Witchcraft（巫術(shù)）was not made a capital offence in Britain until 1563 though it was disapproved by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. From 1484 until around 1750, some 200,000 witches（女巫）were burnt or hanged in Western Europe.

Most supposed witches were usually old women, and always poor. Any who were unfortunate enough to be an old woman with broken teeth, sunken cheeks and sockets and a hairy lip were assumed to possess the “Evil Eye”. It was more the case if they also had a cat. Many unfortunate women were taken away on this sort of evidence and hanged.

Witch fever held East Anglia for 14 terrible months between 1645—1646. A man called Matthew Hopkins, an unsuccessful lawyer, contributed a lot! He became known as the “Witchfinder General”. He had 68 people put to death in Bury St. Edmunds alone, and 19 hanged at Chelmsfor in a single day. After Chelmsford he set off for other countries. Much of Matthew Hopkins theories of telling a witch were based on Devil’s Marks. He took a small mark to be a Devil’s Mark and he used his “needle” to see if these marks were insensitive to pain. His “needle” was basically a trick so the unfortunate women never felt any pain.

There were other tests for witches. Mary Sutton of Bedford was put to the swimming test. With her thumbs tied to opposite big toes she was thrown into the river. If she floated she was guilty; if she sank, innocent. Poor Mary floated!

Though many of the acts againsts witchcraft were put to an end in 1736, witch hunting still went on. In 1863, a suspected male witch was drowned in a pond in Headingham, Essex and 1945 the body of an elderly farm laborer was found near the village of Meon Hill in Warwickshire. His throat had been cut and his body was pinned to the earth. The murder remains unsolved; however, the man was said, locally, to be a male witch. It seems that belief in witchcraft has not entirely died out.

1.A female witch was often found to be ________

A. a young lady B. a lucky woman

C. an ugly woman D. a blind girl

2.Matthew Hopkins can be best described as __________

A. kind and smart B. tricky and merciless

C. successful and nice D. famous and fortunate

3.Why did people throw Mary into the river?

A. To take her life.

B. To tell if she was a witch

C. To test her swimming skills.

D. To prove that she was guilty

4.What’s the main idea of the last paragraph?

A. Witches are still badly treated all over the world.

B. Witches were terribly treated in the European history.

C. Some people still have been using magic in daily lives.

D. There have always been people believing in witchcraft

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，從短文后的選項中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項，選項中有兩項為多余選項。

Wrong Reasons for Going to College

A college education can be priceless. _____1.____ If any of these following factors had a big influence on your decision, you’re probably right to second-guess yourself.

◆Because someone else expects it from you.

Perhaps you come from a family where everyone goes to college. Or maybe, you’re the kid that everyone is proud to believe will be the first to get there. ___2._____. It’s become so much a part of the air you breathe that you’ve never stopped to consider whether you want to go or whether you’re ready to go.

◆Because all your friends are going.

In only a few weeks’ time, the whole friend group will be scattered to a half dozen different colleges in a half dozen different places. _____3.____Friends would wonder what’s wrong with you. Some would take it as a betrayal of the dreams you’ve dreamed together and the plans you’ve made.

◆____4._____

It’s been tough to find even a summer job. You don’t have an alternative plan. Everyone else is doing it (see above). You think you might as well go to school. That is the lamest of reasons to spend $20,000 or more in the next year.

◆Because you are afraid you’ll regret it if you don’t go.

Your uncle tells you that his one regret in life is that he didn’t go to college. Others tell you that they could have gone so much farther in their career if only they had a college education. ____5.____ So this is not a persuasive reason for you to go to college.

A That’s much too fine.

B Not to go would be set yourself apart.

C Because you don’t know what eles to do.

D Everyone seems more excited than you are.

E It seems that for years everyone has just assumed that of course you’ll go.

F Whatever the story is, there are always people who regret decisions they’ve made.

G But maybe in your heart you know that you are going for the wrong reasons.

短文改錯

假定英語課上老師要求同桌之間交換修改作文，請你修改你同桌寫的以下作文。文中共有10處語言錯誤，每句中最多有兩處。錯誤僅涉及一個單詞的增加、刪除或修改。

增加：在缺詞處加一個漏字符號(^ )，并在其下面寫出該加的詞。

刪除：把多余的詞用(＼)劃掉。

修改：在錯的詞下畫一橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。

注意：

1.每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞；

2.只允許修改10處，多者（從第11處起）不計分。

I received your letter dated April 16 the day ago yesterday. Every of our family are greatly delighted to learn whether you are getting along very well with your lessons. Time passes quickly. In dozens of day, you'll finish middle school. What please us most is that you do very good to make up your mind to enter for the college entrance examination this summer. What wonderful it is! Dad, as well as Mom and I , are with you. We wish you to make better use your time .The fuller preparations if you make, the surer of success you'll certainly be.

假定你是李華，對中國傳統(tǒng)醫(yī)藥很感興趣。你獲悉中國藥學(xué)家屠喲喲因發(fā)現(xiàn)了青篙素被授予2015年諾貝爾生理學(xué)或醫(yī)學(xué)獎。請給你的美國朋友David發(fā)一封郵件分享此消息。信件須包括以下內(nèi)容：

心情：驕傲和激動。

評價：她找到了治療瘧疾的方法，數(shù)千萬人從中受益。

志向：立志考入屠喲坳的母校北大，造福人民。

注意：1．詞數(shù)100左右；

2.可以適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié)，以使行文連貫；

參考詞匯：

1．藥學(xué)家：pharmacologist

2.青篙素：artemisinin

3. 2015年諾貝爾生理學(xué)或醫(yī)學(xué)獎：The 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

4.瘧疾：malaria

You can improve your child’s hearing memory considerably. Once his hearing memory has been greatly improved, he’ll be able to use and remember what he listens to in class. The success of these suggestions depends upon your ability to use your child’s natural desire to get involved(參與) in games he finds simple and fun.

A good way to begin is to read aloud a sentence from a book suitable for your child’s reading age. Then ask your youngster to repeat the sentence back to you correctly. Next, reread the sentence, leaving out a particular word. See if your child can identify the word you left out. At the beginning use only simple sentences. Gradually, increase the length of the sentences. Make sure you don’t rush things along too quickly, or your child may become discouraged and tired of the game.

Take your child shopping with you often. He’s to remember a list of items you want to buy in the supermarket. At first, ask him to remember only a few things. Then, as he shows increased ability to remember, make the list longer and longer. Praise him often and warmly when he shows increased ability to remember things. He’ll become proud of his “good” memory and will happily play the game.

Encourage your child to learn easy and short peoms. As his ability to do this becomes stronger, encourage him to remember longer poems. Do the same with songs.

1.The suggestions will be successful if you ____.

A. find simple and funny games for your child

B. can stimulate your child’s interest in the games

C. force your child to get involved in more practice

D. improve your own hearing memory first

2.The purpose of asking your child to repeat what you read is _____.

A. to practice his pronunciation

B. to develop his reading skills

C. to help him remember what he hears

D. to play a simple game he may find fun

3.The third paragraph mainly talks about _____.

A. another way to improve your child’s hearing memory

B. how you should do shopping along with your child

C. how to remember the items you want to buy

D. the way you help your child do shopping

4.The last sentence “Do the same with songs” means you should encourage your child to learn and remember _____.

A.songs in the same way as he does with poems

B.poems in the same way as he does with songs

C.the poems and songs which are similar in meaning

D.those songs that have the same meaning as poems

完形填空

閱讀下面短文，從短文后各題所給的四個選項（A、B、C和D）中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項，并在答題卡上將該項涂黑。

Abraham Lincoln was one of the few great men who really were great. ________ he became president, Lincoln spent twenty years as a(n) ________ lawyer – at least in financial terms. But when you ________ the good he did, he was very rich ________ .

For example, Lincoln didn’t like to ________ people much who were as poor as he was. Once a man gave him twenty-five dollars, but Lincoln ________ him back ten of it, saying he was being too ________.

Lincoln won a case for an old woman in________ poverty. He didn’t charge(收費(fèi)) her for his ________ and, in fact, paid her hotel bill and gave her money to buy a ticket home!

He once ________a cheater(騙子) from gaining possession of some land ________ by a mentally ill girl. After he case, Lincoln’s assosciate(同事) came to ________ their fee, but Lincoln reprimanded(訓(xùn)斥) him. His associate ________ that her brother had agreed on the fee ________ , and that he was ________ satisfied.

“That may be,” said Lincoln, “but I’m not satisfied. That money comes out of the ________ of a poor, mad girl; and I would rather ________ than take it. You return half the money at least, or I’ll not take a cent of it as my ________ .”

He was a fool, perhaps, by certain standards. He didn’t have much, and it was his own ________ . But he was a good human being by anyone’s standards.

Lincoln didn’t talk much about religion. But he once said, “When I do________ , I feel good, and when I do bad, I feel bad, and that’s my religion.”

1.A.AfterB.BeforeC.DuringD.Through

2.A.unsuccesfulB.unusualC.perfectD.skilful

3.A.receiveB.lookC.praiseD.measure

4.A.tooB.thusC.indeedD.later

5.A.changeB.chargeC.askD.spare

6.A.sentB.threwC.pushedD.devoted

7.A.greedyB.selfishC.richD.generous

8.A.slightB.smallC.extremeD.average

9.A.servicesB.timeC.laborD.words

10.A.forbadeB.stoppedC.caughtD.save

11.A.wateredB.plantedC.boughtD.owned

12.A.divide upB.add upC.cut downD.figure out

13.A.believedB.doubtedC.arguedD.answered

14.A.behind timeB.ahead of timeC.in timeD.at no time

15.A.partlyB.neverC.completelyD.again

16.A.pocketB.bookC.handD.room

17.A.retireB.workC.leaveD.starve(挨餓)

18.A.fortuneB.prizeC.rentD.share

19.A.dutyB.mistakeC.faultD.regret

20.A.normalB.goodC.badD.noble

單詞拼寫

1.For three days the water in the village wells _____(上升) and fell.

2.The dead body of a person used to be ______(埋葬) under the earth.

3.It’s not _____(可靠的) to judge a man only by his looks.

4.He has eight _____(律師) to help him and they examines every letter carefully.

5.The lift was out of order and two persons were ______(使陷入困境) in it.

6.A _____(系列) of events happened recently in our city.

7.I have got a very full ______(時間表，日程表) today.

8.Tom prefers reading ______ talking.

9.It is I who _____(be) going to help you.

10.He asked me if I had any trouble _____ my English.

11.The smoke made the room ______(dirt).

12.He has devoted his whole life to _____(write).

13.The boss to ______ Mary turned for help is a kind man.

14.The building ______ stands by the river is our school.

15.The days are gone _____ the working people suffered from cold and hunger.

Ask a question! Email it to Letters@Highlights.com.

Gift Giving

I'm going to China and everyone in my class is asking me to buy them something. What should I do?

Reply from the Highlights Editor:

Your classmates are probably just excited about your trip. Most likely they don't expect you to buy gifts for everyone. Sending a few postcards to the entire class during your trip would be a wonderful way to share your experiences. The pictures on the cards and your words of description will be the best gift of all.

Dog Begging

My dog always begs for food at the dinner table. I really want to feed him, but my mom says I can't. I'm afraid he won't like me anymore. What should I do?

Reply from the Highlights Editor:

Your dog loves you for many more reasons than just for what you feed him. You can show him that you care about him by playing with him, by petting him and speaking kindly to him and by making sure he has fresh water. It might be best if your dog is not near the dinner table while you are eating. You could teach him to stay in another room.

Being Bilingual(會說雙語的)

My aunt insists that we speak our language(Tagalog) at home and English outside the house. Do you think she is right?

Reply from the Highlights Editor:

It is a great gift to have someone in your family who is willing to take the time to teach you another language. It's a good way to keep family traditions alive, and it helps develop your language skills. Your ability to use both English and Tagalog will help you learn a third and fourth language later in life. So it sounds like a great idea!

1.The Highlights editor suggests the student who is going to China _______.

A. send postcards as the gifts to the class

B. make phone calls to all the classmates

C. buy gifts for some of the classmates

D. give each classmate a picture as a gift

2. According to the Highlights editor, if your dog begs for food at the dinner table, you'd better __________.

A. feed him immediately

B. speak loudly to him

C. teach him to stay in another room

D.provide him with fresh water

3.What is the Highlights editor's attitude towards being bilingual?

A. Opposed(反對）. B. Tolerant（忍受）

C. Supportive（支持） D. Doubtful（懷疑）.

4.The Highlights editors give the replies to __________.

A. show their readers how to send girls

B. tell their readers about their interesting work

C. help their readers to solve school problems

D. offer their readers advice on personal problems

A mental professor walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired(詢問): "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Different answers called out from the audience.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb(無知覺的) and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued, "The stress and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed--incapable of doing anything."

It's important to remember to let go of your stress. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!

Comments

Aye Chan Aung---October 27, 2015 at 11:37 am

Short but valuable! It has clearly taught me how to deal with stress.

Nelson Malicdem--October 28, 2015 at 8:23 pm

Wow! Thanks to the author and to the one who submitted this article. I am experiencing a challenge, as I read this it gives me peace. What exactly is in the article is what I am doing. My burden actually paralyzes me without my knowing it. I should put down the glass of water that I'm holding. Thank you so much!

1.The professor tells a lesson by ________.

A. asking a surprising question

B. giving proper examples

C. imagining a situation

D. making a comparison（比較）

2. From what the professor says, we can know a small problem _________.

A. can result in a complete failure

B. is seldom taken seriously

C. can cause much stress

D. seldom causes real problems

3. From the two comments, we can know that ________.

A. Nelson Malicdem expresses thanks to the professor

B. Nelson Malicdem thinks the story is meaningful

C. Aye Chan Aung is suffering from heavy stress

D.Aye Chan Aung complains the story is too short

4.Where can we most probably read the passage?

A. On a health website.

B. On a high school website.

C. In a magazine for teenagers.

D. In a textbook about mental health.

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容,從短文后的選項中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項，并在答題卡上將該項涂黑，選項中有兩項為多余選項。

There is an old Spanish saying which states, "Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week." How many times have we put off our dreams until tomorrow? 1. We have to go for them now!

·Tomorrow is not promised.

Nobody likes to talk about death, but everybody is going to die at one point. None of us know the day or the hour. 2. Don't go to your tomb with unrealized dreams. Make the decision to go after every dream, big or small right now.

·3.

One of the biggest dream killers is fear. Many people could have achieved amazing things if only they weren't afraid. Just think about all the things you've wanted to do, but allowed fear to convince you that you weren't capable, or good enough. Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Choose not to let fear stop you from achieving your dreams.

·Take action to realize your dream.

You can dream about writing a great play but it's never going to happen unless you actually put pen to paper. You can dream about finding a cure for cancer, but it will never happen unless you actually become equipped with the necessary tools to find that cure. 4.

·Possibilities are waiting on you.

There are so many amazing opportunities and people waiting on you. How do you get to them? Simple! Follow your dream. 5. You'll never see those doors if you sit around waiting on a dream to happen, instead of actually working to make it happen.

A. Don't let fear win.

B. In other words, dreams don't work unless you do.

C. Our dreams should not, and cannot wait.

D. Therefore, today is all we have.

E. You'll be much happier if you go for it.

F. You were born into the world with a unique gift, which nobody can copy.

G. Doors that you couldn't imagine open up when you go after what you want.