1 . Just over 12 months ago I gave myself a challenge: give up spending on all but the essentials for a whole year. It hasn't always been easy, but a year on I am wealthier and wiser. Embarrassingly, I have also realised just how much money I've squandered down the pubs in restaurants and through mindless shopping.

Free of any financial worries, I was spending without thinking. Stuck in a cycle of consumerism, I was struggling in vain to spend my way to happiness. Giving up spending for a year was an extreme approach, but I wanted to taste extreme frugality, shake up my spending patterns and overpay my mortgage instead of shopping. I could continue to pay my bills, including mortgages, broadband(宽带), phone bill, charity donations, life insurances, money to help my family and basic groceries.

It was not easy, especially in the first few months. There were lows, such as when I missed my favourite jazz concerts and hit films. There have also been some awkward moments when I've turned up to a friend's house for dinner empty-handed. I did a lot of washing up at my friends' houses in return this year.

I did find new ways to live, however. Using sites such as Eventbrite I have been to film screenings, wine tasting evenings and theatre productions for free. Living in London I have a wealth of free cultural activities on my doorstep and I've been to more art exhibitions this year than ever before. I even managed a free holiday, cycling the

Suffolk and Norfolk coast and camping on beaches. It's something I'd never done before and probably wouldn't have, were it not for the challenge.

The last 12 months have taught me what things I really need. I can honestly say I' m happier now. I've gained confidence and skills, done things and met lovely people I wouldn't have otherwise done or met.

1. In the past the author wasted much money on the following EXCEPT .

A．purposeless shopping	B．basic groceries
C．restaurants	D．pubs

2. We can infer that the purpose of the author's no-spending challenge is to .

A．try to form a virtue of frugality	B．change her former spending habits
C．pay off her mortgage as soon as possible	D．reserve money for her everyday bills

3. What do we know about the author during her no-spending year?

A．She did a lot of washing and cooking in pubs.

B．She tried cycling and camping for the first time.

C．She explored more cultural activities in London.

D．She attended concerts and wine evenings for free.

4. How does the author eventually feel about her no spending year?

A．It's discouraging.	B．It's challenging.
C．It's beneficial.	D．It's embarrassing.

2 . I was invited to attend a presentation at the Kentucky School. That evening I found gratitude had amazing_______to change our attitude and our life.

The young musician Mr Patrick was_______onto the stage in his wheelchair and began to play the piano. His fingers danced_______the keys as he made beautiful music. He then began to sing as he played, and it was wonderful. But what shocked me most was his_______smile.

Mr Patrick was born with no eyes and an illness in the legs, which_______him lame for life. However, as a child, he was fitted with artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair. Before his first birthday, he discovered the piano._______his mom hit any note on the piano, and within one or two tries, he’d get it. By his second birthday, he was playing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. ” His father was_______.“We might not play baseball, but we can play music together. ”

When Patrick was at the University of Louisville, his father_______classes with him. He was also a part of the 214-member marching band!   He was a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; and he and his father did it together. His father_______the night shift (夜班) in order to accompany his daytime band practice. Patrick says, “My dad’s my hero. ” 

But even more than his________musical talent, it was Patrick’s “attitude of gratitude” that touched my soul. On stage, between songs, he talked to the audience about his life and about how________he was with a great father. When his performance was over, Patrick and his father were on the stage together. The crowd rose to their feet and________for over five minutes.  

We all face misfortune in our lives. However, it’s not the hardship but how we________to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our lives. During________times, do we spend too much time feeling________for ourselves, or can we, with gratitude, learn how to dance in the rain?

1.

A．knowledge

B．quality

C．wisdom

D．power

2.

A．rolled

B．held

C．allowed

D．dragged

3.

A．through

B．to

C．across

D．at

4.

A．strange

B．magic

C．bitter

D．friendly

5.

A．took

B．led

C．forced

D．left

6.

A．Before

B．When

C．Since

D．Until

7.

A．confused

B．amused

C．interested

D．overjoyed

8.

A．listed

B．found

C．attended

D．organized

9.

A．worked

B．found

C．refused

D．cancelled

10.

A．unbearable

B．unreasonable

C．unconditional

D．unbelievable

11.

A．satisfied

B．concerned

C．blessed

D．laughed

12.

A．cheered

B．whispered

C．shouted

D．laughed

13.

A．see

B．react

C．agree

D．put

14.

A．happy

B．modern

C．usual

D．tough

15.

A．great

B．sorry

C．hopeful

D．proud

3 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

I have a warm story to share with you. A school in San Francisco not only accepted a deaf student, but also     1    (teach) the entire class sign language to allow them to better communicate with him.

The moving story began in September last year     2     a woman asked the primary school in her neighborhood     3    (accept) her six-year-old son, James, who has a hearing disability. The teacher, Lily, agreed almost immediately,     4     on the first day of school, she noticed James     5    (sit) all by himself, unable to communicate with any of his classmates.

    6    (determine) to find a way, Lily tried developing a few signs of     7    (she) own. But a parent of another child came up     8     an even better idea—getting the whole class to learn sign language along with James. So they got a sign language teacher on board, and three months later, James was able to communicate     9    (happy) with all his classmates about regular things like homework and     10    (game).

4 . 假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加，删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Yesterday my Chinese teacher asked me recite a poem today in class. I became very anxiously at once because I had never try a poem. Then I realise that if I practised hard, I could succeed. Therefore, I decided to do his best. After I got home, I stayed in my room, spend all my time reading the poem aloud. This morning when the Chinese teachers came in, my heart raced wildly but my face went red. Though I was quite afraid to stand before my classmates, I finally remembered that what to recite. Lucky, I made no mistake at all.

5 . 完形填空：
As far back as I can remember, I've always known that my brother was different. At first I thought this was a good thing. When I got older I learned the ____.My brother had autism (孤独症),ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder ), and Asperger's Syndrome, all serious____conditions. At 15, he had the ____of a 7-year-old. When he was little, I didn't ____it as much. But as he got older it became more____.When something didn't go his____, he got angry and it took hours to ____down. He'd talk to himself and play with string. We could never____to give him his medicine ； ____he'd go wild. I was always embarrassed when we took him anywhere, and I never wanted to bring anyone ____
When I was 10, it seemed like I couldn't____it anymore. I'd shout at him for being different and would ask ____he couldn't be normal. Of course he had no ____what I was talking about. It became very hard, ____when a friend of mine didn't want to come over____her mom said my brother was dangerous. Our fights____up until one day he came up to me. He gave me a big hug and said, "I don't know what I did ____, but I hope you still love me. " At that moment I realized that was who he was and I'd better learn to ____him.
As I've got older, I've learned how____I really am. Having him as a brother has made me kinder, and more patient. And no____how busy he is, he'11 always listen to my problems. I worry about his future, but I know he'll always be loved.1.

A．knowledge

B．skill

C．truth

D．matter

2.

A．mental

B．physical

C．chemical

D．normal

3.

A．experience

B．intelligence

C．impression

D．expression

4.

A．watch

B．recognize

C．attend

D．notice

5.

A．obvious

B．difficult

C．different

D．ordinary

6.

A．road

B．way

C．path

D．side

7.

A．take

B．bring

C．calm

D．put

8.

A．want

B．remember

C．pretend

D．forget

9.

A．otherwise

B．however

C．therefore

D．besides

10.

A．here

B．home

C．out

D．away

11.

A．see

B．hear

C．bear

D．tear

12.

A．what

B．how

C．when

D．why

13.

A．sense

B．idea

C．thought

D．surprise

14.

A．especially

B．specially

C．immediately

D．suddenly

15.

A．though

B．if

C．because

D．while

16.

A．gave

B．sent

C．called

D．kept

17.

A．right

B．indeed

C．really

D．wrong

18.

A．accept

B．receive

C．persuade

D．advise

19.

A．terrible

B．bad

C．clever

D．lucky

20.

A．wonder

B．matter

C．problem

D．need

6 . This is about keeping a secret - one I don’t even know myself.
Today two girls came into my life with a ____ Yes, there were probably at least fifty other people around me, but what they had to____wasn’t what I____ today.
I was trying to decide what____I was going to have for dinner in the produce section ____ I could hear two girls laughing and whispering.
One of the girls asked me how to choose the right cantaloupe (哈密瓜). I ____what little knowledge I had about placing two thumbs near the ____ and pressing on it to see how ____ it was. I spoke about the color and smell around that core. I took the time to help them____one.
I really felt like I knew what I was ____ about and because they asked me, I felt good about helping.
They were ____ and I went about my business. Suddenly one of the girls walked up to me and said, "Can you keep a ____?" A bit confused and stunned, I replied, "I believe I ____" Then she ____toward me with her two hands cupped together as if she was going to ____ me something.
"Now it’s yours, " she said ____she placed her hands in mine and smiled and walked away.
There was nothing in her hands.
There was nothing in mine, although, ____ I felt like I was holding something. Apparently it was a secret. The girls disappeared into the next aisle and I never ____ either one again.
Okay, some of you are just shrugging this off as some ____game. Perhaps they even made a fool of me without me realizing it.
I guess it’s the easiest secret to ____ because I don’t know what it is.1.

A．gift

B．message

C．purpose

D．question

2.

A．recommend

B．introduce

C．serve

D．offer

3.

A．learn

B．enjoy

C．need

D．seek

4.

A．bowl

B．spoon

C．plate

D．vegetable

5.

A．when

B．if

C．whether

D．although

6.

A．shared

B．gathered

C．recalled

D．regretted

7.

A．top

B．core

C．bottom

D．side

8.

A．solid

B．soft

C．ripe

D．big

9.

A．remove

B．weigh

C．cut

D．find

10.

A．talking

B．worrying

C．concerning

D．hesitating

11.

A．beautiful

B．grateful

C．sincere

D．serious

12.

A．family

B．business

C．diary

D．secret

13.

A．should

B．must

C．can

D．may

14.

A．waved

B．moved

C．signed

D．gestured

15.

A．hand

B．sell

C．send

D．require

16.

A．since

B．before

C．while

D．as

17.

A．frankly

B．heavily

C．skeptically

D．strangely

18.

A．trusted

B．cheated

C．saw

D．helped

19.

A．excellent

B．popular

C．easy

D．foolish

20.

A．keep

B．sell

C．discover

D．steal

7 . (NEW YORK) A French tourist highly praised for rescuing a two-year-old girl in Manhattan said he didn’t think twice before diving into the freezing East River.

Tuesday’s Daily News said 29-year-old Julien Duret from France was the man who left the spot quickly after the rescue last Saturday.

He lifted the little girl out of the water after she fell off the bank at the South Street Seaport museum. He handed the girl to her father, David Anderson, who had dived in after him.

“I didn’t think at all,” Duret told the Daily News. “It happened very fast. I reacted very fast.”

Duret, an engineer on vacation, was walking with his girlfriend along the pier(码头) when he saw something falling into the water. He thought it was a doll, but realized it was a child when he approached the river. Immediately, he took off his coat and jumped into the water.

When he reached the girl, she appeared lifeless, he said. Fortunately, when she was out of the water, she opened her eyes.

Anderson said his daughter slipped off the bank when he was adjusting his camera. An ambulance came later for her, said Duret, who was handed dry clothes from onlookers. Duret caught a taxi with his girlfriend shortly after.

The rescue happened on the day before he left for France. Duret said he didn’t realize his story of heroism had greatly moved New York until he was leaving the city the next morning.

“I don’t really think I’m a hero,” said Duret. “Anyone would do the same thing.”

1. Why was Duret in New York?

A．To meet his girlfriend.	B．To spend his holiday.
C．To work as an engineer.	D．To visit the Andersons.

2. What did Duret do shortly after the ambulance came?

A．He was interviewed by a newspaper.

B．He went to the hospital in the ambulance.

C．He disappeared from the spot quickly.

D．He asked his girlfriend for his dry clothes.

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

A．Duret thought twice before he jumped into the cold water.

B．Duret dived into the water before the girl’s father.

C．The rescue happened on the day Duret left for France.

D．Duret didn’t think he was brave enough to be a hero.

4. What is probably the headline of this news report?

A．A Careless Father	B．A Poor Girl
C．Warm-hearted Onlookers	D．Brave Frenchman Found

8 . A clinic in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, works to support the health of people and forests.

Kinari Webb is an American doctor who helped start the non-profit group that operates the clinic. The group is known as ASRI. Dr. Webb says most communities value the local forests, but illegal logging(伐木) was often their only way to earn money to pay for health care. "Villagers know that if they protect the forest, that’s good for their long-term well-being. But if they have no money to see a doctor, they have to do illegal logging," said Dr. Webb.

The clinic is in Sukadana, a village outside Gunung Palung National Park. Each month someone from ASRI visits the surrounding villages to see if they are actively logging or burning land within the park. Communities that do not take part in illegal logging pay about 40 percent less for health care than those that do. Also, the clinic uses a barter system. Patients can pay with things like handmade baskets, labor exchanges, young trees or fruit they grow.

Patients learn about environmental conservation as they wait to register at the clinic. Many of the 70 staff members also help communities learn about organic farming and other ways to earn money. In May, ASRI started a program to identify forest "guardians". These guardians work with the community to try to prevent illegal logging. One of the guardians says he entered the program because ASRI helped his son recover from tuberculosis(肺结核).

The clinic is small, but very busy. However, people did not trust the clinic at first. They wanted to go to the only hospital in the area. Yet its resources are limited and villagers often have to travel more than two hours to get there.

Now, people happily share stories about the clinic. Amelia’s mother is one of them. She started going there when her daughter was eight months old. She says the treatment is good. Dr. Webb smiled when she heard that.

Dr. Webb said: "Health care is an incredible key. And everyone everywhere around knows that we really care and that we are helping save their lives."

1. A barter system is a system in which ____.

A．people trade by the exchange of goods

B．patients can receive a free treatment

C．customers pay the goods in cash

D．trees are taken good care of

2. Kinari Webb set up the clinic for the following purposes EXCEPT ____.

A．treating the local patients

B．protecting the forests

C．teaching people about organic farming

D．forcing the only hospital out of the area

3. We can infer that ____.

A．only a few people went to the clinic at the beginning

B．the clinic is well equipped

C．Amelia’s mother is not satisfied with the medical service

D．the only hospital in the area is of poor service