1 . When you are reading something in English，you may often meet with a new word.What's the best way to know it?
You may look it up in the EnglishChinese dictionary.It will tell you a lot about the word：the pronunciation，the Chinese meaning and how to use the word.But how can you know where the word is in thousands of English words? How to find it in the dictionary both quickly and correctly?
First，all the English words are arranged(安排) in the letter order.In the dictionary you can first see the words beginning with letter A，then B，C，D....That means，if there are two words “desert” and “pull”，“desert” will be certainly before “pull”．Then if there are two words both beginning with the same letter，you may look at the second letter.Then the third，the fourth...For example，“pardon” is before “plough”，“judge” before “just”，etc.
Do you understand how to look up in the dictionary？The dictionary will be your good friend.I hope you'll use it as often as possible in your English study.
1. This passage is about________．| A．different dictionaries |
| B．new words in writing |
| C．using an EnglishChinese dictionary |
| D．the best way of reading |
| A．how to use the word |
| B．how to pronounce the word |
| C．the spelling of the word |
| D．who used the word first |
| A．begins with A | B．begins with Z |
| C．is not often used | D．is a short one |
| A．century，center，business |
| B．perhaps，produce，plenty |
| C．straight，subject，surprise |
| D．foreign，entrance，headache |
| A．we have to use a dictionary when we read something in English |
| B．an EnglishChinese dictionary can tell us everything about a word |
| C．an EnglishChinese dictionary can help us a lot in our English study |
| D．all EnglishChinese dictionary are the same |
2 . We spoke to three students from around the world about different national holidays. There are different customs for each festival.
Tan Xiaodong, 15, Hong Kong, China
“It’ll soon be the Chinese New Year. Before it, we’ll clean the house and decorate (装饰) it for good luck. Every shop is going to close for a few days and we’ll go out a lot to celebrate on the streets. We might go and see the lion and dragon dances in the city center. I love this festival.”
Wendy, 16, Sydney, Australia
“Australia Day is on 26th January and it’s an important holiday here. We always have a Monday off, so we celebrate for three days. My parents and I go to the countryside for a picnic and friends always come over. Many people go to beach parties or street parties and there’s lots of music and dancing. What fun!”
Amy, 14, New York, the USA
“The first Thanksgiving was celebrated hundreds of years ago when Europeans who came to America thanked God for his help. It’s still a very important day for family members to be together. This year we’re going to visit my grandparents and we’ll eat a delicious meal of turkey. Thanksgiving Day is on the fourth Thursday in November every year.”
1. How many festivals are mentioned in the passage?| A．Two. | B．Three. |
| C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．do a lot of shopping | B．eat turkey |
| C．go to beach parties | D．see lion and dragon dances |
| A．have a picnic in the countryside |
| B．go to a swimming pool |
| C．have a party at school |
| D．clean the house and dance |
| A．A country. | B．A festival. |
| C．A kind of food. | D．A kind of drink. |
| A．Amy is from Sydney, Australia |
| B．different festivals have different customs |
| C．many people go out for a picnic with friends before the Chinese New Year |
| D．Thanksgiving Day is on 26th January in the USA |
3 . I am an active playgoer and play-reader, and perhaps my best reason for editing this book is a hope of sharing my enthusiasm for the theater with others. To do this I have searched through dozens of plays to find the ones that I think best show the power and purpose of the short play.
Each play has a theme or central idea which the playwright(剧作家) hopes to get across through dialogue and action. A few characters are used to create a single impression growing out of the theme. It is not my intention to point out the central theme of each of the plays in this collection, for that would, indeed, ruin the pleasure of reading, discussing, and thinking about the plays and the effectiveness of the playwright. However, a variety of types is represented here. These include comedy, satire, poignant drama, historical and regional drama. To show the versatility(多面性) of the short play, I have included a guidance play, a radio play and a television play.
Among the writers of the plays in this collection, Paul Green, Susan Glaspell, Maxwell Anderson, Thornton Wilder, William Saroyan, and Tennessee Williams have all received Pulitzer Prizes for their contributions to the theater. More information about the playwrights will be found at the end of this book.
To get the most out of reading these plays, try to picture the play on stage, with you, the reader, in the audience. The houselights dim(变暗). The curtains are about to open, and in a few minutes the action and dialogue will tell you the story.
1. What do we know about the author from the first paragraph?| A．He has written dozens of plays. | B．He has a deep love for the theater. |
| C．He is a professional stage actor. | D．He likes reading short plays to others. |
| A．Stating the plays’ central ideas. | B．Selecting works by famous playwrights. |
| C．Including various types of plays. | D．Offering information on the playwrights. |
| A．Control their feelings. | B．Apply their acting skills. |
| C．Use their imagination. | D．Keep their audience in mind. |
| A．A short story. | B．An introduction to a book. |
| C．A play review. | D．An advertisement for a theater. |
4 . An extreme sport is a popular term for certain activities regarded as having a high level of danger. These activities often involve sped, height, and a high level of physical effort. In the past, young athletes would play baseball. Today，they want risk and excitement--the closer to the edge, the better. They snowboard over cliffs and mountains, or bike down steep mountains.
Extreme sports started as an alternative to more expensive sports such as golf. A city kid who couldn’t afford expensive sports equipment could get a skateboard and have fun, but now it has become a whole new area of sports, with specialized equipment and high levels of skill. There is even an Olympics for extreme sports, called the winter X-game, which includes snow. Mountain biking and ice climbing.
What makes extreme sports so popular? People love the risk. City people want to be outdoors on the weekend and do something challenging. The new equipment is so much better that people can take more risks without getting hurt. Sure there's a risk. Once you go mountain biking or snowboarding, it’s impossible to go back to bike riding or skiing. It's just too boring.
Now even the older crowd is staring to join in. Every weekend, groups of friends in their early
30s get together. On weekdays they work as computer programmers in the same office. On weekends they rent mountains together.
Extreme sports are certainly no for everyone. Most people still prefer to play basketball or watch sports on TV. But it has been a fact that, extreme sports are gaining in popularity.
Nowadays more and more young athletes are taking part in the risky activities.
1. All the following sports are X-sports EXCEPT| A．ice climbing |
| B．snow boarding |
| C．skiing |
| D．mountain-biking |
| A．Risky. |
| B．Challenging. |
| C．Exciting. |
| D．Unskilled. |
| A．replacement |
| B．activity |
| C．equipment |
| D．competition |
| A．people can get better equipment to make sure they will not get hurt |
| B．people are not interested in the traditional sports any more |
| C．people want to do something risky after doing the same thing on weekdays |
| D．extreme sports are easy to learn and less expensive. |
| A．all young people like extreme sports |
| B．playing basketball is still a popular game |
| C．people prefer extreme sports to traditional sports |
| D．bike riding and skiing are boring sports. |
5 . In a cold winter,a couple had to move out from the expensive house because of bankruptcy. The husband worked day and night to support the family but with no care of his wife. So she thought“he doesn't love me anymore,he just cares his business.. not me.”
One day she began to take a bath, he stopped her at the door. "Let me take it first, OK?" “Why not let me shower first," she asked. “I was tired, sweetie, you take it later, OK?” She was totally depressed.
On a morose(郁闷的) day , she found nothing to do and turned on his computer,a few words blurred her eyes. It was his diary.
Today,I was quite sad,she asked me why I was always taking the bath first,and I said to her,I was exhausted. She was unhappy ,in her mind,I treated her not as well as usual,but how can I do? I wasn't as rich as before! We moved to the small apartment, there was only a shower in such a freezing winter. But I found that if one person took the shower first,the room could get a little warmer,so every time I rushed to the bathroom first. I was thinking that, when she took the shower, the room would get warmer,at least1℃,2℃ or 3℃.
Now I can't give her comfortable life,bring her the luxury restaurant, buy expensive dresses for her,but at least,I can give her 1℃ love.
1. Why was the husband always taking the bath first?| A．Because he was tired from work. |
| B．Because he didn't love her anymore. |
| C．Because he treated his wife not as well as usual. |
| D．Because he wanted to get the bathroom warmer. |
| A．Her husband didn't love her. |
| B．She thought her husband didn't love her any longer. |
| C．They had no money. |
| D．She couldn't have a bath first. |
| A．Crash. |
| B．Moving. |
| C．Disease. |
| D．Failure. |
| A．Surprised. |
| B．Angry. |
| C．Moved. |
| D．Disappointed. |
| A．A Trouble |
| B．1℃Love |
| C．Husband and Wife |
| D．A Romantic Story |
6 . Last weekend, my kids and a few other kids from the neighborhood volunteered to help me wash my car. My 10-year-old daughter came up with the idea of washing other people's cars as well. It was very hot outside. And she wanted to give juice for a low cost but not free. I felt happy and decided to help her.
She asked me, “What if we make this ‘a smile car wash’， mommy? ” I couldn't hold back my tears and encouraged her and other kids to go inside the house and come up with ideas. While I kept myself busy in drying the car, the kids walked up to me with a board of beautiful signs of smiles. They had “Free Car Wash” written on it and the theme of their exercise was “Smile”. It was natural to see a team of kids 5 to 11 years with the task to do something for others.
All that seemed natural and came right from their heart. Nothing seemed to matter to them: their playtime, and the heat outside — they just wanted to help and do something nice!
I helped them make some fresh juice and brought out some waste materials to help clean cars. Passers-by were amazed and one even shouted at them saying “Good kids”. One of them even tried giving them 5 dollars, which they refused. What a heart-warming scene(场景)!
The following weekend, I saw the idea of the week, the theme of which was “Global Kindness”. I was moved by such wonderful and loving kids. They made me smile!
1. Who came up with the idea of washing other people's cars for free ?| A．The mother. |
| B．One of the passers-by. |
| C．The writer's 10-year-old daughter. |
| D．One of the writer's neighbors' kids. |
| A．She was moved by her daughter's kindness. |
| B．She felt sorry for those passers-by in hot day. |
| C．She was sorry for not helping the kids. |
| D．She thought it was very hard for the kids. |
| A．They wanted to earn money. |
| B．They were asked to do that by their teacher. |
| C．They just wanted to help and do something nice. |
| D．They wanted to exercise in smiling. |
| A．She supported the kids' ideas. |
| B．She made some fresh juice for the passers-by. |
| C．She brought out some waste materials to help the kids. |
| D．She gave the kids some money. |
My 26, 2016
Dear Mr Landers,
I run a bookstore above Mr Shah's flower shop at 24 High Street. I started the business 20 years ago and it is now very successful. My customers have to walk through the flower shop to the stairs at the back which lead to my bookshop. This has never been a problem.
Mr Shah plans to retire later this year, and I have heard that you plan to rent the space to a music bar, I have thought about renting it myself and make my shop bigger, but I cannot persuade anyone to lend me that much money. My customers come to the bookstore to relax and the noise of a music bar will surely drive them away.
I have always paid my rent on time. You have told me that you wish me to continue with my business for as long as possible. I believe you own another empty shop in the High Street. Could the music bar go there, where it would not influence other people's businesses?
I hope you think carefully about this.
Sincerely,
Billy
1. From Paragraph 1, we know that the writer is ________ with his business.| A．embarrassed | B．disappointed |
| C．satisfied | D．tired |
| A．He is short of money. | B．He has no good friends. |
| C．He doesn't pay the rent. | D．He has fewer customers. |
| A．To show why his store is successful. |
| B．To avoid problems for his business. |
| C．To explain why his customers are sad. |
| D．To rent the shop space downstairs. |
8 . One day I was walking around in a national park when I saw a beautiful tarantula (狼蛛) crossing a path. I just stopped and decided to observe its walking.
Behind me there was a family going up the same way and they also noticed the tarantula. Without doubting it, a kid shouted, ''Quick, Dad, kill it. '' His brother also encouraged their dad to do that.
Then I stopped their dad. ''Wait. This is the last place the tarantula has to live in. Do you really want to kill it? ''
''Well, it's dangerous and we have kids here…''
''Why not stand still and let it cross safely? Then you can go and admire the rest of the park. ''
After some discussions I persuaded them to stand still and watch. Soon, the tarantula crossed and hid into the bushes.
Their dad thanked me and said, ''You're right. I was about to make a mistake. '' The children even said good bye to the tarantula and they learned something too.
1. What did the family want to do on seeing the tarantula?| A．To watch it. | B．To kill it. |
| C．To stand by. | D．To hide away. |
| A．Dangerous. | B．Interesting. |
| C．Powerful. | D．Beautiful. |
| A．To stop it quickly. | B．To greet it politely. |
| C．To let it cross safely. | D．To drive it into the bushes. |
| A．Stay calm in time of danger. |
| B．Enjoy the beauty of nature. |
| C．Stay away from animals. |
| D．Treat the wildlife kindly. |
9 . It used to be that Christmas, with a little help from Blue Peter, was about adding the personal touch. We'd sit there for hours making cards and gifts for family and friends, knowing that the thought put into them would be properly appreciated.
Nowadays, time is against us, but there is still one easy way for you to make someone's Christmas this year — a personalised card from M＆S’ new website. To celebrate their new site, M＆S is offering Times readers two-for-one on all cards. Simply choose one of the 300 exclusive Christmas designs — starting from￡1.99, personalise it by changing the name and writing a message or uploading a photo. Then, add the receiver’s address and the card will be sent for you. Order by 2pm and it will be posted the same day.
In all, there are l,500 card designs to choose from, covering all kinds of special occasions. So if you want to get ahead of yourself for 2010, you know where to visit. You can even choose to be reminded of those important dates every year.
To claim your two-for-one on M＆S personalized cards, simply visit marksandspencer-personalised.com. Remember to enter the code ‘TIMESFRI’ on the payment page. This code is available for two days.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: M＆S PERSONALISED CARDS
1. The product given for free must be of equal or lower value.
2. Payment of postage is required.
3. Marks＆Spencer reserves the right to take back this offer without prior notice.
1. What does the underlined part “two-for-one” in Paragraph 2 mean in the ad?| A．Two paid cards and one free card. | B．One paid card and two free cards. |
| C．Your name and a message on one card. | D．Your photo and the receiver’s on one card. |
| A．a website selling Christmas cards only | B．an agency of the newspaper Times |
| C．a company promoting the sales of cards | D．an advertising agency of card producers |
| A．enter a code on the payment page of M＆S’ website |
| B．always order it before two o'clock in the afternoon |
| C．put into the card your own date of birth and address |
| D．spend time making cards with the help of Blue Peter |
| A．they can be delivered free of charge |
| B．you can enjoy the special offer all the year round |
| C．their value may be lower than that of a free card |
| D．you can get a favor of at least ￡1. 99 |
Thanks for reminding me by e-mail that you want to baby-sit our children. In spite of the fact that you are only 15 years old, my wife and I would be willing to consider your application if you can meet a few modest requirements:
1. Submit（提交）three letters from teachers who will prove that you have never failed to follow directions perfectly in class and never failed to hand in a homework assignment（任务）on time.
2. Submit a note from two doctors which says that you are in perfect health, have never been sick, and never will be sick.
3. Submit a document（文件）from your physical education teacher or team coach that proves that you can do each of the following: Run two miles in less than nine minutes, climb an oily rope to a height of twenty feet in thirty seconds while balancing（平衡）a glass of water on your nose, and walk in bare feet over hot coals and broken glass without complaint or injury.
4. Submit letters from at least two mental health experts saying that you have never had a bad thought towards any living being or not living object.
5. Play and defeat five expert chess players with your eyes covered after going without sleep for 48 hours.
6. Wait patiently for two years while we make sure that all your documents are true.
Your loving and trusting friends,
The Smiths
1. From the letter we can know that ________.
| A．Cassy sent an E-mail to the Smiths | B．Cassy loves children very much |
| C．Cassy will be in perfect health | D．Cassy does very well in her studies |
| A．Their children are hard to baby-sit | B．Their children are well educated |
| C．Cassy is good at doing many things | D．Cassy won’t get the job as a baby-sitter |
| A．Rules for baby-sitting | B．Modest requirements |
| C．A job application letter | D．Private investigations |
| A．Humorous | B．Patient |
| C．Honest | D．Kind-hearted |
