1 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank. Write your answers on the answer sheet.

American Indians

When you think of a typical American, whom do you picture? A pretty white American like Taylor Swift? Or a handsome black American like Barack Obama or basketball star Kobe Bryant? In fact, there was a time when the average American looked like     1     of these people.

Back in the year 1500, the average American was a brown-skinned hunter-gatherer who probably rode a horse and wore clothing     2     (make) from animal skins. Today, these people—who tend to be connected with their individual tribes (部落) such as Iriquos, Apache and Navajo—are referred to     3     “Native Americans”,   “American Indians” or simply “Indians”.

You     4     say that you have never even heard of American Indians. That’s because there aren’t very many left.     5     (settle) in North America, the settlers from Europe were involved in bitter conflict with the native peoples. After the Revolutionary War, conflicts with natives continued as the states were created     6     would later make up the US. American Indians were treated as a military “enemy”     7     1924, when the few Indians still alive at that point     8     (award) US citizenship.

    9     the story of the American Indians has been a sad one, these people’s legacies (遗产) are still felt every day in the US. There are many US geographical names     10     (come) from Indian languages and numerous successful academics and other important US leaders descended (是……的后裔) from Indians.

2 . For years, studies have found that first-generation college students — those who do not have a parent with a college degree — lag behind other students on a range of education achievement factors. Their grades are lower and their dropout rates are higher. But since such students are most likely to advance economically if they succeed in higher education, colleges and universities have pushed for decades to recruit more of them. This has created a ‘paradox’ in that recruiting first-generation students, but then watching many of them fail, means that higher education has ‘continued to reproduce and widen, rather than close’ the achievement gap based on social class, according to the depressing beginning of a paper set to be published in the journal Psychological Science.

But the article is actually quite optimistic, as it outlines a potential solution to this problem, suggesting that an approach (which involves a one-hour, next-to-no-cost program) can close 63 percent of the achievement gap (measured by such factors as grades) between first-generation and other students.

The authors of the paper are from different universities, and their findings are based on a study involving 147 students (who completed the project) at an unnamed private university. First generation was defined as not having a parent with a four-year college degree. Most of the first-generation students (59.1 percent) were recipients of Pell Grants, a federal grant for undergraduates with financial needs, while this was true only for 8.6 percent of the students with at least one parent with a four-year degree.

Their thesis — that a relatively modest intervention could have a big impact — was based on the view that first-generation students may be most lacking not in potential but in practical knowledge about how to deal with the issues that face most college students. They cite past research by several authors to show that this is the gap that must be narrowed to close the achievement gap.

Many first-generation students “struggle to navigate the middle-class culture of higher education, learn the rules of the game, and take advantage of college resources,” they write. And this becomes more of a problem when colleges don’t talk about the class advantage and disadvantages of different groups of students. Because U.S. colleges and universities seldom acknowledge how social class can affect students’ educational experience, many first-generation students lack sight about why they are struggling and do not understand how students like them can improve.

1. The authors of the research article are optimistic because _____________.

A．the problem is solvable

B．their approach is costless

C．the recruiting rate has increased

D．their findings appeal to students

2. The study suggests that most first-generation students _____________.

A．study at private universities

B．are from single-parent families

C．are in need of financial support

D．have failed their college education

3. The authors of the paper believe that first-generation students _____________.

A．are actually indifferent to the achievement gap

B．are inexperienced in handling their issues at college

C．may lack opportunities to apply for research projects

D．can have a potential influence on other students

4. We may infer from the last paragraph that _____________.

A．universities often reject the culture of the middle-class

B．students are usually to blame for their lack of resources

C．social class greatly helps enrich one’s educational experience

D．colleges are partly responsible for the problem in question

3 . Irish dance: The Irish International Dance Company, one of the most dynamic dance troupes in the world, will tour China with its classic production “Spirit of the Dance-the New Millennium.”

The dancers include such famous names as Patricia Murray, one of the Irish dancing champions, and first-rate ballerina Claire Holding.

Sponsored by China National Culture and Art Company Ltd., the dancing troupe will give three performances at the Century Theatre.

Time: 7:30 pm, June 23-25

Place: Century Theatre, 40 Liangmaqiaolu, Chaoyang District Telephone: 6551-8888

Piano solos: Twenty Chinese and foreign piano music works will be played by three young, promising pianists from the China Central Conservatory of Music.

Programmes includes: “Consolation No 3 in D-flat major” by Liszt, “For Elise” by Beethoven, “Turkish March” by Mozart, “Waltz in C-sharp minor” and “A Minute Waltz” by Chopin, and “Hungarian Dance” by Brahms.

Time: 7:30 pm, June 16

Place: Beijing Concert Hall, I Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District

Telephone: 6605-5812

1. How many performances will the Irish dancing troupe give between June 23 and 25?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

2. Whose works will NOT be played at the concert?

A．Chopin.

B．Schumann

C．Beethoven

D．Liszt

3. Who sponsored these performances?

A．the Irish International Dance Company

B．the Century Theater

C．China National Culture and Art Company Ltd.

D．Art Company Ltd.

4 . It was a long way up the humble zipper (拉链) to become the mechanical wonder that has kept our lives “together” in many ways. The zipper had passed through the hands of several gifted inventors, though none _________ the general public to accept the zipper as part of everyday life. It was the magazine and fashion industry that made zipper the popular item it is today.

The story began when Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine, received a patent (专利) in 1851 for an “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure.” However, it didn’t go much further beyond that simple _________ description.

Perhaps it was the success of the sewing machine, that stopped Elias from _________ marketing his clothing closure system. As a result, Howe missed his chance to become the _________ “Father of the Zip.”

Forty-four years later, inventor Whitcomb Judson marketed a “Clasp Locker” device _________ to the system described in the 1851 Howe patent. Being first to market, Whitcomb got _________ for being the “inventor of the zipper.” The clasp locker was released at the 1893 Chicago world’s Fair by his universal fastener (扣件) company and was met with little _________ success. Not many products were sold at that time.

It was an electrical engineer named Gideon Sundback who helped make the zipper the hit it is today.

_________ hired to work for the Universal Fastener Company as an ordinary employee, Sundback relied on his excellent design skills to rise to the position as head designer. When Sunback’s wife died in 1911, the sad husband busied himself at the design table focusing on the _________ of the fastener. In December of 1913, he came up with what would become the __________ zipper. __________, it still took 20 more years to persuade the fashion industry to seriously promote the new closure on clothing.

In the 1930s, a sales campaign began for children’s clothing featuring zippers. The campaign advertised zippers as a way to promote __________ in young children as the devices made it possible for them lo dress by themselves. And Esquire magazine declared the zipper the “Newest Tailoring Idea for Men.” saying it would __________ “the possibility of unintentional and embarrassing dressing moments.”

Today the zipper is everywhere and is used in clothing, luggage, leather goods and __________ other objects. Thousands of zipper miles are produced daily to meet the needs of consumers, __________ the early efforts of the many famous zipper inventors and developers.

1.

A．convinced

B．advised

C．permitted

D．invited

2.

A．manufacturer

B．function

C．price

D．material

3.

A．imagining

B．delaying

C．pursuing

D．rewarding

4.

A．recognized

B．upgraded

C．interpreted

D．pretended

5.

A．agreeable

B．familiar

C．similar

D．inferior

6.

A．edition

B．credit

C．method

D．wealth

7.

A．commercial

B．private

C．domestic

D．potential

8.

A．Purposefully

B．Generally

C．Originally

D．Decidedly

9.

A．brand

B．assessment

C．packing

D．improvement

10.

A．profitable

B．scarce

C．modern

D．noticeable

11.

A．Moreover

B．For example

C．However

D．On the contrary

12.

A．self-awareness

B．self-reliance

C．self-defense

D．self-guidance

13.

A．avoid

B．worsen

C．balance

D．personalize

14.

A．mechanical

B．countless

C．reliable

D．portable

15.

A．in name of

B．thanks to

C．in addition to

D．in case of

5 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. spread       B. predicted       C. boomed       D. redefined       E. agricultural        F. trade G. accelerated       H. continued       I. exchanging       J. seeking       K. continents

Globalization is term used to describe how     1     and technology have made the world into a more connected and interdependent place.

When did globalization begin? Many scholars say it started with Columbus’s voyage 10 the New World in 1492. People traveled to nearby and faraway places well before Columbus’s voyage,     2     their ideas, products, and customs along the way. The Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes across China, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean used between 50 B. C. E. and 250 C. E. is perhaps the most well-known early example. As globalization     3    , new technologies played a key role in the Silk Road trade. Advances in metallurgy (冶金术) led to the creation of coins; advances in transportation led to the building of roads connecting the major empires of the day; and increased     4     production meant more food could be trafficked between locales. Along with Chinese silk, Roman glass, and Arabian spices, ideas such as Buddhist beliefs and the secrets of paper-making also     5     via these tendrils of trade.

Unquestionably, these types of exchanges were     6     in the Age of Exploration, when European explorers were     7     new sea routes to the spices and silks of Asia. Again, technology played an important role in the maritime trade routes that flourished between old and newly discovered     8     Trade and idea exchange now extended to a previously unconnected part of the world, where ships carrying plants, animals, and Spanish silver between the Old World and the New also carried Christian missionaries.

The web of globalization     9     to spread out through the Age of Revolution, when ideas about liberty and equality spread like fire from America to France to Latin America and beyond. It rode the waves of industrialization, colonization, and war through the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, powered by the invention of factories, railways, steamboats, cars, and planes.

With the Information Age, globalization went into overdrive. Advances in computer and communications technology launched a new global era and     10     what it meant to be “connected.”

6 . Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage with no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

Sue and Johnsy are friends and they live in one studio.

But Johnsy kept her bed. The doctor thought there was uncertain hope and he couldn’t see any confidence in Johnsy.

At the same time, Johnsy lay on the bed, looking through the small window and counted “10、9” and “8、7......” She said feebly. When the last leaf fell she must go.

Sue heard that and felt sad. She went to invite old Behrman, who was a painter with no achievement. And he always talked of his coming masterpiece.

Behrman heard the story of Johnsy from Sue.

After the beating rain and fierce wind that had endured through the night, there was still one leaf. And another terrible night, it was still here. Johnsy lay for a long time looking at it. Then she saw the life’s energy and wanted to live.

With the help of doctor and Sue, Johnsy was out of danger. But the bad news was that the old Behrman died of pneumonia. And they knew the secret that the last leaf was just a painting, drew by Behramn in that terrible night.

This is really a beautiful and sorrowful story. We can give other people energy, hope and love. You can see something glittering in our heart.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . Dr charlotte Uhlenbroek recently returned to London after filming her second series, Jungle. It was difficult, 19-week trip, during which she explored the rainforests of Borneo, the Amazon and Congo, travelling around using variety of means of transport, including hot-air balloons and canoes. “I’m interested in the way animals communicate with each other. It was sometimes dangerous making the program -- I even went swimming with piranha(水虎鱼)fish. But the worst thing was insects. On one occasion I had 70 sand-fly bites on my arm. Luckily I didn’t get sick. I prefer not to take tablets every day, but if I get a fever, take some medicine immediately.”

Filming the series was exciting, but also frightening at times. Her most challenging experience was climbing a 100-meter tree in Borneo, as she has a great fear of heights. “I had to keep pulling myself further and further upwards. All I wanted to do was get down again. Suddenly the safety equipment didn’t look very strong and I thought that my ropes would break and I would crash to the ground.”

What did she enjoy most about returning to London? “When I’ve been away in hot uncomfortable conditions for a long time I dream about an ice-cold drink and my bed at home! But the thing I look forward to the most is nice long showers. There wasn’t much water in some of the places we visited and I worried that I was using it all up and not leaving any for my colleagues on the camera team! ”

1. Charlotte found climbing the tree in Borneo so frightening because________.

A．she hates being in high places	B．she was unable to get down
C．her equipment suddenly broke	D．she slipped and fell to the ground

2. What does Charlotte miss most when she is away filming?

A．Air-conditioning.	B．An unlimited water supply.
C．A comfortable bed.	D．Iced drinks.

3. Which best describes the TV series Jungle?

A．The forest floor has hundreds of different insects-let Charlotte be your guide to these fascinating creatures.

B．Making her first television appearance, Charlotte explores some of the wildest places on earth.

C．Charlotte looks at ways in which the animals of the rainforest manage to live beside their human neighbors.

D．Insects, piranha fish, hot-air balloons--it’s all in one day’s work for Charlotte in her latest series.

8 . The Best Language for Math

What’s the best language for learning math? Hint: You’re not reading it.

Chinese, Japanese and Korean use simpler number words and express math concepts more clearly than English. The language gap is drawing growing attention as confusing English number words have been linked in several studies to weaker counting and arithmetic skill in children in English-speaking countries.

    1     Among the researchers are Karen Fuson, a professor in the School of Education at Northwestern University, and Li Yeping, an expert on Chinese math education at Texas A&M University.

Chinese has just nine number words, while English has more than two dozen. The trouble starts at “11”. English has a unique word for the number, while Chinese (as well as Japanese and Korean, among other languages) have words that can be translated as “ten-one” – spoken with the “ten” first.     2    

English number words over 10 don’t as clearly label place values. Number words for the teens reverse the order of the ones and “teens”, making it easy for children to confuse, say, 17 with 71. As a result, children working with English number words have a harder time doing multi-digit addition and subtraction (减法)     3    

It also feels more natural for Chinese speakers than for English speakers to use the “make-a-ten” addition and subtraction strategy. When adding two numbers, students break down the numbers into parts and regroup them into tens and ones. For instance, 9 plus 5 becomes 9 plus 1 plus 4.     4    Many teachers in America have increased instruction in the make-a-ten method and called for first-graders to use it to add and subtract.

Now, you should feel lucky that you are learning math in China. Thanks to your mother tongue, all math problems just come less confusing and difficult to you!

A．So it’s not easy for English speakers to label place values clearly.

B．The additional mental steps needed to solve problems cause more errors.

C．Differences between Chinese and English, in particular, have been studied for decades.

D．This method is a powerful tool for solving more advanced multi-digit addition and subtraction problems.

E．Different languages indicate different ways of thinking, causing people to solve math problems differently.

F．That makes it easier for children to understand the place value as well as making it clear that the number system is based on units of 10.

9 . ● The human population has never been bigger, but in some ways the planet seems to be     1         2         3    . In the past, travelers from     4         5         6     spent months at sea. Now you just have to sit on a plane for a few hours. When you arrived in another country a hundred years ago, you saw     7         8         9     of clothing and buildings and discovered a     10         11         12     culture.（Fill in each blank with the missing words according to the text.）

10 . The actors Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin are among 50 wealthy people, charged Tuesday in what Department of Justice officials called the largest college cheating scam (骗局) it has ever accused. The FBI alleged that parents spent up to $6.5 million to guarantee their children’s admission to elite universities by inflating entrance-exam scores and bribing college officials.

It’s the extreme, illegal version of what parents often do, attempting to bend the college-admissions system to their will to ensure their children’s privilege, convinced that a college name will lead to “success.” Parents believe that an elite school will make their kids happy or give them an edge in life. But the misleading focus on a “roadmap to success” not only isn’t a guarantee of either result — it’s also terrible for kids.

At a time when one in five college students reports having had suicidal thoughts over the past year, we must hammer home to families the message that tunnel-visioning toward selective schools is not only misguided, but dangerous. Instead of focusing on a college “search” to find the schools that will best fit a student, too many families are focusing on college “prep,” molding the student to fit a school. This practice tells teenagers they aren’t good enough unless they get a certain acceptance letter, a harmful message that lingers long after the application process. And for what? Students aren’t automatically happier at name-brand schools.

Yet so many families continue to have name-brand fever. Parents want the name of the college to reflect all the effort and hard work that they and their children put into the high-school years, and they want the name of their college to make up for the lack of sleep and other sacrifices they made along the way. But names don’t necessarily reflect substance. Names are empty. Yet not to mention the destruction of one’s childhood. As an Illinois high-school senior told me, “many students view their young life as “a conveyor belt,” making monotonous scheduled stops at high school, college, graduate school, a job, more jobs, some promotions, and then you die.”

Parents might tell themselves that they’re pushing so hard for the sake of their children. But whether they’re bribing officials, or donating buildings, the children are the ones who suffer.

1. According to the FBI, families invested a lot of money in their kids’ admission __________.

A．to defend their children against the college cheating scam

B．to guarantee the legal version of admission to elite universities

C．for they have to bribe college officials for higher scores

D．for they want to ensure their kids’ access to elite schools

2. The author suggests that what parents often do__________.

A．is sensible enough to ensure their children’s advantage in life

B．is more of a disaster than a guarantee for happiness and advantage

C．is in essence extreme and illegal

D．cannot guarantee their kids’ entrance exam results

3. We can infer from Paragraph 3 that families should __________.

A．lay more stress on the choice of suitable colleges than pursuing name-brand schools

B．bring home the reports about many college students’ suicide to alert the kids

C．do more to help teenagers acquire acceptance letters

D．continue keeping an eye on their kids’ happiness at name-brand schools

4. Which of the following statements is true about college names according to Paragraph 4?

A．The name of the college is meant by children to reflect their sacrifices along the way.

B．College names are empty so they cannot reflect the essence of life.

C．For all the grave consequences, parents are still obsessed with elite universities’ names.

D．Elite Schools’ names will destroy many young people’s “conveyor belt”.