Walking down any of Shanghai’s main shopping streets this week, newcomers might think the locals have been celebrating Christmas for centuries. Christmas may not be a customary holiday in China, but businessmen in Shanghai know it will bring something more valuable than tradition: people are willing to spend money. Most Chinese may feel little connection with the Christmas celebration, but with most shops offering discount (折扣), the message couldn’t be clearer-- it is the season to part with one’s hard-earned cash.
Much of that marketing drive is directed towards thousands of foreigners and foreign companies that call Shanghai home. But for Shanghai’s 13 million locals, regardless of personal interest, there seems no avoiding the season’s commercial greetings. Along some major roads, nearly every shop window displays some symbols to the holiday: a man-made fir tree(杉树) with lights, or a snowman.
With an increasing number of westerners arriving in the city for work, young Shanghainese, eager to keep pace with the latest western fashions, have begun to show their interest in Christmas. But some people still don’t think Christmas is an important festival in China. At least it is less important than the New Year and China’s Spring Festival.Why are people willing to spend money during Christmas?
| A．They have earned a lot of money. |
| B．Goods are much cheaper during this period of time. |
| C．It is time for shops to sell goods. |
| D．Businessmen like Christmas. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．Christmas is the season people will hold their hard-earned money tightly. |
| B．Most Chinese people think they have something to do with Christmas. |
| C．Christmas is the season for common people to earn money. |
| D．Few Chinese people feel they are connected with Christmas celebrations. |
Why do some young Shanghainese show great interest in Christmas?
| A．They think themselves connected with Christmas celebrations. |
| B．They think Christmas is more important than New Year’s Day. |
| C．They want to follow the up-to-date western fashions. |
| D．They want to part with their hard-earned cash during Christmas. |
From the first paragraph we know that _______.
| A．It is difficult for most people to earn money. |
| B．It is easy for most people to earn money. |
| C．Only foreigners in Shanghai celebrate Christmas. |
| D．Christmas will be as important as China’s Spring Festival. |
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
| Captain Good Fellow Do you enjoy interesting stories, funny games and exciting dances? Captain Good Fellow will be ready to teach all these things to children of all ages at the City Theatre on Saturday morning at 10:00, free. |
| Walking Tour of the Town Forget your worries on Saturday morning. Take a beautiful walk and learn about the local history. Meet at the front entrance of City Hall at 9:30. Wear comfortable shoes! |
| Films at the Museum Two European films will be shown Saturday afternoon at the Museum Theatre. See Broken Window at 1:30. The Workers will be at 3:45. For further information, call 4987898. |
| International Picnic Are you tired of eating the same food every day? Come to Central Park on Saturday and enjoy food from all over the world. Delicious and inexpensive. From noon to 5:00 p.m. |
| Take me out to the Ballgame It’s October, and tonight is the last chance to see the Redbirds this year. Get your tickets at the gate. It might be cold …. Don’t forget sweaters and jackets. |
| Do you want to hear “the Zoo”? “The Zoo”, the popular rock group from Australia, will give their first U.S. concert tomorrow night at 8 at Rose Hall, City College. |
You can probably eat Chinese, Italian, and Arab food at ________.
| A．Central Park on Saturday | B．the ballgame outside |
| C．5:00 in the afternoon | D．the front entrance of City Hall |
You can see movies at ________.
| A．the City College | B．the Central Park |
| C．the City Theatre | D．the Museum Theatre |
If you are going on the Walking Tour, don’t forget ________.
| A．your worries | B．your comfortable shoes |
| C．your beautiful walk | D．your learning about local history |
“The Zoo” is ________.
| A．a park with lots of animals | B．a first concert from the US |
| C．a music group from Australia | D．a popular rock band from Europe |
I have been teaching in the United States for three semesters. During this time, I have been very impressed with the hardworking American students. Tuition fee (学费) in American universities are pretty expensive. Most American students receive little, if any, financial support. As a result, they have to work hard to pay for their tuition and other basic expenses. Tertiary (高等) education is a necessity in today’s workforce. Young people with higher education are rewarded with a good career and better salary. So how do American students support themselves?
All my American students have to work to pay for their tuition. For this reason, most universities provide limited jobs for students who need economic help. They also help students search for jobs in the community. I have been touched to see some students are so worn out from their jobs that they doze in my classroom. In addition to taking part-time jobs, students are also expected to take part in various social and sporting activities and, in fact, those who do not take part in are often looked down upon by their peers.
A number of American university students are married with families, or are single parents. These students are faced with the additional burden of raising a family. They have to spend much time, money and energy caring for their children and family. Most American university professors are strict. They test students on every unit in their course, in addition to mid-term and final exams in each semester. A lack of preparation by students may result in their failure. This means the loss of a lot of money and possibly future employment opportunities for these students. For this reason, many American students will study or stay up all night before an exam, in an effort to pass.
In contrast, Chinese students have a much easier time, because most Chinese parents pay for their kids’ tertiary education. Moreover, Chinese students do not need to worry about raising children or maintaining a family. So, Chinese students have no reason for not studying hard and achieving good marks.Which of the following is not the difficulty American students have to face?
| A．They have to work hard to pay for the high tuition fee. |
| B．Many American students have a burden of a family. |
| C．They need a better education to get a best job. |
| D．They have to pass strict tests to complete their education. |
Which of the following statement is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
| A．American students have no time to think of physical exercise. |
| B．Sporting activities are popular among American students. |
| C．American students should take part in various social activities. |
| D．Those who don’t participate in social and sporting activities are usually unpopular with their peers. |
Compared with American students, Chinese university students __________.
| A．have no difficulty in raising a family |
| B．live an easy life in universities |
| C．don’t have to take full-time jobs |
| D．have more duty to make greater progress |
This passage mainly deals with __________.
| A．part-time jobs chosen by American students |
| B．the high fees of American universities |
| C．difficult lives American students have to face |
| D．different opinions on American universities |
It is reasonable to say that every teenager can be affected by peer pressure (从众心理) at some point. Every day, in any high school, peer pressure has a major influence over the behavior of teenagers. It can be as subtle (微妙的) as being persuaded to be late for class or as extreme as a dangerous drug. Whether subtle or extreme, peer pressure can have damaging, sometimes life changing, and even serious results.
“Teens don’t often consider the long-term results that some behavior can cause,” said Terri Price, a researcher. “Peer pressure can be very difficult to handle for many teens because of their fears of not fitting in”. Peer pressure has always been part of teen life, but teens experience it differently than their former generations did in the past. Sources of peer pressure have increased because of the Internet and other electronic communications.
Recognizing peer pressure can be as simple as noticing that you have been asked to do something that you are not comfortable with. “Listen to your instinct （直觉） , which is a sign for whether something is right or wrong. If it feels wrong, then most likely it is. ”says Price.
Teens are in a time of life when they are still discovering who they are. Many teens are influenced by peer pressure because of their insecurities (不安全感). This can make them helpless especially when their self-control is weak or they lack healthy support, causing them to take risky behavior or turn to unhealthy support.
Dealing with peer pressure is a topic of concern for teens. People can say, “Just say no,” but the truth is that the statement is easier said than done.The underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refers to .
| A．the Internet | B．teen life |
| C．peer pressure | D．the fear of not fitting in |
You can know whether a teen suffers peer pressure by watching.
| A．whether he often surfs the Internet |
| B．whether he can get security |
| C．whether it is subtle or extreme |
| D．whether he feels comfortable with it |
Why are teens easily influenced by peer pressure?
| A．Because they don’t have the feeling of safety. |
| B．Because they are afraid of fitting in or being accepted. |
| C．Because they need support for their health. |
| D．Because they have nobody to turn to when in trouble. |
According to the passage, we can know that dealing with peer pressure is
| A．easy | B．hard | C．a new topic | D．an impossible task |
I began to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunt's house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then . I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning.
I do not remember myself crying for this reason again. In fact, I think I cried very little when I was saying goodbye to my friends and relatives. When we were leaving I thought about all the places I was going to see-the strange and magical places I had known only from books and pictures. The country I was leaving never to come back was hardly in my head then.
The four years that followed taught me the importance of optimism, but the idea did not come to me at once. For the first two years in New York I was really lost-having to study in three schools as a result of family moves. I did not quite know what I was or what I should be. Mother remarried, and things became even more complex for me. Some time passed before my stepfather and I got used to each other. I was often sad, and saw no end to "the hard times".
My responsibilities in the family increased a lot since I knew English better than everyone else at home. I wrote letters, filled out forms, translated at interviews with Immigration officers, took my grandparents to the doctor and translated there, and even discussed telephone bills with company representatives.
From my experiences I have learned one important rule: almost all common troubles eventually go away! Something good is certain to happen in the end when you do not give up , and just wait a little! I believe that my life will turn out all right, even though it will not be that easy.What can we learn about the author from paragraph 4?
| A．She worked as a translator. |
| B．She attended a lot of job interviews. |
| C．She paid telephone bills for her family. |
| D．She helped her family with her English. |
The author believes that _________________ .
| A．her future will be free from troubles |
| B．it is difficult to learn to become patient |
| C．there are more good things than bad things |
| D．good things will happen if one keeps trying |
What is the best title of the passage?
A, how I turn to be optimisticB. I am leaving for America
C. my life in AmericaD. the importance of optimism
下面文章中有5处（第61~65题）需要添加小标题，请从以下选项中选出符合各段意思的小标题，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑,选项中一项为多余选项.
| A．Learn Everyday |
| B．Agree to Disagree |
| C．Respect Each Other |
| D．Arrange Some Time to Go Out |
E.Develop Healthy Relationships
F.Learn to Listen and Speak
Healthy Relationship Tips
Healthy relationships are effortless, if both the people involved take equal effort to maintain it. Here are a few healthy relationship tips to help you build the dream of your life.
61. ________________
Communication is an art of putting your thoughts into words, so that they are exactly understood by the opposite person. Communication does not mean going on talking unnecessarily. This is the first mistake that couples make. One person in the relationship assumes the role of talker and the other becomes the listener. Their roles remain so forever. The talker forgets to listen and the listener becomes used to listening and not reacting. If your partner takes time to open up, help them out by asking questions. So hear them out and give proper reactions. You will obtain the benefits of a healthy relationship through increased confidence in both of you to open up and hear things out.
62. ________________
Regular conversations take the form of heated arguments amongst many couples. Understand that not every statement needs a reaction. Maybe a certain reaction may lead to an argument with your partner. Just agree with whatever it is and there will be no harm done. Try and reach a mutual (相互的) agreement. If that’s not possible leave the topic for later. If you give it time, maybe both of you will be able to think about it rationally.
63. ________________
Every single day is a blessing. Each moment with your partner is a moment to learn something new and discover the finer nuances (细微差别) of your relationships. Each one of us keep changing everyday, the circumstances around us change everyday and with that our attitude also needs to change. The same applies when you are living with a person. Learning everyday and taking everyday as a challenge will help you perfect healthy relationship tips.
64. ________________
This tip is especially meant for couples with children to maintain healthy relationships. After a certain period, couples complain about romance being lost. To keep your relationship healthy, take some time out from your day-to-day routines to spend some quality time with your partner. This can be done as dinners, indulging in outdoor activities or just hanging out at a coffee shop like old times.
65. ________________
Respect has to be earned. It can only be earned only if you learn to respect. Often, one of the partners plays the role of a dictator to give orders, while the other simply follows. Both sides involved are equally responsible for this mistake. Learn to respect each other and understand that both of you are equally responsible for the relationship.
Creating a healthy relationship takes equal effort from both sides. Sharing, caring, being apologetic, forgiving and having realistic expectations are some of the important ingredients to the recipe of a healthy relationship.