The "aha moment"(顿悟时刻) for Arjun Nagendran came one recent afternoon while he was cleaning up the muddy paw prints, and his pet dog, Rocky, was tracking across the house "again".
    "Why not make shoes for dogs?" the 10-year-old boy thought. For most kids, the moment might have
ended right here. But for Arjun and five of his classmates from Littleton School, an accidental idea proved
talent when they won first place at the first-ever Student Inventors Day at the Liberty Science Center in
Jersey City. The winning invention, "Green Paws"-an eco-friendly dog shoe made from bark, three leaves and recycled rubber-got the group a $1,000 prize, two television appearances and a shot at being the
next "As Seen on TV" hit product.
    More than 20 schools, most of them from New Jersey, gathered at the center to show their green
inventions. Each team had 10 minutes to introduce their inventions to the judges. In the end, the chief
judge Khubani announced that it was the Green Paws product that stood out, particularly because his
company had been looking into the very idea of how to keep paws clean.
    Pet products are usually popular sellers, he said, noting that his company has marked four new pet
inventions this year alone. And while his senior managers had put forward the idea of new paw wipes,
they had never thought of pet shoes, he said.
    "We thought about cleaning pets' paws, but we never thought about keeping them clean in the first
place." Khubani said after the event. "They actually have an idea that is marketable." The company will
begin conducting market research on Green Paws this week, he said. But Arjun and his team will have to
put off another day before they receive congratulations from their classmates.

1.What is the direct reason for Arjun's inventing "Green Paws"?

A. That his school inspired students to join in the invention competition
B. That Khubani's company invited him and his classmates to invent it
C. That his pet dog made the floor dirty with dirty paws
D. That his parents encouraged him to be a great inventor

2.The underlined sentence in Paragraph2 may mean ____________.

A. not all children are talented because of IQ
B. most children think twice before taking action
C. most children end their fresh ideas with actions
D. most children don't translate their ideas into action

3. What does the forth paragraph aim to tell us?

A. To prove Arjun's idea is marketable.
B. To praise Arjun's talent in invention.
C. To complain his employees are not creative.
D. To explain what is the "aha" moment.

4. Why will Khubani's company carry out market research on "Green Paws"?

A. They plan to give Arjun and his classmates more prizes
B. They hope to produce more "Paws" to make profits
C. They hope to ensure the fairness of the competition
D. They plan to find the carbon footprint of "Green Paws"

     Are some people born clever, and others born stupid? Or is intelligence developed by our
environment and our experiences? Strangely enough, the answer to both these questions is yes.
To some degree our intelligence is given to us at birth, and no amount of special education can
make a genius (天才) out of a child born with low intelligence. On the other hand, a child who
lives in a boring environment will develop his intelligence less than one who lives in rich and varied
surroundings. Thus the limits of a person's intelligence are fixed at birth, but whether or not he
reaches those limits will depend on his environment. This view, now held by most experts can be
supported in a number of ways.
     It is easy to say that intelligence is to some degree something we are born with. The closer the
blood relationship between two people, the closer they are likely to be in intelligence. Thus if we
take two unrelated people at random from the population, it is likely that their degrees of intelligence
will be completely different. If on the other hand we take two identical twins, they will very likely
be as intelligent as each other. Relations like brothers and sisters, parents and children, usually have
similar intelligence, and this clearly suggests that intelligence depends on birth.
     Imagine that now we take two identical twins and put them in different environments. We might
send one, for example, to a university and the other to a factory where the work is boring. We
would soon find differences in intelligence developing, and this indicates that environment as well as
birth plays a part. This conclusion is also suggested by the fact that people who live in close contact
with each other, but who are not related at all, are likely to have similar degrees of intelligence.

1. By using the example that two people closer in blood relationship are closer in intelligence, the
    writer wants to prove _________.

A. intelligence is given at birth
B. intelligence can be developed by environment
C. intelligence can be developed by experience
D. education plays an important part in the development of education

2. A child who lives in rich and varied surroundings turns out higher in intelligence because ________.

A. his family is rich and therefore can afford to develop his intelligence
B. he can break the limits of intelligence fixed at birth
C. his family is rich and provides him with various healthy food
D. these surroundings are likely to help him reach the limits of their intelligence

3. The writer of this article believes that _________.

A. the development of one's intelligence is determined by many things working together
B. environment plays the most important role in the development of intelligence
C. education plays the most important role in the development of intelligence
D. birth plays the most important role in the development of intelligence

4. The best title for this passage might be __________.

A. The Answer to a Question  
B. Birth and Environment
C. Intelligence
D. Intelligence and Education

      No one wants to be tested. We would all like to get a driver' s license without answering questions
about rights of way or showing that we can parallel park a car. Many future lawyers and doctors
probably wish they could join their profession without taking an exam.
     But tests and standards are a necessary fact of life. They protect us from unskilled drivers, harmful
products and dishonest professionals. In schools too exams play a constructive role. They tell public
officials whether new school programs are making a difference and where new investments are likely to
pay off. They tell teachers what their students have learned -- and have not. They tell parents how their
children are doing compared with others of their age. They encourage students to make more effort.
     It is important to recall that for most of this century, educators used intelligence tests to decide which
children should get a high - quality education. The point of IQ testing was to find out how much children
were capable of learning rather than to test what they had actually learned. Based on IQ scores, millions
of children were assigned to dumbed-down programs instead of solid courses in science, math, history,
literature and foreign language.
     This history reminds us that tests should be used to improve education. Every child should have access
to a high-quality education. Students should have full opportunity to learn what will be tested; otherwise
their scores will merely reflect whether they come from an educated family.
     In the past few years, we have seen the enormous benefits that flow to disadvantaged students
because of the information provided by state tests. Those who fall behind are now getting extra instruction
in after-school classes and summer programs. In their efforts to improve student performance, states are
increasing teachers' salaries, testing new teachers and insisting on better teacher education.
     Performance in education means the mastery of both knowledge and skills. This is why it is reasonable
to test teachers to make sure they know their subject matter, as well as how to teach it to young children. And this is why it is reasonable to assess whether students are ready to advance to the next grade or
graduate from high school.

1. According to the passage, school exams enable ______.

A. teachers to understand if their students have made efforts
B. parents to compare their kids' behavior across schools
C. students to meet their teachers' requirements
D. governments to make right policies

2. "Dumbed - down programs" in Paragraph 3 refer to the programs which       .

A. lead to high-quality education  
B. are less academically challenging
C. are intended for intelligent students        
D. enable children to make steady progress

3. Which of the following does the author probably agree with?

A. Disadvantaged students can benefit from state tests.
B. Tests should focus on what students have actually learned.
C. Intelligent tests decide if children should get a high - quality education.
D. Intelligent tests are helpful in separating excellent students from poor ones.

4. What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To re-assess the value of IQ testing.
B. To defend the role of testing in education.
C. To explain what high-quality education means.
D. To call for thorough and complete reform in education.

     Friendship Day truly calls for celebrations and is the perfect occasion to let your friends know how
important they are and how cherished their friendship is. It is celebrated all over the world with much
delight. Today the celebrations have gained so much popularity. In case you are thinking of how to
celebrate Friendship Day, you will find many Friendship Day celebration ideas given below.
     Camping Out
     Take your friends along and plan a camping trip. Explore the outdoors with your friends and you can
do plenty of activities like having a bonfire, go hiking, etc. Camping out in the open environment will make
sure you have plenty of time in hand and have fun exploring new things together.
     Organize a Friendship Day Party
     It is the time to celebrate and show everyone how special your friend is. Organize a party for the sake
of friendship. Raise a toast for your friendship and prepare everything that your friend likes. Your friend
will not forget this party for a lifetime!
     Catch up on a Movie
     What a good way to celebrate Friendship Day by watching a nice movie together with friends! If
there is a good movie playing in the theaters, you can go there with your friends and also have lunch or
dinner outside. If not, then you can get some cute movie DVDs on friendship and watch it at the comfort
of your home.
     Recollect Old Memories
     Call your friends over and go through your albums. Recollect fond memories of childhood and how
you became friends. Take a walk down the nostalgic lane and recollect fond memories like your first fights,
amusing sleepovers, or your first movie together, etc.

1. The text is to tell us ______.

A. some suggestions on how to make friends
B. some advice on how to celebrate Friendship Day
C. some advice on how to spend holidays
D. some suggestions on how to celebrate festivals

2. Why does the Friendship Day truly call for celebrations?

A. Because it is a traditional day dating back to the old days.
B. Because it is a rule which was made by the government.
C. Because all friends like to do it and they can enjoy themselves.
D. Because it is a perfect way to show how cherished their friendship is.

3. _____ ways are suggested in the text.

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

4. If we want to recollect old memories, we can ______.

A. organize a party
B. see a film with friends
C. plan a camping trip
D. go through albums with friends

                                                            Open Letter to an Editor
     I had an interesting conversation with a reporter recently-one who works for you. In fact, he's one of your
best reporters. He wants to leave.
     Your reporter gave me a copy of his resume (简历) and photocopies of six stories that he wrote for you.
The headlines showed you played them proudly. With great enthusiasm, he talked about how he finds issues (问
题), approaches them, and writes about them, which tells me he is one of your best. I'm sure you would hate
to lose him. Surprisingly, your reporter is not unhappy. In fact, he told me he really likes his job. He has a great
assignment (分工), and said you run a great paper. It would be easy for you to keep him, he said. He knows
that the paper values him. He appreciates the responsibility you've given him, takes ownership of his profession,
and enjoys his freedom.
     So why is he looking for a way out?
     He talked to me because he wants his editors to demand so much more of him. He wants to be pushed,
challenged, coached to new heights.
     The reporter believes that good stories spring from good questions, but his editors usually ask how long the
story will be, when it will be in, where it can play, and what the budget is.
     He longs for conversations with an editor who will help him turn his good ideas into great ones. He wants
someone to get excited about what he's doing and to help him turn his story idea upside down and inside out,
exploring the best ways to report it. He wants to be more valuable for your paper. That's what you want for
him, too, isn't it?
     So your reporter has set me thinking.
     Our best hope in keeping our best reporters, copy editors, photographers, artists-everyone-is to work
harder to make sure they get the help they are demanding to reach their potential. If we can't do it, they'll find
someone who can.

1. What does the writer think of the reporter?

A. Optimistic.
B. Imaginative.
C. Ambitious.
D. Proud.

2. What does the reporter want most from his editors in their talks?

A. Finding the news value of his stories.
B. Giving him financial support.
C. Helping him to find issues.
D. Improving his good ideas.

3. Who probably wrote the letter?

A. An editor.
B. An artist.
C. A reporter.
D. A reader.

4. The letter aims to remind editors that they should _____.

A. keep their best reporters at all costs
B. give more freedom to their reporters
C. be aware of their reporters' professional development
D. appreciate their reporters' working styles and attitudes