1 . Homestay provides English language students with the opportunity to speak English outside the classroom and the experience of being part of a British home.
What to Expect
The host will provide accommodation and meals. Rooms will be cleaned and bedcovers changed at least once a week. You will be given the house key and the host is there to offer help and advice as well as to take an interest in your physical and mental health.
Accommodation Zones
Homestays are located in London mainly in Zones 2, 3 and 4 of the transport system. Most hosts do not live in the town centre as much of central London is commercial and not residential (居住的). Zones3 and 4 often offer larger accommodation in a less crowned area. It is very convenient to travel in London by Underground.
Meal Plans Available
◇ Continental Breakfast
◇ Breakfast and Dinner
◇ Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
It’s important to note that few English families still provide a traditional cooked breakfast. Your accommodation includes Continental Breakfast which normally consists of fruit juice, cereal (谷物类食品), bread and tea or coffee. Cheese, fruit and cold meat are not normally part of a Continental Breakfast in England. Dinners usually consist of meat or fish with vegetables followed by desert, fruit and coffee.
Friends
If you wish to invite a friend over to visit. you must first ask your host' s permission. You have no right to entertain friends in a family home as some families feel it is an invasion of their privacy.
Self-Catering Accommodation in Private Homes
Accommodation on a room-only basis includes shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and often a main living room. This kind of accommodation offers an independent lifestyle and is more suitable for the long-stay student. However, it does not provide the same family atmosphere as an ordinary homestay and may not benefit those who need to practise English at home quite as much.
1. The passage is probably written for| A．host willing to receive foreign students |
| B．loreigners hoping to build British culture |
| C．travellers planning to vist famlies in London |
| D．English learners applying to live in English homes |
| A．Room cleaning. |
| B．Medical care. |
| C．Free transport. |
| D．Physical trainning. |
| A．Zone 4 is more crowded than Zone 2. |
| B．The business centre of London is in Zone 1. |
| C．Hosts dislike travelling to the city centre. |
| D．It is not very convenient to travel in London-bu underground. |
| A．Dessert and coffee |
| B．Fruit and vegetables. |
| C．bread and fruit juice |
| D．Centre and cold meat. |
| A．To experience a warmer famliy atmosphere. |
| B．To enrich their knowledge of English |
| C．To entertain friends as they like. |
| D．To enjoy much more freedom. |
2 . Debra Avery has been a horse lover since she was a little girl in San Diego. Her family couldn't afford a horse of its own, so Debra borrowed rides at the local horse-riding center, gaining the confidence only found atop a horse. Years later, Debra remembered those early days, and the lessons she learned with the horses at the riding center, and wanted to help other young women get the benefits of connecting with horses. "I always wanted to run a horse program for girls like me," says Debra. "I wanted to help them gain the courage to be around a horse and to care for a horse."
One day at the Los Angeles Horse-riding Center, as Debra rode beside fellow rider Judith Hopkins, she mentioned an inheritance (遗产) from her father-in-law and her desire to use it to serve disadvantaged girls. Judith had the same dream—and a name for the organization.
They founded Taking the Reins (TTR) in 1998. The organization serves more than 400 young women per year in after-school, weekend, and summer programs that feature horse riding and care, gardening and even competitive horse showing. Most participants live below the poverty line and often have not had reliable housing for more than six months at a time. Few have previous horse experience.
TTR uses farm and ranch experiences to teach responsibility, leadership, teamwork, and self-confidence. Director Dr. Jane Haven says, "A large number of our girls are somewhat autistic (孤独症的). I can't count how many of them have found their first social friends thanks to sharing this hobby and activity. Horses bring them out in such a wonderful way."
Jane also sees members of TTR program excel in school—100 percent of young women involved for four years or more have graduated from high school. Ninety-nine percent of those participants have gone on to attend four-year colleges.
Debra sees a more obvious impact—after a few weeks in the TTR program, the young women sit a little higher in their saddles (马鞍). "There's just something about sitting up on the back of a horse that gives them a boost of confidence."
1. Debra's early life was greatly influenced by ________.| A．her family | B．horse riding |
| C．school lessons | D．her fellow rider |
| A．Horse riding and showing. | B．Horse care and farming. |
| C．Pet care and gardening. | D．Weekend hiking and camping. |
| A．Homeless and lonely women. | B．Hard-working school girls. |
| C．Female autistic patients. | D．Poor horse-loving girls. |
| A．They have been given financial aid. |
| B．They have achieved academic excellence. |
| C．They have grown into professional horse riders. |
| D．They have been provided with reliable housing. |
| A．TTR is a profit-making organization. | B．TTR program lasts a few weeks. |
| C．The girls' confidence grows quickly. | D．The girls can ride taller horses. |
3 . The pace of today's working life blurs (使模糊) the line between personal time and work time, and it increasingly mixes personal lifestyle and work style. And as companies are trying hard to attract and keep young people for their technical skills and enthusiasm for change, office culture is becoming an extension of youth culture. This may be no bad thing. For most of human history the middle-aged have ruled, but in the future, they will have to share power with fresh-faced youths.
There have been a number of reasons for this change and the most dramatic of these is technology. Children have always been more expert than their parents at something, but usually a game or a fashion, not the century's most important business tool. The Internet has started the first industrial revolution in history to be led by the young. Though there have been youth revolutions before, none of them made a big change the way the Internet has. Throughout the20th century, if a young person wanted to enter an American company they needed to leave their youth behind. They got a haircut, and probably a suit or at least a tie. Now the same hair, same clothes, even nearly the same hours apply to office and home.
If it had not been for the Internet, this change could not have happened. However, it did not happen because of the Internet only; the corporate restructurings (公司重组) of the 1980s and 90s broke down traditional hierarchies (等级制度). In many companies, seniority-based (基于资历的) hierarchies have been replaced by hierarchies based on performance. The abilities to please your superiors are no longer the most valued skills. Today's employees stay with companies only as long as they feel challenged and rewarded; moving from job to job is now a sign of ambition.
The rise of the young is a good thing, because it gives them more opportunity to put their ideas and energy into practice at their most creative stage in life. Nowadays youth and youth qualities seem to dominate, but the experience and maturity of older employees should be put to good use, too.
1. A company tries to attract young people for their________.| A．office culture | B．modern lifestyle |
| C．changing attitude | D．technical abilities |
| A．work in the office and at home | B．have an eye-catching hairstyle |
| C．dress in the business style | D．leave the business tool behind |
| A．achievements | B．age and experience |
| C．skills with the Internet | D．ability to please the boss |
| A．They become more energetic in life. |
| B．They have taken over the companies. |
| C．Their creativity can be put to good use. |
| D．Their ideas appeal to a great many people. |
| A．Young people will lead in fashion. |
| B．Young people will have more power. |
| C．Older people will step off the historical stage. |
| D．Older people will continue to be the main force. |
4 . Career guidance specialists in John Adams High School can provide information about Career & Technical Education classes, assist you in making wise decisions for your future, and help you find opportunities in: certificate programs, apprenticeship (学徒) programs and four-year colleges that best fit your needs.
Each of the following two-year programs offers three high school credits per semester and requires a formal application.
| Business Cooperative Experiences This is a program for students who have a career goal in business or office work. Students spend one period each day learning advanced skills related to the students' career objective in business. Students will be employed at a training station and will work each week at a business in the local community. Important facts: Computer applications Work a total of 540 hours to earn credit Transportation not provided |
| Business Technology Lab This program will prepare students for careers in business and industry and for working with interactive media. Students will learn multimedia, web design, and photo design skills by using state-of-the-art (最先进的) equipment and software. This course will provide students with the tools to seek jobs or continue studying at a post-secondary school. Important facts: Available at Clay High School Two-hour course |
| Automotive (汽车的) Services Technology The program includes classroom instruction and lab activities for the students to learn entry-level automotive skills and basic automotive operation and service. Students will gain skills and training in auto repair that can lead to entry-level jobs, or post-secondary education. Important facts: Classes held at Ivy Tech Transportation provided |
| Building Trades Technology In this program, students, under the leadership of a qualified instructor, will build a house. It gives students basic skills needed to enter the building trades, or to continue study of construction in an apprentice program, or a post-secondary school. Important facts: Three-hour course Transportation provided Work boots and helmet needed |
1. In the Business Cooperative Experiences program, students will ________.
| A．have free transportation | B．finish 540 class hours |
| C．acquire training ability | D．work at a local business |
| A．to be an equipment provider | B．to work at a secondary school |
| C．to develop great computer skills | D．to enter the academic world |
| A．Security operations. | B．Entry-level car services. |
| C．Instruction techniques. | D．Advanced automotive skills. |
| A．Business Cooperative Experiences. | B．Business Technology Lab. |
| C．Automotive Services Technology. | D．Building Trades Technology. |
| A．Practical skills. | B．Theoretical study. |
| C．Business planning. | D．Management ability. |
I’ve always been creative since I was a little girl. My childhood was filled with arts, crafts (手工) and music, and every day was an exciting adventure of creation.
Somewhere along the way, however, I lost touch with my creative self. At 21, I landed a job at a big insurance company out of my business degree. I would go to the office, sit at my desk and repeat the same work five days a week 9 to 5. The days were long and tedious. Working this way for one year was painful enough, let alone a lifetime. Before long I decided to make a change.
One thing I had developed an interest in was sewing, so I took a sewing course at a community college. It was only a five-week course but it awakened my interest and got my confidence up.
As I dreamt bigger, I began looking into college courses for Fashion Design and three months later I signed up for a part-time design course. I attended classes two nights a week. Although exhausting, it gave me energy, enthusiasm and happiness.
As it became clearer that fashion was what I wanted to do full time, the reality of my day-to-day work at the insurance company became harder. I felt bored. No energy, no motivation and zero fulfilment (满足感).
I knew I needed to make a bigger change. After struggling for quite a while, I made a difficult decision—leaving my job and studying my design course full time. Two years later I got my diploma.
The last few years have been exciting because I’ve been following my heart to do what I love. Today I am living a creative life as the designer of my own fashion brand.
Sometimes it’s hard to make a change, but I’m so glad I set the wheels of change in motion with that very small first step because it has led me to where I am today.
1. What was the author interested in when she was a little girl? (no more than 10 words)2. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 2 mean? (1 word)
3. How did the author feel when she was taking the part-time design course? (no more than 10 words)
4. What did the author do to get back to her creative life? Give two of the facts. (no more than 15 words)
5. Do you consider the author as your role model? Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
6 . Fire Prevention Information
The University of Adelaide employs a full-time staff of fire prevention professionals. They inspect all campus buildings and test and maintain all sprinkler(喷水灭火装置）systems fire alarms and fire extinguishers (灭火器). They also provide educational programs or fire safety in the residence hall. Whenever you move to a new area, you should locate the fire alarm pull stations and the two exits nearest your room.
Fire Alarms
The floors of all campus buildings are equipped with manual(手动的）fire alarm systems which include fire alarm pull stations and pipes. Most are also equipped with automatic fire alarm systems consisting of heat detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers. For your safety, never tamper with(胡乱摆弄）these systems. False fire alarms are illegal and may lead to imprisonment.
Fire Drills
A fire drill will be conducted in your residence hall every semester. During a fire drill, please do the following:
·Take your room key and ID, close and lock the door to your room.
·Exit immediately from the nearest emergency exit do not use a lift.
·Meet outside of your residence hall and wait for further instructions.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are located on each floor and in each apartment. Use a fire extinguisher only if you have been trained to do so. Irresponsible use of a fire extinguisher can create a dangerous situation for other residents and could result in damage to personal property.
Misuse of a fire extinguisher will result in fines.
Smoke Detector
A smoke detector is on the ceiling in your room. Some buildings also have heat detectors on the ceilings. Do the following to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detector:
·If your smoke detector is working properly, the red light should be on. If the red light is not blinking（闪动），contact residence hall staff immediately.
·Do not cover or block your smoke detector in any way.
·If a smoke detector sets off an alarm and there is no fire or smoke, inform your hall staff.
1. What is the main duty of the fire prevention professionals?| A．To provide part-time jobs for students. |
| B．To lead the students to the nearest exits. |
| C．To check and maintain fire prevention equipment. |
| D．To train teachers to be fire prevention professionals. |
| A．Pipes and smoke detectors. |
| B．Smoke detectors and sprinklers. |
| C．Fire alarm pull stations and pipes. |
| D．Sprinklers and fire alarm pull stations |
| A．rush quickly to a lift |
| B．gather at the nearest exit. |
| C．shut the door and leave at once |
| D．wait for instructions in the hall |
| A．Using them wrongly results in punishment. |
| B．Irresponsible use of them can damage them. |
| C．Improper use of them can destroy the apartment. |
| D．Using them without a trainer present is forbidden. |
| A．contact the hall staff regularly |
| B．cover the things that burn easily |
| C．start the smoke detector in a fire |
| D．make certain the red light is working |
As any younger brother will tell you, having a big brother involves a lot of walking in someone else’s shadow, especially when you have a brother who is a typical example of “cool”. For years I wanted to do everything my elder brother Tyson did, but no matter how hard I tried, I was always the neglected (被忽略的) one. My legs just weren’t made to run like his. I could never play football or basketball well.
I probably would have continued trying to keep up with him for the rest of my high school career, but when my family moved, everything changed. Tyson left for college, so I had to start at a new school all by myself. This new start gave me an opportunity to redefine myself and discover an entirely new version of “cool”.
I don’t know what made me decide to try some new activities at the new school, but one day I chanced to show up for an after-school meeting of the Science Olympiad team. I had always been fascinated with chemistry, biology, and math, but since those interests hadn’t fit Tyson’s definition of “cool”, I had never pursued them. On this day, for some reason, I did.
As we organized teams, prepared resources and practiced answering questions, I felt more connected than I ever had to any sports team. I didn’t feel as though I needed to keep up with anybody else; I was finally with peers who understood me. It was so good to feel accepted for what I’m good at. For the first time in my life, I actually felt cool. Now I know who I am! I’m Tyson’s little brother, but that’s only part of my identity. I’m a cool guy in my own way, too. I’m relieved to know that “cool” has a much broader definition than what I used to think.
1. How do you understand the underlined part in Paragraph 1? (no more than 8 words)2. What changes offered a new start to the author after his family moved? (no more than 15 words)
3. According to Paragraph 3, what marked the turning point in the author’s growth? (no more than 7 words)
4. What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about? (no more than 10 words)
5. What is your example of “cool”? Please explain why. (no more than 20 words)
8 . “They tell me that you’d like to make a statue(塑像) of me-is that correct, Miss Vinnie Ream?”
The deep, gentle voice helped calm the nervous girl. Asking a favor of the President of the United States was no casual matter, especially for a seventeen-year-old girl.
“Yes, sir,” she replied, her dark eyes meeting his. “I wouldn’t have duo ask you, but my teacher, Mr. Mills, says I am ready. I plan to make it in an admirable manner. “
President Lincoln smiled. “Painters, sculptors-they’ve all tried to make the best of this ordinary face, but I’m afraid there’s not much hope. What did you have in mind, Miss Ream? A bust(半身像)?”
Before Vinnie could say yes, the President hurried on, a shade of apology in his voice.
“Of course-I shouldn’t have asked. A full-length pose would be much too big a project for a young woman your size. “
Vinnie’s face turned red. She realized she looked like a child, with her tiny figure. “Small does not mean weak, sir,” she defended herself. “I was born in the country of Wisconsin. I’ve driven teams of horses and carried water. Making a full-length clay(粘土) figure would not exhaust my strength-and that is what I intend to do!”
The President’s eyes, brightened at her show of spirit. “Sorry, madam, I have underestimated you as I didn’t know your background.”
But his smile faded as he rubbed his beard with bony fingers, in thought. “Miss Ream,” he sighed, “I’d like to let you do it, but as you know, we are in the middle of a war. How could I possibly take the time to pose for a sculpture now? I hardly have a minute to myself.”
Vinnie glanced around and noted the size of his office. “I work quickly,” she said. Her voice was soft but confident as she pointed to the corner near the windows. “If I were to bring my clay here and work for three hours every afternoon, I could complete most of the project while you are at your desk.”
The President seemed to consider her idea seriously. He got up and shook Vinnie’s hand warmly, “I’ve heard that you are a talented young woman, and I have found you charming and intelligent as well. I cannot make my decision immediately, but you will hear from me soon.”
The very next day, Vinnie received an invitation from the President.
1. What gave Vinnie confidence to make her request of President Lincoln?| A．Her aggressive personality. |
| B．Mr. Mills’s encouraging remark. |
| C．President Lincoln’s gentle voice. |
| D．Her interest in a challenging job. |
| A．Pleased. |
| B．Thrilled. |
| C．Regretful. |
| D．Doubtful. |
| A．her experience from other projects |
| B．her innocent childhood in the country |
| C．the heavy labor she had done before |
| D．the skill she picked up in Wisconsin |
| A．achieve effects of natural lighting |
| B．keep all her tools within easy reach |
| C．observe the President at a right angle |
| D．avoid disturbing the president’s work |
| A．A strong-willed soul can reach his goal. |
| B．Experience helps to promote excellence. |
| C．Ups and downs make one strong. |
| D．Devotion requires enthusiasm. |
9 . For people, who are interested in sound, the field of sound technology is definitely making noise. In the past, sound engineers worked in the back rooms of recording studios, but many of today’s sound professionals are sharing their knowledge and experience with professionals in other fields to create new products based on the phenomenon we call sound.
Sound can be used as a weapon. Imagine that a police officer is chasing a thief. The thief tries to escape. And the officer can’t let him get away. He pulls out a special device, points it at the suspect, and switches it on. The thief drops to the ground. This new weapon is called a Long Range Acoustic Device(LRAD, 远程定向声波发射器). It produces a deafening sound so painful that it temporarily disables a person. The noise from the LRAD is directed like a ray of light and travels only into the ears of that person, but it is not deadly.
For those who hunger for some peace and quiet, sound can now create silence. Let’s say you are at the airport, and the little boy on the seat next to you is humming(哼唱) a short commercial song. He hums it over and over again, and you are about to go crazy. Thanks to the Silence Machine, a British invention, you can get rid of the sound without upsetting the boy or his parents. One may wonder how the Silence Machine works. Well, it functions by analyzing the waves of the incoming sound and creating a second set of outgoing waves. The two sets of waves cancel each other out. Simply turn the machine or point it at the target, and your peace and quiet comes back.
Directed sound is a new technology that allows companies to use sound in much the same way spotlights(聚光灯) are used in the theater. A spotlight lights up only one section of a stage; similarly, “spotsound” creates a circle of sound in on targeted area. This can be useful for businesses such as restaurants and stores because it offers a new way to attract customers. Restaurants can offer a choice of music along with the various food choices on the menu, allowing customers more control over the atmosphere in which they are dining. Directed sound is also beginning to appear in shopping centers and even at homes.
1. What could be inferred from Paragraph 2 about the effect of the LRAD?| A．It causes temporary hearing loss. |
| B．It slows down a running man. |
| C．It makes it easy to identify a suspect. |
| D．It keeps the suspect from hurting others. |
| A．silence the people around you |
| B．remove the sound of commercials |
| C．block the incoming sound waves |
| D．stop unwanted sound from affecting you |
| A．They travel in circles. |
| B．They clear the atmosphere. |
| C．They can be transformed into energy. |
| D．They can be directed onto a specific area. |
| A．creative designs of restaurant menus |
| B．ideal sound effects on the theater stage |
| C．different choices of music for businesses |
| D．strict control over any suspicious customer |
| A．How professionals invented sound products. |
| B．Inventions in the field of sound technology. |
| C．The growing interest in the study of sound. |
| D．How sound engineers work in their studios. |
10 . How to Use a Modern Public Library
Has it been a while since your last visit to a public library? If so, you may be surprised to learn that libraries have changed for the better. It’s been years since they were dusty little rooms with books. They have transformed themselves into places where you can develop your love of knowledge meet interesting people, or find out how to start a business.
Check out a book. While libraries still loan out(出借)books, you’ll find it easier to get a copy of whatever you’re looking for, thanks to a cooperative network of area libraries. Via such networks, libraries share their books with each other through the use of delivery vehicles. Once the book you’ve requested is delivered to the nearest branch, they will inform you by e-mail, so you can pick it up.
Check out other items. The library is now a multimedia zone, loaded with information in many formats(载体形式). You can borrow movies on DVDs, music on CDs, and popular magazines. Some libraries even loan out toys and games. If a popular magazine you want isn’t offered and the library keeps a list of such requests, they may bring it in when enough interest is shown.
Join targeted reading groups. Libraries will often hold reading-group sessions targeted to various age groups. Perhaps you’d like to learn a language or improve your English. The library may sponsor a language group you could join. If you have difficulties reading, ask about special reading opportunities. Your library might be able to accommodate you. And you might find it relaxing to bring your small kid to a half-hour Story Time while you sit quietly in a corner with a good book.
Start a business using the help of your local library. If you want to have a business of your own, your local library can become a launch space for it. In library books and computers, you can find information on starting a business. Many libraries will help you with locally supplied information about business management shared through chambers of commerce(商会)and government agencies, and they will offer printing, faxing and database services you need.
1. Public libraries connected by a cooperative network benefit readers by______.| A．sharing their books on the Internet |
| B．giving access to online reading at a library branch |
| C．sending a needed book to a library branch nearby |
| D．making the checkout procedures diverse |
| A．A magazine and an e-book. |
| B．A game and an oil painting. |
| C．A music CD and a kid’s toy. |
| D．A DVD and a video player |
| A．the kid to learn a new language |
| B．the parent to enjoy quiet reading |
| C．the kid to overcome reading difficulties |
| D．the parent to meet their program sponsor |
| A．providing relevant information and supporting services |
| B．offering professional advice on business management |
| C．supplying useful information of your potential buyers |
| D．arranging meetings with government officials |
| A．To point out the importance of public libraries. |
| B．To encourage people to work in public libraries. |
| C．To introduce the improved services of public libraries. |
| D．To call for the modernization of public library systems. |
