1 . Aaron has performed in Germany, Korea, the Czech Republic and across the United States. His back flip (翻) earned him a place in “Guinness World Records”. Aaron doesn't use a skateboard to do his tricks. He sticks a perfect four wheeled landing with his wheelchair. That's quite an accomplishment for a kid who was born with spina bifida, a developmental birth defect (缺陷) that made him even unable to sit independently.

One day, when he was eight, his friends encouraged him to roll down a shallow ramp (斜坡). It was a scary first ride. Aaron crashed his hands, but he was attracted. Six months later, after endless hard trying and training, he accomplished his first trick—lifting up one of the back wheels while crossing a barrier.

“The more I rode, the better I became, though I have to admit that the process involved falling in every way possible,” says Aaron. When Aaron performed his first airborne 180 out of the box, Steve, his father, sensed an opportunity, videotaped the performance and sent it to the Internet. A letter soon arrived from John Box, founder of Colours’N Motion, encouraging him to call him directly whenever they needed anything. Aaron has a sponsor since.

With his mother helping with scheduling, he has had the opportunity to travel within the US as well as internationally. He has attended summer camps for disabled children as a coach. “I know that I can be an inspiration for disabled kids,” says Aaron. “The message I want to convey to kids and adults is very simple: Always test your boundaries and don't let the disability restrict your capacities and possibilities.”

1. What happened when Aaron first tried to roll down a ramp?

A．He crashed into his friend and got hurt.	B．He became interested in the sport.
C．He was too scared to try the sport again.	D．He accomplished his first trick.

2. Who funded Aaron to achieve his goal?

A．Steve.	B．John Box.
C．His friends.	D．His mother.

3. Which of the following words best describe Aaron?

A．Independent and cooperative.	B．Ambitious and generous.
C．Courageous and determined.	D．Energetic and humorous.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Aaron: skating ability beyond disability.

B．Aaron: inspiration for skating coaches.

C．A boy working for “Guinness World Records”.

D．A boy seeking to be an Internet celebrity.

2 . I have a special place in my heart for libraries. I have for as long as I can remember. I was always an enthusiastic reader, sometimes reading up to three books a day as a child. Stories were like air to me and while other kids played ball or went to parties, I lived out adventures through the books I checked out from the library.

My first job was working at the Ukiah Library when I was 16 years old. It was a dream job and I did everything from shelving books to reading to the children for story time.

As I grew older and became a mother, the library took on a new place and an added meaning in my life. I had several children and books were our main source (来源) of entertainment. It was a big deal for us to load up and go to the local library, where my kids could pick out books to read or books they wanted me to read to them.

I always read, using different voices, as though I were acting out the stories with my voice and they loved it! It was a special time to bond with my children and it filled them with the wonderment of books.

Now, I see my children taking their children to the library and I love that the excitement of going to the library lives on form generation to generation.

As a novelist, I’ve found a new relationship with libraries. I encourage readers to go to their local library when they can’t afford to purchase a book. I see libraries as a safe haven (避风港) for readers and writers, a bridge that helps put together a reader with a book. Libraries, in their own way, help fight book piracy (盗版行为) and 1 think all writers should support libraries in a significant way when they can. Encourage readers to use the library. Share library announcements on your social media. Frequent them and talk about them when you can.

1. Which word best describes the author’s relationship with books as a child?

A．Inseparable.

B．Uneasy.

C．Awful.

D．Casual.

2. What does the underlined phrase “an added meaning” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Pleasure from working in the library.	B．A closer bond developed with the readers.
C．Fun from acting out the stories.	D．Joy of reading passed on in the family.

3. What does the author call on other writers to do?

A．Give money to book fairs.	B．Write for social media.
C．Buy her novels.	D．Support libraries.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Reading: A Source of Knowledge	B．My Idea about writing
C．My Love of the Library	D．Library: A Haven for the Young

3 . In the mid-1980s, a study compared mtDNA from people around the world. It found that people of African descent (后裔) had twice as many genetic differences from each other than as did others. Because mutations (基因突变) seem to occur at a steady rate over time, scientists were able to conclude that modern humans must have lived in Africa at least twice as long as anywhere else. They now calculate that all living humans descend from a single woman who lived roughly 150,000 years ago in Africa, “Eve”. If geneticists are right, all of humanity is linked to Eve through an unbroken chain of mothers. This Eve was soon joined by “Y-Chromosome (染色体) Adam”, the genetic father of us all, also from Africa. DNA studies have confirmed that all the people on Earth, with all their shapes and colors, can trace their ancestry to ancient Africans.

What seems certain is that at a remarkably recent date—probably between 50,000 and 70,000 years ago—one small group of people, the ancestors of modern humans outside of Africa, left Africa for western Asia, either by migrating around the northern end of the Red Sea or across its narrow southern opening.

Once in Asia, genetic evidence suggests, the population split. One group stopped temporarily in the Middle East, while the other commenced a journey which would last tens of thousands of years. Moving a little further with each new generation, they followed the coast around the Arabian Peninsula, India, and Southeast Asia, all the way to Australia. ''The movement was probably unnoticeable,'' says Spencer Wells. ''It was less of a journey and probably more like walking a little farther down the beach to get away from the crowd.''

Although archaeological evidence of this 13,000-kilometer (8,000-mile) migration from Africa to Australia has almost completely disappeared, genetic traces of the group that made the trip do exist. They have been found in the DNA of native peoples in the Andaman Islands near Myanmar, in Malaysia, and in Papua New Guinea, and in the DNA of nearly all Australian aborigines (土著). Modern discoveries of 45,000-year-old bodies in Australia, buried at a site called Lake Mungo, provide some physical evidence for the theories as well.

People in the rest of Asia and Europe share different but equally ancient mtDNA and mutations. The mutations which they possess show that most are descendants of the group that stayed in the Middle East for thousands of years before moving on. Perhaps about 40,000 years ago, modern humans first advanced into Europe.

1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?

A．Mutations occasionally take place over time

B．Modern humans probably have only one ancestor.

C．Modern humans must have lived in Africa for a shorter time than anywhere else.

D．Scientists confirm all of humanity is linked to Eve with physical evidence .

2. What happened to the first group of humans that moved from Africa into Asia?

A．Most of the migrants turned back into Africa.

B．They separated into two groups.

C．Most of the migrants moved directly into Europe.

D．They stayed in the Middle East for tens of thousands of years.

3. Which of the following is cited as evidence for the great migration to Australia?

A．Discovery of human remains in Australia	B．DNA of people in Southeast Africa
C．DNA of immigrants to Australia	D．Discoveries from modern societies in Asia

4. The title for this reading could be _______.

A．Finding Y-Chromosome Adam	B．Who were the First Humans?
C．The Discovery of DNA in Africa	D．Migrating Out of Africa

4 . Adult Education Courses

Computer Studies Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and we rely more and more on computers for everything from cooking to organizing our taxes. This six-week course will give you an understanding of computer fundamentals, including the use of software packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and how to use the Internet. Start: May 2,2019 Time: Wed 7 pm-9pm Cost: $300 Length: 6 weeks Place: Sydney College

Woodwork Learn the basics of woodworking with simple hands-on projects to build your confidence and skills. Each lesson explores a different area of woodworking that will provide you with the skills needed for any woodworking project. Flexible learning allows you to choose only the lessons that interest you. Start: April 15,2019 Time: Mon 5 pm-7pm Cost: $30 per lesson Length:12 weeks Place: Adult Learning Centre

Web Design We provide advanced training in software, design, and coding for the web. Students must have already completed a recognized basic web design course or have at least 2 years’ relevant work experience. Students completing the course will receive the Diploma in Advanced Web Design. Start: June 1,2019 Time: Weekdays 9 am-4pm Cost: $4,990 Length: 40 weeks Place: University of Technology

Art This practical course is intended to help established artists take their creativity further. From sketching and color, to composition, painting and experimenting with style, you will study and explore an engaging variety of creative media and subject matter. Start: April 21,2019 Time: Thurs. 3 pm-6pm Cost: $750 Length:15 weeks Place: City Art

1. Which course awards students an official certificate?

A．Art.

B．Woodwork.

C．Computer Studies

D．Web Design..

2. Which courses are suitable for beginners?

A．Web Design and Art.	B．Computer Studies and Woodwork.
C．Woodwork and Web Design.	D．Computer Studies and Art.

3. How much will a student who attends only half of all the Woodwork lessons pay in total?

A．$30.

B．$180.

C．$250.

D．$360.

5 . “Anyone who offends China will be killed no matter how far the target is.” That is the tagline for Wolf Warriors 2, the Chinese box office hit. It sees a soldier entering into an African war-zone and saving hundreds of lives from Western bad guys. It’s basically the plot of your typical Hollywood action movie, but this time it’s a Chinese man upholding justice and keeping the world safe.

Following in the footsteps of Jackie Chan and Jet Li, martial arts expert Wu Jing is among a new generation of directors who were initially Chinese action stars. His first Wolf Warrior film came out in 2014, but it didn’t catch much attention. Mainstream movies, especially those promoting patriotism, usually don’t do very well in China. Wolf Warrior 2, however, has become a phenomenon. The massive response in China also made the film top the global box office worldwide last weekend, beating Hollywood blockbuster Dunkirk.

Many moviegoers said online that they were touched by the patriotic plot. “This movie is the best Chinese action movie,” one social media user wrote. “Shockingly good — hot blood and tough guys. I cried after watching it,” said another.

One reason for the enthusiastic response compared to the first Wolf Warrior film is its improved action scenes. Many in China have praised the film for its fighting scenes and special effects, saying they are of “Hollywood quality”. The movie, which is entirely privately funded, has also been lauded for its attention to details and features of close replicas of many of the latest weapons used by the Chinese army. Timing has also contributed to its success, with the Chinese nation in the times of a new wave of patriotism.

The film first came out just ahead of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese army, a hugely symbolic event for the country. Over the weekend, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) held a grand military parade, which presented the latest weapons of China. In a serious speech, which in parts was not different from lines from the film, President Xi Jinping promised to fight anyone who tried to tear China apart.

1. The text is meant to ________.

A．introduce a recent action movie

B．explain why Wu Jing is a successful director

C．compare Wolf Warriors 2 with Hollywood movies

D．claim that China is a super power in terms of weapons production

2. The reason why Wolf Warriors 2 becomes a box office hit is that ________.

A．it doesn’t promote patriotism

B．its combat scenes are of higher quality

C．the weapons in the movie are the most advanced

D．Wu Jing is becoming better at directing after failing his first movie

3. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

A．Dunkirk has attracted more audiences compared to Wolf Warriors 2.

B．Social media users think highly of Wu Jing’s acting skills.

C．In the past, movies about patriotism often appeal to the public.

D．Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Wu Jing were actors at first.

4. The word “lauded” in paragraph 4 means ________.

A．encouraged

B．praised

C．criticized

D．awarded

6 . A new batch of young women—members of the so-called Millennial (千禧的) generation — has been entering the workforce for the past decade. At the starting line of their careers, they are better educated than their mothers and grandmothers had been — or than their young male counterparts are now. But when they look ahead, they see roadblocks to their success. They believe that women are paid less than men for doing the same job. They think it’s easier for men to get top executive jobs than it is for them. And they assume that if and when they have children, it will be even harder for them to advance in their careers.

While the public sees greater workplace equality between men and women now than it did 20-30 years ago, most believe more change is needed. Among Millennial women, 75% say this country needs to continue making changes to achieve gender equality in the workplace, compared with 57% of Millennial men. Even so, relatively few young women (15%) say they have been discriminated against at work because of their gender.

As Millennial women come of age, they share many of the same views and values about work as their male counterparts. They want jobs that provide security and flexibility, and they place relatively little importance on high pay. At the same time, however, young working women are less likely than men to aim at top management jobs: 34% say they’re not interested in becoming a boss or top manager; only 24% of young men say the same. The gender gap on this question is even wider among working adults in their 30s and 40s, when many women face the trade-offs that go with work and motherhood.

These findings are based on a new Pew Research Center survey of 2,002 adults, including 810 Millennials, conducted Oct. 7-27, 2019. The survey finds that, in spite of the dramatic gains women have made in educational attainment and labor force participation in recent decades, young women view this as a man’s world — just as middle-aged and older women do.

1. What do we learn from the first paragraph about Millennial women starting their careers?

A．They can get ahead only by striving harder.

B．They expect to succeed just like Millennial men.

C．They are generally quite optimistic about their future.

D．They are better educated than males counterparts.

2. How do most Millennial women feel about their treatment in the workplace?

A．They are the target of discrimination.	B．They find it satisfactory on the whole.
C．They think it needs further improving.	D．They find their complaints ignored.

3. What do Millennial women value most when coming of age?

A．A sense of accomplishment.	B．Job stability and flexibility.
C．Rewards and promotions.	D．Joy derived from work.

4. What are women in their 30s and 40s concerned about?

A．The welfare of their children.	B．The narrowing of the gender gap.
C．The fulfillment of their dreams in life.	D．The balance between work and family.

7 . When he first rose to stardom in the NBA, Yao Ming could not possibly have known the influence he would have on the American understanding of China.

In the eyes of many Americans, Chinese are short, bookish, and not especially athletic. Yao, 26, has turned that image on its head. A giant at 2.26 metres, he has been the most talked-about player in the league since he topped the NBA draft（选秀）in 2002.

When Yao first joined the Rockets and struggled with an American style of basketball, many were quick to label（标记）Yao “a failure”. But Yao played on. He did not let the criticism affect his performance. Even when former NBA star Charles Barkley bet that Yao could not score more than 19 points in a single game, Yao kept his self-respect. The same cannot be said for Barkley, who was forced to kiss a real donkey’s ass（屁股）when Yao passed the 19-point mark early in his first season.

For Americans, Yao’s polite and friendly personality is a welcome contrast to the rude behaviour of the NBA’s bad boys. Compared with most other NBA players, Yao Ming is a true gentleman. He respects all of his opponents（对手）, even those who are not friendly to him.

“He is so wise and humourous that he seems like a diplomat（外交家）rather than a basketball player sometimes,” said Ron Burke, an NBA TV reporter.

In addition, Yao’s witty answers have changed the opinion that Chinese people are boring. When asked what were his favourite English words, Yao told the press that the five words were “This is the last question.” Yao is winning supporters within the league as well. After a Rockets-Lakers game that Shaquille O’Neal had to sit out with an injury, O’Neal said, “You played pretty good, Yao Ming.” Yao replied, “That’s because you weren’t there.”

1. What attitude do many people take with Yao Ming when he first joined the Rockets?

A．Friendly.

B．Doubtful.

C．Sincere.

D．Angry.

2. Yao Ming was liked by Americans mainly because he ________.

A．proved that he was athletic	B．passed the 19-point mark early
C．showed his politeness and friendliness	D．beat former NBA star Charles Barkley

3. By sharing the story between Yao Ming and O’Neal in the last paragraph, the writer shows us ____.

A．Yao Ming was respectful and smart	B．Yao Ming was boring and proud
C．Yao Ming topped the NBA draft	D．Yao Ming wasn’t a failure any more

4. What’s the main idea of the text?

A．Yao Ming’s road to stardom.

B．The skills Ming showed in NBA.

C．Yao Ming’s competition with other NBA players.

D．The impact of Yao Ming on Americans’ attitudes towards Chinese.

8 . There are a variety of clubs which provide social and cultural activities for students wishing to meet others with similar interests from the same or from different national backgrounds.

Charles Peguy Centre	Royal Overseas League
CPC is a French youth centre, providing advice, support and information to young Europeans aged between 18-25. Facilities include an information and advice service regarding education, work placement and general welfare rights. Moreover, the centre holds a database of jobs and accommodation in London. Members may use a fax machine, a copier and computers to surf online or check e-mails for free. Hours: Monday 14:00-17:00 Tuesday-Friday 10:00-17:00 Membership: £35 per year	Open 365 days per year, ROL is a club with facilities in London and Edinburgh with restaurants, bars and accommodation. There are branches around the world and 57 reciprocal clubs worldwide. Quarterly magazines, literary lectures, annual music and art competitions, and summer and winter programme of events are provided for members. Membership fees: aged 17-20, £47 per year aged 21-25, £70 per year For further information, please contact the membership secretary.
YMCA London Central	Kensington Committee for Overseas Students
YMCA is a social club. Most members are young English professionals, but overseas visitors are welcome. Facilities include photography, art, drama, pottery, language courses at different levels, badminton, fitness testing, cycling, yoga and other activities. Hours: weekdays 07:00-22:30 weekends 10:00-21:00 Membership fees: £125 per year Hotline: 05667932	KCOS is a society for young people from all countries. Each month there are some 40 parties, discos, visits to theatres, concerts, walks and other gatherings where members will be able to meet lots of people. A new programme is sent each month directly to members. The club arranges a weekly club night in a Covent Garden bar. To find out more, telephone the club or write (freepost) to the office. Hours: 10:30-17:30 Tel: 05663801

1. The passage is mainly for ______.

A．young English professionals.

B．local students from different backgrounds .

C．European students in London.

D．the youth wishing to meet different people.

2. According to the passage, which club can provide the places to live in?

A．CPC.

B．ROL.

C．YMCA .

D．KCOS.

3. If you want more information about language study, you can ______.

A．make a phone call

B．go to the office in person

C．send a fax or an e-mail.

D．turn to the membership secretary.

9 . The Land Under the Sea

Ten thousand years ago, as the last ice age ended, sea levels around the world were far lower than they are today. Much of the land under both the North Sea to the east of Britain and the English Channel which now separates France and Britain was part of a huge region of forests and grassy plains. Then the climate gradually became warmer and the water trapped in large masses of ice was released.

Now the development of advanced sonar (声呐) technology, known as bathymetry, is making it possible to study this flooded landscape in extraordinary detail. A special echo (回声) sounder is fixed to the bottom of a survey ship and it makes wide sweeps across the seabed. While previous technology has only been able to produce two-dimensional images, bathymetry can now use computers, satellite-positioning equipment and special software to create accurate and remarkably detailed maps. For the first time, an ancient riverbed jumps out of the three-dimensional image. The site of pre-historic settlements can now be pinpointed.

According to expert Linda Andrews, this technological development is of huge significance. “We now have the ability to map the seabed as accurately as we can map dry land,” she says.

Once bathymetric techniques have identified sites where people might have built their homes and villages, divers can be sent down to investigate further. Robot submarines (潜艇) can also be used, and researchers hope they will find stone tools and wood from houses as proof of human activity. The idea shared by many people in Britain of their country as a natural island kingdom will be challenged by the findings: Britain has been inhabited for about 500,000 years and much of this time it has been linked on and off to continental Europe. It remains to be seen how far this new awareness is taken on board, however.

In fact, the use of bathymetry will not be limited to the study of lost landscapes and ancient settlements. It will also be vital in finding ships that have been destroyed in accidents. In addition, commercial applications are a real possibility. Aggregates (骨材) for the construction industry are becoming increasingly expensive, and bathymetry can be used to identify suitable sites for digging for this material. Mapping the seabed will also identify places where rare plants and shellfish are living. Digging at such sites should be prevented, either to work for a profit or to make deeper waterways for massive container ships.

1. How does bathymetry work?

A．It has an echo sounder placed on the seabed.

B．It makes use of a number of different devices.

C．It produces two-dimensional images of the sea floor.

D．It bases its calculations on the location of construction sites.

2. What does the underlined word “pinpointed” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Occupied.	B．Adjusted.
C．Rebuilt.	D．Discovered.

3. The author believes a better understanding of the settlements on the seabed may ________.

A．attract investment in the research under the sea

B．inspire people to take an interest in modern technology

C．adapt the attitudes of the British to their country’s history

D．receive confirmation of rebuilding ancient man-made objects

4. We can learn that the use of bathymetry will help to ________.

A．identify new species of plants and animals

B．provide the precise location of sunken ships

C．evaluate the cost of seeking certain resources

D．promote the development of deeper waterways

10 . Children born in the past four decades had the luxury of being the center of their parents’ attention. The entire family’s resources were poured into their education and well-being.

However，when the same resources are split between two children，the amount distributed to each one is going to shrink.

According to the Hangzhou Daily，when there are two children in the family，parents tend to choose public schools instead of private schools，which are usually more expensive. Each child is enrolled in fewer after-school training classes.

But having a second child may cure some deep-rooted problems in China’s traditional family education.

Having two children in the family can help to prevent one child being spoiled by too much attention，according to People’s Daily. It also spares the only child from the pressure of shouldering parental expectations all alone. Taking care of a sibling also enables children to gain a sense of responsibility，cooperation，obedience and caring.

China’s public education system is also expected to shift. Currently，there are not enough vacancies in kindergarten and schools to accommodate the potential increase in children.

“It’s not only the enrollment capacity of educational institutions that will feel the pressure. People are also placing more emphasis on the quality of education，”Peng Xizhe， director of the Population and Development Research Policy Center at Fudan University，told China Education Daily.

He predicts the government may have to invest more to support the educational system as a result of the new family planning measure.

1. What can children benefit from a two-child family?

A．They can have less pressure.

B．They can study in private schools.

C．They can get much more attention.

D．They can take more after-school training classes.

2. Which of the following words can replace the underlined word “accommodate”?

A．hold

B．adapt

C．solve

D．consider

3. What can we infer from Peng Xizhi’s words?

A．People are placing more emphasis on the quality of education.

B．The government may have to invest more to support the educational system.

C．The new family planning measure will challenge the current educational system.

D．The educational institutions will feel the pressure that their capacity is not enough.

4. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To show benefits of owning two children.

B．To persuade people to bear more children.

C．To encourage people to have only one child.

D．To introduce the impact of two-child policy.