假定你是李华，你的外教Mr. Pick回国前向你推荐了American School Life网站，希望你借此提高英语水平。请你用英语给他写一封电子邮件，告诉他你的收获，要点如下：

1. 表达思念；

2. 上网收获；

3. 表示感激。

注意：1. 词数100词左右；

2. 可适当发挥，以使行文连贯；

3. 开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数。

Dear Mr. Pick,

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

When you’re a junior in high school, three little letters quickly become larger than life: SAT.

At the start of my junior year, I realized that the environment was packed with competition. Surprisingly, this pressure didn’t come from adults. It came from the other students. Everyone in my grade had college on the brain. To get into the college of our choice, we all believed, we had to outcompete and outscore everyone else with less sleep, because time for sleeping was time you didn’t spend studying for the SAT.

I let myself get swept up in the pressure. My new motto was, if I wasn’t in every single honor level class, I wasn’t doing enough. I was bad-tempered and I couldn’t focus. I stopped talking to my friends and my mom, and I couldn’t figure out who I was. I didn’t have the confidence to know that my own passions and unique skills were what would make me stand out to colleges.

That’s when I realized: I am not my SAT score. Trying to stick to what I thought colleges wanted masked who I really am. I decided to rely on my strengths and get away from the crazy pressure I was putting on myself.

Instead of forcing myself into higher levels of math, I took on an extra history class. I learned how to love what I was doing and not what I thought I was supposed to do. I learned to shine as an individual, not a faceless member of the crowd. And I found that not only was this better for my happiness, but it also made me more effective and efficient when I studied.

To me, individuality means having the confidence to decide who I am and who I want to be, and a number on a page is never going to change that. I am more sure of myself, and more ready to apply for college, than ever.

1.At the start of the junior year, the author decided to study for the SAT ________.

A. to overcome the pressure from other high school students

B. to test how good she was at studying compared to others

C. because it was exciting to compete with others to get into college

D. because she was eager to get an advantage over others in the competition

2.When did the author realize she shouldn’t just compete for scores?

A. When she got in every single honor level class.

B. When everybody stopped talking to her.

C. When she found she was no longer her usual self.

D. When she forced herself to take advanced maths.

3.What can you infer from Paragraph 5?

A. She tried to live as who she was, not just a student focusing on grades.

B. She learned to team up with others and so gained efficiency.

C. She managed to do well in both maths and history classes.

D. She wanted to be number one and no one could change her mind.

4.Which statement best expresses the main idea of the passage?

A. Pressure brings out the best in you.

B. You will stand out by being your best self.

C. Things will happen whether you like it or not.

D. Life is just a matter of decisive times.

Holding a cell phone against your ear or storing it in your pocket may be dangerous to your health. This explains a warning that cell phone makers include in the small print that is often ignored when a new phone is purchased. Apple, for example, doesn’t want iPhones to come closer to you than 1.5 centimeters.

If health issues arise from cell phone use, the possible effects are huge. According to Devra Davis, an expert who has worked for the University of Pittsburgh, brain cancer is a concern. Over all, there has not been an increase in its occurrence since cell phones arrived. But the average masks an increase in brain cancer in the 20-29 age group and a drop for the older population.

“Most cancers have many causes,” she says, but she points to laboratory research that suggests low-energy radiation could damage cells that could possibly lead to cancer.

Children are more vulnerable to radiation than adults, Ms. Davis and other scientists point out. Radiation that penetrates (穿透) only five centimeters into the brain of an adult will reach much deeper into the brains of children because their skulls (头骨) are thinner and their brains contain more absorptive fluid.

Henry Lai, a research professor in the bioengineering department at the University of Washington, began laboratory radiation studies in 1980 and found that rats exposed to radiation had damaged DNA in their brains.

Ms. Davis recommends using wired headsets or the phone’s speaker. Children should text rather than call, she said, and pregnant women should keep phones away from the belly.

1.According to Ms Davis, brain cancer increases ________.

A. in the teenagers B. among old people

C. in the twenties D. among pregnant women

2.What does the underlined word “vulnerable” in the 4th paragraph probably mean?

A. accessible B. changeable

C. passive D. sensitive

3. The author’s purpose of writing the text is most likely to ________.

A. entertain B. persuade

C. describe D. inform

4.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A. Low-energy Radiation Leads to Cancer

B. Cell Phone Use Brings Health Problems

C. Radiation Damages DNA in People’s Brain

D. Researchers Launched Lab Studies on Cell Phones

Are you an optimist? Do you look at your glass and see it as half full? Do you believe that every cloud has a silver lining and that generally things turn out for the best? Do you believe that if something is meant to be, it will be? If you reply “yes” to all of these questions, then you are an optimist. You probably are enthusiastic, cheerful and outgoing. You may well be successful at work and in love.

But you may be misguided because things don’t turn out for the best. You may believe that when one door closes another one opens (for example, you may fail to obtain a new job, and another chance will come around soon). Wrong. When one door closes, another door slams in your face. That’s bitter reality.

Now a book has been published which confirms what we pessimists (悲观者) have suspected all along. It’s called The Positive Power of Defensive Pessimism. Its author argues that defensive pessimism can lead to positive results. Defensive pessimism is a strategy used to manage fear, anxiety and worry. Defensive pessimists prepare for things by setting low outcomes for themselves. They carefully consider everything that may go wrong and plan for ways to handle these problems. And this gives them a sense of control. Lawrence Sanno, a psychology professor, says, “What’s interesting about defensive pessimists is that they tend to be very successful people, so their low opinion of the situation’s outcomes is not realistic. They use it to motivate themselves to perform better. ”

So far, so good. This is not rocket science. Defensive pessimists prepare carefully and consider what might go wrong, whether at work, on a date or even in a sports game. It makes sense to have a back-up plan. There are many sayings in English urging caution. For example, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” and “Don’t count your chickens until they hatch.” To have a confident and optimistic approach to life’s problems is good. But listen to what Woody Allen, the American comedian says, “Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem.”

There are pros and cons of being an optimist and a pessimist. Don’t feel bad if you see the glass half empty. You are a realist. But lighten up and hook up with someone who sees the same glass half full.

1. The writer would probably describe himself as ________.

A. a realist B. a scientist

C. an optimist D. an artist

2.Defensive pessimists are likely to make use of ________ to help achieve success.

A. the final outcome B. their low opinion

C. people’s motivation D. their performance

3.The underlined sentence “This is not rocket science” in Paragraph 4 means “________”.

A. it is out of the question

B. it is quite simple to understand

C. it is far beyond reach

D. it is not a worthwhile thing to do

4. Which of the following English expressions would a defensive pessimist probably believe?

A. “Every cloud has a silver lining.”

B. “Whatever will be, will be.”

C. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

D. “The glass is half full not half empty.”

Space Center Houston

1.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. It will usually take 4 to 5 hours for visitors to enjoy all the attractions.

B. Visitors to Space Center Houston can buy tickets only by calling or online.

C. Space Center Houston is suitable for families to visit together at Christmas.

D. John and his wife will spend $92 if they visit Space Center Houston in January 2015.

2.How does a visitor begin his journey into space at Space Center Houston?

A. By seeing the film On Human Destiny.

B. By visiting the real working areas.

C. By visiting Kids Space Place.

D. By taking the NASA Tram Tour.

3.At Space Center Houston, visitors can ________.

A. park the car free of charge

B. stay there for at most 5 hours

C. visit the real working areas anytime

D. shop at a 10% discount in the Gift Station

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。

To understand your child’s learning style, observe him as he plays. 1. Chances are, you’ll notice that his favorites have something in common. Perhaps they all have bright colors and different patterns or interesting shapes, or make sounds. Then look at how he plays: Does he tend to look at objects carefully or to hold and feel them in his hands? Perhaps he is less interested in toys than in rolling and moving around. 2.

Most children have a number of different intelligences and learning styles and can be engaged in a variety of ways. If you don’t see a strong preference for particular toys or games, it means that your child has more than one primary intelligence or that he isn’t old enough to have developed a strong preference. 3. By then your child will most likely respond best to specific activities and types of experiences.

4. This doesn’t mean that you have no way to help him master certain skills—almost anything can be taught in a way that works well for a specific intelligence. When you identify and respond to your child’s intelligence and learning style, you help him approach the world on his terms. 5.

A. Respecting individual intelligences and learning styles means offering your child a variety of ways to learn.

B. Which toys does he tend to choose?

C. You should not force your child to do what he doesn’t like.

D. As you play with your child, pay attention to what he is most interested in.

E. In most cases, you can begin to see a preference for particular styles at around age two.

F. Following his strengths can make mastering new skills less frustrating and can help him develop a lifelong love of learning.

G. Telling your child his learning styles is a good way to improve his studies.

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

I never looked up when my friends were talking and joking about the retarded (智障的) boy a few tables away. It didn’t even cross my mind that he might feel when people whispered about him. So I let them talk.

Then came the day when I learned my little brother Martin’s testing for autism (自闭症) came out positive (阳性). I , crying. Over time, I was able to his illness a little more. We had to move because of Martin’s treatment. So Martin and I both at a new school. One day, I was standing in the bus line waiting when a “short” bus (for the retarded) came and up some kids. The children in the other line started making about the “retarded” on that bus and I felt a feeling in my heart. I said quietly that those remarks weren’t very nice, no one listened.

My family moved again. In the new school I got a to speak up pretty soon. That day, in a band class, my teacher our playing to make some comments, “Guys, we’re playing like the kids on the short bus! Come on!” The entire room was laughing loudly. Then, I raised my hand. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say but I wanted to be . And this came out: “I don’t think we should make fun of the short bus, because there are people on that bus who have a lot in common with us and have the same feelings as we do.” I could feel my getting louder. “So I would it if you didn’t make fun of them.” The room was very quiet and everyone stared at me. My teacher for his words. At the end of the class, everyone was giving me strange looks. But I didn’t because I knew three things: I had spoken the , I had taught everyone something, and while everyone in the classroom was being a follower, I had to take a different path since I wanted to become a and a role model.

1.A. worried B. hurt C. disappointed D. confused

2.A. still B. again C. just D. seldom

3.A. wiped out B. broke out C. broke down D. calmed down

4. A. treat B. know C. bear D. accept

5.A. changed B. started C. suffered D. behaved]

6.A. set B. took C. brought D. picked

7. A. jokes B. complaints C. enquiries D. discoveries

8.A. violent B. strange C. similar D. clear

9. A. because B. if C. but D. so

10. A. chance B. position C. topic D. point

11. A. encouraged B. bothered C. enjoyed D. stopped

12.A. heard B. praised C. spotted D. taught

13. A. exactly B. slightly C. hardly D. fairly

14.A. pace B. voice C. pulse D. breath

15. A. excuse B. appreciate C. stand D. permit

16.A. apologized B. fought C. allowed D. argued

17. A. understand B. notice C. return D. care

18. A. wisdom B. reason C. matter D. truth

19.A. helped B. decided C. agreed D. hoped

20. A. reporter B. thinker C. leader D. trainer

单词或短语填空

1.My schedule is quite ____________ (灵活)—I could arrange to meet with you at any time.

2.We will ____________ (赔偿) you for any damage done to your house while we are in it.

3.Since her husband died, she has been so ____________ (抑郁) that she cries at the least thing.

4.The police will have the pictures ____________ (扩大) in order to identify the thief.

5.Tom has a ____________ (偏好) for meat rather than vegetables.

6.He had come half a dozen times to ____________ ____________ (拜访) the musician.

7.He seems strange; I don’t know what to ____________ ____________ (理解) him.

8.He ____________ the team ____________ (使失望) by not trying hard enough.

9.The excitement of moving to a new house will soon ____________ ____________ (消失).

10.Robert has ____________ ____________ (接管) the running of the family firm from his father.

单句改错

1.To tell you truth, your proposal surprised us.

2.He was too shocked that he couldn’t even say a word.

3.As well as know some Russian, she speaks English very well.

4.The news which he won the scholarship inspired us all.

5.Though facing with difficulties, Frank decided not to give up.

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。

Mr. Robinson had to travel on business. As he was in a hurry, he decided to go 1. air. When he got aboard the plane, he tried to look for 2. window seat and he found only one was left. There was a soldier 3. (sit) in the seat beside it. Mr. Robinson at once went towards it.

When he reached it, 4. , he saw that there was a notice on it. It was written in ink and said, “This seat 5. (preserve) for proper load balance, thank you.” Never 6. Mr. Robinson seen such an unusual notice in a plane before, but he thought the plane must be carrying something 7. (particular) heavy, so he walked on and found another empty seat.

Several 8. (passenger) tried the same but they also read the notice and went on. When the plane was nearly full, a very beautiful girl hurried into the plane. The soldier, 9. was watching people coming in, quickly took the notice off the seat. And 10. was in this way that he succeeded in having the company of the girl during the whole trip.