Eight-year-old Bethany and seven-year-old Eliza are having a great time jumping around in the orchard of their home in a village near Penrith. They can play any time they like because they don't go to school. Instead, they are educated at home by their parents, Paul and Veronika Robinson. But they don't have lessons, have never used a timetable and learn only what and when they want to learn. .www..com

“I want my kids to have freedom in their childhood, not spend it in an institution," says 37-year-old Veronika, "School is all about control and following the rules." Veronika and her 56-year-old husband Paul have never experienced the daily rush to get dressed and out of the door that is common in most households with school-aged children. "We get up at our leisure - usually around 8:30," says Veronika. "We might visit a friend, or go to the library, and on Tuesdays we shop at the market. In summer, we spend most of our time outside and the girls entertain themselves a lot.” .www..com

New research due to be published this spring reveals a very different picture of Britain's home educators. "Out of 297 families, 184 said that they never use a timetable,” says Mike Fortune-Wood of Home Education UK. "Ninety per cent never or rarely use textbooks, and nearly all said that happiness, contentment and self-fulfillment were more important than academic achievement. Only 15% felt that planning what to learn was very important.” .www..com

So far, so good. But what, you might ask, are the children actually learning?

"It wasn't important to me that the girls could read by a certain age, but they both picked it up for themselves at around seven," says Robinson. "Weighing cooking ingredients uses maths, and making a shopping list teaches them to write. Observing five hens has taught the girls about survival of the fittest. "

But what about when the children grow up? Can they go to university? The home educators' answer is they can if they want to. There are a variety of routes into higher education, but probably the most common is to join a local college. This is what Gus Harris-Reid has done. "I was educated at home all my life. I'd never had a lesson or been inside a classroom until I started GCSEs," says the 18-year-old. "I'm now studying for 4 A-levels at Exeter Colle ge. I've had no problem with the work or with fitting in." When asked to reflect on his experience of home education, his considered response is, "Like a permanent holiday, really!" Not a bad start for someone who plans to take a mechanical engineering degree next year. .www..com

What is the topic of this article?

　　A. New ways of learning to read and write   B. Problems with UK schools

　　C. Home education in the UK                    D. Wild, undisciplined children

According to the article, in homes with school-going children, ______.

　　A. mornings are rushed and stressful.

　　B. the children hardly ever go outside.

　　C. the family wakes up around 8:30am.

　　D. the children must ask permission to go to the toilet.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

　　A. Most home educators believe that happiness is more important than good grades.

　　B. Most home educators believe that planning is important.

　　C. Most home educators do not follow a timetable or use textbooks.

　　D. Most home educators are not worried about when their children learn to read and write.

What does the article say about home-educated children getting into university?

　　A. They learn so many useful skills at home that universities are happy to accept them.

　　B. They can get into university if they have 4 A-levels.

　　C. They can go to school later and get the qualifications they need in order to enter university.

D. Home education is so relaxed that they are likely to experience problems when faced with the pressures of a degree course.

I learned how to accept life as it is from my father. 　 36　 . He did not teach me acceptance when he was strong and healthy. but rather when he was 　 37 and ill.

My father was 　 38 a strong man who loved being active, but a terrible illness 　 39 all that away. Now he can no longer walk. and he must sit quietly in a chair all day. Even talking is 　 40 . One night, I went to visit him with my sisters, we started 　 41 about life, and I told them about one of my 　 42 . I said that we must always give things up 　 43 we grow----our youth. our beauty, our friends-but it always 44 that after we give something up. We gain something new in its place. Then suddenly my father 　 45　 　up. He said,”But, Peter. I gave up 　 46 ! What did I gain?” I thought and thought, but I could not think of anything to say. 　47 . he answered his own question:”I 　 48 the love of my family. ” I looked at my sisters, and saw tears in their eyes, along with hope and thankfulness.

I was also 　 49 by his words. After that , when I began to fell irritated (愤怒的)at someone. I 　 50 remember his words and become 　 51 . If he could replace his great pain with a feeling of love for others. then I should be 　 52 . to give up my small irritations. In this 　 53 , I learned the power of acceptance from my father.

Sometimes I 　 54　 what other things I could learned from him if I had listened more carefully when I was a boy. For now, though, I am grateful for this one 　 55 .

36. A. Afterwards B. Therefore　 C. However　 D. Meanwhile

37. A. tired B. weak　 C. poor　 D. slow

38. A. already　 B. still　 C. only　 D. once

39. A. took　 B. threw　 C. sent D. put

40. A. impossible　 B. difficult　　 C. stressful　　 D. hopeless

41. A. worrying B. caring　 C. talking D. asking

42. A. decisions B. experience C. ambitions D. beliefs

43. A. as B. since C. before D. till

44. A. suggests B. promises C. seems D. requires

45. A. spoke B. turned C. summed　 D. opened

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

47. A. surprisingly B. Immediately C. Naturally D. Certainly

48. A. had B. accepted C. gained D. enjoyed

49. A. touched B. astonished C. attracted D. warned

50. A. should B. could C. would D. might

51. A. quiet B. calm C. relaxed D. happy

52. A. ready B. likely C. free D. able

53. A. case B. form C. method D. way

54. A. doubt B. wonder C. know D. guess

55. A. award B. gift C. lesson D. word

A long car journey can be a nightmare(噩梦) for everyone,whether they are adults or children,passengers or drivers.The driver at least has something that he or she needs to concentrate on but for the other occupants of the car, the journey can be boring, uncomfortable, and can make you feel sick. Moreover, passengers who suffer during car journeys can cause stress and anxiety to the driver, who may therefore lose concentration and cause an accident.

　 With this problem in mind, doctors and child psychiatrists have recommended a series of things to do and not do to make these journeys less stressful.

　 ◆Surveys suggest that a major cause of arguments on car journeys is　　　 , and evidence shows that drivers operate better if they are listening to something of their own choice. This means that, especially when different generations are traveling, everyone except the driver who wants to listen to music should be equipped with their own source of music or radio.

　 ◆By far the most successful strategy, especially if there are children in the car,is to turn the journey into a fun task of some kind. For example, children can be issued with an illustrated worksheet, offering them the chance to tick off things that they see—a blue motorway road sign,for example,or a particular kind of tree.

　 ◆It is of course important to have sufficient provisions(储备物) for the trip,with water on the top of the list. However, doctors are now warning parents against giving their children fast food items and fizzy(起泡的) drinks,the kind of things that cause hyperactivity and can create tension and problems.

1. What is the main idea of this passage? (Please answer within 10 words)

2. Fill in the blank in the third paragraph of the passage to complete the sentence. (Please answer within 10 words)

3. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?

　 For chihlren passengers, the most efficient way is to make the journey more enjoyable.

4. Translate the underlined sentence in the first paragraph into proper Chinese.

5. What do you think are the needed sufficient provisions for children during the trip?

　　 (Please answer within 20 words)

The “Doorman”

On a trip to California, my family stopped for lunch. As we walked toward the entrance to the restaurant, a man, with a __36__ beard and dirty hair, jumped up from a bench and opened the door for us. Regardless of his __37 __ ，he greeted us in a friendly way.

Once inside, my daughters whispered, “Mom ，he __38 __ ” After we ordered our lunch, I explained, telling the kids to look __39__the dirt. We then watched other customers approach the restaurant but many __40 __ him. Seeing this rudeness truly upset me. The day I became a mother, I had resolved to set a good __41__ for my children. Yet sometimes when things didn’t go right, being a good example was __ 42__When our meal arrived，I realized I had left the car-sick pills in the truck. With the windiest trip ahead, the kids needed them, so I __43__ myself from the meal and went to get them.

Just then, the “doorman” was opening the door for a couple. They rushed past him without even acknowledging his __ 44__ Letting them in first, I said a loud “thank you” to him as I __45 ___ .

When I returned, we talked a bit. He said he was not allowed inside __46__ he purchased food. I went back and told my family his __47__Then I asked our waitress to add one soup and sandwich. The kids looked __48 ___as we had already eaten，but when I said the order was for the “doorman”，they smiled. When it was time to __49__ our trip, I noticed the “doorman” enjoying his meal. Upon seeing me, he stood up and thanked me heartily. He then__ 50 __his hand for a handshake and I gratefully accepted. I suddenly noticed the tears in his eyes—tears of __51__

What happened next drew great astonishment :I gave the “ doorman” a __ 52__! He pulled away, with tears __53 __ down his face.

Back in truck, I fell into deep thought. While we can’t choose many things in life, we can choose when to show gratitude. I said thanks to a man who had __54__ held open a door for me, and also said thanks for that __55__ to teach my children by example.

36. A. heavy　　　　　　　 B. long　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. messy　　　　　　　　　　　 D. grey

37. A. service B. appearance C. status D. attitude

38. A. smokes B. smiles C. sniffs D. smells

39. A. beyond 　　　　　 B. over　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. around　　　　　　　　　　　 D. into

40. A. hated　　　　　　　 B. ignored　　　　　　　　　　　 C. missed　　　　　　　　　　　 D. refused

41. A. target　　　　　　　 B. rule　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. record　　　　　　　　　　　 D. example

42. A. stressful　　　　　 B. accessible　　　　　　　　　 C. awkward　　　　　　　　　 D. tough

43. A. excused　　　　　 B. freed　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. prevented　　　　　　　　　 D. withdrew

44. A. company　　　　　 B. presence C. effort D.　 attempt

45. A. quitted B. marched C. exited D. approached

46. A. before　　　　　　　 B. unless　　　　　　　　　　　 C. though　　　　　　　　　　　 D. since

47. A. story　　　　　　　 B. deed　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. experience　　　　　　　　 D. demand

48. A. concerned　　　　 B. shocked　　　　　　　　　　 C. puzzled　　　　　　　　　　 D. bored

49. A. make　　　　　　　 B. start　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. take　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. continue

50. A. extended　　　　　 B. washed　　　　　　　　　　 C. raised　　　　　　　　　　　 D. waved

51. A. approval　　　　　 B. affection　　　　　　　　　　 C. sympathy　　　　　　　　　 D. gratitude

52. A. hug　　　　　　　　 B. nod　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. lift　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. clap

53. A. slipping　　　　　　 B. streaming　　　　　　　　　 C. rushing　　　　　　　　　　 D. breaking

54. A. firmly　　　　　　　 B. constantly　　　　　　　　　 C. simply　　　　　　　　　　　 D. politely

55. A. journey B. wisdom C. opportunity D. coincidence

I lived in Dallas, Texas nearly all my life with my mom, dad and older sister. We were 　　 1　　 to respect others, value education, and get all that we could out of life. My parents always say, “　 2 　 hard and the world is yours.” They are never without a 　　3　 word of advice or a bit of encouragement when life gets tough.

My parents always 　 4　 me to go to college. However, when I 　 5　 at 16 years old that I’d rather get married to a man than go to college, they　 6　 stopped telling me they loved me and I could do anything I wanted to.　　 7　 , they persuaded me. I graduated from high school and currently 　 8　 the University of Oklahoma studying medicine. I want to make the 　　9　 a better place to live in.

Every time I call home to tell them about a 　　10　 I received in Chemistry Lab or Microeconomics or 　　11　 class it is that I’m working hardest for at the moment, they tell me how 　　12　 of me they are. I know there are college kids out there that have no one to call home to when they get an “A” on a project and I feel incredibly 　 13　 to have my parents.

Don’t get me wrong: We’ve had our share of 　　14　 . I was the angry teenager and they were the awful　　 15　 that wouldn’t let me stay out all night or let me get my tongue pierced. But somehow, we 　 16 to work through those issues. They never 　17　　 loving in me or believing in me.

I 　 18 　 everything I am to my parents. Without their constant love and 　　　 19　 , I wouldn’t believe I can change the world. My parents taught me to always 　 　　 20　 for what I believe in. So I’m working toward something really great and can only hope I continue to make them proud.

1. A. brought　　　　　　　 B. introduced　　　　 C. raised　　　　　　　　　　　 D. produced

2. A. Educate　　　　　　　 B. Work　　　　　　　 C. Train　　　　　　　　　　　 D. Practise

3. A. helpful　　　　　　　　 B. harmful　　　　　　 C. stressful　　　　　　　　　 D. meaningful

4. A. reminded　　　　　　 B. expected 　　　　 C. supposed　　　　　　　　 D. designed

5. A. hesitated　　　 B. judged　　　　　　　 C. fixed　　　　　　　　　　　 D. decided

6. A. never　　　　　　　　　 B. ever　　　　　　　　 C. seldom　　　　　　　　　　 D. hardly

7. A. Carefully　　　 B. Hopefully　　　　　 C. Thankfully　　　　　　　 D. Delightfully

8. A. serve　　　　　　　　　 B. attend　　　　　　　 C. admit　　　　　　　　　　　 D. join

9. A. fortune　　　　　　　　 B. planet　　　　　　　 C. universe　　　　　　　　　 D. world

10. A. grade　　　　　　　　 B. problem　　　　　　 C. failure　　　　　　　　　　 D. value

11. A. whenever　　　　　 B. wherever　　　　　 C. whichever　　　　　　　 D. however

12. A. modest　　　　　　　 B. proud 　　　　　　 　　C. ashamed　　　　　　　　　 D. nervous

13. A. annoyed　　　　　　 　 B. praised　　　　　　 C. relaxed　　　　　　　　　　 D. blessed

14. A. lessons　　　　　　　 B. problems　　　　　 C. moments　　　　　　　　 D. experiences

15. A. teachers　　　　　　　　　　 B. directors　　　　　 C. couples　　　　　　　　　 D. parents

16. A. managed　　　　　　 B. attempted　　　　 C. succeeded　　　　　　　 D. conducted

17. A. concluded　　　　　 B. began　　　　　　　 C. prevented　　　　　　　　 D. stopped

18. A. pay　　　　　　　　　　 B. owe　　　　　　　　 C. own　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. spend

19. A. agreement　　　　　 B. excitement　　　　 C. encouragement　　　　 D. statement

20. A. fight　　　　　　　　　 B. look　　　　　　　　 C. defend　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. protect