1 . A new study from the Netherlands has found that an important factor in a child’s ultimate level of education, even more important than their own family’s economic situation, is whether they grow up with rich neighbors nearby.
Researcher Agata Troost and her colleagues at Delft University of Technology used a national database to track the address of every Dutch baby born in 1995, a total of 140,338 people, from birth to age 23. Using geolocating software, they drew up a socioeconomic profile (概况) for each child's immediate neighborhood, figuring the percentage of neighbors who were rich, middle class or disadvantaged.
After controlling a number of other factors, including parents’ earnings and levels of education, the researchers found that a child's own experience of wealth or poverty mattered less to their ultimate level of schooling than exposure to well-off neighbors. The data suggest that growing up in a rich area, with well-maintained parks, libraries and soccer fields, as well as interactions with educated neighbors, could boost a poor child's ability to see beyond their immediate horizons (眼界).
“Rich families create neighborhoods and activities that create opportunities,” said Ms. Troost, and these advantages are shared with other children who happen to live nearby. The finding echoes an earlier study by Mr. Chetty and his colleagues, which showed that having even one inspiring teacher in middle school can improve a student’s career prospects. Whether in the classroom or on the street, it seems that social interactions outside the family can start a young person's motivation and ambition.
At the same time, the study also stressed the importance of the home environment. When parents are well educated, children are likely to be, too. And that's the moral of the story: Neighborhoods can have different effects on different children, depending on how educated their parents are, whether they are male or female, and how much casual contact they have with people who are different from their own families. “Location, location, location” may be a old saying for buying a house, but we're learning that it also holds true for children's development.
1. What aspect of the research is paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．Its purpose. | B．Its principle. | C．Its method. | D．Its result. |
| A．Goes against. | B．Agrees with. | C．Works for. | D．Relates to. |
| A．An advertisement. | B．A novel. | C．A magazine. | D．A guidebook. |
| A．The Benefits of Educated Parents | B．The Power of a Good Neighborhood |
| C．The Decisive Factor in a Child's Growth | D．The Location Your New House Should Have |
| A．He talks less than he used to. |
| B．He hasn’t had time to play tennis recently. |
| C．He shouldn’t have behaved so proudly. |
| D．He has never talked to her after the game. |
3 . Thanks to a generous and kind soul, this winter is not cold any more. A Stockton teen will make sure seniors are staying warm and unforgotten during the holiday season, because dozens of elders across the nation are getting socks for Christmas — they couldn’t be happier about it.
Elle Gianelli, 17, is a student in high school, but most of her friends are elders. She has been making colored socks with silly designs for years, sending them to seniors in nursing and care homes to brighten up their day.
It all started from the closer-than-close friendship she has with her grandmother, which taught the value of spending time with elders. “I’m a grandma’s girl, I love love love my nana,” Gianelli said. On putting forward the idea, she was supported by her family and friends. Later, she was encouraged by her teachers who started the project Socks for Seniors when she was in her 7th grade, and she has so far lighted up 92 care homes in 48 states.
But as Christmas approaches, she’s making efforts to prepare her surprise in order to send boxes of silly socks to elders in all 50 states in time for the big day. “I know most people have toys for babies and things for kids but they always seem to forget about elders,” Gianelli told CBS. “Maybe they don’t have family or maybe they live super far away and they’re only getting something like a postcard.” To make sure that elders’ toes and hearts remain warm this holiday season, Gianelli is hoping to raise $10,000 through GoFundMe for a big sock drive. So far, with still 19 days to go before Christmas, she has received 95% of her total in donations.
1. What’s elders’ feeling on getting the socks?| A．Overjoyed. | B．Embarrassed. | C．Confused. | D．Frightened. |
| A．Teachers’ guidance. | B．Christmas project. |
| C．Love for her grandma. | D．Encouragement from friends. |
| A．She also has toys and things for kids. | B．She will send socks to seniors in 48 states. |
| C．She still has 19 days to prepare the surprise. | D．She has raised $10,000 through GoFundMe. |
| A．Warm Gifts From a Teen. | B．The Wishes of the Elders. |
| C．A Special Relationship. | D．A Wonderful School Project. |
1. What is the newcomer’s position in the company?
| A．He is a department head. | B．He is a film director. | C．He is a program manager. |
| A．Liam Neeson. | B．David Cook. | C．Joey Sanders. |
1. What is Julia doing?
| A．Making an appointment. | B．Offering suggestions. | C．Expressing her thanks. |
| A．This Thursday. | B．Next Monday. | C．Next Tuesday. |
要求：所述内容符合逻辑，要点清楚，条理清晰，行文流畅。
Once upon a time, there was a small town. There lived a man by himself who couldn’t see. He was blind. Yet, he carried a lighted lamp with him whenever he went out at night. One night as he was coming home after having dinner outside, he came across a group of young travelers.
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| A．Worse than before. | B．Happier than before. | C．As good as before. |
1. Why is Mr. Smith leaving his position?
| A．To change a job. | B．To travel around the world. | C．To move to another country. |
| A．Surprised. | B．Sad. | C．Disappointed. |
| A．Plan for meeting. | B．Visit a lawyer. | C．Attend a party. |
| A．A troublemaker. | B．A helpful person. | C．A selfish person. |
10 . The men of influence in our lives are our fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, and friends and they play an important role in our lives. They lead by example, teaching us how to move physically through our world, how to be strong in the face of adversity, how to be wise, and how to provide for ourselves and our families.
My dad taught me how to have natural fun, playing baseball in the middle of the street, in his stocking feet. Today my dad continues to influence me in positive ways. He has faced a challenging health problem over the past few months and has carried on with his life in much the same way as he did before his illness, going about his daily business a bit slower and needing to take more rests but still living his life the way he wishes to.
My grandfather taught me the value of being trusted. My father-in-law influenced my life in a different way. He was quiet, loyal, loving and a man of power. When he spoke, I listened, as he did not speak unless he had something to say.
My loving husband has encouraged me to be strong and independent, to think for myself, and not to look to him for permission. My husband has also taught me to adapt with him to the ever-changing reality of his journey with illness, and he has met each one with courage and dignity (自尊). I have learned much from the men who have had an influence on my life. For all that I have learned and for the role they played and continue to play in my life I am forever thankful.
I would like to wish all the men of the world a Happy Father’s Day. You make a difference to the men, women, and children who meet you every day. No matter what your role is, you are a man of influence.
1. Which has the closest meaning to the underlined word “adversity” in paragraph 1?| A．Change. | B．Difficulty. | C．Happiness. | D．Development. |
| A．His life has completely changed. | B．His business develops slowly. |
| C．He needs to rest most of the day. | D．Something is wrong with his body. |
| A．Her brother. | B．Her husband. |
| C．Her grandfather. | D．Her father-in-law. |
| A．The influence of men. | B．The advantages of men. |
| C．Holiday greetings. | D．Women’s source of support. |
