2 . Why is pink or purple a color for girls and blue or brown for boys?

The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences. To the Egyptians, green is a color that represents the hope and joy of spring, while for Muslims, it means heaven. Red is a symbol of good luck in many cultures. In China, children are given money in a red envelope to bring good fortune in the New Year. For many nations, blue is a symbol of protection and religious beliefs. Greek people often wear a blue necklace hoping to protect themselves against evils.

People's choice of colors is also influenced by their bodies' reactions(反应)toward them. Green is said to be the most restful color. It has the ability to reduce pain and relax people both mentally and physically. People who work in green environment have been found to have fewer stomachaches.

Red can cause a person's blood pressure to rise and increase people’s appetites(食欲). Many decorators will include different shades of red in the restaurant. Similarly, many commercial websites will have a red“Buy Now” button because red is a color that easily catches a person's eye.

Blue is another calming color. Unlike red, blue can cause people to lose appetite. So if you want to eat less, some people suggest that eating from blue plates can help.

The next time you are deciding on what to wear or what color to decorate your room, think about the color carefully.

1. Why do the Chinese give children the red envelope with money in the New Year?

A．It is a symbol of good luck.	B．It looks good.
C．People have much money.	D．People like giving money.

2. Why do many commercial websites have a red“Buy Now" button?

A．To relax people physically.

B．To increase people's appetites.

C．To encourage people to make a purchase.

D．To cause a person's blood pressure to rise.

3. What color might help lose weight according to the text?

A．Red.	B．Green.
C．Blue.	D．Purple.

4. Which of the following would be the most proper title for the text?

A．Colors and Human Beings	B．The Cultural Meaning of Color
C．Colors and Personal Experiences	D．The Meaning and Function of Color

3 . In all the world's cultures, people sing, play instruments, and celebrate with music. It plays such an important role in our lives that all fields focus on its study, including one looking at the biology of music. Experts find that because of the way our brains process music, learning to play an instrument or just listening to music can have a wide range of benefits.   

Music education has received a lot of attention. Learning to play an instrument can help children improve math, science, and language skills. One study in Canada tracked children's IQ scores for nine months, discovering that children who studied music had the biggest test score improvements. The secret may lie in the way reading music and playing notes use several areas of the brain, increasing our ability to learn school subjects. For example, reading notes improves spatial (空间的) reasoning skills, which are helpful in solving math problems like fractions (分数).   

Music is also used for medical purposes, such as the treatment of diseases which affect memories. The secret lies in the way the brain processes music. One area near the forehead, the medial prefrontal cortex(脑前额叶外皮), connects music with memories stored in two other areas: the amygdale(杏仁核) and hippocampus(海马体). That's why an old song can remind you of something that happened years ago. For patients suffering from diseases like Alzheimer's, listening to music can help unlock buried memories by strengthening musical pathways to memories.   

With the evidence of music's benefits, it's no wonder some countries make music study a part of their education systems. People are recognizing that more than just a form of entertainment, music is also great for the brain.

1. According to the Canadian study, which children increased IQ scores?

A．Those who already had high IQ scores.

B．Those who had always played music.

C．Those who could not play any instrument.

D．Those who studied music for a period of time.

2. Which of the following is a kind of disease?

A．Spatial reasoning.

B．Alzheimer's.

C．The amygdale and hippocampus.

D．The medial prefrontal cortex.

3. Which can be the best title for the text?

A．Music and health

B．Music and education

C．Music and the mind

D．Music and instruments

4. Scientists are studying music because ________.

A．music can be used for medical treatments

B．music plays a very important role in our lives

C．our brains can process music in different ways

D．music education has received a lot of attention

4 . Children should spend at least one hour playing and spending time in nature each day, according to the Wildlife Trusts （野生生物基金会）.     1     It is now calling on the government to include nature time into daily school life.

    2    Its 451 students in the study were 8 or 9 years of age. They were interviewed before and after nature activities. The activities were run by the Wildlife Trusts over the course of several weeks, such as learning about plants and trees.

The children showed a great increase in personal health.     3    90 percent said they learned something new about the natural world； 79 percent felt the experience would help their schoolwork；    4    Perhaps most importantly, 79 percent mentioned they would believe more in themselves.

    5    And the time has been reducing greatly in recent years. A 2017 report found that less than 10 percent British kids enjoys themselves in nature, compared to 40 percent of adults when they were younger years ago. To improve the situation, the organization is calling on the government to free up a daily hour for nature time for kids.

A．Parents care much about their kids' nature time. ”

B．However, parents on their own aren't giving kids that time.

C．81 percent said they had better relationships with their teachers.

D．The calling comes from a study by University College London.

E．The students are asked to study in University College London for one day.

F．The UK organization speaks for 46 groups and 2,300 nature protection areas.

G．And they also showed a sense of connection with the natural world and high levels of enjoyment.

5 . The fitness center offers a variety of activities for members of all ages throughout the week.

Activities for Monday 12 July, 2017:

Learn to swim. Classes for preschool children aged five and under start at 10 am. Classes last 30 minutes and parents must attend with their children. Don't forget to book in advance, as places are limited, and to pack some warm clothes for after the lesson.

Woman's aerobics（有氧运动）. Sessions are for one hour and begin at 10:45 am, led by Melissa. Come along and join us every Monday for an exhilarating hour of exercise and fun. Leave your kids at the nursery and take time out for yourself. Wear a tracksuit or something similar.

Lunch time yoga. Take a break at lunchtime （1:00-2:00 pm） for an hour of meditation and yoga. Enjoy the peace and quiet of our meditation room, and relaxing sessions designed for active people with busy lives. Use your own mat（垫子）for floor work or huy one from us with some money.

Family Shootaround. 10:00-5:30 pm. Family Shootaround is open for members and guests to bring the family out for basketball. Half court games are only during this time. There are no full court games during Family Shootaround hours. All participants must sign in at the front desk and wear a wistband during the play.

1. When will Melissa be working?

A．From 10:00 am to 10:30 am

B．From 10:45 am to 11:45 am.

C．From 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

D．From 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

2. Which activity may need extra fees?

A．Lunchtime yoga.	B．Women's aerobics.
C．Learn to swim	D．Family Shootaround.

3. What is the common requirement of the activities?

A．The need to sign in

B．The need to book in advance.

C．The need to bring something.

D．The need to become a member.

6 . Scientists have long known that a crow （乌鸦）native to New Caledonia is able to use tools. The birds use them to remove food from deep holes. Now, American researchers have discovered a second species of crow with the same ability. They reported on their experiments with Alala crows, which are from the Hawaiian Islands.

In the experiment, the researchers placed pieces of food in holes inside the wood. The holes were too deep for the crows to reach with their beaks(鸟喙). But, by using small pieces of wood held in their beaks, Alala crows quickly got the food. They used small objects as tools, sometimes changing them by shortening too-long sticks. They also made tools from plant materials.

“The crows use their beaks as people use thumbs on their hands. Tool use is rare in the animal kingdom. ” said Chritian Rutz of University of St. Andrews. “Current evidence strongly suggests that tool use is part of the species’ natural behavioral pattern(行为模式). These birds had no special training in the study, yet most of them were skilled at handling stick tools. ”

Bird experts claim finding out that the crows use tools is important discovery. “It makes us rethink how to look at the whole tool-use idea now and encourages us to go out and look for things that we may have ignored before. ”

All the Alala crows left in the world live in Hawaii. There were less than 20 Alalas left in the late 1990s when scientists decided to bring them into a protected area. Now, it is reported that there are over 100 birds living there. Scientists plan to release a small number of the birds back into the wild later.

1. What are the findings of American researchers?

A．Alala crows can also use tools.

B．It’s difficult for birds to look for food.

C．New Caledonia is home to some crows.

D．The Hawaiian Islands are full of rare birds.

2. What can we learn from the study?

A．The holes were very big and wide.

B．Alala crows could only use short sticks.

C．Alala crows got the food by working together.

D．Alala crows would deal with tools if necessary.

3. What do Chritian Rutz’s words mean?

A．Using tools comes naturally to Alala crows.

B．Using stick tools is not easy for Alala crows.

C．Alala crows’ beaks look like people’s hands.

D．Alala crows won’t use tools without being trained.

4. What do scientists plan to do with Alala crows?

A．Move all of them out of Hawaii.	B．Increase the population of them.
C．Set some of them free in nature.	D．Build more protected areas for them.

7 . My history with music was not good. I still remembered when I took my short-lived piano lessons, my grandfather said _______   to my grandmother, “Why didn’t   he make any progress with much practice?” I_______ to make my piano performance attractive. However, my efforts were_______ .

So I gave up playing any musical instrument until my old friend Leroy _______   me to play the violin with him when I was 57. It made me enjoy the joy of playing music again. On day, Leroy sent a text_______ me that there was a music performance and he wanted me to join him. Thinking of my past, I _______ his invitation. I expected to hear his words that I would become_______ with practice on stage. But he said,   “OK, only   play if you want to.” I was totally_______ by the unexpected answer and made no reply except to tell him goodbye.

No one was_______ me to participate, but I faced a special ________ . Should I play on stage or just watch a movie? I had chosen the “movie route” too many times and this time I was________ to grasp the opportunity. After a long and careful________ , I played my violin with Leroy.________ I didn’t lose all my nervousness, it was enough for me to overcome my fear. Finally, I________ a full performance in front of the audience.

A short time later, my friend Leroy passed away,   but his ________ stayed. It helped   me not only in music, but in all aspects of life. When I focused on what I wanted to do, fear will be replaced with joy.

1.

A．worriedly

B．calmly

C．patiently

D．angrily

2.

A．pretended

B．regretted

C．agreed

D．tried

3.

A．on time

B．in order

C．in vain

D．on display

4.

A．challenged

B．invited

C．allowed

D．reminded

5.

A．convincing

B．informing

C．warning

D．cheating

6.

A．refused

B．received

C．blamed

D．evaluated

7.

A．important

B．special

C．reliable

D．skilled

8.

A．shocked

B．scared

C．satisfied

D．ashamed

9.

A．teaching

B．begging

C．forcing

D．expecting

10.

A．chance

B．goal

C．task

D．choice

11.

A．suitable

B．curious

C．willing

D．generous

12.

A．preparation

B．explanation

C．test

D．search

13.

A．If

B．Since

C．Though

D．When

14.

A．planned

B．recommended

C．watched

D．offered

15.

A．fame

B．concern

C．influence

D．care

8 . Mr Wu is an English teacher. Last Monday at the beginning of class, he _______ asked his students how their weekends had been. One girl said that she had spent a _______ weekend-she had her wisdom teeth pulled out and they still hurt. “Why do you always seem to be so happy, Mr Wu?” she asked.

The girl's _______ reminded Mr Wu of something he had read somewhere before. “Every morning when you get up, you have a choice about how you want to get close to life that day,” Mr Wu said with a smile. “I _______ to be cheerful.”

“And today is my lucky day,”he added.

“_______? " The whole class were curious.

“This morning, I _______ to school as usual. I only had to go another kilometer down the road when my e-bike broke down...”

“Your e-bike broke down and it's your lucky day?” The students were _______. “What do you mean, Mr Wu?”

“My e-bike broke down a quarter before class, so I _______ it on the roadside, took my books, and walked down the road. It took me ten minutes to arrive at the _______. I live eight kilometers away. My e-bike could have broken down ________ along the way. But it didn't. __________, it broke down in the perfect place-off the main road, within walking distance of here. I'm still able to teach my class ________ I'll be able to get it repaired after class. If my e-bike must break down ________,it couldn't be arranged（安排）in a better way.”

The students’ eyes opened wide, and then they smiled. Mr Wu smiled back. Somehow, his story had ________ them. He was happy that they had a perfect chance to consider ________ in a new way.

1.

A．proudly

B．cheerfully

C．seriously

D．angrily

2.

A．busy

B．satisfying

C．terrible

D．meaningful

3.

A．question

B．suggestion

C．decision

D．introduction

4.

A．fail

B．hate

C．seem

D．choose

5.

A．Who

B．When

C．Why

D．How

6.

A．walked

B．ran

C．drove

D．rode

7.

A．surprised

B．bored

C．impatient

D．nervous

8.

A．left

B．checked

C．repaired

D．found

9.

A．hospital

B．school

C．park

D．bank

10.

A．somewhere

B．anywhere

C．everywhere

D．nowhere

11.

A．However

B．Also

C．Instead

D．Otherwise

12.

A．and

B．but

C．so

D．or

13.

A．yesterday

B．the other day

C．today

D．tomorrow

14.

A．hurt

B．touched

C．controlled

D．worried

15.

A．dream

B．purpose

C．wish

D．luck

9 . When I was in my first year of high school, I had a terrible time when every area of my life was a disaster. I felt so hopeless and alone that I thought everything was impossible.

On one such day, I was walking from class across the school to catch the school bus home, with my head down, fighting tears of total hopelessness, when a young man came down the sidewalk toward me. Though I had never seen him before, I did not want him to see that I was in such low spirits, so I turned my head away and hoped to hurry past. I thought he'd walk on by, but he moved until he was directly in front of me, waited until I looked up, and then smiled.

Looking into my eyes, this stranger spoke in a quiet voice："Whatever is wrong will pass. You're going to be OK, just hang on." He then smiled again and walked away.

I can't explain the effect of that man's unexpected kindness and caring! He gave me the one thing that I'd lost completely—hope. I looked for him in our school to thank him, but never saw him again.

That was thirty years ago. And I've never forgotten that moment. Over the years, whenever I see someone who is in trouble, I will always think of that young man and try to give a flash of hope in the dark wherever I can. I carry things for people when they are too heavy for them, sit with naughty babies in the waiting room while their mothers are busy, or talk to tired couples at the checkout line or it could be anything.

If you keep your head up, your heart will show you the place that needs hope.
1. Where did the writer meet with the young man？

A．In the school.

B．In the school bus.

C．In the classroom.

D．In the library.

2. From the passage we may infer that the author ________．

A．had known the young man for a long time

B．made friends with the young man afterwards

C．was grateful to that young man very much

D．avoided meeting the young man since then

3. The author has given a lot of help to others in order to ________．

A．show his sympathy to those who are badly ill

B．give others hope of life when they are in trouble

C．realize his promise made to the young man

D．get respect from those who were helped by him

4. It can be known from the passage that ________．

A．the young man always tried his best to help those who were in trouble

B．it was the young man's smile and words that made the author feel hopeful

C．the author had never been praised by others before he met with the young man

D．the author traveled to a lot of places to look for the young man but failed

10 . 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.