_____1. Smith is a professor who does research on ancient buildings. This month, his university gives a
reward to him for his great contributions. So now an idea of traveling to a new place to continue his study
has come into his mind.
_____2. Though Lola is a woman reporter, she is brave enough to go deep into the places at war. Next month,
she will go to a place at war, she is confident to do her work well and give people the most brief and real
reports.
_____3. Alice and Simon are going to get married. They want to hold an underwater wedding in a special
place, which has beautiful scenery, silver sand and delicious seafood and luxurious hotels, where they can
enjoy themselves.
_____4. Jane is a modern girl, who is a crazy fan of rock music and films. She has a romantic dream, that
is, one day, she will go to a beautiful place to appreciate all the attractive music and films with a cup of coffee
in her hand.
_____5. Tom is really depressed these days. Owing to his bad management, his company closed. He wants
to go to a place to try his fortune so that he can start his business again in the near future.

A. Mauritius, an island lying off the southeast Africa in the Indian Ocean, which is rich in history, natural
beauty and culture. It is a wonderful place for swimming and diving. The large number of interesting fish
means it is also an exciting place for those who like to go fishing.
B. Las Vegas is really a fascinated city. The most attractive thing here is gambling (赌博). Maybe you will
become a millionaire or lose all your money overnight. What's so clever about Las Vegas is that it makes
absolutely certain that you have such a good time you don't mind losing a bit of money along the way; that's
why they don't even call it "gambling" anymore, but "gaming".
C. Few cities leave the visitors with such vivid impressions, the whole city is something of a work of art, the
quiet River Seine, the Eiffel Tower, Palais du Louvre and so on are really feast to your eyes. And annual film
festival is held with a refreshing emphasis on art. Few cities can compete with the thousands. of cafés, bars
and restaurants that line every Parisian street.
D. Kitzbuhel is a paradise for all the skiers. With fine weather and breath-taking scenery, it is a world-class
ski resort. Every winter, thousands of people come from all parts of the world to challenge themselves. If you
can't ski, don't worry. The town offers many shops, café and a variety of entertainment.
E. As the cultural centre and biggest centre and biggest city in the region, Jerusalem is regarded as a holy place
by Jews, Muslims and Christians. However, since the war broke out, people there have suffered a lot, the
situation has been tense, and peace is just a dream.
F. The old Nile brought about the civilization of Egypt; people there regard it as "the mother river" of them.
On both sides of the Nile stand noble pyramids which were built as the tombs of the ancient pharaohs (法老).
And the constructions are beyond people's imagination.

Dear God,
     Now that I am no longer young, I have friends whose mothers have passed away. I have heard these
sons and daughters say they never fully appreciated their mothers until it was too late to tell them.
     I am blessed with the dear mother who is still alive. I appreciate her more each day. My mother does
not change, but I do. As I grow older and wiser, I realize what an extraordinary person she is. How sad
that I am unable to speak these words in her presence, but they flow easily from my pen.
     How does a daughter begin to thank her mother for life itself? For the love, patience and just plain hard
work that go into raising a child? For running after a toddler, for understanding a moody teenager, for
tolerating a college student who knows everything? For waiting for the day when a daughter realizes how
wise her mother really is?
     How does a grown woman thank a mother for continuing to be a mother? For being ready with advice
(when asked) or remaining silent when it is most appreciated? For not saying:"I told you so", when she
could have said these words dozens of times? For being essentially herself-loving, thoughtful, patient, and
forgiving?
     I don't know how, dear God, except to bless her as richly as she deserves and to help me live up to the
example she has set. I pray that I will look as good in the eyes of my children as my mother looks in mine.
     A daughter

1. What is the best title of the passage?

A. Praying for mother
B. A letter to mother
C. For Mother's Day
D. My dear mother

2. What does the underlined word mean in the third paragraph?

A. A thief who broke into a house.
B. A child who has only recently learnt to walk.
C. A teenager who has entered college.
D. A child who has only recently learnt to speak.

3. What can you know from the passage?

A. The author's mother used to say "I told you so" before her children.
B. The author's mother used to be very strict with her children.
C. The author's mother used to become angry from time to time.
D. The author's mother has set a good example to her children.

4. Which of the following words can be best used to describe the author's attitude toward her mother?

A. Understanding
B. Thankful
C. Respectful
D. Satisfied

Hi, Antonio,
     I read your blog and guess what? Now I have a summer job with my neighbor moving their lawn and
doing work around their house and I am getting paid. I do the same work at my house but the pay is better
at the neighbor's. Have a great summer, man! 
                                                                                                                                  Posted by: Jack 
Dear Antonio,
     My son is 15 and he has been begging for a summer job. Do you know of any place that hires children
of that age? 
                                                                                                                                Posted by: Vallery
Hi, Antonio,
     I am 13 years old and trying to earn money to take a trip with my chorus to Hawaii. I am willing to do any
work at any hour during the summer.                                                                   Posted by Ashley Jordan
Hi, Antonio,
     I am 19 years old, a college student and I am looking for a summer job. Does anyone know somewhere that
is hiring? I have been looking for two weeks now.
                                                                                                                              Posted by: Erica Allen
Dear Antonio,
     My daughter is working in the file room at the law firm I work for and I am very happy that we were able
to get her on. My concern is that she wouldn't have got the summer job if I had not "known" people. What
about kids whose parents do not know someone?
                                                                                                                                   Posted by: Tracy
Hi, Antonio,
     I found my summer job on my own and my parents are so proud of me because I did it on my own. That
is why the world needs teens who can take responsibility for themselves and grow into mature and wise adults.
Can't wait for your next blog. I enjoy your writing. You have a great point of view. 
                                                                                                                                     Posted by: Jeff

1. What may be the topic of Antonio's blog this time?

A. Spending a great summer.
B. Getting a summer job.
C. Having an ideal career.
D. Entering a profession.

2. From the above posts we learn that _____.

A. Jack gets paid for cutting and moving the lawn for his own family
B. Valley has been begging in streets over the summer
C. Erica is quite experienced in finding part-time jobs
D. Ashley is willing to do any part-time job during his trip to Hawaii

3. From the above posts we learn that _____.

A. Jack gets paid for cutting and moving the lawn for his own family
B. Valley has been begging in streets over the summer
C. Erica is quite experienced in finding part-time jobs
D. Ashley is willing to do any part-time job during his trip to Hawaii

4. Where can we find the text most probably?

A.In a book.
B. In a report
C. In a bulletin (公告).
D. On the Internet.

     If you wish to become a better reader, here are four important points to remember about rate, or speed,
of reading:
     1. Knowing why you are reading-what you are reading to find out-will often help you to know whether
to read rapidly or slowly.
     2. Some things should be read slowly throughout. Examples are directions for making or doing something,
arithmetic problems, science and history books, which are full of important information. You must read such
things slowly to remember each important step and understand each important idea.
     3. Some things should be read rapidly throughout. Examples are simple stories meant for enjoyment, news,
and letters from friends, items, or bits of news from local, or hometown, paper, telling what is happening to
friends and neighbors.
     4. In some of your readings, you must change your speed from fast to slow to fast, as you go along. You
need to read certain pages rapidly and then slow down and do more careful readings when you come to
important ideas which must be remembered.

1. According to the passage, your reading speed depends on _____.

A. whether the reading material is easy or difficult
B. what you are reading
C. what your purpose in reading something is
D. both B and C　

2. If one wants to be relaxed by reading, one should take up _____.

A. a story book
B. a book on science and technology
C. news, letters from friends
D. some material full of information　

3. Which of the following readings should you read slowly and carefully?

A. Fairy tales.
B. Aesop's Fables.
C. Directions for use of a machine
D. An evening paper.　

4. Which of the following can best express the main idea of the passage?

A. How to decide your reading speed.
B. How to raise your reading speed.
C. How to improve your reading skills.
D. How to choose your reading materials.

     August has always been difficult for me. It is the time when I realize that the books my English teacher
assigned to me are not going to read themselves and that I have a difficult month in front of me.
     You might think that I don't want to spend my summer reading, but that's not the problem: I love reading.
On the first day of my summer holidays this year, I went to the library and got "A Gathering of Old Men" by
African-American writer Ernest Gaines. I enjoyed it very much. I read all the magazines that my parents
subscribe to and spend about 30 minutes every day with the morning paper. So why do I hate summer reading
for school? Because the books on summer reading lists are often slow-going and just uninviting. Teachers and
librarians don't understand that summer reading can be entertaining as well as educational. They choose books
that a friend of my mother's calls "spinach books": good for you, but not much fun to take in. Every summer,
I read them, hate them and get bitter about the experience.
     This bitterness started three years ago when I was about to begin high school. As preparation, my English
teacher told me to read "The Age of Innocence" by American author Edith Wharton. I'm sure there are many
people who enjoyed "The Age of Innocence"-some might even say it's their favorite book.
     But I don't think any of these people read it as a 14-year-old boy on his summer vacation.
     "The Age of Innocence" is the story of a forbidden romance in New York 100 years ago. At 14, my only
experience with romance was my love for baseball. I couldn't imagine being in love, much less being in love
in 1900. "The Age of Innocence" was totally different to my life.
     Most of my required summer reading has been like that-books written in a style that plays up the adjectives
and plays down the verbs. I guess teachers don't think exciting plots make for "good literature". To me, though,
a good writer describes events and characters in a way that makes the reader want to know what happens next.
     If I were making up a summer reading list, it would include "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" by George V.
Higgins, "The Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe, and "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer. These are all books that have
literary value but, just as important, can also entertain kids on vacation. If the teachers could stand a little fun
in the books they assign, my Augusts would be a lot more enjoyable.

1. The author thinks he will have a difficult August because _____.

A. he doesn't like reading in summer vacation
B. he hates the English teacher assigning homework
C. he is to read the books boring and not right for kids
D. he hates August

2. What can make students interested in August reading ought to be _____.

A. romantic
B. out of date
C. pure
D. entertaining and educational

3. The author listed such books as "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" because he thinks _____.

A. they can change his opinion
B. he can learn a lot more from them
C. they are of literary value, and enjoyable
D. he has to do as teachers tell him to

4. In the opinion of the author of this passage, a good writer should be one who _____.

A. uses a way of describing that makes the reader wish to know what to happen next
B. describes events and characters in different ways
C. is learned
D. is full of imagination

5. Which of the following could be the best title of this passage?

A. I Don't Like Reading on the Vacation
B. Why Can't Teachers Set Us Fun Books?
C. Teachers, Don't Set Us Any Reading Assignments
D. Teachers, Set Us Free

     Habits are a funny thing. We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto-pilot and relaxing
into the unconscious comfort of familiar routine. "Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting creatures,"
William Wordsworth said in the 19th century. In the everchanging 21st century, even the word "habit"
carries a negative meaning.
     So it seems contradictory to talk about habits in the same context as innovation (创新). But brain
researchers have discovered that when we consciously develop new habits, we create parallel paths, and
even entirely new brain cells, that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks.
     Rather than dismissing ourselves as unchangeable creatures of habit, we can instead direct our own
change by consciously developing new habits. In fact, the more new things we try, the more creative we
become.
     But don't bother trying to kill off old habits; once those ruts of procedure are worn into the brain, they're
there to stay. Instead, the new habits we deliberately press into ourselves create parallel pathways that can
bypass those old roads.
     "The first thing needed for innovation is attraction to wonder," says Dawna Markova, author of The
Open Mind. "But we are taught instead to 'decide', just as our president calls himself 'the Decider'." She
adds, however, that "to decide is to kill off all possibilities but one. A good innovational thinker is always
exploring the many other possibilities."
     "All of us work through problems in ways of which we're unaware," she says. Researchers in the late
1960s discovered that humans are born with the ability to approach challenges in four primary ways:
analytically, procedurally, collaboratively (合作地) and innovatively. At the end of adolescence, however,
the brain shuts down half of that ability, preserving only those ways of thought that have seemed most
valuable during the first decade or so of life.
     The current emphasis on standardized testing highlights analysis and procedure, meaning that few of
us use our innovative and collaborative ways of thought. "This breaks the major rule in the American belief
system-that anyone can do anything," explains M.J.Ryan, author of the 2006 book This Year I Will... and
Ms. Markova's business partner. "That's a lie that we have preserved, and it fosters commonness. Knowing
what you're good at and doing even more of it creates excellence. This is where developing new habits
comes in.

1. Brain researchers have discovered that _____.

A. the forming of new habits can be guided
B. the development of habits can be predicted
C. the regulation of old habits can be transformed
D. the track of new habits can be created unconsciously

2. The underlined word "ruts" in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _____.

A. zones
B. connections
C. situations
D. tracks

3. Which of the following statements most probably agrees with Dawna Markova's view?

A. Decision makes no sense in choices.
B. Curiosity makes creative minds active.
C. Creative ideas are born of a relaxing mind.
D. Formation of innovation comes from fantastic ideas.

4. The purpose of the author writing this article is to persuade us _____.

A. to give up our traditional habits deliberately
B. to create and develop new habits consciously
C. to resist the application of standardized testing
D. to believe that old habits conflict with new habits

首先请阅读下列课程的信息：
     A. City Water Skiing Centre-We are in the heart of the city and give you an easy chance to enjoy the fun
and excitement of water skiing. We offer half hour lessons every hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. A fun way
to get a lot of exercise quickly and then stay fit.
     B. Horse Riding School-Our experienced teachers provide one-on-one instruction that makes learning to
ride a horse safe and easy. We are located on a large farm where you will be able to get to enjoy lots of fresh
air and the beauty of nature. Open 7 days a week between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
     C. Ballroom Dancing Society-The dancing society is organising a special course for new members. No
experience is necessary and if you don't have your own partner we will arrange one for you. Have fun learning
to dance and making new friends in class and at our many social events. Classes every Monday and Thursday
from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m .
     D. Hiking Club-The club is looking for new members to join us on our regular hikes. Each weekend we go
to local mountain and forest locations for long walks providing the chance for plenty of exercise and fresh air.
Different members take part each week so you will have the chance to make new friends. The hikes range in
difficulty from easy to very hard and we expect our member to be fit before they join.
     E. Ron's Boxing Gym-We don't just teach you how to box; we teach you how to keep fit for the rest of
your life. Our training involves many different activities such as running, skipping and lifting weight, as well
as-of course-actual boxing. Once a month we also organise practice fights for members of the same sex and
weight. Open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
     F. Water Polo Club-If you can swim and like ball sports then you'll love water polo. It is like playing football
in the water, a fun and low-impact way to stay healthy. As a water-based sport it is also the ideal way to recover
from injury. Open weekdays 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

请阅读下列个人信息，然后匹配人物与拟选的课程：
(     )1. Harold-is a busy bank manager working in the city. He has put on a lot of weight in recent years and
wants to take up a sport that will help him get fit. He enjoys thrilling and exciting sports but as he often has to
work late into the evening and on the weekend so he only has time to go during his workday lunch hour.
(     )2. Maude-has been retired for 2 years. She is in good health but wants to keep active and remain in shape.
She is interested in a hobby that isn't too difficult to learn and will give her lots of fresh air and the chance to
meet some new friends. She only has free time on the weekend as most weekdays are spent taking care of her
grandchildren.
(     )3. Sid-is a high school student that recently hurt his knee playing football. The doctor has told him that for
the next 6 months he shouldn't put too much pressure or weight on it and he needs to do some sport that will
help him build up his strength but will not cause any more damage to his knee. Afternoon after school is his
preferred time.
(     )4. Nancy-is a university student who loves excitement and is always willing to try out something different.
She has little patience however and wants a sporting activity that will give her the chance to do many different
things. As she works part time after class and on the weekend she is only free on weekday afternoon.
(     )5. Spike-has recently moved to the city and doesn't have many friends. He is not really a sports fan but
wants to do something that is fun and that will give him the chance to meet new people. He is only free in the
evening.

     Internet dating has become one of the biggest and most successful business ventures on the Internet.
Basically, Internet dating is a way to meet people for either friendship or dating without actually having to
meet them in person first.
     The first thing to do if you decide to try Internet dating is to build your profile (简介) which can include
your hobbies, hopes for the future, and so on. A photograph is optional, but many sites claim that a photograph
increases the number of people who look at your profile. Many Internet dating sites will charge a one-time
registration fee to use their services.
     Internet dating makes it possible to meet people from all over the world. You can even narrow the search
down to your area by zip code. Another advantage is that you can communicate by email before you meet in
person. Thousands of people have met, fallen in love, and married through Internet dating. It is an excellent
way for shy people to meet. It is also a way for people with busy lives to connect with others, and an easy
way to meet people who share your interests.
     Just as in conventional dating and love, there are some pitfalls to be aware of in Internet dating. The person
you have been talking to on the net may not be who they say they are. Be very aware that there are some
people who misrepresent their appearance or private details, such as marital status, income, and so on, for their
own reasons. It would not be the first time that someone has been taken in, and talk shows are full of cheating
partners who have been caught dating over the Internet in their spare time. Nevertheless, taking a few simple
precautions should help ensure that your Internet dating experience is fun.

1. The purpose of writing the passage is to _____.

A. persuade readers to go dating on the Internet
B. inform us how to date on the Internet
C. warn readers against web love
D. introduce Internet dating to us

2. Which of the following is a must to make an Internet dating possible?

A. A photo.
B. A profile.
C. Registration fee. 
D. Business experience.

3. One advantage of Internet dating is that _____.

A. you can avoid a face-to-face meeting in the beginning
B. you're sure to find a partner-with the same interests
C. you'll find absolutely reliable information of others
D. you'll gain fame and money overnight

4. The underlined word "pitfalls" in Paragraph 4 most probably means _____.

A. rules
B. trends
C. problems
D. skills

5. What is probably talked about following the last paragraph?

A. Conventional dating.
B. Hidden advantages.
C. Safety measures.
D. Romantic love.