1 . London Cycle Hire Scheme
Renting a bike is not only one of the most pleasant ways to travel around the back streets of London, it’s also one of the cheapest. Approximately 12,000 bikes are available to rent 24 hours a day, all year round. You can hire a bike from any of the 800 docking stations and return it anywhere on the network. The three-speed bikes are pretty strong. They come with a bell, a front basket and a chain guard. The front and back lights come on when you start pedalling and the seat height is easily adjustable.
How much does it cost?
Unfortunately, the free under-30-mimite-ride deal was canceled in September 2022.
• £ 1.65 per 30 minutes
How to hire a bike?
There are two ways to hire a bike—at a clocking station terminal or via an app (the easier way).
At a docking station
• Touch the screen and insert a credit or debit card. The machine will print a receipt with a release code.
• Enter the release code. Wait until the green light flashes, pull out your bike and go.
Via the Santander cycle hire app
Smartphone users can now use an iOS or Android app to hire and pay for a hike. However, using the app does not reserve a bike. You still only have 10 minutes to use the release code, so make sure you’re near the docking station when you use it.
Please note: You have to be 18 or over to pay for a bike. You also need a credit or debit card — cash is not accepted.
1. How much should you pay for renting a bike for 2 hours?| A．£1.65. | B．£ 3.3. | C．£4.95. | D．£ 6.6. |
| A．Providing your personal information. | B．Taking enough cash. |
| C．Minding the time limit. | D．Making a reservation. |
| A．Bike rental service. | B．A docking station. | C．Traveling in London. | D．A bike hiring app. |
2 . Nothing like a big test makes students feel fear and anxiety. Wanting to study is one thing, but it can be difficult to do without the proper guidance.
Calm down. Don’t panic (惊慌失措). Panic will only make your situation worse. You will be focusing on the fear, and not the coming test.
Make a study plan. People who make a detailed study plan often have an easier time of their studies. When making a study plan, calculate (计算) the amount of time you have left before the exam date. Is the exam in a month? Did the teacher spring the test on you suddenly? Is it a mid-year exam that has been waiting since the start of the year?
Take notes and ask questions. If you come across a part you can’t understand, write it down. Ask your teacher either during class or during office hours. And don’t worry — you aren’t stupid if you ask questions.
| A．Find out your study methods. |
| B．Make use of different resources. |
| C．It’s important to build good study skills. |
| D．Questions mean that you’re actively learning. |
| E．Many times, fear can even prevent you doing well. |
| F．The fear of asking questions grows if you are anxious. |
| G．Depending on the time, make your study plan long or short. |
3 . Jenna had a secret. Her mum is the head teacher of her school. She didn’t want anyone to know this as her classmates would think that she got special treatment. Not even her friends knew about it. When her friends asked to go to her house, she just refused and said that her parents didn’t allow her to invite guests.
“Bring Your Mum to School” day was coming. Jenna usually told her friends in the past that her mum was out of town. “What does your mum do?” her friends asked. “She is a researcher, so she travels a lot.” Funnily enough, Jenna’s mum was always at “Bring Your Mum to School” day at her high school. A teacher once asked her, “Do you have a daughter?” Jenna’s mum said, “Yes, she is in college now.”
Jenna was very close to getting an A in her calculus (微积分) class. There was only one exam left. Jenna would have to get 100% on the exam to push her grade to an A. The teacher offered the students extra credits (附加分) if they brought their mum to the class on the “Bring Your Mum to School” day. Jenna told her mum that she wanted to tell everyone about their relationship. Jenna’s mum agreed. On “Bring Your Mum to School” day, Jenna brought her mum to her calculus class. She felt her heart was beating fast. She was afraid her classmates would not talk to her because she had told a lie. “Hi, our head teacher. What brings you here?” asked the calculus teacher. “I’m Jenna’s mum,” she answered. All the students in the classroom were surprised and they told Jenna she had a cool mother.
1. Why did Jenna refuse to take her friends to her home?| A．She tried to hide her mum’s identity. | B．She didn’t like her friends. |
| C．Her parents didn’t welcome guests. | D．Her house was too far away. |
| A．She is quite funny. | B．She likes travelling. |
| C．She lied about her daughter. | D．She dislikes the school day. |
| A．Surprised. | B．Proud. | C．Worried. | D．Calm. |
| A．Jenna’s Classmates | B．Jenna’s Secret | C．An Interesting Lesson | D．A Head Teacher |
4 . During my visit to Xi’an, 1 met with a strange instrument. It has a loud and high-pitched (声调高的) sound, and is often used in traditional Chinese music ensembles (乐团), especially those that perform outdoors,
Actually, the suona is a loud Chinese instrument, It’s loud and high-pitched sound is perfect for outdoor performances.
The suona only has eight holes, and breath and fingers (手指) are all a performer depends on lo control the pitch and tone (音质).
| A．Actually, it is difficult to master the suona. |
| B．The suona is beyond a musical instrument |
| C．The sound of the suona is also endangered. |
| D．It was used for festivals and military (军事的) purposes. |
| E．The suona was firstly introduced to China from Central Asia. |
| F．People use a metal mouthpiece to make an even louder sound. |
| G．I didn’t know the name of the instrument, so l asked my Chinese friend. |
5 . Learning English can be hard, but don’t give up! With enough practice and right ways, you can learn the language well.
Watch movies and TV shows in English.
Read a book, newspaper or magazine in English.
Find a pen-pal (笔友) who is a native English speaker. Once your written English has improved, you could consider getting an English-speaking pen-pal! Your pen-pal could be a native English speaker who wants to practice their foreign language skills by writing to you in your native language. Meanwhile you can talk with your pen-pal in English.
| A．Keep a diary in English |
| B．Here are some tips for you |
| C．Develop good speaking and writing skills |
| D．Studying a language is not just for your future |
| E．Reading is a great way to improve your English |
| F．In this way you can learn more about each other |
| G．Try to pick movies or TV shows that you will enjoy |
6 . If you try to come back too soon after an injury, you run the great risk of re-injuring yourself—maybe even more seriously than before. If you come back to a sport after a long break, slowly increase your activity level by 10% each week until you reach your optimal fitness level. Don’t let anyone force you to play before you become well again. Your doctor or coach will give you specific advice on when to return to your sport.
Taking time to get well is very important if you’ve had a concussion (脑震荡). Lots of athletes try to come back too quickly after getting a concussion—because they can’t see an injury. They think they’re ready to play. But jumping back into the game too soon puts a player at greater risk for another concussion, and other even more dangerous brain injuries. It’s a rule in many states to get clearance from your doctor to play again if you’ve had a concussion. Your doctor will come up with a specific plan for you.
Many athletes use pain killers to avoid pain. If you feel a lasting pain, don’t use pain killers to ease it, though. Taking large numbers of pain killers—or, worse yet, taking pain killers over a long period of time in order to play—can be dangerous. Pain is the body’s way of showing that something is wrong. If you have pain, talk to your doctor.
The same advice goes for a cold—don’t play if you’re sick. You won’t be able to concentrate if your nose is running faster than you are, which will put you at risk of injury. You may spread the cold to the rest of your teammates. It’s better to wait until you feel better, so you can have a safe season.
1. Which is the closest in meaning to “optimal” in the first paragraph?| A．Extra. | B．Slow. | C．Best. | D．Latest. |
| A．It leaves most athletes stressed. | B．It is often required by the coach. |
| C．It will influence team members. | D．It might lead to further injuries. |
| A．Turn to doctors for help. | B．Rest for a long time. |
| C．Take some pain killers. | D．Exercise to avoid it. |
| A．A history book. | B．A health magazine. |
| C．A research paper. | D．A news report. |
7 . On Sept. 2, 2012, the dog Hunter passed away over the Rainbow Bridge at about 15 years old. He was so sweet and gentle. I rescued him from HELP in 2001 when he was about three (after his second visit to HELP). I went to his foster (代养的) home in North Aurora. His foster mom said she just gave him a shower, so he would be presentable. I walked through the door and there were many dogs and toys. I never understood why he came to the shelter twice. He did get two pieces of bread from the table and put them on the floor, but that was my carelessness and I quickly learned that. No more problems.
On the way home that day, I promised him he was home for good and he would never have to worry again—I would love him till the end. That was the best move I had ever made. I just lost my dog Bo two months ago. Now Hunter brought sunshine into my life and saved me. Near the end of his life, I was able to repay him for all he had done for me.
I do not remember his foster mom’s name. I promised to send the latest information to her, but lost her email address. I wish I could tell her what a good dog Hunter turned out to be, but I’m sure she already knew that. If she is still a foster mom, perhaps she will read this.
I should have written this long ago. How time flies! Hunter was the finest dog I had ever raised. We shared thousands of miles on the trail (小径). Everyone who ever met him fell in love with him.
1. Why did the author get to the foster home?| A．To save a poor dog. | B．To buy some bread. |
| C．To meet his friend. | D．To treat a sick pet. |
| A．Carefree. | B．Regretful. | C．Thankful. | D．Nervous. |
| A．He missed his home. | B．He was well-loved. |
| C．He often acted badly. | D．He was lost on the road. |
| A．To present a hotline. | B．To share his social skills. |
| C．To remember a dog. | D．To show his love of wildlife. |
8 . Feeling stressed is a common experience for everyone. When you feel stressed, there are things you can do to help yourself through it.
One way to address stress is by talking about the problem with a trusted adult or friend. Sharing what’s in your mind can lessen some of the stress and help you come up with solutions. Keeping a problem to yourself can add to your stress, so it’s good to open up to someone you trust.
Developing an “I’ve got this” attitude can also be helpful when facing stressful situations. Many people feel anxious or nervous before important events such as tests or tryouts. Instead of letting these feelings hold you back, accept them as a way to help you prepare. You can use physical (身体的) movements like shaking out your arms to channel (疏导) some of the stress energy. Remind yourself that you have the ability to handle the situation, develop your confidence, take a deep breath, and give it your best try.
Putting your feelings into words can be wonderful for managing stress. By expressing your feelings without using harmful words or actions, you can make better decisions. Take a moment to recognize your feelings and find words to describe them and the reasons behind them. Describing your feelings to someone else or even to yourself can help reduce stress.
Besides, taking part in activities is useful. Physical activities like dancing, or playing sports reduce stress and bring about a sense of well-being. If you prefer a calm mood (心情), deep breathing exercises, listening to music, keeping a diary, or spending time with a pet can help you relax. Doing what you enjoy or being around people who you like, admire or love can help.
1. What can we learn from paragraph 2?| A．Opening up helps our mind. | B．Sharing our thought is stressful. |
| C．It is easy to talk to a stranger. | D．It is hard to find the cause of stress. |
| A．Following others’ advice. | B．Making everything perfect. |
| C．Achieving goals as expected. | D．Facing challenges bravely. |
| A．It is a waste of time. | B．It can lift our spirits. |
| C．It is the most useful. | D．It gets us connected. |
| A．How to Manage Stress | B．Why Stress Matters |
| C．When to Control Stress | D．What Stress Means |
1. How much should a couple with a child aged four pay to visit The Beatles Story?
| A．£22.95. | B．£27.95. | C．£31.90. | D．£38.90. |
| A．It’s closed on weekends. | B．It’s open to the public for free. |
| C．It puts on a play every day. | D．It was designed and built in 2008. |
| A．Watch a football match. | B．Take a boat tour. |
| C．Find out about The Beatles. | D．Enjoy some coffee. |
10 . In the 19th century, tuberculosis (肺结核) epidemics were spreading over Europe and the United States, killing an estimated one out of seven people. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates called it “the most considerable of the diseases.”
The fight against tuberculosis reached a turning point on March 24, 1882, in a small meeting room of the German Physiological Society at Berlin. A doctor named Robert Koch used more than 200 microscopic preparations to identify the bacterium that causes tuberculosis: tubercle bacillus.
In 1872, Koch took up the post of district physician in what is today Wolsztyn, Poland. His patients, many of them farmers, were dying from anthrax, an illness that destroyed their cows.
Koch set out to solve the anthrax riddle. First, Koch visited anthrax-stricken farms to observe the cows. He witnessed how a healthy animal would die in a matter of days as its blood turned black. People in close contact with sick cows and sheep also fell ill. Examining drops of black blood from dead cows under his microscope, Koch spotted structures shaped like thin grains of rice, which blood from healthy animals did not have. These germs were Bacillus anthracis.
To see if the bacteria were the cause of the illness, Koch designed his own testing methods. First, he soaked (浸泡) a wood splinter (碎片) with a sick animal’s blood; then he made a small cut at the base of each mouse’s tail and inserted (插入) the splinter into their bodies. The next morning, the mice were dead. When Koch checked their bodies, he found the same microscopic structures in their blood.
In 1880, Koch’s team perfected his plate technique (技术) for generating pure cultures of bacteria, which was crucial in identifying the cause of tuberculosis. In 1890, he announced he had found the cure for tuberculosis. He called the medicine tuberculin, a substance taken from tubercle bacilli. The news gave rise to enormous hope around the world, but tuberculin turned out to be a major disappointment. More than ineffective, it even contributed to the death of some patients. To this day, no completely effective vaccine for tuberculosis has been found, but tuberculin has become a crucial part of testing for the disease.
1. Why does the author mention Hippocrates in paragraph 1?| A．To introduce the spread of tuberculosis. |
| B．To show the huge impact of tuberculosis. |
| C．To explain the concept of tuberculosis. |
| D．To describe the history of tuberculosis. |
| A．People found a cure for anthrax. |
| B．Fewer people died from tuberculosis. |
| C．Tuberculosis-causing bacteria were recognized. |
| D．Anthrax stopped spreading beyond animals. |
| A．He fed a mouse with a dead cow’s food. |
| B．He inserted a wood splinter into a cow’s tail. |
| C．He infected healthy mice with a sick animal’s blood. |
| D．He examined a dead person’s blood under his microscope. |
| A．It has cured many people. |
| B．It was taken from healthy people. |
| C．It was an effective tuberculosis vaccine. |
| D．It has been used in testing for tuberculosis. |
