1 . At least 20 people died and hundreds were injured in a bridge collapse in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata Thursday. Witnesses said many people and vehicles, including two buses carrying more than 100 passengers, were under the bridge when it fell. They also said construction workers had set up camps near the bridge site where they would sleep and cook.
Before rescue teams arrived, local residents and firefighters used their bare hands to try to rescue people trapped under the debris. The collapsed bridge is in a busy commercial area of Kolkata. Its location has made it difficult for rescue operations. Access to the area is blocked on both sides by buildings, and the streets are blocked with heavy traffic.
Reuters (路透社) reports that the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, rushed to the scene of the collapse. She said that rescuing those trapped is her “top priority”. Banerjee said those responsible for the disaster will be punished. Yet she faces questions about the safety of the construction project. The Telegraph newspaper reported last November that Banerjee wanted the bridge — already five years overdue — to be completed by February. Project engineers said they were concerned over whether this would be possible, the newspaper said at the time. Construction workers had been on a strict schedule to complete the bridge. The disaster could affect the West Bengal election next month. An Indian company, IVRCL, was building the 2kilometer bridge, its website said. IVRCL’s director of operations said the company was not sure of the cause of the disaster.
1. Why were so many people killed or injured in the accident?A.Many people were under or near the bridge. |
B.The rescue work responded too slowly. |
C.The bridge was under construction. |
D.Construction workers had set up camps there. |
A.Buildings. | B.Ruins. |
C.Vehicles. | D.Disasters. |
A.It was designed by a company called IVRCL. |
B.Project engineers were unwilling to cooperate. |
C.It should have been completed five years ago. |
D.The cause of the disaster has been discovered. |
2 . Sleep is vital to your physical and mental health. However,how can you tell whether you’re truly sleeping well? It can be hard to measure your sleep patterns against those of the people around you.
Stick to a sleep schedule.
Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep. The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is at least seven hours.
Pay attention to what you eat and drink.
Don’t go to bed hungry or too full. In particular,avoid heavy or large meals within a couple of hours of bedtime. Your discomfort might keep you up.
Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Exposure to light might make it more challenging to fall asleep. Avoid prolonged(长期的)use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime. Doing calming activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath or using relaxation techniques, might promote better sleep.
Limit daytime naps.
A.Create a restful environment. |
B.Adjust yourself to the environment. |
C.Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too, |
D.Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep. |
E.What you eat and drink has an important role in your health. |
F.Most people don’t need more than eight hours in bed to achieve this goal. |
G.If you have trouble in sleeping well, you can adopt some habits that encourage better sleep. |
3 . Plays are an important part of British culture. The West End theatre district in London is the best place to watch a professional play, but acting also takes place in every school and village hall and the country.
There are over 2,500 non-professional drama groups in the UK today and they are an active part of community life. People from all walks of life take on acting roles in addition to their regular jobs. They do it for fun, for the love of acting and as a way to meet new people.
Not everyone in a drama club is a skilled actor, but enthusiasm(热情) is considered to be more important than talent. Friends, family members and neighbors enjoy getting together to watch the final performance and tell the people they know to “break a leg(祝演出成功)”. It’s a great way of bringing people together. Also, in many rural(乡村的) parts of Britain, the non-professional theatre is the only chance that people have to see plays for miles around.
Many people get a taste of acting at school. Every school puts on a play at least once per year, usually at Christmas, and parents love coming to watch their children perform. Ask many British persons and they’re sure to have happy memories of being in their school’s Christmas play, whether they played the role of Mary or Joseph or perhaps even a sheep or a monkey.
Another Christmas theatre tradition is the pantomime(童话剧). Pantomimes are a type of the musical comedy for families. The audience is encouraged to take part in the performance —singing along with music and shouting at the actors. Pantomimes are really fun to watch, especially for children.
British people love going to the theatre, professional or not, and many of them also enjoy performing. If you have the chance, go and see a play in the UK.
1. In the writer’s opinion, what is more important for an actor in a drama club?A.talent. | B.support from family. |
C.professional training. | D.enthusiasm. |
A.All the performers are professional child actors. |
B.The audience is allowed to play some small roles in them. |
C.The audience is encouraged to take part in the performances. |
D.The musical comedy is always about family life. |
A.greatly enjoy acting roles in plays. |
B.have good memories of their schools. |
C.have no interest in plays. |
D.watch plays only in the West End theatre district in London. |
A.Everyone in a drama must be a skilled actor. |
B.Plays are very popular among British people. |
C.In Britain, acting can only take place in theatres. |
D.The writer doesn’t think the pantomime is good for children to watch. |
4 . What does it take to be a good neighbor? Over the years I have had all kinds of neighbors, ones that were enjoyable and others that were to be avoided at all costs.
One of the most important things in being a good neighbor is to respect a person’s privacy(隐私).When someone new moves into the neighborhood it is a good idea to watch them to see how friendly you should be. If you go rushing over as soon as they move in they may think you are going to be one of those neighbors that come over at all times of the day, not respecting their privacy.
It is a good idea always to be friendly to everyone in the neighborhood. This can not only put you on good terms with them, but will also be a form of protection for your family and home. If you wave as they drive by or offer a friendly hello while they are out in their yard this shows that you respect them. If you are friendly to them they are much more likely to watch out for any wrong doings going on around your home while you are out and let you know if anything happens.
Another way of being a good neighbor is to be helpful in times of need. If you see that they are in need of a helping hand doing something or in times of a disaster, it is good to offer your help. Even though you have never really talked to the people down the street, they are willing to take the time to help out a neighbor in need.
In conclusion, if you respect a person’s privacy, treat them kindly and be helpful when you see they are in need, you will be a great neighbor and anyone would be happy to have you next door!
1. When someone moves into your neighborhood you should_______.A.visit them frequently | B.know their privacy |
C.respect them always | D.avoid meeting them |
A.keep your family safe | B.often visit their yard |
C.make friends with them | D.have your own privacy |
A.helpful, strong and kind | B.respectful, friendly and helpful |
C.honest, active and friendly | D.polite, honest and kind |
A.wide knowledge | B.scientific experiments |
C.careful research | D.real experiences |
5 . Today, I felt terrible. My head was full of problems, burdens and confusion(困惑). I decided to take a walk even though I didn’t know where I would go.
The most extraordinary thing happened when I was out on this walk. I saw an old man sitting on a chair. He was a seller of second-hand shoes. I thought he looked at least 70 years old. He seemed so tired and nobody bought his shoes. I wanted to give him something but I hadn’t brought anything with me.
Then, a little girl came toward him. I heard the child say, “Grandpa, may I polish(擦亮) your shoes?” That old man took pity on her and he gave her a shoe to polish. The girl said, “I polish the shoe because I need money to buy my little brother a new school uniform.”
I heard this and tears filled my eyes. The old man answered, “Oh, little girl. Just stop doing this. Come with me and I will buy you a uniform.” Then they walked to a market and I followed close behind them. There he bought her a uniform. The girl said, “Thank you so much for doing this. May God bless you.” Then she left, leaving the old man smiling there.
The old man walked away from the market, but I stopped him. I whispered in his ear, “You are a hero! Thank you for your kindness!” As I walked away, I glanced back and I could see him still smiling.
My own sadness had disappeared and was chased away by the light of this kind act. I began realizing that I have a lot to be thankful for. I hope, some day, I can show my appreciation of what I have by following the example of the old man who only had a little, but shared it happily with someone who had nothing.
1. When the author first saw the old shoe seller, he was full of .A.pity | B.happy |
C.surprise | D.sorrow |
A.She took pity on him. | B.She wanted to take care of him. |
C.She meant to be friendly to him. | D.She wanted to earn some money. |
A.got rid of | B.made clear |
C.sent out | D.showed around |
A.A clever little girl | B.A pair of old shoes |
C.A kind shoe seller | D.A girl’s new uniform |
6 . Sometimes people around you can change your life. The change may not be sudden or
One thing I've learned from Julia is how to balance
Last year I hated studying vocabulary, but I loved playing on my computer. Julia
Julia has always
A.simple | B.slight | C.necessary | D.impressive |
A.results | B.problems | C.ideas | D.decisions |
A.taught | B.served | C.offered | D.bought |
A.for | B.of | C.throughout | D.into |
A.work | B.money | C.career | D.time |
A.plan | B.get | C.move | D.stay |
A.never | B.seldom | C.yet | D.still |
A.excited | B.determined | C.careful | D.patient |
A.important | B.easy | C.possible | D.interesting |
A.shared | B.remembered | C.combined | D.separated |
A.watch | B.play | C.raise | D.improve |
A.permitted | B.invited | C.challenged | D.reminded |
A.lessons | B.skills | C.words | D.stories |
A.learned | B.read | C.used | D.spelled |
A.allowed | B.warned | C.forced | D.encouraged |
A.Therefore | B.Besides | C.However | D.Otherwise |
A.Unless | B.If | C.Although | D.Since |
A.realized | B.noticed | C.imagined | D.dreamed |
A.turn away | B.make a difference | C.show off | D.make a mistake |
A.ready | B.sorry | C.thankful | D.anxious |
7 . When my husband and I got married, he worked as a mechanic (机修工) from midnight to 8 a.m. However, I worked during the
We had very little
He told me that he had
It was a small heart made out of aluminum (铝).
A.holiday | B.night | C.weekend | D.day |
A.cook | B.rest | C.leave | D.help |
A.time | B.money | C.chance | D.energy |
A.borrow | B.choose | C.find | D.buy |
A.stay up | B.call back | C.slow down | D.look out |
A.still | B.even | C.only | D.again |
A.evening | B.noon | C.afternoon | D.morning |
A.hoping | B.noticing | C.guessing | D.imagining |
A.studying | B.examining | C.reading | D.playing |
A.foot | B.leg | C.arm | D.hand |
A.something | B.anything | C.nothing | D.everything |
A.written | B.made | C.drawn | D.invented |
A.afraid | B.happy | C.angry | D.surprised |
A.wrong | B.difficult | C.stupid | D.dangerous |
A.Before | B.While | C.Though | D.If |
A.heart | B.card | C.toy | D.book |
A.change | B.cut | C.keep | D.divide |
A.problems | B.memories | C.pains | D.choices |
A.strange | B.special | C.expensive | D.satisfying |
A.proved | B.explained | C.influenced | D.meant |
8 . Ever walked to the shops only to find, once there, you’ve completely forgotten what you went for? Or struggled to remember the name of an old friend? For years we’ve accepted that a forgetful brain is as much a part of aging as wrinkles and gray hair. But now a new book suggests that we’ve got it all wrong.
According to The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain, by science writer Barbara Strauch, when it comes to the important things, our brains actually get better with age. In fact, she argues that some studies have found that our brain hits its peak between our 40s and 60s — much later than previously thought.
Furthermore, rather than losing many brain cells as we age, we keep them, and even produce new ones well into middle age. For years it’s been assumed that brain, much like the body, declines with age. But the longest, largest study into what happens to people as they age suggests otherwise.
This continuing research has followed 6,000 people since 1956, testing them every seven years. It has found that on average, participants performed better on cognitive (认知的) tests in their 40s and 50s than they had done in their 20s. Specifically, older people did better on tests of vocabulary, verbal memory (how many words you can remember) and problem solving. Where they performed less well was number ability and perceptual speed — how fast you can push a button when ordered. However, with more complex tasks such as problem-solving and language, we are at our best at middle age and beyond. In short, researchers are now coming up with scientific proof that we do get wiser with age.
Neuroscientists are also finding that we are happier with aging. A recent US study found older people were much better at controlling and balancing their emotions. It is thought that when we’re younger we need to focus more on the negative aspects of life in order to learn about the possible dangers in the world, but as we get older we’ve learned our lessons and are aware that we have less time left in life: therefore, it becomes more important for us to be happy.
1. Barbara Strauch probably agrees that ______.A.the young are better at handling important things |
B.wrinkles and gray hair are the only symbols of aging |
C.aging leads to the decline of the function of the brain |
D.people’s brains work best between their 40s and 60s |
A.vocabulary tests | B.number ability |
C.perceptual speed | D.body balance |
A.they know how to share feelings | B.they learn to value the time left |
C.they cannot focus on negative aspects | D.they do not realize the possible dangers |
A.People get happier with age. | B.People get more forgetful with age. |
C.People get wiser with age. | D.People get more self-aware with age. |
9 . How to Make a Chinese Hot Pot
Eating a Chinese hot pot is a very common experience. People gather around the pot, dipping their food, waiting for it to cook, mixing their own seasonings (调味品) and enjoying each other's company.
Firstly, prepare a large pot of soup. There is no right or wrong way to prepare a soup, so feel free to make your own. A simple soup can be made by boiling water with the addition of meat bones or fish heads and a mixture of herbs, seasonings and vegetables.
Then, cut a variety of meats and fish into thin slices.
A.Finally, arrange the seating reasonably |
B.Now comes the turn to enjoy your hot pot |
C.It will guarantee that the items will cook quickly and fully |
D.Here are some easy steps to make a Chinese hot pot at home |
E.For more variety, consider dumplings, rice cakes and tangyuan |
F.Popular choices include: cabbage, pea leaves, winter melon and tomato |
G.It usually lasts a couple of hours because you are cooking and eating in small parts |
阅读下面短文,从短文后所给各题的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
“Daily Star, sir” called Jason, carrying some newspapers under his arm. The little boy had been running up and down the street, but there were still twenty
“You don’t know the
It was a new
The next afternoon Jason went to the office for his papers
A.shops | B.coins | C.papers | D.people |
A.heavy | B.open | C.pure | D.weak |
A.in return for | B.instead of | C.regardless of | D.in exchange for |
A.cup | B.card | C.cake | D.comb |
A.gave in | B.got away | C.broke down | D.showed up |
A.secret | B.process | C.goal | D.difficulty |
A.And | B.For | C.But | D.So |
A.since | B.before | C.though | D.unless |
A.call | B.sell | C.drop | D.reach |
A.idea | B.edition | C.policy | D.task |
A.seeds | B.insects | C.bread | D.water |
A.concerned | B.determined | C.excited | D.amazed |
A.still | B.just | C.already | D.also |
A.handed | B.allowed | C.awarded | D.taught |
A.at once | B.as usual | C.by chance | D.on purpose |
A.gentle | B.warm | C.proud | D.polite |
A.borrowed | B.made | C.lost | D.saved |
18. A shouted
A.laughed | B.nodded | C.started |
A.bravely | B.grateful | C.modestly | D.fondly |
A.job | B.duty | C.business | D.method |