1 . There is an old saying that America and Britain are “two nations divided by a common language.” No one knows exactly who said this, but it reflects the way many Brits feel about American English. But are American and British English really so different?
Vocabulary
The most obvious difference between American and British English is vocabulary. There are hundreds of everyday words that are different. For example, Americans go on vacation while Brits go on holidays; New Yorkers live in apartments while Londoners live in flats. There are far more examples than we can talk about here. Fortunately, most Americans and Brits can usually guess the meaning through the context of a sentence.
Past Tense Verbs
You’ll also find some differences with past forms of irregular verbs. The past tense of “learn” in American English is “learned”. British English has the option of “learned” or “learnt”. The same rule applies to “dreamed” and “dreamt”, “burned” and “burnt”, and “leaned” and “leant”. Americans tend to use the -ed ending; Brits tend to use the-t ending.
Spelling
There are hundreds of slight spelling differences between British and American English. Noah Webster, an author, politician and teacher, made an effort to reform English spelling in the late 1700s.
Webster wanted to spell words the way they sounded. You can see Webster’s legacy(遗产) in the American spelling of words like color (from colour), honor (from honour), and labor(from labour).
Not So Different After All
British and American English have far more similarities than differences. With the exception of some regional dialects, most Brits and Americans can understand each other without too much difficulty. They watch each other’s TV shows, sing each other’s songs and read each other’s books. They even make fun of each others’ accents.
1. Which of the following is a group of American words?| A．Vacation; holiday. | B．Apartment; flat. |
| C．Vacation; apartment. | D．Holiday; flat. |
| A．choice | B．change |
| C．structure | D．use |
| A．They both have some strange words. |
| B．They are affecting people using them. |
| C．They connect people of the two countries. |
| D．Their differences have little effect on communication. |
| A．Ways to tell British English from American English |
| B．Differences between British and American English |
| C．Development of British and American English |
| D．Difficulty for Brits and Americans to understand each other |
2 . Experts are warning about the risks of extreme picky eating after a teenager developed permanent sight loss after living on a diet of chips and crisps.
Since leaving primary school, the teen had been eating only French fries, white bread, as well as an occasional slice of ham or a sausage.
The adolescent, who cannot be named, had seen his doctor at the age of 14 because he had been feeling tired and unwell. At that time he was diagnosed with lack of vitamin B12 and put on supplements, but he did not stick with the treatment or improve his poor diet.
Three years later, he was taken to the Bristol Eye Hospital because of progressive sight loss. Dr Denize Atan, who treated him at the hospital, said: "His diet was only a portion of chips from the local fish and chip shop every day. He also used to snack on chips, white bread and sometimes slices of ham or sausage, and not really any fruit and vegetables."
The teen explained this as a dislike to certain kinds of food that he really could not tolerate, and so chips and crisps were really the only types of food that he wanted and felt that he could eat.
Dr Aan rechecked the young man's vitamin levels and said "he was low in B12 as well as some other important vitamins and minerals - copper, selenium and vitamin D. He was not over or underweight, but was severely malnutritional from his eating disorder. He had lost minerals from his bone, which was really quite shocking for a boy of his age.”
"He had blind spots right in the middle of his vision," said Dr Atari's assistant. "That means he can't drive and would find it really difficult to read, watch TV or recognize faces, but he can walk around on his own because he has got peripheral(周边的）vision.
The condition the young man has is treatable if diagnosed early. Left too long, however, the nerve fibres in the optic nerve（视神经）die and the damage becomes permanent.
Now he has been put on vitamin supplements and sent to a dietitian and a specialist mental health team.
1. What can we know about the boy?| A．He didn't see a doctor. | B．He can not see anything now. |
| C．He has a normal body shape. | D．He insisted on taking supplements. |
| A．Crisps and chips. | B．white bread |
| C．Ham and sausage. | D．fruit and vegetables |
| A．Vegetables and fruit are the only source of vitamins. |
| B．Lack of vitamins and minerals may lead to the loss of sigh. |
| C．The more vitamins we take, the betterr. |
| D．Loss of minerals from bone causes blindness. |
| A．Medicine | B．Education |
| C．Economy | D．culture |
3 . High school was a hard time for Me in the beginning because I had just moved to a small town and knew basically no one. I loved to play basketball but was afraid to go to tryout (选拔)for the school's team because I didn't know anyone. One day all that changed when I missed the bus home and decided to shoot baskets on the school playground to kill time. The coach Mr Colbath had been watching me make various baskets and was pretty impressed with my moves.
He came up to me and asked me who had taught me to play like that. I told him that my dad had taught me how to play basketball. He asked me if he would see me at the tryout on Friday. but I said no and told him why. He told me to have a try because I played very well and would maybe make some friends on the court. After thinking for a few minutes. I finally decided to have a try.
On the day of the tryout, the coach came, found me and helped me practice before the tryout. He helped me a lot and I did very well at the tryout and many members of the team were quite impressed. I did make the team and over the next few years the coach helped me both on and off the court. He helped me do my math which I had such a difficult time with and he even taught me how to live independently.
I will never forget Mr Colbath. He really inspired me and changed my life. I would not be the person that I am today if he had not taken such an interest in me when I was in high school.
1. Why did the writer shoot baskets on the school playground?| A．Because he was preparing for the tryout for the school's team. |
| B．Because he wanted to show off his moves to the coach. |
| C．Because he missed the bus and had nothing to do. |
| D．Because he wanted to make new friends while playing. |
| A．He should study very hard. | B．He didn’t think he played well. |
| C．He knew no one in the school. | D．His class teacher told him not to. |
| A．Join the team. | B．Leave the team. |
| C．Organize the team | D．Lead the team |
| A．His tryout at school. | B．His present life. |
| C．His basketball coach. | D．His high school life. |
4 . “Birds” and “airports” are two words that, paired together，don’t normally paint the most harmonious picture. So it really raises some eyebrows when China announces plans to build an airport that is for birds.
Described as the world’s first-ever bird airport, the proposed Lingang Bird Sanctuary(保护区）in the northern coastal city of Tianjin is, of course,not an actual airport. Rather，it's a wetland preserve specifically designed to accommodate hundreds-even thousands-of daily takeoffs and landings by birds traveling along the East Asian-Australian Flyway. Over 50 species of migratory (迁徙的）water birds，some endangered, will stop and feed at the protected sanctuary before continuing their long journey along the flyway.
Located on a former landfill site，the 150-acre airport is also open to human travelers.(Half a million visitors are expected annually.) However，instead of duty-free shopping，the main attraction for non-egg-laying creatures at Tianjin’s newest airport will be a green-roofed education and research center, a series of raised “observation platforms” and a network of scenic walking and cycling paths totaling over 4 miles.
“The proposed Bird Airport will be a globally significant sanctuary for endangered migratory bird species, while providing new green lungs for the city of Tianjin.” Adrian McGregor of an Australian landscape architecture firm explained of the design. Frequently blanketed in smog so thick that it has shut down real airports, Tianjin is a city---China’s fourth most populous----that would certainly benefit from a new pair of healthy green lungs•
1. The underlined phrase “non-egg-laying creatures” in Paragraph 3 refers to?| A．Visitors. | B．Designers. |
| C．Endangered water birds. | D．Planes. |
| A．People cannot watch birds up close here. |
| B．It is located on a 150-acre landfill site. |
| C．It functions as an actual airport and a wetland preserve. |
| D．It provides migratory birds with food and shelter. |
| A．The airport will become a permanent home for birds. |
| B．Tianjin will win worldwide fame in the future. |
| C．Tianjin’s air quality will improve thanks to the airport. |
| D．Tianjin will be able to accommodate more people. |
| A．Airports shut down and open up. |
| B．China is to open the first Bird Airport. |
| C．Airports turn into green lungs. |
| D．Birds are no longer enemies to airports. |
5 . Raised in a motherless home，my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children. His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home，Dad never met me，even in severe weather. If I grumbled，he’d say in his loudest father-voice，“That’s what your legs are for！”
The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety. But that feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached the stop，I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedge(树篱)edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey，I always had a sense of relief to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening，the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge，moving toward the house. Upon closer observation，I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew，each time I’d come home，he had stood behind the hedge，watching，until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care，after all.
On later visits，that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home，I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair.“ So！My son，it’s you！”he’d say，his face lengthening into pretended surprise.
I replied，“Yes，Dad，it’s me.I’m home.”
1. What does the underlined word“grumbled” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Agreed willingly. | B．Explained clearly. |
| C．Spoke unhappily. | D．Accepted happily. |
| A．the tiredness after long hours in labs |
| B．the feeling of being less than valued |
| C．the fear of seeing something moving |
| D．the loneliness of riding the bus home |
| A．he was concerned about his son’s safety |
| B．he wanted to help his son build up courage |
| C．he didn’t want to meet his son at the doorway |
| D．he didn’t think his son was old enough to walk alone |
| A．Riding Bus Alone. | B．My College Life. |
| C．Terrible Journey Home. | D．My Father’s Secret. |
6 . The early life of the green sea turtle (海龟) is full of danger. Only one in 1,000 baby sea turtles survive to adulthood (成年). From its home in the sand, it breaks its egg with an egg tooth. Its mother is not there to help it. Instead, it is greeted by crabs, coyotes, and dogs waiting to eat it for dinner. To survive, the baby turtle must hide in the sand until night. Then, it moves slowly to the sea.
The small turtle must swim hard to reach the ocean waters. In the sea, it tries hard to find food. It must also keep itself from being food for fish.
As dangerous as the sea turtle’s life is in the natural world, its most dangerous enemies are humans. The rubbish left by humans in the ocean causes problems for the small green sea turtle. A little turtle might eat a piece of plastic (塑料) in the sea. It might also eat oil on the ocean’s surface. Young turtles also get caught in fishing nets. There are laws against hunting sea turtles. Still, many are hunted, both for their meat and for their shells (壳). All of these dangers must be prevented.
Sea turtles that do survive to grow into adulthood go through many changes. For example, adult green sea turtles weigh about 500 pounds. They stop eating jellyfish and other meat and eat only plants. And they may plan a trip to go back home again. A mother sea turtle goes back to the beach where she was born. This is the only place where she will lay eggs. Even if it has been forty years since she was a baby, she always knows her way back home.
1. Why do baby turtles move to the sea at night?| A．They dislike sunshine. |
| B．They prefer lower temperatures. |
| C．They can find food easily then. |
| D．They need to avoid enemies. |
| A．Pitiful. | B．Careless. |
| C．Interesting. | D．Courageous. |
| A．They mainly feed on fish and meat. |
| B．They always produce eggs at their birthplaces. |
| C．They can live for around forty years. |
| D．They visit their beach homes several times a year. |
| A．The homes of green sea turtles. |
| B．How sea turtles find their food. |
| C．The dangers faced by sea turtles. |
| D．How young turtles become adults. |
7 . In Kansas City,Missouri,a computer helps firefighters.The computer,which works very fast,has information about all the 350,000 street addresses in the city.Within two or three seconds after a call is received,the computer provides necessary information for the firefighters.The information is then sent to them by radio from the computer centre in the City Hall.The exact place of the burning building and its size,type and any other details are clear to them.
The Kansas City computer system also has a medical record of each of the city’s 900 firefighters.This kind of information is especially useful when a firefighter is injured.With the information,doctors at hospital can treat the injured firefighters more quickly and easily.
The firefighters themselves greatly appreciate the computer’s help.They know about possible danger ahead of them and can prepare for it.Many times the computer information helps to save lives and property(财产).Sometimes the lives are those of firefighters themselves.
Mike Horan,a firefighter captain,says,“I feel as if the computer is ready to help me if I get hurt.”
1. Which of the following is the best title of the text? ____________| A．Large Computers in Kansas and Missouri | B．The Computer Helps Firefighters |
| C．Important Information for Firefighters | D．The Speed of the Computer |
| A．To ask the firefighter. | B．To ask the policeman. |
| C．To use the computer. | D．To use the map. |
| A．radio | B．computer |
| C．the City Hall | D．the center of the city |
| A．The hospital has a very good computer. |
| B．The firefighters can know about possible danger early. |
| C．The computer can prepare everything for them. |
| D．Medical records in the computer help them a lot. |
8 . Inventions are always coming to make our lives easier,greener and more interesting.
Iron Man Suit,XS 2
A Flying Jet
Now Glen Martin's invention is ready to take off. The Martin Jet allows its operator to fly 8000 feet into the air. Unfortunately,you can’t fly through the skies too long. The jet holds only 30 minutes’ worth of oil fuel.
The EMIEW 2 robot is the perfect office helper. Need a document delivered? No problem! It can also guide visitors to their destinations. The three-foot-tall robot can identify different human voices and respond to commands.
Green Machine
Say goodbye to gasoline(汽油)！ The AirPod car runs on air power.
Beef Power
All aboard the beef train] The train runs partly on fuel that is made from cow fat. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions(碳排放)by 10%. The train travels between Oklahoma and Texas.
Robot-Guard
EMILY is a robot. She can swim through riptides(激流)at up to 24 miles per hour.
| A．Hardworking Robot |
| B．Environmentally-friendly Robot |
| C．Have you ever dreamed of becoming a superhero? |
| D．That means this car won't pollute the environment. |
| E．The EMIEW 2 robot may be popular with moderns companies. |
| F．Her inventor, Tony, says that's 15 times as fast as human lifeguards! |
| G．Take a look at the following breakthroughs in science and technology. |
9 . Studying longer does not necessarily mean studying better.
Find the right place to study.
The first thing you need to do is avoid distractions (分散注意力的事物) while studying.
Break down the tasks into smaller parts.
When you have gotten everything ready, list the items you need to study, and arrange them across several hours or days, depending on how big your load is. As a general rule, assign (分配) at least one hour to each subject.
Schedule study breaks.
When you have listed all of your tasks and made a schedule, you should arrange study breaks.
Put your tasks in order of importance.
| A．Each break may take about 15 minutes every two hours. |
| B．Learn to arrange the subjects in order of importance. |
| C．This means going to one place that will give you peace and quiet. |
| D．The key to efficient studying is following the schedule strictly. |
| E．You can find a way to test your knowledge by having a study partner. |
| F．If you have a broad subject, you will need to break it down into smaller parts. |
| G．To make the best use of your time, you need to learn how to study efficiently(高效地). |
10 . There was once a lonely girl who longed so much for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving birds.
She noticed the other bird moving back and forth on the edge of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom. He needed to fly into the clear, blue sky.
The girl watched delightedly at the bird’s enjoyment.
The fastest way to lose love is to hold on it too tight, while the best way to keep love is to give it wings!
| A．Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss. |
| B．She gave them some delicious food and left. |
| C．One day she left with the two birds at home alone. |
| D．She took them home and put them in a small cage. |
| E．She lifted him from the cage and threw him softly into the air. |
| F．One day the girl left the door of the cage open. |
| G．Suddenly she felt the bird go softly. |
