1 . It has been four years since Grandma Joy told her grandson that she had never seen the most beautiful views of America. Since then, they have gone on many cross-country trips.

Brad Ryan had been feeling tired of studying in a vet school when he visited his 85-year-old grandma in 2015. He hoped that spending some quality family time would help lift his spirits.

As he was telling his grandma stories of his travels, however, he was heartbroken to hear that she had never seen the ocean or mountains. Ryan then asked his grandmother if she would like to go hiking with him. Needless to say, she was more than happy to agree.

They have since visited 29 different national parks across America---from the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado to the Acadia National Park in Maine. Over the four years, Ryan and his grandma have driven 25,000 miles through 38 states. And it has greatly affected his quality of life. “Seeing it through my grandmother’s eyes, who every morning wakes up and   is thankful to be alive has taught me how to live,” Ryan said. “With her, I’ve had to slow down and see life in a different way, which has made it a lot richer.”

“I love my grandma so much, and it’s just really giving me a lot of peace when she passed away. I can go back to these places, feel her spirit, and feel connected to her,” he added.

Ryan posted all of their trips on Facebook. He hopes more young people will spare time to be with their elders. “I want young people to know that hanging out with your grandparents is cool. And there’s so much we can learn from our elders,” Ryan said.

1. Why did Brad Ryan visit his grandma in 2015?

A．To cheer himself up.

B．To please his grandma.

C．To take his grandma to travel.

D．To share his travelling experiences.

2. How did Brad Ryan feel when he heard his grandma had never seen the ocean or mountains?

A．Shocked.	B．Sad.
C．Doubtful.	D．Excited

3. What influence did Brad Ryan’s grandma have on him?

A．She made him live a better life.

B．She helped him find his life goal.

C．She told him to have peace of mind.

D．She gave him a lot of encouragement.

4. What is Brad Ryan’s purpose of posting their trips online?

A．To advise young people to take a trip.

B．To share his joy of travelling with his grandma.

C．To encourage the young to keep their elders company.

D．To show young people what they can learn from their elders.

2 . High school was a hard time for Me in the beginning because I had just moved to a small town and knew basically no one. I loved to play basketball but was afraid to go to tryout (选拔)for the school's team because I didn't know anyone. One day all that changed when I missed the bus home and decided to shoot baskets on the school playground to kill time. The coach Mr Colbath had been watching me make various baskets and was pretty impressed with my moves.

He came up to me and asked me who had taught me to play like that. I told him that my dad had taught me how to play basketball. He asked me if he would see me at the tryout on Friday. but I said no and told him why. He told me to have a try because I played very well and would maybe make some friends on the court. After thinking for a few minutes. I finally decided to have a try.

On the day of the tryout, the coach came, found me and helped me practice before the tryout. He helped me a lot and I did very well at the tryout and many members of the team were quite impressed. I did make the team and over the next few years the coach helped me both on and off the court. He helped me do my math which I had such a difficult time with and he even taught me how to live independently.

I will never forget Mr Colbath. He really inspired me and changed my life. I would not be the person that I am today if he had not taken such an interest in me when I was in high school.

1. Why did the writer shoot baskets on the school playground?

A．Because he was preparing for the tryout for the school's team.

B．Because he wanted to show off his moves to the coach.

C．Because he missed the bus and had nothing to do.

D．Because he wanted to make new friends while playing.

2. What is the most probably reason for which the writer wouldn’t go to the tryout?

A．He should study very hard.	B．He didn’t think he played well.
C．He knew no one in the school.	D．His class teacher told him not to.

3. What does the underlined phrase “make the team” most probably mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Join the team.	B．Leave the team.
C．Organize the team	D．Lead the team

4. What does the writer mainly talk about in this passage？

A．His tryout at school.	B．His present life.
C．His basketball coach.	D．His high school life.

3 . I work as the reception manager at my hotel.

A booking came in a few weeks ago with a note attached that a guest would be travelling with her deaf father. This note helped us in preparing for their arrival. As they would be here for a number of days, his daughter wanted to make his trip to Ireland as smooth as possible.

Upon seeing this note and knowing I would be the one to check them in, I decided to learn some very basic sign language. I greeted the guest in my usual fashion, asking for the surname on the booking. Once I heard the name，I immediately realized who was standing in front of me.

I had been learning for two weeks how to say: “Welcome to Ireland. My sign language is terrible, but please, if you need anything during your stay, just let me know and we will help you.”

I smiled at the father and daughter in front of me. Turning to the father, I greeted him in ASL (American Sign Language) and began the bit I had learned for him. His daughter broke down crying and told me I was sweet. But the father just smiled and was so happy. Honestly, seeing his reaction was enough for me. It was absolutely worth the last few weeks of learning basic ASL.

Sadly, I wasn’t working the day they checked out, but they left a gift for me, a small box with some chocolates and a book on ASL. Inside was a note saying: “Thank you very much for what you did. My father has been in amazing spirits from the time you checked us in and insisted we get you a gift before we left. You have no idea how much this meant to my father and me, and we can’t thank you enough. You've made his trip very special with one simple gesture.”

I cried for a solid five minutes when I came into work the next day and found this gift in my locker.

1. The daughter left a note when booking the hotel in order to __________.

A．ask for special service for herself

B．give some useful advice to the hotel

C．express gratitude to the hotel manager

D．make her father’s trip more comfortable

2. The daughter cried when they checked in because __________.

A．the author’s sign language was really terrible

B．her father was unwilling to live in that hotel

C．she appreciated what the author had done for her father

D．the author wouldn’t be working when they checked out

3. Seeing the father’s reaction during check-in, the author probably felt __________.

A．thankful	B．satisfied
C．disappointed	D．regretful

4. From this passage, we can know that __________.

A．the author made the daughter’s check-out smooth

B．the author was deeply moved by an unexpected gift

C．the daughter cried for five minutes before they left

D．the daughter asked the author to learn sign language

4 . Older women who walk a little over three kilometers each day might live longer than less active women of the same age, a new study suggests.

Many Americans hoping to stay healthy set a daily goal of 10, 000 steps, or about eight kilometers. They often have this goal because they are wearing electronic devices which set that target, note researchers in the United States. Their findings appeared recently in the publication JAMA Internal Medicine.

But it is not clear how much intensity(强度)or speed matter when counting the health benefits of every step, the researchers write. They add that 10,000 steps per day might not be the right goal for everyone.

For the study, researchers observed 17,000 women, all in their early 70s. They asked the women to wear accelerometers for at least four days. Accelerometers are small devices that measure the number of steps and the intensity of movement. The researchers followed up with the women much later, around 4. 3 years later, on average. Since the beginning of the study, 504 women had died. Compared to women who took no more than 2, 718 steps daily, the women who took at least 4,363 steps per day were 41 percent less likely to die.

“Even a modest amount of steps is associated with lower death rates, "said I-Min Lee, the lead writer of a report on the study. "The rate of stepping did not matter in these older women: it was the number of steps that mattered.

The study had a few limitations. For example, the researchers only measured women’s movements once, at the start of the study period. It is possible that the women’s behaviors changed over time. Still, the results are "good news for older adults who may have difficulty walking at faster paces, "said Keith Diaz, a researcher at Columbia University. He was not involved in the study.

“Any walking is better than nothing, " Diaz said by email. "With even small amounts of walking, your risk of death will be sharply reduced "For those who have difficulty walking, other research shows that any form of aerobic activity provides health benefits," he added. "Swimming, bicycling or any form of activity that is continuous in nature will provide health benefits.

1. What conclusion can we come to from the text?

A．People who walk about 10,000 steps can live longer.

B．10,000 steps per day might be the right goal for people.

C．The more steps one walks per day, the longer life he may live.

D．The number of steps is important for a long life among older women.

2. How is paragraph 4 mainly developed?

A．By giving examples.	B．By comparison.
C．By listing statistics.	D．By explaining reasons.

3. What can be leaned from what Diaz said?

A．People who walk fast will get more health benefits.

B．If people have a habit of walking, the risk of death will be reduced.

C．People with walking difficulty can not benefit from activities

D．Activities such as swimming and bicycling are not as beneficial as walking.

4. Where is the text most likely from?

A．A medical journal.	B．A news report.
C．A magazine about fashion.	D．A traveler brochure.

5 . The symphony ended and after much applause the audience moved out of the warmth of the hall and into the cold night air. It had been one of the best performances of recent months and you could feel the excitement as the crowd moved down the street. Taxis seemed to appear from nowhere to convey people home，while others sought out bars and restaurants. Everyone was chatting excitedly and the magic of the performance carried on in their minds.

This had been a traditional classic，with none of the clumsy notes so loved by the so-called modernists. The music had thrilled the soul and assisted in lifting the spirits to a higher level. Perhaps in these hard times someone might learn this valuable lesson. What was wanted was traditional works that attracted crowds，not the shameful and incomprehensible pieces that had left so many seats unoccupied for so long.

As the people left they seemed to carry some of the performances along with them. It was like the fragrance of a rose bush carried by a gentle wind，sweet and exciting，yet at a distance the source unknown. A few hummed（哼）the tunes as they walked along，spreading their enjoyment far and wide. Long into the night you could still feel the emotion of the music and as dawn rose over the city the next day，the last faint echoes（回声）still remained as people returned to work.

Critics are critics；they are never really interested in ordinary people and simple pleasures. Where was the skill in simply playing well to a fascinated audience？What was advanced by the performance of well-known overtures（序曲）？So，as would be expected，they used their usual phrases and quotations to belittle（贬低）the traditional classics. As a result，the pop returned. And within a week the concert hall was almost empty again.

1. The first paragraph is intended to tell us ________.

A．many people attended the concert

B．how the people spent their evening

C．the concert impressed those people

D．many people were fascinated with music

2. In the author's opinion，________.

A．modern music is preferable

B．classics are more valuable

C．classics are incomprehensible

D．modern music equals classics

3. In what background was the concert held？

A．Most people didn't like pop music.

B．The economy was rapidly developing.

C．Cultural life was rather short.

D．The country was in difficulty.

4. What is the author's attitude toward music critics？

A．Favorable.	B．Negative.
C．Positive.	D．Subjective.

6 . One of my earliest memories was watching my mom talking on our old phone. I was fascinated that she could talk to someone who wasn't actually in the room with her.    1    I was wondering how she managed to talk with someone she couldn't see.

    2    Later, we had mobile phones that could be carried around the room. Then came computers and smart phones. These days I can send an e-mail around the world in a second. My daughter's smart phone has a hundred apps and a dozen social media accounts. She stores all of her information in a mysterious place known as "the cloud", where she can take it out at any time. It seems that we are more connected in this world than ever before.

    3    Few take time to talk face to face. Instead of looking into eyes of our beloved ones, we stare at our screens. It seems as if the most connected generation is also the loneliest.

Don't let technology take our time and ruin our life. Make the time to meet and to communicate with each other. Take a walk on the beach with a friend. Have a long conversation with the phones off and the hearts on.    4    

Remember that we are here to love each other, help each other and make this world a better place.    5    But when it can't, turn it off.

A．That was a long time ago.

B．Connect offline as well as online.

C．We should communicate with each other with phones off.

D．Smart phones have both advantages and disadvantages.

E．When your technology can help to do these things, then use it.

F．However, what bothers me is that we rarely associate with each other nowadays.

G．When she left the room, I slowly walked over to the phone and stared at it for a while.

7 . Music

Opera at Music Hall: 1243 Elm Street. The season runs June through August, with additional performances in March and September. The Opera honors Enjoy the Arts membership discounts. Phone: 241-2742. http://www.cityopera.com.

Chamber Orchestra: The Orchestra plays at Memorial Hall at 1406 Elm Street, which offers several concerts from March through June. Call 723-1182 for more information. http: //www.chamberorch.com.

Symphony Orchestra: At Music Hall and Riverbend. For ticket sales, call 381-3300. Regular season runs September through May at Music Hall in summer at Riverbend. http://www.symphony.org/home.asp.

College Conservatory of Music (CCM): Performances are on the main campus(校园) of the university, usually at Patricia Cobbett Theater. CCM organizes a variety of events, including performances by the well-known LaSalle Quartet, CCM’s Philharmonic Orchestra, and various groups of musicians presenting Baroque through modern music. Students with I.D. cards can attend the events for free. A free schedule of events for each term is available by calling the box office at 556-4183. http://www.ccm.uc.edu/events/calendar.

Riverbend Music Theater: 6295 Kellogg Ave. Large outdoor theater with the closest seats under cover (price difference). Big name shows all summer long! Phone: 232-6220. http://www.riverbendmusic.com.

1. Which number should you call if you want to see an opera?

A．241-2742.	B．723-1182.
C．381-3300.	D．232-6220.

2. When can you go to a concert by Chamber Orchestra?

A．February.	B．May.
C．August.	D．November.

3. Where can students go for free performances with their I.D. cards?

A．Music Hall.	B．Memorial Hall.
C．Patricia Cobbett Theater.	D．Riverbend Music Theater.

8 . Music festivals in Europe

Visiting a festival abroad can be a great reason to travel and a way to experience different cultures. These days there is such a number of choices that it’s possible to spend the whole summer watching live music in exciting places. Of course, it’s also a chance to meet people from across the world.

Melt! Festival, Germany

This festival takes place on the site of an open air museum for industrial machinery. There’s also a lake which can be used for swimming when it’s hot. This year’s line-up has over 120 different bands (乐队). Around 90% of the people attending the festival are German providing a perfect chance to practise speaking the language.

Exit Festival, Serbia

Set on the banks of the Danube in an old fortress (城堡), the festival began as a way to show people’s dissatisfaction with the government. These days it’s less political (政治的) but still worries about people who are poor, ill, old, etc and tries to help them. This year’s festival will host many famous bands. From electronic music and dance music to hard rock, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Open’er Festival, Poland

Held in an airfield near the northern city of Gdansk, each year Open’er has a seriously good selection of bands. This year is no exception, with many famous bands set to play. Not only are there amazing artists, but both Poland and the festival itself also provide very excellent value for money.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Scotland

Set on a Scottish estate (庄园) near Inverness, this year Belladrum will welcome artists from around the world. The most enjoyable part of the weekend is the ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance and party) which is always a lively event. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a beginner because the band teaches you each dance.

1. What is special about Melt! Festival?

A．It provides German lessons.	B．It is held by a local museum.
C．The bands are from 120 countries.	D．Most of the festival goers are German.

2. Why did Exit Festival begin?

A．For political reasons.	B．For personal reasons.
C．To help stop a fight.	D．To offer help to the poor.

3. What makes Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival different from the others?

A．It falls in summer.

B．It is a live music festival.

C．It teaches people Scottish dances.

D．It invites the most famous bands.

9 . What’s your opinion on spicy food? Some people cannot handle even the smallest amount of chili peppers in their dinner while others can’t get enough of them.

Scientists have long been puzzled by why some people love the chili while others loathe it. Plenty of research has been done on the subject, dating as far back as the 1970s. Previous results showed that a love of chilies is related to childhood experiences, and that cultural influences affect our taste too. But the latest study has found that a person’s love of spicy food may be linked to his or her personality (性格) more than anything else, CBC News reported.

“We have always assumed that liking drives intake — we eat what we like and we like what we eat. But no one has actually directly bothered to connect personality with intake of chili peppers,” said Professor John E. Hayes from Pennsylvania State University, who led the study.

But before you look at the study, you should first know that “spicy” is not a taste, unlike sour, sweet, bitter and salty taste. It is, in fact, a burning feeling that you feel on the surface of your tongue. This got scientists thinking that maybe a love of spicy food is brought about by people’s longing for thrill, something they usually get from watching action movies or riding a roller coaster.

In the study, 97 participants, both male and female, were asked to fill out questionnaires about their personality, for example, whether they like new experiences or tend to avoid risks. They were then given a glass of water with capsaicin (辣椒素), the plant chemical that makes a chili burn, mixed into it.

By comparing the answers to the questionnaire and what participants said they felt about the spicy water, researchers found that those who tended to enjoy action movies or take risks were about six times more likely to enjoy the spicy water.

Interestingly, we used to believe that the reason why some people can withstand (耐受) spicy food is that their tongues have become less sensitive to it. However, this latest study has found otherwise. “It’s not that it doesn’t burn as badly, but that you actually learn to like the burning feeling,” Hayes explained.

1. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “loathe” in the second paragraph?

A．Dislike.	B．Fear.
C．Put up with.	D．Adapt to.

2. What did Professor John E. Hayes and his team discover from their study?

A．What we eat actually helps to develop our personality.

B．Males are more likely to enjoy spicy food than females.

C．Those trying to avoid risks tend to be less interested in spicy food.

D．People are wrong to treat " spicy" as a kind of taste rather than a feeling.

3. Why do some people like spicy food according to the recent study?

A．Because their taste has become less sensitive.

B．Because they love the burning feeling.

C．Because they want to challenge themselves.

D．Because the more they try spicy food, the less it burns.

4. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．What one likes to eat mainly depends on one’s personality.

B．Whether one enjoys spicy food depends largely on one’s personality.

C．One’s personal experiences have nothing to do with their taste.

D．Different people have different taste.

10 . The concept of solitude(独处) in the digital world is almost non-existent. In the world of digital technology, e-mail, social networking and online video games, information is meant to be ______. Solitude can be hard to discover once it has been given up. In this respect, new technologies have ______ our culture.

The desire to be connected has brought solitude to a(n) ______ as we’ve known it. People have become so ______ in the world of networks and connections that one can often be contacted even if they’d rather not be. Today we can talk, text, e-mail, chat and blog, not only from our______, but from our mobile phones as well.

Most developed nations have become ______ on digital technology simply because they’ve grown accustomed to it, and at this point not ______ it would make them an outsider. ______, many jobs and careers require people to be ______. From this point of view, technology has changed the culture of work. Being reachable might feel like a ______ to those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times. I suppose the positive side is that solitude is still possible for anyone who really wants it. Computers can be ______ and mobile phones can be turned off. The ability to be “connected” and “on” has many ______. Travelers have ended up ______ on mountains, and mobile phones have saved countless lives. However, they can also make people feel ______ and forced to answer unwanted calls or turn to unwanted texts.

Attitudes towards our connectedness as a society ______ across generations. Some find today’s technology a gift. Others consider it a curse. Regardless of anyone’s view on the subject, it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without daily advancements in technology.

1.

A．updated

B．received

C．shared

D．collected

2.

A．expanded

B．shaped

C．retained

D．promoted

3.

A．mission

B．orbit

C．end

D．desire

4.

A．powerful

B．intelligent

C．concerned

D．reachable

5.

A．media

B．computers

C．headsets

D．monitors

6.

A．tough

B．hard

C．keen

D．dependent

7.

A．finding

B．using

C．attending

D．consuming

8.

A．Also

B．Instead

C．Otherwise

D．Somehow

9.

A．connected

B．trained

C．recommended

D．interested

10.

A．pleasure

B．benefit

C．burden

D．disappointment

11.

A．put off

B．shut down

C．taken over

D．set up

12.

A．aspects

B．weaknesses

C．advantages

D．exceptions

13.

A．packed

B．lost

C．survived

D．floated

14.

A．trapped

B．attempted

C．confused

D．committed

15.

A．vary

B．arise

C．spread

D．exist