1 . Two years ago I was very lonely and didn't talk with anyone about my feelings.   At the time I didn't have many friends.   I wanted someone to share my experiences and secrets with.   I wanted someone to understand me.   I started to imagine this friend.   Often I imagine our conversations and what we would do, but I didn't give my imagination a face.

Some weeks later I started a new project in school and I was working with one of my schoolmates.   We had never worked together before but we got along well.   After the project we started to spend some time together in school.   One day we decided to take a walk.   Ever since that walk we've been friends.   We listened and really understood each other.

I had wished for a best friend, but the universe gave me so much more.   I have met one of my soul mates(挚友).   We can sense each other, and it just takes one look and we know what the other is thinking.   I didn't think our friendship could grow much stronger.   But now we have known each other for two years and our friendship is growing all the time.

It hasn't only been easy.   We have gone through both easy and hard times.   But I'm grateful for the hard times, because they have forced me to grow and taught me a lot.   My best friend has changed me.   She has made me believe in myself.   And I am now focusing on achieving one of my biggest dreams.   Without her, I wouldn't even have realized what my biggest dream is.

I know there are soul mates out in the world for you.   I am so thankful to have met one of mine.   Believe in them, and your paths will cross.

1. What did the author do before meeting her soul mate?

A．She chose to stay alone.	B．She spent time with other friends.
C．She told others about her feelings.	D．She pictured a friend in her mind.

2. How did the author get to know her soul mate?

A．By taking a walk.

B．By attending a party.

C．Through a school project.

D．Through a friend's introduction.

3. What do we know about the author and her soul mate?

A．Their friendship is still developing.

B．She is the author's only soul mate.

C．They are trying hard to realize their dreams.

D．She has little confidence in their friendship.

4. Why is the author thankful for the hard times?

A．She went through them easily.

B．She has learned a lot from them.

C．They have made her suffer.

D．They have made her dream come true.

2 . “You're the worst parents ever. Just leave me alone!” It was another typical ____ between me and my parents. This time I wanted to go out with friends Saturday night but they had plans to go to Aunt Sue's house. All my friends got to go out on Saturday. It just wasn't ____ . So I hardly felt bad for being unkind to my parents. Sure, they gave me everything, but “everything” _____ unfair standards and so many lectures on my attitude.

That night, I overheard my parents talking. My dad sounded upset and ____. He was telling my mom about one of his students. The girl had just __ her father. Now just she and her mother were trying to make the best of everything. For the last few weeks, she had not been in school. It ____ that she had leukemia (白血病),and there was little chance that she could _______ it.

All I could think about _____ was what this girl was going through. Suddenly, I realized how _____ my problems were. So what if I had to ______one night out with my friends? At

least I had great friends who could help me get through life. I had so many things to be _______for； how could I be so selfish? My whole attitude to life ______ that night as I realized how many things I took for granted.

After I gathered my ______ I went to the living room and gave both my parents hugs.

“I love you, Mom, and I love you, Dad. I just want to say thanks for being my ____ . “ That said, I went back to my room and took the time to think about all the _____ in my life. It's just a shame I didn't realize all this sooner.

1.

A．misunderstanding

B．difference

C．battle

D．challenge

2.

A．right

B．fair

C．normal

D．lucky

3.

A．added

B．caused

C．covered

D．included

4.

A．concerned

B．surprised

C．amazed

D．tired

5.

A．met

B．lost

C．helped

D．left

6.

A．got along

B．took on

C．brought out

D．turned out

7.

A．make

B．do

C．get

D．pass

8.

A．later

B．soon

C．before

D．then

9.

A．serious

B．impossible

C．unimportant

D．natural

10.

A．spend

B．miss

C．plan

D．need

11.

A．sorry

B．thankful

C．fit

D．responsible

12.

A．changed

B．stopped

C．disappeared

D．improved

13.

A．worries

B．opinions

C．suggestions

D．thoughts

14.

A．parents

B．teachers

C．friends

D．partners

15.

A．happy Saturdays

B．terrible mistakes

C．good things

D．good friends

3 . 60 or so men and women are gathering outside of the Emergency Food Shelf in the city of Burlington. Inside, volunteer students from the University of Vermont （UVM） are working busily to bake chicken, re-heat donated pizza, chop vegetables, make peanut butter and sandwiches, and put bananas and beverages （饮料）within easy reach of anyone who comes through the door.

Six nights a week, the Salvation Army makes dinner for the hungry. But on Sunday, the Army's day of rest, the UVM kids take over and make sure that anyone who's hungry gets fed.

This year the program is headed by a tall, blonde chemistry major. At age 22, senior Carly Hodgins has been a part of this group for four years and is a masterful organizer.

“Time to open up!” Carly yells.

The door swings open. Men and women who've been waiting outside silently walk into the building. Ten steps inside the door, each man or woman picks up a waiting plate and the students start piling it with food. Every person gets a portion（一份）of meat, vegetables, salad, potatoes, and pizza.

Carly stands at the end of the food line and offers a beverage. "Apple juice?” she asks, looking straight into the eyes of each diner. "Orange juice?” Her smile is a flash of sunshine.

I remember words buried long ago in my heart: “I am hungry and you give me food. I am thirsty and you give me something to drink. I am a stranger and you welcome me.

When the last meal has been served and the last diner has gone back into the darkness! wipe down a steel table in the kitchen and think about what these kids have done. Tonight, no one in Burlington will go hungry.

1. What is the UVM volunteer students' duty?

A．To help the Salvation Army make dinner.

B．To make dinner for the hungry on Sunday.

C．To make sure the hungry get fed every day.

D．To make dinner for the hungry six nights a week.

2. How do the people get their food?

A．They help themselves to it.

B．They wait at the door to get it.

C．They get it at the end of the food line.

D．They let the students put it on their plates.

3. What does the underlined sentence in the text really mean?

A．Staying out of trouble.	B．Helping a person in trouble.
C．Enjoying good things in life.	D．Seeking help when in trouble.

4. What does the underlined word “diner” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．A person waiting for a meal.	B．A person preparing a meal.
C．A person serving a meal.	D．A person eating a meal.

4 . Since his students began using Quizlet, the English teacher Tristan Thorne has noticed an improvement in their ability to learn and use new words. Quizlet is a learning app, a computer program you use on your mobile phone. It can help users build and test their knowledge of English words. Quizlet has words set for millions of subjects. And, it is quickly becoming a useful mobile tool for language learners.

Thorne teachers at Columbia University in New York City. Thanks to learning apps, Jeff Strack, another English teachers, has also noticed the improvement in his students’ ability to remember information. He teachers at Hostos Community College, also in New York. He and Thorne are part of a growing number of language educators adding mobile apps to their classes.

Strack and Thorne seem to agree that the days when teachers would not permit(允许) the use of mobile phones are gone. When they use apps, language learner communicate more differently than in a traditional classroom. Users act on or respond to something, instead of just listening to new information.

Thorne believes that apps can help learners become more active in learning. For example, each week, his students are required to add vocabularies to Quizlet for others to use. He says some apps also make it easy for students to know their language strengths and weaknesses.

The biggest improvement Strack has seen in his students is that they are much more active in whole-class or small-group discussions. “Apps let all students take part in the activity, whether it’s a game, quiz or practice activity.” he says.

Many existing learning apps are designed for students of all ages and levels. Some are designed for group activities. Some support independent learning. Still some are good for homework. Thorne says he especially likes Quizlet and three other apps: QR Codes, Socrative and Evernote.

1. What do Strack and Thorne do to improve their teaching?

A．They design learning apps for their students

B．They allow their students to use apps to study

C．They don’t allow their students to use apps after class

D．They order their students not to use mobile phones in class.

2. According to the text, how do the apps help the language learners?

A．They help language learners save much time and money

B．The help language learners remember their weaknesses

C．The help language learners improve their weakness

D．They help language learners take an active part in Learning

3. What can we learn about the exiting learning apps?

A．They have three types in total	B．There are too few to choose from
C．They are designed for different uses	D．They are only designed for homework

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

A．Better Language Learning with Mobile Apps

B．Great changes in Science and Technology

C．The Use of Mobile Phones Will Be Gone

D．Ways to Choose from Different Mobile Apps

5 . Mark Twain, the famous American writer, liked to play jokes on others. But once a joke was played on him. One day Mark Twain was invited to give a talk in a small town. At lunch he met a young man, one of his friends.The young man said that he has an uncle with him. He told Twain that his uncle never laughed or smiled, and that nobody and nothing was able to make his uncle smile or laugh.

"You bring your uncle to my talk tonight, "said Mark Twain. "I'm sure I can make him laugh".

That evening the young man and his uncle sat in the front. Mark Twain began to speak. He told several funny stories. This made everyone in the room laugh.But the man never even smiled. Mark Twain told more funny stories, but the old man still kept quiet. Mark Twain told his funny stories. Finally he stopped. He was tired and quite disappointed(失望的)．

Some days later, Mark Twain told another friend of his about what had happened.

"Oh," said his friend. "I know that old man. He's been deaf(聋)for years."

1. Mark Twain liked to play jokes on_____.

A．himself

B．others

C．old men

D．Americans

2. One day Mark Twain met_____ at lunch.

A．a friend	B．a young man's uncle
C．a young girl	D．a deaf

3. The young man told Mark Twain that his uncle never_____.

A．spoke

B．talked

C．laughed

D．ate

4. Mark Twain stopped telling stories at last because he was_____.

A．thirsty

B．tired

C．angry

D．sleepy

6 . Mother Nature is a cruel mistress. Why? Read on to find the answer.

Venice

This iconic city is sinking rapidly. The canals that make up the streets of Venice rise 2mm every year, making relics of history go under the surface of water and destroying architecture. Experts warn that without intervention (干预) , this city will disappear back into the water at an even faster rate, consumed by rising sea level from melting polar ice caps.

Machu Picchu

These iconic ruins have drawn adventurous tourists into the mountains of South America. The forces of natural erosion (侵蚀) have been accelerated by tourism and this landmark faces severe influence from increasing foot traffic. The Peruviar government recently suggested a cable car that would cut out the intense hike up to the ruins, making the site instantly accessible to millions, but the future of Machu Picchu remains uncertain.

Glacier National Park

Perhaps you’ve heard that the ice caps are melting. But nowhere is more apparent in the United States than in Glacier National Park. Estimates indicate that the glaciers that are part of the beauty of this national landmark will disappear entirely in the next two decades.

The Great Barrier Reef

Hidden from view beneath the waves, the Great Barrier Reef has been rapidly dying off. Nearly fifty percent of coral which once occupied a large area is gone, destroyed by pollution and disease.

1. What can we learn about Machu Picchu?

A．It’s famous for cable cars.	B．It will soon turn away all visitors.
C．It bears a heavy burden of tourism.	D．It’s well preserved by the locals.

2. Which place probably needs visitors to dive into the water to enjoy its beauty?

A．The Great Barrier Reef.	B．Machu Picchu.
C．Glacier National Park.	D．Venice.

3. What do the above attractions have in common?

A．They all have a long history.	B．They’re all threatened by climate.
C．They’re all in danger of disappearing.	D．They’re all well-known for natural scenery.

7 . Perhaps the most interesting person I have ever met is an Italian professor of philosophy who teaches at the University of Pisa. _________ I last met this man eight years ago, I have not forgotten his _________ qualities. First of all, I respected his devotion to teaching. Because his lectures were always well-prepared and clearly delivered, students crowded into his classroom. His followers liked the fact that he _________ what he taught. Further more, he could be counted on to explain his ideas in an imaginative way, introducing such aids (辅助) to understanding as oil paintings, music, and guest lectures. Once he _________ sang a song in class m order to make a point clear. _________ I admired the fact that he would talk to students outside the classroom or talk with them on the telephone. Drinking coffee in the cafe, he would easily make friends with students. Sometimes he would _________ a student to a game of chess (国际象棋). _________, he would join students groups to discuss a variety of _________: agriculture, diving and mathematics. Many young people visited him in his office for _________ on their studies others came to his home for social evenings. Finally, I was __________ by his lively sense of humor (幽默). He believed that no lesson is a success unless, during it the students and the professor __________ at least one loud __________. Through his sense of humor, he made learning more __________ and more lasting. If it is __________ that life makes a wise man smile and a foolish man cry, __________ my friend is indeed a wise man.

1.

A．Although

B．When

C．Even if

D．Now that

2.

A．basic

B．special

C．common

D．particular

3.

A．rise to

B．talked about

C．believed in

D．agreed with

4.

A．also

B．nearly

C．even

D．only

5.

A．Later

B．Secondly

C．However

D．Therefore

6.

A．invite

B．lead

C．prefer

D．show

7.

A．As a matter of fact

B．Later on

C．Other times

D．In general

8.

A．questions

B．subjects

C．matters

D．contents

9.

A．support

B．explanation

C．experience

D．advice

10.

A．disturbed

B．moved

C．attracted

D．defeated

11.

A．hear

B．suggest

C．share

D．demand

12.

A．laugh

B．cry

C．shout

D．question

13.

A．helpful

B．enjoyable

C．practical

D．useful

14.

A．natural

B．normal

C．hopeful

D．true

15.

A．so

B．for

C．then

D．yet

8 . The most important lesson I learned in high school had nothing to do with maths or American history. It came at graduation，several minutes before I left Miramonte High School.

I was rather shy back then，content to_______around with my few friends and to concentrate on my_______.I was doing so well that by the end of senior year I had perfect scores and enough_______to go to college.

But my good record soon became a_______to my well-being. In early June of senior year，the headmaster called me into his office. He asked me to give a leave-taking speech at graduation. I looked at him，my heart________fast. This was the_______for my hard work？I said something，but not very clearly，and hurried away from the office.

I was_______about the decision，finally agreeing to compromise. I wasn’t the only speaker—I would_________the honor with five other students. Still，it was doubtful whether the task was________me. How in the world would I give a speech to hundreds of people?

Graduation day soon arrived and，as________，I was nervous. I’d been practicing my speech for days，and I had it________.But I had never been so________in my life. The first half hour of the ceremony passed，and then my________came. My name was announced. I managed to reach the platform without falling down. But within minutes，I finished my speech，_________back to my seat and feeling unsatisfied with my performance.

Now I still have the________of that speech. My voice trembled a little，but________it was clear and strong. I’m proud of that tape. I achieved something I’d never_______ —I spoke in front of hundreds of people._________I didn’t realize it at the time，the successful completion of that speech gave me the________to participate in class at college，to give oral reports，and to eventually break free of my________.

I never would have chosen to give a speech at graduation. But I am glad I did. I know it may well turn out to be one of my shining moments.

1.

A．hang

B．look

C．turn

D．run

2.

A．characters

B．interests

C．games

D．subjects

3.

A．money

B．credits

C．effort

D．standards

4.

A．luck

B．benefit

C．fear

D．solution

5.

A．burning

B．breaking

C．aching

D．beating

6.

A．punishment

B．reward

C．arrangement

D．sympathy

7.

A．doubtful

B．optimistic

C．generous

D．hesitant

8.

A．share

B．bring

C．spare

D．supply

9.

A．about

B．for

C．upon

D．beyond

10.

A．known

B．hoped

C．expected

D．planned

11.

A．thrown

B．printed

C．memorized

D．completed

12.

A．interested

B．terrified

C．excited

D．disappointed

13.

A．moment

B．clay

C．chance

D．decision

14.

A．passing

B．handing

C．heading

D．returning

15.

A．picture

B．tape

C．paper

D．word

16.

A．partially

B．immediately

C．frankly

D．mostly

17.

A．dreamed of

B．suffered

C．decided

D．requested

18.

A．Because

B．When

C．Although

D．Unless

19.

A．respect

B．confidence

C．freedom

D．excuse

20.

A．shyness

B．pride

C．stupidity

D．courage

9 . Hundreds of new drivers have been given bans (禁令) for using their mobile phones at the wheel, as part of stricter new laws introduced. In March, the punishment for driving while on the phone was doubled to six points — meaning drivers with less than two years’ experience faced a ban.

New laws meant the punishment for being caught on a mobile phone at the wheel was increased to six points. The new rules were introduced in England, Scotland and Wales. Drivers who get six points within two years of passing their test will lose their licence, creating a one-strike rule for mobile phone users. To get back behind the wheel, new drivers have to retake both the theory and practical parts of the driving test.

Mr Williams in the RAC said, “These people have spent hours and hours and hundreds of pounds learning to drive to gain their personal freedom only to throw it all away through this foolish behaviour. The only comfort is that they won’t be drawn into some terrible crashes caused by the distraction (使人分心的事物) of a hand-held mobile phone.”

When the new laws were introduced, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said they would act as a strong warning to mobile phone users. However, the numbers suggested a total of 15,752 drivers received the punishment of six points for using a mobile phone between March and August. This is an increase from 15, 237 drivers in the same period of last year.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead on roads Policing, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, said the police took the offence (违法行为) seriously. “This is not a small offence and is never a risk worth taking because a moment’s distraction behind the wheel can change lives forever.” “Our message is simple — don’t do it,” he added.

1. What can we infer from Paragraph1?

A．The new laws have not been passed.

B．The new laws are not strict enough.

C．Drivers with less than two years’ experience won’t be affected.

D．Punishment for driving while phoning used to be three points.

2. What will happen if a Welsh citizen who got a licence last year gets six points?

A．He will be fined a lot.

B．He must learn the new rules.

C．He will lose his driving licence.

D．He will be given a warning.

3. When the new laws were first introduced, _________.

A．traffic accidents were cut down

B．there were still many drivers who broke them

C．drivers thought the laws were unfair to them

D．fewer people broke them compared

4. What does Anthony Bangham mean?

A．The police didn’t take the new rules seriously.

B．The roads policy should be improved for safety.

C．A moment of carelessness may cause big accidents.

D．The laws need to be improved a lot and retested.

10 . Brownie and Spotty were neighbor dogs who met every day to play together. Like pairs of dogs you can find in any neighborhood, these two loved each other and played together so often that they had worn a path through the grass of the field between their houses.

One evening, Brownie’s family noticed that Brownie hadn’t returned home. They went looking for him with no success. Brownie didn’t show up the next day, and, although they made their efforts to find him, by the next week he was still missing, Curiously, Spotty showed up at Brownie’s house alone, barking and jumping. Busy with their own lives, they paid no attention to the nervous little neighbor dog.

Finally, one morning Spotty refused to take “no” for an answer. Ted, Brownie’s owner, was continuously disturbed by the angry, determined little dog. Spotty followed Ted about, barking all the time, then darting toward a nearby empty lot and back, as if to say, “Follow me! It’s urgent!”

Eventually, Ted followed Spotty across the empty lot as Spotty stopped to race back and barked encouragingly. The little dog led the man to a deserted spot a half mile from the house. There Ted found his beloved Brownie alive, one of his legs crushed in a steel trap (圈套). Frightened, Ted now wished he had taken Spotty’s earlier appeals seriously.

Then Ted noticed something. Spotty had done something else besides leading Brownie’s human owner to his trapped friend. In a circle around the injured dog, Ted found some food remains of every meal. Brownie had been fed that week! Spotty had been visiting Brownie regularly, in the hope of keeping his friend alive. Spotty had actually stayed with Brownie to protect him from hunger and other dangers, and keep his spirits up.

Brownie’s leg was carefully treated and he soon got well again. For many years thereafter the two families watched the faithful friends chasing each other down that well-worn path between their houses.

1. At the very beginning, Ted paid little attention to Spotty because __________.

A．he was not free at the moment	B．he was sure Brownie would be OK
C．he didn’t like Spotty at all	D．his missing dog made him sad

2. The underlined word “darting” in the fourth paragraph can be replaced by ___________.

A．rushing

B．shouting

C．walking

D．looking

3. After Ted was brought where Brownie was trapped, he ___________.

A．managed to free his dog at once	B．was very thankful to Spotty
C．regretted not following Spotty earlier	D．was angry with the trap-maker

4. We can infer from the passage that ___________.

A．humans and animals depend on each other for comfort

B．it’s not right to hunt for animals in any neighborhood

C．Ted has to take better care of his beloved dog later on

D．Brownie would have died without Spotty’s timely help