Britain’s high streets are dying slowly
Twenty years ago, the prosperous high street(繁华商业区) was the heart of most cities．It was crowded with customers．Nowadays, high streets are declining, with very few shops and shoppers．With about 14 shops down every day, Britain’s high streets are dying little by little.
It’s fairly easy to understand．To start with, people are spending less because of the economic recession(衰退)．On top of that, more and more people are using the Internet to do their shopping．And it is not easy for shopkeepers in the high streets, either．
Finally, there are the out-of-town retail parks with free car parking that sell just about everything at very low prices.
What can be done? Prime Minister David Cameron has hired Mary Portas, a British business woman and star of TV show Mary Queen of Shops, to bring some life back into Britain’s high streets．She’s talked about creating “magnets(磁石)” to attract people back to the centre． In one town, a bicycle rickshaw(人力车) service is delivering people’s shopping to their homes．
where children can be cared for while parents are shopping.
Members of the public have also voiced their opinions．“My ideal shopping center is one where there’s a wide selection of attractive looking shops, with cheap parking and good public transport links,” said a 28-year-old man．“I’d like to see Night Shopping evenings where shops are open through to 10 pm or later,” said a 22-year-old girl.
| A．They have to pay increasing high rents. |
| B．But he is not the only one to solve the problem. |
| C．But that’s all changed. |
| D．In another town, they set up night shopping centers, |
E． In another town, they set up a nursery,
F． They can make a fortune overnight.
G． Why are high streets in such a desperate situation?
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When I walked into the house after school, the first thing I noticed was a box with items I recognized from my dad’s office．When he told me that he was laid off, I thought he was joking．Then I noticed his seriousness and realized he was telling the truth．My father has always been a hard worker. He has prided himself on his career. 1I guess I had taken his work for granted.
2For starters, he was home all the time．In meant my bed had to be made, my room cleaned up, and my homework done right after school．I would come home every day to find him at the computer searching for jobs． 3He seemed down, though he tried to be optimistic．He asked my brother and me to spend less．I gave up my spending money, which wasn’t much．I also found a part-time job．
4He explained that he never wanted to be laid off again, so he was going to start his own business．Day by day, I watched him build it, On evening I asked if he needed help．“Only if it doesn’t affect school,” he said．I showed up at his office the next afternoon, and most afternoons after that for two months．
5The terrible experience for our family taught me how to deal with difficulties．Now I know that through creative problem-solving, I can always find Plan B. I can ask for help and take risks．What I have learned from my dad’s understanding of business and his work ethic（信条） are two of the most important lessons I will ever learn. And they will be my principles for success．
A．Providing for our family has been his joy．
B．I made every effort to solve his problems．
C．I began to notice how losing his job had affected him．
D．My father’s unemployment created many changes in our lives．
E．After months of searching, my dad decided to go in a totally different direction．
F．His courage and determination helped him to become successful in his new career．
G．I always knew he was a hard worker, but watching him in action influenced me a lot．
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项。
Why Cats Scratch Tings
In has long been assumed that when cats scratch objects with their front paws（爪子）that they are sharpening their claws. 1Research on cat behavior suggests that the major reason for this behavior is communication. By scratching up the bark of a tree (or the leg of your favorite chair) the cat is letting other cats or people know where she is and what she is up to.
Cats tend to pick a small number of noticeable objects in their environments to scratch such as trees, fence posts repeatedly. 2The scratched surface leaves a highly visible mark that can be easily seen by other cats. In addition, cats have special glands （腺）in their paws so that when they make scratching movements they leave scent（气味）that the cats can smell. The fact that cats leave scent marks by making scratching movements may be the reason that cats will continue to scratch objects even after they have been declawed. 3
We don’t know exactly what cats are communicating with their scratching. Both males and females do it. It is done inside and outside the home and even by cats living with no other cats around. 4Cats don’t scratch up your furniture to bother you or just to be destructive, but for specific reasons, one of which is communicating. Cats also scratch to extend their bodies, during play, and possibly as a greeting or to relieve dissatisfaction when prevented from doing other things they want to do.
5It is easier to prevent problem scratching rather than trying to change your cat’s preference for the arm of your sofa after it has become a built up habit. Thus, the goal is to establish acceptable scratching habits by getting your cat to prefer a scratching post rather than the arm of your sofa.
| A．It turns out that this is only a secondary reason. |
| B．This is why the tree next door looks so scratched up. |
| C．Cats use other parts of their bodies to communicate as well. |
| D．Small pieces of bark have accumulated on the ground underneath. |
E．Scratching can result in considerable damage, owner dissatisfaction.
F．Declawed cats may still be leaving scent marks on objects they scratch.
G．It could be a defensive warning or just a marker that announces its existence.
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E
It’s not that hard to be a better writer. Seriously, it’s especially true if you’re starting as a non-writer who’s just trying to be competent for day-to-day tasks.
1．Have a Structure． 1Your body should consist of paragraphs t
hat are grouped according, to topic, each one dealing with a single element of your subject．
2． 2When you say a car runs "fast" , don't leave it at that．Show me how fast it is by ; detailing the vehicle' s top speed and acceleration, along with listing other cars it leaves in the dust．Do the same with every other significant modifier（修饰语） you use．
3．Don't pad words． 3Most of the time, this ends up turning what' s essentially nice; writing into unreadabl
e nonsense．You' 11 see this with heavy use of unnecessary adjectives and adverbs, along with useless phrases that can easily be cut off without losing meaning．
4．Choose good words．Sometimes, the way your text reads comes down to word choice．Don't say " converse" when you can say " speak" ; don' t write " adjudicate" when you say "decide"． 4
5．Use a writing software．Notice that we didn't give any advice on grammar．That's because using a quality proofreading software can help you on that end． 5
| A．Try not to use adjectives and adverbs without providing an explanation． |
| B．Don't let anything keep you from it! |
| C．Many inexperienced writers tend to pad words to meet word count goals． |
| D．Regardless of what you do, your writing should have an introduction and a conclusion． |
E．Basically, put your words to good use and find words that will make the experience easier for your readers．
F．Some ideas can be quite correct．
G．Sure, a few mistakes might slip in now and then, but a good tool will take care of most of them．
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Learning English online is an effective way to improve your English. But with any type of learning you need to be prepared. This passage will 
give you advice and tips on how to get the most out of your online lessons.
1
This is an obvious point but also the most important one. A computer, a good Internet connection and a headset are what you will need to take classes online. A web camera is also pretty important. Make sure that your computer is turned on, that everything is plugged in correctly and that you have tested the connection. Doing this before the class means that you will be ready when the lesson starts
Take the classes somewhere quiet.
2Trying to listen and participate(参与) in English classes is very difficult when there is noise around you. So find a quiet room and make sure that no one disturbs you while you are taking your lesson.
3
When grammar or anything else is being taught, make sure that you understand it. You won’t need to practice it at this time; just make sure that everything is clear. If you don’t understand what is being taught, ask your teacher to explain it again. Your teacher will be more than happy to deal with whatever puzzles you.
Practice speaking English.
Every class is an opportunity to practice your English speaking with a native and qualified teacher. Try to allow the conversation to flow by listening and talking in a natural way. 4The teacher should note the mistakes and correct them at a later time.
Relax.
Come to class feeling relaxed and excited. 5Come into the class excited about learning English. You will be able to get more out of the class this way.
| A．Review after the lesson |
| B．Make sure everything is ready. |
| C．Understand what is being taught. |
| D．Get away from everything that may be going on in your home |
E. Language learning should be enjoyable especially in online classes.
F. You will meet many problems when you are learning English online.
G. This is your chance to speak English without worrying about too many mistakes.
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Peter: Oh, it’s nine o’clock. 1_____
Monica: 2____ We are on holiday.
Peter: I have to meet Mary at the airport.
Monica: 3____
Peter: At about ten o’clock.
Monica: Just stay a little longer and have another cup of tea. It’s fresh and wonderful.
Peter: I am sorry I can’t. Thank you just the same. I would be late if I have it.
Monica: 4___
Peter: I have enjoyed the meal very much. It was delicious.
Monica: Thank you.5___
| A．What a pity that you have to leave so soon. |
| B．Why so soon? |
| C．I’m so happy. |
| D．What time is she arriving? |
E.I must be off now.
F.I’m so glad you like it.
G.How I wish you could stay a little longer.