Liverpool, my hometown, is a unique city. It is so unique that in 2004 it became a World Heritage Site.
　　I recently returned to my home city and my first stop was at a museum on the River Mersey. Blanketed in mist(薄雾), Victorian architecture rose from the banks of the river, responded to the sounds of sea-birds, and appeared unbelievably charming. When I headed toward the centre, I found myself surrounded by buildings that mirror the best palaces of Europe. It is not hard to imagine why, on first seeing the city, most visitors would be overpowered by the beauty of the noble buildings, which are solid signs of Liverpool’s history.
　　As if to stress its cultural role, Liverpool has more museums and galleries(美术馆) than most cities in Britain. At Walker Art Gallery, I was told that it has the best collections of Victorian paintings in the world, and is the home of modern art in the north of England. However, culture is more than galleries. Liverpool offers many music events. As Britain’s No.1 music city, it has the biggest city music festival in Europe, and its musicians are famous all over the world. Liverpool is also well-known for its football and other sports events. Every year, the Mersey River Festival attracts thousands of visitors, making the city a place of wonder.
　　As you would expect from such a city, there are restaurants serving food from around the world. When my trip was about to complete, I chose to rest my legs in Liverpool’s famous Philharmonic pub(酒馆). It is a monument to perfection, and a heritage attraction itself.
　　Being a World Heritage Site, my home city is certainly a place of “outstanding universal value”. It is a treasure house with plenty of secrets for the world to explore.
【小题1】Visitors who see the city for the first time would be deeply impressed by________

A．its charming banks	B．its famous museums
C．its wonderful palaces	D．its attractive buildings

【小题2】The third paragraph is developed mainly by______

A．providing different examples	B．following the order of space
C．making comparisons	D．analyzing causes

【小题3】What is the passage mainly about?

A．The universal value of the world heritage in Liverpool

B．The exciting experience of the author in Liverpool

C．The special cultural atmosphere of Liverpool

D．The beautiful historic sites of Liverpool

In 1933 an unknown American called Clarence Nash went to see the film-maker Walt Disney. He had unusual voice and he wanted to do work in Disney’s cartoon films for children. When Walt Disney heard Nash’s voice, he said, “Stop! That’s our duck!”
The duck was the now-famous Donald Duck, who first appeared in1934 in the film The Wise Little Hen. Donald lived in an old houseboat and wore his sailor jacket and hat. Later that year he became a star after an eight-minute Mickey Mouse film. The cinema audiences liked him because he was lazy and greedy, and because he lost his temper very quickly. And they loved his voice, when he became angry with Mickey’s eight nephews. Soon Donald was more popular than Mickey Mouse himself, probably because he wasn’t goody-goody like Mickey.
In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Donald and his friends Mickey, Goofy and Pluto make hundreds of Disney cartoons. He also made educational films about the place of the USA in the world, and safety in the home. Then in 1966 Donald Duck and his voice disappeared—there were no more new cartoons.
Clarence Nash died in February, 1985. But today’s children can still see the old cartoons on television and hear that famous voice.
【小题1】Walt Disney ______.

A．played the part of Donald Duck	B．made Donald Duck films
C．had Donald Duck’s voice	D．drew cartoons

【小题2】Walt Disney chose Clarence Nash ______.

A．because his voice was right for Mickey Mouse

B．because his voice was right for the duck in a new cartoon film

C．because he was fond of playing jokes

D．because he was quite humorous

【小题3】 The first Donald Duck film ______ .

A．appeared in 1934	B．was shown in 1933
C．was greatly appreciated in 1966	D．was popular in 1930

【小题4】Which of the following in NOT true?

A．Clarence Nash had Donald Duck’s voice.

B．People liked Donald Duck better because he was lazy and greedy and became angry quickly.

C．Donald Duck’s voice disappeared in 1966.

D．Mickey Mouse wasn’t a goody-goody.

Deciding which English-speaking country to study in wasn’t difficult for Ann; She had always wanted to visit America. “I wanted to study in an  English-language country and I always wanted to visit America because it always seemed to me a very beautiful and friendly country.” Ann is more than happy with the quality of the education she is receiving in America, particularly with the subjects and strong academic support.“ I am very happy with the quality of education I am receiving. All my subjects are useful and connected. I am happy with help I receive from the lecturers and tutors.”
Also of particular satisfaction for Ann is the practical element of her American course. “I find it very important and useful. The theory is a good thing to know but nothing gives you more skills and knowledge than practical work.”
Where her future employment is concerned, Ann is very confident her American qualification will be of great help. “I know that getting a degree here is a good thing for my future; it can open many doors in Poland or anywhere  else in the world.”
Ann is also really enjoying life in America; She is making friends and taking time out to enjoy herself. “People are very friendly and helpful. University is a good place to find new friends from America and from overseas. It is a friendly environment with lots of things to do, not only studying. And of course there are the beaches, not to mention the beautiful weather.”
【小题1】The purpose of writing this passage is to _________.

A．tell us Ann’s decision to settle in America

B．tell us Ann is accustomed to life in America

C．introduce Ann’s happy study and life in America

D．introduce more about Ann to help her make friends

【小题2】Why did Ann decide to study in America?

A．Her parents persuaded her to do so.

B．She has relatives and best friends here.

C．Her boyfriend was studying here too then.

D．She has dreamed of studying here for long.

【小题3】What makes Ann particularly satisfied in America?

A．The comfortable climate and easy lifestyle.

B．The help from her host families and teachers.

C．The American courses have more practical elements.

D．The friends here are mostly from English-speaking countries.

Two weeks after the opening ceremony, the Games are over. The last of the three hundred gold medals has been awarded and the flags of the winners have been raised for the last time.
The final event is the closing ceremony. This occasion is always sad and happy at the same time. It is a sad occasion because the tremendous excitement is over, and it will not happen again for four years. Those who have made friends will have to say goodbye, perhaps for ever. It is also a happy occasion because the competition is over and the athletes can really show their friendship for one another.
The closing ceremony is rather like the opening. But now the Olympic flame goes out and the Olympic flag, with its five rings, is lowered. The person who closes the Games calls upon the youth of the world to meet again in four years’ time. The scoreboard lights up with the name of the city for the next Games and the band starts to play. Then the celebration starts.
All the athletes try to be at the closing ceremony. They have forgotten all their fears and worries. It does not matter whether they have done well or not. All the teams walk round the stadium together. Everybody is laughing and joking. The band plays and people start to dance.
After that, everybody in the Village clears up and gets ready to leave. Everyone is hunting for souvenirs. People exchange track suits, hats, running vests and badges. There is a last chance to take photographs and get addresses of new friends. Then each team starts its journey home.
【小题1】The last event of the Olympic Games is ______.

A．to award the last gold medal	B．to raise the flags of the winners for the last time
C．to hunt for souvenirs	D．the closing ceremony

【小题2】At the closing ceremony, it is found that ______.

A．all are called on to meet again in four years’ time

B．there is no music

C．the name of the city for the next Games is showed

D．Olympic flame is taken out of the stadium

【小题3】Which of the following statements is TRUE about the athletes at the closing ceremony?

A．All of them are not present at the ceremony.

B．They are competitors rather than friends.

C．They can’t help worrying about losing the games.

D．They exchange clothes for fun.

【小题4】 The underlined phrase “ clear up” in the last paragraph means ________.

A．pack up

B．go away

C．make clear

D．do the cleaning

HARVARD UNIVERSITY
                                 
Office of Admissions
Financial Aid
Our goal in admissions and financial aid is clear: We want to bring the best people to Harvard, regardless of their ability to pay — and we do. About 70 percent of our students receive some form of aid, with over 60 percent receiving need–based scholarships.
Two principles guide us:
· Admission to Harvard is need-blind, by which we mean that financial need is not a barrier to admission. International students have the same access to financial aid as United States citizens.
· Financial aid at Harvard is entirely need–based and we are committed to meeting the demonstrated need of all students. Students apply for aid annually and every year we review our financial aid program, considering such things as any changed student or family circumstances, university resources, and demand.
Removing Economic Barriers
In the past decade we have increased financial aid for low and middle income families by over 180%. No contribution is expected from parents with incomes under $65,000. Beginning with the class of 2016, those parents with annual incomes between $65,000 and $150,000 are asked to contribute from zero to ten percent of their income. Some families with incomes above $150,000 still qualify for aid. Families at all incomes who have significant assets（资产）will continue to pay more than those in less fortunate circumstances. Students are also asked to contribute to the cost of their education through term-time and summer work.
Families with higher incomes facing unusual financial challenges may also qualify for need–based scholarship assistance, yet those with significant assets at all income levels are asked to contribute proportionately（成比例的）more.
Our financial aid program includes an array of financing options beyond our need–based scholarship program, such as a parent monthly payment plan, various loan programs and the opportunity to pre–pay tuition for four years at a student’s freshman year rate.
There are also other forms of financial assistance such as the Faculty Aide Program, the Harvard College Research Program and the Dean’s Summer Research Program that enable students to create paid partnerships with teachers on academic projects of mutual interest. Over two-thirds of Harvard students choose to work during their time in Cambridge and gain valuable job experience working in a wide array of University settings, including our libraries, dining halls, museums and academic departments.
We hope you will visit our websites for a fuller description of our comprehensive program of financial assistance.
【小题1】Admission to Harvard is need-blind in that _______.

A．Harvard does take into account students’ economic situations

B．Students’ ability to pay does not affect their admissions to Harvard

C．Students need to pay big money to Harvard after they are admitted

D．The majority of students in Harvard do not need financial aids

【小题2】Based on the requirements above, we can learn that _______.

A．parents with annual incomes of over $ 150,000 needn’t contribute

B．financial aids are not intended for families with higher incomes

C．wealthier families are expected to contribute more to Harvard

D．students are not encouraged to pay the cost of their education

【小题3】In what way can students get financial assistance from Harvard?

A．Students can be offered paid-work opportunities outside Harvard.

B．Students can have opportunities to get loans for their education.

C．Students can pay for their education in Harvard within one month.

D．Students earn money by assisting teachers in Cambridge University.

America is a mobile society. Friendships between Americans can be close and real, yet disappear soon if situations change. Neither side feels hurt by this. Both may exchange Christmas greetings for a year or two, perhaps a few letters for a while — then no more. If the same two people meet again by chance, even years later, they pick up the friendship. This can be quite difficult for us Chinese to understand, because friendships between us develop more slowly but then may become lifelong feelings, extending (延伸) sometimes deeply into both families.
Americans are ready to receive us foreigners at their homes, share their holidays, and their home life. They will enjoy welcoming us and be pleased if we accept their hospitality (好客) easily.
Another difficult point for us Chinese to understand Americans is that although they treat  us warmly in their personal everyday lives, they don’t show their politeness to us if it requires a great deal of time. This is usually the opposite of the custom in our country where we may be generous with our time. Sometimes, we, as hosts, will appear at airports even in the middle of the night to meet a friend. We may take days off to act as guides to our foreign friends. The Americans, however, express their welcome usually at homes, but truly can not manage the time to do a great deal with a visitor outside their daily routine. They will probably expect us to get ourselves from the airport to our own hotel by bus. And they expect that we will phone them from there. Once we arrive at their homes, the welcome will be full, warm and real. We will find ourselves treated hospitably.
For the Americans, it is often considered more friendly to invite a friend to their homes than to go to restaurants, except for purely business matters. So accept their hospitality at home!
【小题1】Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Friendships between Americans usually extend deeply into their families.

B．Friendships between Americans usually last for all their lives

C．Americans always show their warmth even if they are very busy.

D．Americans will continue their friendships again even after a long break.

【小题2】From the last two paragraphs we can learn that when we arrive in America to visit an American friend, we will probably be ______.

A．warmly welcomed at the airport	B．offered a ride to his home
C．treated hospitably at his home	D．treated to dinner in a restaurant

【小题3】The underlined words “generous with our time” in Paragraph 3 probably mean ______.

A．willing to spend time	B．serious with time
C．careful with time	D．strict with time

【小题4】A suitable title for this passage would probably be “______”.

A．Friendships between Chinese	B．Friendships between Americans
C．Americans’ hospitality	D．Americans’ and Chinese’s views of friendships

If you walk slowly through downtown Helsinki(赫尔辛基）during the day, taking in the splendid 19^th century buildings, white boats and noise of passing trams（有轨电车）, you will start to understand why it is called a city of two colors: white and blue.
The sea is always present in Helsinki. When you take a walk over the great open space of the central square, you will hear seabirds screaming. When you take the tram ,suddenly and unexpectedly, you are faced with a calm, shining blue sea. You may notice that people in Helsinki do not rush about as in other cities. Instead ,they walk along the roads, politely letting other people by.
An usual way to see Helsinki for the first time is to start out by the boats. You will walk by the elderly women selling fish and vegetables in the market square and find yourself in front of a beautiful park. You may enjoy a pleasant walk in the park for a few hours and then take the tram. Trams are the perfect way to get around（四处走动）in Helsinki. Watching the old houses, parks, theatres, churches, shops, restaurants and people in the streets, you may have a slightly sad film feeling to it.
The pale summer nights are another wonder in the city. Following the waterfront（滨水区）of the city after sunset, you couldn’t help stopping and listening to the sweet silence, interrupted only by the screaming seabirds and leaving fishing boats.
However, in some way. Helsinki is also the most modern city in northern Europe. You will surely want to visit the white Glass Palace, the modern art museum, and all those extremely popular cafes and design stores.
【小题1】Helsinki is called a city of two colors mainly because of the colors of its ____________

A．19th century buildings, boats and parks

B．19th century buildings, boats and seabirds

C．old houses, parks and trams

D．old buildings, boats and the sea

【小题2】The best way to see most of Helsinki is to go___________

A．by boat

B．by bus

C．by tram

D．on foot

【小题3】The 19^th century buildings, the white Glass Palace, popular cafes and design shops in Helsinki  all show that Helsinki is __________

A．both splendid and traditional	B．both quiet and noisy
C．both historical and modern	D．both old and new

【小题4】This passage is most likely to be found in___________

A．a story-book	B．a geography textbook
C．a research report	D．a travel magazine

Without proper planning, tourism can cause problems. For example, too many tourists can crowd public places that are also enjoyed by the inhabitants of a country. If tourists create too much traffic, the inhabitants become annoyed and unhappy. They begin to dislike tourists and to treat them impolitely. They forget how much tourism can help the country’s economy. It is important to think about the people of a destination country and how tourism affects them. Tourism should help a country keep the customs and beauty that attract tourists. Tourism should also advance the well-being (health and happiness) of local inhabitants.
Too much tourism can be a problem. If tourism grows too quickly people must leave other jobs to work in the tourism industry. This means that other parts of the country’s economy can suffer.
On the other hand, if there is not enough tourism, people can lose jobs. Businesses can also lose money. It costs a great deal of money to build large hotels, airports, air terminals, first-class roads and other support facilities needed by tourist attractions. For example, a major international-class tourism hotel can cost as much as 50 thousand dollars per room to build. If this room is not used most of the time, the owners of the hotel will lose money.
Building a hotel is just a beginning. There must be many support facilities as well, including roads to get to the hotel, electricity, sewers to handle waste, and water. All of these support facilities cost money. If they are not used because there are not enough tourists, jobs and money are lost.
【小题1】 Which of the following has most probably been discussed in the paragraph that goes before the passage?

A．It is extremely important to develop tourism.

B．Building roads and hotels is essential.

C．Support facilities are highly necessary.

D．Planning is of great importance to tourism.

【小题2】Too much tourism can cause all these problems EXCEPT        .

A．a bad impact on other industries

B．a change of tourists’ customs

C．over crowded of places of interest

D．pressure on traffic

【小题3】 Not enough tourism can lead to         .

A．an increase of unemployment

B．a decrease in tourist attractions

C．the higher cost of support facilities

D．a rise in price and a fall in pay

【小题4】 The word “handle” in the last paragraph most probably means       .

A．carry away

B．pick up

C．get in

D．take down

The expression “Go for it!” is a way of encouraging someone to try something.
“Go for it!” means you should not worry about failure or be too careful. You should take a chance, be brave, and act firmly.
“Go for it!” gets name from football. Not football as it is played in most countries such as England, Egypt or Japan, but the kind of football played in the United States and Canada.
One of the most exciting times in football comes when a team has failed, after three attempts, to move the ball forward ten yards. The team must make a critical decision.
The conservative choice is to kick the ball and accept temporary defeat in order to gain a good position for your team the next time it gets the ball. The more exciting choice, however, is to try a fourth and final time to gain the remaining yards needed.
In the nineteen eighties, people began using this expression in many kinds of situations to encourage someone to act bravely.
There is no guarantee(保证) that the action you “Go for it!” will succeed. But that is the chance you take when you decide to go for it. You put your fears behind. You choose courage over safety. You hold your breath and go for it.
【小题1】The expression “Go for it!” comes from______.

A．English football

B．Egyptian football

C．Japanese football

D．American football

【小题2】According to the passage, when we decide to go for it, we only consider______.

A．safety

B．action

C．result

D．situation

【小题3】In which of the following situations should we use the expression nowadays?

A．We decide to avoid trouble or danger for the future.

B．We try to improve our English for better education.

C．We need to make a quick decision at the last moment.

D．We have to make a choice between success and failure.

Most people think the first pies were made by early Romans. They may have learned about pie making from the Greeks. These pies were sometimes made in"reeds (芦苇叶)", which were used for the purpose of holding the filling (馅 ), and were not eaten.
The Romans spread the word about pies around Europe and the word"pie"became a popular word in the 14th century. The first pie recipe (食谱) was also published by the Romans.
Pies first appeared in England as early as the twelfth century. The early pies were mostly meat pies. There was actually more crust(皮)than filling. Often these pies were made from fowl ( 家禽) and the fowl's legs were left to hang over the side of the dish and used as handles. Fruit pies were probably first made in the 1500s. It is said that Queen Elizabeth I made the first cherry pie.
Pie came to America with the first English settlers. The early settlers cooked their pies in long narrow pans. As in the Roman times, the early American pie crusts were often not eaten, but simply used to hold the filling during baking(_{高@考☆资&源*网}烘焙).
Over the years, pie has become what it is today --- "the most traditional American dessert". Pie has become so much a part of American culture that we now often use the phrase "as American as apple pie".
【小题1】Which people might probably first grasp the skill to make pies?

A．The Romans.

B．The Greeks.

C．The Englishmen.

D．The Americans.

【小题2】Which of the following is NOT true about pies?

A．English settlers brought pies to America.

B．Early Romans ate not only pies but also the crusts.

C．The Romans first published pie recipe.

D．The word “pie ” became popular because of the Romans` efforts.

【小题3】What can best show pies have become part of American culture?

A．Americans use long narrow pans to cook pies.

B．People use "as American as apple pie" to show something about American characteristics.

C．Americans don't eat crusts but use them to hold the filling during baking.

D．Pies are the most traditional American dessert.

【小题4】The best title of this passage is "______________".

A．The History of Pies	B．Pies, the Delicious Food
C．Pies, American Dessert	D．How to Make Pies