Five boys are suspected of starting a fire that destroyed their school on the eve of the new term. Police said yesterday that five boys — one aged 11, two 12-year-olds, one aged 13 and one 15 — arrested on suspicion of starting the fire had been released until later this month. Parents said the five pupils all attended St Mary’s.

Pupils witnessed their schoolwork being destroyed in the fire at Leyland St Mary’s Catholic Technology College in Lancashire. The 1950s science block was reduced to the ground in Sunday’s fire, which created clouds of smoke visible for miles. It is reported that the library and sports hall were also destroyed beyond repair. Strong winds and a shortage of water prevented 125 firemen trying to bring it under control. Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene until late this afternoon. Staffs were due to attend the school yesterday for an inset(培訓(xùn))day, and pupils pupils were to return for lessons after the holidays today.

St Mary’s head teacher Kathy McNicholas fought back the tears as she watched her school go up in flames last night. She said, “This is so upsetting to watch. It’s heartbreaking. It’s very distressing for the staff and the children. Everyone had been looking forward to coming back for the new school year.” Finding somewhere around 730 children won’t be easy. A few of the staff have turned up to see if there is anything they can do and they have all been shocked and saddened by what has happened. “It’s tragic because we have only just had a lot of refreshment work done to the school during the summer break. It was a big investment. The community around here very much looks after its school.”

Plans were being drawn up to provide alternative classrooms for 730 children, with parents warned to keep them at home for at least the rest of the week.

1. Which part of St Mary’s Catholic Technology College was burned to the ground in the fire?

A. The library. B. Sports hall.

C. The science block. D. The passage doesn’t tell us.

2.The underlined word “distressing” in the third paragraph can be replaced by “ ”.

A. excited B. surprised

C. annoyed D. embarrassed

3.From the whole passage, we can know that .

A. the education of England is worse

B. St Mary’s Catholic Technology College had no trouble finding enough classrooms

C. a shortage of money prevented more than 100 firemen controlling the big fire

D. the pupils had to stay at home before the alternative classrooms were found

4.What’s the main idea of the passage?

A. Five boys started a fire that destroyed their school.

B. The firemen failed in controlling the fire.

C. The staff and the children were upset.

D. The school planned to take measures to solve the problem.

This July, Wang Chen, a student from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, won the International University WEICHI Tournament 2013 in Shanghai, which saw competitors from 54 universities around the world, including Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Compared with the busy sports ground, it seems a bit dull, but Wang and his peers enjoy an intense brain workout(勞動(dòng)). Wang is an amateur seventh-degree master player — the highest degree amateur players can attain. “I had hoped to win first place, but when it came true, I couldn’t believe it,” says Wang. Wang began studying weichi when he was 7 years old. “I was a quiet boy and my parents thought weichi would help develop my logical thinking ability,” he says. He began to attend the Chinese Rank Promotion from the age of 10. “I failed for nine years, and them I gave up. I entered university and became an amateur player,” says Wang.

What this hobby brings Wang is not only a sense of achievement, but also independence. He has won 10 national and international championships, which have brought the young student a handsome sum of money. When he won the national amateur competition in 2011, he received 100,000 yuan in prize money. With awards from contests, Wang covers his expenses and tuition fees all by himself.

Wang is busier than most of his peers. A look at his calendar shows that he will attend competitions in Guizhou and Taiwan at the end of August, after attending an international competition only this July. But Wang admits he has little in common with his classmates. “I feel a bit lonely sometimes,” he says.

On campus Wang spends more time on exploring his skills. Wang now regards playing weichi as a hobby. He is the captain of the weichi team on campus, which has five members. He organizes them to research the latest formations once a week. Wang says his next project is to promote weichi among his peers on campus. “Many young people in China don’t understand this kind of sports and I want to promote it,” says Wang.

1.What’s the best title of the passage?

A. The Achievement and Dream of the “Weichi Prince”

B. Wang Chen Won the International University WEICHI Tournament 2013

C. Weichi Brings Wang a Sense of Achievement and Independence

D. Wang Chen’s Life

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. 54 countries attended the International University WEICHI Tournament 2013 in Shanghai.

B. Wang Chen began to attend the Chinese Rank Promotion from the age of 7.

C. In 2013, Wang Chen received 100,000 yuan in prize money.

D. Wang Chen has won 10 national and international championships nowadays.

3.What can we learn from this passage?

A. Family plays an important role in shaping world-rank players.

B. As long as you have the same loneliness as Wang Chen, you are sure to succeed.

C. Wang Chen doesn’t get on well with his classmates.

D. Perseverance helps to make a top player.

Welcome to Pocono Whitewater

There’s something fun here at Pocono Whitewater for every level of adventurer！We have mild to wild whitewater rafting (漂流)，family trips，and bird-watching boating...Choose one adventure now. It’s up to you! We have trips available daily. Give us a call today!

Dam Release Whitewater Rafting

Experience the best whitewater on the Lehigh River! Surrounded by forests and

mountains，you will enjoy 12 miles and 5 hours of Class Ⅲ whitewater rafting and outstanding scenery. This is a fun and thrilling trip that everyone from aged 12 and up can do! While paddling (劃槳) in the Swift water，you’ll shout and laugh.

Dam Release Whitewater Rates：

★Individual (aged 12 & up)：＄61.00

★Group (at least 8 people)：＄31.00

Rates Include：all necessary rafting equipment，life jacket，free parking，bus service to/from the river & professional river guides.

Family Style Whitewater Rafting

Bring along the whole family this summer and enjoy 8 miles and 5 hours long of Class Ⅰ whitewater rafting. Mild water of the Lehigh River is simply perfect for beginners，school groups，and kids aged 4 and older. This is just perfect for enjoying the passing scenery，kicking your feet over the edge of the raft，or taking a swim in the river!

One of the most unique things about this trip is a free riverside barbeque (燒烤)! Our workers will cook and serve you a picnic lunch—hot dogs，potato salad，fruit，etc.. The classic family picnic!

Family Style Rafting Rates：

★Adult：＄39.00

★Child (aged 4～14)：＄33.00

★Group (at least 8 people)：＄30.00

Rates Include：all necessary rafting equipment，life jacket，free parking，bus service to/from the river，and a barbeque lunch. However，river guides not included.

1.Which of the following people is suitable for Dam Release Whitewater Rafting?

A．A 14-year-old girl B．An 8-year-old girl.

C．A 6-year-old girl. D．A 4-year-old boy.

2.We can infer that ________.

A．the lower the class is，the faster the rafting is

B．the higher the class is，the safer the rafting is

C．the lower the class is，the milder the water is

D．the higher the class (等級(jí)) is，the milder the water is

3.If ten college students are to participate in the Dam Release Whitewater Rafting，how much money will be paid in total?

A．＄610. B．＄390.

C．＄330 D．＄310.

4.Family Style Whitewater Rafting is unique in that ________.

A．it offers all necessary rafting equipment

B．it provides a barbeque lunch for free

C．it provides good scenery

D．it allows people to swim in the river

EVERYBODY in this world is different from one another. But do you know that understanding differences can help you better manage your money?

As we grow up, we gradually develop a set of our own values or beliefs. These are influenced by society, our family, the education we receive and so on. Once this value system is set up, it’s not easy to change later in life.

Financial experts say that everyone also has their own belief of how to manage their finances. This is part of our value system and it has a great impact on the way we look after our money.

According to our different values, experts put us in three categories. They are: the ant, the cricket and the snail.

The ant—works first

Just like ants who work heart and soul in summer in order to store food for winter, these people don’t care about enjoying the moment. They work very hard and save money they earn so that they can enjoy life when they get old and retire. The ant loves to save but they could make more out of their money if they were willing to invest in some funds and stocks with low risk.

The cricket—fun first

The cricket wants to enjoy everything now and doesn’t think too much about the future. They even borrow money when they really want something. Many young people now belong to this group. These people have little savings. When they get old, they might have problems. They should learn to save and buy insurance.

The snail—lives under pressure

The snail refers to people who make life difficult for themselves. They take big long-term loans from the bank in order to buy things such as luxury houses. They are happy to take big loans even though they are not sure they can afford it. This can cause problems in the future. They should plan more carefully.

1.We can learn from the text that _____.

A. spending money is a wiser way

B. your way of managing money is a reflection of your value or belief

C. saving money is a good way to manage money

D. we spend money because we have earned it

2. Of the three types of people, the one that has no weakness is _____.

A. the cricket B. none of them

C. the snail D. the ant

3.If you had three dollars, you would spend all of it. Which type do you belong to?

A. None of them B. The snail

C. The ant D. The cricket

4. The text tells us mainly about _____.

A. spending nature

B. living behaviors of small animal

C. our own values and beliefs

D. understanding differences

In eighteen seventy-seven，the American government decided to move the Nez Perce Indians from their land. The government had set up a reservation for them in Idaho. Chief Joseph did not want to leave the land. It was holy ground. It contained the bones of his father and mother.

But，like his father in earlier times，Chief Joseph knew it would be hopeless to stay and defend the land. There were too few Indians to win a war against the white men.

And so in June of eighteen seventy-seven，the Nez Perce left their home in the Wallowa Valley. They left quickly. They were able to take only a small part of what they owned，and just a few cattle and Appaloosa horses.

When the Indians reached the Snake River，the water was very deep and ran very fast with melted snow from the mountains. Chief Joseph and his people made boats from sticks and dried animal skins to cross the river. While the Indians were busy，a group of white men came and stole some of the cattle waiting at the edge of the river.

The other chiefs demanded that Joseph call a meeting. Two of the chiefs，White Bird and Toohoolhoolzote，spoke for War，but Joseph held different opinion.

Some of the young men in White Bird’s group were very angry. That night，they rode into the countryside and killed eleven white persons.

During all his years as chief，Joseph had tried to keep the peace. Now he saw there was no hope. Although he and his young men had taken no part in the killings，he knew that the white men would blame all of the Indians. Chief Joseph said，“I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of the white men.”

Many Nez Perce fled. Chief Joseph remained，because his wife was about to have a baby. After she gave birth，he and his family joined the others in White Bird Canyon to the south.

Joseph wanted to lead the people to safety in the flat lands of Montana. But the United States army quickly sent horse soldiers to follow them.

They were extremely tired when they reached White Bird Canyon. An Indian—carrying a white flag—walked forward to meet them. A soldier shot him.

With that shot，war between the Nez Perce and the United States began.

1.Why didn’t Chief Joseph want to leave the land?

A．He didn’t want to live with the white men.

B．He had special feeling for the land where he was living.

C．He didn’t want to be separated from his parents.

D．He thought the reservation in Idaho wasn’t satisfying.

2.Which of the following is TRUE?

A．While the Indians were waiting by the river，a group of white men stole some of the cattle.

B．When the Indians reached the Snake River，it was very hard for them to cross it.

C．Chief Joseph and his people were unwilling to cross the deep river.

D．Before they left their home，the Nez Perce had only a few cattle and Appaloosa horses.

3.From the passage we can infer that ________.

A．conflicts often happened between the Indians and the white

B．Chief Joseph was afraid of white men

C．white men often killed some Indians

D．Chief Joseph knew it would be hopeless to defend the land

4.After some of the young men in White Bird’s group killed eleven white persons，________.

A．the United States army wanted to revenge (報(bào)仇)

B．a(chǎn)ll the Nez Perce fled

C．Chief Joseph tried his best to keep peace

D．Chief Joseph blamed White Bird

5.What might be the title of the passage?

A．The story of Chief Joseph

B．The American Civil War

C．Chief Joseph and his children

D．The Nez Perce Indians

Hi, Daisy,

I am wondering why you haven’t showed up online for such

a long time. I’m sorry to know your mother has f 1. ill in hospital

and that your father is struggling for a living. __2.___ is no doubt that what you are ____3.____ (經(jīng)歷) affects your life greatly, making you unable to c 4. on your study. I understand how you are feeling at the moment and I truly wish that I could be __5.____ any help. Life can be hard at times and we can never expect what lies 6. （前方）. Life is a challenge. We had no choice but to meet it. __7.____ happens,you need to r 8. optimistic and try what you can to help your parents. It is by meeting difficulties and overcoming _____9.___ that one learns how to survive. I hope your mother will be all right soonand it won’t be long _____10.__ things turn better.

11月11日阿里巴巴(Alibaba Group) 旗下的淘寶網(wǎng)（taobao.com）和天貓（Tmall.com）的銷售額達(dá)到了191億，其中天貓為132億，淘寶為59億。

某英文論壇對(duì)這一成功的營(yíng)銷案例進(jìn)行討論。假如你是該論壇用戶，請(qǐng)你根據(jù)以下圖示，用英文寫一篇短文，分析其成功的原因及你的想法，在該論壇上發(fā)帖參與討論。

注意：1.詞數(shù)：120詞左右；

2.短文的開頭已給出，不計(jì)入總詞數(shù)。

參考詞匯：網(wǎng)民netizen

On November 11, 2012, Singles Day, Alibaba Group took in 19.1 billion RMB from the sales of Tmall.com and taobao.com , which is believed to be the biggest sales in a single day

With the help of the new teacher, ____ number of the student in my class who have made_____ great progress in English so far is far larger.

A. the; the B. a; a C. the; / D. a; /

---Where to, Madam?

---________at the Baiyun Hotel, No 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, please.

A. Pick me up B. Call me up

C. See me offD. Drop me off

The days are gone _____ physical strength was all you needed to make a living.

A. when B. that C. where D. which