1 . 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.

2. Which can best describe the author’s feeling while writing the passage?

A．She is pretty confused.	B．She is in great excitement.
C．She is confident of success.	D．She is nervous of future life.

3. What did the author do to her classmate Hannah?

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.

4. What does the underlined word “paint” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Pretend.

B．Claim.

C．Picture.

D．Regard.

5. We can infer from Paragraph 4 and Paragraph 5 ________.

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

6. We can infer that the author probably advises high school students to ________.

A．try to get good grades	B．make some good friends
C．focus on their own interests	D．apply to Stanford University

2 . 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

2. What do you know about the camp counselor job?

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.

3. What might be one of the benefits of working as a sales associate?

A．Enjoy free meals.	B．Enjoy lower purchase prices.
C．Develop a set of new skills.	D．Build a career for sales or marketing.

4. What can people learn in a waiter’s job?

A．How to deal with people.	B．How to deal with pressure.
C．How to grow their patience.	D．How to make different cuisines.

5. Which job may allow you to earn more than it says?

A．Lifeguard.

B．Camp counselor.

C．Sales associate.

D．Food server.

3 . 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.

2. Which store only sells men’s clothes?

A．The Cambridge Satchel Company.	B．Anthony.
C．Primavera.	D．Podarok.

3. If you are interested in bags, you may call

A．01223 314 411	B．01223 353 962
C．01223 366 106	D．01223 314 411

4. If you want to get information on the gallery at Magdalene Street, you may visit ________.

A．www.podarok.co.uk	B．www.cambridgesatchel.com
C．www.primaveragalery.co.uk	D．www.anthonymenswear.co.uk

4 . Contrary to advertisements seen on television, read in magazines, or heard on the radio, spending a lot of money on a gift for a friend or loved one is totally unnecessary. Many people collect photos or mementos (纪念品) from special events, trips, or celebrations throughout their lives, throwing them in a drawer or cardboard box somewhere, intending to sort them out later. It seems, though that “later” never comes. So, the next time you’re ready to buy a silk scarf or pair of leather gloves for that special someone, consider sorting through that junk drawer filled with mementos and special photos.

For example, you can decorate an inexpensive picture frame with colorful buttons for your mother who is interested in sewing, or use tiny machine parts for your workshop-crazed brother. Inserting a special photo of you and that certain someone will create a gift that will be treasured forever. Shadow boxes are a wonderful way to display several objects from a single special event, such as a wedding. Take the original wedding invitation, a dried flower from the table centerpiece, or anything else that you can gather from the wedding, and display them in the box.

When you have many photos and mementos, make a photo album or scrapbook (剪贴簿) for a friend or family member. Today, the options for decorating your book are nearly endless. Entering a scrapbooking store can make your head spin. If this happens to you on your first scrapbooking visit, consider taking an introductory class, which many stores offer. Of course, you will have a much better idea of which scrapbook supplies to buy when the class ends.

Pictures or books that can be enjoyed over and over again are one-of-a-kind, original gifts. There is nothing like receiving a gift that comes straight from the heart. Such gifts help people recall happy times and strengthen the bond between the giver and the receiver.

1. What is the author’s attitude to gift advertisements?

A．Tolerant.

B．Doubtful.

C．Uncaring.

D．Disapproving.

2. By saying the underlined words in Paragraph 1, the author means that people often ________.

A．spend time collecting photos	B．overlook their photos or mementos
C．miss special events, trips or celebrations	D．forget to clean their drawer or cardboard box

3. According to Paragraph 2, shadow boxes ________.

A．are more expensive than picture frames	B．are usually made of cheap materials
C．can be used to show mementos	D．can be a precious wedding gift

4. The introductory class mentioned in Paragraph 3 will help you learn how to ________.

A．take beautiful pictures	B．decorate your scrapbook
C．start a scrapbooking store	D．write a book on scrapbooking

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

A．A gift from the heart	B．A special photo album
C．The first scrapbooking visit	D．The treasured shadow boxes

5 . After I entered high school, I attended advanced classes and I had a teacher who made me think I was stupid.

In my freshman year, I had trouble writing essays for that teacher. She was strict. She made fun of me, sometimes in front of the class. It didn’t help that my friend was a genius (天才) who would text me the night before our essay was due (到期) and ask, “ What is the essay about again?” She would receive a 97 and I would receive an 80 even though I had revised (修正) and edited that piece for two weeks. Once I got a 97 on a project that took me two and a half weeks to complete, and I was asked how much help my mom had given to me. In the second grade, I had trouble with my essay writing once again. Besides, I had problems in Maths even though I understood the concepts.

Now I am in a new school and taking many subjects and I am doing well. Actually in the beginning, I was nervous. I thought I would fail all of my classes because my previous teachers had failed me and made me ashamed to try. I thought I was just going to get another 80 on an essay. It is hard indeed. They are fast-paced courses and it isn’t easy to keep up with all the readings and when my next lab will be. But with so much adjustment (调整) to the stress, I have become confident. Now I know how much time I need to perfect that essay, and when to set aside time to meet with my tutor (老师) before my next biology exam.

I am writing this blog to the kids that have gotten lost in the mix---any adjusting freshmen, any lost kids in advanced classes, and the hidden genius in everyone. I went through two years in high school, thinking I was a little slower than the other kids in advanced classes. But in this new environment, with the experience I have received and my new-found confidence, I can say, “I’m Anne Hilker and I am smart!” We are all smart.

1. What did the author want to show by mentioning her friend?

A．She faced a lot of competition.

B．Her friend was a great help to her.

C．Her friend made her feel even worse.

D．Her teachers loved students like her friend.

2. How did the teacher react when the author got a 97 on a project?

A．She felt very happy for the author.

B．She praised the author in front of the class.

C．She wasn’t pleased with the author’s mother.

D．She didn’t believe it was finished by the author alone.

3. What does the author probably realize after going to a new school?

A．Hard work doesn’t pay off.

B．She isn’t as stupid as she feared.

C．Fast-paced courses don’t benefit her.

D．Advanced classes aren’t suitable for her.

4. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To show students should study very hard.

B．To tell teachers to believe in their students.

C．To show teachers should be kind to their students.

D．To tell students to learn to face stress and have confidence.

5. How would a lost student most probably feel after reading the author’s story?

A．Inspired

B．Disappointed

C．Moved

D．Anxious

6 . Here are some of the coolest robots in the world.

Pleo

Pleo is one of the most good-looking robots on the market. The robot is designed to learn from its experiences, and the environment it is kept in. Pleo has become especially popular among children, as it could be used for both entertainment and educational purposes. It exhibits lively behavior like eating and sleeping. It can now be bought at a price of $469.

BigDog

BigDog is the most advanced rough land robot on earth. Designed to serve military (军事的) uses, the machine is around 3 feet long, 2.5 feet tall, and weighs 240 pounds. The robot can move on rough land at a speed of four miles per hour, and is able to carry up to 340 pounds of weight.

I-Sobot

An Amazing human-like robot, I-Sobot is one of the smallest human-like robots, with a height of just 6.5 inches and a weight of 12 ounces. It costs $300. It has become the most-produced robot in the world. This small robot can walk, play the air guitar, and perform about 200 moves. This robot can be controlled by either a remote control or voice commands.

Schaft
       Schaft is an award-winning robot by Google. It looks like a man. Schaft can perform several tasks on its own, and is able to get through disaster areas and work with any tools and materials at hand. With the strength of 10 average people, Schaft is able to lift and clear heavy things. It weighs 209 pounds. It is able to move at a speed of 2km / h.
KeepOn

KeepOn is a small robot which can perform simple and natural interaction. Developed in 2015, KeepOn is an interactive toy designed to help children with autism(自闭症) in their social development, and costs anywhere from $40 to $100.

1. What makes Pleo different from the other four robots mentioned in the text?

A．Being very cheap for customers.	B．Having a very special appearance.
C．Having the ability to learn new things.	D．Being able to be played with all the time.

2. Which of the following robots is designed for the army?

A．Pleo

B．BigDog

C．I-Sobot

D．KeepOn

3. What do we learn about I-Sobot?

A．It can move fast.	B．It is difficult to control.
C．It is expensive to produce.	D．It has been very popular.

4. What is Schaft most probably suitable for?

A．Entertainment	B．Interacting with children
C．Educational purposes	D．Performing rescue tasks

5. Who would most probably buy KeepOn?

A．Children who want to win an award.

B．Old and lonely people who need much help.

C．Parents with a child who cannot interact well.

D．Parents who want their children to learn new things.

7 . Close to the king’s palace stood a little house. In it lived a ______ gardener who worked at the palace grounds from dawn to dusk. It was hard work. Yet he ______ complained. He always seemed to be at peace with himself.

The king wondered, “I wish I could be as happy as him.”

One evening the king found the gardener packing up his tools after ______ the day’s work. He was covered with dust and mud. But he kept singing to himself. The king ______ him and said, “You are always happy. I wish I could be as happy as you. What is the ______ of your happiness? Won’t you ______ it with me? ”

“Why should I be unhappy when I get two meals a day and have a ______ to sleep in at night? I’m happy that I have the ______ to work from morning till evening to earn my bread. I’m so ______ now that I can enjoy anything, even hard dry bread. And I am tired too. So I can ______ on the hardest floor, and drop off to sleep ______ . When I wake up in the morning, I feel fresh and full of ______ to welcome another day. I take every ______ as it comes. This moment is what ______ to me the most,” the gardener bowed and replied ______ .

“But what if tomorrow you fall sick! Shouldn’t you think of the future too?” the king asked.

“And start ______ ? Then I will lose my appetite. I will not get good sleep. I will fall sick and ______ my job. I will starve and die. I can’t ______ to worry about the future. Only this moment counts. Nothing else,” the gardener explained.

“You said it. Thank you,” the king nodded and ______ to change his attitude and to make the best use of the ______ .

1.

A．silly

B．lazy

C．cheerful

D．rich

2.

A．rarely

B．immediately

C．uncomfortably

D．jokingly

3.

A．starting

B．finishing

C．missing

D．studying

4.

A．shot

B．arrested

C．ignored

D．approached

5.

A．secret

B．use

C．price

D．goal

6.

A．exchange

B．divide

C．appreciate

D．share

7.

A．garden

B．palace

C．bed

D．kitchen

8.

A．money

B．strength

C．time

D．company

9.

A．sad

B．weak

C．tired

D．hungry

10.

A．get up

B．roll over

C．lie down

D．break out

11.

A．carefully

B．instantly

C．occasionally

D．painfully

12.

A．energy

B．hate

C．meaning

D．ambition

13.

A．chance

B．day

C．dream

D．meal

14.

A．sings

B．listens

C．matters

D．prefers

15.

A．respectfully

B．awkwardly

C．shyly

D．humorously

16.

A．celebrating

B．arguing

C．learning

D．worrying

17.

A．love

B．lose

C．change

D．forget

18.

A．afford

B．fail

C．decide

D．plan

19.

A．refused

B．pretended

C．threatened

D．determined

20.

A．power

B．wealth

C．present

D．talent

8 . Gifted students in the Wichita Falls Independent School District in Texas had the opportunity to travel to STEM facilities and learn coding and other technical skills, but the transportation is not convenient. “We just started talking about, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if we were able to design a mobile STEM lab? ’ ”says Dr. Peter E. Griffiths, the district’s associate superintendent. Educators soon realized that they could retrofit an old bus into a mobile STEM lab, which would provide increased access to career and technical education (CTE) experiences for students.

Districts sold off buses when the vehicles became too old. Griffiths and his colleagues decided to retrofit one of those old vehicles. “Give me your ‘best worst’ bus,” Griffiths said to the transportation department. Soon the process of transforming began. Griffiths reached out to Reuben Rodriguez, the owner of a local car company, and explained what they wanted to do. Rodriguez agreed to work with the district on the price on condition that they could send CTE students to lend a hand with some of the building work. And bringing the bus from the dream stage to fruition has taken a lot of joint efforts of educators and the community.

Called STEAM Machine, the bus looks like a device from a video game or a real-life Lego truck, and rides as a mobile maker space. “It has two touch screen TVs outside. It comes complete with drones and drone obstacle courses that will help students learn about coding in an enjoyable way,” Griffiths says. “Those are things that a lot of these kids have never experienced before.”

To drive the bus, the district has hired a retiring teacher who will take the bus to various schools and engage in different lessons with students and educators. “We were so concerned about kids losing out on experiences before, and this is a solution. We aren’t going to let this go. The STEAM Machine will be equipped with all the necessary materials and resources, and it may change the way students learn and engage with their education,” Griffiths said.

1. What is the main purpose of the mobile STEM lab?

A．To develop students’ interest in STEM research.

B．To replace traditional school buses with electric ones.

C．To provide fun activities for students during long trips

D．To enable students to get more learning chances.

2. What was Rodriguez’s requirement for transforming the old bus?

A．Educators needed to pay him in advance.

B．Some students could help with the building work.

C．The old bus should be equipped with high technology.

D．The district must provide him with necessary materials.

3. What does Griffiths say about the STEAM Machine in Paragraph 3?

A．It brings students fun learning experiences.

B．It awakens students’ curiosity about bus driving.

C．It protects students’ health with its special design.

D．It saves students’ time by reducing traffic on the road.

4. What’s Griffiths’ attitude towards the future of the STEAM Machine?

A．Doubtful.

B．Worried.

C．Hopeful.

D．Unclear.

5. Which of the following best describes the features of the STEAM Machine?

A．Safe and long-lasting.	B．Fashionable and comfortable.
C．Creative and educational.	D．Cheap and eco-friendly.

9 . Global Essay Competition

The John Locke Institute encourages young people to develop the characteristics that turn good students into great writers. Our Essay Competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the limits of the school curriculum (课程).

All of our essay prizes are judged by senior academics from the University of Oxford. The judges will choose their favourite essay from each subject category and an overall “best essay” across six subjects: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology and Law.

Entry Requirements

Entry is open to students from any country. Candidates must be eighteen years old, or younger, on the date of the submission deadline, 30 June. Candidates for the Junior Prize must be fourteen years old, or younger, on the date of the submission deadline. Each essay should address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category, and must not exceed (超过) 2, 000 words.

Key Dates

30 June: Submission deadline

14 July: Short-listed candidates informed

26 August: Awards Dinner for the Junior Prize

2. September: Awards Dinner for the Economics Prize and other prizes

Prizes

There is a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category, and the winner of the Junior category, is a scholarship worth US $2,000 towards the cost of attending any John Locke Institute programme, and the essays will be published on the Institute’s website. The prize-giving ceremony will take place in Oxford.

The candidate who submits the best essay overall will be awarded an honorary John Locke Institute Junior, Fellowship, which comes with a US $10, 000 scholarship to attend one or more of our summer schools.

1. What should the entry be about?

A．The limits of school courses.	B．The characteristics of great writers.
C．One of the given questions.	D．Anything in the chosen fields.

2. What is NOT true about the competition?

A．It sets a word limit on essays.

B．It has six subject categories.

C．Its prizes are judged by voting online.

D．It is open to any student regardless of his or her nationality.

3. Those who want to compete for the Junior Prize should not be over _________years old.

A．10

B．14

C．18

D．20

4. When will the Law Prize winner attend the awards dinner?

A．On 30 June.	B．On 14 July.
C．On 26 August.	D．On 2 September.

5. What will the overall best essay candidate receive?

A．A fellowship at Oxford University.	B．A summer school scholarship.
C．A chance to get published.	D．A US $1, 000 award.

10 . Do you find yourself pulling away from others, especially if you’ve experienced a deep disappointment? Maybe the most ______ thing most of us can do is to be with people when we don’t feel like being around anybody.

A man who lost his wife to cancer found himself wanting to be ______ . He dropped out of his community and ______ all of the activities he and his wife were used to for year. He ______ socializing at work and returned ______ home to an empty house after work. He turned down ______ from friends and co-workers.

His friends became ______ . One came by to visit and invite him over for supper the next evening. The two old friends sat in comfortable chairs by a ______ . The visitor extended the dinner invitation and ______ him to come, “You may need to ______ others to share your pain.”

The man responded that he felt better ______ staying with other people. “And ______ ,” he said, “it’s just too difficult to get out anymore.”

They sat in ______ for a while, watching the wood burn in the fireplace. Then the visitor did a(n) ______ thing. He took tongs (火钳) by the fireplace, reached into the fire, pulled out a ______ coal and laid down by itself on the earth. “That’s you,” he said.

The man sat in silence, ______ the red-hot ember. Neither man looked ______ as the once hot coal gradually transformed into a black lump. After some moments, the man said, “I get the ______ , my friend. I’ll be over tomorrow evening.”

We cannot ______ in any healthy way by ourselves. The leaf needs the branch. The branch needs the trunk. The trunk needs the roots. And the roots need the rest of the tree. We are ______ . And in that connection life and vitality (活力) are found.

1.

A．exciting

B．common

C．difficult

D．obvious

2.

A．independent

B．cheerful

C．sociable

D．alone

3.

A．enjoyed

B．refused

C．looked back to

D．took part in

4.

A．quit

B．reduced

C．kept

D．became fond of

5.

A．hurriedly

B．hopefully

C．straight

D．eagerly

6.

A．greetings

B．visits

C．kindness

D．invitations

7.

A．annoyed

B．alarmed

C．disappointed

D．curious

8.

A．warm fireplace

B．beautiful garden

C．bright window

D．TV set

9.

A．inspired

B．told

C．encouraged

D．required

10.

A．inform

B．expect

C．leave

D．allow

11.

A．while

B．without

C．regardless of

D．because of

12.

A．besides

B．otherwise

C．generally

D．therefore

13.

A．turn

B．silence

C．tears

D．talks

14.

A．frightening

B．heartwarming

C．unusual

D．interesting

15.

A．black

B．burnt

C．dark

D．flaming

16.

A．watching

B．holding

C．admiring

D．ignoring

17.

A．down

B．away

C．ahead

D．around

18.

A．point

B．invitation

C．news

D．notice

19.

A．think

B．understand

C．escape

D．survive

20.

A．welcomed

B．concerned

C．connected

D．affected