Walt Disney World is banning selfie-sticks from its theme parks because selfie-sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast," Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty said.

Under a new policy, which takes effect Tuesday, the poles won’t make it past the bag check at any Disney World theme park. The sticks also won't be allowed in Disney World water parks or Disney Quest, a gaming attraction at Downtown Disney. Selfie-sticks will also become forbidden at Disneyland Resort in California on June 30. The prohibition begins at Disney's parks in Paris and Hong Kong on July 1.

Guests will be checked for the equipment during the routine bag check that happens near the parks' entrances. They will have an option of turning in their selfie-sticks for pick-up later or to go back to their cars or hotel rooms to keep them. Visitors will be told of the policy in locations such as the parking lots and at the resort's hotels. The prohibition will be added to the park rules post on Disney World's website.

The issue has been building at Disney. Previously, the sticks were prohibited from its rides, and "no selfie-sticks" signs were at select rides, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Cast members have given oral warnings to rule breakers.

Selfie-stick users put smartphones and cameras on the ends of poles to extend their reach, frequently capturing theme-park moments through self-portraits. The tools have been banned in public places — including some museums and stadiums — worldwide for obstructing views or causing safety issues.

Disney World already prohibits items such as skateboards, inline skates, wagon, folding chairs and glass containers, according to its official website, which also lists “other items that we determine may be harmful.”

Universal Orlando has banned selfie-sticks and other loose items from certain thrill rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks, but it has not set park wide bans.

1.Which of the following objects has already been banned in Disney theme parks before the new policy takes effect?

A. smart phonesB. folding chairs

C. camerasD. containers

2.According to the ban, if the guests are found carrying selfie-sticks during the routine bagcheck, they may __________.

A. abandon them at the bag check

B. get fined and pick them up later

C. turn them in to the police

D. put them in the trunk of their cars

3.The underlined word in the fifth paragraph probably means __________.

A. changingB. broadeningC. blockingD. narrowing

4.According to the passage, it can be inferred that __________.

A. the ban on the use of selfie-sticks is aimed at ensuring security

B. previously guests can take photos with selfie-sticks on thrill rides

C. the staff in Disneyland will inform visitors of the ban only orally

D. Universal Orlando has banned selfie-sticks parkwide

根據短文內容，從短文后的選項中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項，選項中有兩項為多余選項。

In your life, sometimes you may be asked to speak in front of a large group of people. Although it sounds a little scary, even those with stage fright can speak successfully to the group with adequate preparation.

1. Practice your speech before the big day. 1. If possible, practice the speech in front of a friend or family member to get used to saying it to real people. If you feel you must have note cards, limit the amount to about three cards. This will force you to keep your speech concise and help you keep your eyes focused on your audience.

2. Remember why you've been invited to speak. If you're battling fear over speaking to a large group of people, keep your mind on the fact that you were selected for this important role. The speech organizers must have seen something valuable in you or your expertise. 2.

3. Remember that fear of public speaking is very common. 3. Most of the people in the audience would be feeling the same fear and stress that you do in your position. Knowing this may make you feel better.

4. 4. What you say should be tailored to why you're there and who you're speaking to in order to avoid sounding general. If speaking to a charity group, mention the good work certain specific individuals have done for the cause. If speaking at a business conference, briefly state why you want to help these people.

5. Keep eye contact with the crowd. 5. Pick one person in each section and look at him while you're speaking. After each important point in your speech, switch your focus to another section. When you focus only on one person at a time, the size of the crowd isn't as frightening.

A. A good memory is really helpful.

B. Show appreciation to your audience.

C. Mention your audience in your speech.

D. The more you have it memorized, the better.

E. In fact, it's normal to feel nervous or stressed out before a big speech.

F. Separate the crowd into three sections mentally as you get up to speak.

G. The knowledge of other people's respect for you should reduce some of the fear.

閱讀下面短文，從短文后各題所給的四個選項（A、B、C和D）中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項，并在答題卡上將該項涂黑。

People from every corner flooded into the streets that Christmas Eve. "Frosty the Snowman," and "Jingle Bells" ________ in stores; on the pavements, the street singers performed happily. Everyone, was ________ by someone else, delighted and cheerful. I was alone.

As one of 8 kids of a Brazilian family, brought up in America's crowded apartment, I'd spent several years searching for aloneness. Now, ________, at 27, a college student after the ________ with my girlfriend, every cell inside me wanted to be alone, ________ not at Christmas. My family had ________ to Brazil and my friends were ________ with their own lives. Dusk was approaching, and the fact that I had to return to my ________ home made me sad. Lights from windows blinked, and I hoped someone would ________ from one of those homes to invite me inside with a Christmas tree decorated with shiny fake snow and ________ presents.

At a market, I felt more ________ when people were buying lots of goods, which ________ the gifts we received as children in my mind. I missed my family and wanted to cry for wanting to be alone and for having achieved it.

Outside the church, a manger(小耶穌) had been set ________. I stood with others watching the scene, some of them ________ themselves, praying. As I walked home, I realized that leaving Brazil was still a ________ experience as I struggled with what I had become in 15 years in America. I'd mourned the ________, but for the first time, I recognized what I’d gained. I was independent, ________ and healthy. My life was still ahead, full of ________.

Sometimes the best gift is the one that you give yourself. That Christmas, I gave myself ________ for what I'd obtained up to now and promise to go forward. It is the best gift I've ever got, the one that I most ________.

1.A. sharedB. playedC. servedD. held

2.A. accompaniedB. employedC. attendedD. supported

3.A. usuallyB. extremelyC. reallyD. eventually

4.A. breakupB. dateC. sympathyD. concern

5.A. soB. butC. andD. or

6.A. movedB. slippedC. cameD. returned

7.A. pleasedB. satisfiedC. occupiedD. bored

8.A. shabbyB. emptyC. warmD. cozy

9.A. turn upB. hang outC. go awayD. break in

10.A. dealtB. discountedC. wrappedD. donated

11.A. tiredB. nervousC. excitedD. upset

12.A. called upB. called forC. called onD. called in

13.A. downB. upC. asideD. about

14.A. huggingB. bowingC. crossingD. bending

15.A. greatB. joyfulC. painfulD. potential

16.A. casesB. limitsC. lossesD. worries

17.A. lonelyB. educatedC. shyD. wealthy

18.A. possibilityB. sightC. sadnessD. hardship

19.A. surpriseB. defeatC. prizeD. credit

20.A. selectB. valueC. saveD. admit

In recent years many TV shows have become extremely popular among Chinese audience. Those programs, ranging from talent or dating shows to reality shows 1. (receive) both commercial success and public attention.

Their popularity is 2. (main) based on simple facts. First, they care 3. social concerns. Second, without exception, they explore a perfect balance between the international forms and Chinese expressions.

Despite apparent highlights, much room 4. (leave) for improvement. Above all, ___5.__ (commerce) interests often outweigh educational purposes, causing many complaints about the 6. (bearable) advertisements. In addition, some sharp remarks, 7. they are eye-catching, may have misleading effects on the youth.

In my opinion, such shows should shoulder more responsibility instead of merely 8. (entertain) the public. 9. is expected, these programs should be positive in their forms as well as functions. Meanwhile, the 10. (medium) should also safeguard the values of our society.

Have you ever heard of TI? Toastmasters International (TI) is a nonprofit 1. (education) organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of 2. (help) members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills. Through its thousands of member clubs, Toastmasters International offers 3. program of communication and leadership projects 4. (design) to help people learn the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking.

The organization 5. (grow) out of a single club, Smedley Chapter One Club, 6. would become the first Toastmasters club. It 7. (found) by Ralph C. Smedley 8. October 22, 1924, at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, United States. Toastmasters International was incorporated under California law on December 19, 1932. Throughout its history, Toastmasters has served over four million people, 9. today the organization serves over 332,000 members in 135 countries, 10. its over 15,400 member clubs.

短文改錯

假定英語課上老師要求同桌之間交換修改作文，請你修改你同桌寫的以下作文。文中共有10處語言錯誤，每句中最多有兩處。每次錯誤僅涉及一個單詞的增加、刪除或修改。

增加：在缺詞處加一個漏字符號()，并在其下面寫出該加的詞。

刪除：把多余的詞用斜線(＼)劃掉。

修改：在錯的詞下畫橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。

注意：1. 每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞；

2. 只允許修改10處，多者（從第11處起）不計分。

Sunny 31st, July

It was sunny today and I was in a good mood. Tired of studying or the noise of city life, I come to the ecology park to enjoy scenery and get relaxing in the afternoon.

While I arrived at the park, what came into its sight were the thick green trees. The air was fresh. In addition, I could clearly see a path around the pond. Lying on the grasses decorated with various flowers, I felt with ease because all that I wanted was peace inside.

Therefore, with time going by quickly, the sun was setting in the west. So I had to return back home. I would never forget such romantic experience, which was really beyond description.

假如你是李華，最近你在澳大利亞布里斯班的home stay打算來中國旅游并來看望你，來之前有些問題要咨詢你，請根據下面home stay的電子郵件用英語回一封電子郵件。

Hi，Li Hua,

Hope you and your family are well. We have booked a tour to see the sights of China in March. In the travel we plan to fly to Guangzhou to see you. How does that sound? Because we are going to stay in your city for two days, so can you keep us informed of your arrangements about our stay and how can we get to your city from the airport? By the way, which hotel we had better reserve in your city?

Waiting for your reply!

Steven and Karen

注意：1. 詞數100字左右；

2. 可適當增加細節(jié)，以使行文連貫；

3. 寫作內容不要透露你所在城市的任何信息，推薦酒店為Hilton Hotel。

Dear Steven and Karen，

I’ m more than thrilled to know that you are going to be with us for two days and

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Looking forward to your coming!

Yours faithfully

LiHua

Robots make me nervous — especially the ones which seem to think for themselves. I was embarrassed to admit this till I heard that Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, felt the same way.

Gates said in an interview with the social networking and news website Reddit: “I am in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence. First the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent. That should be positive if we manage well. A few decades after that though the intelligence is strong enough to be a concern.”

Well, maybe I don’t have to worry about my computer and kitchen equipment yet. After I use them I can always pull the plug. But in the future, machines might find a way to prevent us from switching them off. There’s a terrible thought!

Maybe the problem with computers too clever for us is not that they are evil like some we’ve seen in sci-fi movies. What could put us in danger is that they might be too efficient. That’s what philosopher Nick Bostrom from Oxford University believes. He says that machines are indifferent to humans and in pursuit of their own goals, the destruction of people might be just additional damage. Bostrom gives us an example: A machine which might have as its only goal to produce as many paperclips as possible might look at human bodies as extra material for paperclips and go after you. Because it is, well, a machine, it would not take pity on you.

It’s a good thing that American writer Isaac Asimov thought about how far robots can go and left us his three rules of robotics. They state that a robot may not hurt a human being or allow the human being to come to harm.

I’m glad my machines at home are “dumb”. All my cleaner wants to take over is the carpet in my living room. Let’s hope they don’t create an appliance which wants to take over the world!

1.The author quoted Bill Gates’ words in Paragraph 2 in order to make the text ________.

A. better-known

B. more persuasive

C. better-organized

D. more interesting

2.An intelligent paperclip machine would harm us because ________.

A. it is much cleverer than us

B. it would take over the world

C. it would see us just as material

D. it has the strong feeling of destroying us

3.How does the author feel about Isaac Asimov’s rules of robotics?

A. Optimistic.B. Sympathy.C. Disappointed.D. Regretful.

We know the famous ones — the Thomas Edisons and the Alexander Graham Bells — but what about the less famous inventors? What about the people who invented the traffic light and the windshield wiper（雨刮器）? Shouldn’t we know who they are?

Joan Mclean think so. In fact, Mclean, a professor of physics at Mountain University in Range, feels so strongly about this matter that she’s developed a course on the topic. In addition to learning “who” invented “what”, however, Mclean also likes her students to learn the answers to the “why” and “how” questions. According to Mclean, “When students learn the answers to these questions, they are better prepared to recognize opportunities for inventing and more motivated to give inventing a try.”

Her students agree. One young man with a patent for an unbreakable umbrella is walking proof of Mclean’ statement. “If I had not heard the story of the windshield wiper’s invention,” said Tommy Lee, a senior physics major, “I never would have dreamed of turning my bad experience during a rainstorm into something so constructive.” Lee is currently negociating to sell his patent to an umbrella producer.

So, just what is the story behind the windshield wiper? Well, Mary Anderson came up with the idea in 1902 after a visit to New York City. The day was cold and stormy, but Anderson still wanted to see the sights, so she jumped aboard a streetcar. Noticing that the driver was struggling to see through the snow covering the windshield, she found herself wondering why there couldn’t be a built-in device for cleaning the window. Still wondering about this when she returned home to Birmingham, Alabama, Anderson started drafting out solutions. One of her ideas, a lever(操作桿) on the inside of a vehicle that would control an arm on the outside, became the first windshield wiper.

Today we benefit from countless inventions and innovations. It’s hard to imagine driving without Garrett A. Morgan’s traffic light. It’s equally impossible to picture a world without Katherine J. Blodgett’s innovation that makes glass invisible. Can you picture life without clear windows and eyeglasses?

1.By mentioning “traffic light” and “windshield wiper”, the author indicates that countless inventions are ________.

A. beneficial, because their inventors are famous

B. beneficial, though their inventors are less famous

C. not useful, because their inventors are less famous

D. not useful, though their inventors are famous

2.Professor Joan Mclean’s course aims to ________.

A. add colour and variety to students’ campus life

B. inform students of the windshield wiper’s invention

C. carry out the requirements by Mountain University

D. prepare students to try their own invention

3.Tommy Lee’s invention of the unbreakable umbrella was ________.

A. not eventually accepted by the umbrella producer

B. inspired by the story behind the windshield wiper

C. due to his dream of being caught in a rainstorm

D. not related to Professor Joan McLean’s lectures

4.Which of the following can best serve as the title of this passage?

A. How to Help Students to Sell Their Inventions to Producers?

B. How to Design a Built-in Device for Cleaning the Window?

C. Shouldn’t We Know Who Invented the Windshield Wiper?

D. Shouldn’t We Develop Invention Courses in Universities?

September is an exciting month in every college freshman’s life. For many, it’s the first time that they’ve left home to live in a new environment. But after the hustle and bustle (喧囂) of a few weeks, excitement gives way to a less enjoyable emotion—homesickness.

Homesickness manifests (顯露) itself in many ways. You may miss mum’s cooking, your pets, or even your old bed. All this becomes a fond memory of the past. Homesickness can be a bitter feeling for many students, especially when faced with the challenges of settling into an unfamiliar environment.

But remember, you’re not alone. According to a recent BBC article, 70 percent of British college students experience homesickness. In this increasingly globalized world in which people migrate to faraway places for a relationship, education or work, homesickness is a feeling shared by many adults.

Homesickness can have similar symptoms to depression and in extreme cases it can develop into a panic attack. As for the term, homesickness or nostalgia wasn’t invented until the 17th century. It was considered a disorder by a Swiss physician, who attributed soldiers’ mental and physical discomfort to their longing to return home, “nostos” from Greek, and the accompanying pain, “algos”.

Studies in recent years, however, have shown that nostalgia may have some benefits to our mental health. After a decade of surveys and researches, Constantine Sedikides, a US social psychologist, found that nostalgia is what makes us human. He explains that nostalgia can resist loneliness, boredom and anxiety. Therefore, it’s necessary for college students to learn some ways to overcome the uncomfortable feeling.

1.From the first two paragraphs, we can infer that ________.

A. homesickness means a fond memory of the past

B. only a few students will experience homesickness

C. homesickness is an enjoyable emotion among freshmen

D. college freshmen usually suffer from homesickness after weeks

2.According to the passage, we can know that ________.

A. homesickness may cause mental diseases

B. homesickness is a feeling only shared by adults

C. homesickness won’t do any good to our health

D. homesickness is also called nostalgia in Switzerland

3.The attitude of Sedikides towards homesickness is ________.

A. negativeB. supportiveC. doubtfulD. critical

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A. Let’s accept homesickness

B. How to fit in with the college life

C. A harmful emotion—homesickness

D. The disadvantages of homesickness