Zoology（動物學）is the part of science that deals with the study of the animals’ growth, home and behavior. It has nothing to do with people, so many students are left wondering why they have to learn it.
Our nature includes not just humans but plants and animals as well. Everything in our environment is connected in a complex cycle. If you have a better understanding of how animals would behave and work with us, then you would value nature better.
Some animals are actually misunderstood by people like sharks and snakes. These creatures are thought of as human killers, and this is mainly because we don’t understand why they behave that way. In zoology you would be able to learn natural behavior as well as their homes so you would completely understand why they would behave in a defensive(防御的) manner when they seem to be threatened. Studying zoology would help people achieve clearness over the common myths we have on different wild animals.
Studying zoology would help people know the real facts about animals. One of the negative facts is the decreasing numbers of some species of animals. It makes people realize that there is a need for nature to be always balanced. We need animals to keep the balance in our environment and for humans to survive as well. It would help us learn the needs that animals lack and we can respond by thinking of solutions we can give to the endangered species of animals.
Modern progress is needed for a country to grow in terms of its economy; however, it should not force us to destroy our rainforests and oceans. People should realize that our modern lives should include the lives of the animals that live with us. They should not be contained in zoos but in their natural homes as well. We will learn that every living creature on the earth has the right to own a home and we need to fight for them to have permanent(永久的) homes.
【小題1】According to the text, nature should be       .

A．left alone	B．treated seriously
C．taken for granted	D．taken lightly

【小題2】It is implied in Paragraph 4 that animals play a role of        .

A．making our world beautiful	B．protecting species of plants
C．providing food for humans	D．keeping nature in balance

【小題3】To animals, humans should act as        .

A．caretakers

B．killers

C．competitors

D．trainers

【小題4】The best title for the passage may be “     ”.

A．The Ways of Protecting Animals

B．The Importance of Studying Zoology

C．The Introduction to Zoology

D．The Advantages of Learning Zoology

I got tired of living the life that everybody told me I “should” be living, so one day I decided to start living life in my own ways. Frustrated（挫敗）with my job, I came home, put on my shoes, and just started running. It felt so good to be free. That first day I ended up running 30 miles without stopping. Yes, I had rediscovered my old passion ( 酷愛的事物) — and it felt so good that I set a goal to support myself and my family from my running alone.
I trained hard every day. Since I wanted to be the best I could be, I knew I would have to set some clear goals for myself. A couple of my goals were: run a 135-mile ultra-marathon(超級馬拉松) across Death Valley, win the Badwater Ultra-Marathon, and run a marathon to the South Pole.
I had no idea how I was going to achieve these goals, but they certainly encouraged me to work hard. Today, I am really grateful to say that I have achieved all of them. Shortly after completing these goals, I set another goal: to run fifty marathons, in fifty states, in fifty days. Nobody had done anything like this before. To be honest, I was not quite sure if I could. But there was only one way to find out…so I just started training and preparing to give it my best try.
I completed that goal one year ago, and it felt great! But for me, life is not all about achieving goals. Sure, it feels good to succeed, but the greatest reward for me was learning more about myself and what I was able to do.
Only by stepping out into the unknown and stretching(使傾注全力) ourselves can we really discover what our true potential(潛能) is。
【小題1】Which played an important role in the author’s success?

A．Setting goals	B．Learning from others.
C．Being honest	D．Keeping on reading .

【小題2】According to Paragraph 3, before achieving the goals the author felt _____________

A．very grateful	B．not quite confident
C．quite afraid	D．not very satisfied

【小題3】What does the underlined part “that goal” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Win the Badwater Ultra-Marathon.

B．Run a marathon to the South Pole.

C．Run fifty marathons, in fifty states, in fifty days.

D．Run a 135-mile ultra-marathon across Death Valley.

【小題4】The author probably agrees that____________.

A．life means achieving goals

B．success is the greatest reward

C．sports help develop our potential

D．everyone may have great potential.

The computer keyboard helped kill shorthand---a system of rapid handwriting, and now it's threatening to finish off handwriting as a whole. When handwritten essays were introduced on the SAT exams for the class of 2011, just 15% of the most 1.5 million students wrote their answers in cursive (草寫字母）.The rest? Block letters.
And those college hopefuls are just the first edge of a wave of US students who no longer get much handwriting instructions in the primary grades, frequently 10 minutes a day or less. As a result, more and more students struggle to read and write cursive.
At Keene Mill Elementary School in Springfield, all their poems and stories are typed. Children in Fairfax County schools are taught keyboarding beginning in kindergarten. Older students who never mastered handwriting say it doesn't affect their grades.
There are those who say the culture is at a crossing, turning from the written word to the typed one. If handwriting becomes a lost form of communication, does it matter?
It was at University of Virginia that researchers recently discovered a previously unknown poem by Robert, written in his unique script. Handwritten documents are more valuable to researchers, historians say, because their authenticity (真實性）can be confirmed. Students also find them more fascinating.
The loss of handwriting also may be a cognitive (認知的）opportunity missed. Several academic studies have found that good handwriting skills at a young age can help children express their thoughts better-a lifelong benefit.
It doesn't take much to teach better handwriting skills. At some schools in Prince George's County, elementary school students use a program called Handwriting Without Tears for 15 minutes a day. They learn the correct formation of manuscript letters through second grade, and cursive letters in third grade.
There are always going to be some kids who struggle with handwriting because of their particular neurological (神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)的) wiring, learning issues or poor motor skills. Educators often point to this factor in support of keyboarding.
【小題1】What is the author concerned about after 2011 SAT exams?

A．Keyboarding.

B．Shorthand.

C．Handwriting.

D．Block letters.

【小題2】A poem by Robert mentioned in the passage is used to _________.

A．prove how valuable handwriting is

B．explain what a famous poet he is

C．show how unique his poem is

D．stress how fascinating the documents are

【小題3】The example of Handwriting Without Tears helps to argue that_________.

A．the schools are responsible for the loss of handwriting

B．the loss of handwriting is a cognitive opportunity missed

C．it doesn't take much to teach better handwriting skills

D．the culture is turning from the written word to the typed one

【小題4】According to the author, when is a perfect time to learn handwriting?

A．Kindergarten.

B．Primary school.

C．High school.

D．College.

Some students get so nervous before a test; they do poorly even if they know the material. Sian Beilock has studied these highly anxious test-takers.
Sian Beilock: “They start worrying about the consequences. They might even start worrying about whether this exam is going to prevent them from getting into the college they want. And when we worry，it actually uses up attention and memory resources. I talk about it as your cognitive horsepower that you could otherwise be using to focus on the exam.”
Professor Beilock and another researcher，Gerardo Ramirez，have developed a possible solution. Just before an exam，highly anxious test-takers spend ten minutes writing about their worries about the test.
Sian Beilock: “What we think happens is when students put it down on paper，they think about the worst that could happen and they reappraise the situation. They might realize it’s not as bad as they might think it was before and，in essence(本質(zhì)上)，it prevents these thoughts from popping up when they’re actually taking a test.”
The researchers tested the idea on a group of twenty anxious college students. They gave them two short math tests. After the first one, they asked the students to either sit quietly or write about their feelings about the upcoming second test.
The researchers added to the pressure. They told the students that those who did well on the second test would get money. They also told them that their performance would affect other students as part of a team effort.
Professor Beilock says those who sat quietly scored an average of twelve percent worse on the second test. But the students who had written about their fears improved their performance by an average of five percent.
Next, the researchers used younger students in a biology class. They told them before final exams either to write about their feelings or to think about things unrelated to the test.
Prefessor Beilock says highly anxious students who did the writing got an average grade of  B+，compared to a B－ for those who did not.
Sian Beilock: “What we showed is that for students who are highly test-anxious，who’d done our writing intervention(排解)，all of a sudden there was no relationship between test anxiety and performance. Those students most likely to worry were performing just as well as their classmates who don’t normally get nervous in these testing situations.”
But what if students do not have a chance to write about their fears immediately before an exam or presentation? Professor Beilock says students can try it themselves at home or in the library and still improve their performance.
【小題1】Which of the following is TRUE?

A．The result in the math test agrees with that in the biology test.

B．In the first math test, students who sat quietly performed better.

C．In the second math test, students who wrote about their feelings did worse.

D．Some college students are highly anxious test-takers while others are not in the tests.

【小題2】What may happen if students have the problem of test anxiety?

A．Test anxiety is sure to cause students to fail the test.

B．Test anxiety can improve students’ performance to some degree.

C．Students’ attention and memory resources run out when worried.

D．Students may not be admitted into their favorite college if worried

【小題3】The result of the research suggests that ________．

A．proper amount of burden may turn out to be a good thing

B．facing the fears bravely may help one to achieve more

C．a(chǎn)voiding facing the problem may contribute to relaxation

D．taking no action before difficulty may result in success

【小題4】What is the main idea of the passage?

A．It is important for students to overcome test anxiety.

B．Anxious students overcome test anxiety by writing down fears.

C．It is a common practice for students being worried before a test.

D．Being worried before tests does harm to students’ performance.

You put a great deal of effort into reaching the college of your choice. It’s time to get started. But what’s next? Beginning college can be an exciting but awkward time. Follow these tips to adjust to your new life rapidly and make the most of your college experience.
● To save time and money, use the college’s bus system. Taking the bus to school is quick, easy and free in most college towns. You won’t have to locate or afford a place to park either. It’s also a good way to be environmentally aware.
● Save pennies on books by waiting until class starts. You might not even need all of the recommended books. New textbooks cost an arm and a leg. Try buying used textbooks — it’s a surefire way to save money and serves the purpose as well.
● Do never look at college life as an endless series of parties and social activities. But there is a whole lot more to college if you’re serious about graduating. Having a good college experience is all about balancing work and fun.
● Be aware that your living environment can largely affect your academic success. If the dorm doesn’t suit you, consider living at home with your family or renting your own apartment. The best location for your studies isn’t always your dorm. Find a quiet area, like the library, to do your work. Alternatively, buy some headphones that block out noise.
● Be mindful of your diet. Make healthy food choices and watch what you eat. Avoid foods that are processed or high in sugar. The “freshman 15” is real. Many college students gain at least 15 pounds during their freshmen year.
● While electives (選修課) can be helpful when figuring out your major, you shouldn’t entirely rely on them. Clubs and other organizations exist around. Get involved. Make sure, though, that you still have time to study. Having too much on your plate can hurt your grades.
【小題1】Which of the following ideas can be financially wise? 

A．Driving your own car.	B．Buying used books.
C．Renting an apartment.	D．Attending activities.

【小題2】In the text, freshmen are repeatedly warned against ______.

A．a(chǎn)cademic failures	B．physical problems
C．traffic accidents	D．social activities

【小題3】The “freshman 15” tells the fact that some freshmen ______.

A．a(chǎn)ttend limited activities on campus

B．have little regular physical exercise

C．focus less on their academic work

D．take relaxed attitudes to their diets

【小題4】The underlined phrase “having too much on your plate” probably refers to ______.

A．using too much money for meals

B．eating too many unhealthy foods

C．taking part in too many after-class activities

D．taking an elective that has too many students

Parents are fuelling bad behavior among their children by attempting to "buy" their love with expensive gifts nowadays.
Over recent decades we seem to have created a "must have" culture among our young people. Many mothers and fathers believe they are "failing as parents" if they are unable to ensure that their children have the latest toy, electronic devices (the lap-top, cellphones, Game Boy, etc.) along with their friends. In many cases, families also feel pressured to enroll (使加入) children in "'every interest club or after-school activity that is available" to fill up their time like most of the other children.
But experts warned that the move might affect "precious family time" negatively. Graham Gorton, chairman of the Independent Schools Association, said that parents spent too much time filling their children's lives, which had a series of negative effects on "the very precious family time that exists".
"It seems that those times when a whole weekend without planned work was seen as a luxury (奢侈) and a perfect opportunity to spend time together and share those valuable moments of childhood are long gone," Mr. Gorton said. "As a child I only once said that phrase that parents feared 'I'm bored'. Immediately my mother took action and produced a list of jobs and then insisted that I complete every one of them. Though l didn't think cleaning all the floors could really get rid of my boredom, I enjoyed the feeling of staying at home with my mother and brothers."
Earlier this year, some researchers suggested that relatively wealthy parents were sometimes guilty of failing to teach basic social skills to children. "Often, it’s the rich middle classes that buy off their children through the computer and the TV. That then sets them apart from their family, and then the parents are surprised when their child isn’ t coming to school."
【小題1】The second paragraph mainly tells us that ________.

A．today’s children have little time to play

B．today’s children depend on electronic tools too much

C．today’s parents feel pressured by the "'must have" culture

D．being qualified parents becomes harder for today's young people

【小題2】What does the "must have" phenomenon refer to based on the passage?

A．That children must have what other children have.

B．That children must have proper pressure to work hard.

C．That children must have special skills to ensure a better future.

D．That parents must have patience to know their children better.

【小題3】Which of the following is the best advice you could give to parents based on Gorton’s statement?

A．Plan fewer activities for their children to improve family time.

B．Buy their children fewer things that they are fond of.

C．Give their children more housework to do.

D．Leave their children alone when the kids feel bored.

【小題4】Mr. Gorton tended to think that in the past ________.

A．children enjoyed doing housework

B．children never thought life was boring

C．children liked to spend time with their family

D．children often had some planned work after school

【小題5】From the passage we can infer that ________.

A．wealthy parents don’t like teaching basic social skills to children

B．parents should be much more strict with their children at home

C．children should not be brought up in a wealthy and pleasant environment

D．only satisfying children’s material needs is not a good way of parenting

Alabama
Students in Alabama take the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions. In the classroom, Alabama high school students must prove specific skills in English and take certain math classes.
Among the 2013 U.S. News Best High Schools in Alabama, two were awarded gold medals, 16 received silver medals and 72 were considered bronze medal schools. One of the gold medal schools, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, lies about 90 miles south of Birmingham in the state capital of Montgomery, within the Montgomery County School District.
Alaska
To graduate, Alaska high school students must get at least 21 credits, including a half credit in Alaska history. Alaska judges students from the third grade through senior grades. Students first take the Alaska High School Graduation Qualifying Examination at the tenth grade. It includes math, reading and writing skills.
10 schools were awarded silver medals and 21 received bronze medals among the U.S. News Best High Schools in 2013. While Alaska's capital is Juneau, several of the state's Best High Schools are in or near Anchorage, in the Anchorage School District.
Delaware
Delaware students have a high GPA（平均績點）and 10 hours of community service. If they hand in their FAFSA（自愿聯(lián)邦獎學金）by a certain date, they may get the Inspire Scholarship, which helps pay for tuition at Delaware State University. Before they go to college, however, students must pass the Delaware Student Testing Program Exams.
Among the Delaware schools in the 2013 U.S. News Best High Schools, there are three silver medal schools and four bronze medal schools. The top school in the state is Delmar Senior High School. It is part of the Delmar School District and is about 50 miles from Delaware's capital, Dover.
【小題1】What's the passage mainly about?

A．The introduction to the Best High Schools in three states.

B．The different examinations in several high schools.

C．Scholarships in the Best High Schools in three states.

D．The things students should do before going to college.

【小題2】It can be inferred from the text that______.

A．students with a high GPA can get the Inspire Scholarship

B．reading and writing skills are included in the tests in all the schools

C．Alabama has the most best high schools of the three states

D．a(chǎn)t least 21 credits are needed to graduate from all the schools

【小題3】Which of the following in TRUE according to the passage?

A．The High School Graduation Exams are multiple-choice questions.

B．Both the gold medal schools in Alabama are in its capital.

C．There were 21 silver medal schools in Alaska in all.

D．Delmar Senior High school is the best in Delaware.

【小題4】Alaska's graduation exam is different from the others' in the aspect that______.

A．it includes all the subjects the students learn

B．it includes its own state history as well

C．it includes math, reading and writing skills

D．it includes 10 hours of community service

【小題5】The Inspire Scholarship is a prize______.

A．that any student in gold medal schools can apply for

B．that is given to the top students in gold medal schools

C．that helps to pay for tuition at Delaware State University

D．that is very difficult to get for students in silver medal schools

Homework and stress are rarely reduced inside the classroom. Meanwhile, outside the classroom, the pressure is on to find scholarships for college.
According to Braintrack, a higher education database with worldwide reach, more than 3 billion US dollars (18 billion yuan) in private scholarships are awarded to college students annually. Average awards range from $2,000 to $3,000.
The scholarship application process is similar to the college application process: forms to be completed, test scores and transcripts to be sent, essays to be written and often interviews to be prepared for.
A few great places to start looking for scholarships are: www.fastweb.com, www.finaid.org and www.collegexpress.com.Check out the annual scholarship guidebooks Scholarships, Grants & Prizes by Peterson’s and the Ultimate Scholarship Book: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes by Gen Tanabe and Kelly Tanabe.
Be selective. Thoroughly research the qualifications required by each of the scholarships. Don’t waste your time applying for those that are need-based if you can’t produce the appropriate documents.
Research past recipients (接受者). Check out the websites of the organizations sponsoring the scholarships. Many post the biographies of past recipients. You don’t need to have cured cancer, but if you don’t think your résumé (履歷) measures up to the past winners’, you might be better served by moving onto the next scholarship on your list. Prepare for the interview.
You’ll want to dazzle them with your personality, but above all you’ll want to be prepared. Find someone you trust to conduct a similar interview with you – someone who will be honest with you and provide valuable suggestions.
Let your personality shine through in your essays. The essays are the best way for students to share who they are, where they’ve come from, what they’ve overcome and so on. Tell your story in an interesting and persuasive  way. And if you do have an interview, send a thank-you note afterward.
By Lee Bierer
【小題1】What is the author’s main purpose in writing the article?

A．To explain where to find scholarships for US colleges.

B．To inform readers of the scholarship application process.

C．To introduce some typical scholarships offered by US colleges.

D．To give tips on applying for US college scholarships.

【小題2】If you want to learn about past recipients of a scholarship, you can use __.

A．www.collegexpress.com

B．the annual scholarship guidebooks published by Peterson’s

C．the websites of the organizations sponsoring the scholarships

D．The Ultimate Scholarship Book: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes

【小題3】The underlined word “dazzle” in Paragraph 7 is closest in meaning to ___.

A．influence

B．impress

C．guide

D．present

【小題4】To increase your chance of winning a scholarship, you are advised to ____.

A．a(chǎn)pply for as many scholarships as you can

B．tell an interesting story in your essay

C．do a similar interview to help you prepare for the real one

D．have a talk with past recipients and try to talk like they do

Australia has passed regulations that will enable more international students to further their education in the country.
The new measures were released by the Australian Department of Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations in September and will take effect in mid­2012.
As a result, the student visa application process for overseas students has been simplified, and the deposit(押金)required to study in Australia has been reduced. Language requirements for overseas students have also been eased.
Also, overseas students receiving a higher education in Australia will be granted a working visa lasting from two to four years after graduation, as long as they meet the basic IELTS requirement.
“This change will definitely make Australia a more attractive destination for Chinese students planning to study overseas,” says Wang Lan, a consultant from Education International Cooperation Group(EIC), a Beijing-based company that provides services to students wishing to study overseas.
However, in the past few years, many of Wang’s student clients(客戶)could not start studies in Australia because they did not meet the language requirements, visa processing took a long time and deposit regulations were tough. The change in policy is good news for the parents of students wishing to study in Australia, Wang says.
A 22­year­old female student surnamed Li, in Beijing, who is planning to do her postgraduate studies in Australia, learned about the policy change several weeks ago.
“According to the previous deposit requirement for my student visa, my family was required to put down 550,000 yuan ($86,850). Now we only need to prepare 410,000 yuan. This is a relief for my parents,” Li says.
She also says that the two to four years working visa makes her feel much clearer about her study plans.“ I believe several years of working experience abroad will strengthen my competitiveness when I return to China,” she says.
Gaining a competitive advantage is the major reason for Chinese students to study abroad, according to the report by EIC.
【小題1】What’s the main idea of the passage? 

A．Language requirement for overseas students have been eased in Australia.

B．Australia is a most attractive place for students in China.

C．Australia widens window of opportunity for international students.

D．More students will work in Australia after their graduation.

【小題2】Which of the following is NOT the content of the new regulations?

A．The student visa application process for overseas students has been simplified.

B．The deposit required to study in Australia has been reduced.

C．Language requirements for overseas students have been more difficult.

D．After graduation, some overseas students can get a working visa in Australia.

【小題3】After the new regulations are passed, ________.

A．more students will come to Australia to work

B．more Chinese students will choose to live in Australia

C．the opportunities to work in Australia decrease for overseas students

D．more Chinese students will choose to further their education in Australia

【小題4】 How much can Li’s parents save according to the new regulations?

A．550,000 yuan

B．140,000 yuan

C．410,000 yuan

D．86,850 yuan

【小題5】Why do many students want to work in Australia after their graduation? 

A．The working experience abroad will strengthen their competitiveness.

B．They can earn more money in Australia.

C．Their working experience can make them stay in Australia forever.

D．They have to do so according to the new regulations.

Normally a student must attend a certain number of courses in order to graduate, and each course which he attends gives him a credit which he may count towards a degree. In many American universities the total work for a degree consists of thirty-six courses each lasting for one semester. A typical course consists of three classes per week for fifteen weeks; while attending a university a student will probably attend four or five courses during each semester. Normally a student would expect to take four years attending two semesters each year. It is possible to spread the period of work for the degree over a longer period. It is also possible for a student to move between one university and another during his degree course, though this is not in fact done as a regular practice.
For every course that he follows a student is given a grade, which is recorded. and the record is available for the student to show to potential employers.  All this imposes(增加)  a constant pressure and stress of work, but in spite of this some students still find time for great activity in student affairs. Elections to positions in student organizations arouse much enthusiasm. The effective work of maintaining discipline is usually performed by students who advise the academic authorities. Any student who is thought to have broken the rules, for example, by cheating has to appear before a student court. With the enormous numbers of students. the operation of the system does involve a certain amount of activity. A student who has held one of these positions of authority is much respected and it will be of benefit to him later in his career.
【小題1】Normally a student would at least attend __________classes each week.

A．36

B．12

C．20

D．15

【小題2】According to the first paragraph an American student is allowed

A．to live in a different university

B．to change permanently his or her university

C．to live at home and drive to classes

D．to get two degrees from two different universities

【小題3】American university students are usually under pressure of work because__________. 

A．their academic performance will affect their future careers

B．they are heavily involved in student affairs

C．they have to obey university rules

D．they want to run for positions of authority

【小題4】Some students are enthusiastic for positions in student organizations probably because_________.

A．they hate the constant pressure and stress of their study

B．they will then be able to stay longer in the university

C．such positions help them get better jobs

D．such positions are usually well paid

【小題5】The student organizations seem to be effective in__________.

A．dealing with the academic affairs of the university

B．ensuring that the students observe university regulations

C．evaluating students' performance by bringing them before a court

D．keeping up the students' enthusiasm for social activities