In the past, friendships were greatly limited by time, space and attention； increasing home and workplace mobility has made it even harder to keep social relations over time. Through a combination of user controls, new technologies and changing standards of social behavior, Facebook is freeing us from these limitations, making friendships more accessible, pleasant and diverse than ever before.

First, Facebook allows you to find and rediscover friends and then reminds you of these connections, so that you are less likely to fall out of touch with the long-lost school friend, or the family member in a different country. 'Second, Facebook creates an environment that allows you to interact easily with others ： you can share your photos，videos，links and thoughts with your friends， and respond to what they share in turn. Third, Facebook’s unique technical system helps you to discover your friends，most valuable stories. These technologies allow people to keep and enrich friendships that they might otherwise have been unable to keep.

The effect of this is very great. A recent study by Keith Hampton for the Pew Internet and American Life Project discovered that users of social networking websites have larger, more diverse social circles, online and offline. This outcome comes at no cost to one’s closest relationships, which are kept in person and over the phone. Instead, the hour that the average user spends each day socializing on Facebook comes at the expense of less social activities, such as the three or so hours a day the average person spends watching television.

Time may limit our ability to keep social ties, but our desire for social communication is limitless. Just as boats have allowed us to cross oceans and vehicles have allowed us to move mountains, Facebook is a tool that allows us to stay more deeply connected with a larger and more diverse set of friends.

1. What can you do with the help of Facebook according to the text?

A. Protect the environment.

B. Find a new house or workplace.

C. Rediscover long-lost classmates.

D. Change the behavior towards your friends.

2. What will social networking websites do?

A. Increase the diversity of social relations.

B. Share the hours of watching television.

C. Restrict personal friendship.

D. Limit social activities.

3. What is the author's attitude towards Facebook?

A. Worried. B. Doubtful. C. Approving. D. Curious.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that processed meat may be carcipogenic(致癌). Do you still dare eat cancer-linked processed meat ? Here are some comments on the website.

Bill (Australia) I’d rather live a short, pleasant life than a long, unhappy one, denying(拒绝给予) myself tasty food just because some experts say it’s not healthy. We should all enjoy the one life we have ---if I had listened to every piece of health advice I would never go anywhere, eat anything or enjoy life in any way. So, I won’t change my habit. I am going to have bacon sandwich, glass of wine, burger, can of coke whenever I fell like it.

Tim (America) Is meat really as bad as smoking: I don’t think so. According to the WHO 34,000 people die worldwide per year because they eat processed meat. In 2012, 8.2 million people died of cancer worldwide. That means if you eat a lot of processed meat you have a chance of being among the 0.41 percent of people dying of cancer because of processed meat. I’ll take the chance.

Helen (Switzerland) The WHO doesn’t say that just one bite of meat causes cancer, it is rather saying that people should vary their diet. People who eat more meat often have other unhealthy habits. They usually eat fewer fruits and vegetables and they also often exercise less.

Van (China) Perhaps this report will make people consider becoming vegetarians ( 素食者). So for your health, the environment and future generations, it is not difficult; it just needs a change of attitude. There is a vast variety of other delicious food available to enjoy.

1.What if Bill has to change his habit ?

A. He’ll feel unhappy.

B. He’ll live a pleasant life.

C. He’ll go on a diet.

D. He’ll become a vegetarian.

2.What does Tim think about eating processed meat ?

A. Too risky. B. Fairly safe.

C. Popular worldwide. D. Very unhealthy.

3.What may be Helen a response to WHO’s warning ?

A. Caring little about it.

B. Eating whatever she likes.

C. Varying the diet and doing exercise.

D. Taking a diet without meat.

4.Who have the most similar viewpoints ?

A. Bill and Tim. B. Tim and Helen.

C. Helen and Van. D. Bill and Van.

When you’re in high school, it can be difficult to find a job. You may not have much, or any, formal work experience and there aren’t many jobs available for teenagers. However, if you’re looking for a job, there are things you can do to help get your application noticed and help yourself get hired. 1.

Don’t be shy.

Tell everyone you know you are looking for a job. Many jobs aren’t advertised and you may be able to get a good job lead from a friend or family member.

2.

One good way to get experience is to start by working for friends and neighbors. Babysitting, garden work, doing cleaning, and pet sitting all can be included on your resume(简历).

Keep an open mind.

3. This is a tough market and you may not be able to find a job doing what you want to do. The more flexibility you have, the more opportunities you’ll be able to apply for. Plus, even if the job wasn’t your first choice, it may turn out to be better than you expected.

Check the rules.

There are only certain jobs you can do and hours you can work. 4. The minimum age you can work at paid non-agricultural employment is 14.

Write a resume.

A resume may not be required by employers. 5. Even though you may not have much information to include, a resume shows that you’re serious about your job search.

A. Start close to home.

B. Be always optimistic.

C. You can count on the following chance.

D. Don’t limit yourself to certain types of jobs.

E. But it can help you stand out from the competition.

F. These job search tips will help you get your job search started.

G. Check the Child Labor Law regulations to see how they apply to you.

完型填空

Erik, an athletic child, lost his vision in his early teen. At first he ___________ to use a walking stick or learn Braille (盲文), ___________ he could do as well as any teenage. He finally came to ___________ his disability, though. He couldn’t play the same ___________ as he used to. But then he discovered wrestling, a sport ___________ sight wasn’t as important as touch and ___________ . Then, at 16, he discovered rock climbing was like wrestling in some ways. A wrestler and a rock climber ___________ information through touch. Rock climbing ___________ mountain climbing, the greatest challenge of his life.

Erik’s teammates say he isn’t different from a ___________mountaineer. The major difference is that he isn’t as thin as most climbers. ___________ , his strong upper body, flexibility and mental toughness make him a(n) ___________ climber. The only help for Erik’s blindness is to place ___________ on his teammates’ jackets so that he can follow them ___________.

Climbing Mount Everest was ___________ for every climber on every team. The ___________ to the mountain air for Erik was the same as it was for his teammates: ___________ of oxygen causes the heart to beat slower, and the brain doesn’t___________ as clearly as normal. In some ways, Erik had an advantage ___________ his teammates：as they got near the top, the vision of all climbers was ___________ . So at a certain altitude, all his teammates were like Erik--nearly ___________.

To climb Mount Everest is an achievement for any athlete. Erik showed his disability wasn’t as important as his ability.

1.A. promised B. refused C. demanded D. decided

2.A. insisting B. praying C. admitting D. appealing

3.A. ignore B. consider C. overcome D. accept

4.A. cards B. parts C. sports D. jokes

5.A. that B. where C. what D. whose

6.A. feel B. thought C. smell D. taste

7.A. give B. store C. get D. exchange

8.A. fell behind B. lay in C. depend on D. led to

9.A. disabled B. sighted C. satisfied D. determined

10.A. However B. Besides C. Therefore D. Otherwise

11.A. amateur B. optimistic C. responsible D. perfect

12.A. ropes B. flags C. bells D. marks

13.A. casually B. easily C. eagerly D. slowly

14.A. challenging B. compulsory C. optional D. comforting

15.A. application B. limitation C. adaptation D. reaction

16.A. lack B. change C. supply D. existence

17.A. survive B. function C. recover D. refresh

18.A. against B. to C. over D. with

19.A. wasted B. broadened C. improved D. restricted

20.A. hopeless B. dizzy C. blind D. dead

Make your home a safer place

You probably think that your home is the one place where you are safe. That’s what I thought until last week. Now I knew our flat is full of accidents waiting 1. (happen). Next month we’ll look 2. my niece and nephew while their parents go away for 3. short break. We asked them to come and make sure that everything was 4. (total) OK. All of us got a few 5. (surprise).

We started in the spare bedroom, in 6. the children will sleep. Everybody knows you shouldn’t put children’s beds under a window in case a child 7. (try) to climb out. Next was the bathroom. We keep our medicines on a shelf above the washbasin. Never leave medicines somewhere children can find 8. (they). They might think they are sweets. Finally, the kitchen. This is the most 9. (danger) room in the house. Knives should be 10. (keep)in drawers children can’t reach, and all cleaning liquids in high cupboards. So we have three weeks to make our house safe. It’s not difficult...once you know how.

短文改错

Last month, I find that my little brother looked up to me. I noticed he started copying way that I was dressed. He even began copying my ways of speaking and greet my friends. At first, I thought that he was play jokes. So I yelled at him, “Knock it off ”. Much with my surprise, he burst in to tear. Then I realized that what he was doing those things just because he admired me. To comfort my sadly brother, I took him to shop at the store of a blue shirt like me. Our mother smiled proud when we happily came back home in our shirts.

书面表达

假定你是李华，你的美国朋友Peter 想来中国旅行，他写信向你了解他到北京后乘坐何种交通工具旅行比较适宜。请你给他写封回信，建议他乘坐高铁。

建议理由：

1. 便捷，准点；

2. 舒适，安全；

3. 购票方便，价格适宜。

注意：

1. 词数100左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节， 以使行文连贯；

3. 开头语已为你写好。

参考词汇：中国高铁 CRH ( China Railway High-speed )

自助售票机 self-service ticket machine

Dear Peter,

I’m expecting you to come to China.

Yours,

Li Hua

Sports Saturdays

The Fox Valley Park District partnered with six schools throughout Aurora and North Aurorn to offer its traditionally popular Sports Saturdays program beginning from Jan. 9.

Free to families with children in grades 1 through 5. Sports Saturdays provide a safe environment for children to interact and participate in activities that include sports, crafts and general fitness. “Sports Saturdays are an opportunity for kids to get out of the house and do what they love most- play! Park District instructors are on hand to teach and assist. “said manager Rafacl Maritinex. Who oversees the program. “they’ll get a chance to take part in a whole bunch of different sports, and it also gives parents a couple hours of free time while their kids are enjoying themselves in a safe setting.”

Sports Saturdays are run at six different primary schools around the area- Bardwell, Hernes. O’donnell , Hall and McCleery in Aurora, along with Schneider in North Aurora. Sport include baseball, basketball, floor hockey, soccer and other high-energy activities. The program runs for eight Saturdays through feb. 27. Children can participate in the activities at any school, and even visit a different school each week.

General Information

Anyone needing accommodations should fill in this information on their registration form.

Children must meet the age requirement for all preschool and youth related programs

All participants permit the taking of photographs and video of themselves and their children during Park district activities for publication and use as the Park District considers appropriate.

1.Sports Saturdays aim to _________.

A. attract more children to attend the local schools

B. encourage schools to promote kids physical education

C. provide kid s with chances to enjoy the fun of active play

D. assist parents to take caret of kids during the winter vacation

2.Children taking part in Sports Saturdays ___________.

A. are from six schools

B are from the same grade

C. will be accompanied by parents

D. will be protected by professional Persons

3.What needs to be made clear when registering?

A. Application for accommodation.

B. Age requirement

C. Permission for photographs

D. Activity places

My father was always a good gardener. One of my earliest memories is standing without shoes in the freshly tilled（翻耕的）soil, my hands blackened from digging in the ground.

As a child, I loved following Dad around in the garden, I remember Dad pushing the tiller（耕作机）ahead in perfectly straight lines. Dad loved growing all sorts of things: yellow and green onions, watermelons almost as big as me, rows of yellow com, and our favorite --- red tomatoes.

As I grew into a teenager, I didn't get so excited about gardening with Dad. Instead of magical land of possibility, it had turned into some kind of prison. As Dad grew older, his love for gardening never disappeared. After all the kids were grown and had started families of their own, Dad turned to gardening like never before. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he still took care of his garden.

But then, the cancer, bit by bit, invaded his body. I had to do the things he used to do. What really convinced me that Dad was dying was the state of his garden that year. The rows and rows of multicolored vegetables were gone. Too tired to weed them, he simply let them be. He only planted tomatoes.

For the first few years after he died, I couldn't even bear to look at anyone's garden without having strong memories pour over me like cold water from a bucket. Three years ago, I decided to plant my own garden and started out with just a few tomatoes. That morning, after breaking up a fair amount of soil, something caught the comer of my eye and I had to smile, It was my eight-year-old son Nathan, happily playing in the freshly tilled soil.

1.Why did the author like the garden when he was a child?

A. The garden was planted with colorful flowers.

B. The garden was just freshly tilled by his father.

C. He loved what his father grew in the garden.

D. He enjoyed being in the garden with his father.

2.When all the kids started their own families, the author's father .

A. devoted more to gardening

B. turned to other hobbies

C. stopped his gardening

D. focused on planting tomatoes

3.What happened to the garden when the author's father was seriously ill?

A. The author's son took charge of it.

B. No plant grew in the garden at all.

C. The garden was almost deserted.

D. It brought the author a great harvest.

4.We can infer from the last paragraph that .

A. the author's son played happily in the garden

B. the author's son reminded him of his own father

C. the author's son was very glad to help the author

D. the author's son will continue gardening as well

Walk through the Amazon rainforest today and you will find it steamy, warm, damp and thick. But if you had been there around 15,000 years ago, during the last ice age, would it have been the same? For more than 30 years, scientists have been arguing about how rainforests might have reacted to the cold, dry climate of the ice ages, but till now, no one has reached a satisfying answer.

Rainforests like the Amazon are important for mopping up CO2 from the atmosphere and helping to solve global warming. Currently the trees in the Amazon take in around 500 million tons of CO2 each year: equal to the total amount of CO2 given off in the UK each year. But how will the Amazon react to the future climate change? If it gets drier, will it survive and continue to draw down CO2? Scientists hope that they will be able to learn in advance how the rainforest will manage in the future by understanding how rainforests reacted to climate change in the past.

Unfortunately, collecting information is incredibly difficult. To study the past climate, scientists need to look at fossilized pollen（花粉）kept in lake mud, Going back to the last ice age means drilling down into lake sediments（沉淀物）, which requires specialized equipment and heavy machinery. There are very few roads and paths, or places to land helicopters and aeroplanes. Rivers tend to be the easiest way to enter the forest, but this still leaves vast areas between the rivers completely unsampled（未取样）. So far, only a handful of cores have been drilled that go back to the last ice age and none of them provide enough information to prove how the Amazon forest reacts to climate change.

1.How do scientists study the past climate change?

A. By predicting the climate change in the future.

B. By drilling down deep into land sediments.

C. By analyzing fossilized pollen in lake mud.

D. By taking samples from rivers in the Amazon.

2.Why is it difficult to collect information about the past climate change?

A. Because scientists can't find proper equipment and machinery.

B. Because it is very difficult to obtain complete samples.

C. Because helicopters and aeroplanes have no place to land.

D. Because none of the cores provide any information.

3.Where is the passage most probably taken from?

A. A medical journal. B. A news report

C. A travel brochure. D. A science magazine.

4.The best title for the text may be .

A. Secrets of the Rainforest

B. Climates of the Amazon

C. The History of the Rainforest

D. Changes of the Rainforest