1 . 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

2 . 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

3 . 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.

4 . 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

5 . 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

6 . Muir Woods and Sausalito Half Day Tour

Wander through an ancient coastal redwood forest and explore the artistic bayside on this half-day tour from San Francisco. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods,   home to some of the oldest and tallest   trees   on   Earth.   At   the   end   of   your   tour   choose   between getting dropped off at Union Square in San Francisco or taking the ferry back to San Francisco.

Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Day Trip

Discover the beauty of the Sierra Nevada on this full-day trip to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. Travel aboard a comfortable van through historic Gold Rush towns to reach the park, where you’ll be amazed by supersized natural wonders. Take a hike among ancient trees, and enjoy several hours to explore the park’s wonders on your own.

Niagara Falls Tour

Escape from New York City and head north to see both sides of the Canadian border on this guided, 2-day tour to Niagara Falls. Visit Niagara Falls on both the American and Canadian sides and take a ride on the famous Maid of the Mist boat. Then, on the road back to New York City, make a stop to shop at the Crossings Premium Outlets, one of the largest outlet malls in the US.

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour

Escape to California’s famous wine country on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Taste regional varietals at three different wineries including both big-name and family-run estates (庄园). Learn about the winemaking process during guided tours, and appreciate the regional culture with   a stop for lunch.

1. Which tour should you choose if you want to do some shopping ?

A．Muir Woods and Sausalito Half Day Tour.

B．Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Day Trip.

C．Niagara Falls Tour.

D．Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour.

2. What can you do on Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour ?

A．Appreciate some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth.

B．Enjoy supersized natural wonders.

C．Get some winemaking knowledge.

D．Take a ride on the boat.

3. What does the writer intend to do by writing the passage?

A．To introduce some outdoor activities.

B．To share some tour experiences.

C．To advertise for the wine country.

D．To call for protecting natural wonders.

7 . Charlie is a teacher and his wife, Maria is an artist. The night before last, just before the longest day of the year, Charlie was sitting in a deckchair enjoying the warm summer air when Maria touched his shoulder and he could tell immediately she was a little worried about something. He asked her what the matter was and she replied that there was a strange thing on the jacket that was hanging in the bedroom. They had both lived in the West Indies (西印度群岛) and had seen a lot of strange creatures in their house before. But now they were living in England and so Charlie just laughed and said he would have a look at the “thing”.

He walked to the bedroom. He saw a jacket hanging in the bedroom and went up to it to have a closer look at the “thing”. The moment he touched it, the thing sprang into life. Now Charlie experiences fear like the rest of us but when this creature opened its wings, he jumped out of his skin and ran screaming from the room like a small child doing about 100 miles an hour.

For a moment the next-door neighbours thought that Charlie was murdering his wife because of the noise they could hear. In fact, it was a bat that frightened Charlie.

Eventually Charlie managed to trap the bat in a box and took it to the garden to let the bat fly. Maria, who had been playing the guitar while Charlie was upstairs, asked Charlie if he had found out what the thing was. “Oh, nothing to worry about”, he said casually hoping that the terror could not be seen in his eyes, “it was just a bat.”

1. Why was Maria a little worried one night?

A．Because she couldn't find her guitar.	B．Because she saw something strange.
C．Because it was too hot for her.	D．Because she had quarreled with her husband.

2. The underlined part “jumped out of his skin” in the second paragraph probably means ____.

A．stood up	B．was very frightened
C．threw off his clothes	D．was very excited

3. What happened to the bat?

A．It was killed by Charlie.	B．It was badly wounded.
C．It was set free by Charlie.	D．It was kept as a pet.

4. It can be inferred that ________.

A．Charlie was afraid that his wife would laugh at him if she knew the truth

B．the neighbours would report to the police about Charlie murdering the bat

C．the bat wouldn't come to Charlie's room again because it was frightened

D．Maria heard her husband screaming downstairs and became frightened

8 . An old friend from California called from the airport to tell me that he had arrived. I was not able to leave the office, but I had made plans for his arrival. After explaining (解释) where my new house was, I told him that I had left the key under the doormat (门垫). Since I knew it would be pretty late before I could get home, I suggested that he make himself at home and help himself to anything that was in the refrigerator(电冰箱).

Two hours later my friend phoned me from the house. At the moment, he said, he was listening to some of my records after having had a delicious meal. Now, he said, he was drinking a glass of orange juice. When I asked him if he had had any difficulty finding the house, he answered that the only problem was that he had not been able to find the key under the doormat, but luckily, the living room window by the apple tree had been left open and he had climbed in through the window. I listened to all this in great surprise. There is no apple tree outside my window, but there is one by the living room window of my next door neighbor's house!

1. An old friend of mine called ______.

A．to tell me to meet him at the airport

B．to tell me about his arrival

C．to ask me to leave the office

D．to ask me to make plans for his arrival

2. My friend climbed into the room because ______ .

A．there was an apple tree outside

B．the living room window was left open

C．he had difficulty opening the door

D．he hadn't found the key

3. My friend telephoned me two hours later ______ .

A．from my home	B．at the airport
C．in his office	D．from my neighbor's house

4. The purpose of writing this passage is to ________.

A．introduce a friend	B．tell an interesting story
C．explain something	D．show what friendship is