One day, I happened to talk to a stranger (陌生人) on the bus. When he found out that I was from Chicago, he told me that one of his good friends lived there and he wondered if I happened to know him. At first I wanted to say that it was foolish (愚蠢的) to think like that, for from all the millions of people in Chicago, I could not possibly know his friend. But, instead, I just smiled and said that Chicago was a very big city. He was quiet for a few minutes, and then he began to tell me all about his friend.
He told me that his friend was an excellent tennis player and that he even had his own tennis court (网球场). He added that he knew a lot of people with swimming pools, but that he only knew two people in the country who had their own tennis courts. And his friend in Chicago was one of them. I told him that I knew several people like that, for example, my brother and my next-door neighbor. I told him that my brother was a doctor and he lived in California. Then he asked where my brother lived in California. When I said Sacramento, he said that last year his friend spent the summer in Sacramento and lived next door to a doctor. The doctor had a tennis court. I said that my next-door went to Sacramento last summer and lived in the house next to my brother’s. For a moment, we looked at each other, but we did not say anything.
“Would your friend’s name happen to be Roland Kirkwood?” I asked finally. He laughed and said, “Would your brother’s name happen to be Dr. Ray Hunter?” It was my turn to laugh.

  1. 1.

    Which of the following is true?

    1. A.
      The story happened in Chicago.
    2. B.
      The writer’s brother lived in Sacramento.
    3. C.
      Both the writer and the stranger lived in Chicago.
    4. D.
      Both the writer and his brother lived in California.
  2. 2.

    The writer said that Chicago was a very big city. That means _____________.

    1. A.
      it was possible for him to happen to know the stranger’s friend
    2. B.
      he didn’t want to look for the stranger’s friend
    3. C.
      he didn’t know the stranger’s friend
    4. D.
      it was impossible to find the stranger’s friend
  3. 3.

    How many persons does the story involve (涉及)?

    1. A.
      Four.
    2. B.
      Five.
    3. C.
      Six.
    4. D.
      Seven.
  4. 4.

    Which is the best title of the story?

    1. A.
      On a bus
    2. B.
      Two tennis players
    3. C.
      One in a million
    4. D.
      Chicago is a large city

Coffee experts are willing to pay large sums of money for high-quality coffee beans. The high-end beans, such as Kona or Blue Mountain, are known to cost extraordinary sums of money. Then there is Kopi Lowak (translated as “Civet Coffee”), the world’s most expensive coffee, which sells for as much as US $50 per quarter-pound.
This isn’t particularly surprising, because approximately 500 pounds a year of Kopi Lowak make up the entire world supply. What is surprising is why this particular coffee is so rare. In fact, it’s not the plants that are rare. It’s the civet droppings. That’s right, the civet droppings—the body waste of the palm civet. Coffee beans aren’t Kopi Lowak until they’ve been digested(消化) and come out in the body waste of the palm civet.
Palm civets are tree-dwelling, raccoon-like little animals, native to Southeast Asia and the Indonesian islands. They also have a love for coffee cherries. According to Kopi Lowak suppliers, palm civets eat the fruit whole, but only digest the outer fruit, leaving the beans intact(完好无损). While the beans are not destroyed, they undergo a transformation in the animal’s body. A chemical substance in the digestive system of the palm civet causes some changes to the beans to give them a unique flavor(味道). However, this is not the only explanation why coffee beans retrieved from civet droppings have a special flavor all their own. Another possible reason is that palm civets have an unfailing instinct for picking the coffee cherries at the peak of their ripeness.
Kopi Lowak is reported to have a character in taste unlike any other coffee, complex with caramel undertones and an earthy flavor. Currently, most of the world’s supply of Kopi Lowak is sold in Japan, though a few US markets are also starting to stock up on Kopi Lowak.

  1. 1.

    What does “This” in the second paragraph refer to?

    1. A.
      Civet Coffee.
    2. B.
      Blue Mountain coffee.
    3. C.
      The high price of Kopi Lowak.
    4. D.
      The unique taste of Kona.
  2. 2.

    Why is Kopi Lowak expensive?

    1. A.
      There is a very limited supply of the beans.
    2. B.
      The coffee trees that grow the beans are scarce.
    3. C.
      It takes a long time for the coffee beans to ripen.
    4. D.
      Only a few experts know how to produce the beans.
  3. 3.

    What is the main point discussed in the third paragraph?

    1. A.
      Why palm civets like the coffee beans.
    2. B.
      Where Kopi Lowak is mainly harvested.
    3. C.
      What chemicals are found in the civet’s digestive system.
    4. D.
      How palm civets change coffee fruit to Kopi Lowak beans.
  4. 4.

    Which of the following statements is true, according to the passage?

    1. A.
      Little palm civets eat only the outer layer of the coffee cherries.
    2. B.
      Palm civets somehow know the right time when the coffee fruit ripens.
    3. C.
      Kopi Lowak is most popular in Southeast Asia and the Indonesian islands.
    4. D.
      Kona and Blue Mountain are the most expensive coffees but only of average quality.

Growing up the daughter of an outstanding educator, Andrea Peterson knew at a young age that she wanted to serve others. It was with this mindset that she started to pursue a degree in medicine. However ,while visiting her brothers who were away at college studying music education, she realized that she too was drawn to teach music.
In her ten years at Granite Falls, she has revitalized the music programs at both the elementary and high school levels,to the extent that an additional music faculty member was hired by the district to assist with the workload. The growth of the music program in Granite Falls School District has encouraged students to participate in county ,state ,and national music competitions ,and won numerous prizes for the district.
Teaching music is only part of Peterson's instruction-it serves as a vehicle to other areas .
"Music is an amazing tool to unlock students' potential. The most visible benefit from their success in music is their increased confidence and self-esteem," Peterson said. "However, I don't believe it is the only benefit, nor the most powerful. It is truly exciting to see how my music teaching can transfer back to other classrooms." With this philosophy, Peterson introduced a cross-curriculum program ,wherein she takes lessons taught in other classes, such as English and math ,and expands upon them in an eight-week unit.
One of the most popular projects in Peterson's classes in the creation and performance of a musical, whereby students create a play from one of the books they have read in another class. Students work together to choose the music that best fits with the overall feel of the play and then perform it for the greater community. "Through Andrea's efforts these kids have helped to put Granite Falls, Washington, on the map for musical talents. Parents, staff ,and community members continue to be in awe of what she is able to bring forth from the children," said Debra Rose Howell, a colleague of Peterson's at Monte Cristo Elementary School.

  1. 1.

    Initially Andrea Peterson Planned to work as a (n)______.

    1. A.
      teacher
    2. B.
      doctor 
    3. C.
      educator     
    4. D.
      musician
  2. 2.

    The 2nd paragraph mainly tells about______.

    1. A.
      Andrea Peterson's life at Granite Falls
    2. B.
      county ,state ,and national music competitions 
    3. C.
      the growth of the music program in Granite Falls School District
    4. D.
      Andrea Peterson's contributions to Granite Falls' music programs
  3. 3.

    Which of the following is NOT a benefit the students get from Andrea Peterson's class?

    1. A.
      music talent development  
    2. B.
      increased self-confidence
    3. C.
      ability in learning other subjects      
    4. D.
      prizes for English and maths
  4. 4.

    The following sentences tell what the students have to do about their musical project. Which is the right order of the events?
    a. They choose proper music for their play
    b. They adapt the story into a play.
    c. They put on the play for the whole school or the whole community.
    d. They practise performing the play.
    e. They choose a story they have read in another class.

    1. A.
      e→b→a→d→c  
    2. B.
      e→b→c→a→d  
    3. C.
      a→e→b→d→c  
    4. D.
      a→b→e→d→c
  5. 5.

    What is most special about the way Andrea Peterson teaches?

    1. A.
      She has a special way of teaching music.
    2. B.
      She makes her classes lively and interesting.
    3. C.
      She combines her music class with other subjects.
    4. D.
      She comes from a family of professional educators.
  6. 6.

    Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?

    1. A.
      An Outstanding Teacher    
    2. B.
      Ten years at Granite Falls
    3. C.
      A Family of Educators         
    4. D.
      Successful Music Projects

From hitting the mall with your girl fiends on a Saturday afternoon, to holiday spending on gifts that go under the tree, shopping could be called one of America’s favorite pastimes. For most people, it means some new clothes for work or a small trinket for a friend. For others, however, shopping is much more than an enjoyable pastime, and in some cases, it is a real and destructive addiction that can turn into a financial disaster. Compulsive shopping and spending are defined as inappropriate, excessive过度的, and out of control. Like other addictions, it basically has something to do with impulsiveness and lack of control over one’s impulses冲动. In America, shopping is embedded in our culture; so often, the impulsiveness comes out as excessive shopping. Sometimes this is referred to as “shopholism”. Shopping addiction can damage a person’s life, family, and finances. “No one knows what causes addictive behaviors, like shopping, alcoholism, drug abuse, and gambling”, says a professor of applied health science. Some of the new evidence suggests that some people, maybe 10%-15%, may have a genetic predisposition to an addictive behavior, coupled with an environment in which the particular behavior is triggered引发, but no one really knows why.” Individuals will get some kind of high from an addictive behavior like shopping.
What are the telltale signs that shopping has crossed the line and become and addiction? What should a concerned family member or friend look out for when they think shopping has become a problem? The behaviors can signal a serious problem:
·Shopping or spending money as a result of feeling angry, depressed, anxious, or lonely
·Having arguments with others about one’s shopping habits
·Feeling lost without credit cards — actually going into withdrawal without them
·Buying items on credit, rather than with cash
·Describing a rush or a feeling of euphoria with spending
·Feeling guilty, ashamed, or embarrassed after a spending spree(大买特买)
·Thinking obsessively about money
·Spending a lot time juggling accounts or bills to accommodate spending
“If someone identifies four or more of any of these behaviors, there may be a problem”, experts say. Treating a shopping addiction requires a multifaceted approach. There are no standard treatments for shopping addiction. Medications have been used, but with mixed results. Therapists also focus on cognitive-behavioral treatment programs. There is no quick and easy answer that will immediately cure a shopping addiction, and while treatment is a necessary part of solving the problem, so is behavior change on the part of the addict.
Some basic changes in behavior that will have a big impact on breaking a shopping addiction are recommended:
·Admit that you are a compulsive spender, which is half the battle.
·Get rid of checkbooks and credit cards, which fuel the problem.
·Don’t shop by yourself because most compulsive shoppers shop alone and if you are with someone you are much less likely to append more.
·Find other meaningful ways to spend time.
And keep in mind that while behavior change is clearly important to recovery, so is reaching out for professional help.(509)

  1. 1.

    The best title of this article is _________

    1. A.
      Should We Shop or Not?                 
    2. B.
      Shopping Behaviors, Good or Bad?
    3. C.
      Shopping Spree, or an Addiction?          
    4. D.
      The Dangers of Shopholism.
  2. 2.

    You should be carefully think about your shopping behavior if you ________.

    1. A.
      are angry to go shopping
    2. B.
      lost your credit card while shopping
    3. C.
      are overjoyed and overwhelmingly excited to go shopping.
    4. D.
      count your money while shopping
  3. 3.

    Which of the following statement is not true? ________.

    1. A.
      Medication will not help to cure a shopping addiction
    2. B.
      No one really knows why people get addicted to doing something which is no good to them
    3. C.
      By the word shopholism, we refers to the impulsive and excessive shopping behavior
    4. D.
      Shopping addiction can turn into a real disaster in one’s life
  4. 4.

    The most important way to get rid of the addiction is ________.

    1. A.
      use credit card instead of checkbooks
    2. B.
      change one’s behavior as well as seek professional advice
    3. C.
      find somebody else to shop for you
    4. D.
      go to a doctor for a standard treatment

After a lot of weightlifting and 25 exhausting days training, a 52-year-old woman recently became the first female “gripman” on San Francisco’s historic cable cars.
Fannie Barnes passed her written test and completed a final run under the watchful eye of a supervisor, Municipal Railway spokesman Alan Siegel said.
Deep calluses(茧) are already forming at the base of her fingers and there is a hole in her glove. Two other women quit after a single day with injured muscles. “Now they’re going to have to change the word from gripman to grip person, just because of me,” Barnes said earlier, “I’m so excited.”
After almost a year of serious workouts, Barns can pull more than 61 kilos, only 23 kilos less than her body weight. And she’ll need the muscle, for this is no modern, push-button technology. Every time a car starts up again after making a stop, the gripman must haul back on a lever controlling a device that grips the cable, which runs continuously at 14 kilometers per hour. If the grip slips, so does the car. A second person operates the brakes.
In addition to having to throw her weight around on the job, she’s got to throw out some attitude to men who were hard to convince. The city employs 76 men in the job.
“A lot of men said mean things to me and didn’t want to help train me. But I would like to thank the guys who were against me because they gave me even more inspiration to do it.” she said.
Not all the men were against her. Many of the male colleagues yelled out support as she did her training runs. One of her biggest tests was drizzly December morning. She first went down the Hyde Street Hill, considered the most dangerous incline on the cable car routes. “I had to have the will and I had to believe I could do it,” she said. “It was scary, but as I started going down full grip and felt that I was in control, I knew I was on my way,” Barnes already is a pioneer of sorts. She started working as a cable car conductor six years ago, collecting fares and assisting on the back brake. She is one of only three women to have that job. But she said she always wanted the job up front on the car. (400)

  1. 1.

    What is unusual about Fannie Barnes getting a job as a gripman?

    1. A.
      She is the oldest one to work as a grpman.
    2. B.
      She is the first women to work as a gripman.
    3. C.
      She is the fattest women to work as a gripman.
    4. D.
      She is the most suitable one to work as a gripman.
  2. 2.

    What did the 52-year-old woman do when she first began working on the city’s cable car?

    1. A.
      As a gripman.   
    2. B.
      As a conductor.   
    3. C.
      As a brakeman. 
    4. D.
      As a supervisor.
  3. 3.

    It can be inferred from the passage that Fannie Barnes is ________.

    1. A.
      strong and easy-going     
    2. B.
      strong-willed and self-confident
    3. C.
      popular and humorous     
    4. D.
      considerate and quick-tempered

When I was fifteen months old.I fell on a glass rabbit which cut my eye badly enough to blind it.And as I grew，this sightless eye , in so many ways controlled me that I walked with my face looking at the floor so people would not see the ugly me.
Yet Mama would hold me in her arms and stroke my hair and say，“If you hold your head up high，it will be OK.And people will see your beautiful soul.”She continued this message whenever I wanted to hide.
As a little child，I thought Mama meant，“Be careful or you will fall down or bump into something because you are not looking.”As a teenager, I found that my mama’s words helped me begin to realize that by letting people look at my face，I let them recognize the intelligence and beauty behind my eyes.
In high school I was successful both academically and socially.I was even elected class president，but inside me I still felt like a freak(畸形人).When things got really bad，I would cry to my mama and she would look at me with loving eyes and say, “Hold your head up high and face the world.Let them see the beauty that is inside.”
When I met the man who became my partner for life，we looked each other straight in the eye，and he told me I was beautiful inside and out.Mama’s love and encouragement were the spark that gave me the confidence to overcome my own doubt.
“Hold your head up high” has been heard many times in my home.Each of my children has felt its invitation.The gift my mama gave me lives on in another generation.

  1. 1.

    What is TRUE of the writer’s eyes?

    1. A.
      She was blind in one eye when she was born.
    2. B.
      Her blindness was caused by a traffic accident.
    3. C.
      She became blind in one eye because of a fall.
    4. D.
      She lives unhappily because of her blindness.
  2. 2.

    When the writer was a high school student，she ________ .

    1. A.
      was proud of her beauty that was inside
    2. B.
      was active in taking part in social activities
    3. C.
      was filled with doubts and worries about her sightless eye
    4. D.
      was good at her study but sometimes lacked confidence
  3. 3.

    What does the underlined word “invitation” mean?

    1. A.
      encouragement
    2. B.
      advantage
    3. C.
      warmth
    4. D.
      weight
  4. 4.

    What’s the author’s purpose in writing the passage?

    1. A.
      To show the power of confidence.
    2. B.
      To express her attitude to her mom.
    3. C.
      To explain how to build confidence.
    4. D.
      To inspire people to face difficulties

At yesterday’s meeting, some are against his plan while others are ______ it, with no agreement reached.


  1. A.
    in favour of
  2. B.
    in place of
  3. C.
    in search of
  4. D.
    in honour of

To tell you the truth, I think it is you______ Mr. Black______.


  1. A.
    less than, which are to be blamed
  2. B.
    rather than, that are to blame
  3. C.
    other than, that is to blame
  4. D.
    more than, who is to blame

Despite his great efforts,he ______unsuccessfully after all.


  1. A.
    ended in
  2. B.
    ended with
  3. C.
    ended up
  4. D.
    turned out

He had learned enough german to _____ a conversation


  1. A.
    carry out with
  2. B.
    carry on
  3. C.
    continue on
  4. D.
    carry
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