1 . Today, roller skating is easy and fun. But a long time ago, it wasn’t easy at all. Before 1750, the idea of skating didn’t exist. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin was a person who liked playing the violin and was full of ideas and dreams. People called him a dreamer.

One day Merlin received an invitation to a fancy dress ball(化妆舞会). He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think how to make a grand entrance at the party. He came up with an idea. He thought everyone would be attracted by him if he could skate into the room.

Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll. Finally, he decided to put two, wheels under each shoe. These were the first rolled skates. Merlin was very proud of his invention and dreamed of arriving at the party on wheels while playing the violin.

　　On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room, playing the violin. Everyone was amazed to see this. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skates. Suddenly he ran into a huge mirror hanging on the wall. It fell down and broke into pieces. Nobody forgot Merlin’s entrance for a long time.
1. The passage is mainly about_______.

A．a strange man

B．an unusual party

C．how roller skating started

D．how people held parties in the 18th century

2. People thought Merlin was a dreamer because he________.

A．often gave others surprises	B．was a gifted musician
C．invented the roller skates	D．was full of imagination

3. Merlin put wheels under his shoes to_________.

A．impress the party guests	B．arrive at the party sooner
C．test his invention	D．show his skill in walking on wheels

4. What main point the writer is trying to make in the last paragraph?

A．The roller skates needed further improvement.

B．The party guests took Merlin for a fool.

C．Merlin succeeded beyond expectation.

D．Merlin got himself into trouble.

2 . 短文改错
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧）, 并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2. 只允许修改10处, 多者(从第11处起)不计分。
I was real sad when I found my bicycle went wrong again. Tired of repairing it again and again, I decided buy a new one. After school, I went to a shop locating in the center of the city with a friend called Jack. The black bicycle attracted my eyes as soon as we went into the store. It looked so cool that I could hardly wait to ride it. The shopkeepers told us that it was the latest bicycle.
He wanted to charge me for 800 yuan, that was too high for me. I just couldn’t afford such an expensive one. Then I choose another one, which cost him only 200 yuan. It was not perfect, so it was much better than the old one.
　　1　　2　　3　　4　　5　　
　　6　　7　　8　　9　　10　　

3 . 阅读理解。
Big messaging apps abroad
While WeChat is China's biggest mobile messaging app (应用软件), there are many equivalent apps in other countries that offer similar features.
WhatsApp (US)
Users: more than 300 million
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry
Features: text chats, push­to­talk, file sharing, location sharing
With more than 300 million active users, WhatsApp is one of WeChat's biggest competitors. Developed by two ex­Yahoo employees in 2009, WhatsApp originally focused on text chats, but on Aug. 6 it also started push­to­talk service. It's noted for its accessibility, ease of use and the absence (没有) of adverts. The service is free for the first year, after which D|S0.99 (6.06 yuan) is charged for a one­year subscription.
Kakao Talk (South Korea)
Users: more than 100 million
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Bada (an operating system developed by Samsung)
Features: text chats, group chats, push­to­talk, group calls, file sharing
With more than 100 million users in more than 230 countries, Kakao Talk is a multi­platform (多平台) texting application that allows users to send and receive messages for free. With Kakao Talk, users can message each other one­on­one or in group chats with unlimited numbers of friends. You can also choose from more than 250 animated emoticons and share them with friends.
Line (Japan)
Users: more than 200 million
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and PC
Features: text chats, group chats, push­to­talk, file sharing, location sharing, gaming, stickers
Line tops the list of the most downloaded free apps in 52 countries. Apart from text and voice messaging, Line provides its users with more than 250 original stickers and emoticons to buy from its own shop. In the first quarter of 2013 alone, it made D|S17 million just from stickers. The popular app also allows friends to battle each other in the Line games.
1. The first paragraph of the passage is used to ________.

A．introduce the most popular mobile messaging apps in China

B．talk about new features in the latest mobile messaging apps

C．draw readers' attention to various popular mobile messaging apps

D．explain how mobile messaging apps have become so popular

2. Compared with the other two apps, which of the following features makes Line stand out?

A．Group mobile games.

B．Free stickers and emoticons.

C．Free download of the app.

D．Text and group chats.

3. One of the popular features of WhatsApp is that users ________.

A．can send and receive messages for free

B．can enjoy live video chats within groups

C．don't need to worry about unwanted ads

D．regularly get free stickers and emoticons

4 . Things have been kind of tough lately for Shannon Baker and her little family. They have each other’s parents and young daughter and for that they are_______ But she and her husband are both currently _______ And their car is in great need of _______ And then there is the matter of their second child, who is _______ soon. So things are a little tense for the Baker family these days.
When Shannon and her daughter were walking through a store _______ lot recently, Shannon picked up an envelop from the ground that _______ $4,000 in cash. There were a _______of different interpretations（理解） that could be considered. Was this a kind of good _______? Could it be an attempt by the universe to balance everything? Could it be simply a gift from God? Shannon didn’t know. The only thing she knew was that the cash in that envelope_______to someone else.
Oh, and one other thing she knew: Her young daughter was __________ “My kid was standing right there__________ I found it,” Shannon told WLS-TV in Chicago. “So basically I wanted to teach my daughter how to be __________ And for me that was enough.”
Never mind the bills that were __________, or the car that needed to be fixed, or the baby that would come soon. And forget that when she__________ the money over to the police she was told that there was actually nothing illegal if she __________ it.
The police were able to return the money to the person who __________ it: an old woman. And one can imagine the __________ and relief she felt when the police handed the lost envelop back to her. “She came to my house and she was almost in tears,__________ me,” Shannon said. “She gave me a hug and an envelope with a small __________ in it. But the amount, large or small, wasn’t __________ What was important was the opportunity to teach my daughter honesty.”1.

A．controlled

B．upset

C．sensitive

D．grateful

2.

A．unemployed

B．appreciated

C．disappointed

D．removed

3.

A．repair

B．protection

C．cash

D．sale

4.

A．sick

B．serious

C．due

D．dull

5.

A．gathering

B．parking

C．cleaning

D．begging

6.

A．included

B．contained

C．charged

D．paid

7.

A．number

B．deal

C．plenty

D．flood

8.

A．expense

B．prize

C．hope

D．luck

9.

A．pointed

B．owned

C．belonged

D．possessed

10.

A．demanding

B．watching

C．laughing

D．affecting

11.

A．before

B．though

C．because

D．when

12.

A．honest

B．loyal

C．ripe

D．humorous

13.

A．piling up

B．giving away

C．showing off

D．passing by

14.

A．watched

B．turned

C．got

D．collected

15.

A．kept

B．made

C．checked

D．promoted

16.

A．sent

B．disliked

C．lost

D．generated

17.

A．respect

B．regret

C．tension

D．joy

18.

A．comforting

B．congratulating

C．offending

D．thanking

19.

A．amount

B．present

C．envelope

D．choice

20.

A．enough

B．acceptable

C．important

D．matter

5 . For more than twenty years scientists have been searching for signs of life on other planets. Most of these searches have been done over the radio. The hope is that someone in outer space may be trying to get in touch with us. Scientists also have sent radio and television messages on spaceships traveling through space, on the chance that someone may be receptive （善于接受的） to such messages.
Scientists are using powerful radio telescope to listen to signals from about 1,000 stars, all within 100 light years of earth. In addition, they will scan (扫视) the entire sky to “listen” for radio messages from more distant stars. Using a computer, they will be able to monitor more than eight channels at one time. Scientists are looking for any signal that stands out from the background noise.
Of the 200 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy （银河星系）, scientists find that five percent are like our sun. Perhaps half of them have a planet like earth. Such a planet would be a reasonable distance from the star for temperatures to be right for the evolution of life. Based on the inhabitable (that can be lived in) planets in our galaxy, most scientists agree that chances are likely that one or more of these planets support some life.
However, many scientists wonder whether intelligent （有智力的） life exists on other planets. Some believe that twenty years of searching without any intelligible （可理解的） messages shows that no one is out there. They say that the evolution of intelligence comparable to ours is unlikely.
Other scientists believe that our search hasn’t been long enough to rule out the possibility that intelligent life exists in our galaxy. Although our sun family in only about five billion years old,   our galaxy is about 20 billions years old. In that time, some scientists think it is likely that civilizations are much more advanced than ours. Perhaps these civilizations send us no signals; perhaps we have not recognized the signals they have sent us. If we hope to find intelligent life, these scientists believe that we have to keep looking.
1. According to the passage, how many planets in our galaxy might human beings live?

A．5 billion

B．10 billion

C．15 billion

D．200 billion

2. The first paragraph in this passage is mainly about ______.

A．where scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets

B．why scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets

C．how scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets

D．when scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets

3. The underlined word “monitor” in the passage means “______”.

A．find

B．follow

C．study

D．form

4. Which of the statements is TRUE based on the information in the passage?

A．The earth is one of the oldest planets in our galaxy.

B．Most scientists believe that there is intelligent life on other planet.

C．Scientists don’t believe that there might be life on other planets.

D．Scientists are trying different ways to find signs of life on other planet.

6 . As one of the world’s oldest holidays, Halloween is still celebrated today in several countries around the globe, but it is in North America and Canada that it maintains its highest level of popularity. Every year, 65% of Americans decorate their homes and offices for Halloween. Halloween is the holiday when the most candy is sold and is second only to Christians in terms of total sales.
Austria
In Austria, some people will leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before retiring on Halloween night. The reason for this is that it was once believed such items would welcome the dead souls back to earth on a night which for the Austrians was considered to be brimming(溢)with strong cosmic energies.
Belgium
The Belgians believe that it is unlucky for a black cat to cross one’s path and also unlucky if it should enter a home or travel on a ship. The custom in Belgium on Halloween night is to light candles in memory of dead relatives.
Canada
Modern Halloween celebrations in Canada began with the arrival of Scottish and Irish immigrants in the 1800s. Jack- O- Lantern is carved and the festivities include parties, trick-or-treating and the decorating of homes with pumpkins and corn stalks.
France
Unlike most nation of the world, Halloween is not celebrated by the French in order to honor the dead and departed ancestors. It is regarded as an “American” holiday in France and was unknown in the country until around 1996.
1. In which countries does Halloween have its highest level of popularity?

A．France and North America.

B．Canada and North America.

C．Austria and Canada.

D．Belgium and Canada.

2. Why will people leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table in Austria?

A．These items would welcome the dead souls back to earth

B．These items are used to respect ancestors

C．These items are just for fun

D．The other items can replace them

3. In which country does Halloween is not celebrated as the others?

A．Canada.

B．Belgium.

C．Austria.

D．France.

7 . One of my neighbors used to have a beautiful tree in her front yard. Her dad had planted it for her when it was nothing more than a twig(树枝) and several years later it started to shoot towards the sky with amazing speed. Soon it blessed her with cooling shade in the summer and glorious, golden leaves in the fall.

When the two-day snowstorm struck our town, heavy snow fell on the tree’s branches that were still full of leaves. The weight split that lovely tree down the middle. It was so sad seeing half of it laying on the ground after the storm. When I talked to my neighbor later, she said that the damage had been too much and that the entire tree would have to be cut down. Thankfully she had saved a few saplings(树苗) from it that she hoped to replant in the future.

Still, it was a shock to drive by her house the other day and see nothing but a stump in her front yard. I missed that tree. I missed its beauty, its leaves shinning in the afternoon sun. I missed seeing its limbs reach towards the heavens. I thought that the stump would be a sad reminder of its loss for a long time to come. My wonderful neighbor, though, had another plan. When I drove by her home today I saw a tiny bird feeder sitting on that stump and a colorful songbird having its dinner. It was such an affirmation of life. It was such a joy to see. I could feel my heart smile.

Life by its very nature is a mixed bag. It hands us beauty and tragedy, love and loss, pleasure and pain. What we do with it, however, is up to us. We can let it split us in two, or we can use even its hardest times to make our souls stronger and our hearts more loving. We can spend it complaining or we can use it to help others.

1. We know from the first paragraph that ________.

A．the tree grew very slowly

B．the tree was so strong that it could bear any weight

C．the tree showed its beauty and benefits

D．the author’s neighbor was good at planting trees

2. The author’s neighbor left a stump in her front yard to use it as ________.

A．a good reminder	B．a place to feed birds
C．a seat after dinner	D．a beautiful sculpture

3. What does the author mainly want to show in the passage?

A．Life is determined by our attitude towards it.

B．Life consists of pain and suffering.

C．Life has beauty and tragedy.

D．Life should be pleasant rather than painful.

8 . The booking notes of the play “the Age of Innocence”:
Price: $10
BOOKING
There are four easy ways to book seats for performance:
— in person
The Box Office is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.--8 p.m.
— by telephone
Ring 01324976 to reserve your tickets or to pay by credit card（Visa, MasterCard and Amex accepted）.
— by post
Simply complete the booking form and return it to Global Theatre Box Office.
— on line
Complete the on-line booking form at www.satanfiedtheatre.com.
DISCOUNTS:
Saver: $2 off any seat booked any time in advance for performances from Monday to Thursday. Savers are available for children up to 16 years old, over 60s and full-time students.
Supersaver: half-price seats are available for people with disabilities and one companion. It is advisable to book in advance. There is a maximum of eight wheelchair spaces available and one wheelchair space will be held until an hour before the show.
Standby: best available seats are on sale for $6 from one hour before the performance for people eligible（suitable）for Saver and Supersaver discounts and thirty minutes before for all other customers.
Group Bookings: there is a ten per cent discount for parties of twelve or more.
School: school parties of ten or more can book $6 standby tickets in advance and will get every tenth ticket free.
PLEASE NOTE: we are unable to exchange tickets or refund money unless a performance is cancelled due to unpredicted circumstances.
1. If you want to book a ticket, you CAN NOT _____

A．go to the Box Office on Sundays.

B．ring the booking number and pay for the tickets by credit card.

C．use the Internet.

D．complete a booking form and post it to the Box Office.

2. If you make a group booking for a group of 14 adults, how much should you pay?

A．$120

B．$126

C．$140

D．$150

3. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A．There are only 8 wheelchair spaces in the theatre.

B．A school party of 15 students should pay 90 for the standby tickets.

C．A group of 12 persons can get 10 per cent discount.

D．The audience can’t refund money if the performance is on show.

4. What kind of tickets are the cheapest?

A．The standby tickets for school parties of ten or more.

B．The standby tickets.

C．The tickets for Saver discount.

D．The tickets for group booking.

9 . 阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容或括号内单词的正确形式(不多于3个单词)
There was a young flower in the desert     1    all was dry and sad looking... It was growing by itself,    2    (enjoy) every day and saying to the sun, "     3    shall I be grown up?" And the sun would say "Be    4    (patience) ! Each time I touch you, you grow a little." She was so pleased,     5    she would have a chance to bring beauty to this corner of sand. And this is all she wanted to do - bring a little bit of beauty to this world.
    6    one day the hunter came by and stepped on her. She was going to die and she felt so sad, not because she was    7    (die), but because she would     8    (ever) have a chance to bring a little bit of beauty to this corner of the desert.
The great spirit saw her, and was listening. - Indeed, he said... She should be living... So he reached down and touched her -- and gave her    9    second life.
Finally she grew up to be a beautiful flower. And this corner of the desert also became so beautiful because    10    the little flower.

10 . The extraordinary Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, is said to be the only one in the world to use the same cooling and heating principles as the termite mound (白蚁堆).

Architect Mick Pearce used precisely the same strategy when designing the Eastgate Building, which has no air conditioning and almost no heating. The building is the country’s largest commercial and shopping complex but uses less than 10% of the energy of a conventional building of its size. The Eastgate’s owners saved 3.5 million on a 36 million building because air conditioning didn’t have to be equipped.

The complex is actually two buildings linked by bridges across a shady, glassroofed atrium (天井) open to the air. Fans suck fresh air in from the atrium, blow it upstairs through hollow spaces under the floors and from there into each office through vents (通风口). As it rises and warms, it is drawn out via ceiling vents and finally exists through fortyeight brick chimneys.

During summer’s cool nights, big fans blow air through the building seven times an hour to cool the empty floors. By day, smaller fans blow two changes of air an hour through the building to circulate the air which has been in contact with the cool floors. For winter days, there are small heaters in the vents.

This is all possible only because Harare is 1,600 feet above sea level, and has cloudless skies, little dampness and rapid temperature swings-days as warm as 31 °C commonly drop to 14°C at night. “You couldn’t do this in New York, with its fantastically hot summers and fantastically cold winters,” Pearce said.

The engineering firm of Ove Arup & Partners monitors daily temperatures. It is found that the temperature of the building has generally stayed between 23 °C and 25 °C, with the exception of the annual hot period just before the summer rains in October and three days in November, when a doorkeeper accidentally switched off the fans at night. And the air is far fresher than in airconditioned buildings, where up to 30% of the air is recycled.

1. Why was Eastgate cheaper to be built than a conventional building?

A．It was designed in a smaller size.

B．No air conditioners were fixed in.

C．Its heating system was less advanced.

D．It used rather different building materials.

2. What does the underlined word “it” refer to in Paragraph 3?

A．Fresh air from outside.

B．Heat in the building.

C．A hollow space.

D．A baseboard vent.

3. Why would a building like Eastgate not work efficiently in New York?

A．New York has less clear skies as Harare.

B．Its dampness affects the circulation of air.

C．New York covers a larger area than Harare.

D．Its temperature changes seasonally rather than daily.

4. The data in the last paragraph suggests Eastgate’s temperature control system       .

A．allows a wide range of temperatures

B．functions well for most of the year

C．can recycle up to 30% of the air

D．works better in hot seasons