A subway is not just an important form of transport. It is also a window for other people to learn about local cultures.
Beijing, China
The Beijing Subway was opened in 1969 and is the oldest subway system in China. It has added some modern technologies. All stations now have touch-screen maps. In some stations, people can also see traditional Chinese cultures. For example, on the walls of a few stations of Line 8, there are some pictures of blue and white porcelain(青花瓷）.
Stockholm, Sweden
The system of the Stockholm Subway has 100 stations in use, of which 47 are underground and 53 above ground. The first subway line for Stockholm was opened in 1950. The Stockholm Subway is well-known for its decoration of the stations. It is called the longest art gallery in the world. Over 90 percent of its stations are decorated with paintings. A few stations are decorated with red bedrocks（岩床）. This makes you feel as if you are in a cave.
London, UK
The London Underground or the Tube is the oldest subway in the world. It was opened in 1863. During World War II, it was used to protect people from German plane attacks（袭击）on London. Now, it is a symbol of the city. There is no air conditioning in the trains, so it is very hot in summer.
New York, US
The New York City Subway has the most extensive public transportation system in the world, with 469 stations. It is also one of the world’s oldest public transit systems. The New York City Subway runs 24 hours a day. It has an express train on almost every line. You can get to your destination(目的地）safely. The trains themselves are full of fun; you will see people doing moonwalk dances like Michael Jackson, playing the guitar and singing.The _____is called the longest art gallery in the world.
| A．Beijing Subway | B．Stockholm Subway |
| C．London Underground | D．New York City Subway |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Michael Jackson used to dance in the New York City Subway. |
| B．Tourists feel cool when they take the London Underground in summer. |
| C．Several stations of the Stockholm Subway are built in caves. |
| D．Some stations of the Beijing Subway are decorated with pictures of porcelain. |
We may read the passage from a_____.
| A．travel magazine | B．science book | C．newspaper report | D．picture book |
When I was a child, my parents always told me that I should never talk to strangers. This was part of a whole list of things I should never do: Never accept food or candy from strangers, never get in a car with strangers, and so on.
But if we didn’t start a conversation with strangers, we’d never make new friends. We’d never get a job. We may miss the joy that comes from talking with strangers. And the more people you know, you more chances you can get.
The following passage offers you some advice on how to break the ice.
Don’t just stare at your shoes. Go and say “Hi” to that new guy. It will be easier to break the ice if you know more about different cultures.
British: Beautiful day, isn’t it?
The weather in Britain is changeable. So, it is one of the topics the British care most about. And there’s a simple rule: Say “Yes” whether you agree with the person’s idea on the weather or not. That’s because the British start a conversation using the weather so that they can continue their talk.
French: Where did you go on holiday?
To talk with a French person, the safest way is to ask his or her last holiday. French students enjoy a 10-to-15-day holiday every two months. French employees get more than six weeks of holidays per year.
American: So, where are you from?
The US is so big and people move so often that location is always a source(来源) of talk. You can try to find a connection with the place they’re from. For example, if someone’s from Los Angeles, you could say:“Oh, I have a friend who studied there”Why did the writer’s parents tell him not to talk to strangers?
| A．It was dangerous. |
| B．Is wasted time. |
| C．It was part of the life. |
| D．Their son didn’t like to talk to strangers. |
The best thing to talk with British is .
| A．the fog | B．the rain |
| C．the weather | D．the wind |
To talk with a French person, the safest way is .
| A．his or her family | B．his or her parents |
| C．his or her friends | D．his or her last holiday |
The location is always a source of talk in America because.
| A．They are energetic |
| B．They love their home |
| C．Los Angeles is their location |
| D．The US is so big and people move so often |
According to the passage, the writer thinks .
| A．his parents were right |
| B．he can talk with strangers freely |
| C．It is necessary to talk with strangers |
| D．he can find jobs easily |
Do you know star anise? It has a Chinese name “bajiao”(八角). You can find this spice(调味料) in almost all Chinese kitchens. Suddenly people around the world need the small fruit from which the spice is made, because of bird flu(禽流感). 
Bird flu has made tens of millions of birds die and killed at least 60 people in Asia. Scientists say if flu changes to spread from person to person, it could kill millions!
A medicine called Tamiflu(达菲) is supposed to fight bird flu in humans. Roche, a Swiss company, developed it. But Roche says it hasn’t enough raw material(原料) to make lots of Tamiflu. The material is the Chinese spice star anise.
About 90% of the world’s star anise is produced in South China. The fruit is harvested(丰收) between March and May. Besides spice, people also use it as medicine.
People afraid of bird flu have begun to buy star anise and cook chicken and other meat with it more. But so far, no scientists say the spice could give protection(保护). Some scientists say that eating the fruit itself won’t help against bird flu.Most world’s star anise is produced in .
| A．Swiss | B．Africa | C．Asia | D．South China |
According to the passage, the underlined word “supposed” probably means .
| A．thought | B．should | C．felt | D．ought |
Star anise is harvested .
| A．for one month | B．for half a year |
| C．for almost three months | D．All year round |
What’s the main idea of this passage?
| A．The introduction of star anise. |
| B．The influence of bird flu. |
| C．The introduction of Tamiflu. |
| D．Star anise is used to make medicine to help fight bird flu. |
Which one is NOT right according to the passage?
| A．Star anise is a kind of spice. |
| B．Most star anise is produced in China. |
| C．Bird flu is dangerous for people. |
| D．Scientists say spice can help against bird flu. |
Good afternoon, everyone. My talk for today is “Early Money”. I’m going to tell you something about money used in the early days. To tell you the truth, we know little about how early people came to use money, but we do know some of the things which have been used as money. In early times in some European countries, salt was very difficult to get, so it was used as money. In some places of Asia, tea was used as money. The American Indians used nuts and other things. Perhaps the most common money of all was an animal of some kind. In some places today, cows are still used as a kind of money. So you see, things highly valued by everyday may serve as money. The Chinese were the first people to use coins as money. Oh, here are some coins of past. You can come over and have a look. 
We know about the development of “Early Money”.
| A．much | B．little | C．few | D．a bit |
Which is NOT referred to in the passage that was probably used in the past?
| A．cows | B．nuts | C．tea | D．silk |
Why was salt used in Europe?
| A．It was used every day. | B．It was cheap. |
| C．It was common. | D．It was difficult to get. |
Which one is still used as money nowadays?
| A．nuts | B．salt | C．cows | D．tea |
This passage may be a .
| A．news | B．message | C．speech | D．notice |
Nelson Mandela, the first black President of South Africa, passed away at his home. He is one of the greatest people in the 20th century. The whole world mourned the father of new South Africa. His life is full of stories.
| Nelson Mandela’s Life |
|
| Time |
Events |
| July18, 1918 |
Was born in a rich family in South Africa |
| 1944 |
Became a member of ANC |
| October15,1962 |
Was put into prison for opposing the white only government |
| February10, 1990 |
Was set free---got out of the prison |
| 1992 |
Visited China for the first time |
| 1993 |
Won the Nobel Prize for Peace |
| May9, 1994 |
Became the first black president of South Africa |
| December5, 2013 |
Died at his home |
Nelson is the first president of South Africa.
| A．white | B．Asian | C．woman | D．black |
Nelson was born in a family.
| A．poor | B．rich | C．kind | D．white |
How long was Nelson in prison?
| A．nearly 28 years | B．18 years | C．over 30 years | D．20 years |
Nelson won the Nobel Prize for in 1993.
| A．Physics | B．Medicine | C．Chemistry | D．Peace |
Nelson has been dead for about .
| A．one year | B．5 months | C．4 months | D．7 months |
These days when you go on vacation, you spend most of your money just getting there. Travel is expensive, but don't stay home only because you are short of money! Here is some advice:
* Travel during off-season if possible. Flights and hotels are very cheaper when tourism is low.
* Choose a hotel that's a little farther from popular attractions. If you're staying several days,
check out prices on vacation homes — it can end up being cheaper than a hotel.
* Take public traffic, such as buses or subway, instead of taking a taxi.
* Plan your meals, and eat like locals. Don't waste money at expensive hotel restaurants or
fast-food chains. Depending on where you stay, it may be cheaper to make food on your own.
* Check online for special discount （折扣） — if you're a student, the old or the parents
traveling with children, you could get discounts! A little research could save you a lot of money.
Whether you're backpacking alone or going on a family vacation, your trip doesn't have to break the bank. The key is to plan ahead and write down what you spend. Then put the money you save toward your next trip!Is travel expensive now?
How many suggestions are given to save money?
Which is cheaper, staying at a hotel or a vacation home?
Who could get discounts?
What is the passage mainly about?