1 . One thing that sets humans apart from other members of the animal kingdom is our tendency to develop customs and traditions. Here are some astonishing customs from around the world.
An odd custom associated with the United States is its complicated tipping culture. Unlike many other countries that don’t tip at all or that only tip in small amounts when the food is particularly good, tipping is actually mandatory at most restaurants in the US. To put it another way, customers have a duty to leave between 10-20 percent of the bill in tips. Wait staff rely on these tips for a living because legal wages for waiters are low. Furthermore, there are rules for tipping bartenders, delivery people and other service personnel. While some criticize this practice as irrational, there’s no doubt that tipping culture in the US gives an incentive for waiters and waitresses to provide better service.
Some countries find the act of pointing with the index finger to be rude. While members of most cultures would probably agree that pointing fingers, both literally and figuratively, isn’t exactly the nicest thing in the world, in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, this gesture can be seen as incredibly offensive. Instead, it is customary to gesture towards things with the thumb as this is seen as a more polite option. In many countries in Africa, pointing is reserved for inanimate objects only, not people.
Most societies around the world have rules about table manners. For western cultures, noisily consuming food is considered rude. In Japan, however, making slurping(啧啧响的)sounds while eating has an entirely different meaning. This might have something to do with the fact that in western countries, noodles are properly consumed by twirling(缠绕)them on a spoon before putting them in the mouth. Meanwhile, the Japanese simply slurp up their noodles without contorting them first, an act that is naturally noisier than the former. Making slurping sounds when eating noodles in Japan is a way of indicating that you’re rely enjoying them. Some scientists even argue slurping invites air into the mouth and actually enhances the noodles’ flavor.
1. What does the underlined word “mandatory” in paragraph2 probably mean?| A．Required by tradition. | B．Highly spoken of. |
| C．Changeable over time. | D．Popular among people. |
| A．It is totally unreasonable. | B．It must follow a fixed standard. |
| C．It can improve the quality of service. | D．It should only target waiters and waitresses. |
| A．Skipping tipping in the USA. | B．Twirling noodles on a spoon in Africa. |
| C．Pointing with the index finger in Indonesia. | D．Making sounds while eating noodles in Japan. |
| A．A research paper. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．An online advertisement. | D．A popular magazine. |
2 . When I woke up last week, I looked out of the window and saw nothing but white snow. It wasn't a
But when I looked out of the
What could I do to repay his
But the street was still
Now I am constantly looking for ways of
| A．problem | B．surprise | C．threat | D．dream |
| A．preventing | B．remembering | C．recording | D．forecasting |
| A．effort | B．interest | C．skill | D．effect |
| A．kitchen | B．window | C．yard | D．garden |
| A．make | B．believe | C．get | D．take |
| A．chose | B．continued | C．stopped | D．finished |
| A．challenging | B．easy | C．boring | D．important |
| A．solid | B．safe | C．rough | D．difficult |
| A．pretended | B．agreed | C．tried | D．hoped |
| A．respect | B．friendship | C．kindness | D．duty |
| A．shopping | B．work | C．school | D．exercise |
| A．wide | B．noisy | C．clean | D．icy |
| A．called | B．visited | C．left | D．appeared |
| A．seek for | B．throw away | C．look at | D．pick up |
| A．helping | B．hugging | C．praising | D．accepting |
3 . The Biggest Stadiums in the World
People have been pouring into stadiums since the days of ancient Greece. In around 80 A.D., the Romans built the Colosseum, which remains the world’s best known stadium and continues to inform contemporary design. Rome’s Colosseum was 157 feet tall and had 80 entrances, seating 50,000 people. However, that was small fry compared with the city’s Circus Maximus, which accommodated around 250,000 people.
These days, safety regulations-not to mention the modern sports fan’s desire for a good view and comfortable seat — tend to keep stadium capacities (容量) slightly lower. Even soccer fans tend to have a seat each; gone are the days of thousands standing to watch the match.
For the biggest stadiums in the world, we have used data supplied by the World Atlas list so far, which ranks them by their stated permanent capacity, as well as updated information from official stadium websites.
All these stadiums are still functional, still open and still hosting the biggest events in world sport.
·Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang D.P.R. Korea. Capacity: 150,000. Opened: May 1,1989.
·Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U. S. Capacity: 107,601. Opened: October 1, 1927.
·Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania, U. S. Capacity: 106,572. Opened: September 17, 1960.
·Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, U. S. Capacity: 104,944. Opened: October 7,1922.
·Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, U. S. Capacity: 102,512. Opened: September 24, 1927.
1. How many people could the Circus Maximus hold?| A．104,944. | B．107,601. | C．About 150,000. | D．About 250,000. |
| A．Michigan Stadium. | B．Beaver Stadium. | C．Ohio Stadium. | D．Kyle Field. |
| A．They host big games. | B．They have become tourist attractions. |
| C．They were built by Americans. | D．They are favored by architects. |
4 . 
UPS (联合包裹) driver Ryan Arens was making his rounds near a pond in Bozeman, Montana, when he heard an unearthly sound. “Like a cry for help,” he told the Dodo. It was December 2019, and about 15 feet from the frozen banks was the source of that cry — a half-submerged brown-and-white wirehaired hound (猎犬), struggling to hold to a thin layer of ice. How she got there no one knows, but an elderly man was already on the scene. He’d entered the pond in a rowboat and was knocked at the ice with a rock to create a path to the dog. It was slow going, and Arens, 44, thought he stood a better chance.
“Animals are my weakness,” he told the Great Falls Tribune, explaining why he stripped (拆开) down to his boxers and socks, even though the temperature was freezing cold, and commandeered the rowboat.
His heart thumping, Arens slid closer to the dog and used the other man’s rock to smash away at the ice. He gave one strong knock and slipped off the boat, crashing into 16 feet of freezing water.
He resurfaced in time to see the dog going under. Using nervous energy to keep warm, he swam about five feet toward her, grabbed hold of her collar, and pulled her to the ice. He then boosted the dog into the boat and slid it back to the shore, where anxious bystanders carried the dog to the home of the rowboat owner, a retired veterinarian. Once in the house himself, Arens jumped into a warm shower with the dog until they both defrosted (解冻). A few more minutes in the pond, the vet told Arens, the dog would have likely suffered cardiac arrest (心脏骤停).
The next day, Arens was back working the same neighborhood when the dog’s owner came over to thank him for saving Sadie. “Would you like to meet her?” he asked.
He opened the door to his pickup (皮卡), and Sadie rushed out. She made a beeline for Arens, leaping on him and bathing him in wet kisses. That special delivery, says Arens, “was the highlight of my UPS career.”
1. The underlined word “unearthly” most probably means ________.| A．terrifying | B．strange | C．interesting | D．pleasant |
| A．He was skating on the ice. |
| B．He was rowing in the pond. |
| C．He was trying to save the dog. |
| D．He was walking on the path. |
| A．Why Arens fell into the water. |
| B．How Arens rescued the dog. |
| C．How dangerous it was in freezing water. |
| D．Who the dog belonged to. |
| A．She jumped on him. |
| B．She kissed him. |
| C．She ran directly to Arens. |
| D．She remained still. |
5 . Across the world, more and more people are volunteering online. What encourages them to help strangers without expectation of money or even thanks?
Radha Taralekar helped teach Imelda how to protect herself from HIV, though the two have never met, and neither knows the other’s name. Taralekar received no payment for the job. She is one of a number of talented people who regularly donate their time online. But what is driving them to help total strangers, while asking for nothing in return? For Taralekar, the project gave her the chance to us her professional experience. “I want to serve people with my medical knowledge,” she says.
For some, the inspiration to volunteer online was far more personal. After losing his wife to cancer, Tony Selman spent many hours online helping Cancer Research to collect data on the disease. “Seeing how painful she was when my wife was dying, I determined to help scientists find a cure for cancer,” he says.
Interests and hobbies are also one of the factors (因素). In 2011 Sam Luk, a designer, joined other online volunteers to try to help the police solve a murder case. The police posted them online, calling for volunteers to help them make sense of the messages. “I’m interested in patterns and I love Sherlock Holmes,” says Luk.
For writer Clay Shirky, some large online volunteering projects benefit millions of people, giving him a sense of achievement. He helps write Wikipedia, the world’s biggest encyclopedia (百科全书), which is written entirely by people willing to donate their professional knowledge without any reward.
1. What does Radha Taralekar do according to Paragraph 2?| A．She is a witer. | B．She is a teacher. |
| C．She is a medical worker. | D．She is a police officer. |
| A．his wife’s suffering from the pains caused by cancer |
| B．his wish to become an experienced doctor to treat cancer |
| C．his dream of building a hospital where cancer patients can be treated |
| D．the close relationship between him and the workers of Cancer Research |
| A．A sense of responsibility. | B．His interest and hobby. |
| C．A sense of achievement. | D．His professional knowledge. |
This program is planned for teenagers who have special needs with the goal of meeting within a community with other peers (同龄人). The purpose of the program is that it will lead to a better understanding of friendships. Gym, Swim, Surprise Guest, and Pizza are included. Ages 12-18, numbers of members are limited. Contact: Gloria Bass. This program is held 2 Fridays per month.
Fees: $65/$85
Club Saturday Swim
This program is available to anyone aged 5-14 who is challenged by mental, physical or emotional trouble. The program will be held each Saturday afternoon, 12:00-12:30 pm or 12: 30-1:00 pm.
Fees: $136/$260
Sibshops (Ages 10-13)
Sibshops is a program for siblings (兄弟姊妹) of children with challenges. It includes group activities and talk treatment ways with the focus on improving sibling relationships and whole family happiness. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Wednesday: 4:00-5:00 pm.
Fees: $50/$65
Banana Splits
Banana Splits is an educational support group for children in family trouble. Children aged 9-13 will have the opportunity to meet other children whose parents have separated or divorced, learn to recognize feelings, think of healthy coping skills and have a place to share their struggles through verbal (语言的), physical, and artistic experiences. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Tuesday: 4:30-5:30 pm.
Fees: $50/$65
1. If you have free time only on Saturday, you can go to ______.
| A．Friends and Buddies | B．Club Saturday Swim |
| C．Sibshops (Ages 10-13) | D．Banana Splits |
| A．2 Fridays per month |
| B．12:00-12:30 or 12:30-1:00, Saturday afternoon |
| C．4:00-5:00 pm, Wednesday |
| D．4:30-5:30 pm, Tuesday |
| A．meet with other peers | B．solve your mental problem |
| C．improve sibling relationships | D．think of healthy coping skills |
7 . Since his students began using Quizlet, the English teacher Tristan Thorne has noticed an improvement in their ability to learn and use new words. Quizlet is a learning app, a computer program you use on your mobile phone. It can help users build and test their knowledge of English words. Quizlet has words set for millions of subjects. And, it is quickly becoming a useful mobile tool for language learners.
Thorne teachers at Columbia University in New York City. Thanks to learning apps, Jeff Strack, another English teachers, has also noticed the improvement in his students’ ability to remember information. He teachers at Hostos Community College, also in New York. He and Thorne are part of a growing number of language educators adding mobile apps to their classes.
Strack and Thorne seem to agree that the days when teachers would not permit(允许) the use of mobile phones are gone. When they use apps, language learner communicate more differently than in a traditional classroom. Users act on or respond to something, instead of just listening to new information.
Thorne believes that apps can help learners become more active in learning. For example, each week, his students are required to add vocabularies to Quizlet for others to use. He says some apps also make it easy for students to know their language strengths and weaknesses.
The biggest improvement Strack has seen in his students is that they are much more active in whole-class or small-group discussions. “Apps let all students take part in the activity, whether it’s a game, quiz or practice activity.” he says.
Many existing learning apps are designed for students of all ages and levels. Some are designed for group activities. Some support independent learning. Still some are good for homework. Thorne says he especially likes Quizlet and three other apps: QR Codes, Socrative and Evernote.
1. What do Strack and Thorne do to improve their teaching?| A．They design learning apps for their students |
| B．They allow their students to use apps to study |
| C．They don’t allow their students to use apps after class |
| D．They order their students not to use mobile phones in class. |
| A．They help language learners save much time and money |
| B．The help language learners remember their weaknesses |
| C．The help language learners improve their weakness |
| D．They help language learners take an active part in Learning |
| A．They have three types in total | B．There are too few to choose from |
| C．They are designed for different uses | D．They are only designed for homework |
| A．Better Language Learning with Mobile Apps |
| B．Great changes in Science and Technology |
| C．The Use of Mobile Phones Will Be Gone |
| D．Ways to Choose from Different Mobile Apps |
8 . Welcome to Vietnam!
Day 1: Endangered Primates and Stunning Landscape Of Ninh Binh
After breakfast take the electric car to the Endangered Primates Rescue Centre. Here, they focus on the conservation of the gibbons (长臂猿) and langur (叶猴). You will have chance to see how the staff feed them in captivity and semi-wild areas of primary forest. Then you’ll see how their behavior is studied in semi-wild conditions and how they are prepared for full release into the wild.
Day 2: Cruising Halong Bay
A delicious lunch will be served as you slowly sail through this Halong Bay. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. Mid-afternoon head to the Vung Vieng fishing village by local rowing boats to explore the interesting daily lives of its inhabitants. In the evening you will experience a Vietnamese cooking meal served in the main dining room. Evenings are beautiful on Halong Bay. Relax on the top deck and take in the transformation of the bay.
Day 3: Discover Hue the Authentic Way
Today, you will get a taste of what real life is like in Hue. One of the city’s most famous cooking experiences is the Royal Dinner. You will have a unique experience where you will have a private audience with descendant (后裔) of the last royal family of Vietnam, in her own home. Spend time tasting the real dishes that were once served to royalty.
Day 4: Walk to the Hang Tien Cave
Hang Tien is actually two huge caves, one of which is over 3km long. The wonder lies in unusual rock formations, such as breathtaking rock formations that look like terraced rice fields, giving the caves an otherworldly feel. On your way back, take a dip in the natural jungle swimming pool and have a coffee, a quick swim, before making your return journey.
1. What are tourists scheduled to do on their first day?| A．Tour a bay by boat. |
| B．Watch endangered animals. |
| C．Climb breathtaking rock formations. |
| D．Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| A．Tasting local foods. |
| B．Exploring huge caves. |
| C．Visiting a small fishing village. |
| D．Enjoying water-related activities. |
| A．Day 1. | B．Day 2. | C．Day 3. | D．Day 4. |
9 . Birthdays at the Canadian Children’s Museum
The perfect place for a memorable birthday party!
Celebrate at the Canadian Children’s Museum with creative and fun-filled activities designed to excite the interest of children aged 3 to 12.
The party includes:
●One hour in a private party room;
●Admission to the museum;
●Unlimited time in the Children’s Museum (until closing);
●One hour animation(动画片)(Only with the “scene-Stealers” and “round the World” themed party. ) Payment is due(到期的)in full upon registration. Registration is required at least two weeks in advance.
Scene-Stealers (Ages 3 to 8)
Step into the spotlight (聚光灯)with a behind-the-scenes trip to the Canadian Children’s Museum Theatre. The Director will help you warm up with some theatre games, and teach you some stage skills to get you ready for the audience!
Cost: $190 for up to 10 kids and 2 adults; $10 for each extra child.
Around the World (Ages 4 to 7)
Take an unforgettable trip around the world to learn a traditional Mexican dance! This unforgettable journey through the International Village is packed with fun and creative activities for young adventurers.
Cost: $190 for up to 10 kids, and 2 adults; $10 for each extra child.
DIY Party (Ages 5 to 12)
DIY Party includes Museum admission, and one hour of free time in one of the Museum’s party rooms. A great choice for parents looking to plan their own activities!
Cost: $100 for up to 10 kids and 2 adults; $8 for each extra child.
1. What should you know about celebrating birthdays at the Canadian Children’s Museum?| A．It is for kids aged 3 to 7. |
| B．It provides animation in all parties. |
| C．It should be booked ahead of time. |
| D．It is required to be within one hour in the museum. |
| A．Make a new movie. | B．Learn some stage skills. |
| C．Visit the International Village. | D．Practice traditional paper-making art. |
| A．$100. | B．$116. | C．$190. | D．$210. |
10 . As the leaves start to change color and the autumn air turns fresh, sometimes nothing is more appealing than the attraction of a good book. Here are our four top picks for the best books.
The Most Fun We Ever Had
By Claire Lombardo
Doubleday
David and Marilyn have been married forever. Four kids and decades later, they're still as in love as the day they met. Lombardo paints an extraordinary picture of a family in what could well be one of the best novels published this year.
The Shadow King
By Maaza Mengiste
W. W. Norton & Company
A historical novel that takes place in the 1930s Ethiopia, The Shadow King focuses on the female soldiers who take up arms in World War II . In beautiful prose （叙述）, Mengiste shines a light on those whose lives are not often noticed.
Someone We Know
By Shari Lapena
Pamela Dorman Books
A quiet suburban town is shaken by a series of break-ins and a body that turns up in the trunk of a car in this latest psychological thriller by the author of The Couple Next Door. How are the crimes related? And what does the invader know?
The Only Plane in the Sky ： An Oral History of 9 /11
By Garrett M. Graff
Avid Reader Press
Journalist Graff puts together an oral history of 9/11 from the perspective of nearly everyone involved. Every single line is breathtaking and heartbreaking, weaving together the story of previously-unimaginable and tragic events that changed history.
1. Which of the following published the book about the army?| A．Doubleday. | B．W. W. Norton & Company. |
| C．Pamela Dorman Books. | D．Avid Reader Press. |
| A．Claire Lombardo. | B．Maaza Mengiste. |
| C．Shari Lapena. | D．Garrett M. Graff. |
| A．It's about some true stories in 9/11. |
| B．It's about some female soldiers in World War Ⅱ. |
| C．It's about a journalist's experience in 9/11. |
| D．It's about a single tragic event in 9/11. |
