1 . Sometimes trees can be a little too respectful of one another’s boundaries. Or maybe they just stop growing when they get too close. The phenomenon is called crown (树冠) shyness-the tops of individual trees do not touch each other, creating a visible gap between the tree crowns.

Experts aren’t exactly sure why the naturally occurring phenomenon happens, but they’ve been studying it for decades and have a few theories. In 1955 a biologist Putz noticed that the trees, which grow close together, can rub against each other when the wind is strong enough. The resulting abrasion (磨损) helps form and maintain the shyness gaps. In 1986, this theory was backed up by Dr. Miguel Franco, who noticed that the branches of Picea sitchensis and Larix kaempferi trees suffered physical damage during abrasion, which killed the leading branches. The presence of broken tips at the points where branches meet lends support to the abrasion theory.

However, one Malaysian scholar suggests that shyness gaps result from the influences individual trees have on one another. Trees cannot move, so if they have nearby neighbors, they are forced to compete for resources, especially light. According to this theory, each tree forces its neighbors into a pattern that maximizes resource collection and minimizes harmful competition. Trees grow in the direction of light, so branches would naturally try to avoid other plants that could shade them or prevent their growth, creating a gap between the tree crowns.

Another possible reason for crown shyness is to prevent the spread of harmful insects, which could eat the tree’s leaves. Still someone believes the best scientific explanation so far is that the leaves of the tree release certain chemicals to stop other trees from growing too close.

The answer could be just one of the above, or a combination of more. But some species have been adapted to take advantage of crown shyness to grow into shapes that go well with nearby trees and therefore economic profits can be maximized out of the phenomenon.

1. What is crown shyness according to the text?

A．A behavior exhibited by insects in the crown of trees.

B．A disease that affects the leaves of certain tree species.

C．A phenomenon where trees grow taller than surrounding ones.

D．An occurrence where crowns of trees avoid touching each other.

2. What is Miguel Franco’s attitude towards Putz’s theory?

A．Supportive.

B．Critical.

C．Tolerant.

D．Uncertain.

3. Which of the following may cause crown shyness according to Paragraph 3?

A．The blowing wind effect.	B．The release of a special chemical.
C．A natural way of shade avoidance.	D．An adaptation to stop insect spreading.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．A further explanation of the theoretic framework.

B．Supporting evidence for the research conclusions.

C．A reasonable doubt about the research implications.

D．Practical application of crown shyness phenomenon.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What subject is Timmy teaching now?

A．Math.

B．French.

C．Science.

2. What makes Timmy a good teacher?

A．He is hard-working.

B．He reads and writes quickly.

C．He can understand students well.

3. What do the students think of Timmy’s lessons?

A．Difficult.

B．Exciting.

C．Boring.

4. How does Timmy teach his students?

A．By asking them to read lots of books.

B．By giving them study methods.

C．By using real examples.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the time now?

A．9:30.

B．10:00.

C．10:30.

2. Who is Jack Smith?

A．A general manager.

B．A sales manager.

C．A marketing manager.

3. What will the woman do at 3:00 pm?

A．Visit the factory.

B．Taste different coffee.

C．Sign an agreement.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When did the woman start architecture studies?

A．Last week.

B．Last month.

C．Last year.

2. What can we learn from the conversation?

A．English is very useful in the woman’s job.

B．The woman will work in England after graduation.

C．The woman’s English is very good.

3. What has made the woman choose architecture as a career?

A．Her teacher’s suggestion.

B．Her parents’ expectation.

C．Her personal qualities.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the nationality of the Bronte sisters?

A．Irish.

B．English.

C．American.

2. Why are the Brontes’ novels popular around the world?

A．They are creative.

B．They are full of humor.

C．They are interesting.

3. What did the Brontes like to do when they were young?

A．Write poems.

B．Invent.

C．Read essays.

6 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What does the speaker do now?

A．A gardener.

B．A cook.

C．An office worker.

2. What does the speaker do at weekends?

A．He drives to the country.

B．He repairs his truck.

C．He plants trees.

3. What is the speaker’s wife interested in?

A．Picking up leaves.

B．Buying old radios.

C．Collecting old cookery books.

7 . As I reflect on my educational journey, it becomes evident that the impact of education extends far beyond the ranges of the classroom. Education has been the guiding force that has shaped not only my academic progress but also my personal development and outlook on the world around me.

From my earliest days in school, education has stimulated my intellectual curiosity and developed a deep-seated passion for learning. I remember the thrill of getting on a voyage of discovery with each new lesson, as my understanding of the world expanded through the acquisition (获得) of knowledge and the development of critical thinking skills. These experiences have not only nurtured (培养) my intellectual growth but have also equipped me with the tools to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

However, the impact of education goes beyond the field of academia. It has played a critical role in shaping my character and values, equipping me with a sense of sympathy, understanding, and respect for others. Through interactions with peers from diverse backgrounds and exposure to various perspectives, education has been beneficial in cultivating my social and emotional intelligence. It has taught me the value of cooperation, the importance of embracing diversity, and the power of empathy (共情) in making meaningful connections with others.

Furthermore, education has opened doors to opportunities that have paved the way for my future hard work. It has provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue my passions, offering a platform for personal and professional growth. The transformative potential of education is evident in the countless stories of individuals whose lives have been improved through access to quality education, breaking the barriers of social and economic inequality.

In conclusion, my journey through the fields of education has been nothing short of transformative. It has expanded my horizons, enriched my understanding of the world, and equipped me with the toots to make meaningful contributions to society. As I continue on this path of lifelong learning, I am deeply grateful for the profound impact of education on my life and remain committed to nurturing its transformative power in the lives of others.

1. According to Para. 2, how did education expand the author’s understanding of the world?

A．By equipping the author with knowledge.

B．By encouraging the author to accept others’ ideas.

C．By informing the author of latest scientific development,

D．By making the author more curious about others’perspectives.

2. What impact did education have on the author’s social and emotional intelligence?

A．It made the author competitive and individualistic.

B．It taught the author to value cooperation and varies.

C．It made it easier for the author to solve the difficulties.

D．It encourages the author to stick to his own opinion.

3. What does the passage suggest about influence of education in society in a broader sense?

A．Education has unlimited potential to make individuals’ lives more colorful.

B．Education is primarily focused on maintaining social development.

C．Education ensures better working opportunities in the future.

D．Education has the power to fight against inequality.

4. What is the topic of the passage?

A．The importance of education technology.	B．The role of author’s family education.
C．The transformative power of education.	D．The improvement of individuals’ education.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Where do Indonesians put their garbage?

A．In the front of their houses.

B．In the public garbage cans.

C．In the official garbage bags.

2. What colored cans do Germans put metals?

A．Yellow.

B．Blue.

C．Gray.

3. What do we know about the garbage bags in Korea?

A．Their price depends on the type of waste.

B．They are provided by the government for free.

C．Different districts have different official garbage bags.

9 . 选择合适的短语完成句子。

deal with;   remind...of...;   in case of;     take place;   regard...as...;     pick up;     as well as

1. That is why Letters from Father Christmas could be the perfect book for those who ________ Christmas ________ a special time of year.
2. Dragon Boat Festival ________ in China on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
3. Don’t forget to _________ some chicken on your way home and try this recipe out.
4. As a cross-cultural boy, he thought he could ________ all Chinese food before he came across stinky tofu.
5. The letters tell us we can share the true spirit of giving ________ enjoying the adventures of the characters.

10 . Elizabeth lived with her six children in a small house. One winter, there was a big ______, and quite a few houses were washed away, but Elizabeth’s house was high enough to ______ it.

Elizabeth ______ one of the families which had lost everything. She shared her home ______ the family could build a ______ house. Elizabeth’s friends could not understand her since she already had so many children to ______.

“Well,” Elizabeth ______ to her friends, “At the end of World War II, there was a poor ______ in a town in France. Her husband had been ______ in the war and she had a lot of children, just like me now. The day before ______, this woman said to her children, ‘We won’t be ______ to have much for Christmas. I’m going to get just one ______ for us all. Now I’ll go and get it.’ She came back with a little ______ who had no parents.‘Here’s our present.’ She said to her own children. The children were more than ______ to get such a present. They welcomed the little girl ______ and she grew up as their sister. I was that Christmas present.”

1.

A．drought

B．flood

C．dessert

D．snowstorm

2.

A．fall

B．rise

C．escape

D．enter

3.

A．helped

B．refused

C．honored

D．indicated

4.

A．though

B．after

C．since

D．until

5.

A．strong

B．new

C．regular

D．fancy

6.

A．devote to

B．attend to

C．bring to

D．relate to

7.

A．shouted

B．cried

C．explained

D．complained

8.

A．boy

B．girl

C．man

D．woman

9.

A．killed

B．praised

C．awarded

D．attacked

10.

A．New Year

B．Thanksgiving

C．Christmas

D．National Day

11.

A．willing

B．satisfied

C．addicted

D．able

12.

A．present

B．lantern

C．token

D．riddle

13.

A．bird

B．girl

C．relative

D．guy

14.

A．astonished

B．frightened

C．excited

D．surprised

15.

A．horribly

B．slightly

C．officially

D．warmly