1 . There was a man playing the piano in a bar. He was a good piano player and always performed in this bar. People came in just to hear him play. But one night, a customer told him that he didn’t want to hear him just play the piano any more. He wanted him to sing a song.
The man said, “I don’t sing.”But the customer was persistent(执着的). He told the bar manager, “I’m tired of listening to the piano. I want that man to sing！” The manager shouted across the room, “If you want to get paid, sing a song. Our customers are asking you to sing！”So he did
He sang a song. A piano player who had never sung in public did so for the first time. And everyone was surprised by his song Mona Lisa. He got lots of applause(掌声) that night.
He had such a talent for singing, but he just had been sitting on his talent for the past years! If without such a chance, he may have lived the rest of his life as a noname piano player in a noname bar. However, now he has become one of the bestknown singers in America.
You, too, have skills and abilities. Maybe your “talent” is not as great as the singer above, but it may be better than you think! And with effort, most skills can be improved. So, in your life, you should be brave enough to try doing different things and find out what talents you really have!
1. Why did the man start to sing?| A．Because he wanted to make more money. |
| B．Because the bar manager said he liked his song |
| C．Because the manager asked him to sing at the request of a customer. |
| D．Because he wanted to show everyone that he had a talent for singing. |
| A．Humourous. | B．Rude. |
| C．Strict. | D．Kind. |
| A．The man didn’t get paid at last. |
| B．The customers were unsatisfied with the song. |
| C．The man became a singer later. |
| D．The manager had to lay the man off. |
| A．Some people really have no skills or abilities. |
| B．Sometimes through effort we can know our talents. |
| C．None of us is as great as the singer. |
| D．No skills can be improved even if you try your best. |
2 . Judy Wright and her husband decided to move closer to their son, Chris, who lived in Georgia. About a month after the move, Judy fell ill, suffering from her ongoing (不间断的) battle against Parkinson disease.
Her condition worsened rapidly and she required medical care at home. The family hired a nursing aid who canceled at the last minute. Instead, a woman named TunDe Hector showed up in her place.
One day, TunDe shared a story with Judy and her family. She remembered a particularly difficult day in 2014, when a stranger had helped her with a kind gesture. She had run out of gas, and with only $5 in her pocket, was walking to a gas station. A man saw her walking and turned his car around. He paid for her gas and gave her all the cash left in his wallet. Upon hearing the story, Judy’s son, Chris, took off his hat and said ,“That was me!” He was the stranger that had helped TunDe on that difficult day.
During the care of Judy, the Wright family learned about TunDe’s family and her own dream. The nursing aid, TunDe hoped that one day she could become an OB-GYN nurse. Her tuition was past due (逾期) and she had a family to care for, but she was determined to achieve that goal for herself and her family.
Judy died on July 9,2017. Instead of flowers, her family asked mourners (悼念者) to donate to TunDe’s education, to assist her in paying for her nursing school. In less than a week, they raised more than $8,000 and presented her with the surprise check.
1. Why did Judy’s family choose TunDe in the end?| A．To help her with a kind gesture. | B．To look after Judy in the hospital. |
| C．To replace another nursing aid. | D．To give Judy the best medical care. |
| A．Thrilled | B．Shocked |
| C．Puzzled | D．Delighted |
| A．They paid for her education. | B．They helped care for her family. |
| C．They bought her a surprise present. | D．They helped her realize her dream. |
| A．Kindness comes full circle. | B．Constant dropping wears stone. |
| C．The truth never fears investigation. | D．Actions speak louder than words. |
3 . The New York See It All Tour is exactly what it sounds like: an all-inclusive guided tour of New York City.
Central Park
One of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is a man-made wonder. Not only is it the first public park built in America, but it is also one of the most frequently visited parks, with over 25 million guests per year. Set in the middle of busy Manhattan, its grounds serve as a safe harbor, not only for athletes, and musicians but also for lots of migratory birds each year. One can spend an entire peaceful day wandering its grounds, gazing upon nearly 50 fountains, monuments, and sculptures or admiring its 36 bridges.
Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park is a waterside park on the Hudson River that extends from 59th Street south to Battery Park in the New York City district of Manhattan. Bicycle and pedestrian paths, including the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, span the park north to south, opening up the waterfront for the public to relax. The park includes tennis and soccer fields, children’s playground, dog run, and many other features.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is a very popular and often crowded square. People from all backgrounds gather to this large square dotted with trees.
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small 6.5-acre zoo located on Central Park in New York City. The zoo began in the 1860s, making it the first official zoo to open in New York. The zoo was improved in 1934, with the addition of many new buildings ranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. Finally, the zoo was repaired in the mid-1980s and reopened in 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments.
1. Which park is set in the heart of Greenwich Village?| A．Central Park. |
| B．Hudson River Park. |
| C．Central Park Zoo. |
| D．Washington Square Park. |
| A．It is primarily an artificial park. |
| B．It is the first public park built in the world. |
| C．It was the most crowded park when first built. |
| D．It especially attracts pedestrian and artists. |
| A．In the 1860s. | B．In 1934. |
| C．In the mid-1980s. | D．In 1988. |
4 . Last week, Vodafone started a test of the UK’s first full 5G service, available for use by businesses in Salford. It is part of its plan to trial the technology in seven UK cities. But what can we expect from the next generation of mobile technology?
One thing we will see in the preparation for the test is lots of tricks with the new tech. Earlier this year, operators paid almost £1.4 billion for the 5G wavelengths, and to compensate for that cash, they will need to catch the eye of consumers. In September, Vodafone used its bit of the range to display the UK’s first hologram (全息) call. The Manchester City captain Steph Houghton appeared as a hologram in Newbury. It isn’t all holograms, however: 5G will offer faster internet access. with Ofcom (英国通讯管理局) suggesting that video that takes a minute to download on 4G will be available in just a second.
The wider application is to support connected equipment on the “internet of things” -not just the internet-enabled fridge that can reorder your milk for you, but the network that will enable driverless cars and delivery drones (无人机) to communicate with each other.
Prof William Webb has warned that the technology could be a case of the emperor’s new clothes. Much of the speed increase, he claims, could have been achieved by putting more money in the 4G network, rather than a new technology. Other different voices have suggested that a focus on rolling out wider rural broadband access and addressing current network coverage would be more beneficial to the UK as a whole.
Obviously, 5G will also bring a cost to consumers. It requires a handset for both 5G and 4G, and the first 5G-enabled smart phones are expected in the coming year. With the slow pace of network rollout so far, it is likely that consumers will end up upgrading to a new 5G phone well before 5G becomes widely available in the next couple of years.
1. Why does Prof William Webb say “the technology could be a case of the emperor’s new clothes”?| A．He is in favor of the application of the new technology. |
| B．5G will bring a cost to consumers in their daily life. |
| C．5G helps people communicate better with each other. |
| D．He prefers more money to be spent on 4G networks. |
| A．making a speech to | B．trying to solve |
| C．managing to decrease | D．responding to |
| A．it’ll take several years to make 5G accessible to the public in the UK |
| B．5G service shows huge development potential and a broad market |
| C．customers are eager to use 5G smart phones instead of 4G ones |
| D．it’s probable that 5G network rollout is speeding up in Britain |
| A．Vodafone is successful in spreading the 5G service. |
| B．Steph Houghton appeared as a hologram by 4G . |
| C．The application of 5G will make life much easier. |
| D．5G phones are available in rural areas of the UK. |
5 . Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment.
Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses （球场） in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas.
There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don’t need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don’t have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control.
Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be “green gyms”. They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it’s free.
1. Which of the following is the author most probably in favor of?| A．Cycling around a lake. |
| B．Motor racing in the desert. |
| C．Playing basketball in a gym. |
| D．Swimming in a sports center. |
| A．It is popular in Portugal and Spain. |
| B．It causes water shortages around the world. |
| C．It pollutes the earth with chemicals and wastes. |
| D．It needs water and electricity to keep its courses green. |
| A．it is an outdoor sport |
| B．it improves our health |
| C．it uses fewer resources |
| D．it is recommended by experts |
| A．show us the function of major sports |
| B．encourage us to go in for green sports |
| C．discuss the major influence of popular sports |
| D．introduce different types of environment-friendly sports |
6 . Three-quarters of a million tourists flock to the primitive, white beaches every year—but this booming industry has come at a price. When foreigners left the government struggling to cope with a stream of rubbish, their answer was to turn one of these islands into a dumping ground. Clouds of sharp, poisonous smoke rising from open fires, piles of rubbish made up of plastic bottles, crisp packets and consumer junk. It’s a far cry from the white sands, crystal-clear waters and gently swaying palm trees that we associate with the Maldives (马尔代夫), the beautiful paradise island holiday destination set in the Indian Ocean.
Of its 200 inhabited islands, which are spread across an area of 35,000 square miles, 99 are dedicated resorts. Three-quarters of a million tourists visit every year — more than double the domestic population. of these, over 100,000 travel from the UK. The capital, Malé, is four times more densely populated than London. Given these facts, it’s hardly surprising that the Maldives on which has a waste disposal problem.
What you are seeing here is a view of the Maldives on which no honeymooners will ever fix eyes. Four miles west of Malé is the country’s dumping ground, Thilafushi — or Rubbish Island as it has simply become known.
The country dumps upwards of 330 tons of rubbish on the island every day. A figure attributed largely to the tourist industry on which the chain of islands relies. Each visitor generates 3.5 kg of waste per day.
Now, the government of the Maldives has banned the dumping of waste on the island, which is too late, due largely to an increase in the number of waste boats “fly-tipping”(非法倾倒) directly into the sea, fed up with waiting seven hours or more to offload their cargo.
1. The government of the Maldives is in troubled faced with ________.| A．how to develop the tourist industry |
| B．where to set up a dumping ground |
| C．how to deal with the rubbish left by tourists. |
| D．where to set up dedicated resorts |
| A．the Maldives are still paradise islands with clear waters. |
| B．the Maldives rely on tourist industry |
| C．the Maldives are called Rubbish Islands |
| D．the country dumps about 330 tons of rubbish on the island every month |
| A．positive | B．satisfied |
| C．forgiving | D．critical |
| A．inform people of the present situation of the Maldives |
| B．expose people’s bad behavior on the islands |
| C．introduce the Maldives to the whole word |
| D．persuade people out of going to the Maldives |
7 . "I didn't hear them call my name," explained Shelley Hennig to Active Teens (AT) as she talked about that exciting moment on national television when she won the honor of Miss Teen USA 2004. "Are you ready?" is what she heard. Then she said, "I shook my head no, and then they said ‘yes’ and it was announced again."
It was four days after that life changing moment for the seventeen-year-old high school student from Destrehan, Louisiana----she was still on cloud nine．
"I was so shocked! I never believed that it could actually really happen." Present in the audience(观众)that day were: her mother and father, older brother, her friends, and her dance teacher.
Understanding why members of her family and her friends would be there, AT asked why her dance teacher had traveled so far to see her compete (比赛)."She's always been my role model．I've danced with her since I was six. She's been through so many difficulties and came through them all. I've learned to get over bad life's experiences and learned how to move on because of her."
One of those bad life's experiences for Shelley happened three years ago when her brother Brad was killed in a drunk driving accident. He was 18. She found writing helped her get through the rough days. She said, "I write a lot about my brother. I write a lot, a lot, a lot...”
As Miss Louisiana Teen, she traveled around the state speaking to teens (青少年) about the dangers of drinking and driving. In her role as Miss Teen USA, Sheiley will continue to speak to youth about safe driving, in addition to many other things to help the youth.
When AT asked Miss Teen USA if she had any advice for our readers, she said, "Don't let anyone change you. Hang out with people that make you feel good about yourself. That way, it is easy to be yourself."
1. What do the words “on cloud nine” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．frightened | B．very happy |
| C．troubled | D．very angry |
| A．strict | B．friendly |
| C．determined | D．experienced |
| A．1. | B．2. |
| C．3. | D．4. |
| A．She visited drunken drivers. |
| B．She made speeches on safe driving. |
| C．She gave dance performance. |
| D．She helped other teens with their studies. |
| A．Meet friends whenever possible. |
| B．Be yourself with the support of friends. |
| C．Go easy on yourself and others. |
| D．Have a good role model. |
8 . Poteet Strawberry Festival
Poteet, Texas, USA
April 11—April 13
Description:
The Poteet Strawberry Festival is one of the oldest, most popular events in the state and is recognized as the largest agricultural festival in Texas as well as one of the most exciting, dynamic festivals in the Greater Southwest. The 100-acre site, which is located on Hwy. 16, 20 minutes south of San Antonio, offers free parking, clean public restrooms, handicapped accessibility, complete RV facilities, and tent covered activities during the fun, filled Festival Weekend.
The Poteet Strawberry Festival includes fourteen areas of continuous, family entertainment featuring concerts with nationally known Country Western and Tejano stars, dancers, gunslingers, clowns, puppets, regional bands, various contests, and rodeo performances. These activities are included in the price of a $10.00 admission ticket. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free of charge as well as active, reserve and retired military with proper ID.
Performers:
Craig Morgan, Pam Tillis, Rick Trevino
Location:
Poteet, Texas
Directions:
30 miles south of San Antonio on Hwy. 16
Times:
The Festival Grounds will open at 6:00 pm Fri. and at 10:00 am both Sat. & Sun.
Admission:
Adult $10.00
Children 12 & under / active, reserve, and retired military personnel with proper ID are admitted FREE
Website: http://www.strawberryfestival.com
Telephone: 830-276-3323
Email: nitaharvey@sbcglobal.net
1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
| A．The position of Poteet Strawberry Festival. |
| B．The open time of Poteet Strawberry Festival. |
| C．The price of parking cars. |
| D．The price of taking a train there. |
| A．10 dollars. | B．5 dollars. |
| C．30 dollars. | D．20 dollars. |
| A．the news report in a newspaper |
| B．the advertisement in a newspaper |
| C．the entertainment section of a magazine |
| D．the program of a radio |
9 . From July to October every year, about a quarter of the world’s blue whales feed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. But the whales currently face a major threat in their favorite feeding area. Ships carrying cargo (货物）sail in the same area at the same time. All too often, the whales’ paths and the ships’ travel lines overlap (重叠), and a ship will hit a whale.
According to a new study, these ship strikes have become a serious threat to the overall population of the world’s blue whales. Only about 10,000 of the creatures still exist worldwide. Blue whales are the largest known animals ever to live on Earth. Even so, if hit by a container ship, a blue whale will likely die from its injuries.
In 2007 alone, large ships killed five blue whales in the waters off San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that because there are so few whales already, losing three to five from the California whale population every year is a significant loss. “The estimated population of blue whales in this part of the Pacific is 2,500”, says Sean Hastings, a NOAA analyst. “So every whale counts toward this species moving off the endangered-species list.”
Now, marine scientists must figure out how to protect the whales from the giant container ships. One very simple program is already under way in the Santa Barbara Channel, a waterway that separates mainland California from the nearby Channel Islands.
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary has asked large container ships passing through the area to voluntarily slow down. Sailing slower will allow the ships‟ crew (船员）more time to change course before hitting a whale.
Several of the world’s largest shipping lines are set to participate in the new program. For every ship that passes through the Santa Barbara Channel at or below the reduced speed of 12 knots (海里/小时）, the company that owns the ship will be paid $2,500.
1. From Paragraph 1, we can know that_____.| A．people intend to illegally hunt blue whales for money |
| B．large ships often carrying goods may pollute the sea |
| C．the container ships may hit the blue whales frequently |
| D．there is fewer fish in blue whales‟ favorite feeding area |
| A．Because the number of the blue whales is so small. |
| B．Because other blue whales will be scared away. |
| C．Because blue whales are the largest animals in the world. |
| D．Because many blue whales get killed throughout the year. |
| A．the number of the blue whales is decreasing sharply. |
| B．the blue whales are still on the endangered-species list. |
| C．most of the world’s blue whales live in the Pacific Ocean. |
| D．blue whales are often disturbed by other endangered creatures. |
| A．The basic responsibility of a sailor. |
| B．Measures to protect the blue whales. |
| C．The world’s largest shipping lines. |
| D．Ways to slow down the speed of the ships. |
10 . At 13, Hawa Abdulai Yorke left her family’s home, in Ghana, Africa, to live with an aunt who promised to send her to school. Instead, the aunt put Yorke to work as her maid(佣人). Determined to go to school, Yorke returned home and began selling water in a nearby city to raise money for her education. However, her father spent the money she had earned on a motorcycle.
Yorkers story is familiar to girls growing up in Ghana. There, a girl’s place is in the home. Educating girls is considered a waste of money.
“It happens more than it should, where parents have money to send their girls to school but choose not to,” says Ryan Roach, a volunteer in Ghana, where nearly 55% of girls are not allowed to attend secondary school. Cultural beliefs say education is not a wise investment (投资).
The White House’s Let Girls Learn is working to change this view of girls’ education, in Ghana and in countries worldwide. Former First Lady Michelle Obama says parents have to be persuaded that girls’ education is a better investment than household labor. A study shows that for every year of secondary-school education, a girl’s earning power increases by 18%. Today, Let Girls Learn works in 13 countries, and there are plans to expand the program. Recently, Let Girls Learn hosted a 24-hour event to come up with creative solutions for the barriers (障碍) to girls’ education.
Yorke, now 22, is about to finish high school. Thanks to Let Girls Learn, she plans to attend college and study computer science. She says working alongside college students at the Let Girls Learn event strengthened her determination. “I’m focused on my books,” says Yorke. “I know if I study hard, I, too, can go to university and live a happy life.”
1. What was the attitude of Yorkers aunt towards girls attending school?| A．She was against it. | B．She had no idea of it. |
| C．She was in favor of it. | D．She considered it hard work. |
| A．they are too busy to go to school |
| B．their families are too poor to afford it |
| C．there are few secondary schools for girls |
| D．cultural beliefs prevent girls from attending school |
| A．It has spread all over the world. |
| B．It is a Ghana-based organization. |
| C．It aims to offer free education to girls. |
| D．It has got support from Michelle Obama |
| A．To further her studies. |
| B．To join in Let Girls Learn. |
| C．To write some books for girls. |
| D．To get a computer-related job. |
