1 . A Four-day Trip to Italy

Day 1: Bologna

A full day to explore one of Italy's most undervalued but beautiful cities, including the Cathedral San Petronio's observatory; Palazzo Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre. Welcome to the talk “Vital Forces: Soul, Mind and Body in the Human and Animal Worlds" from Andrew Spira and dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Florence

In the company of Andrew Spira, a full day of exploration of this wonderful city includes the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica; Pazzi Chapel and monument to Galileo in Santa Croce; and Galileo Science Museum. A lecture from David Wootton.

Day 3: Florence

During your final full day in Florence? Andrew will guide you around the Cathedral Museum—a wonderful experience due to the amazing housing of the Cathedrals treasures including works by Michelangelo, Brunelleschi and the original Gates of Paradise. A lecture from David Wootton.

Day 4: Bologna then depart

On the last day, there is a morning visit to the “off the beaten track” Museum of Communication and well transport you to Bologna airport. You have to pay your own fare home after you get off the plane. You are welcome to spend additional time in Bologna and our operating partner Travel Edition can help you with additional nights accommodation visits and alternate travel arrangements.

Highlights:

Price: £ 1,825

The main things to visit: From astronomic, architectural, medical and mathematical perspectives, during the trip, you'll look at the wonderful collections, buildings and churches that show the rich knowledge of the Renaissance while enjoying these beautiful cities.

To book: call UK+44(0) 207 251 0045 or email us

The guide: Andrew Spira, a historian

1. What can visitors do on Day 1?

A．Visit a monument.	B．Visit the city museum.
C．Enjoy a meal with wine.	D．Enjoy Michelangelo's works.

2. Which is the same thing visitors can do on Day 2 and Day 3?

A．Touring Bologna.	B．Going to the theater.
C．Visiting a nature museum.	D．Attending a lecture.

3. Which of the following is the highlight of the trip?

A．It is guided by a historian.	B．It offers free transport and meals.
C．It requires booking online in advance.	D．It is aimed to teach visitors about modern architecture.

2 . A study from 1976 tells us how and why relationships with our neighbors can be so good for us. Surprisingly to scientists at that time, results showed that connection with family members-even one's own children—had little influence on feelings of well-being or willpower. Meanwhile, friendships, especially those with neighbors, predicted lower levels of loneliness and worry, higher levels of feelings of usefulness and respect within the community.

The study suggests that acquaintance and friendship with neighbors are more effective at increasing well-being since they are based on nearness, common interests and lifestyle choices. The neighborhood relationships are also developed voluntarily. Family ties, on the other hand, are often characterized by a sense of responsibility, physical distance, and personal disharmony. Later studies confirm the importance of close friendships for people over 65, highlighting the particular importance of frequent connection.

More recent studies show that neighborly support is associated with better well-being for individuals in mid- to-late life. Data about neighborly relationships and general well-being from 1,071 adults aged 40-70 from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the US was collected in 1995, and again from the same individuals in 2005.

The study found that those who had little connection with neighbors at the time of both samples, as well as those who experienced a reduction in connection with neighbors over the years, experienced downward trends in well-being, as indicated by feelings of sadness, nervousness. restlessness, hopelessness and worthlessness.

It is important to note here the difference between friendship and neighboring or relationships with neighbors. While friendships are based on common affection, neighboring, at its core is an instrumental relationship that is catalyzed by nearness. But it doesn't have to be this way. Where neighbors are also close friends? the potential benefits are clear. While both friendship and neighboring are beneficial to well-being, they are most effective when the types of support and assistance from both coincide.

1. What does the 1976 study tell us?

A．The friendships between neighbors can last forever.

B．People ignore neighbors more than family members.

C．Neighbors influence people as much as their own children do.

D．Neighbors are more influential to people than family members.

2. How does the author mainly develop paragraph 2?

A．By analyzing data.	B．By giving instructions.
C．By making comparisons.	D．By following the order of time.

3. What determines neighborly relationships according to the text?

A．Nearness.

B．Responsibility.

C．Physical distance.

D．A common life goal.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Why neighbors always help us.	B．Why our neighbors are so important.
C．How neighborly support is available.	D．How neighborly relationships develop well.

3 . In 1989, an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened America, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. Being extremely _______ a father left his wife safely at home and rushed to the school a few _______away, where his son was supposed to be. The school was so _______ that it was in ruins. It seemed _______ the world was at an end.

After the first_______ the father remembered the promise he had made to his son: “No matter what _______, I’ll always be there for you!” And tears began to fill his eyes. As he looked everywhere, it looked _________ , but he didn't lose heart.

He began to direct his _______ towards his son's classroom which is in the back right _______ of the building. He rushed there and started ________ through the ruins.

As he was digging, other helpless parents arrived. ________explosions are happening everywhere. Realizing this father would be ________, other parents tried to make him change his __________ by saying, “It's too late! They're all dead!”. To each parent he ________ with one line: “Are you going to help me now?” And then he continued.

The fire chief arrived and tried to ________ him to leave the ruins, “Go home! We will deal with it.” However he just ________ him and insisted on what he was doing.

As time went by, the father began to________,"Is my boy alive or is he dead?” He screamed his son's name, “ARMAND!”. To his ________ he heard a voice back, “Dad? It's me, dad! We are ________, but not injured”. Immediately he________ that it was his son's voice.

Surely, it was his determination to keep his promise that saved his son.

1.

A．calm

B．grateful

C．upset

D．peaceful

2.

A．blocks

B．bricks

C．stages

D．entrances

3.

A．distant

B．magic

C．dusty

D．damaged

4.

A．even if

B．as if

C．as well

D．even though

5.

A．lightening

B．flame

C．shock

D．event

6.

A．happens

B．decreases

C．survives

D．disagrees

7.

A．reliable

B．familiar

C．foolish

D．hopeless

8.

A．pace

B．signal

C．attention

D．style

9.

A．corner

B．castle

C．shelter

D．cave

10.

A．bending

B．searching

C．digging

D．burying

11.

A．Gradual

B．Frequent

C．Fluent

D．Total

12.

A．in peace

B．in ruins

C．in charge

D．in danger

13.

A．mind

B．attitude

C．opinion

D．motto

14.

A．released

B．responded

C．replaced

D．bargained

15.

A．affect

B．beg

C．command

D．select

16.

A．ignored

B．solved

C．pretended

D．appreciated

17.

A．broadcast

B．inspect

C．vote

D．doubt

18.

A．disappointment

B．sadness

C．shame

D．relief

19.

A．amazed

B．frightened

C．concerned

D．determined

20.

A．calculated

B．preferred

C．recognized

D．inspected

4 . I have been playing basketball since I've been in the 6th grade. I first started out in the summer before 6th grade when I played for the Park District Traveling Basketball Team. This is where I first learned how to play basketball and found out I wasn't very good at it. This is the main reason why I liked football more than basketball, because I was naturally good at football and didn't have to work as hard. But I was always encouraged to never give up, I kept at it and kept working on my basketball skill so I could be good enough to play for my high school basketball team. I played for my high school basketball team during high school.

During those years in high school, I really began to practice hard on improving my basketball skills. My main goal was to get an athletics scholarship to college and get a free education. I indeed achieved this goal and was awarded a two year basketball scholarship at Parkland Junior College. There in my two years I was truly better than I was when I first started out playing basketball, which I know was because of the hard work I put into improving my skills all throughout my life.

After having two good seasons at Parkland on and off the playground I graduated. The final step I had in mind was to come to Northern Illinois University and make the basketball team. Many doubted me and said I wasn't good enough to make the team, but instead of listening to them, giving up or stopping working hard like I've been doing all my life, I worked the hardest. I've worked over the summer. And all the hard work paid off and I am now a member of the Northern Illinois University Basketball Team.

1. Why did the author prefer football to basketball?

A．His physical condition decided it.	B．He was more skilled at football.
C．He was encouraged to like football.	D．He has been playing football for a long time.

2. For what purpose did the author spend so much time practising basketball in high school?

A．To be the team leader.	B．To go to a good college.
C．To pay no school fees in college.	D．To prove he was good at basketball.

3. What does the underlined expression in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Be ignored.

B．Be employed.

C．Be useless.

D．Be rewarded.

4. What does the story tell us?

A．Practice makes perfect.	B．Time is money.
C．It's never too old to learn.	D．Failure is the mother of success.

5 . Famous Xi'an Local Bands

Xi’an is not only famous for the local dishes, but also known as a music city. Many classic works have been created. Let's take a look at the local bands in Xi^’an. Are there any songs you are familiar with?

Black Head Band

Their songs are all Shaanxi dialect, which have a magic to make people excited. The most famous song is Shaanxi Food, which tells the special snacks such as Qishan minced noodles, Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, making people hungry.

Ma Fei & Band

This Shaanxi dialect rock band is one of the hottest. The audience are from old to young. The famous songs are "Chang’an County" and " I can Chua". "I can chua^," means useless in Shaanxi dialect. This song describes a funny dating story to face the true life.

Xuanniao Band

Formed in 2014, the band created many songs such as "Yueliang Master", "making money for the rest of your life " and "Old Shaanxi." "Yueliang Master" is about the northern Shaanxi story. The song itself is also a nursery rhyme(童谣)in Guanzhong area. As long as you live in Xi'an, you will fall in love with this song.

Xuan Band

Xuan Band is the youngest group of the four major dialect bands in Shaanxi. Its style is more like both urban ballads and popular dialects, but Xi'an is still the main creative element(元素).

1. Which band's music tells you about the famous local food?

A．Black Head Band.	B．Ma Fei & Band.
C．Xuanniao Band.	D．Xuan Band.

2. What do we know about the son   "Yueliang Master"?

A．It means useless.	B．It's about love.
C．It's a song for kids.	D．It can make people hungry.

3. How is Xuan Band different from other bands?

A．It's a dialect band.	B．Its members are younger.
C．Its style is more popular.	D．It created the most popular song.

6 . Part of a research study, by scientists at McMaster University, which is ongoing into the influence of drinking milk after heavy weightlifting, has observed that milk helps exercisers burn more fat.

The scientists took three groups of young men 18 to 30 years of age, 56 in total, and put them through a strict, five day per week weightlifting program over a 12-week period. Following their workouts, study participants drank either two cups of skim milk, or a soy beverage with equal amounts of protein and energy, or a carbohydrate beverage with an equal amount of energy.

Upon the study's conclusion, scientists observed that: the milk drinking group had lost nearly twice as much fat—two pounds—as those in the carbohydrate beverage group, who lost one pound of fat. Those drinking soy beverages lost no fat. At the same time, the gain in muscle was much greater among the milk drinkers than either the soy or carbohydrate beverage participants.

As published in the first stage of the study, the milk drinking group came out on top in terms of muscle gain with an estimated 40 percent or 2.5 pounds more muscle mass than the soy beverage drinkers. In addition, this group gained 63 percent or 3.3 pounds more muscle mass than the carbohydrate beverage drinkers.

"I think the evidence is beginning to increase," says Stuart Phillips—the leader of the study. "Milk may be best known for its calcium content in supporting bone health, but our research, and later others', can continually support milk's ability to aid in muscle growth and also promote body fat loss. Milk is the ideal post workout drink for recreational exercisers and athletes alike."

1. How many days did the participants lift weights in the program?

A．56 days.

B．84 days.

C．60 days.

D．12 days.

2. What does the underlined word "beverage" probably mean?

A．A kind of medicine.	B．A sort of drink.
C．A type of exercise.	D．A piece of equipment.

3. According to the passage, we can know that            

A．the scientists chose people aged 18, 30 and 56 as participants of the research

B．a soy beverage is a proper choice for losing weight over the long term

C．people who drink milk every day are always healthier and thinner than others

D．soy beverages are better than carbohydrate beverages for exercisers to gain muscle

4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．What exercisers should do to lose weight.

B．How milk influences people's health and figure.

C．The differences between milk and soy or carbohydrate beverages.

D．A research about the effect of drinking milk on exercisers.

7 . 你校最近进行了一次设计机器人比赛，请你以My Android为题介绍你设计的机器人。内容包括：
1.机器人的名字、外观；
2.机器人的用途和功能；
注意：
1.词数80左右；
2.可适当发挥想象，增加细节。
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In early December, Zhang Guimei was named a national outstanding(杰出的) member of the Communist Party of China for her    1     (devote) to education in rural China.

About 20 years ago, while on the way to visit a student's house, Zhang Guimei, then a teacher in Huaping, Yunnan province, noticed a girl     2    (sit) on the hillside. The girl, 13, told Zhang she was about to get married. It was decided by her parents. "But I want to go to school." the girl said. Zhang went to her house and tried to persuade her parents     3    (let) the girl return to school and promised to pay for the school fees herself. However, they didn^’t agree.

From then on, Zhang dreamt     4     building a free high school for girls. After years trying to raise money,     5    (final) in 2008, Huaping High School for Girls, a free public high school, was founded at the foot of the Shizi Mountain in Huaping,     6     Zhang is the headmaster. Her efforts have been worth it. Since 2008, more than 18,000 students     7    (admit) to college, which is considered a “miracle” in that distant area.

Zhang plays     8     active part in local education. It is reported that she    9     (give) the honor of the country's “role model for teachers”, in February, 2021. Her moving stories encourage     10    (thousand) of people.

9 . Computer technology has its own special words. One example is the word “mouse”. A computer mouse is not a small animal that lives in buildings or open fields. It is a small object that you move around on a flat surface in front of a computer. The mouse moves the pointer on the computer screen. Computer expert （专家）Douglas Engelbart developed the idea of the mouse in the early 1960s. It was called a mouse because it had a tail at one end. The tail was the wire （电线）that connected it to the computer.

Using a computer takes some training. People who are experts are sometimes called hackers. A hacker is usually a person who writes software programs in a special computer language. But the word “hacker” is also used to describe a person who tries to steal information from computer systems.

Another well known computer word is Google, spelled g-o-o-g-l-e. It is the name of a popular “search engine（引擎）“for the Internet. People use the search engine to find information about almost any subjects on the Internet. People who started the company named it Google because in mathematics, googol, spelled g-o-o-g-o-I, is an extremely large number. It is the number followed by one hundred zeros.

If you Google someone, you might find that person's name on a blog. A blog is the shortened name for a Weblog. A blog is a personal Web page. It may have stories, opinions, pictures and links（链接）to other Web sites. Some people add information to their blogs every day. People who have blogs are called bloggers.

Blogs are not the same as spam. Spam is unwanted sales messages sent to your electronic mailbox...

1. How did the computer mouse get its name?

A．Because of its size.	B．Because of its use.
C．Because of its appearance.	D．Because of mouse's living habits.

2. A hacker refers to a person who.

A．often surfs the Internet	B．steals things from other people
C．needs some training in computer	D．is experienced in writing computer language

3. How did the author develop the passage?

A．By giving examples.

B．By following the order of time.

C．By asking and answering questions.

D．By comparing different computer words.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．Computer technology.

B．Some famous computer experts.

C．Some computer words and their meanings.

D．How to use some computer words properly.

10 . 假设你是李华，你的新西兰朋友Peter在学习中国功夫（kung fu）过程中发现困难重重，得知你中国功夫练得不错，发来邮件向你求助。请根据所给提示，给他回一封电子邮件。内容包括：
1.表示安慰；
2.提供建议；
3.表达祝愿。
注意：1.词数80左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.开头和结尾语已为你写好，不计入总词数。
Dear Peter,
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua