A few months ago as I wandered through my parents’ house, the same house I grew up in, I had a sudden, scary realization. When my parents bought the house, in 1982, they were only two years older than I am now. I tried to imagine myself in two years, ready to settle down and buy the house I’d still be living in almost 30 years later.

It seemed ridiculous. On a practical level, there’s no way I could afford to buy a house anytime soon. More importantly, I wouldn’t want to. I’m not sure where I’ll be living in two years, or what kind of job I’ll have. And I don’t think I’ll be ready to settle down and stay in one place.

So this is probably the generation gap that divides my friends and me from our parents. When our parents were our age, they’d gotten their education, chosen a career, and were starting to settle into responsible adult lives.

My friends and I – “Generation Y” – still aren’t sure what we want to do with our lives. Whatever we end up doing, we want to make sure we’re happy doing it. We’d rather take risks first, try out different jobs, and move from one city to another until we find our favorite place. We’d rather spend our money on travel than put it in a savings account.

This casual attitude toward responsibility has caused some critics to call my generation “arrogant”, “impatient”, and “overprotected”. Some of these complaints have a point. As children we were encouraged to succeed in school, but also to have fun. We grew up in a world full of technological innovation: cellphones, the Internet, instant messaging, and video games.

Our parents looked to rise vertically(垂直的)--starting at the bottom of the ladder and slowly making their way to the top, on the same track, often for the same company. That doesn’t apply to my generation.

Because of that, it may take us longer than our parents to arrive at responsible, stable adulthood. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In our desire to find satisfaction, we will work harder, strive for ways to keep life interesting, and gain a broader set of experiences and knowledge than our parents’ generation did.                                                                              

By Ariel Lewiton

1.When the author walked through her parents’ house, she _______.

A．was frightened that she had no idea what she wanted from life

B．started to think about her own life

C．realized I should buy a house.

D．wondered why her parents had settled down early

2.What is the main “generation gap” between the author and her friends and their parents according to the article?

A．Their attitude toward high technology.

B．Their ways of making their way to the top.

C．Their attitude towards responsibility.

D．Their ways of gaining experience.

3.Which of the following might the author agree with?

A．It’s all right to try more before settling down.

B．It’s better to take adult responsibility earlier.

C．It involves too much effort to rise vertically.

D．It’s ridiculous to call her generation “arrogant”.

4.What can we conclude from the article?

A．The author is envious of her parents enjoying a big house at her age.

B．Growing up in a hi-tech world makes “Generation Y” feel insecure about relationships.

C．“Generation Y” people don’t want to grow up and love to be taken care of by their parents.

D．The author wrote this article so that others would be able to understand her generation better.

5.What is the main theme of the article?

A．The sudden realization of growing up.

B．A comparison between lifestyles of generations.

C．Criticisms of the young generation.

D．The factors that have changed the young generation.

 

If you still need to relax and want to head overseas, don’t miss out some great deals on accommodation or air fares at some of the world’s top off–peak travel hotspots. Whether you want to go to Europe or run away on a tropical escape, stretch that travel budget to take advantage of off-peak rates at some of the world’s most-visited locales. Several destinations host spring festivals and other special events.

Here are four off-peak travel destinations to visit in 2013:

Portugal

With rich culture and history, Portugal continues to be one of the most affordable European destinations. Head to this beautiful capital city of Lisbon to attend the festivals and fairs, visit some 12^th–century buildings, and stay at one of the newer hotels in the main city district. The Hotel Teatro is a four-star restaurant, and average nightly rates are under $150 a night.

Hotel Teatro

Porto, Portugal

+351  220  409  620

Aruba

Set your sights on Aruba for an unforgettable Caribbean holiday. You can get special offers from one of the larger beach resorts(旅游勝地) here. Some of the chain hotels, including Marriott and Radisson, offer discounts on spa relaxations (礦泉浴場) . The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino, & Spa is offering a Super Saver Spring Rate at just $309 per night.

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa

Palm Beach, Aruba

800-967-9033

Oaxaca  

Escape to southern Mexico to explore the historic colonial city and learn about the region’s traditions, culture, and colorful history. Oaxaca holds several cultural festivals and is a great place to relax. You will be receiving a 50% discount with just $170 per night for a deluxe(豪華的) single or double room if you stay in the Camino Real Oaxaca for more than 7 nights (7 included).

Camino Real Oaxaca

Centro, 68000

01 951 501 6100

Turkey

Another place to have some local culture and participate in some late spring festivals is Istanbul, Turkey. Stay at a destination that will put you within easy reach of famous sites like the Topkapi Palace. The Modern Sultan Hotel is a deluxe hotel located in the heart of the historic district. Average nightly rates for the bed and breakfast package are just under $120 per night.

Modern Sultan Hotel

Istanbul, Turkey

+90 212 520 00 53

1.In the passage Portugal is described as a destination ________.

A．for visitors interested in ancient buildings

B．especially appealing to wealthy Europeans

C．owning rich culture but lacking colorful festivals

D．having the Hotel Teatro in the suburbs of Lisbon

2.If you want to know more information about spas, you can call ________.

A．800-967-9033                         B．+351 220 409 620

C．01 951 501 6100                        D．+90 212 520 00 53

3.According to the passage, nightly rates including breakfast is offered by ________.

A．Hotel Teatro

B．Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa

C．Camino Real Oaxaca

D．Modern Sultan Hotel

4.What is the passage mainly about ?

A．Some off-peak places for relaxation.

B．A way to travel on a budget.

C．The world’s most visited destinations.

D．Comparing the four tourist destinations.

 

Directions: Read the following passage. Answer the questions according to the information given in the passage and required words limit. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

 

Marti Sementelli has been a baseball player since preschool, throwing plastic balls and swinging a tiny wood bat from the time she was 3 years old. She was a solid player at every youth level, and sometimes a star. In 2007, Nike even featured the young Californian in a TV commercial.

Despite her experience, Sementelli, now 16, had a hard time finding a high school that would allow her to try out for the boys’ baseball team.

Two parochial schools (教會學(xué)校) near her family’s home in North Hollywood said no, and several public schools were lukewarm (冷淡的) to the idea. Finally, she found Burbank High School, where she’s now a sophomore and a member of the JV baseball team.

Sementelli’s story is not unique. Across the country, girls devoted to baseball--and with as many seasons of youth ball under their belts as their male teammates--are finding it isn’t easy to stay in the sport when they reach high school.

Biology does play a role in the situation: Boys, especially older ones, often have an edge over girls in size and strength, allowing them to throw harder and swing with greater force. But girls say that the toughest battles are not about capabilities, but against the traditional attitude that baseball is for boys.

“Most people just are incapable of seeing beyond what’s easy,” says Jennifer Ring, the author of Stolen Bases: Why American Girls Don’t Play Baseball, and a professor at the University of Nevada-Reno. “It is much neater if we say boys play baseball and girls play other sports.”

In at least one state, Massachusetts, girls are barred from trying out for boys’ baseball in high schools that also offer softball. Nebraska dropped its ban last year, and in January, Indiana removed its ban after being sued (控告) by the parents of Logan Young, a 15-year-old aspiring catcher and freshman at Bloomington South High School.

 

1.When did Sementelli begin to play baseball? (no more than 6 words)

2.Where did Sementelli stay in a baseball team? (no more than 6 words)

3.What does the author think about girls’ capabilities in baseball? (no more than 10 words)

4.In which states are girls allowed to play baseball? (no more than 4 words)

 

There is one word that is on the lips of Americans , day and night , “Sorry”.

One time as I was walking on the street , a young man ran by hurriedly , brushing against my handbag . Even as he continued on his way , he turned back and said “sorry” to me . Even in a rush , he didn’t forget to apologize .

One day , after I bought some apples , the salesman was giving me the change , but I wasn’t ready for it , and a coin dropped on the ground, “I’m sorry ,” he said while bending down to pick it up . I was puzzled —why would he apologize when it was my fault ?

Another time , I stepped on a man’s foot in an escalator . At the same time , we both said “sorry” . I thought it interesting : was it really necessary for him apologize ?  

Later on , an American friend explained to me that according to the American ideas, the escalator is public place which everyone should be able to stand in . After someone occupies a position in the escalator , making it difficult for someone else to find a place to stand in , isn’t it necessary to express an apology ?

During my stay in America , I gradually realized that when friction (摩擦) occurs in daily life , Americans don’t care much about who is responsible . If someone is troubled , a “sorry” is always necessary . Even if the other person is hurt , the “sorry” would cool tempers . Perhaps this is why I never saw anyone quarreling on the buses , subways or streets in America .

1.When I was walking in the street , ____ .

A．a(chǎn) young man wanted to rob me of my bag

B．a(chǎn) young man ran by and wanted to brush my bag

C．a(chǎn) young man said sorry to me for touching my bag

D．a(chǎn) young man came hurriedly to help me with my bag

2.When the salesman gave me the change , _____

A．I purposely didn’t want to accept it from the salesman

B．the salesman purposely didn’t want to pass it to me

C．I was slower to accept it than the salesman to give it to me

D．the salesman was slower to give it to me than I could accept it

3.The man on whose feet I stepped apologized to me because ____ .

A．the escalator is a public place

B．the man was very afraid of me

C．the “sorry” said to me was for everyone

D．there wasn’t enough room to get my feet in

4.In this passage , the author seems to feel _____ the Americans’ “sorry”.

A．a(chǎn)ngry with

B．disappointed with

C．interested in

D．a(chǎn)pproving of

 

One dark stormy night, an elderly couple hurried into a hotel and asked whether they could be  36  for the night, “I’m very sorry,” the clerk on night shift said politely, “we are all  37 tonight.  38 ,you could stay in my room if you don’t mind. I’m 39 ,so I’ll be here.” The young man gave the sincere advice.

The elderly couple accepted his  40  with gratitude. They apologized for the  41  they had caused him. The next day, the rain stopped and it  42 . When the old gentleman went to pay his bill, the same clerk said, “The room you and your wife stayed in is not a proper   43  room in this hotel, so you don’t need to pay.”

The old gentleman nodded in  44  : “You are an employee that every boss in the hotel business would dream of . Perhaps someday I’ll build a hotel for you.” The clerk was  45  but, deciding that the guest must have been 46  , he gave the remark  47 thought.

Two years later, the young man received a letter from the old gentleman, in which he  48 the experience of that dark stormy night. The letter also  49 a formal invitation, asking that young man to pay a visit.

At a street corner in Manhattan, the young man met his  50  guest. The old gentleman, pointing to a magnificent new building  51  over the crossroads, “Look, that is the hotel I 52 to build for you. I hope you will  53  it for me .Remember what I said then? Well, I was  54  about it.”

The young man stammered, “But…will there be any   55 , sir? Why do you choose me? And who are you?”

“My name is William Aster.” This building was none other than the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, a symbol of supreme status and honor in New York.

1.                A．put up         B．put away        C．stay up   D．set up

 

2.                A．preserved      B．conserved       C．booked   D．occupied

 

3.                A．Meanwhile      B．Moreover       C．Otherwise D．However

 

4.                A．on duty         B．on display       C．on stage  D．on hand

 

5.                A．service         B．view           C．offer D．invitation

 

6.                A．Instruction      B．consideration    C．Inconvenience D．interruption

 

7.                A．cleared away    B．picked out       C．cleaned up    D．cleared up

 

8.                A．living          B．double         C．a(chǎn)dmirable D．luxury

 

9.                A．a(chǎn)ppreciation     B．a(chǎn)dmiration      C．surprise  D．excitement

 

10.               A．excited         B．skeptical        C．a(chǎn)nnoyed   D．respectful

 

11.               A．lacking         B．covering        C．joking D．cheating

 

12.               A．not more       B．no more        C．some D．a(chǎn)nother

 

13.               A．described       B．stated          C．recited    D．recalled

 

14.               A．swapped       B．included        C．a(chǎn)ttached   D．a(chǎn)dded

 

15.               A．former         B．original         C．formal D．primitive

 

16.               A．displaying       B．towering        C．flying D．hovering

 

17.               A．determined     B．promised       C．tended    D．intended

 

18.               A．get            B．keep           C．manage   D．make

 

19.               A．sensitive        B．concerned      C．curious    D．serious

 

20.               A．Scene          B．situation        C．condition  D．Occasion