Time is more precious than money for an increasing number of people who are choosing to live more with less—and liking it.

Kay and Charles Giddens, two lawyers, sold their home to start a B&B hotel. Four years later, the couple dishes out banana pancake breakfast, cleans toilets and serves homemade chocolate chip cookies to guests in a B&B hotel surrounded by trees on a hill known for colourful sunsets.

“Do I miss the freeways? Do I miss the traffic? Do I miss the stress? No,” says Ms. Giddens, “This is a phenomenon that’s fairly widespread. A lot of people are revaluating their lives and figuring out what they want to do. If their base is being damaged, what’s the payoff?”

Simple living ranges from cutting down on weeknight activities to sharing housing, living closer to work, avoiding shopping malls, borrowing books from the library instead of buying them, and taking a cut in pay to work at a more pleasurable job.

Vicki Robin, a writer, lives on a budget equal to a fifth of what she used to make. “You become conscious about where your money is going and how valuable it is,” Ms. Robin says, “You tend not to use things up. You cook at home rather than eat out…”

Janet Luhrs, a lawyer, quit her job after giving birth and leaving her daughter with a nanny for two weeks. “It was not the way I wanted to raise my kids,” she says, “Simplicity is not just about saving money; it’s about me sitting down every night with my kids to a candlelit dinner with classical music.”

Mrs. Luhrs now edits a magazine, Simple Living, which publishes tips on how to buy recycled furniture and shoes, organize potluck dinners instead of expensive receptions, and generally how to consume less.

Mrs. Luhrs explains, “It’s not about poverty. It’s about conscious living and creating the life you want. The less stuff you buy, the less money goes out of the door, and the less money you have to earn.”

1.Kay and Charles Giddens sold their home to ______.

A. pay off the debt

B. start a private hotel

C. cut down expenses

D. buy living necessities

2.Simple living includes ______.

A. building a home library

B. living in the countryside

C. enjoying a colourful night life

D. sharing housing with others

3.It can be learned from the passage that now Janet Luhrs ______.

A. spends more time with her kids

B. has an interest in classical music

C. works as a reporter of a magazine

D. helps people buy recycled clothes

閱讀填空

根據(jù)內(nèi)容, 從對話后的選項(xiàng)中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng), 并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)多余選項(xiàng)。

Parents and the Young

It is natural that young people are often uncomfortable when they are with their parents.

1. They often think that their parents are out of touch with modern ways, that they are too serious and too strict with their children, and that they seldom give their children a free hand.

It is time that parents often find it difficult to win their children’s trust and they always forget how they themselves felt when young. 2. It is one of their ways to show that they have grown up and they can face any difficult situation. Adults worry more easily. Most of them plan things ahead.

Young people make their parents angry with their choices in clothes, in entertainment and in music. But they do not mean to cause any trouble: It just shows that they feel cut off from the adult’s world, and they have not yet been accepted into their world. 3. And if their parents do not like their music or entertainment or clothes or their way of speech, this will make the young people very happy.

Sometimes you are so proud of yourself that you do not want your parents to say “yes” to what you do. 4. It is natural enough, after being a child for so many years, when you were completely under your parents’ control.

5. If your parents see that you have a high sense of responsibility, they will give you the right to do what you want to do.

A. Parents should understand young people.

B. Young people like to live with their parents.

C. Young people like to act without much thinking.

D. They say that their parents don’t understand them.

E. All you want is to be left alone and do what you like.

F. If you plan to control your life, you’d better win your parents.

G. That’s why young people want to make a new culture of their own.

完型填空

My Hero

What does it mean to be a hero? I think a hero is someone who goes out of his way to make others happy. My hero is Mr. Wright, my chorus(合唱隊(duì)) teacher.

When I was 12 years old, my grandparents passed away. I was really close to them, and losing them was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to _________ through. I couldn’t eat, sleep, or think; I felt like I couldn’t even breathe. It was as if my whole world had fallen down from under me, and I _________ into this huge hole of depression(抑郁).

_________ I was battling depression, I was determined to make my high school years the best of my life. It was difficult to be _________ , but I had to try. I joined Women’s Choir. Mr. Wright was the choral director and he was so funny that the first day, I just knew I had made the best _________ of my life. As the year progressed, I loved chorus more and more. I began to smile again and really enjoy _________ .

Then one day that all changed. My friends—or those that I thought were my friends—started talking about me behind my back. I was_________ , and I sat by myself. Mr. Wright came over and asked what was wrong. The look in his eyes told me that I could _________ him. Trying hard to_________ back tears, I told him the whole story.

When I finished, he nodded and told me, “If you never learn anything from me, learn this: No one is worth _________ your joy.” What Mr. Wright said really _________ a chord (心弦) in my heart. He _________ cared about me and what was going on. I’ll never be able to thank him enough, because he not only saved me but has _________ every day of it since. Any time I feel like giving _________ , I remember Mr. Wright’s words and push forward.

I’m proud to say that I _________ my depression, and I’m now a senior. I’m still a _________ of chorus, and now I’m also in the best choir at my school.

Mr. Wright is a hero _________ everyone he meets. He cares about every single person who walks through his door, and he loves what he does more than any other teacher I’ve known. That’s_________ he deserves to be Educator of the Year. He deserves the _________ not just this year but every year.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet you, Mr. Wright. You are an _________teacher, and I hope you realize that. You’re my hero.

1.A. put B. walk C. run D. go

2.A. looked B. broke C. fell D. turned

3.A. If B. Although C. Because D. Once

4.A. happy B. calm C. smart D. confident

5.A. suggestion B. decision C. effort D. offer

6.A. care B. nature C. health D. life

7.A. refused B. forgotten C. hurt D. trapped

8.A. trust B. impress C. respect D. satisfy

9.A. set B. fight C. take D. call

10.A. stealing B. sharing C. hiding D. feeling

11.A. braked B. struck C. played D. shook

12.A. cheerfully B. normally C. exactly D. truly

13.A. taken B. started C. understood D. influenced

14.A. off B. out C. up D. away

15.A. beat B. suffered C. developed D. saved

16.A. leader B. part C. fan D. dancer

17.A. about B. with C. to D. at

18.A. when B. what C. where D. why

19.A. title B. job C. help D. name

20.A. amusing B. ambitious C. amazing D. advanced

課文填空

Although he is a famous scientist, Yuan Longping 1. himself a farmer. Indeed, his 2. face and arms and his slim, strong body are just like those of millions of Chinese farmers. Now Yuan Longping is 3. his knowledge in India, Vietnam and many other less developed countries to increase their rice harvests.

You may find it 4. that Charlie was taught to sing as soon as he could speak. Unfortunately his father died, 5. the family even worse off. He grew more and more popular as his charming character, the little tramp, became known 6. the world. This character was a social 7. but was loved for his optimism and determination.

In the same way that people communicate with spoken language, they also express their feelings using 8. “l(fā)anguage” through physical distance, actions or posture. However, people from places like Spain, Italy or South American countries 9. others closely and are more 10. to touch them.

語法填空

Every country shares things _________ common: we value family and laughter, cherish food and health, and celebrate large _________ (festival) and traditions. Yet within the similar things we share, there are unique parts of each country. One of characteristics that are famous of British people _________ (be) their sense of humor, particularly self-mockery (自嘲). This is a type of humor that criticizes and undervalues oneself. For example, a fat person may joke: “I am on a new sea food diet. If I see food, I eat it.” This is _________ well-known self-mockery joke. It’s difficult why self-mockery _________ (tie) to the British people. But every nation’s sense of humor comes from its culture and history. It could come from another British characteristic, modesty, _________ (mean) not talking openly about your skills. This seems to be something that is similar to people in China, _________ modesty plays a big part in daily life. It also acts as a defense of our self-respect by playing down our skills, this can _________ (less) the chance of people criticizing us. Another possible reason is _________ the British people do not take themselves too _________ (serious).

短文改錯(cuò)

文中共有10處語言錯(cuò)誤,每句中最多有兩處。錯(cuò)誤涉及一個(gè)單詞的增加、刪除或修改。 刪除：把多余的詞用斜線（\）劃掉。 增加：在缺詞處加一個(gè)漏字符號（∧）,并在其下面寫出該加的詞。 修改：在錯(cuò)的詞下劃一橫線,在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。

注意：1、每處錯(cuò)誤及修改均僅限一詞。

2、只允許修改10處,多者（從11處起）不計(jì)分。

Dear Ms Lee,

I’m delighting to have you as my English teacher. English has become a global language, so I’m convinced that learning English is of great useful. We should learn English well to better understand that happens around the world．

But my English is rather poor. One of my problems are that I often feel nervously when speaking in public. Besides, I feel difficult to learn words by heart. I really hope you can offer me more chances to speak with English. But I also hope you’ll give me some advices on how to learn new words. I believe I can make many progress than ever with your help.

Thank you!

書面表達(dá)

假如你是李華，你校即將舉行一年一度的“校園書市 (a campus book fair)”活動(dòng)，其目的是給同學(xué)們提供一個(gè)交換、利用圖書的機(jī)會(huì)。請你用英語寫信給你的加拿大筆友Mike, 介紹此次活動(dòng)的有關(guān)情況。內(nèi)容應(yīng)包括：

1. 活動(dòng)目的；

2. 活動(dòng)內(nèi)容：買書，賣書，交換圖書;

3. 活動(dòng)意義。

Dear Mike,

How are you doing these days?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

There’s no doubt that man is the smartest. But do you know what other animals are smart, too?

Dolphins

Dolphins are very smart. Most of the “tricks” they’re taught to do are actually behavior they would engage in on their own. They love to play, race and generally enjoy their life to the fullest. They speak a language we have yet to completely understand and like all civilized creatures, dolphins’ mothers always provide their young children with guidance and possibly, love.

Great apes

The great ape family primarily consists of gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. Their brain chemistry is so similar to humans’ that NASA once used chimpanzees in place of astronauts during many dangerous missions. Gorillas have been taught sign language and orangutans exist in complex familial relationships.

Elephants

Everyone has heard the phrase “an elephant never forgets”. Elephants establish long-term friendships, recognizing and remembering their friends years later. If an elephant comes upon a fallen friend, it has even been known to feel sad.

Parrots

As proved by this list, parrots are very smart. They are also the only animals listed that can actually hold a conversation. Some parrots know hundreds of words by imitating humans. The birds are also capable of remembering words and using them intelligently in response to situations.

1.Which of the following is TRUE about dolphins?

A. They are able to play a lot of tricks.

B. Humans know well of dolphins’ language.

C. Their brain chemistry is similar to humans’.

D. Dolphins’ mothers care little about their children.

2.Which kind of animal has a long-term memory?

A. Dolphins. B. Great apes.

C. Elephants. D. Parrots.

3.According to the passage, the special characteristic of parrots is that __________.

A. they can use words remembered before to interact.

B. they can imitate human beings by playing with them.

C. they have the feeling of sadness when they see a dead bird.

D. they can read people’s minds through words they remember.

Woman Uses Daughter's Key to "Steal" Car

Charlie Vansant, a college student of Athens, Ohio, who reported that his car was stolen, got a surprise when he learned a woman had mistaken it for her daughter's car and taken it — using her key.

Kate Anderson became an accidental car thief when picking up her daughter's car near an Ohio University building last week. Anderson spotted the Toyota Camry（豐田凱美瑞）and used her daughter's key to unlock the car, start the engine and drive home — without realizing that the car wasn't her daughter's.

When Charlie Vansant left class a short time later, he found only an empty parking spot. He first assumed the car had been towed, but when the police couldn't find a record of it, they took a theft report.

The morning after Anderson took the car, her daughter discovered the Camry in the driveway wasn't hers. Anderson said she was able to find Vansant's name on paperwork in the glove compartment and look up his phone number on the website for the university.

When Anderson told Charlie the car was in her driveway, "It sounded really suspicious at first, as she wanted to hold the thing for ransom (贖金) , ” said Vansant. He eventually went to the house with a police officer, where he was reunited with his car. According to the police report, the case was closed "because of mistaken car identity", and Anderson wasn't charged.

Vansant seemed to blame the car company more than the "thief". "Her key fitted not only my lock, but my ignition（點(diǎn)火裝置）as well — so high-five for Toyota, I guess." he said.

1. What does the underlined word "towed" mean in paragraph 3?

A. sold B. damaged.

C. stolen. D. removed

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

A. Mrs. Anderson's daughter discovered the car her mother drove was not hers.

B. Charlie had thought he had to give Anderson money to get his car back.

C. Mrs. Anderson stole Charlie's car at the request of her daughter.

D. Mrs. Anderson used her daughter's key to unlock Charlie's car and drive home.

3. What does Charlie mean by "high-five for Toyota"?

A. He should thank Toyota for returning his car.

B. He is blaming Toyota for the poor quality of car keys.

C. He wants to celebrate with Toyota for getting his car back.

D. He thinks highly of Toyota for producing large quantities of cars.

4.What is likely to happen next according to the passage?

A. Mrs. Anderson was charged with stealing a car.

B. Charlie blamed Mrs. Anderson for mistakenly taking his car.

C. Charlie would ask the Toyota Company to give him an explanation.

D. The Toyota Company would give Charlie a new car as compensation.

Albert was an ordinary worker in an oil company in America. His workmates gave a nickname(綽號) “Four dollars a bucket (桶)” to him, for he was always used to leaving an advertisement of his company “Four dollars a bucket of oil” below his name whenever and wherever he wrote down his name.

As time went by, people forgot his real name. Later, when Rockefeller, the board chairman of the oil company, heard of it, he was very surprised, so he invited Albert to come to his office.

“Some people give you a nickname for ‘Four dollars a bucket’. Why aren’t you angry?” asked Rockefeller with some puzzlement in his eyes. “Oh! Mr. Rockefeller! I like this nickname very much, because ‘Four dollars a bucket’ is our company’s advertisement. As long as someone calls me ‘Four dollars a bucket’ once, I think it’s a free advertisement for our company. I have no reason to get angry. Don’t you think so, Mr. Rockefeller?” “Oh! What a fantastic man!” Rockefeller said excitedly when hearing Albert’s words. “Young man, work harder! You must succeed in the future! I believe in you!”

Five years later, Albert became the second board chairman after Rockefeller. Later Albert said in one of his reports, “I don’t think we should feel frustrated when we have no way to do the world-shaking things. We should treat everything actively because maybe our future success will begin with a small thing!”

1.What was Albert in the oil company at the beginning?

A. A customer. B. An assistant.

C. A manager. D. A worker.

2.Why wasn’t Albert angry at his nickname?

A. He could become famous.

B. He liked to have a nickname.

C. It could make his workmates happy.

D. It could advertise for his company for free.

3.What is the main idea of this passage?

A. It’s very important to do small things well.

B. Rockefeller asked young people to work harder.

C. You can’t get angry when someone calls your nickname.

D. You should make more advertisements for your company.

4.What would be the best title for this passage?

A. A Clever Way to Make Advertisements.

B. Albert and Rockefeller.

C. Four Dollars a Bucket.

D. The Second Board Chairman.