1 . Blind imitation(模仿)is a disaster. To those who do not recognize their unique worth, imitation appears attractive; to those who know their strength, imitation is unacceptable.

In the early stages of skill or character development, imitation is helpful. When I first learned to cook, I used recipes and turned out some tasty dishes. But soon I grew bored. Why follow someone else’s way of cooking when I could create my own? Imitating role models is like using training wheels on a child’s bicycle; they help you get going, but once you find your own balance, you fly faster and farther without relying on them.

In daily life, imitation can hurt us if we subconsciously hold poor role models. If, as a child, you observed people whose lives were bad, you may have accepted their fear and pain as normal and gone on to follow what they did. If you do not make strong choices for yourself, you will get the results of the weak choices of others. In the field of entertainment, our culture glorifies celebrities. Those stars look great on screen. But when they step off screen, their personal lives may be disastrous. If you are going to follow someone, focus on their talent, not their bad character or unacceptable behaviors.

Blessed is the person willing to act on their sudden desire to create something unique. Think of the movies, books, teachers, and friends that have affected you most deeply. They touched you because their creations were motivated by inspiration not desperation. The world is changed not by those who do what has been done before them, but by those who do what has been done inside them. Creative people have an endless resource of ideas. The problem a creator faces is not running out of material; it is what to do with the material knocking at the door of imagination.

Study your role models, accept the gifts they have given, and leave behind what does not serve you. Then you can say, “I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors’ tragedies and declare victory, and know that they are cheering me on.”

1. When is imitation useful according to the passage?

A．When you begin to learn something new.

B．When you lose the balance of life.

C．When you know you are unique.

D．When you get tired of some routine practice.

2. What should we do to avoid the bad result of imitation according to paragraph 3?

A．We should stay away from stars.

B．We should ask others for decisions.

C．We should choose the right example.

D．We should forget daily fear and pain.

3. What is the trouble that a creator may face?

A．how to search for more materials

B．the absence of practical ideas

C．the lack of strong motivation

D．how to use imagination creatively

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

A．To criticize the characters of role models.

B．To emphasize the importance of creativity.

C．To compare imitation with creation.

D．To explain the meaning of success.

3 . Teenagers who travel around the world alone have been making headlines quite often. A young person alone in a dangerous situation attracts attention and sponsors. Young sailors also attract various views. For example, Jessica Watson was asked by the government to cancel her voyage, yet the Prime Minister called her “a hero for young Australians” when she returned. It seemed there is confusion about the competence and independence of young people.

The popular psychologists tell us that teenage brains are likely to make wrong judgments. But such ideas often do not apply to specific individuals. Between the ages of 14 and 18, teenagers vary greatly in their abilities. The amount of independence that each is allowed should be determined not simply by their age but by discussion with the related, responsible adults. Some teens are certainly inexperienced and capable of childish mistakes, but the ones who attempt dangerous journeys normally do so by winning the confidence of hard-headed and well-qualified adult supporters.

But it’s also wrong to think that any 16-year-old can desire to get achievements as unusual as Jessica Watson’s. Watson calls herself “an ordinary girl who had a dream”. Her intention is to encourage teenagers but this idea can have the opposite effect of making them feel not good enough because great achievements are beyond them. Should all teens have such dreams? Actually, individuals face varying circumstances that restrict their dreams.

Teenagers who travel around the world alone should not be judged by preconceived (事先形成的) views about young people. Nor should young “ordinary” teenagers feel pressure to long for extraordinary personal goals. In fact, I believe the example of solo sailing overstresses individualism. The teenage years are when most of us “ordinary” people learn that we can achieve great things in cooperation with others.

1. What can we learn about Jessica Watson?

A．She was criticized by the government.

B．She eventually canceled her voyage.

C．She has traveled around the world.

D．She made a successful voyage.

2. What can be inferred about teenagers from the text?

A．They have similar abilities.

B．They make decisions on their own.

C．They always make wrong judgments.

D．They need supports of responsible adults.

3. Who does the underlined word “them” in Paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Parents.	B．Teenagers.
C．Psychologists.	D．Adults.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Divided Opinions on Young Adventurers

B．Problems Faced by Adventurous Teens

C．Various Ways to Become Independent

D．Pressure to Achieve Personal Goals

4 . Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform. Why are uniforms so _______ in the United States?

Among the arguments for uniforms, one is that in most people’s eyes they look more professional than civilian clothes. A television repairman who appears in a uniform inspires more trust than one who doesn’t. Faith in the skill of a mechanic is _______by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, or a barber to lose professional _______ than stepping out of uniform?

Uniforms also have many practical _______ They save on other clothes and laundry bills. They are often more durable than civilian clothes.

Primary among the arguments _______ uniforms is their lack of individuality. While there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act _______ , on the job at least.

Uniforms also _______ practical problems. Though they are long-lasting, often their initial cost is greater. Some uniforms are also _______ to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

1.

A．special

B．fashionable

C．popular

D．common

2.

A．increased

B．created

C．reduced

D．presented

3.

A．popularity

B．ability

C．stability

D．identity

4.

A．benefits

B．characters

C．functions

D．purposes

5.

A．about

B．with

C．against

D．over

6.

A．honestly

B．similarly

C．confidently

D．differently

7.

A．bring up

B．come up with

C．result from

D．give rise to

8.

A．expensive

B．easy

C．complex

D．cheap

5 . Why do Americans struggle with watching their weight, while the French, who consume（消耗） rich food, continue to stay thin? Now a research by Cornell University suggests how life style and decisions about eating may affect weight. Researchers concluded that the French tend to（往往，倾向于） stop eating when they feel full. However, Americans tend to stop when their plate is empty or their favorite TV show is over.

    According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health expert, the French see eating as an important part of their life style. They enjoy food and therefore spend a fairly long time at the table, while Americans see eating as something to be squeezed（挤出） between the other daily activities. Mercola believes Americans lose the ability to sense when they are actually full. So they keep eating long after the French would have stopped. In addition, he points out that Americans drive to huge supermarkets to buy canned and frozen foods for the week. The French, instead, tend to shop daily, walking to small shops and farmers’ markets where they have a choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs as well as high-quality meats for each meal.

   After a visit to the United States, Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, decided to write about the importance of knowing when to stop rather than suggesting how to avoid food. Today she continues to stay slim and rarely goes to the gym.

   In spite of（尽管） all these differences, evidence shows that recent life style changes may be affecting French eating habits. Today the rate of obesity — or  extreme overweight — among adults is only 6%. However, as American fast food gains acceptance and the young reject（拒绝） older traditions, the obesity rate among French children has reached 17% — and is growing.

1. In what way are the French different from Americans according to Dr. Joseph Mercola?

A．They go shopping at supermarkets more frequently.

B．They squeeze eating between the other daily activities.

C．They regard eating as a key part of their lifestyles.

D．They usually eat too much canned and frozen food.

2. This text is mainly the relationship between _________.

A．Americans and the French

B．life style and obesity

C．children and adults

D．fast food and overweight

3. The text is mainly developed __________.

A．by contrast （对比）

B．by   space

C．by process（变化过程）

D．by classification（分类）

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A．A TV interview	B．A food advertisement
C．A health report	D．A book review（书评）

6 . When a rather dirty, poorly dressed person kneels at your feet and puts out his hands to beg for a few coins, do you hurry on, not knowing what to do, or do you feel sad and hurriedly hand over some money? What should our attitude to beggars be? There can be no question that the world is full of terribly sad stories. It must be terrible to have no idea where our next meal is going to come from. It seems cruel not to give some money to beggars.
Certainly, most of the world’s great religions （宗教） order us to be open-hearted and share what we have with those less fortunate than ourselves. But has the world changed? Maybe what was morally （道德方面） right in the old days, when one knew exactly who in the village had suffered misfortune and needed help, is no longer the best idea. Quite a few people will not give to beggars. Let us look at their arguments.
First, some believe that many city beggars dress up on purpose to look pitiable and actually make a good living from begging. Giving to beggars only encourages this sort of evil （恶行）. Secondly, there is the worry that the money you give will be spent on beer, wine or drugs. Thirdly, there is the opinion that there is no real excuse for begging. One might be poor, but that is no reason for losing one’s sense of pride and self-dependence.
Related to this is the opinion that the problem should be dealt with by the government rather than ordinary people. Some people think beggars should go to the local government department and receive help.
It is hard to come to any final conclusion; there are various cases and we must deal with them differently. A few coins can save a life in some situations, and even if the money is wasted, that does not take away the moral goodness of the giver.
1. What is mainly discussed in the passage?

A．Moral deeds of people.	B．Religious activities of the church.
C．Moral goodness of the giver.	D．Arguments on giving to beggars.

2. What can we infer from the sentence “But has the world changed ?” in the second
paragraph?

A．People no longer know who suffers misfortune in the village.

B．Some people will not do what was morally right in the past.

C．We don’t meet with those who need help any more.

D．Now it is the government’s duty to help the beggars.

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A．Some people dress up to pretend to be beggars.

B．Some beggars want money to help their children go to school.

C．Some beggars use the money to buy drugs.

D．Some beggars have no excuse for begging.

4. In theast paragraph, the writer thinks that it is hard to come to any final conclusion，because ______.

A．the cases can be so different

B．there are so many beggars

C．there is so much money wasted

D．there are so many different arguments