Having put down your pens at the end of the college entrance exam, you have ended 12 years of hard study. Forget your studies for a while. It’s time to enjoy yourselves!
There are many ways to celebrate this special month of graduation. You can have photos taken with your classmates and teachers, or dine out together and exchange gifts.
High school students in Western countries such as the United States and Canada usually have a prom to mark their graduation. It’s to mark the time kids turn into young men and women. After the prom, teenagers either go to college or find a job. It means they are no longer as dependent on their parents as they were before.
At the prom, boys usually dress in dinner jackets and bow ties, though many different types of formal clothes are worn. Traditionally, girls give boys matching boutonnieres ( 佩带在扣眼上的花). Girls traditionally wear formal dresses, or dress to shock or be noticed, in shiny or brightly colored materials.
Common prom activities include dining, dancing, the crowning (加冠) of a prom king and queen, and just talking to friends. In some cases, high school students collect funds for their class prom through the four years of their high school.
High schools in or near large cities may rent ballrooms at expensive hotels or, to be unusual, in a pleasure cruise boat.
But often costs are cut by simply using the school gym. Students make a lot of effort to decorate the gym to make the event special. The music played at the prom will be the most popular kinds, like rock and hip-hop.
The students elect the Prom Queen. She is partnered with a Prom King who is elected similarly. These are great honors that the pair take very seriously. The two dance with each other to celebrate their election.The word "prom" is probably closest in meaning with________.
| A．a party to celebrate graduation | B．a dancing competition |
| C．a fashion show | D．an election ceremony |
Which of the following is an economical way to hold the prom?
| A．Renting a ballroom. | B．Taking a cruise boat. |
| C．Holding it in the school gym. | D．Wearing informal dresses. |
What clearly indicates that prom is very important to students?
| A．Music is played at the prom. |
| B．They take pictures at the prom. |
| C．The King and Queen dance with each other. |
| D．They wear formal clothes or special clothes. |
For what do the students just talk to friends at a prom?
| A．They don’t want to get help from their parents. |
| B．They will part with their friends in a short time. |
| C．They don’t like to be accompanied by their parents. |
| D．They want to be elected by their friends as the Prom King or Queen. |
How is the prom significant to the students?
| A．They can be relieved from the study pressure. |
| B．They are going to say goodbye to their friends. |
| C．They have chances to be elected as the Prom King or Queen. |
| D．The prom marks the graduation and after it they will be independent. |
When a Swedish ship that sank（沉） in 1628 was recovered from the port of Stockholm, historians and scientists were overjoyed with the chance to examine the remains of the past.The ship construction showed how ships were built and operated during the seventeenth century. In this way, artifacts, objects made by human beings, provided a picture of daily life almost 400 years ago.
Underwater archaeology(考古)-the study of ships, aircraft and human settlements that have sunk under large bodies of water-is really a product of the last 50 years. The rapid growth of this new area of study has occurred because of the invention of better diving equipment. Besides the Swedish ship wreck(残骸），underwater archaeologists have made more exciting discoveries such as the 5000-year-old boats in the Mediterranean Sea.
Underwater archaeology can provide facts abut the past. In ancient ports all over the world are ships sunken in the past 6, 000 years. There are also sunken settlements in seas and lakes telling of people’s way of life and their systems of trade in ancient times. Underwater archaeologists want to study these objects to add to the world's knowledge of history, but they have to fight two enemies. One enemy is treasure hunters who dive for ancient artifacts that they can sell to collectors. Once sold, these objects are lost to experts. The second enemy is dredging machines(挖掘机）often used to repair ports. These machines destroy wrecks and artifacts or bury them deeper under sand and mud. By teaching the public about the importance of underwater “museums” of the past, archaeologists are hoping to get support for laws to protect underwater treasures. What purpose does Paragraph 1 serve in the passage?
| A．To provide background information of the topic |
| B．To attract readers' attention to the topic |
| C．To use an example to support the topic |
| D．To offer basic knowledge of the topic |
The aim of underwater archaeology is to .
| A．exploit(开发)water bodies | B．search for underwater life |
| C．study underwater artifacts | D．examine underwater environment |
Underwater archaeologists are worried because_____.
| A．sea hunters have better diving equipment |
| B．their knowledge of world history is limited |
| C．dredging machines cause damage to the ports |
| D．sold artifacts can hardly be regained for research |
What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A．To introduce a young branch(分支) of learning. |
| B．To discuss the scientists’ problems. |
| C．To explain people’s way of life in the past. |
| D．To describe the sunken ships. |
Italian Lakes and Greek Islands(12Days)
Prices starting from $1，999
Your tour begins in Milan, Italy, and moves on to the pretty Italian Lake District and the attractive resort(胜地）of Stresa, your home for two nights. Collette Vacations has carefully chosen the Costa Victoria as your home away from home for your 7-night journey along the waterways of the Mediterranean. The cruise ship is filled with the warmth and culture of Italy and is richly designed with entertainment(娱乐）areas and very good living conditions. It will take you to the places of your dreams.
You'll spend 4 days touring Greek cities you've always heard about. In Katakolon, you will have the only unguided tour to nearby Olympia on the whole journey. Then with a local guide you will visit the Greek islands of Santorini, which is often related to the story of the lost city of Atlantis, and Mykonos, a wonderful island with beautiful beaches.
Your journey ends in Verona, home of the love story Romeo and Juliet, with a fun-filled farewell dinner-a perfect ending to a pleasant journey.
12Day, 25Meals:10Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 9Dinners
Day 1 Overnight flight to Italy
Day 2-3 Regina Palace, stresa, Italy
Day 4-10 Costa Victoria(Costa cruises)
Day 11 Hotel Leopardi, Verona, Italy
Day 12 Leave for home
Please Note: How is the journey planned?
| A．It starts and ends in Italy. |
| B．It starts and ends in Greece. |
| C．It starts in Italy and ends in Greece. |
| D．It starts in Greece and ends in Italy. |
What can be inferred from the travel plan?
| A．The price may get lower than those in the plan. |
| B．The prices include three meals a day. |
| C．The price is the highest in summer. |
| D．The prices include entertainment service. |
What does the underlined part “the Costa Victoria” most probably refer to?
| A．A famous hotel. | B．A beautiful resort. |
| C．A comfortable ship. | D．A long-distance bus. |
Tourists will travel on their own in .
| A．Stresa | B．Olympia | C．Mykonos | D．Verona |
When I was in the third grade, I was picked to be the princess(公主）in the school play. For weeks my mother had helped me practice my lines. But once on stage, every word disappeared from my head. Then my teacher told me she had written a narrator's（解说者的）part for the play, and asked me to change roles. Though I didn't tell my mother what had happened that day, she sensed my unhappiness and asked if I wanted to take a walk in the yard.
It was a lovely spring day. We could see dandelions(蒲公英）popping through the grass in bunches, as if a painter had touched our landscape with bits of gold. I watched my mother carelessly bend down by one of the bunches. "I think I am going to dig up all these weeds, "she said. "From now on, we'll have only roses in this garden. "
"But I like dandelions, "I protested. "All flowers are beautiful-even dandelions!"
My mother looked at me seriously. "Yes, every flower gives pleasure in its own way, doesn't it?" she asked thoughtfully. I nodded. "And that is true of people, too, " she added.
When I realized that she had guessed my pain, I started to cry and told her the truth.
“But you will be a beautiful narrator, ”she said, reminding me of how much I loved to read stories aloud to her.
Over the next few weeks, with her continuous encouragement, I learned to take pride in the role. The big day finally came. A few minutes before the play, my teacher came over to me. “Your mother asked me to give this to you, ”she said, handing me a dandelion. After the play, I took home the flower, laughing that I was perhaps the only person who would keep such a weed.The girl did not play the role of the princess mainly because .
| A．she felt nervous on the stage. |
| B．she lost her interest in that role. |
| C．she preferred the role of the narrator |
| D．she had difficulty memorizing her words |
Why did the mother suggest a walk in the garden?
| A．To remove the dandelions |
| B．To enjoy the garden scene |
| C．to have a talk with her daughter. |
| D．to help her daughter with the play. |
What is the main idea of the story?
A. Everybody can find his or her own way to success.
B. Everybody has his or her own value in the world.
C. Everybody should learn to play different roles
D Everybody has some unforgettable memory.
I am not just a successful architect（建筑师）. I also like to play the piano. In my spare time I often turn some dry musical symbols into beautiful music.
Many years ago, while I was in a university studying architecture, I worked in a workshop. During the break I found an old piano in the corner of the room. With the allowance of the boss I sat down to have a try. Following my fingers the keys danced brilliantly and at the same time beautiful music flew out and then to every part of the room. All my workmates suddenly stopped talking and made their ears ready for my music.
After graduation, I began to devote myself to my profession. All my musical talent was wasted into zero. Then one evening we went to a concert at which Mr. Stevenson, one of the ordinary workers in my company, sang us some beautiful songs. His musical talents made us all surprised. We all enjoyed ourselves with his beautiful voice so much that we even thought him a professional singer. I was also reminded of my musical talent.
I began to train in a training center. My teacher was strict with me. He encouraged me to train every weekend and each time he asked me to play better than the last. Now I can proudly say I am also a successful pianist because every time I played on the stage fresh flowers and warm clapping would come from my audience. So I say, my friends, don’t busy yourself with your work too much. Find some time to develop your potential talent（潜能） and your life will become more wonderful. What did the author do in his spare time?
| A．He played music. |
| B．He worked here and there. |
| C．He stayed at home practicing his lessons. |
| D．He read for his profession. |
After graduation, why did the author waste his music talent？
| A．He realized that his music talent was nothing at all. |
| B．His workmates did not like him to play music. |
| C．He went on with his further study. |
| D．He was too busy with his work. |
According to the passage, the author is not only a successful architect but also a good ___.
| A．worker | B．pianist | C．singer | D．basketball player |
What is the author’s aim in writing this passage？
| A．He wanted to tell us that he is successful both in work and life. |
| B．He wanted to tell us to develop our potential talent instead of busying ourselves with our work only. |
| C．He wanted to tell us that the concert is very important to his life. |
| D．He wanted to tell us that he was very welcome in his company. |
Why did the author have himself trained on piano?
| A．Because he lost his job. |
| B．Because his salary was too low. |
| C．Because he wanted to became a famous artist. |
| D．Because he was inspired by his workmate. |
As a teacher, I always think it right to teach my students to write about their true feelings and real experiences. But once I was puzzled about this.
After explaining a text one day, I asked my students to write a passage about their families. All the students wrote quite well but the best of them all was the one written by a small girl. I was deeply touched by it. The girl’s father had died years before and her mother had to work hard to support the family. Many times she had seen her mother working deep into the night but never seen tears on her face. Like her mother this girl also works hard at her lessons and she is really good at any of them. I even didn’t know anything about her unlucky family. She always appears happy every day so she is really liked by us all, both the students and teachers.
In order to make her an example to the class, I read this passage to the class. When I finished reading it I found my throat choked and my students’ eyes full of tears. Some of them even wept in a low voice. After the class nearly all my other students wanted to hand in their pocket money for the daily use to help this girl. To tell you the truth, I was really proud of my students.
But to my disappointment, this student of mine left the class even without telling me the next day. I don’t know the reason why, can you tell me? The author asked his students to write about their families because he wanted them to ___.
| A．speak out open-heartedly |
| B．tell him some stories about themselves |
| C．make up some stories about themselves |
| D．say something good to him |
What do you think about the girl? She is ___.
| A．honest and kind | B．hardworking and determined |
| C．brave and helpful | D．kind and loyal |
The underlined word “choked” may mean ___ in Chinese.
| A．疼痛 | B．激动 | C．哽咽 | D．惊奇 |
What do you think is the main reason for the girl to leave the next day?
| A．She got angry at what the teacher had done. |
| B．She didn’t want the others to know her unluckiness. |
| C．She didn’t know the teacher’s kindness to her. |
| D．She may have found a better school. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The teacher asked her students to read the little girl’s article by themselves. |
| B．The little girl’s father died of a traffic accident. |
| C．The little girl’s classmates were willing to help her. |
| D．The little girl’s mother blamed her for her writing. |