1 . Four Highly-related Books

Anne of Green Gables.

Anne of Green Gables by Canadian author Lucy Mau d Montgomery has been considered as a children’s novel since the mid-20th century. It states how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts at school and within the town. The novel presents the conflicts between Ann’s more fantastical daily life and that of Marilla, who would rather operate as social convention dictates (规定). Since publication, the book has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into 20 languages.

First published: 1908

Original language: English

Pride and prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel of manners by the British author Jane Austen. The story follows the main character, Elizabeth Bennet, as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, norality, education and marriage in the society of the landed gentry (地主阶层) of England in the early 19th century.

First published: 1813

Original language: English

Treasure Island

Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis, telling a tale of “pirates (海盗) and buried gold”. The influence of the book on popular perceptions of pirates is huge, including such elements as treasure maps marked with an “X”, sailing ships, tropical islands and one-legged seamen bearing parrots on their shoulders.

First published: 1883

Original language: English

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pen name Lewis Carroll. It tells of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by unusual and vivid creatures. The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity with adults as well as with children. It is considered to be one of the best examples of the literary nonsense type.

First published: 1865

Original language: English

1. What do the four books have in common?

A．They are novels written by the authors from the same country.

B．They were first published in the 19th century.

C．They were originally written in English.

D．They are works of children's literature.

2. What can we know about Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?

A．Its theme is manners, upbringing and marriage.	B．Its main character is an English gentleman.
C．It is suitable for both adults and children.	D．It is based on a true and touching story.

3. Which book is involved with sailors who attack other ships and rob them of property?

A．Treasure Island.	B．Pride and prejudice.
C．Anne of Green Gables.	D．Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What got the speaker to study psychology?

A．Her observation of adults.

B．Her university education.

C．Her unhappy childhood.

2. What kind of people did the speaker study first?

A．Wealthy people.

B．Creative people.

C．Ordinary people.

3. What has the speaker discovered in her study?

A．Creative people are happier than other people.

B．People are happier when they concentrate hard.

C．People’s happiness depends on where they are.

4. How does the speaker feel about her study?

A．Satisfied.

B．Surprised.

C．Disappointed.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the woman?

A．An athlete.

B．A hostess.

C．A coach.

2. Why did Noah start horse riding?

A．He was very interested in horses.

B．He wished to defeat his fear of animals.

C．He wanted to get pleasure from horse riding.

3. How has Noah benefited from horse riding?

A．He’s much fitter.

B．He’s more energetic.

C．He’s more patient.

4. What would Noah like to do when he gets older?

A．Teach kids to ride horses.

B．Work as a horse trainer.

C．Win more horse riding races.

4 . When I was 12 years old, I spent most of my free time reading. But sadly, not everyone around me enjoyed reading as much as I did, and not being able to talk about my favorite hobby with my friends made my reading a lonely experience.

In my senior year of high school, I came across a channel, “Clau Reads Books” run by Claudia Ramirez Lomeli, who makes book-related content in Spanish, and was introduced to the book world of social media. I could finally hear someone else’s reaction to the stories I like. I love her videos because we prefer the same kind of books. Eventually, I followed her on another social networking site, and I learned about the community on it where users blog about their favorite books. I really wanted to be part of this space and seeing others being so interactive and supportive made it seem like an acceptable community. However, I doubted my ability to express my thoughts well because I was unfamiliar with creating content to engage other readers.

Therefore, I started reading blogs on how to start a new account for guidance and after weeks of researching, I learned about the necessary social media skills. I had to spend time designing small sets and finding natural lighting and household items for photo shoots, and learn how to write engaging reviews while using hashtags (主题标签) in posts to attract other users.

My first post was a photo of my favorite book, Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, with my hand’s shadow cast on a page. I also took pictures of several of my favorite sentences from the book and included a few hashtags to increase interaction. Attracting people with similar interest was hard at first. But gradually, it became kid’s stuff. The community quickly became a good place for me to talk about my favorite books with people having the same interest.

1. Why did the 12-year-old author feel upset?

A．She couldn’t spare time for play.	B．No one around her liked reading.
C．She couldn’t share her love of reading.	D．No friend was fond of her favorite book.

2. What can we learn about Claudia Ramirez Lomeli?

A．She comes from Spain.	B．She hosts a TV program.
C．She taught the author how to blog.	D．She led the author to a new book world.

3. What is mainly talked about in paragraph 3?

A．Skills of choosing suitable hashtags.	B．The author’s efforts to attract viewers.
C．Guidance on registering new accounts.	D．The author’s techniques for creating content.

4. What does the author think of attracting people with similar interest now?

A．It is easily done.	B．It faces new challenges.
C．It is mentally demanding.	D．It needs topics related to kids.

5 . What do ballet dancers and short people have in common? They both spend more time on their tip toes than others. I don’t remember when I went from being a _________ person like the other kids to being a short kid. I know that by the time I was about 12, you would have difficulty making a joke about a short person I hadn’t _________.

One of the greatest lessons my dad taught me was to do something before somebody else could. If I am going to be a punchline (笑点), I’d rather be the _________ of the joke. My 50th birthday is just a couple of years away, and the jokes keep _________. I can laugh now, most of the time.

There was a lot of name-calling (辱骂). Some was cruel _________ some not. I have _________ much of the cruel, for it may make me feel upset. In junior high, a well-meaning schoolmate called me Stretch. In university, I was Shortly. When a friend said, “I will see you shortly,” to which I replied, “Sounds good, but don’t call _________ Shortly.”

Jokes and nicknames _________, there were some real challenges as a short person. Studies have shown short men tend to make less money on average. This is why I _________ in-person job interviews. I always feared my __________ would cost me an opportunity. I always felt __________, real or not.

As I get older, and __________ wiser, it doesn’t annoy me as much. There are some __________ of being short. I find airplane seats __________. I am incredible at hide and seek. I rarely bump my __________. Would I still want to be taller? Of course. But I wouldn’t be me. I am me because I am short. And I like who I am.

1.

A．humorous

B．small

C．handsome

D．strong

2.

A．preferred

B．copied

C．reviewed

D．heard

3.

A．author

B．suspect

C．criminal

D．coach

4.

A．breaking down

B．falling behind

C．rolling in

D．running out

5.

A．while

B．until

C．since

D．after

6.

A．taken to

B．blocked out

C．stuck to

D．figured out

7.

A．him

B．you

C．me

D．it

8.

A．aboard

B．ahead

C．above

D．aside

9.

A．hated

B．organized

C．recommended

D．researched

10.

A．character

B．weight

C．height

D．emotion

11.

A．shocked

B．puzzled

C．judged

D．inspired

12.

A．constantly

B．apparently

C．bitterly

D．intentionally

13.

A．explanations

B．principles

C．misunderstandings

D．benefits

14.

A．spacious

B．solid

C．occupied

D．steady

15.

A．stomach

B．shoulder

C．back

D．head

6 . For those in search of safe, non-medicine sleep aids (助手), sound machines are a popular choice. The National Sleep Foundation recently found that 5% of Americans sleep with a “sound conditioner”. It can be a fan, phone app, or other noise-producing machines.

Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, says a sound conditioner is a lifesaver if you live where loud nighttime noise is common. But even if your bedroom is very quiet, sound machines can still be helpful if you’re the type of person unsettled by a total absence of noise, or if you’re a light sleeper who wakes from even the softest sound.

Research supports the idea that a little background sound can help people fall asleep. For a study in the journal Sleep Medicine, the researchers asked sleepers to listen to recorded hospital sounds either with or without a white noise machine. They found that those who slept with the white noise machine were hardly affected by the hospital sounds, while others who slept without white noise were easily awakened.

There’s also so-called “pink noise” and “brown noise”, which can sound similar to white noise. “I don’t think there’s enough evidence yet to say one type is better than another,” says Michelle Drerup, a sleep psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “I know from talking with my patients that some people prefer natural sounds, like a rainstorm. But others don’t want a sound at all when they sleep,” she says. “It all comes down to the individual (个人).”

For some, the best sound might be none. “Biologically (生物学上), you don’t need this sound to sleep,” says Michael Grandner, “and if you use it every night, you can get so used to it that you can’t sleep without it.” Most sleep experts agree. “I wouldn’t suggest people use sound machines to sleep unless they’re reporting difficulties with outside noises,” an expert says.

1. According to the text, who should sleep with a sound conditioner?

A．Those who fall asleep fast.

B．Those who wake up easily.

C．Those who live in a quiet street.

D．Those who are afraid to sleep alone.

2. What does Michelle Drerup think of the best type of sound for sleep?

A．Pink noise and brown noise are better.

B．Sleeping without any noise is the best.

C．It all depends on personal preferences.

D．Natural sounds are the best for people.

3. What is most experts’ suggestion?

A．To use sound machines as little as possible.

B．To see a doctor with your sleeping problems.

C．To find a very quiet place to treat sleeping problems.

D．To break the habits of sleeping with sound machines.

4. What’s the main idea of the text?

A．Most Americans have a bad sleep.

B．White noises are good for humans.

C．Sound conditioners are a safe, non-medicine sleep aid.

D．Not everyone should sleep with white noise machine.

7 . For the past 10 years I have been cycling on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Every summer vacation, I spend a month biking across the plateau.

In 2014, I set out on a cycle route with five other people in the far west of the Tibet autonomous region. Our 2,000-kilometer route started in Lhasa in the east, passed through the northern part of the prefecture (辖区) and ended in the west.

Titled the “top of the Roof of the World”, the plateau, which has a small population, has incredible scenery. Travelers can see the snowy mountains, clean blue lakes, lots of animals during the day, and clear, starry skies at night.

The route consists of dirt, even broken stones and paths, which have been formed over time by passing vehicles. Animal attacks are a potential risk in the wild. One night, we had to camp near a forest where there were potential animal attacks, especially from wolves. We found a house in a locked yard, but no one answered our calls from the gate. It was the time of the seasonal migration, so maybe the people had moved to another place for better water and grass. Then we had to camp outside. One of us was very experienced and careful. He placed some hay bales (干草捆) alongside the wall and said that if something dangerous happened, we could use them to jump into the yard and shelter (躲避) in the house.

Luckily, we didn’t meet any wolves or other animals, though we could hear them calling. Animal attacks remain a major cause of injuries on that route. Before the trip, we read online that a traveler had been bitten by wolves. The temporary “step” our companion built made us feel safer.

1. Which one is true according to the first two paragraphs?

A．The author often take part in recycling race.

B．Whenever the spring comes, the author will recycle to Tibit.

C．In 2014’s cycling route, the author set out from Lhasa.

D．In 2014’s cycling route, the author rode eastern form west.

2. What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．Why the plateau is called the “top of the Roof of the World”.

B．Why it’s hard to travel around the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

C．The small population of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

D．The beauty of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

3. What does the underlined word “potential” mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Slight.

B．Terrible.

C．Possible.

D．Additional.

4. Why did one of them put hay bales beside the wall?

A．To make them feel safer.

B．To keep themselves warm.

C．To feed cows for the villagers.

D．To help the villagers make a fire.

8 . Things to do in London this weekend

Sheep & Wool Fayre, Sunday 11 am

Sheep & Wool Fayre is one of Spitalfield’s City Farm’s biggest community events and this year it’s still going ahead virtually (虚拟地) celebrating all woolly things with all its usual shows and competitions.

Order take-away pints（一品脱的啤酒）

Buy a pint and head for some of that daily exercise — or a rest — in the park. Just remember: parks in the capital are still largely closed right now, so check their opening hours ahead of time. And many parks close at 5 pm or 7 pm each evening.

Royal Botanic Gardens, all weekend

The world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens has been allowed by the government to welcome visitors. Of course, it will be going under strict social distancing rules and all visitors, including members, will have to book tickets online ahead of time.

Camden Market, Saturday 10 am

Camden Market — along with the rest of London — has been closed because of COVID-19 for the last two months, but it is opening its stores again. Head along to pick up some top-quality things — only fresh produce will be sold at this time. When you visit, there will be strict social distance rules.

Maltby Street Market, all weekend

Outdoor markets have been officially allowed to be re-opened to the public — but with strict social distance rules in place. Maltby Street Market is making a comeback today. For now, it’ll be returning as the “Maltby St. Produce Market”, having “a small number of carefully selected fresh produce traders”.

1. Which can only be enjoyed online right now?

A．Sheep & Wool Fayre.	B．Royal Botanic Gardens.
C．Camden Market.	D．Maltby Street Market.

2. What makes Royal Botanic Gardens different from the others?

A．It’s open to all visitors.

B．Local government runs it.

C．It is very well-known in the world.

D．Tickets must be booked beforehand.

3. What can people probably buy at the re-opened markets according to the text?

A．Top-quality clothes.	B．Wool products.
C．Fresh produce.	D．Pints.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Who was going to give a party for Mary?

A．Mr Green.

B．Mary’s friends.

C．Mrs Green.

2. How old was Mary going to be?

A．Thirty.

B．Twenty.

C．Thirteen.

3. What did Mrs Green buy for the party?

A．Some fruit like apples, oranges and bananas.

B．Some food like cakes, bread and meat.

C．Some drinks like tea, coffee and milk.

4. When did the party begin?

A．At three o’clock.

B．Before three o’clock.

C．After three o’clock.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How long will the man stay in Rio?

A．For a few weeks.

B．For several days.

C．For more than a week.

2. Where will the man meet his girlfriend?

A．In Rio.

B．In Santiago.

C．In Lima.

3. How long will the man’s summer holiday last?

A．A month.

B．Three weeks.

C．Two months.

4. How will the man travel from one place to another?

A．By ship.

B．By car.

C．By plane.