There’s a body of water in Israel that is actually below sea level. Water constantly runs into it, but, because of the law of gravity (万有引力定律)，nothing can flow out of it. Do you know the name of this famous lake? It’s called the Dead Sea. It’s called this because no living thing could live there. The water is almost dead, compared to what happens with “living water”.
When you think of the term “living water”, the image that comes to mind is a rushing river that is flowing. It’s filled with life and movement. It doesn’t just “receive”, but is also “giving” simultaneously.
Many of us believe that we need to receive more of something in order to be happy. Whether what we desire is money or something else, we think we need more of it in order to be fulfilled.
As a result, we begin to operate in fear and therefore don’t give anything because we’re afraid that we won’t have enough. The result? Like the Dead Sea, we become lifeless. Life is meant to flow. when a pool stops flowing, it becomes stagnant(停滞的). Stagnant water breeds disease and death. It can’t breathe. It can’t receive any more. If nothing is flowing out, there’s no room for anything else to come in.
The solution? Give. As you give, you’ll receive. It’s a universal law. You see it at work everywhere. we’ve somehow been deceived （ 欺骗 ）into believing that if we don’t give, we’ll have more. Or we’re afraid that if we do give, we won’t have anything left. On one hand, this seems to make sense. But it doesn’t work. Because when we don’t give, we shut off the flow of what’s coming in.
1.What is the first paragraph mainly about?
A. The development of the Dead Sea
B. The special character of the Dead Sea
C. The position of the Dead Sea
D. The present situation of the Dead Sea
2.According to the passage, people wouldn’t like to give because________.
A. they are really poor in fact B. they don’t know how to give
C .they don’t know who to give D. they are still not satisfied
3.According to the passage, if you refuse to give, you will___________.
A. be like a pool with stagnant water
B. have enough space for what you’ll receive
C. need something more to be satisfied
D. do everything according to the law
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Give and you’ll receive B. The secret of the Dead sea
C. A universal law D. come in and come out
When the recent research was analyzed（分析）, it was found that a lot of people wanted free pictures or free music from the Web. If it couldn’t be free, then they wanted it “new” or at least at a low price. It seems that 70 percent of people aged 16 to 24 download music online but only 1 in 40 tracks are bought legally.
Thus, some companies are planning to give all of their music away for free. The music will be totally free except that you will have to pay with your time by watching advertisements. This will be perfect for those who have lots of time but little money.
The Web has encouraged a belief that things can be free, or at least very cheap. It seems that everyone is looking for a good deal on the Web. The desire for free objects is part of the nature of the Web because the Web is about self-service and self-service is all about being free, cheap, fast and convenient. It’s interesting how words change their meaning. Stealing has now become file sharing, but it’s not really stealing, is it?
Free is a funny word. We all know that very little is really for free. If we go searching on the Web for free music, we know—or should know—that there are risks involved. However, it doesn’t matter. We still want free things, or at least the sense that we’re getting a real bargain and that at a minimum we’re saving time.
What can be the worst experience on the Web? A site that charges us high prices and wastes our time.
1.What is the best title for the text?
A. The Nature of the Web B. The Web and the Culture of “ Free”
C. Stealing and File Sharing D. What Does the Word “ Free” Mean?
2.Why do some companies “ sell” their music for free?
A. Their music is not popular and is out of date.
B. Most people have lots of time but little money.
C. Their music can’t be sold new or for a low price.
D. They can earn money from the advertisements added in the music.
3.Which of the following can best describe the belief of the Web?
A. Risky behaviour B. Stealing C. File sharing D. For fun.
Gardening can be a very relaxing hobby for many people and this wonderful experience is not just for adults. Children are interested in gardening as well, if given the chance to explore nature and science in this way. Gardening can bring joy to both children and their parents alike, especially when the experience is shared together.
The time that is spent gardening together builds precious memories within their hearts and minds for years to come. When you are gardening with your children, try to give them their own special area. Keep their area in the center of the best soil and light, as you want to make sure of a successful gardening experience.
Plastic tools easily break and are difficult to use in the dirt, so when you are gardening with your children, give them real tools to use if possible. Even offering to let them use your tools is a way to admit the worth of the work they are doing. It is also important to talk with your children about the whole process of gardening, from planting to the harvest. They need to understand how things work and the importance of what they are doing.
Show off the children’s gardening work by taking friends and visitors for a walking tour through the garden and point out the children’s particular spot. When you give attention to the children’s work, this is a great motivation（动机） for children to continue wanting to be involved. Do not force children to take part when they are in a bad mood or if they are becoming bored. Instead, allow them to do something different, like building a scarecrow(稻草人)! This makes the gardening experience even more interesting. As you work together side by side with your children, you will encourage a love of the land in them, as well as create lasting memories of time spent with you.
1.What is the text mainly about?
A. Teaching children how to garden.
B. Giving children the chance to show off
C. Helping children realize the importance of work.
D. Sharing the joy of gardening with children.
2.Why should you introduce your children’s work to your friends?
A. It makes your friends believe your children are smart.
B. It helps you gain more confidence in your children.
C. It encourages children to continue doing such work.
D. It attracts your friends to take part in your gardening.
3.What kind of people is the text mainly written for?
A. Children B. Parents C. Farmers D. Teachers
In 2016, athletes from around the world will compete for gold medals in the Summer Olympics. Even though the games are three years away, Brazil’s residents already feel like winners.
The nation was named to host this important sporting event in October,2009. It will be the first Olympics held in South America.
The games will take place in Rio de Janeiro. The city beat out three other sites, Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago, to host the event. When the International Olympic Committee chose Rio de Janeiro, cheering people flooded the city’s streets. “This is huge for Rio and for the whole country,” says resident Sueli Ferreira.
The Olympics are expected to attract tens of thousands of people. Brazilian officials have already started to prepare for the crowds. “ We know what we need to do,” explains Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. “ The words from now on are work, work and work.”
Officials want to fix up local sports centers before Rio de Janeiro steps into the spotlight. They also want to reduce the amount of crime.
They hope hosting the games will improve life in Brazil. About 30 percent of people there live in poverty, or poor conditions. Tourism during the Olympics is expected to create more than 2 million jobs.
“ It’s going to be good for the economy, good for the people,” Ferreira says. “ This gives us hope that things will be better here.”
1.According to the passage, the 2016 Olympics will be held in ______.
A. Europe B. Asia C. North America D. South America
2.The feeling of Brazilians can be described as _________.
A. proud B. surprised C. worried D. nervous
3.The underlined word “flooded” in Para.3 means_______
A. crossed B. filled C. visited D. cleaned
4.According to Brazil’s president, we can know________.
A. the government needs help from the Brazilian public
B. the government will begin to prepare for the Olympics soon
C. Brazilian officials will try hard to prepare for the Olympics
D. Brazilian official are now too busy to prepare for the Olympics
5.We can learn from the last two paragraphs that___________.
A. Brazilians’ life will be better because of the Olympics
B. not all Brazilians are interested in the Olympics
C. most Brazilians are now living in poor conditions
D. Brazilians worry about losing jobs during the Olympics
BIG things were happening in my life the summer after I turned 13. In the middle of that summer, my parents my entire world when they told me they were getting divorced. I couldn’t believe that our family was going to . Though I always knew my parents weren’t very happy and they often fought, I still wanted my family to stay .
My life changed completely after the divorce. My mother and I moved into a small apartment town, while my father and brother, Bill, stayed in our house. I now became a visitor I went to see my Dad and Bill on the weekends. And immediately I had my stepfather, Dan, I showed no interest in. I was clearly sad, especially after Dan and my mother married I realized that there was no way that things could change the way they were.
Even though I refuse all Dan’s trying to get to know me and wasn’t very nice to him, he never gave on me. Gradually, I began to trust him. I realized that we actually had some things in common, especially when came to movies and TV shows. We spent a lot of time together out to watch movies. That gave us a chance to talk and get to know each other .
Better still, Dan showed an interest in me that I had experienced from my own father. Dan was always around when I needed on school or friends. Once I began to Dan, the three of us began spending a lot of time together. We often went out to eat and short trips. Eventually, I discovered that I finally had the happy family that I had always .
I now realize my parents were about getting the divorce. Their breakup was the best thing to happen for all of us. My father also found happiness—he and had another child, my half-sister, Michelle.
At 13, I an important truth –change is not always the worst thing that can happen. Sometimes, it is just what we need most.
1.A. shook B. broke C. hurt D. changed
2.A. break down B. break up C. break in D. break out
3.A. a same B. same C. the same D. at same
4.A. at B. from C. across D. over
5.A. when B. while C. that D. whenever
6.A. whoever B. which C. whom D. that
7.A. but B. and C. however D. also
8.A. back B. back to C. into D. for
9.A. up B. in C. out D. off
10.A. that B. it C. he D. we
11.A. go B. went C. to go D. going
12.A. more deeply B. much deeply C. more deeper D. very deeper
13.A. either B. too C. before D. never
14.A. suggestion B. advices C. advice D. tip
15.A. receive B. accept C. recognize D. know
16.A. went B. began C. took D. go for
17.A. wished B. hoped C. dreamed D. wanted
18.A. right B. wrong C. necessary D. good
19.A. divorced B. united C. married D. remarried
20.A. found B. discover C. learned D. Understand
假如你是美国的Mike，你的朋友李华打算到国外留学，他写信询问你什么样的中国学生最受国外高校青睐。请你根据下列要点给对方写一封回信：
1.语言是道硬门槛; 2.适应能力很重要; 3.兴趣爱好被看重; 4.要有社会责任感.
注意：词数100左右，开头和结束语已写好，不计入总词数。
参考词汇：适应 adapt to
Dear Li Hua,
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Mike
