题目内容

You may have heard of the American Dream, an ideal that has powered the hopes of Americans for generations.

It began as a belief that the US was a land of opportunity, and that anyone could achieve success through hard work. At times, the dream has referred to home ownership, a good job, retirement security or each generation doing better than the last.

Yet today, this concept seems to have greatly changed. As Time magazine pointed out, quite different from the older generation, many Millennials (the generation born after 1980) redefine(重新定义) the American Dream as “day-to-day control of your life”. They “prize job mobility, flexible schedules, any work that is more interesting than typing, and the ability to travel”, said the magazine.

Home ownership, once the cornerstone of the American Dream, is becoming a smaller priority for this generation. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of them choose travel as part of their dream. And entrepreneurship(创业) is a rising favorite, as nearly 26% of Millennials consider self-employment as part of their dream.

So what has led to this huge change?

Many point fingers at the poor economy. “Modern young Americans seem bound to face a world stamped by ever narrowing opportunity and social stagnation(停滞),”noted The Daily Beast.

“The rate of 16-to 24-year-olds out of school and out of work is unusually high at 15%. Many college graduates have taken jobs that don’t require a degree,” Time reported.

The magazine worries that these difficulties may lead to a lost generation who are “unable to ever truly find their feet on the corporation’s ladder”.

Dan Kadlec, a reporter of Time, sees Millennials as resetting their expectations. “This situation is different for young adults today,” he wrote. “A true American dream has to feel attainable, and many Millennias are feeling they can only attain a day-today lifestyle that suits them.”

1.What’s the passage mainly about?

A. Meaning of American Dream

B. Redefinition of American Dream

C. Value of Achieving American Dream

D. History of Changing American Dream

2.The underlined word “cornerstone” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to “ ”.

A. growth B. balance

C. purpose D. basis

3.According to the passage, what has changed Millennials’ view of the American Dream?

A. A lack of confidence in themselves

B. Fierce competition in the job market

C. The discouraging economy and unemployment

D. Their dissatisfaction with the government

4.Dan Kadlec thinks Millennials’ new definition of the American Dream is ______.

A. understandable B. beautiful

C. worrying D. Positive

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Our planet is home to about seven billion people. Since the 1990s, population experts have predicted the number would grow to nine billion before it begins to slow down and possibly decrease.

But a new report predicts the world’s population is likely to increase to almost 11 billion by 2100. Based on the most modern statistical tools, the new report makes use of government records and considers expert predictions, including death rates, birthrates and international migration, or people moving across borders. The report says during the rest of this century, Africa's population will grow from about 3.5 billion to 5.1 billion over the next 85 years

John is director of the United Nations Population Division. He says that in the past, researchers thought population growth in Africa would be similar to that of other areas. They expected slower growth rates as birth control use became more widespread. But he says those ideas were wrong.

“The level of contraception use has continued to increase but slowly — more slowly than expected, and birthrate therefore has been falling less rapidly than expected, and the population therefore continues to grow somewhat more rapidly than we expected.The new findings are based on a joint research project of the United Nations and the University of Washington.

The researchers believe the population of Asia will reach five billion by 2050. That is up from the current 4.4 billion. And then begin to decline. The researchers also believe that North America, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean area will have a total population of below one billion.

John says the pressure of feeding the rising population is likely to be less than that might be expected.

“The relatively good news is that the world has been winning the race between population growth and food production. If you look back historically over the last 50 years, certainly for the world as a whole and for many, most individual countries and regions, the increase in food production has outpaced the increase of population.‖”

1.Which area will experience the largest increase in population at the end of the century?

A. Asia. B. Africa. C. Europe. D. North America.

2.“Contraception use‖ in the fourth paragraph refers to ________.

A. a method of expert predictions

B. a way of avoiding growth in population

C. a joint research into the rising population

D. a potential technology for food production

3.Why is the pressure of feeding the rising population less than expected according to John?

A. Expert predictions are not exactly like what the facts happen.

B. Birthrates have always been falling less rapidly than we expected.

C. The population grows less rapidly than population experts expected.

D. The increase in food production has outpaced the increase of population.

4.What can be inferred from the passage?

A. The world’s population will increase constantly.

B. The population of Asia will rise by 5 billion by 2050.

C. John is optimistic about feeding the rising population.

D. Population growth in Africa was much slower than expected.

Beaches are not only great for lying on and doing water sports, and in fact one of the best ways of enjoying them is a classic beach walk. Here at iWantSun. Co. Uk, we’ve been searching the globe to find you the world’s best and most glorious beach walks, and here’s our pick of the top.

The Footpath of the Gods, Amalfi Coast, Italy

The name says it all really and you truly do feel up there to walking along this wonderful mountain coastal path, which offers some of the most striking views on the planet. The path begins at town of Bomerano to charming Positano along the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Amalfi Coast. The whole walk will take you approximately four and a half hours to complete and pass over narrow rocky paths, past sheer cliffs and shining blue bays.

Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk, Australia

Sydney’s coastline is one of the most beautiful and diverse in the world. Here you have national parks, historic sites, steep cliffs, sparkling beaches and quiet bays all in one place. Sydney’s Great Walk runs all the way from Barrenjoey in the north to Royal National Park in the south and takes an incredible seven days to complete. However, if you’re not up to doing the full walk, then there are many different parts of the walk that you can do right in the city. Walking from the city’s famous Bondi Beach to the sweeping curve of Bronte Beach takes just an hour, which takes in some top scenery.

Great Ocean Walk, Australia

The Great Ocean Walk stretches 104 km along Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road, located on the southern coast of Australia, from the resort town Apollo Bay to the magnificent Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are the area’s famous stone landmarks which stand out like giants from the sea. The walk passes through a range of landscapes and sights, from national parks, famous surfing spots and deserted beaches, to wild coastlines, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, historic lighthouses and ghostly shipwrecks. Day walks and shorter three-hour walks such as the Wreck Beach Walk or the Lighthouse Cemetery and Lookout Walk can also be enjoyed.

So next time when you’re looking for a beach holiday don’t just think about the resorts and the sand, but consider a more active sun holiday, discovering some of the best beaches in the world.

1.The author intends to tell us ____________.

A. the world’s best places for beach walks

B. the wonderful beaches in the world

C. the ideal tourism resort for health

D. the beautiful beaches in Australia

2.When you arrive at the Amalfi Coast _______________.

A. you must be disappointed at the footpath

B. you will be fascinated by the scenery

C. you can start walking from Positano

D. you may be trapped in narrow rocky paths

3.What is special about Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk?

A. It takes about more than five hours to complete.

B. It starts from Royal National Park in the north.

C. It provides visitors a variety of great landscapes.

D. It really has the longest coastline in the world.

4.According to the fourth paragraph we can know that __________________.

A. Apollo Bay is at the end of the Great Ocean Walk

B. the Twelve Apostles exists below the surface of the sea

C. the Wreck Beach Walk can also give visitors pleasure

D. most visitors can finish the 104 km walk in three hours

---Why are you so crazy about music?

--- Because I can always find in music _____ peace that is missing in _____ world full of challenges.

A. the; a B. the;/ C. /; a D. /; the

For some people, music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.” People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes (音调). Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.

As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music sets them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret, a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.

Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn’t involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can’t see certain colors.

Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed (诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say, ‘No thanks, I’m amusic,’” says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”

1.Which of the following is true of amusics?

A. They can easily tell two different songs apart.

B. Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them.

C. Their situation is well understood by musicians.

D. They love places where they are likely to hear music.

2.According to paragraph3, a person with “defective hearing” is probably one who __________.

A. dislikes listening to speeches

B. can hear anything nonmusical

C. has a hearing problem

D. lacks a complex hearing system

3.What is the passage mainly concerned with?

A. Amusics’ strange behaviours.

B. Some people’s inability to enjoy music.

C. Musical talent and brain structure.

D. Identification and treatment of amusics.

A treasure trove hidden for centuries has been discovered in the underground vaults(墓穴)of a temple in southern India. The treasures include gold, diamonds and precious stones. The estimated value of the hoard is reportedly 22 billion US dollars.

Hundreds of armed police have been deployed around the temple. Meanwhile, a debate about how to use the money has also broken out across the country. After discovering the treasure trove in Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala, the local government has assured security of the temple.

Elaborating on the security arrangements, Venugopalan Nair, Additional Director General of the Kerala Police, says the latest security devices are being used to guard the temple.

Venugopalan Nair, Additional Dir. Gen. of Kerala Police, said, "We are trying to bring in the latest technology with regards to surveillance(监视) cameras, with regards to, you know digitalizing the various things which are available inside. We are keeping a constant sort of surveillance for every movement, which happens in the whole area surrounding the temple."

According to temple authorities, the crowd at the temple has increased steeply after news of the discovery of the treasure trove. And the Administrative Officer of the Temple says the government has initiated appropriate steps to control the curious crowds visiting the temple.

G. Jayasekharan Nair, administrative officer, said, "To control the crowds the government itself is taking a lot of measures. They are trying to do whatever is possible from the premises of the temple. Apart from all that, the government has taken a favorable step and we are satisfied with them."

Over the last week, a seven-member team of investigators broke into five secret subterranean vaults, and discovered jewels that have been lying untouched for hundreds of years.

As estimates of the treasures' worth rise, a fierce debate is growing regarding what to do with the discovery. Kerala's top elected leader said the wealth would remain with the temple, while others say it should be used to pay for poverty alleviation(扶贫). However, the government is adhering to the Supreme Court's ruling on ownership of the treasure found in the temple.

1.How will the government deal with the treasure mentioned in the passage?

A. It will be used to pay for poverty alleviation.

B. It will be returned to its owner.

C. It will be kept in the vaults.

D. It hasn’t been decided yet.

2.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A. The treasures include gold, diamonds and some old coins.

B. The treasure trove has been lying unknown for hundreds of years before it is discovered.

C. The local people are very curious about the treasure and the temple.

D. The whole area surrounding the temple is under close watch.

3.What G.Jayasekharan Nair said means that .

A. what the government does means little

B. the crowd will make trouble without proper control

C. more effective measures should be taken

D. the temple is of great value

You said you took away the dictionary without his permission. , you stole it.

A. In one word B. In words

C. In other words D. In a word

Teenage life is quite dramatic but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy your life in these years. Even with your daily troubles, your life is not very hard if you know how to deal with them.

I know exactly how you feel. Life as a teenager can be hard. You are not a kid anymore, because you are smart enough to observe and analyze your surroundings. However, you are still not an adult because there are still lots of experiences that you need to have and lessons that you need to learn from these experiences. To top it all, the hormonal(激素的) imbalance in your body can really mess you up emotionally. I have been there. I was in it for 6 years exploring what life is about.

As a teenager, I had a major problem with completing my chores(日常事务) on time. And at that time, all that I need to do was finish my assignments, study for the upcoming test and clean my room. Now, I have lots of things to do: cooking, cleaning and working while striking a balance between all my relationships related to work, family and friends. That really is a lot of work. So, I will just give you one golden tip, quoting from Benjamin Franklin, “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.”

Life becomes much easier because I finish all my work on time and I have enough time to let my hair down. Half the problems as a teenager are because we hate doing things. We’d rather go and have fun than sit down and take care of our duties and responsibilities. That is why you have so much trouble in your life; your parents won’t let you go out with friends because you didn’t clean your room or your professor is always criticizing you because you haven’t finished your assignments.

1.Whom is the text intended for?

A. Parents B. Teachers

C. Teenagers D. Scientists

2.What do we know from Paragraph 2?

A. The author also experienced hard times in his teens.

B. The author had strong hormones in his body.

C. The author thinks teenagers have lots of experiences.

D. The hormonal imbalance has no influence on teenagers’ bodies.

3. The author tries to persuade readers mainly by means of ______.

A. quoting famous sayings by famous people

B. setting his own experiences as example

C. listing all of his troubles in his childhood

D. showing the numerous assignments for children

4.The underlined phrase “let my hair down” in Paragraph 4 means ______.

A. get relaxed B. get success

C. get out of control D. get motivated

语法填空

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

One morning, I was waiting at the bus stop, worried about 1. (be) late for school. There were many people waiting at the bus stop, 2. some of them looked very anxious and 3. (disappoint). When the bus finally came, we all hurried on board. I got a place next 4. the window, so I had a good view of the sidewalk. A boy on a bike5. (catch) my attention. He was riding beside the bus and waving his arms. I heard a passenger behind me shouting to the driver, but he refused 6. (stop) until we reached the next stop. Still, the boy kept 7. (ride). He was carrying something over his shoulder and shouting. Finally, when we came to the next stop, the boy ran up to the door of the bus. I heard an excited conversation. Then the driver stood up and asked, “8. anyone lose a suitcase at the last stop?” A woman on the bus shouted, “Oh dear！It is 9. （I）”. She pushed her way to the driver and took the suitcase thankfully. Everyone on the bus began talking about what the boy had done, and the crowd of strangers 10. （sudden）became friendly to one another.

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