1 . Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons—for example, economic (经济的) reasons—why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?

In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.

It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的)and do not like change.

Although we have to respect people’s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward . If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the more risky choice.

1. What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?

A．Some of them are not attractive.

B．Most of them ate too expensive to preserve.

C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings.

D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.

2. Which of the following is true according to the author ?

A．We should reproduce the same old buildings.

B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings.

C．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.

D．No one understands why people speak against new buildings.

3. By “move things forward ” in the last paragraph , the author probably means“      ”

A．destroy old buildings

B．put things in a different place

C．respect people’s feelings for historical buildings

D．choose new architectural styles

4. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To explain why people dislike change.

B．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.

C．To warn that we could end up living in caves.

D．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.

2 . When I was a kid, I was close to my dad, but as I grew older, my dad and I grew further apart. We always had totally different opinions. He thought that college was a waste of time, but for me it was important to finish college. He wanted me to work my way to the top as he had done in his field, but I wanted a different life. There was a time when we did not talk with each other.

            A few months ago, I heard that my 84-year-old dad was in poor health. When he called and asked whether I could move from Colorado back to Tennessee to help him, I knew he was seriously ill. I am his only child and so it was time to meet my father’s requirement.

Two weeks after moving back, we bought a boat and started fishing again. Fishing was one of the few things that we did while I was young and that we both enjoyed. It is strange but true that as we are fishing we are able to put things that have kept us apart for so many years behind us. We are able to talk about things that we have never talked about before. Fishing has been healing the old wounds that have kept us apart.

It is not important how many fish we catch. It is about enjoying the relationship that we have not had for years. I’m 62 and he is 84. When we are on the lake fishing, it is like two kids enjoying life. It is far better to find a way to put the unhappy past behind. I am so lucky to spend the happy time with my father in his last years. Now my heart is filled with love. A smile always graces my lips.

1. The author and his father became further apart because______________.

A．they had different views on things

B．they lived very far from each other

C．they only communicated by phone

D．they seldom went to see each other

2. What made the author come back to Tennessee?

A．Because his father invited him to go fishing.

B．Because he decided to live in a different city.

C．Because his father is ill and needs caring.

D．Because he regretted being rude to his father.

3. For the author, fishing with his old father___________ .

A．helps cure his father’s disease

B．is a good way to get close to nature

C．makes him realize the importance of exercise

D．offers a chance for them to communicate

4. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A．The writer’s car is always breaking down.

B．Father intended me to be a fisherman.

C．I was unwilling to come back.

D．Father used to think it was useless to attend college..

5. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Forgiving Is Difficult	B．Fishing Brings Us Together
C．Memories of Old Days	D．My Beloved Father

3 . Have you ever dreamed about sending a letter to yourself or your friends in the future? While express mail representing efficiency and speed is prevalent（盛行的）in China , there is another type of mail appearing as a new business : “Future Mail”. “Future Mail” service can make people slow down and let them understand the meaning of “time” in another way. And “Future Mail” letters are “reminders of affection, friendship and love”.

Lin Xiao fan , a senior high school student in Hefei , wrote a letter to her mother in advance to express her love to her mother for next Mother’s Day . Feng Xiao, a youth who feels pressure despite of some achievements in her career decided to write a letter to herself on her 25th birthday and have it delivered five years later on her 30th birthday through a “Future Mail”. She expressed her thoughts about her present life and her expectations for the future to encourage herself to face up to the challenges of her life with courage.

While “Future Mail” is gaining popularity, some people are concerned about what happens if the postal address of the receiver changes or if the company goes broke before letters are delivered. Actually, customers required to complete an acceptance form and make an assessment so they can be compensated if their letters or goods are lost or damaged.

Most of the business’s customers are college students and young white-collar workers . Psychologists said young Chinese might be given a vent（发泄）to their negative feelings through the service . Most people put their hopes and wishes in the letters so they can experience the connection between “past” and “present” while they receive the letters. It can help people reunderstand the meaning of “time” .

1. The underlined word in Para. 3 probably means       .

A．paid

B．changed

C．bought

D．repaired

2. Which of the following is NOT true ?

A．People can express their thoughts and feelings to themselves or others through a “Future Mail” .

B．The “Future Mail” business is not perfect.

C．Only young people accept the new “Future Mail” service .

D．“Future Mail” service can let people reunderstand the meaning of “time”.

3. You can read this article in newspaper’s       part .

A．sports

B．science

C．leisure

D．policy

4. Which is NOT the purpose of Feng Xiao’s letter ?

A．To encourage herself to face up to the challenges .

B．To express her thoughts about her present life .

C．To express her expectations for the future .

D．To remind herself of something she must do .

5. The best title of this article should be       .

A．The Different Kinds of Letter

B．“Future Mail” Business Taking off in China

C．The Advantage of “Future Mail”

D．The Letter in Future

4 . Who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860 - 1935)
Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She created shelters, education opportunities and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964)
Rachel Carson was born in the rural river town of Springdale, Pennsylvania in America. The popular 1962 book “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson made people realize the dangers and the harmful effects (影响) of pollution on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.
Angela Merkel (1954 -     )
In 2005, Germans chose Angela Merkel as their first woman head of the country. She had been a scientist in the past. As Germany’s leader, she has had an effect on the whole world.
Sandra Day O’Connor (1930 -     )
When Sandra Day O’Connor finished her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work because she was a woman. However, she became the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court (最高法院) in 1981 after years of hard work.
Margaret Thatcher (1925 -     )
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first woman Prime Minister (首相). She served until 1990, which made her the first British leader to serve three terms in a row. Because of her high standards and strong will, people called her Britain’s Iron Lady.
Marie Curie (1867-1934)
Polish-born scientist Marie Curie discovered that some types of metal give off energy called radiation (辐射能). Her research led to new medical treatments and arms. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911.
1. Who once won the Nobel Prize?

A．Jane Addams and Marie Curie.

B．Jane Addams and Margaret Thatcher.

C．Marie Curie and Angela Merkel.

D．Marie Curie and Rachel Carson.

2. We can infer from the text that Rachel Carson worked to _____.

A．help the poor

B．spread geographic knowledge

C．protect the environment

D．protect the rights of women

3. What do Angela Merkel and Margaret Thatcher have in common?

A．Both of them were scientists before coming to power.

B．Both of them are the first woman head of their country.

C．Both of them are famous for being strict.

D．Both of them have worked for three terms.

4. Who once failed to find a job?

A．Jane Addams.	B．Sandra Day O’Connor.
C．Rachel Carson.	D．Margaret Thatcher.

5. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Great women	B．Famous scientists
C．Strong leaders	D．Ways to success for women

5 . Make Up Your Mind to Succeed

Kind-hearted parents have unknowingly left their children defenseless against failure. The generation born between 1980 and 2001 grew up playing sports where scores and performance were played down because “everyone’s a winner.” And their report cards sounded more positive (正面的) than ever before. As a result, Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, PhD, calls them “the overpraised generation.”

Dweck has been studying how people deal with failure for 40 years. Her research has led her to find out two clearly different mind-sets that have a great effect on how we react to it. Here’s how they work:

A fixed mind-set is grounded in the belief that talent is genetic - you’re a born artist, point guard, or numbers person. The fixed mind-set believes it’s sure to succeed without much effort and regards failure as personal shame. When things get difficult, it is quick to blame, lie, and even stay away from future difficulties.

On the other hand, a growth mind-set believes that no talent is entirely heaven-sent and that effort and learning make everything possible. Because the ego (自尊) isn’t on the line as much, the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, it is quick to rethink, change and try again. In fact, it enjoys this experience.

We are all born with growth mind-sets. (Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to live in the world.) But parents, teachers, and instructors often push us into fixed mind-sets by encouraging certain actions and misdirecting praise. Dweck's book, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, and online instructional program explain this in depth. But she says there are many little things you can start doing today to make sure that your children, grandchildren and even you are never defeated by failure.

1. What does the author think about the generation born between 1980 and 2001?________________.

A．They don’t do well at school.

B．They are often misunderstood.

C．They are eager to win in sports.

D．They are given too much praise.

2. A fixed mind-set person is probably one who______________.

A．doesn’t want to work hard

B．cares a lot about personal safety

C．cannot share his ideas with others

D．can succeed with the help of teachers

3. What does the growth mind-set believe?____________________ .

A．Admitting failure is shameful.

B．Talent comes with one’s birth.

C．Scores should be highly valued.

D．Getting over difficulties is enjoyable.

4. What should parents do for their children based on Dweck’s study?______________.

A．Encourage them to learn from failures.

B．Prevent them from making mistakes.

C．Guide them in doing little things.

D．Help them grow with praise.

6 . A couple of weeks ago, my friend offered to sell some of our things for us. I thought it was a good opportunity to ______       my 7­-year-­old son's room and   ______ some toys that were no longer   suitable for him to play with. We   ______ that all the money we got from selling the toys would be his money.

The night before the ______， we loaded up the truck with toys and a little bike that was too ______ for him.In the yard he ______the bike for the last time and then happily put it onto the truck. This little bike had at least two previous owners as far as we ______. It wasn't in the best ______and was certainly not new，but the tires(轮胎)were ______ good.

We put a price of $10 on it, but it didn't sell.So，after the sale was ______，my friend put it on the sidewalk，with a sign that ______ “FREE BIKE”．Within five minutes her doorbell rang.A little boy was ______ there.In poor English he asked whether the bike was ______ free.We said yes and that he could have it for ______．He smiled，got on the bike and rode away.

Later that evening when I told my son how   much money he had made at the sale, he was very______，shouting happily. He asked about a few of his things, wondering ______   they had been sold.   When he asked about the bike, I told him about   the little boy and that made him   ______．He was much happier than when I told him how much he had ______．He was so happy to ______ that someone else would make good ______ of that little bike!

1.

A．clean

B．check

C．display

D．design

2.

A．look for

B．go through

C．show off

D．deal with

3.

A．refused

B．agreed

C．wrote

D．lied

4.

A．trip

B．show

C．sale

D．decision

5.

A．weak

B．small

C．new

D．thin

6.

A．rode

B．found

C．watched

D．felt

7.

A．doubted

B．knew

C．told

D．thought

8.

A．time

B．chance

C．place

D．shape

9.

A．also

B．never

C．still

D．hardly

10.

A．ahead

B．on

C．near

D．over

11.

A．said

B．repeated

C．copied

D．expressed

12.

A．jumping

B．standing

C．walking

D．shouting

13.

A．barely

B．usually

C．really

D．always

14.

A．something

B．anything

C．everything

D．nothing

15.

A．calm

B．scared

C．excited

D．disappointed

16.

A．when

B．if

C．why

D．how

17.

A．smile

B．worry

C．leave

D．cry

18.

A．enjoyed

B．lost

C．bought

D．made

19.

A．hear

B．understand

C．remember

D．think

20.

A．interest

B．money

C．use

D．price

7 . The world always makes way for the dreamer

When I was twelve years old, my father took me to see Zig Zigler. I remember sitting in that dark hall listening to Mr. Zigler _________ everyone’s spirits up to the ceiling. I _________ there feeling like I could do anything. When we got to the car, I turned to my father and said, “Dad, I want to _________ people feel like that.” My father asked me _________ I meant. “I want to be a motivational (激励人的) speaker just like Mr. Zigler,’’ I replied. A(An)_________ was born.

Recently, I began seeking my dream of motivating others._________ a four-year relationship with Fortune 100 Company _________ as a sales-trainer and ending as a regional (地区的) sales manager, I left the company at the height of my _________. Many people were _________ that I would leave after earning a six-figure income. And they wondered __________ I would risk everything for a dream.

I made my __________ to start my own company and leave my enviable position after __________ a regional sales meeting. The vice-president of our company made a __________ that changed my life. He asked us, “If a god would offer you three wishes, what would they be?” after giving us a(an)__________ to write down the three wishes, he then asked us, “Why do you need a __________?” I would never forget the power I felt at that moment. I realized that __________ I had achieved in the past had prepared me for this moment. I was ready and didn’t need a god’s help to become a motivational speaker. A motivational speaker was __________.

Having made that decision, I was immediately __________. One week after I gave notice, my husband lost his job, and now we had no __________. But I held fast to my dream. The wonder really began to happen. In a short time my husband found a better job. And I was able to book several __________ engagements (约定) with new customers. I discovered the unbelievable power of dreams.

1.

A．rise

B．do

C．put

D．raise

2.

A．left

B．came

C．arrived

D．reached

3.

A．get

B．hope

C．make

D．cheer

4.

A．that

B．what

C．which

D．if

5.

A．dream

B．idea

C．girl

D．speaker

6.

A．After

B．Before

C．Because

D．While

7.

A．beginning

B．working

C．acting

D．regarding

8.

A．life

B．love

C．money

D．career

9.

A．disappointed

B．moved

C．surprised

D．delighted

10.

A．when

B．why

C．if

D．how

11.

A．plan

B．promise

C．decision

D．mind

12.

A．attending

B．joining

C．entering

D．holding

13.

A．newspaper

B．book

C．report

D．speech

14.

A．day

B．second

C．week

D．moment

15.

A．love

B．worker

C．god

D．company

16.

A．everything

B．anything

C．nothing

D．something

17.

A．alive

B．dead

C．missing

D．born

18.

A．examined

B．searched

C．found

D．tested

19.

A．help

B．harm

C．income

D．money

20.

A．selling

B．speaking

C．writing

D．listening

8 . When students and parents are asked to rate subjects according to their importance，the arts are unavoidably at the bottom of the list. Music is nice, people seem to say, but not important. Too often it is viewed as entertainment, but certainly not an education priority（优先）. This view is shortsighted. In fact, music education is beneficial and important for all students

Music tells us who we are. Because music is an expression of the beings who create it, it reflects their thinking and values, as well as the social environment it came from. Rock music represents a lifestyle just as surely as does a Schubert song. The jazz influence that George Gershwin and other musicians introduced into their music is obviously American because it came from American musical traditions. Music expresses our character and values. It gives us identity as a society.

Music provides a kind of perception(视角) that cannot be acquired any other way. Science can explain how the sun rises and sets. The arts explore the emotive（情感的）meaning of the same phenomenon. We need every possible way to discover and respond to our world for one simple but powerful reason: No one way can get it all.

The arts are forms of thought as powerful in what they communicate as mathematical and scientific symbols. They are ways we human beings “talk” to each other. They are the language of civilization through which we express our fears, our curiosities our hungers, our discoveries, our hopes. The arts are ways we give form to our ideas and imagination so that they can be shared with others. When we do not give children access to an important way of expressing themselves such as music, we take away from them the meanings that music expresses.

So music education is far more necessary than people seem to realize.

1. According to paragraph 1, students ________.

A．regard music as a way of entertainment

B．disagree with their parents on education

C．view music as an overlooked subject

D．prefer the arts to science

2. In Paragraph 2, the author uses jazz as an example to ________.

A．compare it with rock music

B．show music identifies a society

C．introduce American musical traditions

D．prove music influences people’s lifestyles

3. According to the passage, the arts and science ________.

A．approach the world from different angles

B．explore different phenomena of the world

C．express people’s feeling in different ways

D．explain what it means to be human differently

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Music education deserves more attention.

B．Music should be of top education priority.

C．Music is an effective communication tool.

D．Music education makes students more imaginative.

9 . It's generally believed that people act the way they do because of their personalities and attitudes .They recycle their garbage because the care about the environment .They pay $5 for a caramel brulée latte because they like expensive coffee drinks.

It's undeniable that behavior comes from our inner dispositions (性情), but in many instances we also draw inferences about who we are, as suggested by the social psychologist Daryl Bem , by observing our own behavior .We can be strangers to ourselves .If we knew our own minds, why would we need to guess what our preferences are from our behavior? If our minds were an open book, we would know exactly how much we care about the environment or like lattes .Actually , we often need to look to our behavior to figure out who we are.

Moreover, we don't just use our behavior to learn about our particular types of character—we infer characters that weren't there before .Our behavior is often shaped by little pressures around us, which we fail to recognize .Maybe we recycle because our wives and neighbors would disapprove if we didn't .Maybe we buy lattes in order to impress the people around us .We should not mistakenly believe that we always behave as a result of some inner disposition.

Whatever pressures there can be or inferences one can make, people become what they do, though it may not be in compliance (符合) with their true desires .Therefore , we should all bear in mind Kurt Vonnegut's advice: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”

1. According to the passage, personalities and attitudes are commonly believed to___.

A．determine one's behavior

B．reflect one's taste

C．influence one's surroundings

D．result from one's habits

2. Which of the following would Daryl Bem most probably agree with?__

A．The return of a wallet can indicate one's honesty.

B．A kind person will offer his seat to the old.

C．One recycles plastics to protect the environment.

D．One buys latte out of true love of coffee.

3. What can be inferred from the underlined sentence in the passage?___

A．We fail to realize our inner dispositions.

B．We can be influenced by outside pressures.

C．Our behavior is the result of our true desires.

D．Our characters can shape our social relationships.

4. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?___

A．Personalities and attitudes.

B．Preferences and habits.

C．Behavior and personalities.

D．Attitudes and preferences.

10 . February has long been a month of romance（浪漫）. With the sweet smell of roses in the air, romantic films hit cinemas and love stories fill newspapers and magazines.
On the 14th day, it is a custom for a boy to take his girlfriend out to dinner, buy her flowers and chocolates, write poems, sing to her or even spell out her name with rose petals! This is what you see on Valentine’s Day, a day named after Valentine who was a priest（牧师） in the third century Rome. When the emperor (皇帝) decided that single men could become better soldiers than those with wives, he didn’t allow marriage. But Valentine continued to perform（主持） marriage ceremonies（典礼） for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, the emperor sentenced him to death. While in prison（监狱）, it is said that Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his prison guard. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed （签名）“From your Valentine”, an expression that is still   in use today. Valentine died for what he believed in and so he was made a Saint (圣徒), as well as becoming one of history’s most romantic characters.
Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is also popular among Chinese young people. Some students are planning to make Valentine’s cards for parents, teachers and friends. Others want to hold parties at which they will exchange small gifts and eat heart-shaped（心形的） cakes. The idea is to have fun and encourage people to share in the spirit of St. Valentine.
1. Why did the emperor in Rome not allow marriage in his country?

A．Because there were few women in his country at that time.

B．Because he wanted to control the birth rate.

C．Because there wasn’t enough food for so many people.

D．Because he thought men without wives could be better soldiers.

2. Valentine was put into prison because ______.

A．he killed one of the soldiers

B．he didn’t obey the emperor’s order

C．he stole a lot of food

D．he didn’t want to be a soldier

3. The last paragraph mainly tells us ______.

A．students in China send cards to their teachers

B．Valentine’s Day is also popular in China now

C．it is interesting to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

D．it is a good idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

4. The best title for this passage should be ______.

A．Valentine’s Day in China	B．A Brave Priest
C．Valentine’s Day	D．A Romantic Man