1 . Popping food into the microwave for a couple of minutes may seem utterly harmless, but Europe's stock of these quick-cooking ovens emit as much carbon as nearly 7 million cars, a new study has found. And the problem is growing. With costs falling and kitchen appliances becoming "status" items, owners are throwing away microwaves after an average of eight years. This is pushing sales of new microwaves which are expected to reach 135 million annually in the EU by the end of the decade.

A study by the University of Manchester calculated the emissions of CO₂—the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change—at every stage of microwaves, from manufacture to waste disposal. "It is electricity consumption by microwaves that has the biggest impact on the environment," say the authors. The authors also calculate that the emissions from using 19 microwaves over a year are the same as those from using a car. According to the same study, efforts to reduce consumption should focus on improving consumer awareness and behavior. For example, consumers could use appliances in a more efficient way by adjusting the time of cooking to the type of food.

However, David Reay, professor of carbon management, argues that, although microwaves use a great deal of energy, their emissions are minor compared to those from cars. In the UK alone, there are around 30 million cars. These cars emit more than all the microwaves in the EU. Backing this up, recent data show that passenger cars in the UK emitted 69 million tons of CO₂in 2015. This is 10 times the amount this new microwave oven study estimates-for annual emissions for all the microwave ovens in the EU. Further, the energy used by microwaves is lower than any other form of cooking. Among common kitchen appliances used for cooking, microwaves are the most energy efficient, followed by a stove and finally a standard oven. Thus, rising microwave sales could be seen as a positive thing.

1. What is the finding of the new study?

A．Quick-cooking microwave ovens have become more popular.

B．CO2 emissions constitute a major threat to the environment.

C．The frequent use of microwaves may do harm to our health.

D．The use of microwaves emits more CO2 than people think.

2. Why are the sales of microwaves expected to rise?

A．They are becoming more affordable.	B．They are getting much easier to operate.
C．They take less time to cook than other appliances.	D．They have a shorter life cycle than other appliances.

3. What recommendation does the study by the University of Manchester make?

A．Improving microwave users' habits.	B．Cooking food of different varieties.
C．Eating less to cut energy consumption.	D．Using microwave ovens less frequently.

4. What does Professor David Reay try to argue?

A．People should be persuaded into using passenger cars less often.

B．The UK produces less CO2 than many other countries in the EU.

C．More data are needed to show whether microwaves are harmful.

D．There are far more emissions from cars than from microwaves.

5. What does Professor David Reay think of the use of microwaves?

A．It'll become less popular in the coming decades.	B．It plays a useful role in environmental protection.
C．It makes everyday cooking much more convenient.	D．It consumes more power than conventional cooking.

2 . One of the greatest contributors to the first Oxford English Dictionary was also one of its most unusual. In 1879, Oxford University in England asked Prof. James Murray to serve as editor for what was to be the most ambitious dictionary in the history of the English language. It would include every English word possible and would give not only the definition but also the history of the word and quotations showing how it was used.

This was a huge task, so Murray had to find volunteers from Britain, the United States, and the British colonies to search every newspaper, magazine, and book ever written in English. Hundreds of volunteers responded, including William Chester Minor. Dr. Minor was an American surgeon who had served in the Civil War and was now living in England. He gave his address as "Broadmoor, Crowthorne, Berkshire," 50 miles from Oxford.

Minor joined the army of volunteers sending words and quotations to Murray. Over the next 17 years, he became one of the staff's most valued contributors.

But he was also a mystery. In spite of many invitations, he would always decline to visit Oxford. So in 1897, Murray finally decided to travel to Crowthorne himself. When he arrived, he found Minor locked in a book-lined cell at the Broadmoor Asylum(精神病院)for the Criminally Insane.

Murray and Minor became friends, sharing their love of words. Minor continued contributing to the dictionary, sending in more than 10,000 submissions in 20 years. Murray continued to visit Minor regularly, sometimes taking walks with him around the asylum grounds.

In 1910, Minor left Broadmoor for an asylum in his native America. Murray was at the port to wave goodbye to his remarkable friend.

Minor died in 1920, seven years before the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was completed. The 12 volumes defined 414,825 words, and thousands of them were contributions from a very scholarly and devoted asylum patient.

1. According to the text, the first Oxford English Dictionary________.

A．was intended to be the most ambitious English dictionary	B．included the English words invented by Murray
C．was edited by an American volunteer	D．came out before Minor died

2. How did Dr. Minor contribute to the dictionary?

A．He sent newspapers, magazines and books to Murray.	B．He provided a great number of words and quotations.
C．He helped Murray to find hundreds of volunteers.	D．He went to England to work with Murray.

3. Why did Dr. Minor refuse to visit Oxford?

A．He was busy writing a book	B．He was shut in an asylum.
C．He lived far from Oxford.	D．He disliked traveling.

4. Prof. Murray and Dr. Minor became friends mainly because ________.

A．Murray went to America regularly to visit Minor	B．Minor recovered with the help of Murray
C．they had a common interest in words	D．they both served in the Civil War

5. Which of the following best describes Dr. Minor?

A．Considerate and optimistic.	B．Friendly and determined.
C．Unusual and scholarly.	D．Cautious and friendly.

6. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．Broadmoor Asylum and its patients.	B．The history of the English language.
C．The friendship between Murray and Minor.	D．Minor and the first Oxford English Dictionary.

3 . 阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题

One early morning, I went into the living room to find my mother reading a thick book called Best Loved Poems to Read Again and Again. My interest was aroused only by the fact that the word "Poems" appeared in big, hot pink letters.

"Is it good?" I asked her. "Yeah," she answered. "There's one I really like and you'll like it, too.” I leaned forward “Patty Poem,” she read the title. Who is Patty? I wondered. The poem began:

She never puts her toys away.

Just leaves them scattered where they lay,…

The poem was just three short sections. The final one came quickly:

When she grows and gathers poise,

I`ll miss her harum-scarum noise.

And look in vain for scattered toys.

And I'll be sad.

A terrible sorrow washed over me. Whoever Patty was, she was a mean girl. Then, the shock.

"It's you, honey," My mother said sadly.

To my mother, the poem revealed a parent's affection when her child grows up and leaves. To me, the "she" in the poem was horror. It was my mama who would be sad. It was so terrible I burst out crying.

"What's wrong?" "my mother asked.

"Oh Mama," I cried. "I don't want to grow up ever!"

She smiled. "Honey, it's okay. You' re not growing up anytime soon. And when you do, I'll still love you, okay?"

"Okay," I was still weeping. My panic has gone. But I could not help thinking about that silly poem. After what seemed like a safe amount of time, I read the poem again and was confused. It all fit so well together, like a puzzle. The language was simple, so simple I could plainly understand its meaning, yet it was still beautiful. I was now fascinated by the idea of poetry, words that had the power to make or break a person's world.

I have since fallen in love with other poems, but "Patty Poem" remains my poem. After all, "Patty Poem" gave me my love for poetry not because it was the poem that lifted my spirits, but because it was the one that hurt me the most.

1. Why was the writer attracted by the book Best Loved Poems to Read Again and Again?(no more than 10 words)
2. Why didn't the writer want to grow up?(no more than 10 words)
3. What does the underlined word weeping mean?(1 word)
4. What did the writer think of the language of "Patty Poem"?(no more than 8 words)

4 . I often hear some of you saying, "I don't care what other people think! I do whatever I want!" There is a strong wish for independence in adolescence（青春期）and you say you only care about your own opinion. But be honest—don't you care about what certain people think? Most teenagers have a circle of people who can influence them. They care very much about what this circle of people think, especially about them.

Most teenagers want to be independent, but they don't want to be alone. They don't want to stand out, away from the crowd. They want to have connection to other people, especially other teenagers.

During adolescence, friendships with other teens become very important. They care about what other teenagers think because they want to be accepted and they are afraid of what other people think. Fear makes them care.

Some teenagers are leaders and some are followers. You might think that teenage leaders don't care what other people think, but that is not true. After all, a leader really isn't a leader unless other people follow. If leaders don't care about what followers think, those followers may leave and follow someone else, Followers care about what the leader thinks because they want to be part of the group.

There is a famous playwright（剧作家）named William Shakespeare. In one of his plays, Hamlet, the character Hamlet said, "To thine own self be true." In other words, whatever you do, always be true to yourself. Sure, teenagers can care about what other people think of them, but the most important thing is what they think of themselves. This is one of the most important tasks that teenagers should have.

1. What do we know about teenagers from the text?

A．They value friendship.

B．They have difficulty making friends.

C．They are deaf to others' advice.

D．They keep themselves away from others.

2. What can we know from paragraph 4?

A．Teenagers prefer to be leaders.

B．Teenage leaders must listen to followers.

C．Teenage followers should read leaders' mind.

D．Teenage leaders and followers should care about each other.

3. What suggestion does the author give to teens?

A．Think of others around you.	B．Make friends whenever possible.
C．Do what you think is right.	D．Go easy on yourself and others.

4. Why does the author mention William Shakespeare?

A．To introduce his play Hamlet.	B．To state he is a famous playwright.
C．To add some humor to the article.	D．To help illustrate the author's view.

5. What is the best title for the text?

A．Teenagers: follow your heart

B．Teenagers: believe in yourself

C．Why do teenagers want to be independent?

D．Why do teenagers care what other people think?

5 . 阅读表达

On March 19, Malala Yousafzai, a 15-year-old Pakistani student and women’s education activist, returned to the classroom for the first time since being violently attacked by a member of the Taliban ---- a terrorist organization ---- on October 9, 2012. Malala was shot on her way home from school in Mingora, Pakistan. A Taliban group took responsibility for the attack, claiming that the attack should serve as a warning to others. Members of the group follow a strict version of the local religion and believe girls are not permitted to go to school. Malala was targeted because she was appealing for girls’ rights to education in Swat Valley, Pakistan.

Malala recovers from the attack at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England. After a long period of recovery, Malala is starting as a nine-year student at Edgbaston High School. It is the oldest independent girl school in Birmingham, England. Though she has no concrete plans to return to Pakistan, Malala still speaks out as a voice for change in her country and everywhere.

“I am excited that today I have achieved my dreams of going back to school. I want all girls in the world to have this basic opportunity,” Malala said in a statement. “I miss my classmates from Pakistan very much but I am looking forward to meeting my teachers and making new friends here in Birmingham.”

Malala has been an Internet blogger, or writer, since she was 11 years old. In 2011 she was awarded Pakistan’s National Peace Award for her bravery in writing about difficulties of life and education in the shadow of Taliban. She has spoken publicly about children’s rights and been nominated（提名）for an international children’s peace prize.

After the attack in 2012, support for Malala poured in from around the world. The United Nations declared November 10 Malala Day. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the day honors Malala and shows the world that people of all sexes, all backgrounds and all countries stand behind the heroine.

1. When was Malala violently attacked by the Taliban? （No more than 10 words）
2. What does the underlined words mean? （No more than 2 words）
3. What would Malala do though she couldn’t return to Pakistan? （No more than 12 words）
4. Why did The United Nations declare November 10 Malala Day? （No more than 12 words）
5. What do you think of Malala? Please share your reasons. （No more than 20 words）