1 . A few years ago, I stood in a small classroom just outside of New York City, watching a high schooler named Serena Stevenson answer math questions. An instructor read outnumbers — 74,470, 70,809, 98,402 — and Stevenson added them in her head. For each question, she closed her eyes, and then the fingers of her right hand began to move. She answered most of the problems correctly.

The key to her success was an ancient technology called the abacus. Stevenson used a practice called “mental abacus”, imagining the abacus in her mind and then using her fingers to work through the problems.

From watching Stevenson, I knew that gaining skill at the abacus was more than a matter of counting beads, so I decided to sign up for an abacus course with my two daughters to see if we could also improve our math skills. I was one of the many who had some math doubts and I felt a touch of fear. My typical solution was avoidance, and if I had to calculate something like a percentage change, I would go online.

Then after a few abacus classes and a good amount of practice, math seemed a little less frightening. I didn’t become Euclid, the founder of geometry. But the practice brought my numerical fears down. This is a time-tested power of the abacus. Confidence grows easily in the device, and abacus students are less likely to be nervous about an upcoming math test, according to one study. Part of the reason, it seems, is that practice and outcomes appear to move in step.

My kids gained much as well. My youngest daughter could work out those math problems that once baffled her, while my older child brought her abacus to school to show it to her classmates and teacher. These were just small successes for them, but that was how they finally developed confidence.

1. What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To prove the difficulty of math.	B．To introduce the topic of the abacus.
C．To show the high intelligence of Stevenson.	D．To stress the importance of abacus learning.

2. What do we know about the author from paragraph 3?

A．He was weak in math.	B．He was good at computer.
C．He regarded math as useful.	D．He had a close relationship with kids.

3. What does the author realize from his learning experience?

A．Knowledge starts with practice.	B．It’s never too late to learn.
C．Faith can move mountains.	D．Practice makes perfect.

4. What does the underlined word “baffled” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Bored.

B．Inspired.

C．Defeated.

D．Interested.

2 . Victor Frankl， the author of Mans Search for Meaning， once wrote， "'Everything can be taken from a person but one thing： the last of human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances．" Frankl was right． Attitude is a choice． You could be faced with a thousand problems， many or most over which you have absolutely no control． However， there is always one thing you are in complete and absolute control of and that is your own attitude．

To be honest， it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I finally understood its full impact． All through my teens and into my early adult life， I can't tell you the number of times that I heard， "Bob， if you'd just change your attitude， you would do a lot better．" At that time， I didn't know what attitude was， let alone know how to change it!

Attitude and results are inseparable， They follow one another as night follows day． One is the cause， while the other， the result． There is a term we use to distinguish this "cause and effect " relationship， which is called The Law of Cause and Effect． Simply stated， if you think in negative terms， you will get negative results； if you think in positive terms， you will achieve positive results． Some people always see wrong things in the world． These individuals are quick to blame circumstances or other people for their problems， rather than accepting responsibility for their life and their attitude． Thus， it would appear as if they were born with bad luck and it has followed them around their whole life． However， there are others who are forever winning and living the good life． They are the real movers and shakers who make things happen． They seem to go from one major accomplishment to another． They're in control of their life． Their wins are a matter of choice．

You can experience that kind of life as well， you only need to decide． Dorothea Brand once said， "Act as if it were impossible to fail， " and I challenge you to do so． By simply becoming aware that you can choose your thoughts each and every day， you will change your entire outlook． You have the power to choose an abundant life no matter what your circumstances are． Don't wait to experience all the wonderful things the universe has in store for you． Start today by working on your attitude and welcome the abundant life that you are meant to lead．

1. What can we know from Paragraph 1？ ______

A．Freedom is the last thing we can control．

B．Most problems in life are in our control．

C．We can choose our attitude at any time．

D．A man can lose anything but freedom．

2. Why does the author use the example of himself in Para． 2？ ______

A．To show attitude is important to the old．

B．To show understanding attitude takes time．

C．To prove attitude impacts greatly on people．

D．To prove the author was very stubborn．

3. Knowing "The Law of Cause and Effect" helps readers ______ ．

A．understand what causes a good attitude

B．analyze the effect of a negative attitude

C．understand "cause and effect" relationship better

D．know the benefit of choosing active attitude

4. What is the writer's message conveyed in this passage？ ______

A．Winning is a matter of control．

B．Success begins with positive attitude．

C．Bad attitude results in bad results．

D．Attitude and results are inseparable．

3 . As Internet users become more dependent on the Internet to store information, are people remember less? If you know your computer will save information, why store it in your own personal memory, your brain? Experts are wondering if the Internet is changing what we remember and how.

In a recent study, Professor Betsy Sparrow conducted some experiments. She and her research team wanted to know the Internet is changing memory. In the first experiment, they gave people 40 unimportant facts to type into a computer. The first group of people understood that the computer would save the information. The second group understood that the computer would not save it. Later, the second group remembered the information better. People in the first group knew they could find the information again, so they did not try to remember it.

In another experiment, the researchers gave people facts to remember, and told them where to find the information on the Internet. The information was in a specific computer folder (文件夹). Surprisingly, people later remember the folder location (位置) better than the facts. When people use the Internet, they do not remember the information. Rather, they remember how to find it. This is called “transactive memory (交互记忆)”

According to Sparrow, we are not becoming people with poor memories as a result of the Internet. Instead, computer users are developing stronger transactive memories; that is, people are learning how to organize huge quantities of information so that they are able to access it at a later date. This doesn’t mean we are becoming either more or less intelligent, but there is no doubt that the way we use memory is changing.

1. The passage begins with two questions to ________.

A．introduce the main topic	B．show the author’s attitude
C．describe how to use the Internet	D．explain how to store information

2. What can we learn about the first experiment?

A．Sparrow’s team typed the information into a computer.

B．The two groups remembered the information equally well.

C．The first group did not try to remember the formation.

D．The second group did not understand the information.

3. In transactive memory, people ________.

A．keep the information in mind

B．change the quantity of information

C．organize information like a computer

D．remember how to find the information

4. What is the effect of the Internet according to Sparrow's research?

A．We are using memory differently.

B．We are becoming more intelligent.

C．We have poorer memories than before.

D．We need a better way to access information.

4 . Lewis B. Smedes once said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” For years Tom Anderson’s life was withered up(枯萎) by the memory of his ________ in an adventure that ________ the death of one of his classmates. He and his wife ________ after six years of marriage. Then the news about Tom changed. His wife Betty came back; he ________ a fine position.

One day he told me what had changed his life, “I used to think nothing could ________ what I had done. The thought of my ________ would stop me in the middle of a smile. It put a ________ between my wife and me. Then I had an________ visit from the person I dreaded(恐惧)most to see - the mother of the college classmate who died. ‘Unless you forgive, you cannot love.’ She said, ‘And without love, life has no ________.’ She paused, and then said ________, ‘You are the one person who hasn’t forgiven Tom Anderson.’ I found there in her eye ________ to be the person I might have been if her boy had lived. For the first time in my life I felt ________ to love and be loved.”

Forgiveness is truly the ________ grace(慈悲)，through which we gain the freedom to learn from experience. But forgiving our shortcomings doesn’t mean ________ that they exist. On the contrary, it means facing them ________.

1.

A．reputation

B．part

C．possession

D．identity

2.

A．led to

B．figured out

C．participated in

D．counted on

3.

A．registered

B．withdrew

C．separated

D．accompanied

4.

A．presented

B．promoted

C．guaranteed

D．earned

5.

A．give up

B．hold up

C．make up for

D．take up

6.

A．guilt

B．drawback

C．survival

D．accusation

7.

A．reminder

B．wall

C．reserve

D．label

8.

A．unavoidable

B．unexpected

C．undoubted

D．unbearable

9.

A．concept

B．standard

C．meaning

D．principle

10.

A．deliberately

B．happily

C．morally

D．sincerely

11.

A．permission

B．passion

C．occupation

D．attempt

12.

A．reasonable

B．significant

C．worthy

D．innocent

13.

A．remembering

B．demanding

C．challenging

D．saving

14.

A．denying

B．assuming

C．clarifying

D．supporting

15.

A．emotionally

B．diligently

C．temporarily

D．realistically

6 . Sharon, Aged 22

The most important thing to keep in mind when going into high school is to be yourself. Besides, I don’t know what your middle school was like, but high school teachers will not care about things such as how much homework you already have in one night. It’s best to just learn to deal with things and manage your time wisely so you can achieve everything you need.

Frank, Aged 21

I think almost every kid feels both nervous and excited before their first day. You will probably love it. I know I did. You should join in some sports or activities that will make your high school experience more enjoyable. Good luck！

Eddie, Aged 20

When I started high school I was really nervous too, especially since I had been home-schooled all through middle school and didn’t really know anyone, I suppose the best advice would be to just relax. The first couple of days can be a little bit hard, but things will become easier after you know it.

David, Aged 19

I’m not going to lie. The first day is kind of frightening. But you’ll get used to it. Don’t be afraid of anyone; upperclassmen will pick on you more if you let them know you’re afraid. Just take it easy. Making some friends and staying with them will greatly help you get used to high school quickly. After the first week it’s really not bad at all. Don’t worry.

1. What can we infer from Sharon about high school?

A．Teachers are quite strict.

B．Students often stay up at night.

C．Teachers provide little care for students.

D．Students should make good use of their time.

2. How did Eddie feel on his first day of high school?

A．Excited

B．Bored.

C．Worried.

D．Relaxed.

3. Who mentions the importance of friends?

A．Frank.

B．David.

C．Sharon.

D．Eddie.

7 . Central Park

Explore Central Park, one of the largest city parks in the world and one of the most famous symbols of New York. Let’s have a look at its main sights.

Central Park is New York’s largest city park and one of the biggest in the world, with an area of 843 acres (about 3.4km²). This park is home to man-made lakes, waterfalls, grass and wooded areas. You will also find the Central Park Zoo, among other attractions in this greenspace of New York.

Besides being the city’s primary green lungs, Central Park is also a favorite spot for many New Yorkers. It is perfect for sunbathing, going for walks, or doing any outdoor sports. Something that we found curious is seeing so many people running with their babies in prams (婴儿车).

On Foot or by Bicycle

To get to know some of the wildest parts of Central Park we suggest walking. However, to get a general feel for the whole park, the best thing to do is hire a bicycle and enjoy the scenery.

If you decide to hire a bike, you will find lots of bike rental stores around Central Park that are not very expensive.

Open Time

From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

From 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Price

Entry to the Park is free. But if you visit some parts like Central Park Zoo, you need to buy a ticket.

Transport

Subway: Line 5, 6, 7, A, B, C and D．

Bus: Line M1, M2, M3, M4 and M10.

Nearby places

Metropolitan Museum of Art (447 m)

Guggenheim Museum (564 m)

American Museum of Natural History (688 m)

Whitney Museum of American Art (1 km)

The Frick Collection (1.3 km)

1. What can we learn about the Central Park from the text?

A．It is home to lakes and waterfalls.

B．It is perfect for doing outdoor sports.

C．It is the largest city park in the world.

D．It is the most famous symbol of New York.

2. Which one of the following things is free?

A．Hiring a bicycle.	B．Entrance to Central Park.
C．Visiting Central Park Zoo.	D．Going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

3. Where can we find this text?

A．In a science report.	B．In a geography book.
C．In a fashion magazine.	D．In a travel guide.

8 . Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New Zealand

Nature has shaped New Zealand with the beauty of a movie set. Few destinations(目的地)boast so many natural wonders packed into such a small area. Here are the best attractions travelers can explore.

Kaikoura, South Island

Birders, wildlife and seafood lovers will love the charming coasted village of Kaikoura. Between the Seaward Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura offers excellent coastal hikes and popular whale watching tours. In addition to whales, passengers may spot fur seals, dolphins and a wide variety of birds.

Queenstown, South Island

Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital. Bungee jumping, jet boating, rock climbing, mountain biking and downhill skiing are just some of the thrilling things to do here. In addition to the adventure sports? Queenstown offers all the comforts, with first-class hotels, spas, restaurants, galleries and shops.

Bay of Islands, North Island

A three-hour drive north of Auckland, the beautiful Bay of Islands is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. There are more than 144 islands on the bay, making it a perfect place for sailing. Penguins, dolphins, and whales live in these waters, and the area is a popular sport-fishing spot. The towns in the area such as Russell, Opua and Paihia are great bases for exploring this scenic bay.

Rotorua, North Island

This is a land where the Earth speaks. Boiling mud pools, volcanic craters and steaming hot springs show the forces of New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes. Visitors can take a walking tour of these geothermal(地热的)wonders and bathe in the springs while visiting the interesting attractions to learn about the area’s rich Maori history and culture.

1. Where can visitors experience Extreme sports?

A．In Kaikoura.	B．In Queenstown.
C．At Bay of Islands.	D．In Rotorua.

2. What do we know about Bay of Islands?

A．It is suitable for fishing.

B．There are few islands there.

C．There are many military bases there.

D．It belongs to South Island of New Zealand.

3. What is special about Rotorua?

A．It offers coastal hike tours.

B．It offers popular whale watching tours.

C．It is the best known for varieties of wildlife.

D．It is a good place to have a hot spring bath.