B
My House
My mother moved a lot when she was growing up on account of Grandpa being in the army. She hated having to adjust to new schools and make new friends. That’s why I thought she was joking when she put forward the idea of moving. But she was completely serious. “For just the two of us,” my mother said, “an apartment in the city will suit our needs much better.” Personally, I think she’s lost her mind. I guess I can understand why she would want to move, but what about me and what this house means to me?
I suppose if you looked at my house, you might think it was just another country house. But to me it is anything but standard. I moved into this house with my parents ten years ago. I can still remember that first day like it was yesterday. The first thing I noticed was the big front yard. To me it seemed like an ocean of grass—I couldn’t wait to dive in. The backyard was full of gnarled (扭曲的, 粗糙的) and scary trees that talk on windy nights. But I grew to like them and the shadows they cast in my room. My father and I even built a small tree house, where I often go to remember all the wonderful times we had before Father’s death.
This house is special—maybe only to me—but special nevertheless. It’s the little seemingly insignificant things that make this house so special to me: the ice-cold tile floors that make me tremble on midnight snack runs; the smell of my father’s pipe that still exists; the towering bookcases of my mother; the view outside my bedroom window.
This house holds too many memories, memories which would be lost if we gave it up.
59. Why did the author’s mother decide to move?
A. Because she hated the countryside.
B. Because Grandpa was on constant move.
C. Because Dad’s death made her lose her mind.
D. Because she thought a city flat more fit for them.
60. What impressed the author when she first moved into the house?
A. The tree house. B. The big trees.
C. The cold floors. D. The green grass.
61. How did the author let us feel that the house was special to her?
A. By arguing whether the house was standard.
B. By explaining why the house suited their needs.
C. By describing the small things related to her house.
D. By comparing the differences between country and city life.
62. The author describes the house with ______.
A. affection B. responsibility C. commitment D. enthusiasm
The holiday is upon us. Finally, after months of study, you have some time to yourself. So, why not read a book? Well, some people will say, "Why bother with books? We have the Internet and other media that offer a lot of more colorful entertainment. Books are history!" But don't be fooled. I'm sure there's still a lot to be said for reading.
One clear reason is that a well-chosen book is a wonderful source of vocabulary, so long as you have a good dictionary, of course. Believe me, it's far easier to get new English words and phrases from a book or an article than it is from the TV or the Internet.
But another more important point is that books give you something that modern media simply can not. The average webpage is picture-heavy and the text is often designed to make it as easy to read as possible. While "easy" may be attractive, unfortunately it's of little use for any long-term development of reading skills and the general language level. Because of that, there's still no substitute (替代品) of a book.
But perhaps the best single reason is that simply choosing what you read and doing it independently means that it's something you do by and for yourself. You can choose what you want to read. It's hard work, but somewhere down the line, you'll find that what once seemed like a duty is now a pleasure.
How many reasons for reading a book does the author mention in the passage?
A.Three | B.Two | C.One | D.Four |
According to the passage, we basically need a ________ in reading.
A.television | B.pencil | C.notebook | D.dictionary |
In the author's opinion, reading on the Internet may_________.
A.develop long-term readi![]() |
B.improve the general language ability |
C.not take the place of reading books | D.be an effective way of reading |
The passage is written mainly to _________.
A.share the pleasure of reading books | B.advise readers to read books |
C.stress the importance of reading online | D.help readers to choose good books |
Moods (心情), say the experts, are feelings that are likely to become fixed, having effects on one’s outlook(way of looking at things) for hours, days or even weeks. That’s great if your mood is a pleasant one, but a problem if you are sad, anxious, angry, or simply lonely.
Perhaps the best way to deal with such moods is to talk them out; sometimes, though, there is no one to listen. Scientists offers a lot of tranquilizers(镇静剂) and anti-anxiety drugs. What many people don’t realize, however, is that scientists have discovered the effectiveness of several non-drug methods to make you free from an unwanted mood. These can be just as useful as drugs, and have the added benefit of being nonpoisonous(无毒的). So next time you feel out of sorts, don’t head for the drug store―try the following method.
Of all the mood-changing self-help techniques, aerobic exercises (有氧运动) seem to be the best cure for a bad mood. “If you could keep the exercise, you’d be in high spirits,” says Kathryn Lance, author of Running for Health and Beauty.
Researchers have explained biochemical and various other changes that make exercises compare favorably to drugs as a mood-raiser. Physical work such as housework, however, does little. The key is aerobic exercises – running, cycling, walking, swimming, or other repetitive and sustained activities that increase the heart rate and circulation(循环), and improve the body’s use of oxygen. Do them for at least 20 minutes a time, three to five times a week.It can be inferred from the passage that __________.
A.when one is in a bad mood, he or she must not work very well. |
B.the best way to overcome a bad mood is to talk to oneself |
C.some drugs are more effective than physical exercises |
D.taking drugs is at risk of being poisonous |
The phrase "feel out of sorts", as is used in the second paragraph, could be best replaced by ____________.
A.put things in order | B.are in a bad mood |
C.search for tranquilizers | D.want a mood-raiser |
Which of the following best describes the organization of this passage?
A.An exercise and its importance are explained |
B.A problem is examined and solutions are given |
C.Two different views of a problem are presented |
D.Recent developments in medicine are described |
Some people think that as more and more people have televisions in their homes, fewer and fewer people will buy books and newspapers. Why read an article in the newspaper, when the TV news can bring you the information in a few minutes and with pictures? Why read the life story of a famous man, when a short television program can tell you all that you want to know?
Television has not killed reading, however. Today, newspapers sell in very large numbers. And books of every kind are sold more than ever before. Books are still a cheap way to get information and enjoyment. Although some books with hard covers are expensive, many books are printed today as paper books (平装本), which are quite cheap. A paperback collection of short stories, for example, is always cheaper than an evening at the cinema or the theater, and you can keep a book for ever and read it many times.
Books are a wonderful provider of knowledge and pleasure and some types of books should be in every home. Every home should have a good dictionary. A good encyclopedia (百科全书), though expensive, is useful, too, because you can find information on any subject. Besides, you can have such books as history books., science textbook, cookbooks, and collections of stories and poems. Then from time to time you can take a book of poems off your shelves and read the thoughts and feelings of your favorite poets. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A.TV programs are a main provider of knowledge |
B.cinemas are the best choice in getting information |
C.reading is a cheap way of learning and having fun |
D.newspapers are an expensive way to enjoy oneself |
What does the sentences “Television has not killed reading, however ” underlined in the second paragraph suggest?
A.People only need reading, though. | B.Reading is still necessary today. |
C.Reading is more fun than television. | D.Watching television doesn’t help reading. |
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.Fewer and fewer people will buy books. |
B.A good dictionary should be kept in every home. |
C.Books with hard covers sell better than paperbooks. |
D.More people like TV programs about famous men. |
People living in the UK take quite a few holidays abroad and in this country each year.Choices made about where to go, how to get there and what to do while there can either benefit or harm the environment.
While on holiday
Many of the things you can do to he greener on holiday will be the same things you can do at home—but there arc also sonic extra things too, like avoiding gifts made from endangered plants and animals.Here are some suggestions:
●Making the most of locally produced food and drink, and local activities and attractions will support people in the area you are visiting and reduce the need for further environmental influence from transport;
●Switching off any air conditioning, heating and lights will help reduce climate change effect;
●Save water—some countries suffer from water shortages and saving water can help avoid damage to our natural habitats (栖息地).
Endangered species (物种)
Some gifts and foods available in some countries can be made from endangered plants or animals.Check before you buy, but if you doubt, avoid animal and plant gifts.More details of the types of products to avoid and illegal trade hotspots can be found on the Souvenir Alert webpage.
Making a positive contribution to the place you are visiting
There are ways in which your holiday can help support local people and the environment;
●There are many opportunities to volunteer and help with projects that conserve and improve natural habitats;
●When you are away, or if you are looking for somewhere to visit, you can support projects or attractions which protect wildlife, such as nature reserves and conservation projects.According to the passage, we can ____ to help reduce climate change effect.
A.make good use of water | B.buy local food and drink |
C.save electricity | D.go around on foot |
We can infer from the passage that ____.
A.it is not easy for people to travel abroad |
B.not everyone can tell an illegal souvenir |
C.green holidays have been accepted by people |
D.volunteer work is a must for protecting natural habitats |
The passage is mainly about _________
A.travel dos and don'ts | B.the harm done to the environment |
C.greener choices for holiday | D.tips on protecting endangered species |
Before I started school, people felt that I was not going to be successful.At the age of four I started speech lessons because basically I could not speak well enough for anyone to understand me.The story goes downhill from here.
The first grade was a struggle.I not only had difficulty speaking, but also felt nervous about the fact that I was expected to learn to read and I just couldn't do it.The second grade was not much better.I still struggled with the inability to read.It was in the third grade that the school district built a new school close to my home.I remember going there with my parents and helping to get the school ready so that we could move to the new one.However, things were still not much better as far as my schooling was concerned and did not get better for the next two years.
It was in the fifth grade.Mrs.Wakefield was my teacher, and if ever there was a teacher that deserved a gold star, it was her.She did not make me feel defeated.On the contrary, she did her best to let me know that I could be whatever I wanted to be.And that is just what I did.
For the past 22 years, I have been a fifth grade teacher.Because of Mrs.Wakefield's influence on my life, I am now encouraging students who have had difficulties in their lives to believe that they can overcome any difficulty and become someone.I have won numerous awards up to now, such as Teacher of the Year.I owe it all to one fifth grade teacher who believed in me and challenged me to be all that I could be.The writer ______ when he was in the third grade.
A.did better in reading | B.began speech lessons |
C.went to a new school | D.received a high award |
We can learn from the passage that the writer ______.
A. is a very successful teacher now
B. thinks teaching is a challenging job
C, has solved problems with his own effort
D. works in the same school with Mrs. WakefieldWhat is the writer's purpose in writing the passage?
A.To express his devotion to his work. |
B.To show his respect to a special teacher. |
C.To share his leaching experience with us. |
D.To tell us his story of overcoming difficulties. |