The First Lady’s Travel Journal: Touring the Forbidden City March 21, 2014
After visiting the Beijing Normal School, Madame Peng took Sasha and Malia, my mother, and me to the Forbidden City, which is right in the heart of Beijing.
For more than 2,000 years (up until 1912), China was ruled by emperors who descended (传递) from many different dynasties, or families, who passed ruling positions on from generation to generation — and for nearly 500 years, the Forbidden City used as the emperor’s home.
Like the name suggests, the Forbidden City is large enough to be a city of its own — it includes nearly 1,000 buildings and nearly 10,000 rooms.
In 1925, the new Chinese government turned the Forbidden City into a museum so that visitors like us from all over the world can stroll (闲逛) through many of the beautiful rooms and outdoor spaces.
The Forbidden City is too large to fully experience in a single visit, but highlights include the following: The Hall of Union and Peace (交泰殿) has almost 14,000 ornamental dragons. The Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿) is where the emperor watched birthday celebrations and coronation (加冕) ceremonies from his Dragon Throne (龙椅). And then there are the Imperial Gardens (御花园), where you can walk along the paths and pavilions, admiring the beautiful rock arrangements, flowers and cypress (柏树) trees.
While we loved our visit to the Forbidden City, we only wish we had more time to see everything. But then again, I’m not sure there could ever be enough time to fully enjoy all of the art and history in this wonderful place.
The writer visited The Forbidden City with _______.
| A．her daughters | B．her husband |
| C．her mother | D．her mother and two daughters |
The Forbidden City is a _______.
| A．city | B．palace |
| C．village | D．garden |
The Forbidden City was used as _______ for nearly 500 years until 1912.
| A．a museum |
| B．the emperor’s short-lived home |
| C．a place of interest for public |
| D．the emperor’s home |
What does the word “highlights” mean in the passage?
| A．景观亮点 | B．聚光灯 |
| C．光亮 | D．最大的部分 |
According to the passage, we can infer(推断) that _______.
| A．They had enough time to visit every room |
| B．The Forbidden City was used as a museum till 1925 |
| C．The first lady enjoyed all of the art and history in this wonderful place |
| D．There are more than 1,000 buildings and less than 10,000 rooms |
What you have read is a(n) _________.
| A．report | B．ad. | C．message | D．notice |
What restaurant is Tea Cottage?
| A．Chinese. | B．British. | C．American. | D．French. |
Who has to work every day?
| A．Singers. | B．Waiters. | C．Cleaners. | D．Cooks. |
If you want to get more information, you can _________.
| A．send a letter | B．make a call |
| C．send an email | D．visit the boss |
Dear Mom,
I’m sorry that I can’t go back home for Mother’s Day next week. On that day, I’ll have to go to an important meeting for my boss, who helps me a lot with my work and life here. But I’ll find time to see you at home soon.
Mom, thank you for everything you’ve done for Tim and me. After Dad died ten years ago, you had to work in a supermarket in the daytime and in a restaurant at night. But you always gave us two your love and care. Though you don’t have to work now, I still remember your coming home and feeling tired many evenings.
Tim is going to finish his studies next month. He said he would move back from school and look for a job near home. I’m glad you won’t live by yourself anymore. Let’s plan to take a trip in the near future. It’s been years since the three of us took a trip together.
Happy Mother’s Day! I love you, Mom.
Best wishes,
John John can’t go home on Mother’s Day because he has to _________.
| A．meet his boss | B．take a trip |
| C．attend a meeting | D．go to a party |
What can we learn about John’s mother?
| A．She lives by herself now. |
| B．She still works day and night. |
| C．She will make a plan to save money. |
| D．She used to be too busy to care for her children. |
What do we know from the letter?
| A．John has two brothers. |
| B．John is unhappy with his boss. |
| C．Tim will finish his studies soon. |
| D．Tim will leave home for his job soon. |
Which is true according to the letter?
| A．John’s father died at work. |
| B．Tim will look for a teaching job. |
| C．John bought a gift for his mother. |
| D．John hopes to take a trip with his family. |
Green is an important color in nature. It is the color of grass and the leaves on trees. It is also the color of most growing plants.
Sometimes, the word “green” means young, fresh and growing. For example, a greenborn is someone who has no experience. In the 15 th century, a greenborn was a young cow or an ox whose borns(角)had not yet developed. A century later, a greenborn was a soldier who had no experience in war. By the 18 th century, a greenborn had the meaning it has today—a person who is new in a job.
Someone who is good at growing plants is said to have a green thumb(大拇指). The expression comes from the early 20 th century. A person with a green thumb can make plants grow quickly and well. The Green Revolution(绿色革命)is the name given some years ago to the development of new kinds of rice and other grains. It was the result of hard work by agricultural scientists who had green thumbs.
Green is also the color used to describe the powerful feeling. Jealousy(嫉妒). The green eyed monster is not a dangerous animal from outer space. It is an expression used about 400 years ago by the British writer William Shakespeare in his play “Othello”. It describes the unpleasant feeling when someone has something he wants.
In most places in the world, a green light is a signal(信号)to move ahead. In everyday speech, a green light means approval(赞成)to continue with a project.A new solider was called a greenborn in the ____ century.
| A．15 th | B．16 th | C．18 th | D．20 th |
A person with a green thumb____.
| A．is good at growing plant |
| B．really has a green thumb |
| C．has no experience in war |
| D．is new in a job |
A man may meet the green eyed monster if ____.
| A．he sees a dangerous animal |
| B．he can’t get something |
| C．he reads a sad play |
| D．his friend gets a prize that he wants |
This passage doesn’t mention the history of the expression “____”.
| A．a green thumb | B．a greenborn |
| C．the green eyed monster | D．a green light |
Which would be the best title of the passage?
| A．Green, the color of grass and trees |
| B．The stories about the color “green” |
| C．Green, a sign of approval |
| D．Different meanings of “green” |
Emergencies(紧急情况)don’t happen very often. But when they do, you want to get help first. No one wants to spend time looking up the phone numbers.
In 1568, the Untied States government wanted one number that people could call for emergencies. They decided that 911 was easy to remember and people could dial it quickly. The very first 911 call was made on February 16, 1968. in Alibama. Today, 911 is used for emergencies in most parts of the United States and many parts of Canada.
Other countries may use other numbers. In Great Britain, it’s 959. If you’re not sure which emergency number is used in your area, check your phone book.
When to call
Never call 911 as a joke or just to see what might happen. The only time you should call 911
When in an emergency call
When you dial the 911 operator(接线员)，it’s always OK to give out your information. Speak slowly and clearly when you explain what’s happening. What happened? Where are you? Who needs help?
Don’t hang up(挂断)！
If you have to call 911, do not hang up until the operator tells you it’s OK to do so, That way, you can be sure that the operator has all the information to offer help fast.
A dog named Faith dialed 911 when her owner who was in a wheelchair fell and needed help. She had been taught to use a speed—dial(快递拨号)function.The emergency number 911 was first used in ____ in the USA.
A. 1958 B. 1968 C. 1978 D. 1999Why was 911 chose to be the emergency call?
| A．Because other countries also used the number. |
| B．Because it was suggested by the phone company. |
| C．Because it was simple and easy to remember and dial. |
| D．Because it was also used in many parts of Canada. |
People can’t call 911 when ____.
| A．a bus hits a boy badly |
| B．a girl feels bored |
| C．an old lady falls off the stairs, unable to stand up |
| D．some people can’t get out of a burning building |
Which is the right thing to do?
| A．Wait for the operator’s words to end the call. |
| B．Tell the operator what his happened and hang up. |
| C．Test if your phone can get through to 911. |
| D．Tell the operator everything as quickly as possible. |
Which is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．911 is an emergency number almost throughout the United States. |
| B．We haven’t got a worldwide universal(通用的)emergency number yet. |
| C．Usually phone books list emergency call numbers. |
| D．The dog Faith pressed the three numbers 9—1—1. |
B
If you want to book a ticket, you can NOT____.
| A．use the Internet |
| B．go to the Box Office on Sundays |
| C．ring and pay by credit card |
| D．post the booking form to the Box Office |
If you make a group booking for 14 persons, how much should you pay?
| A．$ 120. | B．$126. | C．$ 140. | D．$150. |
On average(平均), which kind of tickets is the cheapest?
| A．Saver. | B．Supersaver. |
| C．Group bookings. | D．School. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．There are no spaces for wheelchairs. |
| B．The audience(观众)can serve exchange tickets. |
| C．A group of 12 can get 10% discount. |
| D．A school group of 15 should pay $ 59 for the tickets. |
The passage is ____.
| A．booking notes of Fra ? | B．a review of Far ? |
| C．a survey of F ? | D． about f ? |