1 . From Mr. Ward Hoffman.
Sir, I was halfway through Professor Raj Persaud’s article “What’s the tipping point" (Financial Times Weekend, April 9-l0) when it occurred to me that what I was reading was not ironic(讽刺的). If Prof Persaud wants to know why Americans tip in restaurants, he need only ask the first American he meets in London.
Americans tip in restaurants for one reason, and one reason only: we tip to supplement(补贴) the salary of restaurant workers. Quality of service does not enter into it, beyond the fact that one may tip a bit less for poor service, or a little more for good service.
Not tipping at all in a non-fast-food restaurant is not a choice. In the US, one used to tip about 15 percent for dining in a family-style restaurant or in an up-market(高档的) restaurant. Here, in San Francisco Bay area restaurants, we are encouraged to tip 20 per cent or more, to help restaurant workers live in this very expensive area.
After eating at an Italian restaurant in my city, I left a tip of 20 per cent on the non-tax part of our dinner bill. It was expected. There is nothing more complicated(复杂的) than that about Americans tipping in restaurants.
Ward Hoffman,
Palo Alto, CA 94306, US
* * *
From Mr. Philip McBride Johnson.
Sir, I agree with most of Raj Persaud’s opinion about the doubtful value of tipping, but with one exception(例外). Tips can be very useful when one is a repeat customer or diner.
It is only when the tipper is a stranger and likely to remain so that the system does not work to his or her advantage. But frequent a hotel or a restaurant, always tip a bit more, and the difference in service and treatment will be easily felt.
Philip McBride Johnson,
Great Falls, VA 22066, US
1. What can we learn from Hoffman’s letter?| A．Quality of service determines tipping in the US. |
| B．Americans don’t tip in non fast-food restaurants. |
| C．Tipping in US up-market restaurants is unnecessary. |
| D．How to tip in the United States is not complicated. |
| A．a stranger in a restaurant is likely to tip a bit more |
| B．diners receive better service if they frequent a restaurant |
| C．repeat dinners may get good service if they tip a bit more |
| D．the tipping system works to the advantage of new customers |
| A．feels doubtful about the value of tipping |
| B．believes tipping improves quality of service |
| C．wants to ask Hoffman about tipping in the US |
| D．thinks tipping a bit more one can get good service |
| A．notice | B．handbook | C．book review | D．newspaper |
2 . Have you ever wondered if you see the same colours as other people? Most people know what blue is when they see it. They call it "blue” because they were taught the word and connected it with what they saw. But how do you know what you see as blue isn't someone else's red?
The ability to perceive （感知）different colours is up to receptors （接受器）in our eyes. Light waves hit these receptors and they react depending on which colour the light is, sending signals to the brain. The brain then reads these signals to determine which colour light the eyes are receiving.
Some people's receptors are more developed than others. The inability of the receptor to feel the light waves correctly means that some people cannot tell the differences between similar colours. Those with more developed receptors can see more colours. We sometimes hear people having an argument about whether something is dark blue or black. It might be because one person has stronger receptors to feel the light than another.
In the past, most scientists would argue that everyone saw colours in the same way. However, research was conducted on monkeys, in which their receptors were changed. This enabled them to see more colours than usual. Normally monkeys can only see blue and green, but the change allowed them to see red. Their brains automatically got used to new colours. This suggests that our brains may find new colors of the things we see. Colours could be a very personal experience , unique to everyone.
So, the next time you talk about your favourite colour, just remember if yours is blue and your friend says red, you two might actually be thinking about the same colour. What if everyone in the world has the same favourite colour, but just calls it different names?
1. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．How we perceive colours. |
| B．The inability to see colours. |
| C．What the brain does with signals. |
| D．The connection between receptors and light waves. |
| A．Some people cannot feel colours with their developed receptors. |
| B．The more light people feel, the weaker receptors they have. |
| C．People with poor receptors usually have colour weakness. |
| D．People who have strong receptors can see dark blue. |
| A．To test the monkeys with colours. |
| B．To develop the receptors of humans. |
| C．To enable monkeys to find more colors. |
| D．To prove everyone sees colours in a different way. |
| A．A film review. | B．A science magazine. |
| C．An art journal. | D．A business newspaper. |
3 . Teens Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep And Schools Are Partly to Blame
Most kids are severely sleep deprived, and early school starting times aren’t helping.
Across the country, only 17.7 percent of middle and high schools start classes after 8:30 a.m.. The average school start time for middle and high schools around the country is 8:03 a.m., according to a new analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The AAP advises that schools start after 8:30 to help teenagers get 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep a night — the amount the AAP says is ideal. Currently, less than a third of high school students sleep 8 hours a night, says the CDC analysis.
The analysis uses 2011–2012 information from the Department of Education to gather the start times of about 39,700 schools. Alaska has the latest average school start time at 8:33 a.m., while Louisiana has the earliest at 7:40 a.m.
Sleep-deprived teenagers are more likely to suffer from depression, use drugs, get low grades and be overweight. Even though schools often face obstacles when trying to delay school start times due to traffic and scheduling concerns, some have made progress recently.
After Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts delayed school start times in 2008 from 7:55 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., the private school saw a number of benefits. As the Huffington Post previously reported, the school’s 2014 viewbook noted that students earned higher grades; ate more breakfasts, visited the health center far less frequently; and performed better in athletics. Teachers reported that first-period discussion classes were uncharacteristically lively from the beginning bell.
Half of parents whose teens attend schools that start before 8:30 would support a later start time, according to a 2014 survey from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
1. The benefits of enough sleep for students don’t include ________.| A．earning higher grades | B．eating more breakfast |
| C．visiting the health center more frequently | D．performing better in athletics |
| A．making a comparison | B．using examples |
| C．presenting research findings | D．quoting diagrams |
| A．The earlier schools start, the higher grades students can get. |
| B．All schools should start after 8:30 across the world. |
| C．Nine hours of sleep a night is the most ideal choice. |
| D．The lack of sleep may lead to various terrible problems. |
| A．A research report. | B．A health guide. |
| C．A class presentation. | D．An official document. |
4 . This is not a diet. It’s a simple way to lose weight. You don’t have to give up the food you love or join a gym. You just follow some habits thin people have. Keep them, and you’ll become thin.
◆Wake-up
When you wake up in the morning, sit up slowly without using your hands. With legs straight out, lean forward (前俯) until you feel sore (酸痛的) in your back. It will use up 10 calories.
◆Start with soup
Order a clear soup, and have it before the main food. In this way, you’ll feel fuller, so you’ll eat less when the main food comes.
◆An apple or more a day
Apples are full of fiber (纤维) and water, so your stomach will want less. Studies show that people who eat at least three apples or pears a day may lose weight.
◆Talk it up
Every time you use the cell phone, stand up and walk around. Heavy people sit on average two and a half hours more each day than thin people. This skill is very important as standing up and walking around will burn up 50 or more calories. Use these skills, and you will have a big weight loss.
1. The text is to encourage you to ______.| A．go on a diet | B．give up your favorite foods |
| C．join a gym | D．follow some habits of thin people |
| A．Sit up quickly in the morning. | B．Have soup before the main food. |
| C．Eat rice instead of apples. | D．Sit down when using a cell phone. |
| A．in a magazine | B．in a dictionary | C．in a story-book | D．on a map |
5 . Let’ s explore the nature!
Are you interested in animals and nature? Want to enjoy your summer holiday and learn something fun and useful?
Here comes your chance! Youth Explorer has prepared you with a three-day summer programme full of hands-on activities and live animal encounters (相遇)-----giraffes, snakes, tigers, you name it! You will be spending time at the Fun Zoo exploring topics like animal care, animal handling and a lot more! The details of the programme are as follows:
Age group: Students aged 8--16
Sections: There are 2 programmes for you to choose from. Each programme is limited to 15 participants.
Programme A
Dates: 8---10 July
Days: Monday to Wednesday
Times:10:00a.m.----4:00p.m
Programme B
Dates: 11-13 August
Days: Tuesday to Thursday
Times:10:00a.m.----4:00p.m
Programme fees: $230 for members, $ 250 for non-members
How to apply: Simply come to our centre to get an application form. Submit your completed form on or before 10 June.
Notice:
1) No lunches are provided due to individual food preferences and allergies. Participants may either bring a lunchbox or buy lunch at our restaurants
2) Both programmes will be put off for one day if the following happens: Typhoon signal number 8 or above.
Come and join us now! Don’t miss this chance!
1. What can be learnt about Youth Explorer’ s summer programme?| A．It is suitable for animal lovers | B．It is held at its centre |
| C．It is full of sports activities | D．It is family-friendly. |
| A．It sets a fixed fee | B．It provides free lunches |
| C．It favours middle school students | D．It may be affected by the weather |
| A．A news report | B．An art show review |
| C．An advertisement | D．A lesson plan |
6 . 
At this special rate, you’ll save more than 73% off the cover price with our Continuous Renewal Guarantee! You’ll also get FREE access for 6 months to the Reader’s Digest Digital Edition for iPad or Kindle Fire, with your paid subscription (n.订阅).
Subscribe (v.订阅) to Reader’s Digest today and Read up!
Continuous Renewal:
Your subscription will be automatically (自动地) renewed at great savings off the cover price, unless you tell us to stop. You allow us to charge your credit card for your renewal subscription before your present subscription expires (到期) at the low renewal rate then in effect. If your credit card can’t be charged for any reason we will bill you directly instead. This service will continue each year until you tell us to stop. Cancel at any time at www.rd.com/customer-care and get the money back on all unmailed issues.
Offer is good in U.S. only.
One-year cover price is $47.78. Each 1-year subscription includes 12 issues. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Free access to the iPad edition is available one time only for 6 months with paid subscription; the following print subscriptions will not qualify subscriber for free access to the iPad editions.
For customer service, please click here.
1. According to the picture and the passage, you will save around _____ against the cover price with Continuous Renewal Guarantee in two years .
| A．$46 | B．$73 | C．$23 | D．$71 |
| A．If you stop the continuous renewal, you can’t take the money back. |
| B．If you continue to subscribe it, the service will end in one year. |
| C．If you want to stop the service, you can visit the website to cancel it. |
| D．If your credit card can’t be charged, delivery of issues will directly be stopped. |
| A．only readers in America can get the discount |
| B．1-year subscription covers 12 issues and free delivery |
| C．the subscribers will be guaranteed to get free information |
| D．if you pay money, you can access the digital edition without limit |
| A．To sell copies of Reader’s Digest. |
| B．To offer customer service to readers. |
| C．To introduce Reader’s Digest. |
| D．To recommend continuous renewal subscription. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．A website. |
| C．A magazine. | D．A travel guide. |
7 . The Palace Museum is limiting the daily number of visitors to 80,000 and recommending both individual visitors and tourist groups to book tickets in, advance online (booking address: https://gugong ktmtech.cn). foreign visitors are required to provide passport numbers during the online booking
ADMISSION
April 1st-October 31st 60 yuan
November 1st-March 31st. 140 yuan
●Free admission(入场费) for children under.2 meters in height.
●Free admission for disabled visitors.
●20 yuan for elementary, middle school, and undergraduate students with student I.D. (not including graduate and adult or continuing education students).
●50% discount for people over 60 years with valid certificate or proof of age (passport, etc.)'
●Women's Day (March 8): Half-price admission for female visitors.
●Children's Day (June 1): Free admission for children 14 years old and younger. 50% discount on admission for one accompanying parent. legal guardian, or adult,
For detailed information and instruction, please click here.
1. How many people can visit the Palace Museum daily at most?| A．Eight hundred | B．Eighty thousand. | C．Eight million | D．Eighty million. |
| A．A middle-aged woman visiting it on 13,Mar. | B．A middle-aged parent visiting it alone on lst, June. |
| C．A 65-year-old man visiting it on 7th,May. | D．A middle school student visiting it on 6th,Jan. |
| A．A website. | B．A magazine | C．A book. | D．A newspaper. |
8 . If Confucius(孔子)were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He'd need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It's nothing personal. Most Americans don't even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn't mean that Americans don't care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually include Chinese art, history and
philosophy(哲学). Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantage of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks(缺陷)of Western philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker's ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is.
1. The opening paragraph is mainly intended to______________.| A．provide some key facts about Confucius |
| B．attract the readers' interest in the subject |
| C．show great respect for the ancient thinker |
| D．prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations |
| A．have a great interest in studying Chinese |
| B．take an active part in Chinese competitions |
| C．try to get high scores in Chinese exams |
| D．fight for a chance to learn Chinese |
| A．Forgotten Wisdom in America |
| B．Huge Fans of the Chinese Language |
| C．Chinese Culture for Westerners |
| D．Old Thinker with a Big Future |
| A．a personal biography | B．a history paper |
| C．a cultural newspaper | D．a philosophy textbook |
9 . What Does the Length of Your Fingers Say About You?
Are you the peace-loving type or the ambitious go-getter? Your finger length might be a clue. Take a look at your fingers. Would you believe me if I told you that the length of your fingers in relation to one another can predict your personality? I know that it sounds like one of those silly tests you see on Facebook, but I have to admit that it is exactly correct for me. Here's how it works.
Look at your three middle fingers of your hand. Is your index finger longer than your ring finger? Is your ring finger longer than your index finger? Or are the two of the same length? Find the situation that best matches your hand and see if what follows is an accurate description of your personality.
●Longer ring finger: The Sweet Talker
If your ring finger is longer than your index finger, research shows that you're likely a charming type, and you can probably talk yourself out of any situation. Others often find this personality type irresistible and will go to great lengths to help you. You're more likely to take risks, and you're good at problem-solving. People in this category make great engineers, soldiers and crossword-puzzle solvers.
●Longer index finger: The (Over) Confident One
If your index finger is longer than your ring finger, chances are you are full of confidence—possibly even to the point of being over-confident and proud. You are not necessarily introverted（内向的）,but you do enjoy time to yourself, especially when you're trying to complete a project. You are a dream pursuer who can make things happen, but you may be shy when it comes to taking the first step in a relationship. You are also probably happy with what you have, but you're always wishing for more.
●Index and ring finger are of the same length: The Peacemaker
If your index finger and ring finger are roughly of the same length, you are likely to avoid conflict at all costs and seek to keep the peace in your relationships. You are well-organized, faithful and sympathetic. But deep down under all of that caring and peace-loving, you also have a hot-tempered side that can appear unexpectedly when you're pushed too far. You will try your hardest to avoid a fight.
How well do these descriptions match your personality? I was surprised at the accuracy in my case, but I'm not going to tell you which one it was!
1. Which of the following hand could be an engineer's hand?A． | B． |
C． | D． |
| A．How accurate the description of the test is. |
| B．The length of fingers can reveal personality. |
| C．Why your fingers are not of the same length. |
| D．Personality is determined by your finger length. |
| A．An official report. |
| B．A biology textbook. |
| C．A popular magazine. |
| D．A public advertisement. |
10 . If you ever find yourself trapped in the wilderness without food, you'll have to figure out how to feed yourself. Many plants in the wild are edible, but many are also poisonous. So it is necessary to learn how to determine whether the plants you find can be eaten safely.
Avoid using this method without careful planning. Some plants can be deadly, and even if you follow these guidelines perfectly, there is always a chance that a plant will make you seriously ill. Prepare yourself for wilderness outings by learning about the local plants, and carry a guidebook to help you identify plants. Even if you are unprepared and cannot find food you know to be safe, remember that, depending on your activity level, the human body can go for days without food, and you’re better off being hungry than being poisoned.
Testing the plant in your mouth is dangerous, so go forward very slowly and carefully. First, hold a small portion of the prepared plant part against your lip for 3 minutes. Do not put the plant in your mouth. If you notice any burning, tingling (刺痛), or other reactions, discontinue testing. Second, place another small portion of the plant part on your tongue. Hold the plant on your tongue without chewing for 15 minutes. Discontinue testing if you notice any reaction. Third, chew the plant and hold it in your mouth for 15 minutes. Chew the plant well, and do not swallow. Discontinue testing if you notice any reaction. Fourth, swallow the small portion of the plant. Wait 8 hours. Do not eat or drink anything during this period except purified water. If you feel sick, immediately throw up what you eat and drink plenty of water. If activated charcoal (活性炭) is available, take that with the water.
1. What’s the meaning of the underlined world “edible” in paragraph 1?| A．Suitable for using as food. | B．Widely spread. |
| C．Existing in large quantities. | D．Not widely known. |
| A．Planning is unnecessary when using the method. |
| B．Not all plants in the wild can serve as food generally. |
| C．Suffering hunger can be more dangerous than testing plants. |
| D．Following the method perfectly can ensure safety. |
① wait and see ② chew it in the mouth③ put it on the tongue④ put it against lips ⑤ swallow it
| A．③④②①⑤ | B．④③②①⑤ | C．③④②⑤① | D．④③②⑤① |
| A．A student’s diary. |
| B．A science report. |
| C．A guide book for camping. |
| D．A doctor’ s notebook. |
