1 . Last year, Claire Noble-Randall woke up at 5:30 am every morning. She had to catch two buses to arrive in time for first-period chemistry classes at Ingraham High School in Seattle, US.
Ingraham starts at 8 am, but Noble-Randall often didn’t get to sleep until after midnight. “It was really hard not to fall asleep in class,” she said.
Her mom solved the problem this year when she discovered that other parents had hired (租用) a private city tour bus to take their children to school.
“Now, she leaves the house at a much more reasonable time 7:10 in the morning...to catch the little tour bus at 7:23 am,” said her mother, Noelle Noble.
That may be one way to help students get more sleep. But more than 3, 300 people have signed an online petition (请愿) looking for a better solution from the Seattle school district. Those who have signed the petition want all high schools and middle schools to start no earlier than 8: 30 am. Most of Seattle’s high schools and middle schools start at 8 am or earlier.
Later start times for teenagers are an idea that some parents around the nation have wanted for years. They’ve provided plenty of scientific evidence that teenagers tend to be night owls (夜猫子) and delayed start times improve their health, mood, attention, and, in some cases, learning.
But attempts to delay start times for teenagers haven’t worked. Coaches don’t want late dismissals cutting into sports practices; community groups don’t want to wait longer for gyms and fields and before- and after-school programs don’t want to change their schedules.
This time, however, they’ve got Seattle School Board president Sharon Peaslee on their side. She herself is the mother of two high school students. Peaslee hopes other board members will pass her plan calling on the district to find a way to make the changes.
1. How did Noble-Randall solve her problem of early classes?| A．She quit first-period classes. |
| B．She found a faster way to school. |
| C．She took a private city tour bus to school. |
| D．She rented a house near school. |
| A．provide a school bun service |
| B．delay school start times |
| C．improve the quality of lessons |
| D．stop students from falling asleep in class |
| A．Not enough people signed the petition. |
| B．No scientific evidence could support their idea. |
| C．It would influence the schools’ schedules. |
| D．It would influence many out-of-school activities. |
| A．More parents will hire a private bus for their children. |
| B．Seattle schools plan to change their schedules next year. |
| C．There will be less after-school activities and programs. |
| D．There is now a higher chance of delaying school start times. |
2 . What should you think about in trying to find your career? You are probably better at some school subjects than others. These may show strengths that you can use in your work. A boy who is good at mathematics can use that in an engineering career. A girl who spells well and likes English may be good at office work. So it is important to do well at school. On the other hand, you may not have any specially strong or weak subjects but your records show a general satisfactory standard. Although not all subjects can be used directly in a job, they may have indirect value. Knowledge of history is not required for most just but if history is one of your good subjects you will have learned to remember facts and details. This is an ability that can be useful in many jobs.
Your school may have taught you skills, such as typing or technical drawing, which you can use in your work. You may be good at metal work or cookery (烹饪术) and look for a job where you can improve these skills.
If you have had a part-time job on Saturdays or in the summer, think what you gained from it. If nothing else, you may have learned how to get to work on time, to follow instructions and to get on with older workers. You may have learned to give correct change in a shop, for example. Just as important, you may become interested in a particular industry or career you see from the inside in a part-time job.
Facing your weak points is also part of knowing yourself. You may be all thumbs when you handle (运用) tools; perhaps you are a poor speller or cannot add up a column of figures. It is better to face any weaknesses than to pretend they do not exist. Your school record, for instance, may not be too good, yet it is an important part of your background. You should not be apologetic about it but instead recognise that you will have a chance of a fresh start at work.
1. According to the passage, the author encourage us to .| A．realise the importance of doing well at school. |
| B．take up part-time jobs as much as possible during the summer vacation |
| C．be good at all subjects. |
| D．use school performance to help to choose a career. |
| A．is a good way to earn extra money. | B．is helpless to find out his weak points. |
| C．is useful for his future work. | D．is a must to experience various jobs. |
| A．your background | B．your school record |
| C．your weak points | D．your part-time job |
| A．may do well in his future work if he chooses a career according to what he is skilled in. |
| B．will be a complete failure in his future work sooner or later. |
| C．must regret not having worked harder at school. |
| D．will receive further education after graduation. |
3 . In modem times, many teenagers have idols of their own who are always some stars on TV on the Internet, etc. These stars always think that a slimmer figure may be perfect for themselves. However, does size really matter? Are teenage fans trying hard to become like their idols? Do famous stars really have the power to influence people especially teenagers?
For the longest time, many parents blame (责备) teen idols for influencing the way their kids act. Have you noticed how teens idolize the stars these days? Even, their personal affairs are being followed by kids these days. Take for example the case of Lindsay Lohan or Mary Kate Ashley, They are definitely famous teen stars. However, since they are trying to project an image to satisfy a lot of people in show business their health and body suffer. Many kids are aware of this problem. But they are easily influenced by these stars to exercise and eat less.
It is a fact that the media and especially famous teen stars can influence people powerfully. But teenagers are easily influenced because teenage years are the period when our personality and identity developments take place. Teens watching TV shows and reading magazines are easily pulled into the dieting and harmful eating habits because the media have some ways to pull these acts. They use thin models and stars to endorse (宣传) products or to star in an up-and-coming shows or movies. With fierce competition, stars are forced to eat less and do extreme exercise routines to get the roles or offers that come their way.
Living in today’s time and generation is a bit disturbing to a lot of parents. Media, especially as well as the stars, have a very powerful influence to drive teenagers to good or bad. It’s good that we can control ourselves to avoid bad things from happening. If not, parents should really be aware and guide their teens to determine what’s in and what’s out.
1. According to the passage, we can learn that Lindsay Lohan .| A．lives a rich and happy life | B．lives an unhealthy lifestyle |
| C．doesn’t get any exercise | D．sets a good example for teenagers |
| A．to keep healthy to face competition | B．to keep a slim size |
| C．to survive under pressure | D．to satisfy their teenage fans |
| A．They are in their development period. | B．They are tired of school. |
| C．Their idols often appear in many TV shows. | D．They have nothing to do in their spare time. |
| A．Parent’s Responsibilities | B．Advice on Self-control |
| C．Media’s Bad Influences | D．Bad Influences of idols |
4 . At 13, Hawa Abdulai Yorke left her family’s home, in Ghana, Africa, to live with an aunt who promised to send her to school. Instead, the aunt put Yorke to work as her maid(佣人). Determined to go to school, Yorke returned home and began selling water in a nearby city to raise money for her education. However, her father spent the money she had earned on a motorcycle.
Yorkers story is familiar to girls growing up in Ghana. There, a girl’s place is in the home. Educating girls is considered a waste of money.
“It happens more than it should, where parents have money to send their girls to school but choose not to,” says Ryan Roach, a volunteer in Ghana, where nearly 55% of girls are not allowed to attend secondary school. Cultural beliefs say education is not a wise investment (投资).
The White House’s Let Girls Learn is working to change this view of girls’ education, in Ghana and in countries worldwide. Former First Lady Michelle Obama says parents have to be persuaded that girls’ education is a better investment than household labor. A study shows that for every year of secondary-school education, a girl’s earning power increases by 18%. Today, Let Girls Learn works in 13 countries, and there are plans to expand the program. Recently, Let Girls Learn hosted a 24-hour event to come up with creative solutions for the barriers (障碍) to girls’ education.
Yorke, now 22, is about to finish high school. Thanks to Let Girls Learn, she plans to attend college and study computer science. She says working alongside college students at the Let Girls Learn event strengthened her determination. “I’m focused on my books,” says Yorke. “I know if I study hard, I, too, can go to university and live a happy life.”
1. What was the attitude of Yorkers aunt towards girls attending school?| A．She was against it. | B．She had no idea of it. |
| C．She was in favor of it. | D．She considered it hard work. |
| A．they are too busy to go to school |
| B．their families are too poor to afford it |
| C．there are few secondary schools for girls |
| D．cultural beliefs prevent girls from attending school |
| A．It has spread all over the world. |
| B．It is a Ghana-based organization. |
| C．It aims to offer free education to girls. |
| D．It has got support from Michelle Obama |
| A．To further her studies. |
| B．To join in Let Girls Learn. |
| C．To write some books for girls. |
| D．To get a computer-related job. |
Two U. S.— based groups, the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Geographic, Society commissioned an online survey earlier this year. They wanted to know what young people educated in American colleges knew about geography, U. S. foreign policy, recent international events, and economics.
The survey was given to over 1,200 Americans between the ages of 18 and 26 years. All of them presently attending, or having previously graduated from, a 2- or 4-year college or university.
The average test score, out of 75 total possible answers, was 55 percent. The study identifies a few important problems. For example, only 30 percent knew that the only part of the U. S. government that can declare war is Congress. Only 60% of those taking the survey could identify Brazil on a world map.
Part of the problem, argue the organizers of the survey, is the internet. They say it is becoming harder to find high-quality information about world events amongst all the fake news and trivia which swamp the web. Forty-three percent of those questioned said they read about the news on Facebook.
Another problem is that most college courses do not require students to learn about international issues. If such information is not required, Richard Haass from the Council on Foreign Relations said, then the United States could have leaders like Gary Johnson. He was a recent presidential candidate who did not know about the Syrian city of Aleppo when a reporter asked him about it.
The survey results were not all bad. The young people also demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and renewable energy. And the majority of them said that international issues were becoming more important to them.
Haass says these findings suggest the need to find was to get good information to students, both in school and online. To help, the Council on Foreign Relations is creating a new program called CFR Campus, designed to help build knowledge about global issues.
1. What can we learn about the survey?| A．All the participants were recent university graduates. |
| B．It was an online survey conducted by two US universities. |
| C．Its aim is to figure out what the young people know about America. |
| D．It was given to over 1,200 American people aged from 18 to 26. |
| A．Young people are unwilling to travel abroad. |
| B．The sources from which they get their information. |
| C．The US university system is of poor quality. |
| D．Their lack of interest in knowing more about the world. |
| A．Environmental matters. | B．Geographic information. |
| C．Foreign relations. | D．Government organizations. |
| A．Economics. | B．Entertainment. |
| C．Politics. | D．Education. |
6 . Fights at school have become an increasingly familiar sight for children. You should know what to do if you are in a fight, or see a fight at school.
You should try to get away if you can. If you know someone is coming up behind you to attack, turn toward the person with your hands up in front of your body and loudly say “stop” before walking away.
What should you do if you sec a fight? You mustn’t jump in to break up a fight or help a friend. If you get involved in a fight, you become exposed to injuries and punishment.
| A．Violence never solves problems. |
| B．You should support one aide for good reason. |
| C．There’re a few ways for you to defend yourself. |
| D．You can do something if a fight breaks out at school. |
| E．Loud voice can usually make the attacker calm down. |
| F．The attacker usually stops when you’re running fast. |
| G．Fighting, even in self-defense, should always be the last choice. |
7 . Charlotte Heffelmire was home in Vienna,Va.,for Thanksgiving break from the Air Force Academy when she saw that her father had gotten stuck under the pickup truck he'd been working on.
"I was on my back,face up,and I was trying to get some brake lines when apparently the jack（千斤顶）slipped and fell down on me,"her dad,Eric Heffelmire,told WUSA9.Gasoline spilled（溢出）and caught fire,and he knew he was in trouble."I thought they 'd be pulling out a dead body later in the evening."
After his struggling for 10 minutes,his barefoot teenage daughter came running into the garage."I felt the weight shift,and I said,'You almost got it.'and then it was just UGHHHRRR,and suddenly I'm pulled out,"Eric told NBC4.
Even Charlotte,120 pounds and 5-foot-6,isn't sure where her power came from."It was some crazy strength,"she told WUSA9.
Realizing the burning truck could set her house on fire at any moment,Charlotte jumped into the truck and drove it out of the garage."I didn't want the entire house to explode with the truck,so I started the truck,put it in four-wheel drive,and managed to drive it with three wheels,"she said.
Then she went inside the house to grab her baby sister and got her grandmother out of the house too."I just did what I had to do,so I don't feel like a big hero or anything,"Charlotte said.Her local fire department,Fairfax County Fire and Rescue,felt differently,awarding her the Citizen Lifesaving Award.
1. What did Eric Heffelmire do after he got stuck under the truck?| A．He put out the fire. | B．He tried to get out. |
| C．He shouted for help. | D．He waited for his death. |
| A．Because she remained low-key. |
| B．Because she was a lifesaving hero. |
| C．Because she did what they should do. |
| D．Because she had some crazy strength. |
| A．Brave and powerful. | B．Determined and patient. |
| C．Energetic and outgoing. | D．Considerate and cautious. |
The authors take a vast number of data pointing for the four most important crops； rice, wheat, corn and soybeans. They find that on between 24 and 39% of all harvested areas, the improvement in yields that took place before the 1980s slowed down in the 1990s and 2000s.
There are two worrying features of the slowdown. One is that it has been particularly sharp in the world's most populous(人口多的) countries，India and China.
Their ability to feed themselves has been an important source of relative stability both within the countries and on world food markets. That self-sufficiency cannot be taken for granted if yields continue to slow down or reverse.
Second, yield growth has been lower in wheat and rice than in corn and soybeans. This is problematic because wheat and rice are more important as foods’ accounting for around half of all calories consumed. Corn and soybeans are more important as feed grains. The authors note that we have preferentially focused our crop improvement efforts on feeding animals and cars rather than on crops that feed people and are the basis of food security in much of the world.
The report qualifies the more optimistic findings of another new paper which suggests that the world will not have to dig up a lot more land for farming in order to feed 9 billion people in 2050, as the Food and Agriculture Organization has argued. Instead, it says, thanks to slowing population growth, land currently ploughed (耕）up for crops might be able to revert to forest or wilderness. This could happen. The trouble is that the forecast assumes continued improvements in yields, which may not actually happen.
1. Which crops are mentioned in the text?
| A．Rice，corn，soybeans and wheat. |
| B．Rice，corn, wheat and peas. |
| C．Wheat，corn，soybean and potatoes. |
| D．Corn，wheat, tomatoes and soybeans. |
| A．Food riots and hunger in the world. |
| B．The decline of the grain yield growth. |
| C．News headlines in the leading media* |
| D．The food supply in populous countries. |
| A．Their self-sufficiency is vital to the stability of world food markets. |
| B．Their food yields have begun to decrease sharply in recent years. |
| C．Their big populations are causing worldwide concerns. |
| D．Their food self-sufficiency has been taken for granted. |
| A．grow worse |
| B．put in the place of another |
| C．gain through experience |
| D．go back to a previous state |
9 . When I was seven my father gave me a Timex, my first watch. I loved it, wore it for years, and haven’t had another one since it stopped ticking a decade ago. Why? Because I don’t need one. I have a mobile phone and I’m always near someone with an iPod or something like that. All these devices(装置)tell the time—which is why, if you look around, you’ll see lots of empty wrists; sales of watches to young adults have been going down since 2007.
But while the wise have realized that they don’t need them, others—apparently including some distinguished men of our time—are spending total fortunes on them. Brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe and Breitling command shocking prices, up to £250.000 for a piece.
This is ridiculous. Expensive cars go faster than cheap cars. Expensive clothes hang better than cheap clothes. But these days all watches tell the time as well as all other watches. Expensive watches come with extra functions—but who needs them? How often do you dive to 300 metres into the sea or need to find your direction in the area around the South Pole? So why pay that much of five years’ school fees for watches that allow you to do these things?
If justice were done, the Swiss watch industry should have closed down when the Japanese discovered how to make accurate watches for a five-pound note. Instead the Swiss reinvented the watch, with the aid of millions of pounds’ worth of advertising, as a message about the man wearing it. Rolexes are for those who spend their weekends climbing icy mountains; a Patek Philippe is for one from a rich or noble family; a Breitling suggests you like to pilot planes across the world.
Watches are now classified as“investments”(投资). A 1994 Philippe recently sold for nearly £350, 000, while 1960s Rolexes have gone from £15, 000 to £30, 000 plus in a year. But a watch is not an investment. It's a toy for self-satisfaction, a matter of fashion. Prices may keep going up—they’ve been rising for 15 years. But when fashion moves on, the owner of that £350, 000 beauty will suddenly find his pride and joy is no more a good investment than my childhood Timex.
1. It seems ridiculous to the writer that_______________.| A．people dive 300 metres into the sea |
| B．expensive clothes sell better than cheap ones |
| C．cheap cars don’t run as fast as expensive ones |
| D．expensive watches with unnecessary functions still sell |
| A．It’s hard for the industry to beat its competitors. |
| B．It targets rich people as its potential customers. |
| C．It wastes a huge amount of money in advertising. |
| D．It’s easy for the industry to reinvent cheap watches. |
| A．Watches? Not for Me! |
| B．My Childhood Timex |
| C．Timex or Rolex? |
| D．Watches—a Valuable Collection |
| A．Everyone is different, and levels of empathy differ from person to person. |
| B．That could be because so many people have replaced face time with screen time, the researchers said. |
| C．“One doesn’t develop empathy by having a lot of opinions and doing a lot of talking,” Freed says. |
| D．Humans learn by example—and most of the examples on it are anything but empathetic. |
| E．Empathy is a matter of learning how to understand someone else—both what they think and how they feel. |
| F．Good social skills—including empathy—are a kind of “emotional intelligence” that will help you succeed in many areas of life. |
| G．Having relationships with other people is an important part of being human—and having empathy is decisive to those relationships. |
