Although in the 17th century in the United States fine art and folk art had similar qualities, a difference between them began to appear as time went on in the 18th and 19th centuries artists with ambition studied abroad and came back to paint portraits(肖像) of upper-class families in American society. The less ambitious or less fortunate artists traveled around their own areas and created pictures of countryside society. Anyway, artists got trained and those simple creations improved a lot.
Around 1930，folk art began to take on a new meaning and was considered as an expression of a small cultural class. Folk art is never the product of art movements, but comes out of craft traditions. This art is based not on measurements or calculations and rarely goes with the standards of realism. It goes straight to the bases of art which the folk artists feel naturally.
The period 1930~ 1960 was the time when folk artists began to receive recognition. They often began their art careers late in life and used art as an outlet（出口） for their energy. Their materials were cheap and simple, their subjects were different, but their creativity flowed. Doing their own things became the norm（标准）, and was what made folk art so desirable.
Although it is hard to define folk art, one thing is certain --- it touches us in a special way because the artists show us how he or she brought beauty into their everyday life. Since folk artists come from all walks of life, each piece of art created is one of a kind, emphasizing color, simplicity of line and brave, simple form. Most importantly, it exemplifies（作为…的例子） the history of American life.What similar qualities did folk art and fine art probably have in the 17th century?
| A．They were both simple creations. |
| B．The artists of both focused on family life. |
| C．The artists of both came from the lower class. |
| D．They were both gifted creations by trained artists. |
What was folk art around 1930 based on according to the second paragraph?
| A．The traditions of the upper class. |
| B．The progress of art in that period. |
| C．The standards of realism. |
| D．The feelings of the artists. |
Which of the following statements can be used to describe the works of folk artists?
| A．They are difficult to understand. |
| B．They help artists let out their energy. |
| C．They show pictures of unreal life. |
| D．They are similar to one another. |
Why did folk art become popular during the period from 1930 to 1960?
| A．It offered artists the freedom of expression. |
| B．Artists didn’t need to spend much on materials. |
| C．Other kinds of art couldn’t express the beauty of life. |
| D．Artists could express their dissatisfaction towards society. |
The author’s purpose in writing the text is to ___________.
| A．speak highly of folk art |
| B．compare folk art and fine art |
| C．explain the history and characteristics of folk art in America |
| D．explain the development and changes of American art |
A few minutes later she got up and went to the phone. She knew the number of the police station, and when the man at the other end answered, she cried to him. “Quick! Come quick! Patrick’s dead!”
“Who’s speaking?”
“Mrs Maloney. Mrs Patrick Maloney.”
“You mean Patrick Maloney’s dead?”
“I think so,” she sobbed. “He’s lying on the floor and I think he’s dead.”
“Be right over,” the man said.
The car came very quickly, and when she opened the front door, two policemen walked in. She knew them both—she knew nearly all the men at that precinct. Briefly, she told her story about going out to the grocer and coming back to find him on the floor. While she was talking, crying and talking, Noonan discovered a small patch of congealed blood on the dead man’s head. He showed it to O’Malley who got up at once and hurried to the phone.
Later, one of the detectives came up and sat beside her. Did she know, he asked, of anything in the house that could’ve been used as the weapon? Would she mind having a look around to see if anything was missing—a very big spanner, for example, or a heavy metal vase.
They didn’t have any heavy metal vases, she said.
“Or a big spanner (扳手)?”
She didn’t think they had a big spanner. But there might be some things like that in the garage.
The search went on. She knew that there were other policemen in the garden all around the house. She could hear their footsteps on the gravel outside, and sometimes she saw the flash of a torchlight through a chink in the curtains.
Then one by one they came in and were persuaded to take a little nip of whisky. They stood around rather awkwardly with the drinks in their hands, uncomfortable in her presence, trying to say consoling things to her. Sergeant Noonan wandered into the kitchen, came out quickly and said. “Look, Mrs Maloney. You know that oven of yours is still on, and the meat still inside…I better turn it off for you, hadn’t I?”
“Will you do that, Jack. Thank you so much.”
When the sergeant returned the second time, she looked at him with her large, dark, tearful eyes.
“Would you do me a small favour—you and these others?” She said.
“We can try, Mrs Maloney.”
“Well,” she said. “You must be terribly hungry by now because it’s long past your supper time. Why don’t you eat up that lamb that’s in the oven? It’ll be cooked just right by now.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Sergeant Noonan said.
“Please,” she begged. “Please eat it.”
The four policemen vacillated, but they were clearly hungry, and in the end they were persuaded to go into the kitchen and help themselves. The woman stayed where she was, listening to them through the open door, and she could hear them speaking among themselves, their voices thick and sloppy because their mouths were full of meat.
“The guy must’ve used a big thing to hit Patrick,” one of them was saying. “The doctor says his skull was smashed all to pieces.”
“That’s why it ought to be easy to find.”
“Exactly what I say.”
“The murderer’s not going to carrying a thing like that around with him longer than he needs.”
One of them belched.
“Personally, I think it’s right here on the premises.”
“Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack?”
And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle.Which of the following is incorrect according to the passage?
| A．The policemen searched around the house until night. |
| B．The policemen were dealing with the murder of Mary’s brother. |
| C．The Maloney’s didn’t have a big spanner. |
| D．Patrick died because of a critical damage to his head. |
What is the meaning of the underlined word “vacillate”?
| A．discuss | B．refuse | C．hesitate | D．agree |
What could you learn about Mrs Maloney from the passage?
| A．She is a careless person who may not notice subtle sound. |
| B．She was in the kitchen when the officers enjoyed the lamb. |
| C．She was very familiar with the policemen and the officers. |
| D．She put the lamb into the oven before her husband died. |
Why do you think Mary giggled at the end?
| A．She was happy that they finished the real weapon without noticing. |
| B．She was glad that the policemen had a supper after working hard. |
| C．She was amused by the way they spoke with meat filled in their mouths. |
| D．She was pleased that they ate the lamb which she could not finish alone. |
When I was walking down a path through some woods, I saw a small pool of water ahead on the path. I angled my direction to go around it on the part of the path that wasn't covered by water or mud. As I reached the pool, I was suddenly attacked! Yet I did nothing for the attack. It was so unpredictable and from somewhere totally unexpected. I was surprised as well as unhurt though I had been struck four or five times. I backed up a foot and my attacker stopped attacking me. Had I been hurt I wouldn't have found it amusing. And I was laughing. After all, I was being attacked by a butterfly!
Having stopped, laughing, I took a step forward. My attacker rushed me again. He charged towards me at full speed, attempting to hurt me but in vain. For a second time, I took a step backwards while my attacker paused. I wasn't sure what to do. After all, it's just not everyday that one is attacked by a butterfly. I stepped back to look the situation over. My attacker moved back to land on the ground. That's when I discovered why my attacker was charging me only moments earlier. He had a mate and she was dying.
Sitting close beside her, he opened and closed his wings as if to fan her. I could only admire the love and courage of that butterfly in his concern for his mate. He had taken it up on himself to attack me for his mate's sake （缘故）, even though she was clearly dying and I was so large. He did so just to give her those extra few precious moments of life, should I have been careless enough to step on her. His courage in attacking something thousands of times larger and heavier than himself just for his mate's safety seemed admirable. I couldn't do anything other than reward him by walking on the more difficult side of the pool. He had truly earned those moments to be with her, undisturbed.
Since then, I've always tried to remember the courage of that butterfly whenever I see huge barriers facing me.What does the underlined world “angled” in the first passage mean?
| A．reached | B．changed | C．checked | D．noticed |
The writer feel funny because he________?
| A．make the attacker pause. |
| B．was attacked by a butterfly. |
| C．was stepped on by his mate. |
| D．discover the energetic butterfly. |
The writer learnedfrom this experience.
| A．what he should do when faced with trouble |
| B．people should show sympathy to the weak |
| C．how he should deal with attacks |
| D．people should protect butterflies |
What does the writer think of the butterfly?
| A．Careless. | B．Amusing. |
| C．Courageous. | D．Aggressive. |
One suicide and three attempted ones that left two seriously injured, all by middle school students in Shanghai last week, cast a gloom (忧郁) over an otherwise happy beginning of a new term there. The terrible things took place even as the Ministry of Education and China Central Television organized the first lesson on TV about personal safety for students last Monday, the first day of the new semester. Such things suggest that this first lesson is more than necessary. Not only should kids be taught how to protect themselves in times of emergency, they should also be made aware of the value of life. One student was prevented from killing himself from his school building. He said he just could not accept the fact of not being able to go tip to a higher grade with his classmates, and thus considered life meaningless. Another 12-year-old boy who jumped off a building to his death was said to have been a good student, and no one could say why he chose to end his life. Obviously, their inner worlds were seriously affected. But when they chose to take their own lives, their irresponsible choice was clearly the result of a lack of adequate understanding of the value of life.
Undoubtedly, those kids who chose to take their own lives were faced only with their own sadness that they could not overcome. If they had a little concern for their parents, for their parents' expectations of them or for their own potential contributions to this world in the future, they would not have gone that far. Difficulties or sufferings are supposed to help kids develop their sense of responsibility and thus help them better understand the value of life.
Too much attention and care from their parents and grandparents have made most of the only children self-centered. Many think it is natural that they deserve to be taken care of by others in whatever way they want. They expect to have their problems solved by their parents or someone else. With such a false sense, they fail to grasp the tough reality of life. They suffer from the illusion (幻觉) that their life should be nothing but plain sailing, Whenever the illusion is broken, they can hardly gather enough courage to face life as it is. So a hotline is indeed necessary to help those kids who find it hard to accept the tough reality of life. But parents and teachers also need to take lessons from the things. They need to know that life should not always be sugar-coated for kids; they should be made to taste the bitter side too as early as possible.Why is the first lesson on TV necessary according to passage?
| A．It will make students prepared for the new term. |
| B．It is published by the Ministry of Education and China Central Television. |
| C．It will increase the students’ awareness of the value of life. |
| D．It will keep the students away from danger. |
From the passage we know that _________.
| A．four students took their lives in Shanghai last week |
| B．being unable to catch up with other classmates led to the 12-year-old boy killing himself |
| C．the importance of life lies in the sense of responsibility for parents |
| D．parents are supposed to tell the kids the bitter side of life as well as the sweet side |
The main reason why those kids took their own lives is that _________.
| A．they are worried that they may fall behind others in studies |
| B．they lack the respect for their parents |
| C．they may be physically healthy, but mentally unhealthy |
| D．their parents expect too much from them |
What may be the best title of the passage?
| A．An irresponsible choice. | B．The value of life. |
| C．Weak-minded generation. | D．The reality of life. |
Students perform better and achieve more in 3D classes, research suggests. They are quicker to learn and absorb new concepts, and display higher levels of concentration.
Professor Anne Bamford, of the University of the Arts, London, studied the effectiveness of 3D content in 15 schools across seven countries, including the UK. Pupils in 3D classes could remember more than those in the 2D classes after four weeks, improving test scores by an average 17 percent compared with eight percent for 2D lessons. They gave more detailed answers to the tasks and were more likely to think in 3D, using hand gestures and mime (模仿动作) to answer the test questions successfully.
The teachers commented that the pupils in the 3D groups had deeper understanding, increased attention span, more motivation and higher engagement in the lessons.
Children are used to 3D with the rise of computer games that use the technology—90 percent of those in the study had seen a 3D film. Schools would need 3D-enabled projectors（投影仪）, laptops with good picture capabilities, 3D software and glasses for children to introduce animations (动作) into classrooms.
But Danny Nicholson, an educationist, said the technology would be impractical to use in schools and could be costly. He said, “While I think the idea of 3D technology is very interesting, I worry that 3D is a bit of an expensive gimmick (小玩意儿). There are a few cases where a true 3D image might help, but most of the time, good 2D models that can be moved , would be just so effective.”
In Colorado, the US, one school district is already in the process of having 1,000 3D projectors fixed in classrooms. And the University of Caledonia, which carries out scientific research into the Lake Tabon Basin, has used 3D presentations with Grade Six pupils. Those who watched the 3D presentations were more engaged and reported a general increase in their interest in science compared with students who watched the 2D version.What will Danny agree with?
| A．Many pupils prefer 2D models. |
| B．3D is a bit expensive for some schools |
| C．True 3D images would not help in classes |
| D．3D technology has a bright future in classes |
What is TRUE in the passage?
| A．Danny Nicholson thinks the pupils in the 3D groups pay more attention to the lessons. |
| B．Pupils in 3D classes could improve test scores by an average 8 percent. |
| C．The teachers think highly of the 3D classes. |
| D．Compared to 3D images, 2D models are not effective in the classes. |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
| A．3D classes will soon be given in one school district in Colorado. |
| B．Teachers will use the 3D technology through specific training. |
| C．Many pupils are now more interested in science than before. |
| D．3D technology will replace 2D models in the future. |
What is the main idea of the passage?
| A．2D models are always more effective than 3D images. |
| B．The differences between 3D and 2D images. |
| C．How schools can make full use of 3D technology. |
| D．Pupils behave better when 3D images are used in classes. |
From cosy cabins and yurts to campervans and huts with character and mod-cons, winter camping can be cool, rather than just chilly, in these beautiful UK settings.
Great Langdale, Cumbria
Winner of the Great Outdoors accommodation of the year award 2014, this campsite at the head of a valley is a beautiful spot for winter walks. But while hiking should keep you warm by day, a selection of cosy hideaways will keep you snug at night. Visitors can choose from double-glazed wooden camping pods, which include heating and lighting or, for those who want a more boutique outdoors experience, luxury yurts furnished with Moroccan-style rugs and throws, fairy lights, lanterns and a wood-burning stove. And with the Sticklebarn pub – known for its real ales and good local grub – nearby, you should be able to slip into a pretty comfortable routine in no time.
Standard pods from £35 a night (two adults, one child), 01539 432733, nationaltrust.org.uk
Vanellus, Elmley national nature reserve, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
In the stunning surroundings of the Isle of Sheppey nature reserve, Vanellus is a large shepherd’s hut. From the comfort of your abode (which is hooked up to electricity), you can gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows as the sun rises and sets, watching birds of prey and other wildlife. The reserve can be explored on foot, or you can book a 4WD tour of the area. The farm has a lounge in a converted barn, where you can hang out or eat communally, but if you really can’t bear to step into the cold, you can have meals – including hot bacon rolls for breakfast – delivered to your door.
From £180 for a two-night stay (sleeps two), 0117 204 7830, canopyandstars.co.uk
The Cabin at NantyrOnnen, near Llandovery, Wales
The Cabin is an unusual octagonal wood structure, built by local craftsmen keen to make an eco-friendly home. The electricity supply, for example, is powered by the nearby stream. From the sheltered veranda you can enjoy views across the hills, and the surrounding countryside is perfect for walking all year round. Inside the cosy hut is a wood-burning stove, and you can also warm up in a recently built spring-fed hot tub.
From £85 a night throughout December (sleeps two), mulled wine available 15 Dec-4 Jan, 0117 204 7830, canopyandstars.co.uk
Guilden Gate Glamping, Hertfordshire
Just 35 minutes by train from London, the Guilden Gate campsite is ideal for an easy rural family escape from the capital. Set in a woodland glade, a campervan is your main bedroom, and a bell tent can act as another bedroom, or a lounge. There’s also a huge wok-shaped hot tub, big enough for six adults. The site is close to Cambridge (20 minutes’ drive), so you can explore the city by day – if the icy countryside gets too much.
From £65 a night (sleeps four, minimum two-night stay), 01763 243960, goglamping.netWhich of the following explains the underlined word “snug”?
| A．cold | B．awake | C．warm | D．comfortable |
Which of the following is correct about Vanellus?
| A．Vanellus is the biggest shepherd hut around the nature reserve. |
| B．Tourists cannot continue to use their electronic devices in the hut. |
| C．People can either walk or cycle to travel around the nature reserve. |
| D．The shepherd hut provides different dining options for the tourists. |
Joseph plans to have an eco-friendly travel. Which of the site is suitable to him?
| A．Great Langdale | B．Vanellus |
| C．The Cabin | D．Guilden Gate Glamping |
A family of 6 (grandparents, parents and twins) wants to go for winter camping for 4 days. Which of the site is cheapest?
| A．Great Langdale | B．Vanellus |
| C．The Cabin | D．Guilden Gate Glamping |