1 . After years of observing human nature, I have decided that two qualities make a difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance — curiosity and discontent. I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either. And I have never known an average man who had both.
Together, these deep human urges (驱策力) count for much more than ambition. Galileo was not merely ambitious when he dropped objects of varying weights from the Leaning Tower at Pisa and timed their fall to the ground. Like Galileo, all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent, “Why? Why? Why?”
Fortunately, curiosity and discontent don’t have to be learned. We are born with them and need only to recapture them. “The great man,” said Mencius, “is he who does not lose his child’s heart.” Yet most of us do lose it. We stop asking questions. We stop challenging custom. We just follow the crowd. And the crowd desires only the calm and restful average.
Most of us meet new people, and new ideas, with hesitation. But once having met and liked them, we think how terrible it would have been, had we missed the chance. We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake.
How should you start? Modestly, so as not to become discouraged. I think of one friend who couldn’t arrange flowers to satisfy herself. She was curious about how the experts did it.
The way to begin is to answer your own excuses. You haven’t any special ability? Most people don’t; there are only a few geniuses. You haven’t any time? That’s good, because it’s always the people with no time who get things done. Harriet Stowe, mother of six, wrote parts of Uncle Tom’s Cabin while cooking. You’re too old? Remember that Thomas Costain was 57 when he published his first novel, and that Grandma Moses showed her first pictures when she was 78.
However you start, remember there is no better time to start than right now, for you’ll never be more alive than you are at this moment.
1. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.A.present an argument | B.make a comparison | C.reach a conclusion | D.propose a definition |
A.Scientists tend to have varied ambitions. | B.Trial and error leads to the finding of truth. |
C.Creativity results from challenging authority. | D.Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore. |
A.Observe the unknown around you. | B.Develop a questioning mind. |
C.Lead a life of adventure. | D.Follow the fashion. |
A.Gaining success helps you become an expert. |
B.The genius tends to get things done creatively. |
C.Lack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action. |
D.You should remain modest when approaching perfection. |
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a statue of Maitreya(弥勒) in sitting posture
The construction of the statue began in the year 713 in the Tang Dynasty,
3 . One Saturday afternoon in a small town, Emma came out of a shoe shop with some new shoes. They were
It was a
“Help! Help!” Emma cried. But nobody came. Emma
At the hospital a doctor looked at Emma’s head and back and told her to stay in hospital for a few days. Emma thanked the
Later, a policeman
After two days, in a morning a policeman came to the hospital with Emma’s new shoes and an empty bag. “A little girl
A.nice | B.suitable | C.cheap | D.expensive |
A.pleased | B.bored | C.patient | D.angry |
A.drive | B.walk | C.run | D.miss |
A.busy | B.noisy | C.quiet | D.safe |
A.Suddenly | B.Luckily | C.Finally | D.Happily |
A.eyes | B.nose | C.legs | D.head |
A.sat down | B.turned around | C.fell down | D.gave up |
A.quickly | B.slowly | C.easily | D.proudly |
A.kind | B.strict | C.strange | D.funny |
A.school | B.station | C.hospital | D.shop |
A.nurse | B.policeman | C.girl | D.doctor |
A.saw | B.reached | C.left | D.remembered |
A.closed | B.bought | C.borrowed | D.opened |
A.made | B.enjoyed | C.took | D.drew |
A.dropped | B.lost | C.carried | D.found |
4 . Prihardinni, from the Indonesian city of Surabaya, is amazed at how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM中医) has continued to develop since she began studying it a year ago.
When Prihardinni was 10 years old, she suffered from serious headaches. So, her mother took her to see a TCM doctor near their home. The doctor checked her pulse, examined her face and tongue, and wrote down a prescription(处方). After several weeks of drinking Chinese medicine, she didn’t have headaches any more.
“His medical skills were like magic,” Prihardinni recalled. The experience of being cured by TCM impressed her and it encouraged her to choose TCM study. Now, she is a freshman at the Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, which has thousands of years of history and widespread international popularity.
“TCM is becoming more and more popular worldwide and has become an important cultural symbol(象征) for China,” said Zhao Zhongting, a professor at the Gansu University of Chinese Medicine. “Many foreign students face difficulties in fully understanding the meaning and function of TCM medical terms because of cultural and language barriers,” Zhao said, adding that in order to help them, the university offers various training courses for freshmen, including chemistry, language study and Chinese medicine culture. Activities between local and international students, lectures and study tours are also provided to help students better understand the courses.
“More people in my country are becoming interested in TCM. Many social media(媒体) are sharing their experiences with Chinese medicine,” Prihardinni said, adding that she plans to return to her hometown after graduation and open a TCM clinic(诊所). “I want to tell my parents and friends that Chinese medicine is also a good and believable choice.”
1. Why did Prihardinni choose TCM study?A.She is very interested in TCM. | B.TCM is a magical medical science. |
C.She was forced by her mother. | D.TCM made her get well from illness. |
A.Too many courses. | B.Chinese medicine cultures. |
C.Difficult medical terms. | D.Cultural and language barriers. |
A.Learning TCM has become a fashion. |
B.TCM will be accepted by more foreigners. |
C.Pribardinni plans to be a TCM doctor in China. |
D.Many people want to share their learning experiences. |
A.TCM Has Become More and More Important. |
B.TCM Is a Well-accepted Course in Universities. |
C.TCM Becomes Popular among Foreign Students. |
D.TCM Is Hard for Foreign Students to Understand. |
5 . Growing up with movies such as “High School Musical” and “Grease”, which presented the ideal(理想的)high school friendships, we sometimes expect a perfect relationship. Indeed, some high school friendships can be real and simple; while still some high school students will meet a friend who causes trouble. With failed friendships come lessons and experiences learned for the future. You will know the influence after you leave high school.
“I was always worried about what my friends thought about me. Sometimes my friends would make fun of what I wore or what I would do. I always tried to get along well with them, but I realized how happy I was once I stopped contacting them after high school,” said Elisha, Class of 2020.
Most teens have not realized the big question when dealing with high school problems. In five years, will this still matter? It is hard looking at the big picture when the problems are in front of you, which is understandable. However, most teens need a moment to reflect (反思) and question if the problem matters in a long time.
Briana, a high school teacher, said, “Now, I am in contact with two high school friends. I think the friendship experiences I had in high school shaped who I am because I learned to be open minded and befriend all kinds of people. I learned to see people for who they are, not what they wear or who they play with. I learned most of all how to be a good friend.”
High school is a small part of your life, but it has a huge influence on who you will become and where you will go. Friendships and relationships help shape who you are, whether they are good or bad. Lessons are brought, and lessons are learned.
1. Why did the author mention the two movies in the first paragraph?A.To introduce the topic of the passage. |
B.To explain what a high school friendship is. |
C.To recommend these two movies to readers. |
D.To attract readers’ attention to these two movies. |
A.They made her unhappy. | B.They cared about her behavior. |
C.They got along well with her. | D.They were always worried about her. |
A.She learned to play with her friends. |
B.She learned to make different friends. |
C.She learned to shape her friends’ minds. |
D.She learned to wear just like her friends. |
A.Failed friendships made teens worried. |
B.Good friendships greatly influenced teens. |
C.High school friendships help to shape teens. |
D.Friendships are difficult for teens to deal with, |
6 . Discover Copenhagen with kids: top places to see
Some people think that travelling with children is quite difficult. Kids are often too young to understand the point of a visit in some museums. But luckily, there are cities that offer many attractions not only for adults, but also for little tourists. Among these cities, Copenhagen also has its place.
The mysteries of the sea world
In the National Aquarium Denmark, many species of water animals can be seen. Kids will be surely delighted with all the colourful fish, swimming between water plants. It is also an occasion to see the fantastic coral reef(珊瑚礁). When someone is brave enough, he can also see some sharks swimming behind the glass!
Tivoli - amusement for everyone
The first opening of this magical place was in the 19th century. Nowadays it’s an attraction for people of all ages. Beautiful gardens encourage tired tourists as well as local people. Those who seek for some excitements will also have good fun here - several roller coasters guarantee great entertainment. That park looks amazing in the evening, when it is brightly lit with many lights.
Film in a planetarium
People who would like to experience something connected with science and astronomy ought to visit the Tycho Brahe Planetarium. Here the 3D films are being displayed on a screen. Tourists from abroad can use special headphones, so they can listen to the audio-description in English. The visit here can be useful not only for kids, but also for adults.
A monument of Little Mermaid
Children will surely like that statue - especially when parents will tell them the fairy tale about that character. A short visit by that monument is customary, because it is one of the worldwide known symbols of Copenhagen. It is located in the port and depicts a mermaid sitting on a rock. The tale was written by Hans Andersen, who was living in that city for some period of his life.
1. What can kids do in the National Aquarium Denmark?A.Swim between water plants. | B.Touch the fantastic coral reef . |
C.Watch colorful fish swimming. | D.Play with the sharks bravely. |
A.Locals are its main tourists. | B.It attracts visitors of all ages. |
C.It was built in the last century. | D.Many colored lights are on at night. |
A.The National Aquarium Denmark. | B.Beautiful gardens in Tivoli. |
C.The Tycho Brahe Planetarium. | D.A monument of Little Mermaid. |
7 . Widespread descriptions of animals in pop culture could actually be hurting the animals’ survival chances in the wild, a new research suggests.
Franck Courchamp of the University of Paris-Sud was interested in the idea of “appeal” (吸引力) in animals. He wanted to know: What species do people consider appealing? And what are the influences of being appealing on populations of animals in the wild?
In a research published this month, Courchamp and other researchers list the top 20 appealing species. Most of the animals identified as appealing are large mammals living on land. Coming in first place are tigers, followed by lions, elephants, giraffes, panthers, pandas, cheetahs, polar bears, wolves, and gorillas. However, at least half of the interviewees didn’t realize that five of the top ten most appealing species are threatened. It is strange that we do not protect the species we care about the most.
The study also finds that we are flooded with images of these creatures, even as they are becoming fewer in the wild. The study suggests that too much imagination might be creating a “virtual population” of the animals in peoples’ minds, making them believe there are far more individuals in the wild than is exact.
The study authors suggest that companies who benefit from the use of these images should set aside a small percentage of their profits for protection efforts and informational campaigns. “That would be not only something fair, but something that could bring a win-win situation for them,” Courchamp says. It could bring them positive public relation, for example. Besides, if a company’s mascot (吉祥物) goes extinct, that could hurt them from a marketing point, Courchamp says. But not enough companies are “truly concerned about the protection of the species that they work on,” he adds.
1. It can be inferred that the widespread images of animals in pop culture ________.A.lead people to forget the less appealing animals |
B.make a false impression of the animals’ real situation |
C.raise people’s wildlife protection attention and efforts |
D.bring a win-win situation for both animals and companies |
A.are going extinct |
B.are well protected |
C.are among the best liked |
D.have a large population in the wild |
A.giving examples | B.making definition |
C.making comparisons | D.using numbers |
A.Neutral. | B.Supportive. | C.Positive. | D.Dissatisfied. |
Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental well-being and boosts our physical health in surprising and astonishing ways.
Music reduces depression
More than 350 million people suffer from depression around the world. A study by Hans Joachim Trappe in Germany demonstrated that music can benefit patients with depressive symptoms, depending on the type of music.
Research shows that taking music lessons predicts higher academic performance and IQ in young children. In one study, 6-year-olds who took keyboard or singing lessons in small groups for 36 weeks had significantly larger increases in IQ and standardized educational test results than children who took either drama lessons or no lessons.
Music keeps your brain healthy in old age
A study with healthy older adults found that those with ten or more years of musical experience scored higher on cognitive tests than musicians with one to nine years of musical study. The non-musicians scored the lowest. Business magnate Warren Buffet stays sharp at age 84 by playing ukulele.
A.To help them achieve academic excellence, encourage them to sing or play an instrument. |
B.Musical training can help raise our IQs and even keep us sharp in old age. |
C.Music raises IQ and academic performance. |
D.It’s never too late to play an instrument to keep you on top of your game. |
E.Meditative sounds and classical music lifted people up. |
F.Music strengthens learning and memory. |
G.Music can make you happy every day. |
Welcome to the world-famous house where William Shakespeare was born in l564 and where he grew up .The property (房产) remained in the ownership of Shakespeare’s family until 1806 .The House has welcomed visitors travelling from all over the world for over 250 years.
◆Enter through the Visitors’ Centre and see the highly-praised exhibition Shakespeare's World,a lively and full introduction to the life and work of Shakespeare.
◆Stand in the rooms where Shakespeare grew up.
◆Discover examples of furniture and needlework from
Shakespeare’s period.
◆Enjoy the traditional English garden,planted with trees and flower mentioned in the poet’s works.
The Birthplace is within easy walking distance of all the car parks shown on the map;nearest is Windsor Street(3 minutes’ Walk).
The House may present difficulties but the Visitors’ Centre,its exhibition,and the garden are accessible (可进入的)to wheelchair users.
The Shakespeare Coffee House (opposite the Birthplace).
1. How much is the admission for a family of two grown-ups and two children?
A.£9.80. | B.£12.00. | C.£14.20. | D.£16.40. |
A.Behind the exhibition hall. |
B.Opposite the Visitors’ Centre. |
C.At Windsor Street. |
D.Near the Coffee House. |
A.the House | B.the garden |
C.the Visitors’ Centre | D.the exhibition hall |
Let us take an obvious example. Man, even five hundred years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average, men are about three inches taller. Five hundred years is relatively a short period of time, so we may suppose that man will continue to grow taller. Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still make use of only about 20% of the brain’s capacity(容量). As time goes on, however, we shall have to use our brains more and more, and finally we shall need our brains more and more, and finally we shall need larger ones! This is likely to bring a physical change too: the head, in particular the forehead, will grow larger.
Nowadays our eyes are in constant use. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over long period of time it is likely that man’s eyes will grow stronger.
On the other hand, we tend to make less use of our arms and legs. These, as a result, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a great deal in modern life.
But what about hair? This will probably disappear from the body altogether in course of time because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both sexes are likely to be bald.
Perhaps all this gives the impression that future man will not be a very attractive creature to look at! This may well be true. All the same, in spite of all these changes, future man will still have a lot in common with us. He will still be a human being, with thoughts and motions similar to our own.
1. The passage mainly tells us that __________.
A.Man’s life will be different in the future |
B.Future man will look quite different from us |
C.Man is growing taller and uglier as time passes |
D.Man’s organs’ functions will change |
A.Man has got stronger eyes now than he ever had. |
B.Man’s hair is getting thinner and thinner. |
C.Man’s arms and legs have become lighter and weaker. |
D.Man has been growing taller over the past 500 years. |
A.he makes use of only 20% of the brain’s capacity |
B.his brain has grown larger over the past centuries |
C.he will use his brain more and more as time goes on |
D.the other 80% of his brain will grow in due time |
A.He is hairless because hair is no longer useful. |
B.He has smaller eyes and wears better glasses. |
C.His fingers grow weaker because he doesn’t have to make use of them. |
D.He thinks and feels in a different way. |
A.human beings will become less attractive in the future |
B.body organs will become poorer if they are not used often |
C.human beings hope for a change in the future life |
D.future life is always predictable |