1 . At the beginning of Grade Two, I joined the cross-country running team in our school.
When I came to the first practice, I was filled with optimism. But as the distance we ran in each practice gradually increased from three to four, to six miles, I realized with surprise that no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t able to run as fast as others. In fact, I was one of the slowest on the team.
What was the point of putting myself through so much pain? After the first few weeks, I wanted to quit.
Then we had our first cross-country meet.
When we started the race, I felt the great pressure of expectations sink onto my shoulders. And after a while I stopped running and struggled to walk up the hill. But then I heard my coaches shouting my name from the top of the hill. I felt confused and embarrassed; why were they cheering for me? I was running terribly! As I tried my best to finish the race, I realized that my coaches didn’t care how fast I ran. Neither did my teammates. During the rest of the season, they were always on the sidelines of every race, cheering for me just as loudly as they’d cheered for the front runner.
From then on, I began to put my effort into supporting my teammates instead of focusing on my own performance. In that way, I celebrated my teammates’ victories as if they were my own; I felt their pain and exhaustion as if they were my own.
Cross-country running made me realize I don’t need to be the best to be successful in life. It taught me to value my relationships with people more than my relationship with my ego. It taught me to cheer for others even if I don’t know their names.
1. Why did the author want to give up after the first few weeks?| A．He had much pain in his knees. |
| B．He didn’t perform well in long-distance running. |
| C．He couldn’t get along well with others |
| D．He showed no interest in running. |
| A．Strict and hard-hearted. | B．Brave and adventurous. |
| C．Considerate and supportive. | D．Optimistic and humorous. |
| A．He lost himself in victories |
| B．He put more effort into his study |
| C．He received more support from his coaches |
| D．He started caring about his teammates |
| A．The importance of team spirit | B．The value of competition |
| C．The secret of winning a race | D．The benefits of doing sports |
2 . Top Music Festivals in 2021
Coachella
Selling out fast every year, the Indio desert becomes a fashionable place where the coolest bands are watched by trendy people and celebrities. Near the top of everyone's bucket list of festivals, Coachella is a constant source of annual expectation and a hotbed for musical discussion.
When &. where: April 9-11 &. 16-18, 2021; Indio
Ultra Music Festival
Seen as the ultimate gathering for electronic music fans across the nation and globe, the streets of Miami turn into a bold and bumping party with popular DJs playing what will be the sounds of summer.
When & where: March 26-28, 2021; Miami
South By South West
Regarded as the ultimate trend-setter and launcher of careers, SXSW is an annual showcase of music, films and interactive highlights enjoyed through performances, showcases, talks, screenings and more. Virtually taking over the city of Austin, everyone in the world of music from fans to media flock here to discover the next big thing.
When &, where: March 16-20, 2021; Austin
The Governors Ball Music Festival
Another event which proves the music loving potential of Randall's Island Park is Governors Ball, an exciting and infectious mix of rock, hip-hop, electronic, pop and folk. Providing a variety of music and food tastes, whether you look to kick back and relax or dance to the beats, Governors Ball has what you want.
When & where: June 11-14, 2021; New York
1. Which music festival lasts the most days?| A．Coachella | B．Ultra Music Festival. |
| C．South By South West | D．The Governors Ball Music Festival. |
| A．It's held in a park. |
| B．It features electronic music |
| C．It's a gathering of popular DJs. |
| D．It's the most popular in the country. |
| A．Indio. | B．Miami. | C．Austin | D．New York. |
| A．Admiring. | B．Impatient. | C．Indifferent. |
Every day people throw away a lot of household garbage – paper, cans, kitchen waste, used batteries and glass
People in cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, are required to sort garbage into four categories— kitchen waste,
5 . China is a big country, and there is no simple answer to the question “When is the best time to visit China? ” There are two best times to visit China, depending on your preference.
October
Things to do: hike on the Great Wall, photography tour
Places to visit: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin,Jiuzhaigou, Chengdu
The best time to go to China is early autumn (October).
Most of China has warm temperatures, and the summer rains have stopped (apart from around HongKong and Sanya) so it’s pretty dry. The autumnn colours are also amazing. It is quiet at tourist attractions for most of the month, as the summer holiday travel crowds have gone. But try to avoid October 1 st -7 th, which is the Chinese National Day holiday, as attractions, transport and hotels are packed with Chinese tourists and prices go up a lot.
Late Spring (April to May)
Things to do: appreciate flowers, Li River cruise, ethnic festivals
Places to visit: Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Huangshan, GuiZhou, Zhangjiajie
The second-best time to travel to China is probably in April and May, when the flowers are in bloom and the temperatures are warming up. In late spring, temperatures across China are getting into the 20s (℃), except the extreme northwest and northeast. While the North of China is still dry, the summer rains have already begun in the South. This could actually improve the view in the form of mountain fog in mountainous areas like the Li River and the Yellow Mountains.
Ethnic festivals in GuiZhou are concentrated in April and May, such as the Sisters’ Meal Festival. If you are interested in Miao and Dong ethnic cultures, this is a good time to visit.
Travel prices are average: cheaper than June to October, but more expensive than the lower season from November to March.
1. Which time is best if you want to attend the ethnic festivals in GuiZhou?| A．April 25 th. | B．June 17 th. | C．October 1 st. | D．November 9 th. |
| A．Beijing and Zhangjiajie. | B．Shanghai and GuiZhou. |
| C．Xi’an and Guilin. | D．Huangshan and Jiuzhaigou. |
| A．Because the summer rains haven’t come yet. |
| B．Because the wet weather adds to its beauty. |
| C．Because there are several special festivals there. |
| D．Because the prices are the lowest of the year. |
6 . Before I turned 10, I lost my parents. My siblings (兄弟姐妹) left Hyderabad after my relatives
One wintry morning in 1945. I got home after my
I was greeted at the door by Afzal’s mother, Nazeem. Afzal’s father, Mr. Kader,
It took a few seconds for this act of kindness to
I bowed,
| A．abandoned | B．comforted | C．betrayed | D．adopted |
| A．training | B．career | C．education | D．relationship |
| A．occupy | B．support | C．improve | D．please |
| A．cycle | B．walk | C．drive | D．wander |
| A．collecting | B．publishing | C．selling | D．buying |
| A．famous | B．helpful | C．responsible | D．suitable |
| A．copies | B．files | C．brochures | D．books |
| A．studies | B．deliveries | C．efforts | D．tasks |
| A．regarded | B．behaved | C．considered | D．introduced |
| A．wanted | B．invited | C．joined | D．left |
| A．work | B．routine | C．deals | D．burdens |
| A．shocked | B．confused | C．embarrassed | D．disappointed |
| A．spun | B．broke | C．disappeared | D．escaped |
| A．mending | B．sending | C．designing | D．wheeling |
| A．sink in | B．get in | C．set up | D．take up |
| A．thanks | B．smiles | C．apologies | D．tears |
| A．name | B．identity | C．secret | D．address |
| A．gently | B．gratefully | C．kindly | D．firmly |
| A．newspaper | B．conversation | C．bicycle | D．job |
| A．feed | B．help | C．treat | D．choose |
7 . The Adler Planetarium Chicago is home to more than 35,000 square feet of exhibits. From huge models of the Solar System, to ancient astronomical (天文的) instruments, to interactive adventures, Adler's exhibit galleries provide a passageway for you to explore the universe. The Adler also offers mini science exploration activities that are quick l0-minute lessons. Visitors can learn some interesting astronomical facts at this small activity carts.
The Adler Planetarium Chicago is the only museum in the world with two full-size planetarium (天文馆) theaters. Since 1930, the wonder of the stars has been visible in the historic Sky Theater. Powered by brand new Digistar 3TM technology, the StarRider Theater is a completely digital, virtual (虚拟的) outer space environment. The famous Zeiss Planetarium projector is able to accurately reproduce the movement of every aspect of the night sky.
Do's and Don'ts:
Do Take the Bus/Train: Leave the car at home for this museum trip. The Adler is located within close proximity to public transit.
Don't Miss the Doane Observatory: When weather permits, the Doane is open at the Adler for observing with its 20-inch diameter telescope:
Don't Miss Museum Special Events: The Adler offers a summer camp for kids from mid. June to August.
Ticket Price:
Adult: $ 28; child: $ 22. Book online now to Save 37%.
Regular Schedule:
Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Summer Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Nearest Transit: Roosevelt Metro Station
Address: 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
1. What's the main function of the Adler Planetarium Chicago?| A．Displaying the models of the Solar System. |
| B．Selling ancient astronomical instruments. . |
| C．Offering a passageway to explore the universe. |
| D．Giving l0-minute lessons to visitors. |
| A．drive your private car | B．consider weather conditions |
| C．buy a telescope in advance | D．join the Adler's summer camp |
| A．$ 37. | B．$ 63. |
| C．$ 72. | D．$ 100. |
8 . “Everything happens for the best.” My mother said whenever things weren't going my way. “Don’t worry. One day your luck will change.”
Mother was right, as I discovered after I had finished my college education. I had decided to try for a job in a radio station. One day, I wanted to host (主持) a sports program. I went to Chicago and knocked at the door of every station. But I got turned down every time.
In one station, a kind lady said my problem was that I hadn’t got enough experience. “Get some work in a small station and work your way up,” she said.
I went back home. I couldn’t get a job there, either. Then my dad told me a businessman had opened a store and needed someone to help him. But again, I didn’t get the job.
I felt really down. “Your luck will change,” Mom said to me. Dad lent me the car to help me to look for my job. I tried another radio station in Iowa. But the owner, a nice man, told me he had already had someone.
As I left his office, I asked, “How can someone be a sports announcer if he can’t get a job in a radio station?”
I was waiting for the lift when I heard the man called, “What did you mean? Do you know anything about football?” He put me in front of a microphone and asked me to try to imagine that I was giving my opinion on a football game. I succeeded.
On my way home, Mom’s words came back to me, “One day your luck will change, Son. And when it happens, you’ll feel good because of all the hard work you have done.” At that moment I knew just what she meant.
1. What job was the writer most interested in?| A．A sportsman. | B．A shop assistant. |
| C．A businessman. | D．A sports announcer. |
| A．Because he hadn't got enough experience. |
| B．Because he didn’t get college education. |
| C．Because he wasn’t a good looking person. |
| D．Because he was too young. |
| A．You just need to wait for some time then luck will come. |
| B．Luck will come if you try your best to do everything. |
| C．It’s important for you to wait for luck. |
| D．You should trust your mother. |
| A．Mother’s Words | B．Everything Happens for the Best |
| C．No One Is Always Lucky | D．To Find a Job in Radio Is Difficult |
9 . The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt, is one of civilization’s greatest mysteries. No one knows for sure exactly when, why or how it was built. It is an enormous sculpture, believed to be the biggest ever created. It measures about 241 feet(73.5 meters) long and 66 feet(20 meters) high. Due to its unknown origin, this massive creation has puzzled locals, tourists, historians, and archaeologists for centuries.
The Sphinx has the body of a lion and the head of a man, which gives it the appearance of a mythical(神话里的)creature. It remains mostly intact today, with the exception of its nose. Many legends surround the missing nose, but a widely accepted explanation is that a former ruler had the nose carved off at some point after its creation.
Most archaeologists believe that the Sphinx was built about 4,600 years ago by a pharaoh(法老), or ruler, named Khafre. His pyramid, the giant tomb that holds Khafre’s body, is located directly behind the Sphinx. Stone blocks cut out in order to carve the Sphinx’s face were used to build the Khafre Valley Temple at about the same time. Some historians also believe the Sphinx’s face was modeled after the face of Khafre.
For most of its existence, the Sphinx was buried in sand. One story claims that around 1400 BC, the pharaoh Thutmose IV dreamed that the Sphinx ordered him to clear away the sand in return for the crown of Egypt. The sand soon buried the Sphinx again, however. In the 1850s, the sand was partially cleared, and in the 1930s, the Sphinx was completely exposed. Now, however, wind, humidity(湿热）,and smog are causing the Sphinx to crumble. Archaeologists must act quickly to preserve this mysterious symbol of Egypt.
1. Why is the Sphinx considered to be mysterious?| A．It is the biggest sculpture ever made. |
| B．Wind and smog didn’t break it down. |
| C．People know little about it. |
| D．It was buried in the sand for centuries. |
| A．complete | B．magical |
| C．mysterious | D．confusing |
| A．The history of Khafre’s famous tomb. |
| B．Khafre’s great achievement in building the Sphinx. |
| C．Documents recording Khafre’s ruling of Egypt. |
| D．Evidences supporting Khafre’s building of the Sphinx. |
| A．Dig out the Sphinx completely. |
| B．Take action to protect the Sphinx. |
| C．Make the Sphinx the symbol of Egypt. |
| D．Beautify the Sphinx to attract more archaeologists. |
10 . Chinese students always complain that they’re under great pressure and don’t get enough sleep. But they may be surprised to learn that they’re much luckier than their peers in South Korea and Japan, according to a recently published report, conducted by Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences on the physical and mental health of senior high school students in the three Asian countries.
According to the study among nearly 6,000 high school students in the three countries, Chinese students are the tallest but poorest in physical fitness. Chinese students are on average 168.17cm, compared with 167.61cm for South Korean students and 164.70cm for Japanese students. Chinese students asked for sick leave more than students in other countries. About 72 percent of Korean students never asked for sick and injury leave during high school, compared to 53 percent for Japanese students and 45 percent for Chinese students. Moreover, Chinese students drink alcohol and smoke earlier than Korean and Japanese students. Around 70 percent of Chinese students have drunk alcohol, compared to 50 percent for Korean and Japanese students.
According to the survey, Japanese and South Korean students suffer more pressure than their Chinese peers. Statistics show 16 percent of students in China said they experienced mental pressure often over the past year, while the numbers in Japan and South Korea were 33 percent and 47 percent respectively. Their worries come from “study”, “future after graduation”, “friendships” and “relationship with their parents”. To go with stress, 57.9 percent of Korean students sleep the least, less than six hours a day, compared with 46.6 percent of Japanese students and 30 percent of Chinese students.
More Chinese students were satisfied with their physical appearance, double that of students in the survey from Japan and South Korea. The report said that over half of students in South Korea had tried to lose weight in the past year, while in China the figure was only 22 percent. In measures of self-worth, such as “I think I am valuable” and “I think I am successful”, “I can complete many things”, “I won’t give up to failure,” Chinese students showed greater self-confidence than students in Japan and South Korea.
1. What’s the main idea of the second paragraph?| A．Chinese teenagers are tallest, but most unhealthy. |
| B．Chinese students drink most alcohol and smoke earliest. |
| C．Japanese students ask for least sick leave. |
| D．Chinese students ask for sick leave most often. |
| A．Chinese students are luckiest, yet most unsuccessful. |
| B．Chinese students are confident in themselves and luckier. |
| C．Japanese students are most stressed. |
| D．South Korean students sleep the least. |
| A．The height. | B．The percentage. | C．The weight. | D．The number. |
| A．study and career | B．physical appearance | C．friendships | D．family relationship |
