The computer keyboard helped kill shorthand—a system of rapid handwriting, and now it’s threatening to finish off handwriting as a whole. When handwritten essays were introduced on the SAT exams for the class of 2012, just 15% of the most1.5 million students wrote their answers in cursive(手写体). The rest? Block letters.

And those college hopefuls are just the first edge of a wave of US students who no longer get much handwriting instructions in the primary grades, frequently 10 minutes a day or less. As a result, more and more students struggle to read and write cursive.

There are those who say the culture is at a crossing, turning from the written word to the typed one. If handwriting becomes a lost form of communication, does it matter?

It was at University Virginia that researchers recently discovered a previously unknown poem by Robert, written in his unique script. Handwritten documents are more valuable to researchers, historians say, because their authenticity can be confirmed. Students also find them more fascinating.

The loss of handwriting also may be  a cognitive(认知的) opportunity missed. Several academic studies have found that good handwriting skills at a young age can help children express their thoughts better—a lifelong benefit.

It doesn’t take much to teach better handwriting skills. At some schools in Prince George’s County, elementary school students use a program called Handwriting Without Tears for 15 minutes a day. They learn the correct formation of manuscript (手写的)letters through second grade, and cursive letters in third grade.

29. A poem by Robert mentioned in the passage is used to ____________.

A. prove how valuable handwriting is   B. explain what a famous poet he is

C. show how unique his poem is         D. stress how fascinating the documents are

30. According to the author, when is a perfect time to learn handwriting?

A. Kindergarten.                 B. Primary school.

C. High school.                  D. College.

31. The example of Handwriting Without Tears helps to argue that______.

   A. the school are responsible for the loss of handwriting

   B. the loss of handwriting is a cognitive opportunity missed

   C. the culture is turning from the written word to the typed one

   D. it doesn’t take much to teach better handwriting skills　　

32. What is the author’s attitude towards this debate?

A. Pessimistic       B. Sceptical      

C. Critical.          D. Supportive

    Taking a taxi in a certain Eastern European country can be a shocking experience. ___51___ is said that some taxi drivers have metal wires stuck into the passenger seats. And___52___ a button is pushed, the seat will give you ___53___ electric shock. These taxi drivers don’t do this ___54___ fun. They do it to tourists ___55___ argue about the ridiculous(可笑的，荒谬的) fares they charge. Some drivers charge as much ___56___ ten times the legal fare.

    They have a secret switch which makes the meters run faster. If the tourists refuse to pay, ___57___ are really in for a shock.

    In one case, a German woman had no ___58___ (choose) but to pay $120 for a $ 20 ride from the airport. She said that she was "really taken for a ride," but what could she do? Besides the electric shock, she ___59____ (threaten) with physical violence. She has only one piece of advice for tourists, “Take the bus ___60____ stay at home.”

The relationship between parents and children has always been a hot topic. Many students may feel   61   (stress) because of their parents. Most parents have good intentions,   62   some of them aren’t very helpful with the problems their sons and daughters have in   63   (adjust) to college, and a few of them seem to go out of their way to add to their children’s   64   (difficulty).
    For one thing, parents are often not aware of the kinds of problems their children face. They don’t realize that the   65   (compete) is stronger, that the required standards of work are   66   (high), and that their children may not be prepared for   67   change. They may be upset by their children’s poor grades. At their kindest, they may   68   (gentle) ask why John or Mary isn’t doing better, whether he or she is trying as hard as he or she could, and so on. At their worst, they may threaten   69   (take) their children out of college or cut off living expenses.
    Sometimes parents think it right and natural that they determine   70   their children should do with their lives. They forget that everyone is different and that each person must develop in his or her own way.

 Then I started to get weaker and weaker, until I could only enjoy football from a      at the stadium.

A. balcony     B. blank     C. bench     D. byproduct

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作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅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：在错的词的下面画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词

I went to the Internet bar near our school the other day. To my surprise, I saw many of my classmates or friends there, watching movies, listening to music or talk with strangers in the chat room. Some seem to be enjoying playing computer games online. In my opinion, the Internet bar should be a place which we can search with useful information we need. And the Internet bar should be a window for us learn more about the outside world instead of a place for a fun. The Internet can benefit us great if we make good use of them. I hope schools should take effective measure to prevent students from spending too much time on the Internet.

It was about midday. I’d left work early in the morning to cash a check. I walked along to the bank and found there were only about ten or eleven customers in there, a pretty unusual number for those central banks.

I waited until it was my turn, walked up to the desk and started talking to the bank clerk. He had a really strange expression on his face—just sort of a blank stare. I thought he was looking at me until I realized he was staring over my shoulder.

I began to turn round to see what he was looking at and at the same moment, the outside bank guard, the one with the machine gun, came flying through the door and lay face down on the floor. Following him through the door were three absolutely frightening men wearing those horrible stocking masks. They were carrying guns; at least the one in front was carrying a pistol.

Whether or not they said anything I can’t remember to this day, or whether people just automatically put their hands up I don’t know. I put my hands up but I just didn’t know what to do.

For a few moments there was just total silence, suddenly broken by the telephone ringing. I remember wondering who was on the other end of the line. Nobody answered the telephone, so it just kept on ringing and ringing, in this otherwise deathly quiet.

Then two of the masked men went to the counter, jumped over it and got the cashiers and bank clerks to start filling their bags with cash. While the two were getting the money, the one at the door covering us with the gun obviously got a bit of an anxiety attack and started swearing at them, telling them to hurry up and get a move on.

They jumped back over the counter. One of them lost his balance when he landed on the floor and fell over. The other two swore at him again. Then they left through the door, warning us, “Don’t move. Stay like that with your hands up for ten minutes.” Then they just disappeared and there was total silence.

1．What does the writer mean by saying “…a pretty unusual number for those central banks” in the first paragraph?

A．More customers than usual were staying in the bank.

B．Less bank clerks than expected were in the bank.

C．There were often more than a dozen customers in the bank.

D．More banks should be open to serve customers in the city center.

2．The bank clerk wore a blank expression on his face probably because ________.

A．he was feeling upset at that moment

B．he felt puzzled and sensed something terrible

C．he was required to keep silence

D．he was threatened with a gun by robbers

3．Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．The customers didn’t wait in line but jumped the queue because of the confusion.

B．All the people in the bank except the writer put their hands up automatically.

C．Nobody answered the phone because all the clerks were busy with work.

D．the bank workers were forced to fill the robbers’ bags with cash.

4．What’s the best title of this passage?

A．A Street Gang                           B．A Strange Bank

C．A Bank Robbery                         D．A Horrible Adventure

    Negotiation(洽谈)lies beneath every human communication, says Stuart Diamond, the Wharton Business School professor and author of Getting more.

   “Negotiation should not be a dance, or a fencing match or a game,” he says. “It’s just a conversation.      36     ” In your local grocery store, for example, Diamond recommends connecting with the people who work there.       37       .

    When dealing with a difficult situation, such as talking with a customer service worker on the phone, hold back your frustration and recognize the person.” If I can, I want to get involved in a conversation, ‘What’s your name? Where are you located?” he says. “People on the other end of the line are so tired from being beaten up all day by customers.        38      .”

Discuss your goals for the phone call and ask the worker if he can help or refer you to someone else.      39       After all, it most likely isn’t his fault. You should be thankful for his advice, Diamond says.

      40       That way, you can better know the needs of others and learn how to reach your own goals by satisfying their desires. Getting into the habit of valuing people’s opinions can make you a better negotiator in time.

When you make a human connection with somebody, they’re almost more than six times as likely to give you what you want.

A. You will be thought of as a bad-mannered person if you speak slowly.

B. You don’t have to give anything up by just talking to someone.

C. Asking their advice can lead to hearing about specialll sales.

D. Refrain(克制)from blaming him for the issue.

E. View yourself as the least important person.

F. They are please to answer your questions.

G.You’re like a breath of fresh air.

假设你是李华，你收到英国笔友Bob的一封电子邮件（见表一）请根据邮件内容和你所获得的海报（见表二）所提供的信息，给Bob 回一封电子邮件。

表一

Dear LiHua ,

How are you getting on recently? I’m so glad to tell you that I have planned to go to Beijing to study Chinese in my coming holiday. Would you please help me find a Chinese training school, and give me some information about it ?

Write back soon.

                                                               Bob 

表二                             LET’S TALK IN CHINESE!

TengFei Language School

Course: Chinese for beginners

   Time:January20—February 19

                                   Place:No.1 Leacture Hall

                                  Tuition: 2000RMB

                               For more information:www.tengfei.org

注意：1. 词数100左右          

2. 可根据内容要点适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3. 文章的开头和结尾已给出。

Dear Bob,

I’m so delighted to learn that you’re coming to Beijing to study Chinese.                            

                                                       Yours

                                                        LiHua

　假设你是晨光中学的高中生李华。你校拟选拔一批优秀学生，利用暑期到晨曦希望小学为学生辅导英语。你希望参加此活动。请根据以下提示，用英语给校评选组写一封申请信：

1．对此活动的认识(如对本人的……益处等)；

2．个人优势；　　　3．你的计划。

注意：

1．词数100；

2．可适当加入细节，以使内容充实、行文连贯；

3．信的开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

参考词汇：晨曦希望小学 Chenxi Hope Primary School

Dear Sir/Madam，

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                            Yours sincerely，

                                                                                                                       Li Hua

Just 50 years ago Manx seemed to be on the point of disappearing. "If you spoke Manx in a pub on the island in the 1960s, it was considered provocative(挑衅的) and you were likely to find yourself in a fight," recalls Brian Stowell, a 76-year-old islander who has written a Manx-language novel, The Vampire Murders, and presents a radio show on Manx Radio spreading the language every Sunday.

The language itself is similar to the Gaelic tongues spoken in the island's neighbours, Ireland and Scotland. A century ago, "Moghrey mie" would have been commonly heard instead of good morning on the island.

"In the 1860s there were thousands of Manx people who couldn't spea k English," says Stowell. "But only a century later it was considered to be so backwards to speak the language that there were stories of Manx speakers getting stones thrown at them in the towns. "I learnt it myself from one of the last surviving native speakers back in the 1950s."

Recession(经济衰退 ) in the mid 19th Century forced many Manx residents to leave the island to seek work in England. And parents were not willing to pass the language down through the generations, with many believing that to have Manx as a first language would affect job opportunities overseas.

There was a fall in the language. By the early 1960s there were perhaps as few as 200 who spoke the tongue. The last native speaker, Ned Maddrell, died in 1974. Unesco(联合国教科文组织) pronounced the language died out in the 1990s.

Now there is even a Manx language primary school in which all subjects are taught in the language, with more than 60 pupils attending. Manx is also taught in other schools across the island.

9. What does “Moghrey mie” mean according to the passage?

   A.All the best.    B. Congratulations.    C. Never mind.     D. Good morning.

10. Many Manx people went to England to ______.

   A. learn Manx    B. teach English      C. look for jobs     D. attend college

11. What is the passage mainly about?

   A. The Manx language.       B. The life of Manx people

   C. The Manx island.          D. The Manx language school

假设你是李华， 你收到了美国朋友Amy发来的电子邮件，请根据以下邮件内容进行回复。

Dear Li Hua,

Two weeks ago I said goodbye to my family and friends in America and came to China as an exchange student. When I study here I find my Chinese is so poor that it’s difficult for people to understand me. I’m losing confidence.

Could you please tell me what I should do?

                                                Amy

注意： 1. 词数100 左右；2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

My dad is my hero because he is brave, skilled, and respectful. I know many people say their dads are their heroes, but my dad 41 me about becoming a man, which is 42 important for a young boy.

Respect goes a long way with my dad, so does patience. As a(n)  43，my dad must 44 people every day, some of whom are nice and some are not. Either way, he 45  his well-mannered attitude.

Dad is not afraid of many things, or if he is, he doesn’t tell me 46 he wants to seem tough. He may not be a big guy but since he works with his 47 all day, he is very strong. Dad works outdoors in all kinds of 48 but the worst thing he has to do is 49 up and work in an attic (顶楼) in the middle of the summer. Trust me, this is the 50 place you will experience as an electrician and when you come back 51, what is in your lungs will make you 52 for hours.

My dad and I have a very good 53. We talk about almost everything. We go hunting, fishing, and everything a dad and son would do. My dad and I enjoy hiking 54 because it gives us time outdoors together and there is nothing like that. He has 55 and taught me everything I need to know about 56.

I am 57 to be the son of Mike C, and would not have it any other way. People come up to me all the time to 58 me I have a good dad. It makes me feel 59 that a lot of people think so 60 of him. He is a good teacher of my life and would do anything for me. This is why my father is my hero.

41.  A. worries             B. reminds          C. arranges         D. teaches

42.  A. especially          B. specially            C. hardly           D. nearly

43.  A. worker         B. electrician          C. officer              D. engineer

44.  A. hunt for            B. look after          C. deal with            D. wait for

45.  A. maintains           B. makes               C. hides                D. offers

46.  A. unless              B. because              C. though               D. until

47.  A. hands               B. mouth               C. brain               D. legs

48.  A. positions           B. levels               C. conditions          D. directions

49.  A. set             B. send             C. put              D. climb

50.  A. warmest             B. hottest             C. tallest             D. coldest

51.  A. downward        B. inside               C. down            D. over

52.  A. wound           B. ache                 C. cough                D. injure

53.  A. relationship        B. friendship          C. agreement           D. companion

54.  A. least               B. best                 C. widest              D. latest

55.  A. shown           B. referred             C. learned         D. collected

56.  A. animals         B. skills               C. plants              D. nature

57.  A. excited         B. proud                C. surprised            D. eager

58.  A. ask             B. warn            C. tell            D. promise

59.  A. nervous        B. nicely               C. well            D. good

60.  A. seriously      B. easily               C. high            D. much

假定你是宝鸡中学学生会主席李华，学校将举行一次77周年校庆作品展示（exhibition），请你用英语写一则作品征集启事。要点如下：

1. 作品主题：反映校园生活，表达祝福；

2. 作品形式：诗词、照片、画作等；

3. 截止日期：9月1日。

注意：

1. 词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

With the 77th anniversary of our school approaching_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

—Would you like some milk?
—_________.
  A. Yes, please.  B. The same to you.  C. Help yourself   D.  My pleasure. 

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。每处错误仅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。

This morning when I was surfing the Internet, the photo caught my attention. In the photo, there was a dustmen who was on a drip(打点滴)under a tree by the roadside. It turned out that he insisted working despite illness. Anyone who see this picture would be deeply touched. We must admit that dustmen are doing tired work for long hours and usually get low pay. However, it is all because of our hard work that we can live and work in a clean environment. Therefore, they deserve our respect. Then how can we do in return for their hard work? Actual it is very simple – care for our environment and don't leave for rubbish everywhere, especially in public places.

I was at the Indian grocery store with my cart totally full to check out. There was an African American man in his   1．  (sixty) behind me. I told him he could go before me   2． he had just two items in his hand, and he was all smiles and added, as if 3．  (tease)me, “Thanks! Why don’t you pay for my stuff too,” and laughed. I felt a little  4．  (embarrass) and thought that the man had a wonderful sense of humor.

I told the lady at the check out not  5．  (change)him. I said I would pay for him. He said, “No, no, no, I was just kidding.” And I  6．  (reply) with a smile, “Yes, yes your wish is heard. Please let me do it!”

As we talked outside, he told me that the Indian herbs(草药) 7．  he had bought  8．  (be)for his friend so I should take the money. I said to him, “It is good that it is not for you. Now you can pay it forward to somebody else.” He thanked me and promised he would.

9． (eventual), I went home  10．  my car full of groceries and my heart full of warmth and kindness.

When Joshua Blue, a head teacher at the Kennedy, hosts a lecture for his students, he wears a light violet-colored tie. "You don't want so many bright colors that the kids will get distracted," said Blue. Colors give off very specific signals, and different tie colors stand for very different impacts. Wondering what color tie to wear to your next meeting? Here's how to choose the perfect color tie for every occasion:

All powerful reds

It's not a coincidence（巧合）that many politicians wear red-colored ties with light shirts and darker suits. "Red is the powerful color," said Mark Woodman, a trend analyst who studies color in Laurel, Maryland. "There’s something about red that always comes back to strength and passion.” But the tone of your reds matters, too. Darker reds can help build trust, while lighter red and pink ties can be more of a statement about your personal style and be associated with creativity. When you want to convey a sense of ambition, consider a shiny red.

Royal purples

Ross Znavor, an executive in financial services in New York, wears purple ties rather than red to business meetings because the color shows a bit of self-confidence and helps him create lasting first impressions. Purple, traditionally a sign of royalty and wealth is becoming more acceptable in the workplace.

Black affairs

"While you might not wear them to meetings on a regular basis, wearing black ties to a cocktail party or even a dinner is unique and attractive," said Zyla. But remember: the formal black color can feel aggressive in many situations. "Avoid it if you are a green-hand at work," Zyla said.

Right blues

Afraid of sending the wrong message with your tie color? Consider blue as the all-purpose tie. Blue ties are a good investment because the color reminds people of the sky and ocean. "Blue is the safest color to wear," Lindsay said.

21. Why do many politicians prefer red-colored ties?

A. Because they often wear light shirts and darker suits.

B. Because they want to get promoted.

C. Because red is related to strength and passion.

D. Because red gets their message across easily.

22. Who will probably choose the purple ties?

A. Politicians.            B. Businessmen.

C. Artists.               D. Head teachers.

23. What color tie will you consider if you are a green-hand at work?

A. Red.                 B. Purple.

C. Black.               D. Blue.

Xie Lie is a student   61   (study) in a university in London. She is halfway through the   62   (prepare) year, which most students complete before applying for   63   degree course.

Six months ago, Xie Lie said goodbye to her family and friends in China and   64  (board) a plane   65  London. She was excited because she had dreamed of the day for so long. But she was also nervous because she didn’t know   66   to expect.

Xie Lie had some difficulties both in her study and life. She had to get used to a whole new way of life.  67   (lucky), she feels more at home now. Her host family can give her a lot of good   68   (advice) and what seemed very strange before now   69   (appear) quite normal. She is going to join a few clubs to participate in some social   70   (activity). Hopefully she’ll make some new friends.

　A  41  thing happened  42 me last Sunday．It was such a beautiful day  43  I drove to go for a look in the country.

　　On the way back home, my  44  stopped．It was out of gas on a   45 road far from a town! I decided to walk until I found someone  46 could sell some gas．I had walked almost a mile  47 I finally found a house near the  48 ．I was glad to see it because it was getting dark.

I knocked at the door and a little old lady with long white hair  49 ．She said, “I’ve been  50  for you here for a long time．Come in． 51  is almost ready.”

　　“But I only came for some gas,” I answered．I couldn’t  52  what she was talking about.

　　“Oh, Alfred! Gas? You  53  tea,” said she.

　　I quickly  54  that my car was out of   55  , but she didn’t seem to listen to me．She just kept   56  me Alfred and talking about how long it had been   57  she had seen me．She was acting very strangely and I was anxious to leave．As soon as she went to get tea, I went out of the house as fast as I   58  .

　　Fortunately, there was another house down the road and I was able to buy the gas I needed．When I told the man about my  59  , he said, “Oh, that’s Miss Emily．She lives by herself in that big house．She’s strange, but she wouldn’t   60  anybody．She is still waiting for the man she was going to marry thirty years ago．The day before their wedding he left home and never came back because of the war.” 

41．A．happy      B．strange      C．Common         D．bad

42．A．on          B．in             C．upon            D．to

43．A．and         B．so            C．but                D．that

44．A．car         B．bus           C．bike              D．truck

45．A．narrow     B．lonely       C．crowded          D．busy

46．A．what        B．Whom       C．who              D．how

47．A．before      B．after        C．while            D．as

48．A．street       B．path        C．way              D．road

49．A．came       B．answered   C．opened          D．appeared

50．A．asking     B．looking     C．calling          D．waiting

51．A．Gas        B．Coffee      C．Tea               D．think

53．A．like        B．love         C．used to like   D．liking

54．A．answered  B．explained  C．refused        D．promised

55．A．gas         B．tea          C．strength        D．energy

56．A．calling    B．call          C．to call          D．called

57．A．until      B．before     C．since            D．when

58．A．could      B．can        C．would            D．wanted

59．A．accident  B．incident   C．experience     D．surprise

60．A．hit         B．injury      C．hurt              D．Frighten

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。每处错误仅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，多着（从第11处起）不计分。

Alice is writing to provide some advices for Ms Sanders to consider. She suggests that there should be of easy use of the cinema by the disability customers. She is the only one of those designers who are to design the new Bankstown cinema. She asks her to consider the access at the cinema for people in a wheelchair or those who have difficulty walking. She suggests there were earphones beside all seats. Besides, the seats at back of the cinema should be placed higher than the one at the front. There should be toilet and car parking spaces specially for the disabled. If so, it will be much more easier for the disabled there.