本刊試題研究中心

Task 1

Birthday card history is said to be over a hundred years old. Though there is no record to tell us who sent or received the first birthday card but it said the tradition of sending birthday cards began in England a century ago. In those times people used to personally greet a person on a birthday, but when a well-wisher was unable to do so he sent a birthday card. Thus birthday cards were more like an apology at that time.

History of greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese who are said to have started the tradition of sending goodwill messages on a New Year. Early Egyptians too are believed to have made used papyrus (紙莎草紙) scrolls to send greetings to dear ones. During early 1400 the tradition of exchanging handmade paper greeting cards developed in Europe while Germans at that time were known to have printed New Year's greetings from woodcuts. The advancement in printing technology in the 1850s helped to make greeting cards more affordable. No wonder, they soon became popular means of personal communication. During the 1980s non-event cards or the cards not made for any particular occasion became popular and helped card industry reach a new high.

Greeting cards have taken a new form in this present age of Internet technology. Today, they are being increasingly exchanged as electronic or e-greeting cards. Advancement in the technology that began in the 1990s has led to a further growth in card industry. People find it easier to send e-cards as a means of exchanging greetings.

Birthday cards are an important means of communicating good wishes and love to a person. They carry a personal touch that makes them lovable and very special. Emotionally charged cards help to pass on feelings of love that most people find difficult to express.

1. What was the purpose of sending birthday cards in England a century ago?

A. To send good wishes. B. To greet a person on a birthday.

C. To make an apology. D. To work as a birthday present.

2. Printed New Year's greetings were firstly made by ______.

A. British B. Chinese C. Egyptians D. Germans

3. What plays an important role in the development of greeting cards?

A. The tradition of sending goodwill messages.

B. The invention of handmade paper.

C. The advancement in technology.

D. The means of exchanging greetings.

4. What does the underlined word “them” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A. Good wishes. B. Birthday cards.

C. Means of communicating. D. Those celebrating their birthdays.

5. What is the best title for the passage?

A. The history of birthday cards

B. The importance of birthday cards

C. The functions of birthday cards

D. The tradition of sending birthday cards

Task 2

If you don't have many friends, it's time that you made some. Friendships can affect your life in many positive ways, including improving your mood, giving you a sense of purpose, encouraging you to make healthy lifestyle choices and giving you a support system for the good and bad times in your life., but by putting in some effort, you will improve your life greatly.

Introduce yourself to your neighbors.you could make a friend just steps away. Knock on doors and introduce yourself; invite neighbors over for a glass of tea.

A. Join a group

B. Offer to volunteer

C. It's not always easy to find and make friends

D. Even if the event isn't something you'd enjoy

E. Exploring your city alone can bring some friends into your path

F. You can use social media to find some friends with the same interests

G. If you have recently moved or have never met people living on your street

Task 3

It happened nine years ago. My brother was driving while I was a passenger. We went to the grocery store towhat was needed for Christmas dinner. When we had got all we needed, we placed all bags in the trunk (行李箱), but it was too, so we used the back seat to transport the groceries.

On our way home we had to stop at a.When it turned green, my brother started tohis speed. At just that moment, a personthe street in front of our car.,our car hit the man and pushed him too far, so he

My brother stopped the car. We got out and rushed tothe man. He looked as if he were dead on the. We were very.He was drunk,he had not seen that the traffic light was red for him.

The accident taught me to drive much morebecause in many cases the pedestrians can cause trouble even if you are a good.

1. A. cook B. order C. buy D. have

2. A. low B. small C. heavy D. high

3. A. light B. pole C. turning D. corner

4. A. test B. reduce C. measure D. increase

5. A. crossed B. cleaned C. watered D. swept

6. A. Finally B. Slowly C. Purposely D. Suddenly

7. A. jumped up B. fell down C. turned back D. ran away

8. A. stop B. catch C. see D. warn

9. A. ground B. floor C. field D. earth

10. A. tired B. discouraged C. disappointed D. frightened

11. A. or B. so C. but D. for

12. A. gas B. train C. police D. power

13. A. arrived B. reached C. left D. reacted

14. A. pretended B. regretted C. remembered D. realized

15. A. shocked B. puzzled C. drunk D. injured

16. A. conflict B. accident C. event D. argument

17. A. lucky B. embarrassed C. satisfied D. shocked

18. A. sad B. excited C. nervous D. confused

19. A. politely B. successfully C. slowly D. carefully

20. A. player B. driver C. passenger D. officer

Task 4

Ⅰ. 語法填空

British researchers found that people who go to live concerts and museums live longer than those who do not. Experts from 1._______university looked at over 6,700 British people for 15 years.They 2._______(examine) how often the people went out and where they went. They found that over-50s who 3._______(regular) went to concerts were around 30 percent less likely 4._______(die) in the next 14 years. The over-50s could 5._______(length) their life by looking at “receptive (感官的)arts”. These include art galleries, concerts, museums, musicals, and the opera and theatre. In addition to 6._______(live) longer, concert-goers could also have more fun.

The lead researcher said money was important in 7._______or not people went to concerts. She wrote: “Over 40 percent of people in the least wealthy group reported that they never accessed 8._______(culture) activities.” The UK Health Secretary said arts and culture could improve things 9._______mental health, ageing and loneliness. The UK's National Health Service will use the arts to improve 10._______(people) well-being and health.

Ⅱ. 書面表達

假定你是新華學(xué)校學(xué)生會主席李華，你聽說Mary下學(xué)期要來你校任教，你寫信向她推薦你的同班同學(xué)高一學(xué)生王楠作為她的助理。

內(nèi)容要點：

1. 寫信目的；

2. 推薦理由。

注意：

1. 詞數(shù)100左右；

2. 可以適當(dāng)發(fā)揮，以使行文連貫。

Dear Mary,

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua