2 . 语法填空

Known as the “Eastern Moscow”, Harbin has always been regarded as     1    unique and exotic city, which is hosting its 30th International Ice and Snow Festival. The city    2     (offer) special winter experiences like nowhere else in China: an ice and snow world, snow sculpture park, ice lantern fair,     3     dog sledding. Dozens of snow sculptures are attracting hundreds of thousands of     4     (visit) to Harbin.

3 . 阅读下面短文和问题，在答题卡相应题号后的横线上写下相关信息，完成对该问题的回答。答语要意思清楚，结构正确，书写工整。

Dear headmaster, As president of Sullivan Junior High School’s student council, I have been chosen to write to you on behalf of the eighth grade class. We would like to propose an eighth grade promotion trip to Sea World in San Diego, California. We chose Sea World for several reasons. In science class, we have been studying oceans and the marine life. Going to Sea World would provide us with the opportunity to visit these creatures and to better understand their habitats. This could be a once in a lifetime experience for those of us who have never been outside Arizona. We will have lots of fun and learn at the same time. The close location of San Diego was also a factor in planning this trip. San Diego can be reached by bus in about six hours. If the buses leave Sullivan after school on Friday afternoon, we should arrive in California in time to have a late dinner and get settled into our hotel rooms before midnight.

You may be asking yourself. “How will this trip be financed?” We are suggesting that the school host an “Oceans of Fun” night for family, friends, and community members for a small fee. The activities would be organized and supervised by eighth grade students. Some of our ideas for the night include a Surfer’s Snack Shop with homemade treats for sale, Pirate Pete’s Treasure hunt, and a short production of “A Whale of a Tale.” This would the best chance to show our ocean animal reports. Many of the eighth grade students have gone to school together since kindergarten. We believe that this trip would be a fantastic way to celebrate friendships. This trip may also be one of the last times we see our friends because students from Sullivan Junior High School attend four different high schools. We invite you to our next student council meeting on December 7, 2013, to discuss your thoughts and work out any concerns you still may have. Thank you for taking the time to consider our request for an eighth-grade promotion trip. Sincerely, Julie Martino

1. Who has written this letter? What is she?
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2. What idea has the author mainly expressed in Paragraph 4?
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3. Why has the author written this letter?
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4. Why does the author mention that many students have gone to school together since kindergarten in Paragraph 5?
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4 . 阅读下面短文，根据题目要求回答问题。

Crowd control could soon become an important skill for climbers on Mount Everest, as important as physical strength or watching the weather. In a single day last week, nearly 40 people reached the top of the world — a record. Reports from base camp spoke of queues at dangerous ridges and crowds as people passed each other in the final dash for the 8,848 meters top.

More traditional mountaineers have been concerned about the circus atmosphere surrounding Everest in recent years, and there are warnings that the crowds are making the mountain more dangerous. In 1996, 14 died on the mountain when the members of several groups were trapped at high altitudes by sudden snowstorms. Bad weather in early May led to this year’s jam on the summit ridge, but the loss, luckily, was light. Just four climbers died, including a Nepali Sherpa who had made 11 previous successful climbing.

Traditionalists are also worried about the growing tendency of climbers to set records and achieve “firsts”, rather than simply climb the mountain. This year’s crop of mountaineers included the oldest man, 64-year-old Sherman Bull from Connecticut, and the youngest, 16-year-old Temba Tsheri Sherpa of Nepal. An American with only one arm was on the mountain this year; an Indian with no legs also tried but failed. Erik Weihennieyer, an American, became the first blind person to reach the top of the world. His fellow climbers stayed in front of him on the way up, describing the type of land and ringing bells.

Nepal views Mount Everest as something of a cash cow. The government charges journeys a minimum of $70,000. That is probably why officials in Katmandu are ignoring concerns about overcrowding and talking about even more climbers coming next year. But a celebration of the 48th anniversary of the first conquest of Everest, by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was cancelled after violent strikes. Tumultuous (动乱的) Nepali politics, it seems, could be just the crowd-control measure that Everest needs.

1. According to the author, what skills are important for climbers on Mount Everest?
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2. What are traditional mountaineers worried about?
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3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
●The Nepal government cares little about the overcrowding problem because of its internal tumultuous politics.
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4. Do you think it is a good idea to limit the number of visitors to a tourist attraction? Why?
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5 . Many people enjoy spending their vacations swimming, lying in the sun and staying at luxurious hotels.     1     They head for the country, to one of the numerous United States national parks, and take advantage of the fresh air and many outdoor activities that nature has to offer.

“I’m a successful lawyer from San Francisco,” says Gavin Murphy. “    2     I usually go to Yosemite National Park, where I sleep in a tent, hike, and enjoy the peace and quiet.”

    3     They can go fishing in a cold stream, hiking on a winding nature trail, or biking along scenic paths. At certain times of the year, guided nature walks and interesting lectures on a variety of topics are offered to park guests.

Camping out does have its disadvantages, however.     4     Even after the weather clears up, there’s still lots of mud to deal with. The weather can be quite cold at night, and there are always many mosquitoes (蚊子).

Park rangers (护林员) recommend that visitors watch out for snakes, whose bites can be poisonous. They stress the fact that it is necessary that food be kept packed away, so that an unexpected bear doesn’t pay an unwelcome visit to some surprised guests.     5     “It might be nice to sit by a swimming pool and sip (小口抿) a drink,” says Tanya Rodriguez, a nature lover, “but nature is really so beautiful, and I’ve met such interesting people here. Nothing compares to a vacation like this!”

A．If it rains, there is not much to do.

B．Camping is not really my cup of tea.

C．But every once in a while I like to get back to nature.

D．Some of the visitors have no experience being in the country.

E．Yet, nature lovers continue to visit national parks year after year.

F．But there are countless others who prefer a different kind of holiday.

G．Visitors to national parks have a wide variety of activities to choose from.

6 . 阅读下面短文，根据题目要求用英语回答问题。

In the southern part of France, away from the charm of Paris and the scenic Riviera, lies Toulouse, often referred to as “La Ville Rose” or “The Pink City.” Its nickname comes from the unique terra-cotta bricks used in many of its, buildings, giving the city a distinctive style.

Historically, Toulouse traces its roots back to the ancient times. It was originally established by the Celts in the 4th century BC and later became a significant Roman settlement. The city’s strategic position near the Germane River made it a well-known trading center in ancient Europe. By the Middle Ages, Toulouse had become a major center of trade due to its dye industry. This trade brought immense wealth to the region, and the city’s grand houses and public buildings from this era reflect is opulence (繁华).

However, Toulouse was not just a center for trade. Its history is marked with intellectual pursuits. By the 13th century, Université de Toulouse was established, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. The institution attracted scholars from various parts of Europe.

In modern times, Toulouse is famous for its aerospace industry. Home to Airbus, one of the world’s largest commercial aircraft manufacturers, the city is a center point in global aviation. This modern achievement connects with Toulouse’s rich history, showcasing a combination of the old and the new.

One of the most significant landmarks in Toulouse is the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, an architectural marvel from the Romanesque period. The church stands as a testament to the city’s religious significance during the medieval (中世纪的) times. Another notable part is the Capitole de Toulouse, which houses the city hall and a grand opera building. Its facade, made with the characteristic pink bricks, showcases the essence (本质) of Toulouse.

Despite its historical significance and achievements, Toulouse often remains overshadowed by other French cities. Yet, those who went to this southern gem find themselves fond of its rich history, vibrant culture, and the warmth of its inhabitants.

Visiting Toulouse offers an opportunity to step back in time while remaining firmly grounded in the present. It’s a city that embraces is past, cherishes its traditions, yet looks forward with optimism. In the European cities, Toulouse shines as a wonderful, yet irreplaceable one.

1. Why is Toulouse called “La Ville Rose” or “The Pink City?”
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2. What are the reasons for Toulouse to become a center of trade in the history?
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3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Basilica of Saint-Sernin stands as a testament to the city’s intellectual significance during medieval time.
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4. In your opinion, which city in China is like Toulouse, which cherishes its traditions, yet looks forward with optimism? Why?
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10 . Everywhere I look, there are new buildings being built. The neighbourhoods that I knew as a boy, filled with beautiful old buildings, have mostly disappeared, and in their place, modern, high-rise buildings have appeared. If we continue in this way, nothing will remain of our heritage; soon I will no longer recognize my city. What is left of the city’s traditional buildings and neighbourhoods must be preserved and it is important to begin this process now.

Historic preservation has become popular all over the world in recent years, but many countries have chosen new construction over preservation. There is good reason for this. As the population has become larger, people want the usefulness of modern living. However, the built environment should be more than shiny new buildings with air conditioning and washing machines; it should also show the beauty of our culture and heritage. How can our children understand our culture if we erase so much of the physical evidence (物证) of it?

The reasons for preserving historic buildings are not simply about an emotional connection to the past. There are also good economic reasons in favour of preservation. The repair and preservation of historic sites can become an economic engine, drawing tourists and small businesses to the area. There are several good examples of this in the Middle East. In Dubai, the historic AI Bastikiya district draws thousands of tourists every year from all over the world. It also attracts local people, eager to learn about their city’s past.

Those who are against historic preservation think that it is too expensive. But many recent projects all over the world have told us that this is not necessarily the case. In fact, renovation (翻新) of an existing building can cost about $40 per square metre less than even the most basic new building, while preserving the beauty of the original building. What is more, environmental experts believe that the greenest building is the one that is already built. New building almost always has a more serious environmental influence because it requires the use of all-new materials that must be transported, often over long distances, instead of recycled materials that are already on site. We recycle so many other things. We can and should recycle buildings, too.

1. How does the author feel about his neighbourhood?

A．Unsafe.

B．Confused.

C．Bored.

D．Upset.

2. As for international visitors, which would the author agree with?

A．They prefer modern accommodation.

B．They get along well with local people.

C．They want to learn about culture and traditions.

D．They choose destinations based on local economy.

3. What is mainly discussed in the last paragraph?

A．The advantages of historic preservation.

B．Recent progress in heritage preservation.

C．The challenges historic preservation faces.

D．People’s impression of preservation projects.