1 . There are thousands of languages in the world. But which language is the oldest? Experts use different methods to find out the age of a language.

Finding the oldest language is a challenging task, according to Danny Hieber, an expert in the study of endangered languages. “If we think that most languages can date back to an original human language, all languages are equally old,” Hieber said. However, it’s impossible to find out such language —the direct ancestor of every language in the world. Accordingly, some experts believe that the “oldest language” should belong to one with a well-established written record.

Many of the earliest recorded examples of writing come from languages that used cuneiform script (楔形文字). Among these languages are Sumerian and Akkadian, both dating back at least 4,600 years. Experts have also found Egyptian hieroglyphs that date to around the same historical period. These hieroglyphs, which can be translated into “He has united the Two Lands for his son, Dual King Peribsen,” are considered the earliest complete sentence ever discovered.

Experts generally agree that Sumerian, Akkadian and Egyptian are the oldest languages with a clear written record. All three are extinct, meaning that they are no longer used and don’t have any living followers which can carry the language to the next generation.

As for the oldest language that is still spoken, several competitors appear. Hebrew and Arabic stand out among such languages for having timelines that experts can reasonably find, according to Hieber. Although these earliest written languages only date back around 3,000 years, Hieber said, “both of them belong to the Afroasiatic language family, whose roots date back to 18, 000 to 8,000 B. C. E. , or about 20,000 to 10,000 years ago.” Even with this wide period of time, it is widely accepted that Afroasiatic is the oldest language family. But the exact point in time when Hebrew and Arabic separated from other Afroasiatic languages is heavily debated among experts.

1. How do experts determine the age of a language?

A．By studying its spoken dialects.	B．By analyzing its basic grammar.
C．By examining its written records.	D．By comparing it to other languages.

2. What is the value of the Egyptian hieroglyphs?

A．They’re an example of cuneiform script.	B．They belong to the Afroasiatic language.
C．They provide evidence of the oldest language.	D．They’re the earliest-known complete sentences.

3. What does the underlined word “extinct” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Gone

B．Ancient.

C．Outdated.

D．Active.

4. What is the main disagreement among experts regarding Hebrew and Arabic?

A．The reason for their standing out.	B．The exact time of their separation.
C．The appearance of their competitors.	D．The roots of earliest written languages.

2 . 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。

Tai Chi is par of China’s traditional culture. It is a unique type of Chinese kung fu marked with slow and gentle movements    1     are designed for self-protection, strengthening of body and prevention of diseases. Tai Chi’s movements with deep breathing and relaxation can help promote inner peace and calm, so it is suitable    2     people of different ages.

Tai Chi    3    (date) back as far as 2, 500 years. It is said that Zhang Sanfeng, a 13th-century Taoist, invented Tai Chi after watching     4     fight between a snake and a bird. However, more people tend to believe that Tai Chi     5     (develop) on the basis of martial arts skills by Chen Wangting, a l7th-century master of Chinese martial arts.   

In general, it is believed that Tai Chi can slow down aging, strengthen muscles, and aid in the treatment of heart disease, skin diseases and many other    6     (illness). Besides, Tai Chi can improve mood if people are worried or depressed. According to some studies,     7    (practice) Tai Chi on a daily basis can also help people get a     8     (good) sleep. With so many benefits of Tai Chi, more and more people begin to pick up this     9     (amaze) Chinese traditional sport to improve the quality of     10     (they) life.

3 . Not all birds sing, but some species(物种)do it a lot. They sing to protect their place and impress possible mates (配偶). “Why birds sing is relatively well-answered,” says Iris Adam, a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of Southern Denmark. The big question was:Why do birds sing so often?

In a new study, Adam and her team members offer a new explanation, suggesting that songbirds may have to sing a lot to give their vocal (声音的) muscles the regular exercise they need to produce top-quality song. These findings could be related to human voices too. “Anytime you stop speaking, you might experience a loss in vocal performance,” said Adam, “songbirds one day could help us improve how we train and restore our own voices.”

To figure out whether the muscles that produce birdsong require daily exercise, Adam designed a set of experiments on zebra finches.

One of her first experiments was about taking males at the top of their game, and cutting off the connection between their brains and singing muscles. “After two days, they had lost some of their performance,” she said. “And after three weeks, they were back to the same level when they were young and never had sung before.”

Next she prevented the birds from singing for a week by keeping them in the dark almost around the clock. After a week, the birds’ vocal muscles lost half their strength. When she played it for a group of female birds, six out of nine preferred the song that came from a male who’d been using his singing muscles daily.

Adam’s finding is that “songbirds need to exercise their vocal muscles to produce top-performance song. If they don’t sing, they lose performance, and they get less attractive to females.”

It’s a good rule to live by, whether you’re a bird or a human — practice makes perfect, at least when it comes to singing one’s heart out.

1. What’s the focus of Adam and her team members’ study?

A．How birds train their vocal muscles.

B．The effect of music on birds’ behaviour.

C．The relationship between brain function and birds’ song.

D．Whether birds need to sing often to keep their singing ability.

2. What was the effect of preventing the birds from singing for a week?

A．Their vocal muscles became stronger.

B．They became more attractive to females.

C．Their vocal muscles lost half their strength.

D．They didn’t show any change in singing performance.

3. How did the female birds react to the male bird using vocal muscles daily?

A．They did not show any preference.

B．Most of them preferred his song.

C．They found his song less attractive.

D．None of them were interested in his song.

4. What’s the main message conveyed by the study?

A．Birds need to sing to impress possible mates.

B．Birds sing to mark their place and attract females.

C．Regular exercise is for keeping birds’ singing performance.

D．Human singing performance can be improved by studying songs.

4 . We’re about 4 miles from Gallaudet University, where Solomon is a professor of biology. She and a student -Anna McCall -are taking a small boat to collect water samples from the Anacostin River. The river is no more than 8 miles long, but it goes through and around Washington DC.

For months, Solomon and her students have been testing for oxygen, salt levels and chlorophyll (叶绿素) in the river to judge is present state of health, which unfortunately appears to be poor.

To McCall, who was born deaf, Solomon is more than a role model. She’s a great teacher, strict but fair. McCall said, “if it weren’t for Solomon, I couldn’t imagine doing this kind of work.”

Solomon was the only deaf person in her family. In school, she was always good at math and science, but her interest in the environment didn’t develop until she was a teenager.

“When I was in high school, my dad was a visiting professor at the U. S. Naval Academy,” Solomon said. “We rented a house by a small river. We weren’t able to swim in the river because it was too polluted. ”

Solomon, who won 13 gold medals in swimming in the Deaflympics, would never forget that polluted river near her house. A career in science and environmental studies became her passion. But she also found another passion (热情): “How can I influence other deaf and hard-of-hearing students?”

It was a question based on Solomon’s own experience as a college student, first as an undergraduate (本科生) at Harvard, then as a graduate student at the University of Washington.   These were schools where she was usually the only deaf person in the class.

Training the next generation of biologists who happen to be deaf has become Solomon’s goal, and for that she has received high praise at Gallaudet. Not because she’s an especially gifted teacher, but because she has learned how to get her students to focus on what they’re capable of not what they’re limited by.

1. What can we learn about Anna McCall?

A．She is a deaf student of Solomon’s.

B．She is a role model for all students.

C．She is a river cleaner in Washington DC.

D．She is a professor at Gallaudet University

2. Which of the following words best describe Solomon as a teenager?

A．Honest and brave.	B．Passionate and positive.
C．Patient and powerful	D．Selfless and careful

3. Why has Solomon received high praise at Gallaudet?

A．Because she has been very strict with her students.

B．Because she has a natural ability to be a good teacher

C．Because she has helped her students develop their abilities

D．Because she has helped her students know their limitations

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．How to Take Water Samples of a River

B．How to Become a Successful Biologist

C．Train the Next Generation of Biologists

D．Teach Deaf Students They Can Do Anything

5 . 选词填空

sweep away, as if, in ruins, be responsible for, date back to, rather than, defer to, in shock

1. The Mexican boy usually_______ (更喜欢) use his hands instead of eating with tools.
2. By apologizing, parents teach their kids the importance of_______ (对……负责) one’s behavior.
3. Once I started thinking about fitness_______ (而不是) weight, things began to change.
4. The kids were very friendly with her and even looked up to her_______ (好像) she were their mother
5. Within fifteen terrible seconds, a large city lay_______ (沦为废墟).
6. Chinese tea-drinking culture has a long history which________ (追溯到) more than 1,000 years ago.
7. Fishermen, tourists, hotels and cars_______ (被冲走) by huge waves caused by the strong earthquake that reached a magnitude of 9.0.

6 . Chances are that you have spent way too much time in front of your screen in the past few months. This year, let’s get outdoors. Below are a few places that’ll have you feeling refreshed.

The classic: Vermont

In Vermont, nature always takes center stage. Whether it’s the snowy mountains in winter,   the wildflowers in spring, swimming. holes in summer, or the colorful leaves in fall, there’s always something new to explore. Hit the Green Mountains for camping, skiing, and rafting adventures

The relaxing island: Jekyll Island

If you’re looking to relax, Jekyll Island is the place to go. You’ll have seven beaches to choose from. While you’re there, visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which offers tours and educational programs about the preservation of this endangered species.

The hidden gem: Tenerife

Tenerife might not be as well-known as some other islands, but that’ll change soon thanks to new direct flights from the East Coast. It’s packed with natural wonders, vineyards and beaches. Spend the day whale watching and then head out for stargazing at night.

The adventurous pick: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a popular spot that still feels undiscovered. Hike through lava fields or zip line above the jungle for an exciting adventure. Head to the beach with your favorite surfing board, do morning yoga, or simply relax all day. For a taste of local culture, visit a coffee farm or wander through Santa Teresa for drinks with a view.

For more brochures about other package tan-outdoors, contacrt’us at packagetours@travel.org.

1. Which place will attract animal protectors?

A．Tenerife.

B．Vermont.

C．Costa Rica

D．Jekyll Island

2. What can travelers do in Costa Rica?

A．Go skiing.

B．Go surfing.

C．Go camping

D．Go stargazing.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A textbook.

B．A newspaper

C．A travel journal.

D．A travel brochure.

7 . Like most of her schoolmates in rural Zimbabwe, 12-year-old Melisa has just one type of food in the meal container she brings from home. Today she finds____sweet potatoes. Her friend Nyarai has plain rice. Others’ tins ____roasted nuts, dried fish. Or boiled corn. “We bring different foods, but nobody has a______meal,” explains Melisa. Kids with too little food have fainted in class or _____dropped out of school.

But now Melisa and her schoolmates are getting_____when it comes to what they and kids with too little food are getting more, because they are sharing what’s in their tins. At lunch, students_______around the schoolyard in small groups that they call “lunch-tin clubs.” With their parents’_____, they split up their food. Nyarai finds her rice tastier when she shares it with Farisai and Linnet, who share their drink or dried pieces of meat with her. “_________brings variety to the food we eat,” Farisai says. “And it is good for our health too. ”

The clubs also_____ new friendships. Although Dennis and Prince live near each other and are classmates, they_____talked or played together before. Now, Prince says, “We are best friends at school and at home.”

Irene, a student teacher, sees another____to the clubs. Kids now freely share school supplies without quarreling. The school does not have enough for everyone, so two kids may sit on one chair, and four may use the ____book. “It’s difficult to share food when you are________” Irene says. “If you can do that, it becomes_____to share many other things.” TheLunch-Tin clubs contributes to sharing food and forming_______.

1.

A．uncooked

B．eaten

C．boiled

D．incomplete

2.

A．hold

B．cover

C．press

D．roll

3.

A．specific

B．complete

C．similar

D．classic

4.

A．even

B．suddenly

C．hardly

D．ever

5.

A．advice

B．strength

C．money

D．variety

6.

A．walk

B．sit

C．look

D．gather

7.

A．attention

B．care

C．permission

D．hope

8.

A．Exploring

B．Sharing

C．Delivering

D．Working

9.

A．wish

B．suggest

C．encourage

D．change

10.

A．gradually

B．often

C．really

D．rarely

11.

A．benefit

B．help

C．way

D．success

12.

A．new

B．same

C．old

D．different

13.

A．sad

B．excited

C．hungry

D．comfortable

14.

A．wiser

B．easier

C．harder

D．calmer

15.

A．groups

B．habits

C．methods

D．friendships

8 . How to Host a Book Swap

If you love the written word, you probably have a pile of books somewhere in your home.     1    If you’re becoming alarmed at the price of new books, hold a book swap. The idea is pretty simple Guests bring books to share, and the accumulated books are then redistributed to new owners. If you’ve never held a book swap before, here are a few tips.

Send out invitations. A formal invitation should include the address, date and duration. A 2 to 3 hour party gives everyone a chance to enjoy the time and leave happy.     2    Three books is pretty standard. If you want extras around, don’t set a maximum.

Provide enough space. Some people use one large dining table and start piling up books when they run out of space.     3    They can offer people a chance to consider their selections without having to juggle piles of books while they’re doing it.

    4    To make sure guests can find what interests them, the easiest way to do this is to mart sections on the table for specific types of books. When people arrive, hand out a brief set of instructions, asking them to place their books in the right category.

Make it a party. When you’re in the planning stages, think party and you’ll be one step ahead of the game.     5    Create some good interactions with a little background music. Have an area set aside for coats and bags. Remember, you are hosting a party!

A．Organize books by types.

B．Prepare different kinds of books.

C．Offer food that’s easy to eat in a bite or two

D．However, the area around the book table may be small.

E．But there’s always a new book around that interests you.

F．Actually, a couple of tables can take care of the problem.

G．It’s also a good idea to limit the number of books guests bring

9 . 阅读下面句子，根据中文提示从方框内选择合适的单词，在空白处填入其适当形式。

appeal to       break down       for instance come down with       in summary       regardless of

1. ____________ ( 分 解 ) problems into bite-sized chunks( 块 ) and using code to solve them becomes normal.
2. Television repairman was a common occupation in the 1950s, _____________ (例如).
3. The doctor tells us that this keeps my family from ______________ (患上)frequent colds.
4. _________ (总之), I think it's very important to pay attention to our surrounding environment.
5. Today, we are seeing cooperation of some of the greatest scientific minds, ______ (不管) their location.

10 . You will have a fantastic experience in Quebec. It is full of great festivals for you to enjoy.

Carnaval de Québec

Carnaval de Quebec is one of the largest winter festivals in the world and welcomes celebrators every February. Its week-long programme is packed with a wide range of activities and attractions to delight all ages, which includes countless shows and a host of winter activities like skating and the classic ice boat race.

Festival d’été de Quebec

This huge July festival packs in the crowds — and it’s easy to see why. The festival’s 10-day length means it features an extensive programme that ensures there’s something to suit most musical tastes — with acts ranging from rock and pop to hip-hop and rap. As it matches the Quebéc setting, the festival also features a playlist of top French-speaking acts too.

ComediHa! Fest-Quebec

You’ll have great fun if your visit coincides with (恰逢) this 12-day festival, which brings the laughs every August. Its packed programme of indoor and outdoor shows features everything from top local talent to international acts. The festival, which takes place in Montreal as well as Quebéc City, features no fewer than 500 artists, split between some 350 shows at 15 different venues. So you’ll have every opportunity to slot a show or two during your travels.

Festival d’Opera De Québec

Those who prefer cultural charms won’t miss out during their Quebec visit. The Festival d’Opera de Quebec is held every July to August — two weeks of concerts and musical performances featuring some big-name artists and shows. Since its launch in 2011, it has marked some major milestones.

For further information please click here.

1. Which festival suits a fan for ice sport best?

A．Carnaval de Quebec.	B．Festival d’été de Quebec.
C．ComediHa! Fest-Quebec.	D．Festival d’Opera De Quebec.

2. What is special about ComédiHa! Fest-Quebec?

A．It lasts the longest.	B．It takes place in different cities.
C．It is held in early summer.	D．It offers wonderful performances.

3. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A travel website.	B．A tour guidebook.
C．A geography textbook.	D．An entertainment magazine.