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In eighth grade, I decided to try out for my school musical. I only made it through the first verse(节) before the drama teacher stopped me. It goes without saying that my Christmas song didn’t get me any role.

Am I embarrassed? NO. Not just because it was ten years ago, but also because it’s such a great story to share. Why? I think the main reason is that admitting mistakes makes you easier to relate to. Interestingly enough, science confirms this theory.

Researchers have conducted many studies and have concluded that when someone makes a mistake or acts in a clumsy way, they are found to be more likeable. In other words, if you’re able to do well and then you mess up, it shows your human side. This allows others to connect and relate to you, which in turn makes them like you more.

Growing up, I was type of student who had to get straight A’s and the type of athlete who always had to perform at the top of the game. The problem was that my standards were so ridiculously high that I was never happy. It was only when I learned to let go and forgive myself for my mistakes that I truly felt relaxed.

When one of your close friends or family members makes a mistake, are you quick to forgive and forget? Sadly, many of us often express more sympathy for others than ourselves. With each mistake coming a lesson, you will be better equipped to handle life’s challenges going forward.

More importantly, if you are always worried about looking silly, you will never be able to get improved. Even if you make a fool of yourself, it isn’t the end of the world. Think about it: What’s the worst that can happen? In many cases, the reward often outweighs the risk.

1. By writing the passage, the author wants to tell us ____.

A. it is time to forgive others                            B. everyone may make mistakes

C. it’s okay to make mistakes                            D. what can be done to forgive our mistakes

2. What does the underlined part “this theory” probably refer to?

A. A mistake makes you more likeable.

B. An embarrassed person tends to act clumsily.

C. people mess up in life at times.

D. It’s good to share a great story with others

3. According to the passage, we know the author____.

A. is pleased with her hard work

B. was once a person who wants things to be perfect

C. was happy with her high standard

D. never forgives herself for the mistakes she made

4. What message is delivered in the last two paragraphs?

A. Making a fool of yourself.

B. Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities.

C. Admitting mistakes is risky.

D. People tend to feel sorry for themselves.

The Spring Festival is supposed to be a period of time entirely for family reunion. However, as people’s enthusiasm for digital hongbao increased, the amount of the time they spend with family members during the holiday decreases. There has been widespread criticism(批评) over digital hongbao that it has alienated family reunion.

“ I used to discuss programs in the Spring Festival Gala(春晚) with my family members , but this year , I hardly had the time to watch the gala because I was staring at my cellphone all the time,” said Kang , a 30 –year old radio station editor. “ I went to Karaoke with my cousins during the holiday, and I was grasping digital hongbao the whole time, even when I was singing Karaoke.”

“On the last day of the holiday, I started to regret spending too much time on these digital hongbao. Therefore, instead of fighting for hongbao, I watched TV with my mom that night. I left home feeling sorry! I should have spent more time with my parents.”

“But Kang said regret came with a sense of achievement when he managed to bring classmates together.

“Next year, I will still play the game, but with less money and for a smaller amount of time,” Kang said.

Dong Chenyu, a teacher from Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it unfair to blame hongbao for destroying family reunion.

“When television was invented, people accused it of standing in the way of face-to-face human communication. The same accusation came up on telephone and text message services when they were first invented. The same goes with digital hongbao,” Dong said.

“It does nothing but offers a new way of human communication. The rest is people’s choice. As long as no one expects to earn money from this and takes this as a means of gambling(赌博), it’s a good way to improve human connections,” Dong said.

5. The underlined word “alienated” in Paragraph 1 most probably means ____.

A. separated                B. reserved                            C. encouraged                                          D. improved

6. How did Mr.Kang feel about digital hongbao according to Paragraph 2?

A. He felt regretted in spending too much money.

B. He had a strong preference for it.

C. He was happy to spend too much of his time.

D. He felt a sense of guilty in getting it.

7. What can we infer from what Mr. Dong said about digital hongbao____.

A. It will bring us trouble in holiday reunion.

B. It will be out of fashion soon in future.

C. Mr. Dong is in favor of the digital hongbao.

D. Lots of people will use it to earn money.

8.What’s mainly described in the passage?

A. The Spring Festival is the best time for family reunion.

B. Digital Hongbao is a double-edged sword.

C. People’s holiday enthusiasm has decreased.

D. Digital hongbao has become a popular way to make money.

The way we cook is important. In many countries, the two sources of heat used for cooking are natural gas and electric stoves. The World Health Organization(WHO) warns that millions of people are dying every year from indoor air pollution. The WHO finds that poor cooking, heating and lighting technologies are killing millions of people each year.

Indoor air pollution results from the use of dangerous fuels and cook stoves in the home. WHO officials say nearly three billion people are unable to use clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating and lighting. And they say more than seven million people die from exposure to indoor or outdoor air pollution each year. Of that number, the WHO says about 4.3 million people die from household air pollution given off by simple biomass(生物燃料）and coal stoves.

These findings show that the home use of poisonous fuels is to blame for many of these deaths. These fuels include wood, coal, animal waste and so on. Carlos Dora is Coordinator in the WHO’ s Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. He says people should not use unprocessed coal and kerosene(煤油）fuel indoors. He says opening a window or door to let out the harmful air will not correct the situation. It will only pollute the outdoors. “New technologies and clean fuels can rid people of this problem.”

The United Nations found that more than 95 percent of families in sub-Saharan Africa depend on solid fuels for cooking. It says huge populations in India, China and Latin American countries, such as Guatemala and Peru, are also at risk.

Nigel Bruce is a professor of Public Health at the University of Liverpool. He says researchers are developing good stoves and other equipment to burn fuels in a more efficient way. “There are already many technologies for clean fuels available now. An effective and reasonably low-cost ethanol(酒精）stove that is made by Dometic is now being tested out. Another interesting development is electric induction stoves.” In India, you can buy an induction stove for about $8. And in Africa you can buy a solar lamp for less than $1.

9.  How is Paragraph 2 mainly developed?

A. By making classifications.                                                B. By listing numbers.

C. By following time order.                                                 D. By describing a process.

10.According to Carlos Dora, what is the best solution to indoor air pollution?

A. People should use an effective air cleaner.

B. People should open a window or door to let out the harmful air.

C. People should use new technologies and clean fuels.

D. People should prevent themselves from being exposed to harmful air..

11.What can we learn from the passage?

A. Most of the deaths from indoor pollution are in developing countries.

B. Burning solid fuels can help limit indoor air pollution .

C. People now can buy ethanol stoves made by Dometic in India.

D. There are already two technologies for clean fuels available for use.

12.Which would be the best title for the passage?

A. The way we cook is changing.             B. Types of indoor air pollution.

C. The development of electric stoves.      D. Indoor air pollution kills millions each year.

Thinking is something you choose to do as a fish chooses to live in water. To be human is to think. But thinking may come naturally without your knowing how you do it. Thinking about thinking is the key to critical thinking. When you think critically, you take control of your thinking processes. Otherwise, you might be controlled by the ideas of others. Indeed, critical thinking is the heart of education.

The word “critical” here has a special meaning. It does not mean taking one against another view, as when someone criticizes another person for doing something wrong. The nature of critical thinking is thinking beyond the easily seen-beyond the pictures on TV, the untrue reports in the newspapers, and the faulty reasoning.

Critical thinking is an attitude as much as an activity. If you are curious about life and desire to dig deeper into it, you are a critical thinker. If you find pleasure in deep thinking about different ideas, characters, and facts, you are a critical thinker.

Activities of the mind and higher-order reasoning are processes of deep and careful consideration. They take time, and do not go hand in hand with the fast speed in today’s world: fast foods, instant coffee, and self-developed film. If you are among the people who believe that speed is a measure of intelligence, you may learn something new from a story about Albert Einstein. The first time Banesh Hoffman, a scientist, was to discuss his work with Albert Einstein, Hoffman was too nervous to speak. But Einstein immediately put Hoffman at ease by saying, “ Please go slowly. I don’t understand things quickly.”

13. Critical thinking is important to us because if we do not think critically, _______.

              A. it will be hard for us to think naturally and fast

                B. we might be controlled by other people’s ideas

                C. we will follow the ideas of others naturally

                D. we might be fooled by other people’s ideas

14. If you are a critical thinker, you will ______.

                A. think deeply about different ideas                          B. trust the reports in the newspapers

                C. take one view against another view                       D. criticize other people for their mistakes

15. What would be the best title for the passage?

                A. What is thinking                                                 B. Understanding Critical Thinking

                C. Thinking Is Natural and Human                                     D. Thinking Fast Means Intelligence 

Simple Ways You Can Avoid Overeating During Holidays

The holidays are all about best purpose: early finish of shopping, mailing cards on time, and what is the most important one—surviving the year’s fat-filled feeding race. Sorry, we can’t help licking envelopes or shopping that is up to you! But we can arm you with these smart eating tips for indulging(大吃大喝) without weight gain.

__16__ The worst thing you can do is stand around the table at a party and dip into the bowl . You will have no idea how much you are really eating unless you do put your choices on the plate.

Calm yourself. __17__ When someone gets third or orders that second glass of wine, you can go along them naturally. Why do we eat more than we think? If you are surrounded by fast eaters, take a half glass of water between bites to slow down.

Reduce those portions. Choose the smallest plate as possible.  __18__ It has been tested out that whether it is popcorn or even spaghetti the bigger the plate, package or bowl is, the more you are likely to eat.

__19__ Variety might be the best of life, but it is also a recipe for overeating. Researchers found that adults who were offered sandwiches with four different kinds of filling ate a second more than those who got only their favorite ones. So the advice is to pack together similar tastes.

Don’t talk with your mouth full. One of the best ways to keep from employing yourself at a big family dinner is great conversation. So as Mom used to say, before you start chatting first finish chewing. When you talk and eat at the same time, you are not really paying attention to either of them.__20__

A. Control your choices.

B. Always pick up the special food.

C. You look pretty unpleasant as well.

D. Your eyes can trick the stomach.

E. Get away from the table.

F. Feel the taste of each bite.

G. Take your seat near the slowest eater at the table.

Christmas just isn’t the same any more. When I was growing up, it was my   21  holiday. I’d get up early and run to the tree to find a dozen   22   from Santa and then spend the rest of the morning playing with toys along with my three sisters. Before long,   23  , the truth about Santa came out. Santa was dad. And dad’s salary as a   24   wasn’t growing at the same rate as inflation (通货膨胀). So over the years, a dozen gifts for each child    25   became six, then four, then two.    26   I sat in the living room in late December, home for a few weeks between semesters of college, I had one present to open.

The Christmas ritual (仪式) in our family was to open gifts on Christmas Eve. We were sitting around in a circle and the unwrapping    27   continued. The ritual lasted about ten minutes. And then something   28  happened.

My mother said, “There’s one more gift I want to show you.” And with her   29  , she disappeared to her bedroom. Minutes later, mom reappeared with an attractive red dress.

“It’s   30   , mom,” my older sister said, breaking the silence.

Through a voice choked with emotion and a smile that could   31  the universe, mom said quietly, “For the first time in 12 years, your father   32   a Christmas bonus (奖金) from school. And with the bonus, he bought this dress for me.”

All eyes moved   33  dad. I’d only seen dad cry once. It was the day his father died. And now, with mom’s announcement, he was on the point of bursting into   34  once again. Suddenly, the   35  of Christmas, which I had unfortunately    36   to gifts, returned on a wave of gratitude, flooding my heart like nothing I’d ever    37    . I was overwhelmed with appreciation for dad.

I’ve heard it said that the    38   thing a father can do for his children is to always show   39  for their mother. Today, dad’s   40  and generosity changed me.

21. A. special                                              B. favorite                                   C. dull                                      D. funny

22. A. toys                                                 B. shoes                                                 C. gifts                                     D. socks

23. A. however                                   B. therefore                                             C. anyhow                       D. besides

24. A. clerk                                                  B. doctor                                   C. lawyer                        D. teacher

25. A. actually                                                B. naturally                                 C. eventually                     D. probably

26. A. As                                                    B. Since                                    C. If                                                            D. Whether

27. A. form                                       B. task                                      C. period                         D. ceremony

28. A. common                                   B. unusual                                   C. wrong                                             D. interesting

29. A. announcement                              B. notice                                    C. expression                                D. Explanation

30. A. funny                                                B. expensive                               C. beautiful                                 D. Large

31. A. break down                                          B. light up                      C. drop out                                  D. meet with

32. A. lent                                                           B. borrowed                                  C. found                                   D. got

33. A. to                                                   B. with                                   C. for                                                 D. from

34. A. joy                                        B. pain                                             C. tears                                               D. smiles

35. A. sense                                                B. spirit                                   C. custom                                            D. content

36. A. left                                        B. turned                                               C. passed                                 D. linked

37. A. experienced                                B. expected                                  C. understood                                D. appreciated

38. A. last                                                 B. best                                    C. hardest                                D. first

39. A. fear                                       B. excitement                                 C. love                                                D. curiosity

40. A. grace                                   B. unselfishness                  C. honesty                                            D. consideration

When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be very difficult to let go of your anger. But forgiveness is possible --- and it can be surprisingly  41  (benefit) to your physical and mental health. So far, research 42  (show) that people who forgive can have more energy, better appetite and better sleep. “People who forgive show  43  (little) anger and more hopefulness,” says Dr. Frederic Luskin, who wrote the book Forgive for Good. “So it can help reduce the tiredness out of the immune system and allow people          44    (feel) more energetic.”

So when someone has hurt you, cool down first. Take a couple of breaths and think of something    _45 gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love. Don’t wait for an    46  (apologize). “Many times the person who hurt you may never think of apologizing,” says Dr. Luskin. “They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don’t see things in  47  same way. So if you wait for people to say sorry, you could be waiting a very long time.”

Next keep in mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean  48   (accept) the action of the person who upsets you. Instead, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you. Finally, try to see things from the other person’s perspective. You may realize  49  he or she was acting out of ignorance. To gain perspective, you may want to write a letter to 50   (you) from that person’s point of view.

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误只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限一词。

      2.只允许修改10处，多者（从11处起）不计分。

Dear Mary,

Our city had changed a lot in the past 5 years. Firstly, more high buildings have appeared, that are modern and beautiful. Many overpasses have set up, so it has become very convenient for people to travel. However, many families have got car of their own. The people’s life here has become rich or color1ful. People can enjoy themselves travelling on the holiday. To my delighted, I can taste delicious food of different countries. And now it is easy for me to keep touch with you than before, for I can email you in my office.

Yours,

Christie

近年来全球极端气候和重大自然灾害越来越频繁，其中很大一部分原因是由于人类活动所造成的。China Daily举行征文活动，警示人们要保护环境。请你写一篇短文，参加征文活动。

注意：

1. 要列举极端气候或自然灾害及其造成的影响；

2. 分析原因；

3. 呼吁人们关爱地球，保护环境。

词数：100---120个左右。