FIRST IMPRESSIONS
(10:45 p.m.)
Han Jing’s World
7:00 a. m.
So this is it — senior high school at last! I’m not outgoing so I’m a little anxious right now. I want to make a good first impression. Will I make any friends? What if no one talks to me?
12:30 p.m.
I just had my first maths class at senior high school! The class was difficult, but the teacher was kind and friendly. He even told us a funny story, and everyone laughed so much! I found most of my classmates and teachers friendly and helpful.
5:32 p.m.
This afternoon, we had our chemistry class in the science lab. The lab is new and the lesson was great, but the guy next to me tried to talk to me the whole time. I couldn’t concentrate on the experiment. I really wanted to tell him to please be quiet and leave me alone!
10:29 p.m.
What a day! This morning, I was worried that no one would talk to me. But I was wrong. I didn’t feel awkward or frightened at all. I miss my friends from junior high school, but I believe I will make new friends here, and there’s a lot to explore at senior high. I feel much more confident than I felt this morning. I think that tomorrow will be a great day!
1. What’s mainly talked about in the text?A.Han Jing’s first day at junior high school. |
B.Two classes at senior high school. |
C.Han Jing’s first impressions of her first school day. |
D.A first-year senior high school student. |
Han Jing’s World
Post 1(7:00 a.m.): Han Jing was
Post 2(12:30 p.m.): Han Jing felt
Post 3(5:32 p.m.): Han Jing became
Post 4(10:29 p.m.): Han Jing didn’t feel awkward or
3. How was the maths teacher?
A.Kind and friendly. |
B.Strict and cold. |
C.Learned and handsome. |
D.Outgoing and kind. |
A.She is much more frightened. |
B.She is afraid to go to school. |
C.She is much more confident. |
D.She is unwilling to make friends. |
A.Because she didn’t like chemistry. |
B.Because she didn’t feel well. |
C.Because the teacher was not friendly. |
D.Because a guy tried to talk to her all the time. |
A.In a newspaper. |
B.In WeChat Moments. |
C.In a diary. |
D.In a report. |
①I’m not outgoing so I’m a little anxious right now.
②This morning, I was worried that no one would talk to me.
③I didn’t feel awkward or frightened at all.
④I feel much more confident than I felt this morning.
8. 细读短文并找出人物描写的句子
Longji Rice Terraces
Imagine mountains wrapped in silver water, shining in the spring sun. Summer sees the mountains turn bright green with growing rice. During autumn, these same mountains are gold, and in winter they are covered in sheets of white frost. These are the colours of the Longji Rice Terraces.
These terraces were built by the local Zhuang and Yao people, to whom Guangxi is home. Starting in the Yuan Dynasty, work on the terraces took hundreds of years, until its completion in the early Qing Dynasty. Reaching as far as the eye can see, these terraces cover tall mountains, often from the bottom to the very top.
So why did these people go to so much trouble to turn the entire mountains into terraces? Firstly, there are few large, flat areas of land in the region. Building the terraces therefore meant that they could increase the areas in which they could grow rice. Secondly, although the region has plenty of rain, the mountains are steep and the soil is shallow. The flat terraces catch the rainwater and prevent the soil from being washed away.
But perhaps what is most significant is the way in which people have worked in harmony with nature to make these terraces and grow rice. The terraces are cleverly designed, with hundreds of waterways that connect with each other. During the rainy season, it is along these waterways that rainwater moves down the mountains and into the terraces. The sun heats the water and turns it into vapour. This forms clouds from which rain falls down onto the mountain terraces once again. These terraces also provide a perfect environment for birds and fish, some of which feed on insects that can harm the rice crops.
Although modern technology could help produce more crops, these terraces still mean a lot to the people for whom traditions hold much value. This knowledge is passed down through families, which means that new generations continue to use ancient methods of agriculture to maintain the terraces. Today, the Longji Rice Terraces attract thousands of visitors who come to admire this great wonder created by people and nature working together.
1. What’s the main idea of the text?A.The Longji Rice Terraces will have a bright future. |
B.How people worked in harmony with nature to create the Longji Rice Terraces. |
C.The Longji Rice Terraces are fascinating all around the year. |
D.The reason why Longji Rice Terraces were built. |
A.Beautiful. | B.Common. |
C.Just so-so. | D.Unpleasant. |
A.The terraces’ scenery. |
B.The terraces’ future. |
C.The terraces’ function. |
D.The terraces’ history. |
A.They were built many years ago. |
B.They have become a tourist attraction. |
C.They were built in harmony with nature. |
D.They have brought the locals much money. |
A.To show the terraces are out of date. |
B.To show the terraces are still valuable. |
C.To show the terraces are kept better. |
D.To show why the terraces are abandoned. |
(1)
(2)
7. 细读短文并找出文中的拟人句
(1)
(2)
The Monarch’s Journey
Many animals move from one place to another at certain times of the year. This annual movement is called migration. They migrate to find food, seek a partner, or in search of warmer weather. One of the most wonderful migrations in nature is that of the North American monarch butterfly.
Every autumn, millions of these beautiful insects with fine black and orange wings begin a long and difficult journey. Somehow they manage to travel around 4,000 kilometres south and find their way to California or Mexico. However, until recently no one knew how they did this.
A team of scientists led by Professor Eli Shlizerman at the University of Washington has now found the answer. They have found out that the monarch is able to tell the time of day. It uses its eyes to measure the position of the sun. These two pieces of information — the time of day and the point where the sun is in the sky — allow the butterfly to determine the way to go. Eventually, it manages to reach the places where it will spend the winter.
The solution to the mystery of the monarch’s amazing ability comes at a time when it is in serious trouble. Its population has crashed by as much as 90 per cent in the last few years. Sadly, human activity is the main reason why the number of monarch butterflies is falling. In many of the places where the butterfly can be found, people are destroying the natural environment. They cut down trees and use chemicals that kill the plants that monarch caterpillars eat.
The research on the monarch’s behaviour has however led to a greater awareness of this creature. People have been working together to record its migration and make sure that there are enough plants for it to feed on. If this works, there may come a time when the number of monarch butterflies increases once again. The more we know about this lovely creature, the greater the chance it will survive and keep its place in the natural world for a long time to come.
1. What’s the main idea of the text?A.The routes of the Monarch’s migration. |
B.The reasons of the Monarch’s migration. |
C.The significance of the Monarch’s migration. |
D.The study of the Monarch’s migration. |
A.To tell us what migration is exactly. |
B.To tell us the reasons for migration. |
C.To introduce the topic of the text. |
D.To tell us how many animals migrate. |
A.They may lose their way. |
B.They can’t see anything. |
C.They can’t find any food. |
D.They will feel very cold. |
A.Negative. | B.Neutral. |
C.Indifferent. | D.Positive. |
A.Being caught by humans. |
B.The destroyed natural environment. |
C.The bad weather condition. |
D.Being eaten by birds. |
(1)
(2)
CLICK FOR A FRIEND?
How would you feel if moving to a new town meant losing track of your friends? What if the only way of getting news from faraway friends was writing letters that took ages to be delivered? This was how things worked not very long ago. Thanks to advances in technology, how we make friends and communicate with them has changed significantly.
Nowadays, we can move around the world and still stay in touch with the people that we want to remain friends with. Social media tools let us see what our friends are up to and maintain friendships. All you need is a wi-fi connection.
The digital age also enables us to find people who share our interests, such as collecting model cars or playing an unusual instrument. Whatever our hobbies, the Internet can connect us with others who also enjoy doing them, even if they live on the other side of the world.
But when you “friend” people online, does this mean that they really are your friends?
It depends.
If people always exchange true personal information online, then yes, these friendships can be real and meaningful. But we need to keep in mind that what we see on social media is often not the whole truth about a person.
On social media sites, people tend to post only positive updates that make them appear happy and friendly. But smiling photos can hide real problems. Remember the saying: on the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dog. A young person could be old; a woman could be a man; we could even be sharing our information with criminals.
But this doesn’t mean that we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. Although technology has changed the way we acquire friends, the meaning of friendship and our longing for friends remain the same. As Aristotle said, no one would choose to live without friends, even if he had all other goods.
1. What does the text mainly talk about?A.Disadvantages of making friends online. |
B.Making friends on the Internet. |
C.How to make friends on the Internet. |
D.How to maintain friendships. |
A.By writing letters. |
B.By making calls. |
C.By sending emails. |
D.By using social media tools. |
A.You don't exactly know who the person on the Internet is. |
B.You may communicate with a dog on the Internet. |
C.You can pretend to be a dog on the Internet. |
D.You may have a chance to be a lucky dog on the Internet. |
A.The author is in favour of making friends online. |
B.The author thinks technology makes it hard for us to make friends. |
C.The author thinks technology helps us maintain friendship more easily. |
D.The author thinks the meaning of friendship has changed. |
6. 细读短文并找出文中的比喻句
Like Father, Like Son
(The living room. Friday night. A table and two chairs at front centre. Grandfather and Father, seated at the table, are playing chess.)
Grandfather:And...I win!
(Son enters room.)
Father:Not again! Oh look, here comes my boy. How are you, son?
Son:(nervously approaching the table) Erm... Dad, can we talk?
Father:Sure! You know you can always turn to your dad for a chat.
Son:OK. Here it is. I’ve decided not to go to university. I want to focus on my band and have a career in music when I leave school.
Father:(raising his voice in surprise) You can’t be serious! What about your future career as a lawyer?!
Son:I knew you’d say that. You just assume I want to be a lawyer, but that’s only because you are a lawyer.
Father:What’s wrong with being a lawyer? Lawyers help people and are respected by others.
Son:Yes, but I’m not interested in law. I want to work in a studio, not a court.
Grandfather:(looking at Father) Calm down. OK?
Father:(ignoring Grandfather’s words) Stop daydreaming ! Playing in a band is not a job.
Son:Of course it is! The music industry is developing fast now. Making music is a job.
Grandfather:(stepping between Father and Son and raising his voice) Hey! I told you to calm down, both of you!
Father:But I told him to study something useful at university!
Grandfather:(laughing) Easy, son! I remember when you were his age, you said that you wanted to be a professional football player.
Father:And you wanted me to be an engineer!
Grandfather:I just wanted you to be happy, and an engineer—a happy engineer.
Father:But in the end, you just advised me to think carefully.
Grandfather:Yes, and you have found the career that suits your talents. I’m so proud of you. Your son is proud of you, too.
Son:Of course I am, but I have different talents.
Grandfather:(turning to Son) Why don’t you also take my advice and think carefully before jumping in with both feet?
Son:Well, I could try...
Grandfather:If you go to university and play music at the same time, you will have two options for your future. And I’m sure playing in a band will help you make lots of new friends at university.
Father:Yes, lots of new lawyer friends!
Son:(with a sigh) Dad...
(Curtain)
1. What does the conversation mainly talk about?
A.The relationship between family members. |
B.Grandpa’s suggestion on the future job. |
C.The disagreement between Father and Son in choosing a future job. |
D.The future development of the boy’s music band. |
A.Because he shows interest in it. |
B.Because he doesn’t want to go to university. |
C.Because he wants to have a good income. |
D.Because his grandfather wants him to do so. |
A.The father isn’t serious. |
B.The son isn’t serious. |
C.The father doesn’t understand the son’s words. |
D.The father is surprised at his son’s words. |
A.Give up. | B.Begin something. |
C.Act in a hurry. | D.Do a kind of sport. |
A.The son does not take his grandfather’s advice. |
B.The son is disappointed at his father’s words. |
C.The son and his father reach an agreement. |
D.The father doesn’t agree with the grandfather. |
①
②
③
④
6 . Your child is unique, but what all children have in common is natural curiosity and an innate(天生的) ability to learn. Our brains are active all the time, and a baby’s brain is the busiest of all. Research has shown that babies begin to understand language about twice as fast as they actually speak it. By exposing children to other languages at an early age, you are giving them the opportunity to make use of their natural ability to hear and recognize the sounds of other languages, and their ability to make sense of what they are hearing.
Communication is something that children do to help them achieve something else, and they are unaware of the large amount of learning taking place. They take everything in through their senses, making connections between what they hear, see, smell, taste and touch. As long as we provide the right conditions, their learning and development will take place in a natural way.
In your child’s early years, the emotional environment is just as important as the physical environment. Children learn when they feel secure, happy, valued and listened to. This is central to any learning experience in a child’s early years, including learning an additional language. Your child has a trial-and-error approach to their development, and making mistakes is a valuable part of the learning process. Their progress isn’t held up by a fear of getting something wrong, and very young children are simply working their way towards getting it right.
The long-term benefits of learning another language go beyond being able to communicate with others. Studies suggest that children learning an additional language tend to score better on standardized tests because learning languages develops listening, observation, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. These are skills that are of lifelong benefit, both personally and professionally. Encouraging children in a love of language at an early age prepares them well for school and for life.
1. How do children learn a language?A.By speaking to themselves. | B.By taking language classes. |
C.By making use of their different senses. | D.By noticing how much they have learned. |
7 . A device that stops drivers from falling asleep at fine wheel is about to undergo testing at Department of Transport laboratories and could go on sale within 12 months.
The system, called Driver Alert, aims to reduce deadly road accidents by 20%-40% that are caused by tiredness. Airline pilots can also use it to reduce the 30% of all pilot-error accidents that are related to fatigue.
Driver Alert is based on a computerized wristband. The device, worn by drivers or pilots, gives out a sound about every four minutes during a car journey. After each sound the driver must respond by squeezing the steering wheel (方向盘). A sensor in the wristband detects this pressing action and measures the time between the sound, and the driver’s response.
Tiredness is directly related to a driver’s response time. Usually, a watchful driver would take about 400 milliseconds to respond but once that falls to more than 500 milliseconds, it suggests that the driver is getting sleepy.
In such cases the device gives out more regular and louder sounds, showing that the driver should open a window or stop for a rest. If the driver’s response continues to slow down, the sounds become more frequent until a nonstop alarm warns that the driver must stop as soon as possible.
The device has been delivered to the department’s 1aboatories for testing. If these tests, scheduled for six months’ time, are successful, the makers will bring the product to market within about a year.
1. According to the text, Driver Alert ________.A.aims to reduce tiredness-related accidents |
B.has gone through testing at laboratories |
C.aims to prevent drivers from sleeping |
D.has been on sale for 12 months |
A.By sounding a warning. |
B.By touching the wristband. |
C.By checking the driving time. |
D.By pressing the steering wheel. |
A.about 400 milliseconds |
B.below 500 milliseconds |
C.over 500 milliseconds |
D.about 4 minutes |
A.moves more regularly |
B.stops working properly |
C.opens the window for the driver |
D.sounds more frequently and loudly |
The underlined sentence in paragraph 1 means Sontag_________.
A.was a symbol of American cultural life |
B.developed world literature, film and art |
C.published many essays about world culture |
D.kept pace with the newest development of world culture |
Armstrong was called Pops because he ______.
A.looked like a musician | B.was a musician of much influence |
C.showed an interest in music | D.traveled to play modern music |
We can learn from the passage that Danielle Steel _____.
A.lives an exciting life | B.values her readers a lot |
C.writes about quiet women | D.is pleased with her achievements |