Reading comprehensionA. Choose the best answer. (12分)
Letter A
| To the Editor: Why do our children have 11 weeks of summer vacation? Many years ago, 85 percent of Americans worked on farms. Children needed summer vacation because they helped with the farm work. Today only 3 percent of Americans work on farms. But our children still have long summer vacations. American students lose one or two months of learning during their summer vacations. Away from school for so many weeks students forget what they learned. Experts say that students lose maths skills and reading skills. At the beginning of school in September, teachers have to review last year’s studies for the first four to six weeks of school. Summer vacations are not great opportunities for learning. Most parents work outside of the home. They can’t be with their kids during the long summer months. Some families can pay for summer camps, but many can’t. Most children stay home and watch TV. They are bored. Most children do not learn new skills during the summer. James, Teacher |
Letter B
| To the Editor: I am against a longer school year. I believe people learn everywhere, not just in school. I believe children gain experience in the world. Summer vacation is a great opportunity. Kids can discover the world outside of school. They can learn to do things they can’t learn in a classroom. They can learn to swim and ride bikes. They can travel or go to summer camps. They can take time to do things like cooking and art. Some can get summer jobs. They can get work experience or help people in the community. They can spend time with people of other ages. Basically, they can get more experience in the world. Long summer vacations give families time together. During the school year, everyone is busy. During summer vacations, we take time to do things together. Vacations are good for families. Linda, Parent |
According to the chart, which two countries have the same number of school days?
| A．England and Australia . | B．Singapore and Thailand. |
| C．Japan and the United States. | D．South Korea and China. |
James says that, many years ago, most children used their vacation time to _______________.
| A．study in school | B．go to summer camps |
| C．have new experiences | D．help on the farm |
James says most parents _______________ during the summer months.
| A．travel abroad | B．are with their children |
| C．are busy with their work | D．go to summer camps |
Linda says children can get _______________ during the summer months.
| A．no time to watch TV | B．more work experience |
| C．more classroom time | D．better reading skills |
According to Linda, children do a lot of activities except that _______________.
| A．they learn to swim and ride bikes | B．they go to summer camps |
| C．they do cooking | D．they improve maths skills |
What is best title of the Letter B?
| A．Yes to a Longer School Year | B．Vacations Are a Way of Experiencing |
| C．Adults Need More Vacation Time | D．Vacations Are Boring to Families |
Once upon a time all feelings went to an island for a vacation, and each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of a strong storm was announced ,so all rushed to their boats. Yet, Love did not wish to run away quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realized it was time to leave. But there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.
Just then Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love shouted, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity(虚荣) who was also passing by in a beautiful boat for help, But Vanity said with a cold voice, “No, I can’t take you with me. My boat will get dirty with your mummy feet.”
Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was useless. “No, I can’t take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”
When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it hardly concerned about anyone else.
Love was growing restless and hopeless. Just then somebody called out, “Come, Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so kind, but jumped onto the boat happily.
After getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Love asked, “Knowledge, do you know who was so kind to give me a lift when no one else wished to help?”
Knowledge smiled, "Oh, that was Time,"
"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."According to the passage, which one did not go to an island for a vacation?
| A．Love. | B．Richness. | C．Vanity | D．Knowledge |
Which word has the same meaning as “Sorrow”?
| A．Worry | B．Anger | C．Sadness | D．Smile |
Other feelings passed by Love in their boats one by one. Which is the right order according to the passage?
| A．Richness→Vanity→Sorrow→Happiness→Time |
| B．Richness→Happiness→Sorrow→Vanity→Time |
| C．Time →Richness→Vanity→Sorrow→Happiness |
| D．Richness→Happiness→Vanity→Sorrow→Time |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．When we are rich, we may pay more attention to Love. |
| B．All the feelings are important in our life except Love. |
| C．As time goes by, we can realize the importance of Love. |
| D．When we are in happiness and sorrow, we shouldn’t remember Love. |
What’s the best title for the passage?
| A．the Importance of Love. | B．Feelings on the Island. |
| C．Helpless Love. | D．Helpful Time. |
The more books you read, the better your life will be. If you don’t believe me, please consider the following reasons to read more books. 
You will have strong brain power .Studies suggest reading makes you smart. Unlike watching television, which requires no thought process（过程）, reading is an active learning experience that will keep your mind sharp (even in old age).
You will travel to a new world . Sometimes our daily life can start to get boring . At times like this, I like to dive into a good fiction book, where I can forget about whatever problems are stressing me out. I’ll come back refreshed after my mini-vacation to a fresh and exciting place in the world of words.
You will improve your vocabulary . The more words you’re able to use, the better you will become at expressing your thoughts and feelings. I couldn’t imagine how I would write articles like this if I didn’t actively aim to improve my vocabulary, because using the same few words to express myself would get awfully boring in a hurry.
You will entertain yourself at a low price .If you’re looking for entertainment without much money, reading is your best choice. Thanks to the popularity of electronic reading devices(设备), it’s never been easier to entertain yourself for hours at a time, for the low cost of a few dollars.
You will discover surprising new ideas. Reading introduced me to concepts （概念）like mindful eating, relaxation exercises, and the importance of loving yourself. If I didn’t read, I wouldn’t realize these ideas. If you don’t read, you will miss many surprising new ideas.
You will become an expert（专家） in your field . Don’t you think reading articles and books by experts in your field might make you better at what you do? If you don’t learn more about your profession, then your lack of passion could be a sign that you’re in the wrong field.
I firmly believe that reading has changed my life . I hope these reasons can encourage you to read more books.How many reasons are mentioned in the passage?
| A．five | B．six | C．seven | D．eight |
What kind of books does the writer read when he feels bored?
| A．science book | B．fiction book | C．history book | D．story book |
Which of the following is NOT ture according to the passage?
| A．Reading is an active learning experience. |
| B．Electronic reading devices make it easier to entertain yourself at a high price. |
| C．If you don’t read, you will miss many surprising new ideas. |
| D．The writer firmly believes that reading has changed his life . |
From the passage we know that ___________________.
| A．Studies suggest watching TV makes you smart. |
| B．The fewer words you’re able to use, the better you will express yourself. |
| C．The more books you read, the better your life will be. |
| D．Reading won’t change your life. |
What’s the purpose of the writer in the passage?
| A．He wants to travel to a new country. |
| B．He wants to become a reporter. |
| C．He wants to find a good job. |
| D．He wants to encourage readers to read more books. |
Summer vacations should be relaxed for students. However, many of them use the opportunity to take part in summer project. 
Xu Dan,a 15-year-old girl , loves vacations because it means she can spend more time volunteering. She believes that volunteering has cts instead. changed her life and made her a better person.
Two years ago, Xu was a shy girl. One day, she saw a group of volunteers picking up trash in the street. Since she had no plans for the summer vacation and wanted to make some friends, she decided to join them.
“I used to think volunteering was nothing more than picking up trash. Now I know that the aim of volunteer work is helping others and gaining self-esteem(自尊),”Xu says. Her volunteering schedule is full: teaching migration workers’(外来务工人员) children English from Mondays to Fridays, picking up trash on Saturdays, and visiting old people on Sundays.
For Xu, visiting old people is the most meanful activity. “I help them clean their homes and cut their hair. I talk to them and listen to their life stories. These are just small things, but every time I help others I feel more confident about myself,” Xu says.
According to Xu, the positive energy(正能量) from volunteering influences the way she deals with people and sees the world. “I can see things from other people’s point of view and look at things more positively. I think I’m going to hold on to it all my life.” she says.Xu Dan loves to spend more time_______ during vacations.
| A．studying | B．reading | C．traveling | D．volunteering |
When did Xu Dan start volunteering?
| A．When she was 14 years old. | B．When she was 15 years old. |
| C．Two years ago | D．Three years ago. |
Why did Xu Dan decide to join volunteers at first?
A. She didn’t have any plans for the summer vacation
B. She wanted to make some friends
C. She wanted to get more experiences.
D. Both A and B.What does Xu Dan do on Sundays according to her volunteering schedule?
| A．She visits sick people. |
| B．She visits old people |
| C．She picks up trash . |
| D．She teaches migration workers’ children English . |
Which of the following is NOT ture according to the passage?
| A．Xu Dan believes that volunteering has changed her life. |
| B．Xu Dan used to think volunteering was just picking up trash. |
| C．Xu Dan thinks teaching English is the most meanful activity. |
| D．Xu Dan will continue volunteering. |
One day, Allan and his friend Henry went swimming in a river. It was very hot. How happy they were in the river! After they got out of the water, they played games in the sun for a while.
On their way back, Henry saw some flowers. He liked flowers very much and ran into the green field to look at them. Now Allan was walking by himself.
Then he heard Henry calling out, "A snake（蛇）! Help!..."
"What's wrong with you?" asked Allan.
"A snake bit（咬）me in the leg. Come here!"
Allan ran over and saw a small red wound（伤口）on Henry' s leg.
"The snake was in the grass. I didn't see it."
"Sit down quickly"! Allan told Henry.
Allan put his mouth at the little red wound and began to suck（吸）at it. In this way he saved （挽救）Henry's life. "Oh, Allan, it's very kind of you to help me."
"That's all right. We are friends and we must always help each other."It was________ when-Allan and Henry went out.
| A．hot | B．cold | C．raining | D．wet |
After swimming, they played in the sun________.
| A．the whole morning | B．for 2 hours |
| C．long | D．for a while |
On their way home,________ got something wrong with his________.
| A．Allan; leg | B．Allan; head |
| C．Henry; leg | D．Henry; head |
Henry and Allan are________.
| A．workers | B．good friends |
| C．brothers | D．farmers |
Which of the following（下面的）is true?
| A．Henry went to look at the flowers with Allan. |
| B．Allan saved Henry' s life. |
| C．Allan saw the snake. |
| D．They ran to the hospital at once. |
If we want to deal with the association (社交) between boys and girls properly, here are some "dos and don'ts" for you to follow.
Keep a normal and healthy state of mind. Our schools and classes are made up of boys and girls. It is very nature for the boys and girls to make friends with each other. We should make as many friends as possible. We should keep touch with the other sex (性别) in public instead of in secret.
Don't be too nervous or too shy. If you are a shy person, you can also find a way out. First of all, you can make friend with the students who have the same interest and hobby as you. As both of you have much in common, you may have much to talk about. If you keep doing like that, little by little, you will gladly find you are also as free to express yourself as others.
Don't fall into the ditch of early love. The boys and girls at a adolescence (青春期) are rich in feeling. They are easy to regard the friendship as a sign of love and fall in love with each other at an early age. In my opinion, early love is a green apple that can't be eaten. An apple won't taste sweet until it is full ripe. Boys and girls at middle school are too young to carry the heavy duty of love. Do keep out of early love.The main idea of the passage is to _______.
| A．tell students to keep away from early love |
| B．give some advice on how to associate between boys and girls |
| C．tell students how to make friends |
| D．teach boys how to talk with girls |
We should keep touch with the other sex in following ways EXCEPT _______.
| A．with a good state of mind | B．in real friendship |
| C．in public | D．in secret |
If you are a shy person, you can _______.
| A．find friends with the same interest and hobby first |
| B．only have a few friends of the same sex |
| C．not make friends with the other sex |
| D．not fall in love with other students easily |
What does the underlined word "ditch" mean?
| A．波浪 | B．泥潭 | C．圈套 | D．迷惑 |
A person at adolescence is _______.
| A．complicated (复杂的) in feelings |
| B．good at making friends with each other |
| C．old enough to fall in love |
| D．easy to regard the friendship as a sign of love |