5 . When he tells people that he is deaf, Oliver Stabbe is called a liar. "The idea that deaf people cannot speak is a very offensive assumption," the sophomore(大二学生) said.

Stabbe’s experience speaks of many of the misunderstandings about deaf people and the struggles they face — things commonly found right in Rochester. This city is home to 90,000 deaf people, a significant slice of the more than 1.1 million national population. The percentage of deaf people here is higher than the national average, due in part to RITs National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the first technological college in the world created specifically for the deaf and hard of hearing.

"Really, there seems to be an embarrassment in communicating with deaf people," said sophomore Stephen Davis, another deaf student. This awkwardness might arise because non-deaf people just don't know how to do so without possibly offending someone. "I guess they think saying ‘deaf’ is offensive, but it really isn't and deaf people don't get upset about it," Davis said. He noted that the biggest issue he's had when communicating with other students is their anxiety about communicating.

Deaf or hard-of-hearing students also face frustrations(令人心烦的事) on their end when interacting with others. "Sometimes people talk about you, maybe to a non-deaf friend standing beside me, as if I’m not there," Davis said. "That’s depressing." As Davis put it, "We don’t see ourselves as the disabled, so the awkwardness is only one-sided."

Stabbe advised that those communicating should not make assumptions about others’ preferences or ability. If you have a question, ask. A moment of awkwardness is absolutely worth it if you are being educated about an important topic.

1. Why are there more deaf people in Rochester?

A．Deaf people have some privileges here.

B．Deaf people may get better job opportunities here.

C．Deaf people meet fewer struggles here.

D．A professional school for the deaf appeals to them.

2. What may embarrass people when communicating with the deaf according to Davis?

A．They are afraid of upsetting the deaf.

B．They are unwilling to communicate.

C．They don’t know any simple gestures.

D．They don't challenge enough assumptions.

3. What kind of person is Stephen Davis?

A．Sensitive and talkative.

B．Reasonable and reliable.

C．Confident and intelligent.

D．Outspoken and aggressive.

4. What can be the best title of the text?

A．We can hear your heart.

B．"Deaf" is not a bad word.

C．Deaf people are not liars.

D．Embarrassment is one-sided.

6 . Almost everyone gossips. And a new study finds that people spend about 52 minutes per day, on average, talking to someone about someone else who is not present.

But here’s the surprise: Despite the assumption that most gossip is trash talk, the study finds that the vast majority of gossip is non-judgmental chitchat.

“People love to talk about other people,” says Jeremy Cone, a psychologist at Williams College. “Think about your own conversations with a family member or friend: You talk about everyday things that keep you connected. You share that your daughter got her driver’s license or your uncle has a kidney stone. Much of it is just documenting facts.”

And, of course, the study also finds that some gossip is negative or mean-spirited. About 15% of the snippets of gossip that the researchers analyzed included some types of negative judgements.

But even negative gossip can serve a purpose, as more research has found.

“I think gossiping can be a smart thing to do,” says Elena Martinescu, a researcher at King’s College London who has studied gossip in the workplace. “It allows people to keep track of what’s going on and form social alliances with other people.”

Research has shown that gossip can help build group cohesion and cooperation. “When you gossip, you can keep track of who is contributing to the group and who’s being selfish,” Martinescu explains. “And by sharing this information, you can exclude those group members who are social loafers.”

“We also found that negative gossip makes people likely to repair the aspects of their behavior that they were criticized for,” Martinescu says.

So, say, for instance, you were criticized for always arriving at work late. Hearing that gossip about yourself may motivate you to want to be on time.

Of course, this isn’t a license to be a loose lips or to repeat baseless claims that can damage someone’s reputation unfairly. But confiding（吐露个人隐私）in your friends and colleagues and sharing impressions about another person—even when they’re negative—may be helpful.

1. According to Jeremy Cone, why do people often gossip?

A．To spread negative facts.

B．To satisfy others’ curiosity.

C．To injure others’ reputation.

D．To share social information.

2. In which way can gossip be helpful?

A．It can improve people’s social skill.

B．It can rid society of immoral behavior.

C．People may change their behavior for the better.

D．People may be kept informed of others’ privacy.

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards gossip?

A．Critical.	B．Objective.
C．Supportive.	D．Contradictory.

4. What can be concluded from the passage?

A．Gossip is the last thing we can do.

B．Gossip can do more good than harm.

C．Gossip may not be as harmful as it sounds.

D．Gossip is the best way to build social bonds.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is probably the woman’s job?

A．A restaurant manager.

B．A waitress.

C．A chef.

2. What is the man asking for help with?

A．How to make different coffee drinks.

B．What to do while serving customers.

C．Where to find necessary items for work.

3. What do the speakers definitely have in common?

A．They’ve worked in restaurants for a long time.

B．They grew up in the same area.

C．They’re excited to work together.

4. How much money did the man expect to make per night?

A．$80.

B．$100.

C．$200.

9 . Improve Your Relationships

Having stable and positive relationships in your life can make you happier and more fulfilled. Whether it's your friends, family, or significant other, improving a relationship can sometimes be confusing.     1    

Express your appreciation for the person.

    2     Notice the positive things that the person is doing and go out of your way to show your appreciation for them. You can also show your appreciation by remembering important events like anniversaries or birthdays.

    3    

If you hardly see each other or talk to each other, it can be difficult to maintain a relationship. Take extra time out of your day and devote it to the person that you want to improve relations with. Try to work around the other person's schedule so that you can spend the time together. You can share a meal, watch a show, listen to music, or go shopping with them.

Turn off distractions.

Distractions like a cell phone, social media, or video games can create a division in between you and another person. If you notice that you are always distracted, you should turn off your cell phone or computer and talk to them.     4    

Seek therapy(心理治疗) if you can't get along.

To fix or improve family relationships or relationships with your significant other, you can turn to therapy. If you notice that you and the person are always arguing over the same kinds of things, and nothing has worked, you should consider seeking therapy with them.     5     And family therapy may be able to restore bonds between family members.

A．Spend more time with the person.

B．Maintain a relationship if possible.

C．People often like to be praised for achievements.

D．A specialist can help solve long­term issues in the relationship.

E．If they are the one always distracted, ask them if they can do the same.

F．Follow the tips and you can develop good relationships with your family.

G．Luckily, by adjusting your behaviour, you can improve any relationship in your life.

10 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

“Meet one more and I’ll definitely ask a favour.” Gina thought, looking up at the street lights, everything immersed (沉浸在) in the dark night. “Alas! This unlucky stuffi” She said to herself, helpless.

Behind her came the jingling of bicycle bells. Hardly had Gina let out “ah” when a cycling young man swept past.

“Why, the cyclist was back?” Gina whispered to herself. The young man suddenly returned and was already in front of Gina before she knew it.   Gina’s heart was pounding under high tension. “What will he do on such a dark night?” “Called me just now?” The young man got off his bike. Gina shook her head repeatedly but gently. A strong sense of self-defense overcame her and she refused to say yes.

“Something wrong with your bike?”A pair of smiling eyes met hers. Gina became somewhat calm. “The front tire has gone flat.” she responded, head down, a ray of hope arising. “Well, I can’t help it with no tools.” The young man managed a smile. Gina’s heart sank again. “Do you live far?” the young man searched her face for an answer. “Me?” she asked, keeping pushing her bike forward. “Well, on the left side of the street end is a repair shop. Wish you luck!” With these words, the young man rode away. Gina almost burst into tears. “It’s almost midnight. Where can I find a repair shop? A liar.” She started to hate the young man.

Almost at the end ofthe street, Gina couldn’t help but look up. Near the sidewalk, there was really a shop with the light still on.

1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

She paused hesitantly, and out of the shop came a girl in her twenties.

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With the help of the young man and the girl, the tire was soon repaired.

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