Even in countries in which English is not the primary language, it is important to learn English for a number of reasons. First of all, many English-speaking individuals tour other countries and they may not speak the native language of that country, so it is necessary for them to speak to others who can speak English. Then again, many wish to learn English because they are hoping to visit or even live in an English-speaking country someday.

2 However, learning how to speak English in a non-English country       . Below are some ways that an individual wishing to speak English can learn in their own country:

● The Internet is going to be your best friend. It is full of resources, reading materials, sound recordings, and so much more that can help you learn the meaning of the words that you read and speak.

● Find an English CD and listen to it. Find out the meanings the words and even try to sing along. This can be a lot of fun. If you want to, you can record yourself doing this and really have a lot of fun.

● Try to surround yourself with as many English materials as possible. Not just books, movies, and CDs, but magazines and any products that you can find in the store that may have English written on them. Some major brands serve many countries and have multiple languages written on their packaging.

● And the most important means to learn English is online ESL courses.

They help you learn at your pace and provide you with materials that will have you speaking English in no time. All of the other steps can be used outside of your courses to make you proficient in the language.

1.What is the main idea of the text?(no more than 10 words)

77. Do you think singing English songs is a good way to study English? Why? (no more than 20 words)

You can              singing along if you like and that will be very interesting.

2.Fill in the blank in Paragraph 2 with proper words. (no more than 5 words)

3.How can a pair of jeans by “True Religion Jeans” brand from the US help you with your English? (no more than 10 words)

4.What does the word “they” (Line 2, Paragraph 6) probably refer to?(no more than 3 words)

Many college students have after-school jobs. Students both go to school and have a job at the same time. Every student has his or her own reason for having an after-school job. The most common reason is to help pay for college. In the US, going to a college or university may be very expensive. Not only must students pay for classes, they must also pay for a place to live, food, and other expenses. Buying books for classes can also be very expensive. Students spend as much as five hundred US dollars on books. Many parents do not have enough money to pay all of these expenses, so the students must get an after-school job to help pay for his or her education.

Other students have after-school jobs not to pay for college, but to make and save a little money. Even after all of the school fees are paid, students often have many other expenses. Also, students like to go out and have fun. They may want to do anything from shopping to going to music concerts, to going out to bars and drinking with friends. Though it can be a lot of fun to do all of these things, you can not participate if you do not have money. Because of this, many students try to find jobs so that they can have fun as well as study.

Some students get after-school jobs simply to gain more experience. If a student has never worked before, he or she can have the opportunity to have his or her first job. If a student is interested in banking, he or she may spend a few hours every week working at a local bank. If a student is interested in working in a library after he or she graduates from college, the student can often find a job at the college library. There are many job opportunities for students who are interested in gaining experience in the area his or her choice.

Though some people feel that after-school jobs take away from a student's time to do his or her homework, working is a great learning experience that happens outside of the classroom, and can provide many new opportunities for the students.

After reading the passage, we know that, besides paying for college education, American students have after-class jobs to _______.

A. make or save a little money and gain some experience

B. simply earn some money

C. support his or her family

D. have fun only

In the third paragraph the purpose of giving examples is _______.

A. to say that they have no choice but to do some jobs in college

B. to show that the students are interested in working in banks and libraries

C. to show that working in a bank or a library is the best way to earn money

D. to explain how the students gain experience from after-school jobs 

The best title for this passage is _______.

A. To Get an After-school Job for Fun

B. Getting an After-school Job for Your Education

C. After-school Jobs

D. Experience Is Very Important for Your Job

第一節(jié)：閱讀表達

We all know eating out can be a lot of fun. There’s the experience of having someone wait on your every need，the social aspect of being in a restaurant with friends and，of course，the great benefit of the lack of in—home cleanup.

2We all also know eating out can be expensive，and I’m pretty sure college isn’t the most

financially successful time in a normal person’s life. That’s why eating at home for a majority of meals really is the only option for many college students.   

Eating at home doesn’t have to be dull，boring，or difficult. —It can and should be an energetic，creative experience that transforms the way you look at food. When you cook for yourself, you know exactly how your pasta(意大利面)is going to turn out. You know where the greens in your salad come from. You know the olive oil you’re using really comes from olives that are pressed for the first time. Use eating at home as all opportunity to learn and develop your kitchen skills. I promise you they will remain useful and rewarding for the rest of your life.

Another important concept is to keep in mind that when it comes to shopping for food—less quantity, more quality. Buy base ingredients that are fresh，as local as possible and beautiful，and anything you cook will improve greatly. I promise you will be just as satisfied by eating a little bit less of something with a lot more quality.

I am not saying eating out is a bad thing. But I insist there are many more places that are not worth your cash. Put a little more effort into cooking for yourself at home and you will gain experience and appreciation for the world of food.    

1.. List three benefits of eating out according to the text. (no more than 20 words)

①_______________   ②_______________ ③_____________

2.. Complete the following statement according to Paragraph 2. (no more than 4 words)

Many college students have to eat at home because of __________________.

3. What's Paragraph 3 mainly about?(no more than 7 words)

____________________________________________________________________

4.What advice is given concerning shopping for food in Paragraph 4?(no more than 4 words)

____________________________________________________________________

5.. What does the underlined word it in the third paragraph refer to?(no more than four words)

____________________________________________________________________

B
Today, robots come in all shapes and sizes. They can’t complain, even if the work is heavy and dangerous. And they can work or play all day without getting bored. Unlike a human’s arms, a robot’s joints will never get stiff (僵硬的). The end of the arm can be fitted with devices (裝置) to perform different tasks. These could be a welding (焊接) point, suction cups (吸附杯) or gripping fingers (鉗形指) for lifting and moving objects. Such an arm of these computer controlled industrial robots can work 24 hours a day.
Robopets (機器人寵物) are high-tech robots programmed to play. They can communicate with their owners and recognize their voices. Each one will develop a different “personality”. They can be a lot of fun to play with, but these robots can also be helpful to people who are sick and can’t look after a real animal. Many doctors believe that when a person is happy and laughing, their body recovers faster. A robopet might be just what the doctor ordered.
NeCoRo is a robot cat that has been developed to be more than a toy. The robot uses sensors (傳感器) that can detect movement and sound. It can even store helpful information in its memory. Its behaviour changes over time, just like a real pet.
60. From Paragraph 1 we learn that ________.
A. a human’s arms never get stiff
B. robots sometimes get bored just as humans do
C. robots can do some work which humans can’t
D. robots can work all day but they can’t play
61. Rob pets are especially useful in ________according to the passage.
A. schools                 B. Hospitals       C. cinemas             D. factories
62. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. A robot never says “NO” to the dangerous work.
B. A robot can “remember” useful information.
C. NeCoRo is a robot dog.
D. NeCoRo’s behaviour changes over time.
63. What does the underlined word “detect” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Recognize.         B. Create.          C. Store.                D. Destroy.

Cheektowage Central Middle School can be a lot of fun. It has game nights and student dances, after-school activities, and sports teams. However, students at the school must earn the right to join in the fun. If they don’t do their homework, participate in class, and behave at all times, they’re banned(禁止) from participating in after-school activities.
Students and parents say the threat of being excluded(排除在外) appears to be working. Kenny T. of Reno, Nev., says it taught him that actions have consequences: “I learned that I need to be balanced in both my work and athletics to be rewarded for working hard.” Parent Sondra LaMacchia told The New York Times that her 14-year-old daughter is learning responsibility at Cheektowaga Central. The teen used to perform poorly in her studies, but then she was banned from a school dance. The message got through loud and clear. “It’s nobody’s fault but hers,” LaMacchia said.
Although exclusion may help teach responsibility, some psychologists say it can also be threatening, especially for students who often cause, or may cause, trouble in school. They might become more aggressive and antisocial, which is exactly what schools like Cheektowaga Central want to prevent.
Should schools exclude students from activities to get them to behave? I believe teens need school activities and that inclusion can be the answer. For some troubled students, activities can be their motivation to stay in school. “Activities such as sports may be the only thing keeping certain students in school,” says Duace Wood, a teacher at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, N.Y. Getting involved in after-class activities keeps troublesome students in class. Even if they don’t do as well as their classmates, they are still learning. The more time they spend at school, the less time they have to even think about starting trouble. Teams also provide support and role models, and they help build the confidence that students need to succeed. If students who don’t behave are banned from activities, they might give up on school altogether.
【小題1】Paragraph 2 is developed by _______.

B

Today, robots come in all shapes and sizes. They can’t complain, even if the work is heavy and dangerous. And they can work or play all day without getting bored. Unlike a human’s arms, a robot’s joints will never get stiff (僵硬的). The end of the arm can be fitted with devices (裝置) to perform different tasks. These could be a welding (焊接) point, suction cups (吸附杯) or gripping fingers (鉗形指) for lifting and moving objects. Such an arm of these computer controlled industrial robots can work 24 hours a day.

Robopets (機器人寵物) are high-tech robots programmed to play. They can communicate with their owners and recognize their voices. Each one will develop a different “personality”. They can be a lot of fun to play with, but these robots can also be helpful to people who are sick and can’t look after a real animal. Many doctors believe that when a person is happy and laughing, their body recovers faster. A robopet might be just what the doctor ordered.

NeCoRo is a robot cat that has been developed to be more than a toy. The robot uses sensors (傳感器) that can detect movement and sound. It can even store helpful information in its memory. Its behaviour changes over time, just like a real pet.

60. From Paragraph 1 we learn that ________.

A. a human’s arms never get stiff

B. robots sometimes get bored just as humans do

C. robots can do some work which humans can’t

D. robots can work all day but they can’t play

61. Rob pets are especially useful in ________according to the passage.

A. schools                  B. Hospitals       C. cinemas              D. factories

62. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. A robot never says “NO” to the dangerous work.

B. A robot can “remember” useful information.

C. NeCoRo is a robot dog.

D. NeCoRo’s behaviour changes over time.

63. What does the underlined word “detect” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A. Recognize.          B. Create.          C. Store.                 D. Destroy.

Cheektowage Central Middle School can be a lot of fun. It has game nights and student dances, after-school activities, and sports teams. However, students at the school must earn the right to join in the fun. If they don’t do their homework, participate in class, and behave at all times, they’re banned(禁止) from participating in after-school activities.

Students and parents say the threat of being excluded(排除在外) appears to be working. Kenny T. of Reno, Nev., says it taught him that actions have consequences: “I learned that I need to be balanced in both my work and athletics to be rewarded for working hard.” Parent Sondra LaMacchia told The New York Times that her 14-year-old daughter is learning responsibility at Cheektowaga Central. The teen used to perform poorly in her studies, but then she was banned from a school dance. The message got through loud and clear. “It’s nobody’s fault but hers,” LaMacchia said.

Although exclusion may help teach responsibility, some psychologists say it can also be threatening, especially for students who often cause, or may cause, trouble in school. They might become more aggressive and antisocial, which is exactly what schools like Cheektowaga Central want to prevent.

Should schools exclude students from activities to get them to behave? I believe teens need school activities and that inclusion can be the answer. For some troubled students, activities can be their motivation to stay in school. “Activities such as sports may be the only thing keeping certain students in school,” says Duace Wood, a teacher at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, N.Y. Getting involved in after-class activities keeps troublesome students in class. Even if they don’t do as well as their classmates, they are still learning. The more time they spend at school, the less time they have to even think about starting trouble. Teams also provide support and role models, and they help build the confidence that students need to succeed. If students who don’t behave are banned from activities, they might give up on school altogether.

1.Paragraph 2 is developed by _______.

A．a(chǎn)nalyzing causes                        B．giving examples

C．examining differences                    D．following the time order

2.Parent Sondra LaMacchia supports the policy of exclusion because _______.

A．it provides role models

B．her daughter is aggressive

C．her daughter hates taking exercise

D． it helps teach responsibility

3.In Paragraph 3 and 4, the author mainly talks about________.

A．students who are good at sports

B．students who often cause trouble

C．teens who do well in their studies

D．teens who always behave themselves

4.What is the author’s attitude towards the school’s policy of exclusion?

A． Negative         B．Sympathetic        C．Satisfied          D．Supportive

Many college students have after-school jobs. Students both go to school and have a job at the same time. Every student has his or her own reason for having an after-school job. The most common reason is to help pay for college. In the US, going to a college or university may be very expensive. Not only must students pay for classes, they must also pay for a place to live, food, and other expenses. Buying books for classes can also be very expensive. Students spend as much as five hundred US dollars on books. Many parents do not have enough money to pay all of these expenses, so the students must get an after-school job to help pay for his or her education.

Other students have after-school jobs not to pay for college, but to make and save a little money. Even after all of the school fees are paid, students often have many other expenses. Also, students like to go out and have fun. They may want to do anything from shopping to going to music concerts, to going out to bars and drinking with friends. Though it can be a lot of fun to do all of these things, you can not participate if you do not have money. Because of this, many students try to find jobs so that they can have fun as well as study.

Some students get after-school jobs simply to gain more experience. If a student has never worked before, he or she can have the opportunity to have his or her first job. If a student is interested in banking, he or she may spend a few hours every week working at a local bank. If a student is interested in working in a library after he or she graduates from college, the student can often find a job at the college library. There are many job opportunities for students who are interested in gaining experience in the area his or her choice.

Though some people feel that after-school jobs take away from a student's time to do his or her homework, working is a great learning experience that happens outside of the classroom, and can provide many new opportunities for the students.

After reading the passage, we know that, besides paying for college education, American students have after-class jobs to _______.

A. make or save a little money and gain some experience

B. simply earn some money

C. support his or her family

D. have fun only

In the third paragraph the purpose of giving examples is _______.

A. to say that they have no choice but to do some jobs in college

B. to show that the students are interested in working in banks and libraries

C. to show that working in a bank or a library is the best way to earn money

D. to explain how the students gain experience from after-school jobs 

The best title for this passage is _______.

A. To Get an After-school Job for Fun

B. Getting an After-school Job for Your Education

C. After-school Jobs

D. Experience Is Very Important for Your Job

Cheektowage Central Middle School can be a lot of fun. It has game nights and student dances, after-school activities, and sports teams. However, students at the school must earn the right to join in the fun. If they don’t do their homework, participate in class, and behave at all times, they’re banned(禁止) from participating in after-school activities.

Students and parents say the threat of being excluded(排除在外) appears to be working. Kenny T. of Reno, Nev., says it taught him that actions have consequences: “I learned that I need to be balanced in both my work and athletics to be rewarded for working hard.” Parent Sondra LaMacchia told The New York Times that her 14-year-old daughter is learning responsibility at Cheektowaga Central. The teen used to perform poorly in her studies, but then she was banned from a school dance. The message got through loud and clear. “It’s nobody’s fault but hers,” LaMacchia said.

Although exclusion may help teach responsibility, some psychologists say it can also be threatening, especially for students who often cause, or may cause, trouble in school. They might become more aggressive and antisocial, which is exactly what schools like Cheektowaga Central want to prevent.

Should schools exclude students from activities to get them to behave? I believe teens need school activities and that inclusion can be the answer. For some troubled students, activities can be their motivation to stay in school. “Activities such as sports may be the only thing keeping certain students in school,” says Duace Wood, a teacher at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, N.Y. Getting involved in after-class activities keeps troublesome students in class. Even if they don’t do as well as their classmates, they are still learning. The more time they spend at school, the less time they have to even think about starting trouble. Teams also provide support and role models, and they help build the confidence that students need to succeed. If students who don’t behave are banned from activities, they might give up on school altogether.

72. Paragraph 2 is developed by _______.

   A. analyzing causes       B. examining differences

   C. giving examples        D. following the time order

73. Parent Sondra LaMacchia supports the policy of exclusion because _______.

   A. it provides role models         B. her daughter is aggressive

   C. it helps teach responsibility      D. her daughter hates taking exercise

74. In Paragraph 3 and 4, the author mainly talks about _______.

   A. students who are good at sports    B. students who often cause trouble

   C. teens who do well in their studies   D. teens who always behave themselves

75. What is the author’s attitude towards the school’s policy of exclusion?

A. Supportive    B. Sympathetic    C. Satisfied     D. Negative

Cheektowage Central Middle School can be a lot of fun. It has game nights and student dances, after-school activities, and sports teams. However, students at the school must earn the right to join in the fun. If they don’t do their homework, participate in class, and behave at all times, they’re banned(禁止) from participating in after-school activities.
Students and parents say the threat of being excluded(排除在外) appears to be working. Kenny T. of Reno, Nev., says it taught him that actions have consequences: “I learned that I need to be balanced in both my work and athletics to be rewarded for working hard.” Parent Sondra LaMacchia told The New York Times that her 14-year-old daughter is learning responsibility at Cheektowaga Central. The teen used to perform poorly in her studies, but then she was banned from a school dance. The message got through loud and clear. “It’s nobody’s fault but hers,” LaMacchia said.
Although exclusion may help teach responsibility, some psychologists say it can also be threatening, especially for students who often cause, or may cause, trouble in school. They might become more aggressive and antisocial, which is exactly what schools like Cheektowaga Central want to prevent.
Should schools exclude students from activities to get them to behave? I believe teens need school activities and that inclusion can be the answer. For some troubled students, activities can be their motivation to stay in school. “Activities such as sports may be the only thing keeping certain students in school,” says Duace Wood, a teacher at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, N.Y. Getting involved in after-class activities keeps troublesome students in class. Even if they don’t do as well as their classmates, they are still learning. The more time they spend at school, the less time they have to even think about starting trouble. Teams also provide support and role models, and they help build the confidence that students need to succeed. If students who don’t behave are banned from activities, they might give up on school altogether

1. 1.

   Paragraph 2 is developed by _______

   1. A.
      analyzing causes
   2. B.
      giving examples
   3. C.
      examining differences
   4. D.
      following the time order
2. 2.

   Parent Sondra LaMacchia supports the policy of exclusion because _______

   1. A.
      it provides role models
   2. B.
      her daughter is aggressive
   3. C.
      her daughter hates taking exercise
   4. D.
      it helps teach responsibility
3. 3.

   In Paragraph 3 and 4, the author mainly talks about________

   1. A.
      students who are good at sports
   2. B.
      students who often cause trouble
   3. C.
      teens who do well in their studies
   4. D.
      teens who always behave themselves
4. 4.

   What is the author’s attitude towards the school’s policy of exclusion?

   1. A.
      Negative
   2. B.
      Sympathetic
   3. C.
      Satisfied
   4. D.
      Supportive

A hobby is an investment of time. It also can be an investment of money and commitment. Many people choose to develop more than one type of hobby.   1.   When it comes to choosing the hobby, consider the following factors.

Hobbies are usually an activity of some sort that brings out a certain skill that you have. When you have a talent like painting or woodworking, it can be easy to determine which hobby suits your skill.   2.   Skill can be developed and challenged as you go along. It is not a necessary requirement. A hobby is fitting because you love it, not because you’re a professional at it.

Some people particularly enjoy taking part in hobbies that they can do in a group with others. It can be a lot more fun to join a hobby group than to sit alone in your basement.    3.   It’s important to share interests and network with other hobby enthusiasts that do what you do.

Hobbies are generally an activity that you undertake because of the joy it brings you. Of course many people have discovered the joy that also comes with a hobby that earns you a living.   __4.  Just make sure you make the choice that fits your lifestyle and personal preference.

  5.   But most of the skilled hobbies like art, building or writing have a series of lessons or tutorials that you can take to further your skills. In some cases it’s a really good idea to take lessons, especially if you are clueless as to where or how to begin. Step by step books for most hobbies can often be found in bookstores as well.

A. However, hobbies don’t have to be skill related.

B. Most hobbies can easily be done within your own home, at your leisure.

C. Look one up or start your own.

D. Read hobby books to learn more about your chosen hobby!

E. Make a list of things that you enjoy or don’t know about.

F. It can be a necessary part of selecting the hobby that is right for you.

G. Whether it’s full time, part time or not at all, you must decide if making money you’re your hobby applies to you.

 “Life is speeding up. Everyone is getting unwell.”

This may sound like something someone would say today. But in fact, an unknown citizen who lived in Rome in AD 52 wrote it.

We all love new inventions. They are exciting, amazing and can even change our lives.

But have all these developments really improve the quality of our lives?

Picture this: You’re rushing to finish your homework on the computer. Your mobile phone rings, a QQ message from your friend appears on the screen, the noise from the television is getting louder and louder. Suddenly the computer goes blank and you lose all your work. Now you have to stay up all night to get it done. How calm and happy do you feel?

Inventions have speeded up our lives so much that they often leave us feeling stressed and tired. Why do you think people who live far away from noisy cities, who have not telephones, no cars, not even any electricity often seem to be happier? Perhaps because they lead simpler lives.

One family in the UK went “back in time” to see what life was like without all the inventions we have today. The grandparents, with their daughter, and grandsons Benjamin, 10, and Tomas, 7, spent nine weeks in a 1940s house. They had no washing machine, microwave, computer or mobile phones.

The grandmother, Lyn, said, “It was hard physically, but not mentally.” She believed life was less materialistic. “The more things you have, the more difficult life becomes,” She said. The boys said they fought less to fight over, such as their computer. Benjamin also noticed that his grandmother had changed from being a “trendy（時髦的）, beer-drinking granny, to one who cooked things.”

Here are some simple ways to beat the stress often caused by our inventions!

Don’t be available all the time. Turn off your mobile phone at certain times of the day. Don’t check your e-mail every day.

Don’t reply to somebody as soon as they leave a text message just because you can. It may be fun at first, but it soon gets annoying.

1．The passage is mainly about________.

         A．problem with technology

         B．improvements of our life with technology

         C．the important roles technology plays in our everyday life

         D．major changes which will be likely to happen to technology

2．The writer quoted（引用） what a citizen in ancient Rome said at the beginning of the story in order to___________.

         A．share a truth about life

         B．tell us what life was like long time ago

         C．make us wonder what causes such a thing to happen

         D．point out that you experience some big problems and they may be the same

3．Why did the family choose to spend some time in a 1940’s house? Because________.

         A．they liked to live simple lives

         B．they were curious about how people lived without modern inventions

         C．they were troubled by modern inventions

         D．living in a different time would be a lot of fun for them

4．What do you think the underlined word “available” in the first suggestion offered by the writer mean?

         A．Busy on line.         B．Free        C．Be able to.      D．Be found by others.

A hobby is an investment of time. It also can be an investment of money and commitment. Many people choose to develop more than one type of hobby. 1.     When it comes to choosing the hobby, consider the following factors.

Hobbies are usually an activity of some sort that brings out a certain skill that you have. When you have a talent like painting or woodworking, it can be easy to determine which hobby suits your skill. 2.     Skill can be developed and challenged as you go along. It is not a necessary requirement. A hobby is fitting because you love it, not because you’re a professional at it.]

Some people particularly enjoy taking part in hobbies that they can do in a group with others. It can be a lot more fun to become a member of a hobby group than to sit alone in your basement. 3.     It’s important to share interests and network with other hobby enthusiasts that do what you do.

Hobbies are generally an activity that you undertake because of the joy it brings you. Of course many people have discovered the joy that also comes with a hobby that earns you a living. 4.    Just make sure you make the choice that fits your lifestyle and personal preference.

5.     But most of the skilled hobbies like art, building or writing have a series of lessons or tutorials that you can take to further your skills. In some cases it’s a really good idea to take lessons, especially if you are clueless as to where or how to begin. Step by step books for most hobbies can often be found in bookstores as well.

A. However, hobbies don’t have to be skill related.

B. Most hobbies can easily be done within your own home, at your leisure.

C. Look one up or start your own.

D. Read hobby books to learn more about your chosen hobby!

E. Make a list of things that you enjoy or don’t know about.

F. It can be a necessary part of selecting the hobby that is right for you.

G. Whether it’s full time, part time or not at all, you must decide whether your hobby applies to you.

“Life is speeding up. Everyone is getting unwell.”

This may sound like something someone would say today. But in fact, an unknown citizen who lived in Rome in AD 52 wrote it.

We all love new inventions. They are exciting, amazing and can even change our lives.

But have all these developments really improved the quality of our lives?

Picture this: You’re rushing to finish your homework on the computer. Your mobile phone rings, a QQ message from your friend appears on the screen, the noise from the television is getting louder and louder. Suddenly the computer goes blank and you lose all your work. Now you have to stay up all night to get it done. How calm and happy do you feel?

Inventions have speeded up our lives so much that they often leave us feeling stressed and tired. Why do you think people who live far away from noisy cities, who have not telephones, no cars, not even any electricity often seem to be happier? Perhaps because they lead simpler lives.

One family in the UK went “back in time” to see what life was like without all the inventions we have today. The grandparents, with their daughter, and grandsons Benjamin, 10, and Tomas, 7, spent nine weeks in a 1940s house. They had no washing machine, microwave, computer or mobile phones.

The grandmother, Lyn, said, “It was hard physically, but not mentally.” She believed life was less materialistic. “The more things you have, the more difficult life becomes,” She said. The boys said they fought less to fight over, such as their computer. Benjamin also noticed that his grandmother had changed from being a “trendy（時髦的）, beer-drinking granny, to one who cooked things.”

Here are some simple ways to beat the stress often caused by our inventions!

Don’t be available all the time, turn off your mobile phone at certain times of the day. Don’t check your e-mail every day.

Don’t reply to somebody as soon as they leave a text message just because you can. It may be fun at first, but it soon gets annoying.

1.The passage is mainly about         .

         A．problem with technology  

B．improvements of our life with technology

         C．the important roles technology plays in our everyday life

         D．major changes which will be likely to happen to technology

2.The writer quoted（引用） what a citizen in ancient Rome said at the beginning of the story in order to         .

         A．share a truth about life     

B．tell us what life was like long time ago

         C．make us wonder what causes such a thing to happen

         D．point out that you experience some big problems and they may be the same

3.Why did the family choose to spend some time in a 1940’s house? Because        .

         A．they liked to live simple lives

         B．they were curious about how people lived without modern inventions

         C．they were troubled by modern inventions

         D．living in a different time would be a lot of fun for them

4.What do you think the underlined word “available” in the 1^st suggestion offered by the writer mean?

         A．Busy on line  B．Free.     C．Be able to  D．Be found by others.