If you don’t use a dictionary. What should you do instead? The first thing you can do is trying to guess what the word means. Often the surrounding context gives a very clear idea of the meaning of the word. Even if you can’t work out the meaning exactly, you may be able to get a vague idea, enough to enable you to continue reading.
Sometimes It is impossible to guess the meaning of a word from the context and then you will have to decide whether the word is important enough to make it worthwhile stopping and looking it up in a dictionary or whether you can just pass it by.
Many times in your reading, you will come across words which you don’t know, but which do not prevent you from understanding all the main points of the text. You can made your dictionary use much more efficient if you only look up the words which are necessary to understand the text. and this means that you must develop the skill to decide whether the words are worth looking up.
【小題1】The passage mainly tells us in our reading what we would do         .

A．without knowledge of English

B．when we look up words in a dictionary

C．when we are guessing new words

D．without using a dictionary

【小題2】What does the underlined word “vague” mean?

A．Mysterious.

B．Not clear.

C．Exact.

D．Important.

【小題3】In our reading some words we don’t know         .

A．help us to understand the text well

B．don’t prevent us from understanding the main points of the text

C．will be remembered forever

D．a(chǎn)re borrowed from other languages

【小題4】In this passage the writer         .

A．a(chǎn)dvised us to use the dictionary as much as possible

B．told us not to be discouraged by the sight of a dictionary

C．gave us some advice on how to deal with these unknown words

D．introduced some ways to take notes in the course of reading

Homestay provides English language students with the opportunity to speak English outside the classroom and the experience of being part of a British home.
What to Expect
The host will provide accommodation and meals. Rooms will be cleaned and bedcovers changed at least once a week. You will be given the house key and the host is there to offer help and advice as well as to take an interest in your physical and mental health.
Accommodation Zones
Homestays are located in London mainly in Zones 2, 3 and 4 of the transport system. Most hosts do not live in the town centre as much of central London is commercial and not residential (居住的). Zones 3 and 4 often offer larger accommodation in a less crowded area. It is very convenient to travel in London by underground.
Meal Plans Available
? Continental Breakfast
? Breakfast and Dinner
? Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
It’s important to note that few English families still provide a traditional cooked breakfast. Your accommodation includes Continental Breakfast which normally consists of fruit juice, cereal (谷物類食品), bread and tea or coffee. Cheese, fruit and cold meat are not normally part of a Continental Breakfast in England. Dinners usually consist of meat or fish with vegetables followed by desert, fruit and coffee.
Friends
If you wish to invite a friend over to visit, you must first ask your host’s permission. You have no right to entertain friends in a family home as some families feel it is an invasion of their privacy.
Self-Catering Accommodation in Private Homes
Accommodation on a room-only basis includes shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and often a main living room. This kind of accommodation offers an independent lifestyle and is more suitable for the long-stay student. However, it does not provide the same family atmosphere as an ordinary homestay and may not benefit those who need to practice English at home quite as much.
【小題1】The passage is probably written for ______.       

A．hosts willing to receive foreign students

B．foreigners hoping to know British culture

C．travelers planning to visit families in London

D．English learners applying to live in English homes

【小題2】Which of the following will the host provide?

A．Room cleaning.	B．Medical care.
C．Free transport.	D．Physical training.

【小題3】According to the passage, what does Continental Breakfast include?

A．Dessert and coffee.	B．Fruit and vegetables.
C．Bread and fruit juice.	D．Cereal and cold meat.

【小題4】Why do some people choose self-catering accommodation?

A．To experience a warmer family atmosphere.

B．To enrich their knowledge of English.

C．To entertain friends as they like.

D．To enjoy much more freedom.

Think about the last time you felt a negative emotion—like stress, anger, or frustration. What was going through your mind as you were going through that negativity? Was your mind cluttered with (充斥) different kinds of thoughts? Or was it paralyzed, unable to think?
The next time you find yourself in the middle of a very stressful time, or you feel angry or frustrated, stop. Yes, that’s right, stop. Whatever you’re doing, stop and sit for one minute. While you’re sitting there, completely immerse yourself in the negative emotion. Allow that emotion to consume you. Allow yourself one minute to truly feel that emotion. Don’t cheat yourself here. Take the entire minute—but only one minute—to do nothing else but feel that emotion.
When the minute is over, ask yourself, “Am I willing to keep holding on to this negative emotion as I go through the rest of the day?” Once you’ve allowed yourself to be totally immersed in the emotion and really feel it, you will be surprised to find that the emotion clears rather quickly.
If you feel you need to hold on to the emotion for a little longer, that is OK. Allow yourself another minute to feel the emotion. When you feel you’ve had enough of the emotion, ask yourself if you’re willing to carry that negativity with you for the rest of the day. If not, take a deep breath. As you exhale, release all that negativity with your breath.
This exercise seems simple—almost too simple. But, it is very effective. By allowing that negative emotion the space to be truly felt, you are dealing with the emotion rather than stuffing it down and trying not to feel it. You are actually taking away the power of the emotion by giving it the space and attention it needs. When you immerse yourself in the emotion, and realize that it is only emotion, it loses its control. You can clear your head and proceed with your task.
【小題1】Which one does not belong to the negative emotion?

A．a(chǎn)nxiety

B．confusion

C．depression

D．sorrow

【小題2】What should you do when you are into negativity according to the article?

A．Listen to some music.

B．Ignore it and do something else.

C．Just do nothing and truly feel that emotion.

D．Think about it and try to deal with it immediately.

【小題3】The underlined word “immerse” (Paragraph 2) most probably means ______.

A．break down

B．get rid of

C．cut off

D．throw into

【小題4】What’s the best title of this text?

A．Clear Your Mental Space.

B．Deep Breath, Trouble Away.

C．Try to Avoid the Negative Emotion.

D．Hold on to Negative Emotion as Long as Possible.

【小題5】The author’s opinion towards negative emotion is ______.

A．doubtful

B．optimistic

C．frightened

D．confused

A motivational strategy that parents can employ with their kids, is to frame tasks and responsibilities in the context of what the end benefit is for them. I call this strategy WIIFM
(“What’s in it for me?”).
When a teen can combine an understanding of WIIFM with a sense of passion about achieving a goal, barriers will start to fall away. At our teen summer camps, we arrange an event near the end of the 10-day session that helps campers identify an important life goal and mentally break through their biggest barrier to achieving the goal.
We pass around 12-by-12-inch pine boards. We tell campers that this activity is not about breaking a piece of wood. It’s about how you can get what you want in your life. It’s about breaking barriers to grab on to your goals.
They have the power to break through any barrier. It has nothing to do with body size or physical condition. The skinniest, smallest teens will break through the board almost as easily as the big ones.
We talk to the campers about the reasons they might have had for not reaching their goals in the past. Maybe they got lazy and decided it wasn’t worth the effort. Maybe they failed and let their fear of failure hold them back. But this exercise is about putting the past where it belongs. Today is about making new choices.
By this point in the program, we ask them to think of the goal they’ve set for themselves and write their goals on the boards. Then they write the possible obstacles which may hold them back on the opposite sides. An inch of pine now stands between them and their dreams.
The facilitators and their teammates gather around. The support is strong. One by one, they break through the barriers and grab their goals! All around us teens are laughing, crying, hugging, and holding up the broken pieces of their boards. The confidence shown on their faces is beautiful.
While arranging such an activity in one’s home is almost unrealistic for parents, the value of helping a teen break through a personal barrier simply by being there as moral support can not be overestimated. More help for parents in the form of videos and articles is available at our website, in our blogs and in a monthly e-newsletter.
【小題1】The 12-by-12-inch pine boards are used as _________________.

A．materials to test one’s muscles

B．signs of goals in one’s life

C．a(chǎn)ssessments to show one’s progress

D．symbols of barriers in one’s life

【小題2】We can learn from the passage that through the event the campers _________.

A．become hard-working	B．get moral support
C．gain confidence	D．set right goals

【小題3】Which is the best title for the passage?

A．The Power of WIIFM	B．What’s in It for Me
C．The Importance of Goals	D．Motivational Strategies

【小題4】The passage is intended for _____________.

A．teens

B．parents

C．campers

D．Tutors

Five Ways to Rock the Rest of the Semester
With exams around the corner, how can you possibly pack in one more English word, let alone the causes of the Cold War? Don’t worry. Here is our handy guide to help you
Power Down
So you stayed up too late last night reading Mockingjay for the fifth time. Oops! When you’re that fired, your schoolwork suffers. Instead of studying inefficiently while you are sleepy, allow yourself a 15-minute afterschool power nap. Studies show that even a few minutes of shut-eye can improve memory and concentration.
Take Notes
Not quite grasping that super complicated concept in your chemistry class? You may need to change the way you take notes. Instead of recording every word your teacher says, try using visual hints like pictures, symbols and word bubbles. You can even switch computer fonts or pen color for the important stuff.
Dream On
Your bed’s not just for zzz’s. Experts say it may be good to study in bed, too. Why? We’re able to absorb more right before bed because we’re less distracted and the new information stays in our minds as we sleep. So, slide into bed with a textbook or notes, read for 15 minutes, and then turn off the lights for some sweet and smart dreams.
Brain Food
You’re in the middle of a biology exam when your mind goes blank. You knew this stuff cold at home, but now you can’t tell a ribosome from a chloroplast. What’s going on? Your brain’s in need of some refueling. Have some snacks like apple slices or cheese before class, and have plenty of water, too. If your teacher doesn’t mind, pop in a piece of gum during an exam. Some scientists think the chewing increases the flow of oxygen to the brain.
Smart Move
Ugh! You’re taking an English test and you cannot remember the past participle of “understand”. What to do? Skip it. Test taking is all about timing, so don’t waste it on tricky questions. Move ahead and answer everything you know before returning to the ones you don’t. Chances are, once you get back to the toughies, you’ll recall the answer or at the very least, you’ll have a little more time to come up with one that works.
【小題1】When taking notes, we can do all these except ______.

A．draw pictures

B．change the typeface

C．switch on the computer

D．colour the key points

【小題2】According to the passage, _____.

A．it’s good to study under the covers for some time every day

B．you cannot skip the difficult questions and go on to the rest

C．you can have some snacks and drink enough water to refresh yourself in exams

D．when taking notes, you should record whatever the teacher says

【小題3】What does the underlined phrase “knew this stuff cold” mean?

A．had no clue about it

B．were a cold fish

C．knew it was cold

D．were familiar with

【小題4】You have been working on your essay for two hours and your eyes feel tired, you’d better

A．Power down

B．dream on

C．eat brain food

D．make a smart move

Not long ago, many people believed that babies only wanted food and to be kept warm and dry. Some people thought babies were not able to learn things until they were five or six months old.
Yet doctors in the United States say babies begin learning on their first day of life. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is a federal government agency. Its goal is to determine which experiences can influence healthy development in people.
Researchers at the institute note that babies are strongly influenced by their environment. They say a baby will smile if her mother does something the baby likes. A baby learns to get the best care possible by smiling to please her mother or other caregiver. This is how babies learn to connect and communicate with other people.
The researchers say this ability to learn exists in a baby even before birth. They say newborn babies can recognize and understand sounds they heard while they were still developing inside their mothers.
Another study has suggested that low birth weight babies with no evidence of disability may be more likely than other children to have physical and mental problems.
American researchers studied almost five hundred boys and girls. They were born in, or admitted to, one of three hospitals in New Jersey between 1984 and 1987. At birth, each child weighed fewer than two thousand grams.
The boys and girls had an average age of sixteen at the time of the study. They were asked to complete intelligence and motor skill tests in their homes. Their test results were compared with those of other children their age.
【小題1】According to the passage, some people used to think that babies began to learn _________.

A．on their first day of life	B．even before they were born
C．before five or six months old	D．a(chǎn)t or after five or six months old

【小題2】Babies learn to connect and communicate with other people through_____________.

A．smiles

B．cries

C．facial expressions

D．body language

【小題3】The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development tries to find out ________.

A．what affects people’s healthy development

B．what influences babies’ learning ability

C．how to cure some children’s health problems

D．how to develop children’s learning ability

【小題4】What will be mentioned in the following passage?

A．The evaluation method of the tests.

B．The cause of low birth weight babies.

C．The result of the intelligence and motor skill tests.

D．The evidence proving babies began to learn before birth.

I was in my third year of teaching creative writing at a high school in New York, when one of my students, 15-year-old Mikey, gave me a note from his mother. It explained his absence from class the day before.
I had seen Mikey himself writing the note at his desk. Most parental-excuse notes I received were penned by my students. If I were to deal with them, I’d be busy 24 hours a day.
The forged excuse notes made a large pile(堆), with writing that ranged from imaginative to crazy. The writers of those notes didn’t realize that honest excuse notes were usually dull: “Peter was late because the alarm clock didn’t go off.”
Isn’t it remarkable, I thought, how the students complained and said it was hard to put 200 words together on any subject? But when they produced excuse notes, they were brilliant.
So one day I typed out a dozen excuse notes and gave them to my classes. I said, “They’re supposed to be written by parents, but actually they are not. True, Mikey?”  The students looked at me nervously.
“Now, this will be the first class to study the art of the excuse note—the first class, ever, to practice writing them. You’re so lucky to have a teacher like me who has taken your best writing and turned it into a subject worth studying.”
Everyone smiled as I went on, “You used your imaginations. So try more now. Today I’d like you to write ‘An Excuse Note from Adam to God’ or ‘An Excuse Note from Eve to God’. ” Heads went down. Pens raced across paper. For the first time ever I saw students so careful in their writing that they had to be asked to go to lunch by their friends.
The next day everyone had excuse notes. Heated discussions followed. The headmaster entered the classroom and walked up and down, looking at papers, and then said, “I’d like you to see me in my office.”
When I stepped into his office, he came to shake my hand and said, “I just want to tell you that that lesson, that task, whatever the hell you were doing, was great. Those kids were writing on the college level. Thank you.”
【小題1】What did the author do with the students found dishonest?

A．He reported them to the headmaster.

B．He lectured them hard on honesty.

C．He had them take notes before lunch.

D．He helped improve their writing skills.

【小題2】 The author had the students practice writing excuse notes so that the students could learn ______.

A．the importance of being honest

B．how to write excuse notes skillfully

C．the pleasure of creative writing

D．how to be creative in writing

【小題3】The underlined word “forged” in the second paragraph means“______”.

A．dull

B．copied

C．dishonest

D．parental

【小題4】What did the headmaster think of the author’s way of teaching?

A．Excellent.

B．Difficult.

C．Incorrect.

D．Reasonable.

When the lazy days of summer arrive and the schedule is filled with swimming，camp，and family vacations，it can be a challenge to find time for learning. But kids’ reading skills don’t have to grow cold once school’s out. Here are some ways to make reading a natural part of their summer fun：
Explore your library. Visit your local library to borrow books and magazines that your kids haven’t seen before. Many libraries have summer reading programs, book clubs, and reading contests(比賽) for even the youngest borrowers. With a new library card，a child will feel extra grown­up by borrowing books.
Read on the road. Going on a long car trip？Make sure there are some books at the back seat. When you stop driving，read the books aloud. Get some audio books in libraries and listen to them together during driving time.
Make your own books. Pick one of your family’s favorite parts of summer—whether it’s baseball，ice cream, or the pool—and have your child draw pictures of it or cut out pictures from magazines. Stick(粘貼) the pictures onto paper to make a booklet(小冊(cè)子)and write text for it. When you’re done，read the book together. Reread it whenever you like!
Keep in touch. Kids don’t have to go away to write about summer vacation. Even if your family stays home，they can send postcards to tell friends and relatives about their adventures(冒險(xiǎn)經(jīng)歷). Ask a relative to be your child’s pen pal and encourage them to write each week.
Keep up the reading habits. Even if everything else changes during the summer，keep up the reading habits around your house. Read with your kids every day—whether it’s just before bedtime or under a shady tree on a lazy afternoon. And don’t forget to take a book to the beach！Just brush the sand off the pages — it’s no sweat!
【小題1】 The purpose of the passage is to________.

A．encourage parents to read

B．give advice on raising kids

C．raise a good summer reader

D．suggest places for vacations

【小題2】If you drive on a long trip in summer，you can________.

A．visit the local library and join book clubs

B．borrow some audio books to listen to

C．keep in touch with friends by sending postcards

D．read your own picture books with your son

【小題3】By saying “Just brush the sand off the pages—it’s no sweat”，the author means________.

A．taking away the sand on the book is very difficult

B．a(chǎn) special book is needed when you’re reading on the beach

C．one can remove the sand on the book with a brush easily

D．there’s no trouble reading even on the beach

【小題4】Who are the possible readers of the passage?

A．Parents.

B．Students.

C．Teachers.

D．Editors.

【小題5】Which statement(闡述) is true according to the text?

A．During summer vocation, kids’ reading skills must grow cold.

B．Kids have to go away to write about summer vacation.

C．With a library card，a child will feel extra grown­up by borrowing books.

D．Because everything else changes during the summer，it is hard to keep up the reading habits.

It's common for parents to feel emotional when the moment comes for their child to leave home and go to university. Even parents who don't speak about the event are likely to feel a sense of sadness because it’s the end of an era where you and your family were at the centre of your child's world. As a parent you’ll probably continue to support your child in different ways, but the main job of raising your child is over. It's a huge change for everyone involved.
There are a few things that you can do to make the transition easier. Plan carefully for your child's departure and think about how you can help. Many parents take their child to university for the first time. If you decide to do that, be ready to feel a real wrench when the time comes to say goodbye. Your child will probably be as nervous as you are about the moment when you finally say goodbye – but that might not show!
Be positive and cheerful about the choice your child has made to continue studying, and plan to leave once you've unpacked the car and looked around your child's new living accommodations. If you can, save your tears for the car – you'll make things easier on your child and yourself.
The more you've invested in being a parent, the more you'll feel a sense of loss, so the sadness you feel now is a sign that you've been a good mom or dad. Remind yourself that parenting is all about raising an independent and confident child who functions well without you. If your child quickly settles and starts enjoying himself, you should congratulate yourself.
It's also only fair to allow yourself some time to grieve(悲痛). Don't expect to pick yourself up and move on straight away. But you may decide to find a hobby or sport to fill your extra time. Perhaps you've always wanted to learn a new language, go to yoga classes or take up swimming. You may decide to spend more time with family and close friends, who are likely to be feeling the absence of your child as well.
Agree on the best approach to staying in touch before your child leaves, and stick to your agreement. Try not to panic if your child doesn't respond immediately – remember, they're starting a new and busy life.
【小題1】Why do parents feel sad when their child leaves home for college?

A．Because the absence of their child makes them feel lonely.

B．Because their children will start a new life in college.

C．Because they are no longer the main focus of their children’s life.

D．Because it means the end of love between parents and their child.

【小題2】The underlined word “wrench” in Paragraph 2 means a feeling of ________.

A．sorrow

B．regret

C．a(chǎn)nger

D．love

【小題3】What does good parenting consist of?

A．Supporting your child in different ways all the time.

B．Congratulating yourself when your child goes to college.

C．Investing as much as possible in the growth of your child.

D．Preparing your child to stand on their own feet in the future.

【小題4】What’s NOT advised as the way to recover from your child’s departure?

A．Staying in touch with your child.

B．Learning a new language.

C．Spending more time with close friends.

D．Developing a new hobby or sport.

【小題5】What would be an appropriate title for the whole passage?

A．Staying in Touch with Your Child

B．Preparing to Say Goodbye to Your Child

C．Dealing with Your Child Leaving Home for University

D．Life after Your Child Has Left Home for University

The best way of learning a language is using it. The best way of learning English is talking in English as much as possible. Sometimes you'll get your words mixed up (混合) and people will not understand you. Sometimes people will say things too quickly and you can't understand them. But if you keep your sense of humor, you can always have a good laugh at the mistakes you make. Don't be unhappy if people seem to be laughing at your mistakes. It's better for people to laugh at your mistakes than to be angry with you, because they don't understand what you are saying. The most important thing for learning English is: "Don't be afraid of making mistakes because everyone makes mistakes."
【小題1】The writer thinks that the most important thing for you to learn a language is________.

A．reading

B．practising

C．talking about it

D．listening

【小題2】If people laugh at the mistakes you make, you should ________.

A．be angry with them	B．be angry with yourself
C．not care	D．believe you are right

【小題3】The story tells us " ________."

A．It is normal (正常的) that we make some mistakes in learning English

B．Everyone must make mistakes

C．We can avoid making mistakes in learning a language

D．Laughing can help one learn English well