1 . 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 |
Then we worked out a plan: When Christie takes one of her children out, I’ll watch her other three. And when she watches two of mine, I’ll take someone out.
The children were extremely quick to accept the idea of “Mommy and Me” time. Christie’s daughter, McKenzie, went first. When she returned, the other children showered her with tons of questions. McKenzie was smiling broadly. Christie looked refreshed and happy. “She’s like a different child when there’s no one else around,” Christie shared with me quickly. With her mother all to herself, McKenzie didn’t have to make an effort to gain attention.
Just as Christie had noticed changes in McKenzie, I also discovered something different in each of my children during our alone times. For example, I am always surprised when my daughter, who is seldom close to me, holds my hand frequently. My stuttering（口吃的）son, Tom, doesn’t stutter once during our activities since he doesn’t have to struggle for a chance to speak. And the other son, Sam, who’s always a follower when around other children shines as a leader during our times together.
The “Mommy and Me” time allows us to be simply alone and away with each child ---talking, sharing, and laughing, which has been the biggest gain. Every child deserves（应得到）to be an only child at least once in a while.
1. What is the text mainly about?
| A．The experience of the only child being with mother. |
| B．The advantage of spending time with one child at a time. |
| C．The happy life of two families. |
| D．The basic needs of children. |
| A．happy | B．curious | C．regretful | D．friendly |
| A．The daughter acts like a leader. | B．Sam holds her hand more often. |
| C．The boys become better followers. | D．Tom has less difficulty in speaking. |
| A．having brothers and sisters is fun |
| B．it’s tiring to look after three children |
| C．every child needs parents’ full attention |
| D．parents should watch others’ children |
3 . As I was thinking about language learning the other day, the image of baking bread came into my mind. I compared some of the exercises and drills that we put ourselves through in order to learn a language to the various ingredients that go into baking a loaf of fresh bread.
Real language learning takes place in human relationships. No one sits down and eats a cup of flour, even if he is hungry and in a hurry. You don’t become bilingual (双语的) by learning lists of vocabulary. You don’t become a speaker of a language by memorizing verb conjugations (动词的词形变化) and agreement rules. You become bilingual by entering a community that uses that other language as its primary means of communication.
I am not suggesting that we can make bread without ingredients. Flour is necessary, as are yeast, salt, water and other ingredients. Vocabulary is part of any language and will have to be learned. Grammatical rules exist in every language and cannot be ignored. But merely combining the appropriate ingredients in the recommended proportions does not result in bread. At best, you only end up with a ball of dough (面团).
In order to get bread, you have to apply heat to the dough. And in language learning, that heat comes from the community. Anyone who has learned a second language has experienced that heat. It creeps up your neck when you ask the babysitter, “Have you already been eaten?” when you meant to say, “Have you already eaten?” When you try to say something quite innocent and the whole room bursts into laughter, you are experiencing the heat that turns raw dough into good bread. Remember the old saying, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen?” This is where language learning often breaks down because we find the heat uncomfortable and we stop the baking process. In other words, we can’t stand the heat, so we get out of the kitchen.
However, the language learner who stays in the kitchen——in the heat until the combined ingredients are thoroughly transformed will enjoy the richness of a quality loaf of bread. He said that he did not “get out of the kitchen” at the critical moment when the oven seemed too hot. The dedicated language learner knows that becoming bilingual cannot be achieved without the heat!
1. The passage is mainly about________.| A．how we can make baking bread with various Ingredients |
| B．how to become bilingual by communicating with others |
| C．what an important role “heat” plays in learning a language |
| D．what a high quality of bread you may achieve in the kitchen |
| A．bearing millions of words and expressions in your mind |
| B．using the language to communicate with those around you |
| C．knowing verb conjugations and grammatical rules |
| D．saying something innocent to be laughed at by others |
| A．To prove that you are sure to make some mistakes when you enter a community. |
| B．To show that you should combine the ingredients in the recommended proportions. |
| C．To prove that you may experience “heat” from the community in language learning. |
| D．To indicate that being bilingual calls for your courage, confidence and perseverance. |
| A．Wonderful skills. | B．Various ingredients. |
| C．Appropriate proportions. | D．Uncomfortable heat. |
4 . A study, conducted by David Evans of the World Bank and Anna Popova of Stanford University, looked at 19 programs around the world in which individuals were given cash transfers from the government, either as a handout or as a “reward” for something like getting kids to school on time or taking them to the doctor for checkups．
Evans and Popova looked at the impact those cash transfers had on the family budget and whether or not they led to an increase in spending on alcohol and cigarettes ．What they found was that they almost always led to a reduction in a family’s alcohol and tobacco purchases．
The news may surprise some people, but it’s true, and the researchers have several theories about why．
One theory is that the cash transfer made things possible that once seemed impossible ． Investing in their kids’ education or buying healthier and more expensive foods may be within reach now, but without the cash handout, these goals weren’t even a possibility．So families cut back on other expenses (like alcohol and tobacco) to make those dreams a reality．
Another theory is that people just generally seem to do what they’re told．If they are given money and told to use it for their family’s welfare, in most cases, they will do just that．And that leads to the third theory: These cash transfers are usually given to women, and studies show that when women control the purse strings, more money is spent on taking care of their children．
Whatever the reason for the trend, the data is clear—families that receive cash handouts don’t waste the money on booze and cigarettes as was previously thought ． Instead, they typically use that money for the benefit of their families．And that’s money well spent．
1. The study proves that ．| A．cash transfers help poor families get what would seem unavailable otherwise |
| B．cash should be given to poor people as a reward for something good for kids |
| C．given cash handouts, poor people would spend the money on alcohol and tobacco |
| D．poor people would save the cash given by the government for emergency needs |
| A．the education gained with the cash would help them drop alcohol and tobacco |
| B．the money previously for alcohol and tobacco would help realize their dream |
| C．buying healthier and more expensive foods left less money for alcohol and tobacco |
| D．that was the promise made before the cash transfer was given to the poor family |
| A．women are told what to do | B．women are given the money |
| C．women know what to do with the money | D．women have the final word for money |
| A．how the study was carried out |
| B．why cash transfer is preferred |
| C．the findings of a study and explanations to them |
| D．the theories for a study about cash transfers |
5 . When going through major life changes, like changing careers, I would change the people with whom I spent the most time. We’ve all gone through periods when the people in our lives have changed—graduation, moving to a new city, getting a new job, joining a new club, etc. I don’t think I need to convince you just how much influence other people can have over your identity. If you’ve ever experienced a major switch in your people environment, then you know that you change as well.
Most people don’t make these choices consciously though. You might consciously decide to spend more time with a certain friend, or you may ask someone out on a date to begin a new relationship. But few people choose their existing friendships deliberately.
There’s no “getting rid of people”. People are always dropping into and out of each other’s lives. Associations grow into friendships, and friendships fade into associations. You don’t get rid of anyone. The truth is that in order to make room for new people and new experiences, you may need to loosen up some of your existing connections.
What about loyalty? Shouldn’t you always be loyal to your friends? Once you have a close friend, even if their influence on you is slightly harmful, shouldn’t you stick by them?
Loyalty to a friend sometimes means having to let go. It means being loyal to their highest and best as well. If someone is destroying his health by smoking, for example, you aren’t showing loyalty by smoking right along with him. True loyally sometimes requires that you break damaging connections, get yourself back on solid ground, and then decide what you can really do to help your friend.
It can take a lot of courage to tell someone, “I’m sorry, but I can’t have you in my life anymore." But even though this might seem like a selfish act at times, it’s often the best thing for the other person too. If a relationship is holding you back in some way, understand that it is also hurting the other person. For example, if you work for a violent boss, your acceptance of that situation is considered to be silent approval, encouraging your boss to continue to behave violently.
1. When experiencing major life changes, people may ________.| A．join a new social community | B．influence their friends around |
| C．choose their friendships purposely | D．have their people environment changed |
| A．Everyone has at least one friend. |
| B．Friendship still exists though there’s less connection. |
| C．It is unnecessary to make new friends. |
| D．You ought to treat your old and new friend equally. |
| A．Never betray your close friends whatever happens. |
| B．Correct their mistakes while you guard their goodness. |
| C．Stick by your friends even though they do harm lo you. |
| D．Break up with your friends immediately if they smoke. |
| A．We should accept what we are told to do. |
| B．We should stay silent and be in favor of it. |
| C．We should bravely disobey him if he is wrong. |
| D．We should give our boss courage to continue. |
6 . The clock is ticking. David Brunelli has just swallowed a huge burger. The crowd cheers excitedly as he downs fistfuls of fries.
Welcome to the world of competitive eating.
Brunelli is part of a select group who compete to eat massive quantities of food as quickly as possible. Eating contests may seem like harmless fun, but they have a dark side and some critics are saying it’s time for them to stop.
Pouring crazy amounts of food down our throats is nothing new. Gorging banquets (狼吞虎咽会) was a regular part of ancient Roman culture. In the 1800s, some New York City politicians settled bets through eating challenges. Pie-eating contests have been a Fourth of July tradition for more than a century.
For supporters like Brunelli, though, eating contests are more than a custom. They are a path to fortune.
But prize money does nothing to reduce the health risks of competitive eating. Competitive eating can even be life-threatening. In 1991, a man in Virginia suffered a stroke (中风) after eating 38 eggs in 29 seconds; In Florida, in 2012, a man died shortly after winning an eating contest leading a group of doctors to call for a ban on eating contests.
In any event, the risk to competitors is only part of the story. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and competitive eating sets a terrible example by encouraging overeating. And in a world where 805 million people go hungry every day, downing ridiculous quantities of food for entertainment seems not just wasteful but also cruel.
For now, though, it seems eating contests are here to stay. Last year, more than three million viewers watched Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on TV. This year, Matt Stonie ate 182 pieces of bacon in 5 minutes, breaking the world record.
What record will be broken next? Do you really want to find out?
1. What does the author try to express in Paragraph 4?| A．Competitive eating is a tradition. |
| B．It’s great to learn from ancient people. |
| C．Competitive eating should be accepted. |
| D．It’s exciting to challenge others to eat. |
| A．For food. | B．For fun. |
| C．For honor. | D．For money. |
| A．use unhealthy food |
| B．waste too much food |
| C．put competitors at risk |
| D．set a bad example to kids |
| A．The author hopes to break the record. |
| B．The author is eager to know the result. |
| C．The author wants readers to find out the result. |
| D．The author disapproves of competitive eating. |
7 . Computer programmer David Jones earns £35,000 a year designing new computer games, yet he cannot find a bank ready to let him have a credit card(信用卡). Instead, he has been told to wait another two years, until he is 18.
The 16-year-old works for a small firm in Liverpool, where the problem of most young people of his age is finding a job. David's firm releases(推出) two new games for the fast throwing computer market each month.
But David's biggest headache is what to do with his money. Even though he earns a lot, he cannot drive a car, take out a mortgage(抵押贷款), or get credit cards. David got his job with the Liverpool-based company four months ago, a year after leaving school with six O-levels and working for a time in a computer shop. "I got the job because the people who run the firm knew I had already written some programs," he said. David spends some of his money on records and clothes, and gives his mother 50 pounds a week. But most of his spare time is spent working.
"Unfortunately, computing was not part of our studies at school," he said. "But I had been studying it in books and magazines for four years in my spare time. I knew what I wanted to do and never considered staying on at school. Most people in this business are fairly young, anyway." David added: "I would like to earn a million and I suppose early retirement(退休) is a possibility. You never know when the market might disappear."
1. In what way is David different from people of his age?| A．He has a handsome income. |
| B．He lives with his mother. |
| C．He often goes out with friends. |
| D．He graduated with six O-levels. |
| A．He has very little spare time. |
| B．He has no time to learn driving. |
| C．He is too young to get a credit card. |
| D．He will soon lose his job. |
| A．He had done well in all his exams. |
| B．He had written some computer programs. |
| C．He was good at playing computer games. |
| D．He had learnt to use computers at school. |
| A．He received lots of job offers. |
| B．He was eager to help his mother. |
| C．He lost interest in school studies. |
| D．He wanted to earn his own living. |
8 . I stood in a noisy group of sixth grade students, waiting for the answer to our burning question: What type of crazy tie would Mr. Miller be wearing today?
Our teacher walked around the corner with a GREEN ELEPHANT TIE that matched his large elephant coffee cup! Oh, the satisfaction in our young hearts—a green elephant tie!
With his glasses at the tip of his nose, he greeted us cheerfully, “Good morning, folks!” He was strange and unique and he brightened every day for us. He was the most dynamic teacher I had ever met.
I loved music, so I remember how excited I was when he said he was going to give us music lessons. But when he turned on the music, my classmates and I slowly turned our heads toward the sound of… Feter Paul and Mary singing “If I Had a Hammer”.
Snickers(窃笑) filled the room. If it wasn’t rap or hip hop, we didn’t recognize it. What were these people singing about? My classmates were not into this at all. But for me, a girl of 12, it was a discovery. An awakening.
Twenty years passed and now there are forty little eyes staring at my wild musical-note shirts as I greet them with a joyful, “Good morning, class!” I wonder if my students wait and wonder what crazy music clothes I will wear each day.
I glance at my 2015 Teacher of the Year Award, which I received for being a dynamic teacher. And I smile to myself, wondering which child in front of me will carry this on－as I’ve carried on the legacy(遗产) of Mr. Miller.
One teacher, who dared to be different and open new worlds to kids like me, threw the significant stone into the pond of my life. I pray the ripples(涟漪) never end.
1. What can we infer about Mr. Miller?| A．He was an animal protector. | B．He didn’t take his work seriously. |
| C．He often dressed up in an unusual way. | D．He often asked his students burning questions. |
| A．Puzzled. | B．Disappointed. |
| C．Uninterested. | D．Excited. |
| A．A kind heart. | B．The smile. |
| C．A gift for music. | D．The love for teaching. |
| A．To prove her love for music. |
| B．To show a teacher’s effect on her. |
| C．To call on students to take up teaching. |
| D．To share her experience in music learning. |
| Monday | |
| 8 —10 a. m. | TECHNOLOGY Information Technology (IT)—Using the Internet In this lesson, students learn how to surf the internet safely and effectively. There will also be information about using different search engines. |
| 10:00 a. m. | DRAMA Students learn the play that the teacher gave before class. During this lesson, students will have the chance to act out roles with other students. |
| 11:00 a. m. | PAINTING WITH WATERCOLOURS For most of this term, students learn how to use watercolours properly to make pictures. If the weather is good, the lesson may take place outdoors. |
| 2 — 4 p. m. | SPORTS Students learn about the skills in a certain sport by watching video to see real action from past games. And then, students will play a short match lasting 45 minutes. This week, the sports are football (for boys) and tennis (for girls). |
 | HOMEWORK IT—the teacher will give students websites to look up at home. (about 20 minutes) Drama –students have to learn a part for the next lesson (about 40 minutes). |
1. At _______, students are having a painting lesson.
| A．11:35 a. m. | B．4:30 p. m. |
| C．10:30 a. m. | D．2:15 p. m. |
| A．Technology | B．Painting |
| C．Sports | D．Drama |
| A．choose teachers | B．do their homework |
| C．take classes | D．organize hobby groups |
10 . Just a couple of hours ago, I was on the plane, ready to fly home from London. The flight had been delayed by a few hours so it felt good to be so close to take-off. I had my iPod in place and a new book to read. Then, over the loudspeaker came the pilot’s voice: "The ground crew has found a metal instrument in one tire. We regret that we must cancel this flight."
The passengers’ reactions that announcement led to were interesting. One man close to me began to argue with a flight attendant. A couple in another row complained loudly. A businessman in a black suit actually kicked the seat in front of him. Yet some passengers responded differently. An elderly gentleman smiled as he helped others take their bags down from the overhead compartments (隔间). A teenager, rather than trying to rush off the plane like most of the other passengers, stopped to help a woman with a disability. The lady sitting next to me laughed and said: "Hey, it’s not the end of the world..." before she made a call to her kids and shared her adventure with them. The wisest among us have a remarkable ability to maintain grounded when times get tough.
No life is perfect； mine certainly isn’t. We all must face challenges, both large and small. You and I have the power to choose to rise above the external circumstances. We always have the choice to be strong and kind when things fall apart.
That’s grace under pressure. My seatmate was right — things could have been so much worse. Anyway, I am safe. I have my health. I have two wonderful children. I have work I love and so much to be grateful for. Sure I now have to wait a few hours to catch the next flight home.
1. What caused the passengers’ different reactions directly?| A．The loudspeaker. | B．The delay of the flight. |
| C．The ground crew’s fault. | D．The pilot’s announcement. |
| A．The teenager helping the disabled. | B．The old man taking bags down. |
| C．The man in a dark suit. | D．The man close to me. |
| A．She assisted a disabled woman. |
| B．She made a phone call to her family. |
| C．She helped others carry their luggage. |
| D．She told moving stories to her children. |
| A．Our life is full of ups and downs. |
| B．It is natural to be scared under pressure. |
| C．We should help each other in times of difficulty. |
| D．We should be positive and calm when life is hard. |
