1 . I was new to this high school, and to the students it served. I settled into my seat at the front of the classroom. Of the thirty students, I counted just 10 in their seats. The students didn’t seem to want to be there. They sat in their chairs, staring out of the window.
The back door opened heavily. After Mike came Belinda. No apologies, no explanations. “Things will get better, ” I told myself, and began the first lesson. Perhaps because I was nervous, I ran through the material more quickly than I should have. “Wait, ” interrupted Mike. “I didn’t pay good money to come to a school where the teacher doesn’t explain things clearly.” It was forty-five minutes before class ended, but I couldn’t go any further. In all my years of teaching, I’d never had a class like this.
The next day I got to school early as usual. This time the students showed up on time, but half the students didn’t take notes. They acted as if they were sitting there to meet a requirement.
Why couldn’t I reach them?
“You try picturing them being happy and successful,” my husband advised.
The next day, I pictured each student listening, taking notes, raising their hands and learning. Then at school, my eyes moved from chair to chair. I thought about how hard they worked during the day, studying late into the night or whenever they had a spare moment.
Things started to change. During the break, Mark even volunteered to help me set up my materials. Belinda stayed focused, quietly taking notes.
At our last class Mike handed me a thank-you card signed by every student. One comment stood out: “It took me a while, but I found I enjoyed your class. Nothing could take away the joy I got from my experience. Thank you, Belinda.” My eyes were filled with tears.
1. How about the students first mentioned in the text?| A．They were cool and polite. | B．They were all promising. |
| C．They were never late for the class. | D．They were almost absent from class. |
| A．She wasn’t new to teaching. | B．She loved educated students. |
| C．She can’t explain things clearly. | D．She was given a warm welcome. |
| A．She felt heartbroken for her students’ failure. |
| B．She couldn’t tear herself away from her students. |
| C．All her efforts to teach her students paid off. |
| D．Everything about the students was unchangable. |
2 . Kids Nature and Survival Camp
Set free your kids’ imagination and spirit of adventure at this camp, as they learn about the natural environment and the important skills of survival.
Activity overview
* 44-day Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains
* Basic Survival Skills: Shelter, Water, Fire, Food
* Expert Instructors-with a minimum of 10 years of experience
* Set your own custom(定制的) camp date
Details
* The camp will run for 5 hours each day: 9 am-2 pm.
* This class is 100% hands-on and very active. Everything your kids learn, they will do—no indoor classrooms or long lectures.
* Each day will center around one of the 4 main necessities of survival: SHELTER(day 1). WATER(day 2), FIRE(day 3), and FOOD(day 4).
Dates offered
* We offer 1 public camp date each summer for ages 8-12. For 2021, that date is August 5-8(9 am-2 pm each day). To book that date for a child between the ages of 8-12, please click the REGISTER NOW link below.
* We also arrange custom/private camp dates for both kids and teens all year round.
Extra information
* 4-Day Camp: $395
* Add shuttle(班车) ride to/from downtown Santa Cruz for $160($40 per day)
* At this time we do not have shuttle service from the Silicon Valley side of the hill, but we do work to help organize carpools(拼车) from the Los Gatos/Saratoga/Campbell area each year for interested parents.
1. What will kids learn if they join the camp?| A．How to make long lectures. | B．How to survive in the wild. |
| C．How to organize a camp. | D．How to improve their imagination. |
| A．It is free for all children. | B．Children could learn it online. |
| C．It is based on practicing in person to learn. | D．Kids could hook a public camp date each spring. |
| A．Los Gatos. | B．Santa Cruz. | C．Saratoga. | D．Campbell. |
3 . When it comes to the greatest inventions of the world, China's name is sure to be mentioned several times. There are hundreds of things which were invented by the Chinese.
Alcohol
Shocked? It was because when they said alcohol I thought about either the US or the UK. China had never crossed my mind. In China, alcohol was made by two legendary persons named Yi Di and Du Kang who belonged to the Xia Dynasty. This period was about 2000 BC—1600 BC. Research says that in ancient China, beer with 4% alcoholic content was widely consumed by people.
Tea
China is the proud inventor of tea which was first drunk by Shen Nong, a Chinese emperor around 2737 BC. Tea production was rapidly developed, making tea a popular drink during the Tang and Song Dynasties.
The Mechanical Clock
Have you ever wondered what on earth we would be doing without any idea of time? A clock really is an invention without which things were incomplete. The credit of making the first mechanical clock goes to ancient China. The first mechanical clock was invented by Yi Xing in the Tang Dynasty. This was during 618 AD and 907 AD.
Silk Fabric
Silk, the favorite fabric of many girls out there, is also a Chinese invention. Although we all know that silk is made by silkworms, it was Chinese people who first invented a way to harvest the silk and then use it to make clothes. The oldest silk which has been found so far is in Henan Province and dates back to 3630 BC.
1. What can we learn from paragraph 2?| A．Beer was popular in the Xia Dynasty. | B．Yi Di and Du Kang invented alcohol. |
| C．Alcohol was first invented in the US. | D．It is well known that alcohol is a Chinese invention. |
| A．ancient Chinese inventors were wiser | B．many things in our lives are incomplete |
| C．ancient Chinese people never wasted time | D．the mechanical clock is an important invention |
| A．Silk fabric. | B．Tea. |
| C．Alcohol. | D．The mechanical clock. |
4 . Music and art festivals are fun and exciting events. If you're panning to go to a festival, it's important to plan your trip carefully to ensure that you re safe and have a good time.
■Bring clothes to keep warm or cool
In addition to your fun festival clothing, pack a raincoat, some light tank tops, and a sweater or sweatshirt. Don't forget longer pants for cool evenings or bad weather. In general, it's best to leave your umbrella at home because they can be dangerous in large crowds.
■Get a cheap tent and sleeping bag for multi - day festivals
A majority of people end up throwing their tent away after long festivals, since they normally break from the use. Pick up a less expensive tent with enough room for you and your friends and pack a comfortable seeping bag for yourself, 1f you don't want to camp at the festival, remember to book an AirBnb or a hotel room nearby!
■Place a first aid kit in a proper place
Before the festival, buy a small first aid kit with band aids, and any medication that you need to take, in case you get minor injuries or a headache. Keep it in a proper place that's easily accessible, like your tent or car.
1. Why should umbrellas be left at home?| A．They take up too much space. | B．The weather will be terrible. |
| C．They might hurt someone. | D．Travelers prefer raincoats, |
| A．Sell them. | B．Return them. | C．Pack them up. | D．Throw them away. |
| A．It should be put at hand. | B．It ought to be big enough. |
| C．It must contain all medicines. | D．It has to be placed in the car. |
5 . “Are personal sad stories a must to win talent shows?” “Shouldn’t talent be judged on the basis of itself without needing a sad story of struggle to win?” These are questions Sanya Malhotra posed on a recent Facebook post.
This morning I came across this interesting post by Sanya Malhotra. She revealed that she loved dancing and dreamt of becoming an actress, but got defeated in “Dance India Dance” because her background story wasn’t sad and inspiring enough. That’s when she started doubting her artistic gift.
This really set me thinking. Why are people attracted to sob stories? Why do we always appreciate only those people who have achieved something after going through a lot of hardships? Why does the headline of a newspaper “Taxi-driver’s Son Stands First In UPSC Exam” find more readers? I think it is because most people, who are in a similar situation, find it comforting that someone has succeeded with so many hardships. I know it is really very difficult for people with financial, health, or family problems to overcome obstacles and succeed. I really feel proud of them and I am often touched and inspired by their stories.
Now come back to what Sanya has said. I think this is a talent show rather than a story-telling competition. When it comes to a competition of singing or dancing or any fine arts, all the competitors should be judged without any bias (偏见). No one should lose because they don’t have a sad story of struggle to tell. It’s very unfair. They can be given opportunities otherwise, but should not be judged because of their stories.
Maybe, the TV channels do it to attract more viewers, because the most important element of any reality show is these touching stories. But as Sanya has said, it’s unfair to those who haven't such a story and are equally talented.
1. What do we know about Sanya Malhotra?| A．She entered a talent show. | B．She won “Dance India Dance”. |
| C．She had a sad story to tell. | D．She was rejected in a film. |
| A．experienced many hardships | B．is a famous actress in Indian |
| C．has a great gift for gymnastics | D．used to be confident in her artistic talent |
| A．A Millionaire Donated Money To Harvard University. |
| B．A Gifted Indian Teenager Won “Dance India Dance”. |
| C．An Armless Girl Was Admitted To Harvard University. |
| D．A Freshman Paid Off Loans By Getting A Part-time Job. |
| A．Winners Should Be Determined By Public Judges |
| B．Sanya Malhotra Displayed A Great Artistic Gift |
| C．Competitors Should Not Be Judged By Sob Stories |
| D．Talent Shows Competitors Can Tell Their Stories |
6 . Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
Where: Becket, Massachusetts
When: Jun.15---Aug.24
Each summer, this influential dance center presents a number of classes and performances by more than 50 companies from around the world. Highlights (最精彩的部分) in this season include the Dance Theater of Harlem's production of Alvin Ailey's ''The Lark Ascending'', which opens the festival.
Many events are free. Ticketed performances start at $22. Jacobspillow.org.
Moab Music Festival
Where: Moab, Utah
When: Aug.29---Sept.9
This area is better known for mountain biking than for music. But since 1992, it has hosted a private festival that brings classical, jazz, Latin and other types of music to the land. This year there will be 16 concerts, including three ''Grotto Concerts'', where guests take a 45-minute boat ride down the Colorado River to performances.
Events start at $25. moabmusicfest.org.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Where: Cheyenne, Wyoming
When: July19---28
There is something for everyone at this 117-year-old festival, from an ''Indian village and Old West museum'' to country concerts. But the competition is still the main attraction, with cowboys and cowgirls competing for major money in the world's largest outdoor stage.
Competition tickets start at $18, and concert tickets at $23. cfdrodeo.com.
The Glimmerglass Festival
Where: Cooperstown, New York
When: July6---Aug.24
Each summer, opera lovers from around the country travel to upstate New York to watch productions that include stars like Nathan Gunn and Ginger Costa-Jackson. This year's performances include Wagner's ''The Flying Dutchman'' and Verdi's ''King for a Day'', in honor of the 200th birthdays of both composers(作曲家).
Tickets start at $26. glimmerglass.org.
1. If you are interested in dance performance, which date suits you best?| A．June 6. | B．June 28. | C．August 29. | D．September 9. |
| A．Becket, Massachusetts. | B．Moab, Utah. |
| C．Cheyenne, Wyoming. | D．Cooperstown, New York. |
| A．Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival | B．The Glimmerglass Festival |
| C．Cheyenne Frontier Days | D．Moab Music Festival |
7 . Student Accommodation (住处) to Let in London
One - bedroom flat
Riverside Gardens, W6 £ 1,250 pcm
This one - bedroom top floor flat is located at Riverside Gardens in Hammersmith. It is perfectly located for shopping and entertainment. Walking distance to Hammersmith Broadway, Ravens Court Park & the River Thames.
Key features (特点): Spacious living area; Fully equipped kitchen
Two - bedroom flat
New Orient House Chelsea, SW6 £ 1,148 pcm
This flat has easy access to West Brompton station where a quick change to the District Line will allow you to make good use of the London Underground. This means that you are within easy access of 21 higher education institutions including Imperial College London and Kings College London.
Key features: Excellent social spaces: movie room, games area and dining area
Private halls
Nido West Hampstead, NW6 £ 1,664 pcm
Our modern student accommodation is near West Hampstead Tube Station, allowing you to easily explore London. It is close to all major universities in the city. Our house team will look after you during your stay, all you need to worry about is living your best student life.
Key features: In - house gym (健身房)
Rooms for the 2019/2020 academic year start from just £ 229 pp/pw.
(pcm: per calendar month pp/pw: per person per week)
1. What will Tom who works part - time in a restaurant by Ravens Court Park probably choose?| A．The flat next to West Brompton station. | B．An apartment at Nido West Hampstead. |
| C．The flat at Riverside Gardens. | D．The flat at New Orient House Chelsea. |
| A．Nature lovers. | B．Party lovers. |
| C．Shopping fans. | D．Gym fans. |
| A．£ 1,250. | B．£ 1,148. | C．£ 916. | D．£ 229. |
8 . The Museum of London is starting to unearth what might turn out to be as many as 3,000 human skeletons(遗骸) under a train station in the United Kingdom’s capital. The bones were exposed when workers began building a new entrance to a train station in London, England.
As the first city burial(埋葬) ground in London, Bedlam was probably used between 1569 and 1738. Its name comes from the nearby Hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem, which people also called Bedlam. Often, the people buried in Bedlam could not afford to be buried anywhere else. The burial ground also served as an overflow cemetery(墓地). That means that if other cemeteries became full, a person would be buried in Bedlam instead. It is believed that there could be a total of 20,000 skeletons in the overall burial ground.
Experts think studying the skeletons may help them learn about London’s past, including questions about the Black Death, a deadly disease that had a terrible influence on much of the world. It started in the mid-1300s and swept through Asia, Africa, and Europe. Historians believe almost 50 million people died of the disease, including many of those buried at Bedlam. “Sixteen sixty-five saw the very last recorded period of the disease,” says Jay Carver, the leading expert on the project. Carver and his team believe the Bedlam bodies may explain why the outbreak suddenly stopped.
The dig site also sits above an even older Roman(古罗马的) road (between the 2nd and 3rd century A. D. ). Archaeologists(考古学家) have already found a large number of objects from Roman times, including horseshoes and urns. Nick Elsden, the project manager for the site, says, “This is the UK’s largest archeology project, in what is one of the oldest areas of the city, so we stand to learn a great deal.”
1. The underlined word “exposed” in Paragraph I probably means “________”.| A．studied | B．found |
| C．returned | D．searched |
| A．served as a cemetery for poor people | B．used to be a train station |
| C．got its name thanks to Jay Carver | D．was once taken up by Germen |
| A．Sadness. | B．Anger. |
| C．Regret. | D．Expectation. |
| A．History of the Black Death | B．Skeleton secrets in London |
| C．The Museum of London | D．A Roman road in Bedlam |
At the root of volunteering is the idea that one person may have the ability to offer services that can help other people. Tracy, a good friend of mine, however, recently came back from India with a
“I first heard about Mother Teresa in my high school, we watched a video(录像) about her work in India and all over the world. I was so moved by her spirit to help others and her endless love for every human being that after I graduated from high school, I too wanted to try her kind of work. So with two friends I flew to Calcutta for a few weeks.”
“I was asked to work in a home for sick people. I helped wash clothes and sheets, and pass out lunch. I also fed the people who were too weak to feed themselves and tried to cheer the up. I felt it was better to share with them than to think that I have helped them. To be honest, I don’t think I was helping very much. It was then that I realized that I had not really come to help, but to learn about and experience another culture(文化) that helped improve my own understanding of life and the world.”
1. According to the text, a volunteer refers to a person who ______.
| A．is willing to help those in need without pay | B．can afford to travel to different places |
| C．has a strong wish to be successful | D．has made a big fortune in life |
| A．after she met Mother Teresa |
| B．after she finished high school |
| C．when she was touring Calcutta |
| D．when she was working in a hospital |
| A．She liked to work with Mother Teresa. |
| B．She had already had some experience. |
| C．She was asked by Mother Teresa’s example. |
| D．She wanted to follow Mother Teresa’s example. |
| A．Going abroad to help the sick. |
| B．Working in Mother Teresa’s home. |
| C．Doing simple things to help the poor. |
| D．Improving oneself through helping others. |
