In today's world of smart phones and laptops, most people have at least one time-telling thing with them. Since these digital products are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, the answer is yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function.” Many young adults think so and use their smart phones to tell time. It is said that fewer young people wear watches today than ten years ago. As a result, some people say that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches redeem(挽回) popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality watch that doesn’t just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers took pride in their products’ accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has changed itself into an accessory(配饰) business. And today, the image a watch conveys has become more important than the time it tells.

“Complications” — features that go beyond simple timekeeping — are an important part of a watch’s image. Today’s watches offer lots of features that meet almost any personality. These features include compasses, USB drivers, and even other functions that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!

Creativity also plays a key role in designing today’s watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don’t even look like watches. The company’s popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell time. It looks more like a fashionable bracelet(手镯) than a watch.

Whether a watch conveys fashion sense, creative talent or a love of sports, consumers want their watches to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of little things in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what’s on their wrists. Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!

1.What can we know from the first paragraph?

A. As most people see, watches are out of fashion.

B. Some people feel that watches have been of no use.

C. The watch industry will close down sooner or later.

D. There are so many choices of watches for teenagers today.

2.According to the passage, what image does a watch convey nowadays?

A. It simply tells time.

B. It appeals to many teenagers.

C. It has many complex functions.

D. It has an impact on creativity and imagination.

3.Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash is mentioned in Paragraph 4 to _________.

A. show why Shinshoku watches are popular

B. advertise Shinshoku watches made by Tokyoflash

C. make a comparison between watches and bracelets

D. tell that today’s watches need more imagination

4.What may be the best title for the passage?

A. Watches Tell More Than Time

B. Japanese Watches Stand Out

C. Watch Industry Is in a Bad Situation

D. Watches Are Becoming Less Popular

Writers used to approach publishers to have their work read by the public. Now they can simply post them and find millions of instant audience.

After breaking up with her boyfriend, Bao Jingjing started “making up” a love story simply to distract (转移) her attention. Her story of a girl suffering the pain like hers progressed quickly, attracting many readers.

When Bao stopped writing as she reunited with her boyfriend, she was urged to continue, as readers wanted to know what happened next. Bao finished it soon. It became so popular that it was turned into a best-seller. To cap it all off, Bao’s novel was later adapted into a successful movie.

Bao’s story is only one of many Internet novels that have landed deals for physical books, TV shows and films. Unlike traditional writers who buried themselves in their books for years, some young writers like Bao have got readers rapidly online and find overnight success.

Bao admits her success was unexpected. She still remembers how surprised her parents were when she proudly gave them her copyright earnings. Online literature forums are platforms for grassroots writers to succeed.

In recent years, Zhang Wei, known as “Tangjiasanshao”, has earned 177 million yuan by his fingers though working as an author was beyond his dreams. He topped the list of wealthiest Chinese Internet novelists twice and was the only online writer to be listed on the 2014 Forbes “Chinese Celebrity List”.

He admits that he is one of the few writers at the top of the pyramid while most online writers remain unknown. However, he urged that his success can be achieved by others, as long as “they write hard enough”.

1.According to the passage, we know that ________.

A. Bao Jingjing’s parents didn’t want her to be a writer

B. Bao Jingjing didn’t really expect her success overnight

C. Bao Jingjing didn’t finish her first online love story

D. Bao Jingjing’s first online story was turned into a TV show

2.The underlined words “to cap it all off” in Paragraph 3 probably means ________.

A. in turnB. in conclusionC. in timeD. in addition

3.The author mentioned Zhang Wei’s example mainly to ________.

A. introduce another online writer to the readers

B. show the example of another online writer’s success

C. encourage readers to become online writers

D. express his admiration for online writer Zhang Wei

4.What can we infer from what Zhang Wei says in the last paragraph?

A. Few words, many deeds.

B. First try, and then trust.

C. Harm set, harm get.

D. No pains, no gains.

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 set goals

Whether you have small dreams or great expectations, setting goals allows you to plan how you want to move through life. Some achievements can take a lifetime to attain. 1. No matter what goals you are setting, getting started can be difficult, but we’ll show you how to build up to even the biggest dream.

Determine your life goals. 2. What you want to achieve: today, in a year, in your lifetime? The answer to this question can be as general as “I want to be happy,” or ” I want to help people”. A career life goal might be to open your own business. A fitness goal might be to become fit. These goals can be amazingly broad.

? Set priorities(优先的事物). At any given moment, you probably have a number of goals all in different states of completion. 3. If you find yourself with too many goals, you’re going to feel lost and are less likely to accomplish them.

? Keep track of your progress. Writing in a journal is a great way to keep track of both personal and professional progress. Acknowledging the progress made towards a certain goal is key to staying motivated. 4. Asking a friend to keep you on track can also help you stay focused.

? 5. Once you have achieved goals---even major life goals—you will want to continue to grow and set new goals for yourself. Once you run your marathon, you should assess what you’d like to do next. Do you want to run another marathon, but improve your time? Or do you want to run longer distance?

A. Keep setting goals.

B. So be realistic about your goals.

C. It may even encourage you to work harder.

D. Others, however, can be completed in the course of a day.

E. Break the big picture down into smaller and more specific goals.

F. So deciding which goals are more important than others is important.

G. Ask yourself some important questions about what you want for your life.

阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

Many sports players have not only accomplished incredible acts of athleticism(运动能力), but also unbelievable acts of sportsmanship(体育精神). There were some ________ examples in 2014, and I have ________ two that inspired me.

One example of sportsmanship took place in the Sochi Olympics. Russian Anton Gafarov was hobbling(蹒跚而行) along the track, far ________ the rest of the skiers. One of his skis was broken. He had tried to ________ with the damaged equipment. Canadian ski coach Justin Wadsworth was the only one who had a(n) ________. Wadsworth didn’t want Gafarov to finish slowly, hobbling across the line. He wanted him to finish with ________. The Canadian skiers were already out of the race, giving Wadsworth two ________: Leave Gafarov to hobble across the line on one ski, or give him the spare one. Wadsworth gave him the extra ski, ________ Gafarov to get second place in the quarter-finals. ________, he came in sixth in the semi-finals. It was Wadsworth who helped Gafarov ________ his Olympic dream.

The other example took place in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final match between Brazil and Colombia. The game had just ended. Brazil had won, 2-1. Brazil was ________ on the sidelines, cheering and having a good time. Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez had just had his World Cup dream ________ despite scoring a record-breaking six goals in the competition. Brazil defender David Luiz walked over to him, pointed at him, and ________ the crowd to acknowledge him. He then declared his ________ for a game well played and ________ him for his wonderful World Cup performance. It made both the crowd and Rodriquez ________.

As an athlete, I know it’s easy to get caught up in the ________ of a game. But I also know that ________ is just as important as losing and winning.

Always remember to ________ your opposing team. Play hard, but play fair. And always be nice. It’s the right thing to do and it always ________.

1.A. amusingB. amazingC. interestingD. embarrassing

2.A. collectedB. pickedC. madeD. created

3.A. behindB. offC. fromD. back

4.A. walkB. goC. workD. continue

5.A. brokenB. extraC. newD. temporary

6.A. determinationB. kindnessC. loveD. pride

7.A. questionsB. chancesC. choicesD. problems

8.A. allowingB. advisingC. instructingD. wanting

9.A. FinallyB. SpecificallyC. ParticularlyD. Gradually

10.A. shareB. enjoyC. haveD. complete

11.A. imaginingB. reviewingC. celebratingD. training

12.A. achievedB. followedC. torn apartD. broken in

13.A. urgedB. forcedC. expectedD. warned

14.A. surpriseB. doubtC. curiosityD. appreciation

15.A. preparedB. recognizedC. challengedD. interviewed

16.A. shyB. happyC. crazyD. tired

17.A. funB. advantage

C. meaningD. competitiveness

18.A. sportsmanshipB. championship

C. leadershipD. friendship

19.A. respond toB. fight against

C. shake hands withD. keep up with

20.A. pays outB. pays back

C. pays offD. pays for

With hospitals and nursing homes tending to thousands of patients every year accidents can and do happen. These incidents whether they are through carelessness or otherwise, can leave patients feeling powerless. That’s not the case.

“There is growing public awareness. People are feeling they have more rights and they have tools in hand to make a complaint,” said Ralph Montano, spokesman for the California Department of Public Health, which regulates hospitals and long-term care facilities in the state.

That department received more than 6000 complaints about hospitals in 2007; in the most recent year statistics are available. The complaints can be about mixed-up lab results, medicine errors, foreign objects left in a patient during surgery or a host of other topic.

Similarly, the California department of Aging received 43,000 nursing home complaints in 2014. Some said patient abuse or neglect of patients; others reported missing items. And some commented on the quality of the food.

But finding the channels through them to put forward a complaint can be tiring and time consumption. Many consumers simply don’t bother, and some become lost in the system. Whether the complaint is against a hospital or a long-term care facility, the process is similar—and many people can help, including the facility’s staff, insurance company representatives and state regulators.

If you want to make a complaint while in the hospital, Patti Harvey, vice president of quality and patient care services for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, recommends talking with the bedside nurse. If that doesn’t work, you can talk with other people higher in the chain of command, up to the hospital administrator. If the problem isn’t still taken care of—say you disagree with your treatment plan or have a problem with your doctor—member service offices at each hospital can help address your concerns.

1.Why are there more complaints from patients?

A. Because there are more departments to deal with complaints.

B. Because in the hospital there are more accidents than before.

C. Because it’s convenient for people to put forward complaints.

D. Because hospitals have more and more rights.

2.Many consumers don’t make a complaint because ________.

A. complaints are bad for a long-term care facility

B. few accidents happen

C. many complaints are lost

D. it takes time to make a complaint

3.The last paragraph mainly tells us ________.

A. to solve problems with the hospital quickly

B. something about Patti Harvey

C. how to make complaints in the hospital

D. we should say we disagree with the treatment plan

4.Who can help if you complain against a hospital or a long-term care facility?

A. Jack—a representative of an insurance company.

B. Peter—a medical officer from the government.

C. Rudy—a headmaster of a medical university.

D. Tom—a teacher of a medical school.

An 80-year-old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45-year-old highly educated son.

Suddenly a crow perched on the tree near their window.

The father asked his son, “What is this?”

The son replied, “It is a crow.”

After a few minutes, the father asked his son the second time, “What is this?”

The son said, “Father, I have just now told you. It is a crow!”

After a little while, the old father again asked his son the third time, “What is this?”

“It’s a crow, a crow, a crow!” said the son loudly.

A little after, the father again asked his son the fourth time, “What is this?”

This time the son shouted at his father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again? ‘IT IS A CROW’. Are you not able to understand this?”

A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old diary, which he had kept since his son was born. On opening a page, he asked his son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:

“Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel annoyed; I rather felt affection for my innocent child.”

1.What does the underlined word “perched” mean in the passage?

A. knocked.B. hit.C. landed.D. flew.

2.Why did the father ask the same question again and again?

A. Because he wanted to see how patient his son would be.

B. Because he was too old to remember anything.

C. Because he wanted to make his son angry.

D. Because he couldn’t understand what his son said.

3.How old was the old man when his son asked him 23 times “What is this?”

A. 38 years old.B. 45 years old.

C. 80 years old.D. 35 years old.

4.What is the most suitable title for the passage?

A. A CrowB. An Old Man

C. An Old DiaryD. Father’s Love

When other nine-year-old kids were playing games, she was working at a petrol station. When other teens were studying or going out, she struggled to find a place to sleep on the street. But she overcame these terrible setbacks to win a highly competitive scholarship and gain entry to Harvard University. And her amazing story has inspired a movie, “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story” shown in late April.

Liz Murray, a 22-year-old American girl, has been writing a real-life story of willpower and determination. Liz grew up in the shadow of two drug-addicted parents. There was never enough food or warm clothes in the house. Liz was the only member of the family who had a job. Her mother had AIDS and died when Liz was just 15 years old. The effect of that LOSS became a turning point in her life. Connecting the environment in which she had grown up with how her mother had died, she decided to do something about it.

Liz went back to school. She threw herself into her studies, never telling her teachers that she was homeless. At night, she lived on the streets. “What drove me to live on had something to do with understanding, by understanding that there was a whole other way of being. I had only experienced a small part of the society,” she wrote in her book Breaking Night.

She admitted that she used envy to drive herself on. She used the benefits that come easily to others, such as a safe living environment, to encourage herself that “next to nothing could hold me down”. She finished high school in just two years and won a full scholarship to study at Harvard University, but Liz decided to leave her top university a couple of months earlier this year in order to take care of her father, who has also developed AIDS. “I love my parents so much. They are drug addicts. But I never forget that they love me all the time.”

Liz wants moviegoers to come away with the idea that changing your life is “as simple as making a decision”.

1.The main idea of the passage is __________.

A. what a hard time Liz had in her childhood

B. how Liz managed to enter Harvard University

C. how Liz struggled to change her life

D. why Liz loved her parents so much

2.What actually made her go towards her goal?

A. Willpower and determination.B. Envy and encouragement.

C. Decisions and understanding.D. Love and respect for her parents.

3.When she wrote “What drove me to live on... I had only experienced a small part of the society”, she meant that ________.

A. she needed to travel more around the world

B. she would do something for her own life

C. she could hardly understand the society

D. she had little experience of social life

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