题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：较难
年份：2016
If you go to the seaside in Britain, you may see some small hills of sand, but nothing very impressive. Of course, Africa is home to many beautiful “sandscapes”, but I was in China, so I went to Dunhuang.
I had spent my first day looking at the beautiful Mogao caves. Now I wanted to experience something very different.
I have been walking in Asia, Europe and America, but nothing prepared me for walking over hills of sand. Whenever I took a step up a hill, my feet would sink into the sand and move backwards. Sometimes it seemed as if I were moving in the wrong direction.
I wanted to see the sunset so I had to climb to the top of the highest sand dune.（沙丘）The sun was beating down upon my back as I walked slowly over the sand. Some plants had managed to survive in the dry ground but not many.
As I climbed higher, the hills of sand became steeper and my feet started to slip further backwards. I ended up with my hands and knees, crawling (爬行)upwards through the top. I just let go if I would fall the way down. But I refused to give up: inch by inch, I made my way to the top of the sand dune.
When I got there I was amazed by what I saw. The sand formed a very sharp point, just like a knife-edge. One side of the dune was bathed in sunshine, the other covered by shade. As I looked into the distance, the same pattern was repeated on all of the hilltops, and the difference between dark and light was beautiful.
As the sun began to sink, the shadows grew longer and the light became warm and orange. The wind had come to life and sand was blown against my legs as I walked along the dunes. Soon it was getting dark and I could only just make out the line of footprints that marked my journey to the top of the hill. I slowly made my way down to the bottom, my path lit by the dying sun.
| A. on the afternoon of the first day |
| B. on the afternoon of the second day |
| C. on the evening of the second day |
| D. on the evening of the first day |
| A. Africa has many beautiful sand dunes. |
| B. The author could see nothing but his own footprints on his way back. |
| C. The author had seen some kinds of sand dunes before he visited Dunhuang |
| D. What attracted the author most was that the sand formed a very sharp point. |
| A. on his hands and knees all the way |
| B. with falls to the bottom many times |
| C. on his hands and knees in the last leg (一段旅程) |
| D. with a few rests all the way |
| A. the beautiful sunset |
| B. his experience of climbing the sand hills |
| C. the joy of traveling in nature |
| D. the difficulty of climbing the sand dunes |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：难
年份：2016
Traveling can be a fun way to gain life experiences, especially during Spring Break-a week-long school vacation in the United States.
But what if youˈre a student and donˈt have enough money for a trip? Donˈt worry. Here are some useful suggestions.
●Save: This probably is the most important preparation for traveling. Cut expenses to fatten your wallet so youˈll have more choices about where to go and how to get there.
●Plan ahead: Donˈt wait until the last minute to plan your trip. Tickets may cost more when bought on short notice. Giving yourself several months to get ready can mean security (安全) and savings.
●Do your homework: No matter where you go, research the places you will visit. Decide what to see. Travel books will provide information on the cheapest hotels and restaurants.
●Plan sensibly: Write down how much you expect to spend for food and hotels. Stick to (坚持) your plan or you may not have enough money to cover everything.
●Travel in groups: Find someone who is interested in visiting the same places. By traveling with others you can share costs and experiences.
●Work as you go: Need more money to support your trip? Look for work in the places you visit.
●Go off the beaten path: Tourist cites may be expensive. You may want to rethink your trip and go to a less-known area. Smaller towns can have many interesting activities and sights.
●Pack necessary things: The most important things to take are not always clothes. Remember to take along medicine in case you get sick and snacks in case you cannot find a cheap restaurant.
●Use the Intemet: The net can help to save money. Some useful websites include www.
Travelcity. com, www. bargains- lowest fare(票价) . com and www. economic travelcity. com.
By planning sensibly, even students can enjoy the travel. Your travel experiences will be remembered for a lifetime.
| A. how to plan your travel |
| B. how to travel with enough money |
| C. how to make you travel interesting |
| D. how to get life experiences |
| A. to make a plan of the route |
| B. to get information from the Internet |
| C. to save money by spending less |
| D. to buy tickets in advance |
| A. to share costs with any other people |
| B. not to go to well-known places |
| C. not to visit dangerous places |
| D. to buy anything you want to buy |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：较易
年份：2016
C
Children start out as natural scientists, eager to look into the world around them. Helping them enjoy science can be easy; there’s no need for a lot of scientific terms or expensive lab equipment. You only have to share your children’s curiosity. Firstly, listen to their questions. I once visited a classroom of seven-year-olds to talk about science as a job. The children asked me “textbook questions” about schooling, salary and whether I liked my job. When I finished answering, we sat facing one another in silence. Finally I said, “Now that we’re finished with your lists, do you have questions of your own about science?”
After a long pause, a boy raised his hand, “Have you ever seen a grasshopper（蚱蜢）eat? When I try eating leaves like that, I get a stomachache. Why?”
This began a set of questions that lasted nearly two hours.
Secondly, give them time to think. Studies over the past 30 years have shown that, after asking a question, adults typically wait only one second or less for an answer, no time for a child to think. When adults increase their “wait time” to three seconds or more, children give more logical, complete and creative answers.
Thirdly, watch your language. Once you have a child involved in a science discussion, don’t jump in with “That’s right” or “Very good”. These words work well when it comes to encouraging good behavior. But in talking about science, quick praise can signal that discussion is over. Instead, keep things going by saying “That’s interesting” or “I’d never thought of it that way before”, or coming up with more questions or ideas.
Never push a child to “Think”. It doesn’t make sense, children are always thinking, without your telling them to. What’s more, this can turn a conversation into a performance. The child will try to find the answer you want, in as few words as possible, so that he will be a smaller target for your disagreement.
Lastly, show; don’t tell. Real-life impressions of nature are far more impressive than any lesson children can learn from a book or a television program. Let children look at their fingertips through a magnifying glass（放大镜）, and they’ll understand why you want them to wash before dinner. Rather than saying that water evaporates（蒸发）, set a pot of water to boil and let them watch the water level drop.
| A. ask them to answer quickly |
| B. wait for one or two seconds after a question |
| C. tell them to answer the next day |
| D. wait at least for three seconds after a question |
| A. any questions |
| B. any problems |
| C. questions from textbooks |
| D. any number of questions |
| A. tell their children stories instead of reciting facts |
| B. offer their children chances to see things for themselves |
| C. be patient enough when their children answer questions |
| D. encourage their children to ask questions of their own |
| A. to take them to travel around the world |
| B. to share the children’s curiosity |
| C. to explain difficult phrases about science |
| D. to supply the children with lab equipment |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：难
年份：2016
D
To have a second child or not，this is a question．
A concern about only one child is whether one child necessarily means a lonely child．Many parents of only child feel guilty of their decision to have only one child．There are no other children in the family for the child to associate with，which may lead to the child feeling lonely at times．
Another common argument against having just one child may be more spoiled than one with siblings．Many people believe that a single child will not have learned to negotiate with others，and respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships．Some think this may leave the child less capable of interacting well with people his or her own age·
Despite these arguments，the number of parents choosing to have only one child is increasing in the world．For some single—child parents，the pressures of devoting time and energy to a second child can result in them selecting to have no more children．For other parents，the financial burden of having a second child may be the major consideration. Another important consideration is the increasing age at which women give birth to children．
Advocates of single—child families argue that there are advantages for the child as well as the parents．With just one child．the parents can give，and the child Can receive，more quality time and attention．
However, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not to have a second child. The circumstances affecting each set of parents are unique．The important thing，in the end，is to make a decision t11at both the wife and the husband feel confident．
| A. Less loneliness and better social competence. |
| B. More respect and greater family wealth. |
| C. Higher intelligence and more attention. |
| D. Less pressure and better energy. |
| A. Work pressures. |
| B. The health and wealth of the first child. |
| C. Limited time，energy and money. |
| D. The negotiations between parents and children. |
| A. The birth of a second child makes many parents guilty. |
| B. The number of single—child parents is decreasing. |
| C. Family circumstances have little effect on parents’ decision. |
| D. Nowadays women delay giving birth to children. |
| A. By providing examples. |
| B. By analyzing reasons. |
| C. By offering descriptions. |
| D. By listing suggestions. |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：较易
年份：2016
| A. difficult | B. easy | C. funny | D. interesting |
| A. basic． | B. beautiful． | C. comfortable． | D. meaningful． |
| A. Where to Meet Friends？ |
| B. How to Make Friends？ |
| C. What Is a Friend Indeed？ |
| D. Everyone Needs Friends． |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：较难
年份：2016
| A. They are often forgotten by their owners． |
| B. They are used to living outdoors． |
| C. They build their own shelters． |
| D. They like to stay in warm places． |
| A. To know when to bring them inside． |
| B. To keep them from eating bad food． |
| C. To help them find shelters． |
| D. To keep them company． |
| A. run short of clean water |
| B. dig deep holes for fun |
| C. dirty the snow nearby |
| D. get lost in the wild |
| A. To solve a problem． |
| B. To give practical advice． |
| C. To tell an interesting story． |
| D. To present a research result． |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：易
年份：2016
Getting enough sleep is important for everyone. If you don't sleep well at night, you aren't going to study well during the day. Good sleep is also important for your health. If you don’t have a good sleep, you may get ill.
Some people go to sleep easily. Other people can't. A lot of things can help you go to sleep easily and get a good sleep. Doing some exercises during the day can help you go to sleep. Walking, running and bike riding are good exercises. You can also play ball games, like basketball, soccer or tennis.
Before you go to bed, you shouldn't drink coffee or eat chocolates. Drinking a cup of warm milk may help you go to sleep. Many people also find that listening to quiet music helps them go to sleep. Please take a warm shower before you go to bed. It can also help you relax and go to sleep.
Follow the advice and have a good sleep every day, so you can wake up (醒来) happily in the morning and maintain good health.
| A. Taking a walk | B. Listening to quiet music |
| C. Drinking some warm milk | D. Eating chocolates |
| A. It can keep you clean. |
| B. It can help you relax and go to sleep. |
| C. It can help you wake up easily. |
| D. It can make you healthy. |
| A. how to sleep well |
| B. it is not important to sleep well |
| C. how to do excise |
| D. it is not important to stay healthy |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：较难
年份：2016
If Confucius（孔子）were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He’d need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It’s nothing personal. Most Americans don’t even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn’t mean that Americans don’t care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually included Chinese art, history and philosophy (哲学). Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantages of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks of Westerners philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker’s ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is.
| A. attract the readers’ interest in the subject |
| B. provide some key facts about Confucius |
| C. show great respect for the ancient thinker |
| D. prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations |
| A. take an active part in Chinese competitions |
| B. have a great interest in studying Chinese |
| C. try to get high scores in Chinese exams |
| D. fight for a chance to learn Chinese |
| A. Forgotten Wisdom in America |
| B. Huge Fans of the Chinese Language |
| C. Old Thinker with a Big Future |
| D. Chinese Culture for Westerners |
| A. a biography |
| B. a history paper |
| C. a philosophy textbook |
| D. a newspaper |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：较易
年份：2016
I had my first job at the age of thirteen, when a friend of my mother who owned a bookshop hired me for six hours a week to help her in the shop. I was very proud to earn my own pocket money and my parents never interfered with how I spent it, even when I was spending it foolishly. Theybelievedthat by earning money, spending it, and learning from the mistakes, I would become more mature and responsible about how to handle work, relationships with others, and money.
Like many American parents, my parents also let me and my brothers do things over which they worried a great deal. When I was sixteen, for example, after I finished high school and before I entered university, I wanted to spend the summer months traveling around Europe. My mother was against the idea of my traveling alone at such a young age, but my father felt that it would be a great experience for me. In the end, my father won the argument on the condition that I limited my traveling to France, my motherˈ s home, where I had many uncles, aunts and cousins spread out through the country who could provide shelter and help if I needed them.
Three years later, my younger brother decided to take a year off after his first year in university and travel through the United States and the Caribbean. Again my mother was very worried and not eager to see my brother leave school, but my father encouraged him and my brother had a fascinating year working his way on trains and ships to earn passage to different ports and cities, and discovering many fascinating places and people.
These kinds of experiences are probably rare for children in many countries but in the US they are fairly common. Most parents start pushing their children at a young age to do small things by themselves. By the time they have finished high school, many American kids have already had part-time jobs, traveled around the US or other countries on their own, have selected the university they plan to attend and maybe even decided on their future career, and so on.
| A. it could make the kids become braver |
| B. the kids could earn some pocket money |
| C. it could bring good to the kidsˈ future |
| D. the kids could find jobs more easily |
| A. his brother earned a lot of money by working |
| B. his brother gained valuable experiences during the travel |
| C. his brother didnˈt disappoint his father |
| D. his brotherˈs travel was better than his to France |
| A. The author went to France in order to see his relatives. |
| B. The authorˈs mother managed to stop the kids doing dangerous traveling. |
| C. Many American parents encourage their kids do things independently to prepare for the future. |
| D. The authorˈs brother gave up his university to travel in the USA and the Caribbean. |
题型：阅读理解 题类：期中考试 难易度：中档
年份：2016
B
Famous US columnist (专栏作家) George F. Will once wrote: “Baseball is a habit. The slow build to the end of each game, the rhythm of the long season – these are the essentials and they are remarkably unchanged over nearly a century and a half. Of how many American institutions (制度) can that be said?”
He is right. Baseball, only one word, is enough to make millions of people in the US think of many images – spring afternoons, cold beers and hot dogs.
As the USA Today newspaper put it, “A hot dog at the ballpark is always better than one out of the microwave.”
Delicious treats aside, baseball is also a game for fathers and sons to enjoy. They play catch with each other on lawns (草坪) and in parks for many years. Fathers pass down favorite teams to their sons. Grandfathers share stories of games played long ago.
Many US children try to collect trading cards with the pictures of their favorite players on them. In schools it is as likely for friends to trade baseball cards as it is for them to trade lunches.
Baseball players are known as “the boys of spring” because that is the time of year at which the sport is most often played; indeed, the new season of MLB (Major League Baseball) began on April 3. And the players come in all shapes and sizes. To play baseball you don’t have to be tall like a basketball player or strong like an American footballer. You just need to want to have fun.
Besides, baseball games are not as fast-paced (快节奏的) as basketball games so they allow viewers to relax, talk and get to know each other.
Today, baseball is not the US’ most-watched sport, but it is its most historical. It has gone past being simply a game and has become part of the fabric (构造) of US culture.
As The Telegraph newspaper noted, “Baseball is as American as apple pie, red, white and blue (the colors of the US national flag) and Grandma’s house.”
| A. tell us about the development of baseball in the US |
| B. explain what baseball means to Americans |
| C. inform us of the differences between baseball and basketball |
| D. introduce the beauty, rules and tradition of baseball in the US |
| A. games have a faster pace |
| B. players are usually stronger and shorter |
| C. is more enjoyable than exciting |
| D. is America’s most watched sport |
| A. Selling baseball cards is popular among American school children. |
| B. Favorite baseball teams are usually shared by different generations in the same family. |
| C. Baseball is relatively new compared to other sports in the US. |
| D. Most baseball matches in the US are played on lawns and in parks. |
| A. Spring is when baseball is most often played. |
| B. Baseball is the most favorite sport for Americans. |
| C. Watching baseball games is more fun than basketball. |
| D. Women are not allowed to play baseball in America. |
