Children are losing the ability to play properly because they are being given too many toys and games, according to a new research.
The studies show that children, especially those under five, are often overwhelmed (不知所措) and actually play less than those with fewer toys. It may even harm their development. The studies show that giving children too many toys or toys of the wrong type can actually be doing them harm. They get overwhelmed and cannot concentrate on anything long enough to learn from it.
The conclusions have been backed up by British research looking at children with relatively fewer toys, whose parents spend more time reading, singing or playing with them. It showed such children surpass (胜过) youngsters from richer backgrounds, even those who could use computers.
Some parents notice the ill effect early. Orhan Ismail, a researcher saw a change for the worse in Cameron, his 10-month-old son, after he was given a lot of toys last Christmas.
Ismail said, “If there are too many toys in front of him, he will just keep flitting（掠过） around them and then end up going off and finding something like a slipper to play with. Now we just get out one or two toys and hide the rest in a box.”
Alexander and her husband also decided to limit the toys their 6 daughters play with. She believed many toys limit children’s imaginations. She said, “A Barbie can only work as a Barbie. But a cardboard box can become anything. The only limitations are in the child’s mind.”
Experts hesitate to put a figure on the number of toys children should have, but many believe two dozen is enough for children of preschool age.
32.From which paragraph can we learn that “British research group has been in favour of the conclusion”?
A.Paragraph 3. B.Paragraph 4. C.Paragraph 5. D.Paragraph 6.
33.In the writer’s opinion, a Barbie_____.
A.can attract more attention from children than a cardboard box
B.can work more than a Barbie
C.may become anything else such as a cardboard
D.may keep children from further imaginations
34.Which of the following is TRUE about toys given to children?
A.too many toys will help children develop wide interests.
B.One or two toys at a time will help children concentrate.
C.Only wrong types of toys do harm to children.
D.The proper number of toys given to the children depends on their ages.
35.It may NOT be a good idea to_____.
A.spend more time reading or playing with children
B.choose right types of toys for children
C.ask experts for the exact number of necessary toys
D.put out one or two toys and hide the rest
A person’s home is as much a reflection of his personality as the clothes he wears, the food he eats and the friends with whom he spends his time. Depending on personality, most have in mind a(n) “__51__ home”. But in general, and especially for the students or new wage earners, there is practical __52__ of cash and location on achieving that idea.
Cash shortage, in fact, often means that the only way of getting along when you leave school is to stay at home for a while until things __53__ financially. There are obvious __54__ of living at home—personal laundry is usually habitually done along with the family wash; meals are provided and there will be a well-established circle of friends available around. And there is __55__ the responsibility for paying bills, rates, etc.
__56__ , whether everything goes smoothly much depends on how a family gets on. Do your parents like your friends? You may love your family— __57__ do you like them? Are you prepared to be 58 when your parents ask where you are going in the evening and what time you expect to be back? If you find that you cannot reach a(n) __59__ , and that you finally have the money to leave, how do you go about finding somewhere else to live?
If you plan to stay in your home area, the possibilities are __60__ well-known to you already. Friends and the local paper are always a good source of information. If you are going to work in a __ 61__ area, again there are the papers—and the accommodation agencies, __62__ these should be approached with __63__ . Agencies are allowed to charge a fee, usually the __64__ of the first week’s rent, if you take __65__ they have found for you.
51. A. ideal B. fresh C. secure D. spiritual
52. A. sample B. measure C. lack D. plan
53. A. vary B. improve C. eliminate D. depend
54. A. concerns B. offenses C. advantages D. resistance
55. A. always B. sometimes C. much D. rarely
56. A. What’s more B. For example C. In addition D. On the other hand
57. A. and B. but C. still D. or
58. A. modest B. impatient C. suspicious D. tolerant
59. A. agreement B. coverage C. adaptation D. quarrel
60. A. seldom B. less C. partly D. certainly
61. A. familiar B. modern C. local D. new
62. A. though B. when C. since D. as
63. A. enthusiasm B. patience C. care D. glory
64. A. profit B. equivalent C. loan D. part
65. A. service B. accommodation C. papers D. advice
Mom’s birthday present? It may be a difficult thing for some people, but for me, it is an easy thing. Mom loved flowers, so every year I sent her flowers.
Actually she had a bed of irises (鸢尾花) in the backyard of her small, Indiana farm.
They were beautiful. “Take some,” she said, “Dig some up and plant them on
the side of your own house.”
But in my yard they became lacking in energy. A year passed, then two, but not one flower appeared. I cut back all their green leaves. I was tired of seeing them so lonely. Finally, I dug the irises up and threw them away.
About that time Mom died unexpectedly. My sister and I sold the farm. I never went back to see the irises. I just couldn’t bear seeing another family living in our home—Mom’s home. Autumn came, then winter. The following spring, as Mom’s birthday approached, I struggled with the question of how to remember her. I stared out of the window and saw a few stubborn irises in my side yard sprouting (发芽), —tall, thin but flowerless. Because of seeing them, I decided to order flowers as I always did on Mom’s birthday, and send them to my sister. I wished so badly I could still send flowers to Mom. But that was impossible.
In the morning of Mom’s birthday, I was in my car ready to work. Something in the yard caught my eye. The irises! One had bloomed with flowers, big, showy
and purple, as lovely as they ever had been on Mom’s farm. I smiled and turned my eyes upward. I could no longer send flowers to Mom. But somehow, she’d been able to send them to me.
46. According to the first paragraph, Mom .
A. wanted to give the author some flowers
B. didn’t like the presents from the author
C. lived with the author on an Indiana farm
D. got different birthday presents from the author every year
47. At first, the irises in the author’s yard .
A. all died quickly
B. didn’t bloom at all
C. grew as well as on Mom’s farm
D. grew better than those on Mom’s farm
48. What troubled the author?
A. She didn’t know how to grow irises.
B. She regretted they had sold Mom’s farm.
C. She didn’t know what to do in memory of Mom.
D. She couldn’t bear others living in Mom’s home.
49. After seeing the irises sprouting, the author_ __.
A. decided to send flowers to her sister on Mom’s birthday
B. dug them out because they were flowerless
C. decided to send them to Mom after they bloom
D. ordered flowers for the people living in Mom’s home
50. What can be learned from the last paragraph?
A. All the irises in the author’s yard bloomed.
B. The author went to see the irises in Mom’s yard.
C. It was Mom who took care of these irises in the author’s yard.
D. The author thought the blooming irises were gifts from Mom.
The number of stay-at-home fathers reached a record high last year, new figures show, ___families saw a rise in female breadwinners.
A. if B .as C .although D. though
Sometimes people around you can change your life. The change may not be sudden or 41 , but little habits can produce big 42 that make you think about what is important in your life. The person who changed my life is Julia Masi. She has 43 me so many things that I will carry with me 44 my life.
One thing I've learned from Julia is how to balance 45 . Julia has shown me how to 46 ahead so that I can finish all my school work, enjoy sports and 47 have time for my friends. She has taught me that you can do anything if you are 48 and if you never give up. I've also learned that you can find anything fun or 49 if you connect it with something that you enjoy.
Last year I hated studying vocabulary, but I loved playing on my computer. Julia 50 the two and showed me a website called “freerice.com” where you can 51 a word game that gives you 5 grains of rice to donate to the poor with every correct word. She 52 me to learn a hundred new 53 by filling up the rice bowl. I liked playing the game so much that I 54 about 1,000 words in just one month.
Julia has always 55 me to try new hobbies. She showed me that going to the theater could help me become a better writer. _ 56 , she taught me that discussing a play can excite an interest in reading.
57 it wasn't for Julia I probably wouldn't have 58 how easy it is to help the poor. There are so many ways that one person can 59 . I've learned to be more appreciative of what I own. I am 60 for the opportunities that I have been given. I will continue to think of ways to help those less fortunate for the rest of my life.
41. A. impressive B. simple C. necessary D. slight
42. A. results B. ideas C. problems D. decisions
43. A. bought B. served C. offered D. taught
44. A. throughout B. of C. for D. into
45. A. work B. money C. time D. career
46. A. plan B. get C. move D. stay
47. A. never B. seldom C. still D. yet
48. A. excited B. careful C. determined D. patient
49. A. interesting B. easy C. possible D. important
50. A. shared B. combined C. remembered D. separated
51. A. watch B. improve C. raise D. play
52. A. reminded B. invited C. permitted D. challenged
53. A. words B. skills C. lessons D. stories
54. A. used B. read C. learned D. spelled
55. A. encouraged B. warned C. forced D. allowed
56. A. Therefore B. Besides C. However D. Otherwise
57. A. If B. Since C. Although D. Unless
58. A. imagined B. noticed C. realized D. dreamed
59. A. make a difference B. turn away C. show off D. make a mistake
60. A. ready B. thankful C. sorry D. anxious
More than 10 years ago,it was difficult to buy a tasty pineapple.The fruits that made it to the UK were green on the outside and,more often than not,hard with an unpleasant taste within.Then in 1966,the Del Monte Gold pineapple produced in Hawaii first hit our shelves.
The new type of pineapple looked more yellowy-gold than green.It was slightly softer on the outside and had a lot of juice inside.But the most important thing about this new type of pineapple was that it was twice as sweet as the hit-and-miss pineapples we had known.In no time,the Del Monte Gold took the market by storm,rapidly becoming the world's best-selling pineapple variety,and delivering natural levels of sweetness in the mouth,up until then only found in tinned pineapple.
In nutrition it was all good news too.This nice tasting pineapple contained four times more vitamin C than the old green variety.Nutritionists said that it was not only full of vitamins,but also good against some diseases.People were understandably eager to be able to buy this wonderful fruit.The new type of pineapple was selling fast9 and the Del Monte Gold pineapple rapidly became a fixture in the shopping basket of the healthy eater.
Seeing the growing market for its winning pineapple,Del Monte tried to keep market to itself.But other fruit companies developed similar pineapples.Del Monte turned to law for help,but failed.Those companies argued successfully that Del Monte's attempts to keep the golden pineapple for itself were just a way to knock them out the market.
25.We learn from the text that the new type at pineapple is .
A.green outside and sweet inside B.a little soft outside and sweet inside
C.yellowy-gold outside and hard inside D.good-looking outside and soft inside
26.Why was the new type of pineapple selling well?
A.Because it was rich in nutrition and tasted nice. B.Because it was less sweet and good for health.
C.Because it was developed by Del Monte. D.Because it was used as medicine.
27.The underlined word "fixture" in Paragraph 3 probably refers to something .
A.that people enjoy eating B.that people use as a gift
C.that is always present D.that is difficult to get
28.We learn from the last paragraph that Del Monte .
A.slowed other companies to develop pineapples B.succeeded in keeping the pineapple for itself
C.tried hard to control the pineapple market D.planned to help the other companies
Events Long March exhibit
The Shanghai History Museum is putting on an exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of the Long March. On show are more than 220 photos and 40 items that explain with pictures how the communist Red Army drew back from its besieged ( 被围困的) bases in Jiangxi Province and fought its way to northern Shanxi province in the mid-1930s. Explanations are all in Chinese. The show will end on November 20.
Time: 10:00 am—4:00 pm.
Address: 1286 Hongqiao Road
Admission: 8 yuan for Chinese/ 15 yuan for foreigners
Thai elephants
Eight elephants from Thailand are entertaining visitors at Changfeng Park by riding bikes, playing basketball, balancing on a beam, dancing and blowing a mouth-organ. People are encouraged to have a tug-of-war (拔河比赛) with the animals or lie on the ground and have the elephants walk over them. The elephants give three shows a day at 9:30 am, 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm and there is an additional show at 1:30 pm at weekends. The show will end on November 15.Address: 189 Daduhe Road
Admission: 30-40 yuan
Dancing dolphins
Dolphins jumping from the water to touch a ball, swaying their bodies to music, kissing people and solving math by tapping their tails have made the dolphinarium in Peace Park an attraction for children. Seals and sea lions also perform.
Hours: 10:30 am, 4:00 pm, and 7:30 pm
Admission: 20 yuan for adults and 10 yuan for children.
1. If you go to visit the Long March exhibit with an Australian, how much will you pay altogether for the admission?
A. 16 yuan B. 20 yuan
C. 30 yuan D. 23yuan
2. At the exhibition, you will see ________.
A. many articles written by famous writers
B. many things left by the Red Army
C. books on the Long March
D. many photos and pictures about the Long Match.
3. Which of the following is NOT done by the Thai elephants?
A. Doing math B. Blowing a mouth-organ
C. Riding bicycles. D. Having a tug-of-war with people.
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。
Did you have a good weekend? On Saturday, my uncle comes to see us. He’s got a new motorbike but he took me for ride on it through the park.A lot of people were there, and I saw some of my friend from school. They looked very surprisedly when I waved and said “Hello!” to him. On Sunday morning, I cleaned my bicycle because of it was very dirty. I would love to buy a new one! Mine is so slow and it need new wheels and lights too. What about go to the park tomorrow? There’s a competition here. Tell me whether you want to go!
I was in a local store the other day when suddenly I heard the sound of breaking glass behind me.Curiously,I turned around to see_61_had happened.A young mother had turned away from her shopping cart for a second to look at some other goods she was interested in.That second was all it took for her baby boy_62_(lift) a big jar of sauce from his seat in the cart.
_63_(unfortunate),the big jar was more than he could handle.I smiled when I walked back and saw the look of complete fear_64_the boy's face.He seemed not to know why.His arms still remained where the jar_65_(be) a few seconds before.On the floor below the cart the liquid of red was slowly flowing across the passage.After making sure that both Mom and the baby were fine,I went downstairs to get help from a store employee.As I glanced back at them,I saw something_66_truly warmed my heart.
The baby had finally taken his eyes off the_67_(break) jar and looked up at his mom.Instead of_68_(scold) him, she smiled down at him.I knew then that this Mom would give her son a lifetime full of_69_(laugh) and love.I think we should learn to love.Yet,hard as we try,we often make_70_(thing) messy too.
诚信是处世之本。但是在中学生当中，考试作弊、抄袭作业 、欺骗家长和老师等现象屡见不鲜。请你用约100个词对中学生考试作弊现象进行议论，内容包括：
(1)中学生考试作弊的原因；
(2)你对考试作弊的看法；
(3)你认为学校怎样才能杜绝考试作弊现象。
Nowadays, cheating in exams is popular among some students.
Bullying among school children is nothing new. Yet for young people today, there is a relatively new form of bullying which can occur even when the bullies are nowhere near their victims.
Cyber-bullying (网络欺凌) is one of the bad sides of new technology and involves using devices like mobile phones and computers. Cyber-bullies can strike at any time, no matter where they or their victims are. So it is possible to cyber-bully someone within the safety of their own home. 22 percent of young people in the UK claim to have suffered from cyber-bullying.
Not only are cyber-bullies harder to avoid, they are also harder to catch. It is all so easy to send an anonymous threat by text on a pay-as-you-go phone with an unknown number. It takes no time at all to set up a false Facebook，Twitter, blog or social network account and to post an insulting (侮辱的) message. And, if you know how to hide your IP address，you can upload an insulting video to a website like YouTube and your victim wouldn’t know who to blame.
One of the most upsetting things about cyber-bullying is that it can involve more people than traditional forms of bullying. A bully can insult you or tell lies about you and share that information with the entire school at the touch of a button—and for some teenagers that is all too hard to bear. The UK charity Beatbullying suggests that up to 44% of suicides (自杀) among ten-to-fourteen-year-old, for example, may be bullying-related.
The good news is that the world is starting to get wise to cyber-bullying. Schools and websites like http：//www. children-int. org offer lots of advice and victim support and social network sites now advise users to think carefully about their privacy settings so that personal information is only shared with friends. Many also provide a red button to click to report disturbing activities.
22. Which of the following is true about cyber-bullying?
A. Cyber-bullying involves fewer people.
B. Cyber-bullies are hard to avoid and catch.
C. Cyber-bullies can’t strike when one is safe at home.
D. Cyber-bullying causes 44% of the children to commit suicide.
23. What does the underlined word “anonymous” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
A. Hard to understand. B. Frightening.
C. Having no known name. D. Upsetting.
24. Schools and websites have helped except for .
A. offering advice and victim support
B. providing a button used to ask for help
C. reminding users of their safe privacy settings
D. advising users to share personal information with friends
25. What’s the best title of the passage?
A. Bullying goes Hi-tech B. Disadvantages of new technology
C. Forms of bullying D. Cyber-bullying causes children’s suicides
Florence Nightingale was born in a rich family. When she was young, she took lessons in music and drawing, and read great books. She also travelled a great deal with her mother and father.
As a child, she felt that visiting sick people was both a duty and a pleasure. She enjoyed helping them.
At last, her mind was made up. “I’m going to be a nurse,” she decided.
“Nursing isn’t the right work for a lady,” her father told her.
“Then I will make it so,” she smiled. And she went to learn nursing in Germany and France. When she returned to England, Florence started a nursing home for women.
During the Crimean War in 1854, she went with a group of thirty-eight nurses to the front hospital. What they saw there was terrible. Dirt and death were everywhere to be seen and smelled. The officer there did not want any woman to tell him how to run a hospital, either. But the brave nurses went to work.
Florence used her own money and some from friends to buy clothes, beds, medicines and food for the men. Her only pay was the smiles from the lips of dying soldiers. But they were more than enough for this kind woman.
After war, she returned to England and was honoured for her service by Queen Victoria. But Florence said that her work had just begun. She raised money to build the Nightingale Home for Nurses in London. She also wrote a book on public health, which was printed in several countries.
Florence Nightingale died at the age of ninety, still trying to serve others through her work as a nurse. Indeed, it is because of her that we honour nurses today.
29. When she was a child, Florence .
A. wrote a book on public health B. knew what her duty in life was
C. loved to help the sick people D. was most interested in music and drawing
30. During the Crimean War in 1854, Florence served in the front hospital where . A. she earned a lot of money B. work was very difficult
C. few soldiers died because of her work
D. she didn’t have enough food and clothes
31. Why was Florence honoured by Queen Victoria?
A. Because she built the Nightingale Home for Nurses.
B. Because of her old age.
C. Because she worked as a nurse all her life.
D. Because she did a great deal of work during the Crimean War.
32. The passage can be best described as .
A. the life story of a famous woman B. a description of the nursing work
C. an example of successful education D. the history of nursing in England
My grandmother was from a town in Michigan. Summer after summer, I enjoyed staying with my grandparents as a young child. I was from the city and loved the small town they lived in. People knew everyone, their kids, their pets, their ancestors. The bond with them continued to grow as I grew and they got older. Grandma was always using her hands for something exciting. She would make little sandwiches and we’d have tea parties. She’d make beautiful quilts for each one. I remember the small thimble(顶针) she would use while doing her needle work.
A few years ago, when Grandma left this earth, I bid farewell to a loving grandmother. How quickly our lives can change. We had just had tea together a couple of months earlier, on her 91st birthday.
I missed her very much. On one particular birthday, when I was feeling a little low, something happened to make me feel like she was sharing that special day with me. I was arranging some colorful pillows that she had made, and suddenly I felt something inside one pillow. It was small and hard. I moved the object to a seam(接缝) that I carefully opened, and to my delight out came a tiny silver thimble! How happy I was to find something that had been a part of her. Not realizing it had fallen off her finger, I pictured her sewing it in that little pillow that I just happened to place on my bedspread that day. I carefully laid the thimble alongside the others I’ve collected over the years, where I could continue to see the gift God chose to reveal to me. What a precious memory of a very special lady who somehow, I knew, was laughing in delight at sewing her thimble inside my pillow.
I made some tea, using my best china, as Grandma always did, and enjoyed my tea and Grandma’s thimble. What a wonderful birthday that was!
24.The author wrote this passage to ____ ．
A. express a desire to lead a simple life.
B．call on people to care for the old.
C．show she missed living with her grandma.
D．recall her happy childhood.
25.How did the author feel when she found the silver thimble?
A.Sad B.Cheerful C.Lucky D.Proud
26.It can be inferred from the passage that the silver thimble________.
A.was the item the author had been trying to find.
B.was very precious to the author.
C.was the most treasured possession of Grandma.
D.was a birthday gift Grandma had given the author.
27.What is the best title for the passage?
A.A little pillow B. My childhood
C.My grandparents D.Grandma’s silver thimble.
Our modern life is changing our eating habits. We 61 (spend) too much time in front of TV or computers and becoming “couch potatoes” or “mouse potatoes.” We also eat too much junk food and we don’t get enough exercise. The foods we find in the supermarket are sometimes not 62 (benefit) to us, and it is difficult to know exactly 63 we are eating when we buy ready-made or pre-prepared dishes. 64 (consider) this situation, it is becoming 65 (much) important than ever to make sure that we keep a healthy diet.
A healthy diet gives us the calories we need and don’t contain too much fat. The number of calories we need 66 (vary) depending on what kind of body we have (are we short, tall, heavy etc. ) and 67 active we are. Quality food, or healthy food, gives us calories in the best way. Junk food, 68 the other hand, gives us few calories and lots of fat and sugar. If we eat too much fat and sugar, we will put on 69 (weigh) easily. In order to live a happy and long life, we should keep a 70 (balance) diet.
One of my father’s favorite sayings as I was growing up was “Try it!” I couldn’t say I didn’t like 41 , whatever it might be, 42 I tried it. Over the years I’ve come to 43 how much of my success I owe to my 44 of those words as one of my values. My 45 job was just one I decided to try for a couple of years until I 46 what I want to do as a career（职业）. 47 I believed I would work for a few years, get married, stay home and raise a family, so I didn’t think the job I took 48 that much. I couldn’t have been more 49 . I mastered the skills of that beginning level position and I was given the opportunity（机会）to 50 through the company into different 51 . I accepted each new opportunity with the52 ,”Well, I’ll try it; if I don’t like it I can always go back to my 53 position. ” But I was with the same company for the past 28 years, and I’ve 54 every career change I’ve made. I’ve discovered I 55 a large number of different talents（才能）and skills that I never would have thought were within me had it not been for my being 56 trying new opportunities. I’ve also discovered that if I 57 what I’m doing and work hard at achieving my 58 . I will succeed. That’s why I’m so 59 to be a part of CareerFables. com. I think 60 has come and I am determined to make it a success.
41. A. everything B. something C. everybody D. somebody
42. A. until after B. ever since C. so that D. long before
43. A. consider B. argue C. include D. realize
44. A. suggestion B. explanation C. acceptance D. discussion
45. A. hard B. best C. extra D. first
46. A. determined B. examined C. experienced D. introduced
47. A. Actually B. Gradually C. Finally D. Usually
48. A. helped B. required C. expressed D. mattered
49. A. careful B. mistaken C. interested D. prepared
50. A. look up B. take up C. move up D. put up
51. A. situations B. choices C. directions D. positions
52. A. thought B. reply C. action D. advice
53. A. easier B. newer C. earlier D. higher
54. A. permitted B. counted C. organized D. enjoyed
55. A. show B. possess C. need D. gather
56. A. lucky for B. slow at C. open to D. afraid of
57. A. think of B. give away C. believe in D. turn into
58. A. business B. goal C. fortune D. growth
59. A. excited B. curious C. surprised D. helpful
60. A. dream B. time C. power D. honor
Mark Twain was a great writer. He was born in 1835 in the USA. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people like to listen to his talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.
One day, Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”
After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.
Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.
But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.
28. That day Mark Twain went to the town _________.
A. to see one of his friends
B. because he wanted to do something there for his writing
C. because he was told there were a lot of mosquitoes there
D. to see one of his relatives
29. All the people present laughed heartily because ________.
A. the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room
B. the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number
C. Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents
D. Mark Twain made a joke
30. From the story we know ____________.
A. no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain in the night
B. the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night
C. Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night
D. there were not mosquitoes in the hotel any longer
31. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. Mark Twain liked to tell interesting stories to make people laugh
B. Mark Twain went to the small town for his writing
C. He slept well because the mosquitoes didn’t come into his room
D. The waiters felt sorry, for there were many mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room
Our Summer Pix 16 competition has been on for a week and we have already had hundreds of entries (参赛作品). Keep the entries coming in: the contest still runs for three more weeks. So seize the moment and join us now!
How to enter
We want your best photographs of the summer. Send your pictures to summerpix16@ irishtimes. com to be in with a chance of winning our prize - a Canon digital camera，which is sold at a price of /span>549 in shops. Each Friday, we’ll display the best photos sent in that week, and at the end of August we’ll print the winning photograph. The photos can be taken with any kind of camera or phone. We regret we cannot respond to each entry, but we will be in touch with you if your photograph is going to be published.
Terms & conditions
• The photos must be taken this summer.
• 5 photographs may be submitted by any individual person at most.
• Employees of The Irish Times and their families or other persons connected with the organizer are not suitable to enter.
• All entries without an e-mail address are disqualified.
• By handing in your photograph, you give The Irish Times the right to use your photograph to promote the competition within the newspaper and online in printed and electronic formats. The Irish Times may also use the photograph for the promotion of any other photographic competition with The Irish Times both in print and online.
21. How long does the contest last in all?
A. Only a week. B. Two weeks. C. Three weeks. D. Four weeks.
22. What will a winner of the competition enjoy?
A. /span>549. B. His photo being printed.
C. A Sony digital D. A job offer from the organizer.
23. Which may meet Terms & conditions?
A. Anyone has access to the competition.
B. Over 5 photos can be submitted by any person.
C. Entries without e-mail addresses are not accepted.
D. You can send pictures taken at any time.
24. What can The Irish Times use participants’ photos to do?
A. Promote itself as a better newspaper.
B. Advertise other photographic competitions.
C. Display all of the photos each Friday.
D. Sell the photos for money.
“Mum, can I invite my classmate Brett over to stay tomorrow night, please? It’s Friday, and we don’t have any 21 .Can I, please?” Mum was sitting at the kitchen table. Dad was 22 next to her, resting his head on his arms. Mum could 23 that James wanted so badly to have his friend over.
“I’m so sorry, James,” she said.
“I’m never allowed to have friends come to the house? Why, Mum?” James asked sadly, almost in 24 .
“I know it’s 25 for you,” Mum said softly. “But I’m just worried other people might think we’re a little… strange. And then they would make fun of you.”
“No, they wouldn’t, Mum,” James protested. “We’re not 26 at all. We’re just ordinary people.”
Mum sighed heavily. “To tell you the truth, James, my neck has been so painful that it’s given me a heavy 27 . And your poor father –he doesn’t feel 28 . He really needs a rest.”
“I can help, Mum!” James said. “29 I can make you and Dad feel better, can Brett come over? Please?”
“Well…”Mum began.
“Great! Thanks, Mum!” James almost shouted. “Just sit there, don’t move.” He rushed over to the kitchen drawer and 30 what he needed –two spanners（扳手）.
“Hang on, Mum,” he said. “This won’t take a second.” After some 31 , James was finished. With a smile of 32 on his face he said, “There! How does that feel?” “Oh, James,” Mum said. “That’s much better! How did you do it?”
“Easy,” James said 33 .” Dad had tightened your neck bolts (螺栓) too much! I just 34 them slightly! I learned that in robotic science at school.”
“What about you father? Can you 35 him?” asked Mum.
“I’ll try,” James replied. He 36 up Dad’s hair at the back of his neck and plugged the electric wire into Dad’s head. Then he turned the 37 on. Dad opened his eyes and 38 immediately. “He just let his 39 run too low, that’s all,” James said, “Shall I tell Brett to come over straight after school tomorrow?”
“I guess so,” replied Mum. “Your friends will just have to 40 that we are a very unusual family. Thanks, son!”
21. A. chance B. message C. homework D. difficulty
22. A. asleep B. reading C. alone D. standing[Z-X-X-K]
23. A. explain B. see C. agree D. doubt
24. A. terror B. tears C. surprise D. silence
25. A. fair B. easy C. good D. hard
26. A. strange B. normal C. popular D. anxious
27. A. headache B. loss C. task D. day
28. A. ill B. funny C. sorry D. well
29. A. As B. If C. Since D. Before
30. A. kept B. controlled C. found D. returned
31. A. requests B. thoughts C. repairs D. instructions
32. A. sympathy B. satisfaction C. bitterness D. politeness
33. A. embarrassedly B. gratefully C. impatiently D. proudly
34. A. adjusted B. collected C. produced D. covered
35. A. greet B. accompany C. help D. ask
36. A. lifted B. caught C. gave D. filled
37. A. television B. power C. light D. gas
38. A. grew up B. lay down C. broke down D. sat up
39. A. food B. temperature C. battery D. blood
40. A. prove B. expect C. suspect D. accept
Speaking Up
I never looked up when my friends were talking and joking about the retarded (智障的) boy a few tables away. It didn’t even cross my mind that he might feel __41__ when people whispered about him. So I just let them talk.
Then came the day when I learned my brother Captain’s testing for autism (自闭症) came out positive(阳性). I had never thought about him like that. I broke __42__, crying. Everything had just changed. He was no longer a(n) __43__ little boy.
Over time, I was able to accept his __44_ a little more. We had to __45__ because Captain needed treatment. So Captain and I both started at a new school. One day, I was standing in the bus line waiting when a “short” bus (for the retarded) came and __46__ some kids up. The children in the other line started making __47_ about the “retarded” on that bus and I felt a __48__ feeling in my heart. I said quietly that those comments weren’t very nice, __49__ no one listened.
My family moved again. In the new school I got a __50__ to speak up pretty soon. That day, in a band class, my teacher __51__ our playing to make some comments, “… Guys, we’re playing like the kids on the short bus! Come on!”
The entire room was laughing loudly. I felt very __52__. Then, I raised my hand. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say but I wanted to be heard.
The whole class __53__ down. My mouth opened and this came out:“I don’t think we should make fun of the short bus, because there are people on that bus who have a lot in common with us and have the same feelings as we do.” I could feel my __54__ getting louder. “So I would __55__ it if you didn’t make fun of them.”
The room was very quiet and everyone stared at me. My teacher __56__ for the words and then started the song again. At the end of the class, everyone was giving me strange looks. But I didn’t __57__, because I knew three things: I had spoken the __58__. I had taught everyone something, and while everyone in the classroom was being a follower, I had __59_ to take a different path since I wanted to become a __60_ and a role model.
41. A. amazed B. hurt C. uncertain D. cold
42. A. off B. in C. down D. away
43. A. normal B. noisy C. outstanding D. impressive
44. A. pain B. interest C. opinion D. illness
45. A. change B. move C. quit D. study
46. A. set B. took C. brought D. picked
47. A. jokes B. complaints C. choices D. discoveries
48. A. violent B. strange C. confusing D. clear
49. A. because B. if C. but D. so
50. A. chance B. position C. topic D. point
51. A. encouraged B. bothered C. enjoyed D. stopped
52. A. bad B. embarrassed C. tense D. guilty
53. A. sat B. slowed C. quieted D. looked
54. A. pace B. voice C. pulse D. breath
55. A. excuse B. appreciate C. stand D. permit
56. A. apologized B. fought C. allowed D. argued
57. A. understand B. notice C. return D. care
58. A. wisdom B. importance C. matter D. truth
59. A. helped B. decided C. agreed D. hoped
60. A. reporter B. thinker C. leader D. trainer
Tips for cooking on a Tight Schedule
From my experience, there are three main reasons why people don’t cook more often: ability, money and time. 8 Money is a topic I’ll save for another day. So today I want to give you some wisdom about how to make the most of the time you spend in the kitchen. Here are three tips for great cooking on a tight schedule:
1. Think ahead. The moments when I think cooking is a pain are when I’m already hungry and there is nothing ready to eat. So think about of the coming week. When will you have time to cook? Do you have the right materials ready? 9
2. Make your time worth it. When you do find time to cook a meal, make the most of it and save yourself time later on. Are you making one loaf of bread? 10 It takes around the same amount of time to make more of something. So save yourself the effort for a future meal.
3. 11 This may surprise you, but one of the best tools for making cooking worth your time is experimentation. It gives you the chance to hit upon new ideas and recipes that can work well with your appetite and schedule. The more you learn and the more you try, the more ability you have to take control of your food and your schedule.
Hopefully that gives you a good start. 12 and don’t let a busy schedule discourage you from making some great changes in the way you eat and live!
A. Try new things.
B. Ability is easily improved.
C. Make three or four instead.
D. Understand your food better.
E. Cooking is a burden for many people.
F. Let cooking and living simply be a joy rather than a burden.
G. A little time planning ahead can save a lot of work later on.
