Mauritius, with its full name the Republic of Mauritius, an island country, lies 1,200 miles off the southeastern coast of Africa, and just east of Madagascar, another African island country, which is larger by far than Mauritius. It covers 788 square miles and has a population of 1,100,000, about 750,000 Indians, 300,000 Chinese and 20,000 Whites included. They are living together peacefully, although they share such different beliefs as Hindu, Roman Catholic, Muslim and so on.
The country can be divided into many parts with different climates all because of its peculiar terrains (地形). In the center there are volcanoes several thousand feet high, and 90% of its arable land is covered with sugarcane.
There were no people living on the island before the Dutch landed on it in 1638. The Dutch abandoned it in 1710, and five years later, the French came and succeeded in planting sugarcane there. It was conquered by Britain in 1818. As a result, its official language is English. The main big cities are Beau-Bassin and Mahebourg, with Port Louis as its capital.
Mauritius has many rare and unique animals, such as the snakes, parrots and lizards. The giraffe is a type of animal with a very long neck and legs and yellow skin with dark spots. It is the tallest of all living animals.
Mauritius was extremely poor when it declared its independence in 1968. In the past ten years, obvious economic prosperity(繁荣) has shown itself in this island country. Nowadays its business, culture and tourism are developing rapidly. Every year, thousands of millions of people rush there to enjoy the silver sand beach and song and dance performances with native national characteristics. The underlined word “abandoned” in the third paragraph means ___________.
| A．took its place | B．gave it up |
| C．left for it | D．held it out |
The right order that shows the history of Mauritius should be ___________.
a. seized by the French b. became its master
c. ruled by the Dutch d. conquered by the British
| A．b, a, c, d | B．a, c, d, b |
| C．d, c, a, b | D．c, a, d, b |
According to the passage all of the following statements are true EXCEPT______.
| A．Arable land covers 90% of the country’s total area |
| B．Tourism is one of the driving forces for the economic development of Mauritius. |
| C．More than half of Mauritius population are Indians |
| D．British ruled the island longer than French and Dutch |
Which of the following maps shows the right position of Mauritius?
(Mau =" Mauritius;" Ma =" Madagascar;" A = Africa)
| A． | B． A AMA MA  Mau Mau |
| C． | D． A A
|
My son loves video games very much. He spends hours every day playing video games in his room. Is there any redeeming（补偿的）educational value to video games? Some seem like they could help him learn strategy. But I worry others may be too violent or numb（使麻木）his mind.
Cecilia
Some games may improve kids’ hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Games that require kids to actually move or manipulate（操纵）the game through their own physical movement can even get sedentary kids moving, though not as much as they could if they actually played outside or participated in sports or other outdoor acuities. Others, though, don’t have such benefits, and violent video games have been shown that they might increase kid’s aggressive behavior.
Like a lot of aspects of raising kids, when it comes to video games, the healthiest approach is actually self-control.
The American academy of Pediatrics(AAP) recommends that kids should spend no more than 2 hours each day on screen time, including watching TV or movies, or playing computer or video games. So consider setting limits at least that strict to keep game playing from affecting their schoolwork, household responsibilities, and the physical activity your son needs very day.
Make sure that he’s playing games which are suitable for his age group. All video games are rated and labeled by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Steer clear of（避开）any rated “M” for mature. Those are for ages 17 and older and can contain heavy-duty violence, strong language, and sexual content.
Try to keep the video game console（游戏机控制板）in a common area of the house, not your son’s room. That way you can catch any inappropriate content in the games he’s playing, and he’ll be in a position to interact with others in the house while he’s playing.
Make sure your son has appealing alternatives, too, such as sports, activities, opportunities to socialize with peers; and downtime to be creative. If you continue to have concerns about his video game activity, talk with your doctor.
Reviewed by：Mary L. Gavin, MDWhat is the opinion of Mary L. Gavin about playing video games?
| A．Whether it’s beneficial or harmful depends on what the video games are. |
| B．It always improves kids’ hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. |
| C．It will make kids more violent and increase their aggressive behavior. |
| D．Kids should give it up and put their hearts fully into their schoolwork. |
The underlined word “sedentary” in the first paragraph of the answer letter is the nearest in meaning to “______”.
| A．unhealthy | B．lively | C．bright | D．inactive |
According to Mary L. Gavin, which of the following is encouraged to do by parents?
| A．Keep the video game console out of their house. |
| B．Allow their children to play only such video games as rated “M” |
| C．Let kids play video games as much as possible if it doesn’t affect their lessons. |
| D．Help their children develop other healthy hobbies such as sports and painting. |
Which is the best title of this passage?
| A．Should children play video games? |
| B．Kids’ playing video games is harmful. |
| C．Is playing video games good for kids? |
| D．Help children choose video games. |
It can’t be truer that when in Rome do as the Romans do. So it’s necessary for you to know what you can talk with the local people in France, Australia and Switzerland, and different customs of these countries.
In France
You’ll find that conversations often turn into heated debates. Give opinions only on subjects that you are knowledgeable about. There is rarely a moment of silence, except when the topic under discussion has been exhausted, and nothing new has been introduced.
Food, art, music and current events or history are welcome topics. French believe in freedom, and you can criticize anyone, but not Napoleon, who is a symbol of French spirit and never use the standard. U.S. conversation opener “What do you do”.
In Australia
Australians tend to be enthusiastic debaters. A wide range of topics may be open to discussion, including religion and politics. The best policy, however, is to wait for Australian companions to bring up these two subjects; be prepared to hear their arguments.
Sport is a common topic of conversation in Australia and Australians tend to use sporting comparisons. Australians like to criticize themselves, but they can’t stand criticism from others. Don’t talk big；instead Australians prefer to judge your competence and abilities through your actions. People who show off their education in conversation may be subject to teasing.
In Switzerland
The Swiss may seem cold. Once you get close to them, however, you’ll find that they are honest, responsible people, who will be loyal to your interests.
They are good listeners and will remember practically everything you say to them. Sometimes they will even go so far as to take notes while you speak. The Swiss are a very private people, so you should avoid asking personal questions. They can be rather serious, so it is advisable to avoid making jokes on them.Which of the following statements is TURE according to the passage?
| A．There is no moment of silence when you talk with French. |
| B．French don’t like others asking their careers. |
| C．The Swiss may seem cold but humorous sometimes. |
| D．Australians tend to judge you by your words. |
It is suggested during talking that ______
| A．you should tell the Australians what education you have received. |
| B．you should not use too much sporting comparisons with Australians. |
| C．you should not ask personal questions from people of the three countries. |
| D．you should have the Australians bring up subjects first. |
We can infer from the passage that ______
| A．Australians don’t like to show off their success before others. |
| B．Australians like to criticize themselves and others. |
| C．you can talk with French about anything even if you know little. |
| D．you can criticize anyone in France because you have the right. |
What is the best title of the passage?
| A．Talking in western countries |
| B．How to argue with foreigners |
| C．Things that can’t be talked with foreigners |
| D．How to adapt to the life in western countries |
What will the author talk about in the following paragraphs?
| A．How to talk efficiently with foreigners. |
| B．Customs of the three countries. |
| C．How to choose topics in the western countries. |
| D．How to be a good listener. |
As a substitute teacher, my daily routine involves driving to a new school almost every day so I’m usually unable to anticipate the day’s events, good or bad!
On one particular day, I was teaching in a very difficult classroom. I was managing behavior all morning and by lunch time, I knew I needed coffee to even consider surviving the afternoon. So on my lunch break, I drove to a nearby plaza（购物中心）to get a cup of coffee. Upon returning to the car I realized I had locked my keys and my phone inside! I had about 15 minutes to get back to the school which was a good 4 or 5-minute drive away. I contemplated (思考）sprinting（冲刺）back, but it being winter, I thought a nasty fall on ice would only make the situation much worse.
So I ran into a McDonald’s which was in the same plaza and asked the man at the counter who happened to be the manager to please call me a cab. I briefly explained my situation to him, and I could tell by the look in his eyes, that he empathized. He hurried to the back to use the phone while I paced in the restaurant. I had less than 10 minutes to get back to my school at this point.
The manager returned only to tell me that the cab company had put him on hold and then the line got disconnected, and that he was now on hold again, but had not yet been able to request the cab yet. My expression, I assume, began to resemble some combination of hopelessness and fear.
Without a thought, he grabbed his coat and offered to drive me to the school. Without hesitation, I followed him into his car and made it back into my classroom with 2 minutes to spare before the bell!
Upon arriving at the school, I thanked this man endlessly. His calm demeanor（举止）and kind nature made me think he was probably a wonderful manager to work for, and also a wonderful human being to have on this earth. This experience makes me realize that out of every seemingly hopeless situation, there is the opportunity for acts of kindness to transpire（发生）, which can have an unimaginable impact on those who receive them.Why did the author go to get a coffee?
| A．Because he needed to eat something as lunch. |
| B．Because he was very thirsty. |
| C．Because he had to refresh himself for the classes in the afternoon. |
| D．Because he wanted something hot to drink. |
What happened to the author after he got a cup of coffee?
| A．He fell on the icy road. |
| B．He realized his keys and phone were locked inside the car. |
| C．His car was broken. |
| D．He lost his keys and phone. |
How long probably had the author stayed in the McDonald’s?
| A．For about 15 minutes. | B．For about 10 minutes. |
| C．For about 8 to 9 minutes. | D．For only 2 minutes. |
What kind of person is the manager?
| A．Kind-hearted. | B．Active. | C．Good-mannered. | D．Thoughtful. |
Students who date (约会）in middle school have significantly worse study skills, are four times more likely to drop out of school and report twice as much alcohol and tobacco use than their single classmates, according to new research from the University of Georgia.
"Romantic relationships are a trademark of adolescence，but very few studies have examined how adolescents differ in the development of these relationships," said Pamela Orpinas，study author and professor in the College of Public Health and head of the Department of Health Promotion and Behavior.
Orpinas followed a group of 624 students over a seven-year period from 6th to 12th grade.
Each year, the group of students completed a survey indicating whether they had dated and reported the frequency of different behaviors, including the use of drugs and alcohol. Their teachers completed questionnaires (调查表）about the students* academic efforts. He found some students never or hardly ever reported dating from middle to high school, and these students had consistently the best study skills according to their teachers. Other students dated infrequently in middle school but increased the frequency of dating in high school.
"At all points in time, teachers rated the students who reported the lowest frequency of dating as having the best study skills and the students with the highest dating as having the worst study skills,'1 according to the journal article. Study skills refer to behaviors that lead to academic success such as doing work for extra credit being well organized, finishing homework, working hard and reading assigned chapters.
"Dating a classmate may have the same emotional complications of dating a co-worker," Orpinas said, "when the couple break up. they have to continue to see each other in class and perhaps witness the ex-partner dating someone else. It is reasonable to think this could be linked to depression and divert (转移）attention from studying.”
4tDating should not be considered a ceremony of growth in middle school，”Orpinas concluded.According to the passage, students who date in middle school may_____
| A．have poorer academic performances |
| B．be more likely to hurl others |
| C． enjoy better school lives |
| D．are less likely to use alcohol and tobacco |
When doing his study, Orpinas_____.
| A． followed a group of students of 6th and 12th grade |
| B． completed a survey and a report each year |
| C． completed questionnaires about the students’ academic efforts |
| D． found that the students’ study skills have connection with their frequency of dating |
Study skills may include the following behaviors and qualities Except_____
| A．being diligent | B．bcing well organized |
| C． being kind and helpful | D．finishing assigned schoolwork |
What can possibly happen to the school couples after they break up?
| A． They don’t want to see each other any longer. |
| B． Their attention to studying will be affected. |
| C． They will miss their ex-partners sometimes |
| D． They will think it，s reasonable Io get depressed. |
Orpinas’ attitude towards dating in middle school is_____
| A．supportive | B．positive | C．negative | D．indifferent |
Abraham Lincoln was born into poverty 200 years ago. At any other time and place, this lowly origin would have dictated his future, but in Lincoln’s case, his self-determination and force of will made it possible for him to secure his seat in his country's history. He has become a role model in the self-made America.
If you want to learn about somebody who didn’t quit, look no further. Abraham Lincoln had two business ventures failed, and the second one made him bankrupt, so he had to spend the next 17 years of his life paying for the debt. He also lost 8 different elections. It seemed that he had never done things right at the first time: the first time he ran for state legislature for Congress, for land officer, for Senate, all of these failed, and the first time he sought the vice-presidential nomination, he got less than 100 votes nationally. But he never found it too shameful to carry on his mission. Then later in 1860, on such a rough road, he made it to the White House. He lived up to his famous saying, “Always bear in mind that your own determination to success is more important than any other.”
He could have quit many times-—-but he didn’t and because he didn’t quit，he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of America. One important way Lincoln influences present society is that we look back on his lifeas a role model for future generations. Lincoln’s high character influences us because we compare present-day politicians to the example Lincoln set. A major influence Lincoln has on the united States today is simply through the good example he set when it came to honesty, persistence and leadership.According to the first paragraph, which of the following statements is true?
| A． Lincoln was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. |
| B． Like Lincoln, a poor origin leads to a bright future. |
| C． America is considered self-made because of Lincoln. |
| D． Self-determination and will contributed to Lincoln’s success. |
What is Paragraph Two mainly about?
| A． How Lincoln made his way to the White House. |
| B． Lincoln suffered various failures. |
| C． Lincoln was a man who never quit. |
| D． Lincoln once lost two business ventures. |
Which is the correct order of what happened to Lincoln?
a. He was paying off his debt. b. He failed in the run for land officer,
c. He got less than 100 votes nationally. d. he stuck to his mission, e. He went bankrupt.
| A．b-c-c-d-a | B．e-a-b-c-d | C．e-c-a-b-d | D．d-c-a-b-c |
What’s the function of Lincoln’s famous saying in Paragraph Two?
| A． To tell us that determination is the most important to success. |
| B． To attract readers1 attention. |
| C． To show why Lincoln was able to carry on in hard times. |
| D． To summarize Lincoln’s story. |
Why does the writer consider Lincoln as one of the greatest presidents in America?
| A． Because he still influences America as a role model. |
| B． Because he set a good example to the present politicians. |
| C． Because of his great personalities. |
| D． Because he went through diverse difficulties. |
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