Who knows about sleep? Astronauts (宇航员). They have to. Their bodies are cut off from the outside world that reminds (提醒) us what time it is. But actually, it's even worse than that. An astronaut reported in his diary that he was likely to make mistakes on days following an unusually late bedtime.

So NASA started doing some serious research. They quickly realized that we're a slave to the outside world. Without light and darkness, we' re unable to regulate (管理) sleep times.

Because of modern technology, we're all living more like astronauts now. Light is no longer a function (功能) of the sun, but of always-on indoor lights, TV and computer screens. Temperature no longer follows a cycle of cooling at night and warming during the day. Is it any wonder that a third of Americans have sleep problems?

Maybe you think this doesn't affect you — or at least not much. You're wrong. Research done on non-astronauts has shown the same thing. After two weeks of six hours of sleep a night; you're drunk. By the end of two weeks, the six-hour sleepers behaved as badly as those who hadn't slept for 24 hours.

But what did they say when asked how they felt? "It's not affecting me." So if you are performing poorly because of sleep problems, you may have no idea. This is a real problem.

So what answers did NASA come up with?

Take an hour to calm down before bed. Yes, you're busy. But your time is not more valuable than an astronaut's.

Keep your bedroom dark, cool and free from noise. Even if you think "the light doesn't affect you" or "the noise isn't that bad", it can still affect sleep quality.

Another advice: forget the alarm clock (闹钟) in the morning; set an alarm to remind you to go to bed at night. When it goes off, finish up any work on the computer, and turn off any unnecessary lights. This prevents you from cheating yourself on sleep and allows you to wake up naturally.

1. What did NASA find about people’s sleep?

A. It takes a long time to develop regular sleep times.

B. It’s strongly influenced by the outside world.

C. It remains untouched by outside influences.

D. It’s hard to change one’s sleep habits.

2.The biggest problem of those who haven’t enough sleep lies in the fact that .

A. they can’t fall asleep without the lights on

B. they don’t know whether they sleep well

C. they refuse to regulate their sleep times

D. they get too drunk to sleep well

3. What does the underlined sentence in the text mean?

A. You should make full use of your time.

B. You can find the time to get ready to sleep.

C. You can sleep later to finish your work first.

D. You should learn from astronauts’ way of sleep.

4. What’s the advice on the alarm clock?

A. Use it to remind you to sleep.

B. Put it far away from your bed.

C. Get up immediately when it rings.

D. Pay no attention to it when it rings.

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。

Training for a marathon requires careful preparation and steady, gradual increases in the length of the runs. 1. , buy the best-fitting, best-built running shoes you can find. No one can say which brand will work best for you or feel best on your feet, so you have to rely on your experience and on the feel of each pair as you shop. When you have found shoes that seem right, walk in them for a few days to double-check the fit. 2. . As always, you should stretch(伸展) at least ten minutes before each run to prevent injuries.

During the first week, do not think about distance, but run five minutes longer each day. 3. , it is wise to take a day off to rest. But during the next week, set a goal of at least a mile and a half per run. 4. . After two weeks, start timing yourself. 5. . Depending on the kind of race you plan to enter, you can set up a timetable for the remaining weeks before the race.

A. After six days

B. For a good marathon runner

C. Before you begin your training

D. With each day, increase the distance by a half mile

E. If they still feel good, you can begin running in them

F. Time spent for preparation raises the quality of training

G. Now you are ready to figure out a goal of improving distance and time

完形填空

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。

A terrible fever made Anne Sullivan nearly lose her eyesight in her childhood, and the doctors said she was a hopelessly mad girl. She had been _______ in the basement of a mental hospital (精神病医院) in Boston. Sometimes, little Annie _______ hit anyone who came near to her. She ignored everyone who appeared in front of her most of the time.

However, an old nurse _______ that little Annie had hope. She went to _______ little Annie every day. The child ignored her in most cases, but the old nurse _______ stopped seeing her every day in the basement. The _______ lady left cookies for little Annie and spoke words full of encouragement to her. She believed that as long as she showed _______ , little Annie could get better.

Finally, the doctors noticed the _______ in little Annie. They moved her upstairs and her condition continued _______ . Then her last day there came, and the child who seemed to be “_______ ” went out of the locked door of the mental hospital.

After she grew up, Anne Sullivan hoped to _______ others, just as the kind old nurse helped her. She became the _______ of Helen Keller. She _______ her, trained her strictly and worked with her _______ she lit the candle that brought _______ to the whole world. Anne Sullivan _______ a miracle (奇迹) in the life of Helen Keller. But first it was a kind nurse who had full _______ in little Annie that turned a(n) _______ child into a great teacher.

If there had been no Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would not be _______. But if there hadn’t been a _______ who kept showing love, Anne Sullivan wouldn’t be known to the world, either.

1.A. hidden B. received C. locked D. found

2.A. angrily B. proudly C. warmly D. secretly

3.A. praised B. doubted C. believed D. remembered

4.A. treat B. see C. promise D. miss

5.A. still B. already C. ever D. never

6.A. hard-working B. good-looking C. open-minded D. kind-hearted

7.A. cheer B. love C. luck D. happiness

8.A. worries B. problems C. changes D. needs

9.A. worsening B. spreading C. increasing D. improving

10.A. active B. healthy C. hopeless D. useless

11.A. greet B. help C. surprise D. please

12.A. classmate B. teacher C. neighbor D. boss

13.A. laughed at B. waited for C. looked at D. cared for

14.A. if B. unless C. until D. because

15.A. time B. dream C. light D. power

16.A. created B. shared C. stopped D. expected

17.A. control B. shame C. pity D. confidence

18.A. stupid B. lazy C. funny D. unfriendly

19.A. called B. known C. left D. protected

20.A. doctor B. patient C. nurse D. worker

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

Jim: Good morning, Mr. Tiger. My name is Jim and I’m 1. reporter from China Daily.

Uh, I am a little nervous. This is the first time I have spoken to a tiger. May I ask you some questions?

Mr. Tiger: Sure. Take it easy. I won’t attack you though I’m 2. (power).

Jim: Um, good ... Now, would you like to tell me how long you have been living in the zoo?

Mr. Tiger: Yeah, I came here, let me see, six years ago. I used to 3. (live) in a forest, but people there cut down all the trees and I had to move. There were cities and people everywhere, so I had no place 4. (go). The police came and took me to the zoo.

Jim: Do you like living in the zoo?

Mr. Tiger: Well, it’s not 5. good as being free. That’s for sure. But at least I have food and friends.

Jim: I see. If you could say something to all the humans in the world, what would you tell them? Mr. Tiger: I would tell them to live 6. peace with each other. And don’t kill animals to make clothes any more—when I see people 7. (wear) animal furs at the zoo I get really angry. A law should be made to provide8. (protect) for us.

Jim: In fact, a lot 9. (do) to keep animals and plants from becoming endangered nowadays.

Mr. Tiger: I’m glad to hear that. I’d appreciate 10. if you could spread the news at once.

Jim: I will, Mr. Tiger.

翻译句子

1.德州位于山东省的西北部。(be situated)

2.在我们学校三分之二的学生来自乡下。（主谓一致）

3.昨天我是在阅览室还给你钱的。（It is ... that）

4.中国是第三个把人送到太空的国家。（动词不定式做定语）

5.封面是绿色的那本杂志属于我。（whose）

书面表达

假设你是某国际学校的学生会主席李华，你校将举办一次英语演讲比赛。请你根据以下要点，用英语写一份书面通知。

注意：1. 词数100左右；2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Most of my friends are moving outside the city.. to avoid the noise, smog, traffic, and crime of the city.

One friend says, "The air is heavily polluted in the city, so I prefer to live outside, where the air is clean."

Another friend is unpleased with the traffic, "Downtown is crowded with cars! You can't find a parking place, and the traffic jams are terrible." Everyone is worried about crime, "The city is full of criminals-it's toodangerous."

For them, the rural(乡村的) life is a cure for all problems, green grass, flowers, swimming pools, barbecues, and so on. Yet after they have lived there for a year or so, they realize that rural life is not so pleasant as they were expecting. Why? Their gardens！ They soon learn that the main part of rural life is yard work . After they work all weekend in their gardens, they're too tired to swim in their pools or cook some meat on their barbecues. And they can't live in the countryside without a car. Most of them moved to the countryside to avoid traffic, but now they're blocked on a busy freeway two hours every day to drive to work downtown.

My opinions about urban life are different-I love to live downtown! Why? First, in the city, I can enjoy nature. I can walk through the park. smell. the flowers, sit on the grass and visit the animals in the zoo. Yet I don't have to do yard work or feed the animals. Also, I can get everywhere by bus; if there is a traffic jam, I can walk home. I think the criminal life will reflect changes in society too; if people are buying homes outside the city, the criminals will soon follow. Criminals want to avoid noise, smog, and pollution, too. Then, overcrowding and crime will be problems of the suburbs instead of the city!

1.The first paragraph is used to _ .

A. list some figures B. make comparison

C. lead to the topic D. give suggestions

2.What did those moving outside think of their life in the city?

A. Cosy. B. Convenient.

C. Colorful. D. Crowded.

3.What is the major problem for those who live in the countryside?

A. Being far from downtown.

B. Having gardens to take care of.

C. Failing to find parking lots.

D. Suffering heavy traffic on the road.

4.What is the author's attitude to his city life?

A. Approving.. B. Ambiguous.

C. Grateful. D. Doubtful.

For most people, Christmas is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. But for Santa Claus, and the thousands of fake Santas who impersonate（模仿） him every year, the Christmas season is time to get to work.

Although Santa Claus waits until Christmas Eve to take his famous sleigh (雪橇) ride, Santa impersonators can be found at shopping malls around America throughout the six weeks leading up to December 25. "When you see Santa talking with kids at your local mall, that's when you know Christmas really is on the way," says Mary Lewine of New York City.

With the excitement of Christmas, people often forget about the real people behind the red robes （长袍) and white beards, but being a mall Santa. is a tough job. "There is more to it than just sitting in a chair. There is more to it than just a red suit," said Timothy Connaghan, who has worked as a Santa for.38 years. "Children can really put the wear and tear on you.”

A recent survey showed some of the challenges that mall Santas face every year. About 90 percent of Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids cough or sneeze on them every day. Even more disturbing, one-third of the Santas admit to having children wet themselves while sitting on their laps.

So why would anyone take this job? For Ben Brauch, a retired high school teacher who has worked as a Santa for the last six years, the answer is simple-the children. "I see maybe 12,000 kids in a six-week period.

It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids." In fact, Brauch loves his job so much that he keeps his white beard long all year.

1.According to Timothy Connaghan, we can conclude that _

A. all children are moved to tears when seeing Santa

B. a mall Santa is always sitting in a chair

C. a mall Santa tolerates a lot during Christmas

D. Santa impersonators are greatly admired

2.The underlined word "claimed" in the 4th paragraph probably means “ ”

A.hesitated B. stated C. worried D. insisted

3.Why does Ben Brauch love his job of Santa impersonator?

A. Because he can keep his white beard long all year.

B. Because he as nothing else to do after retiring.

C. Because he can earn a large sum of money.

D. Because he enjoys playing with children.

4.What is the best title of the text?

A. Santa impersonators during Christmas

B. The coming Christmas

C. Shopping malls in America

D. A disturbing job

Two girls living next door to each other-a seemingly plain scene that has two very different life .stories behind it.

Chi Zhen, an 18-year-old student in Seville, Spain, used his camera to tell the story of two lives, which went widespread online. Comments on the photos indicate that they have inspired many, to believe that the future is in their own hands.

Chi has seen many youths living life without a goal, wasting their time and blaming bad luck for it.

Feeling regret for them, he took a series of photos of his friends Veronica and Anna Maria, both freshmen at the University of Seville in Spain. They live completely different life styles and are getting opposite results.

Chi hopes the photos will inspire those who have let go of their own fate (命运).

In the photos, Anna Maria, a Spanish girl, can be seen watching a TV programme . She spends most of her time in front of her laptop. She rarely goes out, because she thinks she's not attractive and doesn't know what to say in social situations. "'I'm not as lucky as Veronica," she often says.

But she doesn't know that while she's wasting time watching TV, -Veronica, the "lucky" girl next door，has taught herself four foreign languages and traveled to many places. She goes to the library frequently and her extensive knowledge and experience allow her to take part in any conversation and become the center of attention.

Chi thinks that Anna Maria resembles many of his Chinese .friends who study abroad. They are trapped to their little circles, never trying to change their fate./'They say 'maybe I'll do it in my next life', but they are in their 20s, their best time. How can they give up hope and accept this as their life?" Chi says.

The influence of the photos has gone far beyond what Chi expected. One user commented on his photos on Renren.com, saying, "A wall separates two worlds, and the life we have depends on what we do." Another is determined to make a change right away. "I'm turning off my laptop and not watching TV anymore," he wrote.

1.What would be the best title of the text?

A. A lucky dog in social circles

B. Comments on the photos

C. A photo separates two worlds .

D. Tales of two opposite lives

2. It can be concluded from the widespread photos online that _ '

A. life one has depends on what one does

B. Anna is an attractive girl with a goal

C. Veronica is much luckier than Anna

D. Chi wastes his time in taking photos

3.According to the text, Veronica _.

A. likes watching TV programmes

B. seldom chats with others

C. is often the centre of attention

D. lets go of her own fate

4.Many of Chi's Chinese friends who study abroad _ .

A. determine to make a change right away

B. like to travel to different places of interest

C. believe they will do better in next life

D. are more willing to live in little circles

The UN weather agency warned on Tuesday there was a good chance of an "El Nino" climate phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean this year, bringing droughts（干旱） and heavy rainfall to the rest of the world.

The World Meteorological (气象的) Organization (WMO) said its modeling suggested a "fairly large potential for an El Nino, most likely by the end of the second quarter of 2016".

The El Nino phenomenon occurs every two to seven years, when the trade winds that circulate surface water in the tropical (熟带的) Pacific start to weaken.

WMO pointed out Tuesday that since last December, trade winds had weakened and there had been a significant warming of the waters below the surface in the central Pacific.

“While there is no guarantee this situation will lead to an El Nino event, the longer the trade winds remain weakened, and subsurface temperatures stay significantly warmer than average, the higher chances are," it said.

Two thirds of climate models predicted that the phenomenon would begin sometime between June and August, with one-fifth suggesting it could start as early as May, and the remaining predicting no El Nino this year, it said.

It is often followed by a return swing of La Nina, which is characterized by unusually cool ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

"El Nino has an important warming effect on global average temperatures," Jarraud cautioned, stressing that combined with warming from greenhouse gases such events had "the potential to cause a sharp rise in global average temperature".

1. It can be inferred from the first two paragraphs that -'

A. a weather agency warned an "El Nino" would appear on Tuesday

B. WMO showed an El Nino would probably happen by June in 2016

C. an El Nino would bring heavy rainfall to the Pacific Ocean

D. The phenomenon of El Nino happens every seven years

2.What does the underlined phrase "this situation" in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A. Cool ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

B. A significant warming of the waters below the surface in the central Pacific.

C. Trade winds that circulate surface water in the Pacific.

D. Heavy rainfall in different areas all over the world.

3.According to the text, what might be the percentage of no "El Nino" this year?

A.13%. B.20%. C.67%. D.87%.