1 . Los Angeles is a relatively new and spreading city, which means there’s a big canvas (画布) for architects of many styles to put their 3D stamps on the city. For architecture fans, here are some must-see spots.
Watts Towers
Designed and constructed by Italian-born Simon Rodia over the course of three decades, the 17 towers—the tallest is 100 feet high—consist of metal and found objects such as broken glass, pottery chips (陶器碎片), seashells, etc. You can take a guided tour of this place, learning about the history of this attractive project. 1727 E. 107th St., LA.
Getty Center
Architect Richard Meier’s shining city on a hill took 16,000 tons of marble to build but today it’s a wonder, housing the Getty’s main art collection and offering unbelievable views of Los Angeles. 1200 Getty Center Dr., LA.
Sturges House
Frank Lloyd Wright designed nine different structures throughout Southern California. This was Wright’s first turn away from the textile (纺织) block buildings he’d been designing in California and toward stressing natural factors of the structure to mix with the natural surroundings. 449 N. Skyewiay Rd., LA.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Frank Gehry has lived in Los Angele s for decade s and hi s world has been se en throughout the city. This one, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, is his most luxurious (奢侈的) building in Southern California. You need not sit through a symphony performance to get a glance at the interior(内饰). The concert hall offers free self-guided audio tours recorded by actor John Litligow. 111 S. Grand Ave., LA.
1. Where should you go to visit Watts Towers?| A．1200 Getty Center Dr., LA. | B．1727 E. 107th St., LA. |
| C．449 N. S kyewiay Rd., LA. | D．111 S. Grand Ave., LA. |
| A．It is made up of 9 structures. | B．It is a textile block building. |
| C．It fits in well with its environment. | D．It is a luxurious building. |
| A．Simon Rodia. | B．Richard Meier. |
| C．John Lithgow. | D．Frank Gehry. |
2 . China is set to join a growing number of countries that are taking strict measures on single-use plastic items, with multiple bans expected to come into force gradually within the next six years.
The new policy, announced Sunday, will first take effect in major cities, where many of the non-biodegradable（非生物降解的）plastics found in the world’s oceans originally come. The distribution of plastic bags is supposed to stop in large Chinese cities by the end of the year, whereas smaller cities and rural areas have until 2022.Among other items are single-use straws and many disposable（一次性的）items. The effort was described as a global “war on plastic”.
Between 1950 and 2015, plastic production has risen from 2 million tons annually to 381 million worldwide, which has seen a rise in policies to reduce dependence on plastics. Extremely strict steps have been taken in many places.
Last August, the Pakistani government banned all single-use plastic bags in the country’s capital region, home to some 1.5 million people. While environmental protection groups celebrated the move, industry representatives warned it would come at a huge financial cost “They should first find new jobs for the plastic factory workers and then ban the bags,”38-year-old fruit seller Nazeer Abbasi told The Washington Post last year.
Last spring, the European Parliament voted to ban many single-use plastic items-including plates, straws and cups — by 2021. It also voted to increase recycling targets. Many E.U. member states already have built systems to encourage customers to return plastic bottle for recycling.
1. What are the multiple bans targeted at?| A．Recyclable glass bottles. |
| B．Reusable shopping bags. |
| C．Degradable plastic straws. |
| D．Disposable plastic plates. |
| A．By banning plastics once for all. | B．By taking measures step by step. |
| C．By conducting it in big cities only. | D．By performing it in small cities first. |
| A．He’s worried. | B．He’s annoyed. |
| C．He’s puzzled. | D．He’s disappointed. |
| A．To explain the causes of plastic pollution. |
| B．To offer tips about Chinese plastic production. |
| C．To share his own ideas about plastic recycling. |
| D．To introduce different bans on single-use plastics. |
3 . CHRISTMAS LANE
Tuesday, December 19, 6:00pm
Florida Strawberry Festival Agricultural Show Center Building
2508 WOAK AVE., PLANT CITY, FL 33563
Santa and Mrs. Claus greet you at this holiday occasion with giant toy soldiers and a 14-toot reindeer, Christmas castle, face painting, children’s performers and decoration-making.
Price: $5; $3, ages 4-12; 3 and younger free.
Phone: (813) 478-0494
HOLIDAYS AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Tuesday, December 19, 8:00 pm
Universal Orlando
6000 UNIVERSAL BLVD, ORLANDO, FL 32819
Get into the holiday spirit at Universal Studios with the Macy’s Holiday march including balloons and floats, Santa and the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular live stage show based on the Dr. Seuss classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Price: $ 105, $100 child.
Phone: 1-800-837-2273
SEAWORLD'S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Wednesday, December 20, 9:00 am
Sea World
7007 SEAWORLD DRIVE, ORLANDO, FL 32821
Sea World’s celebration welcomes guests with everything from a sparkling (闪亮的) Sea of Trees, classic holiday tunes, an ice skating show, a Christmas market, Elmo’s Christmas
Wish show and a special Shamu’s Christmas-Miracles show. Remains open until 10 pm with extended hours on New Year’s Eve.
Price: $99, $94 ages 3-9.
Phone: (800)327-2424
CHRISTMAS IN THE WILD
Wednesday, December 20, 9：30 am
Lowry Park Zoo
Editor’s pick
1101 W SLIGH AVE, TAMPA, FL 33604
The animals come out at night for the zoo’s new holiday party with carolers (唱圣歌者), costumed characters, performers, a Christmas tree, holiday treats, music and photo chances with Santa. $21.95 after 4 pm on event days.
Price: $29.95, $27.95 seniors, $22.95 ages 3-11, 2 and younger free.
Phone: (813)935-8552
1. How much should a couple going to Christmas Lane with a child aged 6 and one aged 3 pay?| A．$10. | B．$12. |
| C．$13. | D．$16. |
| A．Create giant toys. | B．Learn drawing. |
| C．Visit art shows. | D．Watch classic plays. |
| A．It lasts a week long. |
| B．It aims at environmental protection. |
| C．People with art gift are especially welcome. |
| D．People can buy Christmas-themed products there. |
| A．Christmas Lane. | B．Christmas In The Wild. |
| C．Holidays At Universal Studios. | D．Sea World’s Christmas Celebration. |
4 . Yesterday my older neighbor, who takes care of part of our garden with great difficulty and efforts, was in deep shock. Obviously，my cats had left droppings (粪便) in his perfect flower beds.
Fortunately, my husband and I weren't at home when this happened，so he vented (发泄) his anger on my friend and neighbor, Katherine. She was kind enough to listen to him and to go down into the garden with him to have a look. She even took a picture!
When I got home, she had left a message on my answering machine about the incident. Having heard it was about my cats again, my stomach turned. Last year, he got so upset that he threatened to put rat traps on the roof，hoping that would warn me to keep my cats indoors. So I was a little worried.
However, I couldn't help but laugh when I heard Katherine tell me what the whole incident was all about. I understand gardening is important to my neighbor and that he keeps his garden perfect to comfort his soul.
So when I saw him in the garden days later, I went over to talk to him.
And the talk turned out to be quite nice. I was really surprised to find that I had the wisdom not to respond to his comments on my cats.
Instead, I had conversations with him about the beautiful flowers he had planted, the color combinations, and the care he took in creating such a sense of order. I tried to convey my understanding and appreciation without arguing or talking down to him.
I was really amazed how that talk turned out. We haven't had a conversation like that for over a year!
1. What do we know about the author's cats?| A．They ate the older neighbor's flowers. |
| B．They chased rats in older neighbor's house. |
| C．They left droppings in Katherine's garden. |
| D．They ruined the older neighbor's flower beds. |
| A．To stop the rats coming. |
| B．To show his concern for his neighbors. |
| C．To make the author mind her cats. |
| D．To express his appreciation to the author. |
| A．considerate and smart | B．sensitive and generous |
| C．creative and kind | D．friendly and enthusiastic |
| A．everyone should mind his own business |
| B．a wise conversation really makes sense |
| C．it is meaningful to argue with others |
| D．we need to take care of others’ pets |
5 . There’s one easy thing you can do every day to live longer and happier, according to a recent study, and it has nothing to do with diet, exercise, or cutting out bad habits.
A review of nearly 150 studies with more than 300,000 participants found that having active social circles decreases your chances of dying by 50 percent, regardless of age, gender or medical history. “When we’re social, we live longer.” Dr. Kelli Harding noted, “Loneliness is more of a risk factor to health than other known risk factors, like high blood pressure and obesity.”
The findings are written up in Dr. Harding’s new book，The Rabbit Effect, which is about how kindness, rather than laughter, may be the best medicine. The book gets its title from a famous 1978 study of the relationship between cholesterol（胆固醇）and heart health in rabbits. Researchers accidentally discovered that those rabbits that received the most affection from their human handlers lived much longer than the others.
We live in a world where most of our social interactions happen through our phones. But to get the health benefits of a more active social circle, you don’t have to throw away your device and join a book club. More casual interactions with neighbors, shop owners, and others you meet every day can do the trick. Increasingly，those relationships can start online. That’s where Nextdoor comes in. The stated purpose of the company is “to cultivate a kinder world where everyone has a neighborhood they can depend on”.
When asked for advice on one thing you can do to live longer and happier, Dr. Harding said it perfectly, “Be kind. It’s actually pretty amazing how much each person can make the world a better，kinder，healthier place. It really takes very little and you never know the impact you have on somebody.”
1. What do we know about The Rabbit Effect?| A．Its title comes from a study. | B．It's a report about heart health. |
| C．Laughter could cure diseases. | D．Rabbits could help live longer. |
| A．To advocate online shopping to save time. |
| B．To offer the neighborhood sports facilities. |
| C．To settle the arguments among the families. |
| D．To create a harmonious community to rely on. |
| A．Improve health and wellness. | B．Set up online relationships. |
| C．Build a happy and warm family. | D．Keep away from bad habits. |
| A．We can look for a kind neighborhood. |
| B．We should be kind to animals in the wild. |
| C．Every small act of kindness can make a difference. |
| D．All kinds of social activities can make a better world. |
6 . Polar bears have captivated(迷住) humans since the beginning of recorded time. Writings dating back to 57 C. E. in ancient Rome describe flooded amphitheatres where polar bears and seals competed against each other ( not much of a fight, as it turns out). Kings of ancient Egypt and early Norway were the first to keep polar bears captive, and the fascination with them has held through the centuries. Ad campaigns all over the world feature polar bears to sell everything from bottled water to transportation systems to soda.
A Coca-Cola ad campaign in the 1990s added "adorable" to the polar bear's image. The ads featured a clumsy, animated cub that bridged the natural wariness between polar bears and penguins to share a nice, cold bottle of Coke. Polar bears don't actually have a natural affinity for penguins, as the two don't live in any of the same regions and never see each other. But still, cute is cute.
Polar bears' shocking whiteness, ferocity and sheer size make them icons of purity and power. Males can grow up to 10 feet tall (3 meters) and weigh up to 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms). A single bear can take on a 2,500-pound walrus, and hang on to the massive catch with 2-inch claws (5 centimeters). They walk hundreds of miles across ice sheets every winter, following their prey.
In the Arctic, polar bears are at the top of the food chain, and it’s not just because of their size. They're so well-adapted to their environment that they experience no change in body temperature at minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit ( minus 37 Celsius). However, the incredible survival mechanisms that let them thrive in frigid winters may prove to be their undoing. Because of global warming, winters are getting less cold and polar bears are dying. Some scientists project that if climate trends continue, 30 percent of the current polar bear population will be wiped out by 2050. What’s life like for an animal that needs such extreme cold to survive? Let's head to the Arctic and see how polar bears live on the ice.
1. What does the underlined word in the first paragraph refer to?| A．A place for fighting. | B．A place for entertainment. |
| C．A place for eating. | D．A place for jogging. |
| A．They have a close relationship with penguins. |
| B．They are favored by ad campaigns. |
| C．They will walk hundreds of miles to follow their prey. |
| D．They may be dying out due to warm weather. |
| A．large size | B．adorable image |
| C．good adaptability | D．shocking whiteness |
| A．The current polar bear population will be wiped out by 2050. |
| B．Polar bears can only live in frigid winters. |
| C．Warm weather makes no sense to polar bears. |
| D．Polar bears’ mechanism makes them live in any environment. |
7 . Activities to Get You Outdoors While Traveling
Many of us would enjoy getting outside and escaping our day to day with some fresh air while traveling. But where do you start? Try out a few of these activities and you’re sure to find a new outdoor hobby to help you enjoy nature on your next holiday.
Horseback Riding
Many people may shy away from this, excusing lack of experience with horses, but most operators have horses for riders of any experience including none if they meet the physical requirements. Horses can take you greater distances in a shorter time, covering areas that would be difficult or inaccessible otherwise.
Fly-Fishing
For an excuse to stand in a river enjoying the sounds, smells and scenery of some of the most beautiful places, try fly-fishing. Fishing is a perfect activity to enjoy with children, grandparents or whoever. With enough practice, you may even catch a delicious big fish.
Cycling + Mountain Biking
On the path or the road, spending time on a bike allows you to slow down and leisurely take in the scenery around you. Mountain biking can give you the biggest excitement, while road cycling may offer a more peaceful and calming experience. Travel with your bike or rent one at your travelling places, and your possibilities for exploration have already increased.
Rock Climbing
For a more physical and challenging experience outdoors, try your hand at rock climbing. You can get a feel for climbing in a gym, but its real rewards lie in putting those skills to use outside. Many popular travel places have great climbing within a day trip distance.
1. Who can take a horseback ride?| A．Anybody who wants to take a horse ride. |
| B．Travelers without experience of horse riding. |
| C．Those who have the basic physical conditions. |
| D．The explorers who like to travel in dangerous places. |
| A．Fly-Fishing. | B．Rock Climbing. |
| C．Horseback Riding. | D．Cycling + Mountain Biking. |
| A．Allowing travelers to fully enjoy the scenery. |
| B．Slowing down the travel to have an enough rest. |
| C．Getting the travelers to have the biggest excitement. |
| D．Offering a more peaceful and comfortable experience. |
8 . My name is Matthew. I'm not someone who has many secrets，because I'm a terrible liar. But there is one huge secret that I kept for years- -I failed my driving test. I had never failed a test before, and had never even come close. Driving made me anxious , but my parents told me I had to. They signed me up for driving lessons. I had gotten a perfect score for my written permit exam , but getting behind the wheel was a different story.
But when October 30th rolled around ,my pride set in. I wanted to be like everyone else at my school , showing off the brand new license they'd gotten. Looking back on that special day,I can't remember if I was nervous. What I do remember is starting the test , pausing at a stop sign after a few seconds , and being asked by the instructor to pull over. I had received an auto-fail since my pause was indeed a pause and not a real stop. I wasn't upset that I was leaving without a license, but I was scared everyone would know that I had failed. So when I got to class, I told everyone I didn't want to take the test on my birthday.
One Friday a month later, I went to the test spot again and passed. Later that night I drove for the first time by myself, which brought to me an amazing feeling I've never experienced——but sill, I couldn't imagine ever telling anyone the truth. So I didn't. It wasn't until midway through college that I came clean. It turned out plenty of my college friends had failed too! And I gathered enough courage to speak the fact out. Yes ,I had also failed.
Now I realize failure and imperfection are two things everyone has to experience , without which one couldn't make a true man.
1. What can we learn about Matthew?| A．He was a slow learner of driving. | B．He relied heavily on his parents. |
| C．He was afraid of taking exams. | D．He was bored with telling lies. |
| A．To put an end to his lest. | B．To check his parking skills. |
| C．To give him a second chance, | D．To show him a better way of driving. |
| A．Failing to get a driving license. | B．Missing his birthday celebration. |
| C．Making his parents disappointed. | D．Losing face before his classmates. |
| A．Honesty is the best policy. | B．Failure is a way to grow up. |
| C．Truth stands the test of time. | D．Imperfection is another form of perfection. |
9 . Teenagers are often a difficult group.With all those hormones(荷尔蒙)flooding in their bodies，they can be moody，unpredictable，and tend to make uncertain choices.But however confusing their teenage years are，kids can still be generally happy，depending on their lifestyle choices.According to a new research by British scientists，teens who don't smoke，drink only moderately(适度地） or not at all，and who don't eat much junk food are likely to be happier than other teens.
The study looked at 40,000 British families and came up with some interesting findings.For example，kids who never drank alcohol were up to six times more likely to report higher levels of happiness than kids who drank.And teens who smoked were five times less likely to rate high on happiness charts compared to kids who didn't smoke.The same goes for diet and physical activities.The more fruits and vegetables kids eat，and the more hours they spend playing sports，the happier they are.
Now，of course this doesn't mean that not smoking or drinking，and playing sports can guarantee happiness.It could be that kids who have happy character tend to be more active and less addicted to drinking or smoking.And it could equally be the case that kids who are unhappy are more related to drinking，smoking and eating junk food.
Other studies have shown that exercise is a proven way to treat anxiety and depression. Future studies may support the idea that other healthy behaviors，including refraining(克制)from smoking，drinking，and eating too much junk food，can avoid sadness and increase happiness，too.
1. The author develops the second paragraph mainly by________.| A．making comparisons | B．providing statistics |
| C．offering examples | D．analyzing causes |
| A．Not smoking or drinking guarantees happiness. |
| B．Teens with flooding hormones cannot be happy. |
| C．Playing sports can decrease teens' unhappiness. |
| D．Unhappiness can certainly lead to smoking and drinking. |
| A．Ways to treat anxiety and depression |
| B．Exercise and teenagers' health |
| C．Teenagers shouldn't drink or smoke |
| D．Teenagers' lifestyle and their happiness |
10 . There are many differences between British English and American English. I used to teach a course about the differences between the two. We speak English on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean but we have many differences in our common language. We have examples of the same words having very different meanings, differing spellings of the same words as well as completely different words for the same things. Here are some examples.
A cookie in the US is called a biscuit in the UK. A biscuit in the US is a small cake in the UK. Crisps in the UK, are known as chips, but we British people eat a plate of chips that you call fries in the US. In the UK, a pie can be made from either meat or fruit, while in the US pies are normally made from fruit; pot pies are made from meat. Most things are measured in grams and kilograms in the US, not pounds and ounces.
One very obvious difference is the side of the road we each choose to drive on. Petrol in the UK is gas in the US. The place where we fill up our cars, in the UK, is a garage; while in the US, it’s a gas station. The term garage is also used as a place to store your car next to or close by your house. In the UK we call a lorry what is known as a truck in the US.
An elevator in the US is called a lift here, and the first floor in the US, is called the ground floor here, so many visitors get off on the wrong floor in British hotels.
I could continue with this. There are countless examples of differences within our one shared language. With so many differences, no wonder it’s hard to understand each other well.
1. The passage is mainly about the differences between British English and American English in____.| A．vocabulary | B．grammar |
| C．sound | D．spelling |
| A．a driver from the US. |
| B．a cook from the US. |
| C．a teacher from the UK. |
| D．a gas station worker from the UK. |
| A．“Elevator” is commonly used in the UK. |
| B．Pies mean the same thing in the UK and the US. |
| C．In the UK, things are measured in pounds and ounces. |
| D．British and American people drive on the same side of the road. |
