1 . It’s really true what people say about English politeness: it’s everywhere. When squeezing(挤) past someone or passing through a crowd in a narrow place, people say “sorry”. When getting off a bus, English passengers say “thank you” rather than the driver. In Germany, people would never dream of doing these things. After all, squeezing past others is sometimes unavoidable(不可避免的), and the bus driver is only doing his job. I used to think the same way, without questioning it, until I started traveling to the British Isles and came to appreciate(欣赏) some more polite ways of communicating with people, and here are some more polite ways of interacting with people in UK.
People thank each other everywhere in England, all the time. When people buy something in a shop, customer and shop assistant in most cases thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be surprising to hear more than one thank you in such a conversation. British students thank their lecturers when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees for doing their jobs, which is different from Germans, who would normally think that paying their workers money is already enough.
Another thing I observed during my stay was that English people rarely criticize(批评) others. Even when I was working and mistakes were pointed out to me, my employers repeated several times but none of their explanations were intended as scolding me. It has been my impression that by avoiding scolding, English people are making an effort to make others feel comfortable. This also is showed in other ways. British men still open doors for women, and British men are more likely to treat(请客) women to a meal than German men. However, I do need to point out here that this applies(适用于) to English men a bit more than it would to Scottish men! Yes, the latter are a bit mean(吝啬的).
1. What is the author’s feeling of English politeness?| A．He thinks highly of it. | B．He thinks little of it. |
| C．He thinks it is unnecessary. | D．He thinks it goes too far. |
| A．British men never treat a woman to dinner. |
| B．British men think it’s unnecessary to say “thank you” to the bus driver. |
| C．In Germany, employers often say “thank you” to employees for their job. |
| D．Germans think it is unnecessary to thank workers because payment is enough. |
| A．like to fight with each other | B．treat women more politely than English men |
| C．are as generous as English men | D．are unwilling to spend money for women |
| A．telling stories | B．making comparisons (对比) |
| C．giving reasons | D．doing scientific research (调查) |
2 . Each year on Halloween,children look forward to trick-or-treating(不请客就捣乱)for candies. But for some kids, eating Halloween candies can be dangerous.
That's because one out of every 13 kids in the Us have a food allergy（过敏症）. They are allergic to ingredients（成分） in many Halloween candies, such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, and beans. If they eat these foods, they will get sick or even die.
“I had to throw away all my candies with tears,” eight-year-old Conlen said. Conlen is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and dairy.Twelve-year-old Kylie is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. She has been trick-or-treating only twice. “I brought my candies home and gave them to the neighbors," Kylie said. "It felt terrible."
But this year, Conlen, Kylie and other kids with food allergies will have a chance for a happy Halloween .That's because nearly100,000 households across the US have promised to take part in the Teal Pumpkin Project (TPP), which was started last year by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). FARE is an organization that works to improve the lives of people with food allergies. Through the project, the households agree to have nonfood items for trick-or-treaters,including trinkets(小饰品) and toys.
To take part in the project, people buy a teal (蓝绿色) pumpkin or paint a pumpkin teal and place it in front of their house. The painted pumpkins let trick-or-treaters know that nonfood items are available there. The households also add their home addresses to an online map, making it easier for trick-or-treaters to find them.
Kylie loves the idea.“The TPP makes Halloween fun and safe,”she said.“It makes me feel like a normal kid, and it makes everyone feel included.”
1. To Conlen and Kylie, the past Halloween were________________.| A．upsetting and dangerous |
| B．interesting and special |
| C．sick and terrible |
| D．important and exciting |
| A．helps people with food allergies recover |
| B．helps the households take part in the TPP |
| C．takes action to change kids’ bad eating habits |
| D．helps kids with food allergies have a happy Halloween |
| A．giving them teal pumpkins as gifts |
| B．offering them all kinds of food except candies |
| C．providing them with trinkets and toys as treats |
| D．asking them for home addresses and sending them gifts |
| A．A magazine about the history of festivals. |
| B．A news report on cultures and customs. |
| C．An advertisement for an organization. |
| D．A research paper on kid’s health. |
3 . As computers become all the more popular in China, Chinese people are increasingly relying on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters. But if they use the computer too much, they may end up forgetting the exact strokes（笔画）of each Chinese character when writing on paper. Experts suggest people, especially students, write by hand more.
Do you write by hand more or type more? In Beijing, students start using a computer as early as primary school. And computer dependence is more wide-spread among university students. Almost all their writings are typed on a computer.
All the students interviewed say they usually use a computer.
It’s faster and easier to correct if using a computer. And that’s why computers are being used more and more often to modern education. But when people are taking stock in computers increasingly, problems appear.
“When I’m writing with a pen, I find I often can’t remember how to write a character, though I feel I’m familiar with it.”
“I’m not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper.”
Many students don’t feel this is something to worry about. Now that it’s more convenient and efficient to write on a computer, why bother to handwrite?
Many educators think differently. Shi Liwei, the headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said “Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic(审美的) value. But those characters typed with computer keyboards only maintain their practical value. All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost. And handwriting contains the writer’s emotion. Through one’s handwriting, people can get to know one’s thinking and personality. Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them.”
To encourage students to handwrite more, many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory(必修的)and in universities, some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand.
1. Which of the following can BEST serve as the title of the passage?| A．The Importance of Handwriting and Typing |
| B．To Type or To Hand Write |
| C．Writing By Computer Will Replace Writing By Hand |
| D．Practical and Aesthetic Value of Chinese Characters |
| A．they are usually asked to e-mail their homework and essays |
| B．computers have become a trend and fashion in China |
| C．they find it not easy to remember how to write a character |
| D．they can correct the mistakes they make quickly and conveniently |
| A．becoming crazy about | B．getting bored with |
| C．getting dependent on | D．looking forward to |
| A．more and more students will give up writing on a computer |
| B．writing by hand will give way to typing by computer one day |
| C．more and more students will pay attention to handwriting |
| D．the typed article better expresses one’s emotion and quality |
4 . Jennifer Lawrence, 25, is known for being down -to- earth and likable—she ordered McDonald’s on the red carpet at the Oscars.
And when she described her anger and disappointment at the fact that women are not equal to men in Hollywood, Lawrence “continued to make America fall in love with her”, said Business Insider.
Earlier this year, an E-mail from film company Sony Pictures showed that Lawrence and Amy Adams made less money for American Hustle(2013) than their male(男性) co-stars, even though both women played major roles in the movie.
In an article published in Lenny Letter, a popular e-mail newsletter, Lawrence wrote “I’m trying to find the ‘adorable(可爱的) way to state my opinion and still be likable’!”
Lawrence joins a long list of actresses, including Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett, who have spoken up about Hollywood’s pay gap.
According to Forbes, the 10 highest paid movie actors in 2015, led by Robert Downey Jr, made ＄431 million.But the 10 highest paid movie actresses, led by Lawrence, only made about $218 million. The pay gap comes partly from the low number of actresses. According to a report in August, only 28.1 percent of characters in 2014’s 100 top grossing(高票房的) films were female(女性) and of them, only 21 percent had a female lead or co-lead character.
“People with more experience are paid more,” Nancy Dubue, the president CEO of A+E Networks, told Variety, “The problem is that the industry still gives too many men that experience.”
The pay gap is a problem that affects the whole US, The White House reported that women earn 78 cents to every dollar a man gets there.
“This is what made Lawrence’s piece powerful: it showed that women still experience pay inequality everywhere-whether you’re Hollywood’s top talent or you work in a retail store,” commented CNN.
As Lawrence points out, it’s not just about less payment for women; it’s also about women making sure that their pay shows their value.
1. According to Business Insider, Americans_____ Lawrence after she expressed her anger at Hollywood’s pay gap.| A．dislike. | B．like |
| C．doubt | D．forgive |
| A．men earn more money for the same job than women because they are better than women |
| B．Lawrence is the leader of the 10 highest_ paid movie actresses |
| C．a great many actresses have spoken up about Hollywood’s pay gap |
| D．a White House report points out that men make twice as much money as women |
| A．to inform |
| B．to advise |
| C．to persuade |
| D．to argue |
| A．More Experience, More Pay |
| B．Asking for Fair Pay |
| C．Speaking up for Hollywood |
| D．Higher value, Higher Pay |
Those numbers between 1 and 13 were in particular to have a powerful influence over the affairs of men.
For example, it is commonly said that luck, good or bad, comes in threes; if an accident happens, two more of the same kind may be expected soon afterwards. The arrival of a letter will be followed by two others within a certain period.
Another belief involving the number three has it that it is unlucky to light three cigarettes from the one match. If this happens, the bad luck that goes with the deed falls upon the person whose cigarette was the last to be lit. The ill-men linked to the lighting of three things from one match or candle goes back to at least the 17th century and probably earlier. It was believed that three candles alight at the same time would be sure to bring bad luck; one, two, or four, were permissible, but never just three.
Seven was another significant number, usually regarded as a bringer of good luck. The ancient astrologers believed that the universe was governed by seven planets; students of Shakespeare will recall that the life of man was divided into seven ages. Seven horseshoes nailed to a house will protect it from all evil.
Nine is usually thought of as a lucky number because it is the product of three times three. It was much used by the Anglo Saxons in their charms for healing.
Another belief was that great changes occurred every 7th and 9th of a man's life. Consequently, the age of 63 (the product of nine and seven) was thought to be a very perilous time for him. If he survived his 63rd year he might hope to live to a ripe old age.
Thirteen, as we well know, is regarded with great awe and fear. The common belief is that this derives from the fact that there were 13 people at Christ's Last Supper. This being the eve of his betrayal, it is not difficult to understand the significance given to the number by the early Christians.
In more modern times 13 is an especially unlucky number of a dinner party, for example. Hotels will avoid numbering a floor the 13th; the progression is from 12 to 14, and no room is given the number 13. Many home owners will use 12 1/2 instead of 13 as their house number.
Yet oddly enough, to be born on the 13th of the month is not regarded with any fear at all, which just shows how irrational we are in our superstitious beliefs.
1. What does the underlined sentence mean?
| A．If one good thing happens, two bad things will follow it. |
| B．If one bad thing happens, two good things will follow it. |
| C．If one good thing happens, two more good things will follow it. |
| D．Three good things and three bad things always come together. |
| A．3 and 7. | B．7 and 9. | C．3 and 9. | D．3 and 13. |
| A．dangerous | B．instable | C．unlucky | D．unhealthy |
| A．legend | B．popular belief | C．religion | D．certain customs |
6 . Britain’s symbolic red phone boxes have become out of date in the age of the mobile, but villages across the country are stepping in to save them, with creative intelligence. Whether as a place to exhibit art, poetry, or even as a tiny library, hundreds of phone boxes have been given a new life by local communities determined to preserve a typical part of British life. In Waterperry, a small village near Oxford, the 120 residents have filled the phone box next to the old house with a pot of flowers, piles of gardening and cooking magazines, and stuck poems on the walls.
They took control of the phone box when telecoms operator BT said it was going to pull it down, an announcement that caused such dissatisfaction that one local woman threatened to chain herself to the box to save it. “I’d have done it,” insisted Kendall Turner. “It would have been heartbreaking for the village.” Local councilor Tricia Hallam, who came up with the idea for the phone box’s change, said quite a few people would have joined her, adding, “ We couldn’t let it go because it’s a British symbol.”
Only three feet by three feet wide, and standing 2.51-meter tall, the phone boxes were designed by Giles Gilbert Scott in 1936 for the 25th anniversary of the reign of King George V. Painted in “Post Office red” to match the post boxes, they were once a typical image of England and the backdrop(背景) to millions of tourist photographs.
Eight years ago there were about 17,000 across Britain, but today, in a country where almost everybody has a mobile phone, 58 percent are no longer profitable and ten percent are only used once a month. “On average, maintaining them costs ￡800 a year per phone box-about ￡44 million annually,” said John Lumb, general manager for BT Payphones.
1. Some red phone boxes in Britain have been used for ____.a. selling flowers b. cooking c. reading d. exhibiting art or poetry
| A．a, b | B．c, d | C．a,b,c | D．b,c,d |
| A．Because millions of people visit Britain to see the red phone boxes. |
| B．Because the local people could earn a lot of money from the red phone boxes. |
| C．Because the red phone boxes have already become a symbol of Britain. |
| D．Because the red phone boxes may be useful for some people in emergency. |
| A．Green | B．Red | C．Black | D．Yellow |
| A．supportive | B．Opposed | C．Neutral | D．Indifferent. |
But is it harmless fun?
Police forces across Britain are giving warnings about Halloween night. They are asking all those wishing to celebrate Halloween this year to respect those who don’t want to join in.
Some forces, like West Mercia Police, have produced “Sorry, No Trick or Treat”posters which can be downloaded from their website, and put up in windows. They want people to send them to the old or anyone who may be frightened by ghosts(鬼) knocking on their doors.
A spokesman said: “Children should not call on houses where the posters are put up, neither should they call on strangers, as this can put young people at risk and also make some house owners anxious, especially those who are elderly or living alone.”
The police want all trick or treaters to remember that disturbing other people or throwing objects at their homes or cars are all criminal offences(刑事罪). “What may start off as a bit of fun could end up with someone getting a criminal record,” they warn. “Parents may want to consider having a Halloween party at home, instead.”
Kent Police are warning young people never to go into the home of someone they don’t know—and to remember not to frighten people.
Warwickshire Police are also warning that tricks may seem like harmless fun but can cause trouble to others. They say behaviour such as throwing eggs can quickly cross the line between being anti-social and causing criminal damage. This can result in fines of ￡2,500 for small offences.
1. The study made by Safe kids Worldwide has found that _________.
| A．kids are afraid of Halloween |
| B．Halloween brings people no fun |
| C．kids are involved in criminal offences |
| D．Halloween night puts some kids at risk |
| A．put an end to trick or treat |
| B．control anti-social behaviours |
| C．punish those who frighten others |
| D．make Halloween safe trouble-free |
| A．ask people to respect the elderly. |
| B．make some people free from harm |
| C．warn little kids to behave themselves |
| D．express disagreement with Halloween |
8 . People around the world are superstitious about numbers; even those ancient Greeks believed that all numbers and their multiples had some mystical significance.
Those numbers between 1 and 13 were in particular to have a powerful influence over the affairs of men.
For example, it is commonly said that luck, good or bad, comes in threes; if an accident happens, two more of the same kind may be expected soon afterwards. The arrival of a letter will be followed by two others within a certain period.
Another belief involving the number three has it that it is unlucky to light three cigarettes from the one match. If this happens, the bad luck that goes with the deed falls upon the person whose cigarette was the last to be lit. The ill-omen linked to the lighting of three things from one match or candle goes back to at least the 17th century and probably earlier. It was believed that three candles alight at the same time would be sure to bring bad luck; one, two, or four, were permissible, but never just three.
Seven was another significant number, usually regarded as a bringer of good luck. The ancient astrologers believed that the universe was governed by seven planets; students of Shakespeare will recall that the life of man was divided into seven ages. Seven horseshoes nailed to a house will protect it from all evil.
Nine is usually thought of as a lucky number because it is the product of three times three. It was much used by the Anglo Saxons in their charms for healing.
Another belief was that great changes occurred every 7th and 9th of a man’s life. Consequently, the age of 63 (the product of nine and seven) was thought to be a very perilous time for him. If he survived his 63rd year he might hope to live to a ripe old age.
Thirteen, as we well know, is regarded with great awe and fear. The common belief is that this derives from the fact that there were 13 people at Christ’s Last Supper. This being the eve of his betrayal, it is not difficult to understand the significance given to the number by the early Christians.
In more modern times 13 is an especially unlucky number of a dinner party, for example. Hotels will avoid numbering a floor the 13th; the progression is from 12 to 14, and no room is given the number 13. Many home owners will use 12 1/2 instead of 13 as their house number.
Yet oddly enough, to be born on the 13th of the month is not regarded with any fear at all, which just shows how irrational we are in our superstitious beliefs.
1. What does the underlined sentence mean?| A．If one good thing happens, two bad things will follow it. |
| B．If one bad thing happens, two good things will follow it. |
| C．If one good thing happens, two more good things will follow it. |
| D．Three good things and three bad things always come together. |
| A．3 and 7 | B．7 and 9 | C．3 and 9 | D．3 and 13 |
| A．dangerous | B．instable | C．unlucky | D．unhealthy |
| A．legend |
| B．popular belief |
| C．religion |
| D．certain customs |
| A．His attitude is not clear. |
| B．He is strongly critical. |
| C．He is in favour of them. |
| D．He is mildly critical. |
For example, snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages, built with great skill and thought. At a time of limited means of expression, snow was like free art supplies dropped from the sky. It was a popular activity for couples to leisurely walk through town to view the temporary works of chilly art. Some were created by famous artists, including a 19-year-old Michelangelo, who in 1494 was appointed by the ruler of Florence, Italy, to build a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard.
The Miracle of 1511 took place during six freezing works called the Winter of Death. The city of Brussels was covered in snowmen—an impressive scene that told stories on every street corner. Some were political in nature, criticizing the church and government. Some were a reflection of people’s imagination. For the people of Brussels, this was a defining moment of defining freedom. At least until spring arrived, by which time they were dealing with damaging floods.
If you fear the heyday of the snowman has passed, don’t worry: I’ve learned that some explosive snowman history is still being made today. Every year since 1818, the people of Zurich, Switzerland, celebrate the beginning of spring by blowing up a snowman. On the third Monday of April, the holiday Sechselauten is kicked off when a cotton snowman called the Boogg is stuffed with explosive and paraded through town by bakers and other tradesmen who throw bread to the crowds. The parade ends with the Boogg being placed on a 40-foot pile of firewood. After the bells of the Church of St. Peter have rung six times, representing the passing of winter, the pile is lit. When the snowman explodes, winter is considered officially over—the quicker it is burnt down, the longer summer is said to be.
1. According to the passage, why did snowmen become a phenomenon in the Middle Ages?
| A．People thought of snow as holy art supplies. |
| B．People longed to see masterpieces of snow. |
| C．Building snowmen was a way for people to express themselves. |
| D．Building snowmen helped people develop their skill and thought. |
| A．snowmen were made mainly by artists |
| B．snowmen enjoyed great popularity |
| C．snowmen were politically criticized |
| D．snowmen caused damaging floods |
| A．the start of the parade |
| B．the coming of a longer summer |
| C．the passing of the winter |
| D．the success of tradesmen |
| A．They were appreciated in history |
| B．They have lost their value |
| C．They were related to movies |
| D．They vary in shape and size |
Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion (时刻) or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition hits its roots in the custom of sharing bread.
Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread represent blocks of gold for prosperity (兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies (预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.
Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.
Nutrition is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.
1. According to the passage, sharing bread______.
| A．indicates a lack of food |
| B．can help to develop unity |
| C．is a custom unique to rural areas |
| D．has its roots in birthday celebrations |
| A．Trust. | B．Success. |
| C．Health. | D．Togetherness. |
| A．using examples | B．making comparisons |
| C．analyzing causes | D．describing processes |
| A．The custom of sharing food. |
| B．The specific meaning of food. |
| C．The role of food in ceremonies. |
| D．The importance of food in culture. |
