Onceupon a time there was a wise man that used to go to the sea to do his writing. Hehad a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.One day he waswalking along the shore. As he looked down at the beach, he saw a human figuremoving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought that someone woulddance on the beach. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, hesaw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he wasreaching down to the shore, picking up something and throwing itinto the ocean. As he got closer, he called out, “Good morning! What are youdoing?’’
Theyoung man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwingstarfishes(海星)in theocean.”
“I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfishes in the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out.And if I don’t throw them in, they’ll die”.
“But, young man, don’t you realize thatthere are miles and miles of beach and starfishes all along it. You can’tpossibly make a difference!”
Theyoung man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish andthrew it into the sea, and said, “It made a difference for that one.”Thereissomething very special in each and every one of us. We have all beengifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can know that gift, wewill gain through the strength of our vision the power(力量)toshape the future.
We musteach find our starfish. And if we throw our starfish wisely and well, the worldwill be better. The underlined words “something very special” refers to _____.
| A．the gifts from friends |
| B．the strength of making decision |
| C．our own starfish |
| D．the ability to make a difference |
From the last two paragraphs, we can learn that _____.
| A．the wise man realized something new and important |
| B．the wise man thought it was foolish of the young man to throw starfishes in the ocean |
| C．the young man had the ability to make a difference |
| D．it is necessary for us to save starfish on the beach |
The writer told this story to show us _____.
| A．how and where we can write a good article |
| B．everyone can do something for the future |
| C．wise men are sometimes stupid |
| D．young men are in fact wiser than old people |
In most countries in the world, governments require children to attend schools in which trained teachers are responsible for educating the children using an approved curriculum. However, a sharply increasing number of parents believe that it is much better for their children to be educated at home by the people who know them and their needs best. Today, it is estimated that about one million home schooled children in the United States and tens of thousands of other learners around the world are learning outside of school. Now that home schooling is growing worldwide, the real-world experiences of learners show that schools are not always necessary for learning.
Therefore, an increasing number of parents are deciding that home schooling is the best option for their children. They are unhappy with the quality or depth of education offered in the schools, or have other reasons why they feel that conventional schools (some people would rather call “normal schools” or “traditional schools”) are not suitable for their children. One reason is social factors. Parents worry that their children will suffer from bullying(欺负) or will be forced into bad behavior by peer pressure. They believe that the good behavior they have taught the child will be lost in school. Another reason is concern over the quality of schooling available. Schools frequently have large classes and they are often under-funded and stuffed with teachers without sufficient knowledge of their subjects. In the third place, other parents may disagree with the aims of the school curriculum, preferring for academic, social or cultural reasons to keep their children separate.
However, there are many arguments in favor of sending children to conventional schools. The first is that the children will be exposed to other children. And they will interact with each other and develop social skills. A second point is that the children will learn to function outside the family. They will not be dependent on their parents for their educational, emotional and social needs. A third point is that the children will find it easier to integrate (融入) when they finish school, as they eventually will, when they start work or college.
All in all,while many parents work hard to teach their children at home, conventional schools are still the right choice for most children. Schools are not perfect, but they seem to be a proven way of preparing our children for the real world. After all, education is not only about learning facts and figures, but also about learning how to survive socially.It seems that more and more people come to realize that ______.
| A．teachers should know their students’ needs better. |
| B．children should be educated at school. |
| C．children should learn by themselves. |
| D．children should be educated at home. |
What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
| A．The reasons why parents choose home schooling. |
| B．Parents care much for their young children. |
| C．Parents are forced to accept home schooling. |
| D．The quality of education at conventional school is bad. |
Which of the following is most likely to be the disadvantage of conventional schools according to the parents who choose home schooling?
a. The children will make bad friends.
b. The children may behave badly.
c. There is a lot of academic pressure.
d. There are too many students in a class.
| A．a, b | B．a, d |
| C．b, c | D．b, d |
One of the advantages of the conventional schools is that the students ______.
| A．have to meet each other every day |
| B．will be independent of their educational needs |
| C．can develop their practical skills |
| D．have a better chance of going to college |
According to this passage, the author's attitude towards conventional schooling is ________.
| A．disapproving |
| B．supportive |
| C．puzzled |
| D．suspicious |
It was the small hours of the morning when we reached London Airport. I had rung London from Amsterdam, and there was a hired car to meet, but there was one more unfortunate happening before I reached my flat. In all my travels I have never, but for that once, been required by the British customs to open a single bag or to do more than state that I carried no goods liable to duty, or rather, to declare. It was, of course, my fault; the extreme tiredness and nervous tension of the journey had destroyed my normal state of mind. I was, for whichever reason, so tired that I could hardly stand, and to the question, “have you read this?” I replied with extreme foolishness, “Yes, hundreds of times.”
“And you have nothing to declare?”
“Nothing.”
“How long have you been out of this country?”
“About three months.”
“And during that time you have acquired nothing?”
“Nothing but what is on the list I have given you.”
He seemed momentarily at a loss, but then he attacked. The attack, when it came, was completely unexpected.
“Where did you get that watch?”
I could have kicked myself. Two days before, when playing water games with a friend in the bath, I had forgotten to take off my ROLEX OYSTER, and it had, not unnaturally, stopped. I had gone into the market and bought, for no more than ten pounds, an ugly time piece that made a strange noise. It had stopped twice, without any reason, during the journey.
I explained, but I had already lost face. I produced my own watch from a pocket, and added that I should be grateful if he would confiscate the replacement.
“It is not a question of confiscation; you will have it,” he said, “there is a fine for failing to declare dutiable goods. And now may I please examine that Rolex?”
It took another quarter of an hour to persuade him that the Rolex was not contraband(走私品); then he began to search my luggage.What can we conclude from the questions asked by the customs officer?
| A．He wanted to embarrass the writer. |
| B．He was just fulfilling his duty by asking the passenger some usual questions. |
| C．He must have noticed the writer’s new watch. |
| D．He can’t have noticed the writer’s tiredness. |
What did the writer think of the watch he bought in the market?
| A．He was fond of the watch because it was a Rolex. |
| B．He will replace the Rolex with the new watch. |
| C．He found the watch useful though it was very cheap. |
| D．He didn't like the watch at all. |
What does the underlined word “confiscate” mean?
| A．turn away |
| B．throw away |
| C．put away |
| D．take away |
What must have happened to the writer in the end?
| A．He must have spent a long time at the customs but escaped punishment. |
| B．His Rolex must have been confiscated. |
| C．He must have been given a fine as a punishment. |
| D．His cheap watch must have been confiscated. |
What do you think is the tone of the story?
| A．Serious. | B．Critical. |
| C．Humorous. | D．Objective. |
Chris Waddell wants to climb Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair; George Del Barrio wants to make a film in Cambodia; Jeff Edwards wants to write a book: they want you to fund their dreams.
A website called Kickstarter.com is making it possible for people like this to raise money from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars to fund anything that catches the imagination of Internet users with a little money to spare.
It worked for Emily Richmond, a 24-year-old living in Los Angeles who plans to sail solo around the world for two years. She's raised $ 8,142 from 148 people who'll receive gifts such as photos from the trip or a telephone call when she crosses the equator (赤道).
“This was a perfect learning experience for my daughter,” Landon Ray said, adding that he also dreamed of sailing the world himself.
Jason Bitner’s plan for $ 7,500 to pay for a film about the small Midwestern town of La Porte, was so popular that it raised $ 12,153. It's about a record of pictures by a photographer who died in 1971. About a third of his supporters were friends and family. Others include people of La Porte but also people from as far as Australia.
“It’s a creative marketplace,” said Jonathan Scott Chinn, who is collecting $16,500 to make a short film. “You’re given the opportunity to make yourself known, and if it’s really interesting, it’ll take off.”
Independent singer & songwriter Brad Skistimas, 26, has been using the Internet for eight years to promote his one-man band Five Times August. He used Kickstarter to raise $ 20,000 to help his new album Life As A Song.
“It’s a great way to get in touch with fans,” Skistimas said. “I was marketing to my own fans, so I said ‘If you want more music from me, now’s a great time to help me out’” .According to the text, Kickstarter. com is a website _______.
| A．to fund people travelling around the world |
| B．to collect money to realize special dreams |
| C．to help people deal with any trouble |
| D．to support its users to communicate online |
What do we know about Emily Richmond?
| A．She has finished her solo sail. |
| B．She has planned for two years. |
| C．Her solo sail needs about $ 8,142. |
| D．Her solo sail will last about two years. |
Emily Richmond's success showed that ________.
| A．one needs to attract interest when collecting money. |
| B．it is very easy to collect money |
| C．sending photos is good to thank supporters |
| D．it is a hard learning experience |
According to Brad Skistimas, Kickstarter. com is a good place _____.
| A．to make more music |
| B．to make a film about himself |
| C．to make an advertisement about him |
| D．to sell his new album Life As A Song |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．The Internet Is a Big Market |
| B．The Internet Is a Bank for Your Life |
| C．The Internet Helps Sell Your Products |
| D．The Internet Can Help Fund Your Dream |
Wanted，Someone for a Kiss
We’re looking for producers to join us on the sound of London Kiss 100 FM. You’ll work on the station’s music programs. Music production experience in radio is necessary，along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply in writing to Producer Vacancies，Kiss 100.
Father Christmas
We’re looking for a very special person，preferably over 40，to fill our Father Christmas suit.
Working days：Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December 17 to December 24 except Sundays, 10:30－16:00.
Excellent pay.
Please contact the Enterprise Shopping Centre，Station Parade，Eastbourne.
Accountants Assistant
When you join the team in our Revenue Administration Unit，you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division，dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience.
Wealden District Council
Software Trainer
If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training，you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in program writing. You will be allowed to make your own decisions，and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of￡15，000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV (简历) to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.．Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station？
| A．Producer Vacancies，Kiss 100. |
| B．Mrs Oglivie，Palmlace Limited. |
| C．The Enterprise Shopping Centre. |
| D．Wealden District Council. |
．We learn from the ads that the Enterprise Shopping Centre needs a person who________.
| A．is aged between 24 and 40 |
| B．may do some training work |
| C．should deal with general duties |
| D．can work for about a month |
．Which position is open to recent school graduates？
| A．Producer，London Kiss. |
| B．Father Christmas. |
| C．Accountants Assistant. |
| D．Software Trainer. |
．What kind of person would probably apply to Palmlace Limited？
| A．One with GCSE grade C level. |
| B．One with some office experience. |
| C．One having good computer knowledge. |
| D．One trained in producing music programs. |
For years, business people in Western Europe were worried. They knew they could not compete against business from the U.S. The United States is much larger and had many more resources than any Western European countries.
Some European people realized that the European nations need to join together to help each other. If they could forget their language differences and the differences in customs, they might become strong competition against other countries.
In 1958, six of the European countries --- Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Italy got together and decided to cooperate. They called their group the European Economic Community, or the Common Market. These countries agreed to join their resources together.
Within a few years, the European Economic Community had worked so well that its members were more prosperous than many other European nations. Soon, other nations began to realize the advantage of the Common Market. Today the Common Market includes most of the important countries in Western Europe. It is helping Western Europe to again take its place as a leader among the industrial nations of the world. From the passage we know the U.S. is much richer than _____ in resources.
| A．any other Western European countries |
| B．any other country in Western Europe |
| C．any country in Western Europe |
| D．every country in Europe |
The members of the European Economic Community have developed fast because they ___.
| A．share their resources and become more prosperous |
| B．can again take the place as a leader in the world |
| C．forget the differences in their languages and customs |
| D．have become strong competition against the U.S. |
Which statement is true?
| A．The Common Market is only a political association. |
| B．The Common Market is an economic and political association |
| C．The Common Market is only an economic association |
| D．The Common Market is neither an economic association nor a political one. |
. In order to____， the Western European countries decided to cooperate.
| A．join together to found a united country |
| B．help each other to smooth away the differences in customs |
| C．work and act together for common purpose |
| D．work together and fight against the U.S. |