I clearly remember the day when my little brother was born: January 1, 1994. One of my favorite family photos shows me lying with my mother in the hospital bed, happy but unaware of the small, sleeping baby in the background.

I stayed with my grandparents for the weekend of my brother’s birth, excited about my new brother but not yet aware of what having a little brother would mean. I didn’t truly realize what was going on until we were in the hospital room at Duke University----coincidentally (碰巧地), the same room in which I had been born two years earlier.

When I looked at my brother for the first time, I felt a mixture of fear and interest. Little did I know that small, pink creature would grow up to be one of my favorite people in the world.

In reality, though I am two years older than my brother, I am more often than not the real baby in the family. I am very lacking when it comes to common sense. Instructions constantly confuse me and I frequently find myself totally puzzled by things like knowing how to start the washing machine or manage the storage settings on my iPhone.

That’s where Gibson comes in. The poor kid has had to guide me through more tasks than I would care to admit, but he never complains. Though I should probably be told to figure it out myself, he always comes through.

I’m envious of his ability to readily answer the ever-present, “What do you want to do with your life?” question at family gatherings. “Be a doctor,” he says----a solid answer, completely opposite to my shaky one, “Well, I’m an English major, so...”

My brother truly is my best friend. No one understands me better, and there isn’t anyone else I would want to be stuck with in our family. I may not have a clear idea of where I’m headed, but he is stuck with me.

1. How did the author feel when he saw his brother for the first time?

A. Angry and sad.               B. Excited and moved.

C. Curious and scared.           D. Happy and interested.

2. What does the underlined sentence in the fourth paragraph mean?

A. My brother is the real baby in the family.

B. In fact, I seem to be less mature than my little brother.

C. My brother gets more love from the family than I do.

D. I am growing more slowly than my brother.

3. What does the brother often help the author do?

A. Help him deal with many daily tasks.

B. Help him with his studies.

C. Give him advice on how to choose a major.

D. Comfort him when he is in a bad mood.

4. What is the best title for this text?

A. My Strange Family Gatherings                 

B. The Real Baby in the Family

C. Stuck with Me----My Not-So-Little Little Brother

D. The Feeling of Having a Brother

Can dogs and cats live in perfect harmony in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cats are worried that they will fight. A recent research has found a new recipe of success. According to the study, if the cat is adopted before the dog, and if they are introduced when still young (less than 6 months for cats, a year for dogs), it is highly probable that the two pets will get along swimmingly. Two-thirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.
     However, it wasn't all sweetness and light. There was a reported coldness between the cat and dog in 25% of the homes, while aggression and fighting were observed in 10% of the homes. One reason for this is probably that some of their body signals were just opposite. For example, when a cat turns its head away it signals aggression, while a dog doing the same signals submission.
     In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully, researchers observed a surprising behavior. They are learning how to talk each other's language. It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk ‘dog’ and dogs can learn how to talk ‘cat’.
    What's interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence. They can learn how to read each other's body signals, suggesting that the two may have more in common than we previously suspected. Once familiar with each other's presence and body language, cats and dogs can play together, greet each other nose to nose, and enjoy sleeping together on the sofa. They can easily share the same water bowl and in some cases groom (梳理) each other.
    The significance of the research on cats and dogs may go beyond pets ─ to people who don't get along, including neighbors, colleagues at work, and even world superpowers. If cats and dogs can learn to get along, surely people have a good chance.
5. Some cats and dogs may fight when ________.
   A. they misunderstood each other's signals
   B. they look away from each other
   C. they are cold to each other
   D. they are introduced at an early age
6. What is found surprising about cats and dogs?
   A. They eat and sleep each other.
   B. They learn to speak each other's language.
   C. They observe each other's behaviors.
   D. They know something from each other's voices.
7. It is suggested in Paragraph 4 that cats and dogs ________.
   A. have common interests
   B. have a common body language
   C. are less different than was thought
   D. are less intelligent than was expected
8. What can we human beings learn from cats and dogs?
   A. We should live in peace with animals.
   B. We should know more about animals.
   C. We should learn to live in harmony.
   D. We should learn more body languages.

Lost wallets which contain a picture of a baby are more likely to be returned to their owners, scientists have discovered.

    Researchers left 240 wallets on the streets of Edinburgh last year to see how many were returned to their owners. Some of the wallets contained one of four photographs—a baby, a cute little dog, a family and a portrait of an elderly couple. Other wallets contained a card suggesting the owner had recently made a charity donation, while a control sample(对照组) contained nothing at all.

    Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist who was in charge of the experiment, said 42 percent of the wallets were posted back in total. Those containing the picture of the infant, or the baby were most likely to bring about an honest reaction from the finder, with 88 percent being returned, followed by those containing pictures of the little dog at 53 percent. Of those featuring the family snapshot, 48 percent were sent to the return address and only 28 percent of those with the picture of the elderly couple. Wallets containing the charity cards and the control sample were least likely to be returned, with rates of 20 and 15 percent.

Prof Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, said, “The baby kicked off a caring feeling in people, which is not surprising from an evolutionary perspective(角度). We were amazed by the high percentage of wallets that came back.”

The wallets were planted at random about a quarter of a mile apart. Snapshots were inserted into a clear plastic window inside the wallets, none of which contained money.

9. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A. Researchers left 240 wallets on the streets of Edinburgh last year.

B. Professor Richard Wiseman carried out an experiment with 240 wallets.

C. Lost wallets containing a picture of a baby are more likely to be returned.

D. Wallets which contain nothing are mostly returned to their owners.

10. The passage is made believable by       .

A. telling stories     B. using figures   C. asking questions   D. giving examples

11. The underlined phrase “kicked off” in Paragraph 4 most probably means “       .”

A. caused           B. showed       C. avoided          D. accepted

12. It can be inferred that         .

A. people who returned the wallets are interested in psychology

B. dogs are more respected in western countries than the elderly

C. Professor Wiseman had expected the result before the experiment

D. the result of the experiment can be different if wallets contain money

Wanted, Someone for a Kiss
    We’re looking for producers to join us in the second of London 100FM. You’ll work on the station’s music programmes. Music production experience in radio is necessary, along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply(申请) in writing to Producer Vacancies, Kiss100.
Father Christmas
    We’re looking for a very special person preferably over 40, to fill our Father Christmas suit.
    Working days: Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December17 to December24 except Sunday, 10:30—16:00
    Excellent pay.
    Please contact(联系)the Enterprise Shopping Center, Station Parade, Eastbourne.
Accountants Assistant
    When you join the them in our Revenue Administration Unit, you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division, dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver of for somebody who has office experience.
    Wealden District Council
Software Trainer
    If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training, you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in programme writing. You will be allowed to make our decision, and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of ￡15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV (简历) to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.
13. Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station?
   A. The Enterprise Shopping Centre 

B. Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.
C. Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100. 

D. Wealden District Council.
14. We learn from the ads that the Enterprise Shopping Centre needs a person who _______.
   A. is aged between 24 and 40    

B. may do some training work
C. can work for about a month  

D. should deal with general duties
15. Which position is open to recent school graduates?
   A. Producer, London Kiss.
   B. Father Christmas.
   C. Software Trainer
   D. Accountants Assistant

      __16__

Outdoor activities for kids are fun and a learning experience for them as well as their parents. Kids are like pots of wet clay, whatever you teach them they will learn very quickly. So instead of giving them expensive video games, why not teach them and take part with them in some outdoor activities for kids. __17__ It's in this age that you should introduce some fun creative activities that help them in the long run. Every fourth kid in America suffers from obesity, being obese invites a lot of health problems. Outdoor activities for kids prove to be a fun and splendid exercise that kids would love.

__18__ In ancient times kids used to play outside and come home only at nights like cats. To get rid of the dullness，they played every game they ever saw or heard. These games were beneficial for their mind and body as they improved their creativity and gave them a healthy workout.

Water Balloons is one of the best outdoor games for children to play. To play this game you need a lot of balloons, two tubs and three or four water guns. Divide the kids in two equal groups and fill the balloons in water.__19__You have to throw it at your team member and he/she has to catch it and place it in a tub.

Pack your bags and head to the woods, camping can be a great way to spend some quality time with family and also see kids learn a lot of important things.__20__They get to learn many things and also see the beauty of nature closely.

A．Outdoor activities for kids.

B．Don't get too far from your sight.

C．You can play passing the balloons with your team member.

D．Sunny days are perfect for some outdoor activities for kids.

E．Teach them how to organize a tent, lay beds and carry wood.

F．Camping is a getaway chance for your kids from their normal life.

G．Children in their growing stage have very sharp and focused minds.