Chokwe Selassie, aged 13, is working hard to help drivers avoid potholes(坑洼). The eighth-grader was inspired to kick off his creation on a recent morning, when his mother was driving him to school. Their car was damaged as it went over a huge pothole in the middle of the street in their hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. He decided to do something about the pothole problem in his city. His solution: an app that warns drivers when there is a pothole ahead.

Chokwe developed the app with his friends Rodriguez Ratliff and Emmanuel Brooks. When the app detects a pothole, it is highlighted in red. And if you get close to the pothole, your phone will warn you. Drivers can also use the app to report any potholes they meet, and to look for other routes they can take to avoid roads that have them.

The app relies on current available information about the streets of Jackson. It works by using the city’s 311 call system, and uses information already stored in a database. Through the call system, citizens dial 311 to report non-emergency problems, which include potholes. Chokwe and his friends determined that focusing on the 10 busiest streets in Jackson would give them a large enough sample size to test the prototype(原型).

Although the app isn't yet available for sale, Chokwe is already looking for ways to improve it. The prototype remains limited to 10 streets in Jackson, but he hopes to add more, so that it includes every street in the city. And then he wants to go even farther until it's nationwide.

1.The passage is mainly about ________.

A. a solution to traffic jams B. an App to detect potholes

C. pothole problems in big cities D. poor road conditions

2.What’s the closest meaning of the underlined phrase “kick off” in Paragraph 1?

A. leave B. invent

C. begin D. change

3.How does the app work through the 311 call system?

A. By replying to citizens’ calls.

B. By broadcasting traffic accidents.

C. By settling non-emergency problems.

D. By using its information about potholes.

4.Which can be Chokwe’s future target?

A. Encouraging more kids to create apps.

B. Taking part in more learning programs.

C. Making the app available for sale online.

D. Making the app include streets nationwide.

According to German researchers, forcing people to be happy and polite all the time is likely to make them sick. They believe most at risk are air hostesses, call center operators, waiters and other workers in close contact with the public.

Professor Dicter Zapf, a researcher into human emotions at Frankfurt University, said false friendliness led to depression, stress and a lowering of the immune(免疫) system. This can lead to more serious illness such as high blood pressure and so on.“Every time a person is forced to repress his true feelings, there are negative consequences for his health,”said Professor Dieter Zapf.

In order to reach these conclusions, for over two years, 4,000 volunteers including shop workers and air hostess, were put in an imaginary call center and abused by customers. Some of the participants were allowed to answer back, while others had to be polite and friendly all the time.

Those who stood up to clients(顾客) had a rapid heartbeat for a brief period, but for those who had to remain friendly, their heart was still racing long after the client had hung up.

The conclusion reached by the researchers was that“being friendly against one's will causes nothing but stress”.

Professor Zapf said, “We are all able to control our emotions, but it becomes difficult to do this over a long period as air hostesses are forced to on long flights.”

“These people need space away from the passengers where they can be on their own and let their feelings run free. We have to get away from the ‘customer is king’ attitude and show more respect to those working in the service industries.”

1.Who are most at risk when forced to be polite all the time?

A. Those connected with the public. B. Those in service industries.

C. Those with high blood pressure. D. Those working at the airport.

2.According to Professor Dicter Zapf, false friendliness can _____.

A. cause conflicts among people B. improve people’s relationship

C. control high blood pressure D. lead to more serious illnesses

3.What can be inferred from the text?

A. About 4000 voluntary students took part in the research.

B. Those allowed to answer back had a slow heartbeat.

C. Those forced to remain polite are likely to have heart problems.

D. Air hostess should be allowed to lose their temper on long flights.

4.What is the main purpose of this text?

A. To tell people to take the “customer is king” attitude.

B. To persuade people out of working in service industries.

C. To appeal to people to respect those in service industries.

D. To remind people in service industries to control their emotions.

Bad days happens to many of us. Something makes us sad, angry, frustrated or disappointed. But you still have to get up and go to work. Everything others say to you sounds stupid. 1.. Luckily, you can do something about it. Here are some ways to turn around a bad day.

Accept your bad mood

Being in a bad mood is not that hard. If you’re mad, be mad.2.. This does not give you license to be rude and unpleasant to others. It just means that you need to recognize and accept your bad mood to be able to do something.

Tell others

You can try to keep your bad mood a secret and put on your happy mask. Guess what, you’re fooling nobody.3.. Simply tell them “ listen guys, I’m in a really sour mood today. I’m not sure why, but it’s nothing to do with what you have done. If I bite your head off, I apologize in advance.”

4.

Spend a few moments to try thinking of at least one or two things that aren’t all bad: Something you look forward to, such as a person you like at work or something nice that happened recently.

Take some quiet time

And if you’re having a really bad day, it may be a good idea to withdraw a little if you can. 5.. Sit and work somewhere quiet. Take a long bathroom break. Consider going home early or taking the day off.

A. Remember the good

B. It’s important to get along well with others

C. Everyone seems to annoy you

D. The best thing to do is to tell the people you work closely with

E. If you’re sad, be sad

F. Ask for advice

G. Take a walk in your lunch break

On a foggy evening, Steven took his old father to a restaurant for dinner. His father was very old and weak. While eating, he______dropped food on his shirt and trousers. Other______watched him in disgust while his son was ______.

The whole restaurant fell ______. All the diners turned away from the father and son one after another while Steven ______his father in a soft voice of a man, “Eat as ______ as you can, father. It will be weeks before I _______back from my business trip.”

At that moment, the old father nodded with_____, tears full of his eyes.

After he finished eating, Steven, his son, who was not at all______, quietly took him to the wash room,______the food particles(饭粒), removed the stains, combed his hair and______ his glasses firmly.

When they came out, the entire restaurant was______ them in dead silence, not able to understand ______someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that. The son______ the bill and started walking out with his father.

At that time, an old man among the diners called out to the _______ and asked him, “Don’t you think you have ______ something behind?”.

The son replied, "No sir, I haven't".

The old man insisted, “Yes, you have! You left a(n) ______ for every son and hope for every ______”.

The restaurant went silent. All behind looked at Steven with regret and then, with great respect at both father and son, who were______ into the fog.

To care for those who once cared for us is one of the______ honors. We all know how our parents cared for us for every little thing. Love them, respect them, and care for them.

1.A. constantly B. freelyC. Regularly D. silently

2.A. waiters B. waitresses C. diners D. men

3.A. angry B. calm C. anxious D. fearful

4.A. lucky B. happy C. hopeless D. speechless

5.A. encouraged B. urged C. begged D. mentioned

6.A. quickly B. slowly C. less D. much

7.A. come B. write C. run D. phone

8.A. unhappiness B. difficulty C. thanks D. surprise

9.A. worried B. tired C. regretful D. embarrassed

10.A. wiped B. threw C. washed D. ate

11.A. pull B. removed C. fitted D. picked

12.A. commenting B. holding C. watching D. studying

13.A. when B. how C. what D. where

14.A. forgot B. counted C. refused D. paid

15.A. father B. son C. diners D. waiter

16.A. took B. ignored C. left D. deserted

17.A. lesson B. story C. encouragement D. experience

18.A. diner B. one C. son D. father

19.A. going B. moving C. driving D. running

20.A. respected B. best C. highest D. extraordinary

“USA? Britain? Which country is1.(good) to study in?” We often hear such discussion. As China opens its door, it is a dream for many Chinese students to study abroad. They want to learn about the outside world.

It’s true that studying abroad can help students develop2. (they). Their foreign language skills will3. (improve) and it may be easier to find jobs.

But there are problems4. should be considered. Language is the first. Students must spend a lot of time5. (learn) another language.

Students must also learn6. (live) without parents’ care and deal with all kinds of things they didn’t have to do before, like looking after themselves. There are 7. (report) about Chinese students abroad running into an ocean of difficulties 8. giving up in the end. When they have to take care 9. themselves, it is hard for students to study well.

Finally, studying abroad brings a heavy burden to the family. For most Chinese parents, the cost of studying abroad10. (be) very high. But is it worth it?

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏子符号（∧）并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；

2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Long ago people used bells more than they do today. The postmen was used to ring a hand bell when they delivered letters. Fire engines had bells instead sirens(警笛). People which sold things came past houses, rang a bell and shouting what was for sale. In many country, bells were hung around the necks of animals. The bells help owners find lost cows or sheep. Today, at India, animals still wear bells. Now bells are used more because various modern sound-makers have taken its place. Now people try to keep the old bells in schools and churches so that they won’t lose their beautifully sounds forever.

马上就要进入高三了，每个人都应该为实现自己的梦想而努力。请你以“My dream”为题,为校报“学生天地”栏目写一篇英语短文。要点如下：

1．你的梦想是什么；

2．你为什么有这样的梦想；

3．对于梦想你最大的困扰是什么；

4．你将怎样努力。

要求：1．词数100左右，开头语己为你写好；

2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Everyone has his own dream..

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone else or ourselves — the positive and negative (消极否定的)effects are just as lasting.

We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.

This “self-talk” helps us motivate(激励) ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”

Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clerk will probably respond in a similar manner. However, harsh and critical(批评的) language will most probably cause the clerk to be defensive.

Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.

Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem(自尊) and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.

1.The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.

A. not sticks and stones but words will hurt us

B. inspiring words give us confidence

C. negative words may let us down

D. words have a lasting effect on us

2.There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because ____.

A. almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves

B. we can benefit from talking to ourselves

C. talking to ourselves always gives us courage

D. it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone

3.The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely______.

A. remind ourselves B. praise ourselves

C. make ourselves relaxed D. give ourselves entertainment

4.The author would probably hold the view that ________.

A. encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers

B. negative words may stimulate（激励）us to make more progress

C. people tend to remember friendly words

D. it is better to think twice before talking to others

The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would come to stay with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to keep away from the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.

The following are some countries' birthday traditions:

Canada —Greasing(涂) the nose with butter. In Atlantic Canada, the birthday child's nose is greased for good luck.

China —Noodles for lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his/her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.

England —Fortune telling cakes. Certain symbolic（象征性的）objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it is being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, then you will be rich.

Italy—Pulling ears. The child's ears are pulled as many times as how old they are turning.

Japan-New clothes. The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion.

New Zealand—Birthday claps. After the birthday cake is lit, the happy birthday song is sung loudly and often out of tune and then the birthday person receives a clap for each year they have been alive and then one for good luck.

The United States—Cake, candles and song. A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is.

1.The first paragraph mainly talks about _________

A. where the tradition of birthday parties started

B. how to keep away from evil spirits

C. why gifts must be given to the birthday person

D. how birthday parties started.

2.According to the passage, in which country do the birthday children receive a gift of money?

A. England B. China

C. Ireland D. Japan

3.Which of the following is NOT true?

A. In New Zealand, an eight-year-old birthday child receives eight claps in all.

B. In Italy, people will pull the birthday children’s ears.

C. In England, objects mixed into the birthday cake are meaningful.

D. In the US, the number of candles means the age of the birthday person.

4.Which of the following groups is true about birthday celebrations in different countries?

a. China-eating noodles

b. Canada-bumping on the floor

c. England-coin in the birthday cake

d. Japan-- butter-greased nose

e. Italy--- pulling ears

f. America--- cake with candles on top

A. a, b, c, f B. b, c, d, e

C. c, d , e ,f D. a, c , e , f

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn’t, the girl with the rose.

His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued（感兴趣的）, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin（空白处）.The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner’s name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II.

During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding（发芽）. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn’t matter what she looked like.

When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting -- 7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. “You’ll recognize me,” she wrote, “by the red rose I’ll be wearing on my lapel（翻领）.” So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he’d never seen.

I’ll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, attractive smile curved her lips. “Going my way, sailor?” she murmured.

Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump（微胖的）, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own.

And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped（紧握）the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her.

This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful. I squared（挺直身子）my shoulders and saluted（敬礼）and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness（痛苦）of my disappointment. “I'm Lieutenant（中尉）John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?”

The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. “I don't know what this is about, son,” she answered, “but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!”

It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. “Tell me whom you love,” Houssaye wrote, “And I will tell you who you are.”

1.How did John Blanchard get to know Miss Hollis Maynell?

A. They lived in the same city.

B. They were both interested in literature.

C. John came across Hollis in a Florida library.

D. John knew Hollis's name from a library book.

2.When Blanchard went over to greet the woman, he was _____.

A. disappointed but well-behaved B. satisfied and confident

C. annoyed and bad-mannered D. shocked but inspired

3.Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

A. Don't Judge a Book by its Cover B. The Symbol of Rose

C. Love is blind D. A Test of Love