Fire Station No.6 in Livermore,California,houses a celebrity—a 107-year-old light bulb(灯泡)that has been on for over a million hours,earning the title of the“World’s longest continuously burning bulb”by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!The bulb also holds the Guinness World Record.
Nobody knows why this bulb has stayed alive for so many years.Most people believe that it is due to two reasons—it has almost never been turned off and it is really well made.Its perfect seal lets no air in.keeping its carbon filament(灯丝)from burning out.
The bulb was first installed at the fire department hose cart house on L Street in 1901.In 1903 it was moved to the new Station 1 on First and McLeod,and survived the renovation(翻修)of the Firehouse in 1937.when it was off for about a week.The last time the bulb was switched off was in July l976,when it was moved to Fire Station No.6.Thousands of people watched as the electrician tried to re-attach the bulb at its new location.At first nothing happened and people thought the bulb had finally died.However,a slight touch of its switch and then,the bulb came on and has been on since.Nobody at the station dares to touch it,even to clean it.
A local reporter first discovered the bulb’s significance in 1972.He recommended his readers to go visit it if they ever went to Livermore.All of a sudden thousands of people came to Fire Station No.6 and the bulb became famous.
Needless to say,the bulb is now a big source of pride and joy for the city of Livermore.So when some folks offered to buy it,the answer from the city was“NO!”Which of the following may not be a reason for the bulb to stay alive for so long?
| A.It was seldom switched off. |
| B.It was made of high quality. |
| C.Its carbon filament was special. |
| D.Its seal was perfect. |
What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?
| A.The brief history of the bulb. |
| B.The problems with the bulb. |
| C.The main function of the bulb. |
| D.The location where the bulb is. |
We can learn from the text that the bulb _______________.
| A.will eventually be owned by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not |
| B.is now becoming a proud symbol of the locals in livermore |
| C.has never been touched or cleaned in Fire Station No.6 |
| D.wouldn’t have been discovered without the local reporter |
The first visit to a foreign country that I can remember was when I was about seven years old.We lived about 5 miles away from the Canadian border(边界).My family and I went to Parc Safari, Quebec, a wonderful place that has animals and rides.We drove down a nice long road.My sister and I sat in the back of the car, and it was a hatchback(有仓门式后背的汽车) so we opened it up.I remember feeding the animals snacks we had bought for ourselves.
When we arrived, there were not monkeys because they had escaped and had not been found.I remember thinking to myself, how cool it would be to see a monkey in our backyard.
Even though the monkeys were not there it was still so much fun.When we reached the area that had camels, giraffes and other animals, I remember one of the camels reached into the car to get our snacks.However, we were a little gross out because the camels seemed to froth(吐白沫) at the mouth and we had camel slobber(口水) all over the car and us.
It was one of the best family vacations that I can remember.It was not too far from home, it was in a different country and it was with my family.I cannot remember if we went on the rides or not but seeing many animals was a great time.Now I am grown up and have a son, and I am planning to go there again.He is 7 years old and I think he is at a great age to enjoy a trip like this.I am sure it has changed a lot over the years but it will still be a great family trip.Where did the author live when he was 7 years old?
| A.In Canada |
| B.In the central US |
| C.Near the Canadian border |
| D.In Parc Safari |
During the trip, the author ________.
| A.saw a monkey |
| B.fed some monkeys |
| C.was angry with the giraffes |
| D.had been in close contact with the camels |
What does the underlined part “gross out” in paragraph 3 probably mean?
| A.uncomfortable |
| B.excited |
| C.tired |
| D.surprised |
What does the author intend to do?
| A.To have a holiday abroad with his parents. |
| B.To take his 7-year-old son to a zoo. |
| C.To revisit the place he went to at seven. |
| D.To have a family trip in his own country. |
In America, when the eighth graders leave the middle school, they are often worried about moving to the high school.It is a hard time for them, but it can be an exciting one as well.To make it easier, students need to get familiar with their school.
Even though they’ve done this already in the middle school, it’s still important to find where their classrooms are.Most schools take students to the high school for a visit at the end of their eighth grade year.And, most schools also have a freshman (新生) speech for parents and students before the first year begins.Sometimes the main office will give away a map of the school.This can help students and parents to find different places in the school.
One way to know your high school more and make new friends is to join a club or play a sport.Schools often offer chances to join different clubs and sports.Fall activities begin in August before the first day of school.If you are not interested in sports, there are clubs for any interest, such as drama, dance, chess, photography, community service, etc.These clubs allow students from different grades.By joining an activity, students can find new friendships, not to mention improving their chances in future college applications(申请).The school office will have a list of activities offered at the school and information on how to join them.
What’s more, to have a great start to a high school year, students can write down some of their worries, and ask for help from teachers and school workers.According to the text, most students feel ________ when entering the high school.
| A.unhappy |
| B.nervous |
| C.lonely |
| D.disappointed |
Which of the following is TRUE about the school clubs?
| A.There are fewer students from higher grades in the school clubs. |
| B.The school clubs in high school mainly welcome sports fans. |
| C.The school office can help new students join school clubs. |
| D.Summer activities begin before school starts. |
When do many schools take students to visit their new high school?
| A.Before the eighth grade year starts. |
| B.Right after the high school year starts. |
| C.At the beginning of the new term in the high school. |
| D.By the end of the last year in the middle school. |
What is the purpose of this text?
| A.To describe high school life. |
| B.To give advice to new high school students. |
| C.To teach useful experience. |
| D.To introduce new schools. |
We have arrived in the hot, wet city of Bangkok.This is our first trip to Thailand(泰国).All the different smells make us want to try the food.We are going to eat something special for dinner tonight.The hotel we are staying in is cheap, and very clean.We plan to stay here for a few days, visit some places in the city, and then travel to Chiang Mai in the North.
Tuesday, March 27th
Bangkok is wonderful and surprising! The places are interesting.We visited the famous market which was on water, and saw a lot of fruits and vegetables.Everything is so colorful, and we have taken hundreds of photos already! Later today we will leave for Chiang Mai.We will take the train north, stay in Chiang Mai for two days, and then catch a bus to Chiang Rai.
Friday, March 30th
Our trip to Chiang Rai was long and boring.We visited a small village in the mountains.The village people here love the quiet life--no computers or phones.They are the kindest people I have ever met.They always smile and say “hello”.Kathy and I can only speak a few words of Thai, so smiling is the best way to show our kindness.I feel good here and hope to be able to come back next year.The diaries above show the writer’s _____ days in Thailand.
| A.3 |
| B.7 |
| C.15 |
| D.30 |
Which of the following is TRUE?
| A.Chiang Mai is a beautiful city in the south of Thailand. |
| B.The writer is traveling alone in Thailand. |
| C.Chiang Rai is a boring city in the mountains. |
| D.The writer left Chiang Mai for Chiang Rai by bus. |
The people in the village _____.
| A.are friendly to others |
| B.like to speak English |
| C.are very weak |
| D.hope to live in the cities |
What is the best title for the whole diary?
| A.My First Travel |
| B.The Outside World |
| C.Traveling in Thailand |
| D.A Country on the Train |

Sydney Tower is ______ in Sydney, Australia.
| A.the busiest street |
| B.the biggest station |
| C.the most beautiful park |
| D.the highest point |
If you want to book a ticket to Sydney Tower, you can' t _______ .
| A.email sydneytower@ hotmail.corn |
| B.fax 02 9333 9203 |
| C.search www.sydneytower.com.au |
| D.dial 02 9333 9222 |
Frank wants to go to Sydney Tower with his two children, he will pay ______ .
| A.$60 |
| B.$90 |
| C.$120 |
| D.$150 |
I’m Mary.I have a piece of good news to tell you.My parents bought a new flat in the centre of the city.The rooms are not big, but they are all comfortable.There are more rooms than our old flat.I am excited(激动) because I have my own bedroom.In the old flat, I share the bedroom with my sister.
My favourite room in the new flat is my bedroom.I can be alone (单独) in it.It is my own small world.I can listen to music, read comics and chat with my friends on the phone.I can also look for things on the internet and send e-mails to my e-friends.
Kitchen is my favourite room, too.I like helping my mother with the cooking.She is not only a good teacher but also a good cook.She often teaches me how to make some different dishes.She lived in Sichuan when she was a child.So she likes hot food and she can cook very delicious hot food.What’s Mary’s new flat like?
| A.Big and comfortable |
| B.Small and not comfortable |
| C.Big but not comfortable |
| D.Small but comfortable |
Mary can do the following things in the bedroom except(除了)__________.
| A.play the piano |
| B.chat with her friends |
| C.send e-mails |
| D.listen to music |
Which room does Mary like best?
| A.The kitchen |
| B.Her bedroom |
| C.The sitting room |
| D.Both A and B |
What does Mary’s mother do?
| A.A teacher |
| B.A cook |
| C.A housewife |
| D.A worker |