Besides entertainment and beautiful lanterns, another important part of the Lantern Festival, or Yuanxiao Festival is eating small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour. We call these balls Yuanxiao or Tangyuan. Obviously, they get the name from the festival itself. It is said that the custom of eating Yuanxiao originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the fourth century, then became popular during the Tang and Song periods.

The fillings inside the dumplings or Yuansiao are either sweet or salty. Sweet fillings are made of sugar, Walnuts, sesame（芝麻）, osmanthus flowers(桂花), rose petals, sweetened tangerine（橘子）peel, bean paste, or jujube paste（枣子酱）. A single ingredient or any combination can be used as the filling . The salty variety is filled with minced meat（肉末儿）, vegetables or a mixture.

The way to make Yuanxiao also varies between northern and southern China. The usual method followed in southern provinces is to shape the dough of rice flour into balls, make a hole, insert the filling, then close the hole and smooth out the dumpling by rolling it between your hands. In North China, sweet or nutmeat stuffing is the usual ingredient. The fillings are pressed into hardened cores, dipped lightly in water and rolled in a flat basket containing dry glutinous rice flour. A layer of the flour sticks to the filling, which is then again dipped in water and rolled a second time in the rice flour. And so it goes, like rolling a snowball, until the dumpling is the desired size.

The custom of eating Yuanxiao dumplings remains. This tradition encourages both old and new stores to promote their Yuanxiao products. They all try their best to improve the taste and quality of the dumplings to attract more customers.

Which of the following is NOT true?

 A. The custom of eating Yuanxiao dates back to the fourth century.

 B. Sugar, rose petals and minced meat are all fillings of Yuanxiao.

 C. Sweet Yuanxiao are usually made in southern China.

 D. People in northern China usually make Yuanxiao by rolling like a snowball.

Which country does the Lantern Festival come from?

A. China  B. South Korea C. Jin Dynasty  D. Tang and Song periods.

Choose the right order of making Tangyuan in southern provinces.

① make a hole and insert the filling 

② roll the dough between your hands 

③ shape the dough of rice flour into balls  

④ close the hole  

⑤ prepare some rice flour

 A. ⑤③②①④  B. ③⑤①②④  C. ③①④②⑤  D. ⑤③①④②

What is the best title of this passage?

A. The Lantern Festival                        B. The ingredients of Yuanxiao

C. The difference between Yuanxiao and Tangyuan.  D. China’s traditional food—Yuanxiao.

Why do we eat Yuanxiao today?

A. Because it’s a tradition.

B. Because it’s a tasty food.

C. Because we love our country.

D. Because this food can make money.

The vitamins necessary for a healthy body are normally supplied by a good mixed diet, including a variety of fruits and green vegetables. It is only when people try to live on a very restricted diet, say that when trying to lose weight, that it is necessary to make special provisions to supply the missing vitamins.

　　An example of the dangers of a restricted diet may be seen in the disease known as “beri-beri”, which used to make large numbers of Eastern people who lived mainly on rice suffer. In the early years of last century, a Dutch scientist named Eijkman was trying to discover the cause of beri-beri. At first he thought it was transmitted（传播）by a germ（病菌）. He was working in a Japanese hospital, where the patients were fed on polished rice which had had the outer coverings removed from the grain. It was thought this would be easier for weak and sick people to digest.

　　Eijkman thought his germ theory was proved when he noticed the chickens in the hospital yard, which were fed on remains from the patients’ plates, were also showing signs of the disease. He then tried to separate the germ, which he thought was causing the disease, but his experiments were interrupted by a hospital official, who ordered that the rice without coverings, even though left over by the patients, was too good for chickens. It should be recooked for the patients, and the chickens should be fed on cheap, rough rice with the outer coverings still on the grain.

　　Eijkman noticed that the chickens began to recover on the new diet. He began to consider the possibility that eating unmilled rice（糙米）somehow prevented or cured beri-beri — even that a lack of some ingredient（成分）in the coverings may be the cause of the disease. Indeed this was the case. The element needed to prevent beri-beri was shortly afterwards separated from rice coverings and is now known as vitamin B. The milled rice, though more expensive, was in fact causing the disease the hospital was trying to cure. Nowadays, this terrible disease is much less common thanks to our knowledge of vitamins.

1.According to the passage, a good mixed diet ________.

2.What do we know about the disease beri-beri?

3.What can be the best title of the passage?

Stepfamilies are commonplace in the United States and their number continues to grow. While stepfamilies differ widely in their make-up， they all consist of a parenting couple and children， one or more of whom is of a previous union. Such combinations of his kids， her kids， and then， possibly， kids of the new union make for complicated and often trying difficulties， more challenging than those of traditional families.

Since stepfamilies involve more people and， consequently， more potential problems from the start than do childless new marriage， it is wise for the couple to do some careful planning prior to (＝before) marriage. Not only do the prospective(预期的) marital partners need agreement about their own carriers， life goals， finance and special interests， they must also prepare for new relationship with their children and attempt to accommodate their individual needs and feelings. Furthermore， there are often the rights of other relatives to consider.

As for any family， the basic ingredient(成分) of a successful stepfamily are affection， kindness and mutual(相互的) respect. However， love alone is not enough. Certainly love is the cornerstone upon which the foundation of any family is built， but there are also many other important ingredients involved in building a successful stepfamily.

Surveys reveal that successful families regard the ability to communicate openly as the most important factor in their success. Communication is what keeps families on track and functioning as a unit. Although healthy communication is easier for some people than for others， this skill can be learned and improved. Healthy communication involves speaking clearly and listening carefully.

By their very nature， stepfamilies often are complicated by past events that give rise to ambivalent(矛盾的) loyalties， lingering(持久的) hurts， fears， feelings of guilt and unrealistic dreams. The difficulties that arise within the stepfamilies are human and understandable. However， there are ways to confront(面临) and resolve them. For example， support groups and professional counselors(法律顾问) are available in most communities to provide help and guidance when communications stopped and problems seem overwhelming(压倒性的).

Planning and building a stepfamily is not a responsibility to take lightly. It can be a very trying and， at times， seemingly impossible effort. Many potential troubles can arise and threaten to destroy the stepfamily. Nevertheless， meeting and mastering these special challenges can bring unexpected satisfactions and rewarding depths of family closeness and affection.

According to the passage， there are 　　　　 in the United States.

A.no stepfamilies

B.more stepfamilies than ever before

C.fewer stepfamilies than ever before

D.fewer stepfamilies than traditional ones

Which of the following can help avoid the potential problems arising in a stepfamily？

A.The pursuit of the same careers.

B.Professional interventions(干涉).

C.The development of special interests.

D.Careful planning before the marriage.

Many people believe that 　　　　 contributes most to the building of a successful stepfamily.

A.everlasting loyalties

B.open communication

C.kindness and mutual respect

D.persistent(持久稳固的) affection

It is natural for a stepfamily to be 　　　　.

A.unrealistic

B.complicated

C.ambivalent

D.guilty

According to the author， planning and building a stepfamily is 　　　　.

A.impossible         

B.satisfying and rewarding

C.discouraging and frustrating

D.a difficult and trying experience

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,有两项为多余选项.

Cooking with your children is a great way to involve them in the process of decision-making and taking responsibility for themselves．    1.    and they will be more willing to make their own snacks meals and bag lunches when they have the skills to be successful in it．

    Plan ahead--Choose a time when you will be relaxed and not disturbed．Easier said than done． For children cooking needs lots of patience and time to learn by doing things for themselves．    2.  

    Supervise(监督指导)--Have an adult nearby to help with sharp utensils(炊具)，electric appliances and the stove．

    Prepare--Wear an apron or old clothes．    3.   

    Organize--Read the entire recipe and gather ingredients arid utensils before you begin．If you put each ingredient away as you use it，it will be easy to tell what you have already put in if you get interrupted in the middle of the recipe．

    Safety--Turn pot handles inward away from other burners so they don’t overheat or get knocked off the stove．Never reach across burners or pots that are hot．Never use wet cloths，as steam will form and burn you．Be careful with electric cords．    4.    Double-check that you have turned all appliances off when you finish cooking．

      5.    Get cooking and have fun with your kids

A．Cooking also helps them develop a sense of accomplishment and practice language and math skills and gives them an opportunity to share their creations with others

B．Cooking for yourself requires the time and ability to do it and access to the necessary ingredients

C．With a little help and a lot of encouragement，your children will become confident cooks with the ability to prepare meals and make bag lunches on their own

D．First of all the children must have the knowledge of how to cook

E．Use dry hands to unplug them and make sure they aren’t lying across a stove burner

F．A relaxed pace will help you resist grabbing(抓起)the utensils to do it yourself

G．Tie back long hair，roll up long sleeves and remove jewelry

What is TOVIAZ?

TOVIAZ is a medicine used in adults to treat the symptoms of a condition called overactive bladder（膀胱）.

Who is TOVIAZ for?

Adults 18 years older with symptoms of overactive bladder.

Don’t take TOVIAZ if you:

★ Your stomach empties slowly.

★ Have eye problems.

★ Are allergic to any ingredients of TOVIAZ.

Possible side effects of TOVIAZ

★ Dry mouth.

★ Constipation

★ Dry eyes.

★ Trouble empting the bladder

These aren’t all possible side effects of TOVIAZ. For a complete list, ask your doctor.

How to take TOVIAZ:

★ Your doctor may give you the lower 4mg dose of TOVIAZ if you have severe kidney problem.

★ Take TOVIAZ with liquid and swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew, divide or crush the tablet.

★ You can take TOVIAZ with or without food.

★ If you miss a dose of TOVIAZ, start taking it again the next day.

Things you should keep in mind when taking TOVIAZ:

★ Decreased sweating and severe heat illness can occur when medicines such as TOVIAZ are used in hot environments.

★ Drinking alcohol while taking TOVIAZ may cause increased sleepiness.

1.

What is the main purpose of the passage?

2.

The main function of TOVIAZ is to treat__________.

3.

What can be inferred from the passage?

4.

Which of the statements about taking TOVIAZ is TRUE?