1 . Picture the scene: you’ve spent years working towards a very specific goal. You’ve put in countless hours of work and made many efforts along the way, but now that you’ve got there it doesn’t feel quite like you imagined. Instead of celebration, you feel emptiness, confusion and doubt.

Welcome to the anti-climax. The often-experienced but seldom-discussed downside of achieving life’s biggest milestones. Many of us work tirelessly towards our goals. We may spend our lives dreaming of the day we get married, publish our first hook or buy our first home. However, oftentimes, when we achieve these things it doesn’t feel quite as expected. In fact, the achievement of these goals feels a bit of a letdown.

So why do we often experience an anti-climax with big goals, even though we’re happy to achieve them? “An anti-climax can be an unexpected by-product of a milestone achievement. Usually, the more significant the milestone, the greater the anti-climax may be. The intensity（强度）of an anti-climax often relies on what we expect of this achievement.” says Rachel Vora. a psychotherapist（心理治疗师）.“The journey to achieving a milestone can he exciting and tiring in addition to giving us a sense of purpose and focus. Therefore, when this disappears overnight. we can often feel lost and confused, in spite of feeling proud of our achievement.

When this happens it can contribute to a mixture of emotions. We often falsely believe that we’ll feel completely different afterwards or that our feelings of low self-worth will disappear, but this is rarely the case. “Clients（客户）often present to me with an extremely great sense of ‘is this it?’ and ‘what now?’.” says Vora. “These feelings of confusion and disappointment, if let ignored, have the potential to cause clients to be in low spirits, or even worse.”

1. Why does the author mention the examples in paragraph 2?

A．To present a fact.	B．To prove a rule.
C．To explain a term.	D．To make a prediction.

2. What does Vora think is the leading cause of the anti-climax?

A．Low self-worth.	B．High expectations.
C．Sense of purpose.	D．Unexpected achievements.

3. Which of the following is a case of the anti-climax?

A．Amy felt empty before giving a speech.

B．Jack felt lost after his first novel came out.

C．Mary felt proud when she joined a ballet club.

D．Tom felt doubtful about taking further education.

4. What will the author probably talk about in the following text?

A．How to hold back feelings.

B．How to improve self-worth.

C．Hon to identify the anti-climax.

D．How to deal with the anti-climax.

2 . As more people move into their golden years, many families are welcoming their senior parents into their homes. While most seniors claim to prefer to age in their own homes, safety and health concerns don’t always make this possible.

If you are preparing to welcome a senior parent into your home, everyone will have an adjustment period. This type of move will have physical, emotional, and mental influences for the whole family. Here’re a few tips to help you open your heart and home to your senior parents.

You may be excited about having your senior parent move in, but that doesn’t mean they will share your enthusiasm. Being asked to move out of their own home can be very upsetting for your parents. So it’s important to be patient with them and allow them the time to adjust to their new environment.

It’s also important to give your parents a space of their own. Before you decide to bring a senior parent into your home, you need to consider if you have enough space for them.

Then, for adult children, offering a senior parent a safe home is a priority. Before moving, you will need to make some changes around your home to help your parents stay safe. For example, install grab bars in the bathroom, repair all stairways, add anti-slip mats to the kitchen and so on. And arm yourself with knowledge like First Aid courses.

In addition, your senior parent will be used to being in charge of their own home and is likely to feel like a bother as they begin to settle in your home. One effective way is to assign them a household responsibility. Ask your parents to look after the dog or cook a meal to make them feel like an active and important part of the family.

1. Who may be the intended readers of the text?

A．People moving into their golden years.

B．People having senior parents to take care of.

C．People wanting to age in their own homes.

D．Senior people having safety and health concerns.

2. Which is the most important to move your senior parents home?

A．Being patient with your parents.

B．Giving them enough space.

C．Making sure of their safety.

D．Assigning them a household responsibility.

3. Why should you give your parents housework to do?

A．To make them feel like a bother.

B．To make them think themselves useful.

C．To make them in charge of the family.

D．To encourage them to exercise actively.

4. Which of the following is the best title of the text?

A．Troubles to live with senior parents.

B．A good way to age for senior people.

C．Take your responsibility to adjust yourself.

D．Open your heart and home to your senior parents.

3 . How to Stop Spam Calls for Good

If you made a list of the little things that bothered you the most, phone call scams would no doubt be at the top. Telemarketers, or more often, automated robot-callers, have tricks for interrupting you at the worst possible moment.     1    

Fact is that robot-callers are never going to stop trying to reach you. Their schemes bring in hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars annually. And unfortunately, older people are more likely to fall prey to these scams.     2    

Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry

Your first move: Join the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry. You can get on the list by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register.     3     To date, the agency has taken 51 legal actions against companies and telemarketers, recovering $112 million.

Use spam-filtering apps and tech

    4     A spam-filtering app can give you a second layer of protection and is a good add-on to your overall smartphone security. The app’s makers maintain a large database of user-reported robocalls. When one of those numbers dials you, the app blocks the phone from ringing and informs you the call is spam. Genius!

    5    

You probably know that a caller who insists you owe money to the IRS or says you’ll be arrested if you don’t settle a debt is a scammer. But your 10-year-old kid and your older parents and grandparents may be tricked. And remember: Knowing how to stop spam calls is just one step toward avoiding scams; don’t forget to explain how to stop spam texts to your loved ones, too.

A．Warn family members

B．Report to the police at once

C．Follow these steps to pull the plug on them once and for all.

D．If you have multiple numbers to input, register them at DoNotCall. gov.

E．Spam calls can reach you anytime and anywhere when you use your smartphone.

F．They’re annoying, but that’s not the only reason you should know how to stop spam calls.

G．The National Do Not Call Registry will prevent a lot of unwanted calls, but it won’t stop all of them.

4 . Under the background of the slow growth of its total population to 1.44 billion, China has seen a sharp rise in older adults over the past decade, solidifying the country’s rapidly aging pattern, the latest national census (人口普查) data shows. The population on the Chinese mainland increased by an average of 0.53 percent annually during the past 10 years to 1.41 billion, compared with an annual growth rate of 0.57 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the 7th national census published by the National Bureau of Statistics.

“The growth of the total population has slowed down but remains at a steady pace,” Ning Jizhe, head of the bureau, said at a news conference. “Based on trends in recent years, China’s population will grow at an increasingly slow rate in the future while remaining above 1.4 billion.” The increasing elderly population has become a defining feature of the past decade.

Ning said an aging society will set the tone for China's population structure for a long time, presenting challenges and opportunities. “A graying population will pile pressure on supply of labor force and social services, as well as adding to families’ elderly care burden. But more elderly people could also motivate consumption of products and services targeting this age group, and advance the development of some technologies,” he said.

Ning added that those between the ages of 60 and 69, who are equipped with knowledge, experience and skills and are generally in good health, make up nearly 56 percent of all older adults. “Their potential to continue making contributions to society and playing a constructive role is big,” he responded to a question on the outlook for raising the retirement age and carrying out other potential measures aimed at addressing the aging trend. Some population economists also said the latest number and proportion (比例) of elderly are largely within predictions, and the aging trend will continue for a long time.

1. What does the 7th national census data show?

A．The aging population of China has risen rapidly.

B．The annual growth rate has increased by 0.04%.

C．The annual growth rate was 0.57% during the past 10 years.

D．The total population of Chinese mainland increased to 1.44 billion.

2. What does Ning Jizhe say about the growth of graying population?

A．It is beyond predictions.	B．It brings few advantages.
C．It has sharply slowed down.	D．It will increase pressure on family.

3. What is Ning Jizhe’s attitude to the graying population?

A．Objective.

B．Doubtful.

C．Unclear.

D．Negative.

4. What can be a suitable title for the passage?

A．The aging trend brings problems

B．An aging society presents opportunities

C．China’s population gets old as growth slows

D．Measures are to be taken to tackle the aging trend

5 . There’s a child-like joy that comes with ordering something online — whether it be clothes or kitchen facilities. We sit refreshing the postal service to see when our items will arrive, and we become overly excited, hopeful and anxious.

Ryan Howes, a clinical psychologist from Pasadena California, has interpreted this phenomenon as “anticipatory pleasure”. “A lot of people believe that placing that order and waiting for it does feel good. This is why people look forward to dinner reservations, hair appointments and yes, receiving packages,” he says.

But it’s not the purchase itself that brings about this happiness. Experts say there’s something about the anticipation of waiting that is exciting for those in need of change in their lives. “It can be helpful to anticipate good things in the future, ’’says Ryan Howes. “Waiting for a parcel can serve as a temporary distraction (分心) from the dullness of your life because it gives you something new to wake up to and get excited about.”

However, anticipatory pleasure isn’t always a good thing. While waiting, many are worried about their items arriving on time, appearing broken, or simply not living up to expectations. Even when our package finally arrives, you’ll find that initial excitement has probably waned. Howes cautions that comfort shopping is only a temporary fix. It’s just a distraction from bigger problems, but it hasn’t done anything to change the bigger problems. It only helps you escape from them temporarily.

“Many people often seek external solutions, such as luxury purchases or alcohol, as a way of feeling better quickly. However, a healthier long-term curing mechanism is to look inward and appreciate your life with gratitude. Real pleasure comes from taking action rather than wait passively.” Howes says.

So the next time you feel the urge to order and track something online, chew over it.

1. What’s the purpose of paragraph 1?

A．To inform a trend.	B．To state an opinion.
C．To describe a phenomenon.	D．To issue a warning.

2. What does the underlined word “waned” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Faded.

B．Strengthened.

C．Returned.

D．Emerged.

3. What’s Howeses attitude to anticipatory pleasure?

A．Objective.

B．Supportive.

C．Doubtful.

D．Unclear.

4. What is Howeses suggestion to readers?

A．Shopping online at will.

B．Seeking external stimulation.

C．Escaping from life occasionally.

D．Pursuing inner satisfaction actively.

6 . World’s richest woman Gina Rinehart is suffering a media firestorm over an article in which she blames the middle class for “drinking, or smoking and socializing” rather than working to earn their own fortune. What if she has a point?

Steve Siebold, author of “How Rich People Think”, spent nearly three decades interviewing millionaires around the world to find out what separates them from everyone else. It had little to do with money itself, he told Business Insider. It was about their mentality.

Average people think money is the root of all evil (罪恶). Rich people believe poverty is the root of all evil. “The average person has been brainwashed to believe rich people are lucky or dishonest,” Siebold writes. That’s why there’s a certain shame that comes along with getting rich in lower-income communities. “The rich knows that while having money doesn’t guarantee happiness, it does make your life easier and more enjoyable.”

Average people believe you have to do something to get rich. Rich people believe you have to be something to get rich. “While the masses are attached to the doing and the immediate results of their actions, the great ones are learning and growing from every experience, whether it’s a success or a failure, knowing their true reward is becoming a human success machine that eventually produces outstanding results,” he writes.

Average people would rather be entertained than educated. Rich people would rather be educated than entertained. The rich don’t think it a must to earn their wealth through formal education, and they appreciate the power of learning long after college is over, Siebold says. “Walk into a wealthy person’s home and you often see many books used to educate themselves on how to become more successful,” he writes. “The middle class reads novels, tabloids (小报) and entertainment magazines”.

1. What’s the function of the first paragraph?

A．To lead in the topic of the text.

B．To describe the life of the middle class.

C．To introduce the richest woman in the world.

D．To show readers the supporting details of the article.

2. Why is it considered a shame when an ordinary man gets rich?

A．Probably because he succeeds by dishonest means.

B．Probably because people are misled by false ideas.

C．Probably because he becomes rich by pure chance.

D．Probably because people think of him as the root of evil.

3. According to Siebold, what do the rich think of education?

A．Everyone can go to the library for further education.

B．Education should be received through formal ways.

C．Learning should last for one’s whole life.

D．Novels and tabloids bring people poverty.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Rich People Think Differently	B．Education or Entertainment?
C．Average People Long for Fortune	D．How to Earn Wealth?

7 . NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Last year, the National Park Service (NPS) marked its 100th anniversary with a year-long celebration.

    1    . It recognized the preservation and protection of the 417 park service units. Now that those festivities have wrapped up, it’s time to look toward what the next 100 years might look like for the nation’s parks. Here’s a look at some of the major issues facing the nation s parks now and over the next century.

    2    . For example, at Shenandoah National Park, park officials note that rising temperatures in streams have already impacted native fish. They are also concerned that climate change will lead to more droughts, floods and wildfires. At Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California, park officials are predicting heat waves, coastal flooding and habitat destruction in response to climate change.

Visitors behave badly. Today, visitors still aim to make their mark on the natural and cultural resources.

    3    . But the NPS now has its own branch of law enforcement (执法) officials who are tasked with protecting those resources for and often from park visitors.

There is maintenance backlog (积压).    4    . But the donations may drop sharply and raise the possibility of handing the parks over to private corporations. With budget shortfalls and maintenance at all-time highs, it’s likely that these sorts of partnerships will only become more likely in the future.

Despite some major concerns, the future of the NPS looks promising. With a renewed level of interest, and the help of some corporate donations, the parks will be protected for the next century.    5    .

A．Climate change will affect all parks

B．Yellowstone National Park deserves a visit

C．The NPS took a look back at the last century

D．The maintenance burden will be removed soon

E．And they may look different in the next 100 years

F．Those are protected by the National Park Service as they did years ago

G．At the moment, donations from private corporations are limited to signs and certain exhibits

9 . Teens who are preparing to take cosmetic surgery often have unrealistic expectations. The growing numbers of beauty treatment television shows which make cosmetic surgery seem simple have encouraged adolescents to pursue surgery to improve their physical appearance. As a result, more teenagers are going under the knife to achieve a desired look．

When teens feel the need to have cosmetic surgery, they believe that it is not a huge deal, but they may not be mature enough to make such a life changing decision. If teens feel inadequate before surgery, they will most likely feel disappointed afterwards. Not only is surgery complex and risky for mature adults, it is extremely dangerous for younger people, and some doctors are performing these procedures on kids as young as fourteen!

The cost of procedures can add up to thousands of dollars. Insurance does not cover the costs of these procedures. Teenagers often pay for surgery themselves ----- a very costly purchase for a young person. Not only can surgery become addictive for insecure teens, the consequence can be disappointing. When surgery takes an unexpected wrong turn, permanent damage can occur. Any surgery on a young, undeveloped person has a risk of complication (并发症) such as infection, which can lead to death. Even if there are no complications, there is no guarantee that surgery will provide the perfect nose or a desired shape body. No matter how minor the procedure, it is not as effortless as it appears．

Of course, there are cases where cosmetic surgery is appropriate. If a child has a serious injury or scarring from an accident, it can be beneficial. In all cases, parents must be involved in the process for the welfare of their child, and must guide them in the right direction. Fortunately, parents or legal guardians must sign documents allowing their child to have plastic surgery. Doctors also need to be a part of the decision. Most experienced and trust-worthy physicians turn down the opportunity to operate on a teenager unnecessarily．

Cosmetic surgery is a life-changing experience. Hopefully, more teens will realize that there is more to a person than physical beauty, and learn to accept themselves for who they are．

1. Teenagers are encouraged to have cosmetic surgery by _________．

A．some surgeons	B．TV show hosts
C．lots of TV programs	D．their teen friends

2. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Cosmetic surgery being too costly for teens．

B．The hidden danger in having cosmetic surgery．

C．The development of techniques of cosmetic surgery．

D．Cosmetic surgery making teens prettier without effort.

3. The author may think a teenager can consider having cosmetic surgery if he/she _______.

A．has an ugly scar	B．is not very beautiful
C．is supported by their grandparents	D．has got a doctor’ s permission

4. What is the author’s general attitude towards teens having cosmetic surgery?

A．Disapproving．	B．Supportive．
C．Doubtful．	D．Curious．