1 . Parents often believe that they have a good relationship with their teenagers. But last summer, Joanna and Henry noticed a change in their older son. Suddenly he seemed to be talking far more to his friends than to his parents. “The door to his room is always shut,” Joanna noted.

Tina and Mark noticed similar changes in their 14-year-old daughter. “She used to cuddle up (依偎) against me on the sofa and talk,” said Mark. “Now we joke that she does this only when she wants something. Sometimes she wants to be treated like a little girl and sometimes like a young lady. The problem is understanding which time is which.”

Before age 11, children like to tell their parents what’s on their mind. “In fact, parents are first on the list,” said Michael Riera, author of Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers. “This completely changes during the teen years,” Riera explained. “They talk to their friends first, then maybe their teachers, and their parents last.”

Parents who know what’s going on in their teenagers’ lives are in the best position to help them. To break down the wall of silence, parents should create chances to understand what their children want to say, and try to find ways to talk and write to them. And they must give their children a mental (思想的) break, for children also need freedom, though young. Another thing parents should remember is that to be a friend, not a manager, with their children is a better way to know them.

1. “The door to his room is always shut” suggests that the son ________.

A．keeps himself away from his parents	B．begins to dislike his parents
C．is always busy with his study	D．doesn’t want to be ignored

2. What does trouble Tina and Mark?

A．Their daughter isn’t as lovely as before.

B．They can’t read their daughter’s mind exactly.

C．They don’t know what to say to their daughter.

D．Their daughter talks with them only when she needs help.

3. Which of the following best explains “the wall of silence” in the last paragraph?

A．Teenagers talk a lot with their friends.	B．Teenagers do not understand their parents.
C．Teenagers talk little about their own lives.	D．Teenagers do not talk much with their parents.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Parents shouldn’t be angry with teenagers.

B．Parents have to talk with children face to face.

C．Parents are unhappy with their growing children.

D．Parents should try to understand their teenagers.

2 . I used to be the shyest person in the world. I hid behind my older sister, whenever I had to speak to (an) ________ person—including the McDonald’s cashier, or even a distant relative.

________ asked to speak in class, I could hardly ________, much less speak. Even among the few friends I had, my high, timid (羞怯的) voice earned me jokes—about being a girl. Then in the seventh grade, my sister suggested I ________voice lessons. After a little bit of ________, I did—as long as it stayed a secret. I began a series of vocal (发声的) exercising. After exercising a lot, I finally gained ________ in my voice.

A few months later, I was asked to sing for some retired people. I thought I would do better than before ________ the voice lessons. I opened my mouth and nothing. I couldn’t remember the words of the song! My face turned hot. The ________ pianist whispered a prompt (提示), and I remembered just enough to keep singing. Then the thought ________ me: I’ve embarrassed myself enough in front of this ________. There’s really nothing else to lose. So in my second song, I just ________ and felt the energy of the song lift me. And I did much better.

After that, I started singing to myself as ________ as I could in my own room. That’s something I would never have done before. On a recent school trip, I was asked to sing again. It was ________ how much people liked my singing. One classmate: ________ said that I should be in the school’s talent show.

I am not a shy person any more. ________ has made me more outgoing. Today, I’m almost a loudmouth. I can meet people without being afraid. I can also stand in front of the whole class and give a big speech. I am proud of myself.

1.

A．common

B．strict

C．unfamiliar

D．unusual

2.

A．Unless

B．Though

C．As

D．When

3.

A．sit

B．breathe

C．smile

D．express

4.

A．pick

B．accept

C．take

D．receive

5.

A．decision

B．consideration

C．opportunity

D．guidance

6.

A．confidence

B．freedom

C．admiration

D．imagination

7.

A．in favor of

B．because of

C．instead of

D．in place of

8.

A．upset

B．kind

C．nervous

D．straight

9.

A．struck

B．recognized

C．persuaded

D．ruined

10.

A．crowd

B．class

C．family

D．team

11.

A．changed

B．worried

C．relaxed

D．escaped

12.

A．clearly

B．loudly

C．easily

D．frequently

13.

A．amazing

B．frightening

C．shocking

D．confusing

14.

A．ever

B．even

C．still

D．just

15.

A．Communicating

B．Exercising

C．Performing

D．Singing

3 . Sun Rui, a mother in Beijing, changed some of her plans for her 8-year-old son’s summer vacation. She had looked for an out-of-school English course, but in the end, she changed it to a swimming training class. “It is because of the strict rules on subject-tutoring classes out of schools, many parents like me choose sports or other classes for developing interests instead,” Sun said.

Sun’s choice is part of the result of the government’s growing efforts to reduce the academic pressure on young students.

On July 24, Chinese government introduced the rules in order to reduce the burden of homework and after-class tutoring for primary and junior high school students. It lists requirements in areas such as reducing the amount and the difficulty of homework and after-class services provided by schools. For example, homework for primary children below the third grade is not allowed, while homework for junior high school students should take no longer than 90 minutes to finish. Out-of-school classes cannot teach students knowledge that is ahead of the school curriculum. No subject lessons can be given on weekends, national holidays or during winter and summer vacations.

According to Global Times, more than 75 percent of Chinese children in cities, from grade l to grade 12, take part in out-of-school subject classes. This has led to many social problems such as students’ falling levels of physical fitness, more mental health problems and huge family costs, said Chu Zhaohui, senior researcher with the National Institute of Education Sciences.

Many parents showed their support for the new moves. “Subject leaning is enough at school and we hope the children’s life can be more relaxing during holidays”, a parent in Guangzhou told Xinhua. However, there are also some parents who have new fears. A parent in Shanxi said that although she agreed with the new rules, she was worried that both she and her husband had no time to be with her son

1. The reason why Sun Rui let her son sign up for a swimming class instead of an English course is that ______.

A．many parents chose classes for developing interests

B．the government made rules on out-of-school subject classes.

C．the government made an effort to advocate subject-tutoring classes.

D．she wanted to reduce the academic pressure on her son.

2. According to the rules introduced on July 24, ______.

A．primary students in grade one and grade two have no homework after school.

B．junior high school students should do their homework for more than 90 minutes.

C．out-of-school classes can’t teach any knowledge in school textbooks.

D．during summer vacations, junior students can have subject classes outside schools.

3. In Chu Zhao’s opinion, taking part in out-of-school subject classes can ______.

A．help children stay fit.

B．have a positive effect on children’s mental health.

C．increase some families’ extra spending.

D．help children lean better at school.

4. What are parents’ reaction to the new rules?

A．Some parents feel anxious about their children’s study at school.

B．They want their children to take part in more out-of-school classes.

C．They all think it is hard for them to accept the rules right now.

D．Some parents worry that they have no time to keep their children company after school.

5 . Rolling hills and endless green grasslands – those pictures often appear in our mind when we think of the country lifestyle. When outdoor activities were limited in many countries across the world during the pandemic (疫病), social media(媒体) seemed to be filled by pictures of village life. So, why is living in the countryside becoming increasingly popular – and is it really good to consider a slower life?

It is understandable that some people would want to give up the crowded and noisy city streets for the traditional country life – especially during a period like a pandemic. Having more time to stay indoors and the periods of working from home get people to think about what they want from life. But it's not just about having a greener place to look at out of your window.

It has been proved that living in the countryside does good to you. There's less air pollution in the countryside, which reduces the possibility of developing some diseases for breathing the polluted air. You also get more chances to take long walks and see the beautiful countryside, meaning you can get more exercise. Less noise, more walks and better air can also lead to less stress and a longer life, according to studies done by the British government in 2012.

However, there are some things that need to be considered. Living far from the city means that some people may feel lonely. And as people get older, life far from doctors or public transport could become a bit of a challenge. So, if you're considering a change of life and moving to a picturesque village, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider before taking action.

1. What did people like to share in their social media during the pandemic?

A．Pictures of life in the countryside.	B．Pictures of their outdoor activities.
C．Pictures of life in cities.	D．Pictures of working at home.

2. The writer lists the advantages of living in the countryside EXCEPT_________.

A．fresher air	B．more chances of exercise
C．working at home.	D．beautiful countryside views

3. According to the study in 2012, who will live a healthier and longer life?

A．A man who lives near a noisy factory.

B．A man who lives a busy life with no time to exercise.

C．A man who lives in a heavily polluted city.

D．A man who lives in a peaceful village, jogging every morning.

4. From the last paragraph, we can infer that_________.

A．living in the countryside is good for many old people.

B．people should think twice before moving to the countryside.

C．people feel lonely in cities so they want to move to the countryside.

D．there are more advantages than disadvantages in moving to the countryside.

6 . Mr. Lang worked in a factory. As a driver, he was busy but his hard work was rewarding since he was well paid. His wife was an able woman and did all the housework. When he came back, she took good care of him and he never did anything at home. So he had a lot of spare time when he had a holiday. A few friends of his liked gambling and he learned it soon. Therefore, he was so interested in it that he almost forgot anything except gambling. He lost all his money and later he began to sell the television, watches and so on. His wife told him not to do it but he didn’t listen to her. She could do nothing but call the police. He and his friends were punished for it. After he came out of lockup, his wife asked him to kick the habit of gambling and earn an honest income. However, the man set aside what she said and his wife had no choice but to leave the family.

It was New Year’s Day. Mr. Lang didn’t go to work. He felt lonely and wanted to gamble again. He called his friends and they came soon. But they were afraid the police would come. He told his five-year-old son to go to find out if there were the policemen outside. They waited for a long time and didn’t think the police would come and began to gamble. Suddenly opened the door and in came a few policemen.

“I saw there weren’t any policemen outside, daddy,” said the boy, “So I went to the crossing and asked some to come.”

1. What kind of life did Mr. Lang lead before getting addicted to gambling?

A．Busy but rewarding	B．Simple but stressful
C．Determined and active	D．Empty and difficult

2. Mr. Lang began gambling because_________.

A．he wanted to make more money.	B．his wife let her do too much housework.
C．his wife left him.	D．he was affected by his friends.

3. The reason why Mr. Long’s wife left the family was that_________.

A．her husband didn’t love her any longer

B．her husband refused to quit gambling addiction.

C．her husband had been put into lockup by the police.

D．she was addicted to gambling too.

4. From the passage, we can infer that_________.

A．this time, Mr. Long would completely stop gambling.

B．the boy thought the policemen would like to gamble.

C．Mr. Long would be put into lockup again.

D．the policemen would help the child’s mother to return home.

7 . As for long-distance holidays, there are some wonderful destinations that actually offer you great value for your money, especially for those who do not hope to empty their pockets after a holiday.

Tokyo, Japan

Food lovers should go to this busy city which has the lowest cost for eating out — you can even buy two evening meals (three dishes for each) , with a bottle of wine, for just under £ 34. For sightseeing (观光) there are plenty of free museums and attractions, while tour bus ticket prices start from as little as £ 11.56.

Bangkok, Thailand(泰国)

Thailand's capital is second to none as the best value long-distance city. Although there isn’t a big difference across all prices compared to the other cities, it is accommodation ( 住宿) that really makes it stand out. If you’re only stopping for a long weekend, then make sure to pay a visit to the breathtaking temples.

Beijing, China

The Chinese capital stands out with a total basket price of £ 337.49. If you only do one cultural day out during your stay, make it a trip to the   Forbidden City. There are some beautiful buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. At the same time they're home to priceless artificial objects( 工 艺 品 ) from ancient Chinese emperors’ families.

Dubai(迪拜), UAE

Although Dubai does have a reputation(名声) for being quite the splurge (挥霍金钱) when it comes to holidays and if you’re going to enjoy shopping or experience the roller-coasters, it is in fact quite worth the money. The city also offers some cheaper prices across its museums, galleries and attractions as well as airport transfers.

1. When it comes to food, which one tops the first as the most money-saving city?

A．Bangkok

B．Beijing.

C．Tokyo.

D．Dubai.

2. What are recommended to visitors coming to the Forbidden City?

A．Cheap food.	B．Architecture and artificial objects.
C．Shopping.	D．Accommodation.

3. About Dubai, it is commonly believed that_________.

A．it usually costs a lot of money to spend a holiday in Dubai

B．historical buildings are everywhere in Dubai.

C．Dubai is famous for house wine producing.

D．the roller-coasters there are the best in the world.

8 . A friend of mine met with an accident driving in darkness. His legs were so hurt that he couldn’t move. What was the__________was that he found himself unable to ask for help—his mobile phone went out of work as a result of exhausted (用尽的) battery. Nothing could be done but__________in cold wilderness. It was 8 hours later that day broke, and then the__________of the rescue （救援队）.

It was almost_________ that he could stand the horror in the darkness for so long. Even more surprising was his explanation, “First of all I checked up my_______conditions and found myself not in deadly danger. As there was no________to call for help, I leaned back in my seat trying my best to keep the wound from bleeding. In this way I dozed (打盹) off.”

His story put an end to my regret for the failure of an exploration adventure that happened last year. A group of young men__________to explore a mountain cave and got lost. ________to find a way out in the dark cave, they were frightened and ran anxiously without a ________of direction. Finally, they fell dead in fear and exhaustion. According to the_________people that found them, the place where they got lost was only about 10 meters away from the_________of the cave. If they stayed on the spot when they lost their way and tried to________themselves, they would probably sense a faint light flashing not far away.

Don’t you think that you can compare it with__________itself? When you meet with difficulties in life, you are lost in darkness. Mind you that it’s unclear yet and you needn’t act_________ It seems to be a negative (消极的) attitude, _______   a person who can do so must have foresight （先见之明）as well as a great courage in the first place.

1.

A．hopeless

B．worst

C．more

D．best

2.

A．cry

B．lie

C．wait

D．sleep

3.

A．delay

B．success

C．team

D．arrival

4.

A．untrue

B．unimaginable

C．possible

D．useless

5.

A．physical

B．mental

C．working

D．medical

6.

A．method

B．way

C．tool

D．strength

7.

A．had

B．managed

C．tried

D．planned

8.

A．Willing

B．Unable

C．Determined

D．Deciding

9.

A．desire

B．request

C．feeling

D．sense

10.

A．rescue

B．village

C．local

D．brave

11.

A．end

B．top

C．opening

D．side

12.

A．save

B．help

C．stop

D．calm

13.

A．adventure

B．work

C．life

D．mankind

14.

A．at last

B．right away

C．by design

D．behind schedule

15.

A．and

B．so

C．but

D．while

9 . Will you crazy about these newly-built products that are not merely quite useful but also good to the environment? Come and see then!

Eco-friendly Umbrella

Traditional umbrellas come with a fixed surface. Although it is changeable, you cannot replace it easily. This eco-friendly design is more flexible. It is actually only an umbrella skeleton without any surface, which can be folded, so you can put anything such as newspapers, plastic bags or whatever you want to serve as the protecting surface.

Pollution-sensitive Dress

Don’t be caught outside unaware of pollution levels in the air. The pollution-sensitive EPA Dress by Stephanie Sandstrom notices pollution in the air accordingly. This dress—which is actually quite pretty—looks like you pull it from the bottom of the dirty laundry pile when the air is dirty. It might protect your health by advising you to stay indoors for the day, but it won’t do you any favor if you’re meeting with clients.

Eco-friendly Car Racer

Can you image a car racer is so eco-friendly that its tyres are made from potatoes, its body is created from hemp (大麻) and rapeseed oil and it runs on fuel made from wheat and sugar beet? The one seater racing car called Eco One is built by experts from Warwick University, who hope that Eco One will be used by the automotive industry. It is sold at $ 51,000.

Eco-friendly Moss (苔藓) Carpet

Do you know it is said that walking on fresh grass can really increases your blood circulation? The Moss Carpet, created by Nguyen La Chanh, looks at getting the grass to your feet. The mat includes ball moss, island moss and forest moss. The humidity (湿度) of the bathroom ensures that it grows well. And that’s why you need to place it there and not anywhere else.

1. The EPA Dress is designed to ________.

A．discourage people from going out	B．help meet with clients
C．improve people’s appearance	D．inform people of air quality

2. What can we know about Eco One?

A．It can seat one passenger and one driver.

B．It can’t be available for the public at present.

C．It is mainly made from some kinds of plants.

D．It will take the place of the traditional car industry.

3. Where does the text probably come from?

A．A science report.	B．A personal blog.
C．A health report.	D．An official document.

10 . A lecture hall should be like a church—a little too dark, much too cold, and uncomfortably silent. You should feel guilty opening your water bottle, because all 200 people in the room can hear it.

So when I’m trying to pay attention, the last thing you should be doing is carrying on a conversation about your last weekend party or anything else.

During the past school term, I’ve had enough. One of my biggest complaints of large class sizes is the tendency for three to five friends to sit together and loudly whisper each others’ ears off for an hour and 15 minutes straight. My stupid monkey brain can’t help but focus on your conversation about the difference between ash blonde and light blonde colored hair that look exactly the same.

To me, it just feels like a waste. You’re actively wasting money, and missing vital information. We (and the government) pay quite a lot for our education, but you are here to ignore someone significantly more experienced than us, in classes we picked, for hours every week.

I know major requirements can be boring, but this is still an education. It requires two­way effort. Most students here have at least one goal in common: success. Not every checkpoint on that path is going to be filled with joy. Sit down, shut up, and force yourself to listen to your professor. Society tells us it will eventually pay off.

Or maybe it won’t because you don’t want to.

I actually don’t care if you decide to pay little or no attention to the lecture itself, so long as you’re not being disturbing.

For those willing to try, in 20 years when you finally pay off your debt with your fairly secure white­collar job, you’ll look back and be happy that you went through the lectures.

1. Why is a lecture hall compared to a church by the author?

A．Both places are open to the public.

B．Both places help rid people of their guilt.

C．Both places can seat over 200 people.

D．Both places are supposed to be quiet.

2. What can we infer about the author from the passage?

A．He likes persuading others.

B．He tends to make complaints.

C．He values education as a duty.

D．He cares much about friendship.

3. How does the author feel when writing the passage?

A．Delighted.

B．Annoyed.

C．Thrilled.

D．Worried.

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

A．Hard Work Pays Off!

B．Focus on the Lectures!

C．Wasting Your Time Is a Shame!

D．Mind Your In­Class Behavior!