1 . 课文语法填空

As one of the main factors that have made it possible for ancient Chinese civilization     1     (develop) all the way through into modern times, the Chinese writing system began with symbols     2     (carve) on animal shells and bones which are called longgu. By the Shang Dynasty, these symbols had become a well-developed writing system. Over the years, it developed into different forms because that was a time     3     the Chinese people were divided geographically,     4     (lead) to many varieties of dialects and characters.     5     (final), Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one unified country, where the Chinese writing system began to develop     6     one direction.

The Chinese writing system is of great     7     (important) in uniting the Chinese people and culture. It has also become an important means by which China’s present     8     (connect) with its past. Chinese characters have developed as an art form called Chinese calligraphy. Being an important part of Chinese culture, it attracts     9     increasing number of international students who are beginning to appreciate China’s culture and history through this     10     (amaze) language.

2 . 语法填空

Have you heard of Peru? It is     1     country on the Pacific coast of South America with three main areas: narrow, dry, flat land     2     (run) along the coast, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon rainforest. Spain took control of Peru in the 16th century and     3     (rule) until 1821. It is     4     this reason that Spanish is the main official language of the country.

If you are travelling in Peru soon, you can choose a short flight from Cusco,     5     takes you from the Andes into the Amazon rainforest. Taking a boat to your     6     (accommodate) in the middle of the forest is interesting. Besides, the city of Machu Picchu is a popular destination. I am sure you will feel     7     (amaze) there. Inca builders cut stones to exact sizes so that nothing was needed     8     (hold) walls together other than the perfect fit of the stones. Cusco is another popular destination for     9     (tourist). Cusco was the capital city of the Inca Empire, a powerful empire in South America until the 1500s. On Lake Titicaca, a boat will take you to stay with a local Uros family on an island for three days. Both the island and the Uros homes     10     (be) made of water plants from the lake.

3 . 【课本原题】

THE MILLION POUND BANK NOTE

ACT 1, SCENE 3

Narrator: Two rich brothers, Roderick and Oliver, have made a bet. Oliver believes that with a million-pound bank note a man could live a month in London. His brother Roderick doubts it. They see a poor young man walking outside their house. It is Henry Adams.
Roderick: Young man, would you step inside a moment, please?
Henry: Who? Me, sir?
Roderick: Yes, you.
Servant: (opening a door) Good morning, sir. Would you please come in?
(Henry enters the house)
Roderick: How do you do, Mr ... er ...?
Henry: Adams. Henry Adams.
Oliver: Come and sit down, Mr Adams.
Henry: Thank you.
Roderick: You’re an American?
Henry: That’s right, from San Francisco.
Roderick: May we ask what you’re doing in this country and what your plans are?
Henry: Well, I can’t say that I have any plans. As a matter of fact, I landed in Britain by accident.
Oliver: How is that possible?
Henry: Well, I had my own boat. About a month ago, I was sailing, and towards night I found myself carried out to sea by a strong wind. The next morning I was spotted by a ship.
Oliver: And it was the ship that brought you to England.
Henry: Yes. I went to the American consulate to seek help, but ... Anyway, I didn’t dare to try again. (The brothers smile at each other.)
Roderick: Well, you mustn’t worry about that. It’s an advantage.
Henry: I’m afraid I don’t quite follow you, sir.
Roderick: Tell us, what sort of work did you do in America?
Henry: I worked for a mining company. Could you offer me work here?
Roderick: Patience. If you don’t mind, may I ask you how much money you have?
Henry: Well, to be honest, I have none.
Oliver: (happily) What luck! Brother, what luck!
Henry: Well, it may seem lucky to you but not to me! If this is your idea of some kind of joke, I don’t think it’s very funny. Now if you’ll excuse me, I ought to be on my way.
Roderick: Please don’t go. You mustn’t think we don’t care about you. Oliver, give him the letter.
Oliver: Yes, I was about to go get the letter. Wait! (getting it from a desk and giving it to Henry) The letter.
Henry: (taking it carefully) For me?
Roderick: For you. (Henry starts to open it) Oh, no, you’d better not open it. You can’t open it until two o’clock.
Henry: Oh, this is silly.
Roderick: Not silly. There’s money in it.
Henry: Oh, no. I don’t want your charity. I just want a job that earns an honest income.
Roderick: We know you’re hard-working. That’s why we’ve given you the letter. (to the servant) Show Mr Adams out.
Oliver: Good luck, Mr Adams.
Henry: Well, why don’t you explain what this is all about?
Roderick: You’ll soon know. In exactly an hour and a half.
Servant: This way, sir.
Roderick: Not until 2 o’clock. Promise?
Henry: Promise. Goodbye.
Complete the passage with words from Act 1, Scene 3.

The two gentlemen had been having a heated argument for a couple of days, and had decided to make a     1     which would settle their argument. They were going to find someone to take part in their bet when they saw Henry walking on the street outside. They invited him into their house, where Henry told them he had landed in Britain by     2    . Although he had gone to the American consulate to     3     help, he had not received any. Henry hoped that the brothers would offer him some     4     of work because he had no money. Henry got upset with the brothers when they seemed too happy about his bad luck. They quickly told him not to feel that way and they gave him an envelope with money in it. They said the letter inside would explain what it was all about, but he had to postpone opening it until 2 o’clock. Henry felt that was odd. The     5     ended with Henry leaving their house and promising that he would not open the letter until 2 o’clock.

4 . [课本原文]

IS EXPLORING SPACE A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY?

Countries around the globe are spending billions of dollars and lots of time on various space missions, whether to Mars or other planets much further away. Some people argue that we should stop wasting time and money exploring space. Instead, we should feed the world’s poor and find immediate solutions to other problems, such as pollution and fatal diseases. However, others feel this is a shallow view which fails to realise how exploring space helps us.

Firstly, exploring space has already made a difference in the fight against world hunger. It has directly resulted in the many satellites that now orbit Earth. A number of the satellites record data on land and weather patterns. Then the data is transmitted to scientists on Earth. After careful analysis, the scientists can provide useful recommendations and advice for farmers. As a result, space-based science has helped farming in its efforts to grow enough food to feed Earth’s increasing population.

Secondly, space exploration has already promoted technological improvements that benefit us all. High-end products around the world are made to a higher standard now because of advanced technology which was first created to meet the requirements for space exploration. For example, space technologies have helped the research and development of different types of new material. They have also helped companies make better heart monitors and other machines that doctors regularly use. Today, space technologies are widely used in all kinds of industries, and everyday products such as GPS, memory foam pillows, and smartphone cameras are changing our lives.

Finally, sending astronauts into space has helped people to think about the world’s problems and even to find ways to solve them. Seeing pictures of our planet as an island in a black sea made people realise that our planet’s resources are limited. In order to provide for such a rapidly increasing population, scientists are trying to find other planets that could one day be our new home. The greatest attention at present is on Mars because it is closer to Earth. In the future, humans may live on both planets.

In closing, exploring space provides the world with many different benefits. Therefore, it should continue so as to provide new and better solutions to people’s short-term and long-term problems.

1. Read the argumentative essay about space exploration and answer the questions.
(1) Why are some people against space exploration?
____________________________________________________________________________
(2) What has space exploration done for food production?
____________________________________________________________________________
(3) What did the pictures of Earth from space make people realise?
____________________________________________________________________________
(4) How does space exploration benefit the products that people use nowadays?
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Study the organisation and language features.
(1) Read the first paragraph and underline the different opinions about space exploration.
____________________________________________________________________________
(2) Find the three topic sentences that summarise the writer’s arguments about space exploration.
____________________________________________________________________________
(3) Underline the sentence that repeats the writer’s opinion in the last paragraph.
____________________________________________________________________________

5 . WHY DO WE CELEBRATE FESTIVALS?

Festivals are celebrated all around the world. They have a wide range of origins, such as the seasons of the year, religions, famous figures, and important events. Every festival has its different customs and unique charms. However, no matter how different they may seem, all over the world, the spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace is common in all festivals.

Of all the traditional festivals, the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture. This important agricultural festival takes place after all the crops have been gathered in. People celebrate to show that they are grateful for the year’s supply of food. In ancient Egypt, the harvest festival was celebrated during the springtime— the Egyptian harvest season. It featured a parade and a great feast with music, dancing, and sports. Today, in some European countries, people decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruit, and get together to celebrate over a meal. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, families gather to admire the shining moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes.

Customs play a significant role in festivals, but sometimes they can change over time. With the development of modern society and the spread of new ideas, some traditions may fade away and others may be established. One example is the typical Chinese Spring Festival custom of lighting firecrackers to drive away the evil spirits and celebrate the new year. Nowadays, many big cities have given up this custom in order to avoid air pollution. Another example is Halloween, which slowly became an exciting festival for children, in spite of its religious origins.

Festivals are becoming more and more commercial, with businesses taking advantage of the celebrations. Online shopping websites and social media apps have made it much easier for the public to spend more on gifts for their loved ones. Although some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness.

Festivals are an important part of society. They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life. They are occasions that allow us to relax and enjoy life, and forget about our work for a little while. They help us understand where we came from, who we are, and what to appreciate. And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.

1. 语篇结构

(1)________ (2)________ (3)________ (4)________
2. Which of the following is the common spirit of all festivals?

A．Enjoying a peaceful life.	B．Showing respect.
C．Honouring ancestors.	D．Sharing happiness.

3. When did the harvest festival take place in ancient Egypt?

A．In spring.

B．In summer.

C．In autumn.

D．In winter.

4. What change can we experience during the Spring Festival?

A．No one believes there exist evil spirits.

B．Many celebrations are held abroad.

C．People pay more attention to their environment.

D．People have ignored the traditional customs.

6 . Wednesday, 21 June

Today was my first day back in San Francisco after camping in the Redwood Forest and visiting the wine country of Napa Valley. I have to admit that it definitely feels good to be back in the city again. And what a city—a city that was able to rebuild itself after the earthquake that occurred in 1906. There are so many beautiful old buildings—many sitting on top of big hills, offering great views of the city, the ocean, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

My hotel is near downtown, in the Mission District, one of the oldest parts of the city. Many of the people living here are from Mexico or Central America. This district used to be a poor area of town, but is now a centre for art, music, and food. In fact, an art movement called the “Mission School” started here.

It’s influenced by graffiti art and comic art. I walked around looking at the street art for a few hours. It was quite modern and lively. Afterwards, I ate some delicious Mexican-Chinese noodles from a food truck. A real mix of cultures here!

In the afternoon, I headed to a local museum that showed the historical changes in California. I learnt that America got California from Mexico in 1848. In the same year, gold was discovered near San Francisco, which started a gold rush. Over 300,000 people came from all over the world to seek their fortune, and San Francisco quickly became a big city. Many Chinese arrived during this period. To earn a living, some opened up shops and restaurants in Chinatown. Many others found jobs on farms, joined the gold rush, or went to build the railway that joined California to the eastern region of the country. The museum did a really good job of showing how America was built by immigrants from different countries and cultures. When these immigrants left their countries, they carried a bit of home in their hearts, and built a new home here.

This evening, I went to Chinatown. There were so many good cafés and restaurants to choose from. I selected a Cantonese restaurant that served its food on beautiful china plates. What great food!

That’s enough for today. Tomorrow evening, I’m going to a jazz bar in the Richmond District. Can’t wait!

1. What is the writer’s general impression of San Francisco?

A．Impressive.

B．Just so-so.

C．Strange.

D．Surprising.

2. What is the Mission District most famous for?

A．Its population.

B．Its history.

C．Its cultures.

D．Its liveliness.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To share an interesting experience.

B．To show the hardships of the immigrants.

C．To attract the readers to visit San Francisco.

D．To introduce San Francisco with diverse cultures.

7 . 【课本改编题】
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。

Lin Qiaozhi was     1     (know) as the “mother of ten thousand babies” because she had delivered over 50,000 babies in her lifetime. When she was 18 years old, she     2     (choose) to study medicine against her brother’s will. Eight years later, she graduated     3     Peking Union Medical College and immediately became     4     first woman to be hired as a resident physician in the OB-GYN department of the PUMC Hospital. After working for several years, she     5     (send) to study in Europe and then in 1939, in the US. She     6     (great) impressed her American colleagues,     7     invited her to stay. However, Lin rejected the offer and returned to China. Then during the war, she opened her own clinic     8     (help) the patients. After the foundation of the new People’s Republic of China, she held many important     9     (position), but she was more interested in     10     (tend) patients. Dr Lin didn’t retire until the day she died, 22 April 1983.

9 . [课本原文]

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England—many people are confused by what these different names mean. So what is the difference between them, if any? Getting to know a little bit about British history will help you solve this puzzle.

In the 16th century, the nearby country of Wales was joined to the Kingdom of England. Later, in the 18th century, the country Scotland was joined to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Ireland was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, in the 20th century, the southern part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which resulted in the full name we have today: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Most people just use the shortened name: “the United Kingdom” or “the UK”. People from the UK are called “British”, which means the UK is also often referred to as Britain or Great Britain.

The four countries that belong to the United Kingdom work together in some areas. They use the same flag, known as the Union Jack, as well as share the same currency and military defence. However, they also have some differences. For example, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all have different education systems and legal systems. They also have their own traditions, like their own national days and national dishes. And they even have their own football teams for competitions like the World Cup!

The United Kingdom has a long and interesting history to explore, which can help you understand much more about the country and its traditions. Almost everywhere you go in the UK, you will be surrounded by evidence of four different groups of people who took over at different times throughout history. The first group, the Romans, came in the first century. Some of their great achievements included building towns and roads. Next, the Anglo-Saxons arrived in the fifth century. They introduced the beginnings of the English language, and changed the way people built houses. The Vikings came in the eighth century, left behind lots of new vocabulary, and also the names of many locations across the UK. The last group were the Normans. They conquered England after the well-known Battle of Hastings in the 11th century. They had castles built all around England, and made changes to the legal system. The Normans were French, so many French words slowly entered into the English language.

There is so much more to learn about the interesting history and culture of the United Kingdom. Studying the history of the country will make your visit much more enjoyable. The capital city London is a great place to start, as it is an ancient port city that has a history dating all the way back to Roman times. There are countless historic sites to explore, and lots of museums with ancient relics from all over the UK. The UK is a fascinating mix of history and modern culture, with both new and old traditions. If you keep your eyes open, you will be surprised to find that you can see both its past and its present.

1. Go through the passage and answer the questions. 浏览文章并回答问题。
（1）What is the full name of the UK we speak today?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
（2）In what areas the four countries that belong to the United Kingdom work together?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
（3）What can we understand by exploring the long and interesting history of the United Kingdom?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
（4）What will you see if you are in the UK?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Read the third paragraph and fill the blanks. 读第三段并填空。

the similarities of the four countries	the differences of the four countries
flag known as___________	___________system and___________system
currency	traditions: ___________days and___________
military___________	football teams

3. Read the second and the fourth paragraphs and answer the following questions. 阅读第二和第四段并回答下列问题。
（1）When was Wales joined to the Kingdom of England?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
（2）In the 19th century, which kingdom was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
（3）What were the achievements left behind Romans?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
（4）Which group of people made changes to the legal system? Besides this, what did they do when they came?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. 课文结构图。

（1）_________（2）_________（3）_________（4）_________（5）_________（6）_________

10 . 课本原文

THE CHINESE WRITING SYSTEM:

CONNECTING THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

China is widely known for its ancient civilisation which has continued all the way through into modem times, despite the many ups and downs in its history. There are many reasons why this has been possible, but one of the main factors has been the Chinese writing system.

At the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-based language. it dates back several thousand years to the use of longgu-animal bones and shells on which symbols were carved by ancient Chinese people.Some of the ancient symbols can still be seen in today’s hanzi.

By the Shang Dynasty (around 16001046 BC), these symbols had become a well-developed writing system. Over the years, the system developed into different forms, as it was a time when people were divided geographically,leading to many varieties of dialects and characters. This, however, changed under Emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynusty (221-207 BC).

Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one unified country where the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. That writing system was of great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture. Even today, no matter where Chinese people live or what dialect they speak, they can all still communicate in writing.

Written Chinese has also become an important means by which China's present is connected with its past. People in modem times can read the classic works which were written by Chinese in ancient times. The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be seen in the development of Chinese characters as an art form, known as Chinese calligraphy, which has become an important part of Chinese culture.

Today, the Chinese writing system is still an important part of Chinese culture. As China plays a greater role in global affairs, an increasing number of international students are beginning to appreciate China's culture and history through this amazing language.

1. 补全思维导图

____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
2. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 1?

A．To introduce the Chinese writing system.

B．To introduce the ancient Chinese civilisation.

C．To introduce the factors that have carried the Chinese civilisation forward.

D．To introduce the hardships that the Chinese civilization has gone through.

3. Why is Emperor Qinshihuang mentioned in this passage?

A．He created the Chinese writing system.

B．He was the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty.

C．He encouraged people to use different forms of dialects.

D．Written Chinese became a unified language in his ruling period.

4. What’s the main idea of this passage?

A．The Chinese language is a form of art.

B．China is well-known for its ancient civilisation.

C．More and more foreigners are beginning to learn Chinese.

D．The Chinese writing system has contributed to the Chinese civilisation.