1 . Reading instruction in the classroom is a key concern for all teachers and there are many ways to go about it. However, is our determination to achieve excellence in reading skills in our children killing their love and enjoyment of a good book?
In my work with parents, I am frequently asked the best ways to encourage reluctant readers to be engaged with books. Parents report that their children return home from school with no inclination to pick up a book and read.
Any eager reader will gladly talk about the joy with a good book to read away the hours on a cold, rainy afternoon. Reading a good book is one of life’s greatest pleasures. We need to share these experiences with our children in order to assist them in developing into strong readers. But the use of boring, mass-produced home reading texts in children’s early years at school can be seen as the beginning of this negative cycle.
As children progress through their schooling life, there are many other instances of learning reading skills that don’t help reading development. Frequently, teachers feel the pressure to give their students “just enough” in terms of reading strategies to be able to achieve the test, which leaves little time to focus on reading for pleasure.
Kelly Gallagher, a high school teacher, outlines the term “Readicide” in his book. He says it’s: the systematic killing of the love of reading, often worsened by foolish, boring practices found in schools.
Recent research shows that many teachers tend to follow the traditional literacy practices that they have experienced in their own education, which can often have negative intentions for their students.
While teaching children key concepts for analyzing and evaluating texts is important, the manner in which it is done and time that is spent on this can lead to unexpected results. Schools aren’t to blame when it comes to not arresting students’ lack of interest in reading, but they have an important role to play in fostering reading enjoyment.
1. What does the underlined word “inclination” mean?| A．Energy | B．Task |
| C．Intention | D．Requirement |
| A．To develop reading habits | B．To read for pleasure |
| C．To learn reading skills | D．To kill a love for books |
| A．focus on teaching reading strategies |
| B．ignore key concepts for analyzing texts |
| C．are to blame for students’ poor reading |
| D．fail to follow the traditional reading practices |
| A．Reading books is to experience pleasure |
| B．Learning to love books is even more important |
| C．Teaching reading helps reluctant readers |
| D．Getting pleasure from books makes capable readers |
2 . When we are young we are taught that it’s wrong to lie and we should always tell the truth. Unfortunately, most children lie even if they’re told not to. Research carried out at the Institute of Child Study at Toronto Univercity has shown that this might not be such a bad thing. Apparently (显然地), children who tell lies when they’re two years old have a good chance of becoming successful adults (成年人).
According to the research, at the age of two, 20 per cent of children lie. At the age of three, 50 per cent lie, and at four almost 90 per cent lie. By the age of 12 almost every child tells lies.
Lying needs much brain work, and the better the lie is, the more work the brain has to do. By training the brain early, researchers believe children will be able to think more clearly when they are adults.
Recent research, carried out by the Science Museum in London, has shown some interesting facts about the way we lie as adults. According to the research, the average British man tells three lies every day; that’s over 1,000 lies a year. However, the average woman apparently only lies twice a day.
Most people think women are better liars (说谎者) than men although in fact they tell fewer lies. Popular women’s lies include ‘Nothing’s wrong, I’m fine’, ‘I don’t know where it is, I haven’t touched it’, and ‘It wasn’t that expensive’.
Some people say you can lie as long as it’s a white lie. A white lie is a lie told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. One of the most common lies for both men and women is ‘It’s just what I’ve always wanted’, said after opening a present from their partner.
1. What will happen to young children who lie?| A．They will possibly do wrong later. |
| B．They’re likely to succeed in the future. |
| C．They will keep lying when they grow up. |
| D．They may have a good chance of losing others’ trust. |
| A．Older children tell bigger lies than younger ones. |
| B．As they grow, they often lie about their age. |
| C．The older they are, the more likely they lie. |
| D．It’s quite natural for them to tell lies. |
| A．Men lie more than women. | B．Women are better liars than men. |
| C．Women’s lies are usually not serious. | D．Men sometimes have to lie to women. |
| A．You know me so well. | B．I don’t like the present. |
| C．You are good at picking presents. | D．I haven’t received a present I really like. |
3 . History tells us that footwear was one of the first things ancient people learned to make. Footwear helped them across rocky paths or hot sands without injuring themselves. The earliest footwear we know of was simply a piece of plaited (编织的) grass or leather tied to the feet.
The ancient Egyptians seem to have invented the first footwear with a firm sole (鞋底) — sandals. Egyptian royalty usually wore sandals that had a different style from those with lower status (身份), while slaves were not allowed to wear anything on their feet. The sandal is still the basic form of footwear in many countries, particularly those with a hot climate, whereas in cold climates, an entirely different type of shoe appeared — the moccasin — a slipper-shaped shoe made of soft but strong leather.
The Greeks were the first to develop shoes with heels (鞋跟). Then, in the Middle Ages, shoes with long points at the toe became very chic for the nobility. These shoes were often very difficult to wear. Other trends followed, with square-toed shoes, wide shoes, and even shoes that could make a woman stand two feet taller. Not surprisingly, these sometimes led to accidents. Even today, fashion rather than comfort often leads to the kind of shoes women wear.
Mechanical shoemaking appeared in the 1800s in North America. Until then, shoes had been made with the same kinds of hand tools used by the ancient Egyptians. And in 1858, a machine was invented that could stitch (缝合) the sole of a shoe to the upper part. Now it was possible to make shoes that were shaped to fit either the left or right foot. Toward the end of the 1800s came a new type of shoe that was specifically designed for sports — the sneaker — and it soon become an all-time favorite.
1. What did shoes often show in ancient times?| A．The rich resources. | B．People's different beliefs. |
| C．People's status in society. | D．The changeable climates. |
| A．Valuable. | B．Convenient. |
| C．Fashionable. | D．Comfortable. |
| A．shoes were often very difficult for people to wear. |
| B．all the shoe patterns made by the Greeks were the same. |
| C．the only function of footwear was to protect people's feet. |
| D．people wore the same-shaped shoes on their two feet |
| A．By providing examples. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By following the order of time. | D．By following the order of importance. |
4 . Best Cookbooks for Kids for 2019
Best Overall: Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat !)
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Walmart
With the help of this best-selling cookbook, your kids will become masters in the kitchen! Cooking Class:57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make （and Eat! ） is ideal for children aged 6 to 12, as it includes detailed explanations of basic cooking techniques, plus more than 50 kid-friendly recipes. This award-winning cookbook is a comprehensive guide for cooking novices, explaining skills and recipes in kid-friendly language.
Best for Learning Basics: Better Homes and Gardens New. Junior Cookbook
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Buy on Walmart
If you want to teach your kids cooking terms, tools and techniques, you need the Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook. This 128-page cookbook has more than 65 kid-friendly recipes, and it's perfect for introducing kids aged 5 to 12 to the wonderful world of cooking. It includes a detailed section on cooking terms, kitchen safety, tools （including pictures）, and healthy cooking. It also addresses how to measure ingredients and how to read recipes.
Best Classic: Betty Crocker’s Cook book for Boys and Girls
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Buy on Target
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The first edition of this classic kids' cookbook was published more than 60 years ago, and the Betty Crocker's Cookbook for Boys and Girls is still a favorite for kids and adults alike. The recipes are ideal for children aged 8 to 12. This cookbook is an authentic reproduction of the original 1957 edition, which many baby boomers learned from themselves! Many older buyers write that they had the same cookbook growing up and love sharing the classic recipes with the next generation.
Best Vegetarian: The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids
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This vegan cookbook is best for children aged 6 to 12, and its aim is to teach kids about healthy eating by involving them in the cooking process. The book features 60 plant-based recipes for you to make with your family, including meals, snacks, drinks and desserts.
1. Which cookbook can be purchased on Target?| A．Best Overall. | B．Best for Learning Basics. |
| C．Best Classic. | D．Best Vegetarian. |
| A．It is an award-winning cookbook. |
| B．It teaches the kids about kitchen safety. |
| C．It includes 60 plant-based recipes. |
| D．It was published more than 60 years ago. |
| A．They are both designed for kids. |
| B．They have recipes based on plants. |
| C．They have recipes for whatever you want. |
| D．They explain how to measure ingredients. |
5 . Do you live in a city? You’ve probably noticed how noisy and crowded life in a city can be. What if you could live next to a calm lake instead?
As it turns out, living near bodies of water – lakes, rivers, ponds, even oceans – can help us feel both happier and healthier. Those who live less than a kilometer from the coast are around 22 percent less likely to have mental health problems than those who live 50 kilometers or more away, according to a study by researchers from the University of Exeter, UK. People who visit the coast at least twice a week tend to experience better general and mental health as well.
So how does “blue space” make us feel better? For one thing, aquatic environments tend to have less pollution and more sunlight, both of which are linked to better mental and physical health. People who get more sun tend to be happier than those who do not.
There’s also the air above the sea. After spending time near the ocean, you might find that you feel more relaxed than usual. This is because sea air is filled with negative ions（负离子）. These ions balance our levels of serotonin（血清素）, a chemical that affects our moods. With balanced serotonin levels, we feel more calm and relaxed, according to Daily Mail.
Finally, people who live near water tend to be more physically active, according to the Guardian. Water sports like swimming and rowing can help us stay in shape, which in turn keeps us healthy.
1. What did the researchers from the University of Exeter find?| A．Living near water can improve our mental health. |
| B．An increasing number of people don’t like living in cities. |
| C．Living near water has more advantages than living in cities. |
| D．People with mental health problems mainly come from cities. |
| A．natural |
| B．outdoor |
| C．oceanic |
| D．clean |
| A．They are chemicals in our bodies. |
| B．They can only be found in sea air. |
| C．They can help people reduce stress. |
| D．They increase serotonin in our bodies. |
| A．Health. |
| B．Travel. |
| C．Environment. |
| D．Entertainment. |
6 . African swine fever has wiped out a third of China's pig population. Now government officials are discussing dramatic steps to stabilize the world’s largest pork market. Pork is a huge deal in China. The country is home to half of all the pigs on the planet .The meat is a staple of the Chinese diet, which means its scarcity could damage China's social stability. The outbreak of swine fever also threatens the global pork supply chain.
While Chinese authorities have already made plans to support the pig farms and families who may struggle with soaring prices, they re stepping up efforts to deal with the crisis.
The price sellers pay for pork has risen nearly 70% in the last year. And the average price that distributors pay suppliers was up 90% in the last week of August compared to a year ago, according to government data. Analysts say prices could yet go even higher.
The government on Wednesday announced more measures to encourage pig farmers and producers to breed more baby pigs. But they may need to go even further to fill the gap. Authorities have promised to release the government's emergency reserves of frozen pig meat if necessary. Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said last week that the agency will “closely monitor market developments” before it makes such a decision.
It's difficult to overstate the scale of the problem. As of July, China had lost more than 100 million pigs in the last year, according to the data released Tuesday by the country’s agricultural ministry. Part of the problem is that farmers aren’t refilling their pig farms after the sick animals die, according to China’s agricultural ministry. That has pressured Chinese authorities to explore ways to encourage farmers and producers to breed more baby pigs. The finance and agricultural ministries on Wednesday asked local governments to free up money that could be used for artificial insemination (人工授精) technology.
The ministries also called on local officials to accelerate the distribution of subsidies (补贴) to farms where pigs have been killed because of sickness. And the Beijing government plans to increase loan support and insurance coverage for pig producers nationwide.
1. What is the possible consequence of the reduction in China’s pig population?| A．A lack of diversity of meat. |
| B．Dramatic drop in the pork price. |
| C．Instability of the Chinese society. |
| D．The boom of global pork supply chain. |
| A．To release the emergency reserves of fresh meat. |
| B．To fund artificial insemination technology. |
| C．To offer free loan support to pig farmers. |
| D．To limit the pork price at the market. |
| A．China has lost a large majority of its pigs. |
| B．The swine problem is not that serious at present. |
| C．Farmers are unwilling to raise more pigs for fear of further loss. |
| D．The problem can surely be solved by future technological advance. |
| A．Swine fever threatened the pork supply in the world. |
| B．China makes efforts to solve the swine problem. |
| C．China is home to half of all the pigs on the planet. |
| D．Chinese authorities encourage farmers to breed more baby pigs. |
7 . Finding a suitable name for a baby is a big deal in China.When picking out a Chinese name,parents usually select two or three characters that have a carefully thought out meaning, but when deciding on an English name, many of them struggle.That's where Jessup and her company, Special Name,come in. In the last few years, Jessup has helped name 677,900 Chinese babies, and earned over $400,000 in the process, more than enough to pay her college fees.
Jessup came up with the idea for Special Name in 2015,after accompanying her father on a business trip to China.One of her dad's business partners,a Mrs.Wang, asked her to help choose an English name for her daughter.Jessup felt honored and quickly realized the importance of choosing a proper name in Chinese culture.The woman wanted people to be surprised by the things her daughter could achieve,so Jessup suggested the name"Eliza"after the character Eliza Doolittle from the play Pygmalion.Mrs.Wang seemed delighted with Jessup's choice."If Mrs.Wang needed this service,maybe other parents would as well,"Jessup thought.
After returning to UK,Jessup borrowed ￡1,500 from her parents and paid a web designer to build a website,She then spent her free time filling up a database(数据库)with around 4,000 English names,associating them with five major personality characteristics,like honesty and optimism.
In the beginning, Jessup offered the service for free to promote the website,but later,she started charging fees.The business is almost completely self-sufficient,requiring only a small team in China that manages technical operations.She updates the database each month,allowing her to focus full-time on studies.
1. What's the purpose of Special Name?| A．To help Chinese teens go abroad. |
| B．To strengthen children's personalities. |
| C．To pick an English name for a Chinese baby. |
| D．To make a deal with Chinese parents. |
| A．A suggestion from a business partner. | B．Her interest in Chinese culture. |
| C．A Chinese mother's request. | D．A character from a play. |
| A．A woman with achievements. | B．A famous actress. |
| C．A successful businesswoman. | D．A western culture expert. |
| A．It offers free service. | B．It's updated every day. |
| C．It's operated completely by itself. | D．It is easy to manage. |
8 . Smart Home Products for Living a Connected Life
What makes something a smart home product? Generally, it’s defined by its ability to connect to a Wi-Fi network, allowing users to interact（互动）with it from their smartphones.We’ve rounded up some cool, diverse offerings that you’ll love to have in your home.
Nest Cam IQ
walmart.com
$299.00
The Nest Cam IQ is a beautifully designed home security camera that can recognize faces. It can warn you if there’s a stranger in your home. The device also supports two-way communication via built-in microphones and a powerful speaker.
Logitech Harmony Elite
amazon.com
$249.99
The Logitech Harmony Elite is one of the best universal remote controls available on the market. It can control just about every piece of electronics you own（it supports over 270，000 devices！）in every room of your house or apartment, including TVs，streaming devices, and sound systems.
Apple HomePod
bhphotovideo.com
$349.00
The Apple HomePod has better audio quality than any other smart speaker available today. Available in white or space gray, the Siri-powered device also allows you to control a number of devices with your voice.
August Smart Lock Pro
amazon.com
$279.99
The August Smart Lock Pro is compatible（兼容的）with most locks. A mobile app allows you to manage access to the lock, check its usage history, and get informed when someone opens the door. You can control it and check on the state of your door with voice commands.
1. What can the Nest Cam IQ help you do？| A．Properly use your smartphone camera |
| B．Control electronics with your voice. |
| C．Check the locks of your house. |
| D．Keep your home safe. |
| A．Nest Cam IQ. |
| B．Apple HomePod. |
| C．August Smart Lock Pro. |
| D．Logitech Harmony Elite. |
| A．Technology. |
| B．News. |
| C．Society. |
| D．Education. |
9 . When I’m in Italy, I generally only eat Italian food. I doubt whether there’s another country in Europe that has food that can keep me coming back for more.
To eat well in Italy, finding the right restaurant is essential. I appreciate personality-driven restaurants, run by people keen(热衷的) to share their love of good cooking, and places serving family recipes. Signs of a good restaurant include a low-rent location, lots of locals, and a small, handwritten menu in one language. The menu is small because they’re only selling everything they’re cooking; it’s handwritten because it’s shaped by what is fresh today in the market; and it’s in one language because they mostly serve locals.
For a fast and cheap lunch, I look for Italian food in corner delis (熟食店): either a rosticceria, specializing in roasted meats and antipasti(开胃食物), or a hot table bar — a cafeteria offering a buffet of meat and vegetables. Another option is to drop by a neighborhood grocery store to pick up some cold cuts, cheeses, and other foods for a picnic.
Italians tend to spend a long time on each course, and dinner is the evening’s entertainment. For example, when you have a full-blown Italian dinner in a restaurant, you don’t get out until midnight; a three-hour meal is common. Waiters often provide lots of drinks that seem designed to keep you from leaving. When you want the bill, you’ll have to ask for it. To “eat and run” is seen as a lost opportunity.
A couple of years ago, I sat down at my favorite place in Verona, Enoteca Can Grande, with my friend and guide Franklin. We let the chef, Giuliano bring us whatever he wanted. Just after the antipasti arrived, Franklin’s wife phoned him and said, “Don’t eat too much cheese or dessert.” Later Franklin, who was not thin, surveyed our table. Sighing, he said, “The foods are so plentiful but I can eat few.”
“That’s a pity,” I said.
I enjoyed the food for three hours and he watched me eating for three hours. Eating in Verona was really an amazing experience.
1. What does the author want to show in Paragraph 1?| A．He doesn’t have many food choices in Italy. |
| B．Italian food is the best all over Europe. |
| C．He has a great tooth for Italian food. |
| D．He doesn’t like trying foreign food. |
| A．At a restaurant at a high-rent location. |
| B．At a restaurant that locals visit frequently. |
| C．At a place where waiters don’t just speak Italian. |
| D．At a place which provides various food. |
| A．Ways to eat simply and cheaply in Italy. |
| B．Ways to prepare simple food in Italy. |
| C．Places to have a picnic in Italy. |
| D．Nice places to eat in Italy. |
| A．They like ordering lots of drinks. |
| B．They don’t consider it fun. |
| C．They usually spend much time on dinner. |
| D．They don’t like ordering much food. |
Monster Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world, covering more than 15 km squares. It is home to more than 50 species of rare and native animals. The zoo is located 70 km from the city New South Australia.
Monster zoo was founded in 1983 as a breeding area (繁殖区). Officially open to the public in October 1993, Monster Zoo is now home to more than 500 animals.
Opening HoursMonster zoo is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm with last entry at 3:00 pm. The zoo is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day and all public holidays. The exception to this is if the forecast temperature for Monster Zoo is 40 degrees or above, it will be closed.
To get the most out of your visit we recommend setting aside a minimum of four to five hours to fully enjoy the Monster zoo.
TicketsChild (4-14 years old) : AU $28.50
Adult (15 years old and over) : AU $ 51.75
Family / Mini Group: AU $132.75
Meet the KeeperMonster zoo offers various daily zoo keeper talks and animal feeds that give guests the chance to interact (互动) with our friendly workers and learn about the zoo’s unique residents.
Looking for a more unique animal experience? Consider booking a Behind the Scenes Animal Experience to come face to face with some of our special animal residents.
CaféKetabi Café is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm daily and offers a variety of tasty treats, small snacks and hot meals.
PicnicsFor those who prefer to bring their own meals, special picnic areas are available close to the Visitor Center. Please note that due to fire risk, the zoo does not allow for the use of BBQs.
1. What can we learn about the zoo from the text?| A．It is the largest zoo in the world. |
| B．It is open daily all year except Christmas Day. |
| C．It is open to the public ten years after it was founded. |
| D．It is home to 500 species of animals. |
| A．AU $155.25. | B．AU $108.75. |
| C．AU $85.25. | D．AU $132.75. |
| A．A health newspaper. | B．An animal book. |
| C．A travel website. | D．A fashion magazine. |
