Flying over a desert area in an airplane, two scientists looked down with trained eyes at trees and bushes. After an hour' s flight, one of the scientists wrote in his book, "Look here for probable metal. " Scientists in another airplane, flying over a mountain area, sent a message to other scientists on the ground, "Gold possible. " Walking across hilly ground, four scientists reported, "This ground should be searched for metal. " From an airplane over a hilly wasteland a scientist sent back by radio one word: " Uranium. " None of the scientists had X-ray eyes: they had no magic power of looking down below the earth' s surface. They were merely putting to use one of the newest methods of locating minerals in the ground.. . trees and plants as signs that certain minerals may lie beneath the ground on which the trees and plants are growing. This newest method of searching for minerals is based on the fact that minerals deep in the earth may affect the kind of bushes and trees that grow in the surface. At Watson Bar Greek, a brook(小溪)six thousand feet high in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada, a mineral search group gathered bags of tree seeds. Boxes were filled with small branches from the trees. Roots were dug and put into boxes. Each bag and box was carefully marked. In a scientific laboratory, the parts of the forest trees were burned to ashes and tested. Each small part was examined to learn whether there were minerals in it. Study of the roots, branches, and seeds showed no silver. But there were small amounts of gold in the roots and a little less gold in the branches and seeds. The seeds growing nearest to the tree trunks had more gold than those growing on the ends of the branches.

Jennifer: The greenhouse effect might be causing the change, but it's a cycle that's been tracked for about a hundred years and in the past 20 years or so it just stopped cycling. And this is only affecting a small part of the world. People talk about greenhouse effect because they want to show how much concern they have about the future of the world. Don't be as silly as them.Kac: Spring just hits here, too. It's so nice—windows open, the fresh air of changing seasons just lights me up. When I was younger this was the season for walking through the melting snow and ice, across roadsides, through square acre forests among the fields, I got so excited to be out in the wild. It's tough to be in the city this time of year. Maybe I'll go camping soon!Soscia: In the city you don't have seasons. Spring rain does not make man-made structure grow, and wet roads are not inconvenient for you because you can move around in your car. Summer's heat is no longer a problem and air-conditioning makes your rooms cool as autumn. The colors of the city don't change because nature is not powerful enough to change them as she changes the color of woods. Winter snow leaves nothing white but muddy roads.Harno: Snow in Georgia is a funny thing. We have been having 24 hours weather news on the TV for the past week, just because there is a threat of snow. Schools have closed based on these predictions , and all we got was rain. But the rule is that if it sticks to the ground, school is canceled. It would be a great excuse to get the day off. People rush to the grocery store to buy milk and bread— I don't know why, but they do. When I was growing up here we used to get one or two big snowfalls a year, but there has not been any for the last few. Damn global warming.Macland: It's been so nice. I am of the firm belief that in February we get the day like cool autumn season in November... In February it' s like a warm period that' s been getting, stronger and longer every year since my boyhood, and it gets defeated by the final blowing snowstorm of March at least once, but anyone can survive(生存)those snowstorms, since we all know they'll be gone in a few days. Now match each of the people (36-40) to the appropriate statement. Note: there are two extra statements. Statements[A] Future is bright.[B] Man conquers nature.[C] We can see the effect of the pollution on the climate.[D] Human beings have to struggle hard against weather.[E] The call of nature is there.[F] He hates spring.[G] Sometimes we worry too much about nothing.

What does the man propose to do first?

Americans are getting ready for the biggest soccer event in the world. For the first time the world cup soccer competition will be held in the United States. While millions play the game around the world, soccer or football has only recently become popular here. It is only in the last 30 years that large numbers of young Americans became interested in soccer. Now it is the fastest growing sport in the country. A recent study found that almost 18 million young boys and girls play soccer in the United States. The study also found that soccer is beginning to replace more traditional games like American football as the most popular sport among students. And so, when the world cup begins next week, more than one million Americans are expected to go and see the teams play. Organizers say this year's world cup will be the biggest ever. All the seats at most of the 52 games have already been sold. Soccer has been played in the United States for a little more than one hundred years. But how did the sport come to this country? And how long has it existed in other parts of the world? No one knows exactly where the idea for soccer came from, or when people began playing the game. Some scientists say there is evidence that ball games using the feet were played thousands of years ago. There is evidence that ancient Greeks and Romans and native American Indians all played games similar to soccer. Most experts agree that Britain is the birthplace of modern soccer. They also agree that the British spread the game around the world. Unlike the game today, which uses balls of man-made material or leather, early soccer balls were often made of animal stomachs. The rules of early soccer games also differed from those we have today.

Everyone needs a break, and vacations are not meant for serious study.【C1】______The Spring Festival is coming up so this is the perfect time to discuss some great English language literature to take on a long train journey. Before getting into the recommendations, you need to determine your English reading comprehension level. If you' re at the beginner level, there are two options: reading a children' s book or reading a book that you' ve read in Chinese translation.【C2】______If you' re at the intermediate level, popular books like pop fiction, mysteries and thrillers are good options. For advanced readers, classic works of literature or modern prize winners(Nobel, Pulitzer)are good options. 【C3】______When I pick up a book I like, even though the first few chapters are really hard to get through, I would try to get accustomed to the language the author uses. Generally, after the first few chapters, things get a lot easier, especially if I get involved in the story. Another great way to keep yourself motivated is to find a friend who' s interested in reading the same book. You can make goals that you both want to achieve. 【C4】______ Some quick recommendations: Harry Potter, start with the first book and go on from there, the Narnia series: anything by US writer Michael Crichton: and if you like horror, US writer Stephen King is always unusual and fun.【C5】______Happy reading! [A]Instead, they' re a great way to take a break and enjoy a good book. [B]If you pick a book which is so challenging, it will be too stressful. [C]You may also enjoy your reading when hanging out with your family. [D]The most important thing is to pick a book that you're really interested in. [E]You can also discuss plot lines or vocabulary issues with each other by SMS or e-mail. [F]You should just find a topic or author you' re interested in, and the rest will go from there. [G]This will help you get over any unfamiliar words or phrases, since you' re already familiar with the story.

Read the text below. Write an essay in about 120 words, in which you should summarize the key points of the text and make comments on them. Try to use you own words. Media coverage of "leftover men and women" has been widespread in China over the years, raising concerns over this increasingly serious social problem. New phrases like "leftover girls" and "leftover boys" are entering the modern lexicon, referring to women and men in their late 20s or early 30s who are still single. A new report released by China's top health authority has once again highlighted the issue. According to a survey, 21.6% of the leftover men and women are subject to long-term pressures from the society and themselves. According to the report, China's "leftover" men and women, as unmarried denizens aged over 30 or so are charmingly called, face significant health risks. The Report on Chinese Family Development 2015 was released by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, who conducted a survey of almost 32,500 households. The result shows that against the backdrop of population migration and big differences between urban and rural areas, unmarried men of all ages are largely limited to the countryside, while unmarried women are concentrated in urban areas. The report also reveals the trend that an increasing number of men marry women much younger than they are, and that they prefer women in rural areas. This is because it is difficult to find a spouse of their age or in their cities. In some impoverished areas, two percent of the men over 50 years old are still single. Interestingly, statistics also show that the number of single women in cities who are over 30 is much higher than that in the countryside, because the former group is usually well-educated, more financially independent, and prefers career development to marriage.

{{B}}Part ADirections: You will hear 10 short dialogues. For each dialogue, there is one question and four possible answers. Choose the correct answer ― A, B, C or D, and mark it in your test booklet. You will have 15 seconds to answer the question and you will hear each dialogue ONLY ONCE.{{/B}}

What' s the airport like? What' s the airport like?

Lucy: As the mother of two girls, I was moved to tears by your article, because it echoed so many of my own feelings. I don' t think I should feel ashamed or that I am failing my child in any way because I feel like this. I think it' s really normal and I love the way you have put into words what so many mums feel at this stage in their lives. Anna: My husband and I both read this article and we think it is moving, thoughtful, and the ending is wonderful. People cannot deny that jealousy is a natural emotion between children and parents. It is wonderful to see someone emotionally mature enough to be so aware of their own feelings, and celebrate them. You have written what I am sure most mothers feel, but are too scared to admit. Beth: There is some form of jealousy between mother and daughter. I remember suspecting that my mother was jealous of me but kept it under wraps. I understood that my mother was not happy with my father and the good relationship between myself and him. The strange thing is years later, my own daughter and her father have a good relationship with each other and I can feel jealousy creeping in... Clare: When I realized my daughter had become a young woman, I was not jealous. At first I felt sad that I had lost my little girl, then I accepted this and rejoiced in her loveliness. I feel protective towards her because it is too natural for young girls to meet men. Offer your child advice on things like wearing fancy clothes which men do see as charming, and hope that she enjoys her life. Ruth: I think that a mature person judges herself based on her own qualities. A loving mother does not compare herself to her children and advertise her unhealthy thoughts to the world in a newspaper. I am surrounded all day at work by hot, smart young undergraduates, many of whom are hotter and smarter than I was at their age. When they succeed socially and academically, I feel happy for them. Now match the name of each person(36-40)to the appropriate statement. Note: there are two extra statements. Statements[A]You have spoken out the true feelings of mothers like me.[B]It is helpful for mothers to reveal their hidden feelings.[C]Emotionally mature mothers understand their daughters.[D]I understand my mother now, being a mother myself.[E]You have expressed what most mothers feel but dare not say.[F]Do your duty as a mother and hope for the best for your daughter.[G]A mother should not envy her children and make public her improper feelings.

{{B}}Part BDirections: You will hear four dialogues or monologues. Before listening to each one, you will have 5 seconds to read each of the questions which accompany it. While listening, answer each question by choosing A, B, C or D. After listening, you will have 10 seconds to check your answer to each question. You will hear each piece ONLY ONCE.{{/B}}

Jennifer: In your article about online shopping being the newest and easiest way to shop, you said that computers will replace shopping malls sooner or later because they make buying things faster and cheaper. But don' t you think that the entire point of shopping is to spend leisure time with friends while doing something necessary. Shopping is not just a quick task. It is, in fact, an entire way of life. Paul: I am a great collector of all manner of hard-to-find items such as out-of-print books and antiques. Purchasing in physical stores would mean round-the-world travel and years of effort. I can get the same result in a few hours on eBay, and often at bargain prices. I am quite well-off, but buy very few consumer items available in regular shops. I have many friends and acquaintances with the same approach. Mike: My wife buys online often. I have not heard complaints or dissatisfaction. She can compare with different online vendors' prices after she has decided what she wants. It' s delivered to the door, a big time savings and gas savings. If I need something, I check online first and see what it costs and then decide where to buy, local stores or online. Online has the advantage most of the time. Henry: Virtually all online stores make you register. But, I don' t need another username and password to remember. I will only buy online if I cannot find something locally. Even though shipping is fast, I' d rather drive across town and pay more to be able to bring home a new gadget the same day. And, most of the time, there is no difference in price between local stores and online stores. Jeff: If you think the prices are the same online as they are locally, you' re dealing with the wrong online retailers. I' m an online shopping veteran and I always save quite a bit on my large-dollar purchases. With a little research experience, I' ve easily saved thousands of dollars over the last several years. Besides, shipping on most items is reasonable and you don't even pay taxes 99.9% of the time. Now match the name of each person(36- 40)to the appropriate statement. Note: there are two extra statements. Statements[A]I'll buy online only when I have to.[B]You can enjoy steep discounts with most online sellers.[C]I shift between buying on or off line depending on what suits me.[D]Shopping is not only a necessary task but a sociable pleasure.[E]Online selling helps to satisfy my special needs in buying.[F]Buying online is far from being as good as it is boasted to be.[G]Buying online can save you a lot only if you find the right online sellers.

What does Sally do in the supermarket?

Simon: I work not because I like it but that I have to, so I often count the minutes until stopping work or holidays. However, my sister is totally different. She enjoys her work so much that she often spends extra time on her job even take work home with her. I think she is so crazy about work just as some people are about drugs or alcohol. I could hardly understand it. Matthew: Work is a core element of our lives. It gives us a sense of identity in the larger world outside the personal circle of family and friends. However, there are some people for whom work occupies an even more central place in their lives. Workaholics are a stereotype of modern life, and they are both praised and criticized. On the one hand, it may be the accepted way of earning promotion. On the other hand, workaholics are often viewed as neglecting aspects of life such as family and leisure that are important for maintaining a healthy equilibrium. Andrew: In cities, workaholism is so common that people do not regard it as unusual. I think workaholics prefer to work rather than do anything else because they don' t know how to kill time if they don' t work. They can only get pleasure from work. Work is everything for them. Colin: Workaholism is dangerous in a sense because it can cause some problems. First of all, workaholics often have health problems because they don' t have time to relax and keep themselves occupied all the time. Secondly, their family life is not happy since they spend little time with their family. Their marriage may even ends in divorce. Vincent: Being a workaholic can mean you achieve great things, but more people achieve great things without being addicted to work. Workaholics need time away from work and when I say " away from" I mean psychologically distanced from it as well as physically. If you are still obsessing about work when you should be focused on your loved ones or an outside of work activity then you are still basically working. Statements[A]Some people appreciate those who pay almost all their attention on work.[B]If you don't get rid of workaholism, you may get ill.[C]To get promotion, you need to be a workaholic.[D]Workaholics' behaviors are hard to understand.[E]Workaholics had better have some time with no work.[F]It' s hard for workaholics to be away from work psychologically.[G]Workaholics don't know how to enjoy themselves except working.

Some time ago, I discovered that one of the chairs in my front hall had a broken leg. I didn' t foresee any great difficulty in getting it mended, as there are a whole lot of antique shops on Pimlico Road which is three minutes' walk from my flat, so I set forth one morning carrying the chair with me. I went into the first shop confidently expecting a friendly reception, with a kindly man saying, "What a charming chair! Yes, that' s quite a simple job. When would you want it back?" I was quite wrong. I wasn' t too concerned: after all, it was only the first to try and there are many more shops on both sides of the road. The reaction at the second shop, though slightly politer, was just the same, and at the third and the fourth—so I decided that my approach must be wrong. I entered the fifth shop with some confidence because I had thought of a plan. I placed the chair gently on the floor, then the rather fierce shop owner looked it over carefully and said, " Yes, not a bad little chair, how much do you want for it?" "￡20," I said. "It' s got a slightly broken leg," I said. "Yes, I saw that. It' s nothing: don't worry about it. " "What will you do with it?" I asked. "Oh, it will be very saleable once the repair is done, I like the bit of old green velvet on the top, I shall leave that, yes, very saleable. " "I’ll buy it," I said. "Yes, I know, but I' ve changed my mind: as a matter of fact, it is just what I' m looking for. I' ve got a pair to it at home: I’ll give you ￡27 for it. " "You must be crazy," he said: then suddenly the penny dropped and he smiled and said, " I know what you want, you want me to mend your chair. "And what would you have done if I had walked in and asked you to repair it for me?" "I wouldn' t have done it," he said. "We don't do repairs, not enough money in it and too much of a nuisance, but I’ll mend this for you. "

"Family" is of course an elastic word. And in different countries it has different meanings. But when British people say that their society is based on family life, they are thinking of "family" in its narrow, peculiarly European sense of mother, father and children living together in their own house as an economic and social unit. Thus, every British marriage indicates the beginning of a new and independent family—hence the tremendous importance of marriage in British life. For both man and woman, marriage means leaving one's parents and starting one's own life. The man's first duty will then be to his wife, and the wife's to her husband. He will be entirely responsible for her financial support, and she for the running of the new home. Their children will be their common responsibility and their alone. Neither the wife's parents nor the husband's, nor their brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles, have any right to interfere with them—they are their own masters. Readers of novels like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice will know that in former times, marriage among wealthy families were arranged by the girl's parents, that is, it was the parents' duty to find a suitable husband for their daughter, preferably a rich one, and by skillful encouragement to lead him eventually to ask their permission to marry her. Until that time, the girl was protected and maintained in the parents' home, and the financial relief of getting rid of her could be seen in their giving the newly married pair a sum of money called a dowry (嫁妆). It is very different today. Most girls of today get a job when they leave school and become financially independent before their manage. This has had two results. A girl chooses her own husband, and she gets no dowry. Every coin has two sides; independence for girls is no exception. But it may be a good thing for all of the girls, as their social status are much higher and they are no longer the subordinate(部下，下级) of their parents and husbands.

{{B}}Part A{{/B}}

Martin: I work not because I like it but that I have to, so I often count the minutes until stopping work or holidays. However, my sister is totally different. She enjoys her work so much that she often spends extra time on her job even takes work home with her. I think she is so crazy about work just as some people are about drugs or alcohol. I could hardly understand it. Joseph: Work is a core element of our lives. It gives us a sense of identity in the larger world outside the personal circle of family and friends. However, there are some people for whom work occupies an even more central place in their lives. Workaholics are a stereotype of modern life, and they are both praised and criticized. On the one hand, it may be the accepted way of earning promotion. On the other hand, workaholics are often viewed as neglecting aspects of life such as family and leisure that are important for maintaining a healthy equilibrium. Malcolm: In cities, workaholism is so common that people do not regard it as unusual. I think workaholics prefer to work rather than do anything else because they don' t know how to kill time if they don' t work. They can only get pleasure from work. Work is everything for them. Emily: Workaholism is dangerous in a sense because it can cause some problems. First of all, workaholics often have health problems because they don' t have time to relax and keep themselves occupied all the time. Secondly, their family life is not happy since they spend little time with their family. Their marriage may even end in divorce. Linda: Being a workaholic can mean you achieve great things, but more people achieve great things without being addicted to work. Workaholics need time away from work and when I say "away from" I mean psychologically distanced from it as well as physically. If you are still obsessing about work when you should be focused on your loved ones or an outside of work activity then you are still basically working. Now match the name of each person(36 - 40)to the appropriate statement. Note: there are two extra statements. Statements [A]If you don't get rid of workaholism, you may get ill. [B]To get promotion, you need to be a workaholic. [C]Workaholics' behaviors are hard to understand. [D]Workaholics had better have some time with no work. [E]Workaholics don' t know how to enjoy themselves except working. [F]It' s hard for workaholics to be away from work psychologically. [G]Some people appreciate those who pay almost all their attention on work.

What is Sally doing now?

How did the woman know about the Student Action Union? How did the woman know about the Student Action Union?

Everywhere you look, you see kids bouncing a basketball or waving a tennis racquet (网球拍 ). And these kids are getting younger and younger. In some countries, children can compete on basketball, baseball, and volleyball teams starting at age nine.【B1】______ And swimming and gymnastics classes begin at age four, to prepare children for competition. It's true that a few of these kids will develop into highly skilled athletes and may even become members of the national Olympic teams.【B2】______ This emphasis on competition in sports is having serious negative effects. Children who get involved in competitive sports at a young age often grow tired of their sport. Many parents pressure their kids to choose one sport and devote all their time to it.【B3】______ But 66 percent of the young athletes wanted to play more than one sport—for fun. Another problem is the pressure imposed by over-competitive parents and coaches. Children are not naturally competitive. In fact, a recent study by Paulo David found that most children don't even understand the idea of competition until they are seven years old.【B4】______ The third, and biggest, problem for young athletes is the lack of time to do their homework, have fun, be with friends—in short, time to be kids. When they are forced to spend every afternoon at sports practice, they often start to hate their chosen sport. A searchers found that 70 percent of kids who take part in competitive sports before the age of twelve quit before they turn eighteen.【B5】______ Excessive competitive away all the enjoyment. Need to remember the purpose of youth sports—to give kids a chance to have developing strong, healthy bodies.[A] Survey found that 79 percent of parents of young athletes wanted their children to concentrate on one sports.[B] Many of them completely lose interest in sports.[C] Very young kids don't know why their parents are pushing them so hard.[D] The young soccer organization has teams for children as young as five.[E] children should have a regular time for sports.[F] But what about the others, the average kids?[G] Sports for children have two important purposes.