1 . From now on, never spend your precious time thinking of reasons for your failures and shortcomings. Instead, realize that the seeds of success were planted within you when you were born. Only you have the power to make those seeds grow.
The seeds, and the power to grow them, are contained in the most awesome machine ever created：the human mind. Success is a choice and not a chance. You were born a winner. You were born rich. You can be a success if only you make the right choice.
You cannot be successful without first developing your self-esteem. Your level of self-esteem is always based on the degree of control that you are able to exercise over yourself, and thus over your life. People with low self-esteem are people who do not believe that they have any power, or responsibility for their lives. They are the perennial（长期的）victims and martyrs. They are leaves tossed（摇摆）by the winds of chance blown about with any sudden change in the weather.
You can exercise control over your life only to the degree that you believe that you are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Failures think that everything happens by accident and chance. Successful people realize that they are responsible.
Everything happens as a result of something. If we can identify the cause, we can control the effect. We are responsible for what we choose to think and believe. One generally rises to the level that one expects. We are responsible for setting our expectations. Our success is dependent upon our level of confidence.
If you associate with positive-thinking people, you are definitely going to achieve success. On the contrary, the opposite happens. We are responsible for finding, planting, and nurturing the seeds that contain future victory, born from setbacks.
In short, in all areas of your life, whether they be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are responsible. Once you recognize this, accept it, and firmly believe it, you are on the road to success.
1. People with low self-esteem are compared to leaves because they ______.| A．are ready to change their minds | B．are easily affected by windy weather |
| C．don't have the power to face their fate | D．can't exercise control over themselves |
| A．success is the result of hard work | B．working hard will lead to success |
| C．their failure is only because of bad luck | D．they don't make efforts to succeed |
| A．whether we will succeed depends on our attitudes |
| B．one’s expectation is the key to future success |
| C．thoughts and beliefs are the result of creative mind |
| D．setting our expectations is essential before taking action |
| A．the proof of the author's points | B．the conclusion of the argument |
| C．an introduction to another topic | D．a comparison between two views |
| A．The secrets of success． | B．Success is a choice． |
| C．Develop our confidence． | D．How to achieve success． |
2 . When the young donkey Daisy May came to us，she was pregnant. With no donkey experience. I was unprepared for what might come next.
After some difficulty，Daisy’s baby was born. I thought the poor thing was dead. I planned to put the loss behind us and make sure she never got pregnant again. Just then，I heard a little noise. I couldn’t believe that baby was breathing and looking at me!We called him Samson，and of course I became his mother as much as Daisy was.
When Samson was nine months old，I had to separate Daisy and Samson for a few hours a day to wean(使断奶)him，but otherwise he went wherever she did. I think she would be lost without him. His donkey stepdad Bernard taught him to always be ready to have fun. They enjoy playing football together and going for a roll on a hot summer day.
I asked a worker to make a harness(马具)for my three little donkeys. When I brought it home I taught them one by one how to pull a cart. Samson watched and freely followed Daisy. When he was three，I put the harnness on him and he knew exactly what to do.
That was 15 years ago. Now，the most exciting thing about Samson is that he has become a little renowned. People come from all over to see him perform. The neighbors bring their grandchildren，and my sons bring their friends.
Samson shakes hands，unties my shoe，picks up a hat and more. And when I ask him if he has any bad habits，he tries to pick my pocket!He surprisingly learned these tricks himself. I just ask him to do them and he understands.
The relationship I have with my“baby”Samson has been an amazing experience. Every day is a fun day with this superstar donkey.
1. Why was the author at a loss for what might happen next at first?| A．She wasn’t ready to be a mother. |
| B．She never raised a donkey before. |
| C．The donkey was pregnant by accident. |
| D．The donkey gave birth to a dead baby. |
| A．He was surrounded by love. |
| B．He was separated from his family. |
| C．He was unwelcome to the neighbors. |
| D．He was skilled in entertaining people. |
| A．Friendly and courageous. | B．Intelligent and lively. |
| C．Carefree and creative. | D．Patient and fortunate. |
| A．Strange. | B．Proud. |
| C．Humorous. | D．Famous. |
3 . The city of San Francisco is a wonderful tourist attraction that offers many different things to see and do. The best way for a traveler to get a good look at the city is to take one of the many different tours there.
Tour the City on Foot
When touring the city by walking, you aren't going to walk much. What's more, there are far more benefits. This kind of tour allows you to see as many buildings of the city as possible. A tour of the city on foot usually focuses on a more localized neighborhood level, which can be very interesting in a number of different ways.
Hit the Waters of San Francisco Bay
The waters of San Francisco Bay have played an important role in the city's development over the last century. Touring San Francisco from the water is a completely unique way for you to see this wonderful city.
Take a Bus Tour
If you want to see a wide variety of attractions from all over the city, one of the best things you could do is to book a tour through our company that offers services here. A bus tour of San Francisco is one of the most complete ways to experience the city.
Tour San Francisco From the Air
While it is one of the most expensive ways to see San Francisco, touring the city from the air is one of the most unique and thrilling ways to see the city. Seeing the city from high above allows you to get a full view of the city as tour guides point out attractions from high above. If you do decide to tour San Francisco by air. you'll be creating memories that you won't forget forever.
We are a travel agency providing high-quality services and discounts. For more information, please click here.
1. How should you tour San Francisco to appreciate its buildings？| A．By air | B．By bus |
| C．On foot | D．By boat |
| A．They have high quality sea water. |
| B．They are explored on a localized level. |
| C．They were not in use until the last century. |
| D．They have helped the city to develop further. |
| A．To introduce San Francisco. |
| B．To advertise for a travel agency. |
| C．To show what to do in San Francisco. |
| D．To persuade people to visit San Francisco. |
4 . Good Schools to Learn English
Atlanta English Institute (AEI)
It is designed for academically oriented, non-native speaking adults from beginners levels to those seeking mastery. Each program in the school is specially designed for our students and based on their current English levels and their goals. a student may register anytime, not merely at the beginning of a course. But at the middle of the course, registration time depends on the availability of space in the classrooms.
Atlanta International Language Institute (AILI)
It provides the opportunity to learn how to read, write and speak English as a second language for those who have little knowledge of the English language. Courses include ten continuous weekly classes and the classes meet once a week for two hours. The curriculum of this language program is built for groups of three or more students who can complete the material in ten weeks.
TALK Atlanta English School (TAES)
Located in the heart of Atlanta's Midtown Center area on Peachtree Street, it opened in 2011. Atlanta is home to numerous industries, making the Midtown location perfectly suited for corporate programs. With ample covered street parking space, the school is designed in the popular Atlanta loft style and has 10 large classrooms, a large and welcoming reception area, devoted full-time teachers and staff for teenagers and adults.
Language Institute of Georgia (LIG)
It is a well-established school in Atlanta that offers English classes using Graded Reader Method. Our maximum class size is eight students. Class meets once a week for two hours for six weeks. Please check our schedule section for start dates. Refunds (退款) have to be requested within a week of the start date of the class.
1. How many hours does it take students to finish the courses at AILI?| A．Ten. | B．Twelve. | C．Twenty. | D．Twenty-four. |
| A．The limited courses there. | B．The location of its reception area. |
| C．The deadline for a refund demand. | D．The requested levels of the students. |
| A．They are located in the same city. | B．They all use Graded Reader Method. |
| C．They have the same registration time. | D．They are all intended for adult learners. |
5 . Inventors are always at work, dreaming up new technologies. Some inventions help us solve problems. Others make life easier, or more fun. Here, TFK(Time for Kids) presents 3 of our favorite inventions. See how they make us live a better life.
Stopping Sickness
Christine Schindler is an engineer. She wanted to help stop the spread of foodborne illnesses. So she created PATHSPOT. It uses light to scan a person’s hands for harmful germs. Restaurant employees hold their hands beneath the scanner. Then the scanner judges whether they must be rewashed. About 100 locations have started using the product since it launched in May.
Talking Eyes
For people who are blind or have other visual problems, the ORCAM MYEYE 2 could be a game changer. It might also prove useful for people with reading difficulties. Described as “talking glasses,” this AI device can be attached to any eyeglass frame. It can identify faces. It can also read text aloud. Fitting all this power into such a small device is like “putting an elephant in a small closet,” says Amnon Shashua, the inventor of the technology. Now the device can be bought online.
Sport-safe
Research shows that playing football increases the risk of brain injury. Still, about a million kids under the age of 13 play football, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. That’s where the VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH football helmet comes in. It has thick, force-absorbing support on the front and sides, where kids are likely to take the hardest hits on the field. Players on 1,500 youth teams have worn the helmet.
1. What is the function of Pathspot?| A．Killing the germs on hands. | B．Checking if hands are clean. |
| C．Rewashing employees’ hands. | D．Stopping the reproduction of germs. |
| A．Low-noise. | B．Portable. |
| C．Single-function | D．Power-saving. |
| A．It is available to the public now. | B．It improves kids’ football skills. |
| C．It is designed for kids under 13 only. | D．Its front and sides are the hardest. |
6 . Both of my parents worked fulltime when I was a little girl，so my grandmother would stay at our house during the day. We would watch game shows in the living room. Our favorite was The Price Is Right. We would call out our answers along with the contestants.
When I got older and started going to school，we couldn’t watch our game shows regularly. That was okay with me，though，because the one thing I liked better than watching game shows with my grandmother was helping her bake cakes. Watching her in the kitchen was amazing：she never seemed to need the recipes（食谱）but everything she made tasted delicious.
At first I would just sit in the kitchen and watch，even though I didn’t understand what she was doing. As I got older，she let me help with the easy parts，such as measuring the sugar. The day she let me separate the eggs，I felt like I had found complete pleasure.
At last，my parents decided that I could take care of myself，and my grandmother stopped coming over every day. The love of baking，however，stayed with me. I started baking by myself，and even if the cookies ended up burnt sometimes，more often they turned out pretty well. I tried out new recipes，and whenever I got to a thorny part，I would call my grandmother for advice. Sometimes I would call her just to talk too. I felt like I could talk to her about anything.
My grandmother passed away ten years ago，but I still think of her every day. Last week，I found a recipe book she made for me. It included her recipes for brownies，cookies，and my favorite，lemon pie. As I looked through the pages，I thought I could hear her voice. She was the one who taught me not just about baking，but about life.
1. The passage is mainly developed by .| A．analyzing causes | B．making comparisons |
| C．following the time order | D．examining differences |
| A．found it interesting | B．turned out to be a troublemaker |
| C．hoped to make a living by baking | D．regretted missing the game shows |
| A．Basic. | B．Common. |
| C．Special. | D．Difficult. |
| A．To describe her childhood memories. | B．To show her good baking skills. |
| C．To remember her grandmother. | D．To talk about her happy family life. |
7 . New York's best classes for after-school kids include sports classes, performing arts classes, art classes and language programs. Make sure your kids are ready for new adventures with these super-cool offerings!
92nd Street Y Classes
At this institution your musicians can learn how to play instruments. After-school classes examine different musical pieces and encourage teamwork in a group setting. At the end of the program, mini Mozarts can impress their family and friends at open-house concerts. Plus, when they're not jamming, kids can take advantage of homework help in the Clubhouse, where they are divided up by grade level. Ages 5-15.
The Cliffs at LIC
After a day of fighting academic courses at school, your favorite achievers can reach heights on a rock-climbing wall. The Cliffs' offerings allow developing bodies to build muscle strength. For example, introductory sessions teach climbers how to safely tie knots (结) as well as other basics, mastering them with hands-on games and activities. The Cliffs at LIC, Long Island City. Ages 6-18.
Staten Island Skating Pavilion
This large area maintains (维持) its year-round frosty temperatures for ice-skating fun. Courses are offered every day for a variety of interests and skill levels, and public and freestyle sessions are available to children who want to spend some afternoons there without instruction. Ages 4-15.
West Side YMCA
If your children want to learn how to swim, you'd be hard-pressed to find more options than those offered here. Kids are grouped by age and ability. The courses cover personal safety and swimming techniques. If your children prefer dry land，the West Side YMCA also offers dance, basketball and football. Visit our website for class descriptions and price information. Ages 5-18.
1. Which of the following offers homework help?| A．The Cliffs at LIC. | B．West Side YMCA. |
| C．92nd Street Y Classes. | D．Staten Island Skating Pavilion. |
| A．Learn basic climbing skills. | B．Enjoy skating all year around. |
| C．Try a variety of outdoor sports. | D．Start skating at the age of three. |
| A．Senior high school teachers. | B．Children around school age. |
| C．Adults looking for relaxation. | D．Parents with children of school age. |
8 . A new report has concluded that advertising managers are becoming increasingly interested in children. Studies show that children influence about 50 percent of things that families buy, so they’re an attractive target for advertisers.
John Taylor, the author of the report, says:“Advertisers can reach their target in many ways. They can, for example, show an ad many times during school holidays, they can make the TV advertisements a little louder than the programmes to attract attention, or they can sponsor programmes and show their advertisements just before the programme begins.”
Most advertisements aimed at children are short, imaginative and often in the form of animated cartoons(动画片).“Children love the ads and watch them in the same way as any entertainment programmer,”Taylor says.
There’re concerns about advertising aimed at young people. The concerns are shared by Sarah Durham, a writer and journalist specializing in media analysis. “The most worrying thing is that children don’t think carefully when they see television advertisements. They’re less critical than adults and don’t usually realise the advertisement has a persuasive message, to encourage them or their parents to spend as much money as possible on the product or service,”she says.
There’re also concerns over the vast sums of money that junk food producers spend on advertising to persuade children to buy their food products. Many advertisements, argues Durham, sell food that is a lot higher in fat, salt and sugar than healthier alternatives. “Many companies target children with offers of free toys, models of cartoon characters and gimmicky（耍花招的）packaging.”
Government approaches to controlling advertising to children vary. In Sweden, one of the strictest countries where advertising is concerned, TV advertising to children under the age of 12 is banned. Greece bans television advertisements for children’s toys between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Denmark and the Netherlands also have legal controls whereas France, Britain and Germany prefer self-regulation（自动调节）．
Some countries are not as certain as the Swedes that advertising to children is harmful. The French argue that children need to see many advertisements so that they can develop their ability to think as they grow up. The belief is that advertising will help children to be more aware of its persuasive power.
1. What does John Taylor mainly talk about in Paragraph 2?| A．Ways in which advertisers reach children. |
| B．The time children spend watching television. |
| C．Examples of successful advertising to children. |
| D．The serious problems of advertising to children. |
| A．TV ads limit children’s imagination. |
| B．TV ads affect children’s brain development. |
| C．Children lack the good sense to make decisions. |
| D．Children may spend lots of time watching television. |
| A．It’s tasty. | B．It’s cheap. |
| C．It’s unhealthy. | D．It’s readymade. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Relaxed. |
| C．Objective. | D．Unfavorable. |
9 . Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
Application:
1. Basic Documents
（1） Passport
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate.
（2） Visa Application Form and photo
One completed Visa Application Form with a recently -taken color passport photo （ bare-head, full face ） against a white background attached （ Photo Requirements for Chinese Visa Application ）
（3） Proof of legal stay or residence status （ applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship ）
If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid visa or certificate of stay，residence, employment or student status of the country where you are currently staying.
（4） Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas （ applicable to those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship ）
2. Supporting Documents
Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation relevant entity（实体） or individual. The invitation letter should contain :
a） Information on the applicant （ full name, gender, date of birth, etc. ）
b） Information on the planned visit （ purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place（s） to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures）
c） Information on the inviting entity or individual （ name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual ）
3. Application Procedure, Processing Time and Fees
Please visit Chinese Embassy/ Consulate General’s websites for more details based on your State of residence.
1. Who is this article intended for?| A．Those who want to visit China for personal issues. |
| B．Those who apply for Chinese passport recently. |
| C．Those who want to go sightseeing in China recently. |
| D．Those coming to China for commerce and trade. |
| A．Any black and white photo is OK. |
| B．The photo must be taken in color recently. |
| C．The photo must be taken on the ground. |
| D．The photo must show your full body. |
| A．An invitation letter with necessary information. |
| B．The applicant’s passport and photocopy. |
| C．The permission from the Chinese Embassy. |
| D．The financial condition of the applicant. |
10 . Female journalists who changed the world
Helen Thomas
Helen was a White House reporter who had a front row seat of history as she interviewed ten American presidents across her career. She was praised for her cruel drive, with one White House press secretary describing her questioning as torture(拷问). Her refusal to hide her strong opinions, even when asking questions to a president, made her one of the best-known journalists in Washington and a rule in her field.
Marie Colvin
The passionate and award-winning American journalist Marie Colvin worked as a foreign reporter at The Sunday Times from 1985 until she died in February 2012, while covering the Siege of Homs(霍姆斯的围攻) in Syria. Marie crossed into Syria on the back of a motorcycle, ignoring the Syrian government’s attempt to prevent foreign journalists from entering the country.
Mary Garber
In 1946, sports journalism was a man's job where female sports writers weren't allowed to enter press boxes. Mary Garber changed that by paving the way for female sports writers. She first covered high school sports and then reported on college athletics. In June 2005, she became the first woman to receive the Associated Press Sports Editors' Red Smith Award, presented annually since 1981 for major contributions to sports journalism.
Ann Leslie
Few reporters have filed stories from more than 70 countries, but British journalist Ann Leslie is considered a unique force in journalism. Because the 73-year-old woman has witnessed and reported on some of the most significant events of the late 20th century. She was there when the Berlin Wall came down, and she lost her shoes in the crush waiting for Nelson Mandela's release.
1. What do we know about Helen from Paragraph 1?| A．She made friends with ten American presidents. |
| B．She liked to make her strong opinions known. |
| C．She often got into trouble due to her questions. |
| D．She was regarded as the best journalist in America. |
| A．was a very brave woman |
| B．enjoyed riding a motorcycle |
| C．was awarded by the Syrian government |
| D．was killed by the Syrian government |
| A．Helen Thomas. | B．Marie Colvin. | C．Mary Garber. | D．Ann Leslie. |
