1 . When you choose a higher education course, here are some tips for you to follow.

Choosing your course

There are a range of subjects and courses available. Many are work-related; others are academic. You’ll need to look beyond the course title because courses with almost the same name may differ enormously. For example, if you’re interested in construction but wish to use your creative skills, you may be better suited to a building design management course than a building project management course.

Style of learning

Think about the style of learning that best suits you. It’s important to study a subject that you particularly enjoy, but if you want to follow a career in a different area, you may consider taking the subjects you want to learn and joining them into one degree. Many degree courses are made up of different subject modules which deal with particular areas of interest.

Choosing where to study

Where you study can be almost as important as what you study. One thing to consider is whether you want to live at home or move away. For some people, living at home offers the best of both worlds, but it may make sense to move if you want to study a particular course at a specific university or college. Many students value the experience of living on campus or in a different part of the country as an important part of university life.

Finding out more about courses

Once you’ve got a list of courses that appeal to you, it’s worth looking at some other sources of information about them, like independent reports. These provide information on the numbers of students who finished the course, student satisfaction and more.

Open days

Open days usually take place in spring or autumn. Although you may have an idea about what a course is like, there’s no substitute（替代）for attending a class yourself. If you can’t come on the open days, you can sign up for a guided tour instead.

1. You need to look beyond the course title because courses with similar names may be ______.

A．creativity-focused	B．work-related
C．far different	D．quite similar

2. What are you advised to do if your interest disagrees with your future career?

A．Add preferred subjects to your degree courses.

B．Choose the subjects based on your interest.

C．Earn different degrees.

D．Give up your interest.

3. What do we learn about from Para. 4?

A．Disadvantages of studying on campus.

B．Reasons for choosing where to study.

C．Importance of attending a nearby college.

D．Problems of going to a faraway university.

4. Why is it recommended to check independent reports?

A．To increase applicants’ interest.

B．To better understand a course.

C．To figure out how to complete a course.

D．To find out how different the courses are.

5. On the open days, would-be college students can ______.

A．sign up for a particular course

B．take a guided tour on the campus

C．see whether there is a substitute course

D．have a first-hand experience of a course

2 . Many of the Earth's creatures die because of humans' choices. These choices have nothing to do with food or shelter or anything else that helps humans survive. What kills millions of animals all over the world is that humans want to make money by doing so.

People use parts of animals for everything from hats to handbags, from jewelry to ashtrays and to make powders that supposedly improve a person's life. Deciding that a species is endangered and protecting it by law are not always enough. People who kill wildlife illegally rarely get caught.

During the late 1980s, saving elephants became a popular cause. Wildlife protection groups made sure everyone saw pictures or films of elephants with their faces cut off for their ivory. These groups also proved that certain populations of elephants were decreasing. As a result, most people stopped buying objects made of ivory. Laws against poaching (偷猎) were made stronger. Many countries made importing ivory illegal. Killing elephants for their Ivory became more risky and less profitable (有利可图的).

However, concern for certain species will become weak after a while. In the late 1970s, people protested (抗议) against the killing of seal babies. Everyone was shocked to see young seals being killed in their icy habitat. The cruel activity stopped. But ten years later, the number of seal babies killed was higher than ever.

Other animal protection movements have come and gone, such as saving the whales and protecting dolphins. The whale population appears to have increased for now. And the laws are finally changed in America to protect the dolphins that swim with tuna fish in parts of the Pacific Ocean.

In the years to come, people's attention will probably turn to some other endangered species. Plenty of them urgently need attention. During this time, will the elephants be forgotten?

1. What leads to the disappearance of millions of wild animals?

A．The growing human population.

B．Humans’ hope for making a fortune.

C．Humans’ too much need for wild food.

D．Not having enough laws on wildlife protection..

2. What can you infer from the text about what happened in the late 1980s?

A．Wildlife protection groups did make great efforts.

B．Importing ivory in all countries is illegal.

C．Those who killed elephants all got caught.

D．Hunting was completely not allowed.

3. Why are seal babies mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To show the effort to protect seal babies.

B．To show an increasing number of seal babies.

C．To show the decrease of worry about certain species.

D．To show people’s protest against the killing of seal babies.

4. What does the author mean by using the underlined sentence?

A．Humans should choose some rare animals to protect.

B．Attention must be paid to saving some endangered wildlife.

C．Success has been achieved in quite a few cases of wildlife protection.

D．Concern and movements for animal protection should be always kept.

3 . Christmas Day is for eating，drinking，watching bad TV－and trying to cover up your embarrassment as you realize your husband’s aunt Maud has spent her pension on your present while you bought her a set of Christmas cards.

Present­buying can be a minefield: from how much to spend，to whether to risk surprising receivers with a gift they don’t want, to knowing if you should buy your neighbor you only say hello to a little something.

Here, FEMAIL has asked experts for their top tips on how to select present to ensure the only thing that’s red this Christmas is Santa Claus’ nose.

“If you’ve just started seeing someone you don’t need to spend a fortune” says dating advisor James Preece.

“It’s much better to impress them with your imagination by choosing a gift that’s a little bit different.￡20 is about the right amount, with a maximum of ￡50 if you can afford it.”

“Or you don’t even need to go that far”, says relationship expert and founder of BeLoveCurious.com, Helen Rice.“Plan to spend a romantic evening together or have a fun day out.Feel free to give the person you’re dating something thoughtful, just don’t spend a lot of money.”

“If you’re in a long­term relationship then your budget really reflects on your personal situation,”adds James.“You don’t need to go craze, but it’s a great opportunity to show you love and appreciate them.”

“It’s also best to buy a few cheaper presents rather than big one.Part of the fun is the mystery and unwrapping,so it will last longer if you give them several to enjoy.”

1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph in this article?

A．To arrest the attention of readers.	B．To criticize greed of mean couples.
C．To describe traditional customs of Christmas Day.	D．To express sympathies for embarrassed senior citizens.

2. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 imply?

A．To accumulate red symbols for Christmas atmosphere.

B．To calculate how much paint they need to decorate the house.

C．To surprise their friends with their delicate intention.

D．To avoid unnecessary embarrassment when sending gifts.

3. Which statement does James Preece agree?

A．Only rare treasures can move a stone heart.	B．Diamonds are girls’ best friends.
C．Curiosity to gifts adds to fun.	D．True friends need nothing but trust.

4. Who are the target readers of this article?

A．Those who cannot afford expensive eating.

B．Those who want to fix their broken friendship.

C．Those who have trouble in picking proper gifts.

D．Those who have once quarreled with their neighbors.

4 . There was a gardener who looked after his garden with great care. To water his flowers，he used two buckets(水桶).One was a shiny and new bucket. The other was a very old and dilapidated one，which had seen many years of service，but was now past its best.

Every morning，the gardener would fill up the two buckets. Then he would carry them along the path，one on each side，to the flowerbeds. The new bucket was very proud of itself. It could carry a full bucket of water without a single drop spilled. The old bucket felt very ashamed(惭愧的)because of its holes: before it reached the flowerbeds，much water had leaked(渗漏)along the path.

Sometimes the new bucket would say，"See how capable I am! How good it is that the gardener has me water the flowers every day! I don’t know why he still uses you. What a waste of space you are!"

And all that the old bucket could say was，"I know I am not very useful，but I can only do my best. I am happy that the gardener still finds a little bit of use in me ，at least.’’

One day，the gardener heard that kind of conversation. After watering the flowers as usual，he said，"You both have done your work very well. Now I am going to carry you back，and I want you to look carefully along the path."

Then the two buckets did so. All along the path, they noticed，on the side where the new bucket was carried，there was just bare earth；on the other side where the old bucket was carried，there was a joyous row of wild flowers，leading all the way to the garden.

1. What was the old bucket ashamed of?

A．Its   past.

B．Its aging.

C．Its   manner.

D．Its leaking.

2. What does the underlined word "dilapidated" probably mean?

A．Dirty.

B．Dark.

C．Worn out.

D．Ordinary-looking.

3. The new bucket made conversations with the old one mainly to________.

A．take pity on the old one	B．laugh at the old one
C．show off its good look	D．praise the gardener's kindness

4. Why was the old bucket still kept by the gardener?

A．Because it was used to keep a balance.

B．Because it stayed in its best condition.

C．Because it had its own advantage.

D．Because it was thought of as a treasure.

5 . 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

2. Losers would think that ______.

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

3. It can be inferred from paragraph 5 that ______.

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

4. The last paragraph serves as ______.

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

5. Which is the best title for the text?

A．The secrets of success．	B．Success is a choice．
C．Develop our confidence．	D．How to achieve success．

6 . The Top 4 Beaches on the East Coast

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Great point, at the easternmost end of the island of Nantucket, is one of the most secret beaches in the world. That's because you need a four﹣wheel drive vehicle and a beach permit to get there. Once you do, you'll find miles of beachfront and a historic lighthouse.

Block Island, Rhode Island

Accessible by ferry, Block Island oozes New England charm. It's worth the effort to get to Mohegan Bluffs, where you can experience a set of 141 wooden steps leading down to the sand. With clay cliffs and a view that reaches Montauk at the eastern tip of Long Island, this beach is especially unique.

East Hampton, New York

Named the best beach in the county in 2013, Main Beach in East Hampton is known for its wide stretch of sand plus a snack bar, bathrooms, and lockers. On﹣site parking is only available to village residents but there are free beach shuttles available.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Located off the coast of Georgia, this 5, 700﹣acre barrier island is famous for its nesting sea turtles and hermit crabs. Glory Beach got its name because producers of the 1989 movie Glory, featuring Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington, built a long boardwalk to the beach that remains in place.

1. Which has one of the most private beaches in the world?

A．Jekyll Island, Georgia.

B．Block Island, Rhode Island.

C．Nantucket, Massachusetts.

D．East Hampton, New York.

2. What may attract the visitors to go to Mohegan Bluffs?

A．Climbing the clay cliffs.

B．Experiencing the warm sand.

C．Admiring the scenery of Montauk.

D．Walking along a set of 141 wooden steps.

3. What can we learn about Jekyll Island according to the passage?

A．Jekyll Island is famous for its nesting sea fishes and hermit crabs.

B．Jekyll Island is located on the east coast of the United States.

C．There is a wide boardwalk to Glory Beach on Jekyll Island.

D．Glory Beach is named after the producers of the movie Glory.

7 . Foods of the Future

We asked young scientists to write an advertisement that answers this question: How will food options, food availability, and individuals’ food choices change in the future? A selection of their suggested marketing campaigns is below. Read previous NextGen Voices survey results at http://science.sciencemag.org/collection/nextgen-voices. — Jennifer Sills

Personalized Meal Plans

Send us your DNA, and we will predict your food preferences! Receive your personalized food basket, with a day-by-day diet program. We will send you full meals and personalized smoothies (水果奶昔) based on your genetic taste tendency.

Ada Gabriela Blidner

Twitter:@adagbb

Fresh Fruit

If you miss sweet temperate fruits, welcome to our Moon Farm. Our fruit trees are planted in hybrid-soil and artificial air that reproduce Earth’s environment from 5000 years ago. Pick fruits with your family or ship to your doorstep with MoonEx. Freshness guaranteed.

Yongsheng Ji

Email: jiyongshengkey@hotmail.com

Meat

Our steaks are sourced from natural grasslands, where cattle now fill the ecological roles. With FoodFootprint feeding system, we enhance natural grazing (放牧) to improve animal growth effectively while minimizing methane production and water consumption. At only $219.00/kg (including carbon taxes and ecological taxes), our steaks are affordable for the whole family.

Falko Buschke

Email: falko. buschke@gmail. com

1. Which of the following needs you to provide the information of your genes?

A．Meat.	B．Fresh Fruit.
C．NextGen Voices.	D．Personalized Meal Plans.

2. Who should you contact if you want to have fun with your family?

A．Jennifer Sills.	B．Yongsheng Ji.
C．Falko Buschke.	D．Ada Gabriela Blidner.

3. Which of the following best describes the steaks in Meat?

A．Fresh.	B．Green.
C．Expensive.	D．Personalized.

8 . 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.

2. What can we learn about Samson when he was little?

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.

3. Which of the following can best describe Samson?

A．Friendly and courageous.	B．Intelligent and lively.
C．Carefree and creative.	D．Patient and fortunate.

4. What does the underlined word“renowned”in Paragraph 5 probably refer to?

A．Strange.	B．Proud.
C．Humorous.	D．Famous.

9 . When I was reading a post about taking someone to the movies, something happened a couple of years ago suddenly hit me.

I used to drink Cokes and they had a competition where there was a code inside the bottle cap. You might win something so long as you went to a website and entered the code. I won some free Cokes. But what astonished and delighted me was the Grand Prize I won then.

The Grand Prize was free movies for a year. They pointed out that one movie a week was what free movies for a year meant. All of the tickets were valid(有效的)for one year from the day I received them. So I must use them in the following year. 1 used quite a few taking friends to movies we all wanted to see.

Then I donated 20 tickets(all I had left by that time)to the local Women's Transition House. Women and children could go there when they want to avoid a bad situation in general and get help to make a new start. It was the best thing I did with the tickets.

My workplace team had decided to help people in need, so we collected donations for that particular New Year's Day. I knew that the Women's Transition House provided some childcare for the women so they could go for job interviews and things like that.

I put those tickets in a box and wrote a note on the outside. And I asked the Women's Transition House staff to give movie tickets to women there over the holidays to have some fun to do, with or without their children, which made me really happy.

1. How did the author get the tickets?

A．By visiting a website by chance.	B．By reading a post.
C．By getting a code from a website.	D．By winning the prize for drinking Cokes.

2. How many tickets did the author donate?

A．10.

B．20.

C．30.

D．40.

3. Which of the following best describe the author?

A．Lucky and caring.	B．Strict and careful.
C．Responsible and patient.	D．Brave and kind.

4. Which of the following proverb can best explain the main idea of this article?

A．Actions speak louder than words.	B．Good luck favors those who are always ready.
C．The roses in their hands, the flavor in mine.	D．God helps those who help themselves.

10 . 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

2. What can we learn about the Waters of San Francisco Bay？

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.

3. What is the author's purpose in writing the text？

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.