1 . Attachment Parenting is not Indulgent Parenting. Attachment parents do not "spoil" their children. Spoiling is done when a child is given everything that they want regardless of what they need and regardless of what is practical. Indulgent parents give toys for tantrums(发脾气), ice cream for breakfast. Attachment parents don’t give their children everything that they want, they give their children everything that they need. Attachment parents believe that love and comfort are free and necessary. Not sweets or toys.

Attachment Parenting is not "afraid of tears" parenting. Our kids cry. The difference is that we understand that tantrums and tears come from emotions and not manipulation. And our children understand this too. They cry and have tantrums sometimes, of course. But they do this because their emotions are so overwhelming that they need to get it out. They do not expect to be "rewarded" for their strong negative emotions; they simply expect that we will listen. We pick up our babies when they cry, and we respond to the tears of our older children because we believe firmly that comfort is free, love is free, and that when a child has need for comfort and love, it is our job to provide those things. We are not afraid of tears. We don’t avoid them. We hold our children through them and teach them that when they are hurt or frustrated we are here to comfort them and help them work through their emotions.

Attachment Parenting is not Clingy Parenting. I do not cling to my children. In fact, I’m pretty free-range. As soon as they can move they usually move away from me and let me set up a chase as they crawl, run, skip and hop on their merry way to explore the world. Sure, I carry them and hug them and chase them and kiss them and rock them and sleep with them. But this is not me following them everywhere and pulling them back to me. This is me being a home base. The "attachment" comes from their being allowed to attach to us, not from us attaching to them like parental leeches. Attachment Parenting is not Selfish Parenting. It is also not selfless parenting, We are not doing it for us, and we are not doing it to torment (折磨)ourselves.

Attachment parenting is not Helicopter Parenting. I don’t hover, I supervise, I follow, I teach, I demonstrate, I explain. I don’t slap curious hands away, I show how to do things safely, I let my child do the things that my child wishes to do, first with help and then with supervision(监督) and finally with trust, I don’t insist that my 23 month old hold my hand when we walk on the sidewalk because I know that I can recall him with my voice because he trusts me to allow him to explore and he trusts me to explain when something is dangerous and to help him satisfy his curiosities safely.

Most of the negative things that I hear about "attachment parents" are completely off-base and describe something that is entirely unlike Attachment Parenting. Attachment Parenting is child-centric and focuses on the needs of the child. Children need structure, rules, and boundaries. Attachment Parents simply believe that the child and the parent are allies, not adversaries, and that children are taught, not trained.

1. According to the author, what should parents do when their kids cry?

A．Providing comfort and love.

B．Trying to stop kids crying.

C．Holding them till they stop.

D．Rewarding kids with toys.

2. What does "free-range” mean according to the passage?

A．Willing to give kids freedom of movement.

B．Ready to play games with my kids.

C．Curious to watch what games they play.

D．Fond of providing a home base.

3. Which of the following is NOT attachment parenting?

A．Fostering their curiosity	B．Helping them do the right thing
C．Showing them how things are done	D．Standing by and protecting

4. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A．How to foster love in children	B．Different types of parenting
C．How to build child confidence	D．Parent-child relationship

2 . John was part of my childhood growing up in the 1970s and a link to sunny, fun-filled days spent on the beach at Bangor in Northern Ireland where we went for our summer holidays. To many, he was a mystery. Every afternoon John would wander to the end of the pier (码头) where he fed the seagulls and delighted in the sound of their excited cries as they flew around his head.

Often I asked my family questions regarding John. Eventually I gave up as no one could tell me anything about him. As I grew up, my visits to the beach became less frequent, and my memories of John buried in a child's imagination.

Last year memories came flooding back as I walked along the coastline, where I noticed a lady feeding the seagulls on the pier, and I decided to introduce myself. Then I came to know that the lady was John's daughter, and after John left this world she carried out the ritual, which had held such importance for her father.

In some strange way I felt we shared a bond, each needing to remember. In return, Lucy told me of John's life, his days in the British Navy during World War I and how he almost lost hope when his ship was attacked by a German U-boat in the North Sea and he found himself in a lifeboat with five others.

Close to death, he thought he heard the sound of wings. He put up his hands, only to catch a seagull that had landed on the side of the boat. The seagull saved the lives of the six men as it was used to catch fish, which kept them alive until they reach land. This period of John's life was one he never talked about. But the ritual he first performed as a young man remained a part of him until he died.

Now I visit Lucy as often as I can, just to chat or very often walk along the beach to the pier end. We enjoy the comfortable silence, each lost in special memories.

1. Seeing John feeding the seagulls, the author might feel ______.

A．proud	B．worried
C．curious	D．guilty

2. The underlined word ''ritual" in the third paragraph can be replaced by ______.

A．law	B．tradition
C．interest	D．procedure

3. We can infer from the text that John ______.

A．once served in both World Wars	B．was a man with a grateful heart
C．spent his childhood in Bangor	D．joined the navy in the 1970s

4. What does the author mainly tell us in the text?

A．Her thanks to a seagull that saved her life.

B．The story of how she made friends with a lady.

C．Her childhood spent on the beach at Bangor.

D．Her memories of a man who fed seagulls.

3 . In college, we were required to do an act of kindness, including preparing lunch for an elderly person. When I ______ the elderly person with the food, it never ______ to me that it would result in a new friendship and the discovery of a ______.

Bill was unable to ______ much. A nurse came regularly to help him move to and from the wheelchair ______ he has no relatives. Bill said he was delighted to see me and it was a ______ for him to eat a meal with me because he usually eats ______. He said the food was great,        but he enjoyed having ______ even more.

Bill had many______ stories to tell about his travels to many places when working on the railroad. I was ______ a trip but hesitated about traveling by train. However, I would ______ be going by train after meeting Bill.

Perhaps the biggest______ of this project was that I suddenly realized that spending time with the elderly was fun. On the one hand, I am a good ______. On the other hand, older people want someone to know their inner world, so it is a perfect ______. I decided to focus my studies on the ______. Hopefully in the future, I can help even more people like Bill.

1.

A．called on

B．came across

C．picked up

D．turned to

2.

A．happened

B．appealed

C．occurred

D．proved

3.

A．travel plan

B．career path

C．holiday destination

D．cooking skill

4.

A．talk

B．eat

C．sit

D．walk

5.

A．but

B．because

C．though

D．so

6.

A．treat

B．fancy

C．privilege

D．waste

7.

A．slowly

B．little

C．alone

D．unhappily

8.

A．family

B．company

C．fun

D．health

9.

A．adventurous

B．fresh

C．absorbing

D．satisfying

10.

A．intending

B．pretending

C．allowing

D．requiring

11.

A．unbelievably

B．undoubtedly

C．unexpectedly

D．unhurriedly

12.

A．aim

B．impression

C．problem

D．bonus

13.

A．student

B．cook

C．learner

D．listener

14.

A．choice

B．deal

C．match

D．game

15.

A．old

B．poor

C．disabled

D．homeless

4 . Years ago, students applying to colleges and universities had to have their applications and personal essays printed out and then send them by ordinary mail. Flash forward to today’s world of Facebook, Instagram and WeChat, where photos, videos and mobile phones rule, and several new tools are making it easier for college applicants to use technology to show off their personalities, skills and creativity.

ZEEMEE

One of the more popular innovations in college applications is ZeeMee, a free mobile app that allows students to upload personal profiles and videos to create visual resumes. More than 220 colleges and universities offer the ZeeMee option as part of the application process. The video can show the unique creative aspects of the applicants.

THE COALITION LOCKER

Another relatively new tool comes from the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success, now used by more than 110 member colleges and universities. Among the group’s stated goals are getting students engaged in college preparation early and using technology to create a supportive application process that encourages reflection and self-discovery.

Students who sign up for the free platform get access to a digital “Locker”, which they can use all through high school to save class papers, artwork, newspaper stories, videos and photos to share with colleges when they eventually apply.

KIRA TALENT

At some schools, an interview with an admission officer is an important part of the application process. To make it easier, several virtual interviewing tools have appeared, such as the video-based platform — Kira Talent. More than 140 universities worldwide use Kira Talent’s video assessment tool to conduct real-time interviews with students. During the interview, candidates are shown the questions prerecorded by the particular school and must respond in real time by talking to the camera on their laptops or phones. In addition to showing their ability, applicants should speak fluently in English and think on their feet, which helps admission officers determine the “motivation, commitment and drive” of them.

UNIQUE SCHOOL TOOLS

Some universities have come up with their own ways to allow students to show their skills and personalities. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology encourages applicants to display their technical abilities and creativity by submitting a “Maker Portfolio” — a written or videotaped description of a project that shows creative and problem-solving skills. The project could be anything from an origami design to a potato cannon.

1. Which of the following gives students more guidance during their high school?

A．ZEEMEE.	B．THE COALITION LOCKER.
C．KIRA TALENT.	D．UNIQUE SCHOOL TOOLS.

2. What does the underlined word “it” in the fourth part of the passage refer to?

A．The video interview.	B．The description.
C．The application.	D．The student’s ability.

3. What is the common feature required by colleges and universities according to the passage?

A．Creativity.	B．Braveness.
C．Willingness to share.	D．Personal commitment.

5 . New Year and Its Celebrations

January 1, the beginning of a new year.

As far back in history as we can tell, people have celebrated the start of a new year. The people of ancient Egypt began their new year in summer. That is when the Nile River flooded its banks, bringing water and fertility(肥沃)to the land. The people of ancient Babylonia(巴比伦)and Persia(波斯)began their new year on March 21, the first day of spring. And some native American Indians began their new year when the nuts of the oak(橡木)tree became ripe. That was usually in late summer.

Now almost everyone celebrates New Year's Day on January 1. Today, as before, people observe the New Year's holiday in many different ways. The ancient Babylonians celebrated it by forcing their king to give up his crown(王冠)and royal clothing. They made him get down on his knees and admit all the mistakes he had made during the past year. This idea of admitting wrongs and finishing the business of the old year is found in many societies.

Noise-making is another ancient custom in the new year. The noise is considered necessary to chase away(赶走)the evil spirits of the old year. People around the world do different things to make a lot of noise. They may hit sticks together, beat drums, blow horns, or explode fireworks.

Americans celebrate New Year in many ways. Most do not have to go to work or school. So they visit family and friends, share a holiday meal, or watch New Year's parades on television. Most years, university teams play in special holiday games. For those who have been busy at work or school, New Year's Day may be a day of rest. They spend the time thinking about and preparing for the demands of New Year.

1. Which of the following statements is RIGHT?

A．The people of ancient Egypt began their new year in spring.

B．The people of ancient Babylonia began their new year on March 21, the first day of spring.

C．Some native American Indians began their new year in early summer.

D．The people of ancient Persia began their new year in late summer.

2. Why do people make a lot of noise in the new year according to the passage?

A．The noise is considered necessary to frighten the evil spirits of the-old year.

B．The noise is considered necessary to show people's excitement.

C．The noise is considered a symbol of admitting all the mistakes one did in the past year.

D．People have no other better ways to show their happiness.

3. Americans celebrate New Year by doing things as follows EXCEPT______________.

A．resting at home

B．visiting family and friends

C．Watching New Year's parades on television

D．having sports and games

6 . Across the rich world, well-educated people increasingly work longer than the less-skilled. Some 65% of American men aged 62 - 74 with a professional degree are in the workforce, compared with 32% of men with only a high-school certificate. This gap is part of a deepening divide between the well-educated well-off and the unskilled poor. Rapid technological advance has raised the incomes of the highly skilled while squeezing those of the unskilled. The consequences, for individuals and society, are profound (深刻的).

The world is facing an astonishing rise in the number of old people, and they will live longer than ever before. Over the next 20 years the global population of those aged 65 or more will almost double, from 600 million to 1.1 billion. The experience of the 20th century, when greater longevity translated into more years in retirement rather than more years at work, has persuaded many observers that this shift will lead to slower economic growth, while the swelling (扩大的) ranks of pensioners (领养老金者) will create government budget problems.

But the notion of a sharp division between the working young and the idle (不工作的) old misses a new trend, the growing gap between the skilled and the unskilled. Employment rates are falling among younger unskilled people, whereas older skilled folk are working longer. The divide is most extreme in America, where well-educated baby-boomers are putting off retirement while many less-skilled younger people have dropped out of the workforce.

Policy is partly responsible. Many European governments have abandoned policies that used to encourage people to retire early. Even the better-off must work longer to have a comfortable retirement. But the changing nature of work also plays a big role. Pay has risen sharply for the highly educated. Technological change may well reinforce (加强) that shift: the skills that complement (补充) computers, from management to creativity, do not necessarily decline with age.

1. What is happening in the workforce in rich countries?

A．Younger people are replacing the elderly.	B．Well-educated people tend to work longer.
C．Unemployment rates are rising year after year.	D．People with no college degree do not easily find work.

2. What has helped deepen the divide between the well-off and the poor?

A．Longer life expectancies.	B．Rapid technological advance.
C．Profound changes in the workforce.	D．A growing number of the well-educated.

3. What is the result of policy changes in European countries?

A．Unskilled workers may choose to retire early.

B．More people have to receive in-service training.

C．Even wealthy people must work longer to live comfortably in retirement.

D．People may be able to enjoy generous defined-benefits from pension plans.

4. What is the characteristic of work in the 21st century?

A．Computers will do more complicated work.

B．More responsibility will be taken by the educated young.

C．Most jobs to be done will be the creative ones.

D．Skills are highly valued regardless of age.

7 . Before you leave for the airport

Ensure that you have your passports(and any necessary visas), tickets and money in your hand luggage.

If packing medicines, ensure that they are in their original packaging as this will avoid delays or prevent them from being taken away at customs.

Do not wrap presents as they may have to be unwrapped by security staff or customs.

The Department of Health has devoted a section of their site to health advice for traveling abroad.

Getting to the airport

Always allow plenty of time to reach the airport. You should arrive there 2 hours before the take-off for international flights and one hour before the take-off for domestic flights.

If you are driving to the airport, ensure that you have booked airport parking in advance.

If you are being driven by a friend who wants to see you off, ensure that he/she knows where the short stay parking is located.

If taking a taxi, ensure that the firm you intend to use has taxis available at the time you wish to travel.

At the airport

Be aware that increased security has considerably lengthened the time it takes to go through check in and security.

Make sure you keep your baggage with you at all times and alert any member of airport staff to any unattended package.

Never look after baggage belonging to other people or carry anything onto the aircraft for someone else.

Keep a close eye on the display boards announcing which gate flights depart from.

In the air

If on a long flight, move your feet around, or get up and walk around regularly if you can.

Avoid dehydration(脱水)by drinking plenty of water or other non-alcoholic drinks.

Don't eat too heavily before or during a long flight as this will help to avoid indigestion and hypertension(高血压).

To reduce jet lag(时差反应), have some extra sleep before the trip, get some sleep during the flight and try to make mealtimes the same as the time of meals at your destination.

1. You should ensure that you have booked the airport parking in advance if ____ .

A．you are going on an international flight	B．you drive to the airport yourself
C．a friend drives you to the airport	D．you take a taxi to the airport

2. When waiting for your flight at the airport; you should pay the most attention to ____ .

A．the display boards

B．the airport staff

C．the insurance policy

D．food and drinks

3. You should follow the following advice EXCEPT ____ .

A．to wrap presents up tightly for safety reasons before leaving for the airport

B．to ensure that any packed medicines are in their original packaging before leaving

C．to avoid eating too much so as to avoid indigestion and hypertension during the flight

D．to make mealtimes the same as the time of meals at your destination during the flight

8 . Ballet is a dance form that has a long history. The fact that it survives to this day shows that it has adjusted as times have changed.

Ballet began in the royal courts during the Renaissance. At that time it became common for kings and queens, as well as other nobility, to participate in pageants that included music, poetry, and dance. As these entertainments moved from the Italian courts to the French ones, court ladies began participating in them. Though their long dresses prevented much movement, they were able to perform elaborate walking patterns. It was not until the 1600s that women dancers shortened their skirts, changed to flat shoes, and began doing some of the leaps and turns performed by men.

It was also in the 1600s that professional ballet began. King Louis XIV of France, himself a devoted dancer, founded the Royal Academy of Dance. The five basic feet positions from which all ballet steps begin were finalized. In the late 1700s another important change occurred. Ballet began to tell a story on its own. It was no longer simply dance to be performed between acts of plays. Elaborate wigs and costumes were eliminated. By the early 1800s dancers learned to rise on their toes to make it appear that they were floating.

Classical ballet as we know it today was influenced primarily by Russian dancing. The Russians remained interested in ballet when it declined in other European countries in the mid-1800s. One of the most influential figures of the early 20th century was Sergei Diaghilev. His dance company, the Ballets Russes, brought a new energy and excitement to ballet. One of his chief assistants, George Balanchine, went on to found the New York City Ballet in 1948 and to influence new generations of dancers.

1. This passage deals mainly with ____ .

A．famous names in ballet	B．Russian ballet
C．how ballet has developed	D．why ballet is no longer popular

2. The underlined word “pageants” in Paragraph 2 means “____”.

A．dances

B．instructions

C．royal courts

D．big shows

3. Professional ballet was first performed in ____ .

A．Italy

B．France

C．Russia

D．America

4. Who had an important influence on early ballet?

A．Balanchine.

B．Antoinette.

C．Dlaghilev.

D．Louis XIV.

9 . Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.

The search for beauty spans centuries and continents. Paintings of Egyptians dating back over 4, 000 years show both men and women painting their nails and wearing makeup. Today, people continue to devote a lot of time and money to their appearance.

    1     Studies suggest that good-looking people make more money, get called on more often in class, and are regarded as friendlier.

But what exactly is beauty? It's difficult to describe it clearly, and yet we know it when we see it.     2     In one set of studies, six-month-old babies were shown a series of photographs. The faces on the pictures had been rated for attractiveness by a group of college students. In the studies, the babies spent more time looking at the attractive faces than the unattractive ones.

The idea that even babies can judge appearance makes perfect sense to many researchers. In studies by psychologists, men consistently showed a preference for women with larger eyes, fuller lips, and a smaller nose and chin while women prefer men with large shoulders and a narrow waist. According to scientists, the mind unconsciously tells men and women that these traits equal health and genetic well-being.

Not everyone thinks the same way, however. Look at most western fashion magazines: the women on the pages are thin. But is this “perfect” body type for women worldwide? Scientists' answer is no.     3    They found native people in southeast Peru preferred shapes regarded overweight in western cultures.

For better or worse, beauty plays a role in our lives. But it is extremely difficult to describe exactly what makes one person attractive to another. Although there do seem to be certain physical traits considered universally appealing, it is also true that beauty does not always keep to a single, uniform standard.    4    

A．Beauty really is, as the saying goes, in the eye of the beholder.

B．There is no denying that, anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

C．What is considered beautiful is subjective and varies around the world.

D．And our awareness of it may start at a very early age.

E．Even babies enjoy being dressed up and look attractive.

F．There is at least one good reason for the desire to be attractive: beauty is power.

10 . The Art Museum of Chicago

•Visiting time

The museum is open daily 10:30 am - 5:00 pm. The museum and its shops are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Highlights (亮点）of the Art Museum

•American Art

Discover how artists have expressed many aspects of the American experience through the rich variety of this collection.

•Impressionism: Monet, Degas, Renoir and More

Learn about the color and excitement of late 19th-century life as you view one of the most admired collections of French Impressionism in the world.

•Hidden Histories

Hear stories about artists and their artworks that may be overlooked or under-appreciated for one reason or another.

•For families with children

It is free for kids under 14 and Chicago teens under 18, and the Art Museum is the perfect place for an outing with the whole family. Visit the Family Room in the Ryan Education Center, build architectural wonders with colorful blocks, and learn about art through stories and games.

1. When can you visit the museum?

A．On Thanksgiving Day.	B．On Christmas Day.
C．On April Fool’s Day.	D．On New Year’s Day.

2. Who of the following has to pay for his/her visit?

A．A 19- year-old Chicago student.	B．A 13-year-old girl.
C．A 17- year-old Chicago girl.	D．A 9- year-old pupil.

3. What can people do in the Art Museum of Chicago?

A．Tell stories about artists and their artworks.

B．Learn about the color and excitement of 18th-century life.

C．Discover how artists have expressed the African experience.

D．Pay a visit to the Family Room in the Ryan Education Center.