Last month when I was taking part in a US college interview, I was asked, “ what makes you special ? ” In fact I had answered questions likes this many times since I decided to go to college in the US .college paid special attention to different achievement . For example, a person who is very good at math can go to a famous college but also can be a good football player .
This experience made me think again that I must try to find where my own interests might lead me . To be honest, it was not easy . However, I never felt sorry to choose this way because it helped me understand myself . If I took the College Entrance Examination,as we call it gaokao in China, it could never possibly do .
When I entered high school, I took gaokao seriously because it seemed to me a great way to show how good at my lessons . However,as I grew older, I realized gaokao did make me work hard at my lessons, but the pressure also pushed many other activities out of my life, like guitar―playing . Although I had no time for it, I will still get to it in the future .
No doubt, gaokao provides a way of choosing those who are successful in their studies . But it is really important for all of us to rethink what “ talent ” really is today . This is because we now live in a world in which all of our other human qualities ( 品质）are needed for success, not just the high grade .
Ken Robinson once said, “ the society depends on different kinds of talents . ” However, gaokao pays too attention to a person’s grades but little to his other qualities. And it is these qualities that makes life colorful and fun .
As high school students, we can not change the present situation of eduction, but we are always free to think outside of the box . Although good school grade is still useful, I hope one day we will see our education also welcomes the amazing possibilities in different people .The US College pay special attention to ________.
| A．students’family background . |
| B．the different achievement |
| C．students’ideas about way of life . |
| D．the school a student is from . |
When at high school, the writer ________.
| A．had a lot of activities . |
| B．did not work hard at her lessons . |
| C．did well in gaokao |
| D．had no time to play the guitar . |
From the passage, we know that the writer may ________.
| A．go to college in America . |
| B．give up the US college interview . |
| C．become a good football player in the US. |
| D．change the present situation of eduction . |
Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?
A. My school life abroad. B. Different exams in the US.
C My view on gaokao D. The importance of school grades
根据短文内容，从题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选择最佳答案。
| Take a look at the following ads! You may find some useful information you need here! |
|
 |
Guitar lessons Experienced musician from Australia. Good at teaching kids for 5 years! For more information, please visit Larry’s website: www.music.com.au |
 |
Lost dog Medium size, with brown spots and white short hair. Answer you when you call it David. Many thanks for sending it back. Call Susan at 7328059 |
 |
Taxi driver wanted Full time or part time. Experience and a good knowledge of the city are necessary. English is also a must. Under 45 years old. Call Mr. White at 5132683. |
 |
Apartment for sale Two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. Hot water 8:00-18:00. Beautiful sights out of the windows. E-mail: sdgt@yahoo.cn. |
If you want to have a guitar lesson, you may ________.
| A．call Susan at 7328059 |
| B．surf the website:www.music.com.au |
| C．telephone Mr. White at 5132683 |
| D．e-mail sdgt@yahoo.cn |
Who is the owner of the lost dog?
| A．Mr. White | B．Larry | C．Susan | D．David |
If you want the job as a taxi driver, you should ________.
| A．master at least three languages |
| B．know the city very well |
| C．be an experienced driver |
| D．both B and C |
Which information about the apartment is not mentioned in the table?
| A．It has a beautiful view. |
| B．It has hot water in the daytime. |
| C．It has three floors. |
| D．It has a kitchen. |
How can you contact the owner of the apartment for more information?
| A．By sending an e-mail. | B．By going to visit it. |
| C．By making a phone call. | D．By sending a fax (传真) |
根据短文内容，判断正(T)误(F)。
Do you live in a city? Do you know how cities began? Long long ago, the world had only a few thousand people. These people moved from one place to another. They moved over the land, hunting animals for food.
No one knows how or when these people learned about growing food. But when they did, their life changed. They did not have to look for food any longer. They could stay in one place and grow it.
People began to live near one another, so the first village was established (建立). Many people came to live in the villages, and these villages became even larger.
When machines appeared, life in the villages changed again. People built factories. More and more people lived near the factories. The cities began.
Today, it’s strange that some people are moving back to small villages. Can you tell me why?People moved from place to place to hunt animals.
The story says,“No one knows how or when these people learned about growing food. But when they did, their life changed.” In this sentence, the word “they” means people.
When machines appeared, life in the villages changed again.
All people like to live only in big cities.
People built factories after the cities grew big.
中学生上网一直是备受关注的话题，你班就此组织了一次主题班会，以下是几同学的观点，请仔细阅读并完成信息记录卡,一空一词。
Li Hua: Surfing the Internet is very exciting. We can do lots of things, such as playing games, listening to music, chatting with our friends and so on, I really enjoy it.
Wang Gang: I like surfing the Internet, too. Because I can learn a lot from it. I can get the latest news all over the world. I also can find the information I need so that I can spend less time on my homework.
Zhang Jie: It’s hard to say. I agree that the Internet is helpful to our study. But it’s not right to spend too much time on the games. And some information on the Internet is bad for our mind. What’s more, surfing too much does harm to our eyes. In a word, we should use the Internet in a right way.
| Names |
Opinions |
| Li Hua |
◆play games◆listen to music◆chat with ___61 |
| Wang Gang |
◆get the latest news ◆get useful 62◆do homework 63 |
| Zhang Jie |
◆be helpful to our study◆don’t spend too much time on the games ◆be bad for our mind and 64◆use the Internet 65 |
Happiness is important for everyone. Most people want to be happy but few know how to find happiness. Money and success don’t bring lasting happiness. Happiness depends on ourselves. In other words, we make our own happiness.
Some people believe that if they are wealthy, they will be able to do anything they want, which means happiness. On the other hand, some people believe that holding a high position in the government is happiness. In this way, you have not only money, but also many other things which can’t be bought by money. However, other people believe that having lots of money is not happiness, nor is holding a high position in the government. These people value(重视) their beliefs, or their intelligence, or their health. They think these can make them happy.
Here are a few ways to help you be happier.
The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. Too often, we spend so much time thinking about the future, for example, getting into college or getting a good job, that we don’t enjoy the present. You should enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have close friends usually enjoy happier and healthier lives.
The second secret of happiness is to be active. Many people go dancing or play sports. People can forget about their problems and only think about the activities.
Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. According to studies, people feel good when they volunteer their time to do many meaningful things for other people. If you want to feel happier, do something nice for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to get food for an old neighbor, or simply help around the house.
Now maybe you know how to find happiness!The underlined word “wealthy” means “” in the article.
| A．pleased | B．healthy | C．excited | D．rich |
Some people who hold a high position in the government think they can _______.
| A．get money and something they can’t buy with money |
| B．do what they want to do at any time |
| C．enjoy health which makes them work hard |
| D．take an active part in all kinds of activities every day |
The writer thinks the secret of happiness is that people _______.
| A．think about getting a good job |
| B．think of presents they don’t like |
| C．often spend time with close friends |
| D．often spend time on entering the college |
Many people find it happy to ______.
| A．remember the old days and troubles |
| B．do some meaningful things for others |
| C．go shopping to buy some food |
| D．make much money and little success |
The passage mainly tells us _______.
| A．how to find happiness | B．how to save happiness |
| C．to do something good for others | D．to value our beliefs or health |
When I was seven years old, my family made me an ant farm. First, we put clean sand in a thin glass box. Then we waited for the ants to arrive. After the ants were in the glass farm, they started to make tunnels(地道). I was amazed that each one knew exactly what to do. Each had its own job.
On the fifth day a tragedy(悲剧) happened. I put my face so close to the glass farm that I knocked it over. All the tunnels fell down. Although the ants remained alive after their earthquake, one by one began to die. I was scared as I watched them give up building their tunnels to carry the bodies to a corner the farm. My mother said that the ants were dying of sadness. They simply could not stand that their tunnels were gone.
Although much time has passed, I still think of that ant farm. Mom had hoped it would teach me about the natural world, but it taught me much more.
Over the years, I came to realize the importance of teamwork. Working together, the ants were able to make an amazing world for themselves. I also learned that they should be admired for their hard work.
But there was an even larger lesson that I did not realize until recently: Adversity(逆境) is a natural part of life, and must be accepted. Unlike the ants, we cannot give up when we are sad. We have to realize that if a tunnel is gone, we must build another.
Giving up, I say, is not a good choice.What did the writer’s family do for him when he was seven?
| A．They built a farm of ants. | B．They bought a few ants. |
| C．They caught a lot of ants. | D．They found an ant city. |
Which statement is WRONG according to the passage?
| A．The writer knocked the glass box over because he put his face so close to the glass farm. |
| B．The ants didn’t die one by one after the tunnels were destroyed. |
| C．Like people, teamwork is very important for the ants. |
| D．Giving up isn’t a good way when we meet trouble. |
Among the following events, which one happened first?
| A．All the tunnels fell down. | B．The ants died one by one. |
| C．The ants got into the glass box. | D．The ants began making tunnels. |
What did the writer learn from the ant tragedy a few years later?
| A．Working together is useless. | B．Teamwork is important. |
| C．He can’t accept adversity. | D．Working alone is amazing. |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．Ants Fear Adversity | B．My Family and Ants |
| C．Giving Up in Adversity | D．Don’t give up anytime |