Marjorie Baer used to joke about her retirement plans．She wasn't married and had no kids, but she didn't intend to be alone—she and all her single friends would move into a fictional home she called Casa de Biddies．Instead, Baer developed terminal brain cancer when she was 52．But just as she'd hoped, her friends and family provided her with love and care to the end．
Ballance was only the first of Baer's friends who became her unofficial caregivers．With her brother Phil Baer from Los Angeles, they worked out a system to watch over their friend and allow her to keep some of the privacy and independence she cherished.
Baer's good friend Ruth Henrich took Baer to doctors' appointments and helped her deal with all the aspects of life —answering machines, TV controls, and even phone numbers．After Henrich sent out an e-mail request, a group of volunteers signed up to ferry Baer back and forth to radiation therapy（放疗）．Others in Baer's circle offered up particular talents: A nurse friend helped Baer figure out how to get what she was due from Social Security and her disability insurance; a lawyer pal helped Baer with her will; a partner who was an accountant took over her bills when she could no longer manage them．"There was this odd sense that the right person always showed up," says Ballance．Their arrangement worked remarkably well．
Unmarried women are one of the fastest-growing groups in America; experts are concerned about how care-giving will be managed for them as they age．If the experience of Baer's friends is a guide, the Internet will play a role．It's already making it possible to create communities of caregivers who may have only one thing in common: the person who needs their help．On personal "care pages" set up through services such as Lotsa Helping Hands, friends and family members can post a list of tasks that need to be done, volunteer to do them, and keep updated on the person's condition．As Baer's cancer progressed, for example, her friends set up a page on Yahoo! where people could sign up to deliver meals or do errands（差事）.
Catherine Fox, one of the friends who were present when Baer died, was deeply affected．"It was so comforting to know that if you're willing to ask for help, the generosity of family and friends can be phenomenal（显著的）．It makes me feel secure and hopeful to know that help is there when you need it．"The most appropriate title of this passage should be ______．
| A．On her own, but not alone |
| B．A friend in need is a friend indeed |
| C．A new practice of American government |
| D．A phenomenal advantage of the Internet |
Who helped Marjorie Baer get her disability insurance?
| A．Ruth Henrich. | B．Her brother. |
| C．A nurse friend. | D．Ballance. |
The underlined part in paragraph four suggests that the Internet will ______.
| A．play a role in American future pension system |
| B．provide online medical care for aged unmarried women |
| C．help manage care-giving for unmarried women as they age |
| D．help those aged unmarried women to kill their spare time |
The writer tells us the story of Marjorie Baer for the purpose of ______．
A．reminding us to be kind and make as many friends as we can
B．informing that there will be a new trend of care-giving for the single elderly
C．persuading us that we can enjoy our retirement even if we don’t have a child
B
 Blindsided |
In many ways, Natalie O’Reilly is a typical 14-year-old girl. But Natalie will lose her sight within a few short months. Natalie is sent to school for the blind to learn skills such as Braille(盲文). Outwardly, she does as she’s told; inwardly, she hopes for a miracle(奇迹) that will free her from a fearful life of blindness. But the miracle does not come. Will she go home to live scared? Or will she master the skills she needs to make it in a world without sight? |
 Crossing the Tracks |
At 15, Iris seems to have no home, no family, no direction. After her mother’s early death, Iris’s father focuses on big plans for his new shoes stores and his latest girlfriend, and has no time for his daughter. Unknown to her, he hires Iris out as housekeeper and companion for a country doctor’s elderly mother. Iris is buoyed by the warmth and understanding the doctor and his mother show her, but just as she starts to break out of her trouble, a disaster strikes. Iris must find the courage to discover if she is really as helpless — or as hopeless — as she once believed. |
 The Education of Bet |
Will and Bet were brother and sister. Being a girl, Bet’s world is contained within the walls of their grand home. Will is allowed — forced — to go to school. So Bet comes up with a plan: They’ll switch places. She’ll go to school as Will. Will can then live as he chooses. But once Bet gets to school, she soon realizes living as a boy is going to be much more difficult than she imagined. |
 X-Isle |
Ever since the floods came and washed the world away, survivors have been desperate to win a place on X-Isle, the island where life is believed to be easier. Only young boys stand a chance of getting in, the smaller and lighter the better. Baz and Ray are two of the lucky few to be chosen, but they soon discover that X-Isle is a far cry from paradise(天堂). It’s a violent, unpredictable place, where terrible things can happen at any moment. |
From the book Blindsided, we can learn that Natalie ______.
| A．is longing to stay away from blindness |
| B．has been blind for several months |
| C．has to quit school because of her blindness |
| D．is unconfident in learning Braille |
The underlined word “buoyed” probably means “______”.
| A．spoiled | B．thrilled | C．annoyed | D．encouraged |
X-Isle turns out to be ______.
| A．easier for life | B．no paradise |
| C．chosen for lucky men | D．a romantic place |
The main characters of the four books ______.
| A．live a happy life |
| B．get out of trouble eventually |
| C．struggle for a better life |
| D．dream about better education |
Yuan Guiren, Minister of Education, announced some measures to reform the NCEE, known as Gaokao, for this year in a media conference.
The first measure is to balance the recruiting quota(招生配额) around the nation, with particular emphasis on recruiting more students in central and western provinces.
In addition to this, Yuan said that 200,000 places would be available in the universities in eastern China for students from western China.
The third measure is to cancel some policies that allow students with special talents to receive extra points on their final result of the NCEE. “All national-level bonus marks for Gaokao will be cancelled in 2015, while over 60 percent of the province-level bonuses will be cut. Ten provinces have already canceled the policies while other provinces have cut down 63 percent of the policies,” said Yuan. The policy was originally introduced to be aimed at making Gaokao fairer because some students have special abilities but fail to get high scores in the national exams. Yet, it has been abused by corrupt officials to get the bonus marks for their children. This is a good example of corruption ruining a good policy.
Additionally, all students can recommend themselves for independent recruitment in some education institutions without any restrictions. Schools can also recommend their students to some universities.
The date for independent recruitment is scheduled for after the NCEE in 2015, and universities will be required to publicize their recruiting requirements, processes and results.
The last measure mentioned by Yuan is to gradually unify the NCEE around the nation. Students in three more provinces will sit for the same exams in 2015. Seven more provinces, totaling 25 provinces, will use the same exam format(版式) in 2016.The passage is most probably taken from a(n) ______.
| A．opening address | B．historical book |
| C．news report | D．science report |
How many measures are mentioned for the Gaokao reform in the passage?
| A．Four. | B．Five. | C．Six. | D．Seven. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．More students in eastern China can enter western universities. |
| B．Independent recruitment will take place after Gaokao in 2015. |
| C．The policy of bonus marks were designed for corrupt officials. |
| D．25 provinces will use the same NCEE format in 2015. |
The best title for the passage could be “______”.
| A．Extra points to be Cancelled |
| B．The NCEE to be Unified |
| C．Chances to Favour Western Students |
| D．China to Reform NCEE |
Moby-Dick (1851) is a novel by Herman Melville, considered an outstanding work of Romanticism and the American Renaissance. Ishmael narrates the crazy quest of Ahab, captain of the whaler Pequod, for revenge(报仇) on Moby Dick, a white whale which on a previous voyage destroyed Ahab's ship and severed his leg at the knee.
Our narrator, Ishmael, signs up as sailor on a whaling voyage to cure depression. On board the Pequod, Ishmael meets the mate −honest Starbuck. Captain Ahab remains in his cabin and never shows himself to the crew.
Just when Ishmael’s curiosity about Ahab has reached a fever pitch, Ahab starts appearing on deck – and we find out that he’s missing one leg. When Starbuck asks if it was Moby Dick, the famous White Whale, that took off his leg, Ahab admits that it was and forces the entire crew to swear that they will help him hunt Moby Dick to the ends of the earth and take revenge for his injury.
Despite first mate Starbuck’s worries and a variety of bad omens (e.g., all the navigational instruments break, a typhoon tries to push the ship backwards, and the Pequod encounters other ships that have lost crewmembers because of Moby Dick), Ahab insists on continuing to pursue the whale.
Finally, just when we think the novel’s going to end without ever seeing this famous White Whale, Ahab sights him and the chase is on. For three days, Ahab pursues Moby Dick, sending whaling boat after whaling boat after him – only to see each one wrecked (使下沉)by the whale. Finally, at the end of the third day, the White Whale attacks the ship itself, and the Pequod goes down with all hands.
Even while his ship is sinking, Ahab, in his whaling boat, throws his harpoon at Moby Dick one last time. He misses, catching himself around the neck with the rope and causing his own drowning death.
We can infer from the passage that ________.
| A．Ishmael signs up as sailor for making a fortune. |
| B．The crew on board the Pequod was unwilling to help the captain to hunt Moby Dick |
| C．The captain was very kind to the crew on board the Pequod |
| D．The captain successfully captured Moby Dick and returned home. |
The underlined word “omens ”in paragraph 5 most probably means ________.
| A．troubles | B．accidents | C．stories | D．signs |
What does the author think of Captain Ahab?
| A．Selfish | B．Knowledgeable |
| C．Considerate | D．Bad-tempered |
In a newspaper, this passage is most probably in the section of ________.
| A．Lifestyle | B．Travel | C．Career | D．Entertainment |
Maya Angelou, the American poet and author, died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Wednesday. She was 86. Her son, Guy B Johnson, confirmed the news in a statement. He said Angelou "passed away quietly in her home" sometime before 8 am on Wednesday.
Angelou’s failing health was reported as recently as Tuesday, when she canceled an appearance honoring her with a Beacon of Life Award for “health reasons”. The ceremony was part of the 2014 MLB Beacon Award Luncheon, in Houston, Texas, part of Major League Baseball’s Civil Rights Games. Last month, forced to cancel an appearance at a library in Arkansas, she wrote: "An unexpected condition put me into the hospital. I will be getting better and the time will come when I can receive another invitation from my state and you will recognize me for I shall be the tall Black lady smiling. "
Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson, in St Louis, Missouri, in 1928.She survived several personal trials: she was a child of the Depression, grew up in the segregated(种族隔离的) south, and gave birth as a teenager. She wrote seven autobiographies, including the 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and was a playwright, director and novelist.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was a condemnation(谴责) of the racial discrimination she experienced during her childhood. "If growing up is painful for the southern black girl," she wrote, "being aware of her displacement is the rust(铁锈) on the razor that threatens the throat. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” has had a wide appeal and continues to appear on school and university reading lists in the US and the UK.
In 1993, she read her poem On the Pulse of the Morning at President Clinton's first inauguration(就职演说), a performance that made the poem a bestseller. The poem celebrates the diversity of ethnic groups in the US, and calls on the nation to leave behind cynicism and look forward to a new pride in itself, and a new belief for the country. Clinton on Wednesday said he would "always be grateful for all the years of friendship that followed. America has lost a national treasure, and Hillary and I a beloved friend."
Angelou was a long-time Clinton supporter. One month before his inauguration, she told the New York Times: “Since the election, I have found it easier to wake up in the morning.” And her loyalty to Hillary Clinton has been steadfast, even as Barack Obama campaigned to be America's first black president.
The mayor of Winston-Salem, Allen Joines, said the town would probably remember Angelou best for her commitment to health and theatre. She supported the founder of the National Black Theater Festival, and eventually became its first chairperson in 1989. In 2012, the Maya Angelou Women’s Health and Wellness Center opened in the city. Despite her many accomplishments, the mayor said small moments seemed to touch the poet. In April 2008, the town threw Angelou an 80th birthday party. Despite entertainers and speakers present at the party, the mayor said, “The thing that seemed to touch her the most was a group of little kids.”
Maya Angelou was ________ .
| A．originally named Marguerite Annie Johnson and a black female poet. |
| B．first confirmed to be ill last month in Arkansas and put into hospital. |
| C．honored with Civil Rights Award in Major League Baseball Games. |
| D．described as the national treasure by the mayor of her hometown. |
We can NOT infer from the passage that ________.
| A．Angelou's unhappy experience as a black girl in the south inspired her writings. |
| B．I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and On the Pulse of the Morning were among her most famous works. |
| C．Angelou supported Barack Obama when he campaigned to be President |
| D．Angelou died peacefully in her home on a Wednesday morning in 2014. |
The underlined sentence "...being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat." implies that ________
| A．Her being away from her parents is like a sharp razor that brings much pain. |
| B．Her realization that she doesn't belong here makes her feel emotionally painful. |
| C．People who think she is different from others threaten to kill her with a razor. |
| D．People's refusal to accept her makes her want to cut her throat with a razor. |
Which one is true according to the passage?
| A．In America, Angelou's accomplishments in health and theatre were best remembered. |
| B．Angelou was the founder and chairperson of the National Black Theater Festival. |
| C．A group of children moved her the most on her 80th birthday party. |
| D．Clinton's performance of the poem On the Pulse of the Morning made it a bestseller. |
Why choose National Express?
When you travel with us we want to ensure you're safe, comfortable and arrive at your destination on time. This is why we've made some significant improvements to our services and added new and exciting tools to make sure travelling with us is an easy and relaxing experience.
You go there, we go there
We go to hundreds of towns, cities and airports across the UK. We've over 550 coaches covering 70 million miles a year, so if there's somewhere you want to go, then chances are we go there too.
Safe, modern coaches
A total of 25 million pounds has been invested on over 100 coaches in the last year. Most of our coaches now have leather seats and headrests, ample legroom, power sockets for charging mobiles, tablets and laptops and a toilet on board. For your safety, all our coaches are fitted with the latest safety features as standard. Please turn to page 4-5 for more safety information.
Coach Tracker
Why not use Coach Tracker while travelling with us, or tell your friends and relatives to use it to track where your coaches is in real-time, anytime, anywhere. Simply visit nationalexpresss.com/coachtracker and follow the on-screen instructions.
Assisted travel
The majority of our coaches have an easy-access passenger lift at the front of the coach, providing step free access to wheelchair users and anyone with reduced mobility. We can also offer practical assistance along the way to make your journey easier and more enjoyable. Call 03717 818181 for more information.
Greener journey
Travelling by coaches is one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport. Our coaches emit up to five times less CO2 per passenger, per kilometer than an average car.
Mobile
If you are looking to book a ticket on the go you can use our mobile site, which your smartphone or tablet will automatically direct you to when you visit our website.
Satellite tracking
We track the majority of our coaches using a satellite tracking system. We know exactly where our coaches are at any given time, and can reroute them should there be any avoidable traffic block. We're committed to getting you to your destination safely and on time.
Thanks for choosing to travel with us. We've created this booklet to keep you up-to-date on our safety information and improvements. Whether you are travelling with us to the airport or visiting your favorite destination, sit back, relax and familiarize yourself with the safety features and facilities on board.
From the passage, we can know that ________
| A．National Express invests 25 million on its coaches every year. |
| B．Disabled passengers have easy access to every National Express coach. |
| C．A National Express coach emits less CO2 than an average four-seat car. |
| D．Family members can have National Express passenger’s real-time location through Coach Tracker. |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．The booklet on National Express has at least 5 pages. |
| B．You can call 03717 818181 for more information on mobility issues. |
| C．Most coaches now have leather seats, headsets, tablets and a toilet onboard. |
| D．Most coaches can change their route to avoid traffic jams by satellite tracking. |
The passage is intended to _________ .
| A．inform you of the safety features and latest improvements of the coaches |
| B．introduce the onboard facilities and tools for your safe and comfortable travel |
| C．keep you up-to-date on the safety information and improvements |
| D．promote and advertise the coach service offered by National Express |
What is true about the National Express?
| A．It is a company located in the US that offers coach service nationwide. |
| B．If you visit its website, a ticket will automatically be booked for you. |
| C．It aims to provide safe, relaxing and punctual service for its customers. |
| D．Its coach has step free lifts at both ends of the coach. |