One of the worst feelings in the world is trying your hardest at something but still falling short. In the case of schoolwork, studying for hours and bringing home disappointing grades may make you feel hopeless or helpless, but this is far from the truth. If you are dealing with disappointing grades, promise to change your study habits and you'll be amazed by the results.
Act Fast
The most important rule about dealing with disappointing grades is to act fast. Don't sit around and let them get worse, and definitely don't ignore them. Instead, admit that you need help and go in search of it soon. The faster you face up to the problem, the faster you can find a solution and see some results.
Tweak your routine
If you are studying hard and still dealing with disappointing grades, it's probably time to tweak your routine a little. Remember, if you keep doing the same thing all the time you'll undoubtedly keep getting the same results. Mix things up by asking for help, whether from a friend or fellow student, your teacher or a private tutor. Ask for help with the subject matter and tips for studying on your own.
Study Successfully
Of course it doesn't matter where you study or who you study with if you are studying the wrong things. Make sure that you are studying successfully by:
*Reviewing your textbooks.
*Looking over your notes from class.
*Taking new notes while you study.
*Investing in study guides.
*Answering all of the review questions you can find.
*Talking through events or concepts that are integral (整体) to your lessons.
Learn From Your Mistakes
If, after all of your changes and redoubling your study efforts, you are still disappointed with your grades, then it is time to figure out exactly where you are going wrong. Look over exam papers and assignments to see if you are having trouble with a particular kind of question (multiple choice, true or false, etc.) or concept. Examine your essays to see if you are explaining your ideas clearly and completely, or if it is the mechanics of your writing (spelling, grammar, etc.) that is letting you down. Request an appointment with your teacher and use this time to discuss your work and get his/her feedback as well.
Dealing with disappointing grades is something that every student will face at one time or another. It won't be fun, but take a realistic look at your attention in class, your study habits and your performance on past assignments and exam. Figure out where you are having trouble and dedicate yourself to fixing these problems.
51. The purpose of this passage is _______.
A. to introduce practical ways to solve worrying school problems
B. to persuade students to change their attitude toward schoolwork
C. to offer advice on how to improve academic grades at school
D. to emphasize the importance of dealing with disappointing grades
52. The underlined phrase to tweak your routine means _______.
A. to stick to the same study plan and seek help when possible
B. to mix things up before you work out a practical solution alone
C. to examine your everyday life to make room for self improvement
D. to make necessary alterations in your study habits and plans
53. According to the passage, it is desirable to _______.
A. adopt a great variety of successful study methods and work on your own
B. have a study partner who act fast to face up a problem and study successfully
C. find out your weak points by reviewing schoolwork and seek necessary help
D. make an appointment with your teachers and develop useful examination skills
54. The author of this passage is probably a(an) _______.
A. psychologist B. examiner C. parent D. instructor
55. The author thinks that dealing with disappointing grades calls for _______.
A. a strong will power B. a down-to-earth attitude
C. creativity and dedication D. undivided attention
If you’re a male and you’re reading this, congratulations! You’re a survivor. According to statistics，you’re more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman，and nine times more likely to die of AIDS.
There're many reasons for this--typically，men take more risks than women and are more likely to drink and smoke but perhaps more importantly, men don’t go to the doctor.
“Men aren't seeing doctors as often as they should，” says Dr. Gullotta. This is particularly so for the over-40s, when diseases strike. According to a recent survey, 95％of women aged between 15 and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70％of men in the same age group.
“A lot of men think they’re unbeatable，”Gullotta says. “They only come in when a friend drops dead on the golf course and they think, if it could happen to him …”
Then there’s the ostrich（鸵鸟）approach. “Some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know,” says Dr. Ross Cartmill.
“Most men get their cars serviced more regularly than they service their bodies,” Cartmill says. He believes most diseases that commonly affect men could be found by preventive examinations.
“Prevention is cheaper in the long run than having to treat the diseases. Besides, the final cost is far greater，it’s called death.”
1. Why does the author congratulate male readers at the beginning of the passage?
A. They can live longer than they expected.
B. They are leading a long and happy life.
C. They have lived long enough to read this article.
D. They are unlikely to survive serious diseases now.
2. Which of the author’s statements is the most important reason that men are more likely to die of some diseases than women according to the passage?
A. Men drink and smoke much more than women.
B. Men don’t seek medical care as often as women.
C. Men are more likely to suffer from deadly diseases.
D. Men aren’t as cautious as women in face of danger.
3.Which of the following best completes the underlined sentence “if it could happen to him…” （in Para 4） ?
A. it could happen to me，too.
B. it would be a big misfortune.
C.I should avoid playing golf.
D.I should consider myself lucky.
4.What does Dr.Ross Cartmill mean by mentioning “the ostrich approach”（in Para 5）?
A.A casual(随意的) attitude towards one’s health conditions.
B. A new treatment for certain diseases.
C. Refusal to get medical treatment for fear of the pain.
D. Unwillingness to find out about one’s disease because of fear.
A murder will occur this weekend in the peaceful seaside town of Langley, Washington. In fact, a murder has occurred there every February for the past 25 years. But don’t panic! It’s all part of the town’s yearly Mystery Weekend.
What began as a local event in 1984 now attracts visitors from over the U.S. and even abroad. Would-be detectives（侦探）arrive on Saturday. There, they receive a packet, including a newspaper with details about the crime and information telling where to find clues（线索）. Visitors then travel to various shops, restaurants and other places, searching for clues as they go. Along the way, they meet and interview suspects (疑犯) played by local people. The visitors need turn in their guesses on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.. Then as everyone gathers, the murderer is found, and prizes are awarded for correct answers.
For visitors, Mystery Weekend is not only fun but also a great introduction to the charms of Langley. It’s a very attractive place with historic buildings, exciting ocean views and above all, friendly people. Since Langley is on an island, a fun way to get there is by taking a ship to the nearby town of Clinton and then driving the rest of the way. Langley has a delightful selection of hotels with bed and breakfasts that are open all year round. And activities in Langley aren’t limited to Mystery Weekend. There is also great hiking, biking, golfing and diving to enjoy. And for a special adventure, visitors can book on one of the whale–watching ships that leave nearby harbors each day.
1. The second paragraph mainly tells us__________.
A. where visitors can pick up the clues
B. what people do during Mystery Weekend
C. when Mystery Weekend came into being
D. how the detectives try to clear up the case
2.According to the passage, visitors in Langley canNot__________.
A. watch whales performing
B. take a ship to Clinton.
C. enjoy a wide variety of activities like dancing and singing
D. stay in hotels opened throughout the year
3.We learn from the text that Mystery Weekend______.
A. is an eventwhich happens once a year.
B. aims to decrease crime rate
C. is intended for detectives
D. offers visitors a chance to make money
4. What would be the best title for the passage
A. Langley B. Mystery Weekend C. Would-be detectives D. A murder
Here is a poster on a middle school web site. Read the web-site poster.
Going, Going, Gone!
The Haynes Middle School Parent-Teacher organization
Invites you to attend our latest fund-raiser,
The Fourth Annual Haynes School Auction(拍卖)!
Saturday, May 10
6:00 p.m.-11: p.m.
in the school hall
6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m: All items for auction are previewed.
6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m: Silent auction begins.
7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m: Highest bidders (出价人)from silent auction are determined.
7:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m: Main auction begins.
Items up for bid in the silent auction range in value from $ 5.00 to $ 30.00.
Items up for bid in the main auction include the following:
Airline tickets to a place of your choice
Weekend getaways at first-class hotels
Season tickets to the Chicago Bears football game
$ 50 gift tickets to local gift shops, restaurants, and salons
Don’t miss the boat! Book your tickets today.
Last year, tickets sold out in five days!
Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
$ 15.00 per person
All the money from the auction will be given to the Haynes School computer lab.
1. Which of the following is not mentioned as being up for bid at the auction?
A. A movie pass to the local cinema.
B. A weekend stay at a hotel.
C. A ticket to a restaurant.
D. Airline tickets.
2. The more items that are given or bought for auction, __________.
A. the less money that will be charged for the tickets to the auction
B. the more money that can be raised to support the computer lab
C. the faster the ticket will be sold to the auction
D. the higher the value that will be placed on the items in the silent auction
3. Which of the following is most likely to happen at the year’s auction?
A. The airline tickets will receive higher bids than any other item.
B. All items up for bid will be sold for at least twice their value.
C. More money will be raised this year than in any other year before.
D. Tickets for the event will be sold out in less than one week.
4. The phrase “first-come, first-served” tells you that __________.
A. people can buy the tickets on the first day only
B. the person who is first to arrive will receive a ticket at no charge
C. food and drinks will be served at the auction
D. tickets are sold in the order of who arrives first to buy them
Spiritual Intelligence Quotient
Our spiritual intelligence quotient (精神智商),or SQ, helps us understand ourselves, and live a fuller, happier life.
While we are all born with SQ, most of us don’t even realize that we have it. Fortunately, you don’t have to sign up for classes to learn how to improve your SQ. Here are some simple steps that can lead you to a new level of understanding.
Sit Quietly. The process of developing spiritual intelligence begins with solitude (独处) and silence. To tune into your spirit, you have to turn down the volume (强度) in your busy, noisy and complicated life and force yourself to do nothing at all. In the car, instead of reading or doing something else, use the time to think. At work, shut the door to your office between meetings, take a few breaths and let them out very, very slowly. Enjoy the stillness in your home after the kids are finally in bed.
Step Outside. For many people, nature set their spirit free. Go outside to watch a beautiful sunset. If you are walking with your dog, take the time to admire flowers in bloom; follow the flight of birds; watch clouds floating overhead.
Ask Questions of Yourself. Ask open-ended questions, such as “What am I feeling? What are my choices? ”or “Where am I heading? ” But don’t expect an answer to arrive through some supernatural forms or e-mails. “Rarely do I get an immediate answer to my question,” says Reverend Joan Carter. “I never considered a problem from a different perspective (角度) before. ”
Trust Your Spirit. While most of us rely on our gut feeling (直觉)to realize danger, spiritual intelligence pushes us towards some action that will lead to a greater good.
1. The passage is mainly about______ .
A. what your SQ is and in what way it can benefit your life
B. What your SQ is and in what way it can be improved
C. the relationship between your SQ and your life
D. the advantages and disadvantages of SQ.
2. The underlined phrase “tune into your spirit ”in the third paragraph probably means______ .
A. get your spirit relaxed B. keep up your spirit
C. keep seated quietly D. change your spirit
3. The author mentions the example of Reverend Joan Carter to show that______ .
A. there are no immediate answers to your questions
B. e-mails can’t keep working out a problem
C. the more questions you ask, the better answers you will get
D. changing your way of thinking might help you solve a problem
4. From the passage, we can know that the most important thing to improve your SQ is ______.
A. a peaceful mind B. deep thought C. spare time and hobbies D. good spirit
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分。满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
It was the old lady’s eightieth birthday. She was sure Mary would not forget her mother’s birthday, even if she was busy. After all, eighty was a special birthday. Perhaps Mary might come. Even if Mary didn’t come, she would send her a present. The old lady was sure of that. Two spots of colour brightened her cheeks. She was excited like a child.
Mrs. Morrison had brought a card and a bunch of flowers when she came to do the breakfast. Mrs. Grant downstairs had made a cake. John, the little boy next door, was now up with her with a pack of sweets.
“I guess you will get lots and lots of presents,” he said, “I did last week when I was seven.”
What would she like? A pair of slippers, perhaps. A table lamp or a little clock, with clear black numbers. So many lovely things.
She stood by the window, watching. The postman turned round the corner on his bike. Her heart beast fast. John had seen him too and ran to the gate.
“Granny, granny,” John returned. “I have got your post!”
He gave her four envelopes. Three were from old friends. The fourth was in Mary’s writhing.
“No parcel (包裹), John?”
“No, Granny.”
Almost reluctantly, she tore the fourth envelope open. Folded in the card was a check. Written on the card was a message: Happy Birthday—Buy yourself something nice with the check, Mary and Harold.
The six-figure check fell to the floor like a bird with a broken wing. Slowly the old lady bent to pick it up. Her present, her lovely present. With trembling fingers, she tore it into little bits.
1. The old lady felt _____ when she saw no packet came with her daughter’s card.
A. excited B. happy C. disappointed D. impatient
2. We can infer from the passage that______ .
A. the old lady lived alone in a flat away from her daughter
B. the friends sent the old lady many lovely presents by post
C. Mary was stopped by her husband from seeing her mother
D. the neighbors cared little about the old lady in daily life
3. The reason why the old lady tore the check into small pieces was that______ .
A. she was sure her daughter would come, not the check.
B. she didn’t notice there were six figures on the check.
C. she didn’t think the check was large enough for a present.
D. she would prefer a present with love from her daughter.
4. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A. The Present B. The Check C. The Birthday D. The Daughter