In China, chain restaurants – especially the big multinational ones – are cool. Going to Starbucks, for example, is a status symbol. It not only says, “I’m rich enough to buy this overpriced coffee,” but also, “I’m cosmopolitan (见多识广的) enough to be part of globalization.”

Where I come from in the UK, however, chains are neither fashionable nor gourmet(美食的). Chains are where you go on New Year’s Day when nowhere else is open, or when you are 5 years old and your parents can’t stand hearing, “I’m huuuuuungry!” any longer. In my own case (with regards to McDonald’s), a chain is where you are taken on your first “date”. Even at the age of 13, I knew to give the guy the “let’s just be friends” phone call the next day.

In the UK, independent cafes and restaurants are making a comeback on the fashion scene. Nowadays, a Londoner who says “let’s meet for a coffee at Monmouth” (an independent cafe) is much cooler than one who says “let’s go to Starbucks”. Even if Monmouth’s coffee is a little more expensive, there’s a satisfaction in knowing your pounds aren’t going straight to the big corporations.

Of course, there are chain stores all over the UK; you can’t go five minutes without spotting a Costa Coffee. But numbers do not add up to good taste.

I do, however, have a confession (坦白). After moving to China I had moments when all the rice and Kung Pao Chicken became too much. I, too, have retreated to McDonald’s.

1.Many Chinese people like to go to multinational chain restaurants because ______.

A. the restaurants give customers a taste of foreign culture

B. the restaurants offer different food and drinks from other restaurants

C. they believe that eating there will show their wealth and social status

D. these restaurants are perfect places for a romantic date

2.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. The author has grown tired of Chinese food.

B. Branches of Monmouth’s cafe can be found all over the UK.

C. Most independent stores are closed on New Year’s Day in the UK.

D. It is cool in the UK to take your first date to a chain restaurant.

3.We can infer from the article that ______.

A. the author doesn’t like food from Pizza Hut

B. the author doesn’t like to follow fashion trends

C. many Britons think that numbers mean poor quality

D. many Britons don’t like big corporations

4.What does the underlined word (in the last paragraph) mean?

A. adapted B. contributed

C. subscribed D. Switched

Brenda Bongos was a happy, artistic girl．She had one big ambition—to play the drums in a band．But one big problem lay in her way．To be good enough to play in a band，Brenda had to practice a lot，but she lived next-door to a lot of old people．Many of them are sick．She knew that the sound of beating drums would really get on their nerves(神经)．So，she had tried playing in the strangest places：a basement，a kitchen，and even in a shower．But there was always someone it would annoy．

One day, while watching a science documentary on TV, she heard that sound cannot travel in space，because there’s no air．At that moment，Brenda Bongos decided to become a sort of musical astronaut．

With the help of a lot of time，books and work，Brenda built a space bubble(气泡)．This was a big glass ball connected to a machine which sucked out all the air inside. All that would be left inside was a drum kit(成套设备)and a chair．Brenda got into the space suit she had made，entered the bubble，turned on the machine，and played those drums like a wild chlid.

It wasn't long before Brenda Bongos came very famous．Many people came to see her play in her space bubble．Shortly afterwards she came out of the bubble and started giving concerts．Her fame spread so much that the government suggested that she be part of a unique space journey．Finally, Brenda was a real musical astronaut，and had gone far beyond her first ambition of playing drums in a band．

Years later, when asked how she had achieved all this，she thought for a moment，and said：“If those old people next-door hadn’t mattered so much to me，I wouldn't have found a solution，and none of this would have ever happened．”

1.Why did Brenda try to play in the strangest places?

A. Because she didn't want others to hear her play．

B. Because she didn't like her neighbors．

C. Because she didn't have her own room．

D. Because she didn't mean to disturb others．

2.Brenda became famous because.

A. she was good at music and science

B. she became a real musical astronaut

C. she invented a special way of practice

D. she played well and had a talent

3.Which of the following can be used to describe Brenda most properly?

A. Kind，hardworking and creative．

B. Brave，kind and hardworking．

C. Lovely, brave and clever．

D. Nervous，kind and clever．

4.It can be inferred from the text that “”.

A. He laughs best who laughs last

B. One good turn deserves another

C. Two heads are better than one

D. It’s never too old to learn

Next time you need directions,maybe you can ask an ant.These little creatures are masters of navigation（导航）that some can find their way home whether they're walking forward or backward,according to a study in Current Biology.

Ants often travel long to bring back the food to their nests.But how do they know where they’re going?

Researchers went to Spain to mess with some desert ants.They found an active nest and surrounded it with barriers that forced the foraging（搜寻）ants to follow a particular path back home.Once the ants were familiar with the maze,the researchers would take them up,hand them pieces of a cookie and then put them back in a different location,one that required taking a 90 degree turn to get to the nest.

The research found that the ants carrying a small,easy-to-carry piece would run forward with confidence and were able to head on home.Some ants,however,would drop the cookie and turn around to take a look at the scenery, which allowed the six-legged experts to reset their inner maps,catch their cookies and head in the right direction.

These ants seem to use sky clues,like the position of the sun,to keep them on track.When the researchers used a mirror to make it look like the sun on the other side of the sky,the cornered ants would turn tail for the opposite direction.

So ants integrate（整合）a lot of information to successfully bring home the food.

1.What does the word “maze” in Paragraph 3 probably refer to?

A. A nest that active ants live in.

B. An experiment that is done in the desert.

C. A method that helps to locate food.

D. A place that consists of confusing paths.

2.Why did some ants stop to look at the scenery?

A. To get over the man-made barriers.

B. To enjoy the scenery along the route.

C. To ensure they're in the right direction.

D. To check directions with their maps.

3.According to the passage,what probably helps the ants find their way home?

A. The position of the sun. B. One particular path.

C. A 90 degree turn. D. Pieces of a cookie.

4.Where does this passage probably come from?

A. An adventure novel. B. A geography textbook.

C. A science magazine. D. A tourist brochure.

Texting（发短信）walkers aren't just an annoyance to other walkers, Australian researchers armed with movie special-effects technology have determined scientifically that they're threats to themselves. Using motion-capture technology similar to that used for films, researchers concluded that texting while walking not only affects balance but also the ability to walk in straight line.

“Some people like checking emails while walking to work in the morning” said the study co-author Hoorn, “but they may not know it has a serious effect on the safety of themselves”. Other facts have also proved this. A tourist from Taiwan walked off a pier near Melbourne last month while checking Facebook, bringing a sudden and icy end to a penguin-watching visit. Another person who was too wrapped up in his phone to notice dangers walked straight into the fountain in front of a shopping mall.

The Australian study involved 27 volunteers, a third of whom admitted having knocked into objects while texting. They were asked to walk 8.5 meters three times—once without phones, once while reading text and once while writing text, when eight cameras recorded their actions.

They found the volunteers using the phone walked slower, and, more seriously, they locked their arms and elbows in like “robots”, which forced their heads to move more, throwing themselves off balance. “In a pedestrian（步行的）environment, inability to maintain a straight path would be likely to increase potential for traffic accidents”, said Mr. Hoorn. “The best thing to do is to step aside and stop, or keep off the phone.”

Authorities world-wide have taken note. Signs on Hong Kong's subway system advise passengers in three languages to keep their eyes off their phones. Police and transport authorities have highlighted the danger in Singapore, where the Straits Times newspaper recently declared cellphone-distracted road crossing as “bad habit No. 2” contributing to the rising number of road deaths. Some U.S. states, including New York and Arkansas, are considering bans on what they're calling phone jaywalking.

1.According to the passage, people texting while walking usually____________.

A. do not influence other walkers B. do harm to their eyes

C. put themselves in danger D. can still walk straight

2.Which of the following words has the closest meaning to “wrapped up” in Paragraph 2?

A. absent-minded B. annoyed

C. confused D. absorbed

3.The two examples in Paragraph 2 are given in order to __________.

A. prove texting walkers are threats to others

B. show texting walkers may harm themselves

C. analyze the causes of the danger

D. amuse the readers

4.About the Australian study, we know that___________.

A. the volunteers using phones while walking moved normally

B. ten volunteers admitted having bumped into things while texting

C. the volunteers were divided into three groups during the study

D. texting walkers are exposed to greater possibility of traffic accidents

5.The last paragraph suggests that_________.

A. actions have been taken against texting while walking

B. Hong Kong’s subway system forbids texting walkers to take the train

C. New York has made laws to ban phone jaywalking

D. cellphone-distracted road crossing is considered the worst habit in Singapore

How to Find Your Hidden Talents

Many of us are still in search of the talents that are hidden within us. Finding the talents that sets you apart from others needs observation and analysis of one’s own self. If you want to learn how to find your talents, the tips provided in the following lines will surely come handy.

1. What sorts of things do you like to read about, watch or do? What are you favorite shows on television? Which column of the newspaper and magazines do you like to read? To know what you are interested in is the first step towards finding your hidden talents.

Try out different things. If you want to find out your dexterity (灵巧）in each of the things that interest you, then try them out. 2. Locate a safe environment, where you can try out different things without anybody’s interference (干扰).

Find your passion.3. However, there will be only a thing or two that you are passionate about. What is the one thing that you love to do the most, with the most enthusiasm? Get the answer to the question and you will come to know what exactly you are passionate about.

Improve yourself. Read lots of books and learn from people. One of the best ways to learn something is to teach. Therefore, teach what you have learnt. 4.In this process, you will be able to discover all your hidden talents.

Know your limits. In the process of finding your strengths and talents, you should not ignore your weakness as well. 5.Know what makes you struggle. You will then come to know your talents as well as the areas that you need to work on.

A. Find your interests.

B. Know your strengths.

C. Find out the things you are not good at.

D. You may be a person of various interests.

E. Carry out experiments and explore things.

F. This will help increase your depth of knowledge.

G. It needs observation and analysis of one’s own self.

My father was an ill-humored man. I knew he loved me and his love was deep. He just didn’t know how to ______it.

One evening we went out for a night on the town．We were sitting in an elegant restaurant that had a small but lively _____

When it played a familiar waltz tune ,I decided to __ my father for a dance. “Dad, you know I’ve never ___with you before. I begged you but you ___wanted to. How about right now?”

I waited for the ___refusal．But instead, he considered thoughtfully and then said, “Let’s hit the floor and I’ll __ you just what kind of moves an old guy like me can still make.”

My father took me in his ___ and I felt overcome by emotion. As we danced I looked up at my father carefully but he ____my eyes.

“Dad,” I finally __ tears in my eyes, “Why is it so hard for you to look at me?” At last his eyes dropped to my face．“ ____I love you so much.” he whispered back．I was struck dumb by his ____It wasn’t what I had thought．But it was of course exactly what I needed to __.

I had always known that he loved me. I just hadn’t understood that his vast emotion had __ him and made him silent．“I love you too, Dad!” I whispered back softly．He stumbled （结结巴巴地说) over the next few words: “I’m sorry that I’m not open. It’s ___for me, but just remember how much I love you.”

When the dance ended I excused myself to the ladies’ room and during my absence ___changed．When I came back, Dad sat in his chair ___hisbody leaning forward, very pale．Everything was really too late．He was __.

That night all I saw was his leaning body and pale face．But it’s a totally different scene that I __ now．I remember his saying “I love you” and my saying itback．The three words ______on forever long after we are gone．

1.A. answer B. express C. mention D. understand

2.A. bar B. hall C. sofa D. band

3.A. invite B. teach C. help D. show

4.A. chatted B. sang C. danced D. stayed

5.A. still B. never C. also D. even

6.A. final B. normal C. usual D. rough

7.A. show B. tell C. ask D. explain

8.A. hands B. arms C. heart D. mind

9.A. noticed B. ignored C. avoided D. greeted

10.A. whispered B. complained C. explained D. shouted

11.A. Because B. Though C. If D. While

12.A. response B. advise C. promise D. excuse

13.A. find B. hear C. know D. think

14.A. surprised B. pleased C. inspired D. frightened

15.A. clear B. important C. impossible D. hard

16.A. anything B. something C. nothing D. everything

17.A. for B. with C. on D. from

18.A. moved B. tired C. gone D. lost

19.A. discover B. remember C. remind D. consider

20.A. live B. carry C. depend D. Take

For you, the “Clear and Bright” day that falls in every April might be no more than just another holiday — the fact that it comes with three days off school matters to most students1. (much) than the fact that it is part of the 24 solar terms (二十四节气).

But this ancient system that Chinese people have used 2.(keep) track of the time of year was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity （人类非物质文化遗产）on Nov. 30.

To be fair, the terms do sound old; they 3. (invent) thousands of years ago to offer weather information for agricultural 4. (activity). But the truth is5. they still have an influence on our lives today, even if we don’t realize it most of the time. For example, people from6. (north) China are in the habit of eating dumplings 7. the day of Winter Solstice (冬至). And on Start of Autumn, some treat 8. (they) to a big feast, especially of meat, something they call “putting on autumn weight”, or tieqiubiao. According to Chinese writer and academic Yu Shicun, the system is a philosophy of time, 9. applies to everything. And this means they are 10. (likely) to die out.

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：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧）,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。

Everyone has a dream. We are on the way to achieve it whether the way is smooth or toughly. As senior 2 student, I have the same dream as my classmates that I can be admitted to an ideal university. In the past 2 years, I have done everything I can to equip myself with that I have learnt from my teachers. Not only have I enjoyed the pleasures of study but also I have got closer to my dream. Anxiety and pressure did discourage from me at times. Besides, with the encouragement of my teachers and classmates, I think I’ll make it.

I’m sure that there has still a long way to go to achieve my dream. No matter how challenged it is, I’ll make it come true. As the proverb said,“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

假设你是李华，即将高中毕业，对大学专业选择比较困惑，请给曾经做过生涯规划师的前外教Mr.Joyce写封信，介绍你本人在学习、个性等方面的长处以及你的职业愿景，并请他为你在选择大学专业方面提出一些建议。

注意：1.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

2.词数100左右(格式已给出，不计入总词数)。

Dear Mr. Joyce，

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Yours，

Li Hua

Wanted, Someone for a Kiss

We’re looking for producers to join us in the second of London 100FM. You’ll work on the station’s music programmes. Music production experience in radio is necessary, along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply(申请) in writing to Producer Vacancies, Kiss100.

Father Christmas

We’re looking for a very special person preferably over 40, to fill our Father Christmas suit.

Working days: Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December17 to December24 except Sunday, 10:30—16:00

Excellent pay.

Please contact(联系)the Enterprise Shopping Center, Station Parade, Eastbourne.

Accountants Assistant

When you join the them in our Revenue Administration Unit, you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division, dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience.

Wealden District Council

Software Trainer

If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training, you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in programme writing. You will be allowed to make our decision, and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of ￡15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV (简历) to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.

1.Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station?

A. Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100. B. Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.

C. The Enterprise Shopping Centre D. Wealden District Council.

2.We learn from the ads that the Enterprise Shopping Centre needs a person who __________________.

A. is aged between 24 and 40 B. may do some training work

C. should deal with general duties D. can work for about a month

3.which position is open to recent school graduates?

A. Producer,London Kiss.

B. Father Christmas.

C. Accountants Assistant

D. Software Trainer

4.What kind of person would probably apply to Palmace Limited?

A. One with GCSE grade C level.

B. One with some office experience.

C. One having good computer knowledge

D. One trained in producing music programmes.