1 . Urbanization

Until relatively recently, the vast majority of human beings lived and died without ever seeing a city. The first city was probably founded no more than 5,500 years ago.    1    In fact, nearly everyone lived on farms or in tiny rural（乡村的）villages. It was not until the 20th century that Great Britain became the first urban society in history—a society in which the majority of people live in cities and do not farm for a living.

Britain was only the beginning.    2    The process of urbanization—the migration（迁徙）of people from the countryside to the city—was the result of modernization, which has rapidly transformed how people live and where they live.

In 1900, fewer than 40% of Americans lived in urban areas. Today, over 82% of Americans live in cities. Only about 2% live on farms.    3    

Large cities were impossible until agriculture became industrialized. Even in advanced agricultural societies, it took about ninety-five people on farms to feed five people in cities.    4    Until modern times, those living in cities were mainly the ruling elite（精英）and the servants, laborers and professionals who served them. Cities survived by taxing farmers and were limited in size by the amount of surplus food that the rural population produced and by the ability to move this surplus from farm to city.

Over the past two centuries, the Industrial Revolution has broken this balance between the city and the country.    5    Today, instead of needing ninety-five farmers to feed five city people, one American farmer is able to feed more than a hundred non-farmers.

A．That kept cities very small.

B．The rest live in small towns.

C．The effects of urban living on people should be considered.

D．Soon many other industrial nations became urban societies.

E．But even 200 years ago, only a few people could live in cities.

F．Modernization drew people to the cities and made farmers more productive.

G．Modem cities have destroyed social relations and the health of human beings.

2 . 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。

Jingdezhen porcelain(瓷器)is Chinese porcelain produced in or near Jingdezhen in southern China. Jingdezhen has produced porcelain     1     (century)ago. And the town     2    was named Jingdezhen by Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty became a major kiln(窑)site around 1004.During the period, the     3    (produce)of porcelain in this area first became     4    (know).By the 14th century it had become the largest centre of producing Chinese porcelain, which remained in the following times. In the Ming Dynasty, official kilns in Jingdezhen     5    (control)by the emperor, making quality porcelain in large quantities for the emperor to give abroad as gifts. As a result, the town was     6    (close)linked to the world.

Although being a remote town in a hilly area, Jingdezhen is near the quality porcelain stone and forests which can provide plenty of wood for the kilns. It also has     7    river flowing from north to south,     8    (benefit)the transport of the fragile objects.

Jingdezhen has produced a great variety of     9     (value) porcelain. As a result, the town is famous     10     the “Porcelain Capital”. One type of its well-known high quality porcelain object is the blue and white porcelain from the 1330s.

3 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

China has countless attractions. The Great Wall is     1     (probable) one that is most familiar     2     the Western tourists. The Great Wall is like a giant stone dragon,     3     (wind) across the country from the ocean on the east to the desert on the west. It is the longest wall that     4     (build) ever, 1500 miles in     5     (long). Along the wall are watch towers,     6     soldiers were on the watch for threats. The wall was initially constructed     7     (prevent) invasion of neighboring states, and the majority of the existing wall is from the Ming Dynasty. From the top of the Great Wall, people can enjoy     8     impressive view of continuous mountains, green trees and blooming wild flowers. If we were to build such a wall now, we would use modern machines.     9    , the ancient Chinese had to build the wall by hand. The reason why the Great Wall attracts tourists from all over the world every year is     10     it represents the highest wisdom of ancient china. Just as the saying goes, “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man.”

4 . 语法填空（共 10 小题；每小题 1.5 分，满分 15 分）

Grand Canyon National Park recently turned 100 years old. The    1    (nature) wonder in northern Arizona became one of America’s early national parks in 1919. A century later, about 6 million people a year visit the park,    2    is about the size of the state of Delaware.

Native tribes (部落) had many names for the huge canyon. But in 1869,    3    (explore) John Wesley Powell gave it a name that stuck: the Grand Canyon. The canyon isn’t the world’s longest or deepest. But it surely is grand. It offers beautiful views.

The canyon itself is far    4    (old) than the park. No one knows exactly    5     old the canyon is. The rocks    6    the bottom are about 1.8 billion years old.

Humans first came to the area about 12,000 years ago. They left behind a large number of stone tools. For the past century, tools    7    (make) from small sticks    8    (find) in some of the canyon’s caves.

Plenty of animals live in the park. Desert bighorn sheep are    9    largest animals in the Grand Canyon.    10    (measure) 300 pounds, they climb over the rocks. The park is home to almost 375 kinds of birds and a few living things that can be found nowhere else.

5 . Many of us know about Russia’s Lake Baikal from our textbooks, or by listening to Chinese singer Li Jian’s hit song, Lake Baika. But over the past decade, the world’s deepest freshwater lake has been in the spotlight for an extreme sport.

Each March since 2005, about 150 people from around the world sign up for the Baikal Ice Marathon. They come to explore the lake’s breathtaking beauty and challenge themselves in unpredictable conditions. The 26-mile (41.84-kilometers) journey starts on the lake’s eastern shore. In March, the ice is a meter thick and iron-hard. Runners cross this frozen surface, finishing on the western side of the lake.

Known as the “blue eye of Siberia”, Lake Baikal has exceptionally clear waters. This means its ice is almost perfectly transparent (透明的). “Seen from above, a runner on the ice looks as if he or she were jogging through space.” The New York Times noted.

The landscape might be beautiful, but it’s also harsh. Strong winds blast (侵袭) across the lake and frostbite can occur within half an hour. Runners say the cold climate is what draws them. They want to test their limits.

“When you are in such an environment, you don’t have cars around you, and you don’t have the noise around. I think these extreme races allow you to be alone with nature.” Alicja Barahona, a 64-year-old runner from the US, told ABC news.

The location offers some strange and unique characteristics for this marathon. The finishing line is visible from the start, but the endless white offers no progress markers. The race also ends with little fanfare (隆重的欢迎). Tourists crowding the ice are mostly addicted to snapping selfies (自拍) and just ignore the runners.

For some runners, the absence of spectators makes the race more challenging, because it’s lonely. They must fight with themselves. “You are alone on Baikal. It is your race. You are alone with yourself. All you need to do is to defeat yourself.” Veronique Messina, a French runner, told the Telegraph.

1. What can we know about the Baikal Ice Marathon from the article?

A．It takes runners from the northern end to the southern end of the lake.

B．It involves extreme weather and beautiful scenery.

C．It attracts more and more participants each year.

D．It is about 26 kilometers in length.

2. How does the Baikal Ice Marathon differ from other marathons?

A．Only men are allowed to run in this race.

B．The runners are often distracted by tourists.

C．There are many progress markers on the ice.

D．The runners can see the finishing line from the start.

3. What is the most challenging part of the race for Messina?

A．The cold climate.	B．The long distance.
C．Noisy surroundings.	D．Loneliness.

4. How many reasons are listed to show the loneliness?

A．5.	B．4.
C．3.	D．2.

6 . Photos of the moon are beautiful if taken well, but it can be very hard to get a picture of the moon that doesn't look blurry! In order to take a perfect picture of the moon, apart from a high­quality camera, the associated equipment and the skills to set up your camera, you also need to pick a proper time and a good place.

Choose your favorite moon phase. The moon can be photographed in any phase except the new moon, which is not visible to Earth. The first quarter, half, and third quarter phases provide high contrast that allows you to see the craters(坑) in greater detail, while the full moon is a dramatic choice for a skyscraper. What phase you choose is up to your personal preference, but it's best to have a phase chosen before going out to photograph the moon.

Learn when the moon rises and sets. When the moon sets or rises, it is closer to the horizon, making it appear larger and closer. This makes it much easier to photograph! Check an almanac(年历) or a weather app for moon rising and setting times in your area.

Pick a clear night. Clouds, fog, and air pollution will blur your photographs. Check a weather app or watch the weather forecast before leaving for your session and while photographing. A clear night with low smog content and no rain is best for moon photography.

Choose a location away from direct light sources. The moon appears bright because it reflects the light of the sun, and additional light from streetlights, homes, and cars can make the moon appear duller and blurrier in pictures. It is fine if there is light in the distance, but be sure that you are not photographing close to another light source.

1. Which has the closest meaning to the underlined word “blurry”？

A．Unclear.	B．Transparent.
C．Confusing.	D．Ugly.

2. Why is the new moon not a perfect choice when taking a photo of the moon?

A．Because the new moon is not enjoyed by most people.

B．Because the new moon is visibly seen from the earth.

C．Because it appears at the earliest time of a month.

D．Because the new moon can't be photographed on Earth.

3. Which of the following is not a must to take a perfect photo of the moon?

A．A high­quality camera.	B．The skills to set up the camera.
C．A weather app.	D．A suitable location.

4. What's the main idea of the passage?

A．How to select a camera for a perfect moon photo.

B．How to pick a time and place for a perfect moon photo.

C．What the necessary skills are to take a perfect moon photo.

D．Why the new moon is a bad choice for a perfect moon photo.

7 . Washington, D.C. Bicycle Tours

Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.

Duration: 3 hours

This small group bike tour is a fantastic way to see a world-famous cherry trees with beautiful flowers of Washington, D.C. Your guide will provide a history lesson about the trees and the famous monuments where they blossom. Reserve your spot before availability — the cherry blossoms—disappear!

Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour

Duration: 3 hours (4 miles)

Join a guided bike tour and view some of the most popular monuments in Washington, D.C. Explore the monuments and memorials on the National Mall as your guide shares unique facts and history at each stop. Guided tour includes bike, helmet, cookies and bottled water.

Capital City Bike Tour In Washington, D.C.

Duration: 3 hours

Morning or Afternoon, this bike tour is the perfect tour for D. C. newcomers and locals looking to experience Washington, D.C. in a healthy way with minimum effort. Knowledgeable guides will entertain you with the most, interesting stories about Presidents, Congress, memorials, and parks. Comfortable bikes and a smooth tour route(路线) make cycling between the sites fun and relaxing.

Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour

Duration: 3 hours (7miles)

Join a small group bike tour for an evening of exploration in the heart of Washington, D.C. Get up close to the monuments and memorials as you bike the sites of Capitol Hill and the National Mall. Frequent stops are made for photo taking as your guide offers unique facts and history. Tour includes bike, helmet, and bottled water. All riders are equipped with reflective vests and safety lights.

1. Which tour do you need to book in advance?

A．Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.

B．Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour.

C．Capital City Bike Tour in Washington.

D．Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour.

2. What will you do on the Capital City Bike Tour?

A．Meet famous people.	B．Go to a national park.
C．Visit well-known museums.	D．Enjoy interesting stories.

3. Which of the following does the bicycle tour at night provide?

A．City maps.	B．Cameras.
C．Meals.	D．Safety lights.

8 . Theaters of the Past

The Greek Theater

Theaters developed in many parts of Greece. Ancient Greek theaters were built in natural open air sites on conveniently shaped hills. This allowed a great mass of people to enjoy a show at a time. Due to this, actors placed emphasis on exaggerated (夸张的) action and speech. And, colorful symbolic masks and costumes were used.

The Medieval Theater

The Medieval theater started in churches. That’s why medieval plays were about Bible stories. At first, it became a custom for priests (牧师) to act out brief scenes during Christmas and Easter. These acts attracted large crowds. Finally the church refused to allow priests to participate in any such events again, so ordinary people began these performances outside. Performances were set in the town square, with several stage settings around it.

The Elizabethan Theater

The England’s theater developed rapidly in the years following the defeat of the Spanish Navy. The dominant feature of Elizabethan theater was the stage, It has three parts: The fore stage for outside scenes ;the inner stage for scenes inside a building; an upper stage or balcony for various purposes. The reason for this design is that there were no scene changes, or breaks during the play. Very little scenery was used, so the actors had to create a scene through their voices and dialogues. This led to a more poetic script , and poets became the main source of script writing.

The Restoration Theater

Some of the plays told sad stories, but the majority of the plays were really funny. Many specialized machines were used to create the scene. The stage was a very clever idea , in that on the sides of the stage large back shutters (百叶窗) were painted with the scene.

1. Why were ancient Greek theaters built on hills?

A．To hold a large audience.

B．To build a big and strong stage.

C．To have a better sound effect.

D．To emphasize exaggerated performances.

2. In which theater could actors’ voices and speech help create scenes?

A．The Greek Theater.

B．The Medieval Theater,

C．The Elizabethan Theater,

D．The Restoration Theater.

3. What is special about the Restoration Theater?

A．Colorful masks were used.

B．The stage was smartly designed.

C．Most of its plays were sorrowful.

D．Ordinary people were the performers.

9 . 假定你是李华，你的美国朋友Mike最近来信说对中国非常感兴趣，请你给他回一封电子邮件，邀请他来中国旅游并介绍来中国旅游的优势。内容包括：
1.悠久的历史和博大精深的文化；
2.众多的名城和名胜古迹；
3.可口的美食和便利的交通，如高铁和共享单车。
注意：1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

参考词汇：博大精深的 broad and profound
Dear Mike,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

10 . 阅读理解。
       The kings of ancient Egypt planned strong tombs to keep their bodies safe after death and to hold their treasure. The Great Pyramids along the Nile are on its west bank. The ancient Egyptians compared the rising of the sun to the beginning of life and the setting of the sun to the end of life. This is why their dead bodies were buried on the west bank of the Nile.
       The people of Mexico also built pyramids.They did not build the pyramids for tombs. They used to build a pyramid and then a temple on top of it. The pyramids of Mexico are not as high as the pyramids of Egypt, but they are bigger. Each of the pyramids has a wide stairway(楼梯) that goes from the bottom to the top.
       The biggest pyramid in Mexico is almost 2,000 years old. Scientists think it took 10,000 men more than ten years to build it. On the top they built a temple of the sun. The temple is no longer there, but people still call it the Pyramid of the Sun. Near it is another huge pyramid, the Pyramid of the Moon.
1. In ancient Egypt pyramids were built .

A．in honour of the gods

B．for the kings’ tombs

C．for visitors to see

D．as places of interest

2. All the pyramids along the Nile are on its west bank, because in ancient Egypt people thought .

A．they died in the west

B．the sun sets in the west

C．the end of their lives was like the setting of the sun

D．they would go to the west after death

3. Which of the following is TRUE?

A．The pyramids of Mexico are as big as those of Egypt.

B．The pyramids of Egypt are not higher than those of Mexico.

C．The pyramids of Mexico are just the same as those of Egypt.

D．The pyramids of Mexico are quite different from those of Egypt.

4. The pyramids in ancient Mexico were built .

A．for the kings	B．for the people
C．for wars	D．for the gods