In the latest beauty craze(狂热) sweeping social media in China, women—and even some men—are boasting that they are paper thin, by posting photographs of their waists behind a vertical(垂直) piece of A4 paper. To qualify, the waist must be entirely hidden by the paper. A piece of A4 paper is 8.3 by 11.7 inches, roughly the size of a sheet of American letter paper.
With the A4 Waist, the trend is attracting hundreds of photographs and thousands of comments on Weibo and other social media networks like Weixin or WeChat. Being abnormally thin is a widespread standard of beauty for women, one that has been criticized as an unhealthy ideal of female attractiveness.
The tiny waist has a long tradition in China, going back at least to King Ling of Chu, who ruled from 540 to 529 B.C. Many in China know the passage from the Book of Han, the history of the Western Han Dynasty: “The King of Chu loved a narrow waist. Many people at court starved to death.’’
Several commentators have found the A4 trend disturbing. In a telephone interview, He Xiaobin, senior fashion features editor at the Chinese edition of GQ magazine, said, “I find it completely stupid. Everybody has a different frame and body shape. Using a single size to define all human beings and thinking you have created a new standard is foolish.’’ The A4 waist challenge annoyed him, saying that it allows certain people to gain bragging rights, while leaving others in depression.
Luckily, some who do not qualify are turning to humor for comfort. Can they substitute a different paper size, such as A3, which is 11.7 inches across or measure a body part besides the waist?
1.What do we know about the latest beauty craze?
A. Women with A4 waists are considered beauties.
B. The love for slim waist is a new modern trend.
C. A4 waist is an old standard of being slim in China.
D. It is a new method to help people go on a diet.
2.According to He Xiaobin, showing A4 waist in social media is ________.
A. traditional B. challenging
C. disturbing D. instructive
3.According to the last paragraph, some who don’t have A4 waists take the craze as a ________.
A. lie B. joke
C. dream D. target
While beach vacations may be a great way to take your mind off work，lakes surrounded by mountains make for an even grander experience．If you are looking for some peace on your vacation，we have some recommendations for you in the Caucasus(高加索)．
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of Armenia，in the Gegharkunik province．It is the largest lake in Armenia，located 6,200ft above sea level．Along the lake shore，there are various accommodations such as resorts and hotels with plenty of activities to partake in such as windsurfing，swimming and sunbathing．While there，do not forget to visit one of the famous cultural monuments，the Sevanavank Monastery，and it offers a great view of the lake as well．
Lake Paravani
Lake Paravani，located at 6,801ft above sea level，is in the south of Georgia，near the Javakheti plateau．At this level，altitude sickness can occur and it is a good idea to be prepared to adapt to it properly，or bring medication for altitude sickness．Being a volcanic lake makes for a more interesting experience．The lake is best known for fishing．Do not come home during the winter months when the lake freezes．
Lake Cildir
Lake Cildir is located in the Ardahan province，East Turkey，near the borders of Georgia and Armenia．It is the second largest freshwater lake of Eastern Turkey，and many tourists are not aware of this beautiful attraction．Lake Cildir is surrounded by mountains of the Caucasus．The lake freezes during late November．If the winter is not extremely cold，you can try some lake activities like ice skating and ice fishing．
Lake Van
Lake Van is the must visit of all lakes in this list．The largest lake in Turkey，Lake Van is located on the eastern shore of Turkey and is also the most accessible lake here．It’s situated at 5，380ft above sea level，and unique to lakes around the world，the water is high in salt content．
1.If you want to visit some historic sites during your travel by a lake，you can go to_______ .
A. Lake Cildir B. Lake Parvani
C. Lake Sevan D. Lake Van
2.What is special about Lake Van?
A. Its water is high in salt． B. It is a volcanic lake．
C. It is globally the largest lake． D. It is surrounded by mountains．
3.What challenge are travelers most likely to face while visiting Lake Paravani?
A. Lack of medicine． B. Volcano eruptions．
C. Altitude sickness． D. Low temperature all the year．
4.Which destinations would be attractive to a fishing lover?
A. Lake Sevan and Lake Paravani． B. Lake Pravani and Lake Cildir．
C. Lake Cildir and Lake Van． D. Lake Sevan and Lake Van．
假定你是学生会主席李华，学生会将举行迎新联欢晚会，请你给外籍教师Tom写一封邀请函。内容包括：
1.晚会时间7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. next Friday；
2.晚会地点Students' Meeting Hall；
3.表演内容；
4.邀请对方参加表演以及询问对方的意愿。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.邀请信的开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Tom,
How are you doing?________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
I'm looking forward to your reply.
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下短文。短文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在此符号下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Everyone needs help.Often there are some cases that we help ourselves indirect in helping others.Last month, Tom asked for me to help him with his math.In order to help him,I go over the textbook again and again,and did lots of exercises.To his surprise,some difficult problems that I could not understand before worked out by myself.After a month,with my help,Tom made great progresses in math,too.Such a experience enabled me to realize that help others also does good to ourselves.So when others is in trouble,never hesitate to help them.
Traffic is a very important part in daily life.Nearly everyone complains about being stuck in traffic so much 1.people are making it possible that the future city will have no traffic at all.H.G Wells,in his book.The Sleeper Awakes,tells something about the traffic.In the streets of that future London there will be no vehicles.The city2. (provide) with moving roads.One side of the road travels3.one direction;4.other side moves the opposite way. Anyone who wants to go to another part of the city steps on the moving “way” and sits on one of the seats until he arrives.He has none of the troubles,5.a private car brings with it: whether there is enough petrol,whether the tyres are all right,and where to park it.The moving way is always at his service,always moving6.(silent) along,always ready7.(take) him to his destination.That city of the future will have no traffic jams.
To link up the8.(vary) cities,vehicles driven by atomic power will pass along highways9.(divide) into two main groups of lanes.Each group will consist of several lanes.Some for slow traffic,some for fast.Crossroads will not exist on these highways,but will be replaced by bridges and junctions.Where these highways enter cities,10. (port) and other built-up areas,they will pass through underground tunnels.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti was a famous 19th-century poet and artist.One day,he was____by an elderly man.The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, ____if they at least showed____talent.
Rossetti examined them carefully.After the first few, he knew that they were____,showing not the least____of artistic talent.But Rossetti was a kind man,and he told the elderly man as____as possible that the pictures were without much____and showed little talent.He was sorry,but he could not____to the man.The visitor was____,but seemed to____Rossetti's judgment.
He then____for taking up Rossetti's time,but____to ask whether he would just look at a few more drawings—these done by a young art student.Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became____ over the talent they____.“These,”he said,“oh,these are good.This young student has great talent.He should be given every help and encouragement in his____as an artist.He has a great future if he will work hard and____it.”
Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply____.“Who is this fine young artist?”he asked.“Your son?” “No,”said the old man____. “It is me—40 years ago.If only I had heard your____then!For you see,I got discouraged and gave up—too____.”
1.A. thrilled B. approached C. hunted D. admired
2.A. or B. and C. but D. while
3.A. amazing B. extraordinary C. potential D. equal
4.A. worthless B. expensive C. humorous D. satisfactory
5.A. stress B. sign C. mark D. angle
6.A. rudely B. proudly C. awkwardly D. gently
7.A. effort B. argument C. value D. wonder
8.A. lie B. rush C. salute D. owe
9.A. excited B. disappointed C. confused D. surprised
10.A. refuse B. expect C. confirm D. doubt
11.A. thanked B. searched C. apologized D. applied
12.A. hesitated B. offered C. threatened D. hated
13.A. bored B. annoyed C. enthusiastic D. desperate
14.A. possessed B. revealed C. lacked D. needed
15.A. career B. reputation C. personality D. promise
16.A. date back to B. forget C. remember D. stick to
17.A. challenged B. appreciated C. disturbed D. moved
18.A. jokingly B. happily C. sadly D. apparently
19.A. voice B. praise C. proposal D. lecture
20.A. late B. simply C. eagerly D. soon
