1 . In movies and books, people often describe a decisive moment when they figure out who they are. However, I never thought it actually happened in real life. I never expected to have a “moment” of my own. When it arrived, mine was much more powerful than I could have ever imagined.
During the spring of my junior year, my class watched a documentary called “The Invisible Children.” It was about three college students who take a trip to Africa and document their experience. At first the film was slightly humorous. However, once the group arrived in northern Uganda, the mood changed. They learned what the consequences of a 23-year war had been for thousands of children. Some had lost family and friends, while others were caught by the opposing force and became child soldiers.
Before long, I was sobbing. I couldn’t believe these things were happening, yet at the same time I knew they were. I just hadn’t been paying attention, for in the past 17 years, I was blessedly protected. When the movie ended, I couldn’t get it out of my head. For the next week, I was not myself. Every bite of food I took I thought of Grace, the 15-year-old who had little to eat. When I went to bed, I pictured Sunday, the 14-year-old boy sleeping on a straw mat on the ground in a camp. My whole world shifted.
Since that day, I haven’t been able to picture my future in a way that doesn’t involve going to Africa and doing what I can to help. Ultimately, this is why I decided to major in engineering. With an engineering degree, my potential for change will be limitless. I will build wells and schools, and design irrigation systems. Engineering is tough, but I know—in what Yeats called “my deep heart’s call”—that this is what I’m supposed to do with my life.
1. How did the author think of a decisive moment at first?| A．It was impossible. | B．It was unforgettable. |
| C．It was common. | D．It was powerful. |
| A．It amused him. | B．It changed his perspectives of life. |
| C．It made him unsure of himself. | D．It made him lose the desire to eat or sleep. |
| A．To achieve his goal. | B．To be well acknowledged. |
| C．To challenge himself. | D．To realize his childhood dream. |
| A．Celebrity. | B．Health. | C．Education. | D．Science. |
2 . If you are looking for apps to learn English for studying abroad, you might be confused. There are so many apps to choose from. How can you decide which English language learning app is right for you? Our list of top four favourite appe to improve your English will help.
Hello English — Best app for middle learners
If you already understand the basics but want to improve your English, this app is for you. Hello English starts with a language test, and then serves up English lessons based on your test results. Hello English supports learners with 23 native languages and lets you play games,watch videos and listen to audio books,too.
Free versions available for iOS, Android and Windows.
FluentU-Best media-based app
This app sources English-language videos from the real world — including news,music videos and commercials (商业)— to help you learn English. Interactive captions (字幕) allow you to tap any word and see more information about it.
Free trial (试用) and paid monthly subscriptions available for Android and iOS.
Rosetta Stone — Most multi-use app
This award-winning English language learning app teaches vocabulary and English grammar. Rosetta Stone includes lessons on pronunciation so you can improve your English accent. You can also download audio lessons to learn offline.
Free trial and paid versions available for Android,i0S and Windows.
Duolingo — Most fun app
This personalised English-learning app turns studying into a game. Earn virtual coins to unlock new levels and spend them on fun upgrades. An animated owl (动画猫头离) keeps you company and encourages you as you learn. When you have questions, get help from fellow students inside the app using the Duolingo message boards.
Free and paid versions available for Android, iOS and Windows.
1. What can we learn about Hello English?| A．The users can’t play games. |
| B．It may not suit English beginners. |
| C．It provides lessons without a language test. |
| D．The users can chat with 23 native speakers. |
| A．Hello English. | B．Duolingo. |
| C．Rosetta Stone. | D．FluentU. |
| A．It only has the paid version. |
| B．The users must pay in cash to upgrade. |
| C．An owl can answer questions of the users. |
| D．It combines English learning with entertainment. |
3 . Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, it has been held in more than 40 different cities. That gives Olympic fans quite a few possible travel destinations to choose from!
Beijing, China
Olympic fans should consider visiting the Beijing Olympic Park to check out the special buildings of the so—called “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube”—the national stadium and aquatics center built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Popular historic places in Beijing include the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and Tian’anmen Square.
Innsbruck, Austria
Located in the heart of the Alps, Innsbruck is known as a great winter destination—which explains why it has hosted not one but two Winter Olympics. Known for its mountainous views, Innsbruck is the perfect stop for outdoor adventurers.
Mexico City, Mexico
This wonderful travel destination offers a wide number of popular museums, historic buildings, and public parks. People will love shopping for fresh meat and produce at the markets, taking a cooking class, and generally eating their way through Mexico City, which is especially known for its culinary(烹饪的)experiences that include both globally well—known restaurants and locally favored street carts.
Melbourne, Australia
Nearly half a century before Sydney hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics, Melbourne became the first Australian host city in 1956. Head to the “cultural capital of Australia”, located in Victoria on the southeastern coast, for an energetic cafe culture and art scene. Melbourne offers something for every type of traveler and everyone can enjoy an evening at one of the city’s many rooftop bars or a day of wine tasting.
1. Where will you go if you are fond of adventure?| A．Beijing, China. | B．Mexico City, Mexico. |
| C．Innsbruck, Austria. | D．Melbourne, Australia. |
| A．Enjoy wonderful culinary classes. |
| B．Get profit from making delicious food. |
| C．Admire beautiful mountainous views. |
| D．Visit special stadiums for the Olympics. |
| A．It is famous for all kinds of wine. |
| B．It has many world—famous hotels. |
| C．It hosted the Summer Olympics twice. |
| D．It can satisfy different travelers’ needs. |
4 . Giving children music lessons won’t just introduce them to music — it could also greatly improve their language skills but it isn’t understood if this is a side effect of a general improvement of cognitive (认知的) skills, or something that directly affects language processing.
Now, we are getting closer to an answer, thanks to a study of 74 Chinese kindergarten children, led by Robert Desimone from MIT. For the study, Desimone’s team chose children from the Chinese education system, with the support of education officials who wanted to see how it might improve their learning.
The 4 to 5-year-old Mandarin-speaking children in the study were divided into three groups. One group received a 45-minute piano lesson three times a week, while another received extra reading instruction classes. The third group acted as controls, taking no extra lessons beyond their usual classes.
The classes lasted for six months, after which the children were tested on their ability to tell words based on differences in tones, consonants (辅音), or vowels (元音). The test results showed that the children who had taken piano lessons performed better at telling the difference between words that differ by a single consonant, when compared with the children who took extra reading lessons. Compared to the control group, both the music learners and the extra reading group did better in telling the difference between words based on vowel differences.
“It looks like for recognizing differences between sounds, including speech sounds, ifs better than extra reading. That means schools could pay more attention to music,” Desimone says. “It’s not worse than giving extra reading to the children, which is probably what many schools are trying to do — get rid of the art education and just have more reading.”
1. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?| A．Learning music. | B．The Chinese education. |
| C．A study of children’s schooling. | D．Improvement of cognitive skills. |
| A．Ways to improve their study. |
| B．Extra lessons about reading tips. |
| C．Three extra piano lessons a week. |
| D．Nothing else except their usual studies. |
| A．Learning music determined kids’ interest in study. |
| B．The piano played a key part in kids’ learning. |
| C．Children taking piano lessons didn’t perform well. |
| D．The extra reading group were good at telling vowels. |
| A．Many schools value art education. |
| B．Schools will increase reading classes. |
| C．It isn’t wise to cut back on music lessons. |
| D．Children who learn music perform better at school. |
5 . I remember my teen years when all I wanted was to put on weight. Growing up, I was always on the thinner side and try as I could, I never seemed to put on the kilos. I would admire the chubbier (丰满的) girls and wished to be like them.
Now I realize I had weighed my self-worth on how I looked. I had also sent out a message saying that I wasn’t good enough because of my body size, not realizing that we train others how to treat us.
Today, I’m comfortable in my skin, and I have learnt the art of self-love. And yes, I did put on the kilos years later after childbirth, but I lost them at the gym, and I am happy with myself. This got me thinking about the number of people today who want to look like someone else. They look in the mirror and don’t like what they see. They are always in search of a different self!
Learn to fall in love with yourself. Learn to value yourself. If you do not like something about yourself, why not work out to get to your ideal (理想的) body type? This not only increases your confidence, but you no longer have to wear those ugly tops to hide your stomach. Invest (投资) in self-improvement courses if you have to.
Learn to say No. You do not have to present yourself for every party or appointment. Give yourself space to breathe. As women, we are taught to take care of everyone else but ourselves. We get worn out raising our families and balancing our private lives with our careers, and rarely have time for ourselves. At the end of the day, we are so worn-out; everyone else is happy but us. When you are tired, take enough time to rest. Remember, you cannot pour out of an empty cup. Every so often, take time to refill your cup.
1. What do we know about the author as a teenager?| A．She put on weight easily. |
| B．She was laughed at by others. |
| C．She was unsatisfied with her figure. |
| D．She was good at controlling her weight. |
| A．Slim. | B．Black. |
| C．Chubber. | D．Rough-skinned. |
| A．Model themselves on others. |
| B．Improve themselves if necessary. |
| C．Compare themselves with other people. |
| D．Accept what they are and be themselves. |
| A．Women should saying no to parties. |
| B．Women should learn to love themselves. |
| C．Women should balance the life and work. |
| D．Women should take good care of their family. |
6 . The loss of housing due to floods is an undeniable issue. But now, Japanese housing developer Ichijo Komuten recently unveiled a “flood-resistant house” that can not only remain waterproof during floods, but also float off the ground.
Their new “flood-resistant house” was recently featured on a popular Japanese TV show and it has been getting a lot of attention online ever since. Japan’s TBS TV station recently visited one of Ichijo’s test sites where the company’s new flood-resistant house was being put through a simulated flood. Although it looked just like an ordinary house when the test began, by the time that water started rising around it, viewers could see the structure leave the ground and eventually float a few inches above it.
We’ve all seen floating houses being swept away in severe floods, but Ichijo’s newest invention features a system that prevents just that. The house is connected to a number of thick iron rod(杆)sticking out of the ground with thick cables(缆绳)that ensure it stays in place as the water floods past. When the water recedes, the floating house comes back down in its original position. The “flood-resistant house” also features special vents(通风口))hat close up in the event of flooding, and the plumbing also has special valves that prevent water from getting into the home. Electrical equipment like air conditioning is positioned on the upper half of the building to ensure that water doesn’t reach it.
According to engineers at Ichijo Komuten, most homes flood when water reaches the window level, but because their flood-resistant house can float up to five meters above ground, water is unlikely to reach the windows and everything else is sealed shut.
1. Why does Ichijo Komuten develop the “flood-resistant house”?| A．To make houses waterproof. | B．To get houses off the ground. |
| C．To keep houses forever floating. | D．To secure houses against floods. |
| A．Houses throughout the world are in danger of being flooded. |
| B．Electrical equipment will be safe in Ichijo Komuten’s flood-resistant house. |
| C．Thick iron rods and cables were invented by Ichijo Komuten. |
| D．Ichijo Komuten’s flood-resistant houses have been put into market successfully. |
| A．Positive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear. | D．Critical. |
| A．To assess the consequences of floods |
| B．To stress the necessity of a waterproof house. |
| C．To provide guidance on flood control. |
| D．To introduce a new invention and its functions. |
7 . Underwater explorers have discovered an ancient shipwreck (沉船) in the ruins of a long-lost sunken Egyptian city Heracleion, off the coast of Alexandria in Egypt. Researchers have proved the ship to be over 2,000 years old among the ruins.
Although Heracleion was once an important economic center, it was destroyed by the forces of nature, sinking (下沉) rapidly in the water. The remains of the city’s houses, temples, and markets have lain ten meters deep in the Abu Qir Bay, east of present-day Alexandria, As a result，underwater explorers regularly make exciting discoveries there. Among them, statues and stone tablets with words made it possible to figure out the city’s name: Heracleion.
Researchers explained that the ship was 25 meters long. The discovery of the shipwreck was fascinating because ships from that period in history were very seldom. The underwater research showed that the ship was struck by several big stones from the nearby temple, making the ship at the bottom of the sea. Dr. Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Higher Archaeology Council, said the ship was in the canal (运河) which flowed along the side of the Temple of Amun. An earthquake struck the city, making the temple destroyed and the ship sink.
While the shipwreck discovery was exciting, underwater explorers discovered the remains of a Greek cemetery (墓地) dating back to the 4th century BC during the underwater exploration. Researchers explained that the discovery shows the Greek traders lived in the city. They built their own temples near the temple of Amun, and the remains of both have been found together and in good condition in the sunken city some 7 miles off the coast of Egypt. It is worth noting that the city of Heracleion had been the largest port-city in Egypt across the Nile Delta, before the city of Alexandria was founded in 331 BC．Several earthquakes destroyed it.
1. Why did the city Heracleion disappear?| A．It was destroyed by the Greek traders. |
| B．It was hit and covered by a big flood. |
| C．It was unimportant and was deserted. |
| D．It was ruined and sank into the sea. |
| A．Its own length. | B．A terrible earthquake. |
| C．Carrying too many stones. | D．The building of a temple. |
| A．The Greek cemetery was destroyed. |
| B．Greek traders built the temple of Amun. |
| C．Heracleion was probably a trade center. |
| D．Greek has a longer history than Egypt. |
| A．Environment.. | B．History | C．Sport. | D．Education. |
8 . Nowadays, online course have become popular in many countries. There are different kinds of online courses, but most show a
Other kinds of e-learning are being
In South Korea, some students are taught English by teachers abroad. The teachers are in their
These important examples show us that e-learning can be
| A．picture | B．video | C．note | D．passage |
| A．activities | B．parties | C．meetings | D．gatherings |
| A．along | B．about | C．through | D．across |
| A．excuse | B．reason | C．choice | D．chance |
| A．real | B．virtual | C．advanced | D．attractive |
| A．taught | B．tested | C．revised | D．recorded |
| A．agencies | B．departments | C．applications | D．advertisements |
| A．trade | B．exchange | C．chat | D．communicate |
| A．neighbor | B．former | C．foreign | D．home |
| A．teacher | B．robot | C．computer | D．radio |
| A．affect | B．attack | C．reward | D．replace |
| A．tools | B．toys | C．products | D．structure |
| A．boring | B．successful | C．doubtful | D．challenging |
| A．when | B．which | C．what | D．who |
| A．more | B．quite | C．very | D．just |
9 . The Nautilus expedition to the Cayman Islands
Hi! I’m Talita and this is my blog! Enjoy!
Day 1: August 15th
Wow! I can’t believe I’m actually here on Nautilus. I’m one of five very lucky students chosen to go on Nautilus’s four-day expedition (探险) to the Cayman Islands. We had a talk from the expedition leader Dr. Katy Croff Bell, about where we’re going and what we’ll be doing. Oh, and all the safety rules as well, of course!
Day 2: August 16th
What an amazing day! In the morning, we met Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreck (残骸) of the Titanic! After lunch, we had a tour around Nautilus. We looked at the labs, and we went up to the bridge — that’s where the captain of the ship works. I even got a chance to guide the ship! Later we learned about Hercules. This robot is sent deep into the sea to look for shipwrecks, to study the plants and animals, and to look at the rocks in an area.
Day 3: August 17th
This morning we appeared on the Nautilus Live website and talked to students around the world about our expedition. It was amazing — I feel like a real famous person now! The afternoon was NOT cool, however. There was a big storm, and we all felt very seasick!
Day 4: August 18th
This morning was beautiful, and the sea was peaceful. Perfect for a dive. Unfortunately, it was Hercules, not us, who got to go diving. In the afternoon, we arrived at Grand Cayman. Although I’m sad to leave the Nautilus team (especially Hercules), I’m excited to explore the islands and the waters!
1. How did Talita feel about taking part in Nautilus’s expedition to the Cayman Islands?| A．Surprised. | B．Excited. | C．Worried. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Giving diving shows. | B．Exploring the deep sea. |
| C．Helping with lab work. | D．Guiding tourists around the islands. |
| A．She learned about the history of the Titanic. |
| B．She attended a speech from the expedition leader. |
| C．She shared her expedition with students worldwide. |
| D．She visited the place where the captain of Nautilus works. |
10 . Theatres and Entertainment
St David’s HallSt David’s Hall is the award winning National Concert Hall of Wales standing at the very heart of Cardiff’s entertainment centre. With an impressive 2,000-seat concert hall, St David’s Hall is home to the annual Welsh Proms Cardiff. It presents live entertainment, including pop, rock, folk, jazz, musicals, dance, world music, films and classical music.
The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AHwww.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
The Glee Club
Every weekend this is “Wales” premier comedy club where having a great time is the order for both audiences and comedy stars alike. It is hard to name a comedy star who hasn’t been on the stage here. If you are looking for the best comedies on tour and brilliant live music, you should start here.
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5BZwww.glee.co.uk/cardiff
Sherman Cymru
Sherman Cymru’s theatre in the Cathays area of Cardiff reopened in February 2012. This special building is a place in which theatre is made and where children, artists, writers and anyone else have the opportunity (机会) to do creative things. Sherman Cymru is excited to present a packed programme of the very best theatre, dance, family shows and music from Wales and the rest of the world.
Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4YEwww.shermancymru.co.uk
New Theatre
The New Theatre has been the home of quality drama, musicals, dance and children’s shows for more than 100 years. Presenting the best of the West End along with the pick of the UK’s touring shows, the New Theatre is Cardiff’s oldest surviving traditional theatre. Be sure to pay a visit as part of your stay in the city.
Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3LNwww.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
1. Where is the Welsh Proms Cardiff hosted?
| A．At the New Theatre. | B．At the Glee Club. |
| C．At Sherman Cymru. | D．At St David’s Hall. |
| A．Watch musicals. | B．Enjoy comedies. |
| C．See family shows. | D．Do creative things. |
| A．www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk | B．www.shermancymru.co.uk |
| C．www.glee.co.uk/cardiff | D．www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk |
