1 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Cao Zhi, a prince of the state of Cao Wei,     1    (fall) in love with an official’s daughter. However, she married his brother, Cao Pi, and the prince became disappointed. Later, he composed an     2    (emotion) poem about the love between the goddess and mortal. In the poem, he praises the nymph (女神)     3     her beauty.

“Gazing at her from afar,

She shines like the sun     4    (rise) above the rosy mists (迷雾) of dawn;

Observing her close by,

She is as bright as a lotus emerging from clear ripples (涟漪).”

In the 4th century, Gu Kaizhi, a Chinese artist,     5    (move) by the story. He illustrated the poem and created     6     we call the Nymph of the Luo River.   Unfortunately, the original 4th painting was lost. However, artists made several copies of it,     7    (probable) during the Song dynasty. The painting is in     8     form of a long scroll (卷轴), which describes the plot in sections. Let's unfold the scroll and find out about this beautiful story.

In the beginning, Cao Zhi travels with a group of attendants and has to cross the Luo River. Here, Gu Kaizhi gives full play to his artistic     9    (imagine). Through clever composition and application of vivid colors, he describes the meeting between Cao Zhi and the nymph, Fu Fei. She flows lightly and stops when she wants to go.     10    (attract) by her charm, Cao loses his heart to Fu Fei.

2 . Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden is a fantastic novel that is about seven teenagers who go on a hike for a week to a remote wilderness called Hell. When the group return home,they discover that their country has been invaded. Their families have been taken prisoner and their town is in a mess. After a series of terrifying adventures, they move back to Hell for safety reasons. While there, the group work out their choices. They decide that they will make their base in Hell but that they will not just hide. They will try to do something for their country and fight against the enemy.

The story is told from the point of view of Ellie, one of the teenagers. She has been chosen by the group as the one who should record what has happened. Ellie’s description of the story shows how seven normal teenagers can change from being innocent high school students to courageous heroes fighting for their country. Desperate and extraordinary events are described one minute and normal teenage worries and emotions the next. For example, Ellie is thinking about happy things at the same time as she is concerned about whether her parents are alive and working out ways to survive.

The main characters are Ellie, Lee, Fi, Corrie, Kevin, Robyn and Homer, and a boy named Chris who they find in hiding later on in their adventures. At the end of the book,great changes occur. The teenage characters have all grown in each other’s eyes and learned a great deal about war, about life and death, and about themselves.

Tomorrow, When the War Began is a realistic story with nervousness, excitement and fear. I found it “spellbinding” — in fact, I can’t wait to read it in one day. I think it’s worth reading for everyone.

1. What happens during the teenagers’ first stay in Hell?

A．Their country is at war.	B．They get separated.
C．They find prisoners there.	D．Their nation gives up their land.

2. What do we know about the novel from the text?

A．It is highly praised by critics.	B．It is written in the first person.
C．It features the struggle of teenagers at school.	D．It encourages people to get on with each other.

3. Which aspect of the novel does paragraph 3 center on?

A．The plot.

B．The setting.

C．The ending.

D．The characters.

4. What does the underlined word “spellbinding” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Realistic.

B．Ridiculous.

C．Interesting.

D．Historical.

3 . 阅读下面材料, 在空白处填入适当的内容 (一个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式.

A Journey to the Center of the Earth is an 1864 science fiction novel by rules verge. The scientific knowledge in the book is old, but this has nothing to do with the     1     (popular) of the book.

There are three main     2     (character) in the book: axes, the narrator of the story; his uncle, Professor Lidenbrock, the scientist of geology, and Hans, their     3     (faith) Iceland guide.

The Professor was     4     impatient person, but he insisted on continuing the journey, and finally     5     (manage) it. Hans was silent and incredibly calm. As long as the Professor was hiring him and paid his wage     6     (regular), he could do anything for him, despite the seemingly hopeless situation. His faith, courage and excellent skills saved the other two companions for several times.

One day, the Professor found a book,     7     described the way down to the center of the Earth. He and his companions got equipped immediately,     8     (start) their adventurous journey. What was waiting for them? Well, we can only figure this out by reading the book.

The book is a short one. Some words in it may be difficult     9     (understand). But don't worry! Not knowing these words will not stop us understanding the plot. And the rest are easy. Therefore, it should be a suitable book     10     high school students and the fans of science fiction.

4 . 4 Books that Work Better on Audio

Strained eyes from staring at a screen all day? Give your eyes a break and dive into these audiobooks instead. Listening to an audiobook stimulates the same parts of the brain as reading does, and it is also helpful if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. Here are a few examples:

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

Bryson’s genius lies in his ability to write about hard subjects—from Shakespeare to the human body—while making them seem so easy. Listening to it will teach you about everything from the Big Bang to particle physics, without ever feeling like a lesson.

The Best of Me by David Sedaris

Now, for the first time, David Sedaris reads his autobiographical stories on Radio 4, bringing us his funniest and most memorable work. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence, which is almost impossible to read without laughing.

Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

There’s no shortage of LOTR audiobooks knocking around on Audible, as they have broad appeal across all age groups, being an ideal company for family car journeys. These are complete and clock in at a full 22 hours and 38 minutes, perfect for those looking to get their money’s worth.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

This tale of Abraham Lincoln mourning his son in a graveyard full of ghosts is the winner of the 2017 Booker prize. The book has no less than 166 different narrators—the result being that some readers complained of getting lost. But the audio one makes easy work of distinguishing between varied characters with their distinctive voices.

1. Which is not an advantage of an audiobook?

A．Reduction in anxiety.	B．Easy access without pay.
C．Protection for eyes.	D．Activation of the brain.

2. Which audiobook best suits people who prefer humorous content?

A．A Short History of Nearly Everything.	B．The Best of Me.
C．Lord of the Rings.	D．Lincoln in the Bardo.

3. What’s special about the audio version of Lincoln in the Bardo?

A．It makes the story more attractive.	B．It suits people of all ages.
C．It tells the characters apart.	D．It helps the author win a prize.

5 . If having to make a choice between reading an e-book and a printed book, which would most people choose? Some would go for an e-book while some still prefer the hard-printed book.

Undoubtedly, e-books do have benefits. Firstly, changes to an electronic publication are relatively easy to make. They are quicker to obtain. E-books are more easily updated. The printed books on many subjects can become outdated very quickly. Secondly, e-books can be easily and quickly kept up to date. You usually get far more than just the e-books. Most e-books are sold with bonuses and related information that usually do not come with the purchase of a printed book. Moreover, they take up less space. Instead of a big library, you can fit literally thousands of books on your computer. It also makes it easier to share this information with families and friends.

For nearly twenty years, additionally, futurists have been predicting the development of printed books. The conventional view has been that digital e-books are on the verge of replacing paper books. However, this has not been the case. A printed book has its advantages too. Firstly, it is an object that can be carried and used alone. It needs no electric outlet (插座), no batteries, nothing. Secondly, e-books will always require some forms of support that the printed book does not need.

I believe that the online publishing has not taken off because people want real books. What is being published online more and more are pamphlets (小册子) and things that really do not need to be in print. These are stuff that people throw away afterward. More often, people do not want to read a book on the computer. What could be better than a paper book? It lasts a long time. These books are designed to last a long time without disappearing.

To sum up, there is no denying that the printed book is still very much preferred over its digital cousins. Reading electronic publications is just not the same when it comes to books. People are still very interested in real books and notebooks.

1. What can we know about an e-book?

A．It will never be out of date.	B．It always gives you an added bonus.
C．It can deliver information quickly.	D．It has taken the place of printed books.

2. Which statement would futurists probably agree with?

A．Printed books will disappear.	B．Printed books can be used alone.
C．E-books have many restrictions.	D．E-books have no drawbacks.

3. What is one cause of the failed online publishing?

A．The low demand for book industry.	B．The expectations from people.
C．The guidance of policy.	D．The desire for the printed books.

4. What does the author think of the future of the printed book?

A．Hopeless.

B．Unpredictable.

C．Costly.

D．Promising.

6 . This year we had kids and caregivers in mind. So here are some favorite books for kids picked by readers and expert judges to while away the hours at home.

The Snowy Day

－by Ezra Jack Keats

One morning, a little boy in Brooklyn wakes up to a changed world - shining with fresh snowfall. Young Peter is black.Author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats was white,but his sensitive description of a child's first experience with snow won the Caldecott Medal and was embraced by parents and children of all colors. (For ages 0 to 2)

Dreamers

－by Yuyi Morales

Yuyi Morales was born in Mexico and came to America with her baby boy in 1999. She builds that experience into a poetic praise for the immigrant experience - for learning a new life and language and for the dreams, hopes and talents immigrants bring to the USA.(For ages 4 to 8)

Hidden Figures

－by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman

Margot Lee Shetterly adapts her groundbreaking book about Black female mathematicians at NASA for young readers, with illustrations by Laura Freeman. A great pick for any future mathematician or astronaut.(For ages 4 to 8)

Wells&Wong Mysteries

－by Robin Stevens

Best friends Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong do what any ambitious young women at boarding school would do: They form a detective agency and quickly run up against their first real case when Hazel finds the body of their science teacher on the gymnasium floor.

(For ages 10 and up)

1. Which writer is an award winner?

A．Ezra Jack Keats.	B．Yuyi Morales.
C．Margot Lee Shetterly.	D．Robin Stevens.

2. Which book is suitable for those who love detective stories?

A．The Snowy Day.	B．Dreamers.
C．Hidden Figures.	D．Wells &Wong Mysteries.

3. What do Dreamers and Hidden Figures have in common?

A．The way they are created.	B．The authors’ experiences.
C．The ages of the potential readers.	D．The theme they try to convey.

7 . Misery by Stephen King (1987)

On my first tour at 23, I bought Misery for one of countless flights. I found myself onstage thinking, occasionally, “This is an enjoyable and exciting experience, but I can’t wait to get back to the hotel to read the next chapter.” The film doesn’t do justice to the original suspense (悬念) of King’s novel. It made me a reader for life.

The Day After Tomorrow by Allan Folsom (2008)

All of Folsom’s novels are worth your time, but his first, which is totally unrelated to the movie of the same name, is the most entertaining work of fiction I know. You’re attracted from the first chapter, taken on a ride of action and passion right to the last jaw-dropping sentence.

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen (1903)

I’ve gifted this to countless friends. A century before Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret came this brilliant exposition of how thoughts influence quality of life. It’s a life-changing 64 pages. I always keep it in my bag when I travel and on my nightstand at home. I consider it my Bible (圣经).

America’s Reluctant Prince by Steven Gillon (2019)

This bio (自传), written by a longtime friend of John F. Kennedy Jr., was a great companion during my tour in 2019. As someone with thorough knowledge of and deep affection for his subject, Gillon skillfully walks the line between exposure and respect.

1. Which book first led the author into the world of reading?

A．Misery.	B．The Day After Tomorrow.
C．As a Man Thinketh.	D．America’s Reluctant Prince.

2. It can be learned from the text that the author ________ .

A．likes fiction stories most.	B．regards The Secret as his Bible.
C．enjoys some reading while traveling.	D．hopes to find a companion in his tour.

3. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To compare several best sellers.	B．To share some books worth reading.
C．To explore the value of reading.	D．To introduce some famous novelists.

8 . Will you expect your child to be fond of reading? Here are some good choices for you.

I Used to be a Fish

The book is an entry level popular science book written by Tom Sullivan. A little boy, who was inspired by a fish, fueled by imagination to tell of his own life’s story, which introduces the history of human evolution (进化). The book has been praised by many people in the industry, as well as by many parents.

The Wind in the Willows

The book published in 1908, is a series of animal tales by British writer Kenneth Grahame, at first as bedtime stories for his son. The work, with its vivid descriptions of the countryside and exciting adventures, became a classic of English children’s literature.

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is a children’s book by American author E.B. White, published in 1952. Charlotte, a spider, lost her life to save Wilbur, a pig by writing about his stories in her web (网). Publishers Weekly lists the book as the best selling children’s book of all time.

The Little Prince

The Little Prince was written in 1942 by French Writer Antoine de Saint Exupery. The Little Prince is a pure and blue boy who comes from the solar system. He passed through various stars, and later he arrived at the Earth, trying to find solutions to loneliness and pain.

1. Which book is suitable to read if a child wants to know where human comes from?

A．I Used to be a Fish

B．The Wind in the Willows

C．Charlotte’s Web

D．The Little Prince

2. Which of the following statements are NOT true?

A．I Used to be a Fish is spoken highly of by many people.

B．Charlotte’s Web listed the best book of all time tells the story of friendship.

C．The Little Prince is about a sad boy who wants to ease his bad feelings.

D．The Wind in the Willows was firstly written for Kenneth’s son as bedtime stories.

3. The passage is written mainly for ________.

A．teenagers.

B．parents.

C．teachers.

D．book lovers.

9 . Green Eyes is a book. It’s about a lovely white cat. The name of the cat is Green Eyes. He is about one year old. He lives in his big red box and meets spring, summer, autumn and winter in one year. Each season (季节) has its nice colors. The pictures of the book are very beautiful. And the words of the book are easy to read. Here’re some views (评论).

Reader A: A Sweet Girl

My name is Sally. I’m a little girl from America. I get the book on my 12th birthday this year. My parents buy it for me. I often read it before going to bed.

Reader B: Hello Kitty

My name is Linda. I’m from England. It is a great book about how a cat sees the seasons. I read it to my students every year when we study the seasons.

Reader C: Warm wind

I’m Jenny. I’m a Chinese girl. I’m in the school reading club (俱乐部). We share (分享) our favorite (喜爱的) books every Friday. I share this book with other students in the club. They all like it.

1. Where does Green Eyes live?

A．In a box.

B．In a tree.

C．In a hat.

D．Ina bag.

2. Sally, Linda and Jenny ______.

A．are good friends	B．are from the same country
C．love the book very much	D．know the writer of the book very well

3. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

A．Sally gets the book from her parents.

B．The book is about how a cat sees the seasons

C．The book is not difficult for readers to read.

D．Linda often reads it in the club.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．Green Eyes and some readers’ views.	B．A cute cat and his friends.
C．Three nice readers.	D．Different colors of the four seasons.

10 . If you’re a fan of art, you’ll be glad to know that the UK is home to some really awesome art galleries where you can enjoy top exhibitions you favor. We’ve put together a line-up of some of the best art galleries in the UK.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a must-see for any art lover. Run by the largest trust of independent museums in the UK, there is a massive variety of art-related things to see here, covering fine art, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and even more.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

In the largest museum of art and design in the UK, you’ll be able to browse a massive collection of over four million objects which spans an impressive five thousand years. It’s also the perfect destination for those who love fashion, with the permanent fashion collection being the largest in the world.

National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh

With over 95,000 different pieces on display in the permanent collection, the National Galleries of Scotland is one of the best destinations for any UK art lover to visit. With National, Modern and Portrait sections to browse through, this trio of galleries will definitely keep you busy for hours on end.

The Design Museum, London

The world’s top leading place for all things design, you’ll find exhibitions on architecture, fashion, product design and graphics along with much more at the Design Museum in London. The collection here is home to over three thousand objects.

No matter which type of art you like to browse, we’d love to hear your best recommendations – leave your response in the comments below!

1. What do the four galleries have in common?

A．Each museum has a long history.

B．They satisfy different artistic desires.

C．Classical shows are displayed regularly.

D．They are run by the UK government.

2. Which gallery best suits people who show interest in architecture?

A．Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

B．National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh.

C．Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

D．The Design Museum, London.

3. Where can the passage be most probably found?

A．On a TV program.	B．In an art magazine.
C．On a web page.	D．In a textbook.