1 . Listed below are some nice family-friendly museums in Chicago, pick one that interests your kids most and take your little ones there to have fun.
Shedd Aquarium (水族馆)
It was open to the public on May 30th, 1930. Visitors with limited movement can use easy slopes (斜坡) to reach the exhibits, which are also explained to children through an app.Families can spend the night in the aquarium during the special event called Asleep with the Fishes.
Elmhurst History Museum
It’s a museum about history that has won awards and was created in 1957. It shows different exhibits about many history-related subjects, has a fun interactive exhibit about its own history, and offers various public programs, tours of exhibits, and special events for the community. The museum is a fantastic place for families to visit for a day or two, and it even has places for picnics and holiday train journeys.
Chicago Children’s Museum
Founded in 1982, the museum displays impressive exhibits for children, featuring dinosaur bones, a play area only for babies and a famous and fun climbing area for children.Moreover, the museum offers various exhibitions and daily art classes for children, which are free of charge. Visiting the museum on the weekend is a good choice for economical family amusement.
Field Museum of Natural History
With millions of things in its store, it was established in 1893. Disco ver more than 4billion years of life on Earth through interesting displays and interactive events, and discover protection campaigns worldwide. It is now considered as famous as the Smithsonian Institution, established in 1846 in Washington, and the American Museum of Natural History, which originated in 1869 in New York.
1. What is special about the Shedd Aquarium for family visitors?| A．They can go on a picnic there. |
| B．They can sleep overnight there. |
| C．They can surf the Internet. |
| D．They can learn the history of Chicago. |
| A．Have discounts on holidays. | B．Watch dolphins’ exhibitions. |
| C．Take a fun climb. | D．Take free art classes on an app. |
| A．Shedd Aquarium. | B．ElmhurstHistoryMuseum. |
| C．Chicago Children’s Museum. | D．Field Museum of Natural History. |
2 . Four Best Online English Courses
Udemy: English for Beginners
This 77-hour course is among the bestselling courses. The design based on real need makes it easy to adapt to even the busiest schedules. It opens to students with no knowledge of the language. Learners will become good enough to speak clearly and confidently and understand the language well enough to follow movies and TV.
Price: $109
Time to complete: 20 weeks
Coursera: English for Career Development
Coursera is supported by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ office of English learning. Coursera teaches English for business skills like job searching, resumes and interviewing. Learners can start at any time.
Price: $100
Time to complete: 40 weeks
Alison: English for Career Development
This self-paced (自定进度的) course takes a unique approach to teaching business English. English language learners learn the basics of searching, applying, and interviewing for jobs in the United States. Though all parts of the course are free, certification costs $30 and is available only to those who receive 80 percent or higher on their assessments (认证).
Price: Free
Time to complete: Self-paced
Perfectly Spoken: English for Daily Use
This course helps non-locals with the kinds of English used on the street and on vacation. It covers common expressions, such as what to say when meeting and greeting people, and how to express feelings. The course includes the language used when traveling, ordering at a restaurant, and during the United Kingdom holidays.
Price: $90
Time to complete: 36 weeks
1. How much should learners pay for Udemy?| A．$30. | B．$90. | C．$100. | D．$109. |
| A．They are free of charge. |
| B．They must be finished in 40 weeks. |
| C．They focus on business English. |
| D．They are suitable for pupils. |
| A．Perfectly Spoken. | B．Coursera. | C．Alison. | D．Udemy. |
3 . To us it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains, but at first the umbrella was not invented as protection against the rain. Its first use was as a shade against the sun! Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times. Probably the first to use it were the Chinese in the eleventh century B.C.
We know that the umbrella was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use: it became a symbol of honor. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by those in high office.
In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was commonly used in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrella as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.
During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late sixteenth century. And again it was considered as a symbol of power. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France and later in England.
By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe. Umbrellas have not changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that women’s umbrellas began to be made, in a whole variety of colors.
1. According to the passage, where was the umbrella probably first invented?| A．In ancient China. | B．In ancient Egypt. |
| C．In ancient Greece. | D．In ancient Rome. |
| A．Scientists already knew exactly who invented the umbrella. |
| B．The umbrella was first invented to be used as protection against the sun. |
| C．The umbrella changed much in style in the eighteenth century. |
| D．In Europe, the French were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. |
| A．As a protection against rain. | B．As a shade against the sun. |
| C．As a symbol of honor and power. | D．As women’s decoration |
| A．When and how the umbrella was invented. |
| B．Why the umbrella was so popular in Europe. |
| C．The meaning of the umbrella. |
| D．The history and use of the umbrella. |
4 . Conflict (冲突) between teenagers and parents happens for a lot of reasons. Sometimes conflict happens between teenagers and parents just because conflict happens between human beings anyway. Humans have different needs, different feelings, different opinions about what they want, and the relationship with people can be really difficult. However, teenagers can cause further conflict because of the hormonal (生理的) changes that are happening and the stage of life that they're in.
Teenagers and parents have different understanding about rules and at times they find it difficult to look into the future. So parents and teenagers will often experience conflict about many things, do chores, homework, whether teenagers speak respectfully or not and about what they're allowed to do.
Before we think about rule boundaries (界线) for teenagers, we need to make sure that we have a really good relationship base. There's no point saying “From now on, you have to listen to me”: if you don't have a positive relationship with your teenager. We need to go back and make sure there is some degree of shared respect, and some degree of positive communication and enjoyment being together. you do that first, it means that rule boundaries are a lot easier to set up.
Often we're dealing with conflict on the fly. This is not the right time to be dealing with it. We really want parents and teenagers to sit down and think about the kinds of things that may happen in the house before the problems come. The more detailed your rule boundaries are for teenagers, the more likely it is that they are going to follow them. So this means we don't have rule boundaries like “Have the bathroom cleaned”. It needs to be “The floors mopped, nothing on the countertop and the mirrors cleaned by ten o'clock every Saturday”: Rule boundaries need to be written down, and set out ahead of time so the teenager knows exactly what's expected.
1. What's important to set up a rule boundary easily for teenagers?| A．Being strict from the start. | B．Developing a good relationship with them first. |
| C．Saying"No" to their requirements. | D．Avoiding close talks with them. |
| A．Doing some housework. | B．Having a good reading habit. |
| C．Cleaning the bathroom. | D．Finishing your homework by five. |
| A．In a hurry. | B．On the plane. | C．By oneself. | D．Another day. |
| A．Growing Pains | B．Teenage Problems |
| C．Parent-Child Conflict and Solutions | D．Knowing the Conflict |
5 . Chinese high schools differ from American high schools in many ways.
The class structure (结构) is different. Students have each class in a different room with a different set of classmates in America, while Chinese students remain in the same classroom all day.
In addition to the structural difference, Chinese high schools also differ from American high schools in the college application process (大学申请过程) that students undergo.
In the United States, colleges use an application system that considers a student's high school grades, standardized test scores, after-school activities. teacher recommendations, and often a personal interview. Usually, the last few months of senior year has little work.
The Chinese college admission process is very different. College acceptance is depended on standardized examinations held once a year at the end of each school year. Although students take tests at the end of their first and second years of high school, the test that really matters is the exam taken at the end of their final year of high school.
The main way in which Chinese and American high schools differ is in the way information is taught.
In America, personal expression is valued heavily. Many classes are based on discussion of the material, and teachers expect students to join in this dialogue, so the classroom can become noisy. Classroom participation (参与), meaning how a student contributes to the class discussion, is an important part of a student's grade, so a student who works hard but never speaks up could receive a lower grade as a result.
Chinese classrooms do not place this same importance on classroom participation. Class is based on the teacher talking and the students listening quietly. Respect (尊敬) for teachers is far more important. When a student is asked to speak, he or she is expected to stand. This classroom is more formal and respectful. But it also means less communication between the teacher and students.
1. What is the class structure for students in America?| A．They have one teacher. | B．They study in the same classroom. |
| C．They have the same classmates. | D．They have different classmates and classrooms. |
| A．Different class structures. |
| B．The way information is taught. |
| C．How to get high marks in the final year of high school. |
| D．The differences of the college application process between America and China. |
| A．By being noisy | B．By being active in class discussion. |
| C．By having respect for teachers. | D．By working hard and not speaking. |
| A．By listing numbers. | B．By following time order. |
| C．By presenting research findings. | D．By comparing the differences. |
6 . Chen Shaoqin, a woman from Beijing, has shown the world how life should be lived by working as a tour guide in her seventies.
Chen has only a middle school education. She began studying English at the age of 40, changing herself from a factory worker to a white collar (白领) worker in an international trade company.
Chen continued to learn after retirement (退休), studying art and finally becoming an art guide at the age of 67. Over the past five years, from a person who knew nothing about art to a great volunteer guide, Chen's hard work and love for learning have encouraged many. As a guide, she is able to take special training courses and has the chance to learn from artists, giving her courage to continue.
Chen is proud of many exhibitions (展览) guided by her over the years, including those of famous artists like Zeng Fanzhi, Xu Bing, Qiu Zhijie and Pablo Picasso. She believes that every tour is a beautiful journey and a new chance to learn and be moved. Chen's love for learning has made her an excellent guide. After turning 73 this year, she said. “Well, I may be old, but I believe that the width of one's life can be expanded (延伸) through self-exploration and learning.”
1. How did the English learning affect Chen Shaoqin?| A．She became a white-collar. | B．She got a job as an art guide. |
| C．She had a chance to be an artist. | D．She turned out to be a factory worker. |
| A．40. | B．67. | C．72 | D．73. |
| A．She gets into trouble when travelling. |
| B．She becomes famous for her great paintings. |
| C．She has guided many exhibitions successfully. |
| D．She has been a volunteer guide for five years. |
| A．Hopeful. | B．Worried. | C．Regretful. | D．Doubtful. |
7 . Asia,the largest continent on Earth,is home to more than half of the world’s population. With so many different cultures and languages, each country is worth a lifetime to travel around. Here are some top countries for you to have an unforgettable travel experience .
China
China owns one of the world’s oldest civilizations(文明). Wherever you go, you can easily recognize many amazing historical and cultural landmarks. For example, the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army in Xi’an and the Forbidden City in Beijing attract many visitors all over the world. However,other people come to enjoy China’s beautiful scenery that includes high mountains and the Gobi Desert. As the most populous(人口多的)nation on Earth, China is also home to many modern cities.
India
Home to one of the world’s richest and oldest civilizations, India has many different cultures, religions, peoples and traditions. With the Himalayas lying in the north, jungle and beaches can be found in the rest of the country. From temples to food and history to wildlife, the beautiful country has something for everyone.
Thailand
Thailand is a very popular tourist attraction. Its golden sands and beaches attract lots of people every year. Many also come to party in its beachside towns, visit some beautiful and peaceful islands such as Ko Tao, or enjoy the attractive scenery at Krabi.
Japan
Although it consists of almost 7,000 islands, most of Japan’s main sights and tourist attractions can be found on the four largest of them. Lying to the east of Asia, the island nation is an attractive place as a mixture of traditional palaces and modern buildings Covered in mountains and forests, the country is home to some delightful nature and scenery.
1. Which one is the most populous country on Earth?| A．China | B．Japan | C．India | D．Thailand |
| A．India and China | B．Japan and China |
| C．China and Thailand | D．India and Thailand |
| A．Sports | B．Music | C．Science | D．Travel |
8 . Little New Year usually falls a week before the lunar New Year. It is also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God, the deity(神) who oversees the moral character of each household. Here are five things you should know about the Little New Year, another sign of the start of spring.
1.Offer sacrifices to Kitchen God
One of the most distinctive traditions of the Little New Year is the burning of a paper image of the Kitchen God, who will report on the family’s conduct over the past year. The offerings to the Kitchen God include pig’s head, fish, sweet bean paste, melons, fruit, boiled dumplings, barley sugar, and Guandong candy. Most of the offerings are sweets of various varieties. It is thought that this will seal the Kitchen God’s mouth and encourage him to only say good things about the family when he ascends to heaven to make his report.
2.House cleaning
According to Chinese folk beliefs, during the last month of the year ghosts and deities must choose either to return to Heaven or to stay on Earth. It is believed that in order to ensure the ghosts and deities’ timely departure people must thoroughly clean both their persons and their houses, down to every last drawer and cupboard.
3.Paste paper-cuts to windows
In the Little New Year, old couplets and paper-cuts from the previous Spring Festival are taken down, and new window decorations, New Year’s posters, and auspicious(吉利的) decorations are pasted up.
4.Bath and hair-cut
As the old Chinese saying goes, whether they’re rich or poor, people often have a haircut before the Spring Festival. The activity of taking bath and haircut is often taken on the Little New Year.
5.Preparations for the Spring Festival
People start to stock up necessary provisions for the Spring Festival since the Little New Year. Everything needed to make offerings to the ancestors, entertain guests, and feed the family over the long holiday must be purchased in advance.
1. What is the Kitchen God’s duty in the man’s world?| A．Collecting the information of the man’s world. |
| B．Protecting the character of each home. |
| C．Gathering sacrifices for other Gods in heaven. |
| D．Watching out for the moral people in the world. |
| A．Because the Kitchen God loves sweet foods. |
| B．As it is the traditional customs. |
| C．As people hope the God says good for them. |
| D．Because sweets are the best sacrifices. |
| A．Little New Year always falls in February. |
| B．House cleaning is to welcome the New Year. |
| C．In the Little New Year only paper-cuts are pasted up. |
| D．People will make full preparations for the coming New Year. |
| A．Offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God. |
| B．Burning paper image of the Kitchen God. |
| C．Preparing the necessity for the New Year. |
| D．Cleaning house and people themselves. |
9 . 
Welcome back to school! Have you signed up for an after-school activity yet? Here are some of the activities you can try.
SPORTS TEAMS
Do you like sports? How about joining the football team? It has tryouts at 3:00 pm next Tuesday. Many of our best players have moved up to college. So now the team needs new players. For more information, meet our sports advisors, Ms. Matte or Mr. Stergis.
GOOD AT ART?
This year, your schoolmates in the school art club plan to paint a mural (壁画) on the wall by the office. So they need new members to help create it. Are you interested in drawing, painting or taking photographs? This club is for you. The first meeting of the school year is at 3:15 pm next Wednesday in room 221. Please see Ms. Greenway for more information.
NEW THIS YEAR
There are some new activities you can have a go at. Try the new after-school science club. It has plans to enter the national senior robotics competition this year. So if you want to try building a robot, this club is for you. See Mr. Larson in room 105 for more details. The club meets at 3:30 pm every Thursday.
Do you like acting? Are you good at singing? The school play this year is a musical — The Sound of Music. Come and try out for it at 3:10 pm next Monday in room 125.
For a list of all the after-school activities this year, click here, or pick up a membership form from the advisor’s office — room 107.
1. When are the tryouts for the football team?| A．At 3:10 pm next Monday. | B．At 3:00 pm next Tuesday. |
| C．At 3:15 pm next Wednesday. | D．At 3:30 pm every Thursday. |
| A．To paint a mural. | B．To put on a musical. |
| C．To offer photography courses. | D．To enter a national competition. |
| A．In room 221. | B．In room 125. | C．In room 107. | D．In room 105. |
10 . Last year my daughter started feeding a homeless cat that we named Miss Alice. Since then, things have
My daughter always treats them equally with care. The only one who seems
The thing that Miss Alice
| A．progressed | B．recovered | C．ended | D．worsened |
| A．forgiven | B．guided | C．fed | D．reminded |
| A．dogs | B．birds | C．kids | D．cats |
| A．resting | B．fighting | C．playing | D．eating |
| A．plants | B．animals | C．neighbours | D．classmates |
| A．unhappy | B．unfamiliar | C．content | D．honest |
| A．protecting | B．driving | C．choosing | D．escaping |
| A．carried | B．identified | C．loved | D．looked |
| A．petting | B．checking | C．catching | D．admiring |
| A．careful | B．effective | C．concerned | D．willing |
| A．hardly | B．fully | C．obviously | D．definitely |
| A．pick out | B．break down | C．apply for | D．give away |
| A．tough | B．passive | C．caring | D．humourous |
| A．complaining | B．sharing | C．struggling | D．cheating |
| A．achievements | B．arguments | C．comparisons | D．connections |
