1 . Teenagers have their own TV channels， websites and magazines. So what about books？
Last year one publisher， Martins， started publishing a series called Waves. We spoke to the director Julia Smith. She explained， "Teenage fiction has been published since the 1970s but publishers have never been very successful in getting teenagers to buy and read books. Now they're realizing that teenagers are just older children， but are not adults either. They are often not interested in adult fiction. For this series we are looking for new writers who write especially for teenagers.
Athene Gorr's novel was published in the series last year and is selling well. Its title is The Purple Ring. She says， "The important thing is to encourage teenagers to pick up your book. I'm a new writer. Although I've got an unusual name which people might remember， nobody knows it yet! But my book has a fantastic cover which makes people want to look inside. Then they realize what an excellent story it is!"
And what do teenagers themselves think about the series？ We talked to Sophie Clarke， aged 15. She said？ "I've read a few books in the Waves series. They say they are for 14-19 year olds and I agree with that. We're not interested in the same things as people in their twenties and thirties. I like them and I think they look really good too. The only thing is that because bookshops put them in the children section， lots of teenagers won't find them so they may not do very well. And it's a shame there's no such series as I think lots of teenagers， especially boys， might buy."
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 2？ ______| A．The Waves series are suitable for adults. |
| B．It is necessary to publish books aimed at teenagers. |
| C．Teenagers are more interested in reading nowadays. |
| D．Teenagers should be encouraged to read. |
| A．Its writer. |
| B．Its cover. |
| C．Its price. |
| D．Its title. |
| A．They have attractive covers. |
| B．They are about real facts. |
| C．They are popular with teenage boys. |
| D．They are wrongly placed in the children section. |
| A．To compare different series of teenage fiction. |
| B．To give information about a new series of books. |
| C．To encourage more writers to create fictions for teenagers. |
| D．To explain why teenage fiction is easier to write than adult fiction. |
2 . In Paris, the Seine River plays many roles in the city. It separates the Right Bank from the Left Bank, acting as a dividing line in Paris. It provides riverboats as the means of transportation and the opportunity for romantic walks. In addition, lots of Paris’ tourist attractions are located on both sides of the river, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and so on.
The Basics
One of the best ways to see the Seine is to walk along it. You can also walk across the river on bridges to see some of the most well-known architecture(建筑) in France. Besides, a Seine River cruise (乘船游览) allows you to rest your legs and admire the same sights. If you book a lunch or dinner cruise, you can enjoy your sightseeing as well as a French meal.
Things to Know Before You Go
While you are running through Paris’ main tourist areas, the Seine River is hard to miss. You won’t have to go far to find it. More than 30 bridges cross the Seine within the city limits. You ought to wear comfortable shoes for walking along the banks and bridges. You had better be prepared for crowds on popular bridges like Pont des Arts.
When to Get There
For a peaceful walk, head to the river in the early morning hours before most of the crowds arrive. Or go for an after-dinner walk to take in the reflections (倒影) of the City of Light on the water.
Exploring Canal Saint-Martin
In northeast Paris, the Canal Saint-Martin is connected to the Seine River. It is home to smaller waterways. Instead of the Seine’s busy traffic and noisy tourists, there are some quiet footbridges and friendly locals here. You can walk slowly along the tree-shaded paths and enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere.
1. If you take a boat trip on the Seine, you can ________.| A．get a book about the Seine |
| B．take part in the boat race in Paris |
| C．have a free French meal with the captain |
| D．appreciate the famous buildings comfortably |
| A．A guidebook of Paris. |
| B．A ticket to the Pont des Arts. |
| C．A pair of shoes suitable for walking. |
| D．A great deal of knowledge about bridges. |
| A．It’s noisier here. |
| B．It’s easier to find. |
| C．It has fewer visitors. |
| D．It has more beautiful trees. |
3 . Bill Bowerman was a track coach.He wanted to help athletes run faster. So he had learned how to make running shoes. He had also started a shoe company with a friend. It was 1971. Running shoes at the time were heavy. They had spikes(鞋钉)on the sole(鞋底). The spikes tore up the track and slowed down runners.
To make a lighter shoe, Bill tried the skins of fish. To make a better sole, he wanted to replace the spikes. Bill look through his wife Barbara's jewelry box. He hoped to find a piece of jewelry with an interesting pattern. He would then copy the pattern onto the new soles. Nothing worked. Bill was stumped. Then, one Sunday morning, Barbara made Bill waffles(华夫饼)for breakfast. Bill watched her cook. He studied the cross pattern on their old waffle iron.
Inspiration(灵感)hit.
The pattern on a waffle iron was just what Bill was looking for. The squares were fatter and wider than sharp spikes. The pattern would help the shoes grip (抓牢) any surface without tearing into it.
When Barbara left the house, Bill ran to his lab. He took the liquid chemicals that, when mixed, would harden into the sole of a shoe. He poured the mixture into the waffle iron and the Waffle Trainer was born.
Bill's company put the Waffle Trainer on the market in 1974. It was a huge hit. Maybe you've heard of that company called Nike. And today it's worth around $100 billion.
It was the waffle iron that had changed the course of Bill's life and helped turn Nike into a well-known name. Today, the waffle iron is kept at Nike headquarters. It serves as a reminder that if we keep trying, we can find a solution to even the toughest problems. And those solutions can come from unlikely places，even the breakfast table.
1. What was wrong with the running shoes before the Wattle Trainer was made?| A．They were easily worn out. | B．The spikes hurt runners' feet. |
| C．The spikes were sharp and heavy. | D．They were too expensive. |
| A．Inspired. | B．Defeated. |
| C．Satisfied. | D．Doubted. |
| A．It was made quite by accident. | B．It was invented by Bill's wife. |
| C．It was based on many lab tests. | D．It was supported by another company. |
| A．Where there's a will, there's a way. | B．Good is rewarded with good. |
| C．Two heads are better than one. | D．A misfortune may turn out a blessing. |
4 . Technology is forever changing the way we get our news. Many people now get a lot of their news on electronic devices, instead of traditional media, such as newspapers, television or radio. Now, there is a new way we get the news: computer-created news readers.
Recently, China's Xinhua launched (推出) the world's first AI news presenters with the Chinese search engine Sogou. The news readers created by machine learning technology are based on two real-life newsmen. One is able to present newscasts in English; the other, in Mandarin Chinese.
One Xinhua's report said machine learning was used to examine video images and sounds of the two newsmen, which look and sound like real people.
Some machine learning experts said the system showed off China's latest progress in voice recognition, text-to-speech technology and data analysis. But several experts suggested that the term AI does not correctly describe abilities of the robotic news readers.
On social media, many Chinese noted that the AI presenters did not seem real. People blamed them for not being more lifelike. Others wondered about the effects robots might have on employment and workers. Some people argued that only low-level jobs requiring heavy labor will be easily replaced by robots. Others praised the technology as a way for companies to make money from low-cost labor machines.
Some businesses have experimented with similar technology for possible use in news operations. Britain's BBC recently released a video that used machine learning to make it look like one of its news readers speaking different languages. The London-based company that developed the system says its goal is to "remove the language barrier" for many different kinds of video across the Internet.
1. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 1?| A．Introduce the topic of the text. |
| B．Summarize the different opinions. |
| C．Add some data about the AI presenters. |
| D．Compare different ways of getting news |
| A．To keep AI presenters from making any mistakes. |
| B．To make AI presenters speak more fluently. |
| C．To ensure images and sounds are like real persons. |
| D．To bring newscasts up to date every hour. |
| A．Robots will eventually replace human all over. |
| B．Robots may threaten some people's employment. |
| C．Robots may endanger most people's health. |
| D．Robots will rule over the world in the end. |
| A．BBC has removed the language barrier in newscasts |
| B．BBC's news readers can speak different languages |
| C．BBC shows interest in Xinhua's AI news presenters |
| D．BBC has done similar experiments as Xinhua does |
5 . I have recently moved to Hamburg in Germany and have always heard that Germans just wear jeans or some strange clothes. Since I have moved here though, I have found this to actually be completely false and I think I would prefer it if they did just wear jeans, so I could do the same!
Hamburg is a very big shopping city. Apart from H&M, New Yorker and Mango, I have found a New Look and a new Topshop have recently just opened. These shops are quite popular shops in the UK and sell clothes which are always considered as very "fashionable".
Another thing I am really struggling with, as well as trying to be fashionable, I am trying to find the right clothes for the weather. I have found in Hamburg one minute it is nice and sunny but the next minute it is throwing it down with rain! One day it might start off really rainy and cold but by lunch time it is sunny and really hot, so wearing a coat is not practical.
In general, however, I think it has also got cold here very quickly and it already feels like the winter that I am used to. I frequently go out in my winter coat, hat, gloves and scarf while many other people are still only wearing jeans or leather jackets. I don't understand how they do it as I am always freezing. Is it better to blend(使混合)in with fashion or be warm? I think I would rather be warm and maybe look like a bit of a banana in a huge coat rather than be shivering all day.
What do you think? Clearly I am missing something here as I seem to be the only one struggling over these fashion decisions.
1. When the writer was in Hamburg, she found Germans .| A．care more about what to wear | B．don't always wear jeans |
| C．like wearing fashionable clothes | D．like wearing jeans |
| A．difficult | B．funny |
| C．exciting | D．convenient |
| A．changeable | B．comfortable |
| C．rainy | D．lovely |
| A．wandering | B．searching |
| C．shaking | D．watching |
6 . Born blind is tough in any case. But things were even harder for Srikanth Bolla who was born in a small village in India, where the common belief was that kids with disabilities were “of no use” and therefore, better off dead. Fortunately, Srikanth’s parents loved their son and refused to give him up. Instead, they encouraged the blind boy to dream big and reach for the star.
Srikanth did not disappoint his parents. The now twenty-four-year-old is the founder CEO of Bollant Industries.
Of course, getting here was not easy. Being both blind and poor meant that Srikanth had to face hard challenges. As a young boy, Srikanth attended a regular school near his home. Unfortunately, the students and teachers didn’t quite like him because of his disability. As a result, the young boy was largely ignored and often spent the entire day alone.
Concerned this would hold back Srikanth’ s development, his family decided to send him to a special school in Hyderabad. Sure enough, the young boy soon rose to the top of his class, earning awards in speech and debate competitions. But Srikanth was prevented from studying sciences when he reached 10th grade, because it was thought too “dangerous” for a blind student. Not wanting to give up, Srikanth took legal action and became the first blind student in the country allowed to study sciences.
Late, after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Srikanth set up Bollant Industries in 2012.For just four years, it has become a powerhouse with over 450 employees,70% of whom are physically challenged.
Being disabled doesn’ t mean being unable. “If the world looks at me and says, ‘Srikanth, you can do nothing,’ I will look back at the world and say I can do anything.” the young man says.
1. Why was Srikanth sent to a special school?| A．His parents became richer than before. |
| B．He could be treated equally there. |
| C．This school was free for disabled students. |
| D．He was sent away by the regular school. |
| A．He was born in a poor village. |
| B．He cared about disabled people. |
| C．His parents were strict with him in his study. |
| D．He was loved by the villagers when he was young. |
| A．Intelligent and determined. |
| B．Active and honest. |
| C．Patient and careful. |
| D．Kind but stubborn. |
| A．Chances Are Everywhere |
| B．No Challenges, No Success |
| C．Big Dream Makes a Difference |
| D．Disability Doesn’t Mean Being Unable |
7 . For some years，my mother worked for a charity as President and Secretary.Selling raffle tickets(兑奖券) was her main means of bringing in the charity’s muchneeded funds.We girls would accompany her，selling tickets with great success.My father made and donated beautiful wooden toys，jewellery boxes and other lovely items as prizes.
Now my sister was always coming up with “good ideas”，most of which didn’t work out to plan.But that didn’t deter her.She had many just waiting to be tested.When she was eight and I was just five，we had a wonderful idea for a business adventure.We decided we would sell raffle tickets for charity，and that charity was us!
So one afternoon，we told our mother we were going to play in the park with our cousins as we did most days after school.But instead，we walked around the streets armed with a raffle book，a pen and a large cloth bag to carry the money.
We’d accompanied our mother many times when she sold tickets，so people were familiar with us when we appeared at their doors.Despite the blank looks they received when asking about the prizes on offer，they were very generous.Although there were no actual prizes，our mother’s previous track record enabled us to sell nearly the whole book of raffle tickets.
Like a little pair of lottery(彩票) winners，we walked home and proudly showed off our takings.But our enjoyment of this sudden wealth was shortlived，and our plans for spending it quickly failed.Our angry mother took us back to every ticket buyer，making us apologise and give the money back.Thankfully，our sweet neighbours didn’t make a big deal of our “clever” misbehavior and thus my mother’s
fundraising career could continue safely.We were taught a good lesson by our mother that day.Also I remember my sister’s entrepreneurial(企业家的) spirit dried up a bit after that.
1. What did the author’s father do?
| A．He got prizes ready. | B．He sold handmade items. |
| C．He was in charge of a charity. | D．He helped design raffle tickets. |
| A．Embarrass. | B．Shock. |
| C．Discourage. | D．Mislead. |
| A．They ran into their mother. |
| B．They met some generous strangers. |
| C．They got lost while walking around the streets. |
| D．They took advantage of people’s trust in their mother. |
| A．Honesty is the best policy. | B．What’s done can’t be undone. |
| C．Misfortune never comes alone. | D．Good advice is beyond all price. |
8 . It is every kid’s worst nightmare(噩梦) and six-year-old Jaden Hayes has lived it twice. First he lost his dad when he was only at the age of four and then last month his mom died unexpectedly in her deep sleep.
“I tried and I tried and I tried to get her awake , but... I just couldn’t,” said Jaden.
No one could imagine how heartbroken Jaden was.
But there’s another side to his sadness. A side he first made public a few weeks ago when he told his aunt, Barbara DiCola, and now his guardian(监护人) after both his parents died, that he was sick and tired of seeing everyone sad all the time. And he had a plan to fix it.
“And that was the beginning of it,” said Barbara. “That’s where the adventure began.”
Jaden asked his aunt Barbara to buy a bunch of little toys and bring him to downtown Savannah, Georgia near where he lives, so he could give them away to anyone who will smile to him. “I’m trying to make people smile,” said Jaden.
Jaden targets people who aren’t already smiling and then turns their day around. He’s gone out on four different occasions now and he is always successful. Even if sometimes he doesn’t get exactly the reaction he was hoping for.
It is just so overwhelming to some people that a six-year-old orphan would give away a toy — expecting nothing in return — except a smile.
“I’m depending on it to be 33,000,” said Jaden. When asked if he thinks he can make that goal, he answered: “I think I can.”
1. What happened to Jaden when he was 6 years old?| A．He had a nightmare one night. | B．His father died unexpectedly. |
| C．He lost both his mother and his father. | D．His mother died suddenly in her deep sleep. |
| A．She is Jaden’s new mother. | B．She is Jaden’s aunt and his guardian as well. |
| C．She is Jaden’s aunt. | D．She is Jaden’s neighbour. |
| A．To sell them to the people in Savannah, Georgia. | B．To make some money. |
| C．To help those who were in trouble. | D．To make people smile. |
| A．Caring and confident. | B．Rich and hopeful. |
| C．Pitiful and kind. | D．Hardworking and kind. |
9 . Christmas is coming and the holiday season is almost here! If you are having a hard time thinking of a gift for a web developer you know then this list is for you.
Due to this being the gift-giving season and there is a possibility that these items may not be bought in real stores by the time you get to them. But do not worry, do check back at the site frequently in case they have restocked it, then quickly order one!
QlockTwo Touch
A unique table clock tells you time with written words instead of numbers. If it is 7:15, the clock will show “fifteen past seven.” This table clock is available in 5 different colors and 12 different languages. A truly stylish accessory for the working desk. ($5690)
Dolce Gusto Coffee Maker
Many web developers love to need coffee to help them stay awake when trying to finalize a project. This cool-looking coffee maker is the perfect gift to help them grab a quick cup whenever they need it. ($140)
Hand Turbine Charger
Perfect for times of a blackout or when you just can’t find any place to quickly charge up your devices, this charger is powered by you. Just turn the turbine to generate power to charge your phones and tablets. Great for a workout, and for travelers who can’t be without their devices ($100)
Online Course Subscriptions
Many web developers improve their skills through online courses. If you want to gift one, you can try Lynda. com as a gift. (Prices may vary)
1. Who will like to read the text?| A．The one who owns a present store. |
| B．The one who wants to buy gifts for parents. |
| C．The one who wants to buy a Christmas gift for web developers. |
| D．The one who wants to invent Christmas gifts on the websites |
| A．The gifts are easily sold out in real stores. |
| B．You can only buy the gifts on the websites. |
| C．The gifts are cheaper online than in real stores. |
| D．The website seldom restores the Christmas gifts |
| A．5 | B．12 | C．7 | D．60 |
| A．Online Course Subscriptions |
| B．Hand Turbine Charger |
| C．Dolce Gusto Coffee Maker |
| D．QlockTwo Touch |
10 . It was New Year’s night. An aged man was standing at a window. Few more hopeless people than himself now moved towards their certain goal-the tomb. He had already passed sixty of the age leading to it, and he had brought from his journey nothing but errors and regrets.
The days of his youth appeared like dreams before him, and he recalled the serious moment when his father placed him at the entrances of the two roads. One leading to a peaceful, sunny place covered with flowers and fruits; the other leading to a deep dark cave which was endless. He looked towards the sky and cried painfully, “Oh youth, return! Oh, my father, place me once more at the entrance to life”. But both his father and the days of his youth had passed away.
He saw the lights flowing away in the darkness，and these were the days of his wasted life; he saw a star fall from the sky and disappear, and this was the symbol of himself. Then he remembered his friends in his childhood, who entered life together with him. But they had made their way to success and were then honored and happy on that New Year’s night.
The clock in the high church tower struck and the sound made him remember his parents. They had taught him and prayed to God for his good. But he chose the wrong way with shame and grief. He dared no longer to look towards the heaven where his parents lived. He burst out a cry: “Come back, my early days!”And his youth did return, for all this was only a dream on New Year’s night. He was still young though his faults were real. He had not yet entered the deep dark eave, and he was still free to walk on the road which leads to the peaceful and sunny land.
1. Which of the following words can best describe the aged man?| A．Confident. | B．Selfless. |
| C．Regretful. | D．Fortunate. |
| A．The man’s friends missed their youth. |
| B．The man’s friends suffered failure finally. |
| C．The man wasted his life at one time. |
| D．The man was lonely in his childhood. |
| A．The old man didn’t take his father’s advice. |
| B．The old man was enjoying his journey. |
| C．The old man’s father accompanied him during the journey. |
| D．The old man was like lights in the darkness. |
| A．A Special New Year’s Night | B．An Old Man’s Hesitation |
| C．Youth Coming Back | D．Two Roads to Take |
