1 . Thanks to in-depth reporting by the Wall Street Journal, we now know that Facebook has long been aware its product Instagram has harmful effects on the mental health of many adolescent users. Young girls, in particular, struggle with their body image thanks to a constant stream of photos and videos showing beautiful bodies that users don’t think they can attain.

While the information the Journal covered is essential and instructive, it does not tell the whole story. Deep down, this is not an Instagram problem; it’s a people problem. Understanding that distinction can make the difference between a failed attempt to contain a teen’s interest in an addictive app and successfully addressing the underlying problem leading to mental distress induced (诱发) by Instagram.

Critics were quick to shame Facebook for sitting on the data and not releasing it to researchers or academics who asked for it. Others criticize the social media giant for not using the research to create a safer experience for its teen users. The anger, while understandable, is misplaced.

While I’m reluctant to defend Facebook, I’m not sure it’s reasonable to blame the company for withholding data that would hurt its business. Have you ever binge-watched (狂看) a Netflix series? I assure you it wasn’t a healthy endeavor. You were in active, likely did nothing productive, mindlessly snacked and didn’t go outside for fresh air. It is an objectively harmful use of time to stare at a TV or laptop for a full weekend. Should we respond by shaming Netflix for not alerting us to how damaging an addictive product can be?

While it’s reasonable to say Instagram makes esteem issues worse, it strains credulity (夸张到难以置信) to believe it causes them in the first place. You create your own experiences on social media. For the most part, you choose which accounts to follow and engage. If you’re already vulnerable to insecurities and self-sabotage (自损) — as many teens are — you will find accounts to obsess over. And this isn’t a new phenomenon.

Before social media, there were similar issues fueling self-esteem issues. Whether the target be magazines, movies or television shows depicting difficult-to-attain bodies, there has been a relatively steady chorus (异口同声) of experts nothing the damage new media could cause young viewers.

Self-esteem issues have an underlying cause — one that’s independent of social media use. Instagram merely enhances those feelings because it provides infinitely more access to triggers than older forms of media. It’s more worthwhile to address those underlying factors rather than to attack Facebook.

1. The author thinks the criticisms against Instagram __________.

A．are successful attempts to change teens’ interest in addictive apps

B．address the Instagram - induced mental pain

C．are only based on the data released by Facebook

D．are not directed at the fundamental problem

2. Netflix is mentioned to __________.

A．compare the criticisms against it and Facebook

B．defend why Facebook is to blame

C．suggest the critics’ remarks are not to point

D．show Netflix does more harm to teens

3. The Instagram problem is essentially a “people problem” in that __________.

A．it is human nature to get addicted to social media

B．users decide on their experiences on social media

C．people have a tendency to feel insecure online

D．people are keen on fabricating their self - profile

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．the unprecedented criticism facing Facebook

B．the alarming online habits of teenagers worldwide

C．the root cause of Instagram - induced mental strains

D．the harmful impact of Instagram on teenagers

2 . With thrill-seeking spots from north to south, there are various of theme parks in California for every taste and style. Different parks offer unique experiences and I’m here to help you decide which is best for you! Here are the top 3 California theme parks that shouldn’t be missed.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Cinema lovers delight as they visit Universal Studios Hollywood. Experience the movie magic and behind-the-scenes Hollywood studio tours at this Southern California theme park. This is one of the best theme parks in California that doesn’t break the bank. There are always discounts available online and with a good search, you may end up paying next to nothing for a trip to Universal Studios with the whole family.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the most popular theme parks in California and it is also known as “America’s first theme park, “ for it is over 100 years old. Its wild west theme is seen throughout the park with cowboy characters striding (阔步)along in the western-themed live entertainment. After you go on roller coasters, check out Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Some guests visit the theme park for that restaurant alone. Work up your appetite from walking around the park all day for a delicious chicken dinner.

Legoland California

Legoland California is a children＇s paradise (乐园). Kids are excited when they see their favorite toys come to life at a whole amusement park. There are also kid-themed shows for children to watch throughout the park so your children never grow bored. Don’t forget to try all the delicious food around Legoland like fried apples.

1. Who will make Universal Studios Hollywood their first choice?

A．Lego lovers.	B．Movie lovers.
C．Thrill seekers.	D．Bargain traders.

2. What is available in “America’s first theme park”?

A．Fish.

B．Beef.

C．Mutton.

D．Chicken.

3. Why is Legoland California children’s paradise?

A．They can eat the delicious food free of charge.

B．They can play a part in the kid-themed shows.

C．They can experience their favorite toys vividly.

D．They can make fried apples when feeling bored.

3 . 语法填空

Old age may not sound exciting. But recent findings offer good news to older people and to people who are worried about     1     (get) older. Researchers have found that people become happier     2     experience less worry after they reach their fifties. In fact, they say at     3     age of eighty-five, people are happier with their life than they were when they were eighteen years old. The finding     4     (come) from a survey of more than three hundred and forty thousand adults in the United States. It showed that stress levels drop     5     (sharp) after people reach their fifties. The people,     6     are least likely to report negative emotions, are those in their seventies and eighties. The study has also showed that men and women have similar     7     (emotion) patterns as they grow older. However, women of all ages report more sadness, stress and worry than     8     (man). Researchers say they do not know why happiness increases as people get older. Probably, one reason is that as people grow older, they grow more     9     (thankful) for what they have and have better control of their emotions. They also spend less time     10     (think) about bad experiences.

4 . 阅读下面短文，用适当的关系词填空。

Several days ago after I shopped in the biggest supermarket     1     is near our city center, it was pretty late, so I called a taxi. On my way home, I saw many homeless people     2    were sleeping on the cold ground on both sides of the street. I told it to my mother and she said, “They are the people to     3     we should offer help.” The next day my mother and I went to a market where we bought blankets and quilts at very good prices. Then I drove to the place     4     the homeless stayed. The moment they received the blankets and quilts, they all looked at me in surprise and thanked me for my kindness. I was moved a lot by their smiles,     5     made me feel good about myself. That is the reason     6     I want to do more for homeless people.

5 . 阅读短文，从所给词汇中选择合适的词汇，并用其适当形式填空。

tradition          all over the world          high-quality          cave          image

To help increase knowledge and appreciation of China’s ancient cultural heritage, a group of researchers and scientists from China and other countries have recorded and collected digital     1     of cultural relics from the Mogao     2     in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, northwest of China. A large number of     3     digital photographs have been produced since the international project started in 1994. The group hopes to promote even wider interest around the world in China’s ancient history, culture, and     4     by sharing digital photos on the Internet. They also hope to further educate people     5     about the importance of safeguarding historical and cultural relics for future generations to understand and appreciate.

6 . 阅读短文，用适当的关系代词填空。

Singapore is one of the foreign countries     1     left a deep impression on me. I had a holiday in this wonderful country last summer and I stayed there for 5 days. It is a good place for those     2     love travelling with white shoes because the streets there are extremely clean. During my stay in Singapore, I visited some famous landmarks (地标)     3     include the Merlion statue, the Singapore Zoo and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. For me, Singapore is well worth visiting. Firstly, the public transport system there is extremely satisfying. Another thing     4     attracts me a lot is its multi-cultural nature. During the five days     5     I spent in Singapore, I met lots of people     6     nationalities were different from mine. So I got the chance to practice my English by speaking with local people and other tourists. It was really fun.

7 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写一段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

It all began when I moved to Dallasin the fourth grade, and I noticed that I was behind in my reading at School. Reading out loud, I had difficulty with half the sentences. My teacher, Mrs. Agnew, said my reading comprehension and ability to pronounce words was at a lower level than other fourth graders. I was scared every time she called on me to read aloud because, although I would try my hardest, she would always have to help me with the words. Mrs. Agnew suggested to my mother that I be tested for dyslexia (发育性阅读障碍) and seek a cure.

At first I didn’t understand why I was being tested. To be honest, I was in fear of facing failure then. Nervous and confused, I sat waiting in the hospital room, unsure of what Dr. Grady, the doctor who diagnosed developmental dyslexia, was telling my parents about the test results.

However, the final results showed that I did have developmental dyslexia. Knowing it, I froze. I had no idea what to do but stand still. My mother looked at me and said quietly, “Honey, don’t worry, and I’ll be with you all time. Are you going to let the obstacle get in your way? Say NO!”. Eventually, I became determined to struggle against my disability. I started to take speech treatments from doctors and some medical volunteers regularly. Dr. Grady told us to go to the hospital twice a week for treatment and my reading ability will get to normal after three years’ training.

Gradually, I even began to love reading, which I had once hated it so much. Several medical volunteers listened to me patiently and taught me patiently. I was deeply moved. Whenever I saw volunteers in white candy-striped (粉白相间条纹的) medical uniforms passing by me, I had a strong desire to give back by being a volunteer to help those like me.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
The time for retesting finally arrived.
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One day a little girl in a wheelchair asked me to read a book to her.
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8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Where has Jackson been?

A．To the Forbidden City.

B．To the Great Wall.

C．To hutongs.

2. What activity did boys always do in hutongs?

A．They jumped rope.

B．They held soccer matches.

C．They played hide-and-seek.

3. What seems rare to Westerners about hutongs?

A．Keeping traditional habits.

B．People often losing their way.

C．Different generations living together.

9 . 阅读下面材料, 根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段, 使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Today was Community Service Day at school. Maya’s class was going to make cards for the seniors living in a nursing home. It was also the first day Maya would be wearing her leg brace (腿支架) to school, which was designed to help her walk more steadily and smoothly.

It was a cold autumn morning, Maya looked down, feeling embarrassed. To make it lovelier, she had delicately decorated the brace with pretty butterfly patterns. Still, she was unsure about others’ reaction. All morning at school, kids kept glancing at her brace. To her relief, they didn’t say anything.

In the classroom, Maya was drawing little green buds (芽) and pretty flowers when her friend Samir came over and sat by her. She felt his eyes fixed on her brace and heard him asking, “What’s that for?” Not knowing what to say, Maya pretended she didn’t hear him. After a few seconds of awkwardness, she glanced back at him, and found that he looked a little sad.

After lunch, the class set off. The nursing home was on a small hill and all of them walked there happily along the path. Maya found that the brace did make it easier for her to walk up.

Maya and Samir were paired up with a lady who was 83 years old. There at the end of the hall in a wheelchair, with a big smile on her face, sat the lady, wearing a pink coat, with red lipstick and beautiful earrings. She looked bright and full of life. Moving flexibly and fast towards Maya and Samir, she greeted first. “I’m Joan, ” she said cheerfully, “Glad to meet you. ”

Maya and Samir handed her the cards they made. Joan looked at Samir’s card carefully and spoke with admiration, “You’ve written a poem! That’s so artistic!” Samir’s face reddened with shyness. Then Joan turned to Maya’s picture. “The first flowers of spring!” she cried in delight. “You really have a gift for using colour!” she said. Clearly, Joan’s praise added great power into Maya.

注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

In a sudden wave of bravery, Maya asked, “What’s it like being in a wheelchair?”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Deeply impressed by Joan, Maya offered to sit beside Samir on the bus ride back home.

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10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

For Greek photographer George Doupas, Beijing is home now. During the past decade, he has been photographing the city, capturing its beauty     1     sharing these photos online and in exhibitions.

“This     2     (true) represents Beijing — the old and the new, nicely mixing together,” Doupas said while showing his photograph of the Zhihua Temple, a delicate Ming Dynasty building. It     3     (locate) in front of a modern office building, Galaxy SOHO, which features weaving bridges and interlocking passageways.

With rich historical heritage, Beijing     4     (be) an important center of traditional Chinese culture since the Ming Dynasty. Doupas often gets     5     (lose) in the city’s splendid ancient architecture. Meanwhile, he is also amazed by the modern city     6    (combine) high-end businesses and various industries. “It is fascinating to see a rapidly-developing city that invests so much effort in preserving its past, which is     7     I decided to pursue my career here,” he said.

Doupas is determined to continue with his career in China, hoping to serve as     8     bridge between China and the West. The     9     (display) that show his photos about Beijing have attracted a large audience in Greece and the Czech Republic.

“I call Beijing my home now,” he said, “I’ll keep sharing photos of China     10     the rest of the world.”