Habits are a funny thing. We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto-pilot and relaxing into the unconscious comfort of familiar routine.“Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting creatures,”William Wordsworth said in the 19th century. In the ever-changing 21st century, even the word“habit”carries a negative meaning.
So it seems contradictory to talk about habits in the same context as innovation (創(chuàng)新). But brain researchers have discovered that when we consciously develop new habits, we create parallel paths, and even entirely new brain cells, that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks.
Rather than dismissing ourselves as unchangeable creatures of habit, we can instead direct our own change by consciously developing new habits. In fact, the more new things we try, the more creative we become.
But don’t bother trying to kill off old habits; once those ruts of procedure are worn into the brain, they’re there to stay. Instead, the new habits we deliberately press into ourselves create parallel pathways that can bypass those old roads.
“The first thing needed for innovation is attraction to wonder,”says Dawna Markova, author of The Open Mind.“But we are taught instead to‘decide’, just as our president calls himself‘the Decider’．”She adds, however, that“to decide is to kill off all possibilities but one. A good innovational thinker is always exploring the many other possibilities.”
“All of us work through problems in ways of which we’re unaware,”she says. Researchers in the late 1960s discovered that humans are born with the ability to approach challenges in four primary ways: analytically, procedurally, collaboratively (合作地) and innovatively. At the end of adolescence, however, the brain shuts down half of that ability, preserving only those ways of thought that have seemed most valuable during the first decade or so of life.
The current emphasis on standardized testing highlights analysis and procedure, meaning that few of us use our innovative and collaborative ways of thought.“This breaks the major rule in the American belief system—that anyone can do anything,”explains M. J. Ryan, author of the 2006 book This Year I Will…and Ms. Markova’s business partner.“That’s a lie that we have preserved, and it fosters commonness. Knowing what you’re good at and doing even more of it creates excellence.”This is where developing new habits comes in.
67．Brain researchers have discovered that      .
A．the forming of new habits can be guided
B．the development of habits can be predicted
C．the regulation of old habits can be transformed
D．the track of new habits can be created unconsciously
68．The underlined word“ruts”in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to       .
A．zones                            B．connections                 C．situations                     D．tracks
69．Which of the following statements most probably agrees with Dawna Markova’s view?
A．Decision makes no sense in choices.
B．Curiosity makes creative minds active.
C．Creative ideas are born of a relaxing mind.
D．Formation of innovation comes from fantastic ideas.
70．The purpose of the author writing this article is to persuade us       .
A．to give up our traditional habits deliberately
B．to create and develop new habits consciously
C．to resist the application of standardized testing
D．to believe that old habits conflict with new habits

完形填空（共20小題，每小題1分，滿分20分）
A while ago my family and I went sledding(滑雪橇) and as I watched my children climbing up the slope I started thinking.
Many people are convinced that most of today’s   26   problems are because of the “me” generation. Youngsters are just out for themselves and pay no   27   to others or their needs. Indeed, a common belief is that today’s youngsters won’t do anything  28   there is something in it for them.
Yet, while sledding, I saw a   29  side. I watched my two oldest children (then five and four) take my youngest(then two years old)by the hand to help her up the slippery slope  30   they went up. They would have been   31  without her, but not once did they try to sneak （溜掉）by her without helping. And when the sled  32  my two daughters was aimed toward the edge, it was my five year old son who ran to them to  33  them from falling and hurting themselves.
These children sometimes   34  among themselves and, on occasion, behave horribly. But I can  35  them shopping and know that they won’t ask for anything, I can talk to them about tsunami or hurricane victims and know that they will offer to  36  some of their own money to the cause, and I can ask them to play with those children  37  on the sideline(作為旁觀者) and know that they will befriend（照顧）them.
Perhaps, therefore, the “me” generation is to blame  38   much of society’s problems—not the youngsters who want everything,   39  the adults who have taught them to selfishly  40   only of themselves.
Most adults have been   41  at some time or another, sadly, many   42  that disappointment down to their children. Then the children learn to put themselves first!
Most young children want to help. We can  43  that feeling by teaching the lesson my children learned while sledding: Life is a slippery slope with  44  of bumps(撞傷) and bruises(擦傷), but we can all make it to the  45  if we remember to help those who need it.
26.A.social         B.private                   C.serious                    D.slight
27.A.thought            B.attention                         C.permission             D.pleasure
28.A.if                                  B.as                             C.while                                 D.unless
29.A.same                          B.different                          C.strange                            D.moral
30.A.some time                 B.any time                          C.each time                        D.the time
31.A.faster                         B.slower                     C.easier                               D.lighter
32.A.containing                 B.loading                    C.driving              D.carrying
33.A.avoid                           B.stop                                  C.help                                   D.warn
34.A.cry                               B.cooperate                       C.assist                                D.fight
35.A.take                      B.drive                                 C.accompany            D.guide
36.A.lend                   B.send                                  C.collect                     D.pay
37.A.forgotten                   B.missed                    C.left                                    D.ignored
38.A.of                                 B.within                               C.on                             D.for
39.A.and                    B.but                                    C.thus                                  D.though
40.A.consider           B.speak                                C.believe                    D.think
41.A.depressed                 B.surprised                         C.disappointed                  D.embarrassed
42.A.extend                        B.intend                       C.pass                                  D.spread
43.A.encourage                 B.strengthen                      C.discourage                     D.approach
44.A.opportunities  B.occasions                  C.promises                         D.fates
45.A.top                     B.bottom                   C.middle                     D.tip

One of the worst feelings in the world is trying your hardest at something but still falling short. In the case of schoolwork, studying for hours and bringing home disappointing grades may make you feel hopeless or helpless, but this is far from the truth. If you are dealing with disappointing grades, promise to change your study habits and you'll be amazed by the results.
Act Fast
The most important rule about dealing with disappointing grades is to act fast. Don't sit around and let them get worse, and definitely don't ignore them. Instead, admit that you need help and go in search of it soon. The faster you face up to the problem, the faster you can find a solution and see some results.
Tweak your routine
If you are studying hard and still dealing with disappointing grades, it's probably time to tweak your routine a little. Remember, if you keep doing the same thing all the time you'll undoubtedly keep getting the same results. Mix things up by asking for help, whether from a friend or fellow student, your teacher or a private tutor. Ask for help with the subject matter and tips for studying on your own.
Study Successfully
Of course it doesn't matter where you study or who you study with if you are studying the wrong things. Make sure that you are studying successfully by:
*Reviewing your textbooks.
*Looking over your notes from class.
*Taking new notes while you study.
*Investing in study guides.
*Answering all of the review questions you can find.
*Talking through events or concepts that are integral (整體) to your lessons.
Learn From Your Mistakes
If, after all of your changes and redoubling your study efforts, you are still disappointed with your grades, then it is time to figure out exactly where you are going wrong. Look over exam papers and assignments to see if you are having trouble with a particular kind of question (multiple choice, true or false, etc.) or concept. Examine your essays to see if you are explaining your ideas clearly and completely, or if it is the mechanics of your writing (spelling, grammar, etc.) that is letting you down. Request an appointment with your teacher and use this time to discuss your work and get his/her feedback as well.
Dealing with disappointing grades is something that every student will face at one time or another. It won't be fun, but take a realistic look at your attention in class, your study habits and your performance on past assignments and exam. Figure out where you are having trouble and dedicate yourself to fixing these problems.
51. The purpose of this passage is _______.
A. to introduce practical ways to solve worrying school problems
B. to persuade students to change their attitude toward schoolwork
C. to offer advice on how to improve academic grades at school
D. to emphasize the importance of dealing with disappointing grades
52. The underlined phrase to tweak your routine means _______.
A. to stick to the same study plan and seek help when possible
B. to mix things up before you work out a practical solution alone
C. to examine your everyday life to make room for self improvement
D. to make necessary alterations in your study habits and plans
53. According to the passage, it is desirable to _______.
A. adopt a great variety of successful study methods and work on your own
B. have a study partner who act fast to face up a problem and study successfully
C. find out your weak points by reviewing schoolwork and seek necessary help
D. make an appointment with your teachers and develop useful examination skills
54. The author of this passage is probably a(an) _______.
A. psychologist         B. examiner       C. parent         D. instructor
55. The author thinks that dealing with disappointing grades calls for _______.
A. a strong will power                     B. a down-to-earth attitude
C. creativity and dedication                 D. undivided attention

There were a lot of hardships when growing up, but there were a lot of fond memories as well.
Back in those days, we had very little money, so we couldn’t afford a garden tractor that could make gardening easier. All the preparations has to be done by hand with hoes(鋤頭)，shovels and Daddy’s trusty plow(犁).
Part of my job in the garden was planting the seeds. I would sow the seeds and Daddy would come behind me with the plow and cover them. I liked to walk behind Daddy when he was planting. Every step he took left an impression. I would try to make my short legs match his stride(大步)and put my tiny feet in his footprints.
One of my gardening tasks was finding worms. We didn’t use a lot of pesticides so we often had worms. Some worms were harder to find because sometimes they would get on the bottom side of the leaves and have a similar color to that of the plant. I had to look very closely for them.
Next came the harvest. That was my mum’s busiest time. There were tomatoes, peas, corn and beans that all had to be washed and “put up” for the winter.
We would sit out in the yard late in the evening when air was cooler until midnight. I would sit and attentively listen to my mum and daddy to tell stories about their past. I loved those times because they created the most precious memories of all for me.
We may not have had too many material possessions, but we had a lot of love. I think our working together as a family to put food on the table helped to strengthen out ties to each other and kept us close.
56. What did the author like to do as a child in the garden?
A. Put up tomatoes, peas, corn and beans for the winter.
B. Follow his father’s footsteps.
C. Plow and cover the seeds.
D. Listen to his parents to tell stories.
57.The underlined word “Pesticides” (in Paragraph 4) most probably means “things that _______”.
A. can make plants grow more quickly    
B. can affect the growth of plants
C. kill worms                        
D. benefit worms
58. What does the author think of his childhood?
A. Poor and miserable.                                        B. Rich and fruitful.
C. Sad and unforgettable.                                   D. Hard but precious.
59. What does the author intend to tell us?
A. Learning to help parents is very important.
B. Family members’ working together is precious.
C. Staying in a garden is helpful to one’s development.
D. A person should be hard-working from childhood.

Rarely have I experienced a reaction like that which came about following the idea of banning private education. One of those who contacted me to disagree with the idea was 17 year old Anirudh Mandagere. He got 10 A*s at GCSE and is currently studying English, French, Math and History at a private school in Manchester. Here is his response:
For me, the idea that all private schools should be banned is not only ridiculous and unrealistic, but goes against the idea of liberty. We must have the freedom to choose between state-funded and privately educated schools. If parents pay taxes, surely they should be able to choose whether they send their children to a state-funded or a privately-funded school.
The economic impacts of abolishing private education are vast. Banning private schools would obviously contribute to a great transfer to state schools. Many state schools are already overburdened; do they really need more pupils? Abolishing private education would lead to higher taxes for taxpayers since more money would be needed to educate the 7% who were previously private educated. In the times of economic crisis, should the taxpayer need to fork out more money to pay for their education? There would also be a great rise in unemployment of the staff who works at private schools.
It is noted that, in general, private schools have better grades at GCSE and A level than state schools. Yet, why do people view this as a bad thing? The higher private school grades eventually force the government to endlessly improve state education so that the middle-classes do not totally abandon state education for private education. This competition creates reform and progress within state schools and eventually promote them! If the private schools did not exist, where would be the impetus for state school improvement?
Government should not simply ban a system which produces results. It should learn from it and use the private education model as a basis for the state education model. Abolishing a successful system will not help anybody, learning from a successful system will.
小題1:In the eye of Anirudh Mandagere, parents have the right to ______.

A．criticize state-funded schools

B．pay taxes for the promotion of private schools

C．choose the way their children receive education

D．a(chǎn)dvocate the competition between state schools and private ones

小題2:According to the passage, banning private education will ______.

A．obviously contribute to lower taxes

B．not cause the state schools to be overburdened

C．force the government to boost state education

D．lead to many people losing their jobs

小題3:The underlined word “impetus” in the fourth paragraph probably means ______.

A．motivation

B．prevention

C．participation

D．a(chǎn)ssessment

小題4:Compared with state schools, private ones ______.

A．educate a little fewer students	B．conduct better than all state ones
C．a(chǎn)re better received by the public	D．a(chǎn)re more competitive on the whole

小題5:Which of the following statements will Anirudh Mandagere agree with?

A．His wonderful performance results from the education his private school offers.

B．Without the existence of private schools, state ones wouldn’t get improved much.

C．Private education is a good system to make students successful in life.

D．Private schools are supposed to be sponsored more than state ones.

Hamsters are lovely small animals which are similar to mice，and some people 1ike to keep them as pets．They need to eat a balanced diet，or they can become very sick．That’s why hamsters should be fed healthy foods．

Most pet stores sell hamster mix．This is a combination of foods that are just right for hamsters．Some hamsters are picky eaters．They don’t eat anything they don’t like，so you have to find a hamster mix that your hamster will like．Most hamsters only eat a few tablespoons a day．You should feed them at the same time every day，or you can just keep your hamster’s bowl full．Remember to clean the bowl at least once a week．Hamsters also drink a lot of water，so be sure to keep the water supply full and fresh．
Just like people，hamsters like treats．Besides the hamster mix，you can sometimes feed your hamster seeds，nuts，and some other people food．You should never feed your hamster anything unless you are sure that it is safe for hamsters．
Feed your hamster carefully，and always take good care of your pet !
43．If hamsters don’t have a balanced diet，they will         ．
A．become sick          B．drink water           C．store food                            D．feel fresh
44．What does the underlined sentence “some hamsters are picky eaters” mean?
A．They pick food with tools．          B．They mix food once a week．
C．They find their food in stores．         D．They only eat the food they like．
45．What’s the passage mainly about?
A．Where to keep hamsters．         B．When to buy hamsters．
C．What to feed hamsters．         D．Why to raise hamsters．

    Every day we go to school and listen to the teacher, and the teacher will ask us some questions. Sometimes, the classmates will ask for your opinions of the work of the class. When you are telling others in the class what you have found out about these topics, remember that they must be able to hear what you are saying. You are not taking part in a family conversation or having a chat with friends— they will remain silent, waiting to hear what you have to say. In the class, you must speak so that they can hear you—loudly enough and clearly enough but without trying to shout or appearing to force yourself.
Remember, too, that it is the same if you are called to an interview whether it is with a professor of your school or a government official who might meet you. The person you are seeing will try to put you at your ease (not worried) but the situation is somewhat different from that of an ordinary conversation. You must take special care that you can be heard.
41. Usually, when you speak to the class, the class is____________.
16．noisy   B. quiet    C. having a rest    D. serious
42. The situation in the class is _____than in your house.
A.not very different from   B. sometimes the same as
C. sometimes not different from  D. not the same as
43. If you are having a conversation with an official, the most important thing for you     is _________.
A. to show your ability              B. to be very gentle
C. to make sure that you can be heard  D. to put the official at ease
44. The main idea of the passage is _________.
A.that we should not talk in different ways in different situations
17．that we must speak loudly to make ourselves heard when stating our opinions in serious situations
18．that we must keep silent at any time
19．that we must talk with the class

Dog walkers provide a 20 to 60-minute daily walk for a client’s（客戶）dog, making sure the dog answers the call of nature and gets proper exercise. They often walk more than one dog at a time. Some walkers work for dog-walking services, especially when starting out. Others have their own businesses, and build by word of mouth and advertising. Dog walkers often work part-time, and some provide other services like pet sitting or transporting.
In N.Y.C., dog walkers usually earn about $25 an hour. If you work for a dog-walking business, you may earn less-if you are on your own dealing with several dogs at the same time, it may be more.
What do you have to do to be a dog walker?
First, have a real love of dogs, and have a good knowledge of how to get on with dogs. Try calling dog-walking services to find out about openings. If you’re on your own, you’ll need to network and market yourself. You might advertise your services in pet offices, grooming businesses, or neighborhood papers. You will need business cards and a mobile phone, and have good references and a clean background. You’ll also have to deal with taxes and insurance. You should be physically fit, friendly, neatly dressed and extremely dependable. Many dog walkers are bonded（被擔(dān)保的）and insured, and this is a definite selling point to clients.
Of course, you will be cleaning up dog waste! You will also be outside in all kinds of weather. You may have to deal with dogs that don’t like each other ,and difficult owners. It’s also an up and down kind of business-clients can come and go.
For pet lovers, spending the workday with dogs instead of navigating office politics is its own reward! You are your own boss-you can dress casually, your doggy clients will love you unconditionally, and you’ll get some great exercise!
71. By writing the passage the writer tries to         .
A. introduce you to a job           B. enrich your knowledge about pets
C. advertise for a business         D. tell you more about life in New York
72. The passage offers no information about how to         as a dog walker.
A. find a client                    B. train a dog
C. get prepared                     D. make more money
73. One who wants to         may find the passage helpful.
A. take up a weekend job            B. keep a good pet dog
C. make money in his daily spare time  D. be a part-time office worker
74. The last paragraph but one (beginning with “Of course”) is meant to tell you         .
A. what dog-walking is like         B. why dog-walking is worth trying
C. the unknown part of dog-walking  D. the bad side of dog-walking
75. What does the underlined word casually in the last paragraph possibly mean?
A. as you like                      B. like a boss   
C. in a dog-friendly way            D. in nice clothes

Are your table manners much better when you are eating at a friend’s home or in a restaurant than they are at your own home? Probably so, __1__ you are aware that people judge you by your table manners. You take special pains when you are eating __2__. Have you ever stopped to realize how much less self-conscious you would be on such occasions if __3__ table manners had become a habit for you? You can make them a habit by __4__ good table manners at home.
Good manners at mealtimes help you and those around you to feel __5__. This is true at home as much as it is true in someone else’s home or in a restaurant. Good __6__ make meals more enjoyable for everyone at the table.
By this time you probably know quite well what good table manners are. You __7__ that keeping your arms on the table, talking with your __8__ full, and wolfing down your food are not considered good manners. You know also that if you are mannerly, you say “Please” and “Thank you” and ask for things to be passed to you.
Have you ever thought of a pleasant attitude as being __9__ to good table manners? Not only are pleasant mealtimes enjoyable, but they aid digestion. The dinner table is a __10__ for enjoyable conversation. It should never become a battleground. You are definitely growing in social maturity (成熟) when you try to be an agreeable table companion. 

小題1:	A．because B．but C．unless D．though

小題2:	A．in public B．a(chǎn)t home C．a(chǎn)t ease D．in a hurry

小題3:	A．such B．no C．some D．good

小題4:	A．a(chǎn)cting B．enjoying C．practicing D．watching

小題5:	A．comfortable B．stressed C．depressed D．outstanding

小題6:	A．dishes B．manners C．a(chǎn)tmospheres D．friends

小題7:	A．mention B．prefer C．doubt D．realize

小題8:	A．stomach B．hands C．mouth D．bowl

小題9:	A．essential B．considerate C．obvious D．unusual

小題10:

A．time B．place C．chance D．way

When you go shopping, you may not be aware of all the thought and planning which has been put into the design of products. The only aim of all this thought and planning is to make us __1__ as much of our money as possible.
Packaging is a very important area in product __2__. Some companies even hire psychologists to make __3__ or do experiments on packaging. In one __4__ experiment, some psychologists wanted to find the best __5__ for a new soap powder. They decided to test the colours blue and yellow. Three different boxes were designed. Some boxes were blue, some were yellow and some were a __6__ of blue and yellow. The same powder was out in all three boxes, a group of women was given the new soap powder in order to __7__ it.
The results were very interesting. The powder in the yellow packet was said to be much too __8__. However, the women thought that the powder in the blue box was much too weak. They felt the powder in the __9__ box to be the best powder. So we had better remember never to judge goods by their packaging! We must not allow ourselves to be __10__ into spending more money than we can afford.

小題1:	A．earn B．save C．spend D．gain

小題2:	A．a(chǎn)ssembling B．sell C．manufacture D．design

小題3:	A．suggestions B．examples C．models D．efforts

小題4:	A．new B．famous C．physical D．complicated

小題5:	A．shape B．colour C．material D．box

小題6:	A．separation B．collection C．result D．mix

小題7:	A．buy B．promote C．try D．use

小題8:	A．powerful B．expensive C．tiny D．cheap

小題9:	A．bright B．big C．traditional D．brand new

小題10:

A．cheated B．tricked C．persuaded D．dropped