1 . If someone were to ask me what it is like to be a student in today’s society, I would probably answer them something like this: Being a student in today’s society is not always easy.

Adults often tell us that we don’t know what stress (压力) is. But we as teenage students have our own levels of stress. For example, all school activities require you to uphold your grade point to high standards.

Then, getting your homework turned in on time seems simple, but you still hope to have a life outside of school as well. Many students in their high school years start their first job, so now you have school in the mornings and then you’re off to part-time work. By the time you are done there, you are too tired to finish your school work, but you stay up late to try and return to school feeling sleepy the next day. What good is that?

Let’s not forget about peer (同龄人) pressure. All high school students meet with it at some point in their lives. High school can be a place where students are made fun of and pointed at.

My point is, it is more stressful to be a student in high school than adults believe. Our “stress” may not include paying bills or taking care of a family, but I’m sure if the adults in our lives could go back to school today, they would be surprised at how much it has changed.

I know that the world outside of school is often hard and that the responsibilities are serious. That’s exactly why I know that the focus I give to my future is important in leading me to a career (事业) that will allow me to contribute (贡献) to society.

1. What is the text mainly about?

A．The way of dealing with stress of study.

B．The stressful life of high school students.

C．The role of students in today’s society.

D．The differences between teenagers’ and adults’ life.

2. What is the author’s attitude towards students’ doing a job after school?

A．He is against it.	B．He feels disappointed at it.
C．He thinks it is worth a try.	D．He shows great interest in it.

3. Which of the following is the author’s opinion?

A．Adults are more stressful than students.

B．Adults should help students to deal with stress.

C．Adults have undervalued students’ stress.

D．Adults should go back to school to experience students’ life.

4. What does the underlined word “it” in the fifth paragraph refer to?

A．Society.

B．Study.

C．School.

D．Stress.

4 . Freedom and Responsibility

Freedom’s challenge in the Digital Age is a serious topic. We are facing today a strange new world and we are all wondering what we are going to do with it.

Some 2,500 years ago Greece discovered freedom. Before that there was no freedom. There were great civilizations, splendid empires, but no freedom anywhere. Egypt and Babylon were both tyrannies, one very powerful man ruling over helpless masses.

In Greece, in Athens, a little city in a little country, there were no helpless masses. And Athenians willingly obeyed the written laws which they themselves passed, and the unwritten, which must be obeyed if free men live together. They must show each other kindness and pity and the many qualities without which life would be very painful unless one chose to live alone in the desert. The Athenians never thought that a man was free if he could do what he wanted. A man was free if he was self-controlled. To make yourself obey what you approved was freedom. They were saved from looking at their lives as their own private affair. Each one felt responsible for the welfare of Athens, not because it was forced on him from the outside, but because the city was his pride and his safety. The essential belief of the first free government in the world was liberty for all men who could control themselves and would take responsibility for the state.

But discovering freedom is not like discovering computers. It cannot be discovered once for all. If people do not prize it, and work for it, it will go. Constant watch is its price. Athens changed. It was a change that took place without being noticed though it was of the extreme importance, a spiritual change which affected the whole state. It had been the Athenian’s pride and joy to give to their city. That they could get material benefits from her never entered their minds. There had to be a complete change of attitude before they could look at the city as an employer who paid her citizens for doing her work. Now instead of men giving to the state, the state was to give to them. What the people wanted was a   government which would provide a comfortable life for them; and with this as the primary object, ideas of freedom and self-reliance and responsibinreat wealth in which all citizens had a right to share.

Athens reached the point when the freedom she really wanted was freedom from responsibility. There could be only one result. If men insisted on being free from the burden of self-dependence and responsibility for the common good, they would cease to be free. Responsibility is the price every man must pay for freedom. It is to be had on no other terms. Athens, the Athens of Ancient Greece, refused responsibility; she reached the end of freedom and was never to have it again.

But, “the excellent becomes the permanent”, Aristotle said. Athens lost freedom forever, but freedom was not lost forever for the world. A great American, James Madison, referred to “ The capacity (能力) of mankind for self-government." No doubt he had nor an idea that he was speaking Greek. Athens was not in the farthest background of his mind, but once man has a great and good idea, it is never completely lost. The Digital Age cannot destroy it. Somehow in this or that man’s thought such an idea lives though unconsidered by the world of action. One can never be sure that it is not on the point of breaking out into action only sure that it will do so sometime.

1. What does the underlined word “tyrannies” in Paragraph2 refer to?

A．Countries where their people need help.

B．Governments ruled with absolute power.

C．Splendid empires where people enjoy freedom.

D．Powerful states with higher civilization.

2. People believing in freedom are those who ________.

A．regard their life as their own business

B．seek gains as their primary object

C．treat others with kindness and pity

D．behave within the laws and value systems

3. What change in attitude took place in Athens?

A．The Athenians refused to take their responsibility.

B．The Athenians no longer took pride in the city.

C．The Athenians benefited spiritually from the government.

D．The Athenians looked on the government as a business.

4. Why does the author refer to Aristotle and Madison?

A．The author is hopeful about freedom.

B．The author is cautious about self-government.

C．The author is skeptical of Greek civilization.

D．The author is proud of man’s capacity.

5 . A Journey to the Yosemite Firefall

Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Yosemite National Park in California for a chance of seeing —and photographing ——the unique “firefall”. The amazing “firefall” comes to life only when there is enough water from the melting（融化）snow to keep the Horsetail Fall flowing and when the light of the setting sun hits the waterfall at the right angle. It can only be seen for a short time in February on clear sunny days.

This year, the weather isn’t stopping the “firefall” from happening, but it is making the journey to see it more difficult.

“What would have been a 10-minute walk turned into a two-hour hike through deep snow,” photographer Ryan Fitzsimons said about his recent trip to see the phenomenon. “Our clothes were all wet by the time we got to a viewing site. But the heavy snow made the sight much more beautiful since the waterfall is much bigger this year.”

Another photographer Andy Heitz was making his first trip to see the “firefall”. He had to wait five hours in the extreme cold for his turn to take a picture.

“I got to the site at about 12:00 at noon. The place was already filled with hundreds of people waiting to see and photograph the ‘firefall’. I was so lucky that I shot a really wonderful burner! I was completely amazed with what I saw,” he said. “You know, only on a couple days of the year in February and when the sun sets down at the perfect angle to shine on Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall can we see the ‘Fire Fall’. I’ll never forget what I have seen.’’

The “firefall” should continue to be there from 20 to 24 February. But park officials said that there’s no guarantee（保证）that visitors will see it on any given day.

1. When might be the best time to take pictures of the “firefall”?

A．Early in the morning.	B．At noon.
C．Late in the afternoon.	D．At night.

2. Why might the “firefall” disappear between 20 to 24 February this year?

A．There wouldn’t be enough snow.	B．It might be too cloudy.
C．The waterfall might not freeze.	D．The snow might melt too fast.

3. What does the underlined word “burner” in paragraph 5 refer to?

A．A worker in the kitchen.

B．The fire in the Yosemite National Park.

C．A part of a cooker or stove.

D．The unique Horsetail Fall in the setting sun.

4. What is the main purpose of this text?

A．To introduce an attraction.	B．To give suggestions for a trip.
C．To advertise a park in the US.	D．To explain what is a “firefall”.

6 . I work for a non-profit organization that serves children with disabilities. A particular ________ made me appreciate it even more.

Last Friday we took them to an amusement park. I was ________ with three girls who all had Down’s syndrome (唐氏综合征). They were having a great time, regardless of the ________ and looks from people around us.

The girls were ________ and screaming in excitement on a roller coaster ride, when a young woman patted me on the shoulder. She politely told me that she ________ the girls had Down’s syndrome. I told her yes.

I couldn’t ________ what she next said to me. She ________ me that she had just had a baby who was diagnosed (诊断) with Down’s syndrome, and that she had been most worried if her baby would be able to experience joy and live a life full of ________. She then went on to say that watching these girls made her relieved, because she saw how happy they were. Then, she ________ me for talking to her and giving her the best gift she could have asked for: ________.

I am so ________ that these three amazing girls were able to make this mother feel a sense of ________—that they gave her the hope and ________ that her baby will experience a happy life. Every time I think about his, I can’t help but ________. These kids that I am so ________ to work with and their smiling faces are major reasons why I smile.

1.

A．experience

B．survey

C．job

D．theory

2.

A．travelling

B．quarrelling

C．working

D．talking

3.

A．praise

B．applause

C．jokes

D．stares

4.

A．watching

B．throwing

C．laughing

D．thinking

5.

A．denied

B．recognized

C．announced

D．ignored

6.

A．confirm

B．accept

C．suppose

D．believe

7.

A．warned

B．reminded

C．informed

D．questioned

8.

A．happiness

B．freedom

C．worry

D．success

9.

A．excused

B．rewarded

C．blamed

D．thanked

10.

A．peace

B．promise

C．hope

D．wealth

11.

A．confused

B．delighted

C．regretful

D．thoughtful

12.

A．disappointment

B．relief

C．desperation

D．responsibility

13.

A．knowledge

B．fear

C．suggestion

D．fact

14.

A．apologize

B．sigh

C．jump

D．smile

15.

A．ashamed

B．tired

C．fortunate

D．kind

8 . Convincing someone to change their mind is really the process of convincing them to change their tribe (部落). If they abandon their beliefs, they run the risk of losing social ties. You can’t expect someone to change their mind if you take away their community too.

The way to change people’s minds is to become friends with them, to combine them into your tribe, to bring them into your circle. Now, they can change their beliefs without the risk of being abandoned socially.

The British philosopher Alain de Botton suggests that we simply share meals with those who disagree with us: “Sitting down at a table with a group of strangers has the incomparable and odd benefit of making it a little more difficult to hate them without punishment. Prejudice and conflict between groups of people from different nations or races feed off abstraction. However, during a meal, something about handing dishes around, unfolding napkins (餐巾纸) at the same moment, even asking a stranger to pass the salt makes us less likely to hold the belief that the outsiders who wear unusual clothes and speak in distinctive accents deserve to be sent home or attacked. For all the large-scale political solutions which have been proposed to ease racial or cultural conflict, there are few more effective ways to promote tolerance between suspicious neighbours than to force them to eat supper together.”

Perhaps it is not difference, but distance that produces tribalism and unfriendliness. As proximity increases, so does understanding. I am reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s quote, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” Facts don’t change our minds. Friendship does.

The Japanese writer Haruki Murakami once wrote, “Always remember that to argue, and win, is to break down the reality of the person you are arguing against. It is painful to lose your reality, so be kind, even if you are right.”

When we are in the moment, we can easily forget that the goal is to connect with the other side, cooperate with them, befriend them, and integrate them into our tribe. We are so caught up in winning that we forget about connecting. It’s easy to spend your energy labeling people rather than working with them.

The word “kind (family and relatives)” originated from the word “kin (old fashion of family and relatives).” When you are kind to someone, it means you are treating them like family. This, I think, is a good method for actually changing someone’s mind. Develop a friendship. Share a meal. Gift a book. Be kind first, be right later.

1. People are likely to change their mind when they ________.

A．change their beliefs	B．are made friends with
C．move to a new community	D．are given somewhere to go

2. According to the passage, sharing meals is effective in building connections because it ________.

A．pleases people with different beliefs or accents

B．makes people focus on eating rather than conflicts

C．brings benefits to the people having dinner together

D．promotes understanding and tolerance among people

3. What does the underlined word “proximity” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Nearness.

B．Action.

C．Communication.

D．Politeness.

4. The author quotes from Haruki Murakami to imply(暗示） that ________.

A．breaking down one’s reality is easy

B．kindness is more important than right

C．arguing and winning are not important

D．losing one’s identity is a painful process

9 . Pilates (普拉提), yoga and the running machine get all the attention when it comes to popular ways to keep fit. There is, however, a more humble exercise that might not be so attractive, but has all the benefits—walking.

Certified fitness professional Jolynn Jaekel explains, "What I love about walking is that anyone can do it at any age and any fitness level. Plus it is good for your heart, your head and your wallet.”

A recent report detailed the health benefits of walking. The report found that walking regularly to fulfill (执行,履行) the 150 minutes of moderate (适度的) physical exercise every week, recommended by the UK's chief medical officer, could save 37, 000 lives each year.

Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California found that quick walking reduced the risk of heart disease more effectively than running. They observed participants aged between 18 and 80 over a six-year period and found that walking reduced the risk of heart disease by 9.3%, while running reduced it by 4. 5%. And there is even more good news: 30 minutes of quick walking over five days could help you sleep easily, according to research by Oregon State University. The study by the university showed that walking helped participants sleep better and feel more alert during the day.

The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll notice the differences in your mind and body. So, go out for your 30-minute walk in a nearby park or green space.

1. What does the underlined word "humble" probably mean in the first paragraph?

A．relaxing	B．plain
C．popular	D．active

2. What does Jolynn Jaekel think of walking?

A．It's loved by people of all ages.

B．It's much healthier than running.

C．It's becoming more and more popular.

D．It's a money-saving physical exercise.

3. What did scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory find?

A．Walking helps people with sleep problems.

B．Walking contributes to curing heart disease.

C．Walking is better than running in some cases.

D．Walking 150 minutes per week can save lives.

4. In which section of a newspaper can we read this text?

A．Lifestyle	B．Comment
C．Education	D．Science