1 .

A．American literature.	B．Elementary education
C．Children's literature.	D．Art history.

2 .

A．Impatient.

B．Confused.

C．Sincere.

D．Comfortable.

3 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

The Art of Blooming Late

Mozart struggled during his teens and early twenties. Though already a productive composer, he had to work as an organist (风琴手)to make ends meet.

Underpaid by his frustratingly average work, he felt a     1     (burn) desire to devote more time and energy to his art. So after a period of doubt and deliberation, that’s exactly what he did. He quit his job, set up shop in Vienna and settled down to     2     turned out to be the most creative period of his life.

If you aspire to do more personally fulfilling work — say,     3     (found) a start-up or turn a hobby into a full-fledged (完全成熟的) career — drafting a plan of action can be slightly discouraging. Even so, a few newly-released books suggest that it’s entirely possible to develop the clarity of purpose to create your own version of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

In Aristotle’s Way, the classicist Edith Hall describes the ancient philosopher’s belief     4     becoming conscious of our skills, talents and aptitudes and then using our resources to make the most of them is the foundation of living a good life. If you’re not working toward reaching your unique potential — as Mozart did — it’s normal to feel dissatisfied. If that’s the case, says Aristotle, it’s your duty to make things right.

What, then, is holding you back? Rich Karlgaard, author of Late Bloomers, argues that our culture’s obsession with early achievement discourages us from pursuing our passions.     5     having varied interests, studying widely and enjoying our time — essentials for self-discovery — we’re encouraged to pass the tests, become specialists right away and pursue safe, stable and profitable careers.

As a result, most of us end up choosing professional excellence over personal fulfillment and often we lose ourselves in the process.     6     your job requires high-demanding tasks, being a specialist isn’t a treasure. Having a wide range of skills and experiences is     7     (beneficial) because it allows you to be quick-minded and creative.

The authors of Dark Horse, Todd Rose and Ogi Ogas of Harvard’s School of Education, noticed the negative effects of early specialization in a study of people who came out of nowhere to achieve great success. “Despite feeling     8     (overwhelm),” the two write, “most dark horses reluctantly struggled along for years before finally coming to the realization that they were not living a fulfilling life.”

To prompt this kind of revolution in your own life, Rose and Ogas suggest creating a goal tailored to extremely specific activities     9     truly inspires you. As you move forward, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s never too late to become yourself. There are also benefits of taking a long winding path to self-fulfillment.     10     (remember) that age typically brings wisdom, resilience, humility, self-knowledge and creativity. As research has shown, small daily changes can have a profound effect and slowly but surely lead you closer to the person you think you ought to be.

4 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fit s each blank.

The History of Snacks

Hamburgers, sandwiches and pizza are some of the worlds’ favourite snacks, but have you ever wondered     1     first ate them? Read on to find out more.

The hamburger

The hamburger started life as small pieces of raw beef     2    (eat) by the Tartars, a tribe who invaded Europe in the Middle Ages.     3     they ate it, they used to put the meat on their horse under the saddle (马鞍) they were sitting on in order to make it soft. When the Tartar s arrived in Hamburg, the people mixed the beef with local spices, fried it and called it the Hamburg Steak. Germans who came to the USA took this recipe with them and it became known     4     a hamburger there.

The sandwich

People say that it was John Montague, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich,     5    invented the sandwich. Montague enjoyed playing cards in his favourite restaurant, the Beef Steak Club in London. He could     6    (find) there most days and some of his games lasted for hours. One day, instead of stopping     7    (eat) lunch, Montague asked a servant to bring him some meat between two slices of bread to prevent the cards from getting dirty. When the other players saw this, they began to order’ the same as Sandwich’, and so the sandwich got its name.

Pizza Margherita

In 1889, Queen Margherita of Italy invited chef Rafaelle Esposito from his pizzaria to visit the royal palace and     8    (bake) a selection of pizzas for her.     9    (want) to impress the queen, Rafaelle made a very special pizza. It was large and topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh herbs to represent the Italian flag,       10     is red, white and green. The Queen was delighted with this design and the pizza became one of her favourite foods. When people heard about this, they all wanted to try it and so the pizza Margherita was born.

5 . Super Size Me

Fast food, otherwise known as junk food, is a huge passion for a large number of people across the Western world. But what would happen if you ate lots of junk food every day? Would it seriously damage your health? These were the questions which led Morgan Spurlock, an independent film-maker, to do an experiment, which he came into a documentary film entitled Super Size Me.

The main basis of his experiment was that Spurlock promised to eat three McDonald’s meals a day, every day, for a month. He could only eat food from McDonald’s and every time an employee asked if he would like to ‘super size’ the meal, he had to agree. ‘Super sizing’ refers to the fact that with this type of meal you get a considerably larger portion of everything for only a very small price increase.

Before he started, three doctors certified that Spurlock weighed about 84kg and was in good health. Although both Spurlock and his doctors knew he would put on a bit of weight, and that this diet was unhealthy, none of them were quite prepared for just how unhealthy it turned out to be. The changes in his body were horrifying. In the first week, he put on 4.5 kilos and by the end of the thirty days he had gained nearly 14 kilos, bringing his total weight to 98 kg.

Weight gain was only one of the negative effects, however. When all three doctors saw the severe damage to his liver, they all recommended stopping the experiment after 20 days. Spurlock continued to follow the diet, however, because he wanted to show people what this kind of diet can do to you. Watching the film, you begin to realize that it could be a fast-forward picture of your life: in 30 days you go to see what could happen to you over 20 or 30 years of overconsumption.

Junk food is exactly what it says it is -- junk. Spurlock says, ‘I’d love people to walk out of the movie and say, “Next time I’m not going to ‘super size’. Maybe I’m not going to have any junk food at all. I’m going to sit down and eat dinner with my kids, with the TV off, so that we can eat healthy food, talk about what we’re eating and have a relationship with each other.”’ Food for thought indeed.

1. In the one-month experiment, Spurlock ______.

A．ate three McDonald’s meals every day	B．could choose to “super size” his meal
C．got extra-large meals at a lower price	D．pretended to eat for better visual effect

2. How do we know that “The changes in his body were horrifying”?

A．He gained one sixth of his body weight in one week.

B．Doctors suggested him stopping the experiment halfway.

C．He fast-forwarded the video past the medical examination.

D．He turned out to be 20 or 30 years older than people of his age.

3. Spurlock made a documentary film, aiming to tell people that______.

A．human nature often drives us to desire more

B．how we eat is far more important than what we eat

C．overconsumption for a short time does little harm to the body

D．if we eat too much junk food, we ourselves will be supersized

6 . The Psychology of Giving: Why do People Give to Charity?

Every day, leaders in the nonprofit sector invest valuable time, energy, and money into educating and spreading awareness of their mission in the hopes that this will increase support for their nonprofit. They assume that if only more people knew about a school’s budget cuts, for example, then they would surely donate! So, they bombard (连续轰炸) potential supporters with depressing statistics or complex arguments.     1    .

Why do people donate to charity? While it’s true that donors and volunteers are motivated to make the world a better place because it’s the right thing to do, that’s not the entire—or even the primary—reason for their generosity.     2    . In other words, we give because it feels good and that good feeling connects us to others in ways that we find satisfying. While that might sound selfish, all it really means is that people are wired to feel happy when they’re being kind.

    3    . Nobody wants to read yet another article about how the world is falling to pieces. Emphasize the good that’s being done at your organization so that your donors feel empowered, not depressed.

Since we give in part because it solidifies our connections to others, make sure that your communication with your donors is personal and specific (i.e. begin correspondence with “Dear Anna,” not “Dear Donor”). Prioritize community by finding ways to connect with your supporters on a personal level and give them the opportunity to interact with each other, whether it’s through a monthly video call or a donor appreciation night.     4    .

Remember that, at base, all philanthropic work is fundamentally a social act, so aim to make your donors feel like they’re a part of a broader community in which they are included, valued, and seen.

A．Research shows that the number one motivator for charitable giving is the all-too-human quest for reward and social attachment.

B．But this begs the question: how do statistics influence people’s decision to donate?

C．The more human ties your donors have with your organization and with each other, the more committed they’ll be to your mission.

D．While statistics and figures are important, make sure that your messages to your donors are upbeat and optimistic.

E．In this way, you are more likely to build long-lasting connection with both contributors and receivers.

F．However, that’s not how the human mind works.

7 . Italy’s one-euro-home sales have been attracting a lot of interest over the past few years. Some towns like Mussomeli in Sicily and Zungoli in Campania have managed to _________ abandoned properties to foreigners pursuing the Italian dream. However, some have _________ to sell their empty homes. Among them is Patrica, a remote village of barely 3,000 residents located south of Rome, where more than 40 properties deserted in the early 1900s have been left _________.

In an attempt to breathe new life into the dying village, the town’s mayor Lucio Fiordaliso has been trying to _________ the success of other Italian villages who’ve put their empty homes up for sale for one euro, or just over a dollar. “The process is not _________. We first mapped out all abandoned houses and contacted the original owners to ask for permission. Only then can we place these properties up for sale with their _________, which makes the process very complicated.” However, the permission from one owner of the house sometimes is not enough for the sale of potential one euro homes. That is because most relatives sharing the same property often _________ one another for personal reasons or some hardly speak or know each other.

Another reason that the one euro plan never really started in Patrica could be due to the _________of its homes. Some of the houses are simply too neglected to sell, even if the owners were willing to agree to it. _________, Patric a local Gianni Valleco and his two brothers decided to place their parents’ abandoned home on the market to see what would happen. But they soon disappointedly found that the house was far from __________.

In the meantime, Fiordalis o has been coming up with new ways to __________ newcomers. He prompted several locals to entirely restyle their old family homes and put them to use after decades of neglect. “The mayor’s move finally gave us a good excuse to fully restore the property which had been sitting there __________,” says the locals. The mayor also decided to start operating some commercial activities like an B&B or a restaurant or a shopping center.

“There is __________, but then when many foreigners actually see the bad shape of the old homes they’d prefer to opt for turn-key apartments that are already restyled or in need of just __________ fixes,” says Fiordaliso. “So it’s much more convenient to buy one of these newer ones than __________ an old building in need of major reconstruction, where the final cost would end up being much higher.” Despite these challenges, Fiordalis o hasn’t given up on selling the town’s long forgotten homes.

1.

A．assign

B．restrict

C．shift

D．return

2.

A．forgot

B．emerged

C．continued

D．struggled

3.

A．shaking

B．shining

C．decayed

D．burnt

4.

A．catch up with I

B．make fun of

C．pay attention to

D．take pride in

5.

A．optional

B．rigid

C．simple

D．special

6.

A．initiative

B．budget

C．approval

D．determination

7.

A．disagree with

B．negotiate with

C．text to

D．cooperate with

8.

A．location

B．condition

C．exhibition

D．ownership

9.

A．For example

B．By contrast

C．In fact

D．On the contrary

10.

A．sufficient

B．desirable

C．spacious

D．enough

11.

A．appeal to

B．back up

C．hold back

D．count on

12.

A．independently

B．uselessly

C．permanently

D．purposefully

13.

A．claim

B．coverage

C．audience

D．interest

14.

A．minor

B．temporary

C．urgent

D．costly

15.

A．build

B．furnish

C．rent

D．grab

8 . Kate Hanselman’s home is a shrine to hobbies past and present. Fencing suit sits beside multiple pairs of rock-climbing shoes. “I find yarn everywhere because I love knitting, and I have a whole set of embroidery (刺绣) stuff,” she says. Plus: stacks of puzzles, her partner’s golf clubs, and equipment from his flying lessons. “Our house is like a full hobby station,” she says with a laugh.

Challenging, fun and engaging hobbies have the power to make us happier and healthier, says Hanselman, a nurse with the counseling practice Thriveworks. Such pursuits help us grow in creative, physical and intellectual ways, and can boost self-esteem. Plus, they often foster connection with others. Hobbies lead to better physical health, more sleep, lower stress, greater life satisfaction, a larger social network and improved work performance.

        “Hobbies live in the pleasure world, not necessarily the mastery world,” Hanselman says. “We’re not trying to impress the board; we’re not going for a paycheck; there’s no additional motive. Hobbies are like dessert and as a baker myself, dessert is the most important part.”

That resonates with Chris Johnson, recreational woodworker, motorcyclist, gardener, cook and runner. He has accepted that he’ll never be a master surfer, but that doesn’t dampen his enjoyment of riding waves. And he’s so taken with beekeeping that his backyard is now home to 20,000 honeybees.

“I really love learning and figuring things out, and developing an understanding of how things tick,” says Johnson, of Carolina Beach, North Carolina. His hobbies tend to evolve out of curiosity, boredom or need. Take the bees: After moving into a new home with a barren yard, he was concerned about a lack of pollinators, so he planted a garden and became a beekeeper.

“If you derive joy from your hobby—it doesn’t matter if it’s a board game or beekeeping—I’m confident it will make you a better person in every aspect of your life,” he says.

1. Kate Hanselman’s home primarily features ________.

A．a focus on work-related equipment and tools

B．a collection of various hobbies and interests

C．an outlook on life and value from a novelty hunter

D．a showcase of precious artwork and decorations

2. What effects can engaging in challenging hobbies have on individuals?

A．Higher social status and wider networks.

B．Enhanced physical and mental well-being.

C．Increased financial wealth and material possessions.

D．Improved cognitive abilities and increased intelligence.

3. Kate Hanselman intended the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 to ________.

A．highlight the very purpose of hobbies is to bring pleasure

B．distinguish her from others by the understanding of hobbies

C．attach great importance to her passion for baking compared with other hobbies

D．convey the core of hobbies is to provide a sense of master y and accomplishment

4. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Both Hanselman and Johnson are enthusiasts of hobbies and long for recognition.

B．Hanselman is under great pressure from satisfying societal expectations and norms.

C．Johnson’s interests are likely to have stemmed from curiosity and practical needs.

D．Johnson is engaged in community service to gain financial stability and wealth.

9 . Throughout history, humans have come up with ways to entertain themselves using objects such as cards, counters, and boards. Over thousands of years, these have evolved (进化) into the games we know today, from traditional sets with simple rules and basic pieces, all the way to modern electronic consoles (see the picture attached on the right-hand side) with advanced technology and lifelike interactive graphics (图形).

Strategy game Chess Where Asia       When c. 600 AD Many countries claim to have invented chess but one forerunner of the game appeared in India in the 7th century. Over the centuries chess has evolved and spread across the globe, becoming one of the most popular strategy games. It is played with two players who take turns to move 16 pieces to attack each other’s king. The aim is to trap the king into checkmate (将死), so that it cannot move to safety.
Card game Chinese playing cards Where China       When 9th century AD The earliest known playing cards are believed to have originated in China during the Tang Dynasty, though how games with these cards were played is not known today. The modern pack of 52 playing cards, with ♥hearts, ♠spades, ♦diamonds, and ♣clubs, developed much later, in France during the 15th century.
Word game Crossword Where US       When 1913 The first crossword puzzle was published in the Sunday supplement (增刊) of the New York World newspaper. A series of written clues help the player complete a grid (方格) of horizontal and vertical missing words. Crosswords are not only entertaining, but also expand vocabulary and aid brain development.

1. Which of the four choices best matches the description on the left?

A．	B．
C．	D．

2. The underlined word “forerunner” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ________.

A．follower

B．pioneer

C．winner

D．loser

3. The passage is likely to be an excerpt from ________.

A．Cultures of Asia	B．Playing Games
C．20th-century Fashion	D．Scientific Inspiration

10 . Health in space

Astronaut Frank Rubiales has returned to Earth after 371 days in space.     1       Unlucky for him, but very lucky for scientists who want to see what effects spending an extended time in space has on the human body.

Being in space can affect physical wellbeing.     2     Astronauts are recommended 150 minutes of exercise per day to counteract this. Also, space traveller’s eyes can be affected by the way that fluids act in zero-gravity. Outside the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to much higher levels and different forms of solar radiation. This can potentially cause long-term health problems, such as cancer.

It’s not just physical health that is affected by being in space. Our mental health can be damaged if we don’t get enough sleep. On earth, our bodies respond through circadian rhythms (昼夜节奏) to the Sun rising and setting to help us sleep, but astronauts on board the International Space Station see 16 sunsets and sunrises every day. This means that avoiding sleep deprivation is a challenge. Isolation, and spending all your time with a small group of people can also affect mental health. Along with isolation, is the pressure that comes from being constantly monitored by experts back on Earth. With possible future missions to Mars predicted to last three years, tensions within the crew could become heightened.     3    

Developing new techniques and technology to support astronauts’ health will enable more ambitious future missions.     4     The Canadian Space Agency is using its expertise to improve health care for people living in remote regions. The technology that supports robots used in space is now being used in surgery in normal hospitals, while pressure suits are being used to treat post-pregnancy complications.

A．Astronaut Harry Hartfield reports an example of this where a colleague threatened to open the airlock and drain the oxygen from the spacecraft.

B．The sacrifices of astronauts contributed to a giant leap in space exploration.

C．It can also help those of us who are staying on Earth.

D．Weightlessness caused by a lack of gravity can lead to a loss of bone and muscle mass.

E．The missions do great harm to both physical and mental health of astronauts.

F．It was only supposed to be 180, but a technical fault stopped him from returning as planned.