Many people love eagles because they can fly very high into the blue sky. But did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is coming long before it breaks?

When the storm is coming, the eagle will fly high to the sky and wait for the winds to come.

When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages (肆虐) below, the eagle is soaring above (在……上飞翔) it. The eagle does not run away from the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us – and all of us will experience them – we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward life. The storms do not have to overcome (战胜) us. We can make use. We must believe of the great power deep in our hearts to lift us above them and that we can overcome all the storms. The winds of the storm can bring sickness, sadness, failure and disappointment in our lives, but we can soar above the storm by riding them.

Remember, it is not the burdens (负担) of life that matter, but how we deal with them.

1.Why do so many people love eagles?

A. Because they can fly high into the sky. B. Because they can run away from the storm.

C. Because they are not afraid of people. D. Because they are strong.

2.What does the eagle do when the storm hits?

A. It runs away from the storm. B. It uses the storm to lift it higher.

C. It stops the storm from coming. D. It tells others about the storm.

3.How can we rise above the storms of life?

A. By hiding ourselves in a safe place. B. By setting our minds and our belief toward life.

C. By running away from them. D. By letting them overcome us.

4.What does the write want to tell us?

A. The storms of life can never bring us sadness, so we needn’t run away.

B. We should watch the eagle carefully to know when the storm will come.

C. We should be brave enough when we experience the storms of life.

D. We should learn to fly a plane in the storms of life.

5.In the writer’s opinion, what really matters?

A. What kind of burdens we have in life. B. How many burdens we have in life.

C. If we have burdens in life. D. How we deal with burdens in life.

You either have it, or you don’t－a sense of direction. But why is it that some people could find their way across the Sahara without a map while others can lose themselves in the next street?

Scientists say we’re all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works. One theory is that people with a good sense of direction have simply worked harder at developing it. Research being carried out at Liverpool University supports this idea and suggests that if we don’t use it, we lose it.

“Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around,” says Jim Martland, research director of the project. “However, if they are not allowed out alone or are taken everywhere by car, they never develop the skills.”

Jim Martland also emphasizes that young people should be taught certain skills to improve their sense of direction. He makes the following suggestions:

If you are using a map, turn it so that it relates to(与……有联系) the way you are facing.

If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree－something easy to recognize. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route.

Simplify(简化) the way for finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or wells in the countryside to guide you. Count your steps so that you know how far you have gone and note any landmarks such as towerblocks or hills which can help to find out where you are.

Now you will never get lost again!

1.Children have the ability to find the way around when they are ______years old.

A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 8

2.Which of the following things cannot be used as landmarks?

A. Tower blocks. B. Hills. C. Wells. D. Bikes.

3.What does the underlined word “emphasize” mean in the passage?

A. To give special importance to something.

B. To express thanks for somebody.

C. To understand or become aware of a fact.

D. To admire somebody.

4.Scientists believe that __________.

A. some babies are born with a sense of direction

B. people learn a sense of direction as they grow older

C. people never lose their sense of direction

D. everybody has a sense of direction from birth

5.What may be the best title of the passage?

A. A research on direction. B. A sense of direction.

C. People’s ability of finding the way. D. Scientists’ research on skills.

Literature is a word used to describe written as well as spoken material. Generally speaking, it is often used to describe anything from creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama and fiction.

Then why read literature, since it is often imaginary and seems unconnected with real life?

A lot of us read literature for enjoyment and relaxation. It’s always pleasant to read some interesting books in our spare time. In a modern life full of stress, it is our common wish to read some imaginary works and look for relaxation from the stress in life.

Reading literature is more than fun; it also allows us to get knowledge. As a general rule, literature represents a language of a people, and it often gives us an insight(洞察力) into the traditions, attitudes and values of the age in which it was written.

Sometimes literature can even offer us new, creative ways to have a better understanding of the world. It introduces us to new worlds of experiences. We enjoy the comedy and the tragedy of poems, stories and plays; and we may even grow through our literary journey with books. At last we may discover meaning in literature by looking at what the writer says and how he or she says it. In some ways, we explore the human condition and analyze(分析) the way they think and feel the way they feel. Literature helps us think clearly and encourages us to open minds.

So we can certainly say literature is of great importance to us. Why not get going with one poem, drama or fiction at once?

缺词填空

With cupcake stores opening all over the world, it’s e1.for you to buy one. But have you ever heard about the world’s most expensive cupcake which is w2.1,010 dollars?

Called “The Golden Phoenix”, it is an unusual cupcake. It is m3. of the world’s best materials and i4.23-carat edible (可食用的) gold! It is made by a creative team at Bloomsburys, a café t5.offers British dining.

Ms Shafeena Ysuf Ali, the CEO of Bloomsburys’ came up with the idea about a month ago as a way to

c6.the opening of the restaurant in Dubai. She said at first they wanted to make the cupcake w7.diamonds. Considering diamonds couldn’t be eaten, they finally d8.to make it of edible gold.

The materials that were used to make the cupcake were such as Doves organic flour (有机面粉), Rachel’s finest butter and Italy’s cocoa (可可粉). Last but not least, it was the best q9. gold that is completely safe to eat.

To s10.her masterpiece (杰作), Ms Ali placed it on a 24-carat gold plate.

He plenty of money to the people in the earthquake area .

A. put out; to work out well

B. handed out; help them out

C. gave out; work out well

D. gave away; to help them out

—Shall we go on Friday or Saturday?

—Either day is OK.It makes no________to me.

A. choice B. change C. difference D. decision

Can you imagine a life without arms or legs？Now let me introduce a disabled man named Nick for you.

Nick，a 31?year?old Australian，was born without lunbs (四肢)，so life was not easy for him.At school many students played jokes on him.Because he looked different from everyone else，many students refused to be friends with him.So he always felt lonely.However，he faced that bravely.He learned to type on computer with two toes (脚趾) at the age of six，and he could even surf and play golf.In college，he achieved great success and was one of the excellent students in the studies.What's more，Nick also encouraged others to work hard for their dreams.

Now Nick is one of the most popular speakers in the world.He travels to many countries and gives speeches about his story against difficulties.“A meaningful life is about looking at what you have，not what you don't have，” he said.His story encouraged millions of people.

根据短文内容回答下列问题。

1.Where does Nick come from?

____________________________

2.What was the matter with Nick when he was born?

____________________________

3.How did Nick feel at school？Why?

____________________________

4.When did Nick learn to use computer?

____________________________

5.Why does Nick travel to many countries now?

____________________________

Traveling around big cities by taxi can cost a lot of money, but it's usually ________ to take the underground train to most places.

A. amazing B. expensive C. convenient D. exciting

（题文）—Let’s go shopping at the new mall.

—Why not shop online? It’s _____________.

A. expensive B. more expensive

C. less expensive D. the most expensive

Could you tell me ________ the cool T?shirt?

A. where you buy B. where do you buy

C. where did you buy D. where you bought