Section 1

Version

Topic

V15106

房屋保险

Questions 1-10

ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER

Insurance claim

Name: Peter Brown

1. Policy Number: TWS701942

2. Address : Yerongpilly

3. Reason of claim: storm

4. Date of incident: August 16

5. Previous claim: bicycle was stolen

Details

Building

6. Pool

7. Some bricks were cracked; Location；near the 8. garage

9. a window in a bedroom was broken

Content

10. a computer was damaged

Section 2

Version

Topic

V09142

folk festival 活动描述

Questions 11-20

Section 3

Version

Topic

V10133

两个学生讨论看电视对孩子们的影响

Questions 21-24

21. Students who watch a moderate amount of TV achieve

C. better academic result

22. Children should be allowed to watch adult programs as long as

B. their parents discuss the contents with them

23. The boy believes

B. watching TV has a bigger influence on children than the family does

24.children who spend most time watching TV have parents who are

B. manual workers

Questions 25-26

Common beliefs about the influence of watching TV on kids that the research proved to be true

B. improve vocabulary

D. shorten the attention span

Questions 27-30

A. using existing knowledge

B. reading more reference

C. not cover

27. C  

28. B 

29. A  

30. A

Section 4

Version

Topic

V09112

single sex学校对男生和女生学术表现的影响

Questions 31-35

31. The finding is surprising because

B. boys perform better

32. Girl from single sex schools tend to

A. choose subjects which are often chosen by male students

33. The study is to prove whether one’s socio-economical status

A. has an impact on one’s academic performance

34. Why did he study the single-sex schools instead of mixed ones?

A. to study the behavior

35. A study carried out by Harvard university showed

B. boys don’t perform as well as in the past

Questions 36-40

36. teachers should use different voice

37. girls tend to work in a group

38. boys like to read stories which are true

39. girl like to read more about the character’s behavior

40. girls are more critical of their academic performance than boys

Passage 1

Topic

The history of coffee

Content Review

P1  People have used coffee for many years, but it was first discovered in the ninth century in Ethiopia. There was a legend. It was said that a goatherd found one of his goats ate a certain cherry, and was more lively at night than other goats. He reported this to the monastery. A monk in the monastery ate this cherry and didn’t tend to sleep that night. So, other monks in the monastery began to eat the cherries so that they could pray at night. Soon the cherry spread to Arab countries.

P2  Arab countries were not only the first to cultivate coffee trees but also the first to trade. In the 15^th century, and 16^th century, countries like Iran, Yemen had coffee house. People went there to drink coffee, have conversations, listen to music, and play chess. Coffee houses became centers to exchange information.The holy city Mecca had large numbers of people visiting every year.

P3  In the early 17^th century, coffee houses were established in major cities in European countries like Italy, France, German. In London, there were about 300 coffee houses. These houses attracted patrons of common interests. Later, many well-known companies developed from here.

P4  In the middle 17^th century, colonists from Europe brought coffee to North America. But tea remained the most favorable beverage in North America until 1773, when a riot against the heavy taxes on tea. The riot was called “Boston Tea Party”. Since then, people’s drinking preference turned from tea to coffee.

P5  With the big demand for coffee, there was an intense competition between countries to plant coffee trees. Of course Arab countries didn’t want to share.But Holland was successful in the competition. Its initial efforts to plant coffee trees in India was a failure. Then it succeeded planting in South Eastern Asia, on an island called Java. Later spread to some nearby island.

P6  In 1714, French King Louis XIV received a coffee seed as a present. He ordered to plant it in the Royal Botanical Garden. A navy officer managed to get a seed from the garden and sent it to Caribbean. Soon millions of coffee trees were grown in Central America. They became the stock of coffee trees from which other South America countries descended.

P7  In the 18^th century, Brazil was under Portugal’s rule. Palheta was sent to ask for some coffee seedlings. But he was refused. However, Palheta was handsome, the wife of the governor was captivated. As Palheta left, she gave him a bouquet of flowers buried inside were enough coffee seeds to be planted.

P8  In only 100 years, coffee spread quickly around the world, and became one of the most profitable crops.

Questions & Answers

Questions 1-6  

Complete the table. One word only.

Questions 7-13 T/F/NG

7. Arabs were the first that bought and sold coffee in the 15^th century. T（P2, the first to trade）

8. Coffee houses were the social centres in Europe in the 15^th century. T (P2, exchange information)

9. First coffee house in Europe was in Italy. NG (P3, 原文只说了in major cities in Europe )

10. In North America coffee immediately became popular after it was sent there.F (P4, tea was the most popular until 1773)

11. Holland first tried to plant coffee trees in Java in south Eastern Asia.F (P5, 原文对应initial efforts to plant coffee trees in India failed.)

12. The seed from the Royal Botanical Garden was the origin of other coffee plants in South America. T (原文P6)

13. The price of coffee increased rapidly in the 18^th century. T (P8, 对应the most profitable crop)

Passage 2

Topic

澳洲野狗

Content Review

P1  The dingo is a wild animal found in Australia whose taxonomic status as a distinct species remains debated. The dingo is the largest terrestrial predator in Australia, McLean Lee believe that they play an important role in keeping ecological balance.

P2  The introduction of Dingoes was to control the number of rabbits and foxes. However, the dingo is seen as a pest by livestock farmers due to attacks on animals. To prevent the overrun of dingoes, local farmers hunt them by using bait.

P3  In addition, it is believed that the fierce and wild hunters of Australia, Dingo is somewhat responsible for the extinction of Tasmanian tigers. These wild dogs may have competed for food and shelter with the death of tigers.

P4  In order to control the proliferation of dingoes, the dingo barrier fence stretches from eastern Queensland all the way to the South Australian coastline. The fence was erected to prevent dingoes enter North Australia continent. It was later modified to protect livestock, particularly sheep, from dingoes.

P5  Some experts claim that dingoes prefer native mammals as their food. Others believe it is nonsense simply because they won’t hunt giraffe or kangaroos even if there are out of stocks.

P6  In fact, Dingoes are more likely to prey calves and younger preys. Therefore, they play an important role in controlling goats, as well as native herbivores, that together contribute to overpopulation when present in large numbers.

P7  One argument is that dingoes can keep in check smaller predators such as foxes and cats, in turn benefiting native species reducing overall predation pressure upon them.

Questions & Answers

Questions 14-20

Which paragraph contains the following information?

14. Dingoes prefer native animals than non-native ones.      E

15. The introduction of dingoes to Australia                  B

16. Dingo’s preference on predators.                        F

17. The prevention on the number of dingoes.                D

18. An earlier method to control dingoes.                     B

19. The relationship between Tasmania tigers and dingoes.     C

20. 待回忆

Questions 21-23 Matching

21. The number of dingoes will affect the income of farmers.   B

22. The relationship between dingoes and balance of nature.   A

23. The preference on predators.                          E

Questions 24-26 short answer questions

24. The extinction of Tasmanian tigers are partly due to the completion from dingoes.

25. Dingoes prefer to choose calves as their preys.

26. Dingoes can control the number of wild-life animal from overpopulation.

Passage 3

Topic

新西兰儿童文学作家Margaret Mahy

Content Review

P1  Margaret Mahy is the most famous writer in New Zealand. She likes to explore innovative style of writing and her writing contains a lot of magical contents. Her work of children literature as well as teenager literature are both famous. Her writing style is so unique that there is only one other writer in New Zealand considered her descendant -- Knox. Margaret is also very welcoming to journalists, even though it is not good to her health to receive so many interviews. I just interview her a few days ago, and find her to be an energetic and adorable old lady.

P2  When Mayh was canvassing her novel, she does not have a budget, but she managed to find inspiration in everyday life. She wrote on bus, she canvas the plot beside schools, she did her work in old buildings. Those mundane surrounding never restricted her imagination, and her works are all very appealing. Most of her work have something in common: she likes to write about unruly people -- pirates, robbers, lions, alongside with librarians, mothers, teachers who tries to escape from stereotype. Very often, the central role in her book is a young boy who have supernatural power that could take him to magical places and make him experience upheaval of life. Usually the ending of her book is not unpredictable, but the reader could always get what they want from reading her novels.

P3  One of her most famous work is called Magician Hoad, the original work has 800 pages, and then it has been rewrote. Now there are several versions of the book, and the latest one is half as long as the original one.

P4  Bubble trouble is the book that favoured for generations by New Zealand parents and children. It is a tongue twister about a clown. The work is favoured by Mayh herself. She has recited the work many times both publicly and privately. It is a marvelous work, which demonstrated her master of a language.

P5  Mayh’s work has inspired generations of people, I have read her book to my stepdaughter in 1960s, and read her books to my son in 1970s, and now my own grandchildren are hooked by her books.

P6  To Mayh’s mind, the relationship between a writer and the readers is very important. She holds the opinion that the work is not complete before the readers read it, because the readers could generate new ideas from the work. Mayh has been famous for engage actively in meetings with readers, even though it may not be good for her own well-being.

P7  The talk with Margaret Mahy is also marvelous. She always concerns about new knowledge, when heard about a new name, she would immediately turn to encyclopedia and look it up. The talk with her is both fun and inspiring. She can manage to spot special things out of ordinary life.

P8  Another renowned writer called Hill gave her high remarks. He says that Mahy’s view of world is the one that she can make ordinary things seem interesting just as she can see the unusual power in language. She can always find sparkling side of the language just as she can find interesting things from life.

Questions & Answers

Questions 27-31 Y/N/NG

27. Mahy wants to explore the traditional theme in New Zealand writing. N

28. Mahy’s teenagers books is more popular than her books for children. NG

29. Mahy and Knox have criticized each other’s works. NG

30. Mahy is welcoming to journalists. Y

31. Mahy is at ease when answering questions. N

Questions 32-35 选词填空

The place where Mahy construe her work is (E. everyday) places. However, the location where the story take place is (I. Exotic and familiar). The hero of her book is usually a boy with (C. Magical) power. The conclusion of her books would make the reader feel (F. Predictable and satisfying )

Questions 36-40 单选

36. Which statement is true about Magicial Hoad?

It has been reconstructed.

37. Which statement is true about Bubble trouble?

It is most favoured by New Zealand parents and children.

38. What is the purpose of the 5^th paragragh?

To suggest that Mahy’s work is favoured by readers for generations.

39. What is the purpose of the 6^th paragraph?

Mahy encourage feedback from readers.

40. Why does the writer refer to the comment from Hill to Mahy?

To illustrate Mahy’s view to the world.

Task 1

Type of questions

地图

题目

The map below shows different ways to visit Mt. Eron, a mountain in a National Park.

Task 2

Topic

教育

Type of questions

讨论类

题目

Some people think a country benefits from a large proportion of young people university educated, other think sending young people to universities only leads to graduate unemployment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People & Animal

Pop star

Neighbours

Events

Housework

Birthdays

Daily routine

History

Objects/Things

Mirror

Watch

Shoes

Robots

Jewellery

Vegetables and fruits

Places

Hometown

Media

Music//Musical Instruments

Newspaper and magazine

Advertisement

Television

Emails and Letters

Abstract

Work or study

Sunny days

Transport

Dream

Politeness

Sunshine

People & Animal

Describe a famous person that you are interested in.名人

Describe a thing that a wise person did/ a person who gives a clever solution to a problem.聪明的人

Events

Describe an interesting talk or speech.有趣的演讲

Describe an event in history in your country.历史事件

Describe a time you had good experience in the countryside.乡下的愉快经历

Describe a decision made by others that you disagreed with.不同意的决定

Describe an occasion that you received a good service from a restaurant or shop.优质服务

Describe a time you moved to a new home or school.搬家、转学

Describe a leisure activity near the ocean.海边活动

Describe something you want to do for a long time but you haven’t done yet.想做的事

Describe a time you need to arrive early.早到的经历

Describe an interesting conversation you had with a stranger.有意思的谈话

Describe a time you saw lots of people were smiling.好笑的场合

Objects/Things

Describe a book you want to read again.重读的书

Describe a kind of foreign food you have had.外国食品

Describe a time that you had a free gift.免费礼物

Describe a piece of art (like statue, painting).艺术品

Describe a kind of vegetable or plant.植物

Places

Describe a quiet place.安静的地方

Describe a big company or organization you know.大公司

Media

Describe a website you like to visit.喜欢访问的网站

Describe an interesting advertisement you have seen recently.广告

Describe a TV series or drama you enjoy watching.电视节目

Describe a piece of good news you heard from others.

Abstract

Describe a plan in your life (that is not related to work or study).一个计划

Describe a well-paid job that you will have in the future.高薪工作

重点话题Sample Answer

Politeness

1. Who taught you about politeness when you were a child?

It was my parents and my teachers. When I went out with my parents, my mother or my father kept telling me to say Uncle or Aunt or Grandpa or Grandpa, which is an interesting and unique way to greet people in China. And when I was in school, my teachers never stopped telling us to say sorry or thank you or excuse me or please when we talked with others.

2. Why should people be polite?

Well, that is why we call ourselves people. I mean we are not animals and we don’t gain respect via our sharp teeth or iron claws. As a human, we are supposed to show our civilization and quality in our behaviors. And being polite is one vital quality that separates us from animals. That means, if we don’t want to be called animals, we had better be polite.

And being polite saves us much trouble. Think about it. You are in a restaurant and have ordered hotpot. When it is served, there is something unsatisfying. And you want to return it. If asking nicely and politely, there might be no problem. However, as the lady did 2 months ago in the same scenario, loud and rude and insulting, the waiter poured a whole pot of hot soup over the lady’s head.

And basically, being polite brings convenience and comforts to not only others but also ourselves.

3. When shall we be polite?

I don’t think we should pick a moment to act politely. If possible, we shall keep polite all the time, like when we get stuck in the traffic, get sandwiched in the subway, get annoyed by our noise neighbors. It can be really difficult, but how much we are civilized can be seen from how and when we keep our politeness.

4. How do Chinese people show their politeness?

For both categories, there can be various and numerous behaviors.

To be polite, warm greetings shall be heard when we see our friends in the street, mouth corners shall be up when we talk, please should be there when we make a request and sorry when we bother others. The list is endless.

And impoliteness can also be known in many ways such as cutting in lines, talking really loud in public places or listening to music without earphones in the subway.

5. What differences are there between polite manners in the past and the ones at present?

I am not very sure, but I think certain behaviors have been redefined.

For example, in the past, it would be considered impolite if we failed to visit our elders during traditional festivals like the Spring Festival. But now, it is a totally different story. More and more young people choose to work and reside in big cities, far away from their hometowns. And during the festival time, it is not easy to get a ticket home due to the large amount of travelers. They may have to call their parents and relatives instead of visiting them in person.

Besides, the one-child policy plays its part too. In the past, kids were taught to put others’ benefits before their own. And now this policy offers perfect way-out for kids to be selfish, who may not be able to show enough politeness when they are supposed to.