1 . Over the past decade, more and more travelers have been embracing the idea of slow travel. One of the most popular methods of slow travel, if you have the time, is by rail. Here are our picks for some of the best train rides in the world.

The Glacier Express

The Glacier Express takes more than eight hours to cross the 180-mile journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz in Switzerland at an average of 18 mph. The classic red train journey brings you to Europe’s mountains at their very best — with views of snow-covered forests and peaks included!

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Running through Tamil Nadu State, the train is the slowest in India due to an extremely steep gradient on the route. It takes nearly five hours to cover a distance of 46 km. Clearly nobody uses the NMR to get from A to B, but for the sheer joy of riding in a train that passes through 16 tunnels, 250 bridges and 208 steep curves on the richly biodiverse Western Ghats mountain range.

No. 6063/6064

With a length of 257 kilometers, the highly popular “small-and-slow train” route winds through the Qinling Mountains, linking 13 stations at the highest cost of 39.5 yuan. Villagers take the train to sell their vegetables in nearby counties to add to their families’ income. Helping poverty alleviation and carrying students to schools, the rail line, running for over 60 years, is a guarantee of and witness to the wish for a better life of the people along its route.

Royal Scotsman

With the full length of 1930 kilometers, the Royal Scotsman marries Edwardian elegance with the comforts of a five-star country house. The train includes elegant lounges, comfortable suites, and an open observation deck. The 9-coach train carries a just 36 passengers maximum with a passenger to staff ratio of 1:3. One of the coaches is the amazing Bamford Spa offering something of a palace on wheels.

1. Why do people choose the Nilgiri Mountain Railway?

A．To view the snow-covered forests.

B．To travel from one place to another.

C．To experience the amusement of riding.

D．To study the geography of the Western Ghats.

2. Which train can we take to experience villagers’ slow life?

A．The Glacier Express.	B．No. 6063/6064.
C．The Nilgiri Mountain Railway.	D．Royal Scotsman.

3. What is Royal Scotsman special about?

A．Its luxury.

B．Its route.

C．Its history.

D．Its convenience.

2 . Books are excellent gifts. Here are four of the year’s most talked-about titles.

Ordinary Monsters | By J. M. Miro

Miro has temporarily abandoned literary fiction in favour of a new series of historical fantasy novels. Ordinary Monsters is about a group of children with magical gifts who come together and pool their powers to escape the bad shape-shifting man that’s going after them.

Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces | By Elamin Abdelmahmoud

The soundtrack to The O. C., a drama series, and the strange beauty of Highway 401 were important factors in developing selfhood of Abdelmahmoud. This book describes his own experience of moving from Khartoum, Sudan, to Kingston, Canada, in the early 2000s at age 12.

A Magic Steeped in Poison | By Judy I. Lin

Harry Potter has his magic stick. And Ning, the heroine of Lin’s first novel, has tea, which in her world carries magical properties. Lin has created a pleasing Young Adult fantasy rich in Chinese mythology (神话). In this book, Ning enters a competition to find the most gifted tea master, Shennong.

A Ballet of Lepers | By Leonard Cohen

Unlike many other posthumous (死后出版的) works, you can count on Cohen’s to be worth your wait. Before his death, he said that the novel contained in the book, which was never published, was likely better than The Favourite Game, a novel he published during his lifetime. This book also includes a radio play script (剧本) and a handful of short stories.

1. Which book is a mirror of the author’s life story?

A．Ordinary Monsters.	B．Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces.
C．A Magic Steeped in Poison.	D．A Ballet of Lepers.

2. What do the first and third books have in common?

A．They are about teamwork.

B．They are based on an imaginary world.

C．They both involve Chinese characters.

D．They draw inspiration from other novels.

3. What can be inferred about A Ballet of Lepers?

A．It is a collection.	B．It is Cohen’s best novel.
C．It is a fantasy novel.	D．It is adapted from a play.

3 . The following beach destinations range from ocean-side to lake-side locations, each one offering unique and quality experiences.

 Channel Island

You’ll have difficulty finding a more scenic and adventurous beach getaway with an abundance of sea life. Whales and dolphins visit the area every year. You can also camp on one of the islands in Channel Islands National Park. Hiking, exploring tide pools, diving, surfing-the activities are boundless.

 Gulf Islands National Seashore

Imagine cotton candy-blue water, sugar-white sand and lots of lemonade-yellow sun and the picture will look a lot like Gulf Islands National Seashore. Spend a day at Perdido Key or overnight at Fort Pickens campground. Or consider the “Coastal Curiosities” activity at historic Fort Pickens.

 Indiana Dunes National Park

The park hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan. From camping to flying kites to a sunset stroll, this lakeshore will continually attract you. You will enjoy 45 miles of trails over rugged dunes (沙丘), mysterious wetlands, and peaceful forests. There are eight beach access points along the shoreline and most parking lots are open from 7 AM until 30 minutes after sunset.

1. Which destinations are ocean-side locations?

A．All the three destinations.

B．Channel Islands & Indiana Dunes National Park.

C．Channel Islands & Gulf Islands National Seashore.

D．Gulf Islands National Seashore & Indiana Dunes National Park.

2. Which destination best suits people travelling by car?

A．Channel Islands	B．Gulf Islands National Seashore
C．Perdido Key	D．Indiana Dunes National Park.

3. What activity can you enjoy in all the three destinations?

A．Surfing in the ocean	B．Going camping
C．Watching sea life	D．Hiking over dunes.

4 . 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。

Chinese archeologists have successfully unearthed an animal bronze statue at the Sanxingdui Ruins in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.     1     (weigh) more than 300 grams, the mythical beast is about one meter tall and one meter long and it is also the largest animal bronze statue ever     2     (see).

The bronze statue looks like a mythical beast     3     a large mouth, slim waist and four feet. Of note, a human figure wearing a long coat stands     4     (exact) on the head of the beast. Researchers think that it may show that the person is riding or controlling the beast.

Zhao Hao, the researcher in charge, explains that since the excavation of the Sanxingdui Ruins first started in 1986, all the animal statues     5     (be) small, around 20-30 centimeters long, but the     6    (discover) of the new bronze statue sets a new record, and as of now, is     7     only large-sized animal statue.

The chest of the beast also sports the image of a tree. “This tree,     8     was directly cast on the beast, reflects a fact that indicates that the Sanxingdui people regarded     9     (tree) as a kind of remarkable thing,” Zhao said.

So far, nearly 14,000     10     (culture) relics have been extracted from the sacrificial pits at Sanxingdui.

5 . A food allergy (过敏) is a medical condition that occurs when the body’s protection system perceives certain foods as a threat and responds to them with an allergic reaction.

Symptoms (症状) of a food allergy

    1     However, a severe reaction can take up to a few hours following exposure. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. And they may differ each time a specific allergen appears. Symptoms can include: a skin rash or hives, swelling of the face or lips, or feeling lightheaded or dizzy.     2     That can send the body into shock or make it difficult to breathe.

Judging a food allergy

Doctors consider a number of factors when investigating a food allergy. Those include both a patient’s symptoms and family history of allergies. A physical examination may be performed to rule out any other conditions.     3    

Treating a food allergy

It may not be possible for a patient to completely avoid foods that induce (导致) an allergic reaction. For minor reactions, you can take some medicine. For severe reactions, however, turn to doctors for help.

    4    

The only sure way to prevent an allergic reaction to food is to carefully avoid the allergens. This can be a difficult process. That requires patients to carefully study food labels to ensure the food is safe for them.     5     So it’s necessary to inform family or friends of the food that can cause a food allergy.

A．Avoiding harm from allergy.

B．Preventing an allergic reaction.

C．Not everyone knows what a food allergy is.

D．But many people don’t know the allergens.

E．Other tests can include blood test or oral food challenge.

F．An allergic reaction to food usually occurs within minutes.

G．For some people, certain allergens can bring a severe reaction.

6 . If you’re in the market for a new food or water dish for your cat, you might want to check out Free the Ocean’s Bamboo Cat Bowls. These are made from bamboo fibers and rice husks(稻壳).

The presence of bamboo—used as a renewable filler in the dish’s composition—is part of what makes it greener. Bamboo, which is technically a grass, grows faster than trees. Not surprisingly, it produces more oxygen and absorbs more carbon dioxide than trees.

Rice husk is a byproduct of rice production that poses a challenge to farmers, due to its resistance to decomposition (分解), digestion, and low nutritional value as animal feed. Its use as a filler provides a purpose for an otherwise useless material and, along with the bamboo, reduces the need for plastic fillers.

While plastic is still needed to make the cat bowl, the rationale behind their increased eco-friendliness is that less actual plastic is required when more natural fillers are used. The total amount of plastic required to make each product is reduced, because the bamboo fibres make up a significant percentage of the overall composite(合成) material.

Plastic cat dishes harbor bacteria even if pet owners clean them regularly, which can put your cat’s health at risk. However, the bamboo cat bowl is BPA-free and will not release harmful chemicals into your pet’s water the way that conventional plastic can. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial. And, of course, you can throw it in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

One customer said, “I prefer these cat food bowls and so do my cats. The cats like the low lip that makes it easy to eat out of and I like the fact that they’re made of bamboo and that purchasing them makes a difference for plastic pollution! Easy to wash in the dishwasher.”

1. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To recommend a new product.

B．To introduce the benefits of bamboos.

C．To raise people’s environmental awareness.

D．To call on people to make good use of bamboos.

2. What does the underlined word “rationale” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Cost.

B．Reason.

C．Doubt.

D．Function.

3. What can we learn about the bamboo cat bowl?

A．It is cheap to buy.	B．It is light to carry.
C．It is safe to use.	D．It is easy to make.

4. How is paragraph 5 developed?

A．By listing numbers.	B．By giving examples.
C．By asking questions.	D．By making comparisons.

7 . When I was in high school, I spent most of my holidays going back to my hometown to enjoy life with my family. Being a member of my family _________ me happiness.

My brother was born when I was a senior high school student. It is _________ that children’s eyes are bright and _________. I looked at my brother’s eyes that _________ looked around the world, and I felt his curiosity about _________. He wasn’t even_________ to grab a bug and play with it. When he _________ the cuckoo (布谷鸟) call, he immediately learned to _________ it. And he would shake his _________ to learn how to fly like a butterfly. Before that, I never realized that a child’s ____________ ability was so amazing.

One time, my little brother ____________ the stones on the ground to look for the ants underneath (在······底下). He ____________ his snacks with the ants, looked up at me and said, “Sister, the ants are ____________!” He is learning to share.

As a sister who loves her brother so much, I came to realize the feeling of my parents’ ____________. I want to ____________ the best to my brother and accompany him while growing up.

1.

A．brings

B．visits

C．comes

D．waits

2.

A．forced

B．kept

C．looked

D．said

3.

A．evil

B．firm

C．pure

D．soft

4.

A．curiously

B．sadly

C．politely

D．proudly

5.

A．food

B．nature

C．grass

D．water

6.

A．afraid

B．brave

C．excited

D．delighted

7.

A．noticed

B．saw

C．caught

D．heard

8.

A．pass

B．forget

C．imitate

D．carve

9.

A．head

B．arms

C．shoulders

D．lips

10.

A．living

B．leading

C．learning

D．admiring

11.

A．picked off

B．picked on

C．picked out

D．picked up

12.

A．made

B．ordered

C．shared

D．offered

13.

A．angry

B．hungry

C．thirsty

D．full

14.

A．worry

B．trouble

C．hate

D．love

15.

A．give

B．avoid

C．enjoy

D．hide

8 . Even though the solar term Start of Autumn — which fell on Aug 7 this year — means the cooler weather of autumn is about to come, the summer heat is still here to stay, at least for a while. Here are four traditional Chinese treats that could help you cool off at the dinner table during such hot weather.

Plum syrup

Plum syrup, originally from Beijing, is sweet and sour plum juice. It’s especially popular at kebab (烤串) restaurants, where people rely on plum syrup to ease the hot feeling brought by spicy dishes. It’s believed that the cool juice takes away the body’s inner heat.

Grass jelly

This is a jelly-like dessert especially popular in Taiwan and cities in the South. The jelly has a clear dark brown color and tastes slightly bitter. A typical jelly dessert is served chilled in a bowl, sometimes with added fruits and peanuts.

Tapioca pudding

Native to Indonesia, tapioca is a starch made from cassava root. It was first introduced to Guangdong province and is now served in almost every dessert shop in China. Tapioca is usually processed into pearl-like balls to be used in drinks and desserts made with mango, red bean or papaya.

Cold rice cake

This snack is typically enjoyed by people in Sichuan province. It’s made with sticky rice, and usually cut into square pieces. It’s kept in cold water before being served, usually coated with brown sugar syrup.

1. If you are eating hot pot, which of the following is your best choice?

A．Plum syrup.

B．Grass jelly.

C．Tapioca pudding.

D．Cold rice cake.

2. Which of the following statements is mentioned in the passage?

A．Grass jelly tastes sweet.

B．Tapioca pudding originated in Guangdong.

C．Sichuan people are fond of Cold rice cake.

D．Plum syrup can make the body’s heat increase.

3. Where can we find this article?

A．Science magazine.

B．Health report.

C．Everyday news.

D．Food spotting.

10 . No matter what your summer plans are, these-must-read books will make your summer days shine.

Laughter is the Spice (调味品) of Life

Add some enjoyment and comfort to your life with Laughter is the Spice of Life. These extremely funny and inspiring short stories and jokes are sure to produce everything from gentle smiles to loud and cheerful laughter.

Seaside Summer

Lazy summer days give way to unpleasant reality when a storm damages the roof of Margaret’s new gallery. She is forced to close her business just as tourist season is starting to take off. Margaret struggles to get the roof repaired without enough construction workers. To make the matter worse, she is quickly running out of money. Will she be forced to let go of her dream so soon? It becomes clear that it will take an opportunity to save the struggling gallery.

River of Life

Tess finds a quilt with an unusual pattern in the underground secret room that once housed runaway slaves. Does the quilt provide something more than a source of warmth? Within the walls of the Wayfarers Inn in this historic Ohio River town, LuAnn, Tess, and Janice find evidence that involves the darker chapters of local history — as well as its citizens’ acts of heroism and kindness.

Summer Harvest Secrets

It’s June in Lancaster County, and farmers are harvesting their early summer crops. Martha Classen Watts and her sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, are excited to go strawberry picking and attend the yearly Strawberry Festival at the Beiler farm. Their friend Rachel Fischer tells them there are signs of artificial damage to the harvest. Who would destroy the strawberry fields — and why? Martha determines to help her friends discover the truth about this.

1. What is special about the book Laughter is the Spice of Life?

A．It is a humourous book.	B．It is full of adventures.
C．It is a book on art.	D．It is a history book.

2. Which book is about the lives of slaves?

A．River of Life.	B．Seaside Summer.
C．Summer Harvest Secrets.	D．Laughter is the Spice of Life.

3. Who helped unlock the secret of farm destruction?

A．Janice.	B．Martha.
C．Rachel.	D．Margaret.