Dr．Ferguson energetically pushed the preparations for his departure，and in person directed the construction of his balloon．For a long time past he had been applying himself to the study of the Arab language and the various Mandingoe idioms，and，thanks to his talents in language，he had made rapid progress．

In the meanwhile，his friend，the sportsman，never let him out of
his sight-afraid，no doubt，that the doctor might take his departure，without saying a word to anybody．On this subject，he tried to discourage him with the most persuasive arguments，which，however，did NOT persuade Samuel Ferguson，and wasted his breath，by which the latter seemed to be but slightly moved．In fine，Dick felt that the doctor was slipping through his fingers．
The poor Scot was really to be pitied．He could not look upon the
blue sky without a wild terror: when asleep，he felt dizziness(眩暈)that made his head turn around；and every night he had visions of crashing down from immeasurable heights．
We must add that，during these nightmares，he once or twice fell out of bed. His first care then was to show Ferguson a severe bump(腫塊)that he had received on the fall．“And yet，”he
would add，with warmth，“that was at the height of only three feet一not an inch more一and such a bump as this! Only think，then!”
This appeal，full of sad meaning as it was，did not seem to touch the doctor's heart．Not even the shadow of a doubt was ever suggested；and Samuel made an intolerable misuse of the first person plural：“‘Our’balloon，‘our’ car ；‘our’expedition.”
Dick trembled at them，although he was determined not to go ; he did not want to annoy his friend．Let us also disclose the fact that，without knowing exactly why himself，he had sent to Edinburgh for a certain selection of heavy clothing，and his best hunting-tools and fire-arms．
小題1:Why did Dr．Ferguson start to learn new languages?

A．To keep himself occupied．

B．To get ready for the departure．

C．To show his talent in language．

D．To Know more about balloon construction．

小題2:We Call infer from the passage that Dick ＿＿＿＿.

A．suffered from a disease during the nights

B．got hurt in a fall from the balloon in the evening

C．decided to take the adventure with the doctor at last

D．equipped himself with arms to frighten his friend

小題3:Which word best describes Dr．Ferguson’s attitude towards his balloon flight?

A．Excited．

B．Optimistic．

C．Worried.

D．Determined

小題4:What’s the writing pattern of the passage?

A．News．

B．Fiction．

C．Journal．

D．Biography．

In a society such as the United States or Canada, which has many national, religious and cultural differences, people highly value individualism--the differences among people. Teachers place a lot of importance on the qualities that make each student special. The educational systems in these countries show these values. Students do not memorize all possible basic knowledge. Instead, they work individually and find answers by themselves.There is often discussion in the classroom. At an early age, students learn to form their own ideas and opinions.
In most Asia societies, by contrast, the people have the same language, history and culture. Perhaps for this reason, the educational system in much of the orient reflects society’s belief in group goals and purposes rather than individualism. Children in China, Japan and Korea often work together and help one another on assignments.
There are advantages and disadvantages of both systems of education. For example, one advantage of the system in Japan is that students there learn much more about math, physics, biology and chemistry than American students by the end of high school. They also study more hours each day and more days each year than North Americans do. The system is difficult, but it prepares students for a society that values discipline and self-control. There is, however, a disadvantage. Memorization is an important learning method in Japanese schools, yet many students say that after an exam, they forget much of the information that they have memorized.
The advantage of the educational system in North America, on the other hand, is that students learn to think for themselves. The system prepares them for a society that values creative ideas. There is, however, a disadvantage. When students graduate from school, they haven’t memorized as many basic rules and facts as students in other countries have.
小題1:The writer’s purpose of writing this passage is      .

A．to share his idea with others in a new way

B．to introduce two different systems of education through contrast

C．to criticize the society that values memorization

D．to prepare students for society

小題2:Which is NOT true according to the passage?

A．The system of education in the West is more creative than that in the East

B．Japanese students learn much more about science than American students.

C．Canadian students are more individual than Korean students.

D．Students in North America are not so friendly as those in Asia.

小題3:From the facts, we can infer that       .

A．Asian students are more likely to do better in teamwork than American students

B．Chinese students are more hard-working in their studies than Mexican students

C．the Western educational system is much better than the Eastern educational system.

D．the Eastern educational system is as difficult as the Western educational system.

小題4:What is the best title for the passage?

A．Advantages and Disadvantages of Educational System.

B．The Value of Individualism.

C．Educational System-an Obvious Difference between the East and the West.

D．Memorization-an Important Learning Method.

Do you like shopping? Or does the thought of wandering round the shops fill you with terror? For some of us，shopping is an enjoyable way of spending our spare time and our money. For me．it's something I would rather avoid．Thank goodness for the Internet! It's more convenient to buy CDs，electrical items，even food，from the comfort of your sofa．But that’s not the only reason：price is an important factor．We can buy goods and services cheaper online. But sometimes the problem is knowing what to buy．This has led to a type of shopping called “showrooming”．
Showrooming is something I've done．I will go to a shop to see，touch and try out products but then go home and buy them online at a knock—down price．I'm not alone in doing this．Research by a company called Foolproof，found 24％of people showroomed while Christmas shopping in 2013．
Amy Cashman，Head of Technology at TNS UK，says the reasons for this new shopping habit are that“people are lacking time，lacking money and they want security about the products they are buying．”She explains that consumers are not only shopping online at home but they are using the Internet in store or on their smartphones to shop around．
But does this mean technology will kill shops? Certainly shops will change．They will have to offer more competitive prices or encourage people to buy more by giving in—store discounts or free girls．
We mustn’t forget that buying in a shop means you can get expert advice from the sales assistant and you can get good aftercare．It’s good to speak to a real human rather than look at a faceless computer screen but at least by showrooming，you get the best of both worlds!
小題1:The two questions in Paragraph l are raised to       

A．introduce the topic	B．give two examples
C．compare different opinions	D．get answers from readers

小題2:What does showrooming mean in the text?

A．Trying in shops and buying online．

B．Showing products in a room．

C．Buying something in a store．

D．Shopping on the Internet．

小題3:According to Amy Cashman，which is not the reason for showrooming?

A．The lack of time．	B．The comfort of the sofa．
C．The shortness of money．	D．The security of the product．

小題4:What can be inferred from Paragraph 4 ?

A．Online shops will disappear．

B．Free gifts will surely promote sales．

C．Shops need necessary changes．

D．Shops will be replaced by online shops．

小題5:The author's attitude towards showrooming is         

A．critical

B．neutral

C．supportive

D．casual

“It is one of the few bright spots in the Chinese economy，” says Zeng Ming. He is talking about e­commerce. Mr. Zeng, the chief strategy officer for Alibaba, a giant Chinese Internet firm, predicts that digital transactions on his firm's platforms will top 1 trillion yuan($159 billion) this year—more than Amazon's and eBay's combined. That is a bold claim, but consider what happened on Singles Day.
Invented a few years ago by students and seized upon by digital marketers, this festival for lonely hearts falls annually on the 11th day of the 11th month(since 1 is the loneliest number). It is like St Valentine's Day, only worse. Singletons show each other with tender gifts: a barrage of pearls; a storm of sweets.
This November 11th they spent a surprising 19 billion yuan on Alibaba's online platforms—a fourfold increase on a year ago, and more than double what Americans spent online last Cyber Monday(the Monday after Thanksgiving, when retailers urge Americans to shop online). About 100 million purchases were logged, accounting for 80% of the packages shipped that day. Couriers(快遞員) were buried in parcels.
So life is good for China's e­tailers. Then? Not exactly. The number of digital marketers is increasing and online sales are booming. Consumers are enjoying lower prices, better service and more variety. The problem? The pressure on profits in Chinese e­commerce is worse than in America, reckons Elinor Leung of CLSA, a broker. “Almost no one makes money，” she says.
The fiercest battles are being fought between online retailers and their bricks­and­mortar(實體的) rivals. Dangdang, a firm that resembles Amazon, and 360buy, another online retailer, have cut prices fiercely. Tencent, a cash­rich online giant known for its instant­messaging software, is splashing out to win market share. 360buy has also just raised $400 millon from investors to do the same. But it is unclear how much longer such firms can burn through capital.
小題1:What's the best title of this passage?

A．The Ambition of Alibaba

B．Fierce Competition between Retailers

C．A New Festival for the Singles

D．Chinese Booming E­commerce

小題2:According to Zeng Ming, this year Alibaba will ________.

A．outweigh Amazon and eBay in worldwide influence

B．rank top among all the Internet firms

C．have more than 159 billion dollars' sale

D．create another sales miracle just like the one on Singles Day

小題3:How many packages were shipped on November 11th from Alibaba's online platforms?

A．About 80 million.	B．About 100 million.
C．About 125 million.	D．About 180 million.

小題4:What's the author's attitude towards online retailers in China?

A．Optimistic.	B．Concerned.
C．Sympathetic.	D．Indifferent.

It's slim­budget time in Las Vegas
Las Vegas? It's where half­price flights are wide open and where reservations are easily booked on a moment's notice. Tourism is down, so rooms are plentiful, as well as inexpensive.
Getting there: The best way to get there from McCarran Airport is to exit the baggage claim through Door 11 and check in at any number of shuttle booths. Shuttle vans that run between the airport and the Las Vegas Strip cost $6 for a one­way trip.
Leaving Las Vegas：Many Vegas vacationers are eager to get there and slow to leave. So take the “red­eye” back home. Most red­eye flights leave around midnight, leaving you with an extra night of gaming, and fun without added expense of a higher hotel charge. You can sleep the whole way home.
Romantic getaway: Las Vegas is no longer all about gaming. The artwork at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is certainly comparable to that at the Louvre. Speaking of Paris, take a trip up the Eiffel Tower at Paris­Las Vegas. The Eiffel Tower Experience costs just $10($7 for kids) and is unquestionably worth the price of admission. For an intimate evening, don't hesitate to book reservations at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Get an impressive nighttime view of the Fountains at Bellagio by asking for seating alongside the floor­to­ceiling windows. This is truly a one­of­a­kind fine­dining experience. Details：www.parislasvegas.com.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes：Casinos(娛樂場) can appear very close together, but actually may not be. Know the tram systems that run up and down the Strip. Most tram lines are free.
Shows：Purchase show tickets at one of the many “Half Priced Show” booths on the Strip. You can experience a unique show each night of your stay. Need a look at what's playing when you'll be there? Visit www.booklasvegasshows.com.
Buffets：In Vegas you can take anything to the next level—including eating. Seven casinos on the Strip have teamed up to bring you an amazing deal：seven buffets—breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner—all for just $44.99 within a 24­hour period. Details：www.harrahs.com/total/las­vegas/buffet­of­buffets.
小題1:What is the author's purpose of writing the passage?

A．To introduce the present situation of Las Vegas.

B．To attract readers to travel to Las Vegas.

C．To tell readers how to go to Las Vegas.

D．To show his own travel experience.

小題2:If you want to know more about food in Las Vegas, you should ________.

A．visit www.parislasvegas.com

B．visit www.booklasvegasshows.com

C．visit www.harrahs.com/total/las­vegas/buffet­of­buffets

D．visit www.newyorknewyork.com/attractions/

the­roller­coaster.aspx
小題3:If a couple and a 5­year­old child want to take the Eiffel Tower Experience, they have to pay ________.

A．$10	B．$20
C．$27	D．$34

小題4:From the passage, we can conclude that ________.

A．Las Vegas is famous as a gaming city

B．eating in Las Vegas is very expensive

C．all the red­eye flights leave around midnight

D．a round trip in Las Vegas costs $6

Three­quarters of a million tourists flock to the white beaches every year, but this booming industry has come at a price. Poisonous smoke rising from open fires, rubbish made up of plastic bottles, packets...it's_a_far_cry_from the white sands, clear waters and palm trees that we associate with the Maldives(馬爾代夫), the paradise island holiday destination set in the Indian Ocean.
Of its 200 inhabited islands, which are spread across an area of 35,000 square miles, 99 are good resorts(度假勝地). So many tourists come every year, more than double the local population. Of these tourists, over 100,000 travel from the UK. The capital, Malé， is four times more densely populated than London. Given these facts, it's hardly surprising that the Maldives has a waste disposal problem.
Years ago, when the tourists left, the government had to deal with a stream of rubbish. Their solution was to turn one of the islands into a dumping ground. Four miles west of Malé is the country's dumping ground, Thilafushi. What you are seeing here is a view of the Maldives on which no honeymooners will ever clap eyes. Each visitor produces 3.5 kg of waste per day. The country dumps more than 330 tons of rubbish on the island every day.
Now, since many waste boats, fed up with waiting seven hours or more, directly offload their goods into the sea, the government of the Maldives has banned the dumping of waste on the island. So, the waste boats ship the rubbish to India instead.
小題1:What is the main cause of the waste disposal problem?

A．The big local population.

B．Too many waste boats.

C．The large number of tourists.

D．Open fires on the islands.

小題2:The underlined part can probably be replaced by “________”．

A．it's quite similar to	B．it's a long distance from
C．it's a loud shout from	D．it's totally different from

小題3:What can we learn from the text?

A．It is much more crowded in Malé than in London.

B．Another island will be used as a dumping ground.

C．No honeymooners are willing to visit the Maldives.

D．Waste on islands will be offloaded directly into the sea.

小題4:What's the author's purpose in writing the text?

A．To attract more tourists to the Maldives.

B．To state the waste disposal problem in the Maldives.

C．To call on us to protect the environment.

D．To explain the causes of pollution in the Maldives.

While many people agree that The Sound of Music（音樂之聲）is one of the best films of all time, some are at a loss（困惑） to explain why. Well, I’ll tell you why it’s one of the best movies ever. The Sound of Music simply has everything one could want in a movie.
First of all, it has a real romance--one where you can watch the characters slowly fall in love.
Secondly, it has humor, clever and sarcastic（諷刺性的） humor. When Schraeder said, “ Bye, Maria, I’m sure you’ll make a fine nun（修女）.” You just want to slap（摑） her across the face after hearing that.
Thirdly, it’s got adventure. The Nazis are the worst “bad guys” in any movie, so it’s great to see Maria, the Captain and the kids outwit（智取） them.
Fourthly, it’s got great music. The songs of the film are popular all over the world.
Fifthly, it’s got great scenery. The plot（情節(jié)） and dialogue are also amazing. I find new things to admire each time I watch.
Finally, is there a greater scene in any movie than the nuns showing the stolen Nazi car parts? In short, the film doesn’t just succeed because it cheers people up with a beautiful love story or songs. It also succeeds because it’s a wonderfully-constructed, wonderfully-written, and wonderfully-acted movie.
小題1:What’s the purpose of the passage?

A．To tell people what makes a good movie.

B．To tell people how to enjoy the humor in The Sound of Music.

C．To explain why The Sound of Music is one of the best movies.

D．To advise people to watch The Sound of Music

小題2:We can learn from the passage that _______.

A．in the author’s opinion, The Sound of Music succeeds mainly because of its songs

B．the author can find something new to enjoy every time he watches the movie

C．Maria just wants to slap Schraeder after hearing what she says to her.

D．The Sound of Music is a movie about how Maria outwits the Nazis with the nuns

小題3:About the The Sound of Music, the author mentioned all of the following things EXCEPT___

A．plot

B．music

C．acting

D．clothing

小題4:What’s the meaning of the underlined word “character” ?

A．特征

B．性格

C．人物

D．漢字

The Beatles were the most influential band in pop history. In their 8-year, 12-album history, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr altered popular culture dramatically. It wasn't just the suits and changing lengths of hair the four Liverpool boys wore that had such an impact, but what they seemed to stand for. The world saw them as the voice of a new generation, one with a very different attitude to life.
Their influence was at its height in the 1 960s．but their music continues to stir listeners today．However, up until recently one aspect of the Beatles was struck in Yesterday：The music had never been remastered (重新灌錄)．But on September 9 that situation came to an end，with the release of the entire band’s music in a digital makeover．It is probably the biggest reissue(重新發(fā)行)in pop music history, said British newspaper the Financial Times．
The albums were to be remastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, the location where the band produced much of their work．The cover of their 1ast album，Abbey Road of 1969．featured the four young men striding(大步行走)across a zebra crossing on Abbey Road itself．It is one of the most famous Of a11 Beatles images．
Recently, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the album, hundreds of Beatles lovers gathered there to show their appreciation．
Pop groups come and go．The boy band pursued by screaming fans one year will be forgotten the next．But the Beatles are one Of the few groups whose music seems to have endured．Why? Paul McCartney’s biographer Barry Miles has an explanation：“They were the first rock band…and they just happened to be the best．They were the first band to play stadiums，to have their own products．They were ground—breaking in every way．”he says．
小題1:Why did the Beatles change popular culture?

A．Because of the suits of the four Liverpool boys．

B．Because of changing lengths of hair the four Liverpool boys wore．

C．Because of their different attitude to life．

D．Because of their albums．

小題2:Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the second paragraph?

A．The Beatles influenced people at its height in the 1 960s．

B．111eir music Yesterday had never been remastered．

C．The entire band’s music in a digital makeover will be remastered．

D．On September 9，their music came to an end．

小題3:What is their last album?

A．Yesterday．

B．Abbey Road of l969．

C．Come Together．

D．In My life．

小題4:What is NOT the reason why their music can endure?

A．They were the first rock band．

B．They were the best one．

C．They were the first band to have their own works．

D．They wore special suits．

小題5:What does the author mean by“They were ground-breaking in every way．”

A．They broke the ground to find away．

B．They broke the rules while driving on the way．

C．They did what other bands had never done before．

D．They play their hits at every concert．

In the winter months the temperature in most of Canada usually stays below 0℃. However, in some parts of Canada, such as southern British Columbia, the temperature rarely goes below 0℃. In most areas where people live, snow will be on the ground from mid-December to the middle of March. Though Canada’s winter may be much colder and longer than you are used to, it can be very enjoyable. For many Canadians, being active in winter is an important part of enjoying life. There are many outdoor winter activities, including skiing, ice fishing, walking, and skating. Joining in one of these activities may help you appreciate winter and enjoy your time outside in the snow.
Dressing for winter.
During winter in Canada, you will need warm clothing. If possible, arrive with these items or be prepared to buy them soon after your arrival. You will need:
＊A warm waterproof(防水) boots. 
＊A scarf(圍巾) for your neck.
＊A hat that covers your ears.      
＊Gloves for your hands.
＊Thick winter coats, pants(褲子) and sweaters.
Layers(層) keep you warm.
It’s a good idea to layer your clothing by, for example, wearing a T-shirt and a sweater underneath a jacket. If you become too hot, it is always easier to remove a piece of clothing than to add another. On the West Coast, prepare to dress for cool rainy or snowy weather. You will need:
＊A warm waterproof coat.
＊Waterproof hats.
＊An umbrella.            
＊Rain boots or snow boots.
Learn more about weather and seasons across Canada. You can also contact(聯系) Related Links.com, for example, an immigrant-serving(移民服務) organization in the community where you live for more information about dressing for winter.
小題1:What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To tell about the details about Canada.

B．To show many outdoor winter activities.

C．To introduce the daily life of Canada.

D．To encourage you to enjoy winter in Canada.

小題2:What is the important part for many Canadians in winter?

A．Ice fishing.	B．Joining a group
C．Leading an active life.	D．Staying in the snow

小題3:If you spend a winter in Canada, you will prepare all EXCEPT_______.

A．an umbrella and sunglasses

B．thick winter coats and a scarf

C．waterproof hats and a scarf

D．snow boots and gloves

小題4:The author suggest layering your clothing probably because_______

A．it is cool to dress like that.

B．it is a rule to dress like that.

C．the weather there is changeable.

D．the weather is usually very hot.

Not all bodies of water are so evidently alive as the Atlantic Ocean, an S-shaped body of water covering 33 million square miles. The Atlantic Ocean, in a sense, replaced the Mediterranean as the inland sea of Western civilization. Unlike real inland seas, which seem strangely still, the Atlantic Ocean is rich in oceanic liveliness all the time. It is perhaps not surprising that its vitality has been much written about by ancient poets.
“Storm at Sea”, a short poem written around 700, is generally regarded as one of mankind’s earliest artistic representations of the Atlantic Ocean.
When the wind is from the west
All the waves that cannot rest
To the east must thunder on
Where the bright tree of the sun
Is rooted in the ocean’s breast.
As the poem suggests, the Atlantic Ocean is never dead and dull. It is an ocean that moves, impressively and endlessly. It makes all kinds of noise---it is forever thundering, boiling, crashing and whistling.
It is easy to imagine the Atlantic Ocean trying to draw breath----perhaps not so noticeably out in mid-ocean, but where it meets land, its waters bathing up and down a sandy beach. It imitates nearly perfectly the steady breathing of a living creature. It is filled with co-living existences, too: unimaginable quantities of creatures, little and large alike, mix within its depths in a kind of oceanic harmony, giving to the waters a feeling of heartbeat, a kind of sub-ocean vitality. And it has a psychology. It has personalities: sometimes peaceful and pleasant, on rare occasions rough and wild; always it is strong and striking.
小題1:Unlike real inland seas, the Atlantic Ocean is __________.

A．always energetic	B．lacking in liveliness
C．shaped like a square	D．favored by ancient poets.

小題2:The writer uses the poem “Storm at Sea” for the purpose of ___________.

A．describing the movement of the waves

B．showing the strength of the storm

C．presenting the power of the ocean

D．proving the vastness of the sea

小題3:In the last paragraph, the Atlantic Ocean is compared to ___________.

A．a beautiful and poetic place	B．a person of blood and flesh
C．a world of interest and wonder	D．a lovely animal