36. The fourth paragraph mainly tells us       .

A. how Binchy became an editor B. Binchy’s changing careers

C. Binchy’s hard life D. the origin of Binchy’s stories

37. Light a Penny Candle        according to the passage.

A. showed the cruelty of World War ｢ò

B. was well received by the readers

C. made Binchy known to people worldwide

D. represented the greatest achievement of Binchy’s works

38. In her later life, Binchy       .

A. was still devoted to writing B. kept staying in hospital

C. interviewed her readers often D. continued encouraging readers

B

A dozen years ago, when I traveled back to my hometown on the sad occasion of Dad’s death, the mailboxes along the way reminded me of some of his stories. I thought I knew them all, but that wasn’t quite the case.

As I drove through Marcellus, I noticed two lamp poles (街灯柱), one on each side of the street. When my dad was around, those poles supported wooden boxes that were about four feet off the ground. One box was painted green, and the other was red, and each had a slot (狭缝) at the top with white lettering: SANTA CLAUS, NORTH POLE. For years children had dropped letters to Santa through those slots.

Mom and I were sitting at the kitchen table when Frank Townsend came. He had been Dad’s postmaster and great friend for many years. So we all sat down at the table and began to tell stories.

At one point Frank looked at me across the table with tears in his eyes. “What are we going to do about the letters this Christmas?” he asked.

“The letters?”

“I guess you never knew.”

“Knew what?”

“Remember when you were a kid and you used to put your letters to Santa in green and red boxes on Main Street? It was your dad that answered all those letters that the kids wrote every year.”

I just sat there with tears in my eyes. It wasn’t hard for me to imagine Dad sitting at the old table in our basement reading those letters and answering each one. I have since spoken with several of the people who received Christmas letters during their childhood, and they told me how amazed they were that Santa had known so much about their homes and families. For me, just knowing that story about my father was the gift of a lifetime.

39. What did the writer’s father probably do?

A. A police officer.   B. A writer.

C. A school teacher.  D. A mail carrier.

40. Asked by Frank about the Christmas letters, the writer felt       .

A. frightened B. delighted  C. puzzled  D. worried

41. Which word can best describe the writer’s father?

A. Warm-hearted. B. Humorous.

C. Quick-minded. D. Serious.

42. The writer’s purpose of writing this passage is to       .

A. tell a funny story B. celebrate Christmas

C. share his experience D. honor his father

C

There have been many arguments that football should not be played in high schools because it causes too many injuries, but it can be played safely. Besides, there are contributions (贡献) that the sport makes to schools: it raises money and it encourages kids to get good grades.

Research shows there are ways to make football safe. One of the most common injuries in football is a concussion (脑震荡). Although most people think mouth guards are for your teeth, they actually protect you from concussions. Here is why. If your upper and lower jaws snap together, it makes your brain hit your skull, which can cause the concussion. Also there is a lot of equipment being invented that makes the players avoid concussions such as the concussion safe helmet (头盔). There have also been many rule changes in the NCAA and NFL that make football safer. One is if two players make helmet to helmet contact, then they would be fined. Another main rule that helps a player recover fully from a concussion is that he can’t come back after a concussion until 2 months after the injury.

Football makes contributions to high schools. If you win the championship game, the school gets more than $400,000. That money could be spent on hiring new teachers, getting new books, or providing scholarships for students. If there was no high school football, the schools would have fewer teachers and less teaching equipment. Cutting high school football means a smaller budget (预算) for schools.

Football encourages students to get good grades. The players have to have a certain grade point average. This encourages kids to work harder. Also, it helps kids come together, study together, and sometimes even make their own homework club. Like when it was football season for our team, we would go into our coaches’ room and do our homework together.

43. From Paragraph 2, we can learn that       .

A. mouth guards are only for football players’ teeth

B. concussions are not common injuries for football players

C. the concussion safe helmet will be avoided by football players

D. mouth guards can protect football players against concussions

44. According to the new rules, if two players make helmet to helmet contact, they       .

A. will have to pay some money B. can’t come back to play again

C. will be examined for a concussion

D. can’t play in the following two months

45. What is implied about football in Paragraph 3?

A. It costs too much for high schools.

B. It is a moneymaker for high schools.

C. It means a smaller budget for high schools.

D. It means having to hire more teachers for high schools.

46. What is this passage mainly about?

A. How to make contributions to high schools.

B. Why many high schools say no to football.

C. Why football should be played in high schools.

D. How to make sure that football can be played safely.

D

It’s summertime, and the living is easy. School is out and the weather is great. For many Americans, this is the season to travel.

Throughout their history, Americans have been people on the move. The early comers had to travel to get to the New World. Once they arrived, they settled along the East Coast. But they weren’t satisfied to stay there. Explorers and traders journeyed to the unknown western territories (边界). Later, settlers moved west to develop these new areas. As a result of this westward movement, Americans finally controlled the whole continent — from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put. Research says that the average American moves every five years.

Besides their habit of changing addresses, Americans are used to traveling. Their jobs may even require them to take frequent business trips. Most companies provide an annual (一年一次的) vacation for their employees, and people often use that time to travel. Camping out in the great outdoors is attractive to adventurous types. Some travel in comfortable vehicles to camp out in comfort, while others “rough it” by sleeping in tents.

Most Americans prefer to travel within their nation’s borders. Why? For one thing, it’s cheaper than traveling abroad, and there’s no language problem. But besides that, the vast American territory offers many tourist attractions. Nature lovers can enjoy beaches, mountains, canyons, lakes and a wealth of natural wonders. Major cities offer visitors plenty of urban delights. The convenience of modern freeways, railways and airplanes makes travel in America as easy as pie.

Many American vacations are as unique as the people who take them. History lovers seek out famous historical sites and museums. Environmentalists prefer “green vacations”. Others hit the water to go fishing, skiing or white-water rafting. Daring souls go for safaris (游猎) in faraway places from Africa to Asia.

47. What can we infer from the second paragraph?

A. It’s good for Americans to be on the move.

B. Americans move too much.

C. Americans will settle soon.

D. Early settlers moved more than modern Americans do.

48. Which of the following is NOT the reason why Americans like to travel within their own country?

A. They can save money.

B. They will have no communication difficulties.

C. They love their own country much.

D. They can still enjoy many tourist attractions.

49. What makes traveling so easy for Americans?

A. Their large income.  B. Modern means of transport.

C. Their lifestyle.

D. The annual vacation given by companies.

50. How do you best understand the underlined sentence in the last paragraph?

A. Vacations are suitable for different kinds of people.

B. Vacations leave unique memories with people.

C. People choose vacations based on their special interest.

D. There are many different kinds of vacations available.

第二节 (共5小题; 每小题2分, 满分10分)

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Once upon a time, there lived a great king. He was rich but unsatisfied all the time. One day, the king came across a servant who was singing happily when he worked.       51       He asked the servant, “Why are you so happy?” The servant replied, “Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, and my family and I don’t need too much.”

52       Later that day, he asked his advisor’s advice. After hearing the whole story, the advisor said, “Your Majesty, just place 99 gold coins in a bag and leave it at the servant’s doorstep, and you will know the answer.”

When the servant saw the bag, he took it into his house. When he opened the bag, he let out a great shout of joy.       53       He began to count them. After several counts, he was at last convinced that there were 99 coins. He looked everywhere to find the 100th one, but did not find it.

54       He overworked, and scolded (责骂) his family for not helping him make that 100th gold coin. He stopped singing while he worked. Seeing the great change, the king finally knew that it was desires that destroyed the servant’s happy life. And he also found the secret to be happy.

We can be happy, even with very little in our lives.       55       We lose our sleep, our happiness, and we hurt the people around us. All these are a price for our growing needs and desires.

A. The king was very amazed.

B. There were so many gold coins!

C. The king wasn’t satisfied with his answer.

D. From that day on, the servant’s life was changed.

E. The servant began to live a happier life from that day on.

F. Look at what you have done, not what you have not been able to do.

G. But we want even more the minute we’re given something bigger and better!

四、写作 (共两节, 满分35分)

第一节 短文改错 (共10小题; 每小题1分, 满分10分)

短文中共有10处错误，错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号(∧)，并在此符号下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线( )划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词的下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;

2. 只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。

I’m good at singing. I’ve been interested in music and dreamed of become a singer ever since my childhood. My parents began to teach me children’s songs when I am three. After I started school I had more chance to enjoy various songs and practiced singing a lot. I like singing English songs as well, which great benefits me in my learning of English. Practice make perfect. I have made great progress in singing and my efforts have paid up. Last year, I entered in a talent show and won a prize. I think we are all unique and have their advantages in some respects. I know my singing skills still need be further improved. I’m confident when I will serve our society with my songs in the future.

第二节 书面表达 (满分25分)

假设你是校英语话剧社的社长李华，现负责英语话剧《百万英镑》面向全校的演员选拔工作。请你根据以下提示信息拟一则通知。

1. 时间：2013年4月25日;

2. 地点：学校礼堂;

3. 具体要求：

①热爱戏剧表演;

②具有较好的英语口语表达能力;

③熟悉马克•吐温的小说《百万英镑》。

注意：1. 100词左右;  2. 参考词汇：标准 criteria。