Five years ago, David Smith wore an expensive suit to work every day. “I was a clothes addict(有癮的人),” he jokes. “I used to carry a fresh suit to work with me, so I could change if my clothes got wrinkled(有褶皺的).” Today David wears casual clothes (便裝) to the office. He hardly ever wears a necktie. “I am working harder than ever.” David says, “and I need to feel comfortable.”

More and more companies are allowing their office workers to wear casual clothes to work. In the United States, the change from formal to casual office wear has been gradual. In the early 1990s, many companies allowed their employees to wear casual clothes on Friday. This became known as “casual Friday”. “What started out as an extra one-day-a-week benefit for employees has really become an everyday thing.” said business consultant Maisly Jones.

Why have so many companies started allowing their employees to wear casual clothes? “One reason is that it’s easier for a company to attract new employees if it has a casual dress code.” “A lot of young people don’t want to dress up for work,” says Owen Black, the owner of a software company, “so it’s hard to hire people if you have a conservative (保守的) dress code.” Another reason is that people seem happier and more productive when they are wearing comfortable clothes. In a study conducted by Levi Company, 85 percent of employers said that they believe that casual dress improves employee morale (心境, 士氣). Only 4 percent of employers said that casual dress has a negative influence on productivity. Supporters of casual office wear also argue that a casual dress code helps them save money. “Suits are expensive, if you have to wear one every day,” one person said. “For the same amount of money, you can buy a lot more casual clothes.”

1.David thinks he was “a clothes addict” because .

A. he disliked cheap clothes

B. he always kept his suit neat

C. he often cleaned his office

D. he spent a little on clothes

2.Why does David Smith wear casual clothes now?

A. He feels at ease.

B. He looks handsome.

C. He went to a new company.

D. He can’t afford expensive suits.

3.What can we learn from the text?

A. Casual clothes can impress others.

B. People fought for “Casual Friday”.

C. “Casual Friday” used to be popular.

D. “Casual Friday” was given as a prize.

4.What is the advantage of casual office wear?

A. Making workers more easygoing.

B. Making workers more attractive.

C. Improving workers’ ability.

D. Saving workers’ money.

5.Which does Owen Black probably agree to?

A. Comfortable clothes are cheap.

B. Nobody like conservative clothes.

C. Young people like casual clothes.

D. U.S. employers like casual office wear.

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。

My mother is a diligent and kind woman. She is very busy from morning till night. As a teacher, she works hard.  1.Both my brother and I love her dearly as she loves us.

     My mother has been teaching math at a middle school in my hometown. She goes to work early in the morning and does not return home until late in the afternoon. 2.  She treats them with patience and teaches them well. For her excellent quality and very good teaching results, she has been elected as a model teacher several times.

      3. Every day, when she comes back home from work, she sets about doing housework, sweeping the living room and bedrooms or cleaning the furniture, and putting everything in good order. She seems to be busy all the time. As she has been very busy working every day, she looks older than her age. But she looks as cheerful and happy as ever. Mother never buys expensive dresses for herself, but she often buys some inexpensive but high quality clothes for us. 4. She just eats a plain meal outside when she is too busy to cook herself. She lives a busy yet simple life, without any complaints.

    Often she says to us, “work while you work, and play while you play. That is the way to be happy and gay. If you do not work, you will become lazy and be of no use to society”. What a piece of good advice this is!  5. This advice of hers will always serve as a guide to my behavior. My mother is great indeed, and I always feel proud of her.

A. She enjoys listening to classic music.

B. As a mother, she takes good care of us and gives us every comfort.

C. She loves her students and cares for them.

D. She never goes to expensive restaurants to enjoy meals.

E. My mother is hard-working and never wastes money.

F. I never forget it and always bear it in my mind.

G. Can you tell us something about your mother?

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。

A lady wanted a birthday gift from her husband. For many months she had liked a beautiful _________ , and knowing her husband could _________ it, she told him that was all she wanted. On the morning of the ________ , her husband told her how _________ he was to have such a good wife, and how much he loved her. He _________ her a beautiful gift package (紙盒). She opened it and _________ a Bible. _________ , she raised her voice and said to her husband, “With all your money, you give me a Bible?” She was so _________ that she left him.

Many years passed and the lady was very _________ in business. She owned two large companies. She _________ her husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should go to _________ him. But before she could, she _________ a letter telling her that he had died, and gave all of his possessions (財產(chǎn)) to her. She needed to come back and _________ things.

When she arrived at his house, sadness _________ her heart. She saw the still new _________ , just as she had left it years before. With _________, she opened it and began to turn the pages. A ring _________ from the Bible to the floor and a _________ could be seen. She picked it up and found it was the ring she wanted in those days. And on the card was the date of her birth, and the words “LOVE YOU ALWAYS”.

_________ your gift is not packaged the way you want it, it’s because it is better packaged the way it is! Always appreciate little things; they usually lead you to bigger things! The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched for they must be felt with the _________ .

1.A. watch B. ring C. coat D. box

2.A. afford B. like C. design D. guess

3.A. holiday B. performance C. birthday D. meeting

4.A. proud B. kind C. sorry D. brave

5.A. lent B. asked C. gave D. moved

6.A. carried B. found C. missed D. held

7.A. Politely B. Lightly C. Patiently D. Angrily

8.A. calm B. upset C. grateful D. careless

9.A. failing B. lonely C. successful D. poor

10.A. wanted B. hoped C. realized D. explained

11.A. visit B. understand C. catch D. help

12.A. passed B. wrote C. sent D. received

13.A. take care of B. pay for C. look for D. give away

14.A. covered B. broke C. left D. filled

15.A. car B. Bible C. letter D. table

16.A. smiles B. laughter C. tears D. interests

17.A. hid B. dropped C. disappeared D. made

18.A. book B. pen C. flower D. card

19.A. If B. But C. Although D. So

20.A. hand B. eye C. face D. heart

閱讀下面材料，在空白處填入適當?shù)膬?nèi)容（1個單詞）或括號內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。

No one knows 1. (exact) how the earth began, as it happened so long ago. However, according to a widely 2. (accept) theory, the universe began 3. a “Big Bang” that threw matter in all 4. (direction). For several billion years after the “Big Bang”, the earth was still just a cloud of dust. 5. it was to become was 6. (certain) until between 4.5 and 3.8 billion years ago when the dust settled into a solid globe. The earth became so 7. (violence) that it was not clear 8. the shape would last or not. It exploded loudly with fire and rock. They were in time 9. (produce) carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapour and other gases, which were to make the earth’s atmosphere. What is even more important is that as the earth cooled down, water began to appear on 10. surface.

單句改錯

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句子。每個句子僅涉及一個單詞的修改。請在錯的詞下畫一橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。（注意：每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞。）

1.What you don’t like him is none of my business.

2.Tom, as well as his two sisters like music.

3.You have no excuse for not go.

4.His father died, leave the family worse off.

5.Your teacher was really worried about you. You couldn’t have left school without telling him.

書面表達

假定你是班長李華，請根據(jù)以下內(nèi)容給新任外教Smith先生寫一封信，向他表示歡迎并轉(zhuǎn)達同學們對英語課的希望：

1. 介紹西方文化；

2. 組織多樣活動；

3. 關(guān)注學生發(fā)音, 提高聽說能力。

注意：

1．詞數(shù)100左右；

2．可以適當增加細節(jié)，以使行文連貫；

3．開頭已為你寫好。

Dear Mr. Smith,

I’m writing on behalf of my class to extend our warm welcome to you. Here are some of our expectations for your English class.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours truly,

Li Hua

閱讀理解。

Without any hesitation,he said,“I’d be better off dead.” Hearing those words come out of my best friend’s mouth tore my heart apart.He has repeated that phrase more than once,and my mind continually plays it over like a voice recording.

I met my best friend about three years ago.After knowing me for six months,he told me about his struggles with depression.Sadness was not the only emotion that came over me; I was shocked.He seemed so outgoing and happy all the time.I soon learned that he was physically and emotionally abused as a young child,causing him to have suicidal(自殺的)thoughts.

He refuses to talk to others about his depression because he now distrusts adults,especially those in his family.In spite of this,he feels as if I understand him and that I know the right words to speak.Thus,when it comes to helping him,convenience is not in my vocabulary.It does not matter where I am or what I am doing,for he takes priority.Sometimes he just needs the assurance of my voice telling him that everything is going to be okay and that I will not let him down.

Many students at his school laugh at him when they notice the scars on his arms from cutting.It seems that other kids have every right to make fun of him and to look down on him.But no one holds such a right,so I encourage him to ignore the heartless kids who treat him badly.When he feels the weight of judging eyes or hateful voices,I always remind him that I care about him unconditionally.Just hearing me say I will always be his best friend seems to give him the security he needs to keep on going.

My best friend once told me that if he had not had me,he would not be alive.He said that my encouraging words convinced him not to take the way out(輕生).Our friendship has taught me that a single kind word can impact on someone’s life.With the fragility of life as it is,I believe in the necessity of encouragement.

1.According to Paragraph 1,hearing his friend’s words,the author felt .

A.puzzled B.painful

C.frightened D.hopeless

2.The author’s friend got into depression mainly because .

A.he lived without his parents

B.he had poor health

C.he received little care at school

D.he had a bad childhood

3.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 3 mean?

A.The author hardly spares time to help his friend.

B.The author has no good excuse for refusing his friend.

C.The author is always ready to help his friend.

D.The author is not good at communicating with his friend.

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A.I Believe in Encouragement.

B.I Enjoy Friendship.

C.My Friend and I.

D.The Story of My Friend.

閱讀理解。

Too many people want others to be friends,but they don’t give friendship back.That is why some friendships don’t last long.To have a friend,you must learn to be one.You must learn to treat your friend the way you want your friend to treat you.Learning to be a good friend means learning three rules:be honest;be generous;be understanding.

Honesty is where a good friend starts.Friends must be able to trust one another.If you do not tell the truth,people usually find out that.If a friend finds out that you haven’t been honest,you may lose your friend’s trust.Good friends always count on one another to speak and act honestly.

Generosity means sharing and sharing makes a friendship grow.You do not have to give your lunch money or your clothes of course.Instead you have to learn how to share things you enjoy,like your hobbies and your interests.Naturally you will want to share your ideas and feelings.These can be very valuable to a friend.They tell your friend what is important to you.By sharing them,you help your friend know better.

Sooner or later everyone needs understanding and help with a problem.Something may go wrong at school.Talking about the problem can make it easier to solve.Turning to a friend can be the first step in solving the problem.So a friend must listen and understand.You must try to put yourself in your friend’s place so you can understand the problem better.

No two friendships are ever exactly alike.But true friendships have three things in common.If you plan to keep your friends,you must practice honesty,generosity,and understanding.

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容,選擇最佳答案

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

A.Three Important Points in Life

B.How to Be a Good Friend

C.Honesty Is the Most Important Quality

D.A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed

2.Some friendships don’t last long because .

A.some people don’t treat friendship seriously

B.there are too many people who want to make friends

C.they don’t share their lunch money

D.some people only receive friendship but don’t give friendship back

3.According to the passage,honesty is .

A.the base of friendship

B.as important as our life

C.more important than anything else

D.something valuable

4.To be a friend,you must .

A.give your money to your friend

B.give your clothes to your friend

C.be honest,generous and understanding

D.help your friend to do everything

閱讀理解。

Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans.Alan Beck,an expert in human-animal relationship,and Nancy Edwards,a professor of nursing,are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression,physical activity,and life satisfaction.“No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active,challenged,or stimulated(刺激),” Edwards points out.“The problem is how we promote that,especially for those without friends or help.A robotic dog could be a solution.”

In the study,the robot,called AIBO,is placed for six weeks in the homes of some old people who live alone.Before placing AIBO in the home,researchers will collect baseline data for six weeks.These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activities before and after AIBO.Then,the researchers will review the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.

“I talk to him all the time,and he responds to my voice,”says a seventy-year-old lady.“When I’m watching TV,he’ll stay in my arms until he wants down.He has a mind of his own.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders.The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs,especially for old people.Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it.A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.

“At the beginning,it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog because it was metal and not furry,” Beck says.“But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”

“Hopefully,down the road,these robotic pets could become more valuable health helpers.They will record their masters’ blood pressure,oxygen levels,or heart rhythms.AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”

1.The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to .

A.understand human-animal relationship

B.find the causes of old people’s loneliness

C.make lonely old people’s life better

D.promote the animal-assisted research

2.In the research,the old people are asked to .

A.note the activities of AIBOs

B.keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks

C.analyze the collected information

D.record their feelings and activities

3.What is the advantage of AIBOs over live dogs?

A.They can watch TV with their owners.

B.They can help the disabled people.

C.They respond to all the human orders.

D.They are easier to keep at home.

4.The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may .

A.keep old people active

B.cure certain diseases

C.change people’s beliefs

D.look more like real dogs

七選五閱讀

How to Make Friends

Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends.Good friendship has many benefits.It offers companionship,improves self-worth and promotes good health.There are times in our lives such as when we have recently moved into a new town,changed our jobs or schools.Such changes often leave us without a friend. 1. But for many of us the process is difficult and requires courage.Below are some helpful suggestions on how to make and keep friends.

1.Associate with others.

The first step to making friends is associating with other people.You can go to public places to meet new people.Besides,you will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member of such places.

2.Start a conversation.

Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends. 2. You can always start the conversation.Being able to make small talks is a very useful skill in relating with other people.

3.

Choosing friends with common interests is important in building friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friends together.Hanging out will always be a pleasant experience.

4.Let it grow.

It is a good thing to stay in touch.However,try not to press your new friend with calls,messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and finally you may lose your friend. 4. The best friendships are the ones that grow naturally.

5.Enjoy your friendship.

The best way to enjoy your friendship is to allow your friends to be themselves. 5. Try not to change them from who they are to what you want them to be.Become the kind of friend you want your friend to be.

A.Be cheerful.

B.Do things together.

C.Do not wait to be spoken to.

D.Try not to find fault with your friends.

E.Making new friends comes easy for some people.

F.For a friendship to develop you need to stay in touch.

G.So you will need to give your friend time to react to you.