Surprises often come in boxes. Birthday presents wrapped in colorful paper, brown paper packages mailed from a friend. No matter what kind of box it is, people like to open it up and see what's inside. In America, and in many other countries, one special kind of box contains the future. It's called a ballot box. What people put into the box on election day can change the course of history.
Elections are the lifeblood of a democracy. The word democracy literally means "the people rule," an important concept in American history. In the mid-1700s, England began passing laws that made the American colonies angry. The colonists had to pay more and more taxes and enjoyed less and less freedom. They felt the government of England didn't represent their interests. On July 4, 1776, the colonies declared their independence from England. They wanted to establish a democracy where people could have a voice in government.
An effective democracy holds regular elections. In America, elections are held every two years for members of Congress. In these elections, all seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate seats are up for grabs. In addition, every four years, voters go to the polls to elect the nation's president and vice-president. Voters also regularly cast their ballots for state and city government leaders and local school board members. Sometimes they also have to vote on a proposed law.
In the American electoral system, people don't really vote for presidential candidates. Instead, voters cast their ballots for "electors" who support each candidate. Each state has as many electors as the total number of its representatives in Congress. This equals two senators per state plus the number of its representatives in the House (which is based on the state's population). The candidate who has the most votes in a state wins all of the state's electors. To win the presidential election, a candidate must gain at least 270 of the 538 total electoral votes.
Over the years, the U.S. has made a number of election reforms. Some early reforms outlawed cheating, giving bribes and threatening voters. They also limited the amount of money candidates could receive from donors and spend on their campaigns. In 1870, black people gained the right to vote, and in 1920, that right was extended to women. In recent decades, laws against unfair rules for voting have been passed. No longer do people have to pay a special tax or pass a test in order to vote. In 1971, the voting age was lowered to 18. Other reforms made voting easier for the blind, the disabled and people who couldn't read. In some areas, ballots had to be printed in languages besides English.
In November, Americans will again elect those who will represent them in government. Although some citizens aren't even registered to vote--and some registered voters don't bother to go to the polls--most Americans exercise their right to vote. They realize that their future is wrapped up in a special package--the ballot box. It's a package that must definitely be "handled with care."
小題1:According to the context, what does a “ballot box” mean in Chinese?

A．彩票箱

B．投票箱

C．禮品箱

D．保險(xiǎn)箱

小題2:Democracy means that ____.

A．People couldn’t have a voice in a government.

B．In America, elections are held every four years for members of Congress.

C．Democracy is the lifeblood of elections.

D．Basically “ the people rule”, and it’s very important in American history.

小題3:How will the votes distributed if Romney got 20 votes while Obama received 17 votes in California in the election?

A．Romney will win 20 votes in California.

B．Obama will win 20 votes in California.

C．Romney will win 37 votes in California.

D．Obama will win 37 votes in California.

小題4: Which one is RIGHT about election reforms?

A．People have to pay a special tax to vote.

B．There are bribes and threatening in elections now.

C．People above eighteen years old can vote now.

D．The disabled or the blind have tough access to voting.

小題5: What’s the main idea of this passage?

A．Birthday boxes in the U.S.	B．Election systems in the U.S.
C．Election reforms in the U.S.	D．Democracy in the U.S.

Below are descriptions of six famous states in the U. S.
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is the most populous U.S. state and was admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850.California's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west, to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east. Earthquakes are a common occurrence due to the state's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire: about 37,000 are recorded annually. The California Gold Rush happened in San Francisco and there is also a famous Silicon Valley. Hollywood exists in Los Angeles, making it the center of entertainment. “The Golden State” has long been a popular designation for California and was made the official State Nickname in 1968.
Florida is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Miami is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern United States.The climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. Its economy relies mainly on tourism, agriculture, and transportation. Florida is also known for its amusement parks, the production of oranges, and the Kennedy Space Center. Florida has attracted many writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and continues to attract celebrities and athletes. It is internationally known for golf, tennis, auto racing, and water sports.
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It became the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. Utah is the most religiously homogeneous state in the Union. Approximately 63% of Utahans are reported to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS, which greatly influences Utah culture and daily life. The state is a center of transportation, education, information technology and research, government services, mining, and a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation.
Texas is the second most populous and the second-largest of the 50 states in the United States of America. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify Texas as a former independent republic and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. The "Lone Star" can be found on the Texas state flag and on the Texas state seal today. The term "six flags over Texas" came from the several nations that had ruled over the territory. In 1845 it joined the United States as the 28th state. One Texas industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle. Due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy.
Virginia, is a U.S. state located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there. It is unique in how it treats cities and counties equally, manages local roads, and prohibits its governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy has many sectors: agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley; federal agencies in Northern Virginia, including the headquarters of the Department of Defense and CIA; and military facilities in Hampton Roads, the site of the region's main seaport. Virginia's public schools and many colleges and universities have contributed to growing media and technology sectors. As a result, computer chips have become the state's leading export.
Kentucky, is a state located in the east south-central region of the United States. In 1792 it became the 15th state to join the Union. Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on the bluegrass found in many of its pastures because of the fertile soil. It is a land with diverse environments and abundant resources, including the world's longest cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park, the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States, and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.Kentucky is also home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States.
小題1: Which state is called the “golden state” and why?

A．California, because of the gold rush.

B．Texas, because of the stars there.

C．Virginia, because of a famous mother there.

D．Kentucky, because of the famous “KFC” there.

小題2:The famous writer of “The Old Man and the Sea” once lived in____.

A．Virginia

B．Texas

C．California

D．Florida

小題3: How is the correct time order for different states to join the U.S.?

A．California – Utah—Texas – Kentucky

B．Kentucky–Texas – California – Utah

C．Kentucky–California – Texas —Utah

D．California –Kentucky—Texas –Utah

小題4: Which of the following match is WRONG?

A．Cowboys in Texas.

B．Utah and religions.

C．Hollywood in Virginia.

D．Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Hilton Shanghai, the city's first international hotel, has been recognized as a top business hotel in Shanghai for its convenient location and outstanding facilities for more than 20 years.
However, the hotel's newly appointed general manager Gerd Knaust says it is the people that make the hotel successful.
More than 380 employees have been working with the hotel for more than 15 years. Some of them have personal relationships with customers.
''It's a people-relation business,'' Knaust says. ''They really tell me about the stories in the last 15 years. It's something very nice to listen to. It's also a lasting memory for the guests.''
In fact, over the years, some of the guests have stayed in the hotel 200 or even 300 times.
Knaust, who has been working in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years, started his career as a chef in Germany. During his early 30s, Knaust already moved to the top in the culinary (烹調(diào)的) field as director of kitchen of Hyatt Regency Cologne in Germany.
After holding several general manager positions in Mandarin Oriental hotels, Knaust joined Hilton International as the general manager to open the Conrad and Doubletree by Hilton at Haitang Bay, Sanya in 2010.
When he was appointed as the general manager of Hilton Shanghai in November, he not only was heavily involved in recruitment, sales and marketing strategies but also he worked closely with the food and beverage team to develop the hotel's restaurant concepts and menus.
''I believe that we should offer quality and healthy food.'' he says.
Knaust believes that a hotel must value the customers' comments on Ctrip, Trip Advisor and other platforms, etc.
''It keeps us more on guard to be 100 percent professional,'' he says.
小題1:Why do business travelers choose Hilton Shanghai?

A．Because of its location, facilities and good service.

B．Because it is in Shanghai.

C．Because its general manager is excellent.

D．Because some customers are the staff’s relatives.

小題2:From the passage we know ______ .

A．Hilton Shanghai is the first international hotel in China

B．Gerd Knaust thinks that the staff is the most important in making the hotel successful

C．Gerd Knaust has worked in Hilton Shanghai for more than 20 years

D．most of the employees in Hilton Shanghai have personal relationships with customers

小題3:Knaust joined Hilton International as the general manager to ______.

A．start his career as chef

B．be involved in recruitment

C．open the Conrad and Doubletree

D．develop the hotel’s restaurant concepts and menus

小題4:Trip Advisor in the last paragraph but one is likely to be______.

A．a(chǎn) person who can give you some advice about trip

B．a(chǎn) place where you can have a good trip

C．a(chǎn)n organization which can give you some advice

D．a(chǎn) website where travelers can leave their advice

小題5:What is the passage mainly about?

A．First international hotel in Shanghai.	B．How to manage a hotel well.
C．Knaust's management idea.	D．Knaust's life story.

What do you do if you don’t get into your first choice of university? That’s the dilemma that faces thousands of British students every year.
Many candidates turn to Clearing, the service that helps find university places for students at the last moment. If they don’t have the marks to get into their first choice of institution, Clearing tells them about places available at other universities, though they might have to read another subject.  
But this year has seen a record number of people applying to university. This, combined with the weak economy, an uncertain job market and budget cuts at universities, means that there's been even more of a scramble for places than usual. Some sources say six students have applied for each remaining undergraduate university place.
The British university admissions service, UCAS, says up to a quarter of this year’s university applicants --- almost 190,000 people --- still don’t have a place on a degree course. That’s a rise of over 46,000 students from last year.
Faced with these figures, some British students might be thinking of an interesting alternative: studying abroad. The University of Nottingham, for example，is offering places at its campuses in Ningbo, near Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Students here can gain University of Nottingham degrees in business, accounting, engineering and English. Similarly, the University of Bolton says it has ‘unlimited’ places at its campus in the United Arab Emirates.
Given the problems getting into university, the UK’s Higher Education Minister, David Willetts, encourages students who haven't made the grade to consider alternatives to university, such as apprenticeships and studying at home.
"There are a range of options available," he says. "People are able to reapply. They should think how they can spend their year adding that bit to their CV, which would help their application --- getting practical work experience or extra skills --- anything that strengthens their chances next year."
But some experts say that rising university costs, poor long-term job prospects, and a drop in graduate recruitment mean it’s the worst time to be a university student in the UK.
小題1:When the author says this year “there’s been more of a scramble for places” (Para. 3), he means_________________.

A．more people have applied to university

B．there is more competition between the candidates

C．there are more services that help find university places

D．more places are available

小題2:According to UCAS, there are about ____university applicants this year.

A．190,000

B．46, 000

C．236, 000

D．760, 000

小題3:David Willetts encourages students faced with the lack of places on a degree course _____.

A．to consider apprenticeships and studying at home

B．to study at campus outside the UK

C．to reapply next year

D．not to go to university in the UK

小題4:Which of the following is NOT the reason that may make this year the worst time to enter university?

A．It costs more to study at university.

B．Long-term job prospects are worse.

C．Universities offer places in other countries.

D．There are fewer chances to do graduate study.

小題5:According to the passage, what can students do if they don’t get into their first choice of university?

A．They can go to work in Clearing.

B．They can get practical work experience or skills and reapply next year.

C．They can spend the year writing a better CV.

D．They do graduate study at home.

At a psychology conference in England years ago, a woman said to me: “I’ll knock you up in the morning.” I was taken aback by her strange suggestion, but it occurred to me that I might not have understood what she really meant. As it turned out, what she had meant was, “I’ll knock on your door in the morning so that we can meet for breakfast to discuss the panel we’re on.”
This example of the difference in the meaning of “knock you up” in British and American English shows the complicated situations that can result from cultural misunderstandings. A cultural misunderstanding occurs when something — a word, gesture, object, social context, or almost anything you can think of — has a different meaning in two cultures. Sometimes the misunderstandings get resolved, sometimes they lead nowhere, and sometimes they can become the starting point of something much more extreme, from love to war.
Race is one area where cultural misunderstandings are common. We Americans tend to assume that racial categories are biological rather than social, so it may not occur to us that people from other cultures have a different set of racial concepts and classify themselves and us differently. Some African Americans complain that certain immigrants from other countries, such as Haiti or Jamaica, “act as if they aren’t black.” The cultural misunderstanding is that, in the immigrants’ countries of origin, they would never describe themselves as “black”. This doesn’t mean that they think they are white. It just means that their cultures have more categories, like marabou or grimaud in Haiti, or fair or brown in Jamaica, than are used in the United States. Meanwhile, white people in America, unaware of this cultural diversity, sometimes refer to all darker-skinned people as “black” without realizing that an issue exists.
Resolving cultural misunderstandings can clear the air or even lead to laughter. Sometimes, though, when it comes to race, unidentified cultural misunderstandings can create tension, unhappiness and distrust.
小題1:The main purpose of the first paragraph is to       .

A．show that language misunderstandings would cause big problems

B．show the differences between British and American English

C．explain in general what cultural misunderstandings are

D．introduce the idea of cultural misunderstandings with a story

小題2:The underlined word “resolved” probably means       .

A．complicated

B．settled

C．a(chǎn)ccepted

D．noticed

小題3:We can learn from the passage that cultural misunderstandings      .

A．mostly come from body language

B．a(chǎn)re the most serious social problem in the US

C．can cause negative feelings among people

D．can be cleared up with laughter

小題4:What is the author’s opinion about cultural misunderstandings?

A．There’s no need to notice racial differences.

B．Haitians prefer to be described as fair or brown.

C．Cultural misunderstandings based on racial categories may be difficult to spot.

D．Americans are especially likely to misunderstand people from other cultures.

The expression “Go for it!” is a way of encouraging someone to try something.
“Go for it!” means you should not worry about failure or be too careful. You should take a chance, be brave, and act firmly.
“Go for it!” gets name from football. Not football as it is played in most countries such as England, Egypt or Japan, but the kind of football played in the United States and Canada.
One of the most exciting times in football comes when a team has failed, after three attempts, to move the ball forward ten yards. The team must make a critical decision.
The conservative choice is to kick the ball and accept temporary defeat in order to gain a good position for your team the next time it gets the ball. The more exciting choice, however, is to try a fourth and final time to gain the remaining yards needed.
In the nineteen eighties, people began using this expression in many kinds of situations to encourage someone to act bravely.
There is no guarantee(保證) that the action you “Go for it!” will succeed. But that is the chance you take when you decide to go for it. You put your fears behind. You choose courage over safety. You hold your breath and go for it.
小題1:The expression “Go for it!” comes from______.

A．English football

B．Egyptian football

C．Japanese football

D．American football

小題2:According to the passage, when we decide to go for it, we only consider______.

A．safety

B．a(chǎn)ction

C．result

D．situation

小題3:In which of the following situations should we use the expression nowadays?

A．We decide to avoid trouble or danger for the future.

B．We try to improve our English for better education.

C．We need to make a quick decision at the last moment.

D．We have to make a choice between success and failure.

A blog can be a very effective way of spreading the words about yourself, and your other writing. It can unshroud your knowledge, and create an ongoing relationship with your readers. A good blog is more than just a marketing tool; it’s also an expression of your personality.
An obvious starting point is to post samples of your work that not only show off your skills and writing ability but also leave people wanting more. Post selections from the most exciting parts of your stories but end them just as the action reaches its peak. If you write nonfiction (寫實(shí)文學(xué)), show people what they could achieve, and give them a few steps to get them started.
Give tips, information and advice about the subjects you cover. For example, something about struggling with difficulty and many other issues like this. Your writing tips can also be included, as well as interesting, strange or funny things you discovered during your research. Whenever you contact an expert, ask if he or she has any interesting stories you could use. You may also give background information about your stories and the locations.
Give details of coming posts on your blog, so people can watch out for you, or come and meet you. Personal news will help people feel better connected to you. Include photos of objects and locations in your writing, famous people you meet, the views from your window, and your favorite things—with a note about where they came from and what they mean to you. Look out for things that will help your readers get to know you better, know the subject better, or anything else you think they might find useful, inspiring or entertaining.
If you only occasionally post things on your blog, people have a tendency to forget you. As a writer you shouldn’t ever run out of interesting materials to fill your blog with—and your readers will love you for it.
小題1:Which is the best title for the text?

A．What to Blog about	B．How to Start a Blog
C．Why to Launch a Blog	D．How to Make Website Attractive

小題2:The underlined word “unshroud” in the first paragraph means ________.

A．hold out	B．turn up
C．show off	D．put down

小題3:You’d better blog about ________.

A．the difficulties of your position to readers

B．the entertaining stories you have

C．a(chǎn)dvice about your readers’ subjects

D．masterpieces from famous writers

小題4:What does the author suggest for keeping a blog?

A．Posting things on your blog once in a while.

B．Adding new stories to it every day.

C．Filling it with attractive things frequently.

D．Loving it as your life.

If you walk slowly through downtown Helsinki(赫爾辛基）during the day, taking in the splendid 19^th century buildings, white boats and noise of passing trams（有軌電車）, you will start to understand why it is called a city of two colors: white and blue.
The sea is always present in Helsinki. When you take a walk over the great open space of the central square, you will hear seabirds screaming. When you take the tram ,suddenly and unexpectedly, you are faced with a calm, shining blue sea. You may notice that people in Helsinki do not rush about as in other cities. Instead ,they walk along the roads, politely letting other people by.
An usual way to see Helsinki for the first time is to start out by the boats. You will walk by the elderly women selling fish and vegetables in the market square and find yourself in front of a beautiful park. You may enjoy a pleasant walk in the park for a few hours and then take the tram. Trams are the perfect way to get around（四處走動(dòng)）in Helsinki. Watching the old houses, parks, theatres, churches, shops, restaurants and people in the streets, you may have a slightly sad film feeling to it.
The pale summer nights are another wonder in the city. Following the waterfront（濱水區(qū)）of the city after sunset, you couldn’t help stopping and listening to the sweet silence, interrupted only by the screaming seabirds and leaving fishing boats.
However, in some way. Helsinki is also the most modern city in northern Europe. You will surely want to visit the white Glass Palace, the modern art museum, and all those extremely popular cafes and design stores.
小題1:Helsinki is called a city of two colors mainly because of the colors of its ____________

A．19th century buildings, boats and parks

B．19th century buildings, boats and seabirds

C．old houses, parks and trams

D．old buildings, boats and the sea

小題2:The best way to see most of Helsinki is to go___________

A．by boat

B．by bus

C．by tram

D．on foot

小題3:The 19^th century buildings, the white Glass Palace, popular cafes and design shops in Helsinki  all show that Helsinki is __________

A．both splendid and traditional	B．both quiet and noisy
C．both historical and modern	D．both old and new

小題4:This passage is most likely to be found in___________

A．a(chǎn) story-book	B．a(chǎn) geography textbook
C．a(chǎn) research report	D．a(chǎn) travel magazine

HARVARD UNIVERSITY
                                 
Office of Admissions
Financial Aid
Our goal in admissions and financial aid is clear: We want to bring the best people to Harvard, regardless of their ability to pay — and we do. About 70 percent of our students receive some form of aid, with over 60 percent receiving need–based scholarships.
Two principles guide us:
· Admission to Harvard is need-blind, by which we mean that financial need is not a barrier to admission. International students have the same access to financial aid as United States citizens.
· Financial aid at Harvard is entirely need–based and we are committed to meeting the demonstrated need of all students. Students apply for aid annually and every year we review our financial aid program, considering such things as any changed student or family circumstances, university resources, and demand.
Removing Economic Barriers
In the past decade we have increased financial aid for low and middle income families by over 180%. No contribution is expected from parents with incomes under $65,000. Beginning with the class of 2016, those parents with annual incomes between $65,000 and $150,000 are asked to contribute from zero to ten percent of their income. Some families with incomes above $150,000 still qualify for aid. Families at all incomes who have significant assets（資產(chǎn)）will continue to pay more than those in less fortunate circumstances. Students are also asked to contribute to the cost of their education through term-time and summer work.
Families with higher incomes facing unusual financial challenges may also qualify for need–based scholarship assistance, yet those with significant assets at all income levels are asked to contribute proportionately（成比例的）more.
Our financial aid program includes an array of financing options beyond our need–based scholarship program, such as a parent monthly payment plan, various loan programs and the opportunity to pre–pay tuition for four years at a student’s freshman year rate.
There are also other forms of financial assistance such as the Faculty Aide Program, the Harvard College Research Program and the Dean’s Summer Research Program that enable students to create paid partnerships with teachers on academic projects of mutual interest. Over two-thirds of Harvard students choose to work during their time in Cambridge and gain valuable job experience working in a wide array of University settings, including our libraries, dining halls, museums and academic departments.
We hope you will visit our websites for a fuller description of our comprehensive program of financial assistance.
小題1:Admission to Harvard is need-blind in that _______.

A．Harvard does take into account students’ economic situations

B．Students’ ability to pay does not affect their admissions to Harvard

C．Students need to pay big money to Harvard after they are admitted

D．The majority of students in Harvard do not need financial aids

小題2:Based on the requirements above, we can learn that _______.

A．parents with annual incomes of over $ 150,000 needn’t contribute

B．financial aids are not intended for families with higher incomes

C．wealthier families are expected to contribute more to Harvard

D．students are not encouraged to pay the cost of their education

小題3:In what way can students get financial assistance from Harvard?

A．Students can be offered paid-work opportunities outside Harvard.

B．Students can have opportunities to get loans for their education.

C．Students can pay for their education in Harvard within one month.

D．Students earn money by assisting teachers in Cambridge University.

Two weeks after the opening ceremony, the Games are over. The last of the three hundred gold medals has been awarded and the flags of the winners have been raised for the last time.
The final event is the closing ceremony. This occasion is always sad and happy at the same time. It is a sad occasion because the tremendous excitement is over, and it will not happen again for four years. Those who have made friends will have to say goodbye, perhaps for ever. It is also a happy occasion because the competition is over and the athletes can really show their friendship for one another.
The closing ceremony is rather like the opening. But now the Olympic flame goes out and the Olympic flag, with its five rings, is lowered. The person who closes the Games calls upon the youth of the world to meet again in four years’ time. The scoreboard lights up with the name of the city for the next Games and the band starts to play. Then the celebration starts.
All the athletes try to be at the closing ceremony. They have forgotten all their fears and worries. It does not matter whether they have done well or not. All the teams walk round the stadium together. Everybody is laughing and joking. The band plays and people start to dance.
After that, everybody in the Village clears up and gets ready to leave. Everyone is hunting for souvenirs. People exchange track suits, hats, running vests and badges. There is a last chance to take photographs and get addresses of new friends. Then each team starts its journey home.
小題1:The last event of the Olympic Games is ______.

A．to award the last gold medal	B．to raise the flags of the winners for the last time
C．to hunt for souvenirs	D．the closing ceremony

小題2:At the closing ceremony, it is found that ______.

A．a(chǎn)ll are called on to meet again in four years’ time

B．there is no music

C．the name of the city for the next Games is showed

D．Olympic flame is taken out of the stadium

小題3:Which of the following statements is TRUE about the athletes at the closing ceremony?

A．All of them are not present at the ceremony.

B．They are competitors rather than friends.

C．They can’t help worrying about losing the games.

D．They exchange clothes for fun.

小題4: The underlined phrase “ clear up” in the last paragraph means ________.

A．pack up

B．go away

C．make clear

D．do the cleaning