I used to work in an office, which had a Locust tree growing outside the window．It had grown into a tall tree and must have been there for a long time．_1._. Unfortunately, this happened to be the room assigned to me, and I was depressed by it for quite some time．
When the first spring came, everything was green except the locust tree．_2.__. One morning, when I opened the window for some fresh air, I unexpectedly smelt a familiar sweet scent(香味) floating into my office which I could not name．_3.__. The tree that I thought dead was in full bloom!
From then on, I usually came to the office very early to see dew(露水) forming on the locust tree blossoms, and was eager to see spring again every year．
During summer, the green leaves provided shade protecting me from the strong sunlight, but allowed enough light in to make it pleasant．_4._. Their beauty touched my soul. Many times, I wanted to take photos but never did．Then, I had to leave in a hurry．Later in life, it became a great regret that I had not done so．
Actually, many times in our lives we think we own something and thus do not value it. __5._. Moreover, sometimes, we have to accept the things we don't want and need to discover the hidden beauty to find unexpected joy!
A. Do value what you own!
B. Suddenly, I realized it was the locust tree!
C. We don't feel regretful until we lose it one day!
D. In autumn, the leaves turned many different colors．
E. I felt very happy because I thought it had died!
F. The tree blocked the view and made the office seem dull.
G. The tree provides much shade and cools the room in summer.
Today’s modern life discourages people from taking time to prepare their own meals. Eating in the car and grabbing a quick bite in a restaurant are ever more popular ways of dining. It takes a little extra effort and time to cook your own food, but it’s a worthwhile pursuit（追求）that can benefit your health, wallet and family.
People across the country are waking up to the fact that the food offered by most fast food restaurants isn’t particularly healthy. While these restaurants have made attempts lately to add healthier meals to their menus, it’s still a far cry from a dish cooked with fresh ingredients(配料) and personal care.
Nutritionists who study what is called “the French paradox”--- meaning the fact that French people have low obesity rates despite their diet containing lots of “unhealthy” ingredients such as butter---partially account for this circumstance by the fact that many French people use fresh ingredients. Taking time to eat at a leisurely pace also helps you get better nutrition and you are less likely to pack on the pounds.
Even a quick meal will usually cost at least five dollars per person at a restaurant. Compare this to the amount of pasta, vegetables or meat available for the same money at your home, and it quickly becomes apparent that the cost of eating out adds up.
Experimenting with new ingredients or foreign recipes will encourage children to try new foods and learn about dishes from around the world. Many couples also find that preparing a meal together can be a romantic experience equal to dinner in a classy, low-lit restaurant. Make sure to spend meal times talking and sharing events from the day and you may find it’s a great way to get to know your family better.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?
A. Fast food does great harm to people.
B. More people prefer dining out today.
C. There’re different reasons for dining out.
D. Many people still approve of cooking at home.
2.The underlined phrase “ a far cry from” in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by “__________”.
A. different from B. absent from
C. equal to D. superior to
3.Why is “the French paradox” referred to in the passage?
A. To show the French diet is fairly delicious.
B. To illustrate the French have a healthy diet.
C. To stress the importance of using fresh food ingredients.
D. To prove the French diet makes people fat easily.
4. What advantage of cooking at home does the last paragraph talk about?
A. Strengthen family bonds.
B. Save your money up.
C. Expose you to foreign cultures.
D. Get children educated better.
Why does most of the world travel on the right side to day? Theories differ, but there's no doubt Napoleon was a major influence. The French have used the right since at least the late 18th century. Some say that before the French Revolution, noblemen drove their carriages on the left, forcing the peasants to the right. Regardless of the origin, Napoleon brought right-hand traffic to the nations he conquered, including Russia, Switzerland and Germany. Hitler, in turn, ordered right-hand traffic in Czechoslovakia and Austria in the 1930s. Nations that escaped right-hand control, like Great Britain, followed their left-hand tradition.
The U.S. has not always been a nation of right-hand drivers; earlier in its history, carriage and horse traffic travelled on the left, as it did in England. But by the late 1700s, people driving large wagons pulled by several pairs of horses began promoting a shift (改变) to the right. A driver would sit on the rear (后面的) left horse in order to wave his whip (鞭子) with his right hand; to see opposite traffic clearly, they travelled on the right.
One of the final moves to firmly standardize traffic directions in the U.S. occurred in the 20th century, when Henry Ford decided to mass-produce his cars with controls on the left (the reason was stated in a 1908 catalog: the convenience for passengers exiting directly onto the edge, especially if there is a lady to be considered). Once these rules were set, many countries eventually adjusted to the right-hand standard, including Canada in the 1920s, Sweden in 1967 and Burma in 1970. The U.K. and former colonies such as Australia and India are among the Western world's few remaining holdouts (坚持不变者). Several Asian nations, including Japan, use the left as well—though many places use both right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive cars.
1.Why did people in Switzerland travel on the right?
A. They had used the right-hand traffic since the 18th century.
B. Rich people enjoyed driving their carriages on the right.
C. Napoleon introduced the right-hand traffic to this country.
D. Hitler ordered them to go against their left-hand tradition.
2. Of all the countries below, the one that travels on the right is ______.
A. Austria B. England
C. Japan D. Australia
3. Henry Ford produced cars with controls on the left ______.
A. in order to change traffic directions in the U.S.
B. so that passengers could get off conveniently
C. because rules at that time weren't perfect.
D. though many countries were strongly against that.
4. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. Before the French Revolution, all the French people used the right.
B. People in Britain and the U.S. travel on the same side nowadays.
C. The Burmese began to travel on the right in 1970.
D. All the Asian nations use the left at present.
Shanghai Disney Resort has revealed its ticket prices for Disneyland claiming the lowest of all 12 Disney parks and six resorts in the world.
Shanghai Disneyland ticket prices are set at 499 yuan (75 dollars) for the grand opening period (June 16-30, 2016) and regular price at 370 yuan. Its regular price for a one-day ticket is lower than its peers in Hong Kong, which is priced at 539 yuan and the Disneyland in Tokyo in Japan at 374 yuan. The regular price for a one-day ticket at the two parks in Los Angeles is $139. Tickets for Shanghai’s Disneyland will be on sale on March 28, 2016.
Shanghai’s Disneyland will have its opening day on June 16, 2016. All tickets will be date-specific and valid for admission only on the date purchased.
Peak pricing for high-demand dates, including summer holidays and weekends, is set at 499 yuan. Special pricing will be provided to categorized guests: children (1.4m and below), seniors (65 years old and above) and guests with disabilities will receive discounts of 25 percent, infants (1m and below) receive free admission. A two-day ticket will be available at a five percent discount. On March 28, 2016, guests can obtain information on tickets through several official channels.
The project has been under construction for more than six years now. Jun 16－that is, 6-16-2016－has been apparently chosen as the date of opening because the three 6s are believed to be auspicious, foretelling success.
“Investors believe that even a 10 square meter space for a noodle stand will be really profitable if it is close enough to Disneyland," said Lu Jianxin, a real estate agent with Shanghai Huayu Property Ltd.
1. According to the passage, how much will the two-day tickets cost if a couple go to Shanghai Disneyland on July 16, 2016, Saturday?
A. About 1900 yuan. B. About 2000 yuan.
C. About 1500 yuan. D. About 1400 yuan.
2.What does the underlined word “auspicious” mean?
A. suspicious B. successful
C. lucky D. unsuccessful
3. What does this passage most probably come from?
A. A school textbook.
B. A news report.
C. An advertisement.
D. An introduction of a scenic spot.
I am always nervous when I get an email from my parents with "FYI(For Your Information)". My parents are in their late 70s, and while they are quite healthy for their ages, I worry about what messages they are going to give me.
I got such an email in September from my father. He sent an email from my cousin who told that her father, my uncle Reese, had passed away. The news made my mind go blank though I have met him less than a dozen times in my life, because Reese was the first of my parent’s siblings(兄弟姐妹) to die, and I was simply not ready for that.
The memorial service was set in Florida, and I quickly decided I needed to go. I needed to be there for my father, and I needed to go for myself. Reese is about nine years older than my father, and I started to do the math in my head. I know that doesn’t make sense, but I will do anything to reason that I still have a lot of time before I am in my cousin’s shoes.
Reese’s memorial service was small with only family and perhaps a dozen of his friends. The funeral was attended by an even smaller number, and then, the family gathered at a nearby bar to look at old photographs found among Reese’ possessions.
As we drove back to the Orlando International Airport, I thought about how I am not sure what my parents want, not only in their memorial services, but also how they want to be remembered and where they want to be laid to rest. These are going to be difficult conversations, but I know I need to have them. Maybe not right now, but we do need to open the discussion at some point. It may feel too early, but I trust my parents will know that when adult children raise these questions, we do it out of love to honor their lives and their wishes.
1. Why do emails with “FYI” make the author uneasy?
A. She’s too busy to read those emails.
B. She dislikes her parents’ nonstop talking.
C. They often bring unpleasant news.
D. She’s afraid to get bad news about her parents.
2.How did the author feel about the email from her cousin?
A. Disappointed. B. Shocked
C. Confused. D. Annoyed.
3.What do we know from the third and fourth paragraphs?
A. A get-together was held at home.
B. Reese’s friends didn’t appear.
C. Not many people attended the funeral.
D. The author hesitated to go to Florida.
4.What does the author decide to do after the funeral?
A. Express her love for her parents bravely.
B. Have a talk with her parents about death.
C. Value her parents’ wishes.
D. Get everything ready for her parents.
书面表达
假定你是李华。你想买一本适合中学生使用的英语词典，但拿不定主意该买哪一种。请你用英语给在北京学习中文的美国笔友Peter写封信，征询他的意见。要点包括：
1.请他推荐一种；
2.如果可能，请他代购一本。
3.下周，哥哥李明要去北京，可以让他捎回。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数。
Dear Peter,
How are you doing?
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