1 . My first day of high school was like any other first day: registering, finding new classmates, meeting new teachers, and seeking new friends.
During lunch, I ran into my first snag (小困难) of the day. At the dining hall, as the checkout (付款处) lady asked for my money, I realized that I had forgotten my lunch money. When I told her about it, I heard a voice behind me. I turned around and there stood a teacher telling he would pay for my lunch. He told me his name, Mr. Peter Walker, and said, “If you get a chance, you should take my history class.” I recognized his name, and told him I was in his class later that day. Mr. Walker made friends with me on the very first day of school at a very crucial time of the day —lunch!
He always told us we should do more than we ever thought. He pushed us to do all things better. He coached many sports, and sponsored many after-class activities. If we were interested in something, he would find a way to expose us to it by inviting speakers, taking us on field trips, or obtaining information for us.
Two years later, my junior year in school was clicking along nicely when one day I was riding my motorcycle and I was hit by a car. I spent six days in hospital and was at home in bed for two weeks before returning to school. Mr. Walker stopped by the hospital each day with my work from my teachers. Once I was at home, he would bring my work too.
After high school, I attended the United States Army Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia. I knew my parents would be there the day I graduated, but they brought an unexpected guest. They came across Mr. Walker at lunch several days before and told him I was about to graduate. His visit, however, was not a surprise to me.
1. At the dining hall, ______.| A．the lady didn’t want to charge the author for his lunch |
| B．the author knew Mr. Walker was right behind him |
| C．Mr. Walker didn’t know the author was his student |
| D．the author decided to invite Mr. Walker to lunch |
| A．caring | B．strict | C．skilled | D．learned |
| A．His parents met Mr. Walker by chance. |
| B．His family invited Mr. Walker to lunch. |
| C．Mr. Walker brought an unexpected guest. |
| D．His parents came together with Mr. Walker. |
| A．The author had invited Mr. Walker to his graduation ceremony. |
| B．The author’s parents had informed him of Mr. Walker’s visit. |
| C．Mr. Walker had a very close relationship with his students. |
| D．Mr. Walker went to visit the author frequently. |
2 . Here are four homes for sale around the U. S. with links to past presidents, as well as their close families.
John F. Kennedy’s Weekend Retreat
A modest farm near Middle burg, Virginia, was built by John F. Kennedy and his wife in the early 1960s. The former first lady designed it herself. The four-bedroom property is currently back on the market for $5.95 million, decreased by $10.99 million when it was first put up for sale in 2013.
Jackie Kennedy’s Summer House
Another Kennedy-linked property for sale is the “Lasata” estate in the Hamptons, designed by architect Arthur C. Jackson and built in 1917. Set on more than seven acres of land near the ocean, it includes a ten-bedroom house that was restored in 2007, including a three-car garage building. It’s on the market for $38.995 million, a little bit higher than last year.
Chester A. Arthur’s Summer White House
Chester A. Arthur, who became the 21st president in 1881, spent some of his down time here. The three-story, six-bedroom Victorian mansion, which was built in 1796 and has been recently restored, is for sale with a $14.2 million price tag. Features include a library with fireplace, a formal dining and living room and a family room overlooking the garden and the swimming pool.
Barack Obama’s Summer Rental
This Martha’s Vineyard home which was built in the late twentieth century served as the summer White House to former President Obama. It is currently for sale for $19.125 million, down from $22.5 million in July 2015. Set on nine-and-a-half acres of land and with its own private road, this property no doubt acts as a perfect summer hideaway for those who didn’t want his every movement seen. In addition to privacy, other features include a heated pool, a half-basketball court, outdoor terraces and a two-bedroom guest cottage.
1. Which house has the longest history?| A．Barack Obama’s Summer Rental. |
| B．Jackie Kennedy’s Summer House. |
| C．Chester A. Arthur’s Summer White House. |
| D．John F. Kennedy’s Weekend Retreat. |
| A．Privacy. | B．Architecture. | C．Location. | D．Price. |
| A．Their prices are going down these years. |
| B．They have connections with U. S. presidents. |
| C．They have a history of more than a century. |
| D．They have more than 5 bedrooms in the house. |
3 . The Best and Worst Things to Buy in March
Frozen food
Grocery store ads aren't the only places to find deals on freezer-section treats. To take advantage of the deepest discounts, combine coupons (优惠券) from sponsoring brands, such as Dole, Green Giant and Tyson Foods, with grocery store sales. Plus, look for printable savings on Coupons. com and EasyHoreMeals.com. Brands participating in National Frozen Food Month will offer more than 180, 000 coupons that make frozen food among the best things to buy in March.
Boxed chocolates
If you desire to give a gift to a friend in March, consider chocolate. Two minor holidays in March provide the perfect excuse: National Chocolate Caramel Day on March 19 and National Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day on March 24. You can discover chocolate deals online as well as in stores. Head to sites like RetailMeNot.com to find discount coupons for boxed chocolate savings of 10 percent or more.
New cars
With the latest car models filling dealers' lots, you'll have a hard time finding discounted models from the year before. Car dealerships are less motivated to offer steep discounts from March through May. Instead, plan to buy your car during the fall or winter. You should also research the auto you want at TrueCar before heading for the dealership. The site offers information on how much the previous buyers paid for the vehicles you want.
Spring clothing
When warm weather makes you want to head outdoors, resist the urge to do so wearing the latest fashions. You won't find March deals on swimsuits, Easter dresses or other spring items. To find discounts on clothes of this spring, hold off until Memorial Day weekend. You can also look for online and in-store savings at Amazon, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and other retailers.
1. Which things offer discounts in March?| A．Frozen food and new cars | B．Boxed chocolates and new cars. |
| C．Frozen food and boxed chocolates. | D．Boxed chocolates and spring clothing. |
| A．Register on a site in advance. | B．Get discounts from car dealers. |
| C．Consult some previous buyers. | D．Make purchases at the right time. |
| A．A journal | B．A guidebook | C．A catalogue | D．An advertisement |
4 . This month, Germany’s transport minister, Alexander Dobrindt , proposed the first set of rules for autonomous vehicles(自主驾驶车辆）.They would define the driver’s role in such cars and govern how such cars perform in crashes where lives might be lost.
The proposal attempts to deal with what some call the “death valley” of autonomous vehicles: the grey area between semi-autonomous and fully driverless cars that could delay the driverless future.
Dobrindt wants three things: that a car always chooses property(财产）damage over personal injury; that it never distinguishes between humans based on age or race; and that if a human removes his or her hands from the driving wheel — to check email, say — the car’s maker is responsible if there is a crash.
“The change to the road traffic law will permit fully automatic driving,” says Dobrindt. It will put fully driverless cars on an equal legal footing to human drivers, he says.
Who is responsible for the operation of such vehicles is not clear among car makers, consumers and lawyers. “The liability(法律责任）issue is the biggest one of them all,” says Natasha Merat at the University of Leeds, UK.
An assumption behind UK insurance for driverless cars, introduced earlier this year, insists that a human “ be watchful and monitoring the road” at every moment.
But that is not what many people have in mind when thinking of driverless cars. “When you say ‘driverless cars”, people expect driverless cars.” Merat says “You know — no driver.”
Because of the confusion, Merat thinks some car makers will wait until vehicles can be fully automated without operation.
Driverless cars may end up being a form of public transport rather than vehicles you own, says Ryan Calo at Stanford University, California. That is happening in the UK and Singapore, where government-provided driverless vehicles are being launched.
That would go down poorly in the US, however. “The idea that the government would take over driverless cars and treat them as a public good would get absolutely nowhere here,” says Calo.
1. What does the phrase “death valley” in Paragraph 2 refer to?| A．A place where cars often break down. | B．A case where passing a law is impossible. |
| C．An area where no driving is permitted. | D．A situation where drivers’ role is not clear. |
| A．stop people from breaking traffic rules. | B．help promote fully automatic driving. |
| C．protect drivers of all ages and races. | D．prevent serious property damage. |
| A．It should get the attention of insurance companies. |
| B．It should be the main concern of law makers. |
| C．It should not cause deadly traffic accidents. |
| D．It should involve no human responsibility. |
| A．Singapore | B．the UK | C．the US | D．Germany |
5 . One rainy afternoon, I was on a crosstown bus when a young woman jumped on. She had a child with her who was about three or four years old. The bus was full, bumpy(颠簸的), and it soon got noisy, as her kid began crying — he was upset that he couldn't sit next to his mother. She looked embarrassed.
Then another woman, a little older, stood up and moved so that the mother and child could sit together. The mum smiled as a thank-you. And then three words came out of the older woman's mouth that raised the entire energy of that bus ride: “I've been there.”
Simple, undramatic, and honest. In that moment, it seemed to unite the diverse people of the city. Why? Because almost all experiences are shared human experiences. They're universal. We forget that as we go through life, focused on our own troubles and needs — which are actually less unique than we think.
Sometimes painful past experiences prevent us from wanting to open up to others because we don't want to revisit our own history. But a wonderful way to honor your past hurt is to help comfort another's current pain.
When I was a little girl, we lived on donations from local families and clothing from the " lost and found" baskets. It was shameful for me at the time — I lived in fear of being caught in a friend' s cast-off item.
Even when it was warmer, I refused to take off a layer in the classroom for this reason. Now I don't meet people who are in this exact situation, but I do notice when someone is struggling with financial shame or feels less than other people they meet. And I'm quick to say some version of, "I've been there."
Can the essence of these three words help you make a small difference right now? It can be as simple as volunteering your seat, sharing some helpful advice, or even lightening the mood with a joke when you notice that someone's uncomfortable — because we're all in this together.
1. What influence did the older woman's words have on the people around?| A．Causing discomfort. | B．Breaking long silence. |
| C．Creating a heated debate. | D．Inspiring common feelings. |
| A．They are mostly shared experiences. | B．They don't really matter to anyone' |
| C．They will be forgotten with time. | D．They are unique to each individual. |
| A．Because she had the same sweater with others. |
| B．Because she stole the sweater from someone' |
| C．Because she liked wearing the coat in summer. |
| D．Because she felt embarrassed wearing others' clothes. |
| A．Painful Experiences Are No Big Deal | B．The Best Way to Honor Your Past Hurt |
| C．True Happiness Comes from Helping Others | D．Three Little Words That Bring Us Together |
6 . Do you want to look fashionable? Is looking fashionable more important than being comfortable? Many people seem to think so, judging by the things they wear. But fashion is not everything. It is more important to be a healthy and good person.
People go to great lengths to be fashionable. Some people think they have to have a certain body type, so they go on extreme, unhealthy diets in order to change their bodies. In addition, many women wear uncomfortable fashions, such as high-heeled shoes that create blisters, tight body shapers that limit blood flow, and sticky false eyelashes（假睫毛）. Men and women alike spend time and money on products that change their natural hair color and use hot irons and blow dryers to curl or straighten their hair. Some people spend several hours a day in front of a mirror. Is fashion important enough to spend so much time and effort on changing how they look like?
If the purpose of fashion is to make a person feel good, it does not make sense that he or she would go through so much discomfort to be fashionable. Fashion should not come first. People should prioritize（优先考虑）being healthy and positive. What people wear does not indicate anything about their personalities. Instead of spending hours choosing a suit, perhaps you should call your friends and do something together. Instead of going on strict diets and starving, why not eat some healthy foods and then exercise? By doing these things, you can keep a healthy lifestyle and truly grow as a person.
1. Why does the author ask questions in the first paragraph?| A．To enrich the content. | B．To introduce the topic. |
| C．To reflect different attitudes. | D．To make readers think and give their opinions. |
| A．Fashion can make people do some unhealthy things. |
| B．Fashion increases famous people’s self-respect. |
| C．When you look good, you feel good. |
| D．People need to diet to lose weight. |
| A．Shopping for fashionable clothes. | B．Going on a strict diet with a friend. |
| C．Going skating with friends. | D．Changing the hairstyle every week. |
| A．show readers advantages and disadvantages of dieting |
| B．persuade readers to value health more than fashion |
| C．tell readers ways to become fashionable |
| D．inform readers of the latest fashion trends |
7 . Severe heat waves have killed more than 100 people in India this summer and are predicted to worsen in coming years, creating a possible crisis as large parts of the country potentially become too hot to be inhabitable (适宜居住的).
Heat waves in India usually take place between March and July and abate (减弱) once the rains arrive. But in recent years these hot waves have become more severe, more frequent and longer.
India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by severe heat, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say that even if the world succeeds in limiting the rise in average global temperatures, parts of India will become extremely hot.
Last year, there were over 480 official heat waves across India. During that period, more than 5,000 people died. This June, temperatures of 48 degrees Celsius hit Delhi. Churu nearly broke the country's heat record with a high of 50.6 degree Celsius. Bihar closed all schools, colleges and coaching centers for five days after severe heat killed more than 100 people. The closures were accompanied by warnings to stay indoors during the hottest time of the day.
India is trying to develop a heat action plan. The city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat introduced the country's first action plan in 2013, and its text messages, extra drinking stations and advice to keep out of the sun are credited with saving more than 2,000 lives.
At the same time, India is seeking long term solution The country has planned to cut its carbon emissions (排放) by 33% to 35% in 2030.
1. What's the possible crisis for India?| A．It will rain less and less. |
| B．Drinking water will run out. |
| C．Some places will be too hot to be livable. |
| D．More people will be killed in coming years. |
| A．The heat record was broken. | B．People are warned to stay indoors. |
| C．More heat waves hit India this year. | D．The heat waves brought great loss. |
①Avoiding carbon emissions.
②Building more drinking stations.
③Sending messages about severe heat.
④Giving advice to stay away from severe heat.
| A．①②③ | B．②③④ | C．①②④ | D．①③④ |
| A．Heat Waves Hit India | B．India Suffered a Lot |
| C．Global Warming Affected India | D．A Plan to Fight Severe Heat |
8 . According to the Study Abroad Trend Report for 2018, conducted by Chinese education website Eol. cn, the number of Chinese students who study abroad to gain a bachelor’s degree or below is rising, and the current group of Chinese overseas students is younger than those in the past years.
Du Xiying, a Beijing-based study-abroad agent, has first-hand experience working with this younger crop of students. “When I started this job some 10 years ago, almost all cases were filed by college graduates trying to apply for a master's degree in the US, UK, Australia and Canada,” said Du. “Now quite a number of my clients are high school graduates, and my company even transferred some experienced consultants to cover the increasing need of college-bound Chinese students.” However, in the eyes of Du, most of them are not ready to put themselves in a completely different context at such a young age. Although there are no statistics available, according to Du’s observations, college-bound high school graduates from China fall into two groups. There is a group of students from well-off families, with good grades and excellent command of English, and there is another group who did not do very well in their college entrance exams, so they seek to study abroad as a solution to their troubles. “In recent years, with the financial ability of Chinese families growing with the country's development, buying into college is very common,” said Du.
Complaints come from both destination schools in the US and parents of students. Going abroad at a young age needs a great deal of discipline(自律),and college students don't usually live at home-stays so they are free from management. A considerable quantity of students have ended with being dismissed(开除).
As to the dismissal issue, Du said it’s inevitable due to the large number of students crowding abroach. It’s just not easy to ensure quality. But she does think both students and parents should be responsible for their own investment of both time and money. “The worst case is that a family throws out 1 million yuan for their child to come home with nothing, not even fluent English,”said Du.
1. What change is mentioned in paragraph 1 and paragraph 2?| A．The age of Chinese students studying abroad is getting younger. |
| B．More Chinese students studying abroad are getting a master’s degree. |
| C．Excellent students prefer studying abroad to taking college entrance exams. |
| D．Chinese students’ grades are improving due to professional consultants’ help. |
| A．Most young students are qualified to study abroad. |
| B．Buying into schools could be a good solution to students’ problems. |
| C．Destination schools should be responsible for the management of students. |
| D．Parents and students should be cautious about the decision to study abroad. |
| A．They are not financially supported. |
| B．They are rejected by destination schools. |
| C．They can't live up to their parents’ expectations. |
| D．They can't live and study abroad independently. |
| A．Can’t be avoided. | B．Can’t be ignored. |
| C．Can’t be realized. | D．Can’t be predicted. |
9 . Best musicals and shows in London’s West End
Thriller-Live
See Thriller-Live, a musical in memory of Michael Jackson and the J acksons. The show joined London’s West End after three UK tours and popularity across Europe. Celebrate the career of the King of Pop during non-stop hits at this top London theatre show.
Prices from £32.72
The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical, The Phantom of the Opera, tells the tale of a shadowy character who attempts to make Christina the leading lady of the Paris Opera. With a fantastic plot and breathtaking scene, this long- running show is one of the must-see musicals in London.
Prices: from £30.75
The Book of Mormon
This comedy musical follows the plight of a pair of teenage Mormon missionaries sent to convert a village in a dangerous part of Uganda. The brainchild of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, The Book of Mormon has won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Prices: from £24.60
Matilda The Musical
Be wowed by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning production of Matilda The Musical. Roald Dahl’s celebrated story bursts into life in this West End musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. Children and adults alike will be delighted by the little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Prices: from £24.00
1. What is The Phantom of the Opera special for?
| A．Its attractive story. | B．Its beautiful songs. |
| C．Its excellent costumes. | D．Its experienced actors. |
| A．Thriller-Live | B．Matilda The Musical |
| C．The Book of Mormon | D．The Phantom of the Opera |
| A．Evaluate musicals. | B．Criticize musicals. |
| C．Analyze musicals. | D．Advertise musicals. |
10 . Staying connected
When Central Bucks South became one of the first Philadelphia-area high schools to close because of the fear of novel coronavirus exposure in early March, 16-year-old sophomore Andrew Chen knew that things were not going to return to normal as quickly as some of his peers hoped.
But still, the change from seeing his friends on the swim team during daily practices to learning alone at home was jarring.
“I only have three years here at South, and it pains me to see one of them being wasted,” Chen said.
The coronavirus has changed everyone’s lives, but for students, the disruption feels particularly serious. Schools closed and graduation ceremonies were put off. Summer plans, such as camps, are up in the air.
But right now, many students are trying to stay connected, struggling with false information, and finding out the best ways they can help – through online method.
For Josh Harycki, 17, a senior student at the Shipley School in Philadelphia, the best way to help was to create a “social distancing promise” for young people.
“I saw a lot of young people not paying attention,” he said. “They were … still going out, hanging out with others. I thought that there had to be a way to reach younger people, who were possibly not watching the news.”
Harycki started a call to action on social media and then built a website with a map that followed and kept the locations of people who’d signed the promise. The site also shares links to accurate sources of information like the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Harycki knows that his peers are worried they can’t connected with their friends in the same way, so he created the social distancing promise to strengthen that although everyone might be physically distant, they’re still connected.
“Part of what we’re showing is that you might feel like you’re the only one taking this seriously, but our map shows that you’re not alone,” he said.
1. What does the underlined word “jarring” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．natural |
| B．necessary |
| C．worrying |
| D．reasonable |
| A．Friends who are worried and bored. |
| B．Young people not aware of the situation. |
| C．Younger students trying to help. |
| D．People taking the coronavirus seriously. |
| A．To order young people to stay at home. |
| B．To follow those infected with the coronavirus. |
| C．To tell young folks of latest news about the coronavirus. |
| D．To show young people that they are still connected. |
| A．To explain what worried students most when schools closed. |
| B．To show the different views of students toward the coronavirus. |
| C．To show how the coronavirus affected students’ lives. |
| D．To explain the proper reaction to the close of school. |
