1 . A few years ago, I stood in a small classroom just outside of New York City, watching a high schooler named Serena Stevenson answer math questions. An instructor read outnumbers — 74,470, 70,809, 98,402 — and Stevenson added them in her head. For each question, she closed her eyes, and then the fingers of her right hand began to move. She answered most of the problems correctly.

The key to her success was an ancient technology called the abacus. Stevenson used a practice called “mental abacus”, imagining the abacus in her mind and then using her fingers to work through the problems.

From watching Stevenson, I knew that gaining skill at the abacus was more than a matter of counting beads, so I decided to sign up for an abacus course with my two daughters to see if we could also improve our math skills. I was one of the many who had some math doubts and I felt a touch of fear. My typical solution was avoidance, and if I had to calculate something like a percentage change, I would go online.

Then after a few abacus classes and a good amount of practice, math seemed a little less frightening. I didn’t become Euclid, the founder of geometry. But the practice brought my numerical fears down. This is a time-tested power of the abacus. Confidence grows easily in the device, and abacus students are less likely to be nervous about an upcoming math test, according to one study. Part of the reason, it seems, is that practice and outcomes appear to move in step.

My kids gained much as well. My youngest daughter could work out those math problems that once baffled her, while my older child brought her abacus to school to show it to her classmates and teacher. These were just small successes for them, but that was how they finally developed confidence.

1. What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To prove the difficulty of math.	B．To introduce the topic of the abacus.
C．To show the high intelligence of Stevenson.	D．To stress the importance of abacus learning.

2. What do we know about the author from paragraph 3?

A．He was weak in math.	B．He was good at computer.
C．He regarded math as useful.	D．He had a close relationship with kids.

3. What does the author realize from his learning experience?

A．Knowledge starts with practice.	B．It’s never too late to learn.
C．Faith can move mountains.	D．Practice makes perfect.

4. What does the underlined word “baffled” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Bored.

B．Inspired.

C．Defeated.

D．Interested.

2 . My son was entering Grade 1. He was a bit nervous because he knew his best friend would not be in his new class. I explained to him that even though his best friend would not be in his class, he would still have some of his old classmates. On the first day of school when the class list was posted, I was shocked! My son had zero former classmates in his class. None. Not one.

How could this happen?

I asked my friend who works with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. She explained, “Many largely populated schools often shuffle(弄混) the kids around each year to encourage new friendships.”

If schools are actively trying to place two best friends in different classes simply to shake things up, think it is a blunder.

I was lucky enough to attend the same primary school all the way through. It was a small class and our group of students moved through each grade together, We felt like brothers and sisters. It was wonderful.

While it may be good to shake things up a bit in the older grades, it seems almost cruel(残忍的) to separate good friends in the younger grades without good cause. One mom named Karen says that her son is always starting a new grade without any close friends. At first, she thought it was a good idea. Then she realized one thing — her son does not have a “best friend,” which makes her pretty worried. In fact, she thinks that he does not have any close friends because his classmates are always changing.

Part of a school’s responsibility is to provide a safe and comfortable space for children to learn and grow. If that environment is always changing — causing terrible results — perhaps it is time to rethink this practice.

1. How did the author bring in the topic?

A．By telling a story.	B．By using other people's words.
C．By making comparisons	D．By showing research findings.

2. What does the underlined word “blunder” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Cheat.

B．Strategy.

C．Mistake.

D．Failure.

3. Why did the author mention her own primary school experience?

A．To prove that smaller classes are better.

B．To discuss the importance of good friends.

C．To explain how friendships are developed at school.

D．To show the advantage of having familiar classmates.

4. What's Karen’s attitude toward the practice of her son's school?

A．She supports it.	B．She is against it.
C．She isn't interested in it.	D．She is uncertain about it.

3 . You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

Jane Addams (1860-1935)

Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-present)

When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator (参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.

Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott. It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement. “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” said Parks.

1. What is Jane Addams noted for in history?

A．Her social work.	B．Her teaching skills.
C．Her efforts to win a prize.	D．Her community background.

2. Who made a great contribution to the civil-rights movement in the U.S.?

A．Jane Addams.	B．Rachel Carson.
C．Sandra Day O’Connor.	D．Rosa Parks.

3. What can we infer about the women mentioned in the text?

A．They receive higher education.	B．They are truly creative.
C．They make great achievements.	D．They are peace-lovers.

4 . Below you will find a profile of each gap year program. If there is a specific program you are interested in or a question you have regarding these programs, please feel free to contact them directly.

Youth International

Since 1997, Youth International has been providing many people with the most exciting and educational experience of their life. It is a learning program that combines international travel, inter-cultural exchange, home stays, volunteer community service work and outdoor adventures.

Phone: 720-270-3323

Carpe Diem Education

Through volunteer service, travel and cultural exchange, students of Carpe Diem Education receive a personal insight into themselves and their cultures. We specialize in guiding summer and semester programs for high school students. Each course is carefully crafted to develop leadership and self-awareness within our students, who return home better prepared to be leaders in thought and action.

Phone: 503-285-1800

Center for Interim Programs

Founded in 1980, Center for Interim Programs is the first independent gap year organization in America. Based on students’ interests and budget, our experienced teachers help make individual course choices including: low cost volunteer options, language programs, research trips, and so on. We are committed to helping students find more experiences of formal education and work.

Phone: 413-585-0980

EF Gap Year

EF Gap Year offers students the ability to explore several countries where you will learn a language, volunteer for a good cause, and gain international work experience. Choose between a 12-week semester or 26-week academic year. You can then personalize your program to meet your learning goals and interests by deciding where, when, and how you wish to study on your own. Our well structured curriculum even allows you to place out of college-level classes and earn advanced credits toward graduation.

Phone:800-726-9746

1. Which phone number can you dial if you want to improve your leadership?

A．720-270-3323.	B．503-285-1800.
C．413-585-0980.	D．800-726-9746.

2. What is EF Gap Year’s unique feature?

A．Its reasonable fee.	B．Its experienced teachers.
C．Its personalized program.	D．Its diverse curriculum choices.

3. What do the four programs have in common?

A．They pay attention to volunteer service work.

B．They combine education with home stays.

C．They mainly offer cross-cultural education.

D．They raise students’ interest in adventure.

5 . Chinese New Year has been welcomed in Britain with its biggest ever program of events and celebrations.

From London's Trafalgar Square to major cities across Britain,tens of thousands of British people have joined Chinese communities to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. In Manchester there was a Dragon Parade(舞龙表演）,led by a very impressive 54-meter long dragon,ending in Chinatown where there was traditional Chinese entertainment, more than 6, 000 lanterns,street food villages and a fireworks show. Celebrations also took place in Liverpool, Birmingham, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle.

Academic Dr Wu Kegang said that the Chinese New Year event in Britain “is now bigger than ever and it is growing every year”. When Wu arrived in Britain 26 years ago from Guangdong,the first thing he noticed was that Chinese New Year was celebrated mainly in towns and cities with big Chinese communities. “You would go to London Chinatown and join your countrymen to celebrate, or to Chinatowns in places like Liverpool and Manchester for events almost only held for Chinese people, ”Wu recalled.

“Now it is so different, and we are seeing local communities all over the country taking part alongside their own Chinese populations, ” he said. “It is clear to me that the celebrations will continue to grow in Britain. Chinese New Year has earned its place in the calendar of events in Britain,and is here to stay. ”

1. Where did the Dragon Parade take place?

A．In London.	B．In Liverpool.
C．In Manchester.	D．In Birmingham.

2. When Dr Wu arrived in Britain 26 years ago, Chinese New Year was________

A．celebrated mainly by Chinese communities

B．celebrated by local communities all over the country

C．only celebrated in London, Liverpool and Manchester

D．celebrated by tens of thousands of British people with Chinese people

3. How does Dr Wu think Chinese New Year will develop in Britain?

A．It will lose its attraction.

B．It will become a British official holiday.

C．More and more British people will join in the celebrations.

D．It will become the most important one in the calendar of events in Britain.

4. What does this passage mainly tell us?

A．How Chinese New Year is celebrated in Britain.

B．Where Chinese New Year is celebrated in Britain.

C．Chinese culture is more attractive than British culture.

D．Chinese New Year has become more and more popular in Britain.

6 . I always knew that I depended too much on my phone. But I didn’t know how much. So I decided to do this _______ to find out.

Every morning since I got a smartphone, I’ve used The Weather Channel App to find out what to _______. On the first morning I had to dress without guidance, but _______ I was able to guess that the day would be cold and foggy by looking out of my window.

I couldn’t tell what time it was. I haven’t worn a _______ for more than a year, because my phone showed the time. So I was late for _______ friends who had been on the bus for two hours from Santa Monica to Palos Verdes. I was also late for my part-time job. And _______, I couldn’t call people to tell them that I was running late.

Getting places was harder, too. I got _______ because I couldn’t use the GPS on my phone. My driving, though, got a lot _______ because I no longer had my phone in one hand checking directions while _______ with the other.

But the number one trouble was not having my contact list. I forgot to write down my friends’ and family members’ phone numbers before I ________ the challenge. It was sad to realize that I couldn’t remember my brother’s and my mom’s cell phone numbers. Oh, how I ________ to turn on the phone for just a second to look up phone numbers!

Even with all the problems, however, I found ________ not worrying about missing a text message or an e-mail.

This challenge was a(n) ________ learning experience. It surprised me how I’d taken no notice of even the ________ things like remembering phone numbers. We all should ________ some time to think about how we can depend less on our cell phones.

1.

A．task

B．duty

C．job

D．challenge

2.

A．carry

B．wear

C．take

D．see

3.

A．carefully

B．strangely

C．thankfully

D．surprisingly

4.

A．watch

B．hat

C．suit

D．ring

5.

A．making out

B．bringing up

C．calling out

D．picking up

6.

A．even so

B．after all

C．in all

D．even worse

7.

A．caught

B．changed

C．lost

D．hurt

8.

A．easier

B．safer

C．slower

D．quieter

9.

A．driving

B．chatting

C．writing

D．moving

10.

A．supported

B．forgot

C．started

D．reported

11.

A．felt

B．wished

C．liked

D．hated

12.

A．peace

B．silence

C．patience

D．confidence

13.

A．curious

B．unbelievable

C．comfortable

D．common

14.

A．happiest

B．nicest

C．simplest

D．clearest

15.

A．spend

B．waste

C．enjoy

D．spare

7 . Hannah Levine decided she wanted to give hugs to all of the children and families in need at local hospitals.

Because she couldn’t give them hugs one by one, Levine, then a sixth-grader, decided she would use her talents (才能) to do the next best thing. She began to knit (编织) hats, scarves, and blankets for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. Her creations also went to Bundle of Joy, a programme that provides newborn baby items for families in need, and to Knitting Pals by the Bay, a local organisation that provides hand-knitted caps to cancer patients.

“I love to knit, and I thought it would be a great idea to make all these handmade items for kids and adults who need them. It would be like a hug for them,” Levine explained.

Levine started the project about a year ago. “I think it’s just really fun to do, and it keeps me busy,” said Levine, now 13.

Once she got started, Levine realised that her project could be much bigger than the goods she was able to produce with just her own hands. So she sent emails to her school and communities, asking for knitted donations (捐赠物) to the project, she named “Hannah’s Warm Hugs”. She also posted advertisements at Starbucks and other locations in her area. The warm goods began to pour in.

“It was amazing; more strangers than people she knew started dropping donations at our door,” said Levine’s mother, Laura Levine. “We ended up with this huge box of items she was donating.”

The knitted items numbered in the hundreds. Levine made her first round of donations around Hanukkah (an eight-day Jewish holiday in November or December) and later received thank-you letters from the organisations. Levine is still knitting, and she said the project will continue.

“It has turned into a bigger thing than she had thought,” her mum said. “It made her feel pretty good; it made us feel pretty good.”

1. Hannah Levine knitted hats, scarves and blankets ________.

A．to earn some pocket money

B．to raise money for cancer patients

C．for children and families in difficulty

D．for the homeless in her neighbourhood

2. What can the underlined part “pour in” in Paragraph 5 best be replaced by?

A．Take off.

B．Go out.

C．Flood in.

D．Break in.

3. What would be Laura Levine’s attitude towards Hannah Levine’s project?

A．Optimistic but worried.	B．Proud and supportive.
C．Worried but doubtful.	D．Unsatisfied and uncaring.

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

A．Be Ready to Lend a Helping Hand

B．Start a Project to Show Your Support

C．A 13-year-old Girl Becomes the Best Knitter

D．A Teen Turns Knitting Hobby into Heartwarming Project

8 . A fresh and gentle wind on your face, soft sand under your feet and blue waters as far as the eye can see. Is there any other Olympic sport that is played in such pleasant conditions as beach volleyball？

“I’ve gone to a lot of beautiful places, and met a lot of beautiful people. That wouldn’t have happened if I had been playing another sport.” said Randy Stoklos, America’s most famous beach volleyball player.

The sport began as a four-a-side game on beaches in Southern California in the 1920s. The first recorded two-man game took place there in 1930, and the first tournament (锦标赛) was held in Los Angeles 18 years later. The winners were awarded a case of Pepsi. In the 1950s, women started playing and the sport soon spread to Europe and South America. Yet at that time, beach volleyball was more an entertainment show than a sport, with beauty contests included. The Association of Volleyball Professionals was founded in 1983 and beach volleyball developed into a fast, athletic sport. Its world-wide popularity won beach volleyball a place at the 1996 Olympics in Atalanta, where 24 male teams and 16 female teams took part. At present, the US and Brazil are the best in the world at beach volleyball.

The game came to China in the early 1990s and there have been national tournaments since 1994. It became an official event at the Eighth National Games in 1997. China’s You Wenhui and Wang Lu finished ninth in the women’s beach volleyball world championships in Brazil.

1. The passage is mainly about ______.

A．the history of beach volleyball

B．how to play beach volleyball

C．the importance of beach volleyball

D．women’s beach volleyball in China

2. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE？

A．Beach volleyball was first played like other Olympic: sports.

B．Beach volleyball has always been an entertainment show rather than a sport.

C．Beach volleyball began on beaches in Souther California.

D．Women started playing beach volleyball in South America in 1945.

3. When did beach volleyball officially become an Olympic event？

A．In 1948,

B．In 1996.

C．In 1950.

D．In 1997.

4. According to the passage, we can learn that______.

A．in 1996, beach volleyball became an official event in China

B．China’s beach volleyball team is the best in the world

C．China’s beach volleyball players won the first place in Brazil

D．beach volleyball came to China in the early 1990s

9 . One form of social prejudice (偏见) against older people is the belief that they cannot understand or use modern technology. Activities like playing computer games, going on the Net and downloading MP3s are only for the youngsters. Isn’t it unfair that older people enjoying a computer game should be frowned upon (反对) by their children and grandchildren?

Nowadays older people have more control over their lives and they play a full part in society. Moreover, better health care has let more people in their sixties and seventies feeling fit and active after retirement. Mental activity, as well as physical exercise, can contribute to better health. Playing computer games is a very effective way of exercising the brain. So that’s why grey gamers are often seen now.

When personal computers were first introduced, most older people didn’t believe they would ever get familiar with them. Now computers have been around for a few generations and retired people have gradually become more relaxed about using them for fun. Gamers over 65 prefer playing puzzle games and card games. Kate Stevens, aged 72, says, “I find it very relaxing. It’s not very demanding, but you still need to concentrate.”

Another development that has favored “grey games” is a change in the type of video games available on the market. There’s a greater variety of games to choose from, including more intellectual and complex strategy and simulation (模拟) games. For example, Internet Chess and Train Simulator are among the most popular of these. Train Simulator is based on real — world rail activities. Players can choose from a variety of challengers, such as keeping to a strict timetable and using helper engines during a winter storm.

Some people argue that “grey gamers” simply don’t have the skills required for computer games, and that teenagers are better. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Most computer games require the kind of analytical thinking that improves with practice, which means that the “grey gamers” may well be far better than the young. In games where speed is the main consideration, older people would be at a disadvantage because they may have slower reaction. time. On the other hand, “grey gamers” have a preference for slower — paced, mind challenging games.

1. The second paragraph is intended to___________.

A．show the best way to exercise the brain	B．stress the importance of good health
C．explain why grey gamers exist	D．teach how to play video games

2. What was older people’s attitude towards personal computers at first?

A．Doubtful.

B．Concerned.

C．Enthusiastic.

D．Supportive.

3. The method the author uses to develop Paragraph 4 is___________.

A．offering numbers

B．giving examples

C．making comparisons

D．providing details

4. The underlined part in Paragraph 5 probably means___________.

A．mind challenging games are not suitable for older people

B．teenagers should improve their skills with practice

C．playing computer games requires analytical thinking

D．older people may perform well in computer games

10 . A night at the movies is always a good idea. But when you leave the theater and realize you just dropped $45 on a ticket and some snacks, you’ll wish you had been patient enough to wait until the movie came out on Netflix. The average movie ticket price in the United States in 2000 was $5.39; now, a ticket is over $9.

The main reason that movie tickets have gotten so expensive is because of inflation (通货膨胀). It was actually more expensive to go to the movies in the 70s than it is now. A ticket in 1978 cost $2.34. If you plug that into an inflation calculator, the same ticket would cost you $9.46 today. According to the National Association of Theater Owners, the average cost for a ticket today is $9.11.

Another reason you need to spend some of your life savings to see a movie on the big screen is that theaters are competing with streaming services that produce their own films, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. And let’s be honest, sitting at home on your sofa or in your bed is more comfortable than sitting in a cold theater.

Because of streaming technology, theaters have to do something to bring in customers. Attractions—including alcohol, reclining seats (躺椅), surround sound, and 3-D movies are all examples of that. And those upgrades come at a price, leading to more expensive tickets.

“There’s all that extra cost, and it’s really important for theater owners and companies to make that experience as enjoyable as possible,” Patrick Corcoran, vice president of the National Association of Theatre Owners told Marketplace. “Because you’re offering a superb experience—audience expectations are for the latest and greatest technology. Audiences are willing to pay more for a particular experience.”

1. According to the passage, what makes movie tickets so expensive?

A．The viewers are wealthier than before.

B．The movie theatres offer popcorns, alcohol for free.

C．Inflation has made the ticket price appear higher than before.

D．The popular movies with famous stars deserve the high price.

2. We can learn from the passage that ________.

A．Netflix is always a better choice for movie viewers than theatres

B．with comfortable seats, theatres are more attractive than streaming services

C．the viewers actually pay more for the updates of the movie theatres

D．the theater owners and companies update the theaters to make the theatres famous

3. Which of the following would Patrick Corcoran most probably agree with?

A．It’s unwise for viewers to pay so much to watch a movie in the theater.

B．The high price of a movie ticket is supposed to agree with a wonderful experience.

C．It’s a waste of money to provide the latest technology in the theatre.

D．The viewers would prefer to sit at home on the sofas or in the beds.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Behind the Increasing Price of Movie Tickets

B．Technological Improvement on Movie Theatres

C．The Competition between Movie Theatre and Streaming Services

D．How to Save the Viewers’ Wallets