1 . Over 40 years ago, a country music DJ convention was held every year in Nashville, Tennessee. Many country performers used to attend the convention to give their performances. Fans would go to Nashville hoping to see their favorite performers. In the end, so many fans began showing up in Nashville that a festival named Fan Fair was born.

The first Fan Fair was held in April 1972 in Nashville for four days. Some of the biggest country music stars attended. There were about fifty thousand fans. The first Fan Fair was so successful that the second one in 1973 was planned almost immediately. The date was changed to June, when the weather would be better. Over one hundred thousand fans, attended the second Fan Fair.

Every year brought so many performers and fans to Fan Fair that, in 1982, it was moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Fan Fair stayed at the Fairgrounds for another nineteen years.

There was always the unexpected during the festival. In 1974, former Beatles Paul McCartney attended. In 1992, more than six hundred reporters from Europe, Asia, and South America went to cover the appearance of a popular star, Billy Ray Cyrus, who had introduced a new country line dance. In 1996, Garth Brooks, who made a surprise appearance, signed autographs for 23 hours.

In 2001, Fan Fair returned to downtown Nashville as the world’s biggest country music festival. Nowadays, over one hundred and twenty-five thousand country music fans go to Nashville every June. As you can imagine, those who want to attend Fan Fair must plan ahead. For example, they need to buy a ticket several months ahead of time. Of course, there’s much more to prepare.

1. What can we learn about Fan Fair according to the text?

A．It has a history of more than 50 years.

B．It lasts almost half a month every year.

C．It’s a time when country music lovers get together.

D．It is the most important music festival in America.

2. The second Fan Fair      .

A．was held in the spring of 1972

B．was more popular than the first one

C．was attended by former Beatles Paul McCartney

D．was moved from Nashville to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds

3. What’s the purpose of the fourth paragraph?

A．To explain how Fan Fair started.

B．To ask people to attend Fan Fair.

C．To introduce three famous musicians.

D．To show why Fan Fair has been popular.

4. What will the author probably talk about next?

A．Advice for fans.	B．Music in America.
C．Education in Nashville.	D．The future of country music.

3 . Last year I ruined my summer vacation by bringing along a modern convenience that was too convenient for my own good: the iPad. Instead of looking at nature, I checked my email. Instead of paddling a small boat, I followed my Twitter feed (推特简讯). Instead of reading great novels, I stuck to reading four newspapers each morning. I was behaving as if I were still in the office. My body was on vacation but my head wasn’t.

So this year I made up my mind to try something different: withdrawal (退出) from the Internet. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, since I’m bad at self-control. But I was determined. I started by giving the iPad to my wife.

The cellphone signal at our house was worse than in the past, making my attempts at cheating a frustrating experience. I was trapped, forced to go through with my plan. Largely cut off from e-mail, Twitter and my favorite newspaper websites, I had few ways to connect to the world except for radio and how much radio can one listen to, really? I had to do what I had planned to all along: read books.

This experience has had a happy ending. With determination and the strong support of my wife, I won in my vacation struggle against the Internet, realizing finally that it was I, not the iPad, that was the problem. I knew I had won when we passed a Starbucks and my wife asked if I wanted to stop to use the Wi-Fi. “ I don’t need it,” I said.

However, as we return to post-vacation life, a harder test begins: Can I continue when I’m back at work? There are times when the need to know what’s being said right now is great. And I have no intention of giving up my convenience completely. But I hope to resist the temptation (诱惑) to check my e-mail every five minutes, which leads to checking my Twitter feed and a website or two.

I think a vacation is supposed to help you reset your brain to become more productive. Here I hope this one worked.

1. What do we know about the author’s summer vacation last year ?

A．He worked as if he were at work then

B．He was determined to enjoy the beautiful view.

C．His ipad ruined his plan of finishing a great novel.

D．He felt satisfied that he has stuck to his usual timetable.

2. When back at work, the author will probably choose to________.

A．continue to read more and more books.

B．stay away from the Internet for ever.

C．stop checking what is being said right now completely.

D．keep control of when and how to use the Internet.

3. What is the author’s opinion of a great vacation in the passage?

A．A vacation means a change of pace to make one more creative.

B．A vacation is a period of time to do whatever one wished to.

C．A vacation is having nothing to do but read all day.

D．A vacation proves that a life of pleasure is overvalued.

4 . Sweetest Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October as a day to make someone happy. It is an occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, the aged, and children who have lost their parents, but also friends, workmates, relatives and neighbours whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed.

Over 60 years ago, when a Cleveland man noticed that some people, such as children who lost their parents and patients who lay in bed, too often felt forgotten and neglected, he developed in his mind the idea of showing them that they were remembered. He did this by giving them small gifts. With the help of his friends and neighbours, he gave those people small gifts on a Saturday in October. During the years that followed, other Clevelanders began to take part in the celebration, which came to be called “Sweetest Day”. Over time, the Sweetest Day idea of spreading cheer to the poor, the sick and children who had lost their parents was broadened to include everyone, and became an occasion for remembering others with a kind act or a small gift. Soon the idea spread to other cities all over the USA.

Sweetest Day is not based on any single group’s religious beliefs or on a family relationship. It is a reminder that a thoughtful word or deed enriches life and gives it meaning. Because for many people remembering takes the form of gift giving, Sweetest Day offers us the opportunity to show others that we care, in a positive way.

1. Which of the following has little relationship to Sweetest Day?

A．Visiting sick people in the hospital.

B．Visiting children who have lost their parents.

C．Giving friends small gifts.

D．Giving flowers to sweethearts.

2. What do most people usually do to show their care to others according to the passage?

A．They give money.	B．They give gifts.
C．They send regards.	D．They offer help.

3. The underlined word “neglected” in the second paragraph means “________”.

A．remembered	B．hated
C．paid little or no attention to	D．disappointed

5 . Ostara, upon which Easter is based, is the Pagan celebration of the vernal equinox (春分).

The holiday is named after Eostre, a spring goddess of the Germanic tradition. There isn’t much written record of Eostre, and it is thought she was worshiped by tribes who used oral tradition rather than written words to record history. Eostre was a symbol of fertility—she may have been the original source of the association of eggs with springtime celebrations. She may also be responsible for the Easter rabbit—the spring equinox was a time when hares would come out and mate. A female hare can even conceive (受孕) while pregnant with another one—this remarkable fertility became a symbol of the season. Therefore, we get “Eostre rabbits” in the spring.

Growth and awakening are important parts of Ostara celebrations. Because the day marks the coming of the planting season, modern Pagans store seeds to later transfer outdoors after frost has disappeared. Caring for the seedling is like worshiping the goddess. Besides, drawings replace the pretty colors of new flowers.

For Pagans, Ostara is a time for spiritual awakening and rebirth. Walking meditation is a common practice and special attention is paid to the signs of nature coming back to life. New beginnings are coming, and there is much soul-searching and clearing away negative energy. This spiritual cleaning is also reflected in the practice of spring cleaning.

Whether you’re Pagan or not, you might have noticed many of your own springtime celebrations in Ostara celebrations, and there’s a reason why Pagan customs have been practiced pretty much in the same way because so much of it is simply human nature. Who could resist a springtime walk in a forest? Is there anyone who isn’t inspired by nature’s annual new beginning? So whatever your own tradition, honor the season with a spiritual cleaning and rebirth—to make room for beautiful things to come.

1. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Ostara has a longer history than Easter.

B．Only Pagan celebrate Ostara nowadays.

C．Ostara is a celebration intended for females.

D．Most Ostara celebrations are not held outdoors.

2. What do you think is not an important part of Ostara celebrations according to the passage?

A．Growth.	B．Drawings.
C．Flowers.	D．Spiritual awakening.

3. What is the similarity between walking meditation and spring cleaning?

A．They can help to clean people’s spirit.

B．They are in need of some special attention.

C．It is common to hold the activities worldwide.

D．Written record of them is not talked about a lot.

4. Why do our own springtime celebrations have so much in common with many Ostara celebrations?

A．They have the same origin and history.

B．It is human nature to pursue beautiful things.

C．Pagan customs have been spread to the world.

D．Pagans are good at learning from other cultures.

6 . Our wedding was about to begin. My throat was tight and my cheeks got red, but I didn't care. I was ready to marry David Sanchez. We're a “nontraditional” couple: getting married in a bookstore that supports a charity to fight HIV and homelessness.

“Kim! I could walk you down the aisle (走道) if you like！” David's father offered gently.

“I'm OK. But I appreciate that，” I said with a smile. And I was reminded, again, of my dad's absence.

My father died of cancer six weeks ago. For the last two months, we tried to make him feel comfortable and loved as he departed from this world. He always told us that he didn't like a funeral (葬礼) and insisted that our wedding go forward as planned. But how could we honor him since the wedding would be the first time the family would gather after his death and some even didn't know he was sick?

During the ceremony, my dear friend Eva delivered a reading entitled “When Things Go Missing” by Kathryn Schulz. She paused and got everyone on the same page, “When we are experiencing it, loss often feels like confusion in the usual order of things. In fact, the entire plan of the universe consists of losing, and life amounts to a reverse (逆向的) savings account in which we are eventually robbed of everything.”

I felt the energy full of the room. Everyone was listening. By choosing to accept the pain, we knew what a wedding does to join two families and mark the next chapter for a couple. Loss became a compass that kept us away from a fantasy and toward celebrating the difficult realities of life.

After rings were exchanged, fried chicken was served, our friends offered so many funny and touching toasts, and finally David sang “Married” on my father's guitar. I felt joy filling all the holes in my soul. Celebrating my father's life at our wedding made me grateful for all the time I had spent with him.

1. Why did David's father offer to walk the author down the aisle?

A．To relieve her tension.

B．To welcome her to his family.

C．To play the author's late father's role.

D．To contribute something to the charity.

2. What do we know about Kim at her wedding?

A．She got a compass as a wedding gift.

B．She enjoyed David's promise for their marriage.

C．She received more sympathy from families and friends.

D．She recalled the days spent with her father and understood life better.

3. Why did Kim feel energy full of the room?

A．Because she could keep away from the pain.

B．Because she knew everyone was listening.

C．Because she got more courage for the marriage and life.

D．Because she could read a piece of Kathryn Schulz's works.

4. What do we know about Kim and David's wedding ceremony?

A．It was held in a library.

B．It was a touching and happy one.

C．Kim and David turned it into a funeral.

D．There was no other activity except reading.

7 . IPSWICH FESTIVAL 2018

April 12-22

FIESTA, FOOD, FUN&FLA VOURS!

Join us for an impressive evening of live music, dance, and activities for people of all ages.

Be entertained by foreign Belly Dancers, traditional South Pacific Island Fire Dancers and energetic Bollywood Dancers.

Main stage entertainment includes the beautiful singing of a Celtic band, the African rhythm of Joe Tee and Afrodisa, and the infectious Latin party experience of Izalco.

DATE: Friday 20 April

LOCATION: Queens Park, Goleby Avenue, Ipswich Central

FESTIVAL GALA

Ipswich City Symphony (交响乐团) delivers an unforgettable show of music and songs from the great musicals.

Internationally well-known singer Silvie Paladino sings for the first time with Ipswich City Symphony and we welcome back one of the world’s leading bass (男低音) singers, David Hibbard, and the award-winning singer, Tim McCallum.

DATE: Saturday 21 April

LOCATION: Ipswich Civic Centre, Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central

JAZZ, WINE& BLUES

Take a chair and sit back to enjoy fine wines, delicious food and an exciting line-up of both local and nationally known jazz and blues artists.

This event features the dynamic rhythms of Australia’s long-standing touring bands, Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows, the award-winning Elly Hoyt, Devils Kiosk and the Ipswich City Big Band.

DATE: Saturday 21 April

LOCATION: Brisbane Street, Top of Town, Ipswich Central

IPSWICH ART AWARDS

The Ipswich Art Awards is a major art exhibition. Over 200 artwork entries in a range of artwork categories from photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking will be on display, with all of the artworks available for purchase during the exhibition.

DATE: 12 April to 22 April

LOCATION: Ipswich Art Gallery, d’Arcy Doyle Place. Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central

1. On which day can you watch different types of dancing?

A．12 April.	B．20 April.
C．21 April.	D．22 April.

2. If you are a fan of Silvie Paladino, which event would you go to?

A．FESTIVAL GALA.

B．JAZZ, WINE& BlUES.

C．IPSWICH ART AWARDS.

D．FIESTA, FOOD, &FUN FLAVOURS!

3. Where should you go to buy some artworks?

A．Queens Park.

B．Brisbane Street.

C．Ipswich Art Gallery.

D．Ipswich Civic Centre.

8 . If you are a fruit grower — or would like to become one — take advantage of Apple Day to see what’s around. It’s called Apple Day but in practice it’s more like Apple Month. The day itself is on October 21, but since it has caught on, events now spread out over most of October around Britain.

Visiting an apple event is a good chance to see, and often taste, a wide variety of apples. To people who are used to the limited choice of apples such as Golden Delicious and Royal Gala in supermarkets, it can be quite an eye opener to see the range of classical apples still in existence, such as Decio which was grown by the Romans. Although it doesn’t taste of anything special, it’s still worth a try, as is the knobbly(多疙瘩的) Cat’s Head which is more of a curiosity than anything else.

There are also varieties developed to suit specific local conditions. One of the very best varieties for eating quality is Orleans Reinette, but you’ll need a warm, sheltered place with perfect soil to grow it, so it’s a pipe dream for most apple lovers who fall for it.

At the events, you can meet expert growers and discuss which ones will best suit your conditions, and because these are family affairs, children are well catered for with apple-themed fun and games.

Apple Days are being held at all sorts of places with an interest in fruit, including stately gardens and commercial orchards(果园). If you want to have a real orchard experience, try visiting the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, near Faversham in Kent.

1. What can people do at the apple events?

A．Attend experts’ lectures.

B．Visit fruit-loving families.

C．Plant fruit trees in an orchard.

D．Taste many kinds of apples.

2. What can we learn about Decio?

A．It is a new variety.

B．It has a strange look.

C．It is rarely seen now.

D．It has a special taste.

3. What does the underlined phrase “a pipe dream” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．A practical idea.

B．A vain hope.

C．A brilliant plan.

D．A selfish desire.

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

A．To show how to grow apples.

B．To introduce an apple festival.

C．To help people select apples.

D．To promote apple research.

9 . The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil(邪恶的) spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family members would come to stay with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to keep away from the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.

The following are some countries’ birthday traditions:

Canada--Putting butter on the nose. In Atlantic Canada, the birthday child’s nose is put butter on for good luck.

China--Noodles for lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his / her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.

England--Money cakes. Certain symbolic(象征性的) objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it is being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, you will be rich.

Ireland--Birthday bump(碰撞). The birthday child is lifted upside down and “ bumped” on the floor for good luck.

Italy--Pulling ears. The child’s ears are pulled as many times as how old he / she is turning.

Japan--New clothes. The birthday child wears new clothes to mark the occasion.

New Zealand--Birthday claps. After the candles are hit, the happy birthday song is sung loudly and often out of tune and then the birthday person receives a clap for each year he / she has been alive and then one for good luck.

The United States--Cake, candles and the birthday song. A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is.

1. The first paragraph mainly talks about         .

A．why there are so many birthday traditions

B．how birthday parties started

C．how to keep away from evil spirits

D．why gifts must be given to the birthday person

2. According to the passage, in which country can the birthday children probably receive a gift of money?

A．China.	B．England.
C．Ireland.	D．Japan.

3. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．In New Zealand, an eight-year-old birthday child receives eight claps in all.

B．In Ireland, bumping the birthday child means good luck to him/her.

C．In England, coins are the only things that can be made into a birthday cake.

D．In Italy, the birthday child’s ears are pulled when he/she is lifted upside down.

4. The birthday traditions of New Zealand and the United States share all the following in common EXCEPT       .

A．birthday cake	B．birthday candles
C．birthday claps	D．birthday song

5. In which section of a website does the passage probably appear?

A．Tech&Science.	B．Entertainment.
C．Careers&Jobs.	D．Culture.

10 . People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother's Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father's Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care. These two days offer a chance to think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child-care.

These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother's Day people wear carnations. A red one stands for a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit their graves. On these days, families get together at home and in restaurants. They often have outdoor BBQs for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.

Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is ''the thought that counts''. Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephones companies and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays.

1. Which is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?

A．Parents bring up children.

B．Parents give love and care to children.

C．Parents pass away before children grow up.

D．Parents educate children to be good persons.

2. What do you know from the passage?

A．Mother's Day and Father's Day are both in May.

B．Not all the children respect their parents.

C．Fewer women worked outside the home in the past.

D．Fathers are not as important as mothers at home.

3. Which do you think is right about ''carnation''?

A．It only has two kinds of color.

B．It is a special kind of clothes people wear on Mother's Day or Father's Day.

C．People can wear carnations only on the second Sunday in June.

D．It's a kind of flower showing love and best wishes.

4. What do you think ''florists'' do?

A．They sell flowers.

B．They made bread.

C．They offer enough room for having family parties.

D．They sell special clothes for Mother's Day and Father's Day.