A month after Hurricane Katrina, I returned home in New Orleans. There lay my house, reduced to waist-high rains, smelly and dirty.

Before the trip, I’d had my car fixed. When the office employee of the garage was writing up the bill, she noticed my Louisiana license plate. “You from New Orleans?” she asked. I said I was, “No charge.” She said, and firmly shook her head when I reached for my wallet. The next day I went for a haircut, and the same thing happened.

As my wife was studying in Florida, we decided to move there and tried to find a rental house that we could afford while also paying off a mortgage (抵押贷款) on our ruined house. We looked at many places, but none was satisfactory. We’d begun to accept that we’d have to live in extremely reduced circumstances for a while, when I got a very curious e-mail from a James Kennedy in California. He’d read some pieces I’d written about our sufferings for Slate, the online magazine and wanted to give us (“no conditions attached”) a new house across the lake from New Orleans.

It sounded too good to be true, but I replied, thanking him for his exceptional generosity, that we had no places to go back. Then a poet at the University of Florida offered to rent his house to me while he went to England on his one-year-paid leave. The rent was rather reasonable. I mentioned the poet’s offer to James Kennedy, and the next day he sent a check covering our entire rent for eight months.

Throughout this painful experience, the kindness of strangers has done much to bring back my faith in humanity. It’s almost worth losing your worldly possessions to be reminded that people are really nice when given half a chance.

1.The garage employee’s attitude toward the author was that of ________.

A. unconcern B. sympathy

C. doubt D. tolerance

2.What do we know about James Kennedy?

A. He was a writer of an online magazine.

B. He was a poet at the University of Florida.

C. He learned about the author’s sufferings via e-mail.

D. He offered the author a new house free of charge.

3.It can be inferred from the text that ________.

A. the author’s family was in financial difficulty

B. rents were comparatively reasonable despite the disaster

C. houses were difficult to find in the hurricane-stricken area

D. the mortgage on the ruined house was paid off by the bank

4. From Paragraph 4, we can know that the author’s new house ________.

A. was located in the University of Florida

B. was offered by a poet and the rent was expensive

C. was sponsored by James Kennedy with its 8-month rent

D. was well-equipped but the rent was low

5.The author learned from his experience that ________.

A. worldly possessions can be given up when necessary

B. generosity should be encouraged in some cases

C. people benefit from their sad stories

D. human beings are kind after all

Ever since Canadian psychiatrist Michael R. Phillips, who works in China, released his report saying China’s suicide rate from 1995 to 1999 reached 0.023 percent, the country has been ranked among those with the highest suicide rates in the world. But Jing Jun, a professor of sociology in Tsinghua University, challenges that view and presents the true picture through his nationwide research.

Jing and his students took one year to set up the first national database on suicide rate to grasp the overall trend of suicides in China. They collected data from the Health Statistics Annuals of the World Health Organization (sample size 10 million), and the country’s Health Statistics Annuals (which cover 100 million people). The database covers 23 years, from 1987 to 2009. Jing calculates the suicide rate in China based on these data. Though the suicide rate was comparatively high in the early years, his study shows it has dropped in recent years, as opposed to the ascending trend in the rest of the world.

According to Jing’s calculation, China’s suicide rate had dropped to about 0.01 percent in 2004. In 2009, the figure dropped further to 0.007 percent, which is rather low compared with the global rate of 0.016 percent. Even if the “missing” suicides were added, China’s suicide rate in 2009 would still be below 0.008 percent.

Jing has found that one of the main reasons why the suicide rate has dropped was the steady and big decline in the number of suicides committed by rural women. In the early years, researchers generally agreed that the suicide rate among Chinese women was higher than among men, which is pretty rare in the rest the world. But the suicide rate among Chinese women, especially in rural areas, has declined remarkably in recent years. In fact, it is almost equal to that of Chinese men.

As a sociologist, Jing regards suicide as a social issue, and believes improvement of social policies will reduce the suicide rate even further. More people’s lives can be saved if the authorities adjust to social environment for the better, he concludes.

1.From Jing’s search, we can see ________.

A. China has been ranked among those with the highest suicide rates in the world

B. in the rest of the world suicide rate has been rising quickly in the last few years

C. different from Michael R. Philip’s idea, the trend of suicides in China is declining

D. the suicide rate among Chinese women is lower than that of men

2.The data in Para. 2 is mainly to prove that ________.

A. the result from Jing’s research is believable

B. Jing’s research is more complicated than Michael R. Phillip’s

C. Jing has made great efforts to make the research

D. China’s suicide rate was comparatively low all the time

3.Why has the suicide rate in China dropped steadily according to Jing Jun?

A. Because the life level of Chinese people has improved a lot.

B. Because China’s government has adopted measures to reduce the suicide rate.

C. Because the number of Chinese women who commit suicide has declined.

D. Because the world environment affects the suicide rate in China.

4.In Jing’s opinion, what should be done to reduce the suicide?

A. Pay more attention to rural women.

B. Continue to improve social environment.

C. Set up more mental health centers.

D. Make policies to prevent suicides.

5.We can infer that the text is _______.

A. a news report

B. a research report

C. a description of suicides

D. an introduction to a professor

以下是几位男性朋友征婚的有关信息：

A. Zheng Guan, 30 years old, comes from Guangdong Province and would like to find a girlfriend who is about 20---28 years old, unmarried, with a degree of high school. He is 175 centimeters tall and works as an auto mechanic in Guangzhou.

B. Thomas, comes from NewYork. He is 48 years old, 168 centimeters tall, unmarried. He owns a Master’s degree and is now working as an engineer in Shenzhen, living in a house of the company. He hopes to find a companion who is about 30---38 years old. He doesn’t care about whether she was divorced.

C. Li xin, 35 years old, comes from Guangzhou. He works in the local government with a bachelor’s degree. He has an apartment in the city. He wants to have a companion who lives in the same city, 25---33 years old, unmarried, with a degree of secondary school. The girl should be at least 155 centimeters tall.

D. Wang Jian, 27 years old, comes from Changsha. He is a lawyer with a Master’s degree, who is now working in a law office in Shenzhen. He is 175 centimeters tall and looking for a girlfriend between 22---25years old, unmarried. She should be at least 160 centimeters tall and has a college degree, who is supposed to have a job in Shenzhen, too.

E. Chen Fan, who is now 66 years old, lives in Shenzhen. His wife died of a heart attack 3 years ago. He would like to find a spouse who is about 50---65years old and is supposed to be thoughtful.

F. Zhong Shi, 26 years old, is a soldier in Zhejiang Province. He is 175 centimeters tall, unmarried, with a bachelor’s degree. He likes playing table tennis and football in his spare time. He wants to find a girlfriend who works in Zhejiang Province, 155---168 centimeters tall, unmarried.

以下是几位女性朋友的择偶要求，请为每位女性匹配一位合适的伴侣：

1.Shelly, 22, works in a state-owned enterprise, who likes to play table tennis after work. She would like a male friend who is serving in the army and taller than 170 centimeters. It will be appropriate if he loves sports just as she does.

2.Tang Lili, 28, 160 centimeters tall, unmarried, is now living Guangdong Province and took up a job as an accountant (会计). After graduating from high school, she decided to continue learning for a higher degree while working. She hopes to find a companion with a house of his own and at least got a bachelor’s degree.

3.Liu Fang, 54, a retired teacher from senior middle school. She is now taking care of her granddaughter. Her son and daughter want her to find a companion after their father died in an accident 4 years ago.

4.Xie Xueqing, 24, serves as an assistant in a private company in Shenzhen. She is 165 centimeters tall and just graduated from university this year. She loves listening to all kinds of music, especially classical music.

5.Zhang Hui, 35 years old, married once, is a nursery teacher. She is very considrate and loves to be with children very much. Besides, she enjoys dancing in her free time. After divorce, she is going to find a devoted spouse who has a place to live in.

根据以下所给的信息，介绍苹果公司的最新产品苹果智能手表。

参考词汇：蓝宝石屏幕 Sapphire screen 预定 pre-order 导航navigation services

【写作要求】

只能用5个句子表达全部内容。

【评分标准】

句子结构准确，信息内容完整，篇章连贯。

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There are the two simple words, “if” and “what”. These two words can be used in many sentences and questions by themselves, but if you put them together, it forms a serious question, “What if…?”

This question will bring you back to a certain time in your life when you made a choice. You may not be happy with that choice today and often think about why you did it, but you made the decision because it was the best choice at that specific moment in your life. Now, years later, you start to think about that specific choice you made. You mentally struggle with yourself and consider if you could choose again, what would you do? Would it be totally different?

I truly believe if you want something very much, you can do it and achieve it , because “Where there is a will, there is a way.” You can correct the mistakes of your decisions for the past, go out and find happiness in the right decisions for your future. It is never too late to do anything in life.

【写作内容】

1. 以约30个词概括上文的主要内容。

2. 以约120个词就“人生努力永不晚”谈一谈你的看法，内容包括：

(1) 你对人生努力的理解；

(2) 举一个“大器晚成”的例子；

(3) 你对实例的评价或看法。

【写作要求】

1. 作文中可以使用实例来支持你的论点，也可以参照阅读材料的内容论述，但不得直接引用原文中的句子；

2. 作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称。

【评分标准】

概括准确，语言规范，内容合适，篇章连贯。

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When I first heard about geocaching（地理寻宝），I was skeptical. But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like an interesting idea.I at least wanted to try it once.

Having familiarized myself with how the game works,I set out in search of my first cache. My trip took me through a series of lively hutong（胡同）,past a number of small temples, and right into the courtyard of a quiet youth hotel.I spent several minutes looking around, but couldn't find anything. Just before l was about to give up,I spotted a colorful object in the crack of a wall. Could it be the hidden cache?

At that moment a group of backpackers amved. According to the game's rules, people who are not in the game must not be allowed to find out about secret caches. So I pretended to make a phone call while waiting for them to leave. When the coast was clear,I grabbed the object. It was the cache! I opened it and pulled out a crumpled（皱的）sheet of paper with several names and celebratory messages written on it.I added my own and replaced the cache in its hiding place, ready for the next geocacher to find.

It may seem like a simple game, but the idea that there are caches hidden all around us is exciting. Once you're hooked, it's easy to set yourself the goal of finding every single cache in a neighborhood or even an entire city. The real treasure, however, is not the cache itself, but the places it takes you to.

Hunting for further caches has since introduced me to places which I didn't even know existed. Some are peaceful parks, while others are forgotten historical sites.A few caches have even been in places I passed regularly without giving them any thought. Now,Ifeel a much closer connection.

1.What was the author's initial attitude to geocaching?

A. He thought it interesting.

B. He wanted to try it at once.

C. He showed little interest in it.

D. He found it unsuitable for him.

2.Where did the author find the cache?

A. In a hutong. B.In a temple.

C.In a well. D.In a hotel.

3.When a group of backpackers were approaching, the author____.

A. pretended to be cleaning the yard

B.made a call to other geocachers

C. didn't allow them to come in

D.tried to keep the cache secret

4.In what way does the author benefit from geocaching?

A. He's more familiar with the city.

B.He has found much treasure.

C. He has made more friends.

D.He has mastered hunting.

The Internet is full of headlines that grab your attention with buzzwords (流行词). But often when we click through, we find the content hardly delivers and it wastes our time. We close the page, feeling we've been cheated. These types of headlines are called "click bait".

A headline on Busin,esslnsider.com reads: "This phrase will make you seem more polite". First, when you click through, you find another headline: "Four words to seem more polite." Then, on reading the article, you find it's actually an essay about sympathy. And what are the four words? They're "Wow, that sounds hard." On some video websites, you might encounter headlines such as "Here's what happens when six puppies visited a campus". Turns out it's just some uneventful dog footage (镜头).

Nowadays, with the popularity of social media, many news outlets tweet (推送) click bait links to their stories. These tweets take advantage of the curiosity gap or attempt to draw the reader into a story using a question in the headline. These click bait headlines are so annoying that someone is attempting to save people time by exposing news outlet click bait through social media. The Twitter account @SavedYouAClick, run by Jake Beckman, is one such example.

Beckman's method is to grab tweets linking to a story and retweet them with a click-saving comment. For example, CNET tweeted "So iOS 8 appears to be jailbreakable but...", with a link to its coverage of Apple's product announcements. Beckman retweeted it with this comment attached: "... it hasn't been jailbroken yet."

Since founding the account, Beckman's Twitter experiment has brought him more than 131,000 followers. Beckman said that @SavedYouAClick is "just my way of trying to help the Internet be less temble." Asked about his goal, he said, "I'd love to see publishers think about the experience of their readers first. I think there's an enormous opportunity for publishers to provide readers with informative updates that include links so you can click through and read more.

1.The article on Businesslnsider.com turns out to be___.

A. useful suggestions on politeness

B. an essay about another topic

C. an article hard to understand

D. a link to a video website

2.Why are readers often cheated by tricky headlines?

A. Social media has become more popular.

B. Readers have questions to be solved.

C. Such headlines are fairly attractive.

D. There're always stories behind them.

3.Beckman attached his comment to CNET's tweet to ___

A. criticize CNET

B. save readers' time

C. advertise apple's new product

D. tell readers something about iOS 8

4.In the last paragraph, Beckman appeals that _____

A. publishers be more responsible for the link

B. readers think about their needs before reading

C. publishers provide more information for readers

D. people work together to make the Internet less temble

Bobbi Kristina Brown's family has been gathered around her since she was hospitalized on Saturday after being found unconscious in the bathtub of her suburban Atlanta townhome.

Whitney Houston's only child is now at Emory University Hospital and is still fighting for her life, as a family statement said on Monday.

Nothing has changed, despite reports that are popping up and painting a more serious picture.

Fox News reported Wednesday that the situation is horrific. "It's now a matter of when the family wants to let go and accept that she's pretty much not going to make it," a source told FOX411. "They've left it up to the family as to how long they want to keep her alive."

People Magazine is also reporting that a doctor told Brown's family on Wednesday that nothing more could be done. "Everyone is coming to the hospital to say goodbye," said a family member.

And the Daily Mail says Brown has been taken off life support.

But Bobby Brown issued a statement late Thursday denying these reports.

"If we issued a statement every time the media published a false report regarding this matter, that's all we would be doing 24 hours a day. This is false, just as is the vast majority of the other reporting that is currently taking place," he said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

A source close to the family tells USA TODAY that it's wrong to say the family is gathering to say goodbye, because the family has been there since the beginning, so nothing is any different today for them.

Also, Brown is "not brain dead," as has been reported.

And, as for other stories saying that the Houston family is feuding with Bobbi Kristina's dad, Bobby Brown? Those aren't true either. They "are NOT fighting," says our source.

1.According to Fox News, Bobbi Kristina is _________.

A. within an inch of life

B. on the way to success

C. left aside by her family

D. in a good state

2.Bobby Brown holds the opinion that _________.

A. they are busy issuing statements all day

B. the family is saying goodbye to Kristina

C. he is getting along well with the Houston family

D. most journalists are getting the wrong end of the stick.

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

A. An Accident In The Bathtub

B. Kristina, We’re Still Praying And Waiting On A Miracle

C. False Reports From Different News Media

D. Bobbi Kristina’s Final Days

There are some strange driving laws in different countries.

1.Where should you go to wash your car when you are in Moscow?

A. The car wash facilities.

B. Any public place

C. Your home

D. The forest

2.What can get you fined for in Cyprus?

A. Forgetting to carry a portable breathalyzer.

B. Not having a Cyprus driver’s license.

C. Putting your hands above your head when you are driving.

D. Driving without a shirt.

3.If you are fined thousands of dollars in Japan, you may have been ____.

A. in an irregular position in your car

B. sitting in a car with a drunk driver

C. splashing a person with mud

D. impolite to other drivers

4.This text can most likely be found in _______.

A. a law document

B. a fashion magazine

C. an international newspaper

D. a column on interesting cultures

There is a very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander, the great Greek king. Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. So, he lay helplessly waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail."

"My first desire is that," said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn（撒满） with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected." The king continued， "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept hanging out of my coffin.” Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "Oh King, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said, “I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let people not take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a bit of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is just a waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands hanging out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty-handed into this world and empty-handed I go out of this world.” With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last.

1.The first paragraph suggests that Alexander _________.

A. was conquering many kingdoms.

B. realized that what he got in his life was nothing to him at all.

C. wanted to leave as he came empty-handed.

D. regarded his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth as the most important things.

2.The underlined word “clutches” in paragraph 3 means “_______”.

A. sentence B. attention

C. control D. shadow

3.The author intends to ________.

A. tell us the story of Alexander

B. introduce readers to the instructive lessons of Alexander

C. stress the powers of Alexander the Great

D. persuade people to realize what Alexander said

4.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. The Death of Alexander.

B. The Greed of Alexander

C. Three Wishes of Alexander

D. The Life of Alexander