1 . When you think of a map, is north on the top or the bottom? Usually, maps are designed with north on top, though when we think about it, there is no logical reason for this bias (偏见). After all, there is no up or down in space. So what is wrong with south, east or west being on the top of the map? The answer is: nothing at all. In fact, north-up maps only became the norm in the last few hundred years.
Ancient Egyptian maps had south at the top because the Nile River flows downhill from mountains in the south to the Mediterranean Sea in the north. Mecca was to the south of most early Muslim civilizations, and south-up maps were designed so that viewers would look up to see Mecca. Medieval Christian maps had east at the top, as they believed the Garden of Eden was in the east. The only early maps that had north at the top were those of early China because the emperor lived in the north.
North seems to have settled at the top of maps during the 16th century, largely thanks to a Flemish mapmaker, Mercator. Mercator was a great admirer of an early Greek mapmaker, who, for reasons now unknown, put north at the top of maps, so Mercator did, too. When Mercator’s world map became the standard map to navigate the oceans, north up became standard as well.
What is the implication of this north-view of the world? Psychologically, people tend to think of up as good and down as bad. Just think of words and phrases like “upmarket”, “upbeat” and “moving up in the world”, and how they contrast with their opposites. Because north is so consistently put at the top of maps, people now think of north as good, too.
Several attempts have been made in recent years by introducing south-up maps to the market. These maps not only give us a chance to see the world differently, but also give everyone the chance to see themselves on top.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?A.North-up maps were rare in ancient times. |
B.Deciding up or down in space is ridiculous. |
C.Mecca maps were based on a legend. |
D.The south-up map first appeared in ancient Egypt. |
A.An illogical reason. | B.The spread of Mercator’s maps. |
C.People’s preference for up. | D.An age-old tradition in Greece. |
A.Cautious. | B.Supportive. | C.Uncaring. | D.Disapproving. |
A.To criticize a phenomenon. | B.To compare various facts. |
C.To correct a cultural bias. | D.To argue for a viewpoint. |
Last Saturday, David was taking a walk in the park near his home when he noticed a woman with a boy of about eight years old. When David passed them, he heard the woman yell. “How stupid you are! You’re good at nothing.” David stopped and looked at the little boy. The boy said nothing. He just stood there, looking upset.
David was reminded of his English teacher Mrs Brown in middle school. After he entered a middle school, David lacked self-confidence because he was often made fun of by others. He was often told that he was good at nothing, which David behaved. But one day it all changed.
One day, in an English writing class, Mrs Brown asked them to read a novel. They were asked to write a new chapter of the novel after they finished reading it. A few days later, David handed in his story. He didn’t give it much thought. But the next day, to his surprise, the comment “well done” from Mrs Brown came into view the moment he turned to the page where the story was written. When David read that, he almost burst into tears. He never expected to be praised one day. He suddenly gained some self-confidence.
That day after he returned home, he wrote a short story and gave it to Mrs Brown the next morning. And again he was praised. David became very interested in writing. He often wrote short stories and asked Mrs Brown to read them improve writing skills. One year later, David joined the school newspaper and became an editor of it. He was no longer that boy who lacked self-confidence. He gained his confidence, and was hopeful about his future.
He succeeded in entering a college and kept writing. Several years after graduating from college, he had his first book published. With some more books coming out, he became famous as a writer in his country. And he owed his success to Mrs Brown’s encouragement. Without her encouragement, his life might be very different now.
注意:1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Inspired by his own life story, David decided to do something for that boy.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The mother was ashamed when she heard that.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1. Why did the speaker go on the tour?
A.It was the prize of a competition. |
B.John asked her to go with him. |
C.It was her travel plan. |
A.The drinks. | B.The food. | C.The waiters. |
A.Disappointing. | B.Amazing. | C.Terrible. |
A.She rode an elephant. |
B.She went to the mountains. |
C.She relaxed in the hotel. |
1. When did the man’s boss call Jeff?
A.In the morning. | B.In the afternoon. | C.In the evening. |
A.Over the phone. | B.By e-mail. | C.In person. |
A.He was sick. |
B.He was off the day. |
C.He was working somewhere else. |
A.Excited. | B.Angry. | C.Surprised. |
1. What are the speakers doing?
A.Discussing their schedule. |
B.Packing for a journey. |
C.Deciding on a present. |
A.Swimming. | B.Playing basketball. | C.Reading books on modern art. |
A.Find a basketball. | B.Leave home. | C.Call a taxi. |
1. What do we know about the man?
A.He is hard-working. |
B.He likes making things. |
C.He paid $50 for the bookcase. |
A.He told a joke. |
B.He made a future plan. |
C.He asked the woman for help. |
A.What the man’s hobby is. |
B.Whether the man learned drawing. |
C.When the man went to high school. |
1. What did Jena forget to do?
A.Tell the woman about the man’s call. |
B.Make an appointment with the man. |
C.Take her cell phone with her. |
A.Go and visit Jena. |
B.Have dinner with the man. |
C.Make a phone call to her sister. |
A.By filling out the form for her. |
B.By telling her his personal information. |
C.By reading the information on the form. |
A.Teacher and student. | B.Doctor and patient. | C.Classmates. |