I will be traveling to Australia as a Student Ambassador with People to People. People to People arranges for American students to travel all around the world to learn about other cultures, and to help others understand American culture. The program was founded by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote peace through understanding.
I had to put in many hours of special work to get to this point. First, a teacher nominated (推荐) me, and then I attended an informational meeting about the program. The application process included an interview, and finally, I was accepted.
That’s when the hard work really began. In addition to attending monthly meetings to prepare for the big trip, my parents encouraged my twin sister Beth (also participating in the program) and me to raise $ 2,000 each to help pay for the cost. And so the fund-raising began. We did everything from selling candy bars to selling an old car to decorating people’s mailboxes during the holiday season. We also babysat, washed cars, held a yard sale, and washed windows. After months of hard work I had raised a total of $2319.87! Combined, Beth and I raised over $ 4500.00!
Now I have a problem-packing. Yes, I know it sounds unimportant, but my suitcase seems to have shrunk (收缩) as I placed my belongings inside. According to airline regulations (规定), a suitcase can be no larger than 54 inches and weigh no more than 44 pounds. For a person who likes to wear a different outfit every day, packing all my clothes into such a small space seemed an impossible task. However, I have lessened my load and my suitcase which started out weighting overweight now checks in at a mere 36. Apart from a slightly bloated (臃肿) carry-on bag, my luggage is definitely manageable.
I doubt that I will not get much sleep tonight because I am so excited! I know that what lies ahead is going to be the trip of lifetime!When does the author write the passage?
| A．Before leaving for Australia. | B．Several months before the journey. |
| C．Just hours after reaching the destination. | D．The night when she was accepted. |
Which of the following is not the aim of People to People program?
| A．To promote peace through understanding. | B．To collect money for traveling. |
| C．To make American culture known to others. | D．To learn about other cultures. |
Which is the correct order of the author’ preparation for the journey?
a. being accepted as a member
b. raising money for the trip
c. attending a meeting about the program
d. packing belongings
e. being nominated by the teacher
| A．e, a, b, c, d | B．a, c, e, d, b | C．e, c, a, d, b | D．e, c, a, b, d |
What does the author think of the journey?
| A．It could be a tiring expensive journey. |
| B．It could be long-lasting journey, which needs taking all daily necessities. |
| C．It could be an exciting, unforgettable journey. |
| D．It could be an overseas journey, during which she would experience hard labor. |
In ancient Greece athletic festivals were very important and had strong religious associations. The Olympian athletic festival held every four years in honor of Zeus, king of the Olympian Gods, eventually lost its local character, became first a national event and then,after the rules against foreign competitors had been put to an end, international. No one knows how far back the Olympic Games go, but some official records date from 776 BC.
The games took place in August on the plain by Mount Olympus. Many thousands of people gathered from all parts of Greece to watch the games, but no married woman was admitted even for watching. Slaves, women and dishonored persons were not allowed to compete. The exact sequence of events is uncertain, but events included boy's gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, horse racing and field events, though there were fewer sports involved than in the modern Olympic Games.
On the last day of the Games, all the winners were honored by having a ring of holy olive(橄榄树) leaves placed on their heads. So great was the honor that the winner of the foot race gave his name to the year of his victory. Although Olympic winners received no money, they were, in fact, richly rewarded by their state authorities.In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games_______.
| A．was held by Zeus, king of the Olympian Gods |
| B．was a religious event |
| C．was first a national event held every four years |
| D．was an international event held in honor of Zeus |
f an athlete won, _______.
| A．he would receive a lot of money |
| B．he could give his name to the month of his victory |
| C．he would be honored and rewarded by his state authorities |
| D．he would only get a ring of holy olive leaves |
In the early days of ancient Olympic Games_______.
| A．only Greek men were allowed to participate in the games |
| B．all Greeks, regardless of religion, political views and sex, were allowed to take part in the games |
| C．all Greeks except married women were allowed to compete in the games |
| D．all the Greek men except slaves and dishonored ones were able to compete in the games |
Which statement is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The sequence of events were set up in ancient Olympic Games. |
| B．The sequence of events varied greatly from ancient to the modern Olympic Games. |
| C．There were 20 more events involved in the modern Olympic Games. |
| D．Ancient Greeks had only running races at the first Olympic Games. |
People in the United States honor their parents with 2 special days: Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May and Father's Day on the 3rd Sunday in June. These days are to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens.They give love and care. These two days offer an opportunity to think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home and more fathers must help with child-care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother's Day, people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It's also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery. On these days families get together at home as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father's Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are more valued than those bought in stores. It's not the value of the gift that is important, but “the thought that counts”. Greeting card stores,florists,candy makers, bakers, phone companies and other stores do lots of business during these holidays.Which is not a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?
| A．Parents bring up children. |
| B．Parents give love and care to children. |
| C．Parents educate children to be good persons. |
| D．Parents pass away before children grow up. |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．Both festivals are in May. |
| B．Fewer women worked outside the home in the past. |
| C．Not all the children respect their parents. |
| D．Fathers are not as important as mothers at home. |
What do you know about “carnation”?
| A．It only has two kinds of color. |
| B．It refers to the special clothes people wear on Mother's Day. |
| C．It's a kind of flower showing love and best wishes. |
| D．People can wear them only on the second Sunday in May. |
On Mother's Day and Father's Day _______.
| A．people usually have family parties |
| B．everyone goes to the cemetery |
| C．children always go to parents' home |
| D．hand-made cards are the most valuable gifts |
Because of the stress and strains of modern life folks today would rather watch television than get together with neighbors. Their behavior doesn't mirror TV soaps like Coronation Street and East Enders.
The Street's Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby know all their neighbors. But the Royal Mail survey shows that real-life under35s wouldn't dream of popping next door for a chat or to borrow a cup of sugar.
Three out of ten say they wouldn't know their neighbors if they saw them in the street. The same proportion would only offer to help neighbors if absolutely necessary, while thirty-onepercent don't want to get to know them better. Twenty-six percent rarely or never speak to the person next door. Thirty-five percent only talk to neighbors occasionally, and six percent actively dislike them. The older generation are still sociable, with seventy percent of over55s taking time to chat to people next door. The report says: “In the past, the British tradition of village green gossip（闲聊）between neighbors was celebrated worldwide. But there's been a clear shift away from local links by the young generation.” Londoners are least likely to be neighbors, with a third rarely or never chatting over the garden fence. People in the Midlands—where 65 percent often speak to their neighbors are most friendly.
Sociologist Jane Blakeman said: “People are working longer hours than ever before, and are traveling further to work. It leaves them far less time at home.”Almost a third of young people_______.
| A．know their neighbours quite well |
| B．have no idea who lives next door to them |
| C．talk to their neighbours when they want to borrow something |
| D．spend time chatting with neighbours like their parents |
It can be inferred that Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby are both_______.
| A．important roles in a popular TV series |
| B．famous stars in TV programmes |
| C．old soap operas |
| D．members of royal family |
Gossip among neighbours is still common among_______.
| A．people under35s | B．people between 35 and 55 |
| C．people over55s | D．people of different ages |
There is a difference between London and the rest of Britain mainly in that non-Londoners
_______.
| A．would help their neighbours only when necessary |
| B．are less likely to have good relations with their neighbours |
| C．wouldn't travel far and find more time to chat with neighbours |
| D．are more likely to keep up the old British tradition of having a chat over garden fence |
Dear Flowermouse,
Thank you for your comments on how Americans and Chinese view each other. This is an important subject. Modern technology has given many nations the chance of destroying other nations. This is a cruel picture but it is a realistic one. It means that every nation should make sure that these weapons of great destruction are never used. This requires greater acceptance of differences among people and nations in all parts of the planet.
Your letter asks specially about Chinese-American relationships but I want to let you know my feelings on a global scale. Because China and America are the most powerful nations and I believe they have a special responsibility for promoting better understanding and for leading the way toward peaceful solutions to the world's problems.
You ask how Chinese and American people view each other. This is an important question. Because I know so little about China that I am not able to judge how Chinese view Americans. I am sure that the view differs according to individual experiences that persons might have. And it is not easy to describe America to foreigners. America is a vast mass of people and cultures. These people came from all parts of the world, from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and Australia. Each brought a different culture and a different set of values within a single nation.
I believe that the vast majority of Americans like the vast majority of Chinese want peace and friendship between our two nations. Both China and America have suffered through generations from war and violence in our history. And I believe that it is the special responsibility of all Chinese and all Americans to impress this need for mutual understanding on our neighbors in other.
So my friend, this is my response. Please know that I write to you as a private person living in America. I do feel strongly that people everywhere have more in common than they have in differences. We all share the same basic needs for existence and we all depend upon the same need for the survival of this beautiful planet earth. Maybe we can begin to encourage better communication and better understanding through my columns. I hope so.From the passage we can know that Flowermouse_______.
| A．loves Americans |
| B．has read about the writer's articles |
| C．is an American |
| D．knows little about Americans |
It is likely that the writer_______.
| A．disagrees with Flowermouse |
| B．thinks it possible for nations to be destroyed due to modern technology |
| C．thinks American government share the same opinions with its people |
| D．believes the weapons of great destruction are never used |
The letter that Flowermouse wrote to the writer, maybe have referred to .
| A．American culture |
| B．American society |
| C．Chinese-American relationships |
| D．Chinese society |
The writer's purpose to write the passage is to_______.
| A．introduce Americans to us |
| B．make friends with Flowermouse |
| C．speak for the government of America |
| D．call on nations to understand each other |
A peer is a person who is about the same age as you. Peers affect your life, whether you know it or not, just by spending time with you.
Peers can have a good effect on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in solar system. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone's reading it.
However, sometimes peers affect each other in another way. For example, one kid in school might try to get another to cut class with him, your soccer friend might try to persuade you to be mean to another player and never pass him the ball, or a kid in the neighborhood might want you to shoplift with him.
Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group.Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that “everyone's doing it ” may influence some kids to leave their better judgments, or their common senses behind.
Peer pressure can be extremely strong and hard to get rid of. Experiments have shown how peer pressure can influence someone to change mind from what she knows for sure is a correct answer to the incorrect answer—just because everyone else gives the incorrect answer!That holds true for people of any age in peer pressure situations.
It can be hard to walk away from peer pressure, but it can be done. Pay attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. Inner strength and self-confidence can help you stand firm, walk away, and resist doing something when you know better.What is the main idea of the passage?
| A．Peers have a good effect. |
| B．Children give in to peer pressure. |
| C．Peer pressure is hard to stop. |
| D．Peer pressure. |
The underlined word “shoplift” probably means to_______.
| A．do shopping | B．carry goods for shops |
| C．steal in the shop | D．take the lift upstairs in the shop |
The writer will NOT agree that_______.
| A．only children change their correct answers to incorrect ones because of peer pressure |
| B．peers have an effect on each other |
| C．peer pressure can be got rid of |
| D．peers will believe in themselves if there are other peers who agree with them |
The writer intends to _______ by writing the passage.
| A．warn peers to separate from each other |
| B．tell peers to follow others |
| C．show it is hard to walk away from peer pressure |
| D．persuade peers to do what they think is the right thing |