There are probably no people on Earth who like to gossip as much as the British. If prying into (打探) other’s lives were an Olympic sport, then Team GB would surely take the gold medal.

And when the British can’t watch the lives of real people, they have another source of entertainment to fall back on—the soap opera. British soap operas are very different to US TV dramas. For one, they are normally longer running. The two most popular, Coronation Street and East-enders, have been running for 48 and 24 years respectively. Both are broadcast several times a week, so remarkably there have been more than 7,000 episodes of Coronation Street.

The most obvious difference is that, unlike US dramas, the British soap operas focus on the real world. There is little glamour (魅力), the stars are rarely rich, and they normally have boring jobs. Perhaps the appeal is that the lives of the characters often mirror the lives of the audience—but with some drama added. This means the viewer can relate to the characters and feel the pain and happiness they go through on the show.

Because these soap operas last for decades, the cast is ever changing. The shows rarely focus on one or two main characters. Like the real world, people come and go all the time. However, there are exceptions. Coronation Street’s William Roach, 76, has played the role of Ken Barlow since the very first episode of the show in 1960, and he is still a regular.

The choice of which soap opera you follow is often cultural: People from the north of British tend to watch Coronation Street as it is set in Manchester. People from the south generally prefer East-enders, which is set in the east of London. The show is generally considered grittier and is aimed at a younger audience.

1.What is the main difference between American dramas and British soap operas?

A. American dramas are longer.

B. British soap operas are longer.

C. American dramas deal with dangerous things.

D. British soap operas deal with real people.

2.Why do British people like to watch such operas?

A. They can find their own life from the operas.

B. They can enjoy the operas in their free time.

C. They can watch the operas for many years.

D. They care about the fate of the characters in the operas.

3. The underlined world “episodes” in the 2nd paragraph probably means ______.

A. plays B. pages

C. issues D. parts

4.One characteristic of British operas is that ______.

A. the characters play the same role for a long time.

B. the characters in the play often change

C. people don’t know what will happen next

D. there is only one or two characters in them

Many young students consider their friends as the most important people in their lives. They believe that their family members, especially their parents, don’t know them as well as their friends do. In large families, it is often for brothers and sisters to fight with each other and then they can only go to their friends for advice. It is very important for young students to have one good friend or many friends. Even when they are not with their friends, they usually spend a lot of time talking among themselves on the phone. This communication is very important in children’s growing up, because friends can discuss something difficult to say to their family members.

However, parents often try to choose friends for their children. Some parents may even stop their children from meeting their good friends. The question of “choice” is an interesting one.

Have you ever thought of the following questions?

Who chooses your friends?

Do you choose your friends or your friends choose you?

Have you got a good friend your parents don’t like?

1.Many young students think their _________ know them better than their parents do.

A. teachers B. friends

C. brothers and sisters D. classmates

2.When young students stay alone, the usual way of communication is to _________.

A. talk with their friends on the phone

B. talk with their parents

C. have a discussion with their family

D. go to their friends

3.Which of the following sentences is TRUE?

A. In all families, children can choose everything they like.

B. Parents should like everything their children enjoy.

C. Parents should try their best to understand their children better.

D. young students can only go to their friends for help.

4.The main idea of this passage is that _________.

A. Good friends can communicate with each other

B. Friends can give good advice

C. Parents often choose friends for their children

D. young students need good friends

阅读理解

If you see a group of people dancing and singing on the street or in the railway station, you don't need to feel surprised.They are a flash mob (快闪族), which is a group of people who come together suddenly in a public place, do something unusual for a brief period of time, and then quickly break up.They are usually organized with the help of the Internet or other digital communication network.At a predetermined time, they gather and perform some distractions(消遣) such as waving their hands and exchanging books, Then, they quickly break up before the police can arrive.Using mobile phones, the flash mob can change its location if the first one has been replaced for any reason.

Bill Lasik, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine, organized the first flash mob in Manhattan in May 2003 and the first successful flash mob came together on June 3, 2003 - after the first try was foiled at Macy's department store.Lasik claimed that the activity was designed to make fun of hipsters (起时髦的人), and call attention to the cultural atmosphere.

Flash mob gatherings can sometimes shock people.Such an activity might seem amusing and untrue, but it also might frighten people who are not aware of what is taking place.Undoubtedly, flash mobs can serve as good political tools in any direction.They also have great economic potential, such as using flash mobs to advertise a product.

The flash mob is now becoming more and more popular.People use it to do many things.For example, in 2009, Michael Jackson's fans took part in a flash mob to remember him.Hundreds of his fans gathered singing and dancing Michael's famous song "Beat It" together.Flash mobs give people from all walks of life an opportunity to come together to create a memory.

1.The undefined word "foiled" in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by .

A. forgotten B. prevented

C. announced D. identified

2.What can you learn about the flash mob from the passage?

A. The flash mob usually breaks up quickly for lacking enough time.

B. Once the place for the activity is determined, it can't be changed.

C. The flash mob can be made use of in many fields just for fun.

D. It gives people the chance to come together to do something unusual.

3.The main purpose of the passage is ______

A. to entertain B. to encourage

C. to inform D. to persuade

4.The writer's attitude towards the flash mob is___________.

A. negative B. supportive

C. objective D. doubtful

阅读理解

Joshua, Helmut, and Bethlehem

Michelle O.Donovan

ISBN 9781462058679

Life is not easy for nine-year-old Joshua during World War II. Because of his family’s Jewish background, they are sent to live in the concentration camps. Scared and alone, Joshua one day makes friends with a little mouse he calls Bethlehem who becomes his closest friend.

Encourage Me!

Inspirational Poetry

Gloria Coykendall

ISBN 9781412027854

It is an easy-to-read collection of poems originally written to encourage in faith and to be a cure for chromic depression(长期抑郁) … cure to strengthen identity and purpose.

More Things in Heaven

Bill Bosworth

ISBN 9780595433582

In his More Things in Heaven, Bill Bosworth presents the highlights of his 83 years of life, including his trips to India and the study of the writings of several great spiritual leaders.

More things in Heaven will appeal to anyone who insists on finding the deepest meaning for their existence based on their own experiences.

Creation or Evolution

Michael Ebifegha

ISBN 9781450289023

Were humans created, or did they evolve? How old is the Earth? The debate between science and religion continues to be heated. In Creation or Evolution, Michael Ebifegha examines these two opposed world views within the structure of empirical(实证的) science.

Seeking the Edge

Dr. Joseph L. Rose

ISBN 9781462031795

Seeking the Edge provides the tools and techniques to find that edge in one’s life---driving readers to achieve success whether in your current job, finding a new job, in education, family, or even hobbies.

1.The ISBN for the book of poems is _______.

A. 9781462031795 B. 9781462058679

C. 9780595433582 D. 9781412027854

2.What kind of readers will probably like reading More Things in Heaven?

A. Those who are trying to be spiritual leaders.

B. Those who are searching for the meaning of life.

C. Those who study the art of writing.

D. Those who like traveling abroad.

3.Which of the following books explores the origin of humans?

A. Seeking the Edge.

B. More Things in Heaven.

C. Joshua, Helmut, and Bethlehem.

D. Creation or Evolution.

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