It is well-known that the “prom”, a formal dance held at the end of high school or college, is an important date in every student’s life. What is less well-known is that the word “prom” comes from the verb “to promenade”, which means to walk around, beautifully dressed, in order to attract attention. The idea is that you should see and be seen by others.
The prom is not just an American tradition, though most people believe that it started in America. In Canada the event is called a “formal”. In Britain and Australia the old fashioned word “dance” is more and more frequently being referred to as a “prom”. Most countries have some form of celebration when students finish high school: after all, it means the end of life as a child, and the beginning of life as an adult.
The prom is expensive to organize and the tickets can cost students a lot of money. The tradition is that students themselves have to raise the money to pay for it. Selling the students newspapers is one way to raise money; so is taking a part-time job at the weekend.
Although the prom should be the experience of a lifetime, it also worries many students. There is the problem of what to wear, who to take as your partner, who will be voted “prom queen”, etc. And it is not only students who feel worried. What many parents find difficult is the realization that their children’s school days are almost over. However, for most people at the prom, once the music starts playing, everyone relaxes and stops worrying.
【小题1】In which country is the prom called a “formal”?

A．America.

B．Canada.

C．Britain.

D．Australia.

【小题2】Why is the prom important in the students’ lives?

A．It’s the sign of becoming an adult.

B．It’s an old tradition in many countries.

C．There are many problems to work out.

D．The students can raise money by themselves.

【小题3】What is the passage mainly about?

A．The history of the prom.

B．The traditions of the prom.

C．The development of the prom.

D．The general information of the prom.

Everyone needs friends. Friends bring us happiness and hope in our lives. But the ability to make friends changes from person to person. To some people, making friends is easy, and to others it’s very difficult.
Making friends is a skill, and the first thing is to know how to get on with others.
If you have trouble in making friends, maybe I can tell you how to do it.
Realize your own good points. You have skills and talents(才能) that others will like.
Believe that you are a good person and have something nice to share with others.
Be humourous. Learn to laugh at yourself and your weakness. Remember to smile at others.
Respect(尊敬) the others. Everyone has his own idea. Learn how to listen to others’ ideas without trying to make them accept(接受) yours.
Be kind. If you are kind to others, they will usually be kind to you. There are hundreds of little things you can do to show your kindness. Open the door for someone. Wave to a friend and so on.
Don’t complain(抱怨). Learn to accept what you can’t change, and work hard to change what you can. No one is willing to hear your complaints all the time.
Never give up. Even if you are faced with some closed-minded people, never give up. And try to find someone who will understand you.
【小题1】Why do we need friends according to the passage?

A．Friends can do everything for us.	B．Friends can bring us happiness.
C． Friends accept our ideas all the time.	D．Without friends, we could not live.

【小题2】What’s the first thing we should learn in order to make friends?

A．To help others.	B．To smile to others.
C．To get on with others.	D．To listen to others’ complaints.

【小题3】Which of the following shows a sense of humour?

A．Opening the door for someone.	B．Complaining to others all the time.
C．Laughing at ourselves and our weakness.	D．Finding someone who will understand us.

【小题4】How many pieces of advice does the writer provide when we have trouble in making    friends?

A．Five.

B．Seven.

C．Nine.

D．Eleven.

【小题5】What should we do when we have trouble in making friends?

A．Respect others.

B．Complain.

C．Give up.

D．Laugh at them

“Can I see my baby?” asked the happy new mother. When the baby was in her arms, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The baby was born without ears.
Time proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect though he had no ears. He got on well with his classmates. But one day, he said to his mother, tears in his eyes, “A big boy called me a freak(畸形物).”
The boy’s father asked the family doctor, “Could nothing be done?”
“I believe I could graft(移植)on a pair of outer ears if they could be gotten,” the doctor said. They tried to find a person who would be helpful to the boy.
One day, his father said to the son, “You’re going to the hospital, son. Mother and I have found someone who will donate the ears you need. But we must keep it a secret who the person is.”
The operation was a great success, and a new person appeared. His cleverness and hard work made him a very successful person. He married and lived a happy life.
He would ask his father, “Who gave me the ears? I could do enough for him or her.”
“I can’t tell you,” said the father. “The agreement says that you are not allowed to know…not yet.”
It was kept a secret for years, but the day did come. He stood with his father over his mother’s body. Slowly, the father raised the thick, brown hair. To his surprise, the son found his mother had no outer ears.
“Mother said she was glad she never had her hair cut,” his father said in a low voice, “and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?”
【小题1】The mother was surprised at the first sight of her baby because the baby __________.

A．had no outer ears	B．was born without hair
C．was in her arms	D．could not hear her

【小题2】The sentence “…, and a new person appeared” means _____________.

A．a new baby was born in the hospital

B．a stranger came into the hospital

C．a new doctor took care of the baby

D．the boy came to live a new life

【小题3】 Why did the boy’s mother never have her hair cut?

A．Because she liked her thick, brown hair.

B．Because her work didn’t allow her to do that.

C．Because her hair was good for her health.

D．Because she wanted to keep the fact a secret.

【小题4】Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A．The boy couldn’t hear without ears at first.

B．The boy didn’t know the truth until his mother died.

C．His parents often encouraged him to work hard.

D．His classmates were always making fun of him.

【小题5】Which is the best title for the passage?

A．A Clever Boy	B．Kind Parents
C．Great Love	D．An Ear Operation

If you plan to take your pet on a trip，prepare ahead of time. At least two weeks before you leave，take your pet to a vet. See if he or she is tit for travel and ask if he or she should have any medicine before leaving. The vet may suggest certain pills for sickness or for calming the pet.
Some states or foreign countries have health laws that say animals must have certain injections(注射)before they can be allowed to enter. Your vet may have this information. You can also get help on the United States and Canadian laws from a book published by the Department of Agriculture which some libraries have. For information on foreign countries， check with their consulates (领事馆).You can also ask the airlines on which you are travelling.
Find out if the places where you plan to stay allow pets because many do not.
If you are going by plane or train，ask if pets are allowed. If they are，ask where they will be kept and who will care for them. The big bus lines in this country do not allow pets.
Choose your pet’s box carefully. Plastic boxes are better than cardboard or wooden ones because they can' be chewed(嚼碎).
If going by plane or train during warm weather，try to go in the cooler early morning or evening hours. Also try to avoid (避免)very cold winter weather because pets often suffer from cold. Even in your own car， be careful. Do not leave the animal inside with the windows closed because the car may become too hot or too cold.
【小题1】The main idea of this passage is to_________

A．warn people to leave their pets at home

B．give general information about pet travel

C．tell people how to choose their pet boxes

D．tell people about foreign pet laws

【小题2】When taking a pet on a trip，a pet owner________

A．doesn’t need to make any special plans

B．should stay at friends' homes

C．should make plans before leaving home

D．should travel by bus instead of plane

【小题3】From the passage，we can learn that________

A．it costs too much to take pets on trips

B．some pets may not be well enough to travel

C．all train lines treat pets exactly the same

D．pets are welcome everywhere

【小题4】Which person would be the most interested in this passage?

A．A vet.	B．A pet owner.
C．A bus driver.	D．A pet shop owner

阅读理解 (共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分)

阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项

Daily Horoscope（占星）on May 5th

Aries：Everything is getting ready. You are in the right place at the right time. Cheer up and catch good chances.

Taurus：If something isn’t what you think, don’t worry. Wait patiently and you will have a better chance. But a mistake now will bring you trouble.

Gemini：Your experience and ability will attract others’ attention today. You’ll be asked for your opinions, and you will be able to get everything you want.

Cancer：Put on a big push and you will make some extra money. This is a great day to go for interviews or talk to someone about your ideas.

Leo ： You’ll have success at work but don’t spend too much money. A short trip will bring good results.

Virgo：If you don’t know enough about something, keep away from it. Think before you take actions. Be honest, or you’ll be in trouble.

Libra : Joining a good group will make you catch a chance. Then you can get what you want.

Capricorn ：Don’t believe anyone who pretends（假装） to know everything. Do everything on your own.

Aquarius：Try your best to help others and you’ll attract everyone’s attention. Friendship is the most important thing to you.

Pisces：You may meet someone who will invite you to a talk or a meeting. Be careful enough or you’ll make enemies.

1.Who has the best luck on May 5th?

A．A Gemini.

B．A Virgo.

C．A Leo.

D．A Pisces.

2.The underlined part “put on a big push” means "______ " in Chinese.

A．用力推一下

B．用力拉一下

C．穿件大衣服

D．奋力拼搏一下

3.Who needn’t pay attention to others but depend on（取决于）himself ?

A．A Libra.

B．A Cancer.

C．An Aquarius.

D．A Capricorn.