Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment.
Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses(球场) in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas.
There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don't need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don't have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control.
Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be "green gyms". They are better replacements(代替物) for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it's free.
【小题1】Which of the following is the author most probably in favor of?

A．Motor racing in the desert.

B．Cycling around a lake.

C．Playing basketball in a gym

D．Swimming in a sports center.

【小题2】The author uses power walking as an example mainly because_________.

A．it is an outdoor sport

B．it improves our health

C．it uses fewer resources

D．it is recommended by experts

【小题3】What do we know about golf from the passage?

A．It is popular in Portugal and Spain.

B．It needs water and electricity to keep its courses green.

C．It pollutes the earth with chemicals and wastes.

D．It causes water shortages around the world.

【小题4】The author writes the passage to ________.

A．show us the function of major sports

B．discuss the major influence of popular sports

C．encourage us to go in for green sports

D．introduce different types of environment-friendly sports

About 70 scientists were working on a very busy project. All of them felt really desperate due to the pressure of work and the demands of their boss but everyone was loyal to him and did not think of quitting their job.
One day, one scientist came to his boss and told him, “Sir, I’ve promised to take my children to the exhibition going on in our township so I want to leave at 5:30 p. m.” His boss replied, “OK. You’re permitted to leave the office early today.”
The scientist started working. He continued his work after lunch. As usual, he got involved to such an extent that he looked at his watch only when he felt he was close to completion. The time was 8:30 p. m. suddenly he remembered his promise to the children. He looked for his boss but he was not there. Having told him in the morning himself, he closed everything and left for home. Deep within himself, he was feeling guilty for having disappointed his children. He reached home. The children were not there. His wife alone was sitting in the hall and reading magazines. The situation was explosive; any talk would boomerang on him. His wife asked him, “Would you like to have coffee or shall I straight away serve dinner if you are hungry?” The man replied, “If you would like to have coffee, I too will have but what about the children?” His wife replied, “You don’t know? Your boss came here at 5:15 p. m. and has taken them to the exhibition.”
What had really happened was the boss who gave him permission was observing him working seriously at 5:00 p. m. He thought to himself: this person will not leave the work, but he’s promised to take his children to the exhibition. So he took the lead in taking them there. The boss does not have to do it every time. But once it’s done, loyalty is established.
That is why all the scientists at Thumba continued to work under their boss even though the stress was extraordinarily huge. By the way, can you boldly guess who the boss was? He was none other than the mastermind behind India’s successful nuclear weapons program, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India.
【小题1】The scientist asked for an early leave because ________.

A．he felt increasingly desperate about his work

B．he’d promised to take his kids to a show

C．the task at hand was close to completion

D．he meant to accompany his wife at dinner

【小题2】The underlined sentence implies that the scientist thought his wife was ________.

A．ready to serve dinner for him	B．dissatisfied with his coming home late
C．grateful to his kind- hearted boss	D．delighted to see him back home

【小题3】The boss took children to the exhibition ________.

A．when it was too late for the scientist to do so

B．when the man’s wife asked him to do so

C．because the scientist was absorbed in his work

D．because he also wanted to see what was on show

【小题4】All the scientists stayed loyal to their boss ________.

A．because he had power over them

B．to learn how to live under pressure

C．out of gratefulness for his thoughtfulness

D．every time he took the children to the show

Learning a second language

Nowadays, more and more people are learning a second language. So why should we invest time in learning a second language? Is it worth it? What are the benefits of learning a second language? Let us see.
【小题1】
If your work involves regular contact with speakers of foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own languages will help you to communicate with them better. It may also help you to make sales and to negotiate and secure contracts. Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chance of finding a new job, getting a promotion or a transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips.
【小题2】
Needless to say, being able to speak a foreign language, for example, the Japanese, would benefit you a lot when you are travelling to Japan. Being able to speak the language of the target country will save you a lot of communication trouble and inconvenience. 【小题3】
Education
If you are a high school student or a college student who is interested in going abroad for further education, then you will, in all possibility, have to learn the language of the country where you wish to move to, for further studies. 【小题4】
【小题5】
Learning a second language can help in broadening one’s horizon, it can help in learning about the culture of that particular country and it can pave the way for new interests and hobbies. Not only can you enjoy forms of art and literature connected with the new language, but you can also meet new people, make new friends and develop long-lasting relationships…all on the basis of learning a new language.

A．Travel

B．Career

C．Personal Growth

D．Challenging Yourself

E．You may be required to study a particular language at school, college or university.

F．If you are fond of tourism, then knowledge of the local language is a must—have to avoid bad experiences or discomfort.

G．In some cases or countries, being able to speak that country’s national language is a must for students wishing to pursue education in that country.

Dear Editor,
I am writing tell you about the discussion we’ve had about whether it is necessary of middle school students to have mobile phones. Most students think this is more convenient for them to keep in the touch with their parents and classmates. And what’s much, it’s a fashion. However, most teachers think middle school students are not old enough to control them. It is a waste of time for students to play games and sending messages on their mobile phones. Therefore, it is easy to make students contact with each other. In my opinion, following the fashion was understandable. But as middle school student, we should put all our energy into our study.
Yours truly,
Mary

假如你是James，在收到祖父的戒烟建议信后，很受触动。请你写一封E-mail回信给祖父，
陈述你对于吸烟危害的重新认识及所采 用的有效的戒烟方法，并表达对祖父的感激之情。
文章开头和结尾已经给出。
写作要求：
1. 在信中要包括两点对于吸烟危害的认识和两点有效的戒烟方法。
2. 不要分条列举，可适当增加细节。
3. 字数：120左右。
Dear Grandad,
It is a peaceful night while I'm sitting at the computer writing to you with a willing heart.
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Yours truly,
James