1 . For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.

“It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows.

Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.

“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion — they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill.

For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.”

1. What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?

A．It promoted the sales of artworks.	B．It attracted a large number of visitors.
C．It showed ancient Chinese clothes.	D．It aimed to introduce Chinese models.

2. What does Hill say about Chinese women?

A．They are setting the fashion.	B．They start many fashion campaigns.
C．They admire super models.	D．They do business all over the world.

3. What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．learning from

B．looking down on

C．working with

D．competing against

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Young Models Selling Dreams to the World

B．A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York

C．Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics

D．Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends

2 . I experienced years of loneliness as a child.     1     His friends teased him about babysitting his sister and his interests were far different from mine. With no other kids of my age in the neighborhood, I had to spend hours by myself.

A bright spot for me turned out to be reading. My love of the written word began early as my mother read to me every evening.     2     I started reading books on my own before age 5 and my mother took me to the public library once a week to borrow several books. I quickly graduated from typical children’s books to ones with fewer pictures and longer chapters. Reading opened new worlds to me.     3    

My mother also encouraged me to make what I wanted. I tried making toy cars with cardboard boxes and constructing buildings from leftover cardboard and bits of wood my father gave me. When my mother saw my creations, she told me how creative my designs were.     4     I learned a lot about how to extend the life of objects and transform them into something new and useful. It was a trait(特点) others found helpful, and I soon had friends who wanted to make things with me.

    5    My parents made it a point for their two kids to spend time outside, no matter the weather or season. My brother, of course, raced off to be with his friends, while I had plenty to do myself. There was making leaf houses in autumn, ice skating in winter, and so much more. They’re all memories I treasure today.

A．I wasn't alone any longer.

B．I enjoyed reading stories aloud.

C．I was invited to play with another kid.

D．I loved the colorful photographs in the books.

E．Another habit I formed early was being outdoors.

F．Thus, I began my lifelong interest in making things.

G．My older brother couldn’t be bothered to play with me.

3 . Languages have been coming and going for thousands of years, but in recent times there has been less coming and a lot more going. When the world was still populated by hunter-gatherers, small, tightly knit(联系) groups developed their own patterns of speech independent of each other. Some language experts believe that 10,000 years ago, when the world had just five to ten million people, they spoke perhaps 12,000 languages between them.

Soon afterwards, many of those people started settling down to become farmers, and their languages too became more settled and fewer in number. In recent centuries, trade, industrialization, the development of the nation-state and the spread of universal compulsory education, especially globalisation and better communications in the past few decades, all have caused many languages to disappear, and dominant languages such as English, Spanish and Chinese are increasingly taking over.

At present, the world has about 6,800 languages. The distribution of these languages is hugely uneven. The general rule is that mild zones have relatively few languages. Often spoken by many people while hot, wet zones have lots, often spoken by small numbers. Europe has only around 200 Languages: the Americas about 1,000, Africa 2,400; and Asia and the Pacific perhaps 3,200, of which Papua New Guinea alone accounts for well over 800. The median number(中位数) of speakers is a mere 6，000, which means that half the worlds languages are spoken by fewer people than that.

Already well over 400 of the total of 6,800 languages are close to extinction(消亡), with only a few elderly speakers left. Pick, at random, Busuu in Cameroon (eight remaining speakers), Chiapaneco in Mexico(150). Lipan Apache in the United States(two or three) or Wadjigu in Australia (one, with a question-mark): none of these seems to have much chance of survival.

1. What can we infer about languages in hunter-gatherer times?

A．They developed very fast.	B．They were large in number.
C．They had similar patters.	D．They were closely connected

2. Which of the following best explains "dominant" underlined in paragraph 2？

A．Complex.	B．Advanced.
C．Powerful.	D．Modern.

3. How many languages are spoken by less than 6, 000 people at present?

A．About 6,800 .	B．About 3,400
C．About 2,400	D．About 1,200.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．New languages will be created.

B．Peoples lifestyles are reflected in languages.

C．Human development results in fewer languages.

D．Geography determines language evolution.

4 . With the young unable to afford to leave home and the old at risk of isolation(孤独), more families are choosing to live together.

The doorway to peace and quiet, for Nick Bright at least, leads straight to his mother-in-law, she lives on the ground floor, while he lives upstairs with his wife and their two daughters.

Four years ago they all moved into a three-storey Victorian house in Bristol - one of a growing number of multigenerational families in the UK living together under the same roof. They share a front door and a washing machine, but Rita Whitehead has her own kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room on the ground floor.

“We floated the idea to my mum of sharing at a house,” says Kathryn Whitehead. Rita cuts in: “We spoke more with Nick because I think it’s a big thing for Nick to live with his mother-in-law.”

And what does Nick think? “From my standpoint, it all seems to work very well. Would I recommend it? Yes, I think I would.”

It’s hard to tell exactly how many people agree with him, but research indicates that the numbers have been rising for some time. Official reports suggest that the number of households with three generations living together had risen from 325,000 in 2001to 419,000 in 2013.

Other varieties of multigenerational family are more common. Some people live with their elderly parents; many more adult children are returning to the family home, if they ever left. It is said that about 20% of 25-34-year-olds live with their parents, compared with 16% in 1991.The total number of all multigenerational households in Britain is thought to be about 1.8 million.

Stories like that are more common in parts of the world where multigenerational living is more firmly rooted. In India, particularly outside cities, young women are expected to move in with their husband’s family when they get married.

1. Who mainly uses the ground floor in the Victorian house in Bristol?

A．Nick.

B．Rita.

C．Kathryn

D．The daughters.

2. What is Nick’s attitude towards sharing the house with his mother-in -law?

A．Positive.

B．Carefree.

C．Tolerant.

D．Unwilling.

3. What is the author’s statement about multigenerational family based on?

A．Family traditions.

B．Financial reports.

C．Published statistics.

D．Public opinions.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Lifestyles in different countries.	B．Conflicts between generations.
C．A housing problem in Britain.	D．A rising trend of living in the UK.

5 . When “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was first shown to the public last month, a group of excited animal activists gathered on Hollywood Boulevard. But they weren’t there to throw red paint on fur-coat-wearing film stars. Instead, one activist, dressed in a full-body monkey suit, had arrived with a sign praising the filmmakers: “Thanks for not using real apes (猿)!”

The creative team behind “Apes” used motion-capture (动作捕捉) technology to create digitalized animals, spending tens of millions of dollars on technology that records an actor’s performance and later processes it with computer graphics to create a final image (图像). In this case, one of a realistic-looking ape.

Yet “Apes” is more exception than the rule. In fact, Hollywood has been hot on live animals lately. One nonprofit organization, which monitors the treatment of animals in filmed entertainment, is keeping tabs on more than 2,000 productions this year. Already, a number of films, including “Water for Elephants,” “The Hangover Part Ⅱ” and “Zookeeper,” have drawn the anger of activists who say the creatures acting in them haven’t been treated properly.

In some cases, it’s not so much the treatment of the animals on set in the studio that has activists worried; it’s the off-set training and living conditions that are raising concerns. And there are questions about the films made outside the States, which sometimes are not monitored as closely as productions filmed in the States.

1. Why did the animal activists gather on Hollywood Boulevard?

A．To see famous film stars.

B．To oppose wearing fur coats.

C．To raise money for animal protection.

D．To express thanks to some filmmakers.

2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about?

A．The cost of making “Apes.”

B．The creation of digitalized apes.

C．The publicity about “Apes.”

D．The performance of real apes.

3. What does the underlined phrase “keeping tabs on” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Listing completely.

B．Directing professionally.

C．Promoting successfully.

D．Watching carefully.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph about animal actors?

A．They may be badly treated.

B．They should take further training.

C．They could be traded illegally

D．They would lose popularity.

6 . In the mid-1990s, Tom Bissell taught English as a volunteer in Uzbekistan. He left after seven months, physically broken and having lost his mind. A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.

His visit, however, ended up involving a lot more than that. Hence this book, Chasing the Sea: Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia, which talks about a road trip from Tashkent to Karakalpakstan, where millions of lives have been destroyed by the slow drying up of the sea. It is the story of an American travelling to a strange land, and of the people he meets on his way: Rustam, his translator, a lovely 24-year-old who picked up his colorful English in California, Oleg and Natasha, his hosts in Tashkent, and a string of foreign aid workers.

This is a quick look at life in Uzbekistan, made of friendliness and warmth, but also its darker side of society. In Samarkand, Mr Bissell admires the architectural wonders, while on his way to Bukhara he gets a taste of police methods when suspected of drug dealing. In Ferghana, he attends a mountain funeral(葬礼)followed by a strange drinking party. And in Karakalpakstan, he is saddened by the dust storms, diseases and fishing boats stuck miles from the sea.

Mr Bissell skillfully organizes historical insights and cultural references, making his tale a well-rounded picture of Uzbekistan, seen from Western eyes. His judgment and references are decidedly American, as well as his delicate stomach. As the author explains, this is neither a travel nor a history book, or even a piece of reportage. Whatever it is, the result is a fine and vivid description of the purest of Central Asian traditions.

1. What made Mr Bissell return to Uzbekistan?

A．His friends' invitation.	B．His interest in the country.
C．His love for teaching.	D．His desire to regain health.

2. What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Developing a serious mental disease.

B．Taking a guided tour in Central Asia.

C．Working as a volunteer in Uzbekistan.

D．Writing an article about the Aral Sea.

3. Which of the following best describes Mr Bissell's road trip in Uzbekistan?

A．Romantic.

B．Eventful.

C．Pleasant.

D．Dangerous.

4. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To introduce a book.	B．To explain a cultural phenomenon.
C．To remember a writer.	D．To recommend a travel destination.

7 . When Jim Grant spotted black smoke coming out of a building on his way to work, he_________his car to call 911. Then he_________a U-turn, circling back to take another look.

Pulling up to the building, Grant saw flames（火焰）shooting out of a second-floor window. Not seeing or hearing any fire engines_________, Grant rushed to a side_________and ran up the stairs.

On the second floor, he_________every apartment door. "Get out!" Grant shouted, No one_________and he assumed that people had already_________. Reaching the end of the hallway, though, Grant_________a half-open door. He kicked it wide open, finding a_________woman in a wheelchair with a little boy and a tiny baby. "Let's__________!" he screamed. The woman looked at him in confusion and said something about changing her clothes. Grant didn't wait, clutching（抓牢）the baby to his chest and__________the boy alongside, Grant ran down the hallway. When he was__________outside, the only__________in sight was a policeman. Grant told him about the__________and they rushed into the smoky building.

Thanks to them, a family was saved from the fire. Grant and the policeman were honored for their__________.

1.

A．drove

B．stopped

C．reached

D．abandoned

2.

A．saw

B．made

C．missed

D．crossed

3.

A．burning

B．leaving

C．approaching

D．waiting

4.

A．entrance

B．road

C．building

D．window

5.

A．locked

B．kicked

C．counted

D．repaired

6.

A．agreed

B．cared

C．responded

D．understood

7.

A．arrived

B．returned

C．hidden

D．escaped

8.

A．skipped

B．closed

C．noticed

D．remembered

9.

A．frightened

B．curious

C．patient

D．grateful

10.

A．turn back

B．go up

C．get out

D．lie down

11.

A．following

B．dragging

C．examining

D．passing

12.

A．safely

B．secretly

C．suddenly

D．previously

13.

A．witness

B．guide

C．service

D．help

14.

A．woman

B．door

C．car

D．baby

15.

A．wisdom

B．generosity

C．honesty

D．courage

8 . During my second year at the city college，I was told that the education department was offering a "free"course, called Thinking Chess, for three credits. I _________the idea of taking the class because, after all, who doesn't want to _________ a few dollars? More than that, I'd always wanted to learn chess. And, even if I weren’t _________enough about free credits, news about our _________was appealing enough to me. He was an international grandmaster, which _________ I would be learning from one of the game's _________. I could hardly wait to _________him.

Maurice Ashley was kind and smart, a former graduate returning to teach, and this _________was no game for him: he meant business. In his introduction, he made it _________that our credits would be hard-earned. In order to __________the class, among other criteria, we had to write a paper on how we plan to __________what we would learn in class to our future professions and, __________, to our lives. I managed to get an A in that __________and learned life lessons that have served me well beyond the __________.

Ten years after my chess class with Ashley, I'm still putting to use what he __________me: “The absolute most important __________that you learn when you play chess is how to make good __________. On every single move you have to __________a situation, process what your opponent(对手）is doing and __________the best move from among all your options.”These words still ring true today in my __________as a journalist.

1.

A．put forward

B．jumped at

C．tried out

D．turned down

2.

A．waste

B．earn

C．save

D．pay

3.

A．excited

B．worried

C．moved

D．tired

4.

A．title

B．competitor

C．textbook

D．instructor

5.

A．urged

B．demanded

C．held

D．meant

6.

A．fastest

B．easiest

C．best

D．rarest

7.

A．interview

B．meet

C．challenge

D．beat

8.

A．chance

B．qualification

C．honor

D．job

9.

A．real

B．perfect

C．clear

D．possible

10.

A．attend

B．pass

C．skip

D．observe

11.

A．add

B．expose

C．apply

D．compare

12.

A．eventually

B．naturally

C．directly

D．normally

13.

A．game

B．presentation

C．course

D．experiment

14.

A．criterion

B．classroom

C．department

D．situation

15.

A．taught

B．wrote

C．questioned

D．promised

16.

A．fact

B．step

C．manner

D．skill

17.

A．grades

B．decisions

C．impressions

D．comments

18.

A．analyze

B．describe

C．rebuild

D．control

19.

A．announce

B．signal

C．block

D．evaluate

20.

A．role

B．desire

C．concern

D．behavior

9 . I was born legally blind. Of all the stories of my early childhood, the one about a______is my mother's favorite.

I was only two when the______occurred. We had just arrived home from a trip. Mom lifted me out of the car and _____to speak to the driver. I took advantage of my brief______to dash across the lawn (草坪) — and hit a large maple tree! I was running so fast that I bounced off the trunk and______on my backside. Mom______me to start crying, but I just sat there for a minute. Then I______myself up and kept right on going. Mom always______here that, as many times as I______across the lawn after that, I never again______into that tree.

Mom loves to use this story as an______. It reminds her that children don't enter life______to take risks or unwilling to______again when they fall down. She never wanted me to lose that______as I grew older. When I______my major life decisions，I was still that little girl tearing full-speed across the lawn. I studied abroad and later moved away from my parents' home to look for a______, Through years of______, I have become a respected teacher in a school serving high-need students.

We are almost certain to get______at some point during the process of achieving our goal. When that happens, don't sit in the grass and______. Just get up and keep on going. It will all be worth it______.

1.

A．trip

B．race

C．tree

D．driver

2.

A．incident

B．change

C．illness

D．problem

3.

A．feared

B．refused

C．forgot

D．turned

4.

A．delay

B．absence

C．freedom

D．rest

5.

A．landed

B．slept

C．laughed

D．wept

6.

A．promised

B．encouraged

C．allowed

D．expected

7.

A．woke

B．picked

C．warmed

D．gave

8.

A．adds

B．replies

C．admits

D．supposes

9.

A．drove

B．lived

C．stood

D．zoomed

10.

A．crashed

B．broke

C．climbed

D．looked

11.

A．answer

B．example

C．excuse

D．order

12.

A．able

B．ashamed

C．afraid

D．anxious

13.

A．ask

B．share

C．learn

D．try

14.

A．honesty

B．toughness

C．kindness

D．curiosity

15.

A．regretted

B．reviewed

C．made

D．explained

16.

A．job

B．friend

C．fortune

D．house

17.

A．memories

B．efforts

C．research

D．experience

18.

A．mixed up

B．fed up

C．knocked down

D．settled down

19.

A．play

B．relax

C．dream

D．cry

20.

A．all at once

B．in the end

C．in either case

D．as a result

10 . Today's world is not an easy adjustment for young adults. Key skill set for success is persistence (毅力), a characteristic that researchers say is heavily influenced by fathers. Researchers from Brigham Young University discovered that fathers are in a unique position to help their adolescent children learn persistence.

BYU professors Laura Padilla-Walker and Randal Day arrived at these findings after following 325 American families over several years. And over time，the persistence gained through fathers led to higher achievement in school.

"There are relatively few studies that stress the unique role of fathers，"Padilla-Walker said. "This research also helps to prove that characteristics such as persistence-which can be taught-are key to a child's life success.”

Researchers determined that dads need to practice an "authoritative" parenting style. Authoritative parenting is not authoritarian:rigid，demanding or controlling. Rather，an authoritative parenting style includes some of the following characteristics:children feel warmth and love from their father；responsibility and the reasons behind rules are stressed children are given an appropriate level of autonomy(自主权).

In the study，about 52 percent of the dads exhibited above-average levels of authoritative parenting. A key finding is that over time，children raised by an authoritative father were significantly more likely to develop persistence，which leads to better outcomes in school.

This particular study examined 11 to 14-year-olds living in two-parent homes. Yet the researchers suggest that single parents still may play a role in teaching the benefits of persistence，which is an avenue of future research.

1. What is special about the BYU professors' study?

A．It centered on fathers' role in parenting.

B．It was based on a number of large families.

C．It analyzed different kinds of parenting styles.

D．It aimed to improve kids' achievement in school.

2. What would an authoritative father do when raising his children?

A．Ignore their demands.	B．Make decisions for them.
C．Control their behaviors.	D．Explain the rules to them.

3. Which group can be a focus of future studies according to the researchers?

A．Single parents.

B．Children aged from 11 to 14.

C．Authoritarian fathers.

D．Mothers in two-parent homes.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Three Characteristics of Authoritative Fathers.

B．Key Skills for Young Adults to Succeed in Future.

C．Children Tend to Learn Determination from Father.

D．Family Relationship Influences School Performance.