Exploit your parking space

An unused parking space or garage can make money. If you live near a city center or an airport, you could make anything up to £200 or £300 a week. Put an advertisement for free on Letpark or Atmyhousepark.

Rent(出租)a room

Spare room Not only will a lodger(房客)earn you an income, but also, thanks to the government-backed “rent a room” program, you won’t have to pay any tax on the first £4500 you make per year. Try advertising your room on Roomspare or Roommateeasy.

Make money during special events

Don’t want a full-time lodger? Then rent on a short-term basis. If you live in the capital, renting a room out during the Olympics or other big events could bring in money. Grashpadder can advertise your space

Live on set

Renting your home out as a “film set” could earn you hundreds of pounds a day, depending on the film production company and how long your home is needed. A quick search on the Internet will bring up dozens of online companies that allow you to register your home for free—but you will be charged if your home gets picked.

Use your roof

You need the right kind of roof, but some energy companies pay the cost of fixing solar equipment (around £14,000), and let you use the energy produced for nothing. In return, they get paid for unused energy fed back into the National Grid. However, you have to sign a 25-year agreement with the supplier, which could prevent you from changing the roof.

1.If you earn £5000 from renting a room in one year, the tax you need to pay will be based on______.

A. £800 B. £500 C. £4500 D. £5000

2.If you want to use energy free, you have to_____.

A. sign an agreement with the government

B. pay around £14,000 for the equipment

C. sell the roof to some energy companies

D. keep the roof unchanged for within 25 years

3.For whom the text most probably written?

A. Lodgers. B. Advertisers.

C. House owners. D. Online companies

Knowing that Mrs. Mallard suffered from a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.

It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences. Her husband’s friend Richards was there, too. It was he who had been in the newspaper office when news of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard’s name leading the list of “killed.” He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and hurried to send the sad message.

She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same. She wept at once, with wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms. When the storm of sadness had spent itself she went away to her room alone.

There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that held her body and seemed to reach into her soul.

She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver (颤抖的) with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves(屋檐).

There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? It was too hard to name. But she felt it, coming out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the smells, the color that filled the air.

Now her chest rose and fell violently. She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was trying very hard to beat it back with her will. When she gave up trying a little whispered word escaped her lips. She said it over and over under the breath: “free, free, free!”

She did not stop to ask if it was extreme joy that held her. She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, gentle hands folded in death; the face that had never looked at her except with love, fixed and gray and dead. But she saw beyond that bitter moment many years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome.

There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers.

And yet she had loved him—sometimes. What did it matter! What could love count for in the face of her realization.

“Free! Body and soul free!” she kept whispering.

Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole. “Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door—you will make yourself ill.”

“Go away. I am not making myself ill.”

Her fancy was running wild along those days ahead of her, all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shake that life might be long.

She arose after a long time and opened the door to her sister’s begging. She carried herself unknowingly like a goddess of Victory. She held her sister’s waist, and together they walked down the stairs.

Someone was opening the front door with a key. It was Brently Mallard who entered, a little travel-stained, calmly carrying his suitcase and umbrella. He had been far from the scene of the accident, and did not even know there had been one. He stood amazed at Josephine’s sharp cry; at Richards’ quick motion to screen him from the view of his wife.

When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease—of the joy that kills.

1.What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 7 indicate?

A. Mrs. Mallard decided to fight back when her husband beat her.

B. Mrs. Mallard was trying hard to fight against her heart trouble.

C. Mrs. Mallard was struggling with the guilty feeling of happiness.

D. Mrs. Mallard was extremely sad because of her husband’s death.

2.What is “that bitter moment” in paragraph 8?

A. The time when she saw her husband’s dead body.

B. The time when she had lived with her husband.

C. The time when she had to live without her husband.

D. The time when she heard of her husband’s death.

3.What can we infer about Mr. Mallard?

A. He was killed in a railroad disaster.

B. He survived the railroad accident.

C. He was unaware of what was going on.

D. He hurried back to comfort his wife.

4.What can we learn from paragraph 14 “Her fancy …might be long”?

A. Mrs. Mallard was more afraid of her future life.

B. Mrs. Mallard missed her husband very much.

C. Mrs. Mallard always thought life was hopeful.

D. Mrs. Mallard used to think life was hopeless.

5.What really killed Mrs. Mallard?

A. The joy of seeing her husband coming back alive.

B. The shock of losing her coming freedom.

C. The fear of seeing the ghost of her husband.

D. The sadness of losing her husband suddenly.

We all need a vacation, whether with the entire family or your significant other. Unfortunately, many of us will not be able to follow through with vacation plans. But now, there is an alternative that is catching on (流行起来) rather quickly and it is called a “Staycation”. A staycation is just what it sounds like, a vacation but you stay at home. It might not sound interesting, but you can turn it into a fun and relaxing getaway.

Tell family and friends your plans. In their eyes you are truly on vacation and they only need to contact you in case of an emergency.

Go outside; don’t let the kids sleep all day. Go out and birdwatch, go fishing, explore the parks and nature, take in all you can of the outside world. You can even have a relaxing day at the beach, soak in some sun, and let the kids go swimming.

Go on a picnic; have the kids fly kites. Bring some bubbles, and have a nice day with the wind blowing in your hair. Watch as the kids run and play and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Camping is another fun way to have a staycation. If you have a camping ground in your area, you can go camping for a day or two and show the kids how it is to live right in the heart of Mother Nature.

Just remember, it really doesn’t matter where you decide to go, whether home or away. As long as you create quality time with your family you can strengthen the bonds that may have been pushed aside during all the long stressful work hours. Time is the most important thing you can give to your husband, wife and kids, enjoying every moment together, and you will have lasting memories in your hearts.

1.What is mainly talked about in the passage?

A. The popularity of a staycation.

B. The importance of a vacation.

C. Where to spend your vacation this year.

D. How to plan a staycation.

2.You should tell family and friends your plans so that .

A. they will fully support you

B. they will take care of your house

C. they will contact you only when necessary

D. they can help you make preparations

3.Which of the following is NOT a good way to have a good staycation?

A. To sleep at home all day.

B. To go out to watch birds.

C. To go to the parks.

D. To relax on the beach.

4.What is the most important thing of taking a staycation?

A. Spending quality time with your family.

B. Letting your kids learn about nature.

C. Giving your family relaxing time.

D. Getting away from stressful work hours.

5.The underlined word “bonds” in the last paragraph can be best replaced by “ ”.

A. friendship B. health C. links D. circles

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

How to Keep a Relationship Healthy and Strong

Are you new to experiencing relationships? Well, let me give you advice on having a healthy and possibly long-term relationship.

___1.____Do not hide things from them, do not lie. Don ' t be afraid to say things that isn't very flattering about yourself. Getting them to trust you is the most important element in any relationship. If there ' s no trust, there ' s nothing there. So please be honest and they'll learn to open up to you.

Make sure you give them respect. Now respect isn't just simply treating her or him nicely. There' s a lot more to it. You have to learn to adjust to their liking. ___2.__Don ' t just think about yourself ,think about what your partner needs out of it as well.

3.__ Always be willing to help them and give them honesty and positivity at the same time. Make them feel you are someone they can really count on and build a future with. This is an important step in a relationship. Your partner has to be able to count on you when needed.

Make sure you have a good sense of humor with them. Laughter is the key to happiness. Laugh a lot with them ,joke with them. Laughter may seem silly ,but it' s the secret to a lot in life. It will keep the sparks alive. _4.____

Make sure the communication is good. This goes along with trust, but always communicate how you feel, even if it ' s something that upsets you. Instead of screaming, talk to them.__ 5.____It 's important to communicate this to them , not keep it bottled up.

A. Show them your personality.

B. Be an honest person with them.

C. Make sure you are reliable to your partner.

D. Laughter keeps the relationship strong and lasting.

E. Don' t start to neglect them and make them feel unwanted.

F. Basically , learn to study your partners' moods, wants and needs.

G. If they did something that made you unhappy, tell them about it in a respectful manner

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