“Cleverness is a gift while kindness is a choice. Gifts are easy – they’re given after all. Choices can be hard.” –– Jeff Bezos
I got the idea to start Amazon 16 years ago. I came across the fact that the Internet usage was growing at 2,300 percent per year. I’d never seen or heard of anything that grew that fast, and the idea of building an online bookstore with millions of titles was very exciting to me. I had just turned 30 years old, and I’d been married for a year. I told my wife MacKenzie that I wanted to quit my job and go to do this crazy thing that probably wouldn’t work since most start-ups don’t, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. MacKenzie told me I should go for it. As a young boy, I’d been a garage inventor. I’d always wanted to be an inventor, and she wanted me to follow my passion.
I was working at a financial firm in New York City with a bunch of very smart people, and I had a brilliant boss that I much admired. I went to my boss and told him I wanted to start a company selling books on the Internet. He took me on a long walk in Central Park, listened carefully to me, and finally said, “That sounds like a really good idea, but it would be an even better idea for someone who didn’t already have a good job.” That logic made some sense to me, and he convinced me to think about it for 48 hours before making a final decision. Seen in that light, it really was a difficult choice, but ultimately (最后), I decided I had to give it a shot. I didn’t think I’d regret trying and failing. And I suspected I would always be haunted by a decision to not try at all.
After much consideration, I took the less safe path to follow my passion, and I’m proud of that choice. For all of us, in the end, we are our choices.
21. What inspired the author with the idea of building an online bookstore?
A. His dream of being an inventor.
B. The support of his wife.
C. The greatly increasing usage of the Internet.
D. Millions of exciting titles.
22. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined sentence?.
A. The idea of not trying would keep coming to his mind and disturb him.
B. He would be very excited if he tried it out.
C. He would be always having a doubt if he didn’t try.
D. The decision to not try the online bookstore would terrify him.
23. We can know from the passage that _______.
A. the boss thought the idea was suitable for the author
B. the author wanted someone else to try the idea
C. the author might not regret if he failed the idea
D. the author might go back to his boss if he failed
24. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A. Cleverness and Kindness B. The Starting of Amazon
C. Following My Passion D. We Are What We Choose
知识点：人生百味类阅读
CACD
Two new studies suggest that modern running shoes could increase the risk of injuries to runners.
One study involved sixty-eight healthy young women and men who ran at least twenty-four kilometers a week. The runners were observed on a treadmill machine (跑步机). Sometimes they wore running shoes. Other times they ran barefoot (赤脚).
Researchers from the JKM Technologies company in Virginia, the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado did the study.
They found that running shoes create more stress that could damage knees, hips and ankle joints than running barefoot. They observed that the effect was even greater than the effect reported earlier for walking in high heels.
The study appeared in the official scientific journal of The American Academy of Physical Medicine.
The other study appeared in the journal Nature. It compared runners in the United States and Kenya. The researchers were from Harvard University in Massachusetts, Moi University in Kenya and the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
They divided the runners into three groups. One group had always run shoeless. Another group had always run with shoes. And the third group had changed to shoeless running.
Runners who wear shoes usually come down heel first. That puts great force on the back of the foot. But the study found that barefoot runners generally land on the front or middle of their foot. That way they ease into their landing and avoid striking their heel.
Harvard’s Daniel Lieberman led the study. He says the way most running shoes are designed may explain why those who wear them land on their heels. The heel of the shoe is bigger and heavier than other parts of the shoe, so it would seem more likely to come down first. Also, the heel generally has thick material under it to soften landings.
But the researchers do not suggest that runners immediately start running barefoot. They say it takes some training. And there can be risks, like running when your feet are too cold to feel if you get injured.
The study was partly supported by Vibram, which makes a kind of footwear that it says is like running barefoot. The findings have gotten a lot of attention. But the researchers say there are many problems in the way the press has reported in their paper. So they have tried to explain their findings on a Harvard Website.
25. What’s the main idea of the passage?
A. Walking in high heels could cause less serious effects than running barefoot.
B. Two new discoveries encourage people to run in high heels.
C. Running in shoes is partly good to runners.
D. Two new studies prove running without shoes is beneficial to runners in most cases.
26. Which part of our body could be injured if we run in running shoes?
A. Toes. B. Hips. C. Feet. D. Legs.
27. What can we learn from the passage?
A. The way that we run by landing on the front or middle of our foot could avoid damaging our heel.
B. We should start running barefoot in no time.
C. Running in modern running shoes could cause more serious effects than running in high heels.
D. We won’t be injured if we run barefoot.
28. What is the writer’s attitude towards the use of the modern running shoes?
A. Persuasive. B. Negative. C. Objective. D. Supportive.
知识点：健康保健类
DBAC
Christmas, Easter and birthday parties can be difficult times for grandmothers and parents as they rush around trying to arrange the perfect celebration or making everyone as happy as possible! What’s better than a birthday party that makes your grandchild smile throughout or a celebration that impresses s and close friends?
That is why Granny Look has supplied in this section, one of the most comprehensive guides to making these special occasions that happen perhaps once a year a real success.
From a selection of Advent calendars to party planning or Christmas-stocking fillers we have all the possibilities covered so that your children and grandchildren will really have a memorable time with attractive gifts and original ideas.
Bring that festive spirit to all those traditional days, and ensure you are always ready for any possibility. Granny Look’s extensive links are bound to make every special occasion an entirely different experience from the year before and allow everyone to feel entertained and content.
CHRISTMAS-STOCKING FILLERS
Look no further! Granny Look helps the family to prepare in time for FATHER CHRISTMAS. Give SANTACLAUS some ideas. He can fill all the children’s Christmas-stockings with goodies! Unique Christmas gifts for children –– stocking fillers.
A Granny Look favorite!
ADVENT CALENDARS
All children love the build-up to CHRISTMAS! What is better than choosing one of Granny Look’s selection of Advent Calendars! Here you will find a list of websites to buy traditional or fun Advent calendars for children at Christmas time.
A Granny Look favorite!
BIRTHDAYS
LOOKING for a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GIFT? Explore Granny Look’s selection of PRESENTS, PARTYPLANNING, PARTY TOYS and PARTY GAMES for your Children and Grandchildren’s BIRTHDAYS.
Plan and organize the KIDDIE’S PARTIES ahead of time!!
Don’t forget the PERSONALISED INVITATIONS!
CHRISTMAS
LOOK and BOOK now!! Granny Look’s selection of CHRISTMAS GIFTS for children.
Some guides to “What’s on in your area”… for the kids, PANTOS, SHOWS, THEATRES… at Christmas time!
UNIQUE Christmas gifts for Children. Spend QUALITY TIME with your Children’s Children this FESTIVE SEASON (圣诞节期间)!
29. If you want to send some invitations to your daughter’s classmates, where will you search for the information?
A. At Christmas. B. At Birthdays.
C. At Advent Calendars. D. At Christmas–stocking fillers.
30. According to the passage, we can infer _______.
A. you can only get special ideas for Christmas, Easter and birthday parties
B. in Granny Look you can buy many traditional or fun Advent calendars for children at
Christmas time
C. there is no personalized invitation in Granny Look for you to select
D. Granny Look provides a wide range of links for people to prepare for special occasions
31. From the text, we know that “Granny Look” is ______.
A. a website that helps you to prepare for special occasions
B. a company that sells all sorts of products on the Internet
C. a person who guides you to make your yearly celebration a real success
D. a magazine that helps the family to prepare for special occasions
知识点：政治经济文化类阅读
BDA
I prefer Lynne Truss’s phraseology: I am a grammar “sticker”. And, like Truss – author of Eats, shoots & Leaves – I have a “zero tolerance” approach to grammar mistakes that make people look stupid.
Now, Truss and I disagree on what it means to have “zero tolerance”. She thinks that people who mix up basic grammar “deserve to be struck by lightning, hacked (砍) up on the spot and buried in an unmarked grave”, while I just think they deserve to be passed over for a job – even if they are otherwise qualified for the position.
Everyone who applies for a position at either of my companies, iFixit or Dozuki, takes a compulsory grammar test. If job hopefuls can’t distinguish between “to” and “too”, their applications go into the bin.
Of course, we write for a living. iFixit.com is the world’s largest online repair manual (指南), and Dozuki helps companies write their own technical documentation, like paperless work instructions and step-by-step user manuals. So, it makes sense that we’ve made a strong strike against grammar errors.
But grammar is relevant for all companies. Yes, language is constantly changing, but that doesn’t make grammar unimportant. Good grammar is credibility, especially on the Internet. And, for better or worse, people judge you if you can’t tell the difference between “their” “there” and “they’re”.
Good grammar makes good business sense – and not just when it comes to hiring writers. Writing isn’t in the official job description of most people in our office. Still, we give our grammar test to everybody, including our salespeople, our operations staff, and our programmers.
Grammar signifies more than just a person’s ability to remember high school English. I’ve found that people who make fewer mistakes on a grammar test also make fewer mistakes when they are doing something completely unrelated to writing – like stocking shelves or labeling parts. It is the same with programmers. Applicants who don’t think writing is important are likely to think lots of other things also aren’t important.
32. The author agrees with Lynne Truss in that ________.
A. grammar mistakes can’t be tolerated
B. books on grammar make people stupid
C. people need to learn basic grammar
D. grammar mistakes are ly unavoidable
33. What’s the author’s “zero tolerance” approach to these job seekers who mix up basic grammar?
A. They should be left out for a job. B. They have to correct their mistakes.
C. They aren’t qualified for their jobs. D. They must be severely punished.
34. Which of the following is TRUE of iFixit and Dozuki?
A. Only one of them has a compulsory grammar test.
B. They are companies where one learns grammar.
C. Grammar is quite important for their existence.
D. They depend on grammar correction for a living.
35. What can we learn from the text?
A. Companies giving grammar tests may have no good business sense.
B. Grammar becomes unimportant as language is constantly changing.
C. A “zero tolerance” approach to grammar errors might seem a little unfair.
D. People who pay attention to writing may pay attention to other things.
知识点：政治经济文化类阅读
AACD
(共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分)
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Although problems are a part of our lives, it certainly doesn’t mean that we let them rule our lives forever. One day or the other, you’ll have to stand up and say – problem, I don’t want you in my life.
36 Problems with friends, parents, girlfriends, husbands, and children – the list goes on. Apart from these, the inner conflicts within ourselves work, too. These keep adding to our problems. Problems come in different shapes and color1s and feelings.
But good news is that all problems can be dealt with. Now read on to know how to solve your problems.
Talk, it really helps. What most of us think is that our problem can be understood only by us and that no talking is going to help. 37 Talking helps you move on and let go.
Write your problems. 38 When you write down your problems, you are setting free all the tension from your system. You can try throwing away the paper on which you wrote your problems. By doing this, imagine yourself throwing away the problems from your life.
Don’t lose faith and hope. No matter what you lose in life, don’t lose faith and hope. Even if you lose all your money, family… you should still have faith. 39
Your problems aren’t the worst. No matter what problem you get in life, there’re another one million people whose problems are huger than yours. 40 Your problems might just seem big and worse, but in reality they can be removed.
Go about and solve your problems because every problem, however big or small, always has a way out.
A. But the truth is that when you talk about it, you’re setting free the negative energies that have been gathering within you.
B. When we have a problem, a pressing, critical, urgent, life-threatening problem, how do we try and solve it?
C. Tell yourself: when they can deal with them, why can’t I?
D. Of course, we’ve been fighting troubles ever since we were born.
E. We can often overcome the problem and achieve the goal by making a direct attack.
F. Having a personal diary can also be of huge help if you don’t want a real person to talk with.
G. With faith and hope, you can rebuild everything that you lose.
知识点：七选五
36—40 DAFGC
完型填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Generally speaking, a British is widely regarded as a quiet, shy and conservative (保守) person who is 41 only among those with whom he is familiar. When a stranger is present, he often seems nervous, 42 embarrassed. You have to take a commuter train (通勤车) any morning or evening to 43 the truth of this. Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or 44 off in a corner; hardly anybody talks, since to do so would be considered quite offensive (冒犯的).
45 , there is an unwritten but clearly understood code of behavior, which, once 46 , makes the offender immediately the object of 47 .
One of the few things we can say about the British with certainty is that a British takes a(n) 48 to the discussion of their weather and that, if given a chance, he will talk about it 49 . Some people argue that it is because the British weather 50 follows forecast and thus becomes a source of interest to everyone. This may be so. Certainly a British cannot have much 51 in the weathermen, whose predictions, in many cases, 52 to be wrong! The man in the street seems to be as accurate – or as inaccurate – as the weathermen in his 53 .
Foreigners may be surprised at the number of references 54 weather that the British make to each other in the course of a single day. Very often conversational greetings are 55 by comments on the weather. “Nice day, isn’t it?” “Beautiful day!” may well be heard instead of “Good morning, how are you?” 56 the foreigner may consider this exaggerated (夸大) and comic, it is worthwhile pointing out that it could be used to his 57 . If he wants to start a conversation with a British but is 58 to know where to begin, he could do well to mention the state of the weather. It is a(n) 59 subject to which a response may well be 60 of even the most reserved of the British.
41. A. relaxed B. frustrated C. amused D. exhausted
42. A. yet B. otherwise C. even D. so
43. A. experience B. witness C. watch D. undertake
44. A. whispering B. murmuring C. nodding D. laughing
45. A. Hopefully B. Exactly C. Frequently D. Obviously
46. A. developed B. observed C. followed D. broken
47. A. doubt B. argument C. criticism D. praise
48. A. emotion B. fancy C. likeliness D. judgment
49. A. at length B. at last C. at most D. at least
50. A. always B. often C. constantly D. seldom
51. A. faith B. relief C. honor D. credit
52. A. put out B. make out C. turn out D. find out
53. A. consideration B. prediction C. approval D. appreciation
54. A. about B. on C. in D. to
55. A. started B. conducted C. replaced D. proposed
56. A. Since B. Although C. However D. Only if
57. A. benefit B. advantage C. disadvantage D. favor
58. A. at a loss B. in detail C. in groups D. on occasion
59. A. avoidable B. steady C. optional D. safe
60. A. expected B. asked C. wished D. reminded
知识点：完型填空
41—45 ACBCD 46—50 DCBAD 51—55 ACBDC 56—60 BBADA
（共10个小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（不多于3个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
David and Jack are talking about cyber-relationships in their dorm.
David: Jack, you spend a lot of time on the Internet everyday. What do you most frequently use it for?
Jack: I usually surf 61 net, read news and anything I am interested in, check emails or chat with other people. Sometimes I order online too. Maybe I can find a girlfriend online like a fairy tale.
David: Well, I see. That’s 62 you are so stuck to it.
Jack: I know dozens of websites provide dating service. Curiosity and the need for companionship make them a sure-fire business. I recommend that you 63 (try) Baihe.com.
David: To be 64 , I really can’t understand how 65 people depend on that way to make friends. It’s kind of risky.
Jack: Yes, but it’s also one of the easiest and fastest ways to meet new people.
David: Sounds good. But it is full of traps on the Internet, and some people have really 66 (please) experience about online dating.
Jack: It’s true, but some people did find their better-half through online dating.
David: 67 , I won’t try that way to make my girlfriend.
Jack: Don’t be so sure. If you 68 (happen) meet a girl online who is intelligent, kind, honest, and you get a good feeling of her, won’t you have the desire to get to know her 69 person?
David: I won’t have such a chance in the first place, for I never enter the chatroom.
Jack: Maybe 70 man’s meat is another’s poison.
David: That’s right.
知识点：语法填空
61. the 62. why 63. (should) try 64. frank/ honest 65. come 66. unpleasant
67. Anyway 68. happen to 69. in 70. one
短文改错 (共10小题; 每小题1分, 满分10分)
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。
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is special pleasure to welcome our new staff member, Mr Tony White, who has come here to America.
Mr White has recently graduated from the University of Chicago where he has majored in English Literature and minored in Teaching English as the Second Language. He will working with us here for at least two years.
One of the goals of our school are to promote understanding and cooperation between the young people of our two countries. By have Mr White, who is willing to sacrifice the comfort of his friends and family to come to a strange country, we feel we are very lucky and our goals will be easily realized.
On behalf of the whole school, I’d like to extend to you, Mr White, your sincerest welcome. We are indeed happy to have you here, and we wish you all the better during your stay in China.
Thank you.
知识点：短文改错
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is special pleasure to welcome our new staff member, Mr Tony White, who has come
1.Λmy或a
here to America.
2. from
Mr White has recently graduated from the University of Chicago where he has majored in
3. 删掉has
English Literature and minored in Teaching English as the Second Language. He will working
4. a 5.Λbe
with us here for at least two years.
One of the goals of our school are to promote understanding and cooperation between the
6. is
young people of our two countries. By have Mr White, who is willing to sacrifice the comfort
7. having
of his friends and family to come to a strange country, we feel we are very lucky and our goals
8.Λthat
will be easily realized.
On behalf of the school staff, I’d like to extend to you, Mr White, your sincerest welcome.
9. our
We are indeed happy to have you here, and we wish you all the better during your stay in
10. best
China.
Thank you.
书面表达（满分25分）
下列图表反映的是某高中2010年与2013年学生健康状况调查的部分数据，请你用英语为某报写一份报告，反映你校三年间学生健康状况的变化情况，分析其中原因，并提出一些改进措施。
注意事项：1. 报告必须包括图表中所有内容，但不要逐条罗列；
2. 词数120词左右。题目和开头第一句已给出，不计入总词数。
Health
A recent survey shows that the health of the students in our school has been going from bad to worse in the past three years. _________________________ __________________________________ __________
知识点：书面表达
Health
A recent survey shows that the health of the students in our school has been going from bad to worse in the past three years. The number of short-sighted students has increased from 77% in 2010 to 93.5% in 2013, while that of overweight students from 38% to 57.2%. Nearly 15% more students don’t have enough sleep because of more homework. Besides, over 21% more students become mentally unhealthy.
It seems to me that the reasons for this lie in heavier burden of study and more homework, thus making students unable to spare any time to take exercise or have enough sleep.To improve students’ health, we call for less homework. Only in this way can students get plenty of sleep and be more healthy. Proper diets and exercise should also be paid attention to so that they won’t easily put on weight. With their heavy burdens removed, students can then keep in normal mental health.