1 . Facing increasing pressure to raise students' scores on standardized tests, schools are urging kids to work harder by offering them obvious encouragements. Happy Meals are at the low end of the scale. With the help of businesses, schools are   also   giving   away   cars,   iPods,   seats   to basketball games, and — in a growing number of cases — cold, hard cash. The appeal of such programs is obvious, but the consequences of tying grades to goods are still uncertain. It's been a common tradition in middle­class families to reward top grades with cash as a way to teach that success in school leads to success in life. But for many disadvantaged minority children, the long­term benefits of getting an education are not so clear, according to experts.

No one knows for sure how well cash and other big­ticket rewards work in education in the long run. But there are plenty of concerns that this kind of practice could have negative effects on kids. Virginia Shiller, a clinical psychologist, says that it's worth experimenting with cash encouragements but that tying them to success on a test is not a worthwhile goal. “I'd rather see rewards based on effort and responsibility — things that will lead to success in life，” she says.

Even if rewards don't lead to individual achievement on a test, they could have a meaningful effect in the school. Charles McVean, a businessman and philanthropist (慈善家), started a tutoring program which pays higher­achieving   students $10 an hour to tutor struggling classmates and   divides them into teams. During the course of the year,   students bond and compete. The team posting the highest math scores wins the top cash prize of $100. McVean calls the combination of peer (同龄人) tutoring, competition，and cash encouragements a recipe for “nothing less than magic”．

For its part, the Seminole County Public Schools system in Florida plans to continue its report card encouragement program through the rest of the school year. The local McDonald's restaurants help the poor district by paying the   $1,600 cost of printing the report card. Regina Klaers, the district   spokeswoman,   says   most   parents   don't   seem bothered by the Happy Meals rewards. “There are many ways we try to urge students to do well, and sometimes it's through the stomach, and sometimes it's the probability of students winning a car，” she says. “One size doesn't fit all.”

1. According to the text, it is a common practice for   schools to ________.

A．offer free meals to students with high scores

B．tie students' grades to material rewards

C．educate students to form a business sense

D．cooperate with business to improve teaching

2. According to the text, the long­term results of giving        students cash as rewards in education are ________.

A．negative	B．optimistic
C．uncertain	D．disappointing

3. The tutoring program run by Charles McVean ________.

A．hires some excellent teachers to teach the struggling   students

B．has a meaningful effect in inspiring students' enthusiasm   on study

C．is a program combining tutoring, competition and   future job offers

D．rewards the student with the highest scores with cash prize of $100

4. We can learn that in Seminole County ________.

A．there are various ways to inspire students to study hard

B．many parents are not satisfied with the Happy Meals rewards

C．the local McDonald's restaurants provide the rewards for poor students

D．people are searching for a good­for­all method to urge students to do well

2 . Comedy and Psychology

Earlier this year I did a part-time comedy course. The class was taught by Ryan, a professional comedian.I had performed a show, which wasn’t originally meant to be a comedy. However, the audience laughed at my first joke, then continued to laugh throughout the routines that were meant to be serious. So it was the audience who told me I was funny, but I didn’ t understand why or how to control the comic (滑稽的) moments. So, I joined the course to learn.

“Turn off your editor that makes you say the right thing and remember how to be a child,” explained Ryan. “Don’t try to be clever. Don’t try too hard to be funny…and knowing all about the theory of humor is unlikely to help you much. Just behave in a silly way. That’s what people want to see on stage.”Ryan would help us loosen up by saying things like, “Wander around talking to others, but make sure that you’re the lowest status person here.”

I’ d say that understanding the psychology of humor has actually helped. Recently I came across the book Inside Jokes: Using Humor to Reverse-Engineer the Mind. Its main idea is that any self-directed intelligent system will need to correct its own fault. There’s a risk that the occasional error will be made. If this was boring or burdensome, we’d be less willing to do it. However, evolution has made the process fun.

Here’s a joke in the book: Two fish are in a tank. One says to the other, “Do you know how to drive this thing?” It works on the principle that we have started to imagine one thing—that the tank is the typical container people keep fish in—and, just in time, the following words tell us that our first assumption was wrong—it’s a heavy vehicle. For correctly figuring out the error, we are rewarded with a pleasurable feeling. The joke is an efficient way of encouraging this natural reaction, and comedians have become experts in slightly touching this mental funny-bone in order to make us laugh.

Ryan was right when he said that knowing the theory of humor wouldn’t help us that much as a comedy.During one exercise in the course, four of us were told to perform an opera. Susan and Caroline sang earnestly on either side of the stage, and I brought Henry to the floor, where we wrestled (摔跤) each other like out-of-control teenagers. The rest of the group was in uncontrollable fits of laughter. As a performer, I’ ll never appreciate just why it seemed so funny. But the point is that I would never have written this on the paper. It was a joyous, found moment.

1. Why did the author attend the comedy course?

A．He wanted to see how the theories worked in practice.

B．He discovered he had some natural ability in comedy.

C．He worried about how other performers would find him.

D．He got unpleasant experiences when performing a comedy.

2. Ryan required the people on the comedy course to______.

A．copy their favorite performance

B．imagine other people’ s reactions

C．help themselves feel comfortable

D．behave in a more playful manner

3. What is the purpose of the joke mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To discuss what humor brings about exactly.

B．To give an example of another kind of humor.

C．To prove the point about psychology of humor.

D．To show why some people are funnier than others.

4. What view does the author put forward in the end?

A．Visual humor is what appeals to people most.

B．What people find funny is often unpredictable.

C．Theories explaining humor tend to be mistaken.

D．Learning comic skills proves to be a difficult task.

3 . If you have a long holiday to spend, where can you go?

Nikoi Island, Indonesia

Less than 85 km – but somehow a whole world away – from Singapore’s shining skyline lies Nikoi Island. Surrounded by white sandy shorelines and vivid coral reefs, Nikoi’s centre is hidden in rainforest, resulting in amazing biodiversity seen in its native plants, animals and bird life. Marrying traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with contemporary design, Nikoi boasts just 15 stilted（建于支柱上的）beach houses, all with breathtaking sea views, guaranteeing privacy and total escape from the daily grind.

Amanpulo, Philippines

The only property on Pamalican Island, the luxurious Amanpulo resort offers extremely impressive accommodation, with only access to over five kilometres of clean coral sand beach. Designed to resemble indigenous Bahay Kubo homes, Amanpulo’s beachside, treetop and hillside villas all feature comfortable decks with hammocks（吊床）from which to enjoy the spectacular views of the greenish-blue sea below. Fill your schedule with Amanpulo’s signature aquatic adventures (including diving, windsurfing and sailing), recharge in the award-winning spa or feast upon locally caught seafood – the choice is yours.

Song Saa, Cambodia

Song Saa’s incredible ocean views, and breathtaking sunsets are a very typical example of pure paradise. Its 24 villas – each with their own sea-view private plunge pool – are designed to reflect the natural beauty of Cambodia’s coastline; built from recycled wood with straw roofs and driftwood furnishings, these presences are stylish proof of Song Saa’s admirable commitment to sustainability（持续）and conservation. You can choose to do as much or as little as you want here, with rainforest tours, island safaris and reef snorkelling just some of the activities on offer that showcase this spectacular destination.

1. What can we see in the center of Nikoi’s Island?

A．Lands of desert.	B．Streams and rivers.
C．Kinds of animals and plants.	D．Tall buildings.

2. What can we learn about the Amanpulo’s villas?

A．They are made of bricks.

B．We can have a good view of the sea there.

C．They are very expensive.

D．We can learn much historic stories from them.

3. What activity can you enjoy in Song Saa?

A．Diving.	B．White rafting.
C．Mountain-climbing.	D．Rainforest tour.

4 . My mother died in August 2005. Eight months later, I began to come out of the fog of sadness and depression to find a new purpose for my life.

Like many of my generation, I had lived only for myself —traveling, acquiring possessions, rising to a position of importance and seeking financial rewards. I was “charitable” and “volunteered” for various causes, but really didn’t give of myself.

In the spring after my mom’s death, I found myself waking in the middle of the night with one thought. I felt forced to offer myself as a living kidney donor. My husband Robb had received the gift of life through a kidney transplant(移植)from a dead donor in 1999, so I was familiar with the enormous need for donors and knew several people who were waiting for a lifesaving transplant. I decided to offer myself to be matched with the most compatible(互不排斥的)person on the waiting list at my local transplant center.

I was paired with 71-year-old Dee from New Jerse who had survived for six years on peritoneal dialysis(腹腔透析). At her 70th birthday, her family threw a big party as they did not expect her to live much longer. Dee has become my very good friend. Almost two years after the transplant, I was privileged to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, their five children and their extended family.

In donating my kidney, I extended myself in a way far beyond what I ever believed was possible. I did so in honor of my mother who sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and in memory of my husband’s donor who extended her 1ife through him.

I encourage all who enjoy the gift of good health to share with others, either as a living donor or by appointing organ donation upon death. By extending yourself through organ donation, you will live on through others in an extraordinary way and give comfort to your loved ones.

1. What does the underlined phrase “give of” mean?

A．Relieve.	B．Devote
C．Appreciate	D．Forgive

2. What can we infer from Paragraph 4?

A．Dee was the author’s old friend

B．The author attended Dee’s birthday party

C．Dee treated the author as a family member

D．The author’s donation made Dee live six years longer

3. What would be the best title for this text?

A．An old lady benefited from organ donation

B．The memory of my beloved mother

C．The deep meaning of love

D．Extend yourself

5 . When you are living a fully-scheduled life, every minute counts. No matter how many ways you divide your   _______ , there’s never enough time in a day to catch up.

Six years ago, I was_______with a care-free, stop-and-smell-the-roses types of _______. When I needed to rush out, she was taking her sweet _______picking out a purse and a shining crown. When I needed to have a_______lunch, she’d stop a speak to the elderly woman who looked like her grandma. Whenever my child caused me to deviate (偏离) from my main_______, I thought to myself, we don’t have time for this. _______, the two words I most commonly spoke to my little lover of life were, “_______!”

Then one day, things _______. We’d just picked up my older daughter from kindergarten and were getting out of the car. Seeing her little sister not going fast enough for her liking, my older daughter said, “you are so________.” When the older one crossed her own arms, it dawned on me (我渐渐明白) that her annoyed look ________that of mine. I saw the damage my hurried existence was doing no________of my children.

Though my__________to slow down was made almost three years ago, living at a slower pace still takes great effort. My younger daughter is my living   ________of why I must keep trying. In fact, she reminded me once again the other day.   When I thought my little child was going to eat the last ________of an ice cream, she held out a spoonful of it. “I saved the last for you,” she said. At that moment, I ________I’d just got the deal of a lifetime. I gave my child a little time, and unexpectedly, ________ , she reminded me that things taste________and love comes easier when you stop ________through life.

Pausing to delight in the simple joys of daily life is the only way to truly live. Trust me, I learned from the world’s born________in joyful living.

1.

A．attention

B．memory

C．love

D．experience

2.

A．bored

B．blessed

C．content

D．patient

3.

A．sister

B．grandma

C．son

D．daughter

4.

A．time

B．ice cream

C．step

D．lunch

5.

A．big

B．quick

C．nutritious

D．joyful

6.

A．goal

B．responsibility

C．schedule

D．interest

7.

A．Consequently

B．Frankly

C．Surprisingly

D．Unusually

8.

A．Cheer up

B．Pull up

C．Shut up

D．Hurry up

9.

A．improved

B．changed

C．appeared

D．worsened

10.

A．silly

B．excited

C．careful

D．slow

11.

A．silenced

B．contradicted

C．mirrored

D．encouraged

12.

A．both

B．all

C．some

D．neither

13.

A．demand

B．offer

C．promise

D．mistake

14.

A．reminder

B．memory

C．image

D．example

15.

A．half

B．bite

C．cup

D．piece

16.

A．wondered

B．realized

C．recognized

D．valued

17.

A．in conclusion

B．in short

C．in return

D．in fact

18.

A．hotter

B．softer

C．sourer

D．sweeter

19.

A．rushing

B．going

C．getting

D．surviving

20.

A．dancer

B．magician

C．expert

D．singer

6 . The sky is large place, and though it has been carefully examined for centuries, new features still turn up. Last March it was the rule of Uranus (天王星), and last week astronomers announced what may turn out to be a new planet, though a very small one, in the solar system.

The object was first sighted last month by Charles Kowal, an astronomer at the Hale Observatories in Pasadena, Calif. Mr. Kowal observed a faint trail of light on photographic plates, indicating that something was moving in relation to the background of stars. Other observers have confirmed the discovery.

The “mini-planet”, identified for the time being as “Object-Kowal”, appears to be about 1.5 billion miles away, between the orbit of Saturn and Uranus, and its diameter (直径) has been estimated at between 100 and 400 miles. Its orbit has not been determined yet, but if the orbit proves to be roughly circular, like that of the major planets, the new object would probably take 66 to 70 years to make a circuit of the sun.

Some astronomers have speculated that Mr. Kowal’s discovery may be the first indication of an asteroid (小行星) belt beyond Saturn.

1. What may have been found in the solar system according to the first paragraph?

A．A small new planet	B．A new solar system
C．A large new object	D．A large new planet

2. What can we learn from the second paragraph?

A．What the object is like

B．How the object was found

C．Where the astronomers live

D．Why the object was moving

3. What magazine might this passage be taken from?

A．Astronomy	B．Industry
C．Spaceflight	D．Agriculture

7 . Regarded as one of the English language’s most gifted poets, John Keats wrote poetry that concentrated on imagery, human nature, and philosophy (哲学). Although Keats didn’t receive much formal literary education, his own studies and passion brought him much success. Additionally, his own life situation influenced his poetry greatly.

Growing up as a young boy in London in a lower middle-class family, the young John didn’t attend a private school, but went to a public one. His teachers and his family’s friends regarded him as an optimistic boy who favored playing and fighting much more than minding his studies. After his father’s death in the early 1800s, followed by his mother’s passing due to tuberculosis (肺结核), he began viewing life differently. He wanted to escape the world and did so by reading anything he could get his hands on.

At around the age of 16, the teenage John Keats began studying under a surgeon so that he too might become a doctor. However, his literary appetite had taken too much of his fancy, especially with his addiction to the poetry of Ehmund Spenser. He was able to have his first full poem published in the Examiner in 1816, entitled O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell. Within two months in 1817, Keats had written an entire volume of poetry, but was sharply criticized (批评) by a magazine. However, the negative response didn’t stop his love of rhythm (韵律).

John Keats’ next work was Endymion, which was published in May 1818. The story involves a shepherd who falls in love with the moon goddess and leads him on an adventure of one boy’s hope to overcome the limitations of being human. Following Endymion, however, he tried something more narrative-based (叙事体的) and wrote Isabella. During this time, John Keats began seeing his limitations in poetry due to his own limit in life experiences. He would have to have the “knowledge” associated with his poems. His next work was Hyperion that would attempt to combine all that he learned. However, a bout (发作) with tuberculosis while visiting Italy would keep him from his work and eventually take his life in 1821.

1. John Keats’ attitude towards life changed because of       .

A．his early education from school	B．the deaths of his parents
C．Edmund Spenser’s poetry	D．the criticism of a magazine

2. What is the common thing between John Keats and his mother?

A．They read many books.	B．They had a bad childhood.
C．They died of the same disease.	D．They showed strong interest in poetry.

3. While trying to achieve his dream of becoming a poet first, John Keats was       .

A．determined	B．experienced
C．knowledgeable	D．impatient

4. What do we know from the passage?

A．Keats received little education at school.

B．Endymion was about a real love story.

C．In 1816 Keats spent two months writing a poem.

D．Keats once had a chance of becoming a doctor.

8 . There is always something that happens in the world that everyone fears will happen to their town, city or country: natural disasters. The scariest part of it is that no one will ever see it coming. Though technology helps us prepare, but it never actually tells the people when it’s going to hit. It is always estimated but the result is never 100% accurate.

However, that is not the point of this article. Two different natural disasters in two different parts of the world have happened in the past few weeks. One was a major flood that has hit Louisiana in the United States. The other was an earthquake that hit Amatrice, Italy. However, there is a major difference in the news coverage of the two tragedies.

As for the flooding in Louisiana, it is reported that this disaster is the worst to hit the United States since Super-storm Sandy and it’ll cost at least $30 million. In only the first couple of weeks, 13 people had died. However, like me, many people did not hear about this tragic event. I did not learn about it until about three weeks after it happened.

In Italy, however, it covered all media instantly. The earthquake in Italy happened on Tuesday morning. That same day, I was on Twitter and that was all that was over the news feed. Every other post was about the earthquake. Some would have the opinion that Amatrice, Italy was one of the most beautiful towns in that country. I got in deep sorrow because there were more people killed in this quake than the flooding. So far, they have a total of 73 dead and over one hundred missing.

I understand that technically the earthquake in Italy was worse than the floods in Louisiana. However, I believe that if a natural disaster happens, they all should be equally covered and taken equally seriously. We are one world united and should be there for all of the people who are in need of help. We may not be able to accurately predict disasters but, we can surely lend a hand out for the needy.

1. What really concerns the author about the two natural disasters?

A．The death and the injured.

B．The media report.

C．The government’s responsibility.

D．Their economic loss.

2. Why did the author learn about the flood so late?

A．He didn’t care about the flood.

B．He felt nervous about the news.

C．The media didn’t cover it in time.

D．The flood frightened the author a lot.

3. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Italy isn’t good at predicting the natural disasters.

B．All natural disasters should be covered equally.

C．The world should be united into one instantly.

D．America should help Italy predict natural disasters.

4. How is the text mainly developed?

A．By making a comparison.

B．By following the time order.

C．By listing some examples.

D．By analyzing the causes.

9 . I grew up on a farm outside Port Clinton, Ohio. I was the youngest son, with four brothers and four sisters, plus a girl my folks took in. By the late 60s, most of us were ______and had families of our own. One day, ______ we were visiting my parents in late summer or early fall, Dad mentioned he’d ______wanted a Crimson King maple tree for the yard. Mom agreed that they were pretty.

Like many parents, mine were______to shop for something, so I ______this was a great ______to get them something they’d appreciate. I also thought if they wanted one tree, two would be even better. I ______the price at work and decided it was a bit more than I could ______-but all of my siblings agreed to give a hand.

In northern Ohio, we don’t plant maple trees at Christmas, so we decided to surprise Mom and Dad with a ______Christmas in October before the ground froze. We asked my aunt _____she’d help us with the deception (欺骗), and she called my parents in ______to say she was coming for a Sunday visit. Then my sisters and sisters-in-law went into ______, planning a big holiday turkey dinner.

On the ______Sunday, we all met at my house and loaded the trees in a pickup truck. I ___ up as Santa Claus. Then off we went, nine or 10 cars ______with people and food, plus the pickup.

When the caravan (队伍) ______my folks’ house, Dad came rushing out of the back door, convinced something was ______. He and Mom were ______when we told them why we were there.

When Christmas ______, of course, we couldn’t go to our parents’ house empty handed, so Mom and Dad got double presents that year. Almost half a century later, I still drive by the old farmhouse (农庄) and smile when I see those big, handsome ______and remember giving a special gift to special people on Christmas in October.

1.

A．divorced

B．married

C．born

D．friendly

2.

A．once

B．since

C．while

D．if

3.

A．casually

B．occasionally

C．hardly

D．always

4.

A．hard

B．convenient

C．available

D．anxious

5.

A．performed

B．figured

C．promoted

D．guaranteed

6.

A．opportunity

B．performance

C．permission

D．access

7.

A．watched

B．checked

C．noticed

D．tested

8.

A．account

B．acquire

C．afford

D．advocate

9.

A．common

B．usual

C．ordinary

D．special

10.

A．if

B．why

C．that

D．what

11.

A．detail

B．surprise

C．advance

D．excitement

12.

A．fashion

B．direction

C．instruction

D．action

13.

A．greeting

B．adjusted

C．chosen

D．predicted

14.

A．looked up

B．took up

C．turned up

D．dressed up

15.

A．covered

B．loaded

C．surrounded

D．crowded

16.

A．arrived at

B．reached for

C．left for

D．headed for

17.

A．adequate

B．wrong

C．beautiful

D．invisible

18.

A．amazed

B．delighted

C．amused

D．confused

19.

A．faded away

B．turned around

C．rolled away

D．rolled around

20.

A．folks

B．pickups

C．trees

D．trucks

10 . If a woman has an extra piece of cake, don’t blame it on greed, blame it on her brain.

Scientists have found that women’s brains react to food very differently — and much more strongly — than men’s. Academics found that decades of dieting pressure on women and advertising have programmed certain parts of the female brain to react strongly when faced with any kind of food. Men, on the other hand, are not usually as obsessive about what they eat.

Dr. Rudolf Uher and his colleagues at the Institute of Psychiatry in King’s College London used brain scanning technology, known as functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), to look at the brains of eighteen men and women. The volunteers were given images of food to look at, as well as food to taste. Their brain reactions were observed by the scientists. They found that the female brains reacted much more strongly than those of males. The same reaction did not happen when they were shown non-food images. The team believe this means women think more about food than men tend to.

Dr. Uher said, “This could be related to biological differences between men and women. But the more likely explanation is that women have a more complicated reaction to food because of social pressure.”

Professor Carey Cooper, psychology and health professor at Lancaster University, said, “for centuries women have had a providing role — preparing and cooking food for their families. And it's part of that role to make sure the food is safe. They will therefore be much more sensitive to food than men are, and I would not be surprised if that was now built into their DNA. If the female brain reacts to food because it historically has developed neural(神经的) pathways to do this, then food will be the way they express their stress. Food actually, is a comfort for women.”

But other experts have said that more research must be done before the results can be proved. American scientist Angelo del Parigi of the John B. Pierce Laboratory in New Haven, Connecticut, said “Looking at an FMRI alone cannot make sure whether the stronger reaction in women is due to innate (天生的)differences or a learned process.”

1. Dr.Uher and his colleagues carried out the research by comparing ________.

A．Volunteers’ reactions to food before and after meals

B．FMRI’s scanning result of scientists

C．women’s and men’s brain reactions to pictures of food

D．volunteers’ imagination on the taste of food

2. In Dr. Uher’s opinion, women react more strongly to food than men most probably because they are ________.

A．born to do so due to biological reasons

B．influenced by advertisements

C．told to do so for a long time

D．forced by powerful social influences

3. According to Professor Carey Cooper, women ________.

A．are satisfied with preparing food for their families

B．turn to food when they feel sad

C．accept their social role from the heart

D．are stressed because of food safety

4. What was Angelo del Parigi’s attitude towards the research results?

A．Curious.

B．Surprised.

C．Uninterested.

D．Doubtful.