Learning a second language is tricky at any age and it only gets tougher the longer you wait to open that dusty French book. Now, in a new study, scientists have pinpointed the exact age at which your chances of reaching fluency in a second language seem to plummet: 10.

The study, published in the journal Cognition, found that it’s “nearly impossible” for language learners to reach native-level fluency if they start learning a second tongue after 10. But that doesn’t seem to be because language skills go downhill. “It turns out you’re still learning fast. It’s just that you run out of time, because your ability to learn starts dropping at around 17 or 18 years old,” says study co-author Joshua Hartshorne, an assistant professor of psychology at Boston College.

Kids may be better than adults at learning new languages for many reasons. Children’s brains are more plastic than those of adults, meaning they’re better able to adapt and respond to new information. “All learning involves the brain changing,” Hartshorne says, “and children’s brains seem to be a lot more skilled at changing.”

Kids may also be more willing to try new things (and to potentially look foolish in the process) than adults are. Their comparatively new grasp on their native tongue may also be advantageous. Unlike adults, who tend to default (默认) to the rules and patterns of their first language, kids may be able to approach a new one with a blank slate (石板).

These findings may seem discouraging, but it was heartening for scientists to learn that the critical period for fluent language acquisition might be longer than they previously thought. Some scientists believed that the brief window closes shortly after birth, while others stretched it only to early adolescence. Compared to those estimates, 17 or 18 — when language learning ability starts to drop off — seems relatively old.

“People fared better when they learned by immersion (沉浸), rather than simply in a classroom. And moving to a place where your desired language is spoken is the best way to learn as an adult. If that’s not an option, you can mimic an immersive environment by finding ways to have conversations with native speakers in their own communities,” Hartshorne says. By doing so, it’s possible to become conversationally proficient — even without the advantage of a child’s brain.

1.The underlined word “plummet” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to “__________”.

A.decrease B.rise

C.end D.vary

2.What can be inferred from Joshua Hartshorne’s words?

A.Children are too young to grasp a second language.

B.Age 10-18 is the best time to learn a second language.

C.Adults go beyond the critical period for learning a second language.

D.Communicating with native speakers enables you to master all the language skills.

3.Why adults can’t reach native-level fluency in a second language?

A.Adults are less influenced by their mother tongues.

B.Adults spend more time responding to new information.

C.Adults are only too willing to experience something awkward in the process.

D.Adults prefer an immersive environment to a classroom in learning a second language.

4.The passage is mainly about __________.

A.the best age to learn a second language

B.the approaches to learning a second language

C.why kids learn a second language more easily than adults

D.whether adults can learn a second language like their younger selves

    As humanity has got richer, animal’s roles have changed. People need their services less than before. Fewer wolves and thieves meant less demand for dogs for protection; the internal combustion engine（内燃机）made horses unneeded; modern sanitation（卫生设备）kept rats in check and made cats less useful. No longer necessities, domestic animals became luxuries. Pet-keeping seems to kick in when household incomes rise above roughly $5,000. It is booming.

The trend is not a new one. Archaeologists（考古学家）have found 10,000-year-old graves in which dogs and people are buried together. Some cultures -- such as in Scandinavia, where dogs have long been both working dogs and companions -- have kept pets for thousands of years. But these days the pet-keeping urge has spread even to parts of the world which have no tradition of sinking into a comfortable chair with a furry creature.

The pet business is growing even faster than pet numbers, because people are spending more and more money on them. No longer are they food - waste - recyclers, fed with the remains that fall from their masters’ tables. Pet - food shelves are full of delicacies crafted to satisfy a range of appetites, including ice cream for dogs and foods for pets that are old, diabetic or suffer from sensitive digestion; a number of internet services offer food, tailored to the pet’s individual tastes.

In the business this is called “pet humanisation” -- the tendency of pet owners to treat their pets as part of the family. This is evident in the names given to dogs, which have evolved from Fido, Rex and Spot to -- in America -- Bella, Lucy and Max. It is evident in the growing market for pet clothing, pet grooming and pet hotels.

People still assume that pets must be working for humanity in some way, perhaps making people healthier or less anxious. But the evidence for that is weak. Rather, new research suggests that dogs have evolved those irresistible “puppy - dog eyes” precisely to affect human emotions. It has worked. The species that once enslaved others now works very hard to pay for the care of its pets. Sentimental（多愁善感的）Americans often refer to themselves not as cat-owners but as the cat’s “mommy” or “daddy”. South Koreans go one further, describing themselves as cat “butlers”. Watch an unlucky dog-walker trailing “his” hound（猎犬）, plastic bag in hand to pick up its mess, and you have to wonder: who’s in charge now?

1.Which of the following trends is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A.People’s needs for animal services are decreasing.

B.Both the pet number and the pet business are growing.

C.Pets are increasingly making their owners less anxious.

D.Pet foods are more various and customized than before.

2.Which of the following is referred to as evidence of “pet humanization?”

A.The names given to pets in American families nowadays.

B.Pet’s inbuilt ability to affect emotions of their owners.

C.Human beings ever rising urge for pet-keeping.

D.Pet’s roles as both working staff and companions.

3.Which of the following statements is the author most likely to agree with?

A.Pets should be treated as equals of their human masters.

B.Human beings are getting much benefit from their pets.

C.Pet-keeping is still restricted within certain parts of the world.

D.Some pet owners spend too much money on their pets.

4.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?

A.The Changing Roles of Animals B.The Urge for Pet-keeping

C.Who Owns Whom D.Love Me, Love My Dog

    Agnes de Mille was a dancer and a choreographer (编舞). Early in her career, de Mille had created the choreography for a ballet called Three Virgins and a Devil. She thought it was good work, but nobody made much of it.

A few years later, de Mille choreographed a ballet named Rodeo. Again, she thought her work was solid, but it resulted in little commercial fame.

Then, in 1943, de Mille choreographed Oklahoma!, a musical show that enjoyed nearly instant success. In the coming years, Oklahoma! would run for an incredible 2,212 performances, both around the nation and abroad. In 1955, the film version won an Academy Award.

But the success of Oklahoma! didn’t bring her much happiness. She thought that her work on Oklahoma! was only average compared to some of her other creations. She later said, “After the opening of Oklahoma!, I suddenly had unexpected success for a work I thought was only fairly good, after years of neglect for work I thought was fine. I began to think that perhaps my entire scale of values was untrustworthy. I talked to Martha.”

Martha was Martha Graham, perhaps the most influential dance choreographer of the 20th century. (Although not as well-known by the general public, Graham has been compared to other creative geniuses like Picasso or Frank Lloyd Wright.)

During their conversation, de Mille told Martha Graham about her frustration. “I confessed that I had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that I could be.”

Graham responded by saying:

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

1.What can be learned about de Mille’s ballet named Rodeo?

A.It earned her a large fortune. B.It made her rise to fame overnight.

C.It didn’t enjoy much success. D.It laid a solid foundation for her career.

2.How did de Mille feel about the great success of the musical Oklahoma!?

A.Relieved. B.Ashamed. C.Confused. D.Proud.

3.Picasso and Frank Lloyd Wright were mentioned in the passage to suggest that Martha Graham ______.

A.was outstanding in visual arts and architecture

B.enjoyed the same popularity as them

C.had been influenced greatly by them

D.was the most influential artist in her field

4.Which of the following statements best represents Graham’s words in this passage?

A.Comparing with others prevents you from maintaining uniqueness.

B.You should always keep yourself open to the urges that motivate you.

C.Your action reveals the inner landscape, which is the soul of music.

D.Choosing to be positive is going to determine how you live your life.

    Occasions like anniversaries, weddings and reunions call for special event venues （场地）.The following places may have a way out. There's no need to spend money creating atmosphere at special event venues. It's built right in!

Hard Rock Cafe Anchorage

415 E. STREET, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501

Events, like great music are born of inspiration. Featuring a 13,600-square-foot facility that will seat 275 guests with private event space, we pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional experience with a rock and roll twist for each of our guests.

Business Expo Center

1960 S. ANAHEIM WAY, ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA 92805

The Business Expo Center is Orange County's premier event venue in Anaheim, California. Our flexible 36,000-square-foot expo center is home to space for conferences, trade shows and celebrations. We pride ourselves on providing a memorable experience with excellent flexibility, services, and cost savings. We won't charge customers for on-site parking and provide high-speed Wi-Fi.

Automobile Driving Museum

610 LAIRPORT STREET, EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA 90245

Centrally located in the South Bay beach community of El Segundo, California, the ADM offers a wonderful venue for private parties and corporate events. Conveniently located 5 minutes south of LAX, right off the 405 and 105 Freeways, the 610 Lairport space has a vintage feel surrounded by our primary automobile collection. We offer several different venues inside and outside our facility for diverse events. To better our service, reservations are needed.

Yamashiro Hollywood

1999 N. SYCAMORE AVE., LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90068

Yamashiro Hollywood is a restaurant and therefore, all food and beverages must be handled in house. However, guests are allowed to bring in outside wine and champagne for a corkage fee.

1.What can you do in Business Expo Center?

A.Enjoy free parking.

B.Bring in outside wine.

C.Experience a rock and roll twist.

D.See some automobile collections.

2.Which venue do you need to book in advance?

A.Business Expo Center.

B.Yamashiro Hollywood.

C.Hard Rock Cafe Anchorage.

D.Automobile Driving Museum.

3.What do the four venues have in common?

A.They offer optional places.

B.They are open to special events.

C.They are located in the same state.

D.They enjoy convenient transportation.

    Christmas was near a season that we took seriously in our house. But a week or so before the 25th, my father would give each of his children $ 20. This was the 1970s, and $ 20 was quite a bit of money.

But I saw it ___. My father trusted me to have the ________ to spend money wisely. Even better, he gave me the ____ to get it. On a very basic level ,my father was giving me a shopping spree（狂欢）every year. But he was also giving me charge over my own fun, trusting my ability to ____ money and making me feel like a/an _______. He didn't buy me Sherlock Holmes, but he gave me the means to walk into the bookstore and choose it for myself, so it felt like a gift from him.

My mother had a/an____for giving me what I needed, usually____at the moment I needed it most. This was when I was 25, I _____at being an adult on my very first try. I had quitted my ___job but had no new one. But when my mother____me a visit, I____a good show, telling her I had started my own company.

My mother knew that I was trying hard and failing at that time. It wasn't until____she left that I noticed at the foot of my bed an envelope thick with _________. She knew how _______ I needed it. She knew that had she just shown up with groceries, or____to pay my rent, she would have made me feel much __________ . The cold, hard cash meant she was helping me. And, funnily enough, the____with which she gave the gift felt like she was giving me space to ___my life and preserve my dignity. My mother and father both did the same thing. One was giving me the means to take my own ____ ,and the other was giving me a second ____ when those decisions had cost me dearly.

1.A.positively B.differently C.naturally D.originally

2.A.intelligence B.passion C.power D.potential

3.A.courage B.suggestions C.discipline D.means

4.A.spend B.carry C.manage D.use

5.A.grown-up B.teenager C.adventurer D.pioneer

6.A.habit B.gift C.approach D.tradition

7.A.approximately B.about C.right D.slightly

8.A.failed B.fooled C.dropped D.fell

9.A.important B.creative C.challenging D.previous

10.A.brought B.suggested C.paid D.gave

11.A.put on B.put away C.put off D.put forward

12.A.before B.after C.when D.as

13.A.credit B.loans C.receipts D.cash

14.A.desperately B.hardly C.eventually D.accurately

15.A.attempted B.offered C.promised D.refused

16.A.better B.more C.less D.worse

17.A.decoration B.love C.distance D.method

18.A.defend B.equip C.fix D.develop

19.A.actions B.opportunities C.risks D.decisions

20.A.solution B.chance C.visit D.assistance

假定你是李华，正在教你的英国朋友Leslie学习汉语。请你写封邮件告知下次上课的计划。内容包括：

（1）时间和地点；

（2）内容：学习唐诗；

（3）课前准备：简要了解唐朝的历史。

注意：1.词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Leslie,

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes!

Yours，

Li Hua

The US is ________________ (处境危险) of losing a trade war with China. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

Such improvement can________________ (发生)only as a result of hard work. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

Some travel groups make use of illegal tactics in order to ________ money ________ (榨出) of tourists. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

She thinks the best__________ (印象) a person can make is showing their knowledge and cultural intelligence instead of attractive physical appearance. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

Teddy bears help__________ (治疗)depression. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

They have to spend a huge amount of time dealing with the __________ (连续不断的) messages. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

They filled in surveys to __________ (评估) their personality type. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

We are cautiously__________ (乐观的) about the success of experiment. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

What we need to do is to give them enough space to inspire their __________ (潜能). (根据中文意思，补全句子)

They support a total __________ (禁止) on tobacco in the workplace. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

Be stubborn about your goals, but be __________ (灵活的)about your methods. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

The draft lists some __________ (确切的，特定的) measures to deal with such incidents. (根据中文意思，补全句子)

The Ministry of Education will ask universities to __________ (采用) similar standards for all students, foreign and Chinese.(根据中文意思，补全句子)

    The back door of the ambulance (救护车) was suddenly shut and the driver ran to the front, jumped into his seat, and started the engine. Inside were the _______ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Green, the mother holding their baby daughter Ally. The little girl had ________ food stuck in her throat(喉咙) and could hardly breathe.

The driver, Mr. White, _____ his siren (报警器) and flashing light, and started speeding towards the nearest hospital, fighting against ________. The cars ahead of him pulled out of the way as he drove through the ________. From the back of the ________ the parents were shouting at him to _____, since Ally had almost _________ breathing. In front of him he saw some traffic lights, with the red “STOP” light shining. Mr. White knew that he had no time to _________, so he drove straight past the traffic lights, looking _________ his left and right as he did so.

Coming towards him from his right was a taxi. The driver had the windows ______, since the car was air-conditioned(空调开放的), and he was playing his radio. He did not _______the ambulance. The lights were green, so he drove straight ________ into the path of the ambulance.  Mr. White tried to stop his ambulance but it was too late. It hit the taxi. Everybody was shaken but no one was hurt. Mr. White looked to see _________Ally was. He was astonished to see relief (宽慰) instead of _______on the faces of the parents.

“Look!” cried Mrs. Green. “She is ______ again.”

“It must have been the _______.” said her husband. “It ______ the food out of her throat.” The baby’s color was turning to normal(正常的), and she was crying in a loud but healthy ____ . They were all joyful, and quite forgot about the accident, the taxi, and the lines of _______ all around them.

1.A.worried B.angry C.happy D.surprised

2.A.little B.some C.no D.few

3.A.opened on B.turned on C.turned off D.sped up

4.A.police B.enemy C.lights D.time

5.A.empty street B.busy traffic C.crowds D.deserted place

6.A.street B.cars C.traffic D.ambulance

7.A.hurry B.be careful C.stop D.drive

8.A.stopped B.kept C.prevented D.forbade

9.A.think B.look about C.lose D.miss

10.A.for B.from C.forward D.to

11.A.open B.clean C.closed D.down

12.A.hear B.see C.find D.notice

13.A.away B.on C.off D.out

14.A.how B.what C.where D.who

15.A.pleasure B.anger C.fear D.surprise

16.A.crying B.breathing C.smiling D.speaking

17.A.light B.policeman C.car D.crash（碰撞）

18.A.took B.picked C.knocked(撞击) D.made

19.A.sound B.voice C.tone D.noise

20.A.people B.policemen C.lights D.cars

    Moving into a new home in a new neighborhood is an exciting experience. Of course, you want to make sure that you become an acceptable and valuable part of your neighborhood. The easiest way to accomplish (达到) this is to make sure you behave yourself as a good neighbor. 1.

Perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a good neighbor is to keep your property (房产) neat, clean, and in good repair. 2.By choosing to keep the outside of the home in great shape, you will help to improve the look and feel of the area.

Second, take the overall appearance of the neighborhood seriously. When going for a walk. Take a small garbage bag.3.This small act will let your neighbors know that you care about the area.

4. If a neighbor is going to be out of town, offer to collect mail and newspapers. If a neighbor suffers an illness, offer to do the grocery shopping. Let them know you are there to help in any way  acceptable, while still respecting the privacy of your neighbor.

5. By following the basic rules of respecting others, taking care of what belongs to you, and taking pride in the appearance of the neighborhood in general, you will quickly become a good neighbor that everyone appreciates.

A.Keep an eye on their property while they are gone.

B.A good neighbor is also one who likes to help out in all kinds of ways.

C.Sometimes neighbors may go to the supermarket together to do shopping.

D.Should you come across waste paper thrown out of a passing car, pick it up.

E.Here are a few tips to help you win over everyone in the neighborhood quickly.

F.People tend to take pride in keeping everything outside of their houses fresh and clean.

G.All in all, being a good neighbor is more or less about considerate behaviors.

    Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they forget a great thing that could help them fight illness: their friends.

Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the danger for obesity among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties (关系) could improve brain health as we age.

“In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn’t well realized,” said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. “Friendship has a bigger effect on our psychological (心理的) health than family relationships.”

While many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart disease. Only smoking was as important a danger factor (因素) as having little social support.

The exact reason why friendship has such a big effect isn’t clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. “People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to,” said Karen, a doctor. “The message of these studies is that friends make your life better.”

1.The three studies in paragraph 2 show that ________.

A.social ties have something to do with health

B.friends can help us lose weight

C.old people need friends the most

D.having more friends makes us healthier

2.Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word “obesity”?

A.health B.unhappiness C.excitement D.fatness

3.What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 mean?
 

A.Friendship is more important to women than to men.

B.What people need most is a friend’s care.

C.The value of friendship hasn’t been fully understood.

D.Friendship is more important than family relationship.

4.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A.Smoking and lack of friends are also risk factors for health.

B.Friendship and family relationships have equal effects on health.

C.Close friendships are good for women but not for men.

D.It is clear why friendship has such a huge impact on health.

5.What is the passage mainly about?

A.How to keep healthy.

B.The importance of doctors or self-help books.

C.The relationship between friendship and health.

D.How to improve family relationships.

    Simon Groot of the Netherlands introducing high-quality vegetable seeds (种子) to more than 60 countries, was awarded the 2019 World Food Prize.

He is the sixth generation of the Groot family to develop seeds and began his search to create better vegetable seeds to help farmers in Southeast Asia in 1981. He was 47 and his family's company had just been taken over by a larger professional company.

Sixteen years earlier, he made his first trip to Indonesia. There, Groot learned that vegetable seeds did woefully when planted in the hot tropics (热带). He thought there was a great possibility to introduce hybrid vegetables to the area. The area wasn't suitable for these vegetable seeds which were developed for the moderate (温和的) climate of Europe and lacked vegetable seed developers who were trying to create hybrids for the local climate.

Groot partnered with seed trader Benito Domingo of the Philippines. They put together a team of seed researchers and growers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and the University of the Philippines. Within a few years, they developed a hybrid bitter gourd (苦瓜) that sold well. Then they changed a tomato plant, followed by eggplants, pumpkins and leafy vegetables. The early successes led to the start of the East-West Seed Company, which now has more than 970 improved seeds of 60 vegetable crops. It is reported that the company's seeds are used by 20 million farmers each year in more than 60 countries, said Kenneth Quinn, the former U.S. ambassador to Vietnam.

Of Groot, Quinn said, “He's a truly excellent person with worthy accomplishments that should be recognized.”

The award was stated during a ceremony hosted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "The improvements made in these tropical vegetable seeds helped small farmers in developing nations produce more food and importantly get more income for themselves and their families," Pompeo said.

1.Why was Groot awarded the 2019 World Food Prize?

A.Because he is the sixth generation of the Groot family.

B.Because his family's company is a large professional company.

C.Because he helped create better vegetable seeds to help farmers in Africa.

D.Because he introduced better vegetable seeds to more than 60 countries.

2.What does the underlined word "woefully" in Para. 3 mean?

A.Poorly. B.Well. C.Normally. D.Scientifically.

3.What do you know about the East-West Seed Company?

A.Its business is centered in central Asia. B.Its seeds have benefited many farmers a lot.

C.It was started by Groot and local farmers. D.It is changing the seed industry around the world.

4.Quinn thinks that ________.

A.Groot doesn't care about the award B.Groot deserves the award

C.Groot's contribution is of no value D.Groot will donate his prize to poor farmers

5.How did Pompeo think of the improvements made in tropical vegetable seeds?

A.Positive. B.Doubtful. C.Interested. D.Confused.

    Bright Side did some research on many places throughout the world where you can buy a house for 1 dollar or for free!

Roubaix, France

If you like France, Roubaix located in the north of France is just for you. The local authorities want it to be populated and attractive. You can buy a small house in the industrial district for just $1. The buyer is supposed to live in this house for 3 years.

Buffalo, USA

Buffalo offers whoever qualifies to buy a house for $1. All you need is to be a lawful citizen of the city and invest amount of money into its decoration. Doing this, the authorities are hoping to make the city beautiful again without spending money.

Liverpool, Great Britain

In Liverpool, most of houses were abandoned by the working class during the years of unemployment. The government is trying to sell the houses for just $1. If you want to buy such a house, it has to be your first deal on buying property (不动产).

Candela, Italy

If you still have any doubts about spending $1 on a house, you should know: the government will pay you some money, if you move to Candela. In order to be paid, you need to become a permanent citizen and have an income of $7500 per year. If moving alone, you will get $700, and if you are going with your family, the pay can be four times as much as only one person.

For more information of other cities, please Click Here.

1.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A.It is impossible to buy a house for $1.

B.The houses in some parts of the world are sold for $1 just for the same reason.

C.The authorities of Roubaix want more people to live there.

D.In Liverpool unemployed people have a lot of houses.

2.Why do the authorities of Buffalo provide a house for people with $1?

A.To improve the lives of poor people. B.To solve the problems of employment.

C.To make the city attractive at no cost. D.To attract people to the big cities.

3.What is required to buy a house for 1 dollar in Liverpool?

A.You must be making the first house purchase.

B.You should live in the house for 3 years.

C.You need to be an unemployed citizen.

D.You have to repair and decorate the house.

4.How much money can you get if moving to Candela with a whole family?

A.$1 B.$2800 C.$700 D.$7500

5.Where is this passage most likely to come from?

A.a novel. B.a magazine. C.a letter. D.the Internet.

阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一个完整的短文。续 写的词数应为150左右。

Cold December wind passed right through my worn coat. I might have wished to be at home, but those days it wasn’t much warmer there than it was standing at the bus stop. Mama had written a letter to the electric company explaining that we were late paying our bill because my sister was ill and Daddy had been laid off, but the power was cut off anyway. That’s why we were on our way into town to pay the bill in person.

I sat close to Buddy Earl for warmth on the bus when it finally showed up. The walk to the electric company office from the bus stop was only a couple of blocks, but it was a relief to get inside.

After settling the bill Mama brought us over to Rich’s department store. There was Santa in a big wooden chair. “You two go talk to him,” she said. “Just don’t expect to get all you ask for.” Buddy Earl and I joined the line of children waiting, and Mama sat on a bench nearby.

Then Santa started talking with us and asked us what we wanted. Santa reached in his pocket, pulled out a notepad and scribbled something with a pencil. “Is your mother with you two?” he asked. I pointed to the bench. “That’s our mama over there. She’s waiting for us to finish.” Santa lifted Buddy Earl off his knee. “Could you ask her to come and talk to me?” he said.

Later, Mama and Santa talked for a few minutes. Santa took a couple more notes. Then Mama brought us home. We didn’t dare ask about their private conversation. Christmas morning Mama and Daddy gathered us around our tree to give thanks for all we had. There were no toys from Santa under the tree. No presents at all, really. But that was okay, especially since we had electricity again. I felt pretty good as I took my seat at the kitchen table.

Paragraph 1:

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

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Paragraph2:

Mama and Daddy looked at each other, and she unpacked the food from the box.

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假定你是李华，你校学生会拟于暑假期间组织一次英语夏令营活动，请给你的外教Mr. Tony发一封邮件，邀请他参加。要点如下：

1. 时间：8月2日—8月10日 ；

2. 主要活动：练习英语口语，朗诵英语诗歌，唱英文歌曲等。

注意：

1. 词数80左右；

2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

参考词汇：夏令营Summer Camp

Dear Mr. Tony,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hu

    A couple of months ago, I was texting a friend in Australia during their widespread bushfires, begging her to come back to New York. “It’s just not _________” I said. “You can’t even breathe!”

She simply replied, “No. I need to bear witness (见证),” _________ the way her government poorly handled the problem, ignoring scientists’ _________ about global warming. Her need to “see” was _________ in her deep love for her people and country.

Now here I am, _________ my own city on “fire”. A fire that should have taken no one by surprise. This isn’t just about Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd or any black citizen. This is about a _________ that exists within this country that makes our lives seemingly less valuable to the people in power who _________ most times, to be white.

In all this good trouble, we can’t keep looking away. We can’t keep _________. If we don’t bear witness to these moments of unfairness, they have the chance to _________ themselves.

If we’re afraid and confused, that’s __________, because we are only human. But on the other side of fear is __________. On the other side of __________ is knowledge and power. Maybe we are unsure what to do or really what we can do in this moment __________ there are so many confusing suggestions. But the only thing we __________ have to do is keep being our unique selves.

I’m Black. My father, mother, brother, and everyone in between are Black. I __________ being Black. Friends and family from all over have asked me to leave. And I say no.

I, too, need to bear witness.

1.A.harmful B.important C.safe D.beautiful

2.A.referring to B.cheering up C.defending against D.carrying on

3.A.limits B.warnings C.manners D.wishes

4.A.absorbed B.filled C.rooted D.buried

5.A.setting B.putting C.making D.watching

6.A.support B.statement C.schedule D.system

7.A.happen B.promise C.manage D.intend

8.A.alive B.balanced C.silent D.bored

9.A.hurt B.repeat C.beat D.win

10.A.unbelievable B.enjoyable C.reliable D.understandable

11.A.interest B.bravery C.luck D.sadness

12.A.confusion B.fool C.loss D.news

13.A.when B.where C.what D.that

14.A.nearly B.gently C.hardly D.truly

15.A.regret B.avoid C.love D.try

    Even for native speakers, the English language is full of traps. That’s why people are so hesitant to use whom instead of who, and why thinking about the differences between lay and lie gives even language professors a headache. 1.

Both words describe similar situations, with only one letter separating them. Though they’re often used interchangeably(可交换地), there is a difference between them. For anyone who struggles with grammar, it seems really hard to make a choice.

2. Farther and further are both used in relation to progress, but the type of progress they describe differs. Farther is used for physical distance, such as “he can run farther than before”.

3. For example, “she was interrupted before she could go further in her speech.” This can remind you to use farther when describing things like trips and walks, and save further for concepts like projects, education, and dreams.

This distinction is clear enough, but it is hard to decide when it’s not totally obvious whether it is dealing with physical or abstract distance. 4. If the progress being referred to is lines on a page, farther works just fine, but if the speaker is talking about the poem as a piece of art, further may be more appropriate. In such instances, it’s usually safest to use further, usage for farther is slightly stricter, and since further deals with situations that are hard to define, you can get away with using it in more contexts (语境).

5. After all, lots of great writers have been using farther and further interchangeably for centuries.

A.However, further is used for abstract concepts.

B.With the tips above, you will never be confused.

C.Similarly, further is used to describe specific things.

D.Luckily there’s an easy trick to remember the difference.

E.One more common trap is when to use farther and further.

F.If you still get them mixed up, don’t let it bother you too much.

G.Take the sentence “the writer got farther in her poem” for example.

    Internet has been a powerful force fueling economic growth across Europe, North America and Asia over the past several decades. Further globalization will bring far more profits in the future. To help those countries in poverty and expand trade worldwide to benefit all the mankind, Africa is the next frontier（地区）for the internet.

Digital reforms have taken off quickly in Africa, partly because the younger generation is more ready for adoption of new technologies. Compared to aging populations in developed countries, the average age in Africa is 19.2 years old. While less than half the population has access to electricity, two-fifths own a mobile phone.

With the growing demand for being connected, a number of mobile carriers are now seeking to expand network coverage in Africa. Governments of African countries are also pushing for the network construction as they recognize that communications and renewable energy play an important role in the development of their countries.

In recent years, the majority of the investment（投资）into Africa has come from China. Direct investment from China has grown 40% annually over the past decade, far more than investment from other economic partners, including the US. Huawei, ZTE and China Telecom have all entered the field. Huawei recently announced that it was launching a 5G transport network in South Africa, the first company to expand 5G network in this area. Meanwhile, Western governments are planning to do more to invest in Africa to maintain their economic relationships with it. That has received support from many tech giants like Facebook, which recently announced plans to lay a 37,000 kilometers of subsea cable network to build a direct high-speed internet connection between 16 countries in Africa with Europe and the Middle East.

Expanding network connectivity across Africa will open up digital services that many of us take for granted, like mobile banking, e-education and online shopping. Because the global economy is so closely linked, the increase in internet access will not only power economic growth and create new markets in Africa, but encourage development in other fields and around the world.

1.Which factor contributes to the rapid success of technology revolution in Africa?

A.The aging population. B.Coverage of the internet.

C.The easy access to electricity. D.The youth’s willingness to try new technology.

2.All the efforts to expand network to Africa are mentioned EXCEPT_______ .

A.Support from Western big firms

B.China’s huge investment into Africa

C.Connections between Europe and the Middle East

D.Encouragement of governments in African countries

3.According to the passage, which saying does the author seem to believe?

A.Efforts will pay off.

B.A friend in need is a friend in deed.

C.Technology is a double-edged sword (双刃剑).

D.Mankind is a community with a shared future.

4.What will the author probably talk about in the following paragraph?

A.Background information of African digital reform.

B.The worldwide technological support given to Africa.

C.The development of other countries in the past century.

D.Detailed potential benefits of African network expansion.

    Adolescent girls seem to use eye rolls as a means of daily communication. Adults on the receiving end often think it a rude manner. Actually, the meanings behind the manner tell us a lot about what it’s like to be a teenager.

Adolescents usually hate being told what to do, and will unconsciously resist even suggestions with which they agree. Imagine a girl who is planning to put on her warmest coat when her well-meaning mother urges her to bundle up. Not a cell in her body is willing to respond with a sincere “Great idea, Mom! I was just thinking the same thing.” But the girl still wants to be warm. With an eye roll the girl advertises her resistance while doing as she intended all along.

Since teenage girls desire independence strongly, taking orders can be especially annoying for them. So how should Mary respond when her parents say she can’t go out until she unloads the dishwasher? She sees no point in fighting back, but still wants to broadcast her objection. Again, by rolling her eyes while putting away the plates, Mary proves that she’s an independent young woman.

Girls also roll their eyes to cover their sorrow. Anna, who is hurting over a fight with a friend, might shoot a skyward look when her dad asks gently, “How’s Julia? She hasn’t come over for a while?” What seems to be a rude behavior might actually be the girl’s brave attempt to hold herself together. Unwilling to rely on her parents for support, Anna turns her dad away with an eye roll to avoid bursting into tears in his presence.

Of course, girls occasionally use eye-rolling as an immature act of aggression. But more often than not, teenage eye-rolling serves as an efficient solution to the typical challenges adolescents face. And it presents adults with a choice: you can take the. behavior personally, or you can try to see things from their perspective.

1.What does the underlined phrase “bundle up” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A.Tie up. B.Hurry up.

C.Put on warm clothes. D.Keep cool.

2.What is Mary’s reaction to her parents’ demand in Paragraph 3?

A.She doesn’t obey the order.

B.She displays her annoyance anyway.

C.She fights back against her parents strongly.

D.She proves her independence by putting away the dishes.

3.When Dad inquires about her friend softly, Anna.

A.refuses his kindness. B.bursts into tears

C.relies on him for support D.looks at the sky all the time

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A.What’s Behind Eye Rolling? B.What Does It Mean to Be a teenager?

C.How to Understand More About Girls? D.Why Do Teenage Girls Roll Their Eyes?