Although in the 17th century in the United States fine art and folk art had similar qualities, a difference between them began to appear as time went on in the 18th and 19th centuries artists with ambition studied abroad and came back to paint portraits(肖像) of upper-class families in American society. The less ambitious or less fortunate artists traveled around their own areas and created pictures of countryside society. Anyway, artists got trained and those simple creations improved a lot.
Around 1930，folk art began to take on a new meaning and was considered as an expression of a small cultural class. Folk art is never the product of art movements, but comes out of craft traditions. This art is based not on measurements or calculations and rarely goes with the standards of realism. It goes straight to the bases of art which the folk artists feel naturally.
The period 1930~ 1960 was the time when folk artists began to receive recognition. They often began their art careers late in life and used art as an outlet（出口） for their energy. Their materials were cheap and simple, their subjects were different, but their creativity flowed. Doing their own things became the norm（标准）, and was what made folk art so desirable.
Although it is hard to define folk art, one thing is certain --- it touches us in a special way because the artists show us how he or she brought beauty into their everyday life. Since folk artists come from all walks of life, each piece of art created is one of a kind, emphasizing color, simplicity of line and brave, simple form. Most importantly, it exemplifies（作为…的例子） the history of American life

1.
What similar qualities did folk art and fine art probably have in the 17th century?
1. A.
  They were both simple creations
2. B.
  The artists of both focused on family life
3. C.
  The artists of both came from the lower class
4. D.
  They were both gifted creations by trained artists
2.
What was folk art around 1930 based on according to the second paragraph?
1. A.
  The traditions of the upper class
2. B.
  The progress of art in that period
3. C.
  The standards of realism
4. D.
  The feelings of the artists
3.
Which of the following statements can be used to describe the works of folk artists?
1. A.
  They are difficult to understand
2. B.
  They help artists let out their energy
3. C.
  They show pictures of unreal life
4. D.
  They are similar to one another
4.
Why did folk art become popular during the period from 1930 to 1960?
1. A.
  It offered artists the freedom of expression
2. B.
  Artists didn’t need to spend much on materials
3. C.
  Other kinds of art couldn’t express the beauty of life
4. D.
  Artists could express their dissatisfaction towards society
5.
The author’s purpose in writing the text is to ___________
1. A.
  speak highly of folk art
2. B.
  compare folk art and fine art
3. C.
  explain the history and characteristics of folk art in America
4. D.
  explain the development and changes of American art

A couple had a son eleven years after they married. They were a loving couple and the boy was the apple of their eye. When the boy was around four years old, one day the father was very tired after work so he asked his wife to pick up their son. The mother, who was very busy in the kitchen, totally forgot about it.
Later the boy lost his way on the street. When the son was found missing, the mother hurried to look for him, but she didn’t find him. The mother felt very sad and didn’t know how to face her husband.
When the father went to the police station after hearing that the son was missing, he looked at his wife and said just four words. What do you think the four words were? The husband just said "I love you, darling." www.zxxk.com
The son was missing. If she had picked him up earlier, this would not have happened. There is no point in blaming (责备) anyone. His wife had also lost her only child. What his wife needed at that moment was comfort and understanding from her husband. That is what the husband gave his wife. Several weeks later, with the help of the police, the couple finally found their lost son. The family’s relationship became stronger over that time.
Sometimes we spend lots of time asking who is to blame. We miss many chances to give each other support and let each other feel the warmth of human relationships. Get rid of all your unwillingness to forgive, selfishness, and fears and you will find the world is much more wonderful

1.
What is the meaning of the underlined phrase “the apple of their eye”
1. A.
  A person who always has a sweet smile in their opinion
2. B.
  A person who is as pretty as an apple in their opinion
3. C.
  A person who is loved more than anyone else in their opinion
4. D.
  A person who looks like an apple in their opinion
2.
Why didn’t the father pick the boy up himself?
1. A.
  He was very lazy
2. B.
  He thought the mother had picked him up
3. C.
  He forgot to pick him up
4. D.
  He was too tired to do it
3.
What can we learn from this passage?
1. A.
  Be careful in everything you do
2. B.
  Love is the most important thing
3. C.
  Learn to forgive others
4. D.
  Everyone can make mistakes
4.
What do you think of the husband?
1. A.
  Warm-hearted
2. B.
  Careful
3. C.
  Hard-working
4. D.
  Broad-minded

Ice Hotel Quebec, located 30 minutes west of Downtown Quebec City, Canada, is only open during the winter season. The hotel is made entirely of ice. The two galleries at the Ice Hotel Quebec feature events such as ice painting and ice sculpture(冰雕) competitions.
Things to Do
Guests have a choice of different winter vacation activities, including cross-country skiing, ice skating, dog sledding (狗拉雪橇)， ice fishing and sliding(滑行). Ice Hotel Quebec has a sauna( 桑拿浴)，so remember to pack your bathing suit.
Rooms & Suites(套房)
The hotel offers 18 rooms and 14 theme suites built from 12,000 tons of snow and 400 tons of ice. The walls at Ice Hotel Quebec are four feet thick and allow the hotel to keep a temperature of -2℃ to -5℃.
The furniture at the hotel is made of snow and ice, including the beds. The beds are equipped with a thick foam mattress(泡沫床垫)and an extra thick sleeping bag. That is enough to prevent you from catching a cold.
Vacation Tip
Ice Hotel Quebec offers 30-minute guided public tours daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm. It costs $数学公式$ 7.5 for children (under eight), $数学公式$ 42 for families.
Plan This Vacation
Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada will be open for its sixth season from January 5^th to April 1^st. Costs for overnight stays start at $199CAD per person.
If you’re looking for something really different to do on your next trip, think creatively and plan to visit the truly unusual Ice Hotel Quebec!

1.
If you visit the Ice Hotel, you can enjoy the following EXCEPT___________
1. A.
  going fishing
2. B.
  going skating
3. C.
  appreciating ice sculptures
4. D.
  holding an ice party
2.
Sleeping is not a problem in the Ice Hotel because ____________
1. A.
  the rooms are made of ice
2. B.
  the temperature is as high as -2℃
3. C.
  the sleeping bags are warm
4. D.
  the walls are four feet thick
3.
If Mr. Smith attends a 30-minute public tour with his wife and seven-year-old twin sons, he should pay at least_________
1. A.
  $37.5 CAD
2. B.
  $45 CAD
3. C.
  $42CAD
4. D.
  $199 CAD

This site , all-birds. com, is about bird watching. Enjoy your browsing. There is much to learn and see.
Bird Watching Equipment
Some items that might make bird watching more enjoyable are binoculars （双目望远镜） , a camera, some kind of system for keeping notes, and maybe a back pack． Birders often keep lists of the birds they see along with notes about the habits． There is some great bird log software that will let you keep records on your computer． For more details on choosing binoculars see our Binocular -Optics page．
Clothes
If you are walking through a wooded area just wear clothes you would wear on any hike or field trip． You are best off wearing clothes with dull colors that mix into the background． Greens, browns, and grays are good． Avoid fabrics that rustle（沙沙响）easily． Depending on the birds you are watching you may want to get rain gear, rubber boots and warm clothing． For birds such as owls that you might look for in the evening a strong flashlight is also handy．
Choosing a Bird Field Guide
Take a good field guide to identify birds． Look for clear color pictures that make it easy to recognize one bird from another． Next to each picture should be detailed descriptions of each bird's anatomy, habits, and what it eats． The guide should have information about what habitat each species uses． Many guides have maps showing the range of different birds along with their migration patterns．
Where and When to see Birds
Learning the habitats of birds in your area will increase the number of birds you see, and make your birding more enjoyable． If you know that Meadow larks are likely to be in open grassy areas, and dippers are forage along stream beds, you may be looking for them if you are in those types of habitats． Edge areas where different types of habitats meet will likely have more species in them． You are more likely to see specific birds at certain times of the day． For example songbirds are easier to see two to three hours after dawn, or just before sunset． This is when songbirds are most actively feeding． Many small birds will be silent or even hidden during the rest of the day． After sunup is the best time to see eagles and hawks． Visibility is best for hunting at this time, and they can soar on the thermal currents from the warmed air． Birds like owls are more likely to be seen in the evening． Many shorebirds and waders rest at high tide and feed when the water rises or falls．
Photographing Birds
Patience in Bird Photography
Most birds are afraid of people, and all species have their own comfort zone． With a little time you can learn the comfort zone of the birds you are photographing． Once they know that you are not a threat you may be able to get closer．
Type or Style
Your reason for photographing birds may determine your style and the kind of equipment you use． If you are just recording the kinds of birds you see you don't need to get as close, and you can use less expensive equipment, then you need for high quality prints.
Photographing Birds in Flight
Photographing birds in flight can be fun． Many digital cameras have a tracking function． With these you focus on the bird, and then as you track it the lens will keep focus．
Use Your Yard
Choose an open area where the birds will get direct sunlight, showing off their magnificent colors．
Try using props
Birds will often land on a stick or post near a seed feeder before going to the feeder． The background was just an out of focus fence but you can use anything you want for a background, and then wait for a bird to perch

1.
The main purpose of the passage is to _____
1. A.
  attract more people to photograph birds
2. B.
  help birders learn how to identify and understand birds
3. C.
  call on people to set some comfort zones for birds
4. D.
  inform birders of the results of a scientific research on birds
2.
Clothes in ______ are highly recommended when you are going bird watching．
1. A.
  red
2. B.
  yellow
3. C.
  brown
4. D.
  blue
3.
________ are likely to be seen at 7 in the morning．
1. A.
  Owls
2. B.
  Shorebirds
3. C.
  Songbirds
4. D.
  Larks
4.
Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the passage?
1. A.
  A stick in the yard may scares birds off when you are photographing them．
2. B.
  It will be wise for birders to hire a guide for themselves．
3. C.
  Birders have to bring some notebooks to keep records of birds' habits．
4. D.
  A flashlight will come in handy when you look for owls．

How Americans Began to Eat Tomatoes
People have strange ideas about food. For example, the tomato is a kind of very
delicious vegetable. It is one of useful plants that can be prepared in many ways. It has rich nutrition and vitamin in it. But in the 18th century, Americans never ate tomatoes. They grow them in their gardens because tomato plants are so pretty. But they thought the vegetable was poisonous (有毒的). They called tomatoes “poison apples”.
President Thomas Jefferson, however, knew that tomatoes were good to eat. He was a learned man. He had been to Paris, where he learned to love the taste of tomatoes. He grew many kinds of tomatoes in his garden. The President taught his cook a way for a cream of tomato soup. This beautiful pink soup was served at the President’s party. The guests thought the soup tasted really good. They never thought their president would serve his honored guests poison apples. Jefferson never spoke to his honored (尊贵的) guests about the fact

1.
After you read the passage, which of the following do you think is true?
1. A.
  Americans never ate tomatoes after they began to plant them
2. B.
  American didn’t eat tomatoes before the 19th century
3. C.
  Even now Americans don’t eat tomatoes
4. D.
  In the 18^th century Americans ate a lot of tomatoes
2.
The passage tells us that Jefferson was a President who learned to love the taste of tomatoes
1. A.
  while he was in Paris
2. B.
  when he was a little boy
3. C.
  the President ’s cook
4. D.
  the President’s wife
3.
According to the text, ________cooked the beautiful pink soup at the President ’s party?
1. A.
  the President himself
2. B.
  A French cook
3. C.
  the President ’s cook
4. D.
  the President’s wife
4.
The underlined word “cook”in paragraph2 means_______
1. A.
  厨房
2. B.
  厨师
3. C.
  厨具
4. D.
  做饭
5.
From the passage we know all the honored guests invited by Jefferson were______
1. A.
  people from other countries
2. B.
  from France
3. C.
  People of his own country
4. D.
  men only

New York City consists of five parts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The population is about 7.5 million and there are 1.5 million in Manhattan alone.
Manhattan, the center of the city, is on the island between the Hudson River and the East River. Most of the famous buildings such as the Empire State and the United Nations and other skyscrapers are in Manhattan. Some of its districts are: Broadway, which has many theatres and cinemas, Fifth Avenue, with stores and apartments, Greenwich Village, where many artists and writers have lived, and Central Park, with a skating rink (溜冰场). From Manhattan you have to cross to the other parts of New York City through a tunnel or over a bridge. The bridge from Brooklyn to Staten Island is the longest in the world.
New York is the second biggest port in the world and it has two airports. The people who live there come from all over the world and speak many different languages. There are 324,000 Germans and 390,000 Poles as well as people from Greece, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Romania. People call one district "Little Italy" and another "China town"

1.
The most important part of New York is _______
1. A.
  Hudson River
2. B.
  East River
3. C.
  Bronx and Staten Island
4. D.
  Manhattan
2.
The Empire State is ______
1. A.
  a state of the U.S.A
2. B.
  a country
3. C.
  a skyscraper
4. D.
  a district in New York
3.
If you are going to do some shopping in Manhattan, you will go to _______
1. A.
  Broadway
2. B.
  Fifth Avenue
3. C.
  Greenwich Village
4. D.
  Central Park
4.
From the article we understand ________
1. A.
  Staten Island and Brooklyn are separated by the sea
2. B.
  Staten Island and Brooklyn are one landmass
3. C.
  Manhattan and Queens are one landmass
4. D.
  Brooklyn and Queens are separated by the sea
5.
Many ________ live in the New York
1. A.
  people from Poland and China
2. B.
  children from Brooklyn and Staten Island
3. C.
  people from Germany and Italy do not
4. D.
  children from Greece and Romania do not

In South America, the rich soil of the Amazon River basin（流域）in Brazil is known as “black gold”. Scientists found that the secret of this rich soil was charcoal（木炭）. Local people made it from animal bones and tree branches. They mixed the charcoal with the soil about 1.500 years ago.
Now, scientists in the United States have done a modern demonstration. They say charcoal fertilization offers a revolutionary way to improve soil quality for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Mingxin Guo and his team at Delavare State University heated tree leaves, corn stalks（茎）, small pieces of wood and poultry waste into “biochar”（生物碳）. They reported their findings at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans.
Biochar could be good news for farmers with poor soil and hungry populations to feed. Professor Guo says it could even help against global warming. Intensive（集约的） farming and overuse of chemical fertilizer give out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Biochar does the opposite, he says. It traps carbon in the ground.
The researchers planted winter wheat in containers of soil in a greenhouse — some with biochar, some without. Professor Guo says the wheat grows much better in the pots with biochar. The soil was added two percent charcoal to. But he says even a one percent treatment will increase productivity.
The results demonstrated that biochar can increase organic matter in soil. Loss of nutrients in soil is an increasing problem worldwide as farmers try to grow more food for growing populations.
Next, the team will carry out a five-year study of biochar with spinach（菠菜）, green peppers and tomatoes.
Mingxin Guo says he learns about the “black gold” in Brazil from a magazine story. He explains that it was discovered in the jungle, in the area where waters flow to the Amazon, in the 1960’s. But it was not until recent years that scientists began to bring public attention to it

1.
According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
1. A.
  The researchers will go on proving their theory
2. B.
  The leading researcher learns the theory from the magazine
3. C.
  Charcoal was discovered 1,500 years ago
4. D.
  Common farming can produce more carbon dioxide
2.
Biochar has the following advantages EXCEPT that ________
1. A.
  it can improve the condition of the soil
2. B.
  it can be used as a kind of energy
3. C.
  it can help against global warming
4. D.
  it can increase productivity of the corn
3.
According to the research, the biochar can help against global warming because it can ________
1. A.
  reduce the carbon dioxide
2. B.
  keep the carbon in the soil
3. C.
  reduce the loss of nutrients in the soil
4. D.
  absorb the carbon dioxide
4.
Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
1. A.
  Using Charcoal to Make soil into “Black Gold”
2. B.
  Using Charcoal to Reduce the Carbon Dioxide
3. C.
  How Amazon River Basin Produces “Golden Black”
4. D.
  Guo’s Research on Producing Biochar

A long time ago, there was a seed and because he was only a seed, nobody noticed him. Thus, feeling inferior (低级的), the seed gave no importance to his existence (存在). Then one day, a wind picked him up and threw him on an open field in the sun. Later, he was given rain. Years later he saw a traveler sitting by his side. "Thank you God for this. I really need some rest," he heard the traveler say. "What are you talking about?" the seed quickly asked. He thought the man was making fun of him. No one ever spoke to him like that. "Who just spoke?" the shocked man asked. "It is me. A seed." "A seed?" The man looked at the big tree. "Are you joking? You are not a seed. You are a big tree!" "Really?" "Yes! Why else do you think people come here?" "What do they come here for?" "To feel your shade (树阴)! Don’t tell me you didn’t know you had grown over time." A moment passed before the traveler’s words brought him pride. The seed thought and smiled for the first time in his life. The years of torture (折磨) by the sun and the rain finally helped him grow up. "Oh! That means I’m not a little seed anymore! I was actually born to make people feel comfortable. Wow! That’s great!"

1.
The seed didn’t realize the importance of his existence because __________
1. A.
  nobody looked after him
2. B.
  he was thrown into the open air
3. C.
  he can’t not grow up
4. D.
  he didn’t believe in himself
2.
The traveler sat by the seed’s side to _____________
1. A.
  escape from the rain
2. B.
  thank God for offering him a tree
3. C.
  have a rest and enjoy the shade
4. D.
  talk with the big tree
3.
How did the seed feel after hearing the traveler’s words at last?
1. A.
  Sad
2. B.
  Proud
3. C.
  Funny
4. D.
  Sorry
4.
The author’s purpose of writing the passage is to ________
1. A.
  tell us a very interesting story
2. B.
  praise the seed for his strength
3. C.
  teach readers a lesson: don’t laugh at others
4. D.
  tell us that we should never lose hope
5.
Where does the passage most probably come from?
1. A.
  A history book
2. B.
  A science book
3. C.
  A story book
4. D.
  A guide book

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, the Five Friendlies will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace and blessings from China to children all over the world.
Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, the Five Friendlies also embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals—the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow—and the Olympic Flame.
Each of the Friendlies has a rhyming two-syllable name—a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.
When you put their names together—Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni—they say “Welcome to Beijing,” offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of the Five Friendlies as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.
The Five Friendlies also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature—the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky—all stylistic rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation

1.
The Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games carry the following messages EXCEPT
1. A.
  friendship
2. B.
  peace
3. C.
  love
4. D.
  blessing
2.
The Five Friendlies embody
1. A.
  the sea and the forest
2. B.
  the fire and the earth
3. C.
  the sky and the earth
4. D.
  the natural characteristics, landscape, the dreams and aspirations
3.
What does the Five Friendlies mean when put together?
1. A.
  Welcome to Beijing
2. B.
  They represent the five elements of nature—the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky
3. C.
  They are designed to express the playful qualities of five little children
4. D.
  They represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation

One of our biggest fears nowadays is that our kids might some day get lost in a “sea of technology” rather than experiencing the natural world. Fear-producing TV and computer games are leading to serious disconnect between kids and the great outdoors, which will change the wild places of the world, its creatures and human health for the worse, unless adults get working on child’s play.
Each of us has a place in nature we go sometimes, even if it was torn down. We cannot be the last generation to have that place. At this rate, kids who miss the sense of wonder outdoors will not grow up to be protectors of natural landscapes. “If the decline in park use continues across North America, who will defend parks against encroachment（蚕食）?” asks Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the woods.
Without having a nature experience, kids can turn out just fine, but they are missing out a huge enrichment to their lives. Experts predict modern kids will have poorer health than their parents—and they say a lack of outside play is surely part of it; research suggests that kids do better academically in schools with a nature component and that play in nature fosters（培养）leadership by the smartest, not by the toughest, Even a tiny outdoor experience can create wonder in a child. The three-year-old turning over his first rock realizes be is not alone in the world. A clump of trees on the roadside can be the whole universe in his eyes. We really need to value that more.
Kids are not to blame. They are over-protected and frightened. It is dangerous out there from time to time but repetitive stress from computers is replacing breaking an arm as a childhood rite（仪式）of passage.
Everyone, from developers, to schools and outdoorsy citizens, should help regain for our kids some of the freedom and joy of exploring, taking friendship in fields and woods that strengthen love, respect and need for the landscapes. As parents, we should devote some of our energy to taking our kids into nature. This could yet be our greatest cause

1.
According to the author, what causes kids’ getting lost in a “sea of technology”?
1. A.
  The wild places of the world
2. B.
  The kids themselves
3. C.
  The outdoor activities
4. D.
  TV and computer games
2.
The underlined words “that place” in paragraph 2 can most probably refer to _______
1. A.
  a hill
2. B.
  a library
3. C.
  a bar
4. D.
  a classroom
3.
According to the author, children’s breaking an arm is _______
1. A.
  the fault on the part of their parents
2. B.
  the natural experience in their growing up
3. C.
  the result of their own carelessness in play
4. D.
  the effect of stress from computer
4.
What’s the author’s opinion on children’s experiencing the nature world?
1. A.
  It leads to children’s escape from school
2. B.
  It’s helpful only in a limited way
3. C.
  It helps develop children from all sides
4. D.
  It increases the chance of getting injured

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What similar qualities did folk art and fine art probably have in the 17th century?

What was folk art around 1930 based on according to the second paragraph?

Which of the following statements can be used to describe the works of folk artists?

Why did folk art become popular during the period from 1930 to 1960?

The author’s purpose in writing the text is to ___________

What is the meaning of the underlined phrase “the apple of their eye”

Why didn’t the father pick the boy up himself?

What can we learn from this passage?

What do you think of the husband?

If you visit the Ice Hotel, you can enjoy the following EXCEPT___________

Sleeping is not a problem in the Ice Hotel because ____________

If Mr. Smith attends a 30-minute public tour with his wife and seven-year-old twin sons, he should pay at least_________

The main purpose of the passage is to _____

Clothes in ______ are highly recommended when you are going bird watching．

________ are likely to be seen at 7 in the morning．

Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the passage?

After you read the passage, which of the following do you think is true?

The passage tells us that Jefferson was a President who learned to love the taste of tomatoes

According to the text, ________cooked the beautiful pink soup at the President ’s party?

The underlined word “cook”in paragraph2 means_______

From the passage we know all the honored guests invited by Jefferson were______

The most important part of New York is _______

The Empire State is ______

If you are going to do some shopping in Manhattan, you will go to _______

From the article we understand ________

Many ________ live in the New York

According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

Biochar has the following advantages EXCEPT that ________

According to the research, the biochar can help against global warming because it can ________

Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

The seed didn’t realize the importance of his existence because __________

The traveler sat by the seed’s side to _____________

How did the seed feel after hearing the traveler’s words at last?

The author’s purpose of writing the passage is to ________

Where does the passage most probably come from?

The Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games carry the following messages EXCEPT

The Five Friendlies embody

What does the Five Friendlies mean when put together?

According to the author, what causes kids’ getting lost in a “sea of technology”?

The underlined words “that place” in paragraph 2 can most probably refer to _______

According to the author, children’s breaking an arm is _______

What’s the author’s opinion on children’s experiencing the nature world?

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