1 . The Simics were living in a village near Arandjelovac in central Serbia (塞尔维亚). They were saving to buy 10 hectares (0.1 km²) of land and increase the size of their family farm. Everything was going well, they said. While waiting for the seller, they put the money on the table in the living room, but forgot to lock the front door.

"We got up early and counted the money, because the man whom we wanted to buy from was supposed to come. We put the money on the table in the living room, so we could sign the contract (合同) and pay the man. Then we went to the dining room to have breakfast," Milena Sirnic told Arandjelovac Info, the local newspaper.

"My father-in-law (公公) opened the front door and went outside to feed the farm animals, like every morning. But he did not notice the front door was still open," she added. "That was the cause of our bad luck."

Belka is one of the goats that the family had owned for a couple of years. It entered the house through the open door and began to eat the money on the table.

"When we heard the noise, my husband got up to check and almost had a heart attack. Belka ate almost all the money! Only 300 euros or so was left, and the rest was eaten or shredded (咬碎)," Milena explained as she cried.

"Belka brought us to ruin," Milena said. She added that her husband had not spoken a word since, choosing to sit and stare at the wall all day.

As Milena Simic was telling the story to the local reporters, Belka was being turned over the fire. The Simic family decided to deal with the loss by holding a feast, with the cause of their bad luck as the main dish. And they invited the reporters to stay for the meal.

1. What does the underlined word "That" refer to in the third paragraph?

A．Milena's forgetting to feed Belka.

B．Belka's turning the house upside down.

C．Milena's entering the house from the front door.

D．Belka's father-in-law's leaving the front door open.

2. Why was Milena's husband shocked?

A．Belka ruined the Simic family.

B．Belka destroyed the farm by accident.

C．Belka got injured in the living room.

D．Belka was eating the money which was on the table.

3. Why did the Simic family hold the feast?

A．To satisfy the local journalists.

B．To reduce their unpleasant feelings.

C．To thank Belka for doing the family a favour.

D．To celebrate the successful business of their farm.

4. What was the final result of what had happened?

A．Belka was killed by the Simic family.

B．Milena's husband lost all hope in his life.

C．The Simic family asked the reporters for advice.

D．The Simic family decided not to buy any land again.

2 . Want to help us serve more of our elderly neighbors? Want to deliver meals and a smile?

Meals on Wheels provides meals for the elderly and the disabled adults in Richland County, South Carolina. Meals are delivered at lunch time five days a week by volunteers.

But Meals on Wheels delivers more than just a meal. The daily visit from a volunteer also provides a warm smile and a safety check that helps keep seniors healthy, safe and living independently in their own homes.

Who receives Meals on Wheels?

Meals on Wheels recipients (接受者) are the elderly and disabled adults in our community who cannot maintain an enough, healthy diet, either because of transport or money difficulties. Nearly three-fourths of them are at or below the national poverty level (贫困线).

What is the cost of Meals on Wheels?

No one is refused a meal based on income. Some individuals may receive meals at no cost, while others are asked to pay according to their incomes.

What’s on the menu?

Our menus are carefully planned to meet one-third of the daily nutritional (营养) needs of senior people. All meals are served with fat-free milk and whole grain bread.

How can I help?

Through the support of our funding partners, staff and volunteers, we were able to serve 169,381 hot and frozen meals to 1,015 recipients in 2018. The meals were delivered by volunteers driving nearly 55,000 miles. Although we have made great efforts, we still have a waiting list of people we can't serve because we don’t have enough workers. So please join us!

Contact us

For more information, please contact Anne Shissias, Director of In-Home & Community Based Services, at 803-252-7734 x234 or ashissias@seniorresourcesine.org.

1. Who can receive the service of Meals on Wheels in Richland County?

A．Jobless people.	B．Sick people in local hospitals.
C．Homeless people.	D．The elderly and disabled adults.

2. What do you know about Meals on Wheels?

A．It offers meals to healthy adults.	B．It serves meals seven days a week.
C．It delivers meals and provides care.	D．It helps seniors cook meals in their homes.

3. How are meals delivered to the people in need?

A．By vehicle.	B．By bike.
C．By bus.	D．On foot.

4. What can we get from the data in the last but one paragraph?

A．The recipients can get what they want.	B．The organization has made great efforts.
C．The funding partners need more money.	D．The volunteers are people who like driving.

5. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To raise more money.	B．To attract more customer.
C．To call in volunteers.	D．To deliver more frozen meals.

3 . The Crystal Palace was a cast iron and plate glass structure originally ______ in Hyde Park, London, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851.

The exhibition took place from 1 May to 15 October 1851, and more than 14, 000 ______ from around the world gathered to ______ examples of technology developed in the Industrial Revolution. ______ by Joseph Paxton, the Great Exhibition building was 1,851 feet（564 m） long, with an inside height of 128 feet（39 m）. It was three times the ______ of St Paul’s Cathedral.

The introduction of the glass sheets method into Britain by Chance Brothers in 1832 made ______ the production of large sheets of cheap but strong glass. Its ______ in the Crystal Palace created a structure with the greatest area of ______ ever seen in a building. It ______ visitors with its clear walls and ceilings that did not ______ inside lights.

It has been said that the name of the building _____ from an article by the playwright （剧作家）Douglas Jerrold. He wrote in a magazine called Punch about the coming Great Exhibition, ______ to a “palace of very crystal”.

After the exhibition, the palace was moved to an area of South London known as Penge Common. It was rebuilt at the top of Penge Peak next to Sydenham Hill. It stood there from June 1854 until its ______ by fire in November 1936. The nearby residential（住宅的）area was ______ Crystal Palace after the landmark. Crystal Palace Football Club was founded at the site in 1905. The club still ______ Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins’s Crystal Palace Dinosaurs which date back to 1854.

1.

A．built

B．hidden

C．abandoned

D．trapped

2.

A．exhibitors

B．travelers

C．journalists

D．buyers

3.

A．display

B．collect

C．place

D．purchase

4.

A．Invented

B．Designed

C．Discovered

D．Produced

5.

A．weight

B．price

C．size

D．depth

6.

A．easy

B．difficult

C．possible

D．convenient

7.

A．use

B．method

C．technique

D．technology

8.

A．material

B．roof

C．structure

D．glass

9.

A．amused

B．frightened

C．attracted

D．protected

10.

A．hang

B．insert

C．waste

D．require

11.

A．removed

B．resulted

C．came

D．rose

12.

A．appealing

B．getting

C．relating

D．referring

13.

A．hurt

B．disappearance

C．influence

D．destruction

14.

A．renamed

B．reconsidered

C．recalled

D．reviewed

15.

A．sells

B．celebrates

C．demands

D．contains

4 . Judy Pugh was an elderly woman sitting in her home when a tornado hit. A ________ fell on top of her, and the rest of her house was sucked up into the twister (龙卷风). Neighbors called her name and ________ the wall off her. Luckily, she was only slightly ________.

Pugh had three pet cats, and her only ________ after the storm was finding them. She ________ to find two of the cats soon after. But ________, she could not find her third cat, Cadie. Her family ________ that the10-year old cat was carried away in the twister. Despite the ________ that over a month had passed since the storm, she did not give up ________. Pugh continued to ________ to the ruins of her home and search for the cat every single day. A local TV station found Pugh standing there and ________ her. In the middle of the recording, Cadie the cat silently ________ out of the remains of Pugh’s house. He found his way home ________.

Cadie was ________, dirty, and could not even gather the strength to meow (猫叫声). Pugh walked over to him, holding him into her arms. “I have ________ in the world, now.” Pugh said as she began to cry. She gently held her pet close to her chest.

1.

A．tree

B．wall

C．stone

D．board

2.

A．shook

B．kept

C．lifted

D．wiped

3.

A．injured

B．touched

C．disturbed

D．confused

4.

A．difficulty

B．complaint

C．choice

D．concern

5.

A．hoped

B．decided

C．managed

D．attempted

6.

A．luckily

B．suddenly

C．lately

D．sadly

7.

A．suspected

B．heard

C．concluded

D．predicted

8.

A．delay

B．fact

C．disadvantage

D．barrier

9.

A．hope

B．chance

C．research

D．work

10.

A．get down

B．show up

C．give in

D．look forward

11.

A．telephoned

B．impressed

C．interviewed

D．reminded

12.

A．grew

B．rushed

C．escaped

D．appeared

13.

A．at present

B．after all

C．once more

D．of course

14.

A．lovely

B．naughty

C．skinny

D．greedy

15.

A．something

B．nothing

C．anything

D．everything

5 . Zheng He was one of China's most famous explorers. Towards the end of the fourteenth century, his fleet (舰队) sailed to countries far away.

Zheng He had over 300 ships, some of which were over 150 meters long, and could carry up to 1 ,000 people. Besides, the ships carried gold, silver, silk, china and other treasures to give as gifts to the rulers of other countries. Some ships even had earth on board so that the sailors could grow their crops for food.

On Zheng He's first voyage(航海), he set sail across the Indian Ocean. His fleet travelled many days far away from land. One day, they were hit by a storm. All the sailors thought the fleet was going to sink. Then a strange light appeared and after that,the storm passed. The strange light was probably electricity from the thunderstorm (雷雨),but the sailors in Zheng He's fleet believed it was a sign of protection from the gods. With the belief, they were happy to follow Zheng He wherever he led them.

Zheng He completed seven famous voyages between 1405 and 1433. He visited many countries in Asia and Africa. He brought back many gifts from the countries he visited, such as medicines, pearls (珍珠) and strange animals. The most famous of them were a giraffe and a zebra.

In 28 years of travelling, Zheng He had managed to share the glory of China with many different countries. When he died in 1435,the stories of his travels made him one of China's most famous sailors.

1. On Zheng He's first voyage, he set sail across ________ Ocean.

A．the Atlantic	B．the Indian
C．the Pacific	D．the Arctic

2. Some ships carried earth on board so that the sailors could________.

A．use it as a gift

B．use it for exchange

C．plant trees for shade

D．grow their own crops for food

3. The sailors were happy to follow Zheng He because of________.

A．his leadership	B．his fame
C．the belief in gods' protecting them	D．a heavy storm

4. The most famous gifts Zheng He brought back were________.

A．a monkey and a tiger

B．a giraffe and a zebra

C．gold and silver

D．medicines and pearls

5. The best title of the passage can be________.

A．The Glory of China

B．Zheng He's Life

C．Zheng He and His Voyages

D．China's Most Famous Explorers

6 . Wonderful Destinations You Can Explore in the World

While travel is still just a dream for many, we know that some of you are now eager to pencil in your next adventure. We are now taking bookings for our 2021 and 2022 tours, offering the following destinations.

The Dolomite Mountains in Italy

8 days; September 6, 2021

Go on a gentle outdoor tour through the impressive Dolomite Mountains where scientists investigate several scientific phenomena including geology, ecology, deep time and astronomy.

The gateway to the solar system in Iceland

8 days; November 20, 2021

Visit the sites where scientists test space mission in the world. You will visit remote lava fields, glaciers and Mars rover (巡视器) test sites to explore how technology can help us research other worlds, as well as adapt to our own climate challenges.

The Fjords of Norway

7 days; January 18, 2022

Explore the Fjords of Norway as you start the winter voyage to watch the wonderful northern lights and underwater life of the Arctic. Learn about the science behind the northern lights, watch whales from the sea, try your hand at dog sledding or simply relax around a campfire under the stars.

The volcanic fields in Italy

8 days; September 3, 2021

Experience the beauty and power of two of the world’s most impressive active volcanoes on Mount Etna and Mount Stromboli. Explore the Aeolian Islands of Lipari and Vulcano while enjoying scenic landscapes and Italian warmth.

Whether you are ready to book or just want to carry on dreaming for now, we expect you to enjoy looking through some of the new tours we have created. For more information on all our new tours for 2021 and 2022, visit www. new scientist. com/tours.

1. What do the first two destinations have in common?

A．They are main lava fields.

B．They focus on science.

C．They open on the same day.

D．They are space mission bases.

2. What can visitors do in the Fjords of Norway?

A．Feed whales from the sea.

B．See the wonders of the Arctic.

C．Enter the gateway to the solar system.

D．Explore sea life in the company of scientists.

3. Where can visitors explore active volcanoes?

A．In Mars rover test sites.

B．In the Fjords of Norway.

C．On Mount Etna and Mount Stromboli.

D．On the Dolomite Mountains and Aeolian Islands.

7 . Places to see in Sweden

Sweden is a classic and attractive tourist country. There are a number of attractive castles and museums spreading across the country. The pleasant climate is the soul of Sweden. The country is at its best during the summer and early fall, during which it comes alive. Tourists can enjoy many sporting activities, and skating and skiing are two of the most famous ones. Here, we recommend the best places to see to make your visit to Sweden memorable for a lifetime.

Cities to visit in Sweden

The top tourist attractions in Sweden include these cities that will astonish you and open your eyes to a different world.

Stockholm, which is built on fourteen islands, is the capital of Sweden. The city has a long list of museums which are visited by millions every year. These all remain closed on Monday. They include The Royal Palace, Aquaria （水族馆） Water Museum, Swedish Museum of Architecture, Museum of Dance and so on. They are must-see places in Sweden.

Helsingborg is also known as the “Pearl of the Oresund （厄勒海峡）”. It is surrounded by seas: the Kattegat Sea, the Oresund and the Baltic Sea. Charming costal places are the best features of Helsingborg.

Lund, Kiruna, Landskrona, Gothenburg, Gotland and Malmo are the other popular cities in Sweden.

Lakes in Sweden

Lake Vanern

The largest lake in Sweden, Lake Vanern, has an area of 5, 655 km². It contains 20, 000 small islands and rocks. This lake is home to a variety of birds and nearly 35 species of fish.

Lake Vattern

Lake Vattern covers 1, 912 km² and is 128 metres deep. The lakeside is where hot air ballooning festivals and the annual 300-kilometer cycling take place.

National Parks

Padjelanta National Park

Padjelanta National Park, set up in 1962, is the largest national park in Sweden. It has plenty of wildlife to attract visitors.

Serek National Park

The wilderness of Serek National Park covers an area of 1, 970 km². This beautiful place has a wonderful combination of mountains and glaciers （冰川）.

1. What do we know about Stockholm from the text?

A．It is the capital of Sweden.

B．It is surrounded by three seas.

C．There are fourteen islands near the city.

D．The museums there are closed on Wednesday.

2. What is special about Padjelanta National Park?

A．The Royal Palace is next to it.

B．There are both mountains and glaciers in it

C．It is the best place for skating and skiing.

D．It is larger than any other national park in Sweden.

3. Where can you see hot air ballooning festivals?

A．Beside Lake Vattern.	B．Beside Lake Vanern.
C．In Serek National Park.	D．In Padjelanta National Park.

8 . Summer Classes at the Community Center

The Community Center is offering adult summer classes again this year.The schedule(时间表)includes classes in basic computer skills，painting，drawing，and dance.

Registration

There are two ways to register for classes：

Go to our website：www.cc.org/classes/summerschedule. Click on “Class Descriptions”to see a full listing of the classes this summer.Decide which class or classes you are interested in.

Then click on “Register Now” and a registration form will appear.Complete the form and work out the amount of money you should pay for your classes.This will include the cost of your classes plus a $15 registration fee(费用)．Any material fees will be payable to the instructor on the first day of class.In addition，if your address is outside of the city，you will pay an additional fee of $25 per class.

Fill in your credit card(信用卡)information and click “Send Now”．You will receive registration confirmation by e­mail.

If you do not have access to a computer，you can call the Community Center at 872­555­5068 to request a class schedule and registration form.Choose your classes from the schedule，complete the form，and return it by mail with your credit card information.

Withdrawal(退学)Policy

Full refunds（退款），minus(减去)the $25 registration fee，will be given for any withdrawals made up to one week before the class begins.Withdrawals made before the start of the second class will receive a 50 percent refund，minus the registration fee.No refunds will be made after the start of the second class.

Classes offered by the Community Center are for adults only.You must be eighteen years of age or older to participate.Classes for children and teens are offered through the City Department of Recreation.

1. Who can take part in the Community Center summer classes?

A．Citizens only.	B．Adults only.
C．High schoolers.	D．Children and teens.

2. What do you have to do for summer classes' registration?

A．Pay a $25 registration fee.

B．Sign up for classes online.

C．Provide your credit card information.

D．Pay material fees before the class begins.

3. How much will you be refunded after the start of the second class?

A．None.

B．$15.

C．A full refund.

D．A 50 percent refund.

9 . If knowledge is power, then books are fuel and libraries are power stations! Here are four amazing libraries that can get you positively charged.

New York Public Library—New York

Opened in 1911, New York Public Library was the largest marble building in the world. Over the years the library has a collection of 53 million items, including rare first edition books, 300 million pages of historical newspapers and around 40 ,000 restaurant menus dating back to 1850!

Chetham's Library— Manchester

Founded in 1653, Chetham's Library is a free public library with the longest history in the UK. The building itself is even older —built in 1421, it's one of the most well—protected medieval buildings in England!

With 100 ,000 + books lining the shelves, the special atmosphere of the library attracts students and scholars alike to attend guided tours offered throughout the year.

The Library of Congress Washington, D. C.

Located on Capitol Hill, the Library of Congress is considered the national library of the US and the second largest library in the world. The library has around 168 million items, adding 10 ,000 to this number every day.

Need to catch up on the news? The Library of Congress, which was founded in 1800, holds the world’s largest newspaper collection, with some dating back as far as 1659!

The British Library—London

The British Library was founded in 1973. With around 170 million items spread across 750 km of shelving, it's the largest library in the world. And this number is continually growing and 8 km of shelving has to be added every year! This is partly because the British Library must receive a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland, by law.

1. Where can you visit the oldest library?

A．In New York.	B．In London.
C．In Manchester.	D．In Washington, D. C.

2. What makes the Library of Congress special?

A．Its large area.

B．Its various functions.

C．Its building materials.

D．Its newspaper collection.

3. Which of the following helps enlarge the collection of the British Library?

A．The legal rule.	B．The public's help.
C．The printing skills.	D．The librarians' efforts.

10 . It was a stormy evening, and all that Neil could hope was to find a shelter that could keep him protected from the chilly wind and cold rain. After work he had to get home on time, as his busy schedule was preventing him from spending quality time with his family. The bus stop on the way provided temporary shelter, where Neil was becoming increasingly agitated(焦虑不安的) with every passing minute. All his evening plans were washed out.

“Sir, why don’t you buy a pack of groundnuts(花生) from me?” Neil looked around to see a man in rag standing by his side. “Oh, no, I’m not interested right now.” “Fried groundnuts will do you a world of good now. Moreover, you can also take some for your family.” The very mention of family brought a concern to Neil. His wife had specifically told him to come home early, if not for her sake, at least for the sake of their seven-year-old son.

When he was lost in thought, the groundnut seller had filled a bag with the remaining nuts and offered him an unexpectedly low price. But, Neil refused to buy them: “I do not want to buy anything at this point!” Suddenly, he heard a voice of a kid. “Dad, I want some money to buy books for the school.” He saw a ten-year-old boy, totally drenched from top to bottom, as though he had just run a race. He was talking to the groundnut seller. “Yes, yes, I’m ready to leave now. Come! How many books do you want? Why did you get wet in the rain? Your mother must be getting worried.”

Neil turned to the seller. There was an instant when they both made the perfect eye contact. Neil had the look of what it is to be a father. The groundnut seller did not say anything and gave the packet of groundnuts without saying a word. Neil pulled a note from his wallet, placed it in the man’s hand, and walked away without waiting for the change.

1. Why did Neil become more anxious at the bus stop?

A．The rain stopped him from getting home on time.

B．The chilly wind made him feel colder and colder.

C．He thought of his boring and heavy work.

D．He couldn’t find a good place to keep off the rain.

2. Why didn’t Neil buy the man’s groundnuts at first?

A．He didn’t have enough money on him.	B．His family doesn’t like groundnuts.
C．He was in a bad mood at that time.	D．His family was a little poor.

3. What does the underlined word “drenched” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Wet through.

B．Very excited.

C．Well dressed.

D．Sweat heavily.

4. What made Neil buy all the seller’s groundnuts?

A．The seller’s generous action.	B．His having a pity for the seller.
C．The seller’s greatness as a father.	D．His being moved by the seller’s son.