3 . Here are four books online, aiming to strengthen spoken and writing skills for English- language learners.

Arnie the Doughnut

Suggested grade level: lst- 2nd

Arnie looks like an average doughnut made by one of the best bakeries in town. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right? WRONG! Click to see what happens.

Themes in the story:lmagination, Humor, Friendship

Brave Irene

Suggested grade level: lst- 2nd

Brave Irene is a dressmaker's daughter. One day, Irene volunteers to send the dress made by her mum to the palace on time, in spite of the snowstorm. Click and see how she overcomes difficulties.

Themes in the story: Courage, Overcoming difficulties

The Empty Pot

Suggested grade level: lst-2nd

The Chinese Emperor announces a test to choose the country's next king. The child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be the one. Ping is unable to get his seed to come out-but Ping's empty pot is the best of all. Why?

Themes in the story: Honesty, Learning from failure

Clark the Shark

Suggested grade level: Kindergarten- 2nd

Clark i,s a shark who loves life, but his enthusiasm is too much for his friends, so his teacher helps him find a way to turn it down. Finally, Clark knows how to get along with his friends.

Themes in the story:Self-Control, lVLanners, Friendship

1. What can children learn from Brave Irene?

A．How to make friends.	B．How to learn from failure.
C．How to face difficulties.	D．How to control themselves.

2. Which of the following books is about honesty?

A．Arnie the Doughnut.	B．The Empty Pot.
C．Brave Irene.	D．Clark the Shark .

3. What is special about Clark the Shark ?

A．Its themes include friendship.	B．It teiis us how to overcome difficulties.
C．It aims to improve children's writing skills.	D．It is also suitable for kindergarten children.

4 . One of the most popular street food found in China is no doubt the barbecue. A new program, called Chinese Barbecue, tells the story of this popular food cooked over hot coals on just about every street corner in cities and towns across the country. Barbecued meat is an important part of people’s nightlife.

Shown on June 20, the program has had more than 25 million clicks on the video site bilibili.com. To find the most popular barbecue stalls (摊位), the production team travelled to more than 500 locations in 30 cities across the country. Some viewers compare Chinese Barbecue to Midnight Diner, a Japanese TV program telling stories from late night informal Japanese bars.

“I’m happy to hear this comparison because Midnight Diner is a good program, and we share the same topic― night food,” Chinese Barbecue’s director Chen Yingjie said. “However, they are quite different.” He said that Midnight Diner focused more on food itself, though there was some conversation while people were eating. However, the night food scene of Chinese people means joy and a more lively atmosphere. People eating these barbecue snacks develop a feeling of connection, which can be a cure for loneliness.

The barbecue, regarded as the most ordinary and common night street snack, is different from home-made food by mothers as that is a symbol of family and kinship. The barbecue is where you go to become connected to people in society. And unlike official business lunches, during which people are rather polite, the barbecue lets people relax with old friends and new friends, leaving a lasting impression of friendship.

The world, as a whole, holds deep-rooted good feelings toward the barbecue, either for the taste or the warmth produced by fire. “What we should do is to present the Chinese barbecue just the way it is because with its special ingredients(食材)，ways of cooking and more importantly, the special environment and people, the world will recognize it and might fall in love with it just as we do.” said Chen.

1. What do we know about Chinese Barbecue?

A．It has been becoming very popular on the Internet.

B．It is thought highly of by most of the foreign tourists.

C．It mainly talks about the most famous Chinese food.

D．It shows the colorful nightlife in large cities of China.

2. In which way was Chinese Barbecue different from Midnight Diner?

A．It showed more kinds of food.	B．It focused more on the diners.
C．It showed the eating habits.	D．It was less popular than Midnight Diner.

3. What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The importance of the barbecue to family.	B．The influence of the barbecue on people’s manners.
C．The influence of the barbecue on people’s lifestyle.	D．The role of the barbecue in people’s relationship.

4. Why did Chen Yingjie choose the barbecue as the topic of the series?

A．To show the feature of Chinese food.	B．To research a special way of cooking.
C．To help the world understand China.	D．To introduce the history of the barbecue.

5 . Nearly 25% of the entire U.S. population is likely to hit the road during the holidays this year. We’ve picked the best road food stops along some of the South’s most traveled interstates（洲际公路）.

1-35∣San Antonio, TX, to Oklahoma City, OK

Fancy That∣Exit 109, Norman, OK I Miles from Interestate:2.8

This downtown store offers a sit-down “classic lunch” for $8 that includes an entrée（主菜）and a side; a big meatball sandwich, perhaps, with a strawberry, blue cheese, or a fat BLT on Texas toast with a salad.

215 East Main Street: 236/908-2209; www.fancythat.us.com

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House Ⅰ Exit 477, Sanger, Texas Ⅰ Miles from Interstate: 0.8

You’ll find yourself at Babe’s by the log-foot-tall chicken standing outside the front door of this store. But here’s the real draw: golden fried chicken and chicken-fried steak, served worth family-style sides.

202 North Fourth Street: 116/498-1208; www. Babeschicken.com

I-40∣Nashville, TN, to Wilmington, NC

The Feed Bag Restaurant I Exit 174, Farmington, NC I Miles from Interstate: 2.2

Located in a former general store down a country road, this simple country restaurant serves fresh, local food with zero cheats and tricks.

2339 NC Highway 801 North; 336/998-1109

Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen I Exit 270, Chapel Hill, NC I Miles from Interstate: 1.8

Sunrise is sandwich king—there’s no beating these giant biscuits filled with egg, sausage, cheese, or whatever filling you’d like. It’s drive-through only—perfect for when you don’t have time to stop and sit. Just get there before 2:30 p.m. when they close.

1305 East Franklin, Street; 919/933-1324

1. If you are interested in meatball sandwiches, which telephone number will you call?

A．116/498-1208.	B．336/998-1109.
C．919/933-1324.	D．236/908-2209.

2. What is special about Sunrise Backlit Kitchen?

A．You can taste fresh local food.

B．You don’t have to stop and sit.

C．A sit-down classic lunch is served.

D．A 10-foot-tall chicken stands outside.

3. What do the four food stops have in common?

A．Providing giant biscuits.	B．Having their own websites.
C．Being open 24 hours.	D．Being close to the interstates.

6 . 根据短文内容的篇章结构，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Every day we watch TV or read magazines or newspapers to get more information. But what are the advantages or disadvantages of the two media?

    1     Watching them is pleasant and does not require the effort of reading. If television did not cover the news, some people would know nothing about what is going on in the world. However, television newscasters cover only the events that they have time for, and they prefer stories that include some impressive pictures. Viewers are quickly bored with reporters who sit and talk into the camera.    2    

However,    3    . They can include details, and a person with a special interest can take the time to read them. Others can stick to the headlines.

Reading allows more freedom of choice than television.    4    In broadcasting, “one size fits all”. However, a person who reads newspapers and magazines can choose to spend time on business, sports, health, or the school board election, depending on special interests.

    5    However, a person who has individual interests and who wants the whole story needs newspapers and magazines as well.

A．TV news is not a person’s only source of news.

B．Television news shows are impressive and interesting.

C．More people get news by watching television than by reading newspapers.

D．The TV audience cannot decide which stories to watch.

E．Television provides a useful glance at what’s happening.

F．newspapers and magazines do a better job of explaining complex events.

G．As a result, a complicated story is often cut short.