Is it a tree? Is it a bear? If you’re looking at a tree in the shape of a bear, it’s a topiary(林木雕塑). A topiary is a tree or a bush(灌木) that is trained into a shape. Growing a topiary garden takes both time and skills.

A topiary gardener should make a drawing first. The drawing shows the final shape that the gardener likes. The gardener then chooses a bush for the topiary. It may be one that just planted or one that is already in place.

In June of the plant’s first year, the gardener looks for new leaves. When the leaves grow, it’s time to shape(给……造型) the bottom of the bush. It needs about five years. The top is not trimmed during this time. In the fifth year, the bush grows tall enough for shaping. Then the gardener begins to shape the whole bush.

Once a topiary has been started, it needs care all year. In the summer it must be cut many times to keep its shape. This cutting also helps the bush grow. In the winter the bushes don’t grow. The gardeners have to brush snow of the plants, or snow may hurt some parts of them.

Topiary gardening is very old art. The Romans did it in the first Century. In the sixteenth century, people in Europe like topiaries too. By the late 1600s, topiaries were also grown in America. Today it’s popular in many parts of the world.

1. Put the following in the right order according to the passage.

a. The gardener chooses a bush for the topiary.

b. The whole bush grows tall enough for shaping.

c. The gardener begins to shape the bottom of the bush.

d. The gardener draws the shape of a topiary.

A. d→a→b→c            B. b→c→a→d         C. a→d→c→b      D. d→a→c→b

2.In which part of the world did the topiary gardening begin first?

A. In Rome.      B. In Europe.         C. In America.         D. In Africa.

Did you know that people without friends are more likely to die an early death? It’s true. Just ask science. The following types of friends are just what you need.
A Loyal(忠诚的) Best Friend
Everyone needs a loyal best friend who will support them no matter what happens . This is the kind of friend who knows all of your deepest and darkest secrets, but still loves you all the same.
An Adventurous Friend
We live in a big world where there are so many places to see, people to meet, and experiences to be had. We all need an adventurous friend who will pull us out of our shells and introduce us to new ideas, cultures and activities.
A Wise Mentor
If you have someone smart, inspiring (启发灵感的) and admirable (令人敬佩的) in your life, you’re extremely lucky. He’s simply someone who’s a few steps ahead (在…之前) of you in life and has enough wisdom and patience to guide you in the right direction. Being around such a person will challenge us to better ourselves every day.
A Friendly Neighbor
These days, a lot of people don’t know their own neighbors. It’s a shame, because some neighbors can be the nicest and most helpful people ever. If you’re on a vacation, and you suddenly realize that you forgot to lock the front door, you can call up your trusty neighbor and ask them to lock it for you.
With those friends in your life, you’re sure to live a long and happy life!
【小题1】We need _______ to support us whatever happens.

Do you know why you sleep? You may think it’s because you’re tired. Or perhaps you’ve been told sleep is good for you. Yet no one knows exactly why or how people sleep.

Until the early 1950s, most scientists thought the body and brain rested during sleep. Then a scientist watched people sleep. He noticed that during periods of between 5 and 30 minutes each, sleepers’ eyes made rapid movements, as if they were watching something. He called these periods REM sleep, for Rapid Eye Movement. Periods when sleepers’ eyes did not move he called non-REM sleep.

Whenever the scientist woke people during REM sleep, they were having vivid dreams. Measurements showed that sleepers’ pulses（脉搏）went up quickly during REM sleep. Their breathing, heartbeat, and the blood going to the brain also increased. Far from being a time of rest, REM sleep is a time when the body is hard at work. Scientists still don’t know the reason for this. Some believe REM sleep makes learning easier. Babies spend a lot of time in REM sleep. Because of this, some scientists believe that REM sleep helps the brain grow. Others think REM sleep is a time for the brain to empty the day’s garbage.

One thing all the scientists agree on is that sleep is necessary. Without enough sleep, people make mistakes. Most major car accidents happen during the early morning hours, when people are sleepiest.

1.During REM sleep, a person’s breathing and heartbeat ________.

A．stop   B．increase     C．decrease   D．stay the same

2.Which word in paragraph（段落）3 means “colorful and lively”?

A．easier         B．empty         C．vivid   D．quickly

3.Which paragraph tells what happens when people don’t get enough sleep?

A．1         B．2         C．3         D．4

4.What is the main idea of the article?

A．REM sleep helps the brain grow.

B．REM sleep has been watched and recorded by scientists.

C．REM sleep is a time to empty the day’s garbage.

D．REM sleep is an active time when the body is hard at work.

5.You can decide from the article that REM sleep ________.

A．has a restful effect on people

B．can be avoided with lots of sleep

C．is something that all people experience

D．is something that all scientists agree on

Jessie felt her life so boring one summer day. She was tired of watching TV, she read all her books, and her friends were on vacation. She wanted something different to do. Suddenly, she saw the lawn mower(割草机) sitting in the yard.

“Mom,” she shouted, “I think I will mow the lawn.” Her mom ran into the yard and said, “Oh no, you don’t. You’re too young to mow the law.”

“I’m fourteen years old and know how to do it,” Jessie said. “Besides, it would help Dad out, and he won’t have to worry about it over the weekend.”

Mom thought for a while and then decided to let Jessie give it a try. After all, she was home and would keep an eye on her. Jessie already knew how to start the lawn mower from watching her dad. Jessie checked the gas(汽油) to make sure it was full, and put on her gardening gloves to protect her hands. Mom watched from the kitchen window. Jessie really does know how to mow the lawn. She was very careful around the flowers and trees. When she finished, she felt so good, but she was so hot. Mom brought her some ice tea and said, “You sure did a great job. Dad will be very surprised.”

Later that day, Dad came home and said to Jessie’s mom, “You didn’t have to mow the lawn. I was going to do it on Saturday. It looks great. Thanks.”

“I didn’t mow it. Jessie did.”

“Wow, our little girl is growing up!” Dad told Jessie what a great job she had done.

“It was fun, and I will do it again next week,” said Jessie.

The neighbor next door came by and asked Jessie if she wanted to mow his lawn and make some money. “Sure!” said Jessie. Jessie began mowing his lawn. Two other neighbors asked so, then another three. Jessie was now mowing lawns for them all and making some money. She was no longer bored! “I won’t have time to spend my money,” she laughed to herself.

根据材料内容选择最佳答案，并将其标号填入题前括号内。

1.In order to do something different, Jessie decide to _______.

A．read books        B．travel             C．mow the lawn      D．watch TV

2.What does “keep an eye on” mean?

A．保护             B．注视             C．培养             D．瞄准

3.Before Jessie mowed the lawn, she ______.

A．washed her hands                       B．bought some gas

C．read some instructions                   D．put on her gloves

4.How did Jessie’s father feel when he knew Jessie had mowed the lawn?

A．Proud.            B．Angry.            C．Relaxed.          D．Worried.

5.What does the text mainly tell us?

A．Neighbors should learn to help each other.

B．Mowing the lawn is a good way to make money.

C．Doing something helpful can make people happy.

D．Children should help their parents at an early age.