cho said. “Use that for something that will serve the world in a better way.”
1. What inspired Cho to take an interest in Asian-American culture?| A．One of her sleepover experiences. |
| B．One elective course she took at college. |
| C．The process of learning baking from her friend. |
| D．A book she read about Asian-American immigrant experiences. |
| A．get rid of | B．put up with |
| C．express in words | D．stay focused |
| A．Cookies don’t cost much. | B．Cookies are easier to make. |
| C．Cookies have different images. | D．Cookies are liked by many people. |
| A．To inform the reader of Helm’s contributions to Hawaii. |
| B．To show what knowledge Cho focuses on with her cookies. |
| C．To introduce the spirituality of native Hawaiians. |
| D．To explain why Cho is interested in political activists. |
| A．Think outside the box to break new ground. |
| B．Spread something original to one’s heart content. |
| C．Hold your horses for a better self. |
| D．Throw yourself into your inner world for a better one. |
10 . It was early winter several years ago. I had pulled out my old winter
I put the old one in my closet(壁橱)and started to
My new coat is old now. It is in too bad of shape to even give away to
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “
| A．jacket | B．sweater | C．dress | D．coat |
| A．shape | B．size | C．order | D．position |
| A．carelessly | B．confidently | C．fearfully | D．literally |
| A．dreamed | B．guessed | C．forgot | D．doubted |
| A．gift | B．hope | C．reward | D．selection |
| A．check | B．wear | C．appreciate | D．share |
| A．relief | B．shame | C．chance | D．honour |
| A．content | B．firm | C．warm | D．generous |
| A．wash | B．tailor | C．donate | D．afford |
| A．put it down | B．tried it on | C．kept it off | D．picked it up |
| A．new | B．thin | C．cool | D．nice |
| A．get used to | B．put up with | C．keep away from | D．end up in |
| A．charity | B．school | C．government | D．church |
| A．stop | B．prepare | C．wait | D．choose |
| A．likewise | B．otherwise | C．instead | D．indeed |
| A．Take | B．Lose | C．Forgive | D．Want |
| A．accepting | B．enjoying | C．sharing | D．understanding |
| A．hope | B．joy | C．trust | D．luck |
| A．ask for | B．take in | C．give away | D．bring in |
| A．option | B．giving | C．surprise | D．opportunity |
