1 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1. Which family holiday does the man recommend?

A．The one on the 18th.

B．The one on the 19th.

C．The one on the 20th.

2. Where will the woman probably go?

A．France.

B．Spain.

C．Greece.

3. What do we know about The Hotel Playa?

A．It is a five-star hotel.

B．It has its own beach.

C．It has a swimming pool.

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。

Do you know what the ballet, jeans, and eyeglasses have in common? They     1     (invent) in Italy. Now, another Italian symbol is making headlines as a possible solution to a huge     2    (environment) problem. In a time when the world searches for ways     3     (reduce) plastic waste, pasta straws might be one of the answers.

Recently, a picture     4    （show）the initiative (倡议) some bars in Italy have been taking was posted on the Internet,     5     has been spreading like crazy.

    6     (interest), there are already a couple of companies that sell pasta straws: Stroodles and The Amazing Pasta Straw. The straws are tasteless while in cold beverage, as they're just made of wheat and water. According to the Stroodles website, the straws last roughly     7     hour before softening up, after which they can be composted (制成堆肥) or even consumed.

"Stroodles is not just a straw company and there is a much     8     (big) picture, as I feel I can leave a long-term impact by creating a ripple effect (连锁反应) by triggering many small challenges all across the world, especially among people that are less conscious     9       sustainability and their respective     10     (act) and behaviors, "company founder Maxim Gelmann said.

3 . I touch my father's shoulder to let him know we're here. But he doesn't _________ me. My daughter Charlotte notices and hides a quiet _________ I start to worry. I wonder whether I should have brought her, but she wants to see him. Like many with autism (自闭症), Charlotte is unafraid of difficult questions. However, she's not used to watching Alzheimer's (阿尔茨海默症)_________ so quickly.

In my mind I beg her _________ not to ask him about dying or memory loss. Now, they face each other across the empty _________. Both look uncertain. My heartbeat _________ the silence between them. Charlotte reaches her hand across the table. Dad looks at it for a long minute, not sure what she's doing. She _________ it there, resting halfway between them. Then instinct (本能) kicks in and he _________ her hand: the dignity of a man who knows this _________ is important while not knowing exactly who we are. Perhaps he is ____________ the need for a kind touch or recognizing an offering that would be rude to ____________.

The two of them remain quiet, holding hands. Every fiber of my being wants to ____________ questions they can ask each other and introduce a topic of ____________ about one of their shared interests.

Despite all the words in my head, something ____________ keeps me quiet. I look at them. Their body language is relaxed, at peace. Neither is straining (拉紧) to talk. And then, out of the silence comes the first ____________.

"I love you, Grandpa."

"I love you, too."

He doesn't speak her name but it doesn't matter. Names aren't all that important.

1.

A．imagine

B．consider

C．recognize

D．trust

2.

A．smile

B．weep

C．secret

D．place

3.

A．spread

B．cause

C．progress

D．rush

4.

A．initially

B．politely

C．merely

D．silently

5.

A．table

B．room

C．bag

D．chair

6.

A．floods

B．makes

C．breaks

D．feels

7.

A．reaches

B．leaves

C．returns

D．hears

8.

A．raises

B．discovers

C．kisses

D．grasps

9.

A．question

B．result

C．gesture

D．hand

10.

A．seeking for

B．paying off

C．responding to

D．calling of

11.

A．Suspect

B．challenge

C．accept

D．decline

12.

A．suggest

B．ask

C．answer

D．guess

13.

A．conversation

B．discussion

C．health

D．interest

14.

A．usual

B．powerful

C．disturbing

D．unbelievable

15.

A．impressions

B．words

C．thoughts

D．sights

4 . The first Earth Day was an inspiration. On that day in 1970, 20 million people turned out to demand the protection and restoration of the Earth, air, water, forests, natural lands, and species that support, sustain and enrich every aspect of our lives. But in recent years, Earth Day hasn’t had quite the same impact.     1     More importantly, it is our common duty to support and defend the Earth every day, not just on Earth Day. Here are two simple but meaningful things you can do that will help protect the Earth for present and future generations.

    2     When you picked up your morning coffee, did it come in a disposable (一次性的)cup? Out shopping, did you take your purchases home in a plastic bag?     3     Next time, plan ahead. Have your own cups, bottles, and bags ready when you need them. This simple act benefits not only the environment but also your own health in important ways.

    4     Reducing your trash at home is another easy daily step with a huge environmental impact. Although recycling is great, actually reducing the amount of waste you produce is even better. One easy and cost-saving place to start is the kitchen. Paper towels have become the norm (常态) for drying hands and cleaning up messes. However, paper towels can’t be recycled and we throw away 3.5 million tons of paper towels and tissues in any given year.     5     Instead of using paper towels or wipes, reach for a cloth towel. Cloth towels and wipes can be cleaned and used again.

A．Let’s change that.

B．It is our common sense to recycle.

C．Bring your own cups, bottles and bags.

D．Was your bottled water in a plastic bottle?

E．Switch from disposable paper to reusable cloth.

F．Have you ever thought about the reason for its insignificance?

G．It also comes at a price: loss of trees, use of water and the generation of greenhouse gases.

5 . On the night of 14th June 1904, New York’s Chinatown was in a deep gloom (低迷). For the past 20 years, the restaurants were filled with those crazy about a taste of real Chinese cooking “chop suey”. But suddenly, all that seemed at risk. A few days earlier, a chef named Lem Sen had arrived, saying he had invented it a decade before while working at a restaurant in San Francisco. His recipe had been stolen by an American diner to make money. Through his lawyer, he demanded restaurants pay him for using his recipe.

Chop suey was first mentioned by Chinese-American journalist Wang Chin Foo in a list of common dishes he thought most attractive to Western tastes. As he explained, “each Chinese cook has his own recipe. The main parts are pork, bacon, chicken, mushroom, bamboo shoots, onion, and pepper, while accidental ones are duck, beef, salted black beans etc. Yet it is often considered by Westerners that this is a ‘national dish of China’ more than any other dish they’ve known.”

Although a hyperbolic way to introduce this dish, it clearly showed that chop suey was indeed of Chinese origin. Where exactly its roots lay has been debated; but it was probably first cooked in Taishan, Guangdong, where most early immigrants to America had grown up. In 1866, the journalist Allan Forman noticed it as a delicious dish despite its “mysterious nature”, and nine years later, the first recipe appeared in magazines, with some un-Chinese ingredients thrown in.

It was not long before a myth making began. In 1896, Li Hongzhang visited New York, and newspapers mistakenly reported that while refusing Western dishes at a banquet (宴会), he had enthusiastically accepted a plate of chop suey. This caused a great hit, and many who never heard of it before simply assumed that it was introduced to the US by Li Hongzhang, which accidentally promoted the dish’s popularity.

1. What is the purpose of a chef’s story in paragraph 1?

A．To describe food history.	B．To bring out chop suey.
C．To show risky business world.	D．To introduce a law case.

2. What would Wang Chin Foo most agree with about chop suey?

A．Fixed ingredients.	B．Its popularity overseas.
C．Un-Chinese nature.	D．Mixed national identities.

3. When chop suey was introduced in a “hyperbolic” way, it was_________.

A．remarked beyond reality	B．explained in greater details
C．praised in something common	D．commented based on the origin

4. What can be inferred about the myth making on chop suey?

A．Li Hongzhang promoted this dish.	B．Its popularity was based on facts.
C．Mass media belonged to the root cause.	D．Public opinions voiced acceptance.

6 . It is generally accepted that blind people are limited when it comes to enjoying beautiful things around them. This month the Utrecht Central Museum in the Netherlands offered an unusual art exhibition called The Blind Spot. This exhibition was accessible to the visually disabled. Sighted visitors are encouraged to wear a blindfold on their eyes as they experience the artworks. This exhibition excited the other senses other than the visual sense. Visitors could look at artworks as expected. Besides, they could also touch and smell them. The show was designed to provide a better experience for museumgoers with poor eyesight.

The Blind Spot recreated existing famous paintings, but with extra dimensions, such as sound and smell. Visitors could even get a “feel” for the art, which included touchable elements.

Visitor Farid el Manssouri seemed to enjoy his experience. He smiled as he moved his hands over cheese, grapes and bread，part of the representation of a famous 1610 painting by Floris van Dvck. “The first thing that struck me was the smell. I could really smell the fragrant cheese, and I touched it too.” Manssouri said. Manssouri wondered how the food did not fall from its unbalanced position. “That was really surprising to feel... I guess it was glued on pretty well,” Manssouri said.

Artist Jasper Udink ten Cate and designer Jeroen Prins created The Blind Spot. They said they were inspired by an experience they shared with a blind visitor at an art show one year ago. “One day, somebody who could not see was there. At the place we served food out of this work, and we helped her touch the artwork. She was blind and she had a lot of feelings. She was touched. So we bad the realization, ‘Wow, we have something.’ That moment was the starting point to actually create this exhibition.” ten Cate said.

The museum's head Steffie Maas said The Blind Spot was an impressive experiment on the way to more such improvements.

1. What are visitors with normal vision encouraged to wear to experience the artworks?

A．Gloves.

B．Signs.

C．Eye covers.

D．Face masks.

2. What is unique about the exhibition?

A．Only blind visitors were allowed in.	B．The exhibits could be heard or smelled.
C．Original famous paintings were on show.	D．The artworks were copies of famous paintings.

3. Where did the idea of the exhibition come from?

A．A famous 1610 painting.	B．A blind visitor's recommendation.
C．Realization of more sense dimensions.	D．A previous experience with a blind visitor.

4. What is Steffie Maas's attitude towards the exhibition?

A．Favorable.

B．Skeptical.

C．Negative.

D．Ambiguous.

7 . According to the US economist Robert Gordon, all the “impressive stuff” has been created; we have run out of the big, life-changing ideas needed to encourage rapid economic growth and engineers are now only just making slight changes. Inventions such as mobile phones, Gordon says, have had less impact than, for example, the invention of indoor plumbing (管道系统).

But this is a misunderstanding of how engineers work. There is no “Wow!” moment. The development of new technology happens little by little. You build upon the work of those before you, thinking about what could be done better and what could be improved. It’s an unending task. Michael Faraday invented the first electric motor. But Faraday’s breakthrough followed William Sturgeon’s invention of the electromagnet (电磁铁), and Alessandro Volta’s invention of the battery before that. Faraday would have expected future engineers to pick up the baton (接力棒) later down the line.

Reduced energy supplies, increasing populations and mass urbanization keep clever young engineers awake at night. Those, for example, who enter the yearly James Dyson Award invent things that solve these problems and more. The 2012 winner Dan Watson designed a clever system of escape rings for fishing boat nets that deals with the issue of overfishing — not an exciting topic, but his invention is exceptional. Human inventiveness remains unreduced in the face of new global challenges.

Our problem is patience. We expect new technology at a rate like never before. I can’t tell you the world’s next big invention. Last week brought news that we’ve invented a new way to deal with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Next week may bring a major development in another field. The biggest thing holding invention back is our impatience. With enough time and support, bright young engineers will develop exciting new technology to solve the world’s trickiest problems. Many have already begun.

1. Why does the author mention what Robert Gordon says?

A．To introduce the topic.	B．To illustrate a new invention.
C．To provide background information.	D．To express his opinion about the topic.

2. What can we infer from Michael Faraday’s example?

A．New technology has been developing step by step.

B．New inventions fail to deal with new global challenges.

C．Michael Faraday set a good model for William Sturgeon.

D．Technology helps future engineers achieve success smoothly.

3. What makes Dan Watson’s invention excellent?

A．His young age.	B．His patience with technology.
C．His effort to solve real world problems.	D．His wish to win the James Dyson Award.

4. Which word best describes the author’s attitude to technological development nowadays?

A．Doubtful.

B．Uncaring.

C．Disapproving.

D．Optimistic.

8 . Cook in the kitchen

Earlier last month, my parents and I had a free day — a rare event for us.     1    

For our weekend menu, we decided to make smoked pork. I found this recipe online. It looked interesting and the steps were simple. So we decided to make it for dinner one weekend.

First, according to the recipe, the pork needed to be salted. The process would take a long time.     2     Mom first thawed (解冻) the pork and then spread salt, sugar and pepper or the surface, After that, she wrapped the pork in a plastic film (塑料薄膜) and refrigerated it for two days.

    3     To make smoked dishes indoors, we needed to use aluminum foil (铝箔). After searching for it for a long time, we finally found the foil in the cupboard.

After that, Dad was responsible for slicing (切片) the pork, Mother was responsible for preparing the ingredients (佐料). I was responsible for spreading the black tea and sugar for smoking on the aluminum foil and then a layer of baking paper.     4     After more than ten minutes of smoking and a few minutes of frying, the smoked pork was complete.

    5     When combined with an apple vinegar sauce, the meat was even more delicious.

A．It was easy for me to make the food.

B．Pork is the main meat source of our food.

C．We decided to cook together in the kitchen.

D．Finally, I put the pork on the smoking shelf.

E．So, Mom started working on it early the night before.

F．Two days later, the pork was ready for the next steps.

G．The pork was very delicious and contained the special smell of black tea.

9 . My name is Mildred Hondorf, a music teacher. Over the years, I have found that children have many levels of musical ability. Although I have some talented students, I've also had my share of what I call "musically challenged" pupils. One such student was Robby.

Robby was 11 years old when he came for his first piano lesson. He said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. Although Robby tried hard, he lacked the basic rhythm needed to be excellent. However, he continued and always said, "My mom's going to hear me play some day." But he just did not have any inborn ability and his mother just dropped Robby off but never stopped in.

Then one day, Robby stopped coming to our lessons. He called me and said his mother was sick. Several weeks later, I was invited to take my students to have a show and Robby asked me if he could be in . "Miss Hondorf...I've just got to play!" I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the show. Maybe it was his insistence or something else inside of me.

The night for the show came. The gymnasium was packed with people. I put Robby up last in the program. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always save his poor performance through my "curtain closing".

The show went off well. Then Robby came up on stage. He played so well and everyone applauded for him. In tears I hugged Robby in joy. "How would you do it?"

"Well, Miss Hondorf ... remember I told you my mom was sick? Well, actually, she had cancer and passed away this morning. And well ... she was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special."

1. What are “musically challenged” pupils according to the author’s description?

A．Children who are good at learning music.

B．Children who like challenging music.

C．Children who lack a gift for music.

D．Children who are crazy about music.

2. Why did the author put Robby’s performance at last?

A．She hoped Robby would give the show a good ending..

B．She thought Robby would have a bad performance.

C．She gave Robby a chance to have a speech.

D．She wanted Robby to help her lower the curtain.

3. What made Robby succeed in the show?

A．His teacher’s encouragement.	B．His love to his mother.
C．His enthusiasm about music.	D．His talent and practice.

4. What do we know about the teacher?

A．She had a great deal of confidence in Robby at first.

B．She helped Robby practice before the performance.

C．She was surprised that Robby performed well at last.

D．She was inexperienced in instructing students like Robby.

10 . Communication is essential for people to share information, form relationships and strengthen those relationships. However, ineffective communication can lead to conflicts. Communication barriers can prevent two people from making their points understandable to each other.     1     Luckily, this article will offer you an insight into barriers of communication and how to overcome them.

Cultural Diversity

People belong to different cultures and this can cause cultural clashes(冲突) very easily. It is important to be very careful and talk without hurting their beliefs about culture.     2    

Perceptual(感知的) Contrast

The perceptual communication barrier occurs when you say something in a casual or flat tone(语调). People with whom you are having a conversation might think that you are not serious or interested in the topic that you are talking about. As a result, they no longer listen to you attentively.

    3    This positively impacts how others will perceive your conversation. Make your conversation meaningful and beneficial. You must also use eye contact now and then. Show proper interest in what they are saying. Smile sincerely and have a constructive conversation.

Language Barrier

    4     If you use big words or wrong words during a conversation, it usually gets difficult for the other person to understand you. What you might think is easy for you to understand may not be easy for others.

Thus, it is important to use simple words and easy grammar. Don't use fancy words as this will only lead to misunderstandings.     5     This way you will be able to communicate efficiently.

A．Learn about different languages.

B．It is important to have a positive tone and body language.

C．Make sure to state your point and say only what's required.

D．This can cause misunderstandings and even damage relations.

E．Another common communication barrier is the language barrier.

F．Different people hold different attitudes toward the language barrier.

G．Instead, explain things more simply rather than making them complex.