On one of her trips to New York several years ago, Eudora Welty decided to take a couple of New York friends out to dinner. They settled in at a comfortable East Side cafe and within minutes, another customer was approaching their table.

“Hey, aren’t you from Mississippi?” the elegant, white-haired writer remembered being asked by the stranger. “I’m from Mississippi too.”

   Without a second thought, the woman joined the Welty party. When her dinner partner showed up, she also pulled up a chair.

“They began telling me all the news of Mississippi,” Welty said. “I didn’t know what my New York friends were thinking.”

    Taxis on a rainy New York night are rarer than sunshine. By the time the group got up to leave, it was pouring outside. Welty’s new friends immediately sent a waiter to find a cab. Heading back downtown toward her hotel, her big-city friends were amazed at the turn of events that had changed their Big Apple dinner into a Mississippi.

“My friends said: ‘Now we believe your stories,’” Welty added. “And I said: ‘Now you know. These are the people that make me write them.’”

Sitting on a sofa in her room, Welty, a slim figure in a simple gray dress, looked pleased with this explanation.

“I don’t make them up,” she said of the characters in her fiction these last 50 or so years. “I don’t have to.”

Beauticians, bartenders, piano players and people with purple hats, Welty’s people come from afternoons spent visiting with old friends, from walks through the streets of her native Jackson, Miss., from conversations overheard on a bus. It annoys Welty that, at 78, her left ear has now given out. Sometimes, sitting on a bus or a train, she hears only a fragment(片段) of a particularly interesting story.

25. What happened when Welty was with her friends at the cafe?

A. Two strangers joined her.

B. Her childhood friends came in.

  C. A heavy rain ruined the dinner.

D. Some  people held a party there.

26. The underlined word “them” in Paragraph 6 refers to Welty’s       .

A. readers     B. parties     C. friends   D. stories

27. What can we learn about the characters in Welty’s fiction?

  A. They live in big cities.

  B. They are mostly women.

  C. They come from real life.

  D. They are pleasure seekers.

Looking for volunteers

Hi，all,

Fancy running a programme item or two?

We are looking for volunteers to run a number of programme items. If you meet one or more of the following requirements, we are very happy to hear about them at programme@dwcon.org.

    Have guitar, will travel

We have two sing-along items planned (one of them aimed specifically at kids). Unfortunately, one organizer had to leave for some personal reasons, so we need one or two people. We are happy to discuss what we had in mind, but this can be run in any way you want.

Have questions, can point

We have two panels(专家咨询组）for this year: panel on writing and panel on story archetypes(原型）.

We are looking for two volunteers to run these panels as chair. The main responsibility will be to point at people with questions, and have a few questions /remarks(评述）ready in case the audience has no ideas yet. Or if you always want to know something of course.

Play recorder

On Friday evening we will have a karaoke-like programme item, and we are looking for one or two volunteers to act as “DJ”. Music and equipment will be provided, so we mostly expect you to keep track of whose turn it is to sing

Have eyes for colour

Guess what, this is a paint-related item. We would like to make “rock puppets(木偶）,and we need one or two volunteers to guide that. Paint and rocks will be provided.

21. The volunteers who will work on the two panels should __________

  A. be experts on writing. 

  B. be skilled at telling stories.

  C. be good at asking questions   

  D. be experienced in chairing competitions

22. What is the duty of a volunteer “DJ”?

  A. To make sure the equipment works well. 

  B. To play records for the person who will sing.

  C. To make plans for the karaoke-like programme.

  D. To choose the right music for the person to sing.

23. What should the volunteers work as for the paint-related item?

  A. Guides.     B. Painters.     C. Organizers.      D. Chairpersons.

Some people get pleasure from picnics and tours. Others like to discuss various topics and find pleasure in it. But the reading of books provides us with such pleasure as we do not get from any other activity.

Books are written by learned people. They contain the best experiences and thoughts of their writers. Writers put in their books not only their own ideas and feelings, but also what they observe and find in society.___16___

If we are in a cheerful mood, our joy is increased by reading.____17____They provide us with the best advice and guidance in our difficulties. Indeed, books are our best friends as they help us in our hour of need.

___18___They entertain us in our spare moments. Good novels, books on poetry and short stories, give us great enjoyment. At times we become so absorbed in our books that we forget even our important arrangements. Loneliness is no trouble for a reader.

___19___They give us sound moral advice. It is through the reading of books that we learn what to love and what to hate. The reading of good books develops and improves our character.

It was the English author Bacon who said that reading makes a full man. No one can question the truth of this saying.

___20___Some books are such that instead of doing any good, they do harm to the readers. So it is the reading of

good books alone that presents us the greatest benefit.

A. Books keep us well-informed.

B. Books contain grains of wisdom.

C. When we are alone, books are our best friends.

D. Books enable us to know the best of the colorful world.

E. When we are in a depressed mood, books comfort our troubled minds.

F. But we cannot get full advantage from reading, if our choice is not good.

G. By reading books written by great thinkers, we come in contact with their minds.

 — Glad to see you again. Haven’t you graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology?

— Yes. I _______ Engineering for four years there.

   A. have learned        B. learned                     C. am learning               D. had learned

Houses fall down. Trees fall over. Large holes form in the ground. Could Alaska be sinking?　That’s what some villagers in Alaska have been asking themselves recently and scientists think they know why. Warmer temperatures may be causing Alaska’s frozen ground to thaw (解冻).

  About 85 percent of Alaska’s land surface has permafrost (永久冻结带). Permafrost supports the ground above it—including trees, houses, and roads. But why is the permafrost thawing?

  Some scientists say that human-caused pollution is leading to global warming. And most scientists agree that Alaska has been getting warmer. They say that the warmer temperature is causing permafrost to thaw in some areas. The thawing permafrost can cause problems for people, plants, and animals.

  The collapsing (倒塌)is a problem in the villages in Alaska which are built on permafrost, and some of them may have to move to safer ground, where there is no permafrost.

The Alaskan town of Glennallen saw its old post office collapse. And, according to James Walters, a permafrost expert at the University of Northern Iowa, house-moving companies have been very busy.

  “Melting permafrost can also destroy trees and forests,” Walters said. “When holes in the ground form, trees fall into them and die. This could turn a forest into a swamp (沼泽), and animals which need the forests will have to move elsewhere.”

  “The melting could cause severe problems.” Walters says, “This could take hundreds of years, but in the end Alaska will look quite different from what it looks like now.”

24. The main reason why permafrost is thawing is that ______.　

A. the temperature in Alaska is rising 

B. people in Alaska don’t take care of permafrost

C. too many houses are built on permafrost    D. people in Alaska polluted permafrost

25. The following are the results of melting permafrost EXCEPT ______.　

A. holes form in the ground

B. a forest will be turned into a swamp

C. some animals have to go elsewhere

D. more water will be needed by people and animals

26. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. When permafrost melts, houses will fall down.

B. House-moving companies are busy because their houses are in danger.

C. To stop permafrost melting is a very difficult problem.

D. Most of Alaska’s land surface has permafrost.

27. Which of the following can be used as the best title of the passage?

A. Alaska—A Frozen Land        B. Pollution and Global Warming

C. Is Alaska Sinking?             D. Alaska Is Polluted

— Hey, the washing up has been done!

— That ________ Cynthia. She's always helpful.

A. need have been  B. could have been  C. should have been  D. must have been

    Rules for the University Entrance Examination

•    You must be at the examination center ten minutes before the examination starts. If you are more than ten minutes late, you may not enter the examination center. The examination takes place at the same time in different states.

•    You must have proof of your name and grade as well as official examination number. Show these when you come to the examination center.

•    Depending on which examination you are taking, you may bring certain items into the examination center. Mathematics examinations may allow you to use electronic calculators. Other subjects may allow you to use dictionaries and other reference material. Please read the notes sent with your timetable carefully.

•    You must bring your own pencils. None will be provided for you. The following items are not allowed in the examination center: walk-mans and radios, head sets, any food or drink, school bags, electronic equipment (unless specifically permitted for various subjects), and mobile phones.

•    Once in the center, you must sit at the desk with your examination number on it. When you sit down, place your examination number at the top corner of your desk.

•    You must remain silent during the examination. You must not disturb other people who are taking the test.

•    If you need a drink or toilet break, you should raise your hand and wait for the supervisor (监督者) to speak to you. You will be given water or the supervisor will take you to the bathroom. You are not allowed to talk with anyone during the break.111]

•    You must write your answers in the official answer sheet. Your supervisor will provide extra paper if you wish to make notes.

•    You may leave the examination room at any time if you do not plan to return. If you finish early and want to leave, please move well away from the examination center.

•    The supervisor will warn you fifteen minutes, five minutes and one minute before the end of the examination. When the supervisor says that the time is up, you must put down your pencil and wait at your desk until your paper is collected.

5. What are you allowed to have with you when you take mathematics examination?

     A. Related material.   B. Proof of yourself.   C. A cell phone.     D. A dictionary.

6. What should you do if you finish the test early?

  A. Stay in the examination center.       B. Remain in your seat and check again.

  C. Keep a distance from the center.      D. Raise your hand to inform your teacher.

7.What can be provided for you during the exam?

     A. Pencils.     B. Food and drink.     C. Extra paper.      D. Calculators.

Consider… YOU. In all time before now and in all time to come, there has never been and will never be anyone just like you. You are unique in the entire history and future of the universe. Wow! Stop and think about that. You're better than one in a million, or a billion, or a gazillion…

16   

You're amazing! You're awesome!   17   Beautiful young people are the whimsy of nature, but beautiful old people are true works of art. But you don't become "beautiful" just by virtue of the aging process.

18    That is the Art of Life. You can learn slowly, and sometimes painfully, by just waiting for life to happen to you. Or you can choose to accelerate your growth and intentionally devour life and all it offers.   19   

Paint a Masterpiece!

20    Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, it's truly up to you.

A. You are the only one like you in a sea of infinity!!!

B. Nobody will be more beautiful than you from now on.

C. God gives every bird its food, but he doesn't throw it into its nest.

D. With other people helping you, you’re sure to be truly perfect.

E. You are the artist that paints your future with the brush of today.

F. Amazing and awesome as you already are, you can be even more so.

G. Real beauty comes from learning, growing, and loving in the ways of life.

1. The instructions to the amusement facilities state that no child shall be allowed to operate the machines unless _________________by an adult.

2. Cheaper energy conservation techniques____________ in the developed world in the past ten years. 

3. After graduating from the high school the young man has nothing to do all day but ______________the pleasure of playing computer games.   

4. They said that they_________________ with no food in the house for several days.

5. The terrible footsteps ____________, the girl was so frightened that she hid herself behind the door.

6. Though John works hard, an evening each week is the time _______________ to stay with his family.

7. FBI agents in the US searched the house of a teenager in Ohio, who they _____________ being a member of the hacking group.

8. Difficulties in raising money resulted in the building program __________________ by two weeks.

假定英语课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。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：在错的词下画一横线，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。

   I once bought the beautiful bracelet from a store and felt excited when I tried it on. Sadly, I was soon disappointed at that my naughty kids broke it. But instead of just feel sad, I chose to repair it myself.

To my greatly surprise, it didn’t take a long time to do it. As time went by, I found that I was not happy with just repairing my breaking bracelets. I started making new bracelets out the materials from my old one. Later on, I begin to design on my own.

The I made my first deal. Back in 2013, I posted my bracelets on WeChat for the first time and several friends said that they wanted it. That was just the start. With many materials at hand, I made my designs into real.

With more than 100,000 people aged 100 or over, Spain is the country with the greatest life expectancy after Japan. How do you live to 100? Here 4 of the country’s centenarians (百岁老人) give their advice on staying youthful.

21. Why does Francisco Nunez dislike living with other old people?

A. They may depend on his help.

B. He is sensitive to his old age.

C. They may affect his attitude to life.

D. He has more kids to look after at home.

22. What does Maximino San Miguel want to do most in his life now?

A. Working as a shepherd.                                                 B. Reading books.

C. Taking up painting.                                                  D. Going travelling.

23. What benefits her health according to Pilar Fernandez?

A. Doing gardening.                                                     B. Learning history.

C. Living with kids.                                                       D. Having more children.

24. What can we infer about the four old people from the text?

A. They are fond of exercising regularly.

B. They led a hard life when they were young.

C. They have the same hobbies in their free time.

D. They have their own method of staying youthful.

Name ： Off the Beaten Path

Cover price： $ 30. 00

Our price： $ 19. 80

The best-selling Reader 'a Digest travel book has 40% new content including over 200 new sites, over 200 new full-color photographs, and all-new, up-to-date maps. It spotlights over 1,000 of the United States’ most overlooked must-see destinations.

Name ： Container Gardens by Number

   Cover price： $ 15. 95

Our price: $ 9. 49

A unique book contains 50 easy-to-follow container designs. Each design provides a simple num­bered planting plan that shows exactly how to create each display with an instruction of the finished planter and in-depth plant information. The plans are easy to follow and for any type of living space or garden.

Name： Best Weekend Projects

Cover price： $ 17. 95

Our price： $ 13. 96

Choose from 80 unique ideas to create an extraordinary living space. The projects are practical, as well as attractive, and will improve your home and yard and can be made in a weekend. These 80 well-designed projects are presented in a clear, easy-to-follow style that addresses readers in an accessible, user-friendly tone.

Name： 1801 Home Remedies

Cover price： $ 40. 00

Our price： $29.96

Plenty of health complaints can be handled at home. Each and every remedy will be tested by a doctor to make sure it is safe and sound.

Dozens of conditions are covered, from headaches, sunburn, bad breath, and blisters(水 泡 ）to allergies(过 敏 ），and  hiccups (打 嗝 ）.

1. You can most probably read the passage in a    _________ .

A. newspaper   B. travel guide          C. reference book          D. textbook

2. How much money could you save if you want to buy a travel book?

A. $ 6. 46.          B. $ 10. 20.           C. $ 13. 96.                D. $ 19. 80.

3. Which of the following could help you to deal with common diseases without a doctor?

A. Off the Beaten Path            B. Container Gardens by Number
C. 1801 Home Remedies           D. Best Weekend Projects
4. What’s the purpose of the passage?

A. To share his opinion about the books with readers.

B. To advise readers to read more in spare time.

C. To share the pleasure of reading with readers.

D. To advise readers to buy their books.

A new drug can prevent heart attacks and strokes by cutting bad cholesterol（胆固醇） to levels never known before, say doctors.

The results of the large international trial on 27,000 patients mean the drug could soon be used by millions. The British Heart Foundation said the findings were a significant advance in fighting the

biggest killer in the world.

Around 15 million people die each year from heart attacks or stroke. Bad cholesterol is the bad character in the heart world - it leads to blood vessels furring up, becoming easy to block which fatally starves the heart or brain of oxygen.

It is why millions of people take drugs called statins to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol.

The new drug - evolocumab - changes the way the liver works to also cut bad cholesterol.

"It is much more effective than statins," said Prof Peter Sever, from Imperial College London.

He organized the bit of the trial taking place in the UK with funding from the drug company Amgen.

Prof Sever told the BBC News website: "The end result was cholesterol levels came down and down and down and we've seen cholesterol levels lower than we have ever seen before in the practice of medicine."

The patients in the trial were already taking statins and yet their risk was cut further by the new treatment.

Prof Sever added: "They would have another 20% reduction in risk and that is a big effect. It is probably the most important trial result of a cholesterol lowering drug in over 20 years."

The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and also reported at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology.

The study showed that one heart attack or stroke was prevented for every 74 patients taking the drug in the two-year trial. It is too soon to know if the drug is saving lives.

28. According to the British Heart Foundation, ____________.

A. millions of people take drugs called statins to change the way the liver works

B. the new drug is no better than statins

C. the trial has been done and it has shown the new drug is better

D. bad cholesterol can be got rid of completely by the new drug

29. What Prof Sever told the BBC News website means _________.

A. he is satisfied with the result

B. we have to deal with many new problems

C. a new development will appear in the practice of medicine

D. we will continue to do the trial to the end

30. What does the underlined word “fatally” in the third paragraph mean?

A. ending in surprise   B. ending in fear     C. ending in delight  D. ending in death

31. Which of the following is true about the passage?

A. The new drug has been used by millions.

B. We can’t tell whether the new drug can save lives now.

C. The higher cholesterol levels are, the stronger the heart is.

D. The new drug can starve the heart or brain of oxygen.

Teens for planet Earth

This is a social networking site for teenagers who want to get involved in protecting our planet. They can connect with other green-minded teens, choose a project or create their own. Teens for Planet Earth encourages young folks to get busy in their own communities. They offer guidance on local projects with categories such as habitats, animals, water and education. Awards are given to active members.

Meez

At Meez, teens can create their own avatars(头像), rooms and virtual pets. It is a social community of creative people that combines avatars, virtual worlds and games. Meez offers contests and chat as well as homework help, a fashion centre and a writers’ corner. A chat area for younger teens is available. Other areas are music, geek(极客) centre ,art and sports.

Cyberteens

Cyberteens is another cool site that celebrates the teen years. Here teenagers can find communities, games, and news. There is a link called “creativity” where teens can share their poems, stories, photos and artwork. The “cool links” section offers a huge variety of choices to curious teens. This site also has surveys and helps with jobs and schoolwork.

Student.com

Student.com is a resource site for teens and high school students. Its social network has over 900,000 members. Members earn points to win prizes just by browsing and they offer several multi-player games. Points are used to buy items at auction(拍卖会). Student.com is filled with useful information and articles.

21. What is Teens for Planet Earth aimed at?

A. Setting up a project.                            B. Giving awards to teens

C. Getting young folks busy                         D. Giving advice on local projects.

22. Which website offers assistance in jobs?

A. Teens for planet Earth           B. Meez             C. Cyberteens       D. Student.com

23. What makes Student.com special among these websites?

A. It has the most members                          B. Teens can read articles on it.

C. It offers help on schoolwork                     D. Teens can make purchases on it.

24. What can we infer about the websites mentioned in the text?

A. They provide game platform                   B. They benefit teens in their social life.

C. They award outstanding teens                     D. They offer various study guidance

    The city of Rome has passed a new law to prevent cruelty to animals. All goldfish bowls are no longer allowed and dog owners must walk their dogs.
    This comes after a national law was passed to give prison sentences to people who desert cats or dogs.
    “The civilization of a city can be measured by this,” said Monica Carina, the councilor (议员) behind the new law.
    “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who in exchange for a little love fill our existence with their attention,” she told a Rome newspaper.
    The newspaper reported that round bowls don’t give enough oxygen for fish and may make them go blind.
    “Rome has tried to protect fish more than anywhere else in the world .It stands out for recognizing that fish are interesting animals who deserve over respect and compassion every bit as much as dogs and cats and other animals,” said Karin Robertson, a director of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
    Last year a law was passed in Italy that gives people who desert pets big fines（罚款）and prison sentences. Since then local governments have added their own animal protection rules.
    The northern city of Turin passed a law in April to give pet owners fines of up to ＄598 if they do not walk their dogs three times a day.
    The new law in Rome also says that owners mustn’t leave their dogs in hot cars or cut their dogs’ tails to make them look lovelies. The law also gives legal recognition to the “cat ladies” who feed homeless cats. The cats live all over the city from ancient ruins to modern office car parks.
1. The new law passed in Rome will _____
  A. help improve fishing environment               B. guarantee better conditions for goldfish
  C. stop people from catching goldfish         D. discourage keeping goldfish at home
2. The underlined word “compassion” in Paragraph 6 is the closest in meaning to ____
  A. pity           B.praise            C.support           D.popularity
3. People may break the law in Turin if they _____
  A. keep their dogs or cats in cars                B.feed homeless animals in car parks
  C.raise their cats near ancient ruins                 D.shut their dogs home all day long

Popeye the Sailor first became a popular cartoon in the 1930s.The sailor in that cartoon ate lots of spinach to make him strong. People watched him, and they began to buy and eat a lot more spinach. Popeye helped sell 33 percent more spinach than before! Spinach became a necessary part of many people’s diets. Even some children who hated the taste began to eat the vegetable.

Many people thought that the iron in spinach made Popeye strong, but this is not true. Spinach does not have any more iron than any other green vegetable.

People only thought spinach had a lot of iron because the people who studied the food made a mistake. In the 1890s, a group of people studied what was inside vegetables. This group said that spinach had ten times more iron than it did. The group wrote the number wrong, and everyone accepted it.

Today, we know that the little iron there is in spinach cannot make a difference in how strong a person is. However, spinach does have something else which the body needs—folic acid.

It is interesting to point out that folic acid can help make a person strong. Maybe it was really the folic acid that made Popeye strong all along.   

1. A good title for this reading passage is______.

A. Popeye the Sailor                               B. The Truth About Spinach

C.A Mistake with Numbers                            D. Folic Acid Makes You Strong

2. Why did many people eat spinach after they saw Popeye the Sailor?

A. They thought spinach made them strong.

B. They thought Popeye was funny.

C. Spinach had a lot of iron.

D. People liked folic acid.

3. A research group told people that spinach______.

A. made Popeye strong

B. was a green vegetable

C. had less iron than other green vegetables

D. had more iron than other green vegetables

4 The reading passage says that perhaps Popeye got his strength from______.

A. iron               B. folic acid           C. spinach             D. exercise

5. Folic acid is ______.

A. something in food                              B. a vegetable

C. dangerous                                      D. a certain kind of spinach

Nowadays it is found that school students seldom pay much attention to sports. Is it because they have no   21    in sports? It may not be the fact. They often say they have    22    more important things to do.

     23    are these important things? Examinations! They have to    24    themselves for the most important School Certificates of Education Examination (毕业会考), and also to

    25   with the tests and the exams in school. So many of them tend to   26    bookworms.

In the summer holidays of the former years they could do    27   they liked, but in the summer holidays of the    28    years, they have to    29    all their time to the preparation. So studies have   30    them form going in for sports.

Because of the pressure   31    their parents and teachers, they have to work harder and spend most of their time on books. Many parents    32    their children to pass this examination in order to get a stepping stone for higher studies or better jobs. As for the   33    themselves, they want to get good results so that they can    34    their studies in the universities. So it is necessary that they    35    up their school activities, especially sports.

Indeed, a complete education cannot go    36     physical training, for a quick mind seldom goes along with a     37    body. It is well said, “All work and no play    38    Jack a dull(迟钝的) boy.” In one word, without a strong body, you can never    39     anything, let alone（更不用说） a great success in    40    .111]

21. A. lesson                 B. time                  C. interest                     D. place

22. A. very                   B. some                 C. few                         D. other

23.  A. What               B. How                 C. Which                      D. Where      

24. A. get                            B. prepare              C. make                       D. ask

25. A. agree                  B. fight                  C. work                       D. deal

26. A. become               B. have                  C. change                            D. grow

27. A. that                    B. nothing              C. anything                   D. which1111]

28. A. this                     B. present              C. last                          D. future

29. A. spend                 B. take                  C. cost                         D. give

30. A. separated            B. divided              C. stopped                    D. taken

31. A. from                   B. of                     C. in                                   D. to

32. A. force                  B. let                     C. make                       D. want

33. A. parents               B. teachers            C. students                   D. examinations

34. A. develop               B. further                     C. prove                       D. stop

35. A. keep                   B. put                    C. take                         D. give

36. A. for                            B. without             C. with                         D. after

37. A. weak                  B. strong               C. good                        D. bad

38. A. turns                  B. makes               C. gets                         D. brings

39. A. receive                B. do                     C. achieve                    D. accept

40. A. life                            B. exams               C. training                    D. sports

Is that Doctor Brown? I’m calling just to                             your appointment at 3 o’clock this afternoon.

A. make                         B. confirm                     C. determine                  D. examine

What’s delicious to eat and comes in a variety of colors? Eggplant! And no, it has nothing to do with chickens! This strangely named vegetable is, however, as versatile as an egg.It can be steamed, fried, and baked.It can be eaten by itself or combined with meats and other vegetables.

Eggplant was first grown in India in the 5th century BC. Its popularity soon spread to China and then throughout Asia.Finally, during the Middle Ages the vegetable made its way to Europe. At that time, eggplant was not the shiny purple vegetable most people know today.Instead, it resembled a white egg. Due to this egg–like appearance, eggplant got its name.In its early days, the vegetable was so bitter that people often called it a “mad apple.” This nickname started because people believed its bitterness was bad for one’ s health. People actually thought eggplant could cause insanity and cancer.

Fortunately today people know that eggplant doesn’t cause insanity or cancer.In fact eggplant is so healthy that it may prevent cancer.In addition, the brain and the heart benefit from this super vegetable.Since it's high in fiber, eggplant can improve digestion.

Italy, Turkey, Egypt, China and Japan are the leading growers of eggplant in the world today.Depending on its location, eggplant may be purple, green, orange or yellow–white.And it can be as small as a tomato or as large as a cucumber.Dish varieties range from simple to complex, with all of them being delicious.

Today, thousands of people gather in Loomis, Calif, for the annual Loomis Eggplant Festival.The main activity at the festival is eating delicious eggplant dishes.There is plenty more to do and see, though.Recipe contests, arts and crafts, performers, races and children's activities all “egg–cite” festival–goers.Most people at the festival would agree—eggplant is an “egg–cellent” vegetable.

32. Eggplant got its name because of its _____.

A.color    　　B.taste 　　 C.appearance     　 D.value

33. Which of the following does NOT belong to the qualities of eggplant?

A.It can be cooked in various ways.   　　　 B.It can prevent cancer.

C.It is valuable and priceless.           D.It is easy to digest.

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

A.Eggplant can be eaten to cure cancer.    　　　 B.Eggplant used to taste bitter.

C.India produce the most eggplant in the world today.

D.Eggplant has a history of nearly 1,000 years.

35. Most people come to the Loomis Eggplant Festival to_____.

A. enjoy food with eggplant             B. promote eggplant

C. take part in recipe contests           D. see arts and crafts

Online shopping is coming into fashion in most cities，where people are able to make full use of the rapidly­developed Internet technology. Nowadays，can we find a person 41.         has not experienced online shopping? Definitely not.

Online shopping 42.        (welcome) by most people due to various reasons. From the perspective of consumers，it can save some time for people who don't have much spare time. Just click the mouse，they can get whatever they want while 43.         (stay)at home. For the retailers，it can cut some costs for those who don't have much circulating funds.44.        (compare)with the traditional trade mode，they don't have to spend money in renting a house.45.      ， there are still some disadvantages in online shopping. First，a face­to­face deal makes online shopping less 46.    (rely)and trustworthy. Second，people will lose 47.        fun of bargaining.

48．        is undeniable that shopping on the Internet has become a trend in modern society. It's of great urgency that we need to make the relative laws according to the rapid 49.        (grow) of online shopping. Only in this way can we enjoy the pleasure and 50.        (convenient)of online shopping without the concern of being cheated.