1 . Now many young people are traveling around the world on their own, not because they have no one to travel with, but because they prefer to go alone.
Kristina Wegscheider from California first traveled alone when she was at college and believes that it is something everyone should do at least once in their life. “It opens up your mind to things and pushes you out of your comfort zone.” Wegscheider has visited 46 countries covering all seven continents.
In foreign countries, with no one to help you read a map, look after you if you get ill, or lend you money if your wallet is stolen, it is challenging. This is what drives young people to travel alone. It is seen as character building and a chance to prove that they can make it on their own.
Chris Richardson decided to leave his sales job in Australia to go traveling last year. He set up a website, The Aussie Nomad, to document his adventures. He says he wished he had traveled alone earlier. “The people you meet, the places you visit, or the things you do, everything is up to you and it forces you to grow as a person.” said the 30-year-old man.
Richardson describes traveling alone like “a shot in the arm”, which “makes you a more confident person that is ready to deal with anything”. He said, “The feeling of having overcome something on my own is a major part of what drives me each day when I’m dealing with a difficult task. I walk around with my head up because I know deep down inside that nothing is impossible if you try.”
The great 19thcentury explorer John Muir once said. “Only by going alone in silence can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness.
1. Which of the following will Kristina Wegscheider agree with?| A．Traveling alone is a necessary experience for everyone. |
| B．It is more meaningful to travel in foreign countries. |
| C．It is comfortable to travel around without a friend. |
| D．Traveling abroad helps people to find new things. |
| A．you have to make things on your own. |
| B．it is hard for you to prove yourself to others. |
| C．you can only depend on yourself whatever happens. |
| D．it will finally build your character. |
| A．He started traveling alone at an early age. |
| B．He was once shot in the arm. |
| C．He used to work as a salesman. |
| D．His website will inspire others to travel alone. |
| A．Travel Abroad | B．Travel Alone |
| C．Travel Light | D．Travel Wide and Far |
2 . Do you use Facebook, MySpace or Twitter? If so, then you are part of a social network. Social networking sites allow us to see our social connections.
When you create a profile (a description of somebody that gives useful information) on a social networking site, you open up a number of possible social connections. You can look up old friends, make new friends, and share music, photos and videos with them. You can also join groups according to your interests or hobbies, favorite TV shows or music.
Setting up a social networking account is simple. You just create and post a personal profile. For this you need a login name, password, and an e-mail account. Then you add some personal information such as name, age, sex, location, interests, etc. You can also add a photo of yourself. You can control who sees your profile. The next step is to look for new ones, and add them to your network. Then you can search your friends’ connections for anyone else you’d like to add to your network.
Different social networking sites allow people to communicate in different ways. There are sites that allow you to enlarge your personal community such as Facebook. Then there are ones that include media sharing, such as YouTube, where members upload and look at other people’s pictures and videos. There are also ones that specialize in sharing music, such as Last FM, and finally, ones that allow bloggers to form online communities, such as Live Journal. The latest trend (趋势) in social networking is to create your own independent social network. Companies do this to make their products sell well and people do it to create their own communities.
1. What’s the writer’s purpose in writing Paragraph 1?| A．To lead to the topic. |
| B．To raise a question. |
| C．To introduce some sites. |
| D．To advertise a social network. |
| A．It’s easy to search your friends’ connections. |
| B．It’s easy to build a social networking account. |
| C．It’s possible to add a photo of yourself. |
| D．It’s simple to control a social network. |
| A．You can upload videos. | B．Bloggers can form online communities. |
| C．Sharing music is specialized. | D．You have the largest personal community. |
| A．Social Networks | B．Personal Profiles |
| C．Networking Trends | D．Networking Accounts |
3 . Hello and welcome to English with Lucy. Today we have another topic:“Four common British expressions.” Now, before we get started, make sure you connect with me on all my social media which is right here. You can subscribe to my YouTube. You can also like me on Facebook. And for my Chinese followers, I have my Weibo account as well.
Four Common British Expressions:
“A piece of cake.”
And this is very similar to “Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy,” which we've discussed in a former video. And basically, it means very easy. So I might come out of an easy exam saving, “That exam was a piece of cake. ”
“Break a leg!”
It actually looks really rather cruel, but I promise you it's positive. And “Break a leg!” means “Good luck!” So before a race, before a job interview, before a test, instead of saying “Good luck!” I might say “Break a leg!”
“It cost an arm and a leg.”
And this basically means something was really expensive. If I say, “My bag cost an arm and a leg,” I mean it cost a lot of money.
“To call it a day.”
And this means “to end a task”. So, for example, “I'm feeling a bit tired. I think I'll call it a day. ”That means “I think I'll stop here. Let's finish.”
Thank you so much for watching this program of “Four Common British Expressions.” I hope you like it, and I hope you've learned something.
1. How can Chinese listeners connect with Lucy?| A．With Wechat | B．Through Weibo | C．On Facebook | D．By YouTube. |
| A．Break a leg! | B．It cost an arm and a leg. |
| C．To call it a day | D．A piece of cake. |
| A．He/She will stop that day | B．He/She feels tired |
| C．Class is over. | D．It is daytime. |
4 . 54-year-old Abdul has a special job. He has been working as a living statue (活体雕像) for over three decades, standing perfectly still for six hours a day and resisting people' s attempts to make him move or smile, anything that proves he is a living person.
Abdul, known as “India's Statue Man”, has been performing his daily routine ever since 1985, soon after getting a job as a security guard. His boss had recently traveled to the UK, where he was So impressed by the statue-like members of the Royal Guard outside Buckingham Palace that he wanted to do something similar back home. So he had his guards receive three months of training, where they would sit perfectly still for around four hours. They weren't allowed to talk or smile, eat, drink, or even shoo away a fly if it sat on their faces. In the end, Abdul proved the best of the group, So he got the strange job.
Abdul isn't the only person in the world acting as a living statue, but what makes him special is the fact that he can do it for as long as six hours without even blinking his eyes. Once, a $ 155 prize was put up for anyone who can make him move a muscle. But try as they might, no one has ever succeeded. Actually, Abdul tries to move about as much as he can in his spare time, and only eats healthy home-cooked food, to keep his body in shape. But he claims yoga has been the biggest help. In the 32 years, Abdul has become a famous person in India and other Asian countries. Many Bollywood stars have come to witness this living statue and try to finally make him move, but none have succeeded.
Abdul earns about 10,000 rupees ($ 156) a month, which is enough to support his family, but definitely not enough to encourage his children to follow in his footsteps. It's just too stressful and taxing on the body. “Despite all the hardship and health problems, I love my job and I am thankful to people for the love and respect they have showered on me” he says, “When the time comes, I want to die playing a statue.”
1. What is Abduls daily routine?| A．Proving to be a living person. | B．Performing as a living statue. |
| C．Smiling at his customers. | D．Keeping his body in shape. |
| A．He had his special ambition. | B．He was most familiar with the job. |
| C．He stood out among the group. | D．He knew the boss more than others. |
| A．He eats a lot of snacks. | B．He practices yoga for 12 hours a day. |
| C．He cooks for his family. | D．He always moves a lot. |
| A．It's satisfying. | B．It's overpaid. | C．It's boring. | D．It's instructive. |
5 . Lisa Condie is a woman in her sixties. She runs a business in Italy. Why did she
At 56, Lisa Condie had two
Condie spent a few sad days in Rome alone, not
Two years later, Condie is now living out her
| A．join | B．lose | C．find | D．begin |
| A．trouble | B．news | C．story | D．attitude |
| A．plans | B．tickets | C．reasons | D．wishes |
| A．with | B．against | C．for | D．after |
| A．made | B．destroyed | C．developed | D．prepared |
| A．awake | B．healthy | C．alone | D．strong |
| A．if | B．unless | C．although | D．because |
| A．got up | B．turned up | C．grown up | D．cheered up |
| A．middle | B．beginning | C．end | D．rest |
| A．refusing | B．speaking | C．learning | D．forgetting |
| A．leaving | B．knowing | C．visiting | D．cleaning |
| A．probably | B．usually | C．actually | D．hardly |
| A．stop | B．return | C．appear | D．try |
| A．dream | B．worry | C．fear | D．interest |
| A．paying a visit to | B．thinking highly of | C．making good use of | D．looking forward to |
| A．terrible | B．small | C．great | D．strange |
| A．continue | B．start | C．turn | D．end |
| A．pain | B．safety | C．permission | D．joy |
| A．teaching | B．supporting | C．meeting | D．leading |
| A．even | B．never | C．also | D．always |
6 . As I stuck in the mud (泥), with my bike on top of me, I wondered what had forced me to come here. Madagascar is not a good place for a cycling holiday: one of the world's poorest countries, only 11 percent of roadway is paved (铺). South of the town of Antalaha, where I started, the road was in worse condition.
I appeared from a week in the wilderness and reached the start of the Route National 5 at Maroantsetra, but my dream of a smooth road and speed was suddenly destroyed by mud. The "worst road in the country" changed my bicycle into a burden (负担) for days. Finally, I was claimed by the road. Tired. Alone.
As I wiped (擦) the mud from my face and looked upwards, I was greeted by a Malagasy man. He helped me stand up and smiled playfully while he pointed to my bike, which sat next to his. I started again. But I fell again in the mud. Angrily, I told him to go on, but if he understood he showed no sign of it. His smile forced me back onto the bike. We continued like this for hours. But I fell less. Studying my quick guide, slowly I learned. As we passed through a village, a group of children saw me and shouted loudly. His only words were: "Their parents tell them while people steal and eat them. Funny, no?"
I tried to ask why, but he had already set off. I tried to catch up; as I got closer, he took it as a challenge and sped up. We raced along the road. I rode a little faster and I was just behind, about to catch up with him. With a smile, he sped up and was away, leaving me breathless.
1. What was in the author's mind when he was in the mud?| A．He considered his experience a special pleasure. |
| B．He made up his mind to continue challenging himself. |
| C．He tried to think out a new road for cycling in Antalaha. |
| D．He regretted having the cycling holiday in Madagascar. |
| A．The author chose another road. |
| B．The author decided to ask for help. |
| C．The author lay on the road for a rest. |
| D．The author had no confidence to ride on. |
| A．By showing him the right way. |
| B．By wiping the mud from his bike. |
| C．By riding in front of him all the way. |
| D．By teaching him how to ride in the mud. |
| A．A lonely trip |
| B．A bicycle race |
| C．A lesson in cycling |
| D．A road in Madagascar |
7 . High school often serves to prepare students for a college education, or it might be the last stop on the educational journey for some people. No matter which path one may select, high school life offers students the opportunities to achieve a great deal of learning, get to know themselves, or simply have fun.
In America, high school is a special experience with a culture of its own. Public high schools exist in all communities. Every community in the United States has a public school system, teaching children at primary and secondary levels. These schools are free and supported mainly by taxes, with additional aid from states and governments. Private high schools are a choice for parents who want to give their child a better education. They are often very expensive. Private schools are usually famous for their academic reputation (学术声望). This academic reputation is related to college preparation.
In high school, students study various academic subjects such as English, literature, foreign languages, maths, science, history, geography and so on. Some large high schools have classes that teach job-related subjects like auto mechanics, cooking and others, in order to provide students with skills needed for certain jobs. High school might also offer “honours classes” for particularly smart and sharp students.
Some states give basic skills exams during the last year of the high school process to make sure that certain academic standards are met, but, again, high school curricula (课程) vary greatly among communities.
High school sports, particularly basketball and football, are often organised. Inter-city and cross-town competitions are often held. These competitions are popular, especially in communities that do not have their own professional sports teams. Nearly all high school teams have nicknames: the Knights and the Tigers being some famous examples.
1. Which of the following is not the supporting source of public school?| A．Taxes. | B．States. |
| C．Community. | D．Governments. |
| A．Private schools are a better choice for parents than public schools. |
| B．All private high schools in the United States are very expensive. |
| C．Private schools can usually provide better college preparation. |
| D．There is a private school system in every community. |
| A．Some schools have special classes for smart students. |
| B．Some states set academic standards in the first year. |
| C．Sports competitions are only in the city or town. |
| D．All communities have their own professional sports teams. |
| A．Life in the USA |
| B．Education in the USA |
| C．Public Schools and Private Schools in the USA |
| D．High Schools in the USA |
8 . There are about 5,000 different kinds of ladybugs in the world. They are also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles. They come in many different colors and patterns, but the bestknown in North America is the sevenspotted ladybug, with its shiny, redandblack body.
In many cultures, ladybugs are thought to be good luck. Most people like them because they are pretty, lovely and do no harm to human beings. But farmers love them because they eat aphids and other planteating pests. One ladybug can eat up 5,000 insects in its lifetime!
Most ladybugs have domeshaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the kind, they can have spots, stripes, or nothing at all. Sevenspotted ladybugs are red or orange with three spots on each side and one in the middle. They have a black head. Ladybugs are colorful for a reason. They tell the enemy: “Eat something else! I taste terrible.” When threatened, they may play dead. Birds are ladybugs' main predators, but they are also eaten by frogs, spiders, and dragonflies.
Ladybugs are happy in many different places, including grasslands, forests, cities, suburbs, and along rivers. Sevenspotted ladybugs are native to Europe but were brought to North America in the mid1900s.
Ladybugs are most active from spring until fall. When the weather turns cold, they look for a warm place to hibernate, such as in rotting logs, under rocks, or even inside houses. These hibernating places can have thousands of ladybugs.
The name “ladybug” was given by European farmers who prayed to the Virgin Mary when pests began eating their crops. After ladybugs came and wiped out the invading insects, the farmers named them “beetle of Our Lady”. This later was shortened to “lady beetle” and “ladybug”.
1. The underlined word “aphid” in Paragraph 2 is probably a kind of .| A．pest | B．bird | C．plant | D．tree |
| A．all ladybugs have spots | B．the colorful body can protect them |
| C．most ladybugs are red or orange | D．frogs are not one of the predators |
| A．Ladybugs can live along rivers. |
| B．Sevenspotted ladybugs were brought to Europe from North America. |
| C．Ladybugs are very active in autumn. |
| D．The name “ladybug” came from “beetle of Our Lady”. |
| A．Sevenspotted Ladybugs | B．The Development of Ladybugs |
| C．The History of Ladybugs | D．Ladybugs |
9 . “None of us get out of life alive, so be brave and be thankful for all the opportunities you have.” Those were
Bailey was in the leading position of the students’ union. The young man had planned to
At the speech, Bailey encouraged his schoolmates to
When the senior
| A．upset | B．extra | C．inspiring | D．amazing |
| A．speak | B．chat | C．sing | D．debate |
| A．So | B．Instead | C．Besides | D．However |
| A．fault | B．attack | C．news | D．pain |
| A．persuade | B．allow | C．warn | D．organize |
| A．determined | B．frightened | C．satisfied | D．surprised |
| A．friends | B．families | C．schoolmates | D．roommates |
| A．amused | B．shocked | C．affected | D．frightened |
| A．explain | B．form | C．share | D．change |
| A．turn up | B．give in | C．break up | D．cut down |
| A．gain | B．spare | C．spend | D．treasure |
| A．Forget | B．Talk | C．Care | D．Dream |
| A．in place of | B．in front of | C．in charge of | D．in search of |
| A．replaced | B．ended | C．began | D．decorated |
| A．Finally | B．Actually | C．Obviously | D．Entirely |
10 . It was 1935, when I was 10 years old, and we lived in Brooklyn, New York.
A few days before
As long as he lived, my father helped others when he could, and I've done my best to do my part in paying the mailman's
| A．Father's Day | B．New Year's Day | C．Halloween | D．Christmas |
| A．excited | B．depressed | C．delighted | D．touched |
| A．approaching | B．designing | C．decorating | D．leaving |
| A．surprising | B．interesting | C．up | D．wrong |
| A．purchased | B．ordered | C．used up | D．sold out |
| A．salary | B．credit card | C．rent | D．payback |
| A．laborer | B．teacher | C．clerk | D．doctor |
| A．brave | B．strong | C．smart | D．sensitive |
| A．preparation | B．complaint | C．doubt | D．hesitation |
| A．handed | B．donated | C．posted | D．showed |
| A．where | B．how | C．when | D．why |
| A．correct | B．possible | C．uncertain | D． okay |
| A．remember | B．forget | C．miss | D．spend |
| A．bonus | B．benefit | C．reward | D．award |
| A．strength | B．generosity | C．optimism | D．honesty |
