Queen Victoria was monarch of Great Britain from 1837 until her death in 1901. This period is often called the Victorian Age.
Queen Victoria was a stern and serious woman. One reason she was so serious was that she had suffered a great loss. When she was twenty years old, she married a German prince named Albert. Victoria and Albert were deeply in love, and their marriage was extremely happy. In 1861, after they had been married for twenty-one years, Albert died, leaving Queen Victoria heartbroken. For the rest of her life, the lonely Victoria mourned his loss. It was customary in those days for a widow to dress in black for a short time after the death of her husband. But Queen Victoria dressed in black for forty years. And for forty years, as another sigh of her grief, she wrote her letters white paper edged in black.
Even before Prince Albert died, Queen Victoria was known as a very serious woman. She had a strong sense of duty and worked very hard at all her tasks. In her diary she wrote, “I love to be employed; I hate to be idle.” She never forgot that she was Britain’s queen and always acted with great dignity. Victoria had high ideals and moral standards that sometimes made her seem stuffy. She was also very sure of herself. She always thought that she was right, and she expected everyone to agree with her.Which of the following statements about Queen Victoria is NOT true?
| A．She had great confidence in herself. |
| B．She ruled Great Britain for sixty-four years. |
| C．She enjoyed her marriage to a German prince. |
| D．She became a serious woman after her beloved husband died. |
Queen Victoria wrote her letters on white paper edged in black because______
| A．she was a very serious woman. |
| B．black was her favorite color. |
| C．that was one way to show her feeling of sadness. |
| D．it was a custom among monarchs of Great Britain. |
All of the following characteristics except ______ can be used to properly describe Queen Victoria.
| A．moral | B．lonely | C．workaholic( 工作狂) | D．compromising (妥协) |
Name: Container Gardens by Number
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A unique book contains 50 easy-to-follow container designs. Each design provides a simple numbered planting plan that shows exactly how to create each display, with an instruction of the finished planter and in-depth plant information. The plans are easy to follow and for any type of living space or garden.
Name: Off the Beaten Path
Cover price: $30.00
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The best-selling Reader’s Digest travel book has 40% new content including over 200 new sites, over 200 new full-color photographs, and all-new, up-to-date maps. It spotlights over l, 000 of the United States’ most overlooked must-see destinations.
Name: l80l Home Remedies (疗法)
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Plenty of health complaints can be handled at home. Each and every remedy will be tested by a doctor to make sure it is safe and sound.
Dozens of conditions are covered, from headaches, sunburn, bad breath, and blisters(水泡) to allergies(过敏), and hiccups(打嗝).
Name: Best Weekend Projects
Cover price: $l7.95
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Choose from 80 unique ideas to create an extraordinary living space. The projects are practical, as well as attractive, and will improve your home and yard and can be made in a weekend. These 80 well-designed projects are presented in a clear, easy-to-follow style that addresses readers in an accessible, user-friendly tone. You can most probably read the passage in a ___________.
| A．news story | B．travel guide |
| C．newspaper | D．telephone book |
How much money can you save if you want to buy a medical book?
| A．$6.46. | B．$l0.20. | C．$l3.96. | D．$l0.04. |
Which of the following can you afford if you have only $10?
| A．Off the Beaten Path |
| B．Container Gardens by Number |
| C．l80l Home Remedies |
| D．Best Weekend Projects |
The author writes the passage in order to ___________.
| A．persuade readers to buy the books |
| B．encourage readers to read more about medicine |
| C．introduce the books to readers |
| D．develop people’s reading habit |
Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. These people have something in common. And once we know what it is, we can try to do it ourselves.
How is it done? Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they’ll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.
First of all, good talkers ask questions. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question. One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It’s a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters--sometimes to really personal questions. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.
In addition, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn’t. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.
Real listening at least means some things. First it means not to change the subject of conversation. If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he’s really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject.
Last but not least, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you’re saying good-bye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.” If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it a secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they’ve known you half their life. Which of the following is NOT the reason why good talkers ask questions?
| A．To get the conversation going smoothly. |
| B．To continue the conversation with other matters. |
| C．To make more new friends. |
| D．To know how far the conversation can go. |
How many skills does the author give us to be good talkers?
| A．Three. | B．Four. | C．Five. | D．Six. |
In general, good talkers are persons who __________.
| A．can keep the conversation interesting |
| B．never talk too much or too little |
| C．always keep the conversation a secret |
| D．can change the topic of the conversation properly |
If you are willing to meet someone again, __________.
| A．you’d better let him know it |
| B．you’d better shake his hand firmly |
| C．you’d better keep it a secret |
| D．you’d better understand him further |
Two good friends, Sam and Jason, met with a car accident on their way home one night. The next morning, Sam woke up blind. His legs were broken. The doctor, Mr Lee was standing by his bed, looking at him with a thoughtful expression. When he saw Sam awake, he asked, “How are you feeling, Sam?” Sam smiled and said, “Not bad, Doctor. Thank you for doing the operation.” Mr Lee was moved by Sam. When he was leaving, Sam said, “Please don’t tell Jason about it.” “... OK.” Mr Lee replied.
Months later when Jason’s wounds (伤) healed, Sam was still very weak. Neither could he see or walk. What he could do was just stay in his wheelchair all day long. At first, Jason stayed with him for a few days. But days later, Jason felt very discouraged and embarrassed to spend time staying with a disabled man like Sam. So he went to see Sam less and less. He made new friends. From then on, he didn’t go to visit Sam any more. Sam didn’t have any family or friends other than Jason. He felt very sad.
Things went from bad to worse. Sam died a year later. When Jason came, Mr Lee gave a letter to him. It was from Sam. In the letter Sam said, “Dear Jason, I am disabled. But I want you to be a healthy man. So I gave my eyes to you so that you can enjoy life as a healthy man. Now you have new friends. I’m glad to see that you are as healthy and happy as usual. I’m glad you live a happy life. You are always my best friend ... ... Sam”. When he finished reading the letter , Mr Lee said, “I have promised that I will keep this a secret until Sam is gone. Now you know it.” Jason stood there. Tears ran down his face. Why did Sam thanked the doctor?
| A．Because the doctor was very friendly to him. |
| B．Because the doctor took good care of him. |
| C．Because the doctor saved his eyes. |
| D．Because the doctor kept the secret for him. |
Which of the following happened according to the order of time?
a. Jason felt very discouraged to stay with Sam.
b. Jason lost his eyes in an accident.
c. Sam donated his eyes to Jason.
d. Jason didn’t go to visit Sam any more.
e. Sam died and Jason knew the truth.
| A．dacbe | B．dcbea | C．bcade | D．bcdae |
The underlined word “healed” in the second paragraph is closest in the meaning to “__________”.
| A．recovered | B．hurt | C．failed | D．disappeared |
It can be inferred from the passage that Sam was__________.
| A．kind-hearted and helpful |
| B．discouraged and outgoing |
| C．optimistic and humorous |
| D．enthusiastic and curious |
Need to relax after a few stressful months? Perhaps you need to go to a spa.
First of all, what exactly is a spa? Traditionally, spas were places with a natural spring producing warm waters that could be used in hydrotherapy (水疗法) treatments. They were places where you “took the waters” --- meaning you drank some of the water or bathed in it.
But nowadays, a “spa” can mean a variety of things. In general, the term is often used to refer to commercial establishment that provides many services for health, fitness, weight loss, beauty and relaxation. This may include exercise classes, mud baths, body treatment, facials (美容), etc.
In Japan, traditional hot springs have attracted visitors for centuries. And thermal baths (温泉浴) have been found in the ruins of the Cretan Palace of Knossos (2000-1400 B.C.). It was the Romans who made spas popular in Europe. They established a number of towns around thermal waters. These include the English town of Aquae Sulis (which is called Bath today), and the Belgian town of Aquae Spadanae (which is known as Spa these days).
In the 18th century, spas became the fashionable places to go on holiday. Bath and Harrogate in the UK were popular with British rich people. And in Europe Carsbad (now called Larlovy Vary), Marienbad and Franzensbsf were Europe’s most important holiday centers.
A typical day in Carsbad in the 19th century went as follows. Visitors got up at 6:00 a.m. to take the waters and listen to music by a band. Next, came a light breakfast, a bath in the waters, and then lunch. In the afternoon, visitors went sightseeing, walked or attended concerts. After dinner, there were theatrical performances. Guests returned to their hotels at about 9 p.m. to rest until six the following morning. Visitors would stay for as long as a month. Some of the more famous patients at these spas included the composers Beethoven and Chopin, and the Russian writer Turgnev.
Marienbad was the best spa town. It was popular with the inventor Thomas Edison, the writer Johann Goethe, and many famous people and European emperors.
Today, although taking the waters isn’t as common as it used to be, spa treatments are more popular than ever. What can we learn about a spa?
| A．It makes profits mainly on facials. |
| B．It is a center for rich people to relax. |
| C．It provides more services than before. |
| D．It is where one can get medical treatment. |
From Paragraph 4, we can infer that ___________.
| A．spas have a history of about 200 years |
| B．Japan has more spas than any other countries |
| C．the Romans played a positive part in the popularity of spas |
| D．ordinary people could enjoy thermal baths in 18th-century UK |
At the spas in Carlsbad, ____________.
| A．many visitors had facials |
| B．guests often stayed for at least a month |
| C．Thomas Edison was a regular guest |
| D．guests had a bath between breakfast and lunch |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．The former name of Larlovy Vary was Carlsbad. |
| B．Spa treatments are not so popular as before. |
| C．Chopin visited Marienbad frequently. |
| D．Marienbad is located in the UK. |
In New Britain, Connecticut, a new official in charge of schools named Kelt Cooper wants to end high truancy (逃学) rates among public school students, and he’s suggesting financial punishments to get job done. A plan to fine students up to $75 for each day they skip school is now being considered by New Britain authorities.
The concept of fining kids for skipping school may come as a shock, but it’s not new. In Ohio, the parents responsible for a student guilty of habitual truancy can be fined up to $500 and/or be required to perform up to 70 hours of community service. Until recently, students in Los Angeles could be hit with a $250 punishment for each count of truancy; in early 2012 the law was changed and the heavy fines were removed, though a $20 punishment may still be handed out if a student truants for the third time.
Fines for truancy are also in effect overseas. In the UK, The Guardian reports, parents can be fined ￡50 (about $80) per skipped school day. The punishment doubles if it’s not paid within 28 days.
The question is: Do fines like this work? The vast majority of authorities in the UK said that, indeed, they do. The fines were believed either “very successful” or “fairly successful” by 79% in reducing truancy, according to a survey.
If the plan is passed in Connecticut, it’s unclear how effective the law might be, how to make parents and students obey the law and what might happen if they refuse to pay. However, local officials seem to be willing to give it a shot. According to the Hartford Courant:
“The mayor agrees that truancy is a real issue in New Britain schools, and what’s been done in the past hasn’t been working to reduce truancy.” said Phil Sherwood, assistant to Mayor Timothy O’ Brien.
And what do the students think? In the New Britain Herald, one 17-year-old entering her senior year called the plan “ridiculous” and predicted that the punishments will bring about negative effects on the court system. Besides, “I don’t see the point,” she said. “Kids will just try harder not to get caught.” The passage mainly discusses whether __________.
| A．schools have the right to punish students |
| B．authorities should consider protecting kids |
| C．students should be fined for skipping school |
| D．parents are responsible for children’s truancy |
If a British kid skips two school days and fails to pay fines in a month, the punishment will be __________.
| A．two hundred pounds | B．fifty pounds |
| C．eighty pounds | D．a hundred pounds |
We can learn from the passage that ___________.
| A．truancy is a serious problem in New Britain |
| B．Cooper’s plan has been passed in Connecticut |
| C．fining kids for truancy is a new idea in America |
| D．little has been done to reduce truancy in New Britain |
The underlined part “give it a shot” most probably means _____________.
| A．get used to it | B．help improve it |
| C．try to carry it out | D．fight against it |