One day, a professor entered the classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They waited anxiously at their desks for the test to begin. The professor _____________the question papers, with the text facing down as usual. ___he handed them all out, he asked his students to ___the page and begin. To everyone's surprise, there were no ___just a black dot (点) in the center of the page. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone's face, told them the following:
“I want you to write what you ___there.”
The students, ___, got started on the inexplicable (令人费解的) task.
At the end of the class, the professor ___all the answer papers and started reading each one of them aloud in front of all the students. All of them, with no ___, described the black dot, trying to explain its position in the middle of the sheet, etc. After all had been ___, the classroom was silent, the professor began to explain:
"I'm not going to grade this. I ___wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the __ part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot, and the same happens in our __. We have a white paper to observe and __, but we always focus on the dark spots. Our life is a __ given to us with love and care and we always have ____to celebrate: nature renewing itself every day, our friends around us, the job that ____ our livelihood(生计) and the miracles we see every day.
__, we insist on focusing only on the dark spots: the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the ___relationship with colleagues, the ___with a friend, and etc.
The dark spots are very ___compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. "
1.A. handed out B. turned up C. referred to D. pointed at
2.A. Since B. Until C. If D. After
3.A. fold B. turn C. open D. use
4.A. exercises B. choices C. questions D. excuses
5.A. .remember B. imagine C. study D. see
6.A. surprised B. confused C. curious D. displeased
7.A. collected B. finished C. marked D. selected
8.A. excuse B. doubt C. exception D. explanation
9.A. said B. answered C. returned D. read
10.A. also B. just C. even D. finally
11.A. big B. black C. beautiful D. white
12.A. lives B. classrooms C. colleges D. studies
13.A. send B. keep C. enjoy D. show
14.A. burden B. gift C. pressure D. lesson
15.A. reasons B. time C. freedom D. festivals
16.A. threatens B. ruins C. provides D. changes
17.A. However B. Therefore C. Besides D. Moreover
18.A. close B. complicate C. special D. strong
19.A. stay B. contact C. satisfaction D. disappointment
20.A. dark B. round C. small D. dirty
Moving abroad can be a challenging experience. You leave your family, friends and everything you know behind. You enter a new culture where the customs and sometimes the languages are different. 1.. It’s a time to discover new things, make new friends and begin a new adventure.
So what are the best ways to involve yourself in the new culture while living abroad?
Live with a native speaker
2.. First, you have a friend! Living alone can be a lonely experience, especially if you are far from home.
You also have the opportunity to meet your housemate’s friends and socialize(交往) with them. 3.. In addition, you have someone to tell you about the cultural customs and interesting places in the area.
Socialize with the local people
The thought of making friends and mixing with the local people may seem scary at first but it is worth it. 4., attending and evening class or participating in a language exchange with people that are interested in learning your native language.
5.
The food in France is amazing and discovering new food is a fun experience. I have tried things that I have never tried before. My knowledge of the different bread and cheese types has grown greatly.
A. Try the local food
B. But it’s also exciting
C. I currently volunteer with homeless people
D. You can also speak the local language every day
E. Improve my French vocabulary and understanding
F. You can meet other people in the area by joining a club
G. There are many advantages to living with a native speaker
The current Ebola (埃博拉病毒)outbreak in western and central Africa has infected at least 3,069 people, including 1,552 dead, making it the largest outbreak in history. Ebola is a deadly virus-about 60 percent of people infected with it have died.
How is Ebola doing its harm?
When a person becomes infected with Ebola, the virus damages the body’s immune (免疫的)cells, which defend against infection, said a researcher at Lancaster University. But if a person’s immune system can stand up to this attack, then he is more likely to survive the disease.
The patients that survive it best are those who don’t get such a bad disadvantage in immune system. But if the body isn’t able to get rid of this attack, then the immune system becomes less able to regulate(调节) itself. This means the immune system is more likely to run out of control, leading to a drop in blood pressure, multi-organ failure and eventually death.
What are the common symptoms of the disease?
Fever. Headache. Joint and muscle aches. Weakness. Diarrhea. Vomiting. Stomach pain. Lack of appetite. Chills. Rash. Redness in the eyes. Hiccups. Cough. Sore throat. Chest pain. Difficult breathing or swallowing. Bleeding inside and outside of the body.
How to prevent the spread of Ebola?
Ebola can be spread primarily via direct contact with patients, specifically the blood and fluids of an infected patient.
We should avoid contact with infected patients and objects such as clothing, bedding, and needles used by them. Avoid areas where infections have been reported. For now, the disease has only been confirmed in central and West Africa, four cases in America and Europe. Avoid eating wild-caught bush meat. Researchers have suspected that the disease came to humans via animals, probably through the meat of primates(灵长类). If you’re in an area where the disease has been reported, avoid purchasing, eating, or handling wild game to stay on the safe side.
Wear protective medical clothing if you’re around infected patients. Extreme caution is necessary. Hospital workers must use masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns, which needed to be worn at all times if you’re around infected patients.
How Do People Survive Ebola?
Doctors don’t know for certain who will survive Ebola, and there is no specific treatment or cure for the disease. Although in the minority, some people do recover from infection.
Our suggestions include:
Maintain your electrolytes(电解质) and body liquid. Sports drinks can be used. Monitor your blood pressure and control it if necessary. Dropping blood pressure may be a serious sign of infection. Breathe in an oxygen-rich environment. Quickly address any symptoms of infection. Be honest about when and where you’re feeling pain.
1.Ebola causes the death of a human being by .
A. attacking him with high fever B. regulating his immune system
C. damaging his immune cells D. harming all his organs directly
2.What is NOT mentioned as the symptom of Ebola?
A. Fever and chills B. Swallowing difficulty
C. Lack of appetite D. High blood pressure
3.In order not to be infected by Ebola, we should .
A. have the clothing of the infected cleaned
B. avoid eating wild animals like monkeys
C. not travel to Africa, America or Europe
D. stay at home without going anywhere
4.It is true that .
A. a certain number of people survive Ebola
B. human has found a special cure for Ebola
C. oxygen can save infected people’s lives
D. low blood pressure is surely caused by Ebola
A 15-year-old boy planned to put a ball covered with petrol into his mouth and set it on fire. He would film the dangerous action and put it on YouTube. And, lie hoped to become famous on the Internet. But things didn’t go the way he imagined. His clothing caught fire, and he was rushed to the hospital with serious bums on his body.
YouTube hosts millions of videos of people attempting dangerous actions. Many of them are by kids and young adults. Some experts say that by hosting these videos, YouTube encourages young viewers to take deadly risks. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 180,000 Americans die from accidental injuries each year. That’s one person every three minutes. More than 14,000 of those killed are kids under the age of 19. Is YouTube to blame?
People have always found it interesting to watch others try risky things. Audiences love these kinds of things. Some of the earliest Greek comedies had characters followed by wild animals and knocking into walls. Now, in the age of the Internet, anyone with a camera and a YouTube account can create this kind of “fun”. Many viewers, especially teenagers, are influenced by what they see and want to try it themselves. “YouTube has taken the playing in the neighborhood to a worldwide level,” says Clair Mellenthin, a researcher from the Centers.
Supporters of YouTube argue that it isn’t YouTube’s responsibility to examine its content. “Parents should be the ones to make sure that kids are behaving safely,” they say. In fact, YouTube has a rule on content. For example, dangerous activities that have a risk of serious physical harm or death are not allowed. Staff of YouTube, carefully watch the website 24 hours a day, looking for videos that are against their rules. But is this enough?
1.What happened to the 15- year-old boy?
A. He got hurt in a traffic accident
B. He played with fire and burned himself
C. He set fire to a ball by accident
D. He watched an action film on YouTube
2.What do Clair Mellenthin’s words suggest?
A. YouTube should examine kids’ accounts
B. YouTube users like to copy Greek comedies
C. YouTube affects people greatly
D. YouTube has a positive influence on teenagers globally
3.According to the last paragraph, the author seems to believe that .
A. YouTube should do more to make sure of kids’ safety
B. parents should be strict with their kids
C. YouTube should make a rule on content
D. parents shouldn't allow their kids to take risks
4.The passage mainly discusses .
A. how to prevent accidental injuries
B. how to become famous on the Internet
C. whether YouTube should be open to kids
D. whether YouTube should show dangerous videos
London’s newest skyscraper (摩天大楼)is called the Shard and it cost about 430 million pounds to build. At a height of almost 310 metres, it is the tallest building in Europe. The Shard has completely changed the appearance of London. However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.
The Shard was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano. When he began designing the Shard for London, Piano wanted a very tall building that looked like a spire (尖顶). He wanted the glass surfaces to reflect the sky and the city. The sides of the building aren’t regular. So the building has an unusual shape. It looks like a very thin，sharp piece of broken glass. And that is how the building got the name: the Shard. Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition. The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts(桅杆) of the ships that were once on the river Thames.
The Shard has 87 floors. At the top, there is an observatory. At the moment the building is empty, but eventually there will be a five-star hotel. There will also be top quality restaurants, apartments and offices.
Before building work began, a lot of people didn’t want the Shard though the plans were approved. Now they are still unhappy about the Shard. Some critics say that such a tall skyscraper might be good in a city like New York, but not in London. They say that the best thing about the Shard is its spire shape. But that is the only thing. There is no decoration, only flat surfaces. The Egyptians did that 4,500 years ago. They also think the Shard is too big for London. It destroys the beauty of the city.
Other critics don’t like what the Shard seems to represent. They say that the Shard shows how London is becoming more unequal. Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel. But the people who live near the Shard are among the poorest in London. So the Shard seems a symbol of the division in society between the very rich and the poor.
The Shard now dominates the London skyline. It is not certain, however, that ordinary London citizens will ever accept it as a valuable addition to the city.
1.London’s newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of .
A. its cost B. its size
C. its shape D. its height
2.When he designed the Shard, Piano wanted it to .
A. change London’s skyline B. inherit London’s tradition
C. imitate the Egyptian style D. attract potential visitors
3.The critics who refer to social division think the Shard .
A. is only preferred by the rich B. is far away from the poor area
C. is intended for wealthy people D. is popular only with Londoners
4.Which would be the best title for the passage?
A. The Shard: Cheers and Claps
B. The Shard: Work of a Great Architect
C. The Shard: New Symbol of London?
D. The Shard: A Change for the Better?
San Francisco Fire Engine Tours
San Francisco Winery Tour
Running: February 1st through April 30th
This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer.(Included in tickets price)
Departing from the Cannery: Tell time upon request.
Duration(时长)：2 hours
Price: $90
Back to the Fifties Tour
Running: August 16th through August 31st
This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco’s most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.
Departing form the Cannery 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Duration:2 hours
Price:$90
Spooky Halloween Tour
Running: October 10th through October 31st
Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district .Authentic fire gear （服装）is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco
Departing from the Cannery:6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Duration :1 hour and 30 minutes
Price: Available upon request
Holiday Lights Tour
Running: December 6th through December 23nd
This tractive four takes you to some of San Francis’s most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into the holiday spirit.
Departing from the Cannery 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Duration: I hour and 30 minutes
Advance reservations required.
1.Which of the tours is available in March?
A. San Francisco Winery Tour.
B. Back to the Fifties Tour.
C. Spooky Hallowen Tour.
D. Holiday Lights Tour.
2.What can tourists do on Back to the Fifties Tours?
A. Go to Treasure Island.
B. Enjoy the holiday scenes.
C. Have free ice cream.
D. Visit the Presidio district.
3.What are tourists required to do to go on Holiday Lights Tour?
A. Take some drinks.
B. Set off early in the morning.
C. Wear warm clothes.
D. Make reservations in advance.
