Ballet as a charming dance form has fascinated audiences for many years. It is a form of dance that combines beauty and grace to tell a story in a dance form. Generally performed in theatres, ballet has always been a favored dream of many little girls. While ballet dancers need to work very hard for many years to perform in a professional ballet company, this does not discourage the girls.

Many people think that ballet originated in France, due to the ballet steps that all have French names. However, ballet can be traced back to Italy during the Renaissance period of the 1400s. While this was really just a pioneer to the classical ballet, the dances performed in Italy during this time led to the further development of ballet in France. The first ballet company arose in France and was called The Queen's Ballet Company.

In the 1800s the romantic style of ballet appeared, thanks in part to the ballet La Sylphide. La Sylphide made much use of the toe dancing technique and brought about many changes to ballet.

All romantic ballets focused on women and this encouraged women to take on increasingly to become ballerinas. While ballet prospered in other nations, it started declining in France. The decline could be because ballet was seen as being very worldly with mythical (神話的) steps.

The shift from mythical steps to more reasonable style that could be co-related to human movements came about in the twentieth century. This was because of the many different styles of dance that were becoming increasingly popular. The change that started in the twentieth century continues to transform ballet even today where it mixes different styles of dance.

Some ballets today have even gone so far as to combine another style of dance into the ballet. In 1944 a ballet was introduced called Fancy Free that use Jazz dance with the ballet steps to create a revolutionary ballet, and it was well received.

With time, ballet has developed and changed in many forms. A ballet by professionals continues to charm audiences despite the fact that most of us cannot even dream of performing most of the steps and moves of a ballet dancer.

1.Why do people think ballet comes from France?

A. Because Frenchmen introduced ballet to Italy.

B. Because Frenchmen created many ballet steps.

C. Because the ballet steps are all named in French.

D. Because the first ballet company was founded in France.

2.When did the romantic ballet appear?

A. In the 14th century. B. In the 19th century.

C. In the 15th century. D. In the 2lth century.

3.From the last paragraph, we can know ballet becomes more_______________.

A. reasonable B. romantic

C. popular D. professional

4.The passage mainly talks about _______________.

A. the development of classical ballet

B. the popularity of classical ballet

C. the meaning of classical ballet

D. the techniques of ballet dancing

Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren’t the same. Why are these old Italian violins so special? Many people think they have an answer.

Some people think it is the age of the violins. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the answer.

Other people think the secret to those violins is the wood. It must be from certain kinds of trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremons knew something special about wood for violins.

But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut into the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this is the secret of the Italians.

Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists make new violins that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new ones still do not sound as good as the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish (清漆), which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. Since no one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish, no one can make the same varnish today.

There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. And there are not many of the old violins left. So these old violins are becoming more and more precious.

1.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. The Secrets of Cremona Violins

B. The History of Italian Violins

C. Special Musical Instruments

D. How to Make the Best Violins

2.The main purpose of the first paragraph is to _______.

A. list some facts B. raise a question

C. give an opinion D. offer an answer

3.What is still unclear about Cremona violins according to the writer?

A. The shape. B. The size.

C. The wood. D. The varnish.

4.What can we learn from this passage?

A. Modern things are always better than ancient ones.

B. Ancient things are always better than modern ones.

C. Once a cultural relic is lost, it can never be recovered.

D. Varnish for violins will become more and more precious.

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

Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit and that can be a very annoying thing. 1. Read on for some techniques worth trying.

2.People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent

reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease (早老性癡呆癥), according to a recent study. 3.

Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short-term goals appear to do better. In other words, keep your brain looking forward.

2. Go for a walk.

Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact, exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain. 4.

3. Learn something new.

Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation (刺激) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time. 5. Or go dancing with your friends.

A. Focus on the future.

B. This can be especially harmful to the aged.

C. So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.

D. It should be something like learning gardening.

E. In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.

F. But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with life-changing events.

G. Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.

單句改錯(共10小題；每小題1分，滿分10分)，

假定英語課上老師要求同桌之間交換修改所造英語句子，請你修改你同桌寫的以下句子。每句中只有一處錯誤。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(＼)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。

1.Tom blames his lack of confidence for his mother.

2.He is considered as a honest boy in our class.

3.Tom and I have different view about the time of the meeting

4.You should rise your arm to get the teacher’s attention.

5.All of them want to get a closely look at the picture.

6.I use Christmas as an example because it is familiar with most readers.

7.On returning to the palace, the king marries to the woman.

8.Could I speak to whoever is in the charge of International Sales Please?

9.Lots of pieces of equipments have been fixed since we came here.

10.I would appreciate if you could help me with my computer.

假設(shè)你是李華，準(zhǔn)備參加學(xué)校舉辦的主題為“健康成長”的英語作文比賽。請按要求寫一篇短文，主要內(nèi)容包括：

1.樂觀的人生態(tài)度；

2.努力學(xué)習(xí)；

3.參加體育鍛煉。

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。

3. 文章的開頭已給出不計入總次數(shù)。

We all want to grow up happily and healthily, and for this goal we must do several things.

Your house may have an effect on your figure . Experts say the way you design your home could play a role in whether you pack on the pounds or keep them off. You can make your environment work for you instead of against you. Here are some ways to turn your home into part of your diet plan.

Open the curtains and turn up the lights . Dark environments are more likely to encourage overeating , for people are often less self-conscious（難為情）when they’re in poorly lit places--and so more likely to eat lots of food . If your home doesn’t have enough window light, get more lamps and flood the place with brightness.

Mind the colors. Research suggests warm colors fuel our appetites. In one study, people who ate meals in a blue room consumed 33 percent less than those in a yellow or red room. Warm colors like yellow make food appear more appetizing, while cold colors make us feel less hungry. So when it’s time to repaint, go blue.

Don’t forget the clock-or the radio. People who eat slowly tend to consume about 70 fewer calories（卡路里） per meal than those who rush through their meals. Begin keeping track of the time, and try to make dinner last at least 30 minutes. And while you’re at it, actually sit down to eat. If you need some help slowing down, turn on relaxing music. It makes you less likely to rush through a meal.

Downsize the dishes. Big serving bowls and plates can easily make us fat. We eat about 22 percent more when using a 12-inch plate instead of a 10-inch plate. When we choose a large spoon over a smaller one ,total intake（攝入） jumps by 14 percent. And we’ll pour about 30 percent more liquid into a short, wide glass than a tall, skinny glass.

1.The text is especially helpful for those who care about_______.

A. their home comforts B. their body shape

C. house buying D. healthy diets

2.A home environment in blue can help people_________.

A. digest food better B. reduce food intake

C. burn more calories D. regain their appetites

3.What are people advised to do at mealtimes?

A. Eat quickly. B. Play fast music.

C. Use smaller spoons. D. Turn down the lights.

4.What can be a suitable title for the test?

A.Is Your House Making You Fat?

B. Ways of Serving Dinner

C. Effects of Self-Consciousness

D. Is Your Home Environment Relaxing?

Tour A--Bath & Stonehenge including entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge--￡37until 26 March and ￡39 thereafter.

Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the Costume Museum. Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments dating back over 5,000 years.

Tour B--Oxford & Stratford including entrance fees to the University St Mary’s Church Tower and Anne Hathaway's house一￡32 until 12 March and ￡36 thereafter.

Oxford: Includes a guided tour of England’s oldest university city and colleges. Look over the “city of dreaming spires(尖頂)”form St Mary’s Church Tower. Stratford: Includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.

Tour C—Windsor Castle & Hampton Court including entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace--£34 until 11 March and £37 thereafter.

Includes a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, HenryⅧ’s favourite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle（entrance fees not included）. With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four Kings and one Queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze(迷宮)where it is easy to get lost!

Tour D--Cambridge including entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great--£33 until 18 March and £37 thereafter.

Includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.[來

1.Which tour will you choose if you want to see England’s oldest university city?

A. Tour A B. Tour B C. Tour C D. Tour D

2.Which of the following tours charges the lowest fee on 17 March?

A. Windsor Castle & Hampton Court.

B. Oxford & Stratford

C. Bath &Stonehenge.

D. Cambridge.

3.Why is Hampton Court a major tourist attraction?

A. It used to be the home of royal families.

B.It used to be a well-known maze

C.It is the oldest palace in Britain

D. It is a world-famous castle.

There was a time when I couldn’t understand why my parents were so enthusiastic about with my head teacher. I often thought that they were really good at getting me into trouble. But, after my head teacher’s home-visit last month, my mind totally .

the visit, I was entirely overwhelmed(壓垮) by frustration because I thought my head teacher, who , in my eyes，is a boring and strict man, would severely me and ask my parents to take away my iPad. I even wondered if it had been my parents who invited him to come, I got into argument with my parents.

What was worse, after I the news on my microblog, all the words from my classmates, like “you are such a lucky dog” almost tore me apart. When the day came, I said to , “It’s going to be okay! Just face it!” To my , during his visit, I quickly learned that my head teacher is just a(n) man outside class. With his son and wife accompanying him, he just seemed to be a loving and considerate husband.

I also learned that he is a man full of . When my sister started licking (舔) her after finishing a delicious dish, he joked that she was trying to turn her plate into a mirror. All of us burst into at that moment.

Contrary to my previous impression, I that my head teacher is a very respectable and friendly person. Thanks to his visit, I got to see a(n) side of my head teacher. I felt that I had reacted so crazily before. Now, I’m delighted to have him as my head teacher. I know I won’t him down.

1.A. helping B. communicating C. quarreling D. comparing

2.A. disappeared B. formed C. changed D. developed

3.A. Since B. Before C. After D. While

4.A. slightly B. roughly C. hardly D. typically

5.A. criticize B. blame C. beat D. charge

6.A. in case B. as if C. in that D. so that

7.A. informed B. presented C. revealed D. shared

8.A. teasing B. comforting C. abusing D. encouraging

9.A. simply B. particularly C. surprisingly D. finally

10.A. him B. myself C. my parents D. my classmates

11.A. surprise B. disappointment C. relief D. excitement

12.A. ordinary B. common C. average D. natural

13.A. man B. teacher C. father D. friend

14.A. patience B. hope C. humor D. energy

15.A. lips B. hand C. plate D. fingers

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

17.A. thought about B. made out C. found out D. got across

18.A. changeable B. positive C. optimistic D. different

19.A. ashamed B. regretful C. disappointed D. depressed

20.A. put B. bring C. let D. pull

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

Yesterday was my 18th birthday. As Father and Mother thought it was a big occasion for me，they suggested I 1. (hold) a birthday party at home to celebrate it. For several days they had been busy 2. (prepare) for this. By 4 o’clock I was pleased to see all my friends had come 3. a lot of beautiful presents. Mother cooked us a big meal.

We 4. (spend) a wonderful night together, eating and talking 5. (happy). The most exciting moment was when Mother put a big birthday cake on the table and all my friends began to sing Happy Birthday. Seeing the 18 candles burning, I couldn’t keep back my tears. Without Mother and Father’s love, I 6. (not lead) such a happy life now. Mother asked me to make a wish 7. I blew out all the candles. After that，everyone enjoyed the sweet birthday cake and shared my happiness.

I am eighteen years old now, 8. means I’ve become an adult and have more 9.(responsibility) .I’ll do 10. (me) best to return my parents’ love and live up to their expectations.

—I heard they went skiing in the mountains last winter.

—It ______ true because there was little snow there.

A. may not be B. won’t be C. couldn’t be D. will be