1 . The final results of Best-Ever Teen Fiction vote are in. While it’s no surprise to see Harry Potter and The Hunger Games series on top, this year’s list also highlights some writers we weren’t as familiar with. For example, John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars, appears five times in the top 100.
Summer, like youth, passes quickly. But the books we read when we’re young can stay with us for a lifetime. The following are the top 4 on the list. Enjoy.
1. Harry Potter series
The Harry Potter books make up the popular series written by J. K. Rowing. The series includes seven books. The books concern a wizard (魔法师) called Harry Potter and his journey through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The stories tell of him over coming dangerous obstacles to defeat the dark wizard Lord Voldemort who killed his parents when Harry was 15 months old.
2. The Hunger Games series
In the ruins of a future North America, a young girl is picked to leave her poor district and travel to Capitol for a battle to the death in the cruel Hunger Games. But for Katniss Everdeen, the main character in this series by Suzanne Collins, winning the Games only puts her deeper in danger as the strict social order of Panem begins to unravel (瓦解).
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
Author Harper Lee explores racial tensions in the fictional “tired old town” of Maycomb, Ala., through the eyes of 6-year-old Scout Finch. As her lawyer father, Atticus, defends a black man accused of a crime, Scout and her friends learn about the unjust treatment of African-Americans – and their mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley.
4. The fault in Our Stars
Hazel Grace, a teenage girl, has got all sorts of cancer inside her body, and her lungs aren’t working very well. She knows she is dying and doesn’t live in hope any more. When a man named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at the Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.
1. What do we know about John Green?A.One of his novels tops the list. |
B.Many of his novels are very popular. |
C.He is the favorite writer of many teens. |
D.He was a well-known writer long before the vote. |
A.Harper Lee. |
B.John Green. |
C.J.K. Rowling. |
D.Suzanne Collins. |
A.Lifelong friendships. |
B.Racial discrimination. |
C.A man working as a lawyer. |
D.A little girl’s difficult childhood. |
A.is very optimistic |
B.writes a great story |
C.makes many mistakes |
D.is changed by Augustus. |
A.Sports. |
B.News. |
C.Literature. |
D.Entertainment. |
It was a Sunday morning, and I was in low
Several hours later, the police called us,
“Daddy … I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll be okay.”
“No,” I said, “I
“Sweetheart, I don’t
I felt regretful for my thoughtless remark, for I
A.Therefore | B.Instead | C.Besides | D.However |
A.attention | B.sight | C.effort | D.energy |
A.Dad | B.friends | C.teachers | D.brothers |
A.start | B.save | C.devote | D.waste |
A.silent | B.busy | C.asleep | D.awake |
A.unless | B.in case | C.so that | D.as if |
A.spirits | B.conditions | C.states | D.hopes |
A.left | B.checked | C.entered | D.knocked |
A.ride | B.walk | C.picnic | D.game |
A.whispered | B.warned | C.announced | D.shouted |
A.moment | B.morning | C.afternoon | D.evening |
A.convincing | B.reminding | C.informing | D.phoning |
A.eventually | B.generally | C.strictly | D.broadly |
A.tired | B.afraid | C.aware | D.sorry |
A.discuss | B.think | C.care | D.mean |
A.hate | B.forget | C.remember | D.like |
A.got | B.expressed | C.exchanged | D.managed |
A.often | B.never | C.even | D.once |
A.apologies | B.promises | C.smiles | D.words |
A.experience | B.honor | C.power | D.desire |
3 . A few years ago, I took a sightseeing trip to Washington, D.C. Standing outside the Ronald Reagan Center, I heard a voice say, “Can you help me?” When I turned around, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended. In a natural reflex, I reached into my pocket, pulled out all of my loose change and placed it on her hand without even looking at her. I was annoyed at being bothered by a beggar. But the blind woman smiled and said, “I don’t want your money. I just need help finding the post office.”
In a moment, I realized what I had done. I judged another person simply for what I assumed she had to be. I hated what I saw in myself. This incident re- awakened my belief in humility (谦恭), even though I’d lost it for a moment.
The thing I had forgotten about myself is that I am an immigrant. I left Honduras and arrived in the U.S. at the age of 15. I started my new life with two suitcases, my brother and sister, and a strong, serious-minded mother. Through the years, I have been a dishwasher, mechanic and pizza delivery driver among many other humble jobs, and eventually I became a network engineer.
In my own life, I have experienced many open acts of prejudice (偏见). I remember a time, at age 17 — I worked as a waiter, and I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well in school, he would end up like me. I have also witnessed the same treatment of my family and friends, so I know what it’s like, and I should have known better.
But now, living in my American middle-class lifestyle, it is too easy to forget my past, to forget who I am and where I have been, and to lose sight of where I want to be going. That blind woman on the streets of Washington, D.C., cured me of my blindness. She reminded me of my belief in humility and to always keep my eyes and heart open. By the way, I helped that lady to the post office. And in writing this essay, I hope to thank her for the priceless lesson.
1. We can learn from the first two paragraphs that _.A.the author was a native American |
B.the blind woman needed the money badly |
C.the author was as poor as the blind woman |
D.the author regretted his act of prejudice |
A.rather hurt | B.very excited | C.greatly inspired | D.deeply moved |
A.One should try to experience different kinds of life. |
B.One should think about one’s past as often as possible. |
C.One should treat others equally with love and respect. |
D.One should be nice to the elderly and the disabled. |
A.She has made him value what he has right now. |
B.She has reminded him of the past experiences. |
C.He has got a chance to think about his past and future because of her. |
D.He has regained his belief in humility with her help. |
A.How my dream comes true |
B.A priceless lesson in the street |
C.A Belief that will never change |
D.Learn from your past |
4 . I read somewhere that we spend a full third of our lives waiting. But where are we doing all of this waiting, and what does it mean to an impatient society like ours? To understand the issue, let’s take a look at three types of “waits”.
The very purest form of waiting is the Watched-Pot Wait. It is without doubt the most annoying of all. Take filling up the kitchen sink(洗碗池) as an example. There is absolutely nothing you can do while this is going on but keep both eyes fixed on the sink until it’s full. During these waits, the brain slips away from the body and wanders about until the water runs over the edge of the counter and onto your socks. This kind of wait makes the waiter helpless and mindless.
A cousin to the Watched-Pot Wait is the Forced Wait. This one requires a bit of discipline. Properly preparing packaged noodle soup required a Forced Wait. Directions are very specific. “Bring three cups of water to boil, add mix, simmer three minutes, remove from heat, let stand five minutes.”I have my doubts that anyone has actually followed the procedures strictly. After all, Forced Waiting requires patience.
Perhaps the most powerful type of waiting is the Lucky-Break Wait. This type of wait is unusual in that it is for the most part voluntary. Unlike the Forced Wait, which is also voluntary, waiting for your lucky break does not necessarily mean that it will happen.
Turning one’s life into a waiting game requires faith and hope, and is strictly for the optimists among us. On the surface it seems as ridiculous as following the directions on soup mixes, but the Lucky-Break Wait well serves those who are willing to do it. As long as one doesn’t come to rely on it, wishing for a few good things to happen never hurts anybody.
We certainly do spend a good deal of our time waiting. The next time you’re standing at the sink waiting for it to fill while cooking noodle soup that you’ll have to eat until a large bag of cash falls out of the sky, don’t be desperate. You’re probably just as busy as the next guy.
1. While doing a Watched-Pot Wait, we tend to ___________.A.keep ourselves busy |
B.get absent-minded |
C.grow anxious |
D.stay focused |
A.The Forced Wait requires some self-control. |
B.The Forced Wait makes people passive. |
C.The Watched-Pot Wait needs directions. |
D.The Watched-Pot Wait engages body and brain. |
A.It is less voluntary than the Forced Wait. |
B.It doesn’t always bring the desired result. |
C.It is more fruitful than the Forced Wait. |
D.It doesn’t give people faith and hope. |
A.Take it seriously. |
B.Don’t rely on others. |
C.Do something else. |
D.Don’t lose heart. |
A.exploring various causes of “waits”. |
B.describing detailed processes of “waits”. |
C.analyzing different categories of “waits” |
D.revealing frustrating consequences of “waits” |
The 4-day classic Beijing tour is designed for tourists who come to visit China for the first time. It covers the most popular and typical places in Beijing, fully displaying the scenery, culture, history, local lifestyles and features, food and drinks, business, etc. for you.
Day 1:Arrival in Beijing
Your guide meets you at Capital Airport, and helps you check in at your hotel.
Enjoy Beijing Duck as welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Beijing downtown
Day 2:The Great Wall & the Summer Palace
Start your day at the most famous part of the Great Wall, the Badaling Great Wall. Leave the downtown for the Great Wall at 8 am. Since it is a long drive to the Great Wall (about 2 hours’ riding) have a break at the Jade Museum on the way. Lunch will be enjoyed in a local restaurant. In the early afternoon come back to the city and have a sightseeing tour of the Summer Palace.
Recommended Activity: Beijing Opera Show (Liyuan Theatre, 19:30-21:10 every evening)
Accommodation: Beijing downtown
Day 3:Beijing city sightseeing & Local experience
Your guide meets you at the hotel at 8 am and set out for the day’s touring: Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City.
After visiting the two sites, have a break and get ready for lunch.
Hutong visit: see some traditional arts of the old Beijing, such as paper cutting and kite making, and visit a local family.
Accommodation: Beijing downtown
Day 4:Beijing Olympic sites
Visit the Olympic sites: Bird’s Nest, Water Cube and Olympic Park, witnessing the fast developing modern China. Enjoy some free time after visiting the sites.
After lunch, it is shopping time and then the tour is over.
1. This advertisement is aimed at ________.
A.foreigners who are new to China |
B.experts who study history and cities |
C.kids who were born in other cities |
D.people who are interested in touring |
A.go to Liyuan Theatre in the evening |
B.visit the Summer Palace on the first day |
C.go sightseeing in Beijing Hutong |
D.live and eat downtown in Beijing |
A.Day 4. | B.Day 3. | C.Day 2. | D.Day 1. |
A.Beijing Capital Airport. |
B.Bird’s Nest, Water Cube and Olympic Park. |
C.Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. |
D.The Great Wall & the Summer Palace. |
A.Age requirement. | B.The hotel’s address. |
C.Contact information. | D.The guide’s name. |
For almost four years, my mother would call us from Brazil every day. Every evening I’d
During my fourth-grade Christmas break, we flew to Rio to visit her. Looking at her large
Back home , I
My mother is now back with us. But I will never forget what the
A.attract | B.promote | C.surprise | D.praise |
A.little | B.much | C.well | D.wrong |
A.leave | B.refuse | C.contact | D.forgive |
A.explaining | B.sleeping | C.wondering | D.regretting |
A.poor | B.timely | C.final | D.tough |
A.eagerly | B.politely | C.nervously | D.curiously |
A.patience | B.presence | C.intelligence | D.Influence |
A.Comfortable | B.Expensive | C.Empty | D.Modern |
A.Interested in | B.aware of | C.doubtful | D.satisfied with |
A.when | B.where | C.which | D.that |
A.abandoning | B.balancing | C.comparing | D.mixing |
A.depending on | B.supplied with | C.faced with | D.insisting on |
A.different | B.friendly | C.positive | D.general |
A.criticized | B.informed | C.warned | D.reminded |
A.managed | B.offered | C.attempted | D.expected |
A.grateful | B.energetic | C.independent | D.practical |
A.examples | B.limits | C.rules | D.goals |
A.question | B.experience | C.history | D.occasion |
A.pay off | B.come back | C.run out | D.turn up |
A.blessing | B.gathering | C.failure | D.pleasure |
However,to succeed in life,one first needs to set a goal and then gradually make it more practical.And,in addition to that,in order to get really good at something,one needs to spend at least 10,000 hours studying and practicing.To become great at certain things,it’ll require even more time,time that most people won’t put in.
This is a big reason why many successful people advise you to do something you love. If you don’t enjoy what you do ,it is going to feel like unbearable pain and will likely make you quit well before you ever become good at it.
When you see people exhibiting some great skills or having achieved great success,you know that they have put in a huge part of their life to get there at a huge cost.It’s sometimes easy to think they got lucky or they were born with some rare talent,but thinking that way does you no good,and there’s a huge chance that you’re wrong anyway.
Whatever you do,if you want to become great at it, you need to work day in and day out,almost to the point of addiction,and over a long period of time.If you’re not willing to put in the time and work,don’t expect to receive any rewards.Consistent, hard work won’t guarantee you the level of success you may want, but it will guarantee that you will become really good at whatever it is you put all that work into.
1. Paragraph 1 mainly talks about ________.
A.the reasons for success | B.the meaning of success |
C.the standards of success | D.the importance of success |
A.being good at something | B.setting a practical goal |
C.putting in more time | D.succeeding in life |
A.work makes one feel pain | B.one tends to enjoy his work |
C.one gives up his work easily | D.it takes a lot of time to succeed |
A.Successful people like to show their great skills. |
B.People sometimes succeed without luck or talent. |
C.People need to achieve success at the cost of life. |
D.It helps to think that luck or talent leads to success. |
A.Having a goal is vital to success. |
B.Being good is different from being great. |
C.One cannot succeed without time and practice. |
D.Luck,talent and family help to achieve success. |
8 . When John was growing up, other kids felt sorry for him. His parents always had him weeding the garden, carrying out the garbage and delivering newspapers. But when John reached adulthood, he was better off than his childhood playmates. He had more job satisfaction, a better marriage and was healthier. Most of all, he was happier. Far happier.
These are the findings of a 40-year study that followed the lives of 456 teenage boys from Boston. The study showed that those who had worked as boys enjoyed happier and more productive lives than those who had not. "Boys who worked in the home or community gained competence(能力) and came to feel they were worthwhile members of society," said George Vaillant, the psychologist(心理学家) who made the discovery. "And because they felt good about themselves, others felt good about them."
Vaillant’s study followed these males in great detail. Interviews were repeated at ages 25,31 and 47. Under Vaillant, the researchers compared the men’s mental-health scores with their boyhood-activity scores. Points were awarded for part-time jobs, housework, effort in school, and ability to deal with problems.
The link between what the men had done as boys and how they turned out as adults was surprisingly sharp. Those who had done the most boyhood activities were twice as likely to have warm relations with a wide variety of people, five times as likely to be well paid and 16 times less likely to have been unemployed. The researchers also found that IQ and family social and economic class made no real difference in how the boys turned out.
Working — at any age — is important. Childhood activities help a child develop responsibility, independence, confidence and competence — the underpinnings(基础) of emotional health. They also help him understand that people must cooperate and work toward common goals. The most competent adults are those who know how to do this. Yet work isn’t everything. As Tolstoy once said, "One can live magnificently in this world if one knows how to work and how to love, to work for the person one loves and to love one’s work."
1. What do we know about John?A.He enjoyed his career and marriage. |
B.He had few childhood playmates. |
C.He received little love from his family. |
D.He was envied by others in his childhood. |
A.a description of personal values and social values |
B.an analysis of how work was related to competence |
C.an example for parents’ expectations of their children |
D.an explanation why some boys grew into happy men |
A.recording the boys’ effort in school |
B.evaluating the men’s mental health |
C.comparing different sets of scores |
D.measuring the men’s problem solving ability |
A.Quick to react. | B.Having a thin edge. |
C.Clear and definite. | D.Sudden and rapid. |
A.Competent adults know more about love than work. |
B.Emotional health is essential to a wonderful adult life. |
C.Love brings more joy to people than work does. |
D.Independence is the key to one’s success. |
9 . During the war, my husband was stationed at an army camp in a desert in California. I went to live there in order to be
I was so sorry for myself that I wrote to my parents. I told them I was
Two men looked out from prison bars,
One saw the mud, the other saw the stars.
I read those two lines
I made friends with the natives, and their
What brought about this
A.off | B.behind | C.near | D.beyond |
A.before | B.already | C.then | D.still |
A.inflexible | B.incomprehensible | C.uncontrollable | D.unbearable |
A.Only | B.No | C.Many | D.Such |
A.covered | B.filled | C.buried | D.charged |
A.catching up | B.keeping up | C.giving up | D.getting up |
A.ought to | B.might well | C.would rather | D.had better |
A.request | B.call | C.question | D.letter |
A.comparison | B.imagination | C.consideration | D.memory |
A.over and over | B.by and by | C.up and down | D.now and then |
A.company | B.occupation | C.situation | D.relationship |
A.movement | B.reaction | C.guidance | D.purpose |
A.refused | B.failed | C.managed | D.happened |
A.asked | B.hunted | C.waited | D.headed |
A.floor | B.surface | C.rock | D.level |
A.shocking | B.challenging | C.puzzling | D.astonishing |
A.as | B.but | C.for | D.or |
A.attitude | B.principle | C.identity | D.standard |
A.vacation | B.operation | C.affair | D.adventure |
A.sought | B.counted | C.found | D.reached |
10 . One day when I was 12, my mother gave me an order: I was to walk to the public library, and borrow at least one book for the summer. This was one more weapon for her to defeat my strange problem — inability to read.
In the library, I found my way into the “Children’s Room.” I sat down on the floor and pulled a few books off the shelf at random. The cover of a book caught my eye. It presented a picture of a beagle. I had recently had a beagle, the first and only animal companion I ever had as a child. He was my secret sharer, but one morning, he was gone, given away to someone who had the space and the money to care for him. I never forgot my beagle.
There on the book’s cover was a beagle which looked identical to my dog. I ran my fingers over the picture of the dog on the cover. My eyes ran across the title, Amos, the Beagle with a Plan. Unknowingly, I had read the title. Without opening the book, I borrowed it from the library for the summer.
Under the shade of a bush, I started to read about Amos. I read very, very slowly with difficulty. Though pages were turned slowly, I got the main idea of the story about a dog who, like mine, had been separated from his family and who finally found his way back home. That dog was my dog, and I was the little boy in the book. At the end of the story, my mind continued the final scene of reunion, on and on, until my own lost dog and I were, in my mind, running together.
My mother’s call returned me to the real world. I suddenly realized something: I had read a book, and I had loved reading that book. Everyone knew I could not read. But I had read it. Books could be incredibly wonderful and I was going to read them.
I never told my mother about my “miraculous” (奇迹般地) experience that summer, but she saw a slow but remarkable improvement in my classroom performance during the next year. And years later, she was proud that her son had read thousands of books, was awarded a PhD in literature, and authored his own books, articles, poetry and fiction. The power of the words has held.
1. The author’s mother told him to borrow a book in order to_____.A.encourage him to do more walking | B.let him spend a meaningful summer |
C.help cure him of his reading problem | D.make him learn more about weapons |
A.it contained pretty pictures of animals |
B.it reminded him of his own dog |
C.he found its title easy to understand |
D.he liked children’s stories very much |
A.He was forced by his mother to read it. |
B.He identified with the story in the book. |
C.The book told the story of his pet dog. |
D.The happy ending of the story attracted him. |
A.The author has become a successful writer. |
B.The author’s mother read the same book. |
C.The author’s mother rewarded him with books. |
D.The author has had happy summers ever since. |
A.The Charm of a Book | B.Mum’s Strict Order |
C.Reunion with My Beagle | D.My Passion for Reading |