Daniel Singer is a 14- year-old boy from Los I Angeles,US. has created YouTell,a website that allows users to talk anonymously (匿名地) with each other,and Backchat,an anonymous mobile messaging app (應(yīng)用) .

   Daniel often goes on to social networking websites like Facebook. He found that anonymity is very important for people in his age group. “When you go to post a picture on Facebook,there's a lot of pressure on what you’re talking about,so who you really are is lost,” he told CBS News. Daniel learned programming by himself by using the Internet and reading books. Based on his ideas,he created YouTell and Backchat.

   Apart from protecting privacy (隱私) ，his products also brought ‘‘magic and fun ” into people's communication. Take Backchat as an example. The app shows some clues (線索) about who sends the messages. The person getting a message can work as a detective to find out who the sender is. The products are popular among teenagers. The website,which came out in 2012,has had over 3 million users and the app which came out in December has had 125,000 users. The success has helped Singer receive $200,000 of seed funding (種子資金) for his company,which is also named Backchat.

   Talking about his future plans,Daniel wanted to be an entrepreneur (企業(yè)家) . “It's a way to have a direct influence on the world. Backchat is really in an exciting and hot space. I hope that Backchat lasts 100 years ,” he said.

1. Daniel Singer's dream is to be .

   A. an entrepreneur

   B. a scientist

   C. a teacher

   D. a newspaper reporter

2. From the passage,we learn that Backchat is.

   A. a website where users can share their secrets

   B. a program that allows users to read on the Internet

   C. an anonymous mobile messaging app

   D. a company that produces mobile phones

3. Which of the following is TRUE about Daniel?

   A. He loves computer games.

   C. He opened a company with the help of his family.

   D. He created Backchat at an early age.

4. How many users did Backchat have in December?

   A. 125,000.   B. 200,000.

   C. 3 million. D. 201,210.

5. According to the article,Daniel's products .

   A. are not popular among teenagers

   B. can protect users’ privacy

   C. can't be used to post pictures

   D. don't give clues about who sends the messages

   Mark was an 11-year-old orphan. He lived with his aunt,who was greatly 1 with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never 2 to remind young Mark he would be a homeless waif (流浪兒) . 3 with all the scolding and coldness at home,he was a 4 and gentle child. I had not 5 Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day to help me clean the room. We did this 6 and comfortably,not speaking much,but enjoying the quietness of that hour of the day. When we did 7 , Mark spoke mostly of his mother.

   I explained how he had been my best helper. “I'm making you a surprise ,” he whispered. “It's for Christmas. ”

   With that,he became 8 and ran out of the classroom. Finally came the last school day before Christmas. “I have your present,” he said timidly (羞怯地) when I 9 up. “I hope you like it. ”There was a tiny wooden box in his hand. “It's beautiful,Mark. Is there something in it?” I asked,10 the top to look inside. “ You can't 11 what's in it ,” he replied ,“and you can't touch it,or taste it or feel it,but 12 always said it makes you feel 13 all the time,warm on cold nights and 14 when you are alone. ” I looked into the empty box. “What's it,Mark,” I asked gently ,“that will make me feel so good?” “ Love ,” he 15 . And he turned and quietly left my room. It was the best present I have never had before.

1. A. satisfied   B. annoyed   C. tired   D. contented

2. A. succeeded   B. tried   C. failed   D. wanted

3. A. Still   B. Besides   C. Moreover   D. Meanwhile

4. A. strange   B. proud   C. quiet   D. sweet

5. A. touched   B. known   C. remembered   D. noticed

6. A. quickly   B. separately   C. slowly   D. quietly

7. A. say   B. talk   C. listen   D. communicate

8. A. excited   B. silent   C. happy   D. shy

9. A. cheered   B. rose   C. looked   D. turned

10. A. watching   B. staring   C. opening   D. tearing

11. A. enjoy   B. have   C. sell   D. see

12. A. mother   B. father   C. uncle   D. aunt

13. A. free   B. good   C. calm   D. lucky

14. A. joyful   B. terrible   C. safe   D. hopeful

15. A. shouted   B. cried   C. laughed   D. whispered

   As the teacher at the skydiving school,Ron was surprised when he saw the grey-haired man drive up to the airfield. He was more surprised when the man said that his name was Walter and asked if he could take skydiving lessons. 1. Ron explained to Walter that anyone over 50 had to be checked by a doctor before they could learn to jump from a plane.

   “I'm afraid you should have thought about that before coming here,” Ron said. “I'm sorry,but I can't let you start learning without a letter from your doctor. ” Walter smiled. u Here is a letter from my doctor. 2. ”

   So Walter was able to join the skydiving school. He came to all the lessons and worked very hard,although the other students were much younger than him,mostly about 30. 3. Ron asked him if he was feeling OK. Walter replied that he had never felt better. However,he added that there was something he should have told Ron earlier. Ron asked what it was and Walter smiled. Then,just before he jumped,he told Ron that he wasn’t 60. 4.

   Walter's first jump from a plane was six years ago. And yesterday he made his eighteenth jump. “I should have started skydiving a long time ago!” he said.

  閱讀短文，根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，從方框里的五個選 項中選出能填人空白處的最佳選項。選項中有一項 為多余選項。

   A. He asked me to take lots of tests and he said that I was fine.

   B. Ron asked how old Walter really was and Walter told him he was 75 !

   C. Walter's daughter Betty worries about him.

   D. Ron asked Walter how old he was and Walter replied that he was 60.

   E. Soon it was time for him to make his first jump.

   Hello,my name is Iliana Guerra. I was bom in a small town. I came to the United States looking for the American Dream.

   I started to work at a meat market as soon as I arrived in Houston. I found a job as a cashier. I didn't know how to count American money,but I was happy that I had a job. I told myself ,“You can do it. ” I looked at the money and saw the numbers on the bills. And finally after a few days,I learned. I didn't understand English and when someone asked me something I didn't know what he or she was saying. I just looked at their eyes and asked my co-worker (同事) what they said and she translated for me. And I have learned almost everything about the business.

   Now I'm attending the Adult Reading Center. I have had wonderful teachers. The people there are very kind. Since I have been coming to this school,I have learned a lot of things that help me in the office like how to write a check,how to do a job interview,and how to even speak with my customers in person or by phone. From Mr Beckman's classes,I have learned how to use the computer in my business. I feel more and more confident with myself.

   After all Fm very happy to be living in America. I am very thankful for what I have and now I can say that I am realizing the American Dream.

1. The underlined word “cashier” means “”.

   A. 主管   B. 出納

   C. 屠夫   D. 空姐

2. The second paragraph tells us that Iliana .

   A. had trouble in using the language

   B. did her job well

   C. got well with her co-worker

   D. loved her job

3. Why is Iliana studying in Adult Reading Center?

   A. Because she wanted to learn more working skills.

   B. Because she wanted to learn English well.

   C. Because the people there are very kind.

   D. Because she loved Mr Beckman's classes.

4. Which of the following is NOT true?

   A. Iliana studied many skills in the Adult Reading Center.

   B. Iliana's English was poor when her worked in the market.

   C. Iliana thought she tried her best to fit the American life.

   D. Iliana complained her hard life in America in the passage.

5. What is the best title of the passage?

   A. My Jobs in America

   B. How to Make a Living

   C. Never Stop Studying

   D. The American Dream

   This is a story of a man who works in a big factory. I have seen him for years but Fve never paid any attention to him. He was a little bit weird. He always wore an old red hat and carried a rubbish bag. He usually spent his break time and his lunchtime walking around in that old big factory and collecting used tins (鋁罐) .

   One day,I was fixing one of the broken machines in the factory when this “tin man” came with his bag. As usual,he picked up the tins,which were all around the place. My manager was standing there watching me.

   When I finished my job,I heard my manager ask the “tin man” about what he was going to do with those tins he had collected. I never even thought about this kind of question,because I always guessed that “tin man” would take those tins to the recycling center.

   Unexpectedly,the “tin man” answered, “I will give these tins to my neighbor. He has been ill for many years and cannot work. ” I was so shocked to hear that,so I asked him： “You mean you collect all those tins just to help your neighbor?” ‘‘I know this does not help much ,” he said “But I give everything to him,because he cannot work. He needs help. ”

   It was the most beautiful moment in my life. It has made me feel humble every day since then.

   A. scary

   B. clean

   C. strange

   D. brave

2. According to the passage,the “tin man” worked in a .

   A. factory

   B. recycling center

   C. restaurant

   D. supermarket

3. Why is Iliana studying in Adult Reading Center?

   A. it was his job

   B. he needed to make some money

   C. he wanted to recycle them

   D. he wanted to help his neighbor

4. From the passage we can learn that the “tin-man” was very .

   A. successful

   B. poor

   C. warm-hearted

   D. polite

   The shock of the recent earthquake in Pakistan has brought another shock ： the rise of a small,mysterious island,coming out from the water.

   In the aftershock (余震) of the earthquake,people living in Gawadar,near the southwest coast,began to see a strange sight. They looked out into the Arabian Sea and saw a mountain-like shape coming out of the water. ‘‘ I could see this gray,dome-shaped (穹頂形狀的) body in the distance,like a giant whale,” Bahram Baloch,a local journalist,told the BB   C. “Hundreds of people had gathered to watch it in surprise. ”

   When the earthquake happened,the force was so strong that it moved the sea floor,releasing gas. This gas pushed the seabed,mostly rock and sand,upward and out of the water. This is how mud volcanoes (火山) are formed. The island that measures about 20 meters high,30 meters long and 90 meters wide is actually the tip of the mud volcano.

   Is it safe? Although people have visited this new island,scientists have found dangerous gas coming from the newly formed island. “Our team found bubbles rising from the surface of the island,which caught fire when a match was lit,” said Mohammad Danish,a scientist,to Universe Today.

   These mud volcanoes are not rare. But it's striking because this one has popped up in a populated area,and not far out in the sea. However,it's not expected to last very long. Most of these mud volcanoes are swept back under the sea within one year.

1. After the earthquake,what did people see in the sea?

   A. A strange light.

   B. A blue whale.

   C. A mysterious island.

   D. A mountain.

2. When people saw the new island, they felt very.

   A. frightened

   B. worried

   C. surprised

   D. interested

3. According to Mohammad Danish, .

   A. it is safe to visit mud volcanoes

   B. it is a bad time to do research

   C. gas from the newly formed island was dangerous

   D. some places on the island were on fire

4. From the last paragraph,we learn that mud volcanoes .

   A. are good places to visit

   B. often appear in the sea

   C. exist for years

   D. will not be swept away by waves

                                  Green Water Lake 

   In my life I have traveled to many beautiful places. But I have 1 forgotten one place. It is my hometown's Green Water Lake.

   My hometown has one beautiful lake. It is called Green Water Lake. Actually,Green Water Lake is Green Water River;this river 2 two provinces.

Some company made a dam (大項) on the river,so the dam top's river 3 like a lake. The water is very clean and smooth,and there are hundreds of islands 4 the lake. There are some islands that have thousands of birds;there are some islands with a lot of bamboo,pines,and with many kinds of 5 I don't know the name of. The flowers are white,red,pink and purple 6 There are beautiful smells and beautiful sights.

   I lived in my hometown from the time I was ten years old to the time I was eighteen years old. In those 7 years,every summer I swam in the Green Water Lake. I love this lake very much. I liked to swim in the lake. I liked to dive in the water and watch the fish. Green Water Lake brought me a 8 time.

   Right now every year there are thousands of 9 who travel to Green Water Lake. I am very happy that people like the lake,but I 10 that people will pollute the lake because Green Water Lake in my heart is very important.

1. A. never   B. always   C. already   D. seldom

2. A. covers   B. crosses   C. comes   D. meets

3. A. would   B. feels   C. tastes   D. seems

4. A. of   B. at   C. in   D. to

5. A. plants   B. animals   C. fruits   D. stones

6. A. something   B. nobody   C. everywhere   D. anyone

7. A. six   B. seven   C. eight   D. nine

8. A. successful   B. terrible   C. careful   D. wonderful

9. A. farmers   B. scientists   C. tourists   D. doctors

10. A. hope   B. worry   C. believe   D. think

   Do students in your country go directly to university or college after school or have a break first? Taking a gap (間隙) year between school and university is quite common in the UK,and there are lots of different ways to spend your time.

   A “gap year” is a period of time,usually an academic (學(xué)術(shù)的) year,when a student takes a break from formal education. It is often spent traveling or working.

   People used to think that taking a gap year was negative (消極的) . In the past you took a gap year if you had to retake exams or had problems between finishing school and starting higher education. But now,universities positively (肯定地) encourage a gap year,and employers are happy to give jobs to students who take a gap year. A gap year can give young people useful learning experience,help them pick up new skills and make them more independent.

   Young people in formal education usually take a gap year when they are about eighteen years old,before going to university. They can also be taken at a different time,for example,by someone who wants to break up their degree course or to do something different before a postgraduate (研究生) course.

   Many gap year students choose to do voluntary (志愿的) work. Popular gap year activities for young people are looking for adventure. Lots of gap year students just want to see more of the world.

   Most students who are planning a gap year take on a part-time job to save up for the trip. Some students travel for three or six months then work for the rest of the year.

  閱讀以上短文，根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，完成下面的表格，每空一詞。

   Trinity College Library： Dublin,Ireland 

   The library is the oldest library in Ireland. People started to build it in

1592. There are many old books in this library. It is famous for its beauty. One of the oldest harps (豎琴) in Ireland is in the library.

   Geisel Library,University of California ： San Diego,the United States 

   It first opened in 1970. It looks like a spaceship (宇宙飛船) . You can go to the first floor and the second floor in the library to read books. You can also find books from the fourth floor to the eighth floor. Readers can't find the way to the third floor in the library.

   TU Delft Library,the Delft University of Technology ： The Netherlands 

   In 1997,people built this library. It has more than 862,000 books,16,000 magazines and its own museum. The building is under the ground. So you can't see it. The grass hill is the roof of the library. On the grass,there is a white building. It represents technology.

1. The oldest library in Ireland was built in .

   A. 1592   B. 1970

   C. 1529   D. 1997

2. Readers can't go to in Geisel Library.

   A. the first floor   B. the second floor

   C. the third floor   D. the fourth floor

3. Why did people build a white building on the TU Delft Library?

   A. Because it is the roof of the TU Delft Library.

   B. Because it is the sign of the Library.

   C. Because it can protect the grass.

   D. Because it is the symbol of technology.

4. Which country does Geisel Library lie in?

   A. England. B. Ireland.

   C. America. D. Netherlands.

5. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

   A. The three libraries are named after three Universities.

   B. Geisel Library was built in a spaceship.

   C. Trinity College Library looks like a harp.

   D. TU Delft Library was built under the ground.

   During summer vacations,I would volunteer at the vet's (獸醫(yī)診所) ，so I'd seen a lot of dogs. Minnie was by far the funniest-looking dog I'd ever seen. Curly hair hardly covered her sausage-shaped (臘腸形的) body. Her big eyes always looked surprised. And her tail looked like a rat's.

   She was brought to the vet to be put to sleep because her owners didn't want her anymore. “No one should judge her by her looks”’ I thought. So instead of putting her to sleep,the vet and I gave her the chance to be adopted by someone else. I advertised Minnie in the local paper “ Funny-looking dog,well behaved,needs a loving family. ”

   When a young man called,I warned him that Minnie was strange-looking. The boy on the phone told me that his grandfather's 16-year-old dog had just died. They wanted Minnie no matter what. I gave Minnie a good bath. Then we waited for them to arrive.

   At last,an old car drove up in front of the vet's. Two kids ran to the door. They took Minnie to their grandfather,who was waiting in the car. I hurried behind them to see his reaction (反應(yīng)) to Minnie.

   The grandfather carried Minnie in his arms and touched her soft hair. She licked his face. It was love at first lick.

   “She's perfect!” the old man said excitedly.

   I was thankful that Minnie had found the good home that she deserved (應(yīng)得) .That's when I saw that the grandfather's eyes were a milky white color— he was blind.

1. From Paragraph 2 ,we know that Minnie .

   A. didn't like people

   B. was scared of people

   C. was probably disliked by her owners

   D. was the most beautiful dog at the vet's

2. How did the vet deal with Minnie?

   A. The vet decided to put her to death.

   B. The vet tried to find a new owner for her.

   C. The vet liked Minnie and adopted her.

   D. The vet decided to sell Minnie.

3. The underlined word “ adopted” means “ ”.

   A. 收養(yǎng)   B. 安樂死

   C. 購買   D. 治療

4. According to the story,which of the following is TRUE?

   A. The author knew how the new owner would react.

   B. Minnie became perfect in the end.

   C. The two kids loved Minnie very much.

   D. The grandfather showed great love for Minnie.

5. What can we learn from the story?

   A. It's hard for the blind to tell good from bad.

   B. It's best to judge things by their appearance.

   C. It's sad that the blind live in the dark.

   D. Blindness can't stop one's kindness.