1 . I write this on a spring morning, in the van I have called home for two years now.
From one small window, I have a view of joggers pounding the sunny path by the Oxford Canal, and the other looks onto the busy railway line along which trains travel from Southampton Docks to Birmingham.
The woods where I’ve parked my van have grown up between them. This ancient van, a vehicle designed for freedom and the open road, has proved a stable solution for surviving the current housing crisis.
I became a travel writer after my studies ended, committing to brief “residencies” with museums and art centres—where temporary accommodation is often provided in exchange for producing new work about a community. Over the years that followed, living and working on location in the polar regions or Scandinavia or the Alps, not settling down for very long, meant wherever I landed was always “home”.
It was necessary to adopt a more permanent engagement with locality. Oxford had often drawn me back. It’s a crossroads of reality and the imagination, the perfect city for a writer.
It takes a surprising amount of work to keep a tiny home in order: buying a used van online; ensuring the smooth running of a gas cooker and car batteries; fetching water and emptying the mobile toilet. I began to enjoy taking care of my immediate surroundings. Over the summer, I worked to turn waste-ground into a wild garden, replacing weeds with wild plants.
I made friends with the self-sufficient boaters living nearby, always ready to share knowledge on the low-carbon simplicity of life without electricity. I’ve learnt that comfort can be found away from the bright infrastructure of urban life: in watching the birds that nest in the tree and the foxes playing in the woods at dawn, in making a cup of coffee on a spring morning.
My step away from conventional housing has been a necessary act of personal economy, but the benefits include taking nothing for granted, and unexpected delight.
1. The writer makes the van his home because ______.| A．the feature of the van and that of his occupation are matching |
| B．the van equals to a crossroads of reality and the imagination |
| C．the views of joggers and trains outside of it can relieve his pressure |
| D．living and working on location in the polar regions are appealing to him |
| A．a used van | B．a gas cooker | C．a wild garden | D．a mobile toilet |
| A．Joining joggers to do exercise. | B．Keeping a tiny home in order easily. |
| C．Improving the economy of Oxford. | D．Embracing delightful surprises. |
2 . While taking a 20-hour train ride along the edge of the Taklimakan Desert in northwestern China, I had the kind of humbling, educational, and above all else, wonderful
Over several hours, he would tell me about how he had attended a two-year professional school to quickly find a job
It would have been easy to
| A．experiment | B．encounter | C．competition | D．appointment |
| A．true | B．so-called | C．new | D．long-lost |
| A．building | B．sweeping | C．checking | D．guarding |
| A．typical | B．obvious | C．natural | D．remarkable |
| A．publish | B．quote | C．copy | D．download |
| A．anticipate | B．imagine | C．recall | D．catch |
| A．look into | B．rely on | C．go over | D．deal with |
| A．well-behaved | B．multi-skilled | C．warm-hearted | D．self-educated |
| A．traveling | B．reading | C．searching | D．teaching |
| A．cooperate | B．side | C．negotiate | D．engage |
3 . In 2008, Calvin Lowe’s four-year-old son Tyler needed to have a serious operation.
On the appointed day of the operation, he and his wife brought Tyler to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver. “As we sat in the waiting room, waiting for someone to call us back to the operation area, there was a lot of
When a nurse called the family back, Lowe’s fears
After the operation was over, the doctor came back out to the family with a big smile and said, “Our son is just fine, and you can see him here in a few minutes.”
Tyler is now 19 years old and hopes to become a professional photographer. All these years after the operation, Lowe still thinks about the young doctor’s kindness. “I will never forget that,” Lowe said. “Because that was indeed a
| A．shock | B．anxiety | C．sadness | D．anger |
| A．faded | B．grew | C．appeared | D．stopped |
| A．receiving | B．recording | C．performing | D．missing |
| A．learn | B．discover | C．guess | D．explain |
| A．choice | B．reaction | C．way | D．result |
| A．unexpected | B．confusing | C．necessary | D．excellent |
| A．balancing | B．leading | C．comforting | D．directing |
| A．relief | B．reminder | C．secret | D．resource |
| A．eager | B．proud | C．grateful | D．regretful |
| A．helpful | B．successful | C．educational | D．typical |
4 . How to Use a Modern Public Library
Has it been a while since your last visit to a public library? If so, you may be surprised to learn that libraries have changed for the better. It’s been years since they were dusty little rooms with books. They have transformed themselves into places where you can develop your love of knowledge, meet interesting people, or find out how to start a business.
Check out a book. While libraries still lend books, you’ll find it easier to get a copy of whatever you’re looking for, thanks to a cooperative network of area libraries. Via such networks, libraries share their books with each other through the use of delivery vehicles. Once the book you’ve requested is delivered to the nearest branch, they will inform you by e-mail, so you can pick it up.
Check out other items. The library is now a multimedia zone, loaded within formation in many formats. You can borrow movies on DVDs, music on CDs, and popular magazines. Some libraries even lend toys and games. If a popular magazine you want isn’t offered and the library keeps a list of such requests, they may bring it in when enough interest is shown.
Join targeted reading groups. Libraries will often hold reading-group sessions targeted to various age groups. Perhaps you’d like to learn a language or improve your English. The library may sponsor a language group you could join. If you have difficulties reading, ask about special reading opportunities. Your library might be able to accommodate you. And you might find it relaxing to bring your small kid to a half-hour Story Time while you sit quietly in a corner with a good book.
Start a business using the help of your local library. If you want to have a business of your own, your local library can become a launch space for it. In library books and computers, you can find information on starting a business. Many libraries will help you with locally supplied information about business management shared through chambers of commerce and government agencies, and they will offer printing, faxing and database services you need.
1. Public libraries connected by a cooperative network benefit readers by .| A．sharing their books on the Internet |
| B．giving access to online reading at a library branch |
| C．sending a needed book to a library branch nearby |
| D．making the checkout procedures diverse |
| A．A magazine and an e-book. |
| B．A game and an oil painting. |
| C．A music CD and a kid’s toy. |
| D．A DVD and a video player. |
| A．the kid to learn a new language |
| B．the parent to enjoy quiet reading |
| C．the kid to overcome reading difficulties |
| D．the parent to meet their program sponsor |
5 . On a bright afternoon, Jordan, Mahir and Mahir’s father gathered at the foot of a mountain. “Hey, Jordan, over here!” Jordan’s best friend, Mahir, waved his hand, pointing to a crack in the side of the mountain. “We could
Jordan tied his safety harness (系带) and checked his rope. He weighed one of them in his hand, determining its weight. Then he looked for
“At the time of a test, a person rises or falls.” said Ghanim, Mahir’s dad. Shaking his head in
His own father’s voice resounded in his thoughts, as if in a half-forgotten dream. “Climb a mountain, son, and you climb the insecurity in your own life. You climb over your shadow, climb over your
And now Jordan wouldn’t either.
| A．master | B．pack | C．climb | D．dive |
| A．worthwhile | B．possible | C．unique | D．immediate |
| A．acceptable | B．classical | C．amazingly | D．unbelievably |
| A．confusion | B．awareness | C．understanding | D．appreciation |
| A．agreement | B．destination | C．balance | D．crack |
| A．shock | B．power | C．doubt | D．struggle |
| A．accident | B．journey | C．event | D．trap |
| A．discouraged | B．connected | C．pulled | D．prevented |
| A．Agreed | B．Faced | C．Ended | D．Gone |
| A．Concentrating | B．Depending | C．Moved | D．Carrying |
6 . Abeid was born in a village of Tanzania and dreamt of flying a plane, soaring (翱翔) through the sky. Due to financial difficulties, he became a wildlife guide instead.
Abeid didn’t give up. He became a chief pilot of hot air ballooning at the age of 20. His passion for flying was matched by his skill both as a pilot and as a guide. Then, he came up with the idea of flying across the Serengeti from east to west, which would take four flights on successive days, taking off and landing where no one had ever seen a balloon before.
As a journalist, I was so lucky to make a journey with Abeid. We were up at 3 am. Abeid walked into the basket and checked the lines and the fastenings. Moments later, he was instructing me to get into it. With barely time to catch my breath, he gave a long blast (猛吹) on the burners and the basket tipped upright.
Over the following days, we gasped at the joy and wonder of the sky; at the beauty and complexity of the land beneath us. There was no fear, just a sense of being part of something fantastic as we floated in the silence of the African sky.
But not everything went entirely to Abeid’s carefully worked-out plan. The rains that had started to fall every afternoon slowed the air. On the final day, we landed 20km short of the destination. Luckily, we finally made the crossing the next morning.
When we were returning to the land, crowds of people shouted and waved. Many children looked up as we flew over them, and started to run. As Abeid brought the balloon down, people gathered around the balloon, pressing against the basket. Those children were also there, flushed and breathless, eyes wide with amazement. Abeid and I both looked at each other in silent agreement. Suddenly we were helping some children into the basket. Abeid lifted off and we flew just a few hundred metres with the excited crowd running alongside.
I realized that Abeid’s journey was more than just about flying. It was about hope, inspiration, and the joy of sharing one’s passion. And as I penned down the last words of this extraordinary experience, I knew that Abeid’s story would resonate (回荡) far beyond the Serengeti.
1. What did Abeid dream of?| A．Being a wildlife guide. | B．Being a journalist. |
| C．Flying a hot air balloon. | D．Flying a plane. |
| A．Smooth. | B．Pioneering. | C．Painful. | D．Eco-friendly. |
| A．Showing their technical skills. | B．Teaching the children to be a pilot. |
| C．Taking the children for a ride. | D．Attracting people to their show. |
| A．A Beautiful View: from East to West |
| B．A Balloon Adventure: the Dream Soaring High |
| C．Different Job Experiences: from a Guide to a Pilot |
| D．A Wildlife Exploration: the Unforgettable Experience |
7 . Lessons in the Lost Art of Listening
When was the last time you listened to someone? And when was the last time someone really listened to you? I once asked people what it meant to be a good listener. The typical response was a blank stare.
Of course, technology plays a role. People find phone calls interrupting them, preferring text or wordless emoji. Besides, schools and colleges rarely offer classes or activities that teach careful listening. You can join clubs to perfect your public speaking. but who attempts to achieve excellence in listening? The loud unpleasant mixture of sounds of modern life also stops us from listening.
Generally, listening goes beyond simply hearing what people say. It also involves paying attention to how they say it and what they do while they are saying it, in what context, and how what they say is related to you. It’s not about merely holding your peace while someone else holds forth. Quite the opposite. A lot of listening has to do with how you respond — the degree to which you facilitate the clear expression of another person’s thoughts and, in the process, have a clear mind of your own.
Good listeners ask good questions. They engage in exploring the topic, not to divert attention. There are curious questions like “Wouldn’t you agree..” or “Don’t you think..” These questions have strong tendencies. They will greatly influence the other person to change his or her view. And you’d better stay away from some personal questions like “What do you do for a living?” or “What part of town do you live in?” Just try to find out what excites people. Ask about the last movie they saw or for the story behind a piece of jewelry they’re wearing. Also good are expansive questions, such as, “If you could spend a month, where would you go?” Research indicates that when people who don’t know each other well ask each other this type of question, they feel more connected than if they spend time together achieving a task.
Because our brain can think a lot faster than people can talk, be careful with the tendency to take mental side trips when you are listening. Smart people’s attention is easily taken away by their own runaway thoughts. They may also assume they already know what the other person is going to say.
The reward of good listening will certainly be more interesting conversations. Researchers have found that attentive listeners receive more information from speakers, even when they don’t ask any questions. We are, each of us, the sum of what we attend to in life. The gentle voice of a mother and the criticism of a boss both ultimately form and shape us. And to listen poorly, selectively or not at all limits your understanding of the world and prevents you from becoming the best you can be.
1. What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?.| A．Why the art of listening gets lost by itself. |
| B．Why effective methods are used in listening. |
| C．How people make themselves well understood. |
| D．How people can reclaim the lost art of listening. |
| A．Avoid being absent-minded. |
| B．Come up with curious questions. |
| C．Focus on the speaker’s personal information. |
| D．Try to find common interests with the speaker. |
| A．Listening and speaking deserve equal attention. |
| B．Good listeners maximize the benefits for themselves. |
| C．Bad listening ultimately contributes to people’s failure. |
| D．Listeners’ clear mind facilitates speakers’ expression of thoughts. |
8 . In today’s world, online social media has become more powerful and the most destructive thing over worldwide, although with time all generations have come to accept the changes social network has brought about, teenagers and young adults are the most enthusiastic users of these sites. According to various research studies in the field of online social networks it has been revealed that these sites are impacting the lives of the youth greatly. When using these sites such as Twitter, Facebook or Myspace, there are both positive and negative effects on the youth.
Firstly, social media helps the youth and any other user updated with what is happening around the world, and helps the teenagers stay connected and interact with each other even if they are many miles apart. This strengthens their relationship. Even if they finished school and moved to different locations, they stay connected and update one another.
In addition, social media sites have provided a platform whereby the youth can create groups and pages based on their Common discipline and end up building connections and opportunities for their respective careers by updating different topics to discuss. Youth who have been interviewed say that social media has become their lifestyle and it makes their lives easier and more efficient.
While on the one hand social network sites seem to bring people together and stay connected, on the other hand it causes many physical and mental health problems such as eyes infection, back problems, etc. Other negative effects of social networking various people suggested included encouraging poor spelling and grammar, exposing underage to online predators（捕食者）, allowing spread of misinformation that is seen as fact, decreasing productivity as those who are supposed to be working spend time in the sites to chat, providing a perfect platform for cyberbullying and providing details that increase risks of identity theft.
“The more social media we have, the more we think were connecting, yet we are really disconnecting from each other.” One researcher said.
In conclusion, social networking clearly portrays both positive and negative effects on the youth. It is the decision of individuals whether to use it in a right way or wrong.
1. Why do young people make use of the platform offered by social media sites?| A．To practice their debate skills |
| B．To change their way of living |
| C．To improve their academic performance |
| D．To lay the foundation for their future careers |
| A．put young people in danger | B．allow spread of information |
| C．let out users’ health problems | D．reduce the using of poor spelling |
| A．The research on online social media |
| B．The correct way to use online social media. |
| C．The introduction of online social media history |
| D．The influence of online social media on the youth |
9 . One winter, a homeless dog called Shavi was left to die on the streets of south-west Russia after being
Due to work commitments, Nina couldn’t keep Shavi and instead found her a new
Two weeks later, while walking along the road outside her home, Nina felt something brush up against her leg. Realizing it was Shavi, she was so
The pair lived together and moved into a bigger apartment so Shavi had plenty of room to play. “Of course, she has now remained with us for good. I would never give this kind of friend away again.
| A．helped | B．adopted | C．caught | D．hit |
| A．treatment | B．food | C．weekend | D．comfort |
| A．collected | B．trained | C．walked | D．visited |
| A．patience | B．strength | C．growth | D．freedom |
| A．friend | B．toy | C．home | D．cage |
| A．recovered | B．suffered | C．wandered | D．disappeared |
| A．annoyed | B．relaxed | C．shocked | D．worried |
| A．Humans | B．Volunteers | C．Animals | D．Drivers |
| A．calmly | B．willingly | C．bravely | D．properly |
| A．beggar | B．child | C．leader | D．stranger |
10 . As computers become all the more popular in China, Chinese people are increasingly relying on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters. But if they use the computer too much, they may end up forgetting the exact strokes（笔画） of each Chinese character when writing on paper. Experts suggest people, especially students, write by hand more.
Do you write by hand more or type more? In Beijing, students start using a computer as early as primary school. And computer dependence is more widespread among university students. Almost all their assignments and essays are typed on a computer.
All the students interviewed say they usually use a computer.
It’s faster and easier to correct if using a computer. And that’s why computers are being applied more and more often to modern education. But when people are taking stock in computers increasingly, problems appear.
“When I’m writing with a pen, I find I often can’t remember how to write a character, though I feel I’m familiar with it.”
“I’m not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper.”
Many students don’t feel this is something to worry about. Now that it’s more convenient and efficient to write on a computer, why bother to handwrite?
Many educators think differently. Shi Liwei, the headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said, “Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic（审美的） value. But those characters typed with computer keyboards only keep their practical value. All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost. And handwriting contains the writer’s emotion. Through one’s handwriting, people can get to know one’s thinking and personality. Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them.”
To encourage students to handwrite more, many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory（必修的） and in universities, some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand.
1. Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?| A．To Type or To Handwrite |
| B．The Value of Chinese Characters |
| C．The Importance of Handwriting and Typing |
| D．Writing by Computer Will Replace Writing by Hand |
| A．Students think typing is more efficient. |
| B．Handwriting contains the writer’s emotion. |
| C．A lot of Chinese people don’t write Chinese characters. |
| D．The writer’s thinking and personality are shown in his or her handwriting. |
| A．getting bored with | B．getting dependent on |
| C．becoming crazy about | D．becoming afraid of |
| A．writing by hand will give way to typing by computer one day |
| B．the typed article better expresses one’s emotion and quality |
| C．more and more students will give up writing on a computer |
| D．more and more students will pay attention to handwriting |
