1 . 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。

Learning Chinese calligraphy     1     (list) as one of the must-do things when I came to China. Now, I’m in the course of learning this unique art,     2     value is considered very high in China, even across East Asia today. It is not only     3     ancient artistic form of human language, but it also reflects Chinese traditions.

As someone who paints, draws, and loves all     4     (create) things, at first, I assumed I would be rather good at Chinese calligraphy. I was     5     (total ) wrong. Using thick brush tips to produce awkward brush strokes (笔画)     6     (be) very difficult for a beginner. I have no idea about the different types of calligraphy and the meanings     7     ( hide) behind each one. Also, I have to hold the paintbrush     8     a very specific way; unlike a pen or pencil, the paintbrush is held upright in the hand. I need to be extra careful when changing the angle or     9     (direct) of the brush, especially if I press too hard on the paper.

After taking the lesson, I now understand the difficulty of calligraphy and that it will take efforts and commitment     10     (master) this art form. Yet, I am grateful to learn such a special Chinese tradition.

2 . Road Trip Apps You Need Before You Leave

Best App for Route Planning

Ever wonder how do livery drivers manage to hit so many different places in a relatively short amount of time? It’s because they’re using an app like Road Warrior to plan their routes to be as efficient as possible. However, while many other route planning apps only take things like traffic into account, Road Warrior includes lots of other time-sucking details. The subscription options start at $10 per month.

Best App for Gas Prices

Gas prices have been something of a catastrophe recently, so travelers are naturally focused on finding the lowest rates whenever possible. GasBuddy is one of the most popular apps for locating affordable gas, especially on long road trips. Simply enter the starting point and destination, and then watch as all of the cheapest gas prices along your route pop up. Like many apps, there is a free version, as well as a premium(额外费用) option with added features.

Best App for Planning Sightseeing

For people who aren’t totally focused on getting from point A to point B in the fastest time possible, the Road Trippers app is an absolute must-have. Users can pan their trip from start to finish with as many as 150 waypoints stops when using the premium version of the app, which costs $29.99 per year. It won’t let you miss the famous scenic spots along the way. It estimates fuel costs allows for RV drivers to customize routes friendly to their particular vehicle and lets the user cooperate with friends who are also on the road.

Best App for Family Games and Entertainment

Sure you could listen to music or watch movies, but sometimes it’s fun to throw it way back with classic travel games. The Plates Family Travel app is a modernized version of the classic license plate game. There also a map feature that shows you exactly where you saw all the license plates on your road trip. This app is available for Apple or Google devices for free.

1. Which app can help you save time?

A．GasBuddy.

B．Road Warrior.

C．RondTrippers.

D．Plates Family Travel.

2. Who is more likely to use GasBuddy?

A．Those who like playing games.	B．Those who need license plates.
C．Those who prefer a unique route.	D．Those who care about gas prices.

3. What is special about the Road Trippers app?

A．It is available free of charge.	B．It provides the shortest route.
C．It recommends tourist attractions.	D．It helps its users to make friends.

3 . The old man was ________ (欺骗) while doing some shopping on the Internet. (根据汉语提示单词拼写)

4 . I’d like to________(告知) you of some detailed information so that you can make full preparations for it. (根据汉语提示单词拼写)

5 . It was really a ________ (幸事) for me to work with such a kind and experienced person. (根据汉语提示单词拼写)

6 . The two students were ________ (低语) while their teacher was giving a speech. (根据汉语提示单词拼写)

7 . As we all know, Mozart is one of the greatest ________(作曲家) in the world. (根据汉语提示单词拼写)

8 . Many people expressed an extremely strong ________ (prefer) for the original plan. (所给词的适当形式填空)

9 . Are you still wondering about which club to choose? The following information about the clubs in our school may help you make a good choice.

Writing Club Advisor (顾问): Ms. Loll (cloll@aacps.org) Club Meeting Time: Tuesday 10:00-10:30 Wednesday 9:30-10:00 Description: Writing Club is open to any student at SHS who would like help in improving writing and grammar skills.	Food Club Advisor: Ms. King (laking@aacps.org) Club Meeting Time: Tuesday 10:00 -10:30 Thursday 10:00-10:30 Description: Love talking about food, cooking, and more? Food Club is your place. Join us to discuss all things about food and cooking.
Art Club Advisor: Ms. Hendryx (jhendryx@aacps.org) Club Meeting Time: Tuesday 10:00-10:30 Friday 10:00-10:30 Description: Art Club is a time to work on your own artwork. We watch different videos which may include art skills and famous artists.	Book Club Advisor: Ms. Choulis (mchoulis@aacps.org) Club Meeting Time: Monday 10:00-10:30 Thursday 9:30-10:00 Description: This is a club for students who love reading. Students will read books and then meet twice each week to have discussions about the book.

1. If you want to improve writing skills, which club is a good choice?

A．Writing Club.

B．Food Club.

C．Art Club.

D．Book Club.

2. What is the meeting time of Food Club?

A．Tuesday & Wednesday.	B．Tuesday & Thursday.
C．Tuesday & Friday.	D．Monday & Thursday.

3. Who can one contact if one chooses Art Club?

A．Ms. Loll.

B．Ms. King.

C．Ms. Hendryx.

D．Ms. Choulis.

4. Who is this text written for?

A．Workers.

B．Teachers.

C．Parents.

D．Students.

10 . Storytelling is an ancient art form that has been used to hand down legends, tales and factual stories. Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when you think of storytelling is the fantasy land that took shape in your mind while Mom or Dad told you stories about princes, castles and monsters, with a unique voice for each character.

Storytelling does not just take place at bedtime or round a campfire, however. It can take some other forms, either via the books we read or the films we watch. But they usually have some elements in common: rather than a list of dry facts, stories have plots and they introduce characters. We respond to stories, particularly when there is emotional detail.

And unlike what we suppose, storytelling is not just a form of entertainment, but a form of learning as well. Long before reading and writing became widely spread and available, oral storytelling had already been a form that the wisdom and knowledge of the people were passed down from elders to children. A good story engages our curiosity, emotions and imagination.

Storytelling helps with learning also because stories are easy to remember. Research has found that learning obtained from a well-told story is remembered more accurately, and for far longer, than from facts and figures.

And above all, stories have a transformative power to allow us to see the world in a different way than we do if we just encounter it on our own. Stories are an entry point to understanding a different experience of the world.

This aspect of storytelling-presenting a different perspective of the world — is important when it comes to connecting with each other. It gives us an opportunity to learn from another person’s experience and it can shape, strengthen or challenge our opinions and values. So, when someone tells us their own personal story, we catch a glimpse of a view of the world that may be slightly or significantly different from our own. When we see the world as they see it, or walk in their shoes, the experience can inspire empathy (共情;同理心) with them.

1. What occurs to us the moment we think of “storytelling”?

A．A child’s imaginary world.	B．Voices of Mom or Dad.
C．An ancient art form.	D．Factual stories.

2. Why does storytelling work better than mere statement of facts in promoting learning?

A．It carries more wisdom and knowledge.

B．It is more widely available to young learners.

C．It satisfies our imagination and releases our emotions.

D．It makes what is learned more precise and longer lasting.

3. How can other people’s personal stories probably benefit us?

A．By offering us more opportunities to know people.

B．By helping us stay connected with the contemporary world.

C．By allowing us to understand the world the way they see it.

D．By enabling us to tell reality from imagination.

4. What makes the best title for the passage?

A．The History of Storytelling	B．The Power of Storytelling
C．The Forms of Storytelling	D．The Art of Storytelling