1 . Craig Clark is retired from his job in computers. He grew bored in his retirement and wanted to take on a challenging hobby. He decided to continue doing what he does best, which is to fix computers. In his spare time, he helps individuals and families improve their lives by giving them access to technology.

Craig places ads for his donations on the neighborhood community website. Once he fixes the old computers, he then offers them to community members for free. He was aware that many individuals struggled financially and often couldn’t afford to buy a computer due to the expense (费用). He wanted to find a way to help solve this problem. So far, he has given away more than 430 computers.

Melissa, one of Craig’s computer receivers, proves his giving nature. Her daughter needed a computer for school. But as a single mother of four children, buying a new expensive computer was not in her budget. One day she received a free computer from Craig. It was a lifesaver for her family.

A computer can influence people in many ways. It helps the elderly easily connect with health professionals from the comfort of their homes. It also saves them time and money by having their medicine and food delivered and monthly bills paid with the help of their online accounts. Computers have also connected many young students with online educational programs. They have also helped families connect with relatives living far away through email, social media, and video meetings.

Craig is excited that his labor of love is beneficial to those in need. He is known in his Florida community as the Tech Fairy. He uses his IT skills as a unique way to help improve the lives of hundreds of his community members. He now wants to inspire other technicians (技术员) to join him on his mission of kindness and become tech fairies in their own communities. Together they can improve the lives of many.

1. What does Craig prefer doing in his spare time?

A．Finding solutions to poverty.	B．Selling computers at a low price.
C．Repairing and donating computers.	D．Teaching computer-fixing skills.

2. What words can be used to describe Craig?

A．Wise and independent.	B．Clever and energetic.
C．Brave and determined.	D．Skilled and generous.

3. What does Paragraph 4 focus on?

A．Community members’ gratitude to Craig.

B．Local people’s useful advice on Craig’s business.

C．The common types of online educational programs.

D．The life-changing benefits brought by Craig’s action.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．A tech fairy connects people with technology

B．A man calls on people to recycle used computers

C．A fun way to improve community relationships

D．A man chooses to be a volunteer in his retirement.

2 . There is a big difference between offering to help and helping. Almost all of us are guilty (内疚的) about the following _________: Someone talks about a problem, and we answer with _________ words, “Be sure to give me a call if I can help.” But we often do nothing to help.

Once I was in the situation where I _________ these kinds of offers of help—my son just started studying abroad. During those particular days, all I could _________ was the trouble my son would possibly face. It was a very _________ experience. However, there were very few who offered something really helpful.

_________. I had one close friend who took action rather than just saying to offer help. She called, “I know you must be going crazy. I think you need to get away from your _________.” She had already called a few of our friends and _________ a big dinner out. It was a wonderful night. I hadn’t even known how much I needed that break _________ I was there.

After that ____________, I decided I’d ____________ her example and reach out to others. I’ve been ____________ and even guessed wrong at times. But I was amazed when I cheered people up. So ____________ asking someone if they need help, and offer something ____________ then and there. It is a way to show the power of ____________ in an uncertain world.

1.

A．rule

B．problem

C．situation

D．excuse

2.

A．confusing

B．sincere

C．honest

D．careful

3.

A．understood

B．performed

C．missed

D．received

4.

A．think

B．learn from

C．complain about

D．suggest

5.

A．valuable

B．painful

C．exciting

D．fresh

6.

A．Luckily

B．Disappointedly

C．Basically

D．Gradually

7.

A．doubts

B．worries

C．anger

D．sadness

8.

A．attended

B．earned

C．joined

D．prepared

9.

A．after

B．when

C．until

D．once

10.

A．experience

B．education

C．experiment

D．adventure

11.

A．change

B．appreciate

C．ignore

D．follow

12.

A．cheated

B．accepted

C．refused

D．respected

13.

A．stop

B．finish

C．keep

D．try

14.

A．small

B．specific

C．unusual

D．right

15.

A．patience

B．courage

C．confidence

D．kindness

3 . The southwestern United States has experienced drought for more than 20 years. Arizona has increasingly pumped (抽吸) water from underground, but that meets less than half of what the state needs. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of new residents arrive every year, and more communities are built. One report shows that a large area near Phoenix doesn’t have enough groundwater for all the homes that developers want to build there. That means 800,000 people.

Some experts say the solution is to import water from outside the state. One idea is to build a $5.5 billion desalination (脱盐) plant on Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. The plant would remove salt from the water and pump that water to Arizona through a 200-mile pipeline. Supporters say this could provide a water supply for decades.

Environmentalists see a different future. Some of the salt taken out of the Sea of Cortez might end up back in the ocean, harming wildlife. The pipeline would damage land where people and animals live. And the desalination process uses lots of energy. This would create greenhouse gases, the very gases that are causing the conditions that have led to Arizona’s water problems.

Margaret Wilder is a professor at the University of Arizona, in Tucson. She warns that big projects like this one could be used to show much more unsustainable development in the desert in the future. Moreover, desalinating water would likely be a massive expenditure for Arizonans. Cities pay about $50 to $150 for 326,000 gallons. That’s enough for a family of three in Phoenix for a year. Desalinated water could charge 20 times as much.

Environmentalists say the government should focus on cutting the demand for water rather than increasing the supply. That would mean taking water-saving measures and limiting how many homes are built. Thousands of households in Tucson, Arizona, are collecting rainwater and using it for cooking, drinking, and in their gardens. Government leaders have taken notice. Tucson also helps residents pay for equipment that collects rainwater for home use.

1. What is the problem faced by the southwestern United States?

A．A population increase.	B．A serious heatwave.
C．A waste of resources.	D．A water shortage.

2. What do environmentalists probably think of the desalination project?

A．It provides a long-term solution to drought.

B．It would harm the planet from various aspects.

C．It fails to take people’s basic needs into account.

D．It draws people’s attention to environmental destruction.

3. What does the underlined part “a massive expenditure” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Affordable.

B．Costly.

C．Unsafe.

D．Beneficial.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．People are unsatisfied with the government’s water measures.

B．Collecting rainwater is the key to meeting water demands.

C．People are exploring water resources with official support.

D．Public concern about water safety has increased.

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker?

A．An astronaut.

B．A TV reporter.

C．A radio hostess.

2. What will the weather be like on Saturday?

A．Sunny.

B．Windy.

C．Rainy.

3. When will the weather warm up again to 18 degrees?

A．Next Tuesday.

B．Next Monday.

C．This Sunday.

4. What does the speaker advise the listeners to do on damp days?

A．Stay indoors.

B．Put away warm coats.

C．Take umbrellas along anytime.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What will the woman do with her family?

A．Attend a food festival.

B．Watch a soccer game.

C．See a play about lions.

2. How much will the woman pay for the tickets?

A．$20.

B．$30.

C．$45.

3. Which of the following is forbidden in the stadium?

A．Entering with food.

B．Talking with others.

C．Eating and drinking

4. Where can the woman get the tickets?

A．At the stand.

B．On the Internet.

C．From the man’s house.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What are the speakers probably doing?

A．Waiting for the girl’s mother.

B．Making plans to save money.

C．Shopping in the supermarket.

2. What does the man advise the girl to do?

A．Make a shopping list.

B．Send her friends e-cards.

C．Use paper to make Christmas cards.

3. What did the girl learn from the man?

A．The reuse of gift boxes.

B．The importance of time and money.

C．The ways to protect the environment.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下题。
1. What should a public speaker avoid doing according to the woman?

A．Talking too loudly.

B．Speaking too fast.

C．Saying too much.

2. Why should the closing of a speech be carefully planned?

A．It’s usually the most remembered part.

B．It’s the last chance to make your point.

C．It’s as important as the opening words.

3. What does the woman suggest a public speaker do during the speech?

A．Show a good sense of humor.

B．Motivate the audience to act.

C．Meet challenges with courage.

8 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下题。
1. Why does Joshua make the call?

A．To check the time.

B．To ask for advice.

C．To make an apology.

2. Where is Joshua now?

A．In Cider Street.

B．On Elmer Road.

C．In Poplar Street.

3. What is Joshua’s destination?

A．Maria’s house.

B．Weston Hospital.

C．The National Bank.

9 . In a recent email to an old friend, I mentioned that our family planned on taking our four­week road trip in our motor home. My friend emailed back and said he thought I was very “brave” to set out on such an adventure with two young children (aged two and five). I laughed when I read his email and wondered if he knew how much he was missing out on by giving up the idea of such a fun RV trip (房车旅) with one’s family.

My husband and I have been “RVing” for over ten years. When we first started traveling, we certainly had some troubles that were not so funny at the time but seem to be funny now. We forgot our pillows and failed to cook dinner on an outdoor grill (烤架) for lack of a flashlight. Then we decided to make our dinner in the motor home but could not get the oven lit! So we went to bed a little hungrier than we had planned!

However, that's nothing compared with the amazing geological and natural wonders we experienced during our RV trips. In addition, we have discovered a new world of family fun and family bonding. We saw the Grand Canyon when our son was only six months old. We play games inside and out, walk together, talk together, read, solve puzzles, and enjoy music and movies. We have got used to doing things with one another. Our kids love to pick out good, old­fashioned postcards to send off via “snail mail” to different family members on every trip.

As our world gets more and more overloaded with cell phones, texting, emails and video games, our family sticks more and more tightly to the wonderfully simple idea of unplugging for a while and jumping into the seat to take a trip in our motor home. Then we come home with fun pictures of our wanderings, and we're able to build special memories for our kids. Now we want to spread the word and tell families of all kinds what enjoyment can be had from packing the family up for a trip in the RV.

1. What did the author’s friend think of her travel plan?

A．A family trip should not last four weeks.

B．It was wise of her to take children on RV trips.

C．A family RV trip might bring unexpected troubles.

D．It was an opportunity to teach children to be brave.

2. What can we learn about the first RV trip of the author’s family?

A．They found many things lost.

B．It was ruined by bad weather.

C．They didn’t prepare well for it.

D．It was quite a scary experience.

3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To appeal families to take RV trips together.

B．To show how to make RV trips interesting.

C．To encourage kids to take part in RV trips.

D．To share an unforgettable traveling experience.

10 . Welcome to the North Carolina Zoo

We are excited to welcome you to the zoo. The North Carolina Zoo serves and welcomes everyone. Tickets can be bought in advance online or at the gate on the day of your visit.

Hours

The zoo is open all year round, closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

April -October 9 a. m. to 5 p. m.

November -March 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.

The last entry (进入) is one hour before closing.

Prices

Adults (ages 13 -61): $15                           Seniors (ages 62+): $13

Children (ages 2-12): $11                           Under 2: Free

Meet the Keeper

Take your zoo day to the next level and plan to attend a “Meet the Keeper” meeting where you can see a range of activities, such as animal feeding and training sessions.

Animal	When	Where
Gorillas	11:30 a.m. Saturdays &Sundays	Gorilla Habitat
Giraffe	2:30 p.m. Saturdays &Sundays	Giraffe Overlook One
Seabirds	2:00 p.m. daily	Rocky Coast
North American Porcupines	10:30 a.m. Saturdays &Sundays	Rocky Coast

Notes

We do not allow picnic-style meals inside the zoo, and bringing branded outside foods (McDonald’s for example) into the zoo is also prohibited (禁止). Guests are welcome to enjoy these foods at one of our picnic areas before entering the zoo. If you exit (出去) to picnic during your visit, please check in with our staff to get a mark on your hand.

Address

4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205

1. How much should a middle-aged couple with their 5-year-old son pay for a visit?

A．$26.

B．$30.

C．$37.

D．$41.

2. What animals may visitors see if they join a “Meet the Keeper” meeting on weekdays?

A．Giraffe.	B．Seabirds.
C．Gorillas.	D．North American Porcupines.

3. What is a special feature of the North Carolina Zoo?

A．Same-day re-entry is allowed.

B．It provides picnic areas inside the zoo.

C．Visitors can feed animals with their own foods.

D．Ticket booking can be made at the gate in advance.