2 . How to Use a Modern Public Library

Has it been a while since your last visit to a public library? If so, you may be surprised to learn that libraries have changed for the better. It’s been years since they were dusty little rooms with books. They have transformed themselves into places where you can develop your love of knowledge meet interesting people, or find out how to start a business.

Check out a book. While libraries still loan out(出借)books, you’ll find it easier to get a copy of whatever you’re looking for, thanks to a cooperative network of area libraries. Via such networks, libraries share their books with each other through the use of delivery vehicles. Once the book you’ve requested is delivered to the nearest branch, they will inform you by e-mail, so you can pick it up.

Check out other items. The library is now a multimedia zone, loaded with information in many formats(载体形式). You can borrow movies on DVDs, music on CDs, and popular magazines. Some libraries even loan out toys and games. If a popular magazine you want isn’t offered and the library keeps a list of such requests, they may bring it in when enough interest is shown.

Join targeted reading groups. Libraries will often hold reading-group sessions targeted to various age groups. Perhaps you’d like to learn a language or improve your English. The library may sponsor a language group you could join. If you have difficulties reading, ask about special reading opportunities. Your library might be able to accommodate you. And you might find it relaxing to bring your small kid to a half-hour Story Time while you sit quietly in a corner with a good book.

Start a business using the help of your local library. If you want to have a business of your own, your local library can become a launch space for it. In library books and computers, you can find information on starting a business. Many libraries will help you with locally supplied information about business management shared through chambers of commerce(商会)and government agencies, and they will offer printing, faxing and database services you need.

1. Public libraries connected by a cooperative network benefit readers by______.

A．sharing their books on the Internet

B．giving access to online reading at a library branch

C．sending a needed book to a library branch nearby

D．making the checkout procedures diverse

2. According to Paragraph 3, what items may be checked out from a public library?

A．A magazine and an e-book.

B．A game and an oil painting.

C．A music CD and a kid’s toy.

D．A DVD and a video player

3. As is described in Paragraph 4, taking a small kid to a half-hour Story Time allows ______.

A．the kid to learn a new language

B．the parent to enjoy quiet reading

C．the kid to overcome reading difficulties

D．the parent to meet their program sponsor

4. Your local library can help you start a business by ______.

A．providing relevant information and supporting services

B．offering professional advice on business management

C．supplying useful information of your potential buyers

D．arranging meetings with government officials

5. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To point out the importance of public libraries.

B．To encourage people to work in public libraries.

C．To introduce the improved services of public libraries.

D．To call for the modernization of public library systems.

3 . 阅读短文, 按照题目要求用英语回答问题。

I remember the day shyness took over my life. I was 14 and having a French lesson The teacher told us to record ourselves speaking about a holiday. Perfect！ I recorded myself with confidence. Then, I pressed "play" to listen back. All I heard was a little kid talking. My immediate reaction was to assume I was listening to someone else's recording. But that was my voice. I realised there was something strange about me.

My little voice has made me feel really shy. And my shyness has caused me to avoid attending events, not make important connections, and keep my ideas to myself. As a shy person, working from home, hiding behind my computer was brilliant. But the more time I spent hidden away, the more my comfort zone shrank（缩小）. Everyday interactions, like ordering a coffee, became increasingly awkward and uncomfortable.

And then, one day I was at a big conference and it suddenly hit me like lightning. All speakers were confident, comfortable with being seen. There were no quieter voices. But the trouble is, if the loud voices are the only ones you hear, we quiet people feel even more alienated（疏远的）。 The world needs a mixture of personalities. Success is not just about who can shout the loudest. The world needs quieter people, too. That day I chose to stop hiding and embrace my shyness. No more feeling like I needed to change who I am in order to succeed. No more living a small life.

Then I created the Shy and Mighty Society, a space for shy people like me to shine, and in the process of helping others, I could also push myself forward, bit by bit. Now, I'm happy to tell people I feel shy. I'm not ashamed any more. And I know that I’m not alone.

1. Why did the author feel strange about herself after listening to the recording? （no more than 10 words）
2. What is the main idea of Para.2? （no more than 10 words
3. What does the underlined word in Para.3 mean? （1 word）
4. Why did the author create the Shy and Mighty Society? （no more than 10 words）
5. Suppose you are in charge of the Shy and Mighty Society, what will you do to help other shy people? And why? （no more than 20 words）

4 . 假设你是李华。你校交换生Steven对中国传统文化很感兴趣，希望你为他推荐一个相关的社团，以便下学期加入。请你给他写一封信推荐“中华”社，要点如下：
1.写邮件的目的；
2.简要介绍该社团；
3.推荐的理由。
注意：1.写作词数应为80左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Steven,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Today, giant pandas are considered to be one of the world’s best-known animals. People make huge efforts     1     (protect) them and luckily their efforts are paying off in some areas.     2     (global) recognized as a leading symbol of both China and nature conservation in general, giant pandas are popular in the world. But global interest in the animal only     3     (take) off in the 20th century.

The inspiration for WWF’s logo (标识) came from Chi Chi,     4     giant panda that arrived at London Zoo in 1958. Being aware of the need for a remarkable symbol to break through all language barriers, one of the WWF’s     5     (founder) agreed to make the big furry panda with her distinctive black and white coat a great logo. The first pieces     6     were done by the British environmentalist and artist Gerald Watterson became modestly successful. Later,     7     (base) on these drafts, Sir Peter Scott, drew the first logo. He said at the time, “we want an animal that is beautiful and endangered, and is loved for its     8     (attract) qualities. We also want an animal that is black and white to cut printing costs. To our relief, we make     9     eventually.”

The panda has ever since become a symbol not just for WWF,     10     for the conservation movement as well.

6 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Formed in 2001, the China International Search and Rescue team (CISAR),     1     (bring) help and hope to those     2     lives are changed by a storm, a flood, an earthquake or any other natural disaster. It always gets the job done     3     (efficient).

The team went on its first international rescue missions in 2003 and won high praise for their     4     (brave) and skill. Since then, the CISAR has completed many missions. The list of people to whom help     5     (give) is long.

After a disaster, they get to save lives in the     6     (little) possible time. There is usually no electricity or water, and there may be diseases and accidents,     7     (put) them at risk. That means they have to be strong     8     both body and mind. Besides, rescue workers must have big hearts, too. It takes a lot of love and courage to risk one’s own life     9     (save) someone else’s. The members of the CISAR have plenty of both and are always ready to go     10     help is needed.

7 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容或括号内单词的正确形式(不多于3个单词)。

Despite many laws and     1     (nation) parks protecting tigers, their habitats (栖息地) continue to be destroyed and they are still being hunted. Tigers are among the most endangered species (物种) in the world nowadays. Altogether, there are no more than 5,000 tigers     2     (leave) in the wild. Some think that the tiger is already to the point of extinction in the wild. There are many reasons for this, like habitat loss and hunting.

Actually, over the last few years, a number of steps     3     (take) to help preserve the tiger. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) was set up to protect wildlife and their habitats in     4     early 2000s. Today WCS is carrying out work in 53 nations across the world, protecting a great     5    (various) of species from butterflies to tigers. In 2010, WCS started Tigers Forever,     6     aim was to increase the number of tigers in the world by 50 percent in the next 10 years.     7     (achieve) their goals, they are working together with not only governments     8     other organizations to protect tigers and other wild species     9     dying out.

Right now the tiger population is increasing steadily under this program in India and in Far East Russia. Due to the hard work of WCS, these large cats have a     10    (good) chance of survival in their natural environments than ever, not just in zoos.

8 . Four Interesting Science Museums

Polytechnic Museum, Russia

For many guests of the capital, some of the most vivid childhood memories are associated with this museum. A variety of technical fields are presented in 65 halls-Mining, Space, Energy, and Transportation, etc. And the exposition（博览会）is the only museum project in Russia about the history of the bike. The interactive division "Technoplay" is open, where you not only can but also need touch most of the exhibits with your hands. In addition to self-experimentation, for personal requests the museum's experts will show many entertaining experiments.

Eureka, England

The Eureka educational center is a huge complex where modern science and technology are becoming clear, even to kids. The main exhibition is devoted to the human body, the laws of physics and natural things. Visitors can obtain energy or create paper with their own hands. On the area of the Eureka educational park there is a botanical garden and a collection of minerals from the rock types of Finland is presented there.

Deutsches Museum, Germany

In this museum you can see more than 100 thousand different items from windmills（风车）to medical equipment. All aspects of industrial production appear before the eyes. Several museum rooms are arranged especially for children-there are exhibits that entertain kids starting from three.

NEMO, the Netherlands

The largest Dutch research centre stands ready to share its secrets with everyone. This immersion（沉浸）in the world of science and technology will not be dull. All significant information is presented in the form of exciting games. All exhibits are interactive; visitors are allowed to touch, pull and press on anything. The museum is for children from 6 to 16, as well as for their parents-it will be interesting to all.

1. What can visitors do at Polytechnic Museum?

A．Learn how the bike developed.	B．Touch all of the exhibits.
C．Watch entertaining movies.	D．Show entertaining experiments.

2. Where should visitors go if they are interested in plants?

A．Polytechnic Museum.	B．Eureka.
C．Deutsches Museum.	D．NEMO.

3. What makes NEMO unique?

A．It is specially designed for children.

B．It is the largest museum in the world.

C．It shows information of exhibits in games.

D．Some exhibits can be touched or pressed.