What will city life be like in the future? Some people think that life in the cities is going to be horrible. They say that cities will become more and more crowded. As the number of people increases, there will be less space for each person. This overcrowding will cause other problems — more crime, dirtier streets , and worse problems with traffic than we have now. How will people find enough drinking water, energy (such as gas and electricity ), and housing? Because life will be hard, people who live in cities will worry more, and they may become sick. For these reasons, some say that nobody will want to live in city areas.
How can we deal with such problems as overcrowding, crime, and traffic? In some cities, thousands of people are already sleeping in the streets because there is little suitable housing — and because houses are too expensive. The crime rate isn’t going down. Instead, it is increasing so fast that many people are afraid to go out at night. Traffic is also getting worse. More and more often, traffic jams are so bad that cars don’t move at all for several streets. These problems have been getting worse, not better, so many people see no hope for the future of the city.
Los Angeles, California, for example, has no subway system and buses are slow. Instead, many commuters (乘、开车上班族) drive many miles from their homes to work. Many of these drivers spend several hours each day on busy freeways. New York, however, has a big transport system — buses, commuter trains, and subways. Because the public transportation is crowded and dirty, many people drive private cars, and the traffic jams are worse than that in Los Angeles. A taxi driver complains, “I was driving home, but in forty-five minutes I moved only two miles! Finally, I turned off the engine and just sat there. A lot of people left their cars where they were in the middle of the street and went into a bar for a few beers!”
On the other hand, some cities have clean, fast and pleasant public transportation systems. In Paris, France, and Toronto, Canada, for example, anyone can use buses or subways to move quickly from one part of the city to another.
【小题1】What do some people think is the main problem of the future city like?

A．Poor housing.	B．Overcrowding.
C．Environmental pollution.	D．Traffic jams.

【小题2】The best way to work out the traffic problem in Los Angels might be _________.

A．cutting down the number of private cars

B．providing more buses in the freeway

C．building a subway system

D．persuading people to live nearer to their workplaces

【小题3】Which of the following sentences is NOT TRUE?

A．Thousands of people are already sleeping in the streets.

B．The crime rate isn’t going down.

C．The traffic jams are so bad that cars don’t move at all for several streets.

D．Many people have a positive attitude towards the future of the city.

Even if you are naturally shy, these three tricks will help you to quickly build a new social circle in any new city.
1. Take pictures
One of the great things about taking pictures at an event or party is that it gives you an excuse to get in touch with the person later. Everybody loves seeing pictures of themselves, and it’s very easy after taking a picture to say “If you’d like I can email it to you”. This can be the seed that leads to new connections. The next time you hear about a fun event email your new contacts to let them know about it.
2. Eat alone in public
You might feel self-conscious eating by yourself but it has an important benefit: you are much easier to approach when you are alone. People may be afraid of interrupting you or being rude if you are in a conversation with someone else. Bring a book or newspaper to read (this will make you feel less self-conscious). Plus, having an interesting book with you will give others an excuse to start a conversation if they’ve read it.
3. Join a class, sports team, or club
Yoga, salsa dancing, volleyball, Toastmasters (a public speaking club), a class for work, etc. Take up a new hobby or continue an old one!
These are all great places to meet new people, primarily because you will be forced to see the same people over and over again in the class. You will automatically make friends with them if you have a common interest and are forced to see each other again.
Tips:
* In the beginning, never turn down an invitation from someone, even if it’s something you wouldn’t normally do.
* Email your new friends with fun things to do instead of always asking what their plans are. If they have a better plan you can drop yours and join them. This will help establish you as someone who is contributing value instead of just taking it (people want this in a friend).
* Don’t let little things in life upset you or be a negative person. People don’t want to be around someone like that!
【小题1】________ can give you an excuse to start new connections.

A．Taking pictures of others

B．Eating by yourself in public

C．Reading interesting books

D．Joining group activities

【小题2】When having meals, you’d better ________ if you want to make new friends. 

A．approach others to show conscious friendliness

B．start a conversation with those who have friends aside

C．invite others to your apartment to eat together

D．sit on your own in public places

【小题3】According to the text, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an advantage of joining a class?

A．It helps you find out people who share a common interest with you.

B．It helps you find out your interest and take up a new hobby.

C．It offers an opportunity to meet the same people repeatedly.

D．It is a good way to meet new people and make friends in a new city.

【小题4】Which of the following pieces of advice is a tip from the text?

A．Try to be outgoing and talkative instead of being shy.

B．Never turn down an invitation from your friends.

C．Offer suggestions on how to spend time together.

D．Always give a positive response to any request.

【小题5】By writing the text, the author intends to tell us ________.

A．why you should change when you move to a new city

B．how you can make new friends in a new city

C．why you should make new friends in a new city

D．how you can keep in touch with strangers

Peter and his seven-year-old sister ,Kate , were at the same school. Not long after his tenth birthday Peter was entrusted to take her to school.
It was only two stops down the road , but the way his parents kept going on about it , you might have thought Peter was taking Kate to the North Pole . He was given instructions the night before. When he woke up , he had to listen to them over and over again. He was to keep hold of Kate’s hand at all times , sit close to the front nearest the window , and tell the bus driver the name of his stop.
Peter repeated all this back to his mother and set out for the bus stop with his sister. They held hands all the way. Actually he didn’t mind this but simply hoped that none of his friends would see him holding a girl’s hand. The bus came. They got on and sat close to the front. It was ridiculous sitting there holding hands and there were some boys from school there, so they let go of each other.
Peter was feeling proud of himself. He could take care of his sister anywhere. If they were alone tighter on a mountain pass and came face to face with a pack of hungry wolves, he could know exactly what to do. Taking care and not to make sudden movement, he would move away with Kate until they had their backs to a large rock. That way the wolves would not be able to surround them.
Then he takes from his pocket two important things—his hunting knife and a box of matches. He takes the knife from its sheath(鞘) and sets it down on the grass, ready in case the wolves attack. They’re coming close now. They’re so hungry and are watering and growling (咆哮). Kate is crying, but he cannot comfort her. He knows he has to concentrate on his plan. Right at their feet are some dry leaves and twigs. Quickly and skillfully, Peter gathers them into a small pile. The wolves are edging closer. He has to get this right. There’s only one match left in the box. He bends down, cups his hand and lights the match. There’s strong rush of wind. The flame flickers, but Peter holds it close to the pile and then first one leaf, then another, then the end of a twig catch fire, and soon the little pile is burning. He piles on more leaves and twigs and larger sticks. The wolves are backing off. Wild animals are terrified of fire. The flames are leaping higher and the wind is carrying the smoke right into their jaws. Now Peter takes holds of the hunting knife and …
Ridiculous! A daydream like this could make him miss his stop if he wasn’t careful. The bus had come to a halt. The kids from his school were already getting off. Peter leaped to his feet and just managed to jump to the pavement as the bus was starting off again. It was more than fifty yards down the road when he realized he had forgotten something. Was it his backpack ? No. It was his sister. He had saved her from the wolves and left her sitting there. For a moment, he couldn’t move. He stood watching the bus pull away up the road. “Come back,” he murmured, “Come back.”
【小题1】Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Kate didn’t know their destination at all.

B．Peter and Kate missed their stop in the end.

C．Peter is thought to take Kate to the North Pole.

D．Mother asked Peter to hold Kate’s hand all the way.

【小题2】Before getting on the bus, ________.

A．Peter and Kate let go of each other

B．Peter was told instructions twice

C．Peter recited the instructions to his mother

D．Peter managed to avoid meeting his friends

【小题3】Which of the following shows the right order of Peter fighting against the wolves?
a. gather dry leaves and twigs into a small pile
b. take out his hunting knife and matches
c. light the leaves and twigs
d. move carefully with back to a rock
e. attack wolves with knife
f. strike a match
g. pile more leaves and sticks

A．d-b-f-c-a-e-g

B．d-b-a-f-c-g-e

C．B-f-a-g-c-e-d

D．A-g-b-c-f-e-d

【小题4】What can we infer from the passage?

A．Peter felt anxious and helpless when the bus left.

B．Peter succeeded in fighting against wolves.

C．Kate would be absent from school that day.

D．Peter brought hunting knife and matches with him.

From the outer of New York to the heart of Singapore, nature is everywhere you're not looking in some of Earth's most crowded big cities. Outdoor adventure is often just a few stops on the train - or a short drive- away from the annoying crowds.  Here are a few favorites to get you going:
Mount Hollywood Trail, Los Angeles
It's not a skyscraper or a Ferris wheel, and there's no expensive restaurant up top. But if you want an absolutely unforgettable, no-admission-charged, 360-degree view of the entire Los Angeles region , it's yours. All you have to do is walk a little. One of the preferred exercise routes, the Mount Hollywood Trail, is easily accessed from the parking lot of the famous Griffith Observatory; you see what you get at the end of this steep 1.5-mile trail, which winds its way through the Griffith Park wilds up to the mountain's 1,640-foot peak.
Bronx River, New York
It may not be on your Top 10 list of things to do when you finally get to the Big Apple, but exploring the almost-secret river that flows through one of New York's most mysterious boroughs (自治市) is an unforgettable experience. The Bronx River Alliance, a non-profit group that has worked tirelessly to bring the much-abused river back to life , operates cycling and canoeing trips along the river, from the rugged Hunts Point section down near the harbor on up through the borough.
Southern Islands, Singapore
Believe it or not, tightly packed Singapore does have plenty of open space left . There are actual trails right in the middle of everything, if you know where to look . But to really get away from it all, the Southern Islands, a small group of little green dots just off the city-state's southern shoreline, are just the thing.
Lee Valley, London
This East London river valley changed last summer, when anyone near a television got an eyeful of Olympic Park, built directly in the middle of the valley. Inside the park, beautifully landscaped sections quickly became a favorite relaxation spot for games goers. At present, you'll find miles of walking paths worth exploring. Start at the Waltham Cross train and follow the signposted walking route southbound, guiding you past important historic industrial areas, through interesting city neighborhoods, past the western side of Olympic Park and on to the Thames.
【小题1】If someone wants to enjoy an unforgettable experience for free , he can go to ______.

A．Mount Hollywood Trail and Bronx River

B．Mount Hollywood Trail and Southern Islands

C．Lee Valley and Southern Islands

D．Bronx River and Lee Valley

【小题2】The writer of the passage wants to ________.

A．inform the readers that nature exists in crowded big cities

B．appeal to more people to outdoor adventure

C．recommend several historical spots to readers

D．present various approach to outdoor adventure

【小题3】We know from the passage ________.

A．it’s difficult to find a proper trail in packed Singapore

B．the Thames is not far away from the East London river valley

C．The Bronx River Alliance has succeeded in running the river

D．you may have trouble reaching the Mount Hollywood Trail

Dear Aunty,
After years of her crying. I finally gave in and allowed my daughter to have a cat. I now regret my decision. As someone needs to have a clean, tidy house, I no longer feel relaxed in my own home. If I tell her, “sorry, the cat has to go.” She will be heartbroken. What can I do?
-Feline Phobic
Dear Phobic,
I’m an animal lover and on your kid’s and cat’s side. Tell your daughter your problem. Ask her to help you come up with a plan. Perhaps you can agree to allow the cat only in certain areas of the house. This is a chance for your daughter to develop the sense of responsibility owning a pet requires.
Dear Aunty,
I got the highest grade on a biology test. Now the popular kids think I’m brainy, and want me in their lab group. I knew I was being used. Now, they want my homework. What should I do?
-Lily
Dear Lily.
Popularity can come at a price, but it’s no excuse to cheat. Offer to help new friends with their homework, but don’t give them yours.
Dear Aunty,
I’m one of six assistants in a dental(牙科的) office. But I’m new-there just four months. I’ve tried to join conversations, but they just ignore me. They go shopping together. No one invites me. How can I break into the circle?
-Crystal
Dear Crystal,
Humans run in packs like dogs. When a new dog enters the pack, a lot of discovery goes on. So bring cookies for everyone! Then try making friends with one co-worker. Invite her to lunch. When you get familiar with each other, tell her how hard you’re finding the situation at work. chances are, she’ll take you under her wing.
【小题1】Aunty thinks that Phobic should        .

A．try to persuade her daughter to give in.

B．spend more time cleaning the house.

C．ask her daughter to help tidy up

D．find a better way to keep the cat.

【小题2】The underlined word “brainy” in the passage means        .

A．excited

B．friendly

C．intelligent

D．hard-working

【小题3】According to the passage,       .

A．Phobic can’t get along well with her daughter.

B．Aunty is fond of animals like cats.

C．Crystal’s coworkers are cheating her.

D．Lily has no interest in lab experiments.

My friend, Emma Daniels, spent the summer of 1974 traveling in Israel. During her month-long stay in Jerusalem she often went to a café called Chocolate Soup. It was run by two men, one of whom—Alex—used to live in Montreal. One morning when Emma went in for coffee, while chatting with her new friend Alex, she mentioned that she had just finished the book she was reading and had nothing else to read. Alex said he had a wonderful book she might like, and that he’d be happy to lend it to her. As he lived just above the café, he quickly ran up to get it. The book he handed to Emma just minutes later was Markings, a book by a former Secretary— General of the United Nations (UN).
Emma had never read it, nor had she ever bought a copy. But, when she opened it up, she was floored to see her own name and address inside the cover in her own handwriting. It turned out that the summer before, at a concert back in Montreal, Emma had met a Californian who was in town visiting friends. They decided to exchange addresses, but neither of them had any paper. The man opened up a book he was carrying in his backpack(背包) and asked Emma to write her name and address inside. When he returned to California, he left the book behind in Montreal, and his friend Alex kept it. When Alex later moved to Jerusalem, he took the book along.
【小题1】Alex lent Emma the book, Markings,         .

A．to show his friendliness to her

B．to show his interest in reading

C．to tell her about the importance of the UN

D．to let her write her name and address inside

【小题2】How did Emma feel the moment she opened the book?

A．Pleased.

B．Satisfied

C．Worried.

D．Surprised.

【小题3】We can learn from the text that the Californian       .

A．met Emma at a concert	B．invited Emma to a concert
C．introduced Emma to his friend	D．left Emma his backpack

【小题4】Who was supposed to be the first owner of the book?

A．An official of the UN.	B．A coffee shop owner.
C．A friend of the author’s.	D．Alex’s friend from California.

To: "The Shoe People" <inquiries@shoepeople.com>
From: "John Trimbald" <jtconstruction@img.com>
Subject: Customer Complaint
To Whom it May Concern,
I have trusted the Shoe People to protect the feet of my employees for over ten years now. I recently purchased a few pairs of boots from your company for my crew. Though my men were initially satisfied with the boots, the soles began to fall apart on them after just twelve weeks. This was extremely surprising considering they came with a six year warranty. The boots are unsafe to wear because my men are pouring hot concrete. Please respond as soon as possible with instructions on how I can return the boots and receive a refund.
Thank you,
John Trimbald, Foreman, JT Construction
To: “John Trimbald” <jtconstruction @ img. com>
From: “The Shoe People” <inquiries @ shoepeople. com>
Dear Mr. Trimbald,
Thank you for your e-mail concerning the poor quality of our rubber soled black workboots. A representative will be by your office next week to pick up the damaged boots. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you and your crew.
Along with five new pairs of workboots for your crew (we included one extra pair), we have enclosed a free year's supply of sole protector spray. In our retail stores, this spray is always recommended to buyers who work on heated floors. This should have been brought to your attention at the time of your initial order. Please excuse our oversight.
To date we have had no complaints about these workboots from customers who have used the protector spray. However, should you use the spray and find that you are still unsatisfied with the boots, please return the boots and spray for a full refund. Thank you for supporting The Shoe People. Have a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Stan Mason, President
【小题1】The first email is basically an email of        .

A．apology

B．sympathy

C．appreciation

D．complaint

【小题2】What’s wrong with the boots John Trimbald bought?

A．The soles of the boots began to fall apart.

B．The color of the boots had shaded a lot.

C．The boots didn’t fit the workers well.

D．The patterns of the boots didn’t satisfy the workers.

【小题3】What is the underlined word “spray” used for according to the passage?

A．To repair the damaged boots.	B．To protect the soles from heat.
C．To prevent the crew from danger.	D．To protect the boots from concrete.

【小题4】According to the president of The Shoe People, John Trimbald        .

A．can exchange the damaged boots with new ones at any time

B．must return the damaged boots to any of the retail stores

C．will get new pairs of boots and a free year’s supply of spray

D．can return the damaged boots and spray for a full refund now

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处得最佳选项。选项中有两项是多余选项。请将选项写到答题纸上。
It is said that there are about 40,000 different kinds of jobs in the world. 【小题1】“Finding a job ”is not the same as “choosing a job”. Many young people end up in a job which they are not suitable for . 【小题2】 Here are a few steps to help you think about jobs which you might enjoy doing after school or university.
First , it is important to realize what kind of person you are, which special qualities make you different from everyone else and what you are interested in . 【小题3】If you like art and enjoy looking at pictures, this is an interest. But if you can draw a horse that looks like a horse instead of a big dog, that is a skill.
Then ask yourself this question: in the following three areas----skills with people, skills with  information and skills with things-----which are your best skills?
After examining your skills, the next step is research. To find out as many different kinds of jobs as possible, go to the library and read books, magazines and newspapers. 【小题4】
Finally, trust your own ideas and your own thinking! 【小题5】

A．It is your own life, so find something that you enjoy doing.

B．Choosing the right one itself is a difficult job.

C．We must know what our ideal jobs are.

D．There is a difference between an interest and a skill

E. Ask your friends about the work they they do.
F. “Chance” may play a more important part than “decision”.
G. Your parents may also give you some useful advice.

When I was 11, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings(缺点). Week by week her list grew: I was very thin, I wasn’t a good student, I talked too much, I was too proud, and so on. I tried to hear all this as long as I could. In the end, I became so angry that I ran to my father with tears in my eyes.
He listened to me quietly, then he asked. “Are the things she says true or not? Janet, didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like? Well, you now have that girl’s opinion. Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said.” I did as he told me. To my great surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true. Some of them I couldn’t change (like being very thin), but a good number I could—and suddenly I wanted to change. For the first time I go to fairly clear picture of myself.
I brought the list back to Dad. He refused to take it.” That’s just for you,” he said.
“You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. But you have to learn to listen, not just close your ears in anger and feeling hurt. When something said about you is true, you’ll find it will be of help to you. Our world is full of people who think they know your duty. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you know is the right thing to do.”
Daddy’s advice has returned to me at many important moments. In my life, I’ve never had a better piece of advice.
【小题1】What did the father do after he had heard his daughter’s complaint? 

A．He told her not to pay any attention to what her” enemy” had said.

B．He criticized (批评) her and told her to overcome her shortcomings.

C．He told her to write down all that her” enemy” had said about her and pay attention only to the things that were true.

D．He refused to take the list and have a look at it.

【小题2】What does “Week by week her list grew” mean? 

A．Week by week, my shortcomings grew more serious.

B．She had made a list of my shortcomings and she kept on adding new ones to it so that it was growing longer and longer.

C．I was having more and more shortcomings as time went on.

D．Week by week she discovered more shortcomings of mine and pointed them out to me.

【小题3】Why did her father listen to her quietly? 

A．Because he wasn’t quite sure which girl was telling the truth.

B．Because he had been so angry with his daughter’s shortcomings that he wanted to show this by keeping silent for a while.

C．Because he knew that his daughter would not listen to him at that moment.

D．Because he believed that what her daughter’s “enemy” said was mostly true.

【小题4】Which do you think would be the best title for this passage? 

A．The Best Advice I’ve Ever Had

B．Not an Enemy,but the Best Friend

C．My Father

D．My Childhood

My problems started after I went to a boarding(寄宿) school. I was only 14, and at first I misses my family a lot. I often called them and cried on the phone. But after two weeks, I found I enjoyed being with my classmates at school. I had many friends who were boys. I thought of them as my best friends – but only friends. I never guessed my friendships with boys would become a problem.
Then, three months later, my friends told me that some teachers and girls said I was hanging out with boys all day long in order to get attention from them. Seven months after that, the head teacher Mr. Wang asked the class to choose some students to join the Student Union. I thought I could win for I was doing well in school. I’d already won prizes for the best math and English exams. A week later, the list came out and it didn’t include me. I was sad.
Mr. Wang came to me and said, “Don’t be sad. I know you’re excellent! Maybe you are a little distant from the girls in our class. They don’t know much about you, so some of them didn’t choose you. It doesn’t matter. Do your best to get along well with everyone and I think you’ll make it next time.”
【小题1】What was the writer’s problem when she first entered the boarding school?

A．She didn’t like her new school.

B．She didn’t get along well with her classmates.

C．She missed her family very much.

D．She didn’t like her new teacher.

【小题2】Many of the writer’s friends in her new school were _______.

A．teachers

B．boys

C．girls

D．women

【小题3】Why did the writer fail to join the Student Union?

A．Her teachers didn’t like her.	B．She was a poor student.
C．Some girls didn’t choose her.	D．She likes showing off herself.

【小题4】The underlined word “distant” means “______” in English.

A．estranged(疏远的)	B．aggressive(好斗的)
C．warm-hearted	D．rude

【小题5】Which of the following is NOT true, according to the passage?

A．The writer won prizes for the best science and English exams.

B．The writer didn’t realize that her friendships with boys would cause problems.

C．The writer was sad because she failed to join the Student Union.

D．The teacher thought she was an excellent student.