Why do we love junk food

   A lot of money,strategy and effort goes into 1L (design) junk food. The goal is 22 (make) it cheap,convenient and to keep you wanting more,though it has little or no 23 (nutrition) value.

  Our brains require a lot of energy to fimction well,  24 we love high-energy food. Junk food is usually high in things like salt,sugar and fat  25 excite pleasure centers in our brains,encouraging US to keep e?ting    Beyond the high calorie content,junk food 26 (make) have ? million 27 (trick) to make it hard for people to refuse their products. For example,they make the food have a melt-in-the-mouth quality to make US think the calories have 28 (magical) floated away. They also improve flavor. 29 (征服) our brains and we end up wanting more.

   Eating junk food is linked 30 things like obesity,heart disease and even cancer. Though we know it is not good for US,junk food can be really hard to resist

Surf and Yoga Retreat,Portugal

   Having kids doesn’ t  mean giving up doing the things you love. Just bring them along so they can get excited too. Surf camps and hotels are getting more and more popular. So are yoga retreats. Places such as Karma Surf Retreat combine the two for parents and kids over six and childcare is also available.

  From ?665pp a week,including twice-daily surf and yoga sessions,but not childcare and flights.

Bushcraft Camp,Wales 

  Many of US desire to get back to nature but lack practical experience. Family Bushcraft Camp is a great place to start. The camp is surrounded by forest and is just 20 minutes,walk from beautiful Oxwich beach. Activities include nature walks,shelter building,fire lighting and tracking. And there's  a special focus on wild cooking with a campfire.

  Mobile home from ?80 a night.

Back to Nature,Slovenia 

  Staying in a glass mobile home is a great way to put yourself in nature. Built from wood and natural,breathable materials,Sava5 s are set in a valley near the shores of Lake Bled. There's hiking from the doorstep and swimming on the lake. A bus goes to the lake of Bohinj and the wilderness of Pokljuka forest.

  Adult £90,child £30,including sleeping in shelters or bring your own tent.

Sea Swimming,Turkey 

  This offers open water coastal swimming. Children must be 11-plus to swim. If not,they can join children's clubs. There's an art to efficient and enjoyable sea swimming,so technique analysis and tips are provided along the way.

  From £l,000pp for 10 swims or £760 for 3,all paid.

13. The Surf and Yoga Retreat is meant for

   A. parents

   B. teenagers

    C. family visitors   

    D. elderly people

14. If you are interested in wild cooking,you can choose .

   A. Back to Nature

   B. Sea Swimming 

    C. Bushcraft Camp

   D. Surf and Yoga Retreat

15. How much should a couple and their two kids pay for visiting Back to Nature?

   A. £180.    B. £240.

   C. £300.   D. £360.

16. What can be learned about Sea Swimming in Turkey?

   A. It offers-swimmers free meals.

   B. Visitors can swim in deep sea.

    C. Visitors can learn swimming skills there.

   D. Children under 11 are not allowed to come.

   There may be no more movies based on the “Lord of the Rings” and “The (《指環(huán)王》中的穴居矮人) ” to hit theaters,but fans can still enjoy the fantasy world in real life through these “hobbit holes,” created by Green Magic Homes.

   Green Magic Homes,a company based in ： Florida,creates homes covered in' grass and soil,; which allows homeowners to grow their own fruit and vegetables on the roofs of the tiny houses.

   It is said that the 妳í/ 膨辦/?，(預(yù)，]模：

塊) “hobbit holes” come with wooden doors and windows. The smallest size home can be 400 square feet. But Green Magic Homes founder,Gustavo Santander,said that more things can be fixed to the home. The company says that the houses can be built in extreme climates,including conditions in the desert or in the snow.

   These real-life “hob?ùt homes” can be designed :

to fit personal needs and interests,but the' company;also offers a list of suggested designs of different ^ shapes and sizes. The homes can be shipped anywhere in the world,from the company plant in Cancún,Mexico,to wherever you are in the world. The one-bedroom home can take about three days to build with the help of three people and a three-bedroom home takes about five or six days. Though the company makes other (環(huán)保的) products,the homes are the most popular.

   "It won’ t  have any electricity. So the only bills people will have to pay will be for the Internet and water usage,"said Sawn Linsey,the city s Public Works Director. Once it's done,they're going to lay about two feet of dirt on the top to keep it cool in the summertime,and warm in the winter.

9. The homes created by Green Magic Homes are linked with uThe Hobbit, because.

   A. they were designed for the Hobbit

   B. they are mainly used to make moyies

    C. they are used to grow fruit and vegetables   

    D. they are similar to the holes Hobbits live in

10. What do we know about the “hobbit homes”？

   A. They have a fixed size. 

   B. They are quite expensive.

    C. They are environmentally friendly.

   D. They are built for special climates.

11. Sawn Linsey’ s  attitude towards the “hobbit homes”

can be described as..

   A. doubtful .   B. supportive

    C. cautious   D. unfavorable

12. What is the text mainly about?

   A. The origins of Green Magic Homes.

   B. The development of “hobbit holes”.

    C. Comments on the movie “Lord of the

   D. A new type of home — the “hobbit holes”：

   In my life,I have had a number of good teachers ,many common ones and a few who were truly exceptional. Many years before,I was a rule-obeying kid and lived a very peaceful life. I liked school but felt bored.

   And then I entered fourth grade. My teacher,;

Mrs. Gerlip,was a young woman who combined art,music,theatre and other forms of creative expression into a lively class. I blossomed. I formed a “Fun Club” with other girls in my class which was all about having fun. I wrote a book called Through the Forest about the adventures of Polly and Jack who disobeyed their parents. Much of the joy and self-confidence I experienced that year was owed to the great teacher whom I never forgot.

   So you can imagine my surprise when fifty years later I received a letter in the mail. A few days later ,reunion was planned at Mrs. Gerlip's home. Reconnecting with Mrs. Gerlip was a journey back in time. Five decades had passed,but my teacher still remembered eveiy student. She hadn' t forgotten the class (恃強(qiáng)欺弱者) who used to hit me on my way to school. In a time when bullying was considered nothing serious,Mrs. Gerlip put a stop to it.

   Now,in my mid-fifties,I appreciate even more the gifts I was given in fourth grade. I am deeply grateful. It' s never too late to reach out and express thanks to that extraordinary teacher in your life. I hope you are fortunate enough to have one,like Mrs. Gerlip,who not only develops your mind but your soul.

5. What do we know about the author before she entered grade four?

   A. She was outgoing.

   B. She was well-behax^d.

    C. She was an excellent,student.

   D. She came across a good teacher.

6. The underlined sentence “ I blossomed ’ in Paragraph 2 probably means that the author.

   A. lost her memory

   B. felt disappointed

    C. got tired of studying   

    D. found true happiness

7. When Mrs. Gerlip knew about student bullying,she

   A. tried to prevent it

   B. thought it was common 

    C. pretended to disagree

   D. had mixed feelings about it

8. What kind of teacher was Mrs. Gerlip?

   A. Friendly and brave.

   B. Kind and inspiring,

    C. Strict and determined.

   D. Hard-working and confident.

    In the spring of 2012,I moved to the San Francisco bay area with my wife and two young sons.

    I tried to get hold of one of my old Nokia cellphones,but they were no longer available.

I remember the exact moment when I realized something important had happened. I was on my bike,cycling to Stanford,and it struck me that a week had gone by without having a phone. And everything was just fine. Better than fine,actually. I felt more carefree and happier. That was in September 2012. I have been phone-free since then.

   Here are the most common questions people ask when they find it out. “How do people get hold of you?” Er,they have my online mail address. I still have a laptop,and use it most days. It even works when r'm  away from my house or office.

   “What if something happened t? your children?” This one always strikes me. My children are eight and four. They are with a responsible adult at all times. I love them more than I could ever say and I love spending time with them but really,why do I need to keep in touch with them every minute of the day? If something happens,there will be always someone there to take care of them. 

   Then there's my company: “How can you be a tech CEO without using a phone?” I do always borrow phones to see how our new products work on mobile.

1. How did the author feel without a cellphone?

   A. He was proud.

   B. He was lonely.

    C. He was relaxed.

   D. He was worried.

2. How does the author get in touch with people?

   A. He sends e-mails.

   B. He uses others’ phones.

    C. He visits them in person.

   D. He meets them in his office.

3. What do we know about the author and his children?

   A. He has bought phones for them.

   B. He asks them to be well-behaved,

    C. He doesn't like staying with them.

   D. He doesn't always connect with them.

4. What could be the best title for the text?

   A. Life without a phone

   B. Bad effects of phones 

    C. Time to avoid phones

   D. Say no to modem technology 

   Christie stuck out her head against the lever (操縱桿)to turn her wheelchair toward Ben."Thanks…for ... believing …in me,…Ben,” she said,determined to get the words out 21  “But I don’ t want to. be your 22 want to be like everyone else."

   Ben had said how Christie 23 him. She had learned to do so many things for 'herself since the 24 . She never let someone hand her something if she could learn to 25 it by herself. Sometimes it took hours of 26 and practicing. To Ben that kind of 27 was heroic.

   On 28 like this one,Ben got up early to see Christie before catching the bus to school. Although Christie would come to 29 later in a special bus,Ben didn’ t want to 30 his day without her view on the world. Christie always got up early to catch the latest 31 on TV. She would swmmaWze (概括) it for him. She always 32 (積極的) news that made him feel 33 about life.As Ben stood up to walk to the bus,he 34something. “Where's Alisha?” he asked. Christie' s cat,Lexi,had had ?r?íms (小貓) .Alisha was the last

? kitten to be bom,and Christie's 35 . The kitten had learned to jump onto Christie's lap and lick her hand.

Christie had planned to 36 her.

  “She's at Karen's house,” Christie said.

:“Karen's grandmoth?r 37 last week. Karen is so sad. She really  38 a special friendlike Alisha,”

  “You gate Alisha away?” Ben asked.

  “Karen will be good to Alisha ,” Christie said. aYou are really 39 ,” Ben said. “You are my hero,no matter what yoi? do.

 “No,” Christie said. “I  40 did what you would do, Ben."

21. A. angrily   B. quickly   C. simply   D. clearly

22. A. neighbor   B. hero    C. audience   D. friend

23. A. amazed   B. noticed    C. satisfied   D. forgot

24. A. activity   B. performance

   C. event   D. accident

25. A. get   B. buy   C. control   D. guess

26. A. remembering   B. playing

   C. trying   D. crying

27. A. kindness   B. excitement

   C. determination   D. freedom

28. A. weekends   B. weekdays

  C. holidays   D. festivals

29. A. meeting   B. street  C. school   D. hospital

30. A end   B. start    C. waste   D. make

31. A. movie   B. fashion

   C. means   D. news

32. A. stressed  B. wrote    C. doubted   D. ignored

33. A. curious   B. disappointed

   C. good    D. worried

34. A. understood   B. realized

   C. accepted   D. predicted

35. A. pain   B. pressure

  C. favorite   D. dream

36. A. touch   B. hold   C. sell   D. keep

37. A. passed away   B. ran out

   C. turned up   D. settled down

38. A. trusts   B. needs   C. enjoys   D. misses

39. A. nice   B. strange   C. shy   D. brave

40. A. Still   B. just    C. also   D. already

The Children's Museum of Denver

   Learn through play. The museum combines physical activity and science exploration. Programs are offered in house as well as in the fields. The museum focuses on children from newborn to eight and adults who care for them. As the most widely accepted leader in child development,the museum uses interactive exhibits and programs to create hands-on learning opportunities.

Betty Brinn Children's Museum 

   Exhibits include: A Trading Place — Role-play;jobs in the community and learn about economics and commerce (貿(mào)易.) . Pick apples from our garden. Serve ：dinner at the Cafe Eat. Explore musical instruments.Play a keyboard. Write a secret message using sign language. Projects may be different,but you,11 always :say proudly, “I made it myself."

Madison Children's Museum 

   They can create their own buildings by experimenting with different building materials and technologies. Other exhibits include Celebrating The Early Years (open-ended activities,and programs for children aged one to five) . In addition to our 'award-winning exhibits,special programs will give ：you the opportunity to test the laws of science with experiments,paint and take part in celebrations from ;around the globe.

13. The Children,s Museum of Denver may attract kids who.

   A. love classical music

   B. like hands-on activities

    C. love designing buildings  

    D. want to learn sign language

14. In Betty Brinn Children's Museum,kids can learn.

   A. about the laws of nature

   B. to make musical instruments 

    C. about science during activities   

    D. to do business through role-play 

15. Kids visiting Madison Children's Museum can.

   A. learn by doing experiments

   B. enjoy different local traditions

    C. perform in Arthur* s World on TV   

    D. make friends with children globally

16. Which museum is among the first to adopt interactive exhibitions?

   A. The Children,s Museum.

   B. Madison Children's Museum,

    C. Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

   D. The Children,s Museum of Denver.

   Adding math talk to story time at home is a winning method for children's math achievement. A study by psychologists (心理學(xué)家) showed a marked increase in math achievement among children whose families used Bedtime Math,an iPad app that provides math problems for parents and children to solve together. The app’ s  effect was especially strong for children whose parents are anxious or uncomfortable about math.

   Previous research from this group showed the importance of adults’ attitudes about math to children's math success. The new findings proved that highly organized,positive 似(交流) around math at home could cut the link between parents’ uneasiness about math and children's low math achievement. ”Many Americans experience high levels of anxiety when they have to solve a math problem,with most adults feeling worried at least about math/' said Beilock,author of a book about stress and performance. aThese math-anxious parents are probably less likely to talk about math at home,which affects their children's ability in math."

   The study stressed the importance of learning math outside of the classroom. "For many families,reading stories is a regular part of a child's daily life.But when it comes to math,parents widely believe that it is the responsibility of schools,and they pay less attention to their children^ math learning at home,” said Levine,professor of Education and Society in Psychology. uWe found brief,high-quality parent-child interactions using Bedtime Math increased children's math learning during the first grade."

   The app was especially beneficial for children of very math-anxious parents,whose gains in math achievement over the course of the school year were huge when they used the math app. Even infrequent use of the math app — once a week — improved children's  math performance.

9. The app is most suitable for children.

   A. who are good at math

   B. whose parents are poor in math

    C. who are ready to study math in college   

    D. whose parents spend little time with them

10. What do parents think of math in general?

   A. It depends on school education.

   B. It should be learned by oneself.

    C. It should be highly valued at home.

   D. It is less important than other subjects.

11. What suggestion can parents get from the text on math learning?

   A. They should be honest about their math.

   B. They should learn from children carefully.

    C. They should respect children's learning habits.

   D. They should discuss math with their children actively.

12. The author writes the text mainly to.

   A. advertise an app Bedtime Math

   B. show different ways to learn math 

    C. stress the importance of story time

   D. explore the best time for learning math .

   In Brooklyn,New York,Chush is a special school. At a Chush fundraising (募捐) dinner,the father of a Chiish child made a speech. He cried, “All men were bom equal. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. I believe,to a child like him,the equality is in the way people react to him. ”

   He then told the following story about his son Shaya: One Sunday afternoon,Shaya and his father came to school just as his classmates were playing G?se^al?. Shaya's father thought most boys would not want Shaya on their team. But the father still approached one of the boys in the field.

   Would the team actually let Shaya bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly,Shaya was told to take a bat and try to get a hit. The (投球手) could easily have thrown the ball to the baseman. Shaya would have been out. Instead,the pitcher took- the ball and threw it far beyond the first baseman's reach. Everyone started yelling, “Shaya,run to first!Shaya,run to first!” Never in his life had ; Shaya run to first. As Shaya rounded third,the boys;from both teams ran behind him screaming,a Shay a,run home!Shay a,run home!” Shaya ran home,stepped on (本壘板) and all 18 boys lifted.him on their shoulders and made him a hero,as he had just hit the “gram/s/iww (大滿貫) ” and won the game : for his team.

   “That day,” said the father whose tears rolled down his face, “those 18  boys showed that it is not only those who are talented that should be recognized,but also those who are less talented. They too are human beings,they too have feelings and emotions,and they too want to feel important."

5. What can be learned about Shaya?

   A. He is good at sports.

   B. He is a boy with a disability.

    C. He is on the school baseball team.

   D. He has difficulty getting on with others.

6. Shaya won the game mainly because of .

   A. his luck

   B. his determination 

    C. his talent for sports

   D. his classmates’ support

7. What was stressed Shaya’ s father in the last : paragraph?

   A. The importance of hard work.

   B. The meaning of being confident,

    C. The value of'respecting everyone.

   D. The necessity of trying to be perfect.

8. Which of the following words ean best describe the 18 students on the baseball team?

   A. Talented.       B. Polite,

    C. Hard-working.    D. Considerate.

  “Is there going to be a flood?” asked Daniel. He looked nervously at his dad and mom. They both looked worried. Dad was completely wet and dirty. He and some other men in town had spent the morning piling bags of sand on top of the /ewe (防洪堤) along the river. For years the levee had kept the Mississippi from flooding its banks. After three straight days of rain,though,the water grew higher and higher. If the levee broke,Dani?r‘s neighborhood would be flooded for sure.

  “We’11 be fine,” Dad placed a reassuring hand on Danier’s shoulder. Outside,lightning flashed,followed by distant thunder. “Just in case,” said Dad. I think we should start moving some things to Uncle Mike's house." Uncle Mike lived farther away from the river on higher ground. “And we’ 11 take everything we need to cook and eat upstairs,” he said, “l(fā)ike camping out in our own house."

I  By nightfall,everything the family needed had been moved upstairs. Dad had taken their new couch and TV to Uncle Mike's. Daniel helped his dad tie a fishing boat to the front (門廊) .“Just in case,”said Dad.

   Lying in bed that night,Daniel tossed and turned. He could hear the heavy rain beating on the roof. “Everything will be all right,” he said to himself just before falling asleep.

   Several hours later,the sound of"幻:皮似(警報(bào)器) woke Daniel from a sound sleep. He sat straight up in bed,his heart pounding. Ink rushed Mom ,“Get dressed,Daniel!The levee just broke!WeJ re leaving. We have no other choice."

   A few minutes later they all got . into the fishing boat,leaving behind just about everything they owned. Daniel asked,re going to -lose everything,aren't we?w

  “No,not everything”’ said Mom,pulling him close. We'11 always have each other."

  “That's right,” said Dad. “We may lose the house,but we can always rebuild it. We can't ever lose our home,though,because home is us."

1. What caused the levee to break?

   A. Bad construction.

   B. High water levels.

    C. Lack of sandbags.

   D. People's  carelessness.

2. The underlined word “reassuring” in Paragraph 2 probably means.

   A. shaking   B. disturbing

    C. disappointing   D. comforting

3. How did Daniel's family manage to escape the danger?

   A. By taking a fishing boat.

   B. By being saved by the police,

    C. With the help of Uncle Mike.

   D. By camping out on higher ground.

4. From what Daniel's parents said we can learn that.

   A. life isn’t a bed of roses

   B. east or west,home is best 

    C. home is where the family is   

    D. a man's house is his castle