A Book Review—The Snake-Stone by Berlie Doherty

The setting: Urban England (the cities), but also rural England (the countryside) including remote English villages.
    The theme: The main theme is a teenage search of self-discovery, in this case the search for a mother from whom the hero was separated at an early age. Its other concerns are love, getting on with others, being persistent and courageous and trying to deal with doubts, troubles and worries. As the book moves to a close, James’ swimming coach says to him: “You are not like a kid obeying instructions any more. You are diving like a young man who knows where he is going.”
    The characters(人物): James is the hero of the story. He is a championship diver, and has a comfortable life with his foster parents (养父母). Yet he also has the qualities to take him on a long journey to find his birth mother. The other characters in The Snake-Stone, James’ parents, his diving instructor, best friend, the villagers, people he meets on his journey, are pictured realistically.
    The turning point: The turning point in the story comes while James’ foster parents are away in London, and he wonders about the identity of his birth mother. The only clue he has is a fossil, “the snake stone” which she left behind along with a note on which she had written: “Take good care of Sammie. It was written on a torn envelope with parts of an address still there.
    The journey: Instead of going to London, James decides to find his birth mother. With help from his geography teacher, James sets out for the remote country village where his mother might be found. James has painful, challenging, but also humorous and happy travels. The mother he finally meets, Anne, has a minor yet powerful voice in the novel. He comes to understand why she left him at a stranger’s door fifteen years before. Although the meeting is not long, it leaves him with a feeling of completeness. As a journey of self-discovery The Snake-Stone also provides its readers with a happy ending. Its hero says, on returning to his foster parents, “I was home.”

32. What do the coach’s words in Paragraph 2 suggest?

A. James is a successful diver.                 B. James is a hopeful swimmer.

C. James is an outgoing young man.            D. James is an independent young man.

33. The snake stone in the novel is       _____ .

A. a stone with an address on it                B. a clue left by the birth mother

C. a gift from the swimming coach             D. a fossil left by the foster parents

34. Which of the following is true about the novel?

A. The story has a sad ending.

B. The story takes place in the city of London.

C. The characters are vividly(生动地) described.

D. The turning point comes after the hero meets his birth mother.

35. It can be concluded that James’ journey is _________.

A. worthwhile          B. boring          C. comfortable      D. disappointing

71 (spend) too much time online can increase your risk of catching 72 cold or the flu，scientists have warned.

Those with greater levels of Internet addiction are more likely to give in to illness 73 those who spend fewer hours online.

Researchers believe the reason lies 74 the fact that people with an Internet addiction are more lonely，and as a result have 75 (weak) immune(免疫)systems.

They said the lack of interaction with other people and less time spent outside exposing 76

(them) to germs(细菌)played a role.

Past studies also 77 (find) people who spend more time online experience greater sleep problem, have 78 (bad) eating habits, do less exercise and tend to smoke and drink more alcohol.

These 79 (behave) can harm their immune system and increase chances of getting diseases.

Professor Phil Read said，We found that the impact of the Internet on people's health was independent of other factors，like depression，sleep problem，and loneliness， 80 are associated with high levels of Internet use and also with poor health.

Throughout the world, the majority of the employers are planning to cut down on wages_______ the economic crisis.

   A. with respect to    B. in defense of          C. by means of        D. in reaction to

Bassanio fell in love61．          Portia, but he couldn’t ask her to marry him 62．          he was poor. He had to borrow some money63． ______    his friend Antonio, a merchant of Venice. Antonio had no money then. He went to Shylock, a cruel and64．______   (greed) money-lender. Shylock agreed to lend him the money on condition that he would cut a pound of his flesh65．______   he couldn’t repay him within three months.

Unfortunately Antonio’s ships were lost66．       sea. 67．______   (know) that Antonio probably had to die, Portia asked Bassanio to go to see his friend at once. She dressed herself 68．        as a lawyer and turned up at the court. She let Shylock cut just69．______  one pound of flesh off Antonio, no more, no less, no drop of blood, otherwise he70． ______   lose all his money. Her clever idea saved Antonio and made Shylock give half of his money to Venice.

下面短文中有10处语言错误。请在有错误的地方增加、删除或修改某个单词。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在该漏字符号下写上该加的词。

   删除：把多余的词用斜线（ \ ）划掉。

   修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该横线下写上修改后的词。

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。

   I was playing at my cousin house. Since his family was rich than mine, he had more toys than I did. There was one on particular I’d always wanted. I put into my pocket when he wasn’t looking. I guessed, even at that age, I would never be able to enjoy to playing with the toys or faced my cousin again; I would always know I’d done something wrong. Late on, my aunt drove me home. When she dropped me off, I pulled out the toy slow and gave it back. She knows what had happened, but she thanked me and ever mentioned it again.

One morning I was waiting at the bus stop, worried about __61__ (be) late for school. There were many people waiting at the bus stop, __62__ some of them looked very anxious and __63__ (disappoint). When the bus finally came, we all hurried on board. I got a place next __64__ the window, so I had a good view of the sidewalk. A boy on a bike __65__ (catch) my attention. He was riding beside the bus and waving his arms. I heard a passenger behind me shouting to the driver, but he refused __66__ (stop) until we reached the next stop. Still, the boy kept __67__ (ride). He was carrying something over his shoulder and shouting. Finally, when we came to the next stop, the boy ran up to the door of the bus. I heard an excited conversation. Then the driver stood up and asked, “__68__ anyone lose a suitcase at the last stop?” A woman on the bus shouted, “Oh, dear! It’s __69__ (I).” She pushed her way to the driver and took the suitcase thankfully. Everyone on the bus began talking about what the boy had done, and the crowd of strangers __70__ (sudden) became friendly to one another.

A. flew           B. through    C. comparing     D. impossible         E. cling

F. less than      G. goals          H. tightly           I. strive             J. rubber

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them: work, family, health, friends, and spirit, and you're keeping all of them in the air. You will soon understand that work is a __41___ ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls---family, health, friends, and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and __42___ for balance in your life.

How? Don't undermine your worth by ___43__ yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special. Don't set your __44___ by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you. Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. ___45__ to them as you would to life, for without them, life is meaningless. Don't let life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time you live all the days of your life. Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. Don’t be afraid to admit that you are ___46__ perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us together. Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn to be brave. Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's ___47__ to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too __48___; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings. Don't run __49___ life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going. Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated. Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

 ---The girl looks so beautiful. Is she a model or a film star?  ---________.  She’s a teacher.

A. You bet                     B. Forget about it          C. Far from it               D. Whatever you say

I wouldn’t have picked up that dusty card without seeing those big words: DON’T FORGET. I was  37  . Don’t forget what? Under the words were three numbered items: 1. Snow peas. 2. Shakespeare. 3. Sadira Kirmani. What was my name doing on someone’s list?

Yesterday was my first day here. Since Mrs. Allison   38   me, nobody except the boy with glasses spoke to me and asked if he could have my cake at lunch. I tried to   39   on the lessons, but my mind went  40  . Snow peas, Shakespeare, and me? “Sadira.” I   41   when Mrs. Allison called my name. “It’s time to line up for   42  .”

As I moved through the line, I heard a girl with braces ask, “What’s that?”,   43  at a pan. “Snow peas,” the lady answered. “I’ll try some snow peas,” the boy behind me   44   . Snow peas! Number 1 on the list.

After lunch, Mrs. Allison   45   that it was “rhyme(押韵诗) time”. The boy who had asked for snow peas stood up. “OK, Wyatt.” Mrs. Allison nodded. “ ‘To be or not to be’” Wyatt began. When he  46  , Mrs. Allison added, “Shakespeare wrote sonnets, a special kind of  47  .” Shakespeare? Number 2 on the list. I started to panic,  ___48   what would happen next.

After school, I sat alone on the bus. It was quite a while before I  49   Wyatt. He smiled in a  50  way, saying, “I wanted to talk to you. I almost forgot.”

“Forgot what?”

“You’re number 3 on my list.”

So now I  51   what was going on. “My mom’s  52   . I’m supposed to try three new things every day.” continued Wyatt.

That night, I made my own  53  : 1. Try the spinach quiche. 2. Offer my  54  to the boy with glasses .3. Say  ___55  to the girl with braces. Then I smiled before adding one more  56  : Thank Wyatt.

37. A. enthusiastic                     B. grateful       C. curious    D. optimistic

38. A. introduced     B. encouraged     C. recommended    D. dismissed

39. A. bring          B. carry          C. rely           D. concentrate

40. A. blank          B. excited        C. pale           D. weak

41. A. shouted        B. laughed        C. jumped         D. greeted

42. A. class          B. supper         C. sports         D. lunch

43. A. pointing       B. glaring        C. knocking       D. coming

44. A. worked out     B. checked out    C. shouted out    D. figured out

45. A. advocated      B. announced      C. responded      D. reported

46. A. finished       B. copied         C. prepared       D. returned

47. A. theatre        B. novel          C. article        D. poetry

48. A. wandering      B wondering       C. predicting     D. deciding

49. A. knew           B. remembered     C. understood     D. noticed

50. A. strict         B. friendly       C. sad            D. voluntary

51. A. pointed out    B. referred to    C. found out      D. appealed to

52. A. idea           B. invitation     C. command        D. preference

53. A. meal           B. list           C. rhyme          D. cake

54. A. card           B. peas           C. dessert        D. homework

55. A. number         B. entry          C. person         D. word

Now, please allow me to __61_ (introduce) Lhasa to you. Lhasa is _62___ capital city of Tibet, which is  ___63____（locate） in the Southeast of Tibet. It is a city with a history of more than 1300 years. It is famous for the Potola Palace. Besides, it’s also an ___64__(attract) city, attracting tens of millions of visitors from home and abroad each year. There are many __65___(place) of interest  and people  are very __66__(friend). With the _67____(develop) of modern transportation, traveling becomes___68__(easy). It takes only 2 hours to fly ___69__ Chengdu to Lhasa.  If you have a chance to come to Tibet, welcome __70_ Lhasa.

    When I was a child, I often dreamed of the time when I could leave home and escape to the city. We lived on a farm, in the winter especially, we wear quite out off from the outside world. As soon as I left school, I packed my bags and moved to the capital. 
     However, I soon discovered that one big disadvantage is money. It costs so much to go out, not to mention basics like food and housing. Another disadvantage is pollution. I suffer from asthma(哮喘), and  the air is so bad that I am afraid to go outside. Then there is the problem of traveling round. Although I have a car, I seldom use it because of the traffic jams. One choice is to go by bicycle, but that can be quite dangerous.
     Of course there are advantages. First, there is so much to do in the city, whatever you tastes in culture or entertainment(娱乐活动). Besides, there are wonderful jobs and greater chances of moving to a more important job or position. Finally, if you like shopping, the variety of goods is very surprising --- and , what is more, shops are often only a short walk away.
     Is life better then, in the city? Perhaps it is , when you are in your teens(十几岁)or twenties. However, as you get older, and especially if you have small children, the peace of the countryside may seem preferable. I certainly hope to move back there soon.
1.What was the writer always thinking about when he was a child ?
   A. Staying on the farm.                  B. Leaving home for the city. 
   C. Moving to the countryside.         D. Running away from the school.
2. Which of the following is true about the writer?
    A. He lives in the city now.                 B. He is in good health.
    C. He prefers driving a car.               D. He is very old now.

3. In the passage, the writer tries to __________.
   A. persuade the reader to live in the city    B. describe his life in the countryside
   C. show an interest in the outside world       D. express his opinions about way of life
4. How is the passage mainly developed?
   A. By inferring.   B. By listing examples.  C. By comparing.  D. By discussing.

 We published the book intended to________ mainly to teachers and students of Senior Grade 2 in the coming new term.

A．appeal                      B．attach                 C．link                  D．refer

    阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。

An 80-year-old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45-year-old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow（乌鸦）perched（栖息）on their window.

The father asked his son, “What is this?” The son replied, “It is a crow.”

After a few minutes, the father asked his son for the second time, “What is this?” The son said, “Father, I have just now told you, it’s a crow!”

After a little while, the old father again asked his son for the third time, “What is this?”

At this time some expression of irritation（恼怒）was felt in the son’s tone when he said to his father with a rebuff（生硬回绝）. “It’s a crow, a crow.” A little while later, the father again asked his son the fourth time, “What is this?”

This time, the son shouted at his father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘IT IS A CROW’. Are you not able to understand this?”

A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old tattered（发皱的）diary, which he had maintained since his son was born. On opening a page, he asked his son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:

    “Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question. I did not at all feel irritated but I rather felt affection for my innocent son.

注意：

1. 所续写的短文的词数应为150左右；

2. 应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；

3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；

4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。

Paragraph 1:

    After reading the diary,                                                            

_______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________________    

Paragraph 2:

    Feeling ashamed,                                                              ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Since my early childhood, my parents have always told me to enjoy every part of my life, no matter how ordinary it may seem. Before the summer of 2005, I never thought there was anything ___21___ about living in Sugar Land, Texas. All I wanted was to ___22___ Texas.

For most people, spending three weeks in the Tuscan countryside is a(n) ___23___ vacation. It also ___24___ my family. During my first week abroad, I admitted I ___25___ the foreign atmosphere, A new language and culture ___26___ me. For those seven days, I was totally absorbed in becoming something I could never be—a(n) ___27___. It was almost as if I wished to ___28___ my own identity for something new that was not ___29___ to me at all.

At some point along the drive between Florence and Genoa, it ___30___ me: I didn’t want to throw away who I was for any ___31___ wonders. Italy was an attractive and impressive country, ___32___ I had no emotional connection with it. I ___33___ Sugar Land. From that moment on, all I ___34___ was to return home.

I think it’s ___35___ that I could never fall in love with my home until I left it. Now I ___36___ the everyday parts of my life in Sugar Land are really the most prized treasures in my heart. Now ___37___, I find all my time spent living in Sugar Land made me ___38___. Therefore, now I can ___39___ say that being a Texan is who I am, and there’s no way I can ___40___ that.

21. A. special    B. certain    C. disappointing    D. ordinary

22. A. improve    B. leave    C. control    D. ignore

23. A. adventure    B. public    C. annual    D. dream

24. A. expected    B. shocked    C. attracted    D. welcomed

25. A. sensed    B. created    C. needed    D. liked

26. A. upset    B. amused    C. impressed    D. discouraged

27. A. traveler    B. farmer    C. American    D. Italian

28. A. abandon    B. waste    C. hide    D. damage

29. A. rude    B. related    C. useful    D. close

30. A. hit    B. warned    C. disturbed    D. embarrassed

31. A. old    B. foreign    C. real    D. potential

32. A. so    B. and    C. but    D. or

33. A. rely on    B. show off    C. stand for    D. belong to

34. A. desired    B. remembered    C. admired    D. hated

35. A. inspiring    B. terrifying    C. interesting    D. rewarding

36. A. prefer    B. guarantee    C. imagine    D. understand

37. A. looking back    B. checking up    C. growing up    D. fighting back

38. A. exist    B. smile    C. insist    D. succeed

39. A. safely    B. smoothly    C. confidently    D. warmly

40. A. spot    B. change    C. use    D. lack

       When I was about twelve I used to visit this elderly gentleman who was a volunteer counselor（辅导员）for the Boy Scouts（童子军）. He would give us  41  until he thought we were skilled in a given subject. I did not know him long, but I  42  him for giving so much to the neighborhood,  43  when he was in poor health.

       One day I made an appointment with him, but I  44  about it until some three hours later. I jumped on my bike and rode  45  to his home, all the while  46  about how poorly he must think of me. His wife  47  the door and I made a(n)  48  immediately, but I could tell that something was  49  . She paused and then told me her  50  had just died. Then she apologized for not having had time to  51  me. I left her home wondering if somehow my  52  to keep the appointment had  53  him so much that he died.

       Some thirty years later I told this  54  to a friend. I said that though I had long since realized that my  55  had nothing to do with his  56  , I could not help wondering if I could have made a  57  had I shown up on time. My friend said that my not being there was probably meant to be,  58  the situation would have been too painful for me. Hearing her say that was like a huge wave hitting me and lifting this heavy weight I'd been  59  for years. Now whenever I think of that kind old gentleman, I think too of the  60  words of my friend.

41. A. shows               B. tasks                C. reports                          D. promises

42. A. believed            B. followed           C. admired                  D. missed

43. A. just                    B. still                   C. also                        D. even

44. A. talked                B. learned            C. cared                      D. forgot

45. A. carefully            B. happily             C. quickly                    D. safely

46. A. complaining             B. knowing           C. worrying                 D. hearing

47. A. locked               B. closed                     C. held                        D. answered

48. A. apology                    B. excuse                    C. offer                       D. suggestion

49. A. special                     B. wrong                     C. strange                   D. funny

50. A. husband           B. master                    C. boy                         D. friend

51. A. warn                  B. persuade         C. encourage                     D. inform

52. A. stopping            B. failing               C. expecting                D. deciding

53. A. bored                B. surprised         C. puzzled                   D. disappointed

54. A. secret               B. history                    C. story                       D. lesson

55. A. change                    B. problem           C. slowness                D. lateness

56. A. death                B. health                     C. life                          D. experience

57. A. difference         B. deal                 C. choice                           D. plan

58. A. unless               B. since                C. if                             D. so

59. A. carrying                   B. supporting              C. reducing                 D. losing

60. A. long                  B. big                   C. kind                        D. clear

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作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误涉及一个单词的增加 、删除和修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词 。

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。
   As I’m going to start college, I had been thinking how it is going to be difference from high school. I’ll have to make up an entirely new group of friends. It’s great that my parents aren’t going to be watching over my shoulder, so they also won’t cook for me or do me laundry. I’ll finally get to go to parties that aren’t constantly disturbing by my neighbors.  Without all of these major changes ahead, I may have completely forgotten that I’ll have to go to class while adjusts to my new lifestyle. I guess I need to do some research about how my college classes will differ from my high school one. I’m looking forward my new life.

以下是一本图书的基本信息及相关报道

要求：

根据以上信息写一篇图书介绍，内容包括：

1.图书的基本信息

2.图书的相关报道

3. 100词左右。

Countries may be ranked by many various groups, such as how expensive or interesting they are to foreign tourists. They can also be ranked by their openness and friendliness toward visitors. You might be shocked to find out that, for example, the USA is number 102 on the list of the least welcoming places, 140 being the most unfriendly land.

Mongolia

Mongolia was closed for quite some time and opened up to foreigners only 20 years ago. That’s probably the major reason why it is not yet experienced enough in hosting tourists. The country is beautiful, with huge spacious areas of land that are low populated. There local people are not yet used to being visited by foreign guests.

Slovakia

There are, undoubtedly, pluses as well as minuses in every country. Slovakia is not the perfect destination for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, Slovakia is becoming more and more similar to the rest of European countries surrounding it. Sameness is not the best quality. As a rule, tourists want to travel and see things they have never seen before. It is good that the land’s countryside is still unique, although it is also being commercialized day by day.

Iran

Iran is not the best place to travel to. It is located close to Pakistan with its negative political atmosphere. Western visitors are not welcome over there and embassies (大使馆) advise against traveling to Iran. The population, contrary to the country’s government, consists of very friendly and welcoming people.

Kuwait

In Kuwait people are warm and friendly. It has a unique history, plenty of traditions and customs. People respect their culture and are very religious. It is a Muslim country, which means that you are not allowed to drink alcohol. If you happen to visit Kuwait during Ramadan, you will not be allowed to eat in public places, either.

Russia

Russia is truly a special place. It is definitely worth visiting. What you might not find attractive is the corruption and bureaucracy (官僚主义) that rule in some certain official circles. Another nuisance you should be ready for is that, as a visitor, you’ll be asked to receive an invitation. Only then will you be able to apply for a visa. Once you arrive in Russia, you’ll be warmly greeted and accepted by the local people.

1. You’ll meet friendly people in the following countries except in _____.

A. Iran

B. Kuwait

C. Mongolia

D. Russia

2. Which of the statements is true according to the text?

A. You can apply for a visa for Russia at will.

B. If you’re fond of drinking, then Kuwait is not an ideal destination.

C. You’re not advised to travel in Iran due to its high cost.

D. Mongolia is a beautiful country with much experience in hosting tourists....

3. Where does this passage probably come from?

A. A news report

B. A lecture speech

C. An advertisement

D. A text book

The morning had been a disaster. My tooth was aching, and I’d been in an argument with a friend. Her words still hurt，“The trouble with you is that you won’t put yourself in my place. Can’t you see things from my point of view？” I shook my head stubbornly—and felt the ache in my tooth. I’d thought I could hold out till my dentist came back from holiday, but the pain was really unbearable. I started calling the dentists in the phone book, but no one could see me immediately. Finally, at about lunch time, I got lucky.

     “If you come by right now，” the receptionist said，“the dentist will fit you in.”

     I took my purse and keys and rushed to my car. But suddenly I began to doubt about the dentist. What kind of dentist would be so eager to treat someone at such short notice？Why wasn’t he as busy as the others?

      In the dentist’s office, I sat down and looked around. I saw nothing but the bare walls and I became even more worried. The assistant noticed my nervousness and placed her warm hand over my ice-cold one.

      When I told her my fears, she laughed and said，“Don’t worry. The dentist is very good.”

      “How long do I have to wait for him？” I asked impatiently.

     “Come on, he is coming. Just lie down and relax. And enjoy the artwork，” the assistant said.

      “The artwork？” I was puzzled.

       The chair went back. Suddenly I smiled. There was a beautiful picture, right where I could enjoy it: on the ceiling. How considerate the dentist was！At that moment, I began to understand what my friend meant by her words.

       What a relief!

29. Which of the following best describes the author’s feeling that morning?

  A. Cheerful.      B. Nervous.       C. Satisfied.   D. Upset.

30. What made the author begin to doubt about the dentist?

A. The dentist’s agreeing to treat her at very short notice.

B. The dentist’s being as busy as the other dentists.

C. The surroundings of the dentist’s office.

D. The laughing assistant of the dentist.

31. Why did the author suddenly smile?

A. Because the dentist came at last.        B. Because she saw a picture on the ceiling.

C. Because she could relax in the chair.   D. Because the assistant kept comforting her.

32. What did the author learn from her experience most probably?

A. Strike while the iron is hot.      B. Have a good word for one’s friend.

C. Put oneself in other’s shoes.     D. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

They are ________ from giving away any details about the meeting.

     A. prohibited                 B. protected                C. allowed                   D. admitted