2 . Tracks Through Time: Four Stunning UK Train Journeys

The United Kingdom is rightly celebrated as the birthplace of the railway. And there’s no better way to see it than sitting by the window in a train.

Glasgow to Mallaig

Considered by some to be the most scenic railway line in the world, this line takes passengers from the bustling city of Glasgow through Scotland’s wild western highlands to the remote port of Mallaig. Immerse yourself in unforgettable scenery on this journey, and don’t forget to look out for Ben Nevis!

The Caledonian Sleeper

Passengers can enjoy falling asleep to the rhythm of the train on leaving London, then waking up to the serene beauty of the Highlands at dawn right outside your window. Take a trip back in time with all the modern amenities you could want with this iconic train journey!

The Cambrian Line

Wales, with its dramatic landscapes, historic sites and inspiring vistas, offers some magical train journeys to be found in the UK. And perhaps the jewel in the Welsh crown is the Cambrian Line, which weaves its way through Mid Wales to the coast. The route begins in Shrewsbury in England and is famed for its scenery.

The Settle-Carlisle Line

No article on iconic United Kingdom train journeys would be complete without this incredible train line. Opened in 1876, the 73-mile long route takes the traveller from Settle Junction in North Yorkshire to Carlisle in Cumbria. Threatened with closure in the 1980s, the line was saved thanks to the efforts of rail lovers, and passenger numbers have gone from strength to strength.

1. Which place should you go to if you want to visit a harbor?

A．Glasgow.	B．Mallaig.
C．Western highlands.	D．Ben Nevis.

2. What can you do by taking the Cambrian Line?

A．Pick up some precious jewels.

B．Weave magic to enjoy the route.

C．Have a sound and comfortable sleep.

D．Appreciate fantastic views in Wales.

3. Which line was once in danger of being shut?

A．Glasgow to Mallaig.	B．The Caledonian Sleeper.
C．The Cambrian Line.	D．The Settle Carlisle Line.

4 . People may typically think of memory as the recollection of the past. Memory enables people to learn from past experiences and apply that knowledge in present circumstances. It is a vital part of our identity. So is culture, the way of life specific to a group of people.

Cultural memory is the constructed understanding of the past that is passed from one generation to the next through text, oral traditions, monument s and other symbols. Cultural memory is often amassed in objects, such as museums or historical monuments. To understand culture, humans access masses of cultural symbols, such as books. Artifacts (历史文物) of the past provide insights into where we came from. Libraries and the Internet keep a seemingly boundless amount of data on what it means to be part of a culture. Cultural memory is the longest-lasting form of memory.

Like all forms of memory, cultural memory has important functions. For example, it makes the experiences a nation owns clear. It provides us with an understanding of the past and the values of the group to which we belong. Besides, it creates a form of shared identity and a means for communicating this identity to new members. The most powerful forms of cultural memory may involve memories of past disastrous experiences undergone by groups of victims. For example, in Russia, their role in Word War Ⅱ- in which tens of millions of Russians were killed — is still an important part of modern Russian identity. Because all groups have cultural memory, it can bring about a spirit of resistance or survival among threatened groups.

The main function of cultural memory is not to recall the past, whether it be good or bad. Rather, it is to use knowledge of past experiences to avoid making the same mistakes again and again. Cultural memory enables people to adapt to their culture; it enables cultures to adapt to new circumstances by keeping traces of what worked in the past.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．Reporting a discovery of cultural memory.

B．Leading to the concept of cultural memory.

C．Introducing the importance of memory in identity.

D．Making a connection between memory and culture.

2. Which can replace the underlined word “amassed” in paragraph 2?

A．Accumulated

B．Overlooked.

C．Evaluated.

D．Created.

3. Russia is mentioned in paragraph 3 to indicate ______.

A．the features of cultural memory

B．the formation of cultural memory

C．the role of big events in Russian identity

D．the impact of cultural memory on identity

4. What is cultural memory mainly expected to do?

A．Pass previous wisdom down.	B．Keep traces of history.
C．Get people to know about the past.	D．Remind people of their identity.

5 . I have a tea problem, drinking far too much since my teens. The addiction is bad, though cheap as addictions go. My excuse is that there are so many problems to which a cup of tea is the answer. Who doesn’t think it’s a lifesaver right now, as the dark falls and the cold follows?

Luckily, I needn’t be ashamed of my dependence on tea any longer — in fact, I should be proud. Because a new study by Professor Francisca Antman, an economist at the University of Colorado Boulder, shows widespread adoption of tea-drinking in late 18th-century England wasn’t just central to the development of our national culture, it actually saved lives.

In 1784, the Commutation Act dramatically cut the tea tax from 119% to 12.5%. Soon even peasants were drinking two cups of tea a day, with tea imports increasing six times between 1761 and 1834. What does a cup of tea need apart from tea leaves? Boiled water —which meant much healthier water in an era when people didn’t know dirty water spread disease. Plus, at the time tea was cheaper than beer, the other source of disease-free drink.

Death rates fell from 28 to 23 per 1,000 people over that same period. The role of tea imports was confirmed by drops in deaths from diseases carried by water. Improvements were greatest in areas of lower water quality. And there was economic development, allowing the gathering together of people in the factory towns of the Industrial Revolution.

This all happened by accident, in a period in which public health protection didn’t much exist. It is surprising how a social custom could have such a big impact on the course of history. Anyway, I’m off to put the k ettle on.

1. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward drınking tea?

A．Critical.

B．Skeptical.

C．Positive.

D．Conservative.

2. Why did the death rates drop?

A．The government canceled the tea tax.	B．The tea was the cheapest drink.
C．The boiled tea water was cleaner.	D．The British preferred to drink tea.

3. Which of the places might benefit most from drinking tea in history?

A．Tea growing areas.	B．Dirty communities.
C．Mountain areas.	D．Towns rich in water.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．An Unexpected Lifesaver	B．A Modern Trend in Tea Drinking
C．The Origins of Tea Addiction	D．The Impacts of Tea Export

6 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

People always say that with exercise, putting on your shoes is the hardest part. But for Emma, this was a lie. The real pain always started when all the students were gathered on the track, ready to run. It wasn’t the fatigue she minded, it was the looks others gave her. Emma was bigger than others of her age. Back in primary school, she remembers her classmates asking her why her thighs (大腿) were so big and her chest so wide. On the outside, she looked big, but on the inside, she felt as small as a pea. And PE class was when she felt at her smallest.

Not all her classmates made her feel uncomfortable, though. It was mainly a group of girls and boys—the loud, outspoken, popular kids. Although they could run faster than Emma, they preferred to jog a bit behind her, bursting out in laughter every now and then, commenting on how Emma jogged.

Just one more year, Emma kept telling herself. One more year and I’ll have graduated and won’t have to take this stupid PE class anymore. She just wanted to survive it.

But everything changed when a new girl called Kit joined the class. She had short, jet-black hair, bright eyes, and a long scar across the left side of her face. Her entrance into the classroom that day was met by dozens of curious eyes.

Although their teacher, Ms Hardy, didn’t ask Kit for a personal introduction, upon putting her bag down on her desk, Kit rose, saying, “Hi, everyone, nice to meet you, I’m Kit. I love boxing, animation and fashion. You might be wondering about my scar. I got it when I was young when I fell off my bike. Luckily, I didn’t get hurt more seriously. It’s now like a cool trademark of all the adventures I had as a kid.”

After Kit’s introduction, Emma simply sat there, her heart pounding and mouth wide open. How could someone be so confident? Even the popular kids were sitting there in shock.

注意：
1．续写词数应为150左右;
2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

At lunchtime, Emma was sitting at her usual table with a few other classmates when Kit walked over to them.

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On Friday, it was time for the fearful PE class, but this time, Kit was with her.

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7 . 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。

Kunqu, also known as Kunju, is one of the oldest     1     (exist) forms of Chinese opera. It developed     2     (original) from the local music of Kunshan, part of the Wu cultural area, and later came     3     (show) its importance in Chinese theater from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

Due to the extensive performance activities, Kunqu, ranking among the most influential operas now,     4     (introduce) to Beijing in the last years of Wanli. During the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, Kunqu spread to Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangdong,     5     developed into a national drama. Having entered various places, Kunqu eventually formed a rich and colorful opera system in     6     (combine) with local dialects and folk music.     7     further development, the opera became more well-known and     8     representative art form of the whole nation.

In the Qing Dynasty, Kangxi loved Kunqu,     9     (lead) to its increasing popularity, but it was during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty     10     Kunqu entered its heyday (全盛时期) and began to influence the “pear garden” greatly.