1 . One of my wonderful memories is about a Christmas gift. Unlike other gifts, it came without wrap (包装).
On September 11th, 1958, Mum gave birth to Richard. After she brought him home from hospital, she put him in my lap, saying, “I promised you a gift, and here it is.” What an honour! I turned four a month earlier and none of my friends had such a baby doll of their own. I played with it day and night. I sang to it. I told it stories. I told it over and over how much I loved it!
One morning, however, I found its bed empty. My doll was gone! I cried for it.Mum wept and told me that the poor little thing had been sent to a hospital. It had a fever. For several days, I heard Mum and Dad whispering such words as “hopeless”, “pitiful”, and “dying”, which sounded ominous.
Christmas was coming. “Don’t expect any presents this year,” Dad said, pointing at the socks I hung in the living room.“If your baby brother lives, that’ll be Christmas enough.” As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears. I’d never seen him cry before.
The phone rang early on Christmas morning. Dad jumped out of bed to answer it. From my bedroom I heard him say, “What? He’s all right?” He hung up and shouted upstairs. “The hospital said we can bring Richard home!”
“Thank God!” I heard Mum cry.
From the upstairs window, I watched my parents rush out to the car. I had never seen them so happy. And I was also full of joy. What a wonderful day! My baby doll would be home. I ran downstairs. My socks still hung there flat. But I knew they were not empty; they were filled with love!
1. What happened to the author on September 11th, 1958?| A．He got a baby brother. |
| B．He got a Christmas gift. |
| C．He became four years old. |
| D．He received a doll. |
| A．Impossible. | B．Boring. |
| C．Difficult. | D．Fearful. |
| A．Excitement. | B．Happiness. |
| C．Sadness. | D．Disappointment. |
| A．A sad Christmas day. |
| B．Life with a lovely baby. |
| C．A special Christmas gift. |
| D．Memories of a happy family. |
2 . Foreign visitors to the UK might be disappointed when they learn that not everyone there speaks like Harry Potter and his friends. Usually, there’s an assumption by many non-Brits that everyone in Britain speaks with what’s known as a Received Pronunciation (RP，标准发音) accent, also called “the Queen’s English”. However, while many people do talk this way, most Britons speak in their own regional accents (口音).
Scouse, Glaswegian and Black Country — from Liverpool, Glasgow and the West Midlands — are just three of the countless non-RP accents that British people speak with. There are even differences in accents between towns or cities just 30 kilometers apart. What is even more disappointing is that not speaking in a RP accent may mean a British person is judged and even treated differently in their everyday life.
In a 2015 study by The University of South Wales, videos of people reading a passage in three different UK accents were shown to a second group of people. The group then rated how intelligent they thought the readers sounded. The lowestrated accent was Brummie, native to people from Birmingham, a city whose accent is considered working class.
However, there is no need to be disappointed though you are not speaking in a RP accent. In fact, doing the opposite may even give you strength.
Kong Seongjae, 25, is an Internet celebrity from Seoul. After studying in the UK, he picked up several regional accents. He’s now famous for his online videos, where he shows off the various accents he’s learned. “British people usually get really excited when I use some of their local dialect words, and they become much friendlier. I think it makes a bit of bond between local people and foreigners to speak in their local accent,” he said.
So if you’re working on perfecting your British accent, try to speak like someone from Liverpool, Glasgow or Birmingham. You may not sound like Harry Potter, but you are likely to make more friends.
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 1?| A．Non-Brits usually hold that all Britons speak in a RP accent. |
| B．Only “the Queen’s English” is accepted in the UK. |
| C．Foreign visitors are disappointed at their on spoken English. |
| D．Any Received Pronunciation around the world is also called “the Queen’s English”. |
| A．Favored by foreign visitors to the UK. | B．Closest to the RP accent. |
| C．Smart and easy to understand. | D．Spoken by people of lower class. |
| A．Speaking in a RP accent. | B．Speaking in regional accents. |
| C．Speaking the Brummie accent. | D．Speaking like Harry Potter. |
| A．A study about the most intelligent accent in Britain. |
| B．A comparison between different British accents. |
| C．How much British people value the RP accent. |
| D．The influence of regional accents on people’s lives. |
3 . Afroz Shah, a lawyer in Mumbai, hasn’t had a weekend off in four years. But he hasn’t spent this time preparing for
His mission? Saving the world’s oceans from
It’s a calling he found in 2015 after moving to a community in Mumbai called Versova Beach. He had played there as a child and was
“The whole beach was like a
In October 2015, Shah began
For Shah, the work has always been a
He’s now spent 209 weekends on this mission,
“This world talks too much. I think we must talk
| A．teaching | B．court | C．housework | D．cleaning |
| A．river | B．soil | C．plastic | D．oil |
| A．upset | B．excited | C．delighted | D．hesitant |
| A．grown | B．changed | C．reserved | D．protected |
| A．pure | B．golden | C．shiny | D．visible |
| A．carpet | B．curtain | C．painting | D．photograph |
| A．temporary | B．permanent | C．ugly | D．pretty |
| A．sticks to | B．keeps off | C．gives back | D．ends up |
| A．killer | B．cleaner | C．guest | D．decoration |
| A．sweeping | B．attacking | C．visiting | D．beautifying |
| A．pulling | B．thinking | C．picking | D．looking |
| A．came | B．failed | C．went | D．spread |
| A．involved | B．lived | C．stuck | D．paid |
| A．easy | B．tough | C．personal | D．general |
| A．known | B．regarded | C．decided | D．honored |
| A．cause | B．case | C．position | D．fame |
| A．requiring | B．rejecting | C．inviting | D．inspiring |
| A．originally | B．finally | C．politically | D．theoretically |
| A．fewer | B．less | C．better | D．worse |
| A．honor | B．beauty | C．hope | D．love |
4 . The United States is a sports-loving nation. Sports in America take various forms: organized competitive struggles, athletic games, hunting and fishing. Most sports are seasonal, so that what is happening in sports depends upon the time of year.
Baseball is the most popular sport in the US. It is played throughout the spring and summer, and professional baseball teams play well into the fall.
Football is the most popular sport in the fall. The game originated as a college sport more than 75 years ago. It’s not the same as European football or soccer. In American football there are 11 players as well on each team, and they are dressed in padded uniforms and helmets because the game is rough and injuries are likely to occur. It is still played by almost every college and university in the country.
Basketball is the winner sport in American schools and colleges. Like football, basketball originated in the US, many Americans prefer it to football because it is played indoors throughout the winter and because it is a faster game. And the famous NBA games are considered the best of this game.
Other sports attracting a great many people include wrestling, boxing and horse racing. Although horse-racing fans call themselves sportsmen, the exactness of the term is questionable, as only the jockeys who ride the horses in the races can be considered athletes. The so-called sportsmen are the spectators, who do not come primarily to see the horses race, but to bet (打赌) upon the outcome of cach race. Gambling is the attraction of horse racing.
1. Baseball is so popular in America that some professional teams play it until __________.| A．spring | B．Summer | C．fall | D．winter |
| A．to avoid unexpected injuries |
| B．to play it like European football |
| C．to make the game difficult enough |
| D．to look like professional players |
| A．NBA games are very popular |
| B．it comes from the US |
| C．it is much faster than football |
| D．it is played indoors all the winter |
| A．mainly stand and watch the races |
| B．don’t ride horse in the races |
| C．are only interested in the results |
| D．don’t care who wins in the races |
| A．the person who bets upon the race |
| B．the person who cares about horse-racing |
| C．the rider who enjoys watching the race |
| D．the rider who competes in horse-racing |
5 . The other day, my sister and I were sitting in a restaurant, trying to have a conversation, but her children, four-year-old Willow and seven-year-old Luca, would not stop fighting. The arguments—over a fork, or who had more water in a glass—never stopped.
Then my sister reached into her handbag, produced two shiny iPads, and handed one to each child. Suddenly, the two were quiet. They sat playing games and watching videos, and we continued with our conversation.
After our meal, as my sister stuffed the iPads back into her bag, she said, “I don’t want to give them the iPads at the dinner table, but if they keep them occupied for an hour so we can eat in peace, I often just hand them over. I’m afraid it’s bad for them. I do worry that it makes them think it’s OK to use electronics at the dinner table in the future.”
Dr. Gary Small, director of the Longevity Center at the University of California, Los Angeles says that the brain is highly sensitive to stimuli (刺激物), like iPads and smartphone screens, and if people spend too much time on one technology, and less time interacting (互动) with people like parents at the dinner table, that could prevent the development of certain communication skills.
“Conversations with each other are the way children learn to have conversations with themselves, and learn how to be alone,” said Sherry Turkle, a professor of science, technology and society at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She fears that children who do not learn real interactions, which often have imperfections, will come to know a world where perfect, shiny screens give them a false sense of intimacy (亲密) without risk. However, they need to be able to gather themselves and know who they are. So someday they can form a relationship with another person without a panic of being alone. “If you don’t teach your children to be alone, they’ll only know how to be lonely,” she said.
1. What did Willow and Luca fight about?| A．iPads. | B．Little things. | C．Delicious food. | D．Interesting things. |
| A．She was critical of it. | B．She felt it was worth a try. |
| C．She was uncertain about it. | D．She felt surprised at its effect. |
| A．Provide their children with various technologies. | B．Teach their children communication skills. |
| C．Talk to their children at the dinner table. | D．Limit their children’s screen time. |
| A．Children are afraid of taking risks. | B．Children try to escape from the real world. |
| C．Children can’t live without electronic devices. | D．Children can’t deal with companion—less situations. |
| A．To tell a true story. | B．To discuss a phenomenon. |
| C．To give practical suggestions. | D．To compare different opinions. |
6 . Steven Stein likes to track garbage trucks. He says, “It’s hard to resist.” Stein’s strange habit makes sense when you consider that he’s an environmental scientist who studies how to reduce litter, including stuff that falls off garbage trucks as they run down the road. What is even more interesting is that one of Stein’s current plans is defending an industry behind a source of trash: plastic shopping bags.
Americans use more than 100 million plastic bags every year. So many end up in tree branches or along highways that a growing number of cities are banishing (排除) them from checkout lines. The bags are outlawed in some places in the USA.
Facing these situations, plastic-bag manufacturers are hiring scientists like Stein to make the case that their products are not as bad for the planet as most people assume. “It’s important to base your decisions on facts,” says Stan Bikulege, CEO of Hilex Poly, which has hired Stein.
Among the bag makers’ argument: many cities with bans still allow shoppers to purchase paper bags, which are easily recycled but require more energy to produce and transport. And while plastic bags may be ugly to look at, they represent a small percentage of all garbage on the ground today.
The industry has also taken aim at the product that can take the place of plastic bags: reusable shopping bags. The sturdier a reusable bag is, the longer its life and the more plastic-bag use it cancels out. But this plan has another side. Longer-lasting reusable bags often require more energy to make.
Environmentalists don’t agree with these points. They hope paper bags will be banned someday too and want shoppers to use the same reusable bags for years. So are reusables our destiny? The answer is probably yes. And Andy Keller, inventor of reusable polyester (聚酯纤维) bags, says, ”If you can carry it out in your hands or put it back in your car, you don’t need a bag.”
1. The first paragraph serves as___________.| A．an explanation | B．an introduction | C．a comment | D．a background |
| A．To collect facts about shopping bags. |
| B．To show plastic bags are eco-friendly. |
| C．To research on people’s consuming habits. |
| D．To prove plastic bags are better than people thought. |
| A．They look a bit ugly. | B．They are easy to break. |
| C．Their prices are comparatively high. | D．Their production is energy-consuming. |
| A．Stronger. | B．Lighter. | C．Heavier. | D．Softer. |
| A．Forget about plastic bags. | B．Paper bags are coming. |
| C．Paper, plastic or neither. | D．A strange scientist. |
7 . “Barefoot Mike” gets a lot of attention when he shows up at the beginning of a race. He loves to run and has been running since he was a kid. He loves to and often competes in 10K races. But That’s not the reason he gets so much attention. People notice him because when he runs, “Barefoot Mike” runs barefoot.
Running barefoot has become a huge trend in the world of running. “I didn’t set out to be a trend setter,” laughed “Barefoot Mike”, otherwise known as Mike Whitaker. “I’ve always been a runner, but until a few years ago, I always wore shoes. Then one day I was running after a rainstorm. I stepped off into the grass to avoid a puddle (水坑) on the sidewalk, and accidentally stepped into a huge muddy puddle that had been hidden in the grass. I tried to keep running, but the wet and dirty shoe made it really hard. I figured the best solution was to just get rid of the shoes.”
Mike took off his shoes and dropped them into the nearest trash can. “Then I started running. At first I went really slowly because I was watching out for rocks or other things that could hurt my feet, but there really weren’t any problems.” He started going faster. “It felt so good!” Mike said. “My knee, which always ached, didn’t ache. My foot was able to spread out so I had better balance. And my feet didn’t feel all hot and sweaty. It was awesome!”
“There are actually potential health benefits to running barefoot” said Dr. Nancy Bower, a podiatrist (足科医师).
A recent study agrees. A team of researchers recently videotaped several people running—first wearing shoes and then barefoot. In almost every case, when wearing shoes, the runners tended to land on the heel of their foot, which they call “heel-striking.” Many runners have impact injuries such as knee pain. Heel-striking may be the cause of these injuries or may make an existing injury worse. When running barefoot, the runners tended to land on the middle part of the foot. The force is spread out throughout the foot. The ankle, shin (胫部), knee and hip don’t get the shock of a hard landing with every step.
1. Why does Mike receive a lot of attention while running?| A．Because he runs very fast. | B．Because he loses his shoes. |
| C．Because he wears no shoes. | D．Because he wears strange clothes. |
| A．He liked running barefoot. |
| B．He was advised to run barefoot. |
| C．His shoe became very uncomfortable. |
| D．His dream of becoming famous motivated him. |
| A．was very tired | B．was badly hurt |
| C．gave up running | D．felt unexpectedly great |
| A．is bad for one’s health |
| B．is caused by existing injuries |
| C．happens when one runs barefoot |
| D．can be avoided by wearing sports shoes |
| A．How to choose shoes. | B．Why people need shoes. |
| C．Useful tips on running barefoot. | D．The advantages of running barefoot. |
8 . My name is Audrey. I’m a student at Ridge Avenue High in the graduating class of 2016. Yesterday, March 250, 2016, marked a momentous milestone in my life: I was accepted into Stanford University at 3:01 PM!
Gosh, looking back on my high school career, I accomplished a lot. Not only did I always get excellent grades, I was also captain of my school’s tennis team for two years, president of the debate league, and a National Honor Society Member. Now that I’ve gotten into college, however, my life seems almost well... pointless.
For years, getting into Stanford was my only goal. So what if I lost my friends and even my own personality to pursue this dream? I remember for instance, when I worked on a group project with my classmate Hannah. Like usual, I finished my part of the assignment but Hannah, being the incompetent student that she was, struggled to understand our research topic. Although Hannah eventually finished, I sent the teacher an email informing her of Hannah’s difficulty. Sure, some people suggested I help her out, but how could I sacrifice my grade?
On my college application, I tried my best to paint myself as a typical Stanford student. I described myself as an enthusiastic engineer, because what’s better than a girl who loves engineering? In fact, engineering was my mother’s idea; to be honest, I hate engineering. I dislike writing and reading as well. I hate studying history and I cannot stand mathematics. What do I even like? Clearly, my likes and dislikes have always been based on what Stanford admired in student but no matter, I’m going to the school of my dreams, right?
For now, my future is vague. To others, I may seem extremely excited, but inwardly. I am conflicted. In a sense, I regret what I did in high school. Instead of haggling (讨价还价) for points with my teachers, reprimanding (斥责) others for costing me some points on assignments, I should have explored my talents and interests.
Whatever, I still got into Stanford.
1. What do we know about the author according to Paragraph 2?| A．She performed well in school. | B．She still has many dreams now. |
| C．She has many outstanding gifts. | D．She is looking forward to college fife. |
| A．She is pretty confused. | B．She is in great excitement. |
| C．She is confident of success. | D．She is nervous of future life. |
| A．She learned a lot from Hannah. | B．She once gave Hannah a helping hand. |
| C．She sacrificed a lot because of Hannah. | D．She complained about Hannah’s performance. |
| A．Pretend. | B．Claim. | C．Picture. | D．Regard. |
| A．she was eager to be admitted into Stanford University |
| B．she finally majored in engineering totally out of her own will |
| C．she has a definite direction of her future |
| D．she was content with what she did in high school |
| A．try to get good grades | B．make some good friends |
| C．focus on their own interests | D．apply to Stanford University |
9 . Top 4 Traditional Summer Jobs for College Students
With the summer break around the corner, students will be looking for seasonal and short-term jobs for extra cash, to stay busy or to make additions to their resume (简历). The following jobs have been longtime go-tos for many young adults.
Lifeguard
Because summer is the busiest season for pools and beaches, lots of summer jobs exist for strong swimmers. Lots of positions can be found at community and neighborhood pools, while those who live near the coastline can also find positions at public beaches. These jobs are a great opportunity to build your fitness, keep people safe and be outdoors to enjoy some fun in the sun. The average hourly wage for lifeguards is $9.50.
Camp Counselor (辅导员)
Students, who enjoy spending their time with children, being a leader and overseeing fun, outdoor activities are often the perfect fit for camp counselor positions. Students studying science, for example, can work at a science camp, while those with a creative talent can work at an arts-focused summer program. The average hourly wage for camp counselors is $9.28, but those with years of experience or specific academic backgrounds may earn more.
Sales Associate
Students with a skill for persuasion and helpfulness often enjoy sales associate jobs. Students interested in business, finance or sales/marketing often gravitate (被吸引) towards these roles, but they’re also a great fit for anyone seeking a low-pressure summer position or even just a discount at their favorite store. The average wage is $10.20 hourly.
Food Server
Although it may not seem like the greatest way to spend a summer, working as wait staff allows students to build their social skills, stay active, enjoy free meals while working and familiarize themselves with different cuisines. The average salary is $9.00 hourly, but tips can raise that number hugely.
1. Being a lifeguard means you can___________.| A．work indoors only | B．work near your home |
| C．have fun with your friends | D．work without certifications |
| A．It requires students to be good at outdoor activities. |
| B．A background in a specific area may provide an advantage. |
| C．It offers the highest average hourly wage among the four jobs. |
| D．The experience of babysitting can help you earn more money. |
| A．Enjoy free meals. | B．Enjoy lower purchase prices. |
| C．Develop a set of new skills. | D．Build a career for sales or marketing. |
| A．How to deal with people. | B．How to deal with pressure. |
| C．How to grow their patience. | D．How to make different cuisines. |
| A．Lifeguard. | B．Camp counselor. | C．Sales associate. | D．Food server. |
10 . The Cambridge Satchel Company
The Cambridge Satchel Company was founded in 2008. We offer a range of bags and small leather accessories, from classic satchels (leather bags that are usually carried over the shoulders), clutches (small bags that woman carry in their hand) to passport covers, and key rings, all lovingly handmade in the UK.
17 Rose Crescent | 01223 366 106
www.cambridgegesatchel.com
Primavera Gallery & Artist Working Studio
Primavera is situated opposite King’s College in the heart of Cambridge. The gallery and shop, located over three floors, bring together a carefully-selected and well-researched exploration into some of the finest artwork in Britain today. Primavera has a unique selection of jewellery, glassware, silverware, paintings, print and cards. Our sister gallery at Magdalene Street presents two artists in residence (常驻艺术家) three days a week.
10&11 King’s Parade | 01223 357 708
www.primaveragallery.co.uk
Anthony
We are an independent menswear store. Our collection is varied, from the catwalk to more-traditional tailoring. Made-to-order and made-to-measure services are available if required. Please visit our website for more information.
18 Trinity Street | 01223 353 962
www.anthonymenswear.co.uk
Podarok
Podarok is a little delight in Bene’t St in the Arts Quarter. We have a wide range of unique and handmade gifts, from designer jewellery to amazing unique lampshades (灯罩). Our staff will always help you find the perfect present!
12 Bene’t St | 01223 314 411
www.padarok.co.uk
1. Where is the best place to buy gifts?
| A．At 12 Bene’t St. | B．At 18 Trinity Street. |
| C．At 17 Rose Crescent. | D．At 10&11 King’s Parade. |
| A．The Cambridge Satchel Company. | B．Anthony. |
| C．Primavera. | D．Podarok. |
| A．01223 314 411 | B．01223 353 962 |
| C．01223 366 106 | D．01223 314 411 |
| A．www.podarok.co.uk | B．www.cambridgesatchel.com |
| C．www.primaveragalery.co.uk | D．www.anthonymenswear.co.uk |
