1 . One of my neighbors used to have a beautiful tree in her front yard. It was nothing more than a little branch _________ her dad planted it for her and several years later it started to _________ towards the sky at an amazing speed. Soon it blessed her with cooling shade in the _________ and glorious, golden leaves in the fall.

When the two-day snowstorm struck our town, heavy snow _________ the tree’s branches that were still full of leaves. The weight broke that lovely tree down the _________ . It was so sad seeing half of it _________ on the ground after the storm. When I talked to my neighbor later, she said the damage had been so _________ that the tree would have to be cut down. _________ she had saved a few young plants from it that she hoped to _________ in the future. It was a shock to drive by her house the other day and see __________ but a stump (树桩) in her front yard. I missed that tree. I missed seeing its branches reach towards the heavens and leaves __________ in the afternoon sun. I thought that the stump would be a sad __________ of its loss for a long time to come. My wonderful neighbor, __________ , had another plan. When I dropped in yesterday, I saw a tiny bird feeder sitting on that __________ and a colorful songbird having its dinner. It was such a joy to see the evidence of __________ . I could feel my heart __________ .Life by its very nature is a __________ bag. It offers us both beauty and tragedy, love and loss, __________ and pain. What we can do with it is up to us. We can let it __________ us in two, or we can use even its hardest times to make our __________ stronger and our hearts more loving. We can spend it complaining or we can use it to help others.

1.

A．unless

B．when

C．until

D．because

2.

A．erupt

B．wind

C．shoot

D．stand

3.

A．spring

B．summer

C．fall

D．winter

4.

A．fell on

B．took apart

C．got through

D．tore down

5.

A．top

B．middle

C．bottom

D．root

6.

A．dancing

B．spreading

C．trembling

D．lying

7.

A．obvious

B．unexpected

C．subtle

D．severe

8.

A．Consequently

B．Eventually

C．Thankfully

D．Accidentally

9.

A．replace

B．decorate

C．plant

D．remove

10.

A．everything

B．something

C．anything

D．nothing

11.

A．falling

B．shaking

C．floating

D．shinning

12.

A．vision

B．example

C．reminder

D．view

13.

A．however

B．therefore

C．moreover

D．otherwise

14.

A．leaf

B．stump

C．branch

D．stick

15.

A．life

B．time

C．effort

D．nature

16.

A．beat

B．smile

C．hurt

D．sink

17.

A．mixed

B．changeable

C．separate

D．stable

18.

A．sorrow

B．wealth

C．pleasure

D．sympathy

19.

A．break

B．pull

C．benefit

D．attach

20.

A．connections

B．families

C．bodies

D．souls

2 . Nostalgia (怀旧) has become increasingly common in our current climate of unexpected, fast-paced change. More and more people are turning back with longing for what feels like simpler, sweeter times. They collect cassette tapes, manual typewriters even decades-old video games.

Is it a mistake to get too obsessed with the past? Some psychologists warn that too much devotion to the so-called good old days is an escape from reality; it can indicate loneliness or that a person is having a difficult time coping in the present. Psychologist Stephanie Coontz argues that nostalgia distracts us from addressing the problems of modern life and contributes to anxiety, depression, insomnia etc.

But new studies suggest that a modest dose of nostalgia is not only harmless, but actually beneficial. They suggest it helps strengthen our sense of identity and makes us feel more optimistic and inspired. It is also a tool for self-discovery and memories are a psychological immune response that is triggered when you want to take a break from negativity. Interestingly, those happy memories can be particularly beneficial both to kids in their teens and to society’s elders. Recalling our childhood reminds us of “the times when we were accented and loved unconditionally,” says Krystine Batcho, a psychologist. “That is such a powerfully comforting phenomenon, knowing that there was a time in life when we didn’t have to earn our love.” Nostalgia can transform even the most ordinary past into legends which warms the heart and the body. Let’s not forget that nostalgia has been a source of inspiration to innumerable American writers. Mark Twain recalled his boyhood, writing, “after all these years, I can picture that old time to myself now, just as it was then: The white town drowsing in the sunshine of a summer’s morning.”

So go ahead, daydream a little about your best childhood friend, your first car, a long-gone family pet. As Dr. Sedikidessays, “Nostalgia is absolutely central to human experience.” But at the same time, keep these words of wisdom from the great inventor Charles Kettering in mind as well: “You can’t have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time.”

1. What did some psychologists in paragraph 2 probably agree?

A．Nostalgia can cause some mental problems.

B．Nostalgia makes us devoted to the present life.

C．Nostalgia shows you are trying to get rid of loneliness.

D．Nostalgia helps us cope with the difficult time we are going through.

2. There are many benefits of nostalgia except ________ .

A．It can enable us to know ourselves better

B．It can bring us some comfort when we recall

C．We are likely to gain attention if we recall the happy childhood

D．We can sometimes break away from negativity with happy memories

3. What will be talked about in the following paragraph?

A．The reasons why we should avoid nostalgia.

B．The great changes nostalgia will bring to you.

C．The bad memories that always stick around you.

D．The bad influence of too much devotion to nostalgia.

4. What does the author intend to tell us?

A．People tend to be lost in nostalgia.

B．People actually benefit from nostalgia.

C．Childhood memories influence present life.

D．There are some periods when people look back.

3 . What's on your travel list? I've consulted several travel experts to find out some places worth visiting.

Where ： New Orleans, Louisiana

Chosen by： Natalie DiScala is a writer and editor at johnnyjet. com, covering travel trends? products and family travel.

Why： New Orleans is known for its music and food—not to mention the festivals. It has about 130 festivals each year so there's really no bad time to visit. Bourbon Street is the obvious choice for food, drink and jazz and it's definitely a must-visit location, especially for first-timers to the city.

Where ： Vail , Colorado

Chosen by： Becca Ingle is an active family travel blogger. She is the founder of BeccaIngle, com, where you can read all her travel guides.

Why： Vail is the perfect destination for families and travelers looking to find almost everything in one central spot. Stay at the amazing Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail to be steps away from Vail Village, a popular town with special heated stone streets for strolling（漫步）,restaurants and bars, coffee shops, ice-skating, a movie theater and a bowling alley.

Where： Hudson Valley, New York

Chosen by： Devorah Lev-Tov is a food and travel writer who regularly writes for The New York Times , Afar, Conde Nast Traveler , etc.

Why：New Yorkers go to escape the city when they need a healthy close to nature and relaxation there. The 750-mile biking and hiking route links communities across New York State and links up to the Hudson Greenway Trails. The region was recently equipped with the famous Charlie Palmer Restaurant.

1. Who is the writer of johnnyjet. com?

A．Natalie DiScala.

B．Becca Ingle.

C．Devorah Lev-Tov.

D．Charlie Palmer.

2. Which place would you prefer if you want to walk on the stone streets?

A．Bourbon Street.	B．Four Seasons Resort.
C．Vail Village.	D．Residences Vail.

3. What can you do in the Hudson Valley?

A．Visit big towns.	B．Enjoy riding bikes.
C．Watch the latest films.	D．Attend music festivals.

5 . "Everything happens for the best, "my mother said whenever I faced disappointment. "If you carry on, one day something good will happen. And you'll realize that it wouldn't have happened if not for that _________ disappointment.

Mother was _________. As I discovered after graduating from college in 1932, I had decided to hunt for a job in _________, then work my way up to sports announcer. I went to Chicago and _________ on the door of every station--but got _________ every time. In one studio, a kind lady told me that big stations couldn't _________ hiring a(n) _________ person. "Go out in the suburbs and find a _________ station that'll give you a chance, "she said. I turned to Dixon. Illinois.

While there were no radios announcing jobs in Dixon, they had opened a store and wanted a local athlete to _________ its sports department. The job __________ just right for me. But I wasn't hired. My __________ must have shown. "Everything happens for the best, " my mother reminded me. Dad offered me the car to __________ job. As I left his office, my frustration __________. I asked aloud, "How can a fellow get to be a sports announcer if he can't get a job in a radio station?" I was __________ the elevator when I heard MacArthur calling, " What do you say about sports? Do you know anything about __________ ?"Then he let me stand before a __________ and asked me to broadcast a(n) __________ game. I did a 15-minute football occasional commentary（实况报道）, and Peter told me I would be __________ Saturday's game! On my way home, as I have many times, I __________ my mother's words: If you carry on, one day something good will happen.

I often wonder what __________ my life might have taken if I'd not gotten the job at Montgomery Ward.

1.

A．first

B．latest

C．previous

D．last

2.

A．happy

B．right

C．sad

D．wise

3.

A．TV

B．radio

C．studio

D．sports

4.

A．knocked

B．worked

C．decided

D．drew

5.

A．turned down

B．turned up

C．turned over

D．turned off

6.

A．stand

B．risk

C．avoid

D．refuse

7.

A．well-behaved

B．skilled

C．inexperienced

D．well-known

8.

A．local

B．small

C．famous

D．unknown

9.

A．build

B．manage

C．handle

D．control

10.

A．comforted

B．looked

C．sounded

D．welcomed

11.

A．puzzle

B．surprise

C．disappointment

D．joy

12.

A．lose

B．settle

C．hunt

D．reserve

13.

A．turned over

B．boiled over

C．hit over

D．got over

14.

A．sitting in

B．waiting for

C．standing in

D．leaving for

15.

A．sports

B．games

C．basketball

D．football

16.

A．microphone

B．radio

C．audience

D．judge

17.

A．live

B．exciting

C．imaginary

D．real

18.

A．broadcasting

B．showing

C．lecturing

D．managing

19.

A．thought

B．reminded

C．recalled

D．collected

20.

A．results

B．directions

C．measures

D．methods

7 . A British friend told me he couldn't understand why Chinese people love eating sunflower seeds (葵花子) as a snack so much. “I’ve met a lot of older Chinese and many have a crack in their front teeth; I believe that's from cracking the seeds,” he said.

I had never noticed the habit, but once he mentioned it, I suddenly became more aware. I realized that whenever I’m watching TV or typing a report, I always start mindlessly cracking sunflower seeds. My friend doesn't like sunflower seeds, and, to him, it seems unnecessary to work so hard just to get one small seed.

When we were young, the whole family would usually get together for Chinese New Year. Then, we all lived close to one another, usually in a small city, and sometimes even neighbors would go doortodoor on Chinese New Year’s Eve to check out what every household was making.

I remember my parents would be in the kitchen cooking. In the living room, a large table would already be laid out, complete with a fancy tablecloth, readymade dumpling fillings, and dishes full of candy, fruits and sunflower seeds.

Some of the dishes were to be offered to our ancestors later, while others were for neighbors and children to eat before the evening feast. I must have learned how to crack sunflower seeds back then.

I don’t think it’s right to criticize one’s choice in food or eating habits, no matter how strange they may seem.

It’s not only in China. When I went abroad, I found people had all sorts of strange habits when it came to food. In Denmark, they put salted red fish on bread and eat it for dinner, no matter how much it ruins their breath. They think it’s a delicacy, and it’s connected with their culture. I think it’s a wonderful tradition.

1. What lesson can we learn from the passage?

A．One kind of food doesn’t necessarily suit everyone.

B．Eating habits come from a certain culture.

C．It is good to form healthy eating habits.

D．Changing your eating habits will change your life.

2. What did the writer become aware of?

A．She had ever typed a report about seeds.

B．She ate various snacks while watching TV.

C．She has a habit of cracking sunflower seeds.

D．She damaged her teeth by eating sunflower seeds.

3. What does the writer prove by mentioning Chinese New Year?

A．The traditions of celebrating it disappear.

B．Children can eat delicious food on that day.

C．The families would get together for it.

D．Eating sunflower seeds is related to it.

4. The writer’s attitude to Denmark’s way of eating bread is ________．

A．acceptable	B．critical
C．neutral	D．doubtful

9 . Kids and science seem to be made for each other!

The basic science is a combination of thought and experiment called the scientific method. It’s where you start with an idea, create a way to prove or disprove your idea, and show what you learned based on facts. Learning to follow this process helps you think logically and carefully. These important thinking skills can be used in many areas of study. To give a child practice with these thinking skills is like giving vitamins to a developing mind.

One of the greatest things we can teach our children is to love learning. Learning science is a great way to do so. Children are easy to be interested in science. Because much of science is hands-on, it attracts most children. Nothing makes a child sit up and take notice like the “WOW!” of a great science showing.

Science opens doors to many subjects at school. Building love for science can be helpful in other areas of study. For example, one cannot love science for very long without becoming good at its language-math! So science encourages children to study math. An interest in science is an interest in how things were once understood compared to how they are understood now. Thus studying science lends itself easily to studying history. And after you do an experiment, you need to write a lab report. Therefore, writing becomes an important part of science.

Science is the basic thing for much of our life. The science of farming shows how our food is produced; biomedical science keeps us healthy; even our beds these days are designed according to scientific facts. We almost eat, sleep and breathe with the help of science! When we prepare the next generation of voters, creators and policy makers, it is important to make sure they are not only comfortable but also good at science.

1. According to Paragraph 2, what does learning the scientific method mean to kids?

A．Learning to do experiments.	B．Learning many areas of study.
C．Helping them develop thinking skills.	D．Refusing any ideas that are not logical.

2. Which of the following statements would the author agree with?

A．Science is too difficult for children.	B．Children usually consider science boring.
C．Science can arouse children's interest in learning.	D．Children who are careless shouldn't learn science.

3. What happens to a child who works hard at science at school?

A．He usually has no time for other subjects.	B．He usually loses interest in other activities.
C．He is usually bad at such subjects like history.	D．He is likely to learn many other subjects well.

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

A．Why Kids Should Learn Science	B．Why Science Is Important
C．How Kids Can Make Use of Science	D．What Kids Should Learn at School

10 . When Deborah hiked cycling to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in New York last November, she _________ a female mute swan near the water’s edge. Deborah, 30, who had worked at the Wild Bird Fund rehab (康复) center, knew that mute swans can be aggressive. But as she _________ this one, it didn’t move.

She was certain that the bird needed _________ attention. Deborah covered her jacket over the bird’s head, _________ picked it up, and cradled it in her arms. And then a thought _________ her: What should I do now?

Her best choice was the rehab center, _________ that was across the East River and clear on the other side of town. How was she going to _________ a 17-pound swan on her bike all that way? Luckily, some confused strangers driving by offered them a(n) _________ to a nearby subway station.

On the subway, no one seemed particularly disturbed by the _________ passenger. “One guy,” says Deborah, “was sitting right in front of me on his __________. I don’t know if he noticed the swan before him when talking with the person on the other end.”

Deborah called the rehab center on the way, and Tristan Higginbotham, an animal-care manager, __________ her up at the subway station and drove the bird, the bike, and the __________ to the center. There, staff members determined the swan might have lead (铅) poisoning, caused by __________ weights on fishing lines.

The staff got the swan back up on her webbed feet (蹼足). The swan even made a __________ at the center—another injured swan. __________, even with all that TLC (tender loving care), the swan had a bacterial infection. Two months __________ Deborah came to her rescue, she passed away early this January.

It’s a(n) __________ ending, but the real story is just __________ some people are willing to go to save a swan in the big city—literally. In all, Deborah traveled two hours by foot, __________, and subway (while hauling her bike). Higginbotham says, “That’s the perfect __________ of who she is.”

1.

A．spotted

B．founded

C．witnessed

D．observed

2.

A．attacked

B．stoned

C．hugged

D．approached

3.

A．emotional

B．psychological

C．medical

D．mental

4.

A．hurriedly

B．cautiously

C．curiously

D．instantly

5.

A．knocked

B．arrived

C．occurred

D．struck

6.

A．while

B．but

C．as

D．for

7.

A．transfer

B．transform

C．transmit

D．transport

8.

A．tour

B．trip

C．lift

D．elevator

9.

A．ordinary

B．feathered

C．poisoned

D．fierce

10.

A．phone

B．way

C．screen

D．seat

11.

A．picked

B．looked

C．put

D．called

12.

A．passenger

B．driver

C．swan

D．rescuer

13.

A．smelling

B．digesting

C．swallowing

D．absorbing

14.

A．pair

B．couple

C．boyfriend

D．girlfriend

15.

A．Sadly

B．Apparently

C．Accidentally

D．Fortunately

16.

A．until

B．since

C．before

D．after

17.

A．disappointing

B．disturbing

C．inspiring

D．bothering

18.

A．how long

B．how far

C．how often

D．how much

19.

A．bike

B．car

C．bus

D．tube

20.

A．assumption

B．conclusion

C．summary

D．combination