A recent housing project in Helsinki offers remarkably cheap apartments for those under the age of 25. They must commit to spending time with their older neighbors.

Helsinki offers 247-suqare-foot studio apartments with a bathroom, storage space, kitchen, and balcony for only $272 every month—about a third of the average price for a studio in the city. The apartment is inside homes for the elderly, and the young renter must spend between three to five hours with their elderly neighbors each week.

Like pretty much all other major cities in the world, Finland’s capital of Helsinki has faced rapid population growth in recent years. And with population growth, comes an inevitable rise in the cost of living, and of course, sharp increase in rent. Currently, Helsinki is ranked 14th on the list of the world’s most expensive cities. For those young and freshly independent, this causes terrible problems — even homelessness.

"It's a very expensive city to live in," Mr. Bostrom writes in an email to CNN’s Eoghan Macguire. "If you manage to get an apartment that the city owns, it can be quite affordable. The screening criteria included the ability to participate in a variety of activities, such as cooking or playing instruments, but the number of applicants for those apartments is so high that waiting list takes forever,” he says.

According to Helsinki’s Youth Housing Association, the city council aims to ensure that every young person will have a home by 2018. Miki Mielonen, a representative of the youth department, says this project, currently in its trial stages, will help out young people while offering social benefits to senior citizens. “I think there is quite a rigid opinion in Finland with many people thinking young of the old ideas that we are going to break down.”

1.Helsinki probably rents a cheap apartment to a young man who ________.

A. reaches the age of 25

B. has financial problems

C. promises to accompany the elderly

D. agrees to share it with his neighbor

2.Which is the root reason for the housing problems in Helsinki?

A. The population explosion.

B. The high living standard.

C. World’s priciest apartment rent.

D. Low employment of college graduates.

3.According to Mr Bostrom, the cheap apartments are ________.

A. well-decorated

B. difficult to afford

C. in short supply

D. popular with technicians

4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A. The young in Helsinki are mostly homeless.

B. Helsinki will overcome people’s prejudice.

C. The project will be experimental in future.

D. The project is more beneficial to the young.

根据短文内容，从短文后的七个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。

Living with a roommate can be a great experience as many roommates become lifelong friends. However, roommates living together under the same roof for a long time unavoidably conflict with each other. 1. To prevent this from happening to you, each conflict should be addressed in a productive, healthy way.

1. Set a time for discussion.

Once conflicts occur, you need to set up a time to discuss the conflict. 2. They may think about any problems they want to discuss. It also allows for a better discussion as the both roommates will most likely enter the discussion fairly calm.

2. Make rules for discussion

Before discussing the actual conflicts, set up some rules to guide the discussion. For example, each roommate is allowed to air one problem at a time and the other roommate has a chance to respond to it before another one is brought up. Making rules beforehand can prevent a screaming match from breaking out. 3.

3. 4.

You can use your discussion to point out to your roommates their great traits and specific things you like about them. While this won’t solve the conflict, it can help your roommates be more understanding of your point of view and more willing to compromise.

4. Come up with a written roommate agreement

Once grievances（不满） have been aired by both parties you should develop a roommate agreement that is written down. This agreement should discuss what the rules are as well as what consequences exist for breaking them. For example, roommates having a conflict about overnight guests may compromise to allow overnight guests only on weekends with guests on weekdays being gone by 11 p. m. 5.

A. Talk about your problems openly.

B. Point out good things about roommates.

C. Being honest can avoid unfriendly discussion.

D. This provides both parties a chance for preparation.

E. And disaster can strike when a conflict never gets settled.

F. A consequence may be that the violator(违反者) pays $5 for breaking the rules.

G. This is because both sides know they will have an opportunity to speak.

完形填空

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

The day before Christmas I pulled into a store parking lot and counted my money again. It wasn’t much. I ________ being poor, not having enough to ________ my small children a few simple toys. As I was ________ I noticed the Salvation Army(救世军) bell ringer at the ________. I felt bad again because I didn’t feel I could ________ anything to give him. I started walking towards the entrance ________ two cars entered empty parking spaces in front of me. The first was a ________, new Cadillac which became the ________ of me the moment I saw it. “How ________”, I thought, “would it be to have enough money to buy a car like that!” The second car, ________, was an ancient car more shabby than the one I was driving.

A man got out of the Cadillac and hurried into the store ________ past the bell ringer without a second ________. Out of the old car came a young mother with three small children following ________ behind her. Her clothes looked as ________ as her car, yet she stopped at the entrance and ________ a bill. In that second a(n) ________ touched me, my envy and dislike ________ me, and all the love and joy filled me. I fished a bill out of my own purse, ________ it in the Salvation Army kettle, and wished the ________ a “Merry Christmas!”

Now I felt I was a poor man but rich on the ________. After finding a few things for my kids, I drove home with my heart singing.

1.A. hated B. permitted C. escaped D. regretted

2.A. make B. buy C. award D. lend

3.A. pulling out B. settling in C. getting out D. cutting in

4.A. parking space B. counter C. parking lot D. entrance

5.A. spare B. split C. spend D. save

6.A. though B. since C. when D. if

7.A. sharp B. dull C. pure D. shiny

8.A. target B. envy C. item D. bargain

9.A. nice B. precious C. rare D. expensive

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

11.A. merely B. right C. hopefully D. seldom

12.A. smile B. nod C. glance D. wave

13.A. firmly B. bravely C. casually D. closely

14.A. worn out B. cast down C. tired out D. broken down

15.A. paid B. passed C. donated D. rejected

16.A. equality B. sympathy C. approval D. warmth

17.A. left B. visited C. reached D. missed

18.A. took B. handed C. started D. dropped

19.A. salesman B. bell ringer C. woman D. man driver

20.A. wealth B. luck C. inside D. outside

短文改错

Today our class go to climb a mountain. This morning we set off to a mountain by buses. At about nine o’clock we arrived at the foot of the mountain and with the guidance of our teacher, he started climbing. Because at the half of the mountain some of us got tired, we all were very excited. When we got to the top, we cheered excitedly. Seeing from the top of it, the view is wonderful. Unfortunately, when we began to go down the mountain, we were catching in a storm. We shared umbrellas and raincoats each other and walked more cautious. At last we all reached the parking lot safely and got on the bus heading back to home.

书面表达

假设你是李华，在美国的某中学做交流生。你的同学对中国宴请赴约的习俗很感兴趣，特请你用英语写一篇发言稿，介绍中国的宴请习俗。内容包括：

宴请场所，就餐习俗，饮酒习俗，宴会结束

注意：1.词数120左右，信的开头和结束语已经为你写好（不计入总词数）

2.可根据内容要点适当增加细节，使行文连贯

3.参考词汇： banquet宴会

Ladies and gentlemen,

I feel greatly honored to be here to tell you something about Chinese banquet customs. _______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

I hope what’s mentioned above might be helpful to you. Thank you for listening.

To most people, noise pollution is a jet flying over their head. For one Spanish woman, it is a neighbor playing the piano. The woman has taken her neighbor to court. Now she wants to send her neighbor to prison for over seven years on the charges of psychological damage and noise pollution.

In a country known for its noisiness, the case has raised eyebrows. Neighbors often complain about street noise in Spain, but people seeking prison time for someone practicing the piano is unheard of. At the trial, Sonia Bosom says she has been suffering noise pollution up to now due to the practice sessions of Laia Martin, who lives below her. Martin, 27, didn’t admit that she played at home that often, saying she took regular classes in other towns and mostly practiced at home on the weekends.

On the first day of the trial, the newspaper reported that Bosom told the court she now hated pianos so much that she couldn’t even stand seeing them in a film.

Bosom says years of hearing constant playing has caused her “psychological injury”. Medical reports show she has suffered from a variety of problems, including insomnia (失眠), anxiety, and panic attacks.

She says tests by local authorities have found that the sound levels made by the piano are up to 10 decibels (分贝) higher than the limit. City authorities（权威）have asked the family several times to either stop the piano playing or soundproof (隔音) the room. The family told the court they carried out soundproofing work twice but the complaints continued.

The court hasn’t made a final decision. A spokeswoman says the trial will end before May.

1.Bosom wants to send Martin to prison because ________.

A. Martin’s playing the piano damaged her health

B. Bosom suffered from heart attack

C. Martin refused to take regular classes in other towns

D. Martin flew a jet over her head

2.How did Laia Martin respond to the complaints?

A. She stopped playing the piano.

B. She soundproofed the room.

C. She didn’t admit she played at home.

D. She took her neighbor to court.

3.Which of the following may probably be the best title for the passage?

A. A 7-year Sentence Caused by the Piano

B. Pianist Charged with Noise Pollution

C. Health Problems of a Spanish Woman

D. Actions Against Noise by Local Authority

Bridges House Hotel

Bridges House Hotel is a hotel in the centre of Delft and has shops and museums next door. There are many restaurants in the area where you can eat a lovely dinner in the evening. The market square is within easy walking distance. The comfortable rooms are all uniquely decorated and have a splendid bathroom. Air conditioning and free Wi-Fi are available. There are extra long beds for your convenience.

Breakfast is served in the hotel lounge. In the evenings, guests can have a drink here as well.

Hotel Juliana

Just a 5-minute walk from the centre of Delft, this friendly family hotel is close to everything and offers comfortable rooms at an affordable price. The main priority（优先权） is to provide you with quality service through personal attention and by creating a pleasant atmosphere.

This hotel is also conveniently located near the Technical University of Delft. Other cultural spots and a series of bars and restaurants are just a stroll away.

Shanghai Hotel

This unique hotel features Chinese-style decoration and an elegant bar. Shanghai Hotel is located next to the A13 highway, only a 10-minute drive from Delft city centre. It offers free on-site parking.

Each of the rooms at Shanghai Hotel includes flat-screen cable TV, a desk and tea/coffee making facilities plus a refrigerator. The comfortable modern bathrooms have a shower, a hairdryer and free makeup.

Hotel de Koophandel

Located on the central Beesten Market, Hotel de Koophandel is surrounded by cafes and restaurants in the heart of Delft. In the breakfast room, you can enjoy various breads, toasts, cereals, eggs and fruits in the morning.

The comfortable and uniquely decorated rooms are equipped with a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. Coffee and tea facilities are available. Because of the perfect location, you can easily walk around the city centre and visit the main places of interest.

For more detailed information, please click here www. booking, com/hotel/nl

1.Which hotel is the best choice if someone is extremely tall?

A. Bridges House Hotel.B. Hotel Juliana.

C. Shanghai Hotel.D. Hotel de Koophandel.

2.If someone chooses Shanghai Hotel, he ________.

A. can enjoy various breads and eggs

B. can go to the Technical University of Delft

C. may be interested in Chinese-style decoration

D. may visit some parks for free

3.What do all the hotels in the passage have in common?

A. They offer free Wi-Fi.

B. They are at Delft city centre.

C. They offer free on-site parking.

D. They offer comfortable rooms.

4.Where can you probably see the passage?

A. In a magazine. B. In a newspaper.

C. On the Internet. D. In a TV program.

There have always been laws against copying other people’s ideas. However, when copying was only limited to copying something by hand, problems were solved easily. The solution was always the destruction or removal of the copy. Nowadays, the rise of the Internet has made the issue of intellectual property (知识产权) more complicated.

Almost every bit of information can be cut and pasted(粘贴) with a few clicks of a mouse. Many art forms such as writings, films, and music need new protection to ensure that people do not simply transfer them for free. Online illegal copying has been blamed for a huge reduction in the sales of many records because it is hard to convince people to buy something that they can get for free. Even the ideas behind traditional games, such as Scrabble, have been used without the owners’ permission.

Old laws have been struggling to keep up. While music companies have been successful in persuading courts that action should be taken against people who illegally download music, the law is difficult to carry out. Furthermore, intellectual property rights vary widely from country to country, so it’s up for debate which laws apply. Finally, there is the fact that many people simply do not see the act as theft(盗窃), since once the work has been digitized there is no clear physical object to steal in the first place.

All of these issues mean that companies involved with intellectual property — ideas or easily digitized information — are fighting desperately to get people to pay for the information they use, rather than paying for an object like a CD that they use. While the companies have sometimes been successful, the practical barriers to full protection seem insurmountable.

Finally, all that concerned parties can do is hope that their few successes scare off others and try to find new ways of making money.

1.Why do writings, films, and music need protection？

A. They are very expensive.

B. They are impossible to copy.

C. It is easy to make CDs, books, and movies.

D. They are easily able to be transferred when in digital form.

2.Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a problem of carrying out intellectual property rights?

A. Laws are not the same in all countries.

B. People do not see copying information as theft.

C. It is very hard to catch people who are breaking the law.

D. Internet service providers do not want to cooperate with the police.

3.The underlined word “insurmountable” in Paragraph 4 means “________”.

A. extremely expensive B. impossible to overcome

C. against the law D. hard to prove

4.What can be inferred from this passage?

A. Music and films will be unnecessary in the future.

B. New laws are necessary but difficult to put into practice.

C. The Internet is likely to become more important in the future.

D. Laws are just a way for greedy companies to control their products.

“People are ruder today because they are rushed and more ‘time poor’ than ever before,” says Patsy Rowe, “Manners have fallen off the radar(雷达).” Due to our strong attraction to electronic equipment it is a wonder more people don’t wake up each morning and greet the singing birds with a complaint about the noise. Here are some examples of rudeness.

Some people prefer to do almost everything over the internet. To them, dealing with an actual human is like an evolutionary step backward. It feels very slow because humans don’t work at 4G speeds. When you have dinner with friends, you will often notice someone paying more attention to his mobile phone. We have programmed ourselves to think that every new message brings life-changing news, so taking calls and checking our texts are more important than talking to the people we are with. What is worse, some people even tend to send anonymous（匿名的） rude messages by email.

However, rudeness is never acceptable. Don’t assume it is OK to be rude if the person you’re in touch with won’t recognize you. If you have something awful to say, have the courage to face the person and say it, write a letter or email and sign it, or forget it. Upsetting people with unsigned messages is cruel and annoying.

We shouldn’t blame technology for our shortcomings. Technology is here to help us, but we should not allow it to take over our lives. An important step is admitting our shortcomings. People spend a lot of time pointing out bad manners but it would be even more helpful if we’d publicly recognize good manners when we see them.

1.What can be inferred from the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1?

A. People can tell good from bad behavior.

B. Radar is able to observe human behavior.

C. People care little about their behavior.

D. Radar can be used to predict human behavior.

2.Some people are less willing to deal with humans because ________.

A. they are becoming less patient

B. they are growing too independent

C. they have to handle many important messages

D. they have to follow an evolutionary step backward

3.The author thinks sending unsigned awful messages is ________.

A. ridiculousB. hatefulC. acceptableD. reasonable

4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A. We should praise good behavior.

B. Technology can never be blamed.

C. We should keep pointing out mistakes.

D. Technology will take over our lives one day.

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。

We all wish we had just a bit more time. Just think what you could do with an extra hour or two each day: you could finally stick to an exercise routine, or spring-clean the house, or write your novel, or learn the guitar and so on.

____1.__ But I can help you find more hours in your day for the things that really matter.

Get Out of Bed Earlier

If you normally get up at 7:30 am, try getting up at 7:00 am．That half-hour might not sound like much, but it could be time that you use to exercise, to read that book you've been meaning to finish. ____2._______

Do the Important Tasks First

Once you get to work, get the important ones done first （not the easy ones, or even the urgent（紧急的） ones）. You can afford to spend at least an hour working on big, important tasks rather than on all those little urgent ones.

_____3._____ The urgent tasks will still get done, and you won't miss the important ones.

Reduce Interruptions

If colleagues have a habit of hanging around your desk to chat, or if the phone is constantly ringing, you might find that it takes you half the day to finish a simple task like writing a letter. Constant interruptions don't just eat up time, they also break your concentration.

When you've got a big task to focus on, let your calls go to voicemail．______4._____ Wearing headphones makes it less likely that people will try to strike up a conversation．

_____5._____

A few minutes chatting, browsing the web, and so on, can easily turn into hours of wasted time over the course of a day.

When you’re working, work. If your concentration is slipping, take a proper break, go and get a glass of water, or stretch your legs a bit. And if you’re facing a difficult task, try breaking it into small steps or stages so that it’s easier to deal with.

A. Stay Focused On Your Work.

B. Take Breaks When Necessary.

C. If you have an office door, close it.

D. If you work like this, you’ll usually save time.

E. Would you want me to make your day longer?

F. I can't magically make all your days 25 hours long．

G. Or simply to get your day off to a calm and organized start．