A new retail phenomenon from Japan which allows customers to walk away with free products is to launch in Britain. From tomorrow, visitors to SampleTrend’s central London store can try anything on its shelves, and all of the products can be taken home without charge.

For an annual membership fee of £60，users are free to enter the shop once a month and help themselves to no less than £250 worth of goods every year. The only ‘catch’ is that shoppers are asked to complete a simple questionnaire about each product they try. Known as ‘try-vertising’，the concept allows manufacturers to test products and receive consumer feedback(反饋）before launching onto the open market. It is already a sensation in Japan and now looks set to transform the fortunes of the embattled UK retail industry. If everything goes well, countries such as Germany and France will give it a try. According to new figures, stores are facing a Christmas crisis with the weakest high street trading for six months. Michael Ghosh, the founder behind SampleTrend, said, “The concept behind SampleTrend is unique in the UK. It allows shoppers the opportunity to walk away with a number of real, full-size products of their choosing without handing over a penny.” The concept of in-store try-vertising is simple but effective. Businesses across all sectors from cosmetic manufacturers to beverage makers, place new products on the shelves at SampleTrend and wait for consumers to try them out.

Customers complete a short 10-point questionnaire about the product. The feedback they provide is used to make any finishing touches before the product is brought officially to market. The SampleTrend store stocks everything from cosmetics, food and drink, and household goods. Ghosh, the former advertising and sales director for Disney Europe, said such feedback may also build brand loyalty from the outset— a particularly appealing prospect for new businesses.

1.The most attractive part of the idea for customers is that_____.

A. they only pay £60 for a life-long membership

B. they can help to make the products better

C. it won’t take much time to finish the questionnaire

D. they can take things home without paying for them

2.The idea of ‘try-vertising’ originates from_____.

A. Germany B. Britain C. Japan D. France

3.The purpose of ‘try-vertising’ is to_____.

A. get feedback for their new products

B. sell more products at Christmas time

C. encourage people to buy more products

D. give customers free products as gifts

4.What does Michael Ghosh think of this business idea?

A. Puzzling. B. Unpractical.

C. Promising. D. Surprising.

The strong emphasis on educational achievement in China, Japan and other parts of South-East Asia may be coming at a heavy price. Researchers say that hard work at school plus the lack of exposure to outdoor light is damaging the eyes of almost nine out of ten students—with one in five at serious risk of visual impairment and blindness.

The scientists say that young people need up to three hours a day of outdoor light, but many infants are also missing out as they nap during lunch time. Dr. Ian Morgan is the lead author of the study. “I think what's happened in South-East Asia is that we've got a double whammy. We've got the massive educational pressures and we've got the construction of a child's day in a way that really minimises the amount of time they spend outside in bright light.”

The scientists say that genetic factors, long thought to play a big role in short-sightedness, are not as important as the environment. They point to Singapore as a place with several different racial groups, all of whom are now suffering high levels of short-sightedness.

The authors suggest that compulsory time outdoors should be considered by educational authorities across South-East Asia as a way of dealing with the problem.

1.What does the passage mainly talk about ?

A. Educational achievement in Asia.

B. Sight problems in South-East Asia.

C. Risk of visual impairment and blindness.

D. Massive educational pressures

2. What does the underlined part “a double whammy” refer to?

A. Many infants’ naps and massive educational pressures.

B. Hard work at school and the construction of a child's day.

C. Educational pressures and the lack of exposure to outdoor light.

D. Genetic factors and the minimised time spent outside in bright light.

3. By mentioning Singapore, the author intends to tell us that ________.

A. genetic factors play a big role in short-sightedness

B. it has several different racial groups

C. all Singaporeans are shortsighted now

D. the environment has greater effect on people’s eyes

4.The authors strongly believe that __________.

A. we should spend enough time outdoors

B. infants should not nap during lunch time

C. students should not work hard at school

D. educational authorities are to blame for short-sightedness

On the first day of the 11th grade, our new math teacher Mr. Washington asked me to go to the blackboard to do a math problem. I told him that I couldn’t do it. He asked, “Why not?” I paused, and then I said, “Because I’m educable mentally retarded (可教育智能遲滯).”

He came from behind his desk and looked at me. “Don’t ever say that again. Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality,” he said.

It was a very special moment for me. Doctors said that I was educable mentally retarded in the fifth grade, and I was put back into the fourth grade. When I was in the eighth grade, I failed again.

But Mr. Washington changed my life. This person always gave students the feeling that he had high expectations of them, and then all of the students did their best to live up to what those expectations were. He often said, “You have greatness within you.”

One day, I caught up with him in the parking place and said, “Mr Washington, is there greatness within me, sir?”

He said, “Yes, Mr Brown.”

“But what about the fact that I failed English, math, and history? What about that, sir? I’m slower than most kids.”

“It doesn’t matter. It just means that you have to work harder. Your grades don’t determine who you are or what you can produce in your life.”

“I want to buy my mother a house.”

“It is possible, Mr. Brown. You can do that.” And he turned to walk away.

“Mr. Washington?”

“What do you want now?”

“Uh, I’m the one, sir. One day you’re going to hear my name. I’m the one, sir.”

School was a real struggle for me. Mr. Washington put many demands on me. He made me believe that I could do it. At the end of that year, I was on the honor roll for the first time in my life.

Years later, I produced five programs on public television. When one of my programs was shown on the educational television channel, I had some friends call him. I was sitting by the phone waiting when he called me. He said, “May I speak to Mr. Brown, please?”

“Oh, Mr. Washington, is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me. You were the one, weren’t you?”

“Yes, sir, I was.”

1.What does Mr Washington mean by saying “Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality”?

A. You needn’t have the same opinion as others.

B. You should believe what other people say.

C. What other people say about you may not be correct.

D. The doctor made a mistake.

2.What happened to the author at last?

A. He entered a good university.

B. He earned much honor.

C. He got a good job.

D. He made television programs.

3. In the passage, the author implies that ________.

A. people shouldn’t believe what doctors say

B. no one can be successful with hard work and confidence

C. no one is really educable mentally retarded

D. a good teacher can change a student’s life

4.The best title for the passage would be “________”.

A. Don’t Believe Others B. I Am the One

C. My Best Teacher D. I Succeeded at Last

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。

A strong memory depends on the health and vitality （活力） of your brain. They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but when it comes to the brain, scientists have discovered that this old saying simply isn’t true. 1.

Give your brain a workout. Memory, like muscular strength, requires you to “use it or lose it”. The more you work out your brain, the better you’ll be able to process and remember information. 2.

Don’t skip the physical exercise. While mental exercise is important for brain health, that doesn’t mean you never need to break a sweat. Physical exercise helps your brain stay sharp. It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss.

Get enough sleep. There is a big difference between the amount of sleep you can get by on and the amount you need to function at your best. 3.

Keep stress in check. Stress is one of the brain’s worst enemies. Over time, stress destroys brain cells. Studies have also linked stress to memory loss.

Have a laugh. 4. That holds true for the brain and the memory, as well as the body. Unlike emotional responses, which are limited to specific areas of the brain, laughter engages multiple regions across the whole brain.

5. Just as the body needs fuel, so does the brain. You probably already know that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, “healthy” fats and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits, but such a diet can also improve memory. For brain health, though, it’s not just what you eat—it’s also what you don’t eat.

A. Eat a brain-boosting diet.

B. Play games with memory.

C. Laughter is the best medicine.

D. But oversleeping is not good for your brain.

E. Even skipping a few hours makes a difference!

F. You have to shake things up from time to time!

G. The human brain has an astonishing ability to adapt and change.

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。

One day I pulled up to my apartment building and noticed there was a father and daughter ______ some things from a moving truck. Normally I’m shy away from contact with ______. That particular day, though, something was in me; I can’t explain _____, but I felt like I should just help these people, even ______ something as seemingly unimportant as unloading a truck. So I ______ and introduced myself, welcomed them to the town, and asked them to give me a(n) ______ to put some proper shoes on. After I had flip-flops(拖鞋)on, I went over and helped them move all of their _____ into the apartment.

After we finished, we talked some and I got to know my new ______. It might seem unimportant, but it seems that people are less ______ and friendly to their neighbors these days; I wanted to ______ that, at least in my small ______ block. So we did talk, and they’re from Florida, just like me.

At that ______ time in my life, I was going through a really difficult ______ with my girlfriend of 7 years. I didn’t feel like helping anyone or doing anything ______, but I figured why not？And I’m glad I did. Also, as _____ would have it, their daughter is my age(college student) and we each had a mutual(相互的) ______in one another. This developed into a friendship, and in the coming months, probably more.

The ______ was the act itself, though. I got to know my new neighbors and made some new friends in the ______. And I felt really good about it. Since then, I’ve tried ______ my comfort zone to perform other unplanned acts of ______. So far, so good. I’d encourage everyone else to do the same!

1.A. stealing B. burdening C. unloading D. packing

2.A. teachers B. strangers C. friends D. parents

3.A. which B. why C. what D. when

4.A. with B. about C. for D. on

5.A. came up B. came on C. came out D. came back

6.A. moment B. hand C. hour D. break

7.A. treasure B. goods C. furniture D. belongings

8.A. neighbors B. girlfriend C. students D. classmates

9.A. lucky B. afraid C. curious D. open

10.A. change B. accept C. receive D. observe

11.A. house B. school C. apartment D. company

12.A. particular B. common C. normal D. usual

13.A. breakout B. breakup C. breakthrough D. breakdown

14.A. primitive B. positive C. meaningless D. important

15.A. luck B. accident C. success D. result

16.A. choice B. habit C. love D. interest

17.A. award B. chance C. reward D. prize

18. A. game B. process C. program D. direction

19. A. expanding B. decreasing C. reducing D. closing

20. A. success B. courage C. kindness D. Consideration

閱讀下列材料，在空白處填入適當?shù)膬?nèi)容(不多于3個單詞)或括號內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。

Most students do an IQ text early in their school career. Even if they never see their results, they feel that their IQ is ___1.__ determines how well they are going to do in life. When they see other students doing __2.___(well) than them, they usually believe that those students have ___3.__ higher IQ and __4.__ there is nothing they can do to change facts. However, new research ___5.___ EQ suggests that success is not simply the result of a high IQ.

While your IQ tells you how ___6.___(intelligence) you are, your EQ tells you how well you use your intelligence. Professor Salovery, ___7.___ invented the term EQ, gives the following description: At work, it is IQ ___8.__ gets you promoted. Supported by his academic research, Professor Salovery suggests that when ___9.___(predict) someone’s future success, their character, ___10.__ is measured by EQ tests, might actually matter more than their IQ.

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，每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：把多余的詞用斜線(＼)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。

Friendship is very importance. Everyone needs friendship. In all our lives we can’t live without friendship just as we can’t live without air or water. Friendship makes us getting on well with one another to go ahead under different kind of difficulties in front of us. But real friendship is no easy to come by. True friendship must be sincerely and be based on understand each other but not on benefits of each other. A good friend can always be a good teacher to us. By his advices we are persuading to go the right way. Therefore more friends we have, the better we can to improve ourselves.

書面表達

假如你是李華，某培訓中心準備組織你校學生出國參加英語夏令營(English Summer Camp) ，夏令營活動安排如下：英國文化夏令營(The UK Culture Summer Camp)，美國語言夏令營(America Language Summer Camp)。 寫一封申請信給該培訓中心，報名參加其中的一個夏令營。信的內(nèi)容必須包括：

1. 你感興趣的夏令營。

2. 為什么想?yún)⒓舆@個活動。

3. 對這項活動有怎樣的打算和期待。

注意:

1. 詞數(shù)100左右。

2. 信的開頭和結(jié)尾已給出，不計入總詞數(shù)。

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am very glad that the English Summer Camp will be held to help us improve English and learn more about English culture.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Your school asked parents about the social development in children in the last Parents’ Meeting. Here are some opinions. Read following information and answer the questions.

1.The underlined word, “enhance”, can be replaced by .

A. spend B. improve C. expect D. handle

2.The underlined word, “it”, refers to .

A. social development B. a very early age

C. ball game D. failure

3. What kind of activities may be supported by the third parent for his/her children?

A. Playing basketball with friends.

B. Playing computer games.

C. Holding parties at home.

D. Watching TV alone.

4.Which is NOT the advantage from social development according to these parents and headmaster’s opinions?

A. Children become more confident.

B. Children get skills needed to make new friends.

C. Children learn teamwork.

D. Children are afraid of making mistakes.

Spring is here and so is the cycling season. Here are some suggestions on how to ride a bike safely and comfortably.

Watch your feet—Using the wrong part of the foot can raise your risk of hurting the heel and arch. You should push with the ball of your foot.

Layer up—While it’s still cool, wear layers of clothing, with light clothing close to the body and outer layers that do not absorb water. Choose bright colors that increase your visibility (可見度).

Fix the fit—If you have lower back pain or numbness (麻木) in your hands and finger from cycling, it could be because your bike isn’t adjusted properly for your height. A good cycle shop can help you find the right bike.

Be mindful—You have to pay attention on the roads to vehicles, other cyclists and pedestrians (行人). Consider taking a cycling safety course to practice your skills, or do some reading about how to avoid dangerous cycling situations. bicyclesafe.com.

1.Which part of the foot should one use when cycling?

A. The heel. B. The arch.

C. The ball. D. The toes.

2.What kind of layers of clothing is suggested for cycling?

A. Heavy clothing.

B. Oversize (肥大的) clothing.

C. Out layers absorb water.

D. Clothing with bright colors.

3.If you feel pain or numb in back or hands after cycling, what may be the reason?

A. You lack exercise.

B. You are ill.

C. Cycling doesn’t suit you.

D. Your bike isn’t adjusted properly for your height.

4.According to the last paragraph, if you want to avoid danger when cycling, you should .

①take a cycling safety course

②search for information on bicyclesafe.com

③choose walking rather than cycling

④ride a bike with many friends

A. ①② B. ③④ C. ①③ D. ②④